bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An isogeometric analysis approach to gradient damage models
Authors: Verhoosel Clemens V. , Scott Michael A. , Hughes Thomas J. R. , de Borst René
Published: February 2011

Continuum damage formulations are commonly used for the simulation of diffuse fracture processes. Implicit gradient damage models are employed to avoid the spurious mesh dependencies associated with local continuum damage models. The C0‐continuity of traditional finite elements has hindered the study of higher order gradient damage approximations. In this contribution we use isogeometric finite elements, which allow for the construction of higher order continuous basis functions on complex domains. We study the suitability of isogeometric finite elements for the discretization of higher order gradient damage approximations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Technological modernization under resource scarcity
Authors: Hritonenko Natali , Yatsenko Yuri
Published: February 2011

A nonlinear optimal control problem describes the capital modernization strategy of a firm under improving technology and restrictions on available resources. The restricted resource may be space, land, labor, finance, or environmental pollution. The authors reveal a complete qualitative picture of optimal regimes and show that the only profitable long‐run growth scenario uses the entire available resource and involves capital modernization. It is shown that a high price of resource or capital suppresses the technology adoption by firms and leads to the firm shutdown. In contrast, resource regulation promotes scrapping of obsolete capital and adoption of new technology and stabilizes the growth of all firms in the industry. Copyrightcopyright 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metaplastic breast carcinoma: tumour histogenesis or dedifferentiation?
Authors: van Deurzen Carolien HM , Lee Andrew HS , Gill Muhammad S , Menke‐Pluijmers Marian BE , Jager Agnes , Ellis Ian O , Rakha Emad A
Published: February 2011

Global gene expression profiling studies have classified breast cancer into molecular classes, some of which show similarity to normal mammary cells (ie luminal and basal subtypes) with a subsequent histogenetic implication that reinforced the perception that the phenotype of breast cancer reflects the cell of origin. However, it remains to be determined whether phenotypic changes are the result of malignant transformation of particular cancer stem cells (histogenesis) or specific genetic hits occurring at various stages of carcinogenesis (dedifferentiation). We sought to test the hypothesis that dedifferentiation may be the more likely explanation using in vivo clinical data. Our findings support the hypothesis that at least some metaplastic carcinomas are derived from phenotypic transition from conventional mammary adenocarcinoma either at the in‐situ, primary invasive stage or at a distant metastatic site. This observation argues against the cell of origin theory (histogenesis) for breast carcinogenesis and favours the concept of tumour dedifferentiation at later stages. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relapse of aplastic anemia responsive to sirolimus combined with cyclosporine
Authors: He Guangsheng , Zhang Xiang , Wu Depei , Sun Aining , Wang Xiuli
Published: February 2011

Aplastic anemia (AA) is an immune‐mediated disease. Although most patients are responsive to immunosuppressive therapy (IST) with a combination of anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG) and cyclosporine (CsA), some patients relapse or are refractory to IST. Sirolimus (rapamysin) inhibits the serine–threonine kinase mammalian target of rapamysin (mTOR), and blocks CsA‐resistant and calcium‐independent pathways late in the progression of the T‐cell cycle. We report two cases of AA which relapsed after CsA and ATG plus CsA, respectively. They achieved transfusion independence after retreatment with sirolimus in combination with a CsA. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:1133–1135. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Initial testing (stage 1) of the mTOR kinase inhibitor AZD8055 by the pediatric preclinical testing program
Authors: Houghton Peter J. , Gorlick Richard , Kolb E. Anders , Lock Richard , Carol Hernan , Morton Christopher L. , Keir Stephen T. , Reynolds C. Patrick , Kang Min H. , Phelps Doris , Maris John M. , Billups Catherine , Smith Malcolm A.
Published: February 2011

Background AZD8055 is a small molecule ATP‐competitive inhibitor of the serine/threonine kinase mTOR that regulates cap‐dependent translation through the mTORC1 complex and Akt activation through the mTORC2 complex.

Procedures AZD8055 was tested against the PPTP in vitro panel at concentrations ranging from 1.0 nM to 10 µM and against the PPTP in vivo panels at a dose of 20 mg/kg administered orally daily × 7 for 4 weeks.

Results

In vitro the median relative IC50 for AZD8055 against the PPTP cell lines was 24.7 nM. Relative I/O values >0% (consistent with a cytostatic effect) were observed in 8 cell lines and 15 cell lines showed Relative I/O values ranging from −4.7 to −92.2% (consistent with varying degrees of cytotoxic activity). In vivo AZD8055 induced significant differences in EFS distribution compared to controls in 23 of 36 (64%) evaluable solid tumor xenografts, and 1 of 6 evaluable ALL xenografts. Intermediate activity for the time to event activity measure (EFS T/C >2) was observed in 5 of 32 (16%) solid tumor xenografts evaluable. The best response was stable disease. PD2 (progressive disease with growth delay) was observed in 20 of 36 (55.6%) evaluable solid tumor xenografts. AZD8055 significantly inhibited 4E‐BP1, S6, and Akt phosphorylation following day 1 and day 4 dosing, but suppression of mTORC1 or mTORC2 signaling did not predict tumor sensitivity.

Conclusions

AZD8055 demonstrated broad activity in vitro, but at the dose and schedule studied demonstrated limited activity in vivo against the PPTP solid tumor and ALL panels. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 191–199. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Outcome after first relapse in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A report based on the Dutch Childhood Oncology Group (DCOG) relapse all 98 protocol
Authors: van den Berg H. , de Groot‐Kruseman H.A. , Damen‐Korbijn C.M. , de Bont E.S.J.M , Schouten‐van Meeteren A.Y.N. , Hoogerbrugge P.M.
Published: February 2011

Background

We report on the treatment of children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in first relapse. The protocol focused on: (1) Intensive chemotherapy preceding allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in early bone marrow relapse; (2) Rotational chemotherapy in late relapse, without donor; (3) Postponement of cerebro‐spinal irradiation in late isolated CNS relapse; and (4) Treatment in very late bone marrow relapse with chemotherapy only.

Methods

From January 1999 until July 2006 all 158 Dutch pediatric patients with ALL in first relapse were recorded. Ninety‐nine patients were eligible; 54 patients with early and 45 with late relapse. Eighteen patients had an isolated extra‐medullary relapse; 69 patients had bone marrow involvement only.

Results

Five‐years EFS rates for early and late relapses were 12% and 35%, respectively. For early relapses 5 years EFSs were 25% for patients transplanted; 0% for non‐transplanted patients. For late relapses 5 years EFS was 64% for patients treated with chemotherapy only, and 16% for transplanted patients. For very late relapses EFS was 58%.

Conclusions

Our data suggest the superiority of SCT for early relapse patients. For late relapses a better outcome is achieved with chemotherapy only using the rotational chemotherapy scheme. The most important factor for survival was interval between first CR and occurrence of the first relapse. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 210–216. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thiopurine S‐methyltransferase (TPMT) polymorphisms in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and the need for reduction or cessation of 6‐mercaptopurine doses during maintenance therapy: The Polish multicenter analysis
Authors: Peregud‐Pogorzelski Jarosław , Tetera‐Rudnicka Edyta , Kurzawski Mateusz , Brodkiewicz Andrzej , Adrianowska Natalia , Mlynarski Wojciech , Januszkiewicz Danuta , Drozdzik Marek
Published: February 2011

Background

6‐Mercaptopurine (6‐MP) is used for the treatment of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Mutations in the TPMT gene may influence the efficacy and safety of 6‐MP treatment. This multicenter study investigated the association between TPMT genotype, 6‐MP dose adjustments, and the incidence of adverse effects in patients.

Procedure

A total of 203 ALL children were genotyped using PCR/allele‐specific amplification and PCR/RFLP. The control group consisted of 394 healthy volunteers.

Results

The TPMT*3A variant allele was found in 16 patients (15 TPMT*1/*3A, 1 TPMT*3A/*3A) and the TPMT*3C (A719G) allele in 1 patient. No TPMT*2 (G238C) or TPMT*3B (G460A) alleles were detected in the study group. TPMT*3A, TPMT*1 (wild‐type), and TPMT*3C alleles were detected at frequencies of 3.94%, 95.81%, and 0.25%, respectively. The genotype and allele distributions were similar in the ALL and control groups. The 6‐MP dose was reduced more frequently in patients with TPMT*3A and TPMT*3C alleles, compared with wild‐type alleles (P = 0.042). Reductions because of leucopenia with respiratory tract infection, or because of leucopenia, anemia and/or thrombocytopenia were four (P = 0.007) and five (P = 0.03) times more common, respectively. The groups differed with regard to the rates of 6‐MP dose reduction (P = 0.028). 6‐MP was discontinued more often in patients with TPMT*3A and TPMT*3C alleles (14‐fold) as a result of leucopenia, anemia, and/or thrombocytopenia (P = 0.004).

Conclusions

The results indicate that TPMT genotype influences the safety and efficacy of ALL treatment and genotype information may therefore be useful for optimizing 6‐MP therapy. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 578–582. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Disseminated intravascular coagulation due to IgM‐mediated autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Authors: Bleakly N. Teresa , Fontaine Magali J. , Pate Lisa L. , Sutherland Scott M. , Jeng Michael
Published: February 2011

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) due to red cell hemolysis has been previously attributed to transfusion‐related hemolytic reactions, but not to autoimmune hemolytic anemia. We report a case of DIC in a child with complement‐fixing IgM‐mediated cold‐agglutinin autoimmune hemolysis, which resulted in arterial thrombosis and gangrene of the upper and lower extremities. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 329–331. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Survival and late effects in children with stage 4 neuroblastoma
Authors: Perwein Thomas , Lackner Herwig , Sovinz Petra , Benesch Martin , Schmidt Sandrin , Schwinger Wolfgang , Urban Christian
Published: February 2011

Background

Treatment of metastatic neuroblastoma (NB) demands aggressive oncological therapy, which may cause long‐term sequelae in survivors. The aim of this retrospective single center study is to give an overview of survival in children with stage 4 NB and to describe the spectrum of late effects seen in survivors.

Procedure

Medical records of 31 patients with stage 4 NB treated between 1984 and 2009, who were included in a follow‐up programme, were reviewed for information on tumor, treatment and late effects.

Results

Five‐year overall survival was 54.3 ± 9% and 5‐year event‐free survival was 44.9 ± 9%. Patients diagnosed after 1996 had a significantly better survival rate than those diagnosed before (74 ± 11.2% vs. 33.3 ± 12.2%, P = 0.011). In 15 of the 16 survivors (93.8%), numerous late effects were detected. The most common long‐term sequelae were renal changes in 10 patients (62.5%) and endocrine disturbances in 9 patients (56.3%), including hypothyroidism with need of substitution in 50%, GH deficiency in 37.5% and hypogonadism in 12.5%. Sensorineural hearing loss occurred in 37.5% of survivors. Further observed late effects were hepatobiliary changes (31.3%), musculoskeletal problems, and pulmonary abnormalities (each 25%), as well as neurologic changes (18.8%), dental defects (12.5%), and unilateral blindness (6.3%). Second neoplasms appeared in 3 patients, 1 of whom died of hepatocellular carcinoma following infection with hepatitis B.

Conclusions

More than 50% of children with stage 4 NB may survive. The high incidence of severe long‐term sequelae underlines the importance of careful follow‐up in order to detect and treat late effects early enough. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 629–635. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Circulating endothelial cells and circulating endothelial precursor cells in patients with osteosarcoma
Authors: DuBois Steven G. , Stempak Diana , Wu Bing , Mokhtari Reza Bayat , Nayar Rakesh , Janeway Katherine A. , Goldsby Robert , Grier Holcombe E. , Baruchel Sylvain
Published: February 2011

Background

Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) have been detected at increased numbers in patients with solid cancers. CECs have not been systematically evaluated in patients with osteosarcoma.

Procedure

Patients 12 months to 30 years of age with newly diagnosed high‐grade osteosarcoma were eligible for this prospective cohort study. Patients provided a single blood sample at study entry for CEC quantification by flow cytometry at a single reference laboratory. CECs were defined as CD146+, CD31+, CD45−, and CD133−. CEC progenitor cells (CEPs) were defined as CD146+, CD31+, CD45−, and CD133+.

Results

Eighteen patients enrolled (11 males; median age 16 years; range 5–21 years). CEC counts did not differ between patients with osteosarcoma compared to seven pediatric healthy controls (median 645 cells/ml, range 60–5,320 cells/ml vs. 1,670 cells/ml, range 330–4,700 cells/ml, respectively; P = 0.12). CEP counts did not differ between patients compared to controls (median 126 cells/ml, range 0–5,320 cells/ml vs. median 260 cells/ml, range 0–10,670 cells/ml, respectively; P = 0.69). CEC and CEP counts did not correlate with metastatic status, tumor size, or histologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Conclusions

CEC and CEP levels are not increased in patients with osteosarcoma compared to healthy controls. CECs and CEPs do not correlate with clinical features of osteosarcoma. Alternative novel markers of disease burden and response are needed in this disease. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 181–184. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Study of antibacterial properties of polypropylene filled with surfactant‐coated silver nanoparticles
Authors: Fages E. , Pascual J. , Fenollar O. , García‐Sanoguera D. , Balart R.
Published: February 2011

Medical applications require, in most cases, antibacterial protection. The use of silver (Ag) gives important antibacterial properties since silver is highly toxic for bacteria. In this research work, we have used silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with different surfactants, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and oleic acid (OA) to facilitate dispersion. PP‐Ag NPs compounds were prepared by melt mixing, and the effects of the processing conditions on nanoparticles' dispersion were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antibacterial efficiency of PP‐Ag NPs compounds against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and Escherichia coli ATCC 8379 was evaluated. Results show that good dispersion is obtained with rotating speeds in the 350–500 rpm range. TEM analysis reveals balanced dispersion and presence of some Ag NPs aggregates. Regarding antimicrobial properties, the use of PVP as surfactant leads to “significant” antimicrobial activity of 1.5 against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli; on other hand, the use of oleic acid (OA) as surfactant leads to strong protection against Staphylococcus aureus (antimicrobial activity between 2.5 and 3.3) but the overall protection against Escherichia coli is very low (lower than 1). Results show that the use of surfactants for Ag NPs has important effects on antibacterial properties of polypropylene filled with coated Ag NPs. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Synthesis of triblock copolymer having alternating structures and kinetics study on RAFT‐mediated bulk, miniemulsion and seed miniemulsion polymerizations
Authors: Yu Yitao , Zhan Xiaoli , Zhang Qinghua , Chen Fengqiu
Published: February 2011

We have conducted reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerizations of styrene (St) and maleic anhydride (MAh) and n‐butyl acrylate (BA) to produce a well‐defined triblock copolymer having alternating structure, P(St‐alt‐MAh)‐b‐PSt‐b‐PBA, via bulk, miniemulsion and seed miniemulsion polymerizations. The polymerization kinetics and living characters were investigated. The results followed by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) showed that bulk and miniemulsion polymerizations exhibited controlled nature such as narrow polydispersity index (PDI), controlled molecular weight, and first‐order polymerization kinetics, whereas triblock copolymer owned a rather wider PDI. Comparison of GPC RI and UV traces revealed that alternating copolymer and diblock copolymer have a very high percentage of living chains. For seed miniemulsion polymerization, when the molecular weight of triblock copolymer is more than 36,000 g/mol, the formation of homopolymer of BA resulted in broadening of PDI. 1H NMR method was used to identify the compositions of block copolymers. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that the copolymers exhibited distinct glass temperatures. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Quinolinyl‐moiety‐containing 3‐ester‐substituted polythiophenes showing fluorescence efficiency
Authors: Maiti Jatindranath , Srivastava Ritu , Kamalasanan Modeeparampil N , Dolui Swapan Kumar
Published: February 2011

Polythiophenes with ester substituents at the 3‐position of the thiophene ring were synthesized by ferric chloride oxidative polymerization. The polythiophenes are partially soluble in tetrahydrofuran, and these solutions were used to characterize the polythiophenes using Fourier transform infrared, 1H NMR, UV‐visible and fluorescence spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical band gap of the polymers is in the range 1.6–2.3 eV. The effect of the various substituents on the fluorescence behaviour was studied in detail. The quinolinyl‐moiety‐containing polythiophene ester has the highest fluorescence quantum yield. The incorporation of Al3+ and Zn2+ ions increases greatly the fluorescence intensity. The electroluminescence properties of the polymers were evaluated with a device configuration of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymer/LiF/Al. The polymers show a yellow emission in electroluminescence spectra. The results suggest that the quinoline‐containing ester‐substituted polythiophene is a promising electronic and optoelectronic material. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Ultrasound‐assisted deacetylation of beta‐chitin: influence of processing parameters
Authors: Delezuk Jorge A de M , Cardoso Márcia B , Domard Alain , Campana‐Filho Sérgio P
Published: February 2011

Ultrasound‐assisted deacetylation (USAD) produces chitosan by treating beta‐chitin suspended in 40% aqueous sodium hydroxide with high‐intensity ultrasound irradiation. Chitosans resulting from the application of non‐isothermal and isothermal USAD processes were characterized using NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, viscosity measurements and size‐exclusion chromatography. The characteristics of the USAD‐produced chitosan strongly depend on the processing temperature and ultrasound parameters, namely the irradiation amplitude and duration, with viscosity‐average molecular weight in the range 100 000–750 000 g mol−1 and average degree of acetylation in the range 6.0–25.0%. Moreover, appropriate adjustment of the USAD parameters allows the production of chitosan with high molecular weight (Mw ≈ 106 g mol−1) and low degree of acetylation (ca 7.0%) after a single‐step short‐time processing (30 min) carried out at low to moderate temperature (50–80 °C). The occurrence of cavitation, a phenomenon whose intensity depends on the irradiation amplitude and duration as well as on the processing temperature, is responsible for reducing the average size of the polysaccharide particles, favoring the accessibility of sodium hydroxide to the reactive sites and supporting a more efficient deacetylation of beta‐chitin as compared to the thermochemical process. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Unusual presentation: Pulmonary hemosiderosis with celiac disease and retinitis pigmentosa in a child
Authors: Keskin Ozlem , Keskin Mehmet , Guler Elif , Tutar Ediz , Saygili Oguzhan , Kucukosmanoglu Ercan , Kor Yilmaz , Celik Haydar , Coskun Enes
Published: February 2011

Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH) is a rare disease characterized by anemia, hemoptysis and recurrent alveolar hemorrhage. The combination of IPH and celiac disease (CD) is extremely rare. We report a 9‐year‐old boy with Lane‐Hamilton syndrome, co‐occurrence of pulmonary hemosiderosis with CD. This presentation is unique presentation because he has also retinal pigmentation. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:820–823. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Complementary and alternative therapies: Use in pediatric pulmonary medicine
Authors: Chung Youngran , Dumont Robert C.
Published: February 2011

With increased awareness of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) and concern of potential adverse effects or limited effectiveness of conventional medications, patients and parents are looking to CAM approaches as either an alternative or as adjunct therapy, especially for chronic diseases such as asthma or cystic fibrosis. It is important that practitioners have adequate information so that patients and parents receive balanced and accurate information, especially regarding safety and potential efficacy. This review provides an overview of some of the more frequently used CAM therapies for children with chronic pulmonary disorders and summarizes the basic principles of each modality, along with efficacy and safety data. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:530–544. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Plasma TGF‐β1 in pediatric cystic fibrosis: Potential biomarker of lung disease and response to therapy
Authors: Harris William T. , Muhlebach Marianne S. , Oster Robert A. , Knowles Michael R. , Clancy J.P. , Noah Terry L.
Published: February 2011

Introduction

Transforming growth factor beta‐1 (TGF‐β1) is an important genetic modifier of lung disease severity in cystic fibrosis (CF), yet the mechanism behind this disease association remains unknown. Initial steps in the investigation of the relationship between TGF‐β1 and CF lung disease include determining the most appropriate available biospecimen for TGF‐β1 protein measurement.

Hypothesis

In hospitalized pediatric CF patients, plasma TGF‐β1 is increased in association with clinical parameters of lung disease severity.

Methods

Serum and plasma were obtained pre‐ and post‐intravenous antibiotic therapy in pediatric CF patients hospitalized for a pulmonary exacerbation. Total TGF‐β1, measured via ELISA, was compared with markers of lung disease, including airway microbiology, lung function, and response to therapy.

Results

Forty CF children were studied, 15 of whom underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) at the time of admission. Plasma TGF‐β1 positively correlated with BAL fluid (BALF) TGF‐β1 (r = 0.59, P < 0.05). Admission plasma TGF‐β1 was increased in subjects positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P = 0.014) and was inversely associated with diminished lung function (P < 0.038) after therapy. Treatment with antibiotics significantly decreased plasma TGF‐β1 (P < 0.001). Serum TGF‐β1 was not associated with plasma TGF‐β1, BALF TGF‐β1, or these clinical parameters of lung disease.

Conclusion

In pediatric CF, plasma (but not serum) TGF‐β1 is increased in association with Pseudomonas infection and lung disease, and is reduced in response to therapy. These findings emphasize the importance of optimizing biospecimen selection for future studies investigating the role of TGF‐β1 in CF lung disease. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2011; 46:688–695. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Bayesian approach to assessing the uncertainty in estimating bioconcentration factors in earthworms—the example of quinoxyfen
Authors: Fragoulis George , Merli Annalisa , Reeves Graham , Meregalli Giovanna , Stenberg Kristofer , Tanaka Taku , Capri Ettore
Published: February 2011

BACKGROUND: Quinoxyfen is a fungicide of the phenoxyquinoline class used to control powdery mildew, Uncinula necator (Schw.) Burr. Owing to its high persistence and strong sorption in soil, it could represent a risk for soil organisms if they are exposed at ecologically relevant concentrations. The objective of this paper is to predict the bioconcentration factors (BCFs) of quinoxyfen in earthworms, selected as a representative soil organism, and to assess the uncertainty in the estimation of this parameter. Three fields in each of four vineyards in southern and northern Italy were sampled over two successive years.

RESULTS: The measured BCFs varied over time, possibly owing to seasonal changes and the consequent changes in behaviour and ecology of earthworms. Quinoxyfen did not accumulate in soil, as the mean soil concentrations at the end of the 2 year monitoring period ranged from 9.16 to 16.0 µg kg−1 dw for the Verona province and from 23.9 to 37.5 µg kg−1 dw for the Taranto province, with up to eight applications per season. To assess the uncertainty of the BCF in earthworms, a probabilistic approach was used, firstly by building with weighted bootstrapping techniques a generic probabilistic density function (PDF) accounting for variability and incompleteness of knowledge. The generic PDF was then used to derive prior distribution functions, which, by application of Bayes' theorem, were updated with the new measurements and a posterior distribution was finally created.

CONCLUSION: The study is a good example of probabilistic risk assessment. The means of mean and SD posterior estimates of log BCFworm (2.06, 0.91) are the ‘best estimate values’. Further risk assessment of quinoxyfen and other phenoxyquinoline fungicides and realistic representative scenarios for modelling exercises required for future authorization and post‐authorization requirements can now use this value as input. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Structural determinants of protein translocation in bacteria: conformational flexibility of SecA IRA1 loop region
Authors: Palladino Pasquale , Saviano Gabriella , Tancredi Teodorico , Benedetti Ettore , Rossi Filomena , Ragone Raffaele
Published: February 2011

Bacteria employ the SecA motor protein to push unfolded proteins across the cytoplasmic membrane through the SecY protein‐conducting channel complex. The crystal structure of the SecA–SecY complex shows that the intramolecular regulator of ATPase1 (IRA1) SecA domain, made up of two helices and the loop between them, is partly inserted into the SecY conducting channel, with the loop between the helices as the main functional region. A computational analysis suggested that the entire IRA1 domain is structurally autonomous, and was the basis to synthesize peptide analogs of the SecA IRA1 loop region, to the aim of investigating its conformational preferences. Our study indicates that the loop region populates a predominantly flexible state, even in the presence of structuring agent. This provides indirect evidence that the SecA loop–SecY receptor docking involves loop‐mediated opening of the SecY channel. Copyright © 2011 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrafast manipulation of the Rabi splitting in metal‐molecular aggregate hybrid nanostructures
Authors: Vasa P. , Pomraenke R. , Cirmi G. , De Re E. , Wang W. , Schwieger S. , Leipold D. , Runge E. , Cerullo G. , Lienau C.
Published: February 2011

We report on an experimental study of the optical properties of a metal‐molecular aggregate hybrid nanostructure consisting of a gold nanoslit array coated with a thin J‐aggregated dye layer. Our experiments reveal a strong coupling between the surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) excited on a nanoslit array and the aggregate excitons with a large Rabi splitting energy (ΩR). Ultrafast excitation drastically alters the optical response of the hybrid nanostructure inducing transient switching from the strong to weak the coupling regime due to the bleaching of the exciton resonance. The externally controlled switching is fully reversible and occurs on sub‐ps timescale. The results are explained within a phenomenological two coupled oscillator model. Such a strong interaction can, e.g., be used to fabricate ultrafast all‐optical plasmonic switches or tunable mirrors. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Carrier dynamics in (ZnMg)O alloy materials
Authors: Chernikov Alexej , Horst Swantje , Koch Martin , Volz Kerstin , Chatterjee Sangam , Koch Stephan W. , Wassner Thomas A. , Laumer Bernhard , Eickhoff Martin
Published: February 2011

Carrier recombination dynamics in Zn1–xMgxO alloys were studied by time‐resolved photoluminescence as function of Mg concentration and lattice temperature for different emission and excitation energies. Disorder and carrier localization effects are found to play a significant role, becoming increasingly important for lower temperatures and higher Mg concentrations.

Emission energy dependent dynamics were analyzed by the application of a theoretical model, yielding a characteristic localization energy of 60 ± 15 meV for the sample with the highest Mg concentration of x = 0.21. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Initiation of convection over the Black Forest mountains during COPS IOP15a
Authors: Bennett Lindsay J. , Blyth Alan M. , Burton Ralph R. , Gadian Alan M. , Weckwerth Tammy M. , Behrendt Andreas , Di Girolamo Paolo , Dorninger Manfred , Lock Sarah‐Jane , Smith Victoria H. , Mobbs Stephen D.
Published: February 2011

Doppler‐On‐Wheels radar observations made during the Convective and Orographically‐induced Precipitation Study (COPS) on 12 August 2007 showed that precipitating clouds only developed between the north–south orientated Murg and Nagold Valleys of the northern Black Forest. The clouds produced moderate precipitation. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model run at 700 m horizontal resolution in the inner domain was able to simulate the location of the precipitation. Insight is therefore gained into the physical mechanisms responsible for the initiation and development of the convection. Convergence lines resulting from thermally driven flows constrained the initial location of the convection within warm and moist cores produced by heating on elevated surfaces. The heaviest precipitation was later produced by secondary convection, which was initiated within the cores at the boundary between cold‐pool outflows and thermal flows. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
An improved control chart structure for process location parameter
Authors: Riaz Muhammad
Published: February 2011

The article proposes a Shewhart‐type control chart, namely Mt chart, for an improved monitoring of the mean level of a quality characteristic of interest, say Y, in a process. The proposed control chart uses the information on a single auxiliary characteristic, say X, of the process and is based on product–difference‐type estimator, say Mt (in fact the spirit is to pool different styles of using information on auxiliary variable(s)). Assuming bivariate normality of the characteristic of interest Y and the auxiliary characteristic X, design structure of the proposed Mt chart is developed and its comparisons are made with those of some existing control charts used for the same purposes. The comparisons reveal an improved performance of the proposed Mt chart relative to its existing counterparts due to suggested merger of different approaches. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiple sliding mode observers and unknown input estimations for Lipschitz nonlinear systems
Authors: Veluvolu K. C. , Soh Y. C.
Published: February 2011

Multiple sliding mode observers for state and unknown input estimations of a class of MIMO nonlinear systems are systematically developed in this paper. A new nonlinear transformation is formulated to divide the original system into two interconnected subsystems. The unknown inputs are assumed to be bounded and not necessarily Lipschitz, and do not require any matching condition. Under structural assumptions for the unknown input distribution matrix, the sliding mode terms of the nonlinear observer are designed to track their respective unknown inputs. Also, the unknown inputs can be reconstructed from the multiple sliding mode structurally. The conditions for asymptotic stability of estimation error dynamics are derived. Finally, simulation results are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Control of continuous‐time Markov chains with safety constraints
Authors: Hsu Shun‐Pin
Published: February 2011

In this work the controlled continuous‐time finite‐state Markov chain with safety constraints is studied. The constraints are expressed as a finite number of inequalities, whose intersection forms a polyhedron. A probability distribution vector is called safe if it is in the polyhedron. Under the assumptions that the controlled Markov chain is completely observable and the controller induces a unique stationary distribution in the interior of the polyhedron, the author identifies the supreme invariant safety set (SISS) where a set is called an invariant safety set if any probability distribution in the set is initially safe and remains safe as time evolves. In particular, the necessary and sufficient condition for the SISS to be the polyhedron itself is given via linear programming formulations. A closed‐form expression for the condition is also derived as the constraints impose only upper and/or lower bounds on the components of the distribution vectors. If the condition is not satisfied, a finite time bound is identified and used to characterize the SISS. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the results. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Composite stratified anti‐disturbance control for a class of MIMO discrete‐time systems with nonlinearity
Authors: Wei Xinjiang , Chen Nan , Deng Changhui , Liu Xiaohua , Tang Meiqin
Published: February 2011

Anti‐disturbance control and estimation problem are investigated for nonlinear system subject to multi‐source disturbances. The disturbances classified model is proposed based on the error and noise analysis of priori knowledge. The disturbance observers are constructed separately from the controller design to estimate the disturbance with partial known information. By integrating disturbance‐observer‐based control with discrete‐time sliding‐mode control (DSMC), a novel type of composite stratified anti‐disturbance control scheme is presented for a class of multiple‐input–multiple‐output discrete‐time systems with known and unknown nonlinear dynamics, respectively. Simulations for a flight control system are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the results compared with the previous schemes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gain‐scheduled dynamic output feedback control for discrete‐time LPV systems
Authors: De Caigny J. , Camino J. F. , Oliveira R. C. L. F. , Peres P. L. D. , Swevers J.
Published: February 2011

This paper presents synthesis conditions for the design of gain‐scheduled dynamic output feedback controllers for discrete‐time linear parameter‐varying systems. The state‐space matrix representation of the plant and of the controller can have a homogeneous polynomial dependency of arbitrary degree on the scheduling parameter. As an immediate extension, conditions for the synthesis of a multiobjective ℋ︁∞ and ℋ︁2 gain‐scheduled dynamic feedback controller are also provided. The scheduling parameters vary inside a polytope and are assumed to be a priori unknown, but measured in real‐time. If bounds on the rate of parameter variation are known, they can be taken into account, providing less conservative results. The geometric properties of the uncertainty domain are exploited to derive finite sets of linear matrix inequalities based on the existence of a homogeneous polynomially parameter‐dependent Lyapunov function. An application of the control design to a realistic engineering problem illustrates the benefits of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanostructuring of Titania Thin Films by a Combination of Microfluidics and Block‐Copolymer‐Based Sol–Gel Templating
Authors: Rawolle Monika , Ruderer Matthias A. , Prams Stefan M. , Zhong Qi , Magerl David , Perlich Jan , Roth Stephan V. , Lellig Philipp , Gutmann Jochen S. , Müller‐Buschbaum Peter
Published: February 2011

Sol–gel templating of titania thin films with the amphiphilic diblock copolymer poly(dimethyl siloxane)‐block‐methyl methacrylate poly(ethylene oxide) is combined with microfluidic technology to control the structure formation. Due to the laminar flow conditions in the microfluidic cell, a better control of the local composition of the reactive fluid is achieved. The resulting titania films exhibit mesopores and macropores, as determined with scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray reflectivity, and grazing incidence small angle X‐ray scattering. The titania morphology has three features that are beneficial for application in photovoltaics: 1) a large surface‐to‐volume ratio important for charge generation with disordered hexagonally arranged mesopores of 25 nm size and a film porosity of up to 0.79, 2) enhanced light scattering that enables the absorption of more light, and 3) a dense titania layer with a thickness of about 6 nm at the substrate (bottom electrode) to prevent short circuits. An optical characterization complements the structural investigation.
Size‐Dependant Cellular Uptake of Dendritic Polyglycerol
Authors: Reichert Stephanie , Welker Pia , Calderón Marcelo , Khandare Jayant , Mangoldt Dorothea , Licha Kai , Kainthan Rajesh K. , Brooks Donald E. , Haag Rainer
Published: February 2011

To study the mechanism of cellular internalization, hyperbranched polyether derivatives consisting of amino‐bearing hyperbranched polyglycerols (HPGs) of varied molecular mass and size range are designed and synthesized. HPGs were further fluorescently labelled by conjugating maleimido indocarbocyanine dye (ICC‐mal). The conjugates are characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, fluorescence profile, zeta potential, and dynamic light scattering. The uptake mechanism is studied by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and confocal microscopy with human lung cancer cells A549, human epidermoid carcinoma cells A431, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) cells. For the first time, the results suggest that the higher‐molecular‐weight HPGs (40–870 kDa) predominantly accumulate in the cytoplasm much better than their low‐molecular‐weight counterparts (2–20 kDa). The HPG nanocarriers discussed here have many biomedical implications, particularly for delivering drugs to the targeted site.
A case study on business process recovery using an e‐government system
Authors: Pérez‐Castillo Ricardo , García‐Rodríguez de Guzmán Ignacio , Piattini Mario , Places Ángeles S.
Published: February 2011

Business processes have become one of the key assets of organization, since these processes allow them to discover and control what occurs in their environments, with information systems automating most of an organization's processes. Unfortunately, and as a result of uncontrolled maintenance, information systems age over time until it is necessary to replace them with new and modernized systems. However, while systems are aging, meaningful business knowledge that is not present in any of the organization's other assets gradually becomes embedded in them. The preservation of this knowledge through the recovery of the underlying business processes is, therefore, a critical problem. This paper provides, as a solution to the aforementioned problem, a model‐driven procedure for recovering business processes from legacy information systems. The procedure proposes a set of models at different abstraction levels, along with the model transformations between them. The paper also provides a supporting tool, which facilitates its adoption. Moreover, a real‐life case study concerning an e‐government system applies the proposed recovery procedure to validate its effectiveness and efficiency. The case study was carried out by following a formal protocol to improve its rigor and replicability. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simple algebraic data types for C
Authors: Hartel Pieter H. , Muller Henk L.
Published: February 2011

Adt is a simple tool in the spirit of Lex and Yacc that makes monomorphic algebraic data types, polymorphic built‐in types like the list and an efficient form of pattern matching available in C programs. C programs built with ADTs typically use NULL pointers only to indicate don't care values, and not as sentinels. This reduces the scope for errors involving NULL pointers. The Adt tool generates runtime checks, which catch many of the remaining NULL pointer dereferences. The runtime checks may consume a significant amount of CPU time; hence they can be switched off once the program is suitably debugged. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prevalence of uterine anomalies and their impact on early pregnancy in women conceiving after assisted reproduction treatment
Authors: Jayaprakasan K. , Chan Y. Y. , Sur S. , Deb S. , Clewes J. S. , Raine‐Fenning N. J.
Published: February 2011

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of congenital uterine anomalies in subfertile women and to evaluate their influence on early pregnancy following assisted reproduction treatment (ART).

Methods

We prospectively recruited 1402 subjects undergoing ART over a period of 5 years from 2005 to 2009. Three‐dimensional transvaginal sonography was performed in the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (days 2–5) and repeated in the late follicular phase (days 10–14) if the shape of the uterine cavity could not be assessed at the first scan. All subjects who conceived following ART were followed up to 12 weeks' gestation. Chi‐square test was used to compare the pregnancy rates and miscarriage rates between women shown to have uterine anomalies and those with a normal uterus.

Results

One thousand three hundred and eighty‐five subjects were included for final analysis after excluding 17 subjects in whom a definitive diagnosis could not be made. While 1201 (86.7%) subjects had a normal uterine cavity, uterine anomalies were demonstrated in 184 (13.3%) subjects. Arcuate uteri represented the commonest anomaly (n = 164 (11.8%)) followed by septate (n = 7 (0.5%)), unicornuate (n = 6 (0.4%)), subseptate (n = 5 (0.4%)), bicornuate (n = 1 (0.1%)) and T‐shaped uteri (n = 1 (0.1%)). A total of 440 subjects who underwent ART were followed up. The pregnancy rates in women with arcuate uteri (36/66 (54.5%)) and major uterine anomalies (7/10 (70.0%)) were statistically similar (P = 0.09 and P = 0.11, respectively) to that of the matched controls with normal uteri (158/364 (43.4%)). While first‐trimester miscarriage rates were similar (P = 0.81) between the control group (20/158 (12.7%)) and women with arcuate uteri (5/36 (13.9%)), women with major uterine anomalies experienced a higher miscarriage rate (3/7 (42.9%); P = 0.05).

Conclusions

Women who are referred for ART have a high prevalence of congenital uterine anomalies, the most common anomaly being an arcuate uterus. These anomalies are not associated with a reduction in pregnancy rates following ART. However, while the arcuate uterus was not associated with an increase in first‐trimester miscarriage, major uterine anomalies seemed to increase the risk of first‐trimester miscarriage. Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functions and mechanisms of spliceosomal small nuclear RNA pseudouridylation
Authors: Wu Guowei , Yu Andrew T. , Kantartzis Athena , Yu Yi‐Tao
Published: February 2011

Pseudouridines are the most abundant and highly conserved modified nucleotides identified in spliceosomal small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs). Most pseudouridines are also clustered in functionally important regions of spliceosomal snRNAs. Experiments carried out in several independent experimental systems show that the pseudouridines in spliceosomal snRNAs are functionally important for pre‐messenger RNA (mRNA) splicing. Experimental data also indicate that spliceosomal snRNA pseudouridylation can be catalyzed by both RNA‐dependent (box H/ACA Ribonucleoproteins) and RNA‐independent (protein‐only enzymes) mechanisms. WIREs RNA 2011 2 571–581 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.77

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > RNA Editing and Modification
Exclusion of Saccharomyces kudriavzevii from a wine model system mediated by Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Arroyo‐López F. Noé , Pérez‐Través Laura , Querol Amparo , Barrio Eladio
Published: February 2011

This study investigated the competition and potential hybrid generation between the species Saccharomyces cerevisiae and S. kudriavzevii in a wine‐model environment. Our main goal was to understand why S. kudriavzevii has not been found in wine fermentations whilst their hybrids are present. Auxotrophic mutants (Ura− and Lys−) were used to favour the selection of hybrids and to specifically differentiate the two species in mixed fermentations carried out at different temperatures (17 °C, 24 °C and 31 °C). Both yeasts showed a reduction in their maximum specific growth rates in mixed fermentations, indicating a clear antagonistic effect between the two microorganisms. Temperature played an important role in this competition. In this way, S. kudriavzevii was less affected at 17 °C, but S. cerevisiae was clearly the best competitor at 31 °C, preventing the growth of S. kudriavzevii. Population levels of S. kudriavzevii always significantly decreased in the presence of S. cerevisiae. Ethanol was measured throughout the fermentations and in all cases S. kudriavzevii growth was arrested when ethanol levels were < 5 g/l, indicating that this compound did not influence the competitive exclusion of S. kudriavzevii. Killer factors were also discarded due to the K− R− phenotype of both strains. Finally, no prototrophic interspecific hybrids were isolated in small‐scale fermentations at any temperature assayed. Our results show that the lack of competitiveness exhibited by S. kudriavzevii, especially at high temperatures, explains the absence of this species in wine fermentations, suggesting that natural S. cerevisiae × S. kudriavzevii hybrids most likely originated in wild environments rather than in industrial fermentations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.