bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermodiffusion effect for a non‐associating mixture in a multi layered system of porous media and fluid layers heated from above
Authors: Jawad H. , Bataller H. , Saghir M.Z.
Published: March 2013

A numerical simulation has been conducted to investigate the thermodiffusion phenomenon in a porous layer sandwiched between two liquid layers that are wetted with water alcohol mixtures at different water concentrations. Two different binary mixtures with different Soret coefficients have been used in the entire system, one with a negative Soret coefficient and the other one with a positive sign. The results show that the direction of the component migration in a porous layer depends on the sign of the Soret coefficient. For a binary mixture with a negative Soret coefficient, such as 10% isopropanol and 90% water, the heavier species move in the direction of the hot surface, while for a mixture with a positive Soret effect, such as 50% isopropanol and 50% water, the heavier species migrate toward the colder surface. To reduce the gravity effect, the cavity was heated from the top with different temperatures ranging from 5 to 20 K.
Semicontinuous separation of dimethyl ether (DME) produced from biomass
Authors: Pascall Alicia , Adams Thomas A.
Published: March 2013

A ternary semicontinuous system for the separation of bio‐dimethyl ether from methanol and water is presented. The performance of eight potential control configurations, including the application of temperature inferential control, is evaluated. Dynamic simulations of the semicontinuous system and associated control scheme demonstrate that the temperature inferential control configuration is effective in achieving the separation objectives while remaining within operational limits. The semicontinuous system using the inferential temperature control scheme is simulated and shown to be economically preferable to the traditional continuous process for a range of production rates. © 2013 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Chemoselective CaO‐Mediated Acylation of Alcohols and Amines in 2‐Methyltetrahydrofuran
Authors: Pace Vittorio , Hoyos Pilar , Alcántara Andrés R. , Holzer Wolfgang
Published: March 2013

Calcium oxide is proposed as an innocuous acid scavenger for the chemoselective synthesis of amide‐ and ester‐type compounds. Although these molecules have wide spread applications in organic and pharmaceutical chemistry, and a large number of routes have been designed for their synthesis, the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly acylation strategies remains an ongoing challenge. The use of CaO allows for the stoichiometric acylation of primary alcohols in the presence of phenols or tertiary alcohols; amines can also be subjected to acylation reactions in the presence of hydroxyl groups. Chirality is obtained through acylation if the starting material is an optically pure alcohol or if a chiral acylating agent is used. Furthermore, the use of 2‐methyltetrahydrofuran (2‐MeTHF), a more ecofriendly solvent, leads to maximized yields. This protocol is successfully applied to the synthesis of an interesting N‐aryloxazolidin‐2‐one intermediate for the preparation of linezolid‐type compounds.
The Development of end‐ and beginning‐state comfort in a cup manipulation task
Authors: Scharoun Sara M. , Bryden Pamela J.
Published: March 2013

End‐state comfort (ESC) is the tendency to assume comfortable postures at the end of simple object manipulation rather than at the start; and therefore has been used to assess the behavioral effects of motor planning. Adult‐like patterns have been observed at age 9. Observations can extend to joint‐action, such that adults consider the beginning‐state comfort (BSC) of another, without sacrificing ESC; however, trends in children have yet to be delineated. This study investigated the development of ESC and BSC in a cup manipulation task. Three to 12‐year‐olds and adults were asked to pick up a cup and (1) pour a glass of water or (2) pass it to the researcher to pour. Paralleling previous findings, adult‐like patterns of ESC were observed at age 9. Adding to the literature, adult‐like evidence of BSC emerged at the age of 7. Therefore, 7‐year‐olds consider another's BSC; however, cannot facilitate ESC until age 9. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 56: 407–420, 2014.
Enrichment of regulatory T cells in invasive breast tumor correlates with the upregulation of IL‐17A expression and invasiveness of the tumor
Authors: Benevides Luciana , Cardoso Cristina R. B. , Tiezzi Daniel G. , Marana Heitor R. C. , Andrade Jurandyr M. , Silva João S.
Published: March 2013

Breast cancer is a leading cause of neoplasia‐associated death in women worldwide. Regulatory T (Treg) and Th17 cells are enriched within some tumors, but the role these cells play in invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast is unknown. We show that CD25+CD4+ T cells from PBMCs and tumor express high levels of Foxp3, GITR, CTLA‐4, and CD103, indicating that tumor‐infiltrating Treg cells are functional and possibly recruited by CCL22. Additionally, we observed upregulation of Th17‐related molecules (IL‐17A, RORC, and CCR6) and IL‐17A produced by tumor‐infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. The angiogenic factors CXCL8, MMP‐2, MMP‐9, and vascular endothelial growth factor detected within the tumor are possibly induced by IL‐17 and indicative of poor disease prognosis. Treg and Th17 cells were synchronically increased in IDC patients, with positive correlation between Foxp3, IL‐17A, and RORC expression, and associated with tumor aggressiveness. Therefore, Treg and Th17 cells can affect disease progression by Treg‐cell‐mediated suppression of the effector T‐cell response, as indicated by a decrease in the proliferation of T cells isolated from PBMCs of IDC patients and induction of angiogenic factors by IL‐17‐producing Th17. The understanding of regulation of the Treg/Th17 axis may result in novel perspectives for the control of invasive tumors.
The Best of Polyoxometalates
Authors: Kortz Ulrich , Liu Tianbo
Published: March 2013

An overview of the papers in this cluster issue is presented.

“...Guest Editors Ulrich Kortz and Tianbo Liu provide a glimpse into the highlights of the many achievements of Michael Pope, who has been the most influential chemist in the field of polyoxometalates...”

Read more by the Guest Editors on p. 1559.
Happy Birthday Keggin Structure!
Authors: Pope Michael T.
Published: March 2013

This Essay for EurJIC's cluster issue on polyoxometalate chemistry pays tribute to the Keggin structure and acknowledges its contribution to the development of the field. This area of research has come a long way since its slow beginning, and great potential lies ahead.
Molecular phylogeny and ecogeography of Onobrychis viciifolia Scop. (Fabaceae) based on nrDNA ITS sequences and genomic ISSR fingerprinting
Authors: Toluei Zeinab , Ranjbar Massoud , Wink Michael , Atri Morteza
Published: March 2013

In this study 40 specimens from 8 representative Iranian populations of Onobrychis viciifolia SCOP. were collected from their natural habitats. The specimens were biometrically assessed using 43 quantitative and 15 qualitative morphological characters. At each sample site we recorded ecogeographical variables. In order to evaluate the difference between the variation due to phenotypic responses and genetic adaptation, we generated nucleotide sequence data from the internal transcribed spacer of the nuclear rDNA genes (ITS) and carried out genomic fingerprints using inter‐simple sequence repeat PCR (ISSR). Cluster analysis of morphological characters divided the eight populations into three major groups. Leaf length, leaflet length and width, calyx length, plant height, and stem length were introduced as diagnostic characters for three different morphological groups. Furthermore, canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) of ecogeographical data showed correlations between morphological variations and ecogeographical factors. Clay%, saturation percentage (SP), total neutralizing value (TNV%), texture, minimum temperature, and geographic separation were the main environmental variables associated with morphological groups of O. viciifolia. ISSR analysis revealed three main groups which are in correspondence with morphological groups, indicating that the three morphological groups have been shaped by genetic and phenotypic responses to environmental conditions. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Ash aggregation in explosive volcanic eruptions
Authors: Telling J. , Dufek J. , Shaikh A.
Published: March 2013

Eruption dynamics are sensitive to ash aggregation, and aggregates are commonly found in eruptive deposits. While ash dispersal and associated hazards are sensitive to aggregation, few experiments have been conducted on this phenomena using natural materials across the diverse range of conditions expected in volcanic flows. We have isolated two regimes, wet and dry, in which aggregation occurs due to two different forces, electrostatic and hydrodynamic. Using a closed chamber to create a controlled atmosphere, we found that relative humidity, residence time, and kinetic energy are the three variables necessary to define wet and dry flow regimes. A series of process‐based equations defining the behavior of ash particles have been developed. We propose an aggregation model that can be used for ash dispersal forecasts across a range of conditions in an eruptive plume.
On the nature of meandering of the springtime western boundary current in the Bay of Bengal
Authors: Gangopadhyay Avijit , Bharat Raj G. N. , Chaudhuri Ayan H. , Babu M. T. , Sengupta Debasis
Published: March 2013

We present evidence that the springtime western boundary current (WBC) in the Bay of Bengal is a continuous northward‐flowing current from about 12°N to 17°N, which then separates from the coast at around 18°N. We first revisit a hydrographic data set collected in 1987 from a potential vorticity perspective, and then analyze absolute dynamic height maps from satellite altimeters during the period 2000–2010. The altimetric maps suggest that the mean configuration of the WBC is that of an intense current with two anticyclonic eddies on the offshore side, which are part of the basin‐wide anticyclonic circulation. The WBC consistently separates from the coast at around 18°N in all years between 2000 and 2010. The path of the eastward‐flowing mean stream after separation appears to be consistent with isolines of f/H and with Ertel's potential vorticity, based on an analysis of the hydrographic data from 1987.
Non‐Darcy assisted flow along a channel with an open cavity filled with water–TiO2 nanofluid
Authors: Nasrin Rehena , Alim M.A.
Published: March 2013

Numerical investigation on forced (assisted) convection heat transfer in a two‐dimensional horizontal porous channel with an open cavity is studied in this article. A non‐uniform heat flux is considered to be located on the bottom surface of the cavity. The rest of the surfaces are taken to be perfectly insulated. The physical domain is filled with a water‐based nanofluid containing TiO2 nanoparticles. The fluid enters from the left and exits from the right with initial velocity Ui and temperature Ti. Governing equations are discretized using the penalty finite element method. The simulation is carried out for a wide range of Reynolds number Re (= 10–500) and Darcy number Da (= 10−5–∞). Results are presented in the form of streamlines, isothermal lines, local and average Nusselt numbers, average temperatures of the fluid, horizontal and vertical velocities at mid‐height of the channel and mean velocity fields for various Re and Da. The enhancement of heat transfer rate is caused by the increasing Re and falling Da. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.21046
Biomathematical study of non‐Newtonian nanoﬂuid in a diverging tube
Authors: Sher Akbar Noreen , Nadeem S.
Published: March 2013

The present article deals with the peristaltic ﬂow of a nano‐Eyring Prandtl ﬂuid model in a diverging tube. The governing equations for the considered model in view of the nanoparticles are presented in cylindrical coordinates using long wavelength and low Reynolds number approximation. The resulting nonlinear diﬀerential equations are solved for velocity, temperature, nanoparticle, and pressure gradient using the homotopy perturbation method. Numerical integration has been carried out for pressure rise, frictional forces, velocity, temperature, and nanoparticles. The numerical results are discussed through graphs. The eﬀects of various emerging parameters are investigated for ﬁve diﬀerent peristaltic waves. Streamlines have been plotted at the end of the article for the considered waveforms. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.21047
Effect of drainage and wildfire on peat hydrophysical properties
Authors: Sherwood J. H. , Kettridge N. , Thompson D. K. , Morris P. J. , Silins U. , Waddington J. M.
Published: March 2013

Consecutive multiple disturbances to northern peatlands can dramatically impact peat hydrophysical properties. We examine the impact of a double disturbance (drainage and wildfire) on the hydrophysical and moisture retention properties of peat, a key regulator of peatland ecohydrological resilience, and compare this with the impact to each individual disturbance (drainage and wildfire). The compound effect of drainage and wildfire resulted in a shift of the surface datum down the peat profile, revealing denser peat. Less‐dense near‐surface peats that regulate water‐table position and near‐surface moisture content, both favourable to Sphagnum recolonization, were lost. At a drained peatland that was then subject to wildfire, peat bulk density increased by 14.1%, von Post humification class increased by two categories and water retention increased by 15.6%, compared with an adjacent burned but undrained (single disturbance) portion of the fen. We discuss the key hydrophysical metrics of peatland vulnerability and outline how they are affected by the isolated impacts of drainage and wildfire, as well as their combined effects. We demonstrate that multiple peatland disturbances have likely led to an increase in hydrological limitations to Sphagnum recovery, which may impact peatland ecohydrological resilience. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
WATER HARVESTING FROM FOG AND AIR HUMIDITY IN THE WARM AND COASTAL REGIONS IN THE SOUTH OF IRAN
Authors: Davtalab Rahman , Salamat Alireza , Oji Ruhollah
Published: March 2013

The south coastal area of Iran, being adjacent to the humidity of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea in addition to its high temperature and its high capacity for absorbing humidity, has a great potential for water harvesting from fog and air humidity. In this research, data have been collected from 10 synoptic stations adjacent to the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea, in order to investigate water harvesting from fog and air humidity. The data used in this study included hourly dry and wet temperature, relative humidity, wind direction and velocity and dew point temperature. By the use of these data, various parameters such as atmospheric water vapour pressure, saturated vapour pressure and the absolute humidity of the atmosphere were estimated. Finally, according to the investigations carried out in this study, it was clear that the cited regions had the potential to harvest fog water for 160–360 days. This is whilst the average number of foggy days in the region is 41 maximally. In addition the annual mean water harvested through this technique varies between 6.7 l m‾2 day‾1 at Abadan station and 156 l m‾2 day‾1 at Chabahar station. It is worth noting that the maximum amount of water harvested from the stations near the coastal areas occurs during the summer while at stations far from the coastal areas this happens during the winter. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alterations in mucosal neuropeptides in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis in remission: A role in pain symptom generation?
Authors: Keszthelyi D. , Troost F.J. , Jonkers D.M. , Helyes Z. , Hamer H.M. , Ludidi S. , Vanhoutvin S. , Venema K. , Dekker J. , Szolcsányi J. , Masclee A.A.
Published: March 2013

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain. The transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channel, which is involved in visceral pain signalling, has been shown to be up‐regulated in IBS. Activation of TRPV1 leads to the release of neuropeptides, such as somatostatin and substance P (SP). We hypothesized that increased pain perception in IBS could be explained by increased transcription in TRPV1 and/or altered levels of neuropeptides. We therefore assessed the transcription of TRPV1 and the mucosal concentration of somatostatin and SP in IBS in comparison to healthy volunteers and patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in remission as disease controls, and to ascertain their relationship to pain symptoms.

Method

Sigmoid colonic mucosal samples were collected from 12 patients with IBS, 34 patients with UC in remission and 9 healthy volunteers, in which groups TRPV1 mRNA levels were determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and neuropeptide concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Pain symptom intensity was determined by questionnaires.

Results

Transcription of TRPV1 as well as the concentration of neuropeptides were significantly higher in IBS, but only the former correlated with pain symptom severity.

Conclusion

Increased transcription of TRPV1 may provide a possible explanation for pain generation in IBS. While the neuropeptides SP and somatostatin were both found to be increased in IBS, these changes are not sufficient to explain pain generation. Pain generation in IBS is probably explained by a complex redundancy in the regulation of local nociceptive mechanisms, which remains a subject of intensive investigation.
Alteration of pain recognition in schizophrenia
Authors: Wojakiewicz A. , Januel D. , Braha S. , Prkachin K. , Danziger N. , Bouhassira D.
Published: March 2013

Background

Schizophrenia patients display impaired recognition of their own emotions and those of others and deficits in several domains of empathy. The first‐person experience of pain and observing others in pain normally trigger strong emotional mechanisms. We therefore hypothesized that schizophrenia patients would display impaired recognition and categorization of both their own pain and the pain of others.

Methods

We studied 29 patients (18 men/11 women; 36 ± 13 years old) with paranoid schizophrenia‐spectrum disorder and 27 healthy volunteers (20 men/7 women; 31 ± 9 years old) matched for age, gender, IQ and socio‐cultural level. We assessed symptom severity and theory of mind. The participants' ability to detect and categorize pain in others was assessed with the sensitivity to expressions of pain (STEP) test, which is based on facial expressions, and another dynamic test involving a series of video sequences showing various pain‐inducing events. The ability of patients to evaluate their own pain was assessed with the situational pain questionnaire (SPQ), which includes a series of questions assessing how one would expect to feel in different imaginary situations. Empathic tendencies were assessed with the interpersonal reactivity index.

Results

Patients and controls differed significantly in STEP, pain video and SPQ scores. By contrast with control subjects, the patients' pain judgements were not correlated with their affective or cognitive empathic capacities.

Conclusions

Schizophrenic patients have a deficit of the identification and categorization of pain both in themselves and in others.
Standard and individually determined thermal pain stimuli induce similar brain activations
Authors: van den Bosch G.E. , van Hemmen J. , White T. , Tibboel D. , Peters J.W.B. , van der Geest J.N.
Published: March 2013

Background

Several functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies use thermal pain stimuli to determine brain activation patterns during pain. Studies use either a standard temperature condition for all participants or an individualized temperature condition based on the individually determined pain threshold of the participant. The aim of the present study was to compare both conditions in the same participants.

Methods

Eighteen healthy participants (21–29 years) underwent four fMRI runs, in each of which they received three types of thermal stimuli: neutral (32 °C), warm (37 °C) and painfully hot. In two runs, the painfully hot stimulus was set at a standard temperature of 46 °C; in the other two runs, the temperature was set at the subject's individual pain threshold (46–48 °C). fMRI (blood oxygen level dependent) was performed on a 1.5T MR scanner (GE Signa). Pre‐processing and statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM8) software.

Results

While the stimulation temperatures were lower in the standard temperature condition, both conditions activated the same brain regions. When comparing the conditions directly to each other, we did not find significantly different grey matter activation patterns.

Conclusions

The similar activation patterns between the two conditions suggest that it is not necessary to use individualized stimuli per se. The temperature of 46 °C appeared to be an adequate temperature for standardized stimulation to observe significant brain activations related to thermal pain.
Flow cytometry analysis of human fetal osteoblast fate processes on spark plasma sintered hydroxyapatite–titanium biocomposites
Authors: Kumar Alok , Webster Thomas J. , Biswas Krishanu , Basu Bikramjit
Published: March 2013

Hydroxyapatite (HA)‐based biocomposites have been widely investigated for a multitude of applications and these studies have been largely driven to improve mechanical properties (toughness and strength) without compromising cytocompatibility properties. Apart from routine cell viability/proliferation analysis, limited efforts have been made to quantify the fate processes (cell proliferation, cell cycle, and cell apoptosis) of human fetal osteoblast (hFOB) cells on HA‐based composites, in vitro. In this work, the osteoblast cell fate process has been studied on a model hydroxyapatite–titanium (HA–Ti) system using the flow cytometry. In order to retain both HA and Ti, the novel processing technique, that is, spark plasma sintering, was suitably adopted. The cell fate processes of hFOBs, as evaluated using a flow cytometry, revealed statistically insignificant differences among HA–10 wt % Ti and HA and control (tissue culture polystyrene surface) in terms of osteoblast apoptosis, proliferation index as well as division index. For the first time, we provide quantified flow cytometry results to demonstrate that 10 wt % Ti additions to HA do not have any significant influence on the fate processes of human osteoblast‐like cells, in vitro. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 101A:2925–2938, 2013.
Low‐level laser therapy promotes the osteogenic potential of adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells seeded on an acellular dermal matrix
Authors: Choi Kyuseok , Kang Byung‐Jae , Kim Hyoju , Lee Seungmin , Bae Sohee , Kweon Oh‐Kyeong , Kim Wan Hee
Published: March 2013

This study investigates the feasibility of using an adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cell (ASC)‐seeded acellular dermal matrix (ADM) along with low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) to repair bone defect in athymic nude mice. Critical‐sized calvarial defects were treated either with ADM, ADM/LLLT, ADM/ASCs, or ADM/ASCs/LLLT. In micro‐computed tomography scans, the ADM/ASCs and the ADM/ASCs/LLLT groups showed remarkable bone formation after 14 days. Additionally, bone regeneration in the ADM/ASCs/LLLT group was obvious at 28 days, but in the ADM/ASCs group at 56 days. Bone mineral density and bone tissue volume in the ADM/ASCs/LLLT group significantly increased after 7 days, but in the ADM/ASCs group after 14 days. Histological analysis revealed that the defects were repaired in the ADM/ASCs and the ADM/ASCs/LLLT group, while the defects in the ADM and the ADM/LLLT groups exhibited few bone islands at 28 and 56 days. The successful seeding of ASCs onto ADM was confirmed, and LLLT enhanced the proliferation and the survival of ASCs at 14 days. Our results indicate that ASC‐seeded grafts promote bone regeneration, and the application of LLLT on ASC‐seeded ADM results in rapid bone formation. The implantation of an ASC‐seeded ADM combined with LLLT may be used effectively for bone regeneration. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2013.
Local drug delivery by personalized, intraoperative custom‐made implant coating
Authors: Trajkovski B. , Petersen A. , Perka C. , Scharnagl N. , Wischke C. , Wagermaier W. , Lendlein A. , Duda G. N.
Published: March 2013

Local administration of drugs can enhance regeneration, prevent infection, or treat postsurgical pain. If used in conjunction with implants, coating strategies should allow the choice of a drug or combination of drugs, their doses, localization, and release due to intraoperative considerations. Current coating technologies lack the ability for personalized medicine strategies. Here, we describe a new intraoperative strategy for drug delivery that allows a personalized approach as local drug delivery by implant coating. A polyvinylalcohol (PVA) patch provides rapid attachment to implant surfaces by cyanoacrylate (CA) adhesives. The CA polymerization was initiated by water uptake of the patch due to exposure to a humid environment. The coating strength depended on the type of the CA, the time of external pressing load and humidification, the properties of the patch and the implant surface. The CA adhesive penetrated and polymerized within the patch without impeding the bioactivity of the embedded molecules or strongly altering the protein release pattern after attachment to the implant surface. The use of CA in combination with the PVA patch proved to be noncytotoxic in vitro. This technology platform opens the possibility for personalized medicine to locally administer drugs due to intraoperative requirements. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2013.
Fibronectin fixation on poly(ethyl acrylate)–based copolymers
Authors: Briz N. , Antolinos‐Turpin C. M. , Alió J. , Garagorri N. , Ribelles J. L. Gómez , Gómez‐Tejedor J. A.
Published: March 2013

The aim of this paper is to quantify the adhered fibronectin (FN; by adsorption and/or grafting) and the exposure of its cell adhesive motifs (RGD and FNIII7‐10) on poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA) copolymers whose chemical composition has been designed to increase wettability and to introduce acid functional groups. FN was adsorbed to PEA, poly(ethyl acrylate‐co‐hydroxyethyl acrylate), poly(ethyl acrylate‐co‐acrylic acid), and poly(ethyl acrylate‐co‐methacrylic acid) copolymers, and covalently cross‐linked to poly(ethyl acrylate‐co‐acrylic acid) and poly(ethyl acrylate‐co‐methacrylic acid) copolymers. Amount of adhered FN and exhibition of RGD and FNIII7–10 fragments involved in cell adhesion were quantified with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay tests. Even copolymers with a lower content of the hydrophilic component showed a decrease in water contact angle. In addition, FN was successfully fixed on all surfaces, especially on the hydrophobic surfaces. However, it was demonstrated that exposure of its cell adhesion sequences, which is the key factor in cell adhesion and proliferation, was higher for hydrophilic surfaces. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2013.
Influence of water and sediment supply on the stratigraphic record of alluvial fans and deltas: Process controls on stratigraphic completeness
Authors: Straub Kyle M. , Esposito Christopher R.
Published: March 2013

Stratigraphy contains the most complete record of information necessary to quantitatively reconstruct paleolandscape dynamics, but this record contains significant gaps over a range of time and space scales. These gaps result from stasis on geomorphic surfaces and erosional events that remove previously deposited sediment. Building on earlier statistical studies, we examine stratigraphic completeness in three laboratory experiments where the topography of aggrading deltas was monitored at high temporal and spatial scales. The three experiments cover unique combinations in the absolute magnitudes of sediment and water discharge in addition to generation of accommodation space through base‐level rise. This analysis centers on three time scales: (1) the time at which a record is discretized (t), (2) the time necessary to build a deposit with mean thickness equivalent to the maximum roughness on a surface (Tc), and (3) the time necessary for channelized flow to migrate over all locations in a basin (Tch). These time scales incorporate information pertaining to the time‐variant topography of actively changing surfaces, kinematics by which the surfaces are changing, and net deposition rate. We find that stratigraphic completeness increases as a function of t/Tc but decreases as a function of Tc/Tch over the parameter space covered in the experiments. Our results suggest that environmental signals disconnected from a sediment routing system are best preserved in systems with low Tc values. Nondimensionalizing t by Tc, however, shows that preservation of information characterizing system morphodynamics is best preserved in stratigraphy constructed by systems with low water to sediment flux ratios.
Prevalence and genetic diversity of norovirus infection in Tunisian children (2007–2010)
Authors: Hassine‐Zaafrane Mouna , Sdiri‐Loulizi Khira , Kaplon Jérôme , Salem Imen Ben , Pothier Pierre , Aouni Mahjoub , Ambert‐Balay Katia
Published: March 2013

Viral gastroenteritis can be a life‐threatening disease in infants and young children, especially in developing countries. The aim of this study was to continue the epidemiological surveillance of norovirus (NoV) infections in Tunisian children suffering from acute gastroenteritis. Surveillance was initiated in January 2003, to monitor potential variations in strains over time, in terms of frequency and diversity of NoV genotypes, and more particularly the potential emergence of new GII.4 variants following the 2004 Hunter variant. From April 2007 to April 2010, a total of 407 stool specimens were collected from sporadic cases (238 inpatients and 169 outpatients). Furthermore, 28 stool samples were collected from children involved in 3 gastroenteritis outbreaks. Stool specimens were screened for NoV genogroup I (GI) and II (GII) by RT‐PCR. NoV strains were genotyped, and variants identified, based on sequence and phylogenetic analyses of the polymerase and capsid genes. NoVs were detected in 38 sporadic cases (9.3%) and 21 epidemic cases (75%). Great diversity was observed throughout the period, with seven distinct NoV genotypes characterized in sporadic cases, and three in outbreaks. GIIb/II.3 and GII.4 were predominant globally, with fluctuations of their prevalence over time. Interestingly, the Hunter variant, which was the unique GII.4 variant observed from 2003 to April 2007 in the region of Monastir, was replaced by the 2006b variant. NoV is an important enteropathogen responsible for viral gastroenteritis among infants and children in Tunisia, and the infecting strains between 2007 and 2010 were different from those in previous years. J. Med. Virol. 85: 1100–1110, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Time‐resolved femtosecond CARS from 10 to 50 Bar: collisional sensitivity
Authors: Wrzesinski Paul J. , Stauffer Hans U. , Kulatilaka Waruna D. , Gord James R. , Roy Sukesh
Published: March 2013

Femtosecond time‐resolved coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) measurements are performed on neat N2 and O2 as well as on N2 in the presence of various collisional partners to examine the effects of collisions on the observed signal at pressures as high as 50 bar. An exponential‐gap energy‐corrected‐sudden (ECS‐E) scaling law is used to model the rotational energy transfer of pure N2 at these elevated pressures. After accounting for line‐mixing effects, the long‐time collisional decay (20–60 picoseconds behavior observed here is consistent with the behavior observed in previous time‐resolved CARS studies over the pressure range 0–5 bar. Despite the observation of significant pressure dependence on long‐delay timescales, the experimental results demonstrate negligible dependence on pressure and identity of colliding partner during the first 1–3 picoseconds, a time range that has been shown previously to be highly sensitive to temperature. These results suggest that a variety of recently developed time‐resolved CARS approaches that allow accurate thermometric measurements to be made over this short 1–3 picosecond range can be used at pressures up to 50 bar without the need to employ models accounting for collisional decay. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protoporphyrin IX Fluorescence and Photobleaching During Interstitial Photodynamic Therapy of Malignant Gliomas for Early Treatment Prognosis
Authors: Johansson Ann , Faber Florian , Kniebühler Gesa , Stepp Herbert , Sroka Ronald , Egensperger Rupert , Beyer Wolfgang , Kreth Friedrich‐Wilhelm
Published: March 2013

Background and Objective

Interstitial photodynamic therapy (iPDT) of non‐resectable recurrent glioblastoma using 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA)‐induced protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) has shown a promising outcome. It remained unclear, however, to what extent inter‐ and intra‐tumoural differences of PpIX concentrations influence the efficacy of iPDT. In the current pilot study, we analysed PpIX concentrations quantitatively and assessed PpIX induced fluorescence and photobleaching intraoperatively.

Materials and Methods

Five patients harbouring non‐resectable glioblastomas were included. ALA (20 or 30 mg/kg body weight) was given 5–8 hours before treatment. Stereotactic biopsies were taken throughout the tumour volume for both histological analysis and determination of PpIX concentrations, which were measured by chemical extraction. Cylindrical light diffusors were stereotactically implanted. Prior to and after irradiation, fluorescence measurements were performed. Outcome measurement was based on clinical and neuro‐radiological follow up.

Results

In three patients, a strong PpIX fluorescence was seen before treatment, which was completely photobleached after iPDT. High concentrations of PpIX could be detected in viable tumour parts of these patients (mean PpIX uptake per tumour: 1.4–3.0 µM). In the other two patients, however, no or only low PpIX uptake (0–0.6 µM) could be detected. The patients with strong PpIX uptake showed treatment response and long‐term clinical stabilisation (no progression in 29, 30 and 36 months), early treatment failure was seen in the remaining two patients (death after 3 and 9 months).

Conclusions

Intra‐tumoural PpIX concentrations exhibited pronounced inter‐ and intra‐tumoural variations in glioblastoma, which are directly linked to variable degrees of fluorescence intensity. High intra‐tumoural PpIX concentrations with strong fluorescence intensity and complete photobleaching after iPDT seem to be associated with favourable outcome. Real‐time monitoring of PpIX fluorescence intensity and photobleaching turned out to be feasible and safe and might be employed for early treatment prognosis of iPDT. Lasers Surg. Med. 9999:XX–XX, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Sensitive and Selective Mercury(II) Sensor Based on Amplified Fluorescence Quenching in a Conjugated Polyelectrolyte/Spiro‐Cyclic Rhodamine System
Authors: Lee Seoung Ho , Parthasarathy Anand , Schanze Kirk S.
Published: March 2013

A novel fluorescence‐based sensor for mercury(II) ion is described consisting of a water‐soluble, anionic‐conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) and spiro‐cyclic rhodamine derivative (1). A solution containing the CPE (0.1 × 10−6 M repeat unit concentration) and 1 (1 × 10−6 M concentration) in aqueous solution exhibits a sensitive and selective turn‐off fluorescence response to Hg(II). The Stern–Volmer quenching constant for quenching of the fluorescence of the system by Hg(II) is ≈1.5 × 107 M−1, and Hg(II) can be sensed with a detection limit <10 × 10−9 M. A mechanism for the sensor response is proposed and it consists of efficient and selective complex formation between 1 and Hg(II), along with a very high association between the 1‐Hg(II) complex and the anionic CPE.

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Urethral pressure reflectometry during intra‐abdominal pressure increase—an improved technique to characterize the urethral closure function in continent and stress urinary incontinent women
Authors: Saaby Marie‐Louise , Klarskov Niels , Lose Gunnar
Published: March 2013

Aim

to assess the urethral closure function by urethral pressure reflectometry (UPR) during intra‐abdominal pressure‐increase in SUI and continent women.

Methods

Twenty‐five urodynamically proven SUI women and eight continent volunteer women were assessed by ICIQ‐SF, pad‐weighing test, incontinence diary, and UPR. UPR was conducted during resting and increased intra‐abdominal pressure (PAbd) by straining. Related values of PAbd and urethral opening pressure (Po) were plotted into an abdomino‐urethral pressuregram. Linear regression of the values was conducted, and the slope of the line (“APIR”) and the intercept with the y‐axis found. By the equation of the line, Po was calculated for various values of PAbd, for example, 50 cm H2O (Po‐Abd 50).

Results

The resting Po (Po‐rest) and APIR, respectively, significantly differed in SUI and continent women but could not separate the two groups. The urethral closure equation (UCE) based on Po‐rest and APIR provided a more detailed characterization of a woman's closure function based on the permanent closure forces (primarily generated by the urethral sphincteric unit) and the adjunctive closure forces (primarily generated by the support system). Po‐Abd 50 and UCE, respectively, which express the combined permanent and adjunctive closure forces and estimate the efficiency of the closure function, separated SUI and continent women and were highly significantly negatively correlated with ICIQ‐SF, pad test, and the number of incontinence episodes.

Conclusions

New parameters for characterization of the urethral closure function and possible dysfunctions and its efficiency were provided. Po‐Abd 50 and UCE may be used as diagnostic tests and severity measures. Neurourol. Urodynam. 32:1103–1108, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An edge‐based smoothed finite element method for 3D analysis of solid mechanics problems
Authors: Cazes F. , Meschke G.
Published: March 2013

The edge‐based smoothed finite element method (ES‐FEM) was proposed recently in Liu, Nguyen‐Thoi, and Lam to improve the accuracy of the FEM for 2D problems. This method belongs to the wider family of the smoothed FEM for which smoothing cells are defined to perform the numerical integration over the domain. Later, the face‐based smoothed FEM (FS‐FEM) was proposed to generalize the ES‐FEM to 3D problems. According to this method, the smoothing cells are centered along the faces of the tetrahedrons of the mesh. In the present paper, an alternative method for the extension of the ES‐FEM to 3D is investigated. This method is based on an underlying mesh composed of tetrahedrons, and the approximation of the field variables is associated with the tetrahedral elements; however, in contrast to the FS‐FEM, the smoothing cells of the proposed ES‐FEM are centered along the edges of the tetrahedrons of the mesh. From selected numerical benchmark problems, it is observed that the ES‐FEM is characterized by a higher accuracy and improved computational efficiency as compared with linear tetrahedral elements and to the FS‐FEM for a given number of degrees of freedom. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of environmental hazard maps on risk beliefs, emotion, and health‐related behavioral intentions
Authors: Severtson Dolores J.
Published: March 2013

To test a theoretical explanation of how attributes of mapped environmental health hazards influence health‐related behavioral intentions and how beliefs and emotion mediate the influences of attributes, 24 maps were developed that varied by four attributes of a residential drinking water hazard: level, proximity, prevalence, and density. In a factorial design, student participants (N = 446) answered questions about a subset of maps. Hazard level and proximity had the largest influences on intentions to test water and mitigate exposure. Belief in the problem's seriousness mediated attributes' influence on intention to test drinking water, and perceived susceptibility mediated the influence of attributes on intention to mitigate risk. Maps with carefully illustrated attributes of hazards may promote appropriate health‐related risk beliefs, intentions, and behavior. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 36: 330–348, 2013
Clinical practice guidelines for the perioperative nutritional, metabolic, and nonsurgical support of the bariatric surgery patient—2013 update: Cosponsored by american association of clinical endocrinologists, The obesity society, and american society for metabolic & bariatric surgery*
Authors: Mechanick Jeffrey I. , Youdim Adrienne , Jones Daniel B. , Garvey W. Timothy , Hurley Daniel L. , McMahon M. Molly , Heinberg Leslie J. , Kushner Robert , Adams Ted D. , Shikora Scott , Dixon John B. , Brethauer Stacy
Published: March 2013

The development of these updated guidelines was commissioned by the AACE, TOS, and ASMBS Board of Directors and adheres to the AACE 2010 protocol for standardized production of clinical practice guidelines (CPG). Each recommendation was re‐evaluated and updated based on the evidence and subjective factors per protocol. Examples of expanded topics in this update include: the roles of sleeve gastrectomy, bariatric surgery in patients with type‐2 diabetes, bariatric surgery for patients with mild obesity, copper deficiency, informed consent, and behavioral issues. There are 74 recommendations (of which 56 are revised and 2 are new) in this 2013 update, compared with 164 original recommendations in 2008. There are 403 citations, of which 33 (8.2%) are EL 1, 131 (32.5%) are EL 2, 170 (42.2%) are EL 3, and 69 (17.1%) are EL 4. There is a relatively high proportion (40.4%) of strong (EL 1 and 2) studies, compared with only 16.5% in the 2008 AACE‐TOS‐ASMBS CPG. These updated guidelines reflect recent additions to the evidence base. Bariatric surgery remains a safe and effective intervention for select patients with obesity. A team approach to perioperative care is mandatory with special attention to nutritional and metabolic issues.
DNA methylation of the p66Shc promoter is decreased in placental tissue from women delivering intrauterine growth restricted neonates
Authors: Tzschoppe Anja , Doerr Helmuth , Rascher Wolfgang , Goecke Tamme , Beckmann Matthias , Schild Ralf , Struwe Ellen , Geisel Jürgen , Jung Heike , Dötsch Jörg
Published: March 2013

Objective

The adaptor protein p66Shc generates mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and translates oxidative signals into apoptosis. We aimed to analyze potential alterations in total methylation and in p66Shc activation in placental tissues from women delivering intrauterine growth restricted neonates (IUGR) versus appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and small for gestational age (SGA) neonates.

Method

DNA methylation of the p66Shc promoter and of long interspersed nuclear elements (LINE‐1), as a marker for total methylation, was quantified by automatic pyrosequencing in 15 IUGR, 25 AGA and 15 SGA placentas. Placental gene expression of p66Shc was determined by TaqMan real‐time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

No significant difference was found for LINE‐1 methylation between IUGR, AGA and SGA newborns. DNA methylation of the p66Shc promoter was significantly decreased in the IUGR compared with the AGA group (p < 0.0001) and the SGA group (p < 0.0001). However, analysis of placental p66Shc gene expression did not show a significant difference between the three groups.

Conclusion

It remains speculative if the decreased p66Shc promoter methylation might play a role in the pathophysiology of endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease after IUGR. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐term outcomes of children with umbilical vein varix diagnosed prenatally
Authors: Melcer Y. , Ben‐Ami I. , Wiener Y. , Livne A. , Herman A. , Maymon R.
Published: March 2013

Objectives

The current study aims were to assess the long‐term outcomes of children who were diagnosed with umbilical vein varix (UVV) prenatally.

Methods

The study included fetuses with UVV diagnosed in the community between the years 2005 and 2011. They all have been refereed to our Ultrasound Unit for diagnosis' confirmation. This has been conducted locally by a single operator. After delivery, they were matched by gestational age at birth with a set of newborns from a random list. Developmental delay was assessed by telephone interview using a questionnaire based on Ages and Stages Questionnaire. If the child's score (both in the study and control group) was below the cut‐off in one or more domain(s), the families were offered an examination by a child developmental health care team.

Results

There was no perinatal mortality in both groups. A low‐development score was found in 41.7% (15/36) and 3.7% (4/108) in UVV and control group, respectively (P < 0.05). In 10 out of 15 (67%) children in the UVV group with low scores, formal developmental assessment was performed. Four (40%) were diagnosed having developmental delay. Among the four controls with low score, two families refused additional assessment and one child died. The remaining child was found to have normal development.

Conclusions

A possible association between UVV diagnosed prenatally and child developmental delay was found. However, the clinical implications of these findings are still premature; thus, additional studies are needed. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Omphalocele in the first trimester: prediction of perinatal outcome
Authors: Tassin Mikaël , Descriaud Céline , Elie Caroline , Debarge Véronique Houfflin , Dumez Yves , Perrotin Franck , Benachi Alexandra
Published: March 2013

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the perinatal outcomes of fetuses with isolated omphalocele diagnosed before 14 weeks of gestation (WG) and determine whether visceral–abdominal disproportion (ratio between mean omphalocele diameter and transverse abdominal diameter) and omphalocele contents can predict neonatal morbidity.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of omphaloceles diagnosed before 14 WG at three tertiary centers between January 1998 and January 2010. In the group of isolated omphaloceles (i.e., euploid and no other malformation), ratio of visceral–abdominal disproportion and omphalocele contents were evaluated as predictors of perinatal morbidity.

Results

Among 153 fetal omphaloceles diagnosed before 14 WG, 74 were excluded because of abnormal karyotype or other malformations. Among the 79 isolated fetal omphaloceles, the survival rate at birth was 68% (54/79), with a global morbidity rate of 33% (18/54). Of the live born fetuses, 92.6% (50/54) survived the neonatal period, and 96% (48/50) without long‐term sequelae. There was a significant increase in neonatal morbidity when the ratio of disproportion was greater than 0.8 or when the liver was contained in the omphalocele in the first trimester.

Conclusion

In cases of isolated omphalocele in the first trimester, visceral–abdominal disproportion and omphalocele contents predict perinatal morbidity. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.