bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elastodynamics response of Green’s function and influence function in fluid saturated incompressible porous medium
Authors: Kumar R , Miglani A , Kumar S
Published: March 2012

The article reports on a methodology to synthesize the response of Green’s function and influence function in fluid saturated incompressible porous half space. As an application, the disturbance due to concentrated and distributed loads in normal and tangential direction is investigated by employing the Laplace and Fourier transforms. The integral transforms have been inverted by using a numerical technique to obtain the components of displacement, stress and pore pressure in physical domain. The results concerning these quantities are given and illustrated graphically to depict the effect of pore pressure. A particular case of interest has been deduced from the present investigation.
Infinite ensemble of support vector machines for prediction of musculoskeletal disorders risk
Authors: Chandna P , Pal M
Published: March 2012

Several modeling techniques have been used to classify the low-back disorders (LBDs) risk associated with the industrial jobs. Many researchers have demonstrated the use of artificial neural networks (ANNs) to predict musculoskeletal disorders risk associated with occupational exposures. In order to improve the accuracy of LBDs risk classification, this paper proposes to use the support vector machines (SVMs), a machine learning algorithm used extensively in the last decade. The results of SVMs based ensemble classification approach to classify the low-back disorders (LBDs) risk associated with the industrial jobs are presented. Four different kernels (i.e. the stump kernel, perceptron kernel, Laplacian kernel and exponential kernel) were used to create infinite ensemble of SVMs and their performance have been compared with the SVMs, AdaBoost SVMs, and a backpropagation neural network. The results suggest an increased performance by stump and Laplacian kernel in comparison to the radial basis function and polynomial kernel based SVMs, AdaBoost SVMs, and the back propagation neural network. Highest classification accuracy of 77.01% was achieved by Laplacian kernel based SVMs in comparison to 71.3% and 74.7% by radial basis function kernel based SVMs and back propagation neural network respectively.
Thermo-mechanical fatigue behaviour and life prediction of C-1023 nickel based superalloy
Authors: García de la Yedra A , Martín-Meizoso A , Rodríguez Martín R , Pedrejón JL
Published: March 2012

Nickel based superalloys are used for manufacturing turbine blades and vanes components due to their ability to withstand high stress levels at high temperatures. The complex thermo-mechanical fatigue loadings that those components suffer (as a result of start ups and shutdowns) make life assessment a complex task. Working towards this end, the thermo-mechanical fatigue behaviour and life prediction of C-1023 nickel based superalloy was studied in this work. Several tests were conducted at different phase-shifts between mechanical and thermal cycles. It was found out that in-phase tests (where peak temperature coincides with maximum mechanical strain) were prone to intergranular fracture due to creep contribution. On the other hand, out of phase tests showed clear transgranular paths ascribed to fatigue damage. Finally, some simple damage parameters were found to be suitable tools for life prediction.
Assessing Absolute and Relative Pro-poor Growth, with an Application to Selected African Countries
Authors: Bibi Sami , Duclos Jean-Yves , Verdier-Chouchane Audrey
Published: March 2012

This paper proposes a multidimensional procedure for jointly assessing the absolute and relative pro-poorness of growth. It is also a procedure for testing whether poverty comparisons can be made over classes of indices that incorporate both absolute and relative views of poverty. Besides being robust to whether pro-poor judgements should be absolute or relative, the procedure is also robust to choosing over a class of weights to aggregate the impact of growth on the poor as well as over ranges of absolute and relative poverty lines. The test is applied to distributional changes in five middle- and four lower-income African countries, countries that have witnessed different impacts of growth in the last two decades.
Carbon monoxide and related trace gases and aerosols over the Amazon Basin during the wet and dry seasons
Authors: Andreae M. O. , Artaxo P. , Beck V. , Bela M. , Freitas S. , Gerbig C. , Longo K. , Munger J. W. , Wiedemann K. T. , Wofsy S. C.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. We present the results of airborne measurements of carbon monoxide (CO) and aerosol particle number concentration (CN) made during the Balanço Atmosférico Regional de Carbono na Amazônia (BARCA) program. The primary goal of BARCA is to address the question of basin-scale sources and sinks of CO2 and other atmospheric carbon species, a central issue of the Large-scale Biosphere-Atmosphere (LBA) program. The experiment consisted of two aircraft campaigns during November–December 2008 (BARCA-A) and May 2009 (BARCA-B), which covered the altitude range from the surface up to about 4500 m, and spanned most of the Amazon Basin. Based on meteorological analysis and measurements of the tracer, SF6, we found that airmasses over the Amazon Basin during the late dry season (BARCA-A, November 2008) originated predominantly from the Southern Hemisphere, while during the late wet season (BARCA-B, May 2009) low-level airmasses were dominated by northern-hemispheric inflow, and mid-tropospheric airmasses were of mixed origin. In BARCA-A we found strong influence of biomass burning emissions on the composition of the atmosphere over much of the Amazon Basin, with CO enhancements up to 300 ppb and CN concentrations approaching 10 000 cm−3; the highest values were in the southern part of the Basin at altitudes of 1–3 km. The ΔCN/ΔCO ratios were diagnostic for biomass burning emissions, and were lower in aged than in fresh smoke. Fresh emissions indicated CO/CO2 and CN/CO emission ratios in good agreement with previous work, but our results also highlight the need to consider the residual smoldering combustion that takes place after the active flaming phase of deforestation fires. During the late wet season, in contrast, there was little evidence for a significant presence of biomass smoke. Low CN concentrations (300–500 cm−3) prevailed basinwide, and CO mixing ratios were enhanced by only ~10 ppb above the mixing line between Northern and Southern Hemisphere air. There was no detectable trend in CO with distance from the coast, but there was a small enhancement of CO in the boundary layer suggesting diffuse biogenic sources from photochemical degradation of biogenic volatile organic compounds or direct biological emission. Simulations of CO distributions during BARCA-A using a range of models yielded general agreement in spatial distribution and confirm the important contribution from biomass burning emissions, but the models evidence some systematic quantitative differences compared to observed CO concentrations. These mismatches appear to be related to problems with the accuracy of the global background fields, the role of vertical transport and biomass smoke injection height, the choice of model resolution, and reliability and temporal resolution of the emissions data base.
Low temporal variation in the intact polar lipid composition of North Sea coastal marine water reveals limited chemotaxonomic value
Authors: Brandsma J. , Hopmans E. C. , Philippart C. J. M. , Veldhuis M. J. W. , Schouten S. , Sinninghe Damsté J. S.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. Temporal variations in the abundance and composition of intact polar lipids (IPLs) in North Sea coastal marine water were assessed over a one-year seasonal cycle, and compared with environmental parameters and the microbial community composition. Sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG) was the most abundant IPL class, followed by phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and diacylglyceryl-(N,N,N)-trimethylhomoserine (DGTS) in roughly equal concentrations, and smaller amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Although the total concentrations of these IPL classes varied substantially throughout the year, the composition of the IPL pool remained remarkably constant. Statistical analysis yielded negative correlations between IPL concentrations and dissolved inorganic nutrient concentrations, but no changes in the overall planktonic IPL composition due to nutrient limitation were observed. Significant correlations between SQDG, PC, PG and DGTS concentrations and chlorophyll a concentrations and algal abundances indicated that eukaryotic primary producers, in particular Phaeocystis globosa, were the predominant source of IPLs at this site. However, while IPL concentrations in the water were closely tied to total algal abundances, the rapid succession of different algal groups blooming throughout the year resulted in only minor shifts in the IPL composition. Principal component analysis showed that the IPLs were derived from multiple sources, and that no IPL species could be exclusively assigned to a particular algal taxa or (cyano)bacteria. Thus, the most commonly occurring IPLs appear to have limited chemotaxonomic potential, highlighting the need to use targeted assays of more specific biomarker IPLs.
Synthesizing greenhouse gas fluxes across nine European peatlands and shrublands – responses to climatic and environmental changes
Authors: Carter M. S. , Larsen K. S. , Emmett B. , Estiarte M. , Field C. , Leith I. D. , Lund M. , Meijide A. , Mills R. T. E. , Niinemets Ü. , Peñuelas J. , Portillo-Estrada M. , Schmidt I. K. , Selsted M. B. , Sheppard L. J. , Sowerby A. , Tietema A. , Beier C.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. In this study, we compare annual fluxes of methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and soil respiratory carbon dioxide (CO2) measured at nine European peatlands (n = 4) and shrublands (n = 5). The sites range from northern Sweden to Spain, covering a span in mean annual air temperature from 0 to 16 °C, and in annual precipitation from 300 to 1300 mm yr−1. The effects of climate change, including temperature increase and prolonged drought, were tested at five shrubland sites. At one peatland site, the long-term (>30 yr) effect of drainage was assessed, while increased nitrogen deposition was investigated at three peatland sites. The shrublands were generally sinks for atmospheric CH4 whereas the peatlands were CH4 sources, with fluxes ranging from −519 to +6890 mg CH4-C m−2 yr−1 across the studied ecosystems. At the peatland sites, annual CH4 emission increased with mean annual air temperature, while a negative relationship was found between net CH4 uptake and the soil carbon stock at the shrubland sites. Annual N2O fluxes were generally small ranging from –14 to 42 mg N2O-N m−2 yr−1. Highest N2O emission occurred at the sites that had highest concentration of nitrate (NO3−) in soil water. Furthermore, experimentally increased NO3− deposition led to increased N2O efflux, whereas prolonged drought and long-term drainage reduced the N2O efflux. Soil CO2 emissions in control plots ranged from 310 to 732 g CO2-C m−2 yr−1. Drought and long-term drainage generally reduced the soil CO2 efflux, except at a~hydric shrubland where drought tended to increase soil respiration. When comparing the fractional importance of each greenhouse gas to the total numerical global warming response, the change in CO2 efflux dominated the response in all treatments (ranging 71–96%), except for NO3− addition where 89% was due to change in CH4 emissions. Thus, in European peatlands and shrublands the feedback to global warming induced by the investigated anthropogenic disturbances will be dominated by variations in soil CO2 fluxes.
On the probability of occurrence of rogue waves
Authors: Bitner-Gregersen E. M. , Toffoli A.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. A number of extreme and rogue wave studies have been conducted theoretically, numerically, experimentally and based on field data in the last years, which have significantly advanced our knowledge of ocean waves. So far, however, consensus on the probability of occurrence of rogue waves has not been achieved. The present investigation is addressing this topic from the perspective of design needs. Probability of occurrence of extreme and rogue wave crests in deep water is here discussed based on higher order time simulations, experiments and hindcast data. Focus is given to occurrence of rogue waves in high sea states.
Inter-annual variations of snow days over Switzerland from 2000–2010 derived from MODIS satellite data
Authors: Foppa N. , Seiz G.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. Snow cover plays a vital role in the Swiss Alps and therefore it is of major interest to determine and understand its variability on different spatiotemporal scales. Within the activities of the National Climate Observing System (GCOS Switzerland) inter-annual variations of snow days over Switzerland were derived from 2000 to 2010 based on data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board the Terra satellite. To minimize the impact of cloud cover on the MODIS snow product MOD10C1, we implemented a post-processing technique based on a forward and backward gap-filling approach. Using the proposed methodology it was possible to determine the total number of annual snow days over Switzerland from 2000 to 2010 (SCDMODIS). The accuracy of the calculated snow days per year were quantitatively evaluated against three in situ snow observation sites representing different climatological regimes (SCDin_situ). Various statistical indices were computed and analysed over the entire period. The overall accuracy between SCDMODIS and SCDin_situ on a daily basis over 10 yr is 88% to 94%, depending on the regional characteristics of each validation site. Differences between SCDMODIS and SCDin_situ vary during the snow accumulation period in autumn and smaller differences after spring, in particularly for the Central Alps.
Generalized -Euler Numbers and Polynomials
Authors: Lee H. Y. , Jung N. S. , Ryoo C. S.
Published: March 2012

We generalize the Euler numbers and polynomials by the generalized -Euler numbers and polynomials . For the complement theorem, have interesting different properties from the Euler polynomials and we observe an interesting phenomenon of “scattering” of the zeros of the the generalized Euler polynomials in complex plane.
The Effect of Film Thickness on the Structural Properties of Vacuum Evaporated Poly(3-methylthiophene) Thin Films
Authors: Kamat Sandip V. , Puri Vijaya , Puri R. K.
Published: March 2012

This paper reports on the structural properties of poly(3-methylthiophene) P3MeT thin films prepared by vacuum evaporation on the glass substrates. The structural and surface morphology, wettability, adhesion, and intrinsic stress of these thin films were studied for three different thicknesses. The variation of the film thickness affects the structure, surface, and mechanical properties of P3MeT thin films. Vapor chopping also strongly influences the surface morphology, surface roughness, and wettability of the thin films. It was found that there is a decrease in the intrinsic stress and (RMS) roughness, while the adhesion increases with increase in film thickness.
The Effects of Atmospheric Pressure Fluctuations on Human Behaviour Related to Injury Occurrences: Study on the Background of Low and Moderate Levels of Geomagnetic Activity
Authors: Didyk Lyudmyla , Gorgo Yuriy , Prigancova Alina , Tunyi Igor , Vaczyova Magdalena , Mamilov Sergey , Dirckx Joris
Published: March 2012

The effects of slight atmospheric pressure fluctuations (APFs) within two ranges of periods attributed mostly to far infrasound (3 s–120 s) and internal gravity waves (120 s–1200 s) on human behaviour related to injury occurrences, within the one-year interval, are examined. Special interest is paid to the analysis of combined effects of APFs and geomagnetic activity (GMA) attributed to low and moderate levels. The relations between the daily number of emergency transport events due to sport injuries (EEI) and daily mean of APF integral amplitudes within the two ranges (DHAI and DHAG, resp.) along with the planetary geomagnetic index Ap are analysed using the regression models based on categorization. As shown, the high DHAI is a rather strong meteorotropic factor, being of relevance to increase in the incidence of sport injuries. The high DHAG appears to be of opposite sense on the background of low DHAI, promoting the decreased EEI number. The consideration of combined effects of the APF and GMA reveals that the negative effects of high DHAI are more pronounced in combination with low Ap levels. The results are discussed from the viewpoint of the necessity of further medico-meteorological studies using databases of most disturbed geophysical conditions.
Corrosion and Wear Properties of Composite Coatings Reinforced with Particles Produced by PTA on Steel Substrate in Different Atmospheres
Authors: Darabara M. , Bourithis L. , Diplas S. , Papadimitriou G. D.
Published: March 2012

Titanium diboride (TiB2) and titanium carbonitride (Ti(C,N)) coatings are widely used as reinforcing materials in applications demanding high corrosion and wear resistance. In this paper, plain carbon steel has been surface alloyed with TiB2 by plasma transferred arc (PTA) technique using two different gas atmospheres. The first metal matrix composite (MMC) is produced with TiB2 particles and argon as shielding and plasma gas. In addition, a mixture of Ar and 5% N2 was used as shielding and plasma gas for producing of second MMC coating. The microstructure of both alloyed layers consists of primary titanium boride particles surrounded by a eutectic matrix, containing ferrite, eutectic boride, and titanium carbonitrides. The presence of these carbonitrides is more intense in the case of the N-enriched alloyed layer, as it was also proved via X-ray Diffraction. The alloyed layers are susceptible to pitting corrosion in 3.5% NaCl or 1 N H2SO4. The alloyed layer produced with nitrogen mixture gas is slightly more noble than the one produced with pure Ar. The metallic-ferritic matrix corrodes in 6%
FeCl3∗6H2O leaving TiB2 particles protruding from the matrix. The wear performance of both TiB2 MMC depends on the counterbody (tool steel or alumina ball).
Delving Deeper: Approximating π Using Similar Triangles
Authors: Matsuura Ryota
Published: March 2012

This article presents a method for approximating π using similar triangles that was inspired by the author's work with middle school teachers. The method relies on a repeated application of a geometric construction that allows us to inscribe regular polygons inside a unit circle with arbitrarily large number of sides.
Preventing the Reconstruction of the Polar Discontinuity at Oxide Heterointerfaces
Authors: Boschker H. , Verbeeck J. , Egoavil R. , Bals S. , van Tendeloo G. , Huijben M. , Houwman E. P. , Koster G. , Blank D. H. A. , Rijnders G.
Published: March 2012

Perovskite oxide heteroepitaxy receives much attention because of the possibility to combine the diverse functionalities of perovskite oxide building blocks. A general boundary condition for the epitaxy is the presence of polar discontinuities at heterointerfaces. These polar discontinuities result in reconstructions, often creating new functionalities at the interface. However, for a significant number of materials these reconstructions are unwanted as they alter the intrinsic materials properties at the interface. Therefore, a strategy to eliminate this reconstruction of the polar discontinuity at the interfaces is required. We show that the use of compositional interface engineering can prevent the reconstruction at the La0.67Sr0.33MnO3/SrTiO3 (LSMO/STO) interface. The polar discontinuity at this interface can be removed by the insertion of a single La0.33Sr0.67O layer, resulting in improved interface magnetization and electrical conductivity.
Multicomponent Organic Nanoparticles for Fluorescence Studies in Biological Systems
Authors: McDonald Tom O. , Martin Philip , Patterson Joseph P. , Smith Darren , Giardiello Marco , Marcello Marco , See Violaine , O'Reilly Rachel K. , Owen Andrew , Rannard Steve
Published: March 2012

The formation of dual‐component organic nanoparticles by a modified emulsion‐templated freeze‐drying approach leads to aqueous nanosuspensions showing fluorescence (Förster) resonance energy transfer (FRET) from within a distribution of single nanoparticles. The combination of both FRET dyes within dual‐component nanoparticles (<200 nm) allows the spatial and physical monitoring of the particles, as the FRET signal is lost on dissolution and breakdown of the nanoparticles. The monitoring of accumulation by Caco‐2 cells and macrophages shows very limited internalization within the non‐phagocytic cells. Conservation of FRET within the macrophages confirms extensive whole‐particle internalization. The cellular permeability through Caco‐2 monolayers is also assessed and movement of intact dual‐component particles is observed, suggesting a mechanism for enhanced pharmacokinetics in vivo.
State of the Art of Carbon Nanotube Fibers: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Lu Weibang , Zu Mei , Byun Joon‐Hyung , Kim Byung‐Sun , Chou Tsu‐Wei
Published: March 2012

The superb mechanical and physical properties of individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have provided the impetus for researchers in developing high‐performance continuous fibers based upon CNTs. The reported high specific strength, specific stiffness and electrical conductivity of CNT fibers demonstrate the potential of their wide application in many fields. In this review paper, we assess the state of the art advances in CNT‐based continuous fibers in terms of their fabrication methods, characterization and modeling of mechanical and physical properties, and applications. The opportunities and challenges in CNT fiber research are also discussed.
The face in congenital melanocytic nevus syndrome
Authors: Kinsler Veronica , Shaw Adam C. , Merks Johannes H. , Hennekam Raoul C.
Published: March 2012

Congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) are known to be associated with neurological abnormalities and melanoma, but have not been considered to be part of a developmental syndrome. The objective of this study was to test our clinical observation that children with CMN show more facial similarities than might be expected by coincidence. We selected facial photographs of 95 white Caucasian children with CMN from our database only on the basis of good neutral views, allowing careful evaluation of facial morphology. These were scored independently by two clinical geneticists using standardized categories and definitions for facial morphology. Prevalence of age‐independent features was compared to established norms in a large population, and associations with cutaneous phenotype were investigated. CMN were found to be associated with characteristic facies, and 74% of children in this series had at least three typical features. The characteristic features were: wide or prominent forehead, apparent hypertelorism, eyebrow variants, periorbital fullness, small/short nose, narrow nasal ridge, broad nasal tip, broad or round face, full cheeks, prominent pre‐maxilla, prominent/long philtrum, and everted lower lip. No association was found with the severity of cutaneous phenotype. We conclude that children with CMN often have a characteristic face. We propose the term “congenital melanocytic nevus syndrome” to describe this association. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cytogenetic and epidemiological findings in Down syndrome: England and Wales 1989–2009
Authors: Morris Joan K. , Alberman Eva , Mutton David , Jacobs Patricia
Published: March 2012

This study describes the characteristics of karyotypes leading to phenotypic Down syndrome (trisomy 21) in 29,256 cases diagnosed between 1989 and 2009 in England and Wales included in the National Down Syndrome Cytogenetic Register (NDSCR). The frequency of occurrence of the different karyotypes, proportions diagnosed prenatally, sex ratios, mean maternal age, and proportions of mothers with recurrences were analyzed. Nearly 97% of all cases were free trisomy 21; 2.9% contributory trisomy 21, 0.3% double or triple aneuploidies; 1% of all were mosaics. Mean maternal age of free trisomy 21 cases was 35 years, 54% were male, and 1% of mothers had recurrences. Free trisomy 21 mosaics had a lower mean maternal age (33 years), a lower proportion of males (39.5%), and 2.5% of mothers had recurrences. The majority of contributory translocations were Robertsonian or rea (21;21). Their mothers were younger, particularly those of Robertsonian translocations (28 years). Of the Robertsonian der (14;21) translocations of known parental origin, 54% were de novo, 41% maternal and 5% paternal and 15.8% of mothers of those of maternal origin had recurrences. Multiple aneuploidies have the highest proportion of males (67%), highest proportion of mosaics (40%), a mean maternal age of 37 years, and no mothers had a recurrence. The size of this national register allowed the frequency of occurrence of the rarer karyotypes of Down syndrome to be estimated and their epidemiology described. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome: Objective assessment of facial phenotype
Authors: Nowaczyk Małgorzata J.M. , Tan Mattea , Hamid Jemila S. , Allanson Judith E.
Published: March 2012

Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome (SLOS), is an autosomal recessive condition caused by cholesterol synthesis deficiency which results in a wide phenotypic spectrum which includes multiple malformations, distinctive facial appearance, and intellectual disability. This anthropometric and observational study was carried out to define the key facial characteristics of individuals with SLOS and to evaluate evolution of the facial phenotype with age. Clinical photographs were obtained on 51 subjects with SLOS and standardized facial anthropometry was performed on 42; the ages ranged from 6 months to 20 years. For each individual, 22 standardized cranial and facial measurements were obtained and compared to published age‐ and sex‐matched controls. Craniofacial pattern profiles were compared between sexes, various age groups, plasma cholesterol concentration at the time of diagnosis, and physical severity score. Mean‐Z, a measurement of overall facial size, and craniofacial variability index (CVI), a summary anthropometric measure of craniofacial deviation from the norm, were calculated and compared according to methods published previously. A characteristic craniofacial pattern profile was universally present: narrow forehead, brachycephaly, short palpebral fissures, short nasal ridge, anteverted nares, flat face, normal jaw width, and retrognathia. The facial measurements of subjects with SLOS had higher deviations from the norm with mean CVI of 2.11; SD = 0.47 (controls: Mean = 0.76, SD = 0.19; <0.0001) than age‐ and sex‐matched controls. Their faces were also smaller than controls: 70% of subjects had mean‐Z values 2 SD below the mean for controls; average Z‐score was −1.64; SD = 0.85 (controls: mean = 0, SD = 0.64; <0.0001). There were no significant differences in the craniofacial pattern profile between the sexes or clinical severity as measured by either plasma cholesterol level at the time of diagnosis or the physical severity score. Patients with a lower weight at the time of assessment and patients with higher physical severity score had higher CVI measures (P < 0.001 and P < 0.002, respectively), suggesting that the degree of deviation from craniofacial norms is a function of the overall physical severity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Café‐au‐lait macules and intertriginous freckling in piebaldism: Clinical overlap with neurofibromatosis type 1 and Legius syndrome
Authors: Stevens Cathy A. , Chiang Pei‐Wen , Messiaen Ludwine M.
Published: March 2012

Piebaldism is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by congenital hypopigmented patches of skin and hair and has been found to be associated with mutations in theKITorSLUGgenes. Café‐au‐lait macules (CALM) may occasionally be seen in piebaldism. There are four reports describing six patients who were said to have both piebaldism and neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) due to the presence of multiple CALM and intertriginous freckling, but none of these patients had undergone comprehensiveNF1mutation analysis. We describe a large family with piebaldism in which two members meet diagnostic criteria for NF1 based on the presence of >5 CALM and intertriginous freckling. Interestingly, only these two family members are of mixed race, which could be of importance. A novel complex mutation in theKITgene was identified in several family members affected with piebaldism; the proband meeting diagnostic criteria for NF1 also underwent comprehensiveNF1andSPRED1testing with no mutations detected. These findings suggest that piebaldism may occasionally include CALM and intertriginous freckling, which may create diagnostic confusion especially in the absence of a family history of piebaldism. However, careful clinical evaluation and molecular testing if necessary should distinguish these two disorders. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A microdeletion proximal of the critical deletion region is associated with mild Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome
Authors: Hannes Femke , Hammond Peter , Quarrell Oliver , Fryns Jean‐Pierre , Devriendt Koenraad , Vermeesch Joris R.
Published: March 2012

It is generally accepted that the facial phenotype of Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome is caused by deletions of either Wolf–Hirschhorn critical regions 1 or 2 (WHSCR 1–2). Here, we identify a 432 kb deletion located 600 kb proximal to both WHSCR1–2 in a patient with a WHS facial phenotype. Seven genes are underlying this deletion region including FAM193a, ADD1, NOP14, GRK4, MFSD10, SH3BP2, TNIP2. The clinical diagnosis of WHS facial phenotype was confirmed by 3D facial analysis using dense surface modeling. Our results suggest that the WHSCR1–2 flanking sequence contributes directly or indirectly to the severity of WHS. Sequencing the Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome candidate 1 and 2 genes did not reveal any mutations. Long range position effects of the deletion that could influence gene expression within the WHSCR were excluded in EBV cell lines derived from patient lymphoblasts. We hypothesize that either (1) this locus harbors regulatory sequences which affect gene expression in the WHSCR1–2 in a defined temporal and spatial developmental window or (2) that this locus is additive to deletions of WHSCR1–2 increasing the phenotypic expression. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Investigation of the nanocellular foaming of polystyrene in supercritical CO2 by adding a CO2‐philic perfluorinated block copolymer
Authors: Ruiz Jose Antonio Reglero , Cloutet Eric , Dumon Michel
Published: March 2012

Nanocellular foaming of polystyrene (PS) and a polystyrene copolymer (PS‐b‐PFDA) with fluorinated block (1,1,2,2‐tetrahydroperfluorodecyl acrylate block, PFDA) was studied in supercritical CO2 (scCO2) via a one‐step foaming batch process. Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) was used to synthesize all the polymers. Neat PS and PS‐b‐PFDA copolymer samples were produced by extrusion and solid thick plaques were shaped in a hot‐press, and then subsequently foamed in a single‐step foaming process using scCO2 to analyze the effect of the addition of the fluorinated block copolymer in the foaming behaviour of neat PS. Samples were saturated under high pressures of CO2 (30 MPa) at low temperatures (e.g., 0°C) followed by a depressurization at a rate of 5 MPa/min. Foamed materials of neat PS and PS‐b‐PFDA copolymer were produced in the same conditions showing that the presence of high CO2‐philic perfluoro blocks, in the form of submicrometric separated domains in the PS matrix, acts as nucleating agents during the foaming process. The preponderance of the fluorinated blocks in the foaming behavior is evidenced, leading to PS‐b‐PFDA nanocellular foams with cell sizes in the order of 100 nm, and bulk densities about 0.7 g/cm3. The use of fluorinated blocks improve drastically the foam morphology, leading to ultramicro cellular and possibly nanocellular foams with a great homogeneity of the porous structure directly related to the dispersion of highly CO2‐philic fluorinated blocks in the PS matrix. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Synthesis and characterization of linear waterborne poly(ethyl acrylate‐urethane) prepared from poly(ethyl acrylate) diol via atom transfer radical polymerization
Authors: Li Jian , Wang Hongdan , Sun Zhidan , Fan Ruixiang , Ren Qiang , Yu Qiang
Published: March 2012

Linear waterborne poly(ethyl acrylate‐urethane)s (PEA‐Us) were synthesized by reacting a poly (ethyl acrylate) diol (HO‐PEA‐OH) with isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid (DMPA). The poly(ethyl acrylate) (HO‐PEA‐Br) was prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization of ethyl acrylate with a designed molecular weight (Mn) of about 2000 and the hydroxyl (OH) end capped poly(ethyl acrylate) (HO‐PEA‐OH) was obtained by substituting the bromo end group with N‐ethanol methyl amine. The HO‐PEA‐OH of Mn 2000 with OH functionality of about 1.92 and the linear waterborne PEA‐U with Mn of about 13,300 were obtained and characterized by hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR), gel permeation chromatography, thermo gravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. When the ratio of isocyanate to hydroxyl group (NCO/OH) was 1.4 and DMPA was 5 wt %, the waterborne PEA‐U was a tough material with a tensile strength of 4.9 MPa, elastic modulus of 31.9 N/mm2 and elongation at break of about 286%, which showed its potential applications in many fields. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of (−)‐Linarinic Acid Derivatives as Neuroprotective Agents against OGD‐Induced Cell Damage
Authors: Tian Yu , Ma Chao , Feng Linyin , Zhang Lei , Hao Feiyue , Pan Li , Cheng Maosheng
Published: March 2012

A series of novel (−)‐1,2,3,9‐tetrahydropyrrolo[2,1‐b]quinazoline‐1‐carboxylic acid derivatives were designed and synthesized. All of the prepared compounds were screened for their neuroprotective effects using an in vitro oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) model of ischemic stroke. Some of the target compounds exhibited moderate to excellent protective potency. In particular, compounds 9d, 9e, 9g, and 9h showed significant protective effects in the SH‐SY5Y cell line at all three concentrations tested.
Exposure to Green Tea Extract Alters the Incidence of Specific Cyclophosphamide‐Induced Malformations
Authors: Logsdon Amanda L. , Herring Betty J. , Lockard Jarrett E. , Miller Brittany M. , Kim Hanna , Hood Ronald D. , Bailey Melissa M.
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND

Green tea extract (GTE) has been shown to have antioxidative properties due to its high content of polyphenols and catechin gallates. Previous studies indicated that catechin gallates scavenge free radicals and attenuate the effects of reactive oxygen species. Cyclophosphamide (CP) produces reactive oxidative species, which can have adverse effects on development, causing limb, digit, and cranial abnormalities. The current study was performed to determine if exposure to GTE can decrease teratogenic effects induced by CP in CD‐1 mice.

METHODS

From gestation days (GD) 6–13, mated CD‐1 mice were dosed with 400 or 800 mg/kg/d GTE; 100, 200, 400, or 800 mg/kg/d GTE + CP; CP alone, or the vehicle. GTE was given by gavage. CP (20 mg/kg) was given by intraperitoneal injection on GD 10. Dams were sacrificed on GD 17, and their litters were examined for adverse effects.

RESULTS

The highest GTE dose did not effectively attenuate, and in some cases exacerbated the negative effect of CP. GTE alone was also associated with an increased incidence of microblepharia. Conversely, moderate GTE doses (200 and/or 400 mg/kg/d) attenuated the effect of CP on fetal weight and (GTE 200 mg/kg/d) decreased the incidences of certain defects resulting from CP exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure of a developing mammal to moderate doses of GTE can modulate the effects of exposure to CP during development, possibly by affecting biotransformation, while a higher GTE dose tended to exacerbate the developmental toxicity of CP. GTE alone appeared to cause an adverse effect on eyelid development.
Extracellular vesicles – vehicles that spread cancer genes
Authors: Rak Janusz , Guha Abhijit
Published: March 2012

Once regarded as cellular ‘debris’ extracellular vesicles (EVs) emerge as one of the most intriguing entities in cancer pathogenesis. Intercellular trafficking of EVs challenges the notion of cancer cell autonomy, and highlights the multicellular nature of such fundamental processes as stem cell niche formation, tumour stroma generation, angiogenesis, inflammation or immunity. Recent studies reveal that intercellular exchange mediated by EVs runs deeper than expected, and includes molecules causative for cancer progression, such as oncogenes (epidermal growth factor receptor, Ras), and tumour suppressors (PTEN). The uptake of oncogenic EVs (oncosomes) by various cells may profoundly change their biology, signalling patterns and gene expression, and in some cases cause their overt tumorigenic conversion. Moreover, EVs circulating in blood and present in body fluids provide an unprecedented access to the molecular circuitry driving cancer cells, and new technologies are being developed to exploit this property as a source of unique cancer biomarkers.
Copper excess, zinc deficiency, and cognition loss in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Brewer George J.
Published: March 2012

In this special issue about biofactors causing cognitive impairment, we present evidence for and discuss two such biofactors. One is excess copper, causing neuronal toxicity. The other is zinc deficiency, causing neuronal damage. We present evidence that Alzheimer's disease (AD) has become an epidemic in developed, but not undeveloped, countries and that the epidemic is a new disease phenomenon, beginning in the early 1900s and exploding in the last 50 years. This leads to the conclusion that something in the developed environment is a major risk factor for AD. We hypothesize that the factor is inorganic copper, leached from the copper plumbing, the use of which coincides with the AD epidemic. We present a web of evidence supporting this hypothesis. Regarding zinc, we have shown that patients with AD are zinc deficient when compared with age‐matched controls. Zinc has critical functions in the brain, and lack of zinc can cause neuronal death. A nonblinded study about 20 years ago showed considerable improvement in AD with zinc therapy, and a mouse AD model study also showed significant cognitive benefit from zinc supplementation. In a small blinded study we carried out, post hoc analysis revealed that 6 months of zinc therapy resulted in significant benefit relative to placebo controls in two cognitive measuring systems. These two factors may be linked in that zinc therapy significantly reduced free copper levels. Thus, zinc may act by lowering copper toxicity or by direct benefit on neuronal health, or both.
Outcomes of simultaneous pancreas–kidney transplantation from brain-dead and controlled circulatory death donors
Authors: Qureshi M S , Callaghan C J , Bradley J A , Watson C J E , Pettigrew G J
Published: March 2012

Background

Organ scarcity has prompted increased use of organs from donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors. An early single-centre experience of simultaneous pancreas–kidney (SPK) transplantation from controlled DCD donors is described here.

Methods

Outcomes of SPK transplants from DCD and donation after brain death (DBD) donors between August 2008 and January 2011 were reviewed retrospectively.

Results

SPK transplants from 20 DCD and 40 DBD donors were carried out. Donor and recipient characteristics were similar for both groups, although pancreas cold ischaemia times were shorter in DCD recipients: median (range) 8·2 (5·9–10·5) versus 9·5 (3·8–12·5) h respectively (P = 0·004). Median time from treatment withdrawal to cold perfusion was 24 (range 16–110) min for DCD donors. There were no episodes of delayed pancreatic graft function in either group; the graft thrombosis rates were both 5 per cent. Similarly, there were no differences in haemoglobin A1c level at 12 months: median (range) 5·4 (4·9–7·7) per cent in DCD group versus 5·4 (4·1–6·2) per cent in DBD group (P = 0·910). Pancreas graft survival rates were not significantly different, with Kaplan–Meier 1-year survival estimates of 84 and 95 per cent respectively (P = 0·181).

Conclusion

DCD SPK grafts had comparable short-term outcomes to DBD grafts, even when procured from selected donors with a prolonged agonal phase.
Intensive use of mobile technologies in a computer engineering course
Authors: Barbosa Jorge L. V. , Hahn Rodrigo , Barbosa Débora N. F. , Segatto Wilian
Published: March 2012

This article details our experience involving the intensive use of mobile technologies in the pedagogical activities of a Computer Engineering (CE) course. We describe three learning projects in order to illustrate how these activities can impact learning, allowing a stronger engagement of students and creating a dynamic pedagogical approach.© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 22:686–698, 2014; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21560
Learning and the new workplace: Impacts of technology change on postsecondary career and technical education
Authors: Washbon Janet L.
Published: March 2012

This chapter explores how technological innovation is changing the kinds of skills and knowledge used in the workplace and how two‐year colleges are responding to these changes. It features examples of new and emerging practices in Wisconsin's technical colleges that situate learning in settings designed to meet the needs of learners and their communities.
Learning to innovate in twenty‐first‐century community colleges: Searching for the general education niche in two‐year colleges
Authors: Lundberg Todd C.
Published: March 2012

This chapter reviews the recent trends in general education and curricular innovations and profiles the role of general education in a forward‐looking two‐year Midwestern technical college program.
Community college–research university collaboration: Emerging student research and transfer partnerships
Authors: Phelps L. Allen , Prevost Amy
Published: March 2012

This chapter examines the nation's changing research and innovation context and presents an evolving template for community college–research university partnerships, one grounded in Midwestern undergraduate student research experiences, faculty development initiatives, and new transfer partnerships.
A framework and strategies for advancing change and innovation in two‐year colleges
Authors: Matheny Christopher J. , Conrad Clifton
Published: March 2012

In this chapter we propose a framework to guide innovators and change agents in two‐year colleges. Leaders of these efforts are encouraged to choose strategies based in part on the impetus and focus of the change effort, including regional alliance opportunities.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and Structure of Asymmetric 2,4,6‐Triazidopyridines.
Authors: Chapyshev S. V. , Korchagin D. V. , Shilov G. V. , Aldoshin S. M.
Published: March 2012

The results of comparative X‐ray analysis of novel asymmetric 2,4,6‐triazidopyridines (II) are discussed extensively.
ChemInform Abstract: Metal Azolate Frameworks: From Crystal Engineering to Functional Materials
Authors: Zhang Jie‐Peng , Zhang Yue‐Biao , Lin Jian‐Bin , Chen Xiao‐Ming
Published: March 2012

Review: 307 refs.
Validation of the Swedish Version of the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Outcome Measure (CORE‐OM)
Authors: Elfström M. L. , Evans C. , Lundgren J. , Johansson B. , Hakeberg M. , Carlsson S. G.
Published: March 2012

The purpose of this study was to perform an initial validation of a Swedish translation of the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Outcome Measure (CORE‐OM). The CORE‐OM is a broad self‐report instrument of psychological problems, designed as an outcome measure for evaluating the effects of psychological therapy. Participants included a non‐clinical group of 229 university students and a clinical group of 619 persons from four primary care sites. The Swedish CORE‐OM showed excellent acceptability, high internal consistency and test–retest reliability, as well as acceptable convergent validity. There was strong differentiation of the clinical and non‐clinical samples, with the clinical group scoring significantly more psychological problems than the non‐clinical group. Sensitivity to change was demonstrated in psychological treatments in primary care. Overall, the psychometric characteristics of the Swedish CORE‐OM were very similar to the original UK data. Nevertheless, the validity of the Swedish version needs to be examined more in detail, in larger and more diverse samples. Our results so far, however, provide support for using the Swedish CORE‐OM as a psychological problems measure. To our knowledge, there are few other relatively short measures in Swedish that are free to reprint that meet the demands for psychometric properties and utility in primary care settings in which patients typically present a broad range of psychological problems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message

The Swedish version of the CORE‐OM is a valid questionnaire for assessing the severity of a broad range of psychological problems.
Expanding newborn screening for lysosomal disorders: Opportunities and challenges
Authors: Waggoner Darrel J. , Tan Christopher A.
Published: March 2012

Newborn screening (NBS), since its implementation in the 1960s, has traditionally been successful in reducing mortality and disability in children with a range of different conditions. Lysosomal storage disorders (LSD) are a heterogeneous group of inherited metabolic diseases that result from lysosomal dysfunction. Based on available treatment and suitable screening methods, the LSDs that are considered for NBS generally include Fabry, Gaucher, Krabbe, MPSI, MPSII, MPSV, Metachromatic leukodystrophy, Niemann‐Pick, and Pompe. Utilizing traditional and expanded criteria for consideration of NBS leads to a set of fundamental questions that need to be explored when considering the opportunities and challenges of adding LSDs to NBS panels. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Disabil Res Rev 2011; 17:9–14.
Health disparities and intellectual disabilities: Lessons from individuals with down syndrome
Authors: Ploeg Booth Karin Vander
Published: March 2012

Individuals with intellectual disabilities experience health disparities and disparities in accessing health care services compared to individuals within the general population. In order to eliminate these disparities the contributors to them must be understood. In this article, we aim to describe a recent reconceptualization of health and disability (Krahn, et al. [2006] Mental. Retard. Dev. Disabilities Res. Rev. 12:70–82) to further understand the health disparities between individuals with Down syndrome, the most common identified cause of intellectual disability in the United States, and the general population. We also detail known health disparities between individuals with Down syndrome of different races and discuss the possible reasons for these disparities, as well as potential actions to address them. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Disabil Res Rev 2011; 17:32–35.