bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proinflammatory cytokine interferon‐γ increases induction of indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase in monocytic cells primed with amyloid β peptide 1–42: implications for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Yamada Akiko , Akimoto Hidetoshi , Kagawa Syota , Guillemin Gilles J. , Takikawa Osamu
Published: May 2009

Indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) is the rate‐limiting enzyme of the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism, ultimately leading to production of the excitotoxin quinolinic acid (QUIN) by monocytic cells. In the Tg2576 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, systemic inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide leads to an increase in IDO expression and QUIN production in microglia surrounding amyloid plaques. We examined whether the IDO over‐expression in microglia could be mediated by brain proinflammatory cytokines induced during the peripheral inflammation using THP‐1 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as models for microglia. THP‐1 cells pre‐treated with 5–25 μM amyloid β peptide (Aβ) (1–42) but not with Aβ (1–40) or Aβ (25–35) became an activated state as indicated by their morphological changes and enhanced adhesiveness. IDO expression was only slightly increased in the reactive cells but strongly enhanced following treatment with proinflammatory cytokine interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) but not with interleukin‐1β, tumor necrosis factor‐α, or interleukin‐6 at 100 U/mL. The concomitant addition of Aβ (1–42) with IFN‐γ was totally ineffective, indicating that Aβ pre‐treatment is prerequisite for a high IDO expression. The priming effect of Aβ (1–42) for the IDO induction was also observed for PBMC. These findings suggest that IFN‐γ induces IDO over‐expression in the primed microglia surrounding amyloid plaques.
Vulnerability to glutamate toxicity of dopaminergic neurons is dependent on endogenous dopamine and MAPK activation
Authors: Izumi Yasuhiko , Yamamoto Noriyuki , Matsuo Takaaki , Wakita Seiko , Takeuchi Hiroki , Kume Toshiaki , Katsuki Hiroshi , Sawada Hideyuki , Akaike Akinori
Published: May 2009

Dopaminergic neurons are more vulnerable than other types of neurons in cases of Parkinson disease and ischemic brain disease. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that endogenous dopamine plays a role in the vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons. Although glutamate toxicity contributes to the pathogenesis of these disorders, the sensitivity of dopaminergic neurons to glutamate toxicity has not been clarified. In this study, we demonstrated that dopaminergic neurons were preferentially affected by glutamate toxicity in rat mesencephalic cultures. Glutamate toxicity in dopaminergic neurons was blocked by inhibiting extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), c‐junN‐terminal kinase, and p38 MAPK. Furthermore, depletion of dopamine by α‐methyl‐dl‐p‐tyrosine methyl ester (α‐MT), an inhibitor of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), protected dopaminergic neurons from the neurotoxicity. Exposure to glutamate facilitated phosphoryration of TH at Ser31 by ERK, which contributes to the increased TH activity. Inhibition of ERK had no additive effect on the protection offered by α‐MT, whereas α‐MT and c‐junN‐terminal kinase or p38 MAPK inhibitors had additive effects and yielded full protection. These data suggest that endogenous dopamine is responsible for the vulnerability to glutamate toxicity of dopaminergic neurons and one of the mechanisms may be an enhancement of dopamine synthesis mediated by ERK.
Myoglobin as a prognostic indicator for outcome in dogs with gastric dilatation‐volvulus
Authors: Adamik Katja N. , Burgener Iwan A. , Kovacevic Alan , Schulze Sebastian P. , Kohn Barbara
Published: May 2009

Objective –To determine whether myoglobin (Mb) is a useful prognostic indicator for outcome and to investigate any relationship between Mb and mortality in dogs with gastric dilatation‐volvulus (GDV).

Design –Prospective study.

Setting –Veterinary teaching hospital.

Animals –Seventy‐two dogs with GDV.

Interventions –Blood sampling.

Measurements and Main Results –Mb levels were measured at the time of diagnosis (Mbt0), 24 hours (Mbt1), and 48 hours (Mbt2) after signs of GDV were recognized. Fifty‐seven dogs survived (group I) and 15 dogs did not survive (group II). Mb t0differed significantly between groups (P=0.04). Mbt0in group I ranged from <30 to >700 ng/mL (n=57, median 74 ng/mL), and in group II from 34 to >700 ng/mL (n=15, median 238 ng/mL). Analysis of a receiver operating characteristic curve of Mbt0suggested that the best single cutpoint would be 168 ng/mL (sensitivity 60.0%, specificity 84.2%). Fifty percent of dogs with Mbt0>168 ng/mL were euthanized, while 88.9% with Mbt0<168 ng/mL survived. Mbt1and Mbt2differed significantly between groups I and II. Mbt1in group I ranged from 32 to >700 ng/mL (n=55, median 123 ng/mL), and Mbt1in group II ranged from 131 to 643 ng/mL (n=7, median 343 ng/mL) (P=0.006). Mbt2in group I ranged from 30 to 597 ng/mL (n=54, median 101 ng/mL), and in group II from 141 to >700 ng/mL (n=8, median 203 ng/mL) (P=0.02).

Conclusions –In this study, Mbt0is a moderately sensitive and specific prognostic indicator. Almost 90% of the dogs below the cutpoint survived to discharge, whereas 50% with Mbt0above the cutpoint did not survive.
Urocortin 1 improves renal function in rats with streptozotocin‐induced diabetes by inhibiting overproduction of TGF‐β1 and VEGF
Authors: Li Xuan , Hu Jue , Zhang Qichun , Sun Xiaoyu , Li Shengnan
Published: May 2009

Background and purpose:  Renal function can be assessed by measuring albuminuria and glomerular filtration rate, and the latter is often estimated by creatinine clearance rate (Ccr). Transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are two important factors involved in the progressive loss of renal function in diabetic nephropathy (DN), especially in terms of albuminuria. We investigated the effect of urocortin 1 on renal function of rats with DN and the mechanisms involved.

Experimental approach:  A modified rat model of DN (multiple injections of low‐dose streptozotocin and complete Freund's adjuvant) and a rat mesangial cell line were used. Albuminuria and Ccr were measured or calculated. Expression and secretion of TGF‐β1 and VEGF were measured by immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) or enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (R&D System, Inc., Minneapolis, MA, USA). Urocortin 1 and astressin [a non‐selective antagonist of corticotrophin‐releasing factor (CRF) receptors] were given as daily injections for 8 weeks.

Key results:  Treatment of DN rats with urocortin 1 decreased albuminuria, renal weight and overexpression of TGF‐β1 and VEGF but enhanced Ccr. Furthermore, VEGF mRNA was increased in kidneys of DN rats, and this increase was reduced by treatment with urocortin 1. The secretion of VEGF induced by TGF‐β1 in mesangial cells was inhibited by urocortin 1 pretreatment. Astressin given with urocortin 1 prevented most of the effects of urocortin 1, in our models, in vivo or in vitro.

Conclusion and implications:  Our results strongly suggest that urocortin 1 improved renal function in rats with DN by inhibiting the overproduction of TGF‐β1 and VEGF.
An estimation of β2‐adrenoceptor reserve on human bronchial smooth muscle for some sympathomimetic bronchodilators
Authors: Giembycz Mark A
Published: May 2009

Background and purpose: The β2‐Adrenoceptor on human pro‐inflammatory cells is exquisitely sensitive to desensitization, whereas β2‐adrenoceptor‐mediated relaxation of human airways smooth muscle (HASM) is relatively resistant to this phenomenon. An explanation for this discrepancy is that a large β2‐adrenoceptor ‘reserve’ exists on HASM cells for sympathomimetic bronchodilators, which protects against desensitization.

Experimental approach: The operational model of agonism was used to estimate the affinity of salbutamol, terbutaline, formoterol and procaterol for the β2‐adrenoceptors in methacholine (MCh)‐contracted HASM from which the relationship between fractional receptor occupancy and relaxation was determined. This analysis was performed under conditions of fractional, irreversible, β2‐adrenoceptor inactivation and, for salbutamol and terbutaline only, by the comparative method of Barlowet al.The affinity of salbutamol for the β2‐adrenoceptor guinea‐pig eosinophils and the receptor/occupancy‐response relationship for the suppression of the respiratory burst (an index of pro‐inflammatory cell function) was also determined.

Key results: For salbutamol and terbutaline, both pharmacological approaches yielded in HASM discrepant affinity estimates (values differed, maximally, by 0.67 log10unit). However, affinity values more closely agreed (difference <0.47 log10unit), when operational analysis was performed on data corrected for ‘fade’ of the MCh‐induced contraction. Plots of fractional β2‐adrenoceptor occupancy versus relaxation indicated a receptor ‘reserve’ for all agonists tested at all levels of response. In contrast, minimal receptor reserve was detected for the ability of salbutamol to suppress respiratory burst activity in eosinophils.

Conclusions and implications: These data may help explain the relative inability of sympathomimetic bronchodilators to render HASM tolerant to β2‐adrenoceptor‐mediated relaxation.
A Realistic Assessment of the Indicator Potential of Butterflies and Other Charismatic Taxonomic Groups
Authors: FLEISHMAN ERICA , MURPHY DENNIS D.
Published: May 2009

Abstract: Charismatic groups of animals and plants often are proposed as sentinels of environmental status and trends. Nevertheless, many claims that a certain taxonomic group can provide more‐general information on environmental quality are not evaluated critically. To address several of the many definitions of indicator species, we used butterflies to explore in some detail the attributes that affect implementation of indicators generically. There probably are few individual species, or sets of species, that can serve as scientifically valid, cost‐effective measures of the status or trend of an environmental phenomenon that is difficult to measure directly. Nevertheless, there are species with distributions, abundances, or demographic characteristics that are responsive to known environmental changes. In this context, single or multiple species can serve as indicators when targets are defined explicitly, ecological relationships between the target and the putative indicators are well understood, and data are sufficient to differentiate between deterministic and stochastic responses. Although these situations exist, they are less common than might be apparent from an extensive and often confounded literature on indicators. Instead, the public appeal of charismatic groups may be driving much of their acclaim as indicators. The same taxon may not be appropriate for marketing a general conservation mission and for drawing strong inference about specific environmental changes. To provide insights into the progress of conservation efforts, it is essential to identify scientific and practical criteria for selection and application of indicators and then to examine whether a given taxonomic group meets those criteria.
Vectors and Timing of Freshwater Invasions in Great Britain
Authors: KELLER REUBEN P. , ZU ERMGASSEN PHILINE S. E. , ALDRIDGE DAVID C.
Published: May 2009

Abstract: Nonindigenous freshwater species cause large ecological and economic impacts in Great Britain. In response the government is in the process of implementing a broad, new nonindigenous species strategy. We assembled a list of all nonindigenous freshwater species that are or were established in Great Britain, their date of first record, and their vector of introduction. This list provides a baseline against which the success of new policies can be assessed. Because the biota of Great Britain has been well recorded, our results provide a highly resolved case study of the vectors and drivers of species transport and establishment. A total of 117 nonindigenous freshwater species are currently established in Great Britain; a further 17 species were once established but are now extirpated. Between 1800 and 2000 the number of established species increased at an accelerating rate, and this increase correlated with the growth in human population and gross domestic product. The construction of large reservoirs in Great Britain occurred over a short period and overlapped high rates of new species establishment, indicating that habitat modification may have been an important driver of establishment. Nonindigenous species now account for 24% of fish, 12% of plant, 54% of amphibian, and 88% of decapod crustacean freshwater species richness in Great Britain. The ornamental trades have been responsible for the greatest percentages of intentionally (73%) and unintentionally (34%) introduced species that have become established. Shipping and aquaculture have also been strong vectors. These vectors should be prioritized for management within the new nonindigenous species strategy.
Serial surgical debridement: A retrospective study on clinical outcomes in chronic lower extremity wounds
Authors: Cardinal Matthew , Eisenbud David E. , Armstrong David G. , Zelen Charles , Driver Vickie , Attinger Christopher , Phillips Tania , Harding Keith
Published: May 2009

This investigation was conducted to determine if a correlation exists between wound healing outcomes and serial debridement in chronic venous leg ulcers (VLUs) and diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). We retrospectively analyzed the results from two controlled, prospective, randomized pivotal trials of topical wound treatments on 366 VLUs and 310 DFUs over 12 weeks. Weekly wound surface area changes following debridement and 12‐week wound closure rates between centers and patients were evaluated. VLUs had a significantly higher median wound surface area reduction following clinical visits with surgical debridement as compared with clinical visits with no surgical debridement (34%, p=0.019). Centers where patients were debrided more frequently were associated with higher rates of wound closure in both clinical studies (p=0.007 VLU, p=0.015 DFU). Debridement frequency per patient was not statistically correlated to higher rates of wound closure; however, there was some minor evidence of a positive benefit of serial debridement in DFUs (odds ratio—2.35, p=0.069). Our results suggest that frequent debridement of DFUs and VLUs may increase wound healing rates and rates of closure, though there is not enough evidence to definitively conclude a significant effect. Future clinical research in wound care should focus on the relationship between serial surgical wound debridement and improved wound healing outcomes as demonstrated in this study.
Variable Selection in the Cox Regression Model with Covariates Missing at Random
Authors: Garcia Ramon I. , Ibrahim Joseph G. , Zhu Hongtu
Published: May 2009

Summary We consider variable selection in the Cox regression model (Cox, 1975, Biometrika 362, 269–276) with covariates missing at random. We investigate the smoothly clipped absolute deviation penalty and adaptive least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) penalty, and propose a unified model selection and estimation procedure. A computationally attractive algorithm is developed, which simultaneously optimizes the penalized likelihood function and penalty parameters. We also optimize a model selection criterion, called the ICQ statistic (Ibrahim, Zhu, and Tang, 2008, Journal of the American Statistical Association 103, 1648–1658), to estimate the penalty parameters and show that it consistently selects all important covariates. Simulations are performed to evaluate the finite sample performance of the penalty estimates. Also, two lung cancer data sets are analyzed to demonstrate the proposed methodology.
Factors affecting cold hardiness in the small striped flea beetle, Phyllotreta undulata
Authors: Hiiesaar Külli , Williams Ingrid , Luik Anne , Metspalu Luule , Muljar Riin , Jõgar Katrin , Karise Reet , Mänd Marika , Svilponis Eha , Ploomi Angela
Published: May 2009

The striped flea beetle, Phyllotreta undulata Kutschera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a pest of cruciferous crops. It overwinters as an adult. During winter in northern European countries, such as Estonia, it is subject to sometimes severe temperatures that may fluctuate daily, over the season, and between seasons. The objective of this study was to investigate factors that affect its cold hardiness. In a series of five experiments, the effects of food plant, starvation, and acclimatization on the beetles’ ability to supercool and survive exposure to sub‐zero temperatures was investigated. The supercooling points (SCP) of overwintered beetles field‐collected from white mustard and Indian mustard differed from those caught from white cabbage and oilseed rape, but these differences disappeared after a 4‐day period of starvation at room temperature, indicating that gut content probably influences the potential to supercool. The duration and temperature of acclimation affected SCP in overwintered beetles. The decrease in SCP was more rapid at 22 °C than at 0 °C, probably because of faster dehydration and gut evacuation at the higher temperature. Acclimation at 0 °C for a week increased the ability of overwintered beetles to survive sub‐zero temperatures, lowering both SCP and lower lethal temperature (LLT50). Some pre‐freeze mortality occurred; SCP and LLT50 were correlated but the latter was a constant 3 °C higher than the former. The SCP of field‐collected pre‐winter beetles decreased gradually during the autumn. It also decreased when field‐collected pre‐winter beetles were acclimated at 0 °C in the laboratory, attaining its lowest level after 18 days. Phyllotreta undulata is well‐adapted to unstable and sometimes severe winter conditions; its high potential to supercool enhances its cold hardiness and ability to survive short periods at sub‐zero temperatures although it cannot survive freezing of its body fluids.
Peritoneal mesothelioma presenting as a skin nodule
Authors: Abban Cynthia , Viglione Michael
Published: May 2009

Mesothelioma is a malignancy of the pleura, pericardium and peritoneum that is rarely seen in cutaneous biopsies. We present a case of a 75‐year‐old man with significant occupational exposure to asbestos who developed peritoneal mesothelioma that presented as a skin nodule in an old appendectomy scar. The patient presented with a complaint of increased hardness along his appendectomy scar. Physical examination revealed an anterior abdominal wall mass overlying the appendectomy scar, which was subsequently biopsied. Histologic examination of the abdominal wall mass revealed an infiltrating epithelioid and papillary neoplasm within the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Immunohistochemical stains showed immunoreactivity for cytokeratin (CK) 7, CK 5/6, calretinin and vimentin. CK 20, monoclonal carcinoembryonic antigen, prostate‐specific antigen and prostate‐specific acid phosphatase were negative. The profile supported the diagnosis of mesothelioma. Cutaneous presentation of mesothelioma is rare but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with significant asbestos exposure.
Measurement of plaque‐forming macrophages activated by lipopolysaccharide in a micro‐channel chip
Authors: Isoda T. , Tsutsumi T. , Yamazaki K. , Nishihara T.
Published: May 2009

Background and Objective:  In the present study, micro‐channel arrays were fabricated on the surface of plastic‐based disposable chips. The cell adhesion process and the detection of plaque‐forming macrophages were observed. Further, we evaluated cell adhesion in a fluid system in vitro.

Material and Methods:  Features of the micro‐channel (1.4 mm wide and 10 mm long) included twenty micro‐pillars (with a projection of 200 μm diameter and 250 μm high) coated in a 50 μm thick silicon rubber layer, which were regularly arranged at the bottom of each channel. The efficiency of cell capture was expected to increase by arrangement of micro‐pillars in a micro‐channel. Mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells, stimulated for 24 h with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from periodontopathic bacteria, were circulated continuously for 2 h at room temperature by the pump in a chip.

Results:  Control cells had not formed plaques on micro‐pillars 20 min into the experiment. By contrast, LPS‐activated macrophages produced plaques at the side walls of micro‐pillars after 20 min. The plaques grew during the flow test, and image shading became clearer with increasing flow time for 120 min. The maximal adhesion rate per unit area appeared at 20% for control cells, whereas the peak was shifted to 30% for LPS‐activated macrophages (n = 20). The average adhesion rate was 3.0 ± 2.0% for control cells and 5.0 ± 3.9% for LPS‐activated macrophages (n = 100).

Conclusion:  These findings indicate that LPS‐activated macrophages accumulate in micro‐channel arrays, and suggest that macrophage plaque formation is a two‐step procedure: (1) LPS‐activated macrophages adhere physically to the silicon rubber layer on micro‐pillars; and (2) consequently, the cells adhere to the activated macrophage layer.
Early osteogenic differential protein profile detected by proteomic analysis in human periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Wu L. , Wei X. , Ling J. , Liu L. , Liu S. , Li M. , Xiao Y.
Published: May 2009

Background and Objective:  Human periodontal ligament cells play a pivotal role in maintaining periodontal ligament space, contain progenitors that are able to differentiate into cementoblasts/osteoblasts and have a tremendous potential to regenerate periodontal tissue. However, the exact molecular mechanisms governing the differentiation mechanisms of progenitors in periodontal ligament cells remain largely unknown. This study was carried out to investigate the differentially expressed proteins involved in the osteogenic differentiation of progenitors presented in periodontal ligament cells.

Material and Methods:  Using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry and peptide mass fingerprinting, we analyzed the differential protein profiles of periodontal ligament cells undergoing mineralization.

Results:  Compared with undifferentiated periodontal ligament cells, 61 proteins in periodontal ligament cells undergoing differentiation showed at least a 1.5‐fold change in intensity, of which 29 differentially expressed proteins were successfully identified by matrix‐assisted laser‐desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. The expression of some of the identified proteins was further confirmed by western blotting and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analysis. The identified proteins were cytoskeleton proteins and cytoskeleton‐associated proteins, nuclear proteins and cell membrane‐bound molecules.

Conclusion:  Our results suggest that the proteins identified in this study may be associated with the unique function of periodontal ligament cells in maintaining periodontal tissue homeostasis, thus providing a comprehensive reference for understanding and investigating in greater detail the molecular mechanisms of periodontal ligament cells involved in periodontal regeneration.
Triclosan inhibits tumor necrosis factor‐α‐stimulated urokinase production in human gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Arancibia R. , Cáceres M. , Martínez J. , Smith P. C.
Published: May 2009

Background and Objectives:  Destruction of the supporting periodontal tissues is mediated by the action of several proteolytic enzymes. Urokinase is a serine protease that plays a key role in connective tissue destruction through conversion of plasminogen into plasmin. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of triclosan on the production and activity of urokinase in cultured gingival fibroblasts.

Material and Methods:  Urokinase production was studied in primary cultures of human gingival fibroblasts stimulated with tumor necrosis factor‐alfa. Urokinase activity and production were evaluated using casein zymography and western blotting, respecively. Urokinase mRNA expression was evaluated using the reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Triclosan was used to interfere with this stimulatory effect. The roles of different cell‐signaling cascades involved in urokinase production were assessed through western blotting and immunofluorescence using several cell‐signaling inhibitors.

Results:  Tumor necrosis factor‐alfa was found to be a strong stimulus for urokinase production and triclosan was able to inhibit this response at the protein and mRNA levels. Triclosan was also able to inhibit conversion of plasminogen into plasmin. Tumor necrosis factor‐alfa‐stimulated urokinase production was shown to be dependent on the nuclear factor‐κΒ and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase signaling pathways. Triclosan inhibited c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase phosphorylation and c‐Jun production.

Conclusions:  Within the limits of this study, these results show that triclosan may inhibit urokinase production and plasminogen activation in gingival fibroblasts through modulation of the c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase signaling pathway.
EFFECTS OF STARCH, LIPID AND MOISTURE CONTENTS ON EXTRUSION BEHAVIOR AND EXTRUDATE CHARACTERISTICS OF RICE‐BASED BLENDS PREPARED WITH A VERY‐LOW‐COST EXTRUDER
Authors: VAN HOAN NGUYEN , MOUQUET‐RIVIER CLAIRE , TRECHE SERGE
Published: May 2009

Response surface methodology with a 3 × 3 factorial plan design was used to investigate the effects of starch content (60–70 g/100 g dry matter [DM]), lipid content (6.2–10.2 g/100 g DM) and moisture content (10–16 g/100 g wet matter [WM]) on extrusion behavior of rice‐based blends, on the physicochemical properties of extrudates, and the apparent viscosity of resulting gruels. The increase in starch content increased the loss of lipid, the expansion ratio, the degree of gelatinization (DG) of starch, and the water absorption index (WAI). Increasing lipid content resulted in higher loss of lipids and a lower WAI and water solubility index (WSI). Water content had the most influence. Increasing water content resulted in increased loss of lipids, higher moisture content of extrudates, and in lower die temperature, expansion ratio, DG, WAI and WSI. The high DG (≥91%) of all extrudates demonstrated that the very‐low‐cost extruder manufactured in Vietnam is suitable for the production of ready‐to‐eat infant flour.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This work tested and optimized the effect of blend composition on the characteristics of rice‐based extrudates obtained using a very‐low‐cost extruder (VLCE) manufactured in Vietnam and on derived gruels. Our results enable prediction of the characteristics of extruded products, when the starch, lipid and water contents of the blends are known. Thus, VLCE users will be able to choose the nature and relative proportion of ingredients to obtain extrudates with specific targeted characteristics. In addition, this study demonstrated that serious loss of lipids occurs during extrusion of blends with high lipid contents. To obtain the lipid content recommended for complementary food, it is thus preferable to add ingredients with high lipid content after extrusion. We conclude that this kind of VLCE manufactured in Vietnam is suitable for low‐cost production of instant flour with all the required characteristics for use as complementary foods for infants and young children after the age of 6 months.
Rates of Nitrate and Perchlorate Removal in a 5‐Year‐Old Wood Particle Reactor Treating Agricultural Drainage
Authors: Robertson W.D. , Ptacek C.J. , Brown S.J.
Published: May 2009

A 5‐year‐old wood particle reactor treating agricultural tile drainage in southern Ontario was monitored for its ongoing ability to treat both nitrate (NO3–) and perchlorate (ClO4–). Prior to sampling undertaken in the fifth year of operation, a highway safety flare containing ClO4– was immersed in the inlet pipe elevating influent ClO4– concentrations to up to 33.7 μg/L. ClO4– removal rates were inhibited in the presence of more than 1 to 2 mg/L NO3–‐N, but increased rapidly to about 60 μg/L/d upon NO3– depletion. Nitrate removal rates, measured subsequently in the sixth and seventh years of operation, varied with temperature in the range of 2 to 16 mg N/L/d, but remained similar to rates measured in the second year. Additionally, no deterioration in the hydraulic conductivity (K) of the coarse core layer (0.5 <K < 5 cm/s) was detected over the monitoring period. These results demonstrate that coarse wood particle media can deliver stable NO3– removal rates and can remain highly permeable over a number of years. The media can also provide high removal rates for other redox sensitive contaminants such as ClO4–. The ability to directly measure the reactor flow rate, in this case via an outlet pipe, greatly simplified the task of estimating hydraulic properties and reaction rates.
Survival of Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria innocua, and Lactic Acid Bacteria in Chill Brines
Authors: Boyer R.R. , Matak K. , Sumner S.S. , Meadows B. , Williams R.C. , Eifert J.D. , Birbari W.
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT:  Listeria monocytogenes is the pathogen of concern in ready‐to‐eat (RTE) meat products. Salt brines are used to chill processed meats. L. monocytogenes and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can grow under saline conditions, and may compete with each other for nutrients. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of lactic acid bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis, Carnobacterium gallinarum, and Lactobacillus plantarum) on the survival of L. monocytogenes and Listeria innocua in brines stored under low temperatures for 10 d. Sterile tap water (STW) and 2 brine solutions (7.9% and 13.2% NaCl) were inoculated with 1 of 5 cocktails (L. monocytogenes, L. innocua, LAB, L. monocytogenes+ LAB, or L. innocua+ LAB) at initial concentrations of 7 log CFU/mL. Brines were stored for 10 d at 4 or 12 °C. Three replications of each brine concentration/cocktail/temperature combination were completed. No significant reductions of L. monocytogenes occurred in 7.9%[w/v] or 13.2%[w/v] brines when LAB were present; however, there were significant reductions after 10 d of L. monocytogenes in the STW solution when LAB were present (1.43 log CFU/mL at 4 °C and 3.02 log CFU/mL at 12 °C). L. innocua was significantly less resilient to environmental stresses of the brines than L. monocytogenes, both with and without LAB present (P≤ 0.05). These strains of lactic acid bacteria are not effective at reducing L. monocytogenes in brines at low temperatures. Furthermore, use of L. innocua as a model for L. monocytogenes is not appropriate under these environmental conditions.
Turbulent Forced Convection in a Plane Asymmetric Diffuser: Effect of Diffuser Angle
Authors: Lan H. , Armaly B. F. , Drallmeier J. A.
Published: May 2009

A simulation of two-dimensional turbulent forced convection in a plane asymmetric diffuser with an expansion ratio of 4.7 is performed, and the effect of the diffuser angle on the flow and heat transfer is reported. This geometry is common in many heat exchanging devices, and the turbulent convective heat transfer in it has not been examined. The momentum transport in this geometry, however, has received significant attention already, and the studies show that the results from the υ2¯‐f type turbulence models provide better agreement with measured velocity distributions than that from the k‐ε or k‐ω turbulence models. In addition, the υ2¯‐f type turbulence models have been shown to provide good heat transfer results for separated and reattached flows. The k‐ε‐ζ (υ2¯‐f type) turbulence model is used in this study due to its improved numerical robustness, and the FLUENT-CFD code is used as the simulation platform. User defined functions for the k‐ε‐ζ turbulence model were developed and incorporated into the FLUENT-CFD code, and that process is validated by simulating the flow and the heat transfer in typical benchmark problems and comparing these results with available measurements. This new capability is used to study the effect of the diffuser angle on forced convection in an asymmetric diffuser, and the results show that the angle influences significantly both the flow and the thermal field. The increase in that angle increases the size of the recirculation flow region and enhances the rate of the heat transfer.
Investigation of Plate Falling Film Absorber With Film-Inverting Configuration
Authors: Cui X.-Y. , Shi J.-Z. , Tan C. , Xu Z.-P.
Published: May 2009

The performance enhancement of absorbers is closely related to the investment costs of absorption cooling systems. In this paper, a new film-inverting design for plate falling film absorber is proposed. The absorber consists of consecutive inclined plates. The absorbent solution is distributed at the top of the first plate and forms a liquid film falling down along the plate. Meanwhile, the falling film absorbs the water vapor generated by the evaporator. At the bottom of this plate, the film is guided to the next one and at the same time the film is inverted and its inner side to the vapor is exposed. In this way, the absorption process can be enhanced. A mathematical model is developed for the simulation of heat and mass transfer in this new type of absorbers and is solved numerically. The experiments were carried out under different conditions and the influences of absorption pressure, solution flow rate, solution inlet temperature, and cooling water on the absorption process were investigated experimentally. Comparisons show a good consistency between the experiment and numerical results.
FLUX PARAMETER SPACES IN TYPE II VACUA
Authors: CHEN CHING-MING , LI TIANJUN , NANOPOULOS DIMITRI V.
Published: May 2009

We study the flux parameter spaces for semirealistic supersymmetric Pati–Salam models in the AdS vacua on Type IIA orientifold and realistic supersymmetric Pati–Salam models in the Minkowski vacua on Type IIB orientifold. Because the fluxes can be very large, we show explicitly that there indeed exists a huge number of semirealistic Type IIA and realistic Type IIB flux models. In the Type IIA flux models, in the very large flux limit, the theory can become weakly coupled and the AdS vacua can approach to the Minkowski vacua. In a series of realistic Type IIB flux models, at the string scale, the gauge symmetry can be broken down to the Standard Model gauge symmetry, the gauge coupling unification can be achieved naturally, all the extra chiral exotic particles can be decoupled, and the observed Standard Model fermion masses and mixings can be obtained as well. In particular, the real parts of the dilaton, Kähler moduli, and the unified gauge coupling are independent of the very large fluxes. The very large fluxes only affect the real and/or imaginary parts of the complex structure moduli, and/or the imaginary parts of the dilaton and Kähler moduli. However, these semirealistic Type IIA and realistic Type IIB flux models cannot be populated in the string landscape.
THEORETICAL STUDIES OF THE LOCAL STRUCTURES AND SPIN HAMILTONIAN PARAMETERS FOR THE RHOMBICNi2+CENTERS INAgX(X=Cl,Br)
Authors: ZHANG ZHI-HONG , WU SHAO-YI , FU CHUAN-JI , WEI LI-HUA , WANG XUE-FENG
Published: May 2009

The local structures and the spin Hamiltonian parameters (zero-field splittings D and E and the anisotropic g factors gx, gyand gz) for the rhombic Ni2+centers in AgX ( X = Cl , Br ) are theoretically studied from the perturbation formulas of these parameters for a 3d8ion under rhombically distorted octahedra. In these formulas, the ligand p- and s-orbital and spin-orbit coupling contributions are included on the basis of the cluster approach. The rhombic centers are attributed to the impurity Ni2+associated with one nearest-neighbor silver vacancy VAgalong the [110] direction as charge compensation. Based on the calculations, Ni2+is found to suffer an off-center displacement 0.092 Å (or 0.335 Å) for AgCl (or AgBr ) towards the VAgalong the [110] axis, while the ligands closest to the VAgundergo a small shift 0.065 Å (or 0.006 Å) away from (or towards) the VAg. The theoretical spin Hamiltonian parameters based on the above defect structures show good agreement with the experimental data.
VARIATION OF BEAM DIVERGENCE AS A FUNCTION OF DISCHARGE GAP DISTANCE FOR A NITROGEN LASER
Authors: GOLNABI H. , NOURANI M. R.
Published: May 2009

A simple geometrical method is used here for divergence determination of a TEA N 2 laser. Using beam cross-section (rectangle) monitoring on the fluorescence paper and geometrical method, the laser beam divergence is determined. Variations of the laser beam width (W) and height (H) with respect to the gap distance are investigated for propagation distances of 10, 30, and 50 cm from the laser aperture. For the 0.52 mm gap, the beam width (W) at a distance of 10 cm is about 2 cm and height is also 2 cm (H = 2 cm ), while both increase to about W = 3.125 cm , and H = 2.4 cm at a distance of 50 cm. At 50 cm distance, for a gap distance range of 0.52 mm, W = 3.125, H = 2.4 cm , which increases to W = 18.5 cm , H = 3.6 cm for gap distances of 1.3 mm. Variations of the defined aspect ratio (H/W) as a function of electrode separation and beam propagation distance are also investigated. Variation of the divergence angle along the short and long side of the rectangular beam is investigated. The divergence angle along the long side for the 0.52 mm gap is about 0.0281 rad, and increases with gap value, and for the 1.3 mm gap is 0.284 rad, corresponding to an average divergence of 0.156 rad in this range. The average divergence in the short side is about 0.01 rad, which is much smaller than the divergence angle along the long side (0.156 rad). This study shows that the discharge gap distance, in addition to its important role in N 2 laser output power, it also plays an important role in the beam divergence, especially in the horizontal plane.
ELECTROMAGNETIC SIGNALS BEFORE RUPTURE AND THEIR POSSIBLE INTERCONNECTION WITH BIOEFFECTS
Authors: PHILIPPETIS A. L.
Published: May 2009

Aspects from condensed matter physics combined with recent advances on statistical physics and physics of complex systems related to critical phenomena have inspired the continuous experimental study of electromagnetic precursory phenomena. For example, during the last two decades anomalous electromagnetic signals have been repeatedly observed before big earthquakes. Since it has been independently found that weak electromagnetic fields can produce biological effects, the following possibility is forwarded in this paper: The finding that electromagnetic signals are emitted before earthquakes, may be the key for the explanation that anomalous animal behavior have been frequently observed in various countries before major events.
ADDRESSING AND COMMUNICATING CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS UNCERTAINTIES IN PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS
Authors: BYER PHILIP H. , LALANI MELANIE J. , YEOMANS JULIAN SCOTT
Published: May 2009

While climate change has become an important concern at both regional and global levels, its inherent uncertainties have often been cited as the main reason for delaying many actions to mitigate its potential impacts. Reviews of environmental assessments (EAs) have shown that impacts from climate change have been inadequately addressed within them and that the corresponding uncertainties have been addressed even more poorly. This paper describes several basic approaches for addressing and analysing climate change within the EAs of individual projects with a focus on its uncertainties. Subsequently, the paper describes how the results from this analysis can be effectively and comprehensively communicated to the EA's disparate set of technical and non-technical decision-makers and stakeholders. Based upon this overall approach, the paper proposes a general set of guidelines that enables proponents to incorporate climate change and its uncertainties into project EAs.
Synthesis of LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 and Crystal Structure Studies by Electron Diffraction
Authors: Gabrisch Heike , Mohanty Debasish , Yazami Rachid
Published: May 2009

The performance of LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 depends largely on the distribution of transition metal ions over the available lattice sites within the layered rocksalt structure. Despite predictions that the TM ions take on an ordered arrangement described by a 3 x 3 R30º supercell little experimental evidence is available to confirm this model. On the other hand the observed cation distribution likely depends on synthesis conditions. Here we compare LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 synthesized on a small scale in our laboratory at 850ºC, subjected to chemical delithiation and annealing, to commercially produced LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 synthesized at 1000ºC before and after charge discharge cycling. Electron diffraction shows that in plane ordering is observed to small extents at the higher synthesis temperature but not at 850ºC. In both compounds a transformation towards the cubic spinel structure and significant changes towards a lamellar morphology are observed after annealing of the delithiated particles and after charge discharge cycling.
Electronic Mechanism of Lithium Insertion in Li0.5TiO2-Spinel
Authors: Koudriachova Marina V.
Published: May 2009

Using density functional calculations the electronic mechanism which underlies the phase transformation upon Li-insertion in Li0.5TiO2-spinel has been identified. It is shown that the strong coupling between structural and electronic degrees of freedom determines the intercalation behaviour of this material leading to the failure of the traditional cluster approach.
Electrochromic and Pseudocapacitive Properties of Anodically-Grown 2D Manganese Oxide Nanocomposites
Authors: Nakayama Masaharu , Kashiwa Yoshinori , Iida Chihiro
Published: May 2009

A composite film consisting of negatively-charged manganese oxide layers and the intercalated polyallylamine (PAH) cations exhibited pseudocapacitive behavior in the potential region between 0 and +1.0 V (vs Ag/AgCl) with no change in the structure. The composite also showed excellent elctrochromic performance with regard to fast switching rate and good reversibility. The electrochromic efficiency was estimated to be 62 cm2 C-1 at 480 nm.
Corrosion Morphologies of Aluminum-Based Materials in Solutions Containing Nickel or Cobalt Cations
Authors: Ding Hongbo , Hihara Lloyd H.
Published: May 2009

Corrosion morphologies of a 6092-T6 Al metal-matrix composite (MMC) reinforced with boron carbide (B4C) or silicon carbide (SiC) particulates as well as a Al-2%Cu alloy in solutions containing 1 mM Ni(NO3)2 or Co(NO3)2 were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray analyses (EDXA). SEM indicated that precipitates formed on the surfaces of the MMCs and the Al-2%Cu alloy after prolonged immersion in the Ni(NO3)2 or Co(NO3)2 solutions. EDXA indicated that the precipitates contained Ni or Co elements. SEM also suggested that localized corrosion of the MMCs may be inhibited in the Ni(NO3)2 or Co(NO3)2 solutions without chloride ions but may be accelerated in the Ni(NO3)2 or Co(NO3)2 solutions added with chloride ions. X-ray diffraction (XRD) experiments suggested that the precipitates may be Al-Ni or Al-Co hydrotalcite-like compounds.
Additions to Contingency Plan for Enhancing Secureness of Weathering Steel Structures
Authors: Kihira Hiroshi , Imai Atsumi , Hiramatsu Mikijiro , Aiga Takehide , Matsumoto Tsuyoshi , Sato Takayuki , Nagai Masanori
Published: May 2009

The purpose of this research is to enhance secureness of weathering steel bridges by preparing contingency plan. So far risk based designing and maintenance system including a computerized corrosion prediction method , visual as well as instrumental rust monitoring methods, etc. has been developed. As the third stage of this project, additional contingency tools and agents were developed for repair painting of anomalously rusted parts. Unlike organic or inorganic materials, weathering steels do not deteriorate internally. Thus life time of weathering steel bridges can be prolonged to a large extent without difficulties, since handling of risk based maintenance system for weathering steel structures has become much easier than ever.
The Nature of Aluminum Destruction at Neutral Mediums with Different Anion Composition
Authors: Borisenkova Tatiana , Kaluzhina Svetlana
Published: May 2009

The comparative data about aluminum anodic behavior in series of electrolytes (рН=5,3-6,3) with different anion composition (Na2SO4, КNO3, NaCl) at room temperature was analyzed. It was established the analogy of aluminum anodic behavior in mediums with SO42- and NO3- -ions additives where metal was in a passive state, but the aggressive action Cl--ions due to local activation of aluminum. The obtained experimental results were interpreted according to modern theories of competitive adsorption and nucleophilic substitution.
Selection Rules for Optical Transitions in PbSe Nanocrystal Quantum Dots: Drastic Effect of Structure Inversion Asymmetry
Authors: Goupalov Serguei
Published: May 2009

We resolve a paradox according to which optical transitions seemingly forbidden in PbSe nanocrystal quantum dots by the parity selection rule exhibit large oscillator strengths in optical absorption. The transitions become allowed if the center of a spherical nanocrystal is shifted away from an atomic site leading to the structure inversion asymmetry. This asymmetry is accounted for within a four-band envelope-function formalism. Transition strengths for various optical transitions are calculated.
GaN Nanowires: Growth, Characterization, and Applications
Authors: Wang George T. , Li Qiming , Talin A. Alec , Armstrong Andrew , Lin Yong , Huang Jianyu
Published: May 2009

The aligned growth of GaN and III-nitride core-shell nanowires, along with results providing insights into the nanowire properties obtained using electrical, optical and structural characterization techniques, is discussed. Additionally, a novel application of aligned nanowire arrays as strain-relief templates for the growth of high quality GaN is demonstrated.
SOI Technology Driving the 21st Century Ubiquitous Electronics
Authors: Celler George K.
Published: May 2009

Electronics is expanding into all spheres of our life, spreading far beyond computer systems, mobile telephony, and personal computers - into games, appliances, navigation systems, at-home health diagnostics, a variety of smart sensors at home, in cars and in the workplace. In the near future, electronic devices are likely to become integrated even in our clothing. Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) based technology plays a growing role in many of these applications.
Impact of Confinement of Semiconductor and Band Engineering on Future Device Performance
Authors: Sverdlov Viktor , Baumgartner Oskar , Windbacher Thomas , Schanovsky Franz , Selberherr Siegfried
Published: May 2009

A rigorous analysis of the subband structure in thin silicon films under stress is performed. Calculated subband effective masses are shown to depend on shear strain and thickness simultaneously. The effective masses and the subband splitting determine transport in silicon films. Decrease of the transport effective mass controlled by the shear strain component guarantees mobility enhancement even in ultra-thin silicon films. This increase of mobility and drive current combined with the improved channel control makes multi-gate MOSFETs based on thin films or silicon fins preeminent candidates for the 22nm technology node and beyond.
Simulation and Characterization of the Strain Induced by an Original "Embedded Buried Nitride" Technique
Authors: Baudot Sophie , Andrieu Francois , Kostrzewa Marek , Widiez Julie , Barbe Jean-Charles , Faynot Olivier , Lamrani Younes , Vizioz Christian , Brevard Laurent , Denis Herve , Delaye Vincent , Rieutord Francois , Eymery Joel
Published: May 2009

An original technique is used to induce a compressive strain in the channel of Fully Depleted (FD)SOI MOSFETs thanks to an Embedded Buried Nitride stressor. Strain measurements are performed by Grazing Incidence X-ray Diffraction (GIXRD) and compared to mechanical simulations. Both results are in agreement and prove that the strain level can achieve -0.6 percent (-780 MPa) in the channel of a transistor, depending on the active region geometry and the nitride properties (intrinsic strain and thickness). This technique is thus very promising in order to boost pMOSFETs on thin films.