bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Why do women have more children than they want? Understanding differences in women's ideal and actual family size in a natural fertility population
Authors: Mcallister Lisa , Gurven Michael , Kaplan Hillard , Stieglitz Jonathan
Published: September 2012

Objectives:

We develop and test a conceptual model of factors influencing women's ideal family size (IFS) in a natural fertility population, the Tsimane of Bolivia. The model posits affects of socioecology, reproductive history, maternal condition, and men's IFS. We test three hypotheses for why women may exceed their IFS despite experiencing socioeconomic development: (H1) limited autonomy; (H2) improved maternal condition; and (H3) low returns on investments in embodied capital.

Methods:

Women's reproductive histories and prospective fertility data were collected from 2002 to 2008 (n = 305 women). Semistructured interviews were conducted with Tsimane women to study the perceived value of parental investment (n = 76). Multiple regression, t‐tests, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) are used to test model predictions.

Results:

Women's IFS is predicted by their socioecology, reproductive history, maternal condition, and husband's IFS. Hypotheses 2 and 3 are supported. Couples residing near town have smaller IFS (women = 3.75 ± 1.64; men = 3.87 ± 2.64) and less variance in IFS. However, the degree fertility exceeds IFS is inversely correlated with distance to town (Partial r = −0.189, df = 156, P = 0.018). Women living near town have greater maternal condition but 64% value traditional skills over formal schooling and 88% believe living in town is unfeasible.

Conclusions:

While reduced IFS is evident with socioeconomic development, fertility decline may not immediately follow. When perceived benefits of investment in novel forms of embodied capital are low, and somatic wealth and large kin networks persist as important components of fitness, fertility may remain high and increase if maternal condition improves. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Three unrelated patients with congenital anterior pituitary aplasia and a characteristic physical and neuropsychological phenotype: A new syndrome?
Authors: Lucci‐Cordisco Emanuela , Scommegna Salvatore , Orteschi Daniela , Galeazzi Daniela , Neri Giovanni , Boscherini Brunetto
Published: September 2012

Anterior pituitary aplasia (APA) is a very rare cause of congenital‐onset multiple pituitary hormone deficiency (CO‐MPHD). We report on molecular analysis and clinical follow‐up of three previously reported cases of APA [Scommegna et al., 2004], who share a characteristic physical and neuropsychological profile. Mutation analysis of genes encoding transcription factors involved in pituitary development (PROP1, POUF1, HESX1, LHX3, and LHX4) did not demonstrate a any mutation. In order to identify the genetic cause underlying the phenotypes we performed an array‐based comparative genomic hybridization (array‐CGH), which showed a cryptic interstitial deletion of 9p (200 kb), including the TEK and MOBKL2B, in one patient. Although an apparently identical deletion was carried by the clinically normal father, we assumed that the patient's phenotype might be due to a recessive mutation in the other allele. However, sequence analysis of exons and splice junctions of these genes did not detect pathogenic or predisposing variants in the three patients. We suggest that the constellation of clinical signs in these patients constitutes a previously undescribed syndrome, whose genetic cause has yet to be identified. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Atypical findings in three patients with Pai syndrome and literature review
Authors: Lederer Damien , Wilson Brian , Lefesvre Pierre , Poorten Vincent Vander , Kirkham Nigel , Mitra Dipayan , Verellen‐Dumoulin Christine , Devriendt Koenraad
Published: September 2012

Pai syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by congenital nasal or facial polyp, midline cleft lip, pericallosal lipoma, ocular anomalies, and normal neuropsychological development. Here, we report on three patients with Pai syndrome and atypical findings: temporal triangular alopecia, posterior lenticonus, bilateral palatal pits, bifid uvula, hypospadias, sacral dimple, true tracheal bronchus, and epilepsy. Thirty‐three cases of Pai syndrome have been described so far. We present a review of the previously reported cases and suggest modified diagnostic criteria for Pai syndrome. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Grange syndrome: An identifiable cause of stroke in young adults
Authors: Volonghi Irene , Frigerio Michele , Mardighian Dikran , Gasparotti Roberto , Del Zotto Elisabetta , Giossi Alessia , Costa Paolo , Poli Loris , Jeannin Guido , Gregorini Gina A. , Padovani Alessandro , Pezzini Alessandro
Published: September 2012

Grange syndrome is a disorder characterized by arterial occlusive disease, hypertension, congenital cardiac defects, bone fragility, brachysyndactyly, and learning disabilities. It was first described in four members of the same family and in two sporadic cases thereafter, suggesting the possibility of various patterns of inheritance. We report on the case of an 18‐year‐old female presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage due to the rupture of a basilar artery aneurysm, and with distinctive systemic features including extensive vasculopathy, facial dysmorphisms and brachysyndactyly, consistent with the diagnosis of Grange syndrome. Although rare and not fully characterized, Grange syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis of stroke at young age. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Growth retardation, intellectual disability, facial anomalies, cataract, thoracic hypoplasia, and skeletal abnormalities: A novel phenotype
Authors: Shah Hitesh , Bens Susanne , Caliebe Almuth , Graham John M. , Girisha Katta Mohan
Published: September 2012

We report on a 14‐year‐old girl with growth deficiency, microcephaly, intellectual disability, distinctive dysmorphic features (bulbous nose with wide nasal base, hypotelorism, deeply set eyes, protruding cupped ears, and thick lower lip), cataract, pigmentary retinopathy, hypoplastic thorax, kyphoscoliosis, and unusual skeletal changes but without chromosomal imbalances detected by array‐CGH who probably represents a novel phenotype. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Magnetic Fe3O4‐Au core‐shell nanostructures for surface enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Wheeler D.A. , Adams S.A. , López‐Luke T. , Torres‐Castro A. , Zhang J.Z.
Published: September 2012

The synthesis, structural and optical characterization, and application of superparamagnetic and water‐dispersed Fe3O4‐Au core‐shell nanoparticles for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is reported. The structure of the nanoparticles was determined by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). STEM images of the Fe3O4‐Au core‐shell nanoparticles reveal an average diameter of 120 nm and a high degree of surface roughness. The nanoparticles, which display superparamagnetic properties due to the core Fe3O4 material, exhibit a visible surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peaked at 580 nm due to the outer gold shell. The nanoparticles are used as a substrate for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) with rhodamine 6G (R6G) as a Raman reporter molecule. The SERS enhancement factor is estimated to be on the order of 106, which is ∼ 2 times larger than that of conventional gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) under similar conditions. Significantly, magnetically‐induced aggregation of the Fe3O4‐Au core‐shell nanoparticles substantially enhanced SERS activity compared to non‐magnetically‐aggregated Fe3O4‐Au nanoparticles. This is attributed to both increased scattering from the aggregates as well as “hot spots” due to more junction sites in the magnetically‐induced aggregates. The magnetic properties of the Fe3O4 core, coupled with the optical properties of the Au shell, make the Fe3O4‐Au nanoparticles unique for various potential applications including biological sensing and therapy.
Patterning of ultrasoft, agglutinative magnetorheological elastomers
Authors: Forster Eva , Mayer Matthias , Rabindranath Raman , Böse Holger , Schlunck Günther , Monkman Gareth J. , Shamonin Mikhail
Published: September 2012

A low‐cost wax‐cast molding technique for structuring ultrasoft (Young's modulus ≤ 40 kPa), agglutinative magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) material is presented. MRE structures ranging from a few millimeters down to the micrometer range with highly reproducible results are possible. Semitransparent MREs are also fabricated and their surfaces modified accordingly. This method opens new possibilities for MREs in biomedical engineering and microfluidic applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
In vitro evaluation of efficacy of dihydroartemisinin‐loaded methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(l‐lactic acid) amphiphilic block copolymeric micelles
Authors: Lu Wen‐fen , Chen Shui‐fang , Wen Zhi‐yong , Li Qiang , Chen Jian‐hai
Published: September 2012

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA)‐loaded methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(l‐lactic acid) (mPEG5000—PLLA3200) amphiphilic block copolymeric micelles (DHA‐CM) have been prepared using modified solvent evaporation method. Physicochemical properties of DHA‐CM were investigated by using dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, high‐performance liquid chromatography, and Fourier transform infrared. Polymers formed stable, spherical, and worm‐like micelles with mean sizes smaller than 130 nm. In vitro release experiments revealed that DHA‐CM provided a more solubilizing effect than DHA suspension; in addition, it was showed that drug release profiles highly depended on pH values of dissolution media. Various types of lyoprotectants were tested to improve the redispersion performance of the freeze‐dried products. 3‐(4, 5‐dimethyl‐ thiazol‐2‐yl)‐2, 5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of micellar solutions of freeze‐dried DHA‐CM. The results showed that the IC50 values of DHA‐CM and DHA suspension for KB cell lines were 18.70 and 24.55 μM, respectively. However, DHA‐CM had little cytotoxicity for L02 cell lines. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Taxi services with search frictions and congestion externalities
Authors: Yang Teng , Yang Hai , Wong Sze Chun
Published: September 2012

Built upon the previous studies, this paper incorporates both bilateral taxi–customer search frictions and congestion externalities into the economic analyses of the equilibrium properties of taxi markets. We take account of congestion externalities by adopting a realistic distance‐based and delay‐based taxi fare structure. We first investigate comparative static effects of regulatory variables of taxi fare and fleet size on the market and then examine the properties of the Pareto‐efficient solutions for simultaneous maximization of social welfare and taxi profit in the congested market. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Staphylococcal display for combinatorial protein engineering of a head‐to‐tail affibody dimer binding the Alzheimer amyloid‐β peptide
Authors: Lindberg Hanna , Johansson Anna , Härd Torleif , Ståhl Stefan , Löfblom John
Published: September 2012

We have previously generated an affibody molecule for the disease‐associated amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide, which has been shown to inhibit the formation of various Aβ aggregates and revert the neurotoxicity of Aβ in a fruit fly model of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we have investigated a new bacterial display system for combinatorial protein engineering of the Aβ‐binder as a head‐to‐tail dimeric construct for future optimization efforts, e.g. affinity maturation. Using the bacterial display platform, we have: (i) demonstrated functional expression of the dimeric binder on the cell surface, (ii) determined the affinity and investigated the pH sensitivity of the interaction, (iii) demonstrated the importance of an intramolecular disulfide bond through selections from a cell‐displayed combinatorial library, as well as (iv) investigated the effects from rational truncation of the N‐terminal part of the affibody molecule on surface expression level and Aβ binding. Overall, the detailed engineering and characterization of this promising Aβ‐specific affibody molecule have yielded valuable insights concerning its unusual binding mechanism. The results also demonstrated that our bacterial display system is a suitable technology for future protein engineering and characterization efforts of homo‐ or heterodimeric affinity proteins.
Method development and validation for the quantification of dasatinib, erlotinib, gefitinib, imatinib, lapatinib, nilotinib, sorafenib and sunitinib in human plasma by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Lankheet N. A. G. , Hillebrand M. J. X. , Rosing H. , Schellens J. H. M. , Beijnen J. H. , Huitema A. D. R.
Published: September 2012

To support pharmacokinetic‐guided dosing in individual patients, a fast and accurate method for simultaneous determination of anticancer tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) dasatinib, erlotinib, gefitinib, imatinib, lapatinib, nilotinib, sorafenib and sunitinib in human plasma was developed using high‐performance liquid chromatography and detection with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS). Stable isotopically labeled compounds of the eight different TKIs were used as internal standards. Plasma proteins were precipitated and an aliquot of supernatant was directly injected onto a reversed phase chromatography system consisting of a Gemini C18 column (50 × 2.0 mm i.d., 5.0 µm particle size) and then compounds were eluted with a gradient. The outlet of the column was connected to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with electrospray interface. Ions were detected in the positive multiple reaction monitoring mode. This method was validated over a linear range from 20.0 to 10,000 ng/mL for erlotinib, gefitinib, imatinib, lapatinib, nilotinib and sorafenib, and from 5.00 to 2500 ng/mL for dasatinib and sunitinib. Results from the validation study demonstrated good intra‐ and inter‐assay accuracy (<13.1%) and precision (10.0%) for all analytes. This method was successfully applied for routine therapeutic drug monitoring purposes in patients treated with the investigated TKIs. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reactive Polymer as a Versatile Toolbox for Construction of Multifunctional Superparamagnetic Nanocomposites
Authors: Shen Ying , Zhao Lingzhi , Qi Li , Qiao Juan , Mao Lanqun , Chen Yi
Published: September 2012

The development of magnetic nanoparticles with multiple functions has been an ever‐growing field because of their diverse applications in drug delivery, biosensing, cell labeling, and so on. In this study, a facile method was developed to construct multifunctional magnetic nanocomposites. The approach is based on the use of poly(glycidyl methacrylate), PGMA, with numerous epoxy groups as reactive polymer to combine with fluorescent dye, the surface of magnetic nanoparticles, and targeting ligands directly without expatiatory functionality design. The resultant nanocomposites with good superparamagnetic and fluorescent properties could be exploited for bioimaging. Moreover, after conjugation with a model protein, namely, transferrin, which specifically targets cells overexpressing transferrin receptors, the nanocomposites could be used selectively to recognize Hela cells in comparison with nonconjugated ones. These results indicate that the newly designed magnetic nanocomposites with PGMA as functional polymer could serve as a novel versatile platform to conjugate with various molecules for construction of diverse multifunctional magnetic nanocomposites to meet different requirements and potential uses in nanomedicine and biological chemistry.
Design and analysis of a hard real‐time garbage collector for a Java chip multi‐processor
Authors: Puffitsch Wolfgang
Published: September 2012

Garbage collection is a well‐known technique to increase program safety and developer productivity. Within the past few years, it has also become feasible for uniprocessor hard real‐time systems. However, garbage collection for multi‐processors does not yet meet the requirements of hard real‐time systems. In this paper, we present a hard real‐time garbage collector for a Java chip multi‐processor that provides non‐disruptive and analyzable behavior. For retrieving the references in local variables of threads, we propose a protocol that minimizes disruptions for high‐priority tasks while still providing good bounds on the time until stack scanning finishes. Also, we developed a hardware unit that enables transparent, preemptible copying of objects, which eliminates the need to block tasks while copying objects. Evaluation of the hardware shows that the copy unit introduces only little overhead and does not limit the critical path. Analyses for different aspects of the system are presented, which indicate that comprehensive analysis of the presented system is indeed possible. Measurements resulted in release jitter for high‐priority tasks of 362 μs or less on an embedded multi‐processor with eight cores clocked at 100 MHz. This indicates that with the proposed garbage collector, high scheduling quality and garbage collection do not contradict each other on chip multi‐processors. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wake Formation and Wake Field Effects in Complex Plasmas
Authors: Block D. , Carstensen J. , Ludwig P. , Miloch W.J. , Greiner F. , Piel A. , Bonitz M. , Melzer A.
Published: September 2012

The formation of wake fields downstream of an objects in flowing plasmas has strong implications on structure, stability and dynamics of complex plasmas. This paper aims at putting recent experimental investigations and different theoretical approaches on charging of dust grains, stability of dust grain arrangements and the dynamical properties of complex plasmas into perspective. Further, the combination of wake fields and grain confinement is discussed, which is the generic situation in complex plasmas. It is shown that in spherical traps the resulting competition of trap geometry and vertical alignment leads to a sophisticated mixture of nested shell and string order (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Plasma Chemical Study of a RF Discharge Containing Aluminum Tri‐Isopropoxide Using MIR Absorption Spectroscopy Based on External‐Cavity Quantum Cascade Lasers
Authors: Lopatik D. , Niemietz S. , Fröhlich M. , Röpcke J. , Kersten H.
Published: September 2012

In Ar and Ar/N2 RF plasmas with admixtures of aluminum tri‐isopropoxide (ATI) the fragmentation of this metal‐organic precursor has been studied by means of infrared absorption spectroscopy (IR‐AS) using an external‐cavity quantum cascade laser (EC‐QCL) arrangement. The experiments were performed in an asymmetric capacitively coupled reactor at a frequency of f = 13.56 MHz and a pressure of up to p = 10 Pa. The discharge power was in the range of P = 40 – 100 W. Using EC‐QCLAS the evolution of the concentrations of six stable molecules, CH4, C2H2, C2H4, H2O, HCN and HNO3, has been monitored in the plasma. The concentrations of these plasma chemical products were found to be in the range of about 7 × 1012 – 2 × 1014 molecules cm–3 (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Room‐Temperature Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling of Heteroaryl Chlorides and Tosylates
Authors: Yang Junfeng , Liu Sijia , Zheng Jian‐Feng , Zhou Jianrong (Steve)
Published: September 2012

Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of heteroaryls is an important method for the preparation of compound libraries for medicinal chemistry and materials research. Although many catalysts have been developed, none of them have been generally applicable to the coupling reactions of heteroaryl chlorides and tosylates at room temperature. We discovered that a catalyst combination of Pd(OAc)2 and XPhos (2‐dicyclohexylphosphanyl‐2′,4′,6′‐triisopropylbiphenyl) could efficiently catalyze these couplings. Besides the choice of catalyst, the use of hydroxide bases in an aqueous alcoholic solvent was essential for fast couplings. These conditions promoted fast release of active catalyst (XPhos)Pd0, and accelerated the transmetalation in the catalytic cycle. Most of the major families of heteroaryl chlorides (31 examples) and tosylates (17 examples) reached full conversion within minutes to hours at room temperature. The method could be easily scaled up for gram‐scale synthesis. Furthermore, we examined the relative reactivity of coupling partners in whole reactions. Electron‐rich heteroaryl chlorides and tosylates reacted more slowly than electron‐deficient ones, in the order of indole, pyrrole < furan, thiophene < pyridine and other six‐membered‐ring azines. For heteroarylboronic acids, the reactivity ranking was reversed: indole, pyrrole > furan, thiophene > pyridine. Similarly, electron‐deficient arylboronic acids were less reactive than electron‐neutral and electron‐rich ones. The reactivity trends from this study can help to choose appropriate coupling partners for Suzuki reactions.
Stereoselective Synthesis and In Vivo Evaluation of the Analgesic Activity of Polysubstituted Bispidines
Authors: Plas Aurélie , Marchand Fabien , Eschalier Alain , Troin Yves , Chalard Pierre
Published: September 2012

Hetero‐Michael addition on a chiral β′‐amino α,β‐unsaturated ketone gave, after some structural modifications, β,β′‐diamino ketals. Mannich‐type reactions of these diamines with an aldehyde led, with high diastereoselectivity, to trisubstituted piperidines. Another highly stereoselective Mannich cyclization, with an N‐acyliminium ion generated in situ from the corresponding imide, allowed the preparation of original polycyclic bispidine derivatives. The antinociceptive effect of the three compounds prepared was evaluated in vivo by using the writhing test. If the biological results for the analgesic properties were disappointing, compared with the bispidine HZ2, which has a high affinity for opioid receptors, the modularity of the approach offered the possibility of introducing many substituents for new applications, which was promising because the bispidine core has been described to have many different activities.
Recent advances in nanopore sequencing
Authors: Maitra Raj D. , Kim Jungsuk , Dunbar William B.
Published: September 2012

The prospect of nanopores as a next‐generation sequencing platform has been a topic of growing interest and considerable government‐sponsored research for more than a decade. Oxford Nanopore Technologies recently announced the first commercial nanopore sequencing devices, to be made available by the end of 2012, while other companies (Life, Roche, and IBM) are also pursuing nanopore sequencing approaches. In this paper, the state of the art in nanopore sequencing is reviewed, focusing on the most recent contributions that have or promise to have next‐generation sequencing commercial potential. We consider also the scalability of the circuitry to support multichannel arrays of nanopores in future sequencing devices, which is critical to commercial viability.
Particulate emissions from tailpipe during idling of public transit buses fueled with alternative fuels
Authors: Shandilya Kaushik , Kumar Ashok
Published: September 2012

Engine exhaust in public transit buses has been associated with health effects. This pilot study examines the toxic nature of these engine exhausts under different idling conditions. The emission tests on public buses were performed with two different fuels: the ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD: Bus 536) and 20% Biodiesel (BD) mixed with ULSD (B20: Bus 506). Particulate matter (PM) was collected from the tailpipe emissions and then analyzed for elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Cold and hot‐idle‐engine testing was conducted. The results of the PM emission analysis showed that the PM mean value of emission is dependent on the engine operation conditions and fuel type. The PM emissions in cold idling were lower than the hot idling condition. However, the absence of 16‐EPA PAH in the samples suggests that the tested public buses are using clean fuel. It was found that lubricant oil, PM ash content, and storage tanks were the major sources of elemental concentrations in the PM. However, heavy metals are primary reasons in catalyzing the oxidation reactions that results in reduced PM and PAH emissions. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 1134–1142, 2013
Regional study on structural dynamic property of buildings in China
Authors: Shan Jiazeng , Shi Weixing , Wang Jin
Published: September 2012

Full‐scale in situ ambient vibration tests have been performed in different regions of China since 2008. Reliable data on 35 buildings in the Sichuan province and 18 buildings in Shanghai have been used for identifying the structural dynamic properties. Every building was tested twice, at time intervals of 1 to 2 years. This paper first describes the statistical analysis results of the measured records and then the time–frequency domain analysis on dynamic responses of a specific monitored building subjected to strong motion. Furthermore, the estimated dynamic characteristics of the buildings are presented. The damping ratio shows a period‐dependent characteristic, and the natural periods of buildings in Sichuan shifted after 2 years. Subsequent discussion on the natural period change phenomenon reveals that the natural period changes are affected by a number of factors, including story number, construction year, loading history, and observation time intervals. The long‐term time effects on concrete, the self‐healing ability of cracked concrete, and the change in soil condition are discussed to explain the natural period wandering. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Finance: Using ESOPs to sell closely held energy service businesses
Authors: Lucas Christopher C.
Published: September 2012

Each year, thousands of business owners attempt to sell their interests in their closely held businesses. Anyone who has sold or tried to sell a business has a story about the obstacles they faced as they guided their businesses through the sale process. Unfortunately, most of the stories end with the failure to consummate a sale.
Reduced connexin43 expression correlates with c‐Src activation, proliferation, and glucose uptake in reactive astrocytes after an excitotoxic insult
Authors: Gangoso Ester , Ezan Pascal , Valle‐Casuso José Carlos , Herrero‐González Sandra , Koulakoff Annette , Medina Jose M. , Giaume Christian , Tabernero Arantxa
Published: September 2012

In diverse brain pathologies, astrocytes become reactive and undergo profound phenotypic changes. Connexin43 (Cx43), the main gap junction channel‐forming protein in astrocytes, is one of the proteins modified in reactive astrocytes. Downregulation of Cx43 in cultured astrocytes activates c‐Src, promotes proliferation, and increases the rate of glucose uptake; however, so far there have been no studies examining whether this cascade of events takes place in reactive astrocytes. In this work, we analyzed this pathway after a cortical lesion induced by a kainic acid injection. As previously described, astrocytes reacted to the lesion with an increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein and a decrease in Cx43 expression. Some of these reactive astrocytes proliferated, as estimated by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and cyclins D1 and D3 upregulation. In addition, the expression of the glucose transporter GLUT‐3 and the enzyme responsible for glucose phosphorylation, Type II hexokinase (Hx‐2), were induced in reactive astrocytes, suggesting an increased glucose uptake. Previous in vitro studies reported that c‐Src is the link between Cx43 and glucose uptake and proliferation in astrocytes. Here, we found that c‐Src activity increased in the lesioned area. c‐Src activation and Cx43 downregulation preceded the peak of Hx‐2 and cyclin D3 expression, suggesting that c‐Src could mediate the effect of Cx43 on glucose uptake and proliferation in reactive astrocytes after an excitotoxic insult. Interestingly, we identify c‐Src, GLUT‐3, and Hx‐2 in the signaling mechanisms involved in the reaction of astroglia to injury. Altogether these data contribute to identify new therapeutical targets to enhance astrocyte neuroprotective activities. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
One body, many parts: An adult program profile
Authors: Clark Teresa Bagamery
Published: September 2012

The two‐person staff of the adult program at Lipscomb University envisions a number of potential benefits of having a much larger staff. However, budget constraints and current staffing patterns oblige them to maintain a very centralized structure, and they rely greatly on colleagues in other offices across campus.
Dating the origin and dispersal of hepatitis B virus infection in humans and primates
Authors: Paraskevis Dimitrios , Magiorkinis Gkikas , Magiorkinis Emmanouil , Ho Simon Y.W. , Belshaw Robert , Allain Jean-Pierre , Hatzakis Angelos
Published: September 2012

The origin of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in humans and other primates remains largely unresolved. Understanding the origin of HBV is crucial because it provides a framework for studying the burden, and subsequently the evolution, of HBV pathogenicity with respect to changes in human population size and life expectancy. To investigate this controversy we examined the relationship between HBV phylogeny and genetic diversity of modern humans, investigated the timescale of global HBV dispersal, and tested the hypothesis of HBV-human co-divergence. We find that the global distribution of HBV genotypes and subgenotypes are consistent with the major prehistoric modern human migrations. We calibrate the HBV molecular clock using the divergence times of different indigenous human populations based on archaeological and genetic evidence and show that HBV jumped into humans around 33,600 years ago; 95% higher posterior density (HPD): 22,000–47,100 years ago (estimated substitution rate: 2.2 × 10−6; 95% HPD: 1.5–3.0 × 10−6 substitutions/site/year). This coincides with the origin of modern non-African humans. Crucially, the most pronounced increase in the HBV pandemic correlates with the global population increase over the last 5,000 years. We also show that the non-human HBV clades in orangutans and gibbons resulted from cross-species transmission events from humans that occurred no earlier than 6,100 years ago.

Conclusion:

Our study provides, for the first time, an estimated timescale for the HBV epidemic that closely coincides with dates of human dispersals, supporting the hypothesis that HBV has been co-expanding and co-migrating with human populations for the last 40,000 years. (Hepatology 2013)
Kaposi's sarcoma‐derived cell line SLK is not of endothelial origin, but is a contaminant from a known renal carcinoma cell line
Authors: Stürzl Michael , Gaus Dominika , Dirks Wilhelm G. , Ganem Don , Jochmann Ramona
Published: September 2012

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is an endothelial cell‐derived tumor. Investigations of the molecular mechanisms of KS pathogenesis and the identification of drugs for treatment of KS depend critically on valid cell‐culture models. Two major immortalized cell lines are available for KS research. Recently, the KS cell line KS Y‐1 has been shown to be cross‐contaminated with the T24 urinary bladder cancer cell line (ATCC HTB‐4). Here, we show by short tandem repeat profiling that the second KS cell line, SLK, is indistinguishable from the clear‐cell renal‐cell carcinoma cell line Caki‐1. Immunocytochemical detection of cytokeratin expression confirmed the epithelial‐cell origin of SLK cells. Our findings indicate that SLK cells are not of endothelial origin and should not be used in future studies as a model for KS‐derived endothelial tumor cells. We suggest that in the future, more attention needs to be paid to the authenticity of cells in lines derived from human tissues.
Proteomic analysis of mitochondria from infantile hemangioma endothelial cells treated with sodium morrhuate and its liposomal formulation
Authors: Tu Jun‐bo , Dong Qiang , Hu Xiao‐yi , Jiang Fei , Ma Rui‐zhao , He Lin‐ying , Yang Zhuang‐qun
Published: September 2012

Hemangioma is the most common benign tumor of infancy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the biological effects of sodium morrhuate (SM) and its liposomal formulation on infantile hemangioma endothelial cells (IHECs). Morphological analysis revealed that exposure to liposomal sodium morrhuate (LSM) preferentially caused apoptotic death in IHECs, manifested as shrunken configuration and formation of apoptotic bodies. In contrast, necrotic death was prominent in IHECs treated with an equal concentration of SM. By means of proteomic analysis and confirmation experiments, we revealed that the apoptosis‐inducing effects of LSM were associated with an upregulation of a set of genes involved in mitochondrial death pathway, including apoptosis‐inducing factor, cytochrome c1, caspase‐8, and lamin B1. In conclusion, our data highlight the proapoptotic activity of LSM in IHECs through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and may provide a promising avenue to treat hemangiomas of infancy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 26:374–380, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.21436
The Pi‐Nature of Methyl Obtained by the Natural Bond Orbital Method: Orbital‐Based Rationalizations of Site‐Dependent Substitution Effects on Fine Color‐Tuning of Luminescence
Authors: Su Wei‐Lin , Wang Cheng‐Chi , Wang Shao‐Pin
Published: September 2012

Both C‐H bonding and antibonding (σCH and σ*CH) of a methyl group would contribute to the highest occupied or lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (HOMO or LUMO) in methylated derivatives of Ir(ppz)23iq (ppz = 1‐phenylpyrazole and 3iq = isoquinoline‐3‐carboxylate). This is found by analysis of HOMO (or LUMO) formed by linear combination of bond orbitals using the natural bond orbital (NBO) method. The elevated level of HOMO (or LUMO) uniformly found for each methylated derivative, indicating the σCH‐destabilization outweighs the σ*CH‐stabilization. To broaden the HOMO‐LUMO gap, methylation at a carbon having smaller contribution to HOMO and/or larger contribution to LUMO is suggested.
Preparation of ZnIn2S4 Film Electrodes by the SILAR Technique
Authors: Yin Jianbo , Jia Junhong , Yi Gewen , Wang Liqiang
Published: September 2012

Nanostructured ternary zinc indium sulfide (ZnIn2S4, ZIS) thin film electrodes were fabricated on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrates using the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique. New procedures for the growth of ZIS films are presented. The X‐Ray diffraction (XRD) results show that the ZIS films are hexagonal structure and the band gap of the as‐prepared ZIS films is 2.5 eV. The photocurrent response of the films shows that the ZIS demonstrates the typical characteristic of n‐type semiconductor materials and the average response photocurrent of ZIS thin film is almost two times as high as that of ZnS.
Effect of Pressure on Activation–Deactivation Equilibrium Constants for ATRP of Methyl Methacrylate
Authors: Morick Joachim , Buback Michael , Matyjaszewski Krzysztof
Published: September 2012

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) rate for methyl methacrylate (MMA) in acetonitrile solution has been measured up to 2500 bar. The increase in rate, by up to two orders of magnitude for the CuBr/Me6TREN system, is not compromised by an increase in dispersity. Activation–deactivation equilibrium constants were measured for MMA, KATRP, and for two monomer‐free model systems, KEBiB, and KPMMABr, with Me6TREN, TPMA, PMDETA, and HMTETA being the ligands. KATRP and KEBiB agree within one order of magnitude for Me6TREN and TPMA, but differ by about two orders of magnitude for PMDETA and HMTETA, whereas KATRP and KPMMABr are close to each other for PMDETA and HMTETA. The observations indicate an important role of back‐strain effects in ATRP of MMA.
Efficient Curing of Vinyl Carbonates by Thiol‐Ene Polymerization
Authors: Mautner Andreas , Qin Xiaohua , Kapeller Barbara , Russmueller Guenter , Koch Thomas , Stampfl Juergen , Liska Robert
Published: September 2012

Vinyl carbonates have recently been identified as a suitable alternative to (meth)acrylates, especially due to the low irritancy and cytotoxicity of these monomers. The drawback of some vinyl carbonates containing abstractable hydrogens arises through their moderate reactivity compared with acrylates. Within this paper, we use the thiol‐ene concept to enhance the photoreactivity of vinyl carbonates to a large extent to reach the level of those of similar acrylates. Mechanical properties of the final thiol‐ene polymers were determined by nanoindentation. Furthermore, low toxicity of all components was confirmed by osteoblast cell culture experiments.
Sonography of the median nerve in CMT1A, CMT2A, CMTX, and HNPP
Authors: Schreiber Stefanie , Oldag Andreas , Kornblum Cornelia , Kollewe Katja , Kropf Siegfried , Schoenfeld Ariel , Feistner Helmut , Jakubiczka Sibylle , Kunz Wolfram S. , Scherlach Cordula , Tempelmann Claus , Mawrin Christian , Dengler Reinhard , Schreiber Frank , Goertler Michael , Vielhaber Stefan
Published: September 2012

Introduction: In this study we compare the ultrasound features in the median nerve in patients with different types of Charcot–Marie–Tooth (CMT) disease and hereditary neuropathies with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) as a typical entrapment neuropathy. Methods: Median nerve ultrasound and conduction studies were performed in patients with CMT1A (n = 12), MFN2‐associated CMT2A (n = 7), CMTX (n = 5), and HNPP (n = 5), and in controls (n = 28). Results: Median nerve cross‐sectional area (CSA) was significantly increased in CMT1A, whereas, in axonal CMT2A, fascicle diameter (FD) was enlarged. CSA correlated with nerve conduction slowing in CMT1A and with axonal loss, as shown by motor and sensory nerve amplitudes in both CMT1A and CMT2A. A relatively low wrist‐to‐forearm‐ratio (WFR <0.8) or a relatively high WFR (>1.8) appeared to be unlikely in MFN2 and Cx32 mutations of CMT2A and CMTX, respectively. Conclusion: Differences in CSA, FD, and WFR of the median nerve can be helpful in defining subtypes of hereditary neuropathies. Muscle Nerve 47:385‐395, 2013
Effect of layering pattern on the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of jute/bagasse hybrid fiber‐reinforced epoxy novolac composites
Authors: Saw Sudhir Kumar , Sarkhel Gautam , Choudhury Arup
Published: September 2012

In this study, randomly oriented short jute/bagasse hybrid fiber‐reinforced epoxy novolac composites were prepared by keeping the relative volume ratio of jute and bagasse of 1:3 and the total fiber loading 0.40 volume fractions. The effect of jute fiber hybridization and different layering pattern on the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of jute/bagasse hybrid fiber‐reinforced epoxy novolac composites was investigated. The hybrid fiber‐reinforced composites exhibited fair water absorption and thickness swelling properties. To investigate the effect of layering pattern on thermomechanical behavior of hybrid composites, the storage modulus and loss factor were determined using dynamic mechanical analyzer from 30 to 200°C at a frequency of 1 Hz. The fracture surface morphology of the tensile samples of the hybrid composites was performed by using scanning electron microscopy. The morphological features of the composites were well corroborated with the mechanical properties. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated an increase in thermal stability of pure bagasse composites with the incorporation of jute fibers. The incorporation of hybrid fibers results better improvement in both thermal and dimensional stable compared with the pure bagasse fiber composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Coupling of a High‐resolution Monoamine Oxidase‐A Inhibitor Assay and HPLC–SPE–NMR for Advanced Bioactivity Profiling of Plant Extracts
Authors: Grosso Clara , Jäger Anna K. , Staerk Dan
Published: September 2012

Introduction

Depression is a mental disease causing large personal and socio‐economic problems, and new improved drugs are therefore needed. Selective monoamine oxidase A (MAO‐A) inhibitors are potential anti‐depressants, but discovering new MAO‐A inhibitors from natural sources by bioassay‐guided approaches are a lengthy and time‐consuming process. New analytical technologies that allow simultaneously chemical and biological screening of extracts are therefore urgently needed.

Method

In the present study we describe coupling of a photometric microplate‐based high‐resolution MAO‐A inhibitor assay with a hyphenated system consisting of high‐performance liquid chromatography, solid‐phase extraction and tube transfer nuclear magnetic resonance (HPLC–SPE–ttNMR). The standard compound clorgyline, and an extract of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), representing a complex plant matrix, were used for proof‐of‐concept.

Results

The work with clorgyline showed that the microplate‐based high‐resolution assay produced MAO‐A inhibition profiles that easily allowed detection of submicrogram amounts of this selective MAO‐A inhibitor. Furthermore, the HPLC–SPE–ttNMR/high‐resolution MAO‐A inhibition assay platform allowed identification of piperine and two piperine analogues as the main MAO‐A inhibitors in the black pepper petroleum ether extract.

Conclusion

The HPLC–SPE–ttNMR/high‐resolution MAO‐A inhibition assay platform is a powerful tool for fast and efficient identification of new MAO‐A inhibitors from complex extracts, and promise future advancement in the search for new anti‐depressants from natural sources. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rate‐ and temperature‐dependent strain hardening of polycarbonate
Authors: Senden D. J. A. , Krop S. , van Dommelen J. A. W. , Govaert L. E.
Published: September 2012

The modeling and quantification of a viscous contribution to strain hardening is discussed. Traditional strain hardening models, based on rubber‐elasticity, show serious deviations from the experimentally observed large‐strain response of glassy polymers. Therefore, to capture both the strain rate and temperature dependence of strain hardening correctly, a part of the rubber‐elastic strain hardening is replaced with a viscous contribution. This is realized by introducing a deformation‐dependent viscosity in the Eindhoven Glassy Polymer model. Verification of the accuracy of the model proposed is done using a set of uniaxial compression tests on polycarbonate at different strain rates and temperatures. An accurate description of all experimental data results and, moreover, the model quantitatively captures the Bauschinger effect observed in oriented polycarbonate. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012
Guide to prescribing in today's management of severe pain
Authors: Campbell William
Published: September 2012

Opioids are widely used in severe pain and should not be withheld in chronic noncancer pain. Our Drug review discusses the properties of the available opioid analgesics and how and when to prescribe, followed by an analysis of the prescription data and sources of further information.
In(Ga)As/GaAs site‐controlled quantum dots with tailored morphology and high optical quality
Authors: Schneider Christian , Huggenberger Alexander , Gschrey Manuel , Gold Peter , Rodt Sven , Forchel Alfred , Reitzenstein Stephan , Höfling Sven , Kamp Martin
Published: September 2012

In this article, we describe epitaxial growth and investigations of optical properties of In(Ga)As/GaAs site‐controlled quantum dots (QDs) fabricated on (001)‐oriented GaAs substrates. The QD nucleation is directed by pre‐patterning planar GaAs surfaces with shallow nanoholes. The focus of this work lies on the realization of arrays of site‐controlled QDs (SCQDs) with a tailored morphology and optical properties comparable to QDs fabricated on planar substrates. By maximizing the migration length during QD deposition, we were able to increase the QD pitches to values exceeding device dimensions of typical semiconductor microresonators. The introduction of a seeding layer in our growth scheme allows us to extend the vertical distance between the QDs and the etched nucleation centres to about 20 nm without suffering from nanoholes being occupied by multiple QDs. Furthermore, the extended distance between the QD layer and the re‐growth interface allows us to preserve excellent optical properties of the single QDs as probed in photoluminescence with an average single QD related linewidth of 133 µeV and minimum values as low as 25 µeV for non‐resonant excitation. The high yield of optically active QDs on the pre‐defined nucleation positions is studied by cathodoluminescence (CL) with high spatial resolution. We find emission from single SCQDs on more than 90% of the nucleation centres, which is a pre‐requisite for any scalable QD‐device fabrication scheme.
Effects of sequential or simultaneous assimilation of observations and localization methods on the performance of the ensemble Kalman filter
Authors: Holland Brian , Wang Xuguang
Published: September 2012

The various implementations of the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) differ from each other in several ways. The effects of these differences are not yet well and completely explored and they include the use of sequential or simultaneous assimilation of observations and the application of localization to the observation error covariance matrix (R‐localization) or the background error covariance matrix (B‐localization). This study seeks to examine and better understand the effects of these differences, both individually and in combination. To that end, a B‐localized sequential scheme, a B‐localized simultaneous scheme, an R‐localized sequential scheme and an R‐localized simultaneous scheme are compared using a primitive equation two‐layer model with simulated observations and an imperfect model assumption. The comparisons in initial assimilation experiments show that the use of sequential or simultaneous assimilation and R‐/B‐localization impacts the accuracy of the EnKF analyses and forecasts. Diagnostic experiments show that the schemes generate different amounts of imbalance in the analysis as a result of systematic differences among the schemes in height gradient and wind increments. These disparities in analysis balance translate into accuracy differences during the subsequent forecast and analysis steps. Additional simplified experiments suggest that the differences caused by the sequential or simultaneous assimilation and the R‐/B‐localization are a function of the characteristic shape of the background error covariances in the model system. Several elements of the forecast‐assimilation system including the use of digital filter initialization, the number and type of observations, the ensemble size and the ratio of forecast error to observation error are identified that can significantly increase or decrease the magnitude of the observed differences caused by sequential or simultaneous assimilation and the R‐/B‐localization. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society