bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated combined cycle from natural gas with CO2 capture using a Ca–Cu chemical loop
Authors: Martínez Isabel , Murillo Ramon , Grasa Gemma , Fernández Jose R. , Abanades Juan Carlos
Published: February 2013

The integration in a natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) of a novel process for H2 production using a chemical Ca–Cu loop was proposed. This process is based on the sorption‐enhanced reforming process for H2 production from natural gas with a CaO/CaCO3 chemical loop, but including a second Cu/CuO loop to regenerate the Ca‐sorbent. An integration of this system into a NGCC was proposed and a full process simulation exercise of different cases was carried out. Optimizing the operating conditions in the Ca–Cu looping process, 8.1% points of efficiency penalty with respect to a state‐of‐the‐art NGCC are obtained with a CO2 capture efficiency of 90%. It was demonstrated that the new process can yield power generation efficiencies as high as any other emerging and commercial concepts for power generation from NGCC with CO2 capture, but maintaining competing advantages of process simplification and compact pressurized reactor design inherent to the Ca–Cu looping system. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 2780–2794, 2013
Responses of Han Migrants Compared to Tibetans at High Altitude
Authors: Weitz Charles A. , Liu Ji‐Chuan , He Xing , Chin Chen‐Ting , Garruto Ralph M.
Published: February 2013

While many studies have compared Tibetans and low‐altitude born Han living at high altitude, few have carefully controlled the chronological age at which lowlanders migrated, the length of time they had lived at high altitude, their nutrition, and their socio‐economic status. This has produced an array of results that frequently do not support the hypothesis that Tibetans and Han show fundamental differences in their response to hypoxia. Unlike the situation in the Andes, only one study has tested the developmental adaptation hypothesis on the Qinghai‐Tibetan plateau. This study shows that Tibetans and Han of the same age, who were born and raised in the same towns at the same altitudes, show considerable overlap in the individual distribution of [Hb], SaO2 and lung volumes. These results indicate that second‐generation Han make substantial developmental adjustments to hypoxia that are not reflected in studies of first‐generation migrants. Thus, there is a great need for further developmental studies to determine whether and/or how Han and Tibetan responses to hypoxia diverge, as well as for studies exploring whether Han and Tibetans who show similar responses also share genetic adaptations. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 25:169–178, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Markers of upper airway inflammation associated with microbial exposure and symptoms in occupants of a water‐damaged building
Authors: Akpinar‐Elci Muge , White Sandra K. , Siegel Paul D. , Park Ju‐Hyeong , Visotcky Alexis , Kreiss Kathleen , Cox‐Ganser Jean M.
Published: February 2013

Background

Water damage in buildings has been associated with reports of upper airway inflammation among occupants.

Methods

This survey included a questionnaire, allergen skin testing, nasal nitric oxide, and nasal lavage on 153 participants. We conducted exposure assessments of 297 workstations and analyzed collected dust for fungi, endotoxin, and (1 → 3)‐β‐D‐glucan to create floor‐specific averages.

Results

Males had higher levels of nasal inflammatory markers, and females reported more symptoms. ECP, IL‐8, and MPO were significantly associated with nasal symptoms, flu‐like achiness, or chills. Fungi and glucan were positively associated with blowing out thick mucus. Endotoxin was significantly associated with ECP in overall models, and with ECP, IL‐8, MPO, and neutrophils among non‐atopic females.

Conclusions

In this study, we documented an association between endotoxin and nasal inflammatory markers among office workers. The results of our study suggest that a non‐allergic response may contribute to symptoms occurring among occupants in this water‐damaged building. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:522–530, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of activated crumb rubber on the properties of crumb rubber‐modified bitumen
Authors: Singh B. , Kumar Lokesh , Gupta M. , Chauhan Monika , Chauhan G.S.
Published: February 2013

Bitumen modification was made with the activated crumb rubber concentrate and its efficacy was examined in terms of its consistency and rheological properties. It was found that softening point of the activated crumb rubber‐modified bitumen increased while its penetration and elastic recovery decreased compared with the nonactivated crumb rubber system. Based on contact angle results, the activated crumb rubber–bitumen system was found to be more wettable and exhibited better adhesion to the substrate than those of other systems. The shifting of glass transition temperature towards higher temperature and the occurrence of inter‐mix phases in the activated crumb rubber–bitumen system supported its superior temperature resistance. The difference in viscosity obtained between the activated and nonactivated crumb rubber systems is attributed to the high swelling of activated crumb rubber and its soluble fractions in the bitumen as viewed in scanning electron images. High complex modulus and low phase angle of the activated crumb rubber system over the entire range of temperatures indicated its reduced temperature susceptibility and more elasticity. The activated crumb rubber–bitumen system meets the requirements of commercial standard specification. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Conducting polymer coated textile based multilayered shields for suppression of microwave radiations in 8.2–12.4 GHz range
Authors: Saini Parveen , Choudhary Veena
Published: February 2013

Polypyrrole (PPY) based conducting textiles were prepared by in situ polymerization of pyrrole over cotton fabric. The SEM micrographs show smooth and uniform coating of PPY over fabric with only few loose dendrites. The elemental analysis and XRD patterns revealed the presence of iron whereas magnetization measurement shows ferromagnetic signature with well defined hysteresis loop and saturation magnetization (Ms) of 0.3 emu/g. The good antistatic property and rapid static charge dissipability was reflected by decay profile with decay time of only 0.16 sec. In addition, the microwave absorption studies of multilayered shields; made up of these conducting fabrics; show absorption dominated total shielding effectiveness (SET) value of −43.9 dB (i.e. >99.99% attenuation) which can be attributed to the better impedance matching, high microwave conductivity, shallow skin depth, and multiple scattering of incident electromagnetic radiation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Plastisol gelation and fusion rheological aspects
Authors: Verdu Jacques , Zoller Agnes , Marcilla Antonio
Published: February 2013

This study deals with the rheological aspects of poly‐vinyl chloride (PVC) plastisol gelation and fusion processes in foamable formulations. Here, such processes are simulated by temperature‐programmed experiment (5 K min−1) in which complex viscosity components are continuously recorded. Nineteen samples based on a PVC‐VAC (vinyl acetate 95/5) copolymer with 100 phr plasticizer have been studied, differing only by the plasticizer structure. The sample shear modulus increases continuously with temperature until a maximum, long time after the end of the dissolution process as characterized by DSC. The temperature at the maximum varies between 345 and 428 K with a clear tendency to increase almost linearly with the plasticizer molar mass, and to vary with the flexibility and the degree of branching of the plasticizer molecule. The shear modulus increase is interpreted in terms of progressive “welding” of swelled particles by polymer chain reptation. The plasticizer nature would mainly affect the friction parameter of chain diffusion. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Adsorption removal of crystal violet from aqueous solution using a metal‐organic frameworks material, copper coordination polymer with dithiooxamide
Authors: Li Xiaojuan , Zheng Lingyan , Huang Lianzhu , Zheng Ou , Lin Zhenyu , Guo Longhua , Qiu Bin , Chen Guonan
Published: February 2013

The potential application of copper coordination polymer with dithiooxamide (H2dtoaCu), one of the metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) in the adsorption removal of crystal violet (CV) from aqueous solution was studied. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out as a function of initial pH, adsorbent concentration, contact time, initial dye concentration and temperature. The adsorption of CV on H2dtoaCu can be best described by the Langmuir isotherm model (R2 > 0.9983) with maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 165.83, 185.87, and 204.50 mg g−1 at 298, 308, and 318 K, respectively. The kinetics of CV adsorption followed pseudo‐second‐order model (R2 > 0.9984) and the chemisorption was proved to be rate‐limiting step. Thermodynamic parameters, the change of free energy (ΔG°), entropy (ΔS°) and enthalpy (ΔH°), showed that the adsorption of CV on H2dtoaCu was feasible, spontaneous and endothermic process. Here we concluded that H2dtoaCu is a promising adsorbent for the removal of harmful dyes from aqueous solution. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
A phthalate family oxygenase reductase supports terpene alcohol oxidation by CYP238A1 from Pseudomonas putida KT2440
Authors: Bell Stephen Graham , French Laura , Rees Nicholas Huw , Cheng Sophia Shuyi , Preston Gail , Wong Luet‐Lok
Published: February 2013

CYP238A1, one of the two P450 enzymes in the genome of Pseudomonas putida KT2440, has been produced heterologously in Escherichia coli, purified, and found to bind acyclic and cyclic terpene alcohols such as farnesol, nerolidol, linalool, and terpineol. The other P450 enzyme in this organism (gene locus: PP1950) was also produced in E. coli but no substrate has been identified from a limited screen. A phthalate family oxygenase reductase (PFOR) encoded by the PP1957 gene, just downstream of the PP1955 gene for CYP238A1, accepts electrons from the reduced form of both nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and is able to support monooxygenase activity of CYP238A1, both in vitro and in E. coli, in which both enzymes are produced. CYP238A1 oxidizes cis‐ and trans‐nerolidol to the 9‐hydroxy product, with no evidence of attack at the olefinic double bonds. The NADH turnover rate of 170 nmol(nmol‐P450)−1 Min−1 for CYP238A1 with cis‐nerolidol as substrate at a PP1957:CYP238A1 concentration ratio of 8:1 suggests that this PFOR could function as the physiological redox partner for CYP238A1. The physiological role of CYP238A1 may be related to the PP1955 gene being part of an island/cluster of inducible genes associated with energy metabolism and response to xenobiotics.
Wastewater Minimization in Pulp and Paper Industries through Energy‐Efficient Reverse‐Osmosis Membrane Processes
Authors: Saif Y. , Almansoori A. , Elkamel A.
Published: February 2013

Fresh water consumption and wastewater management is a mandatory task to conserve water resources and to reduce wastewater discharge from chemical production processes. Such objectives have been addressed in many industrial sectors which consume large amounts of fresh water. Possibilities for reducing wastewater volumes by regeneration and recycling routes in the pulp and paper industry are analyzed. During pulp preparation and paper making processes by the Kraft pulping method a large amount of water is required to deliver the finished paper product. Reverse osmosis (RO) is applied for the analyses as an interception separation technology to reduce salt concentrations in wastewater streams for recycling purposes. The RO network synthesis problem is formulated as mixed integer nonlinear programming model which is solved using the general algebraic modeling system. A preliminary cost estimate indicates economic incentives by installation of RO units to avoid wastewater discharge and generate relatively clean water streams for inter‐plant usage.
Simulation of the Effective Energies and Stresses in a Bulk Cargo Silo
Authors: Ripp M. , Ripperger S.
Published: February 2013

Emptying a bulk cargo silo produces dynamic processes which cannot completely be illustrated with the help of continuum mechanical calculations. The discrete elements method (DEM) can be applied to simulate the forces which act on inserts in silos during filling and discharging. For this simulation it is essential to calibrate the DEM. A new method for calibration of the simulation parameters is developed. The simulation correlates well with the experiments in a silo.
Thin‐Film Catalytic Coating of a Microreactor for Preferential CO Oxidation over Pt Catalysts
Authors: Ates Ayten , Pfeifer Peter , Görke Oliver
Published: February 2013

Different Pt‐based catalyst layers have been prepared and tested in a stacked foil microreactor for CO oxidation and preferential oxidation of CO in presence of hydrogen. The reactions were performed on Pt without support by impregnation of a pre‐oxidized microstructured metal plate, Pt/Al2O3 and Pt/CeO2 based on sol methods as well as Pt/nano‐Al2O3, a combined method of sol‐gel and nanoparticle slurry coating. The ceria based sol‐gel catalyst was much more active for CO oxidation than alumina based sol‐gel catalysts at low temperature. However, total oxidation was only obtained at higher temperature on the alumina based catalysts. The combined method seems to have advantages in terms of less internal mass transfer limitation when trying to increase the catalyst coating thickness based on sol‐gel approaches due to no reduction of CO selectivity up to 300 °C reaction temperature. Experiments on CO oxidation with the Pt/CeO2 catalyst have been conducted in an oxygen supply microreactor to evaluate the catalyst performance under sequential oxygen supply to reaction zone (CO excess).
Potential and Limitations of Natural Chabazite for Selective Catalytic Reduction of NOx with NH3
Authors: Günter Tobias , Casapu Maria , Doronkin Dmitry , Mangold Stefan , Trouillet Vanessa , Augenstein Timo , Grunwaldt Jan‐Dierk
Published: February 2013

The potential of the natural chabazite for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx with NH3 is evaluated in the present work. Activity tests were performed under technically relevant reaction and temperature conditions for the fresh and hydrothermally aged catalysts. The natural chabazite before and after alkaline removal as well as after iron and copper addition were compared. The structural as well as surface and bulk properties were elucidated by a variety of complementary characterization techniques, i.e. XRD, XPS, EPR, BET, NH3‐TPD, ex situ and in situ XAS. The results indicate that an important facet for using the natural chabazite for the standard and fast SCR reactions is the removal of alkaline metals, which at the same time also leads to a partial change of the structure and the size of the iron‐containing particles. The performance and especially the hydrothermal stability can be further improved by copper addition.
To what extent does nonanalytic reasoning contribute to visual learning in cytopathology?
Authors: Evered Andrew , Walker Darren , Watt Andrew A. , Perham Nick
Published: February 2013

BACKGROUND

Acquisition of visual interpretation skills in cytopathology may involve 2 strategies. Analytic strategies require trainees to base their interpretive decisions on carefully considered and often exhaustive cytomorphologic feature lists, a process that can be time‐consuming and inefficient. In contrast, nonanalytic pattern recognition strategies are rarely encouraged during training, even though this approach is characteristic of expert diagnostic behavior. This study evaluated the potential role of nonanalytic learning in cytopathology as an efficient alternative to analytic training.

METHODS

Forty‐nine cytology novice participants undertook an initial image interpretation test to obtain baseline diagnostic accuracy (test 1). Twenty‐four participants subsequently received training in basic cervical cytomorphology and were given a list of cell features for future reference (the “analytic” group). The remaining 25 participants were simply shown 20 nonannotated paired images of normal and abnormal cervical cells (the “nonanalytic” group). Following a practice phase, both groups were retested (test 2). Prior to a final test (test 3), participants in both groups were instructed to adopt a combined analytic/nonanalytic diagnostic strategy. Diagnostic accuracy and response times were measured in each test.

RESULTS

Diagnostic accuracy in both groups improved significantly between tests 1 and 2 (P<.001) but decreased between tests 2 and 3 (P<.05). Speed of response to test images was generally faster under nonanalytic than under analytic conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonanalytic reasoning in cytopathology image interpretation can be as accurate as traditional feature‐based reasoning. Encouraging trainees to adopt pattern recognition strategies may help to expedite the acquisition of visual interpretation skills in cytopathology training programs, yet combining analytic and nonanalytic reasoning do not appear to be effective. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2013;121:329–38. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Odor‐induced crawling locomotion in the newborn rat: Effects of amniotic fluid and milk
Authors: Mendez‐Gallardo Valerie , Robinson Scott R.
Published: February 2013

Early locomotion in the neonatal rat previously has been reported 3 days after birth during exposure to an odor of biological relevance (nest material). The current study explores if other ecologically relevant stimuli—amniotic fluid (AF) and milk—could evoke a similar locomotor response in the newborn rat and whether the endogenous opioid system mediates the response. Newborn rats tested 24 hr after birth were presented with the odors of AF or milk while placed in a runway. Pups expressed crawling and moved along the runway in response to direct exposure to the odors of AF and milk (Exp. 1). However, there was no evidence that this crawling response was altered after pretreatment with the opioid antagonist naloxone (Exp. 2). This study provides evidence of the capacity of AF and milk to evoke coordinated motor behavior, suggesting that they may play a role in the development of fundamental motor patterns. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 56: 327–339, 2014.
Expression and function of scalloped during Drosophila development
Authors: Guss Kirsten A. , Benson Michael , Gubitosi Nicholas , Brondell Karrie , Broadie Kendal , Skeath James B.
Published: February 2013

Background: The scalloped (sd) and vestigial (vg) genes function together in Drosophila wing development. Little is known about sd protein (SD) expression during development, or whether sd and vg interact in other developing tissues. To begin to address these questions, we generated an anti‐SD antibody. Results: During embryogenesis, SD is expressed in both central and peripheral nervous systems, and the musculature. SD is also expressed in developing flight appendages. Despite SD expression herein, the peripheral nervous system, musculature, and dorsal limb primordia appeared generally normal in the absence of sd function. SD is also expressed in subsets of ventral nerve cord cells, including neuroblast 1–2 descendants and ventral unpaired median motor neurons (mVUMs). While sd function is not required to specify these neurons, it is necessary for the correct innervation of somatic muscles by the mVUMs. We also show that SD and vg protein (VG) are co‐expressed in overlapping and distinctive subsets of cells in embryonic and larval tissues. Conclusions: We describe the full breadth of SD expression during Drosophila embryogenesis, and identify a requirement for sd function in a subset of motor neurons. This work provides the necessary foundation for functional studies regarding the roles of sd during Drosophila development. Developmental Dynamics 242:874–885, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The influence of demography and local mating environment on sex ratios in a wind‐pollinated dioecious plant
Authors: Pickup Melinda , Barrett Spencer C. H.
Published: February 2013

Negative frequency‐dependent selection should result in equal sex ratios in large populations of dioecious flowering plants, but deviations from equality are commonly reported. A variety of ecological and genetic factors can explain biased sex ratios, although the mechanisms involved are not well understood. Most dioecious species are long‐lived and/or clonal complicating efforts to identify stages during the life cycle when biases develop. We investigated the demographic correlates of sex‐ratio variation in two chromosome races of Rumex hastatulus, an annual, wind‐pollinated colonizer of open habitats from the southern USA. We examined sex ratios in 46 populations and evaluated the hypothesis that the proximity of males in the local mating environment, through its influence on gametophytic selection, is the primary cause of female‐biased sex ratios. Female‐biased sex ratios characterized most populations of R.  hastatulus (mean sex ratio = 0.62), with significant female bias in 89% of populations. Large, high‐density populations had the highest proportion of females, whereas smaller, low‐density populations had sex ratios closer to equality. Progeny sex ratios were more female biased when males were in closer proximity to females, a result consistent with the gametophytic selection hypothesis. Our results suggest that interactions between demographic and genetic factors are probably the main cause of female‐biased sex ratios in R. hastatulus. The annual life cycle of this species may limit the scope for selection against males and may account for the weaker degree of bias in comparison with perennial Rumex species.
Sea star populations diverge by positive selection at a sperm‐egg compatibility locus
Authors: Sunday Jennifer M. , Hart Michael W.
Published: February 2013

Fertilization proteins of marine broadcast spawning species often show signals of positive selection. Among geographically isolated populations, positive selection within populations can lead to differences between them, and may result in reproductive isolation upon secondary contact. Here, we test for positive selection in the reproductive compatibility locus, bindin, in two populations of a sea star on either side of a phylogeographic break. We find evidence for positive selection at codon sites in both populations, which are under neutral or purifying selection in the reciprocal population. The signal of positive selection is stronger and more robust in the population where effective population size is larger and bindin diversity is greater. In addition, we find high variation in coding sequence length caused by large indels at two repetitive domains within the gene, with greater length diversity in the larger population. These findings provide evidence of population‐divergent positive selection in a fertilization compatibility locus, and suggest that sexual selection can lead to reproductive divergence between conspecific marine populations.
Monitoring stream barb performance in a semi‐alluvial meandering channel: flow field dynamics and morphology
Authors: Jamieson Elizabeth C. , Ruta Matthew A. , Rennie Colin D. , Townsend Ronald D.
Published: February 2013

A series of seven stream barbs were installed in two consecutive channel bends of Sawmill Creek (Ottawa, Canada), a semi‐alluvial stream with bed and banks composed of consolidated clay. Stream barbs (also known as submerged groynes) are low‐profile linear rock structures that project out from the bank (in an upstream direction) to redirect flow and prevent erosion of the bank. As well as providing bank protection, barbs promote vegetated stream banks, create scour hole resting pools for fish habitat and can increase aquatic species diversity. Flow conditions (discharge and water levels), water velocity distribution using acoustic Doppler velocimeters and an acoustic Doppler current profiler, and bathymetry using a Total Station have been measured over a period of 5 years, both before (2 years) and after (2 years) the construction of the barbs, providing valuable data for understanding stream barb performance in a semi‐alluvial channel. Pre‐barb velocity measurements indicate that the flow field in the first bend is dominated by strong secondary circulation and high cross‐stream bed stresses that comprise a substantial proportion of the total near‐bed Reynolds stress. Post‐barb results indicate that velocity magnitude along the outer bank was reduced. Scour occurred in the channel centre near barb tips, but in general, little to no bathymetry changes were measured between seasonal surveys, suggesting that the barbs had limited impact on bed topography and/or that semi‐alluvial channel bends are resistant to change. Recommendations for future design and implementation of stream barbs are also included. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of C2‐Symmetric Dimeric ReI Peptide Complexes
Authors: Herrick Richard S. , Ziegler Christopher J. , Kennedy Kathryn L. , Luu Calvin , Engle James T.
Published: February 2013

The reaction of [Re(CO)3(H2O)3]Br or [Re(CO)5Cl] with two peptides, glycylglycine, or glycylalanine were investigated. Each reaction produced a unique, well‐defined product. Structural elucidation showed the formation of chiral compounds with the formula [Re(CO)3(Gly‐Xxx‐O)]2, Xxx = Gly (1), Ala (2). Each dimer displays C2 symmetry and a nearly rectangular shape. The ligands are bound through the amine and amide carbonyl at a rhenium center and through the pendant carboxylate to the adjacent rhenium center. Both products are fully characterized by X‐ray structure elucidation.
Diastereoselective and Enantioselective Michael Addition Reactions of Ketones and Aldehydes to Nitro Olefins Catalyzed by C2‐Symmetric Axially‐Unfixed Biaryl‐Based Organocatalysts Derived from Enantiopure α‐Proline
Authors: Zhao Hong‐Wu , Li Hai‐Long , Yue Yuan‐Yuan , Sheng Zhui‐Hui
Published: February 2013

A new class of axially‐unfixed biaryl‐based pyrrolidines with C2‐symmetry were designed and synthesized by using enantiopure α‐proline as a chiral source. These bifunctional organocatalys provided Michael adducts in high chemical yields (up to 99 %) and with excellent stereoselectivities (up to 99:1 dr and 96 % ee) in the direct Michael addition reactions of a variety of ketones and aldehydes to nitro olefins. The transition states were proposed to clarify the stereochemical course of the examined reactions.
Stability of the Kuroshio path with respect to glacial sea level lowering
Authors: Lee Kyung Eun , Lee Ho Jin , Park Jae‐Hun , Chang Yuan‐Pin , Ikehara Ken , Itaki Takuya , Kwon Hyun Kyung
Published: February 2013

We investigate the changes of the Kuroshio Current in the East China Sea during the last glacial maximum, based on numerical experiments using an ocean model and geochemical analyses of marine sediments. Our numerical experimental results indicate that there was little effect of sea‐level change on the path of the Kuroshio during the glacial period. Geochemical proxy records of marine sediment cores recovered from inside and outside the Okinawa Trough (OT) show no significant difference in glacial sea surface temperature and planktonic foraminiferal δ18O between the OT and the Ryukyu forearc. This indicates that the glacial sea surface temperature and salinity were almost the same inside and outside the OT. Hence, during the glacial period, Kuroshio water most likely intruded into the OT and flowed along the shelf break until it drained out through the Tokara Strait.
Historical changes in Australian temperature extremes as inferred from extreme value distribution analysis
Authors: Wang Xiaolan L. , Trewin Blair , Feng Yang , Jones David
Published: February 2013

This study develops a generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution analysis approach, namely, a GEV tree approach that allows for both stationary and nonstationary cases. This approach is applied to a century‐long homogenized daily temperature data set for Australia to assess changes in temperature extremes from 1910 to 2010. Changes in 20 year return values are estimated from the most suitable GEV distribution chosen from a GEV tree. Twenty year return values of extreme low minimum temperature are found to have warmed strongly over the century in most parts of the continent. There is also a tendency toward warming of extreme high maximum temperatures, but it is weaker than that for minimum temperatures, with the majority of stations not showing significant trends. The observed changes in extreme temperatures are broadly consistent with observed changes in mean temperatures and in the frequency of temperatures above the ninetieth and below the tenth percentile (i.e., extreme indices). The GEV tree analysis provides insight into behavior of extremes with re‐occurrence times of several years to decades that are of importance to engineering design/applications, while extreme indices represent moderately extreme events with re‐occurrence times of a year or shorter.
Soy isoflavone intake and breast cancer risk in Japan: From the Takayama study
Authors: Wada Keiko , Nakamura Kozue , Tamai Yuya , Tsuji Michiko , Kawachi Toshiaki , Hori Akihiro , Takeyama Naoharu , Tanabashi Shinobu , Matsushita Shogen , Tokimitsu Naoki , Nagata Chisato
Published: February 2013

The effects of soy or isoflavone intake on breast cancer need to be examined further in epidemiologic studies. We assessed the associations of soy and isoflavone intake with breast cancer incidence in a population‐based prospective cohort study in Japan. Participants were members from the Takayama study, aged 35 years or older in 1992. The follow‐up was conducted from the time of the baseline study (September 1, 1992) to the end of March 2008. Cancer incidence was mainly confirmed through regional population‐based cancer registries. Breast cancer was defined as code C50 according to ICD‐10. Soy and isoflavone intakes were assessed with a validated food frequency questionnaire. Using the Cox proportional hazard models, the association of soy and isoflavone intake with breast cancer was assessed after adjustments for age, body mass index, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, education, age at menarche, age at first delivery, menopausal status, number of children and history of hormone replacement therapy. Among the 15,607 women analyzed, 172 had developed breast cancer. The relative risks of postmenopausal breast cancer were lower among women with higher intakes of soy (trend p = 0.023) and isoflavone (trend p = 0.046), although the relative risks of premenopausal breast cancer were not associated with intakes of soy and isoflavone. Decreased risks of breast cancer were found even among women with a moderate intake of soy and isoflavone. These results suggested that soy and isoflavone intakes have a protective effect on postmenopausal breast cancer.
Bilateral kidney sodium‐MRI: Enabling accurate quantification of renal sodium concentration through a two‐element phased array system
Authors: Kalayciyan Raffi , Wetterling Friedrich , Neudecker Sabine , Haneder Stefan , Gretz Norbert , Schad Lothar R.
Published: February 2013

Purpose:

To develop a sodium‐MRI (23Na‐MRI) method for bilateral renal sodium concentration (RSC) measurements in rat kidneys at 9.4 Tesla (T).

Materials and Methods:

To simultaneously achieve high B1‐field homogeneity and high receive sensitivity a dual resonator system composed of a double‐tuned linearly polarized 1H/23Na volume resonator and a newly developed two‐element 23Na receive array was used. In conjunction with three‐dimensional (3D) ultra‐short Time‐to‐Echo sequence a quantification accuracy of ± 10% was achieved for a nominal spatial resolution of (1 × 1 × 4) mm3 in 10 min acquisition time. The technique was applied to study the RSC in six kidneys before and after furosemide‐induced diuresis.

Results:

The loop diuretic agent induced an increase of cortical RSC by 22% from 86 ± 16 mM to 105 ± 18 mM (P = 0.02), whereas the RSC in the inner medulla decreased by 38% from 213 ± 24 mM to 132 ± 25 mM (P = 0.8×10−4). The RSC changes measured in this study agreed well with the qualitative sodium signal intensity variations reported elsewhere.

Conclusion:

Furosemide‐induced diuresis has been investigated accurately with herein presented quantitative 23Na‐MRI technique. In the future, RSC quantification could allow for defining pathological and nonpathological RSC ranges to assess sodium concentration changes, e.g., induced by drugs. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:564–572. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Accelerated T2*‐compensated fat fraction quantification using a joint parallel imaging and compressed sensing framework
Authors: Sharma Samir D. , Hu Houchun H. , Nayak Krishna S.
Published: February 2013

Purpose

To develop a T2*‐compensated parallel imaging and compressed sensing framework for water‐fat separation, and to demonstrate accelerated quantitative imaging of proton density fat fraction.

Materials and Methods

The proposed method extends a previously developed framework for water‐fat separation by additionally compensating for T2* decay. A two‐stage estimation was formulated that first determines an approximation of the B0 field map and then jointly estimates and refines the R2* (=1/T2*) and B0 field maps, respectively. The method was tested using a set of water‐fat phantoms as well as liver datasets that were acquired from seven asymptomatic adult volunteers. The fat fraction estimates were compared to those from a commonly used nonaccelerated water‐fat imaging method and also to a sequential parallel imaging and water‐fat imaging method.

Results

The proposed method properly compensated for T2* decay to yield accurate fat fraction estimates in the water‐fat phantoms. Further, linear regression analysis from the liver datasets showed that the proposed method accurately estimated fat fraction at acceleration factors that were higher than those achievable by the sequential parallel imaging and water‐fat imaging method. Accurate fat fraction estimates were demonstrated at acceleration factors up to 4×, although some image artifacts were observed.

Conclusion

The proposed T2*‐compensated parallel imaging and compressed sensing framework demonstrates the potential to further accelerate water‐fat imaging while maintaining accurate estimates of proton density fat fraction. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:1267–1275. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization and limitations of diffusion tensor imaging metrics in the cervical spinal cord in neurologically intact subjects
Authors: Vedantam Aditya , Jirjis Michael B. , Schmit Brian D. , Wang Marjorie C. , Ulmer John L. , Kurpad Shekar N.
Published: February 2013

Purpose

To characterize diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics across all levels of the cervical spinal cord (CSC) and to study the impact of age and signal quality on these metrics.

Materials and Methods

DTI metrics were calculated for gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) funiculi throughout the CSC (C1–T1) in 25 healthy subjects (22‐85 years old). Signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNRs) and mean DTI metrics were measured for the upper (C1‐3), middle (C4‐6) and lower (C7‐T1) cervical segments. Age‐related changes in DTI metrics were analyzed for the individual segment groups.

Results

Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD) and transverse apparent diffusion coefficient (tADC) showed significant differences between GM and WM funiculi. Significant age‐related changes were observed in FA in upper and middle CSC segments but not in the lower CSC. The median SNR was significantly lower in the middle and lower segment groups as compared to the upper levels, contributing to poor spatial resolution in these regions.

Conclusion

This study provides DTI data for GM and WM funiculi throughout the CSC. While DTI metrics may be used to define cord pathology, variations in metrics due to age and signal quality need to be accounted for before making definitive conclusions. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:861–867. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Supportive empirical modelling for the forecast of monsoon precipitation in Nepal
Authors: Gillies Robert R. , Wang Shih‐Yu , Sun Yan , Chung Oi‐Yu
Published: February 2013

Seasonal prediction of the monsoon precipitation in Nepal has been a challenge. That is partly because Nepal's monsoon precipitation exhibits a distinct and strong quasi‐decadal oscillation while not correlated with the El Nino‐Southern Oscillation. The existing global and regional climate models are insufficient in deriving reliable precipitation prediction. This paper examines the prediction of Nepal's July to August (JA) mean precipitation using five different methods: three time series models in comparison with a persistence forecast (PF) and a climatology forecast (CF). The first model (P‐AR) uses past precipitation data to forecast the future, based upon the recently uncovered quasi‐periodic feature of the JA mean precipitation. The other two models (ARX‐SST and ARX‐GQ) add covariate sea surface temperature (SST) and global water vapour flux circulation (GQ) respectively. Based upon the evaluation of 1‐year‐ahead forecast, the three time series models performed better than PF and CF. Of those, the P‐AR model has the least mean absolute error (MAE) of <1 mm day–1. Based upon the 2‐year‐ahead forecast results, the P‐AR model performs slightly better than ARX‐SST and ARX‐GQ models. The forecast ability of the time series models appears better than that of operational numerical models such as the NCEP Climate Forecast System (CFS) and so, can be used as an effective alternative in predicting monsoon precipitation for Nepal.
Mitochondrial‐derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a causal role in aging‐related intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Nasto Luigi A. , Robinson Andria R. , Ngo Kevin , Clauson Cheryl L. , Dong Qing , St. Croix Claudette , Sowa Gwendolyn , Pola Enrico , Robbins Paul D. , Kang James , Niedernhofer Laura J. , Wipf Peter , Vo Nam V.
Published: February 2013

Oxidative damage is a well‐established driver of aging. Evidence of oxidative stress exists in aged and degenerated discs, but it is unclear how it affects disc metabolism. In this study, we first determined whether oxidative stress negatively impacts disc matrix metabolism using disc organotypic and cell cultures. Mouse disc organotypic culture grown at atmospheric oxygen (20% O2) exhibited perturbed disc matrix homeostasis, including reduced proteoglycan synthesis and enhanced expression of matrix metalloproteinases, compared to discs grown at low oxygen levels (5% O2). Human disc cells grown at 20% O2 showed increased levels of mitochondrial‐derived superoxide anions and perturbed matrix homeostasis. Treatment of disc cells with the mitochondria‐targeted reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger XJB‐5‐131 blunted the adverse effects caused by 20% O2. Importantly, we demonstrated that treatment of accelerated aging Ercc1−/Δ mice, previously established to be a useful in vivo model to study age‐related intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), also resulted in improved disc total glycosaminoglycan content and proteoglycan synthesis. This demonstrates that mitochondrial‐derived ROS contributes to age‐associated IDD in Ercc1−/Δ mice. Collectively, these data provide strong experimental evidence that mitochondrial‐derived ROS play a causal role in driving changes linked to aging‐related IDD and a potentially important role for radical scavengers in preventing IDD. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1150–1157, 2013
Mixed‐mode SPE for a multi‐residue analysis of benzodiazepines in whole blood using rapid GC with negative‐ion chemical ionization MS
Authors: Karlonas Nerijus , Padarauskas Audrius , Ramanavicius Arunas , Ramanaviciene Almira
Published: February 2013

A sensitive and selective method for simultaneous quantitation of 15 benzodiazepines in human whole blood using rapid GC with negative‐ion chemical ionization MS is proposed. A mixed‐mode cation‐exchange polymeric sorbent was used for SPE. Different extraction solvents or mixtures of solvents of different compositions for elution of the adsorbed analytes, and washing steps for eliminating interferences in the column were tested. Analytes were eluted from the column using 5% v/v NH4OH in methanol. A derivatization step using different silylation reagents, time, and temperature was tested. Extracts from SPE were silylated by a mixture of N‐(tert‐butyldimethylsilyl)‐N‐methyltrifluoroacetamide, acetonitrile, ethyl acetate, and subjected to gas chromatographic analysis. The LODs of 15 benzodiazepines in whole blood samples ranged from 0.24–0.62 ng mL−1. The RSDs of samples used for three different quality control concentration levels were lower than 7.0%, and the accuracy ranged from 89.5 to 110.5%. The results show that the developed method is accurate, sensitive, selective, and very fast. Finally, the applicability of this method for determination of trace concentrations of several benzodiazepines in real blood samples has been demonstrated.
Up‐and‐down shaker‐assisted ionic liquid‐based dispersive liquid—liquid microextraction of benzophenone‐type ultraviolet filters
Authors: Ku Yu‐Chien , Leong Mei‐I , Wang Wan‐Ting , Huang Shang‐Da
Published: February 2013

Sun protection is an important part of our lives. UV filters are widely used to absorb solar radiation in sunscreens. However, excess UV filters constitute persistent groups of organic micropollutants present in the environment. An environmentally friendly ionic‐liquid‐based up‐and‐down shaker‐assisted dispersive liquid−liquid microextraction device combined with ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode‐array detection has been developed to preconcentrate three UV filters (benzophenone, 2‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzophenone, 2,2′‐dihydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzophenone) from field water samples. In this method, the optimal conditions for the proposed extraction method were: 40 μL [C8MIM][PF6] as extraction solvent and 200 μL methanol as disperser solvent were used to extract the UV filters. After up‐and‐down shaking for 3 min, the aqueous solution was centrifuged at 5000 rpm speed, then using microtube to collect the settled extraction solvent and using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography for further analysis. Quantification results indicated that the linear range was 2–1000 ng/mL. The LOD of this method was in the range 0.2–1.3 ng/mL with r2 ≥ 0.9993. The relative recovery in studies of different types of field water samples was in the range 92–120%, and the RSD was 2.3–7.1%. The proposed method was also applied to the analysis of field samples.
What, Methane Again?!
Authors: Golden David M.
Published: February 2013

A combination of an error discovered in the Multiwell code and some more recent examinations of the system CH3 + H = CH4 prompted a reexamination of earlier work by this author. Values of the energy transfer parameter, 〈ΔEd〉, are considerably different from the previous study. It is suggested that the Baulch et al. parameters for this system can be improved by replacing the values for krec,0 and krec,∞ with values suggested by Troe and Ushakov. krec,0 = [Ar] 10−26.19 exp[–(T/21.22 K)0.5] cm6 molecule−2 s−1, krec,∞ = 3.34 × 10−10 (T/25200 K)0.186 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 while keeping their value for Fc = 0.63 exp(–T/3315) + 0.37 exp(–T/61).
A consistency proof for some restrictions of Tait's reflection principles
Authors: McCallum Rupert
Published: February 2013

In5, Tait identifies a set of reflection principles called\documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$\Gamma ^{(2)}_{n}$\end{document}‐reflection principles which Peter Koellner has shown to be consistent relative to the existence of κ(ω), the first ω‐Erdős cardinal1. Tait also defines a set of reflection principles called\documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$\Gamma ^{(m)}_{n}$\end{document}‐reflection principles; however, Koellner has shown that these are inconsistent whenm> 2, but identifies restricted versions of them which he proves consistent relative to κ(ω)2. In this paper, we introduce a new large‐cardinal property, the α‐reflective cardinals. Their definition is motivated by Tait's remarks on parameters of third or higher order in reflection principles. We prove that if κ is ℶκ + α + 1‐supercompact and 0 < α < κ then κ is α‐reflective. Furthermore we show that α‐reflective cardinals relativize to L, and that if κ(ω) exists then the set of cardinals λ < κ(ω), such that λ is α‐reflective for all α such that 0 < α < λ, is a stationary subset of κ(ω). We show that an ω‐reflective cardinal satisfies some restricted versions of\documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$\Gamma ^{(m)}_{n}$\end{document}‐reflection, as well as all the reflection properties proved consistent in2.
Measurable Riemannian structures associated with strong local Dirichlet forms
Authors: Hino Masanori
Published: February 2013

We introduce Riemannian‐like structures associated with strong local Dirichlet forms on general state spaces. Such structures justify the principle that the pointwise index of the Dirichlet form represents the effective dimension of the virtual tangent space at each point. The concept of differentiations of functions is studied, and an application to stochastic analysis is presented.
Star‐Shaped Polymer Consisting of a Porphyrin Core and Poly(L‐lysine) Dendron Arms: Synthesis, Drug Delivery, and In Vitro Chemo/Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Ma Dong , Liu Zong‐Hua , Zheng Qian‐Qian , Zhou Xiao‐Yan , Zhang Yi , Shi Yun‐Feng , Lin Jian‐Tao , Xue Wei
Published: February 2013

A novel star‐shaped polymer, porphyrin‐poly(L‐lysine) dendrons (PP‐PLLD), is synthesized by the click reaction between azido‐modified porphyrin and propargyl focal point poly(L‐lysine) dendrons. Its chemical structure is characterized by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) is analyses etc. Due to its amphiphilic property, the obtained PP‐PLLD has a low critical micelle concentration in an aqueous solution, and can load doxorubicin (DOX) with a loading amount of 64 μg mg−1. By in vitro toxicity assay, PP‐PLLD has no dark cytotoxicity but has significant phototoxicity. Moreover, DOX‐loaded PP‐PLLD shows a higher cytotoxicity under the light condition than PP‐PLLD or DOX alone, suggesting PP‐PLLD has a potential application in combined photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy.
Polydiacetylene Liposome Microarray Toward Influenza A Virus Detection: Effect of Target Size on Turn‐On Signaling
Authors: Seo Sungbaek , Lee Jiseok , Choi Eun‐Jin , Kim Eun‐Ju , Song Jae‐Young , Kim Jinsang
Published: February 2013

Target size effect on the sensory signaling intensity of polydiacetylene (PDA) liposome microarrays was systematically investigated. Influenza A virus M1 peptide and M1 antibody were selected as a probe–target pair. While red fluorescence from the PDA liposome microarrays was observed when the larger M1 antibody was used as a target, when the same M1 antibody was used as a probe to detect the smaller M1 peptide sensory signal did not appear. The results reveal that the intensity of the PDA sensory signal is mainly related to the steric repulsion between probe–target complexes not the strength of the probe–target binding force. Based on this finding, we devised a PDA sensory system that directly detects influenza A whole virus as a larger target, and confirmed the target size effect on the signaling efficiency of PDA.

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