bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrological responses to climate change conditioned by historic alterations of land-use and water-use
Authors: Jarsjö J. , Asokan S. M. , Prieto C. , Bring A. , Destouni G.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. This paper quantifies and conditions expected hydrological responses in the Aral Sea Drainage Basin (ASDB; occupying 1.3 % of the earth's land surface), Central Asia, to multi-model projections of climate change in the region from 20 general circulation models (GCMs). The aim is to investigate how uncertainties of future climate change interact with the effects of historic human re-distributions of water for land irrigation to influence future water fluxes and water resources. So far, historic irrigation changes have greatly amplified water losses by evapotranspiration (ET) in the ASDB, whereas the 20th century climate change has not much affected the regional net water loss to the atmosphere. Projected future climate change (for the period 2010–2039) however is here calculated to considerably increase the net water loss to the atmosphere. Furthermore, the ET response strength to any future temperature change will be further increased by maintained (or increased) irrigation practices. With such irrigation practices, the river runoff is likely to decrease to near-total depletion, with risk for cascading ecological regime shifts in aquatic ecosystems downstream of irrigated land areas. Without irrigation, the agricultural areas of the principal Syr Darya river basin could sustain a 50 % higher temperature increase (of 2.3 °C instead of the projected 1.5 °C until 2010–2039) before yielding the same consumptive ET increase and associated R decrease as with the present irrigation practices.
Response of the ionospheric electron density to different types of seismic events
Authors: He Y. , Yang D. , Qian J. , Parrot M.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. The electron density data recorded by the Langmuir Probe Instrument (ISL, Instrument Sonde de Langmuir) onboard the DEMETER satellite have been collected for nearly 4 yr (during 2006–2009) to perform a statistical analysis. During this time, more than 7000 earthquakes with a magnitude larger than or equal to 5.0 occurred all over the world. For the statistical studies, all these events have been divided into various categories on the basis of the seismic information, including Southern or Northern Hemisphere earthquakes, inland or sea earthquakes, earthquakes at different magnitude levels, earthquakes at different depth levels, isolated events and all events. To distinguish the pre-earthquake anomalies from the possible ionospheric anomalies related to the geomagnetic activity, the data were filtered with the Kp index. The statistical results obviously show that the electron density increases close to the epicentres both in the Northern and the Southern Hemisphere, but the position of the anomaly is slightly shifted to the north in the Northern Hemisphere and to the south in the Southern Hemisphere. The electron density related to both inland and sea earthquakes presents an anomaly approximately close to the epicentres, but the anomaly for sea earthquakes is more significant than for inland earthquakes. The intensity of the anomalies is enhanced when the magnitude increases and is reduced when the depth increases. A similar anomaly can also be seen in the statistical results concerning the isolated earthquakes. All these statistical results can help to better understand the preparation process of the earthquakes and their influence up to the ionospheric levels.
Bayesian neural network modeling of tree-ring temperature variability record from the Western Himalayas
Authors: Tiwari R. K. , Maiti S.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. A novel technique based on the Bayesian neural network (BNN) theory is developed and employed to model the temperature variation record from the Western Himalayas. In order to estimate an a posteriori probability function, the BNN is trained with the Hybrid Monte Carlo (HMC)/Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulations algorithm. The efficacy of the new algorithm is tested on the well known chaotic, first order autoregressive (AR) and random models and then applied to model the temperature variation record decoded from the tree-ring widths of the Western Himalayas for the period spanning over 1226–2000 AD. For modeling the actual tree-ring temperature data, optimum network parameters are chosen appropriately and then cross-validation test is performed to ensure the generalization skill of the network on the new data set. Finally, prediction result based on the BNN model is compared with the conventional artificial neural network (ANN) and the AR linear models results. The comparative results show that the BNN based analysis makes better prediction than the ANN and the AR models. The new BNN modeling approach provides a viable tool for climate studies and could also be exploited for modeling other kinds of environmental data.
Las "Redes educativas regionales; un marco integral de gestión del conocimiento, para la reforma universitaria que contribuye a la transformación nacional"
Authors: Arias Céleo Emilio
Published: August 2011

La gestión del conocimiento a través de redes educativas regionales, es un mandato y política institucional que se construye mediante procesos participativos incluyentes durante el proceso actual de reforma universitaria. Este mecanismo permite la “organización de la nueva estructura universitaria” creando oportunidades para deconstruir la actual estructura centralizada, burocratizada, altamente ineficiente y poco transparente de la UNAH, generando nuevas formas de organización para gestionar nuevas respuestas educativas a las demandas sociales autenticas de una nueva institucionalidad pública, en donde la vinculación de la Universidad con la sociedad sea de mutuo aprendizaje y enriquecimiento, para que la UNAH aprenda sobre los nuevos movimientos sociales. Las unidades académicas están iniciando su participación amplia y creativa para impactar positivamente en el desarrollo, abriéndose a esquemas de gestión compartida, complementaria y sinérgica. Las redes tienen un sentido: contribuir a resolver los problemas nacionales y regionales; tienen un contenido que se definirá desde el desarrollo curricular de los campos del conocimiento que demandan las necesidades y potencialidades del Desarrollo Humano Sostenible (DHS), y tienen una forma (región) definida por las capacidades y potencialidades de la estructura institucional, y por la articulación con los otros niveles del sistema educativo nacional. Las Redes Regionales son organizaciones de coordinación de las diferentes unidades académico-administrativas a lo interno de la UNAH en las diferentes regiones del país para cumplir con los criterios de calidad, pertinencia y equidad, permitiendo un marco integral para el quehacer universitario en investigación, docencia y vinculación con la sociedad, para dar respuesta a las necesidades autenticas de la nación y contribuir a desplegar las potencialidades del Desarrollo Humano Sostenible, contribuyendo de esta manera a la viabilidad de visión de país (2010-2038) y plan de nación (2010-2022). Palabras Clave: Procesos participativos incluyentes; demandas sociales autenticas; nueva institucionalidad publica; gestión compartida complementaria y sinérgica; desarrollo curricular; calidad, pertinencia y equidad; visión de país; plan de nación. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/rct.v0i5.516 Revista Ciencia y Tecnología, No. 5, Segunda época, Diciembre 2009: 3-21
Estrategia de operaciones, tecnología y rendimiento de operaciones en la industria hondureña: propuesta de un modelo universal
Authors: Jiménez César H Ortega
Published: August 2011

El presente estudio establece algunos lineamientos para investigar cómo las fábricas productivas implementan la estrategia de operaciones y la tecnología, con el propósito de ampliar el entendimiento de la Dirección/Gestión de Producción y Operaciones (DGPO). Para ello, se propone testar individualmente la eficacia de ambas Prácticas Avanzadas de Producción (PAP), al establecer algunos de sus aspectos con el objetivo primordial de aumentar el rendimiento de operaciones. En relación a dicho objetivo, se identifican dos áreas de interés particular: 1) el posible impacto de la tecnología sobre el rendimiento de operaciones y 2) la posible influencia de la estrategia de operaciones sobre el rendimiento de operaciones. El presente estudio propone un modelo de ajuste universal para verificar ambas áreas y la metodología para recoger los datos de distintos sectores industriales en Honduras. Los resultados empíricos serán de vital importancia en la DGPO en Honduras ya que podrán sugerir si existen diferencias entre los niveles de implementación de ambas PAP, analizadas de forma individual e implementadas por dos tipos de fábricas: las de clase mundial (alto rendimiento) y las de rendimiento estándar. Palabras clave: Estrategia de Operaciones; Tecnología; Rendimiento de Operaciones; Ajuste Universal. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/rct.v0i5.519 Revista Ciencia y Tecnología, No. 5, Segunda época, Diciembre 2009: 47-65
Caracterización clínica y neurofisiológica del síndrome de Guillain-Barré en el Hospital Escuela
Authors: Aguilar Carmen J , Medina Marco T , Hernández Rebeca , Amador Claudia , Matamoros Martha , Pinto José A Lara
Published: August 2011

En Honduras se realizó entre 1989-1999 un estudio que valoró la incidencia de Guillain-Barré y parálisis flácida en una población pediátrica, en el hospital Materno Infantil obteniendo valores de 1.37/100,000 casos por año para Síndrome de Guillain-Barrè; por otro lado de 1.89/100,000 habitantes por año de parálisis flácida a nivel nacional y hospitalaria. La incidencia fue considerada alta en comparación con otros estudios. El objetivo del presente estudio fue investigar los subtipos clínicos y neurofisiológicos de pacientes con SGB en una población hondureña pediátrica y adulta en Honduras comparado con un grupo control sano. Materiales y Métodos Este es un estudio transversal, analítico con pacientes consecutivos siguiendo los criterios de Asbury et al., en pacientes de 2 a 55 años de edad en el Hospital Escuela y Materno Infantil en el período de 1 febrero 2007 a Agosto 2008, se estudiaron 29 pacientes y 58 controles sanos. Se les realizó la evaluación clínica y neurofisiológica. Se estudiaron los nervios motores Mediano, Ulnar, Peroneo, Tibial y las respuestas tardías onda F y reflejo H; los nervios sensitivos Mediano, Ulnar y Sural con la técnica descrita por Parano E, Uncini A. et al (9). Resultados Las formas desmielinizantes se presentaron en 19 (65%) pacientes y las formas axonales en 10 (35%) de los casos. Estas últimas tuvieron la mayor severidad y discapacidad, así mismo 9 (90%) de los casos requirieron asistencia en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, y un significativo mayor número de días de hospitalización en relación a las formas desmielinizantes p=0.003. Conclusiones Se encontró una alta incidencia de formas axonales del SGB, similar a los datos obtenidos en estudios realizados en el Norte de China y Japón. Presentando una mayor severidad, discapacidad y un incremento de los días de hospitalización en relación a las formas desmielinizantes. Palabras Clave: Guillain-Barré; desmielinizante; axonal; electrofisiológico; electromiografía; parálisis DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/rct.v0i5.520 Revista Ciencia y Tecnología, No. 5, Segunda época, Diciembre 2009: 66-86
Ciclo de vida de las especies Caligo memno (Lepidóptera: Brassolinae) y Heliconius ismenius (Lepidóptera: Heliconinae) bajo condiciones controladas
Authors: Cantarero Karla J , Canales Oscar M , Mendoza Aaron A , Martínez Luis B
Published: August 2011

Honduras es un país con mucha diversidad de mariposas diurnas y nocturnas; su singularidad, belleza y colorido nos lleva a trabajar estos insectos como un recurso forestal no maderable promisorio que se puede implementar en el país debido a su alta biodiversidad, la cual ha sido subvalorada. La presente investigación trata acerca del estudio del ciclo de vida de Heliconius ismenius (Lepidóptera: Nymphalidae: Heliconinae) y de Caligo memnon (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Brassolinae), realizado en la ciudad de Tegucigalpa, específicamente en el laboratorio de entomología y el Mariposarío ¨Anartia¨ de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras. Durante la cría también se registraron aspectos de la biología y etología de ambas especies, como son: requerimientos alimenticios, migración, tiempo invertido en la alimentación, crecimiento, entre otros. El método aplicado se basó en el marco general que se ha usado para la implementación de zoocriaderos de lepidópteros, que selecciona un número reducido de individuos (pie de cría para cada especie) de alguna fuente para comenzar con el proceso. Durante este proceso se determinó que la especie Caligo memnon se adaptó muy bien a las condiciones, por el contrario se cree que el ciclo de vida de Heliconius ismenius se vio interrumpido por las condiciones ambientales en ese momento. Ambas especies se adaptan muy bien a condiciones de laboratorio y de campo pero con algunas diferencias en cuanto al tiempo de crecimiento, ya que en la etapa de laboratorio se vio una leve diferencia en cuanto al tiempo de crecimiento no así en la etapa de campo. Palabras clave: Ciclo de Vida; Lepidóptera; (mariposa); Anartia Universitaria; Pie de cría. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/rct.v0i5.521 Revista Ciencia y Tecnología, No. 5, Segunda época, Diciembre 2009: 87-106
Uso racional de la energía eléctrica y eficiencia energética aplicado al edificio 4A en la UNAH
Authors: Rivera Dennis A , Olguín Naun R , Nieto Roger F
Published: August 2011

Actualmente el país vive una crisis energética debido a que la producción de energía eléctrica en su mayoría es térmica, aproximadamente en un 70%. Esta situación de crisis surge, primero por los altos precios de los combustibles, ya que la generación de energía eléctrica en nuestro país depende del Bunker; segundo porque no se han implementado proyectos de generación de energía en base a recursos renovables con la suficiente capacidad y celeridad como para desplazar a la generación térmica; y tercero por el consumo excesivo de energía eléctrica. Ante estas situaciones, nos vemos obligados todos los hondureños a implementar una eficiencia energética en nuestros hogares, en la industria y en los edificios públicos y privados. La UNAH no queda exenta de esta crisis energética y se ve obligada a ejercer un plan de ahorro de energía en cada uno de sus edificios. En esta investigación presentamos alternativas viables de ahorro de energía en el sistema de iluminación del edificio 4-A, y lo más importante de este proyecto es que no ocupa una inversión monetaria, lo cual hace que sea factible casi en un 100%, y consiste en la modificación de la conexión del temporizador y una adecuada programación de los tiempos en el temporizador. Asimismo se encontró que el transformador de alimentación del edificio está sobrecargado y debe ser reemplazado en carácter de urgencia. Palabras clave: Energía eléctrica; crisis energética; consumo de energía; ahorro de energía.   DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/rct.v0i5.522 Revista Ciencia y Tecnología, No. 5, Segunda época, Diciembre 2009: 107-123
Entrevista a Alex Geovanny Matamoros "Ecos del silencio: el clamor de las poblaciones indígenas y afro descendientes de Honduras"
Authors: Matamoros Alex Geovanny
Published: August 2011

CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGÍA (CT) Entrevista al filósofo y promotor social, Alex Geovanny Matamoros, coordinador de proyectos en el Centro de Investigación y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos (Ciprodeh), una organización no gubernamental dedicada a la defensa y promoción de los derechos humanos en su amplio sentido y desde la perspectiva de la sociedad. En el trabajo de esta institución de la sociedad civil resaltan las labores de incidencia legislativa, investigaciones en distintos temas de derechos humanos, conducción de escuelas de formación con distintas poblaciones urbanas y rurales y apoyo a la generación de políticas de seguridad pública. Durante los últimos cuatro años Matamoros se ha dedicado a trabajar con poblaciones indígenas en la coordinación de un Certificado en Derechos Humanos y Desarrollo para poblaciones indígenas y afro descendientes que ya graduó a seis promociones y que está apoyando una red nacional. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/rct.v0i6.511 Revista Ciencia y Tecnología, No. 6, Segunda época, junio 2010: 43-52
Enhanced Structural Stability and Performance Durability of Bulk Heterojunction Photovoltaic Devices Incorporating Metallic Nanoparticles
Authors: Paci Barbara , Spyropoulos George D. , Generosi Amanda , Bailo Daniele , Albertini Valerio Rossi , Stratakis Emmanuel , Kymakis Emmanuel
Published: August 2011

Despite the progress on organic photovoltaic (OPV) performance, the photoactive layer degradation during prolonged solar illumination is still a major obstacle. In this work, an approach to mitigate the degradation pathway related to structural/morphological changes of the photoactive layer occurring upon continuous illumination in air is presented. It is shown, for the first time, that the incorporation of Ag nanoparticles in poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6‐6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester bulk heterojunction (BHJ) leads to improved structural and morphological properties of the composite BHJ solar cells and to better photovoltaic (PV) stability after long periods of continuous illumination. This is evidenced by an original approach based on joint in‐situ time‐resolved X‐ray and atomic force microscopy monitoring. Besides the structural stability improvement and reduced photodegradation rate, it is shown that the composite blends exhibit superior PV performance compared to the pristine BHJs. It can be postulated that the incorporation of metallic nanoparticles in the BHJ leads to a dual enhancement, a plasmon absorption mediated effect, causing improved initial cell efficiency, and a structural stability effect giving rise to reduced degradation rate upon prolonged illumination. The results are in favor of the exploitation of polymer–nanoparticle composites as a promising approach to mitigate the aging effects in OPVs.
Mosaic trisomy 17: Variable clinical and cytogenetic presentation
Authors: Daber Robert , Chapman Kimberly A. , Ruchelli Eduardo , Kasperski Stefanie , Mulchandani Surabhi , Thiel Brian D. , Hakonarson Hakon , Zackai Elaine H. , Conlin Laura K. , Spinner Nancy B.
Published: August 2011

Mosaic trisomy 17 is rare with only 28 cases reported and the clinical presentation is highly variable. The diagnosis is most commonly made by prenatal karyotype and in most cases is followed by a normal postnatal karyotype on blood lymphocytes. We present two cases of mosaic trisomy 17 diagnosed prenatally, with follow up in multiple tissues at birth. In the first case, trisomy 17 was identified in all amniocytes, and at birth standard results of chromosome analysis in peripheral blood were normal, but mosaic trisomy 17 was identified (50–75%) in skin fibroblasts by genome‐wide SNP array analysis. This patient presented with congenital heart disease, asymmetry, intestinal malrotation, and other anomalies and died on day 9 of life. In the second patient amniocentesis after ultrasound finding of tetralogy of Fallot showed mosaic trisomy 17. Postnatally, results of a SNP array were normal in blood, buccal mucosa, and skin. It is possible that the cardiac defect is related to trisomy 17 in key tissues during heart development, although at birth the aneuploidy could not be identified in tissues that are routinely analyzed for diagnosis. These cases add to our understanding of mosaic trisomy 17, highlighting the failure to diagnose this aneuploidy in peripheral blood. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic structure of Tunisian ethnic groups revealed by paternal lineages
Authors: Fadhlaoui‐Zid Karima , Martinez‐Cruz Begoña , Khodjet‐el‐khil Houssein , Mendizabal Isabel , Benammar‐Elgaaied Amel , Comas David
Published: August 2011

Tunisia has experienced a variety of human migrations that have modeled the myriad cultural groups inhabiting the area. Both Arabic and Berber‐speaking populations live in Tunisia. Berbers are commonly considered as in situ descendants of peoples who settled roughly in Palaeolithic times, and posterior demographic events such as the arrival of the Neolithic, the Arab migrations, and the expulsion of the “Moors” from Spain, had a strong cultural influence. Nonetheless, the genetic structure and the population relationships of the ethnic groups living in Tunisia have been poorly assessed. In order to gain insight into the paternal genetic landscape and population structure, more than 40 Y‐chromosome single nucleotide polymorphisms and 17 short tandem repeats were analyzed in five Tunisian ethnic groups (three Berber‐speaking isolates, one Andalusian, and one Cosmopolitan Arab). The most common lineage was the North African haplogroup E‐M81 (71%), being fixed in two Berber samples (Chenini–Douiret and Jradou), suggesting isolation and genetic drift. Differential levels of paternal gene flow from the Near East were detected in the Tunisian samples (J‐M267 lineage over 30%); however, no major sub‐Saharan African or European influence was found. This result contrasts with the high amount of sub‐Saharan and Eurasian maternal lineages previously described in Tunisia. Overall, our results reveal a certain genetic inter‐population diversity, especially among Berber groups, and sexual asymmetry, paternal lineages being mostly of autochthonous origin. In addition, Andalusians, who are supposed to be migrants from southern Spain, do not exhibit any substantial contribution of European lineages, suggesting a North African origin for this ethnic group. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preparation, cure kinetics, and thermal properties of novel acetylene terminated silazanes
Authors: Han Weijian , Ye Li , Hu Jidong , Zhao Tong
Published: August 2011

A new kind of acetylene terminated silazanes, N‐(3‐acetylenephenyl)‐diorganosilazanes (abbreviated as APSZs) with three kind of substituents, were synthesized by the aminolysis of dichlorosilane with 3‐aminophenylacetylene (3‐APA). Structure of APSZs was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Thermal behavior of the cured silazanes was determined by thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), revealing that cured silazanes exhibited high temperature resistance. The ceramic yields of APSZ‐Me2, APSZ‐MeVi, and APSZ‐Ph2 at 1000°C under nitrogen were 77.6, 81.9, and 68.7%, respectively. The peak separation of derivative thermogravimetric data was employed to evaluate the three major regions of the thermolysis, and the kinetic parameters of thermolysis were calculated by the method of Kissinger from dynamic thermogravimetric measurement in nitrogen atmosphere at several different heating rates. Influence of substituents on the thermal behavior of cured silazanes in each separated region was discussed. The results showed that the vinyl derivative exhibit higher thermal stability than methyl and phenyl derivatives due to the high decomposition activation energy and small pendant group. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Synthesis and characterization of poly(methyl methacrylate–butyl acrylate–acrylic acid)/polyaniline core–shell nanoparticles in miniemulsion media
Authors: Xu Xiaokuai , Shi Yuanchang , Sun Libo
Published: August 2011

Conductive polymer particles, polyaniline (PANI)‐coated poly(methyl methacrylate–butyl acrylate–acrylic acid) [P(MMA–BA–AA)] nanoparticles, were prepared. The P(MMA–BA–AA)/PANI core–shell complex particles were synthesized with a two‐step miniemulsion polymerization method with P(MMA–BA–AA) as the core and PANI as the shell. The first step was to prepare the P(MMA–BA–AA) latex particles as the core via miniemulsion polymerization and then to prepare the P(MMA–BA–AA)/PANI core–shell particles. The aniline monomer was added to the mixture of water and core nanoparticles. The aniline monomer could be attracted near the outer surface of the core particles. The polymerization of aniline was started under the action of ammonium persulfate (APS). The final product was the desired core–shell nanoparticles. The morphology of the P(MMA–BA–AA) and P(MMA–BA–AA)/PANI particles was characterized with transmission electron microscopy. The core–shell structure of the P(MMA–BA–AA)/PANI composites was further determined by Fourier transform spectroscopy and ultraviolet–visible measurements. The conductive flakes made from the core–shell latexes were prepared, and the electrical conductivities of the flakes were studied. The highest conductivity of the P(MMA–BA–AA)/PANI pellets was 2.05 S/cm. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Thiol‐containing ionic liquid for the modification of styrene–butadiene rubber/silica composites
Authors: Lei Yanda , Tang Zhenghai , Zhu Lixin , Guo Baochun , Jia Demin
Published: August 2011

To introduce thiol–ene chemistry in the modification of composites by ionic liquid (IL), a novel functional IL, 1‐methylimidazolium mercaptopropionate (MimMP), was synthesized and investigated as a modifier for styrene–butadiene rubber/silica composites. MimMP could be hydrogen‐bonded with silica and react with the double bonds of rubber chains via thiol–ene chemistry. The filler networking, curing behavior, filler dispersion, crosslink density, and mechanical performance were fully studied. The filler networking in the uncured rubber compounds was effectively restrained. The vulcanization was largely accelerated by MimMP. The interfacial interaction was quantitatively evaluated and found to consistently increase with increasing MimMP. The mechanical performance and abrasion resistance of the modified vulcanizates improved considerably. The remarkable improvements were mainly ascribed to the improved interfacial structure comprised of MimMP–silica hydrogen bonding and MimMP–rubber covalent bonds via thiol–ene chemistry. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Thermal effect of polymer layers deposition on polypropylene nonwoven fabric
Authors: Stawski D. , Połowiński S. , Herczyńska L. , Sarna E. , Rabiej S.
Published: August 2011

To prepare various types of multilayers, polyelectrolytes poly(acrylic acid), poly(allylamine hydrochloride), and poly(dimethyl aminoethyl methacrylate) were prepared and deposited onto polypropylene nonwoven fabrics produced in the melt‐blowing process. Each type of external layer deposited was dyed for identification. Utilizing the layer‐by‐layer method to deposit polyelectrolyte layers considerably strengthens the thermal resistance of the modified fabric (the difference in T50% is over 40°C). The effect is connected with the type and number of layers. Thermal effects were also observed in both dynamic and isothermal analyses under air atmosphere. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Regional information science: Education and disciplinary precept in the Los Angeles Chapter of ASIST, 1961–2011
Authors: Buchanan Sarah A.
Published: August 2011

Continuing education for information professionals serves to inform professional conduct and broaden theoretical applications. Since its establishment as a regional organization in 1961, the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Society for Information Science and Technology (LACASIS&T) has provided a program for professional development relevant across a range of information institutions within a major metropolitan area. This research examines three factors influencing continuing education activities within the Los Angeles region: founding principles, services contributed by members, and program topics drawn from the range of information professions. Methods employed comprise archival research and oral history conducted with the Chapter's founder, with attention given to the industrial context of the region. The study reveals the centrality of members' contributions to professional trends and information science applications, and a continuous history of individual leaders, contributors, and program offerings presented also emerges. The effectiveness of library and information science continuing education, when presented and coordinated by groups such as chapters, is observed in successful consortial activities consisting of both inreach and outreach to prospective program participants.
Butanol production from renewable biomass: Rediscovery of metabolic pathways and metabolic engineering
Authors: Jang Yu‐Sin , Lee Joungmin , Malaviya Alok , Seung Do Young , Cho Jung Hee , Lee Sang Yup
Published: August 2011

Biofuel from renewable biomass is one of the answers to help solve the problems associated with limited fossil resources and climate change. Butanol has superior liquid‐fuel characteristics, with similar properties to gasoline, and thus, has the potential to be used as a substitute for gasoline. Clostridia are recognized as a good butanol producers and are employed in the industrial‐scale production of solvents. Due to the difficulty of performing genetic manipulations on clostridia, however, strain improvement has been rather slow. Furthermore, complex metabolic characteristics of acidogenesis followed by solventogenesis in this strain have hampered the development of engineered clostridia strains with highly efficient and selective butanol‐production capabilities. In recent years, the butanol‐producing characteristics in clostridia have been further characterized and alternative pathways discovered. More recently, systems‐level metabolic engineering approaches were taken to develop superior strains. Herein, we review recent discoveries of metabolic pathways for butanol production and the metabolic engineering strategies being developed.
Critical aspects of urine profiling for the selection of potential biomarkers using UPLC‐TOF‐MS
Authors: Mattarucchi Elia , Guillou Claude
Published: August 2011

Biomarker selection through the metabolomics approach involves the acquisition of nontargeted metabolic profiles. In this study, some critical factors that may affect this process were investigated using urine test samples and a UPLC‐TOF system. Repeated injections of a single sample demonstrated that the percentage of undetected and poorly repeatable measurements (intensity RSD > 15%) decreased from 22.5 to 5.8% and from 32.9 to 14.7%, respectively, as the scan time was increased up to 0.6 s (approximately 11 data points per peak). An additional critical factor was identified in the presence of broad concentration differences between the samples; the application of a dilution scheme that minimized these differences reduced the number of missing values in the final datasets by 36%. The impact of missing values was further investigated in the study of two groups of samples produced by using a spike as artificial marker. Missing values weakened the models used for the interpretation of the metabolic profiles, and greatly hindered the identification of possible markers. Finally, a simple strategy for an effective analysis of urine samples was outlined; it proved to limit the need for the post‐acquisition elaboration of the data. The same strategy can easily be adapted to other matrices. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Highly Enantioselective Access to Chiral 1‐(β‐Arylalkyl)‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole Derivatives as Potential Agricultural Bactericides
Authors: Lu Wen‐Chang , Cao Xiu‐Fang , Hu Ming , Li Fei , Yu Guang‐Ao , Liu Sheng‐Hua
Published: August 2011

A series of chiral 1‐(β‐arylalkyl)‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole derivatives has been designed as potential antifungal agents. The target triazoles have been synthesized by using a chiral auxiliary as a controlling reagent. All of the compounds were obtained with high ee values, reaching up to 99%. Preliminary bioassay results have revealed that most of the synthesized compounds display significantly higher fungicidal activities against the species Fusarium oxysporium, Rhizoctonia solani, Botrytis cinereapers, Gibberella zeae, Dothiorella gregaria, and Colletotrichum gossypii than the commercial agent triadimefon. Moreover, some of the enantiomers have been found to display significant differences in activity.
Redox status and pro‐survival/pro‐apoptotic protein expression in the early cardiac hypertrophy induced by experimental hyperthyroidism
Authors: Fernandes R. O. , Dreher G. J. , Schenkel P. C. , Fernandes T. R. G. , Ribeiro M. F. M. , Araujo A. S. R. , Belló‐Klein A.
Published: August 2011

This study was conducted to analyse the redox status and redox‐sensitive proteins that may contribute to a non‐genomic mechanism of cardiac hypertrophy induction by hyperthyroidism. Wistar rats, treated with L‐thyroxine (T4) during 2 weeks (12 mg·l‐1 in drinking water), presented cardiac hypertrophy (68% higher than control), without signals of liver or lung congestion. Myocardial reduction of the reduced glutathione: oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio (45%) (redox status) and elevation in hydrogen peroxide concentration (H2O2) (28%) were observed in hyperthyroid as compared with the control. No significant difference was found in thioredoxin (Trx), Trx reductase activity and Nrf2 (a transcriptional factor) protein expression between groups. Redox‐sensitive proteins, quantified using Western blot, presented the following results: increased p‐ERK: total extracellular‐regulated kinase (ERK) (200%) and Bax : Bcl‐2 (62%) ratios and reduced total‐Akt (63%) and p‐Akt (53%) expressions in the hyperthyroid rats as compared with the control. The redox imbalance, associated with increased immunocontent of a protein related to maladaptative growth (ERK) and reduced immunocontent of protein related to cytoprotection/survival (Akt), may suggest that the molecular scenario could favour the decompensation process of cardiac hypertrophy induced by experimental hyperthyroidism. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of 5′‐Diphenyl Nucleoside Analogues as Inhibitors of the Plasmodium falciparum dUTPase
Authors: Hampton Shahienaz E. , Baragaña Beatriz , Schipani Alessandro , Bosch‐Navarrete Cristina , Musso‐Buendía J. Alexander , Recio Eliseo , Kaiser Marcel , Whittingham Jean L. , Roberts Shirley M. , Shevtsov Mikhail , Brannigan James A. , Kahnberg Pia , Brun Reto , Wilson Keith S. , González‐Pacanowska Dolores , Johansson Nils Gunnar , Gilbert Ian H.
Published: August 2011

Deoxyuridine 5′‐triphosphate nucleotidohydrolase (dUTPase) is a potential drug target for malaria. We previously reported some 5′‐tritylated deoxyuridine analogues (both cyclic and acyclic) as selective inhibitors of the Plasmodium falciparum dUTPase. Modelling studies indicated that it might be possible to replace the trityl group with a diphenyl moiety, as two of the phenyl groups are buried, whereas the third is exposed to solvent. Herein we report the synthesis and evaluation of some diphenyl analogues that have lower lipophilicity and molecular weight than the trityl lead compound. Co‐crystal structures show that the diphenyl inhibitors bind in a similar manner to the corresponding trityl derivatives, with the two phenyl moieties occupying the predicted buried phenyl binding sites. The diphenyl compounds prepared show similar or slightly lower inhibition of PfdUTPase, and similar or weaker inhibition of parasite growth than the trityl compounds.
Quality of care in patients with bladder cancer
Authors: Chamie Karim , Saigal Christopher S. , Lai Julie , Hanley Jan M. , Setodji Claude M. , Konety Badrinath R. , Litwin Mark S. ,   the Urologic Diseases in America Project
Published: August 2011

BACKGROUND:

Although there is level I evidence demonstrating the superiority of intravesical therapy in patients with bladder cancer, surveillance strategies are primarily founded on expert opinion. The authors examined compliance with surveillance and treatment strategies and the pursuant impact on survival in patients with high‐grade disease.

METHODS:

Using linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)‐Medicare data, the authors identified subjects with a diagnosis of high‐grade, non–muscle‐invasive disease between 1992 and 2002 who survived 2 years and did not undergo definitive treatment during that time. Nonlinear mixed‐effects regression analyses was used to examine compliance with surveillance and treatment strategies. After adjusting for confounders using a propensity score‐weighted approach, the authors determined whether individual and comprehensive strategies during the initial 2 years after diagnosis were associated with survival after 2 years.

RESULTS:

Of 4790 subjects, only 1 received all the recommended measures. Although mean utilization for most measures significantly increased after 1997, only compliance with an induction course of bacillus Calmette‐Guerin (BCG) increased (13% to 20%; P < .001). On multivariate analysis, compliance with ≥ 4 cystoscopies, ≥ 4 cytologies, and BCG instillation was found to be lower among octogenarians and higher among those with undifferentiated, Tis, and T1 tumors, and among those individuals diagnosed after 1997. Subjects compliant with these measures had a lower hazard of mortality (hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.18‐0.93) than those who received < 4 cystoscopies, < 4 cytologies, and no BCG.

CONCLUSION:

There was a statistically significant survival advantage found among those who received at least half of the recommended care. Improving compliance with these process‐of‐care measures via systematic quality improvement initiatives serves as the primary target to meliorate bladder cancer care. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Inappropriate utilization of radiographic imaging in men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer in the United States
Authors: Prasad Sandip M. , Gu Xiangmei , Lipsitz Stuart R. , Nguyen Paul L. , Hu Jim C.
Published: August 2011

BACKGROUND:

The use of radiographic imaging (bone scan and computerized tomography) is only recommended for men diagnosed with high‐risk prostate cancer characteristics. The authors sought to characterize utilization patterns of imaging in men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer.

METHODS:

The authors performed a population‐based observational cohort study using the US Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results‐Medicare linked data to identify 30,183 men diagnosed with prostate cancer during 2004 to 2005.

RESULTS:

Thirty‐four percent of men with low‐risk and 48% with intermediate‐risk prostate cancer underwent imaging, whereas only 60% of men with high‐risk disease received imaging before treatment. Radiographic imaging utilization was greater for men who were older than 75 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20‐1.37; P < .001), were black (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01‐1.21; P = .030), resided in wealthier areas (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.08‐1.32 for median income >$60,000 vs <$35,000; P < .001), lived in rural regions (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.12‐1.36; P < .001), or underwent standard radiation therapies (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.60‐1.84; P < .001). Imaging utilization was less for men living in areas with greater high school education (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.75‐0.91 between highest and lowest graduation rates; P < .001) or opting for active surveillance (OR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.15‐0.19 vs radical prostatectomy; P < .001). The estimated cost of unnecessary imaging over this 2‐year period exceeded $3.6 million.

CONCLUSIONS:

In the United States, there is widespread overutilization of imaging for low‐risk and intermediate‐risk prostate cancer, whereas a worrisome number of men with high‐risk disease did not receive appropriate imaging studies to exclude metastases before therapy. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Shadow series in the Munsell system
Authors: Centore Paul
Published: August 2011

Using an inversion of the Munsell renotation, this article calculates that a colour's shadow series is approximately a straight line in the Munsell system. The line starts at the colour's Munsell specification and ends about one value step below N0, on the neutral axis. The colour's hue in shadow shifts slightly towards the yellow part of the spectrum. The calculations suggest that ideal black belongs at about N(−1) in the Munsell system, rather than at N0, if equality of perceptual steps is to be maintained. Similarly, ideal white should be slightly lighter than N10. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2013
Adaptive Transmission Control Protocol‐trunking flow control mechanism for supporting proxy‐assisted video on demand system
Authors: Yu Yuan‐Tse , Tong Sheau‐Ru
Published: August 2011

Video streaming has been challenged by the best‐effort service inherently provided by the Internet. Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is sensitive to traffic congestion, and current TCP is insufficient to offer stable and high throughput bandwidth for video transmissions. Although many investigations have been proposed to deal with the inefficient problem of TCP protocol, such as Stream Control Transmission Protocol, these mechanisms and protocols are still not well employed by current Internet and used by Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). Adaptive TCP‐trunking flow control (ATCP+), which is a segment‐based flow control scheme built upon TCP protocol, is proposed in the paper. ATCP+ dynamically adjusts the transmitted segment size and makes multiple TCP connections be trunked together based on network condition, in order to optimize all TCP connection throughputs efficiently. The proposed scheme is implemented through HTTP 1.1. Experiments show that the proposed method can achieve stable throughput for smooth multimedia presentation on numerous network states, and the scheme can be handily applied on general web servers. Lastly, ATCP+ presents a cost‐effective video streaming solution in real deployment. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Syntheses and 1H NMR Spectra of Substituted Zintl Ions [Ge9Rn](4–n)–: Crystal Structures of [Ge9R]3– (R = 2,4,6‐Me3C6H2, CHCH2) and Indication of Tris‐Vinylated Clusters
Authors: Benda Christian B. , Wang Jian‐Qiang , Wahl Bernhard , Fässler Thomas F.
Published: August 2011

The introduction of a mesityl (Mes; 2,4,6‐Me3C6H2) ligand to a Ge9 polyanion is accomplished by the reaction of [Ge9]4– solutions with Ag4Mes4. The crystal structure investigation of its [K([2.2.2]crypt)] salt ([2.2.2]crypt: 4,7,13,16,21,24‐hexaoxa‐1,10‐diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane) shows that [Ge9Mes]3– comprises one exo‐bonded aryl ligand in accordance with the 1H NMR spectroscopic data. The formation of mono‐, bis‐, and tris‐substituted Zintl Ions [Ge9Rn](4–n)– (n = 1, 2, and 3; R = CHCH2) is investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The mono‐ and bis‐vinylated Ge9 clusters, [Ge9(CHCH2)]3– and [Ge9(CHCH2)2]2–, were obtained by the reaction of K4Ge9 with Me3SiC≡CSiMe3 in ethylenediamine. In the presence of [18]crown‐6 (1,4,7,10,13,16‐hexaoxacyclooctadecane) and K(C5H5) crystals containing both cluster species were isolated and structurally characterized as[K([18]crown‐6)]2{(η5‐C5H5)[K([18]crown‐6)]2}[Ge9(CHCH2)]and [K([18]crown‐6)]{(η5‐C5H5)[K([18]crown‐6)]2}[Ge9(CHCH2)2], respectively. 1H NMR experiments hint for the tris‐vinylated cluster [Ge9(CHCH2)3]–.
Growth and Transformation Mechanism of Ternary CuAgSe Dendrites from Binary Ag2Se Dendrites
Authors: Gao Yuanhao , Zheng Zhi , Tian Yupeng , Zhang Yidong , Zhang Yange
Published: August 2011

For the first time, ternary CuAgSe dendrites on a Ag foil substrate have been synthesized at room temperature by inheriting the dendritic structures of Ag2Se nanocrystals, and Cu nanoparticles and Se powders were used to feed the growth in aqueous ammonia solution. The new nano approach for the fabrication of CuAgSe dendrites can be regarded as a successful chemical alternative to the recently developed technique for electrochemical atomic layer epitaxy deposition for chalcogenides. The transformation process and mechanism from the binary Ag2Se phase to the ternary CuAgSe phase are discussed along with analysis their of thermodynamic, kinetic, and crystallographic properties.
Facile Routes to ThIV, UIV, and NpIV Phosphites and Phosphates
Authors: Villa Eric M. , Wang Shuao , Alekseev Evgeny V. , Depmeier Wulf , Albrecht‐Schmitt Thomas E.
Published: August 2011

Three actinide(IV) phosphites and a NpIV phosphate, AnIV(HPO3)2(H2O)2 (An = Th, U, Np) and Cs[Np(H1.5PO4)(PO4)]2, respectively, were synthesized using mild hydrothermal conditions. The first three phases are isotypic and were obtained using similar reaction conditions. Cs[Np(H1.5PO4)(PO4)]2 was synthesized using an analogous method to that of Np(HPO3)2(H2O)2. However, this fourth phase is quite different in comparison to the other phases in both composition and structure. The structure of Cs[Np(H1.5PO4)(PO4)]2 is constructed from double layers of neptunium(IV) phosphate with caesium cations in the interlayer region. In contrast, An(HPO3)2(H2O)2 (An = Th, U, Np) form dense 3D networks. The actinide contraction is detected in variety of metrics obtained from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data. Changes in the oxidation state of the neptunium starting materials yield different products.
HP‐KB3O5 Highlights the Structural Diversity of Borates: Corner‐Sharing BO3/BO4 Groups in Combination with Edge‐Sharing BO4 Tetrahedra
Authors: Neumair Stephanie C. , Vanicek Stefan , Kaindl Reinhard , Többens Daniel M. , Martineau Charlotte , Taulelle Francis , Senker Jürgen , Huppertz Hubert
Published: August 2011

The new compound HP‐KB3O5 was synthesized under high‐pressure/high‐temperature conditions. It is the first compound exhibiting all three possible conjunctions simultaneously: corner‐sharing BO3 groups, corner‐sharing BO4 units, as well as edge‐sharing BO4 tetrahedra. Calculations of harmonic vibrational frequencies and 11B solid‐state NMR measurements were performed for the first time with a compound exhibiting edge‐sharing BO4 tetrahedra.
Diastereo‐ and Enantioselective Construction of γ‐Butenolides through Chiral Phosphane‐Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation of Morita–Baylis–Hillman Acetates
Authors: Wei Yin , Ma Guang‐Ning , Shi Min
Published: August 2011

A series of multifunctional, chiral amide–phosphane organocatalysts have been designed and synthesized for the allylic substitution of Morita–Baylis–Hillman (MBH) acetate with 2‐trimethylsilyloxyfuran for butenolide synthesis. This reaction was achieved in good to excellent yield (42–98 %) and high ee (85–99 %) with respect to a wide range of substrates in absolute MeOH or CH3CN, using chiral amide–phosphane organocatalysts with an amide moiety including an active proton. NMR tracing experiments identified the critical phosphonium intermediates involved in the catalytic cycles. Computational studies disclosed the origins of diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity, in particular, revealing that the active proton of the amide moiety is the critical factor for the catalyst to have high enantiofacial control.
Total Synthesis of Bauhinoxepin J: A Biologically Active Dibenzo[b,f]oxepin Isolated from Bauhinia purpurea
Authors: Narita Koichi , Nakamura Ken , Abe Yui , Katoh Tadashi
Published: August 2011

Bauhinoxepin J possessing antimycobacterial, antimalarial, and tumor growth inhibitory activities was efficiently synthesized. The method involves crucial steps, including a coupling reaction of two aromatic moieties to construct the desired carbon framework, chemoselective phenol oxidation of a bisphenol derivative to establish a key cyclization precursor, and construction of a characteristic seven‐membered dihydrooxepin ring by internal cyclization to yield the target bauhinoxepin J.