bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A diagnostic study of freezing rain over Guizhou, China, in January 2011
Authors: Deng Difei , Gao Shouting , Du Xiaoling , Wu Wenhui 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIn early January 2011, southern China experienced another severe wintertime storm as in the winter of 2008. The storm consisted of a narrow east‐west‐oriented freezing rain band over central Guizhou with an extensive area of snow to the north and a rain swath to the south. This study investigates this event using conventional surface and radiosonde data as well as final (FNL) analyses data from the US National Center for Atmospheric Research/National Centers for Environmental Prediction(NCAR/NCEP). The results show that forcing by geostrophic and diabatic heating built up a positive direct secondary circulation perpendicular to the quasi‐stationary front beneath 700 hPa to maintain the surface cold layer and warm layer aloft through surface cold advection and warm advection aloft. In addition, turbulence induced by strong wind shear in the middle and lower stratiform clouds with a low concentration of ice nuclei plays an important role in the growth of cloud drops and the enhancement of supercool raindrop precipitation over Guizhou. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Portfolio entrepreneurship in family firms: a resource‐based perspective
Authors: Sieger Philipp , Zellweger Thomas , Nason Robert S. , Clinton Eric 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe phenomenon of portfolio entrepreneurship has attracted considerable scholarly attention and is particularly relevant in the family firm context. However, there is a lack of knowledge of the process through which portfolio entrepreneurship develops in family firms. We address this gap by analyzing four in‐depth, longitudinal family firm case studies from Europe and Latin America. Using a resource‐based perspective, we identify six distinct resource categories that are relevant to the portfolio entrepreneurship process. Furthermore, we reveal that their importance varies across time. Our resulting resource‐based process model of portfolio entrepreneurship in family firms makes valuable contributions to both theory and practice. Copyright © 2011 Strategic Management Society.
Palladium(II) and Platinum(II) Complexes with Bisphosphanes, [S2C=C(CN)2]2– and [Se2C=C(CN)2]2– as Chelating Ligands
Authors: Scheller Lothar , Werner Helmut 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe palladium(II) and platin(II) 1, 1‐dicyanoethylene‐2, 2‐dithiolates [(L–L)M{S2C=C(CN)2}] (M = Pd: L–L = dppm, dppe, dcpe, dpmb; M = Pt: dppe, dcpe, dpmb) were prepared either from[(L–L)MCl2] and K2[S2C=C(CN)2] or from [(PPh3)2M{S2C=C(CN)2}] and the bisphosphane. Moreover, [(dppe)Pt{S2C=C(CN)2}]was obtained from [(1, 5‐C8H12)Pt{S2C=C(CN)2}] and dppeby ligand exchange. The 1, 1‐dicyanoethylene‐2, 2‐diselenolates[(dppe)M{Se2C=C(CN)2}] (M = Pd, Pt) were prepared from[(dppe)MCl2] and K2[Se2C=C(CN)2]. The oxidation potentials of the square‐planar palladium and platinum complexes were determined by cyclic voltammetry. The reaction of [(dcpe)Pd(S2C=O)] with TCNE led to a ligand fragment exchange and gave the 1, 1‐dicyanoethylene‐2, 2‐dithiolate [(dcpe)Pd{S2C=C(CN)2}] in good yield.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Computational Study of WSF4·NC5H5
Authors: Nieboer Jared , Yu Xin , Chaudhary Praveen , Mercier Hélène P. A. , Gerken Michael 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe new Lewis‐acid‐base adduct of WSF4 and pyridine, WSF4·NC5H5, was prepared by combination of WSF4 and excess pyridine. The WSF4·NC5H5 adduct was characterized by 1H, 13C, 19F NMR, and Raman spectroscopy, and by X‐ray crystallography. Calculations of the vibrational frequencies at the DFT level of theory aided in the assignment of the Raman spectrum. In contrast to WOF4, no experimental and theoretical evidence was found for the existence of a WSF4·2NC5H5 adduct.
Parathyroid Four‐Dimensional Computed Tomography: Evaluation of Radiation Dose Exposure During Preoperative Localization of Parathyroid Tumors in Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Mahajan Amit , Starker Lee F. , Ghita Monica , Udelsman Robert , Brink James A. , Carling Tobias 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundParathyroid four‐dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) provides greater sensitivity than sestamibi with single photon emission CT (SPECT, or SeS) for preoperative localization of parathyroid tumors in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). The radiation dose imparted to the patient during preoperative parathyroid imaging, however, has not been analyzed.MethodsPatients with biochemically unequivocal PHPT referred for minimally invasive parathyroidectomy underwent 4DCT or SeS. 4DCT was performed using a 64 detector row CT scanner, and SeS used a standardized protocol of 20 mCi of technetium‐99m followed by planar and SPECT imaging. The CT radiation dose was estimated using the Imaging Performance Assessment of CT Scanners (ImPACT) calculator, and the SeS dose was estimated using the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulation (NUREG) method.ResultsThe calculated effective doses of 4DCT and SeS were 10.4 and 7.8 mSv, respectively, in contrast to an estimated annual background radiation exposure of approximately 3 mSv. The dose to the thyroid with 4DCT, however, was about 57 times higher (92.0 vs. 1.6 mGy) than that with SeS. Based on age‐ and sex‐dependent risk factors, the calculated risk of 4DCT‐related thyroid cancer developing in a 20 year old woman was 1,040/million (i.e., about 0.1%).Conclusions4DCT, a superior preoperative imaging modality for locating parathyroid tumors, imparts a significantly higher thyroid radiation dose than SeS. Given the enhanced risk of thyroid cancer in individuals with radiation exposure at a young age, 4DCT should be used judiciously in young PHPT patients.
Breaking Difficult News in a Cross‐cultural Setting: a Qualitative Study about Latina Mothers of Children with Down Syndrome
Authors: Sheets Kayla M. , Baty Bonnie J. , Vázquez Juan Carlos , Carey John C. , Hobson Wendy L. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractGiving difficult news to patients represents a common dilemma for health care professionals. Based on three decades of research, various authors have proposed guidelines outlining the ideal setting, delivery, and timing. Existing publications focus on patients of European descent and may not be applicable in cross‐cultural settings. We explored perceptions of Spanish‐speaking mothers who have a child with Down syndrome and how they preferred to receive the news of their child's diagnosis. We conducted semi‐structured qualitative interviews (n = 14), which were coded and analyzed by thematic networks to identify common themes. Six significant themes emerged: Cultural Belief System, Communication, Support/Lack of Support, Feelings Engendered, Medical Issues, and Medical System. One overarching theme of mother‐child bonding encompassed all sub‐themes. The mothers desired the news in a more positive, balanced light and with more complete explanations about the condition. Mothers felt excluded from the diagnostic process and wanted to be better informed about the need for diagnostic studies. Participants used religious beliefs to explain the reason for their child's condition. Many factors influenced Latina mothers’ ability to bond initially with their children with Down syndrome. Ideally, these factors should be acknowledged during informing interviews to assist Latino families in adjustment.
Moderate alcohol consumption alters both leucocyte gene expression profiles and circulating proteins related to immune response and lipid metabolism in men
Authors: Joosten Michel M. , van Erk Marjan J. , Pellis Linette , Witkamp Renger F. , Hendriks Henk F. J. 
Published: December 2011

Moderate alcohol consumption has various effects on immune and inflammatory processes, which could accumulatively modulate chronic disease risk. So far, no comprehensive, integrative profiling has been performed to investigate the effects of longer-term alcohol consumption. Therefore, we studied the effects of alcohol consumption on gene expression patterns using large-scale profiling of whole-genome transcriptomics in blood cells and on a number of proteins in blood. In a randomised, open-label, cross-over trial, twenty-four young, normal-weight men consumed 100 ml vodka (30 g alcohol) with 200 ml orange juice or only orange juice daily during dinner for 4 weeks. After each period, blood was sampled for measuring gene expression and selected proteins. Pathway analysis of 345 down-regulated and 455 up-regulated genes revealed effects of alcohol consumption on various signalling responses, immune processes and lipid metabolism. Among the signalling processes, the most prominently changed was glucocorticoid receptor signalling. A network on immune response showed a down-regulated NF-κB gene expression together with increased plasma adiponectin and decreased pro-inflammatory IL-1 receptor antagonist and IL-18, and acute-phase proteins ferritin and α1-antitrypsin concentrations (all P < 0·05) after alcohol consumption. Furthermore, a network of gene expression changes related to lipid metabolism was observed, with a central role for PPARα which was supported by increased HDL-cholesterol and several apo concentrations (all P < 0·05) after alcohol consumption. In conclusion, an integrated approach of profiling both genes and proteins in blood showed that 4 weeks of moderate alcohol consumption altered immune responses and lipid metabolism.
Dietary and physical activity behaviours related to obesity-specific quality of life and work productivity: baseline results from a worksite trial
Authors: Cash Stephanie Whisnant , Beresford Shirley A. A. , Henderson Jo Ann , McTiernan Anne , Xiao Liren , Wang C. Y. , Patrick Donald L. 
Published: December 2011

Obesity is associated with impaired health-related quality of life (QOL) and reduced productivity; less is known about the effect of dietary factors. The present study investigated how dietary behaviours, physical activity and BMI relate to weight-specific QOL and work productivity. The study was conducted in thirty-one small blue-collar and service industry worksites in Seattle. Participants were 747 employees (33·5 % non-White). Measures included self-reported servings of fruits and vegetables, dietary behaviours such as fast food consumption, Godin free-time physical activity scores, measured height and weight, Obesity and Weight-Loss QOL (OWLQOL) scores, and Work Limitations Questionnaire scores. Baseline data were analysed using linear mixed models separately for men (n 348) and women (n 399), since sex modified the effects. BMI was negatively associated with OWLQOL in both women (P < 0·001) and men (P < 0·001). The linear effect estimate for OWLQOL scores associated with a one-category increase in BMI was 30 (95 % CI 25, 44) % for women and 14 (95 % CI 10, 17) % for men. BMI was positively associated with productivity loss only in women (exp(slope) = 1·46, 95 % CI 1·02, 2·11, P = 0·04). Eating while doing another activity was negatively associated with OWLQOL scores in men (P = 0·0006, independent of BMI) and with productivity in women (P = 0·04, although the effect diminished when adjusting for BMI). Fast-food meals were associated with decreased productivity in men (P = 0·038, independent of BMI). The results suggest that obesogenic dietary behaviours and higher BMI are associated with decreased QOL and productivity to different degrees in women and men.
The Cross Section of Expected Returns with MIDAS Betas
Authors: González Mariano , Nave Juan , Rubio Gonzalo 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThis paper explores the cross-sectional variation of expected returns for a large cross section of industry and size/book-to-market portfolios. We employ mixed data sampling (MIDAS) to estimate a portfolio’s conditional beta with the market and with alternative risk factors and innovations to well-known macroeconomic variables. The market risk premium is positive and significant, and the result is robust to alternative asset pricing specifications and model misspecification. However, the traditional 2-pass ordinary least squares (OLS) cross-sectional regressions produce an estimate of the market risk premium that is negative, and significantly different from 0. Using alternative procedures, we compare both beta estimators. We conclude that beta estimates under MIDAS present lower mean absolute forecasting errors and generate better out-of-sample performance of the optimized portfolios relative to OLS betas.
An analysis of stock market volatility
Authors: Adams Andrew , Armitage Seth , FitzGerald Adrian 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThis paper provides a user-friendly approach to explain how variation in fundamental price-determining variables ‘translates into’ variation in the fundamental value of equities, based on the standard dividend-growth model. The analysis is illustrated with UK data using estimates of real interest rate forecasts and real dividend growth rate forecasts in the past. An important application of this approach is that stock market volatility can be analysed in terms of its component parts. Actual market volatility does not appear to be excessive when compared with the notional volatility implied by changes over time in our estimates of forecast real interest rates and forecast real dividend growth rates.
On the horizontal and temporal structure of noctilucent clouds as observed by satellite and lidar at ALOMAR (69N)
Authors: Baumgarten G. , Chandran A. , Fiedler J. , Hoffmann P. , Kaifler N. , Lumpe J. , Merkel A. , Randall C. E. , Rusch D. , Thomas G. 
Published: December 2011

Simultaneous and common volume observations of Noctilucent Clouds (NLC) and Polar Mesospheric Clouds (PMC) have been performed above the ALOMAR research station in Northern Norway (69°N, 16°E) from ground and space, respectively. A detailed case study on August 5, 2008 shows that the measured particle sizes and T‐matrix simulations of the optical properties allow to combine the two observation techniques. From the ground, the observations were performed by lidar sounding of the temporal evolution of the cloud at two locations separated by about 40 km, before, during and after the coincidence. From space, the CIPS instrument onboard the AIM satellite observed the horizontal structure of the cloud. Using mesospheric radar wind measurements at ALOMAR the advection of the cloud particles is calculated and the temporal evolution of the cloud as seen from ground is compared with the horizontal structure observed from satellite. This comparison allows estimation of the timescales during which the clouds behave as passive tracers. We find that during this case study cloud structures larger than about 5 km × 5 km and oscillations slower than about one minute behaved like a passive tracer for up to one hour corresponding to horizontal scales of about 300 km. However, if the cloud shows wave structures with brightness modulations of 20% microphysical changes might take place on scales of minutes and kilometers.
Recovery of Stressed Microorganisms
Authors: Stephens P. J. , Mackey B. M. 
Published: December 2011

Microorganisms present in processed food, water or the environment may be injured and hence more exacting in their growth requirements. Such organisms may be difficult to detect because they fail to grow on the selective media normally used in their isolation. However, under suitable conditions, injured cells can repair cellular damage and recover all their normal properties, including virulence. An appreciation of the nature of sublethal injury and its repair is therefore important in detecting and enumerating microbes. Injured cells may show an extended lag phase, restricted temperature range for growth and increased sensitivity to selective agents, salt, acidity and oxidative stress. In some cases it has been possible to identify the site of cellular injury leading to the observed phenotype. For example, damage to the Gram-negative outer membrane causes increased sensitivity to bile salts and some antibiotics, whilst disruption of cytoplasmic membrane function is probably related to increased sensitivity to salt and acid. Oxidative stress may arise from reactive oxygen species generated metabolically or present in trace amounts in recovery media. The reasons underlying some effects, such as a restricted temperature range for growth, are unknown. In order to recover injured cells it is necessary to allow resuscitation to take place on non-selective solid or in liquid media. In addition to improving the sensitivity of detection methods, resuscitation improves consistency and reduces variability between laboratories.
Recent developments in recovering injured cells have focused on defining the time needed for repair of individual cells within a population and in formulating resuscitation media and/or conditions to avoid exposing cells to oxidative stress. The need to monitor the performance (selectivity and productivity) of selective enrichment media as a quality control exercise is well established. It is now apparent that monitoring the performance of non-selective pre-enrichment or recovery media is equally important. This is particularly true when considering the development and application of new end-point detection systems that employ nucleic acid or immunological techniques.
Culture Media for the Isolation of Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli from Foods
Authors: Heuvelink Annet E. 
Published: December 2011

The species Escherichia coli contains both diarrhoeagenic and non-diarrhoeagenic strains and it is very important to have methods available which can differentiate between them. Adequate culture methods have been developed for the isolation of verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC) of serogroup 0 157 from foods. However, at present no single isolation procedure is available for the recovery of all VTEC causing severe human disease. Additionally, there are still no simple sensitive procedures available for the direct cultivation of strains of the other groups of diarrhoeagenic E. coli. The isolation of these organisms will best be accomplished by a combination of culture and molecular biological methods.
In this review, some comparative studies of the media described for VTEC, especially VTEC O157, are noted and the difficulties associated with the isolation and enumeration of these organisms considered. Modified tryptone soya broth supplemented with novobiocin or modified E. coli broth supplemented with novobiocin and incubated at 41–42°C are the most appropriate selective enrichments. Injured VTEC O157 cells require pre-enrichment in a non-selective broth. Methods for the isolation of VTEC O157 should include sorbitol MacConkey agar supplemented with cefixime and potassium tellurite as the most effective isolation medium for typical sorbitol non-fermenting VTEC O157, and a second isolation medium not based on the fermentation of sorbitol but, for instance, on β-D-glucuronidase activity. Where the numbers of background flora are low, washed sheep blood agar supplemented with calcium (“EHEC agar”) may be used.
Culture Media for the Isolation of Aeromonas spp. and Plesiomonas shigelloides
Authors: Perales Ildefonso 
Published: December 2011

The genera Aeromonas and Plesiomonas, previously included in the family Vibrionaceae, are now reclassified in the family Aeromonadaceae and Enterobacteriaceae, respectively. They are primarily aquatic inhabitants. Aeromonas taxonomy has changed considerably in recent years and now at least 19 phenospecies have been defined. Although identification to the species level of the most commonly found Aeromonas can be done on the basis of a limited number of biochemical tests, identification of some species is more difficult. Plesiomonas sligelloides is the only species of the genus Plesiomonas.
Culture media components used for Aeromonas and Plesiomonas isolation is reviewed here. This chapter also reports on the media used for the isolation of Aeromonas and Plesiomonas from foods and comparative studies.
In the case of Aeromonas spp., the most promising media are starch ampicillin agar (SAA) and bile salts Irgasan brilliant green (BSIBG) agar as plating media, and alkaline peptone water (APW) or trypticase soy broth ampicillin (TSBA) as enrichment broths. With regard to P. shigelloides, it is more difficult to make recommendations, but enrichment in APW or tetrathionate broth without iodine and plating on inositol brilliant green bile salts agar (IBB) and Plesiomonas agar (PL) can be useful.
Converting Photons to Electron and Proton Shifts from Water for Fuel Production
Authors: Herrero Christian , Costentin Cyrille , Aukauloo Ally 
Published: December 2011

The production of fuels using sunlight, water and carbon dioxide is one of the most important challenges facing scientists today. Nature has been performing this reaction for more than 2 billion years using solar energy to remove protons and electrons from water, generate oxygen and store the energy in the chemical bonds of sugars. This process, photosynthesis, is the energy input for life.Over the last two decades important advances have been made in the field of artificial photosynthesis spanning the fields of light absorption, formation of long-lived charge separated states, water oxidation reactions, and reductive processes aimed at fuel production. Of these, the design of efficient water oxidation catalysts based on earth abundant transition metal seems the most challenging problem. In this chapter, we describe the advances that have been accomplished in each of the steps necessary to achieve a molecular photo-catalyst for the oxidation of water.
Sterol-induced degradation of HMG CoA reductase depends on interplay of two Insigs and two ubiquitin ligases, gp78 and Trc8
Authors: Jo Youngah , Lee Peter C. W. , Sguigna Peter V. , DeBose-Boyd Russell A. 
Published: December 2011

Accumulation of sterols in membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) leads to the accelerated ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, a rate-limiting enzyme in synthesis of cholesterol and nonsterol isoprenoids. This degradation results from sterol-induced binding of reductase to the Insig-1 or Insig-2 proteins of ER membranes. We previously reported that in immortalized human fibroblasts (SV-589 cells) Insig-1, but not Insig-2, recruits gp78, a membrane-bound RING-finger ubiquitin ligase. We now report that both Insig-1 and Insig-2 bind another membrane-bound RING-finger ubiquitin ligase called Trc8. Knockdown of either gp78 or Trc8 in SV-589 cells through RNA interference (RNAi) inhibited sterol-induced ubiquitination of reductase and inhibited sterol-induced degradation by 50–60%. The combined knockdown of gp78 and Trc8 produced a more complete inhibition of degradation (> 90%). Knockdown of gp78 led to a three to fourfold increase in levels of Trc8 and Insig-1 proteins, which opposed the inhibitory action of gp78. In contrast, knockdown of Trc8 had no effect on gp78 or Insig-1. The current results suggest that sterol-induced ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of reductase is dictated by the complex interplay of at least four proteins: Insig-1, Insig-2, gp78, and Trc8. Variations in the concentrations of any one of these proteins may account for differences in cell- and/or tissue-specific regulation of reductase degradation.