bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entre fiction et vérité : la théâtralité comme mode de connaissance
Authors: Morissette Jean-François
Published: April 2013

Dans les sociétés occidentales, le théâtre et la théorie sont apparentés : ils se référent tous deux à l’acte de voir et de faire voir. En s’appuyant sur l’ouvrage Theatricality as Medium de Samuel Weber, qui définit la théâtralité comme capacité de faire d’un lieu, de n’importe quel lieu, une scène sur laquelle une chose – un événement, une situation, une action, une idée, etc. – prend place, s’expose et se donne à voir en passant, cet article traite de la théâtralité en tant que mode de connaissance dans lequel fiction et vérité partagent une même visée : voir et faire voir un sens – réel et/ou imaginaire – à l’agir individuel et au devenir collectif de l’Homme. Cette filiation entre fiction et vérité, qui est exposée de manière emblématique dans la Phénoménologie de l’esprit de Hegel, montre que la théâtralité, lorsqu’elle est mise au service d’une entreprise de connaissance, a pour fondement le concept de jeu.
Roland Barthes au théâtre de la Cité
Authors: Roberge Jonathan
Published: April 2013

L’article discute des rapports ambigus de Roland Barthes avec le théâtre et des multiples manières par lesquelles il a tenté de mettre ces rapports au clair. L’idée de théâtralité est l’aboutissement de cette démarche. Comme « épaisseur de signes », elle permet un meilleur dialogue avec les sciences humaines et, de là, de penser à nouveaux frais la culture populaire. Dans un premier temps, l’article reprend les discussions contemporaines sur le concept — chez Josette Feral notamment — pour en arriver à la théâtralité comme régime de visibilité, médiation et métaphorisation de l’espace public dans lequel les individus s’entre-aperçoivent tantôt sur un mode performatif, tantôt sur un mode réceptif. Dans un second temps, place est faite aux écrits peut-être plus anciens de Barthes à propos du théâtre brechtien. La venue du Berliner Ensemble à Paris, en 1954, fut un « véritable incendie » aussi parce que Brecht proposait un théâtre proprement immanent, mais dans lequel s’ouvrait une brèche, une possibilité de critique. La troisième partie de l’article poursuit cet effort consistant à repenser la critique à partir d’exemples vernaculaires tels la lutte, le Palace et les vedettes. Ces mythes de la culture de masse mélangent le profane et le sacré d’une telle façon que la critique et les intellectuels qui la portent se doivent de s’adapter et de se remettre en question.
Teacher’s formation: the construction of teaching and pedagogical activity in Higher Education
Authors: Pires Vargas Bolzan Doris , De Aguiar Isaia Silvia Maria , Moreira da Rocha Maciel Adriana
Published: April 2013

This article has been produced from an investigative network which is linked to the interlocution between research groups in relation to the studies they develop. GPFOPE, GTFORMA and KOSMOS groups, in quest of contributing for the area of teacher formation, have produced contributions for implementing and improving educational and institutional policies, seeking the qualification of classroom and distance learning courses. The purpose of this reflection is to offer alternatives to rethink the formation processes promoted by the IES and their repercussion in the organization of the pedagogical activities they develop. In this sense, we consider that the focus of teacher formation cannot be restrict to thinking and discussing the organization of teaching and its divisions but, most of all, it is to mobilize the subjects to continue learning in the different contexts of activity. This includes reflecting upon and about the pedagogical practice, understanding the problems within the teaching, analyzing curriculums, recognizing the influence of the didactic materials in the pedagogical choices, socializing the constructions and experiences exchange in order to advance in direction to new learning, within a constant exercise of reflexive, collaborative and collective practice. It is about a process that is characterized by tensions and challenges in unknown contexts in which the trainers seek professional balance. So that it happens, teachers need to be conscious that they are subjects in permanent evolution and professional development of teachers.
Social network as a means of sharing open educational resources in Higher Education
Authors: Lupion Torres Patrícia , Marques Siqueira Lilia Maria , Matos Elizete Lucia
Published: April 2013

This article is about social networks and open educational resources as means of exchange and collaboration for higher education. It highlights the issue of students as participants in the construction of new knowledge, from content presented in class through discussions mediated by the professor and integration of each participant with their own experiences and characteristics from reality and historicity from that moment. It searches, through social networks and open educational resources, new elements which favor the spread of academic culture, university, currently entered into denominations such as: network society, knowledge society or information society. In common in their definitions there is the change of the educational paradigm which assumes that the student is a passive subject who will only have access to information through the professor’s hands, to a new theoretical positioning. The networks are used by the community to share ideas, opinions, and in educational contexts, for sharing computerized educational resources and with authors such as Andres (2000), Bruffee (1999), Downes (2007), Johnstone (2005) and others. The interdependence skills, exchange of ideas and debates with the strategy of collaboration can also be encouraged through the mediation of technology. From several studies on the topic some recommendations are presented so that the educational resources meet international standards of production surpassing the mere text digitization. The use of educational resources can mean an improvement on the proposals of hybridization of teaching in higher education institutions, by allowing a relaxation of the teaching-learning process which overcomes the boundaries of traditional and formal education.
Tutoria em Educação a Distância: didática e competências do novo “fazer pedagógico”
Authors: Da Silva Gomes de Oliveira Eloiza , Santos Lázaro
Published: April 2013

A Educação a Distância destaca-se no contexto educacional atual. A pesquisa que deu origem a este artigo, realizada pelo Laboratório de Estudos da Aprendizagem Humana da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, investigou o processo de tutoria do curso de Pedagogia a distância dessa Universidade. Procuramos conhecer as dificuldades encontradas e as competências necessárias para o exercício da tutoria. A necessidade da construção de uma Didática para cursos não presenciais levou-nos a estudar os processos que ocorrem no interior das práticas pedagógicas virtuais, objetivando aprimorar os processos de ensino e aprendizagem. Diante desse quadro, verificamos que muitos tutores ou docentes à frente do cenário da educação a distância não tiveram na sua formação experiências em tal modalidade. Quando se veem trabalhando nesse ambiente, configura-se um campo de novas descobertas e desafios, mas com o enfrentamento de algumas dificuldades. Os tutores que entrevistados destacaram o desenvolvimento de competências tutoriais como forma de superar tais dificuldades. Portanto, é na tensão entre as dificuldades e as competências dos tutores que acontece o surgimento do novo fazer pedagógico necessário à educação a distância.
Obituary: Sandy Island (1876–2012)
Authors: Seton Maria , Williams Simon , Zahirovic Sabin , Micklethwaite Steven
Published: April 2013

In October 2012, scientists investigating the tectonic evolution of the eastern Coral Sea aboard the R/V Southern Surveyor uncovered a quirky discrepancy in maps of seafloor topography during their 25‐day voyage. While on a transit leg between dredge sites, the ship passed near a purported island between the Chesterfield Islands and Nereus Reef that appeared in numerous scientific data sets and in Google Earth™ with the label “Sandy Island.” However, this 25‐kilometer‐long and 5‐kilometer‐wide feature was absent from the hydrographic charts used by the master onboard the ship for navigation.
Unifying Concepts of Organic Matter Cycling in Soil, River, and Marine Environments
Authors: Schmidt M. W. I. , Eglinton T. I.
Published: April 2013

Scientists from 18 countries gathered in Monte Verità, Switzerland, for SOM–5, a workshop dedicated to a discussion of global biogeochemical cycling of organic matter (OM) in soil, river, and marine environments. The 95 participants represented a range of areas of expertise, including soil and ocean science, marine chemistry, global carbon cycling, geomorphology, and organic geochemistry. A large proportion of those attending—40%—were women or early career scientists.
SWIRL Program Expanded for 2013 Meetings to Promote Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Authors: Tomb Jennifer
Published: April 2013

At the 2012 Fall Meeting, AGU implemented a new path for interdisciplinary collaboration through SWIRL sessions. This concept was initiated by the AGU Council and first developed by the AGU Fall Meeting Program Committee as a mechanism to identify, link, and organize select sessions from various sections into themes. The SWIRL themes provided attendees with the opportunity to explore an interdisciplinary experience at the Fall Meeting.
Sensorless induction machine observation with nonlinear magnetic characteristic
Authors: El Fadili A. , Giri F. , El Magri A. , Besançon G.
Published: April 2013

This paper addresses the problem of state estimation in induction motors. Generally, the motor observer design has been dealt based on standard models neglecting the saturation effect in the magnetic characteristic. As a matter of fact, magnetic saturation cannot be ignored especially when considering control strategies (speed and torque) that involve large flux variations. Such large flux variations are necessary to meet optimal operation conditions in the presence of wide range load torque changes. On the other hand, it is well known that use of mechanical (speed and torque) sensors entails reliability issues. In this paper, a new sensorless adaptive observer is designed for induction machine based on a model that accounts for the nonlinear feature in the magnetic circuit. The observer consists of two interconnected state‐dependent gain observers and is formally shown to provide accurate estimates of the mechanical and magnetic variables using only stator current and voltage measurements. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bioacoustic Field Research: A Primer to Acoustic Analyses and Playback Experiments With Primates
Authors: FISCHER JULIA , NOSER RAHEL , HAMMERSCHMIDT KURT
Published: April 2013

Acoustic analyses of primate vocalizations as well as playback experiments are staple methods in primatology. Acoustic analyses have been used to investigate the influence of factors such as individuality, context, sex, age, and size on variation in calls. More recent studies have expanded our knowledge on the effects of phylogenetic relatedness and the structure of primate vocal repertoires in general. Complementary playback experiments allow direct testing of hypotheses regarding the attribution of meaning to calls, the cognitive mechanisms underpinning responses, and/or the adaptive value of primate behavior. After briefly touching on the historical background of this field of research, we first provide an introduction to recording primate vocalizations and discuss different approaches to describe primate calls in terms of their temporal and spectral properties. Second, we present a tutorial regarding the preparation, execution, and interpretation of field playback experiments, including a review of studies that have used such approaches to investigate the responses to acoustic variation in calls including the integration of contextual and acoustic information, recognition of kin and social relationships, and social knowledge. Based on the review of the literature and our own experience, we make a number of recommendations regarding the most common problems and pitfalls. The power of acoustic analyses typically hinges on the quality of the recordings and the number of individuals represented in the sample. Playback experiments require profound knowledge of the natural behavior of the animals for solid interpretation; experiments should be conducted sparingly, to avoid habituation of the subjects to the occurrence of the calls; experimenter‐blind designs chosen whenever possible; and researchers should brace themselves for long periods of waiting times until the appropriate moments to do the experiment arise. If all these aspects are considered, acoustic analyses and field playback experiments provide unique insights into primate communication and cognition. Am. J. Primatol. 75:643–663, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The north‐west of the Iberian Peninsula is crucial for conservation of Margaritifera margaritifera (L.) in Europe
Authors: Lois S. , Ondina P. , Outeiro A. , Amaro R. , San Miguel E.
Published: April 2013

Extensive assessments of a species distribution, its variation in density and demographic status across environments are crucial to develop successful conservation efforts.

The freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) is considered one of the most endangered freshwater bivalves with many recovery efforts continuing throughout its geographic range. The distribution and conservation status of M. margaritifera are not well documented in the Iberian Peninsula. Galicia (NW Iberian Peninsula) represents nearly 70% of the historical distribution of the species in the southern limit of its European range.

An extensive field survey was conducted in two phases at 2436 locations. The presence and density of M. margaritifera was determined at 555 sampling points spread across 54 rivers that belong to 23 drainage basins in Galicia. The present work has more than doubled the number of rivers known to provide habitat for this endangered species in the Iberian Peninsula.

In Galicia the species is heterogeneously distributed with a highly variable density of individuals within and between rivers. For example, within the River Camba density ranged from 0.02 to 47.8 ind m‐2. The maximum density detected in a sample was 332 ind m‐2. Twelve rivers in Galicia are thought to have more than 5000 individuals, and small individuals were found in 11 rivers.

High rates of decline and extinction of M. margaritifera populations are known in some areas and the main threat to unionoid bivalves is a lack of natural recruitment. Thus, Galician populations are important for providing new opportunities for conservation of the species in Europe because it is vitally important to find the reasons for recruitment failure.

Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design, Synthesis, Antioxidant, and Anti‐Breast Cancer Activities of Novel Diethyl(alkyl/aryl/heteroarylamino)(4‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)phenyl)methylphosphonates
Authors: Prasad Sthanikam Siva , Kumar Krishnammagari Suresh , Jayaprakash Soora Harinath , Krishna Balam Satheesh , Sundar Chereddy Syama , Rao Pasupuleti Visweswara , Babu Tirumalasetty Munichandra , Rajendra Wudayagiri , Reddy Cirandur Suresh
Published: April 2013

A series of new diethyl(alkyl/aryl/heteroarylamino)(4‐(pyridine‐2‐yl)phenyl)methylphosphonates (4a–t) were synthesized via three‐component Kabachnik–Field's reaction of 4‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)benzaldehyde, diethylphosphite and various primary amines, catalyzed by cupric acetate monohydrate [Cu(OAc)2 · H2O] under solvent‐free and microwave irradiation conditions. Their computational docking analysis supported them as good therapeutic agents to the breast cancer aromatase enzyme and ascertained 4a, 4h, 4m, 4n, and 4t as potential molecules with good binding affinities varying from −9.0 to −9.6 kcal/mol and containing the 4‐(pyridine‐2‐yl)phenyl moiety as a pharmacophore. Their in vitro screening performed for the anti‐cell proliferation activity against MBC‐MCF7 cells by MTT and Trypan blue assays confirmed 4m, 4n, and 4q as promising compounds to sustain a low percentage of cell viability at 20 µg/mL concentration. These compounds were also evaluated for their antioxidant activity by the DPPH method and the results established that compounds 4m, 4n, and 4q show around 10% higher activity than the standard antioxidant ascorbic acid.
Remote influence of North Atlantic SST on the equatorial westerly wind anomalies in the western Pacific for initiating an El Niño event: an Atmospheric General Circulation Model Study
Authors: Wang Xin , Wang Chunzai , Zhou Wen , Liu Lin , Wang Dongxiao
Published: April 2013

This article uses an atmospheric general circulation model to show that the cooler North Atlantic sea surface temperature anomalies in summer can produce a Rossby wave‐like teleconnection pattern strengthening the Siberian High in winter and next spring. The stronger Siberian High enhances the continent northerlies over East Asia and the associated cyclonic circulation over the western North Pacific, which provides a tropical westerly background for occurrence of the westerly wind bursts. The stronger northerlies over East Asia can also induce frequent cold surges, which tend to produce the equatorial westerly wind anomalies in the western Pacific for initiating an El Niño event. Copyright © 2013 Royal Meteorological Society
Harnessing Candida tenuis and Pichia stipitis in whole‐cell bioreductions of o‐chloroacetophenone: Stereoselectivity, cell activity, in situ substrate supply and product removal
Authors: Gruber Christoph , Krahulec Stefan , Nidetzky Bernd , Kratzer Regina
Published: April 2013

Generally, recombinant and native microorganisms can be employed as whole‐cell catalysts. The application of native hosts, however, shortens the process development time by avoiding multiple steps of strain construction. Herein, we studied the NAD(P)H‐dependent reduction of o‐chloroacetophenone by isolated xylose reductases and their native hosts Candida tenuis and Pichia stipitis. The natural hosts were benchmarked against Escherichia coli strains co‐expressing xylose reductase and a dehydrogenase for co‐enzyme recycling. Xylose‐grown cells of C. tenuis and P. stipitis displayed specific o‐chloroacetophenone reductase activities of 366 and 90 U gCDW–1, respectively, in the cell‐free extracts. Fresh biomass was employed in batch reductions of 100 mM o‐chloroacetophenone using glucose as co‐substrate. Reaction stops at a product concentration of about 15 mM, which suggests sensitivity of the catalyst towards the formed product. In situ substrate supply and product removal by the addition of 40% hexane increased catalyst stability. Optimisation of the aqueous phase led to a (S)‐1‐(2‐chlorophenyl)ethanol concentration of 71 mM (ee > 99.9%) obtained with 44 gCDW L–1 of C. tenuis. The final difference in productivities between native C. tenuis and recombinant E. coli was < 1.7‐fold. The optically pure product is a required key intermediate in the synthesis of a new class of chemotherapeutic substances (polo‐like kinase 1 inhibitors).
Protein engineering for metabolic engineering: Current and next‐generation tools
Authors: Marcheschi Ryan J. , Gronenberg Luisa S. , Liao James C.
Published: April 2013

Protein engineering in the context of metabolic engineering is increasingly important to the field of industrial biotechnology. As the demand for biologically produced food, fuels, chemicals, food additives, and pharmaceuticals continues to grow, the ability to design and modify proteins to accomplish new functions will be required to meet the high productivity demands for the metabolism of engineered organisms. We review advances in selecting, modeling, and engineering proteins to improve or alter their activity. Some of the methods have only recently been developed for general use and are just beginning to find greater application in the metabolic engineering community. We also discuss methods of generating random and targeted diversity in proteins to generate mutant libraries for analysis. Recent uses of these techniques to alter cofactor use; produce non‐natural amino acids, alcohols, and carboxylic acids; and alter organism phenotypes are presented and discussed as examples of the successful engineering of proteins for metabolic engineering purposes.
Metabolic gradients as key regulators in zonation of tumor energy metabolism: A tissue‐scale model‐based study
Authors: König Matthias , Holzhütter Hermann‐Georg , Berndt Nikolaus
Published: April 2013

Characteristics of many tumor types are the reprogramming of metabolism and the occurrence of regional hypoxia. In this work, we investigated the hypothesis that metabolic reprogramming in combination with metabolic zonation of cellular energy metabolism are important factors in promotion of the growth capacity of solid tumors. A tissue‐scale model of the two main ATP delivering pathways, glycolysis (GLY) and oxidative phosphorylation (OXP), was used to simulate the energy metabolism within solid tumors under various metabolic strategies. Remarkably, despite the high diversity in the usage of glucose, lactate and oxygen in various spatial regions, the tumor as a whole clearly displays the hallmark of the so‐called Warburg effect, i.e. a high rate of glucose consumption and lactate production in the presence of sufficiently high levels of oxygen. Our simulations suggest that an increase in GLY capacity and concomitant decrease in OXP capacity from the periphery towards the center of the tumor improves the availability of oxygen to pericentral tumor cells. The found relationship between the regional oxygen level and the relative share of GLY and OXP capacities supports the view that metabolite availability functions as key regulator of tumor energy metabolism.
The challenge of improved secretory production of active pharmaceutical ingredients in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: A case study on human insulin analogs
Authors: Kazemi Seresht Ali , Palmqvist Eva A. , Schluckebier Gerd , Pettersson Ingrid , Olsson Lisbeth
Published: April 2013

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has widely been used as a host for the production of heterologous proteins. Great attention has been put on improved secretory production of active pharmaceutical ingredients, and the secretory pathway of this eukaryotic host has been the playground of diverse strain engineering studies, aiming at enhanced cellular capacities for folding and trafficking of the target proteins. However, the cellular quality assessment for secretory proteins remains mostly unpredictable, and different target proteins often do not picture similar secretion yields, underlining the dependency of efficient secretion on the physicochemical properties of the protein of interest. In this study, two human insulin analog precursors (IAPs) with minor differences in their amino acid sequences were used as model secretory proteins. No differences between cells expressing these two proteins were found in the IAP transcript levels, gene copy numbers, or intra‐cellularly accumulated proteins, yet a more than sevenfold difference in their secretion yields was found. Physiological characterization of cells expressing these proteins in batch processes revealed no significant difference in their specific growth rate, but an altered overflow metabolism. Global transcriptome analysis carried out in chemostat experiments pinpointed distinct steps during the protein maturation pathway to be differentially regulated and indicated an increased degradation of the IAP with the low secretion yield. In silico protein structure modeling of the IAPs suggested a difference in conformational stability, induced by the amino acid substitution, which most likely resulted in disparity in trafficking through the secretory pathway and thus a large difference in secretion yields. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013;110: 2764–2774. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Production of a novel O‐methyl‐isoflavone by regioselective sequential hydroxylation and O‐methylation reactions in Streptomyces avermitilis host system
Authors: Choi Kwon‐Young , Jung EunOk , Yang Yung‐Hun , Kim Byung‐Gee
Published: April 2013

Distinct isoflavone O‐methyltransferases (IOMTs) from Streptomyces species were isolated and expressed using S. avermitilis host system. Previously reported isoflavone 7‐O‐methyltransferases (I7OMTs, E.C. 2.1.1.150) and two putative O‐methyltransferases (OMTs) from Saccharopolyspora erythraea were selected by comparative sequence grouping and expressed in S. avermitilisΔSaOMT2 under the control of constitutive ermE promoter. During whole‐cell biotransformation of 4′,7‐dihydroxyisoflavone (daidzein) by constructed recombinant strains, production of O‐methylated daidzein was investigated. S. avermitilisΔSaOMT2::SeOMT3 (SeOMT3) produced 7‐methoxy‐4′‐hydroxyisoflavone (7‐OMD) with 4.5% of low conversion yield due to competitive oxidation reactions. However, SeOMT3 could produce a novel 4′,7‐dihydroxy‐3′‐methoxyisoflavone (3′‐OMD) (<1%) resulted from subsequent 3′‐O‐methylation of 3′,4′,7‐trihydroxyisoflavone (3′‐OHD) which was a hydroxylated product catalyzed by oxygenases. Although external addition of SAM did not change the conversion yield of O‐methylation reaction, co‐expression of SAM synthetase gene (metK) with SeOMT3 greatly induced the regiospecific O‐methylation reaction at 3′‐hydroxyl group with final conversion of 12.1% using 0.1 mM of daidzein. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013;110: 2591–2599. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Model predicting impact of complexation with cyclodextrins on oral absorption
Authors: Gamsiz Ece D. , Thombre Avinash G. , Ahmed Imran , Carrier Rebecca L.
Published: April 2013

Significant effort and resource expenditure is dedicated to enabling low‐solubility oral drug delivery using solubilization technologies. Cyclodextrins (CD) are cyclic oligosaccharides which form inclusion complexes with many drugs and are often used as solubilizing agents. It is not clear prior to developing a drug delivery device with CD what level of absorption enhancement might be achieved; modeling can provide useful guidance in formulation and minimize resource intensive iterative formulation development. A model was developed to enable quantitative, dynamic prediction of the influence of CD on oral absorption of low solubility drug administered as a pre‐formed complex. The predominant effects of CD considered were enhancement of dissolution and slowing of precipitation kinetics, as well as binding of free drug in solution. Simulation results with different parameter values reflective of typical drug and CD properties indicate a potential positive (up to five times increase in drug absorption), negative (up to 50% decrease in absorption) or lack of effect of CD. Comparison of model predictions with in vitro and in vivo experimental results indicate that a systems‐based dynamic model incorporating CD complexation and key process kinetics may enable quantitative prediction of impact of CD delivered as a pre‐formed complex on drug bioavailability. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110:2536–2547. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A lumen sizing workhorse guidewire for peripheral vasculature: Two functions in one device
Authors: Svendsen Mark C. , Choy Jenny S. , Ebner Adrian , Bigelow Brian , Sinha Anjan , Moussa Issam , Akingba A. George , Combs Bill , Kassab Ghassan S.
Published: April 2013

Objectives

Ideally, guidewires used during peripheral vasculature (PV) interventions could serve both as a therapy delivery platform and a diagnostic tool for real‐time vessel sizing (2‐in‐1 function).

Background

Vascular imaging modalities, like intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), used during lower PV interventions, can improve outcomes versus angiographic assessment alone, but are rarely used due to added time, cost, and required clinical training/interpretation.

Methods

A 0.035″ bodied 0.035″ conductance guidewire (CGW) is described here as a vascular navigation and diagnostic real‐time PV sizing tool. When attached to a console, the CGW creates a safe, electric field to determine vascular size through simultaneous voltage measurements.

Results

The CGW showed functionality as a workhorse guidewire on the bench (torqueability and trackability equivalent to a Wholey guidewire) and in vivo (over‐the‐wire stent deployment in domestic swine and first‐in‐man study with no major adverse events). Validation of CGW sizing versus the true diameter and IVUS was completed in 4–10 mm diameter phantoms on the bench and in swine and showed virtually no bias with excellent repeatability and accuracy (i.e., CGW repeatability: swine phantom bias = 0.03 ± 0.09 mm (1.3% error). CGW vs. true diameter: in vivo bias = 0.14 ± 0.15 mm (2.7% error). IVUS vs. true diameter: swine phantom bias = 0.01 ± 0.36 mm (4.7% error). CCW vs. IVUS: swine phantom bias = 0.13 ± 0.26mm (3.8% error)).

Conclusions

Real‐time, accurate, and safe PV dimension assessment and therapy‐delivery (2‐in‐1 function) is possible using a novel workhorse 0.035″ bodied CGW. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Radiation dose of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A comparison between edwards SAPIEN XT and medtronic corevalve aortic valve prostheses
Authors: Steinvil Arie , Aviram Galit , Konigstein Maayan , Abramowitz Yigal , Halkin Amir , Arbel Yaron , Ben‐Gal Yanai , Keren Gad , Banai Shmuel , Finkelstein Ariel
Published: April 2013

Background

The relative radiation dose (RD) of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with either the Edwards Sapien XT (ESX) or the Medtronic CoreValve (MCV) prostheses has not been studied in depth. Our aim was to quantify RD in uncomplicated transfemoral TAVI with either prosthesis.

Methods

We analyzed 248 consecutive patients undergoing uncomplicated transfemoral TAVI between March 2009 and September 2012, at a single tertiary care facility. Total air Kerma, cumulated dose area product (DAP), and fluoroscopy time were determined in each case.

Results

The ESX and MCV prostheses were implanted in 44 and 204 patients, respectively. Though mean fluoroscopy time was higher during ESX valve implantation, overall RD per total air Kerma and DAP was significantly higher during MCV implantation (P < 0.05 for both comparisons). By multivariate regression analyses, prosthesis type was an independent predictor of RD according to both total air Kerma and DAP (r2 = 0. 498; P < 0.01 and r2 = 0.363; P < 0.01, respectively).

Conclusion

In uncomplicated transfemoral TAVI, RD is greater during MCV implantation than during ESX implantation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hemodynamic impact of changes in bifurcation geometry after single‐stent cross‐over technique assessed by intravascular ultrasound and fractional flow reserve
Authors: Kang Soo‐Jin , Kim Won‐Jang , Lee Jong‐Young , Park Duk‐Woo , Lee Seung‐Whan , Kim Young‐Hak , Lee Cheol Whan , Mintz Gary S. , Park Seong‐Wook , Park Seung‐Jung
Published: April 2013

Background

Angiographic stenosis of a sidebranch (SB) ostium is common after single‐stent cross‐over, but it is usually not hemodynamically significant. We evaluated the relationship between the mechanisms of SB stenosis and its hemodynamic significance.

Methods and Results

We used preinterventional and post‐interventional intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) of the main branch (MB) and the SB and post‐intervention fractional flow reserve (FFR) of the SB to assess 40 nonleft main bifurcation lesions after a single stent cross‐over. Although post‐stenting angiographic diameter stenosis >50% was seen in 19 (48%) SB lesions, only 6 (15%) showed FFR < 0.80. Carina shift was seen in all but one lesion; and plaque shift superimposed on the carina shift was found in 18 (45%) lesions. The change in plaque area at the SB ostium positively correlated with preprocedural plaque burden at the carina of distal MB r = 0.341, P = 0.031). Plaque shift was more common in lesions with FFR < 0.80 vs. ≥0.80 (83% vs. 38%, P = 0.041); and FFR < 0.80 was more frequent in lesions with plaque shift superimposed on carina shift versus isolated carina shift (28% vs. 5%, P = 0.041).

Conclusions

Although carina shift was the main mechanism of SB lumen loss after a single stent cross‐over technique, plaque shift superimposed on carina shift appeared to be necessary to cause a hemodynamically significant stenosis (FFR < 0.80). However, post‐procedural IVUS assessment did not accurately predict the functional significance. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A randomized, controlled, multicenter trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Zotarolimus‐ vs. Paclitaxel‐eluting stents in de novo occlusive lesions in coronary arteries: Five‐year results from the ZOMAXX I trial
Authors: Chevalier Bernard , DiMario Carlo , Neumann Franz‐Josef , Cutlip Donald E. , Williams David O. , Ormiston John , Grube Eberhard , Whitbourn Robert , Coe Jessie , Schwartz Lewis B. ,   for the ZOMAXX I Investigators
Published: April 2013

Background

The ZOMAXX I trial tested the noninferiority of a zotarolimus‐eluting coronary stent (ZoMaxx™) when compared with a paclitaxel‐eluting coronary stent (Taxus™ Express2™) in a randomized trial of percutaneous intervention for de novo coronary artery stenosis. Angiographic analysis at the primary endpoint of 9 months has been reported previously. The purpose of this follow‐on analysis was to describe the clinical results of the ZoMaxx and Taxus cohorts of the ZOMAXX I trial after 5 years.

Methods and Results

In the ZOMAXX I trial, 199 patients received a ZoMaxx stent and 197 patients received a Taxus stent at 29 investigative sites in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The two groups were generally well matched with respect to both clinical and lesional characteristics, including the incidence of diabetes (ZoMaxx 22% vs. Taxus 26%; P = 0.29), reference vessel diameter (ZoMaxx 2.79 ± 0.43 mm vs. Taxus 2.81 ± 0.46 mm; P = 0.65), and lesion length (ZoMaxx 14.9 ± 5.7 mm vs. Taxus 14.6 ± 5.5; P = 0.61). Through 5 years of follow‐up, a total of 21 patients had died, six patients had withdrawn, nine had been lost to follow‐up, and 13 missed their 5‐year visit, leaving a total of 347 patients for analysis (169 ZoMaxx and 178 Taxus). At the 5‐year time point, there were no significant differences in any clinical metric including ischemia‐driven target lesion revascularization (TLR; ZoMaxx 10.6% vs. Taxus 7.1%; P = 0.29), Q‐wave myocardial infarction (ZoMaxx 1.5% vs. Taxus 1.0%; P = 0.99), definite/probable stent thrombosis (ZoMaxx 1.5% vs. Taxus 3.0%; P = 0.34), and cardiac death (ZoMaxx 3.0% vs. Taxus 1.0%; P = 0.28).

Conclusions

After 5 years, the differences in clinical outcome between patients treated with ZoMaxx vs. Taxus stents did not reach statistical significance. However, the nominally higher rate of ischemia‐driven TLR (10.6 vs. 7.1%) and the previously reported higher rate of restenosis after 9 months suggest that the ZoMaxx stent afforded less neointimal inhibition when compared with Taxus. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
EH3 (E=N, P, As) and H2 Activation with N‐Heterocyclic Silylene and Germylene Homologues
Authors: Alberto Marta Erminia , Russo Nino , Sicilia Emilia
Published: April 2013

DFT calculations have been used to probe the mechanism of the addition reaction of group 15 hydrides EH3 (E=N, P, As) and H2 to a N‐heterocyclic silylene and its germylene homologue. Nitrogen lone pair donation into the vacant p‐orbital of Si and Ge is the first step of ammonia activation, whereas silylene and germylene behave as nucleophiles toward dihydrogen, phosphane, and arsane. Formation of 1,4‐addition products is kinetically favoured in all cases. In excess ammonia, the assistance of a second molecule drastically lowers the 1,1‐addition energy barriers, enabling formation of 1,1‐addition products. The participation of a second molecule in the PH bond activation of phosphane also lowers the 1,1‐addition energy barriers, but not enough to cause inversion.
Structural Diversity from the Transannular Cyclizations of Natural Germacrone and Epoxy Derivatives: A Theoretical–Experimental Study
Authors: Pérez Morales M. Carmen , Catalán Julieta V. , Domingo Victoriano , Jaraíz Martín , Herrador M. Mar , Quílez del Moral José F. , López‐Pérez José‐Luis , Barrero Alejandro F.
Published: April 2013

Treatment of germacrone (1) with different electrophiles, and of its epoxy derivatives germacrone‐4,5‐epoxide (2), germacrone‐1,10‐epoxide (3) and isogermacrone‐4,5‐epoxide (4) with Brönsted/Lewis acids and TiIII, gives rise to a great structural diversity. Thus, by using a maximum of two steps, the production of more than 40 compounds corresponding to 14 skeletons is described. Computational calculations rationalizing the structural divergence produced are also described. Finally, since some of the compounds generated are bioactive natural sesquiterpenes, the mechanisms of formation of these substances will provide new insights in their biosynthesis.
Eletrochemically Actuated Stop–Go Valves for Capillary Force‐Operated Diagnostic Microsystems
Authors: Washe Alemayehu P. , Lozano Pablo , Bejarano Diego , Katakis Ioanis
Published: April 2013

Lateral‐flow immunosensing devices continue to be the most successful commercial realization of analytical microdevices. They owe their success to their simplicity, which significantly depends on the capillary‐driven flow and versatile technological platform that lends itself to fast and low‐cost product development. To compete with such a convenient product, microsystems can benefit from simple‐to‐operate fluid manipulation. We show that the capillary‐driven flow in microchannels can be manipulated with electrochemically activated valves with no moving parts. These valves consist of screen‐printed electrode pairs that are transversal to the flow. One of the electrodes is solvent‐etched to produce a superhydrophobic surface that provides passive stopping and facilitates low‐voltage (∼1 V) actuation of the flow via electrowetting. The operation of such valves in the stop–go mode, with a response time between 2 and 45 sec depending on the type and concentration of salt, is demonstrated. Mechanistic investigations indicated that the response depends on at least three phenomena that contribute to electrocapillarity: the electrochemical double‐layer capacitance, specific counterion adsorption, and possible electrohydrodynamic effects.
Immunometabolic role of long‐chain omega‐3 fatty acids in obesity‐induced inflammation
Authors: Flock Michael R. , Rogers Connie J. , Prabhu K. Sandeep , Kris‐Etherton Penny M.
Published: April 2013

Inflammation links obesity with the development of insulin resistance. Macrophages and phagocytic immune cells communicate with metabolic tissues to direct an inflammatory response caused by overnutrition and expanding adipose tissue. Marine‐derived omega‐3 fatty acids, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), modulate inflammatory signalling events, providing various anti‐inflammatory and cardioprotective benefits. Moreover, EPA and DHA may improve insulin sensitivity by generating proresolving lipid mediators and promoting alternatively activated macrophages. This review will assess the role of EPA and DHA in ameliorating obesity‐induced inflammation, evaluating clinical evidence and mechanisms of action. The pathophysiology of insulin resistance resulting from obesity‐induced inflammation will be discussed, highlighting the relationship between metabolism and immunity, and in particular, how EPA and DHA work with both systems to modulate immunometabolic complications and chronic disease. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intrinsic T‐ and B‐cell defects impair T‐cell‐dependent antibody responses in mice lacking the actin‐bundling protein L‐plastin
Authors: Todd Elizabeth M. , Deady Lauren E. , Morley Sharon Celeste
Published: April 2013

Germinal center development, critical for long‐term humoral immunity, requires the trafficking of T and B lymphocytes to defined tissues and locations after antigenic challenge. The molecular mechanisms that support lymphocyte trafficking through the linkage of extracellular chemotactic and adhesive cues to the actin cytoskeleton are not yet fully defined. We have previously identified the actin‐bundling protein L‐plastin (LPL) as a requisite intermediary in both naive B and T lymphocyte migration and in T‐cell activation. We tested the hypothesis that humoral immunity would require LPL. We show that mice lacking LPL demonstrated defective germinal center formation and reduced production of T‐cell‐dependent antibodies. T cells from LPL−/− mice exhibited defective expansion of the follicular helper T population. Reduced expansion of LPL−/− follicular helper T cells correlated with impaired trafficking to or retention of cells in the spleen following challenge, highlighting the importance of initial lymphocyte recruitment to the eventual success of the immune response. Furthermore, LPL−/− B cells demonstrated cell‐intrinsic defects in population expansion and in differentiation into germinal center B cells. LPL thus modulates both T‐ and B‐cell function during the germinal center reaction and the production of T‐cell‐dependent antibody responses.
CMV infected or not CMV infected: That is the question
Authors: Emery Vincent C.
Published: April 2013

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is widespread in the human population. Normally, in adolescents and adults, prior exposure to CMV can readily be determined by IgG assays. However, in individuals where antibody production is impaired, such as patients with common variable immunodeficiency disease or in the very young where maternal antibodies are present, diagnosis of CMV infection is problematic using such assays. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, a study by Sester and colleagues [Eur J Immunol 2013. 43: 1099‐1108] using CD4+ T‐cell immunity as a marker of infection clearly differentiates young children with prior exposure to CMV from those who only have passive maternal antibody. This information will quickly find application in the pretransplant screening of young children for CMV infection and help with the stratification of these children to identify those who are truly CMV negative and are therefore at risk for future CMV infection and disease if receiving an organ from a CMV‐positive donor as discussed in this Commentary.
Evaluation of the enantioselectivity of carbon nanoparticles‐modified chiral separation systems using dextrin as chiral selector by capillary electrokinetic chromatography
Authors: Hua Xiaoyi , Du Yingxiang , Chen Jiaquan , Xu Guangfu , Yu Tao , Zhang Qi
Published: April 2013

Nanoparticles (NPs) can be used as pseudostationary phases (PSPs) in EKC, which is similar to the use of micelle additives as applied in MEKC. To date, the use of NPs to enhance enantiomeric separation by EKC with β‐CD or its derivative as chiral selector has been reported only in two papers. However, to the best of our knowledge, there has been no prior effort to use NPs for achieving enantioseparation with polysaccharides as chiral selector. This paper describes for the first time the use of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) as PSPs to modify chiral separation system employing dextrin as chiral selector for the enantioseparations of several basic drugs in capillary EKC. Three different types of CNPs, including carbogenic nanoparticles (NPs), carboxylated single‐walled carbon nanotubes, and carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes, were used as running buffer additives, respectively. The potential of the PSPs and the effects of dextrin concentration, buffer pH, and buffer concentration on the enantioseparations were evaluated. Four pairs of tested enantiomers were successfully resolved in less than 15 min with the resolution values in the range of 1.41–4.52 under optimized conditions. Compared to the buffer without NPs, the introduction of NPs into the buffer enhanced the separation of the enantiomers.
Dielectrophoretic trapping of nanoparticles with an electrokinetic nanoprobe
Authors: Wood Nicholas R. , Wolsiefer Amanda I. , Cohn Robert W. , Williams Stuart J.
Published: April 2013

A high aspect ratio 3D electrokinetic nanoprobe is used to trap polystyrene particles (200 nm), gold nanoshells (120 nm), and gold nanoparticles (mean diameter 35 nm) at low voltages (<1 Vrms). The nanoprobe is fabricated using room temperature self‐assembly methods, without the need for nanoresolution lithography. The nanoprobe (150–500 nm in diameter, 2–150 μm in length) is mounted on the end of a glass micropipette, enabling user‐specified positioning. The nanoprobe is one electrode within a point‐and‐plate configuration, with an indium–tin oxide cover slip serving as the planar electrode. The 3D structure of the nanoprobe enhances dielectrophoretic capture; further, electro‐hydrodynamic flow enhances trapping, increasing the effective trapping region. Numerical simulations show low heating (1 K), even in biological media of moderate conductivity (1 S/m).
Dipolophoresis of Janus nanoparticles in a microchannel
Authors: Miloh Touvia
Published: April 2013

A nonlinear dipolophoretic analysis is applied to analytically explain the counterintuitive experimental results of Gangwal et al. [16, 17] that an uncharged micro/nanosize dielectric Janus particle is attracted to the wall of a microchannel when exposed to an AC‐uniform electric field in the direction parallel to the no‐slip boundaries. We employ the so‐called “weak” field assumption and consider a metallodielectric Janus colloid comprising two semispheres of distinct dielectric properties subject to an oscillating‐uniform electric field with moderate frequency (below the Maxwell–Wagner limit). The Debye scale (ratio of electric double layer thickness to particle size) is considered unrestricted. Under the low Reynolds number hypothesis, Faxén's theorem and the Green's function (Stokeslet) method of singularities, including appropriate images with respect to the no‐slip boundary, are applied under the remote‐field approximation to determine the dynamics and trajectory of a small colloid moving near a wall. When assuming maximum dielectric contrasts between hemispheres and relatively low Debye scale (compared to particle radius), a rather simple relation for the equilibrium position of the colloid (i.e. tilt angle and distance from the wall) is obtained and found to be in qualitative good agreement with the experimental observations of Gangwal et al. [16, 17] and the predictions of Kilic and Bazant [12].
Lightweight enhanced monitoring for high speed networks
Authors: Vilardi R. , Grieco L.A. , Barakat C. , Boggia G.
Published: April 2013

In this paper, a lightweight enhanced monitoring (LEMON) algorithm based on packet sampling, is proposed. It targets a preassigned accuracy on bitrate estimates, for each monitored flow at a router interface. To this end, LEMON takes into account some basic properties of the flows, which can be easily inferred from a sampled stream, and it exploits them to dynamically adapt the monitoring time window on a per‐flow basis. Its effectiveness has been tested using real packet traces. Experimental results show that LEMON is able to finely tune, in real time, the monitoring window associated to each flow, and, compared with a classic fixed scale monitoring approach, it is able to better satisfy the accuracy requirements of bitrate estimates. Moreover, its communication overhead can be kept low enough by choosing an appropriate aggregation policy in the message exporting process. Finally, LEMON produces a low processing overhead, which can be easily sustained by currently deployed routers. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.