bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Response to Lactofen at Various Postemergence Timings1
Authors: Dotray P. A. , Grichar W. J. , Baughman T. A. , Prostko E. P. , Grey T. L. , Gilbert L. V.
Published: July 2012

Field experiments were conducted at nine locations in Texas and Georgia in 2005 and 2006 to evaluate peanut tolerance to lactofen. Lactofen at 220 g ai/ha plus crop oil concentrate was applied to peanut at 6 leaf (lf), 6 lf followed by (fb) 15 days after the initial treatment (DAIT), 15 DAIT alone, 6 lf fb 30 DAIT, 30 DAIT alone, 6 lf fb 45 DAIT, 45 DAIT alone, 6 lf fb 60 DAIT, and 60 DAIT alone in weed-free plots. Lactofen caused visible leaf bronzing at all locations. Yield loss was observed when applications were made 45 DAIT, a timing that would correspond to plants in the R5 (beginning seed) to R6 (full seed) stage of growth. At all locations except the Texas High Plains, this application timing was within the 90 d preharvest interval. Growers who apply lactofen early in the peanut growing season to small weeds should have confidence that yields will not be negatively impacted despite dramatic above-ground injury symptoms; however, applications made later in the season, during seed fill, may adversely affect yield.
Quantifying Variable Rainfall Intensity Events on Seasonal Runoff and Sediment Losses from Strip and Conventionally Tilled Peanuts
Authors: Truman C. C. , Potter T. L. , Nuti R. C.
Published: July 2012

The majority of peanut production in Georgia is in the Coastal Plain region where sandy soils and relatively high rainfall (∼1250 mm/yr) provide a favorable environment for the crop. Coastal Plain soils have traditionally been cropped under conventional tillage practices; and are susceptible to runoff, sediment, and chemical losses from short duration-high intensity, runoff producing storms. We quantified infiltration, runoff, and sediment losses from a Tifton loamy sand managed under conventional- (CT) and strip- (ST) tillage systems and planted to peanut at three times during a growing season with simulated rainfall that utilized variable rainfall intensities representative of each time period (spring, summer, fall). In 2008, a field study was established with CT and ST systems each planted to single-row peanut. Simulated rainfall was applied at planting, 30 days after planting, and after peanut harvest with rainfall events comprised of variable intensity (Iv) patterns representative of each time or season (spring = IvSPR, summer = IvSUM, fall = IvFALL). Simulated rainfall was applied to 6-m2 plots (n = 3) for each treatment with runoff (R) and sediment (E) yields measured from each plot. Overall, runoff and infiltration from CT and ST plots was 9–22% and 78–91% of the total rainfall applied, respectively. The most runoff occurred from CT-IvFALL plots; the least from ST-IvSUM plots. Sediment yields from CT and ST plots ranged from 105–1419 kg/ha. The most sediment occurred from CT-IvSPR plots; the least from ST-IvSUM plots. The most runoff and sediment per unit of rainfall applied occurred from CT-IvFALL plots. Rainfall intensity and runoff from CT and ST plots for IvSPR, IvSUM, and IvFALL events were correlated (r = 0.73–0.95). Runoff and sediment yield from CT and ST plots for IvSPR, IvSUM, and IvFALL events were also correlated (r = 0.66–0.99). Values of Rmax for CT and ST plots were 7–20% of the maximum intensity for their respective Iv events. Values of Rmax and Emax for CT and ST plots occurred 3–8 min after the maximum intensity for their respective events. The CT plots averaged 60% more runoff, 86% higher Rmax values, 3.3-fold more sediment, and 3.7-fold higher Emax values than ST plots. Maximum difference between CT and ST plots for runoff (2.4-fold), Rmax (2.7-fold), and sediment (3.8-fold) was for IvFALL events; maximum difference between CT and ST plots for Emax (5.6-fold) was for IvSUM events. Results show the pronounced effect of three rainfall intensity patterns and tillage on runoff and sediment losses from critical times (planting, first fungicide application ∼30 days after planting, after harvest) during a peanut growing season. Understanding the magnitude of runoff and sediment losses help define “windows of risk” and how conservation tillage can reduce those losses and help producers manage natural resources and agrichemical losses from peanut cropping systems.
Epithelial Myoepithelial Carcinoma- A Rare Case Report
Authors: Shruthi Hegde , Pal Sumona
Published: July 2012

Background: Salivary gland tumors occupy an imperative part while considering the entire spectrum of tumor pathology occurring in the maxillo-facial and cervical areas. They often pose diagnostic uncertainty due to intrinsic architectural and cytologic complexity, overlapping architecture. Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma is a rare tumor, constituting 1% of all salivary gland tumors. Methods and Results: We present a case of Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma in a 55-year-old male who presented with paresthesia of lower lip and swelling of the right side of face . Imaging revealed complete destruction of right ramus with an enhancing soft tissue mass. Patient underwent a surgical excision of the mass, which revealed an Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma. Conclusion: Although Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma is extremely rare in occurrence, have immense destructive capabilities. Hence a description of clinical presentation, radiographic extension and histopathologic presentation would be of great additive value to the sparse information of this rare tumor DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v11i2.11480 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 11 No. 02 April 2012: 129-133
Multiple Idiopathic Cervical Resorption: A Case Report
Authors: Roy Deepak Kumar , Sharma Shivalal , Suwal Pramita , Singh Varun Pratap , Ayer Ashok
Published: July 2012

Multiple idiopathic cervical resorption (MICR) is a disease of the tooth in which there is progressive cervical resorption of multiple teeth leading to exfoliation of crown. The etiological factors for such a resorption are various but the lack of definitive single etiological factor/disease process makes management of such processes extremely difficult. A flap surgery followed by restoration with glass ionomer cement was carried out for the cessation of resorption process, finally a cast partial denture was delivered for prosthetic rehabilitation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v11i2.8680 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 11 No. 02 April 2012: 151-153
Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Lung
Authors: Fisseler-Eckhoff Annette , Demes Melanie
Published: July 2012

Neuroendocrine tumors may develop throughout the human body with the majority being found in the gastrointestinal tract and bronchopulmonary system. Neuroendocrine tumors are classified according to the grade of biological aggressiveness (G1–G3) and the extent of differentiation (well-differentiated/poorly-differentiated). The well-differentiated neoplasms comprise typical (G1) and atypical (G2) carcinoids. Large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas as well as small cell carcinomas (G3) are poorly-differentiated. The identification and differentiation of atypical from typical carcinoids or large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas and small cell carcinomas is essential for treatment options and prognosis. Pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors are characterized according to the proportion of necrosis, the mitotic activity, palisading, rosette-like structure, trabecular pattern and organoid nesting. The given information about the histopathological assessment, classification, prognosis, genetic aberration as well as treatment options of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors are based on own experiences and reviewing the current literature available. Most disagreements among the classification of neuroendocrine tumor entities exist in the identification of typical versus atypical carcinoids, atypical versus large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas versus small cell carcinomas. Additionally, the classification is restricted in terms of limited specificity of immunohistochemical markers and possible artifacts in small biopsies which can be compressed in cytological specimens. Until now, pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors have been increasing in incidence. As compared to NSCLCs, only little research has been done with respect to new molecular targets as well as improving the classification and differential diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors of the lung.
Non-Genomic Effects of Xenoestrogen Mixtures
Authors: Viñas René , Jeng Yow-Jiun , Watson Cheryl S.
Published: July 2012

Xenoestrogens (XEs) are chemicals derived from a variety of natural and anthropogenic sources that can interfere with endogenous estrogens by either mimicking or blocking their responses via non-genomic and/or genomic signaling mechanisms. Disruption of estrogens’ actions through the less-studied non-genomic pathway can alter such functional end points as cell proliferation, peptide hormone release, catecholamine transport, and apoptosis, among others. Studies of potentially adverse effects due to mixtures and to low doses of endocrine-disrupting chemicals have recently become more feasible, though few so far have included actions via the non-genomic pathway. Physiologic estrogens and XEs evoke non-monotonic dose responses, with different compounds having different patterns of actions dependent on concentration and time, making mixture assessments all the more challenging. In order to understand the spectrum of toxicities and their mechanisms, future work should focus on carefully studying individual and mixture components across a range of concentrations and cellular pathways in a variety of tissue types.
A Great Barrier Reef Sinularia sp. Yields Two New Cytotoxic Diterpenes
Authors: Wright Anthony D. , Nielson Jonathan L. , Tapiolas Dianne M. , Liptrot Catherine H. , Motti Cherie A.
Published: July 2012

The methanol extract of a Sinularia sp., collected from Bowden Reef, Queensland, Australia, yielded ten natural products. These included the new nitrogenous diterpene (4R*,5R*,9S*,10R*,11Z)-4-methoxy-9-((dimethylamino)-methyl)-12,15-epoxy-11(13)-en-decahydronaphthalen-16-ol (1), and the new lobane, (1R*,2R*,4S*,15E)-loba-8,10,13(14),15(16)-tetraen-17,18-diol-17-acetate (2). Also isolated were two known cembranes, sarcophytol-B and (1E,3E,7E)-11,12-epoxycembratrien-15-ol, and six known lobanes, loba-8,10,13(15)-triene-16,17,18-triol, 14,18-epoxyloba-8,10,13(15)-trien-17-ol, lobatrientriol, lobatrienolide, 14,17-epoxyloba-8,10,13(15)-trien-18-ol-18-acetate and (17R)-loba-8,10,13(15)-trien-17,18-diol. Structures of the new compounds were elucidated through interpretation of spectra obtained after extensive NMR and MS investigations and comparison with literature values. The tumour cell growth inhibition potential of 1 and 2 along with loba-8,10,13(15)-triene-16,17,18-triol, 14,17-epoxyloba-8,10,13(15)-trien-18-ol-18-acetate, lobatrienolide, (1E,3E,7E)-11,12-epoxycembratrien-15-ol and sarcophytol-B were assessed against three human tumour cell lines (SF-268, MCF-7 and H460). The lobanes and cembranes tested demonstrated 50% growth inhibition in the range 6.8–18.5 µM, with no selectivity, whilst 1 was less active (GI50 70–175 µM).
Molecular Motions as a Drug Target: Mechanistic Simulations of Anthrax Toxin Edema Factor Function Led to the Discovery of Novel Allosteric Inhibitors
Authors: Laine Élodie , Martínez Leandro , Ladant Daniel , Malliavin Thérèse , Blondel Arnaud
Published: July 2012

Edema Factor (EF) is a component of Bacillus anthracis toxin essential for virulence. Its adenylyl cyclase activity is induced by complexation with the ubiquitous eukaryotic cellular protein, calmodulin (CaM). EF and its complexes with CaM, nucleotides and/or ions, have been extensively characterized by X-ray crystallography. Those structural data allowed molecular simulations analysis of various aspects of EF action mechanism, including the delineation of EF and CaM domains through their association energetics, the impact of calcium binding on CaM, and the role of catalytic site ions. Furthermore, a transition path connecting the free inactive form to the CaM-complexed active form of EF was built to model the activation mechanism in an attempt to define an inhibition strategy. The cavities at the surface of EF were determined for each path intermediate to identify potential sites where the binding of a ligand could block activation. A non-catalytic cavity (allosteric) was found to shrink rapidly at early stages of the path and was chosen to perform virtual screening. Amongst 18 compounds selected in silico and tested in an enzymatic assay, 6 thiophen ureidoacid derivatives formed a new family of EF allosteric inhibitors with IC50 as low as 2 micromolars.
Multiple origins of congested inflorescences in Cyperus s.s. (Cyperaceae): Developmental and structural evidence
Authors: Guarise Nicolás J. , Vegetti Abelardo C. , Pozner Raúl
Published: July 2012

• Premise of the study: The understanding of homoplasic structures becomes more relevant when they are complex and define large angiosperm taxa. Inflorescence architecture usually fulfills both features, as happens with Cyperus, a genus with two taxonomical subdivisions characterized either by alternative expressions of Kranz anatomy (C3 or C4) or inflorescence shape (condensed or lax). Those subdivisions are not completely congruent because at least one of these presumed characters has evolved several times. We focused a SEM study on the inflorescence development in species with condensed inflorescences and different photosynthetic anatomy to test the possibility that condensed inflorescences of subgen. Anosporum (C3 anatomy) have evolved independently from those of subgen. Cyperus (C4 anatomy).

• Methods: Freshly collected inflorescences of C. entrerianus, C. eragrostis, C. oxylepis, and C. incomtus were studied using stereoscopic and scanning electron microscopy.

• Key results: Condensed inflorescences of Cyperus species with C3 and C4 anatomy had differences in structure and development: (1) mature structure, (2) position of second‐order branching initiation in the first developmental stage of the inflorescence, (3) main axis development and elongation, and branching development, (4) types of ramifications, (5) phyllotaxis and symmetry.

• Conclusions: Results support multiple origins of condensed inflorescences in Cyperus, based especially on differences in timing during development and elongation of the main axis and branches, branching pattern and phyllotaxis. Structure and development may be the key to using inflorescence morphology as an external feature to distinguish large natural groups within Cyperus based on vegetative anatomy.
Precepting and Mentoring Needs of Nursing Faculty and Clinical Instructors: Fostering Career Development and Community
Authors: Smith Sheila K. , Hecker-Fernandes Jill R. , Zorn CeCelia , Duffy Linda
Published: July 2012

A descriptive survey was conducted to describe (a) perceptions of precepting and mentoring at early-, mid-, and late-career phases and (b) the organization’s support of department members’ precepting and mentoring needs. Participants were nursing faculty and clinical instructors at a midwestern public university. The Measure of Precepting and Mentoring was developed for this study. Findings indicate that clinical instructors experience greater precepting and mentoring satisfaction than faculty and distance-site department members experience a higher level of satisfaction than main-campus department members. Faculty expressed the most dissatisfaction for late-career mentoring and organizational culture and outcomes. From the qualitative data, three themes emerged: (a) a need for precepting and mentoring that changes with time, (b) a lack of an organizational precepting and mentoring philosophy and supporting mechanisms, and (c) the feeling of together but separate. A model of precepting and mentoring emerged from our study.
Influence of the storage conditions on prestressing steel relaxation losses
Authors: Suárez F. , Gálvez J. C. , Atienza J. M. , Cendón D. A. , Elices M.
Published: July 2012

Stress relaxation losses on active reinforcement have significant impact on prestressed concrete structures. This is why relaxation tests are carried out on prestressing steel wires and strands after being manufactured. Then, these materials are coiled and stored for a long-term period, sometimes in excess of one year. The influence of these operations, carried out after manufacturing, is usually neglected. Nevertheless, some manufacturers and contractors have noticed that, sometimes, when relaxation tests are carried out after a long-term storage, the relaxation losses found are higher than those measured immediately after manufacturing. In this work, lab tests are performed to check the influence of the coiling radius and the period of storage on the relaxation test. In addition to this, an analytical model is presented to predict the results of a relaxation test carried out on a wire coiled and stored for a long-term period. This model explains the evolution on the cross-sectional stress profile along the coiling-storing-uncoiling process, as well as the influence of the residual stresses on it.
An NKp30-Based Chimeric Antigen Receptor Promotes T Cell Effector Functions and Antitumor Efficacy In Vivo
Authors: Zhang Tong , Wu Ming-Ru , Sentman Charles L.
Published: July 2012

NKp30 is a natural cytotoxicity receptor that is expressed on NK cells and recognizes B7-H6, which is expressed on several types of tumors but few normal cells. To target effector T cells against B7-H6+ tumors, we developed several chimeric AgRs (CARs) based on NKp30, which contain the CD28- and/or CD3ζ-signaling domains with the transmembrane domains from CD3ζ, CD28, or CD8α. The data show that chimeric NKp30-expressing T cells responded to B7-H6+ tumor cells. The NKp30 CAR-expressing T cells produced IFN-γ and killed B7-H6 ligand-expressing tumor cells; this response was dependent upon ligand expression on target cells but not on MHC expression. PBMC-derived dendritic cells also express NKp30 ligands, including immature dendritic cells, and they can stimulate NKp30 CAR-bearing T cells to produce IFN-γ, but to a lesser extent. The addition of a CD28-signaling domain significantly enhanced the activity of the NKp30 CAR in a PI3K-dependent manner. Adoptive transfer of T cells expressing a chimeric NKp30 receptor containing a CD28-signaling domain inhibited the growth of a B7-H6–expressing murine lymphoma (RMA/B7-H6) in vivo. Moreover, mice that remained tumor-free were resistant to a subsequent challenge with the wild-type RMA tumor cells, suggesting the generation of immunity against other tumor Ags. Overall, this study demonstrates the specificity and therapeutic potential of adoptive immunotherapy with NKp30 CAR-expressing T cells against B7-H6+ tumor cells in vivo.
Chitin Elicits CCL2 from Airway Epithelial Cells and Induces CCR2-Dependent Innate Allergic Inflammation in the Lung
Authors: Roy René M. , Wüthrich Marcel , Klein Bruce S.
Published: July 2012

Chitin exposure in the lung induces eosinophilia and alternative activation of macrophages and is correlated with allergic airway disease. However, the mechanism underlying chitin-induced polarization of macrophages is poorly understood. In this paper, we show that chitin induces alternative activation of macrophages in vivo but does not do so directly in vitro. We further show that airway epithelial cells bind chitin in vitro and produce CCL2 in response to chitin both in vitro and in vivo. Supernatants of chitin-exposed epithelial cells promoted alternative activation of macrophages in vitro, whereas Ab neutralization of CCL2 in the supernate abolished the alternative activation of macrophages. CCL2 acted redundantly in vivo, but mice lacking the CCL2 receptor, CCR2, showed impaired alternative activation of macrophages in response to chitin, as measured by arginase I, CCL17, and CCL22 expression. Furthermore, CCR2 knockout mice exposed to chitin had diminished reactive oxygen species products in the lung, blunted eosinophil and monocyte recruitment, and impaired eosinophil functions as measured by expression of CCL5, IL-13, and CCL11. Thus, airway epithelial cells secrete CCL2 in response to chitin and CCR2 signaling mediates chitin-induced alternative activation of macrophages and allergic inflammation in vivo.
Assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in water samples from the Yamuna River
Authors: Kumar Bhupander , Singh Satish Kumar , Mishra Meenu , Kumar Sanjay , Sharma Chandra Shekhar
Published: July 2012

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) are toxic, persistent and bioaccumulative long-range atmospheric transport pollutants. These are transported worldwide affecting remote regions far from their original sources, and can transfer into food webs with a wide range of acute and chronic health effects. India ratified the Stockholm Convention with the intention of reducing and eliminating persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and encouraged the support of research on POPs. Despite the ban and restriction on the use of these chemicals in India, their contamination of air, water, sediment, biota and humans has been reported. In this study, surface water samples were collected during January 2012 from the Yamuna River in Delhi, India, and analyzed for PCBs and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). The concentrations of ΣPCBs and ΣOCPs ranged between 2-779 ng L–1 and from less than 0.1 to 618 ng L–1 (mean 99±38 ng L–1 and 221±50 ng L–1, respectively). The PCB homolog was dominated by 3-4 chlorinated biphenyls. In calculating the toxicity equivalent of dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs)using World Health Organization toxic equivalency factors, dl-PCBs accounted for 10% of a total of 27 PCBs. The concentration of ΣHCH ranged between less than 0.1 and 285 ng L–1 (mean 151±32 ng L–1). However, ΣDDTs concentrations varied between less than 0.1 and 354 ng L–1 (mean 83±26 ng L–1). The concentrations were lower than the US guideline values; however, levels of lindane exceeded those recommended in guidelines. Further in-depth study is proposed to determine the bioaccumulation of these pollutants through aquatic biota to assess the risk of contaminants to human health.
Scarcity in the time of over-consumption
Authors: Annecke Wendy
Published: July 2012

Scarcity in the time of over-consumption
Knowledge sharing through social media: Investigating trends and technologies in a global marketing and advertising research company
Authors: Adamovic Dina , Potgieter Andrea , Mearns Martie
Published: July 2012

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate social media technology trends in Nielsen – a global information and measurement company – and to establish how these technologies can help the company to create a knowledge-sharing culture.Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate trends in knowledge-sharing technologies in Nielsen.Method: The researchers distributed semi-structured questionnaires to a sample of employees in Nielsen’s Television Audience Measurement Department. They also conducted interviews with specific employees in this department to gain a better understanding of employees’ attitudes toward, and perceptions of, the use of social media tools for creating a knowledgesharing culture at Nielsen. The researchers validated the data to see whether it could support the research and used triangulation to create a holistic view of the data they received from the questionnaires.Results: The findings of the study revealed that respondents had a positive attitude to sharing knowledge with one another through using social media tools. However, some respondents thought that technology, in general, was ‘the tree of good and evil’. The survey findings showed that Nielsen did have social media tools. However, not all employees were aware of these tools or were willing to use the tools to share knowledge. This study highlighted the possible advantages of the social media for sharing knowledge and how Nielsen could use the tools more widely.Conclusion: In order for a knowledge sharing culture to thrive at Nielsen, its employees need to engage more with social media tools in their business practices.
Technical Note: Increased Distance Between Galvanic Lead:Copper Pipe Connections Decreases Lead Release
Authors: St. Clair J. , Stamopoulos C. , Edwards M.
Published: July 2012

It has recently been proposed that lead contamination of drinking water arising from galvanic corrosion of lead and copper pipe will be minimized if the lead and copper pipes are brought into direct contact when compared to pipe separations of 1 cm to 15 cm and external electrical contact via a grounding strap. A direct, 4 month test of this hypothesis was conducted with measurement of galvanic current and lead release to water. Increased distance between lead and copper pipe, obtained by incorporating an insulating spacer between the pipes, can dramatically reduce the galvanic current and the magnitude of lead release consistent with expectations based on galvanic theory and the plumbing code.
A New Method for Measuring Tail Exponents of Firm Size Distributions
Authors: Fujimoto Shouji , Ishikawa Atushi , Mizuno Takayuki , Watanabe Tsutomu
Published: July 2012

The authors propose a new method for estimating the power-law exponents of firm size variables. Their focus is on how to empirically identify a range in which a firm size variable follows a power-law distribution. On the one hand, as is well known a firm size variable follows a power-law distribution only beyond some threshold. On the other hand, in almost all empirical exercises, the right end part of a distribution deviates from a power-law due to finite size effects. The authors modify the method proposed by Malevergne et al. (2011). In this way they can identify both the lower and the upper thresholds and then estimate the power-law exponent using observations only in the range defined by the two thresholds. They apply this new method to various firm size variables, including annual sales, the number of workers, and tangible fixed assets for firms in more than thirty countries.
Estimation of aerosol particle distributions with Kalman Filtering – Part 1: Theory, general aspects and statistical validity
Authors: Viskari T. , Asmi E. , Kolmonen P. , Vuollekoski H. , Petäjä T. , Järvinen H.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Aerosol characteristics can be measured with different instruments providing observations that are not trivially inter-comparable. Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) is introduced here as a method to estimate aerosol particle number size distributions from multiple simultaneous observations. The focus here in Part 1 of the work was on general aspects of EKF in the context of Differential Mobility Particle Sizer (DMPS) measurements. Additional instruments and their implementations are discussed in Part 2 of the work. University of Helsinki Multi-component Aerosol model (UHMA) is used to propagate the size distribution in time. At each observation time (10 min apart), the time evolved state is updated with the raw particle mobility distributions, measured with two DMPS systems. EKF approach was validated by calculating the bias and the standard deviation for the estimated size distributions with respect to the raw measurements. These were compared to corresponding bias and standard deviation values for distributions calculated with a mathematical inversion method. Despite the assumptions made in the EKF implementation, EKF was found to be more accurate than the mathematical inversion in terms of bias, and compatible in terms of standard deviation. Potential further improvements of the EKF implementation are discussed.
Direct comparisons of GOMOS and SAGE III NO3 vertical profiles
Authors: Hakkarainen J. , Tamminen J. , Moore J. R. , Kyrölä E.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. In this paper, we present the first global comparisons between the two unique satellite-borne data sets of nitrogen trioxide (NO3) vertical profiles retrieved from the GOMOS (Global Ozone Monitoring by the Occultation of Stars) stellar occultations and the SAGE III (Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment) lunar occultations. The comparison results indicate that between the altitudes 25 km and 45 km the median difference between these two data sets is within ± 25%. The study of zonal median profiles shows that the climatologies calculated from GOMOS and SAGE III profiles are comparable and represent the same features in all latitude bands. No clear systematic differences are observed. The median profiles are closest in the tropics and slightly deviating at high latitudes.
Root growth of Lotus corniculatus interacts with P distribution in young sandy soil
Authors: Felderer B. , Boldt-Burisch K. M. , Schneider B. U. , Hüttl R. F. J. , Schulin R.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Large areas of land are restored with un-weathered soil substrates following mining activities in eastern Germany and elsewhere. In the initial stages of colonization of such land by vegetation, plant roots may become key agents in generating soil formation patterns by introducing gradients in chemical and physical soil properties. On the other hand, such patterns may be influenced by root growth responses to pre-existing substrate heterogeneities. In particular, the roots of many plants were found to preferentially proliferate into nutrient-rich patches. Phosphorus (P) is of primary interest in this respect because its availability is often low in unweathered soils, limiting especially the growth of leguminous plants. However, leguminous plants occur frequently among the pioneer plant species on such soils as they only depend on atmospheric nitrogen (N) fixation as N source. In this study we investigated the relationship between root growth allocation of the legume Lotus corniculatus and soil P distribution on recently restored land. As test sites the experimental Chicken Creek Catchment (CCC) in eastern Germany and a nearby experimental site (ES) with the same soil substrate were used. We established two experiments with constructed heterogeneity, one in the field on the experimental site and the other in a climate chamber. In addition we conducted high-density samplings on undisturbed soil plots colonized by L. corniculatus on the ES and on the CCC. In the field experiment, we installed cylindrical ingrowth soil cores (4.5×10 cm) with and without P fertilization around single two-month-old L. corniculatus plants. Roots showed preferential growth into the P-fertilized ingrowth-cores. Preferential root allocation was also found in the climate chamber experiment, where single L. corniculatus plants were grown in containers filled with ES soil and where a lateral portion of the containers was additionally supplied with a range of different P concentrations. In the high-density samplings, we excavated soil-cubes of 10×10×10 cm size from the topsoil of 3 mini-plot areas (50×50 cm) each on the ES and the CCC on which L. corniculatus had been planted (ES) or occurred spontaneously (CCC) and for each cube separated the soil attached to the roots (root-adjacent soil) from the remaining soil (root-distant soil). Root length density was negatively correlated with labile P (resin-extractable P) in the root-distant soil of the CCC plots and with water-soluble P in the root-distant soil of the ES plots. The results suggest that P depletion by root uptake during plant growth soon overrode the effect of preferential root allocation in the relationship between root density and plant-available soil P heterogeneity.
Porting marine ecosystem model spin-up using transport matrices to GPUs
Authors: Siewertsen E. , Piwonski J. , Slawig T.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. We have ported an implementation of the spin-up for marine ecosystem models based on the "Transport Matrix Method" to graphics processing units (GPUs). The original implementation was designed for distributed-memory architectures and uses the PETSc library that is based on the "Message Passing Interface (MPI)" standard. The spin-up computes a steady seasonal cycle of the ecosystem tracers with climatological ocean circulation data as forcing. Since the transport is linear with respect to the tracers, the resulting operator is represented in so-called "transport matrices". Each iteration of the spin-up involves two matrix-vector multiplications and the evaluation of the used biogeochemical model. The original code was written in C and Fortran. On the GPU, we use the CUDA standard, a specialized version of the PETSc toolkit and a CUDA Fortran compiler. We describe the extensions to PETSc and the modifications of the original C and Fortran codes that had to be done. Here we make use of freely available libraries for the GPU. We analyze the computational effort of the main parts of the spin-up for two exemplary ecosystem models and compare the overall computational time to those necessary on different CPUs. The results show that a consumer GPU can beat a significant number of cluster CPUs without further code optimization.
Ground penetrating radar detection of subsnow liquid overflow on ice-covered lakes in interior Alaska
Authors: Gusmeroli A. , Grosse G.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. Lakes are abundant throughout the pan-Arctic region. For many of these lakes ice cover lasts for up to two thirds of the year. This frozen cover allows human access to these lakes, which are therefore used for many subsistence and recreational activities, including water harvesting, fishing, and skiing. Safe access to these lakes may be compromised, however, when, after significant snowfall, the weight of the snow acts on the ice and causes liquid water to spill through weak spots and overflow at the snow-ice interface. Since visual detection of subsnow liquid overflow (SLO) is almost impossible our understanding on SLO processes is still very limited and geophysical methods that allow SLO detection are desirable. In this study we demonstrate that a commercially available, lightweight 1GHz, ground penetrating radar system can detect and map extent and intensity of SLO. Radar returns from wet snow-ice interfaces are at least twice as much in strength than returns from dry snow-ice interface. The presence of SLO also affects the quality of radar returns from the base of the lake ice. During dry conditions we were able to profile ice thickness of up to 1 m, conversely, we did not retrieve any ice-water returns in areas affected by SLO.
Modeling of Permanent Wilting from Particle Size Fractions of Coastal Plain Sands Soils in Southeastern Nigeria
Authors: Obi Chinedu Innocent , Obi Jude C. , Onweremadu Emmanuel U.
Published: July 2012

Permanent wilting points in soils have been found to correlate significantly with particle size fractions. This study was conducted to establish functional relationship between soil particle size fractions and permanent wilting point of soils of coastal plain sands in southeastern Nigeria. A total of 102 surface samples were collected from three different dominantly Ultisols toposequences (i.e., 34 samples from each). Permanent wilting point experiment was carried out in pots with the 102 samples in the greenhouse while the particle size analysis was carried out in the laboratory. There was significant correlation among the textural separates, permanent wilting point correlated significantly with clay (, ). The general linear model showed significant differences between permanent wilting point of soils found in the upper and lower slope positions. Regression equation established that 54% of the total variation in permanent wilting point could be accounted for by the clay and coarse sand content of the soils. Prediction of permanent wilting point of Ultisols formed on coastal plain sands soils of humid tropical southeastern Nigeria will effectively depend on reliability of determination of clay and coarse sand contents of the soils.
Synthesis and Structural Properties of Copper(II), Nickel(II) and Cobalt(II) Complexes with 2,4-Furyliminobenzylacetophenone
Authors: Singh Jagvir , Singh Prashant
Published: July 2012

The new Schiff base ligand (FIAS) 2,4-furyliminobenzylacetophenone has been synthesized with 4-aminoacetophenone
and furane-2-carboxaldehyde by condensation in ethanol. Metal complexes of the ligand were prepared with chloride salts of copper(II),
nickel(II) and cobalt(II) in ethanol. The ligand and its metal complexes have been characterized by microanalysis, magnetic
susceptibility, FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR, mass spectrum, and UV-visible spectroscopy techniques.
From these findings, it is suggested that metal ion coordinate by imines nitrogen and carboxylic oxygen atoms of FIAS to form
octahedral geometry. All the newly compounds were tested antimicrobial activity against bacterial and
fungal species.
Enhancement of Resistance Switching in Electrodeposited Co-ZnO Films
Authors: Chu Dewei , Younis Adnan , Li Sean
Published: July 2012

High quality Co-doped ZnO films were prepared with electrodeposition. The correlation among the surface morphology, lattice structure, Co-dopant distribution, and resistance switching properties of the as-deposited films were investigated. It is found that resistance switching behaviour could be manipulated by controlling the composition of Co in the ZnO films. The significant enhancement of resistance switching was achieved with 5 at% Co doping in the films, and the possible switching mechanism was also discussed.
Antibody-Based Detection of ERG Rearrangements in Prostate Core Biopsies, Including Diagnostically Challenging Cases: ERG Staining in Prostate Core Biopsies
Authors: Tomlins Scott A. , Palanisamy Nallasivam , Siddiqui Javed , Chinnaiyan Arul M. , Kunju Lakshmi P.
Published: July 2012

Context.—Fusions of androgen-regulated genes and v-ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog (avian) (ERG) occur in approximately 50% of prostate cancers, encoding a truncated ERG product. In prostatectomy specimens, ERG rearrangements are greater than 99% specific for prostate cancer or high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia adjacent to ERG-rearranged prostate cancer by fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.

Objective.—To evaluate ERG staining by immunohistochemistry on needle biopsies, including diagnostically challenging cases.

Design.—Biopsies from a retrospective cohort (n  =  111) enriched in cores requiring diagnostic immunohistochemistry and a prospective cohort from all cases during 3 months (n  =  311) were stained with an anti-ERG antibody (clone EPR3864).

Results.—Among evaluable cores (n  =  418), ERG staining was confined to cancerous epithelium (71 of 160 cores; 44%), high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (12 of 68 cores; 18%), and atypical foci (3 of 28 cores; 11%), with staining in only 2 of 162 cores (1%) diagnosed as benign. The ERG was expressed in about 5 morphologically benign glands across 418 cores and was uniformly expressed by all cancerous glands in 70 of 71 cores (99%).

Conclusions.—ERG staining is more prostate cancer–specific than α-methylacyl-coenzyme A racemase, and staining in an atypical focus supports a diagnosis of cancer if high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia can be excluded. Thus, ERG staining shows utility in diagnostically challenging biopsies and may be useful in molecularly subtyping prostate cancer and in stratifying isolated high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia by risk of subsequent cancer.
Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor: Case Report and Review
Authors: Lucas David R.
Published: July 2012

Tenosynovial giant cell tumors are a group of generally benign intra-articular and soft tissue tumors with common histologic features. They can be roughly divided into localized and diffuse types. Localized types include giant cell tumors of tendon sheath and localized pigmented villonodular synovitis, whereas diffuse types encompass conventional pigmented villonodular synovitis and diffuse-type giant cell tumor. Localized tumors are generally indolent, whereas diffuse tumors are locally aggressive. Recent developments indicate that tenosynovial giant cell tumors are clonal neoplastic tumors driven by overexpression of CSF1. Herein, I report a case of intra-articular, localized tenosynovial giant cell tumor (or localized pigmented villonodular synovitis) and review the classification, histopathology, and recent developments regarding its pathogenesis.
Gastrointestinal Lymphomas: Entities and Mimics
Authors: Smith Lauren B. , Owens Scott R.
Published: July 2012

The gastrointestinal tract is the most common extranodal site of lymphoma involvement. Although B-cell lymphomas are by far the most frequent type found in this location, gastrointestinal lymphomas are a diverse group of neoplasms, many of which are characterized by distinctive clinicopathologic settings. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and marginal-zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue are commonly encountered, but other less-common entities can pose diagnostic challenges, mimicking both benign, reactive conditions and each other. We describe several different lymphoma subtypes, with a focus on frequently encountered challenges in differential diagnosis.
Teratoid Hepatoblastoma With Abundant Neuroendocrine and Squamous Differentiation With Extensive Parenchymal Metastasis
Authors: Rabah Raja
Published: July 2012

Teratoid hepatoblastoma is a rare histologic subtype accounting for 4% to 10% of all hepatoblastomas and is characterized by the presence of divergent differentiation, including squamous, mucinous, melanocytic, cartilaginous, osseous, skeletal muscle, and neural elements. It is postulated that the teratoid elements might derive from multipotential less-differentiated stem cells. Teratoid hepatoblastoma responds poorly to chemotherapy and therefore recognition of this variant has prognostic implications. We describe a 1½-year-old child with teratoid hepatoblastoma characterized by unusual clinical and morphologic patterns including prominent neuroendocrine and squamous differentiation.
BNNT-Mediated Irreversible Electroporation: Its Potential on Cancer Cells
Authors: Raffa V. , Riggio C. , Smith M. W. , Jordan K. C. , Cao W. , Cuschieri A.
Published: July 2012

Irreversible lethal electroporation (IRE) is a new non-thermal ablation modality that uses short pulses of high amplitude static electric fields (up 1000 V/cm) to create irreversible pores in the cell membrane, thus, causing cell death. Recently, IRE has emerged as a promising clinical modality for cancer disease treatment. Here, we investigated the responses of tumour human HeLa cells when subjected to IRE in the presence of BNNTs. These consist of tiny tubes of B and N atoms (arranged in hexagons) with diameters ranging from a 1 to 3 nanometres and lengths <2μm. BNNTs have attracted wide attention because of their unique electrical properties. We speculate that BNNTs, when interacting with cells exposed to static electrical fields, amplify locally the electric field, leading to cell death. In this work, electroporation assays were performed with a commercial electroporator using the cell-specific protocol suggested by the supplier (exponential decay wave, time constant 20 ms) with the specific aim to compare IRE in absence and in presence of BNNTs. We observed that BNNTs have the capacity to decrease substantially the voltage required for IRE. When cells were pulsed at 800 V/cm, we observed a 2,2-fold reduction in cell survival in the presence of BNNTs compared to controls. We conclude that the death of the tumour cells exposed to IRE is strongly enhanced in the presence of BNNTs, indicating their potential therapeutic application.
Targeting Liposomal Nanomedicine to Cancer Therapy
Authors: Zhong J. , Dai L. C.
Published: July 2012

Drug delivery systems (DDS) are designed to improve the pharmacological and therapeutic effect. In the past few decades, there are some problems that impeded applications of particulate DDS have been resolved, with several DDS formulations of anticancer now approved for clinical use. Liposomal nanoparticles (LNs) encapsulating therapeutic agents have been recognized as one of the most advanced classes of DDS. Liposomal nanoparticles (LNs) could encapsulate both conventional anticancer drugs and the new genetic drugs with several properties such as high drug-to-lipid ratio, excellent retention of drug and a long circulation lifetime. These excellent properties of LNs have the potentials to offer new treatments in area of cancer therapy. Here, we will discuss recent advances in this field involving conventional anticancer drugs as well as the new genetic drugs.
MicroRNA-34a Suppresses Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in U87 Glioma Stem Cells
Authors: Sun Lihua , Wu Zhifeng , Shao Yun , Pu Yi , Miu Weifeng , Yao Jianshe , Wu Yiping , Yang Zhengxiang
Published: July 2012

Tumor stem cells (TSCs) have been identified in many malignant tumors and are unique in their self-renewal, multi-differentiation and tumor growth maintenance capabilities. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous, non-coding RNAs that predominately modulate target gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Accumulating evidence suggests that some miRNAs have an essential role in TSC proliferation, growth, apoptosis, and differentiation. In particular, miR-34a has been found to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in stem cells. The insensitivity of glioma to standard therapies combined with the hypothesis that glioma stem cells (GSCs) are responsible for this chemorefractory nature suggests that investigations exploring the function and mechanism of miR-34a in GSCs would be of value. In our study, we found that miR-34a is down-regulated in CD133-positive U87 cells. Furthermore, miR-34a could significantly suppress cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in GSCs. These findings suggest that miR-34a acts as a tumor suppressor in U87 GSCs. Therefore, this observation highlights a new potential therapeutic agent for GSC-based glioma treatment.
Vascular Strategies for Enhancing Tumour Response to Radiation Therapy
Authors: El Kaffas Ahmed , Tran William , Czarnota Gregory J.
Published: July 2012

Radiation therapy is prescribed to more than 50% of patients diagnosed with cancer. Although mechanisms of interaction between radiation and tumour cells are well understood on a molecular level, much remains uncertain concerning the interaction of radiation with the tumour as a whole. Recent studies have demonstrated that single large doses of radiation (8–20 Gy) may primarily target tumour endothelial cells, leading to secondary tumour clonogenic cell death. These studies suggest that blood vessels play an important role in radiation response. As a result, various strategies have been proposed to effectively combine radiation with vascular targeting agents. While most proposed schemes focus on methods to disrupt tumour blood vessels, recent evidence supporting that some anti-angiogenic agents may “normalize” tumour blood vessels, in turn enhancing tumour oxygenation and radiosensitivity, indicates that there may be more efficient strategies. Furthermore, vascular targeting agents have recently been demonstrated to enhance radiation therapy by targeting endothelial cells. When combined with radiation, these agents are believed to cause even more localized vascular destruction followed by tumour clonogenic cell death. Taken together, it is now crucial to elucidate the role of tumour blood vessels in radiation therapy response, in order to make use of this knowledge in developing therapeutic strategies that target tumour vasculature above and beyond classic clonogenic tumour cell death. In this report, we review some major developments in understanding the importance of tumour blood vessels during radiation therapy. A discussion of current imaging modalities used for studying vascular response to treatments will also be presented.