bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multifunctional Polythreading Coordination Polymers: Spontaneous Resolution, Nonlinear‐Optic, and Ferroelectric Properties
Authors: Duan Xianying , Meng Qingjin , Su Yang , Li Yizhi , Duan Chunying , Ren Xiaoming , Lu Changsheng
Published: August 2011

The reactions of methylenediisophthalic acid (H4L) and N‐auxiliary ligands (1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethylene, 1,2‐bis(4‐pyridyl)ethane) with transition‐metal centers (Co2+/Mn2+) have given rise to four unprecedented polythreading coordination polymers. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses revealed that the compounds can be described as 3D2−⊂2[1D2+]+2D6− for 1, 3D4−⊂1D2++1D6− for 2, and 2D4−⊂0D2++2[1D3−] for 3 and 4. All the polymers are formed through the assembly of two kinds of motifs with opposite charges. Noncentrosymmetric structures and multifunctionality in 2–4 are established by varying ligands and metal centers. Spontaneous resolution upon crystallization occurred in compounds 3 and 4 in the absence of any chiral source. The enantiomers of 3 and 4 consist of three chiral building blocks of L4−/HL3− and Mn2+ centers. In the solid state, polar compounds 2–4 exhibit nonlinear‐optic (NLO) and ferroelectric properties at room temperature. The assembly of two kinds of motifs with opposite charges provides a useful method for the preparation of multifunctional compounds.
Effects of terutroban, a thromboxane/prostaglandin endoperoxide receptor antagonist, on retinal vascularity in diabetic rats
Authors: De La Cruz J. P. , Jebrouni N. , López‐Villodres J. A. , Muñoz‐Marín J. , Guerrero A. , González‐Correa J. A.
Published: August 2011

Background

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of terutroban, a selective antagonist of the thromboxane/prostaglandin endoperoxide receptor, in preventing retinal ischaemia in a model of diabetes in rats.

Methods

Experimental diabetes was induced with streptozotocin. Rats were distributed into five groups (n = 20): (1) non‐diabetic rats, (2) rats with diabetes (DR) treated with vehicle, (3) DR treated with aspirin (2 mg/kg/day p.o.), (4) DR treated with terutroban (5 mg/kg/day p.o.), (5) DR treated with terutroban (30 mg/kg/day p.o.). The follow‐up period was 3 months. The main assessment was the percentage of retinal surface covered with vessels permeable to peroxidase. Platelet aggregation, aortic prostacyclin and nitric oxide production, plasma levels of lipid peroxides (thiobarbituric‐acid‐reactive substances) and 3‐nitrotyrosine and serum levels of IL‐6 were evaluated.

Results

Diabetes induced a reduction in retinal vascularity (76.9%), aortic prostacyclin (37.8%) and nitric oxide production (35.0%), and increased platelet aggregation, lipid peroxides, 3‐nitrotyrosine. When compared with vehicle‐treated DR, terutroban increased the percentage of retinal surface covered by PVPP (38% for terutroban‐5 and 61% for terutroban‐30), aortic prostacyclin (188% for terutroban‐5 and 146% for terutroban‐30) and nitric oxide production (320% for terutroban‐5 and 390% for terutroban‐30). Moreover, terutroban reduced platelet reactivity (27.8–95.1%, according to the inducer), lipid peroxides (60.7% for terutroban‐5 and 50.0% for terutroban‐30), 3‐nitrotyrosine (43.8% for terutroban‐5 and 36.8% for terutroban‐30) and IL‐6 concentration (18.0% for terutroban‐30). The effect of terutroban in retinal, nitrosative and aortic parameters was significantly higher than that of aspirin.

Conclusions

Terutroban significantly protected retinal vascularity from ischaemia in experimental diabetes, and this result could be attributed not only to its antiplatelet/antithrombotic activities but also to its vascular properties. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of Optically Pure Diglycerol Tetraether Model Lipids with Non‐Natural Branching Pattern
Authors: Markowski Thomas , Drescher Simon , Meister Annette , Hause Gerd , Blume Alfred , Dobner Bodo
Published: August 2011

Three new, chain‐modified, optically pure diglycerol tetraether lipids with one membrane‐spanning chain have been synthesised. These lipids contain a different number and constitution of the methyl branches connected to the hydrophobic chains as compared with natural archaeal or other previously synthesised lipids. The correct chirality of the branched alkyl chain was introduced starting from commercially available (S)‐citronellyl bromide. For chain elongation the Cu‐catalysed Grignard coupling reaction was used. Suitable blocked glycerol ethers were condensed to the tetraether moieties by Grubbs metathesis. The insertion of two or four optically pure methyl branches at the 10‐ and/or 23‐positions of the alkyl chains are sufficient to mimic the main properties of natural tetraether lipids. In this context, it has been shown that these lipids can form closed lipid vesicles.
Suppression of very fast transients in gas‐insulated substation via terminal and capacitance components—feasibility study
Authors: Tavakoli Ahmad , Gholami Ahmad , Alamuti Mohsen Mohammadi
Published: August 2011

Reportedly, the switching operation in a gas‐insulated substation (GIS) can lead to deformation of transformer winding. Also, electromagnetic fields radiated because of switching operations get coupled to the control equipment or data cables present in the GIS. These problems during switching operations in the GIS depend on the wave shape of the very fast transient overvoltages (VFTOs) and the associated very fast transient currents (VFTCs). Available methods are utilizing ferromagnetic rings and resistors to suppress the stresses created by very fast transient (VFT) from the source side. These equipment are mounted on the conductors linked to the disconnector. However, current methods are only applicable before installation period and during the substation design stage. The aim of this paper is to investigate feasible methods for mitigation of the overvoltage magnitude of VFT and suppression of the resonant frequencies amplitude at the power transformer. The proposed method utilizes terminal and capacitance components to suppress VFTs in GIS. Its advantages are their simplicity and low cost of implementation along with producing minimal changes in the installed GIS. The effectiveness of the proposed method to mitigate overvoltage magnitude and resonant frequencies amplitude of VFT is presented via simulation. In addition, the amplitude and frequency spectrum of the VFTO and VFTC at the various locations have been analyzed in this paper. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meliarachins A–K: Eleven Limonoids from the Twigs and Leaves of Melia azedarach
Authors: Su Zu‐Shang , Yang Sheng‐Ping , Zhang Sheng , Dong Lei , Yue Jian‐Min
Published: August 2011

Eleven new limonoids, meliarachins A–K (1–11, resp.), together with five known ones, were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Melia azedarach. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 4 and 8 exhibited moderate antibacterial activities against Gram‐positive bacteria.
Isocyanide‐Based Three‐Component Synthesis of Pyrano‐pyrido‐quinoxalines
Authors: Akbarzadeh Roya , Amanpour Tayebeh , Mirzaei Peiman , Bazgir Ayoob
Published: August 2011

Pyrano‐pyrido‐quinoxaline derivatives were synthesized in good yields by a three‐component reaction of isocyanides, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates, and pyrido[1,2‐a]quinoxaline‐triones in DMF at 100°.
Coffee intake and breast cancer risk in the NIH‐AARP diet and health study cohort
Authors: Gierach Gretchen L. , Freedman Neal D. , Andaya Abegail , Hollenbeck Albert R. , Park Yikyung , Schatzkin Arthur , Brinton Louise A.
Published: August 2011

There are several biologic mechanisms whereby coffee might reduce breast cancer risk. Caffeine and caffeic acid, major coffee constituents, have been shown to suppress mammary tumor formation in animal models and to inhibit DNA methylation in human breast cancer cells, respectively. Coffee may also reduce risk through decreasing inflammation and influencing estrogen metabolism. However, epidemiologic studies have been inconsistent and few studies have examined the association by estrogen and progesterone receptor (ER/PR) status. We evaluated coffee intake for its effect on incident breast cancer in the National Institutes of Health‐AARP Diet and Health Study cohort, which included 198,404 women aged 50–71 with no history of cancer, who in 1995–1996 completed a questionnaire capturing usual coffee intake over the past year. State cancer registry and mortality index linkage identified 9,915 primary incident breast carcinomas through December 2006; available information on hormone receptor (HR) status identified 2,051 ER+/PR+ and 453 ER−/PR− cancers. In multivariable proportional hazards models, coffee intake was not associated with breast cancer risk (p‐value for trend = 0.38; relative risk = 0.98, 95% confidence interval: 0.91–1.07, for four or more cups per day as compared to women who never drank coffee), and results did not vary by body mass index or history of benign breast biopsy (p‐value for interaction > 0.10). We found no evidence of a relationship with either caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee. Null findings persisted for risk of both HR‐positive and ‐negative breast cancers. These findings from a large prospective cohort do not support a role of coffee intake in breast carcinogenesis.
Polyamidoamine dendrimer‐functionalized carbon nanotubes‐mediated GFP gene transfection for HeLa cells: Effects of different types of carbon nanotubes
Authors: Yang Keqin , Qin Weiling , Tang Hao , Tan Liang , Xie Qingji , Ma Ming , Zhang Youyu , Yao Shouzhuo
Published: August 2011

Three types of functionalized carbon nanotubes (f‐CNTs), polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer‐functionalized single and multi‐walled CNTs (MWCNT‐PAMAM‐1, MWCNT‐PAMAM‐2, and SWCNT‐PAMAM‐3), were prepared by covalent linkage approach. The micro‐morphologies of the three f‐CNTs and the interaction of MWCNT‐PAMAM‐2 with HeLa cells were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The free amine groups on the surface of the three types of CNTs‐PAMAM hybrids were quantitatively analyzed. Their cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency of plasmid DNA of enhanced green fluorescent protein (pEGFP‐N1) to HeLa cells were investigated in detail. The results suggest that although all three types of CNTs‐PAMAM hybrids can deliver pEGFP‐N1 into HeLa cells and the exogenous GFP gene has been successfully expressed, MWCNT‐PAMAM‐2 with shorter length and larger amount of free amine groups on its surface possesses higher transfection efficiency (6.79%), being about 3.0 and 1.7 times as large as those of MWCNT‐PAMAM‐1 (2.24%) and SWCNT‐PAMAM‐3 (4.08%), respectively; their cytotoxicity to HeLa cells decrease following the sequence of SWCNT‐PAMAM‐3 > MWCNT‐PAMAM‐2 > MWCNT‐PAMAM‐1. These results may be useful for understanding the effects of the chemical/physical properties of f‐CNTs on their gene transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity, allowing for construction of promising CNT‐based intracellular delivery vectors for gene therapy. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:, 2011.
Cytoplasmic superoxide causes bone fragility owing to low-turnover osteoporosis and impaired collagen cross-linking
Authors: Nojiri Hidetoshi , Saita Yoshitomo , Morikawa Daichi , Kobayashi Keiji , Tsuda Chizuru , Miyazaki Tsuyoshi , Saito Mitsuru , Marumo Keishi , Yonezawa Ikuho , Kaneko Kazuo , Shirasawa Takuji , Shimizu Takahiko
Published: August 2011

The aging process correlates with the accumulation of cellular and tissue damage caused by oxidative stress. Although previous studies have suggested that oxidative stress plays a pathologic role in the development of bone fragility, little direct evidence has been found. In order to investigate the pathologic significance of oxidative stress in bones, we analyzed the bone tissue of mice deficient in cytoplasmic copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD, encoded by the Sod1 gene; Sod1−/−). In this study, we showed for the first time that in vivo cytoplasmic superoxide caused a distinct weakness in bone stiffness and decreased BMD, aging-like changes in collagen cross-linking, and transcriptional alterations in the genes associated with osteogenesis. We also showed that the surface areas of osteoblasts and osteoclasts were decreased significantly in the lumbar vertebrae of Sod1−/− mice, indicating the occurrence of low-turnover osteopenia. In vitro experiments demonstrated that intracellular oxidative stress induced cell death and reduced the proliferation in primary osteoblasts but not in osteoclasts, indicating that impaired osteoblast viability caused the decrease in osteoblast number and suppressed RANKL/M-CSF osteoclastogenic signaling in bone. Furthermore, treatment with an antioxidant, vitamin C, effectively improved bone fragility and osteoblastic survival. These results imply that intracellular redox imbalance caused by SOD1 deficiency plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of bone fragility both in vivo and in vitro. We herein present a valuable model for investigating the effects of oxidative stress on bone fragility in order to develop suitable therapeutic interventions. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Is the adhesive material secreted by sea urchin tube feet species‐specific?
Authors: Santos Romana , Flammang Patrick
Published: August 2011

Sea urchin adoral tube feet are highly specialized organs that have evolved to provide efficient attachment to the substratum. They consist of a disk and a stem that together form a functional unit. Tube foot disk tenacity (adhesive force per unit area) and stem mechanical properties (e.g., stiffness) vary between species but are apparently not correlated with sea urchin taxa or habitats. Moreover, ultrastructural studies of sea urchin disk epidermis pointed out differences in the internal organization of the adhesive secretory granules among species. This prompted us to look for interspecific variability in the composition of echinoid adhesive secretions, which could explain the observed variability in adhesive granule ultrastructure and disk tenacity. Antisera raised against the footprint material of Sphaerechinus granularis (S. granularis) were first used to locate the origin of adhesive footprint constituents in tube feet by taking advantage of the polyclonal character of the generated antibodies. Immunohistochemical assays showed that the antibodies specifically labeled the adhesive secretory cells of the disk epidermis in the tube feet of S. granularis. The antibodies were then used on tube foot histological sections from seven other sea urchin species to shed some light on the variability of their adhesive substances by looking for antibody cross‐reactivity. Surprisingly, no labeling was observed in any of the species tested. These results indicate that unlike the adhesive secretions of asteroids, those of echinoids do not share common epitopes on their constituents and thus would be “species‐specific.” In sea urchins, variations in the composition of adhesive secretions could therefore explain interspecific differences in disk tenacity and in adhesive granule ultrastructure. J. Morphol., 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
One‐step, two‐electron oxidation of cis‐diaquabis(1,10‐phenanthroline)chromium(III) to cis‐dioxobis(1,10‐phenanthroline)chromium(V) by periodate in aqueous acidic solutions
Authors: Ali Ismat H. , Sulfab Yousif
Published: August 2011

The kinetics of oxidation of cis‐[CrIII(phen)2(H2O)2]3+ (phen = 1,10‐phenanthro‐ line) by IO4− has been studied in aqueous acidic solutions. In the presence of a vast excess of [IO4−], the reaction is first order in the chromium(III) complex concentration. The pseudo‐first‐order rate constant, kobs, showed a very small change with increasing [IO4−]. The dependence of kobs on [IO4−] is consistent with Eq. (i).

equation image

The pseudo‐first‐order rate constant, kobs, increased with increasing pH, indicating that the hydroxo form of the chromium(III) complex is the reactive species. An inner‐sphere mechanism has been proposed for the oxidation process. The thermodynamic activation parameters of the processes involved are also reported. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 563–568, 2011
Advanced fit of the diffusion kurtosis tensor by directional weighting and regularization
Authors: Kuder Tristan A. , Stieltjes Bram , Bachert Peter , Semmler Wolfhard , Laun Frederik B.
Published: August 2011

The diffusional kurtosis is an indicator for diffusion restrictions in biological tissue. It is observed experimentally that the kurtosis is largest for directions perpendicular to the fiber direction in white matter. The directional dependence of the kurtosis can be described by the diffusion kurtosis tensor. Since the intention of diffusion kurtosis imaging is to detect diffusion restrictions, the fit of the kurtosis tensor should be dominated by directions perpendicular to the fibers. In this work, it is shown that the basic approach, which is solving the occurring linear system by a pseudoinverse matrix, may completely fail in this regard if the diffusion is highly anisotropic. This problem is solved by adapting the weights of the fit—and thus emphasizing directions of restricted water motion—using a direct fit of the kurtosis tensor to the measured kurtosis values. Moreover, due to its large number of degrees of freedom, the kurtosis tensor can assume complicated shapes resulting in a fit which is sensitive to noise. This article demonstrates that the quality of the kurtosis tensor calculation can be further improved if the fit is regularized by suppressing too large and too small kurtosis tensor values and thus restricting the possible tensor shapes. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Feasibility of fast MR‐thermometry during cardiac radiofrequency ablation
Authors: de Senneville Baudouin Denis , Roujol Sébastien , Jaïs Pierre , Moonen Chrit T. W. , Herigault Gwenaël , Quesson Bruno
Published: August 2011

Online MR temperature monitoring during radiofrequency (RF) ablation of cardiac arrhythmias may improve the efficacy and safety of the treatment. MR thermometry at 1.5 T using the proton resonance frequency (PRF) method was assessed in 10 healthy volunteers under normal breathing conditions, using a multi‐slice, ECG‐gated, echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence in combination with slice tracking. Temperature images were post‐processed to remove residual motion‐related artifacts. Using an MR‐compatible steerable catheter and electromagnetic noise filter, RF ablation was performed in the ventricles of two sheep in vivo. The standard deviation of the temperature evolution in time (TSD) was computed. Temperature mapping of the left ventricle was achieved at an update rate of approximately 1 Hz with a mean TSD of 3.6 ± 0.9 °C. TSD measurements at the septum showed a higher precision (2.8 ± 0.9 °C) than at the myocardial regions at the heart–lung and heart–liver interfaces (4.1 ± 0.9 °C). Temperature rose maximally by 9 °C and 16 °C during 5 W and 10 W RF applications, respectively, for 60 s each. Tissue temperature can be monitored at an update rate of approximately 1 Hz in five slices. Typical temperature changes observed during clinical RF application can be monitored with an acceptable level of precision. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HIGH RATES OF PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY IN A SEMI‐ARID TAILWATER: IMPLICATIONS FOR SELF‐REGULATED PRODUCTION
Authors: Davis C. J. , Fritsen C. H. , Wirthlin E. D. , Memmott J. C.
Published: August 2011

Reservoir‐river systems in desert environments may provide the optimal combination of environmental conditions (e.g. light, nutrients, temperature, and flow) that maximizes primary production in downstream reaches. Stream metabolism was measured using an open‐system approach each month during spring‐summer in a semi‐arid tailwater (South Fork Humboldt River) in the central Great Basin, USA. Spatial and temporal differences in metabolic rates were evident despite tailwater reaches sustaining comparable standing stocks of periphyton (>10 µg chla cm−2) during this growing season. Primary productivity was highest (15 to 36 g O2 m−2 day−1) in July, supporting previous studies that have described arid regulated/unregulated streams as ultra‐productive. Substrate availability when combined with self‐shading and hypoxic conditions created a system that was likely near the maximal productivity that stream systems can achieve because of the self‐regulating attributes that thick periphyton mats impose upon themselves as they reach high biomass and maximal production rates. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
FISH ASSEMBLAGES AT ENGINEERED AND NATURAL CHANNEL STRUCTURES IN THE LOWER MISSOURI RIVER: IMPLICATIONS FOR MODIFIED DIKE STRUCTURES
Authors: Schloesser J. T. , Paukert C. P. , Doyle W. J. , Hill T. D. , Steffensen K. D. , Travnichek V. H.
Published: August 2011

Large rivers throughout the world have been modified by using dike structures to divert water flows to deepwater habitats to maintain navigation channels. These modifications have been implicated in the decline in habitat diversity and native fishes. However, dike structures have been modified in the Missouri River USA to increase habitat diversity to aid in the recovery of native fishes. We compared species occupancy and fish community composition at natural sandbars and at notched and un‐notched rock dikes along the lower Missouri River to determine if notching dikes increases species diversity or occupancy of native fishes. Fish were collected using gill nets, trammel nets, otter trawls, and mini fyke nets throughout the lower 1212 river km of the Missouri River USA from 2003 to 2006. Few differences in species richness and diversity were evident among engineered dike structures and natural sandbars. Notching a dike structure had no effect on proportional abundance of fluvial dependents, fluvial specialists, and macrohabitat generalists. Occupancy at notched dikes increased for two species but did not differ for 17 other species (81%). Our results suggest that dike structures may provide suitable habitats for fluvial species compared with channel sand bars, but dike notching did not increase abundance or occupancy of most Missouri River fishes. Published in 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic trust evaluation and scheduling framework for cloud computing
Authors: Wang Wei , Zeng Guosun , Zhang Junqi , Tang Daizhong
Published: August 2011

Cloud computing has become a scalable services consumption and delivery platform in the field of computer science. As more and more consumers delegate their tasks to cloud providers, service level agreements (SLAs) between consumers and providers emerge as a key aspect. Because of the dynamic nature of the cloud, continuous monitoring on quality‐of‐service attributes is necessary to enforce SLAs. In this paper, we propose a trust mechanism‐based task scheduling model for cloud computing. Referring to the trust relationship models of social persons, trust relationship is built among computing nodes, and the trustworthiness of nodes is evaluated by utilizing the Bayesian cognitive method. Integrating the trustworthiness of nodes into a dynamic level scheduling algorithm, the trust dynamic level scheduling algorithm for cloud computing is proposed. Theoretical analysis and simulations prove that the proposed algorithm can efficiently meet the requirement of cloud computing workloads in trust, sacrificing fewer time costs, and assuring the execution of tasks in a secure way in cloud environment. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface modification of titanium alloy with the Ti3Al + TiB2/TiN composite coatings
Authors: Li J. N. , Chen C. Z. , Cui B. B. , Squartini T.
Published: August 2011

Laser cladding of the Ti3Al + TiB2 pre‐placed alloy powder on the Ti–6Al–4 V alloy in nitrogen protective atmosphere can form the Ti3Al + TiB2/TiN composite coating, which can dramatically improve the wear resistance of the Ti–6Al–4 V alloy surface. In this study, the Ti3Al + TiB2/TiN composite coatings on the Ti–6Al–4 V alloy have been researched by means of X‐ray diffraction, SEM and energy dispersive spectrometry. It was found that there is a metallurgical combination between the Ti3Al + TiB2/TiN composite coating and the substrate. The microhardness of the Ti3Al + TiB2/TiN composite coatings were 3 ~ 4 times higher than that of the Ti–6Al–4 V alloy because of the actions of the Ti3Al + TiB2/TiN hard phases and the grain refinement strengthening. Moreover, the wear mass losses of the Ti3Al + TiB2/TiN composite coatings were much lower than that of the substrate. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrasonographic appearance of metastatic non‐gynecological pelvic tumors
Authors: Zikan M. , Fischerova D. , Pinkavova I. , Dundr P. , Cibula D.
Published: August 2011

Objective

To describe the ultrasound (sonomorphologic and vascular) characteristics of metastatic non‐gynecological pelvic tumors, and to identify ultrasound characteristics typical of the most common non‐gynecological pelvic tumors.

Methods

In 92 patients with a pelvic mass who had undergone ultrasound examination with subsequent surgery or tru‐cut biopsy revealing a metastatic non‐gynecological tumor origin, we analyzed retrospectively the sonomorphologic and vascular parameters. All parameters were evaluated for the whole group of non‐gynecological tumors as well as separately for each specific tumor type. The findings were compared with those from 100 women with epithelial ovarian cancer.

Results

We found that CA 125, size of tumor, echogenicity, homogeneity of solid portion, mobility, and presence of ovarian crescent sign, parenchymal metastases and suspicious necrosis were individual statistically significant discriminators (P < 0.01) between the metastatic non‐gynecological tumor group and the epithelial ovarian cancer group.

Conclusions

Metastatic non‐gynecological tumors in the pelvis have a significantly different sonomorphologic pattern compared with primary epithelial ovarian cancer. This pattern is dependent on the primary origin of the tumor. Doppler parameters, however, cannot differentiate between primary ovarian cancer and metastatic non‐gynecological tumors. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transparente Barriereschichten auf flexiblen Polymersubstraten
Authors: Fahlteich John , Fahland Matthias , Straach Steffen , Günther Steffen , Schiller Nicolas
Published: August 2011

Dieser Artikel gibt einen Überblick über verschiedene vakuumbasierte Technologien zur Herstellung von transparenten Permeationsbarriereschichten und ‐schichtsystemen auf Polymersubstraten. Dabei wird mit dem plasmaaktivierten reaktiven Bedampfen ein hochproduktives Verfahren für die Herstellung von Lebensmittelverpackungen vorgestellt. Mit dem reaktiven Dual‐Magnetron‐Sputtern können Oxidschichten mit einer sehr geringen Wasserdampf‐ und Sauerstoffdurchlässigkeit bei einer akzeptablen Produktivität abgeschieden werden. Zur Verkapselung von flexiblen elektronischen Bauelementen werden häufig Barriereschichtsysteme vorgeschlagen. In diesem Artikel wird ein rein vakuumbasiertes Konzept zur Herstellung solcher Schichtsysteme vorgestellt. Es basiert auf einer inline Kombination des reaktiven Dual‐Magnetron‐Sputterns mit einem magnetronbasierten PECVD Prozess (Magnetron‐PECVD). Sowohl die Prozesseigenschaften, wie Beschichtungsrate und Prozessdruck, als auch die Schichteigenschaften, wie Morphologie oder Wasserdampf‐ und Sauerstoffdurchlässigkeit, werden für die verschiedenen Vakuumtechnologien mit einander verglichen.
Design and control of a cable-controlled haptic motion simulator
Authors: Karkoub M. , Her M-G. , Peng C-C. , Huang C-C. , Ho M-I.
Published: August 2011

In this work, we discuss the design, construction, and testing of a cable-controlled motion simulator for a Virtual Reality (VR) hang gliding environment. The system comprises a cable-controlled motion simulator, a joystick, a Lego™ direction sensor, and a VR environment. The motion simulator and joystick are built out of motors, pulleys, cables, and aluminum beams. The VR environment and motion simulator interact haptically with each other to give a realistic feel to the operator. A dynamic analysis is performed on the simulator to show the effect of gravity and the directional motion on the operator. A series of experiments are then performed to test the effectiveness of the cable-controlled simulator, and the results were very encouraging despite minor glitches with high-speed maneuvers.
A Social Justice Framework for Health and Science Policy
Authors: FADEN RUTH , POWERS MADISON
Published: August 2011

The goal of this article is to explore how a social justice framework can help illuminate the role that consent should play in health and science policy. In the first section, we set the stage for our inquiry with the important case of Henrietta Lacks. Without her knowledge or consent, or that of her family, Mrs. Lacks’s cells gave rise to an enormous advance in biomedical science—the first immortal human cell line, or HeLa cells.
Assessment of Hospital Emergency Management in the Beijing Area
Authors: Yantao Xin
Published: August 2011

Introduction: In recent years, the number of public health emergencies has increased. Improving hospital emergency management is an important challenge.

Objective: This is a pilot study intended to assess hospital emergency management in the Beijing area, make recommendations to government health authorities and hospital managers, and offer references for similar studies.

Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional survey. Forty-five hospitals in the Beijing area were selected randomly. A self-administered questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. It comprised of three sections: (1) Section A was the introduction; (2) Section B asked for the respondent's personal information; and (3) Section C comprised the major part of the questionnaire and was intended to gather information regarding the hospital's general emergency management situation.

Results: The survey response rate was 44%, accounting for 29% of total hospitals that the study targeted. No hospital had an established emergency management department or full-time staff for emergency management. A total of 15–45% of the hospitals had established a hospital emergency management committee, performed a vulnerability analysis, or evaluated emergency management regularly. Twenty-five percent of respondents thought that the local government health authority had established an integrated hospital incident command system. A total of 40%–55% of hospitals contracted with outside institutions for supplements, backup of key functional systems and professional support.

Conclusions: After the occurrence of the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic, Chinese hospital managers took many measures to improve hospital resilience. However, most of these efforts lacked the guidance of theories, concepts, principles, and methods. An integrated, standardized, operational hospital emergency management model has not been established. Although the survey response rate was relatively low, some clues for further study were discovered, and suggestions to the health authority for hospital emergency management improvement were revealed.
Computationally designed adeno-associated virus (AAV) Rep 78 is efficiently maintained within an adenovirus vector
Authors: Sitaraman Varsha , Hearing Patrick , Ward Charles B. , Gnatenko Dmitri V. , Wimmer Eckard , Mueller Steffen , Skiena Steven , Bahou Wadie F.
Published: August 2011

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a single-stranded parvovirus retaining the unique capacity for site-specific integration into a transcriptionally silent region of the human genome, a characteristic requiring the functional properties of the Rep 78/68 polypeptide in conjunction with AAV terminal repeat integrating elements. Previous strategies designed to assemble these genetic elements into adenoviral (Ad) backbones have been limited by the general intolerability of AAV
Rep
sequences, prompting us to computationally reengineer the
Rep
gene by using synonymous codon pair recoding.
Rep
mutants generated by using de novo genome synthesis maintained the polypeptide sequence and endonuclease properties of Rep 78, while dramatically enhancing Ad replication and viral titer yields, characteristics indistinguishable from adenovirus lacking coexpressed
Rep
. Parallel approaches using domain swaps encompassing WT and recoded genomic segments, coupled with iterative computational algorithms, collectively established that 3′
cis
-acting
Rep
genetic elements (and not the Rep 78 polypeptide) retain dominant-acting sequences inhibiting Ad replication. These data provide insights into the molecular relationships of AAV
Rep
and Ad replication, while expanding the applicability of synonymous codon pair reengineering as a strategy to effect phenotypic endpoints.
Molecular serum portraits in patients with primary breast cancer predict the development of distant metastases
Authors: Carlsson Anders , Wingren Christer , Kristensson Malin , Rose Carsten , Fernö Mårten , Olsson Håkan , Jernström Helena , Ek Sara , Gustavsson Elin , Ingvar Christian , Ohlsson Mattias , Peterson Carsten , Borrebaeck Carl A. K.
Published: August 2011

The risk of distant recurrence in breast cancer patients is difficult to assess with current clinical and histopathological parameters, and no validated serum biomarkers currently exist. Using a recently developed recombinant antibody microarray platform containing 135 antibodies against 65 mainly immunoregulatory proteins, we screened 240 sera from 64 patients with primary breast cancer. This unique longitudinal sample material was collected from each patient between 0 and 36 mo after the primary operation. The velocity for each serum protein was determined by comparing the samples collected at the primary operation and then 3–6 mo later. A 21-protein signature was identified, using leave-one-out cross-validation together with a backward elimination strategy in a training cohort. This signature was tested and evaluated subsequently in an independent test cohort (prevalidation). The risk of developing distant recurrence after primary operation could be assessed for each patient, using her molecular portraits. The results from this prevalidation study showed that patients could be classified into high- versus low-risk groups for developing metastatic breast cancer with a receiver operating characteristic area under the curve of 0.85. This risk assessment was not dependent on the type of adjuvant therapy received by the patients. Even more importantly, we demonstrated that this protein signature provided an added value compared with conventional clinical parameters. Consequently, we present here a candidate serum biomarker signature able to classify patients with primary breast cancer according to their risk of developing distant recurrence, with an accuracy outperforming current procedures.
Divergent ecosystem responses within a benthic marine community to ocean acidification
Authors: Kroeker Kristy J. , Micheli Fiorenza , Gambi Maria Cristina , Martz Todd R.
Published: August 2011

Ocean acidification is predicted to impact all areas of the oceans and affect a diversity of marine organisms. However, the diversity of responses among species prevents clear predictions about the impact of acidification at the ecosystem level. Here, we used shallow water CO
2
vents in the Mediterranean Sea as a model system to examine emergent ecosystem responses to ocean acidification in rocky reef communities. We assessed in situ benthic invertebrate communities in three distinct pH zones (ambient, low, and extreme low), which differed in both the mean and variability of seawater pH along a continuous gradient. We found fewer taxa, reduced taxonomic evenness, and lower biomass in the extreme low pH zones. However, the number of individuals did not differ among pH zones, suggesting that there is density compensation through population blooms of small acidification-tolerant taxa. Furthermore, the trophic structure of the invertebrate community shifted to fewer trophic groups and dominance by generalists in extreme low pH, suggesting that there may be a simplification of food webs with ocean acidification. Despite high variation in individual species’ responses, our findings indicate that ocean acidification decreases the diversity, biomass, and trophic complexity of benthic marine communities. These results suggest that a loss of biodiversity and ecosystem function is expected under extreme acidification scenarios.
Slow intrinsic rhythm in the koniocellular visual pathway
Authors: Cheong Soon Keen , Tailby Chris , Martin Paul R. , Levitt Jonathan B. , Solomon Samuel G.
Published: August 2011

Slow rhythmic changes in nerve-cell activity are characteristic of unconscious brain states and also may contribute to waking brain function by coordinating activity between cortical and subcortical structures. Here we show that slow rhythms are exhibited by the koniocellular (K) pathway, one of three visual pathways beginning in the eye and projecting through the lateral geniculate visual relay nucleus to the cerebral cortex. We recorded activity in pairs and ensembles of neurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus of anesthetized marmoset monkeys. We found slow rhythms are common in K cells but are rare in parvocellular and magnocellular cell pairs. The time course of slow K rhythms corresponds to subbeta (<10 Hz) EEG frequencies, and high spike rates in K cells are associated with low power in the theta and delta EEG bands. By contrast, spontaneous activity in the parvocellular and magnocellular pathways is neither synchronized nor strongly linked to EEG state. These observations suggest that parallel visual pathways not only carry different kinds of visual signals but also contribute differentially to brain circuits at the first synapse in the thalamus. Differential contribution of sensory streams to rhythmic brain circuits also raises the possibility that sensory stimuli can be tailored to modify brain rhythms.
Fine tuning by human CD1e of lipid-specific immune responses
Authors: Facciotti Federica , Cavallari Marco , Angénieux Catherine , Garcia-Alles Luis F. , Signorino-Gelo François , Angman Lena , Gilleron Martine , Prandi Jacques , Puzo Germain , Panza Luigi , Xia Chengfeng , Wang Peng George , Dellabona Paolo , Casorati Giulia , Porcelli Steven A. , de la Salle Henri , Mori Lucia , De Libero Gennaro
Published: August 2011

CD1e is a member of the CD1 family that participates in lipid antigen presentation without interacting with the T-cell receptor. It binds lipids in lysosomes and facilitates processing of complex glycolipids, thus promoting editing of lipid antigens. We find that CD1e may positively or negatively affect lipid presentation by CD1b, CD1c, and CD1d. This effect is caused by the capacity of CD1e to facilitate rapid formation of CD1–lipid complexes, as shown for CD1d, and also to accelerate their turnover. Similar results were obtained with antigen-presenting cells from CD1e transgenic mice in which lipid complexes are assembled more efficiently and show faster turnover than in WT antigen-presenting cells. These effects maximize and temporally narrow CD1-restricted responses, as shown by reactivity to
Sphingomonas paucimobilis
-derived lipid antigens. CD1e is therefore an important modulator of both group 1 and group 2 CD1-restricted responses influencing the lipid antigen availability as well as the generation and persistence of CD1–lipid complexes.
Extinction partially reverts structural changes associated with remote fear memory
Authors: Vetere Gisella , Restivo Leonardo , Novembre Giovanni , Aceti Massimiliano , Lumaca Massimo , Ammassari-Teule Martine
Published: August 2011

Structural synaptic changes occur in medial prefrontal cortex circuits during remote memory formation. Whether extinction reverts or further reshapes these circuits is, however, unknown. Here we show that the number and the size of spines were enhanced in anterior cingulate (aCC) and infralimbic (ILC) cortices 36 d following contextual fear conditioning. Upon extinction, aCC spine density returned to baseline, but the enhanced proportion of large spines did not. Differently, ILC spine density remained elevated, but the size of spines decreased dramatically. Thus, extinction partially erases the remote memory network, suggesting that the preserved network properties might sustain reactivation of extinguished conditioned fear.
The Rice Miniature Inverted Repeat Transposable ElementmPingIs an Effective Insertional Mutagen in Soybean
Authors: Hancock C. Nathan , Zhang Feng , Floyd Kristen , Richardson Aaron O. , LaFayette Peter , Tucker Donna , Wessler Susan R. , Parrott Wayne A.
Published: August 2011

Insertional mutagenesis of legume genomes such as soybean (Glycine max) should aid in identifying genes responsible for key traits such as nitrogen fixation and seed quality. The relatively low throughput of soybean transformation necessitates the use of a transposon-tagging strategy where a single transformation event will produce many mutations over a number of generations. However, existing transposon-tagging tools being used in legumes are of limited utility because of restricted transposition (Ac/Ds: soybean) or the requirement for tissue culture activation (Tnt1: Medicago truncatula). A recently discovered transposable element from rice (Oryza sativa), mPing, and the genes required for its mobilization, were transferred to soybean to determine if it will be an improvement over the other available transposon-tagging tools. Stable transformation events in soybean were tested for mPing transposition. Analysis of mPing excision at early and late embryo developmental stages revealed increased excision during late development in most transgenic lines, suggesting that transposition is developmentally regulated. Transgenic lines that produced heritable mPing insertions were identified, with the plants from the highest activity line producing at least one new insertion per generation. Analysis of the mPing insertion sites in the soybean genome revealed that features displayed in rice were retained including transposition to unlinked sites and a preference for insertion within 2.5 kb of a gene. Taken together these findings indicate that mPing has the characteristics necessary for an effective transposon-tagging resource.
The Pleistocene tectono‐‐sedimentary evolution of the Apenninic foreland basin between Trigno and Fortore rivers (Southern Italy) through a sequence‐stratigraphic perspective
Authors: Bracone V. , Amorosi A. , Aucelli P. P. C. , Rosskopf C. M. , Scarciglia F. , Di Donato V. , Esposito P.
Published: August 2011

A basin‐scale, integrated approach, including sedimentological, geomorphological and soil data, enables the reliable reconstruction of the infilling history of the southern Apenninic foredeep, with its subsequent inclusion in the wedge‐top of the foreland basin system. An example is shown from the Molise‐Apulian Apennines (Southern Italy), between Trigno and Fortore rivers, where the Pleistocene tectono‐sedimentary evolution of the basin is framed into a sequence‐stratigraphic scheme. Specifically, within the traditional subdivision into Quaternary marine (Qm) and Quaternary continental (Qc) depositional cycles, five third‐order depositional sequences (Qm1, Qm2, Qc1, Qc2 and Qc3) are identified based on recognition of four major stratigraphic discontinuities. The lower sequence boundaries are represented by angular unconformities or abrupt facies shifts and are generally associated with distinctive pedological and geomorphological features. Three paleosols, observed at top of depositional sequences Qm2, Qc1 and Qc2, represent pedostratigraphic markers that can be tracked basinwide. The geomorphological response to major tectono‐sedimentary events is marked by a series of paleosurfaces with erosional, depositional and complex characteristics. Detailed investigation of the relationships between stratigraphic architecture and development of unconformities, paleosols and paleosurfaces suggests that the four sequence boundaries were formed in response to four geomorphological phases/tectonic events which affected the basin during the Quaternary. The first three tectonic events (Lower‐Middle Pleistocene), marking the lower boundaries of sequences Qm2, Qc1 and Qc2, respectively, are interpreted to be related to the tectonic regime that characterized the last phase of thrusting recorded in the Southern Apennines. In contrast, sequence Qc3 does not display evidence of thrust tectonics and accumulated as a result of a phase of regional uplift starting with the Middle Pleistocene.
Diminished regulatory T cells in cutaneous lesions of thymoma-associated multi-organ autoimmunity: a newly described paraneoplastic autoimmune disorder with fatal clinical course
Authors: Hanafusa T , Azukizawa H , Kitaba S , Murota H , Umegaki N , Terao M , Sano S , Nakagiri T , Okumura M , Katayama I
Published: August 2011

Thymoma-associated multi-organ autoimmunity is a rare, autoimmune disease that causes colitis, liver dysfunction and cutaneous graft-versus-host (GVH)-like skin damage. This paraneoplastic autoimmune disorder may be due to inadequate T cell selection in the tumour environment of the thymus. Although sporadic case reports have revealed its clinical features, little is known about its pathological mechanism. By comparing the skin-infiltrating T cell subsets with those of GVH disease (GVHD) and other inflammatory skin diseases, we sought to elucidate the pathological mechanism of thymoma-associated multi-organ autoimmunity. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of skin biopsies was performed for three patients with thymoma-associated multi-organ autoimmunity. Histopathological findings of thymoma-associated multi-organ autoimmunity were indistinguishable from those of patients with acute GVHD, although the aetiologies of these diseases are completely different. The frequency of regulatory T cells (Tregs) is reduced in cutaneous lesions and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes that massively infiltrate into the epidermis of patients with thymoma-associated multi-organ autoimmunity. Additionally, the ratio of T helper type 17 (Th17) cells to CD4+ cells in patients with thymoma-associated multi-organ autoimmunity and acute GVHD was higher than that in healthy controls, but similar to that in psoriasis vulgaris patients. Similarity of the skin-infiltrating T cell subsets with those of acute GVHD suggested that skin damage in patients with thymoma-associated multi-organ autoimmunity might be induced by self-reactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes under the diminished suppressive capacity of Tregs.