bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome signatures of class I and III stress response deregulation in Lactobacillus plantarum reveal pleiotropic adaptation
Authors: Van Bokhorst-van de Veen Hermien , Bongers Roger S , Wels Michiel , Bron Peter A , Kleerebezem Michiel
Published: November 2013

Background

To cope with environmental challenges bacteria possess sophisticated defense mechanisms that involve stress-induced adaptive responses. The canonical stress regulators CtsR and HrcA play a central role in the adaptations to a plethora of stresses in a variety of organisms. Here, we determined the CtsR and HrcA regulons of the lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1 grown under reference (28°C) and elevated (40°C) temperatures, using ctsR, hrcA, and ctsR-hrcA deletion mutants.

Results

While the maximum specific growth rates of the mutants and the parental strain were similar at both temperatures (0.33 ± 0.02 h-1 and 0.34 ± 0.03 h-1, respectively), DNA microarray analyses revealed that the CtsR or HrcA deficient strains displayed altered transcription patterns of genes encoding functions involved in transport and binding of sugars and other compounds, primary metabolism, transcription regulation, capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis, as well as fatty acid metabolism. These transcriptional signatures enabled the refinement of the gene repertoire that is directly or indirectly controlled by CtsR and HrcA of L. plantarum. Deletion of both regulators, elicited transcriptional changes of a large variety of additional genes in a temperature-dependent manner, including genes encoding functions involved in cell-envelope remodeling. Moreover, phenotypic assays revealed that both transcription regulators contribute to regulation of resistance to hydrogen peroxide stress. The integration of these results allowed the reconstruction of CtsR and HrcA regulatory networks in L. plantarum, highlighting the significant intertwinement of class I and III stress regulons.

Conclusions

Taken together, our results enabled the refinement of the CtsR and HrcA regulatory networks in L. plantarum, illustrating the complex nature of adaptive stress responses in this bacterium.
Market Reasoning as Moral Reasoning: Why Economists Should Re-engage with Political Philosophy
Authors: Sandel Michael J
Published: November 2013

In my book What Money Can't Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets (2012), I try to show that market values and market reasoning increasingly reach into spheres of life previously governed by nonmarket norms. I argue that this tendency is troubling; putting a price on every human activity erodes certain moral and civic goods worth caring about. We therefore need a public debate about where markets serve the public good and where they don't belong. In this article, I would like to develop a related theme: When it comes to deciding whether this or that good should be allocated by the market or by nonmarket principles, economics is a poor guide. Deciding which social practices should be governed by market mechanisms requires a form of economic reasoning that is bound up with moral reasoning. But mainstream economic thinking currently asserts its independence from the contested terrain of moral and political philosophy. If economics is to help us decide where markets serve the public good and where they don't belong, it should relinquish the claim to be a value-neutral science and reconnect with its origins in moral and political philosophy.
Misleading hepatitis B testing in the setting of intravenous immunoglobulin
Authors: Ilboudo Christelle M , Guest Erin M , Ferguson Angela M , Garg Uttam , Jackson Mary Anne
Published: November 2013

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is commonly used for a wide range of diagnoses, by multiple pediatric subspecialists. We report two cases of hepatitis B screening results post IVIG infusion, where positive anti-Hepatitis B core antigen serology tests indicated possible occult hepatitis infection, leading to a delay in care. However, serial antibody testing showed results consistent with the passive transfer of antibodies.
The Performance of Polypropylene Wood–Plastic Composites with Different Rice Straw Contents Using Two Methods of Formation
Authors: He Chunxia , Hou Renluan , Xue Jiao , Zhu Dongjun
Published: November 2013

To utilize agricultural and forestry wastes and to improve environmental protection, polypropylene (PP) wood–plastic composites were prepared with rice straw powder by using two methods of formation. The effects of formation conditions and rice straw powder content on the mechanical properties, water absorption, and moisture absorption performance of the composites were studied. The tensile sections of the composites were observed by using a stereo-microscope. The results showed that the mechanical properties, water absorption, and moisture absorption performance of the composites formed by mixing compression molding were better than those obtained by layer compression molding. Mixing produced more uniform blending of PP with the fiber compared with using layers of PP with powder. With a rice straw powder content of 50 percent, composites formed by mixing compression molding had good mechanical properties, water absorption, and moisture absorption performance.
Sensitivity Analysis for Causal Inference under Unmeasured Confounding and Measurement Error Problems
Authors: Díaz Iván , van der Laan Mark J.
Published: November 2013

In this article, we present a sensitivity analysis for drawing inferences about parameters that are not estimable from observed data without additional assumptions. We present the methodology using two different examples: a causal parameter that is not identifiable due to violations of the randomization assumption, and a parameter that is not estimable in the nonparametric model due to measurement error. Existing methods for tackling these problems assume a parametric model for the type of violation to the identifiability assumption and require the development of new estimators and inference for every new model. The method we present can be used in conjunction with any existing asymptotically linear estimator of an observed data parameter that approximates the unidentifiable full data parameter and does not require the study of additional models.
Comparative cytogenetics in Astyanax (Characiformes: Characidae) with focus on the cytotaxonomy of the group
Authors: Tenório Renata Cristina Claudino de Oliveira , Vitorino Carla de Andrade , Souza Issakar Lima , Oliveira Claudio , Venere Paulo Cesar
Published: November 2013

Astyanax is a diverse group of Neotropical fishes, whose different forms occupy different environments. This great diversity is also reflected on cytogenetic aspects and molecular markers, which have repeatedly been demonstrated by cytogenetic studies. In order to characterize the karyotype of species of this genus, six species were studied: Astyanax altiparanae, A.argyrimarginatus, A. elachylepis, A. xavante, and two new species provisionally called Astyanax sp. and A. aff. bimaculatus. A detailed cytogenetic study based on conventional staining with Giemsa, AgNORs, C-banding, base-specific fluorochromes, and FISH using ribosomal genes 18S and 5S was conducted, aiming to understand some of the chromosomal mechanisms associated with the high diversification that characterizes this group and culminated with the establishment of these species. The results showed 2n = 50 chromosomes for five species and a karyotype with 52 chromosomes in Astyanax sp. Small variations in the macrostructure of the karyotypes were identified, which were quite relevant when analyzed by classical banding, fluorochromes, and FISH methods. These differences among Astyanax spp. (2n = 50) are largely due to changes in the amount and types of heterochromatic blocks. Astyanax sp (2n = 52), in addition to variations due to heterochromatic blocks, has its origin possibly by events of centric fission in a pair of chromosomes followed by minor rearrangements.These results show an interesting karyotypic diversity in Astyanax and indicate the need of a review of the group referred as A. aff. bimaculatus and the description of Astyanax sp., including the possibility of inclusion of this unit in another genus.
Application of Fuzzy Fault Tree in Risk Analysis of Collective Water Supply Systems / ZASTOSOWANIE ROZMYTYCH DRZEW NIEZDATNOŚCI W ANALIZIE RYZYKA SYSTEMÓW ZBIOROWEGO ZAOPATRZENIA W WODĘ
Authors: Boryczko Krzysztof , Tchórzewska-Cieślak Barbara
Published: November 2013

Application of the theory of using fuzzy fault trees is the first attempt to be used in collective water supply systems safety assessment in Poland. The paper presents a method of fault tree using fuzzy set theory. Fuzziness of basic logic gates used in the fault tree method is presented. The paper contains an application example of the method.
Qualitative and Quantitative Multi-Criteria Models of the Importance of the Components in Reliability Structure of a Complex Technical System / WIELOKRYTERIALNE JAKOŚCIOWO-ILOŚCIOWE MODELE WAŻNOŚCI ELEMENTÓW W STRUKTURZE NIEZAWODNOŚCIOWEJ ZŁOŻONEGO SYSTEMU TECHNICZNEGO
Authors: Chybowski Leszek
Published: November 2013

The paper presents an example of qualitative and quantitative application of a method for assessing component importance of a reliability structure in the case of a complex technical system based on the example of the subsystem of a marine power plant, that is, a lube oil system for sealing a stern tube. An example of the importance of the analysis considered in terms of not only reliability but also safety (impact of a component failure on human, machine and the environmental safety). Safety is usually analyzed in terms of quality, so the approach of trying to combine quantitative and qualitative estimation has been called a qualitative and quantitative method. A two - criteria importance of components according to the reliability criteria and safety criteria have been determined. The directions for further research have been outlined.
A Bamana Commentary on Sūrat al-Wāqiʿa (Q. 56): A Linguistic and Stylistic Analysis
Authors: Tamari Tal
Published: November 2013

Among the Manding and other long-Islamised peoples of West Africa, advanced religious instruction is based on the oral translation of Arabic books into a local language; the Qur'an may, furthermore, be interpreted in a ceremonial setting in Ramaḍān. This article discusses some of the most important linguistic, stylistic and content features of West African oral tafsīr as exemplified by a Bamana commentary collected near Segu, Mali, in 1998 (Bamana being one of the several closely related Manding languages). The Qur'anic text is parsed into meaningful segments as it is read aloud, each segment being immediately followed by its rendering in Bamana, and in some instances, also by ampler explanations in this language. Manding scholarly language is characterised both by specific syntactic structures and a specialised, technical vocabulary – constituted in part by Arabic loanwords and a set of key technical terms drawn from and shared by several African languages, but primarily of words created from Manding roots through compounding and/or derivation, or through attribution of specialised meanings to existing terms. The Bamana discourse transcribed and translated here is remarkable for its style, which draws on several of the rhetorical resources of this language, including culturally meaningful images, onomatopoeia and a high incidence of derived terms. Its substantive content is largely based on the Tafsīr al-Jalālayn and its meta-commentary by Aḥmad al-Ṣāwī (d. 1825).
A Theory for Enterprise Coherence Governance
Authors: Wagter Roel , Proper Henderik A. , Witte Dirk
Published: November 2013

In this chapter, the authors pose a theory for the governance of enterprise coherence. The proposed theory consists of three key ingredients: an Enterprise Coherence-governance Assessment (ECA), an Enterprise Coherence Framework (ECF), and an Enterprise Coherence Governance (ECG) approach. The ECA provides an explicit indication of the degree at which an organisation governs its coherence, while also providing a base to achieve a shared understanding of the level of coherence, and actions needed to improve it. The ECF is a practice-based framework that enables enterprises to make the coherence between key aspects, such as business, finance, culture, IT, etc. explicit. The ECG approach offers the instruments to guard/improve the level of coherence in enterprises during transformations. An important trigger to develop this new theory was the observation that many transformation projects fail. These failures even included projects that used an explicit enterprise architecture to steer the transformation. The theory was developed as part of the GEA (General Enterprise Architecting) research programme, involving twenty client organizations. Based on a survey of the possible causes for the project failures, the requirements for the research programme are identified. In developing the theory on enterprise coherence, the following hypothesis is used as a starting point: the overall performance of an enterprise is positively influenced by a strong coherence among the key aspects of the enterprise, including business processes, organizational culture, product portfolio, human resources, information systems, IT support, etc. The research programme uses a combination of design science-based iterations and case study-based research to develop and iterate the theory for enterprise coherence governance. In this chapter, the authors also discuss one of the conducted (real world) case studies, showing the application of the enterprise coherence theory.
Dimension of aircraft exhaust plumes at cruise conditions: effect of wake vortices
Authors: Unterstrasser S. , Paoli R. , Sölch I. , Kühnlein C. , Gerz T.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. The dispersion of aircraft emissions during the vortex phase is studied, for the first time using a 3-D LES model with Lagrangian particle tracking. The simulations start with a fully rolled-up vortex pair of a type B747/A340 airplane and the tracer centred around the vortex cores. The tracer dilution and plume extent is studied for a variety of ambient and aircraft parameters until aircraft-induced effects have deceased. For typical upper tropospheric conditions, the impact of stratification is more dominant compared to turbulence intensity or vertical wind shear. Moreover, the sensitivity to the initial tracer distribution was found to be weak. Along the transversal direction the tracer concentrations can be well approximated by a Gaussian distribution, along the vertical a superposition of three Gaussian distributions is adequate. For the studied parameter range the vertical plume expansion ranges from 400 m to 550 m and cross-sectional area from 4.0×104 m2 to 6.0×104 m2 after six minutes. For validation, selected simulations were compared to an alternative LES model and to in-situ NO-measurements.
HCl and ClO profiles inside the Antarctic vortex as observed by SMILES in November 2009: comparisons with MLS and ACE-FTS instruments
Authors: Sugita T. , Kasai Y. , Terao Y. , Hayashida S. , Manney G. L. , Daffer W. H. , Sagawa H. , Suzuki M. , Shiotani M. , Walker K. A. , Boone C. D. , Bernath P. F.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. We present vertical profiles of hydrogen chloride (HCl) and chlorine monoxide (ClO) as observed by the Superconducting Submillimeter-Wave Limb-Emission Sounder (SMILES) on the International Space Station (ISS) inside the Antarctic vortex on 19–24 November 2009. The SMILES HCl value reveals 2.8–3.1 ppbv between 450 K and 500 K levels in potential temperature (PT). The high value of HCl is highlighted since it is suggested that HCl is a main component of the total inorganic chlorine (Cly), defined as Cly ≃ HCl + ClO + chlorine nitrate (ClONO2), inside the Antarctic vortex in spring, owing to low ozone values. To confirm the quality of two SMILES level 2 (L2) data products provided by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), vis-à-vis the partitioning of Cly, comparisons are made using other satellite data from the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) and Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS). HCl values from the SMILES NICT L2 product agree to within 10% (0.3 ppbv) with the MLS HCl data between 450 and 575 K levels in PT and with the ACE-FTS HCl data between 425 and 575 K. The SMILES JAXA L2 product is 10 to 20% (0.2–0.5 ppbv) lower than that from MLS between 400 and 700 K and from ACE-FTS between 500 and 700 K. For ClO in daytime, the difference between SMILES (JAXA and NICT) and MLS is less than ±0.05 ppbv (100 %) between 500 K and 650 K with the ClO values less than 0.2 ppbv. ClONO2 values as measured by ACE-FTS also reveal 0.2 ppbv at 475–500 K level, resulting in the HCl / Cly ratios of 0.91–0.95. The HCl / Cly ratios derived from each retrieval agree to within −5 to 8 % with regard to their averages. The high HCl values and HCl / Cly ratios observed by the three instruments in the lower stratospheric Antarctic vortex are consistent with previous observations in late Austral spring.
Reconstruction of geomagnetic activity and near-Earth interplanetary conditions over the past 167 yr – Part 1: A new geomagnetic data composite
Authors: Lockwood M. , Barnard L. , Nevanlinna H. , Owens M. J. , Harrison R. G. , Rouillard A. P. , Davis C. J.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. We present a new composite of geomagnetic activity which is designed to be as homogeneous in its construction as possible. This is done by only combining data that, by virtue of the locations of the source observatories used, have similar responses to solar wind and IMF (interplanetary magnetic field) variations. This will enable us (in Part 2, Lockwood et al., 2013a) to use the new index to reconstruct the interplanetary magnetic field, B, back to 1846 with a full analysis of errors. Allowance is made for the effects of secular change in the geomagnetic field. The composite uses interdiurnal variation data from Helsinki for 1845–1890 (inclusive) and 1893–1896 and from Eskdalemuir from 1911 to the present. The gaps are filled using data from the Potsdam (1891–1892 and 1897–1907) and the nearby Seddin observatories (1908–1910) and intercalibration achieved using the Potsdam–Seddin sequence. The new index is termed IDV(1d) because it employs many of the principles of the IDV index derived by Svalgaard and Cliver (2010), inspired by the u index of Bartels (1932); however, we revert to using one-day (1d) means, as employed by Bartels, because the use of near-midnight values in IDV introduces contamination by the substorm current wedge auroral electrojet, giving noise and a dependence on solar wind speed that varies with latitude. The composite is compared with independent, early data from European-sector stations, Greenwich, St Petersburg, Parc St Maur, and Ekaterinburg, as well as the composite u index, compiled from 2–6 stations by Bartels, and the IDV index of Svalgaard and Cliver. Agreement is found to be extremely good in all cases, except two. Firstly, the Greenwich data are shown to have gradually degraded in quality until new instrumentation was installed in 1915. Secondly, we infer that the Bartels u index is increasingly unreliable before about 1886 and overestimates the solar cycle amplitude between 1872 and 1883 and this is amplified in the proxy data used before 1872. This is therefore also true of the IDV index which makes direct use of the u index values.
Sudden cold temperature regulates the time-lag between plant CO2 uptake and release
Authors: Barthel M. , Cieraad E. , Zakharova A. , Hunt J. E.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Since substrates for respiration are supplied mainly by recent photo-assimilates, there is a strong but time-lagged link between short-term above- and belowground carbon (C) cycling. However, regulation of this coupling by environmental variables is poorly understood. Whereas recent studies focussed on the effect of drought and shading on the link between above and belowground short-term C cycling, the effect of temperature remains unclear. We used a 13CO2 pulse-chase labelling experiment to investigate the effect of a sudden temperature change from 25 °C to 10 °C on the short-term coupling between assimilatory C uptake and respiratory loss. The study was done in the laboratory using two month old perennial rye-grass plants (
Když je kurikulární reforma evidence-less
Authors: Štech S.
Published: November 2013

Cílem studie je analyzovat „příběh“ kurikulární reformy, jak byl (je) podáván oficiální školskou decizí i řadou představitelů pedagogického výzkumu, a konfrontovat ho s výsledky pedagogicko-psychologických výzkumů vyučování a učení. V první části dokazuje, že potíže s formalismem její implementace a obecně její odmítnutí většinou učitelů netkví ve špatné komunikaci cílů reformy a v nedostatečné odborné pomoci učitelům při její implementaci. V druhé části dokládá, že v pozadí reformy je starý pedagogický spor – opírající se o pedagogické a psychologické teorie učení – mezi důrazem na procesy myšlení a důrazem na učivo. V další části dokazuje, že symbolem a jádrem reformy je pojem kompetence, který je špatnou odpovědí na skutečný problém. Tato odpověď není podložená psychologickým výzkumem, dokonce je s jeho výsledky v rozporu. V poslední části uvádí některé z nich; týkají se hlavně reformní preference řešení problémů, zejména blízkých životu, jako metody vyučování. Tato preference je v rozporu s poznatky o vztahu pracovní a dlouhodobé paměti a teorie kognitivní zátěže. Dále představuje výzkumy tzv. průřezových kompetencí ukazující na riziko ignorování vazby na konkrétní předmět poznání. A konečně kriticky nahlíží na (dlouhodobý) transfer jako kriterium efektivnosti učení. Hlavní příčinu selhání kurikulární reformy tedy na závěr vidí ve výzkumy nepodložených východiscích (a tedy v jejím ideologickém zadání), v ignorování výsledků psychologických a didaktických výzkumů učení a také hlasů zahraničních výzkumníků, kteří v průběhu předešlé dekády kritizovali logiku a klíčové koncepty (rámce, kompetence) univerzálně prosazovaného typu kurikulární reformy.
Comunicação alternativa para alunos com Autismo no ensino regular
Authors: Walter Cátia Crivelenti de Figueiredo , Nunes Leila Regina D'Oliveira de Paula
Published: November 2013

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1984686X9689O presente artigo descreve uma das etapas de um projeto de Comunicação Alternativa para alunos com autismo no contexto escolar na rede municipal de ensino do Rio de Janeiro. Tem como objetivos relatar e discutir as necessidades e os desejos dos professores que atuam nas salas de recursos oferecendo o AEE – Atendimento Educacional Especializado, e que participam do processo de inclusão de alunos com autismo. Os professores receberam um curso de formação teórico-prático sobre o emprego do PECS-Adaptado, um sistema de Comunicação Alternativa que funciona por intercâmbio de figuras e que é especialmente destinado a tal alunado. Os participantes foram questionados ao final do curso sobre suas necessidades e seus anseios relativos à utilização desse recurso em sala de aula na escola regular. Os resultados mostraram que a maioria dos professores apresenta intenção de se comunicar melhor com seus alunos, expressando, contudo, necessidade de suporte de professores especializados e participação ativa de todos os envolvidos no processo de inclusão. Consideraram ainda que a Comunicação Alternativa deve ser introduzida inicialmente na sala de atendimento especializado e, posteriormente, na sala de aula regular.
Inclusion of children with autism spectrum disorders through shared peer activity
Authors: Tetzchner Stephen Von , Grindheim Elisabeth
Published: November 2013

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1984686X9830Inclusão pode ser definida como desempenhar um papel pleno e ativo no contexto regular da escola ou da pré-escola. Há razões profissionais, política e ética para lutar pela inclusão e existem diferentes abordagens que versam sobre como a educação inclusiva e o treinamento de crianças com transtornos do espectro do autismo (TEA) devam ser organizados. Os casos ilustrados no presente trabalho fundamentam-se em uma combinação de abordagens incluindo o construtivismo social, a cognição de eventos e a psicologia ecológica. As características de crianças com TEA variam amplamente e a intervenção deve ter como base o conhecimento sobre desenvolvimento, aprendizagem e o autismo em geral, assim como informações sobre a criança e seu ambiente proximal ou ecológico. Muitas crianças com TEA precisam de educação individualizada, mas a participação em atividades e eventos dirigidos pela criança é um elemento essencial da verdadeira inclusão. Os casos ilustram os princípios de como isso pode ser alcançado.
Effects of Ischemic Preconditioning of Different Intraoperative Ischemic Times of Vascularized Bone Graft Rabbit Models
Authors: Halim Ahmad Sukari , Wan Ahmad Kamal Wan Syazli Rodzaia , Noor Norizal Mohd , Abdullah Shafie
Published: November 2013

Background Ischemic preconditioning has been shown to improve the outcomes of hypoxic tolerance of the heart, brain, lung, liver, jejunum, skin, and muscle tissues. However, to date, no report of ischemic preconditioning on vascularized bone grafts has been published.

Methods Sixteen rabbits were divided into four groups with ischemic times of 2, 6, 14, and 18 hours. Half of the rabbits in each group underwent ischemic preconditioning. The osteomyocutaneous flaps consisted of the tibia bone, from which the overlying muscle and skin were raised. The technique of ischemic preconditioning involved applying a vascular clamp to the pedicle for 3 cycles of 10 minutes each. The rabbits then underwent serial plain radiography and computed tomography imaging on the first, second, fourth, and sixth postoperative weeks. Following this, all of the rabbits were sacrificed and histological examinations were performed.

Results The results showed that for clinical analysis of the skin flaps and bone grafts, the preconditioned groups showed better survivability. In the plain radiographs, except for two non-preconditioned rabbits with intraoperative ischemic times of 6 hours, all began to show early callus formation at the fourth week. The computed tomography findings showed more callus formation in the preconditioned groups for all of the ischemic times except for the 18-hour group. The histological findings correlated with the radiological findings. There was no statistical significance in the difference between the two groups.

Conclusions In conclusion, ischemic preconditioning improved the survivability of skin flaps and increased callus formation during the healing process of vascularized bone grafts.
Integrating DNA methylation dynamics into a framework for understanding epigenetic codes
Authors: Szulwach Keith E. , Jin Peng
Published: November 2013

Genomic function is dictated by a combination of DNA sequence and the molecular mechanisms controlling access to genetic information. Access to DNA can be determined by the interpretation of covalent modifications that influence the packaging of DNA into chromatin, including DNA methylation and histone modifications. These modifications are believed to be forms of “epigenetic codes” that exist in discernable combinations that reflect cellular phenotype. Although DNA methylation is known to play important roles in gene regulation and genomic function, its contribution to the encoding of epigenetic information is just beginning to emerge. Here we discuss paradigms associated with the various components of DNA methylation/demethylation and recent advances in the understanding of its dynamic regulation in the genome, integrating these mechanisms into a framework to explain how DNA methylation could contribute to epigenetic codes.
Using semiparametric‐mixed model and functional linear model to detect vulnerable prenatal window to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on fetal growth
Authors: Wang Lu , Choi Hyunok
Published: November 2013

Prenatal exposure to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c‐PAHs) through maternal inhalation induces higher risk for a wide range of fetotoxic effects. However, the most health‐relevant dose function from chronic gestational exposure remains unclear. Whether there is a gestational window during which the human embryo/fetus is particularly vulnerable to PAHs has not been examined thoroughly. We consider a longitudinal semiparametric‐mixed effect model to characterize the individual prenatal PAH exposure trajectory, where a nonparametric cyclic smooth function plus a linear function are used to model the time effect and random effects are used to account for the within‐subject correlation. We propose a penalized least squares approach to estimate the parametric regression coefficients and the nonparametric function of time. The smoothing parameter and variance components are selected using the generalized cross‐validation (GCV) criteria. The estimated subject‐specific trajectory of prenatal exposure is linked to the birth outcomes through a set of functional linear models, where the coefficient of log PAH exposure is a fully nonparametric function of gestational age. This allows the effect of PAH exposure on each birth outcome to vary at different gestational ages, and the window associated with significant adverse effect is identified as a vulnerable prenatal window to PAHs on fetal growth. We minimize the penalized sum of squared errors using a spline‐based expansion of the nonparametric coefficient function to draw statistical inferences, and the smoothing parameter is chosen through GCV.
Partial order methodology: a valuable tool in chemometrics
Authors: Carlsen L. , Bruggemann R.
Published: November 2013

Often from multi‐indicator system (MIS), a composite indicator is derived by applying weighted sums of the single indicators. The eventual ranking being based on composite indicator yields a total (linear) ranking. In contrast, partial order ranking constitutes an alternative approach where assumptions about linearity or distribution of the indicators are not needed and indicators are in general used without quantification of mutual preferences. The present paper describes analyses of MIS based on a series of partial order techniques as offered by the PyHasse software. The paper describes how important information on an MIS can be obtained without lengthy and often controversial and possible subjective discussions about indicator weights and thus avoiding both covering up valuable information contained in the single indicators as well as unwanted compensation effects. The application of partial order for obtaining chemometric information is illustrated by a study of 12 chloro‐organic pesticides. All calculation has been carried out applying the experimental software PyHasse. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design Strategies for Reduced‐scale Surface Composition Gradients via CVD Copolymerization
Authors: Elkasabi Yaseen , Ross Aftin M. , Oh Jonathan , Hoepfner Michael P. , Fogler H. Scott , Lahann Joerg , Krebsbach Paul H.
Published: November 2013

A new method for generating and modeling reduced‐scale copolymer gradients by CVD is reported. By exploiting diffusion through confined channels, functionalized [2.2]paracyclophanes are copolymerized into their poly(p‐xylylene) (PPX) analogues as a composition gradient. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) are used to verify the gradient composition profiles. Gradients are deposited on both flat substrates and 3‐dimensional cylinders. Both the thickness and compositional profiles are fitted to a diffusion‐based model using realistic physical parameters. The derived equation can be generalized and optimized for any copolymerization gradient through a confined geometry, thus allowing for broad applicability to other copolymer systems.
Persistent body image disturbance following recovery from eating disorders
Authors: Eshkevari Ertimiss , Rieger Elizabeth , Longo Matthew R. , Haggard Patrick , Treasure Janet
Published: November 2013

Objective

Individuals with an eating disorder experience the rubber hand illusion (RHI) significantly more strongly than healthy controls on both perceptual (proprioceptive drift) and subjective (self‐report embodiment questionnaire) measures. This heightened sensitivity to visual information about the body, and/or reduced somatosensory information processing about the body, suggest an increased malleability of the bodily self. The aim of the present study was to explore whether this is a state phenomenon or a persisting individual trait that outlasts the period of acute eating disorder.

Method

The RHI and self‐report measures of eating disorder psychopathology (EDI‐3 subscales of Drive for Thinness, Bulimia, Body Dissatisfaction, Interoceptive Deficits, and Emotional Dysregulation; DASS‐21; and the Self‐Objectification Questionnaire) were administered to 78 individuals with an eating disorder, 28 individuals recovered from an eating disorder, and 61 healthy controls.

Results

Proprioceptive drift in recovered individuals was intermediate between the acutely ill and HC groups. Subjective report of the strength of the illusion in recovered individuals was similar to acutely ill individuals.

Discussion

These results suggest that increased malleability of the bodily self persists, at least partially, following recovery and may be a trait phenomenon in people with eating disorders. Those with a lifetime history of an eating disorder may have heightened sensitivity to visual information about the body and reduced somatosensory information processing of the body. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2014; 47:400–409)
Climate change and fire effects on a prairie–woodland ecotone: projecting species range shifts with a dynamic global vegetation model
Authors: King David A. , Bachelet Dominique M. , Symstad Amy J.
Published: November 2013

Large shifts in species ranges have been predicted under future climate scenarios based primarily on niche‐based species distribution models. However, the mechanisms that would cause such shifts are uncertain. Natural and anthropogenic fires have shaped the distributions of many plant species, but their effects have seldom been included in future projections of species ranges. Here, we examine how the combination of climate and fire influence historical and future distributions of the ponderosa pine–prairie ecotone at the edge of the Black Hills in South Dakota,USA, as simulated byMC1, a dynamic global vegetation model that includes the effects of fire, climate, and atmosphericCO2concentration on vegetation dynamics. For this purpose, we parameterizedMC1 for ponderosa pine in the Black Hills, designating the revised model asMC1‐WCNP. Results show that fire frequency, as affected by humidity and temperature, is central to the simulation of historical prairies in the warmer lowlands versus woodlands in the cooler, moister highlands. Based on three downscaled general circulation model climate projections for the 21st century, we simulate greater frequencies of natural fire throughout the area due to substantial warming and, for two of the climate projections, lower relative humidity. However, established ponderosa pine forests are relatively fire resistant, and areas that were initially wooded remained so over the 21st century for most of our future climate x fire management scenarios. This result contrasts with projections for ponderosa pine based on climatic niches, which suggest that its suitable habitat in the Black Hills will be greatly diminished by the middle of the 21st century. We hypothesize that the differences between the future predictions from these two approaches are due in part to the inclusion of fire effects inMC1, and we highlight the importance of accounting for fire as managed by humans in assessing both historical species distributions and future climate change effects.
Regulated IRE1‐dependent decay participates in curtailing immunoglobulin secretion from plasma cells
Authors: Benhamron Sandrine , Hadar Rivka , Iwawaky Takao , So Jae‐Seon , Lee Ann‐Hwee , Tirosh Boaz
Published: November 2013

Inositol‐requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) is a kinase and ribonuclease that executes the splicing of X box binding protein 1 (XBP‐1) mRNA in response to the accumulation of unfolded protein in the ER, a signal cascade termed the unfolded protein response. Recently, IRE1 has been implicated in mRNA and miRNA cleavage and degradation, a pathway termed regulated IRE1‐dependent decay (RIDD). Deletion of XBP‐1 in the liver and pancreas strongly enhances RIDD by upregulating IRE1 protein levels and enhancing its ribo‐nuclease activity. Because XBP‐1 is essential for generating plasma cells with developed secretory capacity, we sought to evaluate the contribution of RIDD to this regulation. Mice were conditionally deleted for XBP‐1 and/or IRE1 in their B‐cell lineage. Similarly to the liver, deletion of XBP‐1 induces IRE1 expression in LPS‐treated B cells. In vitro, IRE1 cleaves the mRNA of secretory μ chains, which explains the reduction in secretory μ mRNA and its synthesis in XBP‐1 KO plasma cells. In accordance, the IgM response is partially restored in XBP‐1/IRE1 double KO mice relative to XBP‐1 KO mice. Interestingly, the IgG1 response is reduced to a similar level in XBP‐1 KO, IRE1 KO, and their double knockout animals. Our data demonstrate a specific contribution by RIDD in curtailing immunoglobulin synthesis and secretion.
Lactoferrin Stimulates Osteoblast Differentiation Through PKA and p38 Pathways Independent of Lactoferrin's Receptor LRP1
Authors: Zhang Wei , Guo Huiyuan , Jing Hao , Li Yixuan , Wang Xiaoyu , Zhang Hao , Jiang Lu , Ren Fazheng
Published: November 2013

Lactoferrin (LF) has been established as a potent anabolic factor for bone health both in vivo and in vitro. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying LF's action are still largely unknown. Here, we explore the signaling pathways that mediate LF's beneficial effect on osteoblast differentiation. In primary osteoblast and preosteoblast MC3T3-E1, LF promoted alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteocalcin (OCN) secretion, and mineralization. Along with this enhanced osteogenic differentiation, activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was detected in LF-treated MC3T3-E1 cells. Downregulating p38 with selective inhibitor SB203580 or p38α small interfering RNA (siRNA) attenuated the effect of LF on osteogenesis. Furthermore, knockdown of p38α significantly decreased LF-induced Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) phosphorylation. According to previous studies and our results, we speculated that LF-induced osteoblast proliferation and differentiation were two relatively separate processes controlled by extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 pathways, respectively. Besides p38 MAPK activation, protein kinase A (PKA) was also activated in MC3T3-E1 cells. PKA inhibitor H89 significantly inhibited LF-induced p38 activation, ALP activity, and OCN secretion, indicating that PKA possibly acted as an upstream kinase of p38. In order to further identify the role of LF's receptor low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1), we constructed LRP1 stable-knockdown MC3T3-E1 cells. Neither LRP1 antagonist receptor associated protein (RAP), nor LRP1 knockdown approach could attenuate the LF-induced osteogenesis, implying that LF stimulated osteoblast differentiation via an LRP1-independent pathway. Taken together, the present work indicated that LF stimulated MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast differentiation mainly through LRP1-independent PKA and p38 signaling pathways. These results provided the first evidence of the signaling mechanisms of LF's effect on osteoblast differentiation. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
A fast singly diagonally implicit runge–kutta method for solving 1D unsteady convection‐diffusion equations
Authors: Piao Xiangfan , Choi Hyun‐Jung , Kim Sang Dong , Kim Philsu
Published: November 2013

In this article, a fast singly diagonally implicit Runge–Kutta method is designed to solve unsteady one‐dimensional convection diffusion equations. We use a three point compact finite difference approximation for the spatial discretization and also a three‐stage singly diagonally implicit Runge–Kutta (RK) method for the temporal discretization. In particular, a formulation evaluating the boundary values assigned to the internal stages for the RK method is derived so that a phenomenon of the order of the reduction for the convergence does not occur. The proposed scheme not only has fourth‐order accuracy in both space and time variables but also is computationally efficient, requiring only a linear matrix solver for a tridiagonal matrix system. It is also shown that the proposed scheme is unconditionally stable and suitable for stiff problems. Several numerical examples are solved by the new scheme and the numerical efficiency and superiority of it are compared with the numerical results obtained by other methods in the literature. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 30: 788–812, 2014
A new approximate model of nonlinearly elastic flexural shell and its numerical computation
Authors: Shen Xiaoqin , Li Kaitai , Li Can
Published: November 2013

In this article, we construct a two‐dimensional model for the nonlinearly elastic flexural shell using differential geometry and tensor analysis under the assumption that flexural energy is dominant, that is, the metric of middle surface remains invariant. We conduct a numerical experiment for special shell—a portion of cylinder shell, which is applied to the forces along the opposite direction of the normal vector. The displacements distribution of all points in the middle surface when the shell deforms is obtained. Numerical experiment results are consistent with the theory, which proves the validity of the proposed model. We then compare the proposed model and Ciarlet's model with 3D model, which proves that the proposed model is more approximate to 3D model than Ciarlet's. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 30: 1727–1739, 2014
Synthesis and optoelectronic properties of conjugated polymers based on a dithienobenzimidazole unit in the main chain
Authors: Takagi Koji , Sakaida Masanori , Kusafuka Kazuma , Miwa Takuya
Published: November 2013

Three conjugated polymers with the dithienobenzimidazole (DTBIm) unit (P1, P3, and P4) and one conjugated polymer with the dithienobenzoxazole unit (P2) were synthesized by the cross‐coupling polymerization. The absorption maxima showed a red‐shift in the order of P3 (406 nm), P2 (426 nm), P1 (438 nm), and P4 (450 nm), which was studied in detail using the frontier molecular orbital calculation of the model compounds. The energy levels of the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of the DTBIm unit‐containing conjugated polymers were estimated by the cyclic voltammetry. The transformation from DTBIm (P4) to dithienobenzimidazolium (P4') was also carried out to shift the absorption maxima of P4' (454 nm) by promoting the intramolecular charge transfer between the DTBIm and thiophene units. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 401–409
Recombination processes in Te‐doped ZnO microstructures
Authors: Iribarren A. , Fernández P. , Piqueras J.
Published: November 2013

Cathodoluminescence (CL) of Te doped elongated ZnO microstructures obtained by a vapour–solid (V–S) technique has been investigated. The CL intensity changes along the microstructures axis are related to the gradient of Te content, which influences the intensity of the ZnO deep‐level (DL) emission band. The main defects are vacancy complexes which are partially passivated by the isoelectronic Te doping. The weight on the total luminescence of the radiative processes related to defects has been estimated. A straightforward method based on the measurement of the band‐to‐band luminescence intensity under constant excitation and experimental conditions has been used. The recombination lifetimes for transition through defect levels were also estimated.

SEM image and cathodoluminescence emission of needle‐ and pencil‐like TeO2‐doped ZnO microstructures.
Enhancement of near IR sensitivity of silicon‐silicide based photodetectors
Authors: Goroshko Dmitry , Chusovitin Evgeniy , Shevlyagin Alexander , Bozhenko Mikhail , Batalov Raphael , Bayazitov Rustem , Galkin Nikolay
Published: November 2013

Investigation of photo‐emf spectra of heterostructures with embedded chromium and iron disilicide nanoparticles in the monocrystalline silicon substrates was carried out. Formation of the samples was performed using two different methods: ion‐beam synthesis (IBS) and molecular‐beam epitaxy (MBE). The samples contain a precipitates of CrSi2 and β‐FeSi2 obtained after annealing by pulsed ion‐beam treatment of ion‐beam synthesis. In the molecular‐beam deposited samples there were two bilayers of chromium and iron disilicide or eight layers of β‐FeSi2 in the form of nanocrystallites. It was shown, that MBE heterostructure with Cr and Fe shows 3 times higher photoresponse at the energy 0.85 eV compared to reference diode at room temperature. The highest impact at 130 K in the photoresponse signal (about three orders) was achieved in the eight‐period β‐FeSi2MBE sample. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Synthesis and Performance of a Multi‐Purpose Gemini Precursor and the Derivative Alkylaryl Sulfonate Gemini Surfactants
Authors: He Zhi‐qiang , Zhu Zong‐li , Fang Yun , Zeng Zhi‐qiang , Sun Shou‐shuang
Published: November 2013

The phenol–formaldehyde condensation reaction to synthesize a gemini precursor was renewed by using high efficient and environmentally benign resin catalysts instead of protonic acids, and the conversion, yield and selectivity of the reaction were all upgraded from the 60 % by the traditional way to over 90 % by the new way. Three alkylaryl sulfonate gemini surfactants were derived from the above gemini precursor by O‐methylation, sulfonation and neutralization, that is, sodium salt of sulfonated bis(2‐hydroxy‐5‐nonylphenyl)methane (SBHNM), sodium salt of sulfonated bis(2‐hydroxy‐5‐dodecylphenyl)methane (SBHDM) and sodium salt of sulfonated bis(2‐methoxy‐5‐nonylphenyl)methane (SBMNM). And their performances in aqueous solution were further investigated. The results show that the three gemini surfactants exhibit higher effectiveness and efficiency in surface tension reduction than a monomeric reference surfactant sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS). Furthermore their critical micelle concentration values are at least one order of magnitude lower than that of SDBS. It is also shown that O‐methylation of the hydroxyl group in the gemini precursor is effective at improving the surface activity of the gemini surfactants, such as efficiency in surface tension reduction, foam stability and calcium stability. It is suggested that the synthesized hydrophobic skeleton could be a multi‐purpose gemini precursor from which various gemini surfactants could be derived by further hydrophobic or hydrophilic modification.