bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Annotating the meaning of discourse connectives by looking at their translation: The translation-spotting technique
Authors: Cartoni Bruno , Zufferey Sandrine , Meyer Thomas
Published: October 2013

The various meanings of discourse connectives like while and however are difficult to identify and annotate, even for trained human annotators. This problem is all the more important that connectives are salient textual markers of cohesion and need to be correctly interpreted for many NLP applications. In this paper, we suggest an alternative route to reach a reliable annotation of connectives, by making use of the information provided by their translation in large parallel corpora. This method thus replaces the difficult explicit reasoning involved in traditional sense annotation by an empirical clustering of the senses emerging from the translations. We argue that this method has the advantage of providing more reliable reference data than traditional sense annotation. In addition, its simplicity allows for the rapid constitution of large annotated datasets.
Identifying "aboutness topics": two annotation experiments
Authors: Cook Philippa , Bildhauer Felix
Published: October 2013

This paper deals with the annotation of "aboutness topic" (also known as "sentence topic") in naturally occurring data. We report on two annotation experiments in which relatively poor inter-rater agreement was attained for the annotation of topics, although the coders were adhering to the same annotation instructions in each experiment. After presenting some theoretical background on the notion of topic in linguistics, we present the first experiment. Tokens that prove particularly difficult to assess in that experiment are identified, systematized, and discussed in some detail. In sum, the cases that were most likely to lead to non-matching annotations are those that either require a decision between "thetic" or "topic-comment", or involve an overlap between focus and topic. In order to try and increase inter-rater agreement, we modified the annotation guidelines; trying to eliminate some of the confounds from the first experiment. We then trained other annotators to use the modified guidelines and set them an annotation task. Again, the degree of inter-rater agreement was slightly disappointing. We discuss what we believe to be the problem cases in this task and give some guidance for future modification of the guidelines. The findings raise a number of issues that may contribute to the discussion in theoretical linguistics, and they also may alert other researchers planning a similar enterprise to some pitfalls they may encounter.
Linguistic Tests for Discourse Relations
Authors: Versley Yannick , Gastel Anna
Published: October 2013

Discourse structure and discourse relations are an important ingredient in systems for the analysis of text that go beyond the boundary of single clauses. Discourse relations often indicate important additional information about the connection between two clauses, such as causality, and are widely believed to have an influence on aspects of reference resolution.In this article, we first present the general design choices that are to be made in the design of an annotation scheme for discourse structure and discourse relations. In a second part, we present the scheme used in our annotation of selected articles from the TüBa-D/Z treebank of German (Telljohann et al., 2009). The scheme used in the annotation is theory-neutral, but informed by more detailed linguistic knowledge in the way of linguistic tests that can help disambiguate between several plausible relations.
Sliplining Rehabilitates Critical Water Supply Line
Authors: Force Jim
Published: October 2013

It's tough to imagine a more difficult job than rehabilitating a water pipeline passing 25 ft beneath an interstate highway bordered with steep embankments in a busy tourist area, but that's what the Las Vegas Valley Water District faced.
The Best Advertisement a City Can Have: Public Health Services in Vancouver, 1886-1888
Authors: Andrews Margaret W.
Published: October 2013

À la différence d'un grand nombre de villes canadiennes du XIXe siècle, Vancouver se chargea, de son gré, de mettre sur pied des services d'hygiène publique d'assez grande portée. Or, cet initiative visait tout autant l'établissement d'un hôpital, d'une décharge publique et d'un système de drainage qu'un approvisionnement d'eau moderne et des services de santé publique. La municipalité provoqua la création de ces services dès ses deux premières années. À cette même époque, les partisans de l'expansion municipale, responsables des dépenses publiques, voyaient dans la mise à jour des services d'hygiène publique modernes un signe de progrès apte à attirer habitants et capitaux. Comme de tels services, alliés a un climat fortement avantaguex, ne pouvaient que rendre la ville encore plus attirante, les dépenses publiques dans ce domaine furent encouragées.
Keeper of the King's Peace: Colonel G.E. Sanders and the Calgary Police Magistrate's Court, 1911-1932
Authors: Thorner Thomas , Watson Neil B.
Published: October 2013

Au Canada, les historiens n'ont pris qu'un étroit intérêt à l'évolution juridique des tribunaux inférieurs. Puisque de nombreuses questions d'intérêt public furent tirées au clair par voie d'action en justice, il est évident que l'historique du tribunal de police de Calgary et, plus particulièrement, de l'administration de G.E. Sanders nous en font connaître plus long sur l'évolution de cette fonction publique et de la société urbaine. La peur du crime, voire de l'anarchie, qui accompagnait l'affluence ininterrompue d'immigrants, prêta au tribunal de police un caractère bien particulier. Lentement au début, ensuite par étapes rapides, il se transforma en un grand rempart de la défense conservatrice.
A Double‐Gaussian, Percentile‐Based Method for Estimating Maximum Blood Flow Velocity
Authors: Marzban Caren , Illian Paul R. , Morison David , Mourad Pierre D.
Published: October 2013

Objectives

Transcranial Doppler sonography allows for the estimation of blood flow velocity, whose maximum value, especially at systole, is often of clinical interest. Given that observed values of flow velocity are subject to noise, a useful notion of “maximum” requires a criterion for separating the signal from the noise. All commonly used criteria produce a point estimate (ie, a single value) of maximum flow velocity at any time and therefore convey no information on the distribution or uncertainty of flow velocity. This limitation has clinical consequences especially for patients in vasospasm, whose largest flow velocities can be difficult to measure. Therefore, a method for estimating flow velocity and its uncertainty is desirable.

Methods

A gaussian mixture model is used to separate the noise from the signal distribution. The time series of a given percentile of the latter, then, provides a flow velocity envelope. This means of estimating the flow velocity envelope naturally allows for displaying several percentiles (eg, 95th and 99th), thereby conveying uncertainty in the highest flow velocity.

Results

Such envelopes were computed for 59 patients and were shown to provide reasonable and useful estimates of the largest flow velocities compared to a standard algorithm. Moreover, we found that the commonly used envelope was generally consistent with the 90th percentile of the signal distribution derived via the gaussian mixture model.

Conclusions

Separating the observed distribution of flow velocity into a noise component and a signal component, using a double‐gaussian mixture model, allows for the percentiles of the latter to provide meaningful measures of the largest flow velocities and their uncertainty.
Trends in Diagnostic Ultrasound Acoustic Output From Data Reported to the US Food and Drug Administration for Device Indications That Include Fetal Applications
Authors: Cibull Sarah L. , Harris Gerald R. , Nell Diane M.
Published: October 2013

Objectives

A survey was conducted of acoustic output data received by the US Food and Drug Administration for diagnostic ultrasound devices whose indications for use include fetal applications to assess trends in maximum available acoustic output over time.

Methods

Data were collected from 124 regulatory submissions received between 1984 and 2010. Data collection excluded transducers not indicated for diagnostic fetal imaging. The output parameters of ultrasonic power, mean center frequency, and bone thermal index (TIB) were extracted or computed from the submissions for 3 periods: 1984–1989, 1992–1997, and 2005–2010. The data were stratified according to the following imaging modes: M‐mode, B/M‐mode, pulsed wave Doppler, color flow Doppler, and continuous wave Doppler.

Results

Ultrasonic power and maximum TIB values have increased roughly an order of magnitude from pre‐1991 to post‐1991 periods; the center frequency has decreased somewhat (4.2 to 3.4 MHz). The percentage of Doppler‐mode transducers has increased substantially over time, with the majority of the diagnostic fetal imaging transducers currently designed to operate in Doppler modes; this increase is particularly important, since Doppler modes generate much higher TIB levels than B/M‐modes. Color flow Doppler ultrasound currently operates at the highest mean ultrasonic power level (with a 14‐fold increase over time).

Conclusions

The observed trends in increased acoustic output for both Doppler and non‐Doppler modes underscore the widely recognized importance of adherence to the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle and prudent use in fetal ultrasound imaging.
Evidence of silicate immiscibility within flood basalts from the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province
Authors: Shellnutt J. G. , Dostal J. , Iizuka Y.
Published: October 2013

The role silicate‐liquid immiscibility plays in the formation of macro‐scale, bimodal volcanic/plutonic igneous complexes, and Fe‐Ti oxide deposits is debated as the rock compositions produced by immiscibility are similar to those produced by other petrological processes. Within the flows of the North Mountain basalt of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province are centimeter‐thick granophyre layers. The granophyre layers are a mixture of mafic (i.e., ilmenite, magnetite, ferroaugite, plagioclase, stilpnomelane, ferrorichterite) and felsic (i.e., sanidine, quartz) minerals and highly siliceous (>75 wt% SiO2) mesostases. Petrological modeling indicates that the siliceous mesostasis + sanidine + quartz ± ferrorichterite represents a Si‐rich silicate immiscible melt whereas the ferroaugite + plagioclase + stilpnomelane represent the Fe‐rich silicate immiscible liquid. The identification of naturally occurring silicate‐liquid immiscibility at scales greater than micron level is an important observation which may be useful in identifying volcanic and plutonic rocks which formed by macro‐scale silicate‐liquid immiscibility.
Full halo coronal mass ejections: Do we need to correct the projection effect in terms of velocity?
Authors: Shen Chenglong , Wang Yuming , Pan Zonghao , Zhang Min , Ye Pinzhong , Wang S.
Published: October 2013

The projection effect is one of the biggest obstacles in learning the real properties of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and forecasting their geoeffectiveness. To evaluate the projection effect, 86 full halo CMEs (FHCMEs) listed in the Coordinated Data Analysis Workshop CME catalog from 1 March 2007 to 31 May 2012 are investigated. By applying the Graduated Cylindrical Shell model, we obtain the deprojected values of the propagation velocity, direction, and angular width of these FHCMEs and compare them with the projected values measured in the plane‐of‐sky. Although these CMEs look full halo in the view angle of SOHO, it is found that their propagation directions and angular widths could vary in a large range, implying projection effect is a major reason causing a CME being halo, but not the only one. Furthermore, the comparison of the deprojected and projected velocities reveals that most FHCMEs originating within 45° of the Sun‐Earth line with a projected speed slower than 900 km s−1 suffer from large projection effect, while the FHCMEs originating far from the vicinity of solar disk center or moving faster than 900 km s−1have small projection effect. Thus, for the latter class of FHCMEs, it is not necessary to correct the measured velocities.
Hints on the deformation penetration induced by subductions and collision processes: Seismic anisotropy beneath the Adria region (Central Mediterranean)
Authors: Salimbeni Simone , Pondrelli Silvia , Margheriti Lucia
Published: October 2013

Adria is a small region surrounded by three mountain belts: the Alps, the Apennines, and the Dinarides, built up by long evolution of subduction and collisional systems. We present 253 shear wave splitting measurements obtained by studying more than 100 teleseismic events for 12 stations. SKS splitting measurements show 3‐D complexity and quite strong upper mantle deformation. We carefully analyzed results in terms of back azimuthal coverage and interpret measurements as related to Adria rotation and to subductions evolution. In the northern part of Adria, the anisotropy pattern follows the arcuate shape of the Alps; the same pattern, parallel to the mountains, occurs along the Apennines, but fast directions show a sudden change in the Adria foreland. This lateral variation has been analyzed to isolate a distinct Adria mantle anisotropic pattern, which is identified as NE‐SW fast direction along the western microplate boundary and as N‐S fast direction at Trieste. This pattern might be induced by drag effect of the counterclockwise rotation of Adria lithosphere that behaves as an independent microplate as identified by GPS data. Our measurements suggest that the geodynamic process that generated the Alps is more efficient deforming a larger volume of mantle than its Apennine counterpart. Moreover, the mantle circulation we hypothesize looking at the regional‐scale patterns of anisotropy requires the existence of an escape route beneath the Alps‐Apennines transition, through which the mantle flows and feed circulation in the Tyrrhenian mantle system as suggested by previous geodynamic models and as seen by some tomographic studies.
Development and evaluation of a mosaic approach in the WRF‐Noah framework
Authors: Li Dan , Bou‐Zeid Elie , Barlage Michael , Chen Fei , Smith James A.
Published: October 2013

The current Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF)‐Noah modeling framework considers only the dominant land cover type within each grid cell, which here is referred to as the “dominant” approach. In order to assess the impact of subgrid‐scale variability in land cover composition, a mosaic/tiling approach (hereafter the “mosaic” approach) is implemented into the coupled WRF‐Noah modeling system. In the mosaic approach, a certain number (N) of tiles, each representing a land cover category, is considered within each grid cell. WRF simulations of a clear sky day and a rainfall period over a heterogeneous urban/suburban setting show that the two approaches generate differences in the surface energy balance, land surface temperature, near‐surface states, boundary layer growth, as well as rainfall distribution. Evaluation against a variety of observational data (including surface flux measurements, the MODIS land surface temperature product, and radar rainfall estimates) indicates that, compared to the dominant approach, the mosaic approach has a better performance. In addition, WRF‐simulated results with the mosaic approach are less sensitive to the spatial resolution of the grid: Larger differences are observed in simulations of different resolutions with the dominant approach. The effect of increasing the number of tiles (N) on the WRF‐simulated results is also examined. When N increases from 1 (i.e., the dominant approach) to 15, changes in the ground heat flux, sensible heat flux, surface temperature, and 2 m air temperature are more significant during nighttime. Changes in the 2 m specific humidity are more significant during daytime, and changes in the boundary layer height are most prominent during the morning and afternoon transitional periods.
Stratification dynamics in a shallow reservoir under different hydro‐meteorological scenarios and operational strategies
Authors: Kerimoglu Onur , Rinke Karsten
Published: October 2013

Vertical mixing plays a major role in functioning of seasonally stratified aquatic systems. In this study, we employ a 1‐D stratification model and a 9 year forcing data set to simulate the thermal dynamics in a large, but shallow reservoir that regularly displays a polymictic character with complete mixing events during summer. Such mixing dynamics is typical for many water bodies in the temperate zone having an intermediate depth. In many cases summer‐mixing events were documented to induce severe water quality deteriorations (e.g., cyanobacterial blooms). We examined and quantified the response of summer‐mixing behavior to combinations of hydrological regimes, i.e., water level fluctuations and withdrawal depth, and changes in meteorological variables, i.e., air temperature and wind speed. According to our findings: (i) increasing summer air temperatures considerably increase the resistance of the water column against mixing; (ii) while the combination of maintenance of a high and constant water depth and implementation of epilimnetic discharge results in almost complete resistance to mixing, their individual effects are also substantial, being roughly comparable to the effects of 4–6 K increase in air temperatures; (iii) wind is a critical variable, 30% increase of which can compensate up to 5.5 K increase in air temperatures; and (iv) effects of changes in air temperature, wind speed, and water depth are inter‐dependent, as indicated by enhanced importance of wind and temperature in response to decreasing water depth, as well as reduced importance of depth in response to decreasing wind speed and increasing temperature.
Informational support exchanges using different computer‐mediated communication formats in a social media alcoholism community
Authors: Chuang Katherine Y. , Yang Christopher C.
Published: October 2013

E‐patients seeking information online often seek specific advice related to coping with their health condition(s) among social networking sites. They may be looking for social connectivity with compassionate strangers who may have experienced similar situations to share opinions and experiences rather than for authoritative medical information. Previous studies document distinct technological features and different levels of social support interaction patterns. It is expected that the design of the social media functions will have an impact on the user behavior of social support exchange. In this part of a multipart study, we investigate the social support types, in particular information support types, across multiple computer‐mediated communication formats (forum, journal, and notes) within an alcoholism community using descriptive content analysis on 3 months of data from a MedHelp online peer support community. We present the results of identified informational support types including advice, referral, fact, personal experiences, and opinions, either offered or requested. Fact type was exchanged most often among the messages; however, there were some different patterns between notes and journal posts. Notes were used for maintaining relationships rather than as a main source for seeking information. Notes were similar to comments made to journal posts, which may indicate the friendship between journal readers and the author. These findings suggest that users may have initially joined the MedHelp Alcoholism Community for information‐seeking purposes but continue participation even after they have completed with information gathering because of the relationships they formed with community members through social media features.
Effect of alcohol chain length on the enzymatic resolution of racemic mandelic acid and kinetic study
Authors: Pan Yang , Tang Ke‐Wen , He Chang‐Qing , Yi Wei , Zhu Wei , Liu You‐Nian
Published: October 2013

Asymmetric esterification of racemic mandelic acid (MA) was conducted in 1,2‐dichloroethane using lipase Novozym 435 as catalyst. Different alcohols were screened for esterification to achieve high conversion and enantioselectivity. The results show that ethanol is the best alcohol substrate among tested alcohols, and long‐chain alcohols show lower enantioselectivities. The effect of substrate concentrations on esterification with ethanol was studied, and the result indicates an alcohol inhibition. To examine the mechanism of the alcohol chain length effect, the ping‐pong bi‐bi mechanism with competitive alcohol inhibition was applied to build a model. By comparing the kinetic parameters of methanol, ethanol, butanol, heptanol, and octanol, it was found that both the Michaelis constant and the inhibition constant of alcohol increase with the increase in alcohol chain length, indicating that the balance between nucleophilicity and the inhibition effect is the possible reason for the highest conversion and enantioselectivity as shown by ethanol.
Egg‐ or cell culture‐derived hemagglutinin mutations impair virus stability and antigen content of inactivated influenza vaccines
Authors: Nakowitsch Sabine , Waltenberger Andrea M. , Wressnigg Nina , Ferstl Nicole , Triendl Andrea , Kiefmann Bettina , Montomoli Emanuele , Lapini Giulia , Sergeeva Maria , Muster Thomas , Romanova Julia R.
Published: October 2013

Egg‐derived viruses are the only available seed material for influenza vaccine production. Vaccine manufacturing is done in embryonated chicken eggs, MDCK or Vero cells. In order to contribute to efficient production of influenza vaccines, we investigate whether the quality of inactivated vaccines is influenced by the propagation substrate. We demonstrate that H3N2 egg‐derived seed viruses (A/Brisbane/10/07, IVR147, and A/Uruguay/716/07) triggered the hemagglutinin (HA) conformational change under less acidic conditions (0.2–0.6 pH units) than antigenically similar primary isolates. This phenotype was associated with HA1 (A138S, L194P) and HA2 (D160N) substitutions, and strongly related to decreased virus stability towards acidic pH and elevated temperature. The subsequent propagation of H3N2 and H1N1 egg‐derived seed viruses in MDCK and Vero cells induced HA2 N50K (H1N1) and D160E (H3N2) mutations, improving virus growth in cell culture but further impairing virus stability. The prevention of the loss or recovery of stability was possible by cultivation at acidified conditions. Viruses carrying less stable HAs are more sensitive for HA conformational change during concentration, purification and storage. This results in decreased detectable HA antigen content – the main potency marker for inactivated influenza vaccines. Thus, virus stability can be a useful marker for predicting the manufacturing scope of seed viruses.
Identification of microRNAs involved in the radioresistance of esophageal cancer cells
Authors: Su Huafang , Jin Xiance , Zhang Xuebang , Xue Shengliu , Deng Xia , Shen Lanxiao , Fang Ya , Xie Congying
Published: October 2013

Radioresistance is considered as the most important reason for local tumour recurrence. This study investigates the role of miRNAs in radioresistant human esophageal cancer cells. Human miRNA microarray has been used to detect the differential expressed microRNAs between radioresistant esophageal cell line KYSE‐150R and the parental cell line KYSE‐150. The relative expression of some candidate miRNAs was measured by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR). Potential mRNA targets were analysed bioinformatically. Significant upregulation of 10 microRNAs and downregulation of 25 microRNAs were detected. The statistical significance of downregulation in hsa‐miR‐301a, hsa‐miR‐141 and hsa‐miR‐18b expression (P < 0.05) were confirmed by qRT‐PCR. The correlation of the predicted microRNA target genes to apoptosis (63 genes), cell cycle (67 genes), DNA damage and repair (18 genes) were confirmed by functional annotation. The downregulation of hsa‐miR‐301a promoted radioresistance in KYSE‐150R through the upregulation of wnt1, indicating that wnt/β‐catenin signal pathway might be important in radioresistance. In conclusion, a unique set of miRNAs and their expression profiles in radiation resistance have been identified, providing a solid basis for future studies to investigate the target genes of these miRNAs and their function.
Studies of Cobalt Particle Size Effects on Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis over Core–Shell‐Structured Catalysts
Authors: Zeng Bo , Hou Bo , Jia Litao , Wang Jungang , Chen Congbiao , Sun Yuhan , Li Debao
Published: October 2013

A series of core–shell‐structured catalysts that consist of different‐sized Co3O4 nano‐particles and silica shells were prepared by an in situ coating method. The reduced catalysts displayed uniform core sizes that ranged from 5.5–12.7 nm as ascertained by TEM, which concurred well with XRD analysis. The BET results revealed the highly mesoporous nature of the silica shell, which contributes to the facile access of the reactant gas to the active sites on the core particles. The degree of reduction of the calcined catalysts studied by H2 temperature‐programmed reduction was enhanced with increased Co particle size. In the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis, a volcano‐like curve was plotted as the CO conversion and Co‐time‐yield revealed a rapid growth if the particle size increased from 5.5 to 8.7 nm and then decreased with further increased particle size to 12.7 nm, which is an effect of the combination of Co dispersion and reducibility. However, the turnover frequency remained invariant for catalysts with particle sizes larger than 8.7 nm. If we consider the product selectivity, generally, larger particles led to a longer chain length of hydrocarbons with a larger chain‐growth probability. The selectivity towards methane decreased and the corresponding heavy hydrocarbons (C19+) increased continuously with the increase of particle size. The catalyst with a particle size of 8.7 nm exhibited the highest selectivity and the maximum space‐time‐yield towards middle distillates (C5–C18) because of the modest chain‐growth probability.
Optimization of Sugarcane Bagasse Hydrolysis by Microwave‐Assisted Pretreatment for Bioethanol Production
Authors: Ahi M. , Azin M. , Shojaosadati S. A. , Vasheghani‐Farahani E. , Nosrati M.
Published: October 2013

Sugarcane bagasse hydrolysis was optimized by dilute‐acid pretreatment and subsequent enzymatic treatment. The studied parameters were microwave heating temperature, residence time, and enzyme dosage as the main factors in a central composite design. The amount of released total reducing sugars, glucose, pentose, phenolic compounds, and furfural were measured after each stage. The optimum conditions with suitable concentrations of inhibitors and reducing sugars were applied for bioethanol production. As an example, ethanol was obtained from reducing sugars by Pichia stipitis without detoxification.
Core–Shell CuCo2O4@MnO2 Nanowires on Carbon Fabrics as High‐Performance Materials for Flexible, All‐Solid‐State, Electrochemical Capacitors
Authors: Wang Qiufan , Xu Jing , Wang Xianfu , Liu Bin , Hou Xiaojuan , Yu Gang , Wang Pan , Chen Di , Shen Guozhen
Published: October 2013

To boost the electrochemical utilization and area‐specific capacitance, core–shell CuCo2O4@MnO2 heterostructured nanowire arrays on carbon fabrics are synthesized and utilized as high‐performance, binder‐free, positive electrodes for electrochemical capacitors. The electrode architecture takes advantage of the synergistic effects contributed from both the porous CuCo2O4 nanowire core and the MnO2 shell layer. The as‐prepared electrode has a high cell‐specific capacitance of 327 F g−1, several times higher than that of CuCo2O4 nanowires (57.8 F g−1), at a current density of 1.25 A g−1 with excellent rate capability (90 % capacitance retention at a current density of 6.25 A g−1) in aqueous electrolyte. A flexible, all‐solid‐state symmetrical supercapacitor is fabricated by assembling two CuCo2O4@MnO2 nanowire‐based electrodes, a high cell‐area‐specific capacitance of 714 mF cm−2 at 1 mA cm−2 is achieved, which is much higher than values reported earlier. It delivers a high energy density of 94.3 W h cm−2 at a power density of 0.4757 mW cm−2 for a voltage window of 1 V. Highly stable electrochemical performance over 3000 cycles is obtained, even when the device is operated under harsh mechanical conditions. These results suggest that the as‐prepared CuCo2O4@MnO2/carbon fabric composite architecture is very promising for next‐generation high‐performance supercapacitors, and this work opens up a novel design of advanced integrated‐array electrode materials for high‐performance supercapacitors.
Simultaneous Presence of Both Open Metal Sites and Free Functional Organic Sites in a Noncentrosymmetric Dynamic Metal–Organic Framework with Bimodal Catalytic and Sensing Activities
Authors: Saha Rajat , Joarder Biplab , Roy Anupam Singha , Manirul Islam Sk. , Kumar Sanjay
Published: October 2013

Assimilation of open metal sites (OMSs) and free functional organic sites (FOSs) with a framework strut has opened up a new route for the fabrication of novel metal–organic materials, thereby providing a unique opportunity to explore their multiple functionalities. A new metal–organic framework (MOF), {[Cu(ina)2(H2O)][Cu(ina)2(bipy)]⋅2 H2O}n (1) (ina=isonicotinate, bipy=4,4′‐bipyridine), has been synthesized and characterized. Complex 1 is crystallized in the orthorhombic noncentrosymmetric space group Aba2 and consists of two different 2D coordination polymers, [Cu(ina)2(H2O)]n and [Cu(ina)2(bipy)]n, with entrapped solvent water molecules. Hydrogen‐bonding interactions assemble these two different 2D coordination layers in a single‐crystal structure with interdigitation of pendant 4,4′‐bipy from one layer into the groove of another. Upon removal of guest molecules, 1 undergoes a structural transformation in single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal fashion with expansion of the effective void space. Each metal center is five‐coordinated and thus can potentially behave as an OMS, and the free pyridyl groups of pendant 4,4′‐bipy moieties and free CO groups can act as free FOSs. Thus, owing to presence of both OMSs and free FOSs, the framework exhibits multifunctional properties. Owing to the presence of OMSs, the framework can act as a Lewis acid catalyst as well as a small‐molecule sensor material, and in a similar way, owing to the presence of free FOSs, it performs as a Lewis base catalyst and a cation sensor material. Furthermore, owing to noncentrosymmetry with large polarity along a particular direction, it shows strong second‐harmonic generation/nonlinear optical (SHG‐NLO) activity.
Assessment of the Water Transfer Capacity from Be River Basin through Phuoc Hoa Hydraulic‐Works
Authors: Vu Van Nghi , Nguyen Hai Au
Published: October 2013

Study on water transfer from a basin to others aims to exploit and utilize water resources effectively. However, this is considered as a complex and sensitive issue due to many constraints of socio‐economics and environment. The Phuoc Hoa hydraulic‐works, the fourth cascade on Be River located in the south of Vietnam, is now under construction. Then, a planned discharge of 50 m3/s will be transferred to the Dau Tieng reservoir in Sai Gon River. Based on the reliably processed meteo‐hydrological data, water demands and the constraint of environmental flow, etc., the rainfall–runoff model, NAM, and water balance model, MIKE BASIN, were applied to the Be River basin. The simulated results using NAM model showed efficiency coefficient R
2 > 0.85, mass residual Bias < 5% which are reliable enough to be used for the MIKE BASIN model. Consequently, the water capacity transferred from the Phuoc Hoa hydraulic‐works to the Dau Tieng reservoir was determined under various hydrological years such as wet year – P10%, average year – P50% and dry year – P90%.
Mediation as a Profession: Challenges That Professional Mediators Face
Authors: Raines Susan S. , Kumar Pokhrel Sunil , Poitras Jean
Published: October 2013

In addition to the challenges mediators face during the mediation process itself, they face myriad professional challenges related to building and maintaining a successful mediation practice. This study shares the findings of a multiround survey of more than two hundred highly experienced mediators from around the world regarding the professional challenges that mediators face and the strategies they use to address these challenges. These are important issues to examine for those considering entering the profession or for those already practicing mediation and seeking to develop their skills further as a small‐business owner.
An A‐Site‐Deficient Perovskite offers High Activity and Stability for Low‐Temperature Solid‐Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Zhu Yinlong , Chen Zhi‐Gang , Zhou Wei , Jiang Shanshan , Zou Jin , Shao Zongping
Published: October 2013

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) directly convert fossil and/or renewable fuels into electricity and/or high‐quality heat in an environmentally friendly way. However, high operating temperatures result in high cost and material issues, which have limited the commercialization of SOFCs. To lower their operating temperatures, highly active and stable cathodes are required to maintain a reasonable power output. Here, we report a layer‐structured A‐site deficient perovskite Sr0.95Nb0.1Co0.9O3−δ (SNC0.95) prepared by solid‐state reactions that shows not only high activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at operating temperatures below 600 °C, but also offers excellent structural stability and compatibility, and improved CO2 resistivity. An anode‐supported fuel cell with SNC0.95 cathode delivers a peak power density as high as 1016 mW cm−2 with an electrode‐area‐specific resistance of 0.052 Ω cm2 at 500 °C.
Expansion of activated regulatory T cells by myeloid‐specific chemokines via an alternative pathway in CSF of bacterial meningitis patients
Authors: Shi Guangzhi , Han Junyan , Liu Gang , Hao Yu , Ma Yaluan , Li Tong , Wu Xueying , Zhang Henghui , Liu Yanan , Wang Beibei , Kong Yaxian , Zhou Jianxin , Zeng Hui
Published: October 2013

Previous studies have demonstrated that activation/expansion by certain cytokines as well as recruitment by specific chemokines is involved in enrichment of regulatory T (Treg) cells in local tissues or organs under pathological conditions. Recent evidence indicates that human Treg cells are a heterogeneous population that comprises three distinct subpopulations: CD25+CD45RA+ resting Treg (rTreg) cells, CD25hiCD45RA− activated Treg (aTreg) cells, which are both suppressive, and CD25+CD45RA− cytokine‐secreting T cells with proinflammatory capacity. Moreover, rTreg cells can proliferate and convert to aTreg cells. Here, we found an increase in aTreg‐cell frequency in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with postneurosurgery bacterial meningitis. We revealed that such an increased aTreg‐cell frequency in the CSF was not due to enhanced chemotaxis. Instead of a classic conversion pathway from rTreg to aTreg cells, we identified an alternative route of Treg‐cell conversion from cytokine‐secreting cells to aTreg cells induced by myeloid‐specific chemokine CXC chemokine receptor (CXCR) ligand 5 via CXCR1 and CXCR2 receptors, or by CSF myeloid cells in a cell–cell contact manner. Our results reveal a different view of how the immune system controls overwhelming local immune responses during infection, and provide evidence of how innate immunity negatively regulates adaptive immunity.
Gimap3 and Gimap5 cooperate to maintain T‐cell numbers in the mouse
Authors: Yano Kouta , Carter Christine , Yoshida Naofumi , Abe Takaya , Yamada Akiko , Nitta Takeshi , Ishimaru Naozumi , Takada Kensuke , Butcher Geoffrey W. , Takahama Yousuke
Published: October 2013

Gimap3 (IAN4) and Gimap5 (IAN5) are highly homologous GTP‐binding proteins of the Gimap family. Gimap3 and Gimap5, whose transcripts are abundant in mature lymphocytes, can associate with antiapoptotic Bcl‐2 family proteins. While it is established that Gimap5 regulates T‐cell survival, the in vivo role of Gimap3 is unclear. Here we report the preparation and characteristics of mouse strains lacking Gimap3 and/or Gimap5. We found that the number of T cells was markedly reduced in mice deficient in both Gimap3 and Gimap5. The defects in T‐cell cellularity were more severe in mice lacking both Gimap3 and Gimap5 than in mice lacking only Gimap5. No defects in the cellularity of T cells were detected in mice lacking only Gimap3, whereas bone marrow cells from Gimap3‐deficient mice showed reduced T‐cell production in a competitive hematopoietic environment. Moreover, retroviral overexpression and short hairpin RNAs‐mediated silencing of Gimap3 in bone marrow cells elevated and reduced, respectively, the number of T cells produced in irradiated mice. These results suggest that Gimap3 is a regulator of T‐cell numbers in the mouse and that multiple Gimap family proteins cooperate to maintain T‐cell survival.
Helical Oligomers with a Changeable Chiral Acetal Moiety
Authors: Oba Makoto , Ishikawa Naoko , Demizu Yosuke , Kurihara Masaaki , Suemune Hiroshi , Tanaka Masakazu
Published: October 2013

(R,R)‐Ac6c4BD homopeptides form helical structures with slight control of the helical screw sense to the right‐handed form. The chiral acetal moieties in (R,R)‐Ac6c4BD are changeable in the peptide state.
Li‐ion Reaction to Improve the Rate Performance of Nanoporous Anatase TiO2 Anodes
Authors: He Yan‐Bing , Liu Ming , Xu Zheng‐Long , Zhang Biao , Li Baohua , Kang Feiyu , Kim Jang‐Kyo
Published: October 2013

Large initial capacity losses and low tap densities are among the major challenges to the wide‐ranging application of Li ion batteries based on anatase titania (TiO2) anodes. This study reports the root causes of the capacity losses and proposes effective ways to control them. Nanoporous TiO2 microspheres with a tap density as high as 1.1 g cm−3 are successfully prepared by using a spray drying method and a focused study is made of their electrochemical reaction kinetics. According to the results, the capacity losses are ascribed to the irreversible Li‐ion interfacial storage capability that arises mainly from the high reactivity between TiO2 and the electrolyte solution. A new anode material, TiO2–Li, prepared by reacting TiO2 with Li ions delivers a 50 % reduction in charge‐transfer resistance and a remarkable enhancement of Li‐ion diffusion coefficient by almost seven times, as compared to the neat TiO2 powders. The TiO2–Li anode presents a much lower initial capacity loss, higher rate performance, and better reversibility.
Fuel Properties of Croton megalocarpus, Calophyllum inophyllum, and Cocos nucifera (coconut) Methyl Esters and their Performance in a Multicylinder Diesel Engine
Authors: Atabani A. E. , Badruddin Irfan Anjum , Mahlia T. M. I. , Masjuki H. H. , Mofijur M. , Lee Keat Teong , Chong W. T.
Published: October 2013

Biodiesel has been considered recently as a viable alternative to fossil diesel fuels. This study aims to evaluate the potential of biodiesel production from Croton megalocarpus oil and compared it with coconut (Cocos nucifera) and Calophyllum inophyllum methyl esters. The study presents the physical and chemical properties of Croton megalocarpus, Calophyllum inophyllum and coconut methyl esters (CMME, CIME, and COME) together with their 10 and 20 % blends by volume (B10 and B20). This is followed by evaluating their blends in a multicylinder Mitsubishi Pajero diesel engine. It has been found that the properties of all biodiesel and their blends are comparable with ASTM D6751 and ASTM D7467 standards, respectively. Over the entire range of speed, it was found that the B10 and B20 blends of CMME, CIME, and COME result in average reduction in torque and brake power (BP) along with increased brake‐specific fuel consumption (BSFC) compared to pure diesel fuel. With respect to engine emissions, the fuel blends resulted in an average reduction in carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions. However, the CMME and COME blends resulted in increased emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO) whereas CIME emits lower NO compared to pure diesel. It is concluded that B10 and B20 biodiesel blends can be used as diesel fuel substitutes without additional modifications.
Electrophysiological characterization of spinal neuron sensitization by elevated calcium channel alpha‐2‐delta‐1 subunit protein
Authors: Zhou C. , Luo Z.D.
Published: October 2013

Background

Voltage‐gated calcium channel α2δ1 subunit is the binding site for gabapentin, an effective drug in controlling neuropathic pain states including thermal hyperalgesia. Hyperalgesia to noxious thermal stimuli in both spinal nerve‐ligated (SNL) and voltage‐gated calcium channel α2δ1 overexpressing transgenic (Tg) mice correlates with higher α2δ1 levels in dorsal root ganglia and dorsal spinal cord. In this study, we investigated whether abnormal synaptic transmission is responsible for thermal hyperalgesia induced by elevated α2δ1 expression in these models.

Methods

Behavioural sensitivities to thermal stimuli were test in L4 SNL and sham mice, as well as in α2δ1 Tg and wild‐type mice. Miniature excitatory (mEPSC) and inhibitory (mIPSC) post‐synaptic currents were recorded in superficial dorsal spinal cord neurons from these models using whole‐cell patch clamp slice recording techniques.

Results

The frequency, but not amplitude, of mEPSC in superficial dorsal horn neurons was increased in SNL and α2δ1 Tg mice, which could be attenuated by gabapentin dose dependently. Intrathecal α2δ1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide treatment diminished increased mEPSC frequency and gabapentin's inhibitory effects in elevated mEPSC frequency in the SNL mice. In contrast, neither the frequency nor the amplitude of mIPSC was altered in superficial dorsal horn neurons from the SNL and α2δ1 Tg mice.

Conclusions

Our findings support a role of peripheral nerve injury‐induced α2δ1 in enhancing pre‐synaptic excitatory input onto superficial dorsal spinal cord neurons that contributes to nociception development.
Efficient and Eco‐friendly Syntheses of 1,5‐Benzothiazepines and 1,5‐Benzodiazepines Catalyzed by [Hmim][NO3] under Mild Conditions
Authors: Loghmani‐Khouzani Hossein , Tamjidi Panteha , Mohammadpoor‐Baltork Iraj , Yaeghoobi Marzieh , Rahman Noorsaadah Abd. , Khosropour Ahmad Reza , Moghadam Majid , Tangestaninejad Shahram , Mirkhani Valiolah , Habibi Mohammad Hossein , Kashima Ayana , Suzuki Takayoshi
Published: October 2013

This article presents a synthetic method and reaction mechanism of the 1,5‐benzothiazepines and 1,5‐benzodiazepines derivatives. In this research, 36 thiazepines and diazepines (mostly new) with a new method have been prepared and their structures have been characterized by spectroscopic methods. Crystal structures of a new thiazepine and diazepine (seven‐membered rings) have also been determined and compared with thiazine (six‐membered ring). In this method, N‐methylimidazolium nitrate [Hmim][NO3] has been used as a catalyst that acts as an environmental friendly system.
Effect of salt‐tolerant yeast of Candida versatilis and Zygosaccharomyces rouxii on the production of biogenic amines during soy sauce fermentation
Authors: Qi Wei , Hou Li‐Hua , Guo Hong‐Lian , Wang Chun‐Ling , Fan Zhen‐Chuan , Liu Jin‐Fu , Cao Xiao‐Hong
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to enhance and improve the quality and safety of soy sauce. In the present work, the change of biogenic amines, such as histamine, tyramine, cadaverine, spermidine, was examined by the treatment of Candida versatilis and Zygosaccharomyces rouxii, and the influence of salt‐tolerant yeast on biogenic amines was analysed during the whole fermentation process.

RESULTS

The results showed that the content of biogenic amines was elevated after yeast treatment and the content of biogenic amines was influenced by using yeast. The dominating biogenic amine in soy sauce was tyramine. At the end of fermentation, the concentrations of biogenic amines produced by Zygosaccharomyces rouxii and Candida versatilis in the soy mash were 122.71 mg kg−1 and 69.96 mg kg−1.

CONCLUSIONS

The changes of biogenic amines in high‐salt liquid soy mash during fermentation process indicated that a variety of biogenic amines were increased in the fermentation ageing period, which may be due to amino acid decarboxylation to form biogenic amines by yeast decarboxylase. The fermentation period of soy sauce should be longer than 5 months because biogenic amines began to decline after this time period. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Compound cast‐forging of hybrid aluminum parts
Authors: Kosch K.‐G. , Freytag P. , Matthias T. , Kerber K. , Bouguecha A.
Published: October 2013

Beim Verbund‐Gießschmieden hybrider Aluminiumbauteile werden die positiven Eigenschaften der Verfahren Gießen und Schmieden sowie unterschiedliche Werkstoffe miteinander kombiniert. Dies ermöglicht es Bauteile mit komplexer Geometrie und lokal unterschiedlichen Eigenschaften herzustellen. Bauteilbereiche mit hoher Komplexität (z.B. mit Hinterschnitt) werden gegossen. Bereiche, die im Betrieb hohen mechanischen Beanspruchungen ausgesetzt sind, werden geschmiedet. In den durchgeführten Grundlagenuntersuchungen wurde ein vorgeformtes, massivumgeformtes Halbzeug aus einer Aluminium‐Knetlegierung durch Ein‐ bzw. Angießen mit einer Aluminium‐Gusslegierung und anschließendem Umformen aus der Gießtemperatur in einem Verbund‐Gießschmiedeprozess gefügt. Die Ergebnisse der Untersuchungen belegen eine gute Verbundqualität gießgeschmiedeter Bauteile aus unterschiedlichen Aluminiumlegierungen.
An interval random perturbation method for structural‐acoustic system with hybrid uncertain parameters
Authors: Xia Baizhan , Yu Dejie
Published: October 2013

An interval random model is introduced for the response analysis of structural‐acoustic systems that lack sufficient information to construct the precise probability distributions of uncertain parameters. In the interval random model, the uncertain parameters are treated as random variables, whereas some distribution parameters of random variables with limited information are expressed as interval variables instead of precise values. On the basis of the interval random model, the interval random structural‐acoustic finite element equation is constructed, and an interval random perturbation method for solving this interval random equation is proposed. In the proposed method, the interval random matrix and vector are expanded by the first‐order Taylor series, and the response vector of the structural‐acoustic system is calculated by the matrix perturbation method. According to the linear monotonicity of the response vector, the lower and upper bounds of the response vector are calculated by the vertex method. On the basis of the lower and upper bounds, the intervals of expectation and standard variance of the response vector are obtained by the random interval moment method. The numerical results on a shell structural‐acoustic model and an automobile passenger compartment with flexible front panel demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.