bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The most common plant species in temperate Europe based on frequency of occurrences in the national grid mapping projects
Authors: Seregin Alexey P.
Published: December 2011

The lists of the top 100 most common plant species in the floras of nine regions (northern Scotland, southern England, southern Germany, northern Germany, Poland, Estonia, Vladimir Oblast (Russia) with Norway and Switzerland forming an outer group) were analyzed. These lists are based on either national or regional floristic grid mapping projects. The general ranking of species within the united list is based on two criteria – the number of floras where the species is one of the top 100 most common species and the sum of ranks within these floras. Trifolium repens, Achillea millefolium, and Urtica dioica should be regarded as the most common native species all over temperate Europe, while Matricaria discoidea and Erigeron canadensis are the most successful aliens here. The alien plant species contribute significantly less in the European flora and vegetation rather than the most successful natives (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Wolffiella hyalina (Delile) Monod (Lemnaceae) – A New Record for the Flora of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Masrahi Yahya S. , Al‐Turki Turki A. , Sayed Osama H.
Published: December 2011

The present paper reports the first record of the aquatic monocotyledon plant Wolffiella hyalina (Delile) Monod (Lemnaceae) in Saudi Arabia. The species was cited floating on the surface of rainwater‐filled deep mountain pools at Sala Mountain south west of Saudi Arabia. This species has previously only been cited in Africa and India. The present citation, therefore, can be regarded as an addition to the flora of Saudi Arabia (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Stomata dimorphism in dicotyledonous plants of temperate climate
Authors: Boldt Katja M. , Rank Barbara
Published: December 2011

The leaves of many tropical trees have besides the normal stomata abnormally large stomata long described as “giant stomata.” They reflect an additional early phase of stomata initiation during leaf ontogeny. In epidermal replicas from more than 200 dicotyledonous species of temperate climate we also found well defined giant stomata or solitary stomata of normal size in the majority of woody plants, but rarely in herbaceous plants. There is no relationship between taxonomic group and presence of giant stomata.
Vergleichsberechnungen zur Dalbenbemessung nach Blum und mit der p‐y‐Methode
Authors: Rudolph Christina , Mardfeldt Björn , Dührkop Jan
Published: December 2011

In Deutschland werden Dalben in der Regel auf Grundlage der EAU 2004 mit dem Verfahren nach Blum mit räumlichem Erdwiderstand nach DIN 4085 bemessen. International wird dagegen eher die p‐y‐Methode verwendet. Zukünftig soll auch in Deutschland die p‐y‐Methode zur Dalbenbemessung angewandt werden. Für den Anwender stellt sich die Frage der Vor‐ und Nachteile beider Verfahren im konkreten Anwendungsfall. In diesem Beitrag werden die theoretischen Grundlagen gegenübergestellt. Ein Bemessungsbeispiel zeigt, welche Auswirkung die Anwendung der beiden Verfahren auf die Abmessungen, Schnittgrößen und Verformungen des Dalbens hat. Somit liefert dieser Beitrag eine Entscheidungshilfe bei der Dalbenbemessung.

Comparative calculations on dolphin design using the Blum method and the p‐y‐method. In Germany dolphins are commonly designed using a procedure after Blum, 1932, proposed in the EAU 2004. However, internationally the p‐y‐method is applied more widely for dolphin design. In future, legislature in Germany will change towards allowing the p‐y‐method besides the Blum‐method. For the practioning engineer this raises the question of advantages and disadvantages of both methods. This paper contrasts the underlying principles and presents examples for design calculations to allow for comparison of the two methods.
Innerstädtischer Neubau einer Hochgeschwindigkeitsstrecke für die Eisenbahn in China – der Shijiazhuang City Tunnel und das neue Terminal als Teil der Beijing‐Shijiazhuang‐Wuhan PDL
Authors: Meyer Anna‐Maria , Frühauf Johannes , Gao Jinfa
Published: December 2011

Der Shijiazhuang City Tunnel und das neue Terminal sind Teile der Eisenbahnhochgeschwindigkeitsneubaustrecke Beijing‐Shijiazhuang‐Wuhan. Von der Gesamtmaßnahme wurde dieser Bereich getrennt, da die Durchquerung des Stadtgebiets von Shijiazhuang, der Bau des rund 5 km langen Stadttunnels und des neuen Großbahnhofs, der Umbau eines Zugdepots sowie Anschlüsse an bestehende Strecken besondere Anforderungen an die Baumaßnahme stellten. Durchgeführt wird das Projekt von der Eisenbahnverwaltung Beijing. Aufgrund der innerstädtischen Lage und der Unterquerung zahlreicher Straßen‐ und Eisenbahntrassen galt ein besonderes Augenmerk dem Zusammenspiel zwischen Baugrund und Bauwerk und dem daraus resultierenden Setzungs‐ und Verformungsverhalten während der Baumaßnahme und im Nachgang (“Restsetzung”). Um die hohen Anforderungen bezüglich der Qualität der Maßnahme zu sichern, galt es seitens der ausländischen Beteiligung, neben der Beratung in einzelnen technischen Fragen, das Qualitätsmanagement zu verbessern und dessen Umsetzung vor Ort zu kontrollieren.

Inner‐city construction of a new high‐speed railway line in China – Shijiazhuang City Tunnel and new Terminal as part of the Beijing‐Shijiazhuang‐Wuhan PDL. Shijiazhuang City Tunnel and new Terminal are part of the newly‐build Beijing‐Shijiazhuang‐Wuhan PDL (Passenger dedicated Line). Due to the special requirements of inner city construction, the construction of around 5 km long city tunnel and of a new major train station, reconstruction of train depot and connection to existing lines, the section has been separated from Beijing‐Shijiazhuang and Shijiazhuang‐Wuhan (Hebei) PDL and executed by Beijing Railway Administration. Special attention has been put on the interaction between subsoil and civil structure and resulting settlement and deformation behaviour during construction and later‐on (‘rest settlement’), especially in the area of crossings with major roads and railway lines. High requirements also apply to the quality of construction. Beside the consultation for special technical topics it was the task of foreign consultants to improve the quality management and check its implementation on site.
CBTR‐Nachrichten geotechnik 4/2011
Authors: Schalk Günther
Published: December 2011

Tiefbaurechtspreis 2011 für Lebenswerk: CBTR zeichnet Prof. Hans‐Georg Kempfert aus

sec Das aktuelle Urteil sec
Carotid atherosclerosis and chronic hepatitis C: A prospective study of risk associations
Authors: Petta Salvatore , Torres Daniele , Fazio Giovanni , Cammà Calogero , Cabibi Daniela , Di Marco Vito , Licata Anna , Marchesini Giulio , Mazzola Alessandra , Parrinello Gaspare , Novo Salvatore , Licata Giuseppe , Craxì Antonio
Published: December 2011

There are contrasting results in studies of cardiovascular risk in patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C (G1 CHC). We evaluated the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis compared with a control population in order to assess the potential association between atherosclerosis, host and viral factors, and liver histological features. In all, 174 consecutive biopsy-proven G1 CHC patients were evaluated by anthropometric and metabolic measurements and 174 patients attending an outpatient cardiology unit were used as controls. Intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid plaques, defined as focal thickening of >1.3 mm at the level of common carotid, were evaluated using ultrasonography. All G1 CHC biopsies were scored by one pathologist for staging and grading, and graded for steatosis. Carotid plaques were found in 73 (41.9%) G1 CHC patients compared with 40 (22.9%) control patients (

P

< 0.001). Similarly, G1 CHC patients had a greater IMT compared with control patients (1.04 ± 0.21 versus 0.90 ± 0.16;

P

< 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that older age (odds ratio [OR] 1.047, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.014-1.082,

P

= 0.005), and severe hepatic fibrosis (OR 2.177, 95% CI: 1.043-4.542,

P

= 0.03), were independently linked to the presence of carotid plaques. In patients ≤55 years, 15/67 cases with F0-F2 fibrosis (22.3%) had carotid plaques, compared with 11/21 (52.3%) with F3-F4 fibrosis (

P

= 0.008). By contrast, in patients >55 years the prevalence of carotid plaques was similar in those with or without severe fibrosis (25/43, 58.1% versus 22/43, 51.1%;

P

= 0.51).

Conclusion:

Severe hepatic fibrosis is associated with a high risk of early carotid atherosclerosis in G1 CHC patients. (Hepatology 2012)
Association of thiazolidinediones with liver cancer and colorectal cancer in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Chang Chia-Hsuin , Lin Jou-Wei , Wu Li-Chiu , Lai Mei-Shu , Chuang Lee-Ming , Chan K. Arnold
Published: December 2011

The objective of this nationwide case-control study was to evaluate the risk of specific malignancy in diabetic patients who received thiazolidinediones (TZDs). A total of 606,583 type 2 diabetic patients, age 30 years and above, without a history of cancer were identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance claims database during the period between January 1 2000 and December 31 2000. As of December 31 2007, patients with incident cancer of liver, colorectal, lung, and urinary bladder were included as cases and up to four age- and sex-matched controls were selected by risk-set sampling. Logistic regression models were applied to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) between TZDs and cancer incidence. A total of 10,741 liver cancer cases, 7,200 colorectal cancer cases, and 70,559 diabetic controls were included. A significantly lower risk of liver cancer incidence was found for any use of rosiglitazone (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.65-0.81) or pioglitazone (OR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.72-0.95), respectively. The protective effects were stronger for higher cumulative dosage and longer duration. For colorectal cancer, rosiglitazone, but not pioglitazone, was associated with a significantly reduced risk (OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.76-0.96). TZDs were not associated with lung and bladder cancer incidence, although a potential increased risk for bladder cancer with pioglitazone use ≥3 years could not be excluded (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 0.51-4.74).

Conclusion:

The use of pioglitazone and rosiglitazone is associated with a decreased liver cancer incidence in diabetic patients. The effects on occurrence of specific cancer types may be different for pioglitazone and rosiglitazone. (Hepatology 2012;)
Sequential alterations of microrna expression in hepatocellular carcinoma development and venous metastasis
Authors: Wong Chun-Ming , Wong Carmen Chak-Lui , Lee Joyce Man-Fong , Fan Dorothy Ngo-Yin , Au Sandy Leung-Kuen , Ng Irene Oi-Lin
Published: December 2011

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent cancer with an extremely high mortality rate attributed to HCC metastasis, which is the major cause of tumor recurrence and organ failure. Presence of tumor thrombi in the portal veins (venous metastases) is a clinicopathological feature of metastatic HCCs. In this study, we analyzed the microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles of nontumorous livers, primary HCCs, and venous metastases in the same livers from 20 HCC patients by way of TaqMan low-density array (TLDA) and identified the precise alterations of miRNA expression from nontumorous livers to primary HCCs and venous metastases globally. By unsupervised clustering analysis, nontumorous livers were distinctly segregated from primary HCCs and venous metastases, whereas no discernible difference in the expression pattern could be found between primary HCCs and venous metastases. However, a marked global reduction of miRNA expression levels was detected in venous metastases, as compared with primary HCCs. These data suggest that miRNA deregulation is an early event in liver carcinogenesis and the later global miRNA down-regulation aggravates the preexisting miRNA deregulation to further promote HCC metastasis.

Conclusion:

Our study has enriched the current understanding of the deregulation of miRNAs in HCC progression and highlighted the sequential and distinctive alterations of miRNA expression in primary HCC and venous metastasis formation. (Hepatology 2012;)
Aripiprazole plus divalproex for recently manic or mixed patients with bipolar I disorder: a 6‐month, randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind maintenance trial
Authors: Woo Young Sup , Bahk Won‐Myong , Chung Moon Yong , Kim Do‐Hoon , Yoon Bo‐Hyun , Lee Jong Hun , Ahn Yong Min , Chung Sang‐Keun , Kim Jeong‐Gee , Lee Kwang Heun , Paik Ki‐Chung
Published: December 2011

Objectives

The goal of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy in preventing relapse of a mood episode in recently manic or mixed episode patients with bipolar I disorder stabilized with aripiprazole and divalproex combination.

Methods

This randomized, 24‐week, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled multicenter study enrolled patients from 23 centers in Korea. Patients with bipolar I disorder who had manic or mixed episode entered a 6‐week open‐label stabilization phase. After meeting stabilization criteria, 83 patients were randomly assigned to placebo + divalproex or aripiprazole + divalproex treatment group for the 24‐week, double‐blind maintenance phase.

Results

During the 6‐month double‐blind treatment, the time to relapse of any mood episode in the aripiprazole group was longer than the placebo group, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.098). After controlling for mean divalproex level, the time to depressive episode relapse in the aripiprazole group was longer than those in the placebo group (p = 0.029). Weight gain (≥7% increase) occurred in 22.5% aripiprazole group and 18.6% placebo group (p = 0.787).

Conclusions

In this study, relapse of mood episode occurred fewer and later for aripiprazole with divalproex treatment than divalproex monotherapy, but the differences were not statistically significant. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms may influence the efficacy of thalidomide in multiple myeloma
Authors: Andersen Niels F. , Vogel Ulla , Klausen Tobias W. , Gimsing Peter , Gregersen Henrik , Abildgaard Niels , Vangsted Annette J.
Published: December 2011

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent proangiogenic factor. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the VEGF gene with influence on VEGF expression have been described. In multiple myeloma, VEGF stimulates angiogenesis which is correlated with disease progression and prognosis. In this study, we evaluated the association between genetic variations in the VEGF gene in patients with multiple myeloma and time to treatment failure (TTF) after high‐dose melphalan and stem cell support (HDT), overall survival (OS) and efficacy of the anti‐angiogenic drug thalidomide. Retrospectively, the SNPs −2,578C>A (rs699947), −460C>T (rs833061), +405G>C (rs2010963) and +936C>T (rs3025039) in the VEGF gene were examined in 348 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma initially treated with HDT, where 176 patients were treated with thalidomide at relapse. None of the examined geno‐ or haplotypes was associated with differences in TTF after initial therapy or OS. A possible relation between the haplotype −2,578A/−460C/+405G (ACG) and effect of thalidomide was seen. Patients with no copies of the haplotype ACG had a longer time to next treatment than patients with one or two copies of the haplotype ACG, median 13.7 months vs. 9.2 months, p = 0.007. In conclusion, the haplotype ACG in the VEGF gene may influence the efficacy of thalidomide in multiple myeloma. Further analyses are needed to confirm these findings and get insight into the functional effect of these polymorphisms, so in the future we may be able to select multiple myeloma patients who especially will benefit from treatment with thalidomide.
Potentiation of a p53‐SLP vaccine by cyclophosphamide in ovarian cancer: A single‐arm phase II study
Authors: Vermeij Renee , Leffers Ninke , Hoogeboom Baukje‐Nynke , Hamming Ineke L.E. , Wolf Rinze , Reyners Anna K.L. , Molmans Barbara H.W. , Hollema Harry , Bart Joost , Drijfhout Jan W. , Oostendorp Jaap , van der Zee Ate G.J. , Melief Cornelis J. , van der Burg Sjoerd H. , Daemen Toos , Nijman Hans W.
Published: December 2011

The purpose of the current phase II single‐arm clinical trial was to evaluate whether pretreatment with low‐dose cyclophosphamide improves immunogenicity of a p53‐synthetic long peptide (SLP) vaccine in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. Patients with ovarian cancer with elevated serum levels of CA‐125 after primary treatment were immunized four times with the p53‐SLP vaccine. Each immunization was preceded by administration of 300 mg/m2 intravenous cyclophosphamide as a means to affect regulatory T cells (Tregs). Vaccine‐induced p53‐specific interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ)‐producing T cells evaluated by IFN‐γ ELISPOT were observed in 90% (9/10) and 87.5% (7/8) of evaluable patients after two and four immunizations, respectively. Proliferative p53‐specific T cells, observed in 80.0% (8/10) and 62.5% (5/8) of patients, produced both T‐helper 1 and T‐helper‐2 cytokines. Cyclophosphamide induced neither a quantitative reduction of Tregs determined by CD4+FoxP3+ T cell levels nor a demonstrable qualitative difference in Treg function tested in vitro. Nonetheless, the number of vaccine‐induced p53‐specific IFN‐γ‐producing T cells was higher in our study compared to a study in which a similar patient group was treated with p53‐SLP monotherapy (p ≤ 0.012). Furthermore, the strong reduction in the number of circulating p53‐specific T cells observed previously after four immunizations was currently absent. Stable disease was observed in 20.0% (2/10) of patients, and the remainder of patients (80.0%) showed clinical, biochemical and/or radiographic evidence of progressive disease. The outcome of this phase II trial warrants new studies on the use of low‐dose cyclophosphamide to potentiate the immunogenicity of the p53‐SLP vaccine or other antitumor vaccines.
Effect of fiber alignment in electrospun scaffolds on keratocytes and corneal epithelial cells behavior
Authors: Yan Jing , Qiang Linhui , Gao Yan , Cui Xuejun , Zhou Hongyan , Zhong Shuangling , Wang Qing , Wang Hongyan
Published: December 2011

The contribution of fiber alignment of scaffold on cellular mechanisms was evaluated by a comparative study of two different cells sourced from cornea. Electrospun scaf‐folds with similar composition and comparable fiber size were fabricated into randomly oriented and aligned scaffolds, which bear paralleled degradation of gelatin. Tensile test of wet scaffolds indicated that fiber alignment could influence its mechanical properties. Due to the unidirectional fiber orientation, aligned scaffold exhibited higher tensile modulus, higher break strength, and lower elongation at break than randomly oriented scaffold. The effect of fiber alignment on cells behavior was evaluated by cell morphology, specific protein expression, adhesion, and proliferation. Different corneal cells responded uniquely to fiber alignment of scaffold, keratocytes interacting more favorably on alignment scaffold and corneal epithelial cells more favorably on randomly oriented scaffold. These results confirmed that fiber alignment of scaffold would be benefit for cell proliferation if its contact guidance coincided with the cell shape and cytoskeletal tension. This finding is important to envisage an advanced composite scaffold that incorporates randomly oriented and aligned fibers for the growth and control of different cell types required for the successful development of corneal grafts by tissue engineering. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.
The JMJD2A demethylase regulates apoptosis and proliferation in colon cancer cells
Authors: Kim Tae‐Dong , Shin Sook , Berry William L. , Oh Sangphil , Janknecht Ralf
Published: December 2011

JMJD2A is a transcriptional cofactor and enzyme that catalyzes demethylation of histone H3 lysines 9 and 36 and is overexpressed in human tumors, but its role in oncogenesis remains unclear. Here, we show that JMJD2A interacts with the tumor suppressor p53 both in vitro and in HCT116 colon cancer cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that JMJD2A was recruited together with p53 to the promoter of the p21 cell cycle inhibitor upon stimulation with the DNA damaging agent, adriamycin. Downregulation of JMJD2A resulted in increased expression of p21 and of the pro‐apoptotic Puma protein, whereas levels of the anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 protein were decreased. Furthermore, JMJD2A knock‐down led to reduced HCT116, DLD‐1 and HT‐29 colon cancer cell proliferation, while overexpression of JMJD2A enhanced HCT116 proliferation in low serum media. Finally, JMJD2A depletion induced apoptosis in HCT116 cells and this effect was less pronounced in the absence of p53. Collectively, these data indicate that JMJD2A is a novel promoter of colon cancer cell proliferation and survival, which mediates its effects in p53‐dependent and ‐independent ways. JMJD2A may therefore be a valid target to sensitize tumor cells to chemotherapy‐induced cell death and growth suppression. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 1368–1376, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Hamilton‐Waterloo problem for Hamilton cycles and triangle‐factors
Authors: Lei Hongchuan , Shen Hao
Published: December 2011

In this article, we consider the Hamilton‐Waterloo problem for the case of Hamilton cycles and triangle‐factors when the order of the complete graph Kn is even. We completely solved the problem for the case n≡24 (mod 36). For the cases n≡0 (mod 18) and n≡6 (mod 36), we gave an almost complete solution. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Combin. Designs 20: 305–316, 2012
Between‐Session Practice and Therapeutic Alliance as Predictors of Mindfulness After Mindfulness‐Based Relapse Prevention
Authors: Bowen Sarah , Kurz Andrew S.
Published: December 2011

Objectives

Mindfulness‐based treatments have demonstrated efficacy in reducing symptoms in clinical populations. Not surprisingly, research suggests increases in client mindfulness might be a mechanism of change in these treatments. However, little is known about specific factors that lead to increased mindfulness.

Design

The present study is a secondary analysis of 93 adults in outpatient treatment for substance abuse, assessing effects of between‐session mindfulness practice and therapeutic alliance on levels of mindfulness after an 8‐week Mindfulness‐Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) program.

Results

Between‐session practice over the course of the 8 weeks was predictive of mindfulness at postcourse, although not at the 2‐month or 4‐month follow‐up assessments. Client‐rated therapeutic alliance was a significant predictor at the 2‐month follow‐up, although not at 4 months.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that between‐session practice and therapeutic alliance might be important factors in the initial increases in mindfulness after mindfulness‐based treatments, but factors supporting longer term mindfulness might shift over time.
Understanding suicide risk: identification of high‐risk groups during high‐risk times
Authors: Overholser James C. , Braden Abby , Dieter Lesa
Published: December 2011

Background

The assessment of suicide risk is a complex task for mental health professionals. Certain demographic groups are associated with completed suicide including males, divorced adults, and Caucasians. However, demographic variables alone provide a crude assessment of suicide risk. Psychiatric diagnosis and recent life events might improve the identification of high‐risk individuals.

Method

The current study evaluated 148 individuals who died by suicide compared with 257 adults who died suddenly from accidents or medical problems. Psychological autopsy was used to assess Axis I psychiatric diagnosis and recent stressful life events. Results: Suicide completers were significantly more likely than comparison subjects to have a depressive disorder, a substance abuse disorder, and to have experienced interpersonal conflict in the months leading up to their death. A discriminant function analysis revealed that the combination of demographic variables, recent stressful life events, and psychiatric diagnoses best discriminated between suicide completers and comparison subjects.

Conclusions

Proper assessment of suicide risk should include a comprehensive evaluation of demographic characteristics, recent life stressors, and psychiatric diagnosis.
Pancyclic subgraphs of random graphs
Authors: Lee Choongbum , Samotij Wojciech
Published: December 2011

An n‐vertex graph is called pancyclic if it contains a cycle of length t for all 3≤t≤n. In this article, we study pancyclicity of random graphs in the context of resilience, and prove that if p>n−1/2, then the random graph G(n, p) a.a.s. satisfies the following property: Every Hamiltonian subgraph of G(n, p) with more than edges is pancyclic. This result is best possible in two ways. First, the range of p is asymptotically tight; second, the proportion of edges cannot be reduced. Our theorem extends a classical theorem of Bondy, and is closely related to a recent work of Krivelevich et al. The proof uses a recent result of Schacht (also independently obtained by Conlon and Gowers). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Combinatorial roles of extrinsic and intrinsic muscles in extension strength of the distal interphalangeal joint
Authors: Murai Shinji , Tanaka Toshikazu , Aoki Mitsuhiro
Published: December 2011

In this study, we observed a combinatorial relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic muscles to extend the distal phalanx via the terminal tendon of the finger extensor. Eleven fresh‐frozen human cadaver digit rays were used in these experiments (four index, four middle, three ring digits). All fingers had full joint motion without degenerative diseases. Fingers were individually mounted in a custom built jig fixed by a 1‐mm Kirschner wire that was driven into the rotational center of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) and proximal interphalangeal joints. Loads were applied to the extensor digit and dorsal interosseous tendons without flexor tendons, via sutures attached over low‐friction pulleys. Extension forces that crossed the DIP joint were measured by a force transducer coupled with a materials‐testing machine. We observed a steep inclination of the extensor forces produced by the intrinsic muscles, and there were no significant differences in comparisons among loads (200, 400, 600, and 800 g). The inclination slope increased with an increase of load (p < 0.001). Additionally, the inclinations of the non‐linear phases among all finger types were not statistically different. Thus, the contribution between the extrinsic and intrinsic muscles in providing extensor forces to the distal phalanx was similar. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:893–896, 2012
High‐Arctic climate conditions for the last 7000 years inferred from multi‐proxy analysis of the Bliss Lake record, North Greenland
Authors: Olsen Jesper , Kjær Kurt H. , Funder Svend , Larsen Nicolaj K. , Ludikova Anna
Published: December 2011

The Arctic is more vulnerable to climate change than are mid latitudes. Therefore, palaeolimnological studies from the High Arctic are important in providing insights into the dynamics of the climate system. Here we present a multi‐proxy study from one of the world's northernmost lakes: Bliss Lake, Peary Land, Greenland. The early Holocene (10 850–10 480 cal. a BP) is characterized by increased erosion and gradually more marine conditions. Full marine conditions developed from 10 480 cal. a BP until the lake was isolated at 7220 cal. a BP. From its marine isolation at 7220 cal. a BP Bliss Lake becomes a lacustrine environment. Evidence from geochemical proxies (δ13C and total organic carbon) suggests that warmer conditions prevailed between 7220 and 6500 cal. a BP, corresponding to the Holocene thermal maximum, and from 3300 until 910 cal. a BP. From 850 to 500 cal. a BP colder climate conditions persisted. The transition from warmer to colder climate conditions taking place around 850 cal. a BP may be associated with the transition from the Medieval Warm Period to the Little Ice Age. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of sulfonamides in livers using matrix solid‐phase dispersion extraction high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Zhang Yupu , Xu Xu , Qi Xiao , Gao Wenquan , Sun Shuo , Li Xiaotian , Jiang Chengfei , Yu Aimin , Zhang Hanqi , Yu Yong
Published: December 2011

The matrix solid‐phase dispersion (MSPD) was applied for extracting seven sulfonamides (SAs) in liver samples. The separation and determination were carried out by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The analytes were derivated with fluorescamine and detected with fluorescence detector. The types of dispersion adsorbents for MSPD were examined and the highest recovery was obtained when the diatomaceous earth was used as the dispersion adsorbent and the mass ratio of dispersion adsorbent to sample was 3:1. The acetone was used as the elution solvent. Under the optimal conditions, the linear range for determining the SAs in liver samples was 5.0–1000.0 ng/g. The porcine, chicken and cattle liver samples were analyzed and the average recoveries of seven SAs were higher than 84.6%.
Photonic chip based ultrafast optical processing based on high nonlinearity dispersion engineered chalcogenide waveguides
Authors: Eggleton B.J. , Vo T.D. , Pant R. , Schr J. , Pelusi M.D. , Yong Choi D. , Madden S.J. , Luther‐Davies B.
Published: December 2011

Progress in developing photonic chip based optical processing devices with ultrahigh‐bandwidth is reviewed. The unprecedented processing bandwidth of our platform based on dispersion engineered chalcogenide waveguides is exploited to perform Tbaud optical switching and performance monitoring. Recent experiments and demonstrations of photonic logic operations are reviewed.
Novel Functional Conjugative Hyperbranched Polymers with Aggregation‐Induced Emission: Synthesis Through One‐Pot “A2+B4” Polymerization and Application as Explosive Chemsensors and PLEDs
Authors: Wu Wenbo , Ye Shanghui , Yu Gui , Liu Yunqi , Qin Jingui , Li Zhen
Published: December 2011

With the aim to develop new tetraphenylethylene (TPE)‐based conjugated hyperbranched polymer, TPE units, one famous aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) active group, are utilized to construct hyperbranched polymers with three other aromatic blocks, through an “A2+B4” approach by using one‐pot Suzuki polycondensation reaction. These three hyperbranched polymers exhibit interesting AIEE behavior and act as explosive chemsensors with high sensitivity both in the nanoparticles and solid states. This is the first report of the AIE activity of the TPE‐based conjugated hyperbranched polymers. Their corresponding PLED devices also demonstrate good performance.
Synthesis and Characterization of 2,7‐Linked Carbazole Oligomers
Authors: Qin Ruiping , Bo Zhishan
Published: December 2011

A set of monodisperse 2,7‐linked carbazole oligomers (3‐mer, 5‐mer, 7‐mer, and 9‐mer) was synthesized, and their photophysical, electrochemical, and thermal properties were investigated. In solutions, these oligomers exhibited bright blue emission with almost quantitative fluorescence quantum yield. The emission spectra of these oligomers in films are quite different. 3‐Mer and 5‐mer exhibited featureless emission spectra, whereas 7‐mer and 9‐mer showed well‐resolved emission spectra.
Therapeutic Use of Creatine in Brain or Heart Ischemia: Available Data and Future Perspectives
Authors: Perasso Luisa , Spallarossa Paolo , Gandolfo Carlo , Ruggeri Piero , Balestrino Maurizio
Published: December 2011

Creatine (Cr) is essential in safeguarding ATP levels and in moving ATP from its production site (mitochondria) to the cytoplasmic regions where it is used. Moreover, it has effects unrelated to energy metabolism, such as free radical scavenging, antiapoptotic action, and protection against excitotoxicity. Recent research has studied Cr‐derived compounds (Cr benzyl ester and phos‐pho–Cr–magnesium complex) that reproduce the neuroprotective effects of Cr while better crossing the neuronal plasma membrane and, hopefully, the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Intracellular levels of Cr can be increased by incubation with Cr or some of its derivatives, and this increase is protective against anoxic or ischemic damage. A large amount of experimental evidence shows that pretreatment with Cr is capable of reducing the damage induced by ischemia or anoxia in both heart and brain, and that such treatment may also be useful even after stroke or myocardial infarction (MI) has already occurred. Cr has been safely administered to patients affected by several neurological diseases, yet it has never been tested in human brain ischemia, the condition where its rationale is strongest. Phosphocreatine (PCr) has been administered after human MI, where it proved to be safe and probably helpful. Cr should be tested in the prophylactic protection against human brain ischemia and either Cr or PCr should be further tested in MI. Moreover, Cr‐ or PCr‐derived drugs should be developed in order to overcome these molecules’ limitations in crossing the BBB and the cell plasma membrane.
Timing of first embryonic cleavage is a positive indicator of the in vitro developmental potential of porcine embryos derived from in vitro fertilization, somatic cell nuclear transfer and parthenogenesis
Authors: Isom S. Clay , Li Rong feng , Whitworth Kristin M. , Prather Randall S.
Published: December 2011

Evidence in many species has suggested that those embryos that cleave earliest after fertilization are more developmentally competent than those that cleave relatively later after fertilization. Herein we document this phenomenon in porcine in vitro‐fertilized (IVF), somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), and parthenogenetic (PA) embryos. In vitro‐matured pig oocytes were used to generate IVF, SCNT, and PA embryos. At 24 hr post‐activation (or insemination; hpa/hpi), embryos were visually assessed, and cleaved embryos were moved into a new culture well. This process was repeated at 30 and 48 hpa/hpi. All embryos were allowed to develop 7 days in culture. For IVF embryos, 39.9%, 24.6%, and 10.5% of fast‐, intermediate‐, or slow‐cleaving embryos, respectively, developed into blastocysts by day 7. For SCNT embryos, 31.8% of fast‐, 5.7% of intermediate‐, and 2.9% of late‐cleaving embryos achieved the blastocyst stage of development. For PA embryos, the percentages of those cleaved embryos that developed to blastocyst were 59.3%, 36.7%, and 7.5% for early‐, intermediate‐, and late‐cleaving embryos, respectively. Using RNA collected from early‐, intermediate‐, and late‐cleaving embryos, real‐time PCR was performed to assess the transcript levels of 14 different genes of widely varied function. The qPCR results suggest that maternal mRNA degradation may not proceed in an appropriate pattern in slow‐cleaving embryos. These findings (1) confirm that, as observed in other species, earlier‐cleaving porcine embryos are more successful at developing in culture than are slower‐cleaving embryos, and (2) implicate mechanisms of maternal transcript destruction as potential determinants of oocyte/embryo quality. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 79: 197–207, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
System and SAR characterization in parallel RF transmission
Authors: Zhu Yudong , Alon Leeor , Deniz Cem M. , Brown Ryan , Sodickson Daniel K.
Published: December 2011

The markedly increased degrees of freedom introduced by parallel radiofrequency transmission presents both opportunities and challenges for specific absorption rate (SAR) management. On one hand they enable E‐field tailoring and SAR reduction while facilitating excitation profile control. On other hand they increase the complexity of SAR behavior and the risk of inadvertently exacerbating SAR by improper design or playout of radiofrequency pulses. The substantial subject‐dependency of SAR in high field magnetic resonance can be a compounding factor. Building upon a linear system concept and a calibration scheme involving a finite number of in situ measurements, this work establishes a clinically applicable method for characterizing global SAR behavior as well as channel‐by‐channel power transmission. The method offers a unique capability of predicting, for any excitation, the SAR and power consequences that are specific to the subject to be scanned and the MRI hardware. The method was validated in simulation and experimental studies, showing promise as the foundation to a prospective paradigm where power and SAR are not only monitored but, through prediction‐guided optimization, proactively managed. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High tip angle approximation based on a modified Bloch–Riccati equation
Authors: Boulant Nicolas , Hoult David I.
Published: December 2011

When designing a radio‐frequency pulse to produce a desired dependence of magnetization on frequency or position, the small flip angle approximation is often used as a first step, and a Fourier relation between pulse and transverse magnetization is then invoked. However, common intuition often leads to linear scaling of the resulting pulse so as to produce a larger flip angle than the approximation warrants—with surprisingly good results. Starting from a modified version of the Bloch–Riccati equation, a differential equation in the flip angle itself, rather than in magnetization, is derived. As this equation has a substantial linear component that is an instance of Fourier's equation, the intuitive approach is seen to be justified. Examples of the accuracy of this higher tip angle approximation are given for both constant‐ and variable‐phase pulses. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Arterial spin labeling MRI study of age and gender effects on brain perfusion hemodynamics
Authors: Liu Yinan , Zhu Xiaoping , Feinberg David , Guenther Matthias , Gregori Johannes , Weiner Michael W. , Schuff Norbert
Published: December 2011

Normal aging is associated with diminished brain perfusion measured as cerebral blood flow (CBF), but previously it is difficult to accurately measure various aspects of perfusion hemodynamics including: bolus arrival times and delays through small arterioles, expressed as arterial‐arteriole transit time. To study hemodynamics in greater detail, volumetric arterial spin labeling MRI with variable postlabeling delays was used together with a distributed, dual‐compartment tracer model. The main goal was to determine how CBF and other perfusion hemodynamics vary with aging. Twenty cognitive normal female and 15 male subjects (age: 23–84 years old) were studied at 4 T. Arterial spin labeling measurements were performed in the posterior cingulate cortex, precuneus, and whole brain gray matter. CBF declined with advancing age (P < 0.001). Separately from variations in bolus arrival times, arterial‐arteriole transit time increased with advancing age (P < 0.01). Finally, women had overall higher CBF values (P < 0.01) and shorter arterial‐arteriole transit time (P < 0.01) than men, regardless of age. The findings imply that CBF and blood transit times are compromised in aging, and these changes together with differences between genders should be taken into account when studying brain perfusion. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Irreducibility of joint inventory positions in an assemble‐to‐order system under (r, nQ) policies
Authors: Feng Jiejian , Liu Liming , Wan Yat‐wah
Published: December 2011

In a typical assemble‐to‐order system, a customer order may request multiple items, and the order may not be filled if any of the requested items are out of stock. A key customer service measure when unfilled orders are backordered is the order‐based backorder level. To evaluate this crucial performance measure, a fundamental question is whether the stationary joint inventory positions follow an independent and uniform distribution. In this context, this is equivalent to the irreducibility of the Markov chain formed by the joint inventory positions. This article presents a necessary and sufficient condition for the irreducibility of such a Markov chain through a set of simultaneous Diophantine equations. This result also leads to sufficient conditions that are more general than those in the published reports. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2011
Vascular patterning and permeability in prostate cancer models with differing osteogenic properties
Authors: Dafni Hagit , Burghardt Andrew J. , Majumdar Sharmila , Navone Nora M. , Ronen Sabrina M.
Published: December 2011

Bone metastasis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in prostate cancer. However, the lack of clinically relevant models hinders our understanding of the disease as well as development of effective therapies and imaging approaches. We used noninvasive MRI, histology and micro CT to further characterize the newly established prostate cancer bone metastases‐derived model MDA‐PCa‐118b, and to compare it to the well‐established PC‐3MM2 model with regard to bone structure and vascular patterning. The PC‐3MM2 model is highly osteolytic whereas the MDA‐PCa‐118b model shows a robust osteoblastic reaction, as often seen in clinical cases. Macromolecular contrast enhanced MRI revealed differences in vascular permeability patterns, which appeared peripheral for PC‐3MM2 and nodular for MDA‐PCa‐118b, matching the microscopic cellular composition of each model: PC‐3MM2 exclusively recruits endothelial cells to form thin tumor‐core blood vessels and enlarged, leaky peripheral vessels, whereas MDA‐PCa‐118b also recruits bone‐forming cells and pericytes such that small tumor nests are encircled with leaky vessels and embedded in bone‐like tissue dotted with pericyte‐covered vessels. Despite these structural differences, vascular permeability was reduced in both tumor models by either imatinib or SU10944 treatment. This study highlights the importance of clinically relevant osteogenic models of human prostate cancer and the value of such models not only in enhancing our understanding of tumorigenesis, metastasis and response to therapy, but also for development of appropriate methods for noninvasive imaging of these processes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A variational framework for fiber‐reinforced viscoelastic soft tissues
Authors: Vassoler J. M. , Reips L. , Fancello E. A.
Published: December 2011

The mechanical properties of soft biological tissues vary depending on how the internal structure is organized. Classical examples of tissues are ligaments, tendons, skin, arteries, and annulus fibrous. The main element of such tissues is the fibers which are responsible for the tissue resistance and the main mechanical characteristic is their viscoelastic anisotropic behavior. The objective of this paper is to extend an existing model for isotropic viscoelastic materials in order to include anisotropy provided by fiber reinforcement. The incorporation of the fiber allows the mechanical behavior of these tissues to be simulated. The model is based on a variational framework in which its mechanical behavior is described by a free energy incremental potential whose local minimization provides the constraints for the internal variable updates for each load increment. The main advantage of this variational approach is the ability to represent different material models depending on the choice of suitable potential functions. Finally, the model is implemented in a finite‐element code in order to perform numerical tests to show the ability of the proposed model to represent fiber‐reinforced materials. The material parameters used in the tests were obtained through parameter identification using experimental data available in the literature. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A nodal variable method of structural topology optimization based on Shepard interpolant
Authors: Kang Zhan , Wang Yiqiang
Published: December 2011

A method for topology optimization of continuum structures based on nodal density variables and density field mapping technique is investigated. The original discrete‐valued topology optimization problem is stated as an optimization problem with continuous design variables by introducing a material density field into the design domain. With the use of the Shepard family of interpolants, this density field is mapped onto the design space defined by a finite number of nodal density variables. The employed interpolation scheme has an explicit form and satisfies range‐restricted properties that makes it applicable for physically meaningful density interpolation. Its ability to resolve more complex spatial distribution of the material density within an individual element, as compared with the conventional elementwise design variable approach, actually provides certain regularization to the topology optimization problem. Numerical examples demonstrate the validity and applicability of the proposed formulation and numerical techniques. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A one‐dimensional lumped parameter model representing impedance functions in general structural systems with proportional damping
Authors: Saitoh Masato
Published: December 2011

This paper presents a one‐dimensional lumped parameter model (LPM) that accurately represents the impedance function between two nodes arbitrarily selected in general linear structural systems having proportional damping. Through a procedure based on the modal analysis, the impedance function can be transformed into an equivalent LPM consisting of units arranged in series, with each unit consisting of a spring, a dashpot, and a so‐called gyro mass element arranged in parallel. The gyro mass element generates a reaction force proportional to the relative acceleration of the nodes between where it is placed. Three application examples show that the LPMs accurately simulate the impedance functions in a mass–spring structure, a truss frame structure, and a cantilever plate. For a more efficient representation, a large number of units associated with high‐order modes in the high‐frequency region can be removed from the proposed gyro mass LPM (GLPM) as an approximation of the impedance functions in a target frequency region. The accuracy of the approximated GLPMs is improved by incorporating an additional unit associated with residual stiffness. This approximation greatly reduces the number of degrees of freedom of the GLPMs so that a marked decrease in the computational domain size and time can be expected for solving dynamic problems. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simple Common Plane contact algorithm
Authors: Vorobiev Oleg
Published: December 2011

The common‐plane (CP) algorithm is widely used in the discrete element method to model contact forces between interacting particles or blocks of rock. A new simple contact algorithm, similar to the CP algorithm, is proposed to model discontinuities such as joints, faults and material interfaces in an explicit finite difference code. The CP is defined as a plane separating interacting faces of grid cells, instead of blocks or particles used in the original CP method. The new method does not require iterations even for very stiff contacts. It is very robust and easy to implement, both in 2D and 3D parallel codes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
control of LPV systems with saturating actuators: Pólya approach
Authors: Delibaşı Akın , Kucukdemiral Ibrahim B. , Cansever Galip
Published: December 2011

This paper addresses the design problem of , gain‐scheduling non‐linear state‐feedback controller for linear parameter varying (LPV) systems, subjected to actuator saturations and bounded energy disturbances, by using parameter‐dependent type Lyapunov functions. The paper provides a systematic procedure to generate a sequence of linear matrix inequality (LMI) type conditions of increasing precision for obtaining a suboptimal state‐feedback controller. The presented method utilizes the modified sector condition for formalization of actuator saturation and homogeneous polynomial parameter‐dependent representation of LPV systems. Both simulations and experimental studies on an inverted pendulum on a cart system illustrate the benefits of the approach. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.