bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conduction block of peripheral nerve using high‐frequency alternating currents delivered through an intrafascicular electrode
Authors: Ackermann D. Michael , Foldes Emily L. , Bhadra Niloy , Kilgore Kevin L.
Published: October 2009

Many diseases are characterized by undesired or pathological neural activity. The local delivery of high‐frequency currents has been shown to be an effective method for blocking neural conduction in peripheral nerves and may provide a therapy for these conditions. To date, all studies of high‐frequency conduction block have utilized extraneural (cuff) electrodes to achieve conduction block. In this study we show that high‐frequency conduction block is feasible using intrafascicular electrodes. Muscle Nerve, 2010
Sonographic measurements of longitudinal median nerve sliding in patients following nerve repair
Authors: Erel Ertan , Dilley Andrew , Turner Sarah , Kumar Prem , Bhatti Waqar A. , Lees Vivien C.
Published: October 2009

Nerve sliding may be restricted following nerve repair. This could result in increased tension across the repair site and lead to poor functional recovery of the nerve. Ultrasound was used to examine longitudinal median nerve sliding in 10 patients who had previously undergone nerve repair surgery following complete division of the median nerve. The median longitudinal movement in the forearm in response to metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint movements was 2.15 mm on the injured side, compared with 2.54 mm on the uninjured side, a difference that was significant. There was a significant reduction in nerve sliding following repair (median = 8%, range −8% to 54%; P = 0.02), which correlated with time from injury to surgery (rho = 0.87; P = 0.001). These results indicate that ultrasound can be used as an adjunct assessment tool to monitor both morphology and sliding of the nerve through the repair site. It may have future application in the investigation of patients with persisting functional impairment following primary nerve repair. Muscle Nerve, 2009
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: Do neurotrophins play a role?
Authors: Angelucci Francesco , Colantoni Luca
Published: October 2009

Although the molecular defect of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is well established and involves the contraction of the polymorphic 3.3 kb D4Z4 repeat on the subtelomeric region of chromosome 4q35, the pathologic effects of this deletion remain largely unknown. As a consequence, no specific treatment for FSHD is at present available. Thus, there is the need to explore new areas in an attempt to better characterize pathophysiological alterations in FSHD that might be useful for managing the disease. Neurotrophins (nerve growth factor, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin‐3, and neurotrophin‐4/5) are a class of proteins involved in the development, maintenance, and function of neurons of the peripheral and central nervous systems. In addition, neurotrophins and their RNAs are expressed in muscle, where they have a role in development and regeneration. In this article we put together the experimental evidence that indicates neurotrophins might be involved in the pathophysiology of FSHD and discuss the possible implications of this assumption. Muscle Nerve, 2010
Ros‐mediated activation of NF‐κB and Foxo during muscle disuse
Authors: Dodd Stephen L. , Gagnon Brittany J. , Senf Sarah M. , Hain Brian A. , Judge Andrew R.
Published: October 2009

We examined reactive oxygen species as upstream activators of nuclear factor κB; (NF‐κB) and forkhead box O (Foxo) in skeletal muscle during disuse atrophy. Catalase, an enzyme that degrades H2O2, was overexpressed in soleus muscles via plasmid injection prior to 7 days of hindlimb immobilization. The increased catalase activity abolished immobilization‐induced transactivation of both NF‐κB and Foxo and attenuated the loss of muscle mass. Thus, H2O2 may be an important initiator of these signaling pathways that lead to muscle atrophy. Muscle Nerve, 2010
To wait or not to wait: Optimal ordering under lead time uncertainty and forecast updating
Authors: Wang Yimin , Tomlin Brian
Published: October 2009

There has been a dramatic increase over the past decade in the number of firms that source finished product from overseas. Although this has reduced procurement costs, it has increased supply risk; procurement lead times are longer and are often unreliable. In deciding when and how much to order, firms must consider the lead time risk and the demand risk, i.e., the accuracy of their demand forecast. To improve the accuracy of its demand forecast, a firm may update its forecast as the selling season approaches. In this article we consider both forecast updating and lead time uncertainty. We characterize the firm's optimal procurement policy, and we prove that, with multiplicative forecast revisions, the firm's optimal procurement time is independent of the demand forecast evolution but that the optimal procurement quantity is not. This leads to a number of important managerial insights into the firm's planning process. We show that the firm becomes less sensitive to lead time variability as the forecast updating process becomes more efficient. Interestingly, a forecast‐updating firm might procure earlier than a firm with no forecast updating. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2009
Adaptive Kronrod–Patterson integration of non‐linear finite element matrices
Authors: Janssen Hans
Published: October 2009

Efficient simulation of unsaturated moisture flow in porous media is of great importance in many engineering fields. The highly non‐linear character of unsaturated flow typically gives sharp moving moisture fronts during wetting and drying of materials with strong local moisture permeability and capacity variations as result. It is shown that these strong variations conflict with the common preference for low‐order numerical integration in finite element simulations of unsaturated moisture flow: inaccurate numerical integration leads to errors that are often far more important than errors from inappropriate discretization.

In response, this article develops adaptive integration, based on nested Kronrod–Patterson–Gauss integration schemes: basically, the integration order is adapted to the locally observed grade of non‐linearity. Adaptive integration is developed based on a standard infiltration problem, and it is demonstrated that serious reductions in the numbers of required integration points and discretization nodes can be obtained, thus significantly increasing computational efficiency. The multi‐dimensional applicability is exemplified with two‐dimensional wetting and drying applications.

While developed for finite element unsaturated moisture transfer simulation, adaptive integration is similarly applicable for other non‐linear problems and other discretization methods, and whereas perhaps outperformed by mesh‐adaptive techniques, adaptive integration requires much less implementation and computation. Both techniques can moreover be easily combined. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An example of a severe neck injury with survival seen in a Bronze Age burial
Authors: Jiménez‐Brobeil S. A. , Al Oumaoui I. , Fernández de la Gala J. V. , Laffranchi Z. , Roca M. G.
Published: October 2009

We present a paleopathological analysis of an adult male from the Bronze Age site of Motilla del Azuer (Daimiel, Ciudad Real) from the Spanish region of La Mancha. The hyoid bone from this individual exhibits a healed fracture. This is an exceptional archaeological find. This injury is extremely rare apart from hanging and strangulation, and it is even rarer since the individual survived this injury to his neck. This injury was probably produced by a direct impact to the neck. This event could have been the result of an accident or that of intentional aggression. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acute silent cerebral infarction in children with sickle cell anemia
Authors: Dowling Michael M. , Quinn Charles T. , Rogers Zora R. , Buchanan George R.
Published: October 2009

Silent cerebral infarctions (SCI) occur in up to 35% of children with sickle cell anemia (HbSS) but are rarely recognized during the initial 10–14 days when diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can differentiate acute infarctions from remote events. We report acute SCI in seven children with HbSS who had areas of restricted diffusion on MRI without persistent focal neurologic deficits. Four had acute SCI identified following acute anemic events. Our observations suggest that SCI are detectible in the acute phase, present with subtle neurologic symptoms, result in permanent neurologic injury, and may be caused by acute anemic events. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2010;54:461–464. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Friction and wear properties of PTFE composites filled with PA6
Authors: Li J.
Published: October 2009

Blending Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to PA6 at different compositions was produced in a corotating twin‐screw extruder, where PTFE acts as the polymer matrix and PA6 as the dispersed phase. The effects of PA6 content on the tribological properties of the composites were investigated. The worn surface morphologies of neat PTFE and its composites were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the wear mechanisms were discussed. The presence of PA6 particles dispersed in the PTFE continuous phase exhibited superior tribological characteristics to unfilled PTFE. The optimum wear reduction was obtained when the content of PA6 is 30 vol%. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Influence of core fillers on resin flow and fiber compaction of cocured skin‐to‐stiffener structures
Authors: Wang Xueming , Xie Fuyuan , Li Min , Zhang Zuoguang
Published: October 2009

The integral molding technology is the development of composite structures. In this study, an experimental integral technology of cocuring was applied to fabricate T‐stiffened skins. A study was undertaken to determine the effect of fillers in stiffener core on resin flow and fiber compaction of T‐stiffened skins. A new application of transferring pressure film was carried out to measure the pressure distribution in T‐stiffeners. The characteristics of resin flow were investigated by the bleeding quantity and the stiffener thickness in prebleeding process. The experimental results indicated that nonuniform pressure obviously distributed in T‐stiffeners, especially the lowest pressure exhibited in stiffener corner. Resin‐rich defect and highest thickness were frequently obtained in stiffener corner. However, rolling unidirectional prepregs as fillers into the stiffener core of T‐stiffened skins caused an increase of pressure in stiffener corner, gave the stiffener corner to the opportunity to remove the resin‐rich defect by hindering resin flow into the stiffener corner, and consequently contributed to a significant increase in the fiber compaction and manufacturing quality of T‐stiffeners. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1360–1368, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Characteristics of embryo development in Robertsonian translocations' preimplantation genetic diagnosis cycles
Authors: Huang Jin , Lian Ying , Qiao Jie , Chen Yongjian , Ren Xiulian , Liu Ping
Published: October 2009

Objective

To explore the embryo development characteristics in Robertsonian translocations (RTs) in their preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) cycles.

Method

A total of 37 RT carrier couples underwent 41 blastomere PGD cycles from August 2005 to September 2008. The development of 272 embryos was analyzed in their PGD cycles.

Result(s)

At D3, there were 161 high‐grade embryos, including 59 normal/balanced embryos and 102 abnormal embryos. There was no difference between the normal/balanced embryo group and the abnormal embryo group in terms of the high‐grade embryo percentage (64.84% vs 56.35%, p = 0.179). However, at D5–D6, the blastocyst percentage in the normal/balanced embryo group was significantly higher than that in the abnormal embryo group (43.96% vs 20.44%, p = 0.000).

Conclusion(s)

Normal/balanced embryos developed better and a self‐selective mechanism may exist in the RTs' embryos at the blastocyst formation stage. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study on the applicability of frontomaxillary facial angle in the first‐trimester trisomy 21 fetuses in Chinese population
Authors: Chen Min , Yang Xin , Leung Tak Yeung , Sahota Daljit Singh , Fung Tak Yuen , Chan Lin Wai , Lao Terence Tzu‐Hsi , Lau Tze Kin
Published: October 2009

Objective

To evaluate the measurement of frontomaxillary facial (FMF) angle at 11 weeks to 13 weeks, 6 days in a Chinese population and its applicability in the screening for fetal trisomy 21.

Method

In a retrospective study, the stored images for the measurement of fetal nuchal translucency (NT) thickness in a Chinese population from August 2003 to March 2007 were reviewed for the comparison of the FMF angle between 22 trisomy 21 fetuses (study group) with 220 randomly selected normal fetuses with satisfactory images (control group).

Results

No association between FMF angle and NT, nasal bone length, or fetal heart rate was shown (P > 0.05). But the FMF angle was significantly greater in the trisomy 21 fetuses (89.7 vs 82.8, P < 0.001). The intraobserver and interobserver agreement were assessed in 9.5% (n = 21) normal cases. Mean (SD) differences of two observers were −0.83 (2.69)° (P > 0.05). For each observer, mean (SD) differences between the two paired measurements were −0.98 (3.11)° and 0.93 (1.80)°, respectively (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Our results indicated that measurement of the FMF angle in the first trimester can be incorporated into the screening of trisomy 21 in the Chinese population, and its application is not affected by intraobserver and interobserver variability. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Atomic force microscopy: A powerful molecular toolkit in nanoproteomics
Authors: Dufrêne Yves F.
Published: October 2009

Analysing microbial cell surface proteins is a challenging task in current microbial proteomic research, which has major implications for drug design, vaccine development, and microbial monitoring. In this context, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has recently emerged has a powerful characterization platform, providing valuable insights into the surface proteome of microbial cells. The aim of this article is to show how advanced AFM techniques, that all have in common functionalization of the AFM tip with specific molecules, can be used to answer pertinent questions related to surface‐associated proteins, such as what is their spatial arrangement on the cell surface, and what are the forces driving their interaction with the environment?
The Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 proteome, profiled in the host intestinal environment, reveals major metabolic modifications and increased expression of invasive proteins
Authors: Pieper Rembert , Zhang Quanshun , Parmar Prashanth P. , Huang Shih‐Ting , Clark David J. , Alami Hamid , Donohue‐Rolfe Arthur , Fleischmann Robert D. , Peterson Scott N. , Tzipori Saul
Published: October 2009

Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 (SD1) causes the most severe form of epidemic bacillary dysentery. We present the first comprehensive proteome analysis of this pathogen, profiling proteins from bacteria cultured in vitro and bacterial isolates from the large bowel of infected gnotobiotic piglets (in vivo). Overall, 1061 distinct gene products were identified. Differential display analysis revealed that SD1 cells switched to an anaerobic energy metabolism in vivo. High in vivo abundances of amino acid decarboxylases (GadB and AdiA) which enhance pH homeostasis in the cytoplasm and protein disaggregation chaperones (HdeA, HdeB and ClpB) were indicative of a coordinated bacterial survival response to acid stress. Several type III secretion system effectors were increased in abundance in vivo, including OspF, IpaC and IpaD. These proteins are implicated in invasion of colonocytes and subversion of the host immune response in S. flexneri. These observations likely reflect an adaptive response of SD1 to the hostile host environment. Seven proteins, among them the type III secretion system effectors OspC2 and IpaB, were detected as antigens in Western blots using piglet antisera. The outer membrane protein OmpA, the heat shock protein HtpG and OspC2 represent novel SD1 subunit vaccine candidates and drug targets.
Living copolymerization of ethylene with norbornene mediated by heteroligated (Salicylaldiminato)(β‐enaminoketonato)titanium catalysts
Authors: Long Ying‐Yun , Ye Wei‐Ping , SHI XIN‐CUI , Li Yue‐Sheng
Published: October 2009

Three heteroligated (salicylaldiminato)(β‐enaminoketonato)titanium complexes [3‐But‐2‐OC6H3CHN(C6F5)][(p‐XC6H4)NC(But)CHC(CF3)O]TiCl2 (3a: X = F, 3b: X = Cl, 3c: X = Br) were synthesized and investigated as the catalysts for ethylene polymerization and ethylene/norbornene copolymerization. In the presence of modified methylaluminoxane as a cocatalyst, these unsymmetric catalysts exhibited high activities toward ethylene polymerization, similar to their parallel parent catalysts. Furthermore, they also displayed favorable ability to efficiently incorporate norbornene into the polymer chains and produce high molecular weight copolymers under the mild conditions, though the copolymerization of ethylene with norbornene leads to relatively lower activities. The sterically open structure of the β‐enaminoketonato ligand is responsible for the high norbornene incorporation. The norbornene concentration in the polymerization medium had a profound influence on the molecular weight distribution of the resulting copolymer. When the norbornene concentration in the feed is higher than 0.4 mol/L, the heteroligated catalysts mediated the living copolymerization of ethylene with norbornene to form narrow molecular weight distribution copolymers (Mw/Mn < 1.20), which suggested that chain termination or transfer reaction could be efficiently suppressed via the addition of norbornene into the reaction medium. Polymer yields, catalytic activity, molecular weight, and norbornene incorporation can be controlled within a wide range by the variation of the reaction parameters such as comonomer content in the feed, reaction time, and temperature. ©2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6072–6082, 2009
Mechanism of cyclic dye regeneration during eosin‐sensitized photoinitiation in the presence of polymerization inhibitors
Authors: Avens Heather J. , Bowman Christopher N.
Published: October 2009

A visible light photoinitiator, eosin, in combination with a tertiary amine coinitiator is found to initiate polymerization despite the presence of at least 1000‐fold excess dissolved oxygen, which functions as an inhibitor of radical polymerizations. Additionally, 0.4 μM eosin is able to overcome 100‐fold excess (40 μM) 2,2,6,6‐Tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) inhibitor, initiating polymerization after only a 2 min inhibition period. In contrast, 40 μM Irgacure‐2959, a standard cleavage‐type initiator, is unable to overcome even an equivalent amount of inhibitor (40 μM TEMPO). Through additional comparisons of these two initiation systems, a reaction mechanism is developed which is consistent with the kinetic data and provides an explanation for eosin's relative insensitivity to oxygen, TEMPO, and other inhibitors. A cyclic mechanism is proposed in which semireduced eosin radicals react by disproportionation with radical inhibitors and radical intermediates in the inhibition process to regenerate eosin and effectively consume inhibitor. In behavior similar to that of eosin, rose bengal, fluorescein, and riboflavin are also found to initiate polymerization despite the presence of excess TEMPO, indicating that cyclic regeneration likely enhances the photoinitiation kinetics of many dye photosensitizers. Selection of such dye initiation systems constitutes a valuable strategy for alleviating inhibitory effects in radical polymerizations. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6083–6094, 2009
Aminated PCL‐based copolymers by chemical modification of poly(α‐iodo‐ε‐caprolactone‐co‐ε‐caprolactone)
Authors: El Habnouni Sarah , Blanquer Sébastien , Darcos Vincent , Coudane Jean
Published: October 2009

A novel method is proposed to access to new poly(α‐amino‐ε‐caprolactone‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) using poly(α‐iodo‐ε‐caprolactone‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) as polymeric substrate. First, ring‐opening (co)polymerizations of α‐iodo‐ε‐caprolactone (αIεCL) with ε‐caprolactone (εCL) are performed using tin 2‐ethylhexanoate (Sn(Oct)2) as catalyst. (Co)polymers are fully characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FTIR, SEC, DSC, and TGA. Then, these iodinated polyesters are used as polymeric substrates to access to poly(α‐amino‐ε‐caprolactone‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) by two different strategies. The first one is the reaction of poly(αIεCL‐co‐εCL) with ammonia, the second one is the reduction of poly(αN3εCL‐co‐εCL) by hydrogenolysis. This poly(α‐amino‐ε‐caprolactone‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) (FαNH2εCL < 0.1) opens the way to new cationic and water‐soluble PCL‐based degradable polyesters. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6104–6115, 2009
Synthesis and characterization of poly(fluorinated vinyl ether‐alt‐tert‐butyl α‐trifluoromethacrylate) copolymers
Authors: Cracowski Jean‐Marc , Montembault Véronique , Odobel Fabrice , Améduri Bruno , Fontaine Laurent
Published: October 2009

Radical copolymerizations of electron acceptor tert‐butyl α‐trifluoromethacrylate (MAF‐TBE) and electron donor 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8‐heptadecafluoro‐10‐(vinyloxy)decane (FAV8) initiated by tert‐butyl 2,2‐dimethylperoxypropanoate were investigated. Although none of both monomers underwent radical homopolymerization under classical conditions, they readily copolymerized, producing a soluble copolymer containing 60–65 mol % of MAF‐TBE. The reactivity ratios determined by the Kelen‐Tüdos method were found to be rMAF‐TBE = 0.03 ± 0.01 and rFAV8 = 0 at 74 °C, indicating the synthesis of alternated copolymers. The copolymer compositions were assessed from 19F‐NMR spectroscopy and correlated with thermogravimetric analysis. Molecular weights and polydispersity indexes of poly(MAF‐TBE‐alt‐FAV8) copolymers were both low and ranged from 5.5 to 6.9 × 103 g mol−1 and from 1.08 to 1.23, respectively. Copolymers were amorphous, and Tg were about 55 °C for all copolymers. TGA analyses showed the release of isobutene from MAF‐TBE units in copolymers before a degradation of the resulting poly(α‐trifluoromethacrylic acid‐alt‐FAV8) copolymers, occurring at 250–260 °C. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6116–6123, 2009
Immobilization of flame retardant onto silica nanoparticle surface and properties of epoxy resin filled with the flame retardant‐immobilized silica
Authors: Yamauchi Takeshi , Yuuki Akira , Wei Gang , Shirai Kumi , Fujiki Kazuhiro , Tsubokawa Norio
Published: October 2009

To prepare silica nanoparticle having flame retardant activity, the immobilization of flame retardant onto hyperbranched poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM)‐grafted silica was investigated. Grafting of PAMAM onto a silica surface was achieved in a solvent‐free dry‐system using PAMAM dendrimer synthesis methodology. The immobilization of bromine flame retardant, poly(2,2′,6,6′‐tetrabromobisphenol‐A) diglycidyl ether (PTBBA), was successfully achieved by the reaction of terminal amino groups of PAMAM‐grafted silica (Silica‐PAMAM) with epoxy groups of PTBBA. The immobilization of PTBBA was confirmed by FTIR and thermal decomposition GC‐MS. The amount of PTBBA immobilized onto Silica‐PAMAM was determined to be 60 wt %. PTBBA‐immobilized Silica‐PAMAM (Silica‐PAMAM‐PTBBA) was dispersed uniformly in a epoxy resin, and the epoxy resin was cured in the presence of hexamethylenediamine. Flame retardant activity of the epoxy resin filled with Silica‐PAMAM‐PTBBA was estimated by limiting oxygen index (LOI). The LOI of epoxy resin filled with Silica‐PAMAM‐PTBBA was higher than that filled with untreated silica and free PTBBA. It was confirmed that the flame retardant activity of epoxy resin was improved by the addition of the Silica‐PAMAM‐PTBBA. The elimination of PTBBA from the epoxy resin filled with Silica‐PAMAM‐PTBBA into boiling water was hardly observed by immobilization of PTBBA onto silica surface. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6145–6152, 2009
Acute toxicity of Schizolobium parahyba aqueous extract in mice
Authors: Mendes Mirian M. , Vale Luis H. F. , Lucena Malson N. , Vieira Sâmela A. P. B. , Izidoro Luiz Fernando M. , Junior Robson J. O. , Soares Andreimar M. , Alcântara Tânia M. , Hamaguchi Amélia , Homsi‐Brandeburgo Maria Inês , Rodrigues Veridiana M.
Published: October 2009

The herbal extract of Schizolobium parahyba leaves is used commonly in the Brazil central region to treat snakebites. This study evaluates the acute toxicological effects of Schizolobium parahyba aqueous extract in mice 24 h after intraperitoneal administration. Acute toxicity was evaluated using biochemical, hematological and histopathological assays. Alterations in the levels of transaminases, bilirubin, albumin and prothrombrin time were observed, and these are likely to occur due to hepatic injury, which was confirmed by light microscopy. Liver histopathological analysis revealed the presence of lymph plasmocitary inflammatory infiltrate, but no other histopathological alterations were observed in any of the other organs analysed. The data confirm the low toxicity of the extract of Schizolobium parahyba and provide a model for the selection of a dose that does not cause injuries in the organism. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ethanol extract of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi promotes osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Li Guo , Zhang Xiao‐ai , Zhang Jin‐fang , Chan Chu‐yan , Yew David Tai Wai , He Ming‐liang , Lin Marie Chia‐mi , Leung Ping‐chung , Kung Hsiang‐fu
Published: October 2009

Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (FLL) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 1000 years. The ethanol extract of FLL (EFLL) has been shown to be a potential candidate in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. The present study aimed to determine whether EFLL carries out the effect by promoting osteogenesis in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The osteogenic differentiation of MSCs was evaluated by their alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities and mineralization. Expression of genes was detected by RT‐PCR. We found that EFLL significantly stimulated the ALP activities and shortened the time needed for the mineralization of MSCs during osteogenic differentiation. The expression of several osteoblast differentiation regulators was also upregulated by EFLL during this process. Our study demonstrated that the EFLL is capable of enhancing osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. It might be useful for treating diseases with inadequate bone formation, including osteoporosis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combination of Ant Colony Optimization with Various Local Search Strategies. A Novel Method for Variable Selection in Multivariate Calibration and QSPR Study
Authors: Shamsipur Mojtaba , Zare‐Shahabadi Vali , Hemmateenejad Bahram , Akhond Morteza
Published: October 2009

Recently, we applied successfully ant colony optimization (ACO) to wavelength selection problem. In this paper ant colony system (ACS), a version of ACO algorithms, has been applied to variable selection in multivariate calibration and QSPR studies. In addition, the effect of combination of ACS algorithm with various local search strategies was inspected. The suggested local search strategies included forward selection, backward elimination, forward selection together with backward elimination, backward elimination together with forward selection, genetic algorithm, and tabu search. Parameters of ACS and combined local search strategy were optimized. The results obtained from all ACS algorithms indicated that combination of various local search strategies to the ACS algorithm improved the performance of the ACS algorithm.
Academic preparation in biology and advocacy for teaching evolution: Biology versus non‐biology teachers
Authors: Nehm Ross H. , Kim Sun Young , Sheppard Keith
Published: October 2009

Despite considerable focus on evolution knowledge–belief relationships, little research has targeted populations with strong content backgrounds, such as undergraduate degrees in biology. This study (1) measured precertified biology and non‐biology teachers' (n = 167) knowledge of evolution and the nature of science; (2) quantified teacher preferences for the teaching of creationism in schools; (3) examined the associations among knowledge and belief variables; and (4) contrasted the knowledge and beliefs of prospective biology teachers with those of non‐biology teachers. Methodologically, teacher knowledge was quantified by using three measures and studied in relation to certification area, self‐reported religiosity, personal conflict concerning science and religion, and completion of an evolution course. We found (1) generally low levels of knowledge of evolution and the nature of science—and high misconception magnitudes—in both biology and non‐biology teachers; (2) comparable antievolutionary positions in biology and non‐biology teachers: nearly half of the teachers in both groups advocated for the inclusion of creationism in school; (3) weak association between knowledge and preference/belief variables; and (4) no difference in preference for teaching creationism between those teachers who had taken an evolution course and those who had not. Overall, biology and non‐biology teachers were found to display “mixed” and “novice naturalistic” evolutionary reasoning patterns. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed 93:1122–1146, 2009
Beginning elementary teachers' beliefs about the use of anchoring questions in science: A longitudinal study
Authors: Forbes Cory T. , Davis Elizabeth A.
Published: October 2009

Current science education reform efforts highlight the importance of engaging students in scientifically oriented questions as a central dimension of inquiry‐based elementary science. However, elementary teachers, particularly beginning teachers, must often overcome a variety of challenges to engage their students in reform‐minded, standards‐based, inquiry‐oriented classroom practice. To better support beginning elementary teachers' learning to support students to ask and answer scientifically oriented questions, it is necessary to better understand their beliefs about questions and questioning, as well as how they negotiate these beliefs at this crucial stage of the teacher professional continuum. Four beginning elementary teachers were studied longitudinally over their first 3 years of professional teaching careers. Results show that each teacher cited the importance of driving questions and investigation questions to establish purpose and promote student sense‐making. However, they followed different trajectories in reconciling their ideas about the use of driving questions and investigation questions in light of the particular facets of science teaching they prioritized. These findings have important implications for current perspectives on teacher learning along the teacher professional continuum and help inform research on teachers and teaching, as well as teacher education and science curriculum development. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed 94:365–387, 2010
Assessment of reference samples homogeneity in electron microprobe analysis
Authors: Borkhodoev V. Ya.
Published: October 2009

The homogeneity of the reference sample used for electron microprobe x‐ray analysis is a crucial factor for the accuracy of quantitative determinations of the specimen content. The homogeneity assessment procedure based on Poisson statistics, that involves an x‐ray generation probability, fails to account for some error‐contributing factors.

An investigation technique is developed underlain by two‐factor dispersion analysis, in order to make an all‐round assessment of standards homogeneity involving all error‐contributing factors in analytical line intensity measurements. The homogeneity assessment data must comply with the current requirements for the quantitative analysis accuracy. The proposed technique was used to assess homogeneity of arsenopyrite specimens. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contribution of Siberian researchers to the development of electron probe X‐ray microanalysis
Authors: Pavlova L. A.
Published: October 2009

Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cadmium(II) Complexes with 2,2′‐Dithiodibenzoate Ligand: Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Emission Properties
Authors: Hu Min , Ma Song‐Tao , Guo Liang‐Qi , Zhou Li‐Ming , Gao Li‐Jun , Fang Shao‐Ming , Liu Chun‐Sen
Published: October 2009

Two new CdII complexes formulated as {[Cd3(L)4](H2O)(CH3OH)3(Hdmpy)2}∞ (1) and {[Cd2(L)2(phen)2(H2O)2]}∞ (2) were prepared by a slow diffusion method from mixtures of 2,2′‐dithiodibenzoic acid (H2L) and Cd(ClO4)2·6H2O in the presence or absence of auxiliary phen ligand (L = 2,2′‐dithiodibenzoate, Hdmpy = protonated 2,6‐dimethylpyridine, and phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline). Their structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction technique. Complex 1 possesses a three‐dimensional (3D) α‐Po‐related framework containing [Cd3(L)4]2– cluster units as secondary building block, with a 41263 topology symbol. Complex 2 takes a one‐dimensional (1D) helical chain structure that is further assembled into a two‐dimensional (2D) network by the co‐effects of the inter‐chain O–H···O and C–H···O hydrogen bonds as well as π···π stacking interactions. Complexes 1 and 2 are both photoluminescent active materials, and their emission properties are closely related to their intrinsic structure arrangements.
Outcome of surgical treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma: a special reference to postoperative morbidity and mortality
Authors: Hirano Satoshi , Kondo Satoshi , Tanaka Eiichi , Shichinohe Toshiaki , Tsuchikawa Takahiro , Kato Kentaro , Matsumoto Joe , Kawasaki Ryosuke
Published: October 2009

Background/purpose

Radical resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to analyze short‐term surgical outcomes and to validate our strategies, including preoperative management and selection of operative procedure.

Methods

We surgically treated 146 consecutive patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma with a management strategy consisting of preoperative biliary drainage, portal vein embolization, and selection of operative procedure based on tumor extension and hepatic reserve. Major hepatectomy was conducted in 126 patients, and caudate lobectomy or hilar bile duct resection in 20 patients.

Results

The overall 5‐year survival rate was 35.5%, with overall in‐hospital mortality and morbidity rates of 3.4 and 44%, respectively. Hyperbilirubinemia (total bilirubin >5 mg/dL, persisted for >7 postoperative days) and liver abscess were the most frequent complications. Five among 9 patients with liver failure (total bilirubin >10 mg/dL) encountered in‐hospital mortality. Four out of 5 mortality patients had suffered circulatory impairment of the remnant liver due to other complications. Multivariate analysis revealed that operative time is a single independent significant predictive factor (odds ratio, 1.005; 95% confidence interval, 1.000–1.010,P = 0.04) for postoperative complications.

Conclusions

Aggressive resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma, performed in accordance with strict management strategy, achieved acceptably low mortality. Prolonged operative time was a risk for morbidity following hepatobiliary resection.
Cross-sectional survey of Toxoplasma gondii infection in colony cats from urban Florence (Italy)
Authors: Mancianti Francesca , Nardoni Simona , Ariti Gaetano , Parlanti Dario , Giuliani Giovanna , Papini Roberto A.
Published: October 2009

Cats are the key species in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection, even if the proportion of subjects excreting oocysts is low. The aim of the present paper was to obtain information about seroprevalence, oocyst shedding rate and presence of T gondii DNA in faeces collected from an urban population of colony cats in Florence (Tuscany). Fifty European shorthair feral cats were examined for anti- T gondii specific antibodies by a modified agglutination test (MAT), and for oocysts by microscopic examination and for faecal protozoal DNA, by means of a nested polymerase chain reaction (n-PCR) protocol. Twenty-two out of 50 serum samples (44%) were MAT positive. T gondii oocysts were not detected in any of the examined faecal samples. Eight out of 50 faecal specimens (16%) were n-PCR positive and sequencing of the bands was specific for T gondii. Detection by combination of the two methods was higher than single techniques and enhanced the detection of T gondii up to 48%. Our results suggest that the use of MAT plus PCR in faeces may be the best choice for diagnosis of feline toxoplasmosis. Further studies to ascertain the real infectivity of the copro-PCR positive subjects are required.
Transient natural convection flows around a thin fin on the sidewall of a differentially heated cavity
Authors: XU FENG , PATTERSON JOHN C. , LEI CHENGWANG
Published: October 2009

Transient natural convection flows around a thin fin on the sidewall of a differentially heated cavity, which includes a lower intrusion under the fin, a starting plume bypassing the fin and a thermal flow entrained into the vertical thermal boundary layer downstream of the fin in a typical case, are investigated using a scaling analysis and direct numerical simulations. The obtained scaling relations show that the thickness and velocity of the transient natural convection flows around the fin are determined by different dynamic and energy balances, which can be either a buoyancy-viscous balance or a buoyancy-inertial balance, depending on the Rayleigh number, the Prandtl number and the fin length. A time scale of the transition from a buoyancy-viscous flow regime to a buoyancy-inertial flow regime is obtained. The major scaling relations quantifying the transient natural convection flows are also validated by direct numerical simulations. In general, there is a good agreement between the scaling predictions and the corresponding numerical results.
TESTS FOR NONLINEAR COINTEGRATION
Authors: Choi In , Saikkonen Pentti
Published: October 2009

This paper develops tests for the null hypothesis of cointegration in the nonlinear regression model with I(1) variables. The test statistics we use in this paper are Kwiatkowski, Phillips, Schmidt, and Shin’s (1992; KPSS hereafter) tests for the null of stationarity, though using other kinds of tests is also possible. The tests are shown to depend on the limiting distributions of the estimators and parameters of the nonlinear model when they use full-sample residuals from the nonlinear least squares and nonlinear leads-and-lags regressions. This feature makes it difficult to use them in practice. As a remedy, this paper develops tests using subsamples of the regression residuals. For these tests, first, the nonlinear least squares and nonlinear leads-and-lags regressions are run and residuals are calculated. Second, the KPSS tests are applied using subresiduals of size b. As long as b/T → 0 as T → ∞, where T is the sample size, the tests using the subresiduals have limiting distributions that are not affected by the limiting distributions of the full-sample estimators and the parameters of the model. Third, the Bonferroni procedure is used for a selected number of the subresidual-based tests. Monte Carlo simulation shows that the tests work reasonably well in finite samples for polynomial and smooth transition regression models when the block size is chosen by the minimum volatility rule. In particular, the subresidual-based tests using the leads-and-lags regression residuals appear to be promising for empirical work. An empirical example studying the U.S. money demand equation illustrates the use of the tests.
ANALYSIS OF COEXPLOSIVE PROCESSES
Authors: Nielsen Bent
Published: October 2009

A vector autoregressive model allowing for unit roots as well as an explosive characteristic root is developed. The Granger-Johansen representation shows that this results in processes with two common features: a random walk and an explosively growing process. Cointegrating and coexplosive vectors can be found that eliminate these common factors. The likelihood ratio test for a simple hypothesis on the coexplosive vectors is analyzed. The method is illustrated using data from the extreme Yugoslavian hyperinflation of the 1990s.
SHARP BOUNDS ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF TREATMENT EFFECTS AND THEIR STATISTICAL INFERENCE
Authors: Fan Yanqin , Park Sang Soo
Published: October 2009

In this paper, we propose nonparametric estimators of sharp bounds on the distribution of treatment effects of a binary treatment and establish their asymptotic distributions. We note the possible failure of the standard bootstrap with the same sample size and apply the fewer-than-nbootstrap to making inferences on these bounds. The finite sample performances of the confidence intervals for the bounds based on normal critical values, the standard bootstrap, and the fewer-than-nbootstrap are investigated via a simulation study. Finally we establish sharp bounds on the treatment effect distribution when covariates are available.
Simple Models for Airport Delays During Transition to a Trajectory-Based Air Traffic System
Authors: Brooker Peter
Published: October 2009

It is now widely recognised that a paradigm shift in air traffic control concepts is needed. This requires state-of-the-art innovative technologies, making much better use of the information in the air traffic management (ATM) system. These paradigm shifts go under the names of NextGen in the USA and SESAR in Europe, which inter alia will make dramatic changes to the nature of airport operations. A vital part of moving from an existing system to a new paradigm is the operational implications of the transition process. There would be business incentives for early aircraft fitment, it is generally safer to introduce new technologies gradually, and researchers are already proposing potential transition steps to the new system. Simple queuing theory models are used to establish rough quantitative estimates of the impact of the transition to a more efficient time-based – four-dimensional (4D) – navigational and ATM system. Such models are approximate, but they do offer insight into the broad implications of system change and its significant features. 4D-equipped aircraft in essence have a contract with the airport runway – they would be required to turn up at a very precise time – and, in return, they would get priority over any other aircraft waiting for use of the runway. The main operational feature examined here is the queuing delays affecting non-4D-equipped arrivals. These get a reasonable service if the proportion of 4D-equipped aircraft is low, but this can deteriorate markedly for high proportions, and be economically unviable. Preventative measures would be to limit the additional growth of 4D-equipped flights and/or to modify their contracts to provide sufficient space for the non-4D-equipped flights to operate without excessive delays. There is a potential for non-Poisson models, for which there is little in the literature, and for more complex models, e.g. grouping a succession of 4D-equipped aircraft as a batch.
Estimating Navigation Patterns from AIS
Authors: Gunnar Aarsæther Karl , Moan Torgeir
Published: October 2009

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) has proven itself to be a valuable source for ship traffic information. Its introduction has reversed the previous situation with scarcity of precise data from ship traffic and has instead posed the reverse challenge of coping with an overabundance of data. The number of time-series available for ship traffic and manoeuvring analysis has increased from tens, or hundreds, to several thousands. Sifting through these data manually, either to find the salient features of traffic, or to provide statistical distributions of decision variables is an extremely time consuming procedure. In this paper we present the results of applying computer vision techniques to this problem and show how it is possible to automatically separate AIS data in order to obtain traffic statistics and prevailing features down to the scale of individual manoeuvres and how this procedure enables the production of a simplified ship traffic model.
The Performance of a Tunnel Bow Thruster with Slow Speed Ahead: A Revisited Issue
Authors: Baniela Santiago Iglesias
Published: October 2009

This paper studies the effectiveness of a ship's tunnel bow thruster with slow speed ahead. After describing the general reasons for the decrease of performance with slow speed ahead, the Anti Suction Tunnel (AST) is analyzed as an advisable state-of-the art design option that aims to improve performance.
A Unified Analytical Framework for Ship Domains
Authors: Wang Ning , Meng Xianyao , Xu Qingyang , Wang Zuwen
Published: October 2009

Most of the existing typical ship domains have been comprehensively reviewed and classified. Most of these ship domains are described in a geometrical manner that is difficult to apply to practices and simulations in marine traffic engineering. According to different types of geometrical ship domains, we have proposed mathematical models, based on which a unified analytical framework has been established. It is feasible and practical for the analytical models to be applied to the assessment of navigational safety, collision avoidance and trajectory planning, etc. Finally, some computer simulations and comparative studies of the proposed domain model have been presented and the simulation results show that the uniform analytical framework for ship domains is effective and identical to the original geometrical ones. It should be noted that the analytical domain models could be directly applied in any collision risk, collision avoidance or VTS system while the geometrical ones would be more illustrative but less practical or analytical.
A Separator Theorem for String Graphs and its Applications
Authors: FOX JACOB , PACH JÁNOS
Published: October 2009

A string graph is the intersection graph of a collection of continuous arcs in the plane. We show that any string graph with m edges can be separated into two parts of roughly equal size by the removal of $O(m^{3/4}\sqrt{\log m})$ vertices. This result is then used to deduce that every string graph with n vertices and no complete bipartite subgraph Kt,t has at most ctn edges, where ct is a constant depending only on t. Another application shows that locally tree-like string graphs are globally tree-like: for any ε > 0, there is an integer g(ε) such that every string graph with n vertices and girth at least g(ε) has at most (1 + ε)n edges. Furthermore, the number of such labelled graphs is at most (1 + ε)nT(n), where T(n) = nn−2 is the number of labelled trees on n vertices.
DETERMINATION OF INDIVIDUAL PREFERENCE: WHY, HOW AND ALTERNATIVES
Authors: SAHOTA DALJIT , LEUNG TAK YEUNG , LAU TZE KIN
Published: October 2009

The determination of individual preference or choice for a new product, and satisfaction with an existing product or service are routinely performed by advertising and market survey companies worldwide. The data collected, once analysed, has allowed companies to determine the attributes consumers desire within their, or a competitor's, existing products and services. In this way they are able to identify possible ways to improve their products and services and thus to use their own resources efficiently and effectively, thereby maximising their returns for the expenditure incurred.