bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stainless steel bottles for extra virgin olive oil packaging: effects on shelf‐life
Authors: Parenti Alessandro , Masella Piernicola , Spugnoli Paolo , Mazzanti Laura , Migliorini Marzia
Published: May 2010

The quality changes in extra virgin olive oil afforded by the conservation in bottles of different materials were assessed in a 12‐month shelf‐life test. Transparent clear glass (TCG), green coloured glass (CG) and stainless steel (SS) 250‐ml bottles were studied (in triplicates) alternating natural and fluorescent light to simulate the ‘in the drugstore’ conditions. Every 2 months, the quality decay was assessed by monitoring some chemicals parameters and by sensory evaluation. Principal component analysis evidenced a clustering of the samples as a function of storage time and bottle type. The SS bottles showed the best storage performances, whereas only minor differences were detected in TCG and CG. A large variability was detected within the replicated glass bottles, probably as a consequence of some uncontrolled variations in the light exposure. This was confirmed by the measure of light intensity over the storing surface, which showed a large variability (15%) around an average value of 380 lux. Under light exposure, a limited antioxidant effect of phenolic compounds was recorded. Only some specific phenols seem to play an important role in oil protection against oxidation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microbiological, colour and sensory properties of fresh beef steaks in low carbon monoxide concentration
Authors: Venturini Anna Cecilia , Contreras‐Castillo Carmen J. , Faria José de Assis Fonseca , Gallo Cláudio Rosa , Silva Tâmara Zago , Shirahigue Ligianne Din
Published: May 2010

Steaks from gluteus medius m. (GM) and longissimus dorsi m. (LD) were packaged in atmospheres containing two low levels of CO (0.2 and 0.4%) in combination with 21% O2 or without oxygen. The other components of the modified atmosphere packaging systems were carbon dioxide (30%) and nitrogen (balance). Steaks were evaluated on 0, 7, 14 and 21 days of storage at about 2oC to investigate the effects of the gas mixtures on the microflora, instrumental (CIE L*a*b*) and visual colour and odour. The preservation of colour and odour of GM and LD steaks packaged under low carbon monoxide was best achieved using anoxic mixtures containing 0.2% CO and 30% CO2. Steaks packaged without oxygen retained a desirable colour and practically did not present a visible discoloration or perceptive off‐odour along the entire storage time. Colour stabilization with 0.2% CO and 30% CO2, without O2, following storage up to 21 days at 2°C did not increase microbial risk of products. The increase in CO from 0.2 to 0.4% had a negative effect on the colour of LD steaks which was regarded as ‘artificial’ by some panellists. The higher stability achieved in this study using 0.2% CO may result from increased stability of the colour from Bos indicus × Bos Taurus cross. Discoloration and off‐odour were evident in the GM and LD steaks packaged aerobically after 14 days of storage when the counts of deteriorant bacteria achieved approximately 6.5 to 9.7 log CFU/g. Highest bacteriostatic effect could be obtained if the volume of injected CO2 was sufficient to saturate the meat and keep in balance around the product during storage. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monitoring chloramines and bromamines in a humid environment using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry
Authors: Hu Wan‐Ping , Langford Vaughan S. , McEwan Murray J. , Milligan Daniel B. , Storer Malina K. , Dummer Jack , Epton Michael J.
Published: May 2010

The selectivity and sensitivity of selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT‐MS) for individual breath analysis of haloamines has been improved by heating the flow tube in a commercial instrument to around 106°C. Data is presented showing the marked reduction in the number density of water clusters of product ions of common breath metabolites that are isobaric with the product ions from monochloramine and monobromamine that are used to monitor the haloamine concentrations. These results have direct relevance to the real‐time monitoring of chloramines in drinking water, swimming pools and food processing plants. However, once the isobaric overlaps from water cluster ions are reduced at the higher temperatures, there is no conclusive evidence showing the presence of haloamines on single breath exhalations in the mid parts per trillion range from examination of the breaths of volunteers. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Strong anion‐exchange liquid chromatography coupled with isotope ratio mass spectrometry using a Liquiface interface
Authors: Morrison Douglas J. , Taylor Karen , Preston Tom
Published: May 2010

The introduction of liquid chromatography coupled with isotope ratio mass spectrometry (LC/IRMS) as an analytical tool for the measurement of isotope ratios in non‐volatile analytes has somewhat simplified the analytical cycle from sample collection to analysis mainly due to the avoidance of the extensive sample processing and derivatisation that were necessary for gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS). Here we test the performance of coupling strong anion exchange to IRMS using only the second commercially available interface; the Liquiface.

The system was modified from installation specification to improve peak resolution in the interface and maintain peak separation from the column to the mass spectrometer. The system performance was assessed by the determination of sensitivity, accuracy and precision attained from carbohydrate separations. The system performed satisfactorily after modifications, resulting in maintenance of peak resolution from column to mass spectrometer. The sensitivity achieved suggested that ∼150 ng carbon could be analysed with acceptable precision (<0.3‰). Accuracy was maintained in the interface as determined by correlation with offline techniques, resulting in regression coefficient of r2 = 0.98 and a slope of 0.99. The average precision achieved for the separation of seven monosaccharides was 0.36‰. The integration of a carbonate removal device limited the effect of background carbon perturbations in the mass spectrometer associated with eluent gradients, and the coupling of strong anion‐exchange chromatography with IRMS was successfully achieved using the Liquiface. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry to real‐time atmospheric monitoring
Authors: Prince Barry J. , Milligan Daniel B. , McEwan Murray J.
Published: May 2010

Data are presented for real‐time atmospheric monitoring of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) in air using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT‐MS) technology. These measurements were made by one of the new generation of SIFT‐MS instruments. Results are shown for five VOCs that were continually monitored from a stationary sampling point over a 4‐day period: ethene, ethanol, 1,3‐butadiene, benzene and toluene. All analytes except ethene in the study have at least two simultaneous and independent measures of concentration. These results demonstrate the great advances in SIFT‐MS that have been made in recent years. 1,3‐Butadiene is measured at a concentration of 9 pptv with a precision of 44%. For a 1‐s integration time, a detection limit of 50 pptv is achieved. Instrument sensitivities are reported for all five analytes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An efficient parallelization of phosphorylated peptide and protein identification
Authors: Wang Leheng , Wang Wenping , Chi Hao , Wu Yanjie , Li You , Fu Yan , Zhou Chen , Sun Ruixiang , Wang Haipeng , Liu Chao , Yuan Zuofei , Xiu Liyun , He Si‐Min
Published: May 2010

Protein sequence database search based on tandem mass spectrometry is an essential method for protein identification. As the computational demand increases, parallel computing has become an important technique for accelerating proteomics data analysis. In this paper, we discuss several factors which could affect the runtime of the pFind search engine and build an estimation model. Based on this model, effective on‐line and off‐line scheduling methods were developed. An experiment on the public dataset from PhosphoPep consisting of 100 RAW files of phosphopeptides shows that the speedup on 100 processors is 83.7. The parallel version can complete the identification task within 9 min, while a stand‐alone process on a single PC takes more than 10 h. On another larger dataset consisting of 1 366 471 spectra, the speedup on 320 processors is 258.9 and the efficiency is 80.9%. Our approach can be applied to other similar search engines. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Behavioral profiles—a way to model and validate program behavior
Authors: Koskinen Johannes , Kettunen Markus , Systä Tarja
Published: May 2010

Software architecture contains, in addition to its structural part, interaction patterns that can be regarded as part of the architectural solution of the system. The interaction patterns define architecturally significant behavior of the software system. In this paper we propose a visual modeling language, behavioral profiles, for specifying architecturally significant behavioral rules for an application. The language is built on the Unified Modeling Language (UML), which is a visual language widely used in software development. We show how behavioral profiles can be used to support software designers in creating behavioral models that conform to some predefined rules and for ensuring that an application behaves correctly with respect to the rules given in the profiles. A tool called Bebop was built to support software engineers in behavioral profile‐based design and analysis of program behavior. To evaluate the approach and the tools in different application domains, they are utilized in three cases. The size of the applications used in the cases varies from small to quite large software systems, and from academic to industrial ones. The examples demonstrate how the approach presented can be used in practice for different steps in a software engineering process. The examples cover specializing an application framework and monitoring the program execution in run‐time. In addition, they show how behavioral profiles can be used to support guided program comprehension and to validate program execution by analyzing execution traces. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rheological properties of starches from grain amaranth and their relationship to starch structure
Authors: Kong Xiangli , Kasapis Stefan , Bertoft Eric , Corke Harold
Published: May 2010

Amaranth starch (Amaranthus cruentus L. and Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) in this investigation possessed a relatively small and uniform granule size of a type “A” pattern obtained by X‐ray diffraction, with the degree of crystallinity ranging from 24.5 to 27.9%. This was followed by work on steady and dynamic rheological properties on shear of seven native amaranth starches. Aqueous pastes (5% solids) exhibited shear‐thinning behavior, and the flow behavior was fitted with the Herschel–Bulkley equation (regression coefficients were over 0.99). Cultivar V69 showed much higher G′ (storage modulus) and G″ (loss modulus) than the other samples and produced a solid‐like gel, which could be attributed to the high amylose content of its network. Correlation analysis revealed that amylose content was positively correlated with G′ and negatively with the loss tangent (tan δ) of the material.
Migration in the context of vulnerability and adaptation to climate change: insights from analogues
Authors: McLeman Robert A. , Hunter Lori M.
Published: May 2010

Migration is one of the variety of ways by which human populations adapt to environmental changes. The study of migration in the context of anthropogenic climate change is often approached using the concept of vulnerability and its key functional elements: exposure, system sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. This article explores the interaction of climate change and vulnerability through review of case studies of dry‐season migration in the West African Sahel, hurricane‐related population displacements in the Caribbean basin, winter migration of ‘snowbirds’ to the US Sun‐belt, and 1930s drought migration on the North American Great Plains. These examples are then used as analogues for identifying general causal, temporal, and spatial dimensions of climate migration, along with potential considerations for policy‐making and future research needs. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article is categorized under:

Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Values‐Based Approach to Vulnerability and Adaptation
Climate justice and the international regime
Authors: Okereke Chukwumerije
Published: May 2010

Contestations over justice and equity in the climate regime provide the most striking evidence of the quest by relevant actors to ensure that institutions for global environmental governance are based on widely shared ethical standards of responsibility and fairness. This review article examines recent policy debates and literature on distributive justice and the climate regime and highlights some areas of key research. The review indicates that while discussions on climate justice have gained ascendency within the international regime circle with noticeable impacts, a lot remains to be clarified about the status of justice concepts and how to best design polices that reconcile moral ideals and power politics. Hence, although the current regime performs well in terms of recognizing the need for and incorporating concepts of distributive justice between the rich and poor countries; it has not provided a basis to sufficiently upset the underlying forces and abiding structures of global inequality. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article is categorized under:

Policy and Governance > International Policy Framework
Effects of instrumentation changes on sea surface temperature measured in situ
Authors: Kent Elizabeth C. , Kennedy John J. , Berry David I. , Smith Robert O.
Published: May 2010

Measurements of sea surface temperature (SST) are an important climate record, complementing terrestrial air temperature observations, records of marine air temperature, ocean subsurface temperature, and ocean heat content. SST has been measured since the 18th century, although observations are sparse in the early period. Historically, marine observing systems relied on observations made by seafarers and necessary information on measurement methods is often not available. There are many historical descriptions of observing practice and instrumentation, some including quantification of biases between different methods. This documentation has been used, with the available observations, to develop models for the expected biases, which vary according to how the measurements were made, over time and with the environmental conditions. Adjustments have been developed for these biases and some gridded SST datasets adjust for these differences and provide uncertainty estimates, including uncertainties in the bias adjustments. The modern in situ SST‐observing system continues to evolve and now includes many observations from moored and drifting buoys, which must be characterized relative to earlier observations to provide a consistent record of multi‐decadal changes in SST. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article is categorized under:

Paleoclimates and Current Trends > Modern Climate Change
Changes of Inflammatory Mediators in Obese Patients After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Authors: Vita Gaetano Di , Patti Rosalia , Famà Fausto , Balistreri Carmela Rita , Candore Giuseppina , Caruso Calogero
Published: May 2010

Background

Obesity is associated with the impairment of immunological functions. The aim of this study was to analyze some inflammatory mediators in obese subjects who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods

Seventeen consecutive female patients with a BMI ranging from 35 to 45 kg/m2 (obese) and 17 consecutive female patients with BMI ranging from 20 to 25 kg/m2 (nonobese) were included in the study. All patients were affected by symptomatic gallbladder stone disease and underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Changes in levels of leukocytes, neutrophils, IL‐6, IL‐10, leptin, and adiponectin were evaluated.

Results

We observed a significant increase in leukocyte and neutrophil levels in the obese subjects compared to the nonobese subjects. The serum levels of leptin and IL‐6 were higher in the postoperative period (compared to the baseline values in both groups), and always higher in the obese. Both adiponectin and IL‐10 increased in the postoperative period in nonobese subjects and was always higher than in the obese.

Conclusions

Obese patients have a stronger acute inflammatory response than do nonobese subjects in reaction to surgical stress.
Evaluation of Sleep Position as a Potential Cause of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Preferred Sleep Position on the Side is Associated with Age and Gender
Authors: McCabe Steven J. , Xue Yuan
Published: May 2010

Purpose

To test the hypothesis that an important step in a causative mechanism for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is sleeping in a lateral position (sleeping on the side), we designed a cross-sectional survey to measure the association between sleep position, age, gender, and body mass index (BMI).

Methods and Findings

We surveyed 247 patients in a primary care setting. Fifty percent of men and 73% of women prefer to sleep on their side ( p<.001; unadjusted odds ratio, 2.7). In addition, the proportion of women who prefer to sleep on their side increased with increasing age ( p<.001). There was no association between BMI and sleeping in a lateral position.

Conclusions

This study supports the hypothesis that sleeping on the side is an important step in a causal pathway for CTS.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Components and Oxidative Stability from Olives Grown in Tunisia
Authors: Dabbou Samia , Brahmi Faten , Taamali Ameni , Issaoui Manel , Ouni Youssef , Braham Mohamed , Zarrouk Mokhtar , Hammami Mohamed
Published: May 2010

The effects of the contents of lipids, pigments, α‐tocopherol and phenols were studied in relation to the antioxidant capacity of five virgin olive oils obtained from five olive cultivars planted in Tunisia (Arbequina, Koroneiki, Leccino, Oueslati and Chemchali). The antioxidant capacities were evaluated by two different radical scavenging activities: radical scavenging activity by the DPPH assay (RSA‐DPPH) and total antioxidant status by the ABTS test (TAA‐ABTS). The highest contents of antioxidant compounds (75.96, 10.34, 6.32, 15.39 and 241.52 mg kg−1 for oleic acid, O/L ratio, carotenes, chlorophylls and total phenols, respectively) were found for the Koroneiki cultivar except for α‐tocopherol and o‐diphenols, which had the highest contents (369 and 160.7 mg kg−1, respectively) in the Leccino and Chemchali cultivars (cvs). Furthermore, the highest antioxidant capacity in virgin olive oil was observed in the Koroneiki cultivar (0.24 mmol TE kg−1) followed by the Chemchali and Leccino cvs (0.22 and 0.13 mmol TE kg−1) for the TAA‐ABTS test. However, the RSA‐DPPH activity was higher for the Chemchali cultivar (19.9%) than for the Koroneiki and Leccino cvs (18.4 and 13.5%, respectively). Correlation between these capacities and the oil composition revealed that they were mainly influenced by the carotene content, followed by chlorophyll and phenolic contents where the ABTS test was more pronounced. Then, the antioxidant capacity of the virgin olive oils was correlated with polar components and the lipid profile which are important for its shelf life.
A Targeted Proteomics Approach for Biomarker Discovery Using Bilateral Matched Nipple Aspiration Fluids
Authors: Li Jinong , Zhou Junma , Trock Bruce , Tsangaris Theodore N. , Friedman Neil B. , Shapiro Deanna , Brotzman Michelle , Chan Daniel W.
Published: May 2010

Introduction

The objective of this study was to identify cancer-associated protein expression patterns in bilateral matched nipple aspiration fluids using nanoscale reciprocal Cy3/Cy5 labeling and high-content antibody microarrays. This novel platform allows the pair-wise comparisons of the relative abundance of 512 different antigens using minimal NAF sample containing 1 µg of total protein.

Material and Methods

Matched NAF samples from two normal controls and 18 patients with early stage breast cancer (stage I/II, 13; DCIS, 2) or precancerous lesions (ADH, 3) were studied. Self-to-self and left-to-right comparisons of the normal controls were performed to determine antigen variations due to normal experimental and biological variability. Based on these two experiments, a stringency filter of 15% was applied to eliminate noise. Antigens were considered differentially expressed if there were a consistent >15% change on relative Cy3/Cy5 signals on reciprocal slides.

Results and Discussion

The number of differentially expressed antigens varied between 10 and 72 in tumor associated NAF samples, and no single antigen can be used as a “universal” marker to identify all patients. Antigens that are elevated in at least four patients were selected for further evaluations, including NME1, PTK2B, ARRB1, MRIP, GFRA1, APC, HSPD1, and SLP76. The validity of the antibody array findings was affirmed by single immunoassay on western blot; elevated expression of four of the selected markers in NAF is supported by published immunohistochemistry studies on breast cancer tissues.

Conclusions

Nipple aspiration fluid is a rich source of breast cancer biomarkers. This targeted proteomics approach for biomarker discovery is proven effective for clinical samples with limited protein content.
Anti‐allodynic effect of the flavonoid myricetin in a rat model of neuropathic pain: Involvement of p38 and protein kinase C mediated modulation of Ca2+channels
Authors: Hagenacker Tim , Hillebrand Imke , Wissmann Andreas , Büsselberg Dietrich , Schäfers Maria
Published: May 2010

Flavonoids are increasingly ingested by the population as chemotherapeutic and anti‐inflammatory agents. Myricetin is a naturally occurring flavonoid known for its anti‐neoplastic and anti‐inflammatory effects. Recently, behavioral studies indicate a potential analgesic effect in animal models of pain. Pilot studies suggest a flavonoid‐induced modulation of intracellular protein kinases and interactions with voltage activated calcium channels.

The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic effect of myricetin in a neuropathic pain model (spinal nerve ligation, SNL) in rats. To identify potential mechanisms of action, in vitro whole cell patch‐clamp recordings of isolated rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons were performed to analyze the modulation of voltage activated calcium channel currents (ICa(V)) and the influence of intracellular kinase phosphorylation such as p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38) or protein kinase C (PKC).

In vivo, a single injection of myricetin (0.1–10 mg/kg i.p.) reduced SNL‐induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia lasting for several hours. In vitro,ICa(V)(depolarization from −80 to 0 mV) were reduced (10–56%) by low (0.1–5 μM) concentrations of myricetin. This decrease was abolished by blockade of PKC (20 μM chelerythrine for 30 min), but not of p38 (10 μM SB203580 for 30 min). In contrast, higher (10–100 μM) concentrations of myricetin induced an increase ofICa(V)(20–40%), which was blocked by inhibition of p38, but not of PKC.

We conclude that myricetin transiently reduces established neuropathic pain behavior. This analgesic effect may be related to its PKC‐induced decrease ofICa(V)in DRG neurons.
National Narrative, Ethnology, and Academia in Post-Soviet Uzbekistan
Authors: Laruelle Marlène
Published: May 2010

Since the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the new states of Central Asia have been obliged to adjust their institutions to new symbolic frontiers and to take into account the independence they achieved in 1991. Both universities and Academies of Sciences have been called to reconsider their research policies and to orient them in order to respond to emerging national issues. The building of national narratives is a particularly relevant object of study in observing the various modes of legitimization of the Central Asian states and the scientific instruments they deem necessary for their political validation. The aim of this paper is to overcome the apparent, albeit actual, character of a number of changes that have taken place in Uzbekistan since 1991, in order to demonstrate the continuity of personal, institutional, and intellectual lines uniting contemporary research to that conducted during Soviet period. The preference accorded to ancient history, the praise of the originality and long heritage of the people, and an obsession with ethnogenesis, all are rooted in the contemporary narrative of the previous regime. They invite a reconsideration of the past two decades in a more nuanced manner and a rereading of the Soviet past in order to understand the process of building the nation-state, which has now been underway for more than half a century.
Kakistocracy Or the True Story of What Happened in the Post-Soviet Area
Authors: Abadjian Vahram
Published: May 2010

The article ‘Kakistocracy or The true story of what happened in the post-Soviet area’ argues that the countries, emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Empire, chose three distinct models of development: the Baltic model, when Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joined the Euro-Atlantic security structures; the Belarusian model, when the country opted for an authoritarian rule with a possible transition from the communist totalitarianism to an open society; and the Russian model, when under the slogans of democracy and market economy a new type of regime was established in Russia and a number of post-Soviet countries.

To characterize this new type of regime the definition of ‘kakistocracy’ has been introduced, which means a merger between the state structures and the oligarchic elements as a result of the systematic plunder of national assets and establishment of a rule of lawlessness and illegal usurpation of power under the slogans of democracy and market economy.

Furthermore, the split of the CiS and the formation of two groups of countries, respectively the GUAM and the CSTO, have been considered from the viewpoint of their different strategic goals and orientations.

A section is devoted to the cardinal differences between the strategic visions of Yeltsin and Putin. The latter's policy can be formulated as the Putin's doctrine aimed at restoring Russia's influence through centralization of power, internally, and demonstration of military force and energetic blackmail, externally. The kakistocratic regimes lead to a political and socio-economic collapse, triggering popular unrest. This exactly was the reason of the ‘orange’ revolutions, which in most of the cases are the only way to topple kakistocratcy.

In conclusion, it is suggested that the other way of getting rid of kakistocracy would be a cardinal change in Russia's policy. While the strategic goal of the country should remain restoring its international influence and authority, the means should shift from heavily relying on military power and energetic resources toward focusing on the Russian spiritual values and potential for facing new threats and challenges to international peace and security.
Human ROBO1 is cleaved by metalloproteinases and γ‐secretase and migrates to the nucleus in cancer cells
Authors: Seki Motoaki , Watanabe Akira , Enomoto Satoshi , Kawamura Takeshi , Ito Hirotaka , Kodama Tatsuhiko , Hamakubo Takao , Aburatani Hiroyuki
Published: May 2010

ROBO1 is a receptor mediating Slit‐induced repulsive action on axon guidance and differentially expressed in human cancers. Although ROBO1 ectodomain has been detected, the cleavage site had not been determined. In this study we identified the precise cleavage site of ROBO1. We also report multi‐step proteolysis of ROBO1 by metalloproteinases and γ‐secretase, producing two carboxy‐terminal fragments, ROBO1‐CTF1 at 129‐kDa and ROBO1‐CTF2 at 118‐kDa. We have further demonstrated nuclear accumulation of ROBO1, which is abolished by either a metalloproteinase inhibitor TAPI‐1 or a γ‐secretase inhibitor L‐685,458. ROBO1 may function beyond the receptor through stepwise cleavages and translocation to the nucleus.
Evaluation of a New Preparative Supercritical Fluid Chromatography System for Compound Library Purification: The TharSFC SFC-MS Prep-100 System
Authors: Ebinger Katalin , Weller Harold N. , Kiplinger Jeffrey , Lefebvre Paul
Published: May 2010

Preparative HPLC-MS is often the method of choice for purification of small amounts (<100 mg) of diverse new molecules, such as compound libraries for drug discovery. The method is robust, well proven, and widely applicable. In contrast, preparative supercritical fluid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (SFC-MS) has seen only slow acceptance for the same application—despite some potential scientific and economic advantages. One of the reasons for slow adoption of SFC-MS is the lack of well-proven, robust, and commercially available instrumentation. In early 2009, TharSFC (a Waters Company, Pittsburgh, PA) introduced a new fully integrated system for preparative SFC-MS: The SFC-MS Prep-100. We report herein an objective evaluation of the SFC-MS Prep-100, including tests for pump and autosampler performance, sample recovery, sample carryover, fraction triggering, detector/fraction collector synchronization, and overall robustness. Our results suggest that the SFC-MS Prep-100 represents a significant advance over previous generation instrumentation.
Development of an in vitro model of feline cartilage degradation
Authors: Gabriel Natalie , Innes John F. , Caterson Bruce , Vaughan-Thomas Anne
Published: May 2010

Osteoarthritis is the most common arthropathy of mammalian species including cats. Cartilage degradation is central to the disorder and here we present, for the first time, an in vitro model of feline cartilage degradation which will be useful for further studies in this target species. Feline articular cartilage explant cultures were maintained for 28 days and in the presence of oncostatin M with and without interleukin (IL)-17, tumour necrosis factor (TNF), IL-1α, or IL-1β. Media samples and digested cartilage explants were analysed for glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen content. The combination of IL-1β and OSM, both at 20 ng/ml, was able to promote GAG release to the greatest extent at 14 days. At 28 days, all groups showed relatively high release of GAG. At 14 days, only IL-1β and OSM in combination were associated with a statistically significant increase in collagen release over and above control tissue. IL-1β dose-response studies showed that an IL-1β dose of 10 ng/ml promotes a statistically significant increase in GAG breakdown when used with OSM, and higher doses of IL-1β did not result in significantly greater response. The model demonstrated both GAG and collagen degradation and will be of use for further understanding of feline cartilage metabolism and for screening of potential structure-modifying agents to be used in cats.
First report on the diagnosis and treatment of encephalic and urinary paracoccidioidomycosis in a cat
Authors: Gonzalez Juan F. , Montiel Nestor A. , Maass Rodrigo L.
Published: May 2010

A male Persian cat was presented with persistent fever, anorexia, weakness, hypopyon, nystagmus, and intention tremors. The hemogram showed severe neutropenia and laboratory analysis on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) smears revealed abundant yeast cells compatible with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Urinalysis demonstrated persistent funguria and an increased urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPC) in addition to mild azotemia. Long-term therapy with oral fluconazole was effective in controlling the nervous system signs. Funguria was resolved with subcutaneous administration of diluted amphotericin B in a large volume of saline solution for a period of 12 weeks during the second year after initial diagnosis. Throughout 5 years of treatment, no adverse effects were observed and tolerance to the drugs was normal. Due to development of progressive uremic syndrome the animal was euthanased. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first clinical case described of a nervous and urinary system infection caused by the P brasiliensis in a cat.
THE ROLE OF WATER IN THE GROWTH OF THE TEA (CAMELLIA SINENSIS) CROP: A SYNTHESIS OF RESEARCH IN EASTERN AFRICA. 2. WATER PRODUCTIVITY
Authors: CARR M. K. V.
Published: May 2010

With a focus on eastern Africa, the results of research on the water requirements and responses of tea to irrigation and drought are reviewed. In particular, work undertaken at the Ngwazi Tea Research Station (formerly Unit) in southern Tanzania is synthesized. Topics covered include: crop water use, yield responses to water for mature and immature tea, comparisons between clones (including composite plants), plant density/water availability interactions, dry matter production and partitioning, drought mitigation, crop modelling and irrigation systems. Emphasis is placed on the practical aspects of the work and its relevance to the tea industry it serves. A companion paper reviews our understanding of the water relations of the tea plant and, in particular, the mechanisms responsible for the responses observed in the field.
FATHERS' EDUCATIONAL NEEDS FOR PERINATAL CARE IN URBAN IRAN: A QUALITATIVE APPROACH
Authors: SIMBAR MASOUMEH , NAHIDI FATEMEH , TEHRAN FAHIMEH RAMEZANI , RAMEZANKHANI ALI
Published: May 2010

Men's participation in perinatal care (PNC) is a promising strategy for improving maternal health. This study aimed to assess the educational needs of men for their participation in PNC. This is a qualitative research study using focus group discussions. These were performed with eight groups of men and women in selected hospitals of Shahid Beheshti Medical Science University, Iran. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis methodology. The majority of participants gave the ‘emotional support of women’ as the most appropriate form of men's participation in PNC, and the ‘long working hours of men’ as the main barrier. The majority would prefer men's education to be about ‘emotional support’, ‘physiological changes’ and ‘signs of risks’ during pregnancy. The participants emphasized the need to consider couples' requirements when selecting the place, time and duration of education.
Instability waves in a low-Reynolds-number planar jet investigated with hybrid simulation combining particle tracking velocimetry and direct numerical simulation
Authors: SUZUKI TAKAO , JI HUI , YAMAMOTO FUJIO
Published: May 2010

Instability waves in a laminar planar jet are extracted using hybrid unsteady-flow simulation combining particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) and direct numerical simulation (DNS). Unsteady velocity fields on a laser sheet in a water tunnel are measured with time-resolved PTV; subsequently, PTV velocity fields are rectified in a least squares sense so that the equation of continuity is satisfied, and they are transplanted to a two-dimensional incompressible Navier–Stokes solver by setting a multiple of the computational time step equal to the frame rate of the PTV system. As a result, the unsteady hybrid velocity field approaches that of the measured one over time, and we can simultaneously acquire the unsteady pressure field. The resultant set of flow quantities satisfies the governing equations, and their resolution is comparable to that of numerical simulation with the noise level much lower than the original PTV data. From hybrid unsteady velocity fields, we extract eigenfunctions using bi-orthogonal decomposition as a spatial problem for viscous instability. We also investigate stability/convergence characteristics of the hybrid simulation referring to linear stability analysis.
Inshallah: Religious invocations in Arabic topic transition
Authors: Clift Rebecca , Helani Fadi
Published: May 2010

The phraseinshallah‘God willing’ is well known, even to non-Arabic speakers, as a mitigator of any statement regarding the future, or hopes for the future. Here we use the methods of conversation analysis (CA) to examine a less salient but nonetheless pervasive and compelling interactional usage: in topic-transition sequences. We use a corpus of Levantine (predominantly Syrian) Arabic talk-in-interaction to pay detailed attention to the sequential contexts ofinshallahand its cognates across a number of exemplars. It emerges that these invocations are used to secure possible sequence and topic closure, and that they may engender reciprocal invocations. Topical talk following invocations or their responses is subsequently shown to be suspended by both parties; this provides for a move to a new topic by either party. (Arabic, religious expressions, conversation, conversation analysis, topic)*
Near real‐time flood wave approximation on large rivers from space: Application to the River Po, Italy
Authors: Schumann G. , Di Baldassarre G. , Alsdorf D. , Bates P. D.
Published: May 2010

This paper investigates the potential of low‐cost spaceborne data to approximate longitudinal surface profiles during flood events on large rivers. In February 2000, the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) measured the elevation of most of the Earth's surface with spatially continuous sampling and an absolute vertical accuracy between 5.6 and 9 m. The vertical error has been shown to change with topographic complexity, being less important over flat terrain. This allows water surface slopes to be measured and associated discharge volumes to be estimated for open channels in large basins, such as the Amazon. Building on these capabilities, this paper demonstrates that near real‐time coarse resolution radar imagery of a recent flood event on a 98 km reach of the River Po (Italy) combined with SRTM terrain height data leads to a water slope remarkably similar to that derived by combining the radar image with highly accurate airborne laser altimetry. Moreover, it is shown that this spaceborne flood wave approximation compares well to a hydraulic model and thus allows the performance of the latter, calibrated on a previous event, to be assessed when applied to an event of different magnitude in near real time. These results are not only of great importance to real‐time flood management and flood forecasting but also support the upcoming Surface Water and Ocean Topography mission that will routinely provide water levels and slopes with higher precision around the globe.
Pulse‐like, crack‐like, and supershear earthquake ruptures with shear strain localization
Authors: Daub Eric G. , Manning M. Lisa , Carlson Jean M.
Published: May 2010

We incorporate shear strain localization into spontaneous elastodynamic rupture simulations using a shear transformation zone (STZ) friction law. In the STZ model, plastic strain in the granular fault gouge occurs in local regions called STZs. The number density of STZs is governed by an effective disorder temperature, and regions with elevated effective temperature have an increased strain rate. STZ theory resolves the dynamic evolution of the effective temperature across the width of the fault zone. Shear bands spontaneously form in the model due to feedbacks amplifying heterogeneities in the initial effective temperature. In dynamic earthquake simulations, strain localization is a mechanism for dynamic fault weakening. A shear band dynamically forms, reduces the sliding stress, and decreases the frictional energy dissipation on the fault. We investigate the effect of the dynamic weakening due to localization in generating pulse‐like, crack‐like, and supershear rupture. Our results illustrate that the additional weakening and reduction of on‐fault energy dissipation due to localization have a significant impact on the initial shear stress required for supershear or pulse‐like rupture to propagate on a fault.
A mechanism for spatial and temporal earthquake clustering
Authors: Jagla E. A. , Kolton A. B.
Published: May 2010

The Gutenberg‐Richter law states that the size‐frequency distribution of earthquakes follows a power law. This trend is usually justified using spring‐block models, where slips with the appropriate statistics of sizes have been numerically observed. However, prominent spatial and temporal clustering features of earthquakes, as those implied by the Omori law of aftershocks, are not accounted for by this kind of model unless they are complemented with ad hoc assumptions, such as stress recovery laws after slip events, or the phenomenological rate‐and‐state equations to describe friction. We show that when a mechanism of structural relaxation is incorporated into a spring‐block model, realistic earthquake patterns following the Gutenberg‐Richter and Omori laws are obtained. Moreover, features well known from laboratory friction experiments, such as velocity weakening and increase of static friction with contact time, appear as a consequence of the relaxational mechanism as well, without making any a priori assumptions on the velocity dependence of the friction force in the model. In this way, our model shows that a single physical mechanism may be a unifying concept behind the Gutenberg‐Richter and Omori laws and the rate‐and‐state equations of rock friction.
Influence of NAO and clouds on long‐term seasonal variations of surface solar radiation in Europe
Authors: Chiacchio Marc , Wild Martin
Published: May 2010

This study is an analysis of the seasonal all‐sky surface solar radiation variability in Europe during 1970–2000 using surface observations from the Global Energy Balance Archive (GEBA). On the basis of the annual means period 1970–1985, there is a statistically significant decline of −3.0% decade−1 (−3.8 Wm−2 decade−1) followed by a nonsignificant rise of 0.3% decade−1 (0.4 Wm−2 decade−1) during 1985–2000. The behavior of the solar radiation for spring is similar to the annual series and has the strongest increase of 1.6% decade−1 (2.5 Wm−2 decade−1) during 1985–2000. In summer a similar evolution to the annual and spring time series is shown but has a stronger decline of −3.2% decade−1 (−6.8 Wm−2 decade−1) during 1970–1985. A small positive nonsignificant trend is reported for the winter means time series while a statistically significant negative trend of −2.5% decade−1 (−2.1 Wm−2 decade−1) was found in autumn during 1970–2000. By comparing variations in all‐sky solar radiation with changes in cloud cover and NAO, we attribute the winter and autumn trends mainly to the NAO through the modification of mid‐to‐low cloud cover in southern Europe and the spring and summer trends to mid‐to‐low cloud cover in northern Europe. However, because the cloud cover and solar radiation relationship weakens in the low‐frequency variability, it suggests that other effects such as aerosols may also play a role. In addition, aerosols could be interfering with the relationship between solar radiation and NAO, contributing to a strengthening of their correlation in the low‐frequency variability during winter and autumn.
Numerical simulations of the three‐dimensional distribution of polar mesospheric clouds and comparisons with Cloud Imaging and Particle Size (CIPS) experiment and the Solar Occultation For Ice Experiment (SOFIE) observations
Authors: Bardeen C. G. , Toon O. B. , Jensen E. J. , Hervig M. E. , Randall C. E. , Benze S. , Marsh D. R. , Merkel A.
Published: May 2010

Polar mesospheric clouds (PMC) routinely form in the cold summer mesopause region when water vapor condenses to form ice. We use a three‐dimensional chemistry‐climate model based on the Whole‐Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM) with sectional microphysics from the Community Aerosol and Radiation Model for Atmospheres (CARMA) to study the distribution and characteristics of PMCs formed by heterogeneous nucleation of water vapor onto meteoric smoke particles. We find good agreement between these simulations and cloud properties for the Northern Hemisphere in 2007 retrieved from the Solar Occultation for Ice Experiment (SOFIE) and the Cloud Imaging and Particle Size (CIPS) experiment from the Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) mission. The main discrepancy is that simulated ice number densities are less than those retrieved by SOFIE. This discrepancy may indicate an underprediction of nucleation rates in the model, the lack of small‐scale gravity waves in the model, or a bias in the SOFIE results. The WACCM/CARMA simulations are not very sensitive to large changes in the barrier to heterogeneous nucleation, which suggests that large supersaturations in the model nucleate smaller meteoric smoke particles than are traditionally assumed. Our simulations are very sensitive to the temperature structure of the summer mesopause, which in the model is largely dependent upon vertically propagating gravity waves that reach the mesopause region, break, and deposit momentum. We find that cloud radiative heating is important, with heating rates of up to 8 K/d.
Coastal New England pilot study to determine fossil and biogenic formaldehyde source contributions using radiocarbon
Authors: Shen Haiwei , Heikes Brian G. , Merrill John T. , McNichol Ann P. , Xu Li
Published: May 2010

Compound specific radiocarbon analyses of atmospheric formaldehyde are reported as fraction modern (Fm) for a limited number of winter and summer air samples collected in coastal southern New England in 2007. The 11 of 13 samples with Fm < 0.2 were collected under the influence of the semipermanent Bermuda high‐pressure system with transport from the Washington, D. C., to New York City urban corridor. The two samples with Fm > 0.2 (max ∼ 0.35) were collected on days with strong northwesterly flow and the least urban impact. The Fm data were combined with VOC observations from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, estimates of oxygenated VOC (OVOC), and back trajectories to interpret the relative contributions of biogenic and fossil carbon sources. It is argued that CH2O sources were dominated by pollutant VOCs and OVOCs from upwind coastal cities as opposed to more local biogenic VOCs at the times of sample collection.
Reconstructing of erythemal ultraviolet radiation levels in Europe for the past 4 decades
Authors: den Outer P. N. , Slaper H. , Kaurola J. , Lindfors A. , Kazantzidis A. , Bais A. F. , Feister U. , Junk J. , Janouch M. , Josefsson W.
Published: May 2010

This paper is based on a comparative study on ultraviolet radiation (UV) measurements and UV reconstruction models for eight sites in Europe. Reconstruction models include neural network techniques and radiative transfer modeling combined with empirical relationships. The models have been validated against quality‐controlled ground‐based measurements, 8 to 20 years, on time scales ranging from daily to yearly UV sums. The standard deviations in the ratios of modeled to measured daily sums vary between 10 and 15%. The yearly sums agree within a 5% range. Depending on the availability of ancillary measurements, reconstructions have been carried out to the early 1960s. A method has been set up to educe one best estimate of the historical UV levels that takes into account the long‐term stability and underlying agreement of the models, and the agreement with actual UV measurements. Using this best estimate, the yearly sums of erythemally weighted UV irradiance showed a range of 300 kJ/m2 at 67°N to 750 kJ/m2 at 40°N. The year‐to‐year variability was lowest at 40°N with a relative variation of 4.3%; for central and northern European latitudes this year‐to‐year variation was 5.2 to 6.5%. With regard to the period 1980 to 2006, first‐order trend lines range from 0.3 ± 0.1 to 0.6 ± 0.2% per year, approximately two thirds of which can be attributed to the diminishing of cloudiness and one third to ozone decline.