bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring sleep quality after adenotonsillectomy in pediatric sleep apnea
Authors: Lee Seung Hoon , Choi Ji Ho , Park Il Ho , Lee Sang Hag , Kim Tae Hoon , Lee Heung Man , Park Hee‐Kwon , Thomas Robert J. , Shin Chol , Yun Chang‐Ho
Published: April 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

The aim of this study was to demonstrate postoperative changes in sleep quality in children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), using both conventional sleep staging and electrocardiogram‐based cardiopulmonary coupling (CPC) analysis. The hypothesis is that being electroencephalography (EEG)‐independent, CPC may detect changes in sleep quality that traditional sleep architecture analysis cannot.

Study Design:

Retrospective outcome research.

Methods:

We included 37 children (aged 6.89 ± 2.76 years, 28 male) with OSA who underwent adenotonsillectomy, and analyzed standard polysomnography and CPC parameters from a full‐night study before and after adenotonsillectomy. High‐frequency coupling (HFC) and low‐frequency coupling (LFC) were used as indices of stable and unstable sleep, respectively.

Results:

Adenotonsillectomy led to a significant change in CPC parameters (HFC, 50.3 ± 16.1% to 56.1 ± 14.7%, P = .03; LFC, 35.1 ± 14.5% to 27.3 ± 13.0%, P = .003), which was paralleled by improvements in the apnea‐hypopnea (12.7 ± 13.7 to 1.0 ± 0.8, P < .001) and arousal index (20.8 ± 11.5 to 9.9 ± 3.9, P < .001). Polysomnographic sleep stage parameters other than the arousal index did not reflect postoperative resolution of OSA.

Conclusions:

In pediatric OSA, postoperative improvement of sleep quality is more readily discernible by CPC analysis than EEG‐based sleep staging. The CPC analysis may have potential advantages in the assessment of sleep quality in pediatric populations.
Cap‐Dependent Translation Initiation Factor eIF4E: An Emerging Anticancer Drug Target
Authors: Jia Yan , Polunovsky Vitaly , Bitterman Peter B. , Wagner Carston R.
Published: April 2012

Cancer cells tend to be more highly dependent on cap‐dependent translation than normal tissues. Thus, proteins involved in the initiation of cap‐dependent translation have emerged as potential anti‐cancer drug targets. Cap‐dependent translation is initiated by the binding of the factor eIF4E to the cap domain of mRNA. Detailed x‐ray crystal and NMR structures are available for eIF4E in association with cap‐analogs, as well as domains of other initiation factors. This review will summarize efforts to design potential antagonist of eIF4E that could be used as new pharmacological tools and anti‐cancer agents and. Insights drawn from these studies should aid in the design of future inhibitors of eIF4E dependent translation initiation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev., 32, No. 4, 786‐814, 2012
Uniqueness results in the inverse scattering problem for periodic structures
Authors: Yang Jiaqing , Zhang Bo
Published: April 2012

This paper is concerned with the inverse electromagnetic scattering by a 2D (impenetrable or penetrable) smooth periodic curve. Precisely, we establish global uniqueness results on the inverse problem of determining the grating profile from the scattered fields corresponding to a countably infinite number of quasiperiodic incident waves. For the case of an impenetrable and partially coated perfectly reflecting grating, we prove that the grating profile and its physical property can be uniquely determined from the scattered field measured above the periodic structure. For the case of a penetrable grating, we show that the periodic interface can be uniquely recovered by the scattered field measured only above the interface. A key ingredient in our proofs is a novel mixed reciprocity relation that is derived in this paper for the periodic structures and seems to be new. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Taylor polynomial approach for solving the most general linear Fredholm integro‐differential‐difference equations
Authors: Akyüz‐Daşcıoğlu Ayşegül , Sezer Mehmet
Published: April 2012

In this study, a matrix method is developed to solve approximately the most general higher order linear Fredholm integro‐differential‐difference equations with variable coefficients under the mixed conditions in terms of Taylor polynomials. This technique reduces the problem into the linear algebraic system. The method is valid for any combination of differential, difference and integral equations. An initial value problem and a boundary value problem are also presented to illustrate the accuracy and efficiency of the method. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Green tea (–)‐epigallocatechin gallate inhibits IGF‐I and IGF‐IIstimulation of 3T3‐L1 preadipocyte mitogenesis via the 67‐kDa laminin receptor, but not AMP‐activated protein kinase pathway
Authors: Ku Hui‐Chen , Liu Hang‐Seng , Hung Pei‐Fang , Chen Chia‐Lin , Liu Hsien‐Chun , Chang Hsin‐Huei , Tsuei Yi‐Wei , Shih Li‐Jane , Lin Ching‐Ling , Lin Chih‐Ming , Kao Yung‐Hsi
Published: April 2012

Scope

This study investigated the pathways involved in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) modulation of insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐I‐stimulated and IGF‐II‐stimulated mitogenesis in 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes.

Methods and results

We found that this process was dose and time dependent, and caused by suppression of IGF‐I‐stimulated and IGF‐II‐stimulated phosphorylation of p66Shc and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway proteins, including MEK1 kinase (RAF1), extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase (ERK) kinase (MEK1), and ERK 1 and ERK 2 (ERK1/2), but not phospho‐Jun‐N‐terminal kinase, protein kinase B, p52Shc, or p46Shc. Furthermore, EGCGinhibited the IGF‐I‐stimulated phosphorylation of the IGF‐I receptor‐beta (IGF‐IR β), the association of IGF‐IRwith the p66Shc protein, and the IGF‐II‐stimulated associations of the IGF‐IIreceptor with Gαi‐2 and p66Shc proteins, suggesting that EGCGselectively affects particular types of Shc and MAPKfamily members. Pretreatment with antiserum against the EGCGreceptor (also known as the 67‐kDa laminin receptor; 67LR), but not with an adenosine monophosphate (AMP)‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor, prevented the inhibitory actions of EGCGon IGF‐I‐ and IGF‐II‐stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation and subsequent preadipocyte proliferation.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that EGCGmediates anti‐IGF‐I and anti‐IGF‐IIsignals in preadipocyte mitogenesis via the 67LR but not the AMPKpathway.
Trypsin resistance of the major peanut allergen Ara h 6 and allergenicity of the digestion products are abolished after selective disruption of disulfide bonds
Authors: Hazebrouck Stéphane , Guillon Blanche , Drumare Marie‐Françoise , Paty Evelyne , Wal Jean‐Michel , Bernard Hervé
Published: April 2012

Scope

2S‐albumins Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 are the most widely recognized and potent allergens for peanut‐allergic patients. These allergens are particularly resistant to proteolysis and the digestion products generally retain significant allergenicity. Five disulfide bridges (DB) stabilize Ara h 6 overall structure and their influence on the trypsin resistance and on the allergenicity of the digestion products was investigated.

Methods and results

Progressive disruption of each DB was performed by site‐directed mutagenesis. Successful refolding of Ara h 6 variants was confirmed by circular dichroism. Trypsin resistance, IgE‐binding capacity and allergenic potency, as assessed by in vitro mediator release assay with sera from peanut‐allergic patients, was not affected by the deletion of the C‐terminal DB at Cys84‐Cys124. Additional disruption of DB at Cys14‐Cys71 or at Cys73‐Cys115 rendered Arg16/20 or Arg114 susceptible to trypsinolysis, respectively, but affected principally the IgE‐binding capacity of Ara h 6. DB disruption at Cys26‐Cys58 or at Cys59‐Cys107 led to an extensive proteolytic degradation and a complete loss of allergenic potency of the digestion products.

Conclusion

Selective disruption of the DB stabilizing the protease‐resistant core of Ara h 6 eliminated the IgE‐binding capacity of the trypsin‐degradation products and their ability to trigger mast cell degranulation.
Nutraceutical‐mediated restoration of wild‐type levels of IKBKAP‐encoded IKAP protein in familial dysautonomia‐derived cells
Authors: Anderson Sylvia L. , Liu Bo , Qiu Jinsong , Sturm Andrea J. , Schwartz Jamie A. , Peters Austin J. , Sullivan Kerry A. , Rubin Berish Y.
Published: April 2012

Scope

The reported ability to modulate the production of the wild‐type transcript in cells bearing the splice‐altering familial dysautonomia (FD)‐causing mutation in the IKBKAP gene prompted an evaluation of the impact of commonly consumed nutraceuticals on the splicing of this transcript.

Methods and results

Screening efforts revealed the ability of the isoflavones, genistein, and daidzein, to impact splicing and increase the production of the wild‐type, exon‐20‐containing, transcript, and the full‐length IKBKAP‐encoded IΚB kinase complex associated protein(IKAP) in FD‐derived cells. Genistein was also found to impact splicing in neuronal cells, a cell type profoundly impacted by FD. The simultaneous exposure of FD‐derived cells to genistein and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) resulted in the almost exclusive production of the exon‐20‐containing transcript and the production of wild‐type amounts of IKAP protein.

Conclusion

This study represents the first demonstration that the isoflavones, genistein and daidzein, possess splice‐altering capabilities and that simultaneous treatment with genistein and EGCG reverses the splice‐altering impact of the FD‐causing mutation. These findings support the clinical evaluation of the therapeutic impact of the combined administration of these two commonly consumed nutraceuticals on this patient population and suggest a broader evaluation of the impact of these nutraceuticals on the in vivo RNA splicing process.
Ability of tetraploid rat blastocysts to support fetal development after complementation with embryonic stem cells
Authors: Hirabayashi Masumi , Tamura Chihiro , Sanbo Makoto , Goto Teppei , Kato‐Itoh Megumi , Kobayashi Toshihiro , Nakauchi Hiromitsu , Hochi Shinichi
Published: April 2012

This study was undertaken to generate rat offspring via tetraploid blastocyst complementation with embryonic stem (ES) cells. Tetraploid blastocysts were prepared by electrofusion of blastomeres from two‐cell stage embryos, and subsequent in vivo culture for 4 days. Microinjection into the tetraploid blastocoel of an inner cell mass isolated by immunosurgery resulted in the generation of rat offspring, suggesting the successful contribution of tetraploid blastocysts to their placenta. Tetraploid blastocyst complementation was attempted with a total of 4 ES cell lines (2 lines of female karyotype and 2 lines of male karyotype). In the rESWIv‐3i‐5 (XX) cell line, normal‐sized fetuses with heartbeats were harvested on E11.5 (12.1%), E12.5 (9.5%), and E13.5 (9.1%), but no viable fetuses were detected on E14.5. Similarly, use of the rESWIv‐3i‐1 (XX) cell line resulted in no viable fetus production on E14.5. Using the rESBLK2i‐1 (XY) cell line, viable fetuses were harvested not only on E11.5–E13.5 (2.6–5.5%), but also on E14.5 (3.0%). The transfer of a total of 487 tetraploid blastocysts complemented with rESBLK2i‐1 cells resulted in 256 implantation sites (52.6%) on E21.5, but no viable offspring was detected. Use of the rESBLK2i‐1/huKO (XY) cell line also resulted in no viable offspring production on E21.5. Analyses of the methylation pattern in differentially methylated regions and transcript level of genes that are imprinted in mice (H19, Meg3, Igf2r, Peg5, and Peg10) in the E14.5 conceptuses indicated a marked difference between the ES cell‐derived and control normal fetuses, but not between the tetraploid and control diploid placenta. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 79:402–412, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Current Management of Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Singh Manoj K. , Facciuto Marcelo E.
Published: April 2012

Cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common primary hepatobiliary malignancy after hepatocellular carcinoma and remains among the most difficult management problems faced by surgeons. Curative surgery is achieved in only 25% to 30% of patients. Local tumor extent, such as portal vein invasion and hepatic lobar atrophy, does not preclude resection. Long‐term survival has been seen only in patients who underwent extensive liver resections, suggesting that bile‐duct excision alone is less effective. The majority of patients have unresectable disease, with 20% to 30% incidence of distant metastasis at presentation. Unresectable patients should be referred for nonsurgical biliary decompression, and in potential curative resection candidates the use of biliary stents should be reduced. Liver transplantation provides the option of wide resection margins, expanding the indication of surgical intervention for selected patients who otherwise are not surgical candidates due to lack of functional hepatic reserve. Mt Sinai J Med 79:232–245, 2012. © 2012 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Recurrent Hepatitis C After Liver Transplantation
Authors: Sheiner Patricia , Rochon Caroline
Published: April 2012

Infection with hepatitis C virus is the most common indication for liver transplantation in the United States. Although recurrence of hepatitis C virus infection is universal following transplantation, the natural history of posttransplantation hepatitis C varies. In general, however, posttransplant hepatitis C virus infection progresses relatively quickly, with 10%–20% of patients developing cirrhosis within 5 years. Risk factors for severe recurrent hepatitis C include donor age, female sex, treatment of rejection, preservation injury, and high viral load pretransplant or early posttransplant. Type of allograft, infection with cytomegalovirus, or type of calcineurin inhibitor used may not play a role. Treatment with interferon + ribavirin in recurrent hepatitis C virus shows mixed results. Sustained virologic response has been observed in only 8%–30% of patients, and side effects of these medications are considerable. Protease inhibitors are not yet approved for the posttransplant population, but clinical trials are under way. Mt Sinai J Med 79:190–198, 2012. © 2012 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Long‐Term Outcome After Liver Transplantation
Authors: Lim Kieron B. L. , Schiano Thomas D.
Published: April 2012

Liver transplantation is a life‐saving therapy for patients with end‐stage liver disease, acute liver failure, and liver tumors. Over the past 4 decades, improvements in surgical techniques, peritransplant intensive care, and immunosuppressive regimens have resulted in significant improvements in short‐term survival. Focus has now shifted to addressing long‐term complications and improving quality of life in liver recipients. These include adverse effects of immunosuppression; recurrence of the primary liver disease; and management of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, renal dysfunction, osteoporosis, and de novo malignancy. Issues such as posttransplant depression, employment, sexual function, fertility, and pregnancy must not be overlooked, as they have a direct impact on the liver recipient's quality of life. This review summarizes the latest data in long‐term outcome after liver transplantation. Mt Sinai J Med 79:169–189, 2012. © 2012 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Geriatric Vision Loss Due to Cataracts, Macular Degeneration, and Glaucoma
Authors: Eichenbaum Joseph W.
Published: April 2012

The major causes of impaired vision in the elderly population of the United States are cataracts, macular degeneration, and open‐angle glaucoma. Cataracts and macular degeneration usually reduce central vision, especially reading and near activities, whereas chronic glaucoma characteristically attacks peripheral vision in a silent way, impacting balance, walking, and driving. Untreated, these visual problems lead to issues with regard to taking medications, keeping track of finances and personal information, walking, watching television, and attending the theater, and often create social isolation. Thus, visually impaired individuals enter nursing homes 3 years earlier, have twice the risk of falling, and have 4× the risk of hip fracture. Consequently, many elderly with low vision exercise greater demands on community services. With the prospect of little improvement and sustained visual loss, in the face of poor tolerance of low‐vision services and not accepting magnification as the only way to read, clinical depression is common. In many instances, however, early and accurate diagnosis can result in timely treatment and can preserve quality of life. This review will look at current diagnostic and therapeutic considerations. Currently, about 20.5 million people in the United States have cataracts. The number will reach 30 million by 2020. About 1.75 million Americans currently have some form of macular degeneration, and the number is estimated to increase to 2.95 million in 2020. Approximately 2.2 million Americans have glaucoma, and by 2020 that number is estimated to be close to 3.4 million people. It is projected that by 2030 there will be 72.1 million seniors. With some overlap of the above 3 groups conservatively estimated (if you add the 2030 cataract group to the macular degeneration and glaucoma groups), then about 1 in 2 senior individuals by 2030 may have some significant ocular disease, which could account for about 50% of the healthcare budget for the elderly. Mt Sinai J Med 79:276–294, 2012. © 2012 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Do Carrots Work? Examining the Effectiveness ofEPA's Compliance Assistance Program
Authors: Stafford Sarah
Published: April 2012

The role of compliance assistance in theU.S. EnvironmentalProtectionAgency's overall enforcement strategy has been quite variable over the past decade and a half, increasing in prominence under theBush administration and now slated for significantly reduced funding under theObama administration. While theoretical models and anecdotal evidence suggest that compliance assistance should play some role in a comprehensive enforcement strategy, to date there has been relatively little empirical evidence on the actual effectiveness of existing compliance assistance programs. To help inform the debate over the appropriate use of compliance assistance, this paper uses data on hazardous waste generators nationwide to assess the effect of federal compliance assistance programs in improving compliance with hazardous waste regulations. The paper also conducts a direct empirical analysis of the relationship between traditional enforcement tools and compliance assistance. The results show that federal compliance assistance efforts do increase compliance, but the evidence does not suggest any consistent relationship between traditional enforcement and compliance assistance. Also, while states do not appear to substitute federal compliance assistance for traditional enforcement, state compliance assistance programs do appear to decrease the likelihood of inspections among the smallest hazardous waste generators.
Reactivity of blood vessels in response to prostaglandin E2 in placentas from pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction
Authors: Luria Oded , Bar Jacob , Barnea Ofer , Golan Abraham , Kovo Michal
Published: April 2012

Objective

The authors aimed to study the contractility responses of normal and fetal growth restriction (FGR) placentas to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and to correlate the results to subsequent placental histological analysis.

Method

A dual‐perfused single cotyledon model was used. Placentas from pregnancies complicated by FGR and from normal pregnancies were obtained. Selected cotyledons were cannulated and dually perfused. Following stabilization, three concentrations of PGE2 (0.05, 0.1, and 0.15 mg/mL) were administered to the fetal arterial side causing contraction/relaxation response. Fetal perfusion pressure was measured continuously during these contraction and relaxation phases. Following the perfusion experiments, the placentas were analyzed for fetal or maternal origin vascular lesions.

Results

A total of 21 complete experiments were performed (16 normal, 5 FGR). In response to PGE2, FGR placentas exhibited lower change in the perfusion pressure and lower relaxation time constant. Basal perfusion pressure did not differ significantly between the two groups. Placental histopathology lesions, fetal or maternal origin, were more common in the FGR compared with the controls placentas, 80% versus 25%, respectively, P = 0.047.

Conclusions

The lower vascular reactivity in response to PGE2 and the presence of fetal and maternal vascular placental lesions suggest a mechanism explaining the altered vascular supply in FGR. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transient abnormal fetal cardiac flow patterns at 13 to 17 gestational weeks
Authors: Bronshtein Moshe , Zimmer Etan Z. , Blazer Shraga , Blumenfeld Zeev
Published: April 2012

Objective

To report the outcome of transient abnormal cardiac flow patterns (ABCFP) at 13 to 17 weeks' gestation.

Methods and Results

Observational single operator study of transvaginal sonography scans of 13 183 fetuses. Of the 22 fetuses with ABCFP (1 : 600) high pulmonary valvular velocity was detected in 11 (8 of them transient), an abnormal blood flow in the coronary region in 6, mitral regurgitation in 3, and high aortic valvular velocity in 2 cases. In over 90%, these findings were transient. At birth, there were two cases of mild pulmonary stenosis, one meconium ileus, and two cases of asymptomatic bicuspid aortic valve without stenosis. All the remaining neonates were healthy.

Conclusions

The transient sonographic findings at 13 to 17 weeks' gestation of mitral regurgitation, pulmonary or aortic high valvular flow, and coronary sinus flow have a good prognosis, and in most cases are not associated with persistent cardiac anomalies. The etiology, incidence, and the prognosis of fetuses with transient ABCFP at 13 to 17 weeks' gestation are different from what is observed when the same occurs later in gestation. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
X‐ray evidence of a native state with increased compactness populated by tryptophan‐less B. licheniformis β‐lactamase
Authors: Risso Valeria A. , Acierno Juan P. , Capaldi Stefano , Monaco Hugo L. , Ermácora Mario R.
Published: April 2012

β‐lactamases confer antibiotic resistance, one of the most serious world‐wide health problems, and are an excellent theoretical and experimental model in the study of protein structure, dynamics and evolution. Bacillus licheniformis exo‐small penicillinase (ESP) is a Class‐A β‐lactamase with three tryptophan residues located in the protein core. Here, we report the 1.7‐Å resolution X‐ray structure, catalytic parameters, and thermodynamic stability of ESPΔW, an engineered mutant of ESP in which phenylalanine replaces the wild‐type tryptophan residues. The structure revealed no qualitative conformational changes compared with thirteen previously reported structures of B. licheniformis β‐lactamases (RMSD = 0.4–1.2 Å). However, a closer scrutiny showed that the mutations result in an overall more compact structure, with most atoms shifted toward the geometric center of the molecule. Thus, ESPΔW has a significantly smaller radius of gyration (Rg) than the other B. licheniformis β‐lactamases characterized so far. Indeed, ESPΔW has the smallest Rg among 126 Class‐A β‐lactamases in the Protein Data Bank (PDB). Other measures of compactness, like the number of atoms in fixed volumes and the number and average of noncovalent distances, confirmed the effect. ESPΔW proves that the compactness of the native state can be enhanced by protein engineering and establishes a new lower limit to the compactness of the Class‐A β‐lactamase fold. As the condensation achieved by the native state is a paramount notion in protein folding, this result may contribute to a better understanding of how the sequence determines the conformational variability and thermodynamic stability of a given fold.
Quantum dynamics of damped and driven anharmonic oscillators
Authors: Schrapp Michael , del Valle Elena , Finley Jonathan J. , Laussy Fabrice P.
Published: April 2012

We study various techniques to characterize the quantum states of a strongly dissipative system, namely, the an‐harmonic oscillator. One cannot directly access the quantum states themselves but only transitions between them. Various methods bring various advantages and inconvenients. We compare several observables under coherent and incoherent excitation.

Incoherent excitation leads to huge broadening while coherent excitation quickly dresses the system at the energies required to access the excited states. Less perturbative methods such as four wave mixing appear to be superior but are, by construction, only usable for the lowest rungs. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Carrier storage in Ge nanoparticles produced by pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Martín‐Sánchez J. , Chahboun A. , Gomes M. J. M. , Rolo A. G. , Pivac B. , Capan I.
Published: April 2012

In this work, we report on the electrical characterization of Ge nanoparticles (NPs) produced by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) at room temperature (RT) in Ar gas inert atmosphere using a shadowed off‐axis deposition geometry. Our results show that functional thin films of crystalline Ge NPs embedded between thin alumina films can be obtained on p‐type Si(100) substrates following a low temperature and short rapid thermal annealing (RTA) treatment. Metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) structures with and without Ge NPs embedded in the alumina were prepared for the electrical measurements. The results indicate a strong memory effect at relatively low programming voltages (±4 V) due to the presence of Ge NPs. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Monoterpenes with Analgesic Activity—A Systematic Review
Authors: Guimarães Adriana G. , Quintans Jullyana S. S. , Quintans‐Júnior Lucindo J.
Published: April 2012

There is still the need for efficacious therapies for pain. In the search for new therapeutic options, plants are a major source of novel biomolecules. Monoterpenes constitute 90% of essential oils, and there is a growing interest in understanding the mechanisms underlying their pharmacological activity. This systematic review reports what is so far known about the analgesic activity of monoterpenes and also provides an overview of their mechanisms of action. The search terms analgesia, anti‐inflammatory, anaesthetic and antioxidant were used to retrieve English language articles in SCOPUS, PUBMED and EMBASE published between 1990 and 2012. Forty‐five papers were found concerning the potential analgesic activity of 27 monoterpenes. The data reviewed here suggest these compounds are possible candidates for the treatment of painful conditions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Student learning through journal writing in a general education chemistry course for pre‐elementary education majors
Authors: Dianovsky Michael T. , Wink Donald J.
Published: April 2012

This paper describes research on the use of journals in a general education chemistry course for elementary education majors. In the journals, students describe their understanding of a topic, the development of that understanding, and how the topic connects to their lives. In the process, they are able to engage in reflection about several things. How the frequency and nature of those reflections relate to overall course outcomes, the content and quality of final exam essays on those topics, and student metacognition in problem solving are the basis of this paper. The following types of reflections were identified in the journals: action, prior knowledge, project ideas, text resources, classroom events, and monitoring of knowledge. A multiple linear regression analysis of the students' final course grade earned versus student grade point average (GPA), composite score on the ACT exam, the number of reflections made for each reflection type, and the total number of reflections made throughout all journals was used to determine the significance of the type of reflections made by students in relationship to their chemistry content understanding. The results indicate that students' prior GPA and their reflections on classroom events and their own knowledge correlate positively and significantly with a final course grade. However, student reflections on text resources have a negative and significant correlation with the final course grade. In addition, students' journal entries and final exam responses were coded for similarities in writing. The results indicate that those students who had strong similarities in writing for both their journal and final exam exhibited significantly stronger content understanding on the final exam essay. Finally, metacognition in problem solving, assessed with the Metacognitive Activities Inventory (MCA‐I) survey of metacognition, was also positively correlated with the types of reflection that correlate with overall course performance. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed 96:543–565, 2012
Observation of damage behavior with spray distance for Al‐Zn‐Zr thermal spray coating
Authors: Kim Seong‐Jong , Jang Seok‐Ki , Lee Seung‐Jun
Published: April 2012

Previously, the ship was operated at a low speed, and erosion by the cavitation did not become a problem. Therefore, most of the hulls are being coated anti‐corrosion painting. However, the corrosion in which accompanied physical erosion was accelerated while the ship became bigger and faster. Ship's stern is exposed to more severe environment such as tide, speed, cavitation and erosion corrosion. Accordingly, this study applied for thermal spray coating to provide better electrochemical characteristics and corrosion resistance in marine environment. The steel used for ship constructions was spray‐coated with 85%Al‐14.5%Zn‐0.5%Zr wire, and additionally, the spray distance was diversified. Results of electrochemical and cavitation test, the case of 30 cm was determined as the optimum spray distance. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Formation of a scale on the hole surface of cooling nozzles in the hot strip mill process, obstructing a laminar flow of coolant
Authors: Huh Yoon , Park Shin Hwa , Jung Se Hoon , Lee Pil Jong , Cho Myung Jong
Published: April 2012

We investigated on the formation of a scale on the hole surface of brass cooling nozzles in the hot strip mill process of steel manufacturing. High roughness of a nozzle hole surface due to the scale formation obstructs a laminar flow of coolant, which can result in the diminution of cooling efficiency of strips. Morphology and elemental composition of a scale formed on the hole surface of cooling nozzles used in the hot strip mill process for a long time were characterized with an electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscope. The scale is mainly composed of a foreign substance layer and an oxide layer. In addition, three kinds of cooling water were analyzed to investigate an inflow source for elemental constituents of the foreign substance layer. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation on the cavitation damage behavior with temperature and cavitation time in seawater
Authors: Park Jae‐Cheul , Han Min‐Su , Kim Seong‐Jong
Published: April 2012

Al‐bronze used in this study is the alloy that has good strength, ductility and excellent corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance at high temperature, containing 9–12% of aluminum. This alloy is appropriate for large castings such as huge propeller, impeller, valves, high strength bearings and gear materials for ships, and widely used as the mechanical parts for chemical engineering. It was investigated the cavitation characteristics with temperature and cavitation time parameters for the ALBC3 in sea water environment. As a result, the cavitation surface damage showed a decreasing tendency with temperature and time increasing. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laser‐SNMS investigations on pyrene using Ga+, Bi1+, Bi3+ and Bi5+ as primary ions and different laser wavelengths and laser power densities for photoionization
Authors: Galla S. , Pelster A. , Draude F. , Arlinghaus H. F.
Published: April 2012

Laser secondary neutral mass spectrometry (Laser‐SNMS) has been used to simultaneously ionize sputtered secondary neutrals in a nonselective way. To investigate the sputtering and photoionization processes, we examined the dependence of the Laser‐SNMS molecular yield on (i) different primary ion bombardment conditions using mono‐ and polyatomic ions and (ii) the laser parameters wavelength and laser power density. The Laser‐SNMS experiments were carried out using Ga+, Bi1+, Bi3+ and Bi5+ as primary ions and two different excimer laser systems for photoionization working at wavelengths of 157 and 193 nm, respectively, with power densities varying between 4 × 106 and 4 × 108 W/cm2. It was found that Bi3+ as primary ion is most suited to investigate organic surfaces. The highest yields could be obtained using a laser wavelength of 157 nm after ionization. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of post metallization annealing on modulation in effective work function of platinum gate electrode in germanium metal‐oxide‐semiconductor devices
Authors: Chandra S. V. Jagadeesh , Hong Woong‐Ki , Kim Jin‐Sung , Hong Hyobong , Choi Chel‐Jong
Published: April 2012

The inherent contributions of Fermi level pinning in Ge metal‐oxide‐semiconductor devices with Pt/HfO2 gate stacks were investigated by examining the impact of thermal treatment in forming gas (FG) and oxygen environments on the effective metal work function (Φm,eff) of the Pt gate electrode. The Φm,eff of the Pt gate electrode for as‐deposited devices was extracted to be ~4.1 eV. However, the FG annealing process led to the increase in the Φm,eff of the Pt gate electrode up to ~4.5 eV, whereas no variation was noticed after oxygen annealing process. The interstitial hydrogen atoms with negative charge introduced by the FG annealing compensate positively charged dipoles associated with the Fermi level pinning of Ge. This could be responsible for the increased Φm,eff of the Pt gate electrode in FG‐annealed devices. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanotube growth analysis in the interface between oxide film and titanium alloy substrate using STEM and FE‐SEM
Authors: Choe Han‐Cheol , Kim Jae‐Un , Jeong Yong‐Hoon
Published: April 2012

Nanotube growth analysis in the interface between oxide film and titanium alloy substrate has been researched using scanning transmission electron microscope and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM). The Ti‐35Nb‐xHf (x =3, 7 and 15 wt.%) alloys were prepared using the sponges of Ti, Nb and Hf. The nanotube on the alloy surface was formed in 1.0 M H3PO4 with 0.8 wt.% NaF, using a potentiostat. The nanotube growth analysis on the titanium alloys was investigated using FE‐SEM, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Microstructures of Ti‐35Nb‐xHf alloys showed an equiaxed structure and the α” phase decreased with Hf content, whereas the β phase increased as Hf content increased. The nanotube surface mainly consisted of Nb and Ti oxide. The peaks of Nb and O elements exhibited higher intensities on the nanotube surface compared with the matrix, whereas peaks of Ti and Hf exhibited lower intensities on the matrix surface from EDS line profile. The shape of nanotube on the Ti‐35Nb‐xHf showed two scales of nanotubes; large (190 nm–220 nm) and small (91 nm–104 nm). The diameter of the nanotubes decreased with increasing the Hf content, whereas the length of the nanotubes increased with increasing Hf content. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of a ternary Ni‐Sn‐P layer as a diffusion barrier in the Sn‐Ag solder/electroless Ni‐P system
Authors: Bae Jee‐Hwan , Kang Han‐Byul , Ryu Jiho , Yang Cheol‐Woong
Published: April 2012

This study examined the ternary Ni2SnP layer in Sn‐3.5Ag/EN‐P solder joints by using in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The TEM analyses confirmed that Sn from the solder diffused into the P‐rich Ni layer through the ternary Ni‐Sn‐P layer. However, Ni was neither detected in the solder region nor formed an additional Ni3Sn4 IMC layer at the interface between the solder and the ternary layer during the in situ annealing in the TEM. This suggests that the ternary Ni‐Sn‐P layer acts as a diffusion barrier to Ni during the aging process. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Body Piercings and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Young Adults
Authors: Bui Eric , Rodgers Rachel , Simon Naomi M. , Jehel Louis , Metcalf Christina A. , Birmes Philippe , Schmitt Laurent
Published: April 2012

Body piercing, which is prevalent in young adults, has been suggested to be associated with features usually related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) such as high‐risk behaviours and psychopathological symptoms and might be motivated by a wish to deal with prior traumatic experiences. However, to date, no research has investigated the relationship between this practice and PTSD symptoms. The present research aims to investigate the possible relationship between body piercing and PTSD symptoms in French‐speaking young adults. According to our results, having two or more body piercings was associated with a twofold increased risk for scoring above the cut‐off score for PTSD on the PTSD checklist. Our findings suggest that two or more body piercings might serve as an identifiable marker for PTSD symptoms and may have important implications for clinical screening. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells form Functional Neurons and Improve Recovery After Grafting in Stroke-Damaged Brain
Authors: Oki Koichi , Tatarishvili Jemal , Wood James , Koch Philipp , Wattananit Somsak , Mine Yutaka , Monni Emanuela , Tornero Daniel , Ahlenius Henrik , Ladewig Julia , Brüstle Oliver , Lindvall Olle , Kokaia Zaal
Published: April 2012

Reprogramming of adult human somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is a novel approach to produce patient-specific cells for autologous transplantation. Whether such cells survive long-term, differentiate to functional neurons, and induce recovery in the stroke-injured brain are unclear. We have transplanted long-term self-renewing neuroepithelial-like stem cells, generated from adult human fibroblast-derived iPSCs, into the stroke-damaged mouse and rat striatum or cortex. Recovery of forepaw movements was observed already at 1 week after transplantation. Improvement was most likely not due to neuronal replacement but was associated with increased vascular endothelial growth factor levels, probably enhancing endogenous plasticity. Transplanted cells stopped proliferating, could survive without forming tumors for at least 4 months, and differentiated to morphologically mature neurons of different subtypes. Neurons in intrastriatal grafts sent axonal projections to the globus pallidus. Grafted cells exhibited electrophysiological properties of mature neurons and received synaptic input from host neurons. Our study provides the first evidence that transplantation of human iPSC-derived cells is a safe and efficient approach to promote recovery after stroke and can be used to supply the injured brain with new neurons for replacement.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Lmx1a Allows Context-Specific Isolation of Progenitors of GABAergic or Dopaminergic Neurons During Neural Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Nefzger Christian M. , Su Colin T. , Fabb Stewart A. , Hartley Brigham J. , Beh Siew J. , Zeng Wendy R. , Haynes John M. , Pouton Colin W.
Published: April 2012

LIM homeobox transcription factor 1 alpha (Lmx1a) is required for the development of midbrain dopaminergic neurons, roof plate formation, and cortical hem development. We generated a reporter embryonic stem cell (ESC) line for Lmx1a and used it to track differentiation and extract neural progenitors from differentiating mouse ESCs. Lmx1a+ cells gave rise to functional cortical upper layer GABAergic neurons or dopaminergic neurons depending on the culture conditions used for differentiation. Under chemically defined neurobasal conditions, ESC differentiation resulted in widespread and transient expression of Lmx1a, without the addition of exogenous factors such as sonic hedgehog (Shh), Wnts, and/or bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs). Under neutral conditions, Lmx1a+ cells express genes known to be downstream of Lmx1a and cortical hem markers Wnt3a and p73. The majority of these cells did not express the ventral midbrain dopaminergic marker Foxa2 or dorsal roof plate marker BMP-2. Lmx1a+-Foxa2− cells were primed to become SatB2+ GABAergic neurons and appeared to be resistant to dopaminergic patterning cues. PA6 coculture produced a substantial population of Lmx1a+ progenitors that also expressed Foxa2 and on further differentiation gave rise to dopaminergic neurons at high frequency. We conclude that Lmx1a is a useful marker for the extraction of progenitors of GABAergic or dopaminergic neurons. We caution against the assumption that it indicates dopaminergic commitment during in vitro differentiation of ESCs. Indeed, in monolayer culture under neurobasal conditions, with or without the addition of Shh and fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8), Lmx1a+ cells were predominantly progenitors of forebrain GABAergic neurons. We obtained dopaminergic cells in large numbers only by coculture with PA6 cells.
Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 Maintains a Niche-Dependent Population of Self-Renewing Highly Potent Non-adherent Mesenchymal Progenitors Through FGFR2c
Authors: Di Maggio Nunzia , Mehrkens Arne , Papadimitropoulos Adam , Schaeren Stefan , Heberer Michael , Banfi Andrea , Martin Ivan
Published: April 2012

Bone marrow (BM) mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) are a heterogeneous population of multipotent progenitors currently under investigation for a variety of applications in regenerative medicine. While self-renewal of stem cells in different tissues has been demonstrated to be regulated by specialized microenvironments called niches, it is still unclear whether a self-renewing niche also exists for MSC. Here, we show that primary human BM cultures contain a population of intrinsically non-adherent mesenchymal progenitors (NAMP) with features of more primitive progenitors than the initially adhering colony-forming units-fibroblast (CFU-f). In fact, NAMP could generate an adherent progeny: (a) enriched with early mesenchymal populations (CD146+, SSEA-1+, and SSEA-4+); (b) with significantly greater proliferation and multilineage differentiation potential in vitro; and (c) capable of threefold greater bone formation in vivo than the corresponding CFU-f. Upon serial replating, NAMP were able to regenerate and expand in suspension as non-adherent clonogenic progenitors, while also giving rise to an adherent progeny. This took place at the cost of a gradual loss of proliferative potential, shown by a reduction in colony size, which could be completely prevented when NAMP were expanded on the initially adhering BM fraction. Mechanistically, we found that NAMP crucially depend on fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 signaling through FGFR2c for their survival and expansion. Furthermore, NAMP maintenance depends at least in part on humoral signals distinct from FGF-2. In conclusion, our data show a niche/progenitor organization in vitro, in which the BM adherent fraction provides a self-renewing microenvironment for primitive NAMP.
Free will and responsibility
Authors: Nahmias Eddy
Published: April 2012

Free will is a set of capacities for conscious choice and control of actions and is essential for moral responsibility. While determinism is traditionally discussed as the main potential challenge to free will and responsibility, other potential challenges exist and need to be considered by philosophers and scientists. The cognitive sciences are relevant to free will both to study how people understand free will and potential challenges to it, and to study whether these challenges are supported by relevant scientific evidence.WIREs Cogn Sci2012, 3:439–449. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1181

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Philosophy > Action
Managing nesting by Chihuahuan ravens on H‐frame electric transmission structures
Authors: Dwyer James F. , Leiker Diana L.
Published: April 2012

Electric utility structures occur widely in natural and human‐dominated landscapes and are often used by birds for nesting. Nests can cause power outages, fires, and electrocution of birds and their young, particularly if nests occur directly above energized equipment and incorporate metal wire. Chihuahuan raven (Corvus cryptoleucus) nests often contain metal wire and occur over energized equipment. To explore a proactive risk mitigation strategy we deployed novel nest diverters on 51 structures supporting a 230 kV H‐frame transmission line in Kiowa and Bent Counties, Colorado, USA, and compared nesting on these structures with nesting on 66 structures without nest diverters on the same line. Chihuahuan ravens placed nest material on 7% of treated structures and 43% of untreated structures and nested on 0% of treated structures and 34% of untreated structures. Chihuahuan ravens were less likely to attempt to nest on, or actually nest on, structures treated with nest diverters. Future research should evaluate nest diverters over larger spatial and temporal scales and compare prey populations in areas where ravens are excluded to prey populations in areas where ravens persist. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Mutagenic effect of freezing on nuclear DNA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Todorova T. , Pesheva M. , Stamenova R. , Dimitrov M. , Venkov P.
Published: April 2012

Although fragmentation of DNA has been observed in cells undergoing freezing procedures, a mutagenic effect of sub‐zero temperature treatment has not been proved by induction and isolation of mutants in nuclear DNA (nDNA). In this communication we supply evidence for mutagenicity of freezing on nDNA of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. In the absence of cryoprotectors, cooling for 2 h at +4°C and freezing for 1 h at −10°C and 16 h at −20°C, with a cooling rate of 3°C/min, resulted in induction of frame‐shift and reverse mutations in microsatellite and coding regions of nDNA. The sub‐zero temperature exposure also has a strong recombinogenic effect, evidenced by induction of gene‐conversion and crossing‐over events. Freezing induces mutations and enhances recombination with a frequency equal to or higher than that of methylmethanesulphonate at comparable survival rates. The signals for the appearance of nDNA lesions induced by freezing are detected and transduced by the DNA damage pathway. Extracellular cryoprotectors did not prevent the mutagenic effect of freezing, while accumulation of trehalose inside cells reduced nDNA cryodamage. Freezing of cells is accompanied by generation of high ROS levels, and the oxidative stress raised during the freeze–thaw process is the most likely reason for the DNA damaging effect. Experiments with mitochondrial rho– mutants or scavengers of ROS indicated that mutagenic and recombinogenic effects of sub‐zero temperatures can be decreased but not eliminated by reduction of ROS level. The complete protection against cryodamage in nDNA required simultaneous usage of intracellular cryoprotector and ROS scavenger during the freeze–thaw process. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.