bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Chitosan with Different Deacetylation Degrees for the Adsorption of Food Dyes in a Binary System
Authors: Gonçalves Janaína O. , Duarte Diana A. , Dotto Guilherme L. , Pinto Luiz Antonio A.
Published: August 2013

Chitosan with different deacetylation degrees was applied for the adsorption of food dyes (Acid Blue 9 and Food Yellow 3) in a binary aqueous system. The effects of deacetylation degree (DD) and pH on the food dyes adsorption were evaluated by response surface methodology (RSM). In the more adequate adsorption condition, the equilibrium curves were obtained under different temperatures, and the extended Langmuir model was fitted to the experimental data. RSM results showed that the best conditions for the adsorption of food dyes onto chitosan were DD of 95% and pH 2.5. Under these conditions, the adsorption capacities were 163.6 and 193.4 mg/g for Acid Blue 9 and Food Yellow 3, respectively. The total percentage removal was 90%. The equilibrium curves were of high affinity (H type) and the adsorption was favored by the temperature decrease. The extended Langmuir model presented satisfactory fit with the experimental equilibrium data. These results demonstrated that chitosan is an efficient adsorbent to remove dyes from binary systems.
Quick Response to 2‐MIB Episodes Based on Native Population Odor Sensitivity Evaluation
Authors: Yu Jianwei , An Wei , Yang Min , Gu Junnong , Cao Nan , Chen Youjun
Published: August 2013

Taste and odor have been a recurring problem for many water utilities. This paper established an optimized strategy to cope with 2‐methylisoborneol (2‐MIB) by combining the determination of the control goal according to native population sensitivity and the prediction of the optimum powdered activated carbon (PAC) dose using the homogeneous surface diffusion model (HSDM). The results showed that the population in Beijing was very sensitive to 2‐MIB. Based on flavor profile analysis result conducted by a local panel, the odor threshold concentration (OTC) for Beijing population was determined to be 7.1 ng/L. This value was further certified by the significant odor complaint evaluation using a logit model and set as the control goal for the water treatment plant. According to the OTC level, a 2‐MIB removal prediction curve was then constructed for estimating the optimum PAC dose based on the HSDM. This study can provide a practical technical solution for the control of seasonable odor problems in waterworks.
Clinical significance of circulating tumor cells in peripheral blood from patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Uenosono Yoshikazu , Arigami Takaaki , Kozono Tsutomu , Yanagita Shigehiro , Hagihara Takahiko , Haraguchi Naoto , Matsushita Daisuke , Hirata Munetsugu , Arima Hideo , Funasako Yawara , Kijima Yuko , Nakajo Akihiro , Okumura Hiroshi , Ishigami Sumiya , Hokita Shuichi , Ueno Shinichi , Natsugoe Shoji
Published: August 2013

BACKGROUND

The authors hypothesized that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with gastric cancer are associated with prognosis and disease recurrence. In this study, they evaluated CTCs in gastric cancer and clarified the clinical impact of CTCs.

METHODS

In total, 265 consecutive patients with gastric cancer were enrolled. Fourteen patients were excluded from the analysis, including 12 patients who another cancer and 2 patients who refused the treatment. The remaining 251 patients were divided into 2 groups: 148 patients who underwent gastrectomy (the resection group) and 103 patients who did not undergo gastrectomy (the nonresectable group). Peripheral blood samples were collected before gastrectomy or chemotherapy. A proprietary test for capturing, identifying, and counting CTCs in blood was used for the isolation and enumeration of CTCs.

RESULTS

CTCs were detected in 16 patients (10.8%) from the resection group and in 62 patients (60.2%) from the nonresectable group. The overall survival rate for the entire cohort was significantly lower in patients with CTCs than in those without CTCs (P < .0001). In the resection group, relapse‐free and overall survival in patients with CTCs was significantly lower than in patients without CTCs (P < .0001). It was noteworthy that the expression of CTCs was an independent factor for determining the overall survival of patients with gastric cancer in multivariate analysis (P = .024). In the nonresectable group, the overall survival rate was significantly lower in patients with CTCs than in those without CTCs (P = .0044).

CONCLUSIONS

The evaluation of CTCs in peripheral blood may be a useful tool for predicting tumor progression, prognosis, and the effect of chemotherapy in patients with gastric cancer. Cancer 2013;119:3984–3991. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Local Li Coordination and Ionic Transport in Methacrylate‐Based Gel Polymer Electrolytes
Authors: Voigt Nadine , Isken Philipp , Lex‐Balducci Alexandra , van Wüllen Leo
Published: August 2013

The local Li cation coordination motifs and the interactions between the hosting methacrylate‐based polymer membrane and the liquid electrolyte [1 M LiPF6 in ethylene carbonate (EC)/dimethyl carbonate (DMC)] are studied by employing liquid and solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. At low temperatures, two different coordination modes for Li cations are identified with the help of dipolar‐based solid‐state NMR techniques, one of which is the exclusive coordination by DMC molecules, while the other is a co‐coordination by the polymer and DMC molecules. At room temperature, Li cations are found to be extremely mobile, coordinated by EC and DMC molecules as well as the copolymer, as found by liquid‐state NMR spectroscopy.
On the origins of human handedness and language: A comparative review of hand preferences for bimanual coordinated actions and gestural communication in nonhuman primates
Authors: Meguerditchian Adrien , Vauclair Jacques , Hopkins William D.
Published: August 2013

Within the evolutionary framework about the origin of human handedness and hemispheric specialization for language, the question of expression of population‐level manual biases in nonhuman primates and their potential continuities with humans remains controversial. Nevertheless, there is a growing body of evidence showing consistent population‐level handedness particularly for complex manual behaviors in both monkeys and apes. In the present article, within a large comparative approach among primates, we will review our contribution to the field and the handedness literature related to two particular sophisticated manual behaviors regarding their potential and specific implications for the origins of hemispheric specialization in humans: bimanual coordinated actions and gestural communication. Whereas bimanual coordinated actions seem to elicit predominance of left‐handedness in arboreal primates and of right‐handedness in terrestrial primates, all handedness studies that have investigated gestural communication in several primate species have reported stronger degree of population‐level right‐handedness compared to noncommunicative actions. Communicative gestures and bimanual actions seem to affect differently manual asymmetries in both human and nonhuman primates and to be related to different lateralized brain substrates. We will discuss (1) how the data of hand preferences for bimanual coordinated actions highlight the role of ecological factors in the evolution of handedness and provide additional support the postural origin theory of handedness proposed by MacNeilage [MacNeilage [2007]. Present status of the postural origins theory. In W. D. Hopkins (Ed.), The evolution of hemispheric specialization in primates (pp. 59–91). London: Elsevier/Academic Press] and (2) the hypothesis that the emergence of gestural communication might have affected lateralization in our ancestor and may constitute the precursors of the hemispheric specialization for language. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 55: 637–650, 2013.
Synthesis of ortho‐Hydroxybenzophenones Catalyzed by Magnetically Retrievable Fe3O4 Nanoparticles under Ligand‐Free Conditions
Authors: Ramani Thekkathu , Umadevi Paspulati , Prasanth K. Leon , Sreedhar Bojja
Published: August 2013

ortho‐Benzoylation of phenols with aryl aldehydes to afford the substituted 2‐hydroxybenzophenones can be catalyzed efficiently by Fe3O4 nanoparticles under ligand‐free conditions. This method is useful for the preparation of xanthones in good yields. The catalyst can be magnetically removed and recycled easily over four cycles without a significant decrease in activity.
Indigo Carmine as New Label in PNA Biosensor for Detection of Short Sequence of p53 Tumor Suppressor Gene
Authors: Hamidi‐Asl Ezat , Raoof Jahan Bakhsh , Ojani Reza , Hejazi Mohammad Saeid
Published: August 2013

A new electrochemical PNA hybridization biosensor for detection of a 15‐mer sequence unique to p53 using indigo carmine (IC) as an electrochemical detector is described in this work. This genosensor is based on the hybridization of target oligonucleotide with its complementary probe immobilized on the gold electrode by self‐assembled monolayer formation. Because this label is electroactive in acidic medium, the interaction between IC and short sequence of p53 is studied by differential pulse voltammety (DPV) in 0.1 M H2SO4. The results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry in the solution of [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− shows no breakage in PNA‐DNA duplex. A decrease in the voltammetric peak currents of IC is observed upon hybridization of the probe with the target DNA. The influence of probe concentration on effective discrimination against non‐complementary oligonucleotides is investigated and a concentration of 10−7 M is selected. The diagnostic performance of the PNA sensor is described and the detection limit is found to be 4.31×10−12 M.
Smart grid on energy efficiency application for wastewater treatment
Authors: Kebir Fatih Onur , Demirci Mustafa , Karaaslan Muharrem , Ünal Emin , Dincer Furkan , Arat H. Turan
Published: August 2013

In this study, first, designing and operating conditions of a wastewater treatment plant located in the south of Iskenderun of Hatay, Turkey, is examined and analyzed. It is shown that influent pumps have large part of energy consumption in plant. Second, some simulation and experimental studies were performed on plant. Energy efficiency and plant optimization have provided 40% of energy consumption. Also, experimental study is simulated by Matlab Fuzzy LogicController. The experimental results are in good agreement with the simulation results. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 33: 556–563, 2014
Toxicodynamics of copper and cadmium in Folsomia candida exposed to simulated soil solutions
Authors: Ardestani Masoud M. , van Gestel Cornelis A.M.
Published: August 2013

To improve our understanding of metal bioavailability to soil-living invertebrates, the effect of porewater composition on the toxicodynamics of copper and cadmium in Folsomia candida (Collembola) was investigated. Assuming that porewater is the main exposure route, F. candida was exposed to simulated soil solutions of different composition. Toxicity of copper was slightly lower in a calcium-only solution than in a multication solution. With increasing copper concentrations from 0.005 mM to 1.37 mM, internal copper concentrations similarly increased in both exposure solutions, suggesting that a single cation nutrient solution is suitable for testing F. candida. In the second experiment, animals were exposed for 7 d to copper and cadmium in simplified soil solutions with different calcium (0.2 mM, 0.8 mM, 3.2 mM, 12.8 mM) and pH (5.0, 6.0, 7.0) levels. The median lethal concentration (LC50) values decreased with time in both the calcium and pH series. A hormetic-type effect was observed for copper in the second test, as well as in the calcium-only solution in the first experiment. Because of stronger hormesis, LC50s for copper were higher at lower calcium concentrations. For cadmium, LC50 values were higher at higher calcium concentrations, suggesting competition of calcium with the free cadmium ion. Toxicity of cadmium increased with decreasing pH, while copper was more toxic at intermediate pH. The results show that a toxicodynamics approach can help to improve the interpretation of metal toxicity to soil invertebrates, taking into account soil solution properties. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:2746–2754. © 2013 SETAC
Effects of environmentally realistic daily temperature variation on pesticide toxicity to aquatic invertebrates
Authors: Willming Morgan M. , Qin Guangqiu , Maul Jonathan D.
Published: August 2013

The toxicity of several agricultural chemicals to aquatic invertebrates has been shown to be temperature-dependent, but the role of daily temperature variation has rarely been examined. The authors simulated a natural daily temperature pattern (a fluctuating cycle of 21 °C to 31 °C over a 24-h period) based on field-collected data from Southern High Plains wetlands (TX, USA) and conducted a series of experiments comparing responses from this exposure scenario to a constant exposure at 24 ± 1 °C. Results indicate alterations in pesticide toxicity under the fluctuating temperature regime compared with that of the constant temperature exposure. There was a significant interaction of temperature regime and bifenthrin on Chironomus dilutus survival, and C. dilutus ash-free dry mass was lower in the fluctuating temperature treatment. The 10-d median lethal concentration (LC50) for Hyalella azteca exposed to chlorothalonil was lower under the fluctuating temperature regime compared with the constant temperature regime. For Daphnia magna exposed to malathion, the main effects of temperature regime and malathion were observed on cholinesterase activity. The present study demonstrates how environmentally relevant daily temperature variation influences contaminant effects on aquatic invertebrates. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:2738–2745. © 2013 SETAC
The common ecotoxicology laboratory strain of Hyalella azteca is genetically distinct from most wild strains sampled in Eastern North America
Authors: Major Kaley , Soucek David J. , Giordano Rosanna , Wetzel Mark J. , Soto-Adames Felipe
Published: August 2013

The amphipod Hyalella azteca is commonly used as a model for determining safe concentrations of contaminants in freshwaters. The authors sequenced the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene for representatives of 38 populations of this species complex from US and Canadian toxicology research laboratories and eastern North American field sites to determine their genetic relationships. With 1 exception, all US and Canadian laboratory cultures sampled were identified as conspecific. In 22 wild populations spanning 5 US states and 1 Canadian province, the commonly occurring laboratory species was found only in northern Florida, USA. Therefore, the diversity of the H. azteca species complex detected in the wild is not accurately represented in North American laboratories, questioning the reliability of H. azteca cultures currently in use to accurately predict the responses of wild populations in ecotoxicological assays. The authors also examined the utility of different COI nucleotide fragments presently in use to determine phylogenetic relationships in this group and concluded that saturation in DNA sequences leads to inconsistent relationships between clades. Amino acid sequences for COI were not saturated and may allow a more accurate phylogeny estimate. Hyalella azteca is crucial for developing water-quality regulations; therefore, laboratories should know and standardize the strain(s) they use to confidently compare toxicity tests across laboratories and determine whether they are an appropriate surrogate for their regions. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:2637–2647. © 2013 SETAC
Soil properties affect the toxicities of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) to the enchytraeid worm Enchytraeus crypticus
Authors: Kuperman Roman G. , Checkai Ronald T. , Simini Michael , Phillips Carlton T. , Kolakowski Jan E. , Lanno Roman
Published: August 2013

The authors investigated individual toxicities of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) to the potworm Enchytraeus crypticus using the enchytraeid reproduction test. Studies were designed to generate ecotoxicological benchmarks that can be used for developing ecological soil-screening levels for ecological risk assessments of contaminated soils and to identify and characterize the predominant soil physicochemical parameters that can affect the toxicities of TNT and RDX to E. crypticus. Soils, which had a wide range of physicochemical parameters, included Teller sandy loam, Sassafras sandy loam, Richfield clay loam, Kirkland clay loam, and Webster clay loam. Analyses of quantitative relationships between the toxicological benchmarks for TNT and soil property measurements identified soil organic matter content as the dominant property mitigating TNT toxicity for juvenile production by E. crypticus in freshly amended soil. Both the clay and organic matter contents of the soil modulated reproduction toxicity of TNT that was weathered and aged in soil for 3 mo. Toxicity of RDX for E. crypticus was greater in the coarse-textured sandy loam soils compared with the fine-textured clay loam soils. The present studies revealed alterations in toxicity to E. crypticus after weathering and aging TNT in soil, and these alterations were soil- and endpoint-specific. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:2648–2659. © 2013 SETAC
SPdKS analysis of ultralow‐velocity zones beneath the western Pacific
Authors: Jensen Kevin J. , Thorne Michael S. , Rost Sebastian
Published: August 2013

We collected a new data set of 1354 broadband SPdKS waveforms sampling the western Pacific Ocean region. These data indicate that multiple ultralow‐velocity zones (ULVZs) exist in this region. We compared these data to 2.5‐D synthetic seismograms computed with the PSVaxi method for a suite of 517 ULVZ models. The region beneath the North and South Philippine Sea shows no evidence for ULVZ presence. The region beneath the Coral Sea shows a large ULVZ which is approximately 700 × 700 km in lateral dimensions and up to 20 km thick. Multiple small‐scale ULVZs approximately 180 × 180 km and up to 10 km thick are inferred beneath the South China Sea. Our findings are consistent with previous efforts utilizing the ScP seismic phase and provide additional constraints on ULVZ position and size.
Crustal structure of the east Gondwana margin in southeast Australia revealed by transdimensional ambient seismic noise tomography
Authors: Young M. K. , Cayley R. A. , McLean M. A. , Rawlinson N. , Arroucau P. , Salmon M.
Published: August 2013

Ambient seismic noise data from the ongoing WOMBAT transportable seismic array in southeast Australia, the largest deployment of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, are used to produce a high‐resolution 3‐D shear wave velocity model of the region. We apply a two‐stage, transdimensional, hierarchical Bayesian inversion approach to recover phase velocity maps at periods of 1–20 s and then invert phase velocity dispersion for 3‐D shear wave velocity structure to the base of the crust. Data uncertainty is propagated through the sequence of inversions, ensuring that model complexity is justified by the quality and quantity of the measurements. The pattern of 3‐D velocity variations helps elucidate the geometry and position of key crustal features—such as the Torrens Hinge Zone—associated with the transition from Paleozoic eastern Australia to Precambrian central and western Australia that formed along the proto‐Pacific margin of east Gondwana.
Changes in cardiovascular function after venlafaxine but not pregabalin in healthy volunteers: a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of orthostatic challenge, blood pressure and heart rate
Authors: Diaper Alison , Rich Ann S. , Wilson Sue J. , Craig Kevin , Dourish Colin T. , Dawson Gerry R. , Nutt David J. , Bailey Jayne E.
Published: August 2013

It is generally thought that venlafaxine raises blood pressure at higher doses; however, some studies have found no effect or a decrease in blood pressure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiovascular (CV) effects of 3 weeks of dosing with venlafaxine, pregabalin and placebo on young healthy adults.

Fifty‐four participants, of mean age 23.1 years (sd 4.68), 29 male, were randomised into three parallel groups. Each group received one of the three drugs, dosed incrementally over a 3‐week period to reach daily doses of 150 mg/day venlafaxine and 200 mg/day pregabalin. Blood pressure sphygmomanometer measurements, heart rate measurements, and orthostatic challenges recorded continuously beat‐to‐beat were performed weekly over this period and 5 days after treatment cessation.

Results showed resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) and resting and standing diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR) were significantly raised by venlafaxine compared with the pregabalin and placebo groups. SBP drop on standing was larger, the resulting overshoot was smaller, and recovery was slower on venlafaxine. HR recovery was significantly impaired by venlafaxine. CV changes were observed after only 1 week of dosing at 112.5 mg/day. These effects of venlafaxine are likely to be due to its action of noradrenergic reuptake inhibition. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Postnatal Establishment of Allelic Gαs Silencing as a Plausible Explanation for Delayed Onset of Parathyroid Hormone Resistance Owing to Heterozygous Gαs Disruption
Authors: Turan Serap , Fernandez-Rebollo Eduardo , Aydin Cumhur , Zoto Teuta , Reyes Monica , Bounoutas George , Chen Min , Weinstein Lee S , Erben Reinhold G , Marshansky Vladimir , Bastepe Murat
Published: August 2013

Pseudohypoparathyroidism type-Ia (PHP-Ia), characterized by renal proximal tubular resistance to parathyroid hormone (PTH), results from maternal mutations of GNAS that lead to loss of α-subunit of the stimulatory G protein (Gαs) activity. Gαs expression is paternally silenced in the renal proximal tubule, and this genomic event is critical for the development of PTH resistance, as patients display impaired hormone action only if the mutation is inherited maternally. The primary clinical finding of PHP-Ia is hypocalcemia, which can lead to various neuromuscular defects including seizures. PHP-Ia patients frequently do not present with hypocalcemia until after infancy, but it has remained uncertain whether PTH resistance occurs in a delayed fashion. Analyzing reported cases of PHP-Ia with documented GNAS mutations and mice heterozygous for disruption of Gnas, we herein determined that the manifestation of PTH resistance caused by the maternal loss of Gαs, ie, hypocalcemia and elevated serum PTH, occurs after early postnatal life. To investigate whether this delay could reflect gradual development of paternal Gαs silencing, we then analyzed renal proximal tubules isolated by laser capture microdissection from mice with either maternal or paternal disruption of Gnas. Our results revealed that, whereas expression of Gαs mRNA in this tissue is predominantly from the maternal Gnas allele at weaning (3 weeks postnatal) and in adulthood, the contributions of the maternal and paternal Gnas alleles to Gαs mRNA expression are equal at postnatal day 3. In contrast, we found that paternal Gαs expression is already markedly repressed in brown adipose tissue at birth. Thus, the mechanisms silencing the paternal Gαs allele in renal proximal tubules are not operational during early postnatal development, and this finding correlates well with the latency of PTH resistance in patients with PHP-Ia. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Greece, Derivatives, and FX: What Went Wrong?
Authors: Shapiro David M.
Published: August 2013

What caused the economic collapse of Greece? One factor many people point to was an arrangement between Goldman Sachs and the Greek government. Circa 2001, Greece and Goldman Sachs agreed to do cross‐currency swaps in which the parties exchanged foreign exchange (FX) obligations, which had maturities that stretched over several years. Some say that Greece‐possibly facilitated by Goldman Sachs‐wrongfully concealed these transactions from European Union regulators, and others. That will be determined by the evidence. But the author believes that making OTC swaps or Goldman Sachs a scapegoat for bad investment decisions is a wrongheaded diversion. The more important question is: Were these cross‐currency swaps inherently too hazardous? The author, who has practiced law, public accounting, and investigations for more than 2 decades, unravels this complex story to get at the truth. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Boredom: The Forgotten Factor in Preventing Worldwide Fraud
Authors: Hollow Matthew
Published: August 2013

Are bored workers more likely to commit fraudulent offenses in the workplace worldwide? The author conducts research at the U.K.‐based Institute of Hazard, Risk, and Resilience. In this article, he reveals how a lack of stimulation—or want of productive engagement—among an organization's workforce can significantly increase the risk of financial fraud in the workplace. So CEOs, regulators, and auditors all need to pay greater attention to employees' job satisfaction levels. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Atomistic understanding of the C·T mismatched DNA base pair tautomerization via the DPT: QM and QTAIM computational approaches
Authors: Brovarets' Ol'ha O. , Hovorun Dmytro M.
Published: August 2013

It was established that the cytosine·thymine (C·T) mismatched DNA base pair withcis‐oriented N1H glycosidic bonds has propeller‐like structure (|N3C4C4N3| = 38.4°), which is stabilized by three specific intermolecular interactions–two antiparallel N4H…O4 (5.19 kcal mol−1) and N3H…N3 (6.33 kcal mol−1) H‐bonds and a van der Waals (vdW) contact O2…O2 (0.32 kcal mol−1). The C·T base mispair is thermodynamically stable structure (ΔGint= −1.54 kcal mol−1) and even slightly more stable than the A·T Watson–Crick DNA base pair (ΔGint= −1.43 kcal mol−1) at the room temperature. It was shown that the C·T ↔ C*·T* tautomerization via the double proton transfer (DPT) is assisted by the O2…O2 vdW contact along the entire range of the intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC). The positive value of the Grunenberg's compliance constants (31.186, 30.265, and 22.166 Å/mdyn for the C·T, C*·T*, and TSC·T ↔ C*·T*, respectively) proves that the O2…O2 vdW contact is a stabilizing interaction. Based on the sweeps of the H‐bond energies, it was found that the N4H…O4/O4H…N4, and N3H…N3 H‐bonds in the C·T and C*·T* base pairs are anticooperative and weaken each other, whereas the middle N3H…N3 H‐bond and the O2…O2 vdW contact are cooperative and mutually reinforce each other. It was found that the tautomerization of the C·T base mispair through the DPT is concerted and asynchronous reaction that proceeds via the TSC·T ↔ C*·T*stabilized by the loosened N4HO4 covalent bridge, N3H…N3 H‐bond (9.67 kcal mol−1) and O2…O2 vdW contact (0.41 kcal mol−1). The nine key points, describing the evolution of the C·T ↔ C*·T* tautomerization via the DPT, were detected and completely investigated along the IRC. The C*·T* mispair was revealed to be the dynamically unstable structure with a lifetime 2.13·× 10−13s. In this case, as for the A·T Watson–Crick DNA base pair, activates the mechanism of the quantum protection of the C·T DNA base mispair from its spontaneous mutagenic tautomerization through the DPT. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Three‐dimensional morphometric comparison of normal and apoptotic endothelial cells based on laser scanning confocal microscopy observation
Authors: Song Wei , Liu Wenyong , Niu Xufeng , Wang Qingchun , Sun Lianwen , Liu Meili , Fan Yubo
Published: August 2013

Three‐dimensional (3D) morphometric analysis of cellular and subcellular structures provides an effective method for spatial cell biology. Here, 3D cellular and nuclear morphologies are reconstructed to quantify and compare morphometric differences between normal and apoptotic endothelial cells. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are treated with 60 μM H2O2 to get apoptotic cell model and then a series of sectional images are acquired from laser scanning confocal microscopy. The 3D cell model containing plasma membrane and cell nucleus is reconstructed and fused utilizing three sequential softwares or packages (Mimics, Geomagic, and VTK). The results reveal that H2O2 can induce apoptosis effectively by regulating the activity of apoptosis‐related biomolecules, including pro‐apoptotic factors p53 and Bax, and anti‐apoptotic factor Bcl‐2. Compared with the normal HUVECs, the apoptotic cells exhibit significant 3D morphometric parameters (height, volume and nucleus‐to‐cytoplasm ratio) variation. The present research provides a new perspective on comparative quantitative analysis associated with cell apoptosis and points to the value of LSCM as an objective tool for 3D cell reconstruction. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:1154–1162, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Illustration of Cowling channel coupling to the shear Alfven wave
Authors: Yoshikawa A. , Amm O. , Vanhamäki H. , Fujii R.
Published: August 2013

Decomposition of horizontally extended current system into components in the polarization processes and extraction of Cowling channel defined in the companion paper embedded in the total current system are numerically demonstrated. We successfully visualize the background and polarization components in the magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling process by using the proposed theoretical framework. As a fundamental response, the polarization charge produced by the Pedersen current divergence has a role to cancel and intensify the ambient background electric field inside and outside the high‐conductivity band, respectively. In contrast, the polarization charge produced by the Hall current divergence has a role to rotate the electric field from the background electric field, which causes a meandering of ionospheric convection flow along the boundary of a high‐conductivity band. The Hall and Pedersen currents are always perpendicular to each other. They never close each other when conductances are homogeneous, but they can do that at the conductivity gradient region. This is the reason why a Hall polarization charge is induced and a resultant Cowling channel is formed.
Theory of Cowling channel formation by reflection of shear Alfven waves from the auroral ionosphere
Authors: Yoshikawa A. , Amm O. , Vanhamäki H. , Nakamizo A. , Fujii R.
Published: August 2013

We present the first complete formulation of the coupling between the ionospheric horizontal currents (including Hall currents) and the field‐aligned currents (FAC) via shear Alfven waves, which can describe the formation of a Cowling channel without any a priori parameterization of the secondary (Hall polarization) electric field strength. Our theory reorganizes the Cowling channel by “primary” and “secondary” fields. Until now there are no theoretical frameworks, which can derive these separated components from observed or given total conductance, electric field, and FAC distributions alone. But when a given incident where Alfven wave is considered as the driver, the reflected wave can be uniquely decomposed into the primary and secondary components. We show that the reflected wave can, depending on actual conditions, indeed carry FAC that connect to divergent Hall currents. With this new method, we can identify how large the secondary electric field becomes, how efficiently the divergent Hall current is closed within the ionosphere, and how much of the Hall current continues out to the magnetosphere as FAC. In typical ionospheric situations, only a small fraction of FAC is connected to Hall currents at conductance gradients, i.e., the secondary field is relatively strong. But when conductances are relatively low compared with Alfven conductance and/or horizontal scales smaller than ~10 km, the Hall FAC may become significant.
Characteristics of medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances observed near the Antarctic Peninsula by HF radar
Authors: Grocott A. , Hosokawa K. , Ishida T. , Lester M. , Milan S. E. , Freeman M. P. , Sato N. , Yukimatu A. S.
Published: August 2013

We present a survey of medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) observed by a Super Dual Auroral Radar Network HF radar located in the Falkland Islands between May 2010 and April 2011. The radar has a field of view that overlooks the Antarctic Peninsula, a known hot spot of gravity wave activity. We present observations of radar ground‐backscatter data, in which the signatures of MSTIDs are manifested as structured enhancements in echo power. Observed periods were in the range 30–80 min, corresponding to frequencies of 0.2–0.6 mHz. Wavelengths were generally in the range 200–800 km and phase speeds in the range 100–300 m s−1. These values are within the ranges typically associated with medium‐scale gravity waves. We find a primary population of northward (equatorward) propagating MSTIDs, which demonstrate an association with enhanced solar wind‐magnetosphere coupling and a smaller, westward propagating population, that could be associated with atmospheric gravity waves excited by winds over the Andean and Antarctic Peninsula mountains or by the high winds of the Antarctic Polar Vortex.
Thermally excited 630.0 nm O(1D) emission in the cusp: A frequent high‐altitude transient signature
Authors: Carlson Herbert C. , Oksavik Kjellmar , Moen Jøran I.
Published: August 2013

We highlight why 630.0 nm auroral emissions excited by thermal electrons are expected to be significant in the cusp and are occurring more often than generally recognized. We note conditions when they are likely to occur and provide a simple formula to calculate the altitude discriminated (R/km) and line‐of‐sight integrated 630.0 nm intensity (kR). The formula is applied to incoherent scatter radar data near the cusp to produce 2‐D maps of thermal red line aurora. We estimate when the thermally excited red aurora should be negligible or not, for given electron density (Ne), electron temperature (Te), and exospheric temperature (Tn) conditions. Sensitivity to Te dominates that to Tn and Ne. We test these formulas against radar and all‐sky imaging photometer data for 2 days. The time/space agreement, as transient strong red arcs pass over the cusp, confirms detection of a thermal 630.0 nm aurora in ~400–450 km altitude, twice the height (4 times the area) conventionally assumed for 630.0 nm emissions. Among many potential uses for this technique is application to the long‐standing question of the degree to which magnetic reconnection events contribute to the net magnetic flux entering the polar cap. We conclude that it is more often than now recognized and provide a tool and guidelines to facilitate improvement over present underestimates.
Mass balance of a maritime glacier on the southeast Tibetan Plateau and its climatic sensitivity
Authors: Yang Wei , Yao Tandong , Guo Xiaofeng , Zhu Meilin , Li Shenghai , Kattel Dambaru B.
Published: August 2013

Based on glaciometeorological measurements and mass balance stake records during the 5 year period of 2005–2010 on the southeast Tibetan Plateau, an energy‐mass balance model was applied to study the surface mass balance of the Parlung No. 94 Glacier, as well as its response to regional climate conditions. The primary physical parameters involved in the model were locally calibrated by using relevant glaciometeorological data sets. The good agreement between the snowpack height/mass balance simulations and the in situ measurements available from a total of 12 monitoring stakes over this glacier confirmed the satisfactory performance of the energy‐mass balance model. Results suggested that the recent state of the Parlung No. 94 Glacier was far removed from the “ideal” climatic regime leading to zero mass balance, with its annual mass balance of approximately −0.9 m water equivalent during 2005–2010. Climatic sensitivity experiments were also carried out to interpret the observed mass balance changes, and the experiments demonstrated that the maritime glaciers concerned herein were theoretically more vulnerable to ongoing climate warming on the Tibetan Plateau than potential changes in the amount of precipitation. A plausible causal explanation for the recent glacier shrinkage in this region was concerned with the increasing air temperature. Moreover, both the mass balance simulations and the field measurements indicated that the mass accumulation over this maritime glacier occurred primarily in the boreal spring. Such “spring‐accumulation type” glaciers are presumed to be distributed mainly within a narrow wedge‐shaped region along the Brahmaputra River. Climatic sensitivities of the glacier mass balance are also found to be closely linked to the regional precipitation seasonality that is simultaneously modulated by various atmospheric circulation patterns, such as the southern westerlies, the Bay of Bengal vortex in the spring season, and the Indian monsoon in the summer season.
A modeling assessment of the origin of Beryllium‐7 and Ozone in the Canadian Rocky Mountains
Authors: D'Amours R. , Mintz R. , Mooney C. , Wiens B. J.
Published: August 2013

This paper seeks to investigate the extent to which stratosphere‒to‒troposphere transport (STT) impacts the Canadian Rocky Mountain foothills. Beryllium‒7 (7Be) was monitored weekly at Harlech, Alberta, from July 2003 to June 2004, and daily during the spring of 2004. These data, together with hourly ozone (O3) and relative humidity (RH) measurements, are presented and analyzed, with a focus on the spring of 2004. A Lagrangian dispersion model was used to help determine the origin of air parcels arriving at Harlech in order to assess if these periods were related to well‒defined stratospheric intrusions. The modeling results show that events consisting of above average surface observations of 7Be and O3, and below average surface observations of RH, are the result of the arrival of air originating from the middle and upper troposphere. During the spring of 2004, no direct STTs were observed; all identified events were determined to be indirect STTs or middle to upper troposphere transport that occurred several days prior to being detected at Harlech. The most significant event occurred between 2 and 11 April, which had the longest period of elevated 7Be and O3 observations and the lowest RH measured during the spring of 2004, and where the modeling showed a strong stratospheric input. This input can be connected with two well‒defined stratospheric intrusions occurring over the northern Pacific Ocean, more than 5 days before the associated surface observations. Furthermore, the modeling shows that periods of below average 7Be and O3 occurred when the station was mainly influenced by air masses circulating in the boundary layer.
The impact of abrupt suspension of solar radiation management (termination effect) in experiment G2 of the Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project (GeoMIP)
Authors: Jones Andy , Haywood Jim M. , Alterskjær Kari , Boucher Olivier , Cole Jason N. S. , Curry Charles L. , Irvine Peter J. , Ji Duoying , Kravitz Ben , Egill Kristjánsson Jón , Moore John C. , Niemeier Ulrike , Robock Alan , Schmidt Hauke , Singh Balwinder , Tilmes Simone , Watanabe Shingo , Yoon Jin‐Ho
Published: August 2013

We have examined changes in climate which result from the sudden termination of geoengineering after 50 years of offsetting a 1% per annum increase in CO2 concentrations by a reduction of solar radiation, as simulated by 11 different climate models in experiment G2 of the Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project. The models agree on a rapid increase in global‐mean temperature following termination accompanied by increases in global‐mean precipitation rate and decreases in sea‐ice cover. There is no agreement on the impact of geoengineering termination on the rate of change of global‐mean plant net primary productivity. There is a considerable degree of consensus for the geographical distribution of temperature change following termination, with faster warming at high latitudes and over land. There is also considerable agreement regarding the distribution of reductions in Arctic sea‐ice, but less so for the Antarctic. There is much less agreement regarding the patterns of change in precipitation and net primary productivity, with a greater degree of consensus at higher latitudes.
Effect of imprecise lag time and high‐frequency attenuation on surface‐atmosphere exchange fluxes determined with the relaxed eddy accumulation method
Authors: Moravek A. , Trebs I. , Foken T.
Published: August 2013

Relaxed eddy accumulation (REA) systems that employ one single long inlet tube are prone to measurement uncertainties caused by (a) an imprecisely determined lag time between the change of sign in the vertical wind velocity and the switching of the splitter valves and (b) attenuation of high‐frequency concentration fluctuations in the tube flow. However, there is currently no commonly applied procedure to address these uncertainties. In this study, we first evaluated the lag time error of the volume flow, mass flow, and cross‐correlation method (online and offline) and experimentally determined the magnitude of high‐frequency attenuation for a 21.5 m long inlet tube of an operating REA system. In a second step, we simulated the impact for different artificial lag time errors and low‐pass filter strengths on the REA concentration differences and, thus, on the REA flux, using high‐frequency time series of temperature, O3, CO2, and H2O. The reduction of scalar fluxes was mainly correlated with increasing switching frequencies and ranged for typical lag time errors of the investigated REA system between <5% and 50%, whereas the flux loss due to high‐frequency attenuation was between <5% and 30%. The results were very similar for all scalar quantities. Based on our results, we derived empirical correction functions for both imprecise lag times and high‐frequency attenuation, discuss their potential application to correct fluxes measured with other REA systems, and give a general procedure to address the uncertainties in future REA setups.
Procalcitonin‐guided antibiotic therapy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Soni Nilam J. , Samson David J. , Galaydick Jodi L. , Vats Vikrant , Huang Elbert S. , Aronson Naomi , Pitrak David L.
Published: August 2013

BACKGROUND

The utility of procalcitonin to manage patients with infections is unclear. A systematic review of comparative studies using procalcitonin‐guided antibiotic therapy in patients with infections was performed.

METHODS

Randomized, controlled trials comparing procalcitonin‐guided initiation, intensification, or discontinuation of antibiotic therapy to clinically guided therapy were included. Outcomes were antibiotic usage, morbidity, and mortality. MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Database, National Institute for Clinical Excellence, the National Guideline Clearinghouse, and the Health Technology Assessment Programme were searched from January 1, 1990 to December 16, 2011.

RESULTS

Eighteen randomized, controlled trials were included. Data were pooled into clinically similar patient populations. In adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients, procalcitonin‐guided discontinuation of antibiotics reduced antibiotic duration by 2.05 days (95% confidence interval [CI]: −2.59 to −1.52) without increasing morbidity or mortality. In contrast, procalcitonin‐guided intensification of antibiotics in adult ICU patients increased antibiotic usage and morbidity. In adult patients with respiratory tract infections, procalcitonin guidance significantly reduced antibiotic duration by 2.35 days (95% CI: −4.38 to −0.33), antibiotic prescription rate by 22% (95% CI: −41% to −4%), and total antibiotic exposure without affecting morbidity or mortality. A single, good quality study of neonates with suspected sepsis demonstrated reduced antibiotic duration by 22.4 hours (P = 0.012) and reduced the proportion of neonates on antibiotics for ≥72 hours by 27% (P = 0.002) with procalcitonin guidance.

CONCLUSION

Procalcitonin guidance can safely reduce antibiotic usage when used to discontinue antibiotic therapy in adult ICU patients and when used to initiate or discontinue antibiotics in adult patients with respiratory tract infections. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:530–540. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine
Outcomes with FOLFIRINOX for borderline resectable and locally unresectable pancreatic cancer
Authors: Boone Brian A. , Steve Jennifer , Krasinskas Alyssa M. , Zureikat Amer H. , Lembersky Barry C. , Gibson Michael K. , Stoller Ronald G. , Zeh Herbert J. , Bahary Nathan
Published: August 2013

Background

Trials examining FOLFIRINOX in metastatic pancreatic cancer demonstrate higher response rates compared to gemcitabine‐based regimens. There is currently limited experience with neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX in pancreatic cancer.

Methods

Retrospective review of outcomes of patients with borderline resectable or locally unresectable pancreatic cancer who were recommended to undergo neoadjuvant treatment with FOLFIRINOX.

Results

FOLFIRINOX was recommended for 25 patients with pancreatic cancer, 13 (52%) unresectable and 12 (48%) borderline resectable. Four patients (16%) refused treatment or were lost to follow‐up. Twenty‐one patients (84%) were treated with a median of 4.7 cycles. Six patients (29%) required dose reductions secondary to toxicity. Two patients (9%) were unable to tolerate treatment and three patients (14%) had disease progression on treatment. Seven patients (33%) underwent surgical resection following treatment with FOLFIRINOX alone, 2 (10%) of which were initially unresectable. Two patients underwent resection following FOLFIRINOX + stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). The R0 resection rate for patients treated with FOLFIRINOX ± SBRT was 33% (55% borderline resectable, 10% unresectable). A total of five patients (24%) demonstrated a significant pathologic response.

Conclusions

FOLFIRINOX is a biologically active regimen in borderline resectable and locally unresectable pancreatic cancer with encouraging R0 resection and pathologic response rates. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013 108:236–241. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Hierarchical and Comparative Kinetic Modeling Study of C1 − C2 Hydrocarbon and Oxygenated Fuels
Authors: Metcalfe Wayne K. , Burke Sinéad M. , Ahmed Syed S. , Curran Henry J.
Published: August 2013

A detailed chemical kinetic mechanism has been developed to describe the oxidation of small hydrocarbon and oxygenated hydrocarbon species. The reactivity of these small fuels and intermediates is of critical importance in understanding and accurately describing the combustion characteristics, such as ignition delay time, flame speed, and emissions of practical fuels. The chosen rate expressions have been assembled through critical evaluation of the literature, with minimum optimization performed. The mechanism has been validated over a wide range of initial conditions and experimental devices, including flow reactor, shock tube, jet‐stirred reactor, and flame studies. The current mechanism contains accurate kinetic descriptions for saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, namely methane, ethane, ethylene, and acetylene, and oxygenated species; formaldehyde, methanol, acetaldehyde, and ethanol.