bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spectroscopy of the Earth's Atmosphere
Authors: Flaud Jean‐Marie , Orphal Johannes 
Published: September 2011

AbstractIn this article we describe the applications of molecular spectroscopy for the study of the Earth's atmosphere. After a short historical introduction, we present the principal physical and chemical properties of the atmosphere and discuss current fields of research (i.e., the evolution of the ozone layer, tropospheric air pollution, and increasing greenhouse gas concentrations). We then briefly describe the basic theory of atmospheric radiative transfer and the most important spectroscopic databases. After a presentation of the different experimental techniques that are used to measure atmospheric spectra, some examples of recent studies (linking laboratory work, theoretical studies, and atmospheric remote‐sensing experiments) are given to illustrate current topics of research in this field.
Bioinspired Tunable Lens with Muscle‐Like Electroactive Elastomers
Authors: Carpi Federico , Frediani Gabriele , Turco Simona , De Rossi Danilo 
Published: September 2011

AbstractOptical lenses with tunable focus are needed in several fields of application, such as consumer electronics, medical diagnostics and optical communications. To address this need, lenses made of smart materials able to respond to mechanical, magnetic, optical, thermal, chemical, electrical or electrochemical stimuli are intensively studied. Here, we report on an electrically tunable lens made of dielectric elastomers, an emerging class of “artificial muscle” materials for actuation. The optical device is inspired by the architecture of the crystalline lens and ciliary muscle of the human eye. It consists of a fluid‐filled elastomeric lens integrated with an annular elastomeric actuator working as an artificial muscle. Upon electrical activation, the artificial muscle deforms the lens, so that a relative variation of focal length comparable to that of the human lens is demonstrated. The device combined optical performance with compact size, low weight, fast and silent operation, shock tolerance, no overheating, low power consumption, and possibility of implementation with inexpensive off‐the‐shelf elastomers. Results show that combing bioinspired design with the unique properties of dielectric elastomers as artificial muscle transducers has the potential to open new perspectives on tunable optics.
Using biological markets principles to examine patterns of grooming exchange in Macaca thibetana
Authors: Balasubramaniam K.N. , Berman C.M. , Ogawa H. , Li J. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBiological markets principles offer testable hypotheses to explain variation in grooming exchange patterns among nonhuman primates. They predict that when within‐group contest competition (WGC) is high and dominance hierarchies steep, grooming interchange with other “commodity” behaviors (such as agonistic support) should prevail. In contrast, when WGC is low and gradients shallow, market theory predicts that grooming reciprocity should prevail. We tested these predictions in a wild, provisioned Tibetan macaque (Macaca thibetana) group across six time periods during which the group had been subjected to varying degrees of range restriction. Data on female–female aggression, grooming, and support were collected using all‐occurrences and focal animal sampling techniques, and analyzed using ANCOVA methods and correlation analyses. We found that hierarchical steepness varied significantly across periods, but did not correlate with two indirect indicators of WGC (group size and range restriction) in predicted directions. Contrary to expectations, we found a negative correlation between steepness and group size, perhaps because the responses of group members to external risks (i.e. prolonged and unavoidable exposure to humans) may have overshadowed the effects of WGC. As predicted, grooming reciprocity was significant in each period and negatively correlated with steepness, even after we controlled group size, kinship, rank differences, and proximity. In contrast, there was no evidence for grooming interchange with agonistic support or for a positive relationship between interchange and steepness. We hypothesize that stressful conditions and/or the presence of stable hierarchies during each period may have led to a greater market demand for grooming than support. We suggest that future studies testing these predictions consider more direct measures of WGC and commodities in addition to support, such as feeding tolerance and access to infants. Am. J. Primatol. 73:1269–1279, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prevalence of magnetic resonance imaging–defined atrophic and hypertrophic phenotypes of knee osteoarthritis in a population‐based cohort
Authors: Roemer Frank W. , Guermazi Ali , Niu Jingbo , Zhang Yuqing , Mohr Andreas , Felson David T. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the association of osteophytes with concomitant cartilage damage, assessed using semiquantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to describe the prevalence of atrophic and hypertrophic phenotypes of tibiofemoral knee osteoarthritis (OA) in a population‐based cohort.MethodsParticipants of the Framingham Knee Osteoarthritis Study were examined with a 1.5T MRI system using triplanar intermediate‐weighted fat‐suppressed sequences. Cartilage and osteophytes were assessed using the Whole‐Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (WORMS). Overall prevalence of knees with severe cartilage damage and concomitant osteophyte status were described. Odds ratios for the likelihood of having severe cartilage damage according to osteophyte size were estimated using a logistic regression model. An additional analysis assessed knees according to phenotype in relation to radiographic OA status, with the atrophic phenotype being defined as knees with absent or only tiny osteophytes (WORMS grade ≤2 on a 0–7 scale) in all 10 tibiofemoral subregions but exhibiting severe cartilage damage, and the hypertrophic phenotype being defined as knees with large osteophytes (WORMS grade ≥5 on a 0–7 scale) but lacking substantial cartilage damage.ResultsIn this study, 1,597 knees of 1,248 subjects were included. Of the 67 knees with large osteophytes, 54 (80.6%) exhibited severe cartilage damage. The risk of severe cartilage damage increased markedly with increasing osteophyte size. Twenty‐one knees (1.3%) showed an atrophic phenotype. Only 3 knees (0.2%) exhibited a hypertrophic phenotype.ConclusionThe majority of knees with severe tibiofemoral cartilage damage exhibited moderate to large osteophytes. The larger the osteophyte, the more likely was the presence of severe cartilage damage. A minority of knees exhibited the atrophic phenotype, which also included knees without radiographic OA. The hypertrophic phenotype was extremely rare.
The clinical picture of rheumatoid arthritis according to the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism criteria: Is this still the same disease?
Authors: de Hair M. J. H. , Lehmann K. A. , van de Sande M. G. H. , Maijer K. I. , Gerlag D. M. , Tak P. P. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the implications of using the new classification criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in clinical practice in a cohort of patients with very early arthritis.MethodsThe study group comprised 301 disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug–naive patients with early arthritis. The baseline diagnosis was assessed by applying the 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and 2010 ACR/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria for RA as well as established diagnostic criteria for other rheumatic diseases. Diagnostic and prognostic data were collected after 2 years of followup. Fulfillment of the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria was evaluated in the subset of patients in whom undifferentiated arthritis (UA) was diagnosed when the 1987 ACR criteria were applied, and fulfillment of RA criteria over time was tested by applying the 2 different criteria sets.ResultsThe median arthritis duration at baseline was 4 months (range 0–12 months). At baseline, 28% of the patients fulfilled the 1987 ACR criteria, and 45% fulfilled the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria for RA. Among the patients classified as having UA at baseline according to the 1987 ACR criteria, 36% had fulfilled the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria already at baseline. Among the patients classified as having UA at baseline but who fulfilled the 1987 ACR criteria after 2 years of followup, 85% had fulfilled the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria at baseline. Patients with early disease who fulfilled the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria were less likely to be autoantibody positive and more likely to have monarthritis at presentation than those fulfilling the 1987 ACR criteria.ConclusionUse of the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria clearly allows earlier diagnosis of RA, although the clinical picture is slightly different on the group level, and RA may be falsely diagnosed in some patients with self‐limiting disease.
Immature muscle precursors are a source of interferon‐β in myositis: Role of Toll‐like receptor 3 activation and contribution to HLA class I up‐regulation
Authors: Tournadre Anne , Lenief Vanina , Eljaafari Assia , Miossec Pierre 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the production of type I interferon (IFN) by myoblasts and to identify its cell source and the link to Toll‐like receptor (TLR) and C‐type lectin receptor (CLR) expression and function in myositis biopsy sections.MethodsProduction of IFNβ was assessed in cultured myoblasts after stimulation with the TLR‐3 agonist poly(I‐C) or with cytokines involved in Th1 and Th17 differentiation. Expression of HLA class I molecules by myoblasts was analyzed by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting after activation of TLR‐3 and IFNβ neutralization. In muscle biopsy samples from patients with polymyositis or dermatomyositis, expression of IFNβ, CD56 (a marker of immature muscle precursors), and HLA class I was analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Inflammatory infiltrates were characterized for the expression of myeloid dendritic cells (DCs), their associated CLRs, and the products of activated DCs, interleukin‐12 (IL‐12), and IL‐23.ResultsIn cultured myoblasts, stimulation of TLR‐3 induced the production of IFNβ when combined with IFNγ and up‐regulated the expression of HLA class I molecules, which was decreased after IFNβ blockade. In myositis biopsy tissues, immature muscle precursors overexpressing HLA class I were identified as a source of IFNβ. CLRs associated with myeloid DCs were broadly expressed in inflammatory infiltrates, in association with IL‐12 and IL‐23, and with immature muscle precursors.ConclusionImmature muscle precursors may represent a local source of IFNβ and the target of an immune response involving activated DCs associated with the expression of CLRs and of IL‐12 and IL‐23, which are implicated in T cell polarization. In turn, such local production of IFNβ after TLR‐3 activation in the presence of the Th1 cytokine IFNγ may explain HLA class I overexpression in myositis.
Noninvasive Imaging of Ethanol‐Induced Developmental Defects in Zebrafish Embryos Using Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Divakar Rao K. , Upadhyaya Piyush , Sharma Mrinalini , Gupta P. K. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractIn this article, we report the use of optical coherence tomography for noninvasive cross‐sectional real‐time imaging of ethanol‐induced developmental defects in zebrafish embryos larvae. For ethanol concentration of over 300 mM, developmental defects of eye (shrinkage and retinal abnormalities), malformation of the notochord and ataxia arising due to the toxic effects of ethanol were observed in OCT images from 3 days post fertilization onwards. The results suggest that OCT could be a valuable tool for noninvasive assessment of birth defects in small animal systems.
Sesquiterpenoids from the Endophytic Fungus Trichoderma sp. PR‐35 of Paeonia delavayi
Authors: Wu Shao‐Hua , Zhao Li‐Xing , Chen You‐Wei , Huang Rong , Miao Cui‐Ping , Wang Jiao 
Published: September 2011

AbstractA new bisabolane‐type sesquiterpene, trichoderic acid (1), and a new acorane‐type sesquiterpene, 2β‐hydroxytrichoacorenol (2), along with three known compounds, cyclonerodiol (3), cyclonerodiol oxide (4), and sorbicillin (5), were isolated from the culture broth of Trichoderma sp. PR‐35, an endophytic fungus isolated from Paeonia delavayi. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of their IR, MS, and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR analyses. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of 1–5 towards various types of bacteria and fungi were tested. Most of the compounds showed moderate or weak antimicrobial activities in an agar‐diffusion assay.
Lobophytones U – Z1, Biscembranoids from the Chinese Soft Coral Lobophytum pauciflorum
Authors: Yan Pengcheng , Deng Zhiwei , van Ofwegen Leen , Proksch Peter , Lin Wenhan 
Published: September 2011

AbstractChemical examination of a Chinese soft coral Lobophytum pauciflorum resulted in the isolation of seven new biscembranoids named lobophytones U–Z1 (1–7, resp.), together with methyl sartortuoate (8) and nyalolide (9). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR (COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY) spectroscopic analysis in association with MS and IR data. All compounds were tested against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced nitric oxide (NO) release in mouse peritoneal macrophage. Lobophytone Z (6) inhibited NO production with an IC50 value of 2.6 μM. Lobophytone H (1) showed inhibitory activities against the bacteria S. aureus and S. pneumoniae.
Conidiogenones H and I, Two New Diterpenes of Cyclopiane Class from a Marine‐Derived Endophytic Fungus Penicillium chrysogenum QEN‐24S
Authors: Gao Shu‐Shan , Li Xiao‐Ming , Zhang Yi , Li Chun‐Shun , Wang Bin‐Gui 
Published: September 2011

AbstractTwo new tetracyclic diterpenes of the rarely reported cyclopiane class, conidiogenones H and I (1 and 2, resp.), along with five related congeners, conidiogenones B – D and F (3–5 and 6, resp.) and conidiogenol (7), were characterized from the culture extracts of Penicillium chrysogenum QEN‐24S, an endophytic fungus derived from an unidentified marine red algal species of the genus Laurencia. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. The inhibitory activity of theses diterpenes against four bacteria and one pathogen fungus was evaluated. Conidiogenone B (3) showed potent activity against Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus epidermidis (each with a MIC value of 8 μg/ml), while conidiogenol (7) showed obvious activity against P. fluorescens and S. epidermidis (each with a MIC value of 16 μg/ml). This is the first report on antimicrobial activity of cyclopiane diterpenes.
Terpenoid and Phenolic Metabolites from the Fungus Xylaria sp. Associated with Termite Nests
Authors: Yan Sha , Li Saifei , Wu Wen , Zhao Feng , Bao Li , Ding Rong , Gao Hao , Wen Hua‐An , Song Fuhang , Liu Hong‐Wei 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThree new sesquiterpene acids, xylaric acids A–C (1–3, resp.), and a new tetralone (=3,4‐dihydronaphthalen‐1(2H)‐one) derivative, 4, along with nine known compounds, xylaric acid D (5), hydroheptelidic acid (6), gliocladic acid (7), chlorine heptelidic acid (8), trichoderonic acid A (9), 16‐(α‐D‐mannopyranosyloxy)isopimar‐7‐en‐19‐oic acid (10), 16‐(α‐D‐glucopyranosyloxy)isopimar‐7‐en‐19‐oic acid (11), 5‐carboxymellein (12), and naphthalen‐1,8‐diol 1‐O‐α‐D‐glucopyranoside (13) have been isolated from the solid culture of the ascomycete fungus Xylaria sp. associated with termite nest. The structures of these compounds were elucidated primarily by NMR experiments. The absolute configurations of compounds 1–3 and 5–9 were determined by combination of X‐ray data and CD spectral analysis. The absolute configuration of 4 was assigned by Snatzke's method. Compounds 8 and 11 showed slight cytotoxicities against two cell lines A549 and SGC7901.
Variability in Chemical Composition and Abundance of the Rare Tertiary Relict Pinus heldreichii in Serbia
Authors: Bojović Srdjan , Nikolić Biljana , Ristić Mihailo , Orlović Saša , Veselinović Milorad , Rakonjac Ljubinko , Dražić Dragana 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe particular significance of the whitebark pine (Pinus heldreichii Christ.) stems from the fact that it is a tertiary relict and Balkanic subendemite covering a very narrow and intermittent area in Serbia. A representative pool of 48 adult trees originating from three populations, one recently discovered natural (Population I) and two planted populations (Populations II and III) was investigated in order to evaluate the intra‐ and interpopulation variability of the essential oil of the complete fund of P. heldreichii in Serbia. In the pine‐needle‐terpene profile, 104 compounds were detected, 84 of which could be identified. Among the essential‐oil constituents, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes dominated, comprising ca. 90% of the essential oil. The terpenic profile of Population I was characterized by a predominance of monoterpenes (e.g., limonene (1), α‐pinene, and Δ3‐carene (4)), while sesquiterpenes (e.g., germacrene D (2) and β‐caryophyllene (3)) obviously preponderated in the profile of Populations II and III. This study also demonstrated that the abundance of whitebark pines in Serbia had significantly changed over the last few decades. The number of individuals in the natural population had increased, while the number of individuals in the planted populations had decreased. Today, the whitebark pine fund in Serbia comprises less than 250 trees.
An Overview of Sugar‐Modified Oligonucleotides for Antisense Therapeutics
Authors: Prakash Thazha P. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractAmong the multitude of chemical modifications that have been described over the past two decades, oligonucleotide analogs that are modified at the 2′‐position of the furanose sugar have been especially useful for improving the drug‐like properties of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). These modifications bias the sugar pucker towards the 3′‐endo‐conformation and improve ASO affinity for its biological target (i.e., mRNA). In addition, antisense drugs incorporating 2′‐modified nucleotides exhibit enhanced metabolic stability, and improved pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties. Further conformational restriction of the 2′‐substituent to the 4′‐position of the furanose ring yielded the 2′,4′‐bridged nucleic acid (BNA) analogs. ASOs containing BNA modifications showed unprecedented increase in binding affinity for target RNA, while also improved nuclease resistance, in vitro and in vivo potency. Several ASO drug candidates containing 2′‐modified nucleotides have entered clinical trials and continue to make progress in the clinic for a variety of therapeutic indications.
Status and Perspectives of Coal Utilisation in Power Plants including Gasification
Authors: Pardemann Robert , Meyer Bernd 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObwohl Kohlekraftwerke mit Vergasung, sog. IGCC‐Kraftwerke, bereits seit den 1970er Jahren entwickelt werden, sind sie bisher nicht kommerziell etabliert. Neben technologischen Defiziten, die in Demonstrationsanlagen gelöst wurden, ist vor allem deren Wirtschaftlichkeit als Problem zu sehen. Der vorliegende Artikel führt in die Grundlagen von IGCC‐Kraftwerken mit und ohne CO2‐Abtrennung ein und gibt Informationen zu Wirtschaftlichkeit, Wirkungsgrad‐ und Entwicklungspotenzial. Daneben werden neue Konzepte der gekoppelten stofflich‐energetischen Kohlenutzung (Polygeneration) vorgestellt, die der Kraftwerkstechnik mit Kohlevergasung eine neue Perspektive eröffnen können.
Eco‐Balance Assessment of Ionic Liquids as Acid Catalysts in Transesterifications
Authors: Kuschnerow Jan C. , Wesche Mandy , Scholl Stephan 
Published: September 2011

AbstractIonische Flüssigkeiten können in Umesterungsprozessen als Homogenkatalysator fungieren. Im Gegensatz zu konventionellen Katalysatoren, wie Alkalilaugen oder Schwefelsäure, ist die verwendete ionische Flüssigkeit rezyklierbar und damit wieder in der Reaktion einsetzbar. In dieser Studie wurde der umweltentlastende Effekt einer Verfahrensumstellung einer schwefelsäurekatalysierten auf eine IL‐katalysierte Umesterung untersucht. Dabei wurden drei Methoden der Ökobilanzierung angewendet und miteinander verglichen. Zudem wurde der Einfluss verschiedener Parameter auf die Umweltbelastung untersucht. Bereits im Stadium des konzeptionellen Verfahrensentwurfs können ökobilanzielle Betrachtungen wertvolle Hinweise für die Gestaltung ökologisch vorteilhafter Prozesse geben.
Cardiac Rupture in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kumar Sanjay , Kaushik Sashank , Nautiyal Amit , Choudhary Sujit K. , Kayastha Bhuwan L. , Mostow Nelson , Lazar Jason M. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackground:Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TSC) and its complications, such as cardiac rupture (CR), are increasingly being reported in the literature. CR is associated with rapid clinical decline and is uniformly fatal if not surgically repaired. To identify patients who developed CR we performed an analysis of all available indexed cases in the literature and compared them with a control group of patients with TSC without rupture.Hypothesis:Takotsubo cardiomyopathy patients with cardiac rupture do not differ significantly from those without rupture.Methods:MEDLINE (2009) was searched for all TSC case reports with CR. Eleven case reports were identified. Using a random sampling method, we selected 12 case reports of TSC without rupture (control). We included our patient with TSC with rupture as the 12th case of TSC cohort with CR (CR group). Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared between CR group and control.Results:All patients in the TSC group with rupture were female and were significantly older than controls. TSC group with rupture had significantly higher frequency of ST elevation in lead II and absence of T‐wave inversion in lead V5 on hospital admission than controls. Mean ejection fraction, systolic blood pressure, and double product, a measure of oxygen demand, was significantly higher in the rupture group compared to controls. The CR group was associated with less frequent use of β‐blocker as compared to controls.Conclusions:CR as a complication of TSC could be more common than recognized. Higher double product and ejection fraction suggest higher fluctuation of intracardiac pressure and may cause CR in TSC. Use of β blockers in TSC may provide protection against CR. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.The authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.