bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Garlic in dermatology
Authors: Pazyar Nader , Feily Amir
Published: April 2011

Garlic (Allium sativum L. fam. Alliaceae) is one of the best-researched, best-selling herbal remedies and is also commonly used for treating various health problems. Garlic is widely known for its biological properties and plays an important role as an antioxidant. The purpose of this review is to gather and summarize all dermatologic-oriented in vitro and in-vivo experiments and clinical trials on garlic preparations. Extensive literatures search was carried out and twenty three studies were included. The results suggest that oral administration of garlic is effective on immunologic properties, cutaneous microcirculation, protection against UVB and cancer treatment. Additionally, topical application of garlic extract can potentially be effective on psoriasis, alopecia areata, keloid scar, wound healing, cutaneous corn, viral and fungal infection, leishmaniasis, skin aging and rejuvenation. Clinical effectiveness of oral and topical garlic extract is not sufficiently and meticulously explored as so far.
Pharmacotherapy of Insomnia with Ramelteon: Safety, Efficacy and Clinical Applications
Authors: Pandi-Perumal Seithikurippu R. , Spence D. Warren , Verster Joris C. , Srinivasan Venkatramanujam , Brown Gregory M. , Cardinali Daniel P. , Hardeland Rüdiger
Published: April 2011

Ramelteon is a tricyclic synthetic analog of melatonin that acts specifically on MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors. Ramelteon is the first melatonin receptor agonist approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of insomnia characterized by sleep onset difficulties. Ramelteon is both a chronobiotic and a hypnotic that has been shown to promote sleep initiation and maintenance in various preclinical and in clinical trials. The efficacy and safety of ramelteon in patients with chronic insomnia was initially confirmed in short-term placebo-controlled trials. These showed little evidence of next-day residual effects, withdrawal symptoms or rebound insomnia. Other studies indicated that ramelteon lacked abuse potential and had a minimal risk of producing dependence or adverse effects on cognitive or psychomotor performance. A 6-month placebo-controlled international study and a 1-year open-label study in the USA demonstrated that ramelteon was effective and well tolerated. Other potential off-label uses of ramelteon include circadian rhythm sleep disorders such as shift-work and jet lag. At the present time the drug should be cautiously prescribed for short-term treatment only.
Leafy branches of Bothrodendron punctatum from the Westphalian D (Asturian) of Nova Scotia, Canada
Authors: Thomas Barry A. , Cleal Christopher J. , Zodrow Erwin
Published: April 2011

Specimens belonging to the lycopsid genus Bothrodendron are identified by distinctive shoots that have small superficial leaf scars. The species are distinguished on the basis of leaf scar shape and ornamentation on their stem surfaces. Of the two Pennsylvanian (upper Carboniferous) species, Bothrodendron minutifolium has been found sev‑ eral times with leafy shoots attached, but Bothrodendron punctatum has, until now, only been found as large leafless stems. The leafy specimen of Bothrodendron punctatum described here from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, is therefore the first of its kind to be found and reveals further evidence of the growth patterns and branch shedding of these relatively rare lycopsids.

RÉSUMÉ

Les spécimens appartenant au genre lycopside Bothrodendron peuvent être identifiés par leurs pousses distinctives, qui présentent de petites cicatrices foliaires superficielles. Les espèces se différencient par la forme des cicatrices et par l’ornementation de celles‑ci sur la surface de la tige. Sur les deux espèces du Pennsylvanien (Carbonifère supéri‑ eur), le Bothrodendron minutifolium a été trouvé plusieurs fois avec des pousses feuillues encore attachées, mais le Bothrodendron punctatum trouvé jusqu’à maintenant ne présentait que de larges tiges dépouillées de feuilles. Le spéci‑ men feuillu de Bothrodendron punctatum décrit ici depuis le Cap‑Breton, en Nouvelle‑Écosse (Canada), est donc le premier en son genre que l’on découvre; il fournit d’autres données de schémas de croissance et de chute de branches de ces lycopsides, qui sont plutôt rares.[Traduit par la redaction]
Probable Cervical Vertebra of an extinct Ice Age Elkmoose Dredged from the Inner Continental Shelf of Central New Jersey
Authors: Becker Martin A. , Chamberlain John A. , Chamberlain Rebecca B.
Published: April 2011

Commercial shell-fishing activities off the central New Jersey coast recovered a single cervical vertebra probably belonging to the extinct elkmoose, Alces scotti. The specimen was discovered 40 km southeast of Manasquan Inlet in 40–45 m of water at approximate latitude 39° 45' N and longitude 73° 30' W. Radiocarbon dating yielded an age of 23 530 ± 170 years BP for the vertebra. This date is consistent with the known age range of this species and predates the migration of the modern moose Alces alces into northeastern North America from western North America and Eurasia. The discovery of Pleistocene terrestrial mammal fossils, such as this bone, on the submerged northeastern continental shelf reflects periglacial habitat shifts. These habitat shifts are the product of glacioeustatically controlled shoreline migration associated with the Wisconsinan glacial maximum. We interpret this vertebra as probably deriving from an animal living in a tundra or taiga setting at a distance of 100 to 200 km from the southern edge of the Laurentide ice sheet.

RÉSUMÉ

Les activités de pêche commerciale aux crustacés et aux mollusques au large de la côte du New Jersey ont donné lieu à la découverte d’une vertèbre cervicale unique, qui appartiendrait vraisemblablement à une espèce d’élan depuis longtemps disparue, Alces scotti. Le spécimen a été découvert dans l’eau à 40 km au sud-est du passage de Manasquan, à une profondeur d’environ 40 à 45 m, approximativement à la latitude 39° 45’ nord et à la longitude 73° 30’ ouest. La datation par le carbone 14 a établi l’âge de la vertèbre, qui remonterait à 23 530 ans BP (avant le présent), à 170 ans près. Cet âge correspond à la période connue de l’existence de cette espèce, laquelle a précédé l’arrivée de l’élan moderne Alces alces au nord-est de l’Amérique du Nord, en provenance de l’ouest du continent nord-américain et de l’Eurasie. La découverte de fossiles de mammifères du Pléistocène, comme cette vertèbre, sur le plateau continental submergé du nord-est rend compte de l’évolution périglaciaire des habitats. Ces mutations d’habitat sont le résultat d’une migration côtière déterminée par le contexte glacio-eustatique, caractéristique de la période glaciaire maximale du Wisconsin. L’interprétation que nous faisons de cette vertèbre nous porte à croire qu’elle provient probablement d’un animal qui vivait dans la toundra ou la taïga, à une distance d’environ 100 à 200 km de la bordure sud de la plaque glaciaire des Laurentides.[Traduit par la redaction]
A cautionary note on the use of invertebrate trace fossils for correlation in the Triassic-Jurassic Fundy Group
Authors: MacNaughton Robert B. , Pickerill Ron K.
Published: April 2011

Red-bed strata generally considered to be of Triassic age are present in outcrop at Point Lepreau and St. Martins, New Brunswick. These successions preserve assemblages of invertebrate trace fossils that are similar to one another. Some authors have taken this as evidence that the successions are of similar age. However, all ichnotaxa that are common to the two successions (Ancorichnus cf. ancorichnus, Gordia marina, Palaeophycus isp., Planolites isp., and Skolithos isp.) are long-ranging forms that provide no useful age constraints in Triassic strata and cannot support the suggested correlation. Similarities between the ichnofaunas reflect the continental depositional setting of the two successions, in which trace-makers produced a Scoyenia ichnofacies. This does not falsify correlation between the Point Lepreau and St. Martins successions, which can be supported on other grounds. Instead, it reinforces the need for caution when using trace fossils for biostratigraphic purposes in much of the stratigraphic record.

RÉSUMÉ

Des couches de roches rouges dont on estime généralement qu’elles remontent au Trias affleurent à Point Lepreau et à St. Martins, au Nouveau-Brunswick. Ces suites pétrographiques préservent des assemblages de traces de fossiles d’invertébrés qui se ressemblent. Certains auteurs ont considéré qu’il s’agissait là d’une preuve que ces séquences sont plus ou moins du même âge. Toutefois, les traces de fossiles propres aux deux séquences (Ancorichnus cf. ancorichnus, Gordia marina, Palaeophycus isp., Planolites isp., et Skolithos isp.) sont des formes de longues durées qui n’offrent aucun indice utile de datation dans les strates du Trias; il est donc impossible de soutenir la corrélation alléguée. Les similitudes qui apparaissent dans les traces de fossiles d’invertébrés correspondent à un phénomène de sédimentation de deux séquences dans lesquelles les traces d’organismes ont produit un ichnofaciès de l’espèce Scoyenia. Par ailleurs, cela n’infirme en rien la corrélation entre les séquences de Point Lepreau et de St. Martins, laquelle peut être établie par d’autres indices. De fait, cela met encore plus en lumière le devoir de prudence lorsqu’il s’agit d’utiliser dans une large mesure des fossiles à l’état de traces à des fins d’analyse biostratigraphique pour l’établissement d’une fiche stratigraphique.[Traduit par la redaction]
Dendrochronological dating of coal mine workings at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs, Nova Scotia, Canada
Authors: Quann Sarah L. , Young Amanda B. , Laroque Colin P. , Falcon-Lang Howard J. , Martin Gibling R.
Published: April 2011

Joggins, Nova Scotia was one of the first places in North America where coal was mined. In this paper we employ dendrochronology to date timber pit props preserved within relic coal mine workings on the closely adjacent Fundy and Dirty seams. These remains comprise a system of adits created through ‘room and pillar’ mining. Of the seventy-three samples collected, forty-eight were successfully cross-dated against a local red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) master chronology thereby establishing the year in which each individual sample was cut as a live tree. Results indicate cut dates of 1849-1875 which are generally consistent with written archival records of mining activity on these coal seams. Our analysis of fourteen separate adits allows us to distinguish two phases of mining. Most adits (numbers 1-9 and 11-12 with cut dates of 1849-1868) are relics of an initial operation by the General Mining Association (1865-1871), which opened a mine entered at beach level. Dendrochronological dates preceding the opening of this mine may suggest that timber stockpiled from the nearby Joggins Mine (opened 1847) was used in its construction. The remaining adits (numbers 10 and 13-14 with cut dates of 1873-1875) are probably relics of a later mine opened by the Joggins Coal Mining Company (1872-1877). Although this mine was centered ~500 m inland, its western peripheral workings passed through the earlier workings to the shore. Findings improve knowledge of the industrial archaeology of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and help refine the regional master red spruce chronology for future dendrochronological studies.
The breakup of levitating water drops observed with a high speed camera
Authors: Emersic C. , Connolly P. J.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. A wind tunnel was used to interact water drops and were recorded using a high speed camera. Three distinct collisional breakup types were observed and the drop size spectra from each were analysed for comparison with parameterisations constructed by Low and List (1982a). The spectra predicted by the parameterisations did not accurately correlate with the observed breakup distributions for each breakup type when applied to the relatively larger and similarly-sized drop-pairs of size 4–8 mm, comparable to those sometimes observed in nature. We discuss possible reasons for the discrepancies and suggest potential areas for future investigation. A computer programme was subsequently used to solve the stochastic coalescence and breakup equation using the Low and List breakup parameterisation, and the evolving drop spectra for a range of initial conditions were examined. Initial cloud liquid water content was found to be the most influential parameter, whereas initial drop number was found to have relatively little influence. This may have implications when considering the effect of aerosol on cloud evolution, raindrop formation and resulting drop spectra.
Physical and chemical properties of pollution aerosol particles transported from North America to Greenland as measured during the POLARCAT summer campaign
Authors: Quennehen B. , Schwarzenboeck A. , Schmale J. , Schneider J. , Sodemann H. , Stohl A. , Ancellet G. , Crumeyrolle S. , Law K. S.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. Within the framework of the POLARCAT-France campaign, aerosol physical, chemical and optical properties over Greenland were measured onboard the French ATR-42 research aircraft. The Lagrangian particle dispersion model FLEXPART was used to determine air mass origins. The study focuses particularly on the characterization of air masses transported from the North American continent. Air masses that picked up emissions from Canadian and Alaskan boreal forest fires as well as from the cities on the American east coast were identified and selected for a detailed study. Measurements of CO concentrations, aerosol chemical composition, aerosol size distributions, aerosol volatile fractions and aerosol light absorption (mainly from black carbon) are used in order to study the relationship between CO enhancement, ageing of the air masses, aerosol particle concentrations and size distributions. Aerosol size distributions are in good agreement with previous studies, even though, wet scavenging potentially occurred along the pathway between the emission sources and Greenland leading to lower concentrations in the aerosol accumulation mode. The measured aerosol size distributions show a significant enhancement of Aitken mode particles. It is demonstrated that the Aitken mode is largely composed of black carbon, while the accumulation mode is more dominated by organics, as deduced from aerosol mass spectrometric AMS and aerosol volatility measurements. Overall, during the campaign rather small amounts of black carbon from the North American continent were transported towards Greenland. An important finding given the potential climate impacts of black carbon in the Arctic.
Night-time enhanced atmospheric ion concentrations in the marine boundary layer
Authors: Kalivitis N. , Stavroulas I. , Bougiatioti A. , Kouvarakis G. , Gagné S. , Manninen H. E. , Kulmala M. , Mihalopoulos N.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. Measurements of atmospheric ions in the size range 0.8–42 nm were conducted at the environmental research station of the University of Crete at Finokalia from April 2008 to April 2009 in the frame of the EUCAARI project. Both positive and negative atmospheric ions were found to have a clear annual cycle, with minimum concentrations in summer. Their concentrations were found to strongly vary on the prevailing meteorology and the presence of pollutants in the atmosphere. There were 53 new particle formation events recorded. It was found that under certain meteorological conditions and atmospheric composition, enhanced ion concentrations can be observed during the night. Overall, 39 night-time events were observed, all of them observed for the negatively charged particles while only 21 were observed for the positively charged particles. Night-time enhanced ion concentrations were more frequent during spring and autumn and no such events were recorded from July to September. It was found that the presence of pollutants in the atmosphere leads to a decrease of atmospheric ions, especially at cluster sizes (1.25–1.66 nm). Additionally, the meteorological conditions affect the abundance of atmospheric ions greatly, a strong anti-correlation was found between air ions concentrations on the one hand and temperature and wind velocity on the other. Enhanced ion concentrations at night were found to be more frequent when air masses had traveled over the island of Crete.
Lidar-derived PM10 and comparison with regional modeling in the frame of the MEGAPOLI Paris summer campaign
Authors: Royer P. , Chazette P. , S artelet K. , Zhang Q. J. , Beekmann M. , Raut J.-C.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. An original approach using mobile lidar measurements was implemented to validate mass concentrations (PM10) predicted by chemistry-transport models. A ground-based mobile lidar (GBML) was deployed around Paris onboard a van during the MEGAPOLI (Megacities: Emissions, urban, regional and Global Atmospheric POLlution and climate effects, and Integrated tools for assessment and mitigation) summer experiment in July 2009. The measurements performed with this Rayleigh-Mie lidar are converted into PM10 profiles using optical-to-mass relationships previously established from in situ measurements performed around Paris for urban and peri-urban aerosols. The method is described here and applied to the 10 measurements days (MD). MD of 1, 15, 16 and 26 July 2009 correspond to contrasted levels of pollution and atmospheric conditions. They are analyzed here in more details. Lidar-derived PM10 are compared with results of simulations from POLYPHEMUS and CHIMERE chemistry-transport models (CTM) and with ground-based observations from AIRPARIF network. GBML-derived and AIRPARIF in situ measurements have been found to be in good agreement with a mean Root Mean Square Error RMSE (and a Mean Absolute Percentage Error MAPE) of 5.9 μg m−3 (21.0%) with peri-urban and 8.7 μg m−3 (25.4%) with urban relationships, respectively. The comparisons between CTMs and lidar have shown that CTMs tend to underestimate wet PM10 concentrations as revealed by the mean wet PM10 observed during the 10 MD of 22.7, 20.0 and 17.5 μg m−3 for lidar with peri-urban relationship, POLYPHEMUS and CHIMERE models, respectively. This leads to a RMSE (and a MAPE) of 7.2 μg m−3 (33.4%) and 7.4 μg m−3 (32.0%) when considering POLYPHEMUS and CHIMERE CTMs, respectively. Wet integrated PM10 computed (between the ground and 1 km above the ground level) from lidar, POLYPHEMUS and CHIMERE results have been compared and have shown similar results with a RMSE (and MAPE) of 6.7 μg m−2 (30.7%) and 7.1 μg m−2 (28.4%) with POLYPHEMUS and CHIMERE when comparing with lidar-periu-urban parametrization. The values are of the same order of magnitude than other comparisons realized in previous studies. The discrepancies observed between models and measured PM10 can be explained by difficulties to accurately model the background conditions, the positions and strengths of the plume, the vertical diffusion (as well as the limited vertical model resolutions) and the chemical modeling such as the formation of secondary aerosols.
Accumulation of DOC in Low Phosphate Low Chlorophyll (LPLC) area: is it related to higher production under high N:P ratio?
Authors: Mauriac R. , Moutin T. , Baklouti M.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. The biogeochemistry of carbon and nutrients (N,P) in the surface layer of the ocean strongly depends on the complex interactions between primary producers (phytoplankton) and remineralizers (heterotrophic bacteria). To understand how these interactions impact the overall DOC dynamics in the surface layer of the Mediterranean Sea, we implemented, using Eco3M (Ecological Mechanistic Modular Modelling tool), a multi-element model with a mechanistic description of primary production. We studied the model steady state results under various nutrient conditions and fixed cell abundances. By doing so, we show how the bottom up control of osmotrophs growth can impact the overall DOC dynamics in the system. Based on our set of parameters, the biogeochemical characteristics displayed by the model appear realistic when compared to literature data for the Mediterranean basin. Differences in DOC dynamics between N and P limited systems in the model, lead to the conclusion that the unusually high N:P ratio of the Mediterranean Sea may favour the uncoupling between growth and carbon production leading to higher DOC accumulation compared to systems with lower N:P ratio.
Robust multi-objective calibration strategies – chances for improving flood forecasting
Authors: Krauße T. , Cullmann J. , Saile P. , Schmitz G. H.
Published: April 2011

Abstract. Process-oriented rainfall-runoff models are designed to approximate the complex hydrologic processes within a specific catchment and in particular to simulate the discharge at the catchment outlet. Most of these models exhibit a high degree of complexity and require the determination of various parameters by calibration. Recently automatic calibration methods became popular in order to identify parameter vectors with high corresponding model performance. The model performance is often assessed by a purpose-oriented objective function. Practical experience suggests that in many situations one single objective function cannot adequately describe the model's ability to represent any aspect of the catchment's behaviour. This is regardless whether the objective is aggregated of several criteria that measure different (possibly opposite) aspects of the system behaviour. One strategy to circumvent this problem is to define multiple objective functions and to apply a multi-objective optimisation algorithm to identify the set of Pareto optimal or non-dominated solutions. One possible approach to estimate the Pareto set effectively and efficiently is the particle swarm optimisation (PSO). It has already been successfully applied in various other fields and has been reported to show effective and efficient performance. Krauße and Cullmann (2011b) presented a method entitled ROPEPSO which merges the strengths of PSO and data depth measures in order to identify robust parameter vectors for hydrological models. In this paper we present a multi-objective parameter estimation algorithm, entitled the Multi-Objective Robust Particle Swarm Parameter Estimation (MO-ROPE). The algorithm is a further development of the previously mentioned single-objective ROPEPSO approach. It applies a newly developed multi-objective particle swarm optimisation algorithm in order to identify non-dominated robust model parameter vectors. Subsequently it samples robust parameter vectors by the application of data depth metrics. In a preliminary assessment MO-PSO-GA is compared with other multi-objective optimisation algorithms. In the frame of a real world case study MO-ROPE is applied identifying robust parameter vectors of a distributed hydrological model with focus on flood events in a small, pre-alpine, and fast responding catchment in Switzerland. The method is compared with existing robust parameter estimation methods.
Structural and textural characteristics of slate and its response to the point load test
Authors: Trajanova Mirka , Mladenovič Ana
Published: April 2011

From the geomechanical point of view slate is considered to be one of more trying rock varieties. The results of research have shown close relationship between structural, textural and mineralogical characteristics on the one hand, and its strength and resistance to point loads on the other hand. Its weakened zones are the result of anisotropy. They develop mainly due to dynamo-metamorphosis of the primary mudstone, resulting in the formation of the secondary slaty cleavage, with a pronounced preferred orientation of the phyllosilicates. Low strength is the consequence of the weak Van der Waals chemical bond between individual packets of the internal crystal structure of the sheet minerals, particularly sericite. Bedding and microfolds with a crenulated structure and partial preferred orientation of sheet minerals, as well as directions that are weakened with sigmoidal shear deformations as the predecessors of microfaults, also result in significant but less problematic anisotropy. Thin lepidoblastic lamina, in apparently massive sandy metasiltstone beds in the slate represent discontinuities, which have a decisive influence on the reduction of their strength.
Antimony and Antimony Alloys
Authors: Li T.
Published: April 2011

Antimony belongs to Group 15 (VA) of the Periodic Table, which also includes arsenic and bismuth. Antimony ore bodies are small and scattered throughout the world. Nearly all of the world's primary antimony is mined in China, Bolivia, and Russia. World reserves of antimony are estimated to be ∼1.8 million tons. Antimony is a silvery white, brittle solid. It is ordinarily quite stable and not readily attacked by air. The antimony content of commercial ores ranges fro 5 to 60%, and determines the method of treatment, either hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical. The U.S. is not self‐sufficient in its requirements for antimony and is heavily dependent on imports of both ore and metal. Metallic antimony can be handled freely, without danger, but direct skin contact should be avoided. Most antimony compounds are poisonous. Antimony uses are as follows: in flame retardants, transportation including batteries, and ceramics, glass, and solar cells
Cesium and Cesium Compounds
Authors: Ferguson William , Gorrie Dena
Published: April 2011

Cesium is a member of Group 1(IA) alkali metals. It resembles potassium and rubidium in the metallic state, and the chemistry of cesium is more like that of these two elements than like that of the lighter alkali metals. Cesium is the rarest of the naturally occurring alkali metals (ranking 40th). The most commercial cesium source is pollucite. Canada is the world's largest cesium source containing approximately two‐thirds of the known ore. Pure cesium is a silvery white soft, ductile metal. Pollucite preparation consists of mining the ore, crushing it to size, followed by hand picking. The three methods of converting pollucite to cesium metal or compounds are direct reduction, decomposition, and acid digestion. The cesium market is small. The metal is highly reactive and special precautions are necessary for handling and shipping. Cesium isotopes are used in medical and biotechnology applications. Cesium's principal application is in formate brines, used for oil and gas drilling exploration. Cesium is used for time standards based on the vibration of the atom. Cesium is used also in electronic and chemical applications. Cesium compounds are manufactured by comparatively a large number of companies and are discussed.
Tellurium and Tellurium Compounds
Authors: Hoffmann James E. , King Michael G. , Carapella S. C. , Oldfield J. E. , Putnam R. D.
Published: April 2011

Tellurium is the most metallic of the abundant chalogens. In many of its chemical properties, it still resembles oxygen, sulfur, and selenium. More than 90% of tellurium is produced from anode slimes collected from electrolytic copper refining, and the remainder is derived from skimmings at lead refineries and from flue dust and gases generated during the smelting of bismuth, copper, and lead ores. Applications of tellurium are frequently limited by the small quantities available. Tellurium's major use is an alloying additive in steel to improve machining characteristics. It is used in the chemical industry, as a vulcanizing agent and accelerator in the processing of rubber, and as a component of catalysts in synthetic fiber production. Tellurium is increasingly used in the production of cadmium‐tellurium based solar cells. It is also used in photoreceptor and thermoelectric devices. Tellurium and tellurium compounds generally have a low environmental impact.
Transport and Fate of Agrochemicals in the Environment
Authors: Kennedy Ivan , Crossan Angus Neill , Burns Mitchell , Shi Yajuan
Published: April 2011

Synthetic agrochemicals applied at high concentration in the environment for pest control inevitably disperse from these sites, affecting non‐target species. As expected from the second law of thermodynamics, they will dilute spontaneously, transported into the available sinks in the environment by all transport mechanisms available. These dispersing chemicals comprise a diversity of manufactured products considered essential for modern economic civilisation, largely based on the consumption of fossil fuels. Despite the need for environmental protection, it is certain that the agrochemicals known as pesticides will continue to disperse into ecosystems given the greater needs for global food security that are expected to intensify. However, banning such chemicals because of real or perceived risks may not be a rational response.

We now possess extensive information on the fate and transport of such agrochemicals. In this article, selected case studies using data generated in the past 20 years for a contrasting range of legacy and current chemicals (DDT, endosulfan, diuron and glyphosate) are used in illustration, suggesting operating principles that can be used for achieving rational environmental management using risk analysis. There is a clear need for all stakeholders including environmentalists, to take responsibility for monitoring agrochemicals, to better assess their risk and manage and minimise their consequences. The benefits from strong and rational stewardship, where manufacturers, regulators users and all those who benefit from their use promote rational management of these products needs clearer recognition by all. Such approaches based on risk management could largely obviate the less rational precautionary approach.
Floor Polishes
Authors: Gregory Gordon K.
Published: April 2011

Floor polish provides a thin, temporary coating that confers an attractive, clean, well‐cared‐for appearance. A polished floor can withstand the abusive wear of foot traffic, and the useful life of the flooring beneath the polish is extended. A brief history of floor polish is given, followed by discussion of common materials for both household and industrial use.
Recent Progress in the Development of Anode Materials for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Cowin Peter I. , Petit Christophe T. G. , Lan Rong , Irvine John T. S. , Tao Shanwen
Published: April 2011

The field of research into solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anode materials has been rapidly moving forward. In the four years since the last in‐depth review significant advancements have been made in the reduction of the operating temperature and improvement of the performance of SOFCs. This progress report examines the developments in the field and looks to draw conclusions and inspiration from this research. A brief introduction is given to the field, followed by an overview of the principal previous materials. A detailed analysis of the developments of the last 4 years is given using a selection of the available literature, concentrating on metal‐fluorite cermets and perovskite‐based materials. This is followed by a consideration of alternate fuels for use in SOFCs and their associated problems and a short discussion on the effect of synthesis method on anode performance. The concluding remarks compile the significant developments in the field along with a consideration of the promise of future research. The recent progress in the development of anode materials for SOFCs based on oxygen ion conducting electrolytes is reviewed.
Observations on intelligence and behavior in 15 patients with Legius syndrome
Authors: Denayer Ellen , Descheemaeker Mie‐Jef , Stewart Douglas R. , Keymolen Kathelijn , Plasschaert Ellen , Ruppert Sarah L. , Snow Joseph , Thurm Audrey E. , Joseph Lisa A. , Fryns Jean‐Pierre , Legius Eric
Published: April 2011

Legius syndrome is a RAS‐MAPK syndrome characterized by pigmentary findings similar to neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), but without tumor complications. Learning difficulties and behavioral problems have been reported to be associated with Legius syndrome, but have not been studied systematically. We investigated intelligence and behavior in 15 patients with Legius syndrome and 7 unaffected family members. We report a mean full‐scale IQ of 101.57 in patients with Legius syndrome, which does not differ from the control group. We find a significantly lower Performance IQ in children with Legius syndrome compared to their unaffected family members. Few behavioral problems are present as assessed by the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) questionnaire. Our observations suggest that, akin to the milder somatic phenotype, the cognitive phenotype in Legius syndrome is less severe than that of NF1. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chemistry and the Worm: Caenorhabditis elegans as a Platform for Integrating Chemical and Biological Research
Authors: Hulme S. Elizabeth , Whitesides George M.
Published: April 2011

This Review discusses the potential usefulness of the worm Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism for chemists interested in studying living systems. C. elegans, a 1 mm long roundworm, is a popular model organism in almost all areas of modern biology. The worm has several features that make it attractive for biology: it is small (<1000 cells), transparent, and genetically tractable. Despite its simplicity, the worm exhibits complex phenotypes associated with multicellularity: the worm has differentiated cells and organs, it ages and has a well‐defined lifespan, and it is capable of learning and remembering. This Review argues that the balance between simplicity and complexity in the worm will make it a useful tool in determining the relationship between molecular‐scale phenomena and organism‐level phenomena, such as aging, behavior, cognition, and disease. Following an introduction to worm biology, the Review provides examples of current research with C. elegans that is chemically relevant. It also describes tools—biological, chemical, and physical—that are available to researchers studying the worm.
Modelling the size distribution of geoengineered stratospheric aerosols
Authors: Hommel René , Graf Hans‐F.
Published: April 2011

A modelling study on the growth of geoengineered stratospheric aerosols reveals that in steady state a large fraction of aerosols grow to micrometre sizes so that the sedimentation of aerosols might limit the geoengineered aerosol layer's ability to achieve its target cooling effect. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
N‐glycosylation and biological activity of recombinant human alpha1‐antitrypsin expressed in a novel human neuronal cell line
Authors: Blanchard Véronique , Liu Xi , Eigel Susann , Kaup Matthias , Rieck Silke , Janciauskiene Sabina , Sandig Volker , Marx Uwe , Walden Peter , Tauber Rudolf , Berger Markus
Published: April 2011

Human alpha‐1‐antitrypsin (A1AT) is a protease inhibitor that is involved in the protection of lungs from neutrophil elastase enzyme that drastically modifies tissue functioning. The glycoprotein consists of 394 amino acids and is N‐glycosylated at Asn‐46, Asn‐83, and Asn‐247. A1AT deficiency is currently treated with A1AT that is purified from human serum. In view of therapeutic applications, rA1AT was produced using a novel human neuronal cell line (AGE1.HN®) and we investigated the N‐glycosylation pattern as well as the in vitro anti‐inflammatory activity of the recombinant glycoprotein. rA1AT (300 mg/L) was biologically active as analyzed using elastase assay. The N‐glycan pool, released by PNGase F digestion, was characterized using 2D‐HPLC, MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry, and by exoglycosidase digestions. A total of 28 N‐glycan structures were identified, ranging from diantennary to tetraantennary complex‐type N‐glycans. Most of the N‐glycans were found to be (α1–6) core‐fucosylated and part of them contain the Lewis X epitope. The two major compounds are a monosialylated diantennary difucosylated glycan and a disialylated diantennary core‐fucosylated glycan, representing 25% and 18% of the total N‐glycan pool, respectively. Analysis of the site‐specificity revealed that Asn‐247 was mainly occupied by diantennary N‐glycans whereas Asn‐46 was occupied by di‐, and triantennary N‐glycans. Asn‐83 was exclusively occupied by sialylated tri‐ and tetraantennary N‐glycans. Next, we evaluated the anti‐inflammatory activity of rA1AT using A1AT purified from human serum as a reference. rA1AT was found to inhibit the production of TNF‐α in neutrophils and monocytes as commercial A1AT does. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2011;108:2118–2128. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Autophagy and apoptosis of recombinant Chinese hamster ovary cells during fed‐batch culture: Effect of nutrient supplementation
Authors: Han Young Kue , Ha Tae Kwang , Lee So Jeong , Lee Jae Seong , Lee Gyun Min
Published: April 2011

Upon nutrient depletion during recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (rCHO) cell batch culture, cells are subjected to apoptosis, type I programmed cell death (PCD), and autophagy which can be type II PCD or a cell survival mechanism. To investigate the effect of nutrient supplementation on the two PCDs and protein production in rCHO cells, an antibody‐producing rCHO cell line was cultivated in batch and fed‐batch modes. The feed medium containing glucose, amino acids, and vitamins was determined through flask culture tests and used in bioreactor cultures. In the bioreactor cultures, the nutrient feedings extended the culture longevity and enhanced antibody production. In addition, cells in the fed‐batch culture showed delayed onset of both apoptosis and autophagy, compared with those in the batch culture. The inhibition of apoptosis was demonstrated by a decreased amount of cleaved caspase‐7 protein and less fragmentation of chromosomal DNA. Concurrently, reduced LC3 conversion, from LC3‐I to LC3‐II, was observed in cells that received the feeds. Cultivation with pharmacological autophagy inducer (rapamycin) or inhibitor (bafilomycin A1) indicated that autophagy is necessary for the cells to survive under nutrient depletion. Taken together, the delayed and relieved cell death by nutrient supplementation could improve antibody production. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2011;108:2182–2192. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The PiggyBac transposon enhances the frequency of CHO stable cell line generation and yields recombinant lines with superior productivity and stability
Authors: Matasci Mattia , Baldi Lucia , Hacker David L. , Wurm Florian M.
Published: April 2011

Generating stable, high‐producing mammalian cell lines is a major bottleneck in the manufacture of recombinant therapeutic proteins. Conventional gene transfer methods for cell line generation rely on random plasmid integration, resulting in unpredictable and highly variable levels of transgene expression. As a consequence, a large number of stably transfected cells must be analyzed to recover a few high‐producing clones. Here we present an alternative gene transfer method for cell line generation based on transgene integration mediated by the piggyBac (PB) transposon. Recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines expressing a tumor necrosis factor receptor:Fc fusion protein were generated either by PB transposition or by conventional transfection. Polyclonal populations and isolated clonal cell lines were characterized for the level and stability of transgene expression for up to 3 months in serum‐free suspension culture. Pools of transposed cells produced up to fourfold more recombinant protein than did the pools generated by standard transfection. For clonal cell lines, the frequency of high‐producers was greater following transposition as compared to standard transfection, and these clones had a higher volumetric productivity and a greater number of integrated transgenes than did those generated by standard transfection. In general, the volumetric productivity of the cell pools and individual cell lines generated by transposition was stable for up to 3 months in the absence of selection. Our results indicate that the PB transposon supports the generation of cell lines with high and stable transgene expression at an elevated frequency relative to conventional transfection. Thus, PB‐mediated gene delivery is expected to reduce the extent of recombinant cell line screening. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2011;108:2141–2150. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A novel composition for in vitro and in vivo regeneration of skin and connective tissues
Authors: Gennero Luisa , De Siena Rocco , Denysenko Tetyana , Roos Maria Augusta , Calisti Gian Franco , Martano Manuela , Fiobellot Simona , Panzone Michele , Reguzzi Stefano , Gabetti Luisa , Vercelli Andrea , Cavallo Giovanni , Ricci Elia , Pescarmona Gian Piero
Published: April 2011

The particular combination of polydeoxyribonucleotides, l‐carnitine, calcium ions, proteolytic enzyme and other ingredients acts in a synergetic way in the regeneration of skin and connective tissues. This new formulation of active principles was tested in vitro as a cell and tissue culture medium and in vivo for various preparations in support of tissue regeneration. In vitro, the new blend allowed the maintenance of skin biopsies for more than 1 year in eutrophic conditions. Immunocytochemical analyses of fibroblasts isolated from these biopsies confirmed a significant increase of the epidermal and connective wound‐healing markers such as collagen type I, collagen type IV, cytokeratin 1 (CK1), CK5, CK10 and CK14 versus controls. To examine the effects of the new compound in vivo, we studied impaired wound healing in genetically diabetic db/db mice. At day 18, diabetic mice treated with the new composition showed 100% closure of wounds and faster healing than mice treated with the other solutions. This complex of vital continuity factors or life‐keeping factors could be used as a tissue‐preserving solution or a cosmetic/drug/medical device to accelerate wound healing in the treatment of patients with deficient wound repair to promote the regeneration of cutaneous and connective tissues (injuries–wound, dermatitis) and prevent the recurrent relapses. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrostatic Barriers in Rotaxanes and Pseudorotaxanes
Authors: Hmadeh Mohamad , Fahrenbach Albert C. , Basu Subhadeep , Trabolsi Ali , Benítez Diego , Li Hao , Albrecht‐Gary Anne‐Marie , Elhabiri Mourad , Stoddart J. Fraser
Published: April 2011

The ability to control the kinetic barriers governing the relative motions of the components in mechanically interlocked molecules is important for future applications of these compounds in molecular electronic devices. In this Full Paper, we demonstrate that bipyridinium (BIPY2+) dications fulfill the role as effective electrostatic barriers for controlling the shuttling and threading behavior for rotaxanes and pseudorotaxanes in aqueous environments. A degenerate [2]rotaxane, composed of two 1,5‐dioxynaphthalene (DNP) units flanking a central BIPY2+ unit in the dumbbell component and encircled by the cyclobis(paraquat‐p‐phenylene) (CBPQT4+) tetracationic cyclophane, has been synthesized employing a threading‐followed‐by‐stoppering approach. Variable‐temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy reveals that the barrier to shuttling of the CBPQT4+ ring over the central BIPY2+ unit is in excess of 17 kcal mol−1 at 343 K. Further information about the nature of the BIPY2+ unit as an electrostatic barrier was gleaned from related supramolecular systems, utilizing two threads composed of either two DNP units flanking a central BIPY2+ moiety or a central DNP unit flanked by a BIPY2+ moiety. The threading and dethreading processes of the CBPQT4+ ring with these compounds, which were investigated by spectrophotometric techniques, reveal that the BIPY2+ unit is responsible for affecting both the thermodynamics and kinetics of pseudorotaxane formation by means of an intramolecular self‐folding (through donor–acceptor interactions with the DNP unit), in addition to Coulombic repulsion. In particular, the free energy barrier to threading (Δ) of the CBPQT4+ for the case of the thread composed of a DNP flanked by two BIPY2+ units was found to be as high as 21.7 kcal mol−1 at room temperature. These results demonstrate that we can effectively employ the BIPY2+ unit to serve as electrostatic barriers in water in order to gain control over the motions of the CBPQT4+ ring in both mechanically interlocked and supramolecular systems.
Aerobic Reduction of Olefins by In Situ Generation of Diimide with Synthetic Flavin Catalysts
Authors: Imada Yasushi , Iida Hiroki , Kitagawa Takahiro , Naota Takeshi
Published: April 2011

A versatile reducing agent, diimide, can be generated efficiently by the aerobic oxidation of hydrazine with neutral and cationic synthetic flavin catalysts 1 and 2. This technique provides a convenient and safe method for the aerobic reduction of olefins, which proceeds with 1 equiv of hydrazine under an atmosphere of O2 or air. The synthetic advantage over the conventional gas‐based method has been illustrated through high hydrazine efficiency, easy and safe handling, and characteristic chemoselectivity. Vitamin B2 derivative 6 acts as a highly practical, robust catalyst for this purpose because of its high availability and recyclability. Association complexes of 1 b with dendritic 2,5‐bis(acylamino)pyridine 15 exhibit unprecedented catalytic activities, with the reduction of aromatic and hydroxy olefins proceeding significantly faster when a higher‐generation dendrimer is used as a host pair for the association catalysts. Contrasting retardation is observed upon similar treatment of non‐aromatic or non‐hydroxy olefins with the dendrimer catalysts. Control experiments and kinetic studies revealed that these catalytic reactions include two independent, anaerobic and aerobic, processes for the generation of diimide from hydrazine. Positive and negative dendrimer effects on the catalytic reactions have been ascribed to the specific inclusion of hydrazine and olefinic substrates into the enzyme‐like reaction cavities of the association complex catalysts.
Electron‐Rich Iron/Ruthenium Arylalkynyl Complexes for Third‐Order Nonlinear Optics: Redox‐Switching between Three States
Authors: Gauthier Nicolas , Argouarch Gilles , Paul Frédéric , Toupet Loic , Ladjarafi Abdelkader , Costuas Karine , Halet Jean‐François , Samoc Marek , Cifuentes Marie P. , Corkery T. Christopher , Humphrey Mark G.
Published: April 2011

The new [(η2‐dppe)(η5‐C5Me5)Fe(CC‐1,4‐C6H4CC)Ru(η2‐dppe)2CC(C6H5)] complex (3‐H) and its hexanuclear relative [{(η2‐dppe)(η5‐C5Me5)Fe(CC‐1,4‐C6H4‐CC)Ru(η2‐dppe)2(CC‐1,4‐C6H4CC)3(1,3,5‐C6H3)] (4) have been synthesized and characterized. The linear and cubic nonlinear optical properties of these compounds in their various redox states have been studied along with those of the analogous complexes [(η2‐dppe)(η5‐C5Me5)Fe(CC‐1,4‐C6H4CC)Ru(η2‐dppe)2R][PF6]n (n=0–2; R=Cl, 2‐Cl; R=CC(4‐C6H4NO2), 3‐NO2). We show that molecules exhibiting large third‐order nonlinearities can be obtained by assembling such dinuclear Fe/Ru units around a central 1,3,5‐substituted C6H3 core. These data are discussed with a particular emphasis on the large changes in their nonlinear (third‐order) optical properties brought about by oxidation. Experimental and computational (DFT) evidence for the electronic structures of these compounds in their various redox states is presented using 3‐Hn+ as a prototypical model. Single crystals of this complex in its mono‐oxidized state (3‐H[PF6]) provide the first structural data for such carbon‐rich FeIII/RuII heteronuclear mixed‐valent (MV) systems. Although experimental evidence for the structure of the dioxidized states was more difficult to obtain, the theoretical study reveals that 3‐H2+ can be considered to have a biradical structure with two independent spins. The low‐lying absorptions that appear in the near‐infrared (NIR) range for all these compounds following oxidation correspond to intervalence charge‐transfer (IVCT) bands for the mono‐oxidized states and to ligand‐to‐metal charge‐transfer (LMCT) transitions for the dioxidized states. These play a crucial role in the strong optical modulation achieved. The possibility of accessing additional states with distinct linear or nonlinear optical properties is also briefly discussed.