bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shear flow of molten polymer in melt blowing
Authors: Xin Sanfa , Wang Xinhou
Published: February 2012

Besides the air flow field, the flow field of molten polymer plays a key role in fiber formation in the melt‐blowing (MB) process. In this article, the flow field of molten polymer was discussed, and its effects on the fiber microstructures were studied through theory and experiments. First, this field was supposed to be a kind of shear flow field. Two equations were introduced and solved. Then, analyzing the solutions combining with the actual melt‐blown practice, we concluded that the distribution profile of this flow field was a series of inverse parabolic in the course of the polymer stream attenuating. Further inferring from this flow pattern, we could also assume that there could have been a novel cross‐sectional microstructures in the melt‐blown fibers. Finally, the comparison experiments concerning the MB and its fibers were designed and carried out. The results indicated that the shear flow field could be qualitatively described by the equations, and the assumptions about the microstructures are basically in agreement with the experimental results. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Crystallization of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) with stereocomplexed polylactide as biodegradable nucleation agent
Authors: Chang Ling , Woo Eamor M.
Published: February 2012

Crystallization kinetics behavior and morphology of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) blended with of 2–10 wt% loadings of poly(L‐ and D‐lactic acid) (PLLA and PDLA) stereocomplex crystallites, as biodegradable nucleating agents, were studied using differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing‐light optical microscopy (POM), and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD). Blending PLLA with PDLA at 1:1 weight ratio led to formation of stereocomplexed PLA (sc‐PLA), which was incorporated as small crystalline nuclei into PHB for investigating melt‐crystallization kinetics. The Avrami equation was used to analyze the isothermal crystallization of PHB. The stereocomplexed crystallites acted as nucleation sites in blends and accelerated the crystallization rates of PHB by increasing the crystallization rate constant k and decreasing the half‐time (t1/2). The PHB crystallization was nucleated most effectively with 10 wt% stereocomplexed crystallites, as evidenced byPOM results. The sc‐PLA complexes (nucleated PHB crystals) exhibit much small spherulite sizes but possess the same crystal cell morphology as that of neat PHB based on the WAXD result. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Mechanical and morphological properties of poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) and poly(lactic acid) blended with organically modified silicate layers
Authors: Shahlari Mahin , Lee Sunggyu
Published: February 2012

Poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) is a biodegradable polymer with high ultimate elongation but low modulus. This work studied the addition of a rigid bio‐based and biodegradable polymer, poly(lactic acid) (PLA), along with organically modified silicate layers as a conceivable means to improve the modulus of PBAT. Blending with PLA would also reduce both the cost of the ultimate blend and its dependence on nonrenewable resources. Compounds of PBAT with PLA and organically modified silicate layers showed significantly improved tensile and flexural strength resulting in enhanced thermomechanical performances compared to neat PBAT. The state of clay dispersion was evaluated using common analytical techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and rheometry. The clay platelets were partially dispersed in a PBAT and PLA phase and a large portion of the platelets were located at the interface. The incorporation of organoclay reduced the dispersed phase domain (i.e., PLA) size significantly. The smaller PLA size however, did not translate into better elongational properties. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effects of the aliphatic/aromatic structure on the miscibility, thermal, optical, and rheological properties of some polyimide blends
Authors: Cosutchi Andreea Irina , Nica Simona‐Luminita , Hulubei Camelia , Homocianu Mihaela , Ioan Silvia
Published: February 2012

Two binary polyimide (PI) blends having a common monomer (diamine or dianhydride) were prepared. The first system was composed of PIs obtained from an alicyclic and flexible dianhydride, namely 5‐(2,5‐dioxotetrahydrofurfuryl)‐3‐methyl‐3‐cyclohexene‐1,2‐dicarboxylic acid anhydride (DOCDA) and two aromatic diamines: 4,4′‐oxydianiline (ODA) and p‐phenylenediamine, respectively. In the second system, ODA was combined with DOCDA and (hexafluoroisopropyldiene)diphthalic dianhydride (6FDA). Films of the resulted blends were transparent, suggesting their homogeneity. According to differential scanning calorimetry data, the existence of a single Tg intermediate to those of the pure PIs confirmed the miscibility of blends. Incorporation of aliphatic and asymmetric DOCDA moieties, hexafluoropropyldiene groups and ether linkages in the molecular structure of PIs reduced the charge transfer interactions and significantly increased transparency and optical gap energy, especially for the poly(DOCDA‐ODA)/poly(6FDA‐ODA) blend. These interactions are also reflected in viscosity dependence on shear rate, indicating that they are slightly stronger when the aromatic 6FDA component prevails. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Global overview on grid‐parity
Authors: Breyer Christian , Gerlach Alexander
Published: February 2012

Grid‐parity is a very important milestone for further photovoltaic (PV) diffusion. A grid‐parity model is presented, which is based on levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) coupled with the experience curve approach. Relevant assumptions for the model are given, and its key driving forces are discussed in detail. Results of the analysis are shown for more than 150 countries and a total of 305 market segments all over the world, representing 98.0% of world population and 99.7% of global gross domestic product. High PV industry growth rates enable a fast reduction of LCOE. Depletion of fossil fuel resources and climate change mitigation forces societies to internalize these effects and pave the way for sustainable energy technologies. First grid‐parity events occur right now. The 2010s are characterized by ongoing grid‐parity events throughout the most regions in the world, reaching an addressable market of about 75–90% of total global electricity market. In consequence, new political frameworks for maximizing social benefits will be required. In parallel, PV industry tackle its next milestone, fuel‐parity. In conclusion, PV is on the pathway to become a highly competitive energy technology. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the determination of the emitter saturation current density from lifetime measurements of silicon devices
Authors: Mäckel Helmut , Varner Kenneth
Published: February 2012

Contactless photoconductance measurements are commonly used to extract the emitter saturation current density (Joe) for crystalline silicon samples containing an emitter on the surface. We review the physics behind the analysis of Joe and compare the commonly used approximations with more generalised solutions using two‐dimensional device simulations. We quantify errors present in such approximations for different test conditions involving varying illumination conditions and surface properties in samples with the same emitter on both sides. The simulated Joe obtained from the dark hole current from the emitter into the bulk is nearly the same as the simulated Joe determined by photoconductance measurements of the rear diffusion. The simulated Joe at the front emitter is equivalent to that at the rear emitter only when the sample is subject to a nearly constant and flat generation profile. For illumination conditions including visible light, the simulated Joe at the front emitter is smaller than the simulated Joe at the rear emitter. Both Joe at the rear emitter and from the dark hole current in the emitter remain nearly constant over a wide range of base doping densities. The approximations used for the determination of Joe from photoconductance measurements make Joe dependent on the excess minority carrier density. Lifetime measurements demonstrate that, even in high‐quality silicon, Joe should be determined from the analytical solution as a function of excess minority carrier density including Shockley‐Read‐Hall recombination. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oxygen permeability in thermoplastic polyurethanes
Authors: Wang Yuxin , Gupta Mohit , Schiraldi David A.
Published: February 2012

The thermal and oxygen transport properties of a series of thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) based on 4,4′‐methylene diisocyanate (MDI) and 1,4‐butanediol (BD) as hard segments, and poly(tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG) or poly(butylene adipate) (PA) as soft segments, are studied. Oxygen permeabilities (P) of both polyester‐based and polyether‐based TPUs increase with decreasing hard segment fractions. Oxygen solubility (S) and diffusivity (D) can be derived from permeation curves. S correlates with the amount of excess free volume as determined by the difference between glass‐transition and testing temperatures (i.e., the degree of super cooling) and decreases with the increased Tg in polyester‐based TPUs. The intensity of low temperature gamma transition reflects the activation energy for D; the higher the intensity is, the lower D is annealed TPU samples exhibited higher oxygen permeabilities as well as lower storage moduli at room temperature, despite modest increases in overall crystallinity. Dedensification of the soft segment phase during annealing/crystalline phase growth is the most likely explanation for loss of mechanical and barrier properties after annealing as partially confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012
Atmospheric Pressure Pulsed Plasma Copolymerisation of Maleic Anhydride and Vinyltrimethoxysilane: Influence of Electrical Parameters on Chemistry, Morphology and Deposition Rate of the Coatings
Authors: Manakhov Anton , Moreno‐Couranjou Maryline , Boscher Nicolas D. , Rogé Vincent , Choquet Patrick , Pireaux Jean‐Jacques
Published: February 2012

Tuning of the electrical parameter (e.g. power and pulsed discharge) of an Atmospheric Pressure Dielectric Barrier Discharge (AP‐DBD) plasma of Maleic Anhydride (MA) and vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMOS) allows the formation of coatings with different combination of anhydride/carboxylic group surface density, morphology and deposition rate. Pulsing of the discharge favours the incorporation of MA with a high structural retention, leading to coatings with a chemical composition similar to the expected conventional MA‐VTMOS copolymer one. A kinetic model based on the free radical polymerisation is developed to correlate the carboxylic groups density on the plasma functionalised surface and the duration of the plasma off‐time.

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Glycine to glutamic acid misincorporation observed in a recombinant protein expressed by Escherichia coli cells
Authors: Huang Yunping , O'Mara Brian , Conover Matthew , Ludwig Richard , Fu Jinmei , Tao Li , Li Zheng Jian , Rieble Siegfried , Grace Michael J. , Russell Reb J.
Published: February 2012

A novel amino acid misincorporation, in which the intended glycine (Gly) residues were replaced by a glutamic acid (Glu), was observed in a recombinant protein expressed by Escherichia coli. The misincorporation was identified by peptide mapping and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric analysis on proteolyzed peptides of the protein and verified using the corresponding synthetic peptides containing the misincorporated residues. Analysis of the distribution of the misincorporated residues and their codon usage shows strong correlation between this misincorporation and the use of rarely used codon within the E. coli expression system. Results in this study suggest that the usage of the rare codon GGA has resulted in a Glu for Gly misincorporation.
Characterization of deamidation of barstar using electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, which stabilizes an equilibrium unfolding intermediate
Authors: Jha Santosh Kumar , Deepalakshmi Putchen Dakshinamoorthy , Udgaonkar Jayant B.
Published: February 2012

Deamidation of asparaginyl residues is a common posttranslational modification in proteins and has been studied extensively because of its important biological effects, such as those on enzymatic activity, protein folding, and proteolytic degradation. However, characterization of the sites of deamidation of a protein has been a difficult analytical problem. In this study, mass spectrometry has been used as an analytical tool to characterize the deamidation of barstar, an RNAse inhibitor. Upon incubation of the protein at alkaline pH for 5 h, intact mass analysis of barstar, using electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (ESI QToF MS), indicated an increase in the mass of +2 Da, suggesting possible deamidation of the protein. The sites of deamidation have been identified using the conventional bottom‐up approach using a capillary liquid chromatography connected on line to an ESI QToF mass spectrometer and top down approach by direct infusion of the intact protein and fragmenting inside MS. These chemical modifications are shown to lead to stabilization of an unfolding intermediate, which can be observed in equilibrium unfolding studies.
One‐sample and two‐sample analysis of heterogeneous person–time data in clinical trials
Authors: Xu Jing , LaValley Michael
Published: February 2012

In this paper, we investigate the performance of different parametric and nonparametric approaches for analyzing overdispersed person–time–event rates in the clinical trial setting. We show that the likelihood‐based parametric approach may not maintain the right size for the tested overdispersed person–time–event data. The nonparametric approaches may use an estimator as either the mean of the ratio of number of events over follow‐up time within each subjects or the ratio of the mean of the number of events over the mean follow‐up time in all the subjects. Among these, the ratio of the means is a consistent estimator and can be studied analytically. Asymptotic properties of all estimators were studied through numerical simulations. This research shows that the nonparametric ratio of the mean estimator is to be recommended in analyzing overdispersed person–time data. When sample size is small, some resampling‐based approaches can yield satisfactory results. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Models for patients' recruitment in clinical trials and sensitivity analysis
Authors: Mijoule Guillaume , Savy Stéphanie , Savy Nicolas
Published: February 2012

Taking a decision on the feasibility and estimating the duration of patients' recruitment in a clinical trial are very important but very hard questions to answer, mainly because of the huge variability of the system. The more elaborated works on this topic are those of Anisimov and co‐authors, where they investigate modelling of the enrolment period by using Gamma–Poisson processes, which allows to develop statistical tools that can help the manager of the clinical trial to answer these questions and thus help him to plan the trial. The main idea is to consider an ongoing study at an intermediate time, denoted t1. Data collected on [0,t1] allow to calibrate the parameters of the model, which are then used to make predictions on what will happen after t1. This method allows us to estimate the probability of ending the trial on time and give possible corrective actions to the trial manager especially regarding how many centres have to be open to finish on time. In this paper, we investigate a Pareto–Poisson model, which we compare with the Gamma–Poisson one. We will discuss the accuracy of the estimation of the parameters and compare the models on a set of real case data. We make the comparison on various criteria : the expected recruitment duration, the quality of fitting to the data and its sensitivity to parameter errors. We discuss the influence of the centres opening dates on the estimation of the duration. This is a very important question to deal with in the setting of our data set. In fact, these dates are not known. For this discussion, we consider a uniformly distributed approach. Finally, we study the sensitivity of the expected duration of the trial with respect to the parameters of the model : we calculate to what extent an error on the estimation of the parameters generates an error in the prediction of the duration. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An entropy‐based nonparametric test for the validation of surrogate endpoints
Authors: Miao Xiaopeng , Wang Yong‐Cheng , Gangopadhyay Ashis
Published: February 2012

We present a nonparametric test to validate surrogate endpoints based on measure of divergence and random permutation. This test is a proposal to directly verify the Prentice statistical definition of surrogacy. The test does not impose distributional assumptions on the endpoints, and it is robust to model misspecification. Our simulation study shows that the proposed nonparametric test outperforms the practical test of the Prentice criterion in terms of both robustness of size and power. We also evaluate the performance of three leading methods that attempt to quantify the effect of surrogate endpoints. The proposed method is applied to validate magnetic resonance imaging lesions as the surrogate endpoint for clinical relapses in a multiple sclerosis trial. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Longitudinal structural mixed models for the analysis of surgical trials with noncompliance
Authors: Sitlani Colleen M. , Heagerty Patrick J. , Blood Emily A. , Tosteson Tor D.
Published: February 2012

Patient noncompliance complicates the analysis of many randomized trials seeking to evaluate the effect of surgical intervention as compared with a nonsurgical treatment. If selection for treatment depends on intermediate patient characteristics or outcomes, then ‘as‐treated’ analyses may be biased for the estimation of causal effects. Therefore, the selection mechanism for treatment and/or compliance should be carefully considered when conducting analysis of surgical trials. We compare the performance of alternative methods when endogenous processes lead to patient crossover. We adopt an underlying longitudinal structural mixed model that is a natural example of a structural nested model. Likelihood‐based methods are not typically used in this context; however, we show that standard linear mixed models will be valid under selection mechanisms that depend only on past covariate and outcome history. If there are underlying patient characteristics that influence selection, then likelihood methods can be extended via maximization of the joint likelihood of exposure and outcomes. Semi‐parametric causal estimation methods such as marginal structural models, g‐estimation, and instrumental variable approaches can also be valid, and we both review and evaluate their implementation in this setting. The assumptions required for valid estimation vary across approaches; thus, the choice of methods for analysis should be driven by which outcome and selection assumptions are plausible. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
JavAdaptor—Flexible runtime updates of Java applications
Authors: Pukall Mario , Kästner Christian , Cazzola Walter , Götz Sebastian , Grebhahn Alexander , Schröter Reimar , Saake Gunter
Published: February 2012

Software is changed frequently during its life cycle. New requirements come, and bugs must be fixed. To update an application, it usually must be stopped, patched, and restarted. This causes time periods of unavailability, which is always a problem for highly available applications. Even for the development of complex applications, restarts to test new program parts can be time consuming and annoying. Thus, we aim at dynamic software updates to update programs at runtime. There is a large body of research on dynamic software updates, but so far, existing approaches have shortcomings either in terms of flexibility or performance. In addition, some of them depend on specific runtime environments and dictate the program's architecture. We present JavAdaptor, the first runtime update approach based on Java that (a) offers flexible dynamic software updates, (b) is platform independent, (c) introduces only minimal performance overhead, and (d) does not dictate the program architecture. JavAdaptor combines schema changing class replacements by class renaming and caller updates with Java HotSwap using containers and proxies. It runs on top of all major standard Java virtual machines. We evaluate our approach's applicability and performance in non‐trivial case studies and compare it with existing dynamic software update approaches. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discovery and provision of content in vehicular networks
Authors: Malandrino Francesco , Casetti Claudio , Chiasserini Carla‐Fabiana
Published: February 2012

We address the problem of content discovery and provision in vehicular networks with infrastructure, when a publish/subscribe paradigm is applied. In the scenario we consider, vehicular users can be providers and consumers of generic information content, which is available through the vehicular network itself. Special infrastructure nodes act as information brokers and aid vehicles in content retrieval and dissemination. We study the performance of such a scheme by evaluating the probability that a content requested by a vehicle can be found and successfully delivered to the querying vehicle. To ensure high success probability, we design a credit‐based scheme integrated with a feedback‐based mechanism. The combined use of credit and feedback entices rational users to provide their content when requested by other users (thus discouraging free‐riding behavior), and guarantees that no user is unduly burdened by too many requests for the same content (thus guaranteeing users a fair treatment). Also, through a banning mechanism that temporarily inhibits service to misbehaving users, we effectively counter malicious users whose sole objective is to disrupt the system. Using a simple game‐theoretic formulation, we prove that these mechanisms ensure that cooperation is the best choice for rational users. The performance of our scheme for discovery and provision of content is shown through ns‐3 simulations, by using a real‐world road topology and realistic vehicular traces. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An overview of social network analysis
Authors: Oliveira Márcia , Gama João
Published: February 2012

Data mining is being increasingly applied to social networks. Two relevant reasons are the growing availability of large volumes of relational data, boosted by the proliferation of social media web sites, and the intuition that an individual's connections can yield richer information than his/her isolate attributes. This synergistic combination can show to be germane to a variety of applications such as churn prediction, fraud detection and marketing campaigns. This paper attempts to provide a general and succinct overview of the essentials of social network analysis for those interested in taking a first look at this area and oriented to use data mining in social networks. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Application Areas > Science and Technology

Commercial, Legal, and Ethical Issues > Social Considerations
Erratum: Measurement of energy flow at large pseudorapidities in pp collisions at $ \sqrt {s} = 0.9 $ and 7 TeV
Authors:   The CMS collaboration
Published: February 2012

Abstract

The energy flow, dE/dη, is studied at large pseudorapidities in proton-proton collisions at the LHC, for centre-of-mass energies of 0.9 and 7 TeV. The measurements are made using the CMS detector in the pseudorapidity range 3.15 < |η| < 4.9, for both minimum-bias events and events with at least two high-momentum jets. The data are compared to various pp Monte Carlo event generators whose theoretical models and input parameter values are sensitive to the energy-flow measurements. Inclusion of multiple-parton interactions in the Monte Carlo event generators is found to improve the description of the energy-flow measurements.
Combination of recombinant follicle stimulating hormone with human menopausal gonadotrophin or recombinant luteinizing hormone in a long gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone agonist protocol: a retrospective study
Authors: Raju Gottumukkala Achyuta Rama , Teng S. C. , Kavitha Prathigudupu , Lakshmi Balabomma Kavitha , Ravikrishna Cheemakurthi
Published: February 2012

Purpose

To assess the effect of supplementation with recombinant human luteinizing hormone (rhLH) for patients treated either with recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) plus rhLH or with rFSH plus human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) in a long gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist‐stimulation protocol.

Methods

A single‐centre, retrospective analysis of patients with hypo responsiveness to a long GnRH agonist protocol (n = 174), with consecutive in‐vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles, compared the outcomes of long luteal GnRH agonist ovarian stimulation using rFSH combined with HMG (n = 100) versus rFSH combined with rhLH (n = 74). The endpoints included clinical pregnancy, number of oocytes retrieved, and total gonadotrophin dose.

Results

Significantly more clinical pregnancies were achieved after stimulation with rFSH and rhLH than after stimulation with rFSH and HMG (35.1 vs. 19%, p < 0.01). More oocytes were recovered (13.1 vs. 11.3, p = 0.024) with less FSH utilized in the rFSH and rhLH group than in the rFSH and HMG group (2706.4 vs. 4134.2 U, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Use of rFSH combined with rhLH in long GnRH agonist assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles was associated with more clinical pregnancies, recovery of more oocytes, and reduction in gonadotrophin use, suggesting that the superior purity and consistency of rFSH and rhLH may result in better clinical outcomes.
Le cancer du testicule : facteurs de risque génétiques et environnementaux
Authors: Jouannet P.
Published: February 2012

L'incidence du cancer du testicule (CT), qui est inégale d'une région à l'autre, progresse dans la plupart des pays y compris la France. L'origine la plus probable du CT est la non différenciation de cellules germinales souches pendant la vie fœtale. Ces cellules, maintenues dans un état immature, pourraient proliférer pour former une tumeur après la puberté. La fréquence de son association avec une cryptorchidie ou une infertilité a conduit à formuler l'hypothèse que le CT pouvait être un des constituants du syndrome de dysgénésie testiculaire. Le rôle des facteurs génétiques est suggéré par la fréquence de cas familiaux de CT mais aucun gène clairement responsable du cancer n'a été identifié jusqu'à présent. Parmi les nombreux gènes étudiés, ce sont ceux contrôlant la voie KITLG/KIT, qui participe à la régulation de la prolifération et de la fonction des cellules germinales primordiales, qui semblent jouer le rôle principal. Les études faites sur des populations migrantes et les jumeaux suggèrent par ailleurs que des facteurs environnementaux pourraient jouer un rôle essentiel dans la genèse du CT. Des dérégulations hormonales pendant la vie fœtale ou la puberté pourraient notamment favoriser le développement de CT. Cependant, l'exposition à des substances exogènes agissant comme des perturbateurs endocriniens est encore à démontrer.
A peptide mimicking the C‐terminal part of the reactive center loop induces the transition to the latent form of plasminogen activator inhibitor type‐1
Authors: D'Amico Salvino , Martial Joseph A. , Struman Ingrid
Published: February 2012

tPA
and
PAI‐1
bind by comigration in gel electrophoresis (View interaction)
Positive fantasies dampen charitable giving when many resources are demanded
Authors: Kappes Heather Barry , Sharma Eesha , Oettingen Gabriele
Published: February 2012

Previous research found that positive fantasies about an idealized future yield low energy to pursue the fantasized future. We examined how positive fantasies about the resolution of a crisis (i.e., a lack of pain medication in Sierra Leone, the risk of flooding after Hurricane Irene) influence people's agreement to donate to charitable efforts directed at crisis resolution. In three studies, positive fantasies dampened the likelihood of agreeing to donate a relatively large amount of money, effort, or time, but did not affect the likelihood of agreeing to donate a relatively small amount of these resources. The effect of positive fantasies was mediated by perceiving the donation of larger (but not smaller) amounts of resources as overly demanding. These findings suggest that charitable solicitations requesting small donations might benefit from stimulating positive fantasies in potential donors, but those requesting large donations could be hurt.
Bioinformatics and systems biology
Authors: Ram Prahlad T. , Mendelsohn John , Mills Gordon B.
Published: February 2012

Delivering personalized therapeutic options to cancer patients based on the genetic and molecular aberrations of the tumor offers great promise to improve the outcomes of cancer therapy. Significant progress in biotechnology has allowed the measurement of tens of thousands of “omic” data points across multiple levels (DNA, RNA protein, metabolomics) from a single tumor biopsy sample in a reasonable time frame for making clinical decisions. With this data in hand, the challenge from the bioinformatics and systems biology point of view is how does one convert data into information and knowledge that can improve the delivery of personalized therapy to the patient.
Indirubin derivatives induce apoptosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia cells involving inhibition of Stat5 signaling
Authors: Nam Sangkil , Scuto Anna , Yang Fan , Chen WenYong , Park Sungman , Yoo Hwa-Seung , Konig Heiko , Bhatia Ravi , Cheng Xinlai , Merz Karl-Heinz , Eisenbrand Gerhard , Jove Richard
Published: February 2012

Indirubin is the major active anti‐tumor component of a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). While previous studies indicate that indirubin is a promising therapeutic agent for CML, the molecular mechanism of action of indirubin is not fully understood. We report here that indirubin derivatives (IRDs) potently inhibit Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 5 (Stat5) protein in CML cells. Compound E804, which is the most potent in this series of IRDs, blocked Stat5 signaling in human K562 CML cells, imatinib‐resistant human KCL‐22 CML cells expressing the T315I mutant Bcr‐Abl (KCL‐22M), and CD34‐positive primary CML cells from patients. Autophosphorylation of Src family kinases (SFKs) was strongly inhibited in K562 and KCL‐22M cells at 5 μM E804, and in primary CML cells at 10 μM E804, although higher concentrations partially inhibited autophosphorylation of Bcr‐Abl. Previous studies indicate that SFKs cooperate with Bcr‐Abl to activate downstream Stat5 signaling. Activation of Stat5 was strongly blocked by E804 in CML cells. E804 down‐regulated expression of Stat5 target proteins Bcl‐xL and Mcl‐1, associated with induction of apoptosis. In sum, our findings identify IRDs as potent inhibitors of the SFK/Stat5 signaling pathway downstream of Bcr‐Abl, leading to apoptosis of K562, KCL‐22M and primary CML cells. IRDs represent a promising structural class for development of new therapeutics for wild type or T315I mutant Bcr‐Abl‐positive CML patients.
Holocene palaeohydrological changes in the northern Mediterranean borderlands as reflected by the lake-level record of lake ledro, northeastern Italy
Authors: Magny Michel , Joannin Sébastien , Galop Didier , Vannière Boris , Haas Jean Nicolas , Bassetti Michele , Bellintani Paolo , Scandolari Romana , Desmet Marc
Published: February 2012

A lake-level record of Lake Ledro (northern Italy) spans the entire Holocene with a chronology derived from 51 radiocarbon dates. It is based on a specific sedimentological approach that combines data from five sediment profiles sampled in distinct locations in the littoral zone. On a millennial scale, the lake-level record shows two successive periods from 11,700 to 4500 cal yr BP and from 4500 cal yr BP to the present, characterized by lower and higher average lake levels, respectively. In addition to key seasonal and inter-hemispherical changes in insolation, the major hydrological change around 4500 cal yr BP may be related to a non-linear response of the climate system to orbitally-driven gradual decrease in insolation. The Ledro record questions the notion of an accentuated summer rain regime in the northern Mediterranean borderlands during the boreal insolation maximum. Moreover, the Ledro record highlights that the Holocene was punctuated by successive centennial-scale highstands. Correlations with the Preboreal oscillation and the 8.2 ka event, and comparison with the atmospheric 14C residual record, suggest that short-lived lake-level fluctuations developed at Ledro in response to (1) final steps of the deglaciation in the North Atlantic area and (2) variations in solar activity.
Green Innovation Systems in Swedish Industry, 1960–1989
Authors: Bergquist Ann-Kristin , Söderholm Kristina
Published: February 2012

Organizational networks had a strong influence on the diffusion of green knowledge within the Swedish pulp-and-paper industry from the mid-1960s to the 1980s. The environmental adaptations made by this industrial sector were not merely the result of a corporate initiative or of the response by firms or industries to environmental regulation. An examination of the innovation-system approach that was used to further the industry's environmental goals reveals that the knowledge and technology development underpinning the project depended on a network of diverse actors. Within this network, the semi-governmental Institute for Water and Air Protection, working with a consulting company, was a critical generator and intermediary of knowledge. Thus, the success of the project was largely due to the Institute's balanced relations with government and industry.
Anne Frank Rescues the Writer in Paul Auster'sThe Invention of Solitude
Authors: MCLENNAN RACHAEL
Published: February 2012

This article takes as its starting point Stephen Fredman's claim that women are “effaced” from Paul Auster'sThe Invention of Solitude, and notes that this claim is contradictory, given the centrality of Anne Frank to the text. This article attempts to account for that contradiction by arguing that Anne Frank is enlisted in Auster's text as a means of providing consolation for the loss of Auster's father; indeed, Frank is enlisted as a figure for Auster's father. It is argued that Frank can be read, if problematically, and not entirely successfully, as a Levinasian “other” within Auster's text, something which influences the act of self-representation inThe Invention of Solitudeand necessitates consideration of the text as autobiography.
Why do anxious children become depressed teenagers? The role of social evaluative threat and reward processing
Authors: Silk J. S. , Davis S. , McMakin D. L. , Dahl R. E. , Forbes E. E.
Published: February 2012

Background

Depression is a leading cause of worldwide disability. Adolescence represents a key developmental window in which rates of this disorder increase markedly. Children with an anxiety disorder show a particular risk of developing depression during adolescence.

Method

We present and review evidence for a developmental model that considers the intersection of two vulnerabilities relevant to the trajectory from anxiety to depression: difficulties in response to potential social evaluation and changes in reward processing at puberty.

Results

Evidence suggests that these vulnerabilities (a) have been associated with depression, (b) are likely to be problematic in many, but not all, anxious youth, and (c) may be exacerbated by maturational processes that occur around pubertal development in ways that can create a negative spiral into a depressive disorder.

Conclusions

We discuss the possibility that early intervention strategies targeting key aspects of these vulnerabilities could alter the trajectory away from depression for many anxious youth.
L’après-parents: étude exploratoire sur les perceptions de mères qui vieillissent avec un adulte ayant une déficience intellectuelle
Authors: Bernard Marc-André , Goupil Georgette
Published: February 2012

Families of adults with an intellectual disability (ID) face post-parent transition when they can no longer assume their son’s or daughter’s care. This exploratory study aims to assess the perceptions of 12 mothers (Mage= 65.1; years,SD: 11) sharing a household with an adult with an ID (Mage= 36.9;SD: 11.4)): benefits and constraints of cohabitation, residence transition planning, perceptions and emotions about the future. The results of a questionnaire completed in an interview indicate that several mothers can envision siblings becoming potential caregivers for the future and that the transition generates emotions relating to their son’s or daughter’s welfare. However, participants’ planning of the transition is not advanced in most cases.
Clumps and Pumps: Clumpiness, Resolution and Rational Choice
Authors: STEGLICH-PETERSEN ASBJØRN
Published: February 2012

It is widely held that the possibility of value-incomparability poses a serious threat to comparativism. Some comparativists propose to avoid this problem by supplementing the three traditional value relations with a fourth value relation, variously identified as ‘roughly equal’ or ‘on a par’. However, in a recent article in this journal, Nien-he Hsieh has proposed that the comparisons thought to require rough equality or parity could instead be understood in terms of the concept of ‘clumpiness’. Against this suggestion, Martin Peterson has argued that the concept of clumpiness allows agents to be exploited in money-pumps, thus removing the central appeal of the concept. In this note, I show that Peterson's argument fails to establish that the concept of clumpiness allows agents to be exploited in money-pumps.
A Robust Defence of the Doctrine of Doing and Allowing
Authors: LIU XIAOFEI
Published: February 2012

Philosophers debate over the truth of the Doctrine of Doing and Allowing, the thesis that there is a morally significant difference between doing harm and merely allowing harm to happen. Deontologists tend to accept this doctrine, whereas consequentialists tend to reject it. A robust defence of this doctrine would require a conceptual distinction between doing and allowing that both matches our ordinary use of the concepts in a wide range of cases and enables a justification for the alleged moral difference. In this article, I argue not only that a robust defence of this doctrine is available, but also that it is available within a consequentialist framework.
Why Poverty Matters Most: Towards a Humanitarian Theory of Social Justice
Authors: FREIMAN CHRISTOPHER
Published: February 2012

Sufficientarians claim that what matters most is that people have enough. I develop and defend a revised sufficientarian conception of justice. I claim that it furnishes the best specification of a general humanitarian ideal of social justice: our main moral concern should be helping those who are badly off in absolute terms. Rival humanitarian views such as egalitarianism, prioritarianism and the difference principle face serious objections from which sufficientarianism is exempt. Moreover, a revised conception of sufficientarianism can meet the most prominent undefeated challenges to the view. I contend that prevailing versions of sufficientarianism have not satisfactorily defined the sufficiency threshold, and so I offer an original specification of the threshold. I also address perhaps the most common objection to sufficientarianism, namely that sufficientarian regimes will channel all of society's resources towards elevating people to the sufficiency threshold regardless of the gains foregone by those above the threshold.
Fred Feldman, What is This Thing Called Happiness? (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010), pp. xv + 286-ERRATUM.
Authors: Angner Erik
Published: February 2012

The publishers regret to announce that some corrections in the article by Erik Angner1 were not incorporated in the final published version. The corrections are listed below.

Page 459, line 52 – 53 should be Feldman's account hinges on a distinction between two kinds of pleasure.

Page 461, line 142 should be George Mason University.
Altered expression of synapse and glutamate related genes in post-mortem hippocampus of depressed subjects
Authors: Duric Vanja , Banasr Mounira , Stockmeier Craig A. , Simen Arthur A. , Newton Samuel S. , Overholser James C. , Jurjus George J. , Dieter Lesa , Duman Ronald S.
Published: February 2012

Major depressive disorder (MDD) has been linked to changes in function and activity of the hippocampus, one of the central limbic regions involved in regulation of emotions and mood. The exact cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying hippocampal plasticity in response to stress are yet to be fully characterized. In this study, we examined the genetic profile of micro-dissected subfields of post-mortem hippocampus from subjects diagnosed with MDD and comparison subjects matched for sex, race and age. Gene expression profiles of the dentate gyrus and CA1 were assessed by 48K human HEEBO whole genome microarrays and a subgroup of identified genes was confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Pathway analysis revealed altered expression of several gene families, including cytoskeletal proteins involved in rearrangement of neuronal processes. Based on this and evidence of hippocampal neuronal atrophy in MDD, we focused on the expression of cytoskeletal, synaptic and glutamate receptor genes. Our findings demonstrate significant dysregulation of synaptic function/structure related genes SNAP25, DLG2 (SAP93), and MAP1A, and 2-amino-3-(5-methyl-3-oxo-1,2-oxazol-4-yl)propanoic acid receptor subunit genes GLUR1 and GLUR3. Several of these human target genes were similarly dysregulated in a rat model of chronic unpredictable stress and the effects reversed by antidepressant treatment. Together, these studies provide new evidence that disruption of synaptic and glutamatergic signalling pathways contribute to the pathophysiology underlying MDD and provide interesting targets for novel therapeutic interventions.
Pension fund finance and sponsoring companies
Authors: DAVIS E. PHILIP , DE HAAN LEO
Published: February 2012

We present empirical evidence on the funding and portfolio allocation of around 200 Dutch corporate pension funds over the period 1996-2005, with a special focus on the influence of the sponsoring firm. We find that unprofitable and small firms contribute less to their pension funds than profitable and large firms, consistent with theories of capital market imperfections. Sponsor contributions are found to be positively correlated with leverage, suggesting that tax effects play a role. Defined benefit funds invest relatively more in equity and less in bonds than their defined contribution counterparts, which is in accordance with the risk shifting theory.
Therapieziele in der ambulanten kognitiv-verhaltenstherapeutischen oder psychodynamischen Psychotherapie – notwendig oder irrelevant?
Authors: Schöttke Henning , Sembill Anja , Eversmann Julia , Waldorf Manuel , Lange Julia
Published: February 2012

Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: Mit dem Berner Inventar zur Erfassung von Therapiezielen (BIT-T) werden mögliche Unterschiede im Umfang und inhaltlichen Schwerpunkt der Zielsetzung kognitiv-behavioraler (KVT) und psychodynamischer Therapien (PDT) untersucht. Fragestellung: Neben der Reliabilität des BIT-T sollen Patienten, KVT- und PDT-Therapeuten hinsichtlich Unterschieden in ihren Therapiezielen untersucht werden. Eine mögliche Vorhersage des Therapieerfolges durch den BIT-T ist von weiterem Interesse. Methode: Die Therapieziele von 472 Patienten und aus 283 ambulanten Therapieanträgen auf KVT und 189 Anträgen auf PDT wurden mit Hilfe des BIT-T kategorisiert. Die Therapieeffektivität wurde mittels des Fragebogens zur Evaluation von Psychotherapieverläufen (FEP) bestimmt. Ergebnisse: Die Beobachterübereinstimmung des BIT-T erweist sich als überwiegend gut bis sehr gut. Bedeutsame Übereinstimmungen zwischen Therapeuten und Patientenzielen können nicht festgestellt werden. KVT- und PDT-Therapien unterscheiden sich in ihren angestrebten Zielen. Problem- und symptombezogene Ziele der Therapeuten sind mit dem Erfolg der Therapie assoziiert. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Beachtung von Therapiezielen erweist sich als bedeutsamer Faktor für Therapiequalität und -erfolg.
Referral Patterns for Youths Identified at Risk for Suicide by Trained Gatekeepers
Authors: Rodi Michael S. , Garraza Lucas Godoy , Walrath Christine , Stephens Robert L. , Condron D. Susanne , Hicks Brandee Brewer , McKeon Richard
Published: February 2012

Background: In order to better understand the posttraining suicide prevention behavior of gatekeeper trainees, the present article examines the referral and service receipt patterns among gatekeeper-identified youths. Methods: Data for this study were drawn from 26 Garrett Lee Smith grantees funded between October 2005 and October 2009 who submitted data about the number, characteristics, and service access of identified youths. Results: The demographic characteristics of identified youths are not related to referral type or receipt. Furthermore, referral setting does not seem to be predictive of the type of referral. Demographic as well as other (nonrisk) characteristics of the youths are not key variables in determining identification or service receipt. Limitations: These data are not necessarily representative of all youths identified by gatekeepers represented in the dataset. The prevalence of risk among all members of the communities from which these data are drawn is unknown. Furthermore, these data likely disproportionately represent gatekeepers associated with systems that effectively track gatekeepers and youths. Conclusions: Gatekeepers appear to be identifying youth across settings, and those youths are being referred for services without regard for race and gender or the settings in which they are identified. Furthermore, youths that may be at highest risk may be more likely to receive those services.
Correlates of Suicidal Ideation and/or Behavior in Bariatric-Surgery-Seeking Individuals With Severe Obesity
Authors: Chen E. Y. , Fettich K. C. , McCloskey M. S.
Published: February 2012

Background: Approximately 10% of severely obese bariatric-surgery-seeking individuals report a lifetime history of suicide attempts, a higher rate than in the general community. Being overweight is associated with weight-related stigma, making an individual more vulnerable to social isolation, a potential risk factor for suicidal ideation and/or behavior. Aims: In this cross-sectional study of surgery-seeking adults with severe obesity, we examined whether weight-related stigma increases (1) the likelihood of suicidal ideation and/or behavior or (2) the degree of loneliness; and whether hypotheses (1) and (2) are supported (3) if loneliness mediates the effect of weight-related stigma on suicidal ideation and/or behavior. Methods: Online questionnaires were administered to 301 women and 95 men seeking bariatric surgery. Results: Approximately 30.3% reported having at least a passing thought of suicide, and 5.55% a suicide attempt during their lifetime. The suicide attempt rate appears lower than other bariatric surgery samples, but possibly higher than community and other surgery sample rates. For severely obese surgery-seeking women, weight-related stigma was associated with suicidal ideation and/or behavior, though this was not mediated by loneliness. Conclusions: Future studies are needed to model and compare suicidal ideation and/or behavior in bariatric-surgery-seeking individuals and control groups.