bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mesoporous Siliconiobium Phosphate as a Pure Brønsted Acid Catalyst with Excellent Performance for the Dehydration of Glycerol to Acrolein
Authors: Choi Youngbo , Park Dae Sung , Yun Hyeong Jin , Baek Jayeon , Yun Danim , Yi Jongheop
Published: November 2012

The development of solid acid catalysts that contain a high density of Brønsted acid sites with suitable acidity, as well as a long lifetime, is one of great challenges for the efficient dehydration of glycerol to acrolein. Herein, we report on a mesoporous siliconiobium phosphate (NbPSi‐0.5) composite, which is a promising solid Brønsted acid that is a potential candidate for such a high‐performance catalyst. A variety of characterization results confirm that NbPSi‐0.5 contains nearly pure Brønsted acid sites and has well‐defined large mesopores. In addition, NbPSi‐0.5 contains a similar amount of acid sites and exhibits weaker acidity than that of the highly acidic niobium phosphate and HZSM‐5 zeolite. NbPSi‐0.5 is quite stable and has a high activity for the dehydration of glycerol. The stability of NbPSi‐0.5 is about three times higher than that of the reported catalyst. The significantly enhanced catalytic performance of NbPSi‐0.5 can be attributed to 1) nearly pure Brønsted acidity, which suppresses side reactions that lead to coke formation; 2) a significant reduction of pore blocking due to the mesopores; and 3) a decrease in the amount and oxidation temperature of coke.
Commentary on ‘Non‐pharmacological management of infant and young child procedural pain’ with a response from the review authors
Authors: McGrath Patrick J. , Chorney Jill , Riddell Rebecca Pillai , Racine Nicole , Turcotte Kara , Uman Lindsay , Lisi Diana
Published: November 2012

These are commentaries on a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Pillai Riddell RR, Racine NM, Turcotte K, Uman LS, Horton RE, Din Osmun L, Ahola Kohut S, Hillgrove Stuart J, Stevens B, Gerwitz‐Stern A. Non‐pharmacological management of infant and young child procedural pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 10. Art. No.: CD006275. DOI: 10.1002/14651858. CD006275.pub2.

Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying Summary article. Copyright © 2012 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The Cochrane Collaboration
Diversity of birds in eastern North America shifts north with global warming
Authors: McDonald Kenneth W. , McClure Christopher J. W. , Rolek Brian W. , Hill Geoffrey E.
Published: November 2012

The distribution of diversity along latitudinal and elevation gradients, and the coupling of this phenomenon with climate, is a pattern long recognized in ecology. Hypothesizing that climate change may have altered this pattern over time, we investigated whether the aggregate of reported northward shifts of bird ranges in North America is now detectable in community‐level indices such as richness and diversity. Here, we report that bird diversity in North America increased and shifted northward between 1966 and 2010. This change in the relationship of diversity to the latitudinal gradient is primarily influenced by range expansions of species that winter in the eastern United States as opposed to species which migrate to this area from wintering grounds in the tropics. This increase in diversity and its northward expansion is best explained by an increase in regional prebreeding season temperature over the past 44 years.
Catalytic Epoxidations with Pyridinebis(oxazoline)–Methyltrioxorhenium Complexes and Nitrogen‐Containing Catalyst Systems
Authors: Kiersch Konstanze , Li Yuehui , Junge Kathrin , Szesni Normen , Fischer Richard , Kühn Fritz E. , Beller Matthias
Published: November 2012

The epoxidation of olefins with methyltrioxorhenium (MTO) in the presence of various chiral oxazolines and pyridinebis(oxazoline) ligands as well as achiral N‐ligands has been investigated. By applying 1‐octene as a model system, reaction conditions were optimized, and high yields and good chemoselectivity (>90 %) were achieved. By applying other aromatic and aliphatic olefins, similar chemoselectivities and up to 19 % enantioselectivity were obtained.
Synthesis and Characterization of Copper Complexes of a Tetrapyridyl Ligand, and Their Use in the Catalytic Aerobic Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol
Authors: Gamba Ilaria , Mutikainen Ilpo , Bouwman Elisabeth , Reedijk Jan , Bonnet Sylvestre
Published: November 2012

The synthesis and characterization of new copper complexes of the tetrapyridyl ligand N,N′‐di(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine‐6,6′‐diamine (bapbpy) is reported. The crystal structures of the compounds [Cu(bapbpy)(H2O)]Cl2·H2O (1), [Cu(bapbpy)(H2O)]Br2·H2O (2) and [Cu(bapbpy)(H2O)](NO3)2·H2O (3) have been elucidated and show the copper(II) ions to be in a distorted square‐pyramidal geometry with the tetradentate ligand in the equatorial plane. Conductivity measurements on 1 revealed that it is fully ionized in methanol, i.e., the chloride ions are not coordinated to copper(II) in methanolic solutions. The room temperature electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of methanol solutions of the complexes show a copper signal with a giso value of 2.110; it shows hyperfine splitting into four lines (ACu = 77 G) and superhyperfine splitting into nine lines (AN = 12 G) owing to the interaction with the nuclear spin of the four nitrogen donor atoms of the bapbpy ligand. The catalytic activity of 1, 2 and 3 in the aerobic homogeneous oxidation of benzyl alcohol in presence of the TEMPO radical [(2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐yl)oxidanyl] was investigated. Benzaldehyde is obtained selectively and the production of benzoic acid is not observed during 24 h of reaction. EPR analyses, carried out under stoichiometric conditions, show that the TEMPO radical does not interact with the copper centre. These data suggest that oxidation of the substrate may occur in the second coordination sphere of the copper complex.
The Formation of 3D Fullerene Packing in Molecular Complexes of C60 and C70 with Metal Diethyl Dithiophosphates: [M(dedtp)2]·[C60(70)]3 (M = NiII, CoII, and VIVO)
Authors: Konarev Dmitri V. , Zorina Leokadiya V. , Khasanov Salavat S. , Lyubovskaya Rimma N.
Published: November 2012

A series of molecular complexes of fullerenes C60 and C70 with metal diethyl dithiophosphates [M(dedtp)2]·[C60(70)]3 (1–4), in which M = NiII, CoII, and VIVO was obtained as single crystals and structurally characterized. The complexes exhibit unusual three‐dimensional packing of the fullerenes in which each fullerene molecule forms van der Waals contacts with ten fullerene neighbors. Such fullerene packing has been observed for the first time in the molecular complexes of fullerenes. Each metal diethyl dithiophosphate molecule is surrounded by eight fullerenes and forms short van der Waals C···C contacts with fullerenes by ethoxy groups only. Central PS2MS2P fragments of [M(dedtp)2] do not form short van der Waals contacts with fullerenes in 1–4 in contrast to previously studied fullerene complexes with metal diethyldithiocarbamates in which effective π–π interactions between the planar NCS2MS2CN fragments of dithiocarbamates and fullerenes was found. Both [NiII(dedtp)2] in 1 and 2 and [CoII(dedtp)2] in 3 have square‐planar environments around the metal center with the M–S bonds in the 2.227(1)–2.275(1) Å range, whereas vanadium atoms have a square‐pyramidal environment in [VIVO(dedtp)2] (4) with one short V–O bond that is 1.597(1) Å long and four longer V–S bonds in the 2.394–2.439(2) Å range.
Photoactive Chromium(III)–Cyclam Complexes with Axially Bound geminal‐Diethynylethenes
Authors: Forrest William P. , Cao Zhi , Hambrick H. Rhodes , Prentice Boone M. , Fanwick Phillip E. , Wagenknecht Paul S. , Ren Tong
Published: November 2012

Reported herein are the preparation and characterization of trans‐[Cr(cyclam)(X‐gem‐DEE)2]OTf compounds (gem‐DEE = σ‐geminal‐diethynylethene, OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate) 1 and 2, which are the first examples of 3d metal complexes containing gem‐DEE ligands. All compounds reported herein were characterized by visible, emission, and infrared spectroscopy, electrochemistry (CV and DPV), and high‐resolution mass spectrometry, and compound 2 was further studied by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Both the photophyiscal data and the structural data indicate that the gem‐DEE ligands are similar to simple linear alkynyls in their coordination to the CrIII core. DFT calculations revealed that π delocalization is the most extensive within the SOMO and SOMO–1, in which both the vinyl and free ethynyl groups of the gem‐DEE ligand contribute significantly to the π⟂ orbital that mixes intimately with both the dyz and dxz orbitals of the Cr core.
Comparative Study of the Regioselectivity and Reaction Media for the Synthesis of 1‐tert‐Butyl‐3(5)‐trifluoromethyl‐1H‐pyrazoles
Authors: Martins Marcos A. P. , Marzari Mara R. B. , Frizzo Clarissa P. , Zanatta Marcileia , Buriol Lilian , Andrade Valquiria P. , Zanatta Nilo , Bonacorso Helio G.
Published: November 2012

A study is presented for the synthesis of a series of 1‐tert‐butyl‐3(5)‐(trifluoromethyl)‐1H‐pyrazoles from the reaction of 4‐alkoxy‐1,1,1‐trifluoro‐3‐alken‐2‐ones [CF3C(O)CH=C(R1)(OR), where R = Et and R1 = H or R = Me and R1 = Me, Ph, 4‐Me‐C6H4, 4‐MeO‐C6H4, 4‐F‐C6H4, 4‐Cl‐C6H4, 4‐Br‐C6H4, 4‐I‐C6H4, fur‐2‐yl, thien‐2‐yl, or naphth‐2‐yl] with tert‐butylhydrazine hydrochloride. When [BMIM][BF4] (1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate) and pyridine were used as the reaction media, we obtained a mixture of 1‐tert‐butyl‐3(5)‐trifluoromethylpyrazoles. The formation of 5‐trifluoromethyl‐1‐tert‐butyl‐1H‐pyrazoles with high regioselectivity occurred when the reaction was carried out with NaOH in EtOH. The formation of 1‐tert‐butyl‐3‐trifluoromethyl‐1H‐pyrazoles occurred, after hydrolysis of the 4‐alkoxy‐1,1,1‐trifluoro‐3‐alken‐2‐ones in H2O and H2SO4, followed by cyclization in [BMIM][BF4] and pyridine.
Thienannulation: Efficient Synthesis of π‐Extended Thienoacenes Applicable to Organic Semiconductors
Authors: Takimiya Kazuo , Nakano Masahiro , Kang Myeong Jin , Miyazaki Eigo , Osaka Itaru
Published: November 2012

This microreview focuses on several thiophene‐annulation reactions of less cyclic precursors on aromatic units (“thienannulation reactions”), which have been applied to the synthesis of a range of π‐extended thienoacene‐based organic semiconductors. Those thienannulation reactions can be applicable to the syntheses of two types of fused‐thiophene compounds: those with terminal fused thiophene units, represented by acene(di)thiophenes such as benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene (BDT), and those with internal thiophene units, such as [1]benzothieno[3,2‐b][1]benzothiophene (BTBT). In addition, this microreview discusses the merits, scope, and limitations of the thienannulation reactions and demonstrates their high reproducibility with different substrates. It also shows that the corresponding less cyclic precursor subunits for the thiophene‐fused substructures can be regarded as synthetic equivalents or “synthons” for certain types of thienoacene‐based organic semiconductors.
Simple Ionic Liquid Supported C2‐Symmetric Bisprolinamides as Recoverable Organocatalysts for the Asymmetric Aldol Reaction in the Presence of Water
Authors: Kochetkov Sergei V. , Kucherenko Alexandr S. , Kryshtal Galina V. , Zhdankina Galina M. , Zlotin Sergei G.
Published: November 2012

C2‐Symmetric (S)‐prolinamides modified with ionic groups and bearing achiral diamine units were synthesized. Their potency as reusable organocatalysts for asymmetric aldol reactions of cycloalkanones or methyl ketones with aromatic (heteroaromatic) aldehydes in the presence of water was demonstrated. The 1,4‐diaminobenzene‐derived catalyst exhibited good catalytic performance and excellent recoverability over at least 15 reaction–regeneration cycles under the studied conditions.
Copper Powder Catalyzed Direct Ring‐Opening Arylation of Benzazoles with Aryl Iodides in Polyethylene Glycol
Authors: Yao Lifang , Zhou Qing , Han Wei , Wei Shaohua
Published: November 2012

The expedient and efficient copper powder catalyzed direct ring‐opening arylation of benzazoles with aryl iodides in polyethylene glycol that proceeds in the absence of an added ligand has been developed. The protocol provides facile access to 2‐(arylthio)anilines and 2‐phenoxyanilines in high yields with a wide tolerance of functional groups. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed that the active catalyst results from the in situ generation of copper nanoparticles under standard reaction conditions, which is an alternative avenue to develop a highly effective metallic copper catalyst. Moreover, the catalytic system can be recycled up to six times.
Friedel–Crafts Acylation Reactions Using Esters
Authors: Chavan Subhash P. , Garai Sumanta , Dutta Achintya Kumar , Pal Sourav
Published: November 2012

Intermolecular and intramolecular Friedel–Crafts acylation reactions of various aliphatic and aromatic esters at room temperature with the use of very simple reagents and activating groups in are described. The products were obtained in good yield (60–85 %). The detailed mechanistic pathway was studied by DFT calculations and supported by experimental evidence.
Demethylenation of Tröger's Bases with Concomitant Hydrazine Formation
Authors: Gao Xuefeng , Hampton Carissa S. , Harmata Michael
Published: November 2012

Trögers bases (TBs) react with dimethyldioxirane to produce the corresponding N‐oxides in excellent yields. Upon treatment with acetic anhydride, these N‐oxides undergo a Polonovski‐type reaction that involves fragmentation and ultimate nitrogen–nitrogen bond formation to form hydrazines. Steric effects are evident in both the oxidation step and in the step involving the activation of the N‐oxide, such that certain TBs are not amenable to the process.
Influence of high‐conductivity buffer composition on field‐enhanced sample injection coupled to sweeping in CE
Authors: Anres Philippe , Delaunay Nathalie , Vial Jérôme , Thormann Wolfgang , Gareil Pierre
Published: November 2012

The aim of this work was to clarify the mechanism taking place in field‐enhanced sample injection coupled to sweeping and micellar EKC (FESI‐Sweep‐MEKC), with the utilization of two acidic high‐conductivity buffers (HCBs), phosphoric acid or sodium phosphate buffer, in view of maximizing sensitivity enhancements. Using cationic model compounds in acidic media, a chemometric approach and simulations with SIMUL5 were implemented. Experimental design first enabled to identify the significant factors and their potential interactions. Simulation demonstrates the formation of moving boundaries during sample injection, which originate at the initial sample/HCB and HCB/buffer discontinuities and gradually change the compositions of HCB and BGE. With sodium phosphate buffer, the HCB conductivity increased during the injection, leading to a more efficient preconcentration by staking (about 1.6 times) than with phosphoric acid alone, for which conductivity decreased during injection. For the same injection time at constant voltage, however, a lower amount of analytes was injected with sodium phosphate buffer than with phosphoric acid. Consequently sensitivity enhancements were lower for the whole FESI‐Sweep‐MEKC process. This is why, in order to maximize sensitivity enhancements, it is proposed to work with sodium phosphate buffer as HCB and to use constant current during sample injection.
Five non‐synonymous SNPs in the gene encoding human deoxyribonuclease I‐like 2 implicated in terminal differentiation of keratinocytes reduce or abolish its activity
Authors: Ueki Misuzu , Fujihara Junko , Kimura‐Kataoka Kaori , Takeshita Haruo , Iida Reiko , Yasuda Toshihiro
Published: November 2012

Several non‐synonymous SNPs in the human deoxyribonuclease I‐like 2 (DNase 1L2) gene responsible for DNA degradation during terminal differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes have been identified. However, only limited population data are available, and furthermore the effect of these SNPs on the DNase 1L2 activity remains unknown. Genotyping of all of the 17 SNPs was performed using the PCR‐RFLP method in three ethnic groups including 14 different populations. A series of amino acid‐substituted DNase 1L2 corresponding to each SNP was expressed, and its activity was measured. All of the six non‐synonymous SNPs exhibited a mono‐allelic distribution, whereas the distribution of some SNPs other than exonic ones was ethnicity‐dependent. Each of the minor alleles in SNPs, p.Ala20Asp, p.Val104Leu, p.Asp197Ala, p.Glu274Lys and p.Asp287Asn, among the non‐synonymous SNPs produced low or no activity‐harbouring DNase 1L2. DNase 1L2 is well conserved, retaining full levels of enzymatic activity, with regard to these exonic SNPs in human populations. It seems plausible to assume that these SNPs affecting the activity may be one of the factors responsible for a genetic pre‐disposition for failure of differentiation‐associated cell death in various keratinocyte lineages, thereby leading to the development of parakeratosis. Our results may have clinical implications in relation to the pathogenesis of parakeratosis.
Coupling snowpack and groundwater dynamics to interpret historical streamflow trends in the western United States
Authors: Safeeq Mohammad , Grant Gordon E. , Lewis Sarah L. , Tague Christina. L.
Published: November 2012

A key challenge for resource and land managers is predicting the consequences of climate warming on streamflow and water resources. During the last century in the western United States, significant reductions in snowpack and earlier snowmelt have led to an increase in the fraction of annual streamflow during winter and a decline in the summer. Previous work has identified elevation as it relates to snowpack dynamics as the primary control on streamflow sensitivity to warming. But along with changes in the timing of snowpack accumulation and melt, summer streamflows are also sensitive to intrinsic, geologically mediated differences in the efficiency of landscapes in transforming recharge (either as rain or snow) into discharge; we term this latter factor drainage efficiency. Here we explore the conjunction of drainage efficiency and snowpack dynamics in interpreting retrospective trends in summer streamflow during 1950–2010 using daily streamflow from 81 watersheds across the western United States. The recession constant (k) and fraction of precipitation falling as snow (Sf) were used as metrics of deep groundwater and overall precipitation regime (rain and/or snow), respectively. This conjunctive analysis indicates that summer streamflows in watersheds that drain slowly from deep groundwater and receive precipitation as snow are most sensitive to climate warming. During the spring, however, watersheds that drain rapidly and receive precipitation as snow are most sensitive to climate warming. Our results indicate that not all trends in western United States are associated with changes in snowpack dynamics; we observe declining streamflow in late fall and winter in rain‐dominated watersheds as well. These empirical findings support both theory and hydrologic modelling and have implications for how streamflow sensitivity to warming is interpreted across broad regions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The complex interaction of ecology and hydrology in a small catchment: a salmon's perspective
Authors: Cunjak R. A. , Linnansaari T. , Caissie D.
Published: November 2012

For the past 22 years, we have monitored hydro‐meteorological conditions and fish population dynamics in Catamaran Brook, a 52 km2 catchment in the Miramichi River system of New Brunswick, Canada. Given the long‐term nature of the multidisciplinary dataset, we are able to provide an overview of the complex interaction between streamflow and fish population dynamics drawing on previously published material as well as new data analyses. For autumn‐spawning fishes like the Atlantic salmon, access to headwater reaches was directly related to streamflow during late October (when they ascend spawning tributaries), as well as the propensity of beaver dams in the stream (also a function of streamflow). Winter streamflow was positively correlated with egg survival, except when rain‐on‐snow conditions induced severe ice break‐up events that likely caused the highest mortalities on record for salmon and other fishes. Juvenile recruitment was significantly influenced by density‐dependent processes of growth and competition but further mediated by density‐independent factors like winter flow. In spring, fry emergence was largely temperature‐driven, although peaks in fry drift were sometimes synchronized with secondary discharge peaks and temperature. Tributaries like Catamaran Brook provide thermal refugia for coolwater fishes like salmon and trout during the summer when wide, shallow main‐stem Atlantic rivers experience low discharge and high water temperatures that induce physiological and behavioural stress (i.e. > 23 °C). These phenomena are discussed in detail, especially in terms of how they may be compromised by future changes in hydrologic conditions resulting from predicted climate change scenarios. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interim analysis of START: Study in asia of the combination of TACE (transcatheter arterial chemoembolization) with sorafenib in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma trial
Authors: Chung Young‐Hwa , Han Guohong , Yoon Jung‐Hwan , Yang Jijin , Wang Jianhua , Shao Guo‐Liang , Kim Byung Ik , Lee Teng‐Yu , Chao Yee
Published: November 2012

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) represents a first‐line noncurative therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, has been shown to be effective and safe monotherapy in patients with advanced HCC and the current study reports the interim results of a prospective Phase II, open label, trial investigating the safety and efficacy of the combination of sorafenib and conventional TACE in patients from the Asia‐Pacific region with intermediate HCC. Patients with histologically or clinically diagnosed HCC were treated with conventional TACE followed by sorafenib 4 to 7 days later. TACE was performed by selective transarterial chemotherapy in the vessels feeding the tumor with an emulsion of lipiodol (5–20 ml) and doxorubicin (30–60 mg) followed by embolization with absorbable particles (gel foam). TACE/sorafenib cycles were repeated every 6–8 weeks. Primary objectives were to evaluate the safety and tolerability, in addition to the efficacy of TACE combined with sorafenib for HCC. A total of 147 patients were included in the intention‐to‐treat analysis and received at least one dose of sorafenib. Gastrointestinal AEs were reported by 62.6% of patients while 57.8% reported skin AEs although most were mild to moderate. The mean number of cycles undertaken was 2.1 and 63.3% of patients achieved either partial response or stable disease. Clinically, the disease control rate was 91.2% while the overall response rate was calculated as 52.4%. Our study shows that concurrent sorafenib and TACE therapy is safe and effective with no unexpected side effects.
Contrasting effects of type 2 and type 1 diabetes on plasma RBP4 levels: The significance of transthyretin
Authors: Pullakhandam Raghu , Palika Ravindranadh , Ghosh Sudip , Reddy Geereddy Bhanuprakash
Published: November 2012

Retinol‐binding protein 4 (RBP4) is the principle carrier of retinol in the human plasma, which circulates as a complex with transthyretin (TTR), a homotetrameric thyroxine transport protein. Although this complex formation is thought to prevent glomerular filtration of RBP4, it also stabilizes the quaternary structure of TTR. Recent studies indicate elevated plasma levels of RBP4 in type 2 diabetes (T2D). In contrast, reduced RBP4 levels were observed in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Herein, we critically examine the probable mechanisms involved in the regulation of RBP4 and TTR levels during T2D and T1D. The available evidences point to the involvement of pancreatic factors in regulating the expression of both RBP4 and TTR. It appears that during T1D, TTR levels are reduced and it exists predominantly as a monomer that may interfere its interaction with RBP4 resulting in its loss through glomerular filtration. However, plasma TTR levels remain high under T2D conditions and thus reducing glomerular filtration of RBP4. Therefore, the plasma TTR levels appear to be an important determinant of plasma RBP4 levels in these two diabetic conditions. © 2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 64(12): 975–982, 2012
The impairment of insulin signaling in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Candeias Emanuel , Duarte Ana I. , Carvalho Cristina , Correia Sónia C. , Cardoso Susana , Santos Renato X. , Plácido Ana I. , Perry George , Moreira Paula I.
Published: November 2012

Alterations of the insulin signaling cascade underlie cognitive decline and the development of several neurodegenerative diseases. In recent years, a great interest has been put in studying the interaction between diabetes and Alzheimer's disease (AD). In fact, evidence shows that both diseases present several biochemical similarities including defects in the insulin signaling pathway. Here, we give an overview of the main functions of insulin in the central nervous system. The impact of insulin signaling impairment in brain aging and AD is also discussed. Finally, we present evidence supporting the notion that insulin is a link between diabetes and AD. © 2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 64(12): 951–957, 2012
Unpacking Pandora's Box: Issues in the Assessment of English Learners’ Literacy Skill Development in Multimodal Classrooms
Authors: Pandya Jessica Zacher
Published: November 2012

In this commentary I unpack the Pandora's Box of issues related to the assessment of English language learners’ literacy skill development in multimodal classrooms. I ask how we might quantify the benefits of multimodal composing, for k‐12 as well as college students, given the existing complexity of assessing ELLs’ traditional literacy skills. I use a case study of a college student, as well as data from a project in a k‐8 site, to explore these issues and provide some starting points for a larger public discussion. I unpack four key issues and offer approaches to address each one.
Meeting the Needs of English Learners
Authors: Roy‐Campbell Zaline
Published: November 2012

The authors discuss educational issues that trail English Language Learners (ELLs) by looking at the experiences of Mumina, a student who entered a U. S. classroom seven years ago after spending time in a refugee camp in Kenya. ELLs ‐ especially at the high school level ‐ are a challenging group for educators because they have a relatively short period of time to develop English proficiency and literacy skills, while simultaneously learning content. ELLs are diverse groups of students that cover a wide spectrum of language, literacy, and educational needs. The authors state that rich classroom learning experiences are necessary. At the policy level, they indicate that in order to meet the needs of ELLs, a greater investment in teacher reparation programs and professional development demands top priority.
Cultivating Digital and Popular Literacies as Empowering and Emancipatory Acts Among Urban Youth
Authors: Haddix Marcelle , Sealey‐Ruiz Yolanda
Published: November 2012

In this article, the authors discuss the potential for emancipatory pedagogies, which include practices like the use of digital tools and popular culture, to undo deficit constructions of Black and Latino males and their literacy practices. They discuss why such practices are not more readily available and visible in traditional urban school settings but how their use of digital tools and popular culture with urban Black and Latino males happens in “alternative” settings and outside official school contexts. The authors challenge the criminalization and policing of digital and popular literacies among Black and Latino males in urban school settings and reflect on the ways that they have witnessed emancipation and empowerment when these male students were not only allowed but “free” to engage in such practices.
Adolescents’ Motivation in the Context of an Academic Vocabulary Intervention in Urban Middle School Classrooms
Authors: Lesaux Nonie K. , Harris Julie Russ , Sloane Phoebe
Published: November 2012

In a large urban district's ELA classrooms, an academic vocabulary intervention designed to improve linguistically diverse 6th‐graders’ reading and language skills was implemented and evaluated. These classrooms were characterized by high numbers of struggling readers, and linguistic diversity was the norm. As part of the evaluation, this study focuses on students’ perspectives of the intervention, with the goal of shedding light on how it might have influenced their efforts toward academic success. We conducted 20 focus groups following students’ participation in the program, gaining insights that bear on the dual challenge of creating a motivating and rigorous learning environment. Students linked the experience with increased academic confidence, and, in turn, academic motivation. They believed it was the challenging learning opportunities embedded in an instructional cycle that promoted deep knowledge building that helped them to be, and feel, academically successful.
Recent advances in the development of Raman spectroscopy for deep non‐invasive medical diagnosis
Authors: Matousek Pavel , Stone Nicholas
Published: November 2012

Raman spectroscopy has recently undergone major advances in the area of deep non‐invasive characterisation of biological tissues. The progress stems from the development of spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) and renaissance of transmission Raman spectroscopy permitting the assessment of diffusely scattering samples at depths several orders of magnitude deeper than possible with conventional Raman spectroscopy. Examples of emerging applications include non‐invasive diagnosis of bone disease, cancer and monitoring of glucose levels. This article reviews this fast moving field focusing on recent developments within the medical area. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
UVC‐Induced Mitochondrial Degradation via Autophagy Correlates with mtDNA Damage Removal in Primary Human Fibroblasts
Authors: Bess Amanda S. , Ryde Ian T. , Hinton David E. , Meyer Joel N.
Published: November 2012

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is more susceptible than nuclear DNA to helix‐distorting damage via exposure to environmental genotoxins, partially due to a lack of nucleotide excision repair. Thus, this damage is irreparable and persistent in mtDNA in the short term. We recently found that helix‐distorting mtDNA damage induced by ultraviolet C radiation (UVC) is gradually removed in Caenorhabditis elegans and that removal is dependent upon autophagy and mitochondrial dynamics. We here report the effects of UVC exposure on mitophagy, mitochondrial morphology, and indicators of mitochondrial function in mammalian cells. Exposure to UVC induced autophagy within 24 h; nonetheless, significant mitochondrial degradation was not observed until 72 h post exposure. Mitochondrial mass, morphology, and function were not significantly altered. These data further support the idea that persistent mtDNA damage is removed by autophagy and also suggest a powerful compensatory capacity for dealing with mtDNA damage. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J BiochemMol Toxicol 27:28‐41, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.21440
Modulation of Acid Phosphatase and Lactic Dehydrogenase in Hexachlorocyclohexane‐Induced Hepatocarcinogenesis in Mice
Authors: Bhatt Devendra Kumar , Nagda Girima
Published: November 2012

The present study was designed to elucidate the involvement of acid phosphatase (ACP) in metastasis and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as an immediate compensatory alleviation mechanism for energy stress in liver lesions induced by hexachlorocyclohexane in Swiss mice. Animals were continuously exposed to hexachlorocyclohexane (500 ppm) for 2, 4, and 6 months. Neoplastic nodules and tumors developed after continuous exposure for 4 and 6 months, respectively. The distribution pattern of both enzymes markedly varied in neoplastic nodules and tumors. Intense ACP activity was more observed only in sinusoids and blood vessels of neoplastic nodule, whereas an overall increase in ACP activity was observed in the tumor. Noticeably, a significant decline in LDH activity was noted after 2 and 4 months of exposure, whereas LDH in a tumor region showed intense enzymatic activity. The role of acid phosphate in metastasis and LDH in oxidative stress during hepatocarcinogenesis induced by hexachlorocyclohexane has been discussed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 26:439‐444, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10:1002/jbt.21441
Al2O3 Nanoparticles Induce Mitochondria‐Mediated Cell Death and Upregulate the Expression of Signaling Genes in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Alshatwi Ali A. , Vaiyapuri Subbarayan Periasamy , Ramesh E. , Al‐Hazzani Amal A. , Alsaif Mohammed A. , Alwarthan Abdulrahman A.
Published: November 2012

An increase in the broad usage of Al2O3 nanoparticles (ANPs) in the food and agricultural sectors may produce rare hazards for human health. The objective of this study was to assess the acute toxicity of ANPs in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in vitro. Cell viability, cellular uptake, morphology, and gene expression using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) were analyzed. The results indicate that ANPs have a significant and dose‐dependent effect on cytotoxicity. Control cells showed a characteristic, homogeneous nuclear staining pattern, whereas ANP‐exposed cells showed abnormal nuclear morphological changes such as condensation or fragmentation. An early characteristic of apoptosis was observed in ANP‐treated cells. Further confirmation of cell death in hMSCs was observed through increased expression of chosen signaling genes and also decreased expression of Bcl‐2 during mitochondria‐mediated cell death. Although they provide great advantages in food and agricultural products, the chronic and acute toxicity of ANPs still needs to be assessed carefully. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 26:469‐476, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10:1002/jbt.21448
Dietary Antioxidant, Quercetin, Protects Sertoli‐Germ Cell Coculture from Atrazine‐Induced Oxidative Damage
Authors: Abarikwu Sunny O. , Pant Aditya B. , Farombi Ebenezer O.
Published: November 2012

Quercetin (QT), a dietary‐derived flavonoid, is ubiquitous in fruits and vegetables and plays an important role in human health by virtue of its antioxidant function. The present study was designed to examine the effects of QT on oxidative damage that was induced by the herbicide, atrazine (ATZ), in mixed cultures of Sertoli‐germ cells. Results showed that treatment with QT increased cell viability and decreased catalase activity, malondialdehyde, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. QT treatment also increased the mRNA expression of glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione‐S‐transferase, and superoxide dismutase‐1 and could not reversed to the control levels ATZ‐induced steady‐state mRNA levels of these antioxidant genes as well as the level of glutathione and activities of GSH‐Px and GR. QT has protective effect against ATZ‐induced oxidative stress through a reduction in ROS levels and lipid peroxidation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 26:477‐485, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10:1002/jbt.21449
Geomorphic and chronometric evidence for high lake level history in Gahai Lake and Toson Lake of north‐eastern Qaidam Basin, north‐eastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Fan Qishun , Ma Haizhou , Cao Guangchao , Chen Zongyan , Cao Shengkui
Published: November 2012

Palaeoshorelines, highstand lacustrine sediments and lakeshore terraces are preserved around saline lakes in the arid Qaidam Basin. Previous research indicates that the chronology of a mega‐paleolake in the Qaidam Basin during the late Pleisotocene is controversial. Here we report quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) age estimates of highstand lacustrine sediments, shoreline features and geomorphic exposures that contribute to a revision of the lake level history of Gahai and Toson lakes in the north‐eastern Qaidam Basin, on the northeastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP) margin. The results imply that: (i) high lake levels at Gahai and Toson lakes based on quartz OSL dating occurred at 85–72, 63–55, 31, 5.4 and 0.9–0.7 ka, probably corresponding to periods of warm and wet climate; (ii) periods of high lake levels are almost synchronous with other lakes on the QTP (e.g. Qinghai and Namco lakes), with the highest late Pleistocene levels occurring during Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage 5; and (iii) highstand phases on the QTP are out of phase with those of low‐latitude lakes in the southern hemisphere, possibly driven by solar insolation variability in the low‐latitude region. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meta‐analysis inside and outside particle physics: two traditions that should converge?
Authors: Baker Rose D. , Jackson Dan
Published: November 2012

The use of meta‐analysis in medicine and epidemiology really took off in the 1970s. However, in high‐energy physics, the Particle Data Group has been carrying out meta‐analyses of measurements of particle masses and other properties since 1957. Curiously, there has been virtually no interaction between those working inside and outside particle physics. In this paper, we use statistical models to study two major differences in practice. The first is the usefulness of systematic errors, which physicists are now beginning to quote in addition to statistical errors. The second is whether it is better to treat heterogeneity by scaling up errors as do the Particle Data Group or by adding a random effect as does the rest of the community. Besides fitting models, we derive and use an exact test of the error‐scaling hypothesis. We also discuss the other methodological differences between the two streams of meta‐analysis. Our conclusion is that systematic errors are not currently very useful and that the conventional random effects model, as routinely used in meta‐analysis, has a useful role to play in particle physics. The moral we draw for statisticians is that we should be more willing to explore ‘grassroots’ areas of statistical application, so that good statistical practice can flow both from and back to the statistical mainstream. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ability to determine the desferrioxamine‐chelatable iron fractions of nontransferrin‐bound iron using HPLC
Authors: Koba Marcin , Słomka Artur , Bączek Tomasz , Marszałł Michał P. , Żekanowska Ewa
Published: November 2012

Iron is an essential element in human development. It is imperative for oxygen and electron transport and also for DNA and neurotransmitters synthesis. On the other hand, this metal is able to participate in Fenton's reaction that in turn leads to free radical damage. The most toxic fraction of iron – nontransferrin‐bound iron and its part desferrioxamine‐chelatable iron – can serve as an exquisite biomarker in the identification of iron imbalance. The goal of the present study was to devise a simple, repeatable, and inexpensive method for the determination of desferrioxamine‐chelatable iron in serum blood samples. The assay procedure is based on desferrioxamine complex formation with iron ions followed to ferrioxamine and its quantitative measurement using RP‐HPLC method. The desferrioxamine‐chelatable iron was extracted from blood by centrifugation and SPE method. Chromatographic separation was performed at 40°C by step‐form gradient elution using Cadenza CD‐C18 column (150 × 4.6 mm id, particle size of 3.0 μm) connected with precolumn for contaminants removal. Gradient HPLC elution has been carried out with solvent A (10 mM Tris‐HCl, pH 5.5) and solvent B (ACN). The flow rate was 1.2 mL/min, and the total separation time was 5 min. The linear quantitation range was 2.5–500 μM (r = 0.9973), and the LOD and LOQ were 0.42 and 1.29 μM, respectively. Proposed HPLC method allowed for the determination of desferrioxamine‐chelatable iron fraction's of nontransferrin‐bound iron, both in the buffer and the serum supplemented with iron ions as well as in the patients’ serum samples with good results of precision and recovery. The developed method found to be sufficiently precise and reproducible for established conditions and after validation and may be used for routine assay of desferrioxamine‐chelatable iron in biological samples.
An improved SPE method for fractionation and identification of phospholipids
Authors: Fauland Alexander , Trötzmüller Martin , Eberl Anita , Afiuni‐Zadeh Somaieh , Köfeler Harald , Guo Xinghua , Lankmayr Ernst
Published: November 2012

This work reports an efficient and universal SPE method developed for separation and identification of phospholipids derived from complex biological samples. For the separation step, sequential combination of silica gel‐aminopropyl‐silica gel SPE cartridges is applied. This setup enables separation of phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, cardiolipin, and sphingomyelin into four fractions according to the polarity of their headgroups. Sample acquisition of the SPE fractions is performed by a high‐resolution LC‐MS system consisting of a hybrid linear IT Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer coupled to RP‐HPLC. The unequivocal advantage of our SPE sample preparation setup is avoidance of analyte peak overlapping in the determination step done by RP‐HPLC. Overlapping phospholipid signals would otherwise exert adverse ion suppression effects. An additional benefit of this method is the elimination of polar and nonpolar (e.g. neutral lipids) contaminants from the phospholipid fractions, which highly reduces contamination of the LC‐MS system. The method was validated with fermentation samples of organic waste, where 78 distinct phospholipid and sphingomyelin species belonging to six lipid classes were successfully identified.
Enantiomeric separations by means of nano‐LC
Authors: Rocco Anna , Maruška Audrius , Fanali Salvatore
Published: November 2012

Enantiomers represent a class of compounds extensively investigated since they can show totally different behaviors when they interact with a chiral environment. Because of their identical chemical structure (they differ only in the spatial arrangement of the atoms in the molecule), the separation of optical isomers is a challenging task of analytical chemistry. So far employed methods for the separation of enantiomers are mainly based on chromatography. CE as well was considered as an analytical technique suitable for chiral separations, characterized by high efficiency and low consumption of reagent. Recently, miniaturization was introduced in LC to answer the needs to perform analyses in the minimum time, to use the smallest amount of samples and to reduce environmental pollution. Nano‐LC represents nowadays a valid alternative to the abovementioned conventional analytical techniques, and can be advantageously exploited for enantiomeric separation especially because it needs minute amounts of the chiral material necessary to carry out enantiomeric separations. This review describes the development and applications of nano‐LC in the field of chiral separations. The data reported in literature show its relevance for the study enantiomers‐chiral selectors interaction, as well as for application in pharmaceutical and clinical research.
A New Class of Injection Moulded Structural Biocomposites from PHBV Bioplastic and Carbon Fibre
Authors: Reddy Jeevan Prasad , Ahankari Sandeep , Misra Manjusri , Mohanty Amar
Published: November 2012

Biocomposites from carbon fibre (CF) and poly(hydroxybutyrate‐co‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) bioplastic were fabricated by extrusion followed by injection moulding. The effects of fibre length and fibre loading on the performance of PHBV/CF composites were investigated. The amount of CF (for both 150 µm and 6 mm length) was varied from 10 to 40 wt.‐%. The significant improvement in tensile strength (65%) and flexural strength (96%) was observed at 30 wt.‐% CF (6 mm length) loading. The heat deflection temperature (HDT) of the PHBV/CF composites increased by 32% compared to neat PHBV. The fibre–matrix interaction was analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The tensile modulus of the composites was evaluated theoretically by the rule of mixture and the Hirsch model.

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Degradable Polyurethane/Soy Protein Shape‐Memory Polymer Blends Prepared Via Environmentally‐Friendly Aqueous Dispersions
Authors: Madbouly Samy A. , Lendlein Andreas
Published: November 2012

Degradable polyurethane/soybean protein (PU/SP) shape‐memory polymer blends are synthesized using an environmentally‐friendly aqueous dispersion technique. The effects of SP concentration on the blend miscibility, thermal properties, hydrolytic degradation, and shape‐memory behavior are investigated. The shape recovery rates are found to depend on SP concentration. A porous structure can be generated using scCO2 foaming. This degradable blend may be an interesting multifunctional candidate material for potential biomedical applications.

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Comprehensive framework for accurate diffusion MRI parameter estimation
Authors: Veraart Jelle , Rajan Jeny , Peeters Ronald R. , Leemans Alexander , Sunaert Stefan , Sijbers Jan
Published: November 2012

During the last decade, many approaches have been proposed for improving the estimation of diffusion measures. These techniques have already shown an increase in accuracy based on theoretical considerations, such as incorporating prior knowledge of the data distribution. The increased accuracy of diffusion metric estimators is typically observed in well‐defined simulations, where the assumptions regarding properties of the data distribution are known to be valid. In practice, however, correcting for subject motion and geometric eddy current deformations alters the data distribution tremendously such that it can no longer be expressed in a closed form. The image processing steps that precede the model fitting will render several assumptions on the data distribution invalid, potentially nullifying the benefit of applying more advanced diffusion estimators. In this work, we present a generic diffusion model fitting framework that considers some statistics of diffusion MRI data. A central role in the framework is played by the conditional least squares estimator. We demonstrate that the accuracy of that particular estimator can generally be preserved, regardless the applied preprocessing steps, if the noise parameter is known a priori. To fulfill that condition, we also propose an approach for the estimation of spatially varying noise levels. Magn Reson Med, 70:972–984, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.