bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelo para estimativa da geração de resíduos sólidos domiciliares em centros urbanos a partir de variáveis socioeconômicas conjunturais
Authors: Dias David Montero , Martinez Carlos Barreira , Barros Raphael Tobias Vasconcelos , Marcelo Libânio
Published: February 2013

Este trabalho apresenta um modelo matemático para estimar a geração de resíduos sólidos residenciais urbanos. O modelo foi desenvolvido a partir de uma base física espacial de bairros de Belo Horizonte e dos indicadores socioeconômicos das respectivas populações, referentes ao período de janeiro de 2006 a dezembro de 2010. Verificou-se intrínseca relação entre a geração per capita de resíduos e a renda per capita nas regiões estudadas, testificada por coeficiente de determinação de 0,85. Posteriormente, efetuou-se a validação do modelo com dados da capital de Minas Gerais e de Porto Alegre, na qual os valores estimados foram confrontados com a geração real informada pelas prestadoras de serviços de limpeza urbana locais. A despeito de elaborado com dados de Belo Horizonte e aferido com os de Porto Alegre, os resultados abrem a perspectiva de emprego do modelo proposto na estimativa de geração de resíduos sólidos em áreas urbanas.
Analysis of Reserve Pit Sludge from Unconventional Natural Gas Hydraulic Fracturing and Drilling Operations for the Presence of Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (TENORM)
Authors: Rich Alisa L. , Crosby Ernest C.
Published: February 2013

Soil and water (sludge) obtained from reserve pits used in unconventional natural gas mining was analyzed for the presence of technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive material (TENORM). Samples were analyzed for total gamma, alpha, and beta radiation, and specific radionuclides: beryllium, potassium, scandium, cobalt, cesium, thallium, lead-210 and −214, bismuth−212 and −214, radium−226 and −228, thorium, uranium, and strontium−89 and −90. Laboratory analysis confirmed elevated beta readings recorded at 1329 ± 311 pCi/g. Specific radionuclides present in an active reserve pit and the soil of a leveled, vacated reserve pit included 232Thorium decay series (228Ra, 228Th, 208Tl), and 226Radium decay series (214Pb, 214Bi, 210Pb) radionuclides. The potential for impact of TENORM to the environment, occupational workers, and the general public is presented with potential health effects of individual radionuclides. Current oversight, exemption of TENORM in federal and state regulations, and complexity in reporting are discussed.
Mediating Effect of Positive Psychological Capital in Taiwan's Life Insurance Industry
Authors: Liu York
Published: February 2013

In this study I applied hierarchical regression analysis to positive psychological capital. Emphasis was placed on identifying relationships among perceived supervisor support, positive psychological capital constructs, and job performance in Taiwan's life insurance industry. Hierarchical
regression results indicate that positive psychological capital mediates the relationship between perceived supervisor support and job performance.
Linking Proactive Personality to Moral Imagination: Moral Identity as a Moderator
Authors: Yang Jianfeng
Published: February 2013

In this study I explored the moderating effect of moral identity between proactive personality and moral imagination. Data were collected at 2 time points separated by 1 month from 378 participants. The data for proactive personality, moral personality, and moral identity were collected
at Time 1, and moral imagination was measured at Time 2. Results showed that proactive personality was positively associated with moral imagination for people with high levels of moral identity but was negatively associated with moral imagination for people with low levels of moral identity.
TCF7L2 Variation and Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Luo Jing , Zhao Ling , Chen Aaron Yun , Zhang Xiaohui , Zhu Jin , Zhao Jiagang , Ouyang Hong , Luo Hongrong , Song Yaojun , Lee Janet , Patel Sherrina H. , Shaw Peter X. , Sadda Srinivas , Zhuo Yehong , Rosenfeld Michael G. , Zhang Kang
Published: February 2013

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is the most severe vision-threatening complication of diabetes. For investigation of genetic association between TCF7L2 and PDR in Caucasian type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its functional consequences, 383 T2DM patients with PDR (T2DM-PDR) and 756 T2DM patients without diabetic retinopathy (T2DM–no DR) were genotyped with rs7903146 in TCF7L2. We found that risk allele (T) frequency of rs7903146 was significantly higher in T2DM-PDR patients (allelic P = 2.52E-04). In lymphoblastoid cells induced to undergo endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by treatment of tunicamycin, higher fold change of TCF7L2 and VEGFA mRNA levels were observed in rs7903146-TT cells than in rs7903146-CC cells (P = 0.02 for TCF7L2; P = 0.004 for VEGFA), suggesting that ER stress plays a role in PDR pathogenesis. Silencing TCF7L2 resulted in decreased mRNA levels of both TCF7L2 and VEGFA (P < 0.001). Retinas of oxygen-induced retinopathy mice (a model for PDR) had higher TCF7L2 and VEGFA mRNA levels than those of controls (P = 2.9E-04 for TCF7L2; P = 1.9E-07 for VEGFA). Together, data from our study show that TCF7L2-rs7903146 is associated with PDR in Caucasian T2DM and suggest that TCF7L2 promotes pathological retinal neovascularization via ER stress–dependent upregulation of VEGFA.
A study on ESL vocabulary acquisition needs and classroom practice: a Bangladeshi context
Authors: Arju Sayma
Published: February 2013

The main objective of teaching vocabulary in EFL classes is to empower the learners with sufficient word stock for successful communication. Observations show, for both EFL instructors and learners (of Bangladesh), vocabulary acquisition is an important but tiring task as in most of the cases learners need to memorize blindly lengthy word lists suggested by their instructors as a practice of vocabulary learning. But in their real life communication, learners could rarely use any word that they have been taught as vocabulary items in language classes because only dependency on memorization cannot serve them properly with the right word/s at times of their needs. This study critically analyzes the reasons that makes vocabulary related tasks done in EFL classes mostly unsuccessful and suggests some recommendations that could come in help for achieving an improved outcome. Though the study is done focusing the context of Bangladesh, the picture is more or less common in all EFL contexts. Therefore, the recommendations are applicable anywhere where ESL /EFL Vocabulary acquisition is the concern. Stamford Journal of English; Volume 6; Page 54-71 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sje.v6i0.13902
Teaching speaking in large classes: Crossing the barriers
Authors: Chowdhury Nargis , Shaila Sabrina M
Published: February 2013

The modern theories, approaches and methodologies regarding classroom language learning perceive learning as an interactive process. In countries like Bangladesh, where English is a foreign language, one common phenomenon is that the teachers have to deal with large classes. This paper tries to focus on how the English language teachers deal with large classes at the tertiary level, especially when they are conducting classes to practice and evaluate speaking skills of students. A survey was conducted on 52 English language teachers working at different private universities to find out the problems teachers face when the carry on and observe speaking classes. The study finds that students less exposure to the real life interaction in the target language, their nervousness, influence of the L1, adverse social environment along with other problems tend to hamper the smooth ongoing of the class. But as most of the teachers consider large class as a challenge rather than a problem, so they attempt to utilize different new methods of teaching speaking in classrooms. The authors of this paper suggest some innovative techniques and methods found to be effective and fruitful in large classes. Stamford Journal of English; Volume 6; Page 72-89 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sje.v6i0.13904
Application of peer editing method in English composition class: A positive outcome
Authors: Ferdouse Mst. Farhana
Published: February 2013

Stamford Journal of English; Volume 6; Page 114-132 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sje.v6i0.13907
The Identity Crisis of Lovers in Antony and Cleopatra
Authors: Huq Syed Anwarul
Published: February 2013

Stamford Journal of English; Volume 6; Page 156-163 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sje.v6i0.13910
Resistance to Paterfamilias in Purabi Basus two short stories: Radha Will Not Cook Today and Salehas Desire
Authors: Kaiser Nahid
Published: February 2013

Female writers have always been vocal against the tyranny of the overwhelming demon of patriarchy. Some of the writings of contemporary Bangladeshi female writers like Selina Hossain and Purabi Basu, exhibit a strong sense of resistance to the overpowering hegemony of paterfamilias. The aim of this paper is to focus on the tendency of de-centering the masculine logocentricism as shown in two of the short stories of Purabi Basu, Radha Will Not Cook Today and Salehas Desire. In these texts, we will find two resistant female protagonists, Radha and Saleha, who stand in their own way against societal expectations and break away with the roles the society has imposed on them. Their weapons are either silence or indifference or even violence. Moreover, their resistance may not lead to any positive conclusion. Yet, they are to be celebrated because of their power to oppose the oppressive or suppressive power. Stamford Journal of English; Volume 6; Page 177-185 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sje.v6i0.13912
From Weft and Warp of Weaving to Churning of Grinder: A Diasporic Trajectory in Amitav Ghoshs The Circle of Reason
Authors: Kulsum Umme
Published: February 2013

Amitav Ghoshs first novel The Circle of Reason (1986) demonstrates the relationship between different discourses of knowledge (Science, History, Anthropology) and its colonial application to specific localities that authenticates key strategic policy to determine world trade and economy. In particular, the novel reflects how the emergence of science and textile mills shifts the paradigm of weaving world into the rubric of construction business. This paper focuses on how this manipulative change in world trade and economy predetermines the influx of people from one area to another with their existing skill (weaving) and profession. This paper examines three multicultural cities of three different localities that represent diasporic lives with all their struggle, potentiality, hybridity, mimicry and ambivalence. It will also highlight on how border-business, like trafficking, smuggling, is another important issue that creates newer trajectories for more profitable business (oil, bomb, gold, hashish) that encourages displacement of people. The character of Balaram, one of the major characters of part one of the novel, will be explained as a mimic character as he represents the colonial application of science in this subcontinent. Balaram has been presented according to Homi K. Bhabhas Of Mimicry and Man: The ambivalence of colonial discourse (121). And the diasporic cities like Lalpukur, al-Ghazira and El Oued can be 187   explained from Homi K. Bhabhas, Cultural Diversities and Cultural Differences. Stamford Journal of English; Volume 6; Page 186-202 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sje.v6i0.13913
Evaluation of the Use of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) for the Regeneration of Tracheal Cartilage
Authors: Imaizumi Mitsuyoshi , Nomoto Yukio , Sato Yuka , Sugino Takashi , Miyake Masao , Wada Ikuo , Nakamura Tatsuo , Omori Koichi
Published: February 2013

The treatment of laryngotracheal stenosis remains a challenge as treatment often requires multistaged procedures, and successful decannulation sometimes fails after a series of operations. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were generated in 2006. These cells are capable of unlimited symmetrical self-renewal, thus providing an unlimited cell source for tissue-engineering applications. We have previously reported tracheal wall regeneration using a three-dimensional (3D) scaffold containing iPSCs. However, the efficiency of differentiation into cartilage was low. In addition, it could not be proven that the cartilage tissues were in fact derived from the implanted iPSCs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and improve the use of iPSCs for the regeneration of tracheal cartilage. iPSCs were cultured in vitro in a 3D scaffold in chondrocyte differentiation medium. After cultivation, differentiation into chondrocytes was examined. The ratio of undifferentiated cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. The 3D scaffolds were implanted into tracheal defects, as an injury site, in 24 nude rats. Differentiation into chondrocytes in vitro was confirmed histologically, phenotypically, and genetically. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that the population of undifferentiated cells was decreased. Cartilage tissue was observed in the regenerated tracheal wall in 6 of 11 rats implanted with induced iPSCs, but in none of 13 rats implanted with the control and noninduced iPSCs. The expression of cartilage-specific protein was also demonstrated in vivo in 3D scaffolds containing iPSCs. The presence of the GFP gene derived from iPSCs was confirmed in samples of cartilage tissue by the combination of laser microdissection (LMD) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. Our study demonstrated that iPSCs have the potential to differentiate into chondrogenic cells in vitro. Cartilage tissue was regenerated in vivo. Our results suggest that iPSCs could be a new cell source for the regeneration of tracheal cartilage.
Regulation of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator by MicroRNA-145, -223, and -494 Is Altered in ΔF508 Cystic Fibrosis Airway Epithelium
Authors: Oglesby Irene K. , Chotirmall Sanjay H. , McElvaney Noel G. , Greene Catherine M.
Published: February 2013

Expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is altered in individuals with the ΔF508 CFTR mutation. We previously reported differential expression of microRNA (miRNA) in CF airway epithelium; however, the role of miRNA in regulation of CFTR expression here remains unexplored. In this study, we investigated the role of upregulated miRNAs in CFTR regulation in vivo in bronchial brushings from individuals homozygous or heterozygous for ΔF508 CFTR, validated our observations in vitro, and assessed the impact of defective chloride ion conductance, genotype, and colonization status on miRNA expression. miRNA target prediction was performed in silico, and expression of miRNA and target genes were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and/or Western blotting. Overexpression and inhibition studies were performed with pre-miRs or antimiRs, respectively, and a luciferase reporter gene was used to elucidate direct miRNA–target interactions. miR-145, miR-223, and miR-494 were upregulated in CF versus non-CF bronchial brushings and cell lines; in ΔF508 CFTR homozygotes versus heterozygotes; in subjects positive for P. aeruginosa; and in cells treated with a CFTR inhibitor or IL-1β. Reciprocal downregulation or upregulation of CFTR gene and/or protein expression was observed after miRNA manipulation and direct miRNA–target relationships demonstrated via a reporter system containing a wild type or mutated full-length CFTR 3′ untranslated region. Increased expression of miR-145, miR-223, and miR-494 in vivo in bronchial epithelium of individuals carrying the ΔF508 CFTR mutation correlates with decreased CFTR expression. Defective CFTR function, Pseudomonas colonization, and inflammation may affect miRNA expression and contribute to the regulation of ΔF508 CFTR.
Recruitment, Retention, and Blinding in Clinical Trials
Authors: Page Stephen J. , Persch Andrew C.
Published: February 2013

The recruitment and retention of participants and the blinding of participants, health care providers, and data collectors present challenges for clinical trial investigators. This article reviews challenges and alternative strategies associated with these three important clinical trial activities. Common recruiting pitfalls, including low sample size, unfriendly study designs, suboptimal testing locations, and untimely recruitment are discussed together with strategies for overcoming these barriers. The use of active controls, technology-supported visit reminders, and up-front scheduling is recommended to prevent attrition and maximize retention of participants. Blinding is conceptualized as the process of concealing research design elements from key players in the research process. Strategies for blinding participants, health care providers, and data collectors are suggested.
The Use of a Sequential Extraction Procedure for Heavy Metal Analysis of House Dusts by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
Authors: Altundag Huseyin , Dundar Mustafa Sahin , Dogancı Secil , Celik Muhammed , Tuzen Mustafa
Published: February 2013

In general, dust is considered as house or street dust. Indoor dust, as a contamination source, has been studied for many years. In this work, the original Community Bureau of Reference of the European Commission (BCR) three-stage sequential extraction procedure was applied to the fractionation of Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn in 20 house dust samples from five different areas of Sakarya, Turkey. Acetic acid, hydroxylammonium chloride, and hydrogen peroxide plus ammonium acetate were used for the first, second, and third steps of the BCR method, respectively. The extracts were analyzed for the studied heavy metals using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Validation of the results was performed by using a standard reference material (BCR 701 Sediment) to certify the experimental results obtained and to evaluate the reliability of the method used. The elemental loadings typically increased in magnitude according to the area order: İzmit Caddesi>Ankara Caddesi>Erenler>Karaman>Korucuk. The results were in agreement with values reported in the literature.
Potentiometric Determination of Trace Amounts of Aluminium Utilizing Polyvinyl Chloride Membrane and Coated Platinum Sensors Based on E-N′-(2-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene) benzohydrazide
Authors: Tajik Somayeh , Taher Mohammad Ali , Sheikhshoaie Iran
Published: February 2013

This paper describes the construction and performance characteristics of novel polyvinyl chloride membrane (PME) and coated platinum (CPtE) aluminium (Al) ion selective electrodes based on E-N′-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene) benzohydrazide. The electrodes exhibited linear responses with near Nernstian slopes of 19.9 ± 0.3 (PME) and 20.1 ± 0.4 (CPtE) mV/decade of activity within the Al3+ ion concentration range of 3.0 × 10–7 to 1.0 × 10–2 M for the PME and 1.0 × 10–7 –1.0 × 10–2 M for the CPtE. These sensors were applicable in a pH range of 3.0 to 7.0. The LODs of the PME and CPtE were 1.7 × 10–7 and 5.6 × 10–8 M, respectively. They had a response time of less than 10 s and could be used practically for a period of at least 2 months without measurable divergence in results. The isothermal temperature coefficient of the PME was 1.12 × 10–3 V/°C, and it can tolerate partially nonaqueous media up to 25%. The electrodes showed excellent selectivity towards Al3+ ions in the presence of a wide range of alkali, alkaline earth, and transition metals ions. They were successfully applied for the direct determination of Al3+ ions in tap water, aqueduct water, mineral water, and Al–Mg syrup and as indicator electrodes in potentiometric titration of Al ions with EDTA.
Bioprocess and Fermentation Monitoring
Authors: Pohlscheidt Michael , Charaniya Salim , Bork Christopher , Jenzsch Marco , Noetzel Tim L. , Luebbert Andreas
Published: February 2013

The monitoring and control of biotech processes in different phases of the product lifecycle from early development to commercial production is key for accelerated development and stringent process controls. Effective methods of monitoring are required to develop, optimize, and maintain processes at a maximum efficiency and desired product quality. In the last decade more and more research has been devoted to developing specifically designed sensors, sampling strategies and integrated data management systems to allow better and more detailed process monitoring. Especially with the Process Analytical Technology (PAT) framework published by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004 the measurement, monitoring, modeling and control of biotech processes has become more important. This article will describe general operational aspects of sensors, sampling technologies and methods of process monitoring, advanced applications like soft sensors and metabolic controls including integrated data management and analysis. Practical examples and case studies are used to illustrate the potential of soft sensors, models and advanced sensors.
Nickel(II)‐Magnesium‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of 1,1‐Dibromo‐1‐alkenes with Diphenylphosphine Oxide: One‐Pot Synthesis of (E)‐1‐Alkenylphosphine Oxides or Bisphosphine Oxides
Authors: Liu Liu , Wang Yulei , Zeng Zhiping , Xu Pengxiang , Gao Yuxing , Yin Yingwu , Zhao Yufen
Published: February 2013

A novel nickel(II)‐magnesium‐mediated cross‐coupling of diphenylphosphine oxide with a variety of 1,1‐dibromo‐1‐alkenes has been developed, which provides a powerful and general methodology for the stereoselective synthesis of various (E)‐1‐alkenylphosphine oxides or bisphosphine oxides, with operational simplicity of the procedure, good to high yields and broad substrate applicability. Mechanistic studies reveal that the reaction might involve a Hirao reduction, cross‐coupling and Michael addition.
Optically Active 2,3‐Allenoates via Palladium‐Catalyzed Carbonylation of Enantioenriched Propargylic Mesylates
Authors: Wang Yuli , Ma Shengming
Published: February 2013

Under mild conditions, optically active 2,3‐allenoates were synthesized from enantioenriched propargylic mesylates with moderate to excellent yields and high efficiency of chirality transfer by using palladium(0) bis(dibenzylideneacetone) (3 mol%) with (S)‐(−)‐5,5′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐4,4′‐bi‐1,3‐benzodioxole [(S)‐SEGPHOS] (3 mol%) as the catalyst and diammonium hydrogen phosphate (1.1 equiv .) as the base.
Aldehyde‐Catalyzed Transition Metal‐Free Dehydrative β‐Alkylation of Methyl Carbinols with Alcohols
Authors: Xu Qing , Chen Jianhui , Liu Quan
Published: February 2013

Different to the borrowing hydrogen strategy in which alcohols were activated by transition metal‐catalyzed anaerobic dehydrogenation, the direct addition of aldehydes was found to be an effective but simpler way of alcohol activation that can lead to efficient and green aldehyde‐catalyzed transition metal‐free dehydrative C‐alkylation of methyl carbinols with alcohols. Mechanistic studies revealed that the reaction proceeds via in situ formation of ketones by Oppenauer oxidation of the methyl carbinols by external aldehydes, aldol condensation, and Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley (MPV)‐type reduction of α,β‐unsatutated ketones by substrate alcohols, affording the useful long chain alcohols and generating aldehydes and ketones as the by‐products that will be recovered in the next condensation to finish the catalytic cycle.
Monodispersed and Stable Nano Copper(0) from Copper‐ Aluminium Hydrotalcite: Importance in CC Couplings of Deactivated Aryl Chlorides
Authors: Arundhathi Racha , Damodara Dandu , Mohan Kakita Veera , Kantam Mannepalli Lakshmi , Likhar Pravin R.
Published: February 2013

A simple one‐step approach for the preparation of highly monodispersed nano copper(0) stabilized on alumina [Cu(0)/Al2O3] by thermal reduction of copper‐aluminium hydrotalcite (Cu‐Al HT) under a hydrogen atmosphere is described. The transformation of Cu‐Al HT to Cu(0)/Al2O3 occurrs via dehydroxylation of divalent and trivalent metal hydroxides and decarboxylation of carbonate anions present in the interlayers of hydrotalcite, as confirmed by XPS, XANES, XRD and TEM analysis. Cu(0)/Al2O3 nano composites were used as an efficient catalyst in the CC coupling of deactivated aryl chlorides. The high efficiency and reusability exhibited by Cu(0)/Al2O3 outline its potential as an alternative over traditional noble metal‐based catalysts in CC coupling reactions.
Nanomechanics controls neuronal precursors adhesion and differentiation
Authors: Migliorini Elisa , Ban Jelena , Grenci Gianluca , Andolfi Laura , Pozzato Alessandro , Tormen Massimo , Torre Vincent , Lazzarino Marco
Published: February 2013

The ability to control the differentiation of stem cells into specific neuronal types has a tremendous potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In vitro neuronal differentiation can be guided by the interplay of biochemical and biophysical cues. Different strategies to increase the differentiation yield have been proposed, focusing everything on substrate topography, or, alternatively on substrate stiffness. Both strategies demonstrated an improvement of the cellular response. However it was often impossible to separate the topographical and the mechanical contributions. Here we investigate the role of the mechanical properties of nanostructured substrates, aiming at understanding the ultimate parameters which govern the stem cell differentiation. To this purpose a set of different substrates with controlled stiffness and with or without nanopatterning are used for stem cell differentiation. Our results show that the neuronal differentiation yield depends mainly on the substrate mechanical properties while the geometry plays a minor role. In particular nanostructured and flat polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates with comparable stiffness show the same neuronal yield. The improvement in the differentiation yield obtained through surface nanopatterning in the submicrometer scale could be explained as a consequence of a substrate softening effect. Finally we investigate by single cell force spectroscopy the neuronal precursor adhesion on the substrate immediately after seeding, as a possible critical step governing the neuronal differentiation efficiency. We observed that neuronal precursor adhesion depends on substrate stiffness but not on surface structure, and in particular it is higher on softer substrates. Our results suggest that cell–substrate adhesion forces and mechanical response are the key parameters to be considered for substrate design in neuronal regenerative medicine. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 2301–2310. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cooverexpression of alanine aminotransferase 1 in Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing taurine transporter further stimulates metabolism and enhances product yield
Authors: Tabuchi Hisahiro , Sugiyama Tomoya
Published: February 2013

Innovation in monoclonal antibody (mAb) production continues to be driven by cell engineering strategies to increase yield and improve product quality. In a previous study, to investigate the effectiveness of transporter overexpression strategies, we prepared a taurine transporter‐overexpressing host cell line (DXB11/TAUT) that produced a higher proportion of high‐mAb‐titer strains than did the parent host cell line. In the current study, we selected a single DXB11/TAUT/mAb1 strain that remained viable for longer (up to 1 month) under common fed‐batch culture conditions, and the improvement in viability could be attributed to its improved metabolic properties. It was also more productive (up to >100 pg/cell/day) and yielded more mAb1 (up to 8.1 g/L/31 days) than the parent cell line, and the mAb1 it produced was of comparable quality. These results suggested that this host cell engineering strategy has unique potential for the improvement of mAb‐producing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells; for example, it may be appropriate for high cell density perfusion culture. TAUT‐overexpressing cell lines rapidly accumulated the byproduct alanine, and our challenge in the present study was to apply a strategy for modulating cell metabolism to utilize this byproduct to achieve a high mAb yield in a shorter culture period. To accomplish this, we genetically modified the DXB11/TAUT/mAb1 strain to cooverexpress alanine aminotransferase 1 (ALT1). The resulting DXB11/TAUT/mAb1/ALT1 cooverexpressing strain gave a higher mAb yield in a shorter culture period (5.9 g/L/14 days). It is usually difficult to drive the overexpression of two functional genes while balancing competing goals. However, forced cooverexpression of TAUT and ALT1 in our DXB11/TAUT/mAb1/ALT1 strain resulted in a higher proliferation than the DXB11/TAUT/mAb1 strain, with an ideal balance between cell viability and productivity. Therefore, we have demonstrated a strategy capable of achieving an optimum balance among the goals of cell viability, productivity, and proliferative capacity. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 2208–2215. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electron Transfer between Hydrogen‐Bonded Pyridylphenols and a Photoexcited Rhenium(I) Complex
Authors: Herzog William , Bronner Catherine , Löffler Susanne , He Bice , Kratzert Daniel , Stalke Dietmar , Hauser Andreas , Wenger Oliver S.
Published: February 2013

Two pyridylphenols with intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the phenol and pyridine units have been synthesized, characterized crystallographically, and investigated by cyclic voltammetry and UV/Vis spectroscopy. Reductive quenching of the triplet metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer excited state of the [Re(CO)3(phen)(py)]+ complex (phen=1,10‐phenanthroline, py=pyridine) by the two pyridylphenols and two reference phenol molecules is investigated by steady‐state and time‐resolved luminescence spectroscopy, as well as by transient absorption spectroscopy. Stern–Volmer analysis of the luminescence quenching data provides rate constants for the bimolecular excited‐state quenching reactions. H/D kinetic isotope effects for the pyridylphenols are on the order of 2.0, and the bimolecular quenching reactions are up to 100 times faster with the pyridylphenols than with the reference phenols. This observation is attributed to the markedly less positive oxidation potentials of the pyridylphenols with respect to the reference phenols (≈0.5 V), which in turn is caused by proton coupling of the phenol oxidation process. Transient absorption spectroscopy provides unambiguous evidence for the photogeneration of phenoxyl radicals, that is, the overall photoreaction is clearly a proton‐coupled electron‐transfer process.
Prediction of multivariate chaotic time series via radial basis function neural network
Authors: Chen Diyi , Han Wenting
Published: February 2013

In this article, a new multivariate radial basis functions neural network model is proposed to predict the complex chaotic time series. To realize the reconstruction of phase space, we apply the mutual information method and false nearest‐neighbor method to obtain the crucial parameters time delay and embedding dimension, respectively, and then expand into the multivariate situation. We also proposed two the objective evaluations, mean absolute error and prediction mean square error, to evaluate the prediction accuracy. To illustrate the prediction model, we use two coupled Rossler systems as examples to do simultaneously single‐step prediction and multistep prediction, and find that the evaluation performances and prediction accuracy can achieve an excellent magnitude. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity, 2013.
Bilirubin Oxidase‐Based Nanobiocathode Working in Serum‐Mimic Buffer for Implantable Biofuel Cell
Authors: Gutiérrez‐Sánchez Cristina , Pita Marcos , Toscano Miguel D. , De Lacey Antonio L.
Published: February 2013

Low‐density graphite electrodes have been covalently modified with gold nanoparticles and used as scaffold for the oriented immobilization of Myrothecium verrucaria bilirubin oxidase. The developed nanobioelectrodes have been tested as a biocathode in a human‐serum surrogate buffer that mimics physiological conditions. The nanostructured bioelectrode offered a −140 µA cm−2 current density under serum‐mimic conditions at 0.2 V, and was operational during at least 6 days.
Pandora's growing box: Inferring the evolution and development of hominin brains from endocasts
Authors: Zollikofer Christoph Peter Eduard , De León Marcia Silvia Ponce
Published: February 2013

The brain of modern humans is an evolutionary and developmental outlier: At birth, it has the size of an adult chimpanzee brain and expands by a factor of 2 during the first postnatal year. Large neonatal brain size and rapid initial growth contrast with slow maturation, which extends well into adolescence. When, how, and why this peculiar pattern of brain ontogeny evolved and how it is correlated with structural changes in the brain are key questions of paleoanthropology. Because brains and their ontogenies do not fossilize, indirect evidence from fossil hominin endocasts needs to be combined with evidence from modern humans and our closest living relatives, the great apes. New fossil finds permit a denser sampling of hominin endocranial morphologies along ontogenetic and evolutionary time lines. New brain imaging methods provide the basis for quantifying endocast‐brain relationships and tracking endocranial and brain growth and development noninvasively. Combining this evidence with ever‐more detailed knowledge about actual and fossil “brain genes,” we are now beginning to understand how brain ontogeny and structure were modified during human evolution and what the adaptive significance of these modifications may have been.
Unprecedented upper‐air dropsonde observations over Antarctica from the 2010 Concordiasi Experiment: Validation of satellite‐retrieved temperature profiles
Authors: Wang Junhong , Hock Terry , Cohn Stephen A. , Martin Charlie , Potts Nick , Reale Tony , Sun Bomin , Tilley Frank
Published: February 2013

The 2010 Concordiasi field experiment took place over Antarctica from September to December 2010. During Concordiasi, for the first time, 13 National Center for Atmospheric Research Driftsonde systems were launched from McMurdo station, ascended to the stratosphere, and then drifted with the winds. The Driftsonde provides a unique platform to release dropsondes that measure the atmosphere from the lower stratosphere to the surface in otherwise difficult to reach parts of the globe. A total of 639 soundings were obtained and provided unprecedented high quality profiles over Antarctica. The sounding temperature profiles are compared with matched profiles from ten satellite products. All satellite products except The Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) are consistent colder than the sounding data, with larger discrepancies over the Antarctic continent than the coast and ocean. The COSMIC data are in agreement with the sounding data and display no degradation over the continent.
Broadband array observations of the 300 km seismic discontinuity
Authors: Schmerr Nicholas C. , Kelly Byron M. , Thorne Michael S.
Published: February 2013

Intermittent seismic discontinuities near 250–300 km depth beneath South America and the Pacific basin are detected with high‐resolution seismic array methods that use SS and PP precursors recorded at the High Lava Plains Seismic Experiment and the EarthScope Transportable Array. The transformation of coesite to stishovite in an eclogite‐rich mantle composition produces a seismic discontinuity near 300 km depth; lateral changes in basalt fraction of the upper mantle will thus produce an intermittent seismic discontinuity. The sensitivity of the precursors to intermittent seismic structure is addressed using an axisymmetric finite difference model of wave propagation in the mantle. These numerical experiments find that the precursors are sensitive to structures ≥500 km in lateral extent and that the observations of this discontinuity are plausibly tied to lateral variations in basaltic composition of the upper mantle related to dynamics, such as plumes and subduction.
Distribution of petroleum hydrocarbons in soils and the underlying unsaturated subsurface at an abandoned petrochemical site, North China
Authors: Zhang Qian , Wang Guangcai , Sugiura Norio , Utsumi Motoo , Zhang Zhenya , Yang Yingnan
Published: February 2013

Contamination characteristics of petroleum hydrocarbons in soils and the underlying unsaturated subsurface were analysed by investigating and sampling at different depth of five boreholes named SH1 through SH5 at a typical petrochemical site, North China. Topsoil volatile organic gas measurement revealed that SH‐3 was the center of one pollution plume. Soil samples analysis showed that aromatic hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons were major pollutants. Their maximum concentration was found at 6.5 and 14.6 m of SH‐2, 13 m of SH‐5, and 18.5 m of SH‐3. These pollutants are mostly accumulated on the interface between two different lithological layers, especially between the sand and silt clay layers. Denitrifying and iron reducing were main biogeochemical processes in this site. Under the influence of groundwater level fluctuation, free NAPLs passed through the boundary and dissolved into the lower groundwater. Knowledge of these associations between contaminant distributions and affecting factors could have implications for soil and groundwater pollution prevention and control. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modulation of calcineurin activity in mouse brain by chronic oral administration of cyclosporine A
Authors: Liu Haipeng , Tu Linghui , Wang Qianru , Sun Yue , Ma Yipeng , Cen Juren , Wei Qun , Luo Jing
Published: February 2013

Summary

Calcineurin (CN) is an important phosphatase that mediates many physiological and pathological processes. The regulators of calcineurin (RCAN1) and Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) are two endogenous modulators of CN activity. Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a well‐known exogenous inhibitor of CN and used as an immunosuppressive drug after transplantation and for the treatment of immune diseases. The degree of CN inhibition by CsA varies among each tissue. The brain accumulates low levels of CsA due to the blood–brain barrier after oral administration. In our study, we investigated RCAN1 and SOD1 expression in long‐term CsA‐treated mouse brain. Using Western blot, we found that chronic CsA treatment had caused significant up‐regulation of RCAN1‐1L and RCAN1‐4 protein isoforms after 25 days in mouse brain. At the same time, chronic CsA treatment also resulted in decreased expression of SOD1. We simultaneously found more dramatic CN inhibition in mouse brain. It was suspected that the significant reduction of CN activity in vivo resulted partially from up‐regulated RCAN1 and down‐regulated SOD1 expression. In contrast, CsA treatment in SY5Y cells affected SOD1 expression and CN activity significantly, but had no obvious effects on RCAN1‐1 mRNA expression. The changes of RCAN1, SOD1, and CN activity may be part of maladaptive responses, resulting in neuropathological conditions. These data might partially explain CsA neurotoxicity despite the low concentration of CsA in brain. © 2013 IUBMB Life 65(5):445–453, 2013.
Comparison between transperineal ultrasound and digital detection of levator ani trauma. Can we improve the odds?
Authors: Kruger Jennifer A. , Dietz Hans Peter , Budgett Stephanie C. , Dumoulin Chantale L.
Published: February 2013

Aims

To investigate the predictive ability of four digital assessment parameters to detect levator ani (LA) muscle defects (avulsion injury) and compare these to transperineal tomographic ultrasound images.

Methods

This was an observational study imbedded in a larger quasi‐experimental cohort study for women with urinary incontinence. Seventy‐two women, ≥60 years who had attended or were going to attend physiotherapy for treatment of urinary incontinence, were included in the study. Inclusion criteria from the parent study were symptoms of stress, urge or both types of urinary incontinence. The predictive ability of the following digital parameters: direct palpation of a discontinuity of the LA muscle from insertion on the pubic ramus; palpation of the distance between the muscle insertion sites; palpation of LA strength; palpation of LA tone, were analyzed against findings from tomographic transperineal ultrasound images. Correlation between methods was measured using Cohen's kappa for each of the individual parameters.

Results

Seventeen women (24%) presented with a complete or partial avulsion of the puborectalis muscle as diagnosed with tomographic ultrasound imaging. Nine women (13%) had complete avulsions, one of which was bilateral. The predictive ability of the digital assessment parameters varied from poor (k = 0.187, 95% CI [0.02–0.36]) to moderate (k = 0.569, 95% CI [0.31–0.83]). The new parameter of ‘width between insertion sites’ performed best.

Conclusions

Adding the parameter of “width between insertion sites” appears to enhance our ability to detect avulsion of the levator ani (LA) muscle by digital examination however it does not distinguish between unilateral or bilateral avulsion. Neurourol. Urodynam. 33:307–311, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Chern-Simons diffusion rate in improved holographic QCD
Authors: Gürsoy U. , Iatrakis I. , Kiritsis E. , Nitti F. , O’Bannon A.
Published: February 2013

Abstract

In (3 + 1)-dimensional SU(N
c) Yang-Mills (YM) theory, the Chern-Simons diffusion rate, ΓCS, is determined by the zero-momentum, zero-frequency limit of the retarded two-point function of the CP-odd operator tr [F ∧ F ], with F the YM field strength. The Chern-Simons diffusion rate is a crucial ingredient for many CP-odd phenomena, including the chiral magnetic effect in the quark-gluon plasma. We compute ΓCS in the high-temperature, deconfined phase of Improved Holographic QCD, a refined holographic model for large-N
c YM theory. Our result for ΓCS/(sT ), where s is entropy density and T is temperature, varies slowly at high T and increases monotonically as T approaches the transition temperature from above. We also study the retarded two-point function of tr [F ∧ F ] with non-zero frequency and momentum. Our results suggest that the CP-odd phenomena that may potentially occur in heavy ion collisions could be controlled by an excitation with energy on the order of the lightest axial glueball mass.
Mini-Split
Authors: Arvanitaki Asimina , Craig Nathaniel , Dimopoulos Savas , Villadoro Giovanni
Published: February 2013

Abstract

The lack of evidence for new physics beyond the standard model at the LHC points to a paucity of new particles near the weak scale. This suggests that the weak scale is tuned and that supersymmetry, if present at all, is realized at higher energies. The measured Higgs mass constrains the scalar sparticles to be below 105TeV, while gauge coupling unification favors Higgsinos below 100 TeV. Nevertheless, in many models gaugino masses are suppressed and remain within reach of the LHC. Tuning the weak scale and the renormalization group evolution of the scalar masses constrain Split model building. Due to the small gaugino masses, either the squarks or the up-higgs often run tachyonic; in the latter case, successful electroweak breaking requires heavy higgsinos near the scalar sparticles. We discuss the consequences of tuning the weak scale and the phenomenology of several models of Split supersymmetry including anomaly mediation, U(1)B−Lmediation, and Split gauge mediation.
Mechanisms for the near-UV photodissociation of CH3I on D2O/Cu(110)
Authors: Miller E. R. , Muirhead G. D. , Jensen E. T.
Published: February 2013

The system of CH3I adsorbed on submonolayer, monolayer, and multilayer thin films of D2O on Cu(110) has been studied by measuring the time of flight (TOF) distributions of the desorbing CH3 fragments after photodissociation using linearly polarized λ = 248 nm light. For multilayer D2O films (2–120 ML), the photodissociation is dominated by neutral photodissociation via the “A-band” absorption of CH3I. The polarization and angle dependent variation in the observed TOF spectra of the CH3 photofragments find that dissociation is largely via the 3Q0 excited state, but that also a contribution via the 1Q1 excitation can be identified. The photodissociation results also indicate that the CH3I adsorbed on D2O forms close-packed islands at submonolayer coverages, with a mixture of C–I bond axis orientations. For monolayer and submonolayer quantities of D2O we have observed a contribution to CH3I photodissociation via dissociative electron attachment (DEA) by photoelectrons. The observed DEA is consistent with delocalized photoelectrons from the substrate causing the observed dissociation– we do not find evidence for an enhanced DEA mechanism via the temporary solvation of photoelectrons in localized states of the D2O ice.
Thermostats and thermostat strategies for molecular dynamics simulations of nanofluidics
Authors: Yong Xin , Zhang Lucy T.
Published: February 2013

The thermostats in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of highly confined channel flow may have significant influences on the fidelity of transport phenomena. In this study, we exploit non-equilibrium MD simulations to generate Couette flows with different combinations of thermostat algorithms and strategies. We provide a comprehensive analysis on the effectiveness of three thermostat algorithms Nosé-Hoover chain (NHC), Langevin (LGV) and dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) when applied in three thermostat strategies, thermostating either walls (TW) or fluid (TF), and thermostating both the wall and fluid (TWTF). Our results of thermal and mechanical properties show that the TW strategy more closely resembles experimental conditions. The TF and TWTF systems also produce considerably similar behaviors in weakly sheared systems, but deviate the dynamics in strongly sheared systems due to the isothermal condition. The LGV and DPD thermostats used in the TF and TWTF systems provide vital ways to yield correct dynamics in coarse-grained systems by tuning the fluid transport coefficients. Using conventional NHC thermostat to thermostat fluid only produces correct thermal behaviors in weakly sheared systems, and breaks down due to significant thermal inhomogeneity in strongly sheared systems.
Competing structural phase transition scenarios in the giant tetragonality ferroelectric BiFeO3-PbTiO3: Isostructural vs multiphase transition
Authors: Kothai V. , Senyshyn Anatoliy , Ranjan Rajeev
Published: February 2013

A systematic x-ray and neutron powder diffraction study of the giant tetragonality multiferroic (1−x) BiFeO3-(x) PbTiO3 have revealed that the compositions close to the morphotropic phase boundary present two different structural phase transition scenarios on cooling from the cubic phase: (i) cubic → tetragonal (T2) + tetragonal (T1) → tetragonal (T1) and (ii) cubic →  tetragonal (T2) + tetragonal (T1) + rhombohedral (R3c) → tetragonal (T1) + rhombohedral (R3c). The comparatively larger tetragonality (c/a − 1) of the T1 phase as compared to the coexisting isostructural T2 phase is shown to be a result of significantly greater degree of overlap of the Pb/Bi-6s and Ti/Fe-3d with the O-2p orbitals as compared to that in the T2 phase. The formation/suppression of the minor metastable rhombohedral phase seems to be governed by subtle play of local kinetic factors. In the scenario when the minor rhombohedral (R) phase is formed along with the tetragonal phases it is able to accommodate the large transformation stress in the system due to formation of the tetragonal phases, and prevent the solid from disintegration into powder after sintering. When the metastable rhombohedral phase is not formed, the large transformation strain ruptures the grain boundaries leading to fragmentation of the dense solid to powder.