bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Value of TENS for relief of chronic low back pain with or without radicular pain
Authors: Buchmuller A. , Navez M. , Milletre‐Bernardin M. , Pouplin S. , Presles E. , Lantéri‐Minet M. , Tardy B. , Laurent B. , Camdessanché J.P. ,   Lombotens Trial Group
Published: December 2011

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation (TENS) in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP).

Methods

Design: Prospective, randomized, multicentre, single‐blind study. Setting: Twenty‐one French pain centres. Participants: Two hundred thirty‐six consecutive adult patients consulting for chronic LBP, with or without radicular pain (mean age ± standard deviation: 53 ± 13 years; range: 28–86 years). Intervention: Patients were randomly assigned to receive either active (n = 117) or sham (n = 119) TENS in four 1‐h daily treatment sessions for 3 months. Main outcome measures: The primary outcome measured was improvement of functional status at 6 weeks (Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire). Secondary outcome measures were improvement of functional status at 3 months, pain relief (weekly visual analogue scale assessments), positive functional repercussions of pain levels on quality of life, a diminution of the use of analgesic and anti‐inflammatory medication, satisfaction with the overall treatment strategy and compliance.

Results

Functional status did not differ between the groups, whether at 6 weeks or 3 months (p = 0.351 at 6 weeks). A significant improvement between the first and last visual analogue scale assessments was observed in patients with either lumbar pain alone or lumbar and radicular pain treated with active TENS. Other outcome measures did not differ significantly between the two groups.

Conclusion

There was no functional benefit of TENS in the treatment of patients with chronic LBP.
Tetracalcium phosphate composite containing quaternary ammonium dimethacrylate with antibacterial properties
Authors: Cheng Lei , Weir Michael D. , Limkangwalmongkol Penwadee , Hack Gary D. , Xu Hockin H. K. , Chen Qianming , Zhou Xuedong
Published: December 2011

Tooth caries is a carbohydrate‐modified bacterial infectious disease, and recurrent caries is a frequent reason for restoration failure. The objective of this study was to develop a novel antibacterial composite using tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP) fillers and bis(2‐methacryloyloxy‐ethyl) dimethyl‐ammonium bromide, which is a quaternary ammonium dimethacrylate (QADM). QADM was synthesized using 2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and 2‐bromoethyl methacrylate and incorporated into a resin. The resin was filled with 40% TTCP and 30% glass particles. The following QADM mass fractions in the composite were tested: 0%, 6%, 12%, and 18%. Streptococcus mutans biofilms were formed on the composites and the colony‐forming units (CFUs), metabolic activity, and lactic acid production were measured. The TTCP‐QADM composite had flexural strength and elastic modulus similar to those of two commercial composites (p > 0.1). Increasing the QADM content in TTCP composite greatly decreased the bacteria growth and biofilm matrix production. There were significantly more dead bacteria with increasing QADM content. TTCP composite containing 18% QADM had biofilm CFU, metabolic activity, and acid production about half of those without QADM. Inversely linear relationships were established between QADM mass fraction and S. mutans biofilm CFU, metabolic activity, and acid production, with correlation coefficients R2 ≥ 0.98. In conclusion, TTCP‐QADM composites were developed and the effect of QADM mass fraction on the antibacterial properties of the composite was determined for the first time. The novel TTCP‐QADM composites possessing a strong antibacterial capability, together with calcium phosphate ion release and good mechanical properties, are promising for dental restorations to reduce biofilm growth and recurrent caries. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Promotion of angiogenesis by sustained release of rhGM‐CSF from heparinized collagen/chitosan scaffolds
Authors: Sun Huafeng , Wang Xingang , Hu Xinlei , Yu Weijie , You Chuangang , Hu Hang , Han Chunmao
Published: December 2011

A novel dermal substitute of combining recombinant human granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (rhGM‐CSF) with a porous heparinized collagen/chitosan scaffolds was developed, considering the inadequate angiogenesis during repair of full‐thickness skin defects. The physicochemical properties of heparinized collagen/chitosan scaffolds were examined and in vitro release pattern of rhGM‐CSF from scaffolds was measured by ELISA. Four groups of composite scaffolds (heparinized or unheparinized scaffolds loaded with or without rhGM‐CSF) were fabricated for subcutaneous implantation in young adult male Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats. Tissue specimens were harvested at different time points after implantation for histopathological, immunohistochemical observation, and Western blotting analysis. The heparinized scaffolds (H1E) showed slower biodegradation and sustained release of rhGM‐CSF in vitro, although no significantly different release pattern was observed between the H1E and unheparinized scaffolds (H0E). In vivo investigation revealed that the heparinized scaffolds loaded with rhGM‐CSF (H1E/rhGM‐CSF) had the best cellular adhesion and migration, new vessel formation, and highest expression of VEGF and TGF‐β1, indicating promoted angiogenesis. This study demonstrated that composite dermal substitute of combining rhGM‐CSF with a porous heparinized collagen/chitosan scaffolds could be a potential therapeutic agent for full‐thickness skin defects because of its sustained delivery of rhGM‐CSF. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
M&A today: Great challenges, but great opportunities
Authors: Schmid Alexandra S. , Sánchez Carol M. , Goldberg Stephen R.
Published: December 2011

The volatility in today's financial markets creates great challenges. But it also creates great opportunities for mergers and acquisitions (M&As). In uncertain times, there is a need to play it safe. But for some, it is also the ideal time to seize opportunities to make great deals.

As companies find distinctive strategies to navigate in these turbulent times, many continue to use a twofold strategy: cut costs and stimulate growth through diversification, which includes M&Amp;As.

So despite the recession, it looks like global M&A activity increased in 2010 and 2011. The authors take a close look at global M&A activity in 2010 and the first half of 2011 (the latest period for which they have solid data). They also examine US M&A activity with regard to private equity. And they discuss key best practices to successfully manage M&A integration. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Shareholder activism targets M&As
Authors: Burnett Royce D. , Xu Li , Morris Marc , Rodriguez Ramon P.
Published: December 2011

Shareholders aren't passive observers anymore—and increasingly they have been rallying to defeat corporate mergers and acquisitions (M&As) that they don't like. So what strategies can management use to plan and govern in the face of today's growing shareholder activism? © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
M&A in greater China: An update
Authors: Tang Roger Y. W. , Metwalli Ali M.
Published: December 2011

In this article, the authors have analyzed the merger‐and‐acquisition (M&A) activities in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan from 2000 to 2010. M&A activities in Greater China expanded steadily from 2005 to 2010. However, most of the increases occurred in Mainland China and Hong Kong. Taiwan's M&A activities from 2006 to 2010 have remained sluggish. The authors do expect M&A to continue to expand in China. However, the Chinese government has issued some important new regulations that foreign investors should understand‐and the authors briefly discuss those new regulations as well. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The recession: Using M&A to preserve and enhance capital
Authors: Pandian J. Rajendran , Woodlock Pete
Published: December 2011

Today's merger‐and‐acquisition (Mx&A) activities include a renewed focus on limiting economic risk and preserving capital. That makes sense, given the current uncertainties in the credit markets and the historically high volatilities in the equity market. Of course, a company can eliminate the economic risks of M&As by abandoning all M&A efforts. But that also eliminates a company's ability to take advantage of current economic conditions‐where some equity prices are now undervalued by 30 percent or more.The authors of this article argue for a more reasonable approach: rethink your M&A risks and take steps to reduce those risks both before and after an acquisition. And they suggest some strategies that will help. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Integration: The critical M&A success factor
Authors: Venema William H.
Published: December 2011

Most mergers and acquisitions (M&As) fail to meet the expectations of the purchasers. It is clear that the due diligence, valuation analysis, and negotiation that precede the closing of a transaction cannot guarantee its success. Instead, the synergies and assumptions that supported the decision to acquire a target business will be realized only if the purchaser effectively integrates the target. Unfortunately, many purchasers either fail to plan the integration of the target adequately or conduct the integration process too slowly.The author of this article explains how to draw up a good integration plan that will boost the chances of M&A success. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sellers: Avoiding M&A preparation mistakes
Authors: Sherman Andrew J.
Published: December 2011

What common mistakes do many sellers make in preparing for M&A transactions? A legal expert in this area gives you a brief but vitally important checklist of the most common pitfalls. © 2011 Andrew J. Sherman
M&A due diligence: How to uncover corruption
Authors: Byington J. Ralph , McGee Jo Ann
Published: December 2011

Corporate balance sheets in the United States currently show an excess of cash. And to make earnings‐conscious shareholders happy, many corporate managers will funnel that cash into more merger‐and‐acquisition (M&A) activity. But M&A is never without risk, warn the authors of this article. And they caution managers that their M&A due diligence should not overlook the existence of possible corruption and bribery in an acquired company. The authors also include a handy checklist to help corporate managers find possible problems when examining a target company. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Model your way to better business performance
Authors: Miller John A.
Published: December 2011

Even the best operational models have no value unless management uses the information for decision making, process improvement, pricing, budgeting, planning, and running the business. To be successful, modeling efforts must focus on what's important to the business, and the modeling must be done at a level that is relevant to growing the business, decision making, improvement efforts, and performance management. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of gridded surface meteorological data for ecological applications and modelling
Authors: Abatzoglou John T.
Published: December 2011

Landscape‐scale ecological modelling has been hindered by suitable high‐resolution surface meteorological datasets. To overcome these limitations, desirable spatial attributes of gridded climate data are combined with desirable temporal attributes of regional‐scale reanalysis and daily gauge‐based precipitation to derive a spatially and temporally complete, high‐resolution (4‐km) gridded dataset of surface meteorological variables required in ecological modelling for the contiguous United States from 1979 to 2010. Validation of the resulting gridded surface meteorological data, using an extensive network of automated weather stations across the western United States, showed skill comparable to that derived from interpolation using station observations, suggesting it can serve as suitable surrogate for landscape‐scale ecological modelling across vast unmonitored areas of the United States. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Modulation of Electroosmotic Flow Using Polyelectrolyte Brushes: A Molecular Dynamics Study
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Zuo Chuncheng , Cao Qianqian , Ma Yanhong , Chen Shuqing
Published: December 2011

Polyelectrolyte brushes grafted on a pair of parallel nanochannel walls can affect the electroosmotic flow (EOF) significantly. A molecular dynamics simulation method is used to investigate the relationship between charge distribution on polyelectrolyte brushes and EOF parameters such as flux, velocity, and density of particles. The EOF can be modulated by changing the step between two charged beads on the same chain, Sc, and the valence of a bead, Nc. Simulation results indicate that the flux increases as the total number of charges on the brushes increases. The decrease of Sc and Nc can lead to a maximum average velocity in the center region. The influence on density of particles is also analyzed.

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Reaction Monitoring of Glycerol Step‐Growth Polymerization Using ATR‐FTIR Spectroscopy
Authors: Salehpour Somaieh , Dubé Marc A.
Published: December 2011

The sustainable step‐growth polymerization of glycerol is monitored in‐line and off‐line using an ATR‐FTIR spectroscopic probe. The concentration of hydroxyl groups is monitored to provide real‐time conversion data using a univariate method. Traditional off‐line techniques, i.e., hydroxyl value calculation and water production monitoring, are compared to in‐line and off‐line ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy. Fouling of the probe is observed beyond 42 mol% conversion of hydroxyl groups. No statistically significant differences are found between the conversion data from off‐line/in‐line ATR‐FTIR and two other methods at a 95% confidence level prior to fouling, and this confirms that ATR‐FTIR is a reliable tool for monitoring conversion for production of oligoglycerols from a renewable feedstock.

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Improve the selectively refocused INEPT pulse sequence for detecting phosphomonoesters and phosphodiesters
Authors: Mao Xi‐an
Published: December 2011

In application of the 31P selectively refocused insensitive nuclei enhanced polarization transfer (srINEPT) technique to the detection of phosphomono‐ and diesters in tissues, homonuclear couplings between the CH2O protons and the NCH2 protons seriously attenuate the sensitivity. These couplings can be conventionally removed by two soft 180° pulses in the 1H evolution period which selectively invert the NCH2 magnetizations. However, the srINEPT pulse sequence can be simplified by replacing the pulse train “soft 180°‐hard 180°‐soft 180°” with a single soft 180° pulse that selectively inverts the CH2O magnetizations. Theoretical analysis in this study demonstrates the correctness of this approach in principle. Validation on a milk phantom allowed us to investigate and discuss advantages and disadvantages of the proposed srINEPT with respect to the original srINEPT. Furthermore, comparison of different selective pulses made it possible to demonstrate that the proposed srINEPT experiment is not sensitive to errors in pulse length, offset, and B1 field strength of the selective pulse when ReBurp pulse is used for selective refocusing. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy detection of changes in serine isotopomers reflects changes in mitochondrial redox status
Authors: Johnson C. Bryce , Tikunov Andrey P. , Lee Haakil , Wolak Justyna E. , Pediaditakis Peter , Romney Doug A. , Holmuhamedov Ekhson , Gamcsik Michael P. , Macdonald Jeffrey M.
Published: December 2011

The glycine cleavage system (GCS), the major pathway of glycine catabolism in liver, is found only in the mitochondria matrix and is regulated by the oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)/reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) ratio. In conjunction with serine hydroxymethyltransferase, glycine forms the 1 and 2 positions of serine, while the 3 position is formed exclusively by GCS. Therefore, we sought to exploit this pathway to show that quantitative measurements of serine isotopomers in liver can be used to monitor the NAD+/NADH ratio using 13C NMR spectroscopy. Rat hepatocytes were treated with modulators of GCS activity followed by addition of 2‐13C‐glycine, and the changes in the proportions of newly synthesized serine isotopomers were compared to controls. Cysteamine, a competitive inhibitor of GCS, prevented formation of mitochondrial 3‐13C‐serine and 2,3‐13C‐serine isotopomers while reducing 2‐13C‐serine by 55%, demonstrating that ca. 20% of glycine‐derived serine is produced in the cytosol. Glucagon, which activates GCS activity, and the mitochondrial uncoupler carbonyl cyanide‐3‐chlorophenylhydrazone both increased serine isotopomers, whereas rotenone, an inhibitor of complex I, had the opposite effect. These results demonstrate that 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy monitoring of the formation of serine isotopomers in isolated rat hepatocytes given 2‐13C‐glycine reflects the changes of mitochondrial redox status. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Imaging with positive T1‐contrast using superstimulated echoes
Authors: Hennig Jürgen , Il'yasov Kamil A. , Weigel Matthias
Published: December 2011

This article presents the basic principles of the superstimulated echo mechanism and shows preliminary results of its application to T1‐weighted imaging with positive T1‐contrast. A superstimulated echo scheme uses a preparation of square‐wave modulated, periodically inverted z‐magnetization, which after signal evolution during the mixing time TM is fully converted into transverse magnetization. This avoids the 50% signal loss of a conventional stimulated echo. Furthermore, its implementation as a preparation module for standard turbo spin echo (TSE) imaging allows producing images with positive T1‐contrast. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of non–length‐dependent small‐fiber sensory neuropathy
Authors: Khan Sara , Zhou Lan
Published: December 2011

Introduction:

Non–length‐dependent small‐fiber sensory neuropathy (NLD‐SFSN) is not as well characterized as length‐dependent small‐fiber sensory neuropathy (LD‐SFSN).

Methods:

Sixty‐three patients with NLD‐SFSN were compared with 175 patients with LD‐SFSN for their demographics and disease associations.

Results:

Age was younger in those with NLD‐SFSN (45.5 ± 13.1 years) than in those with LD‐SFSN (55.1 ± 11.4 years, P < 0.001). Forty‐six of 63 (73.0%) patients were women in the NLD‐SFSN group, whereas 84 of 175 (48.0%) were women in the LD‐SFSN group (P < 0.001). Disease associations were identified in 26 of 63 (41.3%) patients with NLD‐SFSN, including diabetes or prediabetes in 10 (15.9%), connective tissue diseases in 6 (9.5%), thyroid dysfunction in 4 (6.3%), sarcoidosis in 3 (4.8%), vitamin B12 deficiency in 2 (3.2%), and paraproteinemia in 1 (1.6%). Immune‐mediated conditions were present in 9 of 63 (14.3%) patients with NLD‐SFSN and 6 of 175 (3.4%) patients with LD‐SFSN (P = 0.012).

Conclusions:

NLD‐SFSN is more common in women, presents at a younger age, and is more likely to be associated with immune‐mediated conditions than LD‐SFSN. Muscle Nerve 45: 86–91, 2012
Fast and reversible CO2 quartz crystal microbalance response of vinylimidazolium‐based poly(ionic liquid)s
Authors: Mineo Placido G. , Livoti Letizia , Lo Schiavo Sandra , Cardiano Paola
Published: December 2011

A series of poly(ionic liquid)s (pILs) based on the 1‐vinyl‐3‐hexylimidazolium polymerizable cation and on the bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, nonafluoro‐1‐butanesulfonate, dodecylbenzenesulfonate, heptadecafluorooctanesulfonate, and 4,4,5,5,6,6,7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,11,11,11‐heptadecafluoroundecanoate anions have been synthesized and characterized. Their sorption/desorption response towards CO2 has been tested through quartz crystal microbalance investigations. The obtained results show that all of the pILs here reported are featured by peculiar CO2 sorption properties as they display fast and linear response, reversibility without any memory effect, and reproducibility, suggesting that anion plays a key role in determining sensitivity. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Central role of lactic acidosis in cancer cell resistance to glucose deprivation‐induced cell death
Authors: Wu Hao , Ding Zonghui , Hu Danqing , Sun Feifei , Dai Chunyan , Xie Jiansheng , Hu Xun
Published: December 2011

Solid tumours are dependent on glucose, but are generally glucose‐deprived due to poor vascularization. Nevertheless, cancer cells can generally survive glucose deprivation better than their normal counterparts. Thus, to render cancer cells sensitive to glucose depletion may potentially provide an effective strategy for cancer intervention. We propose that lactic acidosis, a tumour microenvironment factor, may allow cancer cells to develop resistance to glucose deprivation‐induced death, and that disruption of lactic acidosis may resume cancer cells' sensitivity to glucose depletion. Lactic acidosis, lactosis, or acidosis was generated by adding pure lactic acid, sodium lactate, or HCl to the culture medium. Cell death, cell cycle, autophagy, apoptosis, and gene expression profiling of the surviving cancer cells under glucose deprivation with lactic acidosis were determined. Under glucose deprivation without lactic acidosis, 90% of 4T1 cancer cells died within a single day; in a sharp contrast, under lactic acidosis, 90% of 4T1 cells died in a period of 10 days, with viable cells identified even 65 days after glucose was depleted. Upon glucose restoration, surviving cells resumed proliferation. Lactic acidosis also significantly extended survival of other cancer cells under glucose deprivation. G1/G0 arrest, autophagy induction, and apoptosis inhibition were tightly associated with lactic acidosis‐mediated resistance to glucose deprivation. Lactosis alone had no effect on cell survival under glucose deprivation; acidosis alone can prolong cell survival time but is not as potent as lactic acidosis. Thus, the ability of cancer cells to resist glucose deprivation‐induced cell death is conferred, at least in part, by lactic acidosis, and we envision that disrupting the lactic acidosis may resume the sensitivity of cancer cells to glucose deprivation. Copyright © 2012 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Water‐soluble fluorene‐based copolymers incorporated methoxyphenol moieties: Novel polymeric chemodosimeters for hypochlorous acid
Authors: Zhang Wenjun , Liu Lihan , Liu Liang , Qin Jingui , Yang Chuluo
Published: December 2011

A series of water‐soluble copolymers, named N‐PFPx (x = 10, 25, and 50), and their model compound 6,6',6'',6'''‐(2,2'‐(2‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxy‐1,4‐phenylene)bis(9H‐fluorene‐9,9,2‐triyl))tetrakis(N,N,N‐trimethylhexan‐1‐aminium) bromide (FMOPF) were synthesized by Suzuki coupling reaction of fluorene derivatives and p‐methoxyphenol. For the polymers with relatively low contents of methoxyphenol (N‐PFP10 and N‐PFP25), the absorption and fluorescence spectra could be mainly ascribed to the polyfluorene, whereas for the polymer N‐PFP50 and the model compound FMOPF, the absorption and fluorescence spectra could be assigned to the fluorene‐alt‐methoxyphenol. All the conjugated polymers (CPs), regardless of the content of methoxyphenol moieties, exhibit good sensitivity to hypochlorite/hypochlorous acid (HClO) because of the superquenching effect of CPs. On the contrary, the absorption changes of the polymers N‐PFPx on the addition of hypochlorite/HClO depend on the content of methoxyphenol moieties. As the content of methoxyphenol moieties increase, the changes of absorption spectra become more intense. Considering the sensitivity and selectivity, the polymer N‐PFP10 and N‐PFP25 have been demonstrated to be good polymeric fluorescent probes to hypochlorite under the aqueous condition. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
The Role of VUV Radiation in the Inactivation of Bacteria with an Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet
Authors: Schneider Simon , Lackmann Jan‐Wilm , Ellerweg Dirk , Denis Benjamin , Narberhaus Franz , Bandow Julia E. , Benedikt Jan
Published: December 2011

A modified version of a microscale atmospheric pressure plasma jet (µ‐APPJ) source, so‐called X‐Jet, is used to study the role of plasma‐generated VUV photons in the interaction of bacteria. The new jet geometry allows effective separation of reactive particles (O atoms or O3 molecules) from the plasma‐generated photons. The measurements of the size of inhibition zones formed in the layer of vegetative Escherichia coli bacteria, VUV emission intensity, and the mass spectrometry measurements show that photochemistry in the gas phase followed by photochemistry products impacting on bacteria is more effective in bacterial inactivation than direct VUV radiation damage. Protonated water cluster ions are detected indicating that water impurity has to be considered carefully. The combination of the presence of water cluster ions and O2 molecules at the surface leads to the strongest effect. Additionally, the interaction of plasma‐generated VUV photons with the effluent of the He/O2 plasma, but not with ground state O2, leads to faster inactivation of bacteria, most probably due to enhanced formation of O and O3.

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Molecular basis of the fructose‐2,6‐bisphosphatase reaction of PFKFB3: Transition state and the C‐terminal function
Authors: Cavalier Michael C. , Kim Song‐Gun , Neau David , Lee Yong‐Hwan
Published: December 2011

The molecular basis of fructose‐2,6‐bisphosphatase (F‐2,6‐P2ase) of 6‐phosphofructo‐2‐kinase/fructose‐2,6‐bisphosphatase (PFKFB) was investigated using the crystal structures of the human inducible form (PFKFB3) in a phospho‐enzyme intermediate state (PFKFB3‐P•F‐6‐P), in a transition state–analogous complex (PFKFB3•AlF4), and in a complex with pyrophosphate (PFKFB3•PPi) at resolutions of 2.45, 2.2, and 2.3 Å, respectively. Trapping the PFKFB3‐P•F‐6‐P intermediate was achieved by flash cooling the crystal during the reaction, and the PFKFB3•AlF4 and PFKFB3•PPi complexes were obtained by soaking. The PFKFB3•AlF4 and PFKFB3•PPi complexes resulted in removing F‐6‐P from the catalytic pocket. With these structures, the structures of the Michaelis complex and the transition state were extrapolated. For both the PFKFB3‐P formation and break down, the phosphoryl donor and the acceptor are located within ∼5.1 Å, and the pivotal point 2‐P is on the same line, suggesting an “in‐line” transfer with a direct inversion of phosphate configuration. The geometry suggests that NE2 of His253 undergoes a nucleophilic attack to form a covalent NP bond, breaking the 2OP bond in the substrate. The resulting high reactivity of the leaving group, 2O of F‐6‐P, is neutralized by a proton donated by Glu322. Negative charges on the equatorial oxygen of the transient bipyramidal phosphorane formed during the transfer are stabilized by Arg252, His387, and Asn259. The C‐terminal domain (residues 440–446) was rearranged in PFKFB3•PPi, implying that this domain plays a critical role in binding of substrate to and release of product from the F‐2,6‐P2ase catalytic pocket. These findings provide a new insight into the understanding of the phosphoryl transfer reaction. Proteins 2012; © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Painted graphitic carbon films formed underneath Ni templates
Authors: Lin Meng‐Yu , Sheng Yung‐Shuan , Lin Shih‐Yen , Lee Si‐Chen
Published: December 2011

By using charcoal pencil as carbon source in the metal‐catalyzed crystallization method, graphitic carbon films are demonstrated in this paper. The annealing temperature is the key issue to obtain high‐quality graphitic carbon films. The mechanism of metal‐catalyzed crystallization of nickel is also investigated. The investigation of fabricate graphene with metal‐catalyzed crystallization of pencil carbon make it a low‐cost and easy approach for large‐area graphene preparation. Also observed is the graphitic carbon film underneath the Ni templates. Compared to the top layer graphene, underneath graphene has better film completeness and similar film quality. With the underneath graphene, selective graphene deposition can be easily achieved by pre‐patterning the metal template (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
1.3‐μm wavelength‐tunable quantum‐dot optical frequency comb generator integrated with absorptive optical attenuator
Authors: Yamamoto Naokatsu , Akahane Kouichi , Kawanishi Tetsuya , Katouf Redouane , Sotobayashi Hideyuki , Yoshioka Yuki , Takai Hiroshi
Published: December 2011

The generation of multiple‐wavelength fine peaks in the 1.3‐μm waveband with wavelength tunability and powercontrollability is successfully demonstrated using a quantum‐dot optical frequency comb laser (QD‐CML) integrated with an absorptive optical attenuator by employing a broadband optical injection seeding technique. High‐quality, high‐density InAs/InGaAs QD optical gain media are fabricated on a GaAs substrate using a sandwiched sub‐nano separator (SSNS) growth technique. A wide wavelength tuning range between 1.274 and 1.302 μm was achieved at a low gain current of 50 mA. In addition, a high extinction ratio of ‐20 dB at a low attenuator voltage (‐2.5 V) was achieved in the fabricated QD‐CML (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A novel method to clarify nonlinear equivalent circuits of tunnel diodes by extracting rate constants for nonequilibrium electrons
Authors: Asakawa Kiyoto , Kurakami Yuji , Saito Mitsufumi , Suhara Michihiko
Published: December 2011

Compound semiconductor resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs) have been studied aiming at realizing high speed devices in the terahertz range. An ultimate property of such a high‐speed operation is limited by nonlinear transport physics of electrons. Recently we found both quantum inductance and quantum capacitance, which are intrinsically involved in an equivalent circuit expression of RTDs, are given by rate constants for nonequilibrium electrons. This paper is aiming at clarification of the nonlinear equivalent circuit by extracting effective escape rate constants from measured admittance of tunnel diodes. Especially InGaAs/InAlAs triple‐barrier RTDs were examined and nonlinear voltage dependency of quantum inductance and quantum capacitance was experimentally clarified. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
It's not easy being green: Strategies for all‐nitrides, all‐colour solid state lighting
Authors: O'Donnell K. P. , Auf der Maur M. , Di Carlo A. , Lorenz K. , the SORBET consortium
Published: December 2011

The design strategy presently employed to obtain ‘white’ light from semiconductors combines the emission of an InGaN blue or UV light‐emitting diode (LED) with that of one or more yellow‐orange phosphors. While commercially successful, this approach achieves good colour rendering only by increasing the number and spectral range of the phosphors used; compared to the alternative of combining ‘true’ red, green and blue (RGB) sources, it is intrinsically inefficient. The two major roadblocks to the RGB approach are 1. the green gap in the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of LEDs; 2. the diode droop in the efficiency of LEDs at higher current densities. The physical origin of these effects, in the case of III‐nitrides, is generally thought to be a combination of Quantum Confined Stark Effect (QCSE) and Auger Effect (AE). These effects respectively reduce the electron–hole wave‐ function overlap of In‐rich InGaN quantum wells (QW), and provide a non‐radiative shunt for electron–hole recombination, particularly at higher excitation densities. SORBET, a novel band gap engineering strategy based upon quantum well intermixing (QWIM), offers solutions to both of the roadblocks mentioned above. In this introduction to SORBET, its great potential is tested and confirmed by the results of simulations of green InGaN diodes performed using the TiberCAD device modelling suite, which calculates the macroscopic properties of real‐world optoelectronic and electronic devices in a multiscale formalism. An alternative approach to the realisation of RGB GaN‐based LEDs through doping of an active layer by rare earth (RE) ions will also be briefly described. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Inhibition of 3‐methylcrotonyl‐CoA carboxylase explains the increased excretion of 3‐hydroxyisovaleric acid in valproate‐treated patients
Authors: Luís Paula B. M. , Ruiter Jos P. , IJlst Lodewijk , Diogo Luísa , Garcia Paula , de Almeida Isabel Tavares , Duran Marinus , Wanders Ronald J. , Silva Margarida F. B.
Published: December 2011

Background

Valproic acid (VPA) is a widely used anticonvulsant drug which affects mitochondrial metabolism including the catabolism of fatty acids and branched‐chain amino acids.

Aims

To elucidate the effect of valproate on the leucine pathway through a targeted metabolomics approach and the evaluation of the effects of valproate on the activity of biotinidase and 3‐methylcrotonyl‐CoA carboxylase (3MCC).

Methods

Urine organic acid analysis was performed in patients under VPA therapy and healthy controls using gas‐chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Biotinidase activity was determined in plasma samples of both groups using an optimized spectrophotometric assay. After immunoprecipitation of short‐chain enoyl‐CoA hydratase (crotonase, ECHS1), 3MCC activity was measured in human liver homogenate using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), in the absence and presence of valproyl‐CoA.

Results

The levels of 3‐hydroxyisovaleric acid (3OH‐IVA), one secondary metabolite of the leucine pathway, were significantly elevated in human urine after VPA treatment. Biotinidase activity in plasma samples ranged from very low to normal levels in treated patients as compared with controls. Enzyme activity measurements revealed inhibition of 3‐methylcrotonyl‐CoA carboxylase by valproyl‐CoA (IC50 = 1.36 mM). Furthermore, we show that after complete immunoprecipitation of crotonase in a human liver homogenate, 3‐hydroxyisovaleryl‐CoA is not formed.

Discussion

Our results suggest the interference of VPA with the activity of 3MCC through a potential cumulative effect: direct inhibition of the enzyme activity by the drug metabolite valproyl‐CoA and the inhibition of biotinidase by valproate and/or its metabolites. These interactions may be associated with the skin rash and hair loss which are side effects often reported in VPA‐treated patients.
Package level cohesion measurement in object-oriented software
Authors: Gupta Varun , Chhabra Jitender Kumar
Published: December 2011

Packages are re-usable components for most of object-oriented systems. To promote reuse in object-oriented systems and to make deployment and maintenance tasks easy, packages in object-oriented systems must be cohesive. Quantification of cohesion of packages can be very useful in assessing their reusability, quality etc. In this paper, a new measure for the measurement of package cohesion is proposed. The cohesion of a package is measured in terms of the degree of intra-package dependencies among its elements. The hierarchical structure of packages has also been taken into account during the measurement. The proposed measure has been validated theoretically as well as empirically. An empirical study has been conducted using 25 packages taken from six open-source software projects developed in Java. The proposed package cohesion measure is found to be a useful indicator of external quality factors such as the reusability of packages. The proposed metric is also established as a better predictor of code reusability than the existing cohesion measures.
On clique-colouring of graphs with few P4’s
Authors: Klein Sulamita , Morgana Aurora
Published: December 2011

Let G=(V,E) be a graph with n vertices. A clique-colouring of a graph is a colouring of its vertices such that no maximal clique of size at least two is monocoloured. A k-clique-colouring is a clique-colouring that uses k colours. The clique-chromatic number of a graph G is the minimum k such that G has a k-clique-colouring.

In this paper we will use the primeval decomposition technique to find the clique-chromatic number and the clique-colouring of well known classes of graphs that in some local sense contain few P
4’s. In particular we shall consider the classes of extended P
4-laden graphs, p-trees (graphs which contain exactly n−3 P
4’s) and (q,q−3)-graphs, q≥7, such that no set of at most q vertices induces more that q−3 distincts P
4’s. As corollary we shall derive the clique-chromatic number and the clique-colouring of the classes of cographs, P
4-reducible graphs, P
4-sparse graphs, extended P
4-reducible graphs, extended P
4-sparse graphs, P
4-extendible graphs, P
4-lite graphs, P
4-tidy graphs and P
4-laden graphs that are included in the class of extended P
4-laden graphs.
The role of between‐parent values agreement in parent‐to‐child transmission of academic values
Authors: Gniewosz Burkhard , Noack Peter
Published: December 2011

The present study investigates the intergenerational transmission of academic task values within family in early adolescence. Social learning processes are assumed to operate through the students’ perceptions of their parents’ values. The major goal of this study is to show that this values transmission is facilitated by between‐parent value agreement.

Based on a longitudinal data set including 1019 German students, their mothers (N = 847), and fathers (N = 733), structural equation models showed significant effects of the parents’ task values regarding math and German language as academic subjects on the respective task values reported by the students, mediated through the student‐perceived parental values. This transmission chain was only found if the between‐parent agreement was high.

The results are discussed in terms of parent‐specific mechanisms fostering transmission if both parents agree on academic values, such as an improved perceptive accuracy as well as the increased salience and mutual reinforcement of parental messages.
Holocene and Pleistocene sea-level indicators at the coast of Jericoacoara, Ceará, NE Brazil
Authors: Irion Georg , de Morais Jáder Onofre , Bungenstock Friederike
Published: December 2011

Beach-rock exposures provide a record of Holocene sea-level rise along the 560-km-long northeast-facing coast of Ceará, Brazil, that differs from the record available along the other 4300 km of Brazilian coastline further south. Whereas documentation is available from southern Brazil to show Holocene sea levels as much as 5 m above today's level, our observations along the northeastern coast indicate that sea level here was not above the present-day level during the Holocene. Near Jericoacoara, about 240 km northwest of Fortaleza, characterized by strong surf, Precambrian rocks crop out from under a temporary cover of sand in small protected locations with less surf. Here in this upper tidal zone beach rock is being formed, while it is being dismembered synchronously by erosion at lower tide levels. This shows a rising sea level. Along the entire coast of Ceará west of Ponta Grossa the absence of beach rock higher than spring tide level indicates that sea-level was not above its present-day level during the Holocene.

Notches in bedrock situated between 2 m and 6 m above spring-tide high-water level that we formerly described as Holocene, are now believed to be Sangamonian.
Simulation of a propelled wake with moderate excess momentum in a stratified fluid
Authors: de Stadler Matthew B. , Sarkar Sutanu
Published: December 2011

Direct numerical simulation is used to simulate the turbulent wake behind an accelerating axisymmetric self-propelled body in a stratified fluid. Acceleration is modelled by adding a velocity profile corresponding to net thrust to a self-propelled velocity profile resulting in a wake with excess momentum. The effect of a small to moderate amount of excess momentum on the initially momentumless self-propelled wake is investigated to evaluate if the addition of excess momentum leads to a large qualitative change in wake dynamics. Both the amount and shape of excess momentum are varied. Increasing the amount of excess momentum and/or decreasing the radial extent of excess momentum was found to increase the defect velocity, mean kinetic energy, shear in the velocity gradient and the wake width. The increased shear in the mean profile resulted in increased production of turbulent kinetic energy leading to an increase in turbulent kinetic energy and its dissipation. Slightly larger vorticity structures were observed in the late wake with excess momentum although the differences between vorticity structures in the self-propelled and 40 % excess momentum cases was significantly smaller than suggested by previous experiments. Buoyancy was found to preserve the doubly inflected velocity profile in the vertical direction, and similarity for the mean velocity and turbulent kinetic energy was found to occur in both horizontal and vertical directions. While quantitative differences were observed between cases with and without excess momentum, qualitatively similar evolution was found to occur.
Review Essay Speak of the Devil: Hubert Wolf on Pope Pius XI and the Vatican Archives
Authors: Bergen Doris L.
Published: December 2011

Hubert Wolf's subtle and understated book shows that the writing of good history requires access to good sources. In 2006 Benedict XVI opened to researchers all files in the Vatican Secret Archives relating to the pontificate of Pius XI (February 1922 to February 1939). This is a vast cache: by Wolf's estimate, it includes about 100,000 “archival units, each containing up to a thousand pages” (17). Of course Wolf could not examine all or even much of this enormous collection, but he saw enough to present what he calls a “double perspective” on relations between the Vatican and Germany in the prewar years of National Socialist rule: “the view from Rome and the consultations within the Vatican about German affairs” (18). By sticking close to his sources Wolf uncovers many surprises and reveals that the devil in its modern, totalitarian guise is, as ever, in the details.
Determinants of livelihood strategy variation in two extractive reserves in Amazonian flooded and unflooded forests
Authors: NEWTON PETER , ENDO WHALDENER , PERES CARLOS A.
Published: December 2011

Extractive reserves account for a significant proportion of the remaining intact forest within Brazilian Amazonia. Managers of extractive reserves need to understand the livelihood strategies adopted by rural Amazonians in order to implement projects that benefit the livelihoods of local residents whilst maintaining forest integrity. Whilst resident populations are often descended from immigrant rubber-tappers, dynamic economic and social conditions have led to a recent diversification of land-use practices. This two-year study in two large contiguous extractive reserves encompassing both unflooded (terra firme) and seasonally flooded (várzea) forest, shows the degree to which local livelihood strategies of different settlements are heterogeneous. Extractive offtake of forest products and fish catches and agricultural activities, together with income from sales, for 82 households in 10 communities were quantified in detail by means of weekly surveys. The survey data were combined with interviews to examine the demographic and wealth profile, and engagement in alternative activities, in 181 households across 27 communities. All households and communities were engaged in all three subsistence activity types, but there was large variation in engagement with income-generating activities. Households within a community showed considerable congruence in their income-generating activity profiles, but there was significant variation between communities. Yields from agriculture and fishing were more temporally stable than extraction of highly-seasonal forest products. Generalized linear mixed models showed that forest type was consistently important in explaining yields of both agrarian and extractive products. Communities with greater access to terra firme forest were inherently more agricultural, and strongly committed to manioc production. Communities with greater access to flooded forest, however, showed a greater dependence on fishing. Conservation should be more attuned to the diversity and dynamism of livelihood strategies in protected areas; in particular, reserve managers and policy makers should account for the effect of local variation in physical geography when designing sustainable development projects.
Age grading in the Montréal French inflected future
Authors: Wagner Suzanne Evans , Sankoff Gillian
Published: December 2011

The rise of the periphrastic future (PF) at the expense of the inflected future (IF) is an established historical trend in Québécois French over at least the past 150 years. Previous research has also found higher rates of PF among younger speakers, many displaying categorical use in affirmative contexts. Because an apparent time interpretation of the synchronic data fits the historical record, we expected concomitant speaker stability across the lifespan. On the contrary, our panel study of 60 Montréal speakers (1971–1984) reveals age grading in a retrograde direction. As they aged, two-thirds of the speakers we studied increased their frequency of IF, an effect heightened for members of higher socioprofessional groups. Though not sufficiently robust to stem the historical tide, increased IF use by older speakers may retard the change somewhat, providing continuing IF input to child L1 acquisition. Rather than vitiating an apparent time interpretation, these results indicate that the rate of change may be slightly overestimated if age grading acts in a retrograde direction.
It's the Feeling Inside My Head: A Qualitative Analysis of Mental Contamination in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Coughtrey Anna E. , Shafran Roz , Lee Michelle , Rachman Stanley J.
Published: December 2011

Background: It was recently proposed that feelings of dirtiness and pollution can arise in the absence of physical contact with a contaminant. At present, there is limited data regarding the qualitative features of this construct of “mental contamination”, although it is hypothesized to be particularly relevant to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), where compulsive washing in response to contamination fear is a common symptom presentation (Rachman, 2006). Aims and method: The aim of this research was to explore the qualitative features of mental contamination in 20 people with contamination-based OCD, using a semi-structured interview. Results: All participants reported times when they had felt dirty or contaminated in the absence of physical contact with a dirty or dangerous object. Mental contamination generated diffuse feelings of internal dirtiness not localized to the hands, which evoked urges to wash (100% participants), neutralize (80% participants) and avoid (85% participants). Conclusions: In support of the theory outlined by Rachman (2006), mental contamination was found to take a number of forms, be primarily associated with a human source, generate internal dirtiness and cause emotional distress and urge to wash. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed and ideas for future research are proposed.