bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Circulating fibrocytes contribute to the pathogenesis of collagen antibody–induced arthritis
Authors: Galligan Carole L. , Fish Eleanor N.
Published: June 2012

Objective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease resulting in joint inflammation. Fibroblast‐like synoviocytes in affected joints are responsible for pannus formation and cytokine/chemokine production, resulting in leukocyte recruitment and bone/cartilage destruction. Previously, we identified a multipotent stem cell population of activated fibrocytes in the blood of patients with RA that may have a role in disease pathogenesis, perhaps as fibroblast‐like synoviocyte precursors. The aim of this study was to further characterize the contribution of circulating fibrocytes to the pathogenesis of RA.

Methods

Circulating fibrocytes were isolated from mice with collagen‐induced arthritis and transferred intravenously into recipient mice with collagen antibody–induced arthritis (CAIA). The activation status of circulating fibrocytes was determined using multidimensional phosphoflow cytometric analysis of the signaling effectors STAT‐5, STAT‐1, AKT, and JNK. Circulating fibrocyte trafficking and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity were assessed in real time using fluorescence molecular tomography, specifically labeling circulating fibrocytes with CellVue Maroon and measuring MMP activity using MMPSense 680.

Results

The numbers of circulating fibrocytes were increased early during the onset of CAIA, concomitant with their activation, as measured by phosphorylation of STAT‐5. Adoptive transfer of circulating fibrocytes augmented disease scores and increased class II major histocompatibility complex expression and peripheral blood phosphoactivation profiles in recipient mice with CAIA. Notably, adoptively transferred fluorescence‐labeled circulating fibrocytes rapidly migrated into the affected joints of recipient mice with CAIA, and this was associated with augmented neutrophil recruitment into affected joints and MMP activation.

Conclusion

Circulating fibrocytes migrate to joints and influence the onset of disease processes in arthritis.
DIFFERENTIAL RESPONDING ACROSS THERAPISTS IN A FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS: A CASE STUDY
Authors: Parks Natalie A. , Clark Seth B. , Call Nathan A.
Published: June 2012

False negative functional analysis (FA) results may be less likely when caregivers serve as therapists, as problem behavior may be more likely to occur in the presence of a caregiver than with a novel therapist. This case study both replicated and extended prior research on this topic. It provides an example of FA results differing between a caregiver and novel therapist and also showed that FA results may differ across caregivers when they serve as therapists. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cell‐free production of trimeric influenza hemagglutinin head domain proteins as vaccine antigens
Authors: Welsh John P. , Lu Yuan , He Xiao‐Song , Greenberg Harry B. , Swartz James R.
Published: June 2012

In order to effectively combat pandemic influenza threats, there is a need for more rapid and robust vaccine production methods. In this article, we demonstrate E. coli‐based cell‐free protein synthesis (CFPS) as a method to rapidly produce domains from the protein hemagglutinin (HA), which is present on the surface of the influenza virus. The portion of the HA coding sequence for the “head” domain from the 2009 pandemic H1N1 strain was first optimized for E. coli expression. The protein domain was then produced in CFPS reactions and purified in soluble form first as a monomer and then as a trimer by a C‐terminal addition of the T4 bacteriophage foldon domain. Production of soluble trimeric HA head domain was enhanced by introducing stabilizing amino acid mutations to the construct in order to avoid aggregation. Trimerization was verified using size exclusion HPLC, and the stabilized HA head domain trimer was more effectively recognized by antibodies from pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine recipients than was the monomer and also bound to sialic acids more strongly, indicating that the trimers are correctly formed and could be potentially effective as vaccines. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109: 2962–2969. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Design of Ca2+‐independent Staphylococcus aureus sortase A mutants
Authors: Hirakawa Hidehiko , Ishikawa Suguru , Nagamune Teruyuki
Published: June 2012

The catalytic activity of Staphylococcus aureus sortase A (SaSrtA) is dependent on Ca2+, because binding of Ca2+ to Glu residues distal to the active site stabilizes the substrate binding site. To obtain Ca2+‐independent SaSrtA, we substituted two Glu residues in the Ca2+‐binding pocket (Glu105 and Glu108). Although single mutations decreased SaSrtA activity, mutations of both Glu105 and Glu108 resulted in Ca2+‐independent activity. Kinetic analysis suggested that the double mutations affect the substrate binding site, without affecting substrate specificity. This approach will allow us to develop SaSrtA variants suitable for various applications, including in vivo site‐specific protein modification and labeling. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109: 2955–2961. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Perfusion flow rate substantially contributes to the performance of the HepaRG‐AMC‐bioartificial liver
Authors: Nibourg Geert A.A. , Boer Justin D. , van der Hoeven Tessa V. , Ackermans Mariëtte T. , van Gulik Thomas M. , Chamuleau Robert A.F.M. , Hoekstra Ruurdtje
Published: June 2012

Bioartificial livers (BALs) are bioreactors containing liver cells that provide extracorporeal liver support to liver‐failure patients. Theoretically, the plasma perfusion flow rate through a BAL is an important determinant of its functionality. Low flow rates can limit functionality due to limited substrate availability, and high flow rates can induce cell damage. This hypothesis was tested by perfusing the AMC‐BAL loaded with the liver cell line HepaRG at four different medium flow rates (0.3, 1.5, 5, and 10 mL/min). Hepatic functions ammonia elimination, urea production, lactate consumption, and 6β‐hydroxylation of testosterone showed 2–20‐fold higher rates at 5 mL/min compared to 0.3 mL/min, while cell damage remained stable. However, at 10 mL/min cell damage was twofold higher, and maximal hepatic functionality was not changed, except for an increase in lactate elimination. On the other hand, only a low flow rate of 0.3 mL/min allowed for an accurate measurement of the ammonia and lactate mass balance across the bioreactor, which is useful for monitoring the BAL's condition during treatment. These results show that (1) the functionality of a BAL highly depends on the perfusion rate; (2) there is a universal optimal flow rate based on various function and cell damage parameters (5 mL/min for HepaRG‐BAL); and (3) in the current set‐up the mass balance of substrate, metabolite, or cell damage markers between in‐and out‐flow of the bioreactor can only be determined at a suboptimal, low, perfusion rate (0.3 mL/min for HepaRG‐BAL). Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109: 3182–3188. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An improved bioluminescence‐based signaling assay for odor sensing with a yeast expressing a chimeric olfactory receptor
Authors: Fukutani Yosuke , Ishii Jun , Noguchi Keiichi , Kondo Akihiko , Yohda Masafumi
Published: June 2012

The goal of this work was to improve the bioluminescence‐based signaling assay system to create a practical application of a biomimetic odor sensor using an engineered yeast‐expressing olfactory receptors (ORs). Using the yeast endogenous pheromone receptor (Ste2p) as a model GPCR, we determined the suitable promoters for the firefly luciferase (luc) reporter and GPCR genes. Additionally, we deleted some genes to further improve the sensitivity of the luc reporter assay. By replacing the endogenous yeast G‐protein α‐subunit (Gpa1p) with the olfactory‐specific Gαolf, the optimized yeast strain successfully transduced signal through both OR and yeast Ste2p. Our results will assist the development of a bioluminescence‐based odor‐sensing system using OR‐expressing yeast. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109: 3143–3151. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Recidivism in Female Offenders: PCL‐R Lifestyle Factor and VRAG Show Predictive Validity in a German Sample
Authors: Eisenbarth Hedwig , Osterheider Michael , Nedopil Norbert , Stadtland Cornelis
Published: June 2012

A clear and structured approach to evidence‐based and gender‐specific risk assessment of violence in female offenders is high on political and mental health agendas. However, most data on the factors involved in risk‐assessment instruments are based on data of male offenders. The aim of the present study was to validate the use of the Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL‐R), the HCR‐20 and the Violence Risk Appraisal Guide (VRAG) for the prediction of recidivism in German female offenders. This study is part of the Munich Prognosis Project (MPP). It focuses on a subsample of female delinquents (n = 80) who had been referred for forensic‐psychiatric evaluation prior to sentencing. The mean time at risk was 8 years (SD = 5 years; range: 1–18 years). During this time, 31% (n = 25) of the female offenders were reconvicted, 5% (n = 4) for violent and 26% (n = 21) for non‐violent re‐offenses. The predictive validity of the PCL‐R for general recidivism was calculated. Analysis with receiver‐operating characteristics revealed that the PCL‐R total score, the PCL‐R antisocial lifestyle factor, the PCL‐R lifestyle factor and the PCL‐R impulsive and irresponsible behavioral style factor had a moderate predictive validity for general recidivism (area under the curve, AUC = 0.66, p = 0.02). The VRAG has also demonstrated predictive validity (AUC = 0.72, p = 0.02), whereas the HCR‐20 showed no predictive validity. These results appear to provide the first evidence that the PCL‐R total score and the antisocial lifestyle factor are predictive for general female recidivism, as has been shown consistently for male recidivists. The implications of these findings for crime prevention, prognosis in women, and future research are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermal stabilization of psychrophilic enzymes: A case study of the cold‐active hormone‐sensitive lipase from Psychrobacter sp. TA144
Authors: De Santi Concetta , Durante Lorenzo , Vecchio Pompea Del , Tutino Maria Luisa , Parrilli Ermenegilda , de Pascale Donatella
Published: June 2012

Cold‐adapted enzymes possess high specific activity at low and moderate temperatures with respect to their mesophilic and thermophilic homologs; it is accepted that they have a less rigid and more flexible structure in the region surrounding the active site. However, the low stability of such molecules could represent the main barrier for their application in some industrial bioprocesses. The aim of this article was to investigate the ability of the naturally occurring osmolytes to increase the thermal stability and the specific activity of the cold‐active lipase from Psychrobacter sp. TA144 (PsyHSL), which belongs to the hormone‐sensitive lipase group. The effect of trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO), betaine, and L‐proline addition on the activity and thermal stability of PsyHSL was investigated by means of biochemical and biophysical techniques. It turned out that in the presence of 3 M TMAO, the enzyme specific activity enhanced up to 250% at 50°C, while the addition of 1 M TMAO increased the thermostability fivefold at 45°C. Our experiments demonstrated that, even in the case of a psychrophilic enzyme, osmoprotectants, particularly TMAO, addition may be considered an efficient strategy to improve the protein thermal stability and specific activity at higher temperatures. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 28: 946–952, 2012
Energy, wealth, and human development: Why and how biomass pretreatment research must improve
Authors: Dale Bruce E. , Ong Rebecca G.
Published: June 2012

A high level of human development is dependent on energy consumption (roughly 4 kW per person), and most developed countries that have reached this level have done so through the extensive use of fossil energy. However, given that fossil resources are finite, in order for developed countries to maintain their level of development and simultaneously allow developing countries to reach their potential, it is essential to develop viable renewable energy alternatives. Of particular importance are liquid fuel replacements for petroleum, the fossil resource that primarily drives commerce and economic growth. The intent of this article is to remind our fellow biofuel researchers, particularly those involved in lignocellulosic pretreatment, of these global issues and the serious nature of our work. We hope that this will inspire us to generate and report higher quality and more thorough data than has been done in the past. Only in this way can accurate comparisons and technoeconomic evaluations be made for the many different pretreatment technologies that are currently being researched. The data that primarily influence biorefinery economics can be subdivided into three main categories: yield, concentration, and rate. For these three categories we detail the specific data that should be reported for pretreatment research. In addition, there is other information that is needed to allow for a thorough comparison of pretreatment technologies. An overview of these criteria and our comparison of the current state of a number of pretreatment technologies with respect to these criteria are covered in the last section. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 28: 893–898, 2012
Melody transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation. Results from the registry of the Italian society of pediatric cardiology
Authors: Butera Gianfranco , Milanesi Ornella , Spadoni Isabella , Piazza Luciane , Donti Andrea , Ricci Christian , Agnoletti Gabriella , Pangrazi Alberta , Chessa Massimo , Carminati Mario
Published: June 2012

Background and aims

Percutaneous implantation of pulmonary valve has been recently introduced in the clinical practice. Our aim was to analyze data of patients treated in Italy by using the Melody Medtronic valve.

Methods

Prospective, observational, multi‐centric survey by means of a web‐based database registry of the Italian Society of Pediatric Cardiology (SICP).

Results

Between October 2007 and October 2010, 63 patients were included in the registry (median age: 24 years; range 11–65 years). Forty subjects were in NYHA class I–II while 23 were in NYHA class III–IV. Patients included had a history of a median three previous surgeries (range 1–5) and a median of one previous cardiac catheterization (range 0–4). A cono‐truncal disease was present in 39 patients, previous Ross operation in 9, and other diagnosis in 15. Indication to valve implantation was pure stenosis in 21 patients, pure regurgitation in 12, association of stenosis and regurgitation in 30. Implantation was performed in 61 subjects (97%). Pre‐stenting was performed in 85% of cases. Median procedure time was 170 minutes (range 85–360). No significant regurgitation was recorded after procedure while the trans‐pulmonary gradient reduced significantly. Early major complications occurred in seven subjects (11%). One death occurred in the early post‐operative period in a severely ill subject. At a median follow‐up of 30 months (range 12–48 months), three patients died due to underlying disease. Major complications occurred in six patients during follow‐up (external electric cardioversion: one patient; herpes virus encephalitis: two patients; Melody valve endocarditis needing surgical explant: two patients; major fractures of the stent and need second Melody valve implantation: two patients). Freedom from valve failure at latest follow‐up was 81.4% ± 9%.

Conclusion

Early results of the SICP registry on transcatheter Melody pulmonary valve implantation show that the procedure is safe and successful. Major concerns are related to the occurrence of stent fracture and bacterial endocarditis. Longer follow‐up and larger series are needed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Failed repeated thrombolysis requiring left ventricular assist device pump exchange
Authors: Tang Gilbert H.L. , Kim Michael C. , Pinney Sean P. , Anyanwu Anelechi C.
Published: June 2012

A 51‐year‐old male with untreated hepatitis C infection, cirrhosis, and dilated cardiomyopathy with a HeartMate II LVAD presented with right heart failure and cardiogenic shock, INR of 7, hemolysis, and renal failure. Acute LVAD thrombosis was suspected. Alteplase was injected into the inflow cannula of the LVAD with little effect. Intravenous alteplase was given but failed to restore an adequate pump output, resulting in the need for emergency pump exchange. The patient had an uncomplicated postoperative recovery and was discharged uneventfully. Inspection of the pump identified a thrombus wedged between the spines of the impeller. Our case highlights the challenges in managing pump thrombosis which is often resistant to thrombolysis and may instead rely upon prompt surgical intervention to be resolved. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Octupolar Merocyanine Dyes: A New Class of Nonlinear Optical Chromophores
Authors: Poronik Yevgen M. , Hugues Vincent , Blanchard‐Desce Mireille , Gryko Daniel T.
Published: June 2012

A set of new octupolar merocyanine chromophores was designed and synthesized. These compounds were prepared from the reaction of 1,3,5‐triformyl‐2,4,6‐trihydroxybenzene with heterocyclic nucleophiles. Octupolar dyes were formed exclusively in their open‐dye form. The one‐ and two‐photon‐absorption spectra of the dyes consist of two bands: The long‐wavelength band in the two‐photon absorption spectrum (a few hundreds GM above 1000 nm) matches well with the intense, long‐wavelength‐absorption band that is located in the visible region in the linear spectrum. Interestingly, an additional, much‐more‐intense TPA band in the NIR region is observed at higher energy, which corresponds to a weakly allowed one‐photon electronic transition. Changing the peripheral heterocyclic moieties allows tuning of the optical properties to approach the cyanine limit (i.e., polymethine state), thus resulting in a red‐shift of the low‐energy one‐photon‐absorption band as well as to the rise of an intense two‐photon‐absorption band in the NIR region. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first synthesis and TPA characterization of octupolar merocyanine chromophores with typical low‐bond‐length alternation.
Can Chiroptical Spectroscopy be Used for the Analysis of Blood Plasma?
Authors: Tatarkovič Michal , Fišar Zdeněk , Raboch Jiří , Jirák Roman , Setnička Vladimír
Published: June 2012

As an improvement on currently used methods of molecular spectroscopy, we used chiroptical techniques (electronic circular dichroism, fluorescence detected circular dichroism, and Raman optical activity [ROA]) to investigate the human blood plasma. To avoid the degradation of plasma samples, we measured them directly without any further preparation. We also tested cutoff weight filters (Amicon Ultra 100, 30, 10, and 3 kDa by Merck Millipore) to reduce undesirable fluorescence in the ROA and Raman spectra and also to remove the most abundant protein in the plasma—human serum albumin. The obtained spectra show that the ultrafiltration has a positive effect on undesirable fluorescence in ROA and Raman and also could reduce the amount of albumin in the plasma. Our results suggest that blood plasma can be successfully measured by the aforementioned methods. Therefore, these methods can potentially be useful for following research in the development of new, noninvasive, and reliable screening methods of clinical diagnostics. Chirality 24:951–955, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stereoselective Binding of Flurbiprofen Enantiomers and their Methyl Esters to Human Serum Albumin Studied by Time‐Resolved Phosphorescence
Authors: Lammers Ivonne , Lhiaubet‐Vallet Virginie , Consuelo Jiménez M. , Ariese Freek , Miranda Miguel A. , Gooijer Cees
Published: June 2012

The interaction of the nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug flurbiprofen (FBP) with human serum albumin (HSA) hardly influences the fluorescence of the protein's single tryptophan (Trp). Therefore, in addition to fluorescence, heavy atom‐induced room‐temperature phosphorescence is used to study the stereoselective binding of FBP enantiomers and their methyl esters to HSA. Maximal HSA phosphorescence intensities were obtained at a KI concentration of 0.2 M. The quenching of the Trp phosphorescence by FBP is mainly dynamic and based on Dexter energy transfer. The Stern–Volmer plots based on the phosphorescence lifetimes indicate that (R)‐FBP causes a stronger Trp quenching than (S)‐FBP. For the methyl esters of FBP, the opposite is observed: (S)‐(FBPMe) quenches more than (R)‐FBPMe. The Stern–Volmer plots of (R)‐FBP and (R)‐FBPMe are similar although their high‐affinity binding sites are different. The methylation of (S)‐FBP causes a large change in its effect on the HSA phosphorescence lifetime. Furthermore, the quenching constants of 3.0 × 107 M−1 s−1 of the R‐enantiomers and 2.5 × 107 M−1 s−1 for the S‐enantiomers are not influenced by the methylation and indicate a stereoselectivity in the accessibility of the HSA Trp to these drugs. Chirality 24:840–846, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multiple threads and parallel challenges for large simulations to accelerate a general Navier–Stokes CFD code on massively parallel systems
Authors: Fournier Yvan , Bonelle Jerome , Vezolle Pascal , Heyman Jerry , D'Amora Bruce , Magerlein Karen , Magerlein John , Braudaway Gordon , Moulinec Charles , Sunderland Andrew
Published: June 2012

Computational fluid dynamics is an increasingly important application domain for computational scientists. In this paper, we propose and analyze optimizations necessary to run CFD simulations consisting of multibillion‐cell mesh models on large processor systems. Our investigation leverages the general industrial Navier–Stokes CFD application, Code_Saturne, developed by Electricité de France for incompressible and nearly compressible flows. In this paper, we outline the main bottlenecks and challenges for massively parallel systems and emerging processor features such as many‐core, transactional memory, and thread level speculation. We also present an approach based on an octree search algorithm to facilitate the joining of mesh parts and to build complex larger unstructured meshes of several billion grid cells. We describe two parallel strategies of an algebraic multigrid solver and we detail how to introduce new levels of parallelism based on compiler directives with OpenMP, transactional memory and thread level speculation, for finite volume cell‐centered formulation and face‐based loops. A renumbering scheme for mesh faces is proposed to enhance thread‐level parallelism. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantized Electron‐Transfer Pathways at Nanoparticle–Redox Centre Hybrids
Authors: Cabo‐Fernández Laura , Bradley Dan F. , Romani Simon , Higgins Simon J. , Schiffrin David J.
Published: June 2012

Hexanethiolate gold monolayer‐protected clusters (C6‐MPCs) with an average core diameter of 1.8 nm and a capacitance of 0.6 aF are synthesised by a two‐phase method. These clusters are functionalised with (6‐ferrocenyl)‐1‐hexanethiol by a place exchange reaction at different molar ratios. The average number of ferrocene centres per cluster determined by 1H NMR is ten, seven and four. Differential pulse voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry measurements for cluster solutions in 0.1 M TBAPF6/Tol:AN (2:1) clearly show the response of the Fc+/Fc redox couple and of quantized double layer (QDL) charging events of the gold core. A transition from single to multiple electron‐transfer response for the redox couple is observed as the number of ferrocene units per cluster is increased. The distances between the redox moieties are estimated considering a homogeneous distribution of the redox sites on the nanoparticle ligand shell. In all the cases, the inter‐ferrocene average separation is too large to observe self‐exchange reactions and the most likely electron‐transfer pathway is by fast rotational diffusion. The oxidation of the ferrocene groups results in an electrostatic switching‐off of electron transfers between the electrode and the nanoparticle core.
Water‐in‐Oil Micro‐Emulsion Enhances the Secondary Structure of a Protein by Confinement
Authors: Shipovskov Stepan , Oliveira Cristiano L. P. , Hoffmann Søren Vrønning , Schauser Leif , Sutherland Duncan S. , Besenbacher Flemming , Pedersen Jan Skov
Published: June 2012

A scheme is presented in which an organic solvent environment in combination with surfactants is used to confine a natively unfolded protein inside an inverse microemulsion droplet. This type of confinement allows a study that provides unique insight into the dynamic structure of an unfolded, flexible protein which is still solvated and thus under near‐physiological conditions. In a model system, the protein osteopontin (OPN) is used. It is a highly phosphorylated glycoprotein that is expressed in a wide range of cells and tissues for which limited structural analysis exists due to the high degree of flexibility and large number of post‐translational modifications. OPN is implicated in tissue functions, such as inflammation and mineralisation. It also has a key function in tumour metastasis and progression. Circular dichroism measurements show that confinement enhances the secondary structural features of the protein. Small‐angle X‐ray scattering and dynamic light scattering show that OPN changes from being a flexible protein in aqueous solution to adopting a less flexible and more compact structure inside the microemulsion droplets. This novel approach for confining proteins while they are still hydrated may aid in studying the structure of a wide range of natively unfolded proteins.
Three‐dimensional unsteady thermocapillary flow under rotating magnetic field
Authors: Yao Liping , Zeng Zhong , Zhang Yi , Qiu Zhouhua , Mizuseki Hiroshi , Kawazoe Yoshiyuki
Published: June 2012

Under a rotating magnetic filed (RMF), the instability of thermocapillary flow and its evolution with increasing Marangoni number (Ma) for semiconductor melt (Pr = 0.01) in a floating liquid bridge model (As = 1) are investigated numerically. Under 5 mT RMF, the thermocapillary flow is steady and axisymmetric with Ma < Mac, and the critical Marangoni number Mac for convection instability is 29.5, which is obtained by the direct numerical simulation. When the Ma is a little bit beyond the Mac, the thermocapillary flow loses stability to become a three‐dimensional rotating oscillatory convection, and a periodic oscillation is confirmed by the fast Fourier transform analysis, the oscillatory main frequency decays with increasing Ma. Under 1 mT–6 mT RMF, the Mac increases roughly with the magnetic strength except the Mac at 4 mT, where the corresponding change of flow mode after the instability is observed. The oscillatory convection occurs with a smaller Ma in the RMF than that without magnetic field. In addition, no instability toward a three‐dimensional steady convection, which is the state of thermocapillary flow without magnetic field after the first instability, is observed under the RMF.
Analysis and modeling of task scheduling in wireless sensor network based on divisible load theory
Authors: Dai Liang , Shen Zhong , Chen Ting , Chang Yilin
Published: June 2012

In this paper, we propose a novel task scheduling algorithm (Divisible Task scheduling Algorithm for Wireless sensor networks (DTAW)) based on divisible load theory in heterogeneous wireless sensor networks to complete the tasks within the shortest possible time and reduce the sensors' energy‐consuming. In DTAW, the tasks are distributed to the wireless sensor network by the (SINK) on the basis of the processing and communication capacity of each sensor. After receiving the subtasks, the intracluster sensors carry out its tasks simultaneously and send the results to cluster head sequentially. By removing communication interference between each sensor, reduced task completion time and improved network resource utilization are achieved. Each cluster head simultaneously finishes sending fused data to the SINK after fusing the data obtained from intracluster sensors. In this way, the overlap between the task performing and communication phase would be much better. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the impacts of different network parameters on the makespan and energy consumption. The results show that the algorithm enables to reasonably distribute tasks to each sensor and then effectively reduces the time‐consuming and energy‐consuming. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complex agro‐ecosystems for food security in a changing climate
Authors: Khumairoh Uma , Groot Jeroen C.J. , Lantinga Egbert A.
Published: June 2012

Attempts to increase food crop yields by intensifying agricultural systems using high inputs of nonrenewable resources and chemicals frequently lead to de‐gradation of natural resources, whereas most technological innovations are not accessible for smallholders that represent the majority of farmers world wide. Alternatively, cocultures consisting of assemblages of plant and animal species can support ecological processes of nutrient cycling and pest control, which may lead to increasing yields and declining susceptibility to extreme weather conditions with increasing complexity of the systems. Here we show that enhancing the complexity of a rice production system by adding combinations of compost, azolla, ducks, and fish resulted in strongly increased grain yields and revenues in a season with extremely adverse weather conditions on East Java, Indonesia. We found that azolla, duck, and fish increased plant nutrient content, tillering and leaf area expansion, and strongly reduced the density of six different pests. In the most complex system comprising all components the highest grain yield was obtained. The net revenues of this system from sales of rice grain, fish, and ducks, after correction for extra costs, were 114% higher than rice cultivation with only compost as fertilizer. These results provide more insight in the agro‐ecological processes and demonstrate how complex agricultural systems can contribute to food security in a changing climate. If smallholders can be trained to manage these systems and are supported for initial investments by credits, their livelihoods can be improved while producing in an ecologically benign way.
Removing woody vegetation has little effect on conduit flow recharge
Authors: Bazan Roberto A. , Wilcox Bradford P. , Munster Clyde , Gary Marcus
Published: June 2012

In drylands across the globe, grasslands and savannas have succumbed to encroachment by woody plants. There is a concern that, in some cases, these changes may lead to lower groundwater recharge and streamflow. In karst landscapes, the effect of woody plants on recharge is difficult to determine because of the shallow and rocky soils. In our study, we estimated the amount of water entering a shallow cave (3–5 m deep) as a surrogate measurement for groundwater recharge, to evaluate whether the removal of Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) above the cave would affect recharge. Three sets of large‐scale rainfall simulations were conducted in 2005, before removal of the overstory juniper; seven were conducted in 2008, soon after the juniper were removed; and two were conducted in 2009, one year after juniper removal. We found that recharge occurred mainly via conduits or macropores and, as such, was extremely dynamic and responsive to rainfall. The amount of recharge ranged from 3% to 17% of the water applied, the higher percentages being measured when antecedent soil conditions were wet. At least in this case of recharge taking place via conduit flow, removal of the juniper had little if any effect. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cyano‐Bridged 4f‐3d Assemblies with Achiral Helical Chains: Syntheses, Structures, and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Yu Deng‐Yong , Li Li , Zhou Hu , Yuan Ai‐Hua , Li Yi‐Zhi
Published: June 2012

The self‐assembly reaction of [Cr(CN)6]3–, Ln3+, and a chelated phen ligand resulted in the first examples of cyano‐bridged 3d‐4f helical chains [Ln(phen)3(H2O)][Cr(CN)6]·3H2O [Ln = La (1), Ce (2), Pr (3) and Nd (4)], in which the lanthanide center was coordinated unusually by three molecules of a bidentate ligand. The magnetic properties of compounds 2–4 were also investigated.
Antibacterial Activity of Silver‐Loaded “Green Zeolites”
Authors: Saint‐Cricq Philippe , Kamimura Yoshihiro , Itabashi Keiji , Sugawara‐Narutaki Ayae , Shimojima Atsushi , Okubo Tatsuya
Published: June 2012

“Green Zeolites” were prepared, without the use of organic structure‐directing agents (OSDAs), by the seed‐assisted method and were loaded with silver by a simple ion‐exchange procedure. The silver‐loaded zeolites were characterized by XRD, transmission electron microscopy and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, which reveals that the ion‐exchange procedure does not affect the structure of the zeolites and the presence of silver cations inside the aluminosilicate matrix. Two types of zeolites presenting different pore arrangements were studied: the beta‐type with three‐dimensionally interconnected pores and the MTW‐type with one‐dimensionally interconnected pores. Their activity against E. coli was studied and compared with a commercial zeolite. The influence of the arrangement of the pore channels and the amount of silver loaded were studied. Comparison with the commercial product shows that a smaller amount of silver inside the zeolite is necessary to achieve a similar antibacterial performance within one hour.
Luminescence of ortho‐Metalated Iridium Complexes Encapsulated in Zeolite Supercages by the Ship‐in‐a‐Bottle Method (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 19/2012)
Authors: Xu Chen , Mochizuki Dai , Hashimoto Yuta , Honda Takehisa , Tsukahara Yasunori , Yamauchi Tomohisa , Wada Yuji
Published: June 2012

The cover picture shows the encapsulation of iridium(III) complexes in the supercages of faujasite‐type zeolites. Iridium–carbon σ‐bond formation in the zeolites is achieved by using a microwave‐assisted ship‐in‐a‐bottle synthesis. A successive reaction of IrIII cations in the zeolite with the two ligands leads to the coexistence of two individual types of complexes in the different supercages, and the emission colors emitted from the IrIII complexes in the zeolites can be tuned and range from blue to green. Details are discussed in the article by Y. Wada et al. on p. 3113 ff.

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Counterion's Effect on the Catalytic Activity of Zn‐Prolinamide Complexes in Aldol Condensations
Authors: Andreu Cecilia , Sanz Francisca , Asensio Gregorio
Published: June 2012

The catalytic activity of complexes involving organic ligands and Lewis acids can be modulated by changing any of their components. In this work we have studied the influence on the stereoselectivity and catalytic activity exerted by the counterion of zinc salts employed as cocatalysts of L‐prolinamide in aldol condensations. The structures of the complexes have been determined both in solution and in the solid state.
A Formal Total Synthesis of Dysiherbaine and Neodysiherbaine A
Authors: Lee Hee‐Yoon , Lee Sang‐Shin , Kim Hoon Seok , Lee Kang Mun
Published: June 2012

A domino olefin metathesis reaction of 1‐alkyl‐3‐(allyloxy)‐7‐oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐5‐enes 7 produced the fused bis(oxacyclic) structure for dysiherbaine and neodysiherbaine A (i.e., 6b) with the complete control of the relative stereochemistry at the quaternary carbon center and the ring junction of the dysiherbaine core skeleton. A formal total synthesis of dysiherbaine and neodysiherbaine A was achieved from 6b.
Highly Selective Primary Alkoxycarboxylation and Esterification of Unprotected Pyranose Derivatives Mediated by Scandium(III) Triflate Catalysis (Eur. J. Org. Chem. 19/2012)
Authors: McClure Michael S. , Berry Malcolm B. , Caine Darren , Crawford Claire , Crump Brian C. , Glover Bobby N. , Kedia Sandeep B. , Millar Alan , Mitchell Mark B. , Nichols Christopher J. , Patterson Daniel E. , Powers Jeremiah
Published: June 2012

The cover picture shows the highly selective scandium‐catalyzed alkoxycarboxylation of an unprotected pyranose. The utility of this highly selective reaction is illustrated by the background photo of a 50 L reactor where the catalysis was carried out on a kilogram scale in Research Triangle Park, NC. The reaction scope and mechanistic details are described in the Short Communication by M. S. McClure et. al. on p. 3561 ff.

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Development and characterization of a novel semiautomated arrangement for electrochemically assisted injection in combination with capillary electrophoresis time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Palatzky Peter , Matysik Frank‐Michael
Published: June 2012

Electrochemically assisted injection (EAI) is an attractive injection concept for CE that enables the separation of neutral analytes via electrochemical generation of charged species during the injection process. A new semiautomated EAI configuration was developed and applied in conjunction with CE‐MS (EAI‐CE‐MS). The EAI cell arrangement consists of an integrated buffer reservoir for CEseparations and a compartment holding screen‐printed electrodes. A drop of sample solution (50 μL) was sufficient to cover the three‐electrode structures. A piezo motor provided a fast and precise capillary positioning over the screen‐printed electrode assembly. Using ferrocene methanol as a model system, the EAI arrangement was characterized regarding coulometric efficiency, precision, and sensitivity of electrospray ionization‐time‐of‐flight‐MS. The formation of the cationic oxidation product of ferrocene methanol enhanced the sensitivity of CE‐MS determination by two orders of magnitude and the electrochemically formed product showed a migration time corresponding to its individual electrophoretic mobility. Preliminary studies of EAI‐CE‐MS in the field of the analysis of nitroaromatic compounds were carried out. The formation of corresponding hydroxylamines and amines paved the way for selective and sensitive CE‐MS determinations without the need of adding surfactants to the electrophoresis buffer.
Depression and Drive for Thinness are Associated with Persistent Bulimia Nervosa in the Community
Authors: Keski‐Rahkonen Anna , Raevuori Anu , Bulik Cynthia M. , Hoek Hans W. , Sihvola Elina , Kaprio Jaakko , Rissanen Aila
Published: June 2012

Objective

To examine psychiatric comorbidity and factors that influence the outcome of bulimia nervosa (BN) in the general population.

Method

Women from the nationwide birth cohorts of Finnish twins were screened for lifetime BN (N = 59) by using questionnaires and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV. We assessed psychiatric comorbidity and other prognostic factors.

Results

Among women with lifetime BN, the following were more common than among unaffected women: current major depressive disorder (p = 0.004), lifetime major depressive disorder (p = 0.00001) and heavy drinking (p = 0.01). Decreased likelihood of recovery was associated with a history of lifetime major depressive disorder (hazard ratio (HR) 0.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.23–0.84) and high drive for thinness at time of assessment (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93–0.99).

Discussion

Heavy drinking and depression present challenges for many women with BN. Major depressive disorder emerged as the only statistically significant prognostic factor of BN in this nationwide cohort; high drive for thinness was characteristic of the persistently ill. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Modulations in androgen and estrogen mediating genes and testicular response in male goldfish exposed to bisphenol A
Authors: Hatef Azadeh , Zare Ava , Alavi Sayyed Mohammad Hadi , Habibi Hamid R. , Linhart Otomar
Published: June 2012

Adverse effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on reproductive physiology were studied in male goldfish (Carassius auratus) exposed to nominal environmentally relevant concentrations (0.2 and 20 µg/L) for up to 90 d. Transcriptions of various reproductive genes were measured in brain, liver, and testis to investigate the BPA modes of action. Volume, density, total number, motility, and velocity of sperm were measured to assess testicular function. At 0.2 µg/L, BPA reduced steroidogenetic acute regulatory protein and increased estrogen receptors (ERs) messenger RNA (mRNA) transcript (ERβ1 in liver and ERβ2 in testis) after 90 d. At 20 µg/L, BPA increased mRNA transcript of androgen receptor in testis, brain- and testis-specific aromatase, and vitellogenin in liver after 90, 30, 60, and 60 d, respectively. Transcripts of ERs mRNA were increased after 30 to 60 d at 20 µg/L BPA; increase in ERβ1 mRNA was observed in testis after 7 d. Total number, volume, and motility of sperm were decreased in males exposed to 0.2 and 20 µg/L BPA, whereas sperm density and velocity were only reduced at 20 µg/L BPA. The results support the hypothesis that BPA may exert both anti-androgenic and estrogenic effects, depending on concentration, leading to diminished sperm quality. The findings provide a framework for better understanding of the mechanisms mediating adverse reproductive actions of BPA observed in different parts of the world. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012; 31: 2069–2077. © 2012 SETAC
Detection mechanism for reputation‐based selfishness prevention in MANETs
Authors: Rodriguez‐Mayol Alberto , Gozalvez Javier
Published: June 2012

Mobile ad‐hoc networks require users to cooperate in the relaying of data. Reputation‐based selfishness prevention mechanisms are aimed at observing the behavior of nodes, and detecting and isolating selfish nodes that might drop packets. Mechanisms are therefore necessary to adequately and rapidly detect cooperative and selfish nodes. This work proposes a novel detection mechanism that outperforms the Bayesian techniques reported to date, and that can better cope with the unknown selfish behavior of nodes.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A numerical investigation of wall effects in three‐dimensional, laminar flow over a backward facing step with a constant aspect and expansion ratio
Authors: Malamataris N. A.
Published: June 2012

The wall effects are investigated in the three‐dimensional laminar flow over a backward‐facing step. For this purpose, a numerical experiment is designed under actual laboratory conditions. The aspect ratio of the computational domain is 1:40 and the expansion ratio is 1:2. The Reynolds number ranges from 100 to 950. The governing equations are the steady state, isothermal and incompressible Navier–Stokes equations for Newtonian fluids. They are solved with a homemade Galerkin finite element code. The computations are validated with data from available laboratory and numerical experiments. The results focus on the variation of both velocity profiles and lengths of eddies along the lower and upper wall in the spanwise direction. Calculated streamlines in the streamwise and transverse direction show how the flow is distorted near the lateral wall and how it develops up to the plane of symmetry. The study of skin friction lines along the top and bottom wall of the domain reveals a flow that takes place in the spanwise direction. This spanwise component of the flow becomes more dominant with increasing Reynolds number and is impossible to be sustained at steady state for Reynolds numbers higher than 950 for this particular geometry. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Technology: Understanding hedges can keep you employed
Authors: Skinner R. Kenneth
Published: June 2012

As Chris Trader pulled into his parking spot he felt uneasy. Chris was a trader for a retail energy supplier to commercial and industrial customers. Recently, a very large position he held in his portfolio started to lose money. When the markets closed the day before, the position was very close to its Value at Risk (VaR) limit (see Value at Risk). Chris knew that if the markets continued down today, he would be forced to sell the position, and thus lock in a very large loss for his company. Looking back over the last few weeks, Chris knew there were red flags that should have warned him that the position was in trouble, but he missed those and now it was too late.
Retaining walls, ground improvement works and monitoring for the new high‐speed railway station in Bologna / Verbauwände, Bodenverbesserungsmaßnahmen und Monitoring für einen neuen Bahnhof für Hochgeschwindigkeitszüge in Bologna
Authors: Ciufegni Stefano , Sacchi Francesco , Utzeri Luca
Published: June 2012

The new Bologna high‐speed railway station extends approximately 640 m underground, with a width of 56 m and a depth of 25 m. The open‐cut excavation work to complete the underground station was designed using an innovative structural system, which entails the construction of reinforced concrete diaphragm walls with unusual shape and structural behaviour. Vaults, diaphragm walls with an arched section, were constructed to absorb the thrust actions. Buttresses, T‐section diaphragm walls were designed to absorb actions through flexural behaviour transmitted by the vaults.

Der neue Bahnhof für Hochgeschwindigkeitszüge in Bologna erstreckt sich unterirdisch in einer Tiefe von 25 m über eine Länge von knapp 640 m und eine Breite von etwa 56 m. Zur Herstellung der offenen Baugrube für die unterirdische Haltestelle wurde ein innovatives konstruktives System entworfen, für dessen Ausführung bewehrte Schlitzbetonwände mit ungewöhnlichen Formen und konstruktiven Aufgaben erforderlich sind. Gewölbe aus bogenförmig angeordneten Schlitzwänden werden zur Verteilung von Schubkräften verwendet und Stützpfeiler aus T‐förmig angeordneten Schlitzwänden sind für die Aufnahme der von den Gewölben übertragenen Biegebeanspruchung vorgesehen.
Contextual antecedents of informal feedback in the workplace
Authors: van der Rijt Janine , van de Wiel Margje W. J. , Van den Bossche Piet , Segers Mien S. R. , Gijselaers Wim H.
Published: June 2012

This study brings together findings from different research angles on informal feedback in the workplace. We explore the individual and joint influences of three contextual antecedents of seeking feedback: support for learning, psychological safety, and work pressure. Based on our survey of 138 employees from various organizations, hierarchical regression analyses revealed that support in the work environment positively influenced the quality of the self‐initiated feedback from colleagues and (in particular( from the supervisor. Psychological safety positively related to the quality of the self‐initiated feedback from colleagues. No relation was found between support, psychological safety and the frequency of feedback seeking, however, an indication for the existence of a curvilinear effect of work pressure on the frequency of feedback seeking was found. The study highlights the importance of fostering supportive and psychological safe work environments, so that employees and supervisors will look for and give constructive feedback. Learning in organizations can be stimulated by creating enough time and opportunities for informal feedback, and the results suggest several valuable and promising avenues for future research.