bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geographic variation in floral morphology and style‐morph ratios in a sexually polymorphic daffodil
Authors: Hodgins Kathryn A. , Barrett Spencer C. H.
Published: February 2008

Narcissus triandrusis a tristylous daffodil from the Iberian Peninsula that has striking geographical variation in floral morphology and style‐morph ratios. Here, we investigate the relation between this variation and ecological factors to understand mechanisms governing morph ratios. We estimated morph ratios in 124 populations throughout the range ofN.triandrusand measured 13 morphological traits in 35–78 populations. Sampling of morph ratios conducted over 2–10‐yr intervals demonstrated strong temporal stability. Variation in floral and vegetative traits enabled statistical prediction of morph‐frequency variation among populations. Latitudinal gradients in precipitation and temperature were correlated with plant and flower size, with larger flowers in northern populations associated with bumblebee visitation and stylar dimorphism. Flowers of the L‐ and M‐morphs differed significantly from the S‐morph in several size‐related characters, unlike other tristylous species. This pattern and the similarity in anther positions of the L‐ and M‐morphs suggest that the M‐morph ofN. triandrusoriginated through genetic modifiers that shortened styles of the L‐morph. Our findings support the hypothesis that geographical variation in style‐morph ratios is largely governed by climatic gradients in the Iberian Peninsula, which influence the floral morphology and pollination biology ofN. triandruspopulations.
Evolution of secondary heads in Nassauviinae (Asteraceae, Mutisieae)
Authors: Katinas Liliana , Crisci Jorge V. , Jabaily Rachel Schmidt , Williams Cody , Walker Jay , Drew Bryan , Bonifacino Jose M. , Sytsma Kenneth J.
Published: February 2008

The evolution of the inflorescence head in Asteraceae is important in the diversification of this largest angiosperm family. The aggregation of heads into higher‐order capitulescences (secondary heads or syncephalia) is considered evolutionarily advanced. The genera Moscharia, Nassauvia, Polyachyrus, and Triptilion of the subtribe Nassauviinae (Mutisieae) have syncephalia with differing degrees of capitula condensation. ITS and plastid trnL‐trnF regions were analyzed separately and together using maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood to examine the evolution of syncephalia in the Nassauviinae. The four genera displaying syncephalia do not form a clade minus taxa without syncephalia, indicating that secondary heads in Nassauviinae have either convergently evolved twice in the subtribe (or, very unlikely) once with multiple reversions. Strong support was obtained for a sister relationship between Leucheria (without syncephalium) and Polyachyrus, and both sister to Moscharia. Nassauvia and Triptilion form a distinct clade but are sister to other genera, Perezia and Panphalea, without syncephalium. Previous hypotheses postulated the evolution from simple to more complex secondary heads. We show that the ancestor of Moscharia, Polyachyrus, and Leucheria, in a more arid habitat, had a complex type of secondary head, and loss of complexity occurred in response to a shift from arid to mesic conditions.
Density‐dependent mating and reproductive assurance in the temperate forest herbParis quadrifolia(Trilliaceae)
Authors: Jacquemyn Hans , Brys Rein
Published: February 2008

In animal‐pollinated plants, autonomous selfing provides reproductive assurance under conditions of infrequent pollinator visits or a lack of mates, but few data are available for wind‐pollinated species or species with combined insect and wind‐pollination, for which it is often assumed that pollen availability does not limit reproduction. In this study, the capacity of autonomous selfing was investigated in the temperate forest herbParis quadrifolia, and an emasculation experiment was performed under natural field conditions to investigate the contribution of autonomous selfing to total seed set across a continuous gradient of densities of flowering conspecifics. In the absence of wind or pollinators, autonomous selfing was observed through anthers approaching stigmas at the end of flowering and the capacity for autonomous pollination was about 0.34. Under natural conditions, considerable outcross pollination was observed, but the proportion of ovules successfully fertilized significantly decreased with decreasing density of conspecifics when flowers were emasculated, but not when flowers were left intact. These results indicate that autonomous selfing resulted in reproductive assurance (RA = 0.16) and thus support the hypothesis that autonomous selfing can also provide reproductive assurance in wind‐pollinated species.
Novel Complex Nanostructure from Directed Assembly of Block Copolymers on Incommensurate Surface Patterns
Authors: Kim S. O. , Kim B. H. , Meng D. , Shin D. O. , Koo C. M. , Solak H. H. , Wang Q.
Published: February 2008

A novel complex nanostructure, produced by the directed assembly of a block copolymer thin film on chemically patterned surfaces, is presented. The new nanostructure, which consists of cylinders oriented alternately parallel and perpendicular to the surface (see figure, a result of self‐consistent field calculations), demonstrates that a judiciously designed chemical pattern may be used to fabricate a well‐ordered complex nanostructure in block copolymer thin films.
Controlled Integration of Nanocrystals in Inverted Hexagonal Nano‐Pits at the Surface of Light‐Emitting Heterostructures (Adv. Mater. 5/2008)
Authors: de Sousa Pereira S. M. , Martins M. A. , Trindade T. , Watson I. M. , Zhu D. , Humphreys C. J.
Published: February 2008

Hexagonal inverted nanopyramids on gallium‐nitride‐based multiple quantum wells are exploited to confine gold nanocrystals (NCs) at the surface of such light‐emitting heterostructures. The number of NCs incorporated in each pit can be controlled by nanoengineering either the NCs' size or the pit size. Capillarity effects can be used to drive the formation of well‐defined assemblies of Au NCs within each pit, as reported by Sérgio Pereira and co‐workers on p. 1038.
Thermodynamic properties of THF + CO2 hydrates in relation with refrigeration applications
Authors: Martínez M. C. , Dalmazzone D. , Fürst W. , Delahaye A. , Fournaison L.
Published: February 2008

Clathrate hydrate slurries are promising systems in the field of cold distribution. In this work, the Lw‐H‐V equilibrium conditions, the dissociation enthalpy, and the CO2 hydration number of a clathrate hydrate formed from THF/CO2/water mixtures were studied, using a DSC method. For equilibrium condition determination, THF concentration was varied from 1.0 to 16.0 wt % and CO2 partial pressure range was 0.2 to 2.0 MPa. For enthalpy measurements, THF concentration was fixed at 19 wt % and CO2 partial pressure investigated from 0.2 to 2.0 MPa. Experimental equilibrium temperatures and enthalpy values were in good agreement with the results of a model combining the van der Waals and Platteeuw approach with the RKS equation of state associated to a MHV2 mixing rule and UNIFAC model. Equilibrium conditions and dissociation enthalpy show that THF + CO2 hydrate slurries are promising mixtures for refrigeration application. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Correlation of mechanical behaviors with crystalline phase and related cavitation in isotactic polypropylene
Authors: Lv Ruihua , Xu Wenfei , Na Bing , Yan Junzhang
Published: February 2008

The β→α phase transformation during annealing of β‐nucleated isotactic polypropylene (iPP) at 160°C for 1 h has been confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction measurements. The α‐crystals and related crystallinity in the annealed samples result in higher yield stress and volume dilatation, indicated by the true stress–strain and volume strain analysis, respectively. Meanwhile, higher volume dilatation can find its origin in the lower network modulus in the annealed samples. The increasing yield stress and volume strain, related to the crystalline phase (including crystal form and crystallinity), furthermore, should be responsible for the significant deterioration of the fracture toughness in the annealed samples determined by the essential work of fracture tests. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Arthritis patients' perceptions of rheumatologists' participatory decision‐making style and communication about complementary and alternative medicine
Authors: Sleath Betsy , Callahan Leigh F. , Devellis Robert F. , Beard Ashley
Published: February 2008

Objective

To examine if patients with arthritis who reported using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) were more likely to tell their physicians about their CAM use if they rated their rheumatologist as using a more participatory decision‐making style and what reasons patients gave for telling or not telling their rheumatologist about their CAM use.

Methods

A survey that asked about CAM use, health status, demographics, physician use of a participatory decision‐making style, and medical skepticism was sent to individuals with arthritis who saw 23 rheumatologists at universities and private practice clinics in North Carolina. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the data.

Results

A total of 92% of patients reported using CAM for their arthritis and 54% of these patients discussed their CAM use with their rheumatologist. Women, patients who used more types of CAM, and patients who rated their rheumatologist as using a more participatory decision‐making style were significantly more likely to tell their physicians about their CAM use.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that if rheumatologists use more participatory styles of decision making with patients and involve them when making treatment decisions, patients are more likely to tell them about their CAM use.
The clinimetric properties of the world health organization disability assessment schedule II in early inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Baron Murray , Schieir Orit , Hudson Marie , Steele Russell , Kolahi Sousan , Berkson Laeora , Couture Francois , Fitzcharles M. A. , Gagné Michel , Garfield Bruce , Gutkowski Andrzej , Kang Harb , Kapusta Morton , Ligier Sophie , Mathieu Jean‐Pierre , Ménard Henri , Starr Michael , Stein Michael , Zummer Michel
Published: February 2008

Objective

To assess the clinimetric properties of a new health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) instrument, the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS II), in patients with early inflammatory arthritis.

Methods

Internal consistency as well as criterion, construct, and discriminative validity of the WHODAS II were assessed in 172 patients with early inflammatory arthritis who completed the WHODAS II, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF‐36), and other measures of disease severity, functioning, pain, depression, and resource use. Test–retest reliability of the WHODAS II was assessed by having a subset of 20 patients complete the WHODAS II a second time, 1 week after the first assessment.

Results

The WHODAS II had high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.96 for patients working or in school and 0.93 for patients not working or in school). Test–retest intraclass correlation coefficients of the WHODAS II total score and subscales ranged from 0.82–0.96. The WHODAS II total score was strongly correlated with the SF‐36 physical component score (Kendall's tau‐b 0.51, P < 0.001) and moderately correlated with the SF‐36 mental component score (tau‐b 0.43, P < 0.001). WHODAS II correlations with disease outcomes ranged from Kendall's tau‐b 0.15–0.55. The WHODAS II significantly differentiated between every aspect of disease severity assessed with the exception of measures of health resource use.

Conclusion

The WHODAS II is a valid and reliable measure of HRQOL in cross‐sectional studies of patients with early inflammatory arthritis. Research is still required to investigate potential item redundancy and determine its usefulness in longitudinal studies.
The cutaneous lupus erythematosus disease activity and severity index: Expansion for rheumatology and dermatology
Authors: Krathen M. S. , Dunham J. , Gaines E. , Junkins‐Hopkins J. , Kim E. , Kolasinski S. L. , Kovarik C. , Kwan‐Morley J. , Okawa J. , Propert K. , Rogers N. , Rose M. , Thomas P. , Troxel A. B. , Van Voorhees A. , Feldt J. Von , Weber A. L. , Werth V. P.
Published: February 2008

Objective

To evaluate the validity of the Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) for use by rheumatologists via reliability testing, and to extend the validation for dermatologists.

Methods

Fourteen subjects with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE; n = 10), a mimicker skin disease only (a cutaneous lesion that may appear clinically similar to CLE; n = 1), or both (n = 3) were rated with the CLASI by academic‐based dermatologists (n = 5) and rheumatologists (n = 5).

Results

The dermatology intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.92 for activity and 0.82 for damage; for rheumatology the ICC was 0.83 for activity and 0.86 for damage. For intrarater reliability, the dermatology Spearman's rho was 0.94 for activity and 0.97 for damage; for rheumatology the Spearman's rho was 0.91 for activity and 0.99 for damage.

Conclusion

Our data confirm the reliability of the CLASI when used by dermatologists and support the CLASI as a reliable instrument for use by rheumatologists.
Lateral wedges in knee osteoarthritis: What are their immediate clinical and biomechanical effects and can these predict a three‐month clinical outcome?
Authors: Hinman Rana S. , Payne Craig , Metcalf Ben R. , Wrigley Tim V. , Bennell Kim L.
Published: February 2008

Objective

To assess immediate effects of laterally wedged insoles on walking pain, external knee adduction moment, and static alignment, and whether these immediate effects together with age, body mass index, and disease severity predict clinical outcome after 3 months of wearing insoles in medial knee osteoarthritis.

Methods

Forty volunteers (mean age 64.7 years, 16 men) were tested in random order with and without a pair of 5° full‐length lateral wedges. Immediate changes in static alignment were measured via radiographic mechanical axis and changes in adduction moment via 3‐dimensional gait analysis. After 3 months of treatment with insoles, changes in pain and physical functioning were assessed via the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and patient‐perceived global change scores.

Results

Reductions in the adduction moment occurred with insoles (first peak mean [95% confidence intervals (95% CI)] −0.22 [−0.28, −0.15] Nm/body weight × height %), accompanied by a reduction in walking pain of ∼24% (mean [95% CI] −1.0 [−4.0, 2.0]). Insoles had no mean effect on static alignment. Mean improvement in WOMAC pain (P = 0.004) and physical functioning (mean [95% CI] −6 [−11, −1]) was observed at 3 months, with 25 (69%) and 26 (72%) of 36 individuals reporting global improvement in pain and functioning, respectively. Regression analyses demonstrated that disease severity, baseline functioning, and magnitude of immediate change in walking pain and the first peak adduction moment with insoles were predictive of clinical outcome at 3 months.

Conclusion

Lateral wedges immediately reduced knee adduction moment and walking pain but had no effect on static alignment. Although some parameters predicted clinical outcome, these explained only one‐third of the variance, suggesting that other unknown factors are also important.
High rates of depressive symptoms among patients with systemic sclerosis are not explained by differential reporting of somatic symptoms
Authors: Thombs Brett D. , Fuss Samantha , Hudson Marie , Schieir Orit , Taillefer Suzanne S. , Fogel Joshua , Ford Daniel E. , Baron Murray ,   Canadian Scleroderma Research Group
Published: February 2008

Objective

Between 36% and 65% of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) report symptoms of depression above cutoff thresholds on self‐report questionnaires. The objective of this study was to assess whether these high rates result from differential reporting of somatic symptoms related to the high physical burden of SSc.

Methods

Symptom profiles reported on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D) were compared between a multicenter sample of 403 patients with SSc and a sample of respondents to an Internet depression survey, matched on total CES‐D score, age, race/ethnicity, and sex. An exact nonparametric generalized Mantel‐Haenszel procedure was used to identify differential item functioning between groups.

Results

Patients with SSc reported significantly higher frequencies (moderate to large effect size; P < 0.01) on 4 CES‐D somatic symptom items: bothered, appetite, effort, and sleep. Internet respondents had higher item scores on 2 items that assessed interpersonal difficulties (unfriendly, large effect size; P < 0.01; disliked, large effect size; P < 0.01) and on 2 items that assessed lack of positive effect (happy, moderate effect size; P = 0.01; enjoy, large effect size; P < 0.01). Adjustment of standard CES‐D cutoff criteria for potential bias due to somatic symptom reporting resulted in a reduction of only 3.6% in the number of SSc patients with significant symptoms of depression.

Conclusion

High rates of depressive symptoms in SSc are not due to bias related to the report of somatic symptoms. The pattern of differential item functioning between the SSc and Internet groups, however, suggests some qualitative differences in depressive symptom presentation.
Reliability and validity of the center for epidemiologic studies depression scale in patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Thombs Brett D. , Hudson Marie , Schieir Orit , Taillefer Suzanne S. , Baron Murray ,   The Canadian Scleroderma Research Group
Published: February 2008

Objective

Reported rates of depressive symptoms in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are high. No depression assessment tools, however, have been validated for patients with SSc. Our objective was to assess the internal consistency reliability, convergent validity, and structural/construct validity of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D) in patients with SSc.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional, multicenter study of 470 SSc patients. Internal consistency reliability was assessed with Cronbach's alpha and structural/construct validity with confirmatory factor analysis.

Results

Internal consistency reliability was good for the overall CES‐D scale (α = 0.88) and for its 4 factors (α = 0.67–0.88). Correlations of the CES‐D total score were −0.73 with mental health, −0.36 with physical health, 0.41 with disability, and 0.44 with pain. The 4‐factor model originally found in the general population and validated for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (depressed affect, somatic/vegetative, [lack of] positive affect, and interpersonal factors) fit the data well, as did a second‐order version of the same model with an overarching depression factor that loaded onto each of the 4 first‐order factors. The 4‐factor model fit the SSc data better than alternative models.

Conclusion

Internal consistency reliability and convergent validity were good, the 4‐factor structure reported in the general population was replicated, and a second‐order model with an overarching depression factor fit well. These findings indicate that the CES‐D is a valid and reliable measure of depressive symptoms for patients with SSc.
Climate teleconnections related to El Niño winters in a lake‐effect region of west‐central New York
Authors: Grimaldi Richard
Published: February 2008

A 64‐year climatological record for the cold season in Syracuse, New York is analyzed for temperature and snowfall. Evidence suggests that El Niño winters are characterized by warmer temperatures and below normal snowfall during the first month of winter followed by colder temperatures and above normal snowfall for the second month of winter. Major snow events were more than five times more likely to occur for El Niño winters compared to climatology. It is suggested that the greater frequency of heavy snowfalls is related to both favorable dynamics and warmer lake/ocean temperatures which follow the mild early winter period. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Epidermal growth factor promotes breast cancer cell chemotaxis in CXCL12 gradients
Authors: Mosadegh Bobak , Saadi Wajeeh , Wang Shur‐Jen , Jeon Noo Li
Published: February 2008

The chemokine receptor CXCR4 and its ligand CXCL12 play an important role in breast cancer invasion and metastasis, and induce the chemotaxis of various types of cancer cells. Previous studies of CXCL12‐induced chemotaxis have, for the most part, relied on endpoint assays (e.g., transwell assays) that provide poor control over the cell microenvironment. Specifically, these assays lacked the ability to dissect the role that autocrine and paracrine growth factors play in chemokine‐induced cancer cell chemotaxis. Here, we employ a microfluidic chemotaxis chamber that allows the effects of specific exogenous factors on cell migration to be directly characterized, without the interference of autocrine/paracrine signaling. Using this approach, we investigated the migration of MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells in well‐defined CXCL12 gradients. We found that CXCL12 alone failed to stimulate chemotaxis of these cells; however, when the CXCL12 gradient was supplemented with a uniform stimulus of either EGF or conditioned media, a directional response was induced. This dependence on growth factor signaling points to the importance of autocrine and paracrine factors in determining the migratory response of the cells, and may play an important role in cancer metastasis. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;100: 1205–1213. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hematopoietic cell transplantation‐comorbidity index and Karnofsky performance status are independent predictors of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic nonmyeloablative hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Sorror Mohamed , Storer Barry , Sandmaier Brenda M. , Maloney David G. , Chauncey Thomas R. , Langston Amelia , Maziarz Richard T. , Pulsipher Michael , McSweeney Peter A. , Storb Rainer
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND

Elderly and medically infirm cancer patients are increasingly offered allogeneic nonmyeloablative hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). A better understanding of the impact of health status on HCT outcomes is warranted. Herein, a recently developed HCT‐specific comorbidity index (HCT‐CI) was compared with a widely acceptable measure of health status, the Karnofsky performance status (KPS).

METHODS

The outcomes of 341 patients were evaluated, conditioned for either related or unrelated HCT by 2‐gray (Gy) total body irradiation given alone or combined with fludarabine at a dose of 90 mg/m2. Comorbidities were assessed retrospectively by the HCT‐CI. Performance status before and toxicities after HCT were graded prospectively using the KPS and National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity criteria, respectively.

RESULTS

Weak Spearman rank correlations were noted between HCT‐CI and KPS and between the 2 measures and age, number of prior chemotherapy regimens, and intervals between diagnosis and HCT (all r < 0.20). High‐risk diseases correlated significantly with higher mean HCT‐CI scores (P = .009) but not low KPS (P = .37). In multivariate models, the HCT‐CI had significantly greater independent predictive power for toxicities (P = .004), nonrelapse mortality (P = .0002), and overall mortality (P = .0002) compared with the KPS (P = .05, .13, and .05, respectively). Using consolidated HCT‐CI and KPS scores, patients were stratified into 4 risk groups with 2‐year survivals of 68%, 58%, 41%, and 32%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

HCT‐CI and KPS should be assessed simultaneously before HCT. The use of both tools combined likely refines risk‐stratification for HCT outcomes. Novel guidelines for assessment of performance status among HCT patients are warranted. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Cloning and differential expression of two β‐pigment‐dispersing hormone (β‐PDH) isoforms in the crab Cancer productus: Evidence for authentic β‐PDH as a local neurotransmitter and β‐PDH II as a humoral factor
Authors: Hsu Yun‐Wei A. , Stemmler Elizabeth A. , Messinger Daniel I. , Dickinson Patsy S. , Christie Andrew E. , de la Iglesia Horacio O.
Published: February 2008

Two β‐pigment‐dispersing hormone (β‐PDH) isoforms have been identified in several decapod crustaceans, including the crab Cancer productus, but whether these peptides serve common or distinct physiological roles remains to be elucidated. Here we show that the distribution of β‐PDH‐like immunoreactivity in the nervous system of C. productus is similar to that found in other brachyurans, suggesting roles as both a circulating hormone and a locally released transmitter for members of this peptide family. cDNAs encoding NSELINSILGLPKVMNDAamide (authentic β‐PDH; here termed Canpr‐β‐PDH I) or NSELINSLLGISRLMNEAamide (Canpr‐β‐PDH II) were cloned. Double in situ hybridization revealed that these two β‐PDH isoforms are differentially distributed within the eyestalk. For example, in most neurons between the medulla interna (MI) and the medulla terminalis (MT), both isoforms appear present; however, in some neurons in this region, mRNA for only one or the other isoform was detected. Likewise, only prepro‐β‐pdh I mRNA was detected in the somata of the lamina ganglionaris (LG) and in the brain. By direct tissue mass spectrometry, only Canpr‐β‐PDH II was detected in the neurosecretory sinus gland (SG), whereas Canpr‐β‐PDH I was found in all other parts of the eyestalk. Collectively, these data suggest distinct functions for each of the C. productus β‐PDHs; Canpr‐β‐PDH II appears to be a neurohormone in the SG, whereas Canpr‐β‐PDH I may function as a local transmitter/modulator. Our data support the hypothesis that duplication and subsequent mutation of a common neuropeptide gene may underlie the evolution of two differentially distributed transcripts that serve distinct physiological roles. J. Comp. Neurol. 508:197–211, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of fibroblasts responsible for cartilage destruction in arthritis
Authors: Treese C. , Mittag A. , Lange F. , Tarnok A. , Loesche A. , Emmrich F. , Lehmann J. , Sack U.
Published: February 2008

In the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), synovial fibroblasts (SF) play a key role as they secrete distinct patterns of cytokines and express variable levels of costimulatory and adhesion molecules. The murine fibroblast cell line LS48 has been shown to be invasive in the cartilage destruction models in vivo and in vitro. The purpose of this study was to examine in detail the LS48 phenotype, to obtain a better understanding of the SF‐mediated cartilage destruction in RA. The destructive fibroblasts line LS48 and the nondestructive 3T3 cells were cultured and characterized with slide‐based and flow cytometry, using antibodies against several adhesion molecules, immunological acting molecules, and marker proteins. The invasive LS48 fibroblasts are characterized by significantly higher expression of adhesion molecules such as CD47 (IAP), CD51 (integrin αV), CD61 (GPIIIa), and CD147 (EMMPRIN), and immunological acting molecules such as CD40 (Bp50), CD55 (DAF), and TLR‐2. The results from the slide‐based and flow cytometry analyses were exactly the same, except for the selected CD147 and TLR‐2. This study demonstrated that the destructive fibroblast cell line LS48 has the characteristics of RA SFs. The high expression of specific costimulatory and adhesion molecules underlines the aberrant phenotype of these cells when compared with noninvasive fibroblasts. Furthermore, slide‐based and flow cytometry complement each other in fibroblast phenotyping. Overall, this study shows that LS48 is an excellent tool to gain a deeper understanding of SF in RA. © 2008 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Flow‐cytometric measurement of respiratory burst in rat polymorphonuclear granulocytes: Comparison of four cell preparation procedures, and concentration–response evaluation of soluble stimulants
Authors: Bitzinger Diane I. , Schlachetzki Felix , Lindner Regina , Trabold Benedikt , Dittmar Michael S.
Published: February 2008

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) contribute to organ injury in sepsis, stroke, and other diseases. Evaluation of the oxidative burst by flow cytometry (FCM) is frequently applied to examine PMN status in humans, but rarely in rats. We established a method to assess granulocyte activation in rats by means of FCM analysis of oxidative burst. Two methods for PMN isolation involving Histopaque separation were investigated, and additionally two whole blood techniques. In addition, the concentration–response relation of the stimulants fMLP, PMA, TNF‐α, and LPS has been determined, both as sole stimulants and for priming. A novel technique with diluted rat whole blood proved to be most appropriate for PMN preparation. One micromolar PMA and fMLP, respectively, are effective concentrations for PMN stimulation in rat whole blood. Priming with 0.1 μg/ml TNF‐α and 1 μg/ml LPS, respectively, resulted in optimal additional stimulation. This study defined the appropriate conditions for evaluating the reactive oxygen derivate production in rat PMNs by flow cytometry. The rapid, simple, and reliable cell preparation procedure of whole blood dilution that preserves cell integrity and requires only small sample quantities. This is the first systematic dose–response evaluation of soluble stimulants of neutrophil respiratory burst in rats. © 2008 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Zone division models and algorithms in zonal pricing power market
Authors: Zhang Ruiyou , Han Shui , Zhang Jinzhu , Wang Dingwei
Published: February 2008

Zone division is a major problem in new electricity trading arrangements (NETA) and some other zone‐pricing power markets. However, the research efforts in this field are very limited. Therefore, a kind of zone division problem is primarily studied in this paper. The concept of zone of a node set is proposed and defined as the minimum‐girthed convex polygon containing these nodes, which can help us implement the proximity of nodes within groups in geographical locations. Furthermore, two combinatorial optimization models for given group number and minimizing the group number are built. Two algorithms based on tabu search (TS) and embedded by TS are developed to solve the models. Finally, the models are tested and proved by a real‐life example from the northeastern grid of China. Compared to the existing methods, the proposed method is auto‐operable and electrical‐information based, and hence applicable. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Continuous production of poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate by high‐cell‐density cultivation of Wautersia eutropha
Authors: Khanna Shilpi , Srivastava Ashok K
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: Poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB) accumulation is triggered by limitation of a nutrient other than carbon. The production cost of PHB is very high. In order to reduce this cost, continuous cultivation for the accumulation of PHB was investigated. The culture was first allowed to grow under fed‐batch conditions to yield a significant increase in biomass and PHB accumulation. Thereafter this high‐cell‐density biomass containing PHB was allowed to grow and maintained under conditions of continuous cultivation so that the overall process could be simplified and economised.

RESULTS: For continuous cultivation a medium containing 90 g L−1 fructose and 2.5 g L−1 nitrogen (as urea) was fed continuously at a dilution rate of 0.1 h−1. A steady state biomass of 27.7 g L−1 with a PHB concentration of 5.5 g L−1 was established in the bioreactor. This resulted in a continuous PHB productivity of 0.55 g L−1 h−1.

CONCLUSION: The experiments have resulted in the development of a novel production technology involving the integration of batch, fed‐batch and continuous processes. At the same time the production of PHB under continuous cultivation increases the overall industrial importance of the system. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Low‐volume hydrodynamic gene delivery to the rat liver via an isolated segment of the inferior vena cava: efficiency, cardiovascular response and intrahepatic vascular dynamics
Authors: Sawyer Greta J. , Grehan Aidan , Dong Xuebin , Whitehorne Michael , Seddon Michael , Shah Ajay M. , Zhang Xiaohong , Salehi Siamak , Fabre John W.
Published: February 2008

Background

Clinical application of hydrodynamic gene delivery to the liver requires the use of small volumes, an evaluation of the cardiovascular consequences of acute volume overload, and a better understanding of the intrahepatic vascular pressures driving gene delivery. Injection of DNA solution into the isolated segment of inferior vena cava (IVC) draining the hepatic veins is a potentially valuable low‐volume approach.

Methods

Various volumes of DNA solution (pGL3 plasmid) were injected at 100 ml/min either systemically or into the isolated IVC segment in the DA rat. Arterial pressure, portal venous pressure, heart rate and electrocardiogram, in addition to reporter gene expression in the liver, were monitored.

Results

The 2% volume was > 10 000‐fold more effective when delivered via the IVC segment than when given systemically, and as effective as 6% systemically. Isolation of the IVC segment caused profound falls in arterial pressure, with electrocardiogram signs of myocardial ischemia. On release of the IVC ties, without DNA infusion (no volume overload), arterial pressure recovered rapidly. However, with DNA infusion (volume overload) there was a brief recovery of arterial pressure, followed by complete heart block and fall in arterial pressure and pulse for several minutes. Portal venous pressure rose steeply to 30–33 mm Hg during the infusion.

Conclusions

The IVC segment approach enables excellent gene delivery to the whole liver with small volumes, but causes severe cardiovascular disturbances in the rat. Portal venous pressures are slightly higher than in the mouse, and suggest functional outflow obstruction by the capillary bed of the intestines. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tree‐ring based drought reconstruction in the central Hengduan Mountains region (China) since A.D. 1655
Authors: Fan Ze‐Xin , Bräuning Achim , Cao Kun‐Fang
Published: February 2008

We developed four tree ring‐width chronologies of three species (Picea likiangensis Pritz, Tsuga dumosa (D. Don) Eichler and Abies ernestii Rehd.) in the central Hengduan Mountains, north‐western Yunnan, China. Although the four chronologies come from different species, significant correlations exist among the chronologies (mean r = 0.47), and the first principal component accounts for 60.5% of total variance over their common period 1655–2005. Correlation and response function analyses showed that pre‐monsoon (March, April) precipitation and relative humidity and Palmer drought severity index (PDSI) have positive effects on radial growth, while temperature in March influences tree growth negatively. This indicates that tree growth is generally limited by spring‐moisture availability. The spring (March–May) drought reconstruction was verified with independent data, and accounts for 42% of the actual PDSI variance during their common period 1951–2000. Wet springs occurred during AD 1690s, 1715–1730, 1750s, 1780s, 1825–1850, 1900s, 1930–1960, and 1990–present. Dry springs occurred during AD 1700–1715, 1733–1745, 1790–1820, 1860–1890, 1910–1925, and 1960–1990. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
The usability of 250 m resolution data from the UK Meteorological Office Unified Model as input data for a hydrological model
Authors: Younger P. M. , Gadian A. M. , Wang C‐G. , Freer J. E. , Beven K. J.
Published: February 2008

This article examines whether very‐high resolution (250 m) data provided by the United Kingdom Meteorological Office Unified Model (UM) could be used as an input to a hydrological model for hydrological forecasting purposes. A summer convective event and a winter stratiform event are both considered and it is found that in these two cases, despite errors in both the positioning and timing of storms the predictions were of a sufficient quality to provide beneficial inputs for hydrological modelling. There are encouraging indications that this technique may be valuable in improving flood forecasting generally. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Three‐phase capital campaigns
Authors: Lindahl Wesley E.
Published: February 2008

The structure of most capital campaigns traditionally contains a private (or quiet) phase and a public phase. Leadership gifts are raised in the first phase, while the general prospect pool is asked to participate in the effort during the public phase. An announcement is made at some point to make the campaign public. A survey of 195 donors reveals that as the campaign nears its end (95 percent completed), donors tend to be much more likely to contribute. This suggests organizing campaigns (in addition to planning and evaluation phases) into three core phases (leadership, growth, and goal line) rather than two phases (quiet and public). The implication for fundraisers is to wait as long as possible (at least to 40 percent of the goal) before moving into the second growth phase. They might also take advantage of the propensity of donors to want to complete the task and reach the goal by implementing a special effort in the final “goal line” phase. Once the goal is reached, donors are dramatically less likely to continue giving to the campaign.
The method of quasi‐reversibility to solve the Cauchy problems for elliptic partial differential equations
Authors: Bourgeois Laurent , Lunéville Eric
Published: February 2008

We use the method of quasi‐reversibility, first introduced in [1], to solve the ill‐posed Cauchy problems for an elliptic operator such as P = –Δ. In particular, a non‐conforming method is implemented, some a priori error estimates are derived, and a few numerical computations are presented. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On the direct and inverse problems in fluid‐structural interaction
Authors: Elschner Johannes , Hsiao George C. , Rathsfeld Andreas
Published: February 2008

This paper is concerned with the direct and inverse scattering problems in fluid‐structure interaction. The scattering problem in the fluid‐structure interaction can be simply described as follows: an acoustic wave propagates in the fluid domain of infinite extent where a bounded elastic body is immersed. The direct problem is to determine the scattered pressure and velocity fields in the fluid domain as well as the displacement fields in the elastic body, while the inverse problem is to reconstruct the shape of the elastic scatterer from a knowledge of the far field pattern of the fluid pressure or from the measured scattered fluid pressure field. As is well known, the inverse problems are generally nonlinear and highly ill‐posed. For treating inverse problem of this kind, we reformulate the problem as a nonlinear optimization problem including special regularization terms. The precise formulation of the nonlinear objective functional will depend on the approaches of the direct problem. In this paper, the direct problem is reformulated by introducing an artificial boundary and the corresponding inverse problem will be analyzed. Some of the basic results are summarized without proofs. The latter are available in [3]. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Fast Surface Mesh Denoising with Regularization and Edge Preservation
Authors: Huang Hui , Ascher Uri
Published: February 2008

We describe a hybrid algorithm that is designed to smooth, but not only smooth, noisy polygonal surface meshes with sharp edges. While denoising, our method simultaneously regularizes triangle meshes on flat regions for further mesh processing and preserves edge sharpness for faithful reconstruction. A clustering technique, which combines K‐means and geometric a priori information, is first developed and refined. It is then used to implement vertex classification so that we can subsequently apply different smoothing operators on different vertex groups. This yields a highly efficient robust algorithm that is capable of handling both edge sharpness and mesh sampling irregularity without any significant cost increase. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Three‐dimensional phase field simulations of grain growth in materials containing finely dispersed second‐phase particles
Authors: Vanherpe Liesbeth , Moelans Nele , Blanpain Bart , Vandewalle Stefan
Published: February 2008

Phase field modelling has proven to be a versatile tool for simulating microstructural evolution phenomena, such as grain growth in polycrystalline materials. However, the computational requirements of a phase field model impose strong limitations on the number of phase field variables employed in a practical implementation. In this paper, a bounding box algorithm is proposed allowing the use of a large number of phase field variables without excessive computational requirements. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Incompressible Navier‐Stokes equation solvers based on lattice Boltzmann relaxation systems
Authors: Banda Mapundi K. , Seaïd Mohammed , Teleaga Ioan
Published: February 2008

In this talk some recent numerical results based on discrete‐velocity relaxation systems will be presented. Discrete‐velocity equations are derived from continuous Boltzmann‐type equations with appropriate approximations suitable for incompressible flows. A relaxation system is derived by taking moments of the discrete‐velocity equations. This approach is also extended to turbulence flows using Large‐Eddy Simulation as well as thermal flows. The schemes are tested by solving a collection of examples. In particular the developed methods demonstrate potential as tools for Large‐Eddy Simulation and flow with Radiative Heat transfer. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Quasi‐interpolation based on bivariate quadratic B‐splines with multiple knots
Authors: Dagnino C. , Lamberti P. , Remogna S.
Published: February 2008

Taking into account the results given in [1, 3, 4] on bivariate spline quasi‐interpolation and in [5] on the effects of multiple knots, in this paper we consider local quadratic spline quasi‐interpolants on criss‐cross triangulations of a rectangular domain Ω, with possible multiple knots inside Ω and/or on the boundary ∂Ω. Such splines can be particularly useful in mechanics and engineering applications, since they can model constrained surfaces with different kind of smoothness in Ω. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The velocity‐current formulation of magnetohydrodynamics
Authors: Meir Amnon J. , Schmidt Paul G.
Published: February 2008

The traditional formulation of the MHD equations employs the magnetic field as the primary electromagnetic variable. Unless the flow region is electromagnetically shielded from the surrounding space, boundary conditions are needed for the magnetic field; these can rarely be derived from physical principles. Using the current density as the primary electromagnetic variable, it is possible to avoid artificial boundary conditions and fully account for the electromagnetic interaction between flow region and surrounding space. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Boundary element method for spatially‐periodic potential problems
Authors: Ogata Hidenori
Published: February 2008

In this paper, we propose a boundary element method for two‐dimensional potential problems with one‐dimensional spatial periodicity, which have been difficult to be solved by the ordinary boundary element method. In the presented method, we reduce the potential problems with Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions to integral equation problems with the periodic fundamental solution of the Laplace operator and, then, obtain approximate solutions by solving linear systems given by discretizing the integral equations. Numerical examples are also included. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A fast contraction mapping for solving multibody systems
Authors: Tasora Alessandro , Anitescu Mihai
Published: February 2008

The simulation of complex multibody systems with contacts and friction requires a fast and robust solver for complementarity problems. This work presents an efficient method which can solve large cone‐complementarity problems by means of a fixed point iteration. Our method performs like a contractive mapping, providing a monotonic approximation to the exact solution. The algorithm features high computational performance even if thousands of unilateral constraints are added to the system. Also, this scheme fits well in a real‐time simulation context because it can be terminated prematurely. As a benchmark for testing the method in challenging situations, we propose the simulation of the granular flow in a fourth‐generation bebble‐bed nuclear reactor, including 150'000 rigid bodies and more than a million of constraint multipliers. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Making students' thinking explicit in writing and discussion: An analysis of formative assessment prompts
Authors: Furtak Erin Marie , Ruiz‐Primo Maria Araceli
Published: February 2008

The National Research Council ([NRC], 2001) has stated that formative assessment is essential to fulfilling the mission of the National Science Education Standards (NRC, 1996). This paper explores the relative utility of four different types of formative assessment prompts in eliciting middle school students' ideas about sinking and floating. Students' written responses and statements in classroom discussions around each of the prompts are compared. Results indicate that the relative success of the prompts in eliciting a range of conceptions may depend on the openness and familiarity of the prompts. Prompts with fewer constraints and unfamiliar settings elicited a range of student conceptions in writing; however, discussions surrounding the prompts were more likely to elicit ideas at the expected level, or no student ideas at all. A comparison of the prompts revealed that the diversity of students' responses in writing was not reflected in classroom discussions. The study suggests that open‐format formative assessment prompts may function better when used as a basis for teachers to elicit a range of student ideas in writing, whereas constrained‐outcome space prompts may be more appropriate for whole‐class conversations that focus students upon scientifically appropriate responses. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Sci Ed92:799–824, 2008
Architecture and protocols of the future European quantum key distribution network
Authors: Dianati Mehrdad , Alléaume Romain , Gagnaire Maurice , Shen Xuemin (Sherman)
Published: February 2008

A point‐to‐point quantum key distribution (QKD) system takes advantage of the laws of quantum physics to establish secret keys between two communicating parties. Compared to the classical methods, such as public‐key infrastructures, QKD offers unconditional security, which makes it attractive for very high security applications. However, this unprecedent level of security is mitigated by the inherent constraints of quantum communications, such as the limited rates and ranges of an individual point‐to‐point QKD link. A QKD network, which can be built by combining multiple point‐to‐point QKD devices, can alleviate the constraints and enable point‐to‐multi‐point key distribution based on QKD technology.

The European project, secure communication based on quantum cryptography (SeCoQC) aims at deploying a prototype QKD network, which will be demonstrated in September 2008, by developing the architecture and the protocols, as well as the specific hardware for long‐range QKD networks. This paper discusses the important aspects of the architecture and the network layer protocols of the SeCoQC QKD network. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.