bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Highly Sensitive Skin‐Mountable Strain Gauges Based Entirely on Elastomers
Authors: Lu Nanshu , Lu Chi , Yang Shixuan , Rogers John
Published: June 2012

Quantifying naturally occurring strains in soft materials, such as those of the human body, requires strain gauges with equal or greater mechanical compliance. This manuscript reports materials and mechanics approaches are reported for an all‐elastomer strain measurement device with gauge factor as high as 29 and with Young's modulus that approaches that of the human epidermis. These systems use thin carbon‐black‐doped poly(dimethylsiloxane) (CB‐PDMS) for the strain gauges due to its high resistivity and strong dependence on strain, and thick carbon‐nanotube‐doped PDMS (CNT‐PDMS) for the interconnects due to its comparatively low resistivity and weak dependence on strain. Devices composed of molded, straight resistors of CB‐PDMS joined by serpentine‐shaped interconnects of CNT‐PDMS, both in a matrix substrate of PDMS, have electrical responses that depend almost entirely on the strain in the CB‐PDMS. Integrated structures of this type have Young's moduli of 244 kPa, which lies within the range of values for the human epidermis. Such sheets can be readily laminated on and form conformal contact to the human skin, with only modest mechanical constraints on natural motions. Strains measured in this mode on the wrist are between 11.2% and 22.6%.
Role of Oxygen Functional Groups in Carbon Nanotube/Graphene Freestanding Electrodes for High Performance Lithium Batteries
Authors: Byon Hye Ryung , Gallant Betar M. , Lee Seung Woo , Shao‐Horn Yang
Published: June 2012

Hierarchical functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT)/graphene structures with thicknesses up to tens of micrometers and relatively high density (>1 g cm−3) are synthesized using vacuum filtration for the positive electrode of lithium batteries. These electrodes, which are self‐standing and free of binder and current collectors, utilize oxygen functional groups for Faradaic reactions in addition to double‐layer charging, which can impart high gravimetric (230 Wh kg−1 at 2.6 kW kg−1) and volumetric (450 Wh L−1 at 5 kW L−1) performance. It is demonstrated that the gravimetric and volumetric capacity, capacitance, and energy density can be tuned by selective removal of oxygen species from as‐prepared functionalized MWNT/graphene structures with heat treatments in H2/Ar, potentially opening new pathways for the design of electrodes with controlled surface chemistry.
Encapsulation of Nanoparticles Using Nitrilotriacetic Acid End‐Functionalized Polystyrenes and Their Application for the Separation of Proteins
Authors: Kadir Mohammad Abdul , Kim Su Jeong , Ha Eun‐Ju , Cho Hong Y. , Kim Bong‐Soo , Choi Donghyeuk , Lee Sun‐Gu , Kim Bog G. , Kim Sang‐Wook , Paik Hyun‐jong
Published: June 2012

The use of nitrilotriacetic acid end‐functionalized polystyrenes (NTA‐PS) as a multifunctional nanocarrier for the aqueous dispersion of CdSe, γ‐Fe2O3 and gold nanoparticles (NPs) is described. When the amphiphilic end‐ functionalized polystyrenes and NPs are dissolved together in tetrahydrofuran, the addition of water causes the spontaneous formation of micellar aggregates, resulting in the successful encapsulation and aqueous dispersion of NPs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) are used to characterize the structure and properties of the NPs‐containing micellar aggregates (nanocarrier). After complexation of Ni2+ with NTA on the surface of the nanocarrier containing γ‐Fe2O3, specific binding between Ni‐NTA complex and histidine‐tagged (His‐tagged) proteins enables selective separation of His‐tagged proteins using a magnet.
The isolated prolonged PTT
Authors: Tcherniantchouk Oxana , Laposata Michael , Marques Marisa B.
Published: June 2012

It is increasingly difficult to choose the proper tests to investigate an abnormal laboratory result, delaying the time to reach the correct diagnosis and increasing the cost of care. A wrong choice may also lead to clinically significant errors, which can be life threatening. To show how errors in test selection occur in routine medical practice, the authors describe an algorithm to evaluate patients with a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT) and a normal prothrombin time. This exercise challenges the commonly held belief that errors in laboratory utilization occur primarily with esoteric and/or genetic testing, rather than in patients with common abnormalities such as a prolonged PTT. Am. J. Hematol. 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Designed Surface Modification to Disperse Silica Powder into Polyurethane
Authors: Liu Lianying , Watanabe Hideo , Shirai Takashi , Fuji Masayoshi , Takahashi Minoru
Published: June 2012

Nanoparticles of silica powder were modified by grafting polyurethane (PU) short chains or oligomers using surface‐started condensation reactions of various di‐ or tri‐ols and di‐isocyanates in step‐by‐step. Surface density of NCO‐groups, introduced by an autoclave method and ready for starting of subsequent reactions, was adjusted by amount of 3‐isocyanatepropyltriethoxysilane (ICPTES). Length of grafted oligomers was determined by reaction steps. TG/DTA measurements demonstrated a gradual increase of NCO‐groups density with the amount of modifier input. FTIR spectra and thermal weight loss analyses confirmed the occurrence of reaction in each step and the growth of grafted oligomer. SEM images of particles dispersed in N, N‐dimethylacetamide or in prepolymer of PU indicated an improved dispersion. Moreover, when as‐modified particles were incorporated in PU prepolymer, the resultant hybrid films displayed an enhanced optical property, thermal stability, and Vicker's hardness, suggesting a better dispersion of modified particles. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 000: 000–000, 2012
Syntheses, characterization, and antibacterial activity of chitosan grafted hydrogels and associated mica‐containing nanocomposite hydrogels
Authors: Noppakundilograt Supaporn , Sonjaipanich Kittichai , Thongchul Nuttha , Kiatkamjornwong Suda
Published: June 2012

Chitosan (CS) grafted poly[(acrylic acid)‐co‐(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)] (CS‐g‐poly(AA‐co‐HEMA)) at different molar ratios of AA and HEMA, and the associated nanocomposite hydrogels of CS‐g‐poly(AA‐co‐HEMA)/mica were synthesized by radical copolymerization. The grafting positions at the amino or hydroxyl groups in the CS were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. CS‐g‐poly(AA‐co‐HEMA) hydrogels were intercalated in the mica and the amount of hydrogel insertion did not affect the spacing of the silicate layers in mica. The higher mica loadings produced a rougher surface of the nanocomposite hydrogel. The water absorbency of the CS‐g‐poly(AA‐co‐HEMA)/mica nanocomposite hydrogels decreased with increasing levels of mica loading to a lower level than those of the CS‐g‐poly(AA‐co‐HEMA) hydrogels. Both CS‐g‐poly(AA) and CS‐g‐poly(AA‐co‐HEMA)/mica nanocomposite hydrogels exhibited a higher antiproliferative activity against Staphylococcus aureus than did the neat CS hydrogel with CS‐g‐poly(AA) revealing a very pronounced minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of 1.56 mg mL−1. The extent of mica loading in the CS‐g‐poly(AA‐co‐HEMA) nanocomposite hydrogels did not affect the MIC (12.5 mg mL−1). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Are there weekly cycles in occurrence frequencies of large‐scale circulation types?
Authors: Beck Christoph
Published: June 2012

The existence of weekly cycles in occurrence frequency distributions of circulation types is examined on the basis of a comprehensive data base of automated circulation‐type classifications for the greater North Atlantic European region and sub‐domains during the period 1957–2002. The main result is that the percentage of circulation types for which a statistical significant weekly cycle (95% level of confidence) could be detected by a chi‐square goodness‐of‐fit test does not exceed the number that would be expected by chance. Thus it is concluded that no consistent weekly cycles in occurrence frequencies of circulation types exist. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Environmental and genetic contributors to hypospadias: A review of the epidemiologic evidence
Authors: Carmichael Suzan L. , Shaw Gary M. , Lammer Edward J.
Published: June 2012

This review evaluates current knowledge related to trends in the prevalence of hypospadias, the association of hypospadias with endocrine‐disrupting exposures, and the potential contribution of genetic susceptibility to its etiology. The review focuses on epidemiologic evidence. Increasing prevalence of hypospadias has been observed, but such increases tend to be localized to specific regions or time periods. Thus, generalized statements that hypospadias is increasing are unsupported. Owing to the limitations of study designs and inconsistent results, firm conclusions cannot be made regarding the association of endocrine‐disrupting exposures with hypospadias. Studies with more rigorous study designs (e.g., larger and more detailed phenotypes) and exposure assessment that encompasses more breadth and depth (e.g., specific endocrine‐related chemicals) will be critical to make better inferences about these important environmental exposures. Many candidate genes for hypospadias have been identified, but few of them have been examined to an extent that enables solid conclusions. Further study is needed that includes larger sample sizes, comparison groups that are more representative of the populations from which the cases were derived, phenotype‐specific analyses, and more extensive exploration of variants. In conclusion, examining the associations of environmental and genetic factors with hypospadias remain important areas of inquiry, although our actual understanding of their contribution to hypospadias risk in humans is currently limited. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mouse as a model for multifactorial inheritance of neural tube defects
Authors: Zohn Irene E.
Published: June 2012

Neural tube defects (NTDs) such as spina bifida and anencephaly are some of the most common structural birth defects found in humans. These defects occur due to failures of neurulation, a process where the flat neural plate rolls into a tube. In spite of their prevalence, the causes of NTDs are poorly understood. The multifactorial threshold model best describes the pattern of inheritance of NTDs where multiple undefined gene variants interact with environmental factors to cause an NTD. To date, mouse models have implicated a multitude of genes as required for neurulation, providing a mechanistic understanding of the cellular and molecular pathways that control neurulation. However, the majority of these mouse models exhibit NTDs with a Mendelian pattern of inheritance. Still, many examples of multifactorial inheritance have been demonstrated in mouse models of NTDs. These include null and hypomorphic alleles of neurulation genes that interact in a complex fashion with other genetic mutations or environmental factors to cause NTDs. These models have implicated several genes and pathways for testing as candidates for the genetic basis of NTDs in humans, resulting in identification of putative pathogenic mutations in some patients. Mouse models also provide an experimental paradigm to gain a mechanistic understanding of the environmental factors that influence NTD occurrence, such as folic acid and maternal diabetes, and have led to the discovery of additional preventative nutritional supplements such as inositol. This review provides examples of how multifactorial inheritance of NTDs can be modeled in the mouse. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 96:193–205, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Video composition by optimized 3D mean‐value coordinates
Authors: Shen Yang , Lin Xiao , Gao Yan , Sheng Bin , Liu Qisong
Published: June 2012

In this paper, we propose a new video composition method by 3D mean‐value coordinate (MVC). 2D MVCs have been widely used in image composition; however, when 2D MVC is applied to a video sequence directly, because of over‐blending and the lack of temporal consistency, some unnatural effects may appear in the final composite results. Although 3D Poisson editing can maintain spatial and temporal consistency, it also leads to high algorithm complexity. Instead of 3D Poisson editing, we use the 3D MVC to seamlessly blend a given source video patch into a target video sequence; this approach is able to achieve high‐performance blending with less computation. We show that the combination of alpha matte‐based approaches and our method can further refine the produced video when the boundaries of the source object and the target object are very different. Our algorithm can be paralleled and run on a graphics processing unit. The experimental results show that our method is effective and efficient. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Real‐time horse gait synthesis
Authors: Huang Ting‐Chieh , Huang Yi‐Jheng , Lin Wen‐Chieh
Published: June 2012

Horse locomotion exhibits rich variations in gaits and styles. Although there have been many approaches proposed for animating quadrupeds, there is not much research on synthesizing horse locomotion. In this paper, we present a horse locomotion synthesis approach. A user can arbitrarily change a horse's moving speed and direction, and our system would automatically adjust the horse's motion to fulfill the user's commands. At preprocessing, we manually capture horse locomotion data from Eadweard Muybridge's famous photographs of animal locomotion and expand the captured motion database to various speeds for each gait. At runtime, our approach automatically changes gaits based on speed, synthesizes the horse's root trajectory, and adjusts its body orientation based on the horse's turning direction. We propose an asynchronous time warping approach to handle gait transition, which is critical for generating realistic and controllable horse locomotion. Our experiments demonstrate that our system can produce smooth, rich, and controllable horse locomotion in real time. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pseudo‐C2‐Symmetric Bimetallic Bissalen Catalysts for Efficient and Enantioselective Ring‐Opening of meso‐Epoxides
Authors: Ma Da‐You , Xiao Ze‐Yun , Etxabe Julen , Wärnmark Kenneth
Published: June 2012

Bimetallic catalysts have been synthesised based on Jacobsen’s C2‐symmetric bissalen ligand. They constitute the first examples of compounds with pseuodo‐C2 symmetry, owing to the presence of two different metal ions. They have been investigated in the ring‐opening of meso‐epoxides by trimethylsilyl azide (TMSN3). Pseudo‐C2‐symmetric [CrIIICo]–bissalen complexes were the best in inducing ee (93–94 %) in the ring‐opened product of cyclohexene oxide by TMSN3 under solvent‐free conditions, whereas a pseudo‐C2‐symmetric [CrIIIMnIII]‐bissalen complex displayed the highest turnover frequency (183 h−1) but induced a lower ee (66 %). A broad substrate scope was displayed by a pseudo‐C2‐symmetric [CrIIICo]–bissalen catalyst: at 0.1 mol % catalytic loading and under solvent‐free conditions, it induced the highest ee to date in the ring‐opened product of a range of different meso‐epoxides by using TMSN3.
Thermal Decomposition of Branched Silanes: A Computational Study on Mechanisms
Authors: Eger Wilhelm A. , Genest Alexander , Rösch Notker
Published: June 2012

The initial steps of the thermal decomposition of silanes in the gas phase were examined by DFT‐B3LYP calculations, with particular attention being paid to the way in which the reactivity pattern changes with the degree of branching of the silane. Besides the established pathways—1,2‐hydrogen shift, H2 elimination, and homolytic dissociation—1,3‐hydrogen shift was also explored as an initial reaction step which leads to disilene structures. Subsequent silylene insertion and initial steps of radical chain reactions were also studied. To estimate the energetic changes with temperature, various reaction free energies and the corresponding activation free energies up to 650 °C were calculated. Accordingly, the leading reaction channel at room temperature is 1,2‐hydrogen shift with subsequent silylene insertion; for higher degrees of branching, competing pathways (homolytic dissociation, 1,3‐hydrogen shift, and radical polymerization) gain in relative importance. At high temperatures, the rate‐determining step changes to homolytic dissociation, and thereby the apparent rates of decomposition become dependent on the degree of branching.
3‐Fluoro‐N‐methyl‐D‐aspartic acid (3F‐NMDA) Stereoisomers as Conformational Probes for Exploring Agonist Binding at NMDA Receptors
Authors: Chia Poh Wai , Livesey Matthew R. , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , van Mourik Tanja , Wyllie David J. A. , O'Hagan David
Published: June 2012

N‐Methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) is the prototypical agonist of the NMDA receptor subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors. Stereogenic placement of a CF bond at the 3‐position of (S)‐NMDA generates either the (2S,3S)‐ or (2S,3R)‐ diastereoisomers of 3F‐NMDA. The individual diastereoisomers were prepared by synthesis in enantiomerically pure forms and it was found that (2S,3S)‐3F‐NMDA is an agonist with a comparable potency to NMDA itself, whereas the (2S,3R)‐diastereoisomer has negligible potency. The difference in potency of these stereoisomers is attributed to a preference of the CF bond (2S,3S)‐3F‐NMDA to adopt a gauche conformation to the CN+ bond in the binding conformation, whereas the (2S,3R)‐3F‐NMDA forces these bonds anti, losing electrostatic stabilisation, to achieve the required binding conformation. These observations illustrate the utility of stereoselective fluorination in influencing the molecular conformation of β‐fluorinated amino acids and thus probing the active conformations of bioactive compounds at receptors.
An e‐Science data infrastructure for simulations within Grid computing environment: methods, approaches and practice
Authors: Yang Xiaoyu , Dove Martin T. , Bruin Richard P. , Walkingshaw Andrew , Sinclair Richard , Wilson Dan J. , Murray‐Rust Peter
Published: June 2012

Grid‐based simulation usually involves large quantities of data at each stage of the simulation process. These data include simulation input and output files, intermediate results files, log and error files, associated metadata, and information capturing the processes that generate the data. The question of how to effectively store and manage data files within a Grid computing environment is increasingly becoming an important issue. This paper illustrates how we built a lightweight e‐Science infrastructure for data management within a Grid computing environment, including the integration of data curation activities into the entire Grid‐based simulation process. Rather than focusing on specific implementation details, we aim to identify the key issues and research challenges, describing how various existing technologies and tools can be best integrated to address these requirements and challenges. Although the case of quantum mechanical simulation of materials properties is used in the paper, much of the discussion is as generic as possible so that approaches, methods and practice (e.g. integrated approach, workflow taxonomy and development approach, simple but useful semantic annotation approach) can be applied to wider domains and disciplines to facilitat the digital research. A comparison between our approach and Cloud computing, and lessons learned in data management within the Grid computing environment, are also presented. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Denial of service mitigation approach for IPv6‐enabled smart object networks
Authors: Oliveira Luís M. L. , Rodrigues Joel J. P. C. , de Sousa Amaro F. , Lloret Jaime
Published: June 2012

Denial of service (DoS) attacks can be defined as any third‐party action aiming to reduce or eliminate a network's capability to perform its expected functions. Although there are several standard techniques in traditional computing that mitigate the impact of some of the most common DoS attacks, this still remains a very important open problem to the network security community. DoS attacks are even more troublesome in smart object networks because of two main reasons. First, these devices cannot support the computational overhead required to implement many of the typical counterattack strategies. Second, low traffic rates are enough to drain sensors' battery energy making the network inoperable in short times. To realize the Internet of Things vision, it is necessary to integrate the smart objects into the Internet. This integration is considered an exceptional opportunity for Internet growth but, also, a security threat, because more attacks, including DoS, can be conducted. For these reasons, the prevention of DoS attacks is considered a hot topic in the wireless sensor networks scientific community. In this paper, an approach based on 6LowPAN neighbor discovery protocol is proposed to mitigate DoS attacks initiated from the Internet, without adding additional overhead on the 6LoWPAN sensor devices.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incorporating structural improvement into resource allocation for business process execution planning
Authors: Xu Jiajie , Liu Chengfei , Zhao Xiaohui , Ding Zhiming
Published: June 2012

Resource management has been recognised as an important topic for business process execution for a long time. Most existing works on resource allocation for business processes simply assume that the structure of a business process is always fixed, and therefore do not discuss the possibility of optimising resource allocation by adapting process structures to actual resource situations. To fill this gap, we propose a resource optimisation approach of improving process structures according to resource situations and thereby pursuing the best resource utilisation efficiency. This approach comprises a role‐based business process model for resource allocation and the strategies for optimising resource allocation in conjunction with a business process improvement. A set of heuristic rules are established to guide the resource allocation for the purposes of preventing resource conflicts, shortening the total execution time, minimising the total cost, etc. Particular algorithms are also developed to implement the resource allocation according to these rules. In addition, an experimental study is conducted to discuss the incorporation of business process improvement into resource allocation for optimal process execution. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reactions of Doubly Ionized Benzene with Nitrogen and Water: A Nitrogen‐Mediated Entry into Superacid Chemistry
Authors: Shaffer Christopher J. , Schröder Detlef , Alcaraz Christian , Žabka Ján , Zins Emilie‐Laure
Published: June 2012

Even in the highly diluted gas phase, rather than electron transfer the benzene dication C6H62+ undergoes association with dinitrogen to form a transient C6H6N22+ dication which is best described as a ring‐protonated phenyl diazonium ion. Isotopic labeling studies, photoionization experiments using synchrotron radiation, and quantum chemical computations fully support the formation of protonated diazonium, which is in turn a prototype species of superacidic chemistry in solution. Additionally, reactions of C6H62+ with background water involve the transient formation of diprotonated phenol and, among other things, afford a long‐lived C6H6OH22+ dication, which is attributed to the hydration product of Hogeveen’s elusive pyramidal structure of C6H62+, as the global minimum of doubly ionized benzene. Nitrogen is essential for the formation of the C6H6OH22+ dication in that it mediates the formation of the water adduct, while the bimolecular encounter of the C6H62+ dication with water only leads to (dissociative) electron transfer.
Organic Solid‐State Fluorescence: Strategies for Generating Switchable and Tunable Fluorescent Materials
Authors: Anthony Savarimuthu Philip
Published: June 2012

Organic fluorescent materials have been an integral part of recently emerged optoelectronic device technologies owing to their good photophysical properties such as high quantum yields and significant photostability. In particular, switchable and tunable solid‐state fluorescence has attracted increasing attention in recent years both in the field of fundamental research and industrial applications. Unlike in solution, fluorescence in the solid state is a collective phenomenon of molecules that are commonly modulated through controlling molecular packing and the electronic conjugation of fluorophores. Several strategies, including chemical modification, have been developed to alter the fluorophore molecular arrangement in the solid state. This Review article describes the various strategies that have been effectively utilised to achieve switchable and tunable fluorescence in the organic solid state.
Monodisperse Iron Phosphate Nanospheres: Preparation and Application in Energy Storage
Authors: Zhao Junmei , Jian Zelang , Ma Jie , Wang Fuchun , Hu Yong‐Sheng , Chen Wen , Chen Liquan , Liu Huizhou , Dai Sheng
Published: June 2012

An approach to synthesize monodisperse nanospheres with nanoporous structure through a solvent extraction route using an acid–base‐coupled extractant has been developed. The nanospheres form through self‐assembly and templating by reverse micelles in the organic solvent extraction systems. More importantly, the used extractant in this route can be recycled. The power of this approach is demonstrated by the synthesis of monodisperse iron phosphate nanospheres, exhibiting promising applications in energy storage. The synthetic parameters have been optimized. Based on this, a possible formation mechanism is also proposed. The synthetic procedure is relatively simple and could be extended to synthesize other water‐insoluble inorganic metal salts.
Infancy predictors of preschool and post‐kindergarten executive function
Authors: Kraybill Jessica H. , Bell Martha Ann
Published: June 2012

Little is known about factors that promote optimal development of executive function (EF) skills. The focus of this study was associations among early maternal behaviors, infant frontal brain electrical activity, and child EF at age 4 and following kindergarten. Infant frontal electroencephalogram was collected from 56 infants at 10 months of age and maternal positive affect was observed. Children completed EF measures in the research laboratory at age 4; parental‐reported EF was obtained following children's kindergarten year. Maternal positive affect and infant frontal brain electrical activity measured when the children were 10 months jointly and uniquely predicted both preschool and post‐kindergarten EF. Findings suggest parenting behavior and brain development in infancy are precursors of later self‐regulatory EF abilities. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 55: 530–538, 2013
Timing and kinetics of E‐ to N‐cadherin switch during neurulation in the avian embryo
Authors: Dady Alwyn , Blavet Cedrine , Duband Jean‐Loup
Published: June 2012

Background: During embryonic development, cadherin switches are correlated with tissue remodelings, such as epithelium‐to‐mesenchyme transition (EMT). An E‐ to N‐cadherin switch also occurs during neurogenesis, but this is not accompanied with EMT. The biological significance of this switch is currently unknown. Results: We analyzed the timing and kinetics of the E‐ to N‐cadherin switch during early neural induction and neurulation in the chick embryo, in relation to the patterns of their transcriptional regulators. We found that deployment of the E‐ to N‐cadherin switch program varies considerably along the embryonic axis. Rostrally in regions of primary neurulation, it occurs progressively both in time and space in a manner that appears neither in connection with morphological transformation of neural epithelial cells nor in synchrony with movements of neurulation. Caudally, in regions of secondary neurulation, neurogenesis was not associated with cadherin switch as N‐cadherin pre‐existed before formation of the neural tube. We also found that, during neural development, cadherin switch is orchestrated by a set of transcriptional regulators distinct from those involved in EMT. Conclusions: Our results indicate that cadherin switch correlates with the partition of the neurectoderm into its three main populations: ectoderm, neural crest, and neural tube. Developmental Dynamics 241:1333–1349, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Climatic niche shift predicts thermal trait response in one but not both introductions of the Puerto Rican lizard Anolis cristatellus to Miami, Florida, USA
Authors: Kolbe Jason J. , VanMiddlesworth Paul S. , Losin Neil , Dappen Nathan , Losos Jonathan B.
Published: June 2012

Global change is predicted to alter environmental conditions for populations in numerous ways; for example, invasive species often experience substantial shifts in climatic conditions during introduction from their native to non‐native ranges. Whether these shifts elicit a phenotypic response, and how adaptation and phenotypic plasticity contribute to phenotypic change, are key issues for understanding biological invasions and how populations may respond to local climate change. We combined modeling, field data, and a laboratory experiment to test for changing thermal tolerances during the introduction of the tropical lizard Anolis cristatellus from Puerto Rico to Miami, Florida. Species distribution models and bioclimatic data analyses showed lower minimum temperatures, and greater seasonal and annual variation in temperature for Miami compared to Puerto Rico. Two separate introductions of A. cristatellus occurred in Miami about 12 km apart, one in South Miami and the other on Key Biscayne, an offshore island. As predicted from the shift in the thermal climate and the thermal tolerances of other Anolis species in Miami, laboratory acclimation and field acclimatization showed that the introduced South Miami population of A. cristatellus has diverged from its native‐range source population by acquiring low‐temperature acclimation ability. By contrast, the introduced Key Biscayne population showed little change compared to its source. Our analyses predicted an adaptive response for introduced populations, but our comparisons to native‐range sources provided evidence for thermal plasticity in one introduced population but not the other. The rapid acquisition of thermal plasticity by A. cristatellus in South Miami may be advantageous for its long‐term persistence there and expansion of its non‐native range. Our results also suggest that the common assumption of no trait variation when modeling non‐native species distributions is invalid.
Cyclic AMP underpins suppression by regulatory T cells
Authors: Bodor Josef , Bopp Tobias , Vaeth Martin , Klein Matthias , Serfling Edgar , Hünig Thomas , Becker Christian , Schild Hansjörg , Schmitt Edgar
Published: June 2012

Elevated levels of intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in naturally occurring T regulatory (nTreg) cells play a key role in nTreg‐cell‐mediated suppression. Upon contact with nTreg cells, cAMP is transferred from nTreg cells into activated target CD4+ T cells and/or antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) via gap junctions to suppress CD4+ T‐cell function. cAMP facilitates the expression and nuclear function of a potent transcriptional inhibitor, inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER), resulting in ICER‐mediated suppression of interleukin‐2 (IL‐2). Furthermore, ICER inhibits transcription of nuclear factor of activated T cell c1/α (NFATc1/α) and forms inhibitory complexes with preexisting NFATc1/c2, thereby inhibiting NFAT‐driven transcription, including that of IL‐2. In addition to its suppressive effects mediated via ICER, cAMP can also modulate the levels of surface‐expressed cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen‐4 (CTLA‐4) and its cognate B7 ligands on conventional CD4+ T cells and/or APCs, fine‐tuning suppression. These cAMP‐driven nTreg‐cell suppression mechanisms are the focus of this review.
Activation rather than Foxp3 expression determines that TGF‐β‐induced regulatory T cells out‐compete naïve T cells in dendritic cell clustering
Authors: Chen Ye , Adams Elizabeth , Regateiro Frederico S. , Vaux David J. , Betz Alexander G. , Andersen Kristian G. , Waldmann Herman , Howie Duncan
Published: June 2012

Regulatory T (Treg) cells are critically important for the maintenance of immunological tolerance. Both centrally arising natural nTreg cells and those emerging in the periphery in response to TGF‐β, iTreg cells, play a role in the control of unwanted immune responses. Treg cells adopt multiple mechanisms to inhibit effector T cells, yet it is unclear whether these mechanisms are shared by nTreg cells and iTreg cells alike. Here, we show that iTreg cells, like nTreg cells, are able to out‐compete naïve T cells in clustering around dendritic cells (DCs). However, using both a tamoxifen‐responsive inducible Foxp3 retroviral construct and TGF‐β‐induced iTreg cells from hCD2‐Foxp3 knock in reporter mice, we show that it is prior antigen‐induced activation rather than Foxp3 expression per se that determines the ability of iTreg cells to competitively cluster around DCs. We found no difference in the capacity of iTreg cells to displace naïve T cells around DCs to that of Tr1, Th1, Th2, or Th9 cells. An important difference was, however, that clustering of iTreg cells around DCs, just as for naïve T cells, did not effectively activate DCs.
Clonal B cells of HCV‐associated mixed cryoglobulinemia patients contain exhausted marginal zone‐like and CD21low cells overexpressing Stra13
Authors: Visentini Marcella , Cagliuso Maria , Conti Valentina , Carbonari Maurizio , Cibati Marina , Siciliano Giulia , Cristofoletti Cristina , Russo Giandomenico , Casato Milvia , Fiorilli Massimo
Published: June 2012

A clonal population of B cells expressing a VH1‐69‐encoded idiotype accumulates in hepatitis C virus (HCV) associated mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC). These cells are phenotypically heterogeneous, resembling either typical marginal zone (MZ) B cells (IgM+IgD+CD27+CD21+) or the exhausted CD21low B cells that accumulate in HIV infection or in common variable immunodeficiency. We show that both the MZ‐like and the CD21low VH1‐69+ B cells of MC patients are functionally exhausted, since they fail to respond to TLR and BCR ligands. The proliferative defect of VH1‐69+ B cells can be overcome by co‐stimulation of TLR9 and BCR in the presence of interleukin(IL)‐2 and IL‐10. The MZ‐like VH1‐69+ B cells do not express the inhibitory receptors distinctive of CD21low B cells, but display constitutive activation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) and attenuated BCR/ERK signaling. These cells also express abundant transcripts of Stra13 (DEC1, Bhlhb2, Sharp2, Clast5), a basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factor that acts as a powerful negative regulator of B‐cell proliferation and homeostasis. Our findings suggest that MZ B cells activated by HCV undergo functional exhaustion associated with BCR signaling defects and overexpression of a key antiproliferative gene, and may subsequently become terminally spent CD21low B cells. Premature exhaustion may serve to prevent the outgrowth of chronically stimulated MZ B cells.
Innate lymphoid cells in the airways
Authors: Walker Jennifer A. , McKenzie Andrew
Published: June 2012

The airways, similar to other mucosal surfaces, are continuously exposed to the outside environment and a barrage of antigens, allergens, and microorganisms. Of critical importance therefore is the ability to mount rapid and effective immune responses to control commensal and pathogenic microbes, while simultaneously limiting the extent of these responses to prevent immune pathology and chronic inflammation. The function of the adaptive immune response in controlling these processes at mucosal surfaces has been well documented but the important role of the innate immune system, particularly the recently identified family of innate lymphoid cells, has only lately become apparent. In this review, we give an overview of the innate lymphoid cells that exist in the airways and examine the evidence pertaining to their emerging roles in airways immunity, inflammation, and homeostasis.
Membrane interleukin‐18 revisits membrane IL‐1α in T‐helper type 1 responses
Authors: Dinarello Charles A.
Published: June 2012

Although all structural studies on cytokine–cytokine receptor interactions are based on a crystallized cytokine binding to its specific receptor, there is no dearth of evidence that membrane‐embedded cytokines are biologically active by virtue of cell–cell contact. Clearly the orientation of the membrane cytokine is such that it allows binding to the receptor, as takes place with the soluble form of the cytokine. In this issue, Bellora et al. [Eur. J. Immunol. 2012. 42: 1618–1626] report that interleukin‐18 (IL‐18) exists as an integral membrane protein on M‑CSF‐differentiated human macrophages and that upon LPS stimulation, IL‐18 induces IFN‐γ from NK cells in a caspase‑1‐dependent fashion. The immunological and inflammatory implications for this finding are considerable because of the role of IL‐18 as the primary IFN‐γ inducing cytokine in promoting Th1 responses.
Synthesis of α‐Amino Acids through Samarium(II) Iodide Promoted Reductive Coupling of Nitrones with CO2
Authors: Prikhod'ko Alexander , Walter Olaf , Zevaco Thomas A. , Garcia‐Rodriguez Jaime , Mouhtady Omar , Py Sandrine
Published: June 2012

Several N‐benzylnitrones reacted with carbon dioxide in the presence of samarium(II) iodide leading to α‐amino acids as the products of reductive C–C coupling. The best selectivities were observed at a carbon dioxide pressure of 50 bar at ambient temperature. The influences of different functional groups in the nitrone backbone and of the coordinating additives to samarium(II) iodide on the product distribution were investigated. The racemic α‐amino acids were obtained in up to 70 % yield based on HPLC data.
Diversity Oriented Approach to Polycyclic Compounds through the Diels–Alder Reaction and the Suzuki Coupling
Authors: Kotha Sambasivarao , Misra Shilpi , Srinivas Venu
Published: June 2012

A diversity oriented strategy has been demonstrated to deliver small “drug like” molecules using alkylation, Diels–Alder reaction, and Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling as key steps. This methodology allows access a wide range of molecules using simple scaffolds such as indanes, tetralins and tetrahydroisoquinolines, which can enhance the chemical space for potential therapeutic molecules.
Complexation of p‐Sulfonatocalixarenes with Local Anaesthetics Guests: Binding Structures, Stabilities, and Thermodynamic Origins
Authors: Li Qian , Guo Dong‐Sheng , Qian Hai , Liu Yu
Published: June 2012

The binding geometries, abilities and thermodynamic parameters for the intermolecular complexation of three water‐soluble p‐sulfonatocalix[n]arenes (SCnAs), p‐sulfonatocalix[4]arene (SC4A), p‐sulfonatocalix[5]arene (SC5A), andp‐sulfonatothiacalix[4]arene (STC4A), with five local anesthetics (LA), procaine, tetracaine, lidocaine, dibucaine, and procainamide, have been determined by means of 1H NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray crystallography, and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The obtained results show that the complexation of SCnAs with LA guests shows unappreciable guest selectivity, but regular host selectivity: SC4A > SC5A > STC4A for each guest. A large difference in the enthalpy term is responsible for the decrease in the stability constants. The intrinsic relationship between binding structures and host selectivities were comprehensively analyzed and discussed from the viewpoint of thermodynamics. Furthermore, the complexation of SC4A towards LA guests were compared with other macrocyclic hosts, β‐cyclodextrin and cucurbit[7]uril.
Determination of furosine in food products by capillary zone electrophoresis‐tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Bignardi Chiara , Cavazza Antonella , Corradini Claudio
Published: June 2012

A new method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of furosine in food products by capillary electrophoresis coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (CE‐MS2) has been optimized and validated. In analytical conditions, the pH value of the run buffer was similar to that of the hydrolyzed samples, which helps in avoiding interactions of the analyte with silanol groups of the inner wall of the fused silica capillary. In all previous CE methods proposed in literature, no SPE treatment has been used. The method has been applied to the analysis of food products, such as flour, having low amounts of furosine. Flour samples of different origin (wheat, chestnut, lupin, einkorn, chickpeas) have been investigated. Different food products such as pasta, milk, and tigelle bread (a typical Italian unleavened bread) were also analyzed. Some of the samples have also been analyzed by reversed‐phase HPLC, and when compared to CE‐MS, data obtained showed good agreement. CE‐MS, in comparison to HPLC, showed advantages in terms of time of analysis and cost. The validation procedure provided good values for LOD and LOQ (respectively 0.07 and 0.25 mg L−1), recovery (77 and 97%), and precision investigated in terms of intraday repeatability (RSD%: 4–6% for peak areas; 1–2% for migration times) and intermediate precision (below 16% for peak areas, and below 7% for migration times). Therefore, the technique reported can be proposed as a powerful analytical method and a valid alternative to common traditional analytical techniques.
Slope control on the frequency distribution of shallow landslides and associated soil properties, North Island, New Zealand
Authors: De Rose Ronald C.
Published: June 2012

The extrapolation of results from field trials to larger areas of land for purposes of regional impact assessment is an important issue in geomorphology, particularly for landform properties that show high stochastic variability in space and time, such as shallow landslide erosion. It is shown in this study, that by identifying the main driver for spatial variability in shallow landslide erosion at field scales, namely slope angle, it is possible to develop a set of generic functions for assessing the impact of landslides on selected soil properties at larger spatial scales and over longer time periods.

Research was conducted within an area of pastoral soft‐rock Tertiary hill country in the North Island of New Zealand that is subject to infrequent high intensity rainfall events, producing numerous landslides, most of which are smaller than several hundred square metres in size and remove soil to shallow depths. All landslides were mapped within a 0·6 km2 area and registered to a high resolution (2 m) slope map to show that few landslides occur on slopes < 20° and 95% were on slopes > 24°. The areal density of landslides from all historical events showed an approximately linear increase with slope above 24°.

Integrating landslide densities with soil recovery data demonstrates that the average value of a soil property fluctuates in a ‘saw‐tooth’ fashion through time with the overall shape of the curve controlled by the frequency of landslide inducing storm events and recovery rate of the soil property between events. Despite such fluctuations, there are gradual declines of 7·5% in average total carbon content of topsoil and 9·5% in average soil depth to bedrock, since the time of forest clearance. Results have application to large‐scale sediment budget and water quality models and to the New Zealand Soil Carbon Monitoring System (CMS). Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Youth participation in evaluation: The Pró‐Menino Program in Brazil
Authors: Braga Brandão Daniel , Renato Silva Rogério , Codas Renata
Published: June 2012

This chapter reports a participatory evaluation conducted in Brazil, where youngsters with life pathways marked by involvement in crime, and therefore included in social programs, were invited to be the evaluation team of the program. The experience provokes reflections on new technical and ethical challenges in the evaluation process. The authors also present a new methodological proposal for the field of qualitative investigations created exclusively for this evaluation, called FRAMES (QUADROS), which is inspired by comic books. The broad ethical frame is a positive “capabilities” approach to evaluative work with youth. ©Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association.
Lessons learned from evaluation capacity building
Authors: Rotondo Emma
Published: June 2012

This chapter shares lessons learned from evaluation capacity‐building efforts undertaken by PREVAL in recent years (2004–2010). The author also discusses the aim of capacity building in evaluation within PREVAL, the key elements that should be considered in planning, monitoring, and evaluation (PME) systems, and the strategic uses of its processes and findings. Finally, the chapter outlines lessons learned regarding the role of stakeholders, and factors for success and failure identified from PREVAL's experience in building evaluation capacity in antipoverty rural projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. ©Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association.
Research and regulatory reform
Authors: Colgate James P. , Lee John Hans
Published: June 2012

On 11 September 2001, one of the largest workplace evacuations in US history took place at the World Trade Center in New York City. To better understand the complex array of factors that potentially influenced evacuation time, an interdisciplinary research study was conducted by public health scientists to determine the individual, organizational, and structural (environmental) factors that served as potential facilitators or barriers to length of evacuation time. Analyses of evacuee survey data collected provide evidence that a combination of factors at the individual and organizational levels were apparently influential in affecting emergency evacuations in addition to structural risk factors such as egress route barriers, poor signage, congestion, and communication systems failures. These factors are identified in the study to inform high‐rise emergency preparedness and response policies and procedures. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Market Reaction to Information Shocks—Does the Bloomberg and Briefing.com Survey Matter?
Authors: Chen Linda H. , Jiang George J. , Wang Qin
Published: June 2012

Bloomberg and Briefing.com provide competing forecasts for prescheduled macroeconomic announcements. This study examines the accuracy of these forecasts and market reactions to announcement surprises. Our results show that the Bloomberg survey is slightly more accurate than the Briefing.com survey. More importantly, although announcement surprises based on both surveys have a significant effect on the trading activities and returns of S&P 500 futures contracts, the Bloomberg survey subsumes the explanatory power of the Briefing.com survey. The findings suggest that on average Bloomberg forecasts are more consistent with the market consensus view. In addition, we provide evidence of asymmetric market reactions to positive versus negative announcement surprises. In particular, the market reacts strongly to inflation news in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) announcements and negative shocks in housing price, personal spending, and retail sales.