bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonclassical Tunability of Solid‐State CD and CPL Properties of a Chiral 2‐Naphthalenecarboxylic Acid/Amine Supramolecular Organic Fluorophore
Authors: Nishiguchi Noriaki , Kinuta Takafumi , Sato Tomohiro , Nakano Yoko , Tokutome Hayato , Tajima Nobuo , Fujiki Michiya , Kuroda Reiko , Matsubara Yoshio , Imai Yoshitane
Published: December 2011

The solid‐state chiral optical properties (circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence) of a 2‐naphthalenecarboxylic acid/amine supramolecular organic fluorophore can be controlled by changing the aryl unit of the chiral 1‐arylethylamine component of the molecule rather than altering the chirality of the 1‐arylethylamine itself.
Impfen – von der Empirie zur Immunologie
Authors: Kling Christiane , Kabelitz Dieter
Published: December 2011

Eine erfolgreiche Impfung erfordert eine effiziente Immunantwort auf die Vakzine und ein möglichst langanhaltendes immunologisches Gedächtnis. Für die Einleitung der Immunantwort gegen Mikroben spielen Musterkennungsrezeptoren des angeborenen Immunsystems wie beispielsweise die Toll‐like Rezeptoren eine zentrale Rolle; entsprechende Liganden sind auch wirksame Adjuvantien für Impfstoffe. Strategien zur Verbesserung von Impfstoffen bzw. zur künftigen Entwicklung von Impfstoffen gegen bisher “nicht‐impfbare” Infektionserreger beinhalten unter anderem neuartige Antigen‐Präparationen, die Aktivierung von Mustererkennungsrezeptoren durch Adjuvantien sowie neue Applikationswege von Impfstoffen.
Inseln: Ursprung der Vielfalt
Authors: Beierkuhnlein Carl , Hahn Ingo , Jentsch Anke , Schmitt Thomas
Published: December 2011

Ursprünglich wurde die Theorie der Inselbiogeographie entwickelt um zu ermitteln, wie sich die Größe von Inseln und ihre Entfernung vom Festland auf ihre Artenzahl und ‐zusammensetzung auswirken. Mittlerweile wurde diese Theorie ein wichtiges Konzept im Natur‐ und Artenschutz. Organismen, die auf Inseln gelangen, neigen im Laufe der Evolution aus unterschiedlichen Gründen entweder zur Verzwergung oder zur Ausbildung von Riesenformen. Obwohl Inseln dem ständigen Prozess des Entstehens und Vergehens unterliegen, stellen sie dennoch eine dauerhafte Erscheinung auf der Erde dar, weshalb sie auch besondere Bedeutung für Evolutionsprozesse besitzen. Heute kommt genetischen Analysen bei der Entschlüsselung der Besiedlungsgeschichte von Inseln ein hoher Stellenwert zu. Inseln stellen oft Orte mit hohem Anteil von endemischen Arten dar, die durch die Einbringung gebietsfremder Arten zunehmend in ihrer Existenz bedroht sind.
Evolution der C4‐Photosynthese
Authors: Brennicke Axel
Published: December 2011

Durch globale Umweltverschmutzung mit Sauerstoff veränderten die Pflanzen im Laufe einiger Millionen Jahre die Atmosphäre, der O2‐Gehalt stieg und der CO2‐Gehalt sank. Das machte es immer schwieriger für die Pflanzen, eine genügend hohe CO2‐Konzentrationen für die Photosynthese zu finden. Insbesondere die so genannten C4‐Pflanzen haben sich daran angepasst. Wie sie das fertig bringen, wird jetzt deutlicher.
Two Novel Steroidal Alkaloid Glycosides from the Seeds of Lycium barbarum
Authors: Wang Kun , Sasaki Tatsunori , Li Wei , Li Qin , Wang Yinghua , Asada Yoshihisa , Kato Hiroyoshi , Koike Kazuo
Published: December 2011

Two novel steroidal alkaloid glycosides, lycioside A (1) and lycioside B (2) were isolated from the seeds of Lycium barbarum. Their structures were determined by various spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 showed inhibitory activities with the IC50 values of 75.3 and 72.8 μM against rat intestinal sucrase, and 63.4 and 59.1 μM against rat intestinal maltase.
Electronic Structure and Symmetry in Conjugated π‐Electron Systems
Authors: Alemany Pere , Casanova David , Dryzun Chaim
Published: December 2011

The continuous symmetry measures (CSM) method has been used to study the π‐electron systems for a diverse set of molecules, illustrating the capabilities of this new analytical tool to quantify the changes in the electronic structure of molecules upon symmetry breaking perturbations induced either by geometry modifications or chemical substitutions. The symmetry analysis applied to the Hamiltonian, the molecular orbitals or the electron density obtained from a simple Hückel model for these compounds reveals the basic relations between symmetry and the electronic structure. Calculation of continuous symmetry measures from ab initio calculations confirms these relations, allowing at the same time a much more accurate description of the influence of symmetry on the electronic structure of these compounds.
Hierarchical TiO2 Microspheres: Synergetic Effect of {001} and {101} Facets for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Zheng Zhaoke , Huang Baibiao , Lu Jibao , Qin Xiaoyan , Zhang Xiaoyang , Dai Ying
Published: December 2011

Well‐faceted nanocrystals of anatase TiO2 with specific reactive facets have attracted extraordinary research interest due to their many intrinsic shape‐dependent properties. In this work, hierarchical TiO2 microspheres consisting of anatase nanosheets or decahedrons were synthesized by means of a facile hydrothermal technique; meanwhile, the percentage of {001} facets can be tuned from 82 to 45 %. Importantly, by investigating the photo‐oxidation reactions for .OH radical generation and photoreduction reactions for hydrogen evolution, the TiO2 microspheres consisting of nano‐decahedrons with 45 % {001} facets show superior photoreactivity (more than 4.8‐times) compared to the nanosheets with 82 % {001} facets. By analyzing the results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence (PL) and first‐principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations, a model of charge separation between the well‐formed {001} and {101} facets is proposed, and the enhanced photocatalytic efficiency is largely attributed to the efficient separation of photogenerated charges among the crystal facets co‐exposed.
Scalar Coupling Across [CH⋅⋅⋅FC] Interactions in (σ‐Aryl)‐Chelating Post‐Metallocenes
Authors: So Loi‐Chi , Liu Cham‐Chuen , Chan Michael C. W. , Lo Jerry C. Y. , Sze Kong‐Hung , Zhu Nianyong
Published: December 2011

The nature and importance of CH⋅⋅⋅FC interactions is a topical yet controversial issue, and the development of spectroscopic methods to probe such contacts is therefore warranted. A series of Group 4 bis(benzyl) complexes supported by (σ‐aryl)‐2‐phenolate‐6‐pyridyl [O,C,NR1] ligands bearing a fluorinated R1 group (CF3 or F) in the vicinity of the metal has been prepared. The X‐ray crystal structure of the CF3‐substituted Hf derivative features intramolecular C‐H⋅⋅⋅F‐C and Hf⋅⋅⋅F‐C contacts. All complexes have been characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. The 1H and 13C NMR spectra of [M(O,C,NCF3)(CH2Ph)2] derivatives display coupling (assigned to 1hJHF and 2hJCF for Ti; 3JHF and 2JCF (through M⋅⋅⋅F) for Hf and Zr) between the benzyl CH2 and CF3 moieties. [1H,19F]‐HMBC NMR experiments have been performed for the M‐[O,C,N‐R1] complexes and their [O,N,C] counterparts, revealing significant scalar coupling across the CH⋅⋅⋅FC interactions for Ti‐[O,C,N] and [O,N,C] species.
Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Trypanosoma brucei Trypanothione Synthetase Inhibitors
Authors: Spinks Daniel , Torrie Leah S. , Thompson Stephen , Harrison Justin R. , Frearson Julie A. , Read Kevin D. , Fairlamb Alan H. , Wyatt Paul G. , Gilbert Ian H.
Published: December 2011

Trypanothione synthetase (TryS) is essential for the survival of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, which causes human African trypanosomiasis. It is one of only a handful of chemically validated targets for T. brucei in vivo. To identify novel inhibitors of TbTryS we screened our in‐house diverse compound library that contains 62 000 compounds. This resulted in the identification of six novel hit series of TbTryS inhibitors. Herein we describe the SAR exploration of these hit series, which gave rise to one common series with potency against the enzyme target. Cellular studies on these inhibitors confirmed on‐target activity, and the compounds have proven to be very useful tools for further study of the trypanothione pathway in kinetoplastids.
CIB Commission W023 – Wall Structures
Authors: Haseltine Barry , Weck Tor‐Ulf , Meyer Lars , van der Pluijm Rob , Dupont Oliver , Alfes Christoph , Jaeger Wolfram , Roberts John , Silver Jonathan , Martens Dirk , Pfeffermann O. , Drewes Bastian , Gunkler Erhard , Kubica Jan , Mojsilovic Nebojsa , Gunkler Erhard , Marx Johann , Ohler Armin , Sousa Hipolito , Sousa Rui , Vicente Romeu S. , Silva J. R. Mendes , Capozucca Roberto
Published: December 2011

This year´s CIB Commission meeting of the working group “W023–Wall Structures” took place in Berlin, Germany October 10–11, 2011.

The participants were welcomed by the commission coordinator Silvino Pompeu Santos and the host of the meeting Professor Wolfram Jaeger in cooperation with the Bundesvereinigung der Prüfingenieure für Bautechnik e.V. (BVPI).

The meeting started with a one‐day workshop focused on experiences and applications regarding Eurocode 6. The second day of the meeting was reserved for news and actions within the commission and short summaries of CIB members regarding their several activities in the area of masonry. After that there was an interesting presentation on last tendencies in house construction. Petra Michaely from the office of Professor Werner Sobek spoke about the “Efficiency House Plus with Electric Mobility” which is built in co‐operation with the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development.

We would like to thank the experts who have presented their experiences in masonry with EC 6 as well as the sponsors and supporters Wienerberger Germany and Austria, IWM Industrieverband Werkmörtel, BVPI Berlin and the Checking Engineer Prof. Wolfram Jaeger Radebeul/Dresden. Furthermore, thanks to all commission members from all over the world for coming to Germany and for creating such a successful meeting. Below you will find some abstracts of the presentations to share with you the topics we have spoken about. Proceedings of the meeting will be available electronically later on the website of the commission (www.cibworld.nl).
A rapid analytical method for the detection of plasma volume expanders and mannitol based on the urinary saccharides and polyalcohols profile
Authors: Mazzarino Monica , Fiacco Ilaria , de la Torre Xavier , Botrè Francesco
Published: December 2011

A screening procedure specifically developed for the detection of saccharides and polyalcohols in human urine in the framework of doping control analysis is presented. The proposed method, set‐up, and validated to detect the abuse of dextran, hydroxyethyl starch and mannitol as a doping practice in sport, involves only one enzymatic hydrolysis step and the direct injection into a liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) system.

The chromatographic conditions were optimized to allow the efficient separation of compounds with the same molecular weight. Good linearity (R2 0.990–0.995) and reproducibility of relative retention times (CV% lower than 1) and of relative abundances of characteristic ion transitions (CV% lower than 10) were obtained. The lower limits of detection and quantification were in the range of 30–100 µg/ml.

Since the analytes studied are present also in non‐doping products (e.g. in fruit as well as in food products and drugs additives), the developed method was also used to establish a range of reference urinary concentrations: 600 doping control samples and 30 samples from volunteers not using any medication were considered. While the hydrolysis products (isomaltose and maltose hydroxyl‐ethylated), used as specific markers for the detection of dextran and hydroxyethyl starch abuse, were not detected in urine; mannitol was present in all urines in a concentration range of 30–1200 µg/ml. Since no criteria of positivity for mannitol has been established yet, the results obtained in this study could be considered, in combination with those of previous researches, as a starting point to fix a threshold value for doping control purpose. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Paratungstate Tetrahydrate Traced by In Situ UV/Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy
Authors: Fait Martin J. G. , Lunk Hans‐Joachim
Published: December 2011

In situ UV/Vis diffuse reflectance spectra of ammonium paratungstate tetrahydrate at increasing temperatures were recorded in oxidative as well as in reductive atmospheres. From the edge energy of the ligand‐to‐metal charge transfer transition of tungsten ions, the number of bridging W–O–W bonds, N, was determined. The increase of N with temperature indicates a stepwise enhancement of the condensation of WO6 octahedra to finally form WO3 in an oxidative atmosphere.
Hydrophobic, Photoactive Titania–Alumina Nanocrystallites and Coatings by an Aqueous Sol–Gel Process
Authors: Smitha Venu Sreekala , Baiju Kizhakkekilikoodayil Vijayan , Perumal Petchimuthu , Ghosh Swapankumar , Warrier Krishna Gopakumar
Published: December 2011

Hydrophobic coatings of titania–alumina nanocrystallites showing enhanced photocatalytic activity under sunlight were synthesized by an aqueous sol–gel route from titanyl sulfate. The influence of the addition of alumina in the range 5–30 mol‐% on the phase transition and grain growth of nanocrystalline titania was investigated. A titania–alumina composition containing 5 mol‐% Al2O3 (TA‐5), annealed at 700 °C, showed the highest photocatalytic activity among all investigated compositions. While pure titania in the present study started to transform to rutile at 700 °C, all the titania–alumina compositions retained 100 % anatase phase up to 800 °C. The specific surface area was measured as 73 m2 g–1 for the titania containing 5 mol‐% alumina annealed at 700 °C, whereas pure titania had 38 m2 g–1 under identical conditions. By photon correlation spectroscopy, the particle size of pure titania sol was measured as 29 nm, while that of titania sol containing 5 mol‐% alumina was 43 nm. Nanocoatings applied over glazed ceramic surfaces indicated its hydrophobic character though the composition did not contain any hydrophobic material, which produces a high water contact angle. The uniformly roughened surface, preferably with nanostructured morphology that lowers the surfaceenergy, is proposed to be the reason for the observed hydrophobicity.
Highly Regioselective One‐Pot, Three‐Component Synthesis of 1‐Aryl‐3,4‐Substituted/Annulated‐5‐(Cycloamino)/(Alkylamino)pyrazoles from β‐Oxodithioesters
Authors: Nandi Ganesh C. , Singh Maya S. , Ila Hiriyakkanavar , Junjappa Hiriyakkanavar
Published: December 2011

An efficient, highly regioselective protocol for the synthesis of the title compounds is reported. The reaction involves a one‐pot, three‐component cyclocondensation of β‐oxodithioester, amine, and hydrazine in ethanol at reflux in the presence of a catalytic amount of acetic acid. Densely functionalized pyrazoles were constructed through the cyclization of a thioamide intermediate generated in situ from the β‐oxodithioester. This method allows a rapid and general synthesis of previously inaccessible pyrazoles and synthetically demanding pyrazoles containing fused rings.
Total Synthesis of (−)‐Cleistenolide
Authors: Chanti Babu Dokuburra , Ashalatha Kankati , Rao Chitturi Bhujanga , Jondoss Jon Paul Selvam , Venkateswarlu Yenamandra
Published: December 2011

An efficient and short total synthesis of (−)‐cleistenolide (1) from D‐mannitol with an overall yield of 23.6% is described. The chiron approach for the synthesis of (−)‐cleistenolide involves a one‐C‐atom Wittig olefination, a selective allylic triethylsilyl protection, and a Grubbs‐catalyzed ring‐closure‐metathesis (RCM) reaction as the key steps.
Isoprenoids and Flavonoids with Antimicrobial Activity from Ficus conrauiWarburg (Moraceae)
Authors: Kengap Rodrigue T. , Kapche Gilbert D. W. F. , Dzoyem Jean‐Paul , Simo Ingrid K. , Ambassa Pantaleon , Sandjo Louis P. , Abegaz Berhanu M. , Ngadjui Bonaventure T.
Published: December 2011

A new triterpene, conrauidienol (1), and a new dihydroflavonol, conrauiflavonol (2), along with β‐amyrin acetate (3), betulinic acid (4), ursolic acid (5), 6β‐hydroxystigmasta‐4,22‐dien‐3‐one (6), 8‐prenylapigenin (7), β‐sitosterol glucoside (8), and 3,4′,5‐trihydroxy‐6″,6″‐dimethylpyrano[2,3‐g]flavone (9) were isolated from the stem barks of Ficus conraui Warburg (Moraceae). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. The hexane, AcOEt, and MeOH extracts, as well as the new isolated compounds exhibited selective antimicrobial activities varying from weak to moderate.
Oleanane‐Type Triterpenoids from Glochidion assamicum
Authors: Liu Xiao‐Qing , Huang Hong‐Li , Yao Ming‐Jun , Han Guang‐Tian , Liu Ning , Yuan Ji‐Cheng , Yuan Cheng‐Shan
Published: December 2011

Phytochemical analysis of the extract of the leaves and twigs of Glochidion assamicum led to the isolation of four new oleanane‐type triterpenoids, 21β‐(benzoyloxy)olean‐12‐ene‐3β,16β,23,28‐tetraol (1), 21β‐(benzoyloxy)olean‐12‐ene‐3β,16β,28‐triol (2), 21β‐{(E)‐cinnamoyloxy]olean‐12‐ene‐3β,16β,23, 28‐tetraol (3), and 21β‐[(Z)‐cinnamoyloxy]olean‐12‐ene‐3β,16β,23,28‐tetraol (4). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence and mass‐spectral data.
Premature loss of bone remodeling compartment canopies is associated with deficient bone formation: A study of healthy individuals and patients with cushing's syndrome
Authors: Jensen Pia Rosgaard , Andersen Thomas Levin , Søe Kent , Hauge Ellen Margrethe , Bollerslev Jens , Amling Michael , Barvencik Florian , Delaissé Jean-Marie
Published: December 2011

A remarkable property of bone remodeling is that osteoblasts form bone matrix exactly where and when osteoclasts have removed it. The bone remodeling compartment (BRC) canopies that cover bone surfaces undergoing remodeling were proposed to be critical players in this mechanism. Here, we provide support to this hypothesis by analyzing the changes in prevalence of BRC canopies during the progress of the remodeling cycle in a cohort of healthy individuals and in patients with endogenous Cushing's syndrome (CS), and by relating these changes in prevalence with the extent of bone forming surfaces. Both cohorts showed almost 100% canopy coverage above resorbing osteoclasts, and only about 76% above bone forming surfaces. This indicates that BRC canopies are invariably associated with the early stage of the remodeling cycle, but may disappear later. Interestingly, in control and two-thirds of the CS patients, a significant decline in canopy coverage occurred only once bone formation was initiated, but in the remaining third of the CS patients the prevalence of canopies already decreased before bone formation. This canopy loss before initiation of bone formation coincided with significantly less bone-forming surface compared with canopy loss at a later stage. These observations support a model where bone restitution is compromised in the absence of BRC canopies, and apparently does not start when the BRC canopy is lost before initiation of the bone formation step. This model is discussed in the context of possible biological roles of BRC canopies. It suggests that BRC canopies could be privileged targets for treating patients suffering from a negative bone formation–resorption balance. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Nanoporous Gold Film Prepared by the Epoxidation of Poly(styrene‐b‐butadiene) Diblock Copolymer Templated Micelles
Authors: Kuo Shiao‐Wei , Yang Hong‐Yi , Wang Chih‐Feng , Jeong Kwang‐Un
Published: December 2011

A new approach is developed for the preparation of nanoporous gold (Au) films using diblock copolymer micelles as templates. Stable Au nanoparticles (NPs) with a narrow distribution are prepared by modifying NPs functionalized with 4‐(dimethylamino)pyridine ligands (DMAP Au NPs) and a spherical micelle formed through the epoxidation of poly(styrene‐b‐butadiene) diblock copolymer to produce poly(styrene‐b‐vinyl oxirane) (PS‐b‐PBO) in tetrahydrofuran–acetonitrile solution. The exchange reaction of 4‐aminothiophenol of PS‐b‐PBO diblock copolymer micelles with DMAP Au NPs can produce block copolymer–Au NPs composite films. After the pyrolysis of the diblock copolymer templates at a specific temperature to avoid the collapse of the Au NPs, a nanoporous Au film is prepared.
Superhydrophobic Coatings for Technical Applications
Authors: Eigenbrod Volkmar , Hensch Christina , Pulker Hans
Published: December 2011

Water repellent coatings developed in this work showed that two superimposed rough structures are required to generate superhydrophoby with WCA >150°.

A micro rough surface overcoated with a submicro or nano rough hydrophobic material behave similar to the hierarchical structures found on leafs of some plants which generate the highly mobile Cassie/Baxter droplets.

Coatings of inorganic and organic materials were performed by thermal spraying (inorganic materials) and spraycoating (organic materials) on sandblasted metal, mainly stainless steel, surfaces. Hierarchical roughness structures were developed by thermal treatment of pure and composite fluoropolymeric layers. Such hierarchical superhydrophobic coating systems showed water contact angles between 160° and 170°. The coatings have good mechanical stability and can be applied in numerous technical applications.
Molecular mechanisms of root gravity sensing and signal transduction
Authors: Strohm Allison K. , Baldwin Katherine L. , Masson Patrick H.
Published: December 2011

Plants use gravity as a guide to direct their roots down into the soil to anchor themselves and to find resources needed for growth and development. In higher plants, the columella cells of the root tip form the primary site of gravity sensing, and in these cells the sedimentation of dense, starch‐filled plastids (amyloplasts) triggers gravity signal transduction. This generates an auxin gradient across the root cap that is transmitted to the elongation zone where it promotes differential cell elongation, allowing the root to direct itself downward. It is still not well understood how amyloplast sedimentation leads to auxin redistribution. Models have been proposed to explain how mechanosensitive ion channels or ligand–receptor interactions could connect these events. Although their roles are still unclear, possible second messengers in this process include protons, Ca2+, and inositol 1,4,5‐triphosphate. Upon gravistimulation, the auxin efflux facilitators PIN3 and PIN7 relocalize to the lower side of the columella cells and mediate auxin redistribution. However, evidence for an auxin‐independent secondary mechanism of gravity sensing and signal transduction suggests that this physiological process is quite complex. Furthermore, plants must integrate a variety of environmental cues, resulting in multifaceted relationships between gravitropism and other directional growth responses such as hydro‐, photo‐, and thigmotropism. WIREs Dev Biol 2012, 1:276–285. doi: 10.1002/wdev.14

This article is categorized under:

Plant Development > Root Development
The jackknife: a resampling method with connections to the bootstrap
Authors: Chernick Michael R.
Published: December 2011

The jackknife is a statistical method that dates back to the late 1940s. After the introduction of the bootstrap in the late 1970s it became classified with permutation methods, bootstrap and subsampling as a resampling method. In the beginning the jackknife was used for bias correction and variance estimation. As time went on it was generalized and used more widely including its use in generating approximate confidence intervals for statistical parameters. This article provides an overview of the jackknife along with its connections to the bootstrap and the other resampling methods. Key research articles and books related to the jackknife and the bootstrap are noted. WIREs Comput Stat 2012, 4:224–226. doi: 10.1002/wics.202

This article is categorized under:

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Bootstrap and Resampling

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Nonparametric Methods

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Robust Methods
Disruption and stabilization of β‐cell actin microfilaments differently influence insulin secretion triggered by intracellular Ca2+ mobilization or store‐operated Ca2+ entry
Authors: Henquin Jean-Claude , Mourad Nizar I. , Nenquin Myriam
Published: December 2011

Jasplakinolide slightly attenuated Ca2+ mobilization and did not affect SOCE, but consistently inhibited the attending insulin secretion. Latrunculin did not affect Ca2+ changes induced by acetylcholine, but consistently increased insulin secretion, its effect being larger in response to Ca2+ entry than to Ca2+ mobilization. Microfilaments have thus a distinct impact on exocytosis of insulin granules depending on the source of triggering Ca2+.
ONn-IDEAL AMENABILITY OF CERTAIN BANACH ALGEBRAS
Authors: KAMALI ZEINAB , NEMATI MEHDI
Published: December 2011

In this paper we consider some notions of amenability such as ideal amenability,n-ideal amenability and approximaten-ideal amenability. The first two were introduced and studied by Gordji, Yazdanpanah and Memarbashi. We investigate some properties of certain Banach algebras in each of these classes. Results are also given for Segal algebras on locally compact groups.
Landscape-scale relationships between the exotic invasive shrub Lantana camara and native plants in a tropical deciduous forest in southern India
Authors: Prasad Ayesha E.
Published: December 2011

Understanding exotic–native plant relationships within the context of landscape-scale environmental factors such as rainfall, topography, disturbance and forest structure, is important for distinguishing the role of invasions in native plant community change. In this study, the relationship between Lantana camara invasion and native forest understorey vegetation was described after accounting for environmental influences. Rainfall, terrain slope, altitude and fire frequency were measured from GIS layers, and tree density, dry above-ground L. camara biomass, and native plant abundance and species richness were measured in nested plots (four 1 × 1-m plots for grass, tree seedlings and L. camara within one 5-m-radius plot for tree saplings and herbs and shrubs within one 10-m-radius plot for trees) at 80 locations distributed across Bandipur Tiger Reserve, a tropical deciduous forest in southern India. Relationships between environmental factors and L. camara abundance were described using a multiple regression. Further, the role of L. camara abundance in explaining residual variation in native vegetation, after accounting for environmental influences, was described using linear models. Lantana camara abundance decreased with increasing tree density, supporting the notion that it thrives in disturbed forest with fewer trees. Whereas native tree seedling and herb and shrub density showed no relationship to L. camara abundance, both tree sapling density and grass volume decreased under L. camara biomass exceeding 2 kg m−2. These data suggest that, by association with grass decline and decreased recruitment of tree saplings, L. camara may be linked to the gradual transition of these tropical deciduous forests into exotic-dominated shrubland, and overall native biodiversity loss.
Cross-habitat predation in Nepenthes gracilis: the red crab spider Misumenops nepenthicola influences abundance of pitcher dipteran larvae
Authors: Ling Chua Trina Jie , Min Lim Matthew Lek
Published: December 2011

Phytotelmata (plant-held waters) are useful ecological models for studying predator–prey interactions. However, the ability of terrestrial predators to influence organism abundance within phytotelmata remains poorly studied. We investigated the predation of two pitcher-dwelling spiders, the red crab spider Misumenops nepenthicola and the yellow crab spider Thomisus nepenthiphilus (Araneae: Thomisidae) on dipteran larval abundance by manipulating their presence in the pitcher Nepenthes gracilis. Lower abundance in the larvae of the mosquito Tripteriodes spp. and increased spider mass were recorded after M. nepenthicola was introduced into laboratory-maintained pitchers (n = 10); T. nepenthiphilus did not affect larval abundance and a decrease in spider mass was recorded. Further investigations on two other dipteran larval species, the scuttle fly Endonepenthia schuitemakeri and gall midges Lestodiplosis spp., reported reduced numbers with the introduction of M. nepenthicola. We further tested this predation on dipteran larval abundance by its introduction, removal, and re-introduction to pitchers in the field (n = 42) over 1 mo. The spider's absence and presence significantly influenced larval numbers: all four dipteran species reported a significant decrease in numbers after M. nepenthicola was introduced. These results are one of the first to demonstrate the influence of a terrestrial phytotelm forager on the abundance of pitcher organisms via direct predation, reiterating the ecological importance of terrestrial phytotelm predators on phytotelm community structure and dynamics.
Which is important for preschoolers' production and repair of statements: What the listener knows or what the listener says?
Authors: NILSEN ELIZABETH S. , MANGAL LEILANI
Published: December 2011

Three- and four-year-olds participated in a referential communication task wherein they requested stickers from a knowledgeable or ignorant adult to complete a card. Following inadequate initial requests children were provided with three different feedback types: goal substitution (i.e. an incorrect sticker was provided), explicit statement of misunderstanding (‘I don't know which one you mean’), and vague feedback (‘Huh?’). Preschoolers' initial statements revealed sensitivity to the listener's perspective: more descriptors were provided when the listener did not have visual access to the card. Although listener's knowledge did not affect children's repair statements following feedback, the feedback type did: goal substitution elicited more repairs that included new descriptors, whereas vague responses elicited more repetition of initial requests than other feedback types. Children's age and verbal skills were related to the specific repair strategies used. Results demonstrate that preschoolers' use of cues from a conversational partner depends on the type of communicative task.
A Moufang loop's commutant
Authors: GAGOLA STEPHEN M.
Published: December 2011

The commutant of a loop is the set of elements which commute with all of the elements in the loop. The commutant of a Moufang loop is a subloop, but it has been an open problem to classify the Moufang loops for which the commutant is normal. It was S. Doro [3] who conjectured that a Moufang loop, under certain conditions, has a normal commutant. We settle this conjecture here by proving that the commutant of any Moufang loop is always a normal subloop.
A Survey of Nursing Home Organizational Characteristics Associated with Potentially Avoidable Hospital Transfers and Care Quality in One Large British Columbia Health Region
Authors: McGregor Margaret J. , Baumbusch Jennifer , Abu-Laban Riyad B. , McGrail Kimberlyn M. , Andrusiek Dug , Globerman Judith , Berg Shannon , Cox Michelle B. , Salomons Kia , Volker Jan , Ronald Lisa
Published: December 2011

L’hospitalisation des résidents en maisons de soins infirmiers peut être futile aussi bien que coûteux, et il y a maintenant des preuves qui indiquent que le traitement des résidents des maisons de soins infirmiers en place donne de meilleurs résultats pour certaines conditions. Nous avons examiné les caractéristiques organisationnelles des installations que des récherches précédentes ont montré sont associées à des transferts de l’hôpital potentiellement évitables et avec une meilleure qualité de soins. En conséquence, nous avons mené une enquête transversale de l’administration des maisons de soins infirmiers dans Vancouver Coastal Health, une grande région sanitaire en la Colombie-Britannique. Le sondage portait sur les niveaux de dotation de personnel et l’organisation, l’accès aux médecins, les soins au fin de vie, et les facteurs influençant transferts de l’installation à l’hôpital. Un bon nombre des caractéristiques organisationnels modifiables, associés dans la littérature avec les transferts hospitaliers potentiellement évitables, et de meilleure qualité de soins, sont présents dans les maisons de soins infirmiers en la Colombie-Britannique. Cependant, leur présence n’est pas universelle, et certaines fonctionnalités sont particulièrement en défaut, en particulier l’organisation des soins médicaux et le planification et les services pour la fin de vie.
THE CONCEPT OF AN AGRICULTURAL SURPLUS, FROM PETTY TO SMITH
Authors: BREWER ANTHONY
Published: December 2011

Everyone has to eat, so agriculturalists must produce enough to feed themselves and the rest of the population. This statement is trivially obvious but making it explicit mattered to the early development of economic thinking. Many important economic writers of the period (Petty, Cantillon, Hutcheson, Hume, Steuart, Mirabeau, Smith, and others) used a specific notion of agricultural surplus of the form: x men can feed y, where y > x. A series of questions about the relation between agriculture and the rest of the economy naturally follows. Will the surplus be produced? How does it reach those who consume it? What are the “superfluous hands” (in Hume’s terms) to do? This paper points out this neglected theme in early economics.
JOHN STUART MILL AND NINETEENTH-CENTURY SPAIN
Authors: TRINCADO ESTRELLA , RAMOS JOSÉ-LUIS
Published: December 2011

This article fills a gap in the literature by examining the only leading classical economist whose influence on Spain has yet to be studied. In particular, it analyzes the influence John Stuart Mill had on nineteenth-century Spain by showing the impact of his multifaceted work both in scientific philosophy and utilitarian philosophy, and in political and economic theory, as well as in the world of feminism.
Benchmark varieties and the individual speaker: Indispensable touchstones in studies on language contact
Authors: ELSIG MARTIN
Published: December 2011

The authors of ‘Phrase-final prepositions in Quebec French: An empirical study of contact, code-switching and resistance to convergence’, Poplack, Zentz & Dion (2011, this issue), henceforth cited as PZD, make a strong case for showing that, in spite of surface similarities, preposition stranding in Canadian French relative clauses cannot be qualified as a case of grammatical convergence due to language contact with English, but that it rather turns out to be a result of analogical extension of a native French strategy, preposition orphaning, to a new context. The application of a particularly sound and accountable methodology, the comparative method of variationist sociolinguistics (Poplack & Meechan, 1998; Tagliamonte, 2002), allows them to invalidate the hypothesis of a causal relationship between contact and the phenomenon under study.
Another icon of language contact shattered
Authors: MUYSKEN PIETER
Published: December 2011

Ouh que c'est laid! “Oh this is ugly!” is one of the comments among the 11,800 hits on Google for the sequence “la fille que je sors avec” [the girl I go out with]. Often the comments include the idea that the whole expression has been taken from English as a direct calque. The authors of the present keynote article, Poplack, Zentz and Dion (Poplack, Zentz & Dion, 2011, this issue), argue convincingly that this type of preposition stranding in Canadian French cannot be ascribed to language contact with English. Using sound and accountable methodology, derived from the research paradigm of variationist sociolinguistics, they manage to disprove the hypothesis of a direct causal link between the expression in Canadian French and its supposed earlier use in English. Thus, an icon of language contact, both in popular perception and in many not-so-well-informed academic sources, has been shattered.
On the distinction between preposition stranding and orphan prepositions
Authors: ROBERGE YVES
Published: December 2011

Poplack, Zentz and Dion (PZD; Poplack, Zentz & Dion, 2011, this issue) examine the often unquestioned assumption that the existence of preposition stranding (PS) in Canadian French is linked to the presence of a contact situation with English in the North American context. Although this issue has been the topic of previous research from a syntactic perspective (Bouchard, 1982; Vinet, 1979, 1984), to my knowledge, it has never been explored using variationist sociolinguistic methods applied to a large corpus of spontaneous speech, with emphasis on code-switchers as potential agents of contact-induced change.
A Useful Guide for Making the Delivery of Training and Presentations Easier
Authors: Davies Nick
Published: December 2011

Nick Davies delivered two lively sessions at the BIALL Conference 2011 concerning, “How to make your training engaging? Presenting so People Learn”. This article summaries those practical notions relating to effective delivery of training sessions and provides tips relating to the art of successful presenting.
The FLARE Index to Treaties Extended
Authors: Clinch Peter , Whittle Steve
Published: December 2011

Peter Clinch, retired Senior Subject Librarian for Law, Cardiff University and Steven Whittle, Information Systems Manager at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies describe the developments relating to the FLARE Index to Treaties.
Concepts Mapping in the Legal Domain: Some Reflections
Authors: Peruginelli Ginevra
Published: December 2011

This paper, by Ginevra Peruginelli, examines the general issue of mapping concepts of different legal orders, with a focus on legal terminology and semantics of the law. Interoperability between legal thesauri is a possible operative solution in so far as it meets two important functions: cross-collection retrieval and cross-language retrieval. At a practical level a feasibility study, carried out by the Institute of Legal Information Theory and Techniques of the National Research Council of Italy is described. The study aims at aligning a number of thesauri used in e-government services within the EU, while testing new methods of automatic mapping.
A Report of the AALL Annual meeting, Philadelphia 2011
Authors: Jannetta Victoria
Published: December 2011

Victoria Jannetta describes her experiences at the AALL annual meeting in Philadelphia focusing on various particular sessions given in relation to free speech, Delaware corporation law, company mergers, academic library issues and ebooks.
Comparative Perspectives on Inequality and the Quality of Democracy in the United States
Authors: Stepan Alfred , Linz Juan J.
Published: December 2011

When Jeffrey Isaac approached us to review some recent works in American politics from a comparative perspective, we gladly accepted the task, believing it important to help overcome what some see as the “splendid isolation” of American politics. Indeed, the invitation arrived at a propitious time because, after completing our most recent book, we critically reflected on the fact that we had unfortunately written almost nothing on the oldest, and one of the most diverse, democracies in the world, the United States. We thus agreed to contribute some thoughts on the matter, recognizing the limits of our knowledge of the entire field of American politics, but acknowledging, too, our belief that the current distancing of the study of America from the analysis of other democracies impoverishes modern political science.
Violent Democracies in Latin America. Edited by Enrique Desmond Arias and Daniel M. Goldstein
Authors: Taylor Steven L.
Published: December 2011

It is impossible to look at contemporary Latin America and not be struck by the prevalence of violence, whether in the form of drug cartels in Mexico, criminal gangs in Central America, the long-term conflict in Colombia, or urban violence in Brazil. Further, the headliners of violence from these locations obscure a more complex set of interactions that include not just traditional criminal elements but also various social actors and the state itself. This plural violence in the region is the focus of Violent Democracies in Latin America, the volume edited by Enrique Desmond Arias and Daniel M. Goldstein.
Ethnicity and the Politics of AIDS
Authors: Gómez Eduardo J.
Published: December 2011

Evan Lieberman's Boundaries of Contagion: How Ethnic Politics Have Shaped Government Responses to Aids proceeds from a simple question of great importance to millions of people: “Why have some governments responded to AIDS more quickly and more broadly than others?” In answering this question, Lieberman employs a range of methods and engages a range of scholarly literatures dealing with health policy, comparative public policy, and ethnic politics. Because the book addresses “big” issues and bridges conventional divides in political science, we have invited a number of colleagues working broadly in comparative politics to comment on it.—Jeffrey C. Isaac, Editor
The Net Delusion: The Dark Side of Internet Freedom. By Evgeny Morozov. New York: PublicAffairs, 2011. 432p. $27.95.
Authors: Howard Philip N.
Published: December 2011

Since early 2011 there have been significant changes in North Africa and the Middle East. Zine El Abidine Ben Ali had ruled Tunisia for 20 years, and Hosni Mubarak reigned in Egypt for 30 years. Yet their bravest challengers were 20- and 30-year-olds without ideological baggage, violent intentions, or clear leaders. Political change in these countries inspired activists across the region. Some tough authoritarian governments responded with tear gas and rubber bullets, others with policy concessions, welfare spending, and cabinet shuffles. The groups that initiated and sustained protests had few meaningful experiences with public deliberation or voting, and little experience with successful protesting. These young citizens were politically disciplined, pragmatic, and collaborative. Where did they come from? How do young people growing up in modern, entrenched, authoritarian regimes find political inspirations and aspirations? Are digital media important parts of the contemporary recipe for democratization?
Seasonal variations of aerosol optical properties, vertical distribution and associated radiative effects in the Yangtze Delta region of China
Authors: Liu Jianjun , Zheng Youfei , Li Zhanqing , Flynn Connor , Cribb Maureen
Published: December 2011

Four years of columnar aerosol optical properties and a one‐year vertical profiles of aerosol particle extinction coefficient at 527 nm are analyzed at Taihu in the central Yangtze River Delta region in eastern China. Seasonal variations of aerosol optical properties, vertical distribution, and influence on shortwave radiation and heating rates were investigated. Multiyear variations of aerosol optical depths (AOD), Ångstrom exponents, single scattering albedo (SSA) and asymmetry factor (ASY) are analyzed, together with the vertical profile of aerosol extinction. AOD is largest in summer and smallest in winter. SSAs exhibit weak seasonal variation with the smallest values occurring during winter and the largest during summer. The vast majority of aerosol particles are below 2 km, and about 62%, 67%, 67% and 83% are confined to below 1 km in spring, summer, autumn and winter, respectively. Five‐day back trajectory analyses show that the some aerosols aloft are traced back to northern/northwestern China, as far as Mongolia and Siberia, in spring, autumn and winter. The presence of dust aerosols were identified based on the linear depolarization measurements together with other information (i.e., back trajectory, precipitation, aerosol index). Dust strongly impacts the vertical particle distribution in spring and autumn, with much smaller effects in winter. The annual mean aerosol direct shortwave radiative forcing (efficiency) at the bottom, top and within the atmosphere are −34.8 ± 9.1 (−54.4 ± 5.3), −8.2 ± 4.8 (−13.1 ± 1.5) and 26.7 ± 9.4 (41.3 ± 4.6) W/m2 (Wm−2 τ−1), respectively. The mean reduction in direct and diffuse radiation reaching surface amount to 109.2 ± 49.4 and 66.8 ± 33.3 W/m2, respectively. Aerosols significantly alter the vertical profile of solar heating, with great implications for atmospheric stability and dynamics within the lower troposphere.
Assessment of the effectiveness of policy implementation for sustainable energy development in Southeast Europe
Authors: Golušin Mirjana , Munitlak Ivanović Olja , Domazet Siniša , Dodić Siniša , Vučurović Damjan
Published: December 2011

Using solely economic indicators as a measure of development as a whole is no longer justified and acceptable. The survey covered 11 countries in the region of Southeast Europe—in the region for which indicators of sustainable energetic development were defined. The authors propose a specific way of expressing their needs for treatment using the method of weight coefficients. The results indicate that the efficiency of energetic policy in the region varies widely. Countries at higher level of economic development record a high dependence on energy imports. Countries in the region at a similar stage of development show different energy consumption per capita and the different intensity of energy production from renewable resources. Research shows that energetic efficiency policies in the region, apart from the available energy resources, largely depends on the degree of economic development that a country wants to achieve. Countries at lower level of development show higher degree of sustainability in terms of energy management and vice versa. The most favorable situation was observed in Bulgaria. Negative trends were observed in Greece and Hungary, while in Slovenia the indicators were on the border of sustainability. Data used for research refer to the year 2010.
Scanning absorption nanoscopy with supercontinuum light sources based on photonic crystal fiber
Authors: Park Noeul , Park Kyoung-Duck , Chung Youngjoo , Jeong Mun Seok
Published: December 2011

We have experimentally demonstrated a scanning absorption nanoscopy system combining a near-field scanning optical microscope with an absorption spectroscope using supercontinuum radiation generated by coupling a mode-locked Ti:sapphire pulse laser to a nonlinear photonic crystal fiber as a light source. For the performance test of the system, the absorption spectrum and near-field absorption image of Rhodamine 6G were observed. As this system allows us to investigate the absorption properties and distribution of materials with high spatial resolution, it is expected to be effectively applied in various research areas.
Surface photo-voltage effect on Cr/GaAs(100) studied by photoemission spectroscopy with the combination of synchrotron radiation and laser
Authors: Takahashi Kazutoshi , Tokudomi Sinji , Nagata Yusuke , Azuma Junpei , Kamada Masao
Published: December 2011

The surface photo-voltage (SPV) effect and its temporal profile on a Cr/p-GaAs(100) surface were measured by core-level photoelectron spectroscopy with the combination of synchrotron radiation and laser. It was found that the SPV value at the Cr thickness of 0.05 and 0.1 nm is enhanced in comparison with the clean surface, while that at the Cr thickness larger than 0.2 nm is remarkably suppressed. The dependence on the Cr thickness can be interpreted in terms of the change in the band bending and the escape process, which are associated with the electronic structures induced by the Cr deposition.