bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of P-glycoprotein modulation on plasma concentrations and pharmacokinetics of orally administered prednisolone in dogs
Authors: Van der Heyden Sara , Croubels Siska , Gadeyne Caroline , Ducatelle Richard , Daminet Sylvie , Murua Escobar Hugo , Sterenczak Katharina , Polis Ingeborgh , Schauvliege Stijn , Hesta Myriam , Chiers Koen
Published: May 2012

Objective—To evaluate the impact of modulation of the membrane-bound efflux pump P-glycoprotein (P-gp) on plasma concentrations of orally administered prednisolone in dogs.

Animals—7 healthy adult Beagles.

Procedures—Each dog received 3 treatments (control [no treatment], rifampicin [100 mg/d, PO, for 21 days, as an inducer of P-gp], and ketoconazole [100 mg/d, PO, for 21 days, as an inhibitor of P-gp]). A single dose of prednisolone (1 mg/kg, PO) was administered on day 8 of each treatment period. There was a 7-day washout period between subsequent treatments. Plasma concentrations of prednisolone were determined by use of a validated liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method. Duodenum and colon biopsy specimens were obtained endoscopically from anesthetized dogs and assessed for P-gp protein labeling via immunohistochemical analysis and mRNA quantification via real-time PCR assay. Total fecal collection was performed for evaluation of effects of P-gp modulation on digestion of nutrients.

Results—Rifampicin treatment upregulated duodenal P-gp in dogs and significantly reduced the area under the plasma concentration-time curve of prednisolone. Ketoconazole typically downregulated expression of duodenal P-gp, with a subsequent increase in the area under the plasma concentration-time curve of prednisolone. There was a noticeable interindividual difference in response. Digestion of nutrients was not affected.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Modulation of P-gp expression influenced plasma concentrations of prednisolone after oral administration in dogs. Thus, treatment response to prednisolone may be influenced by coadministration of P-gp–modulating medications or feed ingredients.
Outcome after severe brain trauma due to acute subdural hematoma
Authors: Leitgeb Johannes , Mauritz Walter , Brazinova Alexandra , Janciak Ivan , Majdan Marek , Wilbacher Ingrid , Rusnak Martin
Published: May 2012

Object

In this paper, the authors' goal was to identify factors contributing to outcomes after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to acute subdural hematoma (SDH).

Methods

Between February 2002 and April 2010, 17 Austrian centers prospectively enrolled 863 patients with moderate and severe TBI into observational studies. Data regarding accident, treatment, and outcomes were collected. Data sets from patients who had severe TBI (Glasgow Coma Scale score < 9) and acute SDH were selected. Six-month outcomes were classified as “favorable” if the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores were 5 or 4, and they were classified as “unfavorable” if GOS scores were 3 or less. The Rotterdam score was used to classify CT findings, and the scores published by Hukkelhoven et al. were used to estimate the predicted rates of death and of unfavorable outcomes. Univariate (Fisher exact test, t-test, chi-square test) and multivariate (logistic regression) statistics were used to identify factors associated with hospital mortality and favorable outcome.

Results

Of the 738 patients with severe TBI, 360 (49%) had acute SDH. Of these, 168 (46.7%) died in the hospital, 67 (18.6%) survived with unfavorable outcome, and 116 (32.2%) survived with favorable outcome. Long-term outcome was unknown in 9 survivors (2.5%). Mortality rates predicted by the Rotterdam CT score showed good correlation with observed mortality rates. According to the Hukkelhoven scores, observed/predicted ratios for mortality and unfavorable outcome were 1.09 and 1.02, respectively.

Conclusions

Age, severity of TBI, and neurological status were the main factors influencing outcomes after severe TBI due to acute SDH. Nonoperative management was associated with significantly higher mortality.
Challenges of Opportunity Cost Analysis in Planning REDD+: A Honduran Case Study of Social and Cultural Values Associated with Indigenous Forest Uses
Authors: Plumb Spencer T. , Nielsen Erik A. , Kim Yeon-Su
Published: May 2012

The REDD Programme is predicated on the assumption that developed countries will provide sufficient funds to offset opportunity costs associated with avoiding deforestation. The role of non-market values in indigenous land management may challenge the efficacy of compensation schemes targeted at meeting opportunity costs as calculated in traditional opportunity cost analysis (OCA). Furthermore it is unclear how these economic incentives might affect social and cultural values linked to land-use norms, livelihoods, and local governance. This study explores the economic, social and cultural values of forest uses for a Miskito community in the Rio Plátano Biosphere Reserve in Honduras. Data were collected using household surveys, farm visits, and community workshops. OCA indicates potential for successful REDD+ payment schemes; however it is an inadequate method to account for subsistence and cultural opportunity costs associated with avoided deforestation. Compensation to change land-use practices may undermine governance institutions necessary to address deforestation in the region. Our results indicate that small-scale agriculture and other forest-based subsistence activities are important cultural practices for maintaining Miskito identity and forest management institutions. Recommendations are offered for using OCA to develop REDD+ projects that recognize the linkages between social and cultural values and forest management by focusing on approaches that consider a full range of economic, social and cultural opportunity costs.
Embryonic Stem Cell Markers
Authors: Zhao Wenxiu , Ji Xiang , Zhang Fangfang , Li Liang , Ma Lan
Published: May 2012

Embryonic stem cell (ESC) markers are molecules specifically expressed in ES cells. Understanding of the functions of these markers is critical for characterization and elucidation for the mechanism of ESC pluripotent maintenance and self-renewal, therefore helping to accelerate the clinical application of ES cells. Unfortunately, different cell types can share single or sometimes multiple markers; thus the main obstacle in the clinical application of ESC is to purify ES cells from other types of cells, especially tumor cells. Currently, the marker-based flow cytometry (FCM) technique and magnetic cell sorting (MACS) are the most effective cell isolating methods, and a detailed maker list will help to initially identify, as well as isolate ESCs using these methods. In the current review, we discuss a wide range of cell surface and generic molecular markers that are indicative of the undifferentiated ESCs. Other types of molecules, such as lectins and peptides, which bind to ESC via affinity and specificity, are also summarized. In addition, we review several markers that overlap with tumor stem cells (TSCs), which suggest that uncertainty still exists regarding the benefits of using these markers alone or in various combinations when identifying and isolating cells.
Zinc Phthalocyanine Labelled Polyethylene Glycol: Preparation, Characterization, Interaction with Bovine Serum Albumin and Near Infrared Fluorescence Imaging in Vivo
Authors: Lv Feng , Cao Bo , Cui Yanli , Liu Tianjun
Published: May 2012

Zinc phthalocyanine labelled polyethylene glycol was prepared to track and monitor the in vivo fate of polyethylene glycol. The chemical structures were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy. Their light stability and fluorescence quantum yield were evaluated by UV-Visible and fluorescence spectroscopy methods. The interaction of zinc phthalocyanine labelled polyethylene glycol with bovine serum albumin was evaluated by fluorescence titration and isothermal titration calorimetry methods. Optical imaging in vivo, organ aggregation as well as distribution of fluorescence experiments for tracking polyethylene glycol were performed with zinc phthalocyanine labelled polyethylene glycol as fluorescent agent. Results show that zinc phthalocyanine labelled polyethylene glycol has good optical stability and high emission ability in the near infrared region. Imaging results demonstrate that zinc phthalocyanine labelled polyethylene glycol can track and monitor the in vivo process by near infrared fluorescence imaging, which implies its potential in biomaterials evaluation in vivo by a real-time noninvasive method.
Authentication of the R06E Fruit Bat Cell Line
Authors: Jordan Ingo , Munster Vincent J. , Sandig Volker
Published: May 2012

Fruit bats and insectivorous bats are believed to provide a natural reservoir for a wide variety of infectious diseases. Several lines of evidence, including the successful isolation of infectious viruses, indicate that Marburg virus and Ravn virus have found a major reservoir in colonies of the Egyptian rousette (Rousettus aegyptiacus). To facilitate molecular studies on virus-reservoir host interactions and isolation of viruses from environmental samples, we established cell lines from primary cells of this animal. The cell lines were given to several laboratories until we realized that a contamination with Vero cells in one of the cultures had occurred. Here we describe a general diagnostic procedure for identification of cross-species contamination with the focus on Vero and Rousettus cell lines, and summarize newly discovered properties of the cell lines that may pertain to pathogen discovery.
Protective Role of Toll-like Receptor 3-Induced Type I Interferon in Murine Coronavirus Infection of Macrophages
Authors: Mazaleuskaya Liudmila , Veltrop Rogier , Ikpeze Nneka , Martin-Garcia Julio , Navas-Martin Sonia
Published: May 2012

Toll-like Receptors (TLRs) sense viral infections and induce production of type I interferons (IFNs), other cytokines, and chemokines. Viral recognition by TLRs and other pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) has been proven to be cell-type specific. Triggering of TLRs with selected ligands can be beneficial against some viral infections. Macrophages are antigen-presenting cells that express TLRs and have a key role in the innate and adaptive immunity against viruses. Coronaviruses (CoVs) are single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses that cause acute and chronic infections and can productively infect macrophages. Investigation of the interplay between CoVs and PRRs is in its infancy. We assessed the effect of triggering TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, and TLR7 with selected ligands on the susceptibility of the J774A.1 macrophage cell line to infection with murine coronavirus (mouse hepatitis virus, [MHV]). Stimulation of TLR2, TLR4, or TLR7 did not affect MHV production. In contrast, pre-stimulation of TLR3 with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) hindered MHV infection through induction of IFN-β in macrophages. We demonstrate that activation of TLR3 with the synthetic ligand poly I:C mediates antiviral immunity that diminishes (MHV-A59) or suppresses (MHV-JHM, MHV-3) virus production in macrophages.
A VISCOUS CAHN–HILLIARD EQUATION WITH PERIODIC GRADIENT DEPENDENT POTENTIALS AND SOURCES
Authors: Li Yinghua , Cao Yang
Published: May 2012

In this paper, we investigate the existence, uniqueness, attractivity and limiting process of solutions to the viscous Cahn–Hilliard equation with time periodic gradient dependent potentials and sources.
L'appropriation privative du foncier, condition de durabilité ? Éléments de réponse en République Démocratique du Congo
Authors: Lallau Benoît , Langlade Laurent
Published: May 2012

Résumé Cet article apporte une contribution au débat sur l’interaction entre la propriété privée des ressources renouvelables et la durabilité, perçue dans ses deux dimensions, agro-environnementale et sociale. Sur la base d’un exemple congolais (RDC) et à l’aide d’une grille de lecture inspirée de l’approche des capacités, il met en évidence la nécessité d’un principe de précaution sociale. Ce principe doit permettre d’éviter que toute action sur le foncier n’accroisse la vulnérabilité des populations les plus pauvres. En particulier, le nouveau code forestier congolais, en cours de mise en œuvre, est confronté à cet impératif de précaution. L’article met aussi en évidence l’importance de l’action de l’État et celle des dotations en capital humain dans la gestion des ressources renouvelables.
Les effets multiplicateurs des dépenses militaires de la DCN. Toulon sur l'économie varoise
Authors: Catin Maurice , Nicolini Véronique
Published: May 2012

Résumé Cette étude s’attache à saisir l’impact de l’activité de la DCN Toulon sur le département varois en retenant deux approches : l’une, en niveau, déterminant les valeurs du multiplicateur de la base et du multiplicateur input-output à travers la constitution d’un TES de l’économie varoise ; l’autre, dynamique, spécifiant les effets multiplicateurs de revenu-demande finale et d’offre de la DCN Toulon à partir de la construction d’un modèle économétrique de l’économie varoise. Si les multiplicateurs sont dans l’ensemble faibles, vu la forte ouverture aujourd’hui des économies régionales, la DCN Toulon exerce des effets d’entraînement relativement plus importants que des effets de revenu et la baisse de son activité dans les années 90 pose le problème de la valorisation du potentiel technologique accumulé au sein du tissu local .
La gestion communautaire : une alternative pour la foret de Tiogo au Burkina Faso
Authors: Yelkouni Martin
Published: May 2012

Résumé La forêt au Burkina Faso est un bien public imparfait : non-exclusion dans l’usage des biens et des services de la ressource et rivalité dans l’exploitation du bois et la consommation des produits forestiers non-ligneux. Le libre accès qui la caractérise et les comportements de passager clandestin entraînent une surexploitation des ressources forestières. Cette situation est, en effet, la source des externalités négatives et de sous-optimalité dans l’allocation des ces ressources naturelles. Ces externalités imposent des coûts à l’ensemble de la société (coût social) et si rien n’est fait, on aboutira à un phénomène de « tragédie des communs ». Deux solutions sont traditionnellement préconisées : la privatisation ou l’intervention publique régulant les conditions d’usage collectif de la ressource. Cependant une autre solution, la gestion communautaire, peut être une alternative à la gestion étatique défaillante. Cette étude analyse les conditions de mise en place d’un tel système pour la forêt classée de Tiogo au Burkina Faso.
Concurrence et ambivalence institutionnelle : le problème de la territorialisation des institutions applique à la Bolivie
Authors: Lamazou-Penarrieta Patricia
Published: May 2012

Résumé Comment concilier la territorialisation des institutions et une concurrence institutionnelle efficace lorsqu’il existe un problème de chevauchement des territoires ? Les réponses apportées traditionnellement tel l’unicité institutionnelle et la décentralisation peuvent entraver le processus de concurrence si ces réponses ne coïncident pas avec la vision du monde des individus auxquels ses solutions s’appliquent. Cela crée un environnement instable et incertain où les institutions ne permettent pas la coordination des plans individuels. Cette situation est alors à l’origine d’une rupture culturelle et de l’émergence d’une sorte d’ambivalence institutionnelle. L’illustration de cette problématique se fera au travers de l’analyse des réformes de 1994 en Bolivie, analyse qui a mis en évidence deux situations contradictoires. Une solution pacifique à ce problème pourrait être envisagée à travers l’adoption du modèle FOCJ (Functional, Overlapping and Competing Juridictions) modèle de déterritorialisation des institutions.
Collocations in translation: Personal textbases to the rescue of dictionaries
Authors: Chukwu Uzoma
Published: May 2012

Les problèmes de collocation constituent facilement les problèmes linguistiques les plus intraitables en traduction, compte tenu surtout de la non-homogénéité des langues naturelles. Si les dictionnaires modernes sont riches en collocations, ceux-ci ne sauront peut-être jamais répondre entièrement aux besoins d’une catégorie d’usagers professionnels aussi avisés que les traducteurs pour la simple raison que les collocations ne constituent pas une classe fermée (comme pourrait l’être le lexique). Le présent article propose une étude de la solution qui passe par la constitution par chaque traducteur de base de données textuelles à partir desquelles pourront facilement être générées, selon le besoin, des concordances pour un mot ou un terme quelconque.Problems of collocation are easily the most daunting linguistic problems encountered in translation, in particular due to the non-homogeneity of natural languages. While most modern dictionaries are providing more and more collocational information, they are still no where near completely satisfying the needs of sophisticated professional users like translators, especially considering that collocations do not constitute a closed set – like the lexicon. This paper discusses how translators can rise to the challenge by setting up and maintaining personal textbases from which concordances for any word or term can easily be generated as the need arises.
The Biharmonic Approach for Unsteady Flow Past an Impulsively Started Circular Cylinder
Authors: Kalita Jiten C , Sen Shuvam
Published: May 2012

In this paper, a newly developed second order temporally and spatially accurate finite difference scheme for biharmonic semi linear equations has been employed in simulating the time evolution of viscous flows past an impulsively started circular cylinder for Reynolds number(Re)up to 9,500. The robustness of the scheme and the effectiveness of the formulation can be gauged by the fact that it very accurately captures complex flow structures such as the von Kármán vortex street through streakline simulation and the α and β-phenomena in the range 3,000≤Re≤9,500 among others. The main focus here is the application of the technique which enables the use of the discretized version of a single semi linear biharmonic equation in order to efficiently simulate different fluid structures associated with flows around a bluff body. We compare our results, both qualitatively and quantitatively, with established numerical and more so with experimental results. Excellent comparison is obtained in all the cases.
An Optimization Method in Inverse Elastic Scattering for One-Dimensional Grating Profiles
Authors: Elschner Johannes , Hu Guanghui
Published: May 2012

Consider the inverse diffraction problem to determine a two-dimensional periodic structure from scattered elastic waves measured above the structure. We formulate the inverse problem as a least squares optimization problem, following the two-step algorithm by G. Bruckner and J. Elschner [Inverse Probl., 19 (2003), 315-329] for electromagnetic diffraction gratings. Such a method is based on the Kirsch-Kress optimization scheme and consists of two parts: a linear severely ill-posed problem and a nonlinear well-posed one. We apply this method to both smooth (C2) and piecewise linear gratings for the Dirichlet boundary value problem of the Navier equation. Numerical reconstructions from exact and noisy data illustrate the feasibility of the method.
A synthesis of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil-fuel combustion
Authors: Andres R. J. , Boden T. A. , Bréon F.-M. , Ciais P. , Davis S. , Erickson D. , Gregg J. S. , Jacobson A. , Marland G. , Miller J. , Oda T. , Olivier J. G. J. , Raupach M. R. , Rayner P. , Treanton K.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. This synthesis discusses the emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil-fuel combustion and cement production. While much is known about these emissions, there is still much that is unknown about the details surrounding these emissions. This synthesis explores our knowledge of these emissions in terms of why there is concern about them; how they are calculated; the major global efforts on inventorying them; their global, regional, and national totals at different spatial and temporal scales; how they are distributed on global grids (i.e., maps); how they are transported in models; and the uncertainties associated with these different aspects of the emissions. The magnitude of emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels has been almost continuously increasing with time since fossil fuels were first used by humans. Despite events in some nations specifically designed to reduce emissions, or which have had emissions reduction as a byproduct of other events, global total emissions continue their general increase with time. Global total fossil-fuel carbon dioxide emissions are known to within 10 % uncertainty (95 % confidence interval). Uncertainty on individual national total fossil-fuel carbon dioxide emissions range from a few percent to more than 50 %. This manuscript concludes that carbon dioxide emissions from fossil-fuel combustion continue to increase with time and that while much is known about the overall characteristics of these emissions, much is still to be learned about the detailed characteristics of these emissions.
Magnetic storm free ULF analysis in relation with earthquakes in Taiwan
Authors: Wen S. , Chen C.-H. , Yen H.-Y. , Yeh T.-K. , Liu J.-Y. , Hattori K. , Peng H. , Wang C.-H. , Shin T.-C.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. Despite early optimism, pre-earthquake anomalous phenomena can be determined by using enhanced amplitude at the ultra-low-frequency range from geomagnetic data via the Fourier transform. In reality, accuracy of the enhanced amplitude in relation to earthquakes (deduced from time-varied geomagnetic data) would be damaged by magnetic storms and/or other unwanted influences resulting from solar activity and/or variations in the ionosphere, respectively. We substitute values of the cross correlation between amplitudes, summarized from the earthquake-related (0.1–0.01 Hz) and the comparable (0.01–0.001 Hz) frequency bands, for isolated amplitude enhancements as indexes of determination associated with seismo-magnetic anomalies to mitigate disturbance caused by magnetic storms. A station located about 300 km away from the others is also taken into account to further examine whether changes of the cross correlation values are caused by seismo-magnetic anomalies limited within local regions or not. Analytical results show that the values suddenly decrease near epicenters a few days before and after 67% (= 6/9) of earthquakes (M > = 5) in Taiwan between September 2010 and March 2011. Seismo-magnetic signals determined by using the values of cross correlation methods partially improve results yielded from the Fourier transform alone and provide advantageous information of earthquake locations.
Thermal conductivity of anisotropic snow measured by three independent methods
Authors: Riche F. , Schneebeli M.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. The thermal conductivity of snow determines the temperature gradient, and by this the rate of snow metamorphism. It is therefore a key property of snow. However, parameterizations of thermal conductivity measured with the transient needle probe and the steady-state heat-flux plate show a bias. In addition, it is not clear to which degree thermal anisotropy is relevant. Until now, no physically convincing argument for the existence of this bias could be found. In this study, we investigated three independent methods to measure snow thermal conductivity and its anisotropy: a needle probe with a long heating time, a guarded heat flux plate, and direct numerical simulation at the level of the pore and ice structure. The three methods were applied to identical snow samples, apart from the different measurement volumes of each methods. We analyzed the consistency and the difference between these methods. We found a distinct change from horizontal thermal anisotropy in small rounded grains and vertical anisotropy in depth hoar. The anisotropy between vertical and horizontal conductivity ranges between 0.5–2. This anisotropy can cause a difference of up to −25 % to + 25 % if the thermal conductivity is calculated only from a horizontally inserted needle probe. Based on these measurements, the direct numerical simulation is the most reliable method as the tensorial components of the thermal conductivity can be calculated, the corresponding microstructure is precisely known and the homogeneity of the sample can be determined.
Utilities Model Innovative Conservation Measures
Authors: Maddaus Michelle , Maddaus Lisa , Maddaus Wiliam
Published: May 2012

Many U.S. water utilities are under intense pressure to reduce consumption. In addition, droughts and recessions have caused revenues to decline and conventional funding pathways to become more challenging. Now there are even more reasons to ensure that planned water‐use reductions are cost‐effective.
Best Practices: Maximize Fire Hydrant Flow Testing
Authors: Van Arsdel John H.
Published: May 2012

Fire hydrant flushing is an important part of distribution system maintenance and is useful in determining flow conditions in water mains. Advance planning and proper procedures make the job easier. This article focuses on hydrant flow testing.
Multidimensional Assessment of Tremor in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Daudrich Breanne , Hurl Danielle , Forwell Susan
Published: May 2012

Tremor is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) that has debilitating effects on occupational performance and well-being. Tremor is complex, and a valid and reliable assessment tool that takes a multidimensional approach is needed to guide intervention decisions. A new assessment instrument, the Multidimensional Assessment of Tremor (MAT), was designed to measure the severity and functional impact of tremor in people with MS. This study was conducted to introduce this new tool and examine its reliability, validity, and clinical utility. Two clinicians tested the MAT and completed a questionnaire on its clinical utility. During an initial visit, 10 study participants with MS were administered the MAT, which was independently scored by two researchers to determine its inter-rater reliability. Four other tools commonly used to assess tremor were also administered to evaluate the MAT's criterion validity. During a second visit, the MAT was administered a second time to ascertain its test-retest reliability. Study participants demonstrated mild-to-severe tremor with marked functional difficulties. The MAT's inter-rater reliability and test-retest reliability were excellent, while its criterion validity ranged from poor to good. The clinicians, participants, and researchers found the clinical utility of the tool to be good. The MAT offers therapists a clinically useful, evidence-based, and multidimensional tool for evaluating tremor in MS.
Focal Infection Treatment using Laser‐Mediated Heating of Injectable Silk Hydrogels with Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Kojic Nikola , Pritchard Eleanor M. , Tao Hu , Brenckle Mark A. , Mondia Jessica P. , Panilaitis Bruce , Omenetto Fiorenzo , Kaplan David L.
Published: May 2012

Medical treatment of subcutaneous bacterial abscesses usually involves systemic high‐dose antibiotics and incision‐drainage of the wound. Such an approach suffers from two main deficiencies: bacterial resistance to antibiotics and pain associated with multiple incision‐drainage‐wound packing procedures. Furthermore, the efficacy of high‐dose systemic antibiotics is limited because of the inability to penetrate into the abscess. To address these obstacles, a treatment relying on laser‐induced heating of gold nanoparticles embedded in an injectable silk‐protein hydrogel is presented. Although bactericidal nanoparticle systems have been previously employed based on silver and nitric oxide, they have limitations regarding customization and safety. The method proposed here is safe and uses biocompatible, highly tunable materials: an injectable silk hydrogel and Au nanoparticles, which are effective absorbers at low laser powers such as those provided by hand‐held devices. A single 10‐minute laser treatment of a subcutaneous infection in mice preserves the general tissue architecture, while achieving a bactericidal effect, even resulting in complete eradication in some cases. The unique materials platform presented can provide the basis for an alternative treatment of focal infections.
Feedback Controlled Colloidal Self‐Assembly
Authors: Juárez Jaime J. , Bevan Michael A.
Published: May 2012

Colloidal self‐assembly provides one promising route to fabricate spatially periodic meta‐materials with novel properties important to a number of emerging technologies. However, colloidal assembly is generally initiated via irreversible step‐changes and proceeds along unspecified, non‐equilibrium kinetic pathways with little opportunity to manipulate defects or reconfigure microstructures. Here, a conceptually new approach that enables the use of feedback control to quantitatively and reversibly guide the dynamic evolution of colloid ensembles between disordered fluid and crystalline configurations is demonstrated. The key to this approach is the use of free energy landscape models to inform feedback control laws that close the loop between real‐time sensing (via order parameters) and actuation (via tunable electrical potentials). This approach, which demonstrates controlled assembly to create ordered materials and perform active reconfiguration, is based on chemical physics that suggest it can be generalized to other microscopic processes.
Room‐Temperature Tailoring of Vertical ZnO Nanoarchitecture Morphology for Efficient Hybrid Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Sung Yu‐Hsiang , Liao Wen‐Pin , Chen Dian‐Wei , Wu Chun‐Te , Chang Geng‐Jia , Wu Jih‐Jen
Published: May 2012

A ZnO nanoarchitecture, i.e., ZnO nanosheet (NS) framework, is demonstrated to be a promising electron acceptor and direct electron transport matrix for polymer‐inorganic hybrid solar cells. The ZnO NS framework is constructed on nanoneedles/indium tin oxide substrate via a room‐temperature chemical bath deposition (RT CBD). The framework morphology can be simply tailored by varying the concentration of precursor solution in the RT CBD. The ZnO nanoarchitecture with an appropriate free space between the NSs is consequently demonstrated to facilitate poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) infiltration, resulting in superior interface properties, i.e., more efficient charge separation and less charge recombination, in the hybrid. Moreover, apart from the characteristics similar to the ZnO nanorod (NR) array, including vertical feature and single crystalline structure, the ZnO NS framework exhibits a slightly larger absorption edge and a faster electron transport rate. A notable efficiency of 0.88% is therefore attained in the ZnO NS‐P3HT hybrid solar cell, which is higher than that of the ZnO NR‐P3HT hybrid solar cell.
Controlling the Synaptic Plasticity of a Cu2S Gap‐Type Atomic Switch
Authors: Nayak Alpana , Ohno Takeo , Tsuruoka Tohru , Terabe Kazuya , Hasegawa Tsuyoshi , Gimzewski James K. , Aono Masakazu
Published: May 2012

It is demonstrated that a Cu2S gap‐type atomic switch, referred to as a Cu2S inorganic synapse, emulates the synaptic plasticity underlying the sensory, short‐term, and long‐term memory formations in the human brain. The change in conductance of the Cu2S inorganic synapse is considered analogous to the change in strength of a biological synaptic connection known as the synaptic plasticity. The plasticity of the Cu2S inorganic synapse is controlled depending on the interval, amplitude, and width of an input voltage pulse stimulation. Interestingly, the plasticity is influenced by the presence of air or moisture. Time‐dependent scanning tunneling microscopy images of the Cu‐protrusions grown in air and in vacuum provide clear evidence of the influence of air on their stability. Furthermore, the plasticity depends on temperature, such that a long‐term memory is achieved much faster at elevated temperatures with shorter or fewer number of input pulses, indicating a close analogy with a biological synapse where elevated temperature increases the degree of synaptic transmission. The ability to control the plasticity of the Cu2S inorganic synapse justifies its potential as an advanced synthetic synapse with air/temperature sensibility for the development of artificial neural networks.
Graphene Oxide as an Optical Biosensing Platform
Authors: Morales‐Narváez Eden , Merkoçi Arben
Published: May 2012

Since graphene exhibits innovative mechanical, electrical, thermal, and optical properties, this 2D material is increasingly attracting attention and is under active research. Among the various graphene forms with lattice‐like nanostructure, graphene oxide (GO) displays advantageous characteristics as a biosensing platform due to its excellent capabilities for direct wiring with biomolecules, a heterogeneous chemical and electronic structure, the possibility to be processed in solution and the ability to be tuned as insulator, semiconductor or semi‐metal. Moreover, GO photoluminescences with energy transfer donor/acceptor molecules exposed in a planar surface and is even proposed as a universal highly efficient long‐range quencher, which is opening the way to several unprecedented biosensing strategies. Here, the rationale behind the use of GO in optical biosensing applications is discussed by describing different potentially exploitable properties of GO, and an overview of the current approaches are presented along with future perspectives and challenges.
Metamaterial Electromagnetic Wave Absorbers
Authors: Watts Claire M. , Liu Xianliang , Padilla Willie J.
Published: May 2012

The advent of negative index materials has spawned extensive research into metamaterials over the past decade. Metamaterials are attractive not only for their exotic electromagnetic properties, but also their promise for applications. A particular branch–the metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA)–has garnered interest due to the fact that it can achieve unity absorptivity of electromagnetic waves. Since its first experimental demonstration in 2008, the MPA has progressed significantly with designs shown across the electromagnetic spectrum, from microwave to optical. In this Progress Report we give an overview of the field and discuss a selection of examples and related applications. The ability of the MPA to exhibit extreme performance flexibility will be discussed and the theory underlying their operation and limitations will be established. Insight is given into what we can expect from this rapidly expanding field and future challenges will be addressed.
Supernumerary marker chromosomes derived from chromosome 6: Cytogenetic, molecular cytogenetic, and array CGH characterization
Authors: Huang Bing , Pearle Phyllis , Rauen Katherine A. , Cotter Philip D.
Published: May 2012

Supernumerary marker chromosomes (SMC) are relatively common in prenatal diagnosis. As the clinical outcomes vary greatly, a better understanding of the karyotype–phenotype correlation for different SMCs will be important for genetic counseling. We present two cases of prenatally detected de novo, small SMCs. The markers were present in 80% of amniocyte colonies in Case 1 and 38% of the colonies in Case 2. The SMCs were determined to be derived from chromosome 6 during postnatal confirmation studies. Although the sizes and the chromosomal origin of the SMCs in these two cases appeared to be similar, the clinical outcomes varied. The clinical manifestations observed in Case 1 included small for gestational age, feeding difficulty at birth, hydronephrosis, deviated septum and dysmorphic features, while the phenotype is apparently normal in Case 2. Array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was performed and showed increase in dosage for approximately 26 Mb of genetic material from the proximal short and long arms of chromosome 6 in Case 1. Results of array CGH were uninformative in Case 2, either due to mosaicism or lack of detectable euchromatin. The difference in the clinical presentation in these two patients may have resulted from the difference in the actual gene contents of the marker chromosomes and/or the differential distribution of the mosaicism. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Finlay–Marks syndrome: Report of two siblings and review of literature
Authors: Naik Prashant , Kini Pushpa , Chopra Deepti , Gupta Yogesh
Published: May 2012

Finlay–Marks syndrome (scalp–ear–nipple syndrome), is the infrequently reported association of scalp aplasia, malformed ears, and breast abnormalities varying from small nipples to complete absence of breasts. Other manifestations are variable and some of them resemble ectodermal dysplasia and include dystrophy of nails and teeth, sparse hair, decreased sweating, and cutaneous syndactyly of digits. Renal anomalies have been reported in some patients leading to hypertension and renal insufficiency. Most reported patients have been sporadic but familial occurrences following an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance have been reported. We report on two affected siblings, of whom one died in the neonatal period due to renal failure. Two affected siblings born to non‐affected parents may suggest an autosomal recessive inheritance. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Molecular cytogenetic characterization and genotype/phenotype analysis in a patient with a de novo 8p23.2p23.3 deletion/12p13.31p13.33 duplication
Authors: Margari Lucia , Di Cosola Maria Luisa , Buttiglione Maura , Pansini Angela , Buonadonna Antonia Lucia , Craig Francesco , Cariola Filomena , Petruzzelli Maria Giuseppina , Gentile Mattia
Published: May 2012

Genomic copy number imbalances are being increasingly identified as an important cause of intellectual disability (ID) and behavioral disturbances. This article reports the clinical features, and long term follow‐up of a patient with neurodevelopmental, cognitive, and behavioral abnormalities associated with facial dysmorphism, CNS anomalies, and epilepsy. The karyotype was normal; array CGH testing revealed a de novo cryptic aberration with a terminal 8p23.2p23.3 deletion, and a concomitant 12p13.31p13.33 duplication, of 6.86 Mb, and 8.49 Mb, respectively. Our patient clinical features are compared to those of partial 8 monosomy and/or partial 12p trisomy cases reported in literature, in order to establish genotype–phenotype correlations. For some features, for example, electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities and epilepsy, both abnormalities seem to make a contribution, while most phenotypic traits have been assigned to 8p monosomy or to 12p trisomy, contributing to a tentative phenotype map for partial monosomy of the short arm of chromosome 8, and trisomy of the short arm of chromosome 12. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Acid‐sensing ion channel 1: A novel therapeutic target for migraine with aura
Authors: Holland Philip R. , Akerman Simon , Andreou Anna P. , Karsan Nazia , Wemmie John A. , Goadsby Peter J.
Published: May 2012

Objective:

Migraine with aura is a severe debilitating neurological disorder with few relatively specific therapeutic options.

Methods:

We used amiloride, a blocker of epithelial sodium channels, to evaluate its pharmacological potential and explored the biology of a potential mechanism of action in well‐established experimental models.

Results:

Amiloride was shown to block cortical spreading depression, the experimental correlate of aura, and inhibited trigeminal activation in in vivo migraine models, via an acid‐sensing ion channel 1 mechanism. Remarkably, amiloride then demonstrated good clinical efficacy in a small open‐labeled pilot study of patients, reducing aura and headache symptoms in 4 of 7 patients with otherwise intractable aura.

Interpretation:

The observations here identify an entirely novel treatment strategy for migraine. ANN NEUROL 2012;72:559–563
Major, non‐chromosomal, birth defects and maternal physical activity: A systematic review
Authors: Flak Audrey L. , Yun Tark Ji , Tinker Sarah C. , Correa Adolfo , Cogswell Mary E.
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND

We reviewed the published literature to assess the association between maternal periconceptional physical activity and the risk for major, non‐chromosomal, birth defects and whether this varies by pre‐pregnancy obesity.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases. Data were abstracted from all articles that met our inclusion criteria and included information on physical activity intensity (mild, moderate, and vigorous) and modality (i.e., standing, lifting, other). We assessed occupational and recreational physical activity separately. The quality of included articles was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

Of 3316 screened articles, 11 were included in this review. Of the four studies that assessed prolonged standing, two reported a positive association with risk for some birth defects; null associations were observed in the other two studies. Associations between heavy lifting or other occupational physical activity exposures and risk for birth defects were inconsistent. A protective association between leisure‐time physical activity (i.e., active sports, swimming) and some birth defects (e.g., neural tube defects), was suggested by the results of two studies. Only one study reported assessment of possible effect modification by maternal body mass index (BMI).

DISCUSSION

Our review suggests that there may be some associations between occupational and leisure‐time physical activities and some, major non‐chromosomal, birth defects, but relatively limited published research exists on these associations. Further research in this area should include differentiation of birth defects phenotypes, valid assessments of all domains of physical activity, including household and transportation activity, and account for the potential influence of pre‐pregnancy BMI. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
DFT Study of Steam Reforming of Formaldehyde on Cu, PdZn, and Ir
Authors: Li Xiang , Lim Kok Hwa
Published: May 2012

Density functional theory has been used in this study to investigate the steam reforming of formaldehyde and its reaction intermediates on Cu (2 2 1), PdZn (1 0 0), and Ir (1 0 0) surfaces. The adsorption complexes (CH2O, H2COOH, H2COO, HCOO, COOH, etc.), binding energies, and reaction energies involved in the steam reforming and dehydrogenation of formaldehyde have been systematically characterized. Our results showed that CH2O dehydrogenation is the dominant pathway for Ir (1 0 0). In contrast, desorption of CH2O is more favorable than dehydrogenation on regular Cu and PdZn (1 0 0) surfaces and the steam reforming reaction is likely to occur at defect sites such as the Cu (2 2 1) surface.
ChemInform Abstract: Solution‐Phase Monitoring of the Structural Evolution of a Molybdenum Blue Nanoring.
Authors: Miras Haralampos N. , Richmond Craig J. , Long De‐Liang , Cronin Leroy
Published: May 2012

The inorganic host—guest complex Na22{ [MoVI36O112(H2O)16] [MoVI130MoV20O442 (OH)10(H2O)61]}·180H2O (I) is synthesized in a flow reactor from aqueous solutions of Na2MoO4, HCl, and Na2S2O4 reacting in a mixing chamber at a flow rate of 4—6 mL/h.
ChemInform Abstract: Complex Clover Cross‐Sectioned Nanotubes Exist in the Structure of the First Uranium Borate Phosphate.
Authors: Wu Shijun , Wang Shuao , Diwu Juan , Depmeier Wulf , Malcherek Thomas , Alekseev Evgeny V. , Albrecht‐Schmitt Thomas E.
Published: May 2012

Ba5 [(UO2)(PO4)3(B5O9)] (H2O)0.125 is synthesized by solid state reaction of H3BO3, BPO4, UO2(NO3)2·6H2O, and BaCO3 (Pt crucible, 1000 °C, slow cooling to room temperature, 8—10% yield).
ChemInform Abstract: High‐Nuclearity 3d—4f Clusters as Enhanced Magnetic Coolers and Molecular Magnets.
Authors: Peng Jun‐Bo , Zhang Qian‐Chong , Kong Xiang‐Jian , Zheng Yan‐Zhen , Ren Yan‐Ping , Long La‐Sheng , Huang Rong‐Bin , Zheng Lan‐Sun , Zheng Zhiping
Published: May 2012

The CoII/CoIII (9:1) mixed compounds (III) and the NiII compounds (V) are isostructural and crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/m with Z = 2 (single crystal XRD).
ChemInform Abstract: Electronic Tuning of Chiral Diene Ligands in Iridium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric 1,6‐Addition of Arylboroxines to δ‐Aryl‐α,β,γ,δ‐unsaturated Ketones.
Authors: Nishimura Takahiro , Noishiki Akira , Hayashi Tamio
Published: May 2012

Highly enantioselective addition of arylboroximes to the title unsaturated ketones is achieved in the presence of an iridium catalyst coordinated to a chiral benzobarrelene derivative (bar).
ChemInform Abstract: Enhancement of Enantioselectivity by Alcohol Additives in Asymmetric Hydrogenation with Bis(oxazolinyl)phenyl Ruthenium Catalysts.
Authors: Ito Jun‐ichi , Teshima Tomoki , Nishiyama Hisao
Published: May 2012

The chiral bulky (9‐anthracenyl)ethanol enhances the enantioselectivities up to 50% in the asymmetric hydrogenation of prochiral ketones, even in protic solvents.
ChemInform Abstract: Development of the Enantioselective Addition of Ethyl Diazoacetate to Aldehydes: Asymmetric Synthesis of 1,2‐Diols.
Authors: Trost Barry M. , Malhotra Sushant , Koschker Philipp , Ellerbrock Pascal
Published: May 2012

The title method is applied to the synthesis of vicinal diols bearing a tertiary carbon center.
ChemInform Abstract: Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Intramolecular Dehydrative Amination of Allylic Alcohols with Carbamates.
Authors: Mukherjee Paramita , Widenhoefer Ross A.
Published: May 2012

By use of an optimized catalyst system, vinyl‐substituted pyrrolidine, piperidine, and piperazine compounds are formed with up to 95% enantioselectivity.
ChemInform Abstract: Divergent Amine‐Catalyzed [4 + 2] Annulation of Morita—Baylis—Hillman Allylic Acetates with Electron‐Deficient Alkenes.
Authors: Xu Silong , Chen Rongshun , Qin Zifeng , Wu Guiping , He Zhengjie
Published: May 2012

The process provides easy access to highly functionalized cyclic compounds.
ChemInform Abstract: Iridium‐Catalyzed Addition of Aroyl Chlorides and Aliphatic Acid Chlorides to Terminal Alkynes.
Authors: Iwai Tomohiro , Fujihara Tetsuaki , Terao Jun , Tsuji Yasushi
Published: May 2012

The ligands in the iridium catalytic system play a crucial role for the success of the reactions.
ChemInform Abstract: A Domino Approach of Heck Coupling for the Synthesis of β‐Trifluoromethylstyrenes.
Authors: Prakash G. K. Surya , Krishnan Hema S. , Jog Parag V. , Iyer Anjali P. , Olah George A.
Published: May 2012

The efficient, simple method gives an access to some previously unknown compounds avoiding the use of low‐boiling, gaseous reagents.
ChemInform Abstract: Efficient Iron(III)‐Catalyzed Three‐Component Coupling Reaction of Alkynes, CH2Cl2 and Amines to Propargylamines.
Authors: Gao Jian , Song Qing‐Wen , He Liang‐Nian , Yang Zhen‐Zhen , Dou Xiao‐Yong
Published: May 2012

An economical and facile protocol for the synthesis of propargyl amines is reported.
ChemInform Abstract: Peroxide‐Mediated Transition‐Metal‐Free Direct Amidation of Alcohols with Nitroarenes.
Authors: Xiao Fuhong , Liu Yong , Tang Chenglin , Deng Guo‐Jun
Published: May 2012

The reaction shows very good selectivity: amides are formed as the major products, and only trace amounts of imine by‐products are obtained in most cases.
ChemInform Abstract: An Efficient Method for the Preparation of Mono α‐Aryl Derivatives of Diethyl Malonate and Ethyl Cyanoacetate Using Ethyl‐1‐imidazole Carbamate (EImC).
Authors: Behera Manoranjan , Ragavan R. Venkat , Sambaiah M. , Erugu Balaiah , Reddy J. Rama Krishna , Mukkanti K. , Yennam Satyanarayana
Published: May 2012

A simple approach to the title compounds, which are required as synthons of heterocycles, becomes possible by treatment of arylacetic esters (II) and nitriles (IV) with reagent (I).
ChemInform Abstract: Iron‐Catalyzed Selective Oxidation of Sulfides to Sulfoxides with the Polyethylene Glycol/O2 System.
Authors: Li Bin , Liu An‐Hua , He Liang‐Nian , Yang Zhen‐Zhen , Gao Jian , Chen Kai‐Hong
Published: May 2012

Aliphatic and aromatic sulfides are transformed into the corresponding sulfoxides with high selectivity by using molecular oxygen as the oxidant in polyethylene glycol in the presence of Fe(acac)2 as the catalyst.
ChemInform Abstract: Chlorostyrenes in Iron‐Catalyzed Biaryl Coupling Reactions.
Authors: Guelak Samet , Jacobi von Wangelin Axel
Published: May 2012

The coupling of chlorostyrenes with arylmagnesium bromides requires only mild conditions and tolerates various functional groups.