bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Macrophage depletion reduces cell proliferation and extracellular matrix accumulation but increases the ultimate tensile strength of injured Achilles tendons
Authors: de la Durantaye Mélissa , Piette Antoine Boulanger , van Rooijen Nico , Frenette Jérôme
Published: October 2013

Macrophages are present in large numbers and display specific and distinct phenotypes during the various phases of tissue repair. However, their role following tendon injury and during repair has never been investigated. We injected C57BL/6 mice daily for 4 days with liposome‐encapsulated clodronate to deplete circulating monocytes/macrophages. Placebo mice were injected with PBS. The left Achilles tendons of the mice were transversely sectioned and sutured using the 8‐strand technique. Macrophage accumulation and cell proliferation were significantly lower in the tendons of clodronate‐treated mice than in those of PBS‐treated mice on days 3 and 7 post‐injury. TGF‐β1 staining was significantly more intense in the tendons of PBS‐treated mice on day 7 post‐injury. Edema and the dry mass of the Achilles tendons were also higher in the PBS‐treated mice on days 7 and 14 post‐injury. No differences in absolute strength and stiffness were observed, but Young's modulus and maximal stress were significantly greater for tendons from the clodronate‐treated mice than those from PBS‐treated mice after 14 days of tendon repair. Overall, our findings showed that macrophages promote cell proliferation and extracellular matrix accumulation but their presence leads to inferior ultimate tensile strength of the Achilles tendons. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:279–285, 2014.
Problem Gamblers’ Harsh Gaze on Casino Services
Authors: Prentice Catherine , Woodside Arch G.
Published: October 2013

This study provides a first look at the perspectives and profiles of casino problem gamblers. The study proposes that problem gamblers (1) have unique antecedent conditions and (2) evaluate their casino service more favorably than nonproblem gamblers. While first proposition receives support, the findings counter the second; surprisingly, problem gamblers view casino service with a harsh gaze. The coverage here includes overall and specific findings from face‐to‐face interviews with gamblers (n = 348) inside seven casinos in the world's largest gaming destination (Macau). The interviews included asking participants to complete the “Problem Gambling Severity Index” (identified to participants as “My gambling‐related experiences”). The study includes both fit and predictive validities of overall service quality models for each of the seven casinos—these findings support the nomological validity that specific patterns of antecedents and outcomes associate with problem gambling. Policy and managerial implications inform how to go about creating unique marketing service designs to assist problem gamblers in managing their gambling behavior.
Unified Huntington's disease rating scale for advanced patients: Validation and follow‐up study
Authors: Youssov Katia , Dolbeau Guillaume , Maison Patrick , Boissé Marie‐Françoise , de Langavant Laurent Cleret , Roos Raymund A.C. , Bachoud‐Lévi Anne‐Catherine
Published: October 2013

The Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) adequately measures decline in patients at early and moderate stages of Huntington's disease (HD). In advanced patients, floor effects hamper the evaluation, thus calling for an adjusted scale. We designed the UHDRS‐For Advanced Patients (UHDRS‐FAP), in order to improve longitudinal assessment of patients at advanced disease stage. Sixty‐nine patients with a Total Functional Capacity (TFC) ≤ 5 were recruited in France and in the Netherlands. Among them, 45 patients were followed longitudinally (mean 1.6 ± 1.2 years) with the UHDRS‐FAP; 30 were also assessed with the UHDRS. Cross‐sectional analyses evaluated psychometric properties and interrater reliability of the scale. Longitudinal analyses evaluated the sensitivity to decline compared to the UHDRS. Internal consistency was higher for motor and cognitive scores than for somatic and behavioral scores (0.84, 0.91, 0.70, and 0.49, respectively). Interrater reliability was ≥ 0.88 in all scores. The somatic score, specific to the UHDRS‐FAP, declined over time, as well as motor and cognitive performance with both scales. Although performance with the 2 scales correlated, the UHDRS‐FAP appeared more sensitive to change and was the only scale that detected decline in patients with a TFC ≤ 1. Neither scale detected a significant decline in behavioral scores. The UHDRS‐FAP is reliable and more sensitive to change than the original UHDRS for cognitive and motor domains. It offers items relevant for daily care. Behavioral scores tended to decline but this may reflect the decline in the communicative abilities of the patients. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
PINK1 heterozygous mutations induce subtle alterations in dopamine‐dependent synaptic plasticity
Authors: Madeo Graziella , Schirinzi Tommaso , Martella Giuseppina , Latagliata E. Claudio , Puglisi Francesca , Shen Jie , Valente Enza Maria , Federici Mauro , Mercuri Nicola B. , Puglisi‐Allegra Stefano , Bonsi Paola , Pisani Antonio
Published: October 2013

Homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in the phosphatase and tensin homolog‐induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) gene are causative of autosomal recessive, early onset Parkinson's disease. Single heterozygous mutations have been detected repeatedly both in a subset of patients and in unaffected individuals, and the significance of these mutations has long been debated. Several neurophysiological studies from non‐manifesting PINK1 heterozygotes have demonstrated the existence of neural plasticity abnormalities, indicating the presence of specific endophenotypic traits in the heterozygous state. We performed a functional analysis of corticostriatal synaptic plasticity in heterozygous PINK1 knockout (PINK1+/−) mice using a multidisciplinary approach and observed that, despite normal motor behavior, repetitive activation of cortical inputs to striatal neurons failed to induce long‐term potentiation (LTP), whereas long‐term depression was normal. Although nigral dopaminergic neurons exhibited normal morphological and electrophysiological properties with normal responses to dopamine receptor activation, a significantly lower dopamine release was measured in the striatum of PINK1+/− mice compared with control mice, suggesting that a decrease in stimulus‐evoked dopamine overflow acts as a major determinant for the LTP deficit. Accordingly, pharmacological agents capable of increasing the availability of dopamine in the synaptic cleft restored normal LTP in heterozygous mice. Moreover, monoamine oxidase B inhibitors rescued physiological LTP and normal dopamine release. Our results provide novel evidence for striatal plasticity abnormalities, even in the heterozygous disease state. These alterations might be considered an endophenotype to this monogenic form of Parkinson's disease and a valid tool with which to characterize early disease stage and design possible disease‐modifying therapies. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
New results on global asymptotic stability for a class of delayed Nicholson's blowflies model
Authors: Huang Zuda
Published: October 2013

This paper is concerned with a class of non‐autonomous delayed Nicholson's blowflies model, which is defined on the positive function space. Under proper conditions, we employ a novel proof to establish several criteria on the global asymptotic stability of zero equilibrium point for this model. Moreover, we give an example and its numerical simulation to illustrate our main results. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parameter estimation approach to banding artifact reduction in balanced steady‐state free precession
Authors: Björk Marcus , Ingle R. Reeve , Gudmundson Erik , Stoica Petre , Nishimura Dwight G. , Barral Joëlle K.
Published: October 2013

Purpose

The balanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP) pulse sequence has shown to be of great interest due to its high signal‐to‐noise ratio efficiency. However, bSSFP images often suffer from banding artifacts due to off‐resonance effects, which we aim to minimize in this article.

Methods

We present a general and fast two‐step algorithm for 1) estimating the unknowns in the bSSFP signal model from multiple phase‐cycled acquisitions, and 2) reconstructing band‐free images. The first step, linearization for off‐resonance estimation (LORE), solves the nonlinear problem approximately by a robust linear approach. The second step applies a Gauss‐Newton algorithm, initialized by LORE, to minimize the nonlinear least squares criterion. We name the full algorithm LORE‐GN.

Results

We derive the Cramér‐Rao bound, a theoretical lower bound of the variance for any unbiased estimator, and show that LORE‐GN is statistically efficient. Furthermore, we show that simultaneous estimation of T1 and T2 from phase‐cycled bSSFP is difficult, since the Cramér‐Rao bound is high at common signal‐to‐noise ratio. Using simulated, phantom, and in vivo data, we illustrate the band‐reduction capabilities of LORE‐GN compared to other techniques, such as sum‐of‐squares.

Conclusion

Using LORE‐GN we can successfully minimize banding artifacts in bSSFP. Magn Reson Med 72:880–892, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Changes in taste perception and eating behavior after bariatric surgery‐induced weight loss in women
Authors: Pepino Marta Yanina , Bradley David , Eagon J. Christopher , Sullivan Shelby , Abumrad Nada A. , Klein Samuel
Published: October 2013

Objective

Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery causes greater weight loss than laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). We tested the hypothesis that RYGB has weight loss‐independent effects on taste perception, which influence eating behavior and contribute to the greater weight loss.

Methods

Subjects were studied before and after ∼20% weight loss induced by RYGB (n = 17) or LAGB (n = 10). The following have been evaluated: taste sensitivity for sweet, salty and savory stimuli, sucrose and monosodium glutamate (MSG) preferences, sweetness palatability, eating behavior, and expression of taste‐related genes in biopsies of fungiform papillae.

Results

Weight loss induced by both procedures caused the same decrease in: preferred sucrose concentration (−12 ± 10%), perceived sweetness of sucrose (−7 ± 5%), cravings for sweets and fast‐foods (−22 ± 5%), influence of emotions (−27 ± 5%), and external food cues (−30 ± 4%) on eating behavior, and expression of α‐gustducin in fungiform papillae (all P values <0.05). RYGB, but not LAGB, shifted sweetness palatability from pleasant to unpleasant when repetitively tasting sucrose (P = 0.05). Neither procedure affected taste detection thresholds nor MSG preferences.

Conclusions

LAGB and RYGB cause similar alterations in eating behaviors, when weight loss is matched. These changes in eating behavior were not associated with changes in taste sensitivity, suggesting other, as yet unknown, mechanisms are involved.
Applying diamond like carbon layer on carbon/carbon composites and its effect on the deposition of hydroxyapatite coating
Authors: Zhang Leilei , Li Hejun , Song Qiang , Li Kezhi , Lu Jinhua , Zhang Yulei , Hampshire Joanne , Li Wei
Published: October 2013

The biomedical application of carbon/carbon (C/C) composites is limited by lacking bioactivity and releasing carbon debris. Hydroxyapatite (HA) coating has been used to improve the bioactivity of C/C composites, but it cannot reduce the release of carbon debris effectively because of poor wear resistance property. In this work, a wear‐resistant layer of diamond like carbon (DLC) is applied on C/C composites, followed by an ultrasound‐assisted electrochemical deposition to prepare HA coatings. The microstructure, morphology and chemical composition of the DLC layer and the HA coating are characterised by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectrum. The bonding strength between the HA coating and the DLC layer modified C/C composites is examined by a tensile test. The results show that the DLC layer has a spherical morphology and provides a uniform surface for the deposition of the HA coating. The HA coating shows flaky morphology with a compact structure. The tensile strength of the HA coating on the DLC layer modified C/C composites is 6.24 ± 0.40 MPa, which is significantly higher than that of HA coating on unmodified C/C composites(3.04 ± 0.20 MPa). Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multi‐Responsive and Logic Controlled Release of DNA‐Gated Mesoporous Silica Vehicles Functionalized with Intercalators for Multiple Delivery
Authors: Zhou Shengwang , Du Xuezhong , Cui Fangbo , Zhang Xianfeng
Published: October 2013

Novel DNA‐gated mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) vehicles functionalized with disulfide‐linked acridinamine intercalators are constructed for multi‐responsive controlled release. The DNA‐gated MSN vehicles release cargo encapsulated in the MSN pores under different stimuli, including disulfide reducing agents, elevated temperature, and deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I), for codelivery of drugs and DNA/genes in different forms. Furthermore, the cascade release of encapsulated and intercalative drugs is controlled by AND logic gates in combination of dual stimuli. The ingeniously designed DNA‐gated MSN vehicles integrates multiple responses and AND logic gate operations into a single smart nanodevice not only for codelivery of drugs and DNA/genes but also for cascade release of two drugs and has promising biological applications to meet diverse requirements of controlled release.
Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Competitive Climate Strategy in Multinational Corporations
Authors: Schotter Andreas , Goodsite Michael E.
Published: October 2013

Until recently, corporations have taken mostly reactive positions on climate change by applying mitigation and adaptation strategies in response to imminent political or actual physical risks to their businesses. Few corporations have taken a proactive, opportunity‐seeking strategic approach to improve competitiveness over and above the mitigation and adaptation requirements set by policymakers, industry norms, or shifting consumer preferences. Considering that the climate change discussion no longer focuses on whether human activities have an impact on the changing climate, or how much impact they have, corporations should now focus on how to maximize competitiveness based on the actual and predicted climate change effects. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fracturing Writing Spaces
Authors: Lenters Kimberly , Winters Kari‐Lynn
Published: October 2013

In this paper, we explore the affordances of literature‐based, arts‐infused and digital media processes for students, as multimodal practices take centre stage in an English Language Arts unit on fractured fairy tales. The study takes up the challenge of addressing multimodal literacy instruction and research in ways that utilize a range of modalities. Incorporating the perspectives and multimodal texts of five students, Alvin, Adamma, Emmett, Layla and Yacoub, we highlight the highly supportive writing environment made possible for these fifth grade learners. The oral, embodied, visual, and written group explorations of the language of fairy tales, story and parody, found in fractured fairy tales, afforded the students numerous, rich opportunities to explore and experiment with language, which ultimately led to the production of individual fractured fairy tales written with a level of sophistication their teacher had not previously seen in their writing.
A Blended Approach to Reading and Writing Graphic Stories
Authors: Brown Sally
Published: October 2013

This article documents the experiences of a diverse group of second grade students during a nine week unit of study focused on graphic stories. The project begins as the class is immersed in reading graphic stories designed for young readers. Images, written text, and dialog are utilized to scaffold reading comprehension and to practice fluency. Then, students construct their own graphic stories based on characters from books, popular culture, and personal experiences. Each story is transformed into a digital format with narration using Photo Story. The results indicate student growth in the areas of comprehension and fluency. There is also a need to integrate new literacies with traditional to prepare students for communicating in the 21st century.
Detection of submicroscopic chromosomal aberrations by array‐based comparative genomic hybridization in fetuses with congenital heart disease
Authors: Yan Y. , Wu Q. , Zhang L. , Wang X. , Dan S. , Deng D. , Sun L. , Yao L. , Ma Y. , Wang L.
Published: October 2013

Objectives

To evaluate the usefulness of array‐based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) for prenatal genetic diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD), with and without associated anomalies, and to explore the relationship between submicroscopic chromosomal aberrations and CHD.

Methods

In this prospective study we investigated 76 consecutive singleton fetuses with abnormal cardiac ultrasound findings, normal karyotype and negative or no fluorescence in‐situ hybridization results for 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. All pregnancies underwent aCGH in a comprehensive search for chromosomal aberrations. The relationship between copy number variations (CNVs) and CHD was determined by comparing clinical findings to chromosomal databases.

Results

CNVs that were benign or had no clinical significance were detected in 18/76 (23.7%) cases. CNVs of unknown clinical significance (i.e. VOUS) were detected in 4/76 (5.3%) cases. Pathogenic CNVs were detected in 5/76 (6.6%) cases. Fetuses with CHD and additional structural abnormalities demonstrated no difference in number of pathogenic CNVs when compared with fetuses with isolated CHD (7.4% (n = 2/27) vs 6.1% (n = 3/49), P > 0.05).

Conclusion

In this study cohort, aCGH analysis significantly improved the detection of submicroscopic chromosomal aberrations in pregnancies with CHD, as compared with conventional cytogenetics. Our results suggest that aCGH can provide additional genetic information in fetuses with abnormal heart findings. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Surface resistivity and mechanical properties of rotationally molded polyethylene/graphite composites
Authors: Mhike Washington , Focke Walter W.
Published: October 2013

Antistatic polymers are required to dissipate static charges safely from component surfaces. Our overall objective has been to develop cost‐effective flame‐retarded and antistatic polyethylene compounds suitable for rotomolding. This communication considers the surface resistivity and mechanical properties of rotationally molded linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE)/graphite composites containing natural Zimbabwean graphite, expandable graphite, or expanded graphite. Dry blending and melt compounding were employed to obtain antistatic composites at the lowest graphite contents. Dry blending was found to be an effective mixing method for rotomolding antistatic LLDPE/graphite composites, thereby eliminating an expensive compounding step. Dry‐blended Zimbabwean graphite composites showed the lowest surface resistivity at all graphite contents, with a surface resistivity of 105 Ω/square at 10 wt% loading. Although rotomolded powders obtained following the melt compounding of Zimbabwean graphite exhibited higher resistivity values, the variability was much lower. Injection molding resulted in surface resistivity values above 1014 Ω/square for all compositions used. The rotomolded composites exhibited poor mechanical properties, in contrast to injection‐molded composites. The Halpin‐Tsai model showed good fits to the tensile modulus data for injection‐molded Zimbabwean and expandable graphite. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 19:258–270, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Speaker perception
Authors: Schweinberger Stefan R. , Kawahara Hideki , Simpson Adrian P. , Skuk Verena G. , Zäske Romi
Published: October 2013

While humans use their voice mainly for communicating information about the world, paralinguistic cues in the voice signal convey rich dynamic information about a speaker's arousal and emotional state, and extralinguistic cues reflect more stable speaker characteristics including identity, biological sex and social gender, socioeconomic or regional background, and age. Here we review the anatomical and physiological bases for individual differences in the human voice, before discussing how recent methodological progress in voice morphing and voice synthesis has promoted research on current theoretical issues, such as how voices are mentally represented in the human brain. Special attention is dedicated to the distinction between the recognition of familiar and unfamiliar speakers, in everyday situations or in the forensic context, and on the processes and representational changes that accompany the learning of new voices. We describe how specific impairments and individual differences in voice perception could relate to specific brain correlates. Finally, we consider that voices are produced by speakers who are often visible during communication, and review recent evidence that shows how speaker perception involves dynamic face–voice integration. The representation of para‐ and extralinguistic vocal information plays a major role in person perception and social communication, could be neuronally encoded in a prototype‐referenced manner, and is subject to flexible adaptive recalibration as a result of specific perceptual experience. WIREs Cogn Sci 2014, 5:15–25. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1261

This article is categorized under:

Linguistics > Language in Mind and Brain

Psychology > Perception and Psychophysics

Neuroscience > Cognition
Synthesis, Structures, and Catalytic Properties of Two ­Cobalt(II) Coordination Polymers Based on 5‐Substituted Isophthalate and Flexible Bis(benzimidazole) Co‐ligands
Authors: Qin Li , Ming Chun‐Lun , Xiao Shu‐Lin , Ma Pei‐Juan , Cui Guang‐Hua
Published: October 2013

Two new CoII coordination polymers, [Co(L1)0.5(hip)]n (1) and [Co(L2)(mip)·2H2O]n (2) [L1 = 1,1′‐(1,4‐butanediyl)bis‐1H‐benzimidazole, L2 = 1,3‐bis(5,6‐dimethylbenzimidazol‐1‐yl)‐2‐propanol, H2hip = 5‐hydroxyisophthalic acid, H2mip = 5‐methylisophthalic acid], were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction. Complex 1 exhibits a 3D supramolecular network constructed with 2D (4,4) layer by O–H···O hydrogen bonding. Complex 2 has 1D ladder‐like chains, which are further assembled into a 3D supramolecular framework by π–π stacking interactions. In addition, fluorescence and catalytic properties of compounds 1 and 2 were investigated in solid state.
A New Zinc(II) Coordination Polymer with a Threefold‐Interpenetrating Diamondoid Net: Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Luminescent Property
Authors: Miao Hui , Cui Yumin , Guo Feng
Published: October 2013

The three‐dimensional (3D) coordination polymer, [Zn(dpa)(bib)]n (1) [H2dap = diaphonic acid and bib = 1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene], was prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, FT‐IR spectroscopy, XRPD, and elemental analysis. Crystal structure determination revealed that complex 1 shows a threefold diamond topological net. Furthermore, the solid‐state luminescent property of [Zn(dpa)(bib)]n was investigated.
Two-component dark matter
Authors: Bhattacharya Subhadittya , Drozd Aleksandra , Grzadkowski Bohdan , Wudka Jose
Published: October 2013

Abstract

We study an extension of the Standard Model (SM) with two interacting cold Dark Matter (DM) candidates: a neutral Majorana fermion (ν) and a neutral scalar singlet (φ). The scalar φ interacts with the SM through the “Higgs portal” coupling while ν at the tree level interacts only with φ through Yukawa interactions. The relic abundance of ν and φ is found by solving the Boltzmann equations numerically; for the case m

ν
> m

φ
we also derive a reliable approximate analytical solution. Effects of the interaction between the two DM components are discussed. A scan over the parameter space is performed to determine the regions consistent with the WMAP data for DM relic abundance, and with the XENON100 direct detection limits for the DM-nucleus cross section. We find that although a large region of the parameter space is allowed by the WMAP constraints, the XENON100 data severely restricts the parameter space. Taking into account only amplitudes generated at the tree level one finds three allowed regions for the scalar mass: m

φ
~ 62.5 GeV (corresponding to the vicinity of the Higgs boson resonance responsible for φφ annihilation into SM particles), m

φ
≃ 130 − 140 GeV and m

φ
≳ 3 TeV. 1-loop induced ν-nucleon scattering has been also calculated and discussed. A possibility of DM direct detection by the CREST-II experiment was considered.
Spectroscopy of planetary atmospheres in our Galaxy
Authors: Tinetti Giovanna , Encrenaz Thérèse , Coustenis Athena
Published: October 2013

About 20 years after the discovery of the first extrasolar planet, the number of planets known has grown by three orders of magnitude, and continues to increase at neck breaking pace. For most of these planets we have little information, except for the fact that they exist and possess an address in our Galaxy. For about one third of them, we know how much they weigh, their size and their orbital parameters. For less than 20, we start to have some clues about their atmospheric temperature and composition. How do we make progress from here?

We are still far from the completion of a hypothetical Hertzsprung–Russell diagram for planets comparable to what we have for stars, and today we do not even know whether such classification will ever be possible or even meaningful for planetary objects. But one thing is clear: planetary parameters such as mass, radius and temperature alone do not explain the diversity revealed by current observations. The chemical composition of these planets is needed to trace back their formation history and evolution, as happened for the planets in our Solar System. As in situ measurements are and will remain off-limits for exoplanets, to study their chemical composition we will have to rely on remote sensing spectroscopic observations of their gaseous envelopes.

In this paper, we critically review the key achievements accomplished in the study of exoplanet atmospheres in the past ten years. We discuss possible hurdles and the way to overcome those. Finally, we review the prospects for the future. The knowledge and the experience gained with the planets in our solar system will guide our journey among those faraway worlds.
Plasma metabolomics reveals a potential panel of biomarkers for early diagnosis in acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Laborde Carlos M. , Mourino-Alvarez Laura , Posada-Ayala María , Alvarez-Llamas Gloria , Serranillos-Reus Manuel Gómez , Moreu José , Vivanco Fernando , Padial Luis R. , Barderas María G.
Published: October 2013

Discovery of new biomarkers is critical for early diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Recent advances in metabolomic technologies have drastically enhanced the possibility of improving the knowledge of its physiopathology through the identification of the altered metabolic pathways. In this study, analyses of peripheral plasma from non-ST segment elevation ACS patients and healthy controls by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MC) permitted the identification of 15 metabolites with statistical differences (p < 0.05) between experimental groups. Additionally, validation by GC–MC and liquid chromatography–MC permitted us to identify a potential panel of biomarkers formed by 5-OH-tryptophan, 2-OH-butyric acid and 3-OH-butyric acid. This panel of biomarkers reflects the oxidative stress and the hypoxic state that suffers the myocardial cells and consequently constitutes a metabolomic signature of the atherogenesis process that could be used for early diagnosis of ACS.
Uniformity and diversity of response properties of neurons in the primary visual cortex: Selectivity for orientation, direction of motion, and stimulus size from center to far periphery
Authors: YU HSIN-HAO , ROSA MARCELLO G.P.
Published: October 2013

Although the primary visual cortex (V1) is one of the most extensively studied areas of the primate brain, very little is known about how the far periphery of visual space is represented in this area. We characterized the physiological response properties of V1 neurons in anaesthetized marmoset monkeys, using high-contrast drifting gratings. Comparisons were made between cells with receptive fields located in three regions of V1, defined by eccentricity: central (3–5°), near peripheral (5–15°), and far peripheral (>50°). We found that orientation selectivity of individual cells was similar from the center to the far periphery. Nonetheless, the proportion of orientation-selective neurons was higher in central visual field representation than in the peripheral representations. In addition, there were similar proportions of cells representing all orientations, with the exception of the representation of the far periphery, where we detected a bias favoring near-horizontal orientations. The proportions of direction-selective cells were similar throughout V1. When the center/surround organization of the receptive fields was tested with gratings with varying diameters, we found that the population of neurons that was suppressed by large gratings was smaller in the far periphery, although the strength of suppression in these cells tended to be stronger. In addition, the ratio between the diameters of the excitatory centers and suppressive surrounds was similar across the entire visual field. These results suggest that, superimposed on the broad uniformity of V1, there are subtle physiological differences, which indicate that spatial information is processed differently in the central versus far peripheral visual fields.
CORDONS OF PROTECTION: THE STAGE OF SPECTATORSHIP IN CHARLOTTE BRONTË'SVILLETTE
Authors: Freeman Meghan
Published: October 2013

In the years following the publicationofJane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë's social circle expanded rapidly, extending far beyond the narrow circumference of Haworth Parsonage. The later letters attest to personal acquaintance with many prominent literary contemporaries, including Elizabeth Gaskell, Harriet Martineau, George Henry Lewes, and William Thackeray. Yet, second perhaps only to Thackeray, the writer that Brontë credits as most influential to her thinking about art and narrative is one that she never did meet: John Ruskin. Brontë's initial exposure to Ruskin's work came through the channel of their shared publisher, George Smith, who in 1848 sent her a copy of the first two volumes ofModern Painters.
BEARING WITNESS INSILAS MARNER: GEORGE ELIOT'S EXPERIMENT IN SYMPATHY
Authors: Pond Kristen A.
Published: October 2013

There is a curious narrative momentnear the middle of George Eliot's novelSilas Marner. Marner, on discovering the theft of his gold, runs to the Rainbow Inn, the village's popular gathering place, intending to broadcast the theft and demand justice. This is a climatic moment in the plot; as readers we turn the page with mounting anticipation: how will the villagers react to the strange weaver's first intrusion into this most sacred of spaces in Raveloe? The reader must immediately be disappointed, then, on turning the page and coming to chapter six. We do go inside the Rainbow Inn but leave Marner on the other side of the yet-unopened door; instead of an exciting confrontation between Marner and the villagers, we are made to listen to a meandering exchange of retold stories by a cast of unimportant characters. This narrative interruption within the novel echoes the much larger interruptions that surround the production and reception of this text.Silas Marnermost literally interrupted Eliot's work onRomola. She says in her journal that the idea “thrust itself between me and the other book I was meditating” (Journals87). The novel also disrupts most critical consensus about Eliot as a realist writer. No one seems quite sure what to do with this half fable, half realist work alongside such masterpieces asMiddlemarch. In addition, the character of Marner interrupts what we have come to expect from Eliot's characters; whether an earlier hero like Adam Bede or a later heroine like Gwendolen Harleth, her characters have at least some endearing qualities despite, or maybe because of, their flaws. When one turns toSilas Marner, however, a reader can be hard pressed to find anything appealing about the peculiar weaver.
Using index numbers for deflation in environmental accounting
Authors: Muller Nicholas Z.
Published: October 2013

Systematic trends in the general price level of goods and services are the subject of extensive measurement and significant interest among researchers, policy makers and the general public. Dynamic price measurement is also important in environmental accounting in that real measures of augmented output are required to draw inferences on sustainability. This paper computes price indices for emissions of five air pollutants in the United States. Using marginal damages, the paper computes Paasche, Laspeyres, Fisher and Tornquist index numbers for five air pollutants spanning the period 1999–2008 for use in computing real environmental accounts. Evidence of time series heterogeneity in the marginal damages is detected: marginal damages for nitrogen oxides increase by a factor of two and marginal damages for NH3decrease by one-half. The analysis finds that nominal gross damages from air pollution in the United States decrease by 40 per cent between 1999 and 2008.
Quasi-stationäre Tabakentwöhnung für drei COPD Patienten mit intellektuellen Einschränkungen
Authors: Vitzthum Karin , Marly Noemie , Föhse Stephan , Mur Monica Salamero y , Mache Stefanie , Pankow Wulf
Published: October 2013

Zielsetzung: Der Bedarf nach einer (stationären) Tabakentwöhnung für besondere Patientengruppen (z. B. COPD) wird in Fachkreisen seit langem gefordert. Fallbeschreibung: Im Januar 2012 führten wir an einem krankenhauseigenen Tabakentwöhnungsinstitut ein Pilotprojekt mit drei mental retardierten COPD Patienten (zwei Männer, eine Frau) durch. Die Patienten absolvierten an fünf aufeinander folgenden Tagen täglich je zwei verhaltenstherapeutisch und/oder medizinisch orientierte Therapieeinheiten à 2 Stunden. Während dieser Zeit lebten die Patienten in einer in unmittelbarer Nähe zum Krankenhaus angemieteten Wohnung. Das Mittagessen wurde in der Krankenhauskantine eingenommen und in der anschließenden Pause ein leichtes Bewegungsangebot durchgeführt. Eine abendliche Betreuung wurde über die gewohnten Sozialpädagogen bzw. mobile medizinische Pflegedienste gewährleistet. Im Anschluss an die Intensivbetreuung wurde eine engmaschige Nachsorge mit 1 – 2 monatlichen Besuchen in der therapeutischen Wohngemeinschaft vereinbart und durchgeführt. Ein männlicher Patient war auf Anhieb rauchfrei; die beiden anderen Patienten hielten mithilfe von Nikotin-Pflastern während der Intensivtherapie tagsüber gut durch, hatten jedoch nächtliche Ausrutscher; im Rahmen der Nachsorge war ein weiterer Patient vorübergehend für 3 Wochen rauchfrei. Subjektiv empfundene Verbesserungen der Lebensqualität wurden berichtet, auch wenn die Rauchfreiheit nur begrenzt durchgehalten wurde. Schlussfolgerung: Eine intensivierte und individuell abgestimmte Entwöhnungstherapie kann bei komplexen Ausgangsbedingungen indiziert sein.
Tightly controlled WRKY23 expression mediates Arabidopsis embryo development
Authors: Grunewald Wim , De Smet Ive , De Rybel Bert , Robert Helene S , van de Cotte Brigitte , Willemsen Viola , Gheysen Godelieve , Weijers Dolf , Friml Jiří , Beeckman Tom
Published: October 2013

The development of a multicellular embryo from a single zygote is a complex and highly organized process that is far from understood. In higher plants, apical–basal patterning mechanisms are crucial to correctly specify root and shoot stem cell niches that will sustain and drive post‐embryonic plant growth and development. The auxin‐responsive AtWRKY23 transcription factor is expressed from early embryogenesis onwards and the timing and localization of its expression overlaps with the root stem cell niche. Knocking down WRKY23 transcript levels or expression of a dominant‐negative WRKY23 version via a translational fusion with the SRDX repressor domain affected both apical–basal axis formation as well as installation of the root stem cell niche. WRKY23 expression is affected by two well‐known root stem cell specification mechanisms, that is, SHORTROOT and MONOPTEROS–BODENLOS signalling and can partially rescue the root‐forming inability of mp embryos. On the basis of these results, we postulate that a tightly controlled WRKY23 expression is involved in the regulation of both auxin‐dependent and auxin‐independent signalling pathways towards stem cell specification.
Nedd4-2 (NEDD4L) controls intracellular Na+-mediated activity of voltage-gated sodium channels in primary cortical neurons
Authors: Ekberg Jenny A. , Boase Natasha A. , Rychkov Grigori , Manning Jantina , Poronnik Philip , Kumar Sharad
Published: October 2013

Nedd4-2, a HECT (homologous with E6-associated protein C-terminus)-type ubiquitin protein ligase, has been implicated in regulating several ion channels, including Navs (voltage-gated sodium channels). In Xenopus oocytes Nedd4-2 strongly inhibits the activity of multiple Navs. However, the conditions under which Nedd4-2 mediates native Nav regulation remain uncharacterized. Using Nedd4-2-deficient mice, we demonstrate in the present study that in foetal cortical neurons Nedd4-2 regulates Navs specifically in response to elevated intracellular Na+, but does not affect steady-state Nav activity. In dorsal root ganglia neurons from the same mice, however, Nedd4-2 does not control Nav activities. The results of the present study provide the first physiological evidence for an essential function of Nedd4-2 in regulating Navs in the central nervous system.
Combination of time‐reversal focusing and nulling for detection of small targets in strong reverberation environments
Authors: Pan Xiang , Li Chunxiao , Xu Yuanxin , Xu Wen , Gong Xianyi
Published: October 2013

Time reversal has attracted considerable research interest because of its potential for signal enhancement. In the past, target focusing and reverberation nulling are separately investigated as two complementary aspects of time‐reversal processing. In essence, nulling is regarded as one kind of focusing with minimising the energy incident on a location. When time‐reversal operation is regarded as inversed beamforming, it is available to simultaneously realise time‐reversal focusing and nulling under an optimum beamforming framework. The feasibility of the combination processing is evaluated in detection of a small target in the presence of strong reverberation. The acoustic energy focused on a target of interest is maintained constant while reverberation is regarded as an interference to be suppressed by the nulling technique. The experimental results have verified the effectiveness of optimum time‐reversal processing for active target detection in a shallow water environment.
Phase transition in a system of 1D harmonic oscillators obeying Polychronakos statistics with a complex parameter
Authors: Rovenchak Andrij
Published: October 2013

For a system of 1D harmonic oscillators obeying Polychronakos statistics with a complex parameters the emergence of a phase transition is reported and temperature dependences of energy and heat capacity are studied in detail. Estimations towards a possibility to check the obtained jumps in the specific heat are made.
A step-by-step application of Danish method for generation of typical meteorological years of China
Authors: Zang Haixiang , Xu Qingshan , Wang Wei , Chen Kai
Published: October 2013

Typical weather year files like typical meteorological year (TMY) are of utmost importance for calculations concerning many applications in the field of solar energy systems. They are also essential in many engineering utilizations such as agriculture, meteorology, and building simulations. A step-to-step procedure of the Danish method represented is proposed and applied in this paper. It would facilitate the development of TMYs for any region if enough data are available. By applying the measured weather data covering 10–16 yr, TMYs for 35 meteorological stations in China are generated using the simple step-to-step produce of the Danish method. The TMY data and typical solar radiation data are investigated and analyzed in this study. Moreover, the generated TMY data in this paper are compared with the data from Meteonorm software, SWERA, IWEC and RETScreen software.
Nonlinear evolution of the magnetized Kelvin-Helmholtz instability: From fluid to kinetic modeling
Authors: Henri P. , Cerri S. S. , Califano F. , Pegoraro F. , Rossi C. , Faganello M. , Šebek O. , Trávníček P. M. , Hellinger P. , Frederiksen J. T. , Nordlund A. , Markidis S. , Keppens R. , Lapenta G.
Published: October 2013

The nonlinear evolution of collisionless plasmas is typically a multi-scale process, where the energy is injected at large, fluid scales and dissipated at small, kinetic scales. Accurately modelling the global evolution requires to take into account the main micro-scale physical processes of interest. This is why comparison of different plasma models is today an imperative task aiming at understanding cross-scale processes in plasmas. We report here the first comparative study of the evolution of a magnetized shear flow, through a variety of different plasma models by using magnetohydrodynamic (MHD), Hall-MHD, two-fluid, hybrid kinetic, and full kinetic codes. Kinetic relaxation effects are discussed to emphasize the need for kinetic equilibriums to study the dynamics of collisionless plasmas in non trivial configurations. Discrepancies between models are studied both in the linear and in the nonlinear regime of the magnetized Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, to highlight the effects of small scale processes on the nonlinear evolution of collisionless plasmas. We illustrate how the evolution of a magnetized shear flow depends on the relative orientation of the fluid vorticity with respect to the magnetic field direction during the linear evolution when kinetic effects are taken into account. Even if we found that small scale processes differ between the different models, we show that the feedback from small, kinetic scales to large, fluid scales is negligible in the nonlinear regime. This study shows that the kinetic modeling validates the use of a fluid approach at large scales, which encourages the development and use of fluid codes to study the nonlinear evolution of magnetized fluid flows, even in the collisionless regime.
Weibel instability with nonextensive distribution
Authors: Qiu Hui-Bin , Liu Shi-Bing
Published: October 2013

Weibel instability in plasma, where the ion distribution is isotropic and the electron component of the plasma possesses the anisotropic temperature distribution, is investigated based on the kinetic theory in context of nonextensive statistics mechanics. The instability growth rate is shown to be dependent on the nonextensive parameters of both electron and ion, and in the extensive limit, the result in Maxwellian distribution plasma is recovered. The instability growth rate is found to be enhanced as the nonextensive parameter of electron increases.
Fluorescent polystyrene photonic crystals self-assembled with water-soluble conjugated polyrotaxanes
Authors: Di Stasio Francesco , Berti Luca , McDonnell Shane O. , Robbiano Valentina , Anderson Harry L. , Comoretto Davide , Cacialli Franco
Published: October 2013

We demonstrate control of the photoluminescence spectra and decay rates of water-soluble green-emitting conjugated polyrotaxanes by incorporating them in polystyrene opals with a stop-band spectrally tuned on the rotaxane emission (405–650 nm). We observe a suppression of the luminescence within the photonic stop-band and a corresponding enhancement of the high-energy edge (405–447 nm). Time-resolved measurements reveal a wavelength-dependent modification of the emission lifetime, which is shortened at the high-energy edge (by ∼11%, in the range 405–447 nm), but elongated within the stop-band (by ∼13%, in the range 448–482 nm). We assign both effects to the modification of the density of photonic states induced by the photonic crystal band structure. We propose the growth of fluorescent composite photonic crystals from blends of “solvent-compatible” non-covalently bonded nanosphere-polymer systems as a general method for achieving a uniform distribution of polymeric dopants in three-dimensional self-assembling photonic structures.
Microwave characterization of Ti/Au-graphene contacts
Authors: Andersson M. A. , Vorobiev A. , Sun J. , Yurgens A. , Gevorgian S. , Stake J.
Published: October 2013

In this paper, we report on a microwave characterization of the interface between Ti/Au contacts and chemical vapor deposition graphene using structures of Corbino geometry, with primary focus on extracting and modeling the capacitance associated with the contact region. It is found that with the current contact resistivity, ρc∼10−6 Ωcm2, the contact capacitance, on the order Cc∼1 μF/cm2, has a negligible effect on microwave transmission through the contact below ∼100 GHz. Finally, a parallel plate capacitance model for the contact is presented.
Spin torque ferromagnetic resonance with magnetic field modulation
Authors: Gonçalves A. M. , Barsukov I. , Chen Y.-J. , Yang L. , Katine J. A. , Krivorotov I. N.
Published: October 2013

We demonstrate a technique of broadband spin torque ferromagnetic resonance (ST-FMR) with magnetic field modulation for measurements of spin wave properties in magnetic nanostructures. This technique gives great improvement in sensitivity over the conventional ST-FMR measurements, and application of this technique to nanoscale magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) reveals a rich spectrum of standing spin wave eigenmodes. Comparison of the ST-FMR measurements with micromagnetic simulations of the spin wave spectrum allows us to explain the character of low-frequency magnetic excitations in nanoscale MTJs.
RAFT Polymerization of Monomers with Highly Disparate Reactivities: Use of a Single RAFT Agent and the Synthesis of Poly(styrene-block-vinyl acetate)
Authors: Dayter Lily A. , Murphy Kate A. , Shipp Devon A.
Published: October 2013

A single reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agent, malonate N,N-diphenyldithiocarbamate (MDP-DTC) is shown to successfully mediate the polymerization of several monomers with greatly differing reactivities in radical/RAFT polymerizations, including both vinyl acetate and styrene. The chain transfer constants (Ctr) for MDP-DTC for both these monomers were evaluated; these were found to be ~2.7 in styrene and ~26 in vinyl acetate, indicating moderate control over styrene polymerization and good control of vinyl acetate polymerization. In particular, the MDP-DTC RAFT agent allowed for the synthesis of block copolymers of these two monomers without the need for protonation/deprotonation switching, as has been previously developed with N-(4-pyridinyl)-N-methyldithiocarbamate RAFT agents, or other end-group transformations. The thermal properties of the block copolymers were studied using differential scanning calorimetry, and those with sufficiently high molecular weight and styrene composition appear to undergo phase separation. Thus, MDP-DTC may be useful for the production of other block copolymers consisting of monomers with highly dissimilar reactivities.