bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental and Financial Evaluation of Passenger Vehicle Technologies in Belgium
Authors: Messagie Maarten , Lebeau Kenneth , Coosemans Thierry , Macharis Cathy , Van Mierlo Joeri
Published: November 2013

Vehicles with alternative drive trains are regarded as a promising substitute for conventional cars, considering the growing concern about oil depletion and the environmental impact of our transportation system. However, “clean” technologies will only be viable when they are cost-efficient. In this paper, the environmental impacts and the financial costs of different vehicle technologies are calculated for an average Belgian driver. Environmentally friendly vehicles are compared with conventional petrol and diesel vehicles. The assessments are done from a life cycle perspective. The effect on human health, resources and ecosystems is considered when calculating the environmental impact. The total cost of ownership (TCO) model includes the purchase price, registration and road taxes, insurance, fuel or electricity cost, maintenance, tires replacement, technical control, battery leasing and battery replacement. In the presented analysis different vehicle technologies and fuels are compared (petrol, diesel, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)) on their level of environmental impact and cost per kilometer. The analysis shows a lower environmental impact for electric vehicles. However, electric vehicles have a higher total cost of ownership compared to conventional vehicles, even though the fuel operating costs are significantly lower. The purchase cost of electric vehicles is highly linked to the size of the battery pack, and not to the size of the electric vehicle. This explains the relative high cost for the electric city cars and the comparable cost for the medium and premium cars.
First Isolation of a Giant Virus from Wild Hirudo medicinalis Leech: Mimiviridae isolation in Hirudo medicinalis
Authors: Boughalmi Mondher , Pagnier Isabelle , Aherfi Sarah , Colson Philippe , Raoult Didier , La Scola Bernard
Published: November 2013

Giant viruses and amoebae are common in freshwater, where they can coexist with other living multicellular organisms. We screened leeches from the species Hirudo medicinalis for giant viruses. We analyzed five H. medicinalis obtained from Tunisia (3) and France (2). The leeches were decontaminated and then dissected to remove internal parts for co-culture with Acanthamoeba polyphaga. The genomes of isolated viruses were sequenced on a 454 Roche instrument, and a comparative genomics analysis was performed. One Mimivirus was isolated and the strain was named Hirudovirus. The genome assembly generated two scaffolds, which were 1,155,382 and 25,660 base pairs in length. Functional annotations were identified for 47% of the genes, which corresponds to 466 proteins. The presence of Mimividae in the same ecological niche as wild Hirudo may explain the presence of the mimivirus in the digestive tract of the leech, and several studies have already shown that viruses can persist in the digestive tracts of leeches fed contaminated blood. As leeches can be used medically and Mimiviruses have the potential to be an infectious agent in humans, patients treated with leeches should be surveyed to investigate a possible connection.
Toxicity of a Traditional Molluscicide to Asian Clam Veligers
Authors: Layhee Megan , Yoshioka Miho , Farokhkish Bahram , Gross Jackson A. , Sepulveda Adam J.
Published: November 2013

Aquaculture and hatchery industries are in need of effective control methods to reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species, such as the Asian clam Corbicula fluminea, through aquaculture and hatchery activities. The planktonic nature of Asian clam veligers enables this life stage to enter water-based infrastructure undetected, including hatchery trucks used to stock fish. Once in hatchery trucks, veligers can disperse overland and establish in previously uninvaded habitats. As a result, there is a need to develop techniques that result in veliger mortality but do not harm fish. In September 2012, we conducted laboratory trials to determine if a molluscicide (750 mg/L potassium chloride and 25 mg/L formalin) commonly used to kill zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) veligers in hatchery trucks can also effectively kill Asian clam veligers. We exposed Asian clam veligers to this molluscicide for 1, 3, and 5 h in each of two water types: deionized water and filtered lake water. We found <20% mortality at the 1-h exposure period and 100% mortality at both the 3-h and 5-h exposure periods, regardless of water type. This laboratory study represents an important step toward reducing the spread of Asian clams by aquaculture facilities.
Cardiac characterization of sgca-null mice using high resolution echocardiography
Authors: Fayssoil Abdallah , Renault Gilles , Guerchet Nicolas , Marchiol-Fournigault Carmen , Fougerousse Françoise , Richard Isabelle
Published: November 2013

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2D (LGMD2D) is an inherited myogenic disorder belonging to the group of muscular dystrophies. Sgca-null mouse is a knock-out model of LGMD2D. Little is known about cardiac phenotype characterization in this model at different ages. We conducted a prospective study to characterize cardiac sgca-null mice phenotype using high resolution Doppler echocardiography at different ages. Conventional echocardiography was performed on anesthetised mice using a Vevo 770 (Visualsonics) with 30 MHz cardiac probe. Wild Type (WT) and sgca-null mice were scanned at 13, 15 and 17 months. From M-mode, we measured interventricular septal (IVS) wall thickness, posterior wall (PW) thickness, and end-left ventricular diameter in systolic and diastolic. From the above parameters, we calculated left ventricular (LV) shortening fraction (SF), LV ejection fraction (EF) and LV mass. At age 13 months, PW diastolic thickness was increased in sgca-null mice (0.89±0.14 mm vs 0.73±0.2 mm; P=0.020) and LV mass was higher in sgca-null mice (LV mass 205.2 mg vs 143 mg; P=0.001). We found also dilation of the LV (LVEDD: 4.84 mm vs 4.29 mm; P=0.019) in sgca-null mice. At age 15 months, dilation of the LV (LVEDD: 4.86 mm vs 4 mm; P=0.05) with an increase of the LV mass (165.7 mg vs 127.12; P=0.03) are found in sgca-null mice. At age 17 months, we found a decrease of the PW thickening (17% vs 30%; P=0.036). This work provides echocardiographic insights for the assessment of pharmaceutical therapies in sgca-null mice.
First report of polymelia and a rudimentary wing in a Nigerian Nera black chicken
Authors: Azeez Odunayo I. , Oyagbemi Ademola A.
Published: November 2013

A case of polymelia with a rudimentary wing is described in an eight-week-old Nera black chicken (Gallus domesticus). It is a rare disorder with chromosomal aberrations, which are associated with congenital limb malformations. The condition was observed during routine physical examination of a flock of 2000 poultry birds in the month of February 2008 in Ibadan, Nigeria. After physical examination, the bird was found to have two extra well-developed legs, which were shorter than the normal legs. These extra legs were also found to be non-functional. Similarly, a rudimentary wing, which was highly vestigial, was found on the left lateral side of the bird very close to the cloaca. The bird died at the age of eight weeks. This is the first reported case of polymelia with a rudimentary wing in a domestic chicken in Nigeria.
Offsetting effects of aerosols on Arctic and global climate in the late 20th century
Authors: Yang Q. , Bitz C. M. , Doherty S. J.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. We examine the impacts of atmospheric aerosols on Arctic and global climate using a series of 20th century transient simulations from Community Climate System Model version 4 (CCSM4). We focus on the response of surface air temperature to the direct radiative forcing driven by changes in sulfate and black carbon (BC) concentrations from 1975 to 2005 and we also examine the response to sulfate, BC, and organic carbon aerosols varying at once. The direct forcing from sulfate dominates the aerosol climate effect. Globally averaged, all three aerosols produce a cooling trend of 0.015 K decade−1 during the period 1975–2005. In the Arctic, surface air temperature has large spatial variations in response to changes in aerosol concentrations. Over the European Arctic, aerosols induce about 0.6 K decade−1 warming which is about 1.8 K warming over the 30 yr period. This warming is triggered mainly by the reduction in sulfate and BC emissions over Europe since the 1970s and is reinforced by sea ice loss and a strengthening in atmospheric northward heat transport. Over the Siberian and North American Arctic, surface air temperature is likely influenced primarily by changes in aerosol emissions from Asia. An increase in sulfate emissions over Asia induces a large cooling while an increase in BC over Asia causes a significant warming.
Cloud condensation nucleus activity comparison of dry- and wet-generated mineral dust aerosol: the significance of soluble material
Authors: Garimella S. , Huang Y.-w. , Seewald J. S. , Cziczo D. J.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. This study examines the interaction of clay mineral particles and water vapor to determine the conditions required for cloud droplet formation. Droplet formation conditions are investigated for three clay minerals: illite, sodium-rich montmorillonite, and Arizona Test Dust. Using wet and dry particle generation coupled to a differential mobility analyzer (DMA) and cloud condensation nuclei counter, the critical activation of the clay mineral particles as cloud condensation nuclei is characterized. Electron microscopy (EM) is used to determine non-sphericity in particle shape. EM is also used to determine particle surface area and account for transmission of multiply charged particles by the DMA. Single particle mass spectrometry and ion chromatography are used to investigate soluble material in wet-generated samples and demonstrate that wet and dry generation yield compositionally different particles. Activation results are analyzed in the context of both κ-Köhler theory and Frenkel, Halsey, and Hill (FHH) adsorption activation theory. This study has two main results: (1) κ-Köhler is a suitable framework, less complex than FHH theory, to describe clay mineral nucleation activity despite apparent differences in κ with respect to size. For dry-generated particles the size dependence is likely an artifact of the shape of the size distribution: there is a sharp drop-off in particle concentration at ~300 nm, and a large fraction of particles classified with a mobility diameter less than ~300 nm are actually multiply charged, resulting in a much lower critical supersaturation for droplet activation than expected. For wet-generated particles, deviation from κ-Köhler theory is likely a result of the dissolution and redistribution of soluble material. (2) Wet-generation is found to be unsuitable for simulating the lofting of fresh dry dust because it changes the size-dependent critical supersaturations by fractionating and re-partitioning soluble material.
The impact of early Holocene Arctic shelf flooding on climate in an atmosphere–ocean–sea–ice model
Authors: Blaschek M. , Renssen H.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Glacial terminations are characterized by a strong rise in sea level related to melting ice sheets. This rise in sea level is not uniform all over the world, because regional effects (uplift and subsidence of coastal zones) are superimposed on global trends. During the early Holocene the Siberian Shelf became flooded before 7.5 ka BP and the coastline reached modern-day high stands at 5 ka BP. This area is currently known as a sea-ice production area and contributes significantly to the sea-ice exported from the Arctic through the Fram Strait. This leads to the following hypothesis: during times of rising sea levels, shelves become flooded, increasing sea-ice production on these shelves, increasing sea-ice volume and export through the Fram Strait and causing the sea-ice extent to advance in the Nordic Seas, yielding cooler and fresher sea surface conditions. We have tested this hypothesis in an atmosphere–ocean–sea–ice coupled model of intermediate complexity (LOVECLIM). Our experiment on early Holocene Siberian Shelf flooding shows that in our model sea-ice production in the Northern Hemisphere increases (15%) and that sea-ice extent in the Northern Hemisphere increases (14%) but sea-ice export decreases (−15%) contrary to our hypothesis. The reason of this unexpected behaviour has its origin in a weakened polar vortex, induced by the land–ocean changes due to the shelf flooding, and a resulting decrease of zonality in the Nordic Seas pressure regime. Hence the winter Greenland high and the Icelandic low strengthen, yielding stronger winds on both sides of the Nordic Seas. Increased winds along the East Greenland Current support local sea-ice production and transport towards the South, resulting in a wider sea-ice cover and a southward shift of convection areas. The overall strength of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation is reduced by 4% and the heat transport in the Atlantic basin by 7%, resulting in an annual cooling pattern over the Nordic Seas by up to −4 °C. We find that the flooding of the Siberian shelf resulting from an orbitally induced warming and related glacioeustatic sea level rise causes a Nordic Seas cooling feedback opposed to this warming.
The role of risk perception in making flood risk management more effective
Authors: Buchecker M. , Salvini G. , Di Baldassarre G. , Semenzin E. , Maidl E. , Marcomini A.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Over the last few decades, Europe has suffered from a number of severe flood events and, as a result, there has been a growing interest in probing alternative approaches to managing flood risk via prevention measures. A literature review reveals that, although in the last decades risk evaluation has been recognized as key element of risk management, and risk assessment methodologies (including risk analysis and evaluation) have been improved by including social, economic, cultural, historical and political conditions, the theoretical schemes are not yet applied in practice. One main reason for this shortcoming is that risk perception literature is mainly of universal and theoretical nature and cannot provide the necessary details to implement a comprehensive risk evaluation. This paper therefore aims to explore a procedure that allows the inclusion of stakeholders' perceptions of prevention measures in risk assessment. It proposes to adopt methods of risk communication (both one-way and two-way communication) in risk assessment with the final aim of making flood risk management more effective. The proposed procedure not only focuses on the effect of discursive risk communication on risk perception, and on achieving a shared assessment of the prevention alternatives, but also considers the effects of the communication process on perceived uncertainties, accepted risk levels, and trust in the managing institutions. The effectiveness of this combined procedure has been studied and illustrated using the example of the participatory flood prevention assessment process on the Sihl River in Zurich, Switzerland. The main findings of the case study suggest that the proposed procedure performed well, but that it needs some adaptations for it to be applicable in different contexts and to allow a (semi-) quantitative estimation of risk perception to be used as an indicator of adaptive capacity.
PIL AND CISG: FRIENDS OR FOES?
Authors: Ferrari Franco
Published: November 2013

PIL AND CISG: FRIENDS OR FOES?
Volume 31 Front Matter
Authors: Argentieri Leigh
Published: November 2013

Volume 31 Front Matter
Genetic Polymorphisms Associated with Endometriosis in Pakistani Women
Authors: Liaqat Irfana , Jahan Nusrat , Lone Khalid P. , Pakstis Andrew , Taylor Hugh S.
Published: November 2013

Background

Endometriosis is a common disease that causes pain and infertility. The heritable predisposition toward endometriosis motivates an interest to identify the genes and genomic variants involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to this disease. Here we investigated in Pakistani women the association of endometriosis and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in genes previously identified in the development of this disease.

Methods

DNA samples from 52 genetically unrelated endometriosis subjects with endometriosis and 52 randomly selected controls were analyzed by direct sequencing to determine polymorphisms in four genes. These included estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) (rs2234693 C/T, rs9340799 G/A SNP), estrogen receptor beta (ESR2) (rs4986938 G/A SNP), progesterone receptor (PGR) (rs1042838 G/T, rs10895068 G/A SNPs) and interleukin 10 (IL10) (rs1800871 C/T, rs1800872 C/A and rs1800896 G/A SNPs).

Results

The allele A at −592, T at −819 and G at −1080 of IL10 and all of the SNPs studied at ESR2 and PGR show strong, statistically significant associations with the disease. However, the genetic variation at ESR1 was distributed similarly among cases and control groups.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the functional promoter polymorphism of the IL10 gene, identified by the “ATG” genotype, may contribute to the risk of endometriosis. Genetic variants of ESR2 and PGR gene may also be a risk factor as well as influence the fertility status of patients with endometriosis.
Do Low-Dose Oral Contraceptives have an Effect on Ovarian Endometrioma Diameter and Endometriosis Symptoms?
Authors: Del Forno Simona , Solfrini Serena , Ferrini Giulia , Zannoni Letizia , Bertoldo Valentina , Monti Giorgia , Leonardi Deborah , Labate Antonio Maria Morselli , Paccapelo Alexandro , Seracchioli Renato
Published: November 2013

Purpose

To investigate the effect of a low-dose oral contraceptive containing drospirenone/ethinylestradiol 3 mg/20 μg on endometrioma mean diameter.

Methods

Fifty women with sonographic diagnosis of ovarian endometrioma and at least 12 months of therapy with drospirenone/ethinylestradiol 3 mg/20 μg, without previous adnexal surgery, were selected for this retrospective study. Endometrioma mean diameter measured with transvaginal ultrasonography and endometriosis-associated symptoms evaluated by a visual analogue scale (VAS) score (0-10) were reported at therapy prescription (baseline) and after 6, 12 and 18 months of treatment. Main outcome measures were endometrioma mean diameters and endometriosis-associated symptoms variations during the follow-up; differences between cyclic and continuous regimen were also considered.

Results

A significant reduction in endometrioma mean diameter was observed during the follow-up. The reductions of mean diameter versus baseline values were significantly higher in continuous users than in cyclic users at 6 and 18 months of follow-up. No new endometriomas occurred. The dysmenorrhea VAS score significantly decreased during the follow-up.

Conclusions

Drospirenone/ethinylestradiol 3 mg/20 μg seems to be effective in reducing endometrioma mean diameter. The continuous regimen seems to be associated with a greater reduction than the cyclic one.
The Impact of Socioeconomic and Anamnestic Characteristics on Quality of Life and Sexual Function in Women with Endometriosis
Authors: Di Donato Nadine , Montanari Giulia , Benfenati Arianna , Leonardi Debora , Bertoldo Valentina , Monti Giorgia , Casadio Paolo , La Marca Antonio , Seracchioli Renato
Published: November 2013

Purpose

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of sociodemographic and anamnestic characteristics of women with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) on the quality of life and sexual function.

Methods

It is a prospective cohort study including 200 women with pre-operative clinical and ultrasound diagnosis of DIE. They completed a pre-operative questionnaire regarding sociodemographic and anamnestic characteristics, a sexual activity questionnaire (Sexual Health Outcomes in Women Questionnaire [SHOW-Q]) and a quality of life questionnaire (Short Form-36 Health Survey [SF-36]).

Results

The mean values obtained for the SF-36 (50.7 ± 21.1) and SHOW-Q (56.4 ± 21.1) questionnaire showed an impairment of quality of life and sexual function. Women with a history of previous surgery had significantly lower scores of SF-36 and SHOW-Q questionnaires than women without (p< 0.05). The increase of body mass index (BMI) was positively correlated with an improvement of sexual function (p = 0.008). Postsecondary education was significantly associated with a better quality of life (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Patients with DIE have an impairment of quality of life and sexual function. Educational level, BMI and previous surgery may influence quality of life and sexual function of women affected by DIE.
High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Memantine in Human Urine Following Solid-Phase Extraction and Precolumn Derivatization
Authors: Michail Karim , Daabees Hoda , Beltagy Youssef , Elkhalek Magdy Abd , Khamis Mona
Published: November 2013

A validated HPLC-UV method is presented for the quantification of urinary memantine hydrochloride, a novel medication approved to treat moderate and advanced cases of Alzheimer's disease. The drug and amantadine hydrochloride, the internal standard, were extracted from human urine using SPE. The extract was then buffered and derivatized at room temperature using o-phthalaldehyde in the presence of N-acetyl-L-cyteine. Chromatographic separation of the formed derivatives was achieved on a C18 column using methanol–water mobile phase adjusted to pH 7 and pumped isocratically at 1 mL/min. The UV detector was set at 340 nm. The chromatographic run time did not exceed 10 min. The LOD and LOQ were 8 and 20 ng/mL, respectively. The RSDs for intraday and interday precisions did not exceed 5.5%. The method was used to monitor memantine hydrochloride in human urine in order to determine an appropriate sampling interval for future noninvasive therapeutic drug monitoring. The assay could also be applied to the determination of amantadine. The described assay showed that a postdosing time interval of 25–75 h seems adequate for sampling and monitoring memantine in urine.
Simultaneous Determination of Furfural, Acetic Acid, and 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural in Corncob Hydrolysates Using Liquid Chromatography with Ultraviolet Detection
Authors: Dong Bo-Yu , Chen Ye-Fu , Zhao Chang-Chun , Zhang Shi-Jie , Guo Xue-Wu , Xiao Dong-Guang
Published: November 2013

A single-laboratory validation study was conducted using HPLC for detecting and quantifying acetic acid, furfural, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in corncob hydrolysates. A pretreatment procedure using dilute sulfuric acid was optimized for corncob hydrolysis. The final hydrolysates were analyzed by HPLC using a C18RP column with aqueous 0.01% (v/v) H2SO4–CH3OH (95 + 5) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The wavelengths for detecting the three compounds were changed to their optimal UV detection wavelengths at the time of elution. The wavelength detection adjustments were as follow: 205 nm (0 to 4 min); 284 nm (4 to 7 min); and 276 nm (7 to 10 min). Separation was achieved with a chromatographic run time of 10 min. The calibration curves for the three compounds had correlation coefficients (r2) ≥99.8%. The analytical range, as defined by the calibration curves, was 0.5–10 mg/L for acetic acid, 0.4–22 mg/L for furfural, and 0.1–18 mg/L for HMF. The LODs for acetic acid, furfural, and HMF were estimated to be 0.05, 0.03, and 0.02 mg/L, respectively; the LOQs were 0.196, 0.135, and 0.074 mg/L, respectively. The RSD values for the intraday precision study ranged from 0.31 to 2.22%, and from 0.57 to 2.43% for the interday study. The mean recovery rates in all compounds were between 100.08 and 101.49%.
Determination of Erythromycin in Medicated Salmonid Fish Feed by Liquid Chromatography and UV Spectroscopy
Authors: De Alwis Hemakanthi G , Girard Lauren , Kijak Philip J , Rummel Nathan
Published: November 2013

A simple, robust LC-UV method was developed to assay erythromycin in medicated salmonid feed. In this method, erythromycin was extracted from feed with acetonitrile and water, cleaned up by SPE, evaporated to dryness, reconstituted, and analyzed by LC-UV. The resulting method produced high accuracy, 82–90%, for both salmon and trout feed that represented varied pellet sizes and ingredient amounts. The intraday and interday precisions, at ≤6 and 5%, respectively, indicated the method's good repeatability. Calibration was linear over the range of drug concentrations typically used in medicated feed. An independent analyst validation further demonstrated the repeatability of the method. The developed method could support the drug approval process for erythromycin in medicated salmonid fish feed.
Determination of Total Antioxidant Capacity by Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) Using Fluorescein as the Fluorescence Probe: First Action 2012.23
Authors: Ou Boxin , Chang Tony , Huang Dejian , Prior Ronald L
Published: November 2013

An improved method for the measurement of oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) was developed and validated using fluorescein (3′,6′-dihydroxyspiro[isobenzofuran-1[3H], 9′[9H]-xanthen]-3-one) as a new fluorescence probe (ORACFL). Randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin (RMCD) was introduced as the water-solubility enhancer for lipophilic antioxidants. 7% RMCD (w/v) in 50% acetone–H2O mixture sufficiently solubilized vitamin E compounds and other lipophilic phenolic antioxidants in 75 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.4). Results indicated that fluorescein shows excellent photostability under the plate reader conditions. This ORACFL was validated through linearity, precision, accuracy, and ruggedness. The validation results demonstrated that the ORACFL assay is reliable and robust. The mean of intraday and interday CVs were <15%; for hydrophilic ORAC, LOD and LOQ are 5 and 6.25 μM, respectively; for lipophilic ORAC, LOD and LOQ are 6.25 and 12.5 μM, respectively. It is concluded that unlike other popular methods, the ORACFL assay provides a direct measure of total antioxidant capacity against the peroxyl radicals.
The Use of TLC-DPPH• Test with Image Processing to Study Direct Antioxidant Activity of Phenolic Acid Fractions of Selected Lamiaceae Family Species
Authors: Cieśla Łukasz , Staszek Dorota , Kowalska Teresa , Waksmundzka-Hajnos Monika
Published: November 2013

TLC coupled with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl staining was used to analyze phenolic acid fractions of selected Salvia and Thymus species. Documented videoscans were processed by means of an image processing program. This is the first time that free phenolic acids fractions, as well as fractions containing phenolic acids derived from basic and acidic hydrolysis, have been analyzed and compared for selected sage and thyme species. The analyzed samples along with caffeic acid (CA; standard) were chromatographed on silica gel plates with toluene – ethyl acetate – formic acid (60 + 40 + 1, v/v/v) mobile phase. The extracts were investigated with respect to the activity of CA. It was found that CA was most abundant in the fractions derived from basic hydrolysis. This compound was not detected in any of the fractions obtained after acidic hydrolysis. S. officinalis and S. triloba have similar free radical scavenging activity fingerprints obtained for all the analyzed fractions.
Sampling Modality Influences the Predictive Value of Grading in Adult Soft Tissue Extremity Sarcomas
Authors: Khoja Hatim , Griffin Anthony , Dickson Brendan , Wunder Jay , Ferguson Peter , Howarth David , Kandel Rita
Published: November 2013

Context.—Histologic grade is one of the best predictors of outcome in adult soft tissue sarcomas. Current grading systems were validated on resection specimens; however, there has been a trend toward the use of biopsies to diagnosis these tumors.

Objectives.—To determine whether the grade of an extremity soft tissue sarcoma determined on tissue obtained by either core needle biopsy or incisional biopsy is predictive of metastasis- or disease-free survival, and whether either sampling modality is superior.

Design.—One hundred three core needle biopsies and 107 incisional biopsies of nonmetastatic spindle cell sarcomas of the extremities were retrieved from the archives. All cases had a minimum 2-year follow-up. Patient data and outcome and tumor characteristics were recorded. Tumors were reviewed and evaluated using the French Federation of Cancer Centers Sarcoma Group grading system. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated to correlate tumor grade with metastasis- and disease-free survival for both groups.

Results.—Patient and tumor characteristics were similar between groups except that more tumors were grade 3 and superficial in the incisional biopsy group. Grade determined on core needle biopsy was not predictive of either metastasis-free survival (P = .59) or disease-free survival (P = .50). In contrast, grade determined on incisional biopsy was predictive of both metastasis-free survival (P < .001) and disease-free survival (P = .001).

Conclusions.—Biopsy, particularly core needle biopsy, represents a convenient diagnostic tool, particularly in the context of neoadjuvant therapy. However, based on these results incisional biopsy is recommended if grading is to be used to predict prognosis in spindle cell soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities.
Solar cycle effects on the ion escape from Mars
Authors: Lundin R. , Barabash S. , Holmström M. , Nilsson H. , Futaana Y. , Ramstad R. , Yamauchi M. , Dubinin E. , Fraenz M.
Published: November 2013

Solar cycle effects on the escape of planetary ions from Mars are investigated using Mars Express Analyzer of Space Plasmas and Energetic Atoms 3 data from June 2007 to January 2013. Average and median tail fluxes of low‐energy (<300 eV) heavy ions (O+, O2+), derived from the full data set covering 7900 orbits, are highly correlated with the solar activity proxies F10.7 and the sunspot number, Ri. The average heavy ion escape rate increased by a factor of ≈ 10, from ≈ 1 · 1024 s−1 (solar minimum) to ≈ 1 · 1025 s−1 (solar maximum). Combining data from this, and other studies, an empiric model/expression is derived for the Martian escape rate versus solar activity F10.7 and Ri. The model is a useful tool to derive the accumulated ion escape rate from Mars based on historical records of solar activity, with potentials back to the young Sun époque.
Detection of short‐term slow slip events along the Nankai Trough via groundwater observations
Authors: Kitagawa Yuichi , Koizumi Naoji
Published: November 2013

In order to develop new tools or techniques to detect short‐term slow slip events (S‐SSEs) along subduction zones, we attempted to detect S‐SSEs by conducting groundwater pressure observations. At ANO station, which is a groundwater observation station operated by the Geological Survey of Japan, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, for earthquake prediction research, groundwater pressures changed due to six S‐SSEs that occurred near ANO from June 2011 to April in 2013. The fault models of these S‐SSEs, which were estimated mainly by observing the crustal strains and tilts, explained the changes in the groundwater pressures. If the strain sensitivity of the observed groundwater pressure or level is larger than 1 mm/nstrain and the noise level is smaller than 50 mm/day, it is possible to detect S‐SSEs that occur in southwest Japan by conducting groundwater pressure or level observations.
Vulnerability of shallow subarctic lakes to evaporate and desiccate when snowmelt runoff is low
Authors: Bouchard F. , Turner K. W. , MacDonald L. A. , Deakin C. , White H. , Farquharson N. , Medeiros A. S. , Wolfe B. B. , Hall R. I. , Pienitz R. , Edwards T. W. D.
Published: November 2013

Snowmelt is a crucial source of water for many shallow subarctic lakes, but climate models predict that snowfall will decrease in some regions, with profound ecological consequences. Here we use lake water isotope data across gradients of terrestrial vegetation cover (open tundra to closed forest) and topographic relief to identify lakes that are vulnerable to desiccation under conditions of low snowmelt runoff in two subarctic landscapes—Old Crow Flats, Yukon, and Hudson Bay Lowlands, Manitoba (Canada). Lakes located in low‐relief, open tundra catchments in both landscapes displayed a systematic, positive offset between directly measured lake water δ18O over multiple sampling campaigns and lake water δ18O inferred from cellulose in recently deposited surface sediments. We attribute this offset to a strong evaporative 18O‐enrichment response to lower‐than‐average snowmelt runoff in recent years. Notably, some lakes underwent near‐complete desiccation during midsummer 2010 following a winter of very low snowfall. Based on the paleolimnological record of one such lake, the extremely dry conditions in 2010 may be unprecedented in the past ~200 years. Findings fuel concerns that a decrease in snowmelt runoff will lead to widespread desiccation of shallow lakes in these landscapes.
4‐Cyanoresorcinol‐Based Bent‐Core Mesogens with Azobenzene Wings: Emergence of Sterically Stabilized Polar Order in Liquid Crystalline Phases
Authors: Alaasar Mohammed , Prehm Marko , May Kathrin , Eremin Alexey , Tschierske Carsten
Published: November 2013

A new series of azobenzene containing bent‐core molecules incorporating 4‐cyanoresorcinol as the central core unit exhibiting cybotactic nematic, rectangular, columnar, and different types of tilted smectic (SmC) phases are synthesized. The mesophase behavior and phase structures are characterized in bulk and freely suspended films using a variety of experimental techniques. Depending on the chain length and temperature a series of different mesophases is observed in these compounds, ranging from cybotactic nematic via paraelectric SmC phases, polarization randomized SmCsPR phases to ferroelectric and antiferroelectric SmC phases, associated with increasing size and correlation length of the polar domains. Spontaneous formation of chiral domains is observed in the paraelectric SmC and the SmCsPR phases and discussed in relation with superstructural chirality, bend elastic constants, and surface effects.
Transport Properties of Polymer Semiconductor Controlled by Ionic Liquid as a Gate Dielectric and a Pressure Medium
Authors: Shi Wu , Ye Jianting , Checkelsky Joseph G. , Terakura Chieko , Iwasa Yoshihiro
Published: November 2013

An effective way of using ionic liquid as a gate dielectric as well as a pressure medium to tune the transport of an exemplary polymer semiconductor, poly(2,5‐bis(3‐tetradecyl‐thiophene‐2‐yl)thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene) (pBTTT‐C14) is presented. Working as gate dielectrics, the ionic liquids exhibit the well‐known ability to induce dense carriers (>1020 cm−3) in the polymer film contributing to the high conductivity (≈102 S cm−1). In addition, it is found that the ionic liquid works as a pressure medium at the highly charged state, leading to significant enhancement of conductivity. By combining both gating and pressuring, a crossover of transport properties is observed from one‐dimensional to three‐dimensional hopping, as the clear indication that the polymer film has accessed the regime adjacent to the transition region between insulator and metal. These results show an effective way of utilizing pressure effect of ionic liquid as a new degree of freedom in controlling transport of polymers, a method having strong potential to be generalized for even broader range of materials.
Thermally Stable Transparent Resistive Random Access Memory based on All‐Oxide Heterostructures
Authors: Shang Jie , Liu Gang , Yang Huali , Zhu Xiaojian , Chen Xinxin , Tan Hongwei , Hu Benlin , Pan Liang , Xue Wuhong , Li Run‐Wei
Published: November 2013

An all‐oxide transparent resistive random access memory (T‐RRAM) device based on hafnium oxide (HfOx) storage layer and indium‐tin oxide (ITO) electrodes is fabricated in this work. The memory device demonstrates not only good optical transmittance but also a forming‐free bipolar resistive switching behavior with room‐temperature ROFF/RON ratio of 45, excellent endurance of ≈5 × 107 cycles and long retention time over 106 s. More importantly, the HfOx based RRAM carries great ability of anti‐thermal shock over a wide temperature range of 10 K to 490 K, and the high ROFF/RON ratio of ≈40 can be well maintained under extreme working conditions. The field‐induced electrochemical formation and rupture of the robust metal‐rich conductive filaments in the mixed‐structure hafnium oxide film are found to be responsible for the excellent resistance switching of the T‐RRAM devices. The present all‐oxide devices are of great potential for future thermally stable transparent electronic applications.
Insight into the Electrode Mechanism in Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries with Ordered Microporous Carbon Confined Sulfur as the Cathode
Authors: Li Zhen , Yuan Lixia , Yi Ziqi , Sun Yongming , Liu Yang , Jiang Yan , Shen Yue , Xin Ying , Zhang Zhaoliang , Huang Yunhui
Published: November 2013

In lithium‐sulfur batteries, small S2–4 molecules show very different electrochemical responses from the traditional S8 material. Their exact lithiation/delitiation mechanism is not clear and how to select proper electrolytes for the S2–4 cathodes is also ambiguous. Here, S2–4 and S8/S2–4 composites with highly ordered microporous carbon as a confining matrix are fabricated and the electrode mechanism of the S2–4 cathode is investigated by comparing the electrochemical performances of the S2–4 and S2–4/S8 electrodes in various electrolytes combined with theoretical calculation. Experimental results show that the electrolyte and microstructure of carbon matrix play important roles in the electrochemical performance. If the micropores of carbon are small enough to prevent the penetration of the solvent molecules, the lithiation/delithiation for S2–4 occurs as a solid‐solid process. The irreversible chemically reactions between the polysulfudes and carbonates, and the dissolution of the polysulfides into the ethers can be effectively avoided due to the steric hindrance. The confined S2–4 show high adaptability to the electrolytes. The sulfur cathode based on this strategy exhibits excellent rate capability and cycling stability.
The effect of cohesive forces on the fluidization of aeratable powders
Authors: Galvin Janine E. , Benyahia Sofiane
Published: November 2013

The effects of cohesive forces of van der Waals type in the fluidization/defluidization of aeratable type A powders in the Geldart classification are numerically investigated. The effects of friction and particle‐size distribution (PSD) on some design‐significant parameters, such as minimum fluidization and bubbling velocities, are also investigated. For these types of particles, cohesive forces are observed as necessary to fully exhibit the role friction plays in commonly observed phenomena, such as pressure overshoot and hysteresis around minimum fluidization. This study also shows that a full‐experimental PSD consisting of a dozen particle sizes may be sufficiently represented by a few particle diameters. Reducing the number of particle types may benefit the continuum approach, which is based on the kinetic theory of granular flow, by reducing computational expense, while still maintaining the accuracy of the predictions. Published 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J 60: 473–484, 2014
Effect of mixer geometry and operating conditions on flow mixing of shear thinning fluids with yield stress
Authors: Sossa‐Echeverria Jaime , Taghipour Fariborz
Published: November 2013

Flow mixing of a non‐Newtonian fluid in a stirred tank equipped with a side‐entry impeller was observed using particle image velocimetry (PIV). The effects of some geometrical parameters including the mixer shape and impeller type and position on the flow pattern were studied on velocity fields obtained at different locations inside the mixing domain. The different flow structures revealed that the ratio of inertial and viscous forces largely defines the flow pattern. Dead zones were observed inside the tank due to the rheological properties of the fluid. The size of the dynamic regions and the average velocity near the impeller were enhanced by increasing the suction area. Likewise, large pitch ratios were found to improve the active mixing zone and the axial discharge. Curves for the power and pumping numbers are reported for different axial flow impellers. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 1156–1167, 2014
Nonheme Iron Mediated Oxidation of Light Alkanes with Oxone: Characterization of Reactive Oxoiron(IV) Ligand Cation Radical Intermediates by Spectroscopic Studies and DFT Calculations
Authors: Tse Chun‐Wai , Chow Toby Wai‐Shan , Guo Zhen , Lee Hung Kay , Huang Jie‐Sheng , Che Chi‐Ming
Published: November 2013

The oxidation of light alkanes that is catalyzed by heme and nonheme iron enzymes is widely proposed to involve highly reactive {FeVO} species or {FeIVO} ligand cation radicals. The identification of these high‐valent iron species and the development of an iron‐catalyzed oxidation of light alkanes under mild conditions are of vital importance. Herein, a combination of tridentate and bidentate ligands was used for the generation of highly reactive nonheme {FeO} species. A method that employs [FeIII(Me3tacn)(Cl‐acac)Cl]+ as a catalyst in the presence of oxone was developed for the oxidation of hydrocarbons, including cyclohexane, propane, and ethane (Me3tacn=1,4,7‐trimethyl‐1,4,7‐triazacyclononane; Cl‐acac=3‐chloro‐acetylacetonate). The complex [FeIII(Tp)2]+ and oxone enabled stoichiometric oxidation of propane and ethane. ESI‐MS, EPR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, 18O labeling experiments, and DFT studies point to [FeIV(Me3tacn)({Cl‐acac}.+)(O)]2+ as the catalytically active species.
Crowdsourcing Natural Products Discovery to Access Uncharted Dimensions of Fungal Metabolite Diversity
Authors: Du Lin , Robles Andrew J. , King Jarrod B. , Powell Douglas R. , Miller Andrew N. , Mooberry Susan L. , Cichewicz Robert H.
Published: November 2013

A fundamental component for success in drug discovery is the ability to assemble and screen compounds that encompass a broad swath of biologically relevant chemical‐diversity space. Achieving this goal in a natural‐products‐based setting requires access to a wide range of biologically diverse specimens. For this reason, we introduced a crowdsourcing program in which citizen scientists furnish soil samples from which new microbial isolates are procured. Illustrating the strength of this approach, we obtained a unique fungal metabolite, maximiscin, from a crowdsourced Alaskan soil sample. Maximiscin, which exhibits a putative combination of polyketide synthase (PKS), non‐ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS), and shikimate pathway components, was identified as an inhibitor of UACC‐62 melanoma cells (LC50=0.93 μM). The metabolite also exhibited efficacy in a xenograft mouse model. These results underscore the value of building cooperative relationships between research teams and citizen scientists to enrich drug discovery efforts.
Regional Distribution of Adult Rheumatologists
Authors:   American College of Rheumatology Committee on Rheumatology Training and Workforce Issues
Published: November 2013

Objective

To analyze the distribution of rheumatology practices in the US and factors associated with that distribution, in order to better understand the supply of the rheumatology workforce.

Methods

Using the American College of Rheumatology membership database, all practicing adult rheumatologist office addresses were mapped with ArcView software. The number of rheumatologists per Core Based Statistical Area (CBSA) was calculated. To investigate whether sociodemographic factors correlated with clustering of rheumatologists, covariates from the 2010 US Census for each CBSA, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, and median household income, were modeled.

Results

Many CBSAs, predominantly smaller micropolitan areas, did not have a practicing rheumatologist. For some of these smaller micropolitan areas (with populations of at least 40,000), the closest practicing rheumatologist was more than 200 miles away. However, we also identified several more‐populous areas (populations of 200,000 or more) without a practicing rheumatologist. Greater numbers of rheumatologists were more likely to practice in areas with higher population densities and higher median incomes. More rheumatologists were also found in CBSAs in which there were rheumatology training programs.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate that many smaller regions of the country have no or few practicing adult rheumatologists. Patients with chronic rheumatic conditions in these areas likely have limited access to rheumatology care. Policy changes could address potential regional rheumatology workforce shortages, but limitations of the current data would need to be addressed prior to implementation of such changes.
Multi‐Consensus of Nonlinearly Networked Multi‐Agent Systems
Authors: Li Juan , Guan Zhi‐Hong , Chen Guanrong
Published: November 2013

In this paper, a multi‐consensus problem for networked multi‐agent systems in a weighted and directed graph with a nonlinear protocol is investigated. By using convergence theory, matrix theory and the method of Lyapunov functions, a sufficient condition for the networked multi‐agent systems to achieve multi‐consensus is derived. And the agreement of each group is studied. A feedback controller for the networked multi‐agent systems is then designed to drive the system to achieve multi‐consensus. Numerical simulations illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
ABCB1 haplotype influences the sirolimus dose requirements in Chinese renal transplant recipients
Authors: Lee Jun , Huang Hongfeng , Chen Ying , Lu Xiaoyang
Published: November 2013

Sirolimus, an immunosuppressive drug used to prevent organ rejection after renal transplantation, has a narrow therapeutic index and a large inter‐individual variability of pharmacokinetics. The aim of this study was to analyse the dose‐normalized trough blood concentrations (C0/D ratio) of sirolimus in patients with different genotypes and attempt to investigate the possible associations between ABCB1/CYP3A5 genotypes and sirolimus dose requirements in Chinese renal transplant recipients. Blood samples were collected from 85 Chinese renal transplant recipients who were treated with sirolimus for at least 3 months and polymorphisms of the ABCB1 and CYP3A5 were determined by the SNaPShot multiplex assay. The blood concentrations of sirolimus were determined with HPLC. A significant allele‐dependent effect was observed between the CYP3A5*3 polymorphism and the C0/D ratio of sirolimus. The patients bearing at least one CYP3A5*1 allele had a lower sirolimus C0/D ratio compared with those with a homozygous CYP3A5*3 genotype (p < 0.05). No significant differences of sirolimus C0/D ratios were observed among various ABCB1 1236C>T, 2677G>T/A and 3435C>T genotype groups. However, haplotype analysis including ABCB1 1236C>T, 2677G>T/A and 3435C>T SNPs showed that the mean sirolimus C0/D of subjects carrying the CGC/CGC diplotype was about 30% lower compared with those carrying the CGC/TTT or TTT/TTT diplotype, whether or not they expressed the CYP3A5 (p < 0.05). These results demonstrated that the haplotype of ABCB1 might be a better index for the prediction of sirolimus blood concentration than single SNPs. Genotyping of ABCB1 and CYP3A5 might help to optimize individualized sirolimus treatments for Chinese renal transplant recipients. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.