bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Avian intervertebral disc arises from rostral sclerotome and lacks a nucleus pulposus: Implications for evolution of the vertebrate disc
Authors: Bruggeman Bradley J. , Maier Jennifer A. , Mohiuddin Yasmin S. , Powers Rae , Lo Yinting , Guimarães‐Camboa Nuno , Evans Sylvia M. , Harfe Brian D.
Published: February 2012

Deterioration of the intervertebral discs is an unfortunate consequence of aging. The intervertebral disc in mammals is composed of three parts: a jelly‐like center called the nucleus pulposus, the cartilaginous annulus fibrosus, and anterior and posterior endplates that attach the discs to vertebrae. To understand the origin of the disc, we have investigated the intervertebral region of chickens. Surprisingly, our comparison of mouse and chicken discs revealed that chicken discs lack nuclei pulposi. In addition, the notochord, which in mice forms nuclei pulposi, was found to persist as a rod‐like structure and express Shh throughout chicken embryogenesis. Our fate mapping data indicate that cells originating from the rostral half of each somite are responsible for forming the avian disc while cells in the caudal region of each somite form vertebrae. A histological analysis of mammalian and nonmammalian organisms suggests that nuclei pulposi are only present in mammals. Developmental Dynamics 241:675–683, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cost‐of‐illness studies and cost‐effectiveness analyses in eating disorders: A systematic review
Authors: Stuhldreher Nina , Konnopka Alexander , Wild Beate , Herzog Wolfgang , Zipfel Stephan , Löwe Bernd , König Hans‐Helmut
Published: February 2012

Objective:

To review cost‐of‐illness studies (COIs) and cost‐effectiveness analyses (CEAs) of eating disorders (EDs) and to describe their methodological quality.

Method:

A systematic literature search was done. Search results passed through a selection process, included studies were classified as COIs, CEAs, or “other cost studies” (OCS). Costs were inflated and converted to 2008 US$ purchasing power parities (PPP). Quality criteria were developed and applied to each study.

Results:

Five COI, two CEA, and eleven “OCS” were reviewed. Most studies focused on anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Annual costs per patient ranged from 1,288 to 8,042 US$‐PPP. All interventions, investigated in CEA, were more effective and less costly than the alternative treatments.

Discussion:

The number of publications investigating costs in EDs has increased recently. However, no COI provided a comprehensive estimate of costs, and the comparability of CEA was limited. Nonetheless, the results indicate that the costs arising from EDs are substantial. © 2012 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2012)
Cherry leafroll virus: Impact on olive fruit and virgin olive oil quality
Authors: Godena Sara , Bendini Alessandra , Giambanelli Elisa , Cerretani Lorenzo , Ðermić Damir , Ðermić Edyta
Published: February 2012

We performed a survey on the yield, quality, and chemical characteristics of virgin olive oils from two olive varieties in Croatian Istria: Frantoio and Ascolana tenera, on Cherry leafroll virus‐infected and virus‐noninfected trees and on two harvest dates. Free acidity, peroxide value, specific spectrophotometric absorptions at 232 and 270 nm, fatty acid composition, total phenols, o‐diphenols, oil color, and pigments were determined. Infected olives had lower oil yield and maturity index versus healthy ones. Oils from infected fruits had significant lower value of K232 and K270 and very elevated total phenols content compared to those obtained from healthy olives. Infected Frantoio gave a lower content of o‐diphenols than the healthy ones, which is in contrast to infected Ascolana that had higher values. The aim of this study is to determine the chemical changes in virgin olive oils from healthy and infected trees related to virus influence. According to our knowledge, this is the first survey on the possible influence of viruses on olive fruits, oil yield, and virgin olive oil quality.

Practical applications: There are only few papers which analyze the influence of viruses on crops (especially influence on wine quality) and their effects on yield or other agronomic parameters. This work evaluates for the first time the impact of Cherry leafroll virus on the quality of virgin olive oil obtained from Frantoio and A. tenera varieties in terms of basic parameters related to the hydrolitic and oxidative status, content in antioxidant compounds, and in pigments as well as in fatty acid composition.
An improved silver stain for the visualization of lipopolysaccharides on polyacrylamide gels
Authors: Zhu Zhong‐Xin , Cong Wei‐Tao , Ni Mao‐Wei , Wang Xi , Ma Wei‐De , Ye Wei‐Jian , Jin Li‐Tai , Li Xiao‐Kun
Published: February 2012

A sensitive, brief, and user‐friendly silver stain to meet the needs in high‐efficiency detection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on polyacrylamide gels is described. In this study, the most commonly used formaldehyde‐based LPS silver stain, which is potentially hazardous to the operator, is replaced by ascorbic acid (Vc) in alkaline sodium thiosulfate solution. It takes only about 35 min to complete all the protocol, with a detection limit of 4 ng of total LPS. The results indicate that this user‐friendly method could be a good choice for LPS visualization on polyacrylamide gels.
Separation principles of cycling temperature capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Ekstrøm Per Olaf , Warren David J. , Thilly William G.
Published: February 2012

High throughput means to detect and quantify low‐frequency mutations (<10−2) in the DNA‐coding sequences of human tissues and pathological lesions are required to discover the kinds, numbers, and rates of genetic mutations that (i) confer inherited risk for disease or (ii) arise in somatic tissues as events required for clonal diseases such as cancers and atherosclerotic plaque.While throughput of linear DNAsequencing methods has increased dramatically, such methods are limited by high error rates (>10−3) rendering them unsuitable for the detection of low‐frequency risk‐conferring mutations among the many neutral mutations carried in the general population or formed in tissue growth and development. In contrast, constant denaturing capillary electrophoresis (CDCE), coupled with high‐fidelity PCR, achieved a point mutation detection limit of <10−5 in exon‐sized sequences from human tissue or pooled blood samples. However, increasing CDCEthroughput proved difficult due to the need for precise temperature control and the time‐consuming optimization steps for each DNAsequence probed. Both of these problems have been solved by the method of cycling temperature capillary electrophoresis (CTCE). The data presented here provide a deeper understanding of the separation principles involved in CTCEand address several elements of a previously presented two‐state transport model.
Multiscale simulation of small peptides: Consistent conformational sampling in atomistic and coarse‐grained models
Authors: Bezkorovaynaya Olga , Lukyanov Alexander , Kremer Kurt , Peter Christine
Published: February 2012

A bottom–up coarse‐graining procedure for peptides in aqueous solution is presented, where the interactions in the coarse‐grained (CG) model are determined such that the CG peptide samples conformations according to a high‐resolution (atomistic) model. It is shown that important aspects of conformational sampling, such as correlated degrees of freedom (DOF) which play an important role in secondary structure formation, can be reproduced in the CG description. In some cases, microscopic structural/conformational details are lost in the coarse‐graining process. We show that these “lost” properties can be recovered in a backmapping procedure which reintroduces atomistic DOF into CG structures — as long as the overall conformational sampling of the molecule is correctly represented in the CG level of resolution. Thus, it is possible to link an existing all‐atom model of a biomolecular system with a CG description such that after inverse mapping one can recover structures at high resolution with the correctly sampled (according to the atomistic model) conformational properties. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Specific energy consumption in electrochemical treatment of food industry wastewaters
Authors: Güven Güray , Perendeci Altunay , Özdemir Koray , Tanyolaç Abdurrahman
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND: Specific energy consumption (SEC) is an important factor in electrochemical treatment of wastewaters. SEC during electrochemical treatment of food industry wastewaters, specifically deproteinated whey wastewater (DWW), simulated sugar beet factory wastewater (SFW) and fruit juice factory wastewater (FJW), were investigated in this study. The effects of operational parameters applied voltage, and electrolyte and wastewater concentrations on SEC were assessed and optimized.

RESULTS: SEC values were found in the range of 0.27–148.65, 0.94–375.76 and 0.20–636.40 kWh (kg COD)−1 for DWW, SFW and FJW, respectively, after 8 h of reaction. Operational parameters were optimized at 25 °C through response surface methodology (RSM) where applied voltage was kept in the range (2–12 V), wastewater concentration and COD removal percent were maximized electrolyte concentration and SEC were minimized. Optimum conditions were estimated as 7.73 V applied voltage and 100% wastewater concentration in the presence of 27.11 g L−1 supporting electrolyte concentration to achieve 25.02, 67.74 and 43.10% COD removal for DWW, SFW and FJW with corresponding SEC values of 17.85, 22.79 and 80.47 kWh (kg COD)−1, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Providing further research on the reduction of SEC values, application of electrochemical treatment to food industry wastewaters with non‐biodegradable components may become an alternative to conventional methods. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
In vivo remineralization of acid‐etched enamel in non‐brushing areas as influenced by fluoridated orthodontic adhesive and toothpaste
Authors: Praxedes‐Neto Otávio José , Borges Boniek Castillo Dutra , Florêncio‐Filho Cícero , Farias Arthur Costa Rodrigues , Drennan John , Lima Kenio Costa De
Published: February 2012

This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo remineralization of acid‐etched enamel in non‐brushing areas as influenced by fluoridated orthodontic adhesive and toothpaste. One hundred and twenty teeth from 30 volunteers were selected. The teeth were assigned to four treatments: no treatment (negative control); 37% phosphoric acid‐etching (PAE) (positive control); PAE + resin‐modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC); and, PAE + composite resin. Patients brushed teeth with fluoridated (n= 15) or non‐fluoridated (n= 15) toothpastes, so that etched enamel was protected with screens and it was not in contact with the brush bristles. Remineralization was evaluated by means of laser fluorescence (LF), environmental scanning electronic microscopy, and energy dispersive spectrometry after extraction. The LF means were compared by means of Wilcoxon and Mann Whitney tests. Environmental scanning electron microscopy scores were compared among the groups using a Kruskal Wallis test, whereas the Ca/P ratio was evaluated by means of an Analysis of Variance with subparcels (treatments) and Tukey's post‐hoc test. There were no statistically significant differences between the tooth pastes and between the orthodontic adhesives evaluated. Most teeth presented only partial enamel remineralization. Therefore,the fluoride released by the RMGIC was not enough to cause increased crystal regrowth in the acid‐etched enamel. The use of fluoridated toothpaste did not provide positive additional effect. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
THE MAKING OF EXTRAORDINARY PSYCHOLOGICAL PHENOMENA
Authors: LAMONT PETER
Published: February 2012

This article considers the extraordinary phenomena that have been central to unorthodox areas of psychological knowledge. It shows how even the agreed facts relating to mesmerism, spiritualism, psychical research, and parapsychology have been framed as evidence both for and against the reality of the phenomena. It argues that these disputes can be seen as a means through which beliefs have been formulated and maintained in the face of potentially challenging evidence. It also shows how these disputes appealed to different forms of expertise, and that both sides appealed to belief in various ways as part of the ongoing dispute about both the facts and expertise. Finally, it shows how, when a formal Psychology of paranormal belief emerged in the twentieth century, it took two different forms, each reflecting one side of the ongoing dispute about the reality of the phenomena.
TIMOTHY LEARY'S MID‐CAREER SHIFT: CLEAN BREAK OR INFLECTION POINT?
Authors: DEVONIS DAVID C.
Published: February 2012

The psychologist Timothy Leary (1920–1996), an iconic cultural figure in the United States in the 1960s and afterward, has received comparatively scant attention in the history of psychology. This may be due to perceptions that, after a major career shift centering around his experimentation with psychedelic substances and his subsequent dismissal from Harvard in 1963, Leary parted company with the field. While there are several good reasons to adopt this view, examination of his entire career as well as his intellectual ancestry reveals unacknowledged continuities, suggesting that a more prominent place be accorded to him in the history of psychology, as well as to the challenges he poses.
Late Holocene Asian monsoon variations recorded in Lake Rara sediment, western Nepal
Authors: Nakamura Atsunori , Yokoyama Yusuke , Maemoku Hideaki , Yagi Hiroshi , Okamura Makoto , Matsuoka Hiromi , Miyake Nao , Osada Toshiki , Teramura Hirofumi , Adhikari Danda Pani , Dangol Vishnu , Miyairi Yosuke , Obrochta Stephen , Matsuzaki Hiroyuki
Published: February 2012

The Himalayas are a key location for understanding centennial‐ to millennial‐scale variations in the Asian monsoon, yet few studies of the late Holocene have been conducted in this sensitive area. Direct evidence for shifts in monsoonal wind strength is often limited to marine proxy records, while terrestrial reconstructions (e.g. lake levels and spleothems) focus on precipitation. Here, we present the first evidence of terrestrial summer monsoon wind strength changes from Lake Rara, western Nepal, based on Mn/Ti ratios, a proxy for lake stratification. These data indicate a link between the Arabian Sea and the Himalayas, suggesting that centennial‐ to millennial‐scale changes in wind strength occurred synchronously. Distinct similarity is also observed between Lake Rara and the southern part of China, which may support previous suggestions that the southern part of China is influenced by Indian summer monsoon. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Follow‐up after primary treatment of soft tissue sarcoma of extremities: Impact of frequency of follow‐up imaging on disease‐specific survival
Authors: Chou Yi‐Sheng , Liu Chun‐Yu , Chen Wei‐Ming , Chen Tain‐Hsiung , Chen Paul Chih‐Hsueh , Wu Hung‐Ta Hondar , Chiou Hong‐Jen , Shiau Cheng‐Ying , Wu Yu‐Chung , Liu Chien‐Lin , Chao Ta‐Chung , Tzeng Cheng‐Hwai , Yen Chueh‐Chuan
Published: February 2012

Background and Objectives

We explored the impact of frequency of surveillance imaging on disease‐specific survival (DSS) in patients with extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS).

Methods

Locoregional imaging (LRI) and chest imaging (CI) were used to detect local recurrence (LR) and distant metastasis (DM), respectively. Relapsing patients were retrospectively assigned to more frequent surveillance (MFS) or less frequent surveillance (LFS) groups, according to the median interval for each follow‐up modality. Outcome measures included overall DSS (O‐DSS), post‐LR DSS, and post‐DM DSS.

Results

We assigned 165 patients to three distinct risk groups according to tumor size (≤5 vs. >5 cm), depth (superficial‐ vs. deep‐seated), grade (I vs. II or III), and surgical margin (≥10 vs. <10 mm). Data for 80 patients who relapsed were analyzed. Among 50 high‐risk (with all four risk factors) relapsing patients, those in the MFS group for either LRI or CI had better O‐DSS (LRI, median 44.07 vs. 27.43 months, P = 0.008; CI, median 43.60 vs. 36.93 months, P = 0.036), post‐LR DSS (median 27.20 vs. 10.63 months, P = 0.028) and post‐DM DSS (median 13.20 vs. 6.24 months, P = 0.031).

Conclusion

More frequent follow‐up were associated with improved survival in high‐risk relapsing patients with extremity STS by providing greater opportunities for adequate reoperation. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:155–161. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modification and comparison of minimally invasive cochleostomy techniques: A pilot study
Authors: Cipolla Michael J. , Iyer Pritish , Dome Claudia , Welling D. Bradley , Bush Matthew L.
Published: February 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Bimodal stimulation may offer improved auditory function following cochlear implantation. Modification of technique during cochleostomy may minimize trauma and maximize residual hearing. We hypothesize that CO2 laser use during cochleostomy is useful and may decrease intracochlear trauma. This study examines the utility of CO2 laser to perform cochleostomy and compares intracochlear sound and temperature levels during laser and drill usage.

Study Design:

Experimental (30 cadaveric temporal bones).

Methods:

A CO2 laser at 3 W (four bones) and 6 W (four bones) and otologic drill (six bones) were utilized to perform a cochleostomy while recording operative time. Subsequently, 16 bones were used to simultaneously record intracochlear sound (in decibels) and temperature (in degrees Fahrenheit) during CO2 laser (eight bones) and drill cochleostomies (eight bones).

Results:

Average cochleostomy time for CO2 laser was 15.5 minutes (3 W) and 7.75 minutes (6 W); it was 8 minutes for the drill. Average intracochlear sound level was 54.9 dB during laser use and 89.9 dB during drill use (P < .001), whereas maximal levels were 75 to 118 dB during laser use and 95 to 136 dB during drill use (P = .018). Average temperature was 63.4°F during laser use and 61.5°F during drill use (P = .151), whereas maximum temperatures ranged from 66 to 120°F during laser use and 62 to 70°F during drill use (P = .045).

Conclusions:

CO2 laser can create cochleostomies comparable in operative time and intracochlear temperature to drilling while decreasing intracochlear sound levels. Further investigation is warranted to minimize trauma and maximize auditory function during cochleostomy.
Oscillating kernels and arbitrary decays in viscoelasticity
Authors: Tatar Nasser‐eddine
Published: February 2012

In this work we consider a viscoelastic problem with a kernel whose derivative may be positive on some subsets. Starting from a “generalized” necessary condition we show that it is in fact also sufficient to prove a decay of arbitrary type provided that the non‐decreasingness rate or/and zone of the kernel is small enough.
Constrained energy problems with external fields for vector measures
Authors: Zorii N.
Published: February 2012

We consider a constrained minimal energy problem with an external field over noncompact classes of vector measures (μi)i ∈ I of finite or infinite dimensions on a locally compact space. The components μi are nonnegative Radon measures satisfying normalizing conditions, supported by given Ai and such that σi − μi ≥ 0, the constraints σi, i ∈ I, being given. For a particular matrix of interaction between μi, i ∈ I, and a rather general class of positive definite kernels, sufficient conditions for the existence of minimizers are established and their uniqueness and vague compactness are studied. Examples illustrating the sharpness of the sufficient conditions are provided. We also analyze continuity properties of minimizers in the vague and strong topologies when Ai and σi are varied. Almost all results are valid also for classical kernels in \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$\mathbb R^n$\end{document}, which is important in applications.
Luminescent and Light Refractive Polymers: Synthesis and Optical and Photonic Properties of Poly(arylene ethynylene)s Carrying Silole and Tetraphenylethene Luminogenic Units
Authors: Jim Cathy K. W. , Lam Jacky W. Y. , Qin Anjun , Zhao Zujin , Liu Jianzhao , Hong Yuning , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: February 2012

A facile route for the synthesis of luminescent and light refractive polymers is proposed. Silole‐containing diyne and halogenated tetraphenylethene derivatives are synthesized and their coupling reactions furnish poly(arylene ethynylene)s with high molecular weights in high yields. All of the polymers are soluble and film‐forming and possess a high thermal stability. They emit strong green lights when their solutions and nanoparticle suspensions are photoexcited. The polymers show high refractive indices with low chromatic dispersions. Their RI values can be modulated and their thin films can be crosslinked using UV irradiation, generating negative photoresist patterns.
Divergent Synthesis of Ruthenium Alkynyl Dendrimers and a Two‐Photon Absorption Cross‐Section Dendritic Effect
Authors: Green Katy A. , Simpson Peter V. , Corkery T. Christopher , Cifuentes Marie P. , Samoc Marek , Humphrey Mark G.
Published: February 2012

Ruthenium alkynyl dendrimers up to second generation in size have been prepared by a divergent route and exploiting Sonogashira coupling. The cubic NLO properties have been examined by wide spectral range fs Z‐scan studies, revealing an NLO dendritic effect. The significant increase in NLO properties seen on generation increase is maintained when the coefficients are scaled by the number of metal atoms, the dendrimer molecular weights, or the number of “effective” (delocalizable π) electrons in the dendritic structures.
Comparing Measures of Promiscuity and Exploring Their Relationship to Toxicity
Authors: Wang Xiangyun , Greene Nigel
Published: February 2012

Recent research has focused on algorithms to derive numerical measures of selectivity based on panels of in vitro pharmacology assays so that one molecule’s activity profile may be compared easily with that of another. However, the questions concerning which method or algorithm is best to use, the optimal number of assays required to give an accurate measure of selectivity and the correlation of these measures to in vivo toxicity have remained largely unexplored. In this manuscript we describe a systematic approach to compare and contrast different calculation methods for promiscuity and determine the optimal number and constitution of a panel of assays to measure the selectivity/promiscuity of compounds across all targets. We then go on to examine their relationship to toxicity using a Pfizer proprietary compound set that has both selectivity profiles and exploratory toxicology study results. From this study we conclude that all five methods studied are useful in estimating compound selectivity; that a small panel of between 15 to 30 binding assays can be used as a surrogate for a broader panel enabling higher throughput with lower costs and this panel will most likely have the highest prediction power when correlating this measure to in vivo effects.
Surface water flow over a pervious pavement
Authors: Hsieh Ping‐Cheng , Chen You‐Cheng
Published: February 2012

This work investigates the profiles of surface water flow over a pervious pavement, for example, highway, during a uniform rainfall. The pavement, such as porous asphalt or open‐graded asphalt friction course, is regarded as a porous medium, and the flow inside the layer is porous media flow. At first, the velocity distributions are solved based on the simplified Navier–Stokes equations and Biot's theory of poroelasticity for the water layer and the permeable layer, respectively. Then, the flow profiles can be found via the continuity equation. Because the closed form of the water depth cannot be obtained, a numerical technique is employed to find the flow profiles on the pavement surface. A critical permeability factor related to the material and structure of pavement is illustrated to be η = 1.36 × 10− 4m as the half road width L = 20 m, the cross slope S = 0.02,the pavement thickness H = 0.05 m, and rainfall intensity i = 100 mm/h. The water on the road surface can be drained very fast, whereas the parameter is greater than the critical value. Another illustration of allowable/safety water depth is made for the design of the pavement thickness. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stabilization of projection‐based reduced‐order models
Authors: Amsallem David , Farhat Charbel
Published: February 2012

A rigorous method for stabilizing projection‐based linear reduced‐order models without significantly affecting their accuracy is proposed. Unlike alternative approaches, this method is computationally efficient. It requires primarily the solution of a small‐scale convex optimization problem. Furthermore, it is nonintrusive in the sense that it operates directly on readily available reduced‐order operators. These can be precomputed using any data compression technique including balanced truncation, balanced proper orthogonal decomposition, proper orthogonal decomposition, or moment matching. The proposed method is illustrated with three applications: the stabilization of the reduction of the Computational Fluid Dynamics‐based model of a linearized unsteady supersonic flow, the reduction of a Computational Structural Dynamics system, and the stabilization of the reduction of a coupled Computational Fluid Dynamics–Computational Structural Dynamics model of a linearized aeroelastic system in the transonic flow regime. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three Strategies to Prevent Unintended Pregnancy
Authors: Thomas Adam
Published: February 2012

This paper presents results from fiscal impact simulations of three national‐level policies designed to prevent unintended pregnancy: A media campaign encouraging condom use, a pregnancy prevention program for at‐risk youth, and an expansion in Medicaid family planning services. These simulations were performed using FamilyScape, a recently developed agent‐based simulation model of family formation. In some simulation specifications, policies’ benefits are monetized by accounting for projected reductions in government expenditures on medical care for pregnant women and infants. In a majority of these specifications, policies’ fiscal benefit‐cost ratios are less than 1. However, in specifications that account additionally for projected savings to programs that provide a broader range of benefits and services to young children, all three policies have benefit‐cost ratios that are comfortably greater than 1. The results from my preferred specifications suggest that the simulated policies would produce returns to taxpayers on each dollar spent of between $2 to $6. On the whole, the results of these simulations imply that all three policies are sound public investments.
Pine needle/isocyanate composites: Dimensional stability, biological resistance, flammability, and thermoacoustic characteristics
Authors: Chauhan Monika , Gupta M. , Singh B. , Singh A.K. , Gupta V.K.
Published: February 2012

The pine needle composites using isocyanate prepolymer were evaluated for their dimensional stability, flammability characteristics, biological resistance, and thermoacoustic properties. The thickness swelling and linear expansion of the composite panels affected significantly under wet conditions. The optimum flammability characteristics of the pine needle fibers were obtained at the retention of 7.48 kg/m3urea phosphate on their surfaces. During natural decay, the treated pine needle composites exhibited 4–8% weight loss compared to 9–13% for the untreated ones. The loss of internal bond strength in both the treated and untreated samples exposed to fungus culture ranged between 35 and 60% only. Termites caused ∼6% less weight loss than the untreated samples showing their moderate resistance behavior. The thermal conductivity and sound transmission loss of samples were 0.136 W/m K and 26.51 dB, respectively, showing their adequate insulation properties. It is concluded that isocyanate bonded pine needle composites can be suitably used as panel products in buildings. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Reduction of the filler network interaction in novel inner liner compound based on SBR/rectorite nanocomposite by glycerin
Authors: He Shaojian , Zhang Liqun , Wu Xiaohui , Lin Jun , Xi Meimei , Wang Yiqing
Published: February 2012

The high cost of halogenated butyl rubber, traditional inner liner compound, has been an obstacle for the further development of tire industry. SBR/rectorite nanocompound was developed to reduce the cost, but it has relatively poor processability because of strong filler network interaction. In this work, SBR/rectorite nanocompound filled with 60 phr rectorite was prepared by latex compounding method, and glycerin was introduced to reduce the filler network interaction, besides, aromatic oil was added to further improve the processability. The addition of glycerin or aromatic oil could not change the microstructure of the nanocomposite. FTIR spectra indicated the hydrogen bond interaction between glycerin and rectorite layers. RPA analysis showed that the filler network interaction was reduced by adding glycerin or aromatic oil. With the addition of glycerin, the mechanical property of the nanocomposites was improved, along with the disappearance of delayed vulcanization, and the high gasbarrier property was maintained. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Mechanical properties, chemical and aging resistance of natural rubber filled with nano‐Al2O3
Authors: Fu Ji‐Fang , Chen Li‐Ya , Yang Hui , Zhong Qing‐Dong , Shi Li‐Yi , Deng Wei , Dong Xing , Chen Yi , Zhao Guo‐Zhang
Published: February 2012

Al2O3 nanoparticles were introduced to natural rubber (NR) to investigate its reinforcement effect on filled NR vulcanizates. The results show that Nano‐Al2O3/NR nanocomposites exhibit significantly improved tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus, and tearing strength. Scanning electron microscopy analyses indicate that nanoparticles dispersed in NR matrix at nanoscale and show nano‐reinforcement effect on NR vulcanizates. The aging resistances of filled NR vulcanizates improve. After aging test, tensile strength, tearing strength, and modulus improved, and elongation at break decreased. These attribute to the crosslink maturation reactions, which result in the conversion of polysulfidic linkages into disulfidic and monosulfidic ones. The acid and alkaline resistances of nano‐Al2O3‐filled NR vulcanizates improve compared with that of unfilled NR systems. After acid and alkaline test, tensile strength and elongation at break improve, and modulus decrease. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Molecular simulation of the effect of graft structure on the miscibility of high‐impact polystyrene blends
Authors: Xue Zhaojun , Liu Xiaoyun , Zhuang Qixin , Hu Kun , Han Zhewen
Published: February 2012

High‐impact polystyrene (HIPS) is a kind of thermoplastic with good impact, which is considered to derive from the biphase of microstructure studied with SEM, etc. In this article, the influence of polystyrene (PS)/polybutadiene (PB) graft structure to the behavior of HIPS was studied through molecular simulation. The analysis of Flory‐Huggis parameter χ and radial distribution function (RDF) shows that the blend system of PS/PB has the best miscibility when the mass ratio of PS/PB is 60/40. In the toughening process, however, the graft copolymer PB‐g‐S is formed. For the PS/PB‐g‐S system with the same repeat unit of PS, PB‐g‐S chains with two grafts [PB‐g‐S(G = 2)] are better than PB‐g‐S chains with one graft [PB‐g‐S(G = 1)] in miscibility, which is in accord with the study of Fischer and Hellmann. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
What roles do boron substitutions play in structural, tautomeric, base pairing and electronic properties of uracil? NBO & AIM analysis
Authors: Tehrani Zahra Aliakbar , Abedin Azar , Shakourian‐Fard Mehdi , Fattahi Alireza
Published: February 2012

The synthesis of modified versions of deoxyribonucleic acid is an area that is receiving much attention. The replacement of the nitrogen atom on the nucleobases with boron atom has provided insight into deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid stability, recognition, and replication at the atomic level. In the present research, we investigated a detailed density functional theory study of the structural, tautomeric, base‐pairing ability, bond dissociation energy, and electronic properties of two boron analogues (i.e., boron substitutions at 4‐position and 5‐position of uracil) of uracil nucleobase. The effects of these modifications on theirs acid–base properties have been considered. Our goal is to gather data to help elucidate the structure and electronic properties of boron analogues of uracil.

Density functional theory calculations were performed using a nonlocal hybrid B3LYP and 6‐311++G (d,p) atomic basis set. The result of calculation revealed that the canonical ‘keto’ form is the most stable tautomeric form of uracil nucleobase and its boronated analogues in the gas phase at density functional theory and second‐order Møller–Plesset levels. Hyperconjugation stabilization factors that affect the stability of generated radicals and anions in these molecules were investigated by natural bond orbital analysis. Furthermore, quantum theory of atoms in molecules analysis was performed to extract the bond critical point properties of various base pairs. The electron density can be considered as a good description of the strength of the different types of hydrogen bonding. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lung aeration changes after lung recruitment in children with acute lung injury: A feasibility study
Authors: Boriosi Juan P. , Cohen Ronald A. , Summers Evan , Sapru Anil , Hanson James H. , Gildengorin Ginny , Newman Vivienne , Flori Heidi R.
Published: February 2012

Rationale

There are several adult studies using computed tomography (CT‐scan) to examine lung aeration changes during or after a recruitment maneuver (RM) in ventilated patients with acute lung injury (ALI). However, there are no published data on the lung aeration changes during or after a RM in ventilated pediatric patients with ALI.

Objective

To describe CT‐scan lung aeration changes and gas exchange after lung recruitment in pediatric ALI and assess the safety of transporting patients in the acute phase of ALI to the CT‐scanner.

Methods

We present a case series completed in a subset of six patients enrolled in our previously published study of efficacy and safety of lung recruitment in pediatric patients with ALI. Intervention: RM using incremental positive end‐expiratory pressure.

Results

There was a variable increase in aerated and poorly aerated lung after the RM ranging from 3% to 72% (median 20%; interquartile range 6, 47; P = 0.03). All patients had improvement in the ratio of partial pressure of arterial oxygen over fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) after the RM (median 14%; interquartile range: 8, 72; P = 0.03). There was a decrease in the partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) in four of six subjects after the RM (median −5%; interquartile range: −9, 2; P = 0.5). One subject had transient hypercapnia (41% increase in PaCO2) during the RM and this correlated with the smallest increase (3%) in aerated and poorly aerated lung. All patients tolerated the RM without hemodynamic compromise, barotrauma, hypoxemia, or dysrhythmias.

Conclusions

Lung recruitment results in improved lung aeration as detected by lung tomography. This is accompanied by improvements in oxygenation and ventilation. However, the clinical significance of these findings is uncertain. Transporting patients in early ALI to the CT‐scanner seems safe and feasible. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2012. 47:771–779. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Simple Way to Predict Heats of Detonation of Energetic Compounds only from Their Molecular Structures
Authors: Keshavarz Mohammad H.
Published: February 2012

A simple method to predict heats of detonation of important classes of energetic compounds including nitroaromatics, nitramines, nitroaliphatics, and nitrate esters is introduced. It is based on the ratios of oxygen to carbon and hydrogen to oxygen as well as the contribution of some specific functional groups or structural parameters. Predicted heats of detonation of pure explosives and explosive formulations with water as product in the liquid state for 77 energetic compounds provide more reliable results than those obtained using two empirical and quantum mechanical methods. This new method improves an earlier effort of previous models through its application for different categories of energetic compounds, which contain the energetic bonds ArNO2, NNO2, CNO2, and CONO2. In addition, the novel model provided good results for some miscellaneous explosives and several new synthesized explosives, where experimental data were available.
A panel of five circulating microRNAs as potential biomarkers for prostate cancer
Authors: Chen Zhang‐Hui , Zhang Guang‐Lin , Li Huan‐Rong , Luo Jin‐Dan , Li Zhong‐Xiang , Chen Ge‐Ming , Yang Jun
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND

Circulating microRNA (miRNAs) have been shown to have the potential as noninvasive diagnosis markers in several types of cancers. In this study, we investigated whether circulating miRNAs could be used in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (CaP) in a Chinese patient population.

METHODS

Illumina's Human v2 miRNA microarray was used to analyze miRNAs levels in a small set of patients [25 CaP, 17 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)] in an effort to identify CaP‐specific miRNAs. The identified miRNAs were further examined by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) in the same small set of patients. After the training phase of screening and selecting, the candidate miRNAs were validated in a larger independent cohort (80 CaP, 44 BPH, and 54 healthy controls) with qRT‐PCR in the verification phase.

RESULTS

Five miRNAs were confirmed by qRT‐PCR analysis in validation sets. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed all 5 miRNAs had diagnostic value. More importantly, further principal component analysis indicated component 1 extracted from expression data of the 5 miRNAs could differentiate CaP from BPH and healthy controls with high diagnosis performance, with an AUC of 0.924 and 0.860, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggested that circulating miRNAs could serve as biomarkers for CaP, and compared to single miRNA, the 5 miRNAs panel can accurately discriminate CaP from BPH and healthy controls with high sensitivity and specificity, and therefore, combined with routine PSA test, these 5 CaP‐specific miRNAs may help improve CaP diagnosis in clinical application. Prostate 72:1443–1452, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
NMR‐based insights into the conformational and interaction properties of Arkadia RING‐H2 E3 Ub ligase
Authors: Chasapis Christos T. , Kandias Nikolaos G. , Episkopou Vasso , Bentrop Detlef , Spyroulias Georgios A.
Published: February 2012

Arkadia (Rnf111), an E3 Ubiquitin (Ub) ligase, amplifies TGF‐β signaling responses by targeting for degradation of the negative regulators Smad6/7 and the SnoN/Ski transcriptional repressors when they block the TGF‐β effectors Smad2/3. The E3 ligase activity of Arkadia depends on its C‐terminal RING‐H2 domain that constitutes the docking site for the E2 Ub‐conjugating enzyme carrying the activated Ub. We determined the nuclear magnetic resonance solution structure of Arkadia's RING‐H2 domain and revealed a (β)ββα fold, fully consistent with the expected “cross‐brace” mode of Zn(II)‐ligation. In addition, the interaction of the Arkadia RING‐H2 domain with its E2 partner enzyme (UbcH5b) was examined through chemical shift perturbation. Proteins 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Essential Oil of Juniperus communis subsp. alpina (Suter) Čelak Needles: Chemical Composition, Antifungal Activity and Cytotoxicity
Authors: Cabral C. , Francisco V. , Cavaleiro C. , Gonçalves M. J. , Cruz M. T. , Sales F. , Batista M. T. , Salgueiro L.
Published: February 2012

Essential oils are known to possess antimicrobial activity against a wide spectrum of bacteria and fungi. In the present work the composition and the antifungal activity of the oils of Juniperus communis subsp. alpina (Suter) Čelak were evaluated. Moreover, the skin cytotoxicity, at concentrations showing significant antifungal activity, was also evaluated. The oils were isolated by hydrodistillation and analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal lethal concentration (MLC) were used to evaluate the antifungal activity of the oil against dermatophytes (Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale, T. rubrum, T. verrucosum), yeasts (Candida albicans, C. guillermondii, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, Cryptococcus neoformans) and Aspergillus species (Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, A. niger). Cytotoxicity was tested in HaCaT keratinocytes through the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Essential oil of J. communis subsp. alpina needles was predominantly composed of monoterpene hydrocarbons (78.4%), with the main compounds being sabinene (26.2%), α‐pinene (12–9%) and limonene (10.4%). Results concerning the antifungal activity demonstrated the potential of needle oil against dermatophytes, particularly for Microsporum canis and Trichophyton rubrum with MIC and MLC of 0.32 μL/mL. Furthermore, evaluation of cell viability showed no significant cytotoxicity in HaCaT keratinocytes at concentrations between 0.32 and 0.64 μL/mL. These results show that it is possible to find appropriate doses of J. communis subsp. alpina oil with both antifungal activity and a very low detrimental effect on keratinocytes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Large‐eddy simulations of surface influences on planetary boundary layer development in southwest Western Australia
Authors: Kala Jatin , Lyons Tom J. , Nair Udaysankar S. , Wu Yuling
Published: February 2012

Observations from near‐simultaneous atmospheric soundings released over contrasting land surfaces in the southwest of Western Australia during December 2005 (austral summer) and August 2007 (late austral winter or early spring) have shown higher planetary boundary layer (PBL) heights over native vegetation as compared to agricultural land. The large‐eddy simulation technique is used to investigate the drivers behind these observed differences in PBL, and sensitivity tests are carried out with modified soil moisture and vegetation cover. It is shown that the differences in PBL for the December case are mainly driven by the change in vegetation cover, while a soil moisture gradient also played a role for the August case. The mixing diagram approach is used to further quantify the relative contributions of surface and entrainment fluxes on the growth of the PBL and it is shown that, while dry‐air entrainment plays an important role in PBL development, it is the higher surface Bowen ratio which drives the more vigorous PBL development over the native vegetation. It is also shown that the enhanced PBL development over the native vegetation leads to the preferential formation of shallow convective clouds for the August case. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Climate change and global justice
Authors: Moellendorf Darrell
Published: February 2012

In this article, I examine matters concerning justice and climate change in light of current work in global justice. I briefly discuss some of the most important contemporary work by political philosophers and theorist on global justice and relate it to various considerations regarding justice and climate change. After briefly surveying the international treaty context, I critically discuss several issues, including climate change and human rights, responsibility for historical emissions and the polluter‐pays principle, the ability to pay principle, grandfathering entitlements to emit greenhouse gasses, equal per capita emissions entitlements, the right to sustainable development, and responsibility for financing adaptation to climate change. This set of issues does not exhaust the list of considerations of global justice and climate change, but it includes some of the most important of those considerations.WIREs Clim Change2012, 3:131–143. doi: 10.1002/wcc.158

This article is categorized under:

Climate, Nature, and Ethics > Climate Change and Global Justice
The many faces of empathy and their relation to prosocial action and aggression inhibition
Authors: Maibom Heidi L.
Published: February 2012

This article discusses the emotional reactions most commonly associated with empathy and their relation to prosocial or altruistic action, aggression inhibition, and understanding others. In What is Empathy?, I characterize the distinct emotional reactions most commonly associated with empathy: empathy, sympathy, personal distress, and emotional contagion. In Measures of Empathy, I discuss the most common measures of dispositional and situational empathy. In Empathy, Prosocial Action, and Altruism, I consider the evidence that empathy, sympathy, and personal distress induce prosocial motivation. I conclude that sympathy is most strongly associated with prosocial, even altruistic, motivation. In Empathy and Aggression Inhibition, I examine the evidence that empathy inhibits aggression. The evidence is inconclusive. In Empathy and Mindreading, I briefly discuss empathy and mindreading, with an eye toward recent evidence concerning mirror neurons. I conclude by linking our current understanding of empathy to the philosophical tradition, and by offering some speculative remarks. WIREs Cogn Sci 2012, 3:253–263. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1165

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Emotion and Motivation
Use of intraperitoneal radiotransmitters to study mountain lion (Puma concolor) Kittens
Authors: Moriarty Joanne Gale , Whited Lynn , Sikich Jeff A. , Riley Seth P. D.
Published: February 2012

Implantation of radiotransmitters in juvenile carnivores allows researchers to study little‐known life stages. In the field, we successfully implanted 7 mountain lion (Puma concolor) kittens from 2 litters in the Santa Monica Mountains (Los Angeles and Ventura Co., CA), 1 in 2004 and 1 in 2010, with intraperitoneal very high frequency radiotransmitters. We used Global Positioning System location data downloaded from their mothers' collars to locate the dens in their absence, and we hand‐captured the kittens at 3–4 weeks of age. The implant surgery proceeded without complication and the mothers returned promptly afterward. The transmitters allowed us to track these young mountain lions for 13–17 months, from neonates to subadults. Upon necropsy of 3 of the individuals as subadults, the implants appeared to have had no negative impacts on the animals. Implantable radiotransmitters provided a safe and effective method for following young mountain lions. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.