bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Assessments for New Standards: The Potential Transformation of Mathematics Education and Its Research Implications
Authors: Tarr James E. , Walker Erica N. , Hollebrands Karen F. , Chval Kathryn B. , Berry III Robert Q. , Rasmussen Chris L. , Konold Cliff , King Karen
Published: February 2013

During the past 2 decades, significant changes in mathematics curriculum standards and policies have brought greater attention to assessment instruments, practices, purposes, and results. In moving toward stronger accountability, the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 (NCLB, 2002) mandates that school districts receiving funding under NCLB formulate and disseminate annual local report cards that include information on how students and each school in the district performed on state assessments. This mandate has not only facilitated a growth in state testing (Wilson, 2007) but also influenced the teaching of mathematics (Seeley, 2006). More recently, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) crafted and launched the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (NGA Center & CCSSO, 2010), which have been formally adopted by the vast majority of U.S. states and territories. The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) specifies standards for mathematical content by grade in K–8 and by conceptual categories at the secondary level and identifies key Standards for Mathematical Practice that should be present in K–12 instruction. The CCSSM represents an unprecedented initiative to raise academic standards in school mathematics that will inevitably influence the development of curriculum materials, teaching, and assessment practices.
Playing Mathematical Instruments: Emerging Perceptuomotor Integration With an Interactive Mathematics Exhibit
Authors: Nemirovsky Ricardo , Kelton Molly L. , Rhodehamel Bohdan
Published: February 2013

Research in experimental and developmental psychology, cognitive science, and neuroscience suggests that tool fluency depends on the merging of perceptual and motor aspects of its use, an achievement we call perceptuomotor integration. We investigate the development of perceptuomotor integration and its role in mathematical thinking and learning. Just as expertise in playing a piano relies on the interanimation of finger movements and perceived sounds, we argue that mathematical expertise involves the systematic interpenetration of perceptual and motor aspects of playing mathematical instruments. Through 2 microethnographic case studies of visitors who engaged with an interactive mathematics exhibit in a science museum, we explore the real-time emergence of perceptuomotor integration and the ways in which it supports mathematical imagination.
On Mathematicians' Proof Skimming: A Reply to Inglis and Alcock
Authors: Weber Keith , Mejía-Ramos Juan Pablo
Published: February 2013

In a recent article, Inglis and Alcock (2012) contended that their data challenge the claim that when mathematicians validate proofs, they initially skim a proof to grasp its main idea before reading individual parts of the proof more carefully. This result is based on the fact that when mathematicians read proofs in their study, on average their initial reading of a proof took half as long as their total time spent reading that proof. Authors Keith Weber and Juan Pablo Mejía-Ramos present an analysis of Inglis and Alcock's data that suggests that mathematicians frequently used an initial skimming strategy when engaging in proof validation tasks.
Establishing genetic diagnosis of intellectual disability in children: diagnostic yield of various genetic approaches
Authors: Kalibataitė Irma , Rutkauskas Vilius , Preikšaitienė Eglė , Kučinskas Vaidutis
Published: February 2013

Background. The aim of our investigation was to examine aetiology of intellectual disability / developmental delay (ID / DD) in children referred to the Centre for Medical Genetics at the Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Clinics during 2009 and to evaluate the diagnostic yield of current genetic approaches.
Materials and methods. In a retrospective investigation, medical records of 217 patients younger than 18 years of age were reviewed with a focus on the family history and pedigree, personal history, physical examination, imaging and laboratory diagnostics. Patients with established genetic diagnosis were compared with cases without identified disorders. Aetiological structure of all cases was explored, as well as factors influencing the diagnosis of genetic predisposition and the yielding of the genetic methods for investigation of patients with ID or DD available in 2009.
Results. Genetic diagnosis was established for 88 (40.5%) patients. The diagnostic yielding of conventional karyotyping was 18%, molecular karyotyping 12.4%, metabolic testing 4.1%, FISH 2.3%, molecular genetics 0.9%, in 2.8% of patients the fetal alcohol syndrome was diagnosed.
Conclusions. Currently the most effective are conventional karyotyping and molecular karyotyping techniques, showing that chromosomal alterations are the most common cause of ID / DD. Mostly the diagnosis is established in severe cases of ID / DD with congenital anomalies and dysmorphic features. Metabolic testing is especially effective if suggestive clinical features of metabolic disorders are present. The low yielding of molecular genetics methods indicates the need of their integration into diagnostics of ID / DD in Lithuania.
La pratique des jeux traditionnels du Nord de la France
Authors: Vigne Mickaël , Joncheray Hélène
Published: February 2013

Nous proposons le résultat d’un travail de plusieurs années mené autour de la pratique des jeux traditionnels dans l’espace linguistique picard (ELP) dans lequel les individus parlent un patois nommé « le picard ». L’objectif de ce travail fut de démontrer que le jeu constitue le miroir de la société dans laquelle il est pratiqué. Cette étude repose sur une comparaison intraculturelle établie à partir de différents critères ludiques. À travers le décryptage des pratiques motrices, nous exposons comment l’expression et l’affirmation des pratiques ludiques traditionnelles des joueurs s’inscrivent en tant que techniques du corps et façonnent le paysage patrimonial. Le décodage de la logique interne de 108 jeux traditionnels montre combien les pratiques ludiques traditionnelles s’affirment comme élément du patrimoine et attribut de distinction identitaire et culturelle. De fait, le jeu constitue un agent et un témoin de la société. Les résultats montrent que la fonction sociale des jeux traditionnels est fondamentale parce qu’elle constitue un élément unificateur pour les individus et demeure fédératrice en participant au renforcement de l’identité régionale. Ainsi, le jeu, et notamment le jeu traditionnel, témoigne de la richesse de l’identité culturelle d’un espace géographique. Cette perspective est mise en lumière à partir d’une comparaison avec certaines caractéristiques de la logique interne des jeux traditionnels du Nord et certains jeux du Canada.
Joseph-Thomas LeBlanc : la chanson de tradition orale au pied de la lettre
Authors: Savard Louis-Martin
Published: February 2013

Entre 1938 et 1941, le journaliste acadien Joseph-Thomas LeBlanc (1899-1943) a fait publier 87 chroniques sur la chanson de tradition orale dans les pages de La Voix d’Évangéline. Sur le plan de la méthode ethnographique, plutôt que de parcourir les paroisses à la recherche de chanteurs, il correspond avec ses informateurs par le biais de son journal. À la même époque, il entretient également des relations épistolaires avec Marius Barbeau et Luc Lacourcière. C’est à la faveur de tous ces échanges écrits qu’il met en place ses chroniques et qu’il établit les versions des chansons qu’il publie. À partir de sa chronique consacrée à « La complainte de saint Alexis », cet article s’intéresse au travail pionnier de ce folkloriste aujourd’hui méconnu.
« Un renversement complet de la perspective ». Le catalogue du conte français à l’épreuve du terrain
Authors: Bru Josiane
Published: February 2013

Prenant la suite de Paul Delarue décédé au moment de la publication du premier volume de son catalogue raisonné du conte populaire français, Marie-Louise Tenèze rédigea le second volume, clôturant ainsi la section des Contes merveilleux. Avant d’entreprendre celle des Contes d’animaux, elle mena sur le plateau d’Aubrac, au sud du Massif central, une enquête de littérature orale qui constitue le moment charnière de sa recherche. Nous avons voulu ici retracer ce parcours très riche et peu connu qui, plaçant désormais l’origine du conte dans le conteur lui-même, la conduit au-delà de la collecte des récits à dresser à l’écoute de ses interlocuteurs le « profil narratif » de cette région. Permettant l’élaboration de nouveaux concepts, ce déplacement du regard du conte vers les conteurs constitue, selon sa propre expression, « un renversement complet de la perspective » sur les contes de tradition orale, jusque-là abordés à partir de leur écriture et du point de vue de leur contenu.
De sainte Anne aux saintes Marie de la mer
Authors: Lamontagne Denise
Published: February 2013

L’auteur a tiré cette note de recherche de son année de recherche au sein des archives du diocèse d’Aix-en-Provence consacrée à l’étude du pèlerinage des Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer en Camargue. Cet événement, qui a lieu les 25 et 26 mai dans le sud de la France, est le site de rassemblement des gitans qui vouent un culte à sainte Sara, dite Sara la noire, que le légendaire présente comme la servante des Saintes-Maries. L’essentiel de ses recherches archivistiques portaient sur l’histoire des origines de l’énigmatique figure de “sainte” Sara dont la présence n’a pas toujours été aussi bien tolérée par les responsables de l’encadrement clérical de ce pèlerinage. Son travail de terrain lui aura fait découvrir des marqueurs identitaires jusque-là insoupçonnés.
La correspondance Luc Lacourcière-Benoît Lacroix (1950-19870)
Authors: Huot Giselle
Published: February 2013

La correspondance entre l’ethnologue-folkloriste Luc Lacourcière (1910-1989), fondateur des Archives de folklore (1944) et professeur à l’Université Laval de Québec et le médiéviste Benoît Lacroix, o.p. (1915-), professeur à l’Institut d’études médiévales de l’Université de Montréal et fondateur du Centre d’études des religions populaires (1967), est provoquée par la lecture du premier d’un article du second, qui évoque les survivances médiévales au Canada français. Deux grands créateurs, tous deux scientifiques reconnus internationalement, récipiendaires de multiples prix et titres honorifiques, dont la correspondance – de quelque deux cents lettres retrouvées – aux appels et signatures variées, aux multiples trouvailles heureuses, recèlent des constantes, la mention de leurs cogitations, occupations, projets et réalisations, ainsi qu’une aide mutuelle réclamée et toujours au rendez-vous. Pour la résumer, une belle et fructueuse amitié reflétée dans une savoureuse correspondance que celle de Luc Lacourcière et de Benoît Lacroix.
Monsoon and Post-monsoon Evaluation of Water Quality of Phewa Lake in Pokhara, Midwestern, Nepal
Authors: Acharya Kriti , Tiwari Krishna Raj , Sharma Subodh , Upadhyaya Chiranjibi Prasad , Timilsina Yajna Prasad , Jha Rajesh
Published: February 2013

The study explored the lake as mesotrophic. Inflow streams to Phewa lake, lake itself and its outflow stream were sampled in monsoon and post-monsoon. Nine different sampling sites were chosen and physico-chemical parameters like pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, electric conductivity were recorded at the spot and rest of the parameters (total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total suspended solids) were analyzed in the laboratory. The observed concentrations were compared with Standard of Surface water quality for sustaining aquatic life. There was no significant difference in DO level, pH, TSS whereas EC, TN and water temperature showed significant difference with respective seasons. The electric conductivity of Phirke khola (inflow stream to lake) was found high that means it was putting nutrient load to the lake. The total suspended solids were much higher (176 mg/l) at Harpan khola (inflow stream) in monsoon and maximum at the middle point of lake (11 mg/l) in post-monsoon. This showed that the TSS carried by Harpan khola are maximally deposited at middle point of lake and shortening the life of the lake. The study finally recommends controlling the discharge of pollution load and periodic surface water quality monitoring and vertical (depth wise) monitoring is necessary. Keywords - Aquatic Ecology, Wetlands, Point sources, mesotrophic, quality indicators, suspended solids, nutrient input, Phewa Lake, Pokhara, Nepal
Solid Waste Management Practices in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Philippines
Authors: Bajet, Jr. Manuel A. , Arce Gilbert R. , Soria Jimmy R. , Bermio Joussie B. , Paz Crizzle B. , Bajet Junel Bryan
Published: February 2013

Solid waste management must be implemented consistently and effectively. The study aimed to assess the implementation of Solid Waste Management Program of Vigan City Province of Ilocos, Philippines. Specifically, it focused on identifying its solid waste recovery facility, type of wastes and its practices segregation, collection, disposal and utilization of wastes.Solid waste management practices such as on segregation was religiously followed by all constituents however, hazardous waste were treated in accordance to existing laws of the DENR and DOH. Collected wastes were segregated at the recovery site. Utilization of wastes includes production of organic fertilizer from compostable wastes, collected plastic containers were processed into plastic tables/monoblocks, cellophane were used as a cotton substitute for pillows, used as material for making souvenir items while paper waste were converted into paper pulp which can use as cooking fuel. Scrap iron and metals collected were sold by and spent for the maintenance of the recovery facilities. Produce organic fertilizers were given for free to poor farmers and sold at a minimal amount to those who could afford to pay through the Department of Agriculture. Monoblocks were utilized at the Day Care Centers of the City. Collected plastics cellophane for pillows and for souvenir items was given to poor families as their livelihood project.   Keywords - Ecology, Solid Waste Management practices, descriptive, Vigan City, Philippines
Polymer Grafting by Inkjet Printing: A Direct Chemical Writing Toolset
Authors: Garcia Alexandre , Hanifi Nassim , Jousselme Bruno , Jégou Pascale , Palacin Serge , Viel Pascal , Berthelot Thomas
Published: February 2013

Among all the patterning techniques, inkjet printing has lately become a reliable technique at micrometer scale to produce localized modifications on material surfaces. Printing of polymer on material surface however leads to adsorbed patterns with poor adhesion. To overcome this drawback, a new process combining for the first time inkjet printing and an efficient covalent polymer grafting method was developed. This latter method is based on a photo‐assisted reduction of aryldiazonium salt/acrylate monomer ink, derived from the already published GraftFast process. In order to demonstrate its versatility, this new localized polymer grafting process is here combined as an example with the ligand induced electroless plating (LIEP) process to obtain metal interconnects onto flexible and transparent substrates with excellent mechanical and electrical properties for applications in flexible electronics devices.
Acylation desulfurization of oil via reactive adsorption
Authors: Gao Jiajun , Chen Xingyu , Ren Nannan , Wu Wenjiao , Li Chunxi , Meng Hong , Lu Yingzhou
Published: February 2013

Excellent desulfurization is achieved via reactive adsorption using Friedel‐Crafts acylation materials, that is, acylating reagents and Lewis acids, such as acetyl chloride (AC) and AlCl3, being named as acylation desulfurization (ACDS). For model oil, thiophenic compounds, namely, dibenzothiophene, benzothiophene, and thiophene, are removed completely by AC–AlCl3 within 30 min at room temperature. In this process, thiophenic compounds are acylated by AC under the catalysis of AlCl3, and the acylated derivatives are stronger base than original ones due to incorporation of O‐containing carbonyl group (CO) and, thus, adsorbed more easily by AlCl3 via Lewis acid–base complexation. Further, ACDS mechanism is identified by acylated product characterization and quantum chemistry calculation. Satisfactorily, ACDS is still effective for toluene‐rich and real oils, and real oil quality is improved with desulfurization proceeding. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 2966–2976, 2013
Biased immunoglobulin light chain use in the Chlamydophila psittaci negative ocular adnexal marginal zone lymphomas
Authors: Zhu Daxing , Lossos Chen , Chapman‐Fredricks Jennifer R. , Lossos Izidore S.
Published: February 2013

Ocular adnexal mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas (OAMALTL) are the most common lymphomas of the eye. The potential roles for specific antigens in these lymphomas are still controversial. Previously we examined IGHV usage and mutations in Chlamydophila (C) psittaci‐negative OAMALTL, demonstrating biased use of the IGHV4 family and IGHV4–34 gene and evidence for antigen selection. Herein, we examined the IGKV/IGLV gene usage and mutations in 34 C. psittaci‐negative OAMALTL originating from the orbit (15), conjunctivae (14), and lacrimal gland (5). Clonal potentially functional IGKV/IGLV gene sequences were identified in 30 tumors (18 kappa and 12 lambda). An overrepresentation of the IGKV4 family (P < 0.01) was observed. The IGKV3–20*01 allele was used at a greater frequency than in normal peripheral blood B‐lymphocytes (P = 0.02) and commonly paired with the IGHV4–34 allele. Twenty‐seven of the 30 unique light chain sequences displayed mutations from germline and evidence for antigen selection. Overall our findings demonstrate that in C. psittaci‐negative OAMALTL there is a biased usage of IGKV families and genes, which harbor somatic mutations. These findings and the specific paring between the IGKV3–20*01 and IGHV4–34 alleles suggest that specific antigens could play an important role in the pathogenesis of these lymphomas. Am. J. Hematol. 88:379–384, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intracellular Staphylococcus aureus: the Trojan horse of recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis?
Authors: Tan Neil C.‐W. , Foreman Andrew , Jardeleza Camille , Douglas Richard , Vreugde Sarah , Wormald Peter‐John
Published: February 2013

Background

Despite recent evidence suggesting that Staphylococcus aureus exists within the sinonasal epithelium of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients, certain questions remain. The intracellular environment may provide a protective niche for pathogenic bacteria to evade host immunity and yet provide a reservoir for reinfection. To date, no studies have examined the impact of this bacterial phenotype; therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the role of intracellular S. aureus on postsurgical outcomes.

Methods

This study included 51 patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for medically‐recalcitrant CRS. Sinonasal mucosa harvested at the time of surgery was dually stained with fluorescent molecular probes and imaged using confocal scanning laser microscopy for biofilm and intracellular status. Patients were followed in their early and late postoperative course for evidence of ongoing disease and signs of clinical relapse.

Results

Intracellular S. aureus was identified in 20 of 51 (39%) patients, and all were associated with surface biofilm. Biofilm alone was found in 16 of 51 (31%) patients and 15 of 51 (29%) patients had no evidence of S. aureus. Intracellular positive patients had a significantly higher risk of late clinical and microbiological relapse (p = 0.014). In this study, biofilm status without coexisting intracellular bacteria did not appear to impact on outcomes.

Conclusion

Clinical and microbiological relapse of disease following ESS is significantly associated with intracellular S. aureus. Evidence suggests that this disease association is independent to surface biofilm status. Intracellular bacteria should be taken into consideration when designing novel treatment strategies to lessen the chance of reinfection.
Sinonasal rhabdomyosarcoma: prognostic factors and treatment outcomes
Authors: Thompson Christopher F. , Kim Brandon J. , Lai Chi , Grogan Tristan , Elashoff David , St. John Maie A. , Wang Marilene B.
Published: February 2013

Background

Despite the improvement in survival of pediatric patients with rhabdomyosarcoma, the outcome of patients with sinonasal rhabdomyosarcoma is poor and has not significantly changed. Since few institutions have extensive experience with sinonasal rhabdomyosarcoma in children and adults, our objective was to determine prognostic factors and treatment outcomes for this rare malignancy.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of consecutive patients with sinonasal rhabdomyosarcoma treated at our institution from 1992 to 2012. Kaplan‐Meier estimates and the log‐rank test were performed to determine factors associated with disease recurrence and disease‐specific survival.

Results

Initial remission was achieved in 12 of the 16 patients. Age younger than 18 years (n = 9) was a positive prognostic factor, as there were no recurrences (p < 0.01) and no deaths (p < 0.01). The alveolar subtype was a poor prognostic factor, as 4 of the 5 patients with this histology died of disease (p < 0.01), and both patients with initial remission developed recurrence (p < 0.01). Presentation with later tumor‐node‐metastasis classification of malignant tumors (TNM) stage was also significant for poorer survival, as 2 of the 3 patients with stage IV died of disease (p = 0.05). Patient sex and treatment modality were not significant.

Conclusion

Although the sinonasal region is an unfavorable site for rhabdomyosarcomas, in our series patients younger than 18 years and those with embryonal or botryoid subtypes responded very well to current multimodality treatment. However, a poor prognostic trend is evident in patients with sinonasal alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas, as they appear to present more often with regional and distant metastases, have increased recurrence, and decreased survival.
Molecular mechanisms of curcumin action: Signal transduction
Authors: Shehzad Adeeb , Lee Young Sup
Published: February 2013

Chemoprevention represents one of the most highly effective anti‐cancer strategies and is accompanied by minimal secondary effects as compared to conventional chemotherapies. Many new anti‐inflammatory and anti‐cancer drug candidates have been derived from chemical scaffolds engineered from natural products discovered just a few decades ago. This approach is widely utilized in drug discovery in order to produce novel molecular entities with enhanced drug activities mediated through various signal transduction pathways for the treatment of different diseases. Curcumin, a polyphenolic derivative of turmeric, is a naturally occurring compound isolated from Curcuma longa that suppresses and inverts carcinogenesis via multifaceted molecular targets. Several reports have demonstrated that curcumin inhibits animal and human cancers, suggesting that it may serve as a chemopreventive agent. Numerous in vitro and in vivo experimental models have also revealed that curcumin regulates several molecules in cell signal transduction pathway including NF‐κB, Akt, MAPK, p53, Nrf2, Notch‐1, JAK/STAT, β‐catenin, and AMPK. Modulation of cell signaling pathways through the pleiotropic effects of curcumin likely activate cell death signals and induce apoptosis in cancer cells, thereby inhibiting the progression of disease. This article provides insights into the natural chemopreventive role of curcumin via cellular transduction pathways and provides an in depth assessment of its physiological activities in the management of diseases. © 2013 BioFactors, 39(1):27–36, 2013
A screening approach reveals the influence of mineral coating morphology on human mesenchymal stem cell differentiation
Authors: Choi Siyoung , Murphy William L.
Published: February 2013

“Biomimetic” inorganic coating on biomaterials has been an active area of research with the aim of providing bioactive surfaces that can regulate cell behavior. Previous studies have demonstrated that human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) behavior is differentially regulated by the physical and chemical properties of inorganic mineral coatings, indicating that modulation of mineral properties is potentially important in regulating hMSC behavior. However, the lack of an efficient experimental context, in which to study stem cell behavior on inorganic substrates, has made it difficult to systematically study the effects of specific mineral coating parameters on hMSC behavior. In this study, we developed an efficient experimental platform to screen for the effects of mineral coating morphology on hMSC expansion and differentiation. hMSC expansion on mineral coatings was regulated by the micro‐scale morphology of these coatings, with greater expansion on small granule‐like coatings when compared to plate‐like or net‐like coatings. In contrast, hMSC osteogenic differentiation was inversely correlated with cell expansion on mineral coatings indicating that mineral coating morphology was a key parameter that regulates hMSC differentiation. The effect of mineral coating morphology on hMSC behavior underlines the utility of this inorganic screening platform to identify optimal coatings for medical devices and bone tissue engineering applications.
Rapid screening of potential autophagic inductor agents using mammalian cell lines
Authors: Martins Waleska K. , Severino Divinomar , Souza Cleidiane , Stolf Beatriz S. , Baptista Maurício S.
Published: February 2013

Recent progress in understanding the molecular basis of autophagy has demonstrated its importance in several areas of human health. Affordable screening techniques with higher sensitivity and specificity to identify autophagy are, however, needed to move the field forward. In fact, only laborious and/or expensive methodologies such as electron microscopy, dye‐staining of autophagic vesicles, and LC3‐II immunoblotting or immunoassaying are available for autophagy identification. Aiming to fulfill this technical gap, we describe here the association of three widely used assays to determine cell viability – Crystal Violet staining (CVS), 3‐[4, 5‐dimethylthiaolyl]‐2, 5‐diphenyl‐tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction, and neutral red uptake (NRU) – to predict autophagic cell death in vitro. The conceptual framework of the method is the superior uptake of NR in cells engaging in autophagy. NRU was then weighted by the average of MTT reduction and CVS allowing the calculation of autophagic arbitrary units (AAU), a numeric variable that correlated specifically with the autophagic cell death. The proposed strategy is very useful for drug discovery, allowing the investigation of potential autophagic inductor agents through a rapid screening using mammalian cell lines B16‐F10, HaCaT, HeLa, MES‐SA, and MES‐SA/Dx5 in a unique single microplate.
Human mesenchymal stem cells from the umbilical cord matrix: Successful isolation and ex vivo expansion using serum‐/xeno‐free culture media
Authors: Simões Irina N. , Boura Joana S. , dos Santos Francisco , Andrade Pedro Z. , Cardoso Carla M. P. , Gimble Jeffrey M. , da Silva Cláudia L. , Cabral Joaquim M. S.
Published: February 2013

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) could potentially be applied in therapeutic settings due to their multilineage differentiation ability, immunomodulatory properties, as well as their trophic activity. The umbilical cord matrix (UCM) represents a promising source of MSC for biomedical applications. The number of cells isloated per umbilical cord (UC) unit is limited and ex vivo expansion is imperative in order to reach clinically meaningful cell numbers. The limitations of poorly defined reagents (e.g. fetal bovine serum, which is commonly used as a supplement for human MSC expansion) make the use of serum‐/xeno‐free conditions mandatory. We demonstrated the feasibility of isolating UCM‐MSC by plastic adherence using serum‐/xeno‐free culture medium following enzymatic digestion of UCs, with a 100% success rate. 2.6 ± 0.21 × 105 cells were isolated per UC unit, of which 1.9 ± 0.21 × 105 were MSC‐like cells expressing CD73, CD90, and CD105. When compared to adult sources (bone marrow‐derived MSC and adipose‐derived stem/stromal cells), UCM‐MSC displayed a similar immunophenotype and similar multilineage differentiation ability, while demonstrating a higher expansion potential (average fold increase of 7.4 for serum‐containing culture medium and 11.0 for xeno‐free culture medium (P3‐P6)). The isolation and expansion of UCM‐MSC under defined serum‐/xeno‐free conditions contributes to safer and more effective MSC cellular products, boosting the usefulness of MSC in cellular therapy and tissue engineering.
Terminal Redox‐Site Effect on the Long‐Range Electron Conduction of Fe(tpy)2 Oligomer Wires on a Gold Electrode
Authors: Katagiri Shunsuke , Sakamoto Ryota , Maeda Hiroaki , Nishimori Yoshihiko , Kurita Tomochika , Nishihara Hiroshi
Published: February 2013

This article completes our comprehensive understanding of the electron transport properties of our original π‐conjugated redox‐active molecular wires comprising Fe bridged by p‐phenylene linkers (tpy=2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine). The Fe(tpy)2 oligomer wires comprise three types of tpy ligands: the anchor tpy ligand (A series) makes a junction between the wire and electrode, the bridging bis‐tpy ligand (L series) connects the Fe(tpy)2 units, and the terminal tpy ligand (T series) possesses a redox site as a probe for the long‐range electron transport ability. Taking advantage of the precise tunability of the composition of the Fe(tpy)2 oligomer wires, thus far we investigated how A and L impacted on the electron‐transport ability. The excellent long‐range electron transport ability with ultrasmall attenuation constants (βd, 0.002 Å−1 as the minimum) depends on L significantly [Chem. Asian J. 2009, 4, 1361], whereas A is unrelated to the βd value, but influences the zero‐distance electron‐transfer rate constant, ket0 [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010, 132, 4524]. Herein we study the influence of terminal ligand Tx (x=1–3). βd is independent of T, however, T3, with a cyclometallated Ru complex as the redox site, gives rise to a ket0 value greater than T1 and T2 with ferrocene. This series of simple but definitive conclusions indicates that we have reached the stage of being able to precisely design molecular wires to attain desirable single‐molecule electron conduction.
Modeling ALD Surface Reaction and Process Dynamics using Absolute Reaction Rate Theory
Authors: Travis Curtisha D. , Adomaitis Raymond A.
Published: February 2013

A physically based model of atomic layer deposition (ALD) surface reaction dynamics is developed and applied to alumina ALD with water and trimethylaluminum precursors. The time‐dependent growth surface composition is modeled by computing the equilibrium precursor adduct surface concentrations during each half‐reaction and the rate constants of the ligand exchange reactions using transition state theory. To describe the continuous cyclic operation of the deposition reaction system, a numerical procedure to discretize limit‐cycle solutions is developed and used to distinguish saturating growth per cycle (GPC) from non‐saturating (gpc) conditions. The transition between the two regimes is studied as a function of precursor partial pressure, exposure time, and temperature.
Genetic variability and structure of the water voleArvicola amphibiusacross four metapopulations in northern Norway
Authors: Melis Claudia , Borg Åsa Alexandra , Jensen Henrik , Bjørkvoll Eirin , Ringsby Thor H. , Sæther Bernt‐Erik
Published: February 2013

Water voleArvicola amphibiuspopulations have recently experienced severe decline in several European countries as a consequence of both reduction in suitable habitat and the establishment of the alien predator American minkNeovison vison. We usedDNAmicrosatellite markers to describe the genetic structure of 14 island populations of water vole off the coast of northern Norway. We looked at intra‐ and inter‐population levels of genetic variation and examined the effect of distance among pairs of populations on genetic differentiation (isolation by distance). We found a high level of genetic differentiation (measured byFST) among populations overall as well as between all pairs of populations. The genetic differentiation between populations was positively correlated with geographic distance between them. A clustering analysis grouped individuals into 7 distinct clusters and showed the presence of 3 immigrants among them. Our results suggest a small geographic scale for evolutionary and population dynamic processes in our water vole populations.
Spin Crossover – Quo Vadis?
Authors: Gütlich Philipp
Published: February 2013

This retrospective essay is an attempt to span the bridge over eight decades of research on spin crossover (SCO), one of the most fascinating dynamic electron structure phenomena of inorganic coordination chemistry. The occurrence of SCO compounds of 3d transition metal ions and their characterization regarding magnetic, optical, vibrational, structural, and thermodynamic properties are briefly addressed. Selected case studies of chemical influences and physical effects (pressure, magnetic field, light) on SCO behavior are discussed. Particular attention is paid to the importance of Mössbauer spectroscopy in SCO studies. Light‐induced excited spin state trapping (LIESST) and related photophysical phenomena involving SCO compounds are briefly highlighted. The remarkable instrumental improvements over the years and the amazing widespread developments in synthesizing new SCO compounds up to multifunctional materials currently in the foreground of SCO research are brought to light in a state‐of‐the‐art summary. New directions, primarily towards applications, are mentioned.
Cyclopropenone‐Catalyzed Direct Conversion of Aldoximes and Primary Amides into Nitriles
Authors: Rai Ankita , Yadav Lal Dhar S.
Published: February 2013

Efficient conversion of aldoximes and primary amides into nitriles by employing cyclopropenone as an organocatalyst is reported. The reaction proceeds smoothly under mild conditions with 5 mol‐% catalyst loading to afford nitriles in excellent yields (78–94 %) in a single operation. This method is equally applicable to both aldoximes and primary amides bearing aromatic, heterocyclic, and aliphatic moieties. The convenient and catalytic procedure widens the scope of the utilization of cyclopropenones in organic synthesis.
Ion Exchange Behavior of Polypyrrole Doped with Large Anions in Electrolytes Containing Mono‐ and Divalent Mmetal Ions
Authors: Latonen Rose‐Marie , Akieh Marceline N. , Vavra Kevin , Bobacka Johan , Ivaska Ari
Published: February 2013

Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance was used to investigate the ion exchange behavior of polypyrrole (PPy) films doped with multicharged sulfated β‐cyclodextrin (βCD) or 4‐sulfonic calix[6]arene (C6S) immersed in 0.1 M KNO3, Ca(NO3)2 and Mn(NO3)2. The PPy films showed mixed ion exchange behavior in KNO3 and Ca(NO3)2 solutions, but the ion exchange behavior was more cationic in Mn(NO3)2. In all cases, ion pair formation was observed between cations from the electrolyte and the negatively charged sulfonate groups of the dopant anions. It was also observed that the PPy films became more swollen in Mn(NO3)2 solution than in the other electrolytes.
Analysis of recombinant monoclonal antibodies by capillary zone electrophoresis
Authors: Espinosa‐ de la Garza Carlos E. , Perdomo‐Abúndez Francisco C. , Padilla‐Calderón Jesús , Uribe‐Wiechers Jaime M. , Pérez Néstor O. , Flores‐Ortiz Luis F. , Medina‐Rivero Emilio
Published: February 2013

Analytical platforms that characterize charge heterogeneity in therapeutic proteins, such as mAbs, are important tools that can be used to define quality attributes. CZE separates protein moieties close to their native state and is a valuable physicochemical analytical method that can be used in parallel with other orthogonal methods for characterization and comparability. In this study, custom conditions for the analysis of charge heterogeneity of two mAbs were developed with regard to critical parameters in the BGE, running conditions, and sample treatment. The method application was tested for up to four mAbs and one mAb fragment. The electropherograms showed specific profiles and contrasting levels of basic and acidic isoforms with respect to the main isoform. Issues that surround this method, such as peak tailing and capillary lifetime, are summarized. Using this method, the identities of rituximab and trastuzumab were confirmed, based on the correspondence between the biosimilars and reference products, noninterference of the sample matrix, and the ability to separate spiked samples of related mAbs. The RSD of the isoform content and migration time for the method repeatability were less than 2 and 1%, respectively.
The influence of salinity on acute nickel toxicity to the two euryhaline fish species, Fundulus heteroclitus and Kryptolebias marmoratus
Authors: Bielmyer Gretchen K. , DeCarlo Carri , Morris Cameron , Carrigan Thomas
Published: February 2013

Nickel (Ni) is a common pollutant found in aquatic environments and may be harmful at elevated concentrations. Increasing salinity has been shown to decrease the bioavailability and toxicity of other metals to aquatic organisms. In the present study, acute Ni toxicity experiments (96-h) were conducted at various salinities (0–36 ppt) to determine the effects of salinity on Ni toxicity to 2 euryhaline fish species, Kryptolebias marmoratus and Fundulus heteroclitus. Nickel concentrations causing lethality to 50% of the fish ranged from 2 mg/L in moderately hard freshwater to 66.6 mg/L in 36 ppt saltwater. Nickel toxicity to F. heteroclitus decreased linearly with increasing salinity; however, Ni toxicity to K. marmoratus was only lowered by salinities above 6 ppt, demonstrating potential physiological differences between the 2 species when they are functioning as freshwater fish. Furthermore, the authors investigated the influence of Mg2+, Ca2+, Na+, and Cl– on Ni toxicity to F. heteroclitus. Freshwater with up to 120 mg/L Ca2+ as CaSO4, 250 mg/L Mg2+ as MgSO4, or 250 mg/L Na+ as NaHCO3 did not provide protection against Ni toxicity. Alternatively, 250 mg/L Na+, as NaCl, was protective against Ni toxicity; and the extent of protection was similar to that demonstrated from salt water with the same Cl– concentration. These results suggest that Cl– is the predominant ion responsible for reducing Ni toxicity to K. marmoratus and F. heteroclitus in higher salinity waters. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:1354–1359. © 2013 SETAC
On the performance of shared access control strategy for femtocells
Authors: Magableh Amer M. , Radaydeh Redha M. , Alouini Mohamed‐Slim
Published: February 2013

Femtocells can be employed in cellular systems to enhance the indoor coverage, especially in the areas with high capacity growing demands and high traffic rates. In this paper, we propose an efficient resource utilization protocol, named as shared access protocol (SAP), to enable the unauthorized macrocell user equipment to communicate with partially closed‐access femtocell base station to improve and enhance the system performance.

The system model considers a femtocell that is equipped with a total of N separated antennas or channels to multiplex independent traffic. Then, a set of N1 channels is used for closed access only by the authorized users, and the remaining set of channel resources can be used for open access by either authorized or unauthorized users upon their demands and spatial locations. For this system model, we obtain the signal‐to‐interference ratio characteristics, such as the distribution and the moment generating function, in closed forms for two fading models of indoor and outdoor environments. The signal‐to‐interference ratio statistics are then used to derive some important performance measures of the proposed SAP in closed form, such as the average bit error rate, outage probability, and average channel capacity for the two fading models under consideration. Numerical results for the obtained expressions are provided and supported by Monte Carlo simulations to validate the analytical development and study the effectiveness of the proposed SAP under different conditions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Head and neck cancer: from anatomy to biology
Authors: Bose Pinaki , Brockton Nigel T. , Dort Joseph C.
Published: February 2013

The 20th century saw great advances in anatomy‐based (surgery and radiotherapy) and chemotherapy approaches for treating head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and improving quality of life (QoL). However, despite these advances, the survival rate in HNSCC remains at ∼50%. Front‐line treatments often cause severe toxicity and debilitating long‐term impacts on QoL. In recent decades, dramatic advances have been made in our knowledge of fundamental tumor biology and signaling pathways that contribute to oncogenesis and cancer progression. These insights are presenting unprecedented opportunities to develop more effective and less toxic treatments that are specific to particular molecular targets. This review discusses some of the major, potentially targetable, molecular pathways associated with head and neck carcinogenesis. We present the general mechanism underlying the functional components for each signaling pathway, discuss how these components are aberrantly regulated in HNSCC and describe their potential as therapeutic targets. We have restricted our discussion to “drug‐able targets” such as oncogenes including those associated with HPV, tumor hypoxia and microRNAs and present these changes in the context of HNSCC patient care. The specific targeting of these pathways to achieve cancer control/remission and reduce toxicity is now challenging conventional treatment paradigms in HNSCC. This new “biologic era” is transforming our ability to target causal pathways and improve survival outcomes in HNSCC.
Dichloroacetate improves immune dysfunction caused by tumor‐secreted lactic acid and increases antitumor immunoreactivity
Authors: Ohashi Toshimitsu , Akazawa Takashi , Aoki Mitsuhiro , Kuze Bunya , Mizuta Keisuke , Ito Yatsuji , Inoue Norimitsu
Published: February 2013

The activation of oncogenic signaling pathways induces the reprogramming of glucose metabolism in tumor cells and increases lactic acid secretion into the tumor microenvironment. This is a well‐known characteristic of tumor cells, termed the Warburg effect, and is a candidate target for antitumor therapy. Previous reports show that lactic acid secreted by tumor cells is a proinflammatory mediator that activates the IL‐23/IL‐17 pathway, thereby inducing inflammation, angiogenesis and tissue remodeling. Here, we show that lactic acid, or more specifically the acidification it causes, increases arginase I (ARG1) expression in macrophages to inhibit T‐cell proliferation and activation. Accordingly, we hypothesized that counteraction of the immune effects by lactic acid might suppress tumor development. We show that dichloroacetate (DCA), an inhibitor of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases, targets macrophages to suppress activation of the IL‐23/IL‐17 pathway and the expression of ARG1 by lactic acid. Furthermore, lactic acid‐pretreated macrophages inhibited CD8+ T‐cell proliferation, but CD8+ T‐cell proliferation was restored when macrophages were pretreated with lactic acid and DCA. DCA treatment decreased ARG1 expression in tumor‐infiltrating immune cells and increased the number of IFN‐γ‐producing CD8+ T cells and NK cells in tumor‐bearing mouse spleen. Although DCA treatment alone did not suppress tumor growth, it increased antitumor immunotherapeutic activity of Poly(IC) in both CD8+ T cell‐ and NK cell‐sensitive tumor models. Therefore, DCA acts not only on tumor cells to suppress glycolysis but also on immune cells to improve the immune status modulated by lactic acid and to increase the effectiveness of antitumor immunotherapy.
Tetraheterodecalin Podands, Their Linkers, and Resulting Macrocycles: A Hoard of Constitutionally and Stereochemically Dynamic Systems
Authors: Fuchs Benzion
Published: February 2013

Discoveries involving the formation, structure, and behavior of an exciting class of compounds, 1,3,5,7‐cis‐tetraheterodecalins, are reviewed. These compounds are rich in free electrons and exhibit concave structures. The tetraoxa‐ and dioxadiaza‐ members of this class of compounds comprise the underframe of various podand structures, which, along with suitable polyhetero linkers, constitute the building blocks of an entire series of unique classes of macro‐ and gigantocyclic compounds, capable of cation inclusion and catalytic behavior. In the works presented here, a recurring theme is the pursuit of a fundamental understanding and judicious utilization of the dynamic chemical and stereochemical features of compounds derived from 1,3,5,7‐cis‐tetraheterodecalins, most of which are members of dynamic combinatorial libraries (DCLs).
A Dynamic Multicomponent Approach for One‐Pot Synthesis of 3‐Thioisoindolinones
Authors: Sakulsombat Morakot , Angelin Marcus , Caraballo Rémi , Ramström Olof
Published: February 2013

A dynamic multicomponent reaction concept has been successfully applied to the syntheses of 3‐thioisoindolinones and tricyclic γ‐lactams. The reactions were efficiently designed and operated in the absence of any catalyst under mild reaction conditions, resulting in the convenient variation of substituents on the N‐ and S‐positions of the target products.
Combined effects of water temperature and nutrients concentration on periphyton respiration – implications of global change
Authors: Rosa João , Ferreira Verónica , Canhoto Cristina , Graça Manuel A. S.
Published: February 2013

With the increase in global mean surface temperature predicted for the near future, stream water temperature will also increase. Simultaneously, water quality is likely to decrease (e.g., due to increases in nutrient and pollutant concentrations). The objective of this study was to evaluate the individual and combined effects of increases in water temperature and nutrients concentration on periphyton respiration, as a surrogate for stream metabolism. Stones naturally colonized with periphyton in an unpolluted mountain stream in Central Portugal were sampled seasonally over a year, and incubated in the laboratory under two water temperatures (ambient and 4°C elevated) and two nutrients concentration levels (ambient and ∼6× higher inorganic dissolved nitrogen, ∼2× higher soluble reactive phosphorous concentrations). Overall, increases in water temperature stimulated periphyton respiration to a larger extent than did increases in nutrients concentration. In spring, the simultaneous increase in water temperature and nutrients concentration stimulated periphyton respiration beyond expected from the individual effect of each factor. These results indicate that synergistic interactions between factors might occur under certain environmental conditions, suggesting that care should be taken when predicting the combined effect of changes in multiple factors from their individual effects. The observed stimulation of periphyton respiration promoted by increased temperature and nutrients concentration can lead to changes in streams carbon budgets, with a positive feedback for global warming, as more CO2 might be released to the atmosphere.
Scorecard Sustainability: Discovering the Inflection Point for Business Scorecard Termination or Major Alteration
Authors: Carr Lawrence P. , Gratton Suzanne
Published: February 2013

Why do many balanced scorecard implementations ultimately fail, and how can managers recognize when a scorecard program is in jeopardy? This article points out several warning signs‐inflection points‐to help managers manage balanced scorecard programs from their design through to imple‐mentation and use over time. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.