bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantum chemical elucidation of the mechanism for hydrogenation of TiO2 anatase crystals
Authors: Raghunath P. , Huang W. F. , Lin M. C.
Published: April 2013

Hydrogenation of TiO2 is relevant to hydrogen storage and water splitting. We have carried out a detailed mechanistic study on TiO2 hydrogenation through H and/or H2 diffusion from the surface into subsurface layers of anatase TiO2 (101) by periodic density functional theory calculations implementing on-site Coulomb interactions (DFT + U). Both H atoms and H2 molecules can migrate from the crystal surface into TiO2 near subsurface layer with 27.8 and 46.2 kcal/mol energy barriers, respectively. The controlling step for the former process is the dissociative adsorption of H2 on the surface which requires 47.8 kcal/mol of energy barrier. Both hydrogen incorporation processes are expected to be equally favorable. The barrier energy for H2 migration from the first layer of the subsurface Osub1 to the 2nd layer of the subsurface oxygen Osub2 requires only 6.6 kcal. The presence of H atoms on the surface and inside the subsurface layer tends to promote both H and H2 penetration into the subsurface layer by reducing their energy barriers, as well as to prevent the escape of the H2 from the cage by increasing its escaping barrier energy. The H2 molecule inside a cage can readily dissociate and form 2HO-species exothermically (ΔH = −31.0 kcal/mol) with only 26.2 kcal/mol barrier. The 2HO-species within the cage may further transform into H2O with a 22.0 kcal/mol barrier and 19.3 kcal/mol exothermicity relative to the caged H2 molecule. H2O formation following the breaking of Ti–O bonds within the cage may result in the formation of O-vacancies and surface disordering as observed experimentally under a high pressure and moderately high temperature condition. According to density of states analysis, the projected density of states of the interstitial H, H2, and H2O appear prominently within the TiO2 band gap; in addition, the former induces a shift of the band gap position notably towards the conduction band. The thermochemistry for formation of the most stable sub-surface species (2HO and H2O) has been predicted. These results satisfactorily account for the photo-catalytic activity enhancement observed experimentally by hydrogenation at high temperatures and high pressures.
Method of evaluating thermal diffusivity near lossy boundaries as an alternative to the Parker method
Authors: Ringermacher Harry I.
Published: April 2013

We describe an analysis of a flash thermographic method to measure thermal diffusivity that is particularly insensitive to heat loss mechanisms near thermal boundaries. This approach is an alternative to the “Parker method” which requires that a plate-like region subject to a uniform energy flux must reach a maximum constant temperature in order to obtain an accurate measurement of thermal diffusivity at the half-temperature point in time. The present approach relies on evaluating another unique point, the inflection point, of the same back-side thermal response curve as Parker's or, from the front side, using a contrast versus time curve in the sample region of interest. This inflection point occurs so early in the response history that little heat loss, for example, near heat-sink boundaries or surface convection, is expressed. Since the method is insensitive to the achieved temperature, it is also insensitive to surface emissivity variations.
Modeling electronic transport mechanisms in metal-manganite memristive interfaces
Authors: Gomez-Marlasca F. , Ghenzi N. , Leyva A. G. , Albornoz C. , Rubi D. , Stoliar P. , Levy P.
Published: April 2013

We studied La0.325Pr0.300Ca0.375MnO3-Ag memristive interfaces. We present a pulsing/measuring protocol capable of registering both quasi-static i-v data and non-volatile remnant resistance. This protocol allowed distinguishing two different electronic transport mechanisms coexisting at the memristive interface, namely space charge limited current and thermionic emission limited current. We introduce a 2-element electric model that accounts for the obtained results and allows predicting the quasi-static i-v relation of the interface by means of a simple function of both the applied voltage and the remnant resistance value. Each element of the electric model is associated to one of the electronic transport mechanisms found. This electric model could result useful for developing time-domain simulation models of metal-manganite memristive interfaces.
Isotope effect in the photochemical decomposition of CO2 (ice) by Lyman-α radiation
Authors: Yuan Chunqing , Yates John T.
Published: April 2013

The photochemical decomposition of CO2(ice) at 75 K by Lyman-α radiation (10.2 eV) has been studied using transmission infrared spectroscopy. An isotope effect in the decomposition of the CO2 molecule in the ice has been discovered, favoring 12CO2 photodecomposition over 13CO2 by about 10%. The effect is caused by electronic energy transfer from the excited CO2 molecule to the ice matrix, which favors quenching of the heavier electronically-excited 13CO2 molecule over 12CO2. The effect is similar to the Menzel-Gomer-Redhead isotope effect in desorption from adsorbed molecules on surfaces when electronically excited. An enhancement of the rate of formation of lattice-trapped CO and CO3 species is observed for the photolysis of the 12CO2 molecule compared to the 13CO2 molecule in the ice. Only 0.5% of the primary photoexcitation results in O–CO bond dissociation to produce trapped-CO and trapped-CO3 product molecules and the majority of the electronically-excited CO2 molecules return to the ground state. Here either vibrational relaxation occurs (majority process) or desorption of CO2 occurs (minority process) from highly vibrationally-excited CO2 molecules in the ice. The observation of the 12C/13C isotope effect in the Lyman-α induced photodecomposition of CO2 (ice) suggests that over astronomical time scales the isotope enrichment effect may distort historical information derived from isotope ratios in space wherever photochemistry can occur.
Measurement of 2/1 intrinsic error field of Joint TEXT tokamak
Authors: Rao B. , Ding Y. H. , Yu K. X. , Jin W. , Hu Q. M. , Yi B. , Nan J. Y. , Wang N. C. , Zhang M. , Zhuang G.
Published: April 2013

The amplitude and spatial phase of the intrinsic error field of Joint TEXT (J-TEXT) tokamak were measured by scanning the spatial phase of an externally exerted resonant magnetic perturbation and fitting the mode locking thresholds. For a typical plasma with current of 180 kA, the amplitude of the 2/1 component of the error field at the plasma edge is measured to be 0.31 G, which is about 1.8 × 10−5 relative to the base toroidal field. The measured spatial phase is about 317° in the specified coordinate system (r, θ, φ) of J-TEXT tokamak. An analytical model based on the dynamics of rotating island is developed to verify the measured phase.
Theoretical description of X-ray absorption spectroscopy of the graphene-metal interfaces
Authors: Voloshina Elena , Ovcharenko Roman , Shulakov Alexander , Dedkov Yuriy
Published: April 2013

The present paper considers the application of the method of the near-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (NEXAFS) for the investigation of the graphene-based systems (from free-standing graphene to the metal-intercalation-like systems). The NEXAFS spectra for the selected systems are calculated in the framework of the approach, which includes the effects of the dynamic core-hole screening. The presented spectral changes from system to system are analysed with the help of the corresponding band-structure calculations. The obtained results are compared with available experimental data demonstrating the excellent agreement between theory and experiment. The direct correlation between the strength of the graphene interaction with the metallic substrate and the spectral distributions (shape and intensities of π* and σ* features in the C K NEXAFS spectra) is found that can be taken as a fingerprint for the description of interaction at the graphene/metal interface.
Ferromagnetic and photocatalytic behaviors observed in Ca-doped BiFeO3 nanofibres
Authors: Feng Yan-Nan , Wang Huan-Chun , Luo Yi-Dong , Shen Yang , Lin Yuan-Hua
Published: April 2013

Ca-doped BiFeO3 nanofibres have been fabricated by electrospinning method. Our results indicate that phase transition from space group R3c to C222 can be observed by the Ca doping. These BiFeO3 nanofibres show obvious room temperature ferromagnetic behaviors, and saturation magnetization can be enhanced with the Ca-doping concentration increasing, which could be correlated with the variation of the ratio of Fe2+/Fe3+ valence state. The BiFeO3 nanofibres show obvious photocatalytic performance and can be improved by the Ca-doping.
Efficacy, persistence and presence of Synergistes jonesii in cattle grazing leucaena in Queensland: on-farm observations pre- and post-inoculation
Authors: Graham S. R. , Dalzell S. A. , Ngu Nguyen Trong , Davis C. K. , Greenway D. , McSweeney C. S. , Shelton H. M.
Published: April 2013

A study of eight commercial cattle herds grazing leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala subsp. glabrata) pastures was undertaken to determine (1) the efficacy of in vitro Synergistes jonesii inoculum (produced in an anaerobic fermenter) in degrading the dihydroxypyridone (DHP) isomers produced during digestion of leucaena forage; and (2) the persistence of the inoculum in the rumen of cattle following a period grazing non-leucaena pastures. Cattle were introduced to the leucaena pastures for an initial period varying from 17 to 71 days. Fourteen to fifteen animals were then sampled for (1) urine and blood plasma to determine toxicity status as indicated by concentration of DHP; (2) faeces for estimation of diet composition; and (3) rumen fluid for detection of S. jonesii by nested polymerase PCR analysis. After a further 42–56 days, animals were resampled as before to confirm toxicity status and inoculated with the in vitro S. jonesii inoculum; the herds were then sampled a third time (42–60 days after inoculation) to test the effectiveness of the inoculum in degrading DHP. Five of the herds were then removed from leucaena pastures for periods ranging from 80 to 120 days and returned to leucaena pastures for 21 days to check persistence of the inoculum as indicated by retention of capacity to degrade DHP. The data indicated (1) a very slow build up of capacity to degrade DHP isomers on some properties before inoculation; (2) frequent occurrence of high levels of 2,3-DHP in urine indicating partial toxin degradation, both before and after inoculation; (3) a low incidence of detection of S. jonesii in rumen fluid after inoculation based on nested PCR analysis; (4) failure of inoculation to degrade DHP on one of two properties tested; and (5) loss of capacity to degrade DHP on some properties after <4 months on alternative non-leucaena pastures. It was concluded that while most herds showed some capability to degrade DHP due to some residual capability from previous exposure, they did not achieve the same rapid and complete DHP degradation reported in the 1980s. Nevertheless, it was concluded that the in vitro inoculum was at least partially effective and should continue to be used by graziers until improved sources of inoculum and/or inoculation methodologies are demonstrated.
Brain amyloid-β oligomers in ageing and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Lesné Sylvain E. , Sherman Mathew A. , Grant Marianne , Kuskowski Michael , Schneider Julie A. , Bennett David A. , Ashe Karen H.
Published: April 2013

Alzheimer’s disease begins about two decades before the onset of symptoms or neuron death, and is believed to be caused by pathogenic amyloid-β aggregates that initiate a cascade of molecular events culminating in widespread neurodegeneration. The microtubule binding protein tau may mediate the effects of amyloid-β in this cascade. Amyloid plaques comprised of insoluble, fibrillar amyloid-β aggregates are the most characteristic feature of Alzheimer’s disease. However, the correspondence between the distribution of plaques and the pattern of neurodegeneration is tenuous. This discrepancy has stimulated the investigation of other amyloid-β aggregates, including soluble amyloid-β oligomers. Different soluble amyloid-β oligomers have been studied in several mouse models, but not systematically in humans. Here, we measured three amyloid-β oligomers previously described in mouse models—amyloid-β trimers, Aβ*56 and amyloid-β dimers—in brain tissue from 75 cognitively intact individuals, ranging from young children to the elderly, and 58 impaired subjects with mild cognitive impairment or probable Alzheimer’s disease. As in mouse models, where amyloid-β trimers appear to be the fundamental amyloid-β assembly unit of Aβ*56 and are present in young mice prior to memory decline, amyloid-β trimers in humans were present in children and adolescents; their levels rose gradually with age and were significantly above baseline in subjects in their 70s. Aβ*56 levels were negligible in children and young adults, rose significantly above baseline in subjects in their 40s and increased steadily thereafter. Amyloid-β dimers were undetectable until subjects were in their 60s; their levels then increased sharply and correlated with plaque load. Remarkably, in cognitively intact individuals we found strong positive correlations between Aβ*56 and two pathological forms of soluble tau (tau-CP13 and tau-Alz50), and negative correlations between Aβ*56 and two postsynaptic proteins (drebrin and fyn kinase), but none between amyloid-β dimers or amyloid-β trimers and tau or synaptic proteins. Comparing impaired with age-matched unimpaired subjects, we found the highest levels of amyloid-β dimers, but the lowest levels of Aβ*56 and amyloid-β trimers, in subjects with probable Alzheimer’s disease. In conclusion, in cognitively normal adults Aβ*56 increased ahead of amyloid-β dimers or amyloid-β trimers, and pathological tau proteins and postsynaptic proteins correlated with Aβ*56, but not amyloid-β dimers or amyloid-β trimers. We propose that Aβ*56 may play a pathogenic role very early in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Joint observation of coherent coda waves at surface and underground arrays
Authors: Rocca Mario La , Pezzo Edoardo Del , Galluzzo Danilo , Scarpa Roberto
Published: April 2013

Local and regional seismicity jointly recorded by two dense small aperture arrays, one installed at surface and one at 1.3 km depth, constitutes an interesting data set useful for coda observations. Applying array techniques to earthquakes recorded at the two arrays we measure slowness, backazimuth and correlation coefficient of the coherent coda wave signals in five frequency bands in the range 1–10 Hz. Slowness distributions show marked differences between surface and underground, with slow signals at surface (slowness greater than 1.0 s km−1) that are not observed underground. We interpret these coherent signals as surface waves produced by the interaction of body waves with the free surface characterized by rough topography. The backazimuth values measured in the frequency bands centred at 1.5 and 3 Hz are almost uniformly distributed between 0 and 360°, while those measured at higher frequencies show different distributions between surface and underground. On the contrary, the earthquake envelopes show very similar coda shapes between surface and underground recordings, with an almost constant coda-amplitude ratio (between 4 and 8) in a wide frequency range.
A Review of Current Knowledge of Resistance Aspects for the Next-Generation Succinate Dehydrogenase Inhibitor Fungicides
Authors: Sierotzki Helge , Scalliet Gabriel
Published: April 2013

The new broad-spectrum fungicides from the succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) class have been quickly adopted by the market, which may lead to a high selection pressure on various pathogens. Cases of resistance have been observed in 14 fungal pathogens to date and are caused by different mutations in genes encoding the molecular target of SDHIs, which is the mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) enzyme. All of the 17 marketed SDHI fungicides bind to the same ubiquinone binding site of the SDH enzyme. Their primary biochemical mode of action is the blockage of the TCA cycle at the level of succinate to fumarate oxidation, leading to an inhibition of respiration. Homology models and docking simulations explain binding behaviors and some peculiarities of the cross-resistance profiles displayed by different members of this class of fungicides. Furthermore, cross-resistance patterns among SDHIs is complex because many mutations confer full cross resistance while others do not. The nature of the mutations found in pathogen populations varies with species and the selection compound used but cross resistance between all SDHIs has to be assumed at the population level. In most of the cases where resistance has been reported, the frequency is still too low to impact field performance. However, the Fungicide Resistance Action Committee has developed resistance management recommendations for pathogens of different crops in order to reduce the risk for resistance development to this class of fungicides. These recommendations include preventative usage, mixture with partner fungicides active against the current pathogen population, alternation in the mode of action of products used in a spray program, and limitations in the total number of applications per season or per crop.
Neural coding merges sex and habitat chemosensory signals in an insect herbivore
Authors: Trona Federica , Anfora Gianfranco , Balkenius Anna , Bengtsson Marie , Tasin Marco , Knight Alan , Janz Niklas , Witzgall Peter , Ignell Rickard
Published: April 2013

Understanding the processing of odour mixtures is a focus in olfaction research. Through a neuroethological approach, we demonstrate that different odour types, sex and habitat cues are coded together in an insect herbivore. Stronger flight attraction of codling moth males,
Cydia pomonella
, to blends of female sex pheromone and plant odour, compared with single compounds, was corroborated by functional imaging of the olfactory centres in the insect brain, the antennal lobes (ALs). The macroglomerular complex (MGC) in the AL, which is dedicated to pheromone perception, showed an enhanced response to blends of pheromone and plant signals, whereas the response in glomeruli surrounding the MGC was suppressed. Intracellular recordings from AL projection neurons that transmit odour information to higher brain centres, confirmed this synergistic interaction in the MGC. These findings underscore that, in nature, sex pheromone and plant odours are perceived as an ensemble. That mating and habitat cues are coded as blends in the MGC of the AL highlights the dual role of plant signals in habitat selection and in premating sexual communication. It suggests that the MGC is a common target for sexual and natural selection in moths, facilitating ecological speciation.
SOWOS: an open-source program for the three-dimensional Wulff construction
Authors: Scopece Daniele
Published: April 2013

A Fortran90 program for the determination of the Wulff construction, starting solely from the directions of the bounding facets (defined by the user), is presented.SOWOSstands for solid of Wulff open source, and the program is distributed freely with no charge to the user, being readily available to the community for immediate use. Its simple algorithm (which will be explained) allows the determination of complex solids with hundreds of facets in just seconds on any machine, requiring only a small amount of memory. It is able to determine even the smallest facets and shortest edges and to distinguish almost adjacent vertices. The output files give a complete range of information about the structure: the coordinates of the vertices and the facets common to them, the extension of the facets and bounding vertices, and the length of the edges and extreme vertices. These details enable the reconstruction of the shape in any other (commercial) software for further processing. Visualization is straightforwardviathe free programgnuplot. A feature for the creation of cubic crystal atomistic models of the resultant solids is included. The program may be a useful tool for crystallography, nanostructures and any other field where crystal facets are involved.
Rat-tail tendon fiber SAXS high-order diffraction peaks recovered by a superbright laboratory source and a novel restoration algorithm
Authors: De Caro Liberato , Altamura Davide , Sibillano Teresa , Siliqi Dritan , Filograsso Giovanni , Bunk Oliver , Giannini Cinzia
Published: April 2013

The nanoscale structural order of air-dried rat-tail tendon is investigated using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). SAXS fiber diffraction patterns were collected with a superbright laboratory microsource at XMI-LAB [Altamura, Lassandro, Vittoria, De Caro, Siliqi, Ladisa & Giannini (2012).J. Appl. Cryst.45, 869–873] for increasing integration times (up to 10 h) and a novel algorithm was used to estimate and subtract background, and to deconvolve the beam-divergence effects. Once the algorithm is applied, the peak visibility improves considerably and reciprocal space information up to the 22nd diffraction order is retrieved (q= 0.21 Å−1,d= 29 Å) for an 8–10 h integration time. The gain in the visibility is already significant for patterns collected for 0.5 h, at least on the more intense peaks. This demonstrates the viability of detecting structural changes on a molecular/nanoscale level in tissues with state-of-the-art laboratory sources and also the technical feasibility to adopt SAXS fiber diffraction as a future potential clinical indicator for disease.
Hydrogen bonding in two ammonium salts of 5-sulfosalicylic acid: ammonium 3-carboxy-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonate monohydrate and triammonium 3-carboxy-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonate 3-carboxylato-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonate
Authors: Smith Graham , Wermuth Urs D.
Published: April 2013

The structures of two ammonium salts of 3-carboxy-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid (5-sulfosalicylic acid, 5-SSA) have been determined at 200 K. In the 1:1 hydrated salt, ammonium 3-carboxy-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonate monohydrate, NH4+·C7H5O6S−·H2O, (I), the 5-SSA−monoanions give two types of head-to-tail laterally linked cyclic hydrogen-bonding associations, both with graph-setR44(20). The first involves both carboxylic acid O—H...Owaterand water O—H...Osulfonatehydrogen bonds at one end, and ammonium N—H...Osulfonateand N—H...Ocarboxyhydrogen bonds at the other. The second association is centrosymmetric, with end linkages through water O—H...Osulfonatehydrogen bonds. These conjoined units form stacks downcand are extended into a three-dimensional framework structure through N—H...O and water O—H...O hydrogen bonds to sulfonate O-atom acceptors. Anhydrous triammonium 3-carboxy-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonate 3-carboxylato-4-hydroxybenzenesulfonate, 3NH4+·C7H4O6S2−·C7H5O6S−, (II), is unusual, having both dianionic 5-SSA2−and monoanionic 5-SSA−species. These are linked by a carboxylic acid O—H...O hydrogen bond and, together with the three ammonium cations (two on general sites and the third comprising two independent half-cations lying on crystallographic twofold rotation axes), give a pseudo-centrosymmetric asymmetric unit. Cation–anion hydrogen bonding within this layered unit involves a cyclicR33(8) association which, together with extensive peripheral N—H...O hydrogen bonding involving both sulfonate and carboxy/carboxylate acceptors, gives a three-dimensional framework structure. This work further demonstrates the utility of the 5-SSA−monoanion for the generation of stable hydrogen-bonded crystalline materials, and provides the structure of a dianionic 5-SSA2−species of which there are only a few examples in the crystallographic literature.
Elucidating the microbial resuscitation cascade in biological soil crusts following a simulated rain event
Authors: Angel Roey , Conrad Ralf
Published: April 2013

Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are photosynthetic mats formed through an association of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms with soil particles. Biocrusts are found in virtually any terrestrial ecosystem where vascular plant coverage is abiotically limited, with drylands comprising the primary habitat for them. We studied the dynamics of the active bacterial community in two biocrusts from an arid and a hyperarid region in the Negev Desert, Israel, under light‐oxic and dark‐anoxic incubation conditions after simulated rainfall. We used H218O for hydrating the crusts and analysed the bacterial community in the upper and lower parts of the biocrust using an RNA‐stable isotope probing approach coupled with 454‐pyrosequencing. In both biocrusts, two distinct bacterial communities developed under each incubation condition. The active anaerobic communities were initially dominated by members of the order Bacillales which were later replaced by Clostridiales. The aerobic communities on the other hand were dominated by Sphingobacteriales and several Alphaproteobacteria (Rhizobiales, Rhodobacterales, Rhodospirillales and Rubrobacteriales). Actinomycetales were the dominant bacterial order in the dry crusts but quickly collapsed and accounted for < 1% of the community by the end of the incubation. Our study shows that biocrusts host a diverse community whose members display complex interactions as they resuscitate from dormancy.
Shooting (or Ignoring) the Messenger
Authors: Rogowski Ronald
Published: April 2013

Political science produces highly policy-relevant research, but politicians ignore it in favor of their own (or their supporters’) biases. I give examples from such fields as anti-immigrant politics, political business cycles and the politics of redistribution. The sole area in which politicians do attend closely to scholarly research is where it assists their own efforts at electoral success (e.g. effect and duration of political advertising). But politicians equally ignore the expertise of climatologists, physicists, biologists, economists and even spies, where that expertise contradicts their own preferred policies. All of this points more to a problem of democratic politics than of political (or any other) science.
Illness perceptions and personality traits of patients with mental disorders: the impact of ethnicity
Authors: Franz M. , Salize H. J. , Lujic C. , Koch E. , Gallhofer B. , Jacke C. O.
Published: April 2013

Objective

To identify differences and similarities between immigrants of Turkish origin and native German patients in therapeutically relevant dimensions such as subjective illness perceptions and personality traits.

Method

Turkish and native German mentally disordered in‐patients were interviewed in three psychiatric clinics in Hessen, Germany. The Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ‐Revised) and the Neuroticism‐Extraversion‐Openness Five‐Factor Inventory (NEO‐FFI) were used. Differences of scales and similarities by k‐means cluster analyses were estimated.

Results

Of the 362 total patients, 227 (123 immigrants and 104 native Germans) were included. Neither demographic nor clinical differences were detected. Socioeconomic gradients and differences on IPQ‐R scales were identified. For each ethnicity, the cluster analysis identified four different patient types based on NEO‐FFI and IPQ‐R scales. The patient types of each ethnicity appeared to be very similar in their structure, but they differed solely in the magnitude of the cluster means on included subscales according to ethnicity.

Conclusion

When subjective illness perceptions and personality traits are considered together, basic patient types emerge independent of the ethnicity. Thus, the ethnical impact on patient types diminishes and a convergence was detected.
Impact of intranasal corticosteroids on asthma outcomes in allergic rhinitis: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Lohia S. , Schlosser R. J. , Soler Z. M.
Published: April 2013

Given the relationship between allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma, it can be hypothesized that reducing inflammation in the upper airway with intranasal corticosteroid (INCS) medications may improve asthma outcomes. The goal of this study was to perform a systematic review with meta‐analysis of the efficacy of INCS medications on asthma outcomes in patients with AR and asthma. Asthma‐specific outcomes from randomized, controlled studies evaluating INCS medications in patients with AR were evaluated, including studies that compared INCS sprays to placebo, INCS sprays plus orally inhaled corticosteroids to orally inhaled corticosteroids alone, and nasally inhaled corticosteroids to placebo. Sufficient data for meta‐analysis were retrieved for 18 trials with a total of 2162 patients. Asthma outcomes included pulmonary function, bronchial reactivity, asthma symptom scores, asthma‐specific quality of life, and rescue medication use. The subgroup of studies comparing INCS spray to placebo had significant improvements in FEV1 (SMD = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.04–0.58), bronchial challenge (SMD = 0.46; 95% CI, 0.12–0.79), asthma symptom scores (SMD = −0.42; 95% CI, −0.53 to −0.30), and rescue medication use (SMD = −0.29; 95% CI, −0.58 to −0.01). Nasal inhalation of corticosteroids significantly improved morning and evening peak expiratory flow. There were no significant changes in asthma outcomes with the addition of INCS spray to orally inhaled corticosteroids. Thus, the results of this meta‐analysis demonstrated that intranasal corticosteroid medications significantly improve some asthma‐specific outcome measures in patients suffering from both AR and asthma. This effect was most pronounced with INCS sprays when patients were not on orally inhaled corticosteroids, or when corticosteroid medications were inhaled through the nose into the lungs. Overall, intranasal corticosteroid medications improve some asthma‐specific outcome measures in patients with both AR and asthma. Further research is needed to clarify the role of INCS sprays as asthma‐specific therapy, as well as the role of the nasal inhalation technique as a monotherapy in patients suffering from both asthma and AR.
The Imposter in the Land of Illusion
Authors: Covington Coline
Published: April 2013

This is the story of Fred, a city banker who came for psychotherapy when he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Fred styled himself as an alchemist who could turn dross metal into gold and had achieved remarkable success until global recession hit. Fred's psychopathology had driven him to believe that he had supernatural powers – and this made him special. He instinctively gravitated to a world in which his magical powers would be admired and rewarded – the world of derivatives. Here Fred excelled. Every deal turned into a river of gold that, seemingly, had no end. But just as Fred's success had been meteoric, his downfall was catastrophic. The false self he had created crumbled and he catapulted into the void without bearings, surrounded by the flotsam of dead objects. With this terrible loss, his journey towards life had only just begun. Fred's story is a modern day allegory for the psychopathology that has infected the major financial institutions over the last twenty years, creating a precarious world based on illusion. Fred's trajectory illustrates not only the powerful lure of illusion but also how a perverse system is structured with the implicit aim of attacking mind and reality.
Cancer in Other Words? The Role of Metaphor in Emotion Disclosure in Cancer Patients
Authors: Lanceley Anne , Clark Jill Macleod
Published: April 2013

Despite evidence that nurses may play a crucial part in the wellbeing and recovery of cancer patients by facilitating their expression of feelings, research is lacking into the emotional content of nurse–patient talk and patients' use of language in emotion disclosure. In this study, 23 participating nurses in a variety of cancer care settings were asked to tape‐record their conversations with patients during daily care. A data set of 60 nurse–patient conversations was collected. Individual expression of emotion by patients was identified through interpretive literary analysis within a framework of psychodynamic theory. Overall the picture of emotion disclosure was intense. In particular, patients' use of metaphor and figurative language to express their distress was powerful and pervasive. Participating nurses demonstrated responsive skills but their responses to figurative expression were often problematic.

The study provides evidence of unconscious processes in nurses' work and advocates career‐long psychoanalytically informed supervision for nurses to better support them in challenging dialogue with cancer patients. Research is needed to evaluate the impact of supervision on communications with cancer patients to ensure patients have access to appropriate emotional supportive and care.
Dating recent floodplain sediments in the Hawkesbury‐Nepean River system, eastern Australia using single‐grain quartz OSL
Authors: Sim Anna K. , Thomsen Kristina J. , Murray Andrew S. , Jacobsen Geraldine , Drysdale Russell , Erskine Wayne
Published: April 2013

Two fluvial sediment cores taken from a floodplain of the Hawkesbury‐Nepean River system in the Sydney region, eastern Australia are dated using Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) to provide a reliable chronology essential for the management and planning of water resources. Nine charcoal 14C (AMS) dates constrain these OSL ages. Quartz extracted from seven OSL samples from each of the cores was measured using both single‐grain and multi‐grain OSL techniques. Three of the single‐grain natural dose distributions appear to be well bleached, but the others appear to be incompletely bleached to various degrees. Three minimum‐age models (MAM, MAMUL and IEU) are applied to the single‐grain dose distributions. We conclude that these models give consistent age estimates. For one of the cores it appears to be necessary to use a minimum‐age model to obtain accurate ages, but in the other core incomplete bleaching is probably less important than postdepositional mixing and mixing during sampling. As a result, the burial age is probably best estimated using the weighted average of the individual single‐grain dose estimates. The application of multi‐grain OSL techniques to these samples results in an average apparent age overestimation of ∼200 years, which is significant for these samples, but negligible for sediments older than a few thousand years. The intention is that the chronology obtained in this study will be used in conjunction with a proxy flood record, derived from floodplain sediments, to gain an understanding of the long‐term variability in periods of high and low rainfall in eastern Australia.
Regulation of eotaxin-3/CC chemokine ligand 26 expression by T helper type 2 cytokines in human colonic myofibroblasts
Authors: Takahashi K , Imaeda H , Fujimoto T , Ban H , Bamba S , Tsujikawa T , Sasaki M , Fujiyama Y , Andoh A
Published: April 2013

Eotaxins induce the trafficking of eosinophils to the sites of inflammation via CC chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3). In this study, we investigated eotaxin-3/CC chemokine ligand 26 (CCL26) expression in the inflamed mucosa of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and characterized the molecular mechanisms responsible for eotaxin-3 expression in human colonic myofibroblasts. Eotaxin-3 mRNA and protein expression was evaluated by real time-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Eotaxin-3 mRNA expression was elevated significantly in the active lesions of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Significant elevations were also observed in the active lesions of Crohn's disease (CD) patients, but this was significantly lower than that detected in the active UC lesions. There were no significant increases in the inactive lesions of UC or CD patients. Colonic myofibroblasts were identified as a major source of eotaxin-3 in the colonic mucosa, and interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 enhanced eotaxin-3 mRNA and protein expression significantly in these cells. There was a significant positive correlation between mucosal eotaxin-3 and IL-4 mRNA expression in the active lesions of IBD patients. The IL-4- and IL-13-induced eotaxin-3 mRNA expression was regulated by the signal transducer and activator of transcription-6 (STAT-6) and suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS)1-mediated pathways. Interferon (IFN)-γ acts as a negative regulator on the IL-4- and IL-13-induced eotaxin-3 expression via STAT-1 activation. Eotaxin-3 expression was elevated specifically in the active lesions of IBD, in particular UC. Eotaxin-3 derived from colonic myofibroblasts may play an important role in the pathophysiology of UC.
High sodium intake is associated with increased glucocorticoid production, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Baudrand R. , Campino C. , Carvajal C.A. , Olivieri O. , Guidi G. , Faccini G. , Vöhringer P.A. , Cerda J. , Owen G. , Kalergis A.M. , Fardella C.E.
Published: April 2013

Objective

High sodium (HS) diet is associated with hypertension (HT) and insulin resistance (IR). We evaluated whether HS diet was associated with a dysregulation of cortisol production and metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Patients and measurements

We recruited 370 adults (18–85 years, BMI 29·3 ± 4·4 kg/m2, 70% women, 72% HT, 61% MetS). HS diet (urinary sodium >150 mEq/day) was observed in 70% of subjects. We measured plasma hormones, lipid profile, urinary free cortisol (UFC) and cortisol tetrahydrometabolites (THM).

Results

Urinary sodium was correlated with UFC (r = +0·45, P < 0·001), cortisol THM (r = +0·41, P < 0·001) and inversely with adiponectin, HDL and aldosterone, after adjusting by age, gender and BMI. Subjects with high, compared with adequate sodium intake (50–149 mEq/day) had higher UFC (P < 0·001), THM (P < 0·001), HOMA‐IR (P = 0·04), HT (81% vs 50%, P < 0·001), MetS (69% vs 41%, P < 0·001) and lower adiponectin (P = 0·003). A multivariate predictive model adjusted by confounders showed a high discriminative capacity for MetS (ROC curve 0·878) using four clinical variables: HS intake [OR = 5·6 (CI 2·3–15·3)], HOMA‐IR [OR 1·7 (1·3–2·2)] cortisol THM [OR 1·2 (1·1–1·4)] and adiponectin [OR = 0·9 (0·8–0·9)], the latter had a protective effect.

Conclusions

High sodium diet was associated with increased urinary cortisol and its metabolites. Also, HS diet was associated with HT, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and hypoadiponectinaemia, even when adjusting by confounding variables. Further, we observed that high salt intake, IR and higher cortisol metabolites, alone or combined in a clinical simple model, accurately predicted MetS status, suggesting an additive mechanism in obesity‐related metabolic disorders.
A role of intracellular mono‐ADP‐ribosylation in cancer biology
Authors: Scarpa Emanuele S. , Fabrizio Gaia , Di Girolamo Maria
Published: April 2013

During the development, progression and dissemination of neoplastic lesions, cancer cells can hijack normal pathways and mechanisms. This includes the control of the function of cellular proteins through reversible post‐translational modifications, such as ADP‐ribosylation, phosphorylation, and acetylation. In the case of mono‐ADP‐ribosylation and poly‐ADP‐ribosylation, the addition of one or several units of ADP‐ribose to target proteins occurs via two families of enzymes that can generate ADP‐ribosylated proteins: the diphtheria toxin‐like ADP‐ribosyltransferase (ARTD) family, comprising 17 different proteins that are either poly‐ADP‐ribosyltransferases or mono‐ADP‐ribosyltransferases or inactive enzymes; and the clostridial toxin‐like ADP‐ribosyltransferase family, with four human members, two of which are active mono‐ADP‐ribosyltransferases, and two of which are enzymatically inactive. In line with a central role for poly‐ADP‐ribose polymerase 1 in response to DNA damage, specific inhibitors of this enzyme have been developed as anticancer therapeutics and evaluated in several clinical trials. Recently, in combination with the discovery of a large number of enzymes that can catalyse mono‐ADP‐ribosylation, the role of this modification has been linked to human diseases, such as inflammation, diabetes, neurodegeneration, and cancer, thus revealing the need for the development of specific ARTD inhibitors. This will provide a better understanding of the roles of these enzymes in human physiology and pathology, so that they can be targeted in the future to generate new and efficacious drugs. This review summarizes our present knowledge of the ARTD enzymes that are involved in mono‐ADP‐ribosylation reactions and that have roles in cancer biology. In particular, the well‐documented role of macro‐containing ARTD8 in lymphoma and the putative role of ARTD15 in cancer are discussed.
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors containing α6 subunits contribute to alcohol reward‐related behaviours
Authors: Powers M. S. , Broderick H. J. , Drenan R. M. , Chester J. A.
Published: April 2013

Evidence is emerging that neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system are involved in mediating the reinforcing effects of alcohol. Midbrain DA neurons express high levels of α6 subunit‐containing nAChRs that modulate DA transmission, implicating their involvement in reward‐related behaviours. This study assessed the role of α6‐containing nAChRs in modulating alcohol reward using transgenic mice expressing mutant, hypersensitive α6 nAChR subunits (α6L9′S mice). α6L9′S mice and littermate controls were tested in three well‐established models of alcohol reward: 24‐h two‐bottle choice drinking, drinking in the dark (DID), and conditioned place preference (CPP). Confocal microscopy and patch‐clamp electrophysiology were used to show the localization and function of hypersensitive α6 subunit‐containing nAChRs. Results indicate that female α6L9′S mice showed significantly higher alcohol intake at low concentrations of alcohol (3% and 6%) in the two‐bottle choice procedure. Both male and female α6L9′S mice drank significantly more in the DID procedure and displayed an alcohol‐induced place preference using a low dose of alcohol (0.5 g/kg) that was ineffective in littermate controls. Confocal microscopy showed that α6 subunit‐containing nAChRs are selectively expressed on ventral tegmental area (VTA) DAergic, but not GABAergic neurons. Patch‐clamp electrophysiology showed that VTA DA neurons of α6L9′S mice are hypersensitive to ACh. Collectively, these results suggest that α6L9′S mice are more sensitive to the rewarding effects of alcohol, and suggest that VTA α6 subunit‐containing nAChRs modulate alcohol reward. Thus, α6 subunit‐containing nAChRs may be a promising therapeutic target for treatment of alcohol use disorders.
AN EMPIRICAL MODEL OF LEARNING UNDER AMBIGUITY: THE CASE OF CLINICAL TRIALS*
Authors: Fernandez Jose M.
Published: April 2013

This article presents a two‐dimensional structural model of learning under ambiguity in the context of clinical trials. Clinical trials offer an ideal environment to study learning under ambiguity. The randomization process found in these studies leaves patients uncertain to their actual group assignment. Therefore, patients cannot immediately attribute changes in health to the experimental drug. The article proposes the use of “learning instrumental variables” to simultaneously update patients’ beliefs of the treatment effect and group assignment. Patient learning is found to be faster when observable side effects are incorporated to account for the uncertainty in group assignment.
Identification of a novel HLA‐B*27 allele, B*27:79 and the B*27 subtype polymorphism in the Hunan ethnic Han population of China
Authors: Xie Y. , Wang S. , Zuo Z. , Zhang G. , Cao L. , Li T.
Published: April 2013

This article describes a novel HLA‐B*27 allele, HLA‐B*27:79, which was identified in a Hunan Han ethnic individual of China by a PCR sequence‐based typing method. The new sequence has one nucleotide mutation at position 437(A→T) compared with the allele B*27:04:01. This nucleotide change causes an amino acid substitution from Aspartate (Asp) to Valine (Val) at codon 122. This is the first report of mutation at this position in the HLA‐B locus. Then, we investigated the HLA‐B*27 subtype polymorphism of the Hunan Han population, and the results showed that B*27:04, B*27:05 and B*27:06 are the predominant subtypes with the allele frequencies 0.97%, 0.26% and 0.10% respectively.
Diagnostic testing for α‐globin gene disorders in a heterogeneous North American population
Authors: Waye J. S. , Eng B.
Published: April 2013

Adult hemoglobin is a heterotetramer composed of two α‐globin chains and two β‐globin chains (α2β2), each of which contains a heme molecule capable of binding oxygen and facilitating oxygen transport. The α‐globin chains are expressed from duplicated genes within a tandem gene cluster located on chromosome region 16p13.3. High‐level expression of the α‐globin genes commences early in fetal development and continues throughout life. The α‐thalassemia syndromes are among the most single‐gene disorders, resulting from decreased synthesis of α‐globin chains or synthesis of functionally abnormal α‐globin chains. These disorders are most common in South East Asia, but also occur in many other populations. The most common cause of α‐thalassemia is gene deletions, of which more than seventy have been reported. In addition, a small but significant proportion of cases involve point mutations of the α‐globin genes. Ideally, the diagnostic strategy should include allele‐specific assays for commonly occurring deletions, as well as methods for detection of rare or novel deletions and point mutations. Here we provide an overview of the diagnostic methods available and our experience using these assays in a reference laboratory serving a heterogeneous at‐risk population.
Variability and diagnostic utility of antiphospholipid antibodies including lupus anticoagulants
Authors: Favaloro E. J.
Published: April 2013

Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) comprise a heterogeneous group of antibodies directed against phospholipids and/or protein‐complexed phospholipids. aPL are associated with the serious autoimmune condition ‘antiphosholipid (antibody) syndrome’ (APS) and can be defined by either ‘solid‐phase’ assays that identify anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and anti‐β2‐glycoprotein I antibodies (aB2GPI) or ‘liquid‐phase’ assays that identify lupus anticoagulants (LAs). There is a lack of standardization associated with all forms of aPL testing; however, intermethod and interlaboratory variation using aCL and aB2GPI assays is generally higher than that for LA testing by dRVVT (dilute russell viper venom time) procedures. Compared with either aCL or aB2GPI, LA is also more strongly associated with clinically adverse findings of APS, including thrombosis and obstetric morbidity. This review explores the potential reasons for the above findings and concludes that ultimately a more holistic approach to aPL/APS investigations is needed.
The role of polyphosphates in the sequestration of matrix metalloproteinases
Authors: McCarty Sara M , Percival Steven L , Clegg Peter D , Cochrane Christine A
Published: April 2013

This study outlines the potential of a novel therapeutic dressing for the management of chronic wounds. The dressing incorporates polyphosphate, a non toxic compound with a number of beneficial characteristics in terms of wound healing, in a foam matrix. The aim of this study was to identify the potential of polyphosphate incorporated in the foam dressing to sequester the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and proteases derived from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods used included gelatin zymography and milk‐casein agar plate analysis. Results have shown that this dressing is effectively capable of reducing the levels of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 in both their active and latent forms using an in vitro model. The dressing also demonstrated the compound's potential in the regulation of P. aeruginosa derived proteases.