bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wrist breadth and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in youth: The fels longitudinal study
Authors: Mueller Noel T. , Johnson William , Odegaard Andrew O. , Lee Miryoung , Czerwinski Stefan A. , Demerath Ellen W.
Published: July 2013

Objectives

There is biological crosstalk between insulin signaling and bone remodeling pathways, and wrist circumference and bone area were recently found to associate with insulin resistance independent of body mass index (BMI) in overweight/obese children. We aimed to expand on this work by using more specific measures of adiposity for adjustment and examining children with broader range of BMI.

Methods

We used serial data (1,051 total measures) on 313 non‐Hispanic white youth (ages 8–18 y) from the Fels Longitudinal Study with homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) as the outcome. Internal standard deviation score (SDS) for wrist breadth was evaluated as a predictor of HOMA‐IR (log‐transformed) before and after adjusting for internal‐sample SDSs for BMI, waist circumference (WC), and total body fat (TBF) from dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry, in addition to age, sex, Tanner stage, and birth year, using generalized estimating equations.

Results

Before additional adiposity adjustment, we found a significant positive association between wrist breadth SDS and log‐transformed HOMA‐IR (β = 0.13; 95%CI: 0.09–0.17), which remained significant after adjusting for TBF SDS (β = 0.09; 95%CI: 0.05–0.13; P < 0.001), BMI SDS (β = 0.06; 95%CI: 0.02–0.10; P = 0.007), and WC SDS (β = 0.06; 95%CI: 0.02–0.09; P = 0.005).

Conclusions

Further work is needed to determine whether simple frame size measures such as wrist breadth may be useful markers of metabolic risk. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 25:581‐585, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetic evidence does not support an etruscan origin in Anatolia
Authors: Tassi Francesca , Ghirotto Silvia , Caramelli David , Barbujani Guido
Published: July 2013

The debate on the origins of Etruscans, documented in central Italy between the eighth century BC and the first century AD, dates back to antiquity. Herodotus described them as a group of immigrants from Lydia, in Western Anatolia, whereas for Dionysius of Halicarnassus they were an indigenous population. Dionysius' view is shared by most modern archeologists, but the observation of similarities between the (modern) mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) of Turks and Tuscans was interpreted as supporting an Anatolian origin of the Etruscans. However, ancient DNA evidence shows that only some isolates, and not the bulk of the modern Tuscan population, are genetically related to the Etruscans. In this study, we tested alternative models of Etruscan origins by Approximate Bayesian Computation methods, comparing levels of genetic diversity in the mtDNAs of modern and ancient populations with those obtained by millions of computer simulations. The results show that the observed genetic similarities between modern Tuscans and Anatolians cannot be attributed to an immigration wave from the East leading to the onset of the Etruscan culture in Italy. Genetic links between Tuscany and Anatolia do exist, but date back to a remote stage of prehistory, possibly but not necessarily to the spread of farmers during the Neolithic period. Am J Phys Anthropol 152:11–18, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sex estimation based on deciduous and permanent dentition in a contemporary spanish population
Authors: Viciano Joan , López‐Lázaro Sandra , Alemán Inmaculada
Published: July 2013

Sex estimation of skeletal remains with satisfactory allocation accuracy represents an essential step in reconstructing the biological profile of unknown individuals in archaeological research and forensic practice. Teeth are among the most frequently recovered physical elements of an individual that remain after death due to their hardness, durability, and resistance to postmortem insults. This study was based on the deciduous and permanent dentition of 269 individuals (150 males and 119 females) from the Granada osteological collection of identified infants, young children, and adults (Granada, Spain). Mesiodistal, buccolingual, and diagonal crown and cervical diameters of both dentitions were measured, and logistic regression analyses were performed to create equations for sex discrimination. The results show that the first and second deciduous molars and the permanent canines are the teeth with the greatest sexual dimorphism, providing percentages of correct assignment of sex between 78.1 and 93.1% in deciduous dentition and between 79.4 and 92.6% in permanent teeth, depending on the dimensions used. The results indicate that this method may be applicable as an adjunct with other accepted procedures for sex estimation when fragmentary skeletal remains are encountered in archaeological excavations and in forensic contexts. Am J Phys Anthropol 152:163–164, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Manual pressure distribution patterns of knuckle‐walking apes
Authors: Matarazzo Stacey
Published: July 2013

Differences in how the hands of gorillas and chimpanzees contact the ground while knuckle walking have been noted but generally not quantified. It is widely believed that gorillas maintain a pronated arm and contact the ground with digits 2–5 consistently, while chimpanzees have variable arm position and digit contact. To further test these generalizations, distribution of pressure across the manus, peak digital pressures, and hand position were quantified using a pressure mat in eight captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and seven gorillas (Gorilla gorilla). Chimpanzees and gorillas make initial ground contact with the ulnar aspect of the hand and pressure moves radially. They differ in which digit usually makes final contact and receives maximum pressure, and hand position during contact. Gorillas regularly use a palm‐back hand position and touch‐off with digit 2. They show less variation in pressure application across the digits. Chimpanzees are more variable in hand position and pressure application. In both, hand position plays a key role in determining which digit acts as the final touch‐off element. Am J Phys Anthropol 152:44–50, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Brief communication: Hair density and body mass in mammals and the evolution of human hairlessness
Authors: Sandel Aaron A.
Published: July 2013

Humans are unusual among mammals in appearing hairless. Several hypotheses propose explanations for this phenotype, but few data are available to test these hypotheses. To elucidate the evolutionary history of human “hairlessness,” a comparative approach is needed. One previous study on primate hair density concluded that great apes have systematically less dense hair than smaller primates. While there is a negative correlation between body size and hair density, it remains unclear whether great apes have less dense hair than is expected for their body size. To revisit the scaling relationship between hair density and body size in mammals, I compiled data from the literature on 23 primates and 29 nonprimate mammals and conducted Phylogenetic Generalized Least Squares regressions. Among anthropoids, there is a significant negative correlation between hair density and body mass. Chimpanzees display the largest residuals, exhibiting less dense hair than is expected for their body size. There is a negative correlation between hair density and body mass among the broader mammalian sample, although the functional significance of this scaling relationship remains to be tested. Results indicate that all primates, and chimpanzees in particular, are relatively hairless compared to other mammals. This suggests that there may have been selective pressures acting on the ancestor of humans and chimpanzees that led to an initial reduction in hair density. To further understand the evolution of human hairlessness, a systematic study of hair density and physiology in a wide range of species is necessary. Am J Phys Anthropol 152:145–150, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thermoneutral conditions in dry reforming of ethanol
Authors: Kale Ganesh R. , Kulkarni Bhaskar D.
Published: July 2013

The reaction enthalpy (ΔH) of reforming processes like steam and dry (CO2) reforming is of great importance for scale‐up and process development. Generally, the reforming processes are considered endothermic in nature. However, a detailed study of the reaction enthalpy of reforming process, taking the example of dry reforming of ethanol considered in this study, reveals the existence of exothermic reaction enthalpy at low temperatures. A study of reaction enthalpy of ethanol dry reforming within pressure (1–10 bar), temperature range (300–900 °C), and CO2 to carbon in ethanol ratio (CCER 1–5) was initiated to determine the existence of thermoneutral temperatures for the overall reaction. The variation of thermoneutral conditions and product yields at the thermoneutral temperatures was studied. The utilization potential of the products generated at thermoneutral conditions was also evaluated. The low‐pressure thermoneutral operation favored higher hydrogen production, lower methane and water formation, whereas the high‐pressure thermoneutral operation favored product gas of lower syngas ratio with higher CO2 conversion (utilization) in the process. The study can be extended to steam and dry reforming of other fuels to generate valuable products at thermoneutral conditions avoiding use of air in the process and subsequent N2 dilution of the product gas. © 2013 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polymorphic crystallization of poly(butylene adipate) and its copolymer: Effect of poly(vinyl alcohol)
Authors: Liang Zhichao , Yang Jinjun , Hua Lei , Pan Pengju , Huang Jian , Zhang Jianjun , Abe Hideki , Inoue Yoshio
Published: July 2013

The crystallization kinetics and crystalline structure of the biodegradable polymorphic polymers, poly(butylene adipate) (PBA) and poly(butylene adipate‐co‐hexamethylene adipate), in the microparticles and nanoparticles covered by poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and those on the PVA substrate were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Both the polymers crystallized in the particle state and on the PVA substrate showed higher crystallization temperatures in the nonisothermal melt crystallization and shorter crystallization times in the isothermal crystallization; this indicated a faster crystallization of the polymer in the particle state and on the PVA substrate than that of the bulk sample. Furthermore, the polymers in the particle state and on the PVA substrate showed the preferential formation of the β‐type crystalline form of PBA compared to the bulk one. The mechanism for the effects of the PVA layer or substrate on the crystallization kinetics and crystalline structure of PBA and its copolyesters are discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 39600.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation on the Separation Efficiency of Metal Filter Media in Consideration of Particle Bounce
Authors: Warth Tobias , Piesche Manfred
Published: July 2013

Bei der Gasreinigung kann das Abscheide‐ und Einlagerungsverhalten von Feststoffpartikeln in Filtermedien stark vom Haften oder Abprallen der Partikel beeinflusst werden. In dieser Veröffentlichung wird daher ausgehend von Untersuchungen aus der Literatur an Einzelfasern das Prallverhalten von Polystyrol‐Partikeln an Geweben und Vliesen aus Metall untersucht. Die Versuche dienen als Basis für die Anpassung einer Berechnungsgleichung sowie der Validierung von Simulationen unter Berücksichtigung prallender Partikel. Es kann gezeigt werden, dass mit beiden Methoden der Trenngrad verschiedener Filtermedien im Filterprüfstand vorhergesagt werden kann.
Pressure drop in tapered bubble columns using non‐Newtonian pseudoplastic liquid—experimental and ANN prediction
Authors: Jana Sumit Kumar , Biswas Asit Baran , Das Sudip Kumar
Published: July 2013

Experimental studies on the pressure drop in tapered bubble columns using non‐Newtonian pseudoplastic liquid have been reported. The effects of different variables such as liquid flow rate, clear liquid height, hole diameter of sieve plate, pseudoplasticity of the liquid on the frictional pressure drop have been investigated. The ANN with multilayer perceptron (MPL) with one hidden layer and four different transfer functions with backpropagation algorithm were used to demonstrate its applicability in the prediction of the frictional pressure drop.
Influence of Biological Treatment and Ultraviolet Disinfection System on Pseudomonas spp. Diversity in Wastewater as Assessed by Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis
Authors: Mehri Inès , Turki Yousra , Chérif Hanène , Khessairi Amel , Hassen Abdennasser , Gtari Maher
Published: July 2013

Biological treatment methods use natural processes of ubiquitous living organisms to improve or upgrade the quality of a wastewater. To investigate the dominance of Pseudomonas spp. community in untreated and treated wastewater from full‐scale bio‐discs treatment plant, PCR–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis coupled with sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene fragments from dominant bands, were performed. The Pseudomonas species distribution over the total treatment process and over seasons (summer and winter) was obtained by comparing the denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) patterns to a normalized mix of nine reference Pseudomonas strains. Results indicated that Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas fluorescens strains showed dominance in wastewater, remarkable stability in the biofilm and resistance to UV irradiation. A reduction of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in treated wastewater was also observed. In addition, climatic and operational conditions results in selection of microbial community. The high temperature and intense solar radiation contribute to the total absence of the Pseudomonas syringae strain. In this work, the effect of increasing UV254 germicidal dose on the Pseudomonas community in secondary treated wastewater effluent was also tested. At a dose of 1200 mWs/cm2, total disappearance of the band corresponding to P. aeruginosa, was noted. The DGGE approach can be used as an effective method to assess directly the Pseudomonas community shifts in studied wastewater treatment plant.
A bi‐level neural‐based fuzzy classification approach for credit scoring problems
Authors: Khashei Mehdi , Rezvan Mohammad Taghi , Hamadani Ali Zeinal , Bijari Mehdi
Published: July 2013

The credit scoring is a risk evaluation task considered as a critical decision for financial institutions in order to avoid wrong decision that may result in huge amount of losses. Classification models are one of the most widely used groups of data mining approaches that greatly help decision makers and managers to reduce their credit risk of granting credits to customers instead of intuitive experience or portfolio management. Accuracy is one of the most important criteria in order to choose a credit‐scoring model; and hence, the researches directed at improving upon the effectiveness of credit scoring models have never been stopped. In this article, a hybrid binary classification model, namely FMLP, is proposed for credit scoring, based on the basic concepts of fuzzy logic and artificial neural networks (ANNs). In the proposed model, instead of crisp weights and biases, used in traditional multilayer perceptrons (MLPs), fuzzy numbers are used in order to better model of the uncertainties and complexities in financial data sets. Empirical results of three well‐known benchmark credit data sets indicate that hybrid proposed model outperforms its component and also other those classification models such as support vector machines (SVMs), K‐nearest neighbor (KNN), quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA), and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). Therefore, it can be concluded that the proposed model can be an appropriate alternative tool for financial binary classification problems, especially in high uncertainty conditions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 18: 46–57, 2013
The COURAGE Built Environment Outdoor Checklist: An Objective Built Environment Instrument to Investigate the Impact of the Environment on Health and Disability
Authors: Quintas Rui , Raggi Alberto , Bucciarelli Paola , Franco Maria Grazia , Andreotti Alessandra , Caballero Francisco Félix , Olaya Beatriz , Chatterji Somnath , Galas Aleksander , Meriläinen‐Porras Satu , Frisoni Giovanni , Russo Emanuela , Minicuci Nadia , Power Mick , Leonardi Matilde
Published: July 2013

A tool to assess the built environment, which takes into account issues of disability, accessibility and the need for data comparable across countries and populations, is much needed. The Collaborative Research on Ageing in Europe (COURAGE) in Europe Built Environment Outdoor Checklist (CBE‐OUT) helps us to understand when features of the neighbourhood environment have either a positive or negative impact on the accessibility of neighbourhoods for healthy ageing.

The CBE‐OUT is composed of 128 items that can be recorded when present in the evaluated environment. Audits were performed in households randomly selected from each cluster of the sample for Finland, Poland and Spain, following precise rules defined by experts. Global scores were computed both section by section and in the overall checklist, rescaling the resulting scores from 0 (negative environment) to 100 (positive).

The total number of completed CBE‐OUT checklists was 2452 (Finland, 245; Poland, 972; and Spain, 1235). Mean global score for our sample is 49.3, suggesting an environment composed both of facilitating and hindering features. Significant differences were observed in the built environment features of the three countries and in particular between Finland and the other two. The assessment of features of built environment is crucial when thinking about ageing and enhanced participation. The COURAGE in Europe project developed this tool to collect information on built environment in an objective evaluation of environmental features and is a recommended methodology for future studies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message

The CBE‐OUT checklist is an objective evaluation of the built environment and is centred on technical measurement of features present in the environment and has its foundations in the concepts of disability and accessibility operating in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model.

The CBE‐OUT checklist can be analysed using both the total score and the single section score, allowing an evaluation of the facilitating or hindering role of the environment and is usable for predictive analysis of ageing trends.

The CBE‐OUT checklist makes it possible to collect information about the built environment by means of an objective evaluation of environment features and is a recommended methodology for future studies about the built environment.
Secured flooding time synchronization protocol with moderator
Authors: Huang Ding‐Jie , Teng Wei‐Chung , Yang Kai‐Ting
Published: July 2013

This work aims to address the security vulnerability of the Flooding Time Synchronization Protocol (FTSP), which is currently one of the most popular approaches for time synchronization in wireless sensor networks. FTSP has advanced features, such as implicitly dynamic topology and high time accuracy, but still has unresolved security issues. In order to defend against attacks from malicious nodes, we propose several technologies to reinforce the structure of FTSP. First, a reference node selecting mechanism is proposed to reduce the effect of multiple reference nodes, and four filters are proposed to defend againstseqNumattack, global time attack and node replication attack. Experiment results show that the proposed sequence number blacklist filter and the global time blacklist filter are effective in defending against the aforementioned attacks. Second, a new root selection mechanism is proposed to secure the process of updating the root node. Combining the root selection mechanism with the global time black list filter, the proposed mechanisms successfully defend against traitor attacks on FTSP in our experiment. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Should cervical cancer screening begin at age 21 for everyone? A quantitative analysis in a high‐risk, low‐income, African American/Hispanic young‐adult population
Authors: Saeed‐Vafa Daryoush , Huang Yajue , Manucha Varsha
Published: July 2013

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has recommended modifying the baseline cervical cancer screening age from earlier of three years after first sexual intercourse or age 21 to age 21. In this study, we tracked abnormal cytologic diagnoses, with an emphasis on high‐grade cervical lesions, in a high‐risk, low‐income, African American/Hispanic young‐adult population. The intention was to assess if delaying cancer screening to 21 years of age would be effective in this subpopulation. A search of the cytopathology database between January 1, 2001 and December 31, 2009 was performed to identify all women with their first abnormal cytologic diagnosis prior to turning 21 years of age. All of the available follow‐up cytologic and/or histologic diagnoses, made both prior to and after turning 21 years of age, were recorded and the results analyzed. Amongst the 8,011 total number of women under 21 years of age screened for cervical cancer at our institution from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2009 the overall abnormal cytology rate was 25%, with a rate of 1% for HSIL, 3% for ASC‐H/LG‐H, and 22% for LSIL/ASC‐US. The youngest subject diagnosed with HSIL was 14 years of age. Not a single study subject developed invasive cervical cancer prior to turning 21 years of age. In spite of the limitations of the study, we found that for patients served by our institution, delaying cervical cancer screening until 21 years of age is effective for the detection of early precancerous lesions. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2014;42:205–212. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Discrimination of cathinone regioisomers, sold as ‘legal highs’, by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Christie R. , Horan E. , Fox J. , O'Donnell C. , Byrne H. J. , McDermott S. , Power J. , Kavanagh P.
Published: July 2013

The discrimination of a cross section of cathinone regioisomers, sold as ‘legal highs’, using Raman spectroscopy, is reported here. Mephedrone and flephedrone were identified in ‘legal high’ products sold in Irish head shops, and their 2, 3 and 4‐isomers were synthesized as reference standards. The 3,4‐methylenedioxy substituted cathinones, methylone, butylone and methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), were also identified in ‘legal highs’ and their 2,3‐isomers were synthesized for comparison. In addition, alpha‐ and beta‐naphyrone were synthesized. Raman spectra of all the isomers were obtained using far‐red excitation (785 nm) and it was found possible to discriminate the isomers of each substituted cathinone. In addition, Raman spectra were also recorded for a number of head shop products and, by comparison with the reference standards, correct isomer assignment for 4‐mephedrone, 3‐flephedrone, 3,4‐methylone, 3,4‐butylone, 3,4‐MDPV, alpha‐naphyrone and beta‐naphyrone was achieved, thus providing a non‐destructive, high‐throughput and minimal sample preparation technique for the discrimination of such drug isomers. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effective sociodemographic population assessment of elusive species in ecology and conservation management
Authors: Head Josephine S. , Boesch Christophe , Robbins Martha M. , Rabanal Luisa I. , Makaga Loïc , Kühl Hjalmar S.
Published: July 2013

Wildlife managers are urgently searching for improved sociodemographic population assessment methods to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented conservation activities. These need to be inexpensive, appropriate for a wide spectrum of species and straightforward to apply by local staff members with minimal training. Furthermore, conservation management would benefit from single approaches which cover many aspects of population assessment beyond only density estimates, to include for instance social and demographic structure, movement patterns, or species interactions. Remote camera traps have traditionally been used to measure species richness. Currently, there is a rapid move toward using remote camera trapping in density estimation, community ecology, and conservation management. Here, we demonstrate such comprehensive population assessment by linking remote video trapping, spatially explicit capture–recapture (SECR) techniques, and other methods. We apply it to three species: chimpanzeesPan troglodytes troglodytes, gorillasGorilla gorilla gorilla,and forest elephantsLoxodonta cyclotisinLoango National Park,Gabon. All three species exhibited considerable heterogeneity in capture probability at the sex or group level and density was estimated at 1.72, 1.2, and 1.37 individuals per km2and male to female sex ratios were 1:2.1, 1:3.2, and 1:2 for chimpanzees, gorillas, and elephants, respectively. Association patterns revealed four, eight, and 18 independent social groups of chimpanzees, gorillas, and elephants, respectively: key information for both conservation management and studies on the species' ecology. Additionally, there was evidence of resident and nonresident elephants within the study area and intersexual variation in home range size among elephants but not chimpanzees. Our study highlights the potential of combining camera trapping andSECRmethods in conducting detailed population assessments that go far beyond documenting species diversity patterns or estimating single species population size. Our study design is widely applicable to other species and spatial scales, and moderately trained staff members can collect and process the required data. Furthermore, assessments using the same method can be extended to include several other ecological, behavioral, and demographic aspects: fission and fusion dynamics and intergroup transfers, birth and mortality rates, species interactions, and ranging patterns.
Are heat waves susceptible to mitigate the expansion of a species progressing with global warming?
Authors: Robinet Christelle , Rousselet Jérôme , Pineau Patrick , Miard Florie , Roques Alain
Published: July 2013

A number of organisms, especially insects, are extending their range in response of the increasing trend of warmer temperatures. However, the effects of more frequent climatic anomalies on these species are not clearly known. The pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea pityocampa, is a forest pest that is currently extending its geographical distribution in Europe in response to climate warming. However, its population density largely decreased in its northern expansion range (near Paris, France) the year following the 2003 heat wave. In this study, we tested whether the 2003 heat wave could have killed a large part of egg masses. First, the local heat wave intensity was determined. Then, an outdoor experiment was conducted to measure the deviation between the temperatures recorded by weather stations and those observed within sun‐exposed egg masses. A second experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions to simulate heat wave conditions (with night/day temperatures of 20/32°C and 20/40°C compared to the control treatment 13/20°C) and measure the potential effects of this heat wave on egg masses. No effects were noticed on egg development. Then, larvae hatched from these egg masses were reared under mild conditions until the third instar and no delayed effects on the development of larvae were found. Instead of eggs, the 2003 heat wave had probably affected directly or indirectly the young larvae that were already hatched when it occurred. Our results suggest that the effects of extreme climatic anomalies occurring over narrow time windows are difficult to determine because they strongly depend on the life stage of the species exposed to these anomalies. However, these effects could potentially reduce or enhance the average warming effects. As extreme weather conditions are predicted to become more frequent in the future, it is necessary to disentangle the effects of the warming trend from the effects of climatic anomalies when predicting the response of a species to climate change.
Noncoordinate expression of J‐chain and Blimp‐1 define nurse shark plasma cell populations during ontogeny
Authors: Castro Caitlin D. , Ohta Yuko , Dooley Helen , Flajnik Martin F.
Published: July 2013

B‐lymphocyte‐induced maturation protein 1 (Blimp‐1) is the master regulator of plasma cell development, controlling genes such as those encoding J‐chain and secretory Ig heavy chain. However, some mammalian plasma cells do not express J‐chain, and mammalian B1 cells secrete “natural” IgM antibodies without upregulating Blimp‐1. While these results have been controversial in mammalian systems, here we describe subsets of normally occurring Blimp‐1− antibody‐secreting cells in nurse sharks, found in lymphoid tissues at all ontogenic stages. Sharks naturally produce large amounts of both pentameric (classically “19S”) and monomeric (classically “7S”) IgM, the latter an indicator of adaptive immunity. Consistent with the mammalian paradigm, shark Blimp‐1 is expressed in splenic 7S IgM‐secreting cells, though rarely detected in the J‐chain+ cells producing 19S IgM. Although IgM transcript levels are lower in J‐chain+ cells, these cells nevertheless secrete 19S IgM in the absence of Blimp‐1, as demonstrated by ELISPOT and metabolic labeling. Additionally, cells in the shark BM equivalent (epigonal) are Blimp‐1−. Our data suggest that, in sharks, 19S‐secreting cells and other secreting memory B cells in the epigonal are maintained for long periods without Blimp‐1, but like in mammals, Blimp‐1 is required for terminating the B‐cell program following an adaptive immune response in the spleen.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids promote the expansion of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells by activating the JAK/STAT3 pathway
Authors: Yan Dehong , Yang Quan , Shi Maohua , Zhong Limei , Wu Changyou , Meng Tao , Yin Huiyong , Zhou Jie
Published: July 2013

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) exert immunosuppressive effects that could prove beneficial in clinical therapies for certain autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. However, the mechanism of PUFA‐mediated immunosuppression is far from understood. Here, we provide evidence that PUFAs enhance the accumulation of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), a negative immune regulator. PUFA‐induced MDSCs have a more potent suppressive effect on T‐cell responses than do control MDSCs. These observations were found both in cultured mouse bone marrow cells in vitro and in vivo in mice fed diets enriched in PUFAs. The enhanced suppressive activity of MDSCs by PUFAs administration was coupled with a dramatic induction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleo‐ tide phosphate oxidase subunit p47phox and was dependent on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Mechanistic studies revealed that PUFAs mediate its effects through JAK‐STAT3 signaling. Inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation by JAK inhibitor JSI‐124 almost completely abrogated the effects of PUFAs on MDSCs. Moreover, the effects of PUFAs on MDSCs and the underlying mechanisms were confirmed in tumor‐bearing mice. In summary, this study sheds new light on the immune modulatory role of PUFAs, and demonstrates that MDSCs expansion may mediate the effects of PUFAs on the immune system.
Emergence of a distinct HIV‐specific IL‐10‐producing CD8+T‐cell subset with immunomodulatory functions during chronic HIV‐1 infection
Authors: Clutton Genevieve , Yang Hongbing , Hancock Gemma , Sande Nellia , Holloway Cameron , Angus Brian , von Delft Annette , Barnes Eleanor , Borrow Persephone , Pellegrino Pierre , Williams Ian , McMichael Andrew , Dorrell Lucy
Published: July 2013

Interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) plays a key role in regulating proinflammatory immune responses to infection but can interfere with pathogen clearance. Although IL‐10 is upregulated throughout HIV‐1 infection in multiple cell subsets, whether this is a viral immune evasion strategy or an appropriate response to immune activation is unresolved. Analysis of IL‐10 production at the single cell level in 51 chronically infected subjects (31 antiretroviral (ART) naïve and 20 ART treated) showed that a subset of CD8+ T cells with a CD25neg FoxP3neg phenotype contributes substantially to IL‐10 production in response to HIV‐1 gag stimulation. The frequencies of gag‐specific IL‐10‐ and IFN‐γ‐producing T cells in ART‐naïve subjects were strongly correlated and the majority of these IL‐10+ CD8+ T cells co‐produced IFN‐γ; however, patients with a predominant IL‐10+/IFN‐γneg profile showed better control of viraemia. Depletion of HIV‐specific CD8+ IL‐10+ cells from PBMCs led to upregulation of CD38 on CD14+ monocytes together with increased IL‐6 production, in response to gag stimulation. Increased CD38 expression was positively correlated with the frequency of the IL‐10+ population and was also induced by exposure of monocytes to HIV‐1 in vitro. Production of IL‐10 by HIV‐specific CD8+ T cells may represent an adaptive regulatory response to monocyte activation during chronic infection.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of Cu@C Composite Spheres by a One‐Step Method and Their Use as Sacrificial Templates to Synthesize a CuO@SiO2 Core–Shell Structure
Authors: Cheng Yi , Niu Xiaoyu , Zhao Tieying , Yuan Fulong , Zhu Yujun , Fu Honggang
Published: July 2013

Cu@C composite spheres with copper nanoparticles dispersed in the carbonaceous matter have been synthesized by a one‐step hydrothermal method by using different copper salts mixed with an aqueous glucose solution. The spheres have been characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric–differential thermal analysis, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectrocopy. The results show that Cu(NO3)2, CuSO4,and CuCl2 exhibit an accelerating effect on the size of the composite spheres, and microsized composites were obtained. However, a morphological change from irregular cubes and spheres to uniform spheres with a narrow size distribution of 340–400 nm was observed when cupric acetate [Cu(Ac)2] was used. Interestingly, Cu2O, generated in situ from Cu(ac)2, plays an important role in the size of the composite spheres. Moreover, a CuO@SiO2 core–shell structure has been synthesized by using the Cu@C composite spheres as a sacrificial template, and the CO + NO reaction was used as a probe reaction to evaluate its catalytic performance. CuO@SiO2 exhibits excellent catalytic performance in the CO + NO reaction.
Phosphane‐Phosphite Chelators Built on a α‐Cyclodextrin Scaffold: Application in Rh‐Catalysed Asymmetric Hydrogenation and Hydroformylation
Authors: Jouffroy Matthieu , Sémeril David , Armspach Dominique , Matt Dominique
Published: July 2013

Four hybrid phosphane‐phosphite ligands were synthesised by regioselective A,B‐functionalisation of a methylated α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) scaffold. In all these ligands the phosphite part comprises a 2,2′‐bisaryloxyphosphanyloxy group. The ligands, which display inherent chirality, readily form 12‐membered chelate rings with d8‐metal ions. In the most flexible chelates (those with an unsubstituted 2,2′‐bisphenoxy group), the metal plane describes a fan‐like motion about the P···P′ axis with concomitant fast atropisomerisation of the biaryl unit. When the latter is blocked, as in the 2,2′‐binaphthyloxyphosphites, the fan‐like motion no longer takes place. Rhodium complexes of the CDs were assessed in asymmetric hydrogenation of α‐dehydroamino acid esters and hydroformylation of styrene. Poor enantiodiscrimination was observed for the highly mobile chelate complexes, whereas the more rigid ones all resulted in significant ee values. The best performing hydrogenation catalyst is the one in which both chiral components – CD and (S)‐binaphthyl – behave in a synergistic way.
Glass/SU‐8 microchip for electrokinetic applications
Authors: Lima Renato Sousa , Carneiro Leão Paulo Augusto Gomes , Monteiro Alessandra Maffei , de Oliveira Piazzetta Maria Helena , Gobbi Angelo Luiz , Mazo Luiz Henrique , Carrilho Emanuel
Published: July 2013

In this communication, we describe the fabrication and electric characterization of a hybrid glass/SU‐8 microchannels for high‐performance electrokinetic applications. The bonding process employed SU‐8 film as intermediate layer with reduced baking times; all the procedure took less than 50 min (only about 10 min disregarding the cleaning and dehydration steps). Additionally, further steps to improve the adhesion of the substrate to the SU‐8 were not needed. The developed configuration aggregates the advantages of both substrates, including (i) simple fabrication techniques; (ii) high compatibility for integration of microelectromechanical, optical, and electrochemical components (SU‐8); (iii) high and stable electroosmotic mobility (μEO); and (iv) satisfactory heat dissipation capacity (glass). Electroosmotic mobilities were measured as a function of the pH using the current monitoring method, whereas the heat dissipation capacity was investigated through Ohm's law plots for both glass and glass/SU‐8 microchips. The measured μEO values were similar for both microdevices, with mobilities of the order of 4.0–4.5 × 10−4 cm2 V−1 cm−1 at 4–12 pH range using phosphate buffer (10 and 20 mmol/L). The heat dissipation assays were carried out in microchannels filled with 20 mmol/L phosphate buffer. A considerable Joule heating was observed only at electric field strengths greater than 580 V cm−1 in hybrid glass/SU‐8 microdevices, representing a substantial increase of 48% when compared to all SU‐8 microdevices.
Enhanced penetration of fluoride particles into bovine enamel by combining dielectrophoresis with AC electroosmosis
Authors: Ivanoff Chris S. , Swami Nathan S. , Hottel Timothy L. , Garcia‐Godoy Franklin
Published: July 2013

Fluoride deposition into the pores of enamel is necessary at high concentrations to reduce enamel demineralization and with a high degree of penetration to account for loss by ingestion. Current diffusion and electrochemical methods are inadequate for effectively transporting fluoride greater than 20 μm into enamel. The study explores the coupling of dielectrophoresis (DEP) and AC electroosmosis (ACEO) to selectively concentrate fluoride particles from fluoride gel excipients and enhance their penetration into enamel. By measuring the frequency response of approximately 10‐μm‐sized sodium fluoride particles in an aqueous gel media, appropriate frequencies for positive DEP, negative DEP, and ACEO are identified. An assembly composed of two cross‐planar interdigitated electrode (IDE) arrays with open slots is driven successively by fields at appropriate frequencies to drive fluoride particles through the slots of the IDE and into the enamel pores using a combination of DEP and ACEO methods. Fluoride uptake and penetration of 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride gel into bovine tooth enamel at various depths is measured using wavelength dispersive spectrometry to compare deposition by diffusion, DEP, and DEP plus ACEO. Fluoride levels in all DEP groups were significantly higher than diffusion groups at depths 10 and 20 μm. The highest fluoride concentrations at 10, 20, 50, and 100 μm depths occur under deposition conditions combining DEP with ACEO. Fluoride levels at 50 μm were equivalent to long‐term prophylactic exposure. These methods may potentially benefit populations at high risk for development of caries and periodontal disease, including underserved children and disparate groups.
Prolonged anxiolytic‐like activity of sandalwood (Santalum album L.) oil in stress‐loaded mice
Authors: Satou Tadaaki , Miyagawa Michiyo , Seimiya Haruna , Yamada Hideo , Hasegawa Toshio , Koike Kazuo
Published: July 2013

The fragrance of Santalum album L. (sandalwood) has been used as a sedative. However, few reports have investigated the anxiolytic activity of sandalwood fragrance. Therefore, in this study, we examined the anxiolytic‐like activity of hexane‐extracted sandalwood oil (SAO). Male ICR mice, aged 5 weeks at the start of each experiment, were used. To mimic its clinical use, the effect of SAO after stress loading was investigated. Mice were individually housed in cages for 1 week and subjected to loaded water‐immersion stress for 24 h. Next, SAO inhalation (i.h.) was initiated 90 min prior to the elevated plus maze (EPM) test. As a result, significant anxiolytic‐like activity was observed at 4 μl/l air SAO i.h. In contrast, anxiolytic‐like activity was not observed in non‐stressed control mice. Additionally, mice were subjected to SAO i.h prior to water‐immersion stress for 24 h in order to investigate its prolonged effect. As a result, significant anxiolytic‐like activity was observed at 4 μl/l air SAO i.h. In contrast, anxiolytic‐like activity was not observed in non‐stressed control mice. The above results indicate that the anxiolytic‐like activity of SAO i.h. is revealed under stress conditions and is prolonged for at least 24 h. Since the main components of SAO are (Z)‐α‐santalol (51.1%) and (Z)‐β‐santalol (28.5%), it is proposed that they are involved in mediating the characteristic anxiolytic‐like activity of SAO. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrolysis and Co‐Electrolysis Performance of SOE Short Stacks
Authors: Diethelm S. , herle J. Van , Montinaro D. , Bucheli O.
Published: July 2013

In this study, two short SOE stacks (6‐cells) were characterized in steam‐electrolysis mode. The first was based on Ni‐YSZ supported cells with LSCF‐based air electrodes. The second included LSC‐based air electrodes specifically developed within the SOFC600 project. The stacks were fed with a 90% steam, 10% hydrogen mixture, and characterized between 600 and 700 °C. For the LSCF‐based stack, an average cell voltage of 1.6 V was reached at –1 A cm–2 and 700 °C, corresponding to 60% steam conversion. The LSC‐based stack showed better performances, with 1.25 V at –0.8 A cm–2 and 700 °C. Durability tests were performed around the thermoneutral voltage (1.35 V) for resp. 2,400 (LSCF) and 1,500 h (LSC). The average stack degradation rates were resp. +2.8% (kh)–1 (LSCF) and +1.9% (kh)–1 (LSC). Twelve load‐cycles were also performed on the LSC‐stack with no apparent degradation. In addition, co‐electrolysis was performed between 750 and 850 °C by feeding the stack with a 60% H2O, 30% CO2, and 10% H2 mixture. Ninety‐five percent conversion was reached and the measured outlet syngas composition was close to that predicted by thermodynamics. Steam electrolysis tests were carried out in the same conditions for comparison. The stack performance in the co‐electrolysis mode was slightly lower than in the electrolysis mode.
Toward a quantitative characterization of heterogeneous ice formation with lidar/radar: Comparison of CALIPSO/CloudSat with ground‐based observations
Authors: Bühl J. , Ansmann A. , Seifert P. , Baars H. , Engelmann R.
Published: July 2013

We analyze and compare the different sensitivities of aerosol/cloud lidar and 35‐GHz cloud radar to detect ice formation in midlevel clouds in order to harmonize mixed phase cloud observations performed with lidar and radar. We found good agreement between spaceborne Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO)/CloudSat and ground‐based lidar/radar observations at Leipzig, Germany. However, large differences were found to a previous study with an 11‐year cloud statistics solely based on lidar observations which is caused by significantly higher sensitivity of the cloud radar to detect ice crystals. By introducing a lidar detection threshold for the ice water content of 10−6kgm−3, we find that lidar and radar cloud statistics become increasingly similar.
A pooled analysis of the outcome of prospective colonoscopic surveillance for familial colorectal cancer
Authors: Mesher David , Dove‐Edwin Isis , Sasieni Peter , Vasen Hans , Bernstein Inge , Royer‐Pokora Brigitte , Holinski‐Feder Elke , Lalloo Fiona , Evans D. Gareth , Forsberg Anna , Lindblom Annika , Thomas Huw
Published: July 2013

Surveillance guidelines for the management of familial colorectal cancer (FCC), a dominant family history of colorectal cancer in which the polyposis syndromes and Lynch syndrome have been excluded, are not firmly established. The outcome of colonoscopic surveillance is studied using data from six centers. DNA mismatch repair deficiency was excluded by genetic testing. Families were classified as FCC type X if they fulfilled the original Amsterdam criteria (AC) and late onset (LOFCC) if they fulfilled the AC apart from not having a cancer aged under 50. The most advanced findings on colonoscopy were analyzed. One thousand five hundred eighty‐five individuals (median age 47.3, 44% male) from 530 FCC families (349 FCC type X) underwent a total of 4,992 colonoscopies with 7,904 patient‐years of follow‐up. Results for FCC type X and LOFCC were very similar. At baseline, 22 prevalent asymptomatic colorectal cancers were diagnosed, 120 (7.6%) individuals had high‐risk adenomas and 225 (14.2%) simple adenomas. One thousand eighty‐eight individuals had a further colonoscopy (median follow‐up of 6.2 years). Of nine individuals diagnosed with cancer, eight had a previous history of at least one polyp/adenoma. High‐risk adenomas were detected in 92 (8.7%) and multiple adenomas were detected in 20 (1.9%) individuals. Both FCC type X and LOFCC have a high prevalence of colorectal cancers and on follow‐up develop high‐risk adenomas (including multiple adenomas), but infrequent interval cancers. They should be managed similarly with five‐yearly colonoscopies undertaken from between 30 and 40 with more intensive surveillance in individuals developing multiple or high‐risk adenomas.
Bonding analysis of planar hypercoordinate atoms via the generalized BLW‐LOL
Authors: Bomble Laetitia , Steinmann Stephan N. , Perez‐Peralta Nancy , Merino Gabriel , Corminboeuf Clemence
Published: July 2013

The multicenter bonding pattern of the intriguing hexa‐, hepta‐, and octacoordinate boron wheel series (e.g.,
,
,
, and SiB8 as well as the experimentally detected
isomer) is revised using the block‐localized wave function analyzed by the localized orbital locator (BLW‐LOL). The more general implementation of BLW combined with the LOL scalar field is not restricted to the analysis of the out‐of‐plane π‐system but can also provide an intuitive picture of the σ‐radial delocalization and of the role of the central atom. The results confirm the presence of a π‐ring current pattern similar to that of benzene. In addition, the LOLπ isosurfaces along with the maximum intensity in the  ΔLOL profiles located above and below the ring suggest that the central atom plays a minor role in the π‐delocalized bonding pattern. Finally, the analysis of the σ‐framework in these boron wheels is in line with a moderated inner cyclic rather than disk‐type delocalization. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.