bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantifying the concentration of crude oil microdroplets in oil–water preparations
Authors: Redman Aaron D. , McGrath Joy A. , Stubblefield William A. , Maki Al W. , Di Toro Dominic M. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Dissolved constituents of crude oil, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), can contribute substantially to the toxicity of aquatic organisms. Measured aqueous concentrations of high–molecular weight PAHs (e.g., chrysenes, benzo[a]pyrene) as well as long-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons can exceed the theoretical solubility of these sparingly soluble compounds. This is attributed to the presence of a “microdroplet” or colloidal oil phase. It is important to be able to quantify the dissolved fraction of these compounds in oil-in-water preparations that are commonly used in toxicity assays because the interpretation of test results often assumes that the compounds are dissolved. A method is presented to determine the microdroplet contribution in crude oil-in-water preparations using a comparison of predicted and measured aqueous concentrations. Measured concentrations are reproduced in the model by including both microdroplets and dissolved constituents of petroleum hydrocarbons. Microdroplets were found in all oil–water preparation data sets analyzed. Estimated microdroplet oil concentrations typically ranged from 10 to 700 µg oil/L water. The fraction of dissolved individual petroleum hydrocarbons ranges from 1.0 for highly soluble compounds (e.g., benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) to far less than 0.1 for sparingly soluble compounds (e.g., chrysenes) depending on the microdroplet oil concentration. The presence of these microdroplets complicates the interpretation of toxicity test data because they may exert an additional toxic effect due to a change in the exposure profile. The implications of the droplet model on toxicity are also discussed in terms of both dissolved hydrocarbons and microdroplets. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012; 31: 1814–1822. © 2012 SETAC
Temporal development of sesquiterpene hydrocarbon profiles of different grape varieties during ripening
Authors: May Bianca , Wüst Matthias 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTTo investigate the profiles of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons in grape berries at different developmental stages several cultivars of Vitis vinifera (Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Yellow Muscat, Shiraz, Lemberger, Cabernet Sauvignon) were analysed during ripening. Therefore, HS‐SPME‐GC‐MS measurements were performed with intact grape berries. The measurements demonstrated that grapes emit numerous sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and that the sesquiterpene profile exhibits a characteristic profile, depending on the variety and the developmental stage. In particular, bicylic sesquiterpenes with a cadinane backbone increased during ripening, while acyclic sesquiterpenes such as (E,E)‐α‐farnesene decreased, except for Gewürztraminer which shows increasing amounts of acyclic sesquiterpenes towards harvest. Furthermore, the profiles of the emitted sesquiterpenes differed significantly. In particular, Gewürztraminer possessed remarkably high amounts of (E,E)‐α‐farnesene, (3E,6Z)‐α‐farnesene and (E,E)‐methylfarnesoate, while the sesquiterpene profiles of Riesling, Lemberger, Shiraz and Yellow Muscat were dominated by bi‐ and polycyclic sesquiterpenes. Cabernet Sauvignon showed only minor profile changes during ripening and its comparatively low sesquiterpene hydrocarbon amounts were dominated by (E)‐β‐caryophyllene, α‐humulene and an unidentified sesquiterpene. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification analysis identifies a deleterious PMS2 allele generated by recombination with crossover between PMS2 and PMS2CL
Authors: Wernstedt Annekatrin , Valtorta Emanuele , Armelao Franco , Togni Roberto , Girlando Salvatore , Baudis Michael , Heinimann Karl , Messiaen Ludwine , Staehli Noemie , Zschocke Johannes , Marra Giancarlo , Wimmer Katharina 
Published: May 2012

AbstractHeterozygous PMS2 germline mutations are associated with Lynch syndrome. Up to one third of these mutations are genomic deletions. Their detection is complicated by a pseudogene (PMS2CL), which – owing to extensive interparalog sequence exchange – closely resembles PMS2 downstream of exon 12. A recently redesigned multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) assay identifies PMS2 copy number alterations with improved reliability when used with reference DNAs containing equal numbers of PMS2‐ and PMS2CL‐specific sequences. We selected eight such reference samples – all publicly available – and used them with this assay to study 13 patients with PMS2‐defective colorectal tumors. Three presented deleterious alterations: an Alu‐mediated exon deletion; a 125‐kb deletion encompassing PMS2 and four additional genes (two with tumor‐suppressing functions); and a novel deleterious hybrid PMS2 allele produced by recombination with crossover between PMS2 and PMS2CL, with the breakpoint in intron 10 (the most 5′ breakpoint of its kind reported thus far). We discuss mechanisms that might generate this allele in different chromosomal configurations (and their diagnostic implications) and describe an allele‐specific PCR assay that facilitates its detection. Our data indicate that the redesigned PMS2 MLPA assay is a valid first‐line option. In our series, it identified roughly a quarter of all PMS2 mutations. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Astrocytic regulation of glutamate homeostasis in epilepsy
Authors: Coulter Douglas A. , Eid Tore 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAstrocytes play a critical role in regulation of extracellular neurotransmitter levels in the central nervous system. This function is particularly prominent for the excitatory amino acid glutamate, with estimates that 80–90% of extracellular glutamate uptake in brain is through astrocytic glutamate transporters. This uptake has significance both in regulation of the potential toxic accumulation of extracellular glutamate and in normal resupply of inhibitory and excitatory synapses with neurotransmitter. This resupply of neurotransmitter is accomplished by astroglial uptake of glutamate, transformation of glutamate to glutamine by the astrocytic enzyme glutamine synthetase (GS), and shuttling of glutamine back to excitatory and inhibitory neurons via specialized transporters. Once in neurons, glutamine is enzymatically converted back to glutamate, which is utilized for synaptic transmission, either directly, or following decarboxylation to γ‐aminobutyric acid. Many neurologic and psychiatric conditions, particularly epilepsy, are accompanied by the development of reactive gliosis, a pathology characterized by anatomical and biochemical plasticity in astrocytes, accompanied by proliferation of these cells. Among the biochemical changes evident in reactive astrocytes is a downregulation of several of the important regulators of the glutamine–glutamate cycle, including GS, and possibly also glutamate transporters. This downregulation may have significance in contributing both to the aberrant excitability and to the altered neuropathology characterizing epilepsy. In the present review, we provide an overview of the normal function of astrocytes in regulating extracellular glutamate homeostasis, neurotransmitter supply, and excitotoxicity. We further discuss the potential role reactive gliosis may play in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ATP and noradrenaline activate CREB in astrocytes via noncanonical Ca2+ and cyclic AMP independent pathways
Authors: Carriba Paulina , Pardo Luis , Parra‐Damas Arnaldo , Lichtenstein Mathieu P. , Saura Carlos A. , Pujol Aurora , Masgrau Roser , Galea Elena 
Published: May 2012

AbstractIn neurons, it is well established that CREB contributes to learning and memory by orchestrating the translation of experience into the activity‐dependent (i.e., driven by neurotransmitters) transcription of plasticity‐related genes. The activity‐dependent CREB‐triggered transcription requires the concerted action of cyclic AMP/protein kinase A and Ca2+/calcineurin via the CREB‐regulated transcription co‐activator (CRTC). It is not known, however, whether a comparable molecular sequence occurs in astrocytes, despite the unquestionable contribution of these cells to brain plasticity. Here we sought to determine whether and how ATP and noradrenaline cause CREB‐dependent transcription in rat cortical astrocyte cultures. Both transmitters induced CREB phosphorylation (Western Blots), CREB‐dependent transcription (CRE‐luciferase reporter assays), and the transcription of Bdnf, a canonical regulator of synaptic plasticity (quantitative RT‐PCR). We indentified a Ca2+ and diacylglycerol‐independent protein kinase C at the uppermost position of the cascade leading to CREB‐dependent transcription. Notably, CREB‐dependent transcription was partially dependent on ERK1/2 and CRTC, but independent of cyclic AMP/protein kinase A or Ca2+/calcineurin. We conclude that ATP and noradrenaline activate CREB‐dependent transcription in cortical astrocytes via an atypical protein kinase C. It is of relevance that the signaling involved be starkly different to the one described in neurons since there is no convergence of Ca2+ and cyclic AMP‐dependent pathways on CRTC, which, moreover, exerts a modulatory rather than a central role. Our data thus point to the existence of an alternative, non‐neuronal, glia‐based role of CREB in plasticity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Retracted: Ergonomic Techniques for a Mobile E‐Invoice System: Operational Requirements of an Information Management System
Authors: Chang Chin‐Jui , Kuo Huai‐Chien , Chen Chen‐Yuan , Chen Tsung‐Hao , Chung Pei‐Yin 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe newly developed marketing channel of electronic commerce (EC) is different from traditional channels and has been promoted by the government for a period of time. In EC, integrated information is not only provided to the enterprises involved but the procedures needed for trade are fewer, promoting environmentally friendly practices. It has, however, caused great variation in the business environment. The e‐invoice plays a vital role in keeping track of cash and business information, and its implementation will help to convert the whole supply chain to electronic form and lower overall operational costs. At present, e‐invoices are only used in certain situations such as for online shopping, for electronic purchases by suppliers, in value‐added networks, and so on. They are not applied in daily life or used by the public. However, a mobile e‐invoice system can be designed to connect the e‐invoice to the Web for the ordinary user. In this era of the mobile interactive Internet use, where individual computers interact with one another, this will help in the application of many kinds of network and real‐life services. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Coordinating multi‐level cognitive assistance and incorporating dynamic confidence information in driver‐vehicle interfaces
Authors: Cai Hua , Lin Yingzi , Cheng Bo 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAutomation technologies have now been widely introduced into many aspects of human–machine collaboration. Most automated systems, however, are still far from perfect in performing assistive duties for their operators. This situation can lead to chaotic assistance, which can easily cause cognitive confusion and performance degradation among operators. This article discusses how to coordinate multiple types of assistance that have different levels of cognitive intrusiveness. To improve the cognitive adaptability of operators, dynamic confidence information is presented on the interactive interface to indicate the likelihood of the correctness of such assistance. Multiple types of assistance are then presented at different moments to match human‐cognitive‐processing stages and eventually to attain a coordinated status. In a car‐following driving experiment, the drivers' responses to multiple types of assistance with dynamic confidence information were investigated. The coordinated assistance successfully enhanced the drivers' driving performance and the human–machine relationship. This method can be further generalized to improve human–machine collaboration in many industrial automation systems that still require human operators. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Describing service systems
Authors: Glushko Robert J. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThere are many different normative frameworks for describing service systems that take a distinct conceptual perspective. They emphasize the physical arrangement or topology, the functions or processes, the chronology of experience, the causality of value creation, the flow of information or people, or other characteristics. These frameworks are deeply embedded in service system research and design practice, but we have not known how useful or natural they are. University students new to service science concepts described a service system they all used—the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system. They identified and categorized the services they encountered or that were involved when they used BART and then created diagrams to depict the system. There was substantial variation in how students described BART in terms of scope, overall number of services, and their granularity. There was also great diversity in the classification of services and in the diagrams or other representations students created. Since most students had little exposure to normative frameworks for describing service systems, their diagrams were often hybrids of different frameworks. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The human side of organizational change: Compliance and management control systems in Italian public utilities
Authors: Mangia Gianluigi , Iacono Mario Pezzillo , Canonico Paolo , Martinez Marcello , Mercurio Riccardo 
Published: May 2012

AbstractDeparting from a neo‐institutional framework, this article investigates the role and the importance of Management Control Systems (MCS) used by the Italian local public transport and electricity supply utilities in governing the processes of organizational change that occurred in the last decade. The role of MCS in the implementation of business strategy and organizational change represents a recurrent topic in literature. Nevertheless, only a few studies have covered until now the relationship between MCS and change processes. Our empirical analysis has surveyed overall 185 local public utilities. We analyzed the way in which management has adopted MCS, as well as the outcome of the implementation of organizational change. Our study confirms that organizational change processes are carried out with the purpose of obtaining institutional legitimacy, deploying behavioral control mechanisms, such as incentives and empowerment. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The study of laminar convective heat transfer of CuO/water nanofluid through an equilateral triangular duct at constant wall heat flux
Authors: Edalati Z. , Zeinali Heris S. , Noie S.H. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe present paper focuses on the heat transfer of an equilateral triangular duct by employing the CuO/water nanofluid in a laminar flow and under constant heat flux condition. The triangular ducts were used due to their ease of creation and high compaction. They have less pressure drop when compared to the circular and non‐circular ducts and their other attributes are very useful in industrial applications. These reasons cause their heat transfer characteristics to be very important. In this paper, to improve the heat transfer of an equilateral triangular duct, a CuO/water nanofluid was employed. The nanofluid was conducted through an equilateral triangular duct with a constant wall heat flux. Results show that the experimental heat transfer coefficient of the CuO/water nanofluid is more than that of distilled water. Also, the experimental heat transfer coefficient of a CuO/water nanofluid is greater than the theoretical one. The heat transfer enhancement of the equilateral triangular duct increases with the nanofluid volume concentration as well as the Peclet number. So a 41% enhancement in the convective heat transfer coefficient for a 0.8% CuO/water nanofluid can be seen when compared to pure water. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.21011
HIF1A induces expression of the WASF3 metastasis‐associated gene under hypoxic conditions
Authors: Ghoshal Pushpankur , Teng Yong , Lesoon Leslie Ann , Cowell John K. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe WASF3 (WAVE3) gene is an important mediator of cell motility, invasion and metastasis and is expressed at high levels in some advanced stage tumors. In our survey of breast cancer cells, we now demonstrate that exposure to hypoxic conditions increases WASF3 expression levels in MDA231, SKBR3 and MCF7 cells. The WASF3 promoter region contains HIF1A response elements (HRE). ChIP assays demonstrate that HIF1A binds to these HRE elements in the promoter region, and luciferase reporter assays using the WASF3 gene minimal promoter shows that hypoxia results in its upregulation. Phosphorylation of WASF3 is required for its ability to affect invasion and increased phosphoactivation of WASF3 is also seen in cells challenged with hypoxia. These cells also show increased motility in the scratch wound assay. Cells in which WASF3 has been knocked down show no response to hypoxia as expected, implicating the specificity of the hypoxic response to WASF3. Overall, these experiments demonstrate WASF3 is a HIF1A‐regulated gene and suggests a mechanism to explain the observation of elevated expression of WASF3 in advanced stage tumors.
Blood Glucose Determination: Plasma or Serum?
Authors: Frank Elizebeth A. , Shubha M.C. , D'Souza Cletus J. M. 
Published: May 2012

BackgroundBlood glucose determination is one of the most common clinical diagnostic tests. Often, blood is collected in a field station and analysis is carried out in a remote laboratory. Because blood cells can continue to metabolize glucose, the time of determination of blood glucose after drawing the blood is important.MethodIn order to test the relative suitability of plasma and serum for blood glucose determination, fluoride plasma and Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic acid (EDTA) plasma were compared with the serum of the same patient. The analyses were carried out within 10 min of drawing the blood and, thereafter, with a gap of 4 hr and 8 hr.ResultsSerum gave values lower than fluoride plasma by 1.15%. Although this difference was statistically significant, it may not be physiologically relevant. Hence, serum may be used for blood glucose determination with an error of 1.15%. On storing the sample at room temperature for 8 hr, the serum glucose value decreased by 8%. Even fluoride plasma had 4.3% lower glucose.ConclusionHence, blood glucose should be determined within as short a time as possible after drawing the blood. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 26:317‐320, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thermal Tolerance of the Invasive Belonesox belizanus, Pike Killifish, Throughout Ontogeny
Authors: KERFOOT, JR. JAMES ROY 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTThe goal of this study was to characterize the variability of thermal tolerances between life‐history stages of the invasive Belonesox belizanus and attempt to describe the most likely stage of dispersal across south Florida. In the laboratory, individuals were acclimated to three temperatures (20, 25, or 30°C). Upper and lower lethal thermal limits and temperatures at which feeding ceased were measured for neonates, juveniles, and adults. Thermal tolerance polygons were developed to represent the thermal tolerance range of each life‐history stage. Results indicated that across acclimation temperatures upper lethal thermal limits were similar for all three stages (38°C). However, minimum lethal thermal limits were significantly different at the 30°C acclimation temperature, where juveniles (9°C) had an approximately 2.0°C and 4.0°C lower minimum lethal thermal limit compared with adults and neonates, respectively. According to thermal tolerance polygons, juveniles had an average tolerance polygonal area almost 20°C2 larger than adults, indicating the greatest thermal tolerance of the three life‐history stages. Variation in cessation of feeding temperatures indicated no significant difference between juveniles and adults. Overall, results of this study imply that juvenile B. belizanus may be equipped with the physiological flexibility to exercise habitat choice and reduce potential intraspecific competition with adults for limited food resources. Given its continued dispersal, the minimum thermal limit of juveniles may aid in continued dispersal of this species, especially during average winter temperatures throughout Florida where juveniles could act to preserve remnant populations until seasonal temperatures increase. J. Exp. Zool.317:266–274, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
EF‐Hand Proteins and the Regulation of Actin‐Myosin Interaction in the Eutardigrade Hypsibius klebelsbergi (Tardigrada)
Authors: PRASATH THIRUKETHEESWARAN , GREVEN HARTMUT , D'HAESE JOCHEN 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTMany tardigrade species resist harsh environmental conditions by entering anhydrobiosis or cryobiosis. Desiccation as well as freeze resistance probably leads to changes of the ionic balance that includes the intracellular calcium concentration. In order to search for protein modifications affecting the calcium homoeostasis, we studied the regulatory system controlling actin–myosin interaction of the eutardigrade Hypsibius klebelsbergi and identified full‐length cDNA clones for troponin C (TnC, 824 bp), calmodulin (CaM, 1,407 bp), essential myosin light chain (eMLC, 1,015 bp), and regulatory myosin light chain (rMLC, 984 bp) from a cDNA library. All four proteins belong to the EF‐hand superfamily typified by a calcium coordinating helix‐loop‐helix motif. Further, we cloned and obtained recombinant TnC and both MLCs. CaM and TnC revealed four and two potential calcium‐binding domains, respectively. Gel mobility shift assays demonstrated calcium‐induced conformational transition of TnC. From both MLCs, only the rMLC showed one potential N‐terminal EF‐hand domain. Additionally, sequence properties suggest phosphorylation of this myosin light chain. Based on our results, we suggest a dual‐regulated system at least in somatic muscles for tardigrades with a calcium‐dependent tropomyosin‐troponin complex bound to the actin filaments and a phosphorylation of the rMLC turning on and off both actin and myosin. Our results indicate no special modifications of the molecular structure and function of the EF‐hand proteins in tardigrades. Phylogenetic trees of 131 TnCs, 96 rMLCs, and 62 eMLCs indicate affinities to Ecdysozoa, but also to some other taxa suggesting that our results reflect the complex evolution of these proteins rather than phylogenetic relationships. J. Exp. Zool.317:311–320, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
ACCESSING THE FIRST JOB IN A SLACK LABOUR MARKET: JOB MATCHING IN SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Schöer Volker , Rankin Neil , Roberts Gareth 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTLittle is known about job matching in labour markets with mass unemployment. Using a unique data set of labour market experiences of young African job participants in South Africa, our findings show that accessing jobs through various employment channels is non‐random. Specifically, different individual, household, job and firm characteristics are correlated with the probability of accessing the first job via a particular channel, indicating that firms and/or job seekers select themselves into the use of these channels in their recruitment and job search strategies. Further research using panel data and/or matched employer–employee data is needed to unpack these associations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.