bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
1,2‐dihydro‐3,1‐benzoxazin‐4‐one and 4H‐1,2‐dihydro‐pyrido‐[2,3‐d]‐[1,3]‐oxazin‐4‐one derivatives as potential prodrugs: Part III: Permeability through excised human skin in vitro
Authors: Schwenker Gerhard , Chen Jianbing
Published: January 2011

The percutaneous permeation characteristics of 6 potential prodrugs 2–7 in comparison with their parent drug mefenamic acid (1) in vitro using excised human skin were studied. The results show that all potential prodrugs tested were at least 2.0 times as effective as mefenamic acid; compounds 2 and 7 permeated almost 5 times as quickly as mefenamic acid through excised human skin. The relations between the permeation behaviour, the RM values and the melting points were interpreted.
Structure‐function relationship of new anthralin derivatives assayed for growth inhibition and cytotoxicity in human keratinocyte cultures
Authors: Bonnekoh Bernd , Tanzer Helene , Seidel Matthias , Geisel Jürgen , Merk Hans F. , Mahrle Gustav , Wiegrebe Wolfgang
Published: January 2011

HaCaT keratinocyte cultures were exposed to twelve hydrophilic anthralin derivatives 1 to 12 with substituents at C‐1 and C‐8 of the anthrone skeleton, of one H at C‐10 and of both H's at C‐10 by lacton rings (fig. 1). After 3 μM treatment growth was determined by cellular protein content, 3H‐thymidine‐and 14C‐amino‐acid‐uptake and cytotoxicity by the release of cytoplasmic LDH into the culture medium.‐ In comparison to acetone control (100%) anthralin suppressed mean protein content, as well as DNA‐ and protein‐synthesis to 33, 28, and 21%, respectively, and the drug revealed an enzyme release of 660%. In relation to the parent drug we found similar cell growth inhibitory effects of compounds 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 12. Deriv. 4, 8, and 10 were, however, to some extent less cytotoxic than anthralin, whereas deriv. 6, 9, and 12 were in the same range. An extreme suppression of growth parameters which differed from the anthralin effect by a factor 0.5–0.8 was caused by deriv. 11, showing the same cytotoxicity. Deriv. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 did not demonstrate any cytotoxicity. Concerning growth parameters, deriv. 2 induced a slight stimulation, deriv. 3 and 7 were completely ineffective, deriv. 1 and 5 induced slightly to moderately inhibited proliferation but both being much less effective than anthralin. These data indicate that the “minimum structure” concept by Krebs and Schaltegger—claiming 1‐hydroxy‐9‐anthrone as a precondition for clinical antipsoriatic potency—is not valid at least in cell‐biological tests and point toward possible usefulness of some experimental model compounds as alternative antipsoriatics.
Immunologische Untersuchungen auf Benzodiazepine—Der Einfluß von Strukturmerkmalen auf die Kreuzreaktivität ‐
Authors: Beyer Karl‐Heinz , Martz Susanne
Published: January 2011

Die Beschreibung der immunologischen Assays zum Nachweis von Benzodiazepinen in Urin bei den Firmenangaben läßt erwarten, daß alle in der Therapie eingesetzten Benzodiazepine gleichwertig erfaßt werden. Da es unwahrscheinlich erschien, daß die unterschiedlichen Strukturen keinen Einfluß auf den Meßvorgang haben sollten, wurden die Kreuzreaktivitäten für 35 Benzodiazepine bzw. Benzodiazepin‐Metaboliten am Beispiel des TDx bestimmt. Entsprechende Untersuchungen zeigten, daß—bis auf Diazepam—alle Benzodiazepine bzw. ihre Metaboliten eine geringere Kreuzreaktivität aufweisen. Die unterschiedliche Ansprechbarkeit für die einzelnen Benzodiazepine führt dazu, daß z.T. recht hohe Konzentrationen dieser Substanzen erforderlich sind—die im therapeutischen Bereich nicht erreicht werden ‐, um einen TDx‐Wert von 200 ng/ml (als Schwellenwert von der Herstellerfirma empfohlen) Nordiazepam‐Äquivalenten zu erreichen bzw. zu über‐schreiten. Dies gilt sinngemäß auch für die Immunoassays EMIT und RIA.
Biodegradable microtablets made of low molecular weight polyglycolic acid: Bioabbaubare Mikrotabletten aus niedermolekularer Polyglycolsäure
Authors: Moll Friedrich , Ries Ralf
Published: January 2011

Research work in developing pharmaceutical dosage forms with biodegradable polymers seldom dealt with polyglycolic acid (PGA)1,2. This because of difficult processing procedures and low solubility of PGA in common organic solvents2,3. The only licensed product of the homoplymer in medical use is the sufgical suture Dexon®4
Erroneous augmentation of multiplex assay measurements in patients with rheumatoid arthritis due to heterophilic binding by serum rheumatoid factor
Authors: Todd Derrick J. , Knowlton Nicholas , Amato Michael , Frank Mark Barton , Schur Peter H. , Izmailova Elena S. , Roubenoff Ronenn , Shadick Nancy A. , Weinblatt Michael E. , Centola Michael , Lee David M.
Published: January 2011

Objective

Serum rheumatoid factor (RF) and other heterophilic antibodies potentially interfere with antibody‐based immunoassays by nonspecifically binding detection reagents. The purpose of this study was to assess whether these factors confound multiplex‐based immunoassays, which are used with increasing frequency to measure cytokine and chemokine analytes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

We performed multiplex immunoassays using different platforms to measure analyte concentrations in RA patient samples. Samples were depleted of RF by column‐based affinity absorption or were exposed to agents that block heterophilic binding activity.

Results

In RA patients with high‐titer RF, 69% of analytes demonstrated at least a 2‐fold stronger multiplex signal in non–RF‐depleted samples as compared to RF‐depleted samples. This degree of erroneous signal amplification was less frequent in low‐titer RF samples (17% of analytes; P < 0.0000001). Signal amplification by heterophilic antibodies was blocked effectively by HeteroBlock (≥150 μg/ml). In 35 RA patients, multiplex signals for 14 of 22 analytes were amplified erroneously in unblocked samples as compared to blocked samples (some >100‐fold), but only in patients with high‐titer RF (P < 0.002). Two other blocking agents, heterophilic blocking reagent and immunoglobulin‐inhibiting reagent, also blocked heterophilic activity.

Conclusion

All multiplex protein detection platforms we tested exhibited significant confounding by RF or other heterophilic antibodies. These findings have broad‐reaching implications in the acquisition and interpretation of data derived from multiplex immunoassay testing of RA patient serum and possibly also in other conditions in which RF or other heterophilic antibodies may be present. Several available blocking agents effectively suppressed this erroneous signal amplification in the multiplex platforms tested.
PALM and STORM: Unlocking live‐cell super‐resolution
Authors: Henriques Ricardo , Griffiths Caron , Hesper Rego E. , Mhlanga Musa M.
Published: January 2011

Live‐cell fluorescence light microscopy has emerged as an important tool in the study of cellular biology. The development of fluorescent markers in parallel with super‐resolution imaging systems has pushed light microscopy into the realm of molecular visualization at the nanometer scale. Resolutions previously only attained with electron microscopes are now within the grasp of light microscopes. However, until recently, live‐cell imaging approaches have eluded super‐resolution microscopy, hampering it from reaching its full potential for revealing the dynamic interactions in biology occurring at the single molecule level. Here we examine recent advances in the super‐resolution imaging of living cells by reviewing recent breakthroughs in single molecule localization microscopy methods such as PALM and STORM to achieve this important goal. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 95: 322–331, 2011.
Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of γ‐Substituted Vinyl Sulfones
Authors: López Rosa , Zalacain Maitane , Palomo Claudio
Published: January 2011

A fast new entry for the stereoselective construction of γ‐substituted vinyl sulfones is presented. The key for success is the use of a readily available chiral secondary amine catalyst that allows the use of base‐sensitive β‐nitroethyl sulfones as masked β‐sulfonyl vinyl anions in conjugate additions. The method performed in a three‐step one‐pot operation gives access to a great variety of vinyl sulfones in good yields and with excellent enantioselectivities. The method has also been extended to other relatively base‐sensitive β‐electron‐withdrawing‐substituted nitroalkanes to afford products with manifold functionality, providing a quick entry to very attractive synthetic intermediates for organic synthesis.
Fine tuning of the multiplexing facilities of Java's Remote Method Invocation
Authors: Basanta‐Val Pablo , García‐Valls Marisol , Estévez‐Ayres Iria , Fernández‐González Jorge
Published: January 2011

The proliferation of a new generation of distributed real‐time embedded systems (DRE) characterized by special restrictions on its storage capacities, its available computation time, and the messages they can send through the network suggests a comprehensive redesign of the current distribution infrastructure in order to tune its performance. In this changing panorama, the paper concerns one of the protocols, Java's Remote Method Protocol (JRMP), used nowadays to interconnect different nodes of a distributed Java system, and explores the cost of integrating an improved protocol‐level multiplexing strategy in the context of an end‐to‐end remote invocation. The new multiplexing strategy helps middleware manage more efficiently unscheduled invocations that appear at runtime generated from a certain client node, especially in cases where preallocation of resources or dimensioning for the worst‐case are techniques not plausible. To this end, the paper examines an alternative based on the definition of a new subprotocol, called ConnectionLess, which offers built‐in multiplexing facilities for distributed Java applications. The performance of the new subprotocol is compared against the three already defined by JRMP (namely SingleOp, Stream, and Multiplex), taking into consideration parameters such as memory consumed in the Java's virtual machine and end‐to‐end response times. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of Interpersonal Motivation in Transcripts (AIMIT): an Inter‐ and Intra‐rater Reliability Study of a New Method of Detection of Interpersonal Motivational Systems in Psychotherapy
Authors: Fassone G. , Valcella F. , Pallini S. , Scarcella F. , Tombolini L. , Ivaldi A. , Prunetti E. , Manaresi F. , Liotti G. , the Italian Group for the Study of Interpersonal Motivation
Published: January 2011

Assessing Interpersonal Motivations in Transcripts (AIMIT) is a coding system aiming to systematically detect the activity of interpersonal motivational systems (IMS) in the therapeutic dialogue. An inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability study has been conducted. Sixteen video‐recorded psychotherapy sessions were selected and transcribed according to the AIMIT criteria. Sessions relate to 16 patients with an Axis II diagnosis, with a mean Global Assessment of Functioning of 51. For the intra‐rater reliability evaluation, five sessions have been selected and assigned to five independent coders who where asked to make a first evaluation, and then a second independent one 14 days later. For the inter‐rater reliability study, the sessions coded by the therapist‐coder were jointly revised with another coder and finally classified as gold standard. The 16 standard sessions were sent to other evaluators for the independent coding. The agreement (κ) was estimated according to the following parameters for each coding unit: evaluation units supported by the ‘codable’ activation of one or more IMS; motivational interaction with reference to the ongoing relation between patient and therapist; an interaction between the patient and another person reported/narrated by the patient; detection of specific IMS: attachment (At), caregiving (CG), rank (Ra), sexuality (Se), peer cooperation (PC); and transitions from one IMS to another were also scored. The intra‐rater agreement was evaluated through the parameters ‘cod’, ‘At’, ‘CG’, ‘Ra’, ‘Se’ and ‘PC’ described above. A total of 2443 coding units were analysed. For the nine parameters on which the agreement was calculated, eight [‘coded (Cod)’, ‘ongoing relation (Rel)’, ‘narrated relation (Nar)’, ‘At’, ‘CG’, ‘Ra’, ‘Se’ and ‘PC’] have κ values comprised between 0.62 (CG) and 0.81 (Cod) and were therefore satisfactory. The scoring of ‘transitions’ showed agreement values slightly below desired cut‐off (0.56). Intra‐rater reliability was very good (κ values for Cod = 0.90; κ?for all IMS = 0.78). Data seem to support the validity of the AIMIT method in terms of reliability, and encourage to further implementation of the AIMIT approach. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message

Systematic assessment of transcripts in psychotherapy.

Multimotivational interpersonal theory.

Reliability study.
Cross‐layer and cognitive QoS management system for next‐generation networking
Authors: Chen Jiann‐Liang , Liu Shih‐Wei , Wu Szu‐Lin , Chen Ming‐Chiao
Published: January 2011

Owing to limited wireless network resources, network applications must provide an adaptive quality‐guaranteed service to satisfy user requirements. Different applications are associated with different quality of service (QoS) concerns, as well as different QoS control parameters. This work presents an adaptive QoS algorithm by discussing the QoS specifications of three wireless access technologies, i.e. 3G, WiMAX and WiFi. Based on cross‐layer and cognition concepts, these environmental parameters are integrated with the sensing of spectral and received signal strength from a cognitive radio paradigm. An adaptive QoS algorithm is then proposed to select the optimal access network for services. Simulation results indicate that the proposed adaptive QoS algorithm outperforms available ones in real‐time applications. Compared with traditional algorithms, the proposed algorithm reduces not only the average delay time and jitter for VoIP services to 0.16 s and 0.09 ms, respectively, but also the packet loss ratio for high‐definition video streaming by 3.4%. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cyclic prefix reduction for 20.48 Gb/s direct‐detection optical OFDM transmission over 2560 km of SSMF
Authors: Ghanbarisabagh Mohammad , Alias M. Y. , Abdul‐Rashid H. A.
Published: January 2011

Optical Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (O‐OFDM) provides major advantages in mitigating Group‐Velocity Dispersion (GVD) in Single Mode Fiber (SMF). Unfortunately, when the uncompensated long‐haul transmission ranges become very large, substantial dispersion is accumulated. Owing to the large accumulated dispersion, the Cyclic Prefix (CP) duration will occupy a substantial fraction of the OFDM frame. This effect sets some limitations on the overall throughput and the spectral efficiency. Moreover, the transmission is inefficient because of the energy wastage contained within the CP. In the case where the CP length is shorter than the Channel Impulse Response (CIR), energy wastage is reduced but the system performance is limited by the Inter Symbol Interference (ISI) and Inter Carrier Interference (ICI). To overcome this problem, a Time Domain Equalizer (TEQ) immediately after the channel is proposed. It can cancel the residual ISI and ICI caused by both the GVD and the CP length being shorter than the CIR. The simulation results show that, using BER of 10−3 as a reference, the system performance improves by 2.69thinspacedB while considering 6‐feedforward/5‐feedback‐weight Decision Feedback TEQ (DF‐TEQ) and 2.03 dB while considering 10‐tap Least Mean Square TEQ (LMS‐TEQ) even though the CP length is shorter than the CIR. This method reduces size of the CP, and consequently the performance of the system will be improved. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Conceptual frameworks in peatland ecohydrology: looking beyond the two‐layered (acrotelm–catotelm) model
Authors: Morris Paul J. , Waddington J. Michael , Benscoter Brian W. , Turetsky Merritt R.
Published: January 2011

Northern peatlands are important shallow freshwater aquifers and globally significant terrestrial carbon stores. Peatlands are complex, ecohydrological systems, commonly conceptualized as consisting of two layers, the acrotelm (upper layer) and the catotelm (lower layer). This diplotelmic model, originally posited as a hypothesis, is yet to be tested in a comprehensive manner. Despite this, the diplotelmic model is highly prevalent in the peatland literature, suggesting a general acceptance of the concept. We examine the diplotelmic model with respect to what we believe are three important research criteria: complexity, generality and flexibility. The diplotelmic model assumes that all ecological, hydrological and biogeochemical processes and structures can be explained by a single discrete boundary—depth in relation to a drought water table. This assumption makes the diplotelmic scheme inherently inflexible, in turn hindering its representation of a range of ecohydrological phenomena. We explore various alternative conceptual approaches that might offer greater flexibility, including the representation of horizontal spatial heterogeneity and transfers. We propose that the concept of hot spots, prevalent in terrestrial biogeochemistry literature, might be extended to peatland ecohydrology, providing a more flexible conceptual framework. Hot spots are areas of a peatland which exhibit fast processing rates in a number of mechanistically linked hydrological, ecological and biogeochemical processes. The complementary concept of cold spots may also be useful in peatland ecohydrology, particularly with regards to understanding the vulnerability of peatlands to disturbance. The flexibility of our suggested scheme may allow the future incorporation of ecohydrological phenomena yet to be identified as important in peatlands. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toxicity and bioaccumulation of phenanthrene inEnchytraeus albidus(Oligochaeta: Enchytraeidae)
Authors: Amorim Mónica J.B , Oliveira Eva , Teixeira Aline S , Gravato Carlos S , Loureiro Susana , Guilhermino Lúcia C , Van Gestel Cornelis A.M , Soares Amadeu M.V.M
Published: January 2011

Polycyclic aromatic compounds, such as phenanthrene (PHE), tend to accumulate in the soil compartment, where they may be retained for many years because of their persistency and hydrophobicity. The toxicity and bioaccumulation of these chemicals in soil biota and potential biomagnification along the food chain is an issue of concern. The main goal of this study was to determine the toxicity and bioaccumulation of PHE in Enchytraeus albidus (Oligochaeta: Enchytraeidae) in a natural standard soil (LUFA 2.2) following standard test guidelines. Phenanthrene dose-relatedly affected the survival and reproduction of E. albidus with median lethal concentration and median effective concentration (EC50) values of 135 and 33 mg/kg dry soil, respectively. A toxicokinetics study, performed at a nontoxic soil concentration of 8 mg/kg, showed uptake and elimination rate constants of 4.91 kg soil per kilogram fresh weight animal per day and 0.236 per day, respectively and a bioaccumulation factor (BAF) of 20.8 kg soil per kilogram fresh weight animal. These results show that the three-week exposure in the toxicity test with E. albidus is sufficiently long to reach equilibrium, but also that PHE may accumulate to considerable levels, possibly causing a risk for predators. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011; 30:967–972. © 2010 SETAC
Marked aneuploidy and loss of multiple chromosomes are common in autosomal mutants isolated from normal mouse kidney epithelium
Authors: Dan Cristian , Grygoryev Dmytro , Sandfort Kelly , Connolly Marissa , Cross Brittany , Lasarev Michael , Kronenberg Amy , Turker Mitchell S.
Published: January 2011

Marked aneuploidy and loss of multiple chromosomes are hallmarks of cancer, but whether these events are only present in malignant cells is not known. In prior work, we showed that approximately half of spontaneous autosomal mutants isolated directly from normal kidney epithelium arose from loss of a marker chromosome 8 containing the wild type Aprt gene. Chromosome loss was detected by loss of heterozygosity (LOH) for all chromosome 8 polymorphic loci examined. To determine whether loss of chromosome 8 reflected a larger mitotic event, LOH was examined for polymorphic loci on 11 nonselected chromosomes in Aprt mutants that lost the selected chromosome 8 homologue. LOH events were detected for one or more nonselected chromosomes in 38% of these mutants. The additional LOH events also reflected apparent chromosome loss based on the molecular analysis. Metaphase spreads from mutants that lost chromosome 8 were markedly aneuploid, and chromosome painting revealed reduced levels for any chromosome shown to be lost with the LOH analysis. In contrast, LOH on nonselected chromosomes was infrequent in Aprt mutants exhibiting intragenic events or mitotic recombination for chromosome 8, and marked aneuploidy was absent. These observations suggest that the mechanism leading to chromosome loss in somatic mammalian cells is often not a simple nondisjunction event and instead could result from a single catastrophic event. They also suggest that cells with characteristics of malignancy are present in normal appearing tissue. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Array comparative genomic hybridization reveals frequent alterations of G1/S checkpoint genes in undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of bone
Authors: Niini Tarja , Lahti Leo , Michelacci Francesca , Ninomiya Shinsuke , Hattinger Claudia Maria , Guled Mohamed , Böhling Tom , Picci Piero , Serra Massimo , Knuutila Sakari
Published: January 2011

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of bone (UPSb) is a rare tumor often difficult to differentiate from fibrosarcoma of bone (FSb), diagnostically. We applied array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) to screen for genes with potential importance in the tumor and compared the results with alterations seen in FSb. Twenty‐two fresh frozen tissue specimens from 20 patients (18 primary tumors and 4 local recurrences) with UPSb were studied. DNA was isolated and hybridized onto Agilent 244K CGH oligoarrays. The hybridization data were analyzed using Agilent DNA Analytics Software. The number of changes ranged from 2 to 168 (average = 66). Losses were most frequently seen at 8p, 9p, 10, 13q, and 18q, and gains at 4q, 5p, 6p, 7p, 8q, 12p, 14q, 17q, 19p, 20q, 22q, and X. Homozygous deletions ofCDKN2A,RB1,TP53, andING1were seen in 8/20, 7/20, 3/20, and 2/20 cases, respectively. Hypermethylation of bothp16INK4aandp14ARFwas found in two cases with loss atCDKN2A. Inactivation either ofCDKN2A,RB1, orTP53was detected in 18/20 cases. One case showed high level gains ofCDK4andMDM2. Frequent gains were seen atMYC,PDGFRA,KIT, andKDR. Immunohistochemical positivity of KIT, PDGFRA, KDR, and PDGFRB was found in 8/14, 5/14, 4/14, and 4/14 cases, respectively. The regions most significantly discriminating between UPSb and FSb includedRB1andMYC. No homozygous deletions ofRB1were found in FSb. In conclusion, our analysis showed the disruption of G1/S checkpoint regulation to be crucial for the oncogenesis of UPSb. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Controlling autophagy: A new concept for clearing liver disease
Authors: Tacke Frank , Trautwein Christian
Published: January 2011

In the classical form of alpha1-antitrypsin (AT) deficiency, a point mutation in AT alters the folding of a liver-derived secretory glycoprotein and renders it aggregation-prone. In addition to decreased serum concentrations of AT, the disorder is characterized by accumulation of the mutant alpha1-antitrypsin Z (ATZ) variant inside cells, causing hepatic fibrosis and/or carcinogenesis by a gain-of-toxic function mechanism. The proteasomal and autophagic pathways are known to mediate degradation of ATZ. Here we show that the autophagy-enhancing drug carbamazepine (CBZ) decreased the hepatic load of ATZ and hepatic fibrosis in a mouse model of AT deficiency-associated liver disease. These results provide a basis for testing CBZ, which has an extensive clinical safety profile, in patients with AT deficiency and also provide a proof of principle for therapeutic use of autophagy enhancers. (Hepatology 2011;.)
Estimating persistence in the volatility of asset returns with signal plus noise models
Authors: Caporale Guglielmo Maria , Gil‐Alana Luis A.
Published: January 2011

This paper examines the degree of persistence in the volatility of financial time series using a Long Memory Stochastic Volatility (LMSV) model. Specifically, it employs a Gaussian semiparametric (or local Whittle) estimator of the memory parameter, based on the frequency domain, proposed by Robinson (Annals of Statistics23: 1630–1661), and shown by Arteche (Journal of Econometrics119: 131–154) to be consistent and asymptotically normal in the context of signal plus noise models. Daily data on the NASDAQ index are analysed. The results suggest that volatility has a component of long‐memory behaviour, the order of integration ranging between 0.3 and 0.5, the series being therefore stationary and mean‐reverting. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of the impact of industrial effluents on the quality of irrigation water and changes in soil characteristics: The case of Kombolcha town
Authors: ZINABU ESKINDER
Published: January 2011

The town of Kombolcha is found in the northern part of Ethiopia. It contains several large industries that drain their liquid waste to the nearby rivers. To assess the impact of the wastes on irrigation water quality water samples were just taken randomly to be used only as indicators. The samples of water were collected three times from three rivers that are locally called the Leyole Worka and Borkena. These rivers are used as sources of irrigation water for the nearby farmlands. Parameters of pH EC Ca+2 Mg+2 Na+ Cl− CO HCO BO and SAR were monitored in the irrigation water and the soils of the respective irrigated farmlands. Significant concentration differences (at P ≤ 0.05) in these parameters were detected in the two rivers receiving industrial effluents (Leyole and Worka) and they are compared against the control river water (Borkena). The mean values of the parameters in each irrigation water source samples were also compared with FAO guidelines for irrigation water quality. The Leyole and Worka are found to be polluted as compared to the control river (Borkena). Significant quality difference was observed in pH value and Na+ concentrations between the Borkena River and effluent‐contaminated irrigation water of the Leyole River. Moreover Na+ HCO and SAR were found to be beyond the safe limits to use in irrigation. Irrigation water from the Worka River was found to be significantly different from the control irrigation water in Na+ Mg+2 and SAR and the Na+ concentration and the values of pH and SAR have been identified to exceed the normal conditions for use in agriculture. The chemical parameters in the irrigation water were also found to have accumulated and changed the soil characteristics of the farmlands. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Glacier fluctuations in the southern Peruvian Andes during the late‐glacial period, constrained with cosmogenic 3He
Authors: Bromley Gordon R.M. , Hall Brenda L. , Schaefer Joerg M. , Winckler Gisela , Todd Claire E. , Rademaker Kurt M.
Published: January 2011

The occurrence of pronounced climate reversals during the last glacial termination has long been recognised in palaeoclimate records from both hemispheres and from high to low latitudes. Accurate constraint of both the timing and magnitude of events, such as the Younger Dryas and Antarctic Cold Reversal, is vital in order to test different hypotheses for the causes and propagation of abrupt climate change. However, in contrast to higher‐latitude regions, well‐dated records from the Tropics are rare and the structure of late‐glacial tropical climate remains uncertain. As a step toward addressing this problem, we present an in situ cosmogenic 3He surface exposure chronology from Nevado Coropuna, southern Peru, documenting a significant fluctuation of the ice margin during the late‐glacial period. Ten tightly clustered ages from a pair of moraines located halfway between the modern glacier and the Last Glacial Maximum terminus range from 11.9 to 13.9 ka and give an arithmetic mean age of 12.8 ± 0.7 ka (1σ). These data constitute direct evidence for a readvance, or prolonged stillstand, of glaciers in the arid Andes of southwestern Peru. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changing hillslope and fluvial Holocene sediment dynamics in a Belgian loess catchment
Authors: Notebaert Bastiaan , Verstraeten Gert , Vandenberghe Dimitri , Marinova Elena , Poesen Jean , Govers Gerard
Published: January 2011

Floodplain deposition is an essential part of the Holocene sediment dynamics of many catchments and a thorough dating control of these floodplain deposits is therefore essential to understand the driving forces of these sediment dynamics. In this paper we date floodplain and colluvial deposition in the Belgian Dijle catchment using accelerator mass spectrometric radiocarbon and optical stimulated luminescence dating. Relative mass accumulation curves for the Holocene were constructed for three colluvial sites and 12 alluvial sites. A database was constructed of all available radiocarbon ages of the catchment and this database was analysed using relative sediment mass accumulation rates and cumulative probability functions of ages and site‐specific sedimentation curves. Cumulative probability functions of ages were split into different depositional environments representing stable phases and phases of accelerated clastic deposition. The results indicate that there is an important variation between the different dated sites. After an initial stable early and middle Holocene phase with mainly peat growth in the floodplains, clastic sedimentation rates increased from 4000 BC on. This first phase was more pronounced and started somewhat earlier for colluvial deposits then for alluvial deposits. The main part of the Holocene deposits, both in colluvial and alluvial valleys, was deposited during the last 1 ka. The sedimentation pattern of the individual dated sites and the catchment‐wide pattern indicate that land use changes are responsible for the main variations in the Holocene sediment dynamics of this catchment, while the field data do not provide indications for a climatological influence on the sediment dynamics. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Provenance and depositional environments of Quaternary sediments from the western North Sea Basin
Authors: Davies Bethan J. , Roberts David H. , Bridgland David R. , Cofaigh Colm Ó , Riding James B.
Published: January 2011

As the majority of the data on Quaternary sediments from the North Sea Basin are seismostratigraphical, we analysed the Elsterian Swarte Bank Formation, the Late Saalian Fisher Formation and the Late Weichselian (Dimlington Stadial) Bolders Bank Formation in order to determine genesis and provenance. The Swarte Bank Formation is a subglacial till containing palynomorphs from the Moray Forth and the northeastern North Sea, and metamorphic heavy minerals from the Scottish Highlands. The Fisher Formation was sampled from the northern and central North Sea. In the north, it is interpreted as a subglacial till, with glaciomarine sediments cropping out further south. These sediments exhibit a provenance signature consistent with the Midland Valley of Scotland, the Eocene of the North Sea Basin, the Grampian Highlands and northeast Scotland. The Bolders Bank Formation is a subglacial till containing palynomorphs from the Midland Valley of Scotland, northern Britain, and a metamorphic heavy‐mineral suite indicative of the Grampian Highlands, Southern Uplands and northeast Scotland. These data demonstrate that there was repeated glaciation of the North Sea Basin during the Middle and Late Pleistocene, with ice sheets originating in northern Scotland. There was no evidence for a Scandinavian ice sheet in the western North Sea basin. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cosmogenic 10Be insights into the extent and chronology of the last deglaciation in Wester Ross, northwest Scotland
Authors: McCormack Deborah C. , Brocklehurst Simon H. , Irving Duncan H.B. , Fabel Derek
Published: January 2011

Cosmogenic 10Be surface exposure ages for bedrock sites around Torridon and the Applecross Peninsula in Wester Ross, northwest Scotland, provide new insights into the Lateglacial transition. Accounting for postglacial weathering, six statistically comparable exposure ages give a late Younger Dryas (G‐1) exposure age of 11.8 ± 1.1 ka. Two further outliers are tentative pre‐Younger Dryas exposure ages of 13.4 ± 0.5 ka in Torridon, and 17.5 ± 1.2 ka in Applecross. The Younger Dryas exposure ages have compelling implications for the deglaciation of marginal Loch Lomond Stadial ice fields in Torridon and Applecross. Firstly, they conflict with predictions of restricted ice cover and rapid retreat based on modelling experiments and climate proxies, instead fitting a model of vertically extensive and prolonged ice coverage in Wester Ross. Secondly, they indicate that >2 m of erosion took place in the upper valleys of Torridon and Applecross during the Younger Dryas, implying a dominantly warm‐based glacial regime. Finally, the exposure ages have clarified that corrie (cirque) glaciers did not readvance in Wester Ross, following final deglaciation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retinal in bacteriorhodopsin and related molecular models investigated with Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations
Authors: Tommasini Matteo , Lucotti Andrea , Zerbi Giuseppe
Published: January 2011

A first‐principles assisted study of the Raman spectrum associated with the photoactive chromophore in bacteriorhodopsin (bR) allowed the elucidation of the effective coupling existing between the π electrons of the retinylidene chromophore and the local environment of the Schiff base. The role of the counter‐ion on the electronic and vibrational structure of the chromophore is investigated by means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Several molecular models of the retinylidene chromophore interacting with different counter‐ions facing the Schiff base have been considered. The counter‐ion induces a strong modulation of the position of both the UV–vis absorption maximum and the strong Raman active collective CC stretching mode, related to the effective conjugation coordinate (ECC). Experimental Raman and UV–vis absorption data are interpreted in the light of these theoretical findings. The data collected in this paper provide an interesting accumulation of points along the optical gap versus ECC wavenumber relationship. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopic study of various types of tourmalines
Authors: Hoang Luc Huy , Hien Nguyen Thi Minh , Chen Xiang Bai , Minh Nguyen Van , Yang In‐Sang
Published: January 2011

Both polarized and unpolarized Raman scattering studies of seven tourmalines from the Lucyen mines in Vietnam are presented. These tourmalines, according to their chemical compositions, can be classified into four groups: G1, liddicoatite; G2, elbaite; G3, uvite; and G4, feruvite. The Raman spectra were recorded in two spectral ranges, i.e. 150–1600 cm−1 and 3000–4000 cm−1. In the lower spectral range, which covers the metal ion‐oxygen bond vibrations, all the observed A1 and E modes are identified. In the higher spectral range, we investigated the OH stretching vibrations and showed that all the observed OH stretching modes have the A1 character. In both spectral ranges, we found that the same group classification of tourmalines can be applied, and the grouping characterizations are consistent with the chemical composition results. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monolithic poly(ethylhexyl methacrylate‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate) column with restricted access layers prepared via reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization
Authors: Turson Mamat , Zhou Man , Jiang Ping , Dong Xiangchao
Published: January 2011

The “living”/controlled radical polymerization has provided an opportunity in making a more homogeneous polymer, which is favorable for polymer‐based monolithic column fabrication. To study its application in the preparation of separation material, a capillary poly(ethylhexyl methacrylate‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate) monolithic column has been synthesized by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The correlation between the synthetic conditions and the polymer structures and separation performance was studied. The result indicated RAFT‐mediated reaction provides condition for creating polymers with narrower pore size distribution and higher column efficiency compared with traditional polymerization. The “living” property of the RAFT polymerization was further utilized to graft hydrophilic polymer on the surface of poly(ethylhexyl methacrylate‐co‐ethylene dimethacrylate). The hydrophilic chain modified monolithic column has both abilities of protein exclusion and small hydrophobic compound retention. The result indicated that RAFT polymerization can be used for making multifunctional material. The restricted access monolithic material synthesized by this method can be used in biological sample analysis with HPLC direct injection.
The quays in salford: an analysis of visitor perceptions, satisfaction and behavioural intention
Authors: Craggs Ruth , Schofield Peter
Published: January 2011

Despite an extensive literature on urban regeneration, visitor perceptions of urban waterfront destinations and their subsequent outcomes remain largely unexplored. The paper reports the findings from a survey of visitors to the Quays in Salford; it focuses on their perceptions, satisfaction and behavioural intentions. While the primary attractions were found to have an important influence, the secondary elements explain more of the variance in overall satisfaction and intention to return to the Quays and the environmental aspects have a greater influence on visitor intention to recommend the destination. The implications of the findings for destination management and marketing are discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Frequency of and subjective response to critical incidents in the prediction of PTSD in emergency personnel
Authors: Declercq Frédéric , Meganck Reitske , Deheegher J. , Van Hoorde H.
Published: January 2011

In this study, the authors compared the respective contribution of an individual's subjective response and the frequency of exposure to critical incidents to the development of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of 136 nurses and ambulance personnel working in military facilities. They found no relationship between the frequency of encountered critical incidents and the occurrence of PTSD symptoms. The subjective response to a stressor contributed to the development of PTSD symptoms and was most strongly associated with intrusion, partial eta squared =.23, and hyperarousal symptoms, partial eta squared =.16. Stressors that elicited the most intense affects within this population were those involving children and those where workers encountered limitations in supplies and resources.
Variation of fluorescence in tissue with temperature
Authors: Zaman Raiyan T. , Rajaram Narasimhan , Walsh Alex , Oliver Jeffrey , Rylander Henry G. , Tunnell James W. , Welch Ashley J. , Mahadevan‐Jansen Anita
Published: January 2011

Background and Objective

Previous studies demonstrated a decrease in fluorescence intensity as tissue temperature increased. In vitro samples were increased from room temperature and in vivo canine liver from body temperature. This study investigated variations in fluorescence intensity with temperatures starting at 14°C and compared in vivo and in vitro results for consistency.

Study Design/Material and Methods

A fiber optic‐based noninvasive system was used to characterize the temperature effect on tissue fluorescence in hamster dorsal skin in vivo, and in sclera and cornea of enucleated pig eyes in vitro. As tissue was allowed to progress through the temperature range of 14–42°C, the spectra of auto‐fluorescence with respect to temperature was sampled every 1–2 minutes. A pulsed nitrogen laser was used to excite fluorescence through a fiber optic probe with a source‐detector aperture separation of 370 µm.

Results

Fluorescence intensity decreased as temperature increased from 14 to 42°C in a phantom containing Rhodamine B dye. Results from both in vivo and in vitro tissue followed the same trend of decreasing intensity as tissue temperature increased from 14°C. Spectral intensity lineshape changed around 450 nm due to absorption from tissue.

Conclusion

Cooling a tissue increased fluorescence intensity of skin in vivo, in all experiments. In vitro results were consistent with in vivo measurements. Lasers Surg. Med. 43:36–42, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interstitial laser thermotherapy of a rat liver tumour: Effect of hepatic inflow occlusion
Authors: Sturesson Christian , Ivarsson Kjell , Stenram Unne , Andersson‐Engels Stefan , Tranberg Karl‐Göran
Published: January 2011

Background and Objective

Interstitial laser thermotherapy was used to treat rat liver tumours. The aim was to investigate the influence of temperature and temporary hepatic inflow occlusion on tumour growth and blood perfusion.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Liver tumours were treated at 44°C at the tumour border for 30 minutes, hepatic inflow occlusion only, or a combination of these methods. Interstitial laser Doppler flowmetry was used to measure hepatic perfusion at the tumour border during and after heat treatment, for a total time of 60 minutes. Tumour growth was evaluated 6 days after treatment.

Results

Tumours subjected to the combined treatment of hepatic inflow occlusion and interstitial laser thermotherapy displayed a blood perfusion reduction 30 minutes after treatment to 18 ± 5% of initial perfusion, which was significantly lower than achieved with thermotherapy alone (52 ± 10%, P = 0.02). The combined treatment and treatment with thermotherapy alone resulted in relative tumour growth of 0.3 ± 0.1 and 1.0 ± 0.2, respectively (P = 0.04).

Conclusion

Inflow occlusion enhanced the effect of thermotherapy not by augmenting treatment temperatures but by increasing the thermal sensitivity of the tumour, reflected by an immediate effect on tumour blood perfusion. Lasers Surg. Med. 43:29–35, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Single walled carbon nanohorns as photothermal cancer agents
Authors: Whitney Jon R. , Sarkar Saugata , Zhang Jianfei , Do Thao , Young Taylor , Manson Mary Kyle , Campbell Thomas A. , Puretzky Alex A. , Rouleau Christopher M. , More Karen L. , Geohegan David B. , Rylander Christopher G. , Dorn Harry C. , Rylander Marissa Nichole
Published: January 2011

Background

Nanoparticles have significant potential as selective photo‐absorbing agents for laser based cancer treatment. This study investigates the use of single walled carbon nanohorns (SWNHs) as thermal enhancers when excited by near infrared (NIR) light for tumor cell destruction.

Methods

Absorption spectra of SWNHs in deionized water at concentrations of 0, 0.01, 0.025, 0.05, 0.085, and 0.1 mg/ml were measured using a spectrophotometer for the wavelength range of 200–1,400 nm. Mass attenuation coefficients were calculated using spectrophotometer transmittance data. Cell culture media containing 0, 0.01, 0.085, and 0.333 mg/ml SWNHs was laser irradiated at 1,064 nm wavelength with an irradiance of 40 W/cm2 for 0–5 minutes. Temperature elevations of these solutions during laser irradiation were measured with a thermocouple 8 mm away from the incident laser beam. Cell viability of murine kidney cancer cells (RENCA) was measured 24 hours following laser treatment with the previously mentioned laser parameters alone or with SWNHs. Cell viability as a function of radial position was determined qualitatively using trypan blue staining and bright field microscopy for samples exposed to heating durations of 2 and 6 minutes alone or with 0.085 mg/ml SWNHs. A Beckman Coulter Vi‐Cell instrument quantified cell viability of samples treated with varying SWNH concentration (0, 0.01, 0.085, and 0.333 mg/ml) and heating durations of 0–6 minutes.

Results

Spectrophotometer measurements indicated inclusion of SWNHs increased light absorption and attenuation across all wavelengths. Utilizing SWNHs with laser irradiation increased temperature elevation compared to laser heating alone. Greater absorption and higher temperature elevations were observed with increasing SWNH concentration. No inherent toxicity was observed with SWNH inclusion. A more rapid and substantial viability decline was observed over time in samples exposed to SWNHs with laser treatment compared with samples experiencing laser heating or SWNH treatment alone. Samples heated for 6 minutes with 0.085 mg/ml SWNHs demonstrated increasing viability as the radial distance from the incident laser beam increased.

Conclusions

The significant increases in absorption, temperature elevation, and cell death with inclusion of SWNHs in laser therapy demonstrate the potential of their use as agents for enhancing photothermal tumor destruction. Lasers Surg. Med. 43:43–51, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessment of a chloride-poor versus a chloride-containing version of a modified histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution in a rat liver transplantation model
Authors: Fingas Christian D. , Wu Shengli , Gu Yanli , Wohlschlaeger Jeremias , Scherag André , Dahmen Uta , Paul Andreas , de Groot Herbert , Rauen Ursula
Published: January 2011

Recent in vitro studies of cold-induced cell injury have revealed the detrimental effects of extracellular chloride on cold-stored isolated rat hepatocytes; however, its influence on endothelial cells is beneficial. To determine which of these effects is predominant in vivo, we tested both a chloride-poor variant of a new histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK)–based preservation solution and a chloride-containing variant in a rat liver transplantation model. The study, which was carried out in a blinded fashion with 7 or 8 rats per group, was divided into 2 parts: (1) a comparison of survival in 3 series under different conditions [different microsurgeons, rat strains, cold ischemia times (3, 12, and 24 hours), and warm ischemia times] and (2) an assessment of the microcirculation (30-90 minutes after reperfusion), laboratory data, bile production, and histology. In each of the survival experiments, a (strong) tendency toward prolonged survival was observed with the new chloride-containing solution (50% versus 12.5%, 75% versus 37.5%, and 100% versus 71.4% [chloride-containing vs. chloride-poor], overall P < 0.05). Additionally, the sinusoidal perfusion rates (83.9% ± 4.0% versus 69.2% ± 10.8%, P < 0.01) and the red blood cell velocities in sinusoids (147.7 ± 26.7 versus 115.5 ± 26.0 μm/second, P < 0.05) and in postsinusoidal venules (332.4 ± 87.3 versus 205.5 ± 53.5 μm/second, P < 0.01) were clearly higher with chloride. Moreover, the serum activities of liver enzymes were slightly reduced (not significantly), and bile production was significantly increased. These results suggest an overall beneficial effect of chloride in HTK-based liver preservation solutions. Liver Transpl 17:650-660, 2011. © 2011 AASLD.
Semi‐Synthetic Polysaccharide Sulfates as Anticoagulant Coatings for PET, 1 – Cellulose Sulfate
Authors: Gericke Martin , Doliška Aleš , Stana Jan , Liebert Tim , Heinze Thomas , Stana‐Kleinschek Karin
Published: January 2011

In the present study, blood‐compatible PET surfaces were prepared by coating with anticoagulant cellulose sulfates that were synthesized homogeneously in ionic liquids. The adsorption behavior of polysaccharides on PET films was investigated using QCM‐D. It was demonstrated that pre‐coating with different amino‐group‐containing polysaccharides improves the affinity toward cellulose sulfate. Moreover, the effect of different degrees of sulfation on the adsorption process was evaluated. Based on these results, several layer‐by‐layer coated PET foils were prepared that showed significantly improved blood compatibility compared to the initial untreated material.

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