bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stability of the pyrethroid pesticide bifenthrin in milled wheat during thermal processing, yeast and lactic acid fermentation, and storage
Authors: Đorđević Tijana M , Šiler‐Marinković Slavica S , Đurović Rada D , Dimitrijević‐Branković Suzana I , Gajić Umiljendić Jelena S
Published: April 2013

BACKGROUND

Pesticide residues have become an unavoidable part of food commodities. In the context of increased interest for food processing techniques as a tool for reducing pesticide residues, it is interesting to study the potential loss of pesticides during lactic acid and yeast fermentation. In the present paper the effect of fermentation by Lactobacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae and storage on 23 °C on bifenthrin in wheat was investigated. In addition, the effect of sterilisation (applied in order to avoid contamination with wild microorganism strains, i.e. to determine the individual effects of used strains) on bifenthrin degradation was tested as well.

RESULTS

No significant loss of bifenthrin was observed during storage, or after the sterilisation. During the lactic acid fermentation, reduction within wheat fortified with 0.5 mg kg−1 was 42%, while quite lower within samples fortified with 2.5 mg kg−1, maximum 18%. In contrast, bifenthrin concentration was not reduced during yeast fermentation, as the reduction in fortified samples was in the range of spontaneous chemical degradation during incubation period.

CONCLUSION

Possible bifenthrin contamination in wheat, in amounts over the maximum residue limits, could not be reduced by sterilisation or by yeast fermentation, but lactic acid fermentation could be an effective tool for minimising residual contamination. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Lamellar Morphology of an ABA Triblock Copolymer with a Main‐Chain Nematic Polyester Central Block
Authors: Sato Kazunori , Koga Maito , Kang Sungmin , Sakajiri Koichi , Watanabe Junji , Tokita Masatoshi
Published: April 2013

A liquid crystal (LC) ABA triblock copolymer with poly(styrene) (PS) A blocks and a main‐chain nematic LC polyester B block is synthesized by atom‐transfer radical polymerization of styrene with an LC polyester macro‐initiator. The nematic LC and PS amorphous phases are segregated from each other to form lamellae with a spacing of 27 nm. The 16 nm‐thick nematic LC lamellae are significantly smaller than the contour length of the LC segment (63 nm), and the nematic director is parallel to the lamellae. The central LC segment is primarily more extended in the lamellar direction, but folds so as to meander through the LC lamella and bridges adjacent PS domains. The lamellar microstructure exhibits a reversible spacing increase of up to 31 nm with increasing temperature, suggesting a corresponding increase in the probability of the chain folding.

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On the bounded quasi‐degrees of c.e. sets
Authors: Omanadze Roland Sh.
Published: April 2013

We study the degree structure of bQ‐reducibility and we prove that for any noncomputable c.e. incomplete bQ‐degree a, there exists a nonspeedable bQ‐degree incomparable with it. The structure \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$\mathcal {D}_{\mbox{bs}}$\end{document} of the \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$\mbox{bs}$\end{document}‐degrees is not elementary equivalent neither to the structure of the \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$\mbox{be}$\end{document}‐degrees nor to the structure of the \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$\mbox{e}$\end{document}‐degrees. If c.e. degrees a and b form a minimal pair in the c.e. bQ‐degrees, then a and b form a minimal pair in the bQ‐degrees. Also, for every simple set S there is a noncomputable nonspeedable set A which is bQ‐incomparable with S and bQ‐degrees of S and A does not form a minimal pair.
Hierarchically Porous Materials from Layer‐by‐Layer Photopolymerization of High Internal Phase Emulsions
Authors: Sušec Maja , Ligon Samuel Clark , Stampfl Jürgen , Liska Robert , Krajnc Peter
Published: April 2013

A combination of high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) templating and additive manufacturing technology (AMT) is applied for creating hierarchical porosity within an acrylate and acrylate/thiol‐based polymer network. The photopolymerizable formulation is optimized to produce emulsions with a volume fraction of droplet phase greater than 80 vol%. Kinetic stability of the emulsions is sufficient enough to withstand in‐mold curing or computer‐controlled layer‐by‐layer stereolithography without phase separation. By including macroscale cellular cavities within the build file, a level of controlled porosity is created simultaneous to the formation of the porous microstructure of the polyHIPE. The hybrid HIPE–AMT technique thus provides hierarchically porous materials with mechanical properties tailored by the addition of thiol chain transfer agent.

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Down‐regulation of interferon tau gene transcription with a transcription factor, EOMES
Authors: Sakurai Toshihiro , Bai Hanako , Bai Rulan , Sato Daisuke , Arai Miki , Okuda Kiyoshi , Ideta Atsushi , Aoyagi Yoshito , Godkin James D. , Imakawa Kazuhiko
Published: April 2013

Interferon tau (IFNT), produced for a short interval during early pregnancy by the ruminant embryonic trophectoderm, is essential for the maintenance of early pregnancy, but the mechanism by which it is transcriptionally regulated has not been fully determined. To identify a transcription factor(s) involved in the down‐regulation of IFNT genes, mRNAs for various known transcription factors were investigated by reverse‐transcriptase and real‐time PCR in conceptus tissues collected on Days 15, 17, and 21, or Days 17, 20, and 22 of ovine or bovine pregnancy, respectively. In particular, the T‐box protein eomesodermin (EOMES) exhibited high mRNA expression in Day 17 or 22 ovine or bovine conceptuses. Interaction between EOMES and the identified transcription factors was studied using transient transfection, revealing that ovine/bovine IFNT‐reporter transactivation was down‐regulated by EOMES. Transcription factor interactions with EOMES were further studied through immunoprecipitation, demonstrating an association between EOMES and cAMP‐response element binding protein (CREB)‐binding protein (CREBBP). Uterine flushing media collected from cyclic or early pregnancy animals were added to bovine trophoblast CT‐1 cells cultured on type‐I collagen (monoculture) or bovine uterine epithelial cells (coculture) in an attempt to regulate EOMES expression. In the coculture, but not the monoculture, addition of uterine flushing from Day 17 pregnant animals resulted in increased EOMES expression in CT‐1 cells. These results suggest that as conceptuses attach to the uterine epithelium, IFNT gene transcription is down‐regulated by an increase in EOMES expression and EOMES–CREBBP binding in the attached trophoblast cells. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 80: 371–383, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Two‐dimensional J‐resolved LASER and semi‐LASER spectroscopy of human brain
Authors: Lin Meijin , Kumar Anand , Yang Shaolin
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Two‐dimensional J‐resolved localized and semi‐localized by adiabatic selective refocusing (LASER and semi‐LASER) spectroscopy, named “J‐resolved LASER” and “J‐resolved semi‐LASER”, were introduced to suppress chemical shift artifacts, additional J‐refocused artifactual peaks from spatially dependent J‐coupling evolution, and sensitivity to radiofrequency (RF) field inhomogeneity.

Methods

Three pairs of adiabatic pulses were employed for voxel localization in J‐resolved LASER and two pairs in J‐resolved semi‐LASER. The first half of t1 period was inserted between the last pair of adiabatic pulses, which was proposed in this work to obtain two‐dimensional adiabatic J‐resolved spectra of human brain for the first time. Phantom and human experiments were performed to demonstrate their feasibility and advantages over conventional J‐resolved spectroscopy (JPRESS).

Results

Compared to JPRESS, J‐resolved LASER or J‐resolved semi‐LASER exhibited significant suppression of chemical shift artifacts and additional J‐refocused peaks from spatially dependent J‐coupling evolution, and demonstrated insensitivity to the change of RF frequency offset over large bandwidth.

Conclusion

Experiments on phantoms and human brains verified the feasibility and strengths of two‐dimensional adiabatic J‐resolved spectroscopy at 3T. This technique is expected to advance the application of in vivo two‐dimensional MR spectroscopy at 3T and higher field strengths for more reliable and accurate quantification of metabolites. Magn Reson Med 71:911–920, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simultaneous imaging of in vivo conductivity and susceptibility
Authors: Kim Dong‐Hyun , Choi Narae , Gho Sung‐Min , Shin Jaewook , Liu Chunlei
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Approaches for quantitative mapping of electric conductivity and magnetic susceptibility using MRI have been developed independently. The purpose of this study is to present a method to simultaneously acquire information on conductivity and susceptibility and to produce images based on these properties.

Methods

A 3D multiecho gradient‐echo sequence was used. Phase evolution during the multiecho was used to produce quantitative susceptibility maps, while the phase value at zero echo time was retrieved, and used to generates quantitative conductivity maps. Electromagnetic simulations were performed to evaluate the phase distribution due to conductivity variations. Phantom and in vivo data were also acquired to assess the quality of images produced.

Results

Simulations demonstrated that phase differences across objects increases with size and conductivity. For an accurate conductivity estimate, the maximum echo time was approximately equal to the true
value in order to achieve signal‐to‐noise ratio maximization. The most accurate susceptibility was obtained when separating phase contribution from conductivity. Phantom and in vivo results showed good quality images representing the electromagnetic properties.

Conclusion

A simultaneous quantitative electromagnetic property imaging approach is demonstrated here. The approach not only improves the efficiency of mapping electromagnetic properties, but can also improve the accuracy of susceptibility mapping by separating image phases introduced by conductivity and susceptibility. Magn Reson Med 71:1144–1150, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative MRI analysis of menisci using biexponential T2* fitting with a variable echo time sequence
Authors: Juras Vladimir , Apprich Sebastian , Zbýň Štefan , Zak Lukas , Deligianni Xeni , Szomolanyi Pavol , Bieri Oliver , Trattnig Siegfried
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The goal of this study was to differentiate between normal, degenerative meniscus, and meniscal tears using monoexponentially and biexponentially calculated T2*. Meniscal disease, characterized by an altered collagen fiber matrix, might be detectable in vivo using quantitative T2* mapping.

Methods

A 3D Cartesian spoiled gradient echo technique was adapted to enable the use of a variable echo time approach in combination with a highly asymmetric readout. T2* was calculated monoexponentially and biexponentially using three‐ and five‐parametric non‐linear fits, respectively.

Results

From a total of 68 evaluated menisci, 48 were normal, 12 were degenerated, and eight had tears. Mean values for the short (T2*s) and long (T2*l) T2* components were as follows: in normal menisci, 0.82 ± 0.38/15.0 ± 5.4 ms, respectively; in degenerated menisci, 1.29 ± 0.53/19.97 ± 5.59 ms, respectively; and, in meniscal tears, 2.05 ± 0.73 and 26.83 ± 7.72 ms, respectively. Biexponentially fitted T2* demonstrated a greater ability to distinguish normal and degenerated menisci using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis (higher area under curve as well as higher specificity and sensitivity).

Conclusion

This study suggests that biexponential fitting, used for T2* calculation in the menisci, provides better results compared to monoexponential fitting. Observed changes in T2* result from the matrix reorganization in degenerative processes in the menisci, which affects the collagen fiber orientation, as well as content. Magn Reson Med 71:1015–1023, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Autologous muscle‐derived cells for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence: A 2‐year follow‐up of a polish investigation
Authors: Stangel‐Wojcikiewicz Klaudia , Jarocha Danuta , Piwowar Monika , Jach Robert , Uhl Tadeusz , Basta Antoni , Majka Marcin
Published: April 2013

Aims

We evaluated the safety, feasibility and initial effects of therapy with muscle‐derived cells (MDCs) for women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods

MDCs were isolated from an upper‐arm muscle biopsy from 16 women with SUI. Cells were isolated by enzymatic digestion and expanded in vitro for 8–10 weeks. A quantity of 0.6–25 × 106 of the obtained cells were injected transurethrally into the urethral rhabdosphincter of women under local anesthesia. The cells were placed circumferentially at the 9, 12, and 3 O'clock positions with endoscopic guidance.

Results

The initial results of the treatment of SUI with adult muscle‐derived stem cells demonstrate the safety and feasibility of using these cells. The 2‐year follow‐up revealed a 75% success rate, with some patients achieving complete improvement (50%) and some patients achieving partial improvement (25%), suggesting that the prospects for this method are encouraging.

Conclusions

Stem cell therapy promises to become a minimally invasive method for the regeneration of the urethral rhabdosphincter muscle. Injecting a small number of cells does not preclude obtaining the desired therapeutic result. Neurourol. Urodynam. 33:324–330, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of hospital noise on patients' ability to hear, understand, and recall speech
Authors: Pope Diana S. , Gallun Frederick J. , Kampel Sean
Published: April 2013

Speech intelligibility and recall were examined in normally hearing and hearing‐impaired hospitalized patients. Fifty‐two participants completed testing in a sound‐attenuated booth. While listening to a recorded male speaker talking at conversational level, participants were asked to identify and remember the last (key) word in each of a series of five sentences presented in hospital noise with or without voices at three decibel levels (59, 64, and 69 dBA). Noise level and sentence context had the largest impact on key word identification (p < .001). Noise level had the largest impact on key word recall (p < .001). Type of hospital noise and hearing loss also significantly influenced performance on both measures. These findings have implications for healthcare providers communicating with hospitalized patients. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 36:228–241, 2013
Thermal, mechanical and morphological properties of surface‐modified montmorillonite‐reinforced Viton rubber nanocomposites
Authors: Mali Ananda D , Shimpi Navinchandra G , Mishra Satyendra
Published: April 2013

Thermal, mechanical and morphological properties of surface‐modified montmorillonite (OMMT)‐reinforced Viton rubber nanocomposites were studied. The surface of montmorillonite was modified with a column chromatography technique using quaternary long‐chain ammonium salt as an intercalant, which resulted in uniform exchange of ions between montmorillonite and the ion‐exchange resin, and increased the d‐spacing to 31.5 Å. This improved d‐spacing was due to the use of an ion‐exchange column of sufficient length (35 cm) and diameter (5 cm) with maximum retention time for exchange of ions. The Viton nanocomposites reinforced with OMMT (3–12 wt%) were prepared using a two‐roll mill and moulded in a compression moulding machine. Tensile strength increased 3.17 times and elongation at break from 500 to 600% for 9 wt% loading of OMMT in comparison to pristine Viton rubber. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the presence of OMMT greatly improved the thermal stability. This improvement in properties with increasing OMMT loading was due to insertion of rubber chains between the OMMT plates with good wetting ability. Overall, at an optimum OMMT loading of 9 wt%, the properties of the Viton rubber nanocomposites improved, and subsequently worsened at 12 wt% due to agglomeration of OMMT as revealed by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy images. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Polypeptoids: A perfect match for molecular definition and macromolecular engineering?
Authors: Luxenhofer Robert , Fetsch Corinna , Grossmann Arlett
Published: April 2013

Precision synthesis of polymers has been a hot topic in recent years. While this is notoriously difficult to address for polymers with a CC backbone, Merrifield has discovered a way many decades ago for polypeptides. Using a similar approach, N‐substituted polypeptides, so‐called polypeptoids have been synthesized and studied for about 20 years. In contrast, the living ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of N‐substituted N‐carboxyanhydrides was among the first living polymerizations to be discovered. More recently, a surge in new synthetic approaches led to the efficient synthesis of cyclic or linear multiblock copolypeptoids. Thus, polypeptoids can be synthesized either by solid phase synthesis to yield complex and exactly defined oligo‐ and small polymers or by ROP of appropriately N‐substituted N‐carboxyanhydrides (NNCA) to give linear, cyclic, or star‐like polymers. Together with an excellent biocompatibility, this polymer family may have a bright future ahead as biomaterials. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2731–2752
A population‐based study comparing HRQoL among breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer survivors to propensity score matched controls, by cancer type, and gender
Authors: LeMasters Traci , Madhavan Suresh , Sambamoorthi Usha , Kurian Sobha
Published: April 2013

Background

Objectives were to compare health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) between breast cancer survivors, prostate cancer survivors (PCS), and colorectal cancer survivors (CCS) to matched controls, stratified by short and long‐term survivors, by cancer type, and gender.

Methods

By using the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, propensity scores matched three controls to adult survivors >1 year past diagnosis (N = 11,964) on age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, insurance status, and region of the USA Chi‐square tests and logistic regression models compared HRQoL outcomes (life satisfaction, activity limitations, sleep quality, emotional support, general, physical, and mental health).

Results

Although all cancer survivors reported worse general health (p < 0.000) and more activity limitations (p < 0.004) than controls, these disparities decreased among long‐term survivors. Short‐term PCS and male CCS were more likely to report worse outcomes across additional domains of HRQoL than controls, but PCS were 0.61, 0.63, and 0.70 times less likely to report activity limitations, fair/poor general health, and 1–15 bad physical health days in the past month than male CCS. Breast cancer survivors and female CCS were 2.12 and 3.17, 1.58 and 1.86, and 1.49 and 153, respectively, times more likely to report rarely/never receiving needed emotional support, 1–15 bad mental health days in the past month, and not receiving enough sleep 1–15 days in the past month than PCS and male CCS.

Conclusions

Cancer survivors experience worse HRQoL than similar individuals without a history of cancer and the severity of affected HRQoL domains differ by time since diagnosis, cancer type, and gender. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bacterial Decontamination of the Inner Wall of Narrow Tubes by a Nitrogen Afterglow at Atmospheric Pressure and its Relation to Local Atomic Nitrogen Concentration
Authors: Limam Soukayna , Odic Emmanuel , Kirkpatrick Michael J. , Pointu Anne‐Marie
Published: April 2013

A quartz tube with inner wall contaminated by Escherichia coli bacteria is treated using an atmospheric pressure nitrogen afterglow flowing at 20 SLM. The biocidal efficacy is measured locally at both the input and at the output of a 57 cm tube, giving a reduction of survivors of around 5 and 4 log for a 40 min treatment time, respectively. A weak contribution of gas heating is observed and delineated from the effect uniquely due to the plasma afterglow. Based on previous work, a model allows the estimation of the variation of the axial concentration of N atoms, assumed to be the main active species, and its correlation to the biocidal effect of the afterglow. Extrapolation of the model opens the perspective of the decontamination of longer tubes with smaller diameters such as catheter and endoscope ducts.
A Bayesian Approach to Capability Testing Based on Cpk with Multiple Samples
Authors: Kargar M. , Mashinchi M. , Parchami A.
Published: April 2013

Process capability indices provide numerical measures to compare the output of a process to client's expectations. However, most of the existing researches have used traditional distribution frequency method by using a single sample due to assess process capability. An alternative to this approach is to use the Bayesian method. In this paper, we utilize a Bayesian approach based on subsamples to check process capability via capability index Cpk. As a new suggestion, we used the informative normal prior distribution and the characteristics of sufficient statistic of the parameter to drive the posterior distribution. The capability test is done, and the posterior probability p, for which the process under investigation is capable, is derived both based on the most popular index Cpk. Finally, a numerical example is given to clarify the method. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Economic and Economic‐Statistical Designs of Phase II Profile Monitoring
Authors: Noorossana R. , Niaki S.T.A , Ershadi M. J.
Published: April 2013

In economic design of profiles, parameters of a profile are determined such that the total implementation cost is minimized. These parameters consist of the number of set points, n, the interval between two successive sampling, h, and the parameters of a control chart used for monitoring. In this paper, the Lorenzen–Vance cost function is extended to model the costs associated with implementing profiles. The in‐control and the out‐of‐control average run lengths, ARL0 and ARL1, respectively, are used as two statistical measures to evaluate the statistical performances of the proposed model. A genetic algorithm (GA) is developed for solving both the economic and the economic‐statistical models, where response surface methodology is employed to tune the GA parameters. Results indicate satisfactory statistical performance without much increase in the cost of implementation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Real‐time robust 3D object tracking and estimation for surveillance system
Authors: Park Jin‐hyung , Rho Seungmin , Jeong Chang‐sung
Published: April 2013

We present a new 3D object tracking algorithm that supports multiple planar and nonplanar objects with real‐time processing speed and high accuracy. The main problem of object tracking algorithm is the limitation of the supporting type of target object, slow processing speed, and low tracking accuracy. Our algorithm provides high accuracy and real‐time performance while detecting not only planar objects but also nonplanar objects. The real‐time performance is accomplished by using Features from Accelerated Segment Test corner detection, region of interest, and parallel processing on a multicore processor. High accuracy is realized by using a scale‐invariant feature transform descriptor, random sample consensus, region of interest, and double robust filtering. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
One‐Dimensional Nano‐Interconnection Formation
Authors: Ji Jianlong , Zhou Zhaoying , Yang Xing , Zhang Wendong , Sang Shengbo , Li Pengwei
Published: April 2013

Interconnection of one‐dimensional nanomaterials such as nanowires and carbon nanotubes with other parts or components is crucial for nanodevices to realize electrical contacts and mechanical fixings. Interconnection has been being gradually paid great attention since it is as significant as nanomaterials properties, and determines nanodevices performance in some cases. This paper provides an overview of recent progress on techniques that are commonly used for one‐dimensional interconnection formation. In this review, these techniques could be categorized into two different types: two‐step and one‐step methods according to their established process. The two‐step method is constituted by assembly and pinning processes, while the one‐step method is a direct formation process of nano‐interconnections. In both methods, the electrodeposition approach is illustrated in detail, and its potential mechanism is emphasized.
Amplification of Resonant Rayleigh Light Scattering Response Using Immunogold Colloids for Detection of Lysozyme
Authors: Truong Phuoc Long , Choi Seung Phill , Sim Sang Jun
Published: April 2013

A strategy for attomolar‐level detection of small molecule‐size proteins is reported based on Rayleigh light scattering spectroscopy of individual nanoplasmonic aptasensors by exploiting the outstanding characteristics of gold colloids to amplify the nontransparent resonant signal at ultralow analyte concentrations. The fabrication method utilizes thiol‐mediated adsorption of a DNA aptamer on the immobilized Au nanoparticle surface, the interfacial binding characteristics of the aptamer with its target molecules, and the antibody–antigen interaction through plasmonic resonance coupling of the Au nanoparticles. Using lysozyme as a model analyte for disease detection, the detection limit of the aptasensor is ∼7 × 103 aM, corresponding to the LSPR λmax shift of ∼2.25 nm. Up to a 380% increase in the localized resonant λmax shift is demonstrated upon antibody binding to the analyte compared to the primary response during signal amplification using immunogold colloids. This enhancement leads to a limit of detection of ∼7 aM, which is an improvement of three orders of magnitude. The results demonstrate substantial promise for developing coupled plasmonic nanostructures for ultrasensitive detection of various biological and chemical analytes.
Triggering and Monitoring Plasmon‐Enhanced Reactions by Optical Nanoantennas Coupled to Photocatalytic Beads
Authors: Salmistraro Marco , Schwartzberg Adam , Bao Wei , Depero Laura E. , Weber‐Bargioni Alexander , Cabrini Stefano , Alessandri Ivano
Published: April 2013

Plasmonic metal/semiconductor nanocomposites promise to be a breakthrough for boosting and investigating photon‐assisted processes at the nanoscale, with exciting perspectives for energy conversion and catalysis. However, the efficiency and selectivity of these surface processes are still far from being controlled. Here, shown for the first time, is a new class of photocatalyst which is based on the synergistic combination of bowtie‐like gold nanoantennas and SiO2/TiO2 core/shell oxide beads. These systems are exploited as efficient near‐field optical light concentrators, stimulating photon‐driven processes at the metal‐semiconductor interface. Extraordinary enhancements of photodegradation rates (minutes instead of hours) result from matching the nanoantenna surface plasmon resonance with the optical absorption of organic dyes and the excitation source wavelength. Moreover, strong Raman enhancements are observed allowing for direct in‐situ monitoring of reaction progress of different analytes on the same site.
Ubiquitin E3 Ligase Itch Negatively Regulates Osteoblast Differentiation from Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells
Authors: Zhang Hengwei , Xing Lianping
Published: April 2013

Itch, a HECT family E3 ligase, affects numerous cell functions by regulating ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of target proteins. However, the role of Itch in osteoblasts has not been investigated. We report that Itch−/− mice have significantly increased bone volume, osteoblast numbers, and bone formation rate. Using bone marrow stromal cells from Itch−/− mice and wild-type (WT) littermates as bone marrow mesenchymal precursor cells (BM-MPCs), we found that BM-MPCs from Itch−/− mice have compatible numbers of cells expressing mesenchymal stem cell markers. However, Itch−/− BM-MPCs grew faster in an in vitro culture, formed more CFU-F mesenchymal colonies, and exhibited increased osteoblast differentiation and decreased adipogenesis. Importantly, Itch−/− mesenchymal colony cells formed significantly more new bone in a tibial defect of recipient mice compared with WT cells. The expression levels of JunB, an AP-1 transcription factor that positively regulate osteoblast differentiation, were significantly increased in Itch−/− BM-MPCs when proteasome function is intact. In contrast, the amount of ubiquitinated JunB protein was markedly decreased in Itch−/− cells when proteasome function was blocked. Overexpression of WT Itch, but not an Itch ligase-inactive mutant, rescued differentiation defects of Itch−/− BM-MPCs. Itch−/− BM-MPCs had a similar role in immune modulation as WT cells. Thus, Itch negatively controls osteoblast differentiation from BM-MPCs through the regulation of proteasomal degradation of positive osteoblast regulator JunB protein. Itch is a potential new target for bone anabolic drug development to treat patients with bone loss.
A New Immuno-, Dystrophin-Deficient Model, the NSG-mdx
4Cv Mouse, Provides Evidence for Functional Improvement Following Allogeneic Satellite Cell Transplantation
Authors: Arpke Robert W. , Darabi Radbod , Mader Tara L. , Zhang Yu , Toyama Akira , Lonetree Cara-lin , Nash Nardina , Lowe Dawn A. , Perlingeiro Rita C.R. , Kyba Michael
Published: April 2013

Transplantation of a myogenic cell population into an immunodeficient recipient is an excellent way of assessing the in vivo muscle-generating capacity of that cell population. To facilitate both allogeneic and xenogeneic transplantations of muscle-forming cells in mice, we have developed a novel immunodeficient muscular dystrophy model, the NSG-mdx4Cv mouse. The IL2Rg mutation, which is linked to the Dmd gene on the X chromosome, simultaneously depletes NK cells and suppresses thymic lymphomas, issues that limit the utility of the SCID/mdx model. The NSG-mdx4Cv mouse presents a muscular dystrophy of similar severity to the conventional mdx mouse. We show that this animal supports robust engraftment of both pig and dog muscle mononuclear cells. The question of whether satellite cells prospectively isolated by flow cytometry can confer a functional benefit upon transplantation has been controversial. Using allogeneic Pax7-ZsGreen donors and NSG-mdx4Cv recipients, we demonstrate definitively that as few as 900 FACS-isolated satellite cells can provide functional regeneration in vivo, in the form of an increased mean maximal force-generation capacity in cell-transplanted muscles, compared to a sham-injected control group. These studies highlight the potency of satellite cells to improve muscle function and the utility of the NSG-mdx4Cv model for studies on muscle regeneration and Duchenne muscular dystrophy therapy.
Therapeutic Activities of Engrafted Neural Stem/Precursor Cells Are Not Dormant in the Chronically Injured Spinal Cord
Authors: Kumamaru Hiromi , Saiwai Hirokazu , Kubota Kensuke , Kobayakawa Kazu , Yokota Kazuya , Ohkawa Yasuyuki , Shiba Keiichiro , Iwamoto Yukihide , Okada Seiji
Published: April 2013

The transplantation of neural stem/precursor cells (NSPCs) is a promising therapeutic strategy for many neurodegenerative disorders including spinal cord injury (SCI) because it provides for neural replacement or trophic support. This strategy is now being extended to the treatment of chronic SCI patients. However, understanding of biological properties of chronically transplanted NSPCs and their surrounding environments is limited. Here, we performed temporal analysis of injured spinal cords and demonstrated their multiphasic cellular and molecular responses. In particular, chronically injured spinal cords were growth factor-enriched environments, whereas acutely injured spinal cords were enriched by neurotrophic and inflammatory factors. To determine how these environmental differences affect engrafted cells, NSPCs transplanted into acutely, subacutely, and chronically injured spinal cords were selectively isolated by flow cytometry, and their whole transcriptomes were compared by RNA sequencing. This analysis revealed that NSPCs produced many regenerative/neurotrophic molecules irrespective of transplantation timing, and these activities were prominent in chronically transplanted NSPCs. Furthermore, chronically injured spinal cords permitted engrafted NSPCs to differentiate into neurons/oligodendrocytes and provided more neurogenic environment for NSPCs than other environments. Despite these results demonstrate that transplanted NSPCs have adequate capacity in generating neurons/oligodendrocytes and producing therapeutic molecules in chronic SCI microenvironments, they did not improve locomotor function. Our results indicate that failure in chronic transplantation is not due to the lack of therapeutic activities of engrafted NSPCs but the refractory state of chronically injured spinal cords. Environmental modulation, rather modification of transplanting cells, will be significant for successful translation of stem cell-based therapies into chronic SCI patients.
Long‐term management of a hydroelectric multireservoir system under uncertainty using the progressive hedging algorithm
Authors: Carpentier P.‐L. , Gendreau M. , Bastin F.
Published: April 2013

Key Points

We apply the PHA on Hydro‐Quebec's reservoir system.

A long‐term planning horizon is considered.

Deterministic and stochastic solutions are compared.
Modeling the ecohydrological role of aspect‐controlled radiation on tree‐grass‐shrub coexistence in a semiarid climate
Authors: Zhou Xiaochi , Istanbulluoglu Erkan , Vivoni Enrique R.
Published: April 2013

Key Points

Explicitly treated of topographic influence on incoming shortwave radiation.

Plant specific biological processes affect vegetation composition.
Opportunities and challenges to implementing bird conservation on private lands
Authors: Ciuzio Elizabeth , Hohman William L. , Martin Brian , Smith Mark D. , Stephens Scott , Strong Allan M. , Vercauteren Tammy
Published: April 2013

With >70% of the United States held in private ownership, land‐use decisions of landowners will ultimately dictate the future of bird conservation in North America. However, land‐use objectives of landowners vary considerably and present opportunities and challenges for bird conservationists. Innovative strategies incorporating proactive approaches to address educational, financial, social, and economic needs of landowners are required to garner participation in conservation programs and practices to create or enhance bird habitat on privately owned working lands. Farm Bill conservation programs and practices provide unprecedented opportunities to facilitate bird conservation at regional and national scales and frequently serve as the primary vehicle for many non‐governmental organizations to accomplish their bird conservation goals. We identify current challenges and opportunities for bird conservation on private lands and present 4 case studies whereby partnerships with federal agencies, mainly the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, have proven successful in eliciting positive, measurable outcomes to bird conservation efforts on private lands spanning many North American physiographic regions. The future of bird conservation will increasingly rely upon the ability of federal agencies to prioritize and allocate additional resources to deliver bird conservation programs on private lands and a greater awareness by conservationists of the role of economics in the decision‐making process of landowners. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Effects of riparian buffer width on activity and detection of common bats in the southern Appalachian Mountains
Authors: O'Keefe Joy M. , Loeb Susan C. , Gerard Patrick D. , Lanham J. Drew
Published: April 2013

Riparian zones are important to bats, which use them for foraging, roosting, and drinking. To predict effects of timber harvests in riparian areas on bats, more information is needed on the functional width of riparian zones for bats, and how bats respond to forest removal near small perennial streams. From May to August (2004–2007), we studied bat presence and activity in 1 unharvested site and 3 harvested sites with different riparian‐buffer sizes (0 m, 10 m, and 30 m) in the southern Appalachian Mountains of the United States. We measured activity at 3 distances from the stream in each site (0 m, stream; 23 m, mid; and 46 m, far), classified bat calls by phonic group, and tested the effect of harvest on overall activity, detection, and naïve occupancy rates for 4 phonic groups. Pre‐harvest activity was higher at the far versus stream or mid positions. Position, harvest, and interactions affected post‐harvest change in activity in the treatment sites. Pre‐ and post‐harvest activity was similar at all positions in the 30‐m site. Activity increased significantly in the 0‐m and 10‐m sites, likely due to the presence of edge after harvest. Detection probabilities were higher post‐harvest for larger bats and occupancy of 0‐m and 10‐m sites was higher post‐harvest for all phonic groups except Myotis. Post‐harvest responses suggest that the functional width of riparian zones in our study area is ≥10 m. This study is the first to test the effects of harvesting on use of riparian forests by bats; further long‐term landscape‐scale studies are needed. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Spatially explicit analysis of contributions of a regional conservation strategy toward sustaining northern goshawk habitat
Authors: Smith Winston P.
Published: April 2013

Setting aside habitat is a common strategy to maintain viable wildlife populations, but underlying assumptions or effectiveness are rarely evaluated. The Tongass National Forest prioritized habitat management for sensitive species in Southeast Alaska's rainforest, and standards and guidelines were established for northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis). I used guidelines from other portions of its range and data from Southeast Alaska, USA, to evaluate the conservation strategy. I used published data and nests from this study to define choice habitats; published juvenile movements and female use areas were used to estimate an “average” post‐fledging area and female breeding range, respectively. I used nest‐tree locations (n = 136) to delineate corresponding virtual post‐fledging areas and female home ranges, within which I calculated acreage of 4 cover‐type and 4 land‐use categories. About 30% of nests had >51% of post‐fledging areas in choice habitat; 60% of nests had >51% in unsecure (unprotected from development) land‐use designations, whereas 16% had >51% in a protected old‐growth designation. The female range was similar to post‐fledging areas, but the proportions predominantly (>75%) available for development (land use that modifies landscapes) or with 26–50% of total area in choice habitat were larger than post‐fledging areas, and half as many nests had >51% of area in choice habitat. Among cover types, choice habitat averaged 39.4% of the post‐fledging area. These findings increase uncertainty about conservation measures contributing sufficient habitat to sustain well‐distributed, viable populations of northern goshawks throughout Southeast Alaska and demonstrate the need and feasibility of evaluating assumptions of conservation plans. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pdr16p restricts changes in ergosterol biosynthesis caused by the presence of azole antifungals
Authors: Šimová Zuzana , Poloncová Katarína , Tahotná Dana , Holič Roman , Hapala Ivan , Smith Adam R. , White Theodore C. , Griač Peter
Published: April 2013

Pdr16p belongs to the family of phosphatidylinositol transfer proteins in yeast. The absence of Pdr16p results in enhanced susceptibility to azole antifungals in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In the major fungal human pathogen Candida albicans, CaPDR16 is a contributing factor to clinical azole resistance. The current study was aimed at better understanding the function of Pdr16p, especially in relation to azole resistance in S. cerevisiae. We show that deletion of the PDR16 gene increased susceptibility of S. cerevisiae to azole antifungals that are used in clinical medicine and agriculture. Significant differences in the inhibition of the sterol biosynthetic pathway were observed between the pdr16Δ strain and its corresponding wild‐type (wt) strain when yeast cells were challenged by sub‐inhibitory concentrations of the azoles miconazole or fluconazole. The increased susceptibility to azoles, and enhanced changes in sterol biosynthesis upon exposure to azoles of the pdr16Δ strain compared to wt strain, are not the results of increased intracellular concentration of azoles in the pdr16Δ cells. We also show that overexpression of PDR17 complemented the azole susceptible phenotype of the pdr16Δ strain and corrected the enhanced sterol alterations in pdr16Δ cells in the presence of azoles. Pdr17p was found previously to be an essential part of a complex required for intermembrane transport of phosphatidylserine at regions of membrane apposition. Based on these observations, we propose a hypothesis that Pdr16p assists in shuttling sterols or their intermediates between membranes or, alternatively, between sterol biosynthetic enzymes or complexes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dinuclear Macrocyclic Quinoline Bridged Mercury and Silver Bis(N‐heterocyclic Carbene) Complexes: Synthesis, Structure, and Spectroscopic Studies
Authors: Lin Cai‐Xia , Kong Xiao‐Fei , Xu Feng‐Bo , Zhang Zheng‐Zhi , Yuan Yao‐Feng
Published: April 2013

Quinoline bridged imidazolium precursors 5,8‐bis(N‐R‐imidazolylidenylmethylene)quinoline PF6– salts [H2L](PF6)2 [R = Me (1a), R = naphthylmethyl (1b)] were prepared by quaternization of N‐methylimidazole and N‐naphthylmethylimidazole with 5,8‐bis(bromomethyl)quinoline, respectively. Reaction of the imidazolium ligands 1a and 1b with Hg(OAc)2 and Ag2O in acetonitrile gave the macrocyclic transition metal carbene complexes [Hg2L2](PF6)4 (2a and 2b) and [Ag2L2](PF6)2 (3a and 3b), respectively. All the N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes were characterized in detail by NMR, ESI‐MS, and elemental analysis. Structures of complexes 2a and 3a were determined by X‐ray diffraction studies. Structural studies revealed that the coordination arrangement of the central mercury atom in complex 2a displays a tricoordinate mode and the molecular conformation results in a“closed” form with the bridging quinoline functionality in the macrocycle, whereas the silver complex 3a does not show an coordiantion between the bridging quinoline and the AgI ion, which results in an “open” conformation of the macrocycle. The HgII and AgI NHC complexes showed similar UV absorption and luminescence in acetonitrile solutions.
Harmonic Regression and Scale Stability
Authors: Lee Yi-Hsuan , Haberman Shelby J.
Published: April 2013

Monitoring a very frequently administered educational test with a relatively short history of stable operation imposes a number of challenges. Test scores usually vary by season, and the frequency of administration of such educational tests is also seasonal. Although it is important to react to unreasonable changes in the distributions of test scores in a timely fashion, it is not a simple matter to ascertain what sort of distribution is really unusual. Many commonly used approaches for seasonal adjustment are designed for time series with evenly spaced observations that span many years and, therefore, are inappropriate for data from such educational tests. Harmonic regression, a seasonal-adjustment method, can be useful in monitoring scale stability when the number of years available is limited and when the observations are unevenly spaced. Additional forms of adjustments can be included to account for variability in test scores due to different sources of population variations. To illustrate, real data are considered from an international language assessment.
School System Evaluation by Value Added Analysis Under Endogeneity
Authors: Manzi Jorge , San Martín Ernesto , Van Bellegem Sébastien
Published: April 2013

Value added is a common tool in educational research on effectiveness. It is often modeled as a (prediction of a) random effect in a specific hierarchical linear model. This paper shows that this modeling strategy is not valid when endogeneity is present. Endogeneity stems, for instance, from a correlation between the random effect in the hierarchical model and some of its covariates. This paper shows that this phenomenon is far from exceptional and can even be a generic problem when the covariates contain the prior score attainments, a typical situation in value added modeling. Starting from a general, model-free definition of value added, the paper derives an explicit expression of the value added in an endogeneous hierarchical linear Gaussian model. Inference on value added is proposed using an instrumental variable approach. The impact of endogeneity on the value added and the estimated value added is calculated accurately. This is also illustrated on a large data set of individual scores of about 200,000 students in Chile.
Disability and Pain after Cortisone versus Placebo Injection for Trapeziometacarpal Arthrosis and De Quervain Syndrome
Authors: Makarawung Dennis J. S. , Becker Stéphanie J. E. , Bekkers Stijn , Ring David
Published: April 2013

Background

This study tested the null hypothesis that type of injection (corticosteroid vs. placebo) is not a predictor of arm-specific disability as measured with the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire 1 to 3 months after injection of dexamethasone or placebo for treatment of trapeziometacarpal (TMC) arthrosis or de Quervain syndrome. Secondly, we tested if type of injection was a predictor of pain intensity.

Methods

Thirty-six English-speaking adults with TMC arthrosis or de Quervain syndrome were randomized for a dexamethasone or a placebo injection. At time of the injection, patients completed a demographic data sheet and validated questionnaires assessing arm-specific disability, pain intensity, depressive symptoms, pain catastrophizing, and patient's health-related beliefs. At an average of 1.4±0.42 months (range, 0.79–2.5 months) after the injection, patients completed questionnaires regarding arm-specific disability, pain, and treatment satisfaction. Grip and pinch strength measurements were measured at both time points. Bivariable and multivariable analyses assessed predictors of arm-specific disability and pain intensity at follow-up.

Results

Type of injection was not a predictor of arm-specific disability or pain intensity 1 to 3 months after injection. The best model both for arm-specific disability and pain intensity at follow-up included pain catastrophizing and explained 18 % and 33 % of the variability, respectively. Conclusions Catastrophic thinking was a better predictor of both of arm-specific disability and pain intensity than diagnosis or type of injection (steroid vs. placebo) 1 to 3 months after an injection.
Synthesis, Autoorganization and Reactivity of Amphiphilic Derivatives of 1‐Aminoisoindole in Water and Formamide
Authors: Levkov Igor V. , Cassel Stephanie , Voitenko Zoia V. , Saffon Nathalie , Lattes Armand , Rico‐Lattes Isabelle
Published: April 2013

In this work, we present the synthesis of cationic surfactants based on 1‐aminoisoindole. The physico‐chemical properties were studied by conductometry, tensiometry, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy in water and in formamide. The reactivity of these novel surfactants has been studied at concentrations below and above critical aggregation concentrations (CAC) and it was found that reactions can proceed in structured media without the addition of other catalysts.