bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conceptualization of the hydrogeological system of some sedimentary aquifers in Savelugu–Nanton and surrounding areas, Northern Ghana
Authors: Attandoh Nelson , Yidana Sandow Mark , Abdul‐Samed Aliou , Sakyi Patrick Asamoah , Banoeng‐Yakubo Bruce , Nude Prosper M. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractGroundwater resources play a pivotal role in the rural water delivery system in Ghana. The hydrogeological system of Middle Voltaian terrain was simulated using available data on hydraulic heads and boundary conditions. The objective was to characterize the general groundwater flow pattern and provide local estimates of the distribution of hydraulic conductivity and recharge fields. The results suggest a predominant NE–SW flow direction, which ties in with the general regional structural trend and indicates that the hydrogeological conditions of the rocks are controlled by structural entities created in the wake of fracturing and/or weathering of the rocks whose primary permeabilities are considerably reduced because of high compaction and low‐grade metamorphism. Calibrated hydraulic conductivities range between 1.90 and 10.81 m/d. The spatial distribution appears to reflect the intensity of fracturing and/or weathering of the rock and the proportion of the clay fraction of the weathered zone. Vertical groundwater recharge has been estimated to range between 0.3% and 4.1% of the annual rainfall. This recharge rate is quite low and reflects the imperviousness of the thick overburden because of high clay content in some places and high compaction in others. Despite this apparently low recharge rate, groundwater resources potential in the area appear to be high, and increased abstraction from existing abstraction wells by up to 50% does not appear to register significant effects on groundwater budgets at the simulated recharge rates. This suggests that the well yields are much lower than the potential of the aquifer system. The apparently low yields might be associated with poor well development and the choice of inappropriate well completion materials. This study recommends a monitoring system to be developed for a much more regional groundwater flow simulation under transient conditions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Locating and characterising groundwater storage areas within an alpine watershed using time‐lapse gravity, GPR and seismic refraction methods
Authors: McClymont A. F. , Hayashi M. , Bentley L. R. , Liard J. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractUnconsolidated sediments in alpine watersheds can store glacier melt and snowmelt as groundwater, which helps sustain flow in mountain rivers during dry periods. However, the amount and distribution of groundwater storage in rugged alpine terrain is not well understood, hindering our ability to predict the rate and timing of groundwater discharge into alpine streams. We show how non‐invasive time‐lapse microgravity surveys can be used to gauge the spatial distribution of groundwater storage changes within a large (ca 1500 × 1000 m) moraine–talus field of the Lake O'Hara alpine watershed of the Canadian Rockies. Additional ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) and seismic refraction surveys provide complementary information on subsurface bedrock topography and reveal the location of a major northwest–southeast trending depression that likely controls groundwater flow to an alpine lake contiguous with the moraine–talus field. Repeat relative gravity measurements made on a network of 80 gravity stations over and around the moraine–talus field during the summers of 2009 and 2010 reveal gravity changes of up to 25 µgal. Although the small gravity changes associated with groundwater flowing out of storage areas are noisy, significant changes are evident on the eastern side of the moraine–talus field. © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada 2012.
Insulin‐like growth factor 2 hypomethylation of blood leukocyte DNA is associated with gastric cancer risk
Authors: Yuasa Yasuhito , Nagasaki Hiromi , Oze Isao , Akiyama Yoshimitsu , Yoshida Shunsuke , Shitara Kouhei , Ito Seiji , Hosono Satoyo , Watanabe Miki , Ito Hidemi , Tanaka Hideo , Kang Daehee , Pan Kai‐feng , You Wei‐cheng , Matsuo Keitaro 
Published: March 2012

AbstractTo determine whether or not the methylation status of blood leukocyte DNA can be used as a surrogate marker of the risk for cancer, we quantitatively determined the methylation levels of insulin‐like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and TUSC3 in 299 gastric cancer cases, and 299 age‐ and gender‐matched controls. The IGF2 methylation levels in blood leukocyte DNA of the cases were lower than those of the healthy controls and there was a significant trend of increasing gastric cancer risk with decreasing methylation level of IGF2. Patients with hypermethylated IGF2 in blood leukocyte DNA showed a significantly better survival rate than those with hypomethylated IGF2, indicating that the IGF2 methylation level in blood leukocyte DNA can be a possible marker not only of the risk for but also of the prognosis of gastric cancer. In contrast, the TUSC3 methylation level in blood leukocyte DNA was higher in the cases than in the healthy controls, but the difference was not significant. The past lifestyle and clinicopathological characteristics of the participants were analyzed for any relationship with the methylation level. With aging and smoking, methylation of IGF2 and TUSC3 decreased and increased in blood leukocyte DNA, respectively. These results indicate that the methylation level of IGF2 in blood leukocyte DNA may be used as an important surrogate marker of the risk for gastric cancer.
Carbon monoxide: An unusual drug
Authors: Gullotta Francesca , Masi Alessandra di , Ascenzi Paolo 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe highly toxic gas carbon monoxide (CO) displays many physiological roles in several organs and tissues. Although many diseases, including cancer, hematological diseases, hypertension, heart failure, inflammation, sepsis, neurodegeneration, and sleep disorders, have been linked to abnormal endogenous CO metabolism and functions, CO administration has therapeutic potential in inflammation, sepsis, lung injury, cardiovascular diseases, transplantation, and cancer. Here, insights into the CO‐based therapy, characterized by the induction or gene transfer of heme oxygenase‐1 and either gas or CO‐releasing molecule administration, are reviewed. 2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 2012
Synthesis and characterization of antibacterial dental monomers and composites
Authors: Xu Xiaoming , Wang Yapin , Liao Sumei , Wen Zezhang T. , Fan Yuwei 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe objective of this study is to synthesize antibacterial methacrylate and methacrylamide monomers and formulate antibacterial fluoride‐releasing dental composites. Three antibacterial methacrylate or methacrylamide monomers containing long‐chain quaternary ammonium fluoride, 1,2‐methacrylamido‐N,N,N‐trimethyldodecan‐1‐aminium fluoride (monomer I), N‐benzyl‐11‐(methacryloyloxy)‐N,N‐dimethylundecan‐1‐aminium fluoride (monomer II), and methacryloxyldecylpyridinium fluoride (monomer III) have been synthesized and analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS). The cytotoxicity test and bactericidal test against Streptococcus mutans indicate that antibacterial monomer II is superior to monomers I and III. A series of dental composites containing 0–6% of antibacterial monomer II have been formulated and tested for degree of conversion (DC), flexure strength, water sorption, solubility, and inhibition of S. mutans biofilms. An antibacterial fluoride‐releasing dental composite has also been formulated and tested for flexure strength and fluoride release. The dental composite containing 3% of monomer II has a significant effect against S. mutans biofilm formation without major adverse effects on its physical and mechanical properties. The new antibacterial monomers can be used together with the fluoride‐releasing monomers containing a ternary zirconiun‐fluoride chelate to formulate a new antibacterial fluoride‐releasing dental composite. Such a new dental composite is expected to have higher anticaries efficacy and longer service life. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Relationship between microstructure and degree of mineralization in subchondral bone of osteoarthritis: A synchrotron radiation µCT study
Authors: Chiba Ko , Nango Nobuhito , Kubota Shogo , Okazaki Narihiro , Taguchi Kenji , Osaki Makoto , Ito Masako 
Published: March 2012

Abstract
We analyzed the microstructure and degree of mineralization of the subchondral trabecular bone in hip osteoarthritis (OA) using synchrotron radiation computed tomography (SRCT) to identify the relationship between bone structure and bone turnover. Subchondral bone samples were extracted from femoral heads of 10 terminal-staged hip OA patients. The SRCT scan was performed at 30 keV energy and 5.9 µm voxel size. Trabecular bone structure, bone cyst volume, and the degree of trabecular bone mineralization were measured, and correlations between bone structure and the degree of mineralization were analyzed. In addition, the trabecular bone was divided into the area immediately surrounding the bone cyst and the remaining area, and they were compared. The average cyst volume fraction in the whole region was 31.8%, and the bone volume fraction in the bone region was 55.6%. Cyst volume was the only structural parameter that had a significant correlation with the degree of mineralization. The degree of mineralization was diminished when the bone cyst was larger (r = −0.81, p = 0.004). The trabecular bone immediately surrounding the bone cyst had a lower degree of mineralization when compared with the remaining trabecular bone (p = 0.008). In the bone sclerosis of OA subchondral bone, there are many large and small bone cysts, which are expected to play a significant part in the high bone turnover of OA. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
A functional network of the tumor suppressors APC, hDlg, and PTEN, that relies on recognition of specific PDZ‐domains
Authors: Sotelo Natalia S. , Valiente Miguel , Gil Anabel , Pulido Rafael 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAPC and PTEN are tumor suppressor proteins that bind through their C‐termini to the PDZ domain containing‐hDlg scaffolding protein. We have found that co‐expression of PTEN and hDlg enhanced the negative regulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway by PTEN, indicating the physiologic importance of these interactions. APC and PTEN share other PDZ domain containing–interacting partners, including the MAGI scaffolding proteins and the MAST family of protein kinases. Mutational analysis revealed that the C‐terminal PDZ‐binding motifs from APC and PTEN were differentially recognized by distinct PDZ domains. APC bound to the three PDZ domains from hDlg, whereas PTEN mainly bound to PDZ‐2/hDlg. This indicates the existence of overlapping, but distinct PDZ‐domain recognition patterns by APC and PTEN. Furthermore, a ternary complex formed by APC, PTEN, and hDlg was detected, suggesting that hDlg may serve as a platform to bring in proximity APC and PTEN tumor suppressor activities. In line with this, tumor‐related mutations targeting the PDZ‐2/hDlg domain diminished its interaction with APC and PTEN. Our results expand the PDZ‐domain counterparts for the tumor suppressor APC, show that APC and PTEN share PDZ‐domain partners but have individual molecular determinants for specific recognition of PDZ domains, and suggest the participation of the tumor suppressors APC, PTEN, and hDlg in PDZ‐domain interaction networks which may be relevant in oncogenesis. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 2661–2670, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thermodynamics of chemical reactions with COSMO‐RS: The extreme case of charge separation or recombination
Authors: Deglmann Peter , Schenk Stephan 
Published: March 2012

AbstractMany technically relevant chemical processes in the condensed phase involve as elementary reactive steps the formation of ions from neutral species or, as the opposite, recombination of ions. Such reactions that generate or annihilate charge defy the standard gas phase quantum chemical treatment, and also continuum solvation models are only partially able to account for the right amount of stabilization in solution. In this work, for such types of reaction, a solvation treatment involving the COSMO‐RS method is assessed, which leads to improved results, i.e., errors of only around 10 kJ/mol for both protic and aprotic solvents. The examples discussed here comprise protolysis reactions and organo halide heterolysis, for both of which a comparison with reliable experimental data is possible. It is observed that for protolysis, the quality of results does not strongly depend on the quantum chemical method used for energy calculation. In contrast, in the case of heterolytic carbon‐chlorine bond cleavage, clearly better results are obtained for higher correlated (coupled cluster) methods or the density functional M06‐2X, which is well known for its accuracy if applied to organic chemistry. This hints at least that the right answer is obtained for the right reason and not due to a compensation of errors from gas phase thermodynamics with those from the solvation treatment. Problems encountered with certain critical solvents or upon decomposing Gibbs free energies into heats or entropies of reaction are found to relate mostly to the parameterization of the H‐bonding term within COSMO‐RS. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inter‐annual and inter‐decadal variability of dry days in Argentina
Authors: Rivera Juan Antonio , Penalba Olga Clorinda , Betolli María Laura 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis work proposes to employ the number of dry days (days without precipitation) as a variable of study, and to analyse their spatial and temporal variability in Argentina. Climatological aspects of dry days, such as their annual mean values and its seasonal cycle, were discussed and compared with precipitation features in the country. Linear trends in the annual number of dry days (ANDD) were identified for the period 1960–2005. Most of the regions exhibited decreasing trends, but few stations showed significant ones. The most important trends were present in the Central‐West region and over the Patagonian coast and their magnitudes indicated a decrease of two to six dry days per decade. These trends coincide with the observed increase of accumulated precipitation in part of the country during the second half of the 20th century. To identify long‐term fluctuations in the ANDD, a low pass filter, a wavelet analysis and a cubic polynomial fit was applied to the longest time series of the selected locations. Through these methodologies, periodicities were identified in the inter‐annual and inter‐decadal ranges for the last 80 years. The most important significant cycles were observed in the range of 10–24 years, but also, depending on the region, significant inter‐annual variations were found. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Rapid molecular detection of metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma as an intraoperative adjunct to sentinel lymph node biopsy
Authors: Ferris Robert L. , Stefanika Patrick , Xi Liqiang , Gooding William , Seethala Raja R. , Godfrey Tony E. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:Clinical staging of early head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCCHN) is often inaccurate, leading to elective neck dissection to detect the 30% of patients with micrometastatic disease. Sentinel node biopsy accurately stages the regional lymphatics, but intraoperative pathology is only moderately sensitive, and final pathology takes several days to complete. To facilitate immediate neck dissection where necessary, we have identified several promising marker genes of SCCHN metastasis and developed a rapid, accurate, and automated quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (qRT‐PCR) assay for intraoperative use.Study Design:Prospective tissue collection, retrospective pathologic correlation with qRT‐PCR.Methods:From a 40‐gene marker screen, we quantified expression of 11 potential tumor genes using a test set of primary tumors (n = 32) and metastatic (n = 19) and benign (n = 10) lymph nodes. Eight patients' paired primary tumor and metastatic nodes were included. A validation set of 442 grossly tumor‐negative nodes was evaluated for expression of the most promising markers, comparing metastasis detection by qRT‐PCR with pathologic analysis (hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemistry). A novel multiplexed, automated, single‐tube qRT‐PCR assay was used to analyze more than 100 lymph nodes using a two‐marker, 35‐minute assay to determine its negative predictive value.Results:Based on expression of 11 tumor‐associated genes from the marker screen, the two most promising markers of SCCHN metastasis in the test set, pemphigus vulgaris antigen (PVA) and tumor‐associated calcium signal transducer 1 (TACSTD1), also known as epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), were selected. Development of a multiplexed qRT‐PCR assay for the detection of metastasis compared favorably with pathologic analysis in the additional 442‐node set. A rapid, multiplexed assay using PVA and TACSTD1 demonstrated excellent reproducibility, linearity, and accuracy (≈96% negative predictive value) for identifying positive (n = 40) and negative (n = 62) nodes in a validation subset.Conclusions:Detection of metastatic SCCHN using multiplexed qRT‐PCR can be rapid, accurate, and automated and may enable sentinel node biopsy to be used for intraoperative decision‐making. PCR amplification of tumor marker genes is an effective method of intraoperative molecular staging of SCCHN and could more appropriately guide application of neck dissection in pN+ SCCHN patients, sparing 60% to 70% of pN0 patients from unnecessary neck dissection. This technique may also be used for identifying residual neck disease posttreatment, using outpatient fine‐needle aspiration biopsy specimens.
Mutation screening of the EYA1, SIX1, and SIX5 genes in an east asian cohort with branchio‐oto‐renal syndrome
Authors: Wang Shih‐Hao , Wu Chen‐Chi , Lu Ying‐Chang , Lin Yin‐Hung , Su Yi‐Ning , Hwu Wuh‐Liang , Yu I‐Shing , Hsu Chuan‐Jen 
Published: March 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To explore the genetic characteristics of branchio‐oto‐renal (BOR) syndrome in an East Asian population.Study Design:Prospective clinical genetic study.Methods:Twelve families (total of 18 patients) who fulfilled the criteria for BOR syndrome were enrolled in this study. Mutation screening of the EYA1, SIX1, and SIX5 genes was performed by direct sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and genotype‐phenotype correlation was investigated.Results:Two novel EYA1 variants, c.466C>T (p.Q156X) and c.1735delG (p.D579fs), were identified in two multiplex families. The c.466C>T variant resulted in a truncated EYA1 protein, whereas the c.1735delG variant was predicted to encode an EYA1 protein with an abnormal C terminal. Neither variant was identified in a panel of 100 normal controls, and both were cosegregated with the BOR phenotype in the pedigrees, indicating that they were pathogenic mutations. No SIX1 and SIX5 mutations were detected in members of the remaining 10 families. Analysis of the genotype‐phenotype correlation revealed a high phenotypic variability between and within BOR families.Conclusions:Two novel EYA1 mutations (c.466C>T and c.1735delG) were identified in two families with BOR syndrome. SIX1 and SIX5 mutations were not detected in the present study. Further investigation is warranted regarding the contribution of SIX1 and SIX5 mutations to BOR syndrome in East Asian populations.
DESIGN FEATURES OF ANCIENT AGRICULTURAL TERRACE WALLS IN THE NEGEV DESERT: HUMAN‐MADE GEODIVERSITY
Authors: Ore G. , Bruins H. J. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTThousands of stone terrace walls were constructed by past societies in the dry valleys of the central Negev highlands to capture runoff/floodwaters from local rainfall to enable agriculture in the desert. Human intervention in geomorphic processes led to human‐made geodiversity, as significant differences developed between terraced and natural stream channels. The former are characterised by soil aggradation, as terraced fields also captured sediment during each rainfall/flood event. The natural stream channels, on‐the‐other‐hand, often experienced erosion and desertification. The ancient agricultural terraces were abandoned about 1000 years ago, but many stone terrace walls are still intact. On the basis of fieldwork, we report new findings of sophisticated design characteristics of terrace walls. (1) Mutual friction‐hold of rectangular building stones was increased by placing the longest axis parallel with the flow direction of the floodwater and orienting the second longest axis vertically in the terrace wall. (2) The gradual addition of stone layers in the terrace walls, necessary to keep the wall above the aggrading field surface, was sometimes performed in a way that resulted in a staircase construction. Thus, the floodwaters would gradually cascade down to the next terraced field, thereby preventing undercutting and erosion. (3) In larger stream channels of 4th and 5th orders, the longitudinal axis of terrace walls was sometimes constructed with an oblique angle. This was apparently performed for two reasons: (i) to lessen the impact of the floodwaters on the terrace wall and (ii) to steer the water in diversion systems further onto the floodplain. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theoretical evaluation of the inhibition properties of two thiophene derivatives on corrosion of carbon steel in acidic media
Authors: Gece G. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe density functional theory at the B3LYP/6‐311G++(d,p) basis set level calculations were performed on two thiophene derivatives used as corrosion inhibitors, namely 2‐methylthiophene and 2‐(aminomethyl)thiophene, to investigate the correlation between its molecular structure and the corresponding inhibition efficiency (IE%). Quantum chemical parameters such as the highest occupied molecular orbital energy (EHOMO), the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy (ELUMO), energy gap (ΔE), dipole moment (µ), electronegativity (χ), hardness (η), and the fraction of electrons transferred from the inhibitor molecule to the metal surface (ΔN), have been calculated. A good correlation between the theoretical data and the experimental results was found.
Comments on “A triangular dielectric resonator antenna excited by a coaxial probe”
Authors: Maity Sudipta , Gupta Bhaskar 
Published: March 2012

AbstractOriginal article published Microwave Opt Technol Lett 30:340–341, 2001. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:1548, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26808
Compact microstrip lowpass filter for harmonics suppression using a new defected ground structure
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhu Xi , Karmakar Nemai C. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractA compact microstrip lowpass filter (LPF) for harmonics suppression is proposed. An open stub LPF with uniquely shaped defect ground structure cells is used to optimize the LPF performance. A stopband attenuation of greater than 20 dB is obtained from 3.42 GHz to more than 18 GHz. The physical size of the proposed LPF, excluding transmission lines, is only 10 × 15 mm2. Good agreements between simulation and measurements are observed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:1385–1387, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26809