bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pushback: Expressions of resistance to the “evertime” of constant online connectivity
Authors: Morrison Stacey L. , Gomez Ricardo
Published: August 2014

As a result of the widespread connectivity provided by smartphones, laptops, and tablets, technology users can and often are continuously connected to the Internet and its communication services, a phenomenon some start to call “evertime.” However, many users who first embraced constant connectivity are now pushing back, looking for ways to resist being permanently connected and contactable. This pushback behavior is increasingly visible in the popular press, in personal blogs, and in a small number of academic studies. “Pushback” is a growing phenomenon among frequent technology users seeking to regain control, establish boundaries, resist information overload, and establish greater personal life balance. This study examines a growing body of both academic and non–academic literature, and identifies five primary motivations and five primary behaviors related to pushback. Primary pushback motivations include emotional dissatisfaction, external values, taking control, addiction, and privacy. Primary pushback behaviors are behavior adaptation, social agreement, no problem, tech control, and back to the woods. The implications these pushback motivations and behaviors pose to communication technology are discussed.
DISTRIBUIÇÃO DIAMÉTRICA DE UM FRAGMENTO DE FLORESTA ATLÂNTICA NO MUNICÍPIO DE SANTA MARIA DE JETIBÁ, ES
Authors: Imaña-Encinas José , Conceição Cláudio de Almeida , Santana Otacílio Antunes , Imaña Christian Rainier , Paula José Elias de
Published: August 2014

O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar a distribuição diamétrica de um fragmento de Floresta Atlântica localizado na Reserva Biológica Sítio Palmares, Espírito Santo. Em 2.400 m2, foram medidas todas as árvores e palmeiras com DAP igual ou superior a 5 cm. Foram encontrados 1.364 indivíduos extrapolados para hectare, distribuídos em 70 espécies e 33 famílias. O total da população observada apresentou um DAP médio de 14,82 cm e área basal de 41,12 m2.ha-1. Para o total da população observada, foram formadas 13 classes diamétricas, com intervalo de5 cm entre as classes. O ajuste da equação de Meyer mostrou para essa população a tendência da curva do J-invertido. As três primeiras classes diamétricas, de5 a20 cm, concentraram 79% da densidade populacional. Oito espécies apresentaram uma densidade populacional com mais de 40 indivíduos por hectare. Esses indivíduos ficaram concentrados até a classe diamétrica de 40 cm. A análise estatística mostrou que as curvas de tendências da distribuição diamétrica dessas espécies ficaram distribuídas entre a normal, a exponencial negativa e a bimodal. AbstractDiameter distribution of an Atlantic Forest fragment at Santa Maria de Jetibá county, ES. This research aims to analyse the diametric distribution of an Atlantic Forest fragment at Reserva Biológica Sítio Palmares, state of Espírito Santo. In 2,400 m2 all trees and palms with DBH over 5 cm were measured. It identified 1364 individuals distributed into 70 species and 33 families. The community population had a DBH average of 14.82 cm and a basal area of 41.12 m2.ha-1. For the total population, the DBH distribution into 5 cm intervals formed 13 classes. The adjusted Meyer’s equation reveals for this population a tendency to a J-inverse curve. The first three diameter classes from 5 to20 cm concentrated 79% of the total population. Eight species had a population density with more than 40 trees per hectare. These trees were concentrated until the 40 cm distribution classes. The statistical analysis of the distributions curves reveals that these populations were distributed between the normal, j-inverse and bi-modal curves.Keywords: Floristic survey; diametric classes; forest mensuration.
ALTERNATIVAS DE PLANEJAMENTO PARA A EXPLORAÇÃO FLORESTAL
Authors: Fernandes Ana Paula Donicht , Guimarães Pompeu Paes , Braz Evaldo Munõz , Hoeflich Vitor Afonso , Arce Julio Eduardo
Published: August 2014

No manejo sustentado em florestas tropicais, há necessidade da garantia de um fluxo constante de recursos para a sua viabilidade. No entanto, isso nem sempre é possível, pelo fato de a exploração ser realizada sem planejamento. Este trabalho tem como finalidade apresentar um método que auxilie no planejamento e na distribuição de recursos disponíveis, através da formulação de cenários para otimização do número de equipes para cada atividade da exploração dependente do tempo limite para conclusão dos trabalhos. Com base no tempo que uma equipe leva para executar determinada atividade e no seu sequenciamento, foram utilizadas técnicas da pesquisa operacional, para determinação do caminho crítico da cadeia de exploração de madeira nativa. Esses métodos, ao mesmo tempo em que organizam o sequenciamento das atividades e determinam quais delas devem receber maior atenção no planejamento, otimizam o número de equipes, para que toda a cadeia seja executada dentro de um tempo limite, o que se faz necessário na região, para que o ciclo de corte se limite à época de seca. O método proposto mostra-se como uma alternativa para o planejamento florestal das atividades de baixo impacto ao garantir o número ótimo de equipes e a realização de todo empreendimento no tempo estipulado. AbstractPlanning alternatives for forestry exploitation. It is necessary to ensure a steady flow of funds for feasibility of sustainable management in tropical forests. However, this is not always possible, due to often not planned forest exploitation. This research aims to present a method that assists planning and distribution of resources, by scenarios formulating, in order to optimize the number of teams for each exploitation activity under time limit to its conclusion. Based on time that a team uses to perform a certain activity and its sequence, it used operations research techniques, such as linear programming and PERT/CPM, in order to determine the critical path of the exploitation chain of native wood. These methods, arranging the sequence of activities and determining which ones should receive more attention in planning, optimize the number of teams in order to perform the chain within a time limit, which is necessary for the region, once the cutting cycle should be limited to the dry season. As result, the proposed method proves to be a good alternative for forest planning of low impact activities ensuring the optimal number of teams and performing the entire project in stipulated time.Keywords: Forest low impact exploitation; math programming; PERT/CPM.
Europese financiële toezichthouders als toonbeeld van evidence-based wetgeven in de EU?
Authors: van Golen T.J.A.
Published: August 2014

Samenvatting:

Na de kredietcrisis uit 2008 werden op Europees niveau nieuwe toezichthouders ingesteld die de supervisie over de financiële markten in betere banen moesten leiden. Zoals veel nieuwe regelgeving op Europees niveau ging er ook aan de oprichting een impact assessment vooraf waarbij verschillende beleidsopties vergeleken werden. Niettemin blijkt dat er nog allerlei problemen spelen bij de nieuwe toezichthouders waardoor de vraag opkomt hoe het staat met het evidence-based gehalte van deze politiek gevoelige financiële regelgeving. In deze bijdrage wordt gekeken naar de aanloop naar de wetgeving omtrent de toezichthouders en de evaluatie hiervan door de Europese Commissie en het Europees Parlement. Onduidelijk blijft waarom bepaalde beleidsopties beter worden beoordeeld dan andere mogelijkheden. Het verbeteren van het proces van ex ante en ex post evaluatie zou dan ook een belangrijke bijdrage aan het proces van evidence-based wetgeven kunnen bieden.
A suppression hierarchy among competing motor programs drives sequential grooming in Drosophila
Authors: Seeds Andrew M , Ravbar Primoz , Chung Phuong , Hampel Stefanie , Midgley Frank M , Mensh Brett D , Simpson Julie H
Published: August 2014

Motor sequences are formed through the serial execution of different movements, but how nervous systems implement this process remains largely unknown. We determined the organizational principles governing how dirty fruit flies groom their bodies with sequential movements. Using genetically targeted activation of neural subsets, we drove distinct motor programs that clean individual body parts. This enabled competition experiments revealing that the motor programs are organized into a suppression hierarchy; motor programs that occur first suppress those that occur later. Cleaning one body part reduces the sensory drive to its motor program, which relieves suppression of the next movement, allowing the grooming sequence to progress down the hierarchy. A model featuring independently evoked cleaning movements activated in parallel, but selected serially through hierarchical suppression, was successful in reproducing the grooming sequence. This provides the first example of an innate motor sequence implemented by the prevailing model for generating human action sequences.
Identification of a new stem cell population that generates Drosophila flight muscles
Authors: Gunage Rajesh D , Reichert Heinrich , VijayRaghavan K
Published: August 2014

How myoblast populations are regulated for the formation of muscles of different sizes is an essentially unanswered question. The large flight muscles of Drosophila develop from adult muscle progenitor (AMP) cells set-aside embryonically. The thoracic segments are all allotted the same small AMP number, while those associated with the wing-disc proliferate extensively to give rise to over 2500 myoblasts. An initial amplification occurs through symmetric divisions and is followed by a switch to asymmetric divisions in which the AMPs self-renew and generate post-mitotic myoblasts. Notch signaling controls the initial amplification of AMPs, while the switch to asymmetric division additionally requires Wingless, which regulates Numb expression in the AMP lineage. In both cases, the epidermal tissue of the wing imaginal disc acts as a niche expressing the ligands Serrate and Wingless. The disc-associated AMPs are a novel muscle stem cell population that orchestrates the early phases of adult flight muscle development.
A new selection metric for multiobjective hydrologic model calibration
Authors: Asadzadeh Masoud , Tolson Bryan A. , Burn Donald H.
Published: August 2014

A novel selection metric called Convex Hull Contribution (CHC) is introduced for solving multiobjective (MO) optimization problems with Pareto fronts that can be accurately approximated by a convex curve. The hydrologic model calibration literature shows that many biobjective calibration problems with a proper setup result in such Pareto fronts. The CHC selection approach identifies a subset of archived nondominated solutions whose map in the objective space forms convex approximation of the Pareto front. The optimization algorithm can sample solely from these solutions to more accurately approximate the convex shape of the Pareto front. It is empirically demonstrated that CHC improves the performance of Pareto Archived Dynamically Dimensioned Search (PA‐DDS) when solving MO problems with convex Pareto fronts. This conclusion is based on the results of several benchmark mathematical problems and several hydrologic model calibration problems with two or three objective functions. The impact of CHC on PA‐DDS performance is most evident when the computational budget is somewhat limited. It is also demonstrated that 1,000 solution evaluations (limited budget in this study) is sufficient for PA‐DDS with CHC‐based selection to achieve very high quality calibration results relative to the results achieved after 10,000 solution evaluations.
Global distribution of atomic oxygen in the mesopause region as derived from SCIAMACHY O(1S) green line measurements
Authors: Kaufmann M. , Zhu Y. , Ern M. , Riese M.
Published: August 2014

A new data set of atomic oxygen abundance in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere is presented. The data are derived from the nighttime atomic oxygen green line limb emission measurements of the SCIAMACHY (Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography) instrument on the European Environmental Satellite. The temporal coverage is October 2002 until April 2012, and the latitudinal extent is 50°S to 80°N at 10 P.M. local time. This data set is compared to other satellite data sets, in particular to recently published data of SABER (Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry) and the Mass Spectrometer and Incoherent Scatter model. SCIAMACHY atomic oxygen peak abundances are typically 3–6×1011 mol/cm3 at the atomic oxygen maximum region, depending on latitude and season. These values are similar to previous values based on chemiluminescence measurements of the atomic oxygen three‐body recombination reaction but at least 30% lower than atomic oxygen abundances obtained from SABER.
Influence of Iridium on the Properties of γ′‐Strengthened Co‐Base Superalloys
Authors: Bauer Alexander , Neumeier Steffen , Pyczak Florian , Göken Mathias
Published: August 2014

The influence of iridium on the phase stability, oxidation behavior, and high temperature creep strength of γ′‐hardened Co‐base superalloys is discussed. Ir increases the γ′‐solvus temperature and γ′‐volume fraction since it partitions slightly to the γ′‐phase. However, Ir leads also to a discontinuous precipitation transformation of the metastable γ/γ′‐microstructure into a lamellar microstructure of Co3W, CoAl, and a Co‐rich fcc phase for the W‐rich alloys. A reduction of W in presence of Ir leads to a higher phase stability. The constrained lattice misfit between the γ and γ′ phase in the Ir and high W containing alloy is +0.5%. The alloying element Ir strongly increases the creep strength at 850 °C as long as the γ/γ′‐microstructure is not discontinuously transformed. Furthermore, the oxidation resistance is improved by the addition of iridium.
Multifunctional Barium Titanate Coated Carbon Fibers
Authors: Bowland Christopher , Zhou Zhi , Sodano Henry A.
Published: August 2014

Multifunctional materials have received significant research interest due to the potential for performance enhancements over traditional materials through the integration of responsive properties. Composite materials are ideally suited for use as multifunctional materials due to their use of two or more phases and the ease at which their properties can be anisotropically tailored. Here, a methodology for the integration of ferroelectricity into a fiber reinforced polymer composite is presented by synthesizing a barium titanate nanowire film on the surface of carbon fibers using a novel two‐step hydrothermal process. A refined piezoelectric force microscopy method is used to quantify the piezoelectric properties of the core–shell fiber resulting in an average d33 of 31.6 ± 14.5 pm V−1 and an average d31 of −5.4 ± 3.2 pm V−1. The multifunctionality of this piezoelectric coated fiber is demonstrated through excitation of a cantilevered fiber with a 0.5 g sinusoidal base acceleration at the fiber's fundamental resonant frequency, producing a root‐mean‐square voltage of 16.4 mV. This result demonstrates the ferroelectric properties of the multifunctional structural fiber and its application for sensing and energy harvesting.
Activated‐Ester‐Type Photocleavable Crosslinker for Preparation of Photodegradable Hydrogels Using a Two‐Component Mixing Reaction
Authors: Yanagawa Fumiki , Sugiura Shinji , Takagi Toshiyuki , Sumaru Kimio , Camci‐Unal Gulden , Patel Alpesh , Khademhosseini Ali , Kanamori Toshiyuki
Published: August 2014

Photodegradable hydrogels have emerged as powerful platforms for studying and directing cellular behavior in a spatiotemporally controlled manner. Photodegradable hydrogels have previously been formed by free radical polymerizations, Michael‐type addition reactions, and orthogonal click reactions. Here, an ester‐activated photocleavable crosslinker is presented for preparing photodegradable hydrogels by means of a one‐step mixing reaction between the crosslinker and a biocompatible polymer containing amino moieties (amino‐terminated tetra‐arm poly(ethylene glycol) or gelatin). It is demonstrated that photodegradable hydrogels micropatterned by photolithography can be used to culture cells with high viability and proliferation rates. The resulting micropatterned cell‐laden structures can potentially be used to create 3D biomaterials for various tissue‐engineering applications.
Functionalized Nanoscale Micelles with Brain Targeting Ability and Intercellular Microenvironment Biosensitivity for Anti‐Intracranial Infection Applications
Authors: Shao Kun , Zhang Yu , Ding Ning , Huang Shixian , Wu Jiqin , Li Jianfeng , Yang Chunfu , Leng Qibin , Ye Liya , Lou Jinning , Zhu Liping , Jiang Chen
Published: August 2014

Due to complication factors such as blood‐brain barrier (BBB), integrating high efficiency of brain target ability with specific cargo releasing into one nanocarrier seems more important. A brain targeting nanoscale system is developed using dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) as targeting moiety. DHA has high affinity with GLUT1 on BBB. More importantly, the GLUT1 transportation of DHA represents a “one‐way” accumulative priority from blood into brain. The artificial micelles are fabricated by a disulfide linkage, forming a bio‐responsive inner barrier, which can maintain micelles highly stable in circulation and shield the leakage of entrapped drug before reaching the targeting cells. The designed micelles can cross BBB and be further internalized by brain cells. Once within the cells, the drug release can be triggered by high intracellular level of glutathione (GSH). Itraconazole (ITZ) is selected as the model drug because of its poor brain permeability and low stability in blood. It demonstrates that the functionalized nanoscale micelles can achieve highly effective direct drug delivery to targeting site. Based on the markedly increased stability in blood circulation and improved brain delivery efficiency of ITZ, DHA‐modified micelles show highly effective in anti‐intracranial infection. Therefore, this smart nanodevice shows a promising application for the treatment of brain diseases.
Photovoltaic Mode Ultraviolet Organic Photodetectors with High On/Off Ratio and Fast Response
Authors: Zhu Hugh L. , Choy Wallace C. H. , Sha Wei E. I. , Ren Xingang
Published: August 2014

Ultraviolet (UV) organic photodetectors (OPDs) operated in the photovoltaic mode, achieving a very high on/off ratio of 105 and a fast response time of 20 ns (a decay time of 888 ns), are demonstrated in this work. Light‐induced tuning of the barrier height at the two interfaces of the carrier‐extraction layer and light‐induced tuning of series resistance are proposed to obtain the high on/off ratio. Fast response of the device is demonstrated through the ultrafast trap filling process. The high on/off ratio and fast response are simultaneously realized by introducing TiO2 nanocrystals as the electron‐extraction layer of OPDs. In addition, the good on/off ratio can be maintained in a wide concentration range of 2,2′‐(1,3‐phenylene)bis[5‐(4‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole] (OXD‐7) from 25% to 3.75% in the N,N′‐bis(naphthalen‐1‐yl)‐N,N′‐bis(phenyl)benzidine (NPB):OXD‐7 active layer and the corresponding OPDs can also achieve a fast response time simultaneously, good for its practical application. With the optimized device structure, a large detectivity of over 1012 Jones covering the UV‐A region (320–400 nm) and a high linear dynamic range of 100 dB are obtained. Additionally, stability of TiO2‐based OPDs, which is not well studied but an important parameter for OPDs, is experimentally investigated.
Low‐Temperature Micro‐Solid Oxide Fuel Cells with Partially Amorphous La0.6Sr0.4CoO3‐δ Cathodes
Authors: Evans Anna , Martynczuk Julia , Stender Dieter , Schneider Christof W. , Lippert Thomas , Prestat Michel
Published: August 2014

Partially amorphous La0.6Sr0.4CoO3‐δ (LSC) thin‐film cathodes are fabricated using pulsed laser deposition and are integrated in free‐standing micro‐solid oxide fuel cells (micro‐SOFC) with a 3YSZ electrolyte and a Pt anode. A low degree of crystallinity of the LSC layers is achieved by taking advantage of the miniaturization of the cells, which permits low‐temperature operation (300–450 °C). Thermomechanically stable micro‐SOFC are obtained with strongly buckled electrolyte membranes. The nanoporous columnar microstructure of the LSC layers provides a large surface area for oxygen incorporation and is also believed to reduce the amount of stress at the cathode/electrolyte interface. With a high rate of failure‐free micro‐SOFC membranes, it is possible to avoid gas cross‐over and open‐circuit voltages of 1.06 V are attained. First power densities as high as 200–262 mW cm−2 at 400–450 °C are achieved. The area‐specific resistance of the oxygen reduction reaction is lower than 0.3 Ω cm2 at 400 °C around the peak power density. These outstanding findings demonstrate that partially amorphous oxides are promising electrode candidates for the next‐generation of solid oxide fuel cells working at low‐temperatures.
3D Architecture Materials Made of NiCoAl‐LDH Nanoplates Coupled with NiCo‐Carbonate Hydroxide Nanowires Grown on Flexible Graphite Paper for Asymmetric Supercapacitors
Authors: Yang Juan , Yu Chang , Fan Xiaoming , Qiu Jieshan
Published: August 2014

Asymmetric supercapacitors featuring both high energy and power densities as well as a long lifespan are much sought after and may become a reality depending on the availability of cheap yet highly active electrode materials. Here, a novel flexible architecture electrode made of NiCoAl‐layered double hydroxide (NiCoAl‐LDH) nanoplates coupled with NiCo‐carbonate hydroxide (NiCo‐CH) nanowires, grown on graphite paper via an in situ, one‐step, hydrothermal method is reported. The nanowire‐like NiCo‐CH species in the nanoplate matrix function as a scaffold and support the dispersion of the NiCoAl‐LDH nanoplates, resulting in a relatively loose and open structure within the electrode matrix. Asymmetric supercapacitors fabricated using the nanohybrids as the positive electrode and a typical activated carbon (AC) as negative electrode show a high energy density of 58.9 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 0.4 kW kg−1, which is based on the total mass of active materials at a voltage of 1.6 V. An energy density of 14.9 Wh kg−1 can be retained even at a high power density of 51.5 kW kg−1. Our asymmetric supercapacitor also exhibits an excellent long cycle life, whereby a specific capacitance of 97% is retained even after 10 000 cycles.
Interplay of Optical, Morphological, and Electronic Effects of ZnO Optical Spacers in Highly Efficient Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Dkhil Sadok Ben , Duché David , Gaceur Meriem , Thakur Anil K. , Aboura Fatima Bencheikh , Escoubas Ludovic , Simon Jean‐Jacques , Guerrero Antonio , Bisquert Juan , Garcia‐Belmonte Germà , Bao Qinye , Fahlman Mats , Videlot‐Ackermann Christine , Margeat Olivier , Ackermann Jörg
Published: August 2014

Optical spacers based on metal oxide layers have been intensively studied in poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) based polymer solar cells for optimizing light distribution inside the device, but to date, the potential of such a metal oxide spacer to improve the electronic performance of the polymer solar cells simultaneously has not yet be investigated. Here, a detailed study of performance improvement in high efficient polymer solar cells by insertion of solution‐processed ZnO optical spacer using ethanolamine surface modification is reported. Insertion of the modified ZnO optical spacer strongly improves the performance of polymer solar cells even in the absence of an increase in light absorption. The electric improvements of the device are related to improved electron extraction, reduced contact barrier, and reduced recombination at the cathode. Importantly, it is shown for the first time that the morphology of optical spacer layer is a crucial parameter to obtain highly efficient solar cells in normal device structures. By optimizing optical spacer effects, contact resistance, and morphology of ZnO optical spacers, poly[[4,8‐bis[(2‐ethylhexyl)oxy]benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6diyl] [3‐fluoro‐2‐[(2‐ethylhexyl)carbonyl] thieno[3,4‐b]thiophenediyl]] (PTB7):[6,6]‐phenyl‐C71‐butyric acid (PC70BM) bulk heterojunction solar cells with conversion efficiency of 7.6% are obtained in normal device structures with all‐solution‐processed interlayers.
Thin Film Co3O4/TiO2 Heterojunction Solar Cells
Authors: Kupfer Benjamin , Majhi Koushik , Keller David A. , Bouhadana Yaniv , Rühle Sven , Barad Hannah Noa , Anderson Assaf Y. , Zaban Arie
Published: August 2014

Co3O4 is investigated as a light absorber for all‐oxide thin‐film photovoltaic cells because of its nearly ideal optical bandgap of around 1.5 eV. Thin film TiO2/Co3O4 heterojunctions are produced by spray pyrolysis of TiO2 as a window layer, followed by pulsed laser deposition of Co3O4 as a light absorbing layer. The photovoltaic performance is investigated as a function of the Co3O4 deposition temperature and a direct correlation is found. The deposition temperature seems to affect both the crystallinity and the morphology of the absorber, which affects device performance. A maximum power of 22.7 μW cm−2 is obtained at the highest deposition temperature (600 °C) with an open circuit photovoltage of 430 mV and a short circuit photocurrent density of 0.2 mA cm−2. Performing deposition at 600 °C instead of room temperature improves power by an order of magnitude and reduces the tail states (Urbach edge energy). These phenomena can be explained by larger grains that grows at high temperature, as opposed to many nucleation events that occur at lower temperature.
Sequential infusion of donor‐derived dendritic cells with donor lymphocyte infusion for relapsed hematologic cancers after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Ho Vincent T. , Kim Haesook T. , Kao Grace , Cutler Corey , Levine James , Rosenblatt Jacalyn , Joyce Robin , Antin Joseph H. , Soiffer Robert J. , Ritz Jerome , Avigan David , Alyea Edwin P.
Published: August 2014

Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) is often given to induce a graft‐versus‐leukemia (GVL) effect after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, efficacy of DLI is limited in most hematologic cancers. As antigen presenting cells, dendritic cells (DC) bolster immune responses. We conducted a Phase I trial testing the coinfusion of DC followed by DLI. DC were generated by culturing peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HLA matched‐related donors in GM‐CSF and IL‐4 for 7 days, followed by TNF‐α for 3 days. DC were administered intravenously on 3 dose levels (5 × 106; 1 × 107; 5 × 107 cells). DLI (3 × 107 CD3+ cells/kg) was administered intravenously 1 day after the DC. Sixteen patients with hematologic cancers relapsed after HSCT were treated. A maximum tolerated dose for DC was not reached. Two of 16 patients met criteria for DLT within 10 weeks of the infusion: 1 idiopathic respiratory failure, 1 ventricular cardiac arrest. None developed grade III/IV GVHD. One patient developed grade II acute intestinal graft‐vs.‐host disease (GVHD) and 1 chronic GVHD within 6 months of the infusion. Both resolved with corticosteroids. Four of 14 patients evaluable for disease response achieved durable remissions and are alive and cancer free 6.7, 8.4, 8.8, and 10.1 years from infusion. Sequential infusion of donor‐derived DC with DLI is feasible in patients with relapsed hematologic cancers after allogeneic HSCT. Future studies may consider donor DC preloaded with tumor antigens to investigate whether DC infusion could augment the GVL effect. Am. J. Hematol. 89:1092–1096, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A terminal 3p26.3 deletion is not associated with dysmorphic features and intellectual disability in a four‐generation family
Authors: Moghadasi Setareh , van Haeringen Arie , Langendonck Lieke , Gijsbers Antoinet C. J. , Ruivenkamp Claudia A. L.
Published: August 2014

Terminal deletions of the distal part of the short arm of chromosome 3 cause a wide range of phenotypes from normal to dysmorphic including microcephaly, developmental delay and intellectual disability. We studied the clinical consequences of a terminal deletion of the short arm of chromosome 3 in four generations of a family. The index patient is a14‐month‐old boy with microcephaly, corpus callosum dysgenesis, and minor dysmorphic features. Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) array analysis detected a duplication on the long arm of chromosome 6. His apparently healthy mother carries the same 6q duplication, but as an unexpected finding a terminal deletion of 2.9 Mb of the short arm of chromosome 3 was observed. Further co‐segregation analysis in the family for the chromosome 3 deletion showed that with the exception of the sister of the index who has autism, speech delay, and learning problems, family members in four generations of this family are carrier of this 3p deletion and apparently healthy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a study of this terminal 3p deletion in four generations. In this report, we review the literature on terminal 3p deletions and discuss the importance of molecular testing and reporting of copy number variants to achieve accurate genetic counseling in prenatal and postnatal screening. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Severe craniosynostosis with Noonan syndrome phenotype associated with SHOC2 mutation: Clinical evidence of crosslink between FGFR and RAS signaling pathways
Authors: Takenouchi Toshiki , Sakamoto Yoshiaki , Miwa Tomoru , Torii Chiharu , Kosaki Rika , Kishi Kazuo , Takahashi Takao , Kosaki Kenjiro
Published: August 2014

Dysregulation in the RAS signaling cascade results in a family of malformation syndromes called RASopathies. Meanwhile, alterations in FGFR signaling cascade are responsible for various syndromic forms of craniosynostosis. In general, the phenotypic spectra of RASopathies and craniosynostosis syndromes do not overlap. Recently, however, mutations in ERF, a downstream molecule of the RAS signaling cascade, have been identified as a cause of complex craniosynostosis, suggesting that the RAS and FGFR signaling pathways can interact in the pathogenesis of malformation syndromes. Here, we document a boy with short stature, developmental delay, and severe craniosynostosis involving right coronal, bilateral lambdoid, and sagittal sutures with a de novo mutation in exon1 of SHOC2 (c.4A > G p.Ser2Gly). This observation further supports the existence of a crosslink between the RAS signaling cascade and craniosynostosis. In retrospect, the propositus had physical features suggestive of a dysregulated RAS signaling cascade, such as fetal pleural effusion, fetal hydrops, and atrial tachycardia. In addition to an abnormal cranial shape, which has been reported for this specific mutation, craniosynostosis might be a novel associated phenotype. In conclusion, the phenotypic combination of severe craniosynostosis and RASopathy features observed in the propositus suggests an interaction between the RAS and FGFR signaling cascades. Patients with craniosynostosis in combination with any RASopathy feature may require mutation screening for molecules in the FGFR‐RAS signaling cascade. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neurodevelopmental delays and macrocephaly in 17p13.1 microduplication syndrome
Authors: Mooneyham Kathryn Anne , Holden Kenton R. , Cathey Sara , Dwivedi Alka , Dupont Barbara R. , Lyons Michael J.
Published: August 2014

Microduplication of chromosome 17p13.1 is a rarely reported chromosome abnormality associated with neurodevelopmental delays. We describe two unrelated patients with overlapping microduplications of chromosome 17p13.1. The first patient is a 2‐year‐old male who presented with neurodevelopmental delays and macrocephaly. He was found to have a de novo 788 kb copy gain of 17p13.2p13.1 and a de novo 134 kb copy gain of 17p13.1. These duplications include multiple candidate genes, including EFNB3, NLGN2, DLG4, GABARAP, and DULLARD, which may be responsible for neurodevelopmental delays in affected individuals. The second patient is a 29‐year‐old female with mild intellectual disability and relative macrocephaly. She was found to have a 62.5 kb copy gain of chromosome 17p13.1 that includes the DLG4, GABARAP, and DULLARD genes. The DLG4, GABARAP, and DULLARD genes included in the microduplications of both our patients appear to be candidate genes for neurodevelopmental delays and macrocephaly in individuals with 17p13.1 microduplication syndrome. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Homozygosity for a novel deletion downstream of the SHOX gene provides evidence for an additional long range regulatory region with a mild phenotypic effect
Authors: Bunyan David J. , Taylor Emma‐Jane , Maloney Vivienne K. , Blyth Moira
Published: August 2014

Léri–Weill dyschondrosteosis is caused by heterozygous mutations in SHOX or its flanking sequences, including whole or partial gene deletions, point mutations within the coding sequence, and deletions of downstream regulatory elements. The same mutations when biallelic cause the more severe Langer Mesomelic dysplasia. Here, we report on a consanguineous family with a novel deletion downstream of SHOX in which homozygously deleted individuals have a phenotype intermediate between Léri–Weill dyschondrosteosis and Langer Mesomelic dysplasia while heterozygously deleted individuals are mostly asymptomatic. The deleted region is distal to all previously described 3′ deletions, suggesting the presence of an additional regulatory element, deletions of which have a milder, variable phenotypic effect. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chronic rhinosinusitis patients have decreased lung function
Authors: Kariya Shin , Okano Mitsuhiro , Higaki Takaya , Noyama Yasuyuki , Haruna Takenori , Ishihara Hisashi , Makino Takuma , Onoda Tomoo , Nishizaki Kazunori
Published: August 2014

Background

The relationship between upper and lower airway diseases has been reported. However, the pulmonary function of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has not been fully examined.

Methods

Pulmonary function was measured in 273 patients with CRS and 100 age‐matched normal control subjects. No patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were included in this study. The patients with CRS were divided into 8 subgroups based on the presence of asthma, sensitization to common inhaled antigens, and nasal polyposis. The relationships between pulmonary function and clinical parameters, including radiographic severity of CRS according to the Lund‐Mackay computed tomography (CT) staging system, eosinophil count in the peripheral blood, and serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, were assessed.

Results

In pulmonary function testing, the CRS patients had affected pulmonary function. The CRS patients without asthma showed latent obstructive pulmonary function changes when compared to normal controls. No significant correlations were observed between pulmonary function and any clinical parameters (Lund‐Mackay CT staging score, eosinophil count in the peripheral blood, and serum total IgE levels).

Conclusion

CRS patients had significant obstructive lung function changes regardless of the presence of asthma. The patients with CRS who had not been clinically diagnosed as having lower respiratory tract diseases might have had subclinical lower airway diseases. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of pulmonary function and lower lung diseases in patients with CRS.
Electrospun poly(acrylic acid)/lysine fibers and the interactive effects of moisture, heat, and cross‐link density on their behavior
Authors: Finn Niall , Carlinet Clemence , Maurdev George
Published: August 2014

Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) is an important polymer frequently used as a superabsorbent in health and hygiene products. As a polyelectrolyte that swells with absorption of water it has potential application in other fields including drug delivery, tissue scaffolds, actuators, and desiccation and humidity control. To be useful in such applications the membrane's mechanical integrity must be maintained while optimizing its moisture absorption properties. In this work PAA membranes are electrospun with lysine as cross‐linking agent. The effects of varying the concentration of the lysine on the cross‐link density and consequently on the thermo‐ and hygro‐mechanical properties of the membranes are studied through electron microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Isothermal glass transitions are shown to occur with varying moisture content. The moisture content (or relative humidity) at which the transition occurs is reduced by increasing temperature and can be controlled by varying the cross‐link density. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41252.
High tensile strength fiber of poly[(R)‐3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐(R)‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate] processed by two‐step drawing with intermediate annealing
Authors: Kabe Taizo , Hongo Chizuru , Tanaka Toshihisa , Hikima Takaaki , Takata Masaki , Iwata Tadahisa
Published: August 2014

High tensile strength fibers of poly[(R)‐3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐(R)‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate] [P(3HB‐co‐3HH)], a type of microbial polyesters, were processed by one‐step and two‐step cold‐drawn method with intermediate annealing. Thermal degradation behaviors were characterized by differential scanning calorimeter and gel permeation chromatography measurements. Thermal analyses were revealed that molecular weights decreased drastically within melting time at a few minute. One‐step cold‐drawn fiber with drawing ratio of 10 showed tensile strength of 281 MPa, while tensile strength of as‐spun fiber was 78 MPa. When two‐step drawing was applied for P(3HB‐co‐3HH) fibers, the tensile strength was led to 420 MPa. Furthermore, the optimization of intermediate annealing condition leads to enhance the tensile strength at 552 MPa of P(3HB‐co‐3HH) fiber. Wide‐angel X‐ray diffraction measurements of these fibers suggest that the fibers with high tensile strength include much amount of the planer‐zigzag conformation (β‐form) as molecular conformation together with 21 helix conformation (α‐form). © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41258.
Selective reduction of aromatic nitro compounds over recyclable hollow fiber membrane‐supported Au nanoparticles
Authors: Ge Qianqian , Ran Jin , Wu Liang , Xu Tongwen
Published: August 2014

Guanidylated poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenylene oxide) (GPPO) hollow fiber membrane (HFM) supported Au nanoparticles are prepared by a simple adsorption‐reduction of Au3+ with sodium borohydride as a reducing agent and polyvinyl pyrrolidone as a dispersant. The novel heterogeneous catalyst shows high catalytic activity for the reduction of various aromatic nitro compounds in an aqueous medium at room temperature and can be easily reused for several runs, for example, for the reduction of nitrobenzene, the yield reaches up to 92% even after 10 cycles, indicating the potential application of GPPO HFM as a catalysts support material for sustainable chemistry. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41268
Regional Service Delivery among Pacific Island Countries: An Assessment
Authors: Dornan Matthew , Newton Cain Tess
Published: August 2014

Pacific Island countries face a range of development challenges, including smallness, distance from major markets and capacity constraints. Regional service delivery, or pooling, has been advocated as a means of addressing these challenges. This article presents the findings from the first comprehensive study of pooling initiatives in the Pacific. It draws on a review of the literature pertaining to 20 pooling initiatives identified in the region and on interviews with stakeholders involved in many of those initiatives. The study finds that experience with pooling among Pacific Island countries has not met the optimistic expectations of advocates, including development partners. This is the result of the challenges inherent in voluntary regionalism, which are exacerbated by the diversity of Pacific Island states and political economy constraints. The article concludes that an incremental approach to expansion of regional service provision in the Pacific is both likely and appropriate given these factors.
Understanding fishing‐induced extinctions in the Amazon
Authors: Castello Leandro , Arantes Caroline Chaves , Mcgrath David Gibbs , Stewart Donald James , Sousa Fabio Sarmento De
Published: August 2014

Science and policy worldwide are influenced by predictions from bioeconomic theory that fishing cannot lead fish populations to extinction because fishing effort inevitably moves away from depleted resources. Yet such predictions contradict evidence of fishing‐induced extinctions and in particular a model, called ‘fishing‐down’, that explains historical reductions in mean size of harvested species in tropical multispecies fisheries through the gradual depletion and extinction of large‐bodied species.

This study analysed data on fisheries for Arapaima spp., the most historically important and overexploited fishes of the Amazon Basin, to evaluate whether they supported bioeconomic or fishing‐down predictions. The evaluation was based on census data on arapaima populations and interview data from 182 fishers with respect to fishing practices and management regulations, which were collected in 81 fishing communities covering 1040 km2 of Amazonian floodplains.

Arapaima populations were found to be ‘depleted’ in 76% of the fishing communities, ‘overexploited’ in 17%, ‘well‐managed’ in 5%, and ‘unfished’ in only 2%. Population densities were zero (i.e. locally extinct) in 19% of the communities. Twenty-three per cent of the fishers in each community harvested arapaima regardless of population status. Similarly, the percentage of the catch in compliance with the size regulation did not vary with population status, but compliance with the season regulation in communities with ‘overexploited’ or ‘depleted’ populations (72%) was lower than in communities with ‘well‐managed’ or ‘unfished’ populations (97%).

These results support fishing‐down predictions that fishing pressure continues to occur even when fish populations are depleted. The fishing‐down process appeared to occur because of low gear selectivity and larger body‐size of target species as well as high species value and low fishing costs. These results and available data elsewhere suggest that fishing‐induced extinctions are more common than previously thought, endangering biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Such extinctions are probably going unnoticed because high levels of illegal fishing, geographic heterogeneity, and data scarcity make their identification difficult.

Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of a murine embryonic stem cell line that is sensitive to high glucose environment to model neural tube development in diabetic pregnancy
Authors: Sanders Kaitlyn , Jung Jin Hyuk , Loeken Mary R.
Published: August 2014

Background

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are significantly increased by maternal diabetes. Embryonic stem cells (ESC) that can differentiate into neuroepithelium and can sense supraphysiological glucose concentrations would be very valuable to simulate the effects of maternal diabetes on molecular and cellular processes during neural tube formation.

Methods

LG‐ESC, a recently established ESC line that expresses the glucose transporter, Scl2a2, and is sensitive to elevated glucose concentrations, were grown for up to 8 days in a three‐dimensional culture to form neural cysts. We tested whether high glucose media inhibits expression of Pax3, a gene that is required for neural tube closure and whose expression is inhibited in embryos of diabetic mice, and inhibits formation of neural cysts.

Results

Pax3 expression was detected after 4 days of culture and increased with time. Pax3 expression was inhibited by high glucose media, but not if cells had been cultured in low glucose media for the first 4 days of culture. Pax7, which is also expressed in dorsal neural tube, was not detected. Pax6, which is expressed in the ventral neural tube, was detected only after 8 days of culture, but was not inhibited by high glucose. High glucose media did not inhibit formation of neural cysts.

Conclusion

LG‐ESC can be used as a model of embryonic exposure to a diabetic environment during neural tube development. While high glucose exposure inhibits expression of a gene required for neural tube closure, it may not inhibit all of the processes involved in formation of a neural tube‐like structure. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 100:584–591, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hospitalizations and associated costs in a population‐based study of children with Down Syndrome born in Florida
Authors: Dawson April L. , Cassell Cynthia H. , Oster Matthew E. , Olney Richard S. , Tanner Jean Paul , Kirby Russell S. , Correia Jane , Grosse Scott D.
Published: August 2014

Background

Our objective was to examine differences in hospital resource usage for children with Down syndrome by age and the presence of other birth defects, particularly severe and nonsevere congenital heart defects (CHDs).

Methods

This was a retrospective, population‐based, statewide study of children with Down syndrome born 1998 to 2007, identified by the Florida Birth Defects Registry (FBDR) and linked to hospital discharge records for 1 to 10 years after birth. To evaluate hospital resource usage, descriptive statistics on number of hospitalized days and hospital costs were calculated. Results were stratified by isolated Down syndrome (no other coded major birth defect); presence of severe and nonsevere CHDs; and presence of major FBDR‐eligible birth defects without CHDs.

Results

For 2552 children with Down syndrome, there were 6856 inpatient admissions, of which 68.9% occurred during the first year of life (infancy). Of the 2552 children, 31.7% (n = 808) had isolated Down syndrome, 24.0% (n = 612) had severe CHDs, 36.3% (n = 927) had nonsevere CHDs, and 8.0% (n = 205) had a major FBDR‐eligible birth defect in the absence of CHD. Infants in all three nonisolated DS groups had significantly higher hospital costs compared with those with isolated Down syndrome. From infancy through age 4, children with severe CHDs had the highest inpatient costs compared with children in the other sub‐groups.

Conclusion

Results support findings that for children with Down syndrome the presence of other anomalies influences hospital use and costs, and children with severe CHDs have greater hospital resource usage than children with other CHDs or major birth defects without CHDs. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 100:826–836, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Of early animals, anaerobic mitochondria, and a modern sponge
Authors: Mentel Marek , Röttger Mayo , Leys Sally , Tielens Aloysius G. M. , Martin William F.
Published: August 2014

The origin and early evolution of animals marks an important event in life's history. This event is historically associated with an important variable in Earth history – oxygen. One view has it that an increase in oceanic oxygen levels at the end of the Neoproterozoic Era (roughly 600 million years ago) allowed animals to become large and leave fossils. How important was oxygen for the process of early animal evolution? New data show that some modern sponges can survive for several weeks at low oxygen levels. Many groups of animals have mechanisms to cope with low oxygen or anoxia, and very often, mitochondria – organelles usually associated with oxygen – are involved in anaerobic energy metabolism in animals. It is a good time to refresh our memory about the anaerobic capacities of mitochondria in modern animals and how that might relate to the ecology of early metazoans.