bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aberrant self‐renewal and quiescence contribute to the aggressiveness of glioblastoma
Authors: Campos Benito , Gal Zoltan , Baader Aline , Schneider Tilman , Sliwinski Christopher , Gassel Kristina , Bageritz Josephine , Grabe Niels , von Deimling Andreas , Beckhove Philipp , Mogler Carolin , Goidts Violaine , Unterberg Andreas , Eckstein Volker , Herold‐Mende Christel
Published: April 2014

Cancer cells with enhanced self‐renewal capacity influence tumour growth in glioblastoma. So far, a variety of surrogate markers have been proposed to enrich these cells, emphasizing the need to devise new characterization methods. Here, we screen a large panel of glioblastoma cultures (n = 21) cultivated under stem cell‐permissive conditions and identify several cell lines with enhanced self‐renewal capacity. These cell lines are capable of matrix‐independent growth and form fast‐growing, orthotopic tumours in mice. Employing isolation, re‐plating, and label‐retention techniques, we show that self‐renewal potential of individual cells is partitioned asymmetrically between daughter cells in a robust and cell line‐specific fashion. This yields populations of fast‐ and slow‐cycling cells, which differ in the expression of cell cycle‐associated transcripts. Intriguingly, fast‐growing cells keep their slow‐cycling counterparts in a reversible state of quiescence associated with high chemoresistance. Our results suggest that two different subpopulations of tumour cells contribute to aberrant growth and tumour recurrence after therapy in glioblastoma. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toward multiple maximum power point estimation of photovoltaic systems based on semiconductor theory
Authors: Wang Jen‐Cheng , Su Yu‐Li , Kuo Kun‐Chang , Shieh Jyh‐Cherng , Jiang Joe‐Air
Published: April 2014

Environmental conditions, such as temperature, non‐uniform irradiation, and solar shading, deeply affect the characteristics of photovoltaic (PV) modules in PV‐assisted generation systems. Several local maximum power points (MPPs) are found in the power–voltage curve of PV systems constructed by series/parallel‐connected PV modules under partially shaded conditions. The characteristics of PV systems change unpredictably when multiple MPPs occur, so the actual MPP tracking (MPPT) becomes a difficult task. Conventional MPPT methods for the PV systems under partially shaded conditions cannot quickly find the actual MPP such that the optimal utilization of PV systems cannot be achieved. Based on the p–n junction semiconductor theory, we develop a multipoint direct‐estimation (MPDE) method to directly estimate the multiple MPPs of the PV systems under partially shaded conditions and to cope with the mentioned difficulties. Using the proposed MPDE method, the multiple MPPs of the PV systems under partially shaded conditions can be directly determined from their irradiated current–voltage and power–voltage characteristic curves. The performances of the proposed MPDE method are evaluated by examining the characteristics of multiple MPPs of PV systems with respect to different shading strengths and numbers of the shaded PV modules and also tested using the field data. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed MPDE method can simply and accurately estimate the multiple MPPs of the PV systems under partially shaded conditions. The optimization of MPP control models and the MPPT for PV systems could be achieved promisingly by applying the proposed method. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of Ni and Cr impurities on the electronic properties of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin film solar cells
Authors: Pianezzi Fabian , Nishiwaki Shiro , Kranz Lukas , Sutter‐Fella Carolin M. , Reinhard Patrick , Bissig Benjamin , Hagendorfer Harald , Buecheler Stephan , Tiwari Ayodhya N.
Published: April 2014

Deposition of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin film solar cells on metallic substrate is an attractive approach for development of low cost solar modules. However, in such devices, special care has to be taken to avoid diffusion of impurities, such as Fe, Ni, and Cr, from the substrate into the active layers. In this work, the influence of Ni and Cr impurities on the electronic properties of CIGS thin film solar cells is investigated in detail. Impurities were introduced into the CIGS layer by diffusion during the CIGS deposition process from a Ni or Cr precursor layer below the Mo electrical back contact. A high temperature and a low temperature CIGS deposition process were applied in order to correlate the changes in the photovoltaic parameters with the amount of impurities diffused into the absorber layer. Solar cells with Ni and Cr impurities show a reduction in the device performance, whereas the effect was most pronounced in Ni containing devices. The presence of deep defect levels in the absorber layer was identified with admittance spectroscopy and can be related to Ni and Cr impurities, which diffused into the CIGS layer according to secondary ion mass spectroscopy depth profiles and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Developing New Methods to Answer Old and New Questions in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: El Magraoui Fouzi , Eisenacher Martin , Schrötter Andreas , Kuhlmann Katja , Heinsen Helmut , Andrén Per , Nilsson Peter , Häggmark Anna , Schmitz Gerd , Verhaert Peter , Borchers Christoph , Yoo Jong‐Shin , Lee Bong‐Hee , Meyer Helmut E. , Grinberg Lea T.
Published: April 2014

The HUPO Brain Proteome Project (HUPO BPP) held its 21st workshop in Honolulu, Hawaii. During the 23–24 January 2014 the island became the center of the open workshop of the scientific community.
Gelation characteristics and applications of poly(ethylene glycol) end capped with hydrophobic biodegradable dipeptides
Authors: Krishnan G. Rajesh , Yuan Yuan , Arzumand Ayesha , Sarkar Debanjan
Published: April 2014

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) end capped with biodegradable hydrophobic dipeptides shows versatile gelation behavior in a wide range of aqueous and organic solvents. This gelation characteristic is attributed to the aggregation of polymer chains induced by dipeptide end groups. Both PEG molecular weight and molecular structure of end groups control this aggregation by striking a balance between two opposing molecular interactions: solubility of the PEG segment which tends to dissolve the polymer while hydrophobic and intermolecular noncovalent interactions between the end groups induce aggregation. Morphologically, this aggregated structure forms interpenetrating nano sheets with characteristic microstructural features. These gels are biodegradable and possess physicomechanical characteristics suitable for biomedical applications. Furthermore, proteins and hydrophobic model drugs can be encapsulated within the gels from aqueous and organic solvents, respectively, and can be released in a controlled fashion which indicates the applicability of the gels as drug delivery vehicles. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 1917–1928
Self‐immolative nanoparticles triggered by hydrogen peroxide and pH
Authors: Wang Zhijian , Sun Jianbo , Jia Xinru
Published: April 2014

The azomethine‐based oligomers bearing boronate groups and imine moieties in the main chain were synthesized from a dialdehyde monomer and an aromatic (oligomer 4) diamine or an aliphatic diamine (oligomer 5). Based on the oligomers, the nanoparticles with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and pH dual‐responsive properties were constructed and encapsulated nile red inside. The nanoparticles disassembled either by the trigger of H2O2 or by the attack of H+, thus leading to the release of loaded species. Compared to oligomer 4, oligomer 5 showed a faster degradation rate in the presence of H2O2, especially in a weak acidic environment. No significant cytotoxicity was observed as HeLa cells incubated in the nanoparticles with the concentration up to 200 μg/mL evidenced by cytotoxicity assay in vitro. Such a system capable of dual response of H2O2 and H+ may have potential application as a carrier for drug delivery. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 1962–1969
Disulfide‐centered star‐shaped polypeptide‐PEO block copolymers for reduction‐triggered drug release
Authors: Chang Xiao , Liu Lisha , Guan Yanfei , Dong Chang‐Ming
Published: April 2014

Disulfide‐centered star‐shaped poly(ε‐benzyloxycarbonyl‐l‐lysine)‐b‐poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymers (i.e., A2B4 type Cy‐PZlys‐b‐PEO) were synthesized by the combination of ring‐opening polymerization and thiol‐yne chemistry. Their molecular structures and physical properties were characterized in detail by FTIR, 1H NMR, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and polarized optical microscope. Despite mainly exhibiting an α‐helix conformation, the inner PZlys blocks within copolymers greatly prohibited the crystallinity of the outer PEO blocks and presented a liquid crystal phase transition behavior in solid state. These block copolymers Cy‐PZlys‐b‐PEO self‐assembled into nearly spherical micelles in aqueous solution, which had a hydrophobic disulfide‐centered PZlys core surrounded by a hydrophilic PEO corona. As monitored by means of DLS and TEM, these micelles were progressively reduced to smaller micelles in 10 mM 1,4‐dithiothreitol at 37 °C and finally became ones with a half size, demonstrating a reduction‐sensitivity. Despite a good drug‐loading property, the DOX‐loaded micelles of Cy‐PZlys‐b‐PEO exhibited a reduction‐triggered drug release profile with an improved burst‐release behavior compared with the linear counterpart. Importantly, this work provides a versatile strategy for the synthesis of the disulfide‐centered star‐shaped polypeptide block copolymers potential for intracellular glutathione‐triggered drug delivery systems. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 2000–2010
Dapoxetine: licensed treatment for premature ejaculation
Authors: Chaplin Steve , Mostyn Penny
Published: April 2014

Dapoxetine (Priligy) is a new treatment for premature ejaculation licensed for as‐required use. In our New products review, Steve Chaplin presents the data relating to its efficacy and adverse events, and Dr Penny Mostyn discusses its place in therapy.
Age‐related macular degeneration: current treatment options
Authors: Chong Victor
Published: April 2014

The recent introduction of anti‐VEGF treatment has reduced the number of AMD patients becoming legally blind. Here, Professor Chong discusses current approaches to management and the available treatment options.
Getting back to NaxCoO2: Spectral and thermoelectric properties
Authors: Boehnke L. , Lechermann F.
Published: April 2014

Sodium cobaltate NaxCoO2 as dopable strongly correlated layered material with a triangular sublattice still poses a challenging problem in condensed matter. The intriguing interplay between lattice, charge, spin, and orbital degrees of freedom leads to a complex phase diagram bounded by a nominal Mott (x = 0) regime and a band‐insulating (x = 1) phase. By means of the charge self‐consistent density functional theory (DFT) plus dynamical mean‐field theory (DMFT) scheme, built on a pseudopotential framework combined with a continuous‐time quantum Monte‐Carlo solver, we here study the one‐particle spectral function A(k,ω) as well as the thermopower S(T). The computations may account for the suppression of the pockets in A(k,ω) at lower doping in line with photoemission experiments. Enhancement of the thermopower is verified within the present elaborate multi‐orbital method to treat correlated materials. In addition, the two‐particle dynamic spin susceptibility is investigated based on a simplified tight‐binding approach, yet by including vertex contributions in the DMFT linear response. Besides the identification of paramagnon branches at higher doping, a prominent high‐energy antiferromagnetic mode close to x = 0.67 is therewith identified in , which can be linked to extended hopping terms on the CoO2 sublattice.
Silicon nanostructures for thermoelectric devices: A review of the current state of the art
Authors: Schierning Gabi
Published: April 2014

Silicon is the most important element of modern semiconductor industry. As a thermoelectric converter material, it would be able to promote applications dramatically since device integration and scaling of the fabrication processes could be borrowed from existing technology. Though the thermoelectric performance of single crystalline silicon is only poor, silicon nanostructures have demonstrated a competitive figure of merit. To make use of these nanostructures, novel device architectures are necessary. This review provides an overview over the physical background of silicon as thermoelectric converter material as well as different nanostructures like nanowires, porous nanomeshes, and nanocrystalline bulk and their thermoelectric properties, focusing mostly on experimental data. Further, different thermoelectric converter device concepts including nanowire device concepts, pn junction thermoelectric generators and integrated spot coolers are discussed and their realization with silicon nanostructures briefly sketched.

(a) Nanowires, porous nanomeshes and nanocrystalline bulk with promising thermoelectric material's figure of merit. (b) Innovative device concepts using nanowires or large area pn junctions for thermoelectric heat‐to‐electricity conversion.
Some results on disturbance attenuation for Hamiltonian systems via direct discrete‐time design
Authors: Yalçın Yaprak , Gören‐Sümer Leyla , Astolfi Alessandro
Published: April 2014

The disturbance attenuation and robust disturbance attenuation problems for Hamiltonian systems in the discrete‐time setting are considered and some new results are presented. The new results are derived utilizing the recently presented dissipativity equality obtained by adding the dissipation rate function to the classical dissipativity inequality. A selection of the dissipation rate function yields new results. These results include a condition on the dissipation structure of the system to achieve the desired disturbance attenuation level and gives direct construction of optimal control laws for any desired disturbance attenuation level. The results remove the need to solve Hamilton–Jacobi–Isaacs inequalities. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A class of nonlinear internal models for global robust output regulation problem
Authors: Lu Maobin , Huang Jie
Published: April 2014

The global robust output regulation problem of nonlinear systems in output feedback form has been studied via a linear internal model. In this paper, we study the same problem using a class of nonlinear internal models. An advantage of nonlinear internal models is that it exists even when the system contains nonpolynomial nonlinearity and the exosystem is nonlinear. Thus, the result of this paper applies to a larger class of nonlinear systems and a larger class of exosystems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecularly imprinted polymeric sensings layers grafted from aryl diazonium‐modified surfaces for electroanalytical applications. A mini review
Authors: Bakas Idriss , Salmi Zakaria , Gam‐Derouich Sarra , Jouini Mohamed , Lépinay Sandrine , Carbonnier Benjamin , Khlifi Akila , Kalfat Rafik , Geneste Florence , Yagci Yusuf , Chehimi Mohamed M.
Published: April 2014

We review our strategy to attach polymerization initiators to electrode surfaces by electroreduction of aryl diazonium salts. The ~5 nm‐thick aryl layers efficiently initiate the growth of crosslinked polymer grafts prepared in the presence of template molecules. We address the important parameters in obtaining highly sensitive molecularly imprinted vinylic polymer layers grafted on working electrodes such as glassy carbon, gold and indium tin oxide. Square wave voltammetry is the preferred electroanalytical tool while the limit of detection (LOD) of analytes can be decreased down to subnanomolar detection by synthesizing ultrathin layers in the 20–30 nm thickness. Further improvement can be achieved with molecularly imprinted polymer layers with embedded gold nanoparticles. Rebinding solvent is demonstrated to be another important parameter for lowering LOD. This work highlights XPS as a unique surface sensitive technique for monitoring the chemical composition changes occurring at the electrode surface during the building of the high performance sensing layers as well as for evidencing the reversible complexation of the template molecule by the molecularly imprinted recognition sites. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Core level studies of calcite and dolomite
Authors: Järvinen Lauri , Leiro Jarkko , Heinonen Markku
Published: April 2014

Conventional X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and synchrotron‐based X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HRXPS) have been used to study Iceland spar calcite (CaCO3) and dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2). The obtained full widths at half maximum (FWHMs) are mostly narrower than in the previous results, which together with the symmetry of the fitted peaks indicate effective neutralisation of surface charging. Some previously unidentified features observed in the Ca 2p, C 1s and O 1s spectra of calcite have been suggested to be bulk plasmons. Also, surface core level shifts in Ca 2p (in calcite) and Mg 2p (in dolomite) spectra have been obtained and found to be consistent between XPS and HRXPS measurements. A peak attributed to carbide (CaC2) has been suggested to indicate beam‐assisted interaction with hydrocarbons found on the surface. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nondestructive compositional depth profiling using variable‐kinetic energy hard X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and maximum entropy regularization
Authors: Weiland C. , Krajewski J. , Opila R. , Pallem V. , Dussarrat C. , Woicik J. C.
Published: April 2014

We discuss the calculation of nondestructive compositional depth profiles from regularization of variable kinetic energy hard X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (VKE‐XPS) data, adapting techniques developed for angle‐resolved XPS. Simulated TiO2/Si film structures are analyzed to demonstrate the applicability of regularization techniques to the VKE‐XPS data and to determine the optimum choice of regularization function and the number of data points. We find that using a maximum entropy‐like method, when the initial model/prior thickness is similar to the simulated film thickness, provides the best results for cases where prior knowledge of the sample exists. For the simple structures analyzed, we find that only five kinetic energy spectra are necessary to provide a good fit to the data, although in general, the number of spectra will depend on the sample structure and noisiness of the data. The maximum entropy‐like algorithm is then applied to two physical films of TiO2 deposited on Si. Results suggest interfacial intermixing. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Electrospray droplet impact/secondary ion mass spectrometry (EDI/SIMS) using mixed solvents of water/methanol and water/2‐propanol as projectile droplets
Authors: Takaishi Rio , Hiraoka Kenzo
Published: April 2014

The electrospray droplet impact/secondary ion mass spectrometry (EDI/SIMS) using charged electrospray water droplets realized the atomic and molecular level etching with leaving little damage on the surface. In this work, the binary mixtures of water and alcohols (methanol and 2‐propanol) were examined as the charged electrospray droplets. The increase of desorption efficiency and softer ionization are observed for rhodamine B and bradykinin with higher content of alcohols. The etching rates for SiO2 and polystyrene 35000 were found to be more or less the same for 100% H2O and H2O/MeOH projectiles. However, 60 vol.% 2‐propanol gave much lower etching rates than the water/methanol system for polystyrene 35000. This indicates that there is a marked difference in the energy dissipation processes between methanol and 2‐propanol projectiles for soft‐material target. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measurement of GABA using J‐difference edited 1H‐MRS following modulation of synaptic GABA concentration with tiagabine
Authors: Myers James F.M. , Evans C. John , Kalk Nicola J. , Edden Richard A.E. , Lingford‐Hughes Anne R.
Published: April 2014

Though GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, involved in a wide variety of brain functions and many neuropsychiatric disorders, its intracellular and metabolic presence provides uncertainty in the interpretation of the GABA signal measured by 1H‐MRS. Previous studies demonstrating the sensitivity of this technique to pharmacological manipulations of GABA have used nonspecific challenges that make it difficult to infer the exact source of the changes. In this study, the synaptic GABA reuptake inhibitor tiagabine, which selectively blocks GAT1, was used to test the sensitivity of J‐difference edited 1H‐MRS to changes in extracellular GABA concentrations. MEGA‐PRESS was used to obtain GABA‐edited spectra in 10 male individuals, before and after a 15‐mg oral dose of tiagabine. In the three voxels measured, no significant changes were found in GABA+ concentration after the challenge compared to baseline. This dose of tiagabine is known to modulate synaptic GABA and neurotransmission through studies using other imaging modalities, and significant increases in self‐reported sleepiness scales were observed. Therefore, it is concluded that recompartmentalization of GABA through transport block does not have a significant impact on total GABA concentration. Furthermore, it is likely that the majority of the magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)‐derived GABA signal is intracellular. It should be considered, in individual interpretation of GABA MRS studies, whether it is appropriate to attribute observed effects to changes in neurotransmission. Synapse 68:355–362, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysing neurobiological models using communicating automata
Authors: Su Li , Gomez Rodolfo , Bowman Howard
Published: April 2014

Two important issues in computational modelling in cognitive neuroscience are: first, how to formally describe neuronal networks (i.e. biologically plausible models of the central nervous system), and second, how to analyse complex models, in particular, their dynamics and capacity to learn. We make progress towards these goals by presenting a communicating automata perspective on neuronal networks. Specifically, we describe neuronal networks and their biological mechanisms using Data-rich Communicating Automata, which extend classic automata theory with rich data types and communication. We use two case studies to illustrate our approach. In the first case study, we model a number of learning frameworks, which vary in respect of their biological detail, for instance the Backpropagation (BP) and the Generalized Recirculation (GeneRec) learning algorithms. We then used the SPIN model checker to investigate a number of behavioral properties of the neural learning algorithms. SPIN is a well-known model checker for reactive distributed systems, which has been successfully applied to many non-trivial problems. The verification results show that the biologically plausible GeneRec learning is less stable than BP learning. In the second case study, we presented a large scale (cognitive-level) neuronal network, which models an attentional spotlight mechanism in the visual system. A set of properties of this model was verified using Uppaal, a popular real-time model checker. The results show that the asynchronous processing supported by concurrency theory is not only a more biologically plausible way to model neural systems, but also provides a better performance in cognitive modelling of the brain than conventional artificial neural networks that use synchronous updates. Finally, we compared our approach with several other related theories that apply formal methods to cognitive modelling. In addition, the practical implications of the approach are discussed in the context of neuronal network based controllers.
Radiologic Evaluation of Pediatric Blunt Renal Trauma in Patients with Microscopic Hematuria
Authors: Brown Scott L. , Haas Christopher , Dinchman Kurt H. , Elder Jack S. , Spirnak J. Patrick
Published: April 2014

As a result of the rapid increase in medical costs, the efficacy of diagnostic imaging is under examination, and efforts have been made to identify patients who may safely be spared radiographic imaging. We reviewed the records of children who presented to our institution with suspected blunt renal injuries to determine if radiographic evaluation is necessary in children with microscopic hematuria and blunt renal trauma. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1200 children (ages less than 18 years) who sustained blunt abdominal trauma and who presented to our level I pediatric trauma center between 1995 and 1997. Urinalysis was performed in 299 patients (25%). Urinalysis results were correlated with findings on abdominal computed tomography (CT). All patients had more than three red blood cells per high power field (RBC/hpf) or gross hematuria. Renal injuries were graded according to the injury scale defined by the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma. Sixty‐five patients had microscopic hematuria. Thirty‐five (54%) were evaluated with an abdominal CT scan. Three patients sustained significant renal injuries (grade II‐V), and 32 patients had normal findings or renal contusions. Therefore only 3 of 65 patients (4.6%) sustained a significant renal injury. All three patients had other associated major organ injuries. Of the three patients with gross hematuria evaluated with abdominal CT, one (33%) sustained a significant renal injury and had no associated injuries. The degree of hematuria did not correlate with the grade of renal injury. Pediatric patients with blunt trauma, microscopic hematuria, and no associated injuries do not require radiologic evaluation, as significant renal injuries are unlikely. However, children who present with associated injuries and microscopic hematuria after blunt trauma may have significant renal injuries and should undergo radiologic evaluation.
Comparison of Open and Endoscopic Treatment of Posttraumatic Posterior Urethral Strictures
Authors: Levine Jason , Wessells Hunter
Published: April 2014

The purpose of this study was to compare the invasiveness, morbidity, and outcomes of open versus endoscopic treatment of posttraumatic posterior urethral strictures. We compared two groups of men with strictures of the posterior urethra after pelvic fracture: Group I (n = 6) underwent cut‐to‐the‐light procedures before 1995, and group II (n = 9) underwent perineal anastomotic urethroplasty after 1995. The operating time and blood loss were lower in the endoscopic group, but no other significant differences in morbidity or invasiveness were found. All six patients in group I required multiple secondary procedures: Three reached a stable voiding pattern after a mean of three interventions, two required subsequent urethroplasty, and one was lost to long‐term follow‐up. Normal voiding was achieved in all group II patients,
although two (22%) required single internal urethrotomy within 3
months after surgery. The data show the comparable morbidity of open urethroplasty and cut‐to‐the‐light procedures and support an aggressive surgical approach for the delayed treatment of posttraumatic posterior urethral strictures. Other than a reduced operating time, endoscopic procedures offered no compelling advantage over surgical reconstruction.
Increased Insufflation Pressure Enhances the Development of Liver Metastasis in a Mouse Laparoscopy Model
Authors: Ishida Hideyuki , Murata Nobuo , Idezuki Yasuo
Published: April 2014

Despite the widespread use of laparoscopic techniques for colorectal cancer surgery, little is known about the potential risk of liver metastasis following CO2
pneumoperitoneum. We investigated the effect of different insufflation pressures and durations of CO2 pneumoperitoneum on the growth of liver metastasis in a mouse model. Six‐ to 7‐week old male BALB/C mice were intraportally inoculated with 2×104 Colon
26 cells and randomly allocated to receive either CO2
pneumoperitoneum at different pressures (5 mmHg, 10 mmHg, or 15 mmHg),
xiphoid‐pubic laparotomy, or no treatment other than tumor cell inoculation. Mice undergoing pneumoperitoneum or laparotomy were then subdivided by the duration of treatment (30 minutes or 60 minutes).
Cancer nodules on the liver surface from a total of 122 mice were evaluated on the 14th postoperative day. Similar to full laparotomy,
CO2 pneumoperitoneum at 10 mmHg and 15 mmHg for 60 minutes,
and pneumoperitoneum at 15 mmHg for 30 minutes significantly promoted the growth of cancer nodules on the liver surface. Enhancement of tumor growth was influenced by increased insufflation pressures
(p < 0.05) rather than the prolonged length of pneumoperitoneum (p = 0.53) without significant interaction (p = 0.49). These results suggest that an increased insufflation pressure promotes the growth of liver metastases as well as laparotomy in this animal model.
Long‐Term Quality of Life after Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Däster Silvio , Soysal Savas D. , Stoll Lea , Peterli Ralph , von Flüe Markus , Ackermann Christoph
Published: April 2014

Background

Esophagectomy has a potentially high impact on physical, emotional, and social functions. The aim of this study was to assess long‐term health‐related quality of life (QOL) after esophageal cancer surgery.

Methods

We analyzed all patients who underwent an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy for resectable esophageal cancer in our hospital from 1999 to 2010. QOL was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer general questionnaire QLQ‐C30 and esophagus‐specific questionnaire QLQ‐OES18.

Results

A total of 150 patients were operated in the surveyed 12‐year period. At the time of analysis, 46 patients (31 %) were eligible for assessment, 97 patients (65 %) had died or experienced tumor recurrence, and seven patients (5 %) were lost to follow‐up. Of the 46 eligible patients, 43 (94 %) returned the questionnaires. The median observation interval between the operation and QOL assessment was 40 (range 21–135) months. The QLQ‐C30 mean score of global health status and general QOL was similar to that of a healthy reference population. Most of the QLQ‐C30 mean scores of functional and symptom scales and QLQ‐OES18 symptom scales showed a worse result than for a healthy reference population. The highest mean scores were reflux and eating problems.

Conclusions

In the long term, Ivor Lewis esophagectomy provides a generally good QOL for patients with esophageal cancer, which is comparable to a healthy reference population. However, some patients suffer from significant symptoms. Reflux and eating problems were the most relevant complaints. Dietary counseling is therefore important in the postoperative course.
Evaluation of liquid and solid culture media for the recovery and enrichment of Burkholderia cenocepacia from distilled water
Authors: Ahn Youngbeom , Kim Jeong Myeong , Ahn Hyeri , Lee Yong-Jin , LiPuma John J , Hussong David , Cerniglia Carl E
Published: April 2014

Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) presence has been the cause of recalls of both sterile and non-sterile pharmaceutical products since these opportunistic pathogens have been implicated to cause infections to susceptible individuals. BCC are ubiquitous in nature, but in pharmaceutical settings the most common source is contaminated water systems. Some strains of BCC, previously described as Pseudomonas cepacia, were not readily detected by standard culture methods. We have explored different strategies to recover and enrich Burkholderia cenocepacia previously cultured in distilled water for 40 days. Enrichment media of varied nutrient concentrations and composition were used, including modified Tryptic Soy Agar or Broth (TSA or TSB), Reasoner’s 2nd Agar or Broth (R2A or R2AB), Brain–Heart Infusion Broth (BHIB), Mueller–Hinton Broth (MHB), and Ashdown’s (ASH) medium. Of the various broth media tested, cell growth was significantly greater in TSB and R2AB than in BHIB, MHB, or ASH broth. TSB and R2AB were also compared for their recovery efficiency. Generally, there was no significant difference between the numbers of B. cenocepacia grown on 15 differently modified TSA and five modified R2A solid media. Overall, however, diluted TSA and TSB media, and R2A and R2AB showed better recovery efficiency than TSA and TSB for inocula containing small numbers of cells. All strains persisted in distilled water for 40 days. Broth media were more effective than solid media for recovery of B. cenocepacia from distilled water. These results may assist in improving detection assays with recovery and enrichment strategies to maximize recovery of these fastidious organisms.
Ground Water Potential in Fractured Aquifers of Ophiolite Formations, Port Blair, South Andaman Islands using Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES)
Authors: Balakrishna  , Maury S. Balaji Shrikant , Narshimulu G.
Published: April 2014

Ground water occurs in weathered formations of unsaturated zone and fractured rocks of saturated zone. The ground water occurring in the unsaturated zone is not sustainable while the ground water occurring in the fractured rocks are sustainable if properly exploited. But, targeting the productive fractured rocks needs careful evaluation and systematic approach of geophysical survey owing to the heterogeneity, magmatic and metamorphic activities of multiple episodes of rocks. Hence, judicious planning in ground water exploration is warranted because of the huge money involved in drilling, manpower and time factor. In this context, an attempt has been made to locate the fractured rocks of ground water potential in the Ophiolite formations of Port Blair, South Andaman Islands using Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) since the ground water database of Andaman and Nicobar islands is poor as not much work has been carried out so far and the ground water is not properly utilised. The ERT have been carried out along different azimuth of fractures to ascertain the resistivities in vertical and horizontal direction and the conductivity and/or the resistivity of the varied fractures was also evaluated by spot VES. The 2-D Electrical Resistivity Images in conjunction with the geoelectrical parameters brought out by VES revealed that E-W fractures are expected to be productive fractures showing more conductivity as it is compared with the NE-SW and NW-SE fractures. The potentiality of the E-W fractures was also validated with the borehole data.
Neoproterozoic Siliciclastic Sedimentation around Kampa-Tenpa Area, Pranhita Godavari Graben (PGG), Central India: Facies Analysis, Petrography and Depositional Environment
Authors: Murkute Y. A. , Joshi S. P.
Published: April 2014

The Pranhita-Godavari Graben (PGG) represents a major lineament in south Indian Peninsular cratonic province, which preserves a thick column of sediments. In geological time scale, these sedimentary units correspond to Mesoproterozoic to Mesozoic period. The Mesoproterozoic sedimentation has been confined mainly to southern part of the PGG, while Neoproterozoic sediments are exposed at northern tip of the graben. In the area of investigation siliciclastic sedimentation units are exposed, wherein five major lithofacies have been marked out. These lithofacies are i) breccia (Br), ii) large scale trough cross-bedded sandstone (Ls), iii) small-scale trough cross-bedded sandstone (Sss), iv) horizontal bedded sandstone (Hs) and v) ripple laminated sandstone (Rs). The amalgamation of these lithofacies strongly divulges that the lower part of the succession was deposited in braided-streams, whereas the upper part was deposited in erg environment.

The unimodal paleocurrent is evident in lower part of the succession while bimodal paleocurrent is noticed from sandstones at upper part of the succession. In general, the sandstones exhibit northwesterly paleocurrent direction. The petrographic studies point out that the sandstones are arenites and were deposited in interior type of continental block provenance under semi-arid to hot humid palaeoclimate. The high percentage of floating grains and the low percentage of interpenetrative contacts as well as the low value of contact index for these sandstones divulge that the grains did not suffer much compaction thereby pointing to shallow burial. The sub-angular zircon and tourmaline suggest that these minerals have travelled short distance from the source rocks. The high percentage of garnet and presence of epidote, staurolite, sillimanite, zoisite, amphibole and kyanite indicate that the sediments were derived from the nearby metamorphic source rocks.
Revisiting Southam Street: Class, Generation, Gender, and Race in the Photography of Roger Mayne
Authors: Brooke Stephen
Published: April 2014

This article examines pictures taken by the British photographer Roger Mayne of Southam Street, London, in the 1950s and 1960s. It explores these photographs as a way of thinking about the representation of urban, working-class life in Britain after the Second World War. The article uses this focused perspective as a line of sight on a broader landscape: the relationship among class, identity, and social change in the English city after the Second World War. Mayne's photographs of Southam Street afford an examination of the representation of economic and social change in the postwar city and, not least, the intersections among class, race, generation, and gender that reshaped that city.
Did Soldiers Really Enlist to Desert Their Wives? Revisiting the Martial Character of Marital Desertion in Eighteenth-Century London
Authors: Hurl-Eamon Jennine
Published: April 2014

Many historians of plebeian marriage have accepted David Kent's findings that married men in eighteenth-century London enlisted to desert their wives. This article argues that this was far from always the case. Enlistment could serve as a family survival strategy for pauper husbands, particularly during mobilization periods. Bounties, shorter terms of service, and pensions could entice responsible providers. The militia or guards regiments appealed to family men because of their stable income and low risk of foreign deployment. Accounts of agonized quayside partings indicate that some married recruits who left British soil had expected the army to allow their wives to accompany them. Kent considered every army wife who sought parish relief as abandoned, yet resort to the parish might form part of a complex family survival strategy that included wives’ begging and soldiers’ taking on extra work and sending home their pay. Some men used military service as a way to fulfill husbandly duties, not to avoid them.
Martyrs’ Tales
Authors: Kishlansky Mark
Published: April 2014

This article recounts the legal proceedings against those Puritan activists who challenged the government of Charles I in the 1630s. It demonstrates that most of our knowledge of these events has come from the highly colored accounts written by the defendants themselves. Closer examination demonstrates that Leighton, Prynne, Bastwick, Burton, and Lilburne set out to challenge the government, first by writing incendiary tracts about religion and then by refusing to recognize the jurisdiction of the courts into which they were brought. While they saw their causes as cases of conscience, Caroline officials saw them as attacks upon the legal and political system. They were convicted in formal legal proceedings, and while the penalties they received appear barbaric to our sensibilities, they were typical in such cases.
Questioning a Late Victorian “Dyad”: Preservationism, Demolitionism, and the City of London Churches, 1860–1904
Authors: Weinstein Ben
Published: April 2014

Between 1841 and 1904, fourteen of Sir Christopher Wren's City of London churches, accounting for over a third of the City's forty Wrens, were demolished. But for certain deficiencies in the legislation enabling City church demolition, the toll would have been much higher. At one point during the late 1860s, well over half of all City churches had been selected for demolition. City church demolition was the most focused and yet also the most sustained episode of Victorian “vandalism,” and it therefore offers a uniquely appropriate case study through which to draw larger conclusions about late Victorian attitudes to the relative merits of historic preservation and development. The debates surrounding the demolition of Wren's City churches suggest that many advocates of historic building demolition were not, as William Morris would have us believe, “utilitarian philistines.” Nor, for that matter, were all preservationists motivated by heritage concerns.
Effects of forest fragmentation on the recruitment success of the tropical tree Poulsenia armata at Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico
Authors: Zambrano Jenny , Coates Rosamond , Howe Henry F.
Published: April 2014

Recruitment success of individual plants is limited by an array of biotic and abiotic factors. Seedling survival may experience high mortality due to negative density dependence or altered microclimatic conditions. This study reports regeneration of Poulsenia armata (Moraceae), in the fragmented landscape of the Los Tuxtlas region in south-eastern Mexico. Density, survival and growth of seedlings (<1 y) and juveniles (<150 cm height) of P. armata were predicted to be significantly lower in forest fragments compared with extensive continuous forest. Contrary to expectation, density did not vary between habitats; however, we found twice the number of seedlings (n = 82) in forest fragments than in the continuous forest (n = 35). Forest fragments were associated with higher seedling densities close to adult trees. Unexpectedly, we found no evidence for negative density dependence in plant survival or growth. Survival and growth of P. armata were negatively impacted in forest fragments, with desiccation by warmer daily temperatures likely the cause of mortality, independent of density. Of the 111 individuals recorded in 2010 in forest fragments, 38% died over 2 y of census (n = 42), while 9% (n = 12) of the 127 individuals from the continuous forest died. Higher rates of mortality suggest that conditions in forest fragments are detrimental to seedling cohorts over time. Low juvenile recruitment jeopardizes persistence of P. armata, in fragmented populations of this rain-forest tree.
Oxide Wizard: An EELS Application to Characterize the White Lines of Transition Metal Edges
Authors: Yedra Lluís , Xuriguera Elena , Estrader Marta , López-Ortega Alberto , Baró Maria D. , Nogués Josep , Roldan Manuel , Varela Maria , Estradé Sònia , Peiró Francesca
Published: April 2014

Physicochemical properties of transition metal oxides are directly determined by the oxidation state of the metallic cations. To address the increasing need to accurately evaluate the oxidation states of transition metal oxide systems at the nanoscale, here we present “Oxide Wizard.” This script for Digital Micrograph characterizes the energy-loss near-edge structure and the position of the transition metal edges in the electron energy-loss spectrum. These characteristics of the edges can be linked to the oxidation states of transition metals with high spatial resolution. The power of the script is demonstrated by mapping manganese oxidation states in Fe3O4/Mn3O4 core/shell nanoparticles with sub-nanometer resolution in real space.
From cytokine to myokine: the emerging role of interleukin‐6 in metabolic regulation
Authors: Pal Martin , Febbraio Mark A , Whitham Martin
Published: April 2014

The lack of physical activity and overnutrition in our modern lifestyle culminates in what we now experience as the current obesity and diabetes pandemic. Medical research performed over the past 20 years identified chronic low‐grade inflammation as a mediator of these metabolic disorders. Hence, finding therapeutic strategies against this underlying inflammation and identifying molecules implicated in this process is of significant importance. Following the observation of an increased plasma concentration of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in obese patients, this protein, known predominantly as a pro‐inflammatory cytokine, came into focus. In an attempt to clarify its importance, several studies implicated IL‐6 as a co‐inducer of the development of obesity‐associated insulin resistance, which precedes the development of type 2 diabetes. However, the identification of IL‐6 as a myokine, a protein produced and secreted by skeletal muscle to fulfil paracrine or endocrine roles in the insulin‐sensitizing effects following exercise, provides a contrasting and hence paradoxical identity of this protein in the context of metabolism. We review here the literature considering the complex, pleiotropic role of IL‐6 in the context of metabolism in health and disease.
Erratum: Mesoscale distribution and functional diversity of picoeukaryotes in the first-year sea ice of the Canadian Arctic
Authors: Piwosz Kasia , Wiktor Józef Maria , Niemi Andrea , Tatarek Agnieszka , Michel Christine
Published: April 2014

Correction to: The ISME Journal (2013) 7, 1461–1471; doi:10.1038/ismej.2013.39; published online 21 March 2013 Since the publication of this article, the authors have identified an error on page six of their article, namely that the given number of of pavlovophytes was incorrectly listed as ‘3.1 × 107 cells m−3’, whereas it should have been listed as ‘3.
On the fate of pumice rafts formed during the 2012 Havre submarine eruption
Authors: Jutzeler Martin , Marsh Robert , Carey Rebecca J. , White James D. L. , Talling Peter J. , Karlstrom Leif
Published: April 2014

Pumice rafts are floating mobile accumulations of low-density pumice clasts generated by silicic volcanic eruptions. Pumice in rafts can drift for years, become waterlogged and sink, or become stranded on shorelines. Here we show that the pumice raft formed by the impressive, deep submarine eruption of the Havre caldera volcano (Southwest Pacific) in July 2012 can be mapped by satellite imagery augmented by sailing crew observations. Far from coastal interference, the eruption produced a single >400 km2raft in 1 day, thus initiating a gigantic, high-precision, natural experiment relevant to both modern and prehistoric oceanic surface dispersal dynamics. Observed raft dispersal can be accurately reproduced by simulating drift and dispersal patterns using currents from an eddy-resolving ocean model hindcast. For future eruptions that produce potentially hazardous pumice rafts, our technique allows real-time forecasts of dispersal routes, in addition to inference of ash/pumice deposit distribution in the deep ocean.
Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to assess cognitive function in infants in rural Africa.
Authors: Lloyd-Fox Sarah , Papademetriou M. , Darboe M. K. , Everdell N. L. , Wegmuller R. , Prentice A. M. , Moore S. E. , Elwell C. E.
Published: April 2014

Cortical mapping of cognitive function during infancy is poorly understood in low-income countries due to the lack of transportable neuroimaging methods. We have successfully piloted functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) as a neuroimaging tool in rural Gambia. Four-to-eight month old infants watched videos of Gambian adults perform social movements, while haemodynamic responses were recorded using fNIRS. We found distinct regions of the posterior superior temporal and inferior frontal cortex that evidenced either visual-social activation or vocally selective activation (vocal > non-vocal). The patterns of selective cortical activation in Gambian infants replicated those observed within similar aged infants in the UK. These are the first reported data on the measurement of localized functional brain activity in young infants in Africa and demonstrate the potential that fNIRS offers for field-based neuroimaging research of cognitive function in resource-poor rural communities.