bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and Evaluation of an Intuitive Operational Planning Process
Authors: Bryant David J. , Martin Lora Bruyn , Bandali Farahnaz , Rehak Lisa , Vokac Robert , Lamoureux Tab
Published: February 2008

Although formal planning procedures are key parts of military doctrine, they may not be well suited to highly dynamic, time-pressured environments. The authors describe an intuitive planning process developed as an alternative to the procedure used by the Canadian Forces (CF). The Intuitive Operational Planning Process (IOPP) treats planning as a highly iterative process of incremental refinement in which a single course of action is elaborated and continually evaluated for its suitability. To examine the effectiveness of the IOPP, 12 members of a reserve CF Civil Military Cooperation unit of Land Force Central Area acted as planning staffs and created plans for two simulated planning exercises. Participants employed the IOPP for one scenario and the existing CF Operational Planning Process (OPP) for another. The teams were able to successfully employ the IOPP to develop acceptable plans; however, it was not possible to determine statistically that the quality of these plans surpassed that of plans generated with the OPP because of limitations of the data set. The IOPP was judged to be very easy to use, but teams expressed less trust in it than the existing OPP. The IOPP may foster greater collaboration and commander involvement in planning than the OPP.
Gender Differences and Socioeconomic Status Biases in Judgments About Blame in Date Rape Scenarios
Authors: Black Katherine A. , Gold David J.
Published: February 2008

Participants (80 men, 80 women) read hypothetical date rape scenarios, wherein the perpetrator’s socioeconomic status (bus driver versus doctor) and the victim’s level of resistance (verbal versus verbal and physical) were varied, and made judgments about who was at fault and what the consequences should be. In general, men assigned more blame to the victim and less blame to the perpetrator than did women. However, men assigned more blame to the bus driver than to the doctor. Women, on the other hand, assigned more blame to the victim who was raped by the bus driver than to the victim who was raped by the doctor. The results also indicated that participants recommended harsher punishments for the perpetrator when the victim resisted verbally than when she resisted verbally and physically. Future research on the role of the perpetrator’s, the victim’s, and the participants’ socioeconomic status in judgments about date rape is suggested.
Trajectories of Physical and Emotional Marital Aggression in Midlife Couples
Authors: Vickerman Katrina A. , Margolin Gayla
Published: February 2008

This study used three-level generalized hierarchical linear modeling to examine trajectories of husbands’ and wives’ physical and emotional aggression over three assessments and the effects of years since marriage. In this community sample of 118 couples, physical aggression significantly decreased over time (43% per year). Emotional aggression did not significantly change over time, but trajectories significantly differed for husbands (3% increase) versus wives (10% decrease). Longer-duration marriages had lower physical aggression and, for wives only, lower emotional aggression. Aggression trajectories showed considerable variability: 44%–55% of physically aggressive spouses desisted from one assessment to the next; 5%–12% reported start-ups in physical aggression. Discussion addresses the role of gender and type of aggression in aggression trajectories.
Self-Regulation and the Etiology of Sexual Deviance: Evaluating Causal Theory
Authors: Stinson Jill D. , Becker Judith V. , Sales Bruce D.
Published: February 2008

Recently introduced theories of sex offending, including the self-regulation model and the multimodal self-regulation theory, have implicated self-regulatory deficits as a key variable in the development of sexually inappropriate interests and behaviors. While dysregulation has been considered an important component of a variety of behavioral, emotional, and interpersonal disorders, sexual behaviors have rarely been conceptualized within this context. In this study, we have examined a number of variables linked to self-regulation and dysfunctional outcomes in a sample of 95 sex-offending men. Results of a path analysis demonstrated that self-regulatory deficits were significantly predictive of paraphilic and antisocial behaviors in this group. Implications for our understanding of the etiology of sexual deviance and future research in this area are discussed.
Attachment Styles, Alcohol, and Childhood Experiences of Abuse: An Analysis of Physical Violence in Dating Couples
Authors: Rapoza Kimberly A. , Baker Alison T.
Published: February 2008

This study examined individual and partner characteristics that contribute to the propensity for physical violence in couples. In a sample of 171 heterosexual dating couples, each partner completed measures assessing experienced childhood abuse, alcohol use, alcohol expectancies, attachment, and relationship length. Physically violent men reported more abuse from each parent, greater alcohol use, anxious attachment, and a longer relationship. Their female partner reported more childhood abuse by the father and reciprocal perpetrated violence. Physically violent women reported more abuse from the father, greater alcohol use, aggressive alcohol expectancies, and a longer relationship. Their male partner reported greater abuse from the mother, greater alcohol use, and reciprocal perpetrated violence. This study demonstrates the importance of considering how each individual’s characteristics within a dyad contribute to increased propensity for dating violence.
Measurement and Correlates of Prosocial Bystander Behavior: The Case of Interpersonal Violence
Authors: Banyard Victoria L.
Published: February 2008

The field of social psychology has long investigated the role of prosocial bystanders in assisting crime victims and helping in emergency situations. This research has usually been experimental and has established important principles about the conditions under which individuals will choose to engage in prosocial bystander behaviors. More recently, interest has grown in applying this work to the important practical problem of preventing interpersonal violence in communities. Yet, to date, there has been little research on the role of bystanders in cases of interpersonal violence. The current study is thus exploratory. Using a sample of 389 undergraduates, the study discusses key issues in the development of measures to investigate these questions and presents preliminary analyses of correlates of bystander behavior in the context of sexual and intimate partner violence.
Intimate Partner Homicide Methods in Heterosexual, Gay, and Lesbian Relationships
Authors: Mize Krystal D. , Shackelford Todd K.
Published: February 2008

Previous research indicates that the killing method used in homicides may reflect the motivation of the offender and qualities of the victim–offender relationship. The effect of gender and sexual orientation of intimate partner homicide offenders (N = 51,007) was examined with respect to the brutality of killing methods. Guided by previous research and theory, it was hypothesized that homicide brutality will vary with the offender’s sexual orientation and gender, such that the percentage of killings coded as brutal will be higher for (a) gay and lesbian relative to heterosexual relations, (b) men relative to women, (c) gay relative to heterosexual men, and (d) lesbian relative to heterosexual women. The rates of intimate partner homicide were also hypothesized to vary with the gender of the partners, such that (a) homicide rates will be higher in gay relative to heterosexual and lesbian couples and (b) homicide rates will be lowest in lesbian couples. The results support all but one prediction derived from the two hypotheses. We predicted that men would kill their partners more brutally than would women, but the results indicate that the opposite is true.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Children: Results of a Pilot Study
Authors: Lee Jennifer , Semple Randye J. , Rosa Dinelia , Miller Lisa
Published: February 2008

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and helpfulness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Children (MBCT-C) for the treatment of internalizing and externalizing symptoms in a sample of nonreferred children. Twenty-five children, ages 9 to 12, participated in the 12-week intervention. Assessments were conducted at baseline and posttreatment. Open trial analyses found preliminary support for MBCT-C as helpful in reducing internalizing and externalizing symptoms within subjects on the parent report measure. The high attendance rate (Intent-to-Treat sample, 78%; Completer sample, 94%), high retention rate (68%), and positive ratings on program evaluations supported treatment feasibility and acceptability. Overall, this pilot study offers feasibility and acceptability data for MBCT-C as a potential treatment for internalizing and externalizing symptoms in children. Further research is needed to test the efficacy of the intervention with a larger sample of children who meet diagnostic criteria for clinical disorders.
Microskills of Clinical Supervision: Scaffolding Skills
Authors: James Ian Andrew , Milne Derek , Morse Rachel
Published: February 2008

This article examines some of the microskills associated with the moment-to-moment decisions and actions of supervisors within cognitive-behavioral supervision. Through a theoretical review and practice illustration, the article outlines the role of supervisors’ dialogue and questioning styles in promoting effective learning. The article also provides a potential guide to the training of supervisors and thereby attempts to benefit clinical practices in general.
Mental Pollution and PTSD Symptoms in Victims of Sexual Assault: A Preliminary Examination of the Mediating Role of Trauma-Related Cognitions
Authors: Olatunji Bunmi O. , Elwood Lisa S. , Williams Nathan L. , Lohr Jeffrey M.
Published: February 2008

Trauma-related cognitions have been proposed to contribute significantly to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Recent research suggests that feelings of mental pollution (feelings of dirtiness without physical contact) may also contribute to symptoms of PTSD in victims of sexual assault (Fairbrother & Rachman, 2004). The present study investigated the relation between mental pollution, PTSD cognitions, and PTSD symptoms in victims of sexual assault (N = 48). The results indicated that mental pollution was significantly related to PTSD symptoms even when statistically controlling for symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, subsequent analyses showed that the relation between feelings of mental pollution and PTSD symptoms was fully mediated by trauma-related cognitions. These findings are discussed in the context of a model in which feelings of mental pollution elicit specific negative cognitions that maintain PTSD symptoms in victims of sexual assault.
Posttraumatic Embitterment Disorder and Wisdom Therapy
Authors: Linden Michael
Published: February 2008

Posttraumatic embitterment disorder (PTED) is a psychological reaction to negative life events, and as such is a special type of adjustment disorder. It is a very disabling disorder and is burdensome for the person and for the people in his or her environment. It often takes a chronic course. There are similarities as well differences with other posttraumatic disorders. PTED is seen after life events that are experienced as insulting or humiliating while at the same time causing feelings of helplessness. Symptoms include prolonged feelings of embitterment, intrusive thoughts, hyperarousal, feelings of dejection, phobic avoidance of places or people related to the negative event, suicidal ideation, and homicidal thoughts or fantasies. People with PTED often reject help for their disorder. A promising new treatment approach is wisdom therapy, which is a form of cognitive therapy based on recent developments in the field of wisdom psychology. Treatment involves presenting the patient with case vignettes of unsolvable life problems and teaching patients to attain a change of perspective, distance from oneself, empathy with the aggressor, acceptance of unwanted emotions, emotional serenity, contextualism, value relativism, relativism of aspirations, and long-term perspectives.
Therapist–Patient Alliance, Patient–Therapist Alliance, Mutual Therapeutic Alliance, Therapist–Patient Concordance, and Outcome of CBT in GAD
Authors: Langhoff Christin , Baer Thomas , Zubraegel Doris , Linden Michael
Published: February 2008

The therapeutic alliance is seen as an important dimension in any type of psychotherapy. But patient, therapist, or observers can have different views on the therapeutic alliance. The question is which perspective best represents the therapeutic alliance, and what are the differences between these alternative views. In the present study, the therapist–patient alliance (TPA, the view of the therapist), patient–therapist alliance (PTA, the view of the patient), and mutual therapeutic alliance (MTA, the view of an observer) were measured simultaneously in cognitive behavior therapy of patients suffering from generalized anxiety disorder. Additionally, the concordance between patient and therapist ratings (TPC) was calculated. Cognitive behavior therapists attained high positive scores in all perspectives for all dimensions of the therapeutic alliance, such as empathy, cooperation, transparency, focusing, and assurance of progress. Correlations were consistently higher for ratings between therapist and patient than between observer and patient. A relation with outcome (Hamilton Anxiety Scale) was only found for observer ratings. It was concluded that cognitive behavior therapists can achieve good alliances with their patients. Different perspectives on the therapeutic alliance should be distinguished and taken into account separately in studies on the therapeutic process and outcome.
Phase 1 of Integrated EMDR An Abortive Treatment for Migraine Headaches
Authors: Marcus Steven V.
Published: February 2008

Forty-three individuals diagnosed with classic or common migraine headache were randomly assigned to either phase 1 of integrated eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) treatment or a standard care medication treatment. Integrated EMDR combines diaphragmatic breathing, cranial compression, and EMDR for abortive migraine treatment. The comparison standard care medication group received various abortive medications, including Demerol, DHE, oral triptans, Excedrin, Fiorinal, Percocet, Toradol, and Vicodin. Participants were treated during mid- to late-stage acute migraine and assessed by an independent evaluator at pretreatment, posttreatment, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days for migraine pain level. Both standard care medication and integrated EMDR treatment groups demonstrated reduced migraine pain levels immediately at posttreatment, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days. However, integrated EMDR treatment reduced or eliminated migraine pain with greater rapidity and showed significantly greater improvement compared to standard care medication immediately posttreatment.
Validity of the Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale in EMDR
Authors: Kim Daeho , Bae Hwallip , Chon Park Yong
Published: February 2008

To test the psychometric properties of the Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale (SUDS), this study analyzed the data from 61 patients treated with EMDR. The pretreatment self-reported questionnaires, the in-session records of EMDR, and the Clinical Global Impression–Change (CGI-C) scale at the termination of EMDR were reviewed. The initial score of the SUDS at the first session was significantly correlated with the patient’s level of depression, the state anxiety, and distress from the impact of events. The final score of the SUDS at the first session was significantly correlated with the CGI-C score at termination. Consequently, this study confirmed that the SUDS in EMDR sessions has good psychometric properties.
Nanobiomaterials and Nanoanalysis: Opportunities for Improving the Science to Benefit Biomedical Technologies
Authors: Grainger D. W. , Castner D. G.
Published: February 2008

Nanomaterials advocated for biomedical applications must exhibit well‐controlled surface properties to achieve optimum performance in complex biological or physiological fluids. Dispersed materials with extremely high specific surface areas require as extensive characterization as their macroscale biomaterials analogues. However, current literature is replete with many examples of nanophase materials, most notably nanoparticles, with little emphasis placed on reporting rigorous surface analysis or characterization, or in formal implementation of surface property standards needed to validate structure‐property relationships for biomedical applications. Correlations of nanophase surface properties with their stability, toxicity and biodistributions are essential for in vivo applications. Surface contamination is likely, given their processing conditions and interfacial energies. Leaching adventitious adsorbates from high surface area nanomaterials is a possible toxicity mechanism. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), long known as a ubiquitous contaminant in clean room conditions, chemical synthesis and microfabrication, remains a likely culprit in nanosystems fabrication, especially in synthesis, soft lithography and contact molding methods. New standards and expectations for analyzing the interfacial properties of nanoparticles and nano‐fabricated technologies are required. Surface science analytical rigor similar to that applied to biomedical devices, nanophases in microelectronics and heterogeneous catalysts should serve as a model for nanomaterials characterization in biomedical technologies.
Suzuki‐ and Heck‐Type Cross‐Coupling with Palladium Nanoparticles Immobilized on Spherical Polyelectrolyte Brushes
Authors: Proch S. , Mei Y. , Villanueva J. M. Rivera , Lu Y. , Karpov A. , Ballauff M. , Kempe R.
Published: February 2008

We report on a systematic study of the use of palladium nanoparticles immobilized on spherical polyelectrolyte brushes – Pd@SPB – for Heck‐ and Suzuki‐type coupling reactions. The spherical polyelectrolyte brush particles serving as carriers for the palladium nanoparticles consist of a solid polystyrene core with a radius of 46 nm onto which long chains of cationic polyelectrolytes are grafted. The palladium nanoparticles have directly been generated within this brush layer and the stabilization of the nanoparticles is effected by the colloidal carriers, no further surface stabilization is necessary. We demonstrate that these composite particles present robust catalysts for the Heck‐ and Suzuki‐type coupling reactions. This was shown by carrying out the Suzuki‐ and Heck‐type coupling reactions at relatively low temperatures (Suzuki reaction: 50 °C, Heck reaction: 70 °C). We demonstrate that the catalytic composite particles are not changed by these reaction conditions and retain their full activity for at least four runs. The yields obtained for both reactions are good to excellent. The mild operation conditions of the palladium nanoparticles are traced back to the absence of surface stabilization. Further mechanistic implications are discussed.
Functional Elastomers via Sequential Selective Diene Copolymerization/Hydrophosphorylation Catalysis
Authors: Ajellal Noureddine , Guillevic Erwan , Thomas Christophe M. , Jackstell Ralf , Beller Matthias , Carpentier Jean‐François
Published: February 2008

An effective preparation of new tailor‐made macromolecular materials via the combination of two fully atom‐efficient catalytic transformations is reported. First, new isoprene‐co‐1,3,7‐octatriene [P(IP‐co‐OT)] copolymers with controlled composition (2–21 mol% triene incorporated), molecular weight (Mn=23–102,000 g mol−1) and microstructure (1,4‐cis rich) have been prepared using the homogeneous Ziegler–Natta catalyst system composed of diallylneodynium chloride, magnesium chloride, tetrahydrofuran and methylaluminoxane [Nd(allyl)2Cl(MgCl2)2(THF)4/MAO]. Next, the pendant vinyl moieties in those P(IP‐co‐OT) copolymers have been selectively transformed into phosphonate groups by hydrophosphorylation in the presence of homogeneous rhodium phosphine catalysts. The latter hydrophosphorylation reaction has been optimized in terms of catalytic activity and selectivity, to define the conditions for an effective and safe procedure that does not affect the macromolecular architecture. All polymer materials have been microstructurally analyzed by 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR spectroscopy, to diagnose the catalyst selectivities in the copolymerization and hydrophosphorylation processes.
Palladium/Phosphite or Phosphate Catalyzed Oxidative Coupling of Arylboronic Acids with Alkynes to Produce 1,4‐Diaryl‐1,3‐butadienes
Authors: Horiguchi Hakaru , Tsurugi Hayato , Satoh Tetsuya , Miura Masahiro
Published: February 2008

The intermolecular oxidative coupling of arylboronic acids with internal alkynes efficiently proceeds in a 2:2 manner in the presence of palladium acetate, a triaryl phosphite or phosphate, and silver carbonate as catalyst, ligand, and oxidant, respectively, to produce the corresponding 1,4‐diaryl‐1,3‐butadiene derivatives.
Consolidation of sheared, strongly flocculated suspensions
Authors: Holmqvist Claes , Dahlkild Anders
Published: February 2008

The concept of a particle concentration dependent yield stress, previously employed in studies of uniaxial consolidation of a flocculated solid phase dispersed in a liquid, is extended to comprise flocculated phase shear strength. The inter‐particle stresses are modeled by assuming that the stress state is always located on a yield‐surface in stress‐space, whose form is adopted from the Cam‐clay plasticity theory for the quasi‐static consolidation of soil. By treating the time‐dependent dewatering of a suspension trapped between a permeable filter and a sliding piston, as well as the asymptotic limit of a cross‐flow filtration situation, the differences with respect to the conventional uniaxial models are made apparent, and the effects of the shear stresses on the consolidation process are elucidated. Applying shear is predicted to increase the rate of the drainage process, because of a reduced load bearing capacity of the flocculated phase, and the correspondingly higher pore pressures. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Kinetics and equilibrium of gas adsorption on RPM1‐Co and Cu‐BTC metal‐organic frameworks: Potential for gas separation applications
Authors: Krungleviciute V. , Lask K. , Migone A. D. , Lee J.‐Y. , Li J.
Published: February 2008

We report on the results of kinetic and equilibrium adsorption measurements for two gases, CF4 and Ar, on RPM1‐Co and Cu‐BTC metal‐organic framework materials. The kinetic experiments were performed at similar relative temperatures (T/Tcritical = 0.52 and 0.597) on both adsorbents. The results show that both gases behave differently on Cu‐BTC from the way they do on RPM1‐Co. In addition, the equilibrium isotherms indicate that there are some sites on Cu‐BTC which are accessible to Ar but not to CF4. Taken together, our results for the kinetic and equilibrium experiments suggest that these MOFs have high potential for use in gas separation applications. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Correlations of supercritical temperature of fluid alkali metals
Authors: Balasubramanian Ramasamy
Published: February 2008

The supercritical temperature, the maximum attainable temperature of superheating and the critical compressibility factor of caesium, rubidium and potassium are correlated through the generalised van der Waals equation of state. This three‐parameter equation differs from the known van der Waals equation of state by the modified expression for molecular pressure. For caesium, rubidium and potassium, the ratios of the supercritical temperature to the maximum attainable temperature of superheating are estimated. Our estimation results are in agreement with experimental data. It has been established that caesium, rubidium and potassium obey the single‐parameter law of corresponding states with the ratio of the supercritical temperature to the maximum attainable temperature of superheating as the thermodynamic similarity parameter. Copyright © 2008 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of extrusion conditions on the properties of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate)/nanoclay nanocomposites prepared by a twin‐screw extruder
Authors: Giraldi A. L. F. de M. , Bizarria M. T. M. , Silva A. A. , Velasco J. I. , d'Ávila Marcos A. , Mei L. H. I.
Published: February 2008

The effects of extrusion conditions on the mechanical properties of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (rPET)/clay nanocomposites were studied. Nanocomposites of recycled PET containing 2.5 and 5.0 wt % of montmorillonite modified with organophilic quaternary ammonium salt (DELLITE 67G) were prepared by melt compounding using a corotating twin‐screw type extruder at two different screw rotation speeds: 250 and 150 rpm. The highest value of Young's modulus was found for low screw rotation speed (150 rpm). Morphological analysis using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the presence of fully exfoliated clay platelets in samples prepared at 150 rpm. It was concluded that the screw rotation speed should be optimized when preparing recycled PET/clay nanocomposites by melt compounding. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Effect of Li+ ions on structure, properties, and actuation of cellulose electro‐active paper actuator
Authors: Nayak Jyoti N. , Chen Yi , Yun Sungryul , Kim Jaehwan
Published: February 2008

We have reported an electro‐active paper actuator from regenerated cellulose. After dissolving cellulose fibers with a solution of lithium chloride in N,N‐dimethylacetamide, cellulose was regenerated by combining distillation of cellulose solution along with washing with the mixture of deionized water, isopropyl alcohol, and running water. However, the effect of Li+ ions on structure, properties, and the actuation behavior of the actuator was not studied. This article describes the changes in these parameters when the Li+ ions are removed by subjecting it to different running water exposure time. The structure and properties of cellulose electro‐active paper and its actuation behavior were studied. As Li+ ions content reduced from 4354.17 to 10.26 ppm by increasing the exposure time of running water, crystallinity, Young's modulus, and bending displacement decreased. Details about the investigation have been explained. This elimination of ions is important to increase the piezoelectric effect in EAPap by decreasing the ion migration effect. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Facile synthesis of unsaturated polyamines having hydroxyl groups by Pd(0)‐catalyzed polyaddition of bifunctional vinylepoxide and aliphatic amines
Authors: Koizumi Toshio , Shigematsu Akane , Maruyama Yukari , Nakui Tomoyuki
Published: February 2008

Unsaturated polyamines having hydroxyl groups were synthesized by polymerization of a bifunctional vinylepoxide, 1,4‐bis(1‐methyl‐2‐vinylepoxyethyl)benzene (1), and aliphatic amines in the presence of a Pd(0) catalyst. The polyaddition was carried out for 24 h at 90°C in dioxane. Among the phosphine ligands employed, bis(2‐diphenylphosphinophenyl)ether (DPEphos) was most effective and gave polyamines with high molecular weight. Benzylamine and piperazine were appropriate nucleophiles and the corresponding polyamines were obtained in moderate to high yields, the number–average molecular weights (Mn) of which were high (Mn = 29,000–33,000). The polyaddition between 1 and anilines was not successful. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
New biodegradable blends prepared from polylactide, titanium tetraisopropylate, and starch
Authors: Liao Hsin‐Tzu , Wu Chin‐San
Published: February 2008

In this study, new biodegradable nanocomposites were prepared from poly(lactic acid) (PLA) or acrylic acid grafted poly(lactic acid) (PLA‐g‐AA), titanium tetraisopropylate, and starch by means of an in situ sol–gel process and the melt‐blending method. The samples were characterized with X‐ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and an Instron mechanical tester. According to the results, a PLA‐g‐AA/TiO2 hybrid could improve the properties of a PLA/TiO2 hybrid because the carboxylic acid groups of acrylic acid should act as coordination sites for the titania phase to form the TiOC chemical bond. It was also found that both the tensile strength and glass‐transition temperature increased to a maximum value and then decreased with increasing TiO2 because excess particles (e.g., greater than 10 wt % TiO2) could cause separation or segregation between the organic and inorganic phases. A PLA‐g‐AA/TiO2/starch hybrid could obviously enhance the mechanical properties of a PLA‐g‐AA/starch hybrid because the former could provide a smaller starch phase size and nanoscale dispersion of TiO2 in the polymer matrix. The biodegradable nanocomposites produced in our laboratory could provide a plateau tensile strength at break when the starch content was up to 50 wt %. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
Artificial structures as tools for fish habitat rehabilitation in a neotropical reservoir
Authors: Santos Luciano N. , Araújo Francisco G. , Brotto Daniel S.
Published: February 2008

Since most of the natural habitats critical for freshwater fish survival have been adversely affected by human disturbance, the effectiveness of artificial structures in providing new and suitable habitats for fish has been increasingly investigated.

This paper evaluates the role of artificial structures as fish habitat in a structureless 30 km2 Brazilian reservoir, through underwater surveys conducted monthly from April 1999 to March 2000.

In total, 5759 fish in nine species were recorded, but only three cichlid species—one native, Geophagus brasiliensis and two non‐native, Cichla kelberi and Tilapia rendalli—showed consistent association with the artificial habitats, suggesting that this family reacts to submerged structures.

The absence of fish at control sites compared with high occurrences in sites provided with a physically complex structure suggests that artificial structures can play an important ecological role for cichlids smaller than 150 mm TL, probably related to shelter and/or feeding benefits.

The level of structural complexity and position in the water column influenced fish use of artificial structures. C. kelberi was associated with highly complex structures, whereas moderately complex bottom structures were more effective in harbouring G. brasiliensis. Bottom structures are apparently more important than midwater structures in harbouring T. rendalli, but structural complexity seemed to play a secondary role.

This study is the first in demonstrating that adding complex artificial structures can expand habitats for small fish (<150 mm TL), especially cichlids, in a neotropical impoundment. It seems reasonable to expect that deploying physically complex structures in other oligotrophic, structureless and cichlid‐dominated impoundments in Brazil will lead to similar results to those found in this work.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in macaque V1 are most frequently expressed by parvalbumin‐immunoreactive neurons
Authors: Disney Anita A. , Aoki Chiye
Published: February 2008

Acetylcholine (ACh) is believed to underlie mechanisms of arousal and attention in mammals. ACh also has a demonstrated functional effect in visual cortex that is both diverse and profound. We have reported previously that cholinergic modulation in V1 of the macaque monkey is strongly targeted toward GABAergic interneurons. Here we examine the localization of m1 and m2 muscarinic receptor subtypes across subpopulations of GABAergic interneurons—identified by their expression of the calcium‐binding proteins parvalbumin, calbindin, and calretinin—using dual‐immunofluorescence confocal microscopy in V1 of the macaque monkey. In doing so, we find that the vast majority (87%) of parvalbumin‐immunoreactive neurons express m1‐type muscarinic ACh receptors. m1 receptors are also expressed by 60% of calbindin‐immunoreactive neurons and 40% of calretinin‐immunoreactive neurons. m2 AChRs, on the other hand, are expressed by only 31% of parvalbumin neurons, 23% of calbindin neurons, and 25% of calretinin neurons. Parvalbumin‐immunoreactive cells comprise ≈75% of the inhibitory neuronal population in V1 and included in this large subpopulation are neurons known to veto and regulate the synchrony of principal cell spiking. Through the expression of m1 ACh receptors on nearly all of these PV cells, the cholinergic system avails itself of powerful control of information flow through and processing within the network of principal cells in the cortical circuit. J. Comp. Neurol. 507:1748–1762, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stress experienced in utero reduces sexual dichotomies in neurogenesis, microenvironment, and cell death in the adult rat hippocampus
Authors: Mandyam Chitra D. , Crawford Elena F. , Eisch Amelia J. , Rivier Catherine L. , Richardson Heather N.
Published: February 2008

Hippocampal function and plasticity differ with gender, but the regulatory mechanisms underlying sex differences remain elusive and may be established early in life. The present study sought to elucidate sex differences in hippocampal plasticity under normal developmental conditions and in response to repetitive, predictable versus varied, unpredictable prenatal stress (PS). Adult male and diestrous female offspring of pregnant rats exposed to no stress (control), repetitive stress (PS‐restraint), or a randomized sequence of varied stressors (PS‐random) during the last week of pregnancy were examined for hippocampal proliferation, neurogenesis, cell death, and local microenvironment using endogenous markers. Regional volume was also estimated by stereology. Control animals had comparable proliferation and regional volume regardless of sex, but females had lower neurogenesis compared to males. Increased cell death and differential hippocampal precursor kinetics both appear to contribute to reduced neurogenesis in females. Reduced local interleukin‐1beta (IL‐1β) immunoreactivity (IR) in females argues for a mechanistic role for the anti‐apoptotic cytokine in driving sex differences in cell death. Prenatal stress significantly impacted the hippocampus, with both stress paradigms causing robust decreases in actively proliferating cells in males and females. Several other hippocampal measures were feminized in males such as precursor kinetics, IL‐1β‐IR density, and cell death, reducing or abolishing some sex differences. The findings expand our understanding of the mechanisms underlying sex differences and highlight the critical role early stress can play on the balance between proliferation, neurogenesis, cell death, and hippocampal microenvironment in adulthood. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2008.
Reelin is essential for neuronal migration but not for radial glial elongation in neonatal ferret cortex
Authors: Schaefer Alisa , Poluch Sylvie , Juliano Sharon
Published: February 2008

Numerous functions related to neuronal migration are linked to the glycoprotein reelin. Reelin also elongates radial glia, which are disrupted in mutant reeler mice. Our lab developed a model of cortical dysplasia in ferrets that shares features with the reeler mouse, including impaired migration of neurons into the cerebral cortex and disrupted radial glia. Explants of normal ferret cortex in coculture with dysplastic ferret cortex restore the deficits in this model. To determine if reelin is integral to the repair, we used explants of P0 mouse cortex either of the wild type (WT) or heterozygous (het) for the reelin gene, as well as P0 reeler cortex (not containing reelin), in coculture with organotypic cultures of dysplastic ferret cortex. This arrangement revealed that all types of mouse cortical explants (WT, het, reeler) elongated radial glia in ferret cortical dysplasia, indicating that reelin is not required for proper radial glial morphology. Migration of cells into ferret neocortex, however, did not improve with explants of reeler cortex, but was almost normal after pairing with WT or het explants. We also placed an exogenous source of reelin in ferret cultures at the pial surface to reveal that migrating cells move toward the reelin source in dysplastic cortex; radial glia in these cultures were also improved toward normal. Our results demonstrate that the normotopic position of reelin is important for proper neuronal positioning, and that reelin is capable of elongating radial glial cells but is not the only radialization factor. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2008.
Genetic dissection reveals two separate pathways for rod and cone regeneration in the teleost retina
Authors: Morris Ann C. , Scholz Tamera L. , Brockerhoff Susan E. , Fadool James M.
Published: February 2008

Development of therapies to treat visual system dystrophies resulting from the degeneration of rod and cone photoreceptors may directly benefit from studies of animal models, such as the zebrafish, that display continuous retinal neurogenesis and the capacity for injury‐induced regeneration. Previous studies of retinal regeneration in fish have been conducted on adult animals and have relied on methods that cause acute damage to both rods and cones, as well as other retinal cell types. We report here the use of a genetic approach to study progenitor cell responses to photoreceptor degeneration in the larval and adult zebrafish retina. We have compared the responses to selective rod or cone degeneration using, respectively, the XOPS‐mCFP transgenic line and zebrafish with a null mutation in the pde6c gene. Notably, rod degeneration induces increased proliferation of progenitors in the outer nuclear layer (ONL) and is not associated with proliferation or reactive gliosis in the inner nuclear layer (INL). Molecular characterization of the rod progenitor cells demonstrated that they are committed to the rod photoreceptor fate while they are still mitotic. In contrast, cone degeneration induces both Müller cell proliferation and reactive gliosis, with little change in proliferation in the ONL. We found that in both lines, proliferative responses to photoreceptor degeneration can be observed as 7 days post fertilization (dpf). These two genetic models therefore offer new opportunities for investigating the molecular mechanisms of selective degeneration and regeneration of rods and cones. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2008.
Expression patterns and cell cycle profiles of PCNA, MCM6, cyclin D1, cyclin A2, cyclin B1, and phosphorylated histone H3 in the developing mouse retina
Authors: Barton Kirston M. , Levine Edward M.
Published: February 2008

A challenge in studying organogenesis is the ability to identify progenitor cell populations. To address this problem, we characterized the expression patterns of cell cycle proteins during mouse retinal development and used flow cytometry to determine the expression profiles in the cell cycle. We found that MCM6 and PCNA are expressed in essentially all retinal progenitor cells throughout the proliferative period and these proteins are readily detectable in all cell cycle phases. Furthermore, their expression levels are downregulated as cells exit the cell cycle and differentiate. We also analyzed the expression of Cyclins D1, A2, and B1, and phosphorylated Histone H3 and found unexpected expression patterns and cell cycle profiles. The combined utilization of the markers tested and the use of flow cytometry should further facilitate the study of stem and progenitor cell behavior during development and in adult tissues. Developmental Dynamics 237:672–682, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Trichostatin A (TSA) improves the development of rabbit‐rabbit intraspecies cloned embryos, but not rabbit‐human interspecies cloned embryos
Authors: Shi Li‐Hong , Miao Yi‐Liang , Ouyang Ying‐Chun , Huang Jun‐Cheng , Lei Zi‐Li , Yang Ji‐Wen , Han Zhi‐Ming , Song Xiang‐Fen , Sun Qing‐Yuan , Chen Da‐Yuan
Published: February 2008

The interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) technique for therapeutic cloning gives great promise for treatment of many human diseases. However, the incomplete nuclear reprogramming and the low blastocyst rate of iSCNT are still big problems. Herein, we observed the effect of TSA on the development of rabbit–rabbit intraspecies and rabbit–human interspecies cloned embryos. After treatment with TSA for 6 hr during activation, we found that the blastocyst rate of rabbit–rabbit cloned embryos was more than two times higher than that of untreated embryos; however, the blastocyst rate of TSA‐treated rabbit–human interspecies cloned embryos decreased. We also found evident time‐dependent histone deacetylation‐reacetylation changes in rabbit–rabbit cloned embryos, but not in rabbit–human cloned embryos from fusion to 6 hr after activation. Our results suggest that TSA‐treatment does not improve blastocyst development of rabbit–human iSCNT embryos and that abnormal histone deacetylation‐reacetylation changes in iSCNT embryos may account for their poor blastocyst development. Developmental Dynamics 237:640–648, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The incomplete inactivation of Fgf8 in the limb ectoderm affects the morphogenesis of the anterior autopod through BMP‐mediated cell death
Authors: Delgado Irene , Domínguez‐Frutos Elena , Schimmang Thomas , Ros Maria A.
Published: February 2008

Here we analyze limb development after the conditional inactivation of Fgf8 from the epiblast, using the previously described MORE (Mox2Cre) line. This line drives variable mosaic recombination of a floxed Fgf8 allele, resulting in a small proportion of AER cells that maintain Fgf8 expression. The phenotype of Mox2Cre;Fgf8 limbs is most similar to that of Msx2Cre;Fgf8 forelimbs, indicating that a small but durable expression of FGF8 is equivalent to an early normal, but transitory, expression. This functional equivalence likely relies on the subsequent Fgf4 upregulation that buffers the differences in the pattern of Fgf8 expression between the two conditional mutants. The molecular analysis of Mox2Cre;Fgf8 limbs shows that, despite Fgf4 upregulation, they develop under reduced FGF signaling. These limbs also exhibit an abnormal area of cell death at the anterior forelimb autopod, overlapping with an ectopic domain of Bmp7 expression, which can explain the abnormal morphogenesis of the anterior autopod. Developmental Dynamics 237:649–658, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A hedgehog homolog is involved in muscle formation and organization of Sepia officinalis (mollusca) mantle
Authors: Grimaldi Annalisa , Tettamanti Gianluca , Acquati Francesco , Bossi Elena , Guidali Maria Luisa , Banfi Serena , Monti Laura , Valvassori Roberto , de Eguileor Magda
Published: February 2008

Our study focuses on the possible involvement of the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway in the differentiation of striated muscle fibres in cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) mantle. We show here that both an hh‐homolog signalling molecule and its receptor Patched (Ptc) are expressed in a specific population of myoblasts which differentiates into the radial fast fibres. To evaluate the functional significance of hh expression in developing cuttlefish, we inhibited the Hedgehog signalling pathway by means of cyclopamine treatment in cuttlefish embryos. In treated embryos, the gross anatomy was considerably compromised, displaying an extremely reduced mantle with a high degree of morphological abnormalities. TUNEL and BrdU assays showed that the absence of an hh signalling induces apoptosis and reduces the proliferation rate of muscle precursors. We therefore hypothesize a possible involvement of Hh and its receptor Ptc in the formation of striated muscle fibres in cuttlefish. Developmental Dynamics 237:659–671, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transitioning from egg to embryo: Triggers and mechanisms of egg activation
Authors: Horner Vanessa L. , Wolfner Mariana F.
Published: February 2008

The transition from mature oocyte to developing embryo requires a coordinated series of events, collectively known as egg activation. Egg activation includes changes to egg coverings to prevent polyspermy, release of oocyte meiotic arrest, generation of haploid female and male pronuclei, changes in maternal mRNAs and protein populations, and cytoskeletal rearrangements. In many animals, egg activation is triggered by fertilization, which increases intracellular calcium within the oocyte and thereby regulates molecular events of egg activation. In other animals, fertilization‐independent external signals, including mechanical stimulation of eggs and/or changes in ionic milieu, trigger activation. Recent studies have clarified the upstream portion of pathways leading to eggshell changes and cell cycle resumption and have identified activation‐induced changes in maternal mRNA and protein profiles that can identify molecular players in the downstream events of egg activation. We review signals that trigger activation and how they link to subsequent molecular events of egg activation. Developmental Dynamics 237:527–544, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Zygotic loss of ZEN‐4/MKLP1 results in disruption of epidermal morphogenesis in the C. elegans embryo
Authors: Hardin Jeff , King Ryan , Thomas‐Virnig Christina , Raich William B.
Published: February 2008

ZEN‐4/MKLP1 is required maternally for cytokinesis in Caenorhabditis elegans, but was originally identified in a screen for zygotic lethal, enclosure abnormal (Zen) mutants. We report that zen‐4(w35) homozygotes exhibit stochastic failures in cytokinesis in multiple lineages. Remarkably, multinucleate epidermal cells show directional migration, even when there are as few as half the normal number of cells. Temperature shift experiments and analysis of zen‐4::gfp expression confirm that the epidermal requirement for zen‐4 function precedes morphogenesis. Driving expression of wild‐type zen‐4 by means of an epithelial‐specific transgene can rescue many epidermal morphogenetic defects in zen‐4 mutants. Early expression of unc‐119 in epidermal precursors made this promoter unsuitable as a neuronal‐specific driver in this context. Our results indicate that zygotic zen‐4 function is required for correct division of epidermal precursors and, hence, indirectly for normal morphogenesis and that the epidermal morphogenetic program is surprisingly robust even in the absence of zen‐4 function. Developmental Dynamics 237:830–836, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adaptive Nanowires for On‐Demand Control of Electrochemical Microsystems
Authors: Wang J.
Published: February 2008

Nanowires are critically important building blocks of nanotechnology. Much of the excitement on nanowires arisen from with the ability to introduce different chemical functions through the use of multiple segments along these nanoscale objects. The multifunctionality of such multisegment nanowires allows these nanostructures to perform several tasks simultaneously. This short review covers recently developed protocols based on adaptive multifunctional magnetic nanowires for controlling on‐demand the operation of electrochemical sensors and microchip devices and for triggering and modulating electrocatalytic and bioelectrocatalytic processes. Magnetic stimulus can be used for activating reversibly various bioelectrocatalytic and electrocatalytic processes through controlled surface orientation of multifunctional magnetic nanowires. The ability to use adaptive nanowires to switch electrochemical devices between active and passive states will be illustrated for protecting electrochemical sensors against surface fouling and for controlling amperometric detection for separation microchips. Such nanowire‐based adaptive operation should lead to the next‐generation of ‘smart’ self‐activated analytical and bioelectronic devices.