bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EFFICIENTLY ESTABLISHING CONCEPTS OF INFERENTIAL STATISTICS AND HYPOTHESIS DECISION MAKING THROUGH CONTEXTUALLY CONTROLLED EQUIVALENCE CLASSES
Authors: Fienup Daniel M. , Critchfield Thomas S.
Published: March 2011

Computerized lessons that reflect stimulus equivalence principles were used to teach college students concepts related to inferential statistics and hypothesis decision making. Lesson 1 taught participants concepts related to inferential statistics, and Lesson 2 taught them to base hypothesis decisions on a scientific hypothesis and the direction of an effect. Lesson 3 taught the conditional influence of inferential statistics over decisions regarding the scientific and null hypotheses. Participants entered the study with low scores on the targeted skills and left the study demonstrating a high level of accuracy on these skills, which involved mastering more relations than were taught formally. This study illustrates the efficiency of equivalence‐based instruction in establishing academic skills in sophisticated learners.
Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and Therapeutic Exercise on Quadriceps Activation in People With Tibiofemoral Osteoarthritis
Authors: Pietrosimone Brian G. , Saliba Susan A. , Hart Joseph M. , Hertel Jay , Kerrigan D. Casey , Ingersoll Christopher D.
Published: March 2011

Study Design

Blinded, randomized controlled trial.

Objectives

To determine if the combination of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) set to a sensory level and therapeutic exercise would be more effective than the combination of placebo TENS and therapeutic exercises or therapeutic exercises only to increase quadriceps activation in individuals with tibiofemoral osteoarthritis.

Background

Quadriceps activation deficits are common in those with tibiofemoral osteoarthritis, and TENS has been reported to immediately increase quadriceps activation. Yet the long-term benefits of TENS for motor neuron activation have yet to be determined.

Methods

Thirty-six individuals with radiographically assessed tibiofemoral osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to the TENS and exercise, placebo and exercise, and exercise only groups. All participants completed a supervised 4-week lower extremity exercise program. TENS and placebo TENS were worn throughout the therapeutic exercise sessions, as well as during daily activities. Our primary outcome measures, quadriceps central activation ratio, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were evaluated at baseline and at 2 weeks and 4 weeks of the intervention.

Results

Quadriceps activation was significantly higher in the TENS with exercise group compared to the exercise only group at 2 weeks (0.94 ± 0.04 versus 0.82 ± 0.12, P<.05) and the placebo and exercise group at 4 weeks (0.94 ± 0.06 versus 0.81 ± 0.15, P<.05). WOMAC scores improved in all 3 groups over time, with no significant differences among groups.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence that TENS applied in conjunction with therapeutic exercise and daily activities increases quadriceps activation in patients with tibiofemoral osteoarthritis and, while function improved for all participants, effects were greatest in the group treated with a combination of TENS and therapeutic exercises.

Level of Evidence

Therapy, level 1b-. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2011;41(1):4–12. doi:10.2519/jospt.2011.3447
Thoracic Spine Extension Mobility in Young Adults: Influence of Subject Position and Spinal Curvature
Authors: Edmondston Stephen , Waller Robert , Vallin Peter , Holthe Andreas , Noebauer Andrea , King Enda
Published: March 2011

Study Design

Cross-sectional study.

Objective

To examine extension mobility of the thoracic spine in young, asymptomatic adults, with particular reference to the influence of subject position and magnitude of the thoracic kyphosis.

Background

Impairment of thoracic extension motion is commonly associated with mechanical pain disorders in this region of the spine. Knowledge of normal thoracic mobility and the factors that may influence this motion is important in the evaluation and management of thoracic pain disorders.

Methods

In 40 asymptomatic adults, the total and regional thoracic extension range of motion was measured using 2-dimensional photographic image analysis. Extension mobility was measured in standing, sitting, prone, and 4-point kneeling. The association between the magnitude of the habitual thoracic kyphosis and extension mobility was also examined.

Results

When measured from the habitual standing position, the mean range of flexion was 11.5° (3.7°) and mean extension range was 8.7° (3.7°). Thoracic extension was significantly greater in unloaded positions compared to loaded positions (P<.001). The standing thoracic kyphosis angle was significantly correlated with the end range thoracic extension angle in all positions (r = 0.63–0.79, P<.001). There was a poor correlation between the thoracic kyphosis angle and thoracic extension range of motion in all positions (r = 0.11–0.34, P>.06).

Conclusion

When measured from the habitual standing position, thoracic extension range of motion in young individuals is small and poorly correlated with the magnitude of the standing thoracic kyphosis. Unloaded positions (4-point kneeling and prone), compared to positions that load the spine (standing and sitting), appear to promote a greater range of thoracic extension motion. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2011;41(4):266-273, Epub 18 February 2011. doi:10.2519/jospt.2011.3456
Genealogy That Counts: Using Content Analysis to Explore the Evolution of Persuasive Cartography
Authors: Muehlenhaus Ian
Published: February 2011

Maps are often used for persuasive purposes. Yet little is known about whether or not different persuasive map producers use similar cartographic techniques or about how such techniques have evolved through time. This article explores the genealogy of persuasive map design by analyzing 256 such maps published since 1800. Quantitative content analysis is used to break down each map among 190 contextual, data, design, and layout variables. Cross-tabulations and descriptive statistics are used to test whether and how the characteristics of persuasive maps have changed over time and differ by type of producer. The results illustrate that although some persuasive techniques have changed over time and by producer, most techniques are recurring and used by all types of producers. The results imply that different techniques of persuasive cartography are largely timeless, regardless of producer or medium. It is also argued that content analysis may prove a useful method for other research in map genealogy.
On the Use of Spreadsheets such as Excel for Mapping
Authors: Whyte Brendan
Published: February 2011

While not specifically designed for cartographic purposes, Excel and other spreadsheet programs have been used in various ways to create maps, and offer the advantages of ubiquity and simplicity over specialized software. This article demonstrates the capability of Excel's scatter-plot graphing function to create maps by mapping a complicated section of the Germano-Belgian boundary using survey data taken from a boundary treaty atlas.
EMPIRE AND INTERNATIONAL LAW: THE REAL SPANISH CONTRIBUTION
Authors: Koskenniemi Martti
Published: February 2011

The Spanish Scholastics of the sixteenth century are generally known as the precursors of Hugo Grotius in the application of natural law and the law of nations (ius gentium) to the political relations of early modern states. Their writings on the American Indians have been read as especially significant for the formation of the humanist–colonialist legacy of (European) international law. I have no quarrel with these views. This essay will, however, claim that the principal legacy of the Salamanca scholars lay in their development of a vocabulary of private rights (of dominium) that enabled the universal ordering of international relations by recourse to private property, contract, and exchange. This vocabulary provided an efficient articulation for Europe's ‘informal empire’ over the rest of the world and is still operative as the legal foundation of global relations of power.
DISTINCTIONS OF POWER AND THE POWER OF DISTINCTIONS: A RESPONSE TO PROFESSOR KOSKENNIEMI
Authors: Ripstein Arthur
Published: February 2011

Professor Koskenniemi's erudite lecture, ‘Empire and International Law: The Real Spanish Contribution’ (UTLJ 61.1) examines the thinking of the Spanish scholastics from three perspectives. He offers a reconstructive interpretation of the reasoning that the Spanish scholastics engaged, a contextualization of the issues they took themselves to be addressing because of the context in which they wrote, and an account of the role that their reasoning served in subsequent rationalization of international law's indifference to private power. In this brief response, I say both something about the distinction between these perspectives and something about the Scholastics' signature distinction between the two forms of dominium, private property and public law.
COMBATING TERRORIST FINANCING: IS CANADA'S LEGAL REGIME EFFECTIVE?
Authors: Anand Anita I.
Published: February 2011

When Air India Flight 182 was bombed in 1985, anti-terrorist financing (ATF) law did not exist. In Canada, over the past decade, a broad-based legal regime, consisting of the Criminal Code and the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, has developed. This regime covers significant regulatory ground and, generally speaking, accords with private and public international law, including the 1267 regime and the 1999 International Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism Financing. But has this regime been effective in fulfilling its stated objective of preventing the funding of terrorist activity? Unless we know the answer – and we do not – we should not be keen to impose additional legal requirements on private or public actors. Regulation is costly, and ineffective regulation imposes unnecessary costs on the private and public sectors. This issue of effectiveness is increasingly important, given the emphasis on terrorist financing in the international community as exemplified in the intergovernmental Financial Action Task Force and the United Nations Security Council. This article recommends a full-fledged assessment of the efficacy of the current ATF regime. Although the argument for undertaking an evaluation of ATF law was presented to the Commission of Inquiry into the Investigation of the Bombing of Air India Flight 182 by the author, the recommendations in the commission's final report did not address terrorist financing or the need to assess the efficacy of the current legal regime, except for general recommendations about the role of the National Security Advisor. This is a conspicuous omission, given that ATF law has never been assessed or analysed in terms of its efficacy. The underlying assumption appears to be that the regime works well, but this assumption has not been subject to governmental scrutiny let alone empirical assessment.
CHARITIES AND TERRORIST FINANCING
Authors: Duff David G.
Published: February 2011

A decade after the bombing of Air India Flight 182 in June 1985, many Canadians were shocked to learn that the Babbar Khalsa Society – a militant organization dedicated to the establishment of an independent state in northern India, members of which are believed to have planned the Air India bombing – had been granted charitable status in Canada. Although the organization's charitable status was revoked in 1996, reports also suggested that funds collected to support Sikh temples in Canada may have been diverted to support Sikh militancy in India. This article examines the relationship between charities and terrorist financing in Canada, reviewing Canada's legal framework in order to evaluate its adequacy to limit the use or misuse of charitable organizations for terrorist financing. This evaluation is based on two important considerations. First, as experience with the Babbar Khalsa Society and Sikh temple funds sadly demonstrates, effective supervision and regulation of charitable organizations is essential to prevent their being manipulated by individuals and groups who seek to exploit the legitimacy and fiscal benefits that these organizations enjoy in order to finance terrorism. Second, as many charities are small organizations with unpaid volunteers and very few have any connection with terrorist activities, charities should generally be viewed as allies in the struggle against terrorism rather than suspects. As a result, government supervision and regulation of the charitable sector should be proportionate and risk-based – emphasizing capacity building and best practices to prevent the use or misuse of charitable organizations for terrorist financing, ensuring transparency and self-regulation to the greatest extent possible, scrutinizing transactions and organizations that pose the greatest risks for terrorist links, and limiting more serious regulatory sanctions to the rare instances where charities provide support to terrorist organizations.
CHOICES AND APPROACHES: ANTI-TERRORISM LAW AND CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED KINGDOM AFTER SEPTEMBER 11
Authors: Sidel Mark
Published: February 2011

In Canada, as in most nations, law and policy tied closely to counter-terrorism are among the mechanisms for regulating the spaces in which civil society functions. Since the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, these mechanisms have increased in scope and importance. The United States has adopted a prosecution-based strategy in these matters, along with detailed guidance for foundations and other non-profit organizations. The United Kingdom has retained and enhanced a charitable regulation system as a first line of defence, along with prosecutions and other steps. Because the us and uk governments have acted in different ways, civil-society groups in those countries have faced different impacts in dealing with their own liberty to operate and in representing and advocating for the broader liberties of their fellow citizens. Given that Canada's approach to anti-terrorism law and policy will be debated anew in the context of the 2010 report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Investigation of the Bombing of Air India Flight 182, as will related issues of terrorist ties to civil-society organizations, this article discusses the different approaches that have emerged in the United States and the United Kingdom, some of the problems and challenges associated with each approach, and some potential implications for Canada.
A HEGELIAN CRIMINAL LAW
Authors: Garvey Stephen P.
Published: February 2011

Alan Brudner has produced a rare and beautiful work of scholarship. Drawing inspiration from Hegel, he provides us with a comprehensive and novel theory of the criminal law. This review article has two parts. The first gives an overview of Brudner's theory. The second suggests that Brudner's theory of punishment might be portrayed as an expressive rendering of the fair-play theory.
ENDING IMPUNITY: CRITICAL REFLECTIONS ON THE PROSECUTION OF HEADS OF STATE
Authors: Mandhane Renu
Published: February 2011

Since 1990, nearly seventy heads of state have been prosecuted for crimes committed while in office. From a legal perspective, the prosecutions have been possible largely due to an erosion of the state immunity principle and the emergence of specialized courts with a mandate to prosecute political figures. Interesting questions arise as to why the legal landscape shifted and whether the trend towards greater numbers of prosecutions has enhanced the rule of law. In their book, Prosecuting Heads of State, editors Ellen L Lutz and Caitlin Reiger shed light on these larger questions. In this review, the author explores Lutz and Reiger's premise that the increased willingness to prosecute heads of state has been the direct result of activist lawyering, and questions whether the rule of law can truly be enhanced by prosecutions that are inextricably linked to political motivations. The author concludes by cautioning against the over-reliance on judicial accountability mechanisms in transitional justice contexts.
The ‘lexicogrammar’ approach to analysing phraseology and collocation in ESP texts
Authors: Gledhill Christopher
Published: February 2011

La phraséologie et la collocation sont des phénomènes linguistiques fondamentaux. Cependant, les linguistes ont souvent une conception assez limitée de ces termes (la phraséologie est associée aux « expressions idiomatiques », les collocations considérées comme des « séquences figées »). Dans cet article, je refonde ces notions du point de vue de la « lexicogrammaire » de Michael Halliday. Mon objectif est de démontrer comment ces notions, dans l’optique de la théorie systémique fonctionnelle, seraient utiles pour l’anglais de spécialité (ASP). Je propose également une méthode d’analyse textuelle qui s’appuie sur le rôle phraséologique des signes grammaticaux. Loin d’être « sans collocations », il est en effet possible de démontrer que les mots grammaticaux sont des éléments stables dans des « cascades » d’expressions relativement prévisibles mais aussi productives. L’identification de schémas lexicogrammaticaux de ce type devrait constituer une étape de base dans l’analyse systématique des textes d’ASP.
Les premiers dictionnaires médicaux en langue anglaise : glissements diachroniques du spécialisé au non spécialisé
Authors: Charpy Jean-Pierre
Published: February 2011

Dans le champ des langues de spécialité, l'étude diachronique des dictionnaires médicaux en langue anglaise à dominante médicale est un terrain de recherche qui n’a pas encore été clairement balisé. Cette étude a pour objectifs de repérer et d’analyser l’émergence des premiers glossaires et dictionnaires médicaux en Grande-Bretagne afin de jalonner le domaine spécialisé de l’anglais médical. Les définitions du spécialisé proposées par Michel Petit et l’analyse du passage du spécialisé au non spécialisé faite par Michel Van der Yeught servent de cadre théorique à cette étude, dont l’empan diachronique recouvre les 17e et 18e siècles. Le corpus prend en compte les dictionnaires généralistes et les premières compilations spécialisées d’origine exogène et endogène. Ces recherches montrent que A Physical Dictionary, publié en 1652, marque le premier passage du spécialisé au non spécialisé dans le domaine spécialisé de l’anglais médical. Au siècle des lumières, A Medicinal Dictionary, compilé par le médecin anglais Robert James entre 1743 et 1745, confirme ce passage et annonce la publication des premiers dictionnaires médicaux aux États-Unis.
Quelle place occupe l’anglais juridique dans les offres de stages proposés par les cabinets d’avocats en Angleterre et au pays de Galles ?
Authors: Charret-Del Bove Marion
Published: February 2011

Le présent article analyse des documents mis en ligne par les cabinets d’avocats anglais pour recruter des étudiants ou des diplômés en droit et en matières non juridiques dans le cadre de stages d’observation et d’apprentissage. Il s’agit de déterminer quelle place occupe l’anglais juridique dans ces offres en étudiant les termes emblématiques à la fois de la formation suivie par les aspirants solicitors, de leur milieu professionnel ainsi que de leurs pratiques. De plus, l’étude de cette langue spécialisée peut occuper une place à part entière dans le cursus linguistique suivi par les étudiants français en droit dans la mesure où il peut leur faire prendre conscience des différences essentielles existant entre les cursus pour devenir avocat et solicitor des deux côtés de la Manche, et ainsi élargir leur horizon professionnel.
La métaphore dans les jugements anglais : nature et fonction
Authors: Galonnier Bernard
Published: February 2011

Un des traits distinctifs des jugements anglais d’un point de vue stylistique est le nombre important de métaphores souvent inventives tirées de la vie courante et de domaines aussi divers que le sport, la guerre, la nature, la technologie, les vêtements, etc. Cet article se propose tout d’abord de regrouper les métaphores par thèmes et de tenter de définir à quelle stratégie discursive répond le recours constant à cette figure de style. Nous verrons que le juge ne s’adresse pas seulement à ses pairs mais qu’il doit aussi communiquer avec la communauté des profanes qui légitime son pouvoir. Enfin, nous mettrons en évidence le fait que la métaphore, loin d’être un simple ornement, est indissociablement liée au raisonnement juridique anglais par analogie.
Le voir et le dire. Images et discours politiques dans l’editorial cartoon aux États-Unis
Authors: Andréolle Donna
Published: February 2011

Cet article propose d’analyser le rôle que jouent les editorial cartoons aux États-Unis, surtout dans la vie politique de la nation, et d’étudier les techniques mises en œuvre qui font de ces cartoons une arme puissante de commentaire éditorial. Combinaison de dessin humoristique ou caricatural et de propos soit sous forme de légende, soit sous forme de bulles qui font parler les personnages, l’editorial cartoon prend son appui dans différentes stratégies : le détournement des propos « médiatiques », le décalage entre sens propre et sens figuré, la réutilisation d’images ou de propos de l’actualité, la remise en contexte contemporain d’images ou de discours historiques... C'est par la subversion qu’amène ce jeu subtil entre l’image et le texte que l’artiste fait son commentaire, exprime son opinion, ou invite le lecteur à apprécier les sens multiples qu’il est possible d’attribuer à l’œuvre.
Getting the picture... and the joke: The pictorial and the verbal in business cartoons
Authors: Tee Anderson Pauline
Published: February 2011

L'objectif de cette étude est, d'une part, d'explorer l'interaction entre les trois composantes des dessins humoristiques (image, texte verbal, humour) et, d'autre part, d'évaluer les effets qu'elle produit sur les apprenants de langues. Alors que certaines images jouent un rôle relativement mineur, d'autres ont une fonction beaucoup plus étendue non seulement dans l'humour de ces documents, mais aussi dans l'apprentissage. En effet, nous tenons que les dessins humoristiques peuvent aider les étudiants à comprendre et à retenir des éléments langagiers ainsi que des informations sur la culture cible.
Brief communication "Application of mobile laser scanning in snow cover profiling"
Authors: Kaasalainen S. , Kaartinen H. , Kukko A. , Anttila K. , Krooks A.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. We present a snowmobile-based mobile mapping system and its first application to snow cover roughness and change detection measurement. The ROAMER mobile mapping system, constructed at the Finnish Geodetic Institute, consists of the positioning and navigating systems, a terrestrial laser scanner, and the carrying platform (a snowmobile sledge in this application). We demonstrate the applicability of the instrument to snow cover roughness profiling and change detection by presenting preliminary results from a mobile laser scanning (MLS) campaign. The results show the potential of MLS for fast and efficient snow profiling from large areas in a millimetre scale.
Comments on ‘output feedback adaptive command following and disturbance rejection for nonminimum phase uncertain dynamical systems’
Authors: Bernstein Dennis S. , D'Amato Anthony M. , Hoagg Jesse , Santillo Mario A.
Published: February 2011

We provide numerical examples and analysis to show that the adaptive controller given by Theorem 3.1 of Yucelen et al. 1 may fail to stabilize plants under the stated conditions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative Evaluation on the In Vitro Biological Performance of Ti45Al8.5Nb Intermetallic with Ti6Al4V and Ti6Al7Nb Alloys
Authors: Li Huafang , Zheng Yufeng , Lin Junpin
Published: February 2011

The corrosion resistance of Ti45Al8.5Nb intermetallic alloy in artificial saliva and its cytocompatibility was studied via electrochemical tests, scanning electron microscopy, ion release measurement, and MTT assay, with contemporary biomedical Ti6Al4V and Ti6Al7Nb alloys as comparison. The results demonstrate that the corrosion potential (Ecorr) and the corrosion current density (icorr) of the three experimental alloy samples are similar and there is no statistically significant difference among them (p > 0.05). The Al3+ion releasing concentration for Ti45Al8.5Nb intermetallic and Ti6Al7Nb alloy after anodic polarization are close. The relative cell proliferation rates of the three experimental alloy extract groups are all over 90% at various cultivation periods (1, 3, and 5 d), and there is no obvious difference for the MG63 cell morphologies comparing with that of the negative group, reaching confluence after 5 d culture and showing well stretched, which indicates that Ti45Al8.5Nb intermetallic alloy has a good cytocompatibility with the Grade 1 RGR value (no toxicity) according to ISO 10993‐5: 1999.
Design of Plasma Surface‐Activated, Electrospun Polylactide Non‐Wovens with Improved Cell Acceptance
Authors: Wyrwa Ralf , Finke Birgit , Rebl Henrike , Mischner Nicole , Quaas Marion , Schaefer Jan , Bergemann Claudia , Nebe J. Barbara , Schroeder Karsten , Weltmann Klaus‐Dieter , Schnabelrauch Matthias
Published: February 2011

Electrospinning is a versatile technique to generate tissue engineering matrices possessing structural features similar to the extracellular matrix. Biodegradable polylactides are well suited for processing by this technique, but their innate hydrophobicity impairs initial protein adsorption and cell adhesion. In this work, therefore, electrospun poly(L‐lactide‐co‐D,L‐lactide) (70/30) non‐wovens are modified with an ultrathin plasma‐polymerized allylamine (PPAAm) coating. Using scanning electron microsocopy (SEM), it is shown that the fiber structure of the non‐woven is not affected by the plasma treatment. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle measurements of PPAAm‐coated non‐wovens confirm the presence of nitrogen and oxygen‐functional groups in the coating and a hydrophilic nature of the coated non‐woven surface. Cell experiments in vitro demonstrate that the PPAAm‐coated surface promotes occupancy of the non‐woven by human MG‐63 osteoblasts accompanied by improved initial cell spreading and filopodia formation along and between the electrospun polylactide fibers. Overall, plasma‐assisted incorporation of amino groups into electrospun polylactone non‐wovens represents a promising approach to tissue engineering scaffolds with improved cell–material interfaces.
A Catalytic and Positively Thermosensitive Molecularly Imprinted Polymer
Authors: Li Songjun , Ge Yi , Turner Anthony P. F.
Published: February 2011

A catalytic and positively thermosensitive molecularly imprinted polymer is reported. This unique imprinted polymer was composed of 4‐nitrophenyl phosphate‐imprinted networks that exhibited a thermosensitive interpolymer interaction between poly(2‐trifluoromethylacrylic acid) (PTFMA) and poly(1‐vinylimidazole) (PVI), which contains catalytically active sites. At a relatively low temperature (such as 20 °C), this imprinted polymer did not demonstrate significant catalytic activity for the hydrolysis of 4‐nitrophenyl acetate due to the interpolymer complexation between PVI and PTFMA, which blocked access to the active sites of PVI and caused shrinking of the polymer. Conversely, at higher temperatures (such as 40 °C), this polymer showed significant catalytic activity resulting from the dissociation of the interpolymer complexes between PVI and PTFMA, which facilitated access to the active sites of PVI and inflated the polymer. Unlike previously reported poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐based molecularly imprinted polymers, which demonstrated decreased molecular recognition and catalytic activity with increased temperatures, i.e., negatively thermosensitive molecular recognition and catalysis abilities, this imprinted polymer exploits the unique interpolymer interaction between PVI and PTFMA, enabling the reversed thermal responsiveness.
Sensing Nucleic Acids with Dimer Nanoclusters
Authors: Chi Cheng , Maye Mathew M. , Stadler Andrea L. , van der Lelie Daniel , Gang Oleg
Published: February 2011

DNA linked nanoparticles are applied as a sensor for single‐stranded DNA detection. The detection is based on nanocluster dimer disassembly triggered by the binding of target nucleic acid strands. Target detection and disassembly kinetics are followed in real‐time using dynamic light scattering. The observed disassembly process is in agreement with a two‐step kinetic model. The DNA sensing is found to be selective down to the level of a single base mismatch, even in the presence of a high concentration of interference DNA. The method further provides label‐free detection of DNA in minutes and demonstrates the use of this new class of nanoclusters as a powerful platform for nucleic acid detection.
Highly Luminescent Organosilane‐Functionalized Carbon Dots
Authors: Wang Fu , Xie Zheng , Zhang Hao , Liu Chun‐yan , Zhang Ying‐ge
Published: February 2011

The first use of an organosilane as a coordinating solvent to synthesize highly luminescent (quantum yield = 47%) amorphous carbon dots (CDs) in one minute is reported. The CDs, which benefit from surface methoxysilyl groups, have a diameter of ~0.9 nm and can easily be fabricated into pure CD fluorescent films or monoliths simply by heating them at 80 ºC for 24 h. Moreover, the non‐water‐stable CDs can be further transformed into water‐soluble CDs/silica particles, which are biocompatible with and nontoxic to the selected cell lines in our preliminary evaluation. The proposed novel synthetic route is believed to provide an alternative synthesis route and should inspire more research into the origin and applications of CDs, as well as delivering CD‐based materials.
Graphene: Carbide‐Derived Carbons – From Porous Networks to Nanotubes and Graphene (Adv. Funct. Mater. 5/2011)
Authors: Presser Volker , Heon Min , Gogotsi Yury
Published: February 2011

Carbide‐derived carbons (CDCs) are a large family of carbon materials derived from carbide precursors that are transformed into pure carbon via physical (e.g., thermal decomposition) or chemical (e.g., halogenation) processes. Structurally, CDC ranges from amorphous carbon to graphite, carbon nanotubes or graphene. For halogenated carbides, a high level of control over the resulting amorphous porous carbon structure is possible by changing the synthesis conditions and carbide precursor. The large number of resulting carbon structures and their tunability enables a wide range of applications, from tribological coatings for ceramics, or selective sorbents, to gas and electrical energy storage. In particular, the application of CDC in supercapacitors has recently attracted much attention. This review paper summarizes key aspects of CDC synthesis, properties, and applications. It is shown that the CDC structure and properties are sensitive to changes of the synthesis parameters. Understanding of processing–structure–properties relationships facilitates tuning of the carbon material to the requirements of a certain application.
A Durable Alternative for Proton‐Exchange Membranes: Sulfonated Poly(Benzoxazole Thioether Sulfone)s
Authors: Zhao Dan , Li Jinhuan , Song Min‐Kyu , Yi Baolian , Zhang Huamin , Liu Meilin
Published: February 2011

To develop a durable proton‐exchange membrane (PEM) for fuel‐cell applications, a series of sulfonated poly(benzoxazole thioether sulfone)s ( SPTESBOs) are designed and synthesized, with anticipated good dimensional stability (via acid–base cross linking), improved oxidative stability against free radicals (via incorporation of thioether groups), and enhanced inherent stability (via elimination of unstable end groups) of the backbone. The structures and the degree of sulfonation of the copolymers are characterized using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR and 19F NMR). The electrochemical stabilities of the monomers are examined using cyclic voltammetry in a typical three‐electrode cell configuration. The physicochemical properties of the membranes vital to fuel‐cell performance are also carefully evaluated under conditions relevant to fuel‐cell operation, including chemical and thermal stability, proton conductivity, solubility in different solvents, water uptake, and swelling ratio. The new membranes exhibit low dimensional change at 25°C to 90°C and excellent thermal stability up to 250°C. Upon elimination of unstable end groups, the co‐polymers display enhanced chemical resistance and oxidative stability in Fenton's test. Further, the SPTESBO‐HFB‐60 (HFB‐60=hexafluorobenzene, 60 mol% sulfone) membrane displays comparable fuel‐cell performance to that of an NRE 212 membrane at 80°C under fully humidified condition, suggesting that the new membranes have the potential to be more durable but less expensive for fuel‐cell applications.
Fabrication and photocatalytic properties of novel ZnO/ZnAl2O4 nanocomposite with ZnAl2O4 dispersed inside ZnO network
Authors: Zhao Xiaofei , Wang Lei , Xu Xin , Lei Xiaodong , Xu Sailong , Zhang Fazhi
Published: February 2011

Novel ZnO/ZnAl2O4 nanocomposites with ZnAl2O4 nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed inside a network of ZnO are fabricated by thermal treatment of a single‐source precursor of ZnAl‐layered double hydroxides (ZnAl‐LDHs) at 800°C. The effects of the Zn/Al molar ratio of the LDH precursors on the structure, composition, morphology, textural as well as UV‐absorbing properties and photocatalytic activities of the nanocomposites are investigated in detail. The results show that the ZnO/ZnAl2O4 nanocomposites derived from the ZnAl‐LDHs precursors have superior photocatalytic performances to either single phase ZnO or similar ZnO/ZnAl2O4 samples fabricated by chemical coprecipitation or physical mixing method. The heterojunction nanostructure and the strong coupling between the ZnO and ZnAl2O4 phase derived from ZnAl‐LDHs precursors are proposed to contribute the efficient spatial separation between the photo‐generated electrons and holes, which can concomitantly improve the photocatalytic activities. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
Enhanced oxygen mobility and reactivity for ethanol steam reforming
Authors: Zhang Chengxi , Li Shuirong , Li Maoshuai , Wang Shengping , Ma Xinbin , Gong Jinlong
Published: February 2011

This article describes a strategy for increasing oxygen storage capacity (OSC) of ethanol steam reforming (ESR) catalysts. Sintering and carbon deposition are major defects of nickel‐based catalysts for ESR; tuning oxygen mobility (OM) of CeO2‐based supports can overcome these drawbacks and promote H2 production. We have successfully increased OSC and OM by adding Mg into the lattice of Ni/CeO2 to promote H2 production in ESR. The insertion of Mg into the CeO2 lattice efficiently promotes the reduction of Ce4+ according to X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) and temperature‐programmed reduction (TPR) analysis. Mg‐modified Ni/CeO2 catalysts have larger OSC and smaller nickel crystallite size compared with bare Ni/CeO2. The optimal Mg addition is 7 mol % (Ni/7MgCe) with the best OM. We also present evidence indicating that Mg addition significantly promotes ethanol conversion and H2 production in ESR, and that Ni/7MgCe yields the best performance due to the high OM of the support. These Mg‐modified catalysts also produce less carbon deposition compared with Ni/CeO2, and the amount of deposited carbon decreases with increasing Mg addition. Ni/7MgCe has the best resistance to carbon deposition owing to the excellent OM. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
Temperature wave‐trains of periodically forced networks of catalytic reactors
Authors: Altimari Pietro , Mancusi Erasmo , Russo Lucia , Crescitelli Silvestro
Published: February 2011

Networks of N identical catalytic reactors with periodically switched inlet and outlet sections are studied for first‐order irreversible exothermic reactions. Switching strategies with inlet and outlet sections periodically jumping a fixed number ns of reactors are considered and the mechanisms governing the formation of traveling temperature wave‐trains are analyzed as ns and N are varied. To this aim, a geometric approach to the analysis of the network energy balance is developed. Based on this approach, infinite domains of traveling temperature wave‐trains are predicted for any ns and N. Analytical approximations are derived for the stability limits and the spatiotemporal patterns of these regimes. Stability boundaries predicted analytically include for any solution the largest part of the stability region computed by numerical simulation. Moreover, good agreement is found between the structure of the spatiotemporal patterns computed numerically and that predicted based on the proposed approach. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
Oxidative stress in sickle cell disease; pathophysiology and potential implications for disease management
Authors: Nur Erfan , Biemond Bart J. , Otten Hans‐Martin , Brandjes Dees P. , Schnog John‐John B. ,   the CURAMA Study Group
Published: February 2011

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hemoglobinopathy characterized by hemolytic anemia, increased susceptibility to infections and vaso‐occlusion leading to a reduced quality of life and life expectancy. Oxidative stress is an important feature of SCD and plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of hemolysis, vaso‐occlusion and ensuing organ damage in sickle cell patients. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the (end‐)products of their oxidative reactions are potential markers of disease severity and could be targets for antioxidant therapies. This review will summarize the role of ROS in SCD and their potential implication for SCD management. Am. J. Hematol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nonadherence to Imatinib adversely affects event free survival in chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Ganesan Prasanth , Sagar Tenali Gnana , Dubashi Biswajit , Rajendranath Rejiv , Kannan Krishnarathinam , Cyriac Sanju , Nandennavar Manjunath
Published: February 2011

There is limited data on the impact of treatment interruptions due to nonadherence in patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP‐CML) treated with Imatinib. We looked at factors (including adherence to therapy) affecting the outcome in a large cohort of patients with CP‐CML. All the 516 patients received Imatinib free‐of‐cost through a company sponsored scheme, which mandated regular three monthly visits for drug procurement. Data regarding the disease characteristics, adherence to treatment and outcomes, were obtained from patients records. Unwarranted interruption of treatment for more than 1 week was defined as nonadherence. With a median follow‐up of 39 months, the estimated 5‐year event free survival (EFS) was 70.8% (95%, CI = 63.3–78.3). Nearly one‐third of the patients (29.6%) were found to be nonadherent at some point during their treatment. On univariate analysis, the factors adversely affecting the EFS were prolonged symptom duration before diagnosis, treatment with hydroxyurea for more than 1 month before start of Imatinib, and nonadherence to therapy. Only nonadherence was significant in multivariate analysis (HR1.6; P = 0.048). The 5‐year EFS in adherent and nonadherent patients was 76.7% and 59.8% respectively (P = 0.011, log rank test). Nonadherent patients were less likely to achieve complete cytogenetic responses (26% versus 44%; P = 0.004; χ2 test) at any point. A significant proportion of patients with CP‐CML have drug interruptions due to nonadherence during therapy and this compromises the EFS. Adherence to therapy must be included as an important evaluation parameter in all future studies of CML. Am. J. Hematol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Social relationships between adult females and the alpha male in wild tufted capuchin monkeys
Authors: Tiddi Barbara , Aureli Filippo , Schino Gabriele , Voelkl Bernhard
Published: February 2011

Primates are notable for the widespread presence of long‐term female–male associations which go beyond the mating context. However, little attention has been given to the factors that affect within‐species variation in female–male relationships, especially among New World primates. Although detailed accounts of heterosexual relationships in Cebus species are scarce, a few studies have suggested the occurrence of strong associations between adult females and high‐ranking males. This study explores affiliative relationships between females and the alpha male during the nonbreeding season in wild tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella nigritus). Affiliative relationships were explored through female–male patterns of spatial proximity and grooming. By adopting a social network approach, we analyzed: (1) whether the alpha male is the preferred male partner for females and, (2) whether variation (if any) in female–alpha male affiliation can be explained through both female individual characteristics and social network metrics. Our results showed that alpha males were the favorite male partner for adult females in the proximity networks, but this did not hold true in the grooming networks. In addition, female–alpha male interaction patterns showed considerable variation, with only some females being strongly associated with the alpha male. Our results suggest that such a variation can be explained by female dominance rank, level of centrality (the quantity and intensity of spatial connection with other females) and prestige (the quantity of grooming received by other females) in female–female social networks. Taken together, these findings highlight two aspects of female–alpha male relationships in tufted capuchin monkeys: the alpha male represents the most socially integrated male in the group, and females with high dominance ranks and high centrality in both proximity and grooming networks show stronger relationships with the alpha male. Am. J. Primatol. 73:812–820, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Plasma tissue kallikrein level is negatively associated with incident and recurrent stroke: A multicenter case–control study in China
Authors: Zhang Qin , Ding Hu , Yan Jiangtao , Wang Wei , Ma Aiqun , Zhu Zhiming , Cianflone Katherine , Hu Frank B. , Hui Rutai , Wang Dao Wen
Published: February 2011

Objective:

Tissue kallikrein (TK) cleaves kininogen to produce the potent bioactive compounds kinin and bradykinin, which lower blood pressure and protect the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels. Reduction in TK levels is associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes in animal models. In this study, we investigated the association of TK levels with event‐free survival over 5 years in Chinese first‐ever stroke patients.

Methods:

We conducted a case–control study with 1,268 stroke patients (941 cerebral infarction, 327 cerebral hemorrhage) and 1,210 controls. Plasma TK levels were measured with an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. We used logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models to assess the relationship between TK levels and risk of first‐time or recurrent stroke.

Results:

Plasma TK levels were significantly lower in stroke patients (0.163 ± 0.064mg/l vs 0.252 ± 0.093mg/l, p < 0.001), especially those with ischemic stroke. After adjustment for traditional risk factors, plasma TK levels were negatively associated with the risk of first‐ever stroke (odds ratio [OR], 0.344; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30–0.389; p < 0.001) and stroke recurrence and positively associated with event‐free survival during 5 years of follow‐up (relative risk, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.74–0.90; p < 0.001). Compared with the first quartile of plasma TK levels, the ORs for first‐ever stroke patients were as follows: second quartile, 0.77 (95% CI, 0.56–1.07); third quartile, 0.23 (95% CI, 0.17–0.32); fourth quartile, 0.04 (95% CI, 0.03–0.06).

Interpretation:

Lower plasma TK levels are independently associated with first‐ever stroke and are an independent predictor of recurrence after an initial stroke. ANN NEUROL 2011;
Kristalline Lipiddomänen: Charakterisierung durch Röntgenbeugung und ihre Rolle in der Biologie
Authors: Ziblat Roy , Leiserowitz Leslie , Addadi Lia
Published: February 2011

Biologische Membranen enthalten Tausende verschiedenartiger Lipide, die sich in ihren Alkylketten, ihren Kopfgruppen und ihrem Sättigungsgrad unterscheiden. Es wird geschätzt, dass 5 % der Gene des menschlichen Genoms für die Regulation der Lipidzusammensetzung von Zellmembranen zuständig sind. Eine Erklärung für diese Vielfalt findet sich zumindest ansatzweise in der Fähigkeit von Lipiden, in spezifische Domänen zu segregieren, die wichtig für die Zellfunktion sind. Immer häufiger wurden Röntgenbeugungsmethoden genutzt, um die Packung und das Phasenverhalten von Lipiden in Membranen zu charakterisieren. Kristalline Domänen wurden in synthetischen Membranen mithilfe von Weit‐ und Kleinwinkel‐Röntgenstreuung sowie durch Röntgenbeugung unter streifendem Einfall untersucht. In diesem Kurzaufsatz fassen wir jüngste Ergebnisse zusammen, die mit den verschiedenen Röntgenmethoden erhalten wurden, und diskutieren die Beziehung zwischen kristallinen Domänen und flüssig‐geordneten Domänen, die mit komplementären Methoden untersucht wurden, sowie die Bedeutung von kristallinen Domänen für funktionelle Lipiddomänen in biologischen Membranen.
Paralleler In‐vivo‐Einbau von mehreren nichtkanonischen Aminosäuren in Proteine
Authors: Hoesl Michael G. , Budisa Nediljko
Published: February 2011

Die Erweiterung des genetischen Standardcodes ermöglicht das Design von rekombinanten Proteinen mit neuen und ungewöhnlichen Eigenschaften. Üblicherweise enthalten solche Proteine nur eine Art nichtkanonischer Aminosäure in ihrer Sequenz, kürzlich konnte jedoch zum ersten Mal gezeigt werden, dass es mit suppressionsbasierten Methoden möglich ist, zwei chemisch unterschiedliche nichtkanonische Aminosäuren in ein und dasselbe Protein einzubauen, indem man die Suppression verschiedener Stoppcodons und Nicht‐Triplett‐Codons (z. B. Quadrupletts) miteinander kombiniert. Die Fähigkeit, den genetischen Code gleichzeitig mit mehreren nichtkanonischen Aminosäuren zu erweitern, wird die Möglichkeiten zur Herstellung multifunktionalisierter Proteine stark erweitern.
Crystalline Lipid Domains: Characterization by X‐Ray Diffraction and their Relation to Biology
Authors: Ziblat Roy , Leiserowitz Leslie , Addadi Lia
Published: February 2011

Biological membranes comprise thousands of different lipids, differing in their alkyl chains, headgroups, and degree of saturation. It is estimated that 5 % of the genes in the human genome are responsible for regulating the lipid composition of cell membranes. Conceivably, the functional explanation for this diversity is found, at least in part, in the propensity of lipids to segregate into distinct domains, which are important for cell function. X‐ray diffraction has been used increasingly to characterize the packing and phase behavior of lipids in membranes. Crystalline domains have been studied in synthetic membranes using wide‐ and small‐angle X‐ray scattering, and grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction. Herein we summarize recent results obtained using the various X‐ray methods, discuss the correlation between crystalline domains and liquid ordered domains studied with other techniques, and the relevance of crystalline domains to functional lipid domains in biological membranes.