bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Food Store Environment on and near the Campus of 15 Postsecondary Institutions
Authors: Horacek Tanya M. , Erdman Maria B. , Reznar Melissa M. , Olfert Melissa , Brown-Esters Onikia N. , Kattelmann Kendra K. , Kidd Tandalayo , Koenings Mallory , Phillips Beatrice , Quick Virginia , Shelnutt Karla P. , White Adrienne A.
Published: March 2013

Purpose.

This study evaluated the food stores on and near postsecondary campuses varying in institutional size.

Design.

The design of the study is an environmental audit survey.

Setting.

Fifteen U.S. postsecondary education institutions participated in this study between 2009–2011.

Subjects.

Eighty-one stores (44% grocery, 17% campus, and 39% convenience/drug) were evaluated.

Measures.

The Nutrition Environment Measures Survey for Stores was modified to evaluate food stores.

Analysis.

Analysis of variance with post hoc Tukey B and t-tests assessed differences between store types and by institutional size.

Results.

Grocery stores had significantly higher scores than campus/convenience stores for healthy foods (19.5 ± 3.8 vs. 2.4 ± 1.7), and for the availability (19.5 ± 3.8 vs. 2.4 ± 1.7) and quality (5.9 ± 0.5 vs. 1.8 ± 2.2) of fruits/vegetables (p < .001). Healthy foods and beverages were significantly more expensive (–0.6 ± 3.4 vs. 0.9 ± 2.0; p < .031) than their less healthful alternatives in grocery stores, but not in convenience stores. There were no differences by institutional size for grocery stores; however, smaller institutions' convenience stores had significantly lower availability and quality of fruits/vegetables and total food store environment scores.

Conclusion.

A college campus provides a food environment with an array of shopping venues, most of which are not consistent with dietary recommendations for obesity prevention. The limited quality of healthy food in on-campus and convenience stores and the exacerbated deficiencies for small postsecondary institutions provide evidence to support environmental and policy initiatives to improve the quality of campus food store environments.
Arrugas. Un viaje al extranjero, desde el comienzo hasta el final
Authors: Yébenes Pilar
Published: March 2013

Arrugas, dirigida por Ignacio Ferreras, es uno de los últimos largometrajes de animación 2D de factura "made in Spain" que nos deja disfrutar al público adulto de una historia dura y real, pero mágica. Arrugas no es de esas películas que dejan a uno indiferente. Hace pensar, hace entender, hace sentir, hace vivir, aunque el tema principal de la película sea justo lo contrario. Arrugas nació como cómic de las manos de Paco Roca, Premio Nacional de Cómic en España. Con las imágenes de la película, con sus sentimientos a flor de piel, con sus grandes dosis de bondad implícita, y con una galería de personajes que nos cuentan una historia de amistad, de soledad pero de ganas de vivir, en poco tiempo nos enamoró y nos sigue cautivando. Y como espectadores, sentimos la necesidad de ver más películas auténticas.
“Dibujar, dibujar y dibujar”
Authors: Plasencia Carlos
Published: March 2013

A partir de la experiencia directa con los estudiantesde Bellas Artes, y del conocimiento y exigenciasdel mundo profesional de la animación, este artículoreflexiona acerca de una situación disciplinariay de un entendimiento del dibujo que actualmentelo limita como forma de conocimiento, al circunscribirlo,casi con exclusividad, a un ámbito estrictamenteinstructivo en las escuelas de arte. Las cuestioneseducacionales, su vinculación al desarrollo dela personalidad individual, su insustituible papel enel tratamiento de los procesos de creación como laanimación, y su papel a la hora de descubrir el mundoy presentarlo visualmente desde una dimensión personal,se reivindican en este texto desde la autoridadque confiere el dibujo como medio de reflexión quepuede convertirse en un fín en sí mismo.
La linterna mágica de Jan Švankmajer. Švankmajer y el cine de animación checo
Authors: Palacios Jesús
Published: March 2013

La obra cinematográfica de Jan Švankmajer es unade las más singulares, no solo del cine de animacióncheco, sino internacional. Su pertenencia al GrupoSurrealista de Praga y su praxis del cine como unafaceta más de su creación artística —que incluyegrabado, pintura, ilustración, collages, objetos táctiles,etc.—, le sitúan al margen de las corrientes principalesde la industria del cine. No obstante, resultafundamental para una comprensión completa de sufigura, contextualizarla dentro de la larga tradicióndel cine de animación checo, a la que pertenece tantovoluntaria como involuntariamente, constituyéndoseen uno de sus hitos más significativos.
Intersectional Plays of Identity: The Experiences of British Asian Female Footballers
Authors: Ratna Aarti
Published: March 2013

Debates regarding intersectionality have been widely held in the U.K. and elsewhere for over a decade. However, the value of intersectionality has been questioned as researchers struggle to analyse intersectionality-in-practice. That is, how and why social identities connect in the ways that they do in the everyday lives of women and men. In this paper I argue that the concepts of ‘performativity’ and ‘ontological complicity’ offer a useful way of exploring the articulation of identities. I specifically draw on empirical research about the experiences of British Asian female footballers, to signal how their particular identities articulate in and through the spaces of women's football. I argue that by playing-up some identity dispositions and concomitantly playing-down others, British Asian females are able to negotiate inclusion within the spaces of women's football. However, this does not mean that they automatically become valued insiders. At other times, and in other spaces, their marginalisation from within the game is clear. I suggest that considering the intersectional plays of identity captures the complex and nuanced operation of discrimination, which is often rendered invisible in women's football.
When Charity Does Not Begin at Home: Exploring the British Socioemotional Economy of Compassion
Authors: Flores Ruben
Published: March 2013

The British socioemotional economy is marked by a tension between cosmopolitan humanitarian sentiments and the denial of sympathy for geographically close, but socially distant, strangers in need. The essence of this tension can be captured by the Dickensian notion of ‘telescopic philanthropy’. A proper understanding of this tension would benefit from examining both short-term and secular trends - proximate and distal causal mechanisms. The paper is not explanatory in nature, but aims to generate sensitizing concepts, while at the same time seeking to steer the altruism, morality, and social solidarity literature towards a more active engagement with history, power, and ideology.
Hybrid Qualifications, Institutional Expectations and Youth Transitions: A Case of Swimming with or against the Tide
Authors: Davey Gayna , Fuller Alison
Published: March 2013

This paper uses the concept of hybrid qualifications to expose some of the ways in which the English system, with its longstanding Academic and vocational divide, fails to support the transitions of young people with ‘average’ educational attainment. The concept of hybrid qualifications was developed during EU funded research undertaken in 2010 - 11 with project partners from Germany, Austria and Denmark. It was conceived to mean those qualifications generally achieved by young people aged 16-18 which would facilitate entry to the labour market or access to university. In the English system we defined Level 3 qualifications such as the BTEC National suite of Diplomas, Applied A-Levels, the Advanced Diploma and some qualifications contained within the Advanced Apprenticeship programme as contenders for hybridity. Compared with the clear pathways for entry to bachelor degrees that are articulated for those who have attained traditional Academic qualifications (namely A-levels), the routes for those leaving school with vocational qualifications are poorly and narrowly-defined, and fragile. Using the rich, narrative data gathered from interviews and focus groups with students, tutors and key stakeholders, we illustrate how for this group transition often involves ‘swimming against rather than with the tide’. To make sense of their uncertain and at times fragmented journeys we draw on Bourdieu's conceptual toolbox, and argue that his notion of ‘doxa’ is especially helpful in making sense of the way in which educational institutions play their own very distinctive roles in shaping those transitions.
‘We are Watching you Too’: Reflections on Doing Visual Research in a Contested City
Authors: Komarova Milena , McKnight Martina
Published: March 2013

This article focuses on our observations of two contentious Orange Order parades and nationalist protests that took place in an interface area in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in June 2011 and 2012. We apply a perspective of visual ethnography as place-making ( Pink 2009 ) to our research experience in order to add to understandings of how a place of conflict is experienced, (re)produced or challenged through the use of photography and video by marchers, protesters and researchers alike. In doing so, we discuss not only the strengths of visual methods, (how they enable a greater understanding of adversarial perspectives, allow researchers to experience contestation emotionally and compel reflexivity), but also more controversial aspects of their use (the extent to which they limit what researchers notice or omit and legitimate particular versions of conflict). Last, but not least, we suggest that the ubiquitous use of ‘the digital eye’ in the contentious events we observed has a democratising influence over elements in the performance of conflict: challenging the presumed roles of performers and audiences; of researchers and researched; opening contentious events to a wider audience and facilitating the communication of competing narratives.
Variability and trends in Laptev Sea ice outflow between 1992–2011
Authors: Krumpen T. , Janout M. , Hodges K. I. , Gerdes R. , Girard-Ardhuin F. , Hölemann J. A. , Willmes S.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. Variability and trends in seasonal and interannual ice area export out of the Laptev Sea between 1992 and 2011 are investigated using satellite-based sea ice drift and concentration data. We found an average total winter (October to May) ice area transport across the northern and eastern Laptev Sea boundaries (NB and EB) of 3.48 × 105 km2. The average transport across the NB (2.87 × 105 km2) is thereby higher than across the EB (0.61 × 105 km2), with a less pronounced seasonal cycle. The total Laptev Sea ice area flux significantly increased over the last decades (0.85 × 105 km2 decade−1, p > 0.95), dominated by increasing export through the EB (0.55 × 105 km2 decade−1, p > 0.90), while the increase in export across the NB is smaller (0.3 × 105 km2 decade−1) and statistically not significant. The strong coupling between across-boundary SLP gradient and ice drift velocity indicates that monthly variations in ice area flux are primarily controlled by changes in geostrophic wind velocities, although the Laptev Sea ice circulation shows no clear relationship with large-scale atmospheric indices. Also there is no evidence of increasing wind velocities that could explain the overall positive trends in ice export. The increased transport rates are rather the consequence of a changing ice cover such as thinning and/or a decrease in concentration. The use of a back-propagation method revealed that most of the ice that is incorporated into the Transpolar Drift is formed during freeze-up and originates from the central and western part of the Laptev Sea, while the exchange with the East Siberian Sea is dominated by ice coming from the central and southeastern Laptev Sea. Furthermore, our results imply that years of high ice export in late winter (February to May) have a thinning effect on the ice cover, which in turn preconditions the occurence of negative sea ice extent anomalies in summer.
Real Men Wear Uniforms: Photomontage, Postcards, and Military Visual Culture in Early Twentieth-Century Germany
Authors: Otto Elizabeth
Published: March 2013

This essay examines early twentieth-century German representations of men and women in uniform to consider how mass culture allowed individuals to participate in aspects of gender construction. It also reveals how masculinity was increasingly linked to military ideals. The pictures under scrutiny here were made in two significant but as yet under-researched types of pictures: pre-avant-garde photomontaged soldier portraits and popular postcards. Both of these visual forms originated in the 1870s, the decade that Germany was itself founded, and they both were in wide circulation by the early twentieth century. Individualized soldier portraits and postcards offered a glorious vision of a man’s military service, and they performed what Theodor Lessing has called Vergemütlichung, the rendering harmless of history. These idealized images of soldierly life were available to a broad swath of the public, but their democratization only extended so far. Representations of women in uniform served to reinforce—through stereotyping and humor—the unquestionably male nature of military institutions and, by extension, of public space. At the same time, by making apparent their own constructed nature, these portraits and postcards offered viewers a glimpse behind the masquerade of masculinity. This essay thus also identifies these images’ links to the subsequent work of avant-garde artists and to the National Socialists’ return to the ideal of uniformed masculinity.
An Interview with Lucy Skaer of Henry VIII’s Wives
Authors: Cohen Brianne
Published: March 2013

This interview took place on January 26, 2012 over Skype. I, Brianne Cohen, posed a series of questions to Lucy Skaer about three of Henry VIIIs’s Wives’ artworks presented in this volume of Contemporaneity – Spiral Betty (2004), Mr. Hysteria (2005), and The Returning Officer (2009) – in order to draw out thematic connections not only among the art collective’s moving-image installations, but also throughout their larger, diverse oeuvre. The six members of Henry VIII’s Wives live and work in different cities, but have collaborated and exhibited together since 1997, primarily in Europe. I am thankful to Lucy Skaer for her thoughtful answers and to Henry VIII’s Wives for permission to present their video and filmic work.The interview serves to introduce an artist portfolio containing three videos – Spiral Betty, Mr. Hysteria, and The Returning Officer – by the art collective Henry VIII’s Wives.
Cross-Disciplinary Theory in Construction of a World-Historical Archive
Authors: Manning Patrick , Ravi Sanjana
Published: March 2013

Interdisciplinary cooperation and collaboration have proven to be desirable yet difficult goals to achieve in social science research. The nuanced differences among the domains, frameworks, assumptions, and methods of the various fields of study that comprise such research often hinder attempts to engage in interdisciplinary dialogue that is both meaningful and productive. We show that demography, economics, political science, and sociology are a few of the fields at the vanguard of the interdisciplinary frontier that emerged following the Second World War. In light of the challenges that these fields (along with the natural sciences) face in initiating and sustaining interdisciplinary dialogue, we aim to accomplish several tasks. First, we seek to describe the theoretical and epistemological linkages among the cores of these four social-science disciplines. Second, we explore systems theory as a potential foundation for interdisciplinary unity. Third, we extrapolate the implications of the systems approach to encompass the study of human populations from multiple disciplinary perspectives. In this vein, we also seek to characterize key features of human populations, parse their functions in various disciplinary contexts, and prospectively identify challenges in data interpretation and analysis that will likely emerge in practice. The ultimate goals of this study are to delineate a set of methodological standards with which to guide interdisciplinary inquiry in the social and natural sciences, and consider how we might implement these standards in the construction of a world-historical data archive.
Changes of plasma lipids in relation to the regular consumption of bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.)
Authors: Habánová Marta , Habán Miroslav , Chlebo Peter , Schwarzová Marianna
Published: March 2013

In this work we studied the impact of regular consumption of bilberries on the lipid profile and triglycerides in the blood plasma. The research involved 18 women (average age 49.7) and 7 men (average age 52.8), who consumed 150 g of bilberries three times a week for 6 weeks. Based on these results, we can conclude that the average total cholesterol levels of women decreased from 5.65 mmol.l-1 at the beginning of research to 5.11 mmol.l-1. At end of the study, the average total cholesterol was 5.47 mmol.l-1. Similar results were found in the LDL cholesterol - the level of cholesterol of the second blood collection dropped from 4.06 mmol.l-1 to 3.70 mmol.l-1 and at the end of  the study it increased again to 4.00 mmol.l-1. We observed a slight increase in HDL choleserol (by 0.07 mmol.l-1) and reduction of triglycerides (by 0.16 mmol.l-1). The total cholesterol monitored men due to the regular consumption of bilberries decreased by 0.36 mmol.l-1, LDL cholesterol by 0.31 mmol.l-1, HDL cholesterol by 0.49 mmol.l-1 and triglycerides by 0,49 mmol.l-1. The improvement of triglycerides and lipid profile in blood plasma of monitored subjects can by evaluated positively. The observed data confirm the biological activity of bilberries and the effectiveness of their use in prevention and comprehensive treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Suitability of cereal porridges as substrate for probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
Authors: Kocková Monika , Valí­k Ľubomí­r
Published: March 2013

The aim of this work was to find new substrates suitable for growth and metabolism of probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, which would be interesting for development of new functional food. The growth and metabolic activity of Lb. rhamnosus GG in cereal (rye, barley, oat and millet) porridges were monitored during fermentation process. Cereal and porridges, were inoculated with this strain at two initial levels to obtain approximately 5 or 6 log colony form units per gram of suspension after sterilization and cooling,. Fermentation was led stationary at 37 °C for 48 hours and viable cell count, pH value, titratable acidity and organic acids were analysed. Metabolic activity of Lb. rhamnosus GG was influenced by inoculation level and by the type of cereal used. The cereals fermented by lactic acid bacteria, especially probiotic strains, might broaden the offer of probiotic products for those suffering from milk allergy.
Dysplastic Lesions in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Molecular Pathogenesis to Morphology
Authors: Matkowskyj Kristina A. , Chen Zongming E. , Rao M. Sambasiva , Yang Guang-Yu
Published: March 2013

Context.—Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a long-standing chronic active inflammatory process in the bowel with increased risk for the development of colorectal carcinoma. Several molecular events involved in chronic active inflammatory processes contribute to multistage progression of human cancer development, including reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, aberrant arachidonic acid metabolites and cytokines/growth factors, and immune dysfunction. These molecular events in IBD lead to genetic abnormality and promote aberrant cell proliferation, which further lead to epithelial changes encompassing a broad spectrum from inflammation-induced hyperplasia to dysplasia.

Objective.—To review the (1) epidemiologic and molecular pathogenesis of the risk for colorectal cancer in IBD, (2) morphologic characterization, biomarker(s), and classification of dysplastic lesions, and (3) clinical management of dysplastic lesions arising in IBD.

Data Sources.—The different IBD-related dysplastic lesions are illustrated by using morphology in conjunction with molecular pathways, and the “field cancerization” theory and its potential significance are discussed with a review of the literature.

Conclusions.—Patients with IBD are at increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. The risk of developing carcinoma is related to the extent/duration/activity of the patient's disease. There is no consensus regarding the extent of carcinoma risk associated with IBD; however, all would agree that patients with IBD represent a group at significant risk for developing carcinoma and as such, warrant adequate surveillance and prevention. With better screening modalities and detection/characterization of dysplastic lesions, IBD-associated serrated lesions, and “field cancerization,” we will improve our understanding of and approach to risk stratification.
Pathologic Examination of Fetal and Placental Tissue Obtained by Dilation and Evacuation
Authors: Ernst Linda M. , Gawron Lori , Fritsch Michael K.
Published: March 2013

Context.—Dilation and evacuation (D&E) is an alternative method to induction of labor for pregnancy termination and intrauterine fetal demise, and it is the most common mode of second-trimester uterine evacuation in the United States. Many D&E specimens are examined in surgical pathology, and there is little information available in surgical pathology textbooks or the literature to assist pathologists in these examinations.

Objective.—To provide an overview of the D&E procedure, discuss related legal issues, provide guidelines for routine pathologic examination of D&E specimens, and demonstrate the importance of careful pathologic examination of D&E specimens.

Data Sources.—Case-derived material and literature review.

Conclusions.—Pathologic examination of D&E specimens has been understudied. However, the available literature and our experience support the fact that careful pathologic examination of D&E specimens can identify significant fetal and placental changes that can confirm clinical diagnoses or provide definitive diagnosis, assist in explaining the cause of intrauterine fetal demise, and identify unexpected anomalies that may provide further clues to a diagnostic syndrome or mechanism of anomaly formation.
Evaluation of Retinol Level Among Preschool Children, Pregnant and Lactating Women Attending Primary Health Care Centres in Baghdad
Authors: Hadi Sawsan Mohammed Ali , Hussien Alaa Shaalan , Ali Saad Alddin Hussien , Jabber Azhar Abdul , Rejeb Ahmed , Hammed Ali
Published: March 2013

Background: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major public health nutrition problem in the developing world. There have been no studies on this topic in Iraq. This study was designed to evaluate the serum retinol levels of preschool children, pregnant and lactating women.
Objectives: The present study is an attempt to estimate the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency among preschool children, pregnant and lactating women attending primary health care centers in Baghdad, in addition to figure out the relation between vitamin A deficiency with some demographical, clinical, variables.
Subjects and Methods: The study was conducted during the period from October to December 2009.
The sample was comprised of 490 subjects, Lactating women pregnant women and under 6 year's old children attending ten primary health care centers in Baghdad.
The data were collected through direct interview; blood samples were taken and analyze for serum retinol (SR) by HPLC analysis and hemoglobin (Hb) level, anthropometric measurement were obtained for the study sample.
Results: The study showed that the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in preschool aged children (below 6 years) was (38.3 %); and that for lactating women and pregnant women were (7.1 %) and (25 %) respectively.
Forty percent of pregnant women, (25.8 %) of lactating women and a total of (58.6 %) preschool children were anemic, A correlation coefficient between SR and Hb concentrations was significant (N=490, r=0.533, P<0.0001).
Conclusion: Vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem, this study shows that subjects in the 3 groups (preschool children, pregnant and lactating women) are at risk of VAD and anemia; nearly half of them had the co-occurrence of VAD and anemia. A close association between vitamin A deficiency and anemia with a correlation coefficient between SR and Hb concentrations was significant.
Clinical and Economic Analysis of Delayed Administration of Antithymocyte Globulin for Induction Therapy in Kidney Transplantation
Authors: McGillicuddy John W. , Taber David J. , Pilch Nicole A. , Kohout Ryan K. , Bratton Charles F. , Chavin Kenneth D. , Baliga Prabhakar K.
Published: March 2013

Context

The increasing number of marginal deceased kidney donors and an aging recipient population, prolonged hospitalization, and increased costs have destabilized the economic viability of kidney transplants.

Objective

To determine if a delay in the administration of the day-of-discharge dose of rabbit antithymocyte globulin would result in equivalent clinical outcomes with cost savings.

Design

Single-center, prospective, observational before-and-after study of adult kidney transplant recipients who received induction with rabbit antithymocyte globulin. Intervention—Patients who received a transplant between June 2006 and February 2009 and received rabbit antithymocyte globulin served as the control group. Patients who received a transplant between March 2009 and August 2010 and received rabbit antithymocyte globulin had the day-of-discharge dose delayed to the following day and administered in the clinic. A total of 231 patients (146 in the control group, 85 in the study group) were included. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were similar in the 2 groups.

Results

Patients who had delayed administration of rabbit antithymocyte globulin had shorter stays (3.9 vs 3.1 days, P .001) and reduced inpatient costs for rabbit antithymocyte globulin (mean $860/patient); these changes were achieved without affecting acute rejection rates (5% vs 5%, P>> .99) or readmission rates. In conclusion, delayed inpatient administration of rabbit antithymocyte globulin provided identical clinical outcomes while helping to reduce inpatient costs and increase timely discharges.
L’impact des programmes de littératie préscolaire offerts dans les communautés franco-manitobaines en contexte linguistique minoritaire
Authors: Ewart Gestny , de Rocquigny Janelle
Published: March 2013

Étant donné l’importance de la littératie préscolaire et le rôle de l’environnement francophone dans le développement des compétences langagières en français des enfants en milieu minoritaire, le but de cette recherche est de déterminer si les programmes de littératie préscolaire ont un effet positif sur les pratiques de littératie chez les parents et les enfants qui y ont participé. Plus spécifiquement, cette recherche vise à décrire le profil démolinguistique des parents participants, y compris certaines caractéristiques personnelles des parents, leurs habitudes langagières avec leurs enfants et leur motivation à suivre un programme de littératie préscolaire. Elle a aussi pour objectif de déterminer l’impact de la participation des enfants et des parents sur les activités de littératie familiale et de sonder le niveau de satisfaction des parents et des animatrices quant au déroulement des programmes. Les données recueillies au moyen des questionnaires révèlent une population très engagée qui désire augmenter les occasions de contact avec la communauté francophone et renforcer les pratiques de littératie auprès de leurs enfants. Les retombées des programmes sont très positives pour les parents et les enfants.
The Librarian's Copyright Companion, 2nd Edition, by James S. Heller, Paul Hellyer, & Benjamin J. Keele
Authors: Mower Allyson
Published: March 2013

If anyone working in a library needs a useful guide on the complex world of U.S. copyright law, this updated edition of The Librarian’s Copyright Companion is an excellent work to have. Describing owners’ rights under copyright and the many exceptions to the rules can sometimes feel meaningless, at best. At worst, it can be overwhelming. These authors do a fine job of contextualizing the many rules and exceptions for library operations. The chapters are comprehensive yet easy to understand and expertly use examples to illustrate complicated concepts. The list of online resources, as well as the appendices, make the book a worthwhile purchase.
Flame retardant polyurethane elastomer nanocomposite applied to coal mines as air‐leak sealant
Authors: Wu Jianming , Yan Hong , Wang Junfeng , Wu Yuguo , Zhou Chunshan
Published: March 2013

Polyurethane elastomer (PUE) was firstly applied to mining coal roadway as air‐leak sealant. It is very important for air‐leak sealants to possess the super mechanical properties and good flame retardant performance when applied to the coal‐rock mass with cracks. The reinforced and toughened PUE nanocomposites were obtained by adding surface modified TiO2 and SiO2 nanoparticles. The modified PUE was characterized in terms of morphology, structure, and thermal stability by field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Its flame‐retardant performance and mechanical properties were also tested. The results showed that the surface modified nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed in the PUE matrix and enhanced its thermal stability and flame retardant performance. The dual effects of uniform dispersion of nanoparticles and hydrogen bonding between nanoparticles and PUE improved the mechanical properties of the composites. The PUE modified by nanoparticles was successfully applied to coal mines and showed great air‐leak sealing effect. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Development of lightweight thermoplastic composites based on polycarbonate/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene copolymer alloys and recycled carbon fiber: Preparation, morphology, and properties
Authors: Yan Guotao , Wang Xiaodong , Wu Dezhen
Published: March 2013

Thermoplastic composites of polycarbonate (PC)/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene copolymer (ABS) alloys reinforced with recycled carbon fiber (RCF) were prepared by melt extrusion through a twin‐screw extruder. The RCF was first cleaned and activated with a concentrated solution of nitric acid and was then surface‐coated with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A as a macromolecular coupling agent. Such an approach is effective to improve the interfacial bonding between the fibers and the PC/ABS matrix. As was expected, the reinforcing potential of the RCF was enhanced substantially, and furthermore, the mechanical properties, heat distortion temperature, and thermal stability of PC/ABS alloys were significantly improved by incorporating this surface‐treated RCF. The composites also obtained a reduction in electrical resistivity. The morphologies of impact fracture surfaces demonstrated that the RCF achieved a homogeneous dispersion in the PC/ABS matrix due to good interfacial adhesion between the fibers and the matrix. In addition, the introduction of RCF into PC/ABS alloys also resulted in an increase in the storage moduli of the composites but a decrease in the loss factors. It is prospective that, with such good performance in mechanical data, heat resistance, and electrostatic discharge, the RCF‐reinforced PC/ABS composites exhibit a potential application in industrial and civil fields as high‐performance and lightweight materials. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Conductive composites of PVC and wood's metal with interpenetrating network structure
Authors: Trojanowska‐Tomczak Monika , Steller Ryszard , Janukiewicz Jarosław , Ziaja Jan , Szafran Grzegorz
Published: March 2013

This work presents composite materials with interpenetrating network structure based on thermoplastic polymer and low melting metal alloy. Composites with various alloy content were prepared by PVC powder sintering to obtain polymer matrix with open pores. Then, liquid Wood's metal was intruded into the matrix using a pressure autoclave. Obtained composites have been studied with respect to microstructure, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. SEM micrographs revealed good dispersion of metal in the matrix but at low loading levels it is incomplete. Addition of metal improved mechanical properties, especially flexural strength. Electrical resistivity of samples varies from 10−4 to 10−5 Ω m and these values are typical of conductors. The measurements of electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) shows that generally PVC/Wood's metal composites have a good ability to shield electromagnetic waves. Composites containing more than 15 vol % Wood's metal exhibited EMI SE above 40 dB in the major part of frequency range. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
MicroRNA‐30a Promotes B Cell Hyperactivity in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus by Direct Interaction With Lyn
Authors: Liu Yu , Dong Jie , Mu Rong , Gao Yaping , Tan Xiaorong , Li Yuhui , Li Zhanguo , Yang Guang
Published: March 2013

Objective

To investigate why the level of Lyn is significantly decreased in B cells from a majority of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to determine the role of microRNA‐30a (miR‐30a) in SLE B cell hyperactivity.

Methods

Luciferase reporter gene assays were performed to identify the interaction between miR‐30a and the 3′‐untranslated region (3′‐UTR) of Lyn. Levels of miR‐30a in B cells were determined by TaqMan quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), Lyn messenger RNA levels were tested with real‐time qPCR, and protein levels of Lyn were determined using Western blotting. The quantity of IgG was determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The proliferation of B cells was measured using 3H‐thymidine incorporation.

Results

In B cell lines, miR‐30a, but not miR‐30b, miR‐30c, miR‐30d, or miR‐30e, could specifically bind the 3′‐UTR of Lyn, and overexpression of miR‐30a inhibited the levels of Lyn. The level of miR‐30a in B cells was significantly higher in SLE patients compared to healthy donors. The level of miR‐30a was negatively associated with the level of Lyn in B cells. Overexpression of miR‐30a was found to promote B cell proliferation and the production of IgG antibodies. The effect of miR‐30a could be abrogated by inducing overexpression of Lyn in B cells.

Conclusion

These results reveal that elevated expression of miR‐30a is responsible for the reduction in levels of Lyn in B cells from patients with SLE, suggesting that miR‐30a plays an important role in B cell hyperactivity.
Asymmetric Hydroamination: A Survey of the Most Recent Developments
Authors: Hannedouche Jérôme , Schulz Emmanuelle
Published: March 2013

Asymmetric hydroamination allows the direct and selective formation of a new CN bond as a simple procedure towards valuable scalemic synthons. Huge efforts have recently been made to overcome the challenges associated with this transformation. This non‐comprehensive Concept article aims at pointing out the most recent and original progresses, offering nearby developments, and addressing the next challenges.
Fluorinated Carbohydrates as Lectin Ligands: Dissecting Glycan–Cyanovirin Interactions by Using 19F NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Matei Elena , André Sabine , Glinschert Anja , Infantino Angela Simona , Oscarson Stefan , Gabius Hans‐Joachim , Gronenborn Angela M.
Published: March 2013

NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) are powerful methods to investigate ligand–protein interactions. Here, we present a versatile and sensitive fluorine NMR spectroscopic approach that exploits the 19F nucleus of 19F‐labeled carbohydrates as a sensor to study glycan binding to lectins. Our approach is illustrated with the 11 kDa Cyanovirin‐N, a mannose binding anti‐HIV lectin. Two fluoro‐deoxy sugar derivatives, methyl 2‐deoxy‐2‐fluoro‐α‐D‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐D‐mannopyranoside and methyl 2‐deoxy‐2‐fluoro‐α‐D‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐D‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐D‐mannopyranoside were utilized. Binding was studied by 19F NMR spectroscopy of the ligand and 1H–15N HSQC NMR spectroscopy of the protein. The NMR data agree well with those obtained from the equivalent reciprocal and direct ITC titrations. Our study shows that the strategic design of fluorinated ligands and fluorine NMR spectroscopy for ligand screening holds great promise for easy and fast identification of glycan binding, as well as for their use in reporting structural and/or electronic perturbations that ensue upon interaction with a cognate lectin.
Decametallic CoII‐Cluster‐Based Microporous Magnetic Framework with a Semirigid Multicoordinating Ligand
Authors: Tian Jumei , Li Wenliang , Li Bo , Zhang Xiaoying , Tang Jinkui , Zhang Jingping
Published: March 2013

We have synthesized a microporous magnetic framework that contained supertetrahedral decametallic cobalt clusters as nodes and 4‐(tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl)pyridine ligands as linkers in a NaCl‐like network. This complex shows canted antiferromagnetism with spin‐glass behavior. After the removal of the guest molecules, the spin‐canting and spin‐glass behaviors are maintained. The permanent porosity was evaluated by N2‐adsorption measurements. This complex mainly shows a hydrophobic nature, as validated by MeOH‐ and water‐adsorption measurements, which is consistent with the grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) theoretical simulation.
Basophilic histamine content and release during venom immunotherapy: Insights by flow cytometry
Authors: Nullens S. , Sabato V. , Faber M. , Leysen J. , Bridts C. H. , De Clerck L. S. , Falcone F. H. , Maurer M. , Ebo D. G.
Published: March 2013

Background:

Despite the efficiency of venom immunotherapy, the effects on basophils and mast cells remain incompletely understood and probably vary according to the treatment phase.

Objectives:

To study the effect of build‐up and maintenance venom immunotherapy on individual basophils.

Methods:

Intracellular histamine and its release was analyzed flow cytometrically by a new enzyme‐affinity method using diamine oxidase conjugated to laser‐excitable fluorochromes.

Phenotyping of cells included flow cytometric quantification of CD63 and CD203c. Analyses of basophil activation experiments were performed before the start of treatment, after build‐up therapy and during maintenance therapy.

Results:

Before the start of therapy, patients demonstrated significantly higher numbers of basophils when compared with stung control individuals. At the end of build‐up therapy a decrease of basophil numbers was observed, whereas during maintenance therapy basophil counts returned to pretreatment values. Before the start of therapy, the intracellular histamine content per cell in patients was significantly higher when compared with stung control individuals. During maintenance therapy intracellular histamine content decreased to values observed in stung control individuals. In addition, maintenance therapy lowered the net release of histamine per cell in response to optimal stimulation with wasp venom.

Conclusions:

We introduce a novel technique that enables to assess the effects of venom immunotherapy on basophils. This new technique may help to monitor treatment effects in individual patients and could aid in the development of more efficient and better tolerated immunotherapy protocols. © 2013 International Clinical Cytometry Society
α‐Dithiophene‐tetrathiafulvalene – a Detailed Study of an Electronic Donor and Its Derivatives
Authors: Silva Rafaela A. L. , Neves Ana I. , Afonso Mónica L. , Santos Isabel C. , Lopes Elsa B. , Del Pozo Freddy , Pfattner Raphael , Mas‐Torrent Marta , Rovira Concepció , Almeida Manuel , Belo Dulce
Published: March 2013

The electronic donor α‐DT‐TTF (α‐dithiophene‐tetrathiafulvalene), which among the thiophenic TTF derivatives has remained essentially unexplored, and some of its charge transfer salts are described in detail in this paper. This donor was efficiently prepared by the homocoupling of 5,6‐thieno[2,3‐d]‐1,3‐dithiol‐2‐one, and its redox properties are intermediate between those of DT‐TTF (dithiophene‐tetrathiafulvalene) and BET‐TTF [bis(ethylenethio)tetrathiafulvalene]. The crystal structure of α‐DT‐TTF shows a molecular packing composed of trios of donor chains with alternating orientation. This pattern is clearly distinct from those previously found in all other thiophenic TTF donors. Used as an active material in a field‐effect transistor, α‐DT‐TTF presents a mobility μFE = 5 × 10–5 cm2/V s. The possibility to convert this new donor to conducting charge‐transfer salts with suitable anions was demonstrated by preparing its PF6– salts. Two salts with different crystal structures and stoichiometries were identified by X‐ray diffraction studies: (α‐DT‐TTF)(PF6)0.6 and (α‐DT‐TTF)2(PF6). The electrical conductivities of these salts, measured in the single crystal, range from 9 to 50 S/cm at room temperature. In all cases, the salts show a semiconducting behaviour and properties that are comparable to those of the analogous nonaromatic BET‐TTF salts.
Geochemical profile of a layered outcrop in the Atacama analogue using laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy: Implications for Curiosity investigations in Gale
Authors: Sobron Pablo , Lefebvre Catherine , Leveille Richard , Koujelev Alex , Haltigin Timothy , Du Hongwei , Wang Alian , Cabrol Nathalie , Zacny Kris , Craft Jack ,   The LiTA 2012 Team
Published: March 2013

We performed laboratory laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and laser Raman spectroscopy measurements on samples from a layered outcrop from the Atacama Desert, Chile. This outcrop is a terrestrial morphological and possibly mineralogical analogue for similar formations that will likely be investigated by the Curiosity rover at Gale Crater. Our results demonstrate that fast LIBS analysis can generate semiquantitative chemical profiles in subminute times using automated data processing tools. Therefore, the LIBS instrument can be an invaluable tactical tool on the Curiosity rover for remote, rapid geochemical survey of layered outcrops, thus serving daily operational needs. The derived chemical profiles, supported by the range of minerals identified by Raman spectroscopy, is consistent with the products of a continental evaporitic lake. In the framework of future surface exploration on Mars, a combined Raman/LIBS investigation may provide a rapid mineralogical/chemical evaluation of targets that can be useful for selecting samples to be eventually collected for sample return purposes or for selecting sample sites to be drilled in the search for astrobiology‐relevant species.
Classification of fMRI patterns—A study of the language network segregation in pediatric localization related epilepsy
Authors: Wang Jin , You Xiaozhen , Wu Wensong , Guillen Magno R. , Cabrerizo Mercedes , Sullivan Joseph , Donner Elizabeth , Bjornson Bruce , Gaillard William D. , Adjouadi Malek
Published: March 2013

This article describes a pattern classification algorithm for pediatric epilepsy using fMRI language‐related activation maps. 122 fMRI datasets from a control group (64) and localization related epilepsy patients (58) provided by five children's hospitals were used. Each subject performed an auditory description decision task. Using the artificial data as training data, incremental Principal Component Analysis was used in order to generate the feature space while overcoming memory requirements of large datasets. The nearest‐neighbor classifier (NNC) and the distance‐based fuzzy classifier (DFC) were used to perform group separation into left dominant, right dominant, bilateral, and others. The results show no effect of age, age at seizure onset, seizure duration, or seizure etiology on group separation. Two sets of parameters were significant for group separation, the patient vs. control populations and handedness. Of the 122 real datasets, 90 subjects gave the same classification results across all the methods (three raters, LI, bootstrap LI, NNC, and DFC). For the remaining datasets, 18 cases for the IPCA‐NNC and 21 cases for the IPCA‐DFC agreed with the majority of the five classification results (three visual ratings and two LI results). Kappa values vary from 0.59 to 0.73 for NNC and 0.61 to 0.75 for DFC, which indicate good agreement between NNC or DFC with traditional methods. The proposed method as designed can serve as an alternative method to corroborate existing LI and visual rating classification methods and to resolve some of the cases near the boundaries in between categories. Hum Brain Mapp 35:1446–1460, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Application of the Haar wavelet method on a continuously moving convective‐radiative fin with variable thermal conductivity
Authors: Ravi Kanth A.S.V. , Uday Kumar N.
Published: March 2013

In this paper, we numerically investigate the heat transfer in a continuously moving convective‐radiative fin with variable thermal conductivity by using Haar wavelets. Heat is dissipated to the environment simultaneously through convection and radiation. The effect of various significant parameters—in particular the thermal conductivity parameter a, convection‐sink temperature θa, radiation‐sink temperature θs, convection‐radiation parameter Nc, radiation‐conduction parameter Nr, and Peclet number Pe—on the temperature profile of the fin are discussed and interpreted physically through illustrative graphs. Computational results obtained by the present method are in good agreement with the standard numerical solutions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.21038
Responses of water yield and dissolved inorganic carbon export to forest recovery in the Houzhai karst basin, southwest China
Authors: Yan Junhua , Wang Wantong , Zhou Chuanyan , Li Kun , Wang Shijie
Published: March 2013

Karst terrain (carbonate rocks) covers a vast land of 0.446 million km2 in southwest China. Water yield and carbonate rocks weathering in this region have been receiving increased attention due to a large‐scale forest recovery. Using both hydrological measurements and forest inventories from 1986 to 2007 in the Houzhai karst basin (HKB), we analyzed the responses of water yield and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) export to forest recovery in southwest China. With implementation of both the Natural Forest Conservation Program (NFCP) and the Conversion of Farmland to Forests Program (CFFP), the fraction of forest area in HKB was increased from near zero to 18.9% during the study period, but the ratio of total water yield (surface and underground) to precipitation varied very little over the annual period, neither in wet season nor in dry season. By contrast, the concentration of DIC in water, especially in the surface water had a pronounced increase during the study period, with an increase of 0.53 and 0.25 g C m−3 yr−1 for surface water and underground water, respectively. As a result, total annual DIC export at mean annual rainfall significantly increased from the low to high forest area stage. This increase was largely driven by surface water during the wet season, presumably being related to biological activity. It was concluded that forest recovery in HKB had no significant effect on water yield, but resulted in more carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolved in karst water accompanying with carbon uptake by forests. Our results suggested that implementations of both NFCP and CFFP had no shifted water yield regimes in southwest China; instead, they might have alleviated global climate change by increasing carbon uptake through combined biological processes and carbonate rocks weathering. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.