bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of salinity acclimation on the endocrine disruption and acute toxicity of bifenthrin in freshwater and euryhaline strains of Oncorhynchus mykiss
Authors: Riar Navneet , Crago Jordan , Jiang Weiying , Maryoung Lindley A. , Gan Jay , Schlenk Daniel
Published: August 2013

The pyrethroid insecticide bifenthrin is frequently detected at ng/L concentrations in tributaries of the San Francisco Bay Delta. The estuary is also experiencing increasing salinity through climate change and water redirection. To evaluate the impacts of hypersaline conditions on bifenthrin toxicity in anadromous salmonids of the San Francisco Bay Delta (CA, USA), a 14-d laboratory exposure was performed using 2 strains of Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout and steelhead) acclimated to freshwater and to 8 g/L and 17 g/L salinity. The fish were then exposed to nominal concentrations of 0 µg/L, 0.1 µg/L, and 1.5 µg/L bifenthrin. Rainbow trout exhibited significant mortality following exposure to 1.5 µg/L (1.07 ± 0.35 µg/L measured) bifenthrin in freshwater. Elevated levels of Na+/K+ adenosine triphosphatase α1A mRNA subunit expression was observed in the gill of rainbow trout acclimated to hypersaline conditions relative to freshwater animals. No significant difference was noted in Na+/K+ adenosine triphosphatase subunit levels in brains of either strain in freshwater or hypersaline conditions. Likewise, significant differences were not observed in plasma vitellogenin or steroid hormone concentrations in either strain whether maintained in freshwater or saltwater. Saltwater acclimation significantly reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate–catalyzed biotransformation of bifenthrin in liver microsomes of rainbow trout but not of steelhead. The present study showed that, relative to steelhead, rainbow trout have different responses to bifenthrin acute toxicity as well as different rates of hepatic bifenthrin biotransformation and regulation of Na+/K+ adenosine triphosphatase subunits in gills. These data indicate that significant differences exist between the strains and that animal life history may have important effects on the susceptibility of each strain to environmental contaminants. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:2779–2785. © 2013 SETAC
Evaluating the arcuate fasciculus with combined diffusion‐weighted MRI tractography and electrocorticography
Authors: Brown Erik C. , Jeong Jeong‐Won , Muzik Otto , Rothermel Robert , Matsuzaki Naoyuki , Juhász Csaba , Sood Sandeep , Asano Eishi
Published: August 2013

The conventional model of language‐related brain structure describing the arcuate fasciculus as a key white matter tract providing a direct connection between Wernicke's region and Broca's area has been called into question. Specifically, the inferior precentral gyrus, possessing both primary motor (Brodmann Area [BA] 4) and premotor cortex (BA 6), has been identified as a potential alternative termination. The authors initially localized cortical sites involved in language using measurement of event‐related gamma‐activity on electrocorticography (ECoG). The authors then determined whether language‐related sites of the temporal lobe were connected, via white matter structures, to the inferior frontal gyrus more tightly than to the precentral gyrus. The authors found that language‐related sites of the temporal lobe were far more likely to be directly connected to the inferior precentral gyrus through the arcuate fasciculus. Furthermore, tractography was a significant predictor of frontal language‐related ECoG findings. Analysis of an interaction between anatomy and tractography in this model revealed tractrography to have the highest predictive value for language‐related ECoG findings of the precentral gyrus. This study failed to support the conventional model of language‐related brain structure. More feasible models should include the inferior precentral gyrus as a termination of the arcuate fasciculus. The exact functional significance of direct connectivity between temporal language‐related sites and the precentral gyrus requires further study. Hum Brain Mapp 35:2333–2347, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sex‐specific extent and severity of white matter damage in multiple sclerosis: Implications for cognitive decline
Authors: Schoonheim Menno M. , Vigeveno René M. , Lopes Fernanda C. Rueda , Pouwels Petra J.W. , Polman Chris H. , Barkhof Frederik , Geurts Jeroen J.G.
Published: August 2013

Cognitive dysfunction is common in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the relationship between white matter (WM) damage and cognition remains insufficiently clear. This study investigates the extent and severity of WM diffusion abnormalities in MS patients and relations with cognition. Diffusion tensor imaging scans were obtained in 131 MS patients (88 women, 6 years postdiagnosis) and 49 age‐matched controls (29 women). Patient groups were equal in terms of disease duration, disability, and WM lesion volume. Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) were compared between groups. Post hoc analyses calculated the spatial extent and severity of diffusion abnormalities to relate these to cognitive performance. In controls, 31% of WM voxels showed higher FA in men; therefore, all patient analyses were within‐sex. The extent of diffusion changes was higher in male patients than in female patients for all parameters (FA: 24% in women, 53% in men), as was the severity of changes (FA: Z = −0.18 in women, Z = −0.41 in men). Especially the extent of FA abnormalities was strongly related to cognitive performance in all patients (r = −0.42, P < 0.0001). Regionally, thalamic decreases in FA were especially correlated with cognitive performance. Cognitively impaired patients showed greater extent and severity on all diffusion parameters compared to cognitively preserved patients. The WM of male patients was both more extensively and also more severely affected than that of female patients. The extent of WM FA changes, especially in the thalamus, was associated with cognitive performance in this cohort of early MS patients. Hum Brain Mapp 35:2348–2358, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Contextual control of audiovisual integration in low‐level sensory cortices
Authors: van Atteveldt Nienke M. , Peterson Bradley S. , Schroeder Charles E.
Published: August 2013

Potential sources of multisensory influences on low‐level sensory cortices include direct projections from sensory cortices of different modalities, as well as more indirect feedback inputs from higher order multisensory cortical regions. These multiple architectures may be functionally complementary, but the exact roles and inter‐relationships of the circuits are unknown. Using a fully balanced context manipulation, we tested the hypotheses that: (1) feedforward and lateral pathways subserve speed functions, such as detecting peripheral stimuli. Multisensory integration effects in this context are predicted in peripheral fields of low‐level sensory cortices. (2) Slower feedback pathways underpin accuracy functions, such as object discrimination. Integration effects in this context are predicted in higher‐order association cortices and central/foveal fields of low‐level sensory cortex. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to compare the effects of central versus peripheral stimulation on audiovisual integration, while varying speed and accuracy requirements for behavioral responses. We found that interactions of task demands and stimulus eccentricity in low‐level sensory cortices are more complex than would be predicted by a simple dichotomy such as our hypothesized peripheral/speed and foveal/accuracy functions. Additionally, our findings point to individual differences in integration that may be related to skills and strategy. Overall, our findings suggest that instead of using fixed, specialized pathways, the exact circuits and mechanisms that are used for low‐level multisensory integration are much more flexible and contingent upon both individual and contextual factors than previously assumed. Hum Brain Mapp 35:2394–2411, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reliability of neuroanatomical measurements in a multisite longitudinal study of youth at risk for psychosis
Authors: Cannon Tyrone D. , Sun Frank , McEwen Sarah Jacobson , Papademetris Xenophon , He George , van Erp Theo G.M. , Jacobson Aron , Bearden Carrie E. , Walker Elaine , Hu Xiaoping , Zhou Lei , Seidman Larry J. , Thermenos Heidi W. , Cornblatt Barbara , Olvet Doreen M. , Perkins Diana , Belger Aysenil , Cadenhead Kristin , Tsuang Ming , Mirzakhanian Heline , Addington Jean , Frayne Richard , Woods Scott W. , McGlashan Thomas H. , Constable R. Todd , Qiu Maolin , Mathalon Daniel H. , Thompson Paul , Toga Arthur W.
Published: August 2013

Multisite longitudinal neuroimaging designs are used to identify differential brain structural change associated with onset or progression of disease. The reliability of neuroanatomical measurements over time and across sites is a crucial aspect of power in such studies. Prior work has found that while within‐site reliabilities of neuroanatomical measurements are excellent, between‐site reliability is generally more modest. Factors that may increase between‐site reliability include standardization of scanner platform and sequence parameters and correction for between‐scanner variations in gradient nonlinearities. Factors that may improve both between‐ and within‐site reliability include use of registration algorithms that account for individual differences in cortical patterning and shape. In this study 8 healthy volunteers were scanned twice on successive days at 8 sites participating in the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study (NAPLS). All sites employed 3 Tesla scanners and standardized acquisition parameters. Site accounted for 2 to 30% of the total variance in neuroanatomical measurements. However, site‐related variations were trivial (<1%) among sites using the same scanner model and 12‐channel coil or when correcting for between‐scanner differences in gradient nonlinearity and scaling. Adjusting for individual differences in sulcal‐gyral geometries yielded measurements with greater reliabilities than those obtained using an automated approach. Neuroimaging can be performed across multiple sites at the same level of reliability as at a single site, achieving within‐ and between‐site reliabilities of 0.95 or greater for gray matter density in the majority of voxels in the prefrontal and temporal cortical surfaces as well as for the volumes of most subcortical structures. Hum Brain Mapp 35:2424–2434, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Altered resting‐state connectivity in Huntington's Disease
Authors: Werner Cornelius J. , Dogan Imis , Saß Christian , Mirzazade Shahram , Schiefer Johannes , Shah N. Jon , Schulz Jörg B. , Reetz Kathrin
Published: August 2013

Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms. Using resting‐state fMRI (rs‐fMRI) we investigated the functional integrity of resting‐state networks (RSN) in HD. 17 HD and 19 matched control participants were examined at a 3 Tesla MR scanner. After controlling for structural degeneration by means of voxel‐based morphometry, task‐free rs‐fMRI data were analyzed using Independent Component Analysis (ICA) and a dual‐regression approach in the context of genetic and clinical parameters. Further, we evaluated HD‐related differences in interregional connectivity between networks. RSN analysis showed a significant increase in intrinsic functional connectivity in the HD sample compared with controls, including the thalamus, striatum, prefrontal, premotor, and parietal maps. A subset of the Default Mode Network (DMN) was also affected. In the HD cohort, motor impairment correlated with higher network connectivity in mainly motor and parietal cortices. Deteriorating total functional capacity was additionally associated with higher connectivity in the striatum, thalamus, insular and frontal areas. This pattern of increased activity in intrinsic functional networks might suggest a reduced ability of intra‐network differentiation with clinical disease progression in HD. Finally, results showed reduced long‐range connectivity between parietal ICA components in HD compared to controls, indicating impaired functional coupling between interregional networks in HD. Our data demonstrates that functional connectivity is profoundly altered in HD, both within and between RSN. Rs‐fMRI analysis may provide additional valuable insights into neuronal dysfunctions beyond HD‐related structural degeneration and disruptions of functional circuits in HD. Hum Brain Mapp 35:2582–2593, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of root water uptake functions to simulate surface energy fluxes within a deep‐rooted desert shrub ecosystem
Authors: Jing Chang‐Qing , Li L. , Chen Xi , Luo Ge‐Ping
Published: August 2013

Root water uptake (RWU) is a unique process whereby plants obtain water from soil, and it is essential for plant survival. The mechanisms of RWU are well understood, but their parameterization and simulation in current Land Surface Models (LSMs) fall short of the requirements of modern hydrological and climatic modelling research. Though various RWU functions have been proposed for potential use in LSMs, none was proven to be applicable for dryland ecosystems where drought was generally the limiting factor for ecosystem functioning. This study investigates the effect of root distribution on the simulated surface energy fluxes by incorporating the observed vertical root distribution. In addition, three different RWU functions were integrated into the Common Land Model (CLM) in place of the default RWU function. A comparison of the modified model's results with the measured surface energy fluxes measured by eddy covariance techniques in a Central Asian desert shrub ecosystem showed that both RWU function and vertical root distribution were able to significantly impact turbulent fluxes. Parameterizing the root distribution based on in‐situ measurement and replacing the default RWU function with a revised version significantly improved the CLM's performance in simulating the latent and sensible heat fluxes. Sensitivity analysis showed that varying the parameter values of the revised RWU function did not significantly impact the CLM's performance, and therefore, this function is recommended for use in the CLM in Central Asian desert ecosystems and, possibly, other similar dryland ecosystems. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mal, more than a bridge to MyD88
Authors: Bernard Nicholas J. , O'Neill Luke A.
Published: August 2013

The family of type 1 transmembrane proteins known as Toll–like receptors (TLRs) provide early immune system recognition and response to infection. In order to transmit their signal to the nucleus and initiate activation of pro–inflammatory and anti–microbial genes, TLRs must initiate a cytoplasmic signalling cascade, which is alternately controlled by 6 known signalling adaptors. These signaling adaptors are crucial for activating the correct immune response to any given TLR / pathogen interaction. This review will focus on one of those adaptors, MyD88 adaptor–like (Mal), also known as TIRAP.

Mal is critical for signalling by the best studied of the TLRs, the Gram negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) sensor, TLR4. Mal's role in TLR2 signalling in response to activation of the bacterial lipopeptide receptor, TLR2, is more contentious.

Mal is a component of the so–called ‘MyD88‐dependent pathway’ in TLR4 signalling. Recent advances in our understanding of the signalling pathways downstream of Mal highlight MyD88‐indpendent roles, thus positioning Mal as multifunctional and integral for the molecular control of bacterial infections as well as inflammatory diseases.

Here we describe the sequence of molecular events involved in the signalling pathways controlled by Mal, and the importance of Mal in driving host protection against a variety of bacteria, with specific attention to the evidence for Mal's role in TLR2 signalling, recent structural findings that have altered our understanding of Mal signalling, and evidence that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Mal are responsible for variations in population level resistance and susceptibility to bacterial infection. © 2013 IUBMB Life, 65(9):777–786, 2013
Wading Through the Consequences of Policy Decisions
Authors: Boyd Fenice B.
Published: August 2013

As long as we have schools, teachers and students, educational policy mandates, with a one‐size‐fits all subtext will always ebb and flow. Schools however, will forever encounter diversity writ large—teachers and students, families, languages, cognitive and academic abilities, interests, etc. The policy decisions do not necessarily fit the constituents’ needs. Boyd recounts her experience of visiting a bilingual, special education, science class, and her attempts to participate and understand, when the lesson was taught in Spanish. She argues that if policy decisions are truly made to positively impact students in order for them to be college and career ready, then it would seem feasible that policymakers take the time to conduct school visits in order to discern the needs of the constituents who will be affected by their policy mandates.
Professional Resources
Authors: Haddix Marcelle M.
Published: August 2013

This column provides reviews of adolescent and adult professional resources and provides a valuable resource for professional resource selection in‐ and outside the classroom.
Print‐Based Texts
Authors: Blasingame James
Published: August 2013

This column provides reviews of adolescent and adult literature and provides a valuable resource for literature selection in‐ and outside the classroom.
21st‐Century Mentor Texts: Developing Critical Literacies in the Information Age
Authors: Gainer Jesse
Published: August 2013

This column explores the idea of using 21st‐century mentor texts to guide students in the development of critical literacy. The column focuses on one example from the U.S. presidential election of 2012 to illustrate how teachers might engage students to unpack the socially constructed nature of literacy. The author argues that the changing reading and writing practices of our new literacy landscape require new forms of apprenticeships to help students develop critical lenses to read the world.
Visual and Digital Texts
Authors: Botzakis Stergios
Published: August 2013

This column provides reviews of adolescent and adult visual and digital texts and provides a valuable resource for visual and digital text selection in‐ and outside the classroom.
What WAS Hot (and Not) in Literacy: What We Can Learn
Authors: Cassidy Jack , Ortlieb Evan
Published: August 2013

The annual What's Hot, What's Not in Literacy Survey has helped to define the literacy agenda and highlight topics receiving attention in the field over the last 15 years. The ebb and flow of the field of literacy often shifts with changes in legislation, policy, and curricula. As a result, what was formerly hot may subsequently receive less attention or even fall off the list entirely. Some topics that were once on the list never received the attention that some educators believed they deserved. This article examines the background behind previously hot issues and other topics that were on the list but never considered hot.
Interdisciplinary Literacy Through Social Media in the Mathematics Classroom: An Action Research Study
Authors: Casey Gail
Published: August 2013

This article looks at how social and participatory media can be used to strengthen interdisciplinary literacy and connects the multimodality of social environments with Middle‐Years Mathematics curriculum and delivery. The article reports on part of an eighteen months action research study in an Australian public high school within the author's two Year 8 Mathematics classes. The article provides student samples from within these classes as it contributes evidence and analyses that may help to inform teachers from across subject areas to recognise and implement literacy practices, not as an isolated classroom activity, but across their disciplines. By taking a more ‘social’ approach to designing projects for Middle‐Years Mathematics, this study supports concepts of literacy as a social, cognitive and cultural practice.
The alkylphenols 4‐nonylphenol, 4‐tert‐octylphenol and 4‐tert‐butylphenol aggravate atopic dermatitis‐like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice
Authors: Sadakane Kaori , Ichinose Takamichi , Takano Hirohisa , Yanagisawa Rie , Koike Eiko , Inoue Ken‐ichiro
Published: August 2013

Phthalate esters in plastics act as adjuvants for immunoglobulin production, which aggravates allergic disease. However, the effects of alkylphenols (used as plasticizers and surfactants) on atopic dermatitis have not been studied in detail. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to investigate the effects of the alkylphenols 4‐nonylphenol (NP), 4‐tert‐octylphenol (OP) and 4‐tert‐butylphenol (BP) in a murine model of atopic dermatitis. NC/Nga mice were intraperitoneally administered NP, OP or BP and were subcutaneously injected with mite allergen in one ear to induce atopic dermatitis‐like skin lesions (ADSLs). The condition of the skin was observed, and the levels of immunoglobulin in serum and inflammatory cytokines in lesions were determined. NP exacerbated mite allergen‐induced ADSLs according to dose. OP and BP also significantly exacerbated skin lesions but not as a function of dose. Alkylphenols tended to increase the levels of IgE and antigen‐specific IgG1 in serum. Further, the treatment of the alkylphenols increased the expression in lesions of inflammatory cytokines, interleukin‐4 and monocyte chemotactic protein‐3. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin levels increased according to ADSL severity. In contrast, the levels of the T‐helper 1 cytokines (interleukin‐18 and interferon‐gamma) decreased. NP, OP or BP may enhance T‐helper 2‐type immune responses in NC/Nga mice, which aggravates mite allergen‐induced ADSLs. Therefore, the uptake of very low levels of alkylphenols may contribute to the increase in the incidence of atopic dermatitis. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Encapsulated dental‐derived mesenchymal stem cells in an injectable and biodegradable scaffold for applications in bone tissue engineering
Authors: Moshaverinia Alireza , Chen Chider , Akiyama Kentaro , Xu Xingtian , Chee Winston W. L. , Schricker Scott R , Shi Songtao
Published: August 2013

Bone grafts are currently the major family of treatment options in modern reconstructive dentistry. As an alternative, stem cell‐scaffold constructs seem to hold promise for bone tissue engineering. However, the feasibility of encapsulating dental‐derived mesenchymal stem cells in scaffold biomaterials such as alginate hydrogel remains to be tested. The objectives of this study were, therefore, to: (1) develop an injectable scaffold based on oxidized alginate microbeads encapsulating periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs); and (2) investigate the cell viability and osteogenic differentiation of the stem cells in the microbeads both in vitro and in vivo. Microbeads with diameters of 1 ± 0.1 mm were fabricated with 2 × 106 stem cells/mL of alginate. Microbeads containing PDLSCs, GMSCs, and human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells as a positive control were implanted subcutaneously and ectopic bone formation was analyzed by micro CT and histological analysis at 8‐weeks postimplantation. The encapsulated stem cells remained viable after 4 weeks of culturing in osteo‐differentiating induction medium. Scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction results confirmed that apatitic mineral was deposited by the stem cells. In vivo, ectopic mineralization was observed inside and around the implanted microbeads containing the immobilized stem cells. These findings demonstrate for the first time that immobilization of PDLSCs and GMSCs in alginate microbeads provides a promising strategy for bone tissue engineering. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 101A: 3285–3294, 2013.
Surface porosity and roughness of micrographite film for nucleation of hydroxyapatite
Authors: Asanithi Piyapong
Published: August 2013

Heterogeneous nucleation of hydroxyapatite (HAp) can be facilitated by physical and chemical properties of material surface. In this article, we reported how effective surface porosity and roughness are for inducing nucleation of HAp crystal in simulated body fluid. Two types of micrographite film (MGF) prepared from assembly of micrographite flakes were used as seeds to induce HAp crystal: uncompressed (high surface porosity) and compressed (low surface porosity) MGFs. Compressed MGF was prepared by applying mechanical compression to the uncompressed MGF. Uncompressed and compressed MGFs have similar surface wettability with the water contact angles (θ) of 113° and 107°, respectively. The number density of HAp crystals on the uncompressed MGF was higher than that of the compressed MGF by a factor of 6. This result implied that surface porosity and roughness were more effective parameters for inducing HAp crystal than surface wettability. Uncompressed MGF also induced HAp nucleation better than a cover glass although the glass had high wettability (θ = 64°). The effectiveness of uncompressed MGF on inducing HAp crystals was as high as that of the SiO2‐coated Si substrate. Our finding suggests that we do not require to functionalize material surface to be an effective seed; a surface with pores or roughness of the right scale is enough. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 2590–2599, 2014.
5‐Florouracil‐loaded poly(lactic acid)‐poly(caprolactone) hybrid scaffold: Potential chemotherapeutic implant
Authors: Gupta Kamal K. , Pal Namrata , Mishra Pradeep K. , Srivastava Pradeep , Mohanty Sujata , Maiti Pralay
Published: August 2013

Hybrid nanofibers of poly(lactic acid) and polycaprolactone have been developed by embedding cancerous drug through electrospinning technique. The composition of polymer has been varied to check the compositional effect on properties. The quality of nanofibers has been testified through surface morphology, wetting properties using contact angle and mechanical strength under uniaxial elongation. The compatibility of drug (5‐fluorourasil) with matrix fiber has been verified using Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The drug release study has been performed showing greater release in hybrid fibers when compared with pure polymers as a result of synergism of two immiscible polymers and quasi‐Fickian diffusion mechanism in hybrid nanofiber as implants showing compositional effect on drug release. A model has been proposed showing faster release of drugs in hybrid systems. Biological responses through fluorescence imaging and MTT assay confirm the release of drug from hybrid nanofibers showing potential use of hybrid scaffolds as chemotherapeutic implant. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 2600–2612, 2014.
Influence of nanoparticle‐embedded polymeric surfaces on cellular adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation
Authors: Ventrelli Letizia , Fujie Toshinori , Turco Serena Del , Basta Giuseppina , Mazzolai Barbara , Mattoli Virgilio
Published: August 2013

The development of functional substrates to direct cellular organization is important for biomedical applications such as regenerative medicine and biorobotics. In this study, we prepared freestanding polymeric ultrathin films (nanofilms) consisting of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), and evaluated the effects of their surface properties on the organization of cardiac‐like rat myoblasts (H9c2). We changed surface properties of the PLA nanofilms (i.e., roughness and wettability) as a function of MNPs concentration. We found that the incorporation of MNPs into the nanofilms enhanced both proliferation and adhesion of H9c2 cells. Through the morphological assessment of the differentiated H9c2 cells, we also found that the presence of MNPs significantly increased the fusion index and the surface area of myotubes. In conclusion, the embedding of MNPs is a simple method to tailor the physicochemical properties of the polymeric nanofilms, yet it is an effective approach to enhance the cellular morphogenesis in the field of cardiac tissue engineering for regenerative medicine and biorobotics applications. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 2652–2661, 2014.
The targeting nanothin polyelectrolyte shells in system with immobilized bacterial cells for antitumor factor production
Authors: Granicka L. H. , Borkowska M. , Grzeczkowicz A. , Stachowiak R. , Szklarczyk M. , Bielecki J. , Strawski M.
Published: August 2013

Development of anticancer treatment strategies is ongoing considering still inadequate efficiency of existing anticancer therapeutics. Moreover, the lack of therapeutic agents selectivity against the tumor cells requires further investigations into novel anticancer strategies. The use of pathogenic microorganisms producing an oncolytic agent may be an approach for apoptotic therapy in cancer treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the targeting efficiency of Bacillus subtilis bacterial cells coated with modified polyelectrolyte shells applied to protect the bacterial cells from potential host immune response as well as to enhance the tumor‐targeting efficiency. The shells were modified with transferrin to increase affinity toward the target tumor cells. The impact of bacterial cells coated with unmodified or modified nanothin shells on human leukemia cells was evaluated in vitro. It was observed that the bacterial cells coated with modified shells with incorporated transferrin exhibited stronger lethal impact on leukemia cells as compared to bacterial cells with unmodified shell coating. Applied modified membrane conformation allowing for functioning of encapsulated microorganisms may find potential use in local antitumor treatment purposes. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 2662–2668, 2014.
A phenotypic comparison of osteoblast cell lines versus human primary osteoblasts for biomaterials testing
Authors: Czekanska E. M. , Stoddart M. J. , Ralphs J. R. , Richards R. G. , Hayes J. S.
Published: August 2013

Immortalized cell lines are used more frequently in basic and applied biology research than primary bone‐derived cells because of their ease of access and repeatability of results in experiments. It is clear that these cell models do not fully resemble the behavior of primary osteoblast cells. Although the differences will affect the results of biomaterials testing, they are not clearly defined. Here, we focused on comparing proliferation and maturation potential of three osteoblast cell lines, SaOs2, MG‐63, and MC3T3‐E1 with primary human osteoblast (HOb) cells to assess their suitability as in vitro models for biomaterials testing. We report similarities in cell proliferation and mineralization between primary cells and MC3T3‐E1. Both, SaOs2 and MG‐63 cells demonstrated a higher proliferation rate than HOb cells. In addition, SaOs2, but not MG‐63, cells demonstrated similar ALP activity, mineralization potential and gene regulation to HOb's. Our results demonstrate that despite SaOs‐2, MG63, and MC3T3 cells being popular choices for emulating osteoblast behavior, none can be considered appropriate replacements for HOb's. Nevertheless, these cell lines all demonstrated some distinct similarities with HOb's, thus when applied in the correct context are a valuable in vitro pilot model of osteoblast functionality, but should not be used to replace primary cell studies. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 2636–2643, 2014.
Determining factors predictive of CD34+ cell collection efficiency in an effort to avoid extended and repeated apheresis sessions
Authors: Verlinden Anke , Van de Velde Ann , Verpooten Gert A. , Janssen van Doorn Karin
Published: August 2013

Introduction: Collection efficiency (CE) is a reflection of the proportion of cells passing through a cell separator that is harvested. The aim of our study was to evaluate which factors influence CE independently in order to find ways to improve CE and therefore minimize the costs and risks of leukapheresis and graft processing. Materials and Methods: A total of 206 consecutive apheresis procedures performed on 128 donors/patients were studied retrospectively. We explored the association between CE and the following factors: age, sex, weight, mobilization (granulocyte‐colony‐stimulating factor with or without chemotherapy), collection type (autologous versus allogeneic), venous access (peripheral versus central), total processed blood volume (TPV), hematocrit, white blood cell (WBC) count, thrombocyte count, and peripheral blood CD34+ cell concentration (PBCD34+). Results: Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed WBC count to be the single best predictor of CE, accompanied by TPV. When performing subgroup analysis for autologous apheresis procedures, the inverse correlation of WBC count and TPV with CE becomes stronger (r = −0.563 with P < 0.001 and r = −0.198 with P = 0.020 respectively), whereas those correlations disappear when analyzing only allogeneic apheresis procedures. Conclusion: The negative correlation between TPV and CE present only in autologous collection procedures can be explained by the limited intra‐apheresis recruitment of CD34+ cells into the blood which is negatively influenced by extensive pre‐treatment. As a result of this study we decided to limit TPV to a maximum of three times the patient's blood volume in autologous apheresis procedures at our center. J. Clin. Apheresis, 28:404–410, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exploring the influence of ionospheric O+ outflow on magnetospheric dynamics: The effect of outflow intensity
Authors: Yu Yiqun , Ridley Aaron J.
Published: August 2013

The ionospheric O+ outflow varies dramatically during geomagnetic activities, but the influence of its initial characteristics on the magnetospheric dynamics has not been well established. To expand a previous study on the impact of ionospheric heavy ions outflow originating from different source regions on the magnetotail dynamics and dayside reconnection rate, this study conducts two idealized numerical experiments with different O+ outflow densities to examine the consequent change in the magnetosphere system, especially on the solar wind‐magnetosphere coupling efficiency. Results indicate that a larger O+ outflow is capable of triggering the Kelvin‐Helmholtz instability (KHI) on the magnetopause flanks. The subsequent surface waves enhance the solar wind‐magnetosphere coupling efficiency by transmitting more solar wind energy into the magnetosphere‐ionosphere system, increasing the cross polar cap potential index. This index is initially reduced after the ionospheric mass loading owing to the direct depression in the dayside reconnection rate as commonly reported from earlier literature. The above KHI is generated under steady state solar wind conditions, suggesting that besides the commonly recognized cause, the elevated solar wind speed, ionospheric heavy ions outflow is another potential factor in disturbing the boundary by enhancing the mass density near the magnetopause and thus lowering the threshold for generating KHI. During storms, the increased ionospheric mass source causes an increased probability of KHI, which allows more solar wind plasma into the magnetosphere. This implies there is a possibility of even further nonlinear coupling between the magnetosphere and solar wind.
Simulation of O+ upflows created by electron precipitation and Alfvén waves in the ionosphere
Authors: Sydorenko D. , Rankin R.
Published: August 2013

A two‐dimensional model of magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling is presented. It includes Alfvén wave dynamics, ion motion along the geomagnetic field, chemical reactions between ions and neutrals, collisions between different species, and a parametric model of electron precipitation. Representative simulations are presented, along with a discussion of the physical mechanisms that are important in forming oxygen ion field‐aligned plasma flows. In particular, it is demonstrated that ion upwelling is strongly affected by the ponderomotive force of standing Alfvén waves in the ionospheric Alfvén resonator, and by enhanced electric fields that are produced when electrons are heated by soft electron precipitation. It is verified that the simulations are in qualitative agreement with available theoretical predictions. In the resonator, in addition to the ponderomotive force, a contribution to the upflow comes from centrifugal acceleration. Heating by the current of standing waves increases parallel electric fields and ion pressure gradients only at low altitudes where they are easily balanced by friction with neutrals. This prevents development of fast field‐aligned ion flows in the E‐layer and lower F‐layer.
Moored surface buoy observations of the diurnal warm layer
Authors: Prytherch J. , Farrar J. T. , Weller R. A.
Published: August 2013

An extensive data set is used to examine the dynamics of diurnal warming in the upper ocean. The data set comprises more than 4700 days of measurements at five sites in the tropics and subtropics, obtained from surface moorings equipped to make comprehensive meteorological, incoming solar and infrared radiation, and high‐resolution subsurface temperature (and, in some cases, velocity) measurements. The observations, which include surface warmings of up to 3.4°C, are compared with a selection of existing models of the diurnal warm layer (DWL). A simple one‐layer physical model is shown to give a reasonable estimate of both the magnitude of diurnal surface warming (model‐observation correlation 0.88) and the structure and temporal evolution of the DWL. Novel observations of velocity shear obtained during 346 days at one site, incorporating high‐resolution (1 m) upper ocean (5–15 m) acoustic Doppler current profile measurements, are also shown to be in reasonable agreement with estimates from the physical model (daily maximum shear model‐observation correlation 0.77). Physics‐based improvements to the one‐layer model (incorporation of rotation and freshwater terms) are discussed, though they do not provide significant improvements against the observations reported here. The simplicity and limitations of the physical model are used to discuss DWL dynamics. The physical model is shown to give better model performance under the range of forcing conditions experienced across the five sites than the more empirical models.
A flume experiment on the effect of channel width on the perturbation and recovery of flow in straight pools and riffles with smooth boundaries
Authors: MacVicar Bruce , Best Jim
Published: August 2013

The scaling relation between channel width and the spacing of macroscale bed forms has long interested earth scientists and engineers. The current paper conceptualizes flow over such macro bed forms using perturbation theory. The objectives are to characterize the response of flow to pressure gradients that occur in convectively accelerating flow and convectively decelerating flow (CDF), as occurs in pools and riffles, and to determine how the response is modified by the width of the channel. Flume experiments are described that use idealized two‐dimensional bed forms and an inner movable wall to isolate the effect of channel width. Ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry profilers operating at 40 Hz are used to measure velocity. Results show that the recovery of the shear velocity (u*) and Coles wake parameter (Π) follows a simple relaxation response toward uniform flow conditions that is insensitive to channel width, while the lateral concentration of flow (Ψ) and the principal Reynolds stress () occur as two‐stage spreading and relaxation responses that follow a scaling relation on the order of 3–4 times the channel width, or approximately one half of the typical distance between pools. The increases during CDF, precisely in the location where mean bed velocity is at a minimum. It thus appears that hydrodynamic recovery from perturbation helps to explain the sensitivity of the scale of macro bed forms in rivers to channel width. Mobile beds and 3‐D geometries should be tested to verify how mean flow and turbulent scales evolve as linked aspects of a complex response to perturbation.
Syntheses of 3H‐labeled, 14C‐labeled, and 2H4‐labeled SCH 444877, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors
Authors: Ren Sumei , Hesk David , McNamara Paul , Koharski David , Hendershot Sharon
Published: August 2013

The syntheses of [3H]SCH 444877, [2H4]SCH 444877, and [14C]SCH 444877 are described. [3H]SCH 444877 was prepared in three steps from tritium gas. [2H4]SCH 444877 was synthesized from [2H4]ethanolamine in four steps with an overall yield of 40%. [14C]SCH 444877 was prepared from barium [14C]cyanamide in 10 steps with an overall yield of 8.1%.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A study on the perceptual relevance of crosstalk equations for stereoscopic displays
Authors: Xia Zhenping , Li Xiaohua , Cui Yuan , Chen Lei , Teunissen Kees
Published: August 2013

Although several crosstalk definitions have been proposed to indicate the level of crosstalk in stereoscopic displays, they do not necessarily correlate with perceived crosstalk. Based on two perception experiments, with each a different approach, we studied the correspondence between 10 objective crosstalk equations and perceived crosstalk. The first experiment, in which the crosstalk level was evaluated, demonstrates that crosstalk equations based on Weber's law (ΔL/L) show the highest correlation with perceived crosstalk for the most critical case, that is, a center circle in an outer disc. A second experiment, based on crosstalk visibility thresholds, supported that crosstalk equations based on Weber's law show the highest correspondence with human perception.
AEOLIAN TRANSPORT AND SANDY DESERTIFICATION IN SEMIARID CHINA: A WIND TUNNEL APPROACH
Authors: Wang X. , Wang G. , Lang L. , Hua T. , Wang H.
Published: August 2013

By using surface samples collected in areas under high desertification risk in semiarid China, the roles of aeolian transport and the surface characteristics on sandy desertification were analysed. The results show that vegetation cover may not play the key role in the aeolian processes. However, the content of silt and clay decrease the aeolian transport rates even when the surfaces are moderately crushed. The low moisture content of the surface soils (<1%) did not play an important role in the aeolian transport rate. The intensity of aeolian transport was mainly determined by the availability of the erodible material. Considering that human activities may not result in the surfaces being completely crushed, moderate human activities may not trigger severe desertification. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The recovery of the acoustic stiffness coefficient
Authors: Al‐Musallam Fadhel , Boumenir Amin
Published: August 2013

We are concerned with the reconstruction of a non‐differentiable acoustic stiffness reactance coefficient of a one‐dimensional hyperbolic equation using the smallest possible number of boundary readings generated by classical initial conditions. To this end, a complete set of spectral data of a string is extracted from either a single or at most two readings of the trace of the solution on the boundary. The sought coefficient is then uniquely recovered by the Krein inverse spectral theory. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relativistic Finsler geometry
Authors: Kouretsis A.P. , Stathakopoulos M. , Stavrinos P.C.
Published: August 2013

We briefly review some basic concepts of parallel displacement in Finsler geometry. In general relativity, the parallel translation of objects along the congruence of the fundamental observer corresponds to the evolution in time. By dropping the quadratic restriction on the measurement of an infinitesimal distance, the geometry is generalized to a Finsler structure. Apart from curvature, a new property of the manifold complicates the geometrodynamics, the color. The color brings forth an intrinsic local anisotropy, and many quantities depend on position and to a ‘supporting’ direction. We discuss this direction dependence and some physical interpretations. Also, we highlight that in Finsler geometry the parallel displacement is not necessarily always along the ‘supporting’ direction. The latter is a fundamental congruence of the manifold and induces a natural 1 + 3 decomposition. Its internal deformation is given through the evolution of the irreducible components of vorticity, shear, and expansion. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extending LSQR methods to solve the generalized Sylvester‐transpose and periodic Sylvester matrix equations
Authors: Hajarian Masoud
Published: August 2013

It is well known that the least‐squares QR‐factorization (LSQR) algorithm is a powerful method for solving linear systems Ax = b and unconstrained least‐squares problem minx | | Ax − b | | . In the paper, the LSQR approach is developed to obtain iterative algorithms for solving the generalized Sylvester‐transpose matrix equation
urn:x-wiley:01704214:media:mma2955:mma2955-math-0001
the minimum Frobenius norm residual problem
urn:x-wiley:01704214:media:mma2955:mma2955-math-0002
and the periodic Sylvester matrix equation
urn:x-wiley:01704214:media:mma2955:mma2955-math-0003
Numerical results are given to illustrate the effect of the proposed algorithms. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fruits of Their Labour: Urbanisation, Orchard Crops, and Dental Health in Early Bronze Age Jordan
Authors: Ullinger J. M. , Sheridan S. G. , Guatelli‐Steinberg D.
Published: August 2013

The analysis of dental remains, which outlast most other tissues in the human body, provides insight into past diet, activity patterns and ancestry. The remains from Bab edh‐Dhra' represent the only skeletal sample available to assess the impact of agricultural intensification in the Early Bronze Age of the southern Levant (ca. 3500–2000 bce). This era ushered in a period of ‘urbanisation’, evidenced by fortified towns, planned roadways, developments in irrigation and growing population density. During this time, the cultivation, trade and consumption of orchard taxa (such as figs, grapes and olives) increased. This paper examines changes in the teeth associated with agricultural intensification involving orchard crops as well as grains. Dental caries, ante mortem tooth loss and dental wear are examined for Early Bronze IA (EBIA; 3500–3300 bce) and Early Bronze II–III (EBII–III; 3100–2300 bce) teeth from the site of Bab edh‐Dhra', located in modern‐day Jordan. Due to the commingling, general tooth groups (e.g. molars) and specific tooth types (e.g. lower left canine) were used to compare periods. Although age and sex could not be identified for every tooth, analyses of crania and os coxae showed no significant difference in demographic profiles of EBIA and EBII–III. No statistically significant increase was found over time in dental caries frequency; however, teeth for which the cause of pulp exposure could be determined suggested that caries increasingly led to exfoliation. Indeed, ante mortem tooth loss rose significantly with time, whereas dental wear decreased. In general, changes in oral health were consistent with an archaeological record of greater consumption of softer, stickier foods, such as fruits. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.