bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the relevance of seasonal differentiation of human health intake fractions in life cycle assessment
Authors: Manneh Rima , Margni Manuele , Deschênes Louise 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
The intake fraction (iF) is the fraction of an emitted mass of chemical that is ultimately taken in by an entire population, and it is used as an indicator of human health potential impacts related to environmental chemical persistence and bioaccumulation in the food chain. In chemical screening applications, the iF can be predicted using multimedia and multipathway fate and exposure models. One of the sources of iF uncertainty is the natural seasonal variability of the input parameters used in the models, i.e., the physicochemical properties of the pollutant and the landscape and exposure parameters. The objective of this article is to determine the relevance of including seasonal differentiation when assessing iFs in life cycle assessment. This was done by calculating and comparing seasonal iFs with each other and with iFs at 25° C, for both Canadian and global contexts. Two Canadian seasonal models based on the IMPACT 2002 predictive tool, and 2 models for the global context based on the USEtox consensus model were developed to calculate summer and winter iFs. Emissions into air and water and a set of 35 representative organic chemicals were considered. Partition coefficients for seasonal conditions were calculated using an integration of the van't Hoff equation. First-order degradation rate constants were calculated assuming that the rate constant doubles with each 10° C increase in temperature. For Canadian air emissions, results indicated that iFs for winter emissions could be up to 1 to 2 orders of magnitude higher than summer iFs or iFs calculated at 25° C. For Canadian water emissions, results showed that iFs for both summer and winter conditions were, in general, closer to each other with outliers within 1 order of magnitude to iFs calculated at 25° C. Results also indicated that seasonal variability was of lesser importance when assessing iFs within a global context. Because the ranking between chemicals was maintained, it can be concluded that seasonal variability is not relevant within a comparative context. However, this difference might be significant when comparing the magnitude of human toxicity impacts versus other impact categories contributing to human health damages. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2012; 8: 749–759. © 2012 SETAC
THE FEASIBILITY OF RICE HUSK APPLICATION AS ENVELOPE MATERIAL IN SUBSURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
Authors: Kaboosi Kami , Liaghat Abdolmajid , Hosseini Seyed Hadi 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTMany studies have been conducted on the role and importance of subsurface drainage in groundwater table control to discover new techniques and more economical solutions, particularly relating to different pipes, envelope materials and their installation. This research was conducted to investigate the applicability of rice husk in drainage as a drain envelope material. It was compared with standard sand and gravel envelopes. Some of the physical and hydraulic properties of rice husk such as bulk density, void ratio, gradation curve and hydraulic conductivity were measured. A physical model that simulated a part of the drain trench enabling groundwater table control was used to simulate land drainage in the laboratory and to test filtration and water conductivity of a rice husk envelope. The experiments were carried out in two soils that required envelope material based on standard methods. The results of this study showed that hydraulic conductivity of the rice husk even under large loads, was high enough to guarantee its hydraulic function as an envelope. Furthermore, the rice husk envelopes had appropriate filter function compared to mineral envelopes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous determination of lamivudine, lopinavir, ritonavir, and zidovudine concentration in plasma of HIV‐infected patients by HPLC‐MS/MS
Authors: Notari Stefania , Sergi Manuel , Montesano Camilla , Ivanovic Jelena , Narciso Pasquale , Pucillo Leopoldo P. , Ascenzi Paolo 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors lamivudine and zidovudine and the protease inhibitors lopinavir and ritonavir are currently used in anti‐human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) therapy. Here, a high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS) method, using a hybrid quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass analyzer, is reported for the simultaneous quantification of lamivudine, lopinavir, ritonavir, and zidovudine in plasma of HIV‐infected patients. The volume of plasma sample was 600 μL. Plasma samples were extracted by solid‐phase using 1 cc Oasis HLB Cartridge (divinylbenzene and N‐vinylpyrrolidone) and evaporated in a water bath under nitrogen stream. The extracted samples were reconstituted with 100‐μL methanol. Five microliters of the reconstituted samples were injected into a HPLC‐MS/MS apparatus, and the analytes were eluted on a Vydac column (250 × 1.0 mm i.d.) filled with 3‐μm C18 particles. The mobile phase was delivered at 70 μL/min with a linear gradient elution, both acetonitrile and ultrapure water solvents contained 0.2% formic acid. The calibration curves were linear from 0.47 to 20 ng/mL. The absolute recovery ranged between 91 and 107%. The minimal concentration of lamivudine, lopinavir, ritonavir, and zidovudine detectable by HPLC‐MS/MS is 0.47, 0.28, 0.30, and 0.66 ng/mL, respectively. The great advantage of the new HPLC‐MS/MS method here reported is the possibility to achieve a very high specificity toward the selected anti‐HIV drugs, despite the simple and rapid sample preparation. Moreover, this method is easily extendible to the analysis of co‐administrated drugs. © 2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 2012
Synthesis, structure, and biocompatibility of pulsed laser‐deposited TiN nanowires for implant applications
Authors: Faruque Mainul K. , Darkwa Kwadwo M. , Watson Christa Y. , Waterman Jenora T. , Kumar Dhananjay 
Published: April 2012

AbstractA bottom‐up based pulsed laser deposition technique has been used to grow titanium nitride (TiN) nanowires on single crystalline substrates. The first step of this method is the dissolution of laser ablated gaseous TiN material in the nanodimensional catalytic gold (Au) liquid islands located on the substrate surfaces. The continuous dissolution of TiN results in the supersaturation of liquid Au with TiN followed by extrusion of solid TiN material in the nanowire form at the liquid/solid interface. The growth of TiN nanowires continues as long as its dissolution rate into the catalyst Au matches the extrusion rate of solid TiN. This bottom‐up approach gives rise to a one‐dimensional TiN nanowire structures (length: 200–300 nm and diameter: 20–30 nm) capped with Au. The ascent of Au nanodots to the top of TiN nanowires can be explained based on breaking of weaker bonds and building of stronger bonds. The TiN nanowires are provided vertical alignment by selecting a plane of the substrate that provides the least lattice mismatching to the (111) plane of TiN which has lower surface energy than its other planes: (100) or (110). After the successful formation and structural characterization, a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay has been used to confirm the biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of these nanowires. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.
Controllable drug release of electrospun thermoresponsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)/poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐ methylpropanesulfonic acid) nanofibers
Authors: Lin Xiuling , Tang Dongyan , Cui Weiwei , Cheng Yan 
Published: April 2012

AbstractElectrospinning micro‐ and nanofibers are being increasingly investigated for drug delivery. The components and their stimuli‐responsive properties of fibers are important factors influencing the drug release behavior. The aim of this study is to fabricate thermoresponsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)/poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonic acid) (PAMPS) nanofibers by single‐spinneret electrospinning technique. The electrospun nanofibers are used as a drug carrier by cospinning with nifedipine (NIF), and the release behaviors of NIF from the thermoresponsive nanofibers can be controlled by the response of nanofibers with temperature. The morphology of the nanofibers and its composites with NIF was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The hydrogen bond interactions between PNIPAAm/PAMPS and the water‐insoluble drug of NIF were introduced and confirmed by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and energy dispersive spectrometer. The thermoresponsive properties of nanofibers were investigated by contact angle (CA) measurements. The release behaviors of NIF from the PNIPAAm/PAMPS nanofibers were observed by SEM and demonstrated by UV–vis spectroscopy. It was found that uniform fibers of NIF and PNIPAAm/PAMPS could be fabricated without particles on the surface. The release of NIF from nanofibers could be controlled effectively by the changes of hydrogen bonds between PNIPAAm/PAMPS and NIF, and by adjusting temperatures of the thermoresponsive nanofibers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.
Bioactive anti‐inflammatory coating for chronic neural electrodes
Authors: Taub Aryeh H. , Hogri Roni , Magal Ari , Mintz Matti , Shacham‐Diamand Yosi 
Published: April 2012

AbstractChronic electrodes are widely used for brain degenerative and psychiatric daises such as Parkinson's diseases, major depression, and obsessive‐compulsive disorder, and for neuronal prosthesis. Brain immune reaction to electrodes in the form of glial scar encapsulates the electrode and reduces the efficacy of deep brain stimulation and neuronal prosthesis. State‐of‐the‐art strategies for improving brain–electrode interface use passive protein coating to “camouflage” the electrode from the immune system. In this study, we actively reduced the brain immune reaction to the chronic electrodes using immune suppressing protein, that is, interleukin (IL)‐1 receptor antagonist. IL‐1 receptor antagonist‐coated electrodes and noncoated electrodes were chronically implanted in rats. An additional group of rats was chronically implanted with IL‐1 receptor antagonist‐ and laminin‐coated electrodes (as passive protein). Examination of glial scaring 1ne and 4 weeks after implantation indicated a significant reduction in the amount of glial scar in the vicinity of the IL‐1 receptor antagonist‐coated electrode in comparison to both noncoated electrode and laminin‐coated electrodes. The results strongly suggest that active immune suppressing protein reduces the level of immune reaction to chronic electrodes already after 1 week after implantation and generates less immune reaction then passive protein coating. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.
Regional climate variability driven by foehn winds in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
Authors: Speirs Johanna C. , McGowan Hamish A. , Steinhoff Daniel F. , Bromwich David H. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWarm, dry and gusty foehn winds are frequently experienced in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDVs), Antarctica; however, their significance in the region's climate is unknown. Foehn events in the MDVs are caused by topographic modification of southwesterly airflow which is related to the occurrence of synoptic‐scale cyclones in the Amundsen/Ross Sea region. The intra‐ and interannual frequency and intensity of foehn events therefore varies in response to the position and frequency of cyclones in this region that are believed to be strongly influenced by the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Southern Annular Mode (SAM). Here, we present a 20‐year climatology of foehn winds from observational records in the MDVs. The SAM is found to significantly influence foehn wind frequency during the Antarctic summer and autumn months, whereas ENSO only holds significant correlations with winter air temperatures in the MDVs. The positive relationship between the SAM and the foehn wind regime in summer is particularly significant as foehn winds frequently cause summer temperatures to rise above 0 °C leading to extensive melt and thaw in MDVs. Foehn winds are a major climatological feature of the MDVs with their frequency and duration affecting the region's temperature records and their trends. Accordingly, analysis of the region's weather and climate records and predictions of future impacts of climate change on the MDVs is incomplete without consideration of foehn winds and their influence. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Predicting thermal stress for coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef using a coupled ocean–atmosphere seasonal forecast model
Authors: Spillman C. M. , Alves O. , Hudson D. A. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractCoral bleaching, triggered by elevated water temperatures, is a serious threat to the future health of the world coral reef systems and represents a considerable challenge for reef management. Seasonal forecast products from coupled ocean–atmosphere models can be used to predict anomalously warm conditions several months in advance and provide early warning of bleaching, allowing for a proactive management response to bleaching. Predictions on a seasonal timescale are the most practical for reef managers, as strategies can be implemented at the start of summer prior to the onset of bleaching. To more accurately assess the potential for bleaching, both duration and magnitude of the thermal stress must be considered, in addition to the probability of an event occurring. In this study, we assess the ability of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology seasonal forecast model (POAMA) to forecast monthly HotSpots and Degree Heating Months in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, with particular focus on the major 1997/1998 and 2001/2002 bleaching events. Probabilistic forecasts for exceeding certain thresholds are also assessed. This work is part of an ongoing research effort to apply a dynamical seasonal model to the problem of coral bleaching and to provide valuable forecast tools for reef managers at useful time scales. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Pittsburgh climate initiative: Advancing sustainability through organizational collaboration
Authors: Sharrard Aurora L. , Jameson John H. F. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe Pittsburgh Climate Initiative (PCI) in Pennsylvania is one of a few local climate programs that is led by a coalition of organizations instead of by government alone. In contrast to a single‐platform, top‐down model, it is headed by a partnership of nonprofit, local government, business, and institutional stakeholders that provides multiple platforms for action. Collaboration both across and within sectors enhances the PCI's overall impact and that of each organization with which it engages. Thus, the PCI has been able to successfully engage Pittsburgh and Allegheny County residents, businesses, governments, and universities in taking measurable actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, the PCI helps to secure the region's economic interests while safeguarding the physical well‐being of its residents. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lean thinking: A way of life for the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System
Authors: Wong Peter K. , Price Kathy M. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAt the 11 acute care facilities and system office of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System (SCLHS), the Lean Thinking performance improvement model has enabled top leaders and employees at all levels of the organization to work together to improve quality and processes for the benefit of patients and shareholders. Their commitment to cost‐effective care and the elimination of waste, bolstered by comprehensive training and a creative compensation program, has saved the SCLHS millions in just four years and built a sturdy and replicable foundation for sustainable culture change. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of thermal processing and various chemical substances on formaldehyde and dimethylamine formation in squid Dosidicus gigas
Authors: Zhu Junli , Li Jianrong , Jia Jia 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) in squid is demethylated to dimethylamine (DMA) and formaldehyde (FA) during storage and processing. This study examined the effects of thermal processing and various chemical substances on FA and DMA formation in squid.RESULTS: The thermal conversion of TMAO was assessed by analysing four squid and four gadoid fish species, which revealed that FA, DMA and trimethylamine (TMA) were gradually produced in squid, whereas TMA increased and FA decreased in gadoid fish. A significant increase in both FA and DMA levels was observed in the supernatant of jumbo squid with increased heating temperature and extended heating time at pH 6–7. Ferrous chloride combined with cysteine and/or ascorbate had a significantly positive effect on FA formation in the heated supernatant of jumbo squid. No significant difference was observed in the levels of Cu and Fe in squid and gadoid fish. The capability of Fe2+ to promote the formation of FA and DMA was not completely attributable to its reducing power in squid.CONCLUSION: Non‐enzymatic decomposition of TMAO was a key pathway during the thermal processing of jumbo squid, and Fe2+ was a crucial activator in the formation of FA and DMA. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of the presence of monoglyceride on the interfacial properties of soy protein isolate
Authors: López‐Castejón M Luisa , de la Fuente Julia , Ruiz Manuela , Guerrero Antonio 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: This study focused on the contribution of soy protein isolate (SPI), in the absence or presence of monostearin (ME), to surface and interfacial properties as a function of protein concentration and pH, which is relevant to the physical stability of a variety of food systems.RESULTS: An increase in protein content always yielded a rapid decrease in surface tension followed by an evolution towards an asymptotic value. Addition of ME gave rise to mixed SPI/ME films, although the interface became dominated by SPI above the concentration for interfacial saturation. The relative interfacial shear viscosity of SPI films showed a marked dependence on: aging time, which may be attributed to a reorganisation of protein species at the interface with some penetration of hydrophobic parts into the oil phase; shear forces, which may partially reverse this reorganisation, leading to shear‐thickening behaviour; and pH, which is the key factor controlling which SPI species is predominant at the interface. The effect of adding ME also depends on pH, favouring a reinforcement of SPI/ME films only at low pH, at which 3S and 7S fractions are dominant.CONCLUSION: The results obtained indicate that SPI shows excellent potential to favour stabilisation of air/water and oil/water interfaces in food systems. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Oscillation and spectral theory for linear Hamiltonian systems with nonlinear dependence on the spectral parameter
Authors: Bohner Martin , Kratz Werner , Šimon Hilscher Roman 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIn this paper, we consider linear Hamiltonian differential systems which depend in general nonlinearly on the spectral parameter and with Dirichlet boundary conditions. Our results generalize the known theory of linear Hamiltonian systems in two respects. Namely, we allow nonlinear dependence of the coefficients on the spectral parameter and at the same time we do not impose any controllability and strict normality assumptions. We introduce the notion of a finite eigenvalue and prove the oscillation theorem relating the number of finite eigenvalues which are less than or equal to a given value of the spectral parameter with the number of proper focal points of the principal solution of the system in the considered interval. We also define the corresponding geometric multiplicity of finite eigenvalues in terms of finite eigenfunctions and prove that the algebraic and geometric multiplicities coincide. The results are also new for Sturm–Liouville differential equations, being special linear Hamiltonian systems.
Conventional magnetic resonance imaging in confirmed progressive supranuclear palsy and multiple system atrophy
Authors: Massey Luke A. , Micallef Caroline , Paviour Dominic C. , O'Sullivan Sean S. , Ling Helen , Williams David R. , Kallis Constantinos , Holton Janice L. , Revesz Tamas , Burn David J. , Yousry Tarek , Lees Andrew J. , Fox Nick C. , Jäger Hans R. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractConventional magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) is often used to aid the diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and multiple system atrophy (MSA), but its ability to predict the histopathological diagnosis has not been systematically studied. cMRI from 48 neuropathologically confirmed cases, including PSP (n = 22), MSA (n = 13), Parkinson's disease (PD) (n = 7), and corticobasal degeneration (n = 6), and controls (n = 9) were assessed blinded to clinical details and systematically rated for reported abnormalities. Clinical diagnosis and macroscopic postmortem findings were retrospectively assessed. Radiological assessment of MRI was correct in 16 of 22 (72.7%) PSP cases and 10 of 13 (76.9%) MSA cases with substantial interrater agreement (Cohen's kappa 0.708; P < .001); no PSP case was misclassified as MSA or vice versa. MRI was less sensitive but more specific than clinical diagnosis in PSP and both more sensitive and specific than clinical diagnosis in MSA. The “hummingbird” and “morning glory” signs were highly specific for PSP, and “the middle cerebellar peduncle sign” and “hot cross bun” for MSA, but sensitivity was lower (up to 68.4%) and characteristic findings may not be present even at autopsy. cMRI, clinical diagnosis, and macroscopic examination at postmortem have similar sensitivity and specificity in predicting a neuropathological diagnosis. We have validated specific radiological signs in pathologically confirmed PSP and MSA. However, the low sensitivity of these and macroscopic findings at autopsy suggest a need for imaging techniques sensitive to microstructural abnormalities without regional atrophy. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Including convection in global turbulence forecasts
Authors: Gill Philip G. , Stirling Alison J. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe World Area Forecast Centres provide aviation users around the world with meteorological hazard forecasts. At present, hazard forecasts are issued for turbulence associated with wind shear or mountain waves. However convection is also a major source of turbulence. This paper proposes a method for combining different predictors of turbulence derived from the area of biostatistics, and this is used to produce a single global turbulence forecast that includes convection as well as wind shear and mountain‐wave components. The use of the Richardson number and a climatology of observed turbulence are also investigated as a way of improving turbulence forecasts. The performance of the forecast is tested using an objective verification scheme using automated aircraft observations, and it is shown that the inclusion of convective indicators, as well as Richardson number and climatology, can greatly improve the skill in forecasting turbulence. Copyright © 2012 British Crown Copyright, the Met Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Chemie lernen mit Humor
Authors: Dickhäuser Andreas , Stachelscheid Karin 
Published: April 2012

AbstractFür viele Schüler ist Chemie ein trockenes Unterrichtsfach. Gerade wenn es um theoretische Inhalte geht, wird es schnell langweilig. Hier bietet sich die Möglichkeit an, Chemieunterricht mit Humor anzureichern und so trockene, aber fachlich wichtige Themen interessanter zu gestalten.