bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of miR‐150‐targeting c‐Myb in colonic epithelial disruption during dextran sulphate sodium‐induced murine experimental colitis and human ulcerative colitis
Authors: Bian Zhen , Li Limin , Cui Jinglong , Zhang Hongjie , Liu Yuan , Zhang Chen‐Yu , Zen Ke
Published: March 2011

Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are associated with differential expression of genes involved in inflammation and tissue remodelling. We surveyed the expression profile of apoptosis‐related microRNAs by real‐time quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) in a dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) murine model of colitis. We found that miR‐150 was strongly elevated, whereas c‐Myb, a transcription factor and a target gene of miR‐150, was significantly reduced in colon tissue after DSS treatment. Interestingly, elevation of miR‐150 and down‐regulation of c‐Myb were also observed in human colon with active ulcerative colitis compared to the normal colon. Supporting the observation of DSS treatment inducing colonic cell apoptosis, Bcl‐2, an anti‐apoptotic protein known to be regulated by c‐Myb, was reduced in colon tissue of DSS‐treated mice. Furthermore, forced expression of pre‐miR‐150 in colonic epithelial HT29 cells strongly elevated miR‐150 levels and decreased c‐Myb and Bcl‐2 levels, thus enhancing cell apoptosis induced by serum deprivation. Together, the present study presents the first evidence that miR‐150 and its targeting of c‐Myb may serve as a new mechanism underlying the colonic epithelial disruption in DSS‐induced murine experimental colitis and in active human IBD. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 promote glioma stem cell‐mediated VEGF production and tumour angiogenesis via PI3K/AKT signalling
Authors: Ping Yi‐fang , Yao Xiao‐hong , Jiang Jian‐yong , Zhao Lin‐tao , Yu Shi‐cang , Jiang Tao , Lin Marie CM , Chen Jian‐hong , Wang Bin , Zhang Rong , Cui You‐hong , Qian Cheng , Wang Ji Ming , Bian Xiu‐wu
Published: March 2011

Chemokines and their receptors are actively involved in inflammation, immune responses, and cancer development. Here we report the detection of CD133+ glioma stem‐like cells (GSCs) co‐expressing a chemokine receptor CXCR4 in human primary glioma tissues. These GSCs were located in areas adjacent to tumour vascular capillaries, suggesting an association between GSCs and tumour angiogenesis. To test this hypothesis, we isolated CD133+ GSCs from surgical specimens of human primary gliomas and glioma cell lines. As compared to CD133− cells, CD133+ GSCs expressed significantly higher levels of CXCR4 mRNA and protein, and migrated more efficiently in response to the CXCR4 ligand CXCL12. In addition, CXCL12 induced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production by CD133+ GSCs via activation of the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway. Furthermore, knocking down of CXCR4 using RNA interference or inhibition of CXCR4 function by an antagonist AMD3100 not only reduced VEGF production by CD133+ GSCs in vitro, but also attenuated the growth and angiogenesis of tumour xenografts in vivo formed by CD133+ GSCs in SCID mice. These results indicate that CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 promote GSC‐initiated glioma growth and angiogenesis by stimulating VEGF production. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Commentary: PERSOC Founded on Experience and Clear Thinking
Authors: Kenny David A.
Published: March 2011

In this brief commentary, the author discusses the PERSOC framework and the five empirical papers in this issue. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extremely oriented tunicin whiskers in poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites
Authors: Jalal Uddin Ahmed , Araki Jun , Gotoh Yasuo
Published: March 2011

In order to utilize the excellent mechanical properties of cellulose whiskers (CWs) along their length, the present work was undertaken to embed CWs with highly oriented forms in a polymer matrix. Nanocomposite fibers were prepared using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA; degree of polymerization of 1500) as the matrix and a stable aqueous suspension of CWs extracted from tunicates as the reinforcing phase. Macroscopically homogeneous suspensions of PVA–CW were gel‐spun in a methanol coagulating bath. The as‐spun fibers included CWs oriented along the fiber axis and showed a significant increase in dynamic storage modulus. Hot drawing of the PVA–CW as‐spun fibers to their maximal draw ratio led to extremely high orientation of the CWs together with a drastic reduction in voids in the fiber matrix. Outstanding mechanical properties of the drawn composites were obtained by the incorporation of only a small amount (1 wt% of solid PVA content) of CWs. The stress transfer mechanism in the fibers was studied using an X‐ray diffraction technique by applying stress to the whole composite with in situ monitoring of stress on the incorporated CWs. The applied external stress was found to be translated efficiently to the incorporated CWs through the PVA matrix, suggesting strong interfacial bonding between filler and matrix. The strong interaction and efficient stress transfer between matrix and filler are suggested as the cause for the observed improvements in mechanical properties of the composites. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Identification of 14‐3‐3β in human gastric cancer cells and its potency as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker
Authors: Tseng Chien‐Wei , Yang Jyh‐Chin , Chen Chiung‐Nien , Huang Hsuan‐Cheng , Chuang Kai‐Neng , Lin Chen‐Ching , Lai Hong‐Shiee , Lee Po‐Huang , Chang King‐Jen , Juan Hsueh‐Fen
Published: March 2011

Gastric cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide and due to its poor prognosis, it is important that specific biomarkers are identified to enable its early detection. Through 2‐D gel electrophoresis and MALDI‐TOF‐TOF‐based proteomics approaches, we found that 14‐3‐3β, which was one of the proteins that were differentially expressed by 5‐fluorouracil‐treated gastric cancer SC‐M1 cells, was upregulated in gastric cancer cells. 14‐3‐3β levels in tissues and serum were further validated in gastric cancer patients and controls. The results showed that 14‐3‐3β levels were elevated in tumor tissues (n=40) in comparison to normal tissues (n=40; p<0.01), and serum 14‐3‐3β levels in cancer patients (n=145) were also significantly higher than those in controls (n=63; p<0.0001). Elevated serum 14‐3‐3β levels highly correlated with the number of lymph node metastases, tumor size and a reduced survival rate. Moreover, overexpression of 14‐3‐3β enhanced the growth, invasiveness and migratory activities of tumor cells. Twenty‐eight proteins involved in anti‐apoptosis and tumor progression were also found to be differentially expressed in 14‐3‐3β‐overexpressing gastric cancer cells. Overall, these results highlight the significance of 14‐3‐3β in gastric cancer cell progression and suggest that it has the potential to be used as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in gastric cancer.
A comparative MudPIT analysis identifies different expression profiles in heart compartments
Authors: Comunian Claudio , Rusconi Francesca , De Palma Antonella , Brunetti Pietro , Catalucci Daniele , Mauri Pier L.
Published: March 2011

Cardiomyopathies indistinctly affect atrial and ventricular cardiac compartments with alterations of their mechanical and/or electrical activity. To understand the main mechanisms involved in these pathological alterations, a detailed knowledge of the physiology of the healthy heart is critical. In the present work, we utilize multidimensional protein identification technology to characterize the murine left ventricle (LV), right ventricle (RV), and atria (A) proteomes, identifying thousands of distinct proteins. Moreover, using multidimensional algorithm protein map tool, relative abundances of proteins among the heart chambers were investigated. In sum, we found 16 and 55 proteins were more abundant in LV compared to RV and A, respectively; 47 and 60 proteins were more abundant in RV than LV and A, respectively; and, 81 and 74 proteins were more abundant in A than LV and RV, respectively. This detailed characterization of myocardial compartment proteome represents an important advancement in the knowledge of heart physiology, and may contribute to the identification of key features underlying the onset of cardiomyopathy.
Proteomic analysis of Escherichia coli associated with urinary tract infections
Authors: Smith Andrew , van Rooyen Jan‐Pierre , Argo Evelyn , Cash Phillip
Published: March 2011

Escherichia coli is a major cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) where the initial infection arises from bacteria originating in the bowel. However, significant differences are observed between the genomes of intestinal and urinary E. coli strains with the latter possessing many adaptations that promote growth in the urinary tract. To define further the adaptation of urinary E. coli isolates, the cellular proteomes of 41 E. coli strains, collected from cases of UTIs or random faecal samples, were compared by 2‐D gel electrophoresis and principal component analysis. The data indicated that individual patients carried relatively homogenous E. coli populations, as defined by their cellular proteomes, but the populations were distinct between patients. For one patient, E. coli, isolated during two recurrent infections 3 months apart, were indistinguishable, indicating that for this patient the infections were possibly caused by the same bacterial population. To understand the basis of the discrimination of the bacteria, selected protein spots were identified by peptide fragment fingerprinting. The identified proteins were involved in a variety of metabolic and structural roles. The data obtained for these E. coli strains provide a basis from which to target key bacterial proteins for further investigation into E. coli pathogenesis.
Utility of Classification and Regression Tree Analyses and Vegetation in Mountain Permafrost Models, Yukon, Canada
Authors: Kremer Marian , Lewkowicz Antoni G. , Bonnaventure Philip P. , Sawada Michael C.
Published: March 2011

Classification and regression tree (CART) analyses were undertaken to test the usefulness of including vegetation variables in mountain permafrost distribution models for five widely spaced study areas in the Yukon. Digital elevation model (DEM)‐derived variables, field‐derived vegetation variables and satellite imagery‐derived vegetation variables were employed individually to classify sites into permafrost probable, permafrost improbable and permafrost ‘uncertain’ categories. The vegetation variables were subsequently combined with the DEM‐derived set to see if they could improve the latter's accuracy. Overall training accuracies for the probable and improbable permafrost categories for 102 sites ranged from 81% to 92%. Remotely sensed imagery alone had the lowest overall training (81%) and testing (50%) accuracies. The CART that combined imagery and DEM‐based variables produced high overall accuracy for training (90%) and the highest for testing (77%), had few nodes classified as ‘uncertain’ and could be used to create permafrost probability maps of the study areas. CART analyses appear useful for predicting permafrost distribution because they can incorporate non‐linear relationships between independent variables and the presence of permafrost. Remotely sensed variables relating to vegetation, specifically a normalised difference vegetation index, improved the DEM‐based results, but required considerable additional effort for data collection and processing. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long term bed rest with and without vibration exercise countermeasures: Effects on human muscle protein dysregulation
Authors: Moriggi Manuela , Vasso Michele , Fania Chiara , Capitanio Daniele , Bonifacio Gaetano , Salanova Michele , Blottner Dieter , Rittweger Jörn , Felsenberg Dieter , Cerretelli Paolo , Gelfi Cecilia
Published: March 2011

This article was originally published in Proteomics 2010, 10, 3756–3774, DOI 10.1002/pmic.200900817
Proteomic and PROTEOMEX profiling of mammary cancer progression in a HER‐2/neu oncogene‐driven animal model system
Authors: Croci Stefania , Recktenwald Christian V. , Lichtenfels Rudolf , Nicoletti Giordano , Dressler Sven P. , De Giovanni Carla , Astolfi Annalisa , Palladini Arianna , Shin‐ya Kazuo , Landuzzi Lorena , Nanni Patrizia , Lollini Pier‐Luigi , Seliger Barbara
Published: March 2011

This article was originally published in Proteomics 2010, 10, 3835–3853, DOI 10.1002/pmic.200900643
Proteomic characterization of Her2/neu‐overexpressing breast cancer cells
Authors: Chen Hexin , Pimienta Genaro , Gu Yiben , Sun Xu , Hu Jianjun , Kim Min‐Sik , Chaerkady Raghothama , Gucek Marjan , Cole Robert N. , Sukumar Saraswati , Pandey Akhilesh
Published: March 2011

This article was originally published in Proteomics 2010, 10, 3800–3810, DOI 10.1002/pmic.201000297
Proteome mining for novel IgE‐binding proteins from the German cockroach (Blattella germanica) and allergen profiling of patients
Authors: Chuang Jiing‐Guang , Su Song‐Nan , Chiang Bor‐Luen , Lee How‐Jing , Chow Lu‐Ping
Published: March 2011

This article was originally published in Proteomics 2010, 10, 3854–3867, DOI 10.1002/pmic.201000348
Proteomic analysis of human gastric juice: A shotgun approach
Authors: Liang Cynthia R. M. Y. , Tan Sandra , Tan Hwee Tong , Lin Qingsong , Lim Teck Kwang , Liu Yi , Yeoh Khay Guan , So Jimmy , Chung Maxey C. M.
Published: March 2011

This article was originally published in Proteomics 2010, 10, 3928–3931, DOI 10.1002/pmic.200900278
Two dimensional electrophoretic analysis of human tears: Collection method in dry eye syndrome
Authors: Venkata Saijyothi Aluru , Angayarkanni Narayanasamy , Syama Chandran , Utpal Tatu , Shweta Agarwal , Bhaskar Srinivasan , Geetha Iyer Krishnan , Vinay Pillai S. , Thennarasu Maruthamuthu , Sivakumar Rajappa M. , Prema Padmanabhan
Published: March 2011

This article was originally published in Electrophoresis 2010, 31, 3420–3427, DOI 10.1002/elps.201000271
A proteomic approach based on multiple parallel separation for the unambiguous identification of an antibody cognate antigen
Authors: Mun Joohee , Kim Yong‐Hak , Yu Jonghan , Bae Jinhee , Noh Dong‐Young , Yu Myeong‐Hee , Lee Cheolju
Published: March 2011

This article was originally published in Electrophoresis 2010, 31, 3428–3436, DOI 10.1002/elps.201000136
A comparative study of the microstructure–dielectric properties of crystalline SrTiO3 ALD films obtained via seed layer approach
Authors: Popovici Mihaela , Tomida Kazuyuki , Swerts Johan , Favia Paola , Delabie Annelies , Bender Hugo , Adelmann Christoph , Tielens Hilde , Brijs Bert , Kaczer Ben , Pawlak Malgorzata A. , Kim Min‐Soo , Altimime Laith , Van Elshocht Sven , Kittl Jorge A.
Published: March 2011

SrTiO3 (STO) films were grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on TiN using Sr(t‐Bu3Cp)2, Ti(OCH3)4 and H2O. After crystallization anneal, large single crystals grains were obtained and nanocracks were present. The microstructure can be changed using a thin STO crystalline seed spike annealed at 700 °C, which induces formation of much smaller grains in the top layer after post‐deposition anneal. The seed approach was also applied for a layer that was directly deposited in crystalline state at 370 °C, with a Ti(Me5Cp)(OMe)3 precursor thermally stable at this temperature of deposition. The nanocracks were reduced or totally eliminated when using the seed layer template approach. Nevertheless, the leakage current is only reduced for the case when the Ti(OCH3)4 precursor was used.
Optimization of thin film silicon solar cells on highly textured substrates
Authors: Despeisse Matthieu , Battaglia Corsin , Boccard Mathieu , Bugnon Gregory , Charrière Mathieu , Cuony Peter , Hänni Simon , Löfgren Linus , Meillaud Fanny , Parascandolo Gaetano , Söderström Thomas , Ballif Christophe
Published: March 2011

Doped layers made of nanostructured silicon phases embedded in a silicon oxide matrix were implemented in thin film silicon solar cells. Their combination with optimized deposition processes for the silicon intrinsic layers is shown to allow for an increased resilience of the cell design to the substrate texture, with high electrical properties conserved on rough substrates. The presented optimizations thus permit turning the efficient light trapping provided by highly textured front electrodes into increased cell efficiencies, as reported for single junction cells and for amorphous silicon (a‐Si)/microcrystalline silicon tandem cells. Initial and stabilized efficiencies of 12.7 and 11.3%, respectively, are reported for such tandem configuration implementing a 1.1 µm thick microcrystalline silicon bottom cell.

magnified image

SEM image after FIB cut of an amorphous silicon/microcrystalline silicon tandem cell reported with a stabilized efficiency of 11.3% for a bottom cell thickness of about 1.1 µm.
A study on the graphene incorporated direct‐patternable SnO2 thin film
Authors: Kim Hyuncheol , Yun Min‐Kyung , Park Hyung‐Ho
Published: March 2011

The electrical property of direct‐patternable SnO2 thin film was improved by the incorporation of graphene. Graphene were incorporated into SnO2 photosensitive solution and the direct‐patternable film was prepared by photochemical solution deposition. The incorporation of graphene into SnO2 films slightly reduced the transmittance of the films due to light scattering by the incorporated graphene. In addition, with incorporation of graphene, the crystallinity of the SnO2 thin films was decreased slightly and the resistivity was improved due to an enhancement of mobility because of the π‐bond nature of surface on graphene. Direct‐patterning of graphene incorporated SnO2 thin films was performed without photoresist or etching process. These results suggest that a micropatterned system can be simply fabricated at a low cost and the electrical properties of SnO2 films can be improved by incorporating graphene.
Capability assessment for processes with multiple characteristics: A generalization of the popular index Cpk
Authors: Pearn W. L. , Shiau J.‐J. H. , Tai Y. T. , Li M. Y.
Published: March 2011

Process capability index Cpk is the most popular capability index widely used in the manufacturing industry. Existing research on the yield‐based measure index Cpk to date is restricted to processes with single characteristics. However, many manufacturing processes are commonly described with multiple characteristics, for example, the gold bumping process in the TFT‐LCD (thin film transistor‐liquid crystal display) manufacturing industry. In the gold bumping process, gold bumps have multiple characteristics all having effects on the process yield. Obtaining accurate gold bumping manufacturing yield is very important for quality assurance and in providing guidance toward process improvement. To obtain accurate yield assessment for processes with multiple characteristics, we propose a new overall yield‐measure index C, which is a generalization of the index Cpk, and a natural estimator of C. For the purpose of making inferences on the process capability, we derive a quite accurate approximation of the distribution of since the distribution is analytically intractable. With this distribution, we tabulate the lower confidence bounds of the new index under various sample sizes for in‐plant applications. In addition, we construct a statistical test on the new yield‐measure index in order to examine whether the yield meets the customers' requirements. For illustration purpose, a real case in a gold bumping factory located in the Science‐based Industrial Park at Hsinchu, Taiwan is presented. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discrete‐time H2 and H∞ low‐gain theory
Authors: Wang Xu , Stoorvogel Anton A. , Saberi Ali , Sannuti Peddapullaiah
Published: March 2011

For stabilization of linear systems subject to input saturation, there exist four different approaches of low‐gain design all of which are independently proposed in the literature, namely direct eigenstructure assignment, H2 and H∞ algebraic Riccati equation (ARE) based methods, and parametric Lyapunov equation‐based method. It is shown in X. Wang et al. (submitted, 2010) that for continuous‐time linear systems, all these methods are rooted in and can be unified under two fundamental control theories, H2 and H∞ theory. In this paper, we extend such a result to a discrete‐time setting. Both the H2 and H∞ ARE‐based methods are generalized to consider systems where all input channels are not necessarily subject to saturation, and explicit design methods are developed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pinning‐controlled synchronization of hybrid‐coupled complex dynamical networks with mixed time‐delays
Authors: Song Qiang , Cao Jinde , Liu Fang
Published: March 2011

This paper investigates the pinning‐controlled synchronization of a general complex dynamical network with hybrid coupling, which includes constant coupling, discrete‐delay coupling and distributed‐delay coupling. Furthermore, the network can be composed of coupled identical nonlinear oscillators with or without internal time‐delay. To be more consistent with the realistic networks, the internal time‐delay, the discrete time‐delay and the distributed time‐delay can be different from each other, the inner coupling matrices are not necessarily to be diagonal, and the coupling configuration matrices are not required to be symmetric or irreducible. Under some sufficient conditions, it is shown that a hybrid‐coupled complex network with or without internal time‐delay can be asymptotically pinned to a homogenous trajectory by applying adaptive control actions to a small fraction of network nodes. In particular, the paper addresses what kind of nodes should be pinned and how many nodes are needed to be pinned to achieve synchronization in a hybrid‐coupled network with fixed coupling matrices and strengths. Numerical examples are given to verify the theoretical analysis. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A hybrid data mining metaheuristic for the p‐median problem
Authors: Plastino Alexandre , Fuchshuber Richard , Martins Simone de L. , Freitas Alex A. , Salhi Said
Published: March 2011

Metaheuristics represent an important class of techniques to solve, approximately, hard combinatorial optimization problems for which the use of exact methods is impractical. In this work, we propose a hybrid version of the Greedy Randomized Adaptive Search Procedures (GRASP) metaheuristic, which incorporates a data mining process, to solve the p‐median problem. We believe that patterns obtained by a data mining technique, from a set of suboptimal solutions of a combinatorial optimization problem, can be used to guide metaheuristic procedures in the search for better solutions. Traditional GRASP is an iterative metaheuristic which returns the best solution reached over all iterations. In the hybrid GRASP proposal, after executing a significant number of iterations, the data mining process extracts patterns from an elite set of suboptimal solutions for the p‐median problem. These patterns present characteristics of near optimal solutions and can be used to guide the following GRASP iterations in the search through the combinatorial solution space. Computational experiments, comparing traditional GRASP and different data mining hybrid proposals for the p‐median problem, showed that employing patterns mined from an elite set of suboptimal solutions made the hybrid GRASP find better results. Besides, the conducted experiments also evidenced that incorporating a data mining technique into a metaheuristic accelerated the process of finding near optimal and optimal solutions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining 2011
Steganography in IEEE 802.11 OFDM symbols
Authors: Szczypiorski Krzysztof , Mazurczyk Wojciech
Published: March 2011

This paper presents a new steganographic method called wireless padding (WiPad). It is based on the insertion of hidden data into the padding of frames at the physical layer of wireless local area networks (WLANs). A performance analysis based on a Markov model, previously introduced and validated by the authors, is provided for the method in relation to the IEEE 802.11 a/g standards. Its results prove that maximum steganographic bandwidth for WiPad is as high as 1.1 Mbit/s for data frames and 0.44 Mbit/s for acknowledgment frames. To the authors' best knowledge this is the most capacious of all the known steganographic network channels. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel pH‐sensitive hydrogels for potential colon‐specific drug delivery: Characterization and in vitro release studies
Authors: Liu Changhua , Gan Xianxue , Chen Yanqing
Published: March 2011

Stimuli‐responsive hydrogels are extensively investigated to implement new biomedical and pharmaceutical approaches. In this work, novel pH‐sensitive semi‐interpenetrating polymer network (semi‐IPN) hydrogels based on starch and poly(aspartic acid) (PAsp) with potential applicability in the field of pharmaceutics were prepared and characterized. The goal was to obtain a colon specific drug delivery system and to exploit the pH‐sensitive behavior of the hydrogels. The obtained hydrogels were characterized by FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), DSC, and SEM. The swelling behavior of the hydrogels with a suitable ratio of starch and poly(aspartic acid) was investigated in gastrointestinal simulated conditions. Moreover, the drug release studies were carried out using 5‐Flurouracil as a model of anticancer drug in enzyme free simulated gastrointestinal conditions and simulated intestinal conditions containing α‐amylase, respectively. The obtained hydrogels, due to their excellent pH‐sensitive release property, could be potentially used as drug delivery systems for the oral treatment of colonic cancer.
Surface passivation of the thin‐film LAPS with perhydropolysilazane‐derived silica treated by O2 plasma
Authors: Suzurikawa Jun , Nakao Masayuki , Takahashi Hirokazu
Published: March 2011

Here, we describe a novel method for surface passivation of the thin‐film light addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS). To form a uniform passivation layer, perhydropolysilazane (PHPS) was utilized as a spin‐coatable precursor of silica. After transformation of PHPS into silica by baking, we introduced an O2 plasma treatment aiming for enhancement of the water resistance of the PHPS‐derived silica (PDS) film by completing the PHPS‐to‐silica conversion. To confirm the effect of the O2 plasma treatment, the PDS film was deposited on a thin‐film LAPS electrode and tested by immersion in a cell culturing medium. The immersion test demonstrated that the plasma‐treated PDS film could keep the electrode stable longer than the untreated could. With the treated PSD film of 600 nm in thickness, a lifetime of the thin‐film LAPS was estimated at over 2 weeks, which is sufficient for cell culturing experiments. © 2011 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
PIXE and metal hyperaccumulation: from soil to plants and insects
Authors: Mesjasz‐Przybyłowicz J. , Przybyłowicz W. J.
Published: March 2011

The status of micro‐PIXE applications in investigations of ecophysiological aspects of the hyperaccumulation phenomenon in plants is reviewed. Measurements of elemental concentrations and distribution in organs, tissues and cells of plants hyperaccumulating Ni, Co, As, Mn, Zn and Cd, show that in most cases hyperaccumulated metals are stored in physiologically inactive tissues. However, some exceptions indicate that different physiological mechanisms are involved in metal transport, storage locations and detoxification. The influence of mycorrhiza on elemental concentration and distribution in the roots of the Ni‐hyperaccumulator Berkheya coddii is also discussed. Several herbivorous insects have been found feeding exclusively on Ni‐hyperaccumulating plants. A summary of micro‐PIXE contribution to studies aimed at explanation of their ability to survive in such extreme conditions is given. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Use of Family History Questionnaires: An Examination of Genetic Risk Estimates and Genetic Testing Eligibility in the Non‐responder Population
Authors: Armel Susan Randall , Hitchman Kara , Millar Kathryn , Zahavich Laura , Demsky Rochelle , Murphy Joan , Rosen Barry
Published: March 2011

The use of mailed family history questionnaires (FHQs) has previously been established to be an effective method for obtaining family history information for the triage of patients for genetic counseling and genetic testing of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome; yet only 53% of patients complete their FHQ within 6 months from the date of mailing (Armel et al. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 18(4):366–378, 2009). Although literature exists evaluating why women may not attend genetic counseling, no data are currently available examining genetic risk or genetic testing eligibility in the population of patients not returning their FHQ (non‐responders). Concern exists that if non‐responders are not followed‐up for the purpose of triage for genetic counseling, individuals at high‐risk for a hereditary cancer syndrome may be missed. This article explores the demographics of the non‐responder population to assess genetic risk estimates for mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and genetic testing eligibility as compared to a responder population of patients who completed a mailed FHQ. A total of 430 pedigrees were obtained, 215 from non‐responders and 215 from responders. Results of this study indicate that 69% of non‐responders were either unreachable by telephone (42%), declined an appointment (19%), or were previously seen in another center for a genetic counseling visit (8%). Additionally, results indicate that non‐responders are less likely to be eligible for genetic testing (40%) as compared to responders (57%) (p = 0.0004). Together these data shed light on a population of patients for which limited information exists and suggest that we question how and to what extent clinics should pursue non‐responders, particularly in light of global reductions in health care funding.
Highly Stable Nonionic Fatliquors Based on Ethoxylated Overused Vegetable Oils
Authors: Nashy EL‐Shahat H. A. , Abo‐ELwafa Ghada A.
Published: March 2011

Overused vegetable oils, which are considered to be a waste and available in huge quantities after frying processes, were directly ethoxylated using a conventional cheap catalyst in order to obtain an economically valuable ethoxylated product to replace the imported intermediate derivatives and at the same time the environment will be rid of one of its pollutants. Therefore, this work was devoted to exploring its application as a fatliquoring agent in the leather industry. Overused sunflower and olein oils were directly ethoxylated using ethylene oxide gas in the presence of 3% KOH catalyst at 180 °C for 20 h. The prepared products were applied as nonionic fatliquors. The fatliquoring process is the operation in which a fatty matter is introduced into the leather fibers. The results obtained showed that the prepared ethoxylated overused oils were effective fatliquors with high HLB values giving stable oil in water emulsion as well as high stability against acid, alkali and different metallic salts. The fatliquored leather had improved mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elongation at break. In addition, a significant enhancement of the texture of the treated leather by the two prepared fatliquors as indicated from the scanning electron microscope images was observed. Also the results indicated that ethoxylated overused sunflower oil gave better results than those of ethoxylated overused olein oil.
Connexines testiculaires: marqueurs physiopathologiques et cibles potentielles aux toxiques environnementaux
Authors: Segretain D. , Zeghimi A. , Carette D. , Carpentier F. , Dompierre J. , Gilleron J. , Pointis G.
Published: March 2011

Les jonctions communicantes et leurs protéines constitutives, les connexines (Cxs), sont des constituants nécessaires à la cohésion tissulaire et reconnus comme suppresseurs de tumeurs. Le but de la présente revue est de faire le point sur l’organisation et le rôle des Cxs au sein du testicule et d’analyser leur expression en physiopathologie testiculaire. Organisées en structures hexamèriques formant un canal reliant directement les cytoplasmes des cellules adjacentes, les Cxs sont impliquées dans de nombreux processus physiologiques tels que la prolifération et la différenciation cellulaires. Le maintien d’une balance entre prolifération, différenciation et apoptose est un équilibre primordial évitant une prolifération cellulaire anarchique, risque de cancer. La spermatogenèse est un modèle sophistiqué de prolifération et de différenciation des cellules germinales dans lequel les Cxs jouent un rôle essentiel. Il est acquis qu’une altération de l’expression membranaire des Cxs est l’un des signes avant-coureurs de la cinétique tumorale germinale, et il a été suggéré que les toxiques environnementaux qui, dans leur grande majorité, affectent l’expression de ces protéines, puissent être impliqués dans le développement de cette pathologie. La recherche de molécules capables de freiner les effets délétères de toxiques carcinogènes sur les Cxs semble être à l’heure actuelle une voie intéressante ouvrant de nouvelles perspectives en santé humaine.
COFINITENESS OF GENERALIZED LOCAL COHOMOLOGY MODULES
Authors: BORNA KEIVAN , SAHANDI PARVIZ , YASSEMI SIAMAK
Published: March 2011

Let 𝔞 be an ideal of a Noetherian ring R. Let s be a nonnegative integer and let M and N be two R-modules such that ExtjR(M/𝔞M,Hi𝔞(N)) is finite for all i<s and all j≥0 . We show that HomR (R/𝔞,Hs𝔞(M,N)) is finite provided ExtsR(M/𝔞M,N) is a finite R-module. In addition, for finite R-modules M and N, we prove that if Hi𝔞(M,N) is minimax for all i<s, then HomR (R/𝔞,Hs𝔞(M,N)) is finite. These are two generalizations of the result of Brodmann and Lashgari [‘A finiteness result for associated primes of local cohomology modules’, Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 128 (2000), 2851–2853] and a recent result due to Chu [‘Cofiniteness and finiteness of generalized local cohomology modules’, Bull. Aust. Math. Soc. 80 (2009), 244–250]. We also introduce a generalization of the concept of cofiniteness and recover some results for it.
Pre- and post-term growth in pre-term infants supplemented with higher-dose DHA: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Collins Carmel T. , Makrides Maria , Gibson Robert A. , McPhee Andrew J. , Davis Peter G. , Doyle Lex W. , Simmer Karen , Colditz Paul B. , Morris Scott , Sullivan Thomas R. , Ryan Philip
Published: March 2011

The effect of the dietaryn-3 long-chain PUFA, DHA (22 : 6n-3), on the growth of pre-term infants is controversial. We tested the effect of higher-dose DHA (approximately 1 % dietary fatty acids) on the growth of pre-term infants to 18 months corrected age compared with standard feeding practice (0·2–0·3 % DHA) in a randomised controlled trial. Infants born < 33 weeks gestation (n657) were randomly allocated to receive breast milk and/or formula with higher DHA or standard DHA according to a concealed schedule stratified for sex and birth-weight ( < 1250 and ≥ 1250 g). The dietary arachidonic acid content of both diets was constant at approximately 0·4 % total fatty acids. The intervention was from day 2 to 5 of life until the infant's expected date of delivery (EDD). Growth was assessed at EDD, and at 4, 12 and 18 months corrected age. There was no effect of higher DHA on weight or head circumference at any age, but infants fed higher DHA were 0·7 cm (95 % CI 0·1, 1·4 cm;P = 0·02) longer at 18 months corrected age. There was an interaction effect between treatment and birth weight strata for weight (P = 0·01) and length (P = 0·04). Higher DHA resulted in increased length in infants born weighing ≥ 1250 g at 4 months corrected age and in both weight and length at 12 and 18 months corrected age. Our data show that DHA up to 1 % total dietary fatty acids does not adversely affect growth.
Protective effect of β-(1,3 → 1,6)-d-glucan against irritant-induced gastric lesions
Authors: Tanaka Ken-ichiro , Tanaka Yuta , Suzuki Toshio , Mizushima Tohru
Published: March 2011

β-(1,3)-d-Glucan with β-(1,6) branches has been reported to have various pharmacological activities, such as anti-tumour and anti-infection activities, which result from its immunomodulating effects. Gastric lesions result from an imbalance between aggressive and defensive factors. In the present study, we examined the effect of β-(1,3)-d-glucan with β-(1,6) branches isolated fromAureobasidium pullulanson the gastric ulcerogenic response in mice. Oral administration of β-glucan ameliorated gastric lesions induced by ethanol (EtOH) or HCl. This administration of β-glucan also suppressed EtOH-induced inflammatory responses, such as infiltration of neutrophils and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and cell adhesion molecules (CAM) at the gastric mucosa. Of the various defensive factors, the levels of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 and mucin but not PGE2were increased by the administration of β-glucan. β-Glucan-dependent induction of the expression of HSP70 and mucin proteins and suppression of the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and CAM were also observed in cultured cellsin vitro.The results of the present study suggest that β-glucan protects the gastric mucosa from the formation of irritant-induced lesions by increasing the levels of defensive factors, such as HSP70 and mucin.
Paper, Pen, and Print: The Transformation of the Kai Tahu Knowledge Order
Authors: Ballantyne Tony
Published: March 2011

Knowledge has become a central problematic in recent work on cross-cultural encounters and the processes of empire building. In an array of contexts—from Spanish America to colonial South Africa, from Ireland to occupied Egypt, the American West to British India—anthropologists and historians have highlighted the ways in which “colonial knowledge” facilitated trade, the extraction of rent and taxes, conversion, and outright conquest. This scholarship has demonstrated how these new forms of understanding produced on imperial frontiers facilitated the actual extension of sovereignty and the consolidation of colonial authority: for Tzvetan Todorov, Bernard Cohn, and Nicholas Dirks alike, colonialism was a “conquest of knowledge.” Scholarship on empire building in the Americas has placed special emphasis on the place of literacy in the dynamics of conquest. Walter Mignolo in particular has argued that European understandings of the power of literacy encouraged Spaniards in the New World to discount the value of indigenous graphic systems and disparage Mesoamerican languages as untruthful, unreliable, and products of the Devil. For Mignolo, the dark side of the new knowledge orders born out of the Renaissance was a new interweaving of literacy, knowledge, and colonization in a new cultural order he dubs “coloniality.” In the North American literature, too, literacy has been seen as a crucial element in imperial intrusion and conquest. James Axtell, for example, has argued “The conquest of America was in part a victory of paper and print over memory and voice. The victors wrote their way to the New World and inscribed themselves on its maps.”
An Atlantic Genealogy of “Spirit Possession”
Authors: Johnson Paul Christopher
Published: March 2011

Not all spirits have retreated to metaphor, even in the very public sphere of U.S. electoral politics. As we learned during the last presidential campaign, Governor Sarah Palin enlisted the help of Kenyan pastor Thomas Muthee during his 2005 visit to Alaska to cast out the spirits that hindered her career. TheNew York Timeselaborated, “Ms. Palin has long associations with religious leaders who practice a … brand of Pentecostalism known as ‘spiritual warfare.’ Its adherents believe that demonic forces can colonize specific geographic areas and individuals.… Critics say the goal of the spiritual warfare movement is to create atheocracy” (Goodstein 2008, my emphasis).
The Jefferson Davis Highway: Contesting the Confederacy in the Pacific Northwest
Authors: HAGUE EUAN , SEBESTA EDWARD H.
Published: March 2011

The Jefferson Davis Highway (JDH) is a controversial Confederate memorial. Since 1913 the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC) have placed markers along roadsides across America to commemorate the Confederate President. The women's organization claims that the JDH stretches over four thousand miles from Alexandria, Virginia to the Pacific coast and the Canadian border. In 2002, conflict ensued in the Pacific northwestern state of Washington when a local politician initiated a campaign to remove a granite JDH marker from a state park where it had been erected by the UDC sixty years previously. This led to dispute over whether Jefferson Davis should, or should not, be honoured by a commemorative marker on Washington's border with Canada. Drawing on contemporary secondary sources to interrogate these contests over the meaning of Jefferson Davis and the Confederate legacy, we argue that behind the veneer of heritage and genealogical celebration forwarded by groups such as the UDC there is a neo-Confederate nationalism that works to maintain white supremacy as a dominant interpretation of US history.
IPO Timing, Buyout Sponsors’ Exit Strategies, and Firm Performance of RLBOs
Authors: Cao Jerry X.
Published: March 2011

This paper studies the impact of buyout sponsors’ initial public offering (IPO) timing on the leveraged buyout (LBO) restructuring process and subsequent exit strategies. I find that LBO duration is negatively related to hot IPO market conditions. Further, following IPOs, reverse leveraged buyouts (RLBOs) with shorter LBO duration experience greater deterioration of performance and higher probability of bankruptcy. This suggests that sponsors’ efforts to enhance operating efficiency succumb to market timing. IPO timing does not affect sponsors’ exit strategies and monitoring post IPO. Sponsors keep an active long-run presence with more reputable sponsors who are more likely to exit by facilitating takeovers.
Lagrangian mixing in straight compound channels
Authors: STOCCHINO ALESSANDRO , BESIO GIOVANNI , ANGIOLANI SONIA , BROCCHINI MAURIZIO
Published: March 2011

Recently Stocchino & Brocchini (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 643, 2010, p. 425 have studied the dynamics of two-dimensional (2D) large-scale vortices with vertical axis evolving in a straight compound channel under quasi-uniform flow conditions. The mixing processes associated with such vortical structures are here analysed through the results of a dedicated experimental campaign. Time-resolved Eulerian surface velocity fields, measured using a 2D particle-image velocimetry system, form the basis for a Lagrangian analysis of the dispersive processes that occur in compound channels when the controlling physical parameters, i.e. the flow depth ratio (rh) and the Froude number (Fr) are changed. Lagrangian mixing is studied by means of various approaches based either on single-particle or multiple-particle statistics (relative and absolute statistics, probability density functions (p.d.f.s) of relative displacements and finite-scale Lyapunov exponents). Absolute statistics reveal that transitional macrovortices, typical of shallow flow conditions, strongly influence the growth in time of the total absolute dispersion, after the initial ballistic regime, leading to a non-monotonic behaviour. In deep flow conditions, on the contrary, the absolute dispersion displays a monotonic growth because the generation of transitional macrovortices does not take place. In all cases an asymptotic diffusive regime is reached.

Multiple-particle dynamics is controlled by rh and Fr. Different growth regimes of the relative diffusivity have been found depending on the flow conditions. This behaviour can be associated with different energy transfer processes and it is further confirmed by the p.d.f.s of relative displacements, which show a different asymptotical shape depending on the separation scales and the Froude number. Finally, an equilibrium regime is observed for all the experiments by analysing the decay of the finite-scale Lyapunov exponents with the particle separations.
Feedback control of three-dimensional optimal disturbances using reduced-order models
Authors: SEMERARO ONOFRIO , BAGHERI SHERVIN , BRANDT LUCA , HENNINGSON DAN S.
Published: March 2011

The attenuation of three-dimensional wavepackets of streaks and Tollmien–Schlichting (TS) waves in a transitional boundary layer using feedback control is investigated numerically. Arrays of localized sensors and actuators (about 10–20) with compact spatial support are distributed near the rigid wall equidistantly along the spanwise direction and connected to a low-dimensional (r = 60) linear quadratic Gaussian controller. The control objective is to minimize the disturbance energy in a domain spanned by a number of proper orthogonal decomposition modes. The feedback controller is based on a reduced-order model of the linearized Navier–Stokes equations including the inputs and outputs, computed using a snapshot-based balanced truncation method. To account for the different temporal and spatial behaviour of the two main instabilities of boundary-layer flows, we design two controllers. We demonstrate that the two controllers reduce the energy growth of both TS wavepackets and streak packets substantially and efficiently, using relatively few sensors and actuators. The robustness of the controller is investigated by varying the number of actuators and sensors, the Reynolds number and the pressure gradient. This work constitutes the first experimentally feasible simulation-based control design using localized sensing and acting devices in conjunction with linear control theory in a three-dimensional setting.
A rare case of sebaceous adenoma of the palate, with literature review
Authors: Somashekara K G , Lakshmi S , Priya N S
Published: March 2011

Objective:

We present the first reported case of sebaceous adenoma of the palate, to our knowledge.

Method:

Case report and review of the English language literature, with a focus on the pathological spectrum of sebaceous glands.

Case report:

A woman presented with a growth on the hard palate, which was excised and examined. Histopathological analysis showed features of sebaceous adenoma. Further evaluation with Sudan Black B special stains and Ki 67 immunohistochemistry was performed.

Conclusion:

Sebaceous adenomas in the oral cavity are very rare, with only 10 cases previously reported in the English language literature. Sebaceous adenoma of the palate has not previously been reported, to our knowledge. We discuss the role of special stains and immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of this tumour.