bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Arrayed cellular environments for stem cells and regenerative medicine
Authors: Titmarsh Drew M. , Chen Huaying , Wolvetang Ernst J. , Cooper‐White Justin J. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe behavior and composition of both multipotent and pluripotent stem cell populations are exquisitely controlled by a complex, spatiotemporally variable interplay of physico‐chemical, extracellular matrix, cell‐cell interaction, and soluble factor cues that collectively define the stem cell niche. The push for stem cell‐based regenerative medicine models and therapies has fuelled demands for increasingly accurate cellular environmental control and enhanced experimental throughput, driving an evolution of cell culture platforms away from conventional culture formats toward integrated systems. Arrayed cellular environments typically provide a set of discrete experimental elements with variation of one or several classes of stimuli across elements of the array. These are based on high‐content/high‐throughput detection, small sample volumes, and multiplexing of environments to increase experimental parameter space, and can be used to address a range of biological processes at the cell population, single‐cell, or subcellular level. Arrayed cellular environments have the capability to provide an unprecedented understanding of the molecular and cellular events that underlie expansion and specification of stem cell and therapeutic cell populations, and thus generate successful regenerative medicine outcomes. This review focuses on recent key developments of arrayed cellular environments and their contribution and potential in stem cells and regenerative medicine.
Development and validation of a sensitive LC‐MS/MS method for determination of tacrolimus on dried blood spots
Authors: Li Qin , Cao Di , Huang Yue , Xu Hong , Yu Chen , Li Zhiping 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTA bioanalytical method for the quantification of tacrolimus (TAC) on dried blood spots (DBS) using liquid chromatography, electrospray ionization coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐ESI‐MS/MS) was developed and validated. It involves solvent extraction of a punch disk of DBS followed by liquid–liquid extraction. The analyte and the internal standard (IS, ascomycin) were separated on a phenyl column using an isocratic mobile phase elution at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The assay was linear from 1 to 80 ng/mL. The mean recovery of TAC was 76.6%. Intra‐assay, inter‐assay imprecision and biases were all less than 15%. TAC on DBS was stable for at least 10 days at room temperature, and at least 24 h at 50°C. A chromatographic effect of the filter paper (Whatman 903) was not detected. The volume of blood (15–50 μL) and hematocrit of blood (ranging from 23.2 to 48.6%) did not show a significant influence on detection of TAC concentration by DBS‐LC‐MS/MS. Fifty samples from patients were detected by both DBS‐LC‐MS/MS and microparticle enzyme‐linked immunoassay (MEIA). TAC concentrations measured by DBS‐LC‐MS/MS method tended to be lower than those by MEIA. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mg‐Al Mixed Oxides Supported Bimetallic Au‐Pd Nanoparticles with Superior Catalytic Properties in Aerobic Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol and Glycerol
Authors: Wang Liang , Zhang Wei , Zeng Shangjing , Su Dangsheng , Meng Xiangju , Xiao Fengshou 
Published: August 2012

AbstractNano‐sized Au and Pd catalysts are favorable for oxidations with molecular oxygen, and the preparation of this kind of nanoparticles with high catalytic activities is strongly desirable. We report a successful synthesis of bimetallic Au‐Pd nanoparticles with rich edge and corner sites on unique support of Mg‐Al mixed oxides (Au‐Pd/MAO), which are favorable for producing metal nanoparticles with high degree of coordinative unsaturation of metal atoms. The systematic microscopic characterizations confirm the bimetallic Au‐Pd nanoparticles are present as Au‐Pd alloy. The irregular shape of the bimetallic nanoparticles are directly observed in HRTEM images. As we expected, Au‐Pd/MAO gives very excellent catalytic performances in the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol and glycerol. For example, Au‐Pd/MAO shows very high TOF of 91000 h−1 at 433 K with molecular oxygen at air pressure in solvent‐free oxidation of benzyl alcohol; this catalyst also shows relatively high selectivity for tartronic acid (TARAC, 36.6%) at high conversion (98.5%) in aerobic oxidation of glycerol. The superior catalytic properties of Au‐Pd/MAO would be potentially important for production of fine chemicals.
Hydrophilic Modification of Microporous Polysulfone Membrane via Surface‐Initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization and Hydrolysis of Poly(glycidylmethacrylate)
Authors: Wang Chaozhan , Zhao Sa , Wei Yinmao 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPoly(glycidylmethacrylate) (PGMA) brushes were grafted from chloromethylated polysulfone (CMPSF) membrane surface by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI‐ATRP), and the grafting was followed by hydrolysis of epoxy groups in the grafting chains to improve the membrane's hydrophilic property. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements confirmed the successful grafting and hydrolysis of PGMA. The grafting degree of the monomer, measured by periodic acid titration and gravimetric analysis, increased linearly with the polymerization time, while the static water contact angle of the membrane grafted with PGMA or hydrolyzed PGMA linearly decreased. In comparison with the PGMA‐grafted membranes, the hydrolyzed PGMA‐grafted membranes possess stronger hydrophilicity as indicated by their contact angle and hydration capacity, and as a result they have an improved antifouling property. Therefore, the control of the hydrophilicity of PSF membrane could be realized through adjusting the polymerization time and transforming the functional groups in the grafting chain.
Computerized quantification of bone tissue and marrow in stained microscopic images
Authors: Shi Lin , Liu Shangping , Wang Defeng , Wong Hing‐Lok , Huang Wen‐Hua , Wang Yi‐Xiang J. , Griffith James F. , Leung Ping‐Chung , Ahuja Anil T. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractStained histological images assist physicians to identify different types of tissues or cells and their architectures. They can be applied on the diagnosis of various diseases and the assessment of treatment effects. Osteoporosis is an aging disease that reduces the density of bones and increases the risk of bone fracture. Literatures indicate that osteoporosis is associated with the ratio of trabecular bone tissues and bone marrow cells, and bones in osteoporosis patients consist of a significantly higher marrow fat content. Interactive segmentation of bone tissue and different types of bone marrow cells in high‐resolution histological images, however, is a very tedious and labor‐intensive process. The aim of this study is to develop an automatic algorithm to quantify the areas of different tissues such as the trabecular bones and yellow and red marrow cells. This image segmentation method consists of a series of mathematical morphological operation steps based on both the color and morphology features of tissues and was implemented in Matlab. The results obtained from the proposed method have been verified by comparing with those obtained interactively from an experienced histotechnician (Pearson correlation coefficient > 0.94, P < 0.001). The result suggests that the proposed algorithm can effectively assist physicians to quantify stained bone histological images. © 2012 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
BiIII–Corroles: A Versatile Platform for the Synthesis of Functionalized Corroles
Authors: Reith Lorenz Michael , Koenig Michael , Schwarzinger Clemens , Schoefberger Wolfgang 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe BiIII ion in the center of the corrole macrocyclic ring system was employed to stabilize and protect the corrole inner core during the functionalization at the periphery (meso positions) of the π‐conjugated ring system. Moreover, the ease of demetalation makes BiIII–corroles attractive candidates for functionalization and subsequent demetalation to the free‐base corroles. Herein we present examples of possible derivatization reactions of Bi–corroles by employing Suzuki cross‐coupling under gentle conditions at ambient temperature. This high‐yielding methodology facilitates the design of A2B corroles that bear elaborate subunits such as the indolyl and pyrenyl group, which are difficult to realize with the synthetic protocols available to date. Later, Pd‐catalyzed C–N coupling reactions with the same precursor were tested. To make the corresponding free‐base corroles also accessible by means of these new routes, a versatile procedure was developed that allows the subsequent demetalation of the obtained Bi–corroles. Electrochemical characterization was performed with cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry to clarify the ring‐centred oxidation and reduction processes. Structural considerations of the dome‐shaped nature of Bi–corrole derivatives are presented and corroborated by 19F NMR spectroscopy as well as quantum chemical calculations.
Epicolactone – Natural Product Isolated from the Sugarcane Endophytic Fungus Epicoccum nigrum
Authors: da Silva Araújo Francisca Diana , de Lima Fávaro Léia Cecilia , Araújo Welington Luiz , de Oliveira Fábio Lazzarotto , Aparicio Ricardo , Marsaioli Anita Jocelyne 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe endophytic fungus Epicoccum nigrum was isolated from sugarcane and the bioguided fractionation of the ethyl acetate extract led to the isolation of epicolactone, mellein, and 4,5‐dimethylresorcinol. Characterization of epicolactone by MS, NMR and X‐ray crystallography revealed a new natural product with an unusual carbon skeleton. The production of this secondary metabolite decreased in mutants of Epicoccum nigrum transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Additionally, these mutants produced 4‐hydroxymellein.
Study on temperature and humidity environment of grotto 72 at the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, China
Authors: Li G. S. , Wang W. F. , Qu J. J. , Song M. H. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis article presents research on destructive environmental mechanisms affecting the murals in the Mogao Grottoes, specifically Grotto 72, from a meteorological perspective. Analysis of outside monitoring data during 1999‐2008 shows that condensation of moisture and/or salt deliquescence on the mural affects a high percentage of the internal grotto, whereas the interchange of moisture between the interior grotto and the surrounding air accounts for a relatively small effect. But high humidity was the threat to the mural, so the planting of the shelterbelts was a new threat to the mural due to irrigation of shelterbelts. The higher relative humidity (RH) produced by shelterbelts in front of the grottoes is only weakly related to local precipitation but is highly correlated with the times of water irrigation of those shelterbelts. The intra‐seasonal variability of temperature and RH on the mural surface is relatively stable because temperature inversion frequently occurs in the internal grotto and is favourable for maintenance of stable air stratification that is beneficial to the preservation of the wall paintings. Using ridge regression estimation of the period data, coupling equations of the change of temperature and humidity on the mural surface, the internal grotto air and the external environment are obtained. The real‐time dynamics of temperature and humidity are thus analysed and reported here, offering a scientific basis for establishing a long‐term monitoring network in the Mogao Grottoes. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Decadal climatological trends of aerosol optical parameters over three different environments in South Korea
Authors: Panicker A. S. , Lee D. I. , Kumkar Y. V. , Kim D. , Maki M. , Uyeda H. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractDecadal climatology of aerosol optical parameters derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board Terra satellite has been analysed during past decade (February 2000 to February 2010) over three different environments in South Korea. Seoul, a continental urban station showed a significant decadal decrease of around 22% in aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 550 nm during observational period. The corresponding decrease in AOD found to be 18.7% over Busan, a coastal station. However Jeju, a volcanically sedimented island station in Korea showed negligible changes in AOD (1.4%). Fine mode fraction (FMF) and Angstrom exponent (ANG) parameters also showed a significant decadal reduction, indicating the decrease in fine mode aerosols, which are majorly produced due to anthropogenic activities in land areas. On analysing the decadal trends in seasonal climatology, it is found that aerosol parameters in general were showing a decreasing trend in different seasons except during spring. The decadal trend in meteorological parameters did not show a perfect alignment with aerosol trends. This suggests that the decadal decrease in aerosols could be mainly attributed to reduction in anthropogenic aerosol emissions. The surface temperature over the stations showed a significant increase of 8% to 11%. This study suggests that, in spite of positive effects in pollution perspective, the reduced AOD may in part contribute the increasing trend of surface temperature. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
The Amundsen Sea low
Authors: Turner John , Phillips Tony , Hosking J. Scott , Marshall Gareth J. , Orr Andrew 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTWe develop a climatology of the Amundsen Sea low (ASL) covering the period 1979–2008 using ECMWF operational and reanalysis fields. The depth of the ASL is strongly influenced by the phase of the Southern annular mode (SAM) with positive (negative) mean sea level pressure anomalies when the SAM is negative (positive). The zonal location of the ASL is linked to the phase of the mid‐tropospheric planetary waves and the low moves west from close to 110°W in January to near 150°W in June as planetary waves 1 to 3 amplify and their phases shift westwards. The ASL is deeper by a small, but significant amount, during the La Niña phase of El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) compared to El Niño. The difference in depth of the low between the two states of ENSO is greatest in winter. There is no statistically significant difference in the zonal location of the ASL between the different phases of ENSO. Over 1979–2008 the low has deepened in January by 1.7 hPa dec−1 as the SAM has become more positive. It has also deepened in spring and autumn as the semi‐annual oscillation has increase in amplitude over the last 30 years. An increase in central pressure and eastward shift in March has occurred as a result of a cooling of tropical Pacific SSTs that altered the strength of the polar front jet. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Near future changes of extreme precipitation over complex terrain in Central Europe derived from high resolution RCM ensemble simulations
Authors: Feldmann Hendrik , Schädler Gerd , Panitz Hans‐Jürgen , Kottmeier Christoph 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAn ensemble of high‐resolution regional climate simulations is used to assess the effect of near future climate change on mean and extreme precipitation in a part of Central Europe with complex topography. The ensemble consists of high‐resolution simulations with the COSMO‐CLM (CLM) regional climate model (RCM) using several realizations of the driving general circulation models (GCMs) ECHAM5 and HadCM3. The study is focussed on the changes in the near future (2011–2040 compared to 1971–2000) which are relevant for planning purposes. The mean winter precipitation shows a spatially uniform increase, summertime mean precipitation is likely to decrease slightly. For extreme precipitation the simulations exhibit an increase on the average for both seasons, but for different reasons. The changes in winter are proportional to the increase in total precipitation, whereas in summer a broadening of the precipitation distribution is found. The spatial change patterns in summer are much more heterogeneous than in winter, with regions of significant increase and decrease sometimes close to each other. The plausibility of the findings is assessed in terms of ensemble consistency. The area mean changes found for the ensemble of CLM simulations were consistent with the change signals derived from a larger but coarser resolved ensembles using several RCMs and driving GCMs. In addition, it was found that the simulated near future precipitation changes in the study region during summer generally agree with trends observed during the last decades. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
The effect of moisture transport variability on Ethiopian summer precipitation
Authors: Viste Ellen , Sorteberg Asgeir 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTThe main rainy season in Ethiopia occurs during the northern hemisphere summer, when air masses carrying moisture from the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Guinea, the African continent, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea converge above the Ethiopian mountain plateau. In this study, the variability in different branches of this transport has been studied using the Lagrangian trajectory model FLEXPART and ERA‐Interim reanalysis data of July–August 1998–2008. The largest relative fluctuations occur in the normally limited transport from the Gulf of Guinea, whereas smaller relative changes in the larger branches from the Indian Ocean and the regions to the north often have greater effects. Wet/dry summer months in the northern Ethiopian highlands were associated with increased/reduced transport of moisture from the south, with consequent changes in the release of moisture in the region. In dry months, the moisture transport from the south was reduced to 85% of its mean, and in wet months, it was increased to 107%. The increased transport in wet months could be attributed to low‐level westerly anomalies above Central Africa—increasing moisture transport from the Gulf of Guinea and in most cases also from the Indian Ocean—and with enhanced southerlies along the coast of East Africa, increasing the transport from the Indian Ocean. The amount of moisture transported into the highlands from the north could not be consistently associated with wet and dry months, but in most cases, the release of moisture in air coming from the north contributed to the resulting precipitation anomaly. The release of moisture in the northern branch was reduced to 94% of its mean in dry months and increased to 111% in wet months. This may be an effect of altered convergence associated with changes in the transport from the south.
Is the NAO winter index a reliable proxy for wind climate and storminess in northwest Europe?
Authors: Burningham Helene , French Jon 
Published: August 2012

AbstractClimate measures synthesized from the instrumental wind record at 53 stations in northwest Europe are compared with various derivations of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) winter index. The NAO is highly correlated with wind direction frequency, with positive phases in the NAO winter index associated with increased frequency of winds from the southwest. These correlations are sensitive to the choice of winter period and diminish with longer period, especially the inclusion of October. Evidence for connections between the NAO and wind speed or storminess measures is far less convincing, particularly in terms of the frequency of extreme wind speed events. These results have important implications for the use the NAO winter index as a proxy for storminess, whether in palaeoenvironmental reconstructions or as a basis for storm forecasting. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
High latitude local scale temperature complexity: the example of Kevo Valley, Finnish Lapland
Authors: Pike G. , Pepin N. C. , Schaefer M. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractSubarctic Scandinavia is expected to experience significant temperature increases over the next century. How this increase will influence local scale climate is largely unknown. This study examines local scale temperature variability in the subarctic where the unusual solar geometry means that the classic diurnal cycle of mid‐latitudes has limited application.Near surface air temperature data were collected from a high density network of 60 temperature data loggers covering approximately 20 km2 in the valley system around Kevo Subarctic Research Station (69°45′N, 27°1′E). Temperature data was collected at 30 min intervals from September 2007 to March 2010, along with additional temperature and cloud cover data from the Kevo station. NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data was used to reconstruct synoptic conditions for the area at 6‐h intervals. Lapse rates and regression of surface temperatures on free air temperatures are used to investigate local temperature variability. Median absolute yearly deviation analysis of the site temperatures was used to assess the representativeness of Kevo Station.The results show intense (up to + 80 °C km−1) and persistent inversion events during the winter months (NDJ) which are broken up by mechanical effects. In the transition from winter into spring (FMA) these inversions still occur but increasing radiation imposes a diurnal pattern on their formation and destruction. As snow cover peaks in spring the interaction between surface albedo, land cover and radiation serves to amplify the diurnal cycle in lapse rates. Summer lapse rates are modified by the presence of open water at low elevations. These results suggest that expected land cover and synoptic changes due to regional warming will act to decrease the frequency and intensity of inversion formation, steepening mean lapse rates and therefore increasing the relative amount of warming in valley floor locations. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Multi‐decadal changes in the North American monsoon anticyclone
Authors: Diem Jeremy E. , Brown David P. , McCann Jessie 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to assess trends in the intensity of the North American monsoon anticyclone over multiple decades from 1948 to 2010 during July and August, with a focus on the Lower Colorado River Basin (LCRB). The methodology included a 500 hPa geopotential‐height regionalization of the monsoon‐anticyclone domain (i.e. a large portion of the western United States and northern Mexico), a typing of 500 hPa circulation patterns over the LCRB, and an examination of multi‐decadal trends as well as inter‐epochal differences in geopotential heights and frequencies of synoptic types. Three regions (i.e. Northwest, Northeast, and South) were revealed that differed based on inter‐annual variations in 500 hPa geopotential heights. The Northwest and South regions had significant increases in geopotential heights from 1948–1978 to 1980–2010. The synoptic types reflected the location of the monsoon anticyclone over the LCRB. The monsoon anticyclone intensified primarily over the northwestern region, which includes the LCRB, since the mid‐ to late 1970s. The anticyclone has thus been expanding over the LCRB. The anticyclone has been in a northern position, specifically a north‐central position, over the basin more frequently over the past 30 years; conversely, the anticyclone has been in southern and eastern positions over the basin less frequently.