bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“I'm Just Kind of Winging It”: Preparing and Supporting Educators of Adult Refugee Learners
Authors: Perry Kristen H. , Hart Susan J.
Published: October 2012

In this qualitative case study, we explore local adult educators’ preparation to teach refugees, along with their professional development needs. This analysis focuses on 10 tutors and instructors in a midsize Southeastern city. Data collection involved an open‐ended questionnaire, semi‐structured interviews, and observations; analysis involved open coding, theme generation, data matrices, and participant checking. Findings indicated that most participants had some level of preparation, although the amount and nature of this preparation varied widely; yet, even those with teaching certification felt un‐ or under‐prepared to teach ESL and/or literacy to adult refugees. Participants needed relevant training, opportunities to connect with “people resources”, and other supports. We discuss implications for offering ongoing, targeted professional development for adult ESL educators.
Literacy Learning Within Community Action Projects for Social Change
Authors: Wright Dana E. , Mahiri Jabari
Published: October 2012

This case study describes the literacy development of a struggling reader over a seven‐month period as he engaged in a youth‐led participatory action research (PAR) project. The project's goal was for youth participants to develop a proposal for productive change in their local community and present it to community stakeholders. The study focused on ways the participants were supported in gaining skills in research, writing and oral communications. The study examines the process through which literacy skills improved for the youngest participant for whom the academic aspects of this project were extremely challenging. It describes curricular and pedagogical approaches during the process that led to his academic literacy improvements. Findings indicate the key components that increased this participant's literacy development were the caring, supportive environment that was established, an assets‐based approach and apprenticeship model as well as connections of the research project to real world purposes.
Foregrounding the Disciplines for Teacher Preparation in Secondary Literacy
Authors: Conley Mark W.
Published: October 2012

Though there has been disagreement about the particular emphasis on the disciplines with literacy, there is a great deal of agreement that the disciplines matter. This article describes a course designed to prepare beginning teachers to engage in disciplinary literacy, or literacy‐related ways of knowing in a discipline. After researching a topic within their discipline, considering approaches to engage students in challenging texts and contemplating ways in which students might be challenged or struggle with a set of disciplinary ideas, teacher candidates guided in decisions about literacy goals and practices. By following this sequence, beginning teachers move from an over‐emphasis on pedagogy to connecting specific literacy practices to disciplinary contexts. The promise of this approach is that beginning teachers are more likely to understand relationships between disciplinary contexts and literacy and, as a result, will be more likely to sustain a focus on disciplinary literacy.
Print‐Based Texts
Authors: Blasingame James
Published: October 2012

This column provides reviews of adolescent and adult literature and provides a valuable resource for literature selection in‐ and outside the classroom.
Professional Resources
Authors: Draper Roni Jo
Published: October 2012

This column provides reviews of adolescent and adult professional resources and provides a valuable resource for professional resource selection in‐ and outside the classroom.
Reducing scar formation by regulation of IL‐1 and MMP‐9 expression by using sustained release of prednisolone‐loaded PDLL microspheres in a murine wound model
Authors: Wu Tsui‐Hsun , Hsu Sung‐Hao , Chang Mei‐Hwei , Huang Yi‐You
Published: October 2012

In this study, we provide a new pharmacological treatment, which may prevent scar formation on wound healing and/or plastic surgery wounds. We used prednisolone to reduce scar formation in wound excision. To prolong the drug effect, prednisolone of different amounts were encapsulated in biodegradable poly(D,L‐lactide) (PDLL) microspheres. In the in vitro cell healing study, prednisolone was markedly effective in reducing the growth rate of fibroblast cells according to electric cell‐substrate impedance sensing results. At a higher density of prednisolone, a slower growth rate was observed (ANOVA, p < 0.05). In rat models of skin wound healing studies, results show that in postsurgery days 7 and 14, all of the wound fibrosis areas administered with 0.5 and 5 mM of prednisolone‐loaded PDLL microspheres (PPM) were decreased by 6–116% compared with those of the control groups (ANOVA, p < 0.05). Adding the PPM led to reduce IL‐1β but increase MMP‐9 expression levels as compared with the control groups (ANOVA, p < 0.0001). These results implies that using sustained releasing prednisolone microspheres can regulate ECM generated from fibroblasts, can avoid excess proliferation and reduce the formation of scar tissue during wound regeneration by inhibiting the degree of inflammation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Design of core–shell gel beads for time‐programmed protein release
Authors: Suzuki Shiho , Asoh Taka‐Aki , Kikuchi Akihiko
Published: October 2012

Calcium alginate gel beads were coated with calcium poly(γ‐glutamate) (Ca‐γ‐PGA) or its alkylate to modulate a release onset time of macromolecular drugs like proteins. Dextran release from coated alginate gel beads with γ‐PGA increased the onset release time from 13 min for bare alginate beads to 49 min for γ‐PGA‐coated alginate gel beads with diameters of about 0.6 mm. The γ‐PGA coating may act as a barrier to disintegration due to the swelling of alginate gels through ion exchange of Ca2+ with Na+. As the osmotic pressure increases inside the γ‐PGA capsule, the γ‐PGA layer eventually delaminates to form flakes and enables drug release. To further increase the onset release time, we modified the carboxyl groups of γ‐PGA with 1‐bromobutane to increase the hydrophobicity of the coating layers. By incorporating 20 mol % butyl groups, the onset release time increased to 87 min. Even for proteins, the hydrophobic polymer coating of the gels was effective at increasing the lag time. Similar to the release of dextran, proteins, albumin (bovine serum albumin), immunoglobulin G, and fibrinogen showed an S‐shaped release curve with onset release time, in which the onset release time depends on the molecular weight and their conformation. In conclusion, we successfully prepared modified alginate gel beads with injectable bead diameters and modulated the onset release time of macromolecular drugs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibition increases MMP‐2 activity leading to imbalance between extracellular matrix deposition and degradation after polypropylene mesh implant
Authors: Souza‐Pinto Franciso J. P. , Moretti Ana I. S. , Cury Vivian , Marcondes Wagner , Velasco Irineu T. , Souza Heraldo P.
Published: October 2012

Prosthetic mesh implants are commonly used to correct abdominal wall defects. However, success of the procedure is conditioned by an adequate inflammatory response to the device. We hypothesized that nitric oxide produced by nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) and MMP‐2 and ‐9 participate in response induced by mesh implants in the abdominal wall and, consequently, affect the outcome of the surgical procedure. In the first step, temporal inflammatory markers profile was evaluated. Polypropylene meshes were implanted in the peritoneal side of the abdominal wall of C57Black mice. After 2, 4, 7, 15, and 30 days, tissues around the mesh implant were collected and inflammatory markers were analyzed. In the second step, NOS2 activity was inhibited with nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME). Samples were collected after 15 days (when inflammation was reduced), and the inflammatory and tissue remodeling markers were investigated. Polypropylene mesh implant induced a pro‐inflammatory environment mediated by intense MMP‐2 and ‐9 activities, NO release, and interleukin‐1β production peaking in 7 days and gradually decreasing after 15 days. NOS2 inhibition increased MMP‐2 activity and resulted in a higher visceral adhesion incidence at the mesh implantation site when compared with non‐treated animals that underwent the same procedure. We conclude that NOS2‐derived NO is crucial for adequate response to polypropylene mesh implant integration in the peritoneum. NO deficiency results in an imbalance between extracellular matrix deposition/degradation contributing to visceral adhesions incidence. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
In vitro biological study of gelatin/PLG nanocomposite using MCF‐7 breast cancer cells
Authors: Haroun Ahmed A. , Abo‐Zeid Mona A. , Youssef Ahmed M. , Gamal‐Eldeen Amira
Published: October 2012

This work aimed to evaluate new materials to be carried out as scaffolds using breast cancer cells MCF‐7. These new nanocomposites were prepared through blending of gelatin with poly (DL‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLG) in presence of titanium nanowires (TiO2) and cartilage powder (CP). The prepared nanomaterials were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscope, and transmitting electron microscope. Moreover, the MCF‐7 cells were in vitro tested with apoptosis/necrosis assay, micronucleus test, and DNA fragmentation and MMT assay. TiO2 nanowires and CP particles have diameters around 28–128 and 17–20 nm, respectively. These were coated with gelatin matrix. Seeding of MCF‐7 cells with the prepared nanomaterials revealed high cell attachment to their surfaces and they were viable after 72 h. It has been shown that the prepared nanocomposites did not induce necrotic effects on MCF‐7 cells; however, they induced a significant DNA fragmentation in comparison with the nontreated control cells. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Adsorption behavior of human plasma fibronectin on hydrophobic and hydrophilic Ti6Al4V substrata and its influence on bacterial adhesion and detachment
Authors: Vadillo‐Rodríguez Virginia , Pacha‐Olivenza Miguel A. , Gónzalez‐Martín M. Luisa , Bruque José M. , Gallardo‐Moreno Amparo M.
Published: October 2012

Biomaterial implant‐associated infections, a common cause of medical devices' failure, are initiated by bacterial adhesion to an adsorbed protein layer on the implant material surface. In this study, the influence of protein surface orientation on bacterial adhesion has been examined using three clinically relevant bacterial strains known to express specific binding sites for human plasma fibronectin (HFN). HFN was allowed to adsorb on hydrophobic Ti6Al4V and physically modified hydrophilic Ti6Al4V substrata. Ellipsometric data reveal that the characteristics of the adsorbed protein layers primary depend on solid surface tension and the initial protein concentration in solution. In particular, HFN molecules adopt a more extended conformation on hydrophobic than hydrophilic surfaces, an effect that is more pronounced at low than at high initial protein concentrations. Moreover, the extended conformation of the protein molecules on these surfaces likely facilitates the exposure of specific sites for adhesion, resulting in the higher bacterial‐cell attachment observed regardless of the strain considered. Contact angle measurements and the analysis of the number of remaining adhering cells after being subjected to external forces further suggest that both specific and nonspecific (hydrophobic) interactions play an important role on bacterial attachment. This study is the first one to evaluate the influence of surface hydrophobicity on protein adsorption and its subsequent effect on bacterial adhesion using a material whose hydrophobicity was not modified using chemical treatments that potentially led to surface properties changes other than hydrophobicity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Molecular rectification in triangularly shaped graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Liu Hongmei , Wang Hongbo , Zhao Jianwei , Kiguchi Manabu
Published: October 2012

We present a theoretical study of electron transport in tailored zigzag graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs) with triangular structure using density functional theory together with the nonequilibrium Green's function formalism. We find significant rectification with a favorite electron transfer direction from the vertex to the right edge. The triangular ZGNR connecting to the electrode with one thiol group at each terminal shows an average rectification ratio of 8.4 over the bias range from −1.0 to 1.0 V. This asymmetric electron transport property originates from nearly zero band gap of triangular ZGNR under negative bias, whereas a band gap opens under positive bias. When the molecule is connected to the electrode by multithiol groups, the current is enhanced due to strong interfacial coupling; however, the rectification ratio decreases. The simulation results indicate that the unique electronic states of triangular ZGNR are responsible for rectification, rather than the asymmetric anchoring groups. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Convergence of sequences of Calderón‐Zygmund operators with application to wavelet expansions
Authors: Li Kangwei , Sun Wenchang
Published: October 2012

We present an extrapolation theorem for the convergence of sequences of Calderón‐Zygmund operators on various function spaces. We show that if a sequence of Calderón‐Zygmund operators with the same smoothness and decay parameters is convergent in operator norm on \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$L^2(\mathbb {R}^n)$\end{document}, then it is also convergent as operators on \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$L^p(\mathbb {R}^n)$\end{document}, 1 < p < ∞, and on a large class of Triebel‐Lizorkin, Besov and Hardy spaces. As an application, we show that as the sampling density tends to the infinity, the wavelet frame operator tends to the identity in operator norm on Triebel‐Lizorkin, Besov and Hardy spaces.
Europas Bildverarbeiter wachsen weiter
Authors: Maas Cor
Published: October 2012

Industrielle Bildverarbeitung ist ein unersetzbarer Bestandteil in der Automatisierungstechnik und darüber hinaus. Europäische Bildverarbeiter gehören seit langem zu den führenden Anbietern der Branche. Die jährliche Studie „European Vision Technology Market Statistics 2012”︁ der European Machine Vision Association bietet wertvolle Details über Verkaufszahlen, Märkte und technologische Trends in der Europäischen Bildverarbeitungsindustrie.
Mit der richtigen Beleuchtung besser „maschinell sehen”︁
Authors: Martin Daryl
Published: October 2012

Effektive Prüflösungen in Anwendungen der Bildverarbeitung erfordern die genaue Abstimmung einer Reihe von Hardwarekomponenten. Eine der wichtigsten dabei ist die Beleuchtung, deren primäres Ziel es ist, kontrollierte Lichtverhältnisse zu schaffen, um präzise und wiederholbare Ergebnisse zu erzielen.
Nationale Messlaboratorien vergleichen ihre Feuchte‐Generatoren
Authors: Leggett Graham
Published: October 2012

Zu viel Feuchtigkeit fördert die Schimmelbildung im Haus und Korrosion im Auto. Im industriellen Bereich ist deshalb die Vermeidung selbst geringster Mengen von Wasser in Prozess‐ und Spülgasen in vielen Fertigungsverfahren eine äußerst kritische Aufgabe.
The narcissistic mask: An exploration of ‘the defensive grandiosity hypothesis’
Authors: Thomas Justin , Hashmi Amani Al , Chung Man Cheung , Morgan Keith , Lyons Minna
Published: October 2012

Narcissism has been conceptualized as involving attempts to defend against negative self‐schemata (implicit negative beliefs about one's own self‐worth). This idea has been termed the ‘mask model of narcissism’. This study explores the mask model, examining the association between extreme narcissistic personality traits and performance on a task purported to assess the influence of negative self‐schemata. Participants (n = 232) from the UK and the UAE completed the Narcissistic Personality Inventory and also performed an incidental learning task involving the surprise recall of self‐referential adjectives (traits). A greater recall of negative adjectives was viewed as indicative of negative self‐schemata. Looking at the sample as a whole, there were no associations between narcissistic traits and negative adjective recall. However, amongst those scoring in the upper quartile of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, narcissism scores were positively correlated with the recall of negative adjectives even after controlling for age and memory. Narcissism may reflect self‐enhancement strategies rooted in negative self‐beliefs. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Designing psycho‐oncology randomised trials and cluster randomised trials: variance components and intra‐cluster correlation of commonly used psychosocial measures
Authors: Bell Melanie L. , McKenzie Joanne E.
Published: October 2012

Objective

The study aims to provide information about variance components of psychosocial outcomes: within and between‐participant variance, within‐participant correlation and for cluster randomised trials, the intra‐cluster correlation (ICC) and, also, to demonstrate how estimates of these variance components and ICCs can be used to design randomised trials and cluster randomised trials.

Method

Data from 15 longitudinal multi‐centre psycho‐oncology studies were analysed, and variance components including ICCs were estimated. Studies with psychosocial outcomes that had at least one measurement post‐baseline including individual randomised controlled trials, cluster randomised trials and observational studies were included.

Results

Variance components and ICCs from 87 outcome measures were estimated. The unadjusted, single timepoint (first post‐baseline) ICCs ranged from 0 to 0.16, with a median value of 0.022 and inter‐quartile range 0 to 0.0605. The longitudinal ICCs ranged from 0 to 0.09 with a median value of 0.0007 and inter‐quartile range 0 to 0.018.

Conclusions

Although the magnitude of variance components and ICCs used for sample–size calculation cannot be known in advance of the study, published estimates can help reduce the uncertainty in sample‐size calculations. Psycho‐oncology researchers should be conservative in their sample‐size calculations and use approaches that improve efficiency in their design and analysis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Validity and reliability assessment of health belief scales for mammography screening in Greek asymptomatic women
Authors: Anagnostopoulos Fotios , Dimitrakaki Christine , Niakas Dimitris , Tountas Yannis
Published: October 2012

Objective

The purpose was to assess the validity and reliability of health belief model variables (perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and self‐efficacy beliefs) that are often the target of mammography screening interventions.

Methods

Based on Champion's health belief model scales, questionnaire data were obtained from a nationally representative sample of 408 Greek women, 40 years of age or older and with no personal history of cancer.

Results

Using confirmatory factor analysis, we found all items to load significantly on their respective factors. Standardized factor loadings ranged from 0.55 to 0.88. An analysis of localized areas of respecification of a three‐factor model revealed that measurement error correlations between a few items existed. Known‐groups and criterion‐related validity was supported for all scales, while internal consistency reliability of the scales was satisfactory, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.71 to 0.88.

Conclusions

The Greek version of the scales measuring perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and self‐efficacy beliefs is a reliable and valid tool when used to assess health beliefs for mammography screening among women. Implications for intervention strategies aimed at increasing the likelihood of mammography utilization are considered. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Criterion Validation of the Rate of Recovery, Single Alphanumeric Measure, in Patients with Low Back Pain
Authors: Wright Alexis A. , Cook Chad E.
Published: October 2012

Background and Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine the criterion validity of patient rate of recovery with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS).

Methods

Associations between rate of recovery and ODI and pain were examined using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Participants were dichotomized to ODI 50% change versus a <50% change. Pearson correlation coefficients were performed to determine the relationship between the continuous variables of rate of recovery and final ODI score at discharge. Spearman correlation coefficients were performed to determine the relationship between the continuous variable rate of recovery and ordinal variable final pain score at discharge.

Results

ROC curve statistics suggest that a cut‐point of greater than 82.5% on the self‐report rate of recovery (sensitivity = 0.72, specificity = 0.71 and positive likelihood ratio = 2.44) corresponded to a 50% change on the ODI. The correlation between ODI final score and self‐report rate of recovery was a moderate, −0.45 (p < 0.01). Cut‐points on the self‐reported rate of recovery ranged from 72.5% to 82.5% depending upon the definition of change in pain (≥2, ≥3 and ≥4 points) score or final pain score (<5/10, <4/10 and <3/10). The correlation between NPRS final score and self‐report rate of recovery was −0.72 (p < 0.01). The correlation between NPRS change score and self‐report rate of recovery was 0.42 (p < 0.01).

Discussion

Patients reporting greater than or equal to 82.5% on rate of recovery are likely to have met a 50% change on the ODI. The moderate correlation between rate of recovery and ODI suggests that rate of recovery may capture a dimension of recovery in addition to the self‐reported function in patients with low back pain. Both outcomes measures can be used to capture a more comprehensive evaluation of recovery from low back pain. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reuse of medicines: looking beyond the waste blame game
Authors: Dicomidis John , Kirby Andrew
Published: October 2012

The authors propose how unwanted drugs could be reused in an attempt to reduce the cost of wasted medicines.
Optical interband transitions in Zn2TiO4 single crystals
Authors: Li Liang , Li Fangfei , Cui Tian , Zhou Qiang , Xu Dapeng
Published: October 2012

A high‐quality Zn2TiO4 crystal was used as a prototype for determination of the optical interband transitions by measuring the absorption spectrum of the crystal along the a‐axes at room temperature in the range of 200–1000 nm. Based on the theory of band‐to‐band transitions, the indirect energy gap and the phonon energy were determined as Egi = 3.29 eV and Ep = 0.09 eV, respectively. Also, this phonon was just the vibrational mode at 721 cm−1 in the Raman spectra, which participated in the indirect transitions of the Zn2TiO4.
Preparation, material analysis, and morphology of Cr2 − xTixO3 + z for gas sensors
Authors: Peter Carolin , Kneer Janosch , Schmitt Katrin , Eberhardt André , Wöllenstein Jürgen
Published: October 2012

Titanium substituted chromium oxide (Cr2 − xTixO3 + z, CTO) has gained increasing interest concerning gas sensing applications. CTO is prepared by synthesis of chromium oxide and titanium oxide. Different techniques for verification of successful synthesis of CTO have been investigated. Solid state Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy were performed in addition to the common analysis via X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The spectroscopic methods offer a fast, qualitative verification of a complete synthesis. CTO was synthesized in a high temperature sintering step, and powders and dispersions of CTO were prepared. A high energy grinding process leads to the required particle size reduction. The size distribution and crystallite size of the CTO particles were measured. Furthermore morphology and surface coverage analysis on novel type gas‐sensing CTO layers, deposited via inkjet technology, were performed and specific adsorption energies of nitrogen dioxide on printed CTO layers were derived. High porosity with sub‐micron particles was shown to be characteristic for the layers, resulting in a highly sensitive gas‐sensing behavior, with 500 ppb of nitrogen dioxide being clearly detectable.
Theory of variational calculation with a scaling correct moment functional to solve the electronic schrödinger equation directly for ground state one‐electron density and electronic energy
Authors: Kristyan Sandor
Published: October 2012

The reduction of the electronic Schrodinger equation or its calculating algorithm from 4N‐dimensions to a nonlinear, approximate density functional of a three spatial dimension one‐electron density for an N electron system which is tractable in practice, is a long‐desired goal in electronic structure calculation. In a seminal work, Parr et al. (Phys. Rev. A 1997, 55, 1792) suggested a well behaving density functional in power series with respect to density scaling within the orbital‐free framework for kinetic and repulsion energy of electrons. The updated literature on this subject is listed, reviewed, and summarized. Using this series with some modifications, a good density functional approximation is analyzed and solved via the Lagrange multiplier device. (We call the attention that the introduction of a Lagrangian multiplier to ensure normalization is a new element in this part of the related, general theory.) Its relation to Hartree–Fock (HF) and Kohn–Sham (KS) formalism is also analyzed for the goal to replace all the analytical Gaussian based two and four center integrals (∫gi(r1)gk(r2)rdr1dr2, etc.) to estimate electron‐electron interactions with cheaper numerical integration. The KS method needs the numerical integration anyway for correlation estimation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Building confidence in causal maps generated from purposive text data: mapping transcripts of the Federal Reserve
Authors: Kim Hyunjung , Andersen David F.
Published: October 2012

This paper explains a systematic way to code qualitative text data to generate causal maps for system dynamics modeling. The study was motivated by the important role qualitative data play in system dynamics and the need for formal methods to document the interpretive process of using text data in modeling. The coding method elucidated in the study was influenced by grounded theory, a flexible, yet rigorous way to build a theory from raw qualitative data. The inductive nature of grounded theory generation fits well with the conceptualization phase of simulation modeling. This paper uses verbatim transcripts from the Federal Open Market Committee meetings to illustrate the coding and mapping process, and it provides practical guidelines for systematic and reliable ways to ground simulation models in qualitative text data in order to build higher levels of confidence in models. Copyright © 2012 System Dynamics Society.
Functional Dissection of Pax3 in Paraxial Mesoderm Development and Myogenesis
Authors: Magli Alessandro , Schnettler Erin , Rinaldi Fabrizio , Bremer Paul , Perlingeiro Rita C. R.
Published: October 2012

The paired box transcription factor Pax3 is well-known as a major regulator of embryonic myogenesis. Before Pax3 expression becomes restricted to the dermomyotome, this transcription factor is also expressed in the developing somites. The role of Pax3 at this early stage is unclear, in particular because of the scarce frequency of Pax3-positive cells in the early mouse embryo. Inducible gene expression in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) represents an excellent tool to overcome this limitation, since it can provide large quantities of otherwise rare embryonic populations expressing a factor of interest. Here we used engineered mouse ESCs to perform a functional analysis of Pax3 with the aim to identify the molecular determinants involved in the early functions of this transcription factor. We find that Pax3 induction during embryoid body differentiation results in the upregulation of genes expressed in the presomitic and somitic mesoderm. Moreover, we show that paraxial mesoderm induced by transient expression of Pax3 is not irreversibly committed to myogenesis rather requires sustained Pax3 expression. Using a series of deletion mutants of Pax3, which differentially affect its transcriptional activity, we map protein domains necessary for induction of paraxial mesoderm and induction of the myogenic program. The paired, homeo-, and transcriptional activation domains were each required for both processes, however, the paired-c-terminal RED domain showed a paraxial mesoderm-specific activity that was dispensable for myogenesis. These findings demonstrate and provide mechanistic insight into an early role for Pax3 in the generation of paraxial mesoderm.
Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 4 Channel Controls Calcium Signals and Dental Follicle Stem Cell Differentiation
Authors: Nelson Piper , Ngoc Tran Tran Doan , Zhang Hanjie , Zolochevska Olga , Figueiredo Marxa , Feng Ji-Ming , Gutierrez Dina L. , Xiao Rui , Yao Shaomian , Penn Arthur , Yang Li-Jun , Cheng Henrique
Published: October 2012

Elevations in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration are a phenomena commonly observed during stem cell differentiation but cease after the process is complete. The transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4) is an ion channel that controls Ca2+ signals in excitable and nonexcitable cells. However, its role in stem cells remains unknown. The aim of this study was to characterize TRPM4 in rat dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs) and to determine its impact on Ca2+ signaling and the differentiation process. We identified TRPM4 gene expression in DFSCs, but not TRPM5, a closely related channel with similar function. Perfusion of cells with increasing buffered Ca2+ resulted in a concentration-dependent activation of currents typical for TRPM4, which were also voltage-dependent and had Na+ conductivity. Molecular suppression with shRNA decreased channel activity and cell proliferation during osteogenesis but not adipogenesis. As a result, enhanced mineralization and phosphatase enzyme activity were observed during osteoblast formation, although DFSCs failed to differentiate into adipocytes. Furthermore, the normal agonist-induced first and secondary phases of Ca2+ signals were transformed into a gradual and sustained increase which confirmed the channels' ability to control Ca2+ signaling. Using whole genome microarray analysis, we identified several genes impacted by TRPM4 during DFSC differentiation. These findings suggest an inhibitory role for TRPM4 on osteogenesis while it appears to be required for adipogenesis. The data also provide a potential link between the Ca2+ signaling pattern and gene expression during stem cell differentiation.
Limited Gene Expression Variation in Human Embryonic Stem Cell and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Endothelial Cells
Authors: White Mark P. , Rufaihah Abdul J. , Liu Lei , Ghebremariam Yohannes T. , Ivey Kathryn N. , Cooke John P. , Srivastava Deepak
Published: October 2012

Recent evidence suggests human embryonic stem cell (hESC) and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell lines have differences in their epigenetic marks and transcriptomes, yet the impact of these differences on subsequent terminally differentiated cells is less well understood. Comparison of purified, homogeneous populations of somatic cells derived from multiple independent human iPS and ES lines will be required to address this critical question. Here, we report a differentiation protocol based on embryonic development that consistently yields large numbers of endothelial cells (ECs) derived from multiple hESCs or iPS cells. Mesoderm differentiation of embryoid bodies was maximized, and defined growth factors were used to generate KDR+ EC progenitors. Magnetic purification of a KDR+ progenitor subpopulation resulted in an expanding, homogeneous pool of ECs that expressed EC markers and had functional properties of ECs. Comparison of the transcriptomes revealed limited gene expression variability between multiple lines of human iPS-derived ECs or between lines of ES- and iPS-derived ECs. These results demonstrate a method to generate large numbers of pure human EC progenitors and differentiated ECs from pluripotent stem cells and suggest individual lineages derived from human iPS cells may have significantly less variance than their pluripotent founders.
Species visitation at free‐choice quail feeders in west texas
Authors: Henson Kelly D. , Rollins Dale , Lyons Eddie K. , Ransom Dean
Published: October 2012

Providing supplemental feed is a common practice for the management of northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and scaled quail (Callipepla squamata). The ecological efficacy and economic efficiency of a feeding program for quail can be evaluated using numerous metrics, including visitation rates by target and non‐target species. We quantified species visitation rates seasonally at free‐choice quail feeders with motion‐sensing cameras at 4 sites in West Texas, USA. Feeders were monitored from autumn 2002 to summer 2003 using both an active‐infrared sensing camera system (TrailMaster 1500®; Goodson & Associates, Inc., Lenexa, KS) and a passive infrared video system (TrophyView®; Wildlife Surveillance Systems, Inc., Kerens, TX). Our camera systems recorded 14 mammal and 18 avian species among 6,558 events observed from 490 days of feeder surveillance. Collectively, northern bobwhite and scaled quail accounted for only 7.3% and 11.3% of all recorded species visitations for the TrophyView and TrailMaster camera systems, respectively. Raccoons (Procyon lotor, 43.2%) and nongame birds (32.5%) comprised the majority of all recorded visitations. Although feeder visitation rates do not necessarily equate to feed consumption, we conclude that the vast majority of the feed in this study was consumed by non‐target species and most notably raccoons. High visitation rates by raccoons at feeders suggest supplemental feeding programs for quail could facilitate targeted removal of a common feed competitor (and potential predator of quail nests) and perhaps improve efficacy of feeding efforts. Managers should consider both direct and indirect effects of providing supplemental feeding efforts. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Deterring hooded crows from re‐nesting on power poles
Authors: McIvor Guillam E. , Rowe Candy , Healy Susan D.
Published: October 2012

Hooded crows (Corvus cornix) nest on power poles throughout the north of Scotland, and the interruptions to electricity supply caused by the nests cost the electricity provider in excess of (UK) £250,000 annually. In the Orkney Isles, where pole nesting is relatively common, most nests are actively removed before they can cause a fault. However, rebuilding often occurs. Although the electrical company routinely fits Firefly FF‐type diverters (P & R Tech Inc., Beaverton, OR, USA) after nest removals to deter the crows from rebuilding, there has been no field test of the effectiveness of the Fireflies as a deterrent. In our study, carried out in Orkney in the Spring/Summer of 2009 and 2010, Fireflies were fitted at half of the sites from which nests were removed and not fitted at the other half of the sites. We found that crows were equally likely to rebuild at sites fitted with Fireflies as they were to rebuild at sites without Fireflies. However, rebuilding was less likely to occur the later in the season that nests were removed, and nests in the middle phase of construction were the most likely to be rebuilt. Therefore, making an appropriate decision as to when to remove a crow nest seems to be a more effective method for deterring nest rebuilding than is the fitting of Firefly diverters. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Manipulating resource use by goats with predator fecal odors
Authors: Cox Tarnya E. , Murray Peter J. , Hall Graham P. , Li Xiuhua
Published: October 2012

Feral goats (Capra hircus) are estimated to cause >AUD$25 million of losses to pastoralism per year. Feral goats contribute to soil erosion, shrub defoliation, pasture degradation, and compete with stock for browse. Feral goats also impact threatened plants such as curly barked wattle (Acacia curranii), and land degradation by goats is considered a Key Threatening Process under the Australian Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. However, many pastoralists supplement their incomes by harvesting feral goats for their meat, fiber, skins, and for live export; this is an industry worth >AUD$73 million/year. In consideration of the commercial industry associated with feral goats, we evaluated a non‐lethal form of management using predator odors at The University of Queensland's Darbalara Research Farm (Australia) in 2008. We evaluated fecal samples from lion (Panthera leo), tiger (P. tigris), and dingo (Canis lupus dingo) as area deterrents. Dingo fecal odor was not an effective deterrent for goats. Tiger fecal odor affected goat movement patterns, which resulted in a shift away from the test area (P = 0.01). The use of both lion and tiger fecal odors resulted in test animals moving their resting sites away from the test areas (lion, P = 0.03; tiger, P = 0.03). These results show that both lion and tiger fecal odors can be used to manipulate resource use by goats by affecting grazing patterns and shifting goat resting sites. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Higgs boson masses in the complex NMSSM at one-loop level
Authors: Graf T. , Gröber R. , Mühlleitner M. , Rzehak H. , Walz K.
Published: October 2012

Abstract

The Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Extension of the Standard Model (NMSSM) with a Higgs sector containing five neutral and two charged Higgs bosons allows for a rich phenomenology. In addition, the plethora of parameters provides many sources of CP violation. In contrast to the Minimal Supersymmetric Extension, CP violation in the Higgs sector is already possible at tree-level. For a reliable understanding and interpretation of the experimental results of the Higgs boson search, and for a proper distinction of Higgs sectors provided by the Standard Model or possible extensions, the Higgs boson masses have to be known as precisely as possible including higher-order corrections. In this paper we calculate the one-loop corrections to the neutral Higgs boson masses in the complex NMSSM in a Feynman diagrammatic approach adopting a mixed renormalization scheme based on on-shell and
$ \overline{\mathrm{DR}} $
conditions. We study various scenarios where we allow for tree-level CP-violating phases in the Higgs sector and where we also study radiatively induced CP violation due to a non-vanishing phase of the trilinear coupling A

t
in the stop sector. The effects on the Higgs boson phenomenology are found to be significant. We furthermore estimate the theoretical error due to unknown higher-order corrections by both varying the renormalization scheme of the top and bottom quark masses and by adopting different renormalization scales. The residual theoretical error can be estimated to about 10%.
Extra U(1) as natural source of a monochromatic gamma ray line
Authors: Dudas Emilian , Mambrini Yann , Pokorski Stefan , Romagnoni Alberto
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Extensions of the Standard Model with an extra U′(1) abelian group generically generate terms coming from loops of heavy fermions, leading to three gauge boson couplings, in particular Z′Zγ. We show that WMAP data constrains the gauge coupling of the group g
D to values comparable with the electro-weak ones, rather independently of the mass of Z′. Moreover, the model predicts a monochromatic γ-ray line which can fit a 130 GeV signal at the FERMI telescope for natural values of the Chern-Simons terms and a dark matter mass around 144.5 GeV.
Forest‐cutting rapidly improves the demographic status of Paeonia officinalis, a species threatened by forest closure
Authors: Andrieu Emilie , Fréville Hélène , Besnard Aurélien , Vaudey Valentine , Gauthier Perrine , Thompson John D. , Debussche Max
Published: October 2012

In the Mediterranean region, the spread and densification of woodlands and shrublands subsequent to rural depopulation is a critical issue for the conservation of open‐habitat plant species. Our objective was to assess the effectiveness of forest management to reduce the negative impact of forest closure on the persistence of a protected herbaceous perennial species Paeonia officinalis. Using demographic surveys from 2003 to 2008 in a woodland, open and managed habitat clear‐cutted for the aim of our study, we assessed the effect of forest opening on plant performance and population dynamics. In addition, we performed a shading experiment on reproductive plants to mimic canopy closure and study its impact on plant growth and fecundity. Based on quadrat surveys and matrix models, we showed that forest cutting induced a rapid increase in plant performance and population asymptotic growth rate. Indeed, within 2 years, plant size, flower, seed and ovule numbers as well as the plant stage distribution, asymptotic growth rates and elasticity patterns shifted from values similar to those in the woodland habitat to values similar to those in the open habitat. Similarly, artificially shaded reproductive plants regressed within 2 years towards the vegetative stage. For perennial plants which have a stage in their life‐cycle which allows for individual survival under unfavourable conditions such as the vegetative stage for P. officinalis, such demographic plasticity may be fundamental for their long‐term persistence in temporally heterogeneous environments. Our study highlights the need to mix an experimental approach with a mid‐term demographic survey in order to design efficient conservation management strategies for declining populations of rare species.
Vitronectin improves cell survival after radiation injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Hazawa Masaharu , Yasuda Takeshi , Noshiro Katsuko , Saotome-Nakamura Ai , Fukuzaki Tomoko , Michikawa Yuichi , Gotoh Takaya , Tajima Katsushi
Published: October 2012

Vitronectin (VN) is a multi‐functional protein involved in extracellular matrix (ECM)‐cell binding through integrin receptors on the cell surface, which is an important environmental process for maintaining biological homeostasis. We investigated how VN affects the survival of endothelial cells after radiation damage. VN attenuated radiation‐induced expression of p21, an inhibitor of cell cycle progression, and selectively inhibited Erk‐ and p38 MAPK‐dependent p21 induction after radiation exposure through regulation of the activity of GSK‐3β. VN also reduced the cleavage of caspase‐3, thereby inhibiting radiation‐induced apoptotic cell death. These results suggest that VN has important roles in cell survival after radiation damage.
Glycogen synthase kinase‐3beta regulates differentiation‐induced apoptosis of human neural progenitor cells
Authors: Jaeger Alexandra , Baake Jana , Weiss Dieter G. , Kriehuber Ralf
Published: October 2012

Glycogen synthase kinase‐3beta is a multifunctional key regulator enzyme in neural developmental processes and a main component of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. It is already known that the Wnt‐driven differentiation of neural progenitor cells is accompanied by an increase of apoptosis at which the pro‐apoptotic function of GSK‐3beta is still discussed. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the phosphorylation level of GSK‐3beta at serine 9 is the primary regulatory mechanism of differentiation‐induced apoptosis.

Differentiating human neural ReNcell VM progenitor cells were treated with the specific GSK‐3beta inhibitor SB216763 (10 μM) and analyzed in respect to the intrinsic apoptosis pathway regulation using microscopy and protein expression analysis.

Differentiation of ReNcell VM cells was accompanied by cell morphological changes, cytoskeleton rearrangement and apoptosis increase. Treatment of differentiating cells with SB216763 induced a significant dephosphorylation of GSK‐3beta at serine 9 accompanied by a significant decrease of apoptosis of about 0.7 ± 0.03% and reduced activation of caspase‐3 as well as BAX and PARP cleavage during the first 12 h of differentiation compared to untreated, differentiating cells.

Dephosphorylation of GSK‐3beta at serine 9 appears not solely to be responsible for its pro‐apoptotic function, because we observed a decrease of intrinsic apoptosis after treatment of the cells with the specific GSK‐3beta inhibitor SB216763. We assume that GSK‐3beta drives neural progenitor cell apoptosis by direct interaction with pro‐apoptotic BAX or by indirect influence on the canonical Wnt/beta‐catenin target gene transcription.
Transplantation of neural stem cells co‐transfected with Nurr1 and Brn4 for treatment of Parkinsonian rats
Authors: Tan Xuefeng , Zhang Lei , Qin JianBing , Tian Meiling , Zhu Huixia , Dong Chuanming , Zhao Heyan , Jin Guohua
Published: October 2012

Neural stem cells (NSCs) tranplantation has great potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the usage of NSCs is limited because the differentiation of NSCs into specific dopaminergic neurons has proven difficult. We have recently demonstrated that transgenic expression of Nurr1 could induce the differentiation of NSCs into tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactive dopaminergic neurons, and forced co‐expression of Nurr1 with Brn4 caused a dramatic increase in morphological and phenotypical maturity of these neurons. In this study, we investigated the effect of transplanted NSCs in PD model rats. The results showed that overexpression of Nurr1 promoted NSCs to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons in vivo, increased the level of dopamine (DA) neurotransmitter in the striatum, resulting in behavioral improvement of PD rats. Importantly, co‐expression of Nurr1 and Brn4 in NSCs significantly increased the maturity and viability of dopaminergic neurons, further raised the DA amount in the striatum and reversed the behavioral deficit of the PD rats. Our findings provide a new potential and strategy for the use of NSCs in cell replacement therapy for PD.
CONDITIONS OF IMMEDIACY: HOWARD SKEMPTON IN INTERVIEW
Authors: Fallas John
Published: October 2012

At 65, Howard Skempton is somewhere near the centre of British compositional life: a surprising development for an avowedly ‘experimental’ composer, whose output until his early forties consisted primarily of short pieces written for himself and a few associates. This annotated interview traces Skempton's career, from the early influences of Webern, Feldman and Britten, through the mentorship of Cornelius Cardew and friendship with Michael Parsons, to the influence of text-setting and of the commissioning process on his recent work. Skempton's preoccupation with ‘the sound’ looms large, but is seen to be balanced by an equal concern with questions of structure, and the interview explores issues of continuity both within individual pieces and across his oeuvre, from A Humming Song (1967) for piano to the string quartet Tendrils (2004), the orchestral song-cycle The Moon is Flashing (2007) and the 35-minute, single-movement viola concerto Only the Sound Remains (2009).