bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of short‐term behavioral effects of dietary cholesterol supplementation in Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome
Authors: Tierney Elaine , Conley Sandra K. , Goodwin Halima , Porter Forbes D.
Published: December 2009

Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is an inborn error of cholesterol synthesis due to mutations of 7‐dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7). DHCR7 catalyzes the reduction of 7‐dehydrocholesterol (7DHC) to yield cholesterol in the final step of cholesterol biosynthesis. Phenotypically patients with SLOS have multiple malformations, cognitive deficits, and behavioral difficulties. Impaired DHCR7 activity results in the accumulation of 7DHC and frequently decreased cholesterol in blood and tissues. Dietary cholesterol supplementation has become standard therapy for SLOS, and anecdotal reports suggest rapid, marked clinical improvement of behavior problems. Although reported in the literature, beneficial behavioral effects of dietary cholesterol supplementation have not been formally documented through a randomized clinical trial. To address this we initiated a double‐masked, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over trial to test the hypothesis that dietary cholesterol supplementation has rapid beneficial effects on behavior. Our primary outcome measure was the hyperactivity subscale of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). Hyperactivity is a symptom that has been reported to respond rapidly to dietary cholesterol supplementation. Secondary outcome measures included the total ABC score and other ABC subscale scores. Ten subjects completed this study. Although the trial was done under conditions similar to those reported to induce marked behavioral changes in SLOS patients, we observed no differences between treatment and placebo phases. The results of this study call into question anecdotal reports supporting rapid behavioral benefits previously reported for dietary cholesterol supplementation in SLOS and underscore the need for a larger placebo‐controlled trial. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Deletion of the CUL4B gene in a boy with mental retardation, minor facial anomalies, short stature, hypogonadism, and ataxia
Authors: Isidor Bertrand , Pichon Olivier , Baron Sabine , David Albert , Le Caignec Cédric
Published: December 2009

The CUL4B gene encodes a member of Cullin–RING ubiquitin ligase complex. Point mutations in CUL4B were identified recently in patients with syndromic X‐linked mental retardation (XLMR). Here, using oligoarray‐based comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH), we identified a de novo deletion of the CUL4B gene in a boy with syndromic mental retardation, minor facial anomalies, short stature, delayed puberty, hypogonadism, relative macrocephaly, gait ataxia, and pes cavus, all manifestations described previously in patients with CUL4B point mutations. Interestingly, our patient also presented with aortic valvular “dysplasia” and vertebral anomalies similar to those seen in Scheuermann disease, both of which may also be part of this syndrome. This report further suggests that point mutations and deletions of the CUL4B gene lead to a recognizable phenotype. The association of facial anomalies, short stature, hypogonadism, and gait ataxia in a mentally retarded boy should prompt molecular analyses of the CUL4B gene. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Variation and context of yawns in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
Authors: Vick Sarah‐Jane , Paukner Annika
Published: December 2009

Primate yawns are usually categorized according to context (e.g. as a threat, anxious, or rest yawn), but there has been little consideration of whether these yawns are best regarded as a unitary behavior that only differs with respect to the context in which it is observed. This study examined the context and precise morphology of yawns in a group of 11 captive chimpanzees. Focal video sampling was used to describe the morphology and intensity of 124 yawns using ChimpFACS, a system for coding facial movements. Two distinct forms of yawn were identified, a full yawn and a yawn which is modified by additional actions that reduce the mouth aperture. These modified yawns may indicate some degree of voluntary control over facial movement in chimpanzees and, consequently, multiple functions of yawning according to context. To assess context effects, mean activity levels (resting, locomotion, and grooming) and scratching rates were compared one minute before and after each yawn. Locomotion was significantly increased following both types of yawn, whereas scratching rates significantly increased following modified yawns but decreased following full yawns. In terms of individual differences, males did not yawn more than females, although male yawns were of higher intensity, both in the degree of mouth opening and in the amount of associated head movement. These data indicate that yawning is associated with a change in activity levels in chimpanzees, but only modified yawns may be related to increased arousal. Different types of yawn can therefore be differentiated at the morphological level as well as context level. Am. J. Primatol. 72:262–269, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chemoselectivity and the Curious Reactivity Preferences of Functional Groups
Authors: Afagh Nicholas A. , Yudin Andrei K.
Published: December 2009

Achieving high levels of chemoselectivity has been the Achilles’ heel of chemical synthesis. The excitement generated by the successful realization of chemoselective strategies underscores the painstaking efforts to define a set of conditions conducive to selection among the available reaction pathways. We discuss in this Review various aspects of chemoselectivity that have been addressed in a range of synthetic methods over the past decade. We have focused on the proposed mechanistic basis of the reactions under consideration in an attempt to categorize them and highlight the key concepts that have been emerging on the basis of these studies. Our overview of recent advances in chemoselective processes suggests that significant progress has been made, but a lot of challenges lie ahead.
Bemessung eines Stützbauwerks nach Eurocode – Teil 1: Ständige Bemessungssituation
Authors: Suda Jürgen , Hofmann Robert , Strauss Alfred , Wendner Roman
Published: December 2009

Dieser Beitrag zeigt das Zusammenwirken des Eurocode 2 (EN 1992‐x) und des Eurocode 7 (EN 1997‐1) bei der Bemessung von Gewichtsmauern aus Beton und Stahlbeton anhand eines durchgerechneten Beispiels.

Design of concrete retaining structures basing on Eurocode standards – Part 1: persistent design situation. This contribution shows the use of Eurocode 2 (EN 1992‐x) and Eurocode 7 (EN 1997‐1) for designing of concrete retaining structures on an example.
Prolonged absorption of antimony(V) by the oral route from non‐inclusion meglumine antimoniate–β‐cyclodextrin conjugates
Authors: Ribeiro Raul R. , Ferreira Weverson A. , Martins Patricia S. , Neto Rubens L. M. , Rocha Olguita G. F. , Le Moyec Laurence , Demicheli Cynthia , Frézard Frédéric
Published: December 2009

The orally active composition comprising meglumine antimoniate (MA) and β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) differs markedly from conventional drug–CD complexes, since it combines a water‐soluble drug and a hydrophilic CD. In order to obtain insights into the mechanism(s) responsible for the improved oral delivery of the drug, physicochemical and pharmacokinetic studies were carried out. The composition investigated here was prepared at a 7:1 antimony(Sb)/β‐CD molar ratio, a condition that improves its solubility in water and allows the oral administration of a high dose of Sb in large animals. It was characterized by circular dichroism, 1H‐NMR, ESI‐MS and photon correlation spectroscopy. Pharmacokinetic data were obtained in Beagle dogs after oral administration of the composition at 100 mg Sb/kg. 1H‐NMR and ESI‐MS data supported the formation of non‐inclusion complexes between MA and β‐CD. Sub‐micron assemblies were also evidenced that slowly dissociate and presumably release the MA drug, upon reconstitution of the composition in water. Pharmacokinetic studies of MA and MA/β‐CD in dogs showed a prolongation of the serum mean residence time of Sb from 4.1 to 6.8 h, upon complexation of MA with β‐CD. Evidence was also obtained that Sb remains essentially under the form of pentavalent Sb‐meglumine complex, following gastro‐intestinal absorption from the MA/β‐CD composition. In conclusion, the present data support the model that the sustained drug release property of 7:1 MA/β‐CD composition resulted in the prolongation of MA absorption by the oral route and, consequently, in the increase of the drug mean residence time in serum. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Der Zebrafisch als vielseitiges Modellsystem. Vom Zierfisch zum Forschungsobjekt
Authors: Schredelseker Johann , Krumschnabel Gerhard
Published: December 2009

In den vergangenen Jahren hat sich der Zebrafisch vom Zierfisch zum weitverbreiteten Modellsystem der biomedizinischen Forschung entwickelt. Er ist einfach zu halten, produziert in rascher Folge viele Nachkommen, entwickelt sich schnell und außerhalb des Muttertiers und ist zudem in den frühen Entwicklungsphasen transparent. Entsprechend wurde er zuerst vor allem zur unmittelbaren Beobachtung von Entwicklungsvorgängen genutzt. Da er aber auch relativ einfach genetisch manipulierbar ist, wurde er in Folge zur Herstellung transgener Linien verwendet, in denen Fremd‐DNA exprimiert und die Bedeutung des jeweiligen Genprodukts für die Biologie des Tieres untersucht werden kann. Außerdem kann er durch Zufalls‐Mutagenese zur unvoreingenommenen Entdeckung krankheitsrelevanter Gene verwendet werden, zum Screening biologisch wirksamer Substanzen für die Entwicklung von Medikamenten und zunehmend auch als Modell in der Krebsforschung.
Liebe bei Tupajas. Warum sind die Weibchen bei der Partnerwahl so wählerisch?
Authors: von Holst Dietrich
Published: December 2009

Tupajas (Tupaia belangeri) leben in der Natur paarweise in Territorien. Erstaunlicherweise führt das Zusammensetzen eines männlichen und weiblichen Tupajas im Labor nur in knapp 25% aller Fälle zu einer harmonischen Paarbeziehung, die sich von Beginn an in freundlichem Verhalten zwischen den Partnern, einer Verbesserung ihres Gesundheitszustandes und einer erfolgreichen Fortpflanzung äußert; in den meisten Fällen werden jedoch alle Kontaktversuche der Männchen von den Weibchen abgewehrt, was zu mehr oder minder starken Stressreaktionen bei beiden Tieren führt. Entscheidend für die Akzeptanz eines Männchens durch das Weibchen ist sein Geruch beziehungsweise die dadurch vermittelten immungenetischen Informationen.
Von Neuronen zu Netzwerken. Mathematische Gehirnmodelle
Authors: Grah Gunnar , Rotter Stefan
Published: December 2009

Obwohl unser Verständnis des Nervensystems große Fortschritte macht, stellen Netzwerke aus Milliarden von Neuronen die Neurobiologie vor eine praktisch unlösbare Aufgabe: Die Aktivität eines Gehirns möglichst vollständig zu erfassen und das Beobachtete detailliert zu verstehen. Die “Computational Neuroscience” versucht Brücken zwischen den Konzepten der Teildisziplinen zu schlagen. Die mathematische Beschreibung von Nervenzellen und neuronalen Netzwerken, sowie die Simulation dieser Systeme in Form von Computermodellen, erlaubt Phänomene zu ergründen, die in biologischen Gehirnen nur unter größten Schwierigkeiten messbar sind. Jüngste Studien konnten unter anderem zeigen, dass erregungsabhängige Veränderungen der elektrischen Leitfähigkeit in Neuronen ein Netzwerk davor bewahren, dass räumlich begrenzte Erregung sich aufschaukelt und als Folge die Aktivität im gesamten Netzwerk zum Erliegen bringt. Dieselbe Eigenschaft führt außerdem dazu, dass ein Netzwerk auch ohne äußere Anregung aktiv bleiben kann – eine wichtige Grundeigenschaft von Gehirnen, deren neuronale Funktionsmechanismen bis heute weitgehend unverstanden sind.
Wie werden Bakterien optimal gelagert?
Authors: Schrödel Andrea
Published: December 2009

Für die Stammhaltung von Bakterien werden diese in vielen Laboratorien periodisch auf frische Nährböden überimpft und im Kühlschrank gelagert. Dadurch sind die Bakterien zwar schnell verfügbar, doch es bestehen bei diese Methode einige Gefahren, wie die Infektion mit Luftkeimen, eine spontane Mutation der Produktionsstämme, Verwechslungen, oder gar eine Überwachsung der hergestellten Mutante durch den Wildtyp (der oft schneller wächst) und ist daher für Hochleistungsstämme eher ungeeignet. Wie konserviert man einen mühsam hergestellten Bakterienklon auf Dauer?
Adolf Remane – Zoologe und Entdecker des Mesopsammons
Authors: Storch Volker
Published: December 2009

Der Kieler Zoologe Adolf Remane wird als eine Persönlichkeit in Erinnerung bleiben, die das Gesamtgebiet der Zoologie beherrschte, einen weltweiten neuen Lebensraum mit einer Fülle bis dahin unbekannter Organismen entdeckte, wissenschaftliche Beiträge von den niederen Metazoen bis zu Primaten verfasste, Grundlagen der vergleichenden Biologie schuf und Anregungen für die Soziobiologie vermittelte.
Von Sing‐ und Dachsammern
Authors: Irsch Wilhelm
Published: December 2009

Die auf dem nordamerikanischen Kontinent verbreiteten Singammern (Melospiza melodia) erlernen ihren arttypischen Gesang von ihrem zweiten Lebensmonat an und orientieren sich dabei vor allem am Gesang der Nachbarn. Die Männchen sind wahre Gesangsakrobaten. Ihre Gesänge bestehen aus wiederholten Sequenzen, in die rasch vorgetragene, allein stehende Passagen und Pfiffe eingestreut sind. Dachsammern (Zonotrichia leucophrys) aus der Region um San Francisco singen hingegen immer eintöniger – eine Reaktion auf den zunehmenden Verkehrslärm.
Using life cycle approaches to enhance the value of corporate environmental disclosures
Authors: Kaenzig Josef , Friot Damien , Saadé Myriam , Margni Manuele , Jolliet Olivier
Published: December 2009

As the focus of environmental policy and management shifts from cleaner production at the process level towards greener products as a whole, stakeholders ask for transparency throughout the entire value chain. This article assesses the comprehensiveness and the value of currently reported quantitative environmental disclosures of 97 listed companies from the automotive, banking, pharmaceutical and electronic hardware sectors. Findings indicate that quantitative environmental disclosures have many limitations, including incompleteness and inconsistency regarding corporate activities and sites, and limited internal data coherence. For many sectors, corporate disclosures only cover a very small share of the total environmental burden of products. A stepwise procedure is proposed to verify and improve the quality and completeness of reporting using life cycle approaches. We present simple data quality tests, and we introduce the concept of the environmental influence matrix, which provides a solid basis for the identification and prioritization of key performance indicators and areas of action. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Feed development for fed‐batch CHO production process by semisteady state analysis
Authors: Khattak Sarwat F. , Xing Zizhuo , Kenty Brian , Koyrakh Inna , Li Zheng Jian
Published: December 2009

Semisteady state cultures are useful for studying cell physiology and facilitating media development. Two semisteady states with a viable cell density of 5.5 million cells/mL were obtained in CHO cell cultures and compared with a fed‐batch mode control. In the first semisteady state, the culture was maintained at 5 mM glucose and 0.5 mM glutamine. The second condition had threefold higher concentrations of both nutrients, which led to a 10% increase in lactate production, a 78% increase in ammonia production, and a 30% reduction in cell growth rate. The differences between the two semisteady states indicate that maintaining relatively low levels of glucose and glutamine can reduce the production of lactate and ammonia. Specific amino acid production and consumption indicated further metabolic differences between the two semisteady states and fed‐batch mode. The results from this experiment shed light in the feeding strategy for a fed‐batch process and feed medium enhancement. The fed‐batch process utilizes a feeding strategy whereby the feed added was based on glucose levels in the bioreactor. To evaluate if a fixed feed strategy would improve robustness and process consistency, two alternative feeding strategies were implemented. A constant volume feed of 30% or 40% of the initial culture volume fed over the course of cell culture was evaluated. The results indicate that a constant volumetric‐based feed can be more beneficial than a glucose‐based feeding strategy. This study demonstrated the applicability of analyzing CHO cultures in semisteady state for feed enhancement and continuous process improvement. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010
Haloacetamidine‐Based Inactivators of Protein Arginine Deiminase 4 (PAD4): Evidence that General Acid Catalysis Promotes Efficient Inactivation
Authors: Knuckley Bryan , Causey Corey P. , Pellechia Perry J. , Cook Paul F. , Thompson Paul R.
Published: December 2009

Dysregulated protein arginine deiminase (PAD) activity, particularly PAD4, has been suggested to play a role in the onset and progression of numerous human diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Given the potential role of PAD4 in RA, we set out to develop inhibitors/inactivators that could be used to modulate PAD activity and disease progression. This effort led to the discovery of two mechanism‐based inactivators, denoted F‐ and Cl‐amidine, that inactivate PAD4 by the covalent modification of an active‐site cysteine that is critical for catalysis. To gain further insights into the mechanism of inactivation by these compounds, the effect of pH on the rates of inactivation was determined. These results, combined with the results of solvent isotope effect and proton inventory studies, strongly suggest that the inactivation of PAD4 by F‐ and Cl‐amidine proceeds by a multistep mechanism that involves the protonation and stabilization of the tetrahedral intermediate formed upon nucleophilic attack by the active‐site cysteine, that is, Cys645. Stabilization of this intermediate would help to drive the halide‐displacement reaction, which results in the formation of a three‐membered sulfonium ring that ultimately collapses to form the inactivated enzyme. This finding—that protonation of the tetrahedral intermediate is important for enzyme inactivation—also suggests that, during catalysis, protonation of the analogous intermediate is required for efficient substrate turnover.
A New Highly Selective and Sensitive Assay for Fluorescence Imaging of .OH in Living Cells: Effectively Avoiding the Interference of Peroxynitrite
Authors: Li Ping , Xie Ting , Duan Xia , Yu Fabiao , Wang Xu , Tang Bo
Published: December 2009

A new nonredox fluorescent probe to realize the imaging of hydroxyl radicals (.OH) in living cells was designed and synthesized. The structure comprised the fluorescent dye boron dipyrromethene (BDP) and a 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinoxyl (TEMPO) unit. This probe could rapidly respond to .OH with a detection limit of 18 pM, and it possessed superior photostability and pH insensitivity. Other reactive oxygen species (ROS) and relevant intracellular components did not interfere. In particular, the important problem of ONOO− interference was efficiently avoided. An MTT assay proved that the probe was not very cytotoxic. The probe could penetrate into intact cell membranes to selectively detect intracellular .OH without causing cellular damage in living mice macrophages, normal human liver cells. and human hepatoma cells. These advantageous characteristics make the fluorescent probe potentially useful as a new candidate to detect .OH in broad biosystems.
Synthesis of a Metal–Organic Framework Material, Iron Terephthalate, by Ultrasound, Microwave, and Conventional Electric Heating: A Kinetic Study
Authors: Haque Enamul , Khan Nazmul Abedin , Park Jung Hwa , Jhung Sung Hwa
Published: December 2009

A metal–organic framework material named MIL‐53(Fe), iron terephthalate, has been synthesized sovothermally at a relatively low temperature by not only conventional electric (CE) heating, but also by irradiation under ultrasound (US) and microwave (MW) conditions to gain an understanding of the accelerated syntheses induced by US and MW. The kinetics for nucleation and crystal growth were analyzed by measuring the crystallinity of MIL‐53(Fe) under various conditions. The nucleation and crystal growth rates were estimated from crystallization curves of the change in crystallinity with reaction time. The activation energies and pre‐exponential factors were calculated from Arrhenius plots. It was confirmed that the rate of crystallization (both nucleation and crystal growth) decreases in the order US>MW≫CE, and that the accelerated syntheses under US and MW conditions are due to increased pre‐exponential factors rather than decreased activation energies. It is suggested that physical effects such as hot spots are more important than chemical effects in the accelerated syntheses induced by US and MW irradiation. The syntheses were also conducted in two steps to understand quantitatively the acceleration induced by MW and it was found that the acceleration in crystal growth is more important than the acceleration in nucleation, even though both processes are accelerated by MW irradiation.
Efficient spatiotemporal analysis of the flagellar waveform of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Bayly P. V. , Lewis B. L. , Kemp P. S. , Pless R. B. , Dutcher S. K.
Published: December 2009

The 9 + 2 axoneme is a microtubule‐based machine that powers the oscillatory beating of cilia and flagella. Its highly regulated movement is essential for the normal function of many organs; ciliopathies cause congenital defects, chronic respiratory tract infections and infertility. We present an efficient method to obtain a quantitative description of flagellar motion, with high spatial and temporal resolution, from high speed video recording of bright field images. This highly automated technique provides the shape, shear angle, curvature, and bend propagation speeds along the length of the flagellum, with ∼200 temporal samples per beat. We compared the waveforms of uniflagellated wild‐type and ida3 mutant cells, which lack the I1 inner dynein complex. Video images were captured at 350 fps. Rigid‐body motion was eliminated by fast Fourier transform (FFT)‐based registration, and the Cartesian (x–y) coordinates of points on the flagellum were identified. These x–y “point clouds” were embedded in two data dimensions using Isomap, a nonlinear dimension reduction method, and sorted by phase in the flagellar cycle. A smooth surface was fitted to the sorted point clouds, which provides high‐resolution estimates of shear angle and curvature. Wild‐type and ida3 cells exhibit large differences in shear amplitude, but similar maximum and minimum curvature values. In ida3 cells, the reverse bend begins earlier and travels more slowly relative to the principal bend, than in wild‐type cells. The regulation of flagellar movement must involve I1 dynein in a manner consistent with these results. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Five leaps to corporate sustainability through a corporate responsibility portfolio matrix
Authors: Ketola Tarja
Published: December 2009

Is corporate sustainability absolute or relative? Should companies adopt an evolutionary (step‐by‐step) or a revolutionary (one‐leap) approach to sustainable development – or is there a third way? These questions are hot potatoes, which burn the answerer's mouth because of strong opposing views. Yet the potatoes must be eaten now. There is no time to wait for them to cool because by then it may be too late to act. After munching these hot potatoes, an alternative (five‐leap) approach to corporate sustainability is outlined. A portfolio matrix measuring the integration of environmental, sociocultural and economic responsibilities along a five‐leap scale is drafted. This cube can be adapted to measure any company's level of responsibility with the aim of achieving sustainability on a fast track. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Cytodiagnosis of benign fibrous histiocytoma of rib and diagnostic dilemma: A case report
Authors: Mondal Santosh Kumar
Published: December 2009

Benign fibrous histiocytoma (BFH) of bone is rare in occurrence, and rib is an unusual site. There are limited case reports of this entity in the literature, and cytodiagnosis of this tumor is not described. A 24‐year‐old man presented with a firm mass and pain in the right lateral chest wall. Radiological investigations (plain radiograph and computed tomography) revealed a lytic bone lesion involving the 5th rib. Radiologically, giant cell tumor (GCT), BFH, and plasmacytoma were suspected. In fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), admixture of benign stromal cells and scattered osteoclast type giant cells were found in the smears. Differential diagnoses of BFH, GCT (non‐epiphyseal type), fibrous dysplasia, and aneurysmal bone cyst were made on cytology. Subsequent histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of BFH. Cytologic diagnosis of BFH of rib is difficult as this tumor may mimic other giant cell containing tumors of bone in FNAC. The final diagnosis should always be made after correlation with histological, radiological, and clinical features. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Wnt signaling has different temporal roles during retinal development
Authors: Sánchez‐Sánchez Ana V. , Camp Esther , Leal‐Tassias Aránzazu , Mullor José L.
Published: December 2009

Differentiation of neural retinal precursor (NRP) cells in vertebrates follows an established order of cell‐fate determination associated with exit from the cell cycle. Wnt signaling regulates cell cycle in colon carcinoma cells and has been implicated in different aspects of retinal development in various species. To better understand the biological roles of Wnt in the developing retina, we have used a transgenic and pharmacological approach to manipulate the Wnt signaling pathway during retinal development in medaka embryos. With the use of both approaches, we observed that during the early phase of retinal development Wnt signaling regulated cell cycle progression, proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation of NRP cells. However, during later phases of retinal development, proliferation and apoptosis were not affected by manipulation of Wnt signaling. Instead, Wnt regulated Vsx1 expression, but not the expression of other retinal cell markers tested. Thus, the response of NRP cells to Wnt signaling is stage‐dependent. Developmental Dynamics 239:297–310, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Calmin expression in embryos and the adult brain, and its regulation by all‐trans retinoic acid
Authors: Marzinke Mark A. , Henderson Elizabeth M. , Yang Katherine S. , See Angela Wai‐Man , Knutson Danielle C. , Clagett‐Dame Margaret
Published: December 2009

The vitamin A metabolite, all‐trans retinoic acid (atRA), is a regulator of nervous system development. Using a subtracted cDNA library constructed from neuroblastoma cells, the atRA‐responsive gene calmin (Clmn) was identified (Merrill et al. [2004] Biol Chem 385:605‐614). The Clmn transcript is detected very early in rat embryonic development and is sensitive to retinoid status. In vitamin A‐deficient embryos, Clmn mRNA is dramatically down‐regulated in the neuroepithelium adjacent to the somites, and this expression can be rescued with the addition of atRA. In embryonic day 18.5 embryos, CLMN is detected in regions where newly differentiated neurons are found, including the neural retina and the cortical plate; and in the adult brain, CLMN is most highly expressed in the neuron cell bodies of the hippocampus, cerebellum, and olfactory bulb. Thus, Clmn is sensitive to retinoid status during early gestational stages, and its expression is relegated to postmitotic neuronal cells in the adult rat brain. Developmental Dynamics 239:610–619, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The tight junction component Claudin E is required for zebrafish epiboly
Authors: Siddiqui Manal , Sheikh Hasan , Tran Christopher , Bruce Ashley E.E.
Published: December 2009

Zebrafish epiboly results in the thinning and spreading of the blastoderm to cover the yolk cell and close the blastopore. The extra‐embryonic yolk syncytial layer (YSL) tows the blastoderm vegetally during epiboly by means of its tight junction attachments to the enveloping layer (EVL). Claudins are the major transmembrane protein components of tight junctions. Here, we focus on the function of Claudin E (Cldne), which is expressed specifically in the EVL. Morpholino knock‐down of cldne produced a highly penetrant epiboly delay. Our analysis suggested that the EVL margin, which is attached to the YSL, was under reduced tension in morphant embryos. We propose that local variation in the strength of EVL–YSL attachment in morphant embryos resulted in slow and uneven advancement of the EVL and blastoderm. Our work is the first to demonstrate that Claudins are important for zebrafish epiboly. Developmental Dynamics 239:715–722, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Science communications: Publishing a scientific paper
Authors: Kiefer Julie C.
Published: December 2009

Publications are the lifeblood of academic science. They are essential to the scientific community as records of research completed, building blocks for new research, and templates for new ways of thinking. Publications are also essential for individual job security. Frequently they are considered a gauge of productivity that is taken under heavy consideration for hiring, promotion, and funding decisions. Consequently, completed research is of little value unless preserved in publication. Yet publishing can be a challenging prospect, particularly in the face of abundant competition. Here, five panelists, John Fallon, Ph.D., Min Han, Ph.D., Janet Rossant, Ph.D., Cliff Tabin, Ph.D., and Yoshiko Takahashi, Ph.D., offer their advice on manuscript preparation and negotiating the publishing process. Developmental Dynamics 239:723–726, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of extraembryonic expression of Eomes and Cdx2 in pregastrulation chick and mouse embryo unveils regulatory changes along evolution
Authors: Pernaute Bárbara , Cañon Susana , Crespo Miguel , Fernandez‐Tresguerres Beatriz , Rayon Teresa , Manzanares Miguel
Published: December 2009

In the mouse blastocyst, Eomes and Cdx2 are critical for establishing the trophoectoderm, the precursor of the placenta. To better understand how the trophoectoderm lineage arose in mammals during evolution, we examined the expression of their orthologues in the pregastrulation chick embryo and found that, while both genes are expressed in extraembryonic tissues, their temporal pattern of expression differs from what occurs in mouse. Moreover, we failed to detect expression of other genes specific from the mouse trophoectoderm in extraembryonic regions of the chick. Also unlike the mouse, chick Eomes is expressed in primordial germ cells. Finally, conserved noncoding elements in the Eomes genomic region are unable to drive trophoectoderm restricted expression in the mouse blastocyst, but do so in conserved sites of expression such as the forebrain. These results suggest that critical changes in the gene regulatory networks controlling extraembryonic development accompanied the appearance of the trophoectoderm in mammals. Developmental Dynamics 239:620–629, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
pHMA, a pH‐sensitive GFP reporter for cell engulfment, in Drosophila embryos, tissues, and cells
Authors: Fishilevich Elane , Fitzpatrick James A. J. , Minden Jonathan S.
Published: December 2009

Engulfment of apoptotic cells by phagocytosis ensures the removal of unwanted and defective cells. We developed a genetically encoded marker for cell engulfment, pHMA, which consists of the pH‐Sensitive derivative of GFP, pHluorin, fused to the actin‐binding domain of Moesin. In healthy cells of Drosophila embryos and cultured cells, pHMA resides at the cell cortex. In dying cells, pHMA loses its cortical localization and reports a modest decrease in pH. In embryos, the dying cells lose their apical contacts, then move basally and are ultimately engulfed by neighboring cells or macrophages. The cell corpse material is strongly acidified soon after engulfment and persists in the phagocytic cell for several hours. Changes in the pHMA signal correlate well with increases or decreases in apoptosis. These data show that pHMA is a useful reporter for cell engulfment and can be used in screening for mutations that affect cell engulfment. Developmental Dynamics 239:559–573, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Achievement method of high‐speed response of error prediction tracking control for optical disk system
Authors: Hayano Toru , Shibutani Isao , Ohishi Kiyoshi , Miyazaki Toshimasa , Koide Daiichi , Tokumaru Haruki
Published: December 2009

This paper proposes the new design method of error‐prediction control systems combining the ZPET control and the robust feedback control. The error‐prediction control system based on ZPET control can reduce the tracking error caused by periodic disturbances more efficiently than the conventional repetitive control technique. However, the proposed tracking servo system does not reduce the residual tracking error caused by the low‐pass filter of the feedforward compensation and by the long sampling time. In order to overcome this problem, this paper proposes the new structure of the feedforward tracking control system. The modified ZPET control tracking servo system for optical disk recording system does not include the low‐pass filter and its sampling time becomes faster. On the other hand, the sudden disturbance observer reduces the influence of nonperiodic disturbances. The experimental results point out that the proposed tracking servo system has a precise tracking response against both the periodic disturbances and the nonperiodic disturbances. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 170(4): 51–59, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience. wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20800
Electrical conduction and dielectric relaxation in polyethylene terephthalate succinate
Authors: Kato Fukutaro , Ohki Yoshimichi
Published: December 2009

Electrical conduction and complex permittivity are examined in polyethylene terephthalate succinate, focusing on their relations to dielectric relaxation processes. Both the real and imaginary parts of the complex permittivity, namely, the dielectric constant ε′r and the dielectric loss factor ε′′r, increase with a decrease in frequency, especially at high temperatures. They are both ascribed to the transport of ionic mobile carriers. Namely, the carrier transport forms a conduction current that should contribute to ε′′r. On this occasion, if charge exchange does not occur at the two electrodes, heterocharge layers should be formed before the electrodes. This should increase the charge density on the electrodes, thus contributing to ε′r. In addition to the increase in ε′r and ε′′r due to mobile ions, two relaxation processes, one due to micro‐Brownian motion of dipoles and the other due to orientation and magnitude change of the dipole moment induced by two end groups in the polymer main chain, are observed. Corresponding to these two relaxation processes, two thermally stimulated discharge current (TSDC) peaks appear. The two TSDC peaks as well as the increments in ε′r and ε′′r become larger when the crystallinity of the sample decreases. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 170(4): 1–8, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience. wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20956
Estimating mean life of an aged power equipment group with operation data sequence
Authors: Toyoda Junichi , Sakamoto Kunio , Chida Takuji
Published: December 2009

This paper proposes a systematic method of estimating the mean life of an aged power equipment group based on the approach of Dr. W. Li of BCTC, Canada (IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, February 2004). In order to estimate the mean life of aged power equipment systematically and effectively with the operation data sequence, a linear estimation method is developed on the assumption that the stochastic behavior of aged equipment life determines the probability distribution model, such as the normal model or the Weibull model. Introductory and practical examples are illustrated for verification of the proposed approach. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 170(4): 18–25, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20961
A study on video performance of multipoint‐to‐point video streaming with multiple description coding over ad hoc networks
Authors: Utsu Keisuke , Chow Cheeonn , Ishii Hiroshi
Published: December 2009

Supporting multimedia applications over wireless networks has become a very active research topic recently because video applications are forecast to receive high demand in future wireless networks, such as ad hoc networks. However, enabling video transmission over wireless ad hoc networks is more challenging than over other wireless networks due to node mobility, interference, and the absence of a supporting infrastructure. This paper addresses the problem of video transmission over ad hoc networks. We propose to combine Multiple Description Coding (MDC) with multiple source transport (Multipoint‐to‐Point transfer: MP2P) in order to maintain smooth video streaming over wireless ad hoc networks. In this paper, we describe a comprehensive simulation and test bed experiment designed to show the effect of the proposed MP2P video transfer with MDC for two description cases of video streaming over wireless ad hoc networks. The results show that the proposed mechanism successfully improves video transfer performance in terms of video packet reachability and throughput. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 170(4): 43–50, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20999
International ideal and local practice – access to environmental information and local government in Poland
Authors: Banas Pawel A.
Published: December 2009

Access to information plays an important part in modern governance and is vital for sustainability, as envisaged in Agenda 21, the Aarhus Convention and EU environmental law. Given a shortage of relevant studies dedicated to CEE countries, this paper presents empirical evidence regarding application of the international principle of access to information at the very bottom of administrative hierarchy in one of the largest CEE states. Taking into account the great variety of Polish municipalities with respect to their demographic, economic, environmental and urban characteristics, the paper examines practical access to very basic environmental information. The paper scrutinizes one particular type of information while referring to different modes of accessibility. Survey and interview based data shows to what extent the principle is already adopted at the local level, to what extent e‐government is utilized to secure the provision of information and whether an urban–rural cleavage occurs in this respect. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Frameworks by Solvent‐Free Synthesis of Rare Earth Chlorides with Molten 1,3‐Benzodinitrile and Tailoring of the Particle Size: ∞3[LnCl3{1,3‐C6H4(CN)2}], Ln = Y, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb
Authors: Höller Christoph J. , Müller‐Buschbaum Klaus
Published: December 2009

The solvent‐free melt reactions of anhydrous rare earth trichlorides with molten 1,3‐benzodinitrile [1,3‐C6H4(CN)2, C8H4N2] result in isophthalonitrile frameworks of the rare earth elements. The particle size of the products can bevaried from the millimeter to the nanometer scale (down to 50–400 nm) depending on the synthesis conditions. Thus, these network structures are among the very few coordination polymers that can be synthesized as nanoparticles. A constitution of 1:1 concerning LnCl3/1,3‐C6H4(CN)2 is found for Y (1), Dy (2), Ho (3), Er (4), and Yb (5) in isotypic∞3[LnCl3{1,3‐C6H4(CN)2}]. The ligand 1,3‐C6H4(CN)2 functions both as chemical scissors and replaces chloride linkages by degrading the rare earth chloride structures, and subsequently forms new 3D‐framework structures. They consist of strands of chlorido‐coordinated lanthanide atoms, which are linked in two dimensions by 1,3‐C6H4(CN)2 molecules. Compounds 1–5 were obtained as single crystals from the melt reaction, and their crystal structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. They can also be obtained as nanocrystalline materials from a ball mill treatment, identified by electron microscopy (REM) and EDX analysis.
MEKC: A powerful tool for the determination of amino acids in a variety of biomatrices
Authors: Viglio Simona , Fumagalli Marco , Ferrari Fabio , Iadarola Paolo
Published: December 2009

The continued publication from year to year of new MEKC formulations for the analysis of amino acids provides evidence that both CZE and MEKC still have a great power of attraction in this area. The present review intends to cover the literature on MEKC of amino acids from 2007 until present: it has been planned to follow the same format of our previous review (Electrophoresis2008,29, 224–236) representing its ideal continuation. In addition to methodological developments, the more recent practical applications of MEKC procedures for the determination of amino acids in different matrices will also be described here as an evidence, once again, of the suitability of this technique on samples of different origin.
Recent developments in coupled SPE‐CE
Authors: Ramautar Rawi , Somsen Govert W. , de Jong Gerhardus J.
Published: December 2009

This article presents an overview of coupled SPE‐CE systems that have been reported in the literature between April 2007 and June 2009. The use of in‐line and on‐line SPE‐CE is covered in this review. Special attention is paid to the use of monoliths and molecularly imprinted polymers in coupled SPE‐CE systems. Application‐oriented research is discussed in which in‐line and on‐line SPE‐CE systems have been used in biomedical, pharmaceutical, environmental and food analysis. The SPE‐CE studies are presented in tables, including information on sample type, SPE sorbent, detection and LOD. Finally, some future developments that may increase the applicability of coupled SPE‐CE are highlighted.
Influence of runout‐path material on emplacement of the Round Top rock avalanche, New Zealand
Authors: Dufresne A. , Davies T.R. , McSaveney M.J.
Published: December 2009

Factors influencing the distance a disintegrating rock mass travels as it spreads across the landscape after detaching from a slope include the volume and mechanical properties of the material, local topography and the materials encountered in the runout path. Here we investigate the influence of runout‐path material on the mobility and final morphology of the Round Top rock avalanche deposit, New Zealand. This rock avalanche of mylonitic schist ran out over a planar surface of saturated fluvial gravel. Longitudinal ridges aligned radial to source grade into smaller aligned hummocks and digitate lobes in the distal reach. Soils and river gravels in the runout path are found bulldozed at elongate ridge termini where they formed local obstacles halting avalanche motion at these locations, thus aiding development of prominent elongate ridges on the deposit. Further travel over the disrupted substrate led to avalanche–substrate mixing at the base of the debris mass. Field observations combined with subsurface geophysical investigations and laboratory analogue models illustrate the processes of substrate deformation features at the Round Top rock avalanche. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trends in timing of low stream flows in Canada: impact of autocorrelation and long‐term persistence
Authors: Ehsanzadeh Eghbal , Adamowski Kaz
Published: December 2009

The annual timing of river flows might indicate changes that are climate related. In this study, trends in timing of low flows for the Reference Hydrometric Basin Network were investigated under three different hypotheses namely: independence, short‐term persistence (STP) and long‐term persistence (LTP). Both summer and winter time series were characterized with scaling behaviour providing strong evidence of LTP. The Mann–Kendall trend test was modified to account for STP and LTP, and used to detect trends in timing of low flows. It was found that considering STP and LTP resulted in a significant decrease in the number of detected trends. Numerical analysis showed that the timing of summer 7‐day low flows exhibited significant trends in 16, 9 and 7% of stations under independence, STP and LTP assumptions, respectively. Timing of summer low flow shifted toward later dates in western Canada, whereas the majority of stations in the east half of the country (except Atlantic Provinces) experienced a shift toward earlier dates. Timing of winter low flow experienced significant trends in 20, 12, and 6% of stations under independence, STP and LTP assumptions, respectively. Shift in timing of winter low flow toward earlier dates was dominant all over the country where it shifted toward earlier dates in up to 3/4 of time series with significant trends. There are local patterns of upward significant/insignificant trends in southeast, southwest and northern Canada. This study shows that timing of low flows in Canada is time dependent; however, addressing the full complexity of memory properties (i.e. short term vs long term) of a natural process is beyond the scope of this study. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Potential of support vector regression for prediction of monthly streamflow using endogenous property
Authors: Maity Rajib , Bhagwat Parag P. , Bhatnagar Ashish
Published: December 2009

In the recent past, a variety of statistical and other modelling approaches have been developed to capture the properties of hydrological time series for their reliable prediction. However, the extent of complexity hinders the applicability of such traditional models in many cases. Kernel‐based machine learning approaches have been found to be more popular due to their inherent advantages over traditional modelling techniques including artificial neural networks(ANNs ). In this paper, a kernel‐based learning approach is investigated for its suitability to capture the monthly variation of streamflow time series. Its performance is compared with that of the traditional approaches. Support vector machines (SVMs) are one such kernel‐based algorithm that has given promising results in hydrology and associated areas. In this paper, the application of SVMs to regression problems, known as support vector regression (SVR), is presented to predict the monthly streamflow of the Mahanadi River in the state of Orissa, India. The results obtained are compared against the results derived from the traditional Box–Jenkins approach. While the correlation coefficient between the observed and predicted streamflows was found to be 0·77 in case of SVR, the same for different auto‐regressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models ranges between 0·67 and 0·69. The superiority of SVR as compared to traditional Box‐Jenkins approach is also explained through the feature space representation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.