bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioactive polyacrylamide hydrogels with gradients in mechanical stiffness
Authors: Diederich Vincent E.G. , Studer Peter , Kern Anita , Lattuada Marco , Storti Giuseppe , Sharma Ram I. , Snedeker Jess G. , Morbidelli Massimo
Published: December 2012

We propose a novel, single step method for the production of polyacrylamide hydrogels with a gradient in mechanical properties. In contrast to already existing techniques such as UV photo‐polymerization with photomasks (limited penetration depth) or microfluidic gradient mixers (complex microfluidic chip), this technique is not suffering such limitations. Young's modulus of the hydrogels was varied by changing the total monomer concentration of the hydrogel precursor solution. Using programmable syringe pumps, the total monomer concentration in the solution fed to the hydrogel mold was varied from 16 wt% down to 5 wt% over the feeding time to obtain a gradient in compliance ranging from 150 kPa down to 20 kPa over a length of 10 mm down to 2.5 mm. Polymerization was achieved with the dual initiation system composed of ammonium persulfate and N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine, which were both fed through separate capillaries to avoid premature polymerization. Functionalized with the model ligand collagen I, the substrates were bioactive and supported the attachment of human foreskin fibroblasts (around 30% of the cells seeded attached after 1 h). A kinetic morphology study on homogeneous hydrogels of different stiffness's indicated that fibroblasts tend to spread to their final size within 2 h on stiff substrates, while the spreading time was much longer (ca. 4–5 h) on soft substrates. These trends were confirmed on hydrogels with compliance gradients, showing well spread fibroblasts on the stiff end of the hydrogel after 2 h, while the cells on the soft end still had small area and rounded morphology. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 1508–1519. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Building user experiences: Synchronizing user experience design and the supporting metadata and taxonomy infrastructure
Authors: Hert Carol A. , Carlson Gary , Wessel Bram
Published: December 2012

Editor's Summary

For best results in website architecture and operation, the process of user experience design and taxonomy and metadata development should be synchronized, not developed in isolation. Bringing the two work streams together enables full consideration of how users, represented as personas, would interact with the site, pursuing likely needs and preferences. The persona review informs the technical infrastructure and functionality as well as the terminology and content types. Analysis of the site design and comparison with similar sites can lead to better appreciation of the user experience and expanded vocabulary links to improve access to content. The Key Paths methodology used by the design firm Factor captures likely user journeys to define design elements, allowing for multiple routes to appropriate content. Metadata must be available to support design, and functional design and content tagging must take advantage of metadata. The dynamic interaction and mutual support of the site's content team and design team are keys to an effective product.
The Enantiomeric Separation of Tetrahydrobenzimidazoles Cyclodextrins‐ and Cyclofructans
Authors: Perera Sirantha , Na Yun‐Cheol , Doundoulakis Thomas , Ngo Victor J. , Feng Qing , Breitbach Zachary S. , Lovely Carl J. , Armstrong Daniel W.
Published: December 2012

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) were used to examine the enantiomeric separation of a series of 17 racemic tetrahydrobenzimidazole analytes. These compounds were prepared as part of a synthetic program directed towards a select group of pyrrole‐imidazole alkaloids. This group of natural products has a unique framework of pyrrole‐ and guanidine‐containing fused rings which can be constructed through the intermediacy of a tetrahydrobenzimidazole scaffold. Several bonded cyclodextrin‐ (both native and derivatized) and derivatized cyclofructan‐based chiral stationary phases were evaluated for their ability to separate these racemates via HPLC. Similarly, several cyclodextrin derivatives and derivatized cyclofructan were evaluated for their ability to separate this set of chiral compounds via CE. Enantiomeric selectivity was observed for the entire set of racemic compounds using HPLC with resolution values up to 3.0. Among the 12 different CSPs, enantiomeric recognition was most frequently observed with the Cyclobond RN and LARIHC CF6‐P, while the Cyclobond DMP yielded the greatest number of baseline separations. Fifteen of the analytes showed enantiomeric recognition in CE with resolution values as high as 5.0 and hydroxypropyl‐γ‐cyclodextrin was the most effective chiral additive. Chirality 25:133–140, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Investigation of Peptoid Chiral Stationary Phases Terminated withN′‐Substituted Phenyl‐L‐proline/leucine Amide
Authors: Wu Haibo , Song Guangjun , Liang Xinmiao , Ke Yanxiong
Published: December 2012

Eight peptoid chiral stationary phases (CSPs) terminated withN′‐substituted phenyl‐L‐proline orL‐leucine amide were prepared and evaluated under normal phase mode. With 59 racemic analytes, we compared the enantiomeric separations on CSPs terminated withp‐methylphenyl,p‐chlorophenyl and unsubstituted phenyl. For short peptoid selectors containing only oneS‐N‐(1‐phenylethyl) glycine (Nspe) unit, the terminalp‐methyl substituent did not affect chiral recognition abilities significantly. InL‐proline amide terminated CSPs,p‐chloro substituent resulted in obviously inferior selectivity while inL‐leucine amide terminated CSPs, it worked much better. Longer peptoid selectors containing two moreNspe units generally performed much better than the shorter ones, due to the great contributions of peptoid chain to chiral recognition. Meanwhile, the effects of the terminal substituent on selectivity were found changed on these CSPs. For CSPs terminated withL‐leucine amide, the terminalp‐chloro substituent in longer selector no longer produced the best recognition ability; the CSP with unsubstituted phenyl instead performed best. Comparison of these peptoid CSPs varied in terminal substituents and chain length was conducted to gain a better understanding of the chiral recognition mechanism of this type CSP and promote the development of more useful CSPs.
Synthesis of 1,3,5‐Trisubstituted [4‐tert‐Butyl 2‐(5,5‐difluoro‐2,2‐dimethyl‐6‐vinyl‐1,3‐dioxan‐4‐yl)acetate]pyrazoles via a Pd‐Catalyzed CH Activation
Authors: Wang Xiaoguang , Fang Xiang , Yang Xueyan , Ni Meng , Wu Fanhong
Published: December 2012

The gem‐difluoromethylenated acetonide 2 was efficiently synthesized as new precursor of HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitor. Straightforward olefination via Pd‐catalyzed C4‐H activation of 1,3,5‐trisubstituted pyrazoles 1 was proceeded smoothly in the presence of Pd(OAc)2 and AgCO3. This protocol has merits in terms of the improved atomic economy and prevention from the generation of by‐products.
Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 in the rat brain: Distribution of expression and functional implication
Authors: Gu Guibao , Roland Barbara , Tomaselli Kevin , Dolman Carrie S. , Lowe Carolyn , Heilig Joseph S.
Published: December 2012

Glucagon‐like‐peptide 1 (GLP‐1) is expressed not only in gut endocrine cells, but also in cells in the caudal brainstem and taste buds. To better understand the functions of central GLP‐1, GLP‐1 expression was immunohistochemically profiled in normal rat brain and its distribution correlated with FOS induction following systemic administration of a GLP‐1 receptor agonist, exendin‐4. In the present study, only a small number of GLP‐1‐immunoreactive cell bodies were observed in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). However, these neurons send abundant projections to other regions of the brain, in particular the forebrain, including the paraventricular and dorsomedial nuclei of the hypothalamus, the central nucleus of the amygdala, the oval nucleus of the bed nuclei of the stria terminalis, and the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus. Intraperitoneal administration of exendin‐4 resulted in extensive FOS expression in areas of the forebrain and the hindbrain. In the forebrain, FOS expression was largely confined to regions where a high density of GLP‐1‐immunoreactive terminals was also localized. The majority of GLP‐1‐immunoreactive cells in the NTS were not FOS‐positive. FOS‐positive cells appeared to represent a different population from those expressing GLP‐1. Thus, GLP‐1‐containing neurons in the brainstem may not be involved in receiving and relaying to other regions of the brain the physiological signals of prandial GLP‐1 secreted by intestinal L‐cells. Projections of GLP‐1‐containing neurons to the distinctive structures in the forebrain imply that central GLP‐1 may play an important role in the behavioral and metabolic integration of autonomic control and arousal in the rat. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:2235–2261, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neurogenesis is required for behavioral recovery after injury in the visual system of Xenopus laevis
Authors: McKeown Caroline R. , Sharma Pranav , Sharipov Heidi E. , Shen Wanhua , Cline Hollis T.
Published: December 2012

Nonmammalian vertebrates have a remarkable capacity to regenerate brain tissue in response to central nervous system (CNS) injury. Nevertheless, it is not clear whether animals recover lost function after injury or whether injury‐induced cell proliferation mediates recovery. We address these questions using the visual system and visually‐guided behavior in Xenopus laevis tadpoles. We established a reproducible means to produce a unilateral focal injury to optic tectal neurons without damaging retinotectal axons. We then assayed a tectally‐mediated visual avoidance behavior to evaluate behavioral impairment and recovery. Focal ablation of part of the optic tectum prevents the visual avoidance response to moving stimuli. Animals recover the behavior over the week following injury. Injury induces a burst of proliferation of tectal progenitor cells based on phospho‐histone H3 immunolabeling and experiments showing that Musashi‐immunoreactive tectal progenitors incorporate the thymidine analog chlorodeoxyuridine after injury. Pulse chase experiments indicate that the newly‐generated cells differentiate into N‐β‐tubulin‐immunoreactive neurons. Furthermore, in vivo time‐lapse imaging shows that Sox2‐expressing neural progenitors divide in response to injury and generate neurons with elaborate dendritic arbors. These experiments indicate that new neurons are generated in response to injury. To test if neurogenesis is necessary for recovery from injury, we blocked cell proliferation in vivo and found that recovery of the visual avoidance behavior is inhibited by drugs that block cell proliferation. Moreover, behavioral recovery is facilitated by changes in visual experience that increase tectal progenitor cell proliferation. Our data indicate that neurogenesis in the optic tectum is critical for recovery of visually‐guided behavior after injury. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:2262–2278, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pre‐target axon sorting in the avian auditory brainstem
Authors: Kashima Daniel T. , Rubel Edwin W , Seidl Armin H.
Published: December 2012

Topographic organization of neurons is a hallmark of brain structure. The establishment of the connections between topographically organized brain regions has attracted much experimental attention, and it is widely accepted that molecular cues guide outgrowing axons to their targets in order to construct topographic maps. In a number of systems afferent axons are organized topographically along their trajectory as well, and it has been suggested that this pre‐target sorting contributes to map formation. Neurons in auditory regions of the brain are arranged according to their best frequency (BF), the sound frequency they respond to optimally. This BF changes predictably with position along the so‐called tonotopic axis. In the avian auditory brainstem, the tonotopic organization of the second‐ and third‐order auditory neurons in nucleus magnocellularis (NM) and nucleus laminaris (NL) has been well described. In this study we examine whether the decussating NM axons forming the crossed dorsal cochlear tract (XDCT) and innervating the contralateral NL are arranged in a systematic manner. We electroporated dye into cells in different frequency regions of NM to anterogradely label their axons in XDCT. The placement of dye in NM was compared to the location of labeled axons in XDCT. Our results show that NM axons in XDCT are organized in a precise tonotopic manner along the rostrocaudal axis, spanning the entire rostrocaudal extent of both the origin and target nuclei. We propose that in the avian auditory brainstem, this pretarget axon sorting contributes to tonotopic map formation in NL. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:2310–2320, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Corticospinal sprouting occurs selectively following dorsal rhizotomy in the macaque monkey
Authors: Darian‐Smith Corinna , Lilak Alayna , Alarcón Christina
Published: December 2012

The corticospinal tract in the macaque and human forms the major descending pathway involved in volitional hand movements. Following a unilateral cervical dorsal root lesion, by which sensory input to the first three digits (D1–D3) is removed, monkeys are initially unable to perform a grasp retrieval task requiring sensory feedback. Over several months, however, they recover much of this capability. Past studies in our laboratory have identified a number of changes in the afferent circuitry that occur as function returns, but do changes to the efferent pathways also contribute to compensatory recovery? In this study we examined the role of the corticospinal tract in pathway reorganization following a unilateral cervical dorsal rhizotomy. Several months after animals received a lesion, the corticospinal pathways originating in the primary somatosensory and motor cortex were labeled, and terminal distribution patterns on the two sides of the cervical cord were compared. Tracers were injected only into the region of D1–D3 representation (identified electrophysiologically). We observed a strikingly different terminal labeling pattern post lesion for projections originating in the somatosensory versus motor cortex. The terminal territory from the somatosensory cortex was significantly smaller compared with the contralateral side (area mean = 0.30 vs. 0.55 mm2), indicating retraction or atrophy of terminals. In contrast, the terminal territory from the motor cortex did not shrink, and in three of four animals, aberrant terminal label was observed in the dorsal horn ipsilateral to the lesion, indicating sprouting. These differences suggest that cortical regions play a different role in post‐injury recovery. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:2359–2372, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Parallel relay‐assisted three‐phase MIMO space division multiple access transmission for multi‐hop throughput improvement
Authors: Zhao Pengkai
Published: December 2012

Multi‐hop communications equipped with parallel relay nodes is an emerging network scenario visible in environments with high node density. Conventional interference‐free medium access control (MAC) has little capability in utilizing such parallel relays because it essentially prohibits the existence of co‐channel interference and limits the feasibility of concurrent communications. This paper aims at presenting a cooperative multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) space division multiple access (SDMA) design that uses each hop's parallel relay nodes to improve multi‐hop throughput performance. Specifically, we use MIMO and SDMA to enable concurrent transmissions (from multiple Tx nodes to single/multiple Rx nodes) and suppress simultaneous links' co‐channel interference. As a joint physical layer (MAC/PHY) solution, our design has multiple MAC modules including load balancing that uniformly splits traffic packets at parallel relay nodes and multi‐hop scheduling taking co‐channel interference into consideration. Meanwhile, our PHY layer modules include distributive channel sounding that exchanges channel information in a decentralized manner and link adaptation module estimating instantaneous link rate per time frame. Simulation results validate that compared with interference‐free MAC or existing Mitigating Interference using Multiple Antennas (MIMA‐MAC), our proposed design can improve end‐to‐end throughput by around 30% to 50%. In addition, we further discuss its application on extended multi‐hop topology. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐resolution compressive channel estimation for broadband wireless communication systems
Authors: Gui Guan , Peng Wei , Adachi Fumiyuki
Published: December 2012

Broadband channel is often characterized by a sparse multipath channel where dominant multipath taps are widely separated in time, thereby resulting in a large delay spread. Accurate channel estimation can be done by sampling received signal with analog‐to‐digital converter (ADC) at Nyquist rate and then estimating all channel taps with high resolution. However, these Nyquist sampling‐based methods have two main disadvantages: (i) demand of the high‐speed ADC, which already exceeds the capability of current ADC, and (ii) low spectral efficiency. To solve these challenges, compressive channel estimation methods have been proposed. Unfortunately, those channel estimators are vulnerable to low resolution in low‐speed ADC sampling systems. In this paper, we propose a high‐resolution compressive channel estimation method, which is based on sampling by using multiple low‐speed ADCs. Unlike the traditional methods on compressive channel estimation, our proposed method can approximately achieve the performance of lower bound. At the same time, the proposed method can reduce communication cost and improve spectral efficiency. Numerical simulations confirm our proposed method by using low‐speed ADC sampling. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Constructing a VANET based on cluster chains
Authors: Xiaonan Wang , Huanyan Qian
Published: December 2012

The paper proposes a scheme on constructing a vehicular ad‐hoc network based on cluster chains. In the cluster construction algorithm, the distance from a potential cluster head to its neighbor cluster associate node is used as a metric to elect a cluster head, so the number of the cluster heads is minimized. In the cluster‐chain construction algorithm, the distance from a potential cluster associate node to its neighbor cluster head is used as a metric to elect a cluster associate node, so the number of the nodes in a cluster chain is minimized. The cluster/cluster‐chain repair algorithm maintains the cluster/cluster‐chain stability. The cluster/cluster‐chain merging algorithm has no effects on the topology of the corresponding cluster chains, so the cluster‐chain stability is enhanced. The performances of the proposed scheme and the existing scheme are analyzed, and the performance parameters include the cluster size, the cluster formation delay, the cluster stability, and the cluster‐chain stability. And the analytical results show that the performance of the proposed scheme is better. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immediate cytology improves accuracy and decreases complication rate in real‐time computed tomography‐guided needle lung biopsy
Authors: Tachibana Keisei , Nakazato Yoshimasa , Tsuchida Shigeru , Kazama Toshifumi , Minato Koichi , Yoshida Tsutomu , Fujita Atsushi , Horikoshi Hiroyuki , Tanaka Ryota , Iijima Misa , Goya Tomoyuki
Published: December 2012

Computed tomography‐guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (CTNB) of the lung is a well‐established diagnostic technique for the evaluation of thoracic lesions. At our institution, we have performed real‐time CTNB using automated biopsy needles since 1998 and we introduced immediate cytology in 2004. We evaluate immediate cytology in CTNB to increase the diagnostic accuracy and to reduce the number of inadequate specimens.

We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of 270 patients (group A: 98 patients before introduction, group B: 172 patients after introduction) who underwent CTNB between 2002 and 2009. We compared the diagnostic performance and the complication rates between two groups.

There were no significant differences between groups A and B in patient and lesion characteristics. The rates of one time biopsy were significantly different: 56.1% (55/98) in group A and 69.2% (119/172) in group B. The rates of diagnostic accuracy in groups A and B were 79.6% (78/98) and 94.8% (163/172), respectively; the sensitivity were 74.0% (57/77) and 94.1% (127/135); the specificity were 100% (21/21) and 97.3% (36/37); the rates of major complications were 14.3% (14/98) and 2.9% (5/172). Group B had significantly higher diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and a lower complication rate in comparison with group A.

CTNB with immediate cytology can improve diagnostic performance and decrease the complication rate. These improvements may help make CTNB less of a burden for patients. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2013;41:1063–1068. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Single Source Precursor Route to Group 13 Homo‐ and Heterometallic Oxides as Highly Active Supports for Gold‐Catalyzed Aerobic Epoxidation of trans‐Stilbene
Authors: Mishra Shashank , Mendez Violaine , Jeanneau Erwann , Caps Valérie , Daniele Stéphane
Published: December 2012

A new Mitsubishi‐type of star‐shaped homoleptic derivative of indium(III), In4(mdea)6 (2, mdeaH2 = N‐methyldiethanolamine), was synthesized by the chloro–aminoalkoxo exchange reaction of a heteroleptic complex In6Cl6(mdea)6 (1) and used as a facile single source molecular precursor for the sol–gel preparation of high surface area indium oxide. Successful deposition of gold nanoparticles (1 wt.‐%) of average size 3.3 nm on the above metal oxide by using HAuCl4·3H2O afforded a highly efficient Au/In2O3 catalyst for the aerobic epoxidation of trans‐stilbene at low temperature. The above single source precursor approach was further extended to obtain other group 13 homo‐ and heterometallic oxides, namely, α‐Ga2O3, β‐Ga2O3 and Al4Ga2O9, as highly active supports for gold catalysts. The obtained Au/M2O3 (M = Ga, In) and Au/Al4Ga2O9 catalysts were thoroughly characterized by using several physicochemical techniques such as XRD, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR‐TEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A comparative study of the above catalysts for the model aerobic oxidation of stilbene in methylcyclohexane was undertaken.
Pd‐Catalyzed Chemoselective Cross‐Coupling Reaction of Triaryl‐ or Triheteroarylbismuth Compounds with 3,6‐Dihalopyridazines
Authors: Urgin Karène , Aubé Christophe , Pipelier Muriel , Blot Virginie , Thobie‐Gautier Christine , Sengmany Stéphane , Lebreton Jacques , Léonel Eric , Dubreuil Didier , Condon Sylvie
Published: December 2012

The cross‐coupling reactions of 3,6‐dihalopyridazines with triaryl‐ or triheteroarylbismuth compounds were performed under palladium catalysis. The reaction was highly chemoselective, affording functionalized aryl‐ or heteroarylpyridazinyl chlorides in moderate to good yields.
Conjugate Addition of Indoles and Pyrroles to Dihydronitronaphthalenes in Water: Synthesis of 3,4‐Fused Tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines
Authors: Malhotra Rajesh , Ghosh Rajib , Dey Tushar K. , Chakrabarti Sagar , Ghosh Amit , Dutta Swarup , Asijaa Sonika , Roy Subho , Dutta Shantanu , Basu Sourav , Hajra Saumen
Published: December 2012

A catalyst‐free conjugate addition of indoles and pyrroles to 1,2‐dihydro‐3‐nitronaphthalenes in water has been developed. A variety of indoles containing electron‐rich and ‐deficient functional groups including aza‐indoles and pyrroles reacted smoothly with a number of dihydro‐3‐nitronaphthalenes, especially bromo derivatives. For structural elaboration, the bromo functionality (dihydronitronaphthalene unit as well as indolyl unit) of the addition products was utilized for Suzuki coupling reactions and provided moderate to good yields of the desired coupling compounds. The utility of the method was further demonstrated by the synthesis of 3,4‐fused tetrahydro‐β‐carbolines, a new class of compounds, from the addition products through reduction of the nitro group to the amine and subsequent Pictet–Spengler cyclization.
The impairment of HCCS leads to MLS syndrome by activating a non‐canonical cell death pathway in the brain and eyes
Authors: Indrieri Alessia , Conte Ivan , Chesi Giancarlo , Romano Alessia , Quartararo Jade , Tatè Rosarita , Ghezzi Daniele , Zeviani Massimo , Goffrini Paola , Ferrero Ileana , Bovolenta Paola , Franco Brunella
Published: December 2012

Mitochondrial‐dependent (intrinsic) programmed cell death (PCD) is an essential homoeostatic mechanism that selects bioenergetically proficient cells suitable for tissue/organ development. However, the link between mitochondrial dysfunction, intrinsic apoptosis and developmental anomalies has not been demonstrated to date. Now we provide the evidence that non‐canonical mitochondrial‐dependent apoptosis explains the phenotype of microphthalmia with linear skin lesions (MLS), an X‐linked developmental disorder caused by mutations in the holo‐cytochrome c‐type synthase (HCCS) gene. By taking advantage of a medaka model that recapitulates the MLS phenotype we demonstrate that downregulation of hccs, an essential player of the mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC), causes increased cell death via an apoptosome‐independent caspase‐9 activation in brain and eyes. We also show that the unconventional activation of caspase‐9 occurs in the mitochondria and is triggered by MRC impairment and overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). We thus propose that HCCS plays a key role in central nervous system (CNS) development by modulating a novel non‐canonical start‐up of cell death and provide the first experimental evidence for a mechanistic link between mitochondrial dysfunction, intrinsic apoptosis and developmental disorders.
Determining the impact of the Holocene highstand at the coastal‐fluvial interface, Shoalhaven River, south‐eastern Australia
Authors: Kermode Stephanie J. , Gibling Martin R. , Jones Brian G. , Cohen Tim J. , Price David M. , Daley James S.
Published: December 2012

With enhanced rates of sea‐level rise predicted for the next century, the upstream extent of sea‐level influence across coastal plains is a topic of public importance. Australian coastal rivers provide a testing ground for exploring this issue because the area is tectonically stable, was not glaciated, and experienced a Holocene highstand between 7.4 and 2 ka of up to 1.5 m above Australian Height Datum (AHD). In the Shoalhaven River of New South Wales, investigation of a confined bedrock reach at Wogamia, 32 km inland, has identified a unit of dark, cohesive silt and sand with marine diatoms, shell fragments, and enhanced pyrite content, interpreted as estuarine. The unit is up to 13 m thick, thickens downstream, and is overlain by fluvial channel and floodplain deposits. The estuarine unit on‐laps a remnant Pleistocene terrace and extends to approximately +2.2 m AHD. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and radiocarbon ages suggest that estuarine deposition commenced prior to 7.8 ka calbp, predating the highstand by ~ 500 years, and that marine influence in the area continued to 5.3 ± 0.7 ka. During this period, a delta probably persisted at Wogamia, where a narrow upstream reach opens out, and subsequently advanced to fill the broad Shoalhaven coastal embayment. Although the effect of sea‐level rise depends on many factors, the results suggest that, during a highstand at or above present sea level, a strong marine influence may extend for tens of kilometres inland and penetrate confined bedrock reaches landward of coastal embayments. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estrogen and the prefrontal cortex: Towards a new understanding of estrogen's effects on executive functions in the menopause transition
Authors: Shanmugan Sheila , Epperson C. Neill
Published: December 2012

Midlife decline in cognition, specifically in areas of executive functioning, is a frequent concern for which menopausal women seek clinical intervention. The dependence of executive processes on prefrontal cortex function suggests estrogen effects on this brain region may be key in identifying the sources of this decline. Recent evidence from rodent, nonhuman primate, and human subject studies indicates the importance of considering interactions of estrogen with neurotransmitter systems, stress, genotype, and individual life events when determining the cognitive effects of menopause and estrogen therapy. Hum Brain Mapp 35:847–865, 2014. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
THE EFFECTS OF EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT PAYMENT EXPANSION ON MATERNAL SMOKING
Authors: Averett Susan , Wang Yang
Published: December 2012

The Earned Income Tax Credit is the largest antipoverty program in the USA. In 1993, the Earned Income Tax Credit benefit levels were changed significantly based on the number of children in the family such that families with two or more children experienced an exogenous expansion in their incomes. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 cohort, we use a triple‐difference plus fixed effects framework to examine the effect of this change on the probability of smoking among low‐educated mothers. We find that the probability of smoking for White low‐educated mothers of two or more children significantly decreased relative to those with only one child, and this result is robust to various specification tests. This result provides new evidence on the protective effect of income on health through changes in a health‐related behavior and therefore has important policy implications. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Informal patient payments in maternity hospitals in Kiev, Ukraine
Authors: Stepurko Tetiana , Pavlova Milena , Levenets Olena , Gryga Irena , Groot Wim
Published: December 2012

Maternity care in Ukraine is a government priority. However, it has not undergone substantial changes since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Similar to the entire health care sector in Ukraine, maternity care suffers from inefficient funding, which results in low quality and poor access to services. The objective of this paper is to explore the practice of informal payments for maternity care in Ukraine, specifically in cases of childbirth in Kiev maternity hospitals. The paper provides an ethnographic study on the consumers' and providers' experiences with informal payments. The results suggest that informal payments for childbirth are an established practice in Kiev maternity hospitals. The bargaining process between the pregnant woman (incl. her partner) and the obstetrician is an important part of the predelivery arrangement, including the informal payment. To deal with informal payments in Kiev maternity hospitals, there is a need for the following: (i) regulation of the “quasi‐official” patient payments at the health care facility level; and (ii) improvement of professional ethics through staff training. These strategies should be coupled with improved governance of the health care sector in general, and maternity care in particular in order to attain international quality standards and adequate access to facilities. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Involvement of trigeminal ganglionic Nav1.7 in hyperalgesia of inflamed temporomandibular joint is dependent on ERK1/2 phosphorylation of glial cells in rats
Authors: Bi R‐Y. , Kou X‐X. , Meng Z. , Wang X‐D. , Ding Y. , Gan Y‐H.
Published: December 2012

Background

Inflammation is a major cause of temporomandibular disorder‐related pain. The Nav1.7 sodium channel has a critical function in pain perceptions. However, whether and how Nav1.7 in the trigeminal ganglion is involved in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) inflammatory pain remains to be examined.

Methods

TMJ inflammation was induced by complete Freund's adjuvant in female rats. The expression of trigeminal ganglionic Nav1.7 and other sodium channels was examined using real‐time polymerase chain reaction or Western blotting. Immunohistofluorescence with fluorescent retrograde neuronal tracer DiI was used to confirm Nav1.7 in the trigeminal neurons innervating TMJ. The functions of trigeminal ganglionic Nav1.7 and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation were blocked with the microinjection of the Nav1.7 antibody or U0126 into the trigeminal ganglion. Head withdrawal threshold and food intake was measured to evaluate TMJ nociceptive responses.

Results

TMJ inflammation significantly up‐regulated Nav1.7 mRNA and protein; however, the mRNA of Nav1.3 was not affected and those of Nav1.8 and Nav1.9 were only slightly up‐regulated. TMJ inflammation specifically induced Nav1.7 in the neurons innervating TMJ. In addition, blocking the Nav1.7 function significantly attenuated the hyperalgesia of the inflamed TMJ. Moreover, TMJ inflammation up‐regulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation only in the glials; blocking ERK1/2 phosphorylation in the glials blocked Nav1.7 up‐regulation in the neurons and correspondingly attenuated the hyperalgesia of the inflamed TMJ.

Conclusions

Trigeminal ganglionic Nav1.7 has an important function in the hyperalgesia of the inflamed TMJ, which is dependent on the communication with the satellite glials.
Effect of intrathecal baclofen on evoked pain perception: An evoked potentials and quantitative thermal testing study
Authors: Kumru H. , Kofler M. , Flores M.C. , Portell E. , Robles V. , Leon N. , Vidal J.
Published: December 2012

Background and Objectives

Somatic antinociceptive effects of baclofen have been demonstrated in animal models. We hypothesized that if enhanced thermal or pain sensitivity is produced by loss of gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐ergic tone in the central nervous system, spinal administration of GABA agonists might be predicted to be effective in thermal and/or pain perception changes and pain‐related evoked potentials in candidates for intrathecal baclofen (ITB) treatment.

Methods

Eleven patients with severe spinal cord injury (SCI) who suffered from severe spasticity were evaluated during a 50‐μg ITB bolus test. Warm and heat pain thresholds, evoked heat pain perception, and contact heat‐evoked potentials (CHEPs) were determined above SCI level from the right and left sides. Nine age‐ and gender‐matched healthy volunteers undergoing repeat testing without any placebo injection served as control group.

Result

In patients, heat pain perception threshold increased, and evoked pain perception and amplitude of CHEPs decreased significantly after ITB bolus application in comparison with baseline (p < 0.005), with no change in warm perception threshold. In controls, no significant changes were observed in repeat testing over time.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that ITB modulates heat pain perception threshold, evoked heat pain perception and heat pain‐related evoked potentials without inducing warm perception threshold changes in SCI patients. This phenomenon should be taken into account in the clinical evaluation and management of pain in patients receiving baclofen.
Shedding light on diatom photonics by means of digital holography
Authors: Di Caprio Giuseppe , Coppola Giuseppe , Stefano Luca De , Stefano Mario De , Antonucci Alessandra , Congestri Roberta , Tommasi Edoardo De
Published: December 2012

Diatoms are among the dominant phytoplankters in the world's oceans, and their external silica investments, resembling artificial photonic crystals, are expected to play an active role in light manipulation. Digital holography allowed studying the interaction with light of Coscinodiscus wailesii cell wall reconstructing the light confinement inside the cell cytoplasm, condition that is hardly accessible via standard microscopy. The full characterization of the propagated beam, in terms of quantitative phase and intensity, removed a long‐standing ambiguity about the origin of the light confinement. The data were discussed in the light of living cell behavior in response to their environment. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Behavior of plaster of Paris‐calcium carbonate composite as bone substitute. A study in rats
Authors: Dewi Anne Handrini , Ana Ika Dewi , Wolke Joop , Jansen John
Published: December 2012

Calcium sulfate, also known as plaster of Paris (POP), is probably the oldest biomaterial used for bone grafting and considered to be a fast degradable material that allows complete resorption before the bone defect area is completely filled by new bone. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility to combine POP with calcium carbonate in order to increase the the osteoconductivity of this material. Twenty four male Sprague Dawley rats, 5‐months‐old and weighing 300–350 g, were used in the study. Various treatment groups were created by the implantation of cylindrical samples of POP‐100, POP‐075 and POP‐050 into the femoral condyles. After 1 and 4 weeks of implantation, rats were sacrificed and the implanted areas and the surrounding tissue were retrieved for histological analysis. The study was completed by anin vitroexperiment, which included the soaking of the experimental materials into simulated body fluid. The results indicated that the composites were appropriate to be used as bone grafting material. The incorporation of CaCO3into POP did decrease the degradation rate of the cements and induced faster bone formation, thus provides promising properties to this material. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Counter‐Interrogation Strategies when Anticipating Questions on Intentions
Authors: Clemens Franziska , Granhag Pär Anders , Strömwall Leif A.
Published: December 2012

The present experimental study adds to the emerging line of psycholegal research focusing on true and false intentions. It is the first to examine mock suspects' (N = 120) counter‐interrogation strategies in investigative interviews in which they anticipate questions on their intentions. As planning is an inherent part of many intentions, mock suspects were, in addition to questions on their intentions, asked a set of questions that pertained to the planning phase in which they formed their intentions. Besides ratings of the anticipation and difficulty of the questions, participants were asked to provide their principal strategy for being perceived as truthful. Both truth tellers and liars perceived the questions on the planning phase as significantly more unanticipated than the questions on their intentions. Furthermore, liars perceived the questions on the planning phase as more difficult to answer than did truth tellers. Liars and truth tellers differed with respect to their principal strategy employed for being perceived as truthful. Liars' most commonly used strategy was to stick to the cover story, whereas truth tellers' most common strategy was to be honest. The results are discussed in relation to the unanticipated questions approach and psychological concepts such as the illusion of transparency. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative study of lacosamide and classical sodium channel blocking antiepileptic drugs on sodium channel slow inactivation
Authors: Niespodziany Isabelle , Leclère Nathalie , Vandenplas Catherine , Foerch Patrik , Wolff Christian
Published: December 2012

Many antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) exert their therapeutic activity by modifying the inactivation properties of voltage‐gated sodium (Nav) channels. Lacosamide is unique among AEDs in that it selectively enhances the slow inactivation component. Although numerous studies have investigated the effects of AEDs on Nav channel inactivation, a direct comparison of results cannot be made because of varying experimental conditions. In this study, the effects of different AEDs on Nav channel steady‐state slow inactivation were investigated under identical experimental conditions using whole‐cell patch‐clamp in N1E‐115 mouse neuroblastoma cells. All drugs were tested at 100 μM, and results were compared with those from time‐matched control groups. Lacosamide significantly shifted the voltage dependence of Nav current (INa) slow inactivation toward more hyperpolarized potentials (by −33 ± 7 mV), whereas the maximal fraction of slow inactivated channels and the curve slope did not differ significantly. Neither SPM6953 (lacosamide inactive enantiomer), nor carbamazepine, nor zonisamide affected the voltage dependence of INa slow inactivation, the maximal fraction of slow inactivated channels, or the curve slope. Phenytoin significantly increased the maximal fraction of slow inactivated channels (by 28% ± 9%) in a voltage‐independent manner but did not affect the curve slope. Lamotrigine slightly increased the fraction of inactivated currents (by 15% ± 4%) and widened the range of the slow inactivation voltage dependence. Lamotrigine and rufinamide induced weak, but significant, shifts of INa slow inactivation toward more depolarized potentials. The effects of lacosamide on Nav channel slow inactivation corroborate previous observations that lacosamide has a unique mode of action among AEDs that act on Nav channels. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A DEAD‐box RNA helicase Ddx54 protein in oligodendrocytes is indispensable for myelination in the central nervous system
Authors: Zhan Rui , Yamamoto Masahiro , Ueki Toshiyuki , Yoshioka Nozomu , Tanaka Kayoko , Morisaki Hiromi , Seiwa Chika , Yamamoto Yuta , Kawano Hitoshi , Tsuruo Yoshihiro , Watanabe Kenji , Asou Hiroaki , Aiso Sadakazu
Published: December 2012

We recently reported that a new monoclonal antibody, 4F2, which labels oligodendroglial lineage cells, recognizes a DEAD‐box RNA helicase Ddx54 and that Ddx54 binds to myelin basic protein (MBP) in brain and cultured oligodendrocytes. To elucidate the biological function of Ddx54, we generated a recombinant adenovirus, Ad‐shRNA:Ddx54, expressing a short hairpin RNA to silence endogenous Ddx54 protein. The virus was intraventricularly injected into the brains of mice on postnatal day (PD) 2. The brains at PD 9 were then analyzed by immunohistochemistry. In untreated normal brain sections, as well as control brains that had been injected with Ad‐β‐Gal, myelination of axons occurred in the corpus callosum with filamentous patterns of immunosignals of myelin‐associated glycoprotein (MAG) and MBP. In Ad‐shRNA:Ddx54‐injected brain, substantial amounts of MAG and MBP immunosignals were present, but MBP immunosignals accumulated in the subplate layer and did not intrude into the emerging white matter. Immunoblot analysis revealed that Ddx54 knockdown caused a significant decrease in the level of 21.5 kDa MBP isoform and Ddx54, but the amount of Olig2; 2′,3′‐cyclic nucleotide 3′ phosphodiesterase; MAG; three MBP isoforms (14, 17.5, and 18 kDa); and QKI‐5, QKI‐6, and QKI‐7 proteins remained unchanged. Transfection of the Ddx54 expression vector into luciferase reporter‐introduced neuroepithelial cells resulted in upregulated MBP promoter activity. Immunoprecipitation of Ddx54 protein in MBP‐transfected HEK293 cells indicated that Ddx54 may directly interact with MBP mRNA. These results suggest that Ddx54 protein play an important role in central nervous system myelination, presumably in myelin sheath formation after the differentiation of oligodendrocytes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Feasibility of direct mapping of cerebral fluorodeoxy‐D‐glucose metabolism in situ at subcellular resolution using soft X‐ray fluorescence
Authors: Poitry‐Yamate Carole , Gianoncelli Alessandra , Kaulich Burkhard , Kourousias George , Magill Arthur W. , Lepore Mario , Gajdosik Vincent , Gruetter Rolf
Published: December 2012

Glucose metabolism is difficult to image with cellular resolution in mammalian brain tissue, particularly with 18fluorodeoxy‐D‐glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). To this end, we explored the potential of synchrotron‐based low‐energy X‐ray fluorescence (LEXRF) to image the stable isotope of fluorine (F) in phosphorylated FDG (DG‐6P) at 1 μm2 spatial resolution in 3‐μm‐thick brain slices. The excitation‐dependent fluorescence F signal at 676 eV varied linearly with FDG concentration between 0.5 and 10 mM, whereas the endogenous background F signal was undetectable in brain. To validate LEXRF mapping of fluorine, FDG was administered in vitro and in vivo, and the fluorine LEXRF signal from intracellular trapped FDG‐6P over selected brain areas rich in radial glia was spectrally quantitated at 1 μm2 resolution. The subsequent generation of spatial LEXRF maps of F reproduced the expected localization and gradients of glucose metabolism in retinal Müller glia. In addition, FDG uptake was localized to periventricular hypothalamic tanycytes, whose morphological features were imaged simultaneously by X‐ray absorption. We conclude that the high specificity of photon emission from F and its spatial mapping at ≤1 μm resolution demonstrates the ability to identify glucose uptake at subcellular resolution and holds remarkable potential for imaging glucose metabolism in biological tissue. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characteristics of the Raman spectra of archaeological Malachites
Authors: Yu Bing‐Sheng , Fang Jiann‐Neng , Huang En‐Ping
Published: December 2012

Archaeological malachites, represented by the malachites found on the ancient Chinese and Vietnamese copper/bronze coins, may also incorporate those on other archaeological objects. The Raman spectra with Ar laser of these malachites differ slightly from those of the natural malachites found in mines. In this study, 120 measurements of the malachites on 40 coins identified 26 bands, while only around 18 of them are frequently observed. The wavenumbers (cm−1), shifts (±)and relative intensities (in parentheses) of the 18 common bands read, respectively: 153±4 (0‐vs), 179±7 (m‐vs), 217±8 (m‐vs), 274±7 (0‐vs), 355±5 (0‐m), 431±4 (0‐vs), 514±3 (0‐m), 533±5 (0‐s), 566±3 (0‐m), 599±2 (0‐m), 718±6 (0‐m), 754±2 (0‐m), 1061±7 (0‐m), 1093±10 (0‐m), 1365±9 (0‐m), 1491±7 (0‐vs), 3321±11 (0‐vs) and 3380±7 (0‐vs). In comparison with those of the 105 measurements on the natural malachites in five mines, the Raman spectra of the archaeological malachites tend to show less bands, higher backgrounds and greater shifts in the wavenumber position. The weakening or loss of bands is in the order of the OH stretch (3300 cm−1) (most severe), CO3 (600–1500 cm−1) and CuO (<600 cm−1) (less severe) groups, indicating successive stages of corrosion. The malachites on the coins from three climate zones show their own characteristics. Several coins may have experienced two or more climatic or geologic episodes and show complex Raman spectra different from those of the natural malachites. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Asymptomatic/pauci‐symptomatic creatine kinase elevations (hyperckemia)
Authors: Silvestri Nicholas J. , Wolfe Gil I.
Published: December 2012

Neuromuscular clinicians are frequently asked to evaluate patients referred for asymptomatic elevations in creatine kinase (CK), a catalytic enzyme that combines creatine and ATP to form phosphocreatine and ADP. This reaction is crucial for cellular energy generation and metabolism. This laboratory finding, often referred to in simplified lexicon as asymptomatic hyperCKemia, continues to generate controversy at several levels, including definition, the extent of evaluation, and the yield of diagnostic testing. In this review, we summarize the literature based on series of patients with asymptomatic hyperCKemia and provide a rational clinical approach to reveal identifiable underlying causes. Muscle Nerve 47: 805–815, 2013