bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neural adaptive control for leader–follower flocking of networked nonholonomic agents with unknown nonlinear dynamics
Authors: Peng Zhouhua , Wang Dan , Liu Hugh H. T. , Sun Gang
Published: May 2013

This paper is concerned with the leader–follower flocking problem of networked nonholonomic multi‐agent systems with non‐identical unknown nonlinear dynamics. The leader motion to be synchronized is also nonlinear and unknown. By employing the graph theory and a pinning control technique, a distributed neural adaptive control design is developed for the agents to achieve motion synchronization with the leader. The design is for a directed communication graph with a fixed topology. A collective potential function is used to maintain cohesion between the agents. On the basis of Lyapunov analysis, the developed neural flocking algorithm guarantees that all the agents’ headings and speeds are synchronized with the leader and collisions between the agents can be avoided. An illustrative example is given to show the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Natural Rubber–Toughened Nylon12 Compatibilized by Polystyrene/Natural Rubber Blend
Authors: Saengthaveep Saravalee , Magaraphan Rathanawan
Published: May 2013

Nylon12 (polyamide12)/natural rubber (NR‐grade STR 5L)/ compatibilizer blends were prepared by melt blending in a twin‐screw extruder with various compatibilizer contents. The copolymer of polystyrene and natural rubber (PS/NR) was used as a compatibilizer. Then a scanning electron microscope was used to study the phase morphology and the mechanical and rheological properties. At the optimum compatibilizer content of 10 phr, the [Nylon12/NR]/[PS/NR] blends showed improved mechanical properties and fine phase morphology (good dispersion of NR in Nylon12 matrix). This is due to decreased domain size of the dispersed rubber phase, leading to decreased deformability of the rubber particle and increased compatibility of the blend. For the flow properties, increased interfacial interaction between NR domains and Nylon12 matrix can result in increased shear viscosity and decreased extrudate swell. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Technol 2013, 32, 21352; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/adv.21352
A behavioral view on chimpanzee personality: Exploration tendency, persistence, boldness, and tool‐orientation measured with group experiments
Authors: Massen Jorg J.M. , Antonides Alexandra , Arnold Anne‐Marie K. , Bionda Thomas , Koski Sonja E.
Published: May 2013

Human and nonhuman animals show personality: temporal and contextual consistency in behavior patterns that vary among individuals. In contrast to most other species, personality of chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes, has mainly been studied with non‐behavioral methods. We examined boldness, exploration tendency, persistence and tool‐orientation in 29 captive chimpanzees using repeated experiments conducted in an ecologically valid social setting. High temporal repeatability and contextual consistency in all these traits indicated they reflected personality. In addition, Principal Component Analysis revealed two independent syndromes, labeled exploration‐persistence and boldness. We found no sex or rank differences in the trait scores, but the scores declined with age. Nonetheless, there was considerable inter‐individual variation within age‐classes, suggesting that behavior was not merely determined by age but also by dispositional effects. In conclusion, our study complements earlier rating studies and adds new traits to the chimpanzee personality, thereby supporting the existence of multiple personality traits among chimpanzees. We stress the importance of ecologically valid behavioral research to assess multiple personality traits and their association, as it allows inclusion of ape studies in the comparison of personality structures across species studied behaviorally, and furthers our attempts to unravel the causes and consequences of animal personality. Am. J. Primatol. 75:947–958, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Separation of lysozyme with magnetically stabilized spherical hydroxyapatite microcomposites in a continuous flow system
Authors: Akkaya Birnur
Published: May 2013

The aim of this study was to produce a spherical and magnetic hydroxyapatite (HA) microcomposite to use as an adsorbent for the separation of lysozyme in a magnetically stabilized fluidized bed and to separate lysozyme from a protein mixture composed of human immunoglobulin G, human serum albumin, and lysozyme. For this purpose, spherical and magnetic HA microcomposites (50–100 μm) were synthesized by suspension polymerization and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electron spin resonance, vibrating‐sample magnetometry, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, and a swelling test. The specific surface areas of the pure HA and magnetic HA microcomposite were determined to be 72.25 and 151.53 m2/g, respectively. The swelling ratio of the spherical HA microcomposites was 150%. Adsorption experiments were conducted under conditions that differed in terms of pH, temperature, ionic strength, flow velocity, and magnetic field. According to the findings of the adsorption kinetic studies, the adsorption process was appropriate to pseudo‐first‐order kinetics. The separation of the lysozyme from the protein mixture was achieved by means of a 50 mM pH 7.0 phosphate buffer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1602–1610, 2013
Electrothermal lifetime prediction of polyimide wire insulation with application to aircraft
Authors: Hondred Peter R. , Bowler Nicola , Kessler Michael R.
Published: May 2013

This work investigates the electrothermal lifetime of a commonly used polyimide wire insulation material, Kapton®, through the use of thermogravimetry (TG) and breakdown voltage testing. From TG, an isoconversional model‐free kinetic evaluation was used to obtain a relationship between the activation energies of degradation for Kapton as a function of weight loss. By relating the electrical life theory and the TG theory through the model defined by Toop (IEEE Trans. Dielectr. Electr. Insul. 1971, 6, 2), the electrothermal lifetime of Kapton has been calculated for conditions of 12 and 14.7 kV over a temperature range of 250–400°C. The resulting model can be used to make lifetime predictions for wire insulation degradation in aging aircraft for improved safety and risk assessment. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1639–1644, 2013
Rigidity enhancement of polyimides containing benzimidazole moieties
Authors: Song Guangliang , Wang Shuang , Wang Daming , Zhou Hongwei , Chen Chunhai , Zhao Xiaogang , Dang Guodong
Published: May 2013

A series of copolyimides were prepared by incorporating pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) into the homopolyimide derived from 5,4′‐diamino‐2‐phenyl benzimidazole (DAPBI) and 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydride (s‐BPDA), with the purpose of enhancing backbone rigidity of the homopolyimide. A systematic change in thermal, mechanical and optical properties was observed by changing the ratios of PMDA and s‐BPDA components. Glass transition temperatures were in the range of 404–425°C, depending on the pyromellitimide content. Mechanical properties were significantly enhanced: Tensile modulus and strength ranged from 5.8 to 8.5 GPa and 249 to 263 MPa, respectively, and much higher than that of the homopolyimide (s‐BPDA/DAPBI). Wide‐angle X‐ray diffractions showed that the copolymer films were amorphous, although locally ordered regions were observed with long periodicity larger than that of the homopolyimide. The properties enhancement was attributed to the increased overall rigidity of the polymer backbones and enhanced molecular in‐plane orientation. Possible structure–property relationships were also discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1653–1658, 2013
Influence of processing on morphology in short aramid fiber reinforced elastomer compounds
Authors: Hintze Christian , Boldt Regine , Wiessner Sven , Heinrich Gert
Published: May 2013

The rubber industry is nowadays facing the general increase of raw materials as the customers are confronted with rising prices for energy. Therefore there is a need for higher durability of elastomer applications. Short fiber reinforced elastomers can contribute to the improvement of dynamic and wear properties. To determine structure–property relationships in short fiber reinforced elastomer compounds it is of crucial interest to know the contributions of fiber aspect ratio, volume content, orientation and fiber–elastomer interaction. Therefore the influence of different processing conditions and fiber contents on the resulting morphology and macroscopic properties was investigated in this article by the help of fluorescence and confocal laser microscopy using a transparent ethylene‐propylene‐diene rubber (EPDM) matrix. It was found that the processing induced fiber breakage was the key factor in determining the composite morphology and subsequent physical properties. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1682–1690, 2013
Thoracic aortic aneurysms
Authors: Bicknell C D , Powell J T
Published: May 2013

Still uncertainty about the need for treatment
Development of an LC/MS/MS method in order to determine arctigenin in rat plasma: its application to a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Zou Quanfei , Gu Yuan , Lu Rong , Zhang Tiejun , Zhao Guang‐Rong , Liu Changxiao , Si Duanyun
Published: May 2013

In this study, a simple and sensitive LC/MS/MS method was developed and validated for the determination of arctigenin in rat plasma. The MS detection was performed using multiple reaction monitoring at the transitions of m/z 373.2 → 137.3 for arctigenin and m/z 187.1 → 131.0 for psoralen (internal standard) with a Turbo IonSpray electrospray in positive mode. The calibration curves fitted a good linear relationship over the concentration range of 0.2–500 ng/mL. It was found that arctigenin is not stable enough at both room temperature and −80 °C unless mixed with methanol before storage. The validated LC/MS/MS method was successfully applied for the pharmacokinetic study of arctigenin in rats. After intravenous injection of 0.3 mg/kg arctigenin injection to rats, the maximum concentration, half‐life and area under the concentration–time curve were 323 ± 65.2 ng/mL, 0.830 ± 0.166 and 81.0 ± 22.1 h ng/mL, respectively. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Realistic deformation of 3D human blood vessels
Authors: Park Jaesung , Shim Minsub , Park Seon‐Young , Kang Yunku , Kim Myung‐Soo
Published: May 2013

We present a real‐time algorithm for realistically deforming 3D human blood vessels, while automatically detecting and avoiding interference among a large number of blood vessels under deformation. Sweep surfaces are employed for this purpose. Using a dynamic bounding volume hierarchy, specially designed for sweep surfaces, we support collision detection and other related geometric computations in real time. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Formation and Properties of Self‐Assembly‐Driven Fluorescent Nanoparticle Sensors
Authors: Cui Kun , Lu Xuemin , Guan Junfang , Lu Qinghua , Fei Zhaofu , Dyson Paul J.
Published: May 2013

Fluorescent nanoparticles (FNPs) are obtained in water by self‐assembly from a polymeric ionic liquid, fluorescent carboxylate moiety, and a surfactant through two main supramolecular interactions, that is, ionic bonds and hydrophobic/hydrophilic interactions. The hydrophobicity of the surfactant is tunable and a highly hydrophobic surfactant increases the fluorescence intensity and stability of the FNPs. The fluorescence of the FNPs is sensitive to a quenching effect by various ions with high selectivity, and consequently, they may be used as sensors. The self‐assembly approach used to generate the FNPs is considerably simpler than other methods based on more challenging synthetic methods and the flexibility of the approach should allow a wide and diverse range of FNPs to be prepared with specific sensor applications.
Functionalization of Metal–Organic Frameworks through the Postsynthetic Transformation of Olefin Side Groups
Authors: Hindelang Konrad , Kronast Alexander , Vagin Sergei I. , Rieger Bernhard
Published: May 2013

For the first time, the adaptability of the CC double bond as a versatile precursor for the postsynthetic modification (PSM) of microporous materials was extensively investigated and evaluated. Therefore, an olefin‐tagged 4,4′‐bipyridine linker was synthesized and successfully introduced as pillar linker within a 9,10‐triptycenedicarboxylate (TDC) zinc paddle‐wheel metal–organic framework (MOF) through microwave‐assisted synthesis. Different reactions, predominately used in organic chemistry, were tested, leading to the development of new postsynthetic reactions for the functionalization of solid materials. The postsynthetic oxidation of the olefin side groups applying osmium tetroxide (OsO4) as a catalyst led to the formation of a microporous material with free vicinal diol functionalities. The epoxidation with dimethyldioxirane (DMDO) enabled the synthesis of epoxy‐functionalized MOFs. In addition to that, reaction procedures for a postsynthetic hydroboration with borane dimethyl sulfide as well as a photoinduced thiol–ene click reaction with ethyl mercaptan were developed. For all of these PSMs, yields of more than 90 % were obtained, entirely maintaining the crystallinity of the MOFs. Since the direct introduction of the corresponding groups by means of pre‐synthetic approaches is hardly possible, these new PSMs are useful tools for the functionalization of porous solids towards applications such as selective adsorption, separation, and catalysis.
Morphology of the olivocerebellar projection of the chick: An axonal reconstruction study
Authors: Sasamura Kazuma , Ohki‐Hamazaki Hiroko , Sugihara Izumi
Published: May 2013

The projection pattern of the olivocerebellar (OC) axons, which terminate mainly as climbing fibers (CFs) in the cerebellar cortex, tightly reflects the compartmental and developmental organization of the cerebellum as revealed by mapping and reconstruction studies in the rat. The avian cerebellum is well lobulated and longitudinally compartmentalized like the mammalian cerebellum. However, the projection pattern of the OC axons has not been studied in detail for most areas of the avian cerebellum. In the present study, we reconstructed labeled chick OC axons resulting from a small focal injection of biotinylated dextran amine into the inferior olive to investigate their morphological characteristics, and to determine their relationship to the general morphology of the chick cerebellum. Labeled CFs were distributed basically in a single longitudinally elongated narrow band‐shaped area in lobules I–VIII, but in multiple, transversely widened, band‐shaped areas in lobules IX–X. Three of the four reconstructed OC axons terminated in a single longitudinally band‐shaped area in lobules IXa–c, whereas the other one terminated in multiple mediolaterally separated areas in lobule IXc, which is part of the flocculus. Single OC axons branched into 14 CFs on average. Two CFs occasionally merged to form a single terminal arbor. Axons also had thin, non‐CF collaterals that projected either to a cerebellar nucleus or to the cortex. The results indicate that the morphological characteristics of OC axons, including branching and termination, are basically conserved between the chick and the rat. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:3321–3339, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Monosynaptic convergence of chorda tympani and glossopharyngeal afferents onto ascending relay neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract: A high‐resolution confocal and correlative electron microscopy approach
Authors: Corson James A. , Erisir Alev
Published: May 2013

Physiological studies suggest convergence of chorda tympani and glossopharyngeal afferent axons onto single neurons of the rostral nucleus of the solitary tract (rNTS), but anatomical evidence has been elusive. The current study uses high‐magnification confocal microscopy to identify putative synaptic contacts from afferent fibers of the two nerves onto individual projection neurons. Imaged tissue is revisualized with electron microscopy, confirming that overlapping fluorescent signals in confocal z‐stacks accurately identify appositions between labeled terminal and dendrite pairs. Monte Carlo modeling reveals that the probability of overlapping fluorophores is stochastically unrelated to the density of afferent label, suggesting that convergent innervation in the rNTS is selective rather than opportunistic. Putative synaptic contacts from each nerve are often compartmentalized onto dendrite segments of convergently innervated neurons. These results have important implications for orosensory processing in the rNTS, and the techniques presented here have applications in investigations of neural microcircuitry with an emphasis on innervation patterning. J. Comp. Neurol. 521: 2907–2926, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CO2 Sorbents with Scaffold‐like CaAl Layered Double Hydroxides as Precursors for CO2 Capture at High Temperatures
Authors: Chang Po‐Hsueh , Lee Tai‐Jung , Chang Yen‐Po , Chen San‐Yuan
Published: May 2013

A highly stable high‐temperature CO2 sorbent consisting of scaffold‐like Ca‐rich oxides (CaAlO) with rapid absorption kinetics and a high capacity is described. The Ca‐rich oxides were prepared by annealing CaAlNO3 layered double hydroxide (LDH) precursors through a sol–gel process with Al(OiP)3 and Ca(NO3)2 with Ca2+/Al3+ ratios of 1:1, 2:1, 4:1, and 7:1. XRD indicated that only LDH powders were formed for Ca2+/Al3+ ratios of 2:1. However, both LDH and Ca(OH)2 phases were produced at higher ratios. Both TEM and SEM observations indicated that the CaAlNO3 LDHs displayed a scaffold‐like porous structure morphology rather than platelet‐like particles. Upon annealing at 600 °C, a highly stable porous network structure of the CaO‐based CaAlO mixed oxide (CAMO), composed of CaO and Ca12Al14O33, was still present. The CAMO exhibited high specific surface areas (up to 191 m2 g−1) and a pore size distribution of 3–6 nm, which allowed rapid diffusion of CO2 into the interior of the material, inducing fast carbonation/calcination and enhancing the sintering‐resistant nature over multiple carbonation/calcination cycles for CO2 absorption at 700 °C. Thermogravimetric analysis results indicated that a CO2 capture capacity of approximately 49 wt % could be obtained with rapid absorption from the porous 7:1 CAMO sorbents by carbonation at 700 °C for 5 min. Also, 94–98 % of the initial CO2 capture capability was retained after 50 cycles of multiple carbonation/calcination tests. Therefore, the CAMO framework is a good isolator for preventing the aggregation of CaO particles, and it is suitable for long‐term cyclic operation in high‐temperature environments.
Catalytic Characteristics of AgCu Bimetallic Nanoparticles in the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Shin Kihyun , Kim Da Hye , Lee Hyuck Mo
Published: May 2013

Intensive research on oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts has been undertaken to find a Pt substitute or reduce the amount of Pt. Ag nanoparticles are potential Pt substitutes; however, the weak oxygen adsorption energy of Ag prompted investigation of other catalysts. Herein, we prepared AgCu bimetallic nanoparticle (NP) systems to improve the catalytic performance and compared the catalytic performance of Ag, Cu, AgCu (core–shell), and AgCu (alloy) NP systems as new catalyst by investigating the adsorption energy of oxygen and the activation energy of oxygen dissociation, which is known to be the rate‐determining step of ORR. By analyzing HOMO‐level isosurfaces of metal NPs and oxygen, we found that the adsorption sites and the oxygen adsorption energies varied with different configurations of NPs. We then plotted the oxygen adsorption energies against the energy barrier of oxygen dissociation to determine the catalytic performance. AgCu (alloy) and Cu NPs exhibited strong adsorption energies and low activation‐energy barriers. However, the overly strong oxygen adsorption energy of Cu NPs hindered the ORR.
Pseudocapacitive Hausmannite Nanoparticles with (101) Facets: Synthesis, Characterization, and Charge‐Transfer Mechanism
Authors: Yeager Matthew P. , Du Wenxin , Wang Qi , Deskins N. Aaron , Sullivan Matthew , Bishop Brendan , Su Dong , Xu Wenqian , Senanayake Sanjaya D. , Si Rui , Hanson Jonathan , Teng Xiaowei
Published: May 2013

Hausmannite Mn3O4 octahedral nanoparticles of 18.3±7.0 nm with (101) facets have been prepared by an oxygen‐mediated growth. The electrochemical properties of the Mn3O4 particles as pseudocapacitive cathode materials were characterized both in half‐cells and in button‐cells. The Mn3O4 nanoparticles exhibited a high mass‐specific capacitance of 261 F g−1, which was calculated from cyclic voltammetry analyses, and a capacitive retention of 78 % after 10 000 galvanostatic charge–discharge cycles. The charge‐transfer mechanisms of the Mn3O4 nanoparticles were further studied by using synchrotron‐based in situ X‐ray absorption near edge spectroscopy and XRD. Both measurements showed concurrently that throughout the potential window of 0–1.2 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), a stable spinel structure of Mn3O4 remained, and a reversible electrochemical conversion between tetrahedral [MnIIO4] and octahedral [MnIIIO6] units accounted for the redox activity. Density functional theory calculations further corroborated this mechanism by confirming the enhanced redox stability afforded by the abundant and exposed (101) facets of Mn3O4 octahedra.
Fair cut‐off prioritisation scheme for voice calls in mobile broadband systems
Authors: Vassileva N. , Koucheryavy Y.
Published: May 2013

Advanced mobile communication systems have adopted the adaptive modulation and coding technique because it enables efficient use of the scarce radio resources. The resultant time‐varying resource environment, however, is challenging for guaranteeing quality of service to fixed rate traffic with hard delay constraints such as voice. A fair cut‐off prioritisation scheme that addresses both forced call interruption due to insufficient resources and call unfairness (high disparity between blocking as well as dropping probabilities) due to random propagation conditions is devised. The proposed scheme guarantees full fairness without sacrificing system communication capacity as demonstrated by numerical results. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Residual‐based turbulence models for moving boundary flows: hierarchical application of variational multiscale method and three‐level scale separation
Authors: Masud Arif , Calderer Ramon
Published: May 2013

This paper presents residual‐based turbulence models for problems with moving boundaries and interfaces. The method is developed via a hierarchical application of variational multiscale ideas and the models are cast in an arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) frame to accommodate the deformation of domain boundaries. An overlapping additive decomposition of velocity and pressure fields into coarse and fine scale components leads to coarse and fine scale mixed‐field problems. The problem governing fine scales is subjected to a further decomposition of the fine scale velocity into overlapping components termed as fine scales level I and level II. In turn, in the bottom‐up integration of scales, the model for level II fine scales serves to stabilize the problem governing level I fine scales, and model for level I fields yields the turbulence models. From the computational perspective, the coarse scales are represented in terms of the standard Lagrange shape functions, whereas level I and level II scales are represented via quadratic and fourth order polynomial bubbles, respectively. Because of the bubble functions approach employed in the consistently derived fine scale models, the resulting method is free of any embedded or tunable parameters. The proposed turbulence models share a common feature with the LES models in that the largest scales in the flow are numerically resolved, whereas the subgrid scales are modeled. The method is applied to flow around a plunging airfoil at Re = 40,000, and results are compared with experimental and numerical data published in the literature. Also presented are the results for the plunging airfoil at Re = 60,000 to show the robustness and range of applicability of the method. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamics of outer‐rise faulting in oceanic‐continental subduction systems
Authors: Naliboff John B. , Billen Magali I. , Gerya Taras , Saunders Jessie
Published: May 2013

Key Points

Outer‐rise faulting is sensitive to plate age, velocity and slab pull

Plate‐boundary coupling strongly influences outer‐rise stress state

Rheology has comparatively little influence on faulting patterns
An indication of the existence of a solar wind strahl at 10 AU
Authors: Walsh A. P. , Arridge C. S. , Masters A. , Lewis G. R. , Fazakerley A. N. , Jones G. H. , Owen C. J. , Coates A. J.
Published: May 2013

The solar wind electron distribution is observed near and within 1 AU to consist of three components: a thermal core, a suprathermal halo, and a suprathermal strahl. The former two components are isotropic, while the strahl is field aligned and flows outward along the interplanetary magnetic field. The evolution of solar wind electrons with heliocentric distance is poorly understood; although the halo is thought to be formed through pitch angle (PA) scattering of the strahl, the responsible physical process has not been conclusively identified. Measurements of solar wind electrons throughout the heliosphere are required to solve this problem. We present the first observations of the suprathermal components of the solar wind electron distribution made outside 5 AU. We find indications of a strahl component narrower than that predicted by extrapolating observations and models of electrons in the inner heliosphere, suggesting the rate of electron pitch angle scattering in the solar wind can decrease with increasing heliocentric distance.
Expression of c‐fos in hilar mossy cells of the dentate gyrus in vivo
Authors: Duffy Aine M. , Schaner Michael J. , Chin Jeannie , Scharfman Helen E.
Published: May 2013

Granule cells (GCs) of the dentate gyrus (DG) are considered to be quiescent—they rarely fire action potentials. In contrast, the other glutamatergic cell type in the DG, hilar mossy cells (MCs) often have a high level of spontaneous activity based on recordings in hippocampal slices. MCs project to GCs, so activity in MCs could play an important role in activating GCs. Therefore, we investigated whether MCs were active under basal conditions in vivo, using the immediate early gene c‐fos as a tool. We hypothesized that MCs would exhibit c‐fos expression even if rats were examined randomly, under normal housing conditions. Therefore, adult male rats were perfused shortly after removal from their home cage and transfer to the laboratory. Remarkably, most c‐fos immunoreactivity (ir) was in the hilus, especially temporal hippocampus. C‐fos‐ir hilar cells co‐expressed GluR2/3, suggesting that they were MCs. C‐fos‐ir MCs were robust even when the animal was habituated to the investigator and laboratory where they were euthanized. However, c‐fos‐ir in dorsal MCs was reduced under these circumstances, suggesting that ventral and dorsal MCs are functionally distinct. Interestingly, there was an inverse relationship between MC and GC layer c‐fos expression, with little c‐fos expression in the GC layer in ventral sections where MC expression was strong, and the opposite in dorsal hippocampus. The results support the hypothesis that a subset of hilar MCs are spontaneously active in vivo and provide other DG neurons with tonic depolarizing input. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Risk factors for false positive and for false negative test results in screening with fecal occult blood testing
Authors: Stegeman Inge , de Wijkerslooth Thomas R. , Stoop Esther M. , van Leerdam Monique , van Ballegooijen M. , Kraaijenhagen Roderik A. , Fockens Paul , Kuipers Ernst J. , Dekker Evelien , Bossuyt Patrick M.
Published: May 2013

Differences in the risk of a false negative or a false positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) across subgroups may affect optimal screening strategies. We evaluate whether subgroups are at increased risk of a false positive or a false negative FIT result, whether such variability in risk is related to differences in FIT sensitivity and specificity or to differences in prior CRC risk. Randomly selected, asymptomatic individuals were invited to undergo colonoscopy. Participants were asked to undergo one sample FIT and to complete a risk questionnaire. We identified patient characteristics associated with a false negative and false positive FIT results using logistic regression. We focused on statistically significant differences as well as on variables influencing the false positive or negative risk for which the odds ratio exceeded 1.25. Of the 1,426 screening participants, 1,112 (78%) completed FIT and the questionnaire; 101 (9.1%) had advanced neoplasia. 102 Individuals were FIT positive, 65 (64%) had a false negative FIT result and 66 (65%) a false positive FIT result. Participants at higher age and smokers had a significantly higher risk of a false negative FIT result. Males were at increased risk of a false positive result, so were smokers and regular NSAID users. FIT sensitivity was lower in females. Specificity was lower for males, smokers and regular NSAID users. FIT sensitivity was lower in women. FIT specificity was lower in males, smokers and regular NSAID users. Our results can be used for further evidence based individualization of screening strategies.
Differential Effects of Still‐Face Interaction on Mothers of Term and Preterm Infants
Authors: Hsu Hui‐Chin , Jeng Suh‐Fang
Published: May 2013

This study investigated the effect of still‐face interaction on the affect, behavior, and perception in mothers of term and low‐birth‐weight preterm (gestational age <37 weeks and birth weight < 2,500g) infants. Thirty‐five Taiwanese mothers and their healthy 2‐month‐old term and low‐birth‐weight preterm (corrected age) infants participated in the maternal still‐face procedure. Mothers' perceptions of infant affect, their own affective experience, and parenting efficacy were obtained via video‐playback interviews. Infant affect, maternal affect, and maternal behavior were also coded from videos using fine‐grained behavioral coding strategies. Overall, the results showed that the perturbation of still‐face interaction differentially affected the affect, behavior, and perception of mothers of term and preterm infants. Mothers of term, not preterm, infants accurately reported the still‐face effect on their infants' affect. Although both groups of mothers reported similar changes in their affective experience that resembled the classic still‐face effect on infants, mothers of term, not preterm, infants were observed to decrease their positive affect from before to after the still‐face interaction. Furthermore, although neither groups of mothers did change their perceived and observed parenting efficacy from before to after the still‐face interaction, mothers of term infants demonstrated greater responsive engagement than mothers of preterm infants. Finally, mothers' perceived affective positivity predicted perceived parenting efficacy both before and after the still‐face interaction, after controlling for infant birth status and infant affective positivity perceived by mothers. The differential response in mothers of preterm infants indicated the needs for intervention.
Comparison of pain‐resilient working individuals to population‐based case controls with/without momentary low back pain
Authors: Salathé C. Rolli , Melloh M. , Kälin W. , Semmer N.K. , Roth M. , Müller U. , Elfering A.
Published: May 2013

Background

Few studies have examined the 20% of individuals who never experience an episode of low back pain (LBP). To date, no investigation has been undertaken that examines a group who claim to have never experienced LBP in their lifetime in comparison to two population‐based case–control groups with and without momentary LBP. This study investigates whether LBP‐resilient workers between 50 and 65 years had better general health, demonstrated more positive health behaviour and were better able to achieve routine activities compared with both case–control groups.

Methods

Forty‐two LBP‐resilient participants completed the same pain assessment questionnaire as a population‐based LBP sample from a nationwide, large‐scale cross‐sectional survey in Switzerland. The LBP‐resilient participants were pairwise compared to the propensity score‐matched case controls by exploring differences in demographic and work characteristics, and by calculating odds ratios (ORs) and effect sizes. A discriminant analysis explored group differences, while the multiple logistic regression analysis specified single indicators which accounted for group differences.

Results

LBP‐resilient participants were healthier than the case controls with momentary LBP and achieved routine activities more easily. Compared to controls without momentary LBP, LBP‐resilient participants had a higher vitality, a lower workload, a healthier attitude towards health and behaved more healthily by drinking less alcohol.

Conclusions

By demonstrating a difference between LBP‐resilient participants and controls without momentary LBP, the question that arises is what additional knowledge can be attained. Three underlying traits seem to be relevant about LBP‐resilient participants: personality, favourable work conditions and subjective attitudes/attributions towards health. These rationales have to be considered with respect to LBP prevention.
In vitro response to alkaline phosphatase coatings immobilized onto titanium implants using electrospray deposition or polydopamine‐assisted deposition
Authors: Nijhuis Arnold W. G. , van den Beucken Jeroen J.J.P. , Jansen John A. , Leeuwenburgh Sander C. G.
Published: May 2013

Immobilization of biomolecules onto implant surfaces is one of the most straightforward strategies to control the interaction between an implant and its biological environment. Recently, it was shown that the enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP) could be efficiently immobilized onto titanium implants in a single step using polydopamine. We hypothesized that such polydopamine‐ALP coatings can enhance the early attachment of cells and increase mineralization. Therefore, the current study aimed at immobilization of ALP onto titanium by means of either one‐ or two‐step polydopamine‐assisted immobilization or electrospray deposition, the comparative characterization of these experimental substrates and subsequent cell behavioral analysis using primary osteoblast‐like cells. Uncoated titanium and ALP‐free polydopamine coatings served as controls. Despite significant ALP surface activity and lower water contact for angles ALP‐containing surface modifications, only marginal effects on early cell behavior (i.e., cell spreading) and osteogenic differentiation (i.e., proliferation, differentiation and mineralization) were observed in comparison to uncoated titanium. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 1102–1109, 2014.
Satellite observations of turbidity in the Dead Sea
Authors: Nehorai R. , Lensky I. M. , Hochman L. , Gertman I. , Brenner S. , Muskin A. , Lensky N. G.
Published: May 2013

A methodology to attain daily variability of turbidity in the Dead Sea by means of remote sensing was developed. 250 m/pixel moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) surface reflectance data were used to characterize the seasonal cycle of turbidity and plume spreading generated by flood events in the lake. Fifteen minutes interval images from meteosat second generation 1.6 km/pixel high‐resolution visible (HRV) channel were used to monitor daily variations of turbidity. The HRV reflectance was normalized throughout the day to correct for the changing geometry and then calibrated against available MODIS surface reflectance. Finally, hourly averaged reflectance maps are presented for summer and winter. The results show that turbidity is concentrated along the silty shores of the lake and the southern embayments, with a gradual decrease of turbidity values from the shoreline toward the center of the lake. This pattern is most pronounced following the nighttime hours of intense winds. A few hours after winds calm the concentric turbidity pattern fades. In situ and remote sensing observations show a clear relation between wind intensity, wave amplitude and water turbidity. In summer and winter similar concentric turbidity patterns are observed but with a much narrower structure in winter. A simple Lagrangain trajectory model suggests that the combined effects of horizontal transport and vertical mixing of suspended particles leads to more effective mixing in winter. The dynamics of suspended matter contributions from winter desert floods are also presented in terms of hourly turbidity maps showing the spreading of the plumes and their decay.
Elastin fibers display a versatile microfibril network in articular cartilage depending on the mechanical microenvironments
Authors: He Bo , Wu Jian Ping , Chen Hong Hui , Kirk Thomas Brett , Xu Jiake
Published: May 2013

Elastin fibers are major extracellular matrix macromolecules that are critical in maintaining the elasticity and resilience of tissues such as blood vessels, lungs and skins. However, the role of elastin in articular cartilage is poorly defined. The present study investigated the organization of elastin fiber in articular cartilage, its relationship to collagen fibers and the architecture of elastin fibers from different mechanical environments by using a kangaroo model. Five morphologies of elastin fibers were identified: Straight fiber, straight fiber with branches, branching fibers directly associated with chondrocyte, wave fiber and fine elastin. The architecture of the elastin network varied significantly with cartilage depth. In the most superficial layer of tibial plateau articular cartilage, dense elastin fibers formed a distinctive cobweb‐like meshwork which was parallel to the cartilage surface. In the superficial zone, elastin fibers were well organized in a preferred orientation which was parallel to collagen fibers. In the deep zone, no detectable elastin fiber was found. Moreover, differences in the organization of elastin fibers were also observed between articular cartilage from the tibial plateau, femoral condyle, and distal humerus. This study unravels the detailed microarchitecture of elastin fibers which display a well‐organized three‐dimensional versatile network in articular cartilage. Our findings imply that elastin fibers may play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity, elasticity, and the mechanical properties of articular cartilage, and that the local mechanical environment affects the architectural development of elastin fibers. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1345–1353, 2013
PtBS‐b‐P4VP and PTMSS‐b‐P4VP Isoporous Integral‐Asymmetric Membranes with High Thermal and Chemical Stability
Authors: Hahn Janina , Filiz Volkan , Rangou Sofia , Lademann Brigitte , Buhr Kristian , Clodt Juliana I. , Jung Adina , Abetz Clarissa , Abetz Volker
Published: May 2013

Isoporous integral‐asymmetric membranes of tailor‐made poly(tert‐butylstyrene)‐ and poly(4‐trimethylsilylstyrene)‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) diblock copolymers are reported here for the first time. The membrane development involved the optimization of the production process—which is a combination of block copolymer self‐assembly and the non‐solvent induced phase inversion process. The membranes showed an improved thermal and chemical stability compared to previously reported polystyrene‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) membranes, thus the number of potential application areas for such type of isoporous membranes is increased.
Treatment with topotecan plus cyclophosphamide in children with first relapse of neuroblastoma
Authors: Ashraf Kaleem , Shaikh Furqan , Gibson Paul , Baruchel Sylvain , Irwin Meredith S.
Published: May 2013

Background

Reports of responses and toxicities of salvage therapies for relapsed neuroblastoma are rare and often confounded by effects of additional treatments. Our objective was to describe the outcomes and toxicities for a topotecan and cyclophosphamide (TOPO/CTX) regimen for first relapse or progression of high‐risk neuroblastoma.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed charts of relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma patients treated between 1999 and 2009 with our standard‐of‐care outpatient TOPO/CTX (0.75 and 250 mg/m2/day × 5 days q3–4 weeks).

Results

Twenty‐seven patients received 343 cycles of TOPO/CTX (median 10 cycles per patient, range 1–32). Most patients (N = 25) had undergone autologous stem cell transplantation. Seventeen (63%) patients had an objective response (CR + PR + MR). The 3‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) after relapse was 11 ± 6% and 3‐year overall survival (OS) after relapse was 33 ± 9%. The median PFS was 1.2 years and the median OS was 2.3 years. Five patients are alive with follow‐up of 3.1–5.5 years. Shorter time from diagnosis to relapse (6–18 months) was associated with shorter OS. The majority of patients experienced chemotherapy delays, transfusions, and febrile neutropenia, including eight bacterial infections. The mean number of hospitalized days was less than one per cycle.

Conclusions

TOPO/CTX was well tolerated and resulted in response rates and PFS similar to those reported for patients treated on COG 9462. Our study provides additional toxicity, historical endpoints, and time‐to‐progression data against which new agents and combination therapies using TOPO/CTX as a backbone can be measured. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013;60:1636–1641. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ceftaroline‐Induced Eosinophilic Pneumonia
Authors: Desai Kunal R. , Burdette Steven D. , Polenakovik Hari M. , Hagaman Jared , Pleiman Craig M.
Published: May 2013

We present a case of eosinophilic pneumonia due to ceftaroline used for the treatment of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia associated with a postoperative spinal infection. Our patient developed shortness of breath and hypoxemia on the fifth week of ceftaroline therapy. Chest imaging disclosed diffuse bilateral infiltrates. Laboratory abnormalities included peripheral eosinophilia and eosinophilic predominant bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The combination of ceftaroline discontinuation plus initiation of steroid treatment resulted in complete resolution of signs, symptoms, and radiologic abnormalities. We speculate about possible mechanisms underlying this adverse event and diagnostic criteria for drug‐induced eosinophilic pneumonia.
MBTI Personality Types of Project Managers and Their Success: A Field Survey
Authors: Cohen Yuval , Ornoy Hana , Keren Baruch
Published: May 2013

This paper describes a survey of 280 project managers that reveals both their personality types (via Myers-Briggs personality inventory) and their success in project management. The results show that a project manager's personality is better suited for functioning with partial data and under ambiguity than the rest of the population. These traits were found for both women and men. The conclusion is that project managers (females and males) have a unique personality-type distribution that distinguishes them from the general population. The findings can contribute to better understanding the traits that characterize the project management population, and their relationship to project success.
Well‐defined thermoresponsive dendritic polyamide/poly(N‐vinylcaprolactam) block copolymers
Authors: Bi Yunmei , Yan Caixian , Shao Lidong , Wang Yufei , Ma Yongcui , Tang Gang
Published: May 2013

The first‐ and second‐generation well‐defined thermoresponsive amphiphilic linear–dendritic diblock copolymers based on hydrophilic linear poly(N‐vinylcaprolactam) and hydrophobic dendritic aromatic polyamide have been synthesized via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of N‐vinylcaprolactam by employing dendritic chain‐transfer agents possessing a single dithiocarbamate moiety at the focal point. These linear–dendritic copolymers exhibit reversible temperature‐dependent phase transition behaviors in aqueous solution as characterized by turbidity measurements using UV–vis spectroscopy. Their lower critical solution temperatures depend on the generation of the dendritic aromatic polyamides and the concentrations of the copolymer solutions. These amphiphilic copolymers are able to form nanospherical micelles in the aqueous solution as revealed by fluorescent spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The core–shell structure of micelles has been proved by 1H NMR analyses of the micelles in D2O. The micelles loaded with indomethacin as a model drug showed high‐drug loading capacity and thermoresponsive drug release behavior. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 3240–3250
Single‐electron transfer‐living radical polymerization of oligo(ethylene oxide) methyl ether methacrylate in the absence and presence of air
Authors: Nguyen Nga H. , Leng Xuefei , Sun Hao‐Jan , Percec Virgil
Published: May 2013

The efficient Cu(0) wire‐catalyzed single‐electron transfer‐living radical polymerization (SET‐LRP) of oligo(ethylene oxide) methyl ether methacrylate (OEOMA) in DMSO and binary mixtures of DMSO with H2O is reported. Addition of 10–80% H2O to DMSO resulted in an increase in the apparent rate constant of propagation (

), corresponding to an increase in the polarity and extent of disproportionation. At higher H2O content,

decreases, and

in H2O is slightly lower than that in DMSO. This unexpected behavior was attributed to the physical inaccessibility of Cu(0) wire catalyst to the hydrophobic reactive centers of OEOMA and initiator which self‐assemble in H2O into micellar aggregates and vesicles. This hypothesis was confirmed by the faster polymerization in H2O than in DMSO during catalysis with Cu(0) nanoparticles generated by disproportionation of CuBr. SET‐LRP of OEOMA can be performed in protic and dipolar aprotic solvents in air by the addition of hydrazine hydrate. The polymerization exhibited no induction period and identical

as in the degassed experiment, and led to polymers with narrow molecular weigh distribution. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 3110–3122
Glycoproteomic strategies: From discovery to clinical application of cancer carbohydrate biomarkers
Authors: Ueda Koji
Published: May 2013

Carbohydrate antigens are the most frequently and traditionally used biomarkers for cancer, such as CA19–9, CA125, DUPAN‐II, AFP‐L3, and many others. The diagnostic potential of them was simply based on the cancer‐specific alterations of glycan structures on particular glycoproteins in serum/plasma. In spite of the facts that glycosylation disorders are feasible for cancer biomarkers and glycomic analysis technologies to explore them have been rapidly developed, it remains difficult to sensitively screen glycan structure changes on cancer‐associated glycoproteins from clinical specimens. Moreover, a lot of additional issues should be appropriately addressed for the clinical application of newly identified glycosylation biomarkers, including analytical throughput, quantitative confirmation of structural changes, and biological explanation for the alterations. In the last decade, significant improvement of mass spectrometric techniques is being made in the aspects of both hardware spec and preanalytical purification procedures for glycoprotein analysis. Here we review potential approaches to perform comprehensive analysis of glycoproteomic biomarker screening from serum/plasma and to realize high‐throughput validation of site‐specific oligosaccharide variations. The power and problems of mass spectrometric applications on the clinical use of carbohydrate biomarkers are also discussed in this review.