bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurological recovery from pentaplegia after resection for sacral plasmacytoma presenting with POEMS syndrome
Authors: Kotani Yoshihisa , Ito Manabu , Abumi Kuniyoshi , Yasui Keigo , Minami Akio
Published: May 2009

The authors describe a case of a 52-year-old woman in whom tetraplegia developed with neurological respiratory failure due to POEMS syndrome associated with a solitary sacral plasmacytoma. Resection was finally performed after her condition proved resistant to radiation and chemotherapy. The patient showed a dramatic recovery and was ambulatory without tumor recurrence after 5 years and 6 months of follow-up. To the authors' knowledge, there are only 3 reported cases in the literature of bilateral phrenic nerve palsy leading to respiratory failure treated by chemotherapy. This is the first report describing neurological recovery after surgery for pentaplegia due to POEMS syndrome associated with solitary sacral plasmacytoma.
Ceramic granules enhanced with B2A peptide for lumbar interbody spine fusion: an experimental study using an instrumented model in sheep
Authors: Cunningham Bryan W. , Atkinson Brent L. , Hu Nianbin , Kikkawa Jun , Jenis Louis , Bryant Joseph , Zamora Paul O. , McAfee Paul C.
Published: May 2009

Object

New generations of devices for spinal interbody fusion are expected to arise from the combined use of bioactive peptides and porous implants. The purpose of this dose-ranging study was to evaluate the fusion characteristics of porous ceramic granules (CGs) coated with the bioactive peptide B2A2-K-NS (B2A) by using a model of instrumented lumbar interbody spinal fusion in sheep.

Methods

Instrumented spinal arthrodesis was performed in 40 operative sites in 20 adult sheep. In each animal, posterior instrumentation (pedicle screw and rod) and a polyetheretherketone cage were placed in 2 single-level procedures (L2–3 and L4–5). All cages were packed with graft material prior to implantation. The graft materials were prepared by mixing (1:1 vol/vol) CGs with or without a B2A coating and morselized autograft. Ceramic granules were coated with B2A at 50, 100, 300, and 600 μg/ml granules (50-B2A/CG, 100-B2A/CG, 300-B2A/CG, and 600-B2A/CG, respectively), resulting in 4 B2A-coated groups plus a control group (uncoated CGs). Graft material from each of these groups was implanted in 8 operative sites. Four months after arthrodesis, interbody fusion status was assessed with CT, and the interbody site was further evaluated with quantitative histomorphometry.

Results

All B2A/CG groups had higher CT-confirmed interbody fusion rates compared with those in controls (CGs only). Seven of 8 sites were fused in the 50-B2A/CG, 100-B2A/CG, and 300-B2A/CG groups, whereas 5 of 8 sites were fused in the group that had received uncoated CGs. New woven and lamellar bone spanned the fusion sites with excellent osseointegration. There was no heterotopic ossification or other untoward events attributed to the use of B2A/CG in any group. Each B2A/CG treatment produced more new bone than that in the CG group.

Conclusions

Bioactive treatment with B2A effectively enhanced the fusion capacity of porous CGs. These findings suggest that B2A/CG may well represent a new generation of biomaterials for lumbar interbody fusion and indicate that additional studies are warranted.
Temperature-Dependent Phase Behaviors in Cylinder-Forming Block Copolymers
Authors: Ahn Dae Up , Sancaktar Erol
Published: May 2009

We demonstrate that the temperature-dependent phase behaviors of parallel and perpendicular cylinder-forming block copolymers are governed by domain-domain segregation forces inherently present in block copolymer material itself. With increasing temperature, a parallel cylinder-forming block copolymer experienced a parallel cylinder straightening process before the order-disorder transition (ODT) and did not show long-range composition fluctuations near the ODT temperature due to the weak segregation forces between the block domains. A perpendicular cylinder-forming block copolymer with a strong segregation force between the block domains displayed cylinder orientation transition from perpendicular to parallel below the ODT temperature. On the other hand, a perpendicular cylinder-forming block copolymer material with an exceptionally strong segregation force between the block domains maintained its initial perpendicular cylinder orientation up to near the ODT temperature. In both cases of perpendicular cylinder-forming block copolymers, submicrometer-scale long-range composition fluctuations were observed well above the ODT temperature due to their intrinsically strong segregation forces between the block domains.
Optimal Design and Operation for a No-Moving-Parts-Valve (NMPV) Micro-Pump with a Diffuser Width of 500 µm
Authors: Wang Chin-Tsan , Leu Tzong-Shyng , Sun Jia-Ming
Published: May 2009

A no-moving-parts-valve (NMPV) with a diffuser width of D = 500 microns was investigated in this study by numerical simulations at Reynolds numbers, ReD, ranging from 20 to 75, and expansion valve angles ranging from 30° < θ1 < 57° and 110° < θ2 < 120°. The D p,i value, 1.02 < D p,i < 1.14, is larger within the proposed range of the expansion valve angles. A flow channel structure with a depth of 500 micron is manufactured using yellow light lithography in this study. From prior analyses and experiments, it is found that piezoelectric films work better at a buzz driving frequency of f < 30Hz and the best operating frequency is at a driving frequency of f = 10Hz because it produces the largest net flow. In addition, the expansion angles θ1 = 30° and θ2 = 120° are the best expansion angles because they produce the largest net flow. These related results are very helpful for the actual design of no-moving-parts-valve micro-pump.
Information Skills: Conceptual Convergence between Information and Communication Sciences
Authors: Lau Jesús , Cortés Jesús
Published: May 2009

Nowadays, information is one of the main resources for an individual’s development and wellbeing, therefore distributing and using information must be a top priority for society. This entails establishing strategies so people can learn to use this resource. Furthermore, scientific progress and present-day educational paradigms stress trans-disciplinary learning. Information and communication sciences are complementary by nature –one focusing on the medium and the other on the process– so there must be greater clarity and conceptual consistency in a number of key shared areas. This document is an effort, from the perspective of library science and information science, to identify some possible meeting-points between these disciplines, regarding the study and development of the necessary competencies to handle information adequately.

La información se constituye, en la época actual, en uno de los principales recursos para el desarrollo y bienestar de los individuos, por lo que su distribución y aprovechamiento debe constituirse en una prioridad social. Por ello, es necesario establecer estrategias para que las personas aprendan a utilizar estos recursos. Por otra parte, el avance científico y los paradigmas educativos actuales hablan de la importancia de la transdisciplinaridad; las ciencias de la información y las de la comunicación son por naturaleza complementarias, una se enfoca al medio informativo y la otra al proceso comunicativo; es deseable, por ende, que exista una mayor claridad y consistencia conceptual en algunos temas de relevancia común. Este trabajo constituye un esfuerzo, desde la perspectiva de la bibliotecología y las ciencias de la información, para identificar algunos posibles puntos de encuentro entre estas disciplinas, en lo que respecta al estudio y desarrollo de las competencias necesarias para manejar adecuadamente la información.
The positive representation of the image of women in the media
Authors: García-Muñoz Núria , Martínez-García Luisa del Carmen
Published: May 2009

This article aims to outline the positive assessments made by the public, through the service of the Catalan Women’s Institute (ICD) on speeches containing media representations of gender. It is a way to illustrate how the products of cultural industries are part of the audience’s social imaginary and how it is able to identify and assess constructive representations of gender. The media and audience as agents of social change suggest ways of teaching on gender issues. Finally, the text encourages us to think about the possibility of creating and enhancing educational strategies to form a critical audience that generates proposals, guidelines, a discourse on gender according to social reality.

Este trabajo tiene como objetivo describir las valoraciones positivas realizadas por la ciudadanía a través del servicio del Instituto Catalán de las Mujeres (ICD) sobre los discursos mediáticos que contienen representaciones de género. Es una forma de ilustrar cómo los productos de las industrias culturales forman parte del imaginario social de la audiencia y cómo ésta es capaz de identificar, valorar, las representaciones constructivas de género. Los medios de comunicación y la audiencia como agentes sociales de cambio sugieren vías pedagógicas sobre cuestiones de género. Finalmente, el texto nos anima a pensar en la posibilidad de crear y potenciar estrategias educativas para formar una audiencia crítica que genere propuestas, pautas, sobre un discurso de género acorde a la realidad social.
The Media and the Meeting of Cultures, in pro of Cultural Coexistence
Authors: Martínez-Salanova-Sánchez Enrique
Published: May 2009

The article begins with a reflection on the knowledge society as foundational for improving strategies to live together on the planet, through the enrichment and driving force that spring from a diversity of civilizations and cultures. The media and new technologies increase possibilities for human inter-relationship through the connection in networks. The cinema, in particular, presents new guidelines for behaviour, brings new knowledge and cultures within reach, and becomes indispensable for illustrating new ways to resolve conflict and previously unknown aspects of intercultural dialogue. It explores alliance-forming in solving common problems, and the search for creative answers to humanity’s major problems, principally those having to do with peace and solidarity. Educational systems should receive help to promote training, instruction and education in the use of new technologies, a key to the future of society, so that future generations will be prepared to make critical use of the media, as an instrument and channel for human interrelationship, for information searching, and as a tool for research and for learning.

El artículo parte de una reflexión sobre la sociedad del conocimiento, necesaria para mejorar las estrategias de convivencia en el mundo mediante la riqueza y la fuerza impulsora que aportan la diversidad de civilizaciones y culturas. Los medios de comunicación y las nuevas tecnologías incrementan la posibilidad de la interrelación humana mediante la conexión en redes. El cine, en concreto, presenta nuevas pautas de conducta, acerca conocimientos y culturas y se hace imprescindible para mostrar diferentes formas de resolución de conflictos, aspectos desconocidos del dialogo intercultural y examina la alianza en la solución de problemas comunes y la búsqueda de respuestas creativas a los principales problemas de la humanidad, principalmente los que tienen que ver con la paz y la solidaridad. Se debe ayudar a los sistemas educativos a promover la formación, instrucción y educación en el uso de las nuevas tecnologías, clave del futuro social, con el fin de preparar a las generaciones venideras en el uso crítico de los medios como instrumento y camino de interrelación humana, búsqueda de información e instrumento de investigación y de aprendizaje.
Asymmetric Hydroxylative Phenol Dearomatization through In Situ Generation of Iodanes from Chiral Iodoarenes and m‐CPBA
Authors: Quideau Stéphane , Lyvinec Gildas , Marguerit Mélanie , Bathany Katell , Ozanne‐Beaudenon Aurélie , Buffeteau Thierry , Cavagnat Dominique , Chénedé Alain
Published: May 2009

Auf Iod kommt es an: Mit dem Iodaren in doppeltem Überschuss entstehen bei der Titelreaktion in guten Ausbeuten ortho‐Chinole, während organokatalytische Versionen der Reaktion eine anschließende regio‐ und diastereoselektive Epoxidierung ermöglichen. Mit chiralen Iodbiarenen werden Enantioselektivitäten bis 50 % ee erreicht. m‐CPBA=meta‐Chlorperoxybenzoesäure.

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Percutaneous coronary intervention and 30‐day mortality: The British Columbia PCI risk score
Authors: Hamburger Jaap N. , Walsh Simon J. , Khurana Rohit , Ding Lillian , Gao Min , Humphries Karin H. , Carere Ronald , Fung Anthony Y. , Mildenberger Richard R. , Simkus Gerald J. , Webb John G. , Buller Christopher E.
Published: May 2009

Objectives: To construct a calculator to assess the risk of 30‐day mortality following PCI. Background: Predictors of 30‐day mortality are commonly used to aid management decisions for cardiac surgical patients. There is a need for an equivalent risk‐score for 30‐day mortality for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as many patients are suitable for both procedures. Methods: The British Columbia Cardiac Registry (BCCR) is a population‐based registry that collects information on all PCI procedures performed in British Columbia (BC). We used data from the BCCR to identify risk factors for mortality in PCI patients and construct a calculator that predicts 30‐day mortality. Results: Patients (total n = 32,899) were divided into a training set (n = 26,350, PCI between 2000 and 2004) and validation set (n = 6,549, PCI in 2005). Univariate predictors of mortality were identified. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed on the training set to develop a statistical model for prediction of 30‐day mortality. This model was tested in the validation set. Variables that were objective and available before PCI were included in the final risk score calculator. The 30‐day mortality for the overall population was 1.5% (n = 500). Area under the ROC curve was 90.2% for the training set and 91.1% for the validation set indicating that the model also performed well in this group. Conclusions: We describe a large, contemporary cohort of patients undergoing PCI with complete follow‐up for 30‐day mortality. A robust, validated model of 30‐day mortality after PCI was used to construct a risk calculator, the BC‐PCI risk score, which can be accessed at www.bcpci.org. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Energetics, Conformation, and Recognition of DNA Duplexes Modified by Methylated Analogues of [PtCl(dien)]+
Authors: Nováková Olga , Malina Jaroslav , Kašpárková Jana , Halámiková Anna , Bernard Vladan , Intini Francesco , Natile Giovanni , Brabec Viktor
Published: May 2009

Monodentate DNA bindingof [PtCl(dien)]+(dien=diethylenetriamine) complexes may considerably affect the biophysical properties of DNA and consequently downstream cellular processes as a result of a large increase in the bulkiness of the nonleaving ligand by multiple methylation (see illustration).

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In early studies of empirical structure–activity relationships, monodentate PtIIcomplexes were considered to be biologically inactive. Examples of such inactive monodentate PtIIcompounds are [PtCl(dien)]+(dien=diethylenetriamine) and [PtCl(NH3)3]+. DNA is considered the major biological target of platinum compounds. Thus, monodentate DNA binding of PtIIcompounds was previously expected to display insignificant biological effects because it was assumed to affect DNA conformation and downstream cellular processes markedly less than the cross‐links of bifunctional PtIIcomplexes. More recently it was shown that some monodentate PtIIcomplexes do exhibit biological effects; the active monodentate PtIIcomplexes commonly feature bulkier amine ligands than the hitherto used dien or NH3groups. We were therefore interested in determining whether a simple but marked enhancement of the bulkiness of the dien ligand in monodentate [Pt(NO3)(dien)]+by multiple methylation of this ligand affects the early phases in which platinum compounds exert their biological activity. More specifically, the goals of this study, performed in cell‐free media, were to determine how the modification of DNA duplexes by methylated analogues of [Pt(NO3)(dien)]+affects their energetics and how the alterations of this biophysical parameter are reflected by the recognition of these duplexes by DNA polymerases and the DNA repair system. We have found that the impact of the methylation of [Pt(NO3)(dien)]+on the biophysical properties of DNA (thermodynamic, thermal, and conformational properties) and its biochemical processes (DNA polymerization and the repair of DNA adducts) is remarkable. Hence, we conclude that monodentate DNA binding of PtIIcompounds may considerably affect the biophysical properties of DNA and consequently downstream cellular processes as a result of a large increase in the bulkiness of the nonleaving ligands in this class of metal complex.
Synthesis and Biological Characterization of (3R,4R)‐4‐(2‐(Benzhydryloxy)ethyl)‐1‐((R)‐2‐hydroxy‐2‐phenylethyl)‐piperidin‐3‐ol and Its Stereoisomers for Activity toward Monoamine Transporters
Authors: Kharkar Prashant S. , Batman Angela M. , Zhen Juan , Beardsley Patrick M. , Reith Maarten E. A. , Dutta Aloke K.
Published: May 2009

A novel series of optically active moleculesbased on a 4‐(2‐(benzhydryloxy)ethyl)‐1‐((R)‐2‐hydroxy‐2‐phenylethyl)‐piperidin‐3‐ol template were developed. Depending on stereochemistry, the compounds exhibit various degrees of affinity for three dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine transporters. These molecules have the potential for treating several neurological disorders such as drug abuse, depression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

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Herein we describe the synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of asymmetric 4‐(2‐(benzhydryloxy)ethyl)‐1‐((R)‐2‐hydroxy‐2‐phenylethyl)‐piperidin‐3‐ol‐based dihydroxy compounds in which the hydroxy groups are located on both the piperidine ring and theN‐phenylethyl side chain. In vitro uptake inhibition data of these molecules indicate high affinity for the dopamine transporter (DAT) in addition to moderate to high affinity for the norepinephrine transporter (NET). Interestingly, compounds9 band9 dexhibit affinities for all three monoamine transporters, with highest potency at DAT and NET, and moderate potency at the serotonin transporter (SERT) (Ki: 2.29, 78.4, and 155 nMfor9 band 1.55, 14.1, and 259 nMfor9 d, respectively). Selected compounds9 a,9 d, and9 d′were tested for their locomotor activity effects in mice and for their ability to occasion the cocaine‐discriminative stimulus in rats. These test compounds generally exhibit a much longer duration of action than cocaine for elevating locomotor activity, and completely generalize the cocaine‐discriminative stimulus in a dose‐dependent manner.
Apical polarity protein PrkCi is necessary for maintenance of spinal cord precursors in zebrafish
Authors: Roberts Randolph K. , Appel Bruce
Published: May 2009

During development, neural precursors divide to produce new precursors and cells that differentiate as neurons and glia. In Drosophila, apicobasal polarity and orientation of the mitotic spindle play important roles in specifying the progeny of neural precursors for different fates. We examined orientation of zebrafish spinal cord precursors using time‐lapse imaging and tested the function of protein kinase C, iota (PrkCi), a member of the Par complex of proteins necessary for apicobasal polarity in the nervous system. We found that nearly all precursors divide within the plane of the neuroepithelium of wild‐type embryos even when they must produce cells that have different fates. In the absence of PrkCi function, neural precursor divisions become oblique during late embryogenesis and excess oligodendrocytes form concomitant with loss of dividing cells. We conclude that PrkCi function and planar divisions are necessary for asymmetric, self‐renewing division of spinal cord precursors. Developmental Dynamics 238:1638–1648, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Memory IL‐22‐producing CD4+ T cells specific for Candida albicans are present in humans
Authors: Liu Yun , Yang Binyan , Zhou Maohua , Li Li , Zhou Hui , Zhang Jianping , Chen Hui , Wu Changyou
Published: May 2009

Co‐expression of IL‐22 and IL‐17 has been identified and demonstrated to be involved in the immunopathogenesis of some autoimmune diseases as well as the defense against pathogenic infections in animal studies. However, the properties of IL‐22‐producing cells in humans remain largely unclear. In the present study, we showed that IL‐22 could be induced from human PBMC following various polyclonal stimulations. The majority of IL‐22‐producing cells in PBMC were CD4+ T cells with a memory cell phenotype. In addition, we found that a subset of IL‐22+ T cells produced IL‐22 alone, whereas other IL‐22+ T cells co‐expressed cytokines typical of Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells. Importantly, stimulation of PBMC from healthy adults with heat‐inactivated Candida albicans (C. albicans) yeast or hyphae resulted in IL‐22 production by central and effector memory CD4+ T cells. Moreover, CD4+CCR6+ but not CD4+CCR6− T cells produced IL‐22 when stimulated with either C. albicans or PMA and ionomycin. In addition, PBMC from the individuals infected with C. albicans produced a significantly higher amount of IL‐22 compared with healthy controls following stimulation with C. albicans. These data demonstrate that IL‐22‐producing T cells in humans may play an important role in the defense against fungal infections such as C. albicans.
The role of retinoic acid‐related orphan receptor variant 2 and IL‐17 in the development and function of human CD4+ T cells
Authors: Crome Sarah Q. , Wang Adele Y. , Kang Christine Y. , Levings Megan K.
Published: May 2009

Th17 cells are defined by their capacity to produce IL‐17, and are important mediators of inflammation and autoimmunity. Human Th17 cells express high levels of the retinoic acid‐related orphan receptor variant 2 (RORC2), but it is currently unclear whether expression of this transcription factor alone is sufficient to recapitulate all the known properties of Th17 cells. We used lentivirus‐mediated transduction to investigate the role of RORC2 in defining aspects of the human Th17 cell lineage. Expression of RORC2 induced production of IL‐17A, IL‐22, IL‐6 and TNF‐α, a Th17‐cell‐associated chemokine receptor profile and upregulation of CD161. RORC2‐transduced T cells were hypo‐responsive to TCR‐mediated stimulation, a property shared with ex vivo Th17 cells and overcome by addition of exogenous IL‐2 or IL‐15. Co‐culture experiments revealed that RORC2‐expressing cells were partially resistant to Treg cells since production of IL‐17 and proliferation were not suppressed. Evidence that IL‐17 stimulates CD4+ T cells to produce IL‐2 and proliferate suggested that the resistance of Th17 cells to Treg‐mediated suppression may be partly attributed to IL‐17 itself. These findings demonstrate that expression of RORC2 in T cells has functional consequences beyond altering cytokine production and provides insight into the factors regulating the development of human Th17 cells.
Terbium β‐Diketonate Based Highly Luminescent Soft Materials
Authors: Tang Si‐Fu , Mudring Anja‐Verena
Published: May 2009

[C4mim][Tb(hfacac)4] (1) and [C4mpyr][Tb(hfacac)4] (2) (C4mim = 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium, C4mpyr = N‐butyl‐N‐methylpyrrolidinium) were obtained by reacting [C4mim]Cl (for 1) or [C4mpyr]Br (for 2) with (hexafluoroacetyl)acetone and terbium(III) chloride in a basic ethanol/water solution. Single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis reveals TbIII to be chelated by four (hexafluoroacetyl)acetonate anions. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) investigations show both compounds to melt below 120 °C. For [C4mpyr][Tb(hfacac)4] (2) the DSC traces indicate an organic plastic crystal behavior (OPCB). Both compounds show very strong emission in the visible region of light which are characteristic for the terbium(III) ion.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Auditory and visual distractor decrement in older worker manual assembly task learning: Impact of spatial reasoning, field independence, and level of education
Authors: Wiker S. F. , Schwerha D. J. , Jaraiedi M.
Published: May 2009

This study examined the impact of age on manual assembly task learning in the presence of visual and auditory distracters. Manual assembly task learning (e.g., number of learning trials needed to obtain consistently accurate assembly and near asymptote performance times) was studied in men and women between 18 and 65 years of age. Higher spatial reasoning capabilities were associated with fewer trials to reach the learning criterion, faster manual assembly times, and material prophylaxis for the type of distractors addressed in this study that are likely to be encountered in the workplace. Years of formal education and field independence showed no impact on distractor‐based decrements in task learning. For the oldest group of subjects (>50 years), concomitant presentation of visual and auditory distractors that are commonly encountered in industry were associated with a greater number of learning trials that were needed to achieve asymptotic manual assembly task learning. Spatial reasoning and field independence measures were lower in the older than in the younger age groups (p < 0.05). When spatial reasoning was treated as a covariate, however, nearly all age differences found in learning performance in the face of distractors were removed. The findings suggest that selection of workers based on spatial reasoning ability, rather than age, would yield better manual task learning in the face of visual and auditory distraction. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lateglacial to Holocene relative sea‐level changes in the Bjarkarlundur area near Reykhólar, North West Iceland
Authors: Lloyd Jerry M. , Norðdahl Hreggviður , Bentley Michael J. , Newton Anthony J. , Tucker Owen , Zong Yongqiang
Published: May 2009

This paper presents results from seven isolation basins to investigate the relative sea‐level history from the Lateglacial and the mid to late Holocene from the Bjarkarlundur area near Reykhólar on the Reykjanes peninsula in North West Iceland. Results presented help to constrain the timing and rate of relative sea‐level (RSL) change since deglaciation and also the timing of deglaciation itself in the Bjarkarlundur area. The marine limit is estimated to be approximately 80 m above sea level based on an isolation basin with sill altitude at 79.1 m. The maximum age of this marine limit and, hence, local deglaciation is estimated at 12.214C ka BP. Relative sea level then fell rapidly during the late Bölling–early Alleröd at a rate of approximately −35 mm14C a−1to below 50 m by 11.414C ka BP. After this the rate of RSL fall decreased significantly during the late Alleröd and Younger Dryas Chronozones (averaging −6 mm14C a−1between 11.4 and 9.714C ka BP). Based on isolation basins with sill altitudes of 51.1 and 41.1 m, our data constrain any possible fluctuation in RSL produced by regrowth of ice during the Younger Dryas to below 10 m. After 9.714C ka BP the rate of RSL fall increased significantly to approximately −23 mm14C a−1to at least 9.014C ka BP. If eustatic sea‐level rise is taken into account and the calibrated timescale is used, actual crustal uplift rates are estimated at +56 and +46 mm cal. a−1during Lateglacial and early Holocene times, respectively. During the mid to late Holocene RSL then rose to at least 1 m above present‐day levels, gradually falling to the present‐day level from 3.114C ka BP. These results demonstrate the potential of isolation basin data for investigating the timing and rate of RSL change in Iceland. This can add important well‐constrained information on RSL when combined with data from raised beaches. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface treatment of Cf/Al composites with immersion in aqueous solution containing Ce ions for corrosion barrier
Authors: Wang C. , Chen G. , Wu G.
Published: May 2009

In this study, Ce‐rich coating is investigated as corrosion inhibitor of carbon fibers reinforcement aluminum matrix (Cf/Al) composites. The coatings are obtained by immersion in aqueous solution containing Ce(NO3)3 onto composite surface, whereas the Ce‐rich coating process produces a coating with highly heterogeneous nature of the surface, but micro‐cracked layer with “dry‐mud” morphology. The coatings were composed of Ce‐rich nano‐particles, Ce‐rich particles with a sphere‐like morphology, which are agglomerated particles with diameter 4 ∼ 8 nm and piled up for this coating. TEM observation for Ce conversion coating of the corresponding ring‐like SAED patterns could not be matched to any of the previously reported structures of cerium compounds. Results of high‐resolution XPS spectra of Ce3d obtained for Ce conversion coating show that the Ce3d spectra has several components with binding energies characteristic of Ce3+ and Ce4+. The Ce‐rich coating process produces effective corrosion protecting of Cf/Al composites, which is verified by electrochemical measurement results. The Rt values of coated sample are higher than those of uncoated sample, this confirms the better corrosion resistance of coating obtained after immersion treatment for Cf/Al composites.
The stress corrosion cracking behaviour of heat‐treated Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy in modified salt spray fog testing
Authors: Oñoro J.
Published: May 2009

The stress corrosion cracking behaviour of 7075 (Al–Zn–Mg–Cu) alloy have been studied in a salt spray fog chamber with two vapourised aqueous solutions (0 and 5% NaCl). The paper analyses the stress corrosion resistance of 7075 aluminium alloy with several precipitation‐ageing heat treatments. The results are compared with that obtained in 3.5% NaCl aqueous solution at 20 °C. The salt spray fog testing has permitted a good evaluation of SCC susceptibility in 7075 alloy. All temper conditions studied were susceptible to SCC in the different environments tested. 7075‐T6 temper was the most susceptible, while in all the cases studied 7075‐T73 temper was the least susceptible. Compared to 7075‐T6, 7075‐RRA temper improved the resistance against the SCC process, but the mechanical properties obtained were lower.
Indestructibility under adding Cohen subsets and level by level equivalence
Authors: Apter Arthur W.
Published: May 2009

We construct a model for the level by level equivalence between strong compactness and supercompactness in which the least supercompact cardinal κ has its strong compactness indestructible under adding arbitrarily many Cohen subsets. There are no restrictions on the large cardinal structure of our model (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A semi‐discrete shell finite element for textile composite reinforcement forming simulation
Authors: Hamila N. , Boisse P. , Sabourin F. , Brunet M.
Published: May 2009

A triangular shell element for the simulation of textile composite reinforcements forming is proposed. This element is made up of unit woven cells. The internal virtual works are added on all woven cells of the element. They depend on tensions, in‐plane shear and bending moments that are directly those given by the experimental tests that are specific to textile composite reinforcement. The element has only displacement degrees of freedom; the bending curvatures are obtained from the displacement of the neighbouring elements. A set of example shows the efficiency of the approach and the relative roles of the tensile, in‐plane shear and bending rigidities. Especially their influence on the appearance and the development of wrinkles in draping and forming tests is analysed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Colorless polyimide nanocomposite films with pristine clay: Thermal behavior, mechanical property, morphology, and optical transparency
Authors: Park Jong‐Su , Chang Jin‐Hae
Published: May 2009

Polyimide (PI)/clay hybrids were synthesized using the in situ solution intercalation method via poly(amic acid). The Na ion‐exchanged clays Na+‐saponite (SPT), Na+‐mica (Mica), and Na+‐montmorillonite (MMT) were used for the intercalation of PI polymer chains. Our dispersion results show that pristine SPT is more easily dispersed in a PI matrix than MMT or Mica. PI nanocomposites were prepared with various SPT contents to examine the variations with SPT content in the range 0–1 wt% of the thermomechanical properties, morphology, and optical transparency of the nanocomposites. The PI films have excellent optical transparencies, and are almost colorless. However, the optical transparency of the PI hybrid films decreases slightly with increases in the clay content. We also examined the relationship between the properties and clay content of the PI hybrid films using wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements, electronic microscopy (SEM and TEM), and universal tensile machine (UTM). The color intensities of the PI films were evaluated with a spectrophotometer. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Cyclic poly(ε‐caprolactone) synthesized by combination of ring‐opening polymerization with ring‐closing metathesis, ring closing enyne metathesis, or “click” reaction
Authors: Xie Meiran , Shi Jiaxin , Ding Liang , Li Jinxin , Han Huijing , Zhang Yiqun
Published: May 2009

This article described the synthesis of cyclic poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) via ring‐closing metathesis (RCM), ring closing enyne metathesis (RCEM), and “click” reaction of different difunctional linear PCL. Linear PCL precursors were prepared by ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐caprolactone in bulk using 10‐undecen‐1‐ol or propargyl alcohol as the initiator, followed by reacting with corresponding acyl chloride containing vinyl or azido end group. The subsequent end‐to‐end intramolecular coupling reactions were performed under high dilution conditions. The successful transformation of linear PCL precursor to cyclic PCL was confirmed by Gel permeation chromatography, 1H NMR, and Fourier transform infrared measurements. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3022–3033, 2009
A new method of assessing filtering schemes in data assimilation systems
Authors: Nezlin Yulia , Polavarapu Saroja , Rochon Yves J.
Published: May 2009

A new statistical diagnostic is proposed to assess the impact of externally applied filters in data assimilation systems with high‐lid atmospheric models. The diagnostic involves comparing the variances of 6 h differences of 6 h forecasts with those of a free model simulation. It was applied to the Canadian Middle Atmosphere Model Data Assimilation System (CMAM‐DAS) to choose among various filtering options. The variances of 6 h difference fields are shown to suppress long time‐scales and highlight short ones. This explains their sensitivity to a variety of filters considered and their relative insensitivity to the choice of initial conditions used for the time series. The method was used to quantify the extent to which a digital filter applied to the full state reduced the desired level of variability, as well as to determine objectively the most appropriate filter for our system from among several incremental analysis updating schemes. The method should be especially useful for models extending to the stratosphere and mesosphere, where short time‐scales represent significant contributions to the energy spectrum. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society and Crown in the Right of Canada
Comparison of methods for simultaneous identification of bacterial species and determination of metabolic activity by protein‐based stable isotope probing (Protein‐SIP) experiments
Authors: Jehmlich Nico , Schmidt Frank , Taubert Martin , Seifert Jana , von Bergen Martin , Richnow Hans‐Hermann , Vogt Carsten
Published: May 2009

We developed a concept for analysing carbon and nitrogen fluxes in microbial communities by employing protein‐based stable isotope probing (Protein‐SIP) in metabolic labelling experiments with stable isotope labelled substrates. For identification of microbial species intact protein profiling (IPP) can be used, whereas the assessment of their metabolic activity is achieved by shotgun mass mapping (SMM). Microbial cultures were grown on substrates containing 13C or 15N. For identification of species we tested both the IPP and the SMM approaches. Mass spectra (MALDI‐MS) were taken from mixtures of either intact proteins or peptides from tryptic digestion for generating species‐specific peak patterns. In the case of SMM, the fragmentation of peptides was additionally used to obtain sequence information for species identification. Mass spectra of peptide sequences allow calculation of the amount of 13C or 15N incorporation within peptides for determining metabolic activity of the specific species. The comparison of IPP and SMM revealed a higher robustness of species identification by SMM. In addition, the assessment of incorporation levels of 13C and 15N into peptides by SMM revealed a lower uncertainty (0.5–0.8 atom %) compared to IPP (6.4–8.9 atom %). The determination of metabolic activity and function of individual species by Protein‐SIP can help to analyse carbon and nitrogen fluxes within microbial communities. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Automatic detection of supporting device positioning in intensive care unit radiography
Authors: Sheng Chen , Li Li , Pei Wang
Published: May 2009

Background

This paper presents a computer‐aided method for automatic detection of the positioning of endotracheal, feeding and nasogastric tubes, and the identification of tube types in radiography for intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Application of this method may allow clinicians to detect the tube tips more easily and accurately, and thus improve the quality of patient care in the ICU.

Methods

One‐hundred‐and‐seven portable X‐ray images were collected from 20 patients, using a Kodak computed radiography system. It was determined whether each image did or did not have a tube and which kind of tube was present. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed tube detection method, an experienced chest radiologist reviewed all images from the 20 patients and provided the true position of these tubes. The automatic detection results could then be compared with the actual results to determine the success rate.

Results

Preliminary results show that the computer‐aided technique has a detection rate of 94% for endotracheal tubes, with 0.6 false positives per image, and 82% for both feeding and nasogastric tubes, with 0.4 and 0.5 false positives per image, respectively.

Conclusion

The novel detection technique can accurately detect the tubes in ICU chest radiographs at a high sensitivity level with an acceptable false positive rate. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Satellite digital broadcast services to handheld DVB‐SH: The complementary ground component
Authors: Faria Gerard , Kürner Thomas , Lehembre Bernard , Unger Peter
Published: May 2009

DVB‐SH introduces into the portfolio of standards for broadcasters, a hybrid system that provides TV services to handheld devices by means of satellite transmission coverage, complemented by terrestrial components for locations like dense urban areas, not reachable by the satellite signal.

Among the articles devoted to DVB‐SH in this special issue of the International Journal of Satellite Communications and Networking, this article reports in particular on the researches performed on the Complementary Ground Component of the DVB‐SH hybrid transmission system.

The article discusses the key technology elements used in the SH terrestrial transmission, provides an extensive range of performance results based on laboratory measurements, reports on the field trials performed in South‐West of France, and concludes with a DVB‐SH frequency planning exercise performed over a fictitious 3G network in the German city of Hannover. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The implementation of special attributes of CEO compensation contracts around M&A transactions
Authors: Bodolica Virginia , Spraggon Martin
Published: May 2009

This study investigates how the implementation of special attributes of CEO compensation contracts is determined by both the acquisition and the acquirer features for a set of M&A deals undertaken by Canadian acquiring firms. Our findings reveal that when agency problems are higher, manifested by larger control premiums and poor firm performance, boards of directors tend to implement stronger mechanisms of incentive alignment around M&A transactions. Relying on multiple interdisciplinary logics that are activated to explain directors' ability to effectively perform their monitoring function, we show that boards are reactive rather than proactive in dealing with agency problems. Data are further interpreted in light of the unique aspects of the Canadian institutional context. Based on asymmetric risk properties of two different groups of executive compensation modes examined in this study, testing the substitution effects between alternative governance mechanisms is proposed as an interesting avenue for future research. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Loss of ATM Impairs Proliferation of Neural Stem Cells Through Oxidative Stress-Mediated p38 MAPK Signaling
Authors: Kim Jeesun , Wong Paul K.Y.
Published: May 2009

Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation of the Atm gene, which controls DNA repair, cell cycling, and redox homeostasis. Even though oxidative stress has been implicated in the neurological anomalies in A-T, the effects of ATM loss on neural stem cell (NSC) survival has remained elusive. In this study, we investigated the effects of oxidative stress on NSC proliferation in an animal model for A-T neurodegeneration. We found that cultured subventricular zone neurosphere cells from Atm−/− mice show impaired proliferation, as well as intrinsic elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, compared with those from Atm+/+ mice. We also show that increasing the levels of ROS by H2O2 treatment significantly reduces Atm+/+ neurosphere formation and proliferation. In Atm−/− neurosphere cells, the Akt and Erk1/2 pathways are disrupted, together with enhanced activity of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Treatment of these cells with the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) or with a p38 MAPK inhibitor restores normal proliferation and reduced expression of p21cip1 and p27kip1 in the Atm−/− NSCs. These observations indicate that ATM plays a crucial role in NSC proliferation, by activating Akt and Erk1/2 pathways and by suppressing ROS-p38 MAPK signaling. Together, our results suggest that p38 MAPK signaling acts as a negative regulator of NSC proliferation in response to oxidative stress. These findings suggest a potential mechanism for neuronal cell loss as a result of oxidative stress in NSCs in progressive neurodegenerative diseases such as A-T.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Purinergic Signaling Regulates Cell Proliferation of Olfactory Epithelium Progenitors
Authors: Hassenklöver Thomas , Schwartz Peter , Schild Detlev , Manzini Ivan
Published: May 2009

In the olfactory epithelium (OE) continuous neurogenesis is maintained throughout life. The OE is in direct contact with the external environment, and its cells are constantly exposed to pathogens and noxious substances. To maintain a functional sense of smell the OE has evolved the ability to permanently replenish olfactory receptor neurons and sustentacular cells lost during natural turnover. A cell population residing in the most basal part of the OE, the so-called basal cells (BCs), keep up this highly regulated genesis of new cells. The population of BCs is thought to include both the stem cells of the OE and various progenitor cells. In recent years a number of regulatory factors that positively and/or negatively regulate the proliferation within the OE have been identified, but a thorough comprehension of the complex interplay of these regulatory factors and the role of the different epithelial cell types is still illusive. Combining labeling techniques, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, functional calcium imaging, and a bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation assay, we show for the first time that purinergic receptors are expressed in BCs of the OE of larval Xenopus laevis and that nucleotide-induced Ca2+ signaling in these cells is involved in the regulation of the cell turnover in the OE. Our data contribute to a better understanding of the regulation of the cell turnover in the OE in particular and also of how the proliferation of neuronal progenitor cells is regulated in general.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Energy efficient scheduling for downlink elastic traffic in wireless networks
Authors: Lee Jongwook , Bahk Saewoong
Published: May 2009

In wireless networks, maximizing throughput and minimizing energy consumption are two conflicting objectives. For elastic traffic, it is the total completion time, not the delay constraint of a single packet or the short‐term throughput requirement, that directly affects the quality‐of‐service (QoS). At the same time, the energy consumption should be minimized in order to prolong the battery lifetime of the mobile station (MS). In this paper, we propose energy efficient schedulers that consider throughput and energy saving simultaneously. Through extensive simulations, we compare the proposed schemes with the conventional scheme where a mobile terminal stays awake until all the pending packets are completely serviced. The simulation results show that our schemes outperform the conventional one in terms of utility, i.e., user satisfaction, which is defined as inversely proportional to the multiplication of weighted service completion time and energy consumption. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dopaminergic signals in primary motor cortex
Authors: Luft Andreas R. , Schwarz Stefanie
Published: May 2009

Brainstem monoamine areas such as the ventral tegmental area (VTA) send dopaminergic projections to the cerebral cortex that are widely distributed across different cortical regions. Whereas the projection to prefrontal areas (PFC) has been studied in detail, little is known about dopaminergic projections to primary motor cortex (M1). These projections have been anatomically characterized in rat and primate M1. Primates have even denser dopaminergic projections to M1 than rats. The physiological role, the effects of dopaminergic input on the activity of M1 circuits, and the behavioral function of this projection are unknown. This review explores the existing anatomical, electrophysiological and behavioral evidence on dopaminergic projections to M1 and speculates about its functional role. The projection may explain basic features of motor learning and memory phenomena. It is of clinical interest because of its potential for augmenting motor recovery after a brain lesion as well as for understanding the symptomatology of patients with Parkinson's disease. Therefore, targeted investigations are necessary.
Emerging Technologies for Degenerative Disk Disease: Potential Synergy Between Biochemical Signaling and Spinal Biomechanics
Authors: Leckie Steven , Sowa Gwendolyn
Published: May 2009

Interventional spinal procedures are performed with increasing frequency, and they remain an important tool for physiatrists treating patients with spine pain. As the potential treatment options expand with novel technologies on the horizon, such as gene‐ and cell‐based therapies, the physiatrist will be uniquely poised to deliver such treatments in conjunction with exercise‐based therapies. Therefore, the development of novel technologies requires particular attention to the potential synergy between biochemical signaling and spinal biomechanics. It is hoped that such insight will result in improved treatment options for patients with pain related to degenerative disk disease, leading to improved nonoperative outcomes. This article reviews the current knowledge of precipitants of disk degeneration, the effects of beneficial and traumatic levels of disk loading, and how each of these can be impacted by novel treatment options.