bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visual phonetic processing localized using speech and nonspeech face gestures in video and point‐light displays
Authors: Bernstein Lynne E. , Jiang Jintao , Pantazis Dimitrios , Lu Zhong‐Lin , Joshi Anand
Published: September 2010

The talking face affords multiple types of information. To isolate cortical sites with responsibility for integrating linguistically relevant visual speech cues, speech and nonspeech face gestures were presented in natural video and point‐light displays during fMRI scanning at 3.0T. Participants with normal hearing viewed the stimuli and also viewed localizers for the fusiform face area (FFA), the lateral occipital complex (LOC), and the visual motion (V5/MT) regions of interest (ROIs). The FFA, the LOC, and V5/MT were significantly less activated for speech relative to nonspeech and control stimuli. Distinct activation of the posterior superior temporal sulcus and the adjacent middle temporal gyrus to speech, independent of media, was obtained in group analyses. Individual analyses showed that speech and nonspeech stimuli were associated with adjacent but different activations, with the speech activations more anterior. We suggest that the speech activation area is the temporal visual speech area (TVSA), and that it can be localized with the combination of stimuli used in this study. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A note on “Human and Machine Effects in a Just‐In‐Time Scheduling Problem” [Eren, T. (2009). Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing, 19(4), 294–299]
Authors: Xu Dehua , Yin Yunqiang
Published: September 2010

The aim of this article is to point out some flaws in the mathematical programming model proposed by Tamer Eren [Human and Machine Effects in a Just‐In‐Time Scheduling Problem, Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing, 19(4), 294–299 (2009)]. Ignoring these flaws may cause unexpected computational results. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synergistic effects of CTLA‐4 blockade with tremelimumab and elimination of regulatory T lymphocytes in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Suarez Natalia , Alfaro Carlos , Dubrot Juan , Palazon Asis , Bolaños Elixabet , Erro Lorena , Hervas‐Stubbs Sandra , Martinez‐Forero Ivan , Morales‐Kastresana Aizea , Martin‐Algarra Salvador , Sangro Bruno , Lecanda Fernando , Perez‐Gracia Jose L. , Gonzalez Alvaro , Melero Ignacio
Published: September 2010

Anti‐CTLA‐4 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) that block the interaction of CTLA‐4 with CD80 and CD86 such as tremelimumab and ipilimumab are currently being tested in the clinic for cancer treatment exploiting their properties to de‐repress tumor‐specific cellular immunity. Addition of the fully human anti‐CTLA‐4 (tremelimumab) to cultures of human T cells with allogenic dendritic cells (DCs) did not increase proliferation. Magnetic bead‐mediated elimination of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) before setting up those alloreactive cultures also largely failed to increase primary proliferation. In contrast, predepletion of CD4+ CD25+ Treg and culture in the presence of tremelimumab synergistically resulted in increased proliferation and DC:T‐cell aggregation. These effects were much more prominent in CD4 than in CD8 T cells. The synergy mechanism can be traced to enhanced CTLA‐4 expression in effector cells as a result of Treg elimination, thereby offering more targets to the blocking antibody. Human T cells and allogenic DCs (derived both from healthy donors and advanced cancer patients) were coinjected in the peritoneum of Rag2−/− IL‐2Rγ−/− mice. In these conditions, tremelimumab injected intravenously did not significantly enhance alloreactive proliferation unless Treg cells had been predepleted. Synergistic effects in vivo were again largely restricted to the CD4 T‐cell compartment. In addition, Treg depletion and CTLA‐4 blockade synergistically enhanced specific cytotoxicity raised in culture against autologous EBV‐transformed cell lines. Taken together, these experiments indicate that tremelimumab therapy may benefit from previous or concomitant Treg depletion.
Differential survival of γδT cells, αβT cells and NK cells upon engagement of NKG2D by NKG2DL‐expressing leukemic cells
Authors: Poggi Alessandro , Zancolli Marta , Boero Silvia , Catellani Silvia , Musso Alessandra , Zocchi Maria Raffaella
Published: September 2010

Herein, we show that γδT, CD8+αβT lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells display a different sensitivity to survival signals delivered via NKG2D surface receptor. All the three effector cell populations activate Akt1/PKBalpha through the engagement of this molecule. Upon binding to leukemic cells expressing NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL), including chronic lymphocytic leukemias treated with transretinoic acid, most γδT (>60%) and half CD8+αβT cells (about 50%) received a survival signal, at variance with the majority of NK cells (>80%) that underwent apoptosis by day 5. Interestingly, oligomerization of NKG2D in γδT or CD8+αβT cells, led to a significant rise in nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio of both NF‐kBp52 and RelB, the two NF‐kB subunits mainly involved in the transcription of antiapoptotic proteins of the Bcl family. Indeed, the ratio between the antiapoptotic protein Bcl‐2 or Bcl‐xL and the proapoptotic protein Bax raised in γδT or CD8+αβT cells following NKG2D engagement by specific monoclonal antibodies or by NKG2DL expressing leukemic cells. Conversely, nuclear translocation of NF‐kBp52 or RelB did not increase, nor the Bcl‐2/Bax or the Bcl‐xL/Bax ratios changed significantly, in NK cells upon oligomerizaton of NKG2D. Of note, transcripts for α5 importin, responsible for nuclear translocation of NF‐kBp52/Rel B heterodimer, are significantly higher in γδT and CD8+αβT cells than in NK cells. These biochemical data may explain, at least in part, why γδT and CD8+αβT cells are cytolytic effector cells more resistant to target‐induced apoptosis than NK cells.
Fast and furious: effects of body size on strike performance in an arboreal viperTrimeresurus(Cryptelytrops)albolabris
Authors: Herrel Anthony , Huyghe Katleen , Oković Patricija , Lisičić Duje , Tadić Zoran
Published: September 2010

Body size has a pervasive effect on animal functioning and life history with size dependent changes in performance and physiology throughout ontogeny being common in many ectothermic vertebrates. However, as selection on juvenile life history stages is strong, juveniles often offset the disadvantages of small body size by disproportionate levels of performance. Here, we investigate size‐related changes in defensive strike performance in an arboreal pit viper,Trimerusurus(Cryptelytrops)albolabris. Our data show a significant negative allometry in the scaling of head dimensions and head mass to body mass. However, strike velocity and strike distance are independent of body mass, with juveniles in our sample striking as fast and as far as adults. In contrast to model predictions suggesting that acceleration capacity should decrease with increasing body mass, acceleration capacity increases with snake body mass. Our results suggest that this is the result of a negative allometric scaling of head mass combined with an isometric scaling of the dorsal epaxial musculature. Finally, our data show a significant sexual dimorphism in body size and strike velocity with females being heavier and striking faster independent of the dimorphism in body size.J. Exp. Zool. 315:22–29, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Revisiting a classic example of transcription factor functional equivalence: are Eyeless and Pax6 functionally equivalent or divergent?
Authors: Lynch Vincent J. , Wagner Günter P.
Published: September 2010

A major, and sometimes heated, debate in evolutionary and developmental biology is about the genetic basis of morphological evolution and the molecular mechanisms of gene regulatory evolution. Central to this argument is whether gene regulation most often evolves from changes in the cis‐regulatory elements of genes or through changes in the transcription factors that bind to regulatory elements. Although various kinds of theoretical and experimental evidence have been used to advance the cause of both sides, none has been more influential than the finding that transcription factors from very different organisms can be functionally conserved. In this perspective, we review the now classic finding that Pax6 genes from flies and vertebrates are functionally conserved in eye development and can induce the formation of eyes when swapped between species. While a conserved role for Pax6 genes in eye development is undebatable, we show that evidence of divergent Pax6 functions has been overlooked and propose that Pax6 genes have evolved novel protein functions during the development of the Drosophila eye, coincident with the evolution of a novel eye developmental mechanism in cyclorrhaphan dipterans. Thus, we conclude that Pax6 genes are both functionally equivalent and divergent between species. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 316:93–98, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Did Paul Kammerer discover epigenetic inheritance? No and why not
Authors: Gliboff Sander
Published: September 2010

In a recent article in this journal, Alexander Vargas presents a new, epigenetic explanation of Paul Kammerer's controversial midwife toad experiments, but he has constructed his model without first reading Kammerer's original articles. A look at the articles shows that Vargas is seriously misinformed about what Kammerer did and what the results even were. His model simply cannot explain the results as they were originally reported and it cannot easily be corrected. Similarly, Vargas' historical inferences about the Kammerer affair, Kammerer's priority for the discovery of parent‐of‐origin effects, and the negative reactions of geneticists to this purported discovery, are unsupported and do not stand up to scrutiny. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 314B:616–624, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Undetectable HIV‐1 RNA load with the Cobas TaqMan v1.0 in a patient diagnosed at the time of primary HIV‐1 infection
Authors: Ghosn Jade , Galimand Julie , Meyer Laurence , Descamps Diane , Vabret Astrid , Deveau Christiane , Yéni Patrick , Goujard Cécile , Rouzioux Christine , Chaix Marie‐Laure ,   for the French ANRS CO06 PRIMO Cohort
Published: September 2010

Diagnosis of primary HIV‐1 infection is challenging due to the presence of a serological window; thus, HIV‐1‐RNA quantitation and/or measurement of p24 antigenemia are recommended in such cases. A patient was diagnosed at the time of primary HIV‐1 infection, he harbored a CFR02_AG subtype virus; quantitation of plasma HIV‐1‐RNA yielded an undetectable result according to one commercial assay, while HIV‐1‐RNA was detectable when measured with three other assays. J. Med. Virol. 82:1816–1818, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hepatitis A virus genetic diversity in Venezuela: Exclusive circulation of subgenotype IA and evidence of quasispecies distribution in the isolates
Authors: Sulbaran Y. , Gutierrez C.R. , Marquez B. , Rojas D. , Sanchez D. , Navas J. , Rovallo E. , Pujol F.H.
Published: September 2010

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is highly prevalent in Latin America, including Venezuela. Subgenotype IA seems to circulate in an almost exclusive fashion, except in Brazil. The aim of this study was the molecular characterization of the HAV infection in Venezuela, in order to characterize the circulating strains and to analyze the presence of quasispecies in sporadic cases and an epidemic outbreak. A total of 125 (113 sera and 12 feces) samples positive for anti‐HAV IgM from sporadic cases and epidemic outbreak, were submitted to hemi‐nested RT‐PCR for amplification of the VP1 N terminus or complete region of the HAV genome. Sequences obtained from 96 Venezuelan isolates were used for phylogenetic analysis. The quasispecies distribution was evaluated by cloning of HAV amplicons. Phylogenetic analysis of HAV sequences from Venezuela showed the exclusive circulation of subgenotype IA, but with co‐circulation of two lineages, not found in other countries. The genetic variability found among Venezuelan strains was also analyzed by single‐strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). This technique allowed the detection of intra‐strain variability, which was indeed related to the presence of quasispecies populations in the isolates. The quasispecies heterogeneity was higher in some isolates derived from sporadic cases compared to the one observed in the outbreak. The molecular characterization of HAV isolates from Venezuela showed the circulation of a unique subgenotype IA, but with the presence of diverse strains and quasispecies inside the viral populations. J. Med. Virol. 82:1829–1834, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predictors of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection in Italian women
Authors: Cercato M.C. , Mariani L. , Vocaturo A. , Carrone A. , Terrenato I. , Morano G. , Benevolo M. , Rollo F. , Germelli C. , Paolini F. , Venuti A.
Published: September 2010

HPV infection is a “necessary cause” of cervical cancer and it is sexually transmitted. Due to upcoming mass vaccination investigation on risk factors for infection is the basis to implement prophylactic strategy even in older women. The aim of the study was to evaluate predictors of high‐risk (HR) HPV infection in adult women. Between 2006 and 2008, 100 women aged >18 years, with no previous treatment for cervical lesions, were screened for HR HPV infection in Rome, Italy. Risk factors for HPV infection were investigated through a questionnaire including: ethnicity, religion, education, marital status, sexual behavior, gynecological and obstetrical history, smoking and alcohol intake. Multivariate analysis identified the “never married–separated/divorced” status (OR: 3.38; 95% CI: 1.14–10.12) as predictor of HPV infection, while having a higher age at the first sexual intercourse (FSI) shows a protective effect (OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.71–1.00). A trend for the association between the infection and having more than three lifetime partners was also observed (OR: 2.57; 95% CI: 0.86–7.71). No significant association was found for other demographic characteristics investigated. These findings provide a contribution in the knowledge of an adult population defining a “high‐risk” sexual behavioral profile and could be helpful to target prophylactic strategies in older woman. J. Med. Virol. 82:1921–1927, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of the incidence of influenza in relation to climate factors during 2000–2007 in five countries
Authors: Tang Julian W. , Lai Florence Y.L. , Nymadawa P. , Deng Yi‐Mo , Ratnamohan Mala , Petric Martin , Loh Tze Ping , Tee Nancy W.S. , Dwyer Dominic E. , Barr Ian G. , Wong Felix Y.W.
Published: September 2010

Relatively few international comparisons of the incidence of influenza related to climate parameters have been performed, particularly in the Eastern hemisphere. In this study, the incidence of influenza and climate data such as temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall, from cities at different latitudes with contrasting climates: Singapore, Hong Kong (China), Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), Vancouver (Canada), and three Australian cities (Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney) were examined to determine whether there was any overall relationship between the incidence of influenza and climate. Applying time‐series analyses to the more comprehensive datasets, it was found that relative humidity was associated with the incidence of influenza A in Singapore, Hong Kong, Brisbane, and Vancouver. In the case of influenza B, the mean temperature was the key climate variable associated with the incidence of influenza in Hong Kong, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Vancouver. Rainfall was not significantly correlated with the incidence of influenza A or B in any of these cities. J. Med. Virol. 82:1958–1965, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sero‐immunity and serologic response to pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus in Hong Kong
Authors: Mak Gannon C. , Choy Perrin W.W. , Lee W.Y. , Wong Ann H. , Ng K.C. , Lim Wilina
Published: September 2010

To study the serologic response to the new pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus in Hong Kong, the level of immunity was measured before and after the occurrence of the outbreak, and the titer of antibody to the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus in serum samples of laboratory confirmed cases. The presence of pre‐outbreak pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus antibodies in 37% of individuals older than >65 years suggested previous exposures to heterologous virus strains may have elicited cross‐reacting antibody. Following large outbreaks of pandemic influenza A 2009 virus that peaked in September 2009, there is a change in immunity level in various age groups consistent with the attack rates among population in Hong Kong. Among individuals with mild clinical presentation, the antibody response to pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus was stronger in those individuals aged ≤24 years but took more time to reach a titer of 40 when compared with those aged >24 years; however, the antibody level declined slower among individuals aged ≤24 years. Regardless of age, the antibody response rose rapidly and reached much higher titer among individuals with severe clinical presentation. Further study is required to collect additional data on antibody persistence and determine how much protection is conferred by previous exposure to seasonal influenza A (H1N1) viruses. J. Med. Virol. 82:1809–1815, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enterovirus infection induces cytokine and chemokine expression in insulin‐producing cells
Authors: Nair Sandhya , Leung Kin‐Chuen , Rawlinson William D. , Naing Zin , Craig Maria E.
Published: September 2010

Despite evidence supporting an association between enterovirus (EV) infection and type 1 diabetes, the etiological mechanism(s) for EV‐induced beta cell destruction is(are) not well understood. In this study, the effects of Coxsackievirus B (CVB) 1–6 on cell lysis and cytokine/chemokine expression in the insulinoma‐1 (INS‐1) beta cell line were investigated. Cytolysis was assessed using tissue culture infectious dose 50 (TCID50). Quantitative RT‐PCR was used to measure viral RNA and mRNA of cytokines interferon (IFN)‐α, IFN‐β, IFN‐γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, and chemokine (C–X–C motif) ligand 10 (CXCL10), chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), and chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5) in infected INS‐1 cells. CVB2, 4, 5, and 6 lysed and replicated in INS‐1 cells; TCID50 was lowest for CVB5 and highest for CVB6. IFN‐γ, CXCL10, and CCL5 mRNA levels all increased significantly following infection with CVB2, 4, 5, and 6 (P < 0.05). CCL2 mRNA increased with CVB2, 5, and 6 (P < 0.05), IFN‐α mRNA increased with CVB5 infection (P < 0.05), while TNF‐α mRNA and IFN‐β mRNA (P < 0.001) increased with CVB2 infection. Dose‐dependent effects of infection on cytokine mRNA levels were observed for all (P < 0.01) except IFN‐γ. Following inoculation of INS‐1 cells with CVB1 and 3, viral RNA was not detected and cytokine/chemokine mRNA levels were unchanged. In conclusion, CVB2, 4, 5, and 6 induce dose‐dependent cytokine and chemokine mRNA production from INS‐1 cells suggesting that pro‐inflammatory cytokine and chemokine secretion by beta cells is a potential mechanism for EV‐induced beta cell damage in type 1 diabetes. J. Med. Virol. 82:1950–1957, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Performance of two Real‐Time RT‐PCR assays for quantitation of hepatitis C virus RNA: Evaluation on HCV genotypes 1–4
Authors: Elkady Abeer , Tanaka Yasuhito , Kurbanov Fuat , Sugauchi Fuminaka , Sugiyama Masaya , Khan Anis , Ali Elsayed Mostafa , Mouhamed Layla , Abou el‐fetouh Sahar , AbdEl‐Hameed AbdEl‐Rahaman , Mizokami Masashi
Published: September 2010

Accuracy for monitoring of the concentration of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA represents a major challenge throughout the management of patients with chronic hepatitis C. To investigate the genotype‐independent efficiency and the accuracy of two real‐time detection reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) assays; the Cobas Ampliprep/Cobas TaqMan (CAP/CTM); and the Abbott RealTime HCV (ART), a total of 184 samples with different HCV subtypes were examined; 1b (n = 58), 2a (n = 39), 2b (n = 26), 3a (n = 20), and 4 (n = 41). A robust linear correlation was observed between the two assays applied to genotypes 1b, 2a, 2b, and 3a [the correlation coefficient (R) ranged from 0.99 to 0.98], but not to genotype 4 specimens (R = 0.78). A significant difference in measurements of HCV RNA using CAP/CTM and ART in serum samples with genotypes 1b and 4 was observed (0.72, −0.53 log IU/ml, P < 0.0001, 0.01, respectively). A robust correlation was observed between the HCV core antigen and HCV RNA values by either of the HCV RNA quantitation assays applied to all genotypes with exception of genotype 4, for which R was higher with ART (R = 0.95) than with CAP/CTM (R = 0.80). The lower limit of detection of CAP/CTM and ART were 41.4 and 28.5 IU/ml using the WHO standards, respectively. In conclusion, two RT‐PCR assays had a high efficiency and accuracy for quantitation of HCV RNA of genotypes 2a, 2b, and 3a, but the mean values of HCV RNA differed for genotype 1b and 4. J. Med. Virol. 82:1878–1888, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Laser Welding of Plastics — a Neat Thing
Authors: Brunnecker Frank , Sieben Manuel
Published: September 2010

Industry has been dealing with the joining of plastics for over half a century. The wish for an economically viable method of joining components was there already when the injection molding process was developed. With the advent of industrial laser technology, laser welding developed into a practical solution for many plastics joining problems.
Rejuvenating Engines with Rotating Internal Processing Heads
Authors: Kalawrytinos Stephan , Desmecht Hugues
Published: September 2010

Much is expected of large engines: In spite of most difficult working conditions and extreme stress resulting from abrasion, erosion and corrosion, their maximum availability is a must. Damages caused by wear affect the operational safety due to unexpected downtimes. The application of laser cladding to increase performance, profitability and service life of heavily stressed large engines is a wellproven technology.
Hardening of Small Components with High‐Power Diode Lasers
Authors: Reinl Steffen
Published: September 2010

Hardening of metal parts is a common way to change properties of the material. Surface layer hardening processes are increasing the resistance against friction or pressure force loads. Conventional surface layer hardening processes are flame hardening or induction hardening. Hardening with a diode laser is an additional process that offers various advantages.
The potential of European Union policies to address soil degradation in agriculture
Authors: Louwagie G. , Gay S. H. , Sammeth F. , Ratinger T.
Published: September 2010

Six of the soil degradation processes recognised at European Union (EU) level are closely linked to agriculture. Soil degradation implies a need for protection, maintenance and improvement of soil quality. However, due to the public good characteristics of soil quality, the market does not sufficiently assure its provision. Thus, policy intervention is required to reach desired levels of soil quality through appropriate practices. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of EU policies that have scope for addressing soil degradation in agriculture. To this aim, EU legislation and legislative proposals along with related evaluations and research projects were analysed with the intervention logic approach.

To date, soil protection is not a specific objective of EU legislation but features in some policies as a secondary objective. Pursuing other environmental objectives contributes to some extent to soil quality, although not always effectively. The most important EU environmental directives for soil quality are the Nitrates Directive and the Water Framework Directive.

Under the Common Agricultural Policy, the compulsory requirement to keep land in good agricultural and environmental condition plays an important role in soil protection and conservation. Rural development policy, in particular agri‐environment measures, offers Member States or regions options for encouraging farmers to achieve environmental quality beyond a predefined reference level.

Overall, the study indicates that the existing EU policies have the potential to address all recognised soil degradation processes across the EU. Nevertheless, they should be well targeted and require appropriate farm management in order to reach desired levels of soil quality. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent advances in phase matching of second‐order nonlinearities in monolithic semiconductor waveguides
Authors: Helmy A.S. , Abolghasem P. , Stewart Aitchison J. , Bijlani B.J. , Han J. , Holmes B.M. , Hutchings D.C. , Younis U. , Wagner S.J.
Published: September 2010

Techniques used to assist phase matching of second‐order nonlinearities in semiconductor waveguides are reviewed. The salient points of each method are highlighted, with their strengths and weaknesses with regard to various key applications discussed. Recent progress in these techniques is also reviewed. Emphasis is placed on two techniques, namely quasi‐phase matching via domain disordering utilizing quantum well intermixing, and exact phase matching using Bragg reflection waveguides.
Investigation of the influence of ECAP and cryogenic rolling on the mechanical properties of the aluminium alloy 7075
Authors: Fritsch S. , Hockauf M. , Schönherr R. , Hunger S. , Meyer L. W. , Wagner M. F.‐X.
Published: September 2010

Die vorliegende Arbeit zeigt erste Ergebnisse zur Eigenschaftsoptimierung der gemeinhin schwer umformbaren und hochfesten Aluminiumknetlegierung EN AW7075. Es werden zwei unterschiedliche Umformverfahren betrachtet: Zum Einen wird das ECAP‐Verfahren (engl.: equal‐channel angular pressing) mit unterschiedlichen Werkzeugen angewendet; zum Andern werden Walzversuche bei zunehmend tieferen Temperaturen (bis –196°C) durchgeführt. In beiden Verfahren werden unterschiedliche Umformgrade eingestellt. Durch die gezielte Variation von Umformgrad und Umformtemperatur kann die Legierung 7075 durch ECAP umgeformt werden. Dies führt jedoch nur zu einer geringfügigen Verbesserung der mechanischen Eigenschaften. Durch das Tieftemperaturwalzen kann der Umformgrad noch einmal deutlich gesteigert werden, wobei es zu einer signifikanten Zunahme der Festigkeit sowie der Gleichmaßdehnung kommt. Diese Ergebnisse deuten perspektivisch auf die Möglichkeit hin, durch ECAP‐Umformung bei tiefen Temperaturen weitere Eigenschaftsverbesserungen zu erhalten. Sowohl das ECAP‐Verfahren als auch die Tieftemperaturumformung bieten ein Potenzial zur Herstellung ultrafeinkörniger, hochfester Aluminiumlegierungen mit neuen Eigenschaftsprofilen.

The present study shows first results on the optimization of the mechanical properties of the high strength 7075 aluminium alloy, which is generally regarded as hard to deform. Two different deformation/ processing approaches are considered: On the one hand, the equal‐channel angular pressing (ECAP) with different types of dies is utilized. On the other hand, (cold) rolling is performed with different, low temperatures (down to –196°C). Various degrees of deformation are realized with both methods. By systematically adjusting the degree of deformation and the deformation temperature, the AA7075 alloy can be processed by ECAP. However, only minor improvements of the mechanical properties can be achieved by this approach. Cryogenic rolling results in a further increase of the degree of deformation, and also of strength and ductility. These results indicate that further improvements of the mechanical properties may well be achieved by ECAP processing at low temperatures. Both ECAP and cryogenic rolling offer a high potential for the production of ultrafine‐grained high‐strength aluminium alloys with novel properties.
Production process of low damage Al/Mg compounds and analysis of the basic mechanical properties as well as the strength of the interface
Authors: Kittner K. , Binotsch C. , Awiszus B. , Lehmann T. , Stockmann M.
Published: September 2010

Der verstärkte Einsatz von Leichtbauwerkstoffen ist ein Zeichen eines sich verändernden Bewusstseins hinsichtlich Energie‐ und Ressourcenschonung. Verbundwerkstoffe nehmen dahingehend eine Schlüsselstellung ein. Im Folgenden wird auf die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung von Aluminium/Magnesium‐Verbunden eingegangen, die sich durch ein gutes Festigkeits‐Gewichts‐Verhältnis auszeichnen. Maßgeblich liegt der Schwerpunkt der Analysen auf dem Interface zwischen beiden Kontaktkörpern und besonders auf der Festigkeit und dem Versagensverhalten. Des Weiteren wurden die Grundeigenschaften des Halbzeuges untersucht. Auf Grund nicht zufrieden stellender Verbundqualität (partielle Verbunde) erfolgte neben der quantitativen und qualitativen Verbundanalyse eine Prozessoptimierung des hydrostatischen Verbundstrangpressens. So konnte durch die Umgestaltung der Matrize eine Verbesserung der Interfacequalität und eine Steigerung der Interfacefestigkeiten erreicht werden. Untersuchungen der Grundeigenschaften zeigen große Fließspannungsunterschiede der Einzelwerkstoffe und niedrige Eigenspannungswerte der Verbunde. Auf den Einfluss der Matrizengeometrie und somit auf die Spannungsentwicklung der Einzelmaterialien wird detailliert eingegangen. Des Weiteren werden die Einflussparameter des Herstellungsprozesses in einem Qualitätsmodell zusammengefasst.

A sign for changing ecological awareness is the increasing use of lightweight materials. Compound materials such as aluminum/magnesium compounds are a key technology for limiting consumption of energy and resources. In the following, a hydrostatic co‐extrusion process and the manufactured compounds are investigated. Of special interest are the quality of the generated compounds, the failure and the strength of the compound or interface, respectively. Furthermore, the basic mechanical properties of the semi‐finished product are analyzed. Because of defects at the interface the production process was optimized. This paper presents the results of further investigations about the compound quality and the possibilities to describe the quality based on the stresses during the process. A better quality and higher interface strength is achieved by adaptations of the die geometry. The analysis of the basic material properties evidences different yield stresses of the aluminum and the magnesium material and low residual stresses. The influence of the die on the yield stress of the materials will be explained in detail. The awareness of the parameters results in a combined model to describe the quality and the strength of the compound.
Approaches for integration of customer requirements and revenues into the calculation and controlling of materials profits
Authors: Götze U. , Schmidt A. , Weber T.
Published: September 2010

Der Lebenszykluserfolg von Werkstoffen wird nicht nur durch deren Kosten, sondern auch durch die in Abhängigkeit von ihnen erzielbaren Erlöse maßgeblich beeinflusst. Daher ist es nötig, sowohl diese Erlöse als auch die Kundenanforderungen, deren Erfüllung wiederum für die Erlöserzielung maßgeblich ist, systematisch und strukturiert in werkstoffbezogenen Entscheidungsprozessen zu berücksichtigen. Diesem bisher weitgehend vernachlässigten Aufgabengebiet widmet sich der Aufsatz, in dem zunächst die Schrittfolge eines werkstoffbezogenen Anforderungsmanagements sowie die potentiellen Beiträge der Conjoint‐Analyse und des Quality Function Deployment zu diesem dargestellt und diskutiert werden. Danach werden mit dem Conjoint+ Cost und dem Target Costing zwei Ansätze vorgestellt, die zur Prognose und gezielten Beeinflussung werkstoffabhängiger Erlöse nutzbar sind.

The life cycle profit of materials is considerably influenced not only by their costs, but also by revenues which can be generated with them. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate systematically these revenues as well as customer requirements, whose fulfillment affects revenues to a high degree, into material‐referred decision‐making processes. This paper applies to this hitherto largely neglected field of activity. Initially, steps of a material‐specific requirements management as well as potential contributions to this by Conjoint Analysis and Quality Function Deployment are presented and discussed. Subsequently, Conjoint+Cost and Target Costing are introduced as two approaches which can be used to forecast and to specifically influence material‐referred revenues.
Pelvic floor muscle training for stress urinary incontinence: A randomized, controlled trial comparing different conservative therapies
Authors: Huebner Markus , Riegel Katja , Hinninghofen Heidemarie , Wallwiener Diethelm , Tunn Ralf , Reisenauer Christl
Published: September 2010

Background and Purpose. Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is an effective therapy for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). There is little and inconsistent data about different strategies of PFMT. Finding the right, patient‐oriented treatment decision seems to be essential in order to achieve good results in conservative management of SUI. It was the aim of this prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) to compare three different strategies using electromyography (EMG) biofeedback‐assisted PFMT with and without electrical stimulation (ES) for treatment of SUI in women capable of voluntarily contracting the pelvic floor when a home‐training device with vaginal electrode was used. Method. Three‐arm RCT comparing 1) EMG biofeedback‐assisted PFMT and conventional ES; 2) EMG biofeedback‐assisted PFMT and dynamic ES; and 3) EMG biofeedback‐assisted PFMT. Primary outcome measures were quality of life (King's Health Questionnaire) and degree of suffering (rated on a visual analogue scale from 1 to 10). Secondary outcome measures were number of pads used, pad weight test, contractility of the pelvic floor measured by digital palpation and intra‐vaginal EMG. Results. The quality of life significantly increased over the 12‐week training. The number of pads used was reduced, the pad weight test and the contractility of the pelvic floor significantly improved. There were no significant differences between the three groups. Conclusion. This RCT shows significant improvement in patients' quality of life for conservative therapy of SUI. Differences between the three therapeutic options analyzed could not be found. Additional ES showed no benefit for patients with SUI, capable of voluntary pelvic floor contraction. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Remeasuring HEWL pKa values by NMR spectroscopy: Methods, analysis, accuracy, and implications for theoretical pKa calculations
Authors: Webb Helen , Tynan‐Connolly Barbara Mary , Lee Gregory M. , Farrell Damien , O'Meara Fergal , Søndergaard Chresten R. , Teilum Kaare , Hewage Chandralal , McIntosh Lawrence P. , Nielsen Jens Erik
Published: September 2010

Site‐specific pKa values measured by NMR spectroscopy provide essential information on protein electrostatics, the pH‐dependence of protein structure, dynamics and function, and constitute an important benchmark for protein pKa calculation algorithms. Titration curves can be measured by tracking the NMR chemical shifts of several reporter nuclei versus sample pH. However, careful analysis of these curves is needed to extract residue‐specific pKa values since pH‐dependent chemical shift changes can arise from many sources, including through‐bond inductive effects, through‐space electric field effects, and conformational changes. We have re‐measured titration curves for all carboxylates and His 15 in Hen Egg White Lysozyme (HEWL) by recording the pH‐dependent chemical shifts of all backbone amide nitrogens and protons, Asp/Glu side chain protons and carboxyl carbons, and imidazole protonated carbons and protons in this protein. We extracted pKa values from the resulting titration curves using standard fitting methods, and compared these values to each other, and with those measured previously by 1H NMR (Bartik et al., Biophys J 1994;66:1180–1184). This analysis gives insights into the true accuracy associated with experimentally measured pKa values. We find that apparent pKa values frequently differ by 0.5–1.0 units depending upon the nuclei monitored, and that larger differences occasionally can be observed. The variation in measured pKa values, which reflects the difficulty in fitting and assigning pH‐dependent chemical shifts to specific ionization equilibria, has significant implications for the experimental procedures used for measuring protein pKa values, for the benchmarking of protein pKa calculation algorithms, and for the understanding of protein electrostatics in general. Proteins 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Conformations of peptides containing a chiral cyclic α, α‐disubstituted α‐amino acid within the sequence of Aib residues
Authors: Demizu Yosuke , Tanaka Masakazu , Doi Mitsunobu , Kurihara Masaaki , Okuda Haruhiro , Suemune Hiroshi
Published: September 2010

A single chiral cyclic α,α‐disubstituted amino acid, (3S,4S)‐1‐amino‐(3,4‐dimethoxy)cyclopentanecarboxylic acid [(S,S)‐Ac5cdOM], was placed at the N‐terminal or C‐terminal positions of achiral α‐aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) peptide segments. The IR and 1H NMR spectra indicated that the dominant conformations of two peptides Cbz‐[(S,S)‐Ac5cdOM]‐(Aib)4‐OEt (1) and Cbz‐(Aib)4‐[(S,S)‐Ac5cdOM]‐OMe (2) in solution were helical structures. X‐ray crystallographic analysis of 1 and 2 revealed that a left‐handed (M) 310‐helical structure was present in 1 and that a right‐handed (P) 310‐helical structure was present in 2 in their crystalline states. Copyright © 2010 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Elastin peptides prepared from piscine and mammalian elastic tissues inhibit collagen‐induced platelet aggregation and stimulate migration and proliferation of human skin fibroblasts
Authors: Shiratsuchi Eri , Ura Megumi , Nakaba Misako , Maeda Iori , Okamoto Kouji
Published: September 2010

We obtained pure elastin peptides from bovine ligamentum nuchae, porcine aorta, and bonito bulbus arteriosus. The inhibitory activity of these elastin peptides on platelet aggregation induced by collagen and the migratory and proliferative responsivenesses of human skin fibroblasts to these elastin peptides were examined. All of bonito, bovine, and porcine elastin peptides found to inhibit platelet aggregation, but bonito elastin peptides showed a higher inhibitory activity than bovine and porcine elastin peptides did. All elastin peptides enhanced the proliferation of fibroblasts 3.5‐ to 4.5‐fold at a concentration of 10 µg/ml. Bovine and porcine elastin peptides stimulated the migration of fibroblasts, with the optimal response occurring at 10−1µg/ml, while maximal response was at 102µg/ml for bonito elastin peptides. Furthermore, pretreatment of fibroblasts by lactose depressed their ability to migrate in response to all elastin peptides, suggesting the involvement of elastin receptor in cell response. These results suggest that both mammalian and piscine elastin peptides can be applied as useful biomaterials in which elasticity, antithrombotic property, and the enhancement of cell migration and proliferation are required. Copyright © 2010 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correlation of crystallographic structure and magnetic properties of electrodeposited Co‐rich Co–Pt films
Authors: Khatri M. S. , Schlörb H. , Fähler S. , Schultz L.
Published: September 2010

Co‐rich Co–Pt alloy films have been grown by electrodeposition on Au buffer layer. Detailed texture measurements have been performed in order to understand the dependence of magnetic properties on phase composition and texture. X‐ray analysis in Bragg–Brentano geometry shows that films seem to consist of hexagonal closed packed (hcp) or fcc phase. Due to similar lattice spacing of the densely packed planes of both possible phases, the (111) fcc and (002) hcp planes of Co–Pt and also the higher order reflections coincide. As a result, the information supplied by X‐ray diffraction was of limited value. Hence pole figure measurements are used which determine the directional distribution of planes with a selected spacing. Here we present an approach to use pole figure measurements for phase identification. We show that this method allow a direct correlation with the magnetic properties, in particular with the magnetocrystalline anisotropy and magnetic texture.
High temperature mechanical spectroscopy of yttria stabilized zirconia reinforced with carbon nanotubes
Authors: Mazaheri Mehdi , Mari Daniele , Schaller Robert
Published: September 2010

High temperature mechanical properties of zirconia reinforced with carbon‐nanotubes (CNTs) are studied by mechanical spectroscopy. CNTs limit zirconia grain‐boundary sliding (GBS) and consequently deformation. Concurrent grain‐growth and plastic deformation lead to a substantial error in the evaluation of deformation activation‐enthalpy. Hence, a new calculation was developed in order to account for the effect of grain growth. The corrected enthalpy is comparable with the lattice diffusion energy of cations (Zr4+, Y3+), which evidences that at low‐stress regime, GBS is accommodated by diffusional creep.
Electronic structure and radial breathing mode for carbon nanotubes with ultra‐high curvature
Authors: Plank W. , Pfeiffer R. , Scharman C. , Wirtz L. , Calvaresi M. , Zerbetto F. , Meyer J. , Kuzmany H.
Published: September 2010

Ultra‐high curvature single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with diameters down to 0.37 nm were prepared by transformation of FeCp2 peapods to double‐walled CNTs (DWCNTs). Results from resonance Raman scattering and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were compared to calculations on the molecular dynamical, many electron corrected extended tight binding, and density functional theory (DFT) level. The growth process was found to be catalytic from Fe3C particles inside the tubes with dimensions of a crystallographic unit cell. The electronic structure showed dramatic deviations from tight binding results. The family behavior leads to level crossing already for $E_{11} $ and $E_{22} $ transitions. Experimental results fitted well into a Kataura–Popov plot and allowed assignment for the observed Raman lines of the inner tubes. Experimental and calculated radial breathing mode (RBM) frequencies showed a systematic difference indicating a radial expansion of the smallest inner tubes and a radial compression for the larger tubes.
Investigation of fullerene encapsulation in carbon nanotubes using a complex approach based on vibrational spectroscopy
Authors: Botos Ákos , Khlobystov Andrei N. , Botka Bea , Hackl Rudi , Székely Edit , Simándi Béla , Kamarás Katalin
Published: September 2010

For carbon nanotubes filled with fullerenes (“peapods”), it is a key issue to find an analytical method that distinguishes the molecules inside the nanotube from those adsorbed on its surface. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) detects both encapsulated and adsorbed molecules which are large enough (e.g., fullerenes), but being a local‐probe method, it cannot be applied to large amounts of sample. In Raman spectroscopy, the empirical rules for line shifts and splitting are nanotube‐type dependent and often ambiguous. We prepared C60 peapods by nano‐extraction using supercritical CO2 as a solvent, and subsequently removed the adsorbed fullerene molecules by washing the samples. We analyzed the samples by the combination of HRTEM, Raman, and midinfrared attenuated total reflectance (MIR‐ATR) spectroscopy. Although the TEM images proved that the nanotubes were filled with fullerenes, we did not observe any shift in the fullerene's Ag(2) Raman mode compared to C60 crystals. ATR spectra, on the other hand, were found to detect only the adsorbed molecules. Therefore, the combination of the two methods provide good basis for determining the success of nanotube filling by spectroscopy alone.
Electronic and morphological properties of the electrochemically prepared step bunched silicon (111) surface
Authors: Skorupska K. , Pettenkofer Ch. , Sadewasser S. , Streicher F. , Haiss W. , Lewerenz H. J.
Published: September 2010

Topographical and electronic and properties of step bunched Si(111), prepared by electrochemical processing in alkaline solution, are analyzed. Tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TM AFM) analysis shows that one bunched step consists of about 15 atomic steps (each 0.314 nm in height) and that the (111) oriented terraces have widths that range from 150 to 250 nm. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) experiments show a corrugation of the (111) terraces with an rms roughness of 0.5–0.8 nm, correlated with etch pits in alkaline solution. Low energy electron diffraction (LEED) data show a splitting of the (10) and (01) spot from which a minimum terrace width of 4.8 nm have been calculated in good agreement with the TM AFM data. Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) experiments show a decrease of the contact potential difference (CPD) at and near the edges of steps indicating a more negatively charged surface area. Synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy (SRPES) on electrochemically and purely chemically prepared step bunched surfaces is compared. From the Si 2p core level shift, and, in particular, from the onset of the valence band emission, an accumulation layer‐type shift is observed on the electrochemically prepared sample that is absent for chemical preparation. The move of the Fermi level toward the conduction band minimum of the electrochemically conditioned samples is interpreted by H incorporation and discussed by a doping model that involves the mechanism of hydrogen evolution.
Band offsets of polar and nonpolar GaN/ZnO heterostructures determined by synchrotron radiation photoemission spectroscopy
Authors: Liu J. W. , Kobayashi A. , Toyoda S. , Kamada H. , Kikuchi A. , Ohta J. , Fujioka H. , Kumigashira H. , Oshima M.
Published: September 2010

C‐plane (polar) and m‐plane (nonpolar) GaN/ZnO heterostructures have been fabricated by pulsed laser deposition at room temperature, and their electronic structures have been characterized by synchrotron radiation photoemission spectroscopy. Based on the binding energies of core levels and valence band maximum values, the valence band offsets have been found to be 0.7 ± 0.1 and 0.9 ± 0.1 eV for polar and nonpolar GaN/ZnO heterojunctions, respectively. Both heterostructures show type‐II band configurations with conduction band offsets of 0.8 ± 0.1 and 1.0 ± 0.1 eV, respectively. GaN and ZnO show upward and downward band bending toward the interface in the nonpolar GaN/ZnO heterojunction. However, both GaN and ZnO show upward band bending toward the interface in the polar heterojunction, which is attributed to negative charges. Analysis of N 1s spectra has revealed that N–O bonds exist only at the polar interface, which probably caused the formation of the negative charges.
Negative stiffness of a buckled carbon nanotube in composite systems via molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Wang Yun‐Che , Wu Chun‐Yi , Kuo Qu‐Yuan
Published: September 2010

Due to structural effects, mechanically buckled tubes may exhibit negative stiffness (NS). The NS composites, formed by embedding the NS and positive‐stiffness (PS) phases, have been shown to exhibit exceptional enhancements in their effective stiffness and viscoelastic damping. Through molecular dynamics simulation with the first‐generation Tersoff–Brenner interatomic potential, we studied the composite system of the buckled (5,5) carbon nanotube (CNT), negative stiffness provider, being compressed laterally with a carbon fullerene (Cx) for x = 20, 60, 100, and 540. It was found the CNT‐Cx system showed about 10 N/m for its spring constant in the linear range. When x = 20, 60, and 100, after reaching maximum loading, applied total force vs. lateral compression showed plateau‐type behavior due to a series of local buckling, indicating it is a low‐energy cost process to revert a buckled nanotube to an unbuckled state with the creation of local buckling. When x = 540, hardening‐type force–displacement relationship was observed due to the interplay between the NS and PS phases. For all of the four cases, the effective stiffness along the loading direction was negative for large lateral compression since the buckled CNT provided more negative stiffness than the positive stiffness in the fullerene.