bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale: Intrarater reliability
Authors: Krismer Florian , Seppi Klaus , Tison François , Sampaio Cristina , Zangerl Anja , Peralta Cecilia , Yekhlef Farid , Ghorayeb Imad , Ory‐Magne Fabienne , Galitzky Monique , Bozi Maria , Scaravilli Tommaso , Colosimo Carlo , Geser Felix , Rascol Olivier , Poewe Werner , Quinn Niall P. , Wenning Gregor K. ,   on behalf of the European Multiple System Atrophy Study Group
Published: November 2012

Background:

The Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS) was developed to provide a surrogate measure of disease progression in multiple system atrophy. In the present study, the intrarater agreement of the motor examination part of the UMSARS was determined.

Methods:

All patients were first examined face to face, while being video‐recorded, by two senior and two junior investigators. The patients' videotaped examinations were reevaluated after 3 months. Intrarater reliability for each item was analyzed by kappa statistics.

Results:

Overall weighted kappa (κ) values were at least substantial or excellent for all UMSARS motor examination items, except for ocular motor dysfunction, which showed only moderate intrarater agreement. Intrarater reliability was comparable between senior and junior raters, with all κ differences being ≤ 0.22.

Conclusions:

The motor examination part of the UMSARS was found to have satisfactory intrarater reliability in the present cohort. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Applying bioinformatics to proteomics: Is machine learning the answer to biomarker discovery for PD and MSA?
Authors: Mattison Hayley A. , Stewart Tessandra , Zhang Jing
Published: November 2012

Bioinformatics tools are increasingly being applied to proteomic data to facilitate the identification of biomarkers and classification of patients. In the June, 2012 issue, Ishigami et al. used principal component analysis (PCA) to extract features and support vector machine (SVM) to differentiate and classify cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from two small cohorts of patients diagnosed with either Parkinson's disease (PD) or multiple system atrophy (MSA) based on differences in the patterns of peaks generated with matrix‐assisted desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS). PCA accurately segregated patients with PD and MSA from controls when the cohorts were combined, but did not perform well when segregating PD from MSA. On the other hand, SVM, a machine learning classification model, correctly classified the samples from patients with early PD or MSA, and the peak at m/z 6250 was identified as a strong contributor to the ability of SVM to distinguish the proteomic profiles of either cohort when trained on one cohort. This study, while preliminary, provides promising results for the application of bioinformatics tools to proteomic data, an approach that may eventually facilitate the ability of clinicians to differentiate and diagnose closely related parkinsonian disorders. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Myoclonus and dystonia in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis
Authors: Lagarde Julien , Roze Emmanuel , Apartis Emmanuelle , Pothalil Deepa , Sedel Frédéric , Couvert Philippe , Vidailhet Marie , Degos Bertrand
Published: November 2012

Background:

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is an inherited neurometabolic disorder. The main neurological manifestations of the disease are pyramidal syndrome, ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, cognitive impairment, epilepsy, and psychiatric disturbances. Myoclonic dystonia has been reported on in the setting of various neurometabolic diseases. Anecdotal reports describe movement disorders associated with CTX, but no dystonia with myoclonic events.

Methods:

We collected clinical, biochemical, electrophysiological, neuroradiological, and genetic data of 6 patients with myoclonus and mild dystonia associated with CTX. From a systematic literature review, we analyzed 31 patients with movement disorders secondary to CTX.

Results:

Our 6 patients presented distal myoclonus with mild dystonia of the upper limbs. Myoclonus was of subcortical origin, based on neurophysiological recordings, and differed from oromandibular myoclonus previously described in CTX patients.

Conclusions:

These results expand the phenotype of CTX and suggest that myoclonus and/or dystonia are underdiagnosed. In keeping with our findings, tremors previously observed in CTX patients might actually correspond to myoclonic events. We hypothesize that a dysfunction of the dentate nuclei‐basal ganglia pathway may be involved. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society.
DYT7 gene locus for cervical dystonia on chromosome 18p is questionable
Authors: Winter Pia , Kamm Christoph , Biskup Saskia , Köhler Angelika , Leube Barbara , Auburger Georg , Gasser Thomas , Benecke Rainer , Müller Ulrich
Published: November 2012

Background:

A locus implicated in autosomal dominant cervical dystonia was assigned to chromosome 18p in 1 large family more than 15 years ago. This locus was designated DYT7. We reanalyzed the family clinically and genetically.

Methods:

Clinical reevaluation of all family members was performed. There was Sanger sequencing of candidate genes, SNP array analysis, and exome sequencing in definitely affected family members.

Results:

Diagnosis of cervical dystonia was definite in 6 family members and possible in 12. Analysis of candidate genes in 18p revealed no alteration in definitely affected patients. There was no disease causing copy number variant in 18p. No potentially disease‐causing mutations were detected in 18p by exome sequencing. The CIZ1 gene, mutated in some cases of cervical dystonia, was excluded.

Conclusions:

Location of DYT7 on 18p in autosomal dominant cervical dystonia is questionable. We demonstrate genetic heterogeneity of this form of dystonia. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Common variation in the LRRK2 gene is a risk factor for Parkinson's disease
Authors: Mata Ignacio F. , Checkoway Harvey , Hutter Carolyn M. , Samii Ali , Roberts John W. , Kim Hojoong M. , Agarwal Pinky , Alvarez Victoria , Ribacoba Renee , Pastor Pau , Lorenzo‐Betancor Oswaldo , Infante Jon , Sierra María , Gómez‐Garre Pilar , Mir Pablo , Ritz Beate , Rhodes Shannon L. , Colcher Amy , Van Deerlin Vivianna , Chung Kathryn A. , Quinn Joseph F. , Yearout Dora , Martinez Erica , Farin Federico M. , Wan Jia Y. , Edwards Karen L. , Zabetian Cyrus P.
Published: November 2012

Background:

Common variants in the LRRK2 gene influence the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) in Asians, but whether the same is true in European‐derived populations is less clear.

Methods:

We genotyped 66 LRRK2 tagging single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 575 PD patients and 689 controls from the northwestern United States (tier 1). PD‐associated SNPs (P < .05) were then genotyped in an independent sample of 3617 cases and 2512 controls from the United States and Spain (tier 2). Logistic regression was used to model additive SNP genotype effects adjusted for age and sex among white individuals.

Results:

Two regions showed independent association with PD in tier 1, and SNPs in both regions were successfully replicated in tier 2 (rs10878226, combined odds ratio [OR], 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–1.33; P = 6.3 × 10−4; rs11176013, OR, 0.89; CI, 0.83–0.95; P = 4.6 × 10−4).

Conclusions:

Our data suggest that common variation within LRRK2 conveys susceptibility for PD in individuals of European ancestry. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Protective stepping response in Parkinsonian patients and the effect of vibrotactile feedback
Authors: Lee Pei‐Yun , Gadareh Kris , Naushahi Mohammad J. , Gresty Michael , Bronstein Adolfo M.
Published: November 2012

The objectives of this study were (1) to characterize protective stepping responses to unpredictable forward/backward postural perturbation in Parkinson's disease (PD) and (2) to assess whether vibrotactile cues of the impending fall improve the stepping response. Twenty mild PD patients, 7 advanced PD patients, and 17 age‐matched controls stood on a platform moving unpredictably forward and backward, requiring a protective step to maintain balance. Direction‐coded vibrotactile cues, triggered by leg tilt, were provided to prompt step generation. All subjects showed quicker reaction time, shorter steps, and smaller total trunk displacement when stepping backward than when stepping forward. Advanced PD patients took shorter, slower, and an increased number of protective steps. The only abnormality observed in mild PD patients was slightly slower backward steps. Vibrotactile feedback reduced the amount of trunk displacement observed before taking a protective step but did not improve any abnormality in PD patients. Early PD patients had near‐normal protective stepping responses to unpredictable perturbations, but advanced patients made slow and short steps both forward and backward. Given that latencies were preserved even in unpredictable conditions, step slowness and hypometria are the primary abnormalities of the stepping response in PD. As voluntary locomotor stepping in PD is reported to improve with sensory feedback, the lack of such improvement in our study implies that additional sensory cues cannot help automatic reflex‐like stepping reactions in PD patients. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Sonographic abnormality of the substantia nigra in melanoma patients
Authors: Rumpf Jost‐Julian , Weise David , Fricke Christopher , Wetzig Tino , Simon Jan‐Christoph , Classen Joseph
Published: November 2012

Background

Evidence derived from large epidemiological studies suggests an association between Parkinson's disease (PD) and malignant melanoma. Transcranial sonography of the midbrain reveals an extended echogenic substantia nigra (SN) area in a high proportion of patients with PD. This characteristic, in the context of PD, may signal degeneration of dopaminergic nigrostriatal projection neurons. Demonstration of an increased prevalence of abnormal echogenic SN in melanoma patients could add weight to the hypothesis of an underlying common pathogenic pathway of both diseases.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional observational study. Transcranial sonography of the SN region was performed on 31 patients suffering from malignant melanoma and 29 healthy participants. In addition, patients and controls were screened for motor and non‐motor symptoms of PD.

Results

The echogenic SN area was abnormally extended in 42% of melanoma patients versus 7% of control subjects (χ2= 9.811, P = .002). Mean echogenic SN area (SN[R, L]) was significantly larger in melanoma patients than in controls (patients, 0.21 ± 0.07 cm2; controls, 0.15 ± 0.04 cm2 [mean ± SD]; unpaired t test, P < .001).

Conclusions

These findings provide additional evidence in favor of a common pathogenic pathway of PD and malignant melanoma and raise the possibility that their association is closer than previously assumed. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
The prevalence of primary dystonia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Steeves Thomas D. , Day Lundy , Dykeman Jonathan , Jette Nathalie , Pringsheim Tamara
Published: November 2012

Dystonia is a hyperkinetic movement disorder characterized by sustained muscle contractions that produce repetitive movements and abnormal postures. Specific information on the prevalence of dystonia has been difficult to establish because the existing epidemiological studies of the condition have adopted different methodologies for case ascertainment, resulting in widely differing reported prevalence. Medline and Embase databases were searched using terms specific to dystonia for studies of incidence, prevalence, and epidemiology. All population‐based studies reporting an incidence and/or prevalence of primary dystonia were included. Sixteen original studies were included in our systematic review. Fifteen studies reported the prevalence of dystonia, including 12 service‐based and three population‐based studies. We performed a meta‐analysis on the results of the service‐based studies, and were able to combine data on the prevalence of several dystonia subtypes. From these studies, we calculated an overall prevalence of primary dystonia of 16.43 per 100,000 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 12.09–22.32). The prevalence of dystonia reported in the three population‐based studies appears higher than that reported in the service‐based studies. Only 1 of the 16 studies reported an incidence of cervical dystonia. This corresponded to a corrected incidence estimate of 1.07 per 100,000 person‐years (95% CI: 0.86–1.32). Despite numerous studies on the epidemiology of dystonia, attempting to determine an accurate prevalence of the condition for health services planning remains a significant challenge. Given the methodological limitations of the existing studies, our own prevalence estimate of primary dystonia likely underestimates the true prevalence of the condition. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Comparison of dysphagia before and after deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Silbergleit Alice K. , LeWitt Peter , Junn Fred , Schultz Lonni R. , Collins Denise , Beardsley Tausha , Hubert Meghan , Trosch Richard , Schwalb Jason M.
Published: November 2012

Although dysphagia is a common problem for many Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, the effect of deep brain stimulation (DBS) on swallowing is unclear. Fourteen subjects with advanced PD underwent videofluorographic swallowing studies prior to bilateral DBS of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and at 3 and 12 months postprocedure. They were tested under several stimulation and medication conditions. Subjects completed the Dysphagia Handicap Index at each time. There was a strong trend toward improved swallowing response for solid intake in the medication‐free condition with the stimulator on compared with the stimulator off (P = .0107). Also, there was a trend toward improved oral preparation of thin liquids (P = .0368) in the medication‐free condition when the stimulator was on versus off 12 months later. The remaining swallowing parameters showed no change or worsening of swallowing function regardless of stimulator or medication status. Results of the Dysphagia Handicap Index revealed significant improvement in subject self‐perception of swallowing 3 and 12 months following the procedure compared with baseline on the functional subscale (P = .020 and P = .010, respectively), the emotional subscale (P = .013 and P = .003, respectively), and the total score (P = .025 and P = .003, respectively). These data suggest that bilateral STN‐DBS does not substantively impair swallowing in PD. In addition, it may improve motor sequencing of the oropharyngeal swallow for solid consistencies (which are known to provide increased sensory feedback to assist motor planning of the oropharyngeal swallow). Subjects with advanced PD who are undergoing DBS may perceive significant improvement in swallowing ability despite the lack of objective improvements in swallowing function. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Germ line specific expression of a vasa homologue gene in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus): Evidence for vasa localization at cleavage furrows in euteleostei
Authors: Lin Fan , Xu Shihong , Ma Daoyuan , Xiao Zhizhong , Zhao Chunyan , Xiao Yongshuang , Chi Liang , Liu Qinghua , Li Jun
Published: November 2012

Specification of primordial germ cells during early embryogenesis is a critical biological issue in reproduction and development. Yet, little is known in marine economic fish species. Vasa, a component of germ plasm, is the most‐documented germ cell marker in teleosts. We isolated a full‐length vasa cDNA (Smvas) from turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), a marine Euteleostei species, and investigated its expression patterns by RT‐PCR and in situ hybridization during embryogenesis and gametogenesis to identify the germ cell lineage in this species. The deduced amino acid sequence of the isolated cDNA shared typical characteristics of Vasa protein and high identity to Vasa homologues in medaka (76.9%) and zebrafish (68.5%). The Smvas transcripts were exclusively detected in germ cells of testis and ovary, and exhibited an interesting dynamic localization pattern during oogenesis. The distribution pattern of Smvas during embyogenesis in this Euteleostei closely resembled the pattern observed in zebrafish (belonging to Osteriophysans) rather than medaka (belonging to Euteleostei). Thus, it is concluded that Smvas isolated in this study is a germ cell specific molecular marker in turbot. Furthermore, we hypothesize that Euteleostei could localize vasa mRNA by a special mode. The results not only facilitate the germ cell manipulation of the turbot, but also improve our understanding of germline development and evolution of vasa localization in teleost. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 79: 803–813, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Single‐Point Intrinsic Viscosity and Density Measurements for In‐Line MIMO Control Purposes of a Lumped‐Distributed Polymeric System
Authors: Vega Márcia P. , Bellumat Ernanda , Lima Enrique L. , Pinto José Carlos
Published: November 2012

Simulation and experimental studies are carried out for peroxide‐initiated styrene solution polymerization in a lumped‐distributed reactor. Weight‐average molecular weight (intrinsic viscosity measurements) and conversion (density data) are the output signals, while the manipulated variables are jacket reactor temperature and feed modifier (tert‐dodecylmercaptan) concentration. A simple in‐line viscometrical method makes the in‐line control of weight‐average molecular weight in solution polymerization feasible, using independent conversion measurements from an in‐line densitometer. Successful closed‐loop servo and regulatory control results are obtained.

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B‐spline collocation algorithm for numerical solution of the generalized Burger's‐Huxley equation
Authors: Mohammadi Reza
Published: November 2012

The cubic B‐spline collocation scheme is implemented to find numerical solution of the generalized Burger's–Huxley equation. The scheme is based on the finite‐difference formulation for time integration and cubic B‐spline functions for space integration. Convergence of the scheme is discussed through standard convergence analysis. The proposed scheme is of second‐order convergent. The accuracy of the proposed method is demonstrated by four test problems. The numerical results are found to be in good agreement with the exact solutions. Results are compared with other results given in literature. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2013
Uncoupling evolutionary groundwater‐surface water flows using the Crank–Nicolson Leapfrog method
Authors: Kubacki Michaela
Published: November 2012

Consider an incompressible fluid in a region Ωf flowing both ways across an interface into a porous media domain Ωp saturated with the same fluid. The physical processes in each domain have been well studied and are described by the Stokes equations in the fluid region and the Darcy equations in the porous media region. Taking the interfacial conditions into account produces a system with an exactly skew symmetric coupling. Spatial discretization by finite element method and time discretization by Crank–Nicolson LeapFrog give a second‐order partitioned method requiring only one Stokes and one Darcy subphysics and subdomain solver per time step for the fully evolutionary Stokes‐Darcy problem. Analysis of this method leads to a time step condition sufficient for stability and convergence. Numerical tests verify predicted rates of convergence; however, stability tests reveal the problem of growth of numerical noise in unstable modes in some cases. In such instances, the addition of time filters adds stability. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2013
Regulation of the immune and inflammatory responses by the 'atypical' chemokine receptor D6
Authors: Graham Gerard J , Locati Massimo
Published: November 2012

Chemokines and their receptors are key regulators of leukocyte migration and intra‐tissue accumulation under both homeostatic and inflammatory conditions. Regulation of chemokine‐dependent responses, particularly those relating to inflammation, is essential to avoid the development of inflammatory and autoimmune pathologies. Recently, a new subfamily of chemokine receptors referred to as the 'atypical' chemokine receptors has emerged, members of which have been shown to play important roles in controlling in vivo chemokine biology. Here we review the basic biology of the chemokine and chemokine receptor family, introduce the topic of 'atypical' chemokine receptor biology and focus specifically on the best‐characterized of the 'atypical' chemokine receptors, D6. D6 is a 'scavenging' receptor for inflammatory CC chemokines and plays a central role in the resolution of in vivo inflammatory responses. We describe the biology, biochemistry and pathological relevance of D6 and outline emerging data suggesting that it has additional important roles in integrating innate and adaptive immune responses.
Proximal tubular cells contain a phenotypically distinct, scattered cell population involved in tubular regeneration
Authors: Smeets Bart , Boor Peter , Dijkman Henry , Sharma Shagun V , Jirak Peggy , Mooren Fieke , Berger Katja , Bornemann Jörg , Gelman Irwin H , Floege Jürgen , van der Vlag Johan , Wetzels Jack FM , Moeller Marcus J
Published: November 2012

Regeneration of injured tubular cells occurs after acute tubular necrosis primarily from intrinsic renal cells. This may occur from a pre‐existing intratubular stem/progenitor cell population or from any surviving proximal tubular cell. In this study, we characterize a CD24‐, CD133‐, and vimentin‐positive subpopulation of cells scattered throughout the proximal tubule in normal human kidney. Compared to adjacent ‘normal’ proximal tubular cells, these CD24‐positive cells contained less cytoplasm, fewer mitochondria, and no brush border. In addition, 49 marker proteins are described that are expressed within the proximal tubules in a similar scattered pattern. For eight of these markers, we confirmed co‐localization with CD24. In human biopsies of patients with acute tubular necrosis (ATN), the number of CD24‐positive tubular cells was increased. In both normal human kidneys and the ATN biopsies, around 85% of proliferating cells were CD24‐positive – indicating that this cell population participates in tubular regeneration. In healthy rat kidneys, the novel cell subpopulation was absent. However, upon unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), the novel cell population was detected in significant amounts in the injured kidney. In summary, in human renal biopsies, the CD24‐positive cells represent tubular cells with a deviant phenotype, characterized by a distinct morphology and marker expression. After acute tubular injury, these cells become more numerous. In healthy rat kidneys, these cells are not detectable, whereas after UUO, they appeared de novo – arguing against the notion that these cells represent a pre‐existing progenitor cell population. Our data indicate rather that these cells represent transiently dedifferentiated tubular cells involved in regeneration. Copyright © 2012 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance of New Anticoagulants for Thromboprophylaxis in Patients Undergoing Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery
Authors: Mahan Charles E. , Kaatz Scott
Published: November 2012

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents one of the most preventable complications that occur during hospitalization, and measurement of hospital‐associated VTE is becoming a key component in hospital quality measures. Guidelines for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism have been published by several organizations to guide quality of care; however, some of the guidelines are divergent in their recommendations. This disagreement among guidelines is most pronounced in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery. The advent of newer anticoagulants, which are now approved or in late‐phase development, have already had an effect on the guidelines and may also affect quality measures in the future. In this article, we review the burden of VTE in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery, highlight the differences in the guidelines, and examine the new anticoagulants as they are related to VTE prophylaxis in this patient group.
Local Antimicrobial Administration for Prophylaxis of Surgical Site Infections
Authors: Huiras Paul , Logan Jill K. , Papadopoulos Stella , Whitney Dana
Published: November 2012

Despite a lack of consensus guidelines, local antibiotic administration for prophylaxis of surgical site infections is used during many surgical procedures. The rationale behind this practice is to provide high antibiotic concentrations at the site of surgery while minimizing systemic exposure and adverse effects. Local antibiotic administration for surgical site prophylaxis has inherent limitations in that antibiotics are applied after the incision is made, rather than the current standard for surgical site prophylaxis that recommends providing adequate antibiotic concentrations at the site before the incision. The efficacy and safety of local application of antibiotics for surgical site prophylaxis have been assessed in different types of surgery with a variety of antibiotic agents and methods of application. We identified 22 prospective, randomized, controlled trials that evaluated local application of antibiotics for surgical site prophylaxis. These trials were subsequently divided and analyzed based on the type of surgical procedure: dermatologic, orthopedic, abdominal, colorectal, and cardiothoracic. Methods of local application analyzed included irrigations, powders, ointments, pastes, beads, sponges, and fleeces. Overall, there is a significant lack of level I evidence supporting this practice for any of the surgical genres evaluated. In addition, the literature spans several decades, and changes in surgical procedures, systemic antibiotic prophylaxis, and microbial flora make conclusions difficult to determine. Based on available data, the efficacy of local antibiotic administration for the prophylaxis of surgical site infections remains uncertain, and recommendations supporting this practice for surgical site prophylaxis cannot be made.
Fullerene‐based processable polymers as plausible acceptors in photovoltaic applications
Authors: Perrin Lara , Nourdine Ali , Planes Emilie , Carrot Christian , Alberola Nicole , Flandin Lionel
Published: November 2012

To develop n‐type processable polymeric materials for photovoltaic applications, a series of polymers was synthesized by grafting fullerene C60 onto polystyrene (PS). Grafted polymers were studied and compared with PS:fullerene blends. Electronical and electrical properties were first measured to define the minimal amount of C60 required for solar cells application. Then, thermal properties and rheological behavior of grafted polymers were analyzed to determine whether they could be processed from the melt. A throughout experimental study revealed that C60‐grafted polymers exhibit two thresholds. The first threshold at 3–4 vol % (detected by electrical conductivity, electron mobility, and melt viscosity measurements) is associated to the percolation of C60 molecules. The second threshold (evidenced by glass transition and melt viscosity measurements and confirmed by optical and atomic force micrograph observations) at about 12–13 vol % is assumed to be related to the formation of C60 aggregates. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013
Dosage consistency is the key factor in avoiding evolution of resistance to phosphine and population increase in stored‐grain pests
Authors: Shi Mingren , Collins Patrick J , Ridsdill‐Smith T James , Emery Robert N , Renton Michael
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND

Control of pests in stored grain and the evolution of resistance to pesticides are serious problems worldwide. A stochastic individual‐based two‐locus model was used to investigate the impact of two important issues, the consistency of pesticide dosage through the storage facility and the immigration rate of the adult pest, on overall population control and avoidance of evolution of resistance to the fumigant phosphine in an important pest of stored grain, the lesser grain borer.

RESULTS

A very consistent dosage maintained good control for all immigration rates, while an inconsistent dosage failed to maintain control in all cases. At intermediate dosage consistency, immigration rate became a critical factor in whether control was maintained or resistance emerged.

CONCLUSION

Achieving a consistent fumigant dosage is a key factor in avoiding evolution of resistance to phosphine and maintaining control of populations of stored‐grain pests; when the dosage achieved is very inconsistent, there is likely to be a problem regardless of immigration rate. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Polydopamine Spheres as Active Templates for Convenient Synthesis of Various Nanostructures
Authors: Yan Jian , Yang Liping , Lin Meng‐Fang , Ma Jan , Lu Xuehong , Lee Pooi See
Published: November 2012

In this work, monodisperse polydopamine (PDA) spheres with tunable diameters have been synthesized through a facile and low cost method using a deionized water and alcohol mixed solvent. The PDA spheres possess surface functional groups (–OH, –NH2), exhibiting an extraordinary versatile active nature. It is demonstrated that the PDA spheres could serve as an active template for the convenient synthesis of various nanostructures, e.g., MnO2 hollow spheres or PDA/Fe3O4 and PDA/Ag core/shell nanostructures. No surface modification or special treatment is required for the synthesis of these nanostructures, which makes the fabrication process simple and very convenient. The novel application of PDA/Fe3O4 spheres as fillers in nanocomposites for high‐performance capacitors is demonstrated, indicating a promising practicality. The PDA spheres provide a new general platform not only for the facile assembly of nanostructures but also a green synthetic template for practical applications.
Water‐Dispersible Fullerene Aggregates as a Targeted Anticancer Prodrug with both Chemo‐ and Photodynamic Therapeutic Actions
Authors: Fan Jianquan , Fang Gang , Zeng Fang , Wang Xiaodan , Wu Shuizhu
Published: November 2012

Prodrug therapy is one strategy to deliver anticancer drugs in a less reactive manner to reduce nonspecific cytotoxicity. A new multifunctional anticancer prodrug system based on water‐dispersible fullerene (C60) aggregates is introduced; this prodrug system demonstrates active targeting, pH‐responsive chemotherapy, and photodynamic therapeutic (PDT) properties. Incorporating (via a cleavable bond) an anticancer drug, which is doxorubicin (DOX) in this study, and a targeting ligand (folic acid) onto fullerene while maintaining an overall size of approximately 135 nm produces a more specific anticancer prodrug. This prodrug can enter folate receptor (FR)‐positive cancer cells and kill the cells via intracellular release of the active drug form. Moreover, the fullerene aggregate carrier exhibits PDT action; the cytotoxicity of the system towards FR‐positive cancer cells is increased in response to light irradiation. As the DOX drug molecules are conjugated onto fullerene, the DOX fluorescence is significantly quenched by the strong electron‐accepting capability of fullerene. The fluorescence restores upon release from fullerene, so this fluorescence quenching–restoring feature can be used to track intracellular DOX release. The combined effect of chemotherapy and PDT increases the therapeutic efficacy of the DOX–fullerene aggregate prodrug. This study provides useful insights into designing and improving the applicability of fullerene for other targeted cancer prodrug systems.
Revealing Rotational Modes of Functionalized Gold Nanorods on Live Cell Membranes
Authors: Gu Yan , Sun Wei , Wang Gufeng , Zimmermann Michael T. , Jernigan Robert L. , Fang Ning
Published: November 2012

A full understanding of cell mechanics requires knowledge of both translational and rotational dynamics. The single particle orientation and rotational tracking (SPORT) technique is combined here with correlation analysis to identify the fundamental rotational modes: in‐plane rotation and out‐of‐plane tilting, as well as other more complex rotational patterns, from the vast image data captured at a temporal resolution of 5 ms for single gold nanorod probes in live cell imaging experiments. The unique capabilities of visualizing and understanding rotational motions of functional nanoparticles on live cell membranes allow correlation of the rotational and translational dynamics in unprecedented detail and provide new insights into complex membrane processes. Particles with functionalized surfaces, which interact with the membrane in fundamentally different ways, can exhibit distinct rotational modes and are, for the first time, directly visualized, and these show the early events for membrane approach and attachment.
Transparent Nanowire Network Electrode for Textured Semiconductors
Authors: Gao Jinwei , Pei Ke , Sun Tianyi , Wang Yaohui , Zhang Linghai , Peng Weijin , Lin Qinggeng , Giersig Michael , Kempa Krzysztof , Ren Zhifeng , Wang Yang
Published: November 2012

This work presents an inexpensive and easily manufacturable, highly conductive and transparent nanowire network electrode for textured semiconductors. It is based on lines of silver nanoparticles transformed into a nanowire network by microwave or furnace sintering. The nanonetwork electrode on crystalline silicon is demonstrated experimentally, with the nanoparticles self‐assembling in the valleys between the pyramids of the textured surface. Optical experiments show that this conductive nanowire network electrode can be essentially ‘invisible’ when covered with the conventional anti‐reflection coating (ARC), and thus could be employed in photovoltaic applications.
Features of Transport in Ultrathin Gold Nanowire Structures
Authors: Pud Sergii , Kisner Alexandre , Heggen Marc , Belaineh Dagmawi , Temirov Ruslan , Simon Ulrich , Offenhäusser Andreas , Mourzina Yulia , Vitusevich Svetlana
Published: November 2012

The origin of the interface formation appearing due to the realization of contacts to ultrathin gold nanowire devices is revealed. Such interfaces play an important role in transport mechanisms in nanowire structures and can determine the electrical and operating parameters of a nanodevice. Based on experimental results, the specific electrical properties of bundles of ultrathin gold nanowires fabricated by wet chemical synthesis and subsequently assembled and contacted with gold electrodes are reported. It is demonstrated that these properties are strongly affected by the monolayers of organic molecules inevitably present on the surface of the nanowires due to synthetic conditions. In particular, such layers form a potential barrier to tunneling of the electrons from contacts to the nanowires. The electric transport behavior of the investigated nanowire structures in the temperature range from 500 mK to 300 K obeys the model of thermal fluctuation‐induced tunneling conduction through the nanowire‐metal electrode molecular junction. Application of this model allows calculation of the parameters of the molecular potential barrier. The formation of such a molecular barrier is verified by scanning tunneling microscope (STM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) measurements performed using a supporting graphene layer. These findings are important for designing novel nanodevices for molecular electronics on the basis of ultrathin nanowires.
Picture This: Visual Literacy as a Pathway to Character Understanding
Authors: Prior Lori Ann , Willson Angeli , Martinez Miriam
Published: November 2012

The literary element of character is critical to literary meaning‐making, and in picturebooks images provide information important to understanding characters. This manuscript shares results of an investigation that explored the kinds of pictorial information young children use to gain insights into the characters and provide practical ways teachers can extend their own as well as children's engagement with visual text. Following read alouds of three picturebooks, second graders were shown pre‐selected illustrations from the books and interviewed. Insights gained suggest children are aware of important visual information and use certain types of visual information to understand character. Yet, many children were not attuned to several intentional visual devices used by illustrators. Therefore, teachers have important work to do in fostering children's visual literacy. Teachers must value, draw attention to, and explore illustrations and artistic devices illustrators utilize to facilitate visual literacy and character development.
Effective Approaches to Motivate and Engage Reluctant Boys in Literacy
Authors: Senn Nicole
Published: November 2012

The purpose of this article was to investigate the reasons why elementary‐aged boys often lack motivation in literacy and to provide teachers with useful approaches to engage reluctant boys in reading and writing. Following a comprehensive search of multiple university data base search engines, the author critically evaluated 21 peer‐reviewed sources written within the last ten years, as well as two sources from the last 14 years. Gender‐based brain research studies revealed to the author that differences in brain design and development create learning differences between males and females. Evidence from Qualitative and Mixed Method studies also led the author to find lack of confidence, interest level, and topic choice to be significant factors affecting a boy's motivation to read and/or write. Included in the article are strategy suggestions that teachers may implement in their classrooms to better engage boys in literacy.
Teaching Memoir in the Elementary School Classroom: A Genre Study Approach
Authors: Gibney Tara
Published: November 2012

This article describes how one teacher implemented a memoir genre study in her sixth grade classroom using a writing workshop approach. It begins by outlining the author's philosophy and rationale for teaching writing in this manner. This is followed by a discussion of how one could organize one's classroom for a memoir genre study. Several significant mini‐lessons are then described which focus on brainstorming, planning, developing effective titles, leads and conclusions, structuring a memoir texts, the use of the senses in memoir writing and strategies for revision. The aim of this article is to equip practitioners with the practical knowledge they need if they are seeking to implement a memoir genre study in their elementary school classroom.
Moment‐To‐Moment Emotions During Reading
Authors: Graesser Arthur C. , D'Mello Sidney
Published: November 2012

Moment‐to‐moment emotions are affective states that dynamically change during reading and potentially influence comprehension. Researchers have recently identified these emotions and the emotion trajectories in reading, tutoring, and problem solving. The primary learning‐centered emotions are boredom, frustration, confusion, flow (engagement), delight, surprise, and anxiety. Emotion transitions occur when the text becomes too difficult or easy for the reader and when conceptual obstacles create cognitive disequilibrium. Teachers and computer environments have the potential to improve reading comprehension by detecting and strategically handling the readers’ boredom, frustration, and confusion. One frontier in reading research is to understand the complex dance between comprehension and emotions.
Divergent tail and throat ornamentation in the barn swallow across the Japanese islands
Authors: Hasegawa Masaru , Arai Emi
Published: November 2012

The geographic variations in male ornamentation provide insights into how different populations reach a different mean trait value under opposing forces of natural and sexual selection. Although the latitudinal cline of the elongated tail streamer, a sexually selected trait in the European subspecies of the barn swallowHirundo rustica rustica, is a classic example, it has recently been shown that other subspecies of swallows have different targets of sexual selection. Here, we studied the latitudinal cline of ornamentation in the Asian subspecies,H.r.gutturalis, in which not the tail length but the white tail spot and red throat patch are important sexually selected traits. After controlling for covariates, the size of the white tail spot increased with latitude, while the size of the red throat patch decreased with latitude. On the other hand, we could not find any clear pattern regarding the elongated tail streamer, measured as fork depth. The divergent ornamentation across populations could be explained by latitudinal clines of sexually selected advantages of each ornament.
Micellization and Adsorption Behaviors of New Reactive Polymerizable Surfactants Based on Modified Nonyl Phenol Ethoxylates
Authors: Atta Ayman M. , Dyab Amro K. F. , Al‐Lohedan Hamad A.
Published: November 2012

The synthesis and characterization of a series of polymerizable surfactants based on alkyl phenol ethoxylate backbone and carboxylic or anhydride chain ends were investigated. Surface activities of these polymerizable surfactants were investigated to correlate their structure and their performances. The new bifunctional surfmers were prepared by reacting polyoxyethylene 4‐nonyl‐2‐propylene‐phenol nonionic reactive surfactants with maleic anhydride. The chemical structure of the prepared surfactants was characterized by 13C and 1H NMR analyses. The surface activities of the modified polymerizable surfactants were measured from the adsorption isotherm measurements which were determined from the relationship between the concentrations and surface tension of surfactants in aqueous medium at different temperatures. Critical micelle concentration (CMC) values were determined for water soluble surfactants. It was found that CMC decreases with the incorporation of the anhydride and acid groups in the chemical structure of polyoxyethylene 4‐nonyl −2‐propylene‐phenol nonionic surfactant. surface‐active parameters such as area per molecule at the interface (Amin), surface excess concentration (Γmax) and the effectiveness of surface tension reduction (πCMC) were measured from the adsorption isotherms of the modified surfactants. Some thermodynamic data for the adsorption process were calculated and discussed. The data indicated that the new surfmers are more reactive than the simple polyoxyethylene 4‐nonyl‐2‐propylene‐phenol and more adsorbed at interfaces. We have performed a preliminary experiment to explore the emulsification efficiency of the newly synthesized reactive surfactants in equal volume oil–water emulsions. Different emulsion types and stabilities were obtained.
Regulation of GluA1 AMPA Receptor Through PKC Phosphorylation Induced by Free Fatty Acid Derivative HUHS2002
Authors: Nishimoto Takaaki , Kanno Takeshi , Shimizu Tadashi , Tanaka Akito , Nishizaki Tomoyuki
Published: November 2012

The present study investigated the effect of 4‐[4‐(Z)‐hept‐1‐enyl‐phenoxy] butyric acid (HUHS2002), a newly synthesized free fatty acid derivative, on α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor responses. HUHS2002 potentiated currents through GluA1 AMPA receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes in a bell‐shaped concentration (1 nM–1 μM)‐dependent manner, the maximum reaching nearly 140 % of original amplitude at 100 nM. The potentiation was significantly inhibited by GF109203X, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), but not KN‐93, an inhibitor of Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). HUHS2002 had no potentiating effect on currents through mutant GluA1 AMPA receptors with replacement of Ser831, a PKC/CaMKII phosphorylation site, by Ala. In the in situ PKC assay using rat PC‐12 cells, HUHS2002 significantly enhanced PKC activity, that is suppressed by GF109203X. Overall, the results of the present study show that HUHS2002 potentiates GluA1 AMPA receptor responses by activating PKC and phosphorylating the receptors at Ser831, regardless of CaMKII activation and phosphorylation.
Accumulation of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural in Oil During Frying of Model Dough
Authors: Göncüoğlu Neslihan , Gökmen Vural
Published: November 2012

5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a thermal process contaminant, forms in food during frying as a result of the Maillard reaction and caramelization. Owing to its chemical properties, HMF formed in foods during frying partially transfers into frying oil. This study aimed to investigate the accumulation of HMF in oil during repetitive frying operations. A model dough composed of 25 % of glucose was fried at 160, 170, 180 °C for 50 frying cycles. Apart from total polar compounds (TPC), accumulation of HMF was determined in oils during repetitive frying operations. Increasing frying temperature also increased the amount of HMF formed in dough, and those transferred to oil. Prolonging frying cycles to 150, increasing amount of dough being fried to 100 g and frying time to 10 min caused the TPC content to reach 25 % at the 130th frying cycle at 180 °C. Under the same frying conditions, the concentration of HMF showed a rapid increase at the first 10th frying cycle. Its increase was at a slower rate until the 50th frying cycle reaching a plateau level exceeding 5.0 mg/L. The results revealed that HMF transferred and accumulated in the frying oil during repetitive frying. The HMF concentration exceeding 5.0 mg/L in oil may be considered as an indicator for heavily used frying oil. Correlation between TPC and HMF contents of frying oil showed no linear correlation.
Thioredoxin‐like protein TlpA from Bradyrhizobium japonicum is a reductant for the copper metallochaperone ScoI
Authors: Mohorko Elisabeth , Abicht Helge K. , Bühler Doris , Glockshuber Rudi , Hennecke Hauke , Fischer Hans-Martin
Published: November 2012

ScoI
and
TlpA
bind by cross‐linking study (View Interaction: 1, 2)
A Juzvinskii addition theorem for finitely generated free group actions
Authors: BOWEN LEWIS , GUTMAN YONATAN
Published: November 2012

The classical Juzvinskii addition theorem states that the entropy of an automorphism of a compact group decomposes along invariant subgroups. Thomas generalized the theorem to a skew-product setting. Using L. Bowen’s f-invariant, we prove the addition theorem for actions of finitely generated free groups on skew-products with compact totally disconnected groups or compact Lie groups (correcting an error in L. Bowen [Nonabelian free group actions: Markov processes, the Abramov–Rohlin formula and Yuzvinskii’s formula. Ergod. Th. & Dynam. Sys.30(6) (2010), 1629–1663]) and discuss examples.