bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Motivation Theory to Develop a Transformative Consumer Research Agenda for Reducing Materialism in Society
Authors: Burroughs James E. , Chaplin Lan Nguyen , Pandelaere Mario , Norton Michael I. , Ordabayeva Nailya , Gunz Alex , Dinauer Leslie
Published: August 2012

Materialism represents a pervasive value in contemporary society and one that is associated with multiple negative consequences. Although a considerable amount of research has documented these consequences, little research has examined how materialism levels might be reduced. This article presents a research agenda for reducing materialism. The authors begin with an overview of the motivation theory of materialism, a humanistic perspective that holds that materialism is often an outward manifestation of deeper unmet psychological needs and insecurities. Thus, research that contributes to reducing materialism should do so by addressing these more fundamental inadequacies. To this end, the authors outline three emergent research areas that have potential to reduce materialism by enhancing self-esteem—namely, experiential consumption, prosocial giving, and healthy social development in children. The authors review research in each area, consider its relevance to the materialism question, and propose future research directions. They also present the public policy implications of these discussions.
Metacognitions about Consumer Protection and Individual Responsibility in the Credit Card Domain
Authors: Henry Paul , Garbarino Ellen , Voola Ranjit
Published: August 2012

This article explores how everyday consumers form opinions about consumer protection and individual responsibility in the credit card domain. A startling lack of research on the consumer perspective motivates this current project. Using secondary documents, the authors identify the contributing factors of (1) distrust of card providers, (2) attribution of blame to people experiencing credit card difficulties, (3) perceptions of inherent human fallibility, (4) belief that credit card use can cause financial misery, (5) sympathy toward those experiencing credit card difficulties, and (6) negative experience of card debt. They operationalize and assess these factors using an online survey. They then employ structural equation modeling analysis to explore the relationships among these six factors and to responsibility and protection beliefs. Finally, they discuss implications for consumer advocates, public policy makers, and others who aim to change consumers' beliefs about consumer protection and individual responsibility.
Mindfulness: A Long-Term Solution for Mindless Eating by College Students
Authors: Bahl Shalini , Milne George R. , Ross Spencer M. , Chan Kwong
Published: August 2012

The authors draw from psychology, neuroscience, and consumer behavior to explain how mindfulness as a trait and practice affects people's cognitive processing and behavior. An exploratory study examines how mindfulness practices could be applied to the marketing and public policy issue of mindless eating habits of college students. The authors present a mindfulness scale adapted from clinical psychology and use it to measure levels of students' mindfulness traits and their relationship both to mindless eating habits and to self-reported levels of stress. They repeat the same study with a group of students who had been practicing mindfulness. The findings show that mindfulness is negatively related to overeating and skipping meals. Furthermore, incidence of engaging in poor eating habits is lower for students who practice mindfulness. The authors outline a direction for future scholarship that incorporates mindfulness to address marketing and public policy issues in the domain of eating behaviors.
Raising Red Flags: The Change in Deceptive Advertising of Weight Loss Products after the Federal Trade Commission's 2003 Red Flag Initiative
Authors: Avery Rosemary J. , Cawley John H. , Eisenberg Matthew , Cantor Jonathan
Published: August 2012

This study investigates whether the Federal Trade Commission's Red Flag initiative (2003), which asked the media to voluntarily cease running ads for over-the-counter weight loss products that contained facially false statements, reduced deception in such ads. Strengths of the study include a large sample of ads in both magazines and on television; an extended postguideline period; and examination of a wide variety of statements, including those that are clearly false, those that are potentially deceptive, and warnings. The results indicate that (1) the Federal Trade Commission's Red Flag initiative is associated with a significant reduction in almost all false and potentially misleading statements, (2) the reduction in deception was greater for ads on television than those in magazines, and (3) a significant number of ads in the postguideline period continued to include false and potentially misleading statements. There is suggestive evidence of offsetting behavior; specifically, at the time that false statements were becoming less common, potentially misleading statements became more common. The author conclude by exploring implications for regulatory policy.
Reacquiring Consumer Waste: Treasure in Our Trash?
Authors: Brosius Nina , Fernandez Karen V. , Cherrier Hélène
Published: August 2012

The reacquisition of discarded objects reshapes linear consumption into a cycle, simultaneously reducing new resources consumed and reducing consumer waste. In this article, the authors examine sustainable consumption behavior in the context of the annual inorganic collection in Auckland, New Zealand. Depth interviews and observations revealed that the recognition that treasure can be found in trash was pivotal in motivating collectors to collect for themselves and others, prolonging the useful life of objects. Contrary to the “future-for-others” framing of sustainable consumption that is often evident in public discourse, collectors initially had a “present-for-us” perspective. However, being confronted with excessive waste made this negative consequence of consumerism more proximate, motivating subsequent sustainable consumption behavior. The authors suggest how public policy makers can take advantage of the finding that the desire to consume sustainably is both a motivator and a consequence of sustainable consumption.
Are All Proximity Effects Created Equal? Fast Food near Schools and Body Weight among Diverse Adolescents
Authors: Grier Sonya , Davis Brennan
Published: August 2012

Prior research has demonstrated that the proximity of fast-food restaurants to schools is related to higher youth body weight and also suggests that this relationship may be stronger in urban areas. Research also suggests that some segments of youth may be more vulnerable to this relationship than others. The authors investigate the relationship of fast-food proximity to middle and high schools and adolescent weight outcomes, with a focus on understanding intra-urban differences across groups defined by ethnicity and school income. Their results suggest that body weight associations with proximity to a fast-food restaurant from school are not equal for all youth. Black and Hispanic students at low-income and urban schools have higher associations between school–fast food distance and youth body weight, up to four times greater than general distance associations. The authors discuss their findings in light of the complexity of understanding the relationship between retail marketing proximity and weight-related associations among youth, as well as obesity disparities.
Sound Disclosures: Assessing when a Disclosure is Worthwhile
Authors: Kozup John , Taylor Charles R. , Capella Michael L. , Kees Jeremy
Published: August 2012

In this article, the authors introduce the notion of a “sound disclosure” and define it from the perspective of academic, business, and legal/policy (expert) constituencies. The authors define sound disclosure as the direct linkage of a policy standard to a dedicated, rigorous consumer testing methodology that measures explicitly stated communication objectives put forth in the policy. Sound disclosure results when the policy is influenced by the disclosure testing. Consequences of a sound disclosure testing regime can include withdrawing the disclosure from the marketplace because of harmful, unintended consequences to the target population or, conversely, adding supplementary materials (e.g., educational primes) to maximize the disclosure's effectiveness. Drawing from previous research, the authors illustrate various standards of sound disclosure efficacy.
Understanding the Fine Print: The Need for Effective Testing of Mandatory Mortgage Loan Disclosures
Authors: Perry Vanessa G. , Blumenthal Pamela M.
Published: August 2012

Prior research indicates that mandatory disclaimers increase consumer confusion and lead to inferior decisions. The authors examine the implications of these findings in the context of mandatory disclosures required by federal law for mortgage loan transactions. Research suggests that consumers can be confused when too much information is presented or disclosure information is too complex but falls short of concluding that all mandatory disclaimers increase consumer confusion and lead to inferior decisions. The literature lacks conclusive evidence of the effects of disclosures on decisions and outcomes, such as loan choice or performance, and research examining the role of disclosures in light of other social, contextual, or informational influences is scarce. Longitudinal, experimental evidence that controls for these factors is necessary to examine the effects of disclosures on decision quality. Better-designed research in this area could lead to significant improvements in public policy and consumer protection and result in a more efficient allocation of public resources.
Transient Redox Activity of Vanadyl Pyrophosphate at Ambient and Elevated Pressure
Authors: Shekari Ali , Patience Gregory S.
Published: August 2012

The transient catalytic activity of vanadyl pyrophosphate (VPP) catalyst was studied at ambient and elevated pressure (4.1 bar) and a wide range of operating conditions. The range included the commercial operating conditions typical of fixed bed, fluidized bed and circulating fluidized beds (CFB) for the partial oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride (MA). The maleic anhydride yield improved by increasing the feed oxygen molar fraction, temperature and pressure. When the catalyst was cycled between an oxidizing (synthetic air) and a reducing environment; yield increased with an increase in the catalyst residence time in the oxidizing environment. This effect was more pronounced at higher pressure. At ambient pressure, MA selectivity varied between 50-73 % while it decreased to about 48-54 % at a pressure of 4.1 bar. A strong MA selectivity dependency on feed composition was observed when the oxidation time was in the range of actual industrial reactors (< 1 minute). Selectivity data suggested that different oxygen species might be responsible for CO formation compared to other products such as CO2 and MA. Under oxidizing feed conditions (oxygen/n-butane ≥ than 3.7), an increase in n butane conversion was the main contributor to improved MA yield: n-butane conversion increased by about 70 % when the catalyst oxidation time extended from 0.3 to 10 minute. While, under fuel rich feed conditions, typical of industrial CFB operations, both MA selectivity and n-butane conversion contributed to enhancement in MA yield. Depending on the feed composition, MA selectivity increases by about 16-30 % and n butane conversion increases by about 32-55 % by extending the catalyst oxidation time. These results show the critical importance of catalyst oxidation time on reaction yield improvement especially when operating under fuel rich feed conditions. The surface adsorbed or surface lattice oxygen species were suggested to be the main responsible for n butane activation. While, the contribution of catalyst’s sub-surface lattice oxygen was believed to be very limited at fuel rich feed conditions. Under these conditions, catalyst over-reduction cannot be effectively compensated even after excessive catalyst regeneration and presence of gas phase oxygen is critical to maintain a high catalytic activity. As the reactor pressure increased to 4.1 bar, up to 60 % increase in n butane conversion accompanied by 100 % increase in oxygen conversion was observed. MA selectivity decreased by about 20 % on average but the increase in n-butane conversion resulted in an overall yield improvement of up to 30 %. Data show that the catalytic performance could be enhanced at certain combination of reactor pressure and temperature.
Fast Pyroylysis of Polyolefin Waste over Cracking Catalysts for Producing Hydrocarbon Fuels Using a Fluidized-bed Reactor
Authors: Wei Dr. Ta-Tung , Lin Prof. Yeuh-Hui
Published: August 2012

A mixture of post-commercial polyolefin waste (PE/PP/PS) was pyrolyzed over various micro- and mesoporous catalysts using a fluidized-bed reactor operating isothermally at ambient pressure. The yield of volatile hydrocarbons with zeolitic nano-catalysts (n-ZSM-5 > n-MOR > n-USY) were higher than with non-zeolitic catalysts (MCM-41 > ASA). MCM-41 with large mesopores and ASA with weaker acid sites resulted in a highly olefinic product mixture with a wide carbon number distribution, whereas n-USY yielded a saturate-rich product mixture with a wide carbon number distribution and substantial coke levels. A novel developed model based on kinetic and mechanistic considerations which take into account chemical reactions and catalyst deactivation for the catalytic degradation of commingled polyolefin waste has been investigated. This model represents the benefits of product selectivity for the chemical composition such as alkanes, alkenes, aromatics and coke in relation to the performance and the particle size selection of the catalyst used as well as the effect of the fluidizing gas and reaction temperature.
Potentiation of Etoposide and Temozolomide Cytotoxicity by Curcumin and Turmeric Force in Brain Tumor Cell Lines
Authors: Ramachandran Cheppail , Nair Smitha M. , Escalon Enrique , Melnick Steven J.
Published: August 2012

We have investigated on the potentiation of etoposide (ETP) and temozolomide (TMZ) cytotoxicity in U-87MG glioblastoma and D283 medulloblastoma cell lines by curcumin (CUR) and turmeric force (TF), a nutraceutical formulation of turmeric, with the objective of assessing the potential for their adjuvant use in brain tumor chemotherapy. While U-87MG cell line was generally resistant to TMZ, IC50 values for CUR and TF were 37.33 and 30.75 µg/ml, respectively. TF is the only agent that demonstrated efficacy at the IC90 level. When CUR or TF was combined with ETP and TMZ, increased chemotherapeutic efficiency in the U-87MG cells was observed. TF is highly cytotoxic to D283 Med cell line compared to curcumin with an IC50 value of 1.55 ug/ml. Although both CUR and TF potentiated ETP and TMZ cytotoxicity, TF is more efficient than CUR in both U-87MG and D283 Med cell lines. Treatment of U-87MG cells with the triple combination of TMZ+ETP+TF induced a high percentage of apoptotic cells. Potential mechanisms that may explain evidence of synergy include down regulation of p10 and p53 mRNAs and increase in BAX/Bcl-2 mRNA ratio. These pre-clinical results suggest that TF may be useful as an adjuvant with ETP and TMZ for brain tumor chemotherapy.
Operation of Multi DC Smart Grids Based on Renewable Energy Sources and Protection of DC Transmission Line
Authors: Nassor Thabit S. , Kina Masahiko , Senjyu Tomonobu , Yona Atsushi , Funabashi Toshihisa
Published: August 2012

This paper presents the operation under fault and protection of multi DC smart grids connected to the DC transmission line. The smart grid consists of wind turbine and photovoltaic generators, controllable loads, generator side and grid side inverters. The voltage stability of the DC bus voltage is attained by applying the power consumption control of controllable loads, the power control of grid connected converter and power control of renewable plants. On the other hand, the fault protection for short-circuit and low resistance ground fault at the DC transmission line was sighted. Simulation results based on PSIM are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the system.
Economic Justification for a V2G Facility in a Radial Distribution Network
Authors: Chukwu Uwakwe C. , Mahajan Satish M.
Published: August 2012

A V2G facility has the potential to reduce losses and loading in the power distribution network, thereby effecting savings and an increase in the generator, line and substation capacity for additional loading. In this paper, economic models are developed to compute the amount of economic incentives accruable from the penetration of V2G into the distribution network subject to two potential benefits of V2G: released generation capacity and reduced energy losses. The developed models were tested using IEEE test systems. Results from the test systems reveal that operational choice affects economic incentives. Hence, further analytical expression was developed to model operational formulation that will lead to economic incentives. This principal model was formulated to indicate the manner in which economic incentives can be impacted by decision variables, namely: loading pattern, V2G location and capacity injection. More than 95% released generation capacity was obtained. In addition, $37,775/year of economic incentive due to reduced power losses in the IEEE 123 Node test Feeder was observed. The results from the principal model showed that V2G promises significant economic incentives. It may be concluded, based on the results obtained, that proper system studies are necessary at the planning stage before installing a V2G facility.
Study of Transformer Switching Overvoltages during Power System Restoration Using Delta-Bar-Delta and Directed Random Search Algorithms
Authors: Sadeghkhani Iman , Ketabi Abbas , Feuillet Rene
Published: August 2012

In this paper an intelligent-based approach is introduced to evaluate harmonic overvoltages during three-phase transformer energization. In a power system that appears in an early stage of a black ‎start of a power system, an overvoltage could be caused by core ‎saturation on the energization of a three-phase transformer with residual flux. ‎Such an overvoltage might damage some equipment and delay ‎power system restoration. A new approach based on worst case determination is proposed to reduce time-domain simulations. Also, an artificial neural network (ANN) has been used to estimate the temporary overvoltages (TOVs) due to three-phase transformer ‎energization. ‎ Three learning algorithms, delta-bar-delta (DBD), extended delta-bar-delta (EDBD), and directed random search (DRS), were used to train the ANNs. ANN Training is performed based on equivalent circuit parameters of the network; thus trained ANN is applicable to every studied system. The ‎developed ANN is trained with the worst case of the switching condition and remanent flux, and ‎tested for typical cases. The simulated results for a partial of 39-bus New England test system, ‎show that the proposed technique can estimate the peak values and ‎durations of switching overvoltages with good accuracy and EDBD algorithm presents best performance.
Bactericidal Activity of Slightly Acidic Electrolyzed Water Produced by Different Methods Analyzed with Ultraviolet Spectrophotometric
Authors: Zheng Weichao , Cao Wei , Li Baoming , Hao Xiaoxia , Ni Li , Wang Chaoyuan
Published: August 2012

Slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) as a novel antimicrobial agent is generated by electrolysis of dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) and/or sodium chloride (NaCl) solution in a cell with or without a separating membrane. The ultraviolet absorption spectra were used to determine the concentration of hypochlorous acid (HClO) and hypochlorite ion (ClO–) in SAEW generated by four different methods and their bactericidal efficiency for inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enteritidis was evaluated. During the production of equivalent available chlorine in SAEW, more HClO was produced by electrolysis of HCl solution in a non-membrane generator and mixing the acid and alkaline electrolyzed water generated in a generator with membrane, compared with the methods of adding HCl to neutral electrolyzed water (NEW) and electrolyzing the mixture of NaCl and HCl solution in a non-membrane cell. At the 10 mg/L available chlorine concentration, SAEW produced by the methods with more HClO generation had significantly higher (p<0.05) bactericidal efficiency for inactivation of both pathogens.
Genomic and non-genomic actions of estrogen: recent developments
Authors: Azuma Kotaro , Inoue Satoshi
Published: August 2012

Estrogen affects transcriptional status by activating its corresponding nuclear receptor, the estrogen receptor (ER). It can also induce rapid cellular reactions within a few minutes, and this feature cannot be explained by the transcription-mediated effects of estrogen. The latter mechanisms are called ‘non-genomic actions’ of estrogen. In contrast, the former classic modes of action came to be called ‘genomic actions’. One of the recent developments of research on estrogen was the substantiation of the non-genomic actions of estrogen; these were initially observed and reported as intriguing phenomena more than 40 years ago. The interacting molecules as well as the biological significance of non-genomic actions have now been shown. In the field of genomic actions, invention and spread of new technologies, including high-throughput sequencers, promoted a comprehensive view of estrogen-mediated transcriptional regulation.
Multidrug resistance-associated ABC transporters – too much of one thing, good for nothing
Authors: Prochazkova Jirina , Lanova Martina , Pachernik Jiri
Published: August 2012

Overexpression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in cancer cells results in multidrug resistance (MDR) which leads to unsuccessful chemotherapy. The most important MDR-associated members of ABC superfamily are ABC B1/P-glycoprotein/MDR1, ABC C1/multidrug resistance associated protein 1 (MRP1), and ABC G2/BCRP. This study is not only focused on function, substrates, and localization of these popular proteins but also on other ABC C family members such as ABC C2–6/MRP2-6 and ABC C7/CFTR. Current research is mainly oriented on the cancer-promoting role of these proteins, but important lessons could also be learned from the physiological roles of these proteins or from polymorphisms affecting their function. Thorough knowledge of structure and detailed mechanism of efflux can aid in the discovery of new chemotherapy targets in the future. Although the best way on how to deal with MDR would be to prevent its development, we describe some new promising strategies on how to conquer both inherited and induced MDRs.
Diversity, occurrence, and habitats of the diatom genus Bacteriastrum (Bacillariophyta) in the northern Adriatic Sea, with the description of B. jadranum sp. nov.
Authors: Godrijan Jelena , Marić Daniela , Imešek Mirna , Janeković Ivica , Schweikert Michael , Pfannkuchen Martin
Published: August 2012

Ongoing phytoplankton monitoring programs over the last 12 years in the northern Adriatic Sea showed that the diatom genus Bacteriastrum is an important component of the pelagic diatom assemblage. The main goals of this study were to identify which Bacteriastrum species occur in the northern Adriatic Sea and describe their distributions. Bacteriastrum comosum and B. hyalinum f. princeps were rare, while B. delicatulum, B. hyalinum, and B. mediterraneum were frequently present, together with the newly proposed species B. jadranum, described herein. This new species is weakly silicified and is mainly characterized by a large aperture between each cell of the filament. Cells are connected to each other by 8–12 setae, which cross at a distance equivalent to the diameters of 2–3 cells. There is no difference in the orientation of the setae on the two terminal cells, hence the species is placed in the section Isomorpha. The new species was recorded throughout the study area, in both coastal and offshore waters, with higher cell abundances in the vicinity of the Po River during the September–October period. The maximum cell abundance of B. jadranum was 244.2×103cells l-1in the surface waters at 44.75666667ºN, 12.75ºE in September 2006, sometimes representing up to 46% of the entire phytoplankton assemblage, as recorded in the surface waters at 45.06833333ºN, 13.515ºE in October 2008.
Species composition, zonation, and biomass of marine benthic macroalgae in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard
Authors: Hop Haakon , Wiencke Christian , Vögele Barbara , Kovaltchouk Nikolaj A.
Published: August 2012

We surveyed macroalgae at Hansneset, Blomstrand (78°39′N, 11°57′E) in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, down to 30 m depth between 1996 and 1998. In total, 62 species were identified: 16 Chlorophyta, 25 Phaeophyceae, and 21 Rhodophyta. The majority of species (53.5%) belonged to the Arctic cold-temperate group, followed in frequency by species distributed from the Arctic to the warm-temperate region (25.9%). Four endemic Arctic species (Laminaria solidungula, Acrosiphonia flagellata, A. incurva, and Urospora elongata) were found. Two species (Pogotrichum filiforme and Mikrosyphar polysiphoniae) were new to Svalbard. Chlorophyta, Phaeophyceae, and Rhodophyta extended from the eulittoral zone down to 11, 21, and >30 m depths with maximum biomasses at 1–5 m, 5–10 m, and 5–30 m depths, respectively. Annual and pseudoperennial species had highest biomasses in the upper 5 m, while perennials were distributed deeper. The highest biomass (8600 g m-2 wet weight) at 5 m depth comprised mainly L. digitata, Saccorhiza dermatodea, Alaria esculenta, and Saccharina latissima. The biogeographic composition of macroalgae at Hansneset was rather similar to that of northeastern Greenland, but different from that of northern Norway, which has a higher proportion of temperate species. Climate warming and ship traffic may extend some of the distribution ranges of macroalgae from mainland Norway to Svalbard.
The invasive seaweed Sargassum filicinum (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) is on the move along the Mexican Pacific coastline
Authors: Riosmena-Rodríguez Rafael , Boo Ga Hun , López-Vivas Juan Manuel , Hernández-Velasco Arturo , Sáenz-Arroyo Andrea , Boo Sung Ming
Published: August 2012

Sargassum filicinum Harvey is an important ecological engineer in the subtidal regions of northeastern Asian waters, as it forms marine forests that provide shelter for invertebrates and fishes. First discovered in Long Beach Harbor, CA, USA, in 2003, S. filicinum was thought to occur mainly in the California Channel Islands and near Ensenada, Mexico. However, during a survey from 2007 to 2009, we found S. filicinum off Isla Natividad, which is an extension of its range 550 km south of its last recorded location in the Mexican Pacific. Morphological and molecular data support the identification of the species. Considering its faster spread from Ensenada to Isla Natividad (4 years) than Sargassum muticum (14 years), S. filicinum may follow the path of S. muticum and arrive at the subtropical-tropical Pacific coast of Mexico. Although S. muticum has become well established within the local seaweed flora, S. filicinum may replace native Sargassum species and change the composition of local marine floras.
Seasonal variation in the polyamines of Ecklonia maxima
Authors: Papenfus Heino Benoni , Stirk Wendy Ann , Finnie Jeffery Franklin , Van Staden Johannes
Published: August 2012

The seaweed concentrate (SWC) Kelpak® is made from Ecklonia maxima (Osbeck) Papenfuss and is used as a biostimulant in agriculture. Cytokinins and auxins have been identified in Kelpak® and are partly responsible for the growth-promoting effects observed. Other biologically active compounds such as polyamines (PAs) might also be present in the SWC. A study was carried out to investigate the PA levels in E. maxima and Kelpak®. The stipes, fronds, and SWC prepared from E. maxima were collected monthly over a 2-year period. Extracts were benzoylated, and endogenous PAs were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. Putrescine concentrations ranged from 6.10 to 40.40 μg g-1 dry weight (dw), from 15.98 to 54.46 μg g-1 dw, and from 0.98 to 5.51 μg ml-1 in the stipe, fronds, and SWC, respectively. Spermine concentrations ranged from 1.02 to 35.44 μg g-1 dw, from 1.05 to 27.35 μg g-1 dw, and from 1.27 to 4.95 μg ml-1 in the stipe, fronds, and SWC, respectively. Spermidine concentrations fell below the detection threshold. This is the first report of PAs being detected in a SWC. The seasonal pattern established for the stipe, frond, and SWC followed the same trend over a biennial cycle, with PAs accumulating in the seaweed tissue during periods of active growth and during periods of rough wave action (stress response).
Effects of ocean acidification on different life-cycle stages of the kelp Laminaria hyperborea (Phaeophyceae)
Authors: Olischläger Mark , Bartsch Inka , Gutow Lars , Wiencke Christian
Published: August 2012

Our objective for this study was to evaluate the influence of preindustrial and expected future atmospheric CO2 concentrations (280 μatm and 700 μatm pCO2, respectively) on different life-cycle stages of the kelp Laminaria hyperborea from Helgoland (Germany, North Sea). Zoospore germination, gametogenesis, vegetative growth, sorus formation and photosynthetic performance of vegetative and fertile tissue were examined. The contribution of external carbonic anhydrase (exCA) to C-supply for net-photosynthesis (net-PS) and the Chla- and phlorotannin content were investigated. Female gametogenesis and vegetative growth of sporophytes were significantly enhanced under the expected future pCO2. rETR(max) and net-PS of young vegetative sporophytes tended to increase performance at higher pCO2. The trend towards elevated net-PS vanished after inhibition of exCA. In vegetative sporophytes, phlorotannin content and Chla content were not significantly affected by pCO2.
Quality assurance and quality control in the routine molecular diagnostic laboratory for infectious diseases
Authors: Kessler Harald H. , Raggam Reinhard B.
Published: August 2012

Molecular diagnostics has become one of the dominant platforms in clinical laboratory medicine. Technological improvements, from automated sample preparation to real time amplification technology, provide the possibility to develop and run assays for a growing number of clinical questions. However, quality assurance and quality control issues have often remained underdeveloped but are still critical. To relate patient results to prior results or to absolute values in clinical practice guidelines, those results need to be comparable across time and methods. This may be achieved either by producing the identical value across methods and test versions or by using reliable and stable conversions. The establishment of international standards and reference materials is thus of paramount importance. This review focuses on general and specific issues relevant for quality assurance and quality control in the routine molecular diagnostics laboratory.
Measurement of factor XIII activity in plasma
Authors: Katona Éva , Pénzes Krisztina , Molnár Éva , Muszbek László
Published: August 2012

Coagulation factor XIII (FXIII) is converted by thrombin and Ca2+ into an active transglutaminase (FXIIIa) in the final phase of coagulation cascade. Its main function is the mechanical stabilization of fibrin clot and its protection from fibrinolysis by cross-linking of fibrin chains and α2-plasmin inhibitor to fibrin. In non-substituted patients FXIII deficiency is a severe hemorrhagic diathesis, not infrequently with fatal consequences. The main reason for using FXIII assays is the diagnosis of FXIII deficiency. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive critical evaluation of the methods reported for the determination of FXIII activity in the plasma. Such methods are based on two principles: 1) measurement of labeled amines incorporated by FXIIIa into a glutamine residue of a substrate protein, 2) monitoring ammonia released from a peptide bound glutamine residue by FXIIIa using NAD(P)H dependent glutamate dehydrogenase indicator reaction. The incorporation assays are sensitive, but cumbersome and time-consuming, they are difficult to standardize and cannot be automated. The ammonia release assays are less sensitive, but quick, well standardized, and can be automated; this type of assay is recommended for the screening of FXIII deficiency. The traditional clot solubility assay should not be used for this purpose.
Design and synthesis of heterocyclic enamine derivatives based on skeleton of neonicotinoids
Authors: Liu Chuanxiang , Yi Fengping , Zou Jianzhong
Published: August 2012

Novel heterocyclic enamine derivatives based on skeleton of neonicotinoids were designed and prepared by the substitution reaction between heterocyclic enamines with intermediates of neonicotinoids, which provides readily accessible neonicotinoid analogs for potential bioactivity assay.
Palladium-catalyzed cascade reactions of benzyl halides with N,N-diallyl-p-toluenesulfonamide
Authors: Wang Liansheng , Pan Yi , Hu Hongwen
Published: August 2012

Reaction of N,N-diallyl-p-toluenesulfonamide 1 with benzyl halides 2 in the presence of a palladium catalyst afforded a series of novel dihydropyrroles 3 in moderate yields. A palladium-catalyzed self-cyclization reaction of the diene 1 may take place to give a cyclic dihydropyrrole 4 during the reaction. It is proposed that the cyclic products 4 are formed via a palladium-catalyzed cascade cyclization-coupling process. Reaction of phenyl iodide 5 with 1 in the same condition afforded normal Heck vinylation products 6.
Fast and efficient microwave synthetic methods for some new 2(1H)-pyridone arabinosides
Authors: Abdou Ibrahim M. , Rateb Nora M. , Eldeab Hany A.
Published: August 2012

Two series of novel 3-cyano-2-(2′′,3′′,4′′-tri-O-acetyl-β-D-arabinopyranosyloxy)pyridones 5a–h and 9a,b were synthesized. Microwave irradiation has been used to obtain these products in high yield under milder conditions by the reaction of 2(1H)-pyridone or its salt with an activated arabinose. The silyl method was used to obtain the same nuclesides 5a–h and 9a,b. Triethylamine was used to remove the acetyl protecting groups from the sugar moiety and to produce the free nucleosides 6a–h and 10a,b in 85–91% yield.
Within-ring movement of free water in dehydrating Norway spruce sapwood visualized by neutron radiography
Authors: Rosner Sabine , Riegler Martin , Vontobel Peter , Mannes David , Lehmann Eberhard H. , Karlsson Bo , Hansmann Christian
Published: August 2012

This study is a first approach to visualize moisture distribution and movement between annual rings during sapwood drying by neutron imaging (NI). While Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] sapwood beams were allowed to dehydrate on a balance at ambient conditions, NI was performed in 1–10 min time steps. From NI raw files, radial dimensional changes were calculated during dehydration and transmission profiles were drawn for different relative moisture content (MC) steps from full saturation until equilibrium moisture content. The NI technique proved to be a useful tool to visualize the movement of free water within, and between, annual rings. Removal of free water in the middle part of the wood beam did not proceed continuously from the surface to the central part, but was strongly influenced by wood anatomy. Water is removed from earlywood during early stages of dehydration and later, at higher moisture loss (<50% MC), from the main latewood parts. It is therefore concluded that the radial dimensional changes measured at moderate moisture loss are not only caused by cell wall shrinkage of the outer wood parts located beneath the wood surface, but a result of elastic deformation of earlywood tracheids under the influence of negative hydrostatic pressures.
Necroptosis modulated by autophagy is a predominant form of melanoma cell death induced by sanguilutine
Authors: Hammerová Jindřiška , Uldrijan Stjepan , Táborská Eva , Vaculová Alena Hyršlová , Slaninová Iva
Published: August 2012

We show that the plant quaternary benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloid sanguilutine (SL) is a strong inducer of caspase-independent non-apoptotic death in human melanoma cells. Necrostatin-1, a specific inhibitor of necroptosis, completely reversed the cytotoxic effect of SL, suggesting that necroptosis was a predominant type of cell death induced by SL in these cells. In addition, we showed that SL can trigger an autophagic response, as confirmed by GFP-LC3 puncta formation and LC3-II accumulation. Interestingly, we observed a significant decrease in the viability of melanoma cells treated with combination of autophagy inhibitors (3-methyladenine, bafilomycin-A1 and LY294002) and SL. Our results further indicated that autophagy may serve as a pro-survival mechanism, delaying the induction of necroptosis in melanoma cells. The ability of SL to induce caspase-independent non-apoptotic cell death (necroptosis) suggests its possible therapeutic potential in the treatment of apoptosis-resistant melanoma tumours. Furthermore, SL might serve as a useful tool for studying the mechanisms of necroptosis and autophagy induction and the interplay between these two processes.
Biological and molecular analysis of the pathogenic variant C3 of potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) evolved during adaptation to chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Authors: Matoušek Jaroslav , Stehlík Jan , Procházková Jitka , Orctová Lidmila , Wullenweber Julia , Füssy Zoltan , Kováčik Josef , Duraisamy Ganesh S. , Ziegler Angelika , Schubert Jörg , Steger Gerhard
Published: August 2012

Viroid-caused pathogenesis is a specific process dependent on viroid and host genotype(s), and may involve viroid-specific small RNAs (vsRNAs). We describe a new PSTVd variant C3, evolved through sequence adaptation to the host chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) after biolistic inoculation with PSTVd-KF440-2, which causes extraordinary strong (‘lethal’) symptoms. The deletion of a single adenine A in the oligoA stretch of the pathogenicity (P) domain appears characteristic of PSTVd-C3. The pathogenicity and the vsRNA pool of PSTVd-C3 were compared to those of lethal variant PSTVd-AS1, from which PSTVd-C3 differs by five mutations located in the P domain. Both lethal viroid variants showed higher stability and lower variation in analyzed vsRNA pools than the mild PSTVd-QFA. PSTVd-C3 and -AS1 caused similar symptoms on chamomile, tomato, and Nicotiana benthamiana, and exhibited similar but species-specific distributions of selected vsRNAs as quantified using TaqMan probes. Both lethal PSTVd variants block biosynthesis of lignin in roots of cultured chamomile and tomato. Four ‘expression markers’ (TCP3, CIPK, VSF-1, and VPE) were selected from a tomato EST library to quantify their expression upon viroid infection; these markers were strongly downregulated in tomato leaf blades infected by PSTVd-C3- and -AS1 but not by PSTVd-QFA.
Mitophagy: mechanisms, pathophysiological roles, and analysis
Authors: Ding Wen-Xing , Yin Xiao-Ming
Published: August 2012

Mitochondria are essential organelles that regulate cellular energy homeostasis and cell death. The removal of damaged mitochondria through autophagy, a process called mitophagy, is thus critical for maintaining proper cellular functions. Indeed, mitophagy has been recently proposed to play critical roles in terminal differentiation of red blood cells, paternal mitochondrial degradation, neurodegenerative diseases, and ischemia or drug-induced tissue injury. Removal of damaged mitochondria through autophagy requires two steps: induction of general autophagy and priming of damaged mitochondria for selective autophagic recognition. Recent progress in mitophagy studies reveals that mitochondrial priming is mediated either by the Pink1-Parkin signaling pathway or the mitophagic receptors Nix and Bnip3. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge on the mechanisms of mitophagy. We also discuss the pathophysiological roles of mitophagy and current assays used to monitor mitophagy.
Methylation – an uncommon modification of glycans
Authors: Staudacher Erika
Published: August 2012

A methyl (Me) group on a sugar residue is a rarely reported event. Until now, this type of modification has been found in the animal kingdom only in worms and molluscs, whereas it is more frequently present in some species of bacteria, fungi, algae and plants, but not in mammals. The monosaccharides involved as well as the positions of the Me groups on the sugar vary with species. Methylation appears to play a role in some recognition events, but details are still unknown. This review summarises the current knowledge on methylation of sugars in all types of organism.
Synthesis and biological actions of diphosphoinositol phosphates (inositol pyrophosphates), regulators of cell homeostasis
Authors: Wundenberg Torsten , Mayr Georg W.
Published: August 2012

Diphosphoinositol phosphates are a subclass of inositol phosphates possessing one or two high energy diphosphate groups instead of phosphoester substituents of the myo-inositol. Here we describe the enzymes responsible for their synthesis and degradation and how these may be regulated. Formation of diphosphoinositol phosphates in yeast and mammals is driven by an increase of the cellular energy charge, a lack of inorganic phosphate, and in mammals by osmotic or heat stress and in some cases by receptor mediated signaling. Known cellular actions are an improvement of the cell homeostasis by a reduction of the energy charge, increased phosphate uptake, improvement of mitochondrial performance, and an increase of insulin secretion in mammals. The underlying molecular mechanisms of action are far from being clarified but an increasing body of knowledge about molecular details has highlighted their complex participation in many cellular systems and metabolic processes.
Anticancer peptide NK-2 targets cell surface sulphated glycans rather than sialic acids
Authors: Gross Stephanie , Andrä Jörg
Published: August 2012

Some antimicrobial peptides have emerged as potential anticancer agents. In contrast to chemotherapeutics, they act primarily by physical disruption of the cancer cell membrane. Selective targeting of these cationic peptides still remains elusive. We focus on the interaction of α-helical peptides NK-2, cathelicidin LL32, and melittin with PC-3 prostate cancer cells, and we provide strong evidence that, amongst the anionic glycans covering the cell surface, sulphated carbohydrates rather than sialic acids are the preferred interaction sites of the peptides. To test the significance of cell surface carbohydrates, a glycan microarray screen with fluorescently labelled peptides has been performed. Amongst 465 mammalian glycan structures on the chip, more than 20 different sulphated glycans were detected as the preferred binding partners of the peptide NK-2. The amount of peptide bound to sialic acid containing oligosaccharides was close to background level. These findings were consistent with microcalorimetric experiments revealing high and low binding enthalpies of peptides to sulphated carbohydrates and to sialic acid, respectively. Enzymatic desialylation of PC-3 cells did not affect peptide-mediated changes in cell metabolism, cell membrane permeabilisation, killing rate, and kinetics. Finally, the cytotoxicity of all peptides could be drastically impaired through the competitive inhibition by chondroitin sulphate, but not by sialic acid and sialylated fetuin.
Exportin T and Exportin 5: tRNA and miRNA biogenesis – and beyond
Authors: Leisegang Matthias S. , Martin Roman , Ramírez Ana S. , Bohnsack Markus T.
Published: August 2012

The biogenesis of most eukaryotic kinds of RNA requires nuclear export, which is mediated by a variety of specific nuclear transport receptors. The nuclear export receptors Exportin-t (Exp-t) and Exportin 5 (Exp5), and their homologues, are involved in the export of transfer RNA to the cytoplasm. Exp5 is further involved in additional nucleocytoplasmic transport pathways, which include nuclear export of microRNA precursors (pre-miRNAs) and pre-60S ribosomal subunits. Inactivation of Exp5 results in nuclear accumulation of pre-miRNAs and perturbation of gene expression, and its mutation was recently found in malignant diseases. Here, we compare the cellular function of Exp5 and Exp-t with focus on Exp5 substrates and its role in diseases.
Identifi cation of protease exosite-interacting peptides that enhance substrate cleavage kinetics
Authors: Jabaiah Abeer M. , Getz Jennifer A. , Witkowski Witold A. , Hardy Jeanne A. , Daugherty Patrick S.
Published: August 2012

Many peptidases are thought to require non-active site interaction surfaces, or exosites, to recognize and cleave physiological substrates with high specifi city and catalytic effi ciency. However, the existence and function of protease exosites remain obscure owing to a lack of effective methods to identify and characterize exosite-interacting substrates. To address this need, we modifi ed the cellular libraries of peptide substrates (CLiPS) methodology to enable the discovery of exosite-interacting peptide ligands. Invariant cleavage motifs recognized by the active sites of thrombin and caspase-7 were displayed on the outer surface of bacteria adjacent to a candidate exosite-interacting peptide. Exosite peptide libraries were then screened for ligands that accelerate cleavage of the active site recognition motif using two-color fl ow cytometry. Exosite CLiPS (eCLiPS) identifi ed exosite-binding peptides for thrombin that were highly similar to a critical exosite interaction motif in the thrombin substrate, proteaseactivated receptor 1. Protease activity probes incorporating exosite-binding peptides were cleaved ten-fold faster than substrates without exosite ligands, increasing their sensitivity to thrombin activity in vitro. For comparison, screening with caspase-7 yielded peptides that modestly enhanced (two-fold) substrate cleavage rates. The eCLiPS method provides a new tool to profi le the ligand specifi city of protease exosites and to develop improved substrates.
A sensitive gel-based global O-glycomics approach reveals high levels of mannosyl glycans in the high mass region of the mouse brain proteome
Authors: Breloy Isabelle , Pacharra Sandra , Aust Christina , Hanisch Franz-Georg
Published: August 2012

We developed a gel-based global O-glycomics method applicable for highly complex protein mixtures entrapped in discontinuous gradient gel layers. The protocol is based on in-gel proteolysis with pronase followed by (glyco)peptide elution and off-gel reductive β-elimination. The protocol offers robust performance with sensitivity in the low picomolar range, is compatible with gel-based proteomics, and shows superior performance in global applications in comparison with workflows eliminating glycans in-gel or from electroblotted glycoproteins. By applying this method, we analyzed the O-glycome of human myoblasts and of the mouse brain O-glycoproteome. After semipreparative separation of mouse brain proteins by one-dimensional SDS gel electrophoresis, the O-glycans from proteins in different mass ranges were characterized with a focus on O-mannose-based glycans. The relative proportion of the latter, which generally represent a rare modification, increases to comparatively high levels in the mouse brain proteome in dependence of increasing protein masses.
Metabelian groups that admit triality
Authors: Gagola III Stephen M.
Published: August 2012

A problem proposed by Grishkov asks if every metabelian triality group has a corresponding Moufang loop which is a group. Here we show that if minimal counter-examples exist, then such triality groups have to be
Classifications of countably-based abelian profinite groups
Authors: Kiehlmann Jonathan A.
Published: August 2012

In the first half of this paper, we outline the construction of a new class of abelian pro-