bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation and Characterization of Surfactant Coated Ce-Zr Nanoparticles and Nanofuel
Authors: Sharma Rajiv , Kanagaraj S.
Published: June 2012

The use of the oxygen storing capacity (OSC) of CeO2 to enhance the conditioning of engine exhaust is being explored as a means to reduce the harmful products of emission. A doping agent, Zr, is used to further improve ceria’s OSC and thermal stability. In this study, a high OSC endowed cerium-zirconium mixed-oxide (Ce0.6Zr0.4O2) three-way catalyst (TWC) was synthesized using a surfactant assisted co-precipitation method, and a stable suspension of the mixed oxide in diesel was prepared. The characterization of the mixed oxide and nanofuel was done using different analytical techniques, and the formation of a solid solution of the mixed oxide was confirmed. A stable dispersion of mixed oxide nanoparticles in diesel was achieved with the use of a mixed alkyl chain length surfactant. The thermal conductivity of the nanofuel did not show any significant increase with an increase in TWC concentration, and the calorific value of the nanofuel decreased. It is concluded that the cerium-zirconium mixed-oxide has a much higher OSC than pure ceria and could be potentially be used for better combustion of fuel in engines.
Metrological Approach in the Study of Biodiesel Viscosity Variation with Temperature
Authors: Santo Filho D. M. E. , Rodrigues C. R. C. , Barbosa A. P. F. , dos Santos J. J. P. , Baldner F. O. , Pereira R. G. , Castro C. S. C. , Siqueira J. R. R. , Daroda R. J. , Lima L. S.
Published: June 2012

In this article, we study the relation between viscosity and temperature of several biodiesel types (soybean, sunflower, corn, castor bean, and animal fat based) in a metrological point of view. All the biodiesel types were obtained by a transesterification reaction with methanol in the presence of an alkaline base as a catalyst. The biodiesels had their viscosities measured using capillary viscometers following Brazilian standards, in temperatures ranging from 20°C to 40°C. An extra study was performed with another beef tallow biodiesel (transesterified with ethanol) with temperatures up to 100°C. For all the measurements, the uncertainties were calculated. Even though there have been many studies on biodiesel on recent years, most of these do not have a metrological focus. This study shows the behavior of the biodiesel viscosity in a temperature range of 20°C to 40°C, and also how its composition influences the viscosity.
Severe Abdominal Pain as a Presenting Symptom of Probable Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Authors: Haskin Orly , Amir Jacob , Schwarz Michael , Schonfeld Tommy , Nahum Elhanan , Ling Galina , Prais Dario , Harel Liora
Published: June 2012

Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in pediatric medicine is rare. We report 3 adolescents who presented with acute onset of severe abdominal pain as the first manifestation of probable catastrophic APS. The 3 patients, 2 male patients and 1 female patient were 14 to 18 years old. One had been diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus in the past, but the other 2 had no previous relevant medical history. All presented with excruciating abdominal pain without additional symptoms. Physical examination was noncontributory. Laboratory results were remarkable for high inflammatory markers. Abdominal ultrasonography was normal, and abdominal computed tomography scan showed nonspecific findings of liver infiltration. Only computed tomography angiography revealed evidence of extensive multiorgan thrombosis. All patients had elevated titers of antiphospholipid antibodies. The patients were treated with full heparinization, high-dose steroids, and intravenous immunoglobulin with a resolution of symptoms. One patient was resistant to the treatment and was treated with rituximab. In conclusion, severe acute abdominal pain can be the first manifestation of a thromboembolic event owing to catastrophic APS even in previously healthy adolescents. Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion with prompt evaluation and treatment to prevent severe morbidity and mortality.
Sport-Related Kidney Injury Among High School Athletes
Authors: Grinsell Matthew M. , Butz Kirsten , Gurka Matthew J. , Gurka Kelly K. , Norwood Victoria
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a “qualified yes” for participation by athletes with single kidneys in contact/collision sports. Despite this recommendation, most physicians continue to discourage participation in contact/collision sports for patients with single kidneys. A major concern is the lack of prospective data quantifying the incidence of sport-related kidney injury. The objective was to quantify the incidence of sport-related kidney injury among high school varsity athletes and compare it with sport-related injuries of other organ systems.

METHODS:

Data from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association High School Injury Surveillance Study, an observational cohort study collected during the 1995–1997 academic years, were used. Incidence rates for sport-specific injuries to select organs were computed and compared.

RESULTS:

Over 4.4 million athlete-exposures, defined as 1 athlete participating in 1 game or practice, and 23 666 injuries were reported. Eighteen kidney injuries, none of which were catastrophic or required surgery, were reported compared with 3450 knee, 2069 head/neck/spine, 1219 mild traumatic brain, 148 eye, and 17 testicle injuries. Student athletes incurring kidney injuries were most often playing football (12 injuries) or girls’ soccer (2 injuries). Sport-specific rates of kidney injury were significantly lower than sport-specific rates of mild traumatic brain, head/neck/spine, and knee injuries for all sports as well as rates of baseball- and basketball-specific eye injuries (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS:

Kidney injuries occur significantly less often than other injuries during sport. These data do not support limiting sport participation by athletes with single kidneys.
Chronic Disabling Fatigue at Age 13 and Association With Family Adversity
Authors: Crawley Esther , Hughes Rachael , Northstone Kate , Tilling Kate , Emond Alan , Sterne Jonathan A.C.
Published: June 2012

OBJECTIVES:

1) Estimate the prevalence of chronic disabling fatigue at age 13, and 2) investigate associations with early family adversity, using a population-based birth cohort study.

METHODS:

The subjects were 10 001 children, of whom 5657 had sufficient data to define chronic disabling fatigue at age 13. Chronic disabling fatigue was defined as tiredness reported by mothers that had lasted for ≥3 months or ≥6 months, was disabling (school absence or prevented participation in hobbies/sport/leisure activities “quite a lot” or a “great deal”), and not due to another cause. Family adversity was defined by using 14 questions addressing housing, education, social relationships, and maternal health assessed prospectively at birth. We used multiple imputation to correct estimates of prevalence and association for loss to follow-up.

RESULTS:

Overall, 1995 teenagers had been tired for the last month, of whom 117 and 53 had chronic disabling fatigue of ≥3 and ≥6 months’ duration, respectively. The estimated prevalence of chronic disabling fatigue of ≥3 and ≥6 months’ duration was 2.07% and 0.94%, respectively, but increased to 2.44% and 1.30%, respectively, after imputing missing data. Prevalence was similar in boys and girls. The risk of chronic disabling fatigue increased with family adversity score (odds ratios: 1.25 [95% confidence interval: 1.09, 1.43] and 1.23 [1.01, 1.51] for ≥3 and ≥6 months’ duration, respectively). Only 36 (30.77%) children with chronic disabling fatigue had consulted a doctor about their fatigue.

CONCLUSIONS:

Chronic disabling fatigue is more common in families who experienced early family adversity and is often not reported to health care services.
Feasibility of Evaluating the CHIPRA Care Quality Measures in Electronic Health Record Data
Authors: Gold Rachel , Angier Heather , Mangione-Smith Rita , Gallia Charles , McIntire Patti J. , Cowburn Stuart , Tillotson Carrie , DeVoe Jennifer E.
Published: June 2012

The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA) includes provisions for identifying standardized pediatric care quality measures. These 24 “CHIPRA measures” were designed to be evaluated by using claims data from health insurance plan populations. Such data have limited ability to evaluate population health, especially among uninsured people. The rapid expansion of data from electronic health records (EHRs) may help address this limitation by augmenting claims data in care quality assessments. We outline how to operationalize many of the CHIPRA measures for application in EHR data through a case study of a network of >40 outpatient community health centers in 2009–2010 with a single EHR. We assess the differences seen when applying the original claims-based versus adapted EHR-based specifications, using 2 CHIPRA measures (Chlamydia screening among sexually active female patients; BMI percentile documentation) as examples. Sixteen of the original CHIPRA measures could feasibly be evaluated in this dataset. Three main adaptations were necessary (specifying a visit-based population denominator, calculating some pregnancy-related factors by using EHR data, substituting for medication dispense data). Although it is feasible to adapt many of the CHIPRA measures for use in outpatient EHR data, information is gained and lost depending on how numerators and denominators are specified. We suggest first steps toward application of the CHIPRA measures in uninsured populations, and in EHR data. The results highlight the importance of considering the limitations of the original CHIPRA measures in care quality evaluations.
Stability and accuracy of non-linear dynamic analysis using time integration algorithms
Authors: Rezaiee-Pajand Mohammad , Sarafrazi Seyyed Reza
Published: June 2012

The stability and accuracy of two families of time integration algorithms are investigated in this study. The paper has three intended goals. The first one is to find the precise properties of the implicit higher-order accuracy methods. The capabilities of the family members are found both by analytical and numerical procedures. The second goal is to find the well-defined characteristics of the predictor–corrector methods. For application purposes, the best order of each family is introduced by this investigation. Numerical results show that the stability properties of the implicit high-order accuracy and predictor–corrector methods are approximately the same. As a third goal, a modified dynamic relaxation method is also developed for non-linear dynamic analyses. This is a robust scheme that uses less memory and requires less computational effort, in comparison with the previous version of dynamic relaxation method.
Effect of micro sized marble sludge on physical properties of natural rubber composites
Authors: Ahmed Khalil , Nizami Shaikh , Raza Nudrat , Mahmood Khalid
Published: June 2012

Marble waste as sludge is collected from Marble industry, as a way of solving
the environmental problem of industrial waste. The sludge was dried, ground
and passed through desire sieves (10, 15, 20, 37 and 75 ?m), This powder was
characterized by the X-ray fluorescence technique and then incorporated in
the formulation of NR composites with different loading of micro sized MS
particles (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 parts per hundred of rubber, phr). The cure
characteristics, mechanical properties and swelling properties of MS/NR
composites were evaluated. Results indicate that minimum torque, maximum
torque, tensile strength, modulus, tear strength, hardness, crosslink density
were increased while the scorch time, cure time, cure rate, cure rate index
(CRI), elongation at break, compression set, rebound resilience, abrasion
loss, swelling coefficient, average molecular weight and filler-rubber
interaction decrease with increasing MS loading.
Speciation of arsenic metabolites in the free-living mouse Mus spretus from Doñana National Park used as a bio-indicator for environmental pollution monitoring
Authors: García-Sevillano Miguel , González-Fernández Macarena , Jara-Biedma Rocío , García-Barrera Tamara , Vioque-Fernández Amalia , López-Barea Juan , Pueyo Carmen , Gómez-Ariza José
Published: June 2012

A speciation approach based on orthogonal chromatographic systems coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to characterise the biological response of free-living mice Mus spretus to environmental pollution caused by arsenic in different areas of the Doñana National Park (south-west Spain). The relative presence of inorganic and organic forms of arsenic was studied in cytosolic extracts from high metabolic activity organs of Mus spretus mice: kidneys, liver, and brain. An instrumental coupling of size-exclusion chromatography with UV and collision/reaction cell-ICP-MS detectors (SEC-UV-ICP-ORC-MS) both in analytical and preparative scale was used for this purpose. The results showed the presence of low molecular mass (LMM) molecules linked to arsenic in these tissues especially in the kidneys, where the presence of these arsenic metabolites was higher. On the other hand, the presence of these arsenicals varied from one area to the other, which can be related to a different occurrence of contaminants. These low molecular mass fractions were collected by preparative SEC chromatography for later study with ion exchange chromatography and detection by ICP-ORC-MS, using both anionic and cationic columns. The results showed the higher presence of MMA and DMA in kidneys of mice caught in contaminated areas and the existence of small amounts of unidentified arsenicals when cation-exchange chromatography was used, which could be related to the presence of dimethylarsinoylethanol (DMAE), thioarsenic species, or arsenocholine (AsC).
The Role of Leaders in Managing Organisation Boundaries
Authors: Krzakiewicz Kazimierz , Cyfert Szymon
Published: June 2012

The paper notes the importance of the boundary concept in the organisation and management theory and practice and attempts at identifying the role of leaders in the organisation's boundary management processes. The starting point is the assumption that looking at an organisation as an open system which interacts with its environment validates a claim that an organisation's success depends on the efficiency of such interaction with the environment, taking place across boundaries, which means that boundaries are not unimportant, peripheral components of the organisation management system, but rather its critical constituents, determining the ability to correctly define the organisation's operations and behaviours of its stakeholders. This assumption required the consequent identification of the role of leadership in the boundary management processes. The paper discusses the role of leadership in the 21st century, the evolving competition paradigm, the impact of globalisation and diversity on corporate management, the role of organisational culture and management process transformation.
The significance of the quality and quantity in the management of an organization
Authors: Jaremczuk Kazimierz
Published: June 2012

The article is an attempt to recognise the premises of quality in the management process by pointing to the consequences of reducing the description of an employee as a person to only quantitative categories. Focusing on the rational attitude in the management process may lead to creating an ideal image of the employee, who functions in a reality which is created by quantification and operationalisation. A dominant significance of quantitative knowledge means a domination of an unreal image of the person of an employee in the management process. This process may lead to a reification and primacy of the thing over the employee as a person, and therefore to omitting the various potentialities for activity of the subject, whose element is the reality in an organization and its environment.
Pharmaceutical sector in the new reimbursement era
Authors: Kołodziejska Katarzyna
Published: June 2012

Pharmaceutical sector in the new reimbursement era The topics taken into consideration in this article concern the role of pharmaceutical sector in country's economy and the influence of factors limiting economic growth of the branch, mainly provisions of The Act on Reimbursement of Medicines, Foodstuffs Intended for Particular Nutritional Purposes and Medical Devices from 12th of May, 2011. New rules introduced by this Act, affecting the price evolution of the reimbursed products (i.e., official selling price, fixed wholesale and retail margins, retail margin calculated on the basis of wholesale price of the limit-determining product), had an impact on the increase of patient repayment level for the drugs, the decrease of NHF reimbursement and spending level, and the drop of the value of reimbursed drug market. Such a situation caused the increase of patient repayment level for the reimbursed drugs in many disease entities.

In spite of many restrictions imposed by the mentioned Act, the perspectives of pharmaceutical market's growth in Poland are positive. In last few months, pharmaceutical sector has been prepared for the entry of new Reimbursement Act. More than 60% of requested pharmaceutical companies estimated positively current market situation in Poland. Among the surveyed ones, increasing sales numbers and improving financial results are indicated as the causes of such estimation (KPMG/PMR Report 2011).

Every single pharmaceutical enterprise is the company undergoing the same rules as companies operating in other fields, which means the necessity of profit taking. During the analysis of the pharmaceutical market one can see some complexity and specificity, particularly due to the offered products and the sources of their funding, the level of regulation and the conservatism of the market itself which is one of the highest in the entire business. In spite of numerous limitations, most of enterprises realize the strategy of a continuous growth due to successful selling and marketing activities.
Methodology for Assessment and Optimization of Industrial Eco-Systems
Authors: Gondkar Shyamal , Sreeramagiri Sivakumar , Zondervan Edwin
Published: June 2012

There is an emerging trend in evaluating industrial activities using principles of industrial ecology because of the emphasis on sustainability initiatives by major process industries. Attention has also been targeted at developing planned industrial ecosystems (IEs) across the globe. We point out the current state-of-the art in this exciting discipline and subsequently identify the challenges that have not been encountered by the scientific community yet. Ecological Input Output Analysis (EIOA) may be considered as an “all-inclusive model” for the assessment of an IE because of its ability to capture the economic, environmental, and societal behavior of an IE. It could also be utilized to illustrate the detailed inter-relationships among the entities of an IE. Optimization of a fully integrated IE using conventional multi-objective optimization techniques would be too complex. For such multi-objective optimization problems, Hierarchical-Pareto optimization discussed in the literature has shown promise, but there is a need to establish a methodology to assess and/or improve the robustness of an IE using such techniques.
Long and Short-Term Effects of Fire on Soil Charcoal of a Conifer Forest in Southwest Oregon
Authors: Pingree Melissa R. A. , Homann Peter S. , Morrissette Brett , Darbyshire Robyn
Published: June 2012

In 2002, the Biscuit Wildfire burned a portion of the previously established, replicated conifer unthinned and thinned experimental units of the Siskiyou Long-Term Ecosystem Productivity (LTEP) experiment, southwest Oregon. Charcoal C in pre and post-fire O horizon and mineral soil was quantified by physical separation and a peroxide-acid digestion method. The abrupt, short-term fire event caused O horizon charcoal C to increase by a factor of ten to >200 kg C ha−1. The thinned wildfire treatment produced less charcoal C than unthinned wildfire and thinned prescribed fire treatments. The charcoal formation rate was 1 to 8% of woody fuels consumed, and this percentage was negatively related to woody fuels consumed, resulting in less charcoal formation with greater fire severity. Charcoal C averaged 2000 kg ha−1 in 0–3 cm mineral soil and may have decreased as a result of fire, coincident with convective or erosive loss of mineral soil. Charcoal C in 3–15 cm mineral soil was stable at 5500 kg C ha−1. Long-term soil C sequestration in the Siskiyou LTEP soils is greatly influenced by the contribution of charcoal C, which makes up 20% of mineral soil organic C. This research reiterates the importance of fire to soil C in a southwestern Oregon coniferous forest ecosystem.
Smart Homes for Older People: Positive Aging in a Digital World
Authors: Lê Quynh , Nguyen Hoang Boi , Barnett Tony
Published: June 2012

Smart homes are homes with technologically advanced systems to enable domestic task automation, easier communication, and higher security. As an enabler of health and well-being enhancement, smart homes have been geared to accommodate people with special needs, especially older people. This paper examines the concept of “smart home” in a technologically driven society and its multi-functional contribution to the enhancement of older people’s lives. Discussion then focuses on the challenges in the use of smart homes among older people such as accessibility and ethical issues. Finally, some implications and recommendations are provided.
Carrier Injection and Transport in Blue Phosphorescent Organic Light-Emitting Device with Oxadiazole Host
Authors: Chiu Tien-Lung , Lee Pei-Yu
Published: June 2012

In this paper, we investigate the carrier injection and transport characteristics in iridium(III)bis[4,6-(di-fluorophenyl)-pyridinato-N,C2']picolinate (FIrpic) doped phosphorescent organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) with oxadiazole (OXD) as the bipolar host material of the emitting layer (EML). When doping Firpic inside the OXD, the driving voltage of OLEDs greatly decreases because FIrpic dopants facilitate electron injection and electron transport from the electron-transporting layer (ETL) into the EML. With increasing dopant concentration, the recombination zone shifts toward the anode side, analyzed with electroluminescence (EL) spectra. Besides, EL redshifts were also observed with increasing driving voltage, which means the electron mobility is more sensitive to the electric field than the hole mobility. To further investigate carrier injection and transport characteristics, FIrpic was intentionally undoped at different positions inside the EML. When FIrpic was undoped close to the ETL, driving voltage increased significantly which proves the dopant-assisted-electron-injection characteristic in this OLED. When the undoped layer is near the electron blocking layer, the driving voltage is only slightly increased, but the current efficiency is greatly reduced because the main recombination zone was undoped. However, non-negligible FIrpic emission is still observed which means the recombination zone penetrates inside the EML due to certain hole-transporting characteristics of the OXD.
Isolation and Characterization of Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) Markers from the Moss Genus Orthotrichum Using a Small Throughput Pyrosequencing Machine
Authors: Sawicki Jakub , Kwaśniewski Mirosław , Szczecińska Monika , Chwiałkowska Karolina , Milewicz Monika , Plášek Vítězslav
Published: June 2012

Here, we report the results of next-generation sequencing on the GS Junior system to identify a large number of microsatellites from the epiphytic moss Orthotrichum speciosum. Using a combination of a total (non-enrichment) genomic library and small-scale 454 pyrosequencing, we determined 5382 contigs whose length ranged from 103 to 5445 bp. In this dataset we identified 92 SSR (simple sequence repeats) motifs in 89 contigs. Forty-six of these had flanking regions suitable for primer design. We tested PCR amplification, reproducibility, and the level of polymorphism of 46 primer pairs for Orthotrichum speciosum using 40 individuals from two populations. As a result, the designed primers revealed 35 polymorphic loci with more than two alleles detected. This method is cost- and time-effective in comparison with traditional approaches involving cloning and sequencing.
RETRACTED: UV-Induced Radical Photo-Polymerization: A Smart Tool for Preparing Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for Energy Storage Devices
Authors: Nair Jijeesh R. , Chiappone Annalisa , Destro Matteo , Jabbour Lara , Zeng Juqin , Di Lupo Francesca , Garino Nadia , Meligrana Giuseppina , Francia Carlotta , Gerbaldi Claudio
Published: June 2012

In the present work, the preparation and characterization of quasi-solid polymer electrolyte membranes based on methacrylic monomers and oligomers, with the addition of organic plasticizers and lithium salt, are described. Noticeable improvements in the mechanical properties by reinforcement with natural cellulose hand-sheets or nanoscale microfibrillated cellulose fibers are also demonstrated. The ionic conductivity of the various prepared membranes is very high, with average values approaching 10-3 S cm-1 at ambient temperature. The electrochemical stability window is wide (anodic breakdown voltages > 4.5 V vs. Li in all the cases) along with good cyclability in lithium cells at ambient temperature. The galvanostatic cycling tests are conducted by constructing laboratory-scale lithium cells using LiFePO4 as cathode and lithium metal as anode with the selected polymer electrolyte membrane as the electrolyte separator. The results obtained demonstrate that UV induced radical photo-polymerization is a well suited method for an easy and rapid preparation of easy tunable quasi-solid polymer electrolyte membranes for energy storage devices.
Preparing Landsat Image Time Series (LITS) for Monitoring Changes in Vegetation Phenology in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Bhandari Santosh , Phinn Stuart , Gill Tony
Published: June 2012

Time series of images are required to extract and separate information on vegetation change due to phenological cycles, inter-annual climatic variability, and long-term trends. While images from the Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) sensor have the spatial and spectral characteristics suited for mapping a range of vegetation structural and compositional properties, its 16-day revisit period combined with cloud cover problems and seasonally limited latitudinal range, limit the availability of images at intervals and durations suitable for time series analysis of vegetation in many parts of the world. Landsat Image Time Series (LITS) is defined here as a sequence of Landsat TM images with observations from every 16 days for a five-year period, commencing on July 2003, for a Eucalyptus woodland area in Queensland, Australia. Synthetic Landsat TM images were created using the Spatial and Temporal Adaptive Reflectance Fusion Model (STARFM) algorithm for all dates when images were either unavailable or too cloudy. This was done using cloud-free scenes and a MODIS Nadir BRDF Adjusted Reflectance (NBAR) product. The ability of the LITS to measure attributes of vegetation phenology was examined by: (1) assessing the accuracy of predicted image-derived Foliage Projective Cover (FPC) estimates using ground-measured values; and (2) comparing the LITS-generated normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and MODIS NDVI (MOD13Q1) time series. The predicted image-derived FPC products (value ranges from 0 to 100%) had an RMSE of 5.6. Comparison between vegetation phenology parameters estimated from LITS-generated NDVI and MODIS NDVI showed no significant difference in trend and less than 16 days (equal to the composite period of the MODIS data used) difference in key seasonal parameters, including start and end of season in most of the cases. In comparison to similar published work, this paper tested the STARFM algorithm in a new (broadleaf) forest environment and also demonstrated that the approach can be used to form a time series of Landsat TM images to study vegetation phenology over a number of years.
Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) Potentiates β-Cell Survival after Islet Transplantation of Human and Mouse Islets
Authors: Stokes Rebecca A. , Cheng Kim , Deters Natasha , Lau Sue Mei , Hawthorne Wayne J. , O'connell Philip J. , Stolp Jessica , Grey Shane , Loudovaris Thomas , Kay Thomas W. , Thomas Helen E. , Gonzalez Frank J. , Gunton Jenny E.
Published: June 2012

A high proportion of β-cells die within days of islet transplantation. Reports suggest that induction of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) predicts adverse transplant outcomes. We hypothesized that this was a compensatory response and that HIF-1α protects β-cells during transplantation. Transplants were performed using human islets or murine β-cell-specific HIF-1α-null (β-HIF-1α-null) islets with or without treatment with deferoxamine (DFO) to increase HIF-1α. β-HIF-1α-null transplants had poor outcomes, demonstrating that lack of HIF-1α impaired transplant efficiency. Increasing HIF-1α improved outcomes for mouse and human islets. No effect was seen in β-HIF-1α-null islets. The mechanism was decreased apoptosis, resulting in increased β-cell mass posttransplantation. These findings show that HIF-1α is a protective factor and is required for successful islet transplant outcomes. Iron chelation with DFO markedly improved transplant success in a HIF-1α-dependent manner, thus demonstrating the mechanism of action. DFO, approved for human use, may have a therapeutic role in the setting of human islet transplantation.
Development of microsatellite markers for the invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae)
Authors: Qian Meiling , Li Gengyun , Tang Shaoqing , Ou Xiaokun , Lin Yanfang , Yin Jinchao , van Klinken Rieks D. , Geng Yu‐Peng
Published: June 2012

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed for Parthenium hysterophorus to investigate its genetic structure and genetic diversity.

• Methods and Results: Using the combined biotin capture method, 15 microsatellite primer sets were isolated and characterized. All markers showed polymorphism, and the number of alleles per locus ranged from two to nine across 60 individuals from two populations. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.117 to 0.750 and from 0.182 to 0.835, respectively.

• Conclusions: These markers will be useful for investigating the invasion history of this weed globally and to help characterize its invasiveness.
SHIRYAEV-ZHOU INDEX – A NOBLE APPROACH TO BENCHMARKING AND ANALYSIS OF REAL ESTATE STOCKS
Authors: Hui Eddie C. M. , Yam Sheung-Chi Phillip , Chen Si-Wei
Published: June 2012

Real estate markets and real estate stocks are interrelated and are important not only to the investors, but also to the academics. Real estate stocks are, in a sense, good measures of performance of the physical real estate market. The objective of this paper is to provide a preliminary study on gauging the performances of real estate stocks in Hong Kong using the Shiryaev-Zhou index. Evidence shows that the Shiryaev-Zhou index can gauge a real estate stock's performance, good or bad, according to the sign of the Shiryaev-Zhou index. Thus a trading strategy can be formulated as follows: buy a stock if its Shiryaev-Zhou index changes from negative to positive, then hold it until its Shiryaev-Zhou index turns negative, when it is time to sell the stock. We examine the Shiryaev-Zhou indices of the real estate stocks in Hong Kong, and from this we deduce the latest best selling dates of the stocks during the period of our study. The Shiryaev-Zhou index could be an indicator of whether the market is bullish or bearish and consequently tells an investor to hold a stock or not, and it naturally leads to an optimal selling strategy that maximize the average ratio of the selling price to the maximum stock price when the underlying coefficients are assumed to be constant over a definite period of time.
NK1.1+ Cells and IL-22 Regulate Vaccine-Induced Protective Immunity against Challenge with Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Dhiman Rohan , Periasamy Sivakumar , Barnes Peter F. , Jaiswal Ankita Garg , Paidipally Padmaja , Barnes Amanda B. , Tvinnereim Amy , Vankayalapati Ramakrishna
Published: June 2012

We previously found that human NK cells lyse Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected monocytes and alveolar macrophages and upregulate CD8+ T cell responses. We also found that human NK cells produce IL-22, which inhibits intracellular growth of M. tuberculosis, and that NK cells lyse M. tuberculosis-expanded CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs). To determine the role of NK cells during the protective immune response to vaccination in vivo, we studied the NK cell and T cell responses in a mouse model of vaccination with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), followed by challenge with virulent M. tuberculosis H37Rv. BCG vaccination enhanced the number of IFN-γ–producing and IL-22–producing NK cells. Depletion of NK1.1+ cells at the time of BCG vaccination increased the number of immunosuppressive Tregs (CD4+CD25hi, 95% Foxp3+) after challenge with M. tuberculosis H37Rv, and NK1.1+ cells lysed expanded but not natural Tregs in BCG-vaccinated mice. Depletion of NK1.1+ cells at the time of BCG vaccination also increased the bacillary burden and reduced T cell responses after challenge with M. tuberculosis H37Rv. IL-22 at the time of vaccination reversed these effects and enhanced Ag-specific CD4+ cell responses in BCG-vaccinated mice after challenge with M. tuberculosis H37Rv. Our study provides evidence that NK1.1+ cells and IL-22 contribute to the efficacy of vaccination against microbial challenge.
Innate IFN-γ Is Essential for Programmed Death Ligand-1–Mediated T Cell Stimulation following Listeria monocytogenes Infection
Authors: Rowe Jared H. , Ertelt James M. , Way Sing Sing
Published: June 2012

Although best characterized for sustaining T cell exhaustion during persistent viral infection, programmed death ligand-1 (PDL-1) also stimulates the expansion of protective T cells after infection with intracellular bacterial pathogens. Therefore, establishing the molecular signals that control whether PDL-1 stimulates immune suppression or activation is important as immune modulation therapies based on manipulating PDL-1 are being developed. In this study, the requirement for PDL-1 blockade initiated before infection with the intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes in reducing pathogen-specific T cell expansion is demonstrated. In turn, the role of proinflammatory cytokines triggered early after L. monocytogenes infection in controlling PDL-1–mediated T cell stimulation was investigated using mice with targeted defects in specific cytokines or cytokine receptors. These experiments illustrate an essential role for IL-12 or type I IFNs in PDL-1–mediated expansion of pathogen-specific CD8+ T cells. Unexpectedly, direct stimulation by neither IL-12 nor type I IFNs on pathogen-specific CD8+ cells was essential for PDL-1–mediated expansion. Instead, the absence of early innate IFN-γ production in mice with combined defects in both IL-12 and type I IFNR negated the impacts of PDL-1 blockade. In turn, IFN-γ ablation using neutralizing Abs or in mice with targeted defects in IFN-γR each eliminated the PDL-1–mediated stimulatory impacts on pathogen-specific T cell expansion. Thus, innate IFN-γ is essential for PDL-1–mediated T cell stimulation.
Transient Low-Dose Methotrexate Induces Tolerance to Murine Anti-Thymocyte Globulin and Together They Promote Long-Term Allograft Survival
Authors: Joseph Alexandra , Neff Kathleen , Richard Julie , Gao Lan , Bangari Dinesh , Joly Marguerite , Culm-Merdek Kerry , Garman Richard , Williams John , Richards Susan , Ruzek Melanie
Published: June 2012

Rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (Thymoglobulin) effectively treats transplant rejection but induces anti-rabbit Ab responses, which limits routine readministration. Aiming to tolerize anti-rabbit responses, we coadministered a brief methotrexate regimen with a murine version of Thymoglobulin (mATG) for effects on anti-mATG Abs and cardiac allotransplantation in mice. Although both single and three courses of methotrexate could significantly inhibit anti-drug Ab titers to repeated mATG treatment, surprisingly, the single course given at the first mATG administration was most effective (>99% reduction). The transient methotrexate treatment also significantly improved pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of repeated mATG administration. In the cardiac allograft model, the combination of transient mATG and methotrexate given only at the time of transplant dramatically improved allograft survival (>100 d) over either agent alone (<30 d). Anti-drug Ab titers were reduced and mATG exposure was increased which resulted in prolonged rather than enhanced mATG-mediated effects when combined with methotrexate. Moreover, methotrexate administration significantly reduced alloantibodies, suggesting that methotrexate not only decreases anti-drug Ab responses but also reduces Ab responses to multiple tissue-derived alloantigens simultaneously. These data suggest that mATG and methotrexate together can provide long-term allograft survival potentially through the induction of immune tolerance.
The T Cell Response to IL-10 Alters Cellular Dynamics and Paradoxically Promotes Central Nervous System Autoimmunity
Authors: Liu Xin , Alli Rajshekhar , Steeves Meredith , Nguyen Phuong , Vogel Peter , Geiger Terrence L.
Published: June 2012

IL-10 is a critical anti-inflammatory cytokine, the deficiency of which leads to spontaneous autoimmunity. However, therapeutically administered or ectopically expressed IL-10 can either suppress or promote disease. Distinct lineage-specific activities may explain the contradictory effects of IL-10. To dissect the T cell-specific response to IL-10 during organ-specific autoimmunity, we generated mice with a selective deletion of IL-10Rα in T cells and analyzed its effects in an autoimmune model, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). Surprisingly, the T cell response to IL-10 increased EAE severity. This did not result from altered T cell functional potential; T cell cytokine profile was preserved. IL-10 also diminished the proliferation of T cells in situ within the target organ, an effect that would be expected to restrain disease. However, IL-10 acted cell autonomously to sustain the autoreactive T cells essential for immunopathogenesis, promoting their accumulation and distorting the regulatory and effector T cell balance. Indeed, in chimeric mice and after adoptive transfer, wild type T cells showed a competitive advantage over cells deficient in IL-10Rα. Therefore, T cell specific actions of IL-10 can support autoimmune inflammation, and this appears to result from an overall increase in the long term fitness of pathologic T cells. Lineage-restricted, disease-promoting activities of IL-10 should be considered in the therapeutic manipulation of the IL-10 pathway.
TNFR-Associated Factor 2 Deficiency in B Lymphocytes Predisposes to Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma in Mice
Authors: Pérez-Chacón Gema , Llobet David , Pardo Constanza , Pindado José , Choi Yongwon , Reed John C. , Zapata Juan M.
Published: June 2012

We have previously shown that transgenic (tg) mice expressing in B lymphocytes both BCL-2 and a TNFR-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) mutant lacking the really interesting new gene and zinc finger domains (TRAF2DN) develop small lymphocytic lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia with high incidence (Zapata et al. 2004. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 101: 16600–16605). Further analysis of the expression of TRAF2 and TRAF2DN in purified B cells demonstrated that expression of both endogenous TRAF2 and tg TRAF2DN was negligible in Traf2DN-tg B cells compared with wild-type mice. This was the result of proteasome-dependent degradation, and rendered TRAF2DN B cells as bona fide TRAF2-deficient B cells. Similar to B cells with targeted Traf2 deletion, Traf2DN-tg mice show expanded marginal zone B cell population and have constitutive p100 NF-κB2 processing. Also, TRAF3, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis, and Bcl-XL expression levels were increased, whereas cellular inhibitors of apoptosis 1 and 2 levels were drastically reduced compared with those found in wild-type B cells. Moreover, consistent with previous results, we also show that TRAF2 was required for efficient JNK and ERK activation in response to CD40 engagement. However, TRAF2 was deleterious for BCR-mediated activation of these kinases. In contrast, TRAF2 deficiency had no effect on CD40-mediated p38 MAPK activation but significantly reduced BCR-mediated p38 activation. Finally, we further confirm that TRAF2 was required for CD40-mediated proliferation, but its absence relieved B cells of the need for B cell activating factor for survival. Altogether, our results suggest that TRAF2 deficiency cooperates with BCL-2 in promoting chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma in mice, possibly by specifically enforcing marginal zone B cell accumulation, increasing X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis expression, and rendering B cells independent of B cell activating factor for survival.
An isotopic analysis of ionising radiation as a source of sulphuric acid
Authors: Enghoff M. B. , Bork N. , Hattori S. , Meusinger C. , Nakagawa M. , Pedersen J. O. P. , Danielache S. , Ueno Y. , Johnson M. S. , Yoshida N. , Svensmark H.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. Sulphuric acid is an important factor in aerosol nucleation and growth. It has been shown that ions enhance the formation of sulphuric acid aerosols, but the exact mechanism has remained undetermined. Furthermore some studies have found a deficiency in the sulphuric acid budget, suggesting a missing source. In this study the production of sulphuric acid from SO2 through a number of different pathways is investigated. The production methods are standard gas phase oxidation by OH radicals produced by ozone photolysis with UV light, liquid phase oxidation by ozone, and gas phase oxidation initiated by gamma rays. The distributions of stable sulphur isotopes in the products and substrate were measured using isotope ratio mass spectrometry. All methods produced sulphate enriched in 34S and we find an enrichment factor (δ34S) of 8.7 ± 0.4‰ (1 standard deviation) for the UV-initiated OH reaction. Only UV light (Hg emission at 253.65 nm) produced a clear non-mass-dependent excess of 33S. The pattern of isotopic enrichment produced by gamma rays is similar, but not equal, to that produced by aqueous oxidation of SO2 by ozone. This, combined with the relative yields of the experiments, suggests a mechanism in which ionising radiation may lead to hydrated ion clusters that serve as nanoreactors for S(IV) to S(VI) conversion.
In situ measurements of volatile organic compounds in a boreal forest
Authors: Hakola H. , Hellén H. , Henriksson M. , Rinne J. , Kulmala M.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. We present biogenic VOC, including sesquiterpenes, measurements at the SMEAR II station (Station For Measuring Forest Ecosystem-Atmosphere Relations) in Finland using an in situ gas chromatograph mass-spectrometer with 2 h time resolution. The measurements were conducted over the period October 2010–October 2011, at least one week every month. To our knowledge there are no earlier species-speciated semi-continuous BVOC data also covering dormant periods. During the winter months, and still in March, the concentrations of all biogenic compounds were very low, most of the time below detection limits. The monoterpene concentrations increased in April and started to show diurnal variability, with maximum concentrations at night and minima during the day. The diurnal variability continued until October, after which the concentrations decreased and then only occasional episodes took place. The diurnal variation was affected by boundary layer height. Sesquiterpene concentrations were very low, only a few ppt. The main sesquiterpenes were longifolene and isolongifolene. The diurnal variation of isoprene was opposite to the mono- and sesquiterpene diurnal curve due to isoprene's light dependent emissions. Due to its daytime maximum concentrations, isoprene also dominated hydroxyl radical reactivity in summer even though our isoprene measurements are underestimates due to a breakthrough in a cold trap.
Determining agricultural land use scenarios in a mesoscale Bavarian watershed for modelling future water quality
Authors: Mehdi B. B. , Ludwig R. , Lehner B.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. Land use scenarios are of primordial importance when implementing a hydrological model for the purpose of determining the future quality of water in a watershed. This paper provides the background for researching potential agricultural land use changes that may take place in a mesoscale watershed, for water quality research, and describes why studying the farm scale is important. An on-going study in Bavaria examining the local drivers of change in land use is described.
Imprint of a dissolved cobalt basaltic source on the Kerguelen Plateau
Authors: Bown J. , Boye M. , Laan P. , Bowie A. R. , Park Y.-H. , Jeandel C. , Nelson D. M.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. Processes of cobalt (Co) entrainment from shelf sediments over the Kerguelen Plateau were studied during the KEOPS (Kerguelen Ocean Plateau compared Study) in order to explain the exceptionally high dissolved cobalt concentrations that have been measured in the surface waters above the Kerguelen Plateau, and in intermediate and deep waters above its eastern slope. Lateral advection and dissolution of Co contained in basalt sediments around Heard Island, a main source of lithogenic Co in the study area, were shown to imprint the process of surface enrichment over the plateau. Dissolved Co enrichment was strongest at the intercept of the eastern slope with intermediate and deep waters, probably due to more efficient mobilisation of the sediments in the slope current, in addition to advection of Co-enriched and low oxygenated ocean water-masses. In surface waters, strong sedimentary Co inputs were estimated to be much higher than biological Co uptake in phytoplankton blooms, underlining the potential role of cobalt as lithogenic tracer. Based on a simple, steady state balance equation of the external input of dissolved iron over the plateau, the fertilization of iron inferred by using Co as a tracer of basalt sources is estimated to be 28 × 102 ± 21 × 102 ton yr−1 in surface waters of the Kerguelen Plateau. This estimate is consistent with preceding ones and the required iron supply matching the phytoplankton demand.
Reframing hydrology education to solve coupled human and environmental problems
Authors: King E. G. , O'Donnell F. C. , Caylor K. K.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. The impact of human activity on the biophysical world raises myriad challenges for sustaining earth system processes, ecosystem services, and human societies. To engage in meaningful problem-solving in the hydrosphere, this necessitates an approach that recognizes the coupled nature of human and biophysical systems. We argue that in order to produce the next generation of problem-solvers, hydrology education should ensure that students develop an appreciation and working familiarity in the context of coupled human-environmental systems. We illustrate how undergraduate-level hydrology assignments can extend beyond rote computations or basic throughput scenarios to include consideration of the dynamic interactions with social and other biophysical dimensions of complex adaptive systems. Such an educational approach not only builds appropriate breadth of dynamic understanding, but can also empower students toward assuming influential and effective roles in solving sustainability challenges.
Calibration of a radiocarbon age
Authors: Keenan D. J.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. The calibration of a radiocarbon age to a calendar date is reviewed. It is shown that the commonly-used programs for calibration sometimes give results that are significantly in error.