bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Harnessing Brassinosteroids for Heat Resilience in Wheat: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Margay Adil Rahim , Ashraf Suhail , Fatimah Nusrat , Jabeen Saliah Gul , Showkat Mansoor , Krishna Nayana R U  , Gani Aadil , Dilip Sampatirao , Basu Sudhakar reddy , Aruna Boddu
Published: June 2024

This comprehensive review focused on understanding the critical interplay between Brassinosteroids (BRs), a class of plant hormones, and the high-temperature stress response in wheat (Triticum aestivum) in the context of climate change. In 2022-23, heat stress caused by a spike in temperatures in mid-March 2022 reduced India's wheat crop yields by 10-15%. This lowered the country's forecasted wheat production from 110 million metric tons (MMT) to 99 MMT for the 2022/23 market year (April-March) (USDA, 2023). The adverse effects of climate change and abiotic stresses on agriculture and crop productivity are well-established, with rising temperatures identified as a significant factor in the decline of plant growth and yield. In light of this, this review aims to delve into the intricate relationship between BRs and wheat's response to high-temperature stress. Given that global mean surface temperatures have already increased and are projected to continue rising throughout the 21st century, it is imperative to explore innovative strategies to mitigate the detrimental impacts on crop productivity. To this end, the study seeks to enhance our understanding of how BRs influence the growth and yield of wheat when exposed to high-temperature stress conditions. The overarching goal is to develop effective strategies that can bolster the resilience and productivity of wheat, which is a cornerstone staple crop worldwide, facing the escalating challenge of climate change. This review builds on the existing body of knowledge, synthesizing current research findings and shedding light on the potential of BRs as a key player in ameliorating the consequences of climate change in agriculture.
Influence of Different Planting Dates on the Survival and Growth Parameters of Different Cultivar of Ber (Zizyphus mauritiana)
Authors: Shubham . , Singh Devi , Wesley C. Jhon , Meena Pooja Kakarwal
Published: June 2024

The present investigation was conducted in Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences Prayagraj during February 2023 to August 2023. A field experiment was conduct with 3 varieties viz. V1 (Apple ber), V2 (Kashmiri ber), V3 (Miss India) planted at different dates viz. 15th February, 1st March, 15th March. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 3 replications and 9 treatments. The result indicated that maximum plant height was recorded in (V2) kashmiri (65.73cm) planted on 1st march. The miss india variety (V3) has be planted on 15 february have highest no. of leaves (124.50), highest no. of bud break (27.67), maximum no. of branches (12.83) maximum plant spread East-West (30.08 cm) North-South (32.20cm) and highest survival percentage (88.89%). Apple ber (V1) planted on 1st march having highest leaf area (18.50cm), highest leaf area index (0.037) and highest chlorophyll content (35.67). From the present study it can be concluded that 15th february are most suitable date for transplanting and miss india (V3) variety is shown significantly superior performance in relation to growth and survival in prayagraj agro-climatic condition.
Impact of Combining Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors with Chemotherapy in the Management of Advanced Serous Endometrial Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Traoré Hamadoun , Kouanga Andy J , Elm’hadi Choukri , Omar Ait Sahel , Tanz Rachid , Errihani Hassan
Published: June 2024

Chemo-immunotherapy is a relatively recent approach to the treatment of advanced or relapsed endometrial cancer. The aim of these therapies is to remove immune suppression, enabling the immune system to better recognise and destroy cancer cells. We report a clinical case of stage 4 endometrial cancer in a 69-year-old patient with several commorbidities in whom we obtained a complete response after four cycles of paclitaxel+carboplatin combined with pembrolizumab followed by maintenance immunotherapy. Immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy is a relatively recent approach to the treatment of advanced or relapsed endometrial cancer. This case report demonstrates the importance of adding immunotherapy to chemotherapy in the management of advanced endometrial cancer.
Communication Barriers Encountered by Anesthesiologists in a Multilingual Environment: The Nigerian Case Study
Authors: Nwangene Nkiruka Lauretta
Published: June 2024

Effective communication is essential for patient safety and successful outcomes of surgical procedures. Informed by the need for quality improvement in patient-anesthesiologist interrelations in a multilingual environment, this study dissects the barriers to effective communication, which confront anesthesiologists in the multilingual environment, as in Nigeria. The study proposes language-based techniques as the panacea for linguistic diversity, solecism, complex medical diction, and cultural and other barriers. The proposal is rooted in the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework. It concludes that where barriers to effective communication are duly addressed, improved patient-anesthesiologist communication, ethical professionalism, efficient performance and timely quality service delivery would obtain.
Effect of Bio Fertilizers and Micro Nutrients on Growth and Yield of Black Gram (Vigna mungo L.)
Authors: Hepsibha Munigala. , Singh Shikha , Vineetha S. Bala , Christina B. Bharathi
Published: June 2024

The field experiment was conducted during ZAID season, 2023 at Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. In the present study, effect of bio fertilizers and micro nutrients on growth and yield of black gram. The treatments consist of three levels of bio fertilizers i.e, AMF – 25 g/kg seeds, Pseudomonas - 10 g/kg seed, Rhizobium – 20g/ kg seeds along with three different micro nutrients i.e, Zinc - 0.5 %, Iron - 0.5%  and Molybdenum - 0.4%. There are 10 treatments each replicated thrice. The soil of experimental plot was sandy loam in texture, nearly neutral in soil reaction (pH 6.9), available in medium nitrogen (138.700 kg/ha) medium phosphorus (17.5 kg/ha) and medium potassium (157.9 kg/ha). Results revealed that maximum plant height (44.40cm), plant dry weight (9.53 g/plant), number of nodules/ plant (27.20), no of branches (18.43), number of pods (10.07), number of seeds/pod (9.67), test weight (39 g), grain yield (1213.33 kg/ha), stover yield (2233.33kg/ha) was recorded in T8 (Rhizobium – 20g/kg seed + Iron - 0.5 %). Maximum gross return (INR 63,350.00), net return (INR 41,900.00) and B:C ratio (1.95) which was significantly superior over other treatment (Rhizobium – 20g/kg seed + Iron - 0.5 %). It is concluded that the application of Rhizobium -20g/kg seed along with foliar spray Iron-0.5% (T8 ) produce higher yield and benefit cost ratio in Black gram.
Live Thrifting on Instagram for Full-Time Working Fathers
Authors: Herlambang Clara Agnesia
Published: June 2024

Aims: This study seeks to investigate the motivations behind the engagement of employed fathers in full-time positions with live thrifting content on Instagram.
Study Design: The research adopted a constructivist methodology, applying the Uses and Gratification Theory to analyze how full-time working fathers satisfy their needs and desires through engaging with live thrifting content on Instagram.
Place and Duration of Study: The research took place in Tangerang, Indonesia, spanning from October 2023 to May 2024.
Methodology: This research utilized phenomenology, involving interviews with four participants who are full-time employed fathers residing in Tangerang. These individuals typically work outside their homes for 8-12 hours daily, have at least one child, earn at least the Tangerang minimum wage (UMR), and regularly spend a minimum of 2 hours per day engaging with live thrifting content on Instagram.
Results: Within the realm of technological progress, live thrift shopping via Instagram provides an avenue for full-time employed fathers to temporarily break away from the fatigue of their jobs. Engaging in live thrift sessions offers them amusement and pleasure, often causing them to lose track of time. This phenomenon resonates with the Uses and Gratification Theory, suggesting that media consumption is guided by individuals' self-defined needs and objectives.
Conclusion: Live thrifting on Instagram has become a method for full-time working fathers to preserve their mental well-being amid the stresses and demands of life. They view live thrifting not as a detriment but as a source of entertainment and fulfillment.
A Review on Challenges and Impact of Green Chemistry on Environment
Authors: Kadam Swamini Sandesh , Bhangale Charushila. J.
Published: June 2024

Green chemistry is the practice of creating chemical items and methods that diminish or totally dispose of the utilize or generation of unsafe compounds. This speaks to new, progressive advancement within the study of chemistry. The 12 directing standards for green chemistry were to begin with recognized in 19th century and utilizing on pharmaceutical sector as well as standard of living. This review article describing different challenges facing on the green chemistry and underline the positive impact on the environment and creates the modern financial openings. Within the future utilizing green chemistry to assist reach supportability objectives is coming a progressively attractive investigate zone. This review article concluded that the reusing is a basic part of green chemistry since it shields of people, animals, and plants from unsafe chemicals on the environment.
Electrostatically Templated Self‐Assembly of Polymeric Particles: The Role of Friction and Shape Complementarity
Authors: Wesson Paul J. , Grzybowski Bartosz A.
Published: October 2011

Conductive electrodes held at kV potentials and patterned with non‐conductive circular islands can drive templated self‐assembly (TSA) of millimeter‐sized polymeric particles. It is found, however, that the complementarity of the shapes of the “capturing” islands and the projected shapes of the “adsorbing” particles is insufficient to produce high quality assemblies. For instance, while spherical particles center onto circular islands and form highly regular arrays, disk‐shaped particles remain off‐centered on the same islands. These effects are due to frictional effects that compete with electrostatic forces during TSA. A finite‐element model is used to quantify the forces acting in the system and suggests heuristic rules that guide the design of islands capturing particles of desired shapes and sizes.
Injectable Collagen–Genipin Gel for the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury: In Vitro Studies
Authors: Macaya Daniel , Ng Karen K. , Spector Myron
Published: October 2011

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in a cavitary lesion, contained within the dura, which involves only a portion of the cord. Injectable biopolymers are an attractive treatment option for SCI to re‐establish cell migratory pathways within the lesion while minimizing the collateral damage attendant to an open surgical procedure. In this study we evaluate a thermoresponsive soluble collagen gel incorporating genipin, an amine reactive covalent cross‐linker with low cytotoxicity and fluorogenic attributes. Unlike previous studies, genipin is being investigated as an in situ covalent cross‐linker that will continue to act on the gel after injection. Physical characterization studies show that the addition of genipin provides control over the mechanical and degradative behavior of the gel, to meet design specifications of an injectable material for neural tissues. Additionally, an improved in situ assay to predict the extent of cross‐linking reaction is investigated. Encapsulation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in collagen–genipin gels show the gels support cell viability and proliferation, and thus serve as a cell delivery vehicle. Neural stem cells are found to be more sensitive to genipin, with respect to toxicity, as compared to MSCs. From our studies, 0.25‐0.5 mM is an appropriate genipin concentration to use for an in situ forming scaffold capable of delivering cells and therapeutic agents.
Coordination Polymers for Nanoelectronics
Authors: Gómez‐Herrero Julio , Zamora Félix
Published: October 2011

We review recent progress in the potential use of coordination polymers as molecular wires for nanoelectronics. To this end we review some basic aspects of these materials including synthesis and properties in the bulk scale; processability towards the formation of nanoscale structures and seminal works on electrical transport of coordination polymers. Finally, we summarize some of the perspectives in this field.
Modeling of asphaltene deposition in a production tubing
Authors: Eskin D. , Ratulowski J. , Akbarzadeh K. , Andersen S.
Published: October 2011

Asphaltene deposition phenomena are investigated both theoretically and experimentally. A Couette device, where the inner cylinder rotates and particles deposit on the outer wall, is used for deposition laboratory studies. A deposition modeling approach, recently proposed by the authors is improved. Empirical parameters of the model are obtained from Couette device experiments. The deposition mechanism peculiarities are explained based on an analogy between the deposition and water in oil emulsion stabilization by asphaltenes, and on an analysis of interaction of asphaltene molecules. The model performance is illustrated by modeling oil production, accompanied with asphaltene deposition, from a cylindrical reservoir through vertical tubing. The computations, performed for a reservoir depleting over time, demonstrate a good qualitative agreement with the field data reported in literature. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
Axenfeld–Rieger anomaly and Axenfeld–Rieger syndrome: Clinical, molecular‐cytogenetic, and DNA array analyses of three patients with chromosomal defects at 6p25
Authors: Tonoki Hidefumi , Harada Naoki , Shimokawa Osamu , Yosozumi Ayako , Monzaki Kadomi , Satoh Kohei , Kosaki Rika , Sato Atsushi , Matsumoto Naomichi , Iizuka Susumu
Published: October 2011

Clinical phenotypes of and genetic aberrations in three unrelated Japanese patients with Axenfeld–Rieger anomalies and various accompanying malformations of systemic organs are described. GTG‐banded chromosome analysis showed terminal deletions of the short arm of chromosome 6 in two patients and an inversion, inv(6)(p25q14), in the other. FISH and DNA array analyses revealed that the two patients with deletions had 5.0–5.7 Mb and 6.6 Mb 6p terminal deletions, respectively, and FOXC1 was apparently deleted in both patients. In the other patient, the inversion breakpoint at 6p25 was estimated to be in or very close to the FOXC1 locus, but DNA array analysis did not reveal a deletion around the breakpoint. Common extraocular findings in these patients included broad forehead, brachycephaly, hypertelorism, downslanting palpebral fissures, small anteverted nose, and cardiac defects. Two patients also exhibited autistic characteristics. The two patients with deletions exhibited poor muscle tone and developmental delays. Most of these extraocular findings were similar to those found in previous patients with FOXC1 mutations and distinct from those found in patients with PITX2 mutations, who frequently develop umbilical and dental anomalies. We suggest that the psychomotor retardation is a clinical manifestation associated with a deletion of multiple contiguous genes in the 6p terminus and that this phenomenon is similar to the 6p25 deletion syndrome. Understanding the relationship between genetic lesions and the spectrum of extraocular findings in patients with Axenfeld–Rieger anomalies may lead to better clinical management. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Endoscopic endonasal approaches to the cavernous sinus
Authors: Raithatha Roheen , McCoul Edward D. , Woodworth Graeme F. , Schwartz Theodore H. , Anand Vijay K.
Published: October 2011

Background:

Surgical access to the cavernous sinus (CS) has proven a challenge for the skull base surgeon. Traditional approaches include the transcranial route, which broaches the lateral wall of the CS and has a high risk of cranial nerve weakness. A medial approach is more logical but the microscopic transsphenoidal approach has a restricted view. The endoscopic endonasal approach provides an alternative medial approach with improved visualization to that provided with the microscope. We describe our results using this approach for resection of CS tumors.

Methods:

A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients treated surgically at a tertiary care referral center between January 2004 and February 2011 with a purely endoscopic endonasal approach to the CS.

Results:

Out of 400 total endoscopic skull base cases, 41 (10.3%) involved the cavernous sinus. The most common approach was the transsphenoidal transsellar approach (31 patients, 75.6%). Other approaches included the tran‐sethmoidal transsphenoidal parasellar (4 patients, 9.8%) and transmaxillary transpterygoidal (6 patients, 14.6%). The most common pathology was pituitary macroadenoma (24 patients, 58.5%). Gross total resection was achieved in 18 patients (43.9%). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak was not encountered in any patient postoperatively. Complications included 1 case of new postoperative VIth nerve palsy, 1 case of intraoperative hemorrhage, 2 cases of persistent diabetes insipidus, and 2 cases of sinusitis.

Conclusion:

The endoscopic endonasal approach is a safe and effective option for tumor resection in the CS using a medial to lateral route for selected cases. Morbidity is low and a variety of reconstructive options are available. © 2011 ARS‐AAOA, LLC.
Influence of pretreatment methods of the spectra on the calibration model of the precuring degree
Authors: Jiang B. , Li W. , Huang Y. D.
Published: October 2011

In near infrared (NIR) spectra, there could be observed the baseline drift, background noise, scattering effects, and overlapped peaks. These errors can disturb the robustness and reliability of multivariate calibration models. Influences of spectral pretreatment methods on calibration model were studied. The partial least squares (PLS) were applied for developing model of the precuring degree. The multiplicative scatter correction gave the best values forR2and RMSEC.R2was 0.96, RMSEC was 0.112, respectively. The method NIR and reference method were compared using Student'sttest (α = 0.05) for paired values, the result showed that there was no significant difference between the NIR method and the reference method. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of Novel Fused 1,3‐Thiazoles and 1,3‐Thiazines Incorporating a 2,4‐Dihydroxyphenyl Residue
Authors: Matysiak Joanna , Los Renata , Malm Anna , Karpińska Monika M. , Głaszcz Urszula , Rajtar Barbara , Polz‐Dacewicz Małgorzata , Trojanowska‐Wesołowska Marta , Niewiadomy Andrzej
Published: October 2011

In an attempt to find a new class of antimicrobial agents, a series of benzothiazoles, 1,3‐thiazolo[5,4‐b]pyridines, 4H‐3,1‐benzothiazines, naphtho[2,3‐d][1,3]thiazole‐4,9‐diones and other related compounds containing a 2,4‐dihydroxyphenyl moiety were prepared. They were obtained via the reaction of aryl‐modified sulfinyl[bis(2,4‐dihydroxyphenylmethanethione)]s with appropriate commercial chemical reagents in the endocyclization processes. The MIC values of the compounds towards eight reference bacterial strains were assessed by the two‐fold serial micro‐dilution broth method. They exhibited inhibitory effects against the Gram‐positive strains tested opposite to Gram‐negative ones. Some compounds were more effective than the reference drug. 4‐(6‐Chloro‐4H‐3,1‐benzothiazin‐2‐yl)‐6‐methylbenzene‐1,3‐diol (5b) due to its very good activity (MIC from 1.56 to 3.13 µg/mL) and low cytotoxicity (IC50 > 50 µg/mL) may be regarded as a promising precursor for the development of novel antibacterial agents.
YAP1 over‐expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae enhances glutathione accumulation at its biosynthesis and substrate availability levels
Authors: Orumets Kerti , Kevvai Kaspar , Nisamedtinov Ildar , Tamm Tiina , Paalme Toomas
Published: October 2011

Microbiological production of glutathione using genetically engineered yeast strains has a potential to satisfy the increasing industrial demand of this tripeptide. In the present work accumulation of glutathione in response to YAP1 over‐expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was studied. The over‐expression resulted in intracellular glutathione level over two times higher than in the parent strain. Transcript analyses revealed that, in addition to the genes encoding enzymes in the glutathione biosynthesis pathway (GSH1 and GSH2), the expression levels of the genes in the cysteine biosynthesis pathway (CYS3 and CYS4) were also significantly higher in the YAP1 over‐expressed strain. This suggests that YAP1 over‐expression affects glutathione accumulation at both its biosynthesis and substrate availability levels.
Phenolic Compounds from the Whole Plants of Gentiana rhodantha (Gentianaceae)
Authors: Xu Min , Zhang Ming , Wang Dong , Yang Chong‐Ren , Zhang Ying‐Jun
Published: October 2011

Gentiana rhodantha Franch. ex Hemsl. (Gentianaceae), an annual herb widely distributed in the southwest of China, has been medicinally used for the treatment of inflammation, cholecystitis, and tuberculosis by the local people of its growing areas. Chemical investigation on the whole plants led to the identification of eight new phenolic compounds, rhodanthenones A–D (1–4, resp.), apigenin 7‐O‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐glucopyranoside (5), 1,2‐dihydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzene 1‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (6), 1,2‐dihydroxy‐4,6‐dimethoxybenzene 1‐O‐α‐L‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (7), and methyl 2‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl‐2,4,6‐trihydroxybenzoate (8), together with eleven known compounds, 9–19. Their structures were determined on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses and chemical methods. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and cytotoxicity tests against five human cancer cell lines showed that only rhodanthenone D (4) and mangiferin (12) exhibited 18.4 and 13.4% of AChE inhibitory effects at a concentration of 10−4 M, respectively, while compounds 1–5 and the known xanthones lancerin (11), mangiferin (12), and neomangiferin (13) displayed no cytotoxicity at a concentration of 40 μM.
Sesquiterpenoids and Lignans from the Roots of Valeriana officinalis L.
Authors: Wang Peng‐Cheng , Ran Xin‐Hui , Chen Rui , Luo Huai‐Rong , Ma Qing‐Yun , Liu Yu‐Qing , Hu Jiang‐Miao , Huang Sheng‐Zhuo , Jiang He‐Zhong , Chen Zhong‐Quan , Zhou Jun , Zhao You‐Xing
Published: October 2011

Two new guaiane‐type sesquiterpenoids, valerol A (1) and kessyl 3‐acetate (2), together with nine known compounds, valeracetate (3), anismol A (4), orientalol C (5), spatulenol (6), 4α,10α‐epoxyaromadendrane (7), (+)‐8‐hydroxypinoresinol (8), pinorespiol (9), pinoresinol 4‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (10), and 8‐hydroxypinoresinol 4′‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (11) were isolated from the roots of Valeriana officinalis. The structures and relative configurations of 1 and 2 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods (1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, MS, UV, and IR). These compounds were evaluated for inhibitory activity on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and enhancing activity on nerve growth factor (NGF)‐mediated neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells.
Two New Imidazolone‐Containing Alkaloids and Further Metabolites from the Ascomycete Fungus Tricladium sp.
Authors: Zou Xianwei , Liu Shuchun , Zheng Zhihui , Zhang Hua , Chen Xulin , Liu Xingzhong , Li Erwei
Published: October 2011

Tricladins A and B (1 and 2, resp.), new imidazolone‐containing alkaloids, together with five known metabolites, bacillamides A, B (3 and 4, resp.), 20‐hydroxyaflavinine (5), N‐(2‐phenylethyl)acetamide (6), and Nb‐acetyltryptamine (7), have been isolated from the crude extract of the ascomycete fungus Tricladium sp. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated primarily by NMR and MS methods. Compound 2 showed marginal cytotoxicity against MDA‐MB‐231 human breast cancer cells, whereas the known metabolite 4 displayed an inhibitory effect on HIV‐1 replication in C8166 cells.
Adsorption of Brilliant Green from Aqueous Solutions onto Crosslinked Chitosan Graft Copolymers
Authors: Özkahraman Bengi , Bal Ayça , Acar Işıl , Güçlü Gamze
Published: October 2011

In this study, graft copolymerization of itaconic acid (IA) and crotonic acid (CA) onto the crosslinked chitosan beads were carried out using ammonium persulfate as initiator. Grafted chitosan beads were characterized by FT‐IR analysis and grafting percentage determination. Grafting efficiency and add‐on percentages values of grafted chitosan beads were determined as 23–29 and 32–47%, respectively. Then, equilibrium isotherms and kinetics of brilliant green adsorption onto grafted chitosan beads were investigated. The results indicated that the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model fitted better than the data obtained from pseudo‐first‐order model for the adsorption of brilliant green onto grafted chitosan beads. The fit of data for brilliant green (BG) adsorption onto grafted chitosan beads suggested that the Langmuir model gave closer fittings than the Freundlich model.
Assessment of the Intake and the Pretreatment Design in Existing Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) Plants by Hasse Diagram Technique (HDT)
Authors: Bick Amos , Bruggemann Rainer , Oron Gideon
Published: October 2011

Seawater desalination is a rising technology intended to overcome water scarcity and is increasingly being used for the production of drinking water. A good quality pretreatment process is prominent to the successful operation of a Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) plant. The tasks of the intake and the pretreatment modules are to prevent fouling and to extend the lifetime of the reverse osmosis membranes. To practice the method of assessment design, 19 seawater plants with 11 different design strategies have been evaluated. The assessed strategies consist of: (i) Intake treatment, (ii) pretreatment aid (coagulation, flocculation, clarification), and (iii) pretreatment unit. Every possible combination of the design elements has been evaluated by a set of 15 attributes. The comparative evaluation has been conducted by Hasse diagram technique (HDT) using PyHasse software. The result of the HDT application includes 7 favorable incomparable design strategies. In order to solve the incomparability, the Condorcet–Kemeny–Young–Levenglick (C–K–Y–L) ranking procedure was additionally used and rendered the optimal design that is based on subsurface intake and membrane (ultrafiltration) pretreatment facilities. According to the results, both mathematical methods, i.e., the HDT in combination with the C–K–Y–L, procedure can be powerful and helpful tools to assist decisions concerning design strategies.
Durability of Sulfonated Aromatic Polymers for Proton‐Exchange‐Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Hou Hongying , Di Vona Maria Luisa , Knauth Philippe
Published: October 2011

As a key component of proton‐exchange‐membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), proton‐exchange membranes (PEMs) must continuously withstand very harsh environments during long‐term fuel cell operations. With the coming commercialization of PEMFCs, investigations into the durability and degradation of PEMs are becoming more and more urgent and interesting. Herein, various recent attempts and achievements to improve the durability of sulfonated aromatic polymers (SAPs) are reviewed and some further developments are predicted. Extensive investigations into inexpensive SAPs as alternative electrolyte membranes include modification of available polymer materials; design, synthesis, and optimization of new macromolecules; durability testing; and exploring the degradation mechanisms.
Out of control?: Inhibition processes in eating disorders from a personality and cognitive perspective
Authors: Claes Laurence , Mitchell James E. , Vandereycken Walter
Published: October 2011

Objective:

The present study examined the role of “a breakdown in inhibition” as a mechanism to explain differences in impulsivity between restrictive and bingeing/purging eating disorders (ED). Two types of inhibition (i.e., executive and reactive inhibition) were assessed by means of personality and neuropsychological tests.

Method:

Forty‐eight female in patients with ED completed the Effortful Control Scale, the BISBAS scales, and a set of neuropsychological tests.

Results:

The results showed that executive inhibition measures were able to differentiate restrictive from bingeing/purging ED subtypes. Patients with ED and bingeing/purging behavior scored significantly lower on the Effortful Control Scale, needed more time to finish the Trail Making Test/STROOP, and showed more reaction time variability on the Go No‐Go task. We did not find significant associations between personality and neuropsychological measures of executive/reactive inhibition.

Discussion:

Insight in the breakdown of inhibition in bingeing/purging patients can increase our understanding of impulse‐control disorders and guide the development of tools to improve effortful control. © 2011 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2012)
Comprehensive study of mtDNA among Southwest Asian dogs contradicts independent domestication of wolf, but implies dog–wolf hybridization
Authors: Ardalan Arman , Kluetsch Cornelya F. C. , Zhang Ai‐bing , Erdogan Metin , Uhlén Mathias , Houshmand Massoud , Tepeli Cafer , Ashtiani Seyed Reza Miraei , Savolainen Peter
Published: October 2011

Studies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diversity indicate explicitly that dogs were domesticated, probably exclusively, in southern East Asia. However, Southwest Asia (SwAsia) has had poor representation and geographical coverage in these studies. Other studies based on archaeological and genome‐wide SNP data have suggested an origin of dogs in SwAsia. Hence, it has been suspected that mtDNA evidence for this scenario may have remained undetected. In the first comprehensive investigation of genetic diversity among SwAsian dogs, we analyzed 582 bp of mtDNA for 345 indigenous dogs from across SwAsia, and compared with 1556 dogs across the Old World. We show that 97.4% of SwAsian dogs carry haplotypes belonging to a universal mtDNA gene pool, but that only a subset of this pool, five of the 10 principal haplogroups, is represented in SwAsia. A high frequency of haplogroup B, potentially signifying a local origin, was not paralleled with the high genetic diversity expected for a center of origin. Meanwhile, 2.6% of the SwAsian dogs carried the rare non‐universal haplogroup d2. Thus, mtDNA data give no indication that dogs originated in SwAsia through independent domestication of wolf, but dog–wolf hybridization may have formed the local haplogroup d2 within this region. Southern East Asia remains the only region with virtually full extent of genetic variation, strongly indicating it to be the primary and probably sole center of wolf domestication. An origin of dogs in southern East Asia may have been overlooked by other studies due to a substantial lack of samples from this region.
CENTRAL BANK AUTONOMY, LEGAL INSTITUTIONS AND BANKING CRISIS INCIDENCE
Authors: Khan Anichul H. , Khan Haider A. , Dewan Hasnat
Published: October 2011

We examine whether the autonomy of a country's central bank (CB) reduces the probability of a banking crisis. We take a fine‐grained approach to CB autonomy by disentangling its various components as well. In addition, we look at the joint effects of CB autonomy and the legal tradition on the probability of a banking crisis in a country. Using the cross‐country data for CB independence for the period of 1980–1989, and both binary and ordered logit estimation models, this study finds that a country's CB with more autonomy in aggregate can lessen the probability of a banking crisis. When the CB's autonomy is disentangled with respect to its responsibilities, this study finds that the longer the tenure of the CB's chief executive officer, the lower the probability of a banking crisis. We also find that the probability of a banking crisis in the country is reduced even more if the relatively more autonomous CB can perform its duties in line with the country's stronger law‐and‐order tradition. We also carry out some counterfactual thought experiments along these lines. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acinetobacter infection – an emerging threat to human health
Authors: Visca Paolo , Seifert Harald , Towner Kevin J.
Published: October 2011

The genus Acinetobacter comprises a complex and heterogeneous group of bacteria, many of which are capable of causing a range of opportunistic, often catheter‐related, infections in humans. However, Acinetobacter baumannii, as well as its close relatives belonging to genomic species 3 (“Acinetobacter pittii”) and 13TU (“Acinetobacter nosocomialis”), are important nosocomial pathogens, often associated with epidemic outbreaks of infection, that are only rarely found outside of a clinical setting. These organisms are frequently pandrug‐resistant and are capable of causing substantial morbidity and mortality in patients with severe underlying disease, both in the hospital and in the community. Several epidemic clonal lineages of A. baumannii have disseminated worldwide and seem to have a selective advantage over non‐epidemic strains. The reasons for the success of these epidemic lineages remain to be elucidated, but could be related to the potential of these organisms to achieve very dynamic reorganization and rapid evolution of their genome, including the acquisition and expression of additional antibiotic resistance determinants, under fluctuating environmental and selective conditions. © 2011 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 63(12): 1048–1054, 2011
Aminonaphthoquinones in heterocyclization
Authors: Aly Ashraf A. , Ishak Esam A. , Alsharari Musaed A. , Al‐Muaikel Nayef S. , Bedair Tarek M. I.
Published: October 2011

Because of the interesting biological activities of aminonaphthoquinones, in this review we survey two classes of amino‐1,4‐naphthoquinones: 2,3‐diamino‐1,4‐naphthoquinone and 2‐amino‐1,4‐naphthoquinone. The review includes synthetic methodologies for these classes in addition to their heterocyclization processes. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2012).
Solvent‐free synthesis of pyrrole derivatives
Authors: Rostami‐Charati Faramarz , Hossaini Zinatossadat , Khalilzadeh Mohammad A. , Jafaryan Hojatollah
Published: October 2011

A one‐pot synthesis of pyrrole derivatives via reaction between activated carbonyl compounds, primary amines, and 1,3‐dicarbonyls under solvent‐free conditions is described. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2012).
INFANT AND CHILD HEALTH IN ETHIOPIA: REFLECTIONS ON REGIONAL PATTERNS AND CHANGES
Authors: Abebaw Degnet
Published: October 2011

Recently, Ethiopia has registered significant reduction of infant and under‐five mortality rates. However, the gains in improved health outcomes are uneven across regions of the country. Using panel data models, the article finds that inter‐regional disparities in infant and child mortality rates are strongly associated with factors within and beyond the health sector. In particular, the results suggest that infant mortality rate is negatively related with real per capita public health expenditure, urbanisation and health extension programme. On the other hand, the number of hospital beds and primary school gross enrolment significantly decrease under‐five mortality rate. The article draws some initial policy implications. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of carbon‐14, carbon‐13 and deuterium labeled forms of thioacetamide and thioacetamide S‐oxide
Authors: Sarma Diganta , Hanzlik Robert P.
Published: October 2011

Thioacetamide (TA) is a model hepatotoxin that undergoes metabolic activation via two successive S‐oxidations. The ultimate toxic metabolite thioacetamide S,S‐dioxide, or its tautomer acetimidoyl sulfinic acid CH3C(NH)SO2H, then acylates lysine side chains on cellular proteins leading to cellular dysfunction or death. To identify individual target proteins, quantitate the extent of their modification and elucidate the structural details of their modification, we required both radio‐labeled and stable‐labeled forms of TA and its intermediate metabolite thioacetamide S‐oxide (TASO). The latter is stable when purified but can be difficult to isolate. Considering currently available isotopic precursors, we devised and report here methods for the synthesis and isolation of TA and TASO labeled with C‐14, C‐13, and/or deuterium. The methods are straightforward, utilize readily available precursors, and are amenable to small scale. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MRI of the proximal femur predicts marrow cellularity and the number of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Suh Kuen Tak , Ahn Jae Min , Lee Jung Sub , Bae Jung Yun , Lee In Suk , Kim Hak Jin , Jung Jin Sup
Published: October 2011

Purpose:

To determine whether the marrow conversion index (MCI) in MRI is related to the total number of mononuclear and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in proximal femoral metaphysis of patients with hip osteoarthritis.

Materials and Methods:

Thirty‐two hips of 32 consecutive patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) for hip osteoarthritis were included in this study. MRI of the hip was performed preoperatively and MCI was subsequently calculated. Three‐milliliter bone marrow samples were obtained from the proximal femur during THA and the number of total mononuclear cells was determined using a hemocytometer. Colony forming unit‐fibroblasts (CFU‐Fs) assays of MSCs were performed by transferring a total of 2 × 104 mononuclear cells to each of five 60‐mm plates. One week later, the numbers of colonies were counted.

Results:

The total number of mononuclear cells decreased with increasing MCI. Likewise, the prevalence and total number of CFU‐Fs increased with increasing number of total mononuclear cells, and decreased with increasing MCI.

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that measurement of MCI in MRI can be an objective and noninvasive method to predict marrow cellularity and the number of MSCs in patients with hip osteoarthritis. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:218‐222. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Subsynovial connective tissue is sensitive to surgical interventions in a rabbit model of carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Sun Yu‐Long , Moriya Tamami , Zhao Chunfeng , Kirk Ramona L. , Chikenji Takako , Passe Sandra M. , An Kai‐Nan , Amadio Peter C.
Published: October 2011

The most common histological finding in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is non‐inflammatory fibrosis and thickening of the subsynovial connective tissue (SSCT) in the tunnel. While the cause of SSCT fibrosis and the relationship of SSCT fibrosis and CTS are unknown, one hypothesis is that SSCT injury causes fibrosis, and that the fibrosis then leads to CTS. We investigated the sensitivity of the SSCT to injuries. Two types of surgical interventions were performed in a rabbit model: A skin incision with tendon laceration and SSCT stretching sufficient to damage the SSCT, and skin incision alone. Twelve weeks after surgery, the rabbit carpal tunnel tissues were studied with immunochemistry for TGF‐β receptors 1, 2, and 3, collagen III, and collagen VI. All TGF‐β receptors were expressed. The percentages of the TGF‐β receptors' expressions were less in the control SSCT fibroblasts than in the fibroblasts from rabbits with surgical interventions. The surgical interventions did not result in any alteration of collagen III expression. However, both surgical interventions resulted in a significant decrease in collagen VI expression compared to the control group. The two surgical interventions achieved similar expression of TGF‐β receptors and collagens. Our results provide evidence that the SSCT is sensitive to surgical interventions, even when these are modest. Since SSCT fibrosis is a hallmark of CTS, these data also suggest that such fibrosis could result from relatively minor trauma. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:649–654, 2012
Improving the utility and reliability of the deep circumflex iliac artery perforator flap: The use of preoperative planning with ct angiography
Authors: Ting Jeannette W.C. , Rozen Warren M. , Chubb Daniel , Ferris Scott , Ashton Mark W. , Grinsell Damien
Published: October 2011

Background: The deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) is rarely used as a perforator flap, despite a clear clinical need for thin osteocutaneous flaps, particularly in head and neck reconstruction. The poor adoption of such a flap is largely due to a poor understanding of the perforators of the DCIA, despite recent publications demonstrating suitable vascular anatomy of the DCIA perforators, particularly evident with the use of preoperative computed tomographic angiography (CTA). We have applied this method of peroperative imaging to successfully select those patients suitable for the DCIA perforator flap and use it clinically. Methods: We present a case series of patients who underwent DCIA perforator flap reconstruction following preoperative planning with CTA. Imaging findings, clinical course, and outcomes are presented. Results: Six out of seven patients planned for DCIA perforator flap reconstruction underwent a successful DCIA perforator flap, with imaging findings confirmed at operation, and without any flap loss, hernia, or other significant flap‐related morbidities. Because of abberent anatomy and change in defect following excision of pathology, one patient was converted to a free fibular flap. Conclusion: With preoperative CTA planning, the DCIA perforator flap is a versatile and feasible flap for reconstruction of the mandible and extremities. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2011.
Investigation of chemical exchange at intermediate exchange rates using a combination of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) and spin‐locking methods (CESTrho)
Authors: Kogan Feliks , Singh Anup , Cai Keija , Haris Mohammad , Hariharan Hari , Reddy Ravinder
Published: October 2011

Proton exchange imaging is important as it allows for visualization and quantification of the distribution of specific metabolites with conventional MRI. Current exchange mediated MRI methods suffer from poor contrast as well as confounding factors that influence exchange rates. In this study we developed a new method to measure proton exchange which combines chemical exchange saturation transfer and T1ρ magnetization preparation methods (CESTrho). We demonstrated that this new CESTrho sequence can detect proton exchange in the slow to intermediate exchange regimes. It has a linear dependence on proton concentration which allows it to be used to quantitatively measure changes in metabolite concentration. Additionally, the magnetization scheme of this new method can be customized to make it insensitive to changes in exchange rate while retaining its dependency on solute concentration. Finally, we showed the feasibility of using CESTrho in vivo. This sequence is able to detect proton exchange at intermediate exchange rates and is unaffected by the confounding factors that influence proton exchange rates thus making it ideal for the measurement of metabolites with exchangeable protons in this exchange regime. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Use of tensor formats in elliptic eigenvalue problems
Authors: Hackbusch Wolfgang , Khoromskij Boris N. , Sauter Stefan , Tyrtyshnikov Eugene E.
Published: October 2011

We investigate approximations to eigenfunctions of a certain class of elliptic operators in Rd by finite sums of products of functions with separated variables and especially conditions providing an exponential decrease of the error with respect to the number of terms. The consistent use of tensor formats can be regarded as a base for a new class of rank‐truncated iterative eigensolvers. The computational cost is almost linear in the univariate problem size n, while traditional method scale like nd. Tensor methods can be applied to solving large‐scale spectral problems in computational quantum chemistry, for example, the Schrödinger, Hartree–Fock and Kohn–Sham equations in electronic structure calculations. The results of numerical experiments clearly indicate the linear‐logarithmic scaling of the low‐rank tensor method in n. The algorithms work equally well for the computation of both minimal and maximal eigenvalues of the discrete elliptic operators. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bounding the equilibrium distribution of Markov population models
Authors: Dayar Tuǧrul , Hermanns Holger , Spieler David , Wolf Verena
Published: October 2011

We propose a bounding technique for the equilibrium probability distribution of continuous‐time Markov chains with population structure and infinite state space. We use Lyapunov functions to determine a finite set of states that contains most of the equilibrium probability mass. Then we apply a refinement scheme based on stochastic complementation to derive lower and upper bounds on the equilibrium probability for each state within that set. To show the usefulness of our approach, we present experimental results for several examples from biology. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multisplitting for regularized least squares with Krylov subspace recycling
Authors: Renaut Rosemary A. , Lin Youzuo , Guo Hongbin
Published: October 2011

The method of multisplitting (MS), implemented as a restricted additive Schwarz type algorithm, is extended for the solution of regularized least squares problems. The presented non‐stationary version of the algorithm uses dynamic updating of the weights applied to the subdomains in reconstituting the global solution. Standard convergence results follow from extensive prior literature on linear MS schemes. Additional convergence results on nonstationary iterations yield convergence conditions for the presented nonstationary MS algorithm. The global iteration uses repeated solves of local problems with changing right hand sides but a fixed system matrix. These problems are solved inexactly using a conjugate gradient least squares algorithm which provides a seed Krylov subspace. Recycling of the seed system Krylov subspace to obtain the solutions of subsequent nearby systems of equations improves the overall efficiency of the MS algorithm, and is apparently novel in this context. The obtained projected solution is not always of sufficient accuracy to satisfy a reasonable inner convergence condition on the local solution. Improvements to accuracy may be achieved by reseeding the solution space either every few steps, or when the successive right hand sides are sufficiently close as measured by a provided tolerance. Restarting and augmenting the solution space are also discussed. Any time a new space is generated it is used for subsequent steps. Numerical simulations validate the use of the recycling algorithm. These numerical experiments use the standard reconstruction of the two dimensional Shepp–Logan phantom, as well as a two dimensional problem from seismic tomography. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the Moore–Penrose inverse in solving saddle‐point systems with singular diagonal blocks
Authors: Kučera R. , Kozubek T. , Markopoulos A. , Machalová J.
Published: October 2011

This paper deals with the role of the generalized inverses in solving saddle‐point systems arising naturally in the solution of many scientific and engineering problems when finite‐element tearing and interconnecting based domain decomposition methods are used to the numerical solution. It was shown that the Moore–Penrose inverse may be obtained in this case at negligible cost by projecting an arbitrary generalized inverse using orthogonal projectors. Applying an eigenvalue analysis based on the Moore–Penrose inverse, we proved that for simple model problems, the number of conjugate gradient iterations required for the solution of associate dual systems does not depend on discretization norms. The theoretical results were confirmed by numerical experiments with linear elasticity problems. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.