bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Euparkeriidae
Authors: Sookias Roland B. , Butler Richard J.
Published: January 2013

Euparkeria capensis
has long been considered an archetype for the ancestral archosaur morphology, and has been placed just outside of crown Archosauria by nearly all cladistic analyses. Six species are currently considered to be putative members of a clade Euparkeriidae, and have been collected from Olenekian- or Anisian-aged deposits in South Africa (
Euparkeria capensis
– the only definitive member of the group), China (
Halazhaisuchus qiaoensis
,
Wangisuchus tzeyii
, ‘
Turfanosuchus
’
shageduensis
), Russia (
Dorosuchus neoetus
) and Poland (
Osmolskina czatkowicensis
). Four other species (
Turfanosuchus dabanensis
,
Xilousuchus sapingensis
,
Platyognathus hsui
,
Dongusia colorata
) were historically assigned to Euparkeriidae, but have been removed by recent work. Recent authors deemed
Osmolskina czatkowicensis
and
Dorosuchus neoetus
to be the most likely taxa to form a euparkeriid clade with
Euparkeria capensis
, but
Osmolskina czatkowicensis
and
Euparkeria capensis
were not found as sister taxa by the only cladistic analysis to have tested euparkeriid monophyly.
Euparkeria capensis
was small (<1 m), insectivorous or carnivorous, probably had vision adapted to low-light conditions and a semi-erect crocodile-like stance, and may have been facultatively bipedal. Bone histology demonstrates that
Euparkeria capensis
had a slow growth rate, which has been suggested to have been an adaptation to relatively stable environmental conditions.
Pirfenidone Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer Desmoplasia by Regulating Stellate Cells
Authors: Kozono Shingo , Ohuchida Kenoki , Eguchi Daiki , Ikenaga Naoki , Fujiwara Kenji , Cui Lin , Mizumoto Kazuhiro , Tanaka Masao
Published: January 2013

Pancreatic stellate cells (PSC), which are implicated in desmoplasia in pancreatic cancer, enhance the malignancy of cancer cells and confer resistance to established treatments. We investigated whether the antifibrotic agent pirfenidone can suppress desmoplasia and exert antitumor effects against pancreatic cancer. Primary PSCs were established from pancreatic cancer tissue obtained during surgery. In vitro, pirfenidone inhibited the proliferation, invasiveness, and migration of PSCs in a dose-dependent manner. Although supernatants of untreated PSCs increased the proliferation, invasiveness, and migration of pancreatic cancer cells (PCC), supernatants of pirfenidone-treated PSCs decreased these effects. Exposure to PCC supernatant increased the production of platelet-derived growth factor-A, hepatic growth factor, collagen type I, fibronectin, and periostin in PSCs, which was significantly reduced by pirfenidone. Mice were subcutaneously implanted with PCCs (SUIT-2 cells) and PSCs into the right flank and PCCs alone into the left flank. Oral administration of pirfenidone to these mice significantly reduced tumor growth of co-implanted PCCs and PSCs, but not of PCCs alone. Pirfenidone also decreased the proliferation of PSCs and the deposition of collagen type I and periostin in tumors. In mice with orthotopic tumors consisting of PCCs co-implanted with PSCs, pirfenidone suppressed tumor growth, reduced the number of peritoneal disseminated nodules, and reduced the incidence of liver metastasis. Pirfenidone in combination with gemcitabine more effectively suppressed orthotopic tumor growth compared with pirfenidone or gemcitabine alone. In conclusion, our findings indicate that pirfenidone is a promising antitumor agent for pancreatic cancer, owing to its suppression of desmoplasia through regulating PSCs. Cancer Res; 73(7); 2345–56. ©2013 AACR.
Effect of the BCL2 Gene Polymorphism on Survival in Advanced-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Who Received Chemotherapy
Authors: Masago Katsuhiro , Togashi Yosuke , Fujita Shiro , Nagai Hiroki , Sakamori Yuichi , Okuda Chiyuki , Kim Young Hak , Mishima Michiaki
Published: January 2013

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the association between BCL2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms and survival outcome in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: One hundred and sixty-eight patients with advanced NSCLC who were treated with anti-cancer drugs and could be evaluated for therapeutic response between April 2005 and March 2010 at Kyoto University Hospital were enrolled. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples. The BCL2 polymorphisms –938 C→A (rs2279115) and +21 A→G (rs1801018) were genotyped using the 5′-nuclease assay. The univariate relationship between each independent clinicopathologic variable and BCL2 genotype was examined using Fisher’s exact test. To evaluate risk factors associated with prognosis, a Cox proportional hazards regression model with a step-down procedure was used. Results: The median survival time of patients with the –938 AA and AC genotypes were significantly shorter than those with the –938 CC genotype (p = 0.027 by log-rank test). Based on multivariate analysis, poor performance status [hazard ratio (HR) 2.424, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.727–3.262; p < 0.0001], non-adenocarcinoma histology (HR 1.512, 95% CI 1.167–1.938; p = 0.0048) and the BCL2 –938 AA + AC genotype (HR 1.219, 95% CI, 1.024–1.456; p = 0.0256) were significant independent prognostic factors for survival. Conclusions: Polymorphisms in BCL2 may be associated with survival in advanced-stage NSCLC patients who received chemotherapy.
Mild Asthma and Chronic Bronchitis Seem to Influence Functional Exercise Capacity: A Multi-Case Control Study
Authors: Marcon Alessandro , Girardi Paolo , Ferrari Marcello , Olivieri Mario , Accordini Simone , Bombieri Cristina , Bortolami Oscar , Braggion Marco , Cappa Veronica , Cazzoletti Lucia , Locatelli Francesca , Nicolis Morena , Perbellini Luigi , Sembeni Silvia , Verlato Giuseppe , Zanolin Maria Elisabetta , de Marco Roberto
Published: January 2013

Background: In the Genes Environment Interaction in Respiratory Diseases population-based multi-case control study, we investigated whether asthma, chronic bronchitis (CB) and rhinitis were associated with a reduced 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), and whether the 6MWD determinants were similar for subjects with/without respiratory diseases. Methods: Cases of asthma (n = 360), CB (n = 120), rhinitis (n = 203) and controls (no respiratory diseases: n = 302) were recruited. The variation in the 6MWD across the groups was analyzed by ANCOVA, adjusting for gender, age, height, weight and comorbidity. The 6MWD determinants were studied by linear regression, and heterogeneity across the cases and controls was investigated. Results: The 6MWD differed across cases and controls (p = 0.01). It was shorter for cases of asthma (–17.1, 95% CI –28.3 to –5.8 m) and CB (–20.7, 95% CI: –36.6 to –4.8 m) than for controls (604 ± 68 m on average), but not for cases of rhinitis. The negative association between age and the 6MWD was significant for cases of CB, but not for the other groups (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Even at the level of severity found in the general population, asthma and CB could influence the 6MWD, which seems to reflect the functional exercise level for daily physical activities. The negative association between ageing and the 6MWD was particularly strong in subjects with CB. Our report adds to the mounting evidence that CB is not a trivial condition, especially in the ageing adult population, and it supports the importance of monitoring functional capacity and of physical reconditioning in mild asthma.
Correlation between Ki67 and Breast Cancer Prognosis
Authors: Kontzoglou Konstantinos , Palla Victoria , Karaolanis George , Karaiskos Ioannis , Alexiou Ioannis , Pateras Ioannis , Konstantoudakis Konstantinos , Stamatakos Michael
Published: January 2013

Background: Ki67 is an immunohistochemical proliferation marker in many types of cancer and has been widely studied among breast cancer patients mostly through retrospective studies. Methods: The MEDLINE/PubMed database was searched for publications with the medical subject heading ‘Ki 67’ and the key words ‘breast’, ‘cancer’, and ‘prognosis’. We restricted our search to articles published until 2012. Results: In this review, we included 78 articles and abstracts that were accessible and available in English. An effort to further explain the role of Ki67 in the prognosis of breast cancer has been made. Conclusions: The debate on the prognostic role of Ki67 in breast cancer is still open, although most of the studies have established a relation between Ki67 and overall and disease-free survival. Further research should be made in order to establish Ki67 as a standard prognostic marker in breast cancer.
Configuring of Extero- and Interoceptive Senses in Actions on Food
Authors: Booth David A.
Published: January 2013

This paper reviews all the published evidence on the theory that the act of selecting a piece of food or drink structurally coordinates quantitative information across several sensory modalities. The existing data show that the momentary disposition to consume the item is strengthened or weakened by learnt configurations of stimuli perceived through both exteroceptive and interoceptive senses. The observed configural structure of performance shows that the multimodal stimuli are interacting perceptually, rather than merely combining quantities of information from the senses into the observed response.
Water Vapor Transport Paths and Accumulation during Widespread Snowfall Events in Northeastern China
Authors: Sun Bo , Wang Huijun
Published: January 2013

This study aims to identify the distinct characteristics of water vapor transport (WVT) and its role in supplying moisture for widespread snowfall (WS) events in northeastern China (NEC). Fifty WS events in NEC were selected based on cumulative precipitation gauge data taken at 12-h intervals from 1980 to 2009 and a qualified set of criteria. The evolution of WVT during WS events in NEC was analyzed using 6-h ECMWF Interim Re-Analysis (ERA-Interim) data and discussed in regard to WVT paths and water vapor budgets over NEC. The results of this analysis indicate that southerly WVT, which carries moisture over eastern China, its adjacent seas, and the Sea of Japan, has played a key role in supplying water vapor for WS, which is quite different from the climatology of winter WVT. Moreover, the results indicate that there tends to be an 18-h lag between the WVT budget and precipitation, resulting in a great amount of water vapor accumulating over NEC before WS. The amount of preaccumulated water vapor could account for about 47% of the total precipitation, whereas synchronous WVT could only supply a limited amount of moisture that could hardly sustain WS. In addition, the original atmospheric moisture over NEC has likely made a considerable contribution to WS. The lag between the WVT budget and precipitation appears to be an outcome of the cooperation between the atmospheric flow field and the specific humidity field.
Mobilization of ectopic yolk in Gallus domesticus: a novel reverse lipid transport process
Authors: Cornax Ingrid , Walzem Rosemary L. , Larner Craig , Macfarlane Ronald D. , Klasing Kirk C.
Published: January 2013

In many oviparous animals, bursting type atresia of ovarian follicles occurs during the reproductive cycle resulting in the escape of yolk into the extracellular compartment. In birds, this ectopic yolk is rapidly cleared by an unknown process that involves the appearance of yolk-engorged macrophage-like cells. To study this unique type of lipid transport, we injected young male chickens intra-abdominally with egg yolk. Absorption of egg yolk from the body cavity markedly increased the triacylglyceride-rich fraction (TRL) of plasma lipoproteins and was coincident with increased levels of plasma triacylglycerides (TAG) but not non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA). Thus, the transport of yolk lipids from the abdominal cavity appears to occur in lipoproteins and be more similar to the transport of hepatic TAG to the periphery via lipoproteins than to transport of adipose TAG to the periphery via NEFA released by the action of lipases. When macrophages were exposed to yolk in vitro, they quickly phagocytized yolk; however, it is unclear if this level of phagocytosis contributes significantly to total yolk clearance. Instead, the chicken macrophage may function more as a facilitator of yolk clearance through modification of yolk lipoproteins and the regulation of the local and systemic immune response to ectopic yolk. Yolk appears to be anti-inflammatory in nature. Yolk did not increase inflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6 and IFNγ either in vivo or in vitro; in fact, yolk dampened many inflammatory changes caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Conversely, LPS-induced inflammation retarded yolk clearance from the abdominal cavity and plasma TAG levels.
Rapid postnatal development of myoglobin from large liver iron stores in hooded seals
Authors: Geiseler Samuel J. , Blix Arnoldus S. , Burns Jennifer M. , Folkow Lars P.
Published: January 2013

Hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) rely on large stores of oxygen, either bound to hemoglobin or myoglobin (Mb), to support prolonged diving activity. Pups are born with fully developed hemoglobin stores, but their Mb levels are only 25-30% of adults. We measured changes in muscle Mb concentration [Mb] from birth until one year of age in two groups of captive hooded seal pups, one being maintained in a sea-water pool and one on land during the first two months. All pups fasted during the first month, but were fed from there on. The [Mb] of the swimming muscle musculus longissimus dorsi (LD) doubled during the month of fasting in the pool group. These animals had significantly higher levels and a more rapid rise in m. longissimus dorsiLD [Mb] than those kept on land. The [Mb] of the shoulder muscle, m. supraspinatus, which is less active both in swimming and hauled-out animals, was consistently lower than in the m. longissimus dorsiLD and did not differ between groups. This suggests that a major part of the postnatal rise in LD [Mb] is triggered by (swimming) activity, and coincides with the previously reported rapid early development of diving capacity in wild hooded seal pups. Liver iron concentration, as determined from another 25 hooded seals of various age, was almost 10 times higher in young pups (1-34 days) than in yearling animals and adults, and liver iron content of pups dropped during the first month, implying that liver iron stores support the rapid initial rise in [Mb].
Crystal structure of bis-(μ2-3-methylbenzoato-κO:κO’) (1,10-phenanthroline-κ2N,N’)manganese(II), C28H22MnN2O4
Authors: Zhu Hong-Lin , Yu Xiao-Ke
Published: January 2013

C28H22MnN2O4, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 27.070(8) Å, b = 11.762(3) Å, c = 7.321(2) Å, β = 92.18(3)°, V = 2329.3 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0329, wRref(F2) = 0.0906, T = 293 K
Crystal structure of hexaaquazinc(II) 4-nitrobenzoate dihydrate, C14H24N2O16Zn
Authors: Shen Ye-Dan , Lin Jian-Li
Published: January 2013

C14H24N2O16Zn, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 5.980(1) Å, b = 7.363(2) Å, c = 12.360(3) Å, α = 97.90(3)°, β = 96.83(3)°, γ = 91.16(3)°, V = 534.9 Å3, Z = 1, Rgt(F) = 0.0439, wRref(F2) = 0.1315, T = 295 K.
Druckbares, piezoresistives Kohlenstoff-Nanoröhren-Elastomer-Komposit für Drucksensoren
Authors: Gerlach Carina , Kanoun Olfa
Published: January 2013

Piezoresistive Polymerkomposite mit leitfähigen Füllpartikeln stellen für großflächige, kostengünstige und flexible Drucksensoren ein vielversprechendes Sensorkonzept dar. Derzeitige Materialsysteme enthalten vorrangig Leitruße als Füllpartikel. Mit Kompositen basierend auf Kohlenstoff-Nanoröhren (carbon nanotubes, CNT) ist es möglich, bei geringerem Materialeinsatz leitfähiger Füllpartikel ein vergleichbares kraftabhängiges Widerstandsverhalten zu erzielen. Der Beitrag beschreibt ein flexibles, druckbares, piezoresistives CNT-Elastomer-Komposit einschließlich des Sensorkonzepts, der Materialauswahl, der Herstellung und der Charakterisierung in Druckversuchen.
Temporal trends and volume-outcome associations after traumatic brain injury: a 12-year study in Taiwan
Authors: Shi Hon-Yi , Hwang Shiuh-Lin , Lee King-Teh , Lin Chih-Lung
Published: January 2013

Object

The purpose of this study was to evaluate temporal trends in traumatic brain injury (TBI); the impact of hospital volume and surgeon volume on length of stay (LOS), hospitalization cost, and in-hospital mortality rate; and to explore predictors of these outcomes in a nationwide population in Taiwan.

Methods

This population-based patient cohort study retrospectively analyzed 16,956 patients who had received surgical treatment for TBI between 1998 and 2009. Bootstrap estimation was used to derive 95% confidence intervals for differences in effect sizes. Hierarchical linear regression models were used to predict outcomes.

Results

Patients treated in very-high-volume hospitals were more responsive than those treated in low-volume hospitals in terms of LOS (−0.11; 95% CI −0.20 to −0.03) and hospitalization cost (−0.28; 95% CI −0.49 to −0.06). Patients treated by high-volume surgeons were also more responsive than those treated by low-volume surgeons in terms of LOS (−0.19; 95% CI −0.37 to −0.01) and hospitalization cost (−0.43; 95% CI −0.81 to −0.05). The mean LOS was 24.3 days and the average LOS for very-high-volume hospitals and surgeons was 61% and 64% shorter, respectively, than that for low-volume hospitals and surgeons. The mean hospitalization cost was US $7,292.10, and the average hospitalization cost for very-high-volume hospitals and surgeons was 19% and 22% lower, respectively, than that for low-volume hospitals and surgeons. Advanced age, male sex, high Charlson Comorbidity Index score, treatment in a low-volume hospital, and treatment by a low-volume surgeon were significantly associated with adverse outcomes (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The data suggest that annual surgical volume is the key factor in surgical outcomes in patients with TBI. The results improve the understanding of medical resource allocation for this surgical procedure, and can help to formulate public health policies for optimizing hospital resource utilization for related diseases.
Registration of ‘Judee’ Wheat
Authors: Carlson G. R. , Berg J. E. , Kephart K. D. , Wichman D. M. , Lamb P. F. , Miller J. H. , Stougaard R. N. , Eckhoff J. L. , Riveland N. R. , Nash D. L. , Grey W. E. , Jin Y. , Kolmer J. A. , Chen X. , Bai G. , Bruckner P. L.
Published: January 2013

‘Judee’ (Reg. No. CV‐1084, PI 665227) hard red winter (HRW) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was developed and released by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station in September 2011. Judee has the pedigree ‘Vanguard’/‘Norstar’//‘Judith’ dwarf selection/3/‘NuHorizon’. Judee was developed using a modified bulk‐breeding method and selected as an F5:6 headrow. Judee was tested under the experimental number MTS0713 from 2007 to 2011 in Montana. Quality was evaluated in multilocation Montana trials since 2007. Judee is a solid‐stem, high‐yielding HRW wheat line with medium to high test weight, medium maturity, reduced height (Rht‐B1b), medium to high grain protein, and acceptable milling and baking quality. Judee was released for its host‐plant resistance to wheat stem sawfly (Cephus cinctus Nort.) conditioned by stem solidness, along with short stature and improved yield potential relative to existing solid‐stem cultivars adapted to Montana.
Novel Cold-Adapted Esterase MHlip from an Antarctic Soil Metagenome
Authors: Berlemont Renaud , Jacquin Olivier , Delsaute Maud , La Salla Marcello , Georis Jacques , Verté Fabienne , Galleni Moreno , Power Pablo
Published: January 2013

An Antarctic soil metagenomic library was screened for lipolytic enzymes and allowed for the isolation of a new cytosolic esterase from the a/b hydrolase family 6, named MHlip. This enzyme is related to hypothetical genes coding esterases, aryl-esterases and peroxydases, among others. MHlip was produced, purified and its activity was determined. The substrate profile of MHlip reveals a high specificity for short p-nitrophenyl-esters. The apparent optimal activity of MHlip was measured for p-nitrophenyl-acetate, at 33 °C, in the pH range of 6–9. The MHlip thermal unfolding was investigated by spectrophotometric methods, highlighting a transition (Tm) at 50 °C. The biochemical characterization of this enzyme showed its adaptation to cold temperatures, even when it did not present evident signatures associated with cold-adapted proteins. Thus, MHlip adaptation to cold probably results from many discrete structural modifications, allowing the protein to remain active at low temperatures. Functional metagenomics is a powerful approach to isolate new enzymes with tailored biophysical properties (e.g., cold adaptation). In addition, beside the ever growing amount of sequenced DNA, the functional characterization of new catalysts derived from environment is still required, especially for poorly characterized protein families like α/b hydrolases.
Exchange Bias and Inverse Magnetocaloric Effect in Co and Mn Co-Doped Ni2MnGa Shape Memory Alloy
Authors: Wang Baomin , Liu Yong
Published: January 2013

Exchange bias effect observed in the Ni1.68Co0.32Mn1.20Ga0.80 alloy confirms the coexistence of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic phases in the martensite phase. A large inverse magnetocaloric effect has been observed within the martensitic transformation temperature range, which is originated from modified magnetic order through magnetic-field-induced phase transformation from partially antiferromagnetic martensite to ferromagnetic austenite. The magnetic entropy change is 16.2 J kg−1 K−1 at 232 K under ΔH = 60 kOe, with the net refrigerant capacity of 68 J kg−1. These properties indicate Co and Mn co-doped Ni2MnGa alloy is a multifunctional material potentially suitable for magnetic refrigeration and spintronics applications.
Lower Bounds for Eigenvalues of the Stokes Operator
Authors: Hu Jun , Huang Yunqing
Published: January 2013

In this paper, we propose a condition that can guarantee the lower bound property of the discrete eigenvalue produced by the finite element method for the Stokes operator. We check and prove this condition for four nonconforming methods and one conforming method. Hence they produce eigenvalues which are smaller than their exact counterparts.
The Threat of Charter 08
Authors: Chongyi Feng
Published: January 2013

Charter 08 is a document that seeks to forge a grand alliance of Chinese liberal elements within the system and outside the system. Its signatories and supporters include known dissidents as well as officials, retired officials, and others from within the system. More significantly, Charter 08 symbolizes yet another alliance between political dissidence and the weiquan movement which is more rooted in Chinese society. The two political forces have been sharply divided since 1989. While the former challenges the CCP directly and calls for a fundamental political change, the latter takes concrete actions in protecting the legal rights of citizens within the framework of the existing political system. Charter 08 provides a common ground for the two forces.
Charter 08 and Violent Resistance: The Dark Side of the Chinese Weiquan Movement
Authors: Pils Eva
Published: January 2013

This analysis of the weiquan movement focuses on its “dark sides.” Drawing on interviews with lawyers and petitioners, this chapter describes the at-times brutal persecution of rights defenders and discusses increasingly vindictive and violent reactions among some members of the movement. A brief review of attitudes toward violence amongst petitioners, intellectuals, and lawyers shows that beneath an oft-asserted commitment to non-violence in political resistance, there is much doubt and debate within the movement, and that to some violence seems to be the only last answer. While Charter 08 provides little guidance on how to effect the rational, liberal transformation of Chinese society that is so clearly its vision, its protagonist Liu Xiaobo is perhaps best understood through his noble but hard-to-emulate credo of “having no enemies.” In that sense, Charter 08 represents a moral challenge both to the repressive authoritarian state and to the weiquan movement.
Reliable Decentralized Supervisors for Discrete‐Event Systems Under Communication Delays: Existence and Verification
Authors: Liu Fuchun , Lin Hai
Published: January 2013

A reliable decentralized supervisory control framework for discrete‐event systems is proposed to deal with possible actuation failures and communication delays. We mainly focus on the existence of such a controller that the control performance can be guaranteed even in face of local supervisor failures and communication delays. Especially, the existence of k‐reliable decentralized supervisors under communication delays is characterized by the notion of k‐reliable together with . In addition, the verification for k‐reliable decentralized supervisors is investigated by developing a constructive methodology to test the k‐reliable . It is shown that for a given number of distributed components, the existence of such k‐reliable decentralized supervisors can be checked with a polynomial complexity in the size of the state space.
Cocrystallising Rotamers of a Pentacoordinate Silicon Complex with a Chiral Aminodiol Ligand
Authors: Schlecht Sebastian , Finze Maik , Bertermann Rüdiger , Frank Walter , Domann Anke , Braun Manfred
Published: January 2013

Crystal structure analysis reveals the cocrystallysation of two turnstyle rotamers of a pentacoordinate silicon complex with a chiral backbone derived from 2‐amino‐1,1,2‐triphenylethanol. The structures of the two epimers are well reproduced by DFT calculations. In addition, the coexistence of two rotamers, which readily interconvert in solution, is confirmed by their solid‐state NMR spectroscopic data. Possible mechanisms of their interconversion are discussed, and preference is given to a turnstile‐like rotation of three ligands at the silicon atom about 120°.
Low cost adsorbents from agricultural waste for removal of dyes
Authors: Ramaraju Bendi , Manoj Kumar Reddy Pathpireddy , Subrahmanyam Challapalli
Published: January 2013

Low cost adsorbents from agricultural waste like rice husk was developed with various activation methods and tested for the removal of aqueous contaminants. Adsorption of a basic dye, malachite green (MG), from aqueous solution onto nitric acid treated (NRH), and peroxide treated rice husk (PRH) have been investigated. Various experiments were studied using batch adsorption technique under different conditions of pH, adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration, and temperature. The adsorption capacities of MG by the NRH and PRH were essentially due to electrostatic forces. The NRH and PRH adsorbents had a relatively large adsorption capacity (18.1 and 26.6 mg/g). The adsorbent PRH had a higher surface charge at alkaline pH and enhanced removal of MG was obtained under alkaline conditions. Typical adsorption kinetics indicated the pseudo second‐order kinetics behavior. The adsorption isotherms obeys Langmuir isotherm model. It was observed that the rate of adsorption improves with increasing temperature and the process is endothermic nature. The negative value of the change in Gibbs free energy (ΔG°) indicates that the adsorption of MG on PRH and NRH is feasible and spontaneous. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 33: 38–46, 2014
Modelling the effects of changes in rainfall event characteristics on TSS loads in urban runoff
Authors: Borris Matthias , Viklander Maria , Gustafsson Anna‐Maria , Marsalek Jiri
Published: January 2013

The effect of changes in rainfall event characteristics on urban stormwater quality, which was described by total suspended solids (TSS), was studied by means of computer simulations conducted with the Storm Water Management Model for a climate change scenario for northern Sweden. The simulation results showed that TSS event loads depended mainly on rainfall depth and intensity, but not on antecedent conditions. Storms with low‐to‐intermediate depths and intensities showed the highest sensitivity to changes in rainfall input, both for percentage and absolute changes in TSS wash‐off loads, which was explained by the contribution of pervious areas and supply limitations. This has significant implications for stormwater management, because those relatively frequent events generally carry a high percentage of the annual pollutant load. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of porphobilinogen on the formation of garlic green pigments
Authors: Mou Conghua , Hao Xiaoran , Xu Zhixiang , Qiao Xuguang
Published: January 2013

Background

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) bulb is processed into various forms such as crushed garlic, garlic juice, granules, dehydrated garlic pieces and garlic powder. However, greening is often a major problem when garlic is crushed, since it affects the appearance and quality of the resulting product. Therefore study of the formation mechanism of garlic green pigments is very important for garlic processing.

Results

The effect of porphobilinogen (PBG) on the formation of garlic green pigments was investigated in this study. As the storage time increased, there was a significant positive correlation between garlic greening and PBG content at low temperature (4 °C). PBG content decreased significantly during the garlic greening process. When treated with respiration inhibitor, both garlic greening strength and PBG content decreased as the concentration of respiration inhibitor increased. The green colour was generated when extracted PBG and allicin mixed thoroughly.

Conclusion

There was a clear relationship between PBG content and garlic greening. As a provider of pyrrolyl compounds, PBG plays an important role in the formation of garlic green pigments. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Particle sorting using a subwavelength optical fiber
Authors: Zhang Yao , Li Baojun
Published: January 2013

Size‐based particle sorting using a subwavelength optical fiber was demonstrated with 600‐nm and 1‐μm sizes of polystyrene particles. Optical forces acting on the particles were calculated based on three‐dimensional finite‐difference time‐domain simulations at wavelengths of 808, 1047, and 1310 nm propagating in a subwavelength optical fiber with diameter of 800 nm. Calculations indicate that by launching two counterpropagating laser beams at different wavelengths into the fiber, the directions of the resultant optical scattering forces acting on the two particle sizes can be opposite along the fiber, which leads to a countertransport of the particles. To verify the theoretical prediction, experiments were performed using the 800‐nm fiber to sort the two particle sizes. The results show that with two counterpropagating beams at 808 and 1310 nm, a continuous particle sorting was achieved. Measured particle velocities were in agreement with the theoretical calculations.
The Pt‐Organometallic Version of Perigraniline: Going Blue
Authors: Kenny Tommy , Aly Shawkat M. , Brisard Gessie , Fortin Daniel , Harvey Pierre D.
Published: January 2013

Four conjugated push–pull organometallic polymers ([Pt]‐AQ)n ([Pt] = trans‐bis(phenylacetylene)bis(tributylphosphine)platinum(II); AQ = 2‐bromo‐, 2,6‐dibromo‐, 2,6‐diamino‐, and unsubstituted anthraquinone diimine) were prepared and characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy and electrochemistry. A low‐energy charge transfer, CT, band ([Pt]*→AQ; confirmed by density functional theory calculations), was found in the 445–500 nm window rather than the expected red‐shifted range above 630 nm. X‐ray structures of four model compounds reveal that steric hindrance induces large dihedral angles between the C6H4 and NCC2 planes, rendering π‐orbital overlap difficult between the [Pt] and AQ units. The position of the CT band is mainly driven the reduction potential of the anthraquinone diimine unit.
Paper‐derived stoneware ceramics: Improvement of properties by calendering and evaluation of pyroplastic deformation behaviour
Authors: Kluthe C. , Kollenberg W.
Published: January 2013

Paper‐derived ceramics are a new approach to produce thin, lightweight ceramic structures. These ceramics are derived from preceramic papers produced in a paper technological process. The amount of inorganic filler (e. g. stoneware) in the paper is increased up to 85 wt‐%. By firing at high temperatures the cellulose fibres are pyrolized and the inorganic content is sintered. One part of the technological process to produce papers is calendering. A calender consists of two rolls, between which the paper is rolled under pressure. By calendering the paper thickness is reduced and the surface of the paper is improved. Different calender parameters (pressure and temperature) are applied to the preceramic paper and ceramic properties like strength, density and surface roughness are investigated. The strength of paper‐derived stoneware ceramics can be improved by 125% to over 185 MPa by optimizing the calender process. Additionally paper‐derived stoneware ceramics were fired at 1180°C, 1200°C and 1220°C for 1 and for 2 hours at different support distances (10–150 mm) in order to determine the dependence of pyroplastic deformation on support distance. The results show a linear increase between maximum deformation and support distance by 1 hour dwell and a polynomic at 2 hours dwell. Furthermore the Pyroplastic Index (PI) was evaluated according to recent literature. The Pyroplastic Index was correlated to the amorphous content of the differently fired samples. With longer dwell and/or higher temperature the content of amorphous phase increases which lowers the bulk viscosity and supports the pyroplastic deformation. These investigations should give a direction for using paper‐derived stoneware ceramics for special design applications. Paper‐derived ceramics can be systematically deformed in many possible ways to achieve specific shapes.
Theoretical and practical aspects of seeding technology for fusion welding
Authors: Bach F.‐W. , Versemann R. , Stoll P. , Krüssel T. , Bruns C.
Published: January 2013

In numerous applications, contradictory properties are demanded from welded joints; for example, high seam strength and good formability or high hardness value and wear resistance with the highest possible toughness. Controlling the solidification behaviour by means of seeding the molten weld metal represents a very effective method of fulfilling such contrary demands. For this purpose, seeding methods were modified for welding technology in such a way that microstructures can be specified. The choice of seeding materials is based on a theoretical model which describes the functioning mode of complex inoculants in a melt. The effectiveness of the procedure was investigated on ferritic chromium‐steels by using various seeding methods and complex inoculants. Moreover, pronounced seeding effects were verified on nickel based superalloys and titanium.
Inverse optimal control for discrete‐time nonlinear systems via passivation
Authors: Ornelas‐Tellez Fernando , Sanchez Edgar N. , Loukianov Alexander G.
Published: January 2013

This paper presents an inverse optimal control approach for stabilization and trajectory tracking of discrete‐time nonlinear systems, avoiding to solve the associated Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation, and minimizing a meaningful cost functional. The proposed controller is based on a discrete‐time control Lyapunov function and passivity theory; its applicability is illustrated via simulations for an unstable nonlinear system and a planar robot. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
First trimester maternal serum inhibin A concentrations in smokers
Authors: Cowans Nicholas J. , Spencer Kevin
Published: January 2013

What's already known about this topic?

Inhibin A levels are considerably higher in the second trimester maternal serum of smokers compared with nonsmokers.

What does this study add?

This is the first study to compare the levels of inhibin A in the first trimester maternal serum of smokers and nonsmokers.

Inhibin A levels are increased in the first trimester maternal serum of smokers, but to less of an extent than is found in the second trimester.
Cubic III‐nitride coupled quantum wells towards unipolar optically pumped lasers
Authors: Mietze C. , Bürger M. , Sakr S. , Tchernycheva M. , Julien F. H. , As D. J.
Published: January 2013

Optical and structural properties of asymmetric coupled cubic‐GaN/‐AlN quantum wells (QW) are studied. The samples are grown by molecular beam epitaxy on a 50 nm c‐GaN buffer on 3C‐SiC substrate. The active region contains 100 periods of a 2.3 nm AlN barrier, a 1.9–2.1 nm silicon doped GaN QW and a 1.0–1.2 nm undoped GaN QW coupled by a 0.9–1.1 nm AlN tunnelling barrier. Phase purity and partial relaxation of the superlattice is observed in reciprocal space maps measured by high resolution X‐ray diffraction. Optical properties of coupled QWs are investigated using cathodoluminescence spectroscopy. A clear shift in the emission energy associated with the thickness of the QWs can be observed. Furthermore clear TM‐polarized infrared absorption in the 0.55–0.87 eV range is observed at room temperature using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The asymmetric shape of the infrared absorptions reveals the existence of a three level system in the QWs and is explained by contributions of the e1–e3 and e2–e3 intersubband transitions. Measured transition energies are compared to model calculations using a Schrödinger–Poisson solver based on an effective mass model (nextnano3).
Composition dependent spectroscopic properties of Er3+‐doped boro‐tellurite glasses
Authors: Selvaraju K. , Vijaya N. , Marimuthu K. , Lavin V.
Published: January 2013

A new series of Er3+‐doped boro‐tellurite glasses have been prepared and their spectroscopic behavior were explored through absorption and luminescence measurements. The nature of the Er3+‐ligand bond in the host matrix were studied through bonding parameter studies using absorption spectra. Davis and Mott theory is used to determine the optical band gap energy for the direct and indirect allowed transitions of the title glasses. Optical band gap energy for the indirect allowed transitions are found to be in the range of 3.03–2.36 eV. The Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters Ωλ (λ = 2, 4, and 6) were determined from the absorption spectra and used to derive the radiative properties like stimulated emission cross‐section and gain bandwidth for the emission transition 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 of the Er3+ ions. The spectroscopic properties of the prepared glasses were studied as a function of TeO2 in the host matrix and discussed with reported literature.
Boundary formation in the development of the vertebrate hindbrain
Authors: Xu Qiling , Wilkinson David G.
Published: January 2013

The formation of a sharp interface of adjacent subdivisions is important for establishing the precision of tissue organization, and at specific borders it serves to organize key signaling centers. We discuss studies of vertebrate hindbrain development that have given important insights into mechanisms that underlie the formation and maintenance of sharp borders. The hindbrain is subdivided into a series of segments with distinct anteroposterior identity that underlies the specification of distinct neuronal cell types. During early stages of segmentation, cell identity switching contributes to the refinement of borders and enables homogenous territories to be maintained despite intermingling of cells between segments. At later stages, there is a specific restriction to cell intermingling between segments that is mediated by Eph receptor and ephrin signaling. Eph–ephrin signaling can restrict cell intermingling and sharpen borders through multiple mechanisms, including the regulation of cell adhesion and contact inhibition of cell migration. WIREs Dev Biol 2013, 2:735–745. doi: 10.1002/wdev.106

This article is categorized under:

Establishment of Spatial and Temporal Patterns > Cell Sorting and Boundary Formation
Causes and Costs of a Decade of Litigation Following Emergency Appendectomy in England
Authors: Mosedale Thomas , Nepogodiev Dmitri , Fitzgerald J. Edward F. , Bhangu Aneel
Published: January 2013

Background

There has been recent interest in the delayed and nonoperative management of appendicitis. The present study assessed the causes and costs of litigation against surgeons following emergency appendectomy, with an emphasis on claims relating to preoperative management.

Materials and methods

Data were obtained from the English NHS Litigation Authority for claims relevant to appendectomy between 2002 and 2011. Two authors independently extracted data and classified it against predetermined criteria.

Results

Successful litigation occurred in 66 % of closed cases (147/223) with a total payout of £8.1 million. There were 24 claims against organizational operating room delays (9 % of total) and 27 against delayed diagnosis (10 %), with respective success rates of 70 and 68 %. From 21 claims relating to damage to fertility, nine were due to either delayed diagnosis or organizational operating room delays. Misdiagnosis was the second most common cause for litigation (16 %), but it had the lowest likelihood of success (49 %). Faulty surgical technique was the most common reason for litigation (39 %), with a 70 % likelihood of success. Of eight claims related to fatality, one was due to unacceptable preoperative delay leading to preventable perforated appendicitis. The overall highest median payouts were for claims of damage to fertility (£52,384), operating list delays (£44,716), and delayed diagnosis (£42,292).

Conclusions

There were significant medicolegal risks surrounding delays related to access to operating lists and diagnosis. Whereas future evidence regarding the safety of delayed appendectomy may provide scientific defense against these claims, the present study provides evidence of the current medicolegal risk to surgeons following delayed treatment of appendicitis.
History of faulting on the Doruneh Fault System: implications for the kinematic changes of the Central Iranian Microplate
Authors: JAVADI HAMID REZA , GHASSEMI MOHAMMAD REZA , SHAHPASANDZADEH MAJID , GUEST BERNARD , ASHTIANI MARZIEH ESTERABI , YASSAGHI ALI , KOUHPEYMA MEYSSAM
Published: January 2013

The Doruneh Fault System is one of the major transcurrent faults in central Asia, extending ~900 km from western Afghanistan into West-Central Iran. The left-lateral Doruneh Fault System is also a key structure in the Arabia–Eurasia collisional zone, bounding the northern margin of the independent Central Iranian Microplate. The Doruneh Fault System exhibits a curved geometry, and is divided here into three segments: Eastern, Central and Western. We present the results of geological, structural and geomorphic studies into the nature of recent activity along the Doruneh Fault System segments. A surprising observation is that small, relatively young drainage systems often show recent systematic left-lateral displacement across the fault, whereas large rivers indicate a former more complex right-lateral history. Furthermore, the existence of right-lateral offsets of pre-Pliocene rocks and S-C fabrics confirm this earlier phase of right-lateral movement on the fault. We suggest that the early right-lateral kinematics resulted from an earlier NW–SE-directed regional shortening, associated with the anticlockwise rotation of the Central Iranian Microplate. The shortening is characterized by the NE–SW-striking en échelon folds within the fault slivers, the right-lateral Taknar imbricate fan and the superimposed folding exposed north of Kashmar. Thus, assuming an initiation age of Eocene (55.8 Ma) for the fault, we estimate a former right-lateral slip rate of about 5.2–5.5 mm yr−1, which accompanied the 35° anticlockwise rotation of the Central Iranian Microplate. According to our study, the youngest units exhibiting right-lateral displacement are Middle Miocene in age, suggesting a post-Middle Miocene timing for the onset of slip-sense inversion.
Sensory Navigation Device for Blind People
Authors: Dunai L. , Peris-Fajarnés G. , Lluna E. , Defez B.
Published: January 2013

This paper presents a new Electronic Travel Aid (ETA) ‘Acoustic Prototype’ which is especially suited to facilitate the navigation of visually impaired users. The device consists of a set of 3-Dimensional Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (3-D CMOS) image sensors based on the three-dimensional integration and Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) processing techniques implemented into a pair of glasses, stereo headphones as well as a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) used as processing unit. The device is intended to be used as a complementary device to navigation through both open known and unknown environments. The FPGA and the 3D-CMOS image sensor electronics control object detection. Distance measurement is achieved by using chip-integrated technology based on the Multiple Short Time Integration method. The processed information of the object distance is presented to the user via acoustic sounds through stereophonic headphones. The user interprets the information as an acoustic image of the surrounding environment. The Acoustic Prototype transforms the surface of the objects of the real environment into acoustical sounds. The method used is similar to a bat's acoustic orientation. Having good hearing ability, with few weeks training the users are able to perceive not only the presence of an object but also the object form (that is, if the object is round, if it has corners, if it is a car or a box, if it is a cardboard object or if it is an iron or cement object, a tree, a person, a static or moving object). The information is continuously delivered to the user in a few nanoseconds until the device is shut down, helping the end user to perceive the information in real time.
Addressing physical inactivity in Omani adults: perceptions of public health managers
Authors: Mabry Ruth M , Al-Busaidi Zakiya Q , Reeves Marina M , Owen Neville , Eakin Elizabeth G
Published: January 2013

Objective

To explore barriers and solutions to addressing physical inactivity and prolonged sitting in the adult population of Oman.

Design

Qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews that took place from October 2011 to January 2012. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling. Data collection and analysis was an iterative process; later interviews explored emerging themes. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed and continued until data saturation; this occurred by the tenth interviewee. Thematic content analysis was carried out, guided by an ecological model of health behaviour.

Setting

Muscat, Oman.

Subjects

Ten mid-level public health managers.

Results

Barriers for physical inactivity were grouped around four themes: (i) intrapersonal (lack of motivation, awareness and time); (ii) social (norms restricting women's participation in outdoor activity, low value of physical activity); (iii) environment (lack of places to be active, weather); and (iv) policy (ineffective health communication, limited resources). Solutions focused on culturally sensitive interventions at the environment (building sidewalks and exercise facilities) and policy levels (strengthening existing interventions and coordinating actions with relevant sectors). Participants’ responses regarding sitting time were similar to, but much more limited than those related to physical inactivity, except for community participation and voluntarism, which were given greater emphasis as possible solutions to reduce sitting time.

Conclusions

Given the increasing prevalence of chronic disease in Oman and the Arabian Gulf, urgent action is required to implement gender-relevant public health policies and programmes to address physical inactivity, a key modifiable risk factor. Additionally, research on the determinants of physical inactivity and prolonged sitting time is required to guide policy makers.