bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Curcuma, thé vert et chardon-marie : quelle stratégie adopter en prévention du cancer ou en complément des traitements ?
Authors: Huet Matthieu , Fleurentin Jacques
Published: November 2013

De nombreux malades atteints de cancers ont recours à des plantes médicinales en plus de la prise en charge de la médecine dite conventionnelle. Parmi les plus utilisées, on trouve le curcuma, le thé vert et le chardon-marie. Ces plantes ont pour point commun d’avoir fait l’objet de nombreuses études précliniques ayant mis en évidence leur capacité à interférer à plusieurs stades des processus de cancérisation. Des études épidémiologiques suggèrent également un effet protecteur d’une consommation importante de thé vert sur plusieurs types de cancers. Les données cliniques sont par ailleurs trop limitées pour conclure sur l’intérêt de ces plantes chez les malades atteints de cancers. Malgré une évaluation qui reste insuffisante, ces plantes peuvent être utilisées par des malades qui cherchent, dans les produits naturels, des moyens d’améliorer leurs chances de guérison, d’éviter les récidives ou d’augmenter leur durée de vie. Les interactions potentielles avec les thérapeutiques anticancéreuses éprouvées incitent à éviter d’associer des doses importantes pendant l’administration des traitements.
Light extinction by secondary organic aerosol: an intercomparison of three broadband cavity spectrometers
Authors: Varma R. M. , Ball S. M. , Brauers T. , Dorn H.-P. , Heitmann U. , Jones R. L. , Platt U. , Pöhler D. , Ruth A. A. , Shillings A. J. L. , Thieser J. , Wahner A. , Venables D. S.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Broadband optical cavity spectrometers are maturing as a technology for trace-gas detection, but only recently have they been used to retrieve the extinction coefficient of aerosols. Sensitive broadband extinction measurements allow explicit separation of gas and particle phase spectral contributions, as well as continuous spectral measurements of aerosol extinction in favourable cases. In this work, we report an intercomparison study of the aerosol extinction coefficients measured by three such instruments: a broadband cavity ring-down spectrometer (BBCRDS), a cavity-enhanced differential optical absorption spectrometer (CE-DOAS), and an incoherent broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectrometer (IBBCEAS). Experiments were carried out in the SAPHIR atmospheric simulation chamber as part of the NO3Comp campaign to compare the measurement capabilities of NO3 and N2O5 instrumentation. Aerosol extinction coefficients between 655 and 690 nm are reported for secondary organic aerosols (SOA) formed by the NO3 oxidation of β-pinene under dry and humid conditions. Despite different measurement approaches and spectral analysis procedures, the three instruments retrieved aerosol extinction coefficients that were in close agreement. The refractive index of SOA formed from the β-pinene + NO3 reaction was 1.61, and was not measurably affected by the chamber humidity or by aging of the aerosol over several hours. This refractive index is significantly larger than SOA refractive indices observed in other studies of OH and ozone-initiated terpene oxidations, and may be caused by the large proportion of organic nitrates in the particle phase. In an experiment involving ammonium sulfate particles, the aerosol extinction coefficients as measured by IBBCEAS were found to be in reasonable agreement with those calculated using the Mie theory. The results of the study demonstrate the potential of broadband cavity spectrometers for determining the optical properties of aerosols.
Measuring bank retreat in fluvial environments with Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS)
Authors: Foerst M. , Rüther N.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. In the last years methods for measuring bank erosion and sedimentation have been used to understand the process of river migration to get a better understanding of river migration. For this purpose a river bank in a medium low land river has been chosen. The river bank has been measured with a terrestrial laser scanner with a high resolution over the last three years. The yielded point clouds have been filtered and digital elevation models (DEM) have been created. These DEMs have been used to compare the mass balance and slope gradient changes between the scans. To achieve this goal, the slope gradient has been averaged horizontally and vertically. In addition, statistical analyses have been used to verify the significance of changes between the scans. The results show that erosion and sedimentation processes occur simultaneous. Further is the slope gradient a valuable tool to investigate different sections within a point cloud from terrestrial laser scanner.
Action Research for Sustainable Mobile Learning: Perspectives from the Field in Dharavi, Mumbai
Authors: Hakimi Laura
Published: November 2013

This research seeks to understand how a widely available and relatively affordable technology - the mobile phone - can be used to help disadvantaged young people in the urban slum of Dharavi, Mumbai, to improve their English language skills. In partnership with a technical organisation and a local NGO, and employing the principles of action research, this study is researching the extent to which a piece of learning software for mobile phones can sustainably enhance the learning of participants enrolled on a local NGO's educational initiative. With fieldwork currently underway, this poster presentation will seek to present the study's aims and preliminary findings, and discuss some of the methodological challenges associated with action research.
An automatic colour-based computer vision algorithm for tracking the position of piglets
Authors: Navarro Jover J.M. , Alcañiz-Raya M. , Gómez V. , Balasch S. , Moreno J.R. , Grau Colomer V. , Torres A.
Published: November 2013

Artificial vision is a powerful observation tool for research in the field of livestock production. So, based on the search and recognition of colour spots in images, a digital image processing system which permits the detection of the position of piglets in a farrowing pen, was developed. To this end, 24,000 images were captured over five takes (days), with a five-second interval between every other image. The nine piglets in a litter were marked on their backs and sides with different coloured spray paints each one, placed at a considerable distance on the RGB space. The programme requires the user to introduce the colour patterns to be found, and the output is an ASCII file with the positions (column X, line Y) for each of these marks within the image analysed. This information may be extremely useful for further applications in the study of animal behaviour and welfare parameters (huddling, activity, suckling, etc.). The software programme initially segments the image in the RGB colour space to separate the colour marks from the rest of the image, and then recognises the colour patterns, using another colour space (B/(R+G+B), (G-R), (B-G)) more suitable for this purpose. This additional colour space was obtained testing different colour combinations derived from R, G and B. The statistical evaluation of the programme apos;s performance revealed an overall 72.5% in piglet detection, 89.1% of this total being correctly detected.
Sperm variables as predictors of fertility in Black Castellana roosters: use in the selection of sperm donors for genome resource banking purposes
Authors: Santiago-Moreno J. , López-Sebastián A. , Castaño C. , Coloma M.A. , Gómez-Brunet A. , Toledano-Díaz A. , Prieto M.T. , Campo J.L.
Published: November 2013

Semen was collected from 10 Black Castellana roosters and the classic sperm variables (ejaculate volume, sperm concentration and sperm motility) examined. In addition, the hypo-osmotic swelling test was used to investigate sperm cell membrane integrity, and acidic aniline blue staining used to screen for morphological abnormalities (including acrosome integrity) and to examine the condensation status of the chromatin. The latter was also examined by Gram staining. Large and small semen volumes were associated high and low sperm concentrations respectively (R2=0.04, P
Phenotypic variation of Autumn and Spring-sown vetch (Vicia sativa ssp.) populations in central Turkey
Authors: Firincioglu H.K. , Erbektas E. , Dogruyol L. , Mutlu Z. , Ünal S. , Karakurt E.
Published: November 2013

In central Turkey, common vetch (Vicia sativa ssp. sativa) is traditionally grown in spring. Frequent droughts cause crop failures. Autumn sowing can give higher yields, but then winter plant death is a major problem. The objective of this research was to explore and quantify variation available in V. sativa ssp. germplasm for winter hardiness, yield and adaptability. Eleven plant characters were evaluated in 164 vetch populations in autumn and spring sowings over two years, and their inter-relationships were analyzed. Mean winter death was 27% and was greater in the second, colder year, though the magnitude of the coefficient-of-variation was similar in both years (27 and 28%). Autumn-sown plants produced more standing biomass (17%) than spring-sown plants. Winter death was strongly related to other characters, particularly in the colder year. Principle component analysis proved to be efficient at simplifying the results by classifying the eleven variables into three main groups on the basis of seed size, maturity and winter hardiness. There is wide, exploitable phenotypic variation, and enhanced adaptation for autumn sowing could be achieved by selecting for large seeds and early maturity combined with reasonable winter survival.
Alveoconsistograph evaluation of rheological properties of rye doughs
Authors: Callejo M.J. , Bujeda C. , Rodríguez G. , Chaya C.
Published: November 2013

The aim of this work is to study the effect of rye flour on the rheological properties of doughs. Rye meals of two different extraction rate (65% and 85%) were blended in different proportions with wheat flours. The viscoelastic behaviour of the sample blends was determined by a Chopin alveograph. The effect of rye flour on dough rheology during mixing was determined by a Chopin consistograph. It was found that Chopin consistograph methodology was not suitable for determining water absorption capacity in blends with rye. It has been confirmed that adjustment of dough hydration in baked products incorporating rye flour must be taken into account, depending not only on the wheat-to-rye ratio but also on the rye meals extraction rate.
Short communication. Incidence of the OLIPE mass-trapping on olive non-target arthropods
Authors: Porcel M. , Campos M. , Ruano F. , Sanllorente O. , Caballero J.A.
Published: November 2013

Due to the widespread of mass-trapping systems for Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) (Diptera: Tephritidae) control in organic olive cropping, an assessment of the impact on arthropods of the olive agroecosystem was undertaken for the OLIPE trap type. The sampling was carried out in "Los Pedroches" valley (Córdoba, southern Spain) in three different organic orchard sites. Six OLIPE traps baited with diammonium phosphate were collected from each site (18 in total) from July to November 2002 every 15 days on average. Additionally, in the latest sampling dates, half the traps were reinforced with pheromone to assess its impact on non-target arthropods. From an average of 43.0 catches per trap (cpt) of non-target arthropods during the whole sampling period, the highest number of captures corresponds to the Order Diptera (that represents a 68.5%), followed distantly by the family Formicidae (12.9%) and the Order Lepidoptera (10.4%). Besides the impact on ant populations, other beneficial groups were recorded such as parasitoids (other Hymenoptera: 2.6%) and predators (Araneae: 1.0%; Neuroptera s.l.: 0.4%). Concerning the temporal distribution of catches, total captures peaked on July and had a slight increase at the beginning of autumn. No significant differences were observed between traps with and without pheromone. The results evidence that a considerable amount of non-specific captures could be prevented by improving the temporal planning of the mass-trapping system.
Effects of Heat Transfer and Nonlinear Slip on the Steady Flow of Couette Fluid by Means of Chebyshev Spectral Method
Authors: Ellahi Rahmat , Wang Xinil , Hameed Muhammad
Published: November 2013

This article is concerned with the study of heat transfer and nonlinear slip effects on the Couette flow of a third-grade fluid. Numerical solutions are obtained by solving nonlinear differential equations using the higher-order Chebyshev spectral method. The results for no slip and no thermal slip become special cases of this study. Moreover, the results for Poiseuille flow can be obtained as a special case from the generalized Couette flow analysis by setting the plate velocity to zero. Graphical results for involved pertinent parameters are sketched and examined.
First-Principles Investigations on Structural, Elastic, and Thermodynamic Properties of Ce-La Alloys Under High Pressure
Authors: Zhang Li-Qin , Cheng Yan , Niu Zhen-Wei , Ji Guang-Fu
Published: November 2013

The structural stability, thermodynamic, elastic, and electronic properties of cerium (Ce)- lanthanum (La) alloys were investigated for different Ce/La ratios under pressure by first-principles calculations using on-the-fly (OTF) pseudopotential and general gradient approximation (GGA). The ground-state properties of lanthanum and cerium obtained by minimizing the total energy agree favourably with other work.We derived the elastic constants, bulk modulus, and shear modulus of the La-Ce alloys for different Ce/La ratios. Using the quasi-harmonic Debye model, the thermodynamic properties of the La-Ce alloys including the thermal expansion coefficient α and heat capacity Cv are successfully obtained in the temperature range from 0 K to 1000 K. Furthermore, the electronic properties such as density of states and charge densities were also studied.
Leavers and Takers
Authors: Demmers Jim , O'Neil Dara ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: November 2013

As pervasive as the use of the Internet has become in the United States, a huge percentage of the world’s population has yet to ever use a telephone. It seems ironic, then, that there is a concerted effort on the part of industrialized nations to first hook up their traditionally disadvantaged citizens to the Internet and second, to hook up citizens of developing nations. This paper addresses the universal access phenomenon by considering the growth of the Internet in terms of Leaver and Taker users—idioms usually associated with a culture’s interactions with its environment. Leaver cultures interact with their environment in a sustainable manner while Taker cultures produce more than they need and impose their ways upon others. The Internet is explored as a community of users, which in its current state is dominated by Takers. However, realizing the need for a more heterogeneous Internet community, this paper explores incentives for Leaver cultures to assimilate online and methods of improving interface designs to be more intuitive to Leaver communities. It is hoped that a tragedy of the commons of Internet resources can be avoided as more Leavers participate in the sustainment of the Internet as a valuable tool for all communities.
Informed Consent in the Fields of Medical Technological Practice.
Authors: Asveld Lotte ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: November 2013

Technological developments often bring about new risks. Informed consent has been proposed as a means to legitimize the imposition of technological risks. This principle was first introduced in medical practice to assure the autonomy of the patient.The introduction of IC in the field of technological practice raises questions about the comparability of the type of informed consent. To what extent are thepossibilities to include laypeople in making decisions regarding risks similar in the technological field to giving informed consent in the medical field and whatdoes this imply for the design and implementation of IC in the technological field? Medical and the technological practice are clearly alike in that both fieldsare characterized by highly specialized, technical knowledge which can be quite inaccessible to the average layperson. However, a fundamental difference ariseswith regard to the aim, knowledge of risks and exclusiveness of the practices in each field. The differences in aim imply that the necessity for each practice isperceived differently by laypeople, thus leading them to assess the respective risks differently. The differences in knowledge of risks arise from the variabilityin the ways that can be used to describe a given risk. Definition of risk in medical practice is more homogenous in this respect than the risk definition intechnological fields. Futhermore, medical practice tends to be more exclusive, leading laypeople immersed in that practice to necessarily embrace most of thefundamental underlying that practice. These differences result in divergent recommendations for the implementation of informed consent in the technological field, basically: there is a need for more extensive procedure and for less decisive authority for the individual.
Legal and Technological Normativity
Authors: Hildebrandt Mireille ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: November 2013

Within science technology and society studies the focus has long been on descriptive microanalyses. Several authors have raised the issue of the normative implications of the findings of research into socio-technical devices and infrastructures, while some claim that material artifacts have moral significance or should even be regarded as moral actors. In this contribution the normative impact of technologies is investigated and compared with the normative impact of legal norms, arguing that a generic concept of normativity is needed that does not depend on the intention of whoever designed either a law or a technology. Furthermore this contribution develops the idea that modern law, which has been mediated by the technologies of the script and the printing press, may need to rearticulate its basic tenets into emerging technologies in order to sustain what has been called the paradox of the 'Rechtsstaat'.
Ranching and Market Access in the Backlands: Mato Grosso, Brazil, ca. 1900-1940s
Authors: Wilcox Robert W.
Published: November 2013

For decades, economic historians of Latin America have studied the raw material to explain the nature of international commercial connections in the region. However, very few have focused on stockbreeding. The authors propose that this lack of interest is related to the characteristics of stockbreeding regions. For example, by examining the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, one can observe that the difficulties to enter the market are directly related to a combination of contradictory priorities, inefficiencies, and preconceived ideas. The authors conclude that this lack of dynamism hides transformations that significantly impacted other stockbreeding regions, which deserve more attention at a time when the effects of tropical stockbreeding are capturing the public’s attention.
Ciudadanía en femenino. Aportaciones de las mujeres inmigrantes marroquíes, ecuatorianas y rumanas en España
Authors: Solé Carlota , Serradell Olga , Sordé Teresa
Published: November 2013

In recent decades, the large increase in international migration has challenged the traditional conception of citizenship based on nationality and confined to the borders of the nation-state. Several contributions point to the need to take into account key elements in order to expand the concept in a cosmopolitan context. Nevertheless, the role of immigrant women is hardly discussed. This paper aims to contribute to this debate by presenting a critique of the traditional concept of citizenship. The article also introduces the role of immigrant women in the practice of citizenship through their everyday experiences. From a transnational perspective, we argue that immigrant women promote a more inclusive citizenship due to their links with grassroots organizations and informal spaces of participation.
Justicia global y el gobierno de las migraciones internacionales
Authors: Velasco Juan Carlos
Published: November 2013

This paper discusses the convenience of incorporating the discourse of contemporary international migration processes in a larger conceptual framework dominated by the key concept of global justice. In this way, the methodological nationalism that afflicts the most common theoretical and practical approaches on that subject and impedes properly tackling the complexity of such social processes could be overcome. Their governance implies relevant modifications on the institutional and normative level as well as on the level of global economic politics.
Satellite‐based estimates of Antarctic surface meltwater fluxes
Authors: Trusel Luke D. , Frey Karen E. , Das Sarah B. , Munneke Peter Kuipers , van den Broeke Michiel R.
Published: November 2013

This study generates novel satellite‐derived estimates of Antarctic‐wide annual (1999–2009) surface meltwater production using an empirical relationship between radar backscatter from the QuikSCAT (QSCAT) satellite and melt calculated from in situ energy balance observations. The resulting QSCAT‐derived melt fluxes significantly agree with output from the regional climate model RACMO2.1 and with independent ground‐based observations. The high‐resolution (4.45 km) QSCAT‐based melt fluxes uniquely detect interannually persistent and intense melt (>400 mm water equivalent (w.e.) year−1) on interior Larsen C Ice Shelf that is not simulated by RACMO2.1. This supports a growing understanding of the importance of a föhn effect in this region and quantifies the resulting locally enhanced melting that is spatially consistent with recently observed Larsen C thinning. These new results highlight important cryosphere‐climate interactions and processes that are presently not fully captured by the coarser‐resolution (27 km) regional climate model.
Transparent Nanopaper‐Based Flexible Organic Thin‐Film Transistor Array
Authors: Fujisaki Yoshihide , Koga Hirotaka , Nakajima Yoshiki , Nakata Mitsuru , Tsuji Hiroshi , Yamamoto Toshihiro , Kurita Taiichiro , Nogi Masaya , Shimidzu Naoki
Published: November 2013

Eco‐friendly and low‐cost cellulose nanofiber paper (nanopaper) is a promising candidate as a novel substrate for flexible electron device applications. Here, a thin transparent nanopaper‐based high‐mobility organic thin‐film transistor (OTFT) array is demonstrated for the first time. Nanopaper made from only native wood cellulose nanofibers has excellent thermal stability (>180 °C) and chemical durability, and a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE: 5–10 ppm K‐1). These features make it possible to build an OTFT array on nanopaper using a similar process to that for an array on conventional glass. A short‐channel bottom‐contact OTFT is successfully fabricated on the nanopaper by a lithographic and solution‐based process. Owing to the smoothness of the cast‐coated nanopaper surface, a solution processed organic semiconductor film on the nanopaper comprises large crystalline domains with a size of approximately 50–100 μm, and the corresponding TFT exhibits a high hole mobility of up to 1 cm2V‐1 s‐1 and a small hysteresis of below 0.1 V under ambient conditions. The nanopaper‐based OTFT also had excellent flexibility and can be formed into an arbitrary shape. These combined technologies of low‐cost and eco‐friendly paper substrates and solution‐based organic TFTs are promising for use in future flexible electronics application such as flexible displays and sensors.
A study on environment‐friendly polymer gel for water shut‐off treatments in low‐temperature reservoirs
Authors: Dai Caili , Zhao Guang , You Qing , Zhao Mingwei
Published: November 2013

In this study, the zirconium acetate crosslinked gel systems are studied owing to their environment‐friendly and gelation performance in low‐temperature reservoirs through rheological measurements, environmental scanning electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The effects of various parameters on the gelation properties, stability, and microstructure in bottle test and porous media were addressed. With the increase of concentrations and temperature, gelation time is reduced and gel strength is increased. In addition, the gel systems show salt tolerance and shearing resistance. The environment‐friendly gel systems have a high stability in both injection water and formation water. A three‐dimensional network structure was formed in the gel and confirmed by environmental scanning electron microscopy. The three‐dimensional gel network was also formed in porous media, which bridges across the pore throats and reduced the water permeability in the formation. This study suggests that environment‐friendly polymer gels can be used for water shut‐off treatments in low‐temperature reservoirs. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40154.
Distribution and Alteration of Lymphatic Vessels in Knee Joints of Normal and Osteoarthritic Mice
Authors: Shi Jixiang , Liang Qianqian , Zuscik Michael , Shen Jie , Chen Di , Xu Hao , Wang Yong‐Jun , Chen Yan , Wood Ronald W. , Li Jia , Boyce Brendan F. , Xing Lianping
Published: November 2013

Objective

To investigate the distribution and alteration of lymphatic vessels and draining function in knee joints of normal and osteoarthritic mice.

Methods

For the mouse models of osteoarthritis (OA), we used mice with meniscal‐ligamentous injury or mice with conditional knockout of the gene for cartilage transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) type II receptor. The severity of cartilage loss and joint destruction was assessed histologically. Capillary and mature lymphatic vessels were identified and analyzed using double immunofluorescence staining and a whole‐slide digital imaging system. Lymphatic drainage of knee joints was examined using near‐infrared lymphatic imaging. Patient joint specimens obtained during total knee or hip arthroplasty were evaluated to verify the content validity of the mouse findings.

Results

Lymphatic vessels were distributed in soft tissues (mainly around the joint capsule, ligaments, fat pads, and muscles of normal knees). The number of lymphatic vessels, particularly the number of capillaries, was significantly increased in joints of mice with mild OA, while the number of mature lymphatic vessels was markedly decreased in joints of mice with severe OA. OA knees exhibited significantly decreased lymph clearance. The number of both capillary and mature lymphatic vessels was significantly decreased in the joints of patients with OA.

Conclusion

The whole‐slide digital imaging system is a powerful tool, enabling the identification and assessment of lymphatic microvasculature in the entire mouse knee. Lymphatic capillaries and mature vessels are present in various soft tissues around articular spaces. Abnormalities of lymphatic vessels and draining function, including significantly reduced numbers of mature vessels and impaired clearance, are present in OA joints.
Practical Considerations for Using Novel Oral Anticoagulants in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Savelieva Irene , Camm A. John
Published: November 2013

Novel oral anticoagulants, including dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban, represent new options for preventing stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, as shown by the results from large, randomized phase III trials. Because of their greater specificity, rapid onset of action, and predictable pharmacokinetics, the novel oral anticoagulants (dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban) address several limitations of warfarin or other vitamin K antagonists in day‐to‐day clinical practice. However, a range of practical questions relating to the novel oral anticoagulants has emerged, including topics such as patient selection, treatment of patients with renal impairment, risk of myocardial infarction, drug interactions, switching between anticoagulants, and management of bleeding, in addition to use of these agents in patients requiring antiplatelet drug treatment or undergoing cardioversion or percutaneous interventions (eg, ablation). In this review, practical aspects of the use of novel oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation are discussed, with reference to available data and guidance from prescribing information.
Influence of Aldrich humic acid and metal precipitates on survivorship of mayflies (Atalophlebia spp.) to acid mine drainage
Authors: Holland Aleicia , Duivenvoorden Leo J. , Kinnear Susan H.W.
Published: November 2013

Humic substances (HS) have been shown to decrease the toxicity of environmental stressors, but knowledge of their ability to influence the toxicity of multiple stressors such as metal mixtures and low pH associated with acid mine drainage (AMD) is still limited. The present study investigated the ability of HS to decrease toxicity of AMD to mayflies (Atalophlebia spp.). The AMD was collected from the Mount Morgan (Mount Morgan, Queensland, Australia) open pit. Mayflies were exposed to concentrations of AMD at 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% in the presence of 0 mg/L, 10 mg/L, and 20 mg/L Aldrich humic acid (AHA). A U-shaped response was noted in all AHA treatments, with higher rates of mortality recorded in the 2% and 3% dilutions compared with 4%. This result was linked with increased precipitates in the lower concentrations. A follow-up trial showed significantly higher concentrations of precipitates in the 2% and 3% AMD dilutions in the 0 mg/L AHA treatment and higher precipitates in the 2% AMD, 10 mg/L and 20 mg/L AHA, treatments. Humic substances were shown to significantly increase survival of mayflies exposed to AMD by up to 50% in the 20 mg/L AHA treatment. Humic substances may have led to increased survival after AMD exposure through its ability to influence animal physiology and complex heavy metals. These results are valuable in understanding the ability of HS to influence the toxicity of multiple stressors. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:567–572. © 2013 SETAC
Effects of hydrochar application on the dynamics of soluble nitrogen in soils and on plant availability
Authors: Bargmann Inge , Rillig Matthias C. , Kruse Andrea , Greef Jörg‐Michael , Kücke Martin
Published: November 2013

Before hydrochars can be applied as soil amendments in agriculture, information about how hydrochar application affects soil nutrient cycles and plant growth are necessary. In this study, incubation experiments were performed to investigate hydrochar effects on N concentrations (NO$ _3^- $, NH$ _4^+ $) in soils with different N pools (soil N, fertilizer N). A set of pot trials with three crop species (barley, phaseolus bean, leek) was conducted to determine hydrochar effects on plant N availability and biomass production after mineral‐N fertilization. Results of the incubation experiments show that hydrochar reduced the concentration of mineral N in soil within the first week after incorporation, especially that of nitrate. This was particularly evident, when hydrochars with high C : N ratio, high DOC and low mineral‐N contents were applied. Hydrochars promoted biomass production of barley and phaseolus bean in pot trials, which can be partly attributed to an increase in soil pH after hydrochar incorporation. Dry‐matter yield of leek tended to decrease after hydrochar application. Hydrochars with high C : N ratio decreased the plant's N content, an effect that was strongest with increased hydrochar concentration. Hydrochars with low C : N ratio did not affect the crop's N uptake. Our results show that the use of hydrochars as amendment in arable field or horticultural pot production will require an adjustment of N‐mineral‐fertilization strategies.
Constraints in acquiring and utilizing directors' experience: An empirical study of new‐market entry in the pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Diestre Luis , Rajagopalan Nandini , Dutta Shantanu
Published: November 2013

In this study we provide evidence that firms considering entering new markets are more likely to appoint directors with experience in those markets; and subsequently, we show that directors' market experience increases the likelihood of new‐market entry. Moreover, we explore the presence of constraints in both, acquiring experienced directors and utilizing their experience. Specifically, we find that experienced directors are less likely to join firms with financial restatements in the recent past as well as firms with a lower status than the firms where they currently serve. In addition, we find that interlocking directors' experience is less likely to lead to new‐market entry for firms that lack new‐product development experience and that exhibit a high level of market overlap with interlocked firms. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Final Intraoperative Parathyroid Hormone Level: How Low Should It Go?
Authors: Wharry Laura I. , Yip Linwah , Armstrong Michaele J. , Virji Mohamed A. , Stang Michael T. , Carty Sally E. , McCoy Kelly L.
Published: November 2013

Background

In minimally invasive surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT), intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) monitoring assists in obtaining demonstrably better outcomes, but optimal criteria are controversial.

Methods

The outcomes of 1,108 initial parathyroid operations for sporadic HPT using IOPTH monitoring from 1997 to 2011 were stratified by final post‐resection IOPTH level. All patients had adequate follow‐up to verify cure.

Results

With mean follow‐up of 1.8 years (range 0.5–14.3 years), parathyroidectomy using IOPTH monitoring failed in 1.2 % of cases, with an additional 0.5 % incidence of long‐term recurrence at a mean of 3.2 years (range 0.8–6.8 years) postoperatively. Operative success was equally likely with a final IOPTH drop to 41–65 pg/mL vs ≤40 pg/mL (p = 1). In the 76 patients with an elevated baseline IOPTH level that did not drop to ≤65 pg/mL, surgical failure was 43 times more likely than with a drop into normal range (13 vs. 0.3 %; p < 0.001). When the final IOPTH level dropped by >50 % but not into the normal range, surgical failure was 19 times more likely (3.8 vs. 0.2 %; p = 0.015). Long‐term recurrence was more likely in patients with a final IOPTH level of 41–65 pg/mL than with a level ≤40 pg/mL (1.2 vs. 0; p = 0.016).

Conclusions

Adjunctive intraoperative PTH monitoring facilitates a high cure rate for initial surgery of sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism. A final IOPTH level that is within the normal range and drops by >50 % from baseline is a strong predictor of operative success. Patients with a final IOPTH level between 41–65 pg/mL should be followed beyond 6 months for long‐term recurrence.
A single supplement of a standardised bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) extract (36 % wet weight anthocyanins) modifies glycaemic response in individuals with type 2 diabetes controlled by diet and lifestyle
Authors: Hoggard Nigel , Cruickshank Morven , Moar Kim-Marie , Bestwick Charles , Holst Jens J. , Russell Wendy , Horgan Graham
Published: November 2013

Dietary strategies for alleviating health complications associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are being pursued as alternatives to pharmaceutical interventions. Berries such as bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) that are rich in polyphenols may influence carbohydrate digestion and absorption and thus postprandial glycaemia. In addition, berries have been reported to alter incretins as well as to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may also affect postprandial glycaemia. The present study investigated the acute effect of a standardised bilberry extract on glucose metabolism in T2D. Male volunteers with T2D (n 8; BMI 30 (sd 4) kg/m2) controlling their diabetes by diet and lifestyle alone were given a single oral capsule of either 0·47 g standardised bilberry extract (36 % (w/w) anthocyanins) which equates to about 50 g of fresh bilberries or placebo followed by a polysaccharide drink (equivalent to 75 g glucose) in a double-blinded cross-over intervention with a 2-week washout period. The ingestion of the bilberry extract resulted in a significant decrease in the incremental AUC for both glucose (P = 0·003) and insulin (P = 0·03) compared with the placebo. There was no change in the gut (glucagon-like peptide-1, gastric inhibitory polypeptide), pancreatic (glucagon, amylin) or anti-inflammatory (monocyte chemotactic protein-1) peptides. In addition there was no change in the antioxidant (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, ferric-reducing ability of plasma) responses measured between the volunteers receiving the bilberry extract and the placebo. In conclusion the present study demonstrates for the first time that the ingestion of a concentrated bilberry extract reduces postprandial glycaemia and insulin in volunteers with T2D. The most likely mechanism for the lower glycaemic response involves reduced rates of carbohydrate digestion and/or absorption.
Individual Zn2SnO4-sheathed ZnO heterostructure nanowires for efficient resistive switching memory controlled by interface states
Authors: Cheng Baochang , Ouyang Zhiyong , Chen Chuan , Xiao Yanhe , Lei Shuijin
Published: November 2013

Resistive switching (RS) devices are widely believed as a promising candidate for next generation nonvolatile resistance random access memory. Here, Zn2SnO4-sheathed ZnO core/shell heterostructure nanowires were constructed through a polymeric sol–gel approach followed by post-annealing. The back-to-back bipolar RS properties were observed in the Ohmic contact two-terminal devices based on individual core/shell nanowires. With increasing bias to about 1.5 V, it changes from high-resistance states (HRS) to low-resistance states and however, it can be restored to HRS by reverse bias. We propose a new mechanism, which is attributed to the injection of electrons into/from interfacial states, arising from the lattice mismatch at ZnO/Zn2SnO4 heterointerface. Upon applying negative/positive voltage at one end of devices, where interfacial states are filled/emptied, barrier will be eliminated/created, resulting into symmetric RS characteristics. The behavior of storage and removal charges demonstrates that the heterostructures have excellent properties for the application in resistance random access memory.
Nanoparticle dispersion in polymer nanocomposites by spin-diffusion-averaged paramagnetic enhanced NMR relaxometry
Authors: Xu Bo , Leisen Johannes , Beckham Haskell W.
Published: November 2013

An analytical relationship was developed that allows quantitative assessment of nanoparticle spacings in polymer–clay nanocomposites from NMR relaxometric data.
Metabolic engineering of lipid catabolism increases microalgal lipid accumulation without compromising growth
Authors: Trentacoste Emily M. , Shrestha Roshan P. , Smith Sarah R. , Glé Corine , Hartmann Aaron C. , Hildebrand Mark , Gerwick William H.
Published: November 2013

Significance

As global CO
2
levels rise and fossil fuel abundance decreases, the development of alternative fuels becomes increasingly imperative. Biologically derived fuels, and specifically those from microalgae, are promising sources, but improvements throughout the production process are required to reduce cost. Increasing lipid yields in microalgae without compromising growth has great potential to improve economic feasibility. We report that disrupting lipid catabolism is a practical approach to increase lipid yields in microalgae without affecting growth or biomass. We developed transgenic strains through targeted metabolic engineering that show increased lipid accumulation, biomass, and lipid yields. The target enzyme’s ubiquity suggests that this approach can be applied broadly to improve the economic feasibility of algal biofuels in other groups of microalgae.
Copper control of bacterial nitrous oxide emission and its impact on vitamin B
12
-dependent metabolism
Authors: Sullivan Matthew J. , Gates Andrew J. , Appia-Ayme Corinne , Rowley Gary , Richardson David J.
Published: November 2013

Significance

Global atmospheric loading of nitrous oxide (N
2
O) is on the increase. This stable, long-lived greenhouse gas is a major contributor to radiative forcing by Earth’s atmosphere. Here we describe the genetic regulation of N
2
O reductase
nosZ
, encoding the only known N
2
O-removing enzyme that limits the release of this denitrification intermediate during the bacterial usage of nitrogenous fertilizers. Expression of
nosZ
is down-regulated in copper-limited environments, leading to net emission of N
2
O. This cytotoxic N
2
O emission subsequently modulates expression of genes controlled by vitamin B
12
riboswitches, because N
2
O binds to and inactivates vitamin B
12
. Cytotoxicity of N
2
O can be relieved by the addition of vitamin B
12
. This interaction provides a role for NosZ in N
2
O-detoxification in nondenitrifying bacteria.
Structure and enzymatic mechanism of a moonlighting dUTPase
Authors: Leveles Ibolya , Németh Veronika , Szabó Judit E. , Harmat Veronika , Nyíri Kinga , Bendes Ábris Ádám , Papp-Kádár Veronika , Zagyva Imre , Róna Gergely , Ozohanics Olivér , Vékey Károly , Tóth Judit , Vértessy Beáta G.
Published: November 2013

Genome integrity requires well controlled cellular pools of nucleotides. dUTPases are responsible for regulating cellular dUTP levels and providing dUMP for dTTP biosynthesis. InStaphylococcus, phage dUTPases are also suggested to be involved in a moonlighting function regulating the expression of pathogenicity-island genes. Staphylococcal phage trimeric dUTPase sequences include a specific insertion that is not found in other organisms. Here, a 2.1 Å resolution three-dimensional structure of a φ11 phage dUTPase trimer with complete localization of the phage-specific insert, which folds into a small β-pleated mini-domain reaching out from the dUTPase core surface, is presented. The insert mini-domains jointly coordinate a single Mg2+ion per trimer at the entrance to the threefold inner channel. Structural results provide an explanation for the role of Asp95, which is suggested to have functional significance in the moonlighting activity, as the metal-ion-coordinating moiety potentially involved in correct positioning of the insert. Enzyme-kinetics studies of wild-type and mutant constructs show that the insert has no major role in dUTP binding or cleavage and provide a description of the elementary steps (fast binding of substrate and release of products). In conclusion, the structural and kinetic data allow insights into both the phage-specific characteristics and the generally conserved traits of φ11 phage dUTPase.
Protein design by fusion: implications for protein structure prediction and evolution
Authors: Skorupka Katarzyna , Han Seong Kyu , Nam Hyun-Jun , Kim Sanguk , Faham Salem
Published: November 2013

Domain fusion is a useful tool in protein design. Here, the structure of a fusion of the heterodimeric flagella-assembly proteins FliS and FliC is reported. Although the ability of the fusion protein to maintain the structure of the heterodimer may be apparent, threading-based structural predictions do not properly fuse the heterodimer. Additional examples of naturally occurring heterodimers that are homologous to full-length proteins were identified. These examples highlight that the designed protein was engineered by the same tools as used in the natural evolution of proteins and that heterodimeric structures contain a wealth of information, currently unused, that can improve structural predictions.
Phosphorylation adjacent to the nuclear localization signal of human dUTPase abolishes nuclear import: structural and mechanistic insights
Authors: Róna Gergely , Marfori Mary , Borsos Máté , Scheer Ildikó , Takács Enikő , Tóth Judit , Babos Fruzsina , Magyar Anna , Erdei Anna , Bozóky Zoltán , Buday László , Kobe Bostjan , Vértessy Beáta G.
Published: November 2013

Phosphorylation adjacent to nuclear localization signals (NLSs) is involved in the regulation of nucleocytoplasmic transport. The nuclear isoform of human dUTPase, an enzyme that is essential for genomic integrity, has been shown to be phosphorylated on a serine residue (Ser11) in the vicinity of its nuclear localization signal; however, the effect of this phosphorylation is not yet known. To investigate this issue, an integrated set of structural, molecular and cell biological methods were employed. It is shown that NLS-adjacent phosphorylation of dUTPase occurs during the M phase of the cell cycle. Comparison of the cellular distribution of wild-type dUTPase with those of hyperphosphorylation- and hypophosphorylation-mimicking mutants suggests that phosphorylation at Ser11 leads to the exclusion of dUTPase from the nucleus. Isothermal titration microcalorimetry and additional independent biophysical techniques show that the interaction between dUTPase and importin-α, the karyopherin molecule responsible for `classical' NLS binding, is weakened significantly in the case of the S11E hyperphosphorylation-mimicking mutant. The structures of the importin-α–wild-type and the importin-α–hyperphosphorylation-mimicking dUTPase NLS complexes provide structural insights into the molecular details of this regulation. The data indicate that the post-translational modification of dUTPase during the cell cycle may modulate the nuclear availability of this enzyme.
Evidence for small-molecule-mediated loop stabilization in the structure of the isolated Pin1 WW domain
Authors: Mortenson David E. , Kreitler Dale F. , Yun Hyun Gi , Gellman Samuel H. , Forest Katrina T.
Published: November 2013

The human Pin1 WW domain is a small autonomously folding protein that has been useful as a model system for biophysical studies of β-sheet folding. This domain has resisted previous attempts at crystallization for X-ray diffraction studies, perhaps because of intrinsic conformational flexibility that interferes with the formation of a crystal lattice. Here, the crystal structure of the human Pin1 WW domain has been obtainedviaracemic crystallization in the presence of small-molecule additives. Both enantiomers of a 36-residue variant of the Pin1 WW domain were synthesized chemically, and the L- and D-polypeptides were combined to afford diffracting crystals. The structural data revealed packing interactions of small carboxylic acids, either achiral citrate or a D,L mixture of malic acid, with a mobile loop region of the WW-domain fold. These interactions with solution additives may explain our success in crystallization of this protein racemate. Molecular-dynamics simulations starting from the structure of the Pin1 WW domain suggest that the crystal structure closely resembles the conformation of this domain in solution. The structural data presented here should provide a basis for further studies of this important model system.
Comment onTimely deposition of macromolecular structures is necessary for peer reviewby Joostenet al.(2013)
Authors: Berman Helen , Kleywegt Gerard J. , Nakamura Haruki , Markley John L.
Published: November 2013

The wwPDB responds to the article by Joostenet al.[(2013),Acta Cryst.D69, 2293–2295].
2-{4-Methyl-N-[(2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-carbazol-3-yl)methyl]benzenesulfonamido}ethyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate
Authors: Göçmentürk Mustafa , Ergün Yavuz , Mougang-Soume Berline , Çaylak Delibaş Nagihan , Hökelek Tuncer
Published: November 2013

In the title compound, C29H32N2O5S2, the indole ring system is nearly planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.013 (2) Å, and the cyclohexenone ring has an envelope conformation with the methine C atom as the flap. The two methylbenzene rings are approximately perpendicular to each other, making a dihedral angle of 89.09 (8)°. In the crystal, N—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into a chain running along thea-axis direction, and weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds and C—H...π interactions are observed between the chains.