bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Change of the Asian dust source region deduced from the relationship between anthropogenic radionuclides in surface soil and precipitation in Mongolia
Authors: Igarashi Y. , Fujiwara H. , Jugder D.
Published: January 2011

Abstract. The Asian dust source region may be expanding primarily as a result of recent climate change, especially during the 2000s. This change was investigated by examining anthropogenic radionuclides contained in surface soil samples from Mongolia. Surface soil was globally labeled by radioactive fallout from nuclear testing during the late 1950s and early 1960s. There are no current direct sources for anthropogenic radionuclides in the air, so the radionuclides in the atmosphere are mainly carried by dust from wind-blown surface soil, that is, aeolian dust. Asian dust carries 90Sr, 137Cs, and other anthropogenic radionuclides; the heaviest deposition occurs in spring and has been recorded in Japan since the early 1990s. The composition of anthropogenic radionuclides in atmospheric depositions would be affected by a change in the dust source. Previous studies of atmospheric depositions at long-term monitoring sites (e.g. in Tsukuba, Japan) have detected changes in the 137Cs/90Sr ratio and in the specific activity of the radionuclides. These changes in the composition of observed atmospheric depositions should be a reflection for a change in the climatic conditions of the dust source region. To investigate this dust source change, a field survey for radionuclides (90Sr and 137Cs) in surface soil samples was conducted in September 2007 in the eastern and southern regions of Mongolia, where dust storms have occurred more frequently since 2000. It was found that specific activities of both radionuclides as well as the 137Cs/90Sr ratio in the surface soil correlated well with annual average precipitation in the Mongolian desert-steppe zone. The higher specific activities and the higher 137Cs/90Sr ratio were found in the grassland region with the greater precipitation. This finding suggests that the increased specific activities and the activity ratio detected in the atmospheric depositions in Japan during years of the frequent Asian dust transport event since 2000 should be a sign of grassland degradation.
Observation of the exhaust plume from the space shuttle main engines using the microwave limb sounder
Authors: Pumphrey H. C. , Lambert A. , Livesey N. J.
Published: January 2011

Abstract. A space shuttle launch deposits 700 tonnes of water in the atmosphere. Some of this water is released into the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere where it may be directly detected by a limb sounding satellite instrument. We report measurements of water vapour plumes from shuttle launches made by the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) on the Aura satellite. Approximately 50%–65% of shuttle launches are detected by MLS. The signal appears at a similar level across the upper 10 km of the MLS limb scan, suggesting that the bulk of the observed water is above the top of the scan. Only a small fraction at best of smaller launches (Ariane 5, Proton) are detected. We conclude that the sensitivity of MLS is only just great enough to detect a shuttle sized launch, but that a suitably designed instrument of the same general type could detect the exhausts from a large proportion of heavy-lift launches.
Space and ground segment performance of the FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC mission: four years in orbit
Authors: Fong C.-J. , Whiteley D. , Yang E. , Cook K. , Chu V. , Schreiner B. , Ector D. , Wilczynski P. , Liu T.-Y. , Yen N.
Published: January 2011

Abstract. The FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC (Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate) mission consisting of six Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellites is the world's first demonstration constellation using radio occultation signals from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. The radio occultation signals are retrieved in near real-time for global weather/climate monitoring, numerical weather prediction, and space weather research. The mission has processed on average 1400 to 1800 high-quality atmospheric sounding profiles per day. The atmospheric radio occultation soundings data are assimilated into operational numerical weather prediction models for global weather prediction, including typhoon/hurricane/cyclone forecasts. The radio occultation data has shown a positive impact on weather predictions at many national weather forecast centers. A proposed follow-on mission transitions the program from the current experimental research system to a significantly improved real-time operational system, which will reliably provide 8000 radio occultation soundings per day. The follow-on mission as planned will consist of 12 satellites with a data latency of 45 min, which will provide greatly enhanced opportunities for operational forecasts and scientific research. This paper will address the FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC system and mission overview, the spacecraft and ground system performance after four years in orbit, the lessons learned from the encountered technical challenges and observations, and the expected design improvements for the new spacecraft and ground system.
Droplet activation, separation, and compositional analysis: laboratory studies and atmospheric measurements
Authors: Hiranuma N. , Kohn M. , Pekour M. S. , Nelson D. A. , Shilling J. E. , Cziczo D. J.
Published: January 2011

Abstract. Droplets produced in a cloud condensation nucleus chamber as a function of supersaturation have been separated from unactivated aerosol particles using counterflow virtual impaction. Residual material after droplets were evaporated was chemically analyzed with an Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer and the Particle Analysis by Laser Mass Spectrometry instrument. Experiments were initially conducted to verify activation conditions for monodisperse ammonium sulfate particles and to determine the resulting droplet size distribution as a function of supersaturation. Based on the observed droplet size, the counterflow virtual impactor cut-size was set to differentiate droplets from unactivated interstitial particles. Validation experiments were then performed to verify that only droplets with sufficient size passed through the counterflow virtual impactor for subsequent analysis. A two-component external mixture of monodisperse particles was also exposed to a supersaturation which would activate one of the types (ammonium sulfate) but not the other (polystyrene latex spheres). The mass spectrum observed after separation indicated only the former, validating separation of droplets from unactivated particles. Results from atmospheric measurements using this technique indicate that aerosol particles often activate predominantly as a function of particle size. Chemical composition is not irrelevant, however, and we observed enhancement of sulfate in droplet residuals using single particle analysis.
Comprehensive calculation of the energy per ion pair or W values for five major planetary upper atmospheres
Authors: Simon Wedlund C. , Gronoff G. , Lilensten J. , Ménager H. , Barthélemy M.
Published: January 2011

Abstract. The mean energy W expended in a collision of electrons with atmospheric gases is a useful parameter for fast aeronomy computations. Computing this parameter in transport kinetic models with experimental values can tell us more about the number of processes that have to be taken into account and the uncertainties of the models. We present here computations for several atmospheric gases of planetological interest (CO2, CO, N2, O2, O, CH4, H, He) using a family of multi-stream kinetic transport codes. Results for complete atmospheres for Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Titan are also shown for the first time. A simple method is derived to calculate W of gas mixtures from single-component gases and is conclusively checked against the W values of these planetary atmospheres. Discrepancies between experimental and theoretical values show where improvements can be made in the measurement of excitation and dissociation cross-sections of specific neutral species, such as CO2 and CO.
Twentieth century δ13C variability in surface water dissolved inorganic carbon recorded by coralline algae in the northern North Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea
Authors: Williams B. , Halfar J. , Steneck R. S. , Wortmann U. G. , Hetzinger S. , Adey W. , Lebednik P. , Joachimski M.
Published: January 2011

Abstract. The oxygen isotopic composition and Mg/Ca ratios in the skeletons of long-lived coralline algae record ambient seawater temperature over time. Similarly, the carbon isotopic composition in the skeletons record δ13C values of ambient seawater dissolved inorganic carbon. Here, we measured δ13C in the coralline alga Clathromorphum nereostratum to test the feasibility of reconstructing the intrusion of anthropogenic CO2 into the northern North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea. The δ13C was measured in the high Mg-calcite skeleton of three C. nereostratum specimens from two islands 500 km apart in the Aleutian archipelago. In the records spanning 1887 to 2003, the average decadal rate of decline in δ13C values increased from 0.03‰ yr−1 in the 1960s to 0.095‰ yr−1 in the 1990s, which was higher than expected due to solely the δ13C-Suess effect. Deeper water in this region exhibits higher concentrations of CO2 and low δ13C values. Transport of deeper water into surface water (i.e., upwelling) increases when the Aleutian Low is intensified. We hypothesized that the acceleration of the δ13C decline may result from increased upwelling from the 1960s to 1990s, which in turn was driven by increased intensity of the Aleutian Low. Detrended δ13C records also varied on 4–7 year and bidecadal timescales supporting an atmospheric teleconnection of tropical climate patterns to the northern North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea manifested as changes in upwelling.
Enhanced decomposition offsets enhanced productivity and soil carbon accumulation in coastal wetlands responding to climate change
Authors: Kirwan M. L. , Blum L. K.
Published: January 2011

Abstract. Coastal wetlands are responsible for about half of all carbon burial in oceans, and their persistence as a valuable ecosystem depends largely on the ability to accumulate organic material at rates equivalent to relative sea level rise. Recent work suggests that elevated CO2 and temperature warming will increase organic matter productivity and the ability of marshes to survive sea level rise. However, we find that organic decomposition rates increase by about 12% per degree of warming. Our measured temperature sensitivity is similar to studies from terrestrial systems, twice as high as the response of salt marsh productivity to temperature warming, and roughly equivalent to the productivity response associated with elevated CO2 in C3 marsh plants. Therefore, enhanced CO2 and warmer temperatures may actually make marshes less resilient to sea level rise, and tend to promote a release of soil carbon. Simple projections indicate that elevated temperatures will increase rates of sea level rise more than any acceleration in organic matter accumulation, suggesting the possibility of a positive feedback between climate, sea level rise, and carbon emissions in coastal environments.
Comparison of predictions of rainfall-runoff models for changes in rainfall in the Murray-Darling Basin
Authors: Whyte J. M. , Plumridge A. , Metcalfe A. V.
Published: January 2011

Abstract. Management of water resources requires an appreciation for how climate change, in particular changes in rainfall, affects the volume of water available in runoff. While there are many studies that use hydrological models for this purpose, comparisons of predictions appear much less commonly in the literature. This paper aims to contribute to this discussion by proposing methods for evaluating the effect on daily runoff projections of rainfall-runoff models when historical daily rainfall inputs are scaled by factors that increase and decrease the rainfall. Considered are the widely used lumped conceptual model SIMHYD and a selection of time series models which feature lagged runoff and rainfall terms. In particular these are AutoRegressive with eXogenous input (ARX), a variant containing nonlinear autoregressive runoff terms (NARX), a model for the log transform of runoff, a finite impulse response model (FIR) and a two regime threshold autoregressive model with exogenous input (TARX). Results show that SIMHYD and the single regime time series models considered have very different behaviour under scaled input rainfall. Reasons for the discrepancy are discussed. The amplification of the rainfall change observed for SIMHYD is consistent with claims that a 1% change in rainfall leads to a 2–3% change in runoff in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Estimation of friction parameters in gravity currents by data assimilation in a model hierarchy
Authors: Wirth A.
Published: January 2011

Abstract. This paper is the last in a series of three investigating the friction laws and their parametrisation in idealised gravity currents in a rotating frame. Results on the dynamics of a gravity current (Wirth, 2009) and on the estimation of friction laws by data assimilation (Wirth and Verron, 2008) are combined to estimate the friction parameters and discriminate between friction laws in non-hydrostatic numerical simulations of gravity current dynamics, using data assimilation and a reduced gravity shallow water model. I demonstrate, that friction parameters and laws in gravity currents can be estimated using data assimilation. The results clearly show that friction follows a linear Rayleigh law for small Reynolds numbers and the estimated value agrees well with the analytical value obtained for non-accelerating Ekman layers. A significant and sudden departure towards a quadratic drag law at an Ekman layer based Reynolds number of around 800 is shown, in agreement with classical laboratory experiments. The drag coefficient obtained compare well to friction values over smooth surfaces. I show that data assimilation can be used to determine friction parameters and discriminate between friction laws and that it is a powerful tool in systematically connection models within a model hierarchy.
Clinical Experience in Femoral Revision with the Modular Profemur R Stem
Authors: Artiaco Stefano , Boggio Frediano , Titolo Paolo , Zoccola Kristjian , Bianchi Pasquale , Bellomo Franco
Published: January 2011

The application of modular femoral stems is constantly increasing in revision hip surgery. From March 2001 to March 2006, we employed the Profemur R modular stem in 35 cases of femoral component revision (31 first revisions and 4 re-revisions). The reasons for revision surgery included aseptic loosening in 17 cases, periprosthetic femoral fracture in 8 cases, stem fracture in 3 cases, septic loosening in 2 cases and recurrent dislocation in 1 case. According to the Merle d'Aubugne - Postel score clinical results were very good in 11 cases, good in 9 cases, medium in 5 cases, fair in 4 cases and poor in 4 cases. The main complications included 2 intraoperative diaphyseal fractures treated with multiple cerclage wires and 2 early infections treated with debridement and prolonged antibiotic therapy. One fracture healed in association with temporary wound discharge, and the other resulted in non-union with a femoral varus deformity. This required revision with internal fixation (LCP plate) at 3 months, with a successful result. In one case of stem subsidence femoral revision with a larger Profemur R implant was required. In our retrospective study the Profemur R modular stem has been an effective prosthetic system for femoral reconstruction in case of loosening with Paprosky grade III bone loss and following periprosthetic femoral fractures.
Choosing the Optimum Swab for Canal Drying in Cemented Total Hip Replacement
Authors: Cutts Steven , Pasapula Chandra S. , Modi Nitin R. , Gwozdziewicz Lucasz , Bowers Alban G.
Published: January 2011

During total hip replacement, the reamed medullary canal of the femur should represent a clean, dry surface. We compared the effectiveness of 4 different cotton swabs in a synthetic femur that had been reamed to receive a size 1 Exeter trial prosthesis. Swab sizes included a 2.5 cm and a 7.5 cm diameter ribbon gauze, a pair of 10 × 7.5 cms square swabs and a larger surgical packing swab (20 × 22 cms). The ability of the swabs to pack the femur was assessed using both plain radiographs and colour photography (after femoral section). After retrieval from the canal, the total dry weight of the cotton inserted was recorded as was the time required to withdraw each swab type.

Only the narrowest (2.5 cm diameter) ribbon gauze was found to achieve comprehensive packing as far as the cement restrictor but it required a longer time for removal, and there may be a case for using larger ribbon gauze in larger femora. The mass of cotton delivered to the canal using small square swabs was half of that delivered using narrow ribbon gauze.
High-Sensitivity C Reactive Protein: Associations with Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Tracking in Female Adolescents and Young Adults
Authors: Morrison John A. , Glueck Charles J. , Daniels Stephen R. , Wang Ping , Stroop Davis M. , Horn Paul S.
Published: January 2011

Objective. We assessed adolescent anthropometry, lipids, insulin, glucose, and blood pressures to identify factors associated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and its tracking in young adults. Methods. Ten-year prospective study of 589 schoolgirls, 321 black, 268 white. Results. HsCRP did not differ (P>.08) by race or oral contraceptive use. HsCRP tracked from age 16 to 25 (r=0.77), 16 to 26 (r=0.50), 24 to 26 (r=0.66), and 25 to 26 (r=0.71), all P≤.02. By stepwise regression, at age 16, waist circumference accounted for 44.8% of hsCRP variance; BMI accounted for 33.1%, 34.4%, and 31.1% at ages 24, 25, and 26, P<.0001 for all. Changes in cholesterol and BMI were associated with change in hsCRP from age 24–26 (partial R2=12.3%  P<.0001, 6.6%  P=.0012). Changes in BMI and triglyceride (partial R2=8.5%  P=.0001, 3.3%, P=.0045) were associated with change in hsCRP from age 25 to 26. Conclusions. HsCRP tracks from age 16 to 26, with BMI, waist circumference, and cholesterol as major determinants.
Alkaloids
Authors: Mascavage Linda M. , Jasmin Serge , Sonnet Philip E. , Wilson Michael , Dalton David R.
Published: January 2011

The article contains sections titled:1.Introduction2.Alkaloids Derived from Polyketides and the Amino Acids Ornithine and Lysine2.1.Alkaloids Derived by the Insertion of Nitrogen into a Polyketide2.1.1.(S)‐(+)‐Coniine, γ‐Coniceine and Related Alkaloids2.1.2.Solenopsin Family (Fire Ant Alkaloids)2.1.3.Perhydroazaphenalenes: Defensive Alkaloids of the Coccinellidae2.1.4.Cyanobacteria Alkaloids2.1.5.Additional Polyketide‐Derived Alkaloids2.2.Alkaloids Derived from Ornithine and/or Arginine2.2.1.Tropane Alkaloids2.2.2.Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids2.3.Alkaloids Derived from Ornithine (and/or Arginine) and Nicotinic Acid2.4.Alkaloids Derived from Lysine (Lys, K) and Nicotinic Acid2.5.Purine Alkaloids2.6.Imidazole Alkaloids2.7.Pepper Alkaloids3.Alkaloids Derived from the Shikimate Pathway3.1.Alkaloids Derived from Anthranilate3.2.Alkaloids Derived from Phenylalanine and Tyrosine3.2.1.Biosynthesis of Dopamine, Mescaline and Capsaicin3.2.2.Biosynthesis of Tetrahydroisoquinoline Alkaloids3.2.3.Cryptostyline (Orchidaceae) and Alkaloids of the Amaryllidaceae3.2.4.Ephedra Alkaloids3.3.Alkaloids Derived from Tyrosine3.4.Alkaloids Derived from Tryptophan and/or Tryptamine (Indole Alkaloids)3.4.1.Alkaloids Derived from Tryptamine and an Unrearranged Monoterpene Unit3.4.2.Mold Metabolites3.4.3.Ergot Alkaloids3.4.4.Corynantheine–Heteroyohimbine Structural Types3.4.5.Corynantheine‐Type Alkaloids3.4.6.Ajmalicine‐Type Alkaloids3.4.7.Heteroyohimbine Oxindole Type3.4.8.Glucoalkaloids3.4.9.Yohimbine–Reserpine Structural Types3.4.10.Akuammidine–Quebrachidine–Ervatamine–Gelsemine–Akuammiline Structural Types3.4.11.Uleine–Ellipticine–Vallesamine–Ngouniensine Structural Types3.5.The Cinchona Structural Type3.6.The Camptothecin Structural Type3.7.Terpene, Sesquiterpene, Diterpene and Steroidal Alkaloids (→ ((anchor interlink a26_205.xml Terpenes)))3.7.1.Overview of Terpenoid Biosynthesis3.7.2.Monoterpene Alkaloids3.7.3.Sesquiterpene Alkaloids3.7.4.Diterpene Alkaloids3.7.5.Sesterterpene and Triterpene Alkaloids3.7.6.Steroidal Alkaloids4.Summary
Process Development, 1. Fundamentals and Standard Course
Authors: Vogel G. Herbert
Published: January 2011

The article contains sections titled:1.Introduction1.1.Objective of Industrial Research and Development1.2.Production Structure of the Chemical Industry1.3.Chemical Production Plant and its Components1.4.The Task of Process Development2.Course of Process Development2.1.Process Development as an Iterative Process2.2.Drawing up an Initial Version of the Process2.2.1.Data Banks2.2.2.Simulation Programs2.2.3.Expert Systems2.3.Checking Individual Steps2.4.Testing the Entire Process on a Small Scale2.4.1.Microplant: Link between Laboratory and Miniplant2.4.2.Miniplant Technique2.4.2.1.Introduction2.4.2.2.Construction2.4.2.3.Limits of Miniaturization2.4.2.4.Limitations of the Miniplant Technique2.4.3.Pilot Plant3.Planning, Erection and Start‐Up of a Chemical Plant
Process Development, 2. Evaluation
Authors: Vogel G. Herbert
Published: January 2011

The article contains sections titled:

1.

Process Evaluation

1.1.

Preparation of Study Reports

1.1.1.

Summary

1.1.2.

Basic Flow Diagram

1.1.3.

Process Description and Flow Diagram

1.1.4.

Waste‐Disposal Flow Diagram

1.1.5.

Estimation of Capital Expenditure

1.1.5.1.

Introduction

1.1.5.2.

ISBL Investment Costs

1.1.5.3.

OSBL Investment Costs

1.1.5.4.

Infrastructure Costs

1.1.6.

Calculation of Production Costs

1.1.6.1.

Feedstock Costs

1.1.6.2.

Utilities

1.1.6.3.

Waste‐Disposal Costs

1.1.6.4.

Staff Costs

1.1.6.5.

Maintenance Costs

1.1.6.6.

Overheads

1.1.6.7.

Capital‐Dependent Costs (Depreciation)

1.1.7.

Technology Evaluation

1.1.8.

Assessment of the Experimental Work

1.2.

Return on Investment

1.2.1.

Static Return on Investment

1.2.2.

Dynamic Return on Investment

1.3.

Economic Risk

1.3.1.

Sensitivity Analysis

1.3.2.

Amortization Time

2.

Trends and Future in Process Development
Influence of crystallization conditions on crystal morphology and size of CaCO3 and their effect on pressure filtration
Authors: Beck Ralf , Andreassen Jens‐Petter
Published: January 2011

The temperature, supersaturation, seeding procedure, stirring speed and other parameters were varied in crystallization experiments of calcium carbonate performed in aqueous solutions to control size, particle size distribution and morphology of the particles. Particle size information was obtained by focused beam reflectance measurements and the Coulter Counter Multisizer. Crystals of CaCO3 could be crystallized as spherical polycrystalline particles of the vaterite polymorph, needle‐like crystals of aragonite and both cube‐like and novel plate‐like crystals of calcite. Filtration experiments for calcium carbonate, performed at a constant pressure difference of 2 bar, show that spherical particles with a larger size show better filterability and that spheres with a wider size distribution, as a result of high supersaturation and nucleation, give higher average cake resistance values. Comparing different particle morphologies, plate‐like crystals and needle‐like crystals show worse filterability than spherical particles and cube‐like particles. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
Calculation of the solubility of liquid solutes in glassy polymers
Authors: Sarti Giulio C. , De Angelis Maria Grazia
Published: January 2011

The solubility of liquid molecules in glassy polymers has been considered by using the general results of the Non‐Equilibrium Thermodynamics of Glassy Polymers (NET‐GP), which proved successful to calculate solubility isotherms of gases in glassy polymers for rather different situations, including polymer blends, mixed gases, and mixed matrices. It is shown that the existing model is suitable also for liquid penetrants in a glassy phase: water and ethanol sorption in polycarbonate (PC) and water sorption in polysulfone (PSf) have been examined as examples. The model's ability to predict the solubility from both liquid and vapor phases was tested successfully, using the same values of the parameters for both phases. In the case of PC, the model was also applied to calculate successfully the solubility of liquid water at different temperatures from 25 to 130°C, with a single value of the energetic binary parameter. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
New mass‐transfer correlations for packed towers
Authors: Hanley Brian , Chen Chau‐Chyun
Published: January 2011

Rate‐based calculations for trayed and packed columns offer process engineers a more rigorous and reliable basis for assessing column performance than the traditional equilibrium‐stage approach, especially for multicomponent separations. Although the mathematics, thermodynamics, and transport‐related physics upon which nonequilibrium separations theory is founded are generally true, it is also true that rate‐based simulations today suffer from a serious weakness—they are ultimately tied to underlying equipment performance correlations with questionable predictive capability. In the case of packed columns operated countercurrently, correlations are required for the mass‐transfer coefficients, kx and ky, for the specific area participating in mass transfer, am, for the two‐phase pressure drop, (Δp/Z)2ϕ, and for the flood capacity of the column. In particular, it is generally well known that packing mass‐transfer correlations available in the public domain are unreliable when they are applied to chemical systems and column operating conditions outside of those used to develop the correlations in the first place. For that reason, we undertake the development of dependable, dimensionally consistent, correlating expressions for the mass‐transfer‐related quantities kx, ky, and am for metal Pall rings, metal IMTP, sheet metal structured packings of the MELLAPAK type, and metal gauze structured packings in the X configuration, using a new data fitting procedure. We demonstrate the superior performance of these correlations for a wide range of chemical systems and column operating conditions, including distillations as well as acid gas capture with amines. Further, we show that these new correlations lead to predictions for the relative interfacial area participating in mass transfer that can be greatly in excess of the geometrical surface area of the packing itself. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
Benefit of the Awaji diagnostic algorithm for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A prospective study
Authors: Schrooten Maarten , Smetcoren Charlotte , Robberecht Wim , Van Damme Philip
Published: January 2011

Objective:

Early and accurate diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is important for patient care and for entry in clinical trials. Retrospective studies suggest that the use of the Awaji algorithm for the diagnosis of ALS is more sensitive for early diagnosis than the currently used revised El Escorial criteria.

Methods:

We prospectively compared the revised El Escorial criteria with the Awaji algorithm in patients seen with suspected ALS at the University Hospitals Leuven between January 2008 and April 2010.

Results:

Out of 200 patients referred for the diagnosis of ALS, 66% and 85% could be categorized to definite or probable ALS at first presentation according to the revised El Escorial and the Awaji algorithm, respectively (p < 5.6 × 10−17). This corresponds to a >50% reduction of patients not eligible for clinical trial entry. Application of the Awaji algorithm made the diagnosis of ALS more likely by at least 1 diagnostic category in 25.7% of patients and identified at least 1 additional region with electrodiagnostic signs of ongoing lower motor neuron loss in 46.4% of electrodiagnostic investigations. Application of the Awaji algorithm did not result in a single false‐positive diagnosis of ALS in this study.

Interpretation:

Our data demonstrate that the Awaji algorithm is significantly more sensitive compared to the revised El Escorial criteria, without resulting in false‐positive diagnoses of ALS. It should therefore be used in clinical trials. Ann Neurol 2011;
Muscle pain in models of chemotherapy‐induced and alcohol‐induced peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Alvarez Pedro , Ferrari Luiz F. , Levine Jon D.
Published: January 2011

Objective:

While inflammatory pain is well described in skeletal muscle, neuropathic muscle pain remains to be clarified. We used 3 well‐established rodent models of peripheral neuropathy to evaluate for muscle pain.

Methods:

In rats exposed to either of 2 neurotoxic cancer chemotherapies, paclitaxel or oxaliplatin, or to alcohol consumption, we assessed the evolution of mechanical hyperalgesia in skeletal muscle and skin, in the same animal. To explore the involvement of protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε), a second messenger implicated in some forms of neuropathic pain, antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (AS‐ODNs) or mismatch ODNs (MM‐ODNs) for PKCε were administered intrathecally.

Results:

Rats submitted to models of chemotherapy‐induced and alcohol‐induced neuropathy developed persistent muscle hyperalgesia, which evolved in parallel in muscle and skin. The administration of PKCε AS, which has been shown to mediate cutaneous hyperalgesia in paclitaxel and ethanol models of neuropathic pain, also inhibited muscle hyperalgesia induced by these agents. Stopping AS‐ODN was associated with the reappearance of hyperalgesia at both sites. The AS‐ODN to PKCε treatment was devoid of effect in both muscle and skin in the oxaliplatin neuropathy model.

Interpretation:

Our results support the suggestion that neuropathic muscle pain may be a greater clinical problem than generally appreciated. ANN NEUROL 2011;
Glial gap junctional communication involvement in hippocampal damage after middle cerebral artery occlusion
Authors: Xie Minjie , Yi Chenju , Luo Xiang , Xu Shabei , Yu Zhiyuan , Tang Yingxin , Zhu Wenhao , Du Yixing , Jia Lintao , Zhang Qiang , Dong Qiang , Zhu Wenzhen , Zhang Xia , Bu Bitao , Wang Wei
Published: January 2011

Objective:

Most patients with stroke casued by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) show cognitive deficit that is generally regarded as resulting from damage to the cerebral cortex rather than the hippocampus. Whether MCAO induces hippocampal damage and whether this contributes to the cognitive defects remains unclear. Here we investigate the hippocampal damage and its correlation to cognitive defects after exclusively unilateral MCAO and the underlying mechanism for that damage.

Methods:

Patients were assessed for hippocampal damage by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and the Mini Mental‐Status Evaluation (MMSE) and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) were used to assess for cognitive defects.

Results:

We provide the first evidence that patients with exclusively unilateral MCAO showed hippocampal damage characterized by an infarct‐size–independent atrophy and alterations in neuronal and glial metabolites in the ipsilateral hippocampus, in parallel with cognitive impairment. Rodent MCAO also induced delayed shrinkage and pyramidal neuronal death in the ipsilateral hippocampus and an impairment of hippocampal‐dependent spatial memory. Blocking Gap junctional communication (GJC) with carbenoxolone or downregulation of connexin43 (Cx43) significantly increased the survival of the pyramidal neurons in the ipsilateral hippocampus and improved behavioral scores. Furthermore, Cx43 heterozygous mice showed reduced shrinkage and metabolite abnormality in ipsilateral hippocampus after MCAO.

Interpretation:

Astroglial GJC plays a significant role in MCAO‐induced remote hippocampal damage and cognitive impairment. It might be possible to improve the cognition in patients with MCAO by manipulating interastrocytic communication via the gap junction channels. ANN NEUROL 2011;
Bystanding F+ Oxidants Enable Selective Reductive Elimination from High‐Valent Metal Centers in Catalysis
Authors: Engle Keary M. , Mei Tian‐Sheng , Wang Xisheng , Yu Jin‐Quan
Published: January 2011

Reductive elimination from partially or completely oxidized metal centers is a vital step in a myriad of carbon–carbon and carbon–heteroatom bond‐forming reactions. One strategy for promoting otherwise challenging reductive elimination reactions is to oxidize the metal center using a two‐electron oxidant (that is, from M(n) to M(n+2)). However, many of the commonly used oxidants for this type of transformation contain oxygen, nitrogen, or halogen moieties that are subsequently capable of participating in reductive elimination, thus leading to a mixture of products. In this Minireview, we examine the use of bystanding F+ oxidants for addressing this widespread problem in organometallic chemistry and describe recent applications in PdII/PdIV and AuI/AuIII catalysis. We then briefly discuss a rare example in which one‐electron oxidants have been shown to promote selective reductive elimination in palladium(II)‐catalyzed CH functionalization, which we view as a promising future direction in the field.
Gold Nanoparticles Carrying Diatomic Molecules (O2 and CO) in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Karasugi Keiichi , Kitagishi Hiroaki , Kano Koji
Published: January 2011

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) prepared by citrate reduction of aurochloric acid (HAuCl4) were functionalized by tris(4‐sulfonatophenyl)porphinatoiron(III) (FeIIIP2) and poly(ethylene glycol) with thiolated arms (PEG‐SH). FeIIIP2 on the AuNP surface existed as its μ‐oxo dimer, which was reduced by Na2S2O4 to yield monomeric FeIIP2. FeIIP2‐bearing AuNPs were further functionalized through inclusion of two sulfonatophenyl groups of FeIIP2 by a per‐O‐methylated β‐cyclodextrin dimer with a pyridine linker (Py3CD) to obtain AuNPs capable of carrying diatomic molecules in the body. The resulting AuNPs (hemoCD‐AuNPs) bound O2 as well as CO in an aqueous solution. Although a noncolloidal 1:1 complex of 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(4‐sulfonatophenyl)porphinatoiron(II) and Py3CD injected into the femoral vein of a rat was rapidly excreted in the urine, no excretion was observed with ferric hemoCD‐AuNPs, which were gradually accumulated in the spleen and liver of a rat. These results suggest that hemoCD‐AuNPs can be used as a carrier of diatomic molecules such as O2 and CO in vivo.
In‐situ XAFS Studies of Mn12 Molecular‐Cluster Batteries: Super‐Reduced Mn12 Clusters in Solid‐State Electrochemistry
Authors: Wang Heng , Hamanaka Shun , Yokoyama Toshihiko , Yoshikawa Hirofumi , Awaga Kunio
Published: January 2011

In situ X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analyses were performed on rechargeable molecular cluster batteries (MCBs), which were formed by a lithium anode and cathode‐active material, [Mn12O12(CH3CH2C(CH3)2COO)16(H2O)4] with tert‐pentyl carboxylate ligand (abbreviated as Mn12tPe), and with eight Mn3+ and four Mn4+ centers. This mixed valence cluster compound is used in an effort to develop a reusable in situ battery cell that is suitable for such long‐term performance tests. The Mn12tPe MCBs exhibit a large capacity of approximately 210 Ah kg−1 in the voltage range V=4.0–2.0 V. The X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) spectra exhibit a systematic change during the charging/discharging with an isosbestic point at 6555 eV, which strongly suggests that only either the Mn3+ or Mn4+ ions in the Mn12 skeleton are involved in this battery reaction. The averaged manganese valence, determined from the absorption‐edge energy, decreased monotonically from 3.3 to 2.5 in the first half of the discharging (4.0>V>2.8 V), but changed little in the second half (2.8>V>2.0 V). The former valence change indicates a reduction of the initial [Mn12]0 state by approximately ten electrons, which corresponds well with the half value of the observed capacity. Therefore, the large capacity of the Mn12 MCBs can be understood as being due to a combination of the redox change of the manganese ions and presumably a capacitance effect. The extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) indicates a gradual increase of the Mn2+ sites in the first half of the discharging, which is consistent with the XANES spectra. It can be concluded that the Mn12tPe MCBs would include a solid‐state electrochemical reaction, mainly between the neutral state [Mn12]0 and the super‐reduced state [Mn12]8− that is obtained by a local reduction of the eight Mn3+ ions in Mn12 toward Mn2+ ions.
Social Discounting and Externalizing Behavior Problems in Boys
Authors: Sharp Carla , Barr Graham , Ross Don , Bhimani Rupal , Ha Carolyn , Vuchinich Rudy
Published: January 2011

Social discounting refers to the fact that most people assign more value to the welfare of close affiliates than they do to the welfare of distant affiliates—they discount the latter compared to the former. We report the first study to apply a social discounting paradigm to boys. We were particularly interested in investigating the relations between social discounting, age, and externalizing behavior problems (antisocial behavior). Results showed that (1) preadolescent boys were more likely than adolescent boys to show atypical response patterns in allocating rewards to affiliates; (2) task behavior was well represented as social discounting once boys with atypical response patterns were deleted from the sample, and (3) boys functioning in the clinical range on indices of externalizing behavior problems demonstrated steeper social discounting compared to controls. We conclude that social discounting as a measure of perceived social closeness is feasible for use in adolescent samples. Social discounting may operate similarly to other forms of discounting in impulsive individuals. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
“In‐Group Love” and “Out‐Group Hate” in Repeated Interaction Between Groups
Authors: Halevy Nir , Weisel Ori , Bornstein Gary
Published: January 2011

Costly individual participation in intergroup conflict can be motivated by “in‐group love”—a cooperative motivation to help the in‐group, by “out‐group hate”—an aggressive or competitive motivation to hurt the out‐group, or both. This study employed a recently developed game paradigm (Halevy, Bornstein, & Sagiv, 2008) designed specifically to distinguish between these two motives. The game was played repeatedly between two groups with three players in each group. In addition, we manipulated the payoff structure of the interaction that preceded the game such that half of the groups experienced peaceful coexistence and the other half experienced heightened conflict prior to the game. Enabling group members to express in‐group love independently of out‐group hate significantly reduced intergroup conflict. Group members strongly preferred to cooperate within their group, rather than to compete against the out‐group for relative standing, even in the condition in which the repeated game was preceded by conflict. Although both “in‐group love” and “out‐group hate” somewhat diminished as the game continued (as players became more selfish), choices indicative of the former motivation were significantly more frequent than choices indicative of the latter throughout the interaction. We discuss the implications of these findings for conflict resolution. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In Search of the Underlying Mechanism of the Disposition Effect
Authors: Lehenkari Mirjam
Published: January 2011

Using comprehensive data from the Finnish stock market, we assess the explanatory value of the three most commonly cited explanations for the disposition effect: prospect theory, belief in mean reversion, and escalation of commitment. In general, the results provide evidence for the presence of the disposition effect. More importantly, the effect appears to be significantly more pronounced when investors are personally responsible for the initial investment decision. This finding suggests that investor behavior is influenced above all by self‐justificatory concerns, an interpretation that is consistent with the escalation of commitment‐based explanation of the disposition effect. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Negative appendicectomy and perforation rates in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for suspected appendicitis
Authors: Güller U , Rosella L , McCall J , Brügger L E , Candinas D
Published: January 2011

Background

Despite widespread use of imaging technologies including ultrasonography and computed tomography, rates of negative appendicectomy and perforated appendicitis remain high. This trend analysis examined whether rates of negative appendicectomy and perforated appendicitis have decreased over time, and sought to evaluate clinical predictors associated with negative appendicectomy and perforated appendicitis.

Methods

This analysis was based on the prospective database of the Swiss Association of Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic Surgery (SALTS). All patients aged 12 years and over undergoing emergency laparoscopic appendicectomy between 1995 and 2006 were included. Unadjusted and risk-adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results

A total of 7964 patients underwent laparoscopic appendicectomy, of whom 7452 (93·6 per cent) had acute appendicitis and 512 (6·4 per cent) had a macroscopically normal appendix. Perforation occurred in 1230 (16·5 per cent) of those with appendicitis. In multivariable analysis, younger age (12–18 years), female sex, absence of local or generalized peritonitis and an early point during the study period were significant predictors of negative appendicectomy. For perforated appendicitis, significant predictors included age over 36 years, presence of localized or generalized peritonitis, and high American Society of Anesthesiologists grade. The rate of negative appendicectomy decreased from 12·7 per cent in 1995 to 2·8 per cent in 2006, there being a significant reduction in both unadjusted and risk-adjusted analyses (P < 0·001 for trend). In adjusted analyses, the rate of perforated appendicitis did not increase significantly over time.

Conclusion

The rate of negative appendicectomy decreased over time, without an accompanying increase in perforated appendicitis. The risk of having a negative appendicectomy was highest in girls aged 12–18 years without local or generalized peritonitis during the early study period, whereas perforation was associated with age over 36 years, presence of localized or generalized peritonitis, and greater co-morbidity.
Polypeptide Conjugate Binders that Discriminate between Two Isoforms of Human Carbonic Anhydrase in Human Blood
Authors: Tegler Lotta T. , Fromell Karin , Jonsson Bengt‐Harald , Viljanen Johan , Winander Cecilia , Carlsson Jonas , Baltzer Lars
Published: January 2011

Two binder candidates 4‐C37L34‐B and 3‐C15L8‐B from a 16‐membered set of 42‐residue polypeptide conjugates designed to bind human carbonic anhydrase II (HCAII), were shown to bind HCAII with high affinity in a fluorescence‐based screening assay. Two carbonic anhydrase isoforms with 60 % homology exist in human blood with HCAI being present in five‐ to sevenfold excess over HCAII. The ability of the binders to discriminate between HCAI and HCAII was evaluated with regard to what selectivity could be achieved by the conjugation of polypeptides from a 16‐membered set to a small organic molecule that binds both isoforms with similar affinities. The polypeptide conjugate 4‐C37L34‐B bound HCAII with a KD of 17 nM and HCAI with a KD of 470 nM, that is, with a 30‐fold difference in affinity. The corresponding dissociation constants for the complexes formed from 3‐C15L8‐B and the two carbonic anhydrases were 60 and 390 nM, respectively. This demonstration of selectivity between two very similar proteins is striking in view of the fact that the molecular weight of each one of the conjugate molecules is little more than 5000, the fold is unordered, and the polypeptide sequences were designed de novo and have no prior relationship to carbonic anhydrases. The results suggest that synthetic polypeptide conjugates can be prepared from organic molecules that are considered to be weak binders with low selectivity, yielding conjugates with properties that make them attractive alternatives to biologically generated binders in biotechnology and biomedicine.
Minimal Substrate Features for Erm Methyltransferases Defined by Using a Combinatorial Oligonucleotide Library
Authors: Hansen Lykke H. , Lobedanz Sune , Douthwaite Stephen , Arar Khalil , Wengel Jesper , Kirpekar Finn , Vester Birte
Published: January 2011

Erm methyltransferases are prevalent in pathogenic bacteria and confer resistance to macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin B antibiotics by specifically methylating the 23S ribosomal RNA at nucleotide A2058. We have identified motifs within the rRNA substrate that are required for methylation by Erm. Substrate molecules were constructed in a combinatorial manner from two separate sets (top and bottom strands) of short RNA sequences. Modifications, including LNA monomers with locked sugar residues, were incorporated into the substrates to stabilize their structures. In functional substrates, the A2058 methylation target (on the 13‐ to 19‐nucleotide top strand) was displayed in an unpaired sequence immediately following a conserved irregular helix, and these are the specific structural features recognized by Erm. Erm methylation was enhanced by stabilizing the top‐strand conformation with an LNA residue at G2056. The bottom strand (nine to 19 nucleotides in length) was required for methylation and was still functional after extensive modification, including substitution with a DNA sequence. Although it remains possible that Erm makes some unspecific contact with the bottom strand, the main role played by the bottom strand appears to be in maintaining the conformation of the top strand. The addition of multiple LNA residues to the top strand impeded methylation; this indicates that the RNA substrate requires a certain amount of flexibility for accommodation into the active site of Erm. The combinatorial approach for identifying small but functional RNA substrates is a step towards making RNA–Erm complexes suitable for cocrystal determination, and for designing molecules that might block the substrate‐recognition site of the enzyme.
Characterization of the Biosynthesis Gene Cluster for Alkyl‐O‐Dihydrogeranyl‐Methoxyhydroquinones in Actinoplanes missouriensis
Authors: Awakawa Takayoshi , Fujita Nobuyuki , Hayakawa Masayuki , Ohnishi Yasuo , Horinouchi Sueharu
Published: January 2011

A polyketide biosynthesis gene cluster (agq) was found on the genome of a rare actinomycete, Actinoplanes missouriensis. Streptomyces lividans expressing agqA encoding a type III polyketide synthase produced alkylresorcinols mainly from C16–17 fatty acids. Heterologous expression of the agq genes in S. lividans indicated the function of cognate polyketide modification enzymes; a monooxygenase AgqB hydroxylates the alkylresorcinols to yield 6‐alkyl‐2‐hydroxyhydroquinones, a methyltransferase AgqC catalyzes O‐methylation of the alkyl‐hydroxyhydroquinones to yield 6‐alkyl‐2‐methoxyhydroquinones, and a UbiA‐like prenyltransferase AgqD attaches a prenyl group to the C‐4 hydroxy group of the alkyl‐methoxyhydroquinones to yield 6‐alkyl‐4‐O‐geranyl‐2‐methoxyhydroquinones and 6‐alkyl‐4‐O‐dihydrofarnesyl‐2‐methoxyhydroquinones derived from C16–17 fatty acids. In contrast, A. missouriensis was found to produce 6‐alkyl‐4‐O‐dihydrogeranyl‐2‐methoxyhydroquinones derived from C16–18 fatty acids by the function of the agq gene cluster. All of these prenylated phenolic lipids were novel compounds.