bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeted STAT3 disruption in myeloid cells alters immunosuppressor cell abundance in a murine model of spontaneous medulloblastoma
Authors: Abad Catalina , Nobuta Hiroko , Li Jiaxi , Kasai Atsushi , Yong William H , Waschek James A
Published: September 2013

Although the immune system may provide early protection against cancer, tumors may exploit the healing arm of the immune system to enhance their growth and metastasis. For example, myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are thought to promote tumor growth by several mechanisms, including the suppression of T cell activity. It has been suggested that STAT3 activation in myeloid cells modulates multiple aspects of MDSC physiology, including their expansion and activity. Whereas most animal studies investigating tumor immunology have used tumor implants, we used transgenic mice (Smo*) that spontaneously develop medulloblastoma brain tumors to investigate the temporal accumulation of MDSCs within tumors and how myeloid STAT3 disruption affects MDSC and other immune cell types. We found distinct populations of MDSC in medulloblastoma tumors, with a high prevalence of CD11b+Ly6G+Ly6Clow/− cells, described previously by others as G-MDSCs. These were found early in tumor development, in premalignant lesions located on the surface of the cerebellum of 28-day-old mice. In fully developed tumors, pSTAT3 was found in the majority of these cells. Conditional STAT3 gene disruption in myeloid cells resulted in an enhanced proinflammatory phenotype of macrophages in Smo* mice. Moreover, a significant reduction in the abundance of G-MDSCs and Tregs was observed within tumors along with an increased presence of CD4+ and CD8+ cells. Despite these alterations in immune cells induced by myeloid STAT3 disruption, we found no effect on tumor incidence in Smo* mice with this deletion.
Sensitivity of compaction-induced multicomponent seismic time shifts to variations in reservoir properties
Authors: Smith Steven Shawn , Tsvankin Ilya
Published: September 2013

Pore-pressure variations inside producing reservoirs result in excess stress and strain that influence the arrival times of reflected waves. Inversion of seismic data for pressure changes requires better understanding of the dependence of compaction-induced time shifts on reservoir pressure reduction. Using geomechanical and full-waveform seismic modeling, we investigate pressure-dependent behavior of P-, S-, and PS-wave time shifts from reflectors located above and below a rectangular reservoir embedded in a homogeneous half-space. Our geomechanical modeling algorithm generates the excess stress/strain field and the stress-induced stiffness tensor as linear functions of reservoir pressure. Analysis of time shifts obtained from full-waveform synthetic data shows that they vary almost linearly with pressure for reflectors above the reservoir, but become nonlinear for reflections from the reservoir or deeper interfaces. Time-shift misfit curves computed with respect to noise-contaminated data from a reference reservoir for a wide range of pressure reductions display well-defined global minima corresponding to the actual pressure. In addition, we evaluate the influence of the reservoir width on time shifts and the possibility of constraining the width using time-lapse data. We also discuss the impact of moderate perturbations in the strain-sensitivity coefficients (i.e., third-order stiffnesses) on time shifts and on the accuracy of pressure inversion. Our feasibility analysis indicates that the most stable pressure estimation from noisy data is provided by multicomponent time shifts from reflectors below the reservoir. For multicompartment reservoirs, time shifts can be accurately modeled by linear superposition of the excess stress/strains computed for the individual compartments.
President's Page
Authors: Steeples Don
Published: September 2013

I want to make three points here, and two of them relate to the importance of volunteers in SEG's activities and programs. The first point involves volunteering time and expertise, the second involves volunteering resources, and the third emphasizes the increasingly important role of our female colleagues. Operating the myriad worldwide programs of SEG requires nearly 100 dedicated staff members who take direction from an army of volunteers, led by the Board of Directors. As our programs have grown to major international scope, our membership has also become more international with 65% of our current members residing outside the United States. Many members are eager to volunteer to assist with SEG programs, but may not know how or where to volunteer, or whom to contact.
Introduction to this special section: Geohazards
Authors: Torres-Verdín Carlos
Published: September 2013

The detection and evaluation of geohazards continues to be an active and transcendental activity in applied geophysics. Geohazards are important not only to the hydrocarbon exploration community but also to near-surface studies in hydrology, agriculture, and civil engineering, to name a few. Modern geotechnical studies often include a good component of geophysical studies for soil mechanics and foundation studies. This special section of The Leading Edge considers two exceptional recent contributions to the study, anticipation, and appraisal of geohazards via geophysical means.
Recent advances and trends in subsea technologies and seafloor properties characterization
Authors: Djikpesse Hugues , Sobreira Jorge Fiori F. , Hill Andy , Wrobel Kelly , Stephen Ralph , Fehler Michael , Campbell Kerry , Carrière Olivier , Ronen Shuki
Published: September 2013

Following the 2012 SEG Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, the SEG Research Committee sponsored a post-convention research workshop on subsea technologies, in general, and on seafloor characterization in particular. The goal of the workshop was to share experiences in acquisition, processing and applications of geotechnical and geophysical measurements for seafloor property characterization. This includes:

To help geophysicists in better understanding geotechnical seafloor measurements, e.g., when and how they are collected as well as their actual field applications; To help geotechnical specialists in better understanding geophysical seafloor measurements, how they are derived, and their importance for accurate seismic waveform modeling and inversion; To discuss technology and application trends, and how the geophysical community can participate in the fast-growing market for subsea operations in the oil and gas industry.
A new, fully integrated method for seismic geohazard prediction ahead of the bit while drilling
Authors: Esmersoy Cengiz , Ramirez Arturo , Teebenny Sharon , Liu Yangjun , Shih Chung-Chi , Sayers Colin , Hawthorn Andy , Nessim Maurice
Published: September 2013

Geohazards have a direct impact on the drilling and completion of wells; they present safety risks and are costly. They can be caused by formation properties such as overpressure and can be associated with geological structures such as faults and salt bodies. Critical to drilling success, seismic data provide information used to construct an Earth model consisting of 3D structural depth images showing geological targets or hazards and formation properties relevant to drilling such as pore pressure. However, predrill estimates of structural depth images and formation pressures typically have large uncertainties, which elevate safety concerns and drilling risks and could increase the cost of wells. This risk is especially problematic in challenging environments such as deep water, where rig rates are high and continue to increase.
Overview and introduction to this special section: 3D VSP
Authors: Gulati Jitendra S. , Stewart Robert R.
Published: September 2013

In 1953, Richard Jolly used geophones coupled to the borehole wall to record seismic waves in the subsurface, and he highlighted the interpretive benefits of downhole recording. In the western world, the coupled downhole geophone was a first of its kind and was the ancestor to modern receiver tools (Figure 1) used in the vertical seismic profiling (VSP) method. The translation, by SEG, of Gal'perin's 1974 book on VSP from Russian into English increased awareness of the progress in borehole seismology made in Russia; the case studies outlined in the book gave further prominence to the benefits of the VSP method. Zero-offset VSP (meaning the source is relatively close to the borehole to provide 1D information) or ZVSP is now an essential part of the interpreter's toolkit that gives a seismic time-to-depth relationship, in-situ elastic properties, and multiple-reduced reflectivity. ZVSP continues to provide a key link between surface seismic images and geologic properties. In addition, Q measurement and the identification of multiple-generating and mode-changing horizons from near-offset VSP provide further interpretive insights. In-situ velocities also assist with building velocity models for migration and inversion.
Images, anisotropy, multiples, and more from an unconventional 3D VSP
Authors: Campbell Allan , Leaney Scott , Gulati Jitendra , Leslie-Panek Jennifer , Von Lunen Eric
Published: September 2013

3D vertical seismic profile (VSP) data offer far more than just the opportunity to generate images. The 3D VSP geometry offers a rich data set suitable for examining many issues faced by interpreters and processors of geophysical data. In-situ measurements of velocity, anisotropy, Q, multiple generators, stress, and fracture orientation are all possible. This is in addition to the basic products provided by 3D VSP, namely high-resolution images of the subsurface.
VSP imaging using free-surface multiples: A case study from the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: O'Brien John , Farmani Bagher , Atkinson Brian
Published: September 2013

Vertical seismic profile surveys (VSP) provide a unique opportunity to obtain high-quality seismic images of the subsurface. Placing receivers downhole mitigates many near-surface and overburden challenges associated with surface seismic imaging and results in improved image quality. Unfortunately, these benefits are restricted by the limited area illuminated by the primary P-wave reflection wavefield (typically a relatively narrow cone that underlies the geophone array). The free-surface multiple wavefield recorded in a VSP survey illuminates a significantly larger area, both vertically and laterally, and so can provide an expanded imaging capability (Jiang et al, 2005; Jiang et al, 2007; Lou et al 2007). Subsurface imaging using the multiple wavefield has been demonstrated and is commonly used for imaging deep-water 3D node surveys, which are typically acquired using a sparse distribution of receivers. However, no case studies have been published yet, which present a critical analysis of the images provided by this technology when applied to VSP surveys.
Monitoring CO2 injection for carbon capture and storage using time-lapse 3D VSPs
Authors: Couëslan M. L. , Ali S. , Campbell A. , Nutt W. L. , Leaney W. S. , Finley R. J. , Greenberg S. E.
Published: September 2013

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is the process through which a nearly pure carbon dioxide (CO2) stream is captured, separated from flue gas or other industrial processes, compressed, transported to an appropriate storage site, and injected deep underground into a geological formation where it can be safely stored for long-term geologic storage (Benson, 2005). Large sedimentary basins, such as the Illinois, Michigan, and Western Canadian sedimentary basins are good targets for CCS, as they are in close proximity to large CO2 emitters and are composed of the appropriate saline formations and overlying nonpermeable formations. In 2003, the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE-NETL) created a nationwide network of federal, state, and private sector partnerships to determine the most suitable technologies, regulations, and infrastructure for future CCS in different areas of the North America (Office of Fossil Energy, 2013).
Distributed acoustic sensing for reservoir monitoring with VSP
Authors: Mateeva Albena , Lopez Jorge , Mestayer Jeff , Wills Peter , Cox Barbara , Kiyashchenko Denis , Yang Zhaohui , Berlang Wilfred , Detomo Rocky , Grandi Samantha
Published: September 2013

3D VSP has long been viewed as conceptually attractive for illuminating targets under complex overburden, both for exploration purposes and for time-lapse monitoring of reservoirs. However, the widespread use of 3D VSP has been hindered by the cost and risk of deploying geophones in a borehole, and by the limited availability of accessible wells. These hurdles are largely removed when acquiring downhole seismic with a new measurement called distributed acoustic sensing (DAS).
Outstanding reviewers
Authors: Nemeth Tamas
Published: September 2013

The term of the 2011–2013 Geophysics Editorial Board has come to an end and Editor-elect Evert Slob and his team is now in place to serve the geophysical community for the 2013–2015 term. While the mandate of the editors expires, the need for excellent reviews never does. Below we recognize some of our best reviewers for their excellent and constructive reviews. These reviews are essential to maintain the integrity of the peer-review system and the high quality of the resulting publications. Geophysics has earned the highest impact factor in its history in 2012 with a rating of 1.723, and this is the result of the effective collective work of authors, reviewers, and editors.
Mouse Hoxa2 mutations provide a model for microtia and auricle duplication
Authors: Minoux Maryline , Kratochwil Claudius F. , Ducret Sébastien , Amin Shilu , Kitazawa Taro , Kurihara Hiroki , Bobola Nicoletta , Vilain Nathalie , Rijli Filippo M.
Published: September 2013

External ear abnormalities are frequent in newborns ranging from microtia to partial auricle duplication. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms orchestrating external ear morphogenesis. In humans, HOXA2 partial loss of function induces a bilateral microtia associated with an abnormal shape of the auricle. In mice, Hoxa2 inactivation at early gestational stages results in external auditory canal (EAC) duplication and absence of the auricle, whereas its late inactivation results in a hypomorphic auricle, mimicking the human HOXA2 mutant condition. By genetic fate mapping we found that the mouse auricle (or pinna) derives from the Hoxa2-expressing neural crest-derived mesenchyme of the second pharyngeal arch, and not from a composite of first and second arch mesenchyme as previously proposed based on morphological observation of human embryos. Moreover, the mouse EAC is entirely lined by Hoxa2-negative first arch mesenchyme and does not develop at the first pharyngeal cleft, as previously assumed. Conditional ectopic Hoxa2 expression in first arch neural crest is sufficient to induce a complete duplication of the pinna and a loss of the EAC, suggesting transformation of the first arch neural crest-derived mesenchyme lining the EAC into an ectopic pinna. Hoxa2 partly controls the morphogenesis of the pinna through the BMP signalling pathway and expression of Eya1, which in humans is involved in branchio-oto-renal syndrome. Thus, Hoxa2 loss- and gain-of-function approaches in mice provide a suitable model to investigate the molecular aetiology of microtia and auricle duplication.
p120RasGAP mediates ephrin/Eph-dependent attenuation of FGF/ERK signals during cell fate specification in ascidian embryos
Authors: Haupaix Nicolas , Stolfi Alberto , Sirour Cathy , Picco Vincent , Levine Michael , Christiaen Lionel , Yasuo Hitoyoshi
Published: September 2013

ERK1/2 MAP kinase exhibits a highly dynamic activation pattern in developing embryos, which largely depends on fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signals. In ascidian embryos, FGF-dependent activation of ERK1/2 occurs differentially between sister cells during marginal zone and neural lineage patterning. Selective attenuation of FGF signals by localised ephrin/Eph signals accounts for this differential ERK activation, which controls the binary fate choice of each sibling cell pair. Here, we show that p120 Ras GTPase-activating protein (p120RasGAP) is a crucial mediator of these ephrin/Eph signals. First, inhibition of p120RasGAP has a similar effect to inhibition of ephrin/Eph function during marginal zone and neural patterning. Second, p120RasGAP acts epistatically to ephrin/Eph signals. Third, p120RasGAP physically associates with Eph3 in an ephrin-dependent manner. This study provides the first in vivo evidence that the functional association between Eph and RasGAP controls the spatial extent of FGF-activated ERK.
Molecular mechanism of sphingosine-1-phosphate action in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Nguyen-Tran Diem-Hang , Hait Nitai C. , Sperber Henrik , Qi Junlin , Fischer Karin , Ieronimakis Nick , Pantoja Mario , Hays Aislinn , Allegood Jeremy , Reyes Morayma , Spiegel Sarah , Ruohola-Baker Hannele
Published: September 2013

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal muscle wasting disease. Studies in Drosophila showed that genetic increase of the bioactive sphingolipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) or delivery of 2-acetyl-5-tetrahydroxybutyl imidazole (THI), an S1P lyase inhibitor, suppress dystrophic muscle degeneration. In dystrophic mouse (mdx) upregulation of S1P by THI increases regeneration and muscle force. S1P can act as a ligand for S1P receptors and as a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. Since Drosophila have no identified S1P receptors and DMD correlates with increased HDAC2 levels, we tested whether S1P action in muscle involves HDAC inhibition. Here we show that beneficial effects of THI-treatment in mdx correlate with significantly increased nuclear S1P, decreased HDAC activity and increased acetylation of specific histone residues. Importantly, the HDAC2 target microRNA genes, miR-29 and miR-1, are significantly upregulated, correlating with the down regulation of miR-29 target, Col1a1 in the diaphragm of THI treated mdx mice. Further gene expression analysis revealed a significant THI dependent decrease in inflammation genes and increase in metabolic genes. Accordingly, S1P levels and functional mitochondrial activity are increased after THI treatment of differentiating C2C12 cells. S1P increases the muscle cell capacity to use fatty acids as energy source, suggesting that THI treatment may be beneficial for maintenance of energy metabolism of mdx muscles.
Direct Sugar Content Analysis for Whole Stalk Sugarcane Using a Portable near Infrared Instrument
Authors: Taira Eizo , Ueno Masami , Saengprachatanarug Kwantri , Kawamitsu Yoshinobu
Published: September 2013

Cane quality at the farm is important information for both farmers and millers when evaluating cane maturity and determining harvest schedules. We investigated the non-destructive measurement of the sugar content of cane stalks using a portable near infrared (NIR) instrument. A commercially available portable NIR instrument was modified for use in transmittance mode and employed to quantify Pol levels in cane stalks. Calibration models using a partial least squares regression analysis were developed for predicting Pol values from the juice and the cane sample spectra (600–1100 nm). Results of these calibrations, root mean square error of prediction for juice and cane samples, were 1.0% and 1.1% Pol, respectively. Based on the results of this study, the developed measurement method appears to be useful for monitoring cane quality and the planning of harvest schedules.
ADAR1 regulates ARHGAP26 gene expression through RNA editing by disrupting miR-30b-3p and miR-573 binding
Authors: Wang Qiong , Hui Haipeng , Guo Zhendong , Zhang Weina , Hu Yaou , He Tao , Tai Yanhong , Peng Peng , Wang Li
Published: September 2013

Rho GTPase activating protein 26 (ARHGAP26) is a negative regulator of the Rho family that converts the small G proteins RhoA and Cdc42 to their inactive GDP-bound forms. It is essential for the CLIC/GEEC endocytic pathway, cell spreading, and muscle development. The present study shows that ARHGAP26 mRNA undergoes extensive A-to-I RNA editing in the 3′ UTR that is specifically catalyzed by ADAR1. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein levels of ARHGAP26 were decreased in cells in which ADAR1 was knocked down. Conversely, ADAR1 overexpression increased the abundance of ARHGAP26 mRNA and protein. In addition, we found that both miR-30b-3p and miR-573 target the ARHGAP26 gene and that RNA editing of ARHGAP26 mediated by ADAR1 abolished the repression of its expression by miR-30b-3p or miR-573. When ADAR1 was overexpressed, the reduced abundance of ARHGAP26 protein mediated by miR-30b-3p or miR-573 was rescued. Importantly, we also found that knocking down ADAR1 elevated RhoA activity, which was consistent with the reduced level of ARHGAP26. Conversely, when ADAR1 was overexpressed, the amount of RhoA-GTP decreased. The similar expression patterns of ARHGAP26 and ADAR1 in human tissue samples further confirmed our findings. Taken together, our results suggest that ADAR1 regulates the expression of ARHGAP26 through A-to-I RNA editing by disrupting the binding of miR-30b-3p and miR-573 within the 3′ UTR of ARHGAP26. This study provides a novel insight into the mechanism by which ADAR1 and its RNA editing function regulate microRNA-mediated modulation of target genes.
Real-Time Feedback Control Using Online Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR FT-IR) Spectroscopy for Continuous Flow Optimization and Process Knowledge
Authors: Skilton Ryan A. , Parrott Andrew J. , George Michael W. , Poliakoff Martyn , Bourne Richard A.
Published: September 2013

The use of automated continuous flow reactors is described, with real-time online Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis to enable rapid optimization of reaction yield using a self-optimizing feedback algorithm. This technique has been applied to the solvent-free methylation of 1-pentanol with dimethyl carbonate using a γ-alumina catalyst. Calibration of the FT-IR signal was performed using gas chromatography to enable quantification of yield over a wide variety of flow rates and temperatures. The use of FT-IR as a real-time analytical technique resulted in an order of magnitude reduction in the time and materials required compared to previous studies. This permitted a wide exploration of the parameter space to provide process understanding and validation of the optimization algorithms.
Determination of Phosphorus Fertilizer Soil Reactions by Raman and Synchrotron Infrared Microspectroscopy
Authors: Vogel Christian , Adam Christian , Sekine Ryo , Schiller Tara , Lipiec Ewelina , McNaughton Don
Published: September 2013

The reaction mechanisms of phosphate-bearing mineral phases from sewage sludge ash-based fertilizers in soil were determined by Raman and synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy. Different reaction mechanisms in wet soil were found for calcium and magnesium (pyro-) phosphates. Calcium orthophosphates were converted over time to hydroxyapatite. Conversely, different magnesium phosphates were transformed to trimagnesium phosphate. Since the magnesium phosphates are unable to form an apatite structure, the plant-available phosphorus remains in the soil, leading to better growth results observed in agricultural pot experiments. The pyrophosphates also reacted very differently. Calcium pyrophosphate is unreactive in soil. In contrast, magnesium pyrophosphate quickly formed plant-available dimagnesium phosphate.
Automatic Baseline Correction of Vibrational Circular Dichroism Spectra
Authors: Weakley Andrew T. , Aston D. Eric , Griffiths Peter R.
Published: September 2013

A three-phase, computational method for the baseline correction of vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra has been proposed. In the first phase the raw spectrum is subdivided into m segments (or regions) resulting in p rough estimates of the baseline. A second phase uses gradient characteristics to discriminate between baseline and band response for each baseline, in turn. In the final phase all baselines are interrogated simultaneously by assigning the median estimate of each differential response's distribution to the true baseline. Using VCD spectra of (R)-camphor as test cases, this work demonstrated that the accurate removal of baseline components is readily achievable with minimal user intervention. Baseline correction also demonstrated flexibility in that prior information, such as the symmetry of a baseline-free VCD spectrum, is readily used during the correction protocol. Although three adjustable parameters are present in the base algorithm, optimal performance and full automation were attainable following the use of analysis of variance (ANOVA) to analyze simulated bipolar spectra. These ANOVAs suggested that band point discrimination could be discarded and the remaining two default parameters adopted.
Nanoporous silica coatings on implant surfaces: characterization, stability, biocompatibility and drug release properties
Authors: Ehlert Nina , Lüßenhop Tammo , Krueger Ilka , Feldhoff Armin , Badar Muhammad , Mueller Peter P. , Stieve Martin , Lenarz Thomas , Behrens Peter
Published: September 2013

Nanoporous silica coatings for drug release purposes were prepared on medical implants. As substrate, we chose Bioverit® II, which is a commercial available glass-mica ceramic implant material. The coating was prepared by a dip-coating technique in which long-chain organic molecules act as placeholders for the pores. Characterization of the coatings by scanning transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction showed a disordered nanoporous system with a layer thickness of 30–150 nm. The nanoporous structure was stable for about 12 h in a typical cell culture medium and rearranged to a packing of silica nanoparticles. The coating allowed cell attachment and showed excellent biocompatibility in cell culture tests independently of the particular cell type examined. In vivo, implant-tissue interactions were examined in the middle ear in a novel mouse model. Whole genome expression profiling showed no persisting inflammatory response in the presence of the implants. Release profiles of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin demonstrated that the coating is suitable for a local drug delivery. The drug loading capacity could be drastically increased after sulfonic acid modification of the Bioverit® II surface.
Molecular basis and clonal evolution of myeloproliferative neoplasms
Authors: Cleary Ciara , Kralovics Robert
Published: September 2013

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) represent a group of diseases that affect the myeloid lineage, characterized by the presence of an excess of terminally differentiated myeloid cells. Defects causing clonal hematopoiesis are a key factor in the emergence of these diseases. Throughout the years, a number of causative defects have been identified, predominantly affecting cytokine signaling and gene expression regulation. This review aims to provide an update on the current status of the MPN field in relation to identification of molecular defects involved in the disease and its clonal evolution.
Technical and clinical evaluation of the VITROS® Immunodiagnostic Products 25-OH Vitamin D Total Assay – comparison with marketed automated immunoassays and a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method
Authors: Cavalier Etienne , Rousselle Olivier , Ferrante Nunzio , Carlisi Agnes , Le Goff Caroline , Souberbielle Jean-Claude
Published: September 2013

Background: The study was conducted to evaluate the technical and clinical performance of the VITROS® Immunodiagnostic Products 25-OH Vitamin D Total Assay, and compare it with the performance of five marketed automated assays and a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry reference method (LC-MS/MS).

Methods: Three hundred patient serum samples were used to compare the correlation of the VITROS® 25-OH Vitamin D Total Assay with both the other immunoassays and the LC-MS/MS method, using Passing-Bablok regression and Bland-Altman analyses. Concordance of the diagnosis of vitamin D status was calculated to test the agreement between the different assays. In addition, samples containing vitamin D2 were used to test the assay’s ability to detect the D2 form of the vitamin.

Results and conclusions: These results from the VITROS® 25-OH Vitamin D Total Assay generally correlated well with those from most of the marketed immunoassays. Cross-reactivity of the D2 form was calculated as being close to 100%. Additionally, we found substantial variability in performance amongst the various assays, which suggests the need for optimisation and recalibration of commercial methods.
Effect of mild torrefaction on pulverization of Norway spruce (Picea abies) by oscillatory ball milling: particle morphology and cellulose crystallinity
Authors: Karinkanta Pasi , Illikainen Mirja , Niinimäki Jouko
Published: September 2013

The effects of mild torrefaction on the pulverization of Norway spruce sawdust have been studied. To this end, sawdust was dried and torrefied below 230°C for different periods of time to obtain samples with mass losses (ML) of 0.2%, 1.4%, and 2.8%, milled in an oscillatory ball mill, and the particle morphology and cellulose crystallinity of the powders were studied. The pretreatment leading to 0.2% ML had no effect on grindability, but that resulting in 1.4% ML improved grindability and a median particle size below 17.4±0.2 μm was attained. Torrefaction involving 2.8% ML reduced the specific energy consumption more than 21% when the targeted median particle size of the torrefied wood was between 18.7±0.5 and 79±3 μm. The mild torrefaction had a negligible influence on the aspect ratio distribution and cellulose crystallinity in the ball-milled wood.
Quality Differentiation with Flavors: Demand Estimation of Unobserved Attributes
Authors: Toro-González Daniel , Gallardo R. Karina , Yan Jia , McCluskey Jill J.
Published: September 2013

This article estimates the demand for mint-flavored gum products using grocery store sales data and accounting for consumers’ valuation of quality. Unobserved product attributes, such as flavor quality, are important elements to consider when estimating the demand for gum. The estimation results suggest that gum is an inelastic product. A positive relationship between willingness to pay and unobserved quality was identified, implying that gum industry should be able to command a premium for higher quality mint-flavored products.
“An Unquestionable Source?”
Authors: Barton John Cyril
Published: September 2013

This essay is the first to examine Melville’s “The Town-Ho’s Story” (Chapter 54 of Moby-Dick [1851]) in relation to W. B. Stevenson’s then-popular-but-now-forgotten British travel narrative, Twenty Years’ Residence in South America (1825). Drawing from suggestive circumstances and parallel action unfolding in each, I make a case for the English sailor’s encounter with the Spanish Inquisition in Lima as important source material for the Limanian setting that frames Melville’s tale. In bringing to light a new source for Moby-Dick, I argue that Melville refracts Stevenson’s actual encounter with the Inquisition in Lima to produce a symbolic, mock confrontation with Old-World authority represented in the inquisitorial Dons and the overall context of the story. Thus, the purpose of the essay is twofold: first, to recover an elusive source for understanding the allusive framework of “The Town-Ho’s Story,” a setting that has perplexed some of Melville’s best critics; and second, to illuminate Melville’s use of Lima and the Inquisition as tropes crucial for understanding a larger symbolic confrontation between the modern citizen (or subject) and despotic authority that plays out not only in Moby-Dick but also in other works such as Mardi (1849), White-Jacket (1850), “Benito Cereno” (1855), Clarel (1876), and The Confidence-Man (1857), wherein the last of which the author wrote on the frontispiece of a personal copy, “Dedicated to Victims of Auto da Fe.”
Smarter urban metabolism: Earth systems re-engineering
Authors: Beck M. Bruce , Walker Rodrigo Villarroel , Thompson Michael
Published: September 2013

The archetypal metabolism of the city is defined by the flows of energy and materials (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, water) entering the city from the rest of the global economy, then circulating around and through its economic, social and industrial life, before returning to the city's environment (and the global economy). Salient in realising a smarter urban metabolism is the change in viewing nutrients not as pollutants – a perception entailed in the historic success of water-based systems for securing public health in cities – but as resources to be gainfully recovered. In order to explore the scope and feasibility of such (radical) change, a computational multi-sectoral systems analysis procedure has been developed and applied to case studies of Atlanta, USA, and London, UK. Starting with an expression of what might constitute a more benign, climate-repairing future for the interaction between these cities and their environments, multi-sectoral systems analysis is used to examine aspects of the economic feasibility and then social legitimacy of candidate policy interventions and technological innovations for attaining such a future. In particular, the notion of a privileged, non-foreclosing innovation or intervention is introduced and illustrated.
Geoengineering cities to stabilise climate
Authors: Fink Jonathan H.
Published: September 2013

Geoengineering typically refers to planetary-scale or perhaps regional-scale technological responses to the deleterious effects of human-induced climate change. This paper explores the idea that urbanisation could constitute a successful form of distributed, bottom-up geoengineering. Through the redesign of existing urban areas and the creation of more efficient new ones, per capita energy consumption and carbon dioxide generation could potentially be radically reduced. However, implementing these changes requires a combination of new technology and altered behaviour, coordination across sectors and geography, and unusually strong political action. In particular, civil engineers and economists would need to create methods for determining the most cost-effective ways for each city to become more resource efficient. Urban redesign carries a lower risk and offers more ancillary benefits than most other geoengineering schemes. Given the potentially catastrophic consequences of global warming, engineers, planners and politicians need to calculate how quickly and extensively cities can change to become positive forces for repairing the climate.
Effect of salt grain additions on fibrous peat consolidation
Authors: Zhang Lin , O'Kelly Brendan C.
Published: September 2013

Peat has been considered a problematic geotechnical material, with extremely high water content, low shear strength and high compressibility. Although initially high, fibrous peat undergoes dramatic reductions in permeability under compression, with secondary compression (creep) accounting for a large proportion of the settlement under loading. The key to accelerating the whole consolidation process for fibrous/hemic peats is to create a means of accelerating water flow from micropores (within the cellular structure) or humus contained in the peat. This paper presents the results of preliminary laboratory trials performed using the hydraulic consolidation (Rowe) cell apparatus to investigate a novel approach involving the addition of salt grains to fibrous peat towards accelerating its rate of primary consolidation and reducing its creep rate. Under similar loading conditions, salt-treated specimens were found to have reduced rate and magnitude of creep settlement, explained by larger volumes of micropore water expelled during primary consolidation.
Interferon‐γ, Interleukins‐6 and ‐4, and Factor XIII‐A as Indirect Markers of the Classical and Alternative Macrophage Activation Pathways in Chronic Periodontitis
Authors: Navarrete Mariely , García Jocelyn , Dutzan Nicolás , Henríquez Leslie , Puente Javier , Carvajal Paola , Hernandez Marcela , Gamonal Jorge
Published: September 2013

Background: Macrophages account for 5% to 30% of the inflammatory infiltrate in periodontitis and are activated by the classic and alternative pathways. These pathways are identified by indirect markers, among which interferon (IFN)‐γ and interleukin‐6 (IL)‐6 of the classic pathway and IL‐4 of the alternative pathway have been studied widely. Recently, factor XIII‐A (FXIII‐A) was reported to be a good marker of alternative pathway activation. The aim of this study is to determine the macrophage activation pathways involved in chronic periodontitis (CP) by the detection of the indirect markers IFN‐γ, IL‐6, FXIII‐A, and IL‐4.

Methods: Biopsies were taken from patients with CP (n = 10) and healthy individuals (n = 10) for analysis of IFN‐γ, IL‐6, IL‐4, and FXIII‐A by Western blot (WB), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The same biopsies of healthy and diseased gingival tissue were used, and the expressions of these markers were compared between healthy individuals and those with CP.

Results: The presence of macrophages was detected by CD68+ immunohistochemistry and their IFN‐γ, IL‐6, IL‐4, and FXIII‐A markers by WB, IHC, and ELISA in all samples of healthy and diseased tissue. IL‐6, IL‐4, and FXIII‐A were significantly higher in patients with CP, whereas FXIII‐A was higher in healthy individuals.

Conclusion: The presence of IFN‐γ, IL‐6, IL‐4, and FXIII‐A in healthy individuals and in patients with CP suggests that macrophages may be activated by both classic and alternative pathways in health and in periodontal disease.
The Primary Attachment Style Questionnaire: A Brief Measure for Assessing Six Primary Attachment Styles before and after Age Twelve
Authors: Salzman Judith P. , Kunzendorf Robert G. , Saunders Eleanor , Hulihan Deborah
Published: September 2013

Objective:

This article describes development and initial validation studies of the Primary Attachment Style Questionnaire (PASQ), a brief self-report for delineating six styles of attachment to a primary caregiver. Theoretically cued to Ainsworth's original infant classifications, the questionnaire is designed to map attachment patterns during two developmental periods (before and after age 12) and is intended for use in both clinical and non-clinical populations.

Method:

Pilot studies of the PASQ were conducted with a total of 441 college undergraduates. Over this period, test-retest analyses and factor analyses reduced the number of questionnaire items to the current 42-item version. Participants also responded to a variety of additional measures intended to assess the PASQ's validity.

Results:

In the first of three validity studies, investigators found moderate correlations between 120 college undergraduates' predominant attachment styles on the PASQ Before 12 and romantic attachment styles on Brennan, Clark, and Shaver's ECR. In the second study, 167 respondents' Axis I and Axis II scores on the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory supported the hypothesis that particular insecure attachment styles before age 12 would be related to specific personality disorders and to PTSD. The third validity study demonstrated the PASQ's sensitivity to shifts in attachment security between childhood and adolescence in the presence of three types of events that might generate attachment-related distress: mother's death, parents' divorce, and disruption of mother's ability to provide adequate caregiving.

Conclusion:

Findings support the utility of the PASQ for use in attachment research and in clinical practice.
Maternal Depressive Symptoms in Childhood and Openness to Experience in Adulthood
Authors: Galler Janina R. , Bryce Cyralene P. , Waber Deborah P. , Zichlin Miriam L. , Fitzmaurice Garrett M. , Costa Paul T.
Published: September 2013

We examined the role of maternal depressive symptoms reported during childhood as a predictor of an important personality trait, Openness to Experience (O), in middle adulthood. Participants were 95 adults (38 previously malnourished, 57 control, mean age 42.1 years) who had been followed longitudinally since childhood by the Barbados Nutrition Study. Maternal depressive symptoms had been measured when the participants were 5–11 years of age by the General Adjustment and Morale Scale; O was measured in adulthood by the Revised NEO-Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R). Multiple regression analyses, adjusted for childhood household standard of living, showed a significant main effect on O of maternal depressive symptoms ( p < 0.01). Maternal depression also attenuated the significant effect of childhood malnutrition by 14%. Maternal depressive symptoms in childhood may therefore play a causal role in adult personality, in particular Openness to Experience, with implications for creativity.
Thymophor in Dreams, Poetry, Art and Memory: Emotion Translated into Imagery as a Basic Element of Human Creativity
Authors: Hartmann Ernest , Kunzendorf Robert
Published: September 2013

The word thymophor (from thymo: emotion and phor: carrying over) is introduced here. It refers to the carrying-over, or translation, of emotion into imagery, which we find is an important element in human creativity. This article starts with dreaming: my collaborators and I have studied the Central Image (CI) of the dream over many years, and shown that the CI is driven by, and in the simplest case pictures, the underlying emotion of the dreamer. This is an instance of thymophor. The center of a poem, which TS Eliot calls the Objective Correlative, play the same role: it pictures the underlying emotion. We go on to find thymophor in painting, music, and other arts. Thymophor appears to be a basic element in our creative activity. This article then discusses metaphor, a basic part of human thought, occurring everywhere, though especially prominently in dreams and poetry. We find that metaphor is understandable only when emotion is considered: emotion chooses or drives the metaphor to be used: thus, again, thymophor, a picture-metaphor driven by and carrying the emotion. A brief experiment in autobiographical memory is presented, suggesting that the moments that leap out in memory are recalled as imagery, but imagery that is driven by heightened emotion, once more: thymophor. Finally, an outline of the probable brain biology of thymophor is discussed.
Content of Dreams from WWII POWs
Authors: Barrett Deirdre , Sogolow Zach , Angela OH , Panton Jasmine , Grayson Malcolm , Justiniano Melanie
Published: September 2013

This article examines the content of dreams from British officers held in Laufen, a Nazi POW camp, during the years 1940–1942. The POW's dreams have more content concerning battles, imprisonment, escape, and food than the Hall and van de Castle male norms from the same era. The POW dreams do not have as much of any type of social interaction. Their dreams contain less friendliness, sexuality, and even less aggression than the male norms. However, aggression was unusually extreme when it occurred, and its content was linked to previous battles rather than camp life. POW's had less good fortune or misfortune in their dreams along with frequent bland dreams about the tedium of the camp. Their dream characters included higher percentages of males, family members, and the dead; they had fewer friends or animal characters than the male norms—perhaps simply reflecting who they were in contact with at the camp. Overall, these POW's patterns resembled other prison populations rather than other post-combatants, which may be because this particular group was captured early during WWII.
Metaphor-Laced Language of Computer Science and Receptor Community Users
Authors: Mehrpooya Abbas , Nowroozzadeh Negar
Published: September 2013

It is a well-attested fact among the academia that the terminology and discourse of computer science is pervaded with metaphors. Yet, almost all the studies on metaphor application in computer science have approached the issue of the metaphor use and its influence on the user-computer interaction from an intralingual stance leaving the field of literature related to this subject with a lacking for the adoption of an interlingual attitude. The question is whether metaphor is as extensively far-reaching in its influence among the computer users across the globe as it has been pervasive in its use in computer discourse? This study, through drawing the scholars' attention to the significance of user metaphoric awareness in the receptor communities regarding the recognition of any metaphoric application based upon the notion of transparency or opacity of metaphoric meaning in terms of the user's command of the language in use in computer science, tries to put forth the idea of globalization of metaphoric meaning in computer science and its influence upon the users and at the same time propose some possible alternatives to the computer writers and decision-makers both in global and local levels in order for the user metaphoric awareness being promoted.
Improving Scientific Voice in the Science Communication Center at UT Knoxville
Authors: Hirst Russel
Published: September 2013

Many science students believe that scientific writing is most impressive (and most professionally acceptable) when impersonal, dense, complex, and packed with jargon. In particular, they have the idea that legitimate scientific writing must suppress the subjectivity of the human voice. But science students can mature into excellent writers whose voices are clear, interesting, unburdensome, efficient, and accurate. To do this, they must abandon their ponderous scientific voices and use techniques that produce good style. When I teach for the Science Communication Center at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, I focus on helping students improve their scientific voice. I use workshop-style instruction, review of student writing, tutorial staff, and free online tutorials that I have developed. This article meditates upon the nature of good scientific voice as it analyzes examples of student writing to show improvements made through specific stylistic techniques.
Fluorine adsorption on transition metal surfaces: A DFT study
Authors: Pasti Igor , Gavrilov Nemanja , Mentus Slavko
Published: September 2013

On the basis of Density Functional Theory calculation, the adsorption of
fluorine was investigated on a) Cu(111), Au(111), Pd(111) and Pt(111)
surfaces, b) on Pd monolayer surfaces over Cu(111), Au(111) and Pt(111)
surface, and c) on the surfaces of Pd(111) monocrystal with inserted metal
monolayer (M = Cu, Au, Pt) underneath the first Pd surface layer. The
results evidenced that the adsorption did not cause significant structural
parameters of metallic substrate. The strongest adsorption amounting to
-4.49 eV was calculated in the case of Cu(111) surface. The Cu(111) and
Au(111) surface atoms interact with F adatoms by the mediation of sp-band
exclusively, while the surface atoms of Pt and Pd-based surfaces interact
with F adatoms additionally by the mediation of d-band, too. In the case of
Pt(111) and PdML/M(111) surfaces, the binding energies are correlated with
the d-band center positions, which indicated a significant contribution of
covalent interaction. These results confirmed that the nature of surface
interaction of highly electronegative F atom with metallic surfaces depends
significantly on the nature of the metal substrate.
OSL dating using quartz fine grains extracted from loess in Upper Palaeolithic sites of Nihewan Basin, northern China
Authors: Shitaoka Yorinao , Nagatomo Tsuneto
Published: September 2013

Although radiocarbon (14C) dating, uranium-series dating, and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating have been conducted for Upper Palaeolithic sites in the Nihewan Basin, northern China, there is room for constructing a detailed chronological framework. In this study, loess sediments collected from two Upper Palaeolithic sites, Youfang site and Hutouliang site, were dated using the single-aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) OSL protocol. OSL measurements for palaeodoses estimation used fine-grained quartz samples extracted from loess. OSL dating results were obtained as 10–17 ka. These OSL ages were consistent with the related stratigraphy of Palaeolithic sites, archaeological evidence and independent 14C ages.