bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction aux souvenirs de Natalija Mixajlovna Čegodaeva-Geršenzon : Pervye šagi moej žizni: gody moego bessmertija (Mes premiers pas dans la vie : les années de mon immortalité)
Authors: Horowitz Brian
Published: July 2011

An Introduction to M. Čegodaeva-Geršenzon’s Memoirs

The First Steps of My Life: Years of My Immortality

In 1952 Natalija Mixajlovna Čegodaeva-Geršenzon, the daughter of the Russian historian, critic and philosopher Mixail Osipovič Geršenzon (1869-1925) wrote her memoirs. As an insider in the culture of Russia's Silver Age, she keenly describes the daily life of Moscow’s prerevolutionary intelligentsia. In addition, she provides valuable information concerning the life of M. O. Geršenzon. This is the first time these memoirs have been published.
Tak bylo de Leonid Andreev
Authors: Rolet Serge
Published: July 2011

Tak bylo von Leonid Andreev

Das Thema von Tak bylo sind das Rätsel um die Macht des Königs und der Königsmord. Das Volk findet heraus, dass es vom König durch magische Kraft in Knechtschaft gehalten wird und allein durch dessen Tod frei werden kann. Wie so oft in der Kurzgeschichte kommt es zum Wendepunkt: der König entpuppt sich als erbarmenswertes Geschopf, das Volk selbst als die Quelle des Schreckens. Dieser Betrachtungswechsel wird vom Erzähler eingeleitet, der von weitem am Geschehen teilnimmt, und verleiht der Erzählung einen naiven Charachter.

Doch im Bezug auf die Eingeschränktheit der Erzählart Kurzgeschichte, und das ist gerade das Originelle an Tak bylo, wird das, was sich aus der Distanz herauskristallisiert (nämlich die Ideologie der Revolution), nicht als eindeutig lächerlich oder unrechtmässig dargestellt. Im Unterschied zur klassischen Novelle ist die Welt nicht eine andere Welt oder Ideologie als die des Autors, die in die Ferne genicht wird, sondera seine eigene Welt, eine Ideologie, der er selbst angehört. Die Sicht der Erzählung ist zweideutig.
One-pot Diels–Alder cycloaddition/gold(I)-catalyzed 6-endo-dig cyclization for the synthesis of the complex bicyclo[3.3.1]alkenone framework
Authors: Sow Boubacar , Bellavance Gabriel , Barabé Francis , Barriault Louis
Published: July 2011

The rapid synthesis of bicyclo[m.n.1]alkanone cores possessing quaternary carbon centers adjacent to a bridged ketone represents a significant synthetic challenge. This type of architectural feature is embedded in various complex biologically active compounds such as hyperforin and garsubellin A. Herein, we report a highly diastereoselective one-pot Diels–Alder reaction/Au(I)-catalyzed carbocyclization to generate bicyclo[3.3.1]alkanones in yields ranging from 48–93%.
La dimension spatiale de l'action paysagère
Authors: Davodeau Hervé
Published: July 2011

Alors que l’analyse des politiques publiques de paysage et des pratiques paysagistes a tendance à privilégier depuis deux décennies une théorie du paysage culturaliste (Roger, 1995), cette communication cherche à mobiliser les recherches récentes sur la théorisation de l’espace social (Lévy, Lussault). Penser le paysage dans l’action à travers cette grille de lecture permet d’articuler deux concepts (espace/paysage) que les chercheurs et praticiens ont plutôt opposés ces dernières années. L’hypothèse est au contraire que cette ré-articulation apporte un nouvel éclairage sur l’action paysagère contemporaine.
The impact of the global financial crisis on decentralized government in South Africa
Authors: Steytler Nico , Powell Derek
Published: July 2011

Résumé Cet article étudie l’impact de la crise financière globale en Afrique du Sud, et en particulier comment un système fédéral très centralisé a intégré la crise et lui a répondu. Les auteurs soutiennent que la crise globale et la récession qui a suivi ont exacerbé des problèmes structurels économiques de longue date, et que la réponse de l’État à la crise a une fois de plus souligné la nature fortement centralisée de l’organisation financière du pays. Une section de l’article explore l’impact de la crise financière sur l’économie et sur les trois niveaux de gouvernement. Une autre section étudie comment chaque niveau a répondu à la crise. Une dernière section évalue l’impact de ces réponses sur l’économie politique du pays et le fonctionnement du système fédéral, en concluant par une hypothèse sur les conséquences à long terme de la crise globale.
Que font les entreprises en matière de relations avec les communautés ?
Authors: Delannon Nolywé , Bénard Jacques , Verreault Isabelle , Raufflet Emmanuel
Published: July 2011

Résumé Cet article présente les pratiques en matière de relations avec les communautés de 21 entreprises installées au Québec. Deux tendances lourdes se dégagent des relations existant entre les organisations et les communautés. La première tendance concerne l’exigence de l’acceptabilité sociale des opérations de l’entreprise. Ainsi, les communautés font l’objet d’une attention de plus en plus marquée de la part des entreprises. La deuxième tendance porte sur le changement profond des attentes des citoyens et des communautés face aux entreprises : l’époque où la seule création d’emplois représentait la source de légitimité des activités économiques locales semble révolue. La multiplication et la diversification des acteurs, l’amélioration de l’accès à l’information et la tenue de forums d’expression ont accéléré et complexifié la gestion des relations entreprises-communautés. Selon les principaux constats découlant de notre étude, les entreprises sont motivées par la nécessité de préserver ou d’améliorer leur réputation et contraintes par des obligations légales; peu d’entreprises adoptent une démarche intégrée dans leurs relations avec les communautés, ce qui les empêche de tirer un maximum de bénéfices; les personnes-ressources ne sont pas assez outillées et réclament davantage de soutien de la part de la direction; l’évaluation des retombées est une méthode que l’on commence à peine à employer; les entreprises entrevoient l’avenir de leurs relations avec les communautés avec une certaine inquiétude. Fonctions : management, international, production, GRH
Comment optimiser la recherche de financement pour démarrer une PME technologique ?
Authors: Mandron Alix
Published: July 2011

Résumé Les fondateurs de petites et moyennes entreprises technologiques se lancent souvent dans la recherche de financement sans préparation particulière. Il s’ensuit des déconvenues. S’appuyant sur l’expérience vécue par 12 entrepreneurs dans le secteur technologique, cet article dégage cinq constats et trois leçons clés que les entrepreneurs à la recherche de financement devraient prendre en compte pour accroître leurs chances de réussite. Entre autres, il ne faut pas se faire de fausses idées sur les rôles des sociétés de capital-risque ou des directeurs de comptes traditionnels des banques. Par ailleurs, il importe de comprendre les objectifs et les contraintes des bailleurs de fonds pour faire face aux conditions qu’ils essaieront d’imposer; l’entrepreneur peut alors décider de ne pas s’y exposer ou de négocier. Finalement, l’article montre le rôle joué par les réseaux informels (familiaux) et plus formels et professionnels (comme ceux auxquels donne accès un incubateur multiservices) dans le financement de départ, ces derniers étant souvent plus efficaces car ils écourtent la période de recherche de financement. À l’égard du financement, un entrepreneur doit sans tarder chercher un encadrement parce que cela permet de gagner du temps et de préserver sa sérénité.
MODELING OF ABDOMINAL AORTA ANEURYSM AND STUDY OF THE PATHOLOGY USING COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS METHOD
Authors: Shabestari Raya Majdani , Hassani Kamran , Izadi Farhad
Published: July 2011

In this paper, we have constructed a three-dimensional abdominal aorta aneurysm model based on the CT-scan/angiography images. The inlet velocity is pulsatile and the simulation was done by means of finite volume analysis. The velocity and pressure contours were obtained for four different aneurysm sizes in three sections. The results indicate that the velocity decreases in aneurysm wall but pressure increases in that area. Furthermore, the increase of the aneurysm diameter increases the rupture risk due to high pressure in the wall. The shear stress is high in the start point and end of the aneurysm's curvature. Our study indicates that the aneurysm diameter is directly related to the pressure. High blood pressure could be a risk factor in artery rapture. Our model can serve as a useful tool for the study of the aortic aneurysms.
CONFIGURATION SET TO MOTION SIMULATION FOR BACKHAND STROKE OF TENNIS
Authors: Hung Chung-Shun , Hsieh Li-Cheng , Chen Ran-Sing , Wu Hong-Wen , Ho Yi-Hung
Published: July 2011

Many people sustain injuries while playing tennis due to improper methods of impacting the ball and insufficient muscle warm-up. A common injury of playing the backhand stroke would be either elbow flexor strain or extensor strain. It is popular to analyze the motion of backhand stroke using kinematics and kinetics of upper extremities. In this research, the LifeMOD™ module developed from a commercially available software, ADAMS, was used for simulation. The objective is to determine the relatively fitting parameters, using compared results obtained from LifeMOD™ and Matlab.

According to various researches, the parameters for each human joint set in LifeMOD™ that would play key roles for the results are stiffness, damping, and weighting. For stiffness and damping parameters, 105 N/m and 104 Ns/m respectively, is a better set for each joint. And for the weighting parameter, 10 is the best setting value for wrist joint, yet, either setting value would be applied for rest joints. In addition, the simulation model would be facile to observe the forces and moments of the joints in kinematics and kinetics for tennis backhand stroke.
Functional Screening of TLRs in Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells
Authors: Gillaux Claire , Méhats Céline , Vaiman Daniel , Cabrol Dominique , Breuiller-Fouché Michelle
Published: July 2011

Intrauterine infection is a major cause of spontaneous preterm birth. Amniotic epithelial cells represent the first line of defense against intra-amniotic bacteria. We hypothesize that this epithelial cell barrier is able to recognize and respond to pathogens through the function of TLRs, which are crucial regulators of the innate immune system. In this study, we describe the expression of transcripts for TLR1–TLR10 in human amniotic epithelial cells. We show that amniotic epithelial cells express functional TLR5, TLR6/2, and TLR4. Activation by TLR5 and TLR6/2 agonists produces IL-6 and IL-8, concomitantly with the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway, matrix metalloproteinase-9 induction, and PTGS2 expression. In contrast, TLR4 activation reduced amniotic epithelial cell viability and induced cell apoptosis evidenced by an elevated Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and cleavage of caspase-3. These data suggest specific TLR-mediated functions in human amniotic epithelial cells for initiating different immune responses, which ultimately may lead to preterm birth.
An Insertion Mutant in DQA1*0501 Restores Susceptibility to HLA-DM: Implications for Disease Associations
Authors: Hou Tieying , Macmillan Henriette , Chen Zhenjun , Keech Catherine L. , Jin Xi , Sidney John , Strohman Michael , Yoon Taejin , Mellins Elizabeth D.
Published: July 2011

HLA-DM (DM) catalyzes CLIP release, stabilizes MHC class II molecules, and edits the peptide repertoire presented by class II. Impaired DM function may have profound effects on Ag presentation events in the thymus and periphery that are critical for maintenance of self-tolerance. The associations of the HLA-DQ2 (DQ2) allele with celiac disease and type 1 diabetes mellitus have been appreciated for a long time. The explanation for these associations, however, remains unknown. We previously found that DQ2 is a poor substrate for DM. In this study, to further characterize DQ2–DM interaction, we introduced point mutations into DQ2 on the proposed DQ2–DM interface to restore the sensitivity of DQ2 to DM. The effects of mutations were investigated by measuring the peptide dissociation and exchange rate in vitro, CLIP and DQ2 expression on the cell surface, and the presentation of α-II-gliadin epitope (residues 62–70) to murine, DQ2-restricted T cell hybridomas. We found that the three α-chain mutations (α+53G, α+53R, or αY22F) decreased the intrinsic stability of peptide–class II complex. More interestingly, the α+53G mutant restored DQ2 sensitivity to DM, likely due to improved interaction with DM. Our data also suggest that α-II-gliadin 62–70 is a DM-suppressed epitope. The DQ2 resistance to DM changes the fate of this peptide from a cryptic to an immunodominant epitope. Our findings elucidate the structural basis for reduced DQ2–DM interaction and have implications for mechanisms underlying disease associations of DQ2.
NF-κB Signaling in Fetal Lung Macrophages Disrupts Airway Morphogenesis
Authors: Blackwell Timothy S. , Hipps Ashley N. , Yamamoto Yasutoshi , Han Wei , Barham Whitney J. , Ostrowski Michael C. , Yull Fiona E. , Prince Lawrence S.
Published: July 2011

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a common pulmonary complication of extreme prematurity. Arrested lung development leads to bronchopulmonary dysplasia, but the molecular pathways that cause this arrest are unclear. Lung injury and inflammation increase disease risk, but the cellular site of the inflammatory response and the potential role of localized inflammatory signaling in inhibiting lung morphogenesis are not known. In this study, we show that tissue macrophages present in the fetal mouse lung mediate the inflammatory response to LPS and that macrophage activation inhibits airway morphogenesis. Macrophage depletion or targeted inactivation of the NF-κB signaling pathway protected airway branching in cultured lung explants from the effects of LPS. Macrophages also appear to be the primary cellular site of IL-1β production following LPS exposure. Conversely, targeted NF-κB activation in transgenic macrophages was sufficient to inhibit airway morphogenesis. Macrophage activation in vivo inhibited expression of multiple genes critical for normal lung development, leading to thickened lung interstitium, reduced airway branching, and perinatal death. We propose that fetal lung macrophage activation contributes to bronchopulmonary dysplasia by generating a localized inflammatory response that disrupts developmental signals critical for lung formation.
Parler de la télévision sur Twitter : une « réception » oblique à partir d’une « conversation » médiatique ?
Authors: Jeanne-Perrier Valérie
Published: July 2011

Résumé Twitter, marque dite de réseau social, est présente sur l’Internet. L’un des usages de cet outil de micro-blogging consiste à réagir aux diffusions de programmes télévisuels et échanger entre individus abonnés à ce dispositif autour de ces programmes. Un tel processus s’est mis en branle lors de la diffusion du Jeu de la mort , sur France 2. À travers cet exemple, Valérie Jeanne-Perrier cerne cette posture de réception, incarnée dans des portions courtes de messages, tiraillée entre les cadres posés par le dispositif techno-sémiotique de Twitter et la volonté de s’exprimer, de réagir, de se mettre en scène, exprimée par des usagers de deux types d’écrans, télé et ordinateur, voire plus souvent écran du téléphone mobile, muni d’une application tierce (Echofon, Twitterific, Twittie, Socialite).
Influence of surgical and chemical orchidectomy on weight and distribution of AChE-nerve fibres in thymuses of adult rats
Authors: Dorko F. , KluchovÃ¡ D. , BolekovÃ¡ A. , LovasovÃ¡ K. , Å pakovskÃ¡ T. , BoroÅ¡ovÃ¡ T.
Published: July 2011

The thymus is a crossroad between the immune and neuroendocrine systems. As such, it is innervated by acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-positive fibres of the vagus, the recurrent laryngeal and the phrenic nerves. It is well know, that the innervations density of the thymus increases with age. In our study, adult rats were orchidectomized (surgically and chemically by the application of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone). The density of AChE-positive nerve fibres in thymuses, as well as the weight of thymuses was examined. The authors found that both surgical and chemical orchidectomy result in macroscopic and microscopic regeneration of the atrophied thymuses. In regenerated ratâ€™s thymuses after orchidectomy the density of AChE-positive nerve fibres was markedly higher in comparison with the control animals. The distribution, as well as the density of AChE-positive nerve fibres in regenerated thymuses after orchidectomy evokes the images of its innervations like in young animals before age-related involution. The authors also found a markedly higher weight of thymuses of orchidectomized rats in comparison with the control groups. In recent study the authors proved that after 8 weeks surgical orchidectomy leads to the regeneration of thymic AChE-positive innervation and chemical orchidectomy by administration of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone after 4 weeks of adult rats.
Rumen protozoa in South African sheep with a summary of the worldwide distribution of sheep protozoa
Authors: Booyse Dirk , Dehority Burk A.
Published: July 2011

Protozoa species were identified in rumen contents of four domestic sheep (Ovis aries) from South Africa. All animals were fed a forage diet which consisted of 50% lucerne and 50% teff hay. Ten new host records were identified, bringing the total number of species and forms observed in sheep in South Africa to 30. The occurrence and geographic distribution of ciliate protozoa in both domestic and wild sheep from around the world are summarised. It was found that 15 genera and 131 species occur in domestic sheep globally.
Incidencia de las tecnologías de la información y las telecomunicaciones en los hoteles españoles
Authors: Garrigós-Simón Fernando J.
Published: July 2011

La introducción de las Tecnologías de Información y Comunicaciones ha supuesto un cambio de las reglas de juego para las empresas. Este impacto es especialmente importante en el sector turístico, por las propias peculiaridades del sector. Con el presente trabajo queremos investigarcómo el desarrollo de las nuevas tecnologías ha afectado el modo en el cual las empresas turísticas compiten y desarrollan sus tareas. A su vez, analizamos empíricamente el peso directo que tiene en los resultados empresariales el uso y desarrollo de las tecnologías de información y las comunicaciones. Para ello vamos a utilizar un cuestionario dirigido a directivos hoteleros y la metodología de ecuaciones estructurales. El estudio plantea los beneficios asociados al uso de las Tecnologías de Información y Comunicaciones y su impacto en la mejora de la acción empresarial.
Ab initio studies of O2−(H2O)n and O3−(H2O)n anionic molecular clusters, n≤12
Authors: Bork N. , Kurtén T. , Enghoff M. B. , Pedersen J. O. P. , Mikkelsen K. V. , Svensmark H.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. An ab initio study of gaseous clusters of O2− and O3− with water is presented. Based on thorough scans of configurational space, we determine the thermodynamics of cluster growth. The results are in good agreement with benchmark computational methods and existing experimental data. We find that anionic O2−(H2O)n and O3−(H2O)n clusters are thermally stabilized at typical atmospheric conditions for at least n = 5. The first 4 water molecules are strongly bound to the anion due to delocalization of the excess charge while stabilization of more than 4 H2O is due to normal hydrogen bonding. Although clustering up to 12 H2O, we find that the O2 and O3 anions retain at least ca. 80 % of the charge and are located at the surface of the cluster. The O2− and O3− speicies are thus accessible for further reactions. We consider the distributions of cluster sizes as function of altitude before finally, the thermodynamics of a few relevant cluster reactions are considered.
Relationship between cloud radiative forcing, cloud fraction and cloud albedo, and new surface-based approach for determining cloud albedo
Authors: Liu Y. , Wu W. , Jensen M. P. , Toto T.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. This paper focuses on three interconnected topics: (1) quantitative relationship between surface shortwave cloud radiative forcing, cloud fraction, and cloud albedo; (2) surface-based approach for measuring cloud albedo; (3) multiscale (diurnal, annual and inter-annual) variations and covariations of surface shortwave cloud radiative forcing, cloud fraction, and cloud albedo. An analytical expression is first derived to quantify the relationship between cloud radiative forcing, cloud fraction, and cloud albedo. The analytical expression is then used to deduce a new approach for inferring cloud albedo from concurrent surface-based measurements of downwelling surface shortwave radiation and cloud fraction. High-resolution decade-long data on cloud albedos are obtained by use of this surface-based approach over the US Department of Energy's Atmospheric Radiaton Measurement (ARM) Program at the Great Southern Plains (SGP) site. The surface-based cloud albedos are further compared against those derived from the coincident GOES satellite measurements. The three long-term (1997–2009) sets of hourly data on shortwave cloud radiative forcing, cloud fraction and cloud albedo collected over the SGP site are analyzed to explore the multiscale (diurnal, annual and inter-annual) variations and covariations. The analytical formulation is useful for diagnosing deficiencies of cloud-radiation parameterizations in climate models.
Aerosol nucleation spikes in the planetary boundary layer
Authors: Chen J.-P. , Tsai T.-S. , Liu S.-C.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. Photochemically driven nucleation bursts, which typically occur within a few hours after sunrise, often produce strong aerosol number concentration (ANC) fluctuations. The causes of such ANC spikes were investigated using a detailed aerosol model running in the parcel mode. Two potential mechanisms for the ANC spikes were proposed and simulated. The blocking of actinic flux by scattered clouds can significantly influence new particle production, but this does not cause strong fluctuations in the number of aerosols within sizes greater than the detection limit of our measurements. A more plausible mechanism is the turbulence eddy effect. Strong aerosol nucleation may occur in both updrafts and downdrafts, while the cloud formation at the boundary layer top strongly reduces the number of aerosols. As the number of aerosols is sensitive to turbulence eddy and cloud formation properties, a changing turbulence condition would result in large fluctuations in the evolution of ANC similar to that observed at the surface.
Quantifying the magnitude of a missing hydroxyl radical source in a tropical rainforest
Authors: Whalley L. K. , Edwards P. M. , Furneaux K. L. , Goddard A. , Ingham T. , Evans M. J. , Stone D. , Hopkins J. R. , Jones C. E. , Karunaharan A. , Lee J. D. , Lewis A. C. , Monks P. S. , Moller S. J. , Heard D. E.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. The lifetime of methane is controlled to a very large extent by the abundance of the OH radical. The tropics are a key region for methane removal, with oxidation in the lower tropical troposphere dominating the global methane removal budget (Bloss et al., 2005). In tropical forested environments where biogenic VOC emissions are high and NOx concentrations are low, OH concentrations are assumed to be low due to rapid reactions with sink species such as isoprene. New, simultaneous measurements of OH concentrations and OH reactivity, k'OH, in a Borneo rainforest are reported and show much higher OH than predicted, with mean peak concentrations of ~2.5×106 molecule cm−3 (10 min average) observed around solar noon. Whilst j(O1D) and humidity were high, low O3 concentrations limited the OH production from O3 photolysis. Measured OH reactivity was very high, peaking at a diurnal average of 29.1±8.5 s−1, corresponding to an OH lifetime of only 34 ms. To maintain the observed OH concentration given the measured OH reactivity requires a rate of OH production approximately 10 times greater than calculated using all measured OH sources. A test of our current understanding of the chemistry within a tropical rainforest was made using a detailed zero-dimensional model to compare with measurements. The model over-predicted the observed HO2 concentrations and significantly under-predicted OH concentrations. Inclusion of an additional OH source formed as a recycled product of OH initiated isoprene oxidation improved the modelled OH agreement but only served to worsen the HO2 model/measurement agreement. To replicate levels of both OH and HO2, a process that recycles HO2 to OH is required; equivalent to the OH recycling effect of 0.74 ppbv of NO. This recycling step increases OH concentrations by 88 % at noon and has wide implications, leading to much higher predicted OH over tropical forests, with a concomitant reduction in the CH4 lifetime and increase in the rate of VOC degradation.
Modeling the vertical soil organic matter profile using 210Pbex measurements and Bayesian inversion
Authors: Braakhekke M. C. , Wutzler T. , Reichstein M. , Kattge J. , Beer C. , Schrumpf M. , Schöning I. , Hoosbeek M. R. , Kruijt B. , Kabat P.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. In view of its potential significance for soil organic matter (SOM) cycling, the vertical SOM distribution in the profile should be considered in models. To mechanistically predict the SOM profile, three additional processes should be represented compared to bulk SOM models: (vertically distributed) rhizodeposition, mixing due to bioturbation, and movement with the liquid phase as dissolved organic matter. However, the convolution of these processes complicates parameter estimation based on the vertical SOM distribution alone. Measurements of the atmospherically produced isotope 210Pbex may provide the additional information needed to constrain the processes. Since 210Pbex enters the soil at the surface and bind strongly to organic matter it is an effective tracer for SOM transport. In order to study the importance of root input, bioturbation, and liquid phase transport for SOM profile formation we performed Bayesian parameter estimation of the previously developed mechanistic SOM profile model SOMPROF. 13 parameters, related to decomposition and transport of organic matter, were estimated for the soils of two temperate forests with strongly contrasting SOM profiles: Loobos (the Netherlands) and Hainich (Germany). Measurements of organic carbon stocks and concentrations, decomposition rates, and 210Pbex profiles were used in the optimization. For both sites, 3 optimizations were performed in which stepwise 210Pbex data and prior knowledge were added. The optimizations yielded posterior distributions with several cases (modes) which were characterized by the dominant organic matter (OM) pool: non-leachable slow OM, leachable slow OM, or root litter. For Loobos, the addition of 210Pbex data to the optimization clearly indicated which case was most likely. For Hainich, there is more uncertainty, but the most likely case produced by the optimization agrees well with other measurements. For both sites the most likely case of the final optimization was one where leachable slow OM dominates, suggesting that most organic matter is adsorbed to the mineral phase. Liquid phase transport (advection) of OM was responsible for virtually all organic matter transport for Loobos, while for Hainich bioturbation (diffusion) and liquid phase transport were of comparable magnitude. These results are in good agreement with the differences between the two sites in terms of soil texture and biological activity.
Biomass burning emissions estimated with a global fire assimilation system based on observed fire radiative power
Authors: Kaiser J. W. , Heil A. , Andreae M. O. , Benedetti A. , Chubarova N. , Jones L. , Morcrette J.-J. , Razinger M. , Schultz M. G. , Suttie M. , van der Werf G. R.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. The Global Fire Assimilation System (GFASv1.0) calculates biomass burning emissions by assimilating Fire Radiative Power (FRP) observations from the MODIS instruments onboard the Terra and Aqua satellites. It corrects for gaps in the observations, which are mostly due to cloud cover, and filters spurious FRP observations of volcanoes, gas flares and other industrial activity. The combustion rate is subsequently calculated with land cover-specific conversion factors. Emission factors for 40 gas-phase and aerosol trace species have been compiled from a literature survey. The corresponding daily emissions have been calculated on a global 0.5° × 0.5° grid from 2003 to the present. General consistency with the Global Fire Emission Database version 3.1 (GFED3.1) within its accuracy is achieved while maintaining the advantages of an FRP-based approach: GFASv1.0 makes use of the quantitative information on the combustion rate that is contained in the observations, and it detects fires in real time at high spatial and temporal resolution. GFASv1.0 indicates omission errors in GFED3.1 due to undetected small fires. It also exhibits slightly longer fire seasons in South America and North Africa and a slightly shorter fire season in Southeast Asia. GFASv1.0 has already been used for atmospheric reactive gas simulations in an independent study, which found good agreement with atmospheric observations. We have performed simulations of the atmospheric aerosol distribution with and without the assimilation of MODIS aerosol optical depth (AOD). They indicate that the emissions of particulate matter need to be boosted with a factor of 2–4 to reproduce the global distribution of organic matter and black carbon. This discrepancy is also evident in the comparison of previously published top-down and bottom-up estimates. For the time being, a global enhancement of the particulate matter emissions by 3.4 is recommended. Validation with independent AOD and PM10 observations recorded during the Russian fires in summer 2010 show that the global Monitoring Atmospheric Composition and Change (MACC) aerosol model with GFASv1.0 aerosol emissions captures the smoke plume evolution well when organic matter and black carbon are enhanced by the recommended factor. In conjunction with the assimilation of MODIS AOD, the use of GFASv1.0 with enhanced emission factors quantitatively improves the forecast of the aerosol load near the surface sufficiently to allow air quality warnings with a lead time of up to four days.
Improving the characterization of initial condition for ensemble streamflow prediction using data assimilation
Authors: DeChant C. M. , Moradkhani H.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. Within the National Weather Service River Forecast System, water supply forecasting is performed through Ensemble Streamflow Prediction (ESP). ESP relies both on the estimation of initial conditions and historically resampled forcing data to produce seasonal volumetric forecasts. In the western US, the accuracy of initial condition estimation is particularly important due to the large quantities of water stored in mountain snowpack. In order to improve the estimation of snow quantities, this study explores the use of ensemble data assimilation. Rather than relying entirely on the model to create single deterministic initial snow water storage, as currently implemented in operational forecasting, this study incorporates SNOTEL data along with model predictions to create an ensemble based probabilistic estimation of snow water storage. This creates a framework to account for initial condition uncertainty in addition to forcing uncertainty. The results presented in this study suggest that data assimilation has the potential to improve ESP for probabilistic volumetric forecasts but is limited by the available observations.
Detection of electromagnetic anomalies of three earthquakes in Mexico with an improved statistical method
Authors: Chavez O. , Pérez-Enríquez R. , Cruz-Abeyro J. A. , Millan-Almaraz J. R. , Kotsarenko A. , Rojas E.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. A method for detecting seismomagnetic signals is presented. This work presents evidence of geomagnetic perturbations associated with three earthquakes (EQs) that occurred in Mexico within a distance of ρ = (1.8) 100.45M, where M is the magnitude of the EQ, during the year 2010. An improved statistical analysis in relation with the polarization analysis (as the ratio of vertical magnetic field component to the horizontal one) has been developed. The variation index (S4) shows important differences one day before and one day after the EQs (magnitudes considered are from 6 to 7.2).
An improved semi-empirical model for the densification of Antarctic firn
Authors: Ligtenberg S. R. M. , Helsen M. M. , van den Broeke M. R.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. A firn densification model is presented that simulates steady-state Antarctic firn density profiles, as well as the temporal evolution of firn density and surface height. The model uses an improved firn densification expression that is tuned to fit depth-density observations. Liquid water processes (meltwater percolation, retention and refreezing) are also included. Two applications are presented. The steady-state model version is used to simulate the strong spatial variability in firn layer thickness across the Antarctic ice sheet. The time-dependent model is run for 3 Antarctic locations. It reveals a gentle upward motion of the surface during autumn, winter and spring, while during summer there is a more rapid lowering of the surface. Accumulation and (if present) melt introduce large inter-annual variability in surface height trends, possibly hiding ice dynamical thickening and thinning.
Overexpression of GLUT1 in Colorectal Cancer is Independently Associated with Poor Prognosis
Authors: Shen Yang-Mei , Arbman Gunnar , Olsson Birgit , Sun Xiao-Feng
Published: July 2011

Background

To investigate the expression of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its relationship to clinicopathological variables.

Methods

The expression of GLUT1 in 163 primary tumors together with the corresponding normal mucosa, and 36 liver metastases was examined using real-time PCR.

Results

The mean value of GLUT1 was higher in primary tumors (50.390 ± 68.648) than in the corresponding normal mucosa (20.437 ± 28.703, p<0.0001), while there was no significant difference in GLUT1 expression between CRC and liver metastasis (50.390 ± 68.648 vs 52.277 ± 52.482, p=0.190). In CRCs, GLUT1 expression was higher in poorly differentiated than in well and moderately differentiated tumors (p=0.022), and higher in stage III + IV than in stage I + II tumors (p=0.035). The patients with high-expressed GLUT1 had a worse prognosis than those with low-expressed GLUT1 independently of gender, age, tumor site, stage and differentiation (p=0.026, RR 2.737, 95% CI 1.126–6.651) in stage I-III CRCs. In liver metastasis, GLUT1 expression was higher in larger tumors than in smaller ones (p=0.025).

Conclusions

Overexpression of GLUT1 in stage I-III CRCs was independently associated with poor prognosis.
Structural Arrangement and Properties of Spicules in Glass Sponges
Authors: Drozdov Anatoliy L. , Karpenko Alexander A.
Published: July 2011

The morphology, chemical composition, and optical properties of long monoaxonic spicules were studied in several species of marine deep-sea hexactinellid sponges of different orders and families: Asconema setubalense (Hexasterophora, Lyssacinosida) and Monorhaphis chuni Schulze (Monorhaphiidae). Their macrostructural organization is a system of thin layers laid around the central cylinder containing a square canal filled with organic matter. A significant role in spicule organization is played by the organic matrix. The macrostructural of organization of the spicule in Monorhaphis chuni is a system of the “cylinder-within-a-cylinder” type. However the spicule surface is covered with ridges. They penetrate a few layers into the spicule. Analysis of the elemental composition of the basalia spicule of Monorhaphis chuni demonstrates a heterogeneous allocation of C, O, Si on the spicule surface, subsurface layers, and on ridges. All studied spicules have the properties of anisotropic crystals and they demonstrate a capability to the birefrigence. On the other hand we discovered unique property of spicules—their capacity for triboluminescence. The discovery of triboluminescence in composite organosilicon materials of which the spicules of hexactinellid sponges are built may contribute to the creation of biomimetic materials capable of generating light emission.
Preparation of Optically Transparent Open‐Celled Foams and its Morphological Characterization Employing Volume Image Analysis
Authors: Bucharsky Ethel C. , Schell Karl G. , Habisreuther Peter , Oberacker Rainer , Zarzalis Nikolaos , Hoffmann Michael J.
Published: July 2011

Transparent glass sponges are a new class of materials that can potentially be used for effective light dispersion in photobioreactors. In this work, transparent glass sponges are prepared by the polymer replica technique employing polyurethane sponges with cell sizes of 20 pores per inch as templates and commercially available nanoscaled SiO2 powders. Necessary conditions for obtaining transparent open‐celled glass sponges are presented. Topics such as slurry stabilization, temperature for burning‐out the polymer and subsequent sintering of the remaining SiO2 structure to transparent cellular bodies are discussed. It was found, that concentrated suspensions at around pH 10 offer suitable properties for both, bringing enough particles onto the polymer template for the formation of a stable and self‐supporting SiO2 shell and for successful sintering of the particulate framework to transparent bodies. Therefore, an adjusted burning‐out process and an adequate sintering regime is presented. Furthermore, the resulting sponge structure is characterized employing X‐Ray diffractometry, light, and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, volume image analysis was performed using magnetic resonance imaging. This method allows the calculation of geometrical parameters like cell‐size and specific surface area of the resulting structure, required for application of the new material.
Functionalization of a protein surface with per‐O‐methylated β‐cyclodextrin
Authors: Kitagishi Hiroaki , Kashiwa Kazuya , Kano Koji
Published: July 2011

Per‐O‐methylated β‐cyclodextrin (CD) bearing an iodoacetamide group at the 6‐position was synthesized to functionalize protein surfaces. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was quantitatively modified with the CD derivative by the SN2 reaction of iodoacetamide with a cysteine residue (Cys34) on the BSA surface. The resultant CD‐functionalized BSA (BSA‐CD) spontaneously dimerized upon addition of an anionic tetraarylporphyrin (TPPS) through the supramolecular 1:2 complexation between TPPS and CD on the protein surface. The BSA‐CD/TPPS complex further complexed with ferric protoporphyrin IX (hemin) in the hydrophobic pockets of albumin to form a hemin/BSA‐CD/TPPS ternary complex in which static fluorescence quenching occurred owing to intramolecular electron transfer from the photoexcited TPPS to hemin. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 97: 11–20, 2012.
Thermal regulation of membrane lipid fluidity by a two‐component system in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Bredeston L.M. , Marciano D. , Albanesi D. , De Mendoza D. , Delfino J. M.
Published: July 2011

This article describes a simple and robust laboratory exercise on the regulation of membrane unsaturated fatty acid composition in bacteria by a decrease in growth temperature. We take advantage of the well characterized Des pathway of Bacillus subtilis, composed of a Δ5‐desaturase (encoded by the des gene) and the canonical two‐component system DesK‐DesR, to study the transcriptional regulation of des during cold shock. Students analyze the expression of a reporter transcriptional fusion between the des promoter and the bacterial lacZ gene in a wild‐type B. subtilis strain and in des or desK‐desR mutants grown under different culture conditions. Measurements of β‐galactosidase activity allow them to investigate how the Des pathway works and to assess the role of each component of this regulatory system. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 2011
An interactive educational tool for the teaching of manoeuvres in electrical substations
Authors: Monroy‐Berjillos Darío , Bachiller‐Soler Alfonso , Martínez‐Lacañina Pedro J.
Published: July 2011

The philosophy of safety at work is one of the bases for the operation of electrical installations, with particular relevance in the manoeuvres in electrical substations. The curriculum for Electrical Engineering students should include such knowledge. This article presents an educational tool currently in use, which has demonstrated its full effectiveness in achieving the implementation of safe working methods in the planning and execution of manoeuvres in electrical substations. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 21:E152–E162, 2013
SNAP Dendrimers: Multivalent Protein Display on Dendrimer‐Like DNA for Directed Evolution
Authors: Kaltenbach Miriam , Stein Viktor , Hollfelder Florian
Published: July 2011

Display systems connect a protein with the DNA encoding it. Such systems (e.g., phage or ribosome display) have found widespread application in the directed evolution of protein binders and constitute a key element of the biotechnological toolkit. In this proof‐of‐concept study we describe the construction of a system that allows the display of multiple copies of a protein of interest in order to take advantage of avidity effects during affinity panning. To this end, dendrimer‐like DNA is used as a scaffold with docking points that can join the coding DNA with multiple protein copies. Each DNA construct is compartmentalised in water‐in‐oil emulsion droplets. The corresponding protein is expressed, in vitro, inside the droplets as a SNAP‐tag fusion. The covalent bond between DNA and the SNAP‐tag is created by reaction with dendrimer‐bound benzylguanine (BG). The ability to form dendrimer‐like DNA straightforwardly from oligonucleotides bearing BG allowed the comparison of a series of templates differing in size, valency and position of BG. In model selections the most efficient constructs show recoveries of up to 0.86 % and up to 400‐fold enrichments. The comparison of mono‐ and multivalent constructs suggests that the avidity effect enhances enrichment by up to fivefold and recovery by up to 25‐fold. Our data establish a multivalent format for SNAP‐display based on dendrimer‐like DNA as the first in vitro display system with defined tailor‐made valencies and explore a new application for DNA nanostructures. These data suggest that multivalent SNAP dendrimers have the potential to facilitate the selection of protein binders especially during early rounds of directed evolution, allowing a larger diversity of candidate binders to be recovered.
Trans‐pleural pericardiocentesis: Revisiting an old technique
Authors: Guo Kenneth , Ding Zee Pin , Tan Jack
Published: July 2011

Percutaneous access to the pericardial space serves both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Multiple approaches have been described, which include the apical, sub‐xiphoid, trans‐atrial, and trans‐bronchial techniques. Occasionally, in the presence of both left pleural effusion and posterior pericardial effusion, echocardiographically guided pleuropericardial drainage can be carried out using the left axillary approach. Here we revisit the use of this technique in a patient. Future development of this technique, using a noncompliant balloon to expand the pleuropericardial interface, may avoid the need for a pericardial window in oncology and rheumatology patients with recurrent pericardial effusions. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Variable approaches to arterial ductal stenting in infants with complex congenital heart disease
Authors: Kenny Damien , Berman Darren , Zahn Evan , Amin Zahid
Published: July 2011

Stenting of the arterial duct to maintain postnatal communication between the pulmonary and systemic arterial circulations in infants with complex congenital heart disease is an acceptable alternative to a surgically created systemic to pulmonary artery shunt. The procedure, however, can be demanding given the variable anatomy of the patent ductus arteriosus. We report a series of cases of ductal stenting via a range of varying approaches in neonates with complex congenital heart disease, and display the variety of situations in which these approaches may be used. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Method comparison on confidence interval construction for the slope in a linear measurement model with heteroscedastic errors
Authors: Tsai Jia‐Ren , Liao Chen‐Tuo
Published: July 2011

In analytical chemistry, the evaluation on performance accuracy of an analytical method is an important issue. When an adjusted or new method (test method) is developed, the linear measurement error model is commonly used to compare it with another reference method. For this routine practice, the measurements on the reference method can be placed on the x‐axis, whereas those of the test method on the y‐axis, then the slope of this linear relationship indicates the agreement between them and also the performance of the test method. Under the assumption that both variables are subject to heteroscedastic measurement errors, a novel approach based on the concepts of a generalized pivotal quantity (GPQ) is proposed to construct confidence intervals for the slope. Its performance is compared with two maximum likelihood estimation (MLE)‐based approaches through simulation studies. It is shown that the proposed GPQ‐based approach is capable of maintaining the empirical coverage probabilities close to the nominal level and yielding reasonable expected lengths. The GPQ‐based approach can be recommended in practical use because of its easy implementation and better performance than the MLE‐based approaches in most simulation scenarios. Two real datasets are given to illustrate the approaches. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interplay of Chemical Microenvironment and Redox Environment on Thiol–Disulfide Exchange Kinetics
Authors: Wu Chuanliu , Belenda Cristina , Leroux Jean‐Christophe , Gauthier Marc A.
Published: July 2011

The interplay between the chemical microenvironment surrounding disulfides and the redox environment of the media on thiol–disulfide exchange kinetics was examined by using a peptide platform. Exchange kinetics of up to 34 cysteine‐containing peptides were measured in several redox buffers. The electrostatic attraction/repulsion between charged peptides and reducing agents such as glutathione was found to have a very pronounced effect on thiol–disulfide exchange kinetics (differences of ca. three orders of magnitude). Exchange kinetics could be directly correlated to peptide charge over the entire range examined. This study highlights the possibility of finely and predictably tuning thiol–disulfide exchange, and demonstrates the importance of considering both the local environment surrounding the disulfide and the nature of the major reducing species present in the environment for which their use is intended (e.g., in drug delivery systems, sensors, etc).