bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
North Australian Sea Surface Temperatures and the El Niño–Southern Oscillation in Observations and Models
Authors: Catto Jennifer L. , Nicholls Neville , Jakob Christian 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Interannual variations in the sea surface temperature (SST) to the north of Australia are strongly linked to variations in Australian climate, including winter rainfall and tropical cyclone numbers. The north Australian SSTs are also closely linked to ENSO and tropical Pacific SSTs, with the relationship exhibiting a strong seasonal cycle. Credible predictions of Australian climate change therefore depend on climate models being able to represent ENSO and its connection to north Australian SSTs, the topic of this study.
First, the observational datasets of the Met Office Hadley Centre Sea Ice and Sea Surface Temperature (HadISST) and the NOAA Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature (ERSST) are used to document the links between the Niño-3.4 index and a north Australian SST index, and the temporal evolution of north Australian SSTs during ENSO events. During austral autumn, the correlation between Niño-3.4 SST and north Australian SST is positive, while in austral spring it is strongly negative. During El Niño events, the north Australian SST anomalies become negative in the austral spring preceding the development of the positive Niño-3.4 SST anomalies.
The coupled models participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 3 (CMIP3) are evaluated in terms of this temporal evolution of Niño-3.4 SST and the relationship to north Australian SST for the twentieth-century simulations. Some of the models perform very well, while some do not capture the seasonal cycle of correlations at all. The way in which these relationships may change in the future is examined using the A2 emissions scenario in those models that do a reasonable job of capturing the present-day observed relationship, and very little change is found.
Effect of autoimmune diseases on risk and survival in histology-specific lung cancer
Authors: Hemminki Kari , Liu Xiangdong , Ji Jianguang , Sundquist Jan , Sundquist Kristina 
Published: February 2012

Patients with autoimmune diseases are at an increased risk of cancer due to underlying dysregulation of the immune system or treatment. Data on cancer incidence, mortality and survival after autoimmune diseases would provide further information on the clinical implications.We systematically analysed data on lung cancer in patients diagnosed with 33 different autoimmune diseases. Standardised incidence ratios (SIRs), standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) and hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated for subsequent incident lung cancers or lung cancer deaths up to 2008 in patients hospitalised for autoimmune disease after 1964.Increased risks of lung cancer were recorded for SIRs after 12 autoimmune diseases, SMRs after 11 autoimmune diseases and HRs after two autoimmune diseases. The highest SIRs and SMRs, respectively, were seen after discoid lupus erythematosus (4.71 and 4.80), polymyosistis/dermatomyositis (4.20 and 4.17), systemic lupus erythematosus (2.47 and 2.69), rheumatic fever (2.07 and 2.07) and systemic sclerosis (2.19 and 1.98). Autoimmune disease did not influence survival overall but some autoimmune diseases appeared to impair survival in small cell carcinoma.All autoimmune diseases that had an SIR >2.0 are known to present with lung manifestations, suggesting that the autoimmune process contributes to lung cancer susceptibility. The data on survival are reassuring that autoimmune diseases do not influence prognosis in lung cancer.
Coordination and resource-related difficulties encountered by Quebec's public health specialists and infectious diseases/medical microbiologists in the management of A (H1N1) - a mixed-method, exploratory survey
Authors: Nhan Charles , Laprise Réjean , Douville-Fradet Monique , Macdonald Mary Ellen , Quach Caroline 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
In Quebec, the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic was managed using a top-down style that left many involved players with critical views and frustrations. We aimed to describe physicians' perceptions - infectious diseases specialists/medical microbiologists (IDMM) and public health/preventive medicine specialists (PHPMS) - in regards to issues encountered with the pandemics management at the physician level and highlight suggested improvements for future healthcare emergencies.

Methods
In April 2010, Quebec IDMM and PHPMS physicians were invited to anonymously complete a web-based learning needs assessment. The survey included both open-ended and multiple-choice questions. Descriptive statistics were used to report on the frequency distribution of multiple choice responses whereas thematic content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data generated from the survey and help understand respondents' experience and perceptions with the pandemics.

Results
Of the 102 respondents, 85.3% reported difficulties or frustrations in their practice during the pandemic. The thematic analysis revealed two core themes describing the problems experienced in the pandemic management: coordination and resource-related difficulties. Coordination issues included communication, clinical practice guidelines, decision-making, roles and responsibilities, epidemiological investigation, and public health expert advisory committees. Resources issues included laboratory resources, patient management, and vaccination process.

Conclusion
Together, the quantitative and qualitative data suggest a need for improved coordination, a better definition of roles and responsibilities, increased use of information technologies, merged communications, and transparency in the decisional process. Increased flexibility and less contradiction in clinical practice guidelines from different sources and increased laboratory/clinical capacity were felt critical to the proper management of infectious disease emergencies.
Rapid glutamate receptor 2 trafficking during retinal degeneration
Authors: Lin Yanhua , Jones Bryan W , Liu Aihua , Vazquéz-Chona Félix R , Lauritzen J Scott , Ferrell W Drew , Marc Robert E 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
Retinal degenerations, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP), are characterized by photoreceptor loss and anomalous remodeling of the surviving retina that corrupts visual processing and poses a barrier to late-stage therapeutic interventions in particular. However, the molecular events associated with retinal remodeling remain largely unknown. Given our prior evidence of ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR) reprogramming in retinal degenerations, we hypothesized that the edited glutamate receptor 2 (GluR2) subunit and its trafficking may be modulated in retinal degenerations.

Results
Adult albino Balb/C mice were exposed to intense light for 24 h to induce light-induced retinal degeneration (LIRD). We found that prior to the onset of photoreceptor loss, protein levels of GluR2 and related trafficking proteins, including glutamate receptor-interacting protein 1 (GRIP1) and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95), were rapidly increased. LIRD triggered neuritogenesis in photoreceptor survival regions, where GluR2 and its trafficking proteins were expressed in the anomalous dendrites. Immunoprecipitation analysis showed interaction between KIF3A and GRIP1 as well as PSD-95, suggesting that KIF3A may mediate transport of GluR2 and its trafficking proteins to the novel dendrites. However, in areas of photoreceptor loss, GluR2 along with its trafficking proteins nearly vanished in retracted retinal neurites.

Conclusions
All together, LIRD rapidly triggers GluR2 plasticity, which is a potential mechanism behind functionally phenotypic revisions of retinal neurons and neuritogenesis during retinal degenerations.
Atacicept in combination with MMF and corticosteroids in lupus nephritis: results of a prematurely terminated trial
Authors: Ginzler Ellen M , Wax Stephen , Rajeswaran Anand , Copt Samuel , Hillson Jan , Ramos Eleanor , Singer Nora G 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Introduction

Atacicept is a soluble, fully human, recombinant fusion protein that inhibits B cell-stimulating factors APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand) and BLyS (B-lymphocyte stimulator). The APRIL- LN study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of atacicept in patients with active lupus nephritis (LN), receiving newly initiated corticosteroids (CS) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF).

Methods

This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II/III, 52-week study. At screening (Day -14), patients initiated high-dose CS (the lesser of 0.8 mg/kg/day or 60 mg/day prednisone) and MMF (1 g daily, increased by 1 g/day each week to 3 g daily). From Day 1, atacicept (150 mg, subcutaneously, twice weekly for 4 weeks, then weekly) was initiated with MMF along with a tapered dose of CS.

Results

The trial was terminated after the enrollment of six patients, due to an unexpected decline in serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and the occurrence of serious infections. Efficacy was thus not evaluated. By Day 1, serum IgG levels had declined substantially in patients then randomized to atacicept (n = 4) compared with placebo (n = 2). Patients receiving atacicept also had more severe proteinuria on Day -14 than those on placebo. Lymphocyte counts were low at screening in all patients. IgG decline continued following initiation (Day 1) of atacicept. Three atacicept-treated patients developed serum IgG below the protocol-defined discontinuation threshold of 3 g/l, two of whom developed serious pneumonia.

Conclusions

Future studies are needed to characterize the safety, efficacy, and pharmacodynamic response of atacicept in LN patients.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00573157
Hydrolysis of Hydroxamic Acid Complexants in the Presence of Non-Oxidizing Metal Ions
Authors: Edwards Scott , Andrieux Fabrice , Boxall Colin , Taylor Robin , Woodhead David 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTSimple Hydroxamic acids (XHAs) are salt free, organic compounds with affinities for hard cations such as Fe3+, Np4+, Pu4+ and have been identified as suitable reagents for the control of Pu and Np in advanced nuclear fuel reprocessing. Building upon previous work on the neptunium(IV)-formohydroxamic(FHA) acid system [1], a model that describes the hydrolysis of the acetohydroxamate moiety has been extended to include hydrolysis of bishydroxamatoneptunium(IV) complex. The model has been used to determine the rate constants for hydrolysis of mono- and bis-acetohydroxamatoneptunium(IV) at 25 °C, which were found to be 1.0×10-5 dm3 mol-1 s-1 and 5.0×10-5 dm3 mol-1 s-1, respectively.
An Atomistic Semiclassical Interpretation of Effective Charge in Electromigration
Authors: Bevan Kirk H. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTElectromigration has gained increased prominence in recent years, as semiconductor device scaling has given way to higher current and power densities in computing interconnects and devices. The conventional understanding of electromigration has remained at an uneasy juncture between the mesoscopic semiclassical and atomistic quantum mechanical regimes. Herein, an “atomistic semiclassical” interpretation of electromigration is presented in an attempt to bridge these two perspectives at the nanoscale.
Dislocation Dynamics Simulations of Junctions in Hexagonal Close-Packed Crystals
Authors: Wu Chi-Chin , Aubry Sylvie , Chung Peter W. , Arsenlis Athanasios 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTThe formation and strength of dislocations in the hexagonal closed-packed material are studied through dislocation junctions and the critical stress required to completely break them. Dislocation dynamics calculations of junctions are compared to an analytical line tension approximation in order to verify the simulations. Results show agreements between the models. Also the critical shear stress necessary to break a short and a long dislocation junction is computed numerically. Unzipping envelopes are mapped out for these junctions to describe their stability regions as functions of resolved shear stresses on the glide planes. The example of two non-coplanar binary dislocation junctions with slip systems [2 -1 -1 0] (0 1 -1 0) and [-1 2 -1 0] (0 0 0 1) corresponding to a prismatic and basal slip respectively is chosen to verify and validate our implementation.
Surface morphology, electrical and optical properties n-type doped MOCVD grown GaSb using dimethyltellurium
Authors: Ramelan Ari Handono , Arifin Pepen , Goldys Ewa 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Dimethyltelluride has been used as a dopant source for GaSb epilayers grown via atmospheric pressure metalorganic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD). It has been observed that the electron concentration (n) is proportional to the Te partial pressure in the vapour phase, until n saturates at high Te partial pressure. Electron concentrations as high as 1.36 × 1018 cm– 3 have been measured with imperfect morphology, and as high as 1.22 × 1018 cm– 3 with excellent, mirror like, morphology. These appear to be the highest electron concentrations reported to date for any MOCVD-growth epitaxial n-type GaSb doped with DMTe and grown at 540 °C with a V/III ratio of 1.4. The absorption spectra of GaSb doped with DMTe show that the heavily doped samples have a less abrupt edge. The absorption coefficient (α) strongly depends on the free carrier concentration. PL spectra of the epilayers are also reported.
Bolivia hoy: rupturas, inercias y desafios
Authors: Stefanoni Pablo 
Published: February 2012

The arrival of Evo Morales to power in January of 2006 –supported with an unprecedent 54% of the votes– marked a milestone in Bolivian political history and opened the way to an ambitious project of re-foundation of the country. Those events were translated in the call for a Constituent Assembly and in the nationalization of hydrocarbons, within the framework of a strong “ruralización de la política”. More than five years of that one triumph has passed and after a re-election with 64% of the votes in December 2009 that consolidated the “evista” hegemonyhas declined. Now the government faces a series of challenges tied to the effective materialization of the change proposed in the re-foundational speeches. This article analyses the novel experience of “Indians in the power” centered in the tension between the changes implemented and the inertias of the past in spheres such as the democratic radicalization, the social equality, the model of development, and the political project. All these themes affected by a powerful, and yet somehow vague objective: the decolonization of the country.
"Without Him the Indians Would Leave and Nothing Would Get Done." The Changing Relationship Between the Caciques and the Audiencia of Charcas Following Francisco de Toledo’s Reforms
Authors: Thornton Jay David 
Published: February 2012

Viceroy Francisco de Toledo’s 16th century population re–concentrations of the indigenous peoples of Charcas (modern day Bolivia) have been widely recognized as the most definitive attempt to transform indigenous Andean society along Iberian lines of settlement and government. While the previously dispersed indigenous populations were resettled into a limited number of urban towns, native tribute obligations elevated, and Castilian forms of municipal government imposed, modern historiography is still debating the precise details of what Toledo’s reforms meant for the indigenous populations of this district. A review of decisions made by the Audiencia of Charcas and the contemporary correspondence of this court’s judges are examined to illustrate how the relationship between the high court and indigenous leaders ―caciques― changed through the period of Toledo’s reforms. This investigation reveals an explicit and previously underappreciated transformation in the political model from one where caciques frequently sought out and received legitimization from the Audiencia ―similar to the model used in the Inca system― to a situation where the caciques understood and utilized the Audiencia less as a partner in power and instead as a forum to be opportunistically used to obtain economic goods and privileges. Using the figure of the cacique as a proxy, this province–wide perspective on the changes engendered to native society by Toledo’s reforms is distinct from but complementary to the several more localized studies on the subject undertaken by other historians. The changes elucidated by these court records and official correspondence suggest the origins of the emergence of indigenous leaders whose skillful use of the colonial legal system would represent a hallmark of indigenous–Spanish relations for the rest of the colonial period.
A comparative study of two polyelectrolyte complexes
Authors: Valdés Oscar , Alexandrova Larissa , Zaldívar Dionisio , Katime Issa 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThis study reports on the synthesis and characterization of interpenetrating polymeric network (IPN) and polyelectrolyte complexes (PEC) produced by ion‐complex formation between natural and synthetic polymer bearing opposed charge. PEC of sodium alginate (NaAlg) and poly(acryloxyethyl‐trimethylammonium chloride‐co‐2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (poly(Q‐co‐H)) were formed by addition of 2.0 wt % sodium alginate solution to 1.5 wt % poly(Q‐co‐H) solution, and by adding the poly(Q‐co‐H) solution to the NaAlg solution under magnetic agitation. The IPN were prepared using the sequential method with three different compositions, in which Q and H monomers were mixed in the 95/5 proportions in presence of NaAlg. The mixture was polymerized at 60°C using potassium persulfate as initiator. The characterizations of scaffolds were investigated by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Isothermal crystallization kinetics of Kevlar fiber‐reinforced wood flour/high‐density polyethylene composites
Authors: Ou Rongxian , Xie Yanjun , Guo Chuigen , Wang Qingwen 
Published: February 2012

AbstractKevlar fiber [KF; poly(p‐phenylene terephthalamide)] can be used as a reinforcing element to improve the mechanical properties of the resulting wood thermoplastic composites. This study was devised to investigate the effects of incorporation of KF on the isothermal crystallization kinetics of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) in the resulting composites using differential scanning calorimetry. Avrami model was applied to describe the isothermal crystallization process, and the fold surface‐free energy was calculated according to the Hoffman–Lauritzen theory. Comparative study of neat HDPE, wood flour/HDPE composite (WPC), virgin KF‐reinforced WPC (KFWPC), and grafted Kevlar fiber (GKF)‐reinforced WPC (GKFWPC) showed that the overall crystallization rate, the activation energy, the equilibrium melting temperature, and the fold surface‐free energy of the WPC were apparently changed due to the addition of KF; the crystallizability exhibited an order of KFWPC > GKFWPC > HDPE > WPC. The incorporation of virgin KF may cause the heterogeneous nucleation to induce a change in the crystal growth of HDPE from the tridimensional to bidimensional or to the mixed patterns. Avrami exponent values of the composites decreased with time, confirming the change of crystallization behavior. This study demonstrates that both the KF and GKF can act as nucleating agents to improve the crystallization rate of HDPE. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Foaming of recycled crosslinked polyethylenes via supercritical decrosslinking reaction
Authors: Kwon Yong Jin , Park Wan Yong , Hong Soon Man , Koo Chong Min 
Published: February 2012

AbstractFoaming of decrosslinked crosslinked polyethylene (DCXLPE) was investigated to assess the feasibility of recycled crosslinked polyethylene for polyolefin foam applications. DCXLPE was recycled from irradiation‐induced crosslinked polyethylene using the supercritical methanol process. As the concentration of crosslinking agents increased, the gel fraction and hardness of the DCXLPE foam sheets increased, while the expansion ratio and cell size decreased. The resulting foam products not only revealed a viable foam structure and properties comparable with those of conventional polyethylene foam from virgin low‐density polyethylene resin but also are expected to open new applications for recycled crosslinked polyolefin via supercritical decrosslinking reaction. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Poly(2‐aminobiphenyl), preparation, characterization, mechanism, and kinetics of the electropolymerization process
Authors: Badawy Waheed A. , Ismail Khaled M. , Khalifa Ziad M. , Medany Shymaa S. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractElectropolymerization of 2‐aminobiphenyl was carried out on glassy carbon, gold, and platinum electrodes, in aqueous–organic solvent mixtures, using a potentiodynamic technique. The choice of organic solvent strongly influences the film formation. In a mixture of 60% acetonitrile and 40% 1.0M HClO4, stable films were obtained. The poly(2‐aminobiphenyl) films were characterized with cyclic voltammetry, where the electrochemical activity of the formed polymer films was investigated in acidic and neutral aqueous solutions containing perchlorates or in potassium ferrocyanide. The prepared films posses a remarkable stability in acidic aqueous solutions and are also stable in some organic solvents. The stability of the polymer films depends on the pH of the solution, and the mechanism of the polymerization process involves deprotonation and head‐to‐tail coupling of oxidized monomers with its oligomeric radical cations. The kinetics of the electropolymerization process was investigated by determining the charge consumed during the electropolymerization as a function of time at different concentrations of the electrolyte components. The electropolymerization process follows first‐order kinetics with respect to the monomer and negative order with respect to HClO4. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Synthesis, characterization, and application of hetarylazo disperse colorants: Preparation and properties of ink‐jet inks with active agents for polyester printing
Authors: Karanikas E. K. , Nikolaidis N. F. , Tsatsaroni E. G. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe synthesis and characterization of two hetarylazo disperse colorants are described. These compounds were used for the preparation of ink‐jet inks with and without active agents for polyester printing. The viscosity, conductivity, surface tension, and pH of these inks were studied over a period of time and discussed with respect to their structure and the active agent content. The particle size and particle size distribution of a representative ink containing a new synthesized hetarylazo compound were measured. All the prepared inks were proved to be suitable for ink‐jet printing in terms of their particle size. Viscosity,surface tension, conductivity, and pH values of all inks, with and without active agent, were monitored over a period of 90 days and were related to the ink stability. The same properties were measured for an ink preparation with a commercial dye for comparison. The inks containing the new synthesized dyes were found to be more advantageous regarding most of the above properties, i.e., surface tension, viscosity, and conductivity. Contrarily pH values of all the preparations were unacceptable for ink‐jet inks. The ink compositions containing the new synthesized compounds were applied by exhaustion (dyed) on polyester fabric. Fastness properties of the dyed polyester samples were excellent to very good in most cases. Color measurements of the dyed fabric were also performed. A qualitative determination of the aroma‐active agent adsorbed on the fiber by the exhaustion method was achieved by the GC‐MS method. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012