bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of permanent site factors in the assessment of soil treatment effects: A case study with a site preparation trial in jack pine plantations on glacial outwashes
Authors: Marquis F. , Paré D.
Published: February 2010

In silvicultural trials, the confounding influence of permanent soil properties is assumed to be minimal. A covariance analysis using total elemental concentrations of parent material (geochemistry) and soil particle size distribution (texture) was used to understand the role that these variables could play in tree growth and foliar nutrient status, and in the growth response to site preparation of 16- to18-yr-old jack pine plantations growing on seemingly homogeneous glacial outwash deposits. Three treatments were tested in a replicated design: direct plantation, and site preparation with TTS or with Bräcke. The combination of particle size distribution and soil geochemistry explained the site quality index (SQI) in control plots (R2 = 0.94) better than soil texture alone. In all plots, SQI was strongly related to K and Mg concentrations in foliage and in humus and, to a lesser degree, to foliar N concentrations. A covariance analysis using soil texture and geochemical composition indicated that while site preparation had an effect on tree growth, the sites that responded the most to site preparation were the ones with the lowest growth potential as determined by soil texture and geochemistry. Key words: Silviculture, site preparation, site quality index, growth, permanent soil factors, texture, geochemistry, nutrition
Iridium(I)‐Catalyzed Cycloisomerization of Cyclohexadienyl Alkynes
Authors: Sim So Hee , Lee Sang Ick , Park Ji Hoon , Chung Young Keun
Published: February 2010

From cyclohexadienyl alkynes with a terminal alkyne unit, double cyclopropanated products were obtained in reasonable to high yields. For cyclohexadienyl alkynes substituted at the alkyne unit, cyclopropanated products were obtained in high yields. When a keto carbonyl group was introduced to cyclohexadienyl alkynes with a substituted alkyne, Alder‐ene‐type products were obtained in reasonable to high yields.
Palladium‐Catalyzed One‐Pot Conversion of Aldehydes to Amides
Authors: Ali Md Ashif , Punniyamurthy Tharmalingam
Published: February 2010

The palladium‐catalyzed one‐pot conversion of aldehydes into primary amides in the presence of hydroxylamine hydrochloride in aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at moderate temperature is described. The process is selective and free from the addition of an external chelating ligand.
Mixture Bayesian regularization method of PPCA for multimode process monitoring
Authors: Ge Zhiqiang , Song Zhihuan
Published: February 2010

This article intends to address two drawbacks of the traditional principal component analysis (PCA)‐based monitoring method: (1) nonprobabilistic; (2) single operation mode assumption. On the basis of the monitoring framework of probabilistic PCA (PPCA), a Bayesian regularization method is introduced for performance improvement, through which the effective dimensionality of the latent variable can be determined automatically. For monitoring processes with multiple operation modes, the Bayesian regularization method is extended to its mixture form, thus a mixture Bayesian regularization method of PPCA has been developed. To enhance the monitoring performance, a novel probabilistic strategy has been proposed for result combination in different operation modes. In addition, a new mode localization approach has also been developed, which can provide additional information and improve process comprehension for the operation engineer. A numerical example and a real industrial application case study have been used to evaluate the efficiency of the proposed method. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Multiscale dynamic Monte Carlo/continuum model of drying and nonideal polycondensation in sol‐gel silica films
Authors: Li Xin , Rankin Stephen E.
Published: February 2010

The process of forming sol‐gel silica thin films involves multiple length and time scales ranging from molecular to macroscopic, and it is challenging to fully model because the polymerization is nonideal. A multiscale model is described to link macroscopic flow and drying (controlled by process parameters) to film microstructure (which dictates the properties of the films). In this modeling strategy, dynamic Monte Carlo (DMC) polymerization simulations are coupled to a continuum model of drying. The entire DMC simulation is treated as a particle of sol whose position and composition are tracked using a diffusion/evaporation finite difference method. By simulating swarms of particles starting from different positions in the film, the multiscale model predicts different drying/gelation phenomena, and predicts the occurrence of gradients of concentration and gelation in the films which can lead to the formation of a gel skin near the top surface of the film. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Synthesis of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/C60 and Poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone)/C60 Nanohybrids as Potential Photodynamic Cancer Therapy Agents
Authors: Hurtgen Marie , Debuigne Antoine , Mouithys‐Mickalad Ange , Jérôme Robert , Jérôme Christine , Detrembleur Christophe
Published: February 2010

Well‐defined poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone)‐co‐poly(vinyl acetate) (PNVP‐co‐PVAc) chains end‐capped by Co(acac)2 (acac=acetylacetonate) and prepared by cobalt‐mediated radical polymerization (CMRP) are grafted onto a fullerene. Homolytic CoC bond cleavage of the polymer chain ends at 30 °C releases the polymeric radicals that add onto C60, thereby leading to the corresponding PVAc/C60 and PNVP‐co‐PVAc/C60 nanohybrids. The [polymer–Co(acac)2]/[C60] molar ratio was varied to adjust the structure of the nanohybrids, and more particularly the number of grafted arms. Finally, the potential of the hydrosoluble PVOH/C60 nanohybrids, which result from the methanolysis of the ester groups of PVAc/C60, and of the PNVP‐co‐PVAc/C60 nanohybrids as photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT), was approached. First, photobleaching tests demonstrated the ability of these nanohybrids to produce singlet oxygen upon irradiation, which can play a role in cell damage. Second, cell viability assays demonstrated that both types of nanohybrids are deprived of intrinsic cytotoxicity in the dark, whereas they promoted significant cell mortality when subjected to light treatment. The selective response of these materials to irradiation makes them promising compounds for PDT.
A Note on Variance Estimation of the Aalen–Johansen Estimator of the Cumulative Incidence Function in Competing Risks, with a View towards Left‐Truncated Data
Authors: Allignol Arthur , Schumacher Martin , Beyersmann Jan
Published: February 2010

The Aalen–Johansen estimator is the standard nonparametric estimator of the cumulative incidence function in competing risks. Estimating its variance in small samples has attracted some interest recently, together with a critique of the usual martingale‐based estimators. We show that the preferred estimator equals a Greenwood‐type estimator that has been derived as a recursion formula using counting processes and martingales in a more general multistate framework. We also extend previous simulation studies on estimating the variance of the Aalen–Johansen estimator in small samples to left‐truncated observation schemes, which may conveniently be handled within the counting processes framework. This investigation is motivated by a real data example on spontaneous abortion in pregnancies exposed to coumarin derivatives, where both competing risks and left‐truncation have recently been shown to be crucial methodological issues (Meister and Schaefer (2008), Reproductive Toxicology 26, 31–35). Multistate‐type software and data are available online to perform the analyses. The Greenwood‐type estimator is recommended for use in practice.
Randomized clinical trial to compare the effects of preoperative oral carbohydrate versus placebo on insulin resistance after colorectal surgery (Br J Surg 2010; 97: 317–327)
Authors: Ljungqvist O
Published: February 2010

Mediated by insulin-induced signalling pathway
Study of nobiletin binding to bovine serum albumin by capillary electrophoresis–frontal analysis and circular dichroism
Authors: Yi Lian , Li Hailing , Deng Qingqing , Yuan Zhongzheng
Published: February 2010

A very recent epidemiological study provided strong support for nobiletin (NOB) as a potential candidate chemopreventive agent against cancer. From the pharmacology point of view, drug–protein interactions are determining factors in therapeutic, pharmacodynamic and toxicological drug properties. In this work, for the first time, detection of NOB at near‐physiological conditions was accomplished by means of capillary electrophoresis–frontal analysis (CE‐FA), and then the binding constants of NOB with bovine serum albumin (BSA) at the same conditions were determined. Complexation of NOB–BSA led to a decrease of the height for free NOB with increasing concentration of BSA. These results revealed the presence of a single class of binding site on BSA, and provided the binding constant of 103/m, showing the strong affinity of NOB for BSA. Furthermore, circular dichroism spectra showed that, when the molar ratio of NOB to BSA was up to 2:1, NOB did not affect the overall protein conformation significantly and the protein thus retained a native‐like structure. These results may provide important information for preclinical studies of nobiletin in pharmaceutical research. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cloning and Characterization of the Ravidomycin and Chrysomycin Biosynthetic Gene Clusters
Authors: Kharel Madan K. , Nybo S. Eric , Shepherd Micah D. , Rohr Jürgen
Published: February 2010

The gene clusters responsible for the biosynthesis of two antitumor antibiotics, ravidomycin and chrysomycin, have been cloned from Streptomyces ravidus and Streptomyces albaduncus, respectively. Sequencing of the 33.28 kb DNA region of the cosmid cosRav32 and the 34.65 kb DNA region of cosChry1‐1 and cosChryF2 revealed 36 and 35 open reading frames (ORFs), respectively, harboring tandem sets of type II polyketide synthase (PKS) genes, D‐ravidosamine and D‐virenose biosynthetic genes, post‐PKS tailoring genes, regulatory genes, and genes of unknown function. The isolated ravidomycin gene cluster was confirmed to be involved in ravidomycin biosynthesis through the production of a new analogue of ravidomycin along with anticipated pathway intermediates and biosynthetic shunt products upon heterologous expression of the cosmid, cosRav32, in Streptomyces lividans TK24. The identity of the cluster was further verified through cross complementation of gilvocarcin V (GV) mutants. Similarly, the chrysomycin gene cluster was demonstrated to be indirectly involved in chrysomycin biosynthesis through cross‐complementation of gilvocarcin mutants deficient in the oxygenases GilOII, GilOIII, and GilOIV with the respective chrysomycin monooxygenase homologues. The ravidomycin glycosyltransferase (RavGT) appears to be able to transfer both amino‐ and neutral sugars, exemplified through the structurally distinct 6‐membered D‐ravidosamine and 5‐membered D‐fucofuranose, to the coumarin‐based polyketide derived backbone. These results expand the library of biosynthetic genes involved in the biosyntheses of gilvocarcin class compounds that can be used to generate novel analogues through combinatorial biosynthesis.
A Light‐Controlled Molecular Brake with Complete ON–OFF Rotation
Authors: Basheer Meethale C. , Oka Yoshimi , Mathews Manoj , Tamaoki Nobuyuki
Published: February 2010

A light‐controlled molecular machine based on cyclic azobenzenophanes consisting of a dioxynaphthalene rotating unit and a photoisomerizable dioxyazobenzene unit bridged by methylene spacers is reported. In compounds 1 and 2, 1,5‐ and 2,6‐dioxynaphthalene moieties, respectively, are linked to p‐dioxyazobenzene by different methylene spacers (n=2 in 1 a and 2; n=3 in 1 b), whereas a 1,5‐dioxynaphthalene moiety is bonded to m‐dioxyazobenzene by bismethylene spacers in 3. In 1 b and 2, the naphthalene ring can rotate freely in both the trans and cis states at room temperature. The rotation speed can be controlled either by photoinduced reversible trans–cis (E–Z) isomerization of the azobenzene or by keeping the system at low temperature, as is evident from its NMR spectra. Furthermore, for the first time, we demonstrate a light‐controlled molecular brake, wherein the rotation of the naphthalene moiety through the cyclophane is completely OFF in the trans isomer of compound 3 due to its smaller cavity size. Such restricted rotation imparts planar chirality to the molecule, and the corresponding enantiomers could be resolved by chiral HPLC. However, the rotation of the naphthalene moiety is rendered ON in the cis isomer due to its increased cavity size, and it is manifested experimentally by the racemization of the separated enantiomers by photoinduced E–Z isomerization.
UC Pd: A New Form of Pd/C for Sonogashira Couplings
Authors: Duplais Christophe , Forman Arnold J. , Baker Benjamin A. , Lipshutz Bruce H.
Published: February 2010

Screening of different sources of Pd/C shows reagents of highly variable nanoparticle sizes and oxidation states of the metal. Typically, catalysts with higher surface area are viewed as likely to be the more reactive. In this paper a new form of Pd/C, “UC Pd” is described that is shown to contain larger nanoparticles yet it is the most reactive catalyst of those sold commercially for Sonogashira coupling reactions. UC Pd functions efficiently in the absence of a copper co‐catalyst, under very mild and “green” conditions using inexpensive 95 % EtOH at 50 °C. It is also the only form of Pd/C that can be recycled. In side‐by‐side reactions with several commercially available forms of Pd/C, none compete successfully with UC Pd under standardized conditions. Physical data obtained from extensive surface analysis using TEM, XRD, XPS, and CO‐TPD measurements lead to an explanation behind the unique reactivity of this new recyclable form of Pd/C.
Canonical wingless signaling regulates cone cell specification in the Drosophila retina
Authors: Cordero Julia B. , Cagan Ross L.
Published: February 2010

Correct tissue patterning during development involves multiple morphogenetic events that include specification of different cell fates, cell proliferation, cell death, and coordinated changes in cell shape, position, and adhesion. Here, we use the Drosophila retina to explore the molecular mechanisms that regulate and integrate these various events. In a previous report, we found that wingless (wg) was required to induce a previously unknown surge of cell death (“early death”) in the pupal retina. Here, we show that wg is also required to induce the more widely studied mid‐pupal cell death (“late death”) in a process that involves regulation of DIAP1. Furthermore, our data suggest that wg has a previously unreported role in specifying the glial‐like cone cells. This activity requires canonical Wg signaling and is linked with Notch pathway activity. Our work broadens the role of canonical Wg signaling to encompass multiple patterning steps in the emerging Drosophila retina. Developmental Dynamics 239:875–884, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neuro‐mesodermal patterns in artificially deformed embryonic explants: A role for mechano‐geometry in tissue differentiation
Authors: Kornikova E.S. , Troshina T.G. , Kremnyov S.V. , Beloussov L.V.
Published: February 2010

The mutual arrangement of neural and mesodermal rudiments in artificially bent double explants of Xenopus laevis suprablastoporal areas was compared with that of intact explants. While some of the bent explants straightened or became spherical, most retained and actively reinforced the imposed curvature, creating folds on their concave sides and expanding convex surfaces. In the intact explants, the arrangement of neural and mesodermal rudiments exhibited a distinct antero‐posterior polarity, with some variability. In the bent explants, this polarity was lost: the neural rudiments were shifted towards concave while the mesodermal tissues moved towards the convex side, embracing the neural rudiments in a horseshoe‐shaped manner. We associate these drastic changes in neuro‐mesodermal patterning with the active extension and contraction of the convex and concave sides, respectively, triggered by the imposed deformations. We speculate that similar events are responsible for the establishment of neuro‐mesodermal patterns during normal development. Developmental Dynamics 239:885–896, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The antimicrobial peptide LL‐37 modulates the inflammatory and host defense response of human neutrophils
Authors: Alalwani Sadek M. , Sierigk Johannes , Herr Christian , Pinkenburg Olaf , Gallo Richard , Vogelmeier Claus , Bals Robert
Published: February 2010

The human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide acts as an effector molecule of the innate immune system with direct antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects. The aim of this study was to test whether the cathelicidin LL‐37 modulates the response of neutrophils to microbial stimulation. Human neutrophils were exposed to LPS, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa subsequent to incubation with LL‐37 and cytokine release was measured by ELISA. The incubation with LL‐37 significantly decreased the release of proinflammatory cytokines from stimulated human neutrophils. ROS production of neutrophils was determined by a luminometric and a flow cytometry method. The peptide induced the production of ROS and the engulfment of bacteria into neutrophils. Peritoneal mouse neutrophils isolated from CRAMP‐deficient and WT animals were treated with LPS and TNF‐α in the supernatant was measured by ELISA. Antimicrobial activity of neutrophils was detected by incubating neutrophils isolated from CRAMP‐knockout and WT mice with bacteria. Neutrophils from CRAMP‐deficient mice released significantly more TNF‐α after bacterial stimulation and showed decreased antimicrobial activity as compared to cells from WT animals. In conclusion, LL‐37 modulates the response of neutrophils to bacterial activation. Cathelicidin controls the release of inflammatory mediators while increasing antimicrobial activity of neutrophils.
Numerical simulation of turbulent flows in trapezoidal meandering compound open channels
Authors: Jing Hefang , Li Chunguang , Guo Yakun , Xu Weilin
Published: February 2010

Three‐dimensional (3D) numerical study is presented to investigate the turbulent flow in meandering compound open channels with trapezoidal cross‐sections. The flow simulation is carried out by solving the 3D Reynolds‐averaged continuity and Navier–Stokes equations with Reynolds stress equation model (RSM) for steady‐state flow. Finite volume method (FVM) is applied to numerically solve the governing equations of fluid flow. The velocity magnitude, tangential velocity, transverse velocity and Reynolds stresses are calculated for various flow conditions. Good agreement between the simulated and available laboratory measurements was obtained, indicating that the RSM can accurately predict the complicated flow phenomenon. Comparison of the calculated secondary currents of four cases (one being inbank flow and other three being overbank flow) with different water depths reveals that (i) the inbank flow exhibits different flow behaviors from that of the overbank flow does and (ii) the water depth has significant effects on the magnitude and direction of secondary currents. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A More Flooding‐Tolerant Oxygen Electrode in Alkaline Electrolyte
Authors: Ji M. B. , Wei Z. D. , Chen S. G. , Zhang Q. , Wang Y. Q. , Qi X. Q. , Li and L.
Published: February 2010

Owing to the inherent performance and cost advantages alkaline fuel cells (AFCs) have been being a highlight in fuel cells research. However the degradation of the performance coming from the cathode due to the oxygen diffusion limit leaded by the flooding is a critical issue to overcome. The objective of this study is thus devoted to mitigate the water flooding happening in the pores of a porous oxygen electrode by using a more flooding‐tolerant electrode (FTE) which contains water‐proof oil, dimethyl‐silicon‐oil (DMS). The FTE performance was checked in two cases, the whole FTE completely immersed in 1 mol L–1 KOH, and its catalyst layer side exposed to 1 mol L–1 KOH but its back side to gas chamber, in order to simulate the situation of electrode flooded and electrode at normal operation condition, respectively. The results indicate that the FTE displays outstanding flooding‐tolerant capability, especially in the case of a large current density, in which mass transport of gas reactant is in a dominant position.
Study of the Catalytic Layer in Polybenzimidazole‐based High Temperature PEMFC: Effect of Platinum Content on the Carbon Support
Authors: Lobato J. , Cañizares P. , Rodrigo M. A. , Linares J. J. , Úbeda D. , Pinar F. J.
Published: February 2010

In this work, the effect of platinum percentage on the carbon support of commercial catalyst for electrodes to be used in a Polybenzimidazole (PBI)‐based PEMFC has been studied. Three percentages were studied (20, 40 and 60%). In all cases, the same quantity of PBI in the catalyst layer was added, which is required as a ‘binder’. From Hg porosimetry analyses, pore size distribution, porosity, mean pore size and tortuosity of all electrodes were obtained. The amount of mesopores gets larger as the platinum percentage in the catalytic layer decreases, which reduces the overall porosity and the mean pore size and increases the tortuosity. The electrochemical characterisation was performed by voltamperometric studies, assessing the effective electrochemical surface area (ESA) of the electrodes, by impedance spectroscopy (IS), determining the polarisation resistance, and by the corresponding fuel cell measurements. The best results were obtained for the electrodes with a content of 40% Pt on carbon, as a result of an adequate combination of catalytic activity and mass transfer characteristics of the electrode. It has been demonstrated that the temperature favours the fuel cell performance, and the humidification does not have remarkable effects on the performance of a PBI‐based polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC).
Fine‐microstructure Mediated Efficient Hydrogen Oxidation in Ni/YSZ Anode Fabricated from Novel Co‐precipitation Derived Nanocomposites
Authors: Sato K. , Kinoshita T. , Abe H.
Published: February 2010

Fine‐microstructure mediated efficient hydrogen oxidation was demonstrated on nickel/yttria‐stabilised zirconia (Ni/YSZ) anode fabricated from NiO/YSZ nanocomposite particles, synthesised via a novel co‐precipitation method using YSZ nanoparticles with the average size of 3 nm. Transmission electron microscopy image revealed that nanocomposite particles calcined at 600 °C consisted of homogeneously distributed NiO and YSZ nanocrystals, approximately 5 nm large. The Ni/YSZ anode was fabricated by sintering the screen‐printed nanocomposites at 1,300 °C and their subsequent reduction. The anode had a uniform porous microstructure consisting of fine grains in the range of 200–300 nm, and exhibited quite low area‐specific resistance (ASR) of 2.29, 0.43 and 0.15 Ω cm2 at 600, 700 and 800 °C, respectively.
Deletion at chromosome arm 9p in relation to BRAF/NRAS mutations and prognostic significance for primary melanoma
Authors: Conway Caroline , Beswick Samantha , Elliott Faye , Chang Yu‐Mei , Randerson‐Moor Juliette , Harland Mark , Affleck Paul , Marsden Jerry , Sanders D. Scott , Boon Andy , Knowles Margaret A. , Bishop D. Timothy , Newton‐Bishop Julia A.
Published: February 2010

We report an investigation of gene dosage at 9p21.3 and mutations in BRAF and NRAS, as predictors of relapse and histological markers of poor melanoma prognosis. Formalin‐fixed primary melanomas from 74 relapsed and 42 nonrelapsed patients were sequenced for common BRAF and NRAS mutations (N = 71 results) and gene dosage at 9p21.3 including the genes CDKN2A (which encodes CDKN2A and P14ARF), CDKN2B (CDKN2B), and MTAP was measured using multiplexed ligation‐dependant probe amplification (MLPA), (N = 75 results). BRAF/NRAS mutations were detected in 77% of relapsers and 58% of nonrelapsers (Fisher's exact P = 0.17), and did not predict ulceration or mitotic rate. There was no relationship between BRAF/NRAS mutations and gene dosage at 9p21.3. Reduced gene dosage at MTAP showed a borderline association with BRAF mutation (P = 0.04) and reduced gene dosage at the interferon gene cluster was borderline associated with wild type NRAS (P = 0.05). Reduced gene dosage in the CDKN2A regions coding for CDKN2A was associated with an increased risk of relapse (P = 0.03). Reduced gene dosage across 9p21.3 was associated with increased tumor thickness, mitotic rate, and ulceration (P = 0.02, 0.02, and 0.002, respectively), specifically in coding regions impacting on CDKN2B and P14ARF and CDKN2A. Loss at MTAP (P = 0.05) and the interferon gene cluster (P = 0.03) on 9p21 was also associated with tumor ulceration. There was no association between reduced gene dosage at 9p21.3 and subtype or site of tumor. This study presents supportive evidence that CDKN2B, P14ARF, and CDKN2A may all play a tumor suppressor role in melanoma progression. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Concomitant astroglial atrophy and astrogliosis in a triple transgenic animal model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Olabarria Markel , Noristani Harun N. , Verkhratsky Alexei , Rodríguez José J.
Published: February 2010

Astrocytes are fundamental for brain homeostasis and are at the fulcrum of neurological diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we monitored changes in astroglia morphology throughout the age‐dependent progression of AD. We used an immunohistochemical approach that allows us to determine the domain of glial cytoskeleton, by measuring the surface, volume, and the relationship between astrocytes and neuritic plaques. We investigated astroglia in the hippocampus of a triple transgenic mouse model of AD (3xTg‐AD) that mimics the progression of the human disease. The numerical density of astrocytes is affected neither by AD nor by age. We found reduction of surface and volume of GFAP profiles from early ages (6 months; 43.84 and 52.76%, respectively), persisting at 12 (40.73 and 45.39%) and 18 months (64.80 and 71.95%) in the dentate gyrus (DG) of 3xTg‐AD, whereas in CA1 it appears at 18 months (29.42 and 32.74%). This cytoskeleton atrophy is accompanied by a significant reduction of glial somata volume in DG at 12 and 18 months (40.46 and 75.55%, respectively), whereas in CA1 it is significant at 18 months (42.81%). However, while astroglial atrophy appears as a generalized process, astrocytes surrounding plaques are clearly hypertrophic as revealed by increased surface (48.06%; 66.66%), and volume (57.10%; 71.06%) of GFAP profiles in DG and CA1, respectively, at 18 months. We suggest differential effects of AD on astroglial populations depending on their association with plaques accounting for the progressive disruption of neural networks connectivity and neurotransmitters imbalance which underlie mnesic and cognitive impairments observed in AD. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Role of seeing blood in non‐suicidal self‐injury
Authors: Glenn Catherine R. , Klonsky E. David
Published: February 2010

Non‐suicidal self‐injury (NSSI) is a growing clinical problem, especially among adolescents and young adults. Anecdotal accounts, clinical reports, and popular media sources suggest that observing the blood resulting from NSSI often plays an important role in the behavior's reinforcement. However, research to date has not systematically assessed the role of blood in NSSI. The current study examined this phenomenon in 64 young adults from a college population with histories of non‐suicidal skin‐cutting. Approximately half the participants reported it was important to see blood during NSSI. These individuals reported spending five minutes or less looking at the blood after each instance of NSSI, and that seeing blood served several functions including “to relieve tension” and “makes me feel calm.” In addition, wanting to see blood was associated with greater lifetime frequency of skin‐cutting and greater endorsement of intrapersonal functions for NSSI (e.g., affect regulation, self‐punishment). Finally, participants who reported wanting to see blood were more likely to endorse symptoms of bulimia nervosa and borderline personality disorder. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 66: 1–8, 2010.
Nitrogen and NaCl salinity effects on the growth and nutrient acquisition of the grasses Aeluropus littoralis, Catapodium rigidum, and Brachypodium distachyum
Authors: Barhoumi Zouhaier , Atia Abdallah , Rabhi Mokded , Djebali Wahbi , Abdelly Chedly , Smaoui Abderrazak
Published: February 2010

Salinity and low nitrogen availability are important growth‐limiting factors for most plants. Our objective was to assess the influence of nitrogen (N) and salt levels on the growth and mineral nutrition of three forage grasses of varying salt resistance which are widely found in Tunisian salt lands, Aeluropus littoralis, Catapodium rigidum, and Brachypodium distachyum. Their response to salt and N interaction has not been studied and further investigations are necessary. Twenty day–old plantlets were hydroponically cultivated in Hewitt's nutrient solution. Half the plants were then exposed to 100 mM NaCl and the other half to no NaCl, and N was supplied at 0.5 or 5.0 mM N as NH4NO3. Plants were harvested after 60 d growth. Saline treatment (100 mM NaCl) decreased growth of B. distachyum (a relatively salt‐sensitive plant), but no significant effect was noted for A. littoralis (a relatively salt‐resistant plant) in both low– and high–N availability treatments. However, the effect of 100 mM NaCl on growth of C. rigidum (a moderately salt‐resistant plant) depended on N level. Increasing N availability and NaCl did not influence phosphate, sulfate, calcium, and magnesium concentrations in both A. littoralis and C. rigidum, but increased N supply reduced shoot sodium and chloride (Cl–) accumulation. Potassium acquisition in A. littoralis and C. rigidum plants was severely depressed by increasing N availability under saline and nonsaline conditions, respectively. In these species, the increase of nitrate accumulation via N was attenuated by salinity. In contrast, total N content and allocation toward shoots were enhanced in these conditions, especially in A. littoralis, the most resistant species. It appears that increasing N availability at moderate salt levels has a beneficial effect on growth of species with high and moderate salt resistance, but not on species with low resistance to salinity.
Prediction of Water′s Mobility and Disorder in Protein Crystals Using Novel Local Hydrophobic Descriptors
Authors: Pan Yuzhu , Lv Fenglin , Tian Feifei , Luo Xiaoli , Kong Xiangjun , Li Yuanchao , Yang Qingwu
Published: February 2010

The B‐factors of crystal structures reflect the atomic fluctuations about their average positions and provide important information about molecular dynamics. Although numerous works have been addressed on theoretical and computational studies of B‐factor profile of protein atoms, the methods used for predicting B‐factor values of water molecules in protein crystals still remain unexploited. In this article, we describe a new approach that we named local hydrophobic descriptors (LHDs) to characterize the hydrophobic landscapes of protein hydration sites. Using this approach coupled with partial least squares (PLS) regression and least‐squares squares support vector machine (LSSVM), we perform a systematic investigation on the linear and nonlinear relationships between the LHDs and water B‐factors. Based upon an elaborately selected, large‐scale dataset of crystal water molecules, our method predicts B‐factor profile with coefficient of determination rpred of 0.554. We demonstrate that (i) the dynamics of water molecules is primarily governed by the local features of hydrophobic potential landscapes, and (ii) the accuracy of predicted B‐factor values depends on water packing density.
A RP‐HPLC‐DAD‐APCI/MSD method for the characterisation of medicinal Ericaceae used by the Eeyou Istchee Cree First Nations
Authors: Saleem Ammar , Harris Cory S. , Asim Muhammad , Cuerrier Alain , Martineau Louis , Haddad Pierre S. , Arnason John T.
Published: February 2010

Introduction – Ericaceae medicinal plants are traditionally used by the Eeyou Istchee Cree and other northern peoples of North America to treat type 2 diabetic symptoms. Because of the importance of phenolics as potential cures for degenerative diseases including type 2 diabetes, an analytical method was developed to detect them in the leaf extracts of 14 Ericaceae plants.

Objective – To develop an optimised method which is applicable to a relatively large number of Ericaceae plants using their leaf extracts. For this purpose phenolics with a wide range of polarity, including a glucosylated benzoquinone, two phenolic acids, three flavanols, a flavanone, a flavone and five flavonols, were included in this study.

Methodology – Characterisation of phytochemicals in extracts was undertaken by automated matching to the UV spectra to those of an in house library of plant secondary metabolites and the authentication of their identity was achieved by reversed phase‐high‐performance chromatography–diode array detection–atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation/mass selective detection.

Results – Twenty‐six phenolics were characterised within 26  min of chromatographic separation in 80% ethanol extracts of 14 Ericaceae plants. The calibration curves were linear within 0.5–880  µg/g dry mass of the plant with regression values better than 0.995. The limits of detection ranged from 0.3 for µg/mL for (+)‐catechin to 2.6  µg/mL for chlorogenic acid. This is a first study dealing with relatively large number of Ericaceae extracts and is applicable to other plants of same family. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theory and practice of return migration at retirement: the case of migrant worker hostel residents in France
Authors: Hunter Alistair
Published: February 2010

The transition to retirement marks an appropriate juncture for older migrants to relocate to countries of origin if so desired. As recent survey data from France demonstrate, most older immigrants are well integrated and prefer to live out their old age in the host country. This paper examines return decisions at retirement in the case of older men living in migrant worker hostel accommodation, who seem on first inspection to be far from integrated in France. Despite this lack of integration, they tend not to return definitively to places of origin at retirement. Instead, their preference is for regular back‐and‐forth trips. In order to make sense of these mobility decisions, several theories of migration are presented and evaluated against qualitative data from interviews conducted in several hostels in the Paris region in spring and summer 2008. While no one theory adequately accounts for all the phenomena observed, the evaluation shows that at various points in the data there is support for several theories. The added value of each theory becomes most apparent when levels of analysis are kept distinct: at the household level as regards remittances; at the kinship‐village level as regards reintegration in the home context; at the meso‐level of ethnic communities in terms of migrants' transnational ties; and at the macro‐level of social systems concerning inclusion in healthcare and administrative organisations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TOF‐SIMS depth profiling of deuterated polystyrene‐block‐poly(n‐propyl methacrylate) diblock copolymer films
Authors: Lee Jihye , Yoon Donghwan , Shin Kwanwoo , Kim Kang‐Jin , Lee Yeonhee
Published: February 2010

A surface‐induced orientation of symmetric, deuterated polystyrene/poly(propyl methacrylate) diblock copolymers, dPS‐PPrMA with different molecular weights (Mn= 135 000, 119 600, and 75 300) was investigated using time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF‐SIMS). Elemental depth profiles obtained in the negative ion mode by a Cs+primary ion beam demonstrate variations in hydrogen, deuterium, carbon, oxygen, and hydrocarbons within the diblock copolymer according to the depth. Solution casting films of the copolymers with thicknesses of 700 and 2100 Å exhibited no preferential orientation of the microdomain morphology with respect to the surface at room temperature. Annealing the copolymer films at 215 °C for 4 h produced a dramatic orientation of the microdomains parallel to the surface of the film. This preferential alignment provided regular oscillation in the composition of both blocks, which continued through the entire film. The periodicity as determined from a depth profile of TOF‐SIMS showed good agreement with the results of small‐angle X‐ray scattering. Positive and negative ion molecular depth profiles by a C60+cluster ion beam also provide information pertaining to the lower disorder–order transition (LDOT) behavior of the dPS‐PPrMA copolymer. Depth profile results indicate a PPrMA layer preferentially located at the copolymer/silicon substrate interface. The microdomain separation processes of dPS‐PPrMA were investigated as a function of the annealing temperature and time. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of molecular weight on the ToF‐SIMS spectra of PMMA using Au+ and C60+ primary ions
Authors: Piwowar Alan M. , Vickerman John C.
Published: February 2010

Low polydispersity (Mw/Mn < 1.08) spin‐cast films of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with molecular weights ranging from 2770 to 19 940 g/mol have been analyzed in a time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometer using 20 keV C60+ and Au+ primary ion sources. Differences in secondary ion yields as a function of sample molecular weight resulting from the use of the two ion sources were investigated. Under similar conditions, the ions investigated with the C60+ ion source produced yield increases ranging from 15‐ to 65‐fold over yields collected with the Au+ ion source in both ion polarities. As a function of molecular weight, these yield enhancements were consistent across the molecular weight range investigated for the cations (less than 15% variation), but varied by up to a factor of 3 for the anions. Investigation of relative changes in anion yields for the primary ion beams from low‐ to high‐molecular‐weight PMMA shows similar trends in the data for end‐group related fragment ions, but differences in ion yields for main‐chain related fragments. Using Au+ shows a decrease in the relative yields with increasing mass but using C60+ shows an increase in yields suggesting that the mechanisms behind ion formation as a function of molecular weight of the sample differ somewhat between these two primary ions. This is partly attributed to the ability of the bombarding particle to overcome chain entanglement and covalent interactions of the polymers at the surface. It is concluded that C60+ is much more effective in generating ion yield for higher molecular weight systems, and this is supported by high oligomer ion yields for PMMA 2770. The results are discussed within the context of molecular dynamics simulations of atomic primary ion and C60 sputtering of polymers to provide insight into the experimental observations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Human systems therapy
Authors: Paritsis Nicholas
Published: February 2010

There are many methods of psychotherapy and of family therapy. The present method of therapy is applied on psychological, family and wider social level, and is based on the same general systems principles. A number of them are the result of further elaboration, development and adaptation of pre‐existing general systems principles in order to be applied in therapy. This method was originally named General Systems Therapy but since it is applied on human systems it is now called Human Systems Therapy (HST) in its more developed form. In this work, the foundations of HST on general systems theory (GST) are presented first. Then, the basic principles of HST are described as a consequence of adaptation and elaboration of the previous GST principles. Furthermore, some basic new techniques are presented, which were developed during the application of HST and according to its principles. Finally, HST is briefly discussed in relation to some other methods of therapy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Climate, nature and ethics: an editorial essay
Authors: Jamieson Dale
Published: February 2010

This article is categorized under:

Climate, Nature, and Ethics > Ethics and Climate Change
Dyslexia (neuropsychological)
Authors: Castles Anne , M. T. McLean Gregor , McArthur Genevieve
Published: February 2010

In this article, we review research into the underlying deficits associated with the failure to learn to read normally, or developmental dyslexia. We focus on the heterogeneity within this broad category of disorder and on the relationship between the proposed deficits and the acquisition of specific kinds of reading skill. We also distinguish between ‘high‐level’ cognitive or language deficits associated with developmental dyslexia and ‘low‐level’ perceptual or neurological deficits. We conclude that the mixed and sometimes contradictory sets of findings associated with most of the proposed deficits reveal something important: that there is no single cause of developmental dyslexia and that it is likely that multiple causes interact in complex ways to impair reading acquisition. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Brain Function and Dysfunction

Neuroscience > Behavior
Agnosias
Authors: Behrmann Marlene , Nishimura Mayu
Published: February 2010

The neuropsychological disorder, known as visual agnosia, refers to the impairment in deriving the meaning of a visually presented stimulus, in spite of the affected individual having intact sensory and low‐level vision, and normal language and semantic function. This type of disorder is intriguing both clinically and scientifically, and vision scientists have studied visual agnosia as a means of shedding light on how the normal visual system functions. Considerable progress has been made in this domain, in parallel with detailed behavioral and neural investigations of the visual system of neurologically intact individuals and of nonhuman primates. Here, we focus specifically on the neuropsychological studies and provide a broad overview of the wide range of impairments that fall under the label ‘visual agnosia’, including those acquired following brain damage in premorbidly normal individuals, those that appear to have been present since birth, and those whose onset is late in life and is associated with neurodegeneration. We also outline the different subtypes of visual agnosia, including those that affect primarily the recognition of faces, words, or objects, and we lay out some of the key questions currently being addressed by researchers in this domain. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Brain Function and Dysfunction

Neuroscience > Clinical Neuroscience
Nutritional regulation of division of labor in honey bees: toward a systems biology perspective
Authors: Ament Seth A. , Wang Ying , Robinson Gene E.
Published: February 2010

Organisms adapt their behavior and physiology to environmental conditions through processes of phenotypic plasticity. In one well‐studied example, the division of labor among worker honey bees involves a stereotyped yet plastic pattern of behavioral and physiological maturation. Early in life, workers perform brood care and other in‐hive tasks and have large internal nutrient stores; later in life, they forage for nectar and pollen outside the hive and have small nutrient stores. The pace of maturation depends on colony conditions, and the environmental, physiological, and genomic mechanisms by which this occurs are being actively investigated. Here we review current knowledge of the mechanisms by which a key environmental variable, nutritional status, influences worker honey bee division of labor. These studies demonstrate that changes in individual nutritional status and conserved food‐related molecular and hormonal pathways regulate the age at which individual bees begin to forage. We then outline ways in which systems biology approaches, enabled by the sequencing of the honey bee genome, will allow researchers to gain deeper insight into nutritional regulation of honey bee behavior, and phenotypic plasticity in general. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Physiology > Physiology of Model Organisms
Comparative systems biology: from bacteria to man
Authors: Teusink Bas , Westerhoff Hans V. , Bruggeman Frank J.
Published: February 2010

Comparative analyses, as carried out by comparative genomics and bioinformatics, have proven extremely powerful to obtain insight into the identity of specific genes that underlie differences and similarities across species. The central concept developed in this chapter is that important aspects of the functional differences between organisms derive not only from the differences in genetic components (which underlies comparative genomics) but also from dynamic, molecular (physical) interactions. Approaches that aim at identifying such network‐based rather than component‐based homologies between species we shall call Comparative Systems Biology. It will be illustrated by a number of examples from metabolic networks from prokaryotes, via yeast, to man. The potential for species comparisons, at the genome‐scale using classical approaches and at the more detailed level of dynamic molecular networks will be illustrated. In our opinion, comparative systems biology, as a marriage between bioinformatics and systems biology, will offer new insights into the nature of organisms for the benefit of medicine, biotechnology, and drug design. As dynamic modeling is becoming more mainstream in cell biology, the potential of comparative systems biology will become more evident. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Analytical and Computational Methods > Computational Methods
Central dopaminergic circuitry controlling food intake and reward: implications for the regulation of obesity
Authors: Vucetic Zivjena , Reyes Teresa M.
Published: February 2010

Prevalence of obesity in the general population has increased in the past 15 years from 15% to 35%. With increasing obesity, the coincident medical and social consequences are becoming more alarming. Control over food intake is crucial for the maintenance of body weight and represents an important target for the treatment of obesity. Central nervous system mechanisms responsible for control of food intake have evolved to sense the nutrient and energy levels in the organism and to coordinate appropriate responses to adjust energy intake and expenditure. This homeostatic system is crucial for maintenance of stable body weight over long periods of time of uneven energy availability. However, not only the caloric and nutritional value of food but also hedonic and emotional aspects of feeding affect food intake. In modern society, the increased availability of highly palatable and rewarding (fat, sweet) food can significantly affect homeostatic balance, resulting in dysregulated food intake. This review will focus on the role of hypothalamic and mesolimbic/mesocortical dopaminergic (DA) circuitry in coding homeostatic and hedonic signals for the regulation of food intake and maintenance of caloric balance. The interaction of dopamine with peripheral and central indices of nutritional status (e.g., leptin, ghrelin, neuropeptide Y), and the susceptibility of the dopamine system to prenatal insults will be discussed. Additionally, the importance of alterations in dopamine signaling that occur coincidently with obesity will be addressed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Physiology > Mammalian Physiology in Health and Disease