bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Source, transport and impacts of a heavy dust event in the Yangtze River Delta, China, in 2011
Authors: Fu X. , Wang S. X. , Cheng Z. , Xing J. , Zhao B. , Wang J. D. , Hao J. M.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. Dust invasion is an important type of particle pollution in China. During 1 to 6 May in 2011, a dust event was observed in the Yangtze River Delta region (YRD). The highest PM10 (particles up to 10 μ in diameter) concentration reached over 1000 μg m−3 and the visibility was below 3 km. In this study, the Community Multi-scale Air Quality modeling system (CMAQ5.0) coupled with an in-line windblown dust model was used to simulate the formation, spatial and temporal characteristics of this dust event, and analyze its impacts. The threshold friction velocity for loose, fine-grained soil with low surface roughness in the dust model was revised based on Chinese data to improve the model performance. This dust storm broke out in Xinjiang and Mongolia during 28 to 30 April and arrived in the YRD region on 1 May. The transported dust particles contributed to the mean surface layer concentrations of PM10 in the YRD region 78.9% during 1 to 6 May with their impact weakening from north to south due to the removal of dust particles along the path. The dry deposition, wet deposition and total deposition of PM10 in the YRD reached 184.7 kt, 172.6 kt and 357.32 kt, respectively. The dust particles also had significant impacts on optical/radiative characteristics by absorption and scattering. In Shanghai, the largest perturbations of aerosol optical depth (AOD) and irradiance were about 0.8 DU and −130 W m−2, which could obviously influence the radiation balance in this region. The decrease of actinic fluxes impacts future photochemistry. In Shanghai, the negative effects on the NO2 and O3 photolysis could be −35% when dust particles arrived. The concentrations of O3 and OH were reduced by 1.5% and 3.1% in the whole of China, and by 9.4% and 12.1% in the YRD region, respectively. Such changes in O3 and OH levels can affect the future formation of secondary aerosols in the atmosphere by directly determining the oxidation rate of their precursors. The work of this manuscript is meaningful for understanding the dust emissions in China as well as for the application of CMAQ in Asia. It is also helpful for understanding the formation mechanism and impacts of dust pollution in the YRD.
Aerosol light-scattering enhancement due to water uptake during TCAP campaign
Authors: Titos G. , Jefferson A. , Sheridan P. J. , Andrews E. , Lyamani H. , Alados-Arboledas L. , Ogren J. A.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. Aerosol optical properties were measured by the DOE/ARM (US Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurements) Program Mobile Facility in the framework of the Two-Column Aerosol Project (TCAP) deployed at Cape Cod, Massachusetts, for a~one year period (from summer 2012 to summer 2013). Measured optical properties included aerosol light-absorption coefficient (σap) at low relative humidity (RH) and aerosol light-scattering coefficient (σsp) at low and at RH values varying from 30 to 85%, approximately. Calculated variables included the single scattering albedo (SSA), the scattering Ångström exponent (SAE) and the scattering enhancement factor (f(RH)). Over the period of measurement, f(RH = 80%) had a mean value of 1.9 ± 0.3 and 1.8 ± 0.4 in the PM10 and PM1 fractions, respectively. Higher f(RH = 80%) values were observed for wind directions from 0–180° (marine sector) together with high SSA and low SAE values. The wind sector from 225 to 315° was identified as an anthropogenically-influenced sector, and it was characterized by smaller, darker and less hygroscopic aerosols. For the marine sector, f(RH = 80%) was 2.2 compared with a value of 1.8 obtained for the anthropogenically-influenced sector. The air-mass backward trajectory analysis agreed well with the wind sector analysis. It shows low cluster to cluster variability except for air-masses coming from the Atlantic Ocean that showed higher hygroscopicity. Knowledge of the effect of RH on aerosol optical properties is of great importance for climate forcing calculations and for comparison of in-situ measurements with satellite and remote sensing retrievals. In this sense, predictive capability of f(RH) for use in climate models would be enhanced if other aerosol parameters could be used as proxies to estimate hygroscopic growth. Toward this goal, we propose an exponential equation that successfully estimates aerosol hygroscopicity as a function of SSA at Cape Cod. Further work is needed to determine if the equation obtained is valid in other environments.
Deglacial ice–sheet meltdown: orbital pacemaking and CO2 effects
Authors: Heinemann M. , Timmermann A. , Timm O. E. , Saito F. , Abe-Ouchi A.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. Eighty thousand years of ice-sheet build-up came to a rapid end ~20–10 thousand years before present (ka BP), when ice sheets receded quickly, and global mean surface temperatures rose by about 4 °C. It still remains unresolved whether insolation changes due to variations of earth's tilt and orbit were sufficient to terminate glacial conditions. Using a coupled three-dimensional climate–ice-sheet model, we simulate the climate and Northern Hemisphere ice-sheet evolution from 78 to 0 ka BP in good agreement with sea level and ice topography reconstructions. Based on this simulation and a series of deglacial sensitivity experiments with individually varying orbital parameters and CO2, we find that enhanced calving led to a slow-down of ice-sheet growth already 5 to 8 ka prior to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), as evidenced by the change in curvature of the simulated and reconstructed ice volume time series. Increasing obliquity and precession then led to accelerated ice loss due to ablation and calving, thereby initiating the glacial termination. The deglacial sensitivity experiments further reveal that the ~100 ppmv rise of atmospheric CO2 after ~18 ka BP was a key contributor to the deglaciation. Without it, the present-day ice volume would be comparable to that of the LGM and global mean temperatures would be about 3 °C lower than today. We further demonstrate that neither orbital forcing nor CO2 forcing alone were sufficient to complete the deglaciation.
Optimization of coagulation-flocculation parameters using a photometric dispersion analyser
Authors: Ramphal S. , Sibiya M.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. The size and structural characteristics of floc particles are important design and control parameters in water treatment and should be rapidly monitored with a reasonable amount of accuracy. In this study, a photometric dispersion analyser (PDA) coupled to standard jar test experiments was used to optimize coagulation-flocculation parameters while monitoring floc size and structure as well as the rate of floc formation during coagulation using alum. The optimal coagulation conditions were as follows: sample pH 8; alum dosage, 6 mg L−1 as Al3+; G value, 116 s−1; rapid mixing time, 20 s. These conditions resulted in unstable treated water having a calcium carbonate precipitation potential of −15 mg L−1 as CaCO3 and required a slaked lime dosage of 17 mg L−1 to equilibrate CCPP to acceptable levels. PDA data revealed that aggregation rate and steady-state variance are primary parameters as both have significant influence on coagulation-flocculation efficiency. However, the average steady state ratio, although an important parameter, had a lessened impact on coagulation-flocculation efficiency. The results of this study showed that the PDA instrument is an important tool in coagulation kinetic studies and can be employed as an additional tool in the optimization of coagulation conditions.
Attribution of satellite observed vegetation trends in a hyper-arid region of the Heihe River Basin, Central Asia
Authors: Wang Y. , Roderick M. L. , Shen Y. , Sun F.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. Terrestrial vegetation dynamics are closely influenced by both climate change and by direct human activities that modify land use and/or land cover (LULCC). Both can change over time in a monotonic way and it can be difficult to separate the effects of climate change from LULCC on vegetation. Here we attempt to attribute the trend of fractional green vegetation cover to climate change and to human activity in Ejina region, a hyper-arid landlocked region in northwest China. This region is dominated by extensive deserts with relatively small areas of irrigation located along the major water courses as is typical throughout much of Central Asia. Variations of fractional vegetation cover from 2000 to 2012 were determined using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) vegetation index data with 250 m spatial resolution over 16 day intervals. We found that the fractional vegetation cover in this hyper-arid region is very low, but that the mean growing season vegetation cover has increased from 3.4% in 2000 to 4.5% in 2012. The largest contribution to the overall greening was due to changes in green vegetation cover of the extensive desert areas with a smaller contribution due to changes in the area of irrigated land. Comprehensive analysis with different precipitation data sources found that the greening of the desert was associated with increases in regional precipitation. We found that the area of land irrigated each year was mostly dependent on the runoff gauged one year earlier. Taken together, water availability both from precipitation in the desert and runoff inflow for the irrigation agricultural lands can explain at least 52% of the total variance in regional vegetation cover from 2000 to 2010.
Timing of Surgery in Rasmussen Syndrome: Is Patience a Virtue?
Authors: Hartman Adam L. , Cross J. Helen
Published: February 2014

Rasmussen syndrome affects previously normal people and forever changes their lives and the lives of their families. Although understood as a probable autoimmune condition, medical treatment remains limited and surgery remains the only cure, although with inevitable functional consequences. Difficulties remain in deciding on the optimal timing of surgery. Here, we review data available to aid clinicians faced with making the decision of when to recommend hemispherectomy. Not all patients have rapidly progressive disease, however, and such patients may benefit from immunomodulatory treatment. Thus, a patient's clinical course requires careful evaluation in order to identify those who would benefit most from early surgery.
Effects of online multitasking on reading comprehension of expository text
Authors: Tran Phuoc , Carrillo Rogelio , Subrahmanyam Kaveri
Published: February 2014

Much of college students’ computer use, including for academic reading, occurs under conditions of multitasking. In three experiments, we investigated their technology use and habitual multitasking and the learning effects of multitasking with online communication while reading expository text. In Experiment 1 (n = 35), participants engaged in a primary content learning task and a secondary communication task either sequentially or concurrently. Experiment 2 (n = 90 ) used a modified primary learning task involving reading comprehension and recall with a within-subjects design, wherein task difficulty (easy, difficult) and condition (sequential, concurrent) were within-subjects factors. Experiment 3 (n=40) used a moderately difficult task with condition (sequential, concurrent) as a within-subjects factor and a filler task for participants in the concurrent condition. Our results suggested that our college student participants were comfortable with technology and reported that on average they multitasked with four other activities while reading. Across the three experiments, we found no evidence that multitasking while reading disrupted content learning, reading comprehension, and recall. On the contrary, we found a beneficial effect of multitasking for the easy task (Experiment 2) and a trend toward a beneficial effect for the moderately difficult task (Experiment 3). We discuss possible explanations for why multitasking might enhance performance at lower levels of cognitive load and identify future directions for research.
Close relationships with people met online in a national U.S. sample of adolescents
Authors: Walsh Wendy A. , Wolak Janis , Mitchell Kimberly J.
Published: February 2014

The purpose of this research was to explore characteristics of youth who reported close relationships with people they met online. We used data from a national telephone survey of youth Internet users in the United States, aged 10 to 17 years old (N=1,560). One in ten adolescents (11%) reported a close relationship with a person met online. Results of a logistic regression indicated that the odds of forming close online relationships were about twice as high among youth with depressive symptoms, delinquent behavior, high Internet use, who sought out pornography online, had experienced unwanted online harassment, and had experienced an unwanted online sexual solicitation. Only 2% of youth reported such relationships with adults (18 and older) and many of these were with teens aged 18 or 19, less than 1% had an online relationship with someone over 21. Among youth with close online relationships, 3% sent or received sexual pictures and 34% met the person face-to-face. Of those who met the person, 4% of youth reported sexual contact. The great majority of youth were not afraid or uncomfortable during face-to-face meetings and it was common for parents to know of meetings. As youth continue to use online communication in diverse ways, it is important to better understand how youth are using the Internet to develop intimacy in their lives.
La pédagogie créative au service des élèves polyhandicapés : résultats d’une recherche-action
Authors: Ouellet Sylvie , Caya Isabelle
Published: February 2014

Cet article met en lumière la mise en place d’une pédagogie créative (Ouellet, 2009 ; Ouellet, Caya et Tremblay, 2011b) ayant pour double but  (a) de faire émerger les intérêts et le talent de l’élève ayant de multiples handicaps afin d’avoir un portrait de ce dernier, (b) d’élaborer des scénarios pédagogiques «signifiants» pour favoriser une concertation dans l’intervention pédagogique et éducative (Ouellet et Caya, 2009). Ce projet de recherche-action aura permis d’expérimenter des outils d’intervention, d’évaluation et de suivi (Dionne, Tavares et Rivest, 2006 ; MELS, 20041) dans une classe d’élèves polyhandicapés. L’équipe travaillant auprès de ces élèves a été impliquée tout au long du projet et a participé à la création d’un environnement d’apprentissage créatif et inclusif, répondant à leurs besoins.
Soi émotionnel d’enfants ayant une déficience intellectuelle : comment l’évaluer et en identifier les variabilités?
Authors: Fiasse Catherine , Nader-Grosbois Nathalie
Published: February 2014

Cet article présente une échelle d’évaluation de la perception du soi émotionnel adaptée au niveau préscolaire. L’analyse psychométrique préliminaire montre une structure en deux facteurs d’une cohérence interne satisfaisante (sous-étude 1A) ainsi que la stabilité des réponses des enfants et leurs compétences langagières suffisantes pour comprendre les items de l’échelle (sous-étude 1B). L’étude 2 compare le soi émotionnel de 45 enfants ayant une déficience intellectuelle (DI) à celui de 45 enfants tout-venant (TV) appariés en âge développemental. Les résultats soutiennent l’hypothèse de retard de développement du soi émotionnel des enfants DI. Contrairement aux enfants TV, leur âge chronologique ou développemental n’est pas lié à l’autoperception de leur soi émotionnel; aucune différence n’est obtenue entre l’autoperception et l’hétéroperception de l’enseignant.
ДИМЕНЗИЈЕ РАДНОГ ПОНАШАЊА И КОМПЕТЕНЦИЈСКИ ПРИСТУП У УПРАВЉАЊУ ЉУДСКИМ РЕСУРСИМА У ПОЛИЦИЈИ
Authors: Хелдић-Смаилагић Едина
Published: February 2014

Први дио рада има тежиште на најзначајнијим контрукти-ма за објашњење радног понашања: заокупљеност послом, задовољство упослу и оданост према организацији. Изучавање наведених конструката јеважно у компетенцијском приступу у управљању људским ресурсима у по-лицији, чије су карактеристике и предности описане у другом дијелу рада.
КОРУПЦИЈА У ПРАВОСУЂУ
Authors: Спремо Вељко
Published: February 2014

Корупција у правосуђу, независно од степена њеног интензитета, увијек буди велику забринутост јавности. Корупција у правосуђу, вишенего корупција у другим сегментима државне управе, односно корупција уприватном сектору, поткопава саме темеље тржишне привреде и слободногдруштва – владавину права. Правосуђе и његово, корупцијом неспутано, ефикасно функционисање представља камен темељац тржишне привреде. Наиме,компетентно, ефикасно и непристрасно правосуђе једне земље представљаједан од основних сегмената, односно предуслова владавине права, која се, састановишта привредних субјеката, очитава као ефикасна заштита приватнихсвојинских права, као и ефикасна контрола поштовања уговора, или принудноизвршење уговора, уколико је то потребно. Јавне службе су продужена рукадржаве и сервис грађана. Истовремено, њима је повјерено и чување јавних интереса. Квалитет и ефикасност чувања тих интереса од стране јавних службиуједно је и мјера функционисања институција система и политичке власти.Истовремено, њихови припадници морају бити непоткупљиви и морају имати свијест и осјећање дужности. Будући да је ријеч о кључним институцијамадруштва, анализа њиховог функционисања уједно је и анализа функционисања државе. Правосуђе има посебан значај због мјеста које заузима у подијељеној власти. Квалитет функционисања правосуђа утиче на функционисање цијелог друштва.
Pathways to Healing: Person-centered Responses to Complementary Services
Authors: Johnson Mary B. , Bertrand Sharon W. , Fermon Barbara , Coleman Julie Foley
Published: February 2014

Objectives:

This research study assessed perceived changes in quality-of-life measures related to participation in complementary services consisting of a variety of nontraditional therapies and/or programs at Pathways: A Health Crisis Resource Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Design:

Survey data were used to assess perceived changes participants ascribed to their experience with complementary services at Pathways. Quantitative data analysis was conducted using participant demographics together with participant ratings of items from the “Self-Assessment of Change” (SAC) measure developed at the University of Arizona, Tucson. Qualitative data analysis was conducted on written responses to an additional survey question: “To what extent has your participation at Pathways influenced your healing process?”

Setting/Location:

Pathways offers a variety of services, including one-to-one sessions using nontradition-al healing therapies, support groups, educational classes, and practice groups such as yoga and meditation for those facing serious health challenges. These services are offered free of charge through community financial support using volunteer practitioners.

Participants:

People (126) diagnosed with serious health challenges who used Pathways services from 2007 through 2009.

Interventions:

Participation in self-selected Pathways services.

Measures:

Responses to items on the SAC measure plus written responses to the question, “To what extent has your participation at Pathways influenced your healing process?”

Results:

Quantitative findings: Participants reported experiencing significant changes across all components of the SAC measure. Qualitative findings: Responses to the open-ended survey question identified perspectives on the culture of Pathways and a shift in participants’ perceptions of well-being based on their experience of Pathways services.

Conclusions:

Participation in services provided by the Pathways organization improved perceptions of quality of life and well-being and led to more active involvement in the experience of a healing process.
Simple method of optimizing second-harmonic generation under imperfect phase-mismatching conditions caused by group-velocity mismatch and group-velocity dispersion
Authors: Harimoto Tetsuo
Published: February 2014

A simple method of thickness optimization of a nonlinear optical crystal used for second-harmonic generation involving group-velocity mismatching and group-velocity dispersion is discussed on the basis of the feature parameter ΔS. An approximate analysis formula for thickness with respect to the maximum second-harmonic intensity is obtained, which is applicable to the optimization of second-harmonic generation.
Double ridges on Europa accommodate some of the missing surface contraction
Authors: Culha Cansu , Hayes Alexander G. , Manga Michael , Thomas Amanda M.
Published: February 2014

Crosscutting relationships of tectonic lineaments on Europa record the history of surface deformation. We mapped the displacement and orientation of older features crosscut by two types of lineaments: bands and double ridges. These measurements allow us to determine both the strike‐perpendicular and strike‐parallel displacement along investigated features. Double ridges record both ridge‐perpendicular contraction and expansion, with a mean of 0.16 ± 0.06 km (needs space) of contraction based on the analysis of 16 double ridges. Bands record expansion, with a mean of 3.33 ± 0.27 km for the six bands analyzed, but with perpendicular displacement less than their apparent morphologic widths of 3–24 km. The implied global surface strain for double ridges (including those that expand) and bands is 2.22 ± 0.76% contraction and 7.60 ± 3.7% expansion, respectively. Double ridges thus may accommodate part of the surface expansion recorded by bands. Most current models for double ridges do not predict contraction. The models that satisfy the observations for bands are “slow‐spreading” models, cryovolcanism, and folding.
Annual patterns and budget of CO2 flux in an Arctic tussock tundra ecosystem
Authors: Oechel Walter C. , Laskowski Cheryl A. , Burba George , Gioli Beniamino , Kalhori Aram A. M.
Published: February 2014

The functioning of Arctic ecosystems is not only critically affected by climate change, but it also has the potential for major positive feedback on climate. There is, however, relatively little information on the role, patterns, and vulnerabilities of CO2 fluxes during the nonsummer seasons in Arctic ecosystems. Presented here is a year‐round study of CO2 fluxes in an Alaskan Arctic tussock tundra ecosystem, and key environmental controls on these fluxes. Important controls on fluxes vary by season. This paper also presents a new empirical quantification of seasons in the Arctic based on net radiation. The fluxes were computed using standard FluxNet methodology and corrected using standard Webb‐Pearman‐Leuning density terms adjusted for influences of open‐path instrument surface heating. The results showed that the nonsummer season comprises a significant source of carbon to the atmosphere. The summer period was a net sink of 24.3 g C m−2, while the nonsummer seasons released 37.9 g C m−2. This release is 1.6 times the summer uptake, resulting in a net annual source of +13.6 g C m−2 to the atmosphere. These findings support early observations of a change in this particular region of the Arctic from a long‐term annual sink of CO2 to an annual source from the terrestrial ecosystem and soils to the atmosphere. The results presented here demonstrate that nearly continuous observations may be required in order to accurately calculate the annual net ecosystem CO2 exchange of Arctic ecosystems and to build predictive understanding that can be used to estimate, with confidence, Arctic fluxes under future conditions.
A Plasmonic Photonic Diode for Unidirectional Focusing, Imaging, and Wavelength Division De‐Multiplexing
Authors: Zhang Xinping , Zhang Jian , Liu Hongmei , Zhai Tianrui
Published: February 2014

A thin‐film photonic lens is fabricated using chirped plasmonic grating structures, which enables off‐axis focusing and simultaneous de‐multiplexing of the incident light beams, as well as the intrinsic function of an optical lens for imaging. This planar two‐dimensional photonic device may be used either as a positive (converging) or a negative (diverging) lens through controlling how the light beam is incident and how the device is oriented, which defines multifold ‘diode’ effects and is thus termed “forward” or “backward” biasing of such a ‘diode’ lens. This plasmonic photonic diode (PPD) features by unidirectional functions instead of non‐reciprocal transmission. These unique functions are demonstrated by focusing different colors into different angles and different focal lengths with large dispersions, which enables direct wavelength division de‐multiplexing with high resolution and high efficiency. Strong plasmonic scattering by the gold nanolines that constitute the chirped grating structures leads to efficient operation and polarization‐dependent performance of the PPD device.
Influence of the phase state of self‐assembling redox mediators on their electrochemical activity
Authors: Muller John P. E. , Aytar Burcu S. , Kondo Yukishige , Lynn David M. , Abbott Nicholas L.
Published: February 2014

Self‐assembling redox mediators have the potential to be broadly useful in a range of interfacial electrochemical contexts because the oxidation state and state of assembly of the mediator are closely coupled. In this article, we report an investigation of the self‐assembly of single‐ and double‐tailed ferrocenyl amphiphiles [(11‐ferrocenylundecyl)trimethylammonium bromide (FTMA) and bis(11‐ferrocenylundecyl)dimethylammonium bromide (BFDMA), respectively] at the surfaces of Pt electrodes and the impact of the dynamic assembled state of the amphiphiles on their rate of oxidation. We conclude that frozen aggregates of BFDMA adsorb to the surfaces of the Pt electrodes, and that slow dynamics of reorganization of BFDMA within these aggregates limits the rate of electrooxidation of BFDMA. In contrast, FTMA, while forming assemblies on the surfaces of Pt electrodes, is characterized by fast reorganization dynamics and a corresponding rate of oxidation that is an order of magnitude greater than BFDMA. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 1381–1392, 2014
Highly nested diets in intrapopulation monkey–resource food webs
Authors: Dáttilo Wesley , Serio‐Silva Juan Carlos , Chapman Colin A. , Rico‐Gray Víctor
Published: February 2014

Recently several studies have focused on the structure of ecological networks to provide insights into ecological and coevolutionary dynamics of interacting species. However, rarely have the tools of ecological networks been used to understand how feeding relationships vary among individuals of the same population. Here we use 7 years of data and network analyzed to examine the intrapopulation diet variation in a group of howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata). We show that individual monkey–resource food webs are nested, but not modular and the stability of these patterns is independent of time of day or season. Our findings indicated that individuals do not forage randomly when compared to null models and that the diets of more selective monkeys represent subsets of the diets of other individuals. Moreover, there are no subgroups that eat a particular set of available plant species more frequently than other sets, suggesting that the spatial strategy of group foraging plays an important role in the feeding ecology of each group given that individuals of the same group tend to share similar resources while the group remains at a feeding site. Since the diets of more selective individuals are a subset of other monkeys, we suggest that more selective monkeys are able to outcompete others for preferred foods. Additionally, we did not observe differences in nutritional content or spatial abundance of more frequently eaten plant species when compared with less frequently eaten species, but in most cases, the more frequently eaten plant species wereFicus(Moraceae). This reinforces the important role thatFicustrees play in howler monkey feeding ecology, likely due to its year‐round availability. Am. J. Primatol. 76:670–678, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Activity and social factors affect cohesion among individuals in female Japanese macaques: A simultaneous focal‐follow study
Authors: Nishikawa Mari , Suzuki Mariko , Sprague David S.
Published: February 2014

Understanding cohesion among individuals within a group is necessary to reveal the social system of group‐living primates. Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) are female‐philopatric primates that reside in social groups. We investigated whether individual activity and social factors can affect spatio‐temporal cohesion in wild female Japanese macaques. We conducted behavioral observation on a group, which contained 38 individuals and ranged over ca. 60 ha during the study period. Two observers carried out simultaneous focal‐animal sampling of adult female pairs during full‐day follows using global positioning system which enabled us to quantify interindividual distances (IIDs), group members within visual range (i.e., visual unit), and separation duration beyond visual range as indicators of cohesion among individuals. We found considerable variation in spatio‐temporal group cohesion. The overall mean IID was 99.9 m (range = 0–618.2 m). The percentage of IIDs within visual range was 23.1%, within auditory range was 59.8%, and beyond auditory range was 17.1%. IIDs varied with activity; they were shorter during grooming and resting, and longer during foraging and traveling. Low‐ranking females showed less cohesion than high‐ranking ones. Kin females stayed nearly always within audible range. The macaques were weakly cohesive with small mean visual unit size (3.15 counting only adults, 5.99 counting all individuals). Both‐sex units were the most frequently observed visual unit type when they were grooming/resting. Conversely, female units were the most frequently observed visual unit type when they were foraging. The overall mean visual separation duration was 25.7 min (range = 3–513 min). Separation duration was associated with dominance rank. These results suggest that Japanese macaques regulate cohesion among individuals depending on their activity and on social relationships; they were separated to adapt food distribution and aggregated to maintain social interactions. Am. J. Primatol. 76:694–703, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Expression of protease‐activated receptors in allergic fungal rhinosinusitis
Authors: Ebert Charles S. , McKinney Kibwei A. , Urrutia Gene , Wu Michael , Rose Austin S. , Fleischman Gita M. , Thorp Brian , Senior Brent A. , Zanation Adam M.
Published: February 2014

Background

The etiology of the intense inflammatory response showed by patients with allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) remains a mystery. Potential sources of this inflammation may include fungal proteases. Protease‐activated receptors (PARs) are components of the innate immune response that are modulated by proteolytic activity and are involved in potentiating T helper 2 (Th2) responses. The objective of the study was to determine whether there is differential expression of PARs in patients with AFRS compared to controls.

Methods

The study was designed as a comparison of gene expression profiles in patients with AFRS vs diseased and nondiseased controls. Twenty‐five patients were enrolled. Patients with AFRS (n = 15) were compared to nondiseased controls (n = 5) undergoing minimally invasive pituitary surgery (MIPS) and patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP, n = 5) undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Ethmoid mucosa RNA was hybridized to 4×44K microarray chips. Four gene probes (PAR1, PAR2, PAR3, and PAR4) were used to assess for differential expression. A linear‐mixed model was used to account for some patients having multiple samples. Significance level was determined at p < 0.05.

Results

Of the 4 probes, only PAR3 showed statistically significant differential expression between AFRS and nondiseased control samples (p = 0.03) as well as a 2.21‐fold change. No additional statistical difference in PAR expression among the comparison groups was noted.

Conclusion

PARs have been shown to enhance production of inflammatory cytokines and potentiate Th2 responses. In this initial report, patients with AFRS have a significantly increased expression of PAR3 compared to nondiseased controls.
An Order–Disorder Ferroelectric Host–Guest Inclusion Compound
Authors: Zhang Yi , Ye Heng‐Yun , Fu Da‐Wei , Xiong Ren‐Gen
Published: February 2014

The host–guest complex [(DIPA)([18]crown‐6)](ClO4) (1; DIPA=2,6‐diisopropylanilinium) was constructed and found to undergo a sequence of phase transitions (Ibam–Pbcn–Pna21) at T1=278 K and T2=132 K, respectively. Systematic characterizations, such as differential scanning calorimetry, heat capacity, temperature‐dependent dielectric constant, and P–E hysteresis loop, reveal that the centrosymmetric‐to‐polar phase transition at T2 is a paraelectric‐to‐ferroelectric transition. The symmetry breaking was also confirmed by temperature‐dependent second‐harmonic generation effect and X‐ray powder diffraction. The ferroelectric mechanism is attributable to the linear motion of the perchlorate counterions accompanied by the order–disorder transition of the [18]crown‐6 molecules and the anions.
A Bis(dipyridophenazine)(2‐(2‐pyridyl)pyrimidine‐4‐carboxylic acid)ruthenium(II) Complex with Anticancer Action upon Photodeprotection
Authors: Joshi Tanmaya , Pierroz Vanessa , Mari Cristina , Gemperle Lea , Ferrari Stefano , Gasser Gilles
Published: February 2014

Improving the selectivity of anticancer drugs towards cancer cells is one of the main goals of drug optimization; the prodrug strategy has been one of the most promising. A light‐triggered prodrug strategy is presented as an efficient approach for controlling cytotoxicity of the substitutionally inert cytotoxic complex [Ru(dppz)2(CppH)](PF6)2 (C1; CppH=2‐(2‐pyridyl)pyrimidine‐4‐carboxylic acid; dppz=dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine). Attachment of a photolabile 3‐(4,5‐dimethoxy‐2‐nitrophenyl)‐2‐butyl (DMNPB) ester (“photocaging”) makes the otherwise active complex C1 innocuous to both cancerous (HeLa and U2OS) and non‐cancerous (MRC‐5) cells. The cytotoxic action can be successfully unleashed in living cells upon light illumination (350 nm), reaching similar level of activity as the parent cytotoxic compound C1. This is the first substitutionally inert cytotoxic metal complex to be used as a light‐triggered prodrug candidate.
Crystal Engineering of an nbo Topology Metal–Organic Framework for Chemical Fixation of CO2 under Ambient Conditions
Authors: Gao Wen‐Yang , Chen Yao , Niu Youhong , Williams Kia , Cash Lindsay , Perez Pastor J. , Wojtas Lukasz , Cai Jianfeng , Chen Yu‐Sheng , Ma Shengqian
Published: February 2014

Crystal engineering of the nbo metal–organic framework (MOF) platform MOF‐505 with a custom‐designed azamacrocycle ligand (1,4,7,10‐tetrazazcyclododecane‐N,N′,N′′,N′′′‐tetra‐p‐methylbenzoic acid) leads to a high density of well‐oriented Lewis active sites within the cuboctahedral cage in MMCF‐2, [Cu2(Cu‐tactmb)(H2O)3(NO3)2]. This MOF demonstrates high catalytic activity for the chemical fixation of CO2 into cyclic carbonates at room temperature under 1 atm pressure.
Totalsynthese Resveratrol‐basierter Naturstoffe mittels palladiumkatalysierter decarboxylierender Arylierung und oxidativer Heck‐Reaktion
Authors: Klotter Felix , Studer Armido
Published: February 2014

Ein neuartiges modulares Konzept für den kontrollierten Zugang zu racemischen Resveratrol‐basierten Naturstoffen wird beschrieben. Ausgehend von nur einem leicht zugänglichen Baustein können durch palladiumkatalysierte decarboxylierende Arylierung und oxidative Heck‐Reaktion strukturell entscheidende Arylreste variabel eingeführt werden. Die Schlüsselschritte laufen dabei in guter Ausbeute und mit hoher Selektivität ab. Das modulare Konzept wird am Beispiel der Totalsynthese von drei Resveratrol‐basierten Naturstoffen (Quadrangularin A, Ampelopsin D und Pallidol) belegt.
Regulation of the Cyanobacterial Circadian Clock by Electrochemically Controlled Extracellular Electron Transfer
Authors: Lu Yue , Nishio Koichi , Matsuda Shoichi , Toshima Yuki , Ito Hiroshi , Konno Tomohiro , Ishihara Kazuhiko , Kato Souichiro , Hashimoto Kazuhito , Nakanishi Shuji
Published: February 2014

There is growing awareness that circadian clocks are closely related to the intracellular redox state across a range of species. As the redox state is determined by the exchange of the redox species, electrochemically controlled extracellular electron transfer (EC‐EET), a process in which intracellular electrons are exchanged with extracellular electrodes, is a promising approach for the external regulation of circadian clocks. Herein, we discuss whether the circadian clock can be regulated by EC‐EET using the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC7942 as a model system. In vivo monitoring of chlorophyll fluorescence revealed that the redox state of the plastoquionone pool could be controlled with EC‐EET by simply changing the electrode potential. As a result, the endogenous circadian clock of S. elongatus cells was successfully entrained through periodically modulated EC‐EET by emulating the natural light/dark cycle, even under constant illumination conditions. This is the first example of regulating the biological clock by electrochemistry.
Turning Tryptophanase into Odor‐Generating Biosensors
Authors: Xu Yaqin , Zhang Zhuyuan , Ali M. Monsur , Sauder Joanna , Deng Xudong , Giang Karen , Aguirre Sergio D. , Pelton Robert , Li Yingfu , Filipe Carlos D. M.
Published: February 2014

An odor‐based sensor system that exploits the metabolic enzyme tryptophanase (TPase) as the key component is reported. This enzyme is able to convert an odorless substrate like S‐methyl‐L‐cysteine or L‐tryptophan into the odorous products methyl mercaptan or indole. To make a biosensor, TPase was biotinylated so that it could be coupled with a molecular recognition element, such as an antibody, to develop an ELISA‐like assay. This method was used for the detection of an antibody present in nM concentrations by the human nose. TPase can also be combined with the enzyme pyridoxal kinase (PKase) for use in a coupled assay to detect adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP). When ATP is present in the low μM concentration range, the coupled enzymatic system generates an odor that is easily detectable by the human nose. Biotinylated TPase can be combined with various biotin‐labeled molecular recognition elements, thereby enabling a broad range of applications for this odor‐based reporting system.
Total Synthesis of Resveratrol‐Based Natural Products Using a Palladium‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative Arylation and an Oxidative Heck Reaction
Authors: Klotter Felix , Studer Armido
Published: February 2014

Controlled access to resveratrol‐based natural products is offered by a novel, modular concept. A common building block readily available on a large scale serves as the starting material for the introduction of structurally important aryl groups by a Pd‐catalyzed decarboxylative arylation and an oxidative Heck reaction with good yields and high stereoselectivity. The modular approach is convincingly documented by the successful synthesis of three racemic resveratrol‐based natural products (quadrangularin A, ampelopsin D, and pallidol).
Controlled drug delivery studies of biological macromolecules: Sodium alginate and lignosulphonic acid films
Authors: Reddy S. Giridhar , Pandit Akanksha Saxena
Published: February 2014

The ciprofloxacin (CPX)‐loaded blends made of sodium alginate and lignosulfonic acid (LS) were prepared by solution casting method in the ratio of 80/20. The blends were crosslinked for different intervals of time to control the drug release. The drug release was investigated for 24 hours in different pH medium (1, 4, 7, and 9). It was confirmed that drug release is controlled by diffusion through the polymer matrix followed by the erosion of the polymer. The pH of the surrounding medium influences the drug solubility, swelling, and degradation rate of the polymer and therefore the overall drug release process. The blend shows minimal drug release at pH 1 and 9, whereas moderate release at pH 4, but rapid release at pH 7. Further FTIR, XRD, and SEM characterization are carried, to confirm the chemical‐interaction, crystallization effects, and compatibility between the blend matrixes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40442.
Electrostatic immobilization of cetylpyridinium chloride to poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels for the simple fabrication of wound dressings with the suppressed release of antibacterial agents
Authors: Yunoki Shunji , Kohta Masushi , Ohyabu Yoshimi , Sekiguchi Masayuki , Kubo Takabumi , Iwasaki Tetsuji
Published: February 2014

Polymeric systems for antibacterial wound dressings require chemical reactions or syntheses for attaching or incorporating antibacterial moieties into polymer backbones. However, these materials often fail to satisfy the basic requirements, such as easy and inexpensive synthesis. We speculated that a positively charged organic antibacterial agent would be attracted to the polar groups of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels and would show suppressed release. PVA hydrogels containing cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) were prepared by γ irradiation. CPC was barely released from the hydrogels, probably because of electrostatic interactions, and was stable upon γ irradiation. The suppressed release of CPC conferred antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli to the surface of the hydrogels, whereas no inhibition zone was observed around the hydrogels. The CPC‐containing PVA hydrogels were easy to prepare and contained known and safe materials. The simplicity and safety of this procedure for achieving the suppressed release of antibacterial agents were advantages of these CPC‐containing PVA hydrogels. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40456.
Natural and synthetic polymers for water treatment against dissolved pharmaceuticals
Authors: Ahmed Abd El‐Shafey I. , Moustafa Hamed Y. , El‐Masry Ahmed M. , Hassan Salah A.
Published: February 2014

Dissolved pharmaceuticals were removed by adsorption on some natural and synthetic polymers. Cellulose, chitosan, and sodium alginate were selected as examples of natural polymers while a synthetic copolymer of epichlorohydrin and urea was prepared for comparison. Water contaminated with some antibiotics was treated with these polymers using stirred flask and column methods. The particles size of the investigated materials was increased up to 2 mm diameter by converting them into beads. Combinations of polymers, natural or synthetic, were used together to improve their behavior. The synthetic polymer has shown better removal effect than that of natural ones. It has removed up to 75% of the drug in 6 h. Chitosan was the best natural polymers in removing dissolved drugs; up to 13% of the drug has been removed by it. The recycling properties of the polymers loaded with drugs were examined and up to 9% of the drug was successfully restored. In addition, fully loaded dry beads with drugs were grounded and recycled in an ointment as blends. Moreover, the swelling behavior of the beads in different mediums and under different conditions was examined. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40458.
Facile preparation of soluble and conductive polyaniline in the presence of lignosulfonate and a constant magnetic field (0.4 T)
Authors: Zheng Jiyue , Ma Li , Gan Mengyu , Yan Jun , Li Zhitao , Shen Xiaoyu , Zhang Jun
Published: February 2014

A convenient and economical method for preparing soluble conductive polyaniline nanoparticles is introduced in this article. Polyaniline (PANI) was prepared by utilizing a renewable resource calcium lignosulfonate (LS) as dopant in the presence (PANI‐LS‐M) and absence (PANI‐LS‐A) of a constant magnetic field (MF). Their structures and properties were systematically studied. Compared with PANI‐LS‐A, the PANI‐LS‐M exhibited a much higher conductivity, solubility, and thermo stability, which was due to the effective doping of the LS caused by the stretching and orientation effects of the MF. The conductivity of the PANI‐LS‐M (20.2 S/cm), which was prepared in the presence of a MF (0.4 T) with a polymerization yield of as much as 96%, was increased by four times compared with that of the PANI‐LS‐A (4.9 S/cm). Meanwhile, the solubility of the PANI‐LS‐M was two times higher than that of the PANI‐LS‐A in solvents such as NMP, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl formamide, formic acid, and acetidin. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40467.
Determination of temperatures of polyamide 66 directly from near‐infrared spectra
Authors: Kuda‐Malwathumullage Chamathca P. S. , Small Gary W.
Published: February 2014

The commercial importance of polyamides (PAs) motivates the development of chemical analysis tools for use in characterizing their structure and properties. Near‐infrared (IR) spectroscopy offers advantages in this regard because of its simplicity of sample preparation and compatibility with sample thicknesses on the order of millimeters. For applications in which the measurement of sample temperature is difficult with a conventional probe, the work presented here demonstrates the ability to determine the temperature of PA 66 directly from its near‐IR spectrum. Temperature‐induced changes in spectral shape in the 4000–5000 cm−1 region are extracted through application of the discrete wavelet transform, and the resulting preprocessed spectra are submitted to partial least‐squares regression to construct predictive models for temperature. These models are tested across different samples of PA 66 and over a time span of 7 weeks. Errors in predicted temperatures averaged 1.50°C over the range of 21–105°C. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40476.
The Big Picture at Hollywood: Geophysical and Archaeological Investigations at a Mississippian Mound Centre
Authors: Haley Bryan S.
Published: February 2014

Hollywood Mounds is a late Mississippian mound centre located in northwestern Mississippi, USA. Although only four mounds are visible today topographically, prospection techniques have revealed additional mounds and other buried features that extend well beyond the site core. These features were burned, which allows them to produce high‐contrast magnetic gradient anomalies. By augmenting this data with an efficient excavation strategy, the sequence of this unique cultural landscape has been reconstructed. These findings provide insight into the development of a Mississippian mound centre in this area – results that would not be possible without archaeological prospection. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.