bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Rehabilitation Tasks on Organization of Movement After Stroke
Authors: Trombly Catherine A. , Wu Ching-Yi
Published: April 2012

Objective. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of presence or absence of an object (goal-directed action vs. rote exercise) and the effect of functional specificity of the object on the organization of reaching movements of persons who have had a stroke.

Method. A repeated-measure counterbalanced design was used in each of two experiments. Eighteen persons who had been hospitalized after stroke were recruited from the roster of a rehabilitation hospital and through stroke clubs and volunteered to participate. Fourteen of these became the data-producing sample. In Experiment 1, the OPTOTRAK/3020 motion analysis system was used to record movement when the participants reached for preferred food (goal-directed action) or to a spatial location (rote exercise). In Experiment 2, the system recorded movement when participants reached to pick up the receiver of an active telephone (natural context), a detached receiver (partial context), and a stick (simulated context). The organization of the reach movement was described kinematically as the number of zero crossings of the acceleration profile (smoothness), movement time (speed), displacement, peak velocity (an indication of force), and location of peak velocity in the velocity profile (planning strategy).

Results. Goal-directed action produced significantly smoother, faster, more forceful, and more preplanned movement than did the rote exercise condition. Functional specificity of the context did not significantly affect organization of the reach.

Conclusion. Goal-directed reach enabled persons with stroke to display characteristics typical of reach to a target by persons who have not had a stroke better than reaching out in space. These findings support the occupational therapy practice of using objects in a functional context to improve coordinated movement. However, the nature of the objects to be used requires further study.
Making a Clinical Climate in the Classroom: An Assessment
Authors: Babola Karen A. , Peloquin Suzanne M.
Published: April 2012

Objectives. This article describes occupational therapy student evaluations of a senior-level undergraduate course titled Advanced Concepts in Occupational Therapy.

Method. Forty undergraduate occupational therapy students from the Class of 1997 and 38 from the Class of 1998 completed five sources of feedback after completing the course, including a questionnaire about the nine educational strategies used in this course, instructor evaluations, and self-ratings on (a) the achievement of course objectives, (b) professional behaviors, and (c) the extent to which the course prepared them for and related to fieldwork. Individual student grades for both classes were also reviewed to supplement students’ views of the course.

Results. Students responded positively to the demands of the course and indicated that it had helped them develop the performances, judgments, and attitudes required for clinical practice. Individual student grades supported the students’ perceptions that they had mastered the targeted skills.

Conclusions. Findings suggest that the performances, judgments, and attitudes required in the clinic can be successfully simulated in the classroom through the use of interactive strategies and activities. The introduction of these strategies and activities in the occupational therapy curriculum should help better prepare students to handle the multifaceted demands of current clinical practice.
Occupational Therapists’ Perceptions of Evidence-Based Practice
Authors: Dubouloz Claire-Jehanne , Egan Mary , Vallerand Josée , von Zweck Claudia
Published: April 2012

Occupational therapists are increasingly urged to carry out evidenced-based practice; however, little is known regarding their present practice and perceptions of evidence-based practice. To explore this phenomenon, a qualitative study was completed using a grounded theory approach. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with eight occupational therapists who worked in diverse practice settings. Participants were asked to reflect on their own views of evidence-based practice and their use of evidence in therapy. Data were analyzed inductively using constant comparison analysis. Participants’ perceptions of evidence-based practice were described in three broad categories. To these occupational therapists, evidence-based practice is: (a) a process of looking for understanding; (b) associated with research, and; (c) a potential threat to the occupational therapist. These findings produce a basis from which recommendations are made to increase the use of evidence-based practice by occupational therapists.
Defining Lives: Occupation as Identity: An Essay on Competence, Coherence, and the Creation of Meaning
Authors: Christiansen Charles H.
Published: April 2012

This article presents a view of occupation as the principal means through which people develop and express their personal identities. Based on a review of theory and research, it proposes that identity is instrumental to social life because it provides a context for deriving meaning from daily experiences and interpreting lives over time. The article proposes that identity also provides a framework for goal-setting and motivation. It is asserted that competence in the performance of tasks and occupations contributes to identity-shaping and that the realization of an acceptable identity contributes to coherence and well-being.

Within this framework, it is postulated that performance limitations and disfigurement that sometimes result from illness or injury have identity implications that should be recognized by occupational therapy practitioners. By virtue of their expertise in daily living skills, occupational therapy practitioners are well positioned to help address the identity challenges of those whom they serve. In so doing, they make an important contribution to meaning and well-being.
Physical and chemical properties of the regional mixed layer of Mexico's Megapolis – Part 2: Evaluation of measured and modeled trace gases and particle size distributions
Authors: Ochoa C. , Baumgardner D. , Grutter M. , Allan J. , Fast J. , Rappenglueck B.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. This study extends the work of Baumgardner et al. (2009) in which measurements of trace gases and particles, at a remote, high altitude mountain site, 60 km from Mexico City were analyzed with respect to the origin of the air masses. In the current evaluation, the temperature, water vapor, ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), acyl peroxy nitrate (APN) and particle size distributions (PSDs) of the mass concentrations of sulfate, nitrate, ammonium and organic mass (OM) were simulated with the WRF-Chem chemical transport model and compared with the measurements at the mountain site. The model predictions of the diurnal trends of the gases were well correlated with the measurements before the regional mixed layer (RML) reached the measurement site but underestimated the concentration after that time. The differences are caused by an over rapid growth of the boundary layer by the model and too much dilution. There also is more O3 being actually produced by photochemical production downwind of the emission sources than predicted by the model. The measured and modeled PSDs compare very well with respect to their general shape and diameter of the peak concentrations. The spectra are lognormal with most of the mass in the accumulation mode and the geometric diameter centered at 200±20 nm, showing little observed or predicted change with respect to the time when the RML is above the Altzomoni research station. Only the total mass changed with time and air mass origin. The invariability of average diameter of the accumulation mode suggests that there is very little growth of the particles by condensation or coagulation past about six hours of aging downwind of the major sources of anthropogenic emissions in Mexico's Megapolis. This could greatly simplify parameterization in climate models although it is not known at this time if this invariance can be extended to other megacity regions.
Equatorial plasma bubbles and L-band scintillations in Africa during solar minimum
Authors: Paznukhov V. V. , Carrano C. S. , Doherty P. H. , Groves K. M. , Caton R. G. , Valladares C. E. , Seemala G. K. , Bridgwood C. T. , Adeniyi J. , Amaeshi L. L. N. , Damtie B. , D'Ujanga Mutonyi F. , Ndeda J. O. H. , Baki P. , Obrou O. K. , Okere B. , Tsidu G. M.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. We report on the longitudinal, local time and seasonal occurrence of equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) and L band (GPS) scintillations over equatorial Africa. The measurements were made in 2010, as a first step toward establishing the climatology of ionospheric irregularities over Africa. The scintillation intensity is obtained by measuring the standard deviation of normalized GPS signal power. The EPBs are detected using an automated technique, where spectral analysis is used to extract and identify EPB events from the GPS TEC measurements. Overall, the observed seasonal climatology of the EPBs as well as GPS scintillations in equatorial Africa is adequately explained by geometric arguments, i.e., by the alignment of the solar terminator and local geomagnetic field, or STBA hypothesis (Tsunoda, 1985, 2010a). While plasma bubbles and scintillations are primarily observed during equinoctial periods, there are longitudinal differences in their seasonal occurrence statistics. The Atlantic sector has the most intense, longest lasting, and highest scintillation occurrence rate in-season. There is also a pronounced increase in the EPB occurrence rate during the June solstice moving west to east. In Africa, the seasonal occurrence shifts towards boreal summer solstice, with fewer occurrences and shorter durations in equinox seasons. Our results also suggest that the occurrence of plasma bubbles and GPS scintillations over Africa are well correlated, with scintillation intensity depending on depletion depth. A question remains about the possible physical mechanisms responsible for the difference in the occurrence phenomenology of EPBs and GPS scintillations between different regions in equatorial Africa.
First outcomes from the CNR-ISAC monthly forecasting system
Authors: Mastrangelo D. , Malguzzi P. , Rendina C. , Drofa O. , Buzzi A.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. A monthly probabilistic forecasting system is experimentally operated at the ISAC institute of the National Council of Research of Italy. The forecasting system is based on GLOBO, an atmospheric general circulation model developed at the same institute. The model is presently run on a monthly basis to produce an ensemble of 32 forecasts initialized with GFS-NCEP perturbed analyses. Reforecasts, initialized with ECMWF ERA-Interim reanalyses of the 1989–2009 period, are also produced to determine modelled climatology of the month to forecast. The modelled monthly climatology is then used to calibrate the ensemble forecast of daily precipitation, geopotential height and temperature on standard pressure levels. In this work, we present the forecasting system and a preliminary evaluation of the model systematic and forecast errors in terms of non-probabilistic scores of the 500-hPa geopotential height. Results show that the proposed forecasting system outperforms the climatology in the first two weeks of integrations. The adopted calibration based on weighted bias correction is found to reduce the systematic and the forecast errors.
Factors promoting larch dominance in central Siberia: fire versus growth performance and implications for carbon dynamics at the boundary of evergreen and deciduous conifers
Authors: Schulze E.-D. , Wirth C. , Mollicone D. , von Lüpke N. , Ziegler W. , Achard F. , Mund M. , Prokushkin A. , Scherbina S.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. The relative role of fire and of climate in determining canopy species composition and aboveground carbon stocks were investigated. Measurements were made along a transect extending from the dark taiga zone of central Siberia, where Picea and Abies dominate the canopy, into the Larix zone of eastern Siberia. We test the hypotheses that the change in canopy species composition is based (1) on climate-driven performance only, (2) on fire only, or (3) on fire-performance interactions. We show that the evergreen conifers Picea obovata and Abies sibirica are the natural late-successional species both in central and eastern Siberia, provided there has been no fire for an extended period of time. There are no changes in performance of the observed species along the transect. Fire appears to be the main factor explaining the dominance of Larix and of soil carbon. Of lesser influence were longitude as a proxy for climate, local hydrology and active-layer thickness. We can only partially explain fire return frequency, which is not only related to climate and land cover, but also to human behavior. Stand-replacing fires decreased from 300 to 50 yrs between the Yenisei Ridge and the upper Tunguska. Repeated non-stand-replacing surface fires eliminated the regeneration of Abies and Picea. With every 100 yrs since the last fire, the percentage of Larix decreased by 20%. Biomass of stems of single trees did not show signs of age-related decline. Relative diameter increment was 0.41 ± 0.20% at breast height and stem volume increased linearly over time with a rate of about 0.36 t C ha−1 yr−1 independent of age class and species. Stand biomass reached about 130 t C ha−1(equivalent to about 520 m3 ha−1). Individual trees of Larix were older than 600 yrs. The maximum age and biomass seemed to be limited by fungal rot of heart wood. 60% of old Larix and Picea and 30% of Pinus sibirica trees were affected by stem rot. Implications for the future role of fire and of plant diseases are discussed.
A "simulation chain" to define a Multidisciplinary Decision Support System for landslide risk management in pyroclastic soils
Authors: Damiano E. , Mercogliano P. , Netti N. , Olivares L.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. This paper proposes a Multidisciplinary Decision Support System (MDSS) as an approach to manage rainfall-induced shallow landslides of the flow type (flowslides) in pyroclastic deposits. We stress the need to combine information from the fields of meteorology, geology, hydrology, geotechnics and economics to support the agencies engaged in land monitoring and management. The MDSS consists of a "simulation chain" to link rainfall to effects in terms of infiltration, slope stability and vulnerability. This "simulation chain" was developed at the Euro-Mediterranean Centre for Climate Change (CMCC) (meteorological aspects), at the Geotechnical Laboratory of the Second University of Naples (hydrological and geotechnical aspects) and at the Department of Economics of the University of Naples "Federico II" (economic aspects). The results obtained from the application of this simulation chain in the Cervinara area during eleven years of research allowed in-depth analysis of the mechanisms underlying a flowslide in pyroclastic soil.
Grid preparation for magnetic and gravity data using fractal fields
Authors: Pilkington M. , Keating P.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. Most interpretive methods for potential field (magnetic and gravity) measurements require data in a gridded format. Many are also based on using fast Fourier transforms to improve their computational efficiency. As such, grids need to be full (no undefined values), rectangular and periodic. Since potential field surveys do not usually provide data sets in this form, grids must first be prepared to satisfy these three requirements before any interpretive method can be used. Here, we use a method for grid preparation based on a fractal model for predicting field values where necessary. Using fractal field values ensures that the statistical and spectral character of the measured data is preserved, and that unwanted discontinuities at survey boundaries are minimized. The fractal method compares well with standard extrapolation methods using gridding and maximum entropy filtering. The procedure is demonstrated on a portion of a recently flown aeromagnetic survey over a volcanic terrane in southern British Columbia, Canada.
A Monsoon in Delhi: Anna Hazare, the Lokpal Bill, and the Future of India
Authors: Kozlowski Mark T.
Published: April 2012

Political corruption in India is a perennial problem that has recently been exposed by two spectacular scandals involving the sale of telecommunications spectrum and the troubled 2010 Commonwealth Games. A disgust for this graft and corruption bred a massive protest in Delhi with a hunger strike by veteran activist Kisan Baburao “Anna” Hazare as its centerpiece. Hazare demanded the passage of a specific version of a bill that would establish an anti-corruption ombudsman called the Jan Lokpal. After Hazare had starved himself for approximately two weeks, the Indian parliament passed the legislation that Hazare had demanded. In this article, I examine the political implications of this movement, as well as whether or not the Lokpal will be effective in its mission of combating corruption.
Nervous Giant: China and the Financial Crisis
Authors: Farrell Patrick
Published: April 2012

While the current financial crisis is widely acknowledged to be global, surprisingly little attention has been paid to its effect on one of the largest players in the global economy. China has weathered the crisis extremely well, though its growth has slowed slightly. I will analyze this by looking at China’s purchases of debt, the Chinese holdings of debt in the United States and its growing holdings in Europe, and the policy decisions directing this. This shows an intriguing change in the policy decisions that led to China becoming such a large holder of American debt. China amassed its large holdings of debt from the United States by merit of the strong trade relationship between the two countries, as well as the stability of the U.S. dollar. However, China’s interest in buying up Italian debt and forming stronger bonds with other Eurozone and European countries seems to speak to a different motive. Rather than allowing its reserves of foreign capital to grow over time, as it did with its U.S. debt, China is making a more aggressive move in this case. Thanks to its relative stability during the crisis, I believe this shows us that China is seeking to both ensure the continued security of its economic growth and increase its economic influence, thus using the instability of the global financial crisis to kill two birds with one stone.
The Next American Century: A Traditional Hard Power Problem or a New World Order?
Authors: Visco Thomas , Zimmerman Alex
Published: April 2012

There is a general consensus that the new world order gathered steam in response to World War II. Major institutions like the United Nations, NATO, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights all fortified the common belief that economic, social, and political interdependence is unavoidable. This international framework in which both domestic and foreign policies have far-reaching and unclear implications is not well understood. Important debates concerning economic and military intervention in developing countries, the scope and enforceability of human rights, and the role of international governing bodies are far from settled. This raises an important question for the United States: What ought to be the values that define American foreign policy given these highly contentious circumstances? More specifically, should the United States rely primarily on its military strength as leverage? Can the U.S. maintain its superpower status? What might this look like in the future and is this desirable? These are the questions that will guide a discussion between Thomas Visco and Alex Zimmerman.
Tax Reform: The Cure to the United States’ Economic Slowdown
Authors: Lonergan Thomas Joseph
Published: April 2012

Benjamin Franklin once said, “The only two certainties in life are death and taxes.” This infamous saying is as true today as it was more than 200 years ago when it was coined; the only difference between taxes today and taxes in the days of Ben Franklin is the complexity of how taxes are managed. As the American economy teeters on the brink of its second recession in four years, tax reform may be the solution to the economic situation the United States finds itself in today.
The Shortcomings of Contemporary Political Rhetoric
Authors: Hasley John
Published: April 2012

This article examines some important trends in American political discourse. In tracing the problems present in contemporary debates back to their rhetorical roots, it argues that our political discourse is harried not only by party schisms, but also by inefficient modes of speech and debate.
New species and record of Sporidesmium from southern China
Authors: Ma Jian , Ma Li-Guo , Zhang Yi-Dong , Xia Ji-Wen , Zhang Xiu-Guo
Published: April 2012

Four species of Sporidesmium were collected from decaying twigs in tropical and subtropical forests in southern China. Sporidesmium liquidambaris sp. nov. on Liquidambar formosana, S. antidesmatis sp. nov. on Antidesma ghaesembilla, and S. machili
sp. nov. on Machilus chinensis, are described, illustrated, and compared with closely related taxa. Sporidesmium takashii is recorded as new for the Chinese mycota.
Studies on Croatian Basidiomycota 2: Marasmiellus milicae sp. nov.
Authors: Mešić Armin , Tkalčec Zdenko , Antonín Vladimír
Published: April 2012

A new species, Marasmiellus milicae, is described from the Mediterranean part of Croatia and compared with similar species. It is characterized by having rather small, white pileus, distinctly to strongly eccentric, curved, short stipe, white hymenophore becoming dark brown when
dry, (sub)amygdaloid basidiospores, mostly diverticulate cheilocystidia, pileipellis and stipitipellis with strongly developed Rameales-structure, and gelatinized trama. Color photographs and line drawings of microscopic elements and basidiomata accompany the description.
Pseudocercosporella stellariicola, a new hyphomycete occurring on Stellaria aquatica
Authors: Park Mi-Jeong , Park Ji-Hyun , Shin Hyeon-Dong
Published: April 2012

A new cercosporoid fungus, Pseudocercosporella stellariicola, was collected on leaves of Stellaria aquatica (Caryophyllaceae). This fungus is described, discussed, and compared with other similar hyphomycetes occurring on Stellaria and related genera: Cercosporella
echinulata, Phacellium episphaerium, Pseudocercosporella cerastii, and Ps. woronovii. The phylogenetic relationship of Ps. stellariicola and other Pseudocercosporella species within Mycosphaerellaceae is also inferred from the ITS rDNA sequence
data.
A key to the peltigericolous fungi in Turkey
Authors: Halici Mehmet Gökhan , Candan Mehmet , Türk Ayşen
Published: April 2012

Eleven taxa of peltigericolous fungi are reported from Turkey for the first time – Arthonia fuscopurpurea, A. peltigerina, Corticifraga fuckelii, C. peltigerae, Nectriopsis lecanodes, Norrlinia peltigericola, Polycoccum peltigerae,
Scutula epiblastematica, Stigmidium leucophlebiae, Thelocarpon epibolum var. epithallinum, and Zwackhiomyces kiszkianus. A key is provided to the 19 specific and infraspecific peltigericolous fungal taxa reported from Turkey. Also provided are additional
references, a list of the distributions in Turkey, and a host index.
Penicillium mallochii and P. guanacastense, two new species isolated from Costa Rican caterpillars
Authors: Rivera Karol G. , Díaz Joel , Chavarría-Díaz Felipe , Garcia Maria , Urb Mirjam , Thorn R. Greg , Louis-Seize Gerry , Janzen Daniel H. , Seifert Keith A.
Published: April 2012

Twenty-five strains of monoverticillate Penicillium species were isolated from dissected guts and fecal pellets of leaf-eating caterpillars reared in the Área de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica, or from washed leaves of their food plants. Phylogenetic analyses
of β-tubulin, nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, translation elongation factor 1-α and calmodulin gene sequences revealed two phylogenetically distinct, undescribed species closely related to P. sclerotiorum. Penicillium
mallochii was isolated from Rothschildia lebeau and Citheronia lobesis (Saturniidae) and their food plant Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae) and P. guanacastense from Eutelia sp. (Noctuidae). Both fungi produce greenish conidial masses
and orange pigments in agar culture, have smooth-walled, monoverticillate conidiophores with moderately vesiculate apices, and globose to subglobose conidia. The species morphologically resemble P. sclerotiorum but differ subtly in vesicle width and conidial shape.
Two new species of Terriera from Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Song Juan-Fang , Liu Ling , Li Yuan-Yuan , Hou Cheng-Lin
Published: April 2012

Two new species of Terriera are described and illustrated from Yunnan Province, China. Terriera rotundata on leaves of Quercus sp. is recognized by its more or less circular ascomata in vertical section. Terriera petrakii on Smilax bracteata is similar
to Lophodermium camelliicola but differs from the latter by the pale conidiomata and ellipsoidal conidia and the well-developed textura prismatica between the covering and the basal stroma.
Type studies in Helvella (Pezizales) 1
Authors: Landeros Fidel , Iturriaga Teresa , Guzmán-Dávalos Laura
Published: April 2012

Sixteen type and some additional specimens representing fifteen species assigned to Helvella were studied with the aim of providing new data for their improved delimitation and recognition. Specimens were received on loan from DAOM, FH, H, K, MA, MICH, S and UPS. A synoptic key
to the studied species is provided to contribute to a better understanding of the genus and the taxonomy of the morphospecies. Original descriptions are emended to include data on the anatomy of the apothecial excipulum and stipe layers, apothecium and stipe reactivity to Melzer's reagent,
and ascospore ornamentation. Reasons are given for maintaining H. subglabra, H. atra, H. griseoalba, and H. costifera as independent taxa and for considering Helvella hyperborea a synonym of H. costifera. Previously imprecise descriptive terms are clarified.
Paxillus albidulus, P. ammoniavirescens, and P. validus revisited
Authors: Vellinga Else C. , Blanchard Erin P. , Kelly Stephen , Contu Marco
Published: April 2012

Comparison of nrITS sequences of the type specimens of Paxillus ammoniavirescens and P. validus show them to be identical. The name Paxillus ammoniavirescens was published in 'Spring 1999' [northern hemisphere] and that of Paxillus validus in August 1999,
making P. ammoniavirescens the correct name for this species. A variant without pigments fits into P. involutus, suggesting that P. albidulus might be an albino variant of any species in the P. involutus complex. Paxillus ammoniavirescens is widespread in
Europe and has been introduced in the southern hemisphere; P. obscurosporus is known from China and Europe; and the two taxa in the P. involutus clade are reported from Europe and from North America.
Second record of Ramularia hypericicola — collected in Turkey on a new host
Authors: Selçuk Faruk , Hüseyin Elşad , Bulbul Ali S.
Published: April 2012

Ramularia hypericicola, a rare anamorphic Mycosphaerella species, is reported and illustrated from Turkey on Hypericum calycinum. The Turkish collection represents the second report of this fungus, known hitherto only from the type locality.
Lichenological notes 4: a revision of Acarospora gallica (Acarosporaceae)
Authors: Knudsen Kerry , Kocourková Jana
Published: April 2012

Acarospora gallica from Europe and Asia is revised and a neotype is designated. Acarospora hungarica is proposed as a synonym of A. gallica. The anamorphic stage is reported for the first time from the species.
Herpothallon weii, a new lichen from China
Authors: Cheng Yu-Liang , Ning Jing , Xu Hou-Ping , Zhang Lu-Lu , Wang Hai-Ying , Zhao Zun-Tian
Published: April 2012

A new species, Herpothallon weii, is described from China. This species is characterized by a byssoid whitish green thallus tightly attached to the substratum, pinkish pseudisidia, and the presence of psoromic acid and unknown substances.
Four new records of lecideoid lichens from China
Authors: Zhang Lu-Lu , Wang Li-Song , Wang Hai-Ying , Zhao Zun-Tian
Published: April 2012

Four lecideoid lichen species, Carbonea vorticosa, Lecidea diducens, L. promiscens, and Lecidella bullata, are reported for the first time from China.
A new species of Pleurophragmium from India
Authors: D'Souza Maria A. , Bhat D.J.
Published: April 2012

A new anamorphic species, Pleurophragmium indicum (Ascomycota), is described from India and illustrated. This litter-inhabiting fungus was collected from dead Dendrocalamus strictus leaves and is characterized by ellipsoidal to obovoid, straight to curved, transversely
3-septate, brown conidia. A key is provided to all accepted Pleurophragmium species.
Temperature‐Memory Effect of Copolyesterurethanes and their Application Potential in Minimally Invasive Medical Technologies
Authors: Kratz Karl , Voigt Ulrike , Lendlein Andreas
Published: April 2012

Minimally invasive surgery often requires devices that can change their geometry or shape when placed inside the body. Here, the potential of thermoplastic temperature‐memory polymers (TMP) for the design of intelligent devices, which can be programmed by the clinician to individually adapt their shifting geometry and their response temperature Tsw to the patient's needs, is explored. Poly(ω‐pentadecalactone) as hard segments and poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) segments acting as crystallizable controlling units for the temperature‐memory effect (TME) are chosen to form multiblock copolymers PDLCL. These components are selected according to their thermal properties and their good biocompatibility. Response temperatures obtained under stress‐free and constant strain recovery can be systematically adjusted by variation of the deformation temperature in a temperature range from 32 °C to 65 °C, which is the relevant temperature range for medical applications. The working principle of TMP based instruments for minimally invasive surgical procedures is successfully demonstrated using three temperature‐memory catheter concepts: individually programmable TM‐catheter, an in‐situ programmable TM‐catheter, and an intelligent drainage catheter for gastroenterology.
Palladium Nanoparticles on Thermoresponsive Hydrogels and their Application as Recyclable Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling Reaction Catalysts in Water
Authors: Hong Myeng Chan , Choi Myung Chan , Chang Young Wook , Lee Yongwoo , Kim Jongsik , Rhee Hakjune
Published: April 2012

Palladium nanoparticles were immobilized on PNIPAM:4‐VP hydrogels. The resultant püalladium catalysts showed high activities for Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions in water. The recyclability of the catalysts was improved by using 4‐VP as a co‐monomer in the hydrogels due to reduced Pd leaching during the reactions.
Preparation of inorganic–organic hybrid proton exchange membrane with chemically bound hydroxyethane diphosphonic acid
Authors: Shen Chunhui , Guo Zhihan , Chen Cheng , Gao Shanjun
Published: April 2012

Proton‐conductive inorganic–organic hybrid intermediate‐temperature membranes were prepared from 3‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) and 1‐hydroxyethane‐1,1‐diphosphonic acid (HEDPA) by sol–gel process. To prevent the leaching out of phosphonic acid, triethylamine was used as catalyst to promote the reaction of HEDPA and GPTMS to immobilize phosphonic acid groups. Fourier transform infrared spectra revealed that phosphonic acid groups of HEDPA were chemically bounded to organosiloxane network as a result of the reaction of POH of HEDPA and epoxy ring of GPTMS. TG‐DSC results indicated that the hybrid membranes were thermally stable up to 250°C. The proton conductivity of the hybrid membranes increased with temperature from 30 to 130°C. The proton conductivity of hybrid membrane with the molar ratio of GPTMS/HEDPA = 2/1 can reach up to 1.0 × 10−3 S/cm under anhydrous condition at 130°C, which reveals that this membrane is a promising proton exchange membrane for intermediate‐temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Assessment of hindered phenol antioxidants on processing stability of peroxide‐cure LDPE by rheology and DSC analysis
Authors: Zhang Xiaohu , Yang Hongmei , Song Yihu , Zheng Qiang
Published: April 2012

Influence of commercial phenol antioxidants Irganox 300, 1010, 1035, and 1076 on peroxide‐cure reaction of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) was evaluated through isothermal dynamic rheological and nonisothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) testing. The results indicated that phenol antioxidants could reduce storage modulus of LDPE completely crosslinked at 175°C while they have a neglectable effect on gel fracture and activity energy of crosslinking reaction. On the other hand, time sweep dynamic rheological test revealed the antioxidants 1035 and 1076 with low molecular weight and low melting point could significantly depress scorch of crosslinkable LDPE at 135°C. The isothermal time sweep dynamic rheology test method was more sensitive than nonisothermal DSC test for characterizing the influence of phenol antioxidants on crosslinking kinetics of peroxide‐cure reaction of LDPE. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
20‐HYDROXYECDYSONE UPREGULATES APOPTOTIC GENES AND INDUCES APOPTOSIS IN THE BOMBYX FAT BODY
Authors: Tian Ling , Liu Shumin , Liu Hanhan , Li Sheng
Published: April 2012

During insect metamorphosis, obsolete larval tissues are removed by programed cell death (PCD), mainly apoptosis and autophagy, which is directed by the molting hormone, 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20E) and the 20E‐triggered transcriptional cascade. Here, we investigated how 20E regulates apoptosis at the transcriptional level in the fat body of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. As detected by TdT‐mediated dUTP Nick‐End Labeling (TUNEL), apoptosis weakly occurred during the fourth larval molting, decreased to undetected levels during the early fifth instar, and gradually increased from day 4 of fifth instar to the wandering stage to the prepupal stage. Meanwhile, as determined by quantitative real‐time PCR, eight genes involved in apoptosis, including Apaf‐1, Nedd2 like1, Nedd2 like2, ICE1, ICE3, ICE5, Arp, and IAP, were highly expressed during molting and pupation, when the 20E titer is high. Injection of 20E into day 2 of fifth instar larvae significantly induced apoptosis and upregulated apoptotic genes after 6 h of treatment, and in vitro treatment of larval fat body tissues with 20E upregulated all the eight apoptotic genes. Moreover, RNAi knockdown of USP, a component of the 20E receptor complex EcR‐USP, at the early‐wandering stage reduced apoptosis and downregulated apoptotic genes after 24 h of treatment. Taken together, we infer that 20E upregulates apoptotic genes and thus induces apoptosis in the Bombyx fat body during larval molting and the larval–pupal transition.
THE INVOLVEMENT OF CYTOCHROME P450 MONOOXYGENASES IN METHANOL ELIMINATION IN Drosophila melanogaster LARVAE
Authors: Wang Shu‐Ping , He Gui‐Ling , Chen Rui‐Rui , Li Fei , Li Guo‐Qing
Published: April 2012

Methanol is one of the most common short‐chain alcohols in fermenting fruits, the natural food of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. The larvae cope continuously with methanol at various concentrations in order to survive and develop. In the present article, we found toxicities of dietary methanol and formaldehyde were enhanced by piperonyl butoxide, but not by 3‐amino‐1, 2, 4‐triazole, 4‐methylpyrazole, diethylmeleate, and triphenyl phosphate, when assessing by the combination index method. These results reveal that cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs), rather than catalases, alcohol dehydrogenases, glutathione S‐transferases, and esterases, participate in methanol metabolism. Moreover, methanol exposure dramatically increased CYP activity. The ratios of the CYP activities in treated larvae to those in control reached, respectively, up to 3.0‐, 3.9‐, and 2.7‐fold, at methanol concentrations of 22.6, 27.9, and 34.5 mg/g diet. In addition, methanol exposure greatly up‐regulated the mRNA expression level of five Cyp genes, which were Cyp304a1, Cyp9f2, Cyp28a5, Cyp4d2, and Cyp4e2. Their resulting proteins were suggested as the candidate enzymes for methanol metabolism in D. melanogaster larvae. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Insights into the Buried Archaeological Remains at the Duomo of Lecce (Italy) Using Ground‐penetrating Radar Surveys
Authors: Cataldo R. , D'Agostino D. , Leucci G.
Published: April 2012

The town of Lecce located in the southern part of the Apulia region of Italy, contains the remains of an ancient settlement in the city centre. One of the most important buildings in the town is the Duomo and its crypt. The crypt is found beneath the Duomo and was used as a burial place from the first century ad until the nineteenth century. The area around the crypt is highly urbanized today, but was the locus of social and political life over the centuries for people of different cultures who inhabited the area, starting from the eighth century bc. Therefore this area contains stratigraphically complex layers of buildings and other remains, which can help us understand the usage of this area of the town over many centuries. A ground‐penetrating radar survey was performed at the crypt, the data of which were visualized in three‐dimensions using a standard amplitude slice technique as well the construction of isosurface images of amplitudes. These images reveal the position of architectural features whose shape, size and burial depth suggest they are Roman and earlier in age. The features mapped are superimposed tombs, which indicates that this area was used for the same purpose over many centuries and demonstrates a long continuity of similar burial practices at this sacred place. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards Alzheimer's root cause: ECSIT as an integrating hub between oxidative stress, inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction
Authors: Soler‐López Montserrat , Badiola Nahuai , Zanzoni Andreas , Aloy Patrick
Published: April 2012

Here we postulate that the adapter protein evolutionarily conserved signalling intermediate in Toll pathway (ECSIT) might act as a molecular sensor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Based on the analysis of our AD‐associated protein interaction network, ECSIT emerges as an integrating signalling hub that ascertains cell homeostasis by the specific activation of protective molecular mechanisms in response to signals of amyloid‐beta or oxidative damage. This converges into a complex cascade of patho‐physiological processes. A failure to repair would generate severe mitochondrial damage and ultimately activate pro‐apoptotic mechanisms, promoting synaptic dysfunction and neuronal death. Further support for our hypothesis is provided by increasing evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction in the disease etiology. Our model integrates seemingly controversial hypotheses for familial and sporadic forms of AD and envisions ECSIT as a biomarker to guide future therapies to halt or prevent AD.

Editor's suggested further reading in BioEssays Binding of amyloid peptides to domain‐swapped dimers of other amyloid‐forming protein may prevent their neurotoxicity Abstract

Please, also watch the Video Abstract
NAIPs: Building an innate immune barrier against bacterial pathogens
Authors: Kofoed Eric M. , Vance Russell E.
Published: April 2012

The innate immune system of mammals encodes several families of immune detector proteins that monitor the cytosol for signs of pathogen invasion. One important but poorly understood family of cytosolic immunosurveillance proteins is the NLR (nucleotide‐binding domain, leucine‐rich repeat containing) proteins. Recent work has demonstrated that one subfamily of NLRs, the NAIPs (NLR family, apoptosis inhibitory proteins), are activated by specific interaction with bacterial ligands, such as flagellin. NAIP activation leads to assembly of a large multiprotein complex called the inflammasome, which initiates innate immune responses by activation of the Caspase‐1 protease. NAIPs therefore appear to detect pathogen molecules via a simple and direct receptor‐ligand mechanism. Interestingly, other NLR family members appear to detect pathogens indirectly, perhaps by responding to host cell “stress” caused by the pathogen. Thus, the NLR family may have evolved surprisingly diverse mechanisms for detecting pathogens.
COMPONENT ANALYSIS OF BEHAVIOR SKILLS TRAINING IN FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS
Authors: Ward‐Horner John , Sturmey Peter
Published: April 2012

Behavioral Skills Training (BST) is an effective training package that consists of instructions, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback. Although the efficacy of BST has been demonstrated, previous research has not clearly delineated its active components. This study used an alternating‐treatment design embedded within ABC and ABCD designs to evaluate the independent effects of all components of BST for training teachers to conduct functional analyses. Prior to baseline, teachers reviewed written instructions. Following baseline, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback training occurred independently during the first training phase and in combination during subsequent training phases. Rehearsal was ineffective, whereas feedback was effective at improving the performance of all teachers. Modeling was less effective than feedback, such that improvements only occurred for some teachers and some functional analysis responses. Thus, feedback, and to a lesser extent, modeling are the effective and perhaps necessary components of BST. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Randomized clinical trial of glutamine-supplementedversusstandard parenteral nutrition in infants with surgical gastrointestinal disease
Authors:   SIGN Trial Group, Ong E G P , Eaton S , Wade A M , Horn V , Losty P D , Curry J I , Sugarman I D , Klein N J , Pierro A
Published: April 2012

Background

Addition of glutamine to parenteral nutrition in surgical infants remains controversial. The aim of this trial was to determine whether glutamine supplementation of parenteral nutrition in infants requiring surgery would reduce the time to full enteral feeding and/or decrease the incidence of sepsis and septicaemia.

Methods

A prospective double-blind multicentre randomized clinical trial was performed in surgical infants less than 3 months old who required parenteral nutrition. Patients were allocated to treatment or control groups by means of minimization. Infants received either 0·6 g per kg per day alanyl-glutamine (treatment group) or isonitrogenous isocaloric parenteral nutrition (control group) until full enteral feeding was achieved. Primary outcomes were time to full enteral feeding and incidence of sepsis. Cox regression analysis was used to compare time to full enteral feeding, and to calculate risk of sepsis/septicaemia.

Results

A total of 174 patients were randomized, of whom 164 completed the trial and were analysed (82 in each group). There was no difference in time to full enteral feeding or time to first enteral feeding between groups, and supplementation with glutamine had no effect on the overall incidence of sepsis or septicaemia. However, during total parenteral nutrition (before the first enteral feed), glutamine administration was associated with a significantly decreased risk of developing sepsis (hazard ratio 0·33, 95 per cent confidence interval 0·15 to 0·72; P = 0·005).

Conclusion

Glutamine supplementation during parenteral nutrition did not reduce the incidence of sepsis in surgical infants with gastrointestinal disease. Registration number: ISRCTN83168963 (http://www.controlled-trials.com).
Beyond the score: Music visualization and digital humanities
Authors: Lam Margaret
Published: April 2012

Editor's Summary

Among the humanities, music is especially powerful for reflecting time and place and evoking personal experiences and memories. Yet music research in the digital humanities has attended little to socio‐cultural context, tradition, history and performance knowledge, instead focusing on the musical score and technical elements. To have an impact on music scholarship, digital research in the music domain must be considered more broadly. An example is the work of Alexander Chan, whose cutting edge music research may be appreciated as interactive installations but gets little recognition within digital humanities. Music research has fallen short in its use of digital technology to understand theory, composition, musicology and the preservation and transmission of music knowledge. Despite music's evocative power, its conceptual scope in digital research is narrow.
Invoking the Authority of Feelings as a Strategic Maneuver in Family Mealtime Conversations
Authors: Bova Antonio , Arcidiacono Francesco
Published: April 2012

This paper is centred on family conversations and focuses on the conditions that allow a specific strategic maneuver, the invocation of the authority, to be an effective argumentative strategy when used by parents to convince their children to accept rules and prescriptions. Within a corpus of argumentative sequences selected from 30 video‐recordings of family mealtime conversations, an argumentative sequence between parents and children, which brings to light the results obtained through the qualitative analysis of a corpus of 60 argumentative sequences, is presented and discussed. The analysis relies on a communicative‐argumentative methodology based on the extended pragma‐dialectical theory and on the Argumentum Model of Topics to identify the participants' moves and to analyze the inferential configuration of arguments, respectively. The findings of the analysis show that the invocation of the authority by parents represents an argumentative strategy that is effective when two conditions are met: (i) the nature of the relationship between the person who represents the authority and the person to whom the argument is addressed is based on the certainty of positive feelings, rather than on the fear of punishment, and (ii) the reasons the prohibition is based on are not to be hidden from the child's eyes, but are to be shared by family members. The analysis has thus brought out a specific type of invocation of authority that we have defined asthe authority of feelings. The results of this study contribute to research on family argumentation and on the interactional dynamics between parents and children. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oxidative Cyanation of Tertiary Amines with Ethyl Cyanoformate over a Niobia‐Supported Iron‐Exchanged Molybdophosphoric Acid Catalyst
Authors: Rao Kasanneni Tirumala Venkateswara , Haribabu Bathula , Prasad Potharaju S. Sai , Lingaiah Nakka
Published: April 2012

The oxidative cyanation of tertiary amines by using the less‐toxic ethyl cyanoformate as the cyanating agent was achieved over heterogeneous iron‐exchanged molybdophosphoric acid (FeMPA) supported on a niobia catalyst under mild reaction conditions. The catalyst not only showed exceptional activity with variety of tertiary amines but also exhibited consistent activity upon reuse.