bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of insulin analogues using InsuPatch, a local heating device
Authors: Landau Zohar , Klonoff David , Nayberg Irina , Feldman Dmitry , Levit Shmuel Boris , Lender Dan , Mosenzon Ofri , Raz Itamar , Wainstein Julio
Published: March 2014

Background

Previous studies have shown that heating the insulin injection site may accelerate insulin absorption. We investigated the pharmacological profile of insulin administered with InsuPatch, a local skin‐heating device.

Methods

In this randomized, crossover study carried out in 56 subjects with type 1 diabetes treated with insulin pump [mean age 32 ± 13.5 years; 23 women; HbA1c:7.8 ± 0.9% (62 ± 10 mmol/mol) (mean+/−standard deviation)]. Euglycemic glucose clamps were performed after administration of 0.15 units/kg of short‐acting insulin analogues. Each subject underwent three clamp procedures: two with the InsuPatch device (day 1 and day 3) and one without the device (day 1 control). The primary endpoints were the following: (1) the change in the area under the curve (AUC) of insulin during the first 60 min post‐insulin bolus on day 1 with the InsuPatch device versus day 1 control and (2) parameters to assess the safety of using the device.

Results

The area under the curve of insulin during the initial 60 min (insulin AUC0–60) after insulin bolus was increased by 29.7 ± 7% on day 1 InsuPatch versus day 1 control (p < 0.01). Maximal post‐insulin bolus concentration was 57 mU/L on day 1 InsuPatch versus 47.6 mU/L on day 1 control (p < 0.01). On day 3 InsuPatch, insulin AUC0–60 was increased by 27.9 ± 72% versus day 1 InsuPatch (p < 0.01). Maximal insulin concentration was 70.4 mU/L versus 57 mU/L, respectively (p = 0.05).

Conclusions

The use of the heating device upon administration of short‐acting insulin analogues in pump‐treated type 1 diabetic patients was found to enhance insulin absorption. This heating device may therefore serve to achieve better meal insulin coverage. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physical and monolayer film properties of potential fatty ester biolubricants
Authors: Yao Linxing , Hammond Earl G. , Wang Tong , Bu Wei , Vaknin David
Published: March 2014

The desire to replace petroleum‐based lubricants with alternatives that are environmentally friendly and made from sustainable sources has encouraged the development of biolubricants based on vegetable oils. To be good lubricants, the materials should have low melting points, appropriate viscosity and oxidative stability. In this paper, we report the melting point and viscosity of oleate esters of ethylene glycol, 1,2‐propanediol, 2,3‐butanediol, and pentaerythritol as well as the decanoate esters of 2,3‐butanediol and the 12‐methyltetradecanoate esters of 1,2‐propanediol. Polyol esters that have a free hydroxy group had lower melting points than the completely esterified polyols, but the completely esterified polyol esters exhibited less change in viscosity with temperature than those having a free hydroxy group. 2, 3‐Butanediol monooleate, which melted at −48.6°C shows promise as a biolubricant, but its viscosity index was estimated to be 100. Pentaerythritol oleate esters, with melting points below −10°C and viscosity indices in the range of 170–197, may be suitable candidates as biolubricants. The behavior of esters spread as a monomolecular film at air/water interface may provide insight into the way they behave when spread on metal or polar surfaces, so the pressure‐area isotherms of 2,3‐butanediol monoleate and selected esters are also reported.

Practical applications: The structure and function relationships demonstrated can be used to synthesize biolubricants with desirable physical and performance properties.

This figure shows the melting and viscosity properties of various types of synthesized biolubricants. Abbreviations: BDMO, 2,3‐butanediol monooleate; BDM10, 2,3‐butanediol monodecanoate; PGMO, 1,2‐propanediol monooleate; PET, pentaerythritol; R‐Ac, a group of acetylated ricinoleates; BuR, butyl ricinoleate; IsR, isopropyl ricinoleate; BuO, butyl oleate; IsO, isopropyl oleate; MeR‐11u, methyl 12‐undec‐10‐enylricinoleate.
Charge profiling and stability testing of biosimilar by capillary isoelectric focusing
Authors: Cao Junzi , Sun Wen , Gong Feifei , Liu Wanhui
Published: March 2014

CIEF was developed for the rapid analysis of charge heterogeneity of trastuzumab biosimilar using commercially available fluorocarbon‐coated capillary. The CIEF master mix was composed of 0.30% w/v methyl cellulose, 2.3 M urea, 56.8 mM l‐arginine, 1.52 mM iminodiacetic acid, 4.5% v/v carrier ampholytes (broad‐range pI 3–10 and narrow‐range pI 8–10.5 with ratio of 3:1), and 0.45% v/v 10.0, 9.5, 7.0, 5.5, 4.1 pI markers. To get a robust method to analyze charge heterogeneity, some separation parameters, including focusing time and separation temperature, were investigated and optimized. The optimized method gave good precision in estimated pI values of charge variants with RSDs of not more than 0.16% intraday analysis (n = 6) and < 0.18% interday analysis (n = 9). In addition, the applications of this method including purity, stability, lot consistency, peptide N‐glycosidase F digest, and C‐terminal lysine variants characterization were also investigated.
Bedload hysteresis in a glacier‐fed mountain river
Authors: Mao Luca , Dell'Agnese Andrea , Huincache Carolina , Penna Daniele , Engel Michal , Niedrist Georg , Comiti Francesco
Published: March 2014

Sediment transport during flood events often reveals hysteretic patterns because flow discharge can peak before (counterclockwise hysteresis) or after (clockwise hysteresis) the peak of bedload. Hysteresis in sediment transport has been used in the literature to infer the degree of sediment availability. Counterclockwise and clockwise hysteresis have been in fact interpreted as limited and unlimited sediment supply conditions, respectively. Hysteresis has been mainly explored for the case of suspended sediment transport, but it was rarely reported for bedload transport in mountain streams. This work focuses on the temporal variability of bedload transport in an alpine catchment (Saldur basin, 18.6 km2, Italian Alps) where bedload transport was monitored by means of an acoustic pipe sensor which detects the acoustic vibrations induced by particles hitting a 0.5m‐long steel pipe. Runoff dynamics are dominated by snowmelt in late spring/early summer, mostly by glacier melt in late summer/early autumn, and by a combination of the snow and glacier melt in mid‐summer. The results indicate that hysteretic patterns during daily discharge fluctuations are predominantly clockwise during the snowmelt period, likely due to the ready availability of unpacked sediments within the channel or through bank erosion in the lower part of the basin. On the contrary, counterclockwise hysteresis tend to be more frequent during late glacier melting period, possibly due to the time lag needed for sediment provided by the glacial and peri‐glacial area to be transported to the monitoring section. However, intense rainfall events occurring during the glacier melt period generated predominantly clockwise hysteresis, thus indicating the activation of different sediment sources. These results indicate that runoff generation processes play a crucial role on sediment supply and temporal availability in mountain streams. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Non‐Linear Effects of Soda Taxes on Consumption and Weight Outcomes
Authors: Fletcher Jason M. , Frisvold David E. , Tefft Nathan
Published: March 2014

The potential health impacts of imposing large taxes on soda to improve population health have been of interest for over a decade. As estimates of the effects of existing soda taxes with low rates suggest little health improvements, recent proposals suggest that large taxes may be effective in reducing weight because of non‐linear consumption responses or threshold effects. This paper tests this hypothesis in two ways. First, we estimate non‐linear effects of taxes using the range of current rates. Second, we leverage the sudden, relatively large soda tax increase in two states during the early 1990s combined with new synthetic control methods useful for comparative case studies. Our findings suggest virtually no evidence of non‐linear or threshold effects. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Attitudes Towards Aloneness During Adolescence: A Person‐Centred Approach
Authors: Teppers Eveline , Luyckx Koen , Vanhalst Janne , Klimstra Theo , Goossens Luc
Published: March 2014

Benefits and disadvantages of solitude for adolescents are often highlighted. However, research focusing on adolescents' attitudes towards solitude and their associations with such disadvantages or benefits is rather limited. The present study provides a person‐centred perspective on the co‐occurrence of two attitudes towards solitude (i.e., aversion versus affinity) and their associations with coping with loneliness and adjustment. Two independent samples were employed: a sample of 368 freshmen (Mage = 18.22 years, 83.7% female) and another sample of 1,388 high school students (Mage = 15.72 years, 64.1% female). Cluster analysis uncovered three meaningful clusters in both samples: a true Affinity cluster, a true Aversion cluster, and an Indifferent cluster (having low scores on both attitudes). Whereas the Affinity group more actively confronted their problems when feeling lonely, the Aversion group sought social support more actively. In general, the Indifferent group showed the most optimal profile of psychological adjustment. They used the least passive coping strategies, such as avoidance and depressive reaction patterns. Furthermore, they experienced greater self‐esteem, less depressive symptoms, and lower loneliness as compared to the other two groups. Implications and suggestions for future research are outlined. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Buddhist Perspectives for Addressing Values Conflicts in Counseling: Possibilities From Practice
Authors: Choudhuri Devika Dibya , Kraus Kurt L.
Published: March 2014

In recent years, the issue of value conflicts in counseling has become more salient, whereas equitably working with such conflicts has been increasingly contested. Interest in the confluence of counseling and spirituality has also grown. Using relevant Buddhist principles, the authors offer a spiritual framework that is illustrated through clinical case studies. These are used to conceptualize concerns, understand the conflict, and find ways to be responsive to the disjunction between client and counselor.
Mark Pope: Counseling's Sacred Weaver
Authors: Hutchison Brian , Pangelinan Joseph , Rankins Michael
Published: March 2014

Transformative cultural agent, networker and collaborator, professional leader, advocate for social justice, mentor, and scholar all describe roles that have defined the career of Mark Pope. Sacred weaver is a term that captures the essence of his unique place in the history of the professions of counseling and psychology. The authors use information from interviews with 6 widely recognized leaders in the fields of counseling and psychology and an interview with Pope himself to capture the essence of counseling's sacred weaver.
Chemical surface modified‐activated carbon cloth for catalytic wet peroxide oxidation of phenol
Authors: Martínez Fernando , Pariente Isabel , Brebou Christina , Molina R. , Melero Juan Antonio , Bremner David , Mantzavinos Dionissios
Published: March 2014

BACKGROUND

Activated carbons (AC) can be used as catalyst in advanced oxidation processes due to the potential activity for hydrogen peroxide decomposition to hydroxyl radicals. Chemical surface groups and textural properties can play a crucial role in its catalytic behaviour. The pH of the reaction medium can also affect the adsorption properties of AC and the chemistry of hydrogen peroxide in catalytic oxidation processes. The AC/H2O2 systems have been successfully used for the degradation of some organic pollutants in wastewaters over recent years.

RESULTS

The influence of different modified‐activated carbon cloth (ACC) samples has been studied. Commercial ACC samples were treated under neutral (H2O), acid (H3PO4), basic (NaOH) and oxidizing (H2O2) solutions. Modified‐ACC samples were assessed in the adsorption (in absence of H2O2) and chemical advanced oxidation (in presence of H2O2) of phenol at different pH values. ACC samples hydrothermally treated showed the best adsorption properties. ACC samples treated with NaOH solutions evidenced the best catalytic performance for phenol oxidation under acidic conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

The functionalization of ACC samples with basic surface groups yielded the best catalytic performance with total phenol removal and efficient use of the hydrogen peroxide at acidic conditions. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Investigations on the geometrical isomers of astaxanthin: Raman spectroscopy of conjugated polyene chain with electronic and mechanical confinement
Authors: Subramanian Balaji , Tchoukanova Nadéjda , Djaoued Yahia , Pelletier Claude , Ferron Mathieu , Robichaud Jacques
Published: March 2014

Recent research interests in geometrical isomers of astaxanthin (AST) are motivated by their metabolic activities in aquatic animals and human. It has been established that cis‐isomers of AST are selectively absorbed in human plasma during the metabolic process; however, exact absorption mechanism is still unclear. Hence, a detailed investigation of the structural and optical properties of geometrical isomers of AST is required. Among the techniques available for the study of AST and other carotenoids, Raman spectroscopy has been much acclaimed. Raman spectra have been shown to be influenced by the electronic and mechanical confinement effects arising from the conjugated polyene chain of carotenoids. In this work, we present Raman studies of geometrical isomers of AST, along with their optical absorption characteristics. Geometrical isomers of AST were prepared by heating all trans‐AST in solution form, and the isomers were separated using high performance liquid chromatography. Optical absorption spectra of cis‐isomers of AST showed hypsochromic shifts in the main absorption band and formation of new bands at lower wavelengths. A detailed Raman spectral analysis performed on the cis‐isomers of AST showed new modes which have not been observed and accounted for so far. In addition, we demonstrate that the electronic and mechanical confinement effects in the polyene chain of AST play an important role in the Raman spectra of geometrical isomers of AST. It is anticipated that this work will demonstrate that Raman spectroscopy is an important diagnostic tool in distinguishing and identifying the geometrical isomers of AST. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative proteome analysis of tracheal tissues in response to infectious bronchitis coronavirus, Newcastle disease virus, and avian influenza virus H9 subtype virus infection
Authors: Sun Junfeng , Han Zongxi , Shao Yuhao , Cao Zhongzan , Kong Xiangang , Liu Shengwang
Published: March 2014

Infectious bronchitis coronavirus (IBV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), and avian influenza virus (AIV) H9 subtype are major pathogens of chickens causing serious respiratory tract disease and heavy economic losses. To better understand the replication features of these viruses in their target organs and molecular pathogenesis of these different viruses, comparative proteomic analysis was performed to investigate the proteome changes of primary target organ during IBV, NDV, and AIV H9 infections, using 2D‐DIGE followed MALDI‐TOF/TOF‐MS. In total, 44, 39, 41, 48, and 38 proteins were identified in the tracheal tissues of the chickens inoculated with IBV (ck/CH/LDL/97I, H120), NDV (La Sota), and AIV H9, and between ck/CH/LDL/97I and H120, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis showed that IBV, NDV, and AIV H9 induced similar core host responses involved in biosynthetic, catabolic, metabolic, signal transduction, transport, cytoskeleton organization, macromolecular complex assembly, cell death, response to stress, and immune system process. Comparative analysis of host response induced by different viruses indicated differences in protein expression changes induced by IBV, NDV, and AIV H9 may be responsible for the specific pathogenesis of these different viruses. Our result reveals specific host response to IBV, NDV, and AIVH9 infections and provides insights into the distinct pathogenic mechanisms of these avian respiratory viruses.
GaN‐to‐Si vertical conduction mechanisms in AlGaN/GaN‐on‐Si lateral heterojunction FET structures
Authors: Yang Shu , Jiang Qimeng , Li Baikui , Tang Zhikai , Chen Kevin J.
Published: March 2014

The GaN‐to‐Si vertical conduction mechanisms on a low resistivity p‐type (111) Si substrate under high‐voltage operation are investigated using the temperature‐dependent high‐voltage C‐V characterization and device simulation. It is found the deep depletion and weak inversion in Si will result in a high electric field at the GaN/Si interface and induce the impact ionization of Si. The generated electrons will be injected into GaN buffer layer, fill in buffer traps and act as free carriers in GaN, eventually leading to considerable vertical leakage in the AlGaN/GaN‐on‐Si structures. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Spectroscopic and magnetic investigations of actinide‐based nanomagnets
Authors: Magnani Nicola
Published: March 2014

Magnetic exchange is an essential feature of transition‐metal nanomagnets because it combines the relatively low spin‐only moments of several ions into a “giant spin” ground state, which can make slow magnetic relaxation very favorable in an axially anisotropic environment. In contrast, most of the early research on lanthanide‐based complexes focused on single‐ion magnets, where the required large moment is generated by the unquenched orbital contribution (which is parallel to the spin in heavy rare earths). With their unfilled 5f electronic shell being on the verge between localization and itinerancy, actinides are expected to combine the best of both 3d and 4f metals in terms of exchange and anisotropy, and are therefore under consideration as potential building blocks for the next generation of single‐molecule magnets. In this Perspective, a review of the recent development in this field is given, and some discrepancies between the spectroscopic and magnetic data are discussed. © 2014 European Commission. International Journal of Quantum Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An incentive mechanism based on game theory for trust management
Authors: Feng Renjian , Che Shenyun , Wang Xiao , Wan Jiangwen
Published: March 2014

Trust management is suitable for handling the internal security problems in wireless sensor networks. However, trust management schemes usually neglect the selfishness of normal nodes and regard malicious nodes as never cooperate. Thus, to ensure trustworthiness and encourage nodes to cooperate, incentive mechanisms are in pressing demand for trust management schemes. We propose an incentive mechanism based on game theory. The interactions between unknown‐type nodes and normal nodes are modeled as Bayesian games. A set of parameters including players' action sets and the payoff matrix are formulated and analyzed. How a player can select proper actions on behalf of its own profits is shown by the equilibriums of the game. Simulation results show that the proposed incentive mechanism can effectively motivate normal nodes to cooperate instead of being selfish and compel malicious nodes to cooperate as far as possible. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tumor‐Responsive Fluorescent Light‐up Probe Based on a Gold Nanoparticle/Conjugated Polyelectrolyte Hybrid
Authors: Yuan Youyong , Ding Dan , Li Kai , Liu Jie , Liu Bin
Published: March 2014

A tumor‐responsive nanoprobe based on a conjugated polyelectrolyte and gold nanoparticle (AuNP) hybrid was designed to response to the low pH extracellular microenvironment in tumor with light‐up fluorescence. AuNPs with positive surface charges were prepared by direct reducing Au salt with sodium borohydride and stabilized by cystamine. A pH triggered charge‐reversible polymer and a water‐soluble cationic conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) were sequentially deposited onto the AuNP surface through electrostatic interaction. The obtained hybrid probe is monodispersed with an average diameter of 68.3 nm by dynamic light scattering measurement. In physiological conditions (pH ≈ 7.4), the hybrid probe is almost non‐fluorescent due to the super‐quenching of CPE by AuNPs via energy/charge transfer and efficient exciton migration along the polymer backbone. When exposed to acidic extracellular microenvironments in tumor (pHe ≈ 6.5), the acid‐labile amides hydrolyze into primary amines. The generated amine groups result in strong electrostatic repulsion between CPE and AuNPs, leading to recovered probe fluorescence. The fluorescence turn‐on is further utilized for tumor extracellular acidic microenvironment imaging. In addition, under in vivo conditions, the nanosized hybrid probe exhibits specific accumulation in tumor tissue with light‐up fluorescence, which provides new opportunities for easy tumor imaging and identification.
Implications for chronic toxicity of benzo[a]pyrene in sea bream cultured hepatocytes: Cytotoxicity, inflammation, and cancerogenesis
Authors: Santacroce Maria Pia , Pastore Anna Selene , Tinelli Antonella , Colamonaco Michele , Crescenzo Giuseppe
Published: March 2014

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is the most studied dangerous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon for its hepatotoxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and immunosuppressant effects, which can affect both wild and farmed marine fish through the trophic chain. This study investigated, for the first time, the chronic effects induced in vitro by B[a]P prolonged exposure on gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) hepatocytes, evaluating the cellular and nuclear latent damage. The purpose was to characterize the kind of B[a]P cyto‐ and genotoxic damage by morphological and immunocytochemical parameters applied in combination with the use of multiple assay endpoints. In light of our results, the short‐term effects at higher B[a]P doses were linked to higher cytotoxicities and necrotic lysis, whereas a sustained inflammatory response at medium–low doses was perceived as a mitochondria‐mediated apoptosis, both by surface and nuclear morphological changes. The strong immunoreactivity for the cleaved caspase‐3 showed that the labeled cells committed suicide by apoptosis. B[a]P involvement on carcinogenesis comes from prolonged exposure at lower doses, establishing the connection between the escape from apoptosis and the selection of a tumoral phenotype. Cells colabeled with proliferating cell nuclear antigen/caspase‐3 within the proliferative foci, were proliferating transformed oval stem cells, which escaped the suicide by apoptosis allowing cancer development. Finally, it was established that sea bream cultured hepatocytes are highly sensitive to chronic B[a]P exposure, as serious genotoxic effects were found even at the lowest doses. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 1045–1062, 2015.
Estimating design reliability of composite rotor blades under ultimate loading
Authors: Bacharoudis Konstantinos C. , Philippidis Theodore P.
Published: March 2014

A probabilistic stress analysis tool predicting reliability of composite wind turbine rotor blades was developed and validated by comparing with results from a three‐dimensional shell finite element model of a blade. Stress analysis was based on thin wall multicellular Euler–Bernoulli beam theory using as input section stress resultants directly from aeroelastic simulations; a finite strip method was implemented for elastic stability calculations. Reliability analysis was performed at the ply level of the multidirectional laminates implementing various methods such as the response surface method, β‐index and crude Monte Carlo simulation. Physical and statistical uncertainties of the basic variables was taken into account while several model uncertainties related to the material properties were further introduced and quantified in the light of appropriate test results. To prove the efficiency of the code as a design tool, the effect of various probabilistic assumptions concerning the material properties was directly investigated on the estimated reliability β‐index values for two rotor blade design cases typical of stall‐regulated and pitch‐regulated wind turbines. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An entropy functional and explicit decay rates for a nonlinear partially dissipative hyperbolic system
Authors: Klar A. , Tse O.
Published: March 2014

We consider the convergence to (global) equilibrium of a partially dissipative hyperbolic system using entropy methods. An entropy functional is determined and exponential decay for this functional is proven. Moreover, an explicit estimate for the decay rate is given.
Extracapsular Lymph Node Involvement is Associated With Colorectal Liver Metastases and Impact Outcome After Hepatectomy for Colorectal Metastases
Authors: Suzuki Hideki , Fujii Takaaki , Asao Takayuki , Tsutsumi Soichi , Wada Satoshi , Araki Kenichiro , Kubo Norio , Watanabe Akira , Tsukagoshi Mariko , Kuwano Hiroyuki
Published: March 2014

Background

Hepatic resection of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) has become the treatment of choice for patients after resection of the primary CRC. However, some patients do not benefit from immediate resection because of rapidly progressive disease. The aim of this study was to examine the prognostic value of extracapsular invasion (ECI) of lymph node (LN) metastasis of CRC with liver metastases following liver resection.

Methods

All patients who underwent resection for CRC with liver metastases between 1995 and 2011 were reviewed. All of those with metastasis from primary CRC were included in this study. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data, including primary tumor pathology results, were retrospectively reviewed. All resected LNs from primary CRC were re‐examined to assess ECI. Associations between clinicopathologic factors, survival, and the nodal findings were evaluated.

Results

ECI was identified in 47 (48 %) patients. ECI was correlated with the number of positive LNs (p = 0.0022), timing of liver metastasis (p = 0.0238), and number of liver metastases (p = 0.0001). Univariate analysis indicated that the number of positive LNs (p = 0.0014), ECI (p = 0.0203), and adjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.0423) were significant prognostic factors. Patients with ECI had a significantly worse survival (p = 0.0024) after liver resection than patients with LN‐negative and ECI‐negative groups.

Conclusions

In patients with hepatic CRC metastases, ECI in regional LNs reflects a particularly aggressive behavior, such as a greater number of liver metastases. In CRC patients with liver metastases, ECI in regional LNs might be correlated with poor prognosis following liver resection.
Novel Thyroidectomy Difficulty Scale Correlates with Operative Times
Authors: Schneider David F. , Mazeh Haggi , Oltmann Sarah C. , Chen Herbert , Sippel Rebecca S.
Published: March 2014

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate a new thyroidectomy difficulty scale (TDS) for its inter‐rater agreement, correspondence with operative times, and correlation with complications.

Methods

We developed a four item, 20‐point TDS. Following cases where two board‐certified surgeons participated, each surgeon completed a TDS, blinded to the other’s responses. Paired sets of TDS scores were compared. The relationship between operative time and TDS scores was analyzed with linear regression. Multiple regression evaluated the association of TDS scores and other clinical data with operative times.

Results

A total of 119 patients were scored using TDS. In this cohort, 22.7 % suffered from hyperthyroidism, 37.8 % experienced compressive symptoms, and 58.8 % had cancer. The median total TDS score was 8, and both surgeons’ total scores exhibited a high degree of correlation. Overall, 87.4 % of the two raters’ total scores were within one point of each other. Patients with hyperthyroidism received higher median scores than euthyroid patients (10 vs. 8, p < 0.01). Similarly, patients who suffered a complication had higher scores than those without complications (10 vs. 8, p = 0.04). TDS scores demonstrated a linear relation with operative times (R2 = 0.36, p < 0.01). Cases with a score of ≥14 took 41.0 % longer compared to cases with scores of ≤5 (p < 0.01). In the multiple regression analysis, TDS scores independently predicted the operative time (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The TDS is an accurate tool whose scores correlate with more difficult thyroidectomies as measured by complications and operative times.
Structure of polyelectrolyte brushes studied by coarse grain simulations
Authors: Washizu Hitoshi , Kinjo Tomoyuki , Yoshida Hiroaki
Published: March 2014

As an example of a very low friction system, Monte Carlo Brownian dynamics simulations have been used to calculate equilibrium structures of a polyelectrolyte brush grafted onto planes. The polymers were calculated in a semi-flexible coarse-grain model that is appropriate to treat the charge density of the polyion. The effect of linear charge density on the polyion ξ, the surface negative charge, and added salts were studied. In salt-free solution, scaling theories predicted the structure well in the low — region. In the high ξ region, additional shrinkage was found from the theories due to counterion condensation. The effect of surface charge showed not only the repulsion of the polyion from the surface but also the shrinkage in the high ξ region due to the additional counterions required for electrical neutrality. The addition of salts led to the shrinkage of the brush heights, and in the high ξ region, additional extension was found. The computational strategy for calculating the friction dynamics of the system is also discussed.
Schooling Ecologically: An Inquiry Into Teachers’ Ecological Understanding in ‘Alternative’ Schools
Authors: Wright David
Published: March 2014

This article reports on an inquiry into ecological understanding and the professional practice of a selection of teachers in alternative and/or independent non-systemic schools in Australia, Canada and the United States. Through a reflective, participatory framework, based on the premise that it is one thing to observe ‘an ecology’, another to understand one's self as part of it, as actively involved in ‘bringing forth our world’, the project sought to understand if and how teachers employ systemic, ecological insights in their teaching. The project looked at the underlying ecological principle of ‘connection’ and how teachers work with this, through teacher education and options for further education in ecological understanding, at the responsibilities schools hold for ecological understanding, and at ways in which individual teachers have worked with this form of knowledge. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with small numbers of teachers in five schools. The philosophical underpinnings of these schools were considered in relation to the teachers’ capacities to facilitate ecological understanding and the organisational setting in which these schools operate. Teacher perspectives are reported and discussed through a structured presentation of selected responses to a series of questions on the overlapping themes of ecological insight and formal and informal learning processes.
Bridges to Global Citizenship: Ecologically Sustainable Futures Utilising Children's Literature in Teacher Education
Authors: Bradbery Debbie
Published: March 2014

Developing an understanding of the importance of a sustainable future is vital in helping children to become ‘global citizens’. Global citizens are those willing to take responsibility for their own actions, respect and value diversity and see themselves as contributors to a more peaceful and sustainable world. Children's literature — picture and story books in particular — can be used as a powerful tool to help even the youngest citizens become aware of the need to assume responsibility for creating and enjoying a sustainable future through global citizenship. Children's literature can be utilised to help children examine and change personal lifestyles to secure a sustainable future; to identify, investigate, evaluate and undertake appropriate action to maintain, protect and enhance local and global environments; to challenge preconceived ideas, accept change and acknowledge uncertainty and to work cooperatively and in partnerships with others. This article explores and examines ways in which some examples of Australasian children's literature, specificallyStorm Boy(Thiele, 1963),Lester and Clyde(Reece, 1991),The Waterhole(Base, 2001),Window(Baker, 1991) andBelonging(Baker, 2004), have been used in a literacy focused preservice teacher education course to assist preservice teachers entering their internship school placements to develop children's understandings of an ecologically sustainable future. It provides further insight into methods for embedding teaching for a sustainable future into pre-service teacher education.
Classifying Infectious Disease Outbreaks to Improve Timeliness and Efficiency of Response
Authors: Posid Joseph M. , Goodman Richard A. , Khan Ali S.
Published: March 2014

Following the intentional dissemination of B.anthracis through the U.S. Postal Service in 2001, use of the term “naturally occurring” to classify some infectious disease outbreaks has become more evident. However, this term is neither a scientific nor an epidemiologic classification that is helpful in describing either the source or the mode of transmission in outbreaks. In this paper, the authors provide examples of how and when the public health community has recognized potentially flawed or misleading taxonomy in the past and taken steps to improve the taxonomy's accuracy and usefulness. We also offer examples of alternative terms for classifying outbreaks since inaccurate descriptions of outbreaks could potentially lead to a flawed or incomplete set of underlying assumptions about the outbreak's causal factors. This, in turn, could lead to implementing a flawed or incomplete intervention or response strategy which could extend the duration of the outbreak, resulting in avoidable morbidity and mortality. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;0:1–6)
Attitudes and experiences of nursing staff to the Mental Health Act 2001: lessons for future mental health legislation
Authors: Doherty A. M. , Jabbar F. , Kelly B. D.
Published: March 2014

Objectives

The Mental Health Act 2001 was implemented in 2006 to bring Ireland into line with international practice and United Nations Conventions on Human Rights. Previous studies have reported some practical difficulties for the professionals involved. We wished to examine the experiences of nursing staff and the impact of the Act on clinical nursing practice since its implementation.

Method

This cross-sectional survey was conducted by questionnaire. It contained questions examining training in and attitudes to the Act, and any resultant changes in nursing practise.

Results

A total of 317 questionnaires were returned. Of the nurses, 92% reported having received training in the Act, and 56% of nursing staff believed that their workload had increased as a result of the change in legislation. Of those who made a comment, 76.5% were negative, with increased paper work, lack of clarity and an excessive focus on legalities being the most common difficulties reported.

Conclusions

Nursing staff have shown mixed attitudes to the Mental Health Act 2001, but many of the difficulties encountered are similar to those experienced by other professionals.
Effects of lifestyle changes and high-dose β-blocker therapy on exercise capacity in children, adolescents, and young adults with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Bratt Ewa-Lena , Östman-Smith Ingegerd
Published: March 2014

Aim: The use of β-blocker therapy in asymptomatic patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is controversial. This study evaluates the effect of lifestyle changes and high-dose β-blocker therapy on their exercise capacity. Methods and results: A total of 29 consecutive newly diagnosed asymptomatic patients with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, median age 15 years (range 7–25), were recruited. In all, 16 patients with risk factors for sudden death were treated with propranolol if no contraindications, or equivalent doses of metoprolol; 13 with no risk factors were randomised to metoprolol or no active treatment. Thus, there were three treatment groups, non-selective β-blockade (n=10, propranolol 4.0–11.6 mg/kg/day), selective β-blockade (n=9, metoprolol 2.7–5.9 mg/kg/day), and randomised controls (n=10). All were given recommendations for lifestyle modifications, and reduced energetic exercise significantly (p=0.002). Before study entry, and after 1 year, all underwent bicycle exercise tests with a ramp protocol. There were no differences in exercise capacity between the groups at entry, or follow-up, when median exercise capacity in the groups were virtually identical (2.4, 2.3, and 2.3 watt/kg and 55, 55, and 55 watt/(height in metre)2 in control, selective, and non-selective groups, respectively. Maximum heart rate decreased in the selective (−29%, p=0.04) and non-selective (−24%, p=0.002) groups. No patient developed a pathological blood-pressure response to exercise because of β-blocker therapy. Boys were more frequently risk-factor positive than girls (75% versus 33%, p=0.048) and had higher physical activity scores than girls at study-entry (p=0.011). Conclusions: Neither selective nor non-selective β-blockade causes significant reductions in exercise capacity in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy above that induced by lifestyle changes.
GASKELL'S DETOURS: HOWMARY BARTON,RUTH, ANDCRANFORDREDEFINED “REDUNDANCY”
Authors: Fenton-Hathaway Anna
Published: March 2014

When the 1851 census reported an“excess” of some half-million women in Britain, feminists and anti-feminists quickly took to the press to debate the implications of the demographic imbalance. Yet Victorian novelists also wishing to convey and alter the “Condition of England” experienced something of a quandary: How should fiction respond to news of the imbalance, and what options could be suggested for resolving it?
Noncommutative motives of Azumaya algebras
Authors: Tabuada Gonçalo , Van den Bergh Michel
Published: March 2014

Let$k$be a base commutative ring,$R$a commutative ring of coefficients,$X$a quasi-compact quasi-separated$k$-scheme, and$A$a sheaf of Azumaya algebras over$X$of rank$r$. Under the assumption that$1/r\in R$, we prove that the noncommutative motives with$R$-coefficients of$X$and$A$are isomorphic. As an application, we conclude that a similar isomorphism holds for every$R$-linear additive invariant. This leads to several computations. Along the way we show that, in the case of finite-dimensional algebras of finite global dimension, all additive invariants are nilinvariant.
The experience of being an informal “carer” for a person with cancer: A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies
Authors: Seal Karen , Murray Craig D. , Seddon Lesley
Published: March 2014

Objective:

Increasingly, family or friends are providing care to those with cancer. However, the majority of those assuming the caring role have no prior knowledge related to the provision of care. The present study aimed to explore the experiences of informal carers with respect to their role, thus determining ways that services may support transition to this role.

Method:

In order to obtain an in-depth view of such experience, a qualitative meta-synthesis was employed to review the findings of 17 studies.

Results:

Out of this synthesis, three main concepts were developed: (1) identity and adopting the caring role, (2) the perception of care tasks, and (3) relationship dynamic changes as a result of caring.

Significance of Results:

The implications for professional practice are discussed.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Zebrafish Noxa promotes mitosis in early embryonic development and regulates apoptosis in subsequent embryogenesis
Authors: Zhong J-X , Zhou L , Li Z , Wang Y , Gui J-F
Published: March 2014

Noxa functions in apoptosis and immune system of vertebrates, but its activities in embryo development remain unclear. In this study, we have studied the role of zebrafish Noxa (zNoxa) by using zNoxa-specifc morpholino knockdown and overexpression approaches in developing zebrafish embryos. Expression pattern analysis indicates that zNoxa transcript is of maternal origin, which displays a uniform distribution in early embryonic development until shield stage, and the zygote zNoxa transcription is initiated from this stage and mainly localized in YSL of the embryos. The zNoxa expression alterations result in strong embryonic development defects, demonstrating that zNoxa regulates apoptosis from 75% epiboly stage of development onward, in which zNoxa firstly induces the expression of zBik, and then cooperates with zBik to regulate apoptosis. Moreover, zNoxa knockdown also causes a reduction in number of mitotic cells before 8 h.p.f., suggesting that zNoxa also promotes mitosis before 75% epiboly stage. The effect of zNoxa on mitosis is mediated by zWnt4b in early embryos, whereas zMcl1a and zMcl1b suppress the ability of zNoxa to regulate mitosis and apoptosis at different developmental stages. In addition, mammalian mouse Noxa (mNoxa) mRNA was demonstrated to rescue the arrest of mitosis when zNoxa was knocked down, suggesting that mouse and zebrafish Noxa might have similar dual functions. Therefore, the current findings indicate that Noxa is a novel regulator of early mitosis before 75% epiboly stage when it translates into a key mediator of apoptosis in subsequent embryogenesis.
Molecular interactions in the ionic liquid emim acetate and water binary mixtures probed via NMR spin relaxation and exchange spectroscopy
Authors: Allen Jesse J. , Bowser Sage R. , Damodaran Krishnan
Published: March 2014

Interactions of ionic liquids (ILs) with water are of great interest for many potential IL applications.
Carbonate–H2O2 leaching for sequestering uranium from seawater
Authors: Pan Horng-Bin , Liao Weisheng , Wai Chien M. , Oyola Yatsandra , Janke Christopher J. , Tian Guoxin , Rao Linfeng
Published: March 2014

Uranium adsorbed on amidoxime (AO)-based polyethylene fiber in simulated seawater can be quantitatively eluted at room temperature using 1 M Na2CO3 containing 0.1 M H2O2 without significant damage to fiber.
New diamino-diheterophenol ligands coordinate iron(iii) to make structural and functional models of protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase
Authors: Farrell Joshua R. , Niconchuk Jonathan A. , Renehan Peter R. , Higham Christine S. , Yoon Eric , Andrews Mark V. , Shaw Janet L. , Cetin Anil , Engle James , Ziegler Christopher J.
Published: March 2014

Three five-coordinate Fe(iii) complexes were prepared that are functional and structural models for the enzyme Protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase (3,4-PCD).
One-pot manufacture of nanoparticle-based films in aqueous media via an electric field-driven assembly process
Authors: Gonzalo-Juan Isabel , Escribano Juan A. , Castro Yolanda , Sanchez-Herencia Antonio J. , Fierro Jose Luis G. , Ferrari Begoña
Published: March 2014

We present a one-pot process to produce an extremely dense packed YSZ nanostructure that can consolidate at unconventionally low temperature.
A modular lead-oriented synthesis of diverse piperazine, 1,4-diazepane and 1,5-diazocane scaffolds
Authors: James Thomas , MacLellan Paul , Burslem George M. , Simpson Iain , Grant J. Andrew , Warriner Stuart , Sridharan Visuvanathar , Nelson Adam
Published: March 2014

A modular synthetic approach is described in which combinations of cyclic sulfamidate and hydroxy sulfonamide building blocks may be converted into piperazine, 1,4-diazepine and 1,5-diazocane scaffolds.
From acetone metalation to the catalytic α-arylation of acyclic ketones with NHC–nickel(ii) complexes
Authors: Henrion Mickaël , Chetcuti Michael J. , Ritleng Vincent
Published: March 2014

Air-stable NHC–nickel(ii) complexes at concentrations as low as 1 mol% exhibit high catalytic activity for the α-arylation of acyclic ketones.
A reductive ligation based fluorescent probe for S-nitrosothiols
Authors: Zhang Di , Chen Wei , Miao Zhengrui , Ye Yong , Zhao Yufen , King S. Bruce , Xian Ming
Published: March 2014

A reductive ligation based fluorescent probe (SNOP1) for the detection of S-nitrosothiols was developed and proved to be selective and sensitive.
New 4-(2-(4-alkoxyphenyl)-6-methoxypyridin-4-yl)benzonitriles: synthesis, liquid crystalline behavior and photo physical properties
Authors: Ahipa T. N. , Kumar Vijith , Shankar Rao D. S. , Prasad Subbarao Krishna , Adhikari Airody Vasudeva
Published: March 2014

A new series of luminescent 4-(2-(4-alkoxyphenyl)-6-methoxypyridin-4-yl)benzonitriles containing three ring systems, with bent-core structures was synthesized as potential mesogens and characterized by spectral techniques.
Growth mechanism of vertically aligned SnSe nanosheets via physical vapour deposition
Authors: Ma Xing-Hua , Cho Ki-Hyun , Sung Yun-Mo
Published: March 2014

The growth mechanism of SnSe nanosheets synthesized by physical vapour deposition was elucidated in detail based upon crystal structure and surface energy.
Silica-supported boric acid assisted conversion of mono- and poly-saccharides to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in ionic liquid
Authors: Walia Mayanka , Sharma Upendra , Agnihotri Vijai K. , Singh Bikram
Published: March 2014

Silica-supported boric acid has been prepared and applied as heterogeneous catalyst for the direct conversion of inexpensive and biorenewable mono- and polysaccharides to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in ionic liquid under much milder conditions.
Magnetically recyclable core–shell nanocatalysts for efficient heterogeneous oxidation of alcohols
Authors: Shokouhimehr Mohammadreza , Shin Keun-Young , Lee James S. , Hackett Michael J. , Jun Samuel Woojoo , Oh Myoung Hwan , Jang Jyongsik , Hyeon Taeghwan
Published: March 2014

We describe the designed fabrication of magnetically recyclable core–shell Pd nanocatalysts for the efficient oxidation of alcohols under base-free reaction conditions in water.
Object tracking using compressive local appearance model with ℓ1‐regularisation
Authors: Kim Hyuncheol , Paik Joonki
Published: March 2014

A novel compressive local appearance model‐based object tracking algorithm is presented to address challenging issues in object tracking. To efficiently preserve image patches of an object and reduce the dimensionality, a random projection‐based feature selection method is introduced. Modelling the object's appearance using a sparse representation over a set of templates leads to an ℓ1‐regularisation problem. To solve this problem, both the reconstruction error and the residual matrix are considered which play a key role in tracking an object with severe appearance variations using the modified likelihood function. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms existing state‐of‐the‐art tracking methods in terms of dealing with long‐term partial occlusion, deformation and rotation.