bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Steinness criterion for Stein fibrations
Authors: Vâjâitu Viorel 
Published: July 2010

Abstract.
Let

X

$X$
be a complex space and

k

$k$
be a positive integer such
the cohomology groups

H
1

(
X
,

)

,
...
,

H
k

(
X
,

)

$H^1(X,{\cal O}), \ldots , H^{k}(X,{\cal O})$
are of finite dimension.
If there is a holomorphic map

f
:
X

k

$f:X \longrightarrow ^k $
with fibres Stein, then

X

$X$
is Stein.
Side reactions of 4-acetamido-TEMPO as the catalyst in cellulose oxidation systems
Authors: Patel Ilabahen , Opietnik Martina , Böhmdorfer Stefan , Becker Manuel , Potthast Antje , Saito Tsuguyuki , Isogai Akira , Rosenau Thomas 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
TEMPO/hypochlorite oxidation of cellulosics are frequently used to obtain water-soluble polyglucuronates or nano-disperse materials. The reaction under neutral conditions offers a big advantage over hitherto applied alkaline systems as base-induce β-elimination reactions causing severe cellulose degradation are suppressed. Although 4-acetamido-TEMPO seems to offer high initial activities in cellulose oxidation, the TEMPO derivative is irreversibly converted into species with much lower reactivity. The degradation pathways and the chemical structure of the 4-acetamido-TEMPO-derived (by)products have been clarified. Degradation is strongly dependent on the pH value of the reaction mixture. In acidic conditions (pH<5), 4-oxo-TEMPO is formed by an oxidative deamination process, the 4-oxo-derivative still being capable of performing cellulose oxidation. In alkaline media, a similar process proceeds, but is immediately followed by a Favorskij rearrangement to a pyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (PROXYL) derivative. In both cases, the released acetamido moiety is slowly converted into methylamine by a decarboxylative rearrangement (Hofmann degradation). The results suggest that the instability and the chemical fate of 4-acetamido-TEMPO needs to be considered when cellulose oxidations and their kinetics are addressed: the recyclability of the 4-acetamido-TEMPO catalyst is rather limited.
Gender-Specific Effects of Smoking and Alcohol Consumption on the Risk of Falling in Downhill Skiers
Authors: Burtscher M. , Pühringer R. , Werner I. , Ruedl G. , Sommersacher R. , Woldrich T. , Nachbauer W. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
More than 90 % of all accidents on ski slopes are caused by falls without other skiers involved. Only little information is available about causes of falling. Recently, we identified several risk factors and triggers, including alcohol consumption and smoking, associated with an increased fall risk. The main goal of the present study was to focus on gender-specific effects of smoking and alcohol consumption on the risk of falling in downhill skiers. Randomized inquiries were performed on five occasions in five ski areas where 1607 downhill skiers, 928 males and 679 females, were interviewed by a standardized questionnaire. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, smoking habits, regular physical activity, skiing skills, preferred slopes, alcohol consumption, snow and weather conditions, and the number of preceding falls on the day of the inquiry. Conditional logistic-regression analysis was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios for fall outcome. Logistic-regression analysis revealed that the fall risk during skiing was increased only in males that are 30 years of age or older: 1.6-fold when they were non-smokers but drank alcohol and 2.2-fold when they were smokers and drank alcohol on the skiing day. In female skiers, this risk was increased in the age groups below 30 and those 30 years and older: 1.9- and 2.2-fold for smokers who did not drink alcohol, 2.2- and 2.8-fold when they were non-smokers but consumed alcohol, and 3.4- and 5.1-fold when they were smokers and drank alcohol on the skiing day. These findings demonstrate that being a smoker or drinking alcohol on the skiing day increases the risk of falling especially in female downhill skiers. The combination of both factors results in an additive risk increase. The avoidance of these risk factors could help to reduce the frequency of falls and probably also that of injuries particularly in female skiers.
Temperature Distribution during Friction Stir Spot Welding of Magnesium Alloy AM60B
Authors: Li Bo , Kang Hong-Tae 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
This study investigated the effects of welding parameters on temperature distribution of magnesium alloy AM60B during Friction Stir Spot Welding (FSSW). The welding parameters included tool rotational velocity, plunge depth, and holding time. These parameters were selected from previous test results. The temperature distributions were measured with type-K thermocouples during FSSW with various welding parameter combinations. The measurement locations were placed along the centerline in longitudinal direction of the coupons. The temperature distributions during FSSW were also calculated with finite element analysis (FEA) for each combination of the welding parameters. The experimental results were compared with those obtained from FEA.
Small-Scale Mechanical Characterization of Aluminum and Titanium Alloys
Authors: Sanders Matthew , Di Bella Frank , Liang Hong 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
A Small Punch Test method with 3 mm diameter and 0.5 mm thick specimens was utilized to characterize 3003-H14 aluminum, 2618-T61 aluminum, and Ti-6Al-4V alloys. The method was found to be repeatable and the effect of surface roughness negligible within the range of 0.450–3.011 μm. In addition, the titanium has shown higher strength and elastic modulus than the aluminum specimens. The addition of iron, copper, and nickel elements to Al makes the alloy stronger and more ductile. The research shows that the Small Punch Test can be used to qualitatively compare such mechanical properties as surface hardness, ductility, toughness, yield strength, and ultimate tensile strength of small volume test specimens in aluminum and titanium alloys. The advantage of such a method is its ability to obtain consistent evaluation of mechanical properties from small specimen volumes effectively.
Selected trace and minor elements in sandstones from Paraguay
Authors: Facetti-Masulli J. F. , Kump P. , González E. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Selected trace and minor elements analyzed by XRF in sandstone samples were Rb-Sr-Zr-Nb-Ba-La-Ce-Nd as well as Ti-Mn-Fe with which they are often correlated. Refractory elements like REE are considered useful indicators of geochemical processes and, in this case, of provenance . Usually they maintain their original relationships and are transferred almost directly into sediments. The values here found, absolute and normalized, show correlations among the samples, allowing the establishment of their origin. Most of them in the spidergram patterns display positive spikes of Zr, and negative anomalies at Nb, Sr, Ti: differences in their height/depth could be in relation with the different Series or Formations. Strikingly, spidergrams of samples collected from the Patiño Formation show marked negative anomalies interalia of Ba, as well as positive spikes of Nb and Zr, very similar to those found in magmatic specimens from Misiones, Carapeguá-Acahay and Alto Paraguay Province and quite different from the other analyzed samples. In addition a remarkable presence of Precambrian signatures were found in the analyzed sandstones from the Paleozoic.
Redox behavior of Ce(IV)/Ce(III) in the presence of nitrilotriacetic acid: A surrogate study for An(IV)/An(III) redox behavior
Authors: Suzuki Yoshinori , Nankawa T. , Francis Arokiasamy J. , Ohnuki T. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractUsing cyclic voltammetry, we investigated the redox behavior of Ce(IV)/Ce(III), which is a surrogate for An(IV)/An(III) (An=actinides), in a solution of nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) at 25 °C. The cyclic voltammogram of Ce in a 0.1 M NTA solution at pH 6 showed a reversible one-electron redox reaction for Ce(IV)/Ce(III) at 0.51 Vvs.Ag/AgCl. This redox potential was much lower than that obtained in 1 M nitric acid, indicating that Ce(IV) was preferentially stabilized by complexation with NTA. The redox potential in the NTA solution was independent of the Ce concentration from 2 to 20 mM, NTA concentration from 5 to 200 mM and pH between 3 and 7. These results indicated that no polymerization and no additional coordination of NTA and OH−to the Ce(III)-NTA complex took place during the redox reaction. As the speciation calculation of Ce(III) in the NTA solution showed that the predominant species was CeIII(nta)23−(H3nta=NTA), the redox reaction of the Ce-NTA complex was expressed by the following: CeIV(nta)22−+e−⇋CeIII(nta)23−. The logarithm of the stability constant of CeIV(nta)22−was calculated to be 38.6±0.8 forI=0 from the redox potential shift of Ce(IV)/Ce(III) in the NTA solution. The value was in good accordance with the stability constant of the NpIV(nta)22−complex, demonstrating that the aqueous coordination chemistry of Ce(IV) with NTA is quite similar to that of An(IV). These results strongly suggest that a negative shift of the Pu(IV)/Pu(III) redox potential in the NTA solution should make Pu(IV) more stable than Pu(III) even in a reducing environment.
Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of uranium from acidic medium employing crown ethers
Authors: Rao Ankita , Kumar Pradeep , Ramakumar K. L. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC CO2) extraction of uranium from nitric acid medium employing various crown ethers was studied. CO2-phillic C–F bonds in pentadecafluoro-n-octanic acid (HPFOA) counter ion enhanced the extraction efficiency. Pressure (100−300 atm) and temperature (323−353 K) were found to influence extraction efficiency by affecting SC CO2 density as well as due to large size cluster formation of supercritical fluid near critical point thereby resulting in reduced interaction with solute. Pressure of 200 atm and temperature of 323 K were found to be optimum. The trend in efficiency for benzo substituted crown ethers was due to the combined effect of cavity size and number of ether oxygen atoms. The extraction efficiency among 18-crown-6 series is influenced by the extent of basicity of ether oxygen, which in turn is dictated by the substituent group. Efficiency also decreased beyond 2 M nitric acid due to co-extraction of crown-nitric acid complex. Uranium: crown: HPFOA mole ratio influenced extraction efficiency, having optimum value at 1:10:100. Under optimized conditions with ditertiarybutyldicyclohexano-18-crown-6 the efficiency was found to be (86±5) %.
Miniature Inverted-Repeat Transposable Elements ofStowawayAre Active in Potato
Authors: Momose Masaki , Abe Yutaka , Ozeki Yoshihiro 
Published: July 2010

AbstractMiniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs) are dispersed in large numbers within the genomes of eukaryotes although almost all are thought to be inactive. Plants have two major groups of such MITEs: Tourist and Stowaway. Mobile MITEs have been reported previously in rice but no active MITEs have been found in dicotyledons. Here, we provide evidence that Stowaway MITEs can be mobilized in the potato and that one of them causes a change of tuber skin color as an obvious phenotypic variation. In an original red-skinned potato clone, the gene encoding for a flavonoid 3′,5′-hydroxylase, which is involved in purple anthocyanin synthesis, has been inactivated by the insertion of a Stowaway MITE named dTstu1 within the first exon. However, dTstu1 is absent from this gene in a purple somaclonal variant that was obtained as a regenerated plant from a protoplast culture of the red-skinned potato. The color change was attributed to reversion of flavonoid 3′,5′-hydroxylase function by removal of dTstu1 from the gene. In this purple variant another specific transposition event has occurred involving a MITE closely related to dTstu1. Instead of being fossil elements, Stowaway MITEs, therefore, still have the ability to become active under particular conditions as represented by tissue culturing.
Optimal Neutrality Tests Based on the Frequency Spectrum
Authors: Ferretti Luca , Perez-Enciso Miguel , Ramos-Onsins Sebastian 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
The ascertainment of the demographic and selective history of populations has been a major research goal in genetics for decades. To that end, numerous statistical tests have been developed to detect deviations between expected and observed frequency spectra, e.g., Tajima's D, Fu and Li's F and D tests, and Fay and Wu's H. Recently, Achaz developed a general framework to generate tests that detect deviations in the frequency spectrum. In a further development, we argue that the results of these tests should be as independent on the sample size as possible and propose a scale-free form for them. Furthermore, using the same framework as that of Achaz, we develop a new family of neutrality tests based on the frequency spectrum that are optimal against a chosen alternative evolutionary scenario. These tests maximize the power to reject the standard neutral model and are scalable with the sample size. Optimal tests are derived for several alternative evolutionary scenarios, including demographic processes (population bottleneck, expansion, contraction) and selective sweeps. Within the same framework, we also derive an optimal general test given a generic evolutionary scenario as a null model. All formulas are relatively simple and can be computed very fast, making it feasible to apply them to genome-wide sequence data. A simulation study showed that, generally, the tests proposed are more consistently powerful than standard tests like Tajima's D. We further illustrate the method with real data from a QTL candidate region in pigs.
Direct Evidence for Postmeiotic Transcription During Drosophila melanogaster Spermatogenesis
Authors: Vibranovski Maria D , Chalopin Domitille S , Lopes Hedibert F , Long Manyuan , Karr Timothy L 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Extensive gene expression during meiosis is a hallmark of spermatogenesis. Although it was generally accepted that RNA transcription ceases during meiosis, recent observations suggest that some transcription occurs in postmeiosis. To further resolve this issue, we provide direct evidence for the de novo transcription of RNA during the postmeiotic phases. These results strengthen the newly emerging notion that postmeiotic transcription is dynamic and integral to the overall process of spermatogenesis.
Reproductive Isolation in Hybrid Mice Due to Spermatogenesis Defects at Three Meiotic Stages
Authors: Oka Ayako , Mita Akihiko , Takada Yuki , Koseki Haruhiko , Shiroishi Toshihiko 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Early in the process of speciation, reproductive failures occur in hybrid animals between genetically diverged populations. The sterile hybrid animals are often males in mammals and they exhibit spermatogenic disruptions, resulting in decreased number and/or malformation of mature sperms. Despite the generality of this phenomenon, comparative study of phenotypes in hybrid males from various crosses has not been done, and therefore the comprehensive genetic basis of the disruption is still elusive. In this study, we characterized the spermatogenic phenotype especially during meiosis in four different cases of reproductive isolation: B6-ChrXMSM, PGN-ChrXMSM, (B6 × Mus musculus musculus-NJL/Ms) F1, and (B6 × Mus spretus) F1. The first two are consomic strains, both bearing the X chromosome of M. m. molossinus; in B6-ChrXMSM, the genetic background is the laboratory strain C57BL/6J (predominantly M. m. domesticus), while in PGN-ChrXMSM the background is the PGN2/Ms strain purely derived from wild M. m. domesticus. The last two cases are F1 hybrids between mouse subspecies or species. Each of the hybrid males exhibited cell-cycle arrest and/or apoptosis at either one or two of three distinct meiotic stages: premeiotic stage, zygotene-to-pachytene stage of prophase I, and metaphase I. This study shows that the sterility in hybrid males is caused by spermatogenic disruptions at multiple stages, suggesting that the responsible genes function in different cellular processes. Furthermore, the stages with disruptions are not correlated with the genetic distance between the respective parental strains.
A Strategy for Direct Mapping and Identification of Mutations by Whole-Genome Sequencing
Authors: Zuryn Steven , Le Gras Stéphanie , Jamet Karine , Jarriault Sophie 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Mutant screens have proven powerful for genetic dissection of a myriad of biological processes, but subsequent identification and isolation of the causative mutations are usually complex and time consuming. We have made the process easier by establishing a novel strategy that employs whole-genome sequencing to simultaneously map and identify mutations without the need for any prior genetic mapping.
Global Genetic Robustness of the Alternative Splicing Machinery in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Li Yang , Breitling Rainer , Snoek L Basten , van der Velde K Joeri , Swertz Morris A , Riksen Joost , Jansen Ritsert C , Kammenga Jan E 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Alternative splicing is considered a major mechanism for creating multicellular diversity from a limited repertoire of genes. Here, we performed the first study of genetic variation controlling alternative splicing patterns by comprehensively identifying quantitative trait loci affecting the differential expression of transcript isoforms in a large recombinant inbred population of Caenorhabditis elegans, using a new generation of whole-genome very-high-density oligonucleotide microarrays. Using 60 experimental lines, we were able to detect 435 genes with substantial heritable variation, of which 36% were regulated at a distance (in trans). Nonetheless, we find only a very small number of examples of heritable variation in alternative splicing (22 transcripts), and most of these genes colocalize with the associated genomic loci. Our findings suggest that the regulatory mechanism of alternative splicing in C. elegans is robust toward genetic variation at the genome-wide scale, which is in striking contrast to earlier observations in humans.
Audit of Orthopaedic Audits in an English Teaching Hospital: Are We Closing the Loop?
Authors: Iqbal H.J , Pidikiti P 
Published: July 2010

Background:
Clinical audit is an important tool to improve patient care and outcomes in health service. A significant proportion of time and economic resources are spent on activities related to clinical audit. Completion of audit cycle is essential to confirm the improvements in healthcare delivery. We aimed this study to evaluate audits carried out within trauma and orthopaedic unit of a teaching hospital over the last 4 years, and establish the proportions which were re-audited as per recommendations.

Methods:
Data was collected from records of the clinical audit department. All orthopaedic audit projects from 2005 to 2009 were included in this study. The projects were divided in to local, regional and national audits. Data regarding audit lead clinicians, completion and presentation of projects, recommendations and re-audits was recorded.

Results:
Out of 61 audits commenced during last four years, 19.7% (12) were abandoned, 72.1% (44) were presented and 8.2 % (5) were still ongoing. The audit cycle was completed in only 29% (13) projects.

Conclusion:
Change of junior doctors every 4~6 months is related to fewer re-audits. Active involvement by supervising consultant, reallocation of the project after one trainee has finished, and full support of audit department may increase the ratio of completion of audit cycles, thereby improving the patient care.
Two Stage Hip Revision in Periprosthetic Infection: Results of 41 Cases
Authors: Pignatti Giovanni , Nitta Shingo , Rani Nicola , Dallari Dante , Sabbioni Giacomo , Stagni Cesare , Giunti Armando 
Published: July 2010

Background:two-stage revision is considered the best treatment approach for the eradication of chronic joint infection. We report the outcome of 41 consecutive patients with infected hip prostheses, treated between 2000 and 2005, with two-stage revision using an antibiotic-loaded cement spacer.Methods:Patients underwent a treatment protocol which included clinical and radiographic evaluation, laboratory investigations, hip aspiration, 99mTc-MDP and 99mTc-leukocyte-labeled scintigraphy and intraoperative assessment. All patients were diagnosed with a late chronic infection and classified as B-host according to the Cierny-Mader classification system. 9 patients out of 41 (22%) required a second interim treatment period, with exchange of the spacer. The proportion of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus was similar between the one-spacer group and two-spacer group (28%vs33%), whereas the proportion of patients with three or more risk factors was significantly higher in the two-spacer group than in the one-spacer group (28%vs55%, respectively).Results:Forty patients had final reimplantation, one patient had a resection arthroplasty. At an average follow-up of 5.3 years no recurrence of infection occurred. The average post-operative Harris hip score improved from 41 to 80.Conclusions:In the treatment of two-stage revision arthroplasty the adherence to the protocol proved to be effective for infection eradication and final reimplantation.
Life Stress and Atherosclerosis: A Pathway through Unhealthy Lifestyle
Authors: Mainous Arch G. , Everett Charles J. , Diaz Vanessa A. , Player Marty S. , Gebregziabher Mulugeta , Smith Daniel W. 
Published: July 2010

Objective: To examine the relationship between a general measure of chronic life stress and atherosclerosis among middle aged adults without clinical cardiovascular disease via pathways through unhealthy lifestyle characteristics. Methods: We conducted an analysis of The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). The MESA collected in 2000 includes 5,773 participants, aged 45–84. We computed standard regression techniques to examine the relationship between life stress and atherosclerosis as well as path analysis with hypothesized paths from stress to atherosclerosis through unhealthy lifestyle. Our outcome was sub-clinical atherosclerosis measured as presence of coronary artery calcification (CAC). Results: A logistic regression adjusted for potential confounding variables along with the unhealthy lifestyle characteristics of smoking, excessive alcohol use, high caloric intake, sedentary lifestyle, and obesity yielded no significant relationship between chronic life stress (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.80–1.08) and CAC. However, significant indirect pathways between chronic life stress and CAC through smoking ( p = .007), and sedentary lifestyle ( p = .03) and caloric intake (.002) through obesity were found. Conclusions: These results suggest that life stress is related to atherosclerosis once paths of unhealthy coping behaviors are considered.