bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic significance of miRNA‐1 (miR‐1) expression in patients with chordoma
Authors: Duan Zhenfeng , Shen Jacson , Yang Xiaoqian , Yang Pei , Osaka Eiji , Choy Edwin , Cote Gregory , Harmon David , Zhang Yu , Nielsen G. Petur , Spentzos Dimitrios , Mankin Henry , Hornicek Francis
Published: February 2014

Reliable prognostic biomarkers for chordoma have not yet been established. Recent studies revealed that expression of miRNA‐1 (miR‐1) is frequently downregulated in several cancer types including chordoma. The goal of this follow‐up study is to investigate the expression of miR‐1 as a prognostic biomarker and further confirm the functional role of miR‐1 in chordoma cell growth and proliferation. We determined the relative expression levels of miR‐1 and Met in chordoma tissue samples and correlated those to clinical variables. The results showed that miR‐1 was downregulated in 93.7% of chordoma tissues and expression was inversely correlated with Met expression. miR‐1 expression levels also correlated with clinical prognosis. To characterize and confirm the functional role of miR‐1 in the growth and proliferation of chordoma cells, miR‐1 precursors were stably transfected into chordoma cell lines UCH‐1 and CH‐22. Cell Proliferation Assay and MTT were used to evaluate cell growth and proliferation. Restoring expression of miR‐1 precursor decreased cell growth and proliferation in UCH‐1 and CH‐22 cells. These results indicate that suppressed miR‐1 expression in chordoma may in part be a driver for tumor growth, and that miR‐1 has potential to serve as prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for chordoma patients. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:695–701, 2014.
Intra‐arterial infusion and chemo‐embolization for melanoma liver metastases
Authors: Lodh Suhrid , Maher Richard , Guminski Alexander
Published: February 2014

This article will review the rationale for hepatic arterial administration of agents to treat melanoma liver metastases, the techniques and practical considerations pertinent to hepatic arterial therapy, the variety of agents that have been used and the reported outcomes. Recent and emerging developments will be highlighted and the potential role of liver‐directed therapies in the context of molecular advances and improved systemic therapy will be discussed. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:376–382. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The use of glass ionomer cement in the reconstructıon of the dorsal L‐ strut: An experımental study on rabbıts
Authors: Aydoğan Filiz , Tüzüner Arzu , Ünlü Ilhan , Demirci Şule , Aydin Emine , Yumuşak Nihat , Taştan Eren , Keskin Muhsin Noyan , Samim Ethem Erdal
Published: February 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

This experimental study in a rabbit model aimed to investigate the use of glass ionomer cement as a tissue adhesive on the dorsal L‐ strut.

Study Design

Sixteen adult male New Zealand White rabbits were used. The rabbits were equally divided into two groups as the control and the study groups.

Methods

The nasal septum was exposed through a superior approach. A graft was harvested preserving an L‐strut cartilage. In the control group, a vertical incision was performed on the dorsal part of the L‐strut to divide it into two cut ends, and the graft was sutured to the cut ends with 5‐0 polydioxanone suture. In the study group, the reconstruction of the dorsal L‐strut was made by fixing the graft to the cut ends with glass ionomer cement as the tissue adhesive. At 2 months, the rabbits were sacrificed. The nasal septum was removed for histopathological examination.

Results

No foreign body giant cells or acute inflammation were determined in the rabbits. The study group had less pronounced chronic inflammation. Comparison of the groups revealed that parameters regarding vascularization, cartilage proliferation, and new cartilage cells were statistically significant different between the two groups (P = .010, P = .010, P = .028, respectively). More vascularization, cartilage proliferation, and new cartilage cells were seen in the study group.

Conclusions

Glass ionomer cement was effective for the reconstruction of the dorsal L‐strut without any foreign body reaction, cartilage necrosis, or marked inflammation in rabbits, and it may be a potentially beneficial alternative to suture fixation.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 124:E303–E308, 2014
The Impacts of Changes in Land Use on Woodlands in an Equatorial African Savanna
Authors: Kalema Vettes N. , Witkowski Edward T. F. , Erasmus Barend F. N. , Mwavu Edward N.
Published: February 2014

Savanna landscapes are vitally important in providing both ecological and economic services that sustain local livelihoods and national economies, particularly for sub‐Saharan African countries whose economies are mainly agrarian. Development prospects in savanna landscapes are however dependent on actions to avoid and to slow or reverse degradation and that are aided with a clear understanding of trends in land use/cover changes, their causes and implications for conservation. We analysed land use/cover changes based on three Landsat satellite images (1984, 1995 and 2000/2001) and the influence of human utilization on the changes in an equatorial African savanna, central Uganda, for the period 1984–2000/2001. The land cover classification and change analysis clearly identified the dominant land cover types, revealing a severe reduction in woodland cover with dense woodlands decreasing by 64%, over a 17‐year period. Consequently, medium woodland, open woodland and cultivation/settlements areas cover increased by 31%, 3% and 80%, respectively. The cover change analysis results were corroborated with interview results that also attributed the woodland cover loss to increasing commercial charcoal production, expanding livestock grazing, subsistence crop cultivation and an insecure land use tenure system. Indeed, the major land use types in the savanna are charcoal production, shifting crop cultivation and livestock rearing. The decreasing woody vegetation cover threatens the savanna's ability to continue providing ecosystems services to support the livelihoods of people who mainly depend on natural resources and are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as Reversible Crosslinks for Magnetically Addressable Shape‐Memory Polymers
Authors: Bai Shuo , Zou Hua , Dietsch Hervé , Simon Yoan C. , Weder Christoph
Published: February 2014

Shape‐memory nanocomposites are reported, in which super‐paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) serve as both the crosslinks of a macromolecular network and inductive heating elements. SPIONs capped with polymerizable groups are synthesized in a one‐step reaction by oxidation of Fe(acac)3 in the presence of 5‐norbornene‐2‐carboxylic acid. Between 0.1 and 20 wt% of the resulting Fe3O4 nanoparticles are subsequently copolymerized with norbornene by ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) using Grubbs' 1st‐generation catalyst. This affords a series of crosslinked polynorbornenes in which the Fe3O4 nanoparticles are very well dispersed. The reversible nature of the non‐covalent binding of the polymerizable ligands to the Fe3O4 nanoparticles allows melting and processing of these materials at elevated temperature, with the shape‐memory properties are only retained for high Fe3O4 content.

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Mechanical characterisation of heat resistant power plant materials by creep and fatigue testing in controlled gas atmospheres
Authors: Olbricht J. , Lippmann T. , Klingelhöffer H. , Rehmer B. , Skrotzki B.
Published: February 2014

The continuing increase of steam parameters of fossil fuelled high efficiency power plants and new combustion concepts for the capture and storage of carbon dioxide lead to harsher service conditions for the components and structural materials of such facilities. The present work introduces a test concept that allows testing of candidate materials under simultaneous mechanical and corrosive loading. The material's reaction can be directly investigated under simulated temperature, load and corrosion conditions of modern installations. First results obtained for different heat resistant steels suggest a strong influence of the environmental medium on the fatigue and creep behaviour. Such findings complement the data that is available from the classical qualification process of the materials and may support the material selection for new power plant installations.
Electrodeposition of tungsten and molybdenum carbide onto the surfaces of disperse dielectric and semiconductor materials
Authors: Malyshev V. V. , Gab A. I. , Pisanenko A. D. , Soloviev V. V. , Chernenko L. A.
Published: February 2014

The systems suitable for a high‐temperature electrochemical synthesis on the surfaces of diamond, boron nitride, and silicon and boron carbides were selected on the basis of the thermodynamic analysis of the reactions of dielectrics and semiconductors with ionic melts and the study of their electrochemical behavior. Electroplating of the grains of dielectrics and semiconductors with molybdenum carbide favors the increase in their breaking load and wettability and in the efficiency of tools. Thermodynamic calculations showed that the most energy favorable process for boron nitride is its oxidation to gaseous nitrogen and boron metaborate or oxide. A compound of an element of group VI and carbon will be presumably reduced to this element in the pure state or to its oxide of an intermediate oxidation state. The most energy favorable process for silicon and boron carbides will be their oxidation to a metasilicate (metaborate) or silicon (boron) oxide. A compound of an element of group VI will be also presumably reduced to the elements in the pure state or in the form of an intermediate oxide.
Motor dysfunction influence on executive functioning in manifest and premanifest Huntington's disease
Authors: Hart Ellen P. , Dumas Eve M. , Schoonderbeek Anne , Wolthuis Shalane C. , van Zwet Erik W. , Roos Raymund A.C.
Published: February 2014

Motor disturbances can be present in both manifest and premanifest Huntington's disease (HD). We aimed to investigate the role of motor functioning on executive functioning to better understand the progression of cognitive dysfunction in HD. Forty patients with manifest HD, 21 patients with premanifest HD, and a group of 28 controls were tested twice with a 1‐year interval. For the Symbol Digit Modalities Test and the Figure Fluency Test, extra conditions were designed to measure motor involvement. Subtraction of this motor score from the original test score resulted in isolation of the cognitive component. Groups were compared on motor, cognitive, and original test scores using multilevel regression analysis. Manifest patients had lower baseline scores of 0.53 standard deviations (SD) on the original Symbol Digit Modalities Test (P = 0.03) and 0.71 SD on the motor isolation part (P = 0.006), and they showed a deterioration of 0.47 SD over 1 year of follow‐up on the original Symbol Digit Modalities Test (P = 0.001) compared with controls. Premanifest patients had lower baseline scores of 0.67 SD on the Symbol Digit Modalities motor part (P = 0.008) and deterioration of 0.48 SD on the original (P = 0.001) and cognitive isolation (P = 0.02) parts. Secondary analyses revealed that the premanifest deterioration resulted from the close‐to‐predicted‐onset group. Motor disturbances have a negative influence on performance on the Symbol Digit Modalities Test. Isolation of the cognitive component of this test revealed cognitive deterioration in the premanifest group only, caused by deteriorating scores for patients who were close to their predicted clinical disease onset. The Figure Fluency Test did not prove sensitive to cognitive change. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Asymptotic dynamics of the one‐dimensional attraction–repulsion Keller–Segel model
Authors: Jin Hai‐Yang , Wang Zhi‐An
Published: February 2014

The asymptotic behavior of the attraction–repulsion Keller–Segel model in one dimension is studied in this paper. The global existence of classical solutions and nonconstant stationary solutions of the attraction–repulsion Keller–Segel model in one dimension were previously established by Liu and Wang (2012), which, however, only provided a time‐dependent bound for solutions. In this paper, we improve the results of Liu and Wang (2012) by deriving a uniform‐in‐time bound for solutions and furthermore prove that the model possesses a global attractor. For a special case where the attractive and repulsive chemical signals have the same degradation rate, we show that the solution converges to a stationary solution algebraically as time tends to infinity if the attraction dominates. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Free‐breathing post‐contrast three‐dimensional T1 mapping: Volumetric assessment of myocardial T1 values
Authors: Weingärtner Sebastian , Akçakaya Mehmet , Roujol Sébastien , Basha Tamer , Stehning Christian , Kissinger Kraig V. , Goddu Beth , Berg Sophie , Manning Warren J. , Nezafat Reza
Published: February 2014

Purpose

To develop a three‐dimensional (3D) free‐breathing myocardial T1 mapping sequence for assessment of left ventricle diffuse fibrosis after contrast administration.

Methods

In the proposed sequence, multiple 3D inversion recovery images are acquired in an interleaved manner. A mixed prospective/retrospective navigator scheme is used to obtain the 3D Cartesian k‐space data with fully sampled center and randomly undersampled outer k‐space. The resulting undersampled 3D k‐space data are then reconstructed using compressed sensing. Subsequently, T1 maps are generated by voxel‐wise curve fitting of the individual interleaved images. In a phantom study, the accuracy of the 3D sequence was evaluated against two‐dimensional (2D) modified Look‐Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) and spin‐echo sequences. In vivo T1 times of the proposed method were compared with 2D multislice MOLLI T1 mapping. Subsequently, the feasibility of high‐resolution 3D T1 mapping with spatial resolution of 1.7 × 1.7 × 4 mm3 was demonstrated.

Results

The proposed method shows good agreement with 2D MOLLI and the spin‐echo reference in phantom. No significant difference was found in the in vivo T1 times estimated using the proposed sequence and the 2D MOLLI technique (myocardium, 330 ± 66ms versus 319 ± 93 ms; blood pools, 211 ± 68 ms versus 210 ± 98 ms). However, improved homogeneity, as measured using standard deviation of the T1 signal, was observed in the 3D T1 maps.

Conclusion

The proposed sequence enables high‐resolution 3D T1 mapping after contrast injection during free‐breathing with volumetric left ventricle coverage. Magn Reson Med 73:214–222, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Im Tonnenmaßstab gegen Malaria
Authors: Osterath Brigitte
Published: February 2014

Artemisinin, einer der wichtigsten Wirkstoffe gegen Malaria, entsteht jetzt großtechnisch. Für die Industrie war es eine Herausforderung, das Verfahren zu entwickeln — und das nicht nur, weil Artemisinin ein organisches Peroxid ist.
Kinetics and mechanisms of gas‐phase decarbonylation of α‐methyl‐trans‐cinamaldehyde and E‐2‐methyl‐2‐pentenal under homogeneous catalysis of hydrogen chloride
Authors: Julio Libia L. , Lezama Jesus , Maldonado Alexis , Mora José R. , Chuchani Gabriel
Published: February 2014

The kinetics of the gas‐phase elimination of α‐methyl‐trans‐cinamaldehyde catalyzed by HCl in the temperature range of 399.0–438.7 °C, and the pressure range of 38–165 Torr is a homogeneous, molecular, pseudo first‐order process and undergoing a parallel reaction to produce via (A) α‐methylstyrene and CO gas and via (B) β‐methylstyrene and CO gas. The decomposition of substrate E‐2‐methyl‐2‐pentenal was performed in the temperature range of 370.0–410.0 °C and the pressure range of 44–150 Torr also undergoing a molecular, pseudo first‐order reaction gives E‐2‐pentene and CO gas. These reactions were carried out in a static system seasoned reactions vessels and in the presence of toluene free radical inhibitor. The rate coefficients are given by the following Arrhenius expressions:

Products formation from α‐methyl‐trans‐cinamaldehyde

α‐methylstyrene:

β‐methylstyrene:

Products formation from E‐2‐methyl‐2‐pentenal

E‐2‐pentene:

The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for the thermal decomposition of α‐methyl‐trans‐cinamaldehyde suggest that via (A) proceeds through a bicyclic transition state type of mechanism to yield α‐methylstyrene and carbon monoxide, whereas via (B) through a five‐membered cyclic transition state to give β‐methylstyrene and carbon monoxide. However, the elimination of E‐2‐methyl‐2‐pentenal occurs by way of a concerted cyclic five‐membered transition state mechanism producing E‐2‐pentene and carbon monoxide. The present results support that uncatalyzed α‐β‐unsaturated aldehydes decarbonylate through a three‐membered cyclic transition state type of mechanism. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The 2‐norbornyl cation: a retrospective
Authors: Moss Robert A.
Published: February 2014

Decades of research on the structure of the 2‐norbornyl cation afford a new understanding of bonding in carbon compounds and of the electron‐donor capacity of carbon–carbon σ bonds. The bridged or “nonclassical” structure of the 2‐norbornyl cation, which features 3‐center, 2‐electron bonding, is supported by (inter alia) X‐ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, calculations, thermochemical studies, and copious mechanistic evidence. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Facile Synthesis of Single‐Phase Mesoporous Gd2O3:Eu Nanorods and Their Application for Drug Delivery and Multimodal Imaging
Authors: Zhou Chaohui , Wu Hui , Huang Chusen , Wang Mingliang , Jia Nengqin
Published: February 2014

In this work, a new and facile strategy is developed to synthesize a single‐phase Eu3+‐doped mesoporous gadolinium oxide nanorods (MS‐Gd2O3:Eu@PEG) by incorporating a facile wet‐chemical route, which includes an induced silica layer being coated onto the nanorods, and evolution of pores and formation of channels, as well as a surface‐modified process for multimodal imaging and anti‐cancer drug delivery. The properties of these as‐prepared Gd2O3:Eu nanorods are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption/desorption, and photoluminescence (PL). The in vitro cytotoxicity test, drug loading, and drug release experiments reveal that the MS‐Gd2O3:Eu@PEG nanorods have good biocompatibility, efficient loading capacity, and pH‐sensitive releasing behavior, suggesting the nanorods could be an ideal candidate as drug delivery vehicles for cancer therapy. Furthermore, the MS‐Gd2O3:Eu@PEG nanorods show clearly dose‐dependent contrast enhancement in T1‐weighted magnetic resonance images and can potentially be used as a T1‐positive contrast agent. These results indicate our prepared multifunctional mesoporous gadolinium oxide nanorods can serve as a promising platform for simultaneous anti‐cancer drug delivery and multimodal imaging.
Role of Additives in the Combustion of Ammonium Dinitramide
Authors: Fujisato Koji , Habu Hiroto , Miyake Atsumi , Hori Keiichi , Vorozhtsov Alexander B.
Published: February 2014

The thermal decomposition behavior and combustion characteristics of mixtures of ammonium dinitramide (ADN) with additives were studied. Micrometer‐sized particles of Al, Fe2O3, TiO2, NiO, Cu(OH)NO3, copper, CuO, and nanometer‐sized particles of aluminum (Alex) and CuO (nano‐CuO) were employed. The thermal decomposition was measured by TG‐DTA and DSC. The copper compounds and NiO lowered the onset temperature of ADN decomposition. The heat value of ADN with Alex was larger than that of pure ADN in closed conditions. The burning rates and temperature of the pure ADN and ADN/additives mixtures were measured. CuO and NiO enhance the burning rate, particularly at pressures lower than 1 MPa, because of the catalyzed decomposition in the condensed phase; the other additives lower the burning rate. This negative effect on the burning rate is explained based on the surface temperature measurements by a physicochemical mechanism, which involves a chemical reaction, a phase change of the ammonium nitrate, and the blown‐off droplets of the condensed phase.
Effect of Carbon Dioxide on the Reactivity of the Oxidation of Boron Particles
Authors: Li Heping , Ao Wen , Wang Yang , Zhou Hua , Liu Jianzhong , Zhou Junhu
Published: February 2014

Carbon dioxide produced in the primary combustion of propellants apparently affects the combustion of boron. In this study, the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the combustion of boron particles in a CO2 environment (solely or as a mixture with other gases) were investigated using thermogravimetric analyses. For the combustion of boron in an atmosphere containing 10 % oxygen, in addition to a large initial weight gain, a second increase in weight was observed when the temperature reached 1150 °C. However, when the combustion was carried out in pure CO2 atmosphere, the sample lost weight at temperatures above 1300 °C. The above results indicated that the layer of boron oxide covering the boron particles had a significant effect on the combustion process. With a limiting concentration of O2 (10 %), the initial temperature and effective activation energy slightly decreased as the content of CO2 increased from 0 to 30 %. However, a further increase in the CO2 content (50 %) increased the effective activation energy, indicating the inhibitory effects of CO2 at higher concentrations. Furthermore, the weight and the rate of weight gain gradually increased with increasing CO2 content. This behavior was attributed to the improvement in the diffusion of the oxidant. This study conclusively revealed that the inclusion of an optimal level of CO2 in a reaction environment containing O2 facilitated the combustion of boron particles.
Case‐only gene–environment interaction between ALAD tagSNPs and occupational lead exposure in prostate cancer
Authors: Neslund‐Dudas Christine , Levin Albert M. , Rundle Andrew , Beebe‐Dimmer Jennifer , Bock Cathryn H. , Nock Nora L. , Jankowski Michelle , Datta Indrani , Krajenta Richard , Dou Q. Ping , Mitra Bharati , Tang Deliang , Rybicki Benjamin A.
Published: February 2014

BACKGROUND

Black men have historically had higher blood lead levels than white men in the U.S. and have the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the world. Inorganic lead has been classified as a probable human carcinogen. Lead (Pb) inhibits delta‐aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), a gene recently implicated in other genitourinary cancers. The ALAD enzyme is involved in the second step of heme biosynthesis and is an endogenous inhibitor of the 26S proteasome, a master system for protein degradation and a current target of cancer therapy.

METHODS

Using a case‐only study design, we assessed potential gene–environment (G × E) interactions between lifetime occupational Pb exposure and 11 tagSNPs within ALAD in black (N = 260) and white (N = 343) prostate cancer cases.

RESULTS

Two ALAD tagSNPs in high linkage disequilibrium showed significant interaction with high Pb exposure among black cases (rs818684 interaction odds ratio or IOR = 2.73, 95% CI 1.43–5.22, P = 0.002; rs818689 IOR = 2.20, 95% CI 1.15–4.21, P = 0.017) and an additional tagSNP, rs2761016, showed G × E interaction with low Pb exposure (IOR = 2.08, 95% CI 1.13–3.84, P = 0.019). Further, the variant allele of rs818684 was associated with a higher Gleason grade in those with high Pb exposure among both blacks (OR 3.96, 95% CI 1.01–15.46, P = 0.048) and whites (OR 2.95, 95% CI 1.18–7.39, P = 0.020).

CONCLUSIONS

Genetic variation in ALAD may modify associations between Pb and prostate cancer. Additional studies of ALAD, Pb, and prostate cancer are warranted and should include black men. Prostate 74:637–646, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Materials design by quantum‐chemical and other theoretical/computational means: Applications to energy storage and photoemissive materials
Authors: Németh Károly
Published: February 2014

The present article discusses some recent developments in the field of rational design for energy storage and photoemissive materials. Recent and new examples of designer materials for Li‐ion and Li‐air type batteries with high capacity and energy/power density as well as photoemissive materials with low workfunctions and improved brightness are discussed as illustrative examples of how quantum‐chemical and other theoretical computational means can be used for rational materials design. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Structural investigation of SnO2 catalytic nanoparticles doped with F and Sb
Authors: Parlinska‐Wojtan Magdalena , Sowa Roman , Pokora Monika , Martyła Agnieszka , Lee Kug‐Seung , Kowal Andrzej
Published: February 2014

Structural and morphological properties of pure and F‐doped or Sb‐doped particles of tin oxide were studied by X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A typical polycrystalline diffraction pattern corresponding to the tetrahedral phase was obtained for all the particles independently of the doping. No peaks matching any antimony oxide phase were observed; thus, it is probable that Sb replaces Sn in the tin oxide lattice. Doping with antimony results in a lattice parameter increase of the SnO2/Sb phase, which might be related to the geometrical distortion of the lattice due to the replacement of Sn by Sb. Moreover, the SnO2/Sb sample exhibited a preferential orientation in the (110) and (101) planes. The TEM analysis showed that all the tin oxide particles are agglomerated and form aggregates and networks leading to a mesoporous structure with different pore sizes. The particles have a spherical shape and sizes between 5 and 20 nm in average. All particles were well crystallized with nicely visible lattice fringes in the high‐resolution HRTEM images. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The use of imaging XPS to assess ligand binding to nanoparticles
Authors: Kim Jeong Won , Son Byoungchul , Yu Hyunung , Park Hyun Min , Lee Youn‐Seoung
Published: February 2014

A micro‐beam scanning X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has been utilized to obtain information about the attachment of ligand to nanoparticles in solution by measuring the ligand components relative to nanoparticle components. CdSe/ZnS core/shell nanoparticles capped with three different kinds of ligand molecules are drop‐casted on a substrate and led to dry into self‐agglomerated micropatterns. Those specimens are mapped out by element‐sensitive XPS imaging. The spatial correlation between surface ligand molecules and core nanoparticle atoms is statistically analysed using Pearson correlation function, which provides with a useful assessment of the ligand binding to nanoparticle surfaces. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule (CD166): An “Inert” Cancer Stem Cell Marker for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer?
Authors: Tachezy Michael , Zander Hilke , Wolters-Eisfeld Gerrit , Müller Julia , Wicklein Daniel , Gebauer Florian , Izbicki Jakob R. , Bockhorn Maximilian
Published: February 2014

Recently, the activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (CD166) was identified as an “inert” cancer stem cell (CSC) marker for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Few data exist regarding the clinical relevance of CD166 expression in NSCLC. We evaluated the expression of CD166 using immunohistochemistry in a large cohort of NSCLC patients (n = 1,910) on a tissue microarray basis. Expression was inversely associated with tumor size and lymph node status. Grading slightly failed to be significantly inversely associated, and survival analysis revealed no significant survival benefit of CD166-positive patients. Due to the results of this study, the theory of CD166 as a CSC marker for NSCLC must be questioned. The association of CD166 with smaller tumors and no nodal metastases does not make it a typical CSC marker. Further studies are required to investigate the functional role of CD166 in NSCLC. Stem Cells  2014;32:1429–1436
Minimum flexural reinforcement in rectangular and T‐section concrete beams
Authors: Carpinteri Alberto , Cadamuro Erica , Corrado Mauro
Published: February 2014

The prescriptions provided by codes of practice for assessing the minimum reinforcement amount for strength purposes in reinforced concrete beams usually disregard the non‐linear contribution of concrete in tension and size‐scale effects. In the present paper, these phenomena are taken into account correctly in the description of the flexural failure in lightly reinforced concrete beams by means of a numerical algorithm based on non‐linear fracture mechanics. In this context, the application of dimensional analysis permits a reduction in the number of governing parameters. In particular, it is demonstrated analytically that only two dimensionless parameters, referred to as reinforcement brittleness number and stress brittleness number, are responsible for the brittle‐to‐ductile transition in the mechanical response. According to this approach, new formulae suitable for evaluating the minimum reinforcement in practical applications is proposed for both rectangular and T‐sections. A comparison with experimental results demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed model for different reinforcement percentages and beam depths.
An In Vitro alveolar macrophage assay for the assessment of inflammatory cytokine expression induced by atmospheric particulate matter
Authors: Sijan Zana , Antkiewicz Dagmara S. , Heo Jongbae , Kado Norman Y. , Schauer James J. , Sioutas Constantinos , Shafer Martin M.
Published: February 2014

Exposures to air pollution in the form of particulate matter (PM) can result in excess production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the respiratory system, potentially causing both localized cellular injury and triggering a systemic inflammatory response. PM‐induced inflammation in the lung is modulated in large part by alveolar macrophages and their biochemical signaling, including production of inflammatory cytokines, the primary mechanism via which inflammation is initiated and sustained. We developed a robust, relevant, and flexible method employing a rat alveolar macrophage cell line (NR8383) which can be applied to routine samples of PM from air quality monitoring sites to gain insight into the drivers of PM toxicity that lead to oxidative stress and inflammation. Method performance was characterized using extracts of ambient and vehicular engine exhaust PM samples. Our results indicate that the reproducibility and the sensitivity of the method are satisfactory and comparisons between PM samples can be made with good precision. The average relative percent difference for all genes detected during 10 different exposures was 17.1%. Our analysis demonstrated that 71% of genes had an average signal to noise ratio (SNR) ≥ 3. Our time course study suggests that 4 h may be an optimal in vitro exposure time for observing short‐term effects of PM and capturing the initial steps of inflammatory signaling. The 4 h exposure resulted in the detection of 57 genes (out of 84 total), of which 86% had altered expression. Similarities and conserved gene signaling regulation among the PM samples were demonstrated through hierarchical clustering and other analyses. Overlying the core congruent patterns were differentially regulated genes that resulted in distinct sample‐specific gene expression “fingerprints.” Consistent upregulation of Il1f5 and downregulation of Ccr7 was observed across all samples, while TNFα was upregulated in half of the samples and downregulated in the other half. Overall, this PM‐induced cytokine expression assay could be effectively integrated into health studies and air quality monitoring programs to better understand relationships between specific PM components, oxidative stress activity and inflammatory signaling potential. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 836–851, 2015.
Genotoxic and oxidative responses in coelomocytes of Eisenia fetida and Hediste diversicolor exposed to lipid‐coated CdSe/ZnS quantum dots and CdCl2
Authors: Saez Gladys , Aye Mélanie , De Meo Michel , Aimé Ahissan , Bestel Isabelle , Barthélémy Philippe , Di Giorgio Carole
Published: February 2014

The emerging of Quantum Dots utilization in industrial or medicinal fields involved a potentially increase of these nanoparticles in environment. In this work, the genotoxic (comet assay) and oxidative effects (SOD activity, TBARS) of functionalized‐QDs and cadmium chloride were investigated on Hediste diversicolor and Eisenia fetida coelomocytes. Results demonstrated that functionalized‐QDs (QDNs) and cadmium chloride induced DNA damages through different mechanisms that depended on the nano‐ or ionic nature of Cd. The minimal genotoxic concentrations for H. diversicolor (<0.001ng/g for QDNs and CdCl2) were lower than for E. fetida (between 0.01 and 0.1 ng/g for QDNs, and between 0.001 and 0.01 ng/g for CdCl2). These results showed that H. diversicolor was more sensitive than E. fetida. The two contaminants had a low impact on the oxidative stress markers. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 918–926, 2015.
Pavement properties of asphalt modified with packaging‐waste polyethylene
Authors: Fang Changqing , Wu Caixia , Hu Jingbo , Yu Ruien , Zhang Zengping , Nie Long , Zhou Shisheng , Mi Xinghua
Published: February 2014

Recycled packaging‐waste polyethylene (WPE) was used to replace the ordinary polymer modifier in the modification of raw asphalt, and the pavement properties of the modified asphalt were studied. The high‐temperature stability, anti‐cracking properties at low temperature, life span, and stability against water of the asphalt mixture were improved, a finding which is attributed to the properties and characteristics of WPE, the swelling of sheared WPE, and the WPE/asphalt network structure. The use of packaging WPE can improve the pavement properties of asphalt, as well as save resources and reduce white pollution. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 20:31–35, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Zinc(II) and Cadmium(II) Coordination Polymers Based on 5‐Hydroxylisophthalate and Semi‐rigid Bis(imidazole) Ligands: Syntheses, Structural and Photoluminescent Properties
Authors: Zhao Jun , Wang Yenan , Xia Wei , Dong Wenwen , Li Dongsheng
Published: February 2014

Two new coordination polymers, namely, [Zn(bdc)(mbix)]n (1) and {[Cd2(bdc)2(mbix)2]·H2O}n (2) [H2bdc = 5‐hydroxylisophthalic acid, mbix = 1,3‐bis(imidazol‐1‐yl‐methyl)benzene], were obtained under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, as well as powder‐ and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compound 1 exhibits a 2D puckered layer with (4,4) topology, which is further interconnected by hydrogen bonding interactions leading to a 3D supramolecular architecture. Compound 2 features a 5‐connected 3D network with bnn (46.64) topology based on the dinuclear CdII subunits. In addition, solid‐state properties such as thermal stabilities and photoluminescent properties of compounds 1 and 2 were also investigated.
Synthesis, Structures, and Spectroscopic Properties of 3‐Aryl‐5‐(2‐pyridyl)pyrazoles and Related Pyrazoles
Authors: Schowtka Björn , Müller Christoph , Görls Helmar , Westerhausen Matthias
Published: February 2014

3‐Aryl‐5‐(2‐pyridyl)pyrazoles and related compounds are easily accessible via the reaction of the appropriate 1,3‐diketone with hydrazine hydrate. The central pyrazole rings show a far‐reaching equalization of the bond lengths. In the crystalline state dimeric and strand‐like structures are observed due to the formation of intermolecular N–H···N hydrogen bridges between the pyrazole N–H functionality and a pyrazole or pyridyl base. The structures mainly depend on the steric demand of the aryl groups. Planar 3‐aryl‐5‐(2‐pyridyl)pyrazoles also show π stacking reducing the solubility in common organic solvents.
Psychometrics Behind Computerized Adaptive Testing
Authors: Chang Hua-Hua
Published: February 2014

The paper provides a survey of 18 years’ progress that my colleagues, students (both former and current) and I made in a prominent research area in Psychometrics—Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT). We start with a historical review of the establishment of a large sample foundation for CAT. It is worth noting that the asymptotic results were derived under the framework of Martingale Theory, a very theoretical perspective of Probability Theory, which may seem unrelated to educational and psychological testing. In addition, we address a number of issues that emerged from large scale implementation and show that how theoretical works can be helpful to solve the problems. Finally, we propose that CAT technology can be very useful to support individualized instruction on a mass scale. We show that even paper and pencil based tests can be made adaptive to support classroom teaching.
Influence of the enclosed fluid on the flow over a microstructured surface in the Cassie state
Authors: Schönecker Clarissa , Baier Tobias , Hardt Steffen
Published: February 2014

Analytical expressions for the flow field as well as for the effective slip length of a shear flow over a surface with periodic rectangular grooves are derived. The primary fluid is in the Cassie state with the grooves being filled with a secondary immiscible fluid. The coupling of the two fluids is reflected in a locally varying slip distribution along the fluid–fluid interface, which models the effect of the secondary fluid on the outer flow. The obtained closed-form analytical expressions for the flow field and effective slip length of the primary fluid explicitly contain the influence of the viscosities of the two fluids as well as the magnitude of the local slip, which is a function of the surface geometry. They agree well with results from numerical computations of the full geometry. The analytical expressions allow an investigation of the influence of the viscous stresses inside the secondary fluid for arbitrary geometries of the rectangular grooves. For classic superhydrophobic surfaces, the deviations in the effective slip length compared to the case of inviscid gas flow are pointed out. Another important finding with respect to an accurate modelling of flow over microstructured surfaces is that not only the effective slip length, but also the local slip length of a grooved surface, is anisotropic.
Experimental studies of aero-optical properties of subsonic turbulent boundary layers
Authors: Gordeyev Stanislav , Smith Adam E. , Cress Jacob A. , Jumper Eric J.
Published: February 2014

This paper gives the most-complete characterization to date of the optical aberrations imposed on a laser beam propagated through a subsonic, compressible, turbulent boundary layer in a zero-pressure gradient environment, over a range of boundary-layer thicknesses, oblique propagation angles and Mach numbers. This characterization is based on optical measurements using optical-wavefront-sensing instruments that have only become available in the last decade. The optical characterization includes and discusses in detail: optical-wavefront spectra, convective velocities of optically active large-scale structures and correlation functions in both streamwise and cross-stream directions, as well as root-mean-square optical path difference levels for different apertures. The scaling law based on the extended strong Reynolds analogy is derived and is shown to successfully collapse optical data collected in a number of facilities. Anisotropy of aero-optical distortions for different oblique viewing angles was experimentally quantified and is discussed.
Detection, Size, Measurement, and Structural Analysis Limits for the 2MASS, UKIDSS-LAS, and VISTA VIKING Surveys
Authors: Andrews Stephen K. , Kelvin Lee S. , Driver Simon P. , Robotham Aaron S. G.
Published: February 2014

The 2MASS, UKIDSS-LAS, and VISTA VIKING surveys have all now observed the GAMA 9hr region in the Ks band. Here we compare the detection rates, photometry, basic size measurements, and single-component GALFIT structural measurements for a sample of 37 591 galaxies. We explore the sensitivity limits where the data agree for a variety of issues including: detection, star–galaxy separation, photometric measurements, size and ellipticity measurements, and Sérsic measurements. We find that 2MASS fails to detect at least 20% of the galaxy population within all magnitude bins, however for those that are detected we find photometry is robust (± 0.2 mag) to 14.7 AB mag and star–galaxy separation to 14.8 AB mag. For UKIDSS-LAS we find incompleteness starts to enter at a flux limit of 18.9 AB mag, star–galaxy separation is robust to 16.3 AB mag, and structural measurements are robust to 17.7 AB mag. VISTA VIKING data are complete to approximately 20.0 AB mag and structural measurements appear robust to 18.8 AB mag.
“Was There Not Reason to Doubt?”:Wielandand Its Secular Age
Authors: Hedlin Christine
Published: February 2014

This essay examines Charles Brockden Brown'sWieland, or The Transformation(1798) as engaging with the distinctive “secular age” of the early republic, a volatile moment in American cultural history when such experiences as having visions and hearing voices, both prevalent in the novel, drew an array of religious and medical explanations. Drawing upon the work of theorists of new secular studies, I argue that the doubts of the novel's narrator Clara regarding who or what is responsible for her family's undoing signal the difficulty of storytelling in an age of spiritual and intellectual uncertainty. By thus reading Clara's indeterminacy as a reaction to the contrapuntal religious and medical discourses of the early republic, my essay offers new insight into the significance of her rhetorically strained, inconclusive attempt at rendering a didactic narrative. Rather than offering Clara merely as a negative example for readers – a victim of her own imperfect discipline, as she herself assesses – Brown utilizes her self-proclaimed failure to ironize the self-assuredness of eighteenth-century didactic novels in an age rife with doubt.
IMPACT OF THE 2011 EARTHQUAKE ON MARRIAGES, BIRTHS AND THE SECONDARY SEX RATIO IN JAPAN
Authors: HAMAMATSU YURI , INOUE YOSUKE , WATANABE CHIHO , UMEZAKI MASAHIRO
Published: February 2014

On 11th March 2011 a magnitude nine earthquake struck the Tohoku region of Japan. The earthquake resulted in a large tsunami and an accident at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. Previous studies have suggested that demographic indices relating to reproduction and marriage change after such massive disasters (e.g. large earthquakes). The present study investigated whether the number of births, number of marriages and the secondary sex ratio (SSR) changed after the East Japan Earthquake. The monthly number of births (males and females, separately) and marriages in each prefecture in Japan from January 1997 to June 2012 were obtained from the Demographic Survey of Japan. An analysis was performed for three different geographic boundary units: the disaster-stricken area, the non-disaster-stricken area and the whole of Japan. In each unit, the numbers of births and marriages in a given month during the post-disaster period were predicted based on a regression equation estimated by the numbers of births and marriages in that month during the pre-disaster period. The numbers of observed monthly births and marriages during the post-disaster period were compared with the predicted figures. Differences between the observed and predicted numbers were determined by referring to the 95% confidence limits for the predicted mean number. The observed probability of a male birth in a given month during the post-disaster period was compared with a 95% confidence interval of a binominal distribution. In all three boundary units, the number of births was significantly lower than the predicted number by about 3–8% from nine months after the disaster, while the number of marriages in October 2011 was significantly lower than the predicted number by about 25–28%. In October 2011, the SSR in the whole of Japan had decreased from 104.8 (the predicted SSR) to 102.9. The number of births and marriages and the SSR decreased in Japan after the East Japan Earthquake irrespective of locality.
Learning English today: what can World Englishes teach college students in Taiwan?
Authors: Chang Yu-Jung
Published: February 2014

With the global spread of English, research in World Englishes (WE) has burgeoned in the past two decades. Its concepts have been taken up by researchers in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) to question ‘native-speakerism’ (Holliday, 2005, 2006) in English instruction. However, the implications of this theoretical discussion have so far yet to be realized in EFL classrooms, where teachers and learners alike still largely submit to native-speaker norms. This study therefore aims to examine how discussions of power, politics, and the spread of Englishes might influence students’ perceptions of English and their experiences of learning and using English. The analysis focuses on papers written by students enrolled in a semester-long WE course, and demonstrates the value of bringing WE into English curriculums to help students become critical learners and confident users of English today.
An analysis of ELF-oriented features in ELT coursebooks
Authors: Takahashi Reiko
Published: February 2014

Due to its rise as a global means of communication, the English language has been increasingly used by and between non-native speakers (henceforth NNSs), leading to a growing interest in what has come to be known as English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) in English language teaching (ELT). As noted by Jenkins (2006: 159), ‘many of those who start out thinking they are learning English as a foreign language end up using it as a lingua franca’. This suggests that ELT materials need to be developed in ways that correspond with the emerging needs of such language learners. However, ‘the prevailing orientation in […] ELT materials still remains undoubtedly towards ENL [English as a Native Language]’ (Jenkins, 2012: 487). It is not yet clear how well ELF perspectives have been integrated into teaching materials to date.
The relationship between vowel production and perception: native speakers' perception of nativeness in LOT and THOUGHT vowels in Received Pronunciation
Authors: Wikstrom Jussi
Published: February 2014

The fact that differences in vowel articulation are important in distinguishing accents of English is well established (Wells, 1982; Cruttenden, 2008; Ng, Chen & Sadaka, 2008; Park, 2009a, 2009b). It is also the case that speakers' production of a particular vowel varies for an individual speaker and between speakers of the ‘same’ accent (Rose, 2002; Cruttenden, 2008). In terms of perception, it is evident that L1 speakers, i.e. speakers for whom the language is the first language or one of the first languages acquired, are often able to recognise vowel articulations which deviate from the norm in their accent, even when the difference in vowel production is not significant enough to be mapped onto another L1 phoneme category, i.e. where the use of the alternative vowel quality could potentially change the meaning of the word (Park, 2009a). It should be acknowledged that any such norms are likely to vary in accordance with generational changes to a particular variety. But studies seeking to establish the degree of interrelatedness of vowel production and speakers' perceived ideal realisation have had mixed results. For example, Hoopingarner (2004) found that L1 speakers' production and preferred realisation were relatively similar, while Ainsworth & Paliwal (1984) and Frieda, Walley, Flege & Sloane (2000) failed to demonstrate such a correlation.