bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrographic data from the GEF Patagonia cruises
Authors: Charo M. , Piola A. R.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. The hydrographic data reported here were collected within the framework of the Coastal Contamination, Prevention and Marine Management project (GEF Patagonia), which was part of the scientific agenda of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The project goal was to strengthen efforts to improve sustainable management of marine biodiversity and reduce pollution of the Patagonia marine environment. The observational component of the project included three multi-disciplinary oceanographic cruises designed to improve the knowledge base of the marine environment and to determine the seasonal variability of physical, biological and chemical properties of highly productive regions in the southwest South Atlantic continental shelf. The cruises were carried out on board R/V Ara Puerto Deseado, in October 2005 and March and September 2006. In each cruise, hydrographic stations were occupied along cross-shelf sections spanning the shelf from near-shore to the western boundary currents between 38° and 55° S. This paper reports the quasi-continuous vertical profiles (CTD) and underway surface temperature and salinity data collected during the GEF Patagonia cruises. These data sets are available at the National Oceanographic Data Center, NOAA. US, doi:10.7289/V5RN35S0.
A multiresolution spatial parameterization for the estimation of fossil-fuel carbon dioxide emissions via atmospheric inversions
Authors: Ray J. , Yadav V. , Michalak A. M. , van Bloemen Waanders B. , McKenna S. A.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. The characterization of fossil-fuel CO2 (ffCO2) emissions is paramount to carbon cycle studies, but the use of atmospheric inverse modeling approaches for this purpose has been limited by the highly heterogeneous and non-Gaussian spatiotemporal variability of emissions. Here we explore the feasibility of capturing this variability using a low-dimensional parameterization that can be implemented within the context of atmospheric CO2 inverse problems aimed at constraining regional-scale emissions. We construct a multiresolution (i.e., wavelet-based) spatial parameterization for ffCO2 emissions using the Vulcan inventory, and examine whether such a parameterization can capture a realistic representation of the expected spatial variability of actual emissions. We then explore whether sub-selecting wavelets using two easily available proxies of human activity (images of lights at night and maps of built-up areas) yields a low-dimensional alternative. We finally implement this low-dimensional parameterization within an inversion, where a sparse reconstruction algorithm, an extension of Stagewise Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (StOMP), is used to identify the wavelet coefficients. We find that (i) the spatial variability of fossil fuel emission can indeed be represented using a low-dimensional wavelet-based parameterization, (ii) that images of lights at night can be used as a proxy for sub-selecting wavelets for such analysis, and (iii) that implementing this parameterization within the described inversion framework makes it possible to quantify fossil fuel emissions at regional scales under some simplifying conditions.
Large-sample hydrology: a need to balance depth with breadth
Authors: Gupta H. V. , Perrin C. , Blöschl G. , Montanari A. , Kumar R. , Clark M. , Andréassian V.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. A holy grail of hydrology is to understand catchment processes well enough that models can provide detailed simulations across a variety of hydrologic settings at multiple spatiotemporal scales, and under changing environmental conditions. Clearly, this cannot be achieved only through intensive place-based investigation at a small number of heavily instrumented catchments, or by empirical methods that do not fully exploit our understanding of hydrology. In this opinion paper, we discuss the need to actively promote and pursue the use of a "large catchment sample" approach to modeling the rainfall–runoff process, thereby balancing depth with breadth. We examine the history of such investigations, discuss the benefits (improved process understanding resulting in robustness of prediction at ungauged locations and under change), examine some practical challenges to implementation and, finally, provide perspectives on issues that need to be taken into account as we move forward. Ultimately, our objective is to provoke further discussion and participation, and to promote a potentially important theme for the upcoming Scientific Decade of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences entitled Panta Rhei.
Modelling pesticide leaching under climate change: parameter vs. climate input uncertainty
Authors: Steffens K. , Larsbo M. , Moeys J. , Kjellström E. , Jarvis N. , Lewan E.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. Assessing climate change impacts on pesticide leaching requires careful consideration of different sources of uncertainty. We investigated the uncertainty related to climate scenario input and its importance relative to parameter uncertainty of the pesticide leaching model. The pesticide fate model MACRO was calibrated against a comprehensive one-year field data set for a well-structured clay soil in south-western Sweden. We obtained an ensemble of 56 acceptable parameter sets that represented the parameter uncertainty. Nine different climate model projections of the regional climate model RCA3 were available as driven by different combinations of global climate models (GCM), greenhouse gas emission scenarios and initial states of the GCM. The future time series of weather data used to drive the MACRO model were generated by scaling a reference climate data set (1970–1999) for an important agricultural production area in south-western Sweden based on monthly change factors for 2070–2099. 30 yr simulations were performed for different combinations of pesticide properties and application seasons. Our analysis showed that both the magnitude and the direction of predicted change in pesticide leaching from present to future depended strongly on the particular climate scenario. The effect of parameter uncertainty was of major importance for simulating absolute pesticide losses, whereas the climate uncertainty was relatively more important for predictions of changes of pesticide losses from present to future. The climate uncertainty should be accounted for by applying an ensemble of different climate scenarios. The aggregated ensemble prediction based on both acceptable parameterizations and different climate scenarios has the potential to provide robust probabilistic estimates of future pesticide losses.
Observed decline of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation 2004–2012
Authors: Smeed D. A. , McCarthy G. D. , Cunningham S. A. , Frajka-Williams E. , Rayner D. , Johns W. E. , Meinen C. S. , Baringer M. O. , Moat B. I. , Duchez A. , Bryden H. L.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. The Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) has been observed continuously at 26° N since April 2004. The AMOC and its component parts are monitored by combining a transatlantic array of moored instruments with submarine-cable-based measurements of the Gulf Stream and satellite derived Ekman transport. The time series has recently been extended to October 2012 and the results show a downward trend since 2004. From April 2008 to March 2012, the AMOC was an average of 2.7 Sv (1 Sv = 106 m3 s−1) weaker than in the first four years of observation (95% confidence that the reduction is 0.3 Sv or more). Ekman transport reduced by about 0.2 Sv and the Gulf Stream by 0.5 Sv but most of the change (2.0 Sv) is due to the mid-ocean geostrophic flow. The change of the mid-ocean geostrophic flow represents a strengthening of the southward flow above the thermocline. The increased southward flow of warm waters is balanced by a decrease in the southward flow of lower North Atlantic deep water below 3000 m. The transport of lower North Atlantic deep water slowed by 7% per year (95% confidence that the rate of slowing is greater than 2.5% per year).
The sub-ice platelet layer and its influence on freeboard to thickness conversion of Antarctic sea ice
Authors: Price D. , Rack W. , Langhorne P. J. , Haas C. , Leonard G. , Barnsdale K.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. This is an investigation to quantify the influence of the sub-ice platelet layer on satellite measurements of total freeboard and their conversion to thickness of Antarctic sea ice. The sub-ice platelet layer forms as a result of the seaward advection of supercooled ice shelf water from beneath ice shelves. This ice shelf water provides an oceanic heat sink promoting the formation of platelet crystals which accumulate at the sea ice–ocean interface. The build-up of this porous layer increases sea ice freeboard, and if not accounted for, leads to overestimates of sea ice thickness from surface elevation measurements. In order to quantify this buoyant effect, the solid fraction of the sub-ice platelet layer must be estimated. An extensive in situ data set measured in 2011 in McMurdo Sound in the south-western Ross Sea is used to achieve this. We use drill-hole measurements and the hydrostatic equilibrium assumption to estimate a mean value for the solid fraction of this sub-ice platelet layer of 0.16. This is highly dependent upon the uncertainty in sea ice density. We test this value with independent Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) surface elevation data to estimate sea ice thickness. We find that sea ice thickness can be overestimated by up to 19%, with a mean deviation of 12% as a result of the influence of the sub-ice platelet layer. It is concluded that in close proximity to ice shelves this influence should be considered universally when undertaking sea ice thickness investigations using remote sensing surface elevation measurements.
Inflammatory Processes, Febrile Seizures, and Subsequent Epileptogenesis
Authors: Choy ManKin , Dubé Céline M. , Ehrengruber Markus , Baram Tallie Z.
Published: February 2014

Febrile seizures (FS) are the most common type of seizures in infants and preschool children. Inflammatory mediators, which are known triggers of fever, have also been implicated as contributors to the onset of these seizures. Evidence that inflammation is present following FS and during established epilepsy suggests that it could also influence epileptogenesis. However, the potential involvement of inflammatory mediators to the epileptogenic process that may follow prolonged FS has yet to be fully determined. This article reviews the current state of our knowledge and major gaps that remain by focusing on four questions: Does inflammation contribute to the generation of FS? Does prolonged FS or febrile status epilepticus (SE) cause temporal lobe epilepsy in the absence of predisposing factors? Does inflammation contribute to the process by which febrile SE causes limbic epilepsy? And finally, can inflammation be a foundation for biomarkers and therapy for FS-induced epileptogenesis?
Parasitic Diseases that Cause Seizures
Authors: Nash Theodore E.
Published: February 2014

The propensity of parasites to invade the brain, cause disease, and give rise to seizures and epilepsy varies greatly. This reflects the wide diversity of parasites that differ in fundamental ways. This manuscript reviews parasites that invade the brain or its vasculature and give rise to seizures.
Le jeu comme outil d’intervention cognitive et métacognitive
Authors: Grossniklaus Sarah
Published: February 2014

Cet article présente une étude pilote sur l’impact des jeux comme outils d’intervention (méta)cognitive. Deux études de cas avec des adolescents ayant une déficience intellectuelle modérée à sévère sont présentées. L’entraînement (jeux et tâches de transfert) vise des processus (méta)cognitifs et des stratégies de résolution. L’analyse s’appuie, d’une part, sur les résultats provenant de différents instruments évaluant l’induction, l’attention, la structuration visuelle et des compétences scolaires. D’autre part, elle est basée sur des données procédurales obtenues durant les séances d’entraînement et de test, ainsi qu’en classe. Les élèves ont progressé au niveau procédural et au niveau de la performance. Ils ont maintenu leurs progrès huit semaines après l’entraînement et un des deux élèves a transféré les apprentissages en classe. Ces résultats permettent une première validation des jeux en tant qu’outils d’intervention (méta)cognitive.
Les troubles neurosensoriels chez cinq enfants autistes d’âge préscolaire
Authors: Beaulne Stéphane
Published: February 2014

Au cours de leur vie, un certain nombre d’enfants autistes présentent des symptômes de nature sensorielle. Afin de mieux comprendre l’ontogénie de ces symptômes, cet article présente une recension des écrits récents concernant les manifestations neurosensorielles de ces enfants. L’auteur résume ensuite les manifestations sensorielles qui ont été observées chez cinq jeunes enfants autistes, à partir des données recueillies dans une grille remplie respectivement par leurs parents, une intervenante et le chercheur. Ces grilles permettent d’identifier certaines manifestations communes aux cinq enfants, et d’autres, qui sont spécifiques à chacun. L’analyse des résultats de cette étude révèle que les cinq jeunes participants autistes présentaient plusieurs manifestations sensorielles, un constat qui souligne combien il est important de tenir compte des symptômes de nature sensorielle dans tout travail cherchant à tracer le profil de l’enfant autiste. L’article conclut sur une discussion des conséquences de ces observations pour les enfants autistes.
L’utilisation de « groupes de discussion » dans la recherche en déficience intellectuelle
Authors: Julien-Gauthier Francine , Héroux Jessy , Ruel Julie , Moreau André
Published: February 2014

Cet article est le premier de deux articles portant sur une étude qui a pour but d’identifier les meilleures pratiques pour l’utilisation du groupe de discussion focalisée en général, puis avec des participants ayant une déficience intellectuelle en particulier. Le premier article présente les meilleures pratiques répertoriées lors de la recension des écrits. Les résultats de cette recension sont regroupés en cinq dimensions : le recrutement des participants, le consentement à la recherche, la structure des rencontres, l’animation des rencontres ainsi que leur contenu. Les résultats proposent des aménagements aux façons de faire traditionnelles du groupe de discussion focalisée afin de les rendre plus accessibles à une diversité de participants et de faciliter l’expression de leur point de vue.
Expérimentation d’une technologie mobile d’assistance à la réalisation de tâches pour soutenir l’autodétermination de personnes présentant une déficience intellectuelle
Authors: Lachapelle Yves , Lussier-Desrochers Dany , Caouette Martin , Therrien-Bélec Martin
Published: February 2014

Les objectifs de cette recherche consistent à expérimenter un assistant à la réalisation de tâches (ART) chez des personnes présentant une déficience intellectuelle (DI) et d’en évaluer l’impact sur leur autodétermination. L’ART est un téléphone intelligent muni d’une version francophone des applications Discovery Desktop et Visual Assistant. Quinze personnes, présentant une DI sans troubles associés, l’ont expérimenté pendant 8 semaines. Des entretiens de recherche semi-structurés ont été menés auprès d’un proche et d’un intervenant pour chacune des personnes avant et après l’intervention. Une analyse thématique des verbatim soutient l’hypothèse que des conditions particulières doivent être respectées lors de la sélection d’une tâche afin d’observer des impacts importants tant au niveau du développement de l’autodétermination des personnes que des pratiques d’intervention innovantes des parents et des intervenants.
Gérer la « confusion de Babel » : politiques missionnaires et langues vernaculaires dans l’Est du Canada (XVIIe-XIXe siècles)
Authors: Guillorel1 Éva
Published: February 2014

Cet article cherche à montrer que l’Acadie est un observatoire privilégié pour analyser l’évolution des stratégies linguistiques missionnaires entre le XVIIe et le XIXe siècle, et que les orientations choisies dans ce domaine constituent un pertinent révélateur de la réorganisation des rapports de force politiques, religieux et socioculturels dans la colonie. Espace-test pour les premières missions au début du XVIIe siècle, l’Acadie est le lieu d’intenses réflexions par les autorités ecclésiastiques sur la constitution et la transmission des savoirs sur les langues amérindiennes au XVIIIe siècle. Les profondes transformations politiques et démographiques qui affectent le territoire avec la mise en place du Régime anglais conduisent à une complexification sans précédent de la situation linguistique. Les autorités ecclésiastiques doivent alors entièrement revoir leurs priorités, sur fond de concurrence accrue entre catholicisme et protestantisme.
ФЕНОМЕНОЛОШКА ДИМЕНЗИЈА ПРИВРЕДНОГ КРИМИНАЛИТЕТА
Authors: Шикман Миле , Домузин Раде
Published: February 2014

Апстракт: Феноменолошка димензија привредног криминалитета подразумијева посматрање привредног криминалитета с дескриптивног становишта, кроз опис појавних облика у којима се манифестује. У том контексту можемо говорити о статици и динамици привредног криминалитета, као и о типологији појавних облика. Наравно, ријеч је о условним категоријама, будући да се статика, динамика и типологија појавних облика тиче криминалитета у цјелини, а привредни криминалитет је самодио укупног друштвено негативног дјеловања. Статика привредног криминалитета изражава се кроз структуру понашања која означавамо као привредни криминалитет. Динамика се бави промјенама у њиховом обимуи дистрибуцији, док типологија различите врсте привредног криминалитета, на основу заједничких особина, сврстава у групе, чиме се омогућа-ва лакше проучавање привредног криминалитета. Статика и динамикапривредног криминалитета може се вршити на основу прикупљених ста-тистичких и других података и информација. Ништа мање није важно пи-тање типологије привредног криминалитета. Ово је уједно и најсложенијепитање, будући да зависи како од статике, тако и од динамике привредногкриминалитета. Полазећи од наведеног, а узимајући у обзир и друге критеријуме класификације, те коришћењем принципа општости, сматрамода се привредни криминалитет доминантно испољава кроз сљедеће об-лике: криминалитет против привреде и економског система; кримина-литет против финансија и финансијског система; криминалитет бијелогоковратника и корпорацијски криминалитет; организовани криминалитет у привреднo-финансијском пословању и корупција у привредним и ванпривредним дјелатностима. У раду ће бити више ријечи о наведенимкатегоријама привредног криминалитета, прије свега са дескриптивногстановишта, без улажења у конкретизацију појединих форми и облика ис-пољавања привредног криминалитета.
КРИМИНОЛОШКО-КРИМИНАЛИСТИЧКЕ КАРАКТЕРИСТИКЕ СЕРИЈСКИХ РАЗБОЈНИШТАВА
Authors: Матијевић Миле , Миладиновић Александар
Published: February 2014

Серијска разбојништва су посебно ''тешка'' кривична дјела.Наведено имплицира потребу теоријског разматрања криминалистичког аспекта серијских разбојништава кроз сагледавање одређених криминолошко-криминалистички карактеристика серијских разбојништава. У том контексту, у раду ће се приказати одређене криминолошко-криминалистике карактеристике разбојништава попут начина извршења, којије (углавном) непромијењен, објекта напада и средства извршења који су истоврсни, временске и географске подударности између извршених кривичних дјела…
ОТКРИВАЊЕ И ДОКАЗИВАЊЕ КРИВИЧНОГ ДЈЕЛА НЕОВЛАШТЕНЕ ПРОИЗВОДЊЕ И ПРОМЕТА ОПОЈНИХ ДРОГА
Authors: Зимоња Оливије
Published: February 2014

Криминалитет из области злоупотребе опојних дрога спадау најтеже облике кривичних дјела, и то првенствено због специфичностиначина извршења, профила извршилаца кривичних дјела, те заступљено-сти броја извршених кривичних дјела злоупотребе опојних дрога у укуп-ном броју извршених кривичних дјела. Такође, веома значајна карактери-стика кривичних дјела везаних за злоупотребу опојних дрога је великистeпен организованости, веома чест међународни елеменат, те изузетнотешке посљедице. Када се говори о посљедицама, значајно је нагласитида се ради о неколико видова посљедица, и то посљедицама које настајуизвршењем кривичног дјела, којима извршиоци прибављају веома вели-ку материјалну корист и тиме угрожавају економску стабилност државе,те посљедицама медицинског и здравственог карактера које се огледајуу стварању великог броја зависника о опојним дрогама и лица која уз за-висност оболијевају од различитих заразних болести. Потом, треба нагла-сити и лош утицај на развој социјалних и културних норми друштва, кадатакве особе кроз изградњу статуса веома богатих и у свијету криминалаугледних људи индукују негативну појаву идентификације младих особаса извршиоцима ових кривичних дјела, док се као посебан аспект јављаи секундарни криминалитет везан за кривична дјела злоупотребе дрога,односно криминалне активности које предузимају зависници како би обе-збиједили новац потребан за куповину опојне дроге.
Effects of molecular weights of a polymeric insulator on the electrical properties of pentacene thin-film transistors
Authors: Zhang Xue , Park Gyeong-Tae , Choi Jong Sun , Kwon Jin-Hyuk , Bae Jin-Hyuk , Park Jaehoon
Published: February 2014

This paper reports the effects of the molecular weights (MWs) of a polymeric insulator on the electrical properties of a pentacene thin-film transistor. The MWs of polystyrene used as a polymeric insulator were varied from 13,000 to 980,000. The mobility and current on/off ratio in a pentacene thin-film transistor were improved considerably (more than twofold and by a factor of 2, respectively) with increasing MW of polystyrene. In addition, the magnitude of the subthreshold slope was reduced significantly. Both the thickness and dielectric constant remained the same regardless of the MWs of polystyrene. The improved electrical properties could be explained because the higher MW of polystyrene results in the pentacene film with enhanced grain and crystalline intensity. This suggests that a higher MW is important for obtaining better electrical characteristics in organic transistors with polymeric insulators.
Trap-assisted tunneling on extended defects in tunnel field-effect transistors
Authors: Reiche Manfred , Kittler Martin , Übensee Hartmut , Krause Michael , Pippel Eckhard
Published: February 2014

Dislocations are fundamental crystal defects. Their randomized incorporation, as in the case of heterostructures, result in deterioration of device performance. The present paper deals for the first time with the effect of defined numbers and types of dislocations in the near intrinsic region of tunnel field-effect transistors (TFETs). Model devices were prepared on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates with well-defined dislocation networks. Analogous devices without dislocations act as reference. The impact of the drain–source (V
DS) and gate–source voltages (V
GS) were analyzed separately. The temperature dependence of the output and transfer characteristics were measured. Thermionic emission was proved as the dominant mechanism of trap-assisted tunneling for different dislocation types. Different barrier heights, however, were extracted for screw and mixed dislocations referring to different electronic structures of different dislocation types.
An extremely high room temperature mobility of two-dimensional holes in a strained Ge quantum well heterostructure grown by reduced pressure chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Myronov Maksym , Morrison Christopher , Halpin John , Rhead Stephen , Casteleiro Catarina , Foronda Jamie , Shah Vishal Ajit , Leadley David
Published: February 2014

An extremely high room temperature two-dimensional hole gas (2DHG) drift mobility of 4230 cm2 V−1 s−1 in a compressively strained Ge quantum well (QW) heterostructure grown by an industrial type RP-CVD technique on a Si(001) substrate is reported. The low-temperature Hall mobility and carrier density of this structure, measured at 333 mK, are 777000 cm2 V−1 s−1 and 1.9 × 1011 cm−2, respectively. These hole mobilities are the highest not only among the group-IV Si based semiconductors, but also among p-type III–V and II–VI ones. The obtained room temperature mobility is substantially higher than those reported so far for the Ge QW heterostructures and reveals a huge potential for further application of strained Ge QW in a wide variety of electronic and spintronic devices.
Improvement in efficiency of polymer bulk-heterojunction solar cells using modified PEDOT:PSS buffer layers with alcohol derivatives
Authors: Kim Ju-Hyung , Huh Sung-Yoon , Seo Soonmin
Published: February 2014

We demonstrated that the use of modified poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) buffer layers with alcohol derivatives between an electrode and a photoactive layer can lead to the improvement in the efficiency of polymer bulk-heterojunction solar cells. Polymer solar cells containing modified PEDOT:PSS layers show significant improvement in power conversion efficiency by up to ∼59% when compared with a device containing only pristine PEDOT:PSS layers. Conformational and morphological changes in the PEDOT:PSS buffer layer corresponding to the dopant polarity and concentration have strong correlations with the surface roughness and arrangement of PEDOT and PSS, which could explain the behaviors of the polymer bulk-heterojunction solar cells with the modified PEDOT:PSS layers.
Biological Effects Induced by Non-thermal Ultrasound and Implications for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Tang Justin , Guha Chandan , Tomé Wolfgang A.
Published: February 2014

Recent advancements in imaging and targeting have expanded the utility of ultrasound therapy with increasing attention being paid to the application of ultrasound in cancer therapy. We present in this article a review of the biological effects of non-thermal ultrasound that could find application in cancer treatment in the near and long term. A careful examination of the ultrasound parameters that elicited these observed effects is needed so that one may refine and apply these results for clinical application. Reported biological effects from non-thermal ultrasound have been categorized into mechanical and chemical means of action. Cavitation and acoustic radiation force are the main contributors to sonomechanical effects of ultrasound while reactive oxygen species contribute to its sonochemical effects. These two categories are responsible for observations such as induction of apoptosis in cancer cells, disturbance of the cytoskeleton, enhancement of gene transfection and chemotherapeutic potency, and modulation of cellular proliferation and protein synthesis. In this review we have considered the biological effects of non-thermal ultrasound, the range of parameters at which these biological effects are observed, and the applicability of the observed biological effects to cancer therapy.
Interstitial 125I Seed Implantation for Cervical Lymph Node Recurrence after Multimodal Treatment of Thoracic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Lin Lei , Wang Junjie , Jiang Yuliang , Meng Na , Tian Suqing , Yang Ruijie , Ran Weiqiang , Liu Chen
Published: February 2014

This study aimed to analysis outcome and prognosis of interstitial 125I seed implantation in patients with cervical lymph node recurrence after multimodal treatment of thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We conducted a retrospective review of 19 patients with 32 cervical lymph nodes recurrences after multimodal treatment (lymphadenectomy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and various combinations of these treatments) of thoracic ESCC, who underwent 125I seed implantation in our department from 2003 to 2011. All the patients were followed up until expiration and the median duration of follow up was 7 months (range, 3-44 months). Syndromes significantly improved after implantation. The local control rates after 3, 6, 12, and 24 months were 84.2%, 63.2%, 32.0%, and 26.0%, respectively, with a median of 10 months. The median overall survival time was 7 months (95% CI, 5.6-8.4), and 1- and 2-year survival rates were 31.6% and 10.5%, respectively. Among these patients, there were 11 died of progression of disease (PD) 3-44 months after implantation. One patient presented grade IV skin toxic effect and repaired by free flap transplantation. No fatal complications such as massive bleeding happened. In univariate analysis, N stage, number of recurrent nodes, recurrence interval time, and D90 were prognostic factors of the tumor local control and survival ( p = 0.131 vs. 0.029, 0.129 vs. 0.071, 0.042 vs. 0.042, and 0.056 vs. 0.065, respectively). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that N stage, number of recurrent nodes, and recurrence interval time were independent prognostic factors of the tumor local control ( p = 0.022, 0.019, and <0.001, respectively), and recurrence interval time was prognostic factor of the survival ( p < 0.001). Interstitial 125I seed implantation is a safe and effective salvage treatment for cervical lymph node recurrence after multimodal treatment. The N stage, number of recurrent nodes and recurrence interval time are factors influencing tumor local control, and the recurrence interval time is independent factor influencing survival after percutaneous 125I seed implantation in ESCC with cervical lymph node recurrence.
Silencing of Glucose Transporter Protein-1 by RNA Interference Inhibits Human Osteosarcoma Mg63 Cells Growth in vivo
Authors: Jian Fan , Yuan Feng , Jiong Mei , Zhu Xiao-zhong , Yu Guang-rong , Lu Dong-dong
Published: February 2014

While knock-down of glucose transporter protein 1 (GLUT-1) inhibited various human cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo, including osteosarcoma cell growth in vitro, there has been no report on whether knock-down of GLUT-1 by siRNA may inhibit osteosarcoma cell growth in vivo. We hypothesized that siRNA may inhibit osteosarcoma cell growth in vivo. We introduced siRNA-GLUT-1 by lentivirus into MG63 osteosarcoma cells which were xenograted into nude mice. Immunohistochemical staining, Western blot and reverse transcriptase quantitative (RT-qPCR) were used to determine GLUT-1 protein and mRNA expression of the tumor cells. The results showed the tumor volume of GLUT-1-siRNA-MG63 cells xenorafted nude mice was significantly less than that of siGFP-MG63 or MG63 cells xenografted nude mice ( P < 0.05), suggesting that silencing of GLUT-1 inhibited tumor formation and growth of osteosarcoma cells in vivo. Our findings suggest that the lentiviral-mediated siRNA interference against GLUT-1 may be a valuable tool for gene therapy for osteosarcoma.
Dawn‐dusk asymmetry in solar wind ion entry and dayside precipitation: Results from large‐scale simulations
Authors: Berchem J. , Richard R. , Escoubet P. , Wing S. , Pitout F.
Published: February 2014

We present the results of numerical studies of the interaction of solar wind ions with the dayside magnetospheric boundary for a southward interplanetary magnetic field and two solar wind speeds (250 and 500 km/s) using the results of global magnetohydrodynamics simulations in conjunction with large‐scale kinetic calculations. Results of these studies show that a dawn‐dusk asymmetry is found in the precipitation of low‐ to middle‐energy ions over the high‐latitude dayside magnetosphere. This asymmetry is consistent with statistical studies of DMSP data showing that ion precipitation from the mantle is predominantly seen over the morning and prenoon sector. Analysis of energy‐latitude spectra and study of individual particle trajectories from the simulations revealed that low‐energy ions can enter the magnetopause at high latitudes in regions where the parallel electric field associated with the magnetopause current is positive and strong enough for the ions to gain energies of the order of the parallel potential drop across the magnetopause. Because the parallel electric field in the Northern Hemisphere is positive in the prenoon sector and negative in the afternoon‐evening sector, solar wind ions reaching the magnetopause in these regions are accelerated toward the ionosphere on the dawnside and outward on the duskside, creating the asymmetry in precipitation. The same dawn‐dusk asymmetry is found in the Southern Hemisphere because both parallel electric field and magnetic field are reversed in direction.
Evidence for injection of relativistic electrons into the Earth's outer radiation belt via intense substorm electric fields
Authors: Dai Lei , Wygant John R. , Cattell Cynthia A. , Thaller Scott , Kersten Kris , Breneman Aaron , Tang Xiangwei , Friedel Reiner H. , Claudepierre Seth G. , Tao Xin
Published: February 2014

Observation and model results accumulated in the last decade indicate that substorms can promptly inject relativistic ‘killer’ electrons (≥MeV) in addition to 10–100 keV subrelativistic populations. Using measurements from Cluster, Polar, LANL, and GOES satellites near the midnight sector, we show in two events that intense electric fields, as large as 20 mV/m, associated with substorm dipolarization are associated with injections of relativistic electrons into the outer radiation belt. Enhancements of hundreds of keV electrons at dipolarization in the magnetotail can account for the injected MeV electrons through earthward transport. These observations provide evidence that substorm electric fields inject relativistic electrons by transporting magnetotail electrons into the outer radiation belt. In these two events, injected relativistic electrons dominated the substorm timescale enhancement of MeV electrons as observed at geosynchronous orbit.
Standardized Cryopreservation of Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Cohen Rick I. , Thompson Maria L. , Schryver Brian , Ehrhardt Rolf O.
Published: February 2014

The successful exploitation of human cells for research, translational, therapeutic, and commercial purposes requires that effective and simple cryopreservation methods be applied for storage in local and master cell banks. Of all the cell types utilized in modern research, human embryonic stem cells and their more recent relatives, induced pluripotent stem cells, are two of the most sensitive to cryopreservation. It is frequently observed that the lack of quality control and proper processing techniques yield poor recovery of pluripotent stem cells. The procedures in this unit have been optimized for handling some of the most recalcitrant stem cell lines, and provide a method for controlled‐rate freezing, using minimal equipment that affords levels of cell viability comparable to expensive controlled‐rate freezers. The protocol also eliminates the requirement for isopropanol, avoiding the hazards, on‐going cost, and inconsistencies associated with its use and disposal. It provides a clinically relevant, inexpensive, reliable, and user‐friendly method that successfully prepares cells for long‐term cold storage and ensures maximum levels of cell viability post thaw. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 28:1C.14.1‐1C.14.10. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Expansion of Human Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells on Decellularized Matrix Scaffolds
Authors: Tiwari Abhilasha , Tursky Melinda L. , Kirkland Mark A. , Pande Gopal
Published: February 2014

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is one of the richest sources for hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs), with more than 3000 transplantations performed each year for the treatment of leukemia and other bone marrow, immunological, and hereditary diseases. However, transplantation of single cord blood units is mostly restricted to children, due to the limited number of HSPC per unit. This unit develops a method to increase the number of HSPCs in laboratory conditions by using cell‐free matrices from bone marrow cells that mimic ‘human‐body niche‐like’ conditions as biological scaffolds to support the ex vivo expansion of HSPCs. In this unit, we describe protocols for the isolation and characterization of HSPCs from UCB and their serum‐free expansion on decellularized matrices. This method may also help to provide understanding of the biochemical organization of hematopoietic niches and lead to suggestions regarding the design of tissue engineering–based biomimetic scaffolds for HSPC expansion for clinical applications. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 28:1C.15.1‐1C.15.15. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Leptospirosis Serodiagnosis by the Microscopic Agglutination Test
Authors: Goris Marga G.A. , Hartskeerl Rudy A.
Published: February 2014

The microscopic agglutination test (MAT) is the gold standard for sero‐diagnosis of leptospirosis because of its unsurpassed diagnostic specificity. It uses panels of live leptospires, ideally recent isolates, representing the circulating serovars from the area where the patient became infected. A dilution series of the patient's serum is mixed with a suspension of live leptospires in microtiter plates. After incubating for about 2 hr at 30°C, results are read under the dark‐field microscope. The titer is the last dilution in which ≥50% of the leptospires have remained agglutinated. Seroconversion or ≥4‐fold titer rise in paired sera is consistent with current leptospirosis. The significance of a titer in a single sample depends on the frequency of residual titers due to past infections and cross‐reacting other diseases in the population. Full standardization of the MAT is not possible, but quality assurance can be achieved by participation in the international MAT proficiency testing scheme. Curr. Protoc. Microbiol. 32:12E.5.1‐12E.5.18. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Project SupraMetall: Towards Commercial Fabrication of High‐Temperature Superconducting Tapes
Authors: Witte Marco , Gottstein Günter , de Boer Nicole , Gilges Stefan , Klöwer Jutta , Bäcker Michael , Brunkahl Oliver , Wojtyniak Brygida , Mader Werner , Svete Matthias , Hühne Sven‐Martin , Lepper Sabine , Böhm Regina , Schebera Manuela
Published: February 2014

Abstracts

The aim of the joint industrial and academic project “SupraMetall” is to enable the large scale production of superconducting tapes. This is a report of the recent achievements in the production of cube textured metal substrates and the coating techniques of the buffer and superconductive layers. The final coated conductor tapes of 2 m length reached critical current densities of 120 A/cm‐width.
Electrical and Piezoelectric Behavior of Polyamide/PZT/CNT Multifunctional Nanocomposites
Authors: Carponcin Delphine , Dantras Eric , Dandurand Jany , Aridon Gwenaëlle , Levallois Franck , Cadiergues Laurent , Lacabanne Colette
Published: February 2014

Three‐phase polyamide 11 (PA 11)/lead zirconate titanate (PZT)/carbon nanotubes (CNT) composites are elaborated by extrusion. The influence of inorganic particles on the electrical properties of conductive composites and the influence of conductive particles on the ferroelectric properties of organic/inorganic composites are both studied. Inorganic particles do not modify the establishment of the electrical percolation path of CNTs either regarding the percolation threshold value or the conductivity reached above this insulator–conductive transition. The dielectric permittivity of two‐phase PA 11/PZT composites is improved with the addition of only 0.2% in volume of CNTs. This three‐phase composite could be proposed for actuation, energy harvesting and damping performances enhancement.
Geometry‐Induced Mechanical Properties of Carbon Nanotube Foams
Authors: Lattanzi Ludovica , De Nardo Luigi , Raney Jordan R. , Daraio Chiara
Published: February 2014

Carbon nanotube (CNT) foams have unmatched energy absorption properties derived from their complex hierarchical structure. The control of the micro‐scale geometry of these foams allows tuning their behavior to specific application‐driven needs. Geometrical structures in CNT foams are obtained by synthesizing CNTs on substrates patterned with different growth templates: circles, lines and concentric rings. To study the effects of the microstructural geometry on the bulk mechanical response of the foams, the samples are tested under cyclic quasi‐static compressive deformation (up to 50% strain). The geometry of the patterns plays a fundamental role on the samples' macroscopic energy absorption capability, maximum stress, and strain recovery. Patterned CNT structures demonstrated mechanical properties comparable or improved over non‐patterned, bulk CNT foams, but with much lower density. Quasi‐static compressive tests performed on different patterned structures with the same effective density (ρ = 0.02 g cm−3) exhibit considerably different responses. For example, the stress reached by foams patterned in concentric rings is ≈15 times higher than that observed for pillars and lines. The results show how the mechanical response of CNT foams can be tailored by varying the CNT microstructural architecture.
Immobilized Drosophila melanogaster Deoxyribonucleoside Kinase (DmdNK) as a High Performing Biocatalyst for the Synthesis of Purine Arabinonucleotides
Authors: Serra Immacolata , Conti Silvia , Piškur Jure , Clausen Anders R. , Munch‐Petersen Birgitte , Terreni Marco , Ubiali Daniela
Published: February 2014

Fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) deoxyribonucleoside kinase (DmdNK; EC: 2.7.1.145) was characterized for its substrate specificity towards natural and non‐natural nucleosides, confirming its potential in the enzymatic synthesis of modified nucleotides. DmdNK was adsorbed on a solid ion exchange support (bearing primary amino groups) achieving an expressed activity >98%. Upon cross‐linking with aldehyde dextran, expressed activity was 30‐40%. Both biocatalysts (adsorbed or cross‐linked) were stable at pH 10 and room temperature for 24 h (about 70% of retained activity). The cross‐linked DmdNK preparation was used for the preparative synthesis of arabinosyladenine monophosphate (araA‐MP) and fludarabine monophosphate (FaraA‐MP). Upon optimization of the reaction conditions (50 mM ammonium acetate, substrate/ATP ratio=1:1.25, 2 mM MgCl2, 37 °C, pH 8) immobilized DmdNK afforded the title nucleotides with high conversion (>90%), whereas with the soluble enzyme lower conversions were achieved (78–87%). Arabinosyladenine monophosphate was isolated in 95% yield and high purity (96.5%).

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Unmyelinated axon loss with postnatal hypertonia after fetal hypoxia
Authors: Drobyshevsky Alexander , Jiang Rugang , Lin Laixiang , Derrick Matthew , Luo Kehuan , Back Stephen A. , Tan Sidhartha
Published: February 2014

Objective

White matter (WM) injury due to myelination defects is believed to be responsible for the motor deficits seen in cerebral palsy. We tested the hypothesis that the predominant injury is to functional electrical connectivity in unmyelinated WM fibers by conducting a longitudinal study of central WM tracts in newborn rabbit kits with hypertonia in our model of cerebral palsy.

Methods

Pregnant rabbits at 70% gestation underwent 40‐minute uterine ischemia. Motor deficits in newborn kits, including muscle hypertonia, were assessed by neurobehavioral testing. Major central WM tracts, including internal capsule, corpus callosum, anterior commissure, and fimbria hippocampi, were investigated for structural and functional injury using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electrophysiological recordings of fiber conductivity in perfused brain slices, electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry of oligodendrocyte lineage.

Results

Motor deficits were observed on postnatal day 1 (P1) when WM tracts were unmyelinated. Myelination occurred later and was obvious by P18. Hypertonia was associated with microstructural WM injury and unmyelinated axon loss at P1, diagnosed by diffusion tensor MRI and electron microscopy. Axonal conductivity from electrophysiological recordings in hypertonic P18 kits decreased only in unmyelinated fibers, despite a loss in both myelinated and unmyelinated axons.

Interpretation

Motor deficits in cerebral palsy were associated with loss of unmyelinated WM tracts. The contribution of injury to myelinated fibers that was observed at P18 is probably a secondary etiological factor in the motor and sensory deficits in the rabbit model of cerebral palsy. Ann Neurol 2014;75:533–541
Constrained Peptides with Target‐Adapted Cross‐Links as Inhibitors of a Pathogenic Protein–Protein Interaction
Authors: Glas Adrian , Bier David , Hahne Gernot , Rademacher Christoph , Ottmann Christian , Grossmann Tom N.
Published: February 2014

Bioactive conformations of peptides can be stabilized by macrocyclization, resulting in increased target affinity and activity. Such macrocyclic peptides proved useful as modulators of biological functions, in particular as inhibitors of protein–protein interactions (PPI). However, most peptide‐derived PPI inhibitors involve stabilized α‐helices, leaving a large number of secondary structures unaddressed. Herein, we present a rational approach towards stabilization of an irregular peptide structure, using hydrophobic cross‐links that replace residues crucially involved in target binding. The molecular basis of this interaction was elucidated by X‐ray crystallography and isothermal titration calorimetry. The resulting cross‐linked peptides inhibit the interaction between human adaptor protein 14‐3‐3 and virulence factor exoenzyme S. Taking into consideration that irregular peptide structures participate widely in PPIs, this approach provides access to novel peptide‐derived inhibitors.
Graft‐interpenetrating polymer networks of epoxy with polyurethanes derived from poly(ethyleneterephthalate) waste
Authors: Chaudhary Saurabh , Parthasarathy Surekha , Kumar Devendra , Rajagopal Chitra , Roy Prasun Kumar
Published: February 2014

Polyester polyurethanes derived from poly(ethyleneterephthalate) (PET) glycolysates were blended with epoxy to form graft‐interpenetrating networks (IPNs) with improved mechanical properties. Microwave‐assisted glycolytic depolymerization of PET was performed in the presence of polyethylene glycols of different molecular weights (600–1500). The resultant hydroxyl terminated polyester was used for synthesis of polyurethane prepolymer which was subsequently reacted with epoxy resin to generate grafted structures. The epoxy‐polyurethane blend was cured with triethylene tetramine under ambient conditions to result in graft IPNs. Blending resulted in an improvement in the mechanical properties, the extent of which was found to be dependant both on the amount as well as molecular weight of PET‐based polyurethane employed. Maximum improvement was observed in epoxy blends prepared with polyurethane (PU1000) at a loading of 10% w/w which resulted in 61% increase in tensile strength and 212% increase in impact strength. The extent of toughening was quantified by flexural studies under single edge notch bending (SENB) mode. In comparison to the unmodified epoxy, the Mode I fracture toughness (KIC) and fracture energy (GIC) increased by ∼45% and ∼184%, respectively. The underlying toughening mechanisms were identified by fractographic analysis, which generated evidence of rubber cavitation, microcracking, and crack path deflection. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40490.
Polyethylene flame retarded with expandable graphite and a novel intumescent additive
Authors: Focke Walter Wilhelm , Kruger Hermanus Joachim , Mhike Washington , Taute Albertus , Roberson Albert , Ofosu Osei
Published: February 2014

A novel intumescent additive was synthesized by neutralizing 3,5‐diaminobenzoic acid hydrochloride salt with ammonium dihydrogen phosphate. This compound, which melts at 257°C, decomposes concurrently to release carbon dioxide gas. The flame retardant performance of this compound as a primary fire retardant and in combination with expandable graphite (EG) was evaluated by cone calorimetry. Cone calorimeter results showed that addition of 10 wt % EG alone lowers peak heat release rate (pHRR) of carbon black‐pigmented polyethylene from 710 ± 109 to 342 ± 15 kW m−2, whereas addition of 27 wt % of the novel intumescent lowered it to 400 ± 16 kW m−2. Combinations of these two additives were able to decrease the pHRR even further. Furthermore, the novel intumescent additive reduced the flame out time from 773 ± 307 to 537 ± 69 s although all other EG containing samples increased it. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40493.