bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fire pattern analysis and synthesis using EigenFires and motion transitions
Authors: Nikfetrat Nima , Lee Won‐Sook
Published: May 2013

We introduce novel approaches of intuitive and easy‐to‐use realistic fire animation, starting from real‐life fire by image‐based techniques and statistical analysis. The results can be utilized as a pre‐rendered sequence of images in video games, motion graphics, and cinematic visual effects. Instead of physics‐based simulation, we employ an example‐based principal component analysis and introduce “EigenFires.” We visualize the main features of various fire samples to analyze their tracks and synthesize a new fire by combining various fire samples, recorded with high frame rates, in order to edit given sequences of fire animations. For this purpose, we present how to recognize similarity of the shapes of fire in order to change the pattern from one style of fire to another distinct style of fire procedurally. Our techniques require very little parameter tuning, compared with conventional physically based fire synthesis, video textures, and dynamic textures. A similar level of visually pleasing compressed fire is also easily produced by using principal component analysis techniques. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Necrotic and apoptotic cells serve as nuclei for calcification on osteoblastic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro
Authors: Fujita Hirofumi , Yamamoto Masanao , Ogino Tetsuya , Kobuchi Hirotsugu , Ohmoto Naoko , Aoyama Eriko , Oka Takashi , Nakanishi Tohru , Inoue Keiji , Sasaki Junzo
Published: May 2013

A close relationship between cell death and pathological calcification has recently been reported, such as vascular calcification in atherosclerosis. However, the roles of cell death in calcification by osteoblast lineage have not been elucidated in detail. In this study, we investigated whether cell death is involved in the calcification on osteoblastic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) under osteogenic culture in vitro. Apoptosis and necrosis occurred in an osteogenic culture of hMSC, and cell death preceded calcification. The generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, chromatin condensation and fragmentation, and caspase‐3 activation increased in this culture. A pan‐caspase inhibitor (Z‐VAD‐FMK) and anti‐oxidants (Tiron and n‐acetylcysteine) inhibited osteogenic culture‐induced cell death and calcification. Furthermore, calcification was significantly promoted by the addition of necrotic dead cells or its membrane fraction. Spontaneously dead cells by osteogenic culture and exogenously added necrotic cells were surrounded by calcium deposits. Induction of localized cell death by photodynamic treatment in the osteogenic culture resulted in co‐localized calcification. These findings show that necrotic and apoptotic cell deaths were induced in an osteogenic culture of hMSC and indicated that both necrotic and apoptotic cells of osteoblast lineage served as nuclei for calcification on osteoblastic differentiation of hMSC in vitro. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Liquid‐Phase RNA Synthesis by Using Alkyl‐Chain‐Soluble Support
Authors: Kim Shokaku , Matsumoto Masanori , Chiba Kazuhiro
Published: May 2013

Recent progress in the RNA therapeutics has increased demand for the synthesis of large quantities of oligoribonucleotides. The assembly of RNA oligomers relies mainly on solid‐phase approaches. These allow rapid product purification and the ability to drive a target reaction to completion through the use of excess reagents. Despite the known advantages of solid‐phase synthesis, some issues in the process remain to be addressed, such as low and limited scale, reagent accessibility, and the use of a very large excess of reagents. Herein, we report a highly efficient and practical method of liquid‐phase synthesis of RNA oligomers by using alkyl‐chain‐soluble support. We demonstrate the utility of the liquid‐phase method through 21‐mer RNA synthesis on a gram scale.
Cross‐Flow Electro Membrane Filtration: Theory and Application in the Dairy Industry
Authors: Holder Aline , Scholz Sabine , Kulozik Ulrich , Hinrichs Jörg
Published: May 2013

The selective fractionation of functional peptides during conventional filtration can be improved by superimposing an electrical field. Therefore, electrolytic parameters, mass flow of protein as well as the amount of target peptides in the permeate were analyzed in order to study the effect of peptide fractionation. It was found that the position of the electrodes in combination with the electrical charges of the peptides is a decisive factor for a successful fractionation.
Die Chemie bei Breaking Bad
Authors: Harnisch Falk , Salthammer Tunga
Published: May 2013

Die amerikanische TV‐Serie Breaking Bad handelt von dem hochintelligenten und krebskranken Chemiker Walter H. White, der aus Sorge um die finanzielle Zukunft seiner Familie beginnt, N‐Methylamphetamin (Crystal Meth) herzustellen und damit in das Drogengeschäft einsteigt. Walter nutzt seinen überragenden Intellekt und seine naturwissenschaftlichen Kenntnisse, um sich in der von Gewalt beherrschten Drogenszene durchzusetzen. Dabei entwickelt er sich von einem desillusionierten Menschen und biederen Familienvater zu einem zielgerichtet handelnden und skrupellosen Charakter, der auch vor drastischen Maßnahmen nicht zurückschreckt.
From Molecular Complexes to Complex Metallic Nanostructures—2H Solid‐State NMR Studies of Ruthenium‐Containing Hydrogenation Catalysts
Authors: Gutmann Torsten , del Rosal Iker , Chaudret Bruno , Poteau Romuald , Limbach Hans‐Heinrich , Buntkowsky Gerd
Published: May 2013

In the last years, the combination of 2H solid‐state NMR techniques with quantum‐chemical calculations has evolved into a powerful spectroscopic tool for the characterization of the state of hydrogen on the surfaces of heterogeneous catalysts. In the present minireview, a brief summary of this development is given, in which investigations of the structure and dynamics of hydrogen in molecular complexes, clusters and nanoparticle systems are presented, aimed to understand the reaction mechanisms on the surface of hydrogenation catalysts. The surface state of deuterium/hydrogen is analyzed employing a combination of variable‐temperature 2H static and magic‐angle spinning (MAS) solid‐state NMR techniques, in which the dominant quadrupolar interactions of deuterium give information on the binding situation and local symmetry of deuterium/hydrogen on molecular species. Using a correlation database from molecular complexes and clusters, the possibility to distinguish between terminal RuD, bridged Ru2D, three‐fold Ru3D, and interstitial Ru6D is demonstrated. Combining these results with quantum‐chemical density functional theory (DFT) calculations allows the interpretation of 2H solid‐state data of complex “real world” nanostructures, which yielded new insights into reaction pathways at the molecular level.
Diabetes is not an independent risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Tseng Chin‐Hsiao
Published: May 2013

Background

It is controversial whether diabetes is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in countries with high prevalence of viral hepatitis such as Taiwan.

Methods

From the Taiwanese National Health Insurance, 1 000 000 insurants were randomly selected for the study. Among them, 494 080 men and 502 841 women without HCC were followed from 2003 until 2005. Relative risks were estimated taking into account alcohol‐related diagnoses, chronic liver disease, potential HCC detection examinations and other covariates.

Results

The diabetes patients were more likely to receive examinations of abdominal sonography, HBsAg, anti‐HCV and alpha‐fetoprotein. Multivariable‐adjusted relative risk (95% confidence interval) was not significant for diabetes as a risk factor for HCC in either men or women: 0.932 (0.788–1.101) for men and 1.158 (0.968–1.386) for women. While comparing diabetes duration <1, 1–3 and ≥3 years to non‐diabetes individuals, the respective relative risks were 1.043 (0.751–1.448), 0.945 (0.738–1.209) and 0.901 (0.744–1.091) for men; and were 0.950 (0.610–1.480), 1.169 (0.884–1.546) and 1.189 (0.974–1.452) for women. For both sexes, age, alcohol‐related diagnoses, chronic liver disease and potential detection bias were significantly associated with higher risk, but dyslipidemia and stroke a lower risk. In addition, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was associated with a lower risk and sulfonylurea a higher risk in men. Models that did not consider alcohol‐related diagnoses, chronic liver disease and potential detection bias would result in spurious association between diabetes and HCC.

Conclusions

Diabetes is not an independent risk factor for HCC after considering the effects of alcohol‐related diagnoses, chronic liver disease and potential detection bias. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
AdipoQ polymorphisms are associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta‐analysis study
Authors: Chu Haiyan , Wang Meilin , Zhong Dongyan , Shi Danni , Ma Lan , Tong Na , Zhang Zhengdong
Published: May 2013

Objective

Adiponectin (AdipoQ) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and is considered as an important candidate gene for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). So far, there have been many studies to investigate the association between the adiponectin polymorphisms and T2DM risk. However, the results are conflicting. To derive a more precise estimation, we performed a meta‐analysis to assess the association between five AdipoQ polymorphisms [−11426A > G (rs16861194), −11391G > A (rs17300539), −11377C > G (rs266729), +45T > G (rs2241766) and +276G > T (rs1501299)], and T2DM risk.

Methods

The fixed and random‐effects model should be used to assess the summary odds ratios (ORs) of each study. ORs with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the strength of association. On the basis of the included criteria, we selected 39 papers, among which eight for −11426A > G, 14 for −11391G > A, 21 for −11377C > G, 28 for +45 T > G and 24 for +276G > T. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the stability of the results. Both Begg's funnel plots and Egger's test are commonly used to evaluate publication bias.

Results

Overall, we found that individuals with the −11426G allele had a 0.15‐fold significantly increased T2DM risk (additive model: 1.15, 1.04–1.27, 0.222). In the stratified analyses, we found that the −11426A > G, −11391G > A and −11377C > G polymorphisms could increase T2DM risk in European populations in the additive model. For Asian populations, we found that the −11377C > G polymorphism also could elevate T2DM risk.

Conclusions

Our results suggested that the adiponectin −11426A > G polymorphism could contribute to the T2DM risk. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Deep wound cultures correlate well with bone biopsy culture in diabetic foot osteomyelitis
Authors: Malone M. , Bowling F. L. , Gannass A. , Jude E. B. , Boulton A. J. M.
Published: May 2013

Background

Osteomyelitis is a major complication in patients with diabetic foot ulceration. Accurate pathogenic identification of organisms can aid the clinician to a specific antibiotic therapy thereby preventing the need for amputation.

Methods

All diabetic patients with bone biopsy‐confirmed osteomyelitis were included into the study: biopsies were performed either during surgical removal of infected bone or percutaneously under guided fluoroscopy through non‐infected tissue. The depth and extent of the ulcer was assessed using a sterile blunt metal probe. Deep wound cultures were taken from the wound base after sharp debridement.

Results

Of 66 cases of suspected osteomyelitis in 102 joints, 34 patients had both bone biopsies and deep wound cultures over the study period. Thirty two of 34 (94%), had a history of preceding foot ulceration, and in 25 of the cases a positive probe to bone test was recorded. In a high proportion of patients, at least one similar organism was isolated from both the deep wound culture and bone biopsy procedures (25 of 34 cases, 73.5%, p<0.001). When organisms were isolated from both wound cultures and bone biopsies, the identical strain was identified in both procedures in a significant proportion of cases (16 of 25 cases, 64%, p<0.001, total sample analysis in 16 of 34 cases, 47%).

Conclusions

Deep wound cultures correlate well with osseous cultures and provide a sensitive method in assessing and targeting likely pathogens that cause osseous infections. This will help aid the clinician in guiding antibiotic therapy in centers where bone biopsies may not be readily available. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Circulating secreted frizzled‐related protein 5 (Sfrp5) and wingless‐type MMTV integration site family member 5a (Wnt5a) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Lu Yung‐Chuan , Wang Chao‐Ping , Hsu Chia‐Chang , Chiu Cheng‐An , Yu Teng‐Hung , Hung Wei‐Chin , Lu Li‐Fen , Chung Fu‐Mei , Tsai I‐Ting , Lin Hsien‐Chang , Lee Yau‐Jiunn
Published: May 2013

Background

Secreted frizzled‐related protein 5 (Sfrp5), an endogenous inhibitor of wingless‐type MMTV integration site family (Wnt) signalling, is an anti‐inflammatory adipokine whose expression is perturbed in models of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Wnt member 5a (Wnt5a) is a representative ligand, and recent reports suggest that Wnt5a is involved in inflammatory diseases and metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate whether plasma Wnt5a and Sfrp5 levels are altered in patients with T2DM.

Methods

Plasma Sfrp5 and Wnt5a concentrations were measured through enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in type 2 diabetic and nondiabetic subjects.

Results

A total of 82 patients with T2DM and 42 nondiabetic subjects were studied. Plasma Sfrp5 levels were found to be elevated in patients with T2DM (9.4 ± 9.0 vs 7.4 ± 10.9 ng/mL, p = 0.006). In contrast, Wnt5a levels were decreased (6.8 ± 12.6 vs 9.1 ± 4.0 ng/dL, p < 0.001). Increasing concentrations of Sfrp5 were independently and significantly associated with T2DM. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed Sfrp5 as an independent association factor for T2DM, even after full adjustment of known biomarkers. In a multiple linear regression analysis, only the fasting glucose level was positively associated with the plasma Sfrp5 level.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that Sfrp5 may play a role in the pathogenesis of T2DM. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Life‐history strategy defends against disease and may select against physiological resistance
Authors: Gibson Amanda K. , Petit Elsa , Mena‐Ali Jorge , Oxelman Bengt , Hood Michael E.
Published: May 2013

Host ecological traits may limit exposure to infectious disease, thereby generating the wide variation in disease incidence observed between host populations or species. The exclusion of disease by ecological traits may then allow selection to act against physiological defenses when they are costly to maintain in the absence of disease. This study investigates ecological resistance in the Silene‐Microbotryum pathosystem. An estimated 80% of perennial Silene species host the anther‐smut disease while no annuals harbor the disease in nature. Artificial inoculations of annual and perennial Silene plants, obtained from both natural and horticultural populations, demonstrate that the absence of disease in annuals is not explained by elevated physiological resistance. The annual habit is thus a powerful form of ecological defense against anther smut. Moreover, the higher susceptibility of annual species to anther smut relative to perennials supports the hypothesis of a loss of costly physiological resistance under ecological protection. The observation in annuals that physiological susceptibility is correlated with lower rates of flowering (i.e., lower fitness) suggests that variation in physiological resistance is costly in the absence of disease, even in a naїve Silene species. The absence of disease in natural populations of annuals combined with their high physiological susceptibility attest to the strength of host ecology in shaping the distribution of disease and to the dynamic nature of disease resistance.
Employing 454 amplicon pyrosequencing to reveal intragenomic divergence in the internal transcribed spacerrDNAregion in fungi
Authors: Lindner Daniel L. , Carlsen Tor , Henrik Nilsson R. , Davey Marie , Schumacher Trond , Kauserud Håvard
Published: May 2013

TherDNAinternal transcribed spacer (ITS) region has been accepted as a DNA barcoding marker for fungi and is widely used in phylogenetic studies; however, intragenomic ITS variability has been observed in a broad range of taxa, including prokaryotes, plants, animals, and fungi, and this variability has the potential to inflate species richness estimates in molecular investigations of environmental samples. In this study 454 amplicon pyrosequencing of the ITS1 region was applied to 99 phylogenetically diverse axenic single‐spore cultures of fungi (Dikarya: Ascomycota and Basidiomycota) to investigate levels of intragenomic variation. Three species (one Basidiomycota and two Ascomycota), in addition to a positive control species known to contain ITS paralogs, displayed levels of molecular variation indicative of intragenomic variation; taxon inflation due to presumed intragenomic variation was ≈9%. Intragenomic variability in the ITS region appears to be widespread but relatively rare in fungi (≈3–5% of species investigated in this study), suggesting this problem may have minor impacts on species richness estimates relative to PCR and/or pyrosequencing errors. Our results indicate that 454 amplicon pyrosequencing represents a powerful tool for investigating levels of ITS intragenomic variability across taxa, which may be valuable for better understanding the fundamental mechanisms underlying concerted evolution of repetitive DNA regions.
Role of evolutionary and ecological factors in the reproductive success and the spatial genetic structure of the temperate gorgonianParamuricea clavata
Authors: Mokhtar‐Jamaï Kenza , Coma Rafel , Wang Jinliang , Zuberer Frederic , Féral Jean‐Pierre , Aurelle Didier
Published: May 2013

Dispersal and mating features strongly influence the evolutionary dynamics and the spatial genetic structure (SGS) of marine populations. For the first time in a marine invertebrate, we examined individual reproductive success, by conducting larval paternity assignments after a natural spawning event, combined with a small‐scaleSGSanalysis within a population of the gorgonianParamuricea clavata. Thirty four percent of the larvae were sired by male colonies surrounding the brooding female colonies, revealing that the bulk of the mating was accomplished by males from outside the studied area. Male success increased with male height and decreased with increasing male to female distance. The parentage analyses, with a strong level of self‐recruitment (25%), unveiled the occurrence of a complex family structure at a small spatial scale, consistent with the limited larval dispersal of this species. However, no evidence of small scaleSGSwas revealed despite this family structure. Furthermore, temporal genetic structure was not observed, which appears to be related to the rather large effective population size. The low level of inbreeding found suggests a pattern of random mating in this species, which disagrees with expectations that limited larval dispersal should lead to biparental inbreeding. Surface brooding and investment in sexual reproduction inP. clavatacontribute to multiple paternity (on average 6.4 fathers were assigned per brood), which enhance genetic diversity of the brood. Several factors may have contributed to the lack of biparental inbreeding in our study such as (i) the lack of sperm limitation at a small scale, (ii) multiple paternity, and (iii) the large effective population size. Thus, our results indicate that limited larval dispersal and complex family structure do not necessarily lead to biparental inbreeding andSGS. In the framework of conservation purposes, our results suggested that colony size, proximity among colonies and the population size should be taken into consideration for restoration projects.
Investigation of the Electroreduction Behavior, Electroreduction Mechanism and Voltammetric Determination of Medetomidine on the Graphene Paste Electrode
Authors: Parvin Mohammad Hadi , Najafi Mostafa
Published: May 2013

This paper presents a method for the construction of a graphene paste electrode (GPE) from reduced graphene oxide (RGO). The GPE was successfully used for the determination of medetomidine. The influence of some experimental variables such as pH, supporting electrolyte, scan rate, and possible interferences were studied. Differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) peak currents of medetomidine increased linearly with its concentration in the range from 0.009 to 2.5 µM. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) values for the determination of medetomidine were 2.8 and 9.2 nM, respectively. Also, for the first time, the electroreduction behavior of medetomidine was investigated.
Fabrication and Properties of Redox Ion Doped Few Monolayer Thick Polyelectrolyte Film for Electrochemical Biosensors at High Sensitivity and Specificity
Authors: Lee Seung‐Woo , Lopez Jeffrey , Saraf Ravi F.
Published: May 2013

Redox ions are deposited on a polyelectrolyte‐coated gold electrode by an electric field to fabricate an ion‐selective thin film electrode. The Fe(CN)${{{4- \hfill \atop 6\hfill}}}$ ions are deposited on a few monolayer‐coated polyelectrolyte gold electrode by a slow periodic potential cycle. The deposition process and electrode properties are quantitatively and simultaneously monitored by cyclic voltammetry and a novel technique, using a Scanning Electrometer for Electrical Double‐layers (SEED). No redox properties are obtained without the electric‐field‐deposition. Owing to the redox mediation and net charge due to the redox ion, the electrode is ion‐selective. We demonstrate the principle to detect 1 µM of dopamine in a mixture with 1 mM of ascorbic acid.
Preparation and characterization of nickel-spiked freshwater sediments for toxicity tests: Toward more environmentally realistic nickel partitioning
Authors: Brumbaugh William G. , Besser John M. , Ingersoll Christopher G. , May Thomas W. , Ivey Chris D. , Schlekat Christian E. , Garman Emily Rogevich
Published: May 2013

Two spiking methods were compared and nickel (Ni) partitioning was evaluated during a series of toxicity tests with 8 different freshwater sediments having a range of physicochemical characteristics. A 2-step spiking approach with immediate pH adjustment by addition of NaOH at a 2:1 molar ratio to the spiked Ni was effective in producing consistent pH and other chemical characteristics across a range of Ni spiking levels. When Ni was spiked into sediment having a high acid-volatile sulfide and organic matter content, a total equilibration period of at least 10 wk was needed to stabilize Ni partitioning. However, highest spiking levels evidently exceeded sediment binding capacities; therefore, a 7-d equilibration in toxicity test chambers and 8 volume-additions/d of aerobic overlying water were used to avoid unrealistic Ni partitioning during toxicity testing. The 7-d pretest equilibration allowed excess spiked Ni and other ions from pH adjustment to diffuse from sediment porewater and promoted development of an environmentally relevant, 0.5- to 1-cm oxic/suboxic sediment layer in the test chambers. Among the 8 different spiked sediments, the logarithm of sediment/porewater distribution coefficient values (log Kd) for Ni during the toxicity tests ranged from 3.5 to 4.5. These Kd values closely match the range of values reported for various field Ni-contaminated sediments, indicating that testing conditions with our spiked sediments were environmentally realistic. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:2482–2494. © 2013 SETAC
Inflammatory, Chronic and Highly Complex
Authors: Deschner James , Jepsen Søren , Jäger Andreas
Published: May 2013

Periodontitis is a widespread disease. A better understanding of the intricate interactions between the periodontium, the oral cavity and the organism as a whole could result in more effective prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this common affliction.
Recent observations of high mass density polar mesospheric clouds: A link to space traffic?
Authors: Siskind David E. , Stevens Michael H. , Hervig Mark E. , Randall Cora E.
Published: May 2013

Observations of polar mesospheric clouds by the Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere Explorer show that for the Northern summers of 2007–2010, the cloud ice water content (IWC) and occurrence frequency varied with the meteorological forcing from the Southern winter stratosphere. With the increase in solar flux in the last two years, expectations were that the clouds would decrease due to reduced water vapor (H2O) and/or higher temperatures. Surprisingly, we observe more clouds in 2011 and 40% greater IWC in 2011 and 2012. The increase is particularly pronounced in the clouds with highest IWC. These high IWC clouds are associated with significant enhancements in total H2O (vapor and ice). We suggest this implies an additional source of H2O and that this is provided by space traffic exhaust. A preliminary estimate of the H2O released from summertime space traffic over the last six years is qualitatively consistent with this suggestion.
Strengthening of ocean heat uptake efficiency associated with the recent climate hiatus
Authors: Watanabe Masahiro , Kamae Youichi , Yoshimori Masakazu , Oka Akira , Sato Makiko , Ishii Masayoshi , Mochizuki Takashi , Kimoto Masahide
Published: May 2013

The rate of increase of global‐mean surface air temperature (SATg) has apparently slowed during the last decade. We investigated the extent to which state‐of‐the‐art general circulation models (GCMs) can capture this hiatus period by using multimodel ensembles of historical climate simulations. While the SATg linear trend for the last decade is not captured by their ensemble means regardless of differences in model generation and external forcing, it is barely represented by an 11‐member ensemble of a GCM, suggesting an internal origin of the hiatus associated with active heat uptake by the oceans. Besides, we found opposite changes in ocean heat uptake efficiency (κ), weakening in models and strengthening in nature, which explain why the models tend to overestimate the SATg trend. The weakening of κ commonly found in GCMs seems to be an inevitable response of the climate system to global warming, suggesting the recovery from hiatus in coming decades.
Overturning circulation driven by breaking internal waves in the deep ocean
Authors: Nikurashin Maxim , Ferrari Raffaele
Published: May 2013

A global estimate of the water‐mass transformation by internal wave‐driven mixing in the deep ocean is presented. The estimate is based on the energy conversion from tidal and geostrophic motions into internal waves combined with a turbulent mixing parameterization. We show that internal wave‐driven mixing in the deep ocean can sustain 20–30 Sv of water‐mass transformation. One third or more of this transformation is attributed to lee waves generated by geostrophic motions flowing over rough topography, primarily in the Southern Ocean. While these results are uncertain due to many assumptions, poorly constrained parameters and data noise that enter in the calculation, the result that lee wave‐driven mixing plays an important role in the abyssal ocean circulation is likely robust. The implication is that lee wave‐driven mixing should be represented in ocean and climate models, but currently it is not.
Effects of pore fluid pressure on slip behaviors: An experimental study
Authors: Ougier‐Simonin A. , Zhu W.
Published: May 2013

Slow slip behaviors are suggested to have a close correlation with the presence of excess pore fluid pressure. In this study, we conducted deformation experiments with and without excess pore pressure on intact porous sandstone samples to investigate effect of pore fluid pressure on rupture growth and slip instability. Experimental conditions are such that the samples failed either in brittle faulting or transitional regimes. The experimental results indicate that in the brittle faulting regime prone to seismic deformation, excess pore pressure causes reduction in brittle strength but no detectable difference in slip behavior compared to the cases without excess pore pressure. In the transitional regime, which is prone to stable deformation, excess pore pressure induces slip instability on otherwise stable sliding faults, but there are measurable differences compared to the unstable slip in the brittle faulting regime due to the interaction between unstable crack growth and dilatancy hardening.
The influence of hyporheic exchange on reach‐scale water budgets in a Precambrian Shield catchment, Quebec, Canada
Authors: Zanatta Ryan C. , Carey Sean K. , Richardson Murray
Published: May 2013

The influence of hyporheic exchange on water and solute budgets of streams is widely identified as important; yet, there is a notable absence of research identifying its role in Precambrian Shield headwater streams. This research addressed this shortcoming by quantifying the proportions of solute mass loss, net and gross water gains and losses for selected reaches over a single summer recession period. Six conservative tracer injections were performed on nine reaches of a 2.94‐km2 catchment in Gatineau Park, Quebec, Canada, from July to November, 2011. High solute exchange occurred for all reaches despite most showing positive net discharge. Solute losses in stream reaches typically exceeded 10%, and substantial gross water losses and gains indicate a high degree of bi‐directional water exchange along stream reaches. Both solute loss and the fraction of channel water involved in hyporheic exchange increased throughout the summer in response to a decrease in discharge and increase in the time of contact. Results support the assertion that reductions in groundwater contributions to streamflow throughout the summer baseflow period allow for greater exchange of water through hyporheic flowpaths, which constitute the majority of gross channel losses and gains. Spatial (inter‐reach) variability in mass loss has been previously ascribed to watershed control on exchange potential. In this catchment, net discharge and gross hydrologic gains were inversely related to the average flowpath gradients within the valley bottom and local hillslope contributing areas. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing regression‐based statistical approaches for downscaling precipitation over North America
Authors: Chen Jie , Brissette François P. , Leconte Robert
Published: May 2013

This paper assesses linear regression‐based methods in downscaling daily precipitation from the general circulation model (GCM) scale to a regional climate model (RCM) scale (45‐ and 15‐km grids) and down to a station scale across North America. Traditional downscaling experiments (linking reanalysis/dynamical model predictors to station precipitation) as well as nontraditional experiments such as predicting dynamic model precipitation from larger‐scale dynamic model predictors or downscaling dynamic model precipitation from predictors at the same scale are conducted. The latter experiments were performed to address predictability limit and scale issues. The results showed that the downscaling of daily precipitation occurrence was rarely successful at all scales, although results did constantly improve with the increased resolution of climate models. The explained variances for downscaled precipitation amounts at the station scales were low, and they became progressively better when using predictors from a higher‐resolution climate model, thus showing a clear advantage in using predictors from RCMs driven by reanalysis at its boundaries, instead of directly using reanalysis data. The low percentage of explained variances resulted in considerable underestimation of daily precipitation mean and standard deviation. Although downscaling GCM precipitation from GCM predictors (or RCM precipitation from RCM predictors) cannot really be considered downscaling, as there is no change in scale, the exercise yields interesting information as to the limit in predictive ability at the station scale. This was especially clear at the GCM scale, where the inability of downscaling GCM precipitation from GCM predictors demonstrates that GCM precipitation‐generating processes are largely at the subgrid scale (especially so for convective events), thus indicating that downscaling precipitation at the station scale from GCM scale is unlikely to be successful. Although results became better at the RCM scale, the results indicate that, overall, regression‐based approaches did not perform well in downscaling precipitation over North America. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Global sensitivity analysis of hydrologic processes in major snow‐dominated mountainous river basins in Colorado
Authors: Sanadhya Pranay , Gironás Jorge , Arabi Mazdak
Published: May 2013

The performance of watershed models in simulating stream discharge depends on the adequate representation of important watershed processes. In snow‐dominated systems, snow, surface and subsurface hydrologic processes comprise a complex network of nonlinear interactions that influence the magnitude and timing of discharge. This study aims to identify critical processes and interactions that control discharge hydrographs in five major mountainous snow‐dominated river basins in Colorado, USA. A comprehensive watershed model (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) and a variance‐based global sensitivity analysis technique (Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test) were used in conjunction to identify critical models parameters and processes that they represent. Average monthly streamflow and streamflow root mean square error over a period of 20 years were used as two separate objective functions in this analysis. Examination of the sensitivity of monthly streamflow revealed the influence of parameters on flow volume, whereas the sensitivity of streamflow root mean square error also exposed the influence of parameters on the timing of the hydrographs. A stability analysis was performed to investigate the computational requirements for a robust sensitivity analysis. Results show that streamflow volume is mostly influenced by shallow subsurface processes, whereas interactions between groundwater and snow processes were the key in the timing of streamflows. A large majority of important parameters were common among all study watersheds, which underlies the prospect for regionalization of process‐based hydrologic modelling in headwater river basins in Colorado. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photochromic Diarylethene Derivatives Bearing Hydrophilic Substituents
Authors: Shoji Yuichiro , Yagi Akira , Horiuchi Masahiro , Morimoto Masakazu , Irie Masahiro
Published: May 2013

Photochromic diarylethene derivatives bearing hydrophilic N,N‐bis(2‐(2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethyl)sulfonamide (SO2NTEG2) (1–3) or myo‐inositol (4–6) substituents were synthesized. Although the solubility in aqueous solution of the derivatives containing the four tri(ethylene glycol) chains was relatively poor, the solubility was improved by introducing two myo‐inositol residues. The derivatives could be dissolved even in pure water and underwent photochromism upon alternate irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) and visible light, in both organic and aqueous solutions. The absorption maxima of the open‐ and closed‐ring isomers of these derivatives and the photostationary conversion ratios from the open‐ to the closed‐ring isomers upon UV irradiation did not change much, even when the solvent polarity was changed. These results indicate that the diarylethene derivatives are mono‐molecularly dissolved in aqueous solution and that intermolecular interactions between the derivatives are negligible when the concentration is less than 1×10−4 mol⋅L−1.
X-ray–verified fractures are associated with finite element analysis–derived bone strength and trabecular microstructure in young adult men
Authors: Rudäng Robert , Darelid Anna , Nilsson Martin , Mellström Dan , Ohlsson Claes , Lorentzon Mattias
Published: May 2013

It has been suggested that fracture during childhood could be a predictor of low peak bone mass and thereby a potential risk factor for osteoporosis and fragility fractures later in life. The aim of this cross-sectional, population-based study was to investigate whether prevalent fractures, occurring from birth to young adulthood, were related to high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT)–derived trabecular and cortical microstructure, as well as bone strength estimated by finite element (FEA) analysis of the radius and tibia in 833 young adult men around the time of peak bone mass (ages 23 to 25 years). In total, 292 subjects with prevalent X-ray–verified fractures were found. Men with prevalent fractures had lower trabecular bone volume fraction (BV/TV) at the radius (5.5%, p < 0.001) and tibia (3.7%, p < 0.001), as well as lower cortical thickness (5.1%, p < 0.01) and cortical cross-sectional area (4.1%, p < 0.01) at the tibia. No significant differences were seen for the cortical porosity or mean pore diameter. Using a logistic regression model (including age, smoking, physical activity, calcium intake, height, and weight as covariates), every SD decrease of FEA-estimated failure load was associated with an increased prevalence of fractures at both the radius (odds ratio [OR] 1.22 [1.03–1.45]) and tibia (OR 1.32 [1.11–1.56]). Including dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)–derived radius areal bone mineral density (aBMD), cortical thickness, and trabecular BV/TV simultaneously in a logistic regression model (with age, smoking, physical activity, calcium intake, height, and weight as covariates), BV/TV was inversely and independently associated with prevalent fractures (OR 1.28 [1.04–1.59]), whereas aBMD and cortical thickness were not (OR 1.19 [0.92–1.55] and OR 0.91 [0.73–1.12], respectively). In conclusion, prevalent fractures in young adult men were associated with impaired trabecular BV/TV at the radius, independently of aBMD and cortical thickness, indicating that primarily trabecular bone deficits are of greatest importance for prevalent fracture in this population. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
The Existence of Mixed Orthogonal Arrays with Four and Five Factors of Strength Two
Authors: Chen Guangzhou , Ji Lijun , Lei Jianguo
Published: May 2013

Symmetric orthogonal arrays and mixed orthogonal arrays are useful in the design of various experiments. They are also a fundamental tool in the construction of various combinatorial configurations. In this paper, we investigated the mixed orthogonal arrays with four and five factors of strength two, and proved that the necessary conditions of such mixed orthogonal arrays are also sufficient with several exceptions and one possible exception.
Directional synthesis of liquid higher olefins through catalytic transformation of bio‐oil
Authors: Yuan Yanni , Bi Peiyan , Fan Minghui , Zhang Zhaoxia , Jiang Peiwen , Li Quanxin
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND

Catalytic transformation of bio‐oil into higher olefins can provide valuable bio‐fuels and chemicals used in the manufacture of high‐octane gasoline, detergents, plasticizers and other petrochemicals. This work explores the production of higher olefins from bio‐oil through catalytic cracking of bio‐oil along with light olefins oligomerization.

RESULTS

For bio‐oil catalytic cracking, the olefins yield reached 43.8 C‐mol% with near‐complete bio‐oil conversion. The oxygenated organic compounds in bio‐oil go through deoxygenation, cracking and hydrogen transfer reactions and form light olefins over the zeolite acid sites. For the oligomerization of light olefins, the highest selectivity and yield of C5+ olefins over the LTGO catalyst reached 85.4 C‐mol% and 326.7 g kg−1cata h−1, respectively. Main products below 300°C were C6=—C12= olefins, originating from light olefin oligomerization. The influences of the reaction conditions were investigated in detail, and the reaction mechanism was addressed.

CONCLUSION

Bio‐oil can be catalytically converted to C2=–C4= light olefins over HZSM‐5, and further selectively transformed to C5+ high olefins via the oligomerization of light olefins over LTGO. The transformation of bio‐oil to higher olefins may be useful for the production of bio‐fuels and high value chemicals using renewable biomass. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Sonographic diagnosis of bilateral pneumothorax following an acupuncture session
Authors: Harriott Allison , Mehta Ninfa , Secko Michael , Romney Marie‐Laure S.
Published: May 2013

We present the case of a 57‐year‐old woman who presented with the acute onset of chest pain and dyspnea, which started while undergoing acupuncture for neck pain. A bedside ultrasound revealed bilateral pneumothoraces, which were confirmed radiographically. We discuss the details of the case, the sonographic features of pneumothorax, and the role of bedside ultrasonography in the assessment of an acutely dyspneic patient. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 42:27–29, 2014
Arctic‐scale assessment of satellite passive microwave‐derived snow depth on sea ice using Operation IceBridge airborne data
Authors: Brucker Ludovic , Markus Thorsten
Published: May 2013

Snow depth on sea ice (SD) is a key geophysical variable, knowledge of which is critical for calculating the energy and mass balance budgets. Moreover, accurate knowledge of the SD distribution is important to retrieve sea‐ice thicknesses from altimetry data. So far, only space‐based microwave radiometers (e.g., Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for Earth Observing System; AMSR‐E) provide operational SD on seasonal sea‐ice retrievals. A thorough assessment of these retrievals is needed on a large scale and on a variety of sea‐ice types. Our study presents such an assessment on Arctic sea ice using NASA's airborne Operation IceBridge (OIB) SDs, retrieved from radar measurements. Between 2009 and 2011, ∼610 12.5 km satellite grid cells were covered by seasonal sea ice where both satellite SD retrievals and OIB data were available. Using all the available data, the difference between the AMSR‐E product and the averaged OIB snow‐radar‐derived SD is 0.00±0.07 m. Satellite‐derived SD was accurate in the Beaufort Sea and the Canadian Archipelago but underestimated (∼0.07 m) in the Nares Strait. The RMSE between the two products ranges between 0.03 and 0.15 m. The RMSE is less than 0.06 m over a shallow snow cover (<0.20 m), in areas where satellite‐retrieved ice concentrations are higher than 90%, surface smooth, and ice thicker than ∼0.5 m. Locally the AMSR‐E algorithm can significantly underestimate SD. Several regions where the retrievals were less accurate (error >0.10 m) have been identified and related to the presence of either low ice concentration or significant fraction of multiyear ice within the grid cell that has not been flagged.
Decadal prediction of interannual tropical and North Pacific sea surface temperature
Authors: Lienert Fabian , Doblas‐Reyes Francisco J.
Published: May 2013

The performance of a coupled climate forecast system initialized with observations, relative to the accompanying uninitialized system, to re‐forecast annual‐mean tropical and North Pacific Sea Surface Temperature (SST) departures at the decadal time scale is described. The study finds that the correlation skill of the leading Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) mode of North Pacific SSTs, i.e., the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), is limited to about one year, while the second mode, i.e., the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation (NPGO), is skillfully forecast throughout the 10‐year forecast range. In the tropical Pacific, it is found that the correlation skill of the leading EOF mode of tropical Pacific SSTs, i.e., El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and the second mode, i.e., ENSO‐Modoki, is limited to about two years and one year. A main contributor to forecast skill of the NPGO are the effects of the long‐term trend on Pacific SSTs while little impact of the initialization was found.
SERPINB2 down‐regulation contributes to chemoresistance in head and neck cancer
Authors: Huang Zhiquan , Li Haigang , Huang Qi , Chen Dan , Han Jingjing , Wang Lili , Pan Chanbin , Chen Weiliang , House Michael G. , Nephew Kenneth P. , Guo Zhongmin
Published: May 2013

Resistance to cisplatin‐based chemotherapy is responsible for the majority of deaths from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In this study, using genome‐wide gene expression analysis to investigate potential molecular mediators of HNSCC chemoresistance, we identified SERPINB2, a known inhibitor of extracellular serine proteinase urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA), as an important candidate. Whereas SERPINB2 is known to function as a suppressor of uPA molecular cascades, many of which play important roles in tumor invasion and metastasis, a role for SERPINB2 in cancer drug resistance has not been examined. By using quantitative real‐time PCR and Western blot analysis, we determined that SERPINB2 mRNA and protein levels correlated with chemoresistance in HNSCC cell lines, and significantly lower SERPINB2 expression levels were observed in two cisplatin resistant HNSCC subclones compared to their isogenic drug‐sensitive parental lines. Immunohistochemical analysis of HNSCC tumor tissues from patients treated with neoadjuvant cisplatin‐based chemotherapy (n = 67 cases) revealed a significant association between SERPINB2 protein levels, tumor differentiation and patient relapse. Moreover, SERPINB2 down‐regulation was a strong predictor of reduced overall survival in patients with HNSCC who received cisplatin‐based chemotherapy (P = 0.001, log rank test). Studies using either siRNA‐mediated down‐regulation or forced over‐expression of SERPINB2 in HNSCC cell lines confirmed a functional role for SERPINB2 in drug resistance. The findings were further supported using chemical inhibitors of STAT3 activity (a downstream effecter of uPAR signaling pathway), showing that STAT3 suppression altered HNSCC cell line cisplatin sensitivity. This is the first report on a role for SERPINB2 in acquired resistance to cisplatin in patients with HNSCC. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Zebularine inhibits the growth of A549 lung cancer cells via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis
Authors: You Bo Ra , Park Woo Hyun
Published: May 2013

Zebularine (Zeb) is a DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor to that has an anti‐tumor effect. Here, we evaluated the anti‐growth effect of Zeb on A549 lung cancer cells in relation to reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Zeb inhibited the growth of A549 cells with an IC50 of approximately 70 µM at 72 h. Cell cycle analysis indicated that Zeb induced an S phase arrest in A549 cells. Zeb also induced A549 cell death, which was accompanied by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP; ΔΨm), Bcl‐2 decrease, Bax increase, p53 increase and activation of caspase‐3 and ‐8. In contrast, Zeb mildly inhibited the growth of human pulmonary fibroblast (HPF) normal cells and lead to a G1 phase arrest. Zeb did not induce apoptosis in HPF cells. In relation to ROS level, Zeb increased ROS level in A549 cells and induced glutathione (GSH) depletion. The well‐known antioxidant, N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC) prevented the death of Zeb‐treated A549 cells. Moreover, Zeb increased the level of thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1) in A549 cells. While the overexpression of TrxR1 attenuated death and ROS level in Zeb‐treated A549 cells, the downregulation of TrxR1 intensified death and ROS level in these cells. In conclusion, Zeb inhibited the growth of A549 lung cancer cells via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The inhibition was influenced by ROS and TrxR1 levels. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.