bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Selenium, arsenic, and mercury in fish inhabiting a fly ash exposure gradient: interspecific bioaccumulation patterns and elemental associations
Authors: Reash Robin J. 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Releases from coal ash impoundments can be a significant source of trace elements to the aquatic environment. In the present study, whole-body concentrations of As, Hg, and Se in various fish species inhabiting streams receiving a gradient of fly ash exposure are reported. High-exposure sites had elevated water concentrations of As, Mo, Se, and SO4. Fish were collected during two seasons in 2007. Mercury concentrations in all fish samples were low (range = 1.2–99 ng/g wet wt); highest As concentrations occurred in fish from high-exposure sites. Whole-body Se concentrations were low at reference sites but increased as the magnitude of fly exposure increased. For all sites combined, a significant (r2 = 0.60) correlation was observed between the geometric mean of each species' whole-body Se concentration and log-transformed water Se concentration. A significant inverse relationship was apparent with log-transformed whole-body Hg and Se concentrations (r2 = 0.56 for all species and sites combined), suggesting that high tissue Se levels antagonistically regulated Hg bioaccumulation. Sunfish (Lepomis sp.) from high- and medium-exposure sites had significantly higher Se body residues, but significantly lower Hg, relative to fish from low-exposure and reference sites. Ninety percent of fish from high-exposure sites had a surplus of Se, whereas all fish from reference sites had Se/Hg molar ratios &lt;1.0. These ratios increased as water Se increased. Where fish have moderate to high exposure to fly ash-influenced water, Se tissue levels can be expected to be elevated (as well as As, in some cases), but tissue Hg concentrations will likely be low. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:739–747. © 2012 SETAC
Sensitivity analysis of temperature‐index melt simulations to near‐surface lapse rates and degree‐day factors at Vestari‐Hagafellsjökull, Langjökull, Iceland
Authors: Hodgkins R. , Carr S. , Pálsson F. , Guðmundsson S. , Björnsson H. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe performance of temperature‐index melt models is particularly affected by the choice of near‐surface lapse rate used to determine the sum of positive daily temperatures at different elevations, and by the choice of factor used to relate this sum to the rate of melting. Data from the Langjökull ice cap are used in this study to quantify the influence of lapse‐rate and degree‐day factor variation on temperature‐index melt simulations. The lapse rate was significantly lower during summer than in spring or autumn, as a result of diabatic cooling, reducing boundary‐layer sensitivity to free‐air temperature change. The summer lapse rate was also significantly lower than the saturated adiabatic lapse rate. A sensitivity of approximately 600 mm water equivalent (w.e.) cumulative June–August melt per 0.1 °C 100 m–1 change in lapse rate was found across a 500‐m altitude range. The sensitivity to a 1‐mm w.e. °C–1 day–1 change in degree‐day factors varied more: from approximately 500 mm w.e. cumulative summer melt at low elevation to approximately 200 mm w.e. at high elevation, reflecting the decline in melt rates associated with the greater persistence of snow with increasing altitude. The determination of a degree‐day factor for snow is complicated by the densification of the ageing snowpack, but the application of a parameterization for near‐surface density on the basis of albedo helped account for the development of snow water equivalence. Lapse rate was parameterized as a function of standardized anomalies in 750 hPa reanalysis temperature and significantly improved the simulation of cumulative summer melt compared with models applying the saturated adiabatic lapse rate. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aluminium chloride promotes anchorage‐independent growth in human mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Sappino André‐Pascal , Buser Raphaële , Lesne Laurence , Gimelli Stefania , Béna Frédérique , Belin Dominique , Mandriota Stefano J. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTAluminium salts used as antiperspirants have been incriminated as contributing to breast cancer incidence in Western societies. To date, very little or no epidemiological or experimental data confirm or infirm this hypothesis. We report here that in MCF‐10A human mammary epithelial cells, a well‐established normal human mammary epithelial cell model, long‐term exposure to aluminium chloride (AlCl3) concentrations of 10–300 µ m, i.e. up to 100 000‐fold lower than those found in antiperspirants, and in the range of those recently measured in the human breast, results in loss of contact inhibition and anchorage‐independent growth. These effects were preceded by an increase of DNA synthesis, DNA double strand breaks (DSBs), and senescence in proliferating cultures. AlCl3 also induced DSBs and senescence in proliferating primary human mammary epithelial cells. In contrast, it had no similar effects on human keratinocytes or fibroblasts, and was not detectably mutagenic in bacteria. MCF‐10A cells morphologically transformed by long‐term exposure to AlCl3 display strong upregulation of the p53/p21Waf1 pathway, a key mediator of growth arrest and senescence. These results suggest that aluminium is not generically mutagenic, but similar to an activated oncogene, it induces proliferation stress, DSBs and senescence in normal mammary epithelial cells; and that long‐term exposure to AlCl3 generates and selects for cells able to bypass p53/p21Waf1‐mediated cellular senescence. Our observations do not formally identify aluminium as a breast carcinogen, but challenge the safety ascribed to its widespread use in underarm cosmetics. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incidence properties of cosets in loops
Authors: Kinyon Michael , Pula Kyle , Vojtěchovský Petr 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWe study incidence properties among cosets of infinite loops, with emphasis on well‐structured varieties such as antiautomorphic loops and Bol loops. While cosets in groups are either disjoint or identical, we find that the incidence structure in general loops can be much richer. Every symmetric design, for example, can be realized as a canonical collection of cosets of a infinite loop. We show that in the variety of antiautomorphic loops the poset formed by set inclusion among intersections of left cosets is isomorphic to that formed by right cosets. We present an algorithm that, given a infinite Bol loop S, can in some cases determine whether |S| divides |Q| for all infinite Bol loops Q with S⩽Q, and even whether there is a selection of left cosets of S that partitions Q. This method results in a positive confirmation of Lagrange's Theorem for Bol loops for a few new cases of subloops. Finally, we show that in a left automorphic Moufang loop Q (in particular, in a commutative Moufang loop Q), two left cosets of S⩽Qare either disjoint or they intersect in a set whose cardinality equals that of some subloop of S.
Zinc deficiency in field‐grown pecan trees: changes in leaf nutrient concentrations and structure
Authors: Ojeda‐Barrios Dámaris , Abadía Javier , Lombardini Leonardo , Abadía Anunciación , Vázquez Saúl 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Zinc (Zn) deficiency is a typical nutritional disorder in pecan trees [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) C. Koch] grown under field conditions in calcareous soils in North America, including northern Mexico and south‐western United States. The aim of this study was to assess the morphological and nutritional changes in pecan leaves affected by Zn deficiency as well as the Zn distribution within leaves.RESULTS: Zinc deficiency led to decreases in leaf chlorophyll concentrations, leaf area and trunk cross‐sectional area. Zinc deficiency increased significantly the leaf concentrations of K and Ca, and decreased the leaf concentrations of Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu. All nutrient values found in Zn‐deficient leaves were within the sufficiency ranges, with the only exception of Zn, which was approximately 44, 11 and 9 µg g−1 dry weight in Zn‐sufficient, moderately and markedly Zn‐deficient leaves, respectively. Zinc deficiency led to decreases in leaf thickness, mainly due to a reduction in the thickness of the palisade parenchyma, as well as to increases in stomatal density and size. The localisation of Zn was determined using the fluorophore Zinpyr‐1 and ratio‐imaging technique. Zinc was mainly localised in the palisade mesophyll area in Zn‐sufficient leaves, whereas no signal could be obtained in Zn‐deficient leaves.CONCLUSION: The effects of Zn deficiency on the leaf characteristics of pecan trees include not only decreases in leaf chlorophyll and Zn concentrations, but also a reduction in the thickness of the palisade parenchyma, an increase in stomatal density and pore size and the practical disappearance of Zn leaf pools. These characteristics must be taken into account to design strategies to correct Zn deficiency in pecan tree in the field. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Potential of Bacillus cereus strain RS87 for partial replacement of chemical fertilisers in the production of Thai rice cultivars
Authors: Jetiyanon Kanchalee , Plianbangchang Pinyupa 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: There is increasing interest in the development of technologies which can reduce the requirement for chemical fertilisers in rice production. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Bacillus cereus strain RS87 for the partial replacement of chemical fertiliser in rice production. A greenhouse experiment was designed using different fertiliser regimes, with and without strain RS87. Six Thai rice cultivars were tested separately.RESULTS: Maximum rice growth and yield were obtained in rice receiving the full recommended fertiliser rate in combination with the strain RS87. Interestingly, all rice cultivars which were treated with strain RS87 and 50% recommended fertiliser rate provided equivalent plant growth and yield to that receiving the full recommended fertiliser rate only. A paired comparison between rice treated with 50% of the recommended fertiliser rate with the bacterial inoculant and the full fertiliser rate alone was further examined in small experimental rice paddy fields. Growth and yield of all rice cultivars which received the 50% fertiliser rate supplemented with strain RS87 gave a similar yield to that receiving the full fertiliser rate alone.CONCLUSION: Bacterial strain RS87 showed the potential to replace 50% of the recommended fertiliser rate for yield production. Integration of plant growth‐promoting rhizobacterial inoculants with reduced application rates of chemical fertiliser appears promising for future agriculture. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Content of selenium, total and inorganic arsenic and bioaccessibility of arsenic in children diets of Mexico
Authors: García‐Rico Leticia , Tejeda‐Valenzuela Lourdes , Vélez Dinoraz , Montoro Rosa 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the intake of selenium, total and inorganic arsenic and the bioaccessibility of arsenic in diets of Mexican schoolchildren using an in vitro method.RESULTS: Total and inorganic arsenic concentrations in the diets ranged from 0.05 to 1.15 mg kg−1 dry weight (DW) and from 0.023 to 0.088 mg kg−1 DW respectively, while selenium levels were between 0.08 and 0.20 mg kg−1 DW. Daily intake of total and inorganic arsenic ranged from 0.15 to 10.49 µg day−1 kg−1 body weight (BW) and from 0.06 to 1.11 µg day−1 kg−1 BW respectively, while that of selenium varied from 0.29 to 2.63 µg day−1 kg−1 BW. Bioaccessibility of total and inorganic arsenic ranged from 4 to 97% (mean 44 ± 21.5%) and from 33 to 97% (mean 71 ± 22.5%) respectively.CONCLUSION: Inorganic arsenic levels in the diets were low. Therefore there appears to be a low risk of adverse effects resulting from excess inorganic arsenic intake from these diets. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Clinical characteristics and natural course of recurrent vestibulopathy: A long‐term follow‐up study
Authors: Lee Hong‐Kyoung , Ahn Seong‐Ki , Jeon Sea‐Yuong , Kim Jin‐Pyeong , Park Jung Je , Hur Dong Gu , Kim Dae Woo , Woo Seung Hoon , Kang Hung‐Soo 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To investigate the clinical characteristics and the natural course of recurrent vestibulopathy (RV).Study Design:Retrospective study.Methods:During the period April 2002 to February 2008, we reviewed the clinical records of 98 patients diagnosed with RV. All patients were approached by telephone and using a questionnaire. The analysis included age, sex distribution, natural history, pure‐tone audiometry, caloric response, age at onset, and the characteristics of vertigo.Results:Median follow‐up was 63.1 months (range, 24–103 months). Patients had a mean age at onset of 39 years and a mean duration of 4.2 years. An obvious female predilection was found, and unilateral caloric paresis (≥25%) was seen in 35%. Of the 98 patients, symptoms resolved in 82% but were unchanged in 12%. RV developed to Ménière's disease in four patients and to migraine in two. No patient with RV developed a central nervous system disease or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo during follow‐up.Conclusions:The study suggests that in the majority of cases, vertigo spontaneously resolves and that the risks of development to Ménière's disease or migraine are low. Laryngoscope, 2012
A sensitivity analysis of expected profitability of pharmaceutical research and development
Authors: Grabowski Henry , Vernon John 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAn indirect effect of increased regulation of the pharmaceutical industry in the USA has been a reduction in the effective patent life for a new drug. The reason is that the average time to develop a new chemical entity and gain regulatory approval far exceeds the time necessary to obtain a patent. The period of patent protection now averages only 10 years compared to the legal life of 17 years. In this article we describe a sensitivity analysis which sheds some light on the relationship between product life and profitability. Based upon a number of important assumptions, we show, for example, that at a 10% real rate of return the average 1970–1976 new drug required 19 years to break even. At an 8% real rate of return, 12 years would permit the firm to break even.
Distribution, efficiency and incentives in organizations
Authors: Fitzroy Felix R. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis paper formulates incentives for individual workers in competitive firms in general equilibrium. Piece‐rates and rewards for relative performance can elicit efficient effort in equilibrium, but workers benefit from collusion to reduce effort and consumption and expropriate capitalists by lowering the rental, while employers may choose equilibria with excessive ‘effort’. When there is uncertainty about true individual effort, prizes and limited penalties for best and worst performance can support efficient solutions, while income‐risk declines as the size of the team grows. If penalties are prohibited, ex post inequality is multiplied and welfare declines.
An iterative method for determining the internal rate of return
Authors: Lowenthal Franklin 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis paper presents an alternative to the usual iterative method for determining the approximate internal rate of return in capital budgeting. The method developed is based on the standard numerical analysis technique of successive approximations or iterations. The iterations converge to the true internal rate of return provided only that the initial cash outflow is greater than the salvage value. A comparison is made of the rates of convergence of the iteration method, Newton's method and the bisection method. Under certain restrictive conditions, the payback reciprocal is seen to play an important role in all three methods.
The Role of Oxygen and Surface Reactions in the Deposition of Silicon Oxide like Films from HMDSO at Atmospheric Pressure
Authors: Reuter Rüdiger , Rügner Katja , Ellerweg Dirk , de los Arcos Teresa , von Keudell Achim , Benedikt Jan 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe deposition of thin SiO2‐like films by means of atmospheric pressure microplasma jets with admixture of hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) and oxygen and the role of surface reactions in film growth are investigated. Two types of microplasma jets, one with a planar electrodes and operated in helium gas and the other one with a coaxial geometry operated in argon, are used to study the deposition process. The growth rate of the film and the carbon‐content in the film are measured as a function of the O2 and HMDSO admixture in the planar jet and are compared to mass spectrometry measurements of the consumption of HMDSO. Additionally, the localized nature of the jet–substrate interaction is utilized to study surface reactions by applying two jets on a rotating substrate. The addition of oxygen into the gas mixture increases HMDSO depletion and the growth rate and results in the deposition of carbon free films. The surface reaction is responsible for the carbon removal from the growing film. Moreover, carbon free films can be deposited even without addition of oxygen, when coaxial jet operated with argon is used for the surface treatment. We hypothesize that ions or excited species (metastables) could be responsible for the observed effect. magnified image
Post‐synthesis Carbon Nanowalls Transformation under Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Tetrafluoroethane and Sulfur Hexafluoride Plasma Treatments
Authors: Vizireanu Sorin , Ionita Maria Daniela , Dinescu Gheorghe , Enculescu Ionut , Baibarac Mihaela , Baltog Ioan 
Published: January 2012

AbstractCarbon nanowalls (CNWs) functionalization allows the tailoring of some of their properties after they have been synthesized. Herewith we report on post‐synthesis CNWs functionalization by plasma treatments. Radiofrequency plasmas generated in hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, tetrafluoroethane, and sulfur hexafluoride admixed to argon, were used. The changes of morphology, structure, chemical composition were determined by SEM, FTIR, Raman Spectroscopy, specifically for each gas mixture. The results point out to the surface erosion, the functional groups attachment, or to thin film coverage of CNWs material. Such processes strongly influence the material properties, as exemplified by the wettability: superhydrophilic or superhydrophobic surfaces are obtained starting from the same base CNWs material. magnified image
Activation of Nod1 and Nod2 induces innate immune responses of prostate epithelial cells
Authors: Kang Min‐Jung , Heo Sook‐Kyoung , Song Eun‐Jung , Kim Dong‐Jae , Han Seung‐Yun , Han Ju‐Hee , Kim Bo‐Yeon , Park Jong‐Hwan 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUNDNod1 and Nod2 are cytosolic receptors which are responsible for sensing bacterial peptidoglycan derivatives. In this study, we determined whether Nod1 and Nod2 are involved in the innate immune responses of prostate epithelial cells.METHODSThe expression of Nod1 and Nod2 was examined by RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry. ELISA was performed to determine the production of cytokines/chemokines. Activation of NF‐κB and MAPK was examined using western blot analysis.RESULTSThe Nod1 gene was distinctly expressed in all tested cells including DU145, PC3, and TRAMP‐C2 cells, whereas Nod2 expression was weak. Both Nod1 and Nod2 proteins were expressed in normal mouse prostate epithelia with difference of expression levels. Tri‐DAP (Nod1 agonist), but not MDP (Nod2), increased the production of IL‐8 (or KC) and IL‐6 in prostate epithelial cells. Tri‐DAP and MDP could upregulate the gene expression of COX‐2 and activate NF‐κB and MAPK. In addition, Tri‐DAP and MDP synergized with TLR agonists to induce the production of IL‐8/KC or IL‐6 in PC3 and TRAMP‐C2 cells. We finally showed that Nod1 and Nod2 were also expressed in a wide range of prostate lesions including prostate intraepithelial neoplasm (PIN), phyllodes‐like tumor, and adenocarcinoma in TRAMP (transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate) mice, even though the expression level of Nod1 and Nod2 was different.CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that Nod1 and Nod2 may play important roles in the innate immune response of prostate epithelial cells and the development and progression of prostate cancer. Prostate 72:1351–1358, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Overexpression of the sterol 14α‐demethylase gene (MgCYP51) in Mycosphaerella graminicola isolates confers a novel azole fungicide sensitivity phenotype
Authors: Cools Hans J , Bayon Carlos , Atkins Sarah , Lucas John A , Fraaije Bart A 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: The recent evolution towards resistance to azole fungicides in European populations of the wheat pathogen Mycosphaerella graminicola has been caused by the progressive accumulation of mutations in MgCYP51 gene, encoding the azole target sterol 14α‐demethylase. Particular combinations of mutations have been shown specifically to affect the interaction of the MgCYP51 protein with different members of the azole class. Although additional mechanisms, including increased MgCYP51 expression and enhanced active efflux, have been proposed, the genetic changes underlying these mechanisms are unknown.RESULTS: Analysis of the azole sensitivities of recent M. graminicola isolates identified a novel phenotype, seemingly independent of changes in MgCYP51 coding sequence. Characterised by a 7‐16‐fold reduction in in vitro sensitivity to all azoles tested and by growth on seedlings at higher doses of azoles in glasshouse tests compared with isolates carrying the same MgCYP51 variant (L50S, S188N, I381V, ΔY459/G460, N513K), isolates with this phenotype constitutively overexpress MgCYP51 by between 10‐ and 40‐fold compared with the wild type. Analysis of sequences upstream of the predicted MgCYP51 translation start codon identified a novel 120 bp indel, considered to be an insertion, in isolates overexpressing MgCYP51.CONCLUSIONS: The identification of an insertion in the predicted MgCYP51 promoter in azole‐resistant isolates overexpressing MgCYP51 is the first report of a genetic mechanism, other than changes in target‐site coding sequence, affecting sensitivity to multiple azoles in field isolates of M. graminicola. The identification of recent isolates overexpressing MgCYP51 confirms the ongoing evolution and diversification of resistance mechanisms in European populations of M. graminicola. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry