bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unilateral Visual Loss after a Nasal Airway Surgery
Authors: Awad J. , Awad A. , Wong Y. , Thomas S.
Published: June 2013

Septoplasty and turbinoplasty are common ear, nose, throat (ENT) operations which generally have low complication rates. A 45-year-old man had a septoplasty operation and a right turbinoplasty operation under a combined general and local anesthetic. He woke from the procedure with a reduced visual acuity in the right eye and substantial inferior visual field loss. A review of the current literature focuses on the vasospasm effects of local anesthetic, in combination with epinephrine on the intricately linked nasal and orbital vascular supply.
A common feature in latitudinal dependence of different geophysical processes occurring on the rotating Earth
Authors: Sasorova E. V. , Levin B. W. , Rodkin M. V.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. The concept of an essential latitudinal dependence of different geophysical processes occurring on the rotating Earth was formed in the last two decades. The objective of this work is to present a few statistically reliable regularities in the latitudinal distributions of the following geophysical phenomena: earthquakes, hotspots, and major and super major ore deposits. The similarity of latitudinal distributions for different geophysical phenomena points to the existence of the "critical latitudes" in the rotating solid Earth.
Profiles of electron temperature and Bz along Earth's magnetotail
Authors: Artemyev A. V. , Petrukovich A. A. , Nakamura R. , Zelenyi L. M.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. We study the electron temperature distribution and the structure of the current sheet along the magnetotail using simultaneous observations from THEMIS spacecraft. We perform a statistical study of 40 crossings of the current sheet when the three spacecraft THB, THC, and THD were distributed along the tail in the vicinity of midnight with coordinates XB ∈ [−30 RE, −20 RE], XC ∈ [−20 RE, −15 RE], and XD ~ −10 RE. We obtain profiles of the average electron temperature ⟨Te⟩ and the average magnetic field ⟨Bz⟩ along the tail. Electron temperature and ⟨Bz⟩ increase towards the Earth with almost the same rates (i.e., ratio ⟨Te⟩/⟨Bz⟩ ≈ 2 keV/7 nT is approximately constant along the tail). We also use statistics of 102 crossings of the current sheet from THB and THC to estimate dependence of Te and Bz distributions on geomagnetic activity. The ratio ⟨Te ⟩/⟨Bz⟩ depends on geomagnetic activity only slightly. Additionally we demonstrate that anisotropy of the electron temperature ⟨T∥/T⊥⟩ ≈ 1.1 is almost constant along the tail for X ∈ [−30 RE, −10 RE].
Comment on "Soil CO2, CH4 and N2O fluxes from an afforested lowland raised peatbog in Scotland: implications for drainage and restoration" by Yamulki et al. (2013)
Authors: Artz R. R. E. , Chapman S. J. , Saunders M. , Evans C. , Matthews R.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. Yamulki and co-authors address in their recent publication the important issue of net emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from peatlands where land use conversion has taken place. In their case, they studied conversion to forestry versus peatland restoration after a first rotation of plantation forestry. They monitored soil-derived fluxes of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) using chamber measurements on planted and unplanted control treatments (with or without drainage), and an unplanted plot within a restored (felled) block on former lowland raised bog. They propose that their measurements of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at these sites suggest that the total net GHG emissions, in 100 yr carbon dioxide equivalents, of the restored peatbog would be higher than that of the peatbog with trees. We believe there are a number of issues with the measurement, calculation and comparison of these greenhouse budgets that may invalidate this conclusion.
Precipitation bias correction of very high resolution regional climate models
Authors: Argüeso D. , Evans J. P. , Fita L.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. Regional climate models are prone to biases in precipitation that are problematic for use in impact models such as hydrology models. A large number of methods have already been proposed aimed at correcting various moments of the rainfall distribution. They all require that the model produce the same or a higher number of rain days than the observational datasets, which are usually gridded datasets. Models have traditionally met this condition because their spatial resolution was coarser than the observational grids. But recent climate simulations use higher resolution than the gridded observational products and the models are likely to produce fewer rain days than the gridded observations. In this study, model output from a simulation at 2 km resolution are compared with gridded and in-situ observational datasets to determine whether the new scenario calls for revised methodologies. The gridded observations are found to be inadequate to correct the high-resolution model at daily timescales. A histogram equalisation bias correction method is selected and adapted to the use of stations, alleviating the problems associated with relatively low-resolution observational grids. The method is efficient at bias correcting both seasonal and daily characteristics of precipitation, providing more accurate information that is crucial for impact assessment studies.
Using volunteered geographical information to map the November 2012 floods in Slovenia
Authors: Triglav-Čekada M. , Radovan D.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. Volunteered geographical information represents a promising field in the monitoring and mapping of natural disasters. The contributors of volunteered geographical information have the advantage that they are at the location of the natural disaster at exactly the time when the disaster happened. Therefore, they can provide the most complete account of the extent of the damage. This is not always possible when applying photogrammetric or remote-sensing methods, as prior to the data acquisition an order to carry out the measurements has to be made. On 5 and 6 November 2012 almost half of Slovenia was badly affected by floods. The gathering of volunteered geographical information in the form of images and videos of these floods will be presented. Two strategies were used: (1) a public call for volunteered contributions and (2) a web search for useful images and their authors. The authorship of these images was verified with every contributor, and with the help of the volunteered images 12% of the most severely affected river sections were mapped. Altogether, 1195.3 ha of flooded areas outside of the usual riverbeds along a total river length of 48 km were mapped. The results are compared with those from satellite mapping of the same floods.
The Poor as Suppliers of Intellectual Property: A Social Network Approach to Sustainable Poverty Alleviation
Authors: Shivarajan Sridevi , Srinivasan Aravind
Published: June 2013

We extend the Base of the Pyramid (BoP) poverty-alleviation approach by recognizing the poor as valuable suppliers—specifically of intellectual property. Although the poor possess huge reserves of intellectual property, they are unable to participate in global knowledge networks owing to their illiteracy and poverty. This is a crippling form of social exclusion in today’s growing knowledge economy because it adversely affects their capabilities for advancement at several levels. Providing the poor access to global knowledge networks as rightful participants—as suppliers of intellectual property—leads to poverty alleviation as a result of their increased social inclusion, not only through economic benefits, but also through the poor’s improved well-being as a result of their increased self-esteem and dignity. Using concepts from social network theory, we develop a poverty-alleviation approach to harness and integrate the intellectual property of the poor into global knowledge networks through trust-based partnerships among the poor, non-governmental organizations, and multinational corporations.
Pensamiento Ambiental Latinoamericano
Authors: Leff Enrique ,   Center for Environmental Philosophy, The University of North Texas
Published: June 2013

Desde el comienzo de la crisis ambiental, una constelación de ecosofías, teorías, ideologías, discursos y narrativas han irrumpido en el emergente y complejo terreno de la filosofía ambiental y la ecología política. En este campo no unificable de fuerzas, el análisis sociológico ha intentado trazar mapas y proponer tipologías para ordenar las diferentes perspectivas de la ciencia, del pensamiento ecológico y de la ética ambiental que orienten la investigación académica o laacción política. A partir de esta voluntad de establecer y resolver las diferencias y estrategias de pensamiento, ha surgido una diversidad de ambientalismos; las líneas se trazan desde norte a sur, de ricos a pobres, de masculino a femenino, de naturalismo a culturalismo. Los ambientalismos se diferencian en sus fuentes, apegos, y derivaciones de las teorías de base y en sus aproximaciones desde distintas disciplinas. Por lo tanto, el prefijo "eco" o el adjetivo "ambiental" se adhieren a las disciplinas tradicionales. El pensamiento ambiental latinoamericano tiene sus fuentes en el pensamiento filosófico crítico; difiere de otros sistemas de pensamiento por un concepto epistemológico radical de medio ambiente, y adquiere su identidad a partir de la herencia cultural de sus pueblos y de los potenciales ecológicos de sus territorios.
Electrical Study of Al/n-ZnS Schottky Junction on Polymer Substrate
Authors: Gupta Sandhya , Saxena N.S. , Sharma Kananbala
Published: June 2013

A study has been made on the behaviour of Al/n-ZnS thin film junction on Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) grown using thermal evaporation method. Current-Voltage (I-V) characteristics of this junction show that the Aluminium (Al) makes Schottky contact with n-ZnS (Zinc Sulfide). Intrinsic and contact properties such as saturation current, barrier height, ideality factor and series resistance were calculated from the I-V characteristics. The conduction seems to be predominantly due to thermoionic emission-diffusion mechanism. An effort has also been made to carry out the optical study of ZnS thin film using spectrophotometer. Band gap of n-ZnS thin film is determined through absorption spectra using the Tauc’s extrapolation. A band diagram of Al/n-ZnS has been proposed using the so obtained data.
Biodegradability Kraft Paper Coated with Films Emulsified Chitosan and Palmitic Acid
Authors: Reis Arlete B. , Yoshida Cristiana M.P. , Vilela Elke S.D. , Nascimento Rosely S. , Melo Itamar S. , Franco Telma T.
Published: June 2013

The use of natural polymers is an alternative to polymers derived from petroleum that may reduce industrial waste and contribute to the environmental protection. Following the same reasoning, the biodegradability of paper packaging is already known for it being a product originated from cellulosic materials (cellulosic fibers). The aim of this work was to assess the process of degradation from the junction of two different materials; biopolymer and sheets of paper. This paper proposes the study of the biodegradability of chitosan film-coated Kraft paper sheets and emulsified chitosan film-coated Kraft paper sheets added with palmitic acid, both in comparison with uncoated Kraft paper sheets. The biodegradability study was conducted based on analyses of biofilm formation by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), soil respiration, Gravimetry, Microbial Biomass Carbon and enzymatic soil activity and evaluation.
Étude pilote d’activités d’enseignement de la compréhension en lecture destinées aux lecteurs débutants à risque
Authors: Lemire-Théberge Léonie , Dion Eric , Guay Marie-Hélène , Barrette Anne , Brodeur Monique , Fuchs Douglas
Published: June 2013

Nous décrivons ici le processus de mise à l’essai de deux nouvelles méthodes d’enseignement de la compréhension en lecture destinées aux lecteurs débutants de milieu défavorisé. Dans l’étude 1, six classes de deuxième année du primaire ont été assignées à l’une de trois conditions : contrôle (enseignement régulier seulement), vocabulaire ou stratégie. Bien que les élèves des conditions intervention aient réalisé des apprentissages, ces gains ne se sont pas transférés aux mesures de compréhension. Dans l’étude 2, nous avons testé une version modifiée des méthodes d’enseignement en utilisant un schème similaire à celui de l’étude 1. Les résultats de l’étude 2 suggèrent que les méthodes d’enseignement sont suffisamment prometteuses pour évaluer leur efficacité de manière formelle.
Rigid firing sequences undermine spatial memory codes in a neurodegenerative mouse model
Authors: Cheng Jingheng , Ji Daoyun
Published: June 2013

Hippocampal neurons encode spatial memories by firing at specific locations. As the animal traverses a spatial trajectory, individual locations along the trajectory activate these neurons in a unique firing sequence, which yields a memory code representing the trajectory. How this type of memory code is altered in dementia-producing neurodegenerative disorders is unknown. Here we show that in transgenic rTg4510 mice, a model of tauopathies including Alzheimer's disease, hippocampal neurons did not fire at specific locations, yet displayed robust firing sequences as animals run along familiar or novel trajectories. The sequences seen on the trajectories also appeared during free exploration of open spaces. The spatially dissociated firing sequences suggest that hippocampal neurons in the transgenic mice are not primarily driven by external space but by internally generated brain activities. We propose that tau pathology and/or neurodegeneration renders hippocampal circuits overwhelmed by internal information and therefore prevents them from encoding spatial memories.
Obligate exudativory characterizes the diet of the pygmy slow loris Nycticebus pygmaeus
Authors: Starr Carly , Nekaris K.A.I.
Published: June 2013

Few primate species are known to excavate plant sources to procure exudates and other foods via active gouging. It is now apparent that slow lorises belong to this rare guild of obligate exudativorous primates. We investigate the diet of the pygmy loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus) in a mixed deciduous forest in the Seima Protection Forest, Eastern Cambodia, and attempted to determine the importance of this resource in their diet. Feeding behaviors of six females and seven males were observed using radio‐tracking to facilitate follows, and nine fecal samples were collected in February–May and January–March in 2008 and 2009 respectively. We observed 168 feeding bouts, during which the animals ate exudates (76); fruits (33); arthropods (27); flower parts (21); fungi (3); parts of bamboo culms (7); and reptiles (1). We filmed 19 bouts of exudativory, and observed animals consuming exudates in an orthograde posture, or standing quadrupedally over the exudate source. Pygmy lorises also gouged bamboo to collect lichen and fungi, or broke open dead culms to access invertebrates. Feeding occurred on terminal tree branches (24), tree trunks (21), bamboo (13), the middle of branches (7), and the undergrowth (1). The fecal samples contained plant parts, small‐sized arthropods (primarily Coleoptera and Lepidoptera), reptile scales, animal bones, and animal hairs. Pygmy slow lorises are morphologically specialized for processing and digesting exudates, displaying small body sizes, specialized dentitions, elongated, and narrow tongues, large caecums, short duodenums, expanded volar pads, and modified hindlimbs. These features, combined with the prevalence of exudates in their diet across seasons, and ill health when exudates are missing from their diet in captivity, points to this species being an obligate exudativore. Am. J. Primatol. 75:1054–1061, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Degradation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste with dimethyl tin distanoxane as a catalyst
Authors: Báez E. Villafuerte , Anguiano M. G. Sánchez , Pérez V. M. Jiménez , Rodríguez N. A. Pérez , Rodríguez S. Vázquez
Published: June 2013

In this article, we report the degradation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), which occurs through glycolysis in the presence of dimethyl tin distanoxane [(CH3)2Sn(OCOCH3)2] as a catalyst, triethylene glycol (TEG) as a nucleophilic agent, and decaline like a solvent. A number of experiments were executed, which were derived from a factorial experimental design, in which the reaction time was between 40 and 60 min, the amount of TEG was between 3.4 and 5.6 g, and the amount of catalyst was between 0.04 and 0.06% in ratio to PET. The reaction temperature was constant at 175°C in all of the experiments. Once the glycolytic depolymerization occurred, oligomers with a molecular weight around 6000 g/mol were obtained. These oligomers were analyzed through gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and 1H‐NMR. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3482–3488, 2013
Synergistic effect of poly(ethylene glycol) and graphene oxides on the crystallization behavior of poly(l‐lactide)
Authors: Yang Jing‐Hui , Shen Ying , He Wei‐Di , Zhang Nan , Huang Ting , Zhang Ji‐Hong , Wang Yong
Published: June 2013

In this article, we report the combined effects of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and/or graphene oxides (GOs) on the crystallization behavior of poly(l‐lactide) (PLLA) under different crystallization conditions, such as nonisothermal crystallization, isothermal crystallization, and annealing‐induced cold crystallization. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and polarized optical microscopy were used to study the crystallization kinetics and crystallinity to illustrate the effects of PEG and/or GOs on the crystallization behavior of PLLA. The results show that PEG functioned as a plasticizer and improved the chain mobility of /PLLA during crystallization and the GOs acted as efficient nucleation agents and accelerated the crystallization rate. Finally, both PEG and GOs improved the crystallization ability of PLLA. Importantly, the simultaneous addition of PEG and GOs led to a synergistic effect on the crystallization behavior of PLLA under all conditions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3498–3508, 2013
Ultraporous poly(lactic acid) scaffolds with improved mechanical performance using high‐pressure molding and salt leaching
Authors: Zhang Jin , Yan Ding‐Xiang , Lei Jun , Xu Jia‐Zhuang , Hsiao Benjamin S. , Li Zhong‐Ming
Published: June 2013

A novel processing technique, i.e. high‐pressure compression molding/salt leaching, was developed to fabricate ultraporous poly(lactic acid) (PLA) scaffolds. The optimized composition was studied in relation to the porosity, pore morphology, thermal property, and mechanical performance of the PLA scaffolds. At a porogen (CaCO3) content of 90 wt %, the scaffolds have an interconnected open pore structure and a porosity above 80%. It was truly interesting that the structural stability of high‐pressure molded scaffolds was remarkably improved based on the fact that its glass transition temperature (83.5°C) increased about 20°C, as compared to that of the conventional compression‐molded PLA (60°C), which is not far from physiological temperature (∼37°C) at the risk of structural relaxation or physical aging. More importantly, the mechanical performance of PLA scaffolds was drastically enhanced under optimized processing conditions. At pressure and temperature of 1000 MPa and 190°C, the porous PLA scaffolds attained a storage modulus of 283.7 MPa, comparable to the high‐end value of trabecular bone (250 MPa) ever reported. In addition, our prepared PLA scaffolds showed excellent cellular compatibility and biocompatibility in vitro tests, further suggesting that the high‐pressure molded PLA scaffolds have high potential for bone tissue engineering applications. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3509–3520, 2013
DIFERENTIAL DNA SYNTHESIS IN Anopheles albimanus TISSUES INDUCED BY IMMUNE CHALLENGE WITH DIFFERENT MICROORGANISMS
Authors: Hernández‐Martínez Salvador , Barradas‐Bautista Didier , Rodríguez Mario H.
Published: June 2013

The induction of DNA synthesis in various tissues of Anopheles albimanus, in response to challenge with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Micrococcus luteus, and Serratia marcescens, was analyzed by 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxy‐uridine (BrdU) incorporation. Microorganism‐inoculated mosquitoes were fed with a sucrose solution containing BrdU and maintained alive for 5 days. Alternatively, abdominal carcasses of microorganisms‐inoculated mosquitoes were cultivated in Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) medium supplemented with BrdU for 5 days. Control groups were inoculated with RPMI alone. In both experiments, DNA synthesis, evidenced by epifluorescence with an anti‐BrdU fluorescein‐labeled antibody, occurred in fat body, epithelial cells of pleural membranes, dorsal vessel, and the oviducts. Relative quantification of DNA synthesis, evaluated by ELISA using an anti‐BrdU peroxidase‐labeled antibody, was higher in abdomen tissues of microorganisms‐inoculated mosquitoes than controls in in vitro and in vivo experiments. The intensity of DNA synthesis varied among the different microorganism challenges, but was higher in in vivo experiments, compared to cultured samples. These differences in DNA synthesis suggest a compartmentalization of the immune response, probably mediated by different signaling pathways.
Synthesis, crystal structure, optical properties and antibacterial evaluation of novel imidazo[1, 5‐a]pyridine derivatives bearing a hydrazone moiety
Authors: Ge Yan Qing , Li Fu Rong , Zhang Yu Juan , Bi Yu Shui , Cao Xiao Qun , Duan Gui Yun , Wang Jian Wu , Liu Zhen Liang
Published: June 2013

A series of novel imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridine‐hydrazone derivatives were synthesized and characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), 1H NMR, 13C NMR and high resolution mass spectrometer (HRMS). Typically, the spatial structure of compound 3j was determined using X‐ray diffraction analysis. The UV–vis absorption and fluorescence spectral characteristics of the compounds in dichloromethane and acetonitrile were investigated. Absorption peaks could be observed in the wavelength range 290–450 nm. It can also be seen that they display very similar maximum emission. The group attached to hydrazone hardly influenced the maximum emission. Furthermore, all the compounds were evaluated for antibacterial activity and were found to be more effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Shigella compared with chloramphenicol. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Presidential Address: XXVI International Biometric Conference, Kobe, Japan, August 2012 Education in Developing Countries ’ The Role of IBS
Authors: Demétrio C. G. B.
Published: June 2013

Here we discuss the building of statistical knowledge, mainly in developing countries. We highlight some words from Past IBS Presidents and IBS actions that show the role of IBS in education with an emphasis on developing countries. Some examples show that international exchanges are a well‐known way of improving the quality of teaching, learning and research and stress the point that individual initiatives are very important (and fruitful) for education, but we should encourage some more general actions.
Perchlorate reduction from a highly contaminated groundwater in the presence of sulfate‐reducing bacteria in a hydrogen‐fed biofilm
Authors: Ontiveros‐Valencia Aura , Tang Youneng , Krajmalnik‐Brown Rosa , Rittmann Bruce E.
Published: June 2013

We used a hydrogen (H2)‐based biofilm to treat a groundwater contaminated with perchlorate (ClO4−) at ∼10 mg/L, an unusually high concentration. To enhance ClO4− removal, we either increased the H2 pressure or decreased the electron‐acceptor surface loading. The ClO4− removal increased from 94% to 98% when the H2 pressure was increased from 1.3 to 1.7 atm when the total acceptor surface loading was 0.49 g H2/m2 day. We then decreased the acceptor surface loading stepwise from 0.49 to 0.07 g H2/m2 day, and the ClO4− removal improved to 99.6%, giving an effluent ClO4− concentration of 41 µg/L. However, the tradeoff was that sulfate (SO42−) reduction occurred, reaching 85% conversion at the lowest acceptor surface loading (0.07 g H2/m2 day). In two steady states with the highest ClO4− reduction, we assayed for the presence of perchlorate‐reducing bacteria (PRB), denitrifying bacteria (DB), and sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting characteristic reductases. The qPCR results documented competition between PRB and SRB for space within the biofilm. A simple model analysis for a steady‐state biofilm suggests that competition from SRB pushed the PRB to locations having a higher detachment rate, which prevented them from driving the ClO4− concentration below 41 µg/L. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013;110: 3139–3147. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development and validation of a sensitive LC‐MS/MS‐ESI method for the determination of ivabradine in human plasma: application to a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Jiang Juanjuan , Tian Lei , Huang Yiling , Li Yishi
Published: June 2013

A sensitive, rapid assay method for estimating ivabradine in human plasma has been developed and validated using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization in the positive‐ion mode. The procedure involved extraction of ivabradine and the internal standard (IS) from human plasma by solid‐phase extraction. Chromatographic separation was achieved using an isocratic mobile phase (0.1% formic acid–methanol, 60:40, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min on an Aglient Eclipse XDB C8 column (150 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm; maintained at 35°C) with a total run time of 4.5 min. Detection was achieved using an Applied Biosystems MDS Sciex (Concord, Ontario, Canada) API 3200 triple‐quadrupole mass spectrometer. The MS/MS ion transitions monitored were 469–177 for ivabradine and 453–177 for IS. Method validation was performed according to Food and Drug Administration guidelines, and the results met the acceptance criteria. The calibration curve was linear over a concentration range of 0.1–200 ng/mL. The lower limit of quantitation achieved was 0.1 ng/mL. Intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were in the range of 1.23–14.17% and 5.26‐8.96%, respectively. Finally, the method was successfully used in a pharmacokinetic study that measured ivabradine levels in healthy volunteers after a single 5 mg oral dose of ivabradine. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pharmacokinetics of methyl salicylate‐2‐O‐β‐D‐lactoside, a novel salicylic acid analog isolated from Gaultheria yunnanensis ,in dogs
Authors: Zhang Dan , Ma Xiaowei , Xin Wenyu , Huang Chao , Zhang Weiku , Zhang Tiantai , Du Guanhua
Published: June 2013

Methyl salicylate‐2‐O‐β‐D‐lactoside (MSL), a natural salicylate derivative of Gaultheria yunnanensis (Franch.) Rehder (G. yunnanensis), has been shown to provide a beneficial anti‐inflammatory effect in animal models. Studies on the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of MSL can provide both a substantial foundation for understanding its mechanism and empirical evidence to support its use in clinical practice. A simple and sensitive high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method, coupled with ultraviolet analyte detection, was developed for determining the concentration of MSL and its metabolite in beagle plasma. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Agilent Zorbax SB‐C18 column (5 μm,4.6 × 250 mm). The mobile phase consisted of aqueous solution containing 0.1% phosphoric acid and acetonitrile (82:90, v/v), at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Validation of the assay demonstrated that the developed HPLC method was sensitive, accurate and selective for the determination of MSL and its metabolite in dog plasma. After orally administering three doses of MSL, it could no longer be detected in dog plasma and its metabolite, salicylic acid, was detected. Salicylic acid showed a single peak in the plasma concentration–time curves and linear pharmacokinetics following the three oral doses (r2 > 0.99). In contrast, only MSL was detected in plasma following intravenous administration. These results will aid in understanding the pharmacological significance of MSL. The developed method was successfully used for evaluation of the oral and intravenous pharmacokinetic profile of MSL in dogs. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of an anti‐apoptotic CHO cell line for transient gene expression
Authors: Macaraeg Nichole F. , Reilly Dorothea E. , Wong Athena W.
Published: June 2013

Transient gene expression in mammalian cells allows for rapid production of recombinant proteins for research and preclinical studies. Here, we describe the development of a polyethylenimine (PEI) transient transfection system using an anti‐apoptotic host cell line. The host cell line, referred to as the Double Knockout (DKO), was generated by deleting two pro‐apoptotic factors, Bax and Bak, in a CHO‐K1 cell line using zinc finger nuclease mediated gene disruption. Optimized DNA and PEI volumes for DKO transfections were 50% and 30% lower than CHO‐K1, respectively. During transfection DKO cells produced relatively high levels of lactate, but this was mitigated by a temperature shift to 31°C which further enhanced productivity. DKO cells expressed ∼3‐ to 4‐fold higher antibody titers than CHO‐K1 cells. As evidence of their anti‐apoptotic properties post‐transfection, DKO cells maintained higher viability and had reduced levels of active caspase‐3 compared to CHO‐K1 cells. Nuclear plasmid DNA copy numbers and message levels were significantly elevated in DKO cells. Although DNA uptake levels, as early as 40 min post‐transfection, were higher in DKO cells this was not due to differences in cell surface heparan sulfate (HS) or initial endocytosis mechanism as both cell types utilized caveolae‐ and clathrin‐mediated endocytosis to internalize DNA:PEI complexes. These results suggest that the increased transfection efficiency and titers from DKO cells are attributed to their resistance to transfection‐induced apoptosis and not differences in endocytosis mechanism. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:1050–1058, 2013
Investigating Unexpected Child Deaths: An Audit of the New Joint Agency Approach
Authors: Garstang Joanna , Debelle Geoff , Aukett Anne
Published: June 2013

Key Practitioner Messages

The joint agency approach should be used to investigate all unexpected child deaths

Practitioners should ensure that final case discussions are not unduly delayed so that parents do not have to wait several months for information on the cause of their child's death.

All bereaved parents should be given the opportunity to have a follow‐up appointment with the paediatrician responsible for managing sudden unexpected death in children.
Theoretical Study of N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes‐Catalyzed Cascade Annulation of Benzodienones and Enals
Authors: Sun Hui , Fang Xinqiang , Chi Yonggui Robin , Li Guohui
Published: June 2013

Growing attention in developing new N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐mediated reactions involving homoenolate intermediates has prompted our interest in exploring the mechanistic details of the related reactions. In this work, we carried out a detailed theoretical study for the NHC‐catalyzed annulation reaction of cinnamaldehyde (A) and benzodi(enone) (B) in the presence of 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU). By performing density functional theory calculations, we show clearly the detailed reaction mechanism and rationalize the experimental observation. The reaction of A and B falls into two stages: the formation of homoenolate intermediate and the annulation of homoenolate with B. In the homoenolate formation stage, three possible paths are characterized. The pathway involving the DBU‐assisted 1,2‐proton transfer with a stepwise mechanism is kinetically more favorable, and the DBU‐assisted C1 proton departure is the rate‐determining step of the total reaction. The annulation of homoenolate with B involves four elementary steps. The conformational difference of homoenolate (cis and trans) leads to two slightly different reaction processes. In the total reaction, the process involving cis‐conformation of A is kinetically more feasible. This can be clearly understood through the frontier molecular orbital analysis and the electronic inductive effect. The calculated results are expected to offer valuable information for further design and development of NHC‐mediated reactions. Chirality 25:521‐528, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mitteilungsblatt 34, CHEMKON 20: Herzliche Glückwünsche!
Authors: Meyer Gerd
Published: June 2013

Mitteilungsblatt 34, CHEMKON 20: Herzliche Glückwünsche!
Computational modeling of chemo‐electro‐mechanical coupling: A novel implicit monolithic finite element approach
Authors: Wong J. , Göktepe S. , Kuhl E.
Published: June 2013

Computational modeling of the human heart allows us to predict how chemical, electrical, and mechanical fields interact throughout a cardiac cycle. Pharmacological treatment of cardiac disease has advanced significantly over the past decades, yet it remains unclear how the local biochemistry of an individual heart cell translates into global cardiac function. Here, we propose a novel, unified strategy to simulate excitable biological systems across three biological scales. To discretize the governing chemical, electrical, and mechanical equations in space, we propose a monolithic finite element scheme. We apply a highly efficient and inherently modular global–local split, in which the deformation and the transmembrane potential are introduced globally as nodal degrees of freedom, whereas the chemical state variables are treated locally as internal variables. To ensure unconditional algorithmic stability, we apply an implicit backward Euler finite difference scheme to discretize the resulting system in time. To increase algorithmic robustness and guarantee optimal quadratic convergence, we suggest an incremental iterative Newton–Raphson scheme. The proposed algorithm allows us to simulate the interaction of chemical, electrical, and mechanical fields during a representative cardiac cycle on a patient‐specific geometry, robust and stable, with calculation times on the order of 4 days on a standard desktop computer. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Switchable Complex Ligand Exhibiting Photoinduced Valence Tautomerism
Authors: Dai Jingwei , Kanegawa Shinji , Li Zhaoyang , Kang Soonchul , Sato Osamu
Published: June 2013

The crystal of a valence tautomeric cobalt complex, [Co(dbbq)2(bpym)](1) (dbbq = 3,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐1,2‐benzoquinone and bpym = 2,2′‐bipyrimidine), have been obtained by reaction between Co2(CO)8 and dbbq in the presence of the ligand bpym in a mixed solvent under an N2 atmosphere. The magnetic behavior of complex 1 clearly indicates that electron transfer from the catecholate ligand to the CoIII center occurs, which results in valence tautomers of [CoII(SQ)2(bpym)] with a transition temperature (T1/2) of 232(1) K. Photomagnetic studies show that complex 1 exhibits photoinduced valence tautomerism. The complex has the ability to coordinate and can be used as a photoswitchable building block.
Social norms and the expression of prejudice: The development of aversive racism in childhood
Authors: de França Dalila Xavier , Monteiro Maria Benedicta
Published: June 2013

In Study 1, 82 White children aged 5–10 years allocated rewards to White and Black target children in justified/unjustified normative contexts according to their performance on a previous task. In Study 2, 71 White children aged 5–10 years allocated resources to White and Black target children in conditions of high (interviewer was present) or low (interviewer was absent) salience of the anti‐racism norm. In both studies, younger children displayed intergroup biased racial behaviours in most conditions, whereas older children, as expected, only displayed similar egalitarian behaviours in contexts where an anti‐racism normative pressure was not salient. Results of both experimental studies highlighted the interplay between child development, the anti‐prejudice norm and context factors. Furthermore, they support the assumptions of the theory of aversive racism regarding the use of legitimizing justifications to account for racial biased behaviours and extend its scope to a better understanding of the development of racial prejudice in childhood. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel Likelihood Ratio Tests for Screening Gene‐Gene and Gene‐Environment Interactions With Unbalanced Repeated‐Measures Data
Authors: Ko Yi‐An , Saha‐Chaudhuri Paramita , Park Sung Kyun , Vokonas Pantel Steve , Mukherjee Bhramar
Published: June 2013

There has been extensive literature on modeling gene‐gene interaction (GGI) and gene‐environment interaction (GEI) in case‐control studies with limited literature on statistical methods for GGI and GEI in longitudinal cohort studies. We borrow ideas from the classical two‐way analysis of variance literature to address the issue of robust modeling of interactions in repeated‐measures studies. While classical interaction models proposed by Tukey and Mandel have interaction structures as a function of main effects, a newer class of models, additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) models, do not have similar restrictive assumptions on the interaction structure. AMMI entails a singular value decomposition of the cell residual matrix after fitting the additive main effects and has been shown to perform well across various interaction structures. We consider these models for testing GGI and GEI from two perspectives: likelihood ratio test based on cell means and a regression‐based approach using individual observations. Simulation results indicate that both approaches for AMMI models lead to valid tests in terms of maintaining the type I error rate, with the regression approach having better power properties. The performance of these models was evaluated across different interaction structures and 12 common epistasis patterns. In summary, AMMI model is robust with respect to misspecified interaction structure and is a useful screening tool for interaction even in the absence of main effects. We use the proposed methods to examine the interplay between the hemochromatosis gene and cumulative lead exposure on pulse pressure in the Normative Aging Study.
Classifying reanalysis surface temperature probability density functions (PDFs) over North America with cluster analysis
Authors: Loikith P. C. , Lintner B. R. , Kim J. , Lee H. , Neelin J. D. , Waliser D. E.
Published: June 2013

An important step in projecting future climate change impacts on extremes involves quantifying the underlying probability distribution functions (PDFs) of climate variables. However, doing so can prove challenging when multiple models and large domains are considered. Here an approach to PDF quantification using k‐means clustering is considered. A standard clustering algorithm (with k = 5 clusters) is applied to 33 years of daily January surface temperature from two state‐of‐the‐art reanalysis products, the North American Regional Reanalysis and the Modern Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications. The resulting cluster assignments yield spatially coherent patterns that can be broadly related to distinct climate regimes over North America, e.g., low variability over the tropical oceans or temperature advection across stronger or weaker gradients. This technique has the potential to be a useful and intuitive tool for evaluation of model‐simulated PDF structure and could provide insight into projections of future changes in temperature.
Inflammation and disease duration have a cumulative effect on the risk of dysplasia and carcinoma in IBD: A case–control observational study based on registry data
Authors: Nieminen Urpo , Jussila Airi , Nordling Stig , Mustonen Harri , Färkkilä Martti A.
Published: June 2013

Patients with long‐standing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk for colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Earlier studies suggest that the severity of inflammation is an independent risk factor for CRC in ulcerative colitis (UC). We investigated the role of histological inflammation as a risk factor for colorectal dysplasia or CRC to better target dysplasia surveillance in IBD. By combining our hospital patient registry and pathology database between 1996 and 2008, we identified 183 IBD patients with dysplasia or CRC. The control group was collected from our registry of IBD patients. Histological severe inflammation was present in 41.4% of patients with dysplasia and in 24.1% of patients with CRC, but in only 4.3% of controls. Severe inflammation had an odds ratio (OR) of 31.8 [95% confidence interval (CI): 15.6–64.9] for dysplasia or carcinoma compared to patients with no inflammation. Among patients with mild to moderate inflammation, the OR was 2.6 (95% CI: 1.6–4.1). Disease duration increased the annual risk for dysplasia or CRC by 4.5%. Coexisting primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) did not elevate the risk, whereas use of thiopurines (OR = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.02–0.33) and also 5‐aminosalicylic acid (OR 0.17, 95% CI: 0.017–1.01) protected against CRC. As conclusion, degree of inflammation and duration of disease cumulatively increase the risk for dysplasia and CRC. PSC was not identified as a risk factor. We demonstrated that use of thiopurines strongly protects against CRC. These results can be applied to better target dysplasia surveillance in IBD patients.
CD82 regulates STAT5/IL‐10 and supports survival of acute myelogenous leukemia cells
Authors: Nishioka Chie , Ikezoe Takayuki , Yang Jing , Nobumoto Atsuya , Kataoka Sayo , Tsuda Masayuki , Udaka Keiko , Yokoyama Akihito
Published: June 2013

We recently reported that adhesion molecule CD82 is aberrantly expressed in CD34+/CD38− leukemia stem cells (LSCs). Here, we report the results of a functional analysis of CD82 in CD34+/CD38− acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cells. Short hairpin (sh)RNA‐mediated downregulation of CD82 resulted in a decrease in the level of IL‐10. In contrast, forced expression of CD82 in CD34+/CD38+ AML cells by transduction with CD82‐expressing lentiviral particles resulted in an increase in the levels of IL‐10. Notably, exposure of CD34+/CD38− AML cells to IL‐10 stimulated clonogenic growth of these cells. Moreover, downregulation of CD82 by a shRNA dephosphorylated STAT5 in CD34+/CD38− AML cells. On the other hand, forced expression of CD82 resulted in increase in the levels of p‐STAT5 in CD34+/CD38+ AML cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay results indicated that STAT5A binds to the promoter region of the IL‐10 gene, while reporter gene assay results indicated stimulation of IL‐10 expression at the transcriptional level. These results suggest that CD82 positively regulates the STAT5/IL‐10 signaling pathway. Moreover, shRNA‐mediated downregulation of CD82 expression in CD34+/CD38‐ AML cells dephosphorylated STAT5 in immunodeficient mice. Taken together, our data suggest that the CD82/STAT5/IL‐10 signaling pathway is involved in the survival of CD34+/CD38− AML cells and may thus be a promising therapeutic target for eradication of AML LSCs.
On the formulation of snow thermal conductivity in large‐scale sea ice models
Authors: Lecomte O. , Fichefet T. , Vancoppenolle M. , Domine F. , Massonnet F. , Mathiot P. , Morin S. , Barriat P.Y.
Published: June 2013

An assessment of the performance of a state‐of‐the‐art large‐scale coupled sea ice‐ocean model, including a new snow multilayer thermodynamic scheme, is performed. Four 29 year long simulations are compared against each other and against sea ice thickness and extent observations. Each simulation uses a separate parameterization for snow thermophysical properties. The first simulation uses a constant thermal conductivity and prescribed density profiles. The second and third parameterizations use typical power‐law relationships linking thermal conductivity directly to density (prescribed as in the first simulation). The fourth parameterization is newly developed and consists of a set of two linear equations relating the snow thermal conductivity and density to the mean seasonal wind speed. Results show that simulation 1 leads to a significant overestimation of the sea ice thickness due to overestimated thermal conductivity, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere. Parameterizations 2 and 4 lead to a realistic simulation of the Arctic sea ice mean state. Simulation 3 results in the underestimation of the sea ice basal growth in both hemispheres, but is partly compensated by lateral growth and snow ice formation in the Southern Hemisphere. Finally, parameterization 4 improves the simulated Snow Depth Distributions by including snow packing by wind, and shows potential for being used in future works. The intercomparison of all simulations suggests that the sea ice model is more sensitive to the snow representation in the Arctic than it is in the Southern Ocean, where the sea ice thickness is not driven by temperature profiles in the snow.
Enhancing Information Pertaining to Client Characteristics to Facilitate Evidence‐Based Practice
Authors: Callahan Jennifer L. , Heath Christopher J. , Aubuchon‐Endsley Nicki L. , Collins Frank L. , Herbert Gregory L.
Published: June 2013

Objective

Evidence‐based practice (EBP) includes utilization of empirically supported treatments, application of clinical expertise, and consideration of client characteristics. The following brief report aims to elucidate barriers in the study and dissemination of research regarding these client characteristics.

Design

Authors examined empirical papers cited on psychologicaltreatments.org (N = 338) and categorized each according to efficacy evidence available pertaining to gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status (SES).

Results

Gender was most commonly considered (7% of studies), with less than 2% of studies analyzing efficacy in relation to race/ethnicity or SES.

Conclusions

Available findings are summarized according to disorder. Researchers are encouraged to attend to client variables in efficacy studies and suggestions are offered for training students to include client variables in EBP.
Mindfulness Training in a Heterogeneous Psychiatric Sample: Outcome Evaluation and Comparison of Different Diagnostic Groups
Authors: Bos Elisabeth H. , Merea Ria , van den Brink Erik , Sanderman Robbert , Bartels‐Velthuis Agna A.
Published: June 2013

Objectives

To examine outcome after mindfulness training in a heterogeneous psychiatric outpatient population and to compare outcome in different diagnostic groups.

Method

One hundred and forty‐three patients in 5 diagnostic categories completed questionnaires about psychological symptoms, quality of life, and mindfulness skills prior to and immediately after treatment.

Results

The mixed patient group as a whole improved significantly on all outcome measures. Differential improvement was found for different diagnostic categories with respect to psychological symptoms and quality of life: Bipolar patients did not improve significantly on these measures. This finding could be explained by longer illness duration and lower baseline severity in the bipolar category.

Conclusion

Mindfulness training is associated with overall improvement in a heterogeneous outpatient population. Differences in outcome between diagnostic categories may be ascribed to differences in illness duration and baseline severity.