bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distribution and ecology of Carex secalina in the Czech Republic and Slovakia
Authors: Eliáš jun. Pavol , Grulich Vít , Dítě Daniel , Senko Dušan
Published: June 2012

Current and historical occurrence as well as coenotic affinity and ecology of Carex secalina in the Czech Republic and Slovakia are presented. The study is based on revision of herbarium specimens from 25 herbaria, literature data excerption and a field survey carried out during 2004-2010. Altogether, 168 sites were documented in the Czech Republic divided to two separate areas. Stabile occurrence trend was found in last decades, because 45 localities were documented in period 1975-1999 (27% of sites) and recent occurrence was confirmed at 42 localities (24% of sites). On the basis of our current knowledge the species was included into the IUCN threat category VU (vulnerable). In Slovakia, 19 localities of the species were recorded in total, but only 4 sites were confirmed recently (21% of sites recorded). However, only a small number of individuals was recorded there (less than 50 individuals in total) and half of this sites is acutely threatened by destruction (ploughing, secondary succession). Therefore, the C. secalina status in the Slovak Red List was changed to the IUCN category "critically endangered" (CR). Results of the study are summarised in the maps of historical and current species distribution. C. secalina usually occurred in halophytic grassland communities, especially in association Agrostio stoloniferae-Juncetum ranarii Vicherek 1962. However, it may occur in many other communities which suggest that the species had not well-defined coenotic relationships. On the basis of our knowledge, we consider C. secalina as an obligate halophyte.
Characteristics of atypical Huperzia selago subsp. arctica habitats to the south of distribution area
Authors: Jukonienė Ilona , Dobravolskaitė Rasa , Sendžikaitė Jūratė
Published: June 2012

Two localities for Huperzia selago subsp. arctica are recorded from Lithuania, to the south of its known distribution area. The habitats of this subspecies are cutover peatlands whose natural vegetation was disturbed 6-8 years ago during peat exploitation. One of the dominant species of latest vegetation cover is the invasive bryophyte Campylopus introflexus. Characteristics of the habitats of H. selago subsp. arctica and the frequency of this taxon in populations were analysed.
Safe Deprotection Strategy for the Tert‐Butyldimethylsilyl (TBS) Group During RNA Synthesis
Authors: Zewge Daniel
Published: June 2012

This unit describes two protocols for the deprotection of 2′‐O‐TBS groups in oligoribonucleotides under mild conditions. Desilylation using ammonium fluoride is applicable to fully protected “RNA only” substrates and desilylation using potassium fluoride is applicable to “mixed RNA/non‐RNA” substrates. Characterization of products is accomplished using LC/MS, RP HPLC and SAX HPLC. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 49:3.21.1‐3.21.11. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Efficient Application of Ceramic Membranes for Integrated Process Water Treatment – Case Studies
Authors: Duscher Stefan , Herrmann Kurt , Weyd Marcus , Voigt Ingolf
Published: June 2012

Keramische Membranen bieten aufgrund ihrer physikalischen Eigenschaften ein breites Spektrum an Einsatzmöglichkeiten. Im Vergleich zu Polymermembranen zeichnen sich keramische Membranen durch eine deutlich höhere Temperatur‐ und pH‐Wert‐Beständigkeit als auch durch eine hohe mechanische Festigkeit aus. Des Weiteren weisen sie oft deutlich höhere Flussleistungen auf. Aufbauend auf grobporösen rohrförmigen und scheibenförmigen keramischen Trägern wurde eine keramische Nanofiltrationsmembran mit einer Trenngrenze von 450 Dalton entwickelt. Diese wird inzwischen kommerziell hergestellt und ist hinsichtlich der niedrigen Trenngrenze noch immer einzigartig.
Dynamics of olfactory and hippocampal neurogenesis in adult sheep
Authors: Brus M. , Meurisse M. , Gheusi G. , Keller M. , Lledo P.M. , Lévy F.
Published: June 2012

Although adult neurogenesis has been conserved in higher vertebrates such as primates and humans, timing of generation, migration, and differentiation of new neurons appears to differ from that in rodents. Sheep could represent an alternative model to studying neurogenesis in primates because they possess a brain as large as a macaque monkey and have a similar life span. By using a marker of cell division, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), in combination with several markers, the maturation time of newborn cells in the dentate gyrus (DG) and the main olfactory bulb (MOB) was determined in sheep. In addition, to establish the origin of adult‐born neurons in the MOB, an adeno‐associated virus that infects neural cells in the ovine brain was injected into the subventricular zone (SVZ). A migratory stream was indicated from the SVZ up to the MOB, consisting of neuroblasts that formed chain‐like structures. Results also showed a long neuronal maturation time in both the DG and the MOB, similar to that in primates. The first new neurons were observed at 1 month in the DG and at 3 months in the MOB after BrdU injections. Thus, maturation of adult‐born cells in both the DG and the MOB is much longer than that in rodents and resembles that in nonhuman primates. This study points out the importance of studying the features of adult neurogenesis in models other than rodents, especially for translational research for human cellular therapy. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:169–188, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The evolution of preference strength under sensory bias: a role for indirect selection?
Authors: Frame Alicia M. , Servedio Maria R.
Published: June 2012

Evidence suggests that female preferences may sometimes arise through sensory bias, and that males may subsequently evolve traits that increase their conspicuousness to females. Here, we ask whether indirect selection, arising through genetic associations (linkage disequilibrium) during the sexual selection that sensory bias imposes, can itself influence the evolution of preference strength. Specifically, we use population genetic models to consider whether or not modifiers of preference strength can spread under different ecological conditions when female mate choice is driven by sensory bias. We focus on male traits that make a male more conspicuous in certain habitats—and thus both more visible to predators and more attractive to females—and examine modifiers of the strength of preference for conspicuous males. We first solve for the rate of spread of a modifier that strengthens preference within an environmentally uniform population; we illustrate that this spread will be extremely slow. Second, we used a series of simulations to consider the role of habitat structure and movement on the evolution of a modifier of preference strength, using male color polymorphisms as a case study. We find that in most cases, indirect selection does not allow the evolution of stronger or weaker preferences for sensory bias. Only in a “two‐island” model, where there is restricted migration between different patches that favor different male phenotypes, did we find that preference strength could evolve. The role of indirect selection in the evolution of sensory bias is of particular interest because of ongoing speculation regarding the role of sensory bias in the evolution of reproductive isolation.
Two SHIPs passing in the middle of the immune system
Authors: Corey Seth J. , Mehta Hrishikesh M. , Stein Paul L.
Published: June 2012

Immunity requires a complex, multiscale system of molecules, cells, and cytokines. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, Collazo et al. [Eur. J. Immunol. 2012. 42: 1785–1796] provide evidence that links the lipid phosphatase SHIP1 with the coordination of interactions between regulatory T (Treg) cells and myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Using conditional knockouts of SHIP1 in either the myeloid or T‐cell‐lineage of mice, the authors show that the regulated development of Treg cells is controlled directly by cell‐intrinsic SHIP1, and indirectly by extrinsic SHIP1 control of an unknown myeloid cell. Regulation of MDSCs is also determined by SHIP1 in an extrinsic manner, again via an as‐yet‐unknown myeloid cell. Furthermore, this extrinsic control of Treg cells and MDSCs is mediated in part by increased production of G‐CSF, a growth factor critical for the production of neutrophils, in SHIP1‐deficient mice. Thus, a physiologically important implication of this report is the collaboration between the innate and adaptive immune systems in fine tuning of Treg cells as discussed in this commentary.
Laminin regulates postnatal oligodendrocyte production by promoting oligodendrocyte progenitor survival in the subventricular zone
Authors: Relucio Jenne , Menezes Michael J. , Miyagoe‐Suzuki Yuko , Takeda Shin'ichi , Colognato Holly
Published: June 2012

The laminin family of extracellular matrix proteins are expressed broadly during embryonic brain development, but are enriched at ventricular and pial surfaces where laminins mediate radial glial attachment during corticogenesis. In the adult brain, however, laminin distribution is restricted, yet is found within the vascular basal lamina and associated fractones of the ventricular zone (VZ)‐subventricular zone (SVZ) stem cell niche, where laminins regulate adult neural progenitor cell proliferation. It remains unknown, however, if laminins regulate the wave of oligodendrogenesis that occurs in the neonatal/early postnatal VZ‐SVZ. Here we report that Lama2, the gene that encodes the laminin α2‐subunit, regulates postnatal oligodendrogenesis. At birth, Lama2−/− mice had significantly higher levels of dying oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) in the OPC germinal zone of the dorsal SVZ. This translated into fewer OPCs, both in the dorsal SVZ well as in an adjacent developing white matter tract, the corpus callosum. In addition, intermediate progenitor cells that give rise to OPCs in the Lama2−/− VZ‐SVZ were mislocalized and proliferated nearer to the ventricle surface. Later, delays in oligodendrocyte maturation (with accompanying OPC accumulation), were observed in the Lama2−/− corpus callosum, leading to dysmyelination by postnatal day 21. Together these data suggest that prosurvival laminin interactions in the developing postnatal VZ‐SVZ germinal zone regulate the ability, or timing, of oligodendrocyte production to occur appropriately. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Osteoconduction of impacted porous titanium particles with a calcium‐phosphate coating is comparable to osteoconduction of impacted allograft bone particles: In vivo study in a nonloaded goat model
Authors: Walschot Lucas H. B. , Aquarius René , Schreurs Barend W. , Verdonschot Nico , Buma Pieter
Published: June 2012

Aims:

Impaction grafting restores bone defects in hip arthroplasty. Defects are reconstructed with bone particles (BoP) as substitute materials with adequate mechanical and biological properties are not yet available. Ceramic particles (CeP) have mechanical drawbacks as opposed to porous titanium particles (TiP). In this in vivo study, bone ingrowth and bone volume in coated and noncoated TiP were compared to porous biphasic calcium‐phospate CeP and allograft BoP. Coatings consisted of silicated calcium‐phosphate and carbonated apatite. Materials were implanted in goats and impacted in cylindrical defects (diameter 8 mm) in the cancellous bone of the femur. On the basis of fluorochrome labeling and histology, bone ingrowth distance was measured at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Cross‐sectional bone area was measured at 12 weeks.

Findings:

TiP created a coherent matrix of entangled particles. CeP pulverized and were noncoherent. Bone ingrowth in TiP improved significantly by the coatings to levels comparable to BoP and CeP. Cross‐sectional bone area was smaller in CeP and TiP compared to BoP.

Conclusions:

The osteoconductive properties of impacted TiP with a calcium‐phosphate coating are comparable to impacted allograft bone and impacted biphasic ceramics. A more realistic loaded in vivo study should prove that coated TiP is an attractive alternative to allograft bone. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 100B: 1483–1489, 2012.
Adhesion prevention in an intraperitoneal wound model: Performance of two resorbable hemostats in a controlled study in rabbits
Authors: Hermans Michel H. E. , Brown Lauren , Darmoc Marissa
Published: June 2012

Adhesions, particularly in the abdominal and pelvic cavities, represent a significant clinical problem. Among other complications, they are considered the most common cause of intestinal obstructions in the Western world. The purpose of this study was to evaluate two commercially available hemostats for their ability to prevent adhesion formation in an abdominal wound model. The hemostats, a microfibrillar collagen‐based composite and microporous polysaccharide spheres were used in a rabbit abdominal model. In the model the cecum was abraded and a peritoneal defect was created on the abdominal sidewall. The test materials were applied over the defects. Clinical and histological results were compared with control (no application of any hemostat at the defect site) on postoperative day 14.

The results showed a significant reduction in the incidence, extent and severity of adhesions for both surgical hemostat materials compared with control. The microfibrillar collagen‐based composite showed a total absence of adhesions and a high level of reperitonealization.

This preclinical study suggests that the use of surgical hemostats may help to reduce or eliminate adhesions and may promote reperitonealization. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 100B: 1621–1626, 2012.
Curing behavior of silicone elastomer in the presence of two corticosteroid drugs
Authors: Farahmandghavi Farhid , Imani Mohammad , Mirzadeh Hamid , Jolly Claude
Published: June 2012

Silicone rubbers are widely used as carriers for delivery of drugs intended for parenteral administration as implantable devices. Drugs having different functional groups can significantly affect curing profile of silicone rubber, which in turn may negatively affect their biological applicability due to the loss in mechanical and drug retaining properties. To this end, the effects of two corticosteroid analogs (up to 2 %w/w of drug loading) that is, dexamethasone (DEX) and its sodium phosphate ester (DSP) on curing behavior of a non‐restricted, two part RTV silicone rubber was studied using different characterization techniques including spectroscopic (FTIR), calorimetric (DSC), oscillating disk rheometry, and swelling studies. The results showed that curing time extends longer for DSP‐loaded samples compared to the non‐loaded silicone rubber. The presence of DSP in the formulation interferes in the curing of silicone elastomers, probably due to the thermal decomposition of DSP according to the spectral changes observed in FTIR spectra as confirmed by DSC analysis. Rheometric studies showed depreciated properties for silicone elastomers upon compounding with DSP. Swelling measurements indicated to lowered crosslink density for networks and increasing Mc upon adding DSP to the formulations which can be attributed to disruption in crosslinking reaction by sodium phosphate moieties of DSP. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 100B: 1636–1644, 2012.
Influence of pH on the tribocorrosion behavior of CpTi in the oral environment: synergistic interactions of wear and corrosion
Authors: Mathew Mathew T. , Abbey Savithri , Hallab Nadim J. , Hall Deborah J. , Sukotjo Cortino , Wimmer Markus A.
Published: June 2012

Dental implants made of titanium alloys have been used as a predictable therapy approach to replace missing teeth. The oral environment subjects titanium implants to varying conditions like changes in pH, temperature, and saliva contamination leading to chemical corrosion together with mastication process. Objective: In this study, the combined effect of chemical corrosion and wear (so‐called tribocorrosion) in the degradation of dental implant material (CpTi) under varying pH oral environment was investigated. Methods: Titanium (CpTi) discs were subjected to sliding tests in artificial saliva at varying pHs: 3.0, 6.0, and 9.0. A custom made tribocorrosion apparatus was used to perform the tests. The tribological system consisted of a ceramic ball of 28 mm diameter articulating against the flat face (titanium). Results: Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results indicated an increase in electrochemical double layer capacitance (Cdl) at pH 3.0 and 6.0 after sliding. Surprisingly, in the presence of tribological stresses, the measured current evolution was highest and fluctuated the most at pH 6.0. In addition, the greatest weight loss was measured at pH 6.0. Conclusions: Despite reports of CpTi being electrochemically stable down to pH 2.0, this study suggests degradation peaks at near neutral pH values in the presence of motion. At pH 6.0, the passive film layer, typically protecting the surface of titanium may not be reformed cohesively, resulting in more tribocorrosion products at the surface, which are easily sheared off. These findings elevate concern with regard to dental implants because the average pH of the oral cavity is 6.3. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 100B: 1662–1671, 2012.
Covalent and non‐covalent binding in the ion/ion charge inversion of peptide cations with benzene‐disulfonic acid anions
Authors: Stutzman John R. , Luongo Carl A. , McLuckey Scott A.
Published: June 2012

Protonated angiotensin II and protonated leucine enkephalin‐based peptides, which included YGGFL, YGGFLF, YGGFLH, YGGFLK and YGGFLR, were subjected to ion/ion reactions with the doubly deprotonated reagents 4‐formyl‐1,3‐benzenedisulfonic acid (FBDSA) and 1,3‐benzenedisulfonic acid (BDSA). The major product of the ion/ion reaction is a negatively charged complex of the peptide and reagent. Following dehydration of [M + FBDSA‐H]− via collisional‐induced dissociation (CID), angiotensin II (DRVYIHPF) showed evidence for two product populations, one in which a covalent modification has taken place and one in which an electrostatic modification has occurred (i.e. no covalent bond formation). A series of studies with model systems confirmed that strong non‐covalent binding of the FBDSA reagent can occur with subsequent ion trap CID resulting in dehydration unrelated to the adduct. Ion trap CID of the dehydration product can result in cleavage of amide bonds in competition with loss of the FBDSA adduct. This scenario is most likely for electrostatically bound complexes in which the peptide contains both an arginine residue and one or more carboxyl groups. Otherwise, loss of the reagent species from the complex, either as an anion or as a neutral species, is the dominant process for electrostatically bound complexes. The results reported here shed new light on the nature of non‐covalent interactions in gas phase complexes of peptide ions that can be used in the rationale design of reagent ions for specific ion/ion reaction applications. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of the unknown transformation products derived from lincomycin using LC‐HRMS technique
Authors: Calza P. , Medana C. , Padovano E. , Dal Bello F. , Baiocchi C.
Published: June 2012

In this paper, a comprehensive study of the fate of an antibiotic, lincomycin, in the aquatic environment is presented. High‐resolution mass spectrometry was employed to assess the evolution of the process over time. Formation of intermediate compounds was followed by high performance liquid chromatography‐high resolution mass spectrometry (LC‐HRMS); accurate mass‐to‐charge ratios of parent ions were reported with inaccuracy below 1 mmu, which guarantee the correct assignment of their molecular formula in all cases, while their MS2 and MS3 spectra showed several structural‐diagnostic ions that allowed to characterize the different transformation products (TPs) and to discriminate the isobaric species.

The simulation of phototransformation occurring in the aquatic environment and the identification of biotic and abiotic TPs of the pharmaceutical compound were carried out in different experimental conditions: dark experiments, homogeneous photolysis and heterogeneous photocatalysis using titanium dioxide, in order to recreate conditions similar to those found in the environment. Twenty‐one main species were identified afterwards lincomycin transformation. Several isomeric species were formed and characterized by analyzing MS and MSn spectra and by comparison with parent molecule fragmentation pathways. The major transformation process for lincomycin is hydroxylation either at N‐alkyl side chain or at the pyrrolidine moiety. In addition, oxidation/reduction, demethylation or cleavage of pyranose ring occurs. Based on this information and additional assessment of profiles over time of formation/disappearance of each species, it was possible to recognize the transformation pathways followed by the drug. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lead‐enhanced gas‐phase stability of multiply charged EDTA anions: a combined experimental and theoretical study
Authors: Liu Chunxiao , Ouyang Yongzhong , Jia Bin , Zhu Zhiqiang , Shi Jianbo , Chen Huanwen
Published: June 2012

Besides their fundamental importance, multiply charged anions (MCAs) are considered as promising molecular capacitors for which their intrinsic stabilities are of great significance. Herein, the gas‐phase stabilities of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) anions (i.e. [EDTA‐nH]n−, n = 1–4) and their Pb(II) complexes (i.e. [EDTA + Pb‐nH](2‐n)−, n = 3, 4) have been investigated using an approach that combines extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (EESI‐MS) measurements, Car–Parrinello molecular dynamics simulations and density functional theory/Tao–Perdew–Staroverov–Scuseria calculations. The EESI‐MS data showed that the doubly charged EDTA anions in the form of [EDTA‐2H]2− and [EDTA + Pb‐4H]2− were much more abundantly observed than the singly charged species such as [EDTA‐H]− and [EDTA + Pb‐3H]−, respectively. The calculation results indicated that [EDTA‐2H]2− and [EDTA + Pb‐4H]2− anions were thermodynamically more stable than the [EDTA‐H]− and [EDTA + Pb‐3H]− species in the gas phase, respectively. The [EDTA + Pb‐3H]− anions preferred five‐coordinated structure, whereas [EDTA + Pb‐4H]2− anions formed either five‐coordinated or six‐coordinated structures. The calculations further revealed that significant electron clouds drifting from the ligand EDTA to the metal Pb(II) ions and the large distances between the carboxylic groups reduced the Coulomb repulsion among the excess electrons of these MCAs. Our data demonstrated that EESI‐MS combined with theoretic calculations were able to provide a deep insight into the fundamental behavior of stability of MCAs in the gas phase and, thus, might be useful tools for studying MCAs for potential molecular capacitors. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
LC‐MS/MS analysis of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A in serum after protein precipitation using an in‐house synthesized deuterated internal standard
Authors: Wohlfarth Ariane , Roth Nadine , Auwärter Volker
Published: June 2012

An assay based on liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry is presented for the fast, precise and sensitive quantitation of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA) in serum. THCA is the biogenetic precursor of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol in cannabis and has aroused interest in the pharmacological and forensic field especially as a potential marker for recent cannabis use.

After addition of deuterated THCA, synthesized from D3‐THC as starting material, and protein precipitation, the analytes were separated using gradient elution on a Luna C18 column (150 × 2.0 mm × 5 µm) with 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile/0.1% formic acid. Data acquisition was performed on a triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer in multiple reaction monitoring mode with negative electrospray ionization. After optimization, the following sample preparation procedure was used: 200 μL serum was spiked with internal standard solution and methanol and then precipitated ‘in fractions’ with 500 μL ice‐cold acetonitrile. After storage and centrifugation, the supernatant was evaporated and the residue redissolved in mobile phase.

The assay was fully validated according to international guidelines including, for the first time, the assessment of matrix effects and stability experiments. Limit of detection was 0.1 ng/mL, and limit of quantification was 1.0 ng/mL. The method was found to be selective and proved to be linear over a range of 1.0 to 100 ng/mL using a 1/x weighted calibration model with regression coefficients >0.9996. Accuracy and precision data were within the required limits (RSD ≤ 8.6%, bias: 2.4 to 11.4%), extractive yield was greater than 84%. The analytes were stable in serum samples after three freeze/thaw cycles and storage at −20 °C for one month. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Good mass spectrometry and its place in good science
Authors: Duncan Mark W.
Published: June 2012

The mass spectrometry community has expanded as instruments became more powerful, user‐friendly, affordable and readily available. This opens up opportunities for novice users to perform high impact research, using highly advanced instrumentation. This introductory tutorial is targeted at the novice user working in a research setting. It aims to offer the benefit of other people's experiences and to help newcomers avoid known pitfalls and problematic issues. It discusses some of the essential features of sound analytical chemistry and highlights the need to use validated analytical methods that provide high quality results along with a measure of their uncertainty. Examples are used to illustrate potential pitfalls and their consequences. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimating abundance of mountain lions from unstructured spatial sampling
Authors: Russell Robin E. , Royle J. Andrew , Desimone Richard , Schwartz Michael K. , Edwards Victoria L. , Pilgrim Kristy P. , Mckelvey Kevin S.
Published: June 2012

Mountain lions (Puma concolor) are often difficult to monitor because of their low capture probabilities, extensive movements, and large territories. Methods for estimating the abundance of this species are needed to assess population status, determine harvest levels, evaluate the impacts of management actions on populations, and derive conservation and management strategies. Traditional mark–recapture methods do not explicitly account for differences in individual capture probabilities due to the spatial distribution of individuals in relation to survey effort (or trap locations). However, recent advances in the analysis of capture–recapture data have produced methods estimating abundance and density of animals from spatially explicit capture–recapture data that account for heterogeneity in capture probabilities due to the spatial organization of individuals and traps. We adapt recently developed spatial capture–recapture models to estimate density and abundance of mountain lions in western Montana. Volunteers and state agency personnel collected mountain lion DNA samples in portions of the Blackfoot drainage (7,908 km2) in west‐central Montana using 2 methods: snow back‐tracking mountain lion tracks to collect hair samples and biopsy darting treed mountain lions to obtain tissue samples. Overall, we recorded 72 individual capture events, including captures both with and without tissue sample collection and hair samples resulting in the identification of 50 individual mountain lions (30 females, 19 males, and 1 unknown sex individual). We estimated lion densities from 8 models containing effects of distance, sex, and survey effort on detection probability. Our population density estimates ranged from a minimum of 3.7 mountain lions/100 km2(95% CI 2.3–5.7) under the distance only model (including only an effect of distance on detection probability) to 6.7 (95% CI 3.1–11.0) under the full model (including effects of distance, sex, survey effort, and distance × sex on detection probability). These numbers translate to a total estimate of 293 mountain lions (95% CI 182–451) to 529 (95% CI 245–870) within the Blackfoot drainage. Results from the distance model are similar to previous estimates of 3.6 mountain lions/100 km2for the study area; however, results from all other models indicated greater numbers of mountain lions. Our results indicate that unstructured spatial sampling combined with spatial capture–recapture analysis can be an effective method for estimating large carnivore densities. Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
A Study of the Authophobic Dewetting in Thin Polymer Films
Authors: Béziel Wilfried , Sferrazza Michele
Published: June 2012

We have investigated the dewetting behaviour of a thin polystyrene film on top of cross‐linked network of the same polymer. By changing the cross‐linking density, the dynamic of the dewetting is modified. The behaviour of the contact angle and dewetting velocity can be related to the interfacial width between the polymers. We observe moreover that while the lost of entropy of the network connected to the penetration of the free chains will favour the dewetting; the possible presence of “connectors” between the layers will tend to stabilize the wetting. By modifying the entropy of the mesh by swelling the cross‐linked system with a reservoir of the same polymer, the mesh is saturated and a stable interface without interdiffusion between the layers is obtained: in this case a constant contact angle and slippage length are obtained. Networks with higher cross‐linking density are more difficult in general to swell – the mesh size is smaller ‐ and the complete saturation is not reached.
Synthesis of Polylactide under Inert Atmosphere and Vacuum
Authors: Kaur Paramjit , Mehta Rajeev , Berek Dusan , Upadhyay Siddh Nath
Published: June 2012

The ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of L‐ lactide was carried out in bulk using various initiators along with triphenylphosphine (PPh3) as co‐initiator. Equimolar addition of triphenylphosphine increased the molecular masses of polylactide (PLA). The polymerization was carried out at 403.15 K up to 155 hr. Different experiments were carried out over a wide range of monomer to initiator (Mo/Io) ratios. It was found that maximum molecular weight of polylactide was observed when Mo/Io ratio was 2500–2700. Polymerization reactions were carried out under two different environments in the reaction vessel, an inert cover and a partial vacuum. The average molecular weight of polylactide was determined by using size exclusion chromatography. The increase of polymerization time increased the weight average molecular weight but after prolonged reaction time, the molecular weight decreased gradually.
Methods for Characterizing the 3‐D Morphology of Polymer Composites
Authors: Koch Thomas , Salaberger Dietmar , Zankel Armin , Reingruber Herbert , Steiger‐Thirsfeld Andreas , Voronko Yulia , Seidler Sabine
Published: June 2012

3‐dimensional visualization of polymer morphology is of increasing interest in the polymer community because it provides a deeper insight into the arrangement of the phases in heterophasic polymeric materials, for example in composites. Depending on the size of the fillers, an adequate method offering a good compromise between suitable resolution and observable volume must be selected.

Different polypropylene composites filled with long glass fibres, mica and talcum particles were investigated. Four methods were applied to account for the different filler sizes. For composites containing fillers larger than several micrometers, i.e. glass fibres and mica particles, X‐ray tomography offers a very good combination of visibility and volume. Serial sectioning by polishing in combination with light optical microscopy can be an alternative if no X‐ray equipment is available. This combined method has the disadvantage, however, that the imaged volume is smaller and involves more effort, which makes it unsuitable for routine observations. The much smaller talcum particles with thicknesses down to 200 nm were investigated by coupling focused ion beam (FIB) milling and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by insitu ultramicrotomy in the SEM. Both methods led to good and comparable results.
Existence of positive solution for impulsive boundary value problem with p‐Laplacian in Banach spaces
Authors: Yang Yitao , Meng Fanwei
Published: June 2012

This paper deals with the existence of positive solution for impulsive boundary value problem with p‐Laplacian in Banach spaces. There is no literature researching on p‐Laplacian boundary value problem in Banach spaces. The main difficulty that appears when passing from p = 2 to p ≠ 2 is that for p ≠ 2, it is impossible for us to find a Green's function in the equivalent integral operator because the differential operator (ϕp(u ′ )) ′ is nonlinear, so it is difficult for us to prove that the equivalent integral operator is a strict‐set‐contraction operator. Even in the absence of pulse effect, these results are new. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Donor‐substituted distyrylpyrazines: influence of steric congestion on UV–Vis absorption and fluorescence
Authors: Wink Christoph , Detert Heiner
Published: June 2012

Di(p‐aminostyryl)pyrazines with voluminous substituents on the nitrogen and in the adjacent positions were prepared via twofold aldol condensation. Absorption and emission spectra are influenced by increasing steric hindrance because the orbital overlap between nitrogen and π‐system is modulated by voluminous groups. Strong solvatochromism of the fluorescence and huge Stokes shifts result from amplified donor–acceptor interaction in the excited state. Protonation occurs at the terminal amino groups first, followed by protonation of the central pyrazine. With increasing strength of acid, absorption and emission spectra are first shifted to the blue followed by a redshift. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Basicity of neutral organic superbases with vinamidine structure in gas phase and acetonitrile: a density functional theory study
Authors: Radić Nena , Maksić Zvonimir B.
Published: June 2012

The gas‐phase proton affinities (PAs) for a set of molecules with vinamidine structure are considered and their basicities in acetonitrile. It is shown that introducing double bonds to the imidazoline rings at the proton attachment site resulted in decrease in PA of the parent vinamidine. The increase in PA can be obtained by inducing modifications to the imidazoline ring at the junction of two diazepinylium rings. Placing methyl and dimethylamino substituents on the perimeter of the molecule further increased their gas‐phase PAs. Studied vinamidine molecules are superbases, which possess PA values in the range between 261.0 and 284.2 kcal mol–1 in the gas phase and pKa values of 24.6–31.9 units in acetonitrile. Dismembering proton attachment site by opening the two diazepinylium and imidazoline rings resulted in the largest drop in PA values, indicating its importance in constraining the positions of imino nitrogen atoms in the neutral form of the molecule. Vinamidine molecules studied here present important pieces of the ladder of highly basic organic compounds for they possess accessible vinamidine molecular framework. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Mixed Methods Study of the Experience of Transition to the Community of Working-Aged People with Non-Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Hall Alexandra , Grohn Brooke , Nalder Emily , Worrall Linda , Fleming Jennifer
Published: June 2012

Background and aims: The ‘transition’ phase from hospital to home following brain injury is well established as a critical period of adjustment for individuals and their families. There is, however, a lack of knowledge about the experience of transition following nontraumatic brain injury (e.g., stroke, aneurysm) for individuals of working age. The purpose of this study was to explore the transition experiences of individuals with nontraumatic brain injury using mixed methods approach.

Methods: Six individuals with nontraumatic brain injury were recruited from a larger study using maximum variation sampling criteria. Individuals participated in semistructured interviews at 6-months postdischarge and completed quantitative measures of psychosocial outcomes predischarge and at 6-months postdischarge. Results: Qualitative content analysis of interviews identified three themes: (1) changes in role performance, (2) support and services and (3) coping with life after brain injury. The transition experience was characterised by loss of valued roles including driving and work, identified as major barriers to regaining independence postdischarge. Informal support provided by family and friends were relied on, while formal supports were accessed infrequently. Life post-injury presented a number of challenges including adjusting to changes in physical and cognitive abilities and a fear of reinjury. Qualitative data were supported by an overall trend of improved functioning on the quantitative measures over the 6 months.

Conclusions: Key life circumstances of working age adults with nontraumatic brain injury influence the transition experience. Clinically, the findings support the need for individualised, structured transition services pre- and postdischarge for this group.
Why Things Matter to People
Authors: Sayer Andrew
Published: June 2012

Andrew Sayer undertakes a fundamental critique of social science's difficulties in acknowledging that people's relation to the world is one of concern. As sentient beings, capable of flourishing and suffering, and particularly vulnerable to how others treat us, our view of the world is substantially evaluative. Yet modernist ways of thinking encourage the common but extraordinary belief that values are beyond reason, and merely subjective or matters of convention, with little or nothing to do with the kind of beings people are, the quality of their social relations, their material circumstances or well-being. The author shows how social theory and philosophy need to change to reflect the complexity of everyday ethical concerns and the importance people attach to dignity. He argues for a robustly critical social science that explains and evaluates social life from the standpoint of human flourishing.
Computational Nanoscience
Authors: Varga Kálmán , Driscoll Joseph A.
Published: June 2012

Computer simulation is an indispensable research tool in modeling, understanding and predicting nanoscale phenomena. However, the advanced computer codes used by researchers are too complicated for graduate students wanting to understand computer simulations of physical systems. This book gives students the tools to develop their own codes. Describing advanced algorithms, the book is ideal for students in computational physics, quantum mechanics, atomic and molecular physics, and condensed matter theory. It contains a wide variety of practical examples of varying complexity to help readers at all levels of experience. An algorithm library in Fortran 90, available online at www.cambridge.org/9781107001701, implements the advanced computational approaches described in the text to solve physical problems.
Global Perspectives on Global History
Authors: Sachsenmaier Dominic
Published: June 2012

In recent years, historians across the world have become increasingly interested in transnational and global approaches to the past. However, the debates surrounding this new border-crossing movement have remained limited in scope as theoretical exchanges on the tasks, responsibilities and potentials of global history have been largely confined to national or regional academic communities. In this groundbreaking book, Dominic Sachsenmaier sets out to redress this imbalance by offering a series of new perspectives on the global and local flows, sociologies of knowledge and hierarchies that are an intrinsic part of historical practice. Taking the United States, Germany and China as his main case studies, he reflects upon the character of different approaches to global history as well as their social, political and cultural contexts. He argues that this new global trend in historiography needs to be supported by a corresponding increase in transnational dialogue, cooperation and exchange.
Social Development as Preference Management
Authors: Karniol Rachel
Published: June 2012

Karniol engagingly presents social development in children through the language of preference management. Conversational excerpts garnered from around the world trace how parents talk about preferences, how infants' and children's emergent language conveys their preferences, how children themselves are impacted by others' preferences, and how they in turn influence the preferences of adults and peers. The language of preferences is used to crack into altruism, aggression, and morality, which are ways of coming to terms with other people's preferences. Behind the scenes is a cognitive engine that uses transformational thought – conducting temporal, imaginal, and mental transformations – to figure out other people's preferences and to find more sophisticated means of outmanoeuvring others by persuading them and playing with one's own mind and other people's minds when preferences are blocked. This book is a unique and sometimes amusing must-read for anyone interested in child development, language acquisition, socialisation, and communication.
International White Collar Crime
Authors: Zagaris Bruce
Published: June 2012

Contemporary transnational criminals take advantage of globalization, trade liberalization, and emerging new technologies to commit a diverse range of crimes, and to move money, goods, services, and people instantaneously for purposes of pure economic gain and/or political violence. This book captures the importance of transnational business crime and international relations by examining the rise of international economic crime and recent strategies in the United States and abroad to combat it. The book is organized into three main sections. The first part discusses substantive crimes, particularly tax, money laundering, and counter-terrorism financial enforcement; transnational corruption; transnational organized crime; and export control and economic sanctions. The second part discusses procedural aspects of international white collar crime, namely extraterritorial jurisdiction, evidence gathering, extradition, and international prisoner transfer. The third part discusses the role of international organizations, including the United Nations, the World Bank Group, Interpol, and economic integration groups.
Social Capital in Developing Democracies
Authors: Anderson Leslie E.
Published: June 2012

Drawing on extensive field work in Nicaragua and Argentina, as well as public opinion and elite data, Leslie E. Anderson's Social Capital in Developing Democracies explores the contribution of social capital to the process of democratization and the limits of that contribution. Anderson finds that in Nicaragua, strong, positive, bridging social capital has enhanced democratization while in Argentina the legacy of Peronism has created bonding and non-democratic social capital that perpetually undermines the development of democracy. Faced with the reality of an anti-democratic form of social capital, Anderson suggests that Argentine democracy is developing on the basis of an alternative resource – institutional capital. Anderson concludes that social capital can and does enhance democracy under historical conditions that have created horizontal ties among citizens, but that social capital can also undermine democratization where historical conditions have created vertical ties with leaders and suspicion or non-cooperation among citizens.
The Evolving Dimensions of International Law
Authors: Murphy John F.
Published: June 2012

This book examines recent developments in sources of public international law, such as treaties and custom operating among nations in their mutual relations, as well as developments in some of the primary rules of law international institutions created by these processes. It finds that public international law has become increasingly dysfunctional in dealing with some of the primary problems facing the world community, such as the maintenance of international peace and security, violations of international human rights and the law of armed conflict, arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, and international environmental issues, and that international law and international institutions face a problematic future. It concludes, however, that all is not lost. There are possible alternative futures for international law and legal process, but choosing among them will require the world community making hard choices.
Who Counts as an American?
Authors: Theiss-Morse Elizabeth
Published: June 2012

Why is national identity such a potent force in people's lives? And is the force positive or negative? In this thoughtful and provocative book, Elizabeth Theiss-Morse develops a social theory of national identity and uses a national survey, focus groups, and experiments to answer these important questions in the American context. Her results show that the combination of group commitment and the setting of exclusive boundaries on the national group affects how people behave toward their fellow Americans. Strong identifiers care a great deal about their national group. They want to help and to be loyal to their fellow Americans. By limiting who counts as an American, though, these strong identifiers place serious limits on who benefits from their pro-group behavior. Help and loyalty are offered only to 'true Americans,' not Americans who do not count and who are pushed to the periphery of the national group.
Economic Choices in a Warming World
Authors: Perthuis Christian de
Published: June 2012

Since the publication of the Stern Review, economists have started to ask more normative questions about climate change. Should we act now or tomorrow? What is the best theoretical carbon price to reach long-term abatement targets? How do we discount the long-term costs and benefits of climate change? This provocative book argues that these are the wrong sorts of questions to ask because they don't take into account the policies that have already been implemented. Instead, it urges us to concentrate on existing policies and tools by showing how the development of carbon markets could dramatically reduce world greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, triggering policies to build a new low-carbon energy system while restructuring the way agriculture interacts with forests. This provides an innovative perspective on how a post-Kyoto international climate regime could emerge from agreements between the main GHG emitters capping their emissions and building an international carbon market.
Art in Public
Authors: Zuidervaart Lambert
Published: June 2012

This book examines fundamental questions about funding for the arts: why should governments provide funding for the arts? What do the arts contribute to daily life? Do artists and their publics have a social responsibility? Challenging questionable assumptions about the state, the arts and a democratic society, Lambert Zuidervaart presents a vigorous case for government funding, based on crucial contributions the arts make to civil society. He argues that the arts contribute to democratic communication and a social economy, fostering the critical and creative dialogue that a democratic society needs. Informed by the author's experience leading a non-profit arts organisation as well as his expertise in the arts, humanities and social sciences, this book proposes an entirely new conception of the public role of art with wide-ranging implications for education, politics and cultural policy.