bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arctic Gypsum Endoliths: a biogeochemical characterization of a viable and active microbial community
Authors: Ziolkowski L. A. , Mykytczuk N. C. S. , Omelon C. R. , Johnson H. , Whyte L. G. , Slater G. F.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Extreme environmental conditions such as those found in the polar regions on Earth are thought to test the limits of life. Microorganisms living in these environments often seek protection from environmental stresses such as high UV exposure, desiccation and rapid temperature fluctuations, with one protective habitat found within rocks. Such endolithic microbial communities, which often consist of bacteria, fungi, algae and lichens, are small-scale ecosystems comprised of both producers and consumers. However, the harsh environmental conditions experienced by polar endolithic communities are thought to limit microbial diversity and the rate at which they cycle carbon. In this study, we characterized the microbial community diversity, turnover, and microbe-mineral interactions of a gypsum-based endolithic community in the polar desert of the Canadian high Arctic. 16S/18S rRNA pyrotag sequencing demonstrated the presence of a diverse community of phototrophic and heterotrophic bacteria, algae and fungi. Stable carbon isotope analysis of the viable microbial membranes, as phospholipid fatty acids and glycolipid fatty acids, confirmed the diversity observed by molecular techniques and indicated that atmospheric carbon is assimilated into the microbial community biomass. Uptake of radiocarbon from atmospheric radioweapons testing during the 1960s into microbial lipids was used as a pulse label to determine that the microbial community turns over carbon on the order of 10 yr, equivalent to 4.4 g C m−2 yr−1 gross primary productivity. SEM micrographs indicated that mechanical weathering of gypsum by freeze-thaw cycles leads to increased porosity, which ultimately increases the habitability of the rock. In addition, while bacteria were adhered to these mineral surfaces there was little evidence for microbial alteration of minerals, which contrasts with other gypsum endolithic habitats. While it is possible that these communities turn over carbon quickly and leave little evidence of microbial-mineral interaction, an alternative hypothesis is that the soluble and friable nature of the gypsum and harsh conditions lead to elevated erosion rates, limiting microbial residence times in this habitat. Regardless, this endolithic community represents a microbial system that does not rely on a nutrient pool from the host gypsum cap rock, instead receiving these elements from allochthonous debris to maintain a more diverse and active community than might have been predicted in the polar desert of the Canadian high Arctic.
Spatial heterogeneity in mangroves assessed by GeoEye-1 satellite data: a case-study in Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve (ZMNNR), China
Authors: Leempoel K. , Bourgeois C. , Zhang J. , Wang J. , Chen M. , Satyaranayana B. , Bogaert J. , Dahdouh-Guebas F.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Mangrove forests, which are declining across the globe mainly because of human intervention, require an evaluation of their past and present status (e.g. areal extent, species-level distribution, etc.) to better implement conservation and management strategies. In this paper, mangrove cover dynamics at Gaoqiao (under the jurisdiction of Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve – ZMNNR, P. R. China) were assessed through time using 1967 (Corona KH-4B), 2000 (Landsat ETM+), and 2009 (GeoEye-1) satellite imagery. An important decline in mangrove cover (−36%) was observed between 1967 and 2009 due to dike construction for agriculture (paddy) and aquaculture practices. Moreover, dike construction prevented mangroves from expanding landward. Although a small increase of mangrove area was observed between 2000 and 2009 (+24%), the ratio mangrove/aquaculture kept decreasing due to increased aquaculture at the expense of rice culture. In the land-use/cover map based on ground-truth data (5 m × 5 m plot-based tree measurements) (August–September, 2009) and spectral reflectance values (obtained from pansharpened GeoEye-1), both Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and small Aegiceras corniculatum are distinguishable at 73–100% accuracy, whereas tall A. corniculatum is identifiable at only 53% due to its mixed vegetation stands close to B. gymnorrhiza (classification accuracy: 85%). Sand proportion in the sediment showed significant differences (Kruskal-Wallis/ANOVA, P < 0.05) between the three mangrove classes (B. gymnorrhiza and small and tall A. corniculatum). Distribution of tall A. corniculatum on the convex side of creeks and small A.corniculatum on the concave side (with sand) show intriguing patterns of watercourse changes. Overall, the advantage of very high resolution satellite images like GeoEye-1 for mangrove spatial heterogeneity assessment and/or species-level discrimination is well demonstrated, along with the complexity to provide a precise classification for non-dominant species (e.g. Kandelia obovata) at Gaoqiao. Despite the limitations such as geometric distortion and single band information, the 42-yr old Corona declassified images are invaluable for land-use/cover change detections when compared to recent satellite data sets.
A new global reconstruction of temperature changes at the Last Glacial Maximum
Authors: Annan J. D. , Hargreaves J. C.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Some recent compilations of proxy data both on land and ocean (MARGO Project Members, 2009; Bartlein et al., 2011; Shakun et al., 2012), have provided a new opportunity for an improved assessment of the overall climatic state of the Last Glacial Maximum. In this paper, we combine these proxy data with the ensemble of structurally diverse state of the art climate models which participated in the PMIP2 project (Braconnot et al., 2007) to generate a spatially complete reconstruction of surface air (and sea surface) temperatures. We test a variety of approaches, and show that multiple linear regression performs well for this application. Our reconstruction is significantly different to and more accurate than previous approaches and we obtain an estimated global mean cooling of 4.0 ± 0.8 °C (95% CI).
The influence of decadal-scale variability on trends in long European streamflow records
Authors: Hannaford J. , Buys G. , Stahl K. , Tallaksen L. M.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. This study seeks to provide a long-term context for the growing number of trend analyses which have been applied to river flows in Europe. Most studies apply trend tests to fixed periods, in relatively short (generally 1960s–present) records. This study adopts an alternative "multi-temporal" approach, whereby trends are fitted to every possible combination of start and end years in a record. The method is applied to 132 catchments with long (1932–2004) hydrometric records from northern and central Europe, which were chosen as they are minimally anthropogenically influenced and have good quality data. The catchments are first clustered into five regions, which are broadly homogenous in terms of interdecadal variability of annual mean flow. The multi-temporal trend approach was then applied to regional time series of different hydrological indicators (annual, monthly and high and low flows). The results reveal that the magnitude and even direction of short-term trends are heavily influenced by interdecadal variability. Some short-term trends revealed in previous studies are shown to be unrepresentative of long-term change. For example, previous studies have identified post-1960 river flow decreases in southern and eastern Europe: in parts of eastern Europe, these trends are resilient to study period, extending back to the 1930s; in southern France, longer records show evidence of positive trends which reverse from the 1960s. Recent (post-1960) positive trends in northern Europe are also not present in longer records, due to decadal variations influenced by the North Atlantic Oscillation. The results provide a long-term reference for comparison with published and future studies. The multi-temporal approach advocated here is recommended for use in future trend assessments, to help contextualise short-term trends. Future work should also attempt to explain the decadal-scale variations that drive short-term trends, and thus develop more sophisticated methods for trend detection that take account of interdecadal variability and its drivers.
Fuzzy approach to analysis of flood risk based on variable fuzzy sets and improved information diffusion methods
Authors: Li Q.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. The predictive analysis of natural disasters and their consequences is challenging because of uncertainties and incomplete data. The present article studies the use of variable fuzzy sets (VFS) and improved information diffusion method (IIDM) to construct a composite method. The proposed method aims to integrate multiple factors and quantification of uncertainties within a consistent system for catastrophic risk assessment. The fuzzy methodology is proposed in the area of flood disaster risk assessment to improve probability estimation. The purpose of the current study is to establish a fuzzy model to evaluate flood risk with incomplete data sets. The results of the example indicate that the methodology is effective and practical; thus, it has the potential to forecast the flood risk in flood risk management.
Exhumation of (ultra-)high-pressure terranes: concepts and mechanisms
Authors: Warren C. J.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. The formation and exhumation of high and ultra-high-pressure, (U)HP, rocks of crustal origin appears to be ubiquitous during Phanerozoic plate subduction and continental collision events. Exhumation of (U)HP material has been shown in some orogens to have occurred only once, during a single short-lived event; in other cases exhumation appears to have occurred multiple discrete times or during a single, long-lived, protracted event. It is becoming increasingly clear that no single exhumation mechanism dominates in any particular tectonic environment, and the mechanism may change in time and space within the same subduction zone. Subduction zone style and internal force balance change in both time and space, responding to changes in width, steepness, composition of subducting material and velocity of subduction. In order for continental crust, which is relatively buoyant compared to the mantle even when metamorphosed to (U)HP assemblages, to be subducted to (U)HP conditions, it must remain attached to a stronger and denser substrate. Buoyancy and external tectonic forces drive exhumation, although the changing spatial and temporal dominance of different driving forces still remains unclear. Exhumation may involve whole-scale detachment of the terrane from the subducting slab followed by exhumation within a subduction channel (perhaps during continued subduction) or a reversal in motion of the entire plate (eduction) following the removal of a lower part of the subducting slab. Weakening mechanisms that may be responsible for the detachment of deeply subducted crust from its stronger, denser substrate include strain weakening, hydration, melting, grain size reduction and the development of foliation. These may act locally to form narrow high-strain shear zones separating stronger, less-strained crust or may act on the bulk of the subducted material, allowing whole-scale flow. Metamorphic reactions, metastability and the composition of the subducted crust all affect buoyancy and overall strength. Future research directions include identifying temporal and spatial changes in exhumation mechanisms within different tectonic environments, and determining the factors that influence those changes.
Characterizing supraglacial lake drainage and freezing on the Greenland Ice Sheet
Authors: Selmes N. , Murray T. , James T. D.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. The behaviour of supraglacial lakes on the Greenland Ice Sheet has attracted a great deal of focus, specifically with regard to their fast drainage through hydrofracturing to the ice sheet base. However, a previous study has shown that this mode of drainage accounts for only 13% of the lakes on the Greenland Ice Sheet. No published work to date has studied what happens to those lakes that do not drain suddenly. We present here three possible modes by which lakes can disappear from the ice sheet, which will have strongly contrasting effects on glacial dynamics and the ice sheet water budget. Around half of all supraglacial lakes observed persisted through the melt season and froze at the end of summer. A third drained slowly, which we interpret to be a result of incision of the supraglacial lake exit-channel. The fate of 7% of lakes could not be observed due to cloud cover, and the remainder drained suddenly. Both fast and slow lake drainage types are absent at higher elevations where lakes tend to freeze despite having similar or longer life spans to lakes at lower elevations, suggesting the mechanisms of drainage are inhibited. Groups of neighbouring lakes were observed to drain suddenly on the same day suggesting a common trigger mechanism for drainage initiation. We find that great care must be taken when interpreting remotely sensed observations of lake drainage, as fast and slow lake drainage can easily be confused if the temporal resolution used is too coarse.
Patterns of ownership of child model sites: Profiling the profiteers and consumers of child exploitation material
Authors: Watters Paul A. , Lueg Christopher , Spiranovic Caroline , Prichard Jeremy
Published: February 2013

Recent research has indicated that cybercrime thrives when a corrupt social, economic, and political environment emerges such that law enforcement impact is minimised and key elements of crime prevention are absent. In this paper, using a snowball methodology we analyse patterns of ownership of “child model” sites which generate profits from advertising and/or subscriptions. While the material may not be traditional “pornography” in content, it is arguably exploitative. An open question is how the material compares to “beauty pageant” and other highly stylised mainstream photography that depicts children in adult situations, and whether access to all such material should be restricted.
Cytotoxic Effects of Polyhexanide on Cellular Repopulation and Calcification of Decellularized Equine Carotids in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Böer Ulrike , Spengler Claas , Klingenberg Melanie , Jonigk Danny , Harder Michael , Kreipe Hans-Heinrich , Haverich Axel , Wilhelmi Mathias
Published: February 2013

Purpose

Disinfection of biological implants is indispensable for clinical safety. Here, decellularized equine carotid arteries (dECAs) were disinfected by polyhexanide (PHX), an effective, well-tolerated and nontoxic wound disinfectant and evaluated as vascular grafts for their repopulation and local biocompatibility in vivo.

Methods

dECAs were terminally disinfected by a combination of 0.1% PHX and 70% ethanol (dECA_PHX-ET) or exclusively ethanol (dECA-ET) and subsequently implanted as arteriovenous shunts in sheep for 14 weeks. Repopulation was determined by immunohistochemistry for endothelial- (ECs) or smooth muscle cells (SMCs) using antibodies against CD31 and smooth muscle actin. Histological evaluation was performed on HE-stained sections. Cytotoxicity of dECAs was measured directly by seeding the scaffolds with L-929 fibroblasts, which were visualized by calcein staining. Indirect cytotoxicity was determined by WST-8 viability assay by incubation of L-929 with dECA extracts.

Results

dECA_PHX-ET completely lacked repopulation with ECs and SMCs, showed leukocyte infiltration, strong calcification and poor neovascularization indicating insufficient biocompatibility and inflammatory graft degeneration. PHX-treatment reduced cell viability to 33.2 ± 12.6% and disturbed cell growth at direct contact. In contrast, dECA_ET had no direct cytotoxic effect and only slightly influenced cell viability (82.9 ± 12.5%), showed a substantial repopulation by ECs and SMCs including neovascularization, and were only slightly calcified.

Conclusion

The disinfectant polyhexanide seems to exert severe cytotoxic effects when used for the processing of decellularized matrices and may result in degenerative graft deterioration. In contrast, dECAs exclusively disinfected with ethanol were well integrated. Thus, ethanol seems to be a more suitable tool for graft processing than polyhexanide.
Inferior Vena Cava Tumour Thrombus from Nonseminomatous Germ Cell Tumour Detected with F-18 FDG PET/CT
Authors: N. Kearney  , S. Fernando  , L. Allen  , K. Rogers
Published: February 2013

21-year-old male presented with recently diagnosed metastatic nonseminomatous germ cell tumour and left orchidectomy. CT demonstrated mixed density in the inferior vena cava (IVC) extending from the union of the common iliac veins to the level of the liver just below the confluence of the hepatic veins. Retroperitoneal nodal disease and deposits in the left lung were suspicious for metastatic deposits. F-18Flurodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT images demonstrated avid FDG uptake within the lumen of the IVC from the level of the renal veins, with extension into both renal veins, to the level of T10. While benign and malignant thrombi have previously been demonstrated on F18-FDG PET imaging, this case highlights the use of F-18 FDG PET/CT when identifying tumour thrombosis in patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumour.
Les femmes non connectées : une identité et des savoirs invisibles
Authors: Palmieri Joëlle
Published: February 2013

En Afrique du Sud et au Sénégal, les femmes en n’étant majoritairement pas connectées à Internet interrogent la relation entre les TIC et le genre. La question demande une étude du contexte où les usages des TIC se produisent. Ce contexte est inégalitaire en termes de genre, et ce, du point de vue tant économique qu’épistémique. La seule piste économique soutient un système qui nuit à une réflexion sur le rôle de la société de l’information dans le renforcement des rapports de domination. Des femmes non connectées, au coeur de ce système, expérimentent des usages innovants en rendant visibles des savoirs et transgressent la subalternité qui leur est socialement imposée.
National Implementations of Electronic Legal Deposit
Authors: Stephens Andy , Gibby Richard
Published: February 2013

The most essential task of national libraries, and the one which more than any other makes them what they are, is that they are responsible for acquiring, preserving and making accessible the publications (of all kinds) of the country. Therefore it follows that legal deposit – the objective of which is to build a collection of the national literature – must be of fundamental importance for national libraries. This paper sets out the current position with regard to the legal deposit of non-print works in the UK. At the time of writing a public consultation was under way on draft Regulations, Guidance and Impact Assessments for the legal deposit of all non-print works. The paper also summarizes the findings of an international survey of national libraries undertaken in 2009 to determine the extent of national implementations of electronic legal deposit. This confirmed that e-legal deposit is now widespread with 82% of respondents reporting that they have either implemented it at the very least for publications on CD. Only 18% had not and, in such cases, national libraries were actively collecting material on a selective and/or voluntary basis.
A CAE Tool Dedicated to the Design of Hydrodynamic Bearings
Authors: Cavalca Katia Lucchesi , Cattaruzzi Eduardo Figueiroa
Published: February 2013

This article details the development of a CAE tool (Computer Aided Design) for use in the design development phase of hydrodynamic cylindrical plain journal bearings, as fundamental parts of large and medium load rotative machines and also as components commonly used in the present automobile industry. It is demonstrated that PC platform developed software can be used in the teaching of mechanical engineering course disciplines involving machine component design, as well as inn mechanical system design. The software allows the visualization of important parameters such as: hydrodynamic pressure distribution, locus of the rotative shaft centre and loss of viscous friction. Thus, a constructive teaching principle can be applied, by trial and error, using the software as a virtual laboratory.
Introduction to the Classical Stability of Struts: A More Unified and General Approach
Authors: Kounadis N. A. , Pavlović M. N.
Published: February 2013

Euler column buckling and the problem of overturning instability of rigid struts supported by elastic springs is presented in a unified manner, as opposed to the traditional approach where these two problems are usually taught quite separately. This more generalized treatment of basic undergraduate stability theory also enables the associated bifurcation problem to encompass the possible instance of trifurcation.
The Theory and Application of a Classical Eulerian Multibody Code
Authors: Forehand D. I. M. , Cartmell M. P. , Khanin R.
Published: February 2013

The topic of multibody analysis deals with the automatic generation and subsequent solution of the equations of motion for a system of interconnected bodies. Many academic and industrial computer programs have been developed to carry out this task. However, although some of these programs can obtain the equations of motion in fully symbolic form, it is believed that all the existing programs for multibody analysis solve these equations numerically. The idea behind the research which underpins this paper is to select and implement a symbolic version of an existing multibody algorithm and then to integrate it with a recently developed solver which can obtain approximate analytical solutions to the equations of motion. The present paper deals with the selection of this multibody method. The theory behind the chosen method (the Roberson and Schwertassek algorithm) is described in some detail but also in a much more concise form than can be found in the literature. In addition, a fully worked example of the application of the multibody algorithm to a practical physical problem is given. Such examples are rare in the literature, and so it is intended that this paper can serve as a basis for enhanced didactic practice in this traditionally difficult subject area.
Solutions for Elastic Torsion Problems Involving Prismatic Bars of Generalized Cardioid Cross-Section
Authors: Wang Yuan
Published: February 2013

This paper gives the process for establishing the solution for elastic torsion problems of prismatic bars with a generalized cardioid cross-section. Firstly, two basic lemmas are presented and proved. Based on the two lemmas, the expression of the stress function for arbitrary geometric shapes of a generalized cardioid kind is constructed and verified. Finally, some examples are given. It is expected to be useful to those who are teaching or learning the theory of elasticity.
Health, Employment and the Quality of Life in Ireland
Authors: Borooah Vani K. , Dineen Donal A. , Lynch Nicola
Published: February 2013

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of the Quality of Life (QoL) in Ireland using a sample of 3,500 respondents to the Irish Health Service Executive's Survey of Consumers' Experience of the Health Services in Ireland (HSE Survey) carried out between November 2006 and March 2007. Using an ordered logit model, we show that the likelihood of being satisfied with one's QoL is enhanced by social class, income, employment and, above all, by health. The methodology's ability to identify persons who might be ‘at risk’ from a low QoL allows one to speculate on the QoL in Ireland today, in the winter of its discontent, compared to that in 2006–07 when it basked in the summer of the Celtic Tiger. In present circumstances, one would expect that joblessness would play a much more important role in determining QoL: prior to 2008, unemployment meant a short wait till a suitable job turned up; now it is more likely to involve either a protracted search at home or emigration. Furthermore, since unemployment often leads to bad health outcomes, one can be reasonably certain that the QoL associated with a 14 per cent unemployment rate will be considerably worse than those witnessed during the halcyon days of the economic boom. This raises the question of how this additional, recession-induced demand for health services will be met at a time when public expenditure on health in Ireland is to be cut by €1.4 billion over the next four years.
Civil Society in the Shadow of the Irish State
Authors: Murphy Mary P.
Published: February 2013

The dominant perception is that Irish society has responded to the current economic crisis in a relatively muted, moderate and passive fashion. How can we explain this apparent absence of political contestation or protest in Irish civil society? Various cultural and historical explanations can partially explain this apparent passivity; the approach here complements these explanations by exploring the institutional nature of the Irish state as an explanatory factor for the nature of the Irish civil society response to the crisis. Having first defined civil society and explored the scale and scope of Irish civil society, the article focuses on whether, or to what extent, the relative absence of a progressive civil society or movements can be partially attributed to the institutional nature of the Irish state. Five institutional or state-centred rationales are offered: the populist nature of Irish political parties; patterns of interest group formation; clientalism; corporatism; and state strategies to silence dissent. The impact on civil society of the increased marketisation of public goods is briefly discussed. The article argues that more critical awareness in civil society of how populist state institutions influence civil society will open up new possibilities for civil society strategies. It concludes by examining how institutions, interests and ideas might change. Society needs to develop a greater public sphere where cross-sectoral progressive alliances can demonstrate popular support for alternatives.
Transnational Migrants' Negotiations of Formal and Cultural Citizenship
Authors: Chatháin Siobhán Ní
Published: February 2013

This article highlights the substantial role of Irish state governmentalities in structuring migrants' ‘possible fields of action’ (Foucault 1982: 790), while taking account of the agency of migrant subjects, albeit constrained, in negotiating Irish immigration regulation. It is based on data gathered from eighteen migrant mothers of Irish citizens and argues that it is important to recognise the political agency of migrants in generating new transnational modes of belonging despite the ways in which the state circumscribes their capacities to engage in transnational practices and maintain transnational relationships. This group of migrants simultaneously endeavoured to maintain transnational practices and relationships while cultivating local identifications. Although they had complex and contradictory attitudes to citizenship, the unifying theme was that social and spatial mobility are not inimical to local belonging. However, their local and transnational practices were impeded by prevailing discourses and regulations drawing on exclusionary configurations of citizenship which combined racialised notions of Irishness with neoliberalised concepts of the ideal citizen.
“Let me be Direct”: Using Direct Assessments with Student leaders
Authors: Lindsay Nathan , Hourigan Aimee , Smist Jennifer , Wray Larry
Published: February 2013

Nathan Lindsay, Aimee Hourigan, Jennifer Smist, and Larry Wray discuss the benefits of direct assessment of student learning in a variety of co-curricular programs.
Cryptic 7q36.2q36.3 deletion causes multiple congenital eye anomalies and craniofacial dysmorphism
Authors: Beleza‐Meireles Ana , Matoso Eunice , Ramos Lina , Melo Joana B. , Carreira Isabel M. , Silva Eduardo D. , Saraiva Jorge M.
Published: February 2013

A patient with a de novo cryptic 7q36.2q36.3 deletion presented with multiple congenital eye abnormalities, short stature and craniofacial dysmorphism, in the absence of intellectual disability. This report further delineates the 7q36 microdeletion syndrome. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Severe osteopathia striata with cranial sclerosis in a female case with whole WTX gene deletion
Authors: Herman Sean B. , Holman Sarah K. , Robertson Stephen P. , Davidson Lynn , Taragin Benjamin , Samanich Joy
Published: February 2013

Osteopathia striata with cranial sclerosis (OSCS) is caused by truncating mutations or deletions in the X linked gene, WTX, and is characterized by sclerotic striations of the metaphyses and diaphyses of long bones, pelvis, and scapula, along with craniofacial hyperostosis. Females typically manifest with craniofacial dysmorphisms including macrocephaly, hypertelorism, depressed nasal bridge, and hypoplastic maxilla, often have cleft palate, and less often extra skeletal anomalies. Here we report on a sporadic female patient with OSCS born at 33 weeks, with coarse facies, an abnormal head shape, cleft palate, pyloric stenosis, a small VSD, and laryngotracheomalacia sufficiently severe to require tracheostomy placement. Characteristic radiologic findings were apparent on skeletal survey and cranial CT. At age 5, she showed mild delays in neurodevelopmental milestones. A deletion of WTX and the adjacent gene ASB12 was detected via MLPA and there was no skewing of the X‐chromosome inactivation pattern (58:42). Neurodevelopmental delays can manifest in females with OSCS and deletions at the WTX locus, but deletion of the ASB12 gene in this case suggests it is unlikely to contribute to the pathogenesis of this complication. Implication of ASB12 in the patient's other unique features such as laryngotracheomalacia and pyloric stenosis is also unlikely. This case illustrates an early presentation of severe OSCS in a female without skewing of the X‐chromosome inactivation pattern, emphasizing the variable expressivity of this disorder. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spectrum of mutations that cause distal arthrogryposis types 1 and 2B
Authors: Beck Anita E. , McMillin Margaret J. , Gildersleeve Heidi I.S. , Kezele Phillip R. , Shively Kathryn M. , Carey John C. , Regnier Michael , Bamshad Michael J.
Published: February 2013

The distal arthrogryposis (DA) syndromes are a group of disorders characterized by non‐progressive congenital contractures of the limbs. Mutations that cause distal arthrogryposis syndromes have been reported in six genes, each of which encodes a component of the contractile apparatus of skeletal myofibers. However, these reports have usually emanated from gene discovery efforts and thus potentially bias estimates of the frequency of pathogenic mutations at each locus. We characterized the spectrum of pathogenic variants in a cohort of 153 cases of DA1 (n = 48) and DA2B (n = 105). Disease‐causing mutations in 56/153 (37%) kindreds including 14/48 (29%) with DA1 and 42/105 (40%) with DA2B were distributed nearly equally across TNNI2, TNNT3, TPM2, and MYH3. In TNNI2, TNNT3, and TPM2 the same mutation caused DA1 in some families and DA2B in others. We found no significant differences among the clinical characteristics of DA by locus or between each locus and DA1 or DA2B. Collectively, the substantial overlap between phenotypic characteristics and spectrum of mutations suggests that DA1 and DA2B should be considered phenotypic extremes of the same disorder. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterizing the optical near‐field in the vicinity of a sharp metallic nanoprobe by angle‐resolved electron kinetic energy spectroscopy
Authors: Park Doo Jae , Piglosiewicz Björn , Schmidt Slawa , Kollmann Heiko , Mascheck Manfred , Groß Petra , Lienau Christoph
Published: February 2013

The effect of the near‐field distribution of sharply etched, nanometer‐sized gold tapers on angle‐resolved kinetic energy spectra of electrons photoemitted by ultrafast laser pulse irradiation is investigated both experimentally and theoretically. In the experiments, the enhancement of the local electric field at the tip apex is sufficiently large to enable optical field induced tunneling of electrons tunnel out of the metal tip. Strong field gradients near the tip apex, with a decay length shorter than the quiver amplitude, accelerate the electrons to high energies within less than one optical cycle. This electron emission is confined to a narrow cone angle around the taper axis, while low‐energy quiver electrons cover a much broader angular range. This sub‐cycle acceleration manifestly alters the energy distribution of the emitted electrons, resulting in pronounced plateaus in their kinetic energy spectra. The electron motion in the curved vectorial electric field is analyzed and it is shown that observed changes of both the kinetic energy spectra and their angular distribution depend sensitively on the near‐field decay length and curvature, which indicates that such angle‐resolved kinetic energy spectra of photoemitted electrons give information on the optical near‐field distribution in the vicinity of nanometer‐sized field emitters.
Schiffsbohrmuscheln auf dem Vormarsch?
Authors: Lippert Heike , Weigelt Ronny , Bastrop Ralf , Bugenhagen Michael , Karsten Ulf
Published: February 2013

Die Schiffsbohrmuschel (Teredo navalis) bohrt sich zerstörerisch durch nahezu alle Hölzer im marinen Bereich und richtet dabei massive Schäden an. Bereits die frühen Seefahrer fürchteten dieses Tier, weil es ihnen die hölzernen Schiffe unter den Füßen zerfallen ließ und auch heute noch verursacht die Schiffsbohrmuschel an hölzernen Küstenschutz‐ und Hafenbauwerken hohe Instandhaltungskosten. Wissenschaftlern und Küstenschutzverantwortlichen gibt sie immer wieder Rätsel auf. Unter anderem ist noch immer unklar, woher die Schiffsbohrmuschel ursprünglich stammt. In der Ostsee, wo hölzerne Küstenschutzbauwerke weit verbreitet sind, gilt Teredo navalis zudem als invasive Art. Bisher wird ein Vordringen in die Gebiete östlich von Hiddensee durch den geringen Salzgehalt der Ostsee begrenzt. Von großem Interesse ist daher die Frage, wie sich Teredo navalis unter dem Einfluss des Klimawandels verhalten wird.
Farne brauchen keine Hilfe gegen Schädlinge
Authors: Brennicke Axel
Published: February 2013

Farne werden kaum von Insekten angenagt. Blütenpflanzen dagegen sind ständig in Gefahr, gefressen zu werden. Zur Verteidigung rufen Bäume und Kräuter oft um Hilfe, indem sie chemische Signale an die Feinde ihrer Angreifer senden. Eine neue Untersuchung zeigt, dass Farne diese Signalstoffe zwar synthetisieren können, aber nicht als Hilferufe benutzen. Offensichtlich reicht ihr eigenes Arsenal an Giften bequem aus, um potenzielle Fresser wirksam abzuschrecken.
Nisthilfen erwünscht: Einblicke in das Leben der Wildbienen
Authors: Petrischak Hannes
Published: February 2013

In Deutschland leben über 550 Wildbienen‐Arten. Durch ein vielfältiges Angebot an Blüten und Nistplätzen kann die Ansiedlung zahlreicher Wildbienen im Garten leicht gefördert werden. Von den ersten Frühlingstagen an können dann faszinierende Beobachtungen zum Verhalten und zur Ökologie dieser interessanten Tiere gelingen.
Grafted megaporous materials as ion‐exchangers for bioproduct adsorption
Authors: Bibi Noor Shad , Fernández‐Lahore Marcelo
Published: February 2013

Megaporous chromatographic materials were manufactured by a three‐step procedure, including backbone synthesis, chemical grafting, and introduction of ion‐exchange functionality. The backbone of the adsorbent cylindrical bodies was prepared by polymerization of methacrylic acid and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate at sub‐zero temperatures. Grafting was performed employing glycidyl methacrylate and a chemical initiator, cerium ammonium nitrate. The degree of grafting was adjusted by modifying the concentration of the initiator in the reaction mixture to a range of values (23, 39, 62, 89, and 105%). Further, the pendant epoxy‐groups generated by the previous step were reacted to cation‐ and anion‐exchanging moieties utilizing known chemical routes. Infrared spectroscopy studies confirmed the incorporation of epoxy and ion‐exchanger groups to the backbone material. Optimized materials were tested for chromatography applications with model proteins; the dynamic binding capacity, as recorded at 10% breakthrough and 2.0 × 10−4 m/s superficial velocity, were 350 and 58 mg/g for the cation‐exchanger and the anion‐exchanger material, respectively. These results may indicate that long tentacle‐type polymer brushes were formed during grafting therefore increasing the ability of the megaporous body to efficiently capture macromolecules. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29: 386–393, 2013
Developing a Culture of Transfer and Student Success in Arizona
Authors: Harper‐Marinick Maria , Swarthout Jeanne
Published: February 2013

This chapter provides an overview of the transfer model in Arizona, including the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC), transfer associate degrees, and a shared course numbering system. It highlights the importance of collaborations between the community colleges and universities, and among public institutions of higher education and the K–12 system.
Sources and Information on Transfer Associate Degrees
Authors: Ayon Carlos
Published: February 2013

This chapter provides an annotated bibliography of articles about the effects of transfer associate degrees and related statewide transfer and articulation policies. It also provides links to transfer degree legislation in several states.
Stress system development from age 4.5 to 6: Family environment predictors and adjustment implications of HPA activity stability versus change
Authors: Laurent Heidemarie K. , Neiderhiser Jenae M. , Natsuaki Misaki N. , Shaw Daniel S. , Fisher Philip A. , Reiss David , Leve Leslie D.
Published: February 2013

This study addressed early calibration of stress systems by testing links between adversity exposures, developmental stability of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity, and behavior problems in a sample of adopted children. Families (n = 200) were assessed when the child was 9, 18, and 27 months, 4.5 and 6 years to collect adversity information—parent psychopathology, stress, financial need, and home chaos. Morning and evening cortisol samples at the final two assessments indexed child HPA activity, and parent‐reported internalizing and externalizing at the final assessment represented child behavior outcomes. Increases in cumulative adversity from 4.5 to 6 related to higher child morning cortisol, whereas age six cumulative adversities related to lower, unstable child evening cortisol. Examination of specific adversity dimensions revealed associations between (1) increasing home chaos and stable morning cortisol, which in turn related to internalizing problems; and (2) high parental stress and psychopathology and lower, unstable evening cortisol, which in turn related to externalizing problems. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 56: 340–354, 2014.
Cyclopalladated 3,5‐Disubstituted 2‐(2′‐Pyridyl)pyrroles Complexed to 8‐Hydroxyquinoline or 4‐Hydroxyacridine
Authors: Mastropietro Teresa F. , Szerb Elisabeta I. , La Deda Massimo , Crispini Alessandra , Ghedini Mauro , Aiello Iolinda
Published: February 2013

Four new complexes of general formula [(La)Pd(Qui)] (1), [(Lb)Pd(Acr)] (2), [(La)Pd(Acr)] (3) and [(Lb)Pd(Acr)] (4) containing methyl (1, 3) or phenyl (2, 4) 3,5‐disubstituted chelated 2‐(2′‐pyridyl)pyrrole ligands (HLa,b) have been synthesized and characterized. For comparative purposes, the analogous 2‐phenylpyridine (HLc) derivatives, [(Lc)Pd(Qui)] (5) and [(Lc)Pd(Acr)] (6), have also been prepared. Mild synthetic conditions and reduced reaction times can be employed with HLa,b ligands to obtain the products in good yields, proving the higher reactivity of HLa,b compared with HLc in cyclopalladation. Depending on the relative dispositions of the NN/NO (1–4) or CN/NO (5 and 6) chelating rings, all the complexes can in principle exist as two isomers. However, in each case, only one isomer was observed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of 1, 4, and 5 reveal the presence of different isomers for different complexes, depending on both the cyclometallating and ancillary ligands. The structures of 1–6 allowed us to hypothesize that the ancillary ligand may play a predominant role in the formation of the trans/cis isomers in these systems and that the pyridylpyrrole definitely produces opposite outcomes compared with the 2‐phenylpyridine ligand. Finally, the photophysical properties of 1–4 were studied in solution. Although 5 and 6 are emissive, no emission was detected for 1–4 under the same conditions, the emission quenching being most likely caused by the thermal deactivating path of the lowest excited state, which results from a combination of the pyridylpyrrole‐localized state with that localized on the NO ligand.
Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Dehydration Analysis of Uranyl Zinc Mellitate, (UO2)Zn(H2O)4(H2mel)·2H2O
Authors: Olchowka Jakub , Volkringer Christophe , Henry Natacha , Loiseau Thierry
Published: February 2013

A new heterometallic uranyl zinc carboxylate, (UO2)Zn(H2O)4(H2mel)·2H2O, has been hydrothermally prepared (150 °C, 24 h) by using 1,2,3,4,5,6‐benzenehexacarboxylic acid (mellitic acid) as organic linker in order to form a three‐dimensional network. Four of the six carboxylate groups of the mellitate ligand interact with mononuclear uranyl or zinc cations, which are eightfold (hexagonal bipyramid, UO8) or sixfold [octahedron, ZnO2(H2O)4] coordinated, respectively. The remaining free carboxylate arms of the mellitate species preferentially interact through hydrogen bonds with water molecules trapped within the framework. Thermogravimetric and X‐ray thermodiffraction (up to 800 °C) analyses and in situ infrared spectroscopy (up to 210 °C) indicated that both free and bound water species are evacuated from the structure in one step between 80 and 170 °C, followed by its transformation into an unknown, anhydrous, poorly crystalline phase [UO2Zn(mel)] up to 320 °C. After the formation of an amorphous phase, the re‐crystallization of oxides α‐ZnU3O10 and ZnO was observed from 460 °C. The fluorescence spectrum of the as‐synthesized uranyl zinc mellitate shows the six bands that are typical for vibronic couplings of the [O=U=O]2+ moiety.
Synthesis of Alkynylated Selenophenes by Site‐Selective Sonogashira Reactions of Tetrabromoselenophene
Authors: Ehlers Peter , Dang Tung T. , Patonay Tamás , Villinger Alexander , Langer Peter
Published: February 2013

Mono‐, di‐, and tetraalkynylated selenophenes were prepared by site‐selective Sonogashira reactions of tetrabromoselenophene. Aryl‐, alkyl‐, and trimethylsilylacetylenes were suitable substrates for this procedure. The first attack occurred regioselectively at C‐2 and C‐5. In addition, differently diarylated dialkynylselenophenes were prepared using site‐selective Suzuki and Sonogashira reactions.
Detection of dairy fouling: Combining ultrasonic measurements and classification methods
Authors: Wallhäußer E. , Hussein W.B. , Hussein M.A. , Hinrichs J. , Becker T.
Published: February 2013

Fouling and cleaning in heat exchangers are severe and costly (up to 0.3% of gross national product) issues in dairy and food processing. Therefore, reducing cleaning time and cost is urgently needed. In this study, two classification methods [artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector machine (SVM)] for detecting protein and mineral fouling presence and absence based on ultrasonic measurements were presented and compared. ANN is based on a multilayer perceptron feed forward neural network, whereas SVM is based on clustering between fouling and no fouling using a hyperplane. When both fouling types (1239 datasets) were combined, ANN showed an accuracy of 71.9% while SVM displayed an accuracy of 97.6%. Separate fouling detection of mineral/protein fouling by ANN/SVM was comparable: dependent on fouling type detection accuracies of 100% (protein fouling, ANN and SVM), and 98.2% (SVM), and 93.5% (ANN) for mineral fouling was reached. It was shown that it was possible to detect fouling presence and absence offline in a static setup using ultrasonic measurements in combination with a classification method. This study proved the applicability of combining classification methods and fouling measurements to take a step toward reducing cleaning costs and time.
ECOTOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF COPPER AND SELENIUM COMBINED POLLUTION ON SOIL ENZYME ACTIVITIES IN PLANTED AND UNPLANTED SOILS
Authors: Hu Bin , Liang Dongli , Liu Juanjuan , Xie Junyu
Published: February 2013

The present study explored the joint effects of Cu and Se pollution mechanisms on soil enzymes to provide references for the phytoremediation of contaminated areas and agricultural environmental protection. Pot experiments and laboratory analyses were carried out to study the individual and combined influences of Cu and Se on soil enzyme activities. The activities of four soil enzymes (urease, catalase, alkaline phosphatase, and nitrate reductase) were chosen. All soil enzyme activities tested were inhibited by Cu and Se pollution, either individually or combined, in varying degrees, following the order nitrate reductase > urease > catalase > alkaline phosphatase. Growing plants stimulated soil enzyme activity in a similar trend compared with treatments without plants. The joint effects of Cu and Se on catalase activity showed synergism at low concentrations and antagonism at high concentrations, whereas the opposite was observed for urease activity. However, nitrate reductase activity showed synergism both with and without plant treatments. The half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of exchangeable fractions had a similar trend with the EC50 of total content and was lower than that of total content. The EC50 values of nitrate reductase and urease activities were significantly lower for both Se and Cu (p < 0.05), which indicated that they were more sensitive than the other two enzymes. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:1109–1116. © 2013 SETAC