bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hydroclimatic changes in a climate‐sensitive tropical region
Authors: Panda Dileep K. , Kumar A. , Singandhupe R. B. , Sahoo N. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTIn this study, the hydroclimatic variables of Orissa, a tropical region in eastern India, and the cyclonic disturbances over the Bay of Bengal were analysed to assess trends and variations using nonparametric statistical procedures. The trend results revealed pronounced warming pattern in the monthly maximum temperatures and cooling pattern in the monthly minimum temperatures for the period 1987–2001. The differential forcing mechanisms of greenhouse gases and aerosols were considered as a reason for the temperature extremes. For the period 1960–2003, significant upward shift was observed in June rainfall, particularly over the region where orography influences the rainfall. This study provides strong evidence suggesting the occurrence of abrupt shifts in the cyclonic disturbances over the Bay of Bengal. For the period 1901–2003, the monsoon depressions and cyclonic storms, which contribute a substantial amount of rainfall in Orissa and central India, exhibited significant downward abrupt shifts during 1971 and 1950, respectively. However, severe cyclonic storms in the post‐monsoon season showed significant upward shift during the 1961–1965 pentad. More cases of non‐significant decreasing trends were observed in the monsoon rainfall for the period 1980–2003 in spite of high inter‐annual variability. These trends may be attributed to the significant downward shift in the monsoon depression from 1983 onwards analysed for the period 1960–2003. Results also show that the observed trends are highly sensitive to the season of analysis and the period of records. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
The characteristics of seasonal‐scale droughts in Australia, 1911–2009
Authors: Gallant Ailie J. E. , Reeder Michael J. , Risbey James S. , Hennessy Kevin J. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTClimatologies and variations in seasonal‐scale droughts in Australia are quantified using four indices representing the characteristics of the lower tails of rainfall and soil moisture distributions. These indices estimate variations in drought frequency, duration and intensity from 1911 to 2009 across Australia and for five large‐scale regions. Since 1911, large interdecadal variations in the characteristics of seasonal‐scale droughts have overlain trends towards less frequent, shorter and less severe droughts across much of Australia, with the strongest trends in northwest Australia. Regional exceptions include increases in seasonal‐scale drought frequency, duration and intensity in areas of southwest and southeast Australia. In parts of the west and southeast of the Murray–Darling Basin, the average duration of seasonal‐scale droughts, defined as successive seasons in drought, statistically significantly increased by between 10 and 69% during the second half of the 20th Century. Averaged across large‐scale regions in southeast and northwest Australia, decades with longer‐lasting and more intense soil moisture‐based seasonal droughts had statistically significantly higher actual evaporation compared with other decades. These were combined with modest rainfall deficits, suggesting that evaporation may be an important process for regulating drought duration or intensity in these regions. However, other hydroclimatic processes that were not assessed here likely also influence soil moisture, making attribution difficult. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Sinus hypoplasia precedes sinus infection in a porcine model of cystic fibrosis
Authors: Chang Eugene H. , Pezzulo Alejandro A. , Meyerholz David K. , Potash Andrea E. , Wallen Tanner J. , Reznikov Leah R. , Sieren Jessica C. , Karp Philip H. , Ernst Sarah , Moninger Thomas O. , Gansemer Nicholas D. , McCray Paul B. , Stoltz David A. , Welsh Michael J. , Zabner Joseph 
Published: June 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:Chronic sinusitis is nearly universal in humans with cystic fibrosis (CF) and is accompanied by sinus hypoplasia (small sinuses). However, whether impaired sinus development is a primary feature of loss of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) or a secondary consequence of chronic infection remains unknown. Our objective was to study the early pathogenesis of sinus disease in CF.Study Design:Animal/basic science research.Methods:Sinus development was studied in a porcine CF model.Results:Porcine sinus epithelia expressed CFTR and exhibited transepithelial anion transport. Disruption of the CFTR gene eliminated both. Sinuses of newborn CF pigs were not infected and showed no evidence of inflammation, yet were hypoplastic at birth. Older CF pigs spontaneously developed sinus disease similar to that seen in humans with CF.Conclusions:These results define a role for CFTR in sinus development and suggest the potential of the CF pig as a genetic model of CF‐sinus disease in which to test therapeutic strategies to minimize sinus‐related CF morbidity.
Effect of laser textured dimples on the lubrication performance of cylinder liner in diesel engine
Authors: Yin Bifeng , Li Xiaodong , Fu Yonghong , Yun Wang 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTLaser surface texturing (LST) technique was utilised on a cylinder liner in a diesel engine. In order to analyse the effect of LST micro‐dimples on the lubrication and friction properties of cylinder liner–piston ring (CL–PR), we developed a new mixed lubrication model on the basis of the average Reynolds equation and asperity contacts equation. The model can consider the coupling effects between the surface roughness of non‐texturing regions and micro‐dimples and the synergistic effects of multi‐micro‐dimples. The results show that cylinder liner surface by LST can form effective hydrodynamic lubrication effect in most regions of the strokes, only near the dead points, the friction pair is in mixed lubrication state, asperity contact plays a major role in balancing the external load and the asperity friction force is obvious. The micro‐dimple parameters were optimised to obtain a better lubrication effect with the following optimised results: rp = 30–60 µm, Sp = 0.2–0.4 and e = 0.03–0.1. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adhesion and tribological property of Cu nanoparticles‐doped hydrophobic polyelectrolyte multilayers
Authors: Yang Guangbin , Chen Xinhua , Zhang Zhanming , Song Shiyong , Yu Laigui , Zhang Pingyu 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTHydrophobic polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) doped with Cu nanoparticles and modified with fluoroalkylsilane were prepared by a series of reaction cycles, where the polyelectrolyte multilayers were constructed by alternate pipetting of the solutions of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) and poly(sodium 4‐styrene sulfonate) onto a spinning substrate (quartz slide or silicon wafer), and resultant PEMs‐coated substrate was immersed in Cu2+ and NaBH4 solutions to allow nucleation of Cu nanoparticles. The relationship between the water wettability and tribological behavior of the as‐prepared hydrophobic PEMs was studied. Results show that the wettability of the hydrophobic PEMs can be controlled by properly adjusting the reaction cycle. The adhesion and tribological behavior of the Cu nanoparticles‐doped hydrophobic PEMs, excluding the one obtained at 12 reaction cycles, are closely related to their wettability. That is, the PEM film with stronger hydrophobicity has a lower surface energy, showing a lower friction and longer anti‐wear life. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tribological properties of non‐ferrous coating lubricated with rapeseed oil containing lubricant additives
Authors: Feng Xin , Xia Yanqiu 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTWith the increasing requirements of environmental protection, using lead, hexavalent chromium and other heavy metals will be prohibited in different surface coatings. In this paper, the non‐ferrous CrN coatings and the rapeseed oil were chosen as friction pair and biodegradable lubricant. The tribology properties were investigated using SRV‐IV reciprocating friction wear test. The worn surface of CrN coatings was observed and analysed using scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results indicate that the rapeseed oil containing 1 wt.% MoZn (MoDTC (molybdenum dithiocarbamate) + ZnDTP (zinc dithiophosphate) (1 : 3)) exhibits better friction‐reducing properties than the rapeseed oil containing 1 wt.% PN (an amine salt of an alkoxylphosphate) additives, whereas the rapeseed oil containing 1 wt.% PN additive exhibits better wear resistance properties than the rapeseed oil containing 1 wt.% MoZn additives. This is partly attributed to the tribophysical and tribochemical reactions between the lubricant and the CrN coating sliding surfaces. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biocompatible Poly(L‐lactide)/MWCNT Nanocomposites: Morphological Characterization, Electrical Properties, and Stem Cell Interaction
Authors: Lizundia Erlantz , Sarasua Jòsè Ramon , D'Angelo Francesco , Orlacchio Aldo , Martino Sabata , Kenny Josè Maria , Armentano Ilaria 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe promising perspectives of PLLA‐based nanostructured biomaterials and their relevance in tissue engineering are reported. Nanocomposites based on PLLA and MWCNTs are developed with an MWCNT content ranging from 0 to 3 wt%. The electrical properties show a percolation threshold within a range of 0.21–0.33 wt% MWCNTs, and the conductivity increases by six orders of magnitude. The surface structure shows changes with the carbon nanotube concentration. The functional role of MWCNTs incorporation in terms of interactions with adult stem cells suggests that PLLA/MWCNT nanocomposites are suitable substrates for primary stem cell culture.magnified image
Cellular Interactions of a Water‐Soluble Supramolecular Polymer Complex of Carbon Nanotubes with Human Epithelial Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cells
Authors: Lee Yeonju , Geckeler Kurt E. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractWater‐soluble, PAX‐loaded carbon nanotubes are fabricated by employing a synthetic polyampholyte, PDM. To investigate the suitability of the polyampholyte and the nanotubes as drug carriers, different cellular interactions such as the human epithelial Caco‐2 cells viability, their effect on the cell growth, and the change in the transepithelial electrical resistance in Caco‐2 cells are studied. The resulting complex is found to exhibit an effective anti‐cancer effect against colon cancer cells and an increased the reduction of the electrical resistance in the Caco‐2 cells when compared to the precursor PAX. magnified image
One‐Step Approach for the Preparation of Organic‐Inorganic Janus‐Like Particles by Alkalization of Polystyrene‐block‐Poly(2‐vinylpyridine)/FeCl3Complex Micelles
Authors: Fu Xiaoning , Song Lianlian , Liu Jun , Li Xue , Zhang Xiaokai , Jia Yuxi 
Published: June 2012

AbstractA novel approach to organic‐inorganic Janus‐like particles based on the alkalization process of polystyrene‐block‐poly(2‐vinylpyridine) (PS‐b‐P2VP) micelles containing FeCl3precursors in the P2VP cores in toluene is presented. It is found that by addition of a small amount of NaOH solution to a solution of the spherical PS‐b‐P2VP/FeCl3micelles, organic‐inorganic Janus‐like particles with a produced α‐FeOOH domain on one side and PS‐b‐P2VP block copolymers on the other can be prepared. The Janus‐like nanoparticles obtained by this facile approach may have potential application in biomedical areas.
Impaired self‐awareness of motor deficits in Parkinson's disease: Association with motor asymmetry and motor phenotypes
Authors: Maier Franziska , Prigatano George P. , Kalbe Elke , Barbe Michael T. , Eggers Carsten , Lewis Catharine J. , Burns Richard S. , Morrone‐Strupinsky Jeannine , Moguel‐Cobos Guillermo , Fink Gereon R. , Timmermann Lars 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackground:This study investigated impaired self‐awareness of motor deficits in nondemented, nondepressed Parkinson's disease (PD) patients during a defined clinical on state.Methods:Twenty‐eight PD patients were examined. Patients' self‐ratings and experts' ratings of patients' motor performance were compared. Patient–examiner discrepancies and level of impairment determined severity of impaired self‐awareness. Motor exam assessed overall motor functioning, hemibody impairment, and 4 motor phenotypes. Neuropsychological tests were also conducted.Results:Signs of impaired self‐awareness were present in 17 patients (60.7%). Higher severity of impaired self‐awareness correlated significantly with higher postural‐instability and gait‐difficulty off scores (r = .575; P = .001), overall motor off scores (r = .569; P = .002), and higher left hemibody off scores (r = .490; P = .008). In multiple linear regression analyses, higher postural‐instability and gait‐difficulty off scores remained as the only significant predictor of impaired self‐awareness severity.Conclusions:Postural instability and gait difficulties, disease severity, and right hemisphere dysfunction seem to contribute to impaired self‐awareness. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
A new nerve coaptation technique using a biodegradable honeycomb‐patterned film
Authors: Okui Nobuyuki , Yamamoto Michiro , Fukuhira Yukako , Kaneko Hiroaki , Hirata Hitoshi 
Published: June 2012

AbstractWe developed a biodegradable poly‐lactide (PLA) film with a honeycomb‐patterned porous structure (honeycomb film). This study investigated the use of this film in neurorrhaphy. Three types of PLA film were tested following bilateral sciatic nerve transection and neurorrhaphy in 35 rats: 7‐ and 10‐μm thick honeycomb films, and cast film with no porous structures. Initially, following two‐stitch neurorrhaphy, 40 limbs (20 rats) underwent wrapping in 7‐ or 10‐μm honeycomb film, cast film, no wrapping, or extra two‐stitch neurorrhaphy (8 limbs each). Breaking strength was tested 2 days postoperatively. Another 30 limbs (15 rats) then underwent wrapping in 7‐ or 10‐μm honeycomb film, cast film, no wrapping, or sham operation (six limbs each). Histological and functional analyses were performed 6 weeks postoperatively. Breaking strength was significantly higher for the 10‐μm honeycomb film than for no wrapping (P = 0.013), although no significant difference was observed between the 7‐μm honeycomb and no wrapping (P = 0.085). Breaking strength for the cast film was almost equal to that for no wrapping (P = 0.994). Extra two‐stitch (four‐stitch) neurorrhaphy was significantly stronger than all groups, except the 10‐μm honeycomb group. No significant difference was observed between the 10‐μm honeycomb and the four‐stitch (P = 0.497). No negative effects on functional recovery were identified. No adhesions or inflammation were observed between the film and surrounding tissues in the honeycomb groups. Honeycomb film may offer a suitable reinforcing material for adhesion‐free neurorrhaphy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 2012.
Prognostic scoring system for peripheral nerve repair in the upper extremity
Authors: Galanakos Spyridon P. , Zoubos Aristides B. , Mourouzis Iordanis , Ignatiadis Ioannis , Bot Arjan G.J. , Soucacos Panayotis N. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractSo far, predictive models with individualized estimates of prognosis for patients with peripheral nerve injuries are lacking. Our group has previously shown the prognostic value of a standardized scoring system by examining the functional outcome after acute, sharp complete laceration and repair of median and/or ulnar nerves at various levels in the forearm. In the present study, we further explore the potential mathematical model in order to devise an effective prognostic scoring system. We retrospectively collected medical record data of 73 cases with a peripheral nerve injury in the upper extremity in order to estimate which patients would return to work, and what time was necessary to return to the pre‐injury work. Postoperative assessment followed the protocol described by Rosén and Lundborg. We found that return to pre‐injury work can be predicted with high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (95%) using the total numerical score of the Rosén and Lundborg protocol at the third follow‐up interval (TS3) as well as the difference between the TS3 and the total score at second follow‐up interval (TS2). In addition, the factors age and type of injured nerve (median, ulnar, or combined) can determine the time of return to work based on a mathematical model. This prognostic protocol can be a useful tool to provide information about the functional and social prospects of the patients with these types of injuries. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2013.
On the essential spectrum of quantum waveguides
Authors: Rabinovich V.S. , Castillo‐Pérez R. , Urbano‐Altamirano F. 
Published: June 2012

The main aim of the paper is the study of essential spectra of electromagnetic Schrödinger operators with variable potentials in cylindric domains , where is a bounded domain with a smooth boundary provided by admissible boundary conditions. Applying the limit operators method, we obtain explicit estimates of the essential spectrum for a wide class of quantum waveguides.We also consider a numerical example of calculations of the discrete spectrum of horizontally stratified quantum waveguides applying a method of the decomposition of solutions of spectral problems for one‐dimensional Schrödinger operators as a power series with respect to the spectral parameter. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Taurine is a liver X receptor‐α ligand and activates transcription of key genes in the reverse cholesterol transport without inducing hepatic lipogenesis
Authors: Hoang Minh‐Hien , Jia Yaoyao , Jun Hee‐jin , Lee Ji Hae , Hwang Kwang‐Yeon , Choi Dal‐Woong , Um Soo‐Jong , Lee Boo‐Yong , You Sang‐Guan , Lee Sung‐Joon 
Published: June 2012

ScopeTaurine, which is abundant in seafood, has antiatherogenic activities in both animals and humans; however, its molecular target has been elusive. We examined whether taurine could activate liver X receptor‐α (LXR‐α), a critical transcription factor in the regulation of reverse cholesterol transport in macrophages.Methods and resultsTaurine bound directly to LXR‐α in a reporter gene assay, time‐resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis, and limited protease digestion experiment. Macrophage cells incubated with taurine showed reduced cellular cholesterol and induced medium cholesterol in a dose‐dependent manner with the induction of ATP‐binding cassette transporter A1 and G gene and protein expression. In hepatocytes, taurine significantly induced Insig‐2a levels and delayed nuclear translocation of the sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1 (SREBP‐1) protein, resulting in a dose‐dependent reduction in the cellular lipid levels without inducing the expression of fatty acid synthesis genes.ConclusionTaurine is a direct LXR‐α ligand, represses cholesterol accumulation, and modulates the expression of genes involved in reverse cholesterol transport in macrophages, without inducing hepatic lipogenesis. The induction of Insig‐2a suppressed the nuclear translocation of SREBP‐1c.
In vitro and in vivo structure and activity relationship analysis of polymethoxylated flavonoids: Identifying sinensetin as a novel antiangiogenesis agent
Authors: Lam In Kei , Alex Deepa , Wang You‐Hua , Liu Ping , Liu Ai‐Lin , Du Guan‐Hua , Yuen Lee Simon Ming 
Published: June 2012

ScopePolymethoxylated flavonoids are present in citrus fruit in a range of chemical structures and abundance. These compounds have potential for anticarcinogenesis, antitumor, and cardiovascular protective activity, but the effect on angiogenesis has not been well studied.Methods and resultsHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro and zebrafish (Danio rerio) in vivo models were used to screen and identify the antiangiogenesis activity of seven polymethoxylated flavonoids; namely, hesperetin, naringin, neohesperidin, nobiletin, scutellarein, scutellarein tetramethylether, and sinensetin. Five, excluding naringin and neohesperidin, showed different degrees of potency of antiangiogenesis activity. Sinensetin, which had the most potent antiangiogenesis activity and the lowest toxicity, inhibited angiogenesis by inducing cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase in HUVEC culture and downregulating the mRNA expressions of angiogenesis genes flt1, kdrl, and hras in zebrafish.ConclusionThe in vivo structure–activity relationship (SAR) analysis indicated that a flavonoid with a methoxylated group at the C3′ position offers a stronger antiangiogenesis activity, whereas the absence of a methoxylated group at the C8 position offers lower lethal toxicity in addition to enhancing the antiangiogenesis activity. This study provides new insight into how modification of the chemical structure of polymethoxylated flavonoids affects this newly identified antiangiogenesis activity.
Vitamin E decreases extra‐hepatic menaquinone‐4 concentrations in rats fed menadione or phylloquinone
Authors: Farley Sherry M. , Leonard Scott W. , Labut Edwin M. , Raines Hannah F. , Card David J. , Harrington Dominic J. , Mustacich Debbie J. , Traber Maret G. 
Published: June 2012

ScopeThe mechanism for increased bleeding and decreased vitamin K status accompanying vitamin E supplementation is unknown. We hypothesized that elevated hepatic α‐tocopherol (α‐T) concentrations may stimulate vitamin K metabolism and excretion. Furthermore, α‐T may interfere with the side chain removal of phylloquinone (PK) to form menadione (MN) as an intermediate for synthesis of tissue‐specific menaquinone‐4 (MK‐4).Methods and resultsIn order to investigate these hypotheses, rats were fed phylloquinone (PK) or menadione (MN) containing diets (2 μmol/kg) for 2.5 weeks. From day 10, rats were given daily subcutaneous injections of either α‐T (100 mg/kg) or vehicle and were sacrificed 24 h after the seventh injection. Irrespective of diet, α‐T injections decreased MK‐4 concentrations in brain, lung, kidney, and heart; and PK in lung. These decreases were not accompanied by increased excretion of urinary 5C‐ or 7C‐aglycone vitamin K metabolites, however, the urinary α‐T metabolite (α‐CEHC) increased ≥100‐fold. Moreover, α‐T increases were accompanied by downregulation of hepatic cytochrome P450 expression and modified expression of tissue ATP‐binding cassette transporters.ConclusionThus, in rats, high tissue α‐T depleted tissue MK‐4 without significantly increasing urinary vitamin K metabolite excretion. Changes in tissue MK‐4 and PK levels may be a result of altered regulation of transporters.
Low power consumption thermo‐optic switch based on DR1/PMMA
Authors: Cao Zijian , Yan Yunfei , Meng Jie , Jin Lin , Zhang Daming 
Published: June 2012

AbstractA new kind of thermo‐optic switch based on DR1/PMMA is proposed. This material has good cost‐performance, large thermo‐optic coefficient, and other advantages for electro‐optic devices because of the nonlinear chromophore DR1. Based on Mach‐Zehnder interferometer, this switch adopts the square waveguide structure and polymer silica hybrid configuration to adjust the optical field distribution for more thermo‐optic operation efficiency. A coplanar waveguide heater ensures the high frequency response of electrode and the ground electrode as a heat sink can prevent the thermo power accumulated. The total length of the device is 3.5 cm including the 1.5‐cm heater. The test results show that the extinction ratio is 21 dB, and the power consumption is less than 13 mW. The measured switching time is less than 0.9 ms. This work provides foundation for design and fabrication of electro‐optic and thermo‐optic hybrid integrated devices. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:2163–2165, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26996