bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling and prediction of chaotic systems with artificial neural networks
Authors: Woolley Jonathan W. , Agarwal P. K. , Baker John
Published: July 2009

This study of chaotic systems and their prediction is motivated by the fact that many phenomena, both natural and man‐made, are of a chaotic nature. Such phenomena include but are not limited to earthquakes, laser systems, epileptic seizures, combustion, and weather patterns. These phenomena have previously been thought to be unpredictable. However, it is indeed possible to predict time series generated by chaotic systems. The primary objective of this study is to develop a system that would train the artificial neural network (ANN) and then predict the future data of the process. In the present application, the chosen chaotic data set was obtained by solving Lorenz's equations. To predict the future data, the concept of a multilayer feed‐forward ANN with nonlinear auto‐regressive moving averages with exogenous input is used. A Backpropagation algorithm is used to train the network for the chaotic data. The final updated weights from the trained network were then used for the prediction of the future values of the system. Lyapunov exponents, phase diagrams and statistical analyses were used to evaluate the neural network output. A correlation of 94% and a negative Lyapunov exponent indicate that the results obtained from ANN are in good agreement with the actual values. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial‐temporal dynamics of cortical activity underlying reaching and grasping
Authors: Virji‐Babul Naznin , Moiseev Alexander , Cheung Teresa , Weeks Daniel , Cheyne Douglas , Ribary Urs
Published: July 2009

How humans understand the actions and intentions of others remains poorly understood. Here we report the results of a magnetoencephalography (MEG) experiment to determine the temporal dynamics and spatial distribution of brain regions activated during execution and observation of a reach to grasp motion using real world stimuli. We show that although both conditions activate similar brain areas, there are distinct differences in the timing, pattern and location of activation. Specifically, observation of motion revealed a right hemisphere dominance with activation involving a network of regions that include frontal, temporal and parietal areas. In addition, the latencies of activation showed a task specific pattern. During movement execution, the earliest activation was observed in the left premotor and somatosensory regions, followed closely by left primary motor and STG at the time of movement onset. During observation, there was a shift in the timing of activation with the earliest activity occurring in the right temporal region followed by activity in the left motor areas. Activity within these areas was also characterized by a shift to a lower frequency in comparison with action execution. These results add to the growing body of evidence indicating a complex interaction within a distributed network involving motor and nonmotor regions during observation of real actions. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inequality of opportunities in health in France: a first pass
Authors: Trannoy Alain , Tubeuf Sandy , Jusot Florence , Devaux Marion
Published: July 2009

This article analyses the role played by childhood circumstances, especially social and family background in explaining health status among older adults. We explore the hypothesis of an intergenerational transmission of health inequalities using the French part of SHARE. As the impact of both social background and parents' health on health status in adulthood represents circumstances independent of individual responsibility, this study allows us testing the existence in France of inequalities of opportunity in health related to family and social background. Empirically, our study relies on tests of stochastic dominance at first order and multivariate regressions, supplemented by a counterfactual analysis to evaluate the long‐lasting impact of childhood conditions on inequality in health. Allocating the best circumstances in both parents' socioeconomic status and parents' health reduces inequality in health by an impressive 57% using the Gini coefficient. The mother's social status has a direct effect on the health of her offspring. By contrast, the effect on descendant's health from their father's social status is indirect only, which goes through the descendant's social status as an adult. There is also a strong effect of the father vital status on health in adulthood, revealing a selection effect. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiscale entropy approach to physiological fatigue during long‐term Web browsing
Authors: Hung C. H. , Jiang Bernard C.
Published: July 2009

Physiological fatigue during long‐term Web browsing was investigated by the entropy‐based method. A noninvasive instrument was used to gather 8‐hour continuous electrocardiography signals from subjects who were asked to answer the psychological fatigue questionnaire every 2 hours. These data were used to calculate the heart rate (HR), traditional sample entropy (SampEn), and multiscale entropy (MSE). HR decreased as the browsing task began, but increased slightly after 4.5 hours. The psychological fatigue score gradually increased, implying that more severe subjective fatigue was experienced as Web browsing proceeded. In contrast, the traditional SampEn first increased and then oscillated after 2.5 hours. The browsing time of 2.5 hours may be a clue to physiological fatigue. The MSE results showed that the cardiac dynamic systems of undergraduates and males were more complex than those of graduates and females, respectively. Thus, SampEn may have the potential for estimating physiological fatigue during long‐term Web browsing. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
18F‐FDG uptake and its clinical relevance in primary gastric lymphoma
Authors: Yi Jun Ho , Kim Seok Jin , Choi Joon Young , Ko Young Hyeh , Kim Byung‐Tae , Kim Won Seog
Published: July 2009

We studied the clinical relevance of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (18F‐FDG) uptake in patients with primary gastric lymphoma underwent positron emission tomography (PET)/ computed tomography (CT) scan. Forty‐two patients with primary gastric lymphoma were analysed: 32 diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas (DLBCL) and 10 extranodal marginal zone B‐cell lymphomas of mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphomas). The PET/CT scans were compared with clinical and pathologic features, and the results of CT and endoscopy. Nine patients were up‐staged based on the results of their PET/CT scan compared to CT (seven DLBCLs, two MALT lymphomas) while six patients were down‐staged by the PET/CT scan. The standard uptake value (SUV) was used as an indicator of a lesion with a high metabolic rate. The high SUVmax group, defined as an SUVmax ≥ median value, was significantly associated with an advanced Lugano stage (p < 0.001). Three patients with DLBCL, who showed an initially high SUVmax, died of disease progression. Among 24 patients for whom follow‐up PET/CT scan with endoscopy was performed, 11 patients with ulcerative or mucosal lesions showed residual 18F‐FDG uptake. All of these gastric lesions were grossly and pathologically benign lesions without evidence of lymphoma cells. In conclusion, PET/CT scan can be used in staging patients with primary gastric lymphoma; however, the residual 18F‐FDG uptake observed during follow‐up should be interpreted cautiously and should be combined with endoscopy and multiple biopsies of the stomach. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A case‐control study of colorectal cancer detection by quantification of DNA isolated from directly collected exfoliated colonocytes
Authors: Loktionov Alexandre , Ferrett Colin G , Gibson Jeremy J S , Bandaletova Tatiana , Dion Carine , Llewelyn Andrew H , Lywood Hugo G G , Lywood Rupert C G , George Bruce D , Mortensen Neil J
Published: July 2009

This pilot study aimed to assess an original test based on the analysis of exfoliated colonocytes as a new approach to colorectal cancer (CRC) detection. DNA was isolated from exfoliated cells collected from the surface of the rectal mucosa by a standardized minimally invasive procedure in a case‐control trial involving 66 patients with CRC diagnosis and 110 healthy volunteers (age 50–70). PicoGreen staining and quantitative real‐time PCR (QRTPCR) were used for DNA quantification. Mean DNA scores in μg/ml obtained for the control and cancer groups were 2.1 (95% CI 1.7–2.5) and 9.0 (CI 6.7–11.2) respectively (p < 0.001) for PicoGreen and 0.8 (CI 0.6–0.9) and 3.8 (CI 1.9–5.7) respectively (p = 0.003) for QRTPCR. The PicoGreen assay better detected CRC presence. At DNA score cut‐off point of 2.5 μg/ml this assay gave sensitivities of 77.8% (CI 52.4–93.6) for proximal tumours, 91.4% (CI 76.9–98.2) for distal CRC and 86.8% (CI 74.7–94.5) for all CRC with specificity at 74.0% (CI 64.0–82.4). Increasing the cut‐off point to 5.0 μg/ml resulted in sensitivities of 38.9% (CI 17.3–64.3) for proximal tumours, 71.4% (CI 53.7–85.4) for distal CRC and 60.4% (CI 46.0–73.5) for all CRC. Specificity for this cut‐off point increased to 94.8% (CI 88.3–98.3). The new procedure of exfoliated cell collection from the surface of the rectal mucosa is a simple, safe and well‐tolerated technique providing high quality cells. These early results suggest that exfoliated cell collection in combination with DNA quantification can potentially be employed as a tool for CRC early detection.
The Janus‐faced role of ezrin in “linking” cells to either normal or metastatic phenotype
Authors: Brambilla Daria , Fais Stefano
Published: July 2009

In the majority of eukaryotic cells, the ezrin, radixin and moesin (ERM) proteins are involved in many physiologic functions including regulation of actin cytoskeleton, control of cell shape, adhesion, motility and modulation of signal transduction pathways. In a previous study, we used a dominant negative ezrin‐mutant to address ezrin involvement in remodeling of actin cytoskeleton and subsequently we depicted ezrin key role in melanoma cell migration and progression. Herein, we highlight recent advances on ezrin involvement in the metastatic phenomenon, including also some more neglected ezrin‐related functions. Novel molecular processes driven by ezrin activation include: phagocytosis, acquisition of resistance to chemotherapeutics and triggering of programmed cell death signals. Recent data support an integrated role of ezrin also in development of tumor malignancy. On one hand, ezrin may be responsible of deranged execution of specific known functions such as adhesion and motility and on the other, it may also participate to unique metastatic determinants, through the establishment of aberrant linkages with tumor‐related proteins. For instance, ezrin misslocalization, absence or deranged activity has started to be correlated with tumor progression in many tumors of different species, including humans. Concomitantly, ezrin may act simultaneously as a regulatory or deregulatory chaperon in both normal and tumor cells. It is still to be established whether this Janus‐faced feature of ezrin is due to some unknown transforming Zelig‐like property or to the fact that a tumor‐associated molecule preferentially links to ezrin thus distracting it from its normal connections. However, the contribution of ezrin functional deregulation to the acquisition of the metastatic phenotype appears clear and ezrin or ezrin aberrant associations may represent good candidates for future anti‐tumor therapies. © 2009 UICC
Gene transfer of NK4, an angiogenesis inhibitor, induces CT26 tumor regression via tumor‐specific T lymphocyte activation
Authors: Kubota Takeshi , Taiyoh Hiroaki , Matsumura Atsushi , Murayama Yasutoshi , Ichikawa Daisuke , Okamoto Kazuma , Fujiwara Hitoshi , Ikoma Hisashi , Nakanishi Masayoshi , Kikuchi Shojiro , Ochiai Toshiya , Sakakura Chouhei , Kokuba Yukihito , Sonoyama Teruhisa , Suzuki Yoshinori , Matsumoto Kunio , Nakamura Toshikazu , Otsuji Eigo
Published: July 2009

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been shown to be involved in malignant behaviors, such as invasion and metastasis, in different tumors. Hence, HGF could be a target molecule for control of the malignant potential of cancer. NK4 is a competitive antagonist for HGF and exerts an antitumor activity, not only by HGF antagonism but also by antiangiogenesis. Here, we studied the participation of cellular immunity in CT26 tumor regression by NK4 gene transfer. In vivo experiments showed that NK4‐induced inhibition of subcutaneous tumor growth (as demonstrated in immunocompetent BALB/c mice) was weakened in T lymphocyte‐deficient nude mice. In addition, the immunocompetent BALB/c mice that had shown complete regression of CT26‐NK4 tumors generated an immune memory against repeated challenge with the same tumor antigen. Immunohistochemistry of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes showed that the ratio of CD8/CD4 in CT26‐NK4 tumors was significantly higher than that in control tumors. Also, the presence of tumor‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) was demonstrated by cytotoxicity assays. Depletion of CD8+ T lymphocytes markedly abrogated the antitumor activity of NK4. However, NK4 had no direct effect on the in vitro cellular immune system. Taken together, these data indicate that NK4 expression by gene transfer, at the tumor site, triggers tumor‐specific CTL activation, resulting in complete CT26 tumor regression in vivo. This action was considered to be due to apoptosis induced by NK4's potent antiangiogenic and HGF antagonistic effects. © 2009 UICC
Differential oncogenic potential of geographically distinct Helicobacter pylori CagA isoforms in mice
Authors: Miura Motohiro , Ohnishi Naomi , Tanaka Shinya , Yanagiya Kohei , Hatakeyama Masanori
Published: July 2009

Infection with cagA‐positive Helicobacter pylori is associated with gastric carcinoma. The cagA‐encoded CagA protein is delivered into gastric epithelial cells and, upon tyrosine phosphorylation at the C‐terminal EPIYA segments, binds and deregulates SHP‐2 oncoprotein. On the basis of the differential alignment of the EPIYA segments, CagA can be subdivided into Western CagA, which is produced by H. pylori isolated in Western countries, and East Asian CagA, which is produced by H. pylori circulating in East Asian countries. Western CagA contains EPIYA‐A, EPIYA‐B and variable numbers of EPIYA‐C segments, whereas East Asian CagA contains EPIYA‐A, EPIYA‐B and variable numbers of EPIYA‐D segments. Upon tyrosine phosphorylation, EPIYA‐C and EPIYA‐D, respectively, serve as low‐affinity and high‐affinity SHP‐2‐binding sites. We previously reported that systemic expression of East Asian CagA (CagA‐ABDD) induces gastrointestinal and hematopoietic malignancies in mice. In this study, we generated transgenic mice that systemically express Western CagA (CagA‐ABCCC), the levels of which are comparable to those in mice expressing East Asian CagA. The mice developed gastric epithelial hypertrophy and gastrointestinal tumors and also showed lymphoid abnormality but not myeloid abnormalities such as granulocytosis and myeloid leukemia found in mice carrying East Asian CagA. The incidence of tumors in mice expressing Western CagA was significantly lower than that in mice expressing East Asian CagA. Our results indicate that Western CagA is qualitatively less oncogenic than East Asian CagA. Differential oncogenic potential of geographically distinct CagA isoforms may contribute to the differential prevalence of gastric carcinoma between East Asian countries and Western countries. © 2009 UICC
Cancer and viral infections in immunocompromised individuals
Authors: Schulz Thomas F.
Published: July 2009

Over the last 30 years, the increasing use of organ and stem cell transplantation and the AIDS epidemic have led to the realization that some, but not all, human cancers occur more frequently in immunosuppressed individuals. With the notable exception of non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), most tumors that show strongly increased incidence rates in both transplant recipients and AIDS patients have been found to have a viral etiology. Among these are Kaposi sarcoma, diffuse large cell B‐cell lymphoma, cervical cancer, liver cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma and a subset of Hodgkin's disease. A viral etiology for NMSC, i.e., β‐ and γ‐subtypes of human papillomavirus, has been suggested and investigated for many years, but remains controversial. In addition, the moderately increased incidence rates of several other cancers in immunosuppressed individuals (e.g., Vajdic and van Leeuwen, Int J Cancer, in press) could indicate that additional infectious causes for at least some human cancers remain to be discovered. The controversy surrounding the role of cutaneous papillomavirus subtypes in the pathogenesis of NMSC illustrates the difficulties encountered when weighing the epidemiological and molecular biology evidence arguing for an involvement of highly prevalent viruses in certain types of cancer. © 2009 UICC
Diffraction imaging of spheres and melanoma cells with a microscope objective
Authors: Jacobs Kenneth M. , Yang Li V. , Ding Junhua , Ekpenyong Andrew E. , Castellone Reid , Lu Jun Q. , Hu Xin‐Hua
Published: July 2009

Diffraction imaging of polystyrene spheres and B16F10 mouse melanoma cells embedded in gel has been investigated with a microscope objective. The diffraction images acquired with the objective from a sphere have been shown to be comparable to the Mie theory based projection images of the scattered light if the objective is translated to defocused positions towards the sphere. Using a confocal imaging based method to reconstruct and analyze the 3D structure, we demonstrated that genetic modifications in these cells can induce morphological changes and the modified cells can be used as an experimental model for study of the correlation between 3D morphology features and diffraction image data. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Elastic properties of porcine ocular posterior soft tissues
Authors: Chen Kinon , Rowley Adrian P. , Weiland James D.
Published: July 2009

We examine the thickness and mechanical properties of the porcine posterior retina, choroid, and sclera in different environments and surface directions. Vertical and horizontal samples were surgically obtained. Uniaxial experiments were performed in room‐temperature air, room‐temperature saline, and body‐temperature saline. Sample thicknesses were estimated optically. Thickness of all layers was found to vary significantly among the samples; thickness standard deviation of the mean was 24, 19, and 19% for the retina, choroid, and sclera, respectively. Transition stresses and heel moduli of all layers were consistently higher in saline than air. The retinal stress–strain relationship in air was typically linear with significantly lower horizontal transition strain. Transition stresses and moduli of all layers were consistently lower in body than room temperature and the differences in the transition stresses and heel moduli of the retina and sclera were significant. Also, the sclera had significantly lower transition strains in body temperature. These results illustrate the importance of testing the tissues at conditions like those found in the body. In body‐temperature saline, all layers behaved nonlinearly, but only the retina exhibited surface anisotropy between the vertical and horizontal directions. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Effect of blood group on idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Zuberi Lara , Yerasuri Durga , Kuriakose Philip
Published: July 2009

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a condition caused by deficiency of ADAMTS13 resulting in accumulation of ultra large Von Willebrand factor multimers (ULVWF), leading to micro thrombi in multiple organs. The varying susceptibilities of blood group antigens to ADAMTS13 have been demonstrated. A and B antigens are protective of VWF; and VWF purified from blood group O individuals has been shown to be cleaved faster by ADAMTS13 compared to VWF from blood group AB individuals. We proposed that there may be a difference in the incidence of blood groups in TTP patients compared with the general population. We felt this to be important for a life‐threatening disease with poorly understood epidemiology. We report a retrospective analysis of 74 patients presenting from 1993 to 2008 with idiopathic TTP. We studied the incidence across various blood groups and also estimated the recurrence and mortality in each group. The incidence of various blood groups were as follows: O 36%, A 36%, B 25%, and AB 2%, compared with expected frequencies in the Detroit area: O 44%, A 33% B 20%, and AB 3%. There was a trend of lower than expected frequency of blood group O. There were 24 recurrences and 14 deaths, uniform across blood groups. We hypothesized that there may be an association between blood groups and the risk of TTP; however the differences in our study were not statistically significant. Recurrence and disease specific mortality did not appear to be impacted by blood group. J. Clin. Apheresis 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morphological and crystallographic evolution of bainite transformation in Fe‐0.15C binary alloy
Authors: Zhang Di , Terasaki Hidenori , Komizo Yuichi
Published: July 2009

In this article, an in situ observation method, combining laser scanning confocal microscopy and electron backscattering diffraction, was used to investigate the morphological and crystallographic evolution of bainite transformation in a Fe‐0.15C binary alloy. The nucleation at a grain boundary and inclusions, sympathetic nucleation, and impingement event of bainitic ferrite were directly shown in real time. The variant evolution during bainite transformation and misorientation between bainitic ferrites were clarified. Strong variant selection was observed during sympathetic nucleation. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis of novel amide‐crownophanes and Schiff base‐crownophanes based on p‐phenylene, 2,6‐naphthalene, and 9,10‐anthracene
Authors: Muathen Hussni A. , Aloweiny Nour A. M. , Elwahy Ahmed H. M.
Published: July 2009

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The novel macrocyclic diamides 11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 12, 12a, 12b, 12c, 13, 13a, 13b, 13c, 16, 17, 18 are obtained in 45–66% yields by the reaction of dipotassium salts 10a, 10b, 10c and 15 with each of 1,4‐di(bromomethyl)benzene 4, 2,6‐di(bromomethyl)naphthalene 6 and 9,10‐di(bromomethyl)anthracene 8, repectively, in boiling DMF. On the other hand, the new macrocyclic Schiff bases 28 and 29 are obtained in 44% and 42% yields by heating the appropriate bis‐amines 25b, 26b with the corresponding bis‐aldehydes 21, 22, respectively, in refluxing acetic acid under high‐dilution conditions. J. Heterocyclic Chem. (2009).
Synthesis of [1,2,4]triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3]thiazine‐5‐carboxylates via one‐pot reaction of N‐substituted‐hydrazino‐carbothioamides with diethyl maleate
Authors: Aly Ashraf A. , Hassan Alaa A. , Ibrahim Yusria R. , Abdel‐Aziz Mohamed
Published: July 2009

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Diethyl maleate reacts with N‐substituted‐hydrazino‐carbothioamides to form ethyl [1,2,4]triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3]thiazine‐5‐carboxylates. Reaction proceeds via bicyclization and oxidation processes. J. Heterocyclic Chem. (2009).
Numerical modeling of the route‐to‐chaos of semiconductor lasers under optical feedback and its dependence on the external‐cavity length
Authors: Ahmed Moustafa , Yamada Minoru , Abdulrhmann Salah
Published: July 2009

This paper investigates numerically influence of the external‐cavity length on the type of the route‐to‐chaos of semiconductor lasers under external optical feedback. The study is based on numerical solution of a time‐delay model of rate equations, and the solutions are employed to construct bifurcation diagrams and to examine the Fourier frequency spectrum of the laser output. The ratio of the relaxation frequency to the external‐cavity resonance frequency is employed to measure the influence of the length of the external cavity. The route‐to‐chaos is period doubling when this frequency ratio is less than unity. The route is sub‐harmonic when the frequency ratio increases up to 2.25. When the frequency ratio increases further, the transition to chaos becomes quasi‐periodic characterized by the compound‐cavity frequency and the relaxation frequency as well as their difference. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interannual variations in seasonal march of rainfall in the Philippines
Authors: Akasaka Ikumi
Published: July 2009

This study investigated interannual variations in seasonal march of rainfall in the Philippines by revealing onset and withdrawal pentads of rainy seasons from 1961 to 2000. For defining the onset and withdrawal of rainy season, the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis was applied. As a result, the onset of summer rainy season, when started in mid‐May on the average, was frequently delayed and fluctuated more greatly after the latter half of the 1970s. Such characteristics were not found in the onset of autumn rainy season, which corresponds to the increase in rainfall amount on the east coast. To clarify causes of the long‐term change in the onset timing of the summer rainy season, we classified transition patterns of atmospheric circulation related to the onset of the summer rainy season by applying the EOF analysis to spatial anomalies of geopotential height at 850 hPa level. The first two dominant EOF modes showed three important triggers of the onset of the summer rainy season in atmospheric circulation: (1) the northeastwards shift in the subtropical high over the western North Pacific, (2) the evolution of the monsoon trough over the northern South China Sea and (3) the great approach of the easterly wave. Additionally, interannual variations in the time coefficients of EOF1 have a positive tendency on the boundary of the latter half of the 1970s and are significantly correlated with those in the onset of the summer rainy season. That is, it was suggested that the change of the onset timing in the summer rainy season after the latter half of the 1970s was related to a long‐term change in transition patterns of atmospheric circulation connected with the onset of the summer rainy season. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Holocene alpine glaciation inferred from lacustrine sediments on northeastern Baffin Island, Arctic Canada
Authors: Thomas Elizabeth K. , Szymanski Jason , Briner Jason P.
Published: July 2009

With accelerated melting of alpine glaciers, understanding the future state of the cryosphere is critical. Because the observational record of glacier response to climate change is short, palaeo‐records of glacier change are needed. Using proglacial lake sediments, which contain continuous and datable records of past glacier activity, we investigate Holocene glacier fluctuations on northeastern Baffin Island. Basal radiocarbon ages from three lakes constrain Laurentide Ice Sheet retreat by ca. 10.5 ka. High sedimentation rates (0.03 cm a−1) and continuous minerogenic sedimentation throughout the Holocene in proglacial lakes, in contrast to organic‐rich sediments and low sedimentation rates (0.005 cm a−1) in neighbouring non‐glacial lakes, suggest that glaciers may have persisted in proglacial lake catchments since regional deglaciation. The presence of varves and relatively high magnetic susceptibility from 10 to 6 ka and since 2 ka in one proglacial lake suggest minimum Holocene glacier extent ca. 6–2 ka. Moraine evidence and proglacial and threshold lake sediments indicate that the maximum Holocene glacier extent occurred during the Little Ice Age. The finding that glaciers likely persisted through the Holocene is surprising, given that regional proxy records reveal summer temperatures several degrees warmer than today, and may be due to shorter ablation seasons and greater accumulation‐season precipitation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vibrational assignments and electronic structure calculations for 6‐thioguanine
Authors: Gunasekaran S. , Kumaresan S. , Arunbalaji R. , Anand G. , Seshadri S. , Muthu S.
Published: July 2009

The Fourier transform Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectra of thioguanine have been recorded. Ab initio and density functional computations of the vibrational (IR) spectrum, the molecular geometry, Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO)–Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO) energy gaps and polarizabilities were studied. On the basis of the comparison between calculated and experimental results and the comparison with related molecules, assignments of fundamental vibrational modes are examined. The observed and simulated spectra were found to be well comparable. The electronic transition energies and intensities of spectral lines were carried out using TDDFT and ZINDO methods. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pigment identification and decoration analysis of a 5th century Chinese lacquer painting screen: a micro‐Raman and FTIR study
Authors: Li Tao , Xie Yun‐Feng , Yang Yi‐Min , Wang Chang‐Sui , Fang Xiao‐Yang , Shi Ji‐Long , He Qiu‐Ju
Published: July 2009

To investigate the pigments and decoration applied to a wood‐based lacquer painting screen from the tomb of Si‐ma Jin‐long, Shanxi Province, central China, made by Chinese craftsmen in the 5th century, a combination of micro‐Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), wavelength dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (WDXRF), and microscopic examination was used. The obtained results are as follows: (1) the black, yellow, and red colors are identified as carbon black, orpiment and realgar, and cinnabar, respectively, by using micro‐Raman spectroscopy. The FTIR result shows that the white pigment filled in the leaves is not lead white, as assumed in the literature, but gypsum. Whether lead white was used at other locations remains unanswered and requires more samples for further work; (2) the thickness of each discernable pigment layer, as observed under the microscope, is approximately equal and the differences among them are small, suggesting a superfine painting skill; besides, a noticeable smooth interface between wood and the red grounding substance indicates that a polishing process might have been applied before the painting; (3) the red background was proved to contain cinnabar, but further FTIR analyses found no evidence for the presence of Chinese wood oil; and (4) the most interesting finding, rarely reported before, is that white grains of different sizes are found in both pigment layers and the grounding substance, which are perhaps an intentional addition. Further, in situ XRF and Raman analyses indicate that they are sourced from hydroxyapatite, coming probably from the intentional addition of animal bone ash to the lacquer. But how such a process could be finished and what purpose it served have not yet been answered. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopic study of the mineral finnemanite Pb5(As3+O3)3Cl
Authors: Bahfenne Silmarilly , Frost Ray L.
Published: July 2009

The arsenite mineral finnemanite Pb5(As3+ O3)3Cl has been studied by Raman spectroscopy. The most intense Raman band at 871 cm−1 is assigned to the ν1(AsO3)3− symmetric stretching vibration. Three Raman bands at 898, 908 and 947 cm−1 are assigned to the ν3(AsO3)3− antisymmetric stretching vibration. The observation of multiple antisymmetric stretching vibrations suggest that the (AsO3)3− units are not equivalent in the molecular structure of finnemanite. Two Raman bands at 383 and 399 cm−1are assigned to the ν2(AsO3)3− bending modes. Density functional theory enabled calculation of the position of AsO32− symmetric stretching mode at 839 cm−1, the antisymmetric stretching mode at 813 cm−1 and the deformation mode at 449 cm−1. Raman bands are observed at 115, 145, 162, 176, 192, 216 and 234 cm−1 as well. The two most intense bands are observed at 176 and 192 cm−1. These bands are assigned to PbCl stretching vibrations and result from transverse/longitudinal splitting. The bands at 145 and 162 cm−1 may be assigned to ClPbCl bending modes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface enhanced Raman scattering of trans‐p‐coumaric and syringic acids
Authors: Clavijo R. E. , Ross D. J. , Aroca R. F.
Published: July 2009

The vibrational spectra of trans‐p‐coumaric acid (pCA) and syringic acid (SA) are discussed. The spectral fingerprints of the organic acids observed in the infrared and Raman spectra are assigned to fundamental vibrational wavenumbers supported by quantum chemical computations. The average surface‐enhanced Raman scattering spectra of both acids have been obtained on silver colloidal solutions and the interpretation of the spectra is presented based on complementary Raman spectra and computational results for the silver salts. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lactulose as a food ingredient
Authors: Olano Agustín , Corzo Nieves
Published: July 2009

Lactulose is a synthetic ketose disaccharide that can be obtained from lactose by different methods of synthesis. Chemical methods are based on the isomerization of lactose in the presence of basic catalysts and enzymatic methods using lactose as a galactose donor and fructose as an acceptor. The prebiotic properties of lactulose have been known for more than 50 years and numerous studies have confirmed several health benefits of lactulose as a food ingredient, including selective stimulation of intestinal flora, laxative effect and improvement of calcium absorption. Its use in fermented milk manufacture may reduce the incubation period and favour the growth of bifidobacteria. The synthesis of lactulose‐derived oligosaccharides may provide a new group of prebiotics with properties complementary to those of native lactulose. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Adverse childhood events are associated with obesity and disordered eating: Results from a U.S. population‐based survey of young adults
Authors: Fuemmeler Bernard F. , Dedert Eric , McClernon F. Joseph , Beckham Jean C.
Published: July 2009

The authors investigated the relationship between childhood abuse and obesity in young adulthood (M age = 22) in a large, U.S. representative sample (N = 15,197). Controlling for demographics and depression, men with a history of childhood sexual abuse were at increased risk of overweight and obesity. No association between childhood abuse and obesity or overweight was observed for women in this sample. Higher percentages of skipping meals to lose weight and problematic eating were observed among women with a history of physical abuse. This is the first study to note an association between childhood abuse with obesity and problematic weight management behaviors in a sample of young adults.
The relationship of posttraumatic growth to peritraumatic reactions and posttraumatic stress symptoms among Sri Lankan university students
Authors: McCaslin Shannon E. , de Zoysa Piyanjali , Butler Lisa D. , Hart Stacey , Marmar Charles R. , Metzler Thomas J. , Koopman Cheryl
Published: July 2009

The relationships of posttraumatic growth to peritraumatic reactions and posttraumatic stress symptoms were examined in 93 Sri Lankan university students who had experienced a traumatic life event. Posttraumatic growth was associated with peritraumatic dissociation and posttraumatic stress symptoms, but was not associated with peritraumatic emotional distress. Results indicated a curvilinear relationship between peritraumatic dissociation and posttraumatic growth and between posttraumatic stress symptoms and posttraumatic growth. In a regression model predicting posttraumatic growth scores, each of the quadratic relationships of peritraumatic dissociation and posttraumatic stress symptoms to posttraumatic growth were statistically significant, and combined accounted for 22% of the variance. Results suggest that moderate levels of peritraumatic dissociation and symptoms are most associated with the greatest levels of growth.
Work limitations in employed persons seeking treatment for chronic posttraumatic stress disorder
Authors: Wald Jaye
Published: July 2009

This preliminary study examined work limitations in 27 employed persons seeking treatment for chronic posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using the Work Limitations Questionnaire (Lerner et al., 2001). Results showed that this sample experienced an impaired ability to perform time management demands, output demands, and mental‐interpersonal demands at work. This study adds new knowledge on the scope of work impairment of PTSD and identifies the important need for developing work‐focused measurement tools and interventions.
Treatment of hypertrophic and resistant port wine stains with a 755 nm laser: A case series of 20 patients
Authors: Izikson Leonid , Nelson J. Stuart , Anderson R. Rox
Published: July 2009

Background and Objective

Port wine stains (PWS) are heterogeneous vascular malformations that can be treated with vascular‐selective pulsed dye lasers (PDL). Hypertrophic PWS, especially in adults, are consistently less responsive to PDL. Furthermore, many PWS that respond well initially to PDL treatment may reach a response plateau, becoming unresponsive to further PDL treatments, a phenomenon termed “treatment resistance.” Based on the theory of selective photothermolysis, vessels in such lesions may also be specifically targeted with a 755 nm laser that has selectivity for deoxyhemoglobin as well as oxyhemoglobin and increased depth of skin penetration.

Study Design/Patients and Methods

Retrospective case review of 20 patients with either hypertrophic or PDL‐resistant PWS treated with a 755 nm laser alone or in combination with other lasers, including PDL.

Results

Hypertrophic PWS showed significant lightening after treatment with a 755 nm laser in combination with PDL. Most PDL‐resistant PWS showed moderate improvement after treatment with either a 755 nm laser alone or in combination with another laser, including PDL. Some lesions showed only mild improvement or did not respond. Serious side effects were infrequent. Most commonly encountered complications included pain, edema, bullae, crusting, and rare scarring.

Conclusions

Alexandrite 755 nm laser can be useful for the treatment of hypertrophic and treatment‐resistant PWS in adult and pediatric patients. Complications are infrequent and predictable. Careful attention to using a fluence at or near the threshold for clinical response with this deeply penetrating laser is essential to prevent serious sequelae. Lasers Surg. Med. 41:427–432, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Microwave‐Assisted One‐Pot Synthesis of Hyperbranched Epoxide‐Amine Adducts
Authors: Theis Julia , Ritter Helmut , Klee Joachim E.
Published: July 2009

Hyperbranched epoxide‐amine adducts were synthesized by a one‐pot microwave (MW) assisted reaction. 4‐(2,3‐epoxypropyl‐1‐oxy)benzonitrile was hydrogenated using Pd/C under microwave conditions, forming the AB2 monomer 1‐aminomethyl‐4‐(2,3‐epoxypropyl‐1‐oxy)benzene. Depending on the reaction temperature this monomer immediately reacts to give hyperbranched epoxide‐amine adducts. Mass spectrometric investigations proved the formation of a homologous series of oligomers containing up to six repeating units. Due to the complexing properties of the poly(amino alcohol) moieties in the presence of Cu2+ ions, large aggregates were formed.

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A Triphenylamine‐Based Conjugated Polymer with Donor‐π‐Acceptor Architecture as Organic Sensitizer for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Wei , Fang Zhen , Su Mingjuan , Saeys Mark , Liu Bin
Published: July 2009

A conjugated polymer containing an electron donating backbone (triphenylamine) and an electron accepting side chain (cyanoacetic acid) with conjugated thiophene units as the linkers has been synthesized. Dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are fabricated utilizing this material as the dye sensitizer, resulting a typical power conversion efficiency of 3.39% under AM 1.5 G illumination, which represents the highest efficiency for polymer dye‐sensitized DSSCs reported so far. The results show the good promise of conjugated polymers as sensitizers for DSSC applications.

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Three‐Dimensional Polycaprolactone Hierarchical Scaffolds Supplemented with Natural Biomaterials to Enhance Mesenchymal Stem Cell Proliferation
Authors: Yoon Hyeon , Ahn SeungHyun , Kim GeunHyung
Published: July 2009

A hybrid technology that combines a three‐dimensional (3‐D) dispensing system with an electrospinning process was used to produce a hierarchical 3‐D scaffold consisting of micro‐sized polycaprolactone (PCL) strands and micro/nano‐sized fibres. The micro/nanofibre biocomposites electrospun with PCL/small intestine submucosa (SIS) and PCL/Silk fibroin were layered between melt‐plotted micro‐strands. The scaffold containing SIS exhibited a stronger hydrophilic property than other scaffolds due to the various hydrophilic components in SIS. The 3‐D hierarchical scaffold having biocomposites exhibited an incredibly enhanced initial cell attachment and proliferation of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells relative to the normally designed 3‐D scaffold.

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Reactive Hydrogel Networks for the Fabrication of Metal–Polymer Nanocomposites
Authors: Tarnavchyk Ihor , Voronov Andriy , Kohut Ananiy , Nosova Nataliya , Varvarenko Serhiy , Samaryk Volodymyr , Voronov Stanislav
Published: July 2009

In this study, highly stable gold and silver nanoparticles evenly distributed within a crosslinked poly(acrylamide)/poly(N‐(hydroxymethyl)acrylamide) (PAAm‐PHMAAm) network have been fabricated without addition of a reducing agent. Remarkably, the same chemical hydrogel composition has been involved in the successful fabrication of spherical gold and silver nanoparticles within the hydrogel template. The hydrogel network acts simultaneously as an efficient reducing agent and stabilizer. The PAAm–PHMAAm hydrogel network binds metal ions and, following reduction of bound to crosslinked template metal ions, proceeds via oxidation of hydroxymethyl hydrogel fragments. A one‐electron mechanism is proposed for the formation of the silver and gold nanoparticles.

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Measuring SPIO and Gd contrast agent magnetization using 3 T MRI
Authors: Cantillon‐Murphy Pádraig , Wald Lawrence L. , Zahn Markus , Adalsteinsson Elfar
Published: July 2009

Traditional methods of measuring magnetization in magnetic fluid samples, such as vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), are typically limited to maximum field strengths of about 1 T. This work demonstrates the ability of MRI to measure the magnetization associated with two commercial MRI contrast agents at 3 T by comparing analytical solutions to experimental imaging results for the field pattern associated with agents in cylindrical vials. The results of the VSM and fitted MRI data match closely. The method represents an improvement over VSM measurements since results are attainable at imaging field strengths. The agents investigated are Feridex, a superparamagnetic iron oxide suspension used primarily for liver imaging, and Magnevist, a paramagnetic, gadolinium‐based compound used for tumors, inflammation and vascular lesions. MR imaging of the agents took place in sealed cylindrical vials in the presence of a surrounding volume of deionized water where the effects of the contrast agents had a measurable effect on the water's magnetization in the vicinity of the compartment of contrast agent. A pair of phase images were used to reconstruct a B0 fieldmap. The resultant B0 maps in the water region, corrected for shimming and container edge effects, were used to predict the agent's magnetization at 3 T. The results were compared with the results from VSM measurements up to 1.2 T and close correlation was observed. The technique should be of interest to those seeking quantification of the magnetization associated with magnetic suspensions beyond the traditional scope of VSM. The magnetization needs to be sufficiently strong (Ms ≳ 50 Am2/kg Fe for Feridex and Xm ≳ 5 × 10−5 m3/kg Gd for Magnevist) for a measurable dipole field in the surrounding water. For this reason, the technique is mostly suitable for undiluted agents. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design issues and performance analysis for DSR routing with reclaim‐based caching in MANETs
Authors: Yang Shin‐Jer
Published: July 2009

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) have been positioned as one of the most important emerging wireless communication scenarios. Temporally formed by a collection of wireless mobile hosts, a MANET does not require the aid of any centralized administration. From this stems a suite of challenges in achieving an efficient MANET routing and content delivery in order to make the best use of precious resources and reduce the routing overhead at each MANET host. One of the reported approaches for solving the issue is the use of caching, which is expected to minimize the routing overhead by taking advantage of the limited memory at each mobile host. This paper introduces a novel scheme for addressing the above issue, called Reclaim‐Based Caching (RBC) policy, which dynamically utilizes a cache replacement mechanism of reclaiming stale routes to efficiently verify and validate a recoverable caching mechanism in Dynamic Source Routing. The main design purposes of RBC are to reduce the routing control overhead, lower the end‐to‐end routing delay, enhance the packet delivery ratio, and obtain a higher throughput for improving routing performance and accelerating the Route Discovery process due to low temporary link failure and high cache utilization. Hence, we can gather all feasible and historical route information into the cache library to be reclaimed as a threshold of efficient routing control. Consequently, the proposed RBC of this paper can be used in the universal wireless network environment to achieve better routing performance and to provide a more flexible real‐time application. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combined three‐dimensional lattice Boltzmann method and discrete element method for modelling fluid–particle interactions with experimental assessment
Authors: Feng Y. T. , Han K. , Owen D. R. J.
Published: July 2009

A general algorithmic framework is established in this paper for numerical simulations of three‐dimensional fluid–particle interaction problems with a large number of moving particles in turbulent flows using a combined lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) and discrete element method (DEM). In this approach, the fluid field is solved by the extended three‐dimensional LBM with the incorporation of the Smagorinsky turbulence model, while particle interactions are modelled by the DEM. The hydrodynamic interactions between fluid and particles are realized through the extension of an existing two‐dimensional fluid–particle hydrodynamic interaction scheme. The main computational aspects comprise the lattice Boltzmann formulation for the solution of fluid flows, the incorporation of a large eddy simulation‐based turbulence model within the framework of the three‐dimensional LBM for turbulent flows, the moving boundary condition for hydrodynamic interactions between fluid and moving particles, and the discrete element modelling of particle‐particle interactions. To assess the solution accuracy of the proposed approach, a much simplified laboratory model of vacuum dredging systems for mineral recovery is employed. The numerical results are compared with the experimental data available. It shows that the overall correspondence between numerical results and experimental measurements is good and thus indicates, to a certain extent, the solution accuracy of the proposed methodology. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal time switching control for multi‐reaction batch process
Authors: Mazouni D. , Harmand J. , Rapaport A. , Hammouri H.
Published: July 2009

This paper presents an approach for solving minimal time problems for biological batch models with switching controls. Multi‐reaction processes operated in a sequence of operating modes are considered, where the control variable is the switch between different operating modes. In order to determine the optimal switching instants that minimize the final time to reach the target, a reachability analysis and a study of dynamical properties are first investigated. This leads to a reduced model and the characterization of reachable switching sequences. Optimization tools are then used to determine the optimal switching instants. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.