bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacotherapeutic and Non-Pharmacological Options for Refractory and Difficult-to-Treat Seizures
Authors: Mitchell James W. , Seri Stefano , Cavanna Andrea E.
Published: June 2012

It is currently estimated that about 20%–30% of adults and 10%–40% of children diagnosed with epilepsy suffer from uncontrolled or poorly controlled seizures, despite optimal medical management. In addition to its huge economic costs, treatment-refractory epilepsy has a widespread impact on patients’ health-related quality of life. The present paper focuses on the concepts of refractory and difficult-to-treat seizures and their pharmacological management. Evidence on efficacy and tolerability of rational pharmacotherapy with antiepileptic drug combinations and of non-pharmacological treatment options such as epilepsy surgery, neurostimulation, metabolic treatment and herbal remedies is reviewed. The importance of early identification of the underlying etiology of the specific epilepsy syndrome is emphasized, to inform early prognosis and therapeutic strategies.
Tendencias de la mortalidad en Honduras por grupos de edad, entre los años 1950-2005, con proyecciones al 2025
Authors: Baca Héctor Yobany
Published: June 2012

La mortalidad es una variable de la demografía y una de las principales responsabilidades de esta ciencia aplicada consiste en el estudio del crecimiento de la población y de sus componentes, para que sirva de base para la planificación económica y social. En la presentación de este artículo se pretende dar a conocer las tendencias que ha tenido y tiene la mortalidad en Honduras y las que tendría si las condiciones de salud se mantienen igual. Para entender estas tendencias se hacen señalamientos a algunas teorías de autores que se han interesado en el estudio de esta temática. Además se hace mención de algunos factores que inciden en estas tendencias. Para determinar el grado de reducción o aumento de la mortalidad, se presentan algunos datos sobre la esperanza de vida al nacer de la población de Honduras con proyecciones al 2025. Las que permiten ver como las mujeres tienen una vida mas larga que los hombres.Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 4, No. 4, 2009 10-20
Migración y Remesas en Olancho, Honduras
Authors: Fonseca Manuel Antonio Flores
Published: June 2012

Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 4, No. 4, 2009 22-34
Tendencias de la mortalidad en Honduras por grupos de edad, entre los años 1950-2005, con proyecciones al 2025
Authors: Baca Héctor Yobany
Published: June 2012

El estudio de la mortalidad se puede hacer desde diferentes percepciones de la realidad, una de estas es desde el enfoque de tendencias. Al analizar las tendencias de la mortalidad en Honduras se observa que ésta es diferenciada según grupos de edad, una de las características básicas de estas tendencias es que hay una sobremortalidad masculina, otra característica es que las mujeres tienen una esperanza de vida más larga que los hombres. Las tendencias de la mortalidad están determinadas por una serie de factores de tipo social y político, entre los de tipo social están salud, lo que significa brindar mejor servicio en salud en los CESAMOS y hospitales públicos; y en las de tipo político se encuentran las inversiones presupuestarias que los gobiernos hacen para reducir los índices de muertes en los hogares como consecuencia de un buen servicio de salud. Este último es un factor determinante para las tendencias porque mientras más inversión hagan los gobiernos en salud, las tendencias de la mortalidad serán decrecientes y con ello la población tendría una esperanza de vida más elevada. Palabras claves: mortalidad; sobremortalidad; tendencias.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/pdac.v6i0.464 Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 6, No. 6, 2010 26-35
Factores de éxito y fracaso en la implementacion de proyectos con inversión del fondo de la estrategia de reducción de la pobreza en los municipios de Intibucá y San Isidro
Authors: García José Ramón Coto , Zelaya Edith Yolany
Published: June 2012

La investigación sobre factores de éxito y fracaso en el desarrollo de proyectos financiados con fondos de la estrategia de ERP, conduce a reflexionar respecto a las diferentes experiencias que han tenido los municipios de Intibucá y San Isidro ubicados en el departamento de Intibucá. De manera general un factor de éxito ha sido la anuen- cia de las autoridades municipales en coordinar con otros actores la formulación e implementación de proyectos. Otro es la puesta en práctica de instrumentos normativos como ser la Ley de contratación del Estado, en el sentido de hacer las compras por medio de licitación pública para demostrar transparencia en el proceso y obtener los mejores precios de insumos. Sin embargo, existen factores de fracaso como dificultades de monitoreo efectivo tanto en la formulación como en la ejecución de proyectos, falta de recurso humano por parte de las municipalidades, la inexistencia de organismos de control social como las comisiones de trasparencia y la enorme demanda de recursos lo que dificulta beneficiar todas las comunidades del municipio. Palabras clave: pobreza; proyectos; estrategia. Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 6, No. 6, 2010 52-63
The Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers as Grain Transport Arteries: A Spatial Equilibrium Analysis
Authors: Fellin Luis , Fuller Stephen , Kruse John , Meyer Seth , Womack Abner
Published: June 2012

Spatial models representing the international grain economy are developed to estimate the annual contribution of the upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Midwest grain producer revenues and to evaluate alternate grain routing necessitated by a catastrophic event at Lock and Dam 27 near St. Louis. Several scenarios are constructed to consider grain load capacity constraints in combination with alternative rail rate increases. The analysis suggests the annual value of the upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers for grain transport ranges from $229 million to $806 million.
The Effects of Gasoline Prices on Bus Ridership for Different Types of Transit Systems
Authors: Mattson Jeremy
Published: June 2012

This study estimates the effects of gas prices on bus ridership for different types of transit systems. Because the price of gas can have a delayed effect on the demand for transit, a dynamic polynomial distributed lag model is utilized which measures short- and longer-run effects. The model is first applied to aggregate data for cities of different sizes and then to three specific small urban and rural transit systems in the Upper Great Plains. The results show that bus ridership is fairly inelastic with respect to gasoline price. Most of the estimated elasticities are in the range of 0.08 to 0.22, with two estimates being as high as 0.5.
Framework for Modeling Statewide Freight Movement Using Publicly Available Data
Authors: Mitra Subhro , Tolliver Denver
Published: June 2012

This paper presents a methodology to model statewide truck trips using publicly available data developed by federal and state organizations. This methodology is applied for the statewide freight planning of North Dakota. In the absence of ample research funding, states, counties and metropolitan planning organizations can resort to these freely available data. A state level commodity-by-industry input-output table customized from a freely available national input-output table is used to disaggregate trips to the traffic analysis zone level. These databases are available nationally; hence, the methodology discussed in this paper can be transferred to other states with relative ease.
Expansion of the Reporting System Paradigm to the United States Maritime Industry
Authors: Bixler Jeffrey A.
Published: June 2012

This paper focuses on the creation of a U.S. maritime reporting system designed to alert the industry of safety incidents and prevent accidents. A brief history of aviation safety reporting will be provided, followed by an analysis of eight recent U.S. maritime accidents that reveal a gap in maritime safety information sharing. This paper will also describe the United Kingdom's maritime reporting system and the previous work completed on a U.S. maritime reporting system. This paper concludes with the impact of terrorism on maritime security and how previous work in aviation security reporting could be incorporated into a maritime reporting system.
Public Perceptions of Pricing Existing Roads and Other Transportation Policies: The Texas Perspective
Authors: Kockelman Kara M. , Podgorski Kaethe , Bina Michelle , Gadda Shashank
Published: June 2012

This work illuminates public opinion on various transportation policies and issues. Statewide survey results reveal considerable agreement on two issues (higher tolls for heavy vehicles and dedicated truck lanes) and reasonable support for conversion of non-tolled roads to tolled roads. Under congestion pricing, older persons report being more likely to reduce their travel during peak periods, members of larger households are more likely to change travel routes, and full-time workers are more likely not to change their current travel patterns. Other results tie into the information content of messages, highway safety policies and revenue generation for transportation agencies.
Unsteady Reversed Stagnation-Point Flow over a Flat Plate
Authors: Sin Vai Kuong , Chio Chon Kit
Published: June 2012

This paper investigates the nature of the development of two-dimensional laminar flow of an incompressible fluid at the reversed stagnation-point. Proudman and Johnson (1962) first studied the flow and obtained an asymptotic solution by neglecting the viscous terms. Robins and Howarth (1972) stated that this is not true in neglecting the viscous terms within the total flow field. Viscous terms in this analysis are now included, and a similarity solution of two-dimensional reversed stagnation-point flow is investigated by solving the full Navier-Stokes equations.
Synthesis of High Aspect-Ratio Gold Nanowires with Highly Porous Morphology
Authors: Johnson Lucas P. , Matisons Janis G.
Published: June 2012

Here, we demonstrate the formation of porous gold nanowires with diameters <60 nm by a two-step process involving the successive electrodeposition of silver then gold into the pores of a track-etched polycarbonate filtration membrane, followed by treatment with nitric acid. The resulting nanowires possess a unique, highly porous morphology, which yields a very high accessible surface area to volume ratio compared to solid nanowires of the same dimensions. Combined with the high aspect ratio of these particles (which allows for easy isolation from solution), this makes them eminently suitable for use in catalysis and sensing applications. The formation of such porous gold nanostructures was ascertained to result from the low diffusivity of the silver species within the narrow membrane pores.
Locally Advanced Pancreatic Head Cancer: Margin-Positive Resection or Bypass?
Authors: Wellner Ulrich Friedrich , Makowiec Frank , Bausch Dirk , Höppner Jens , Sick Olivia , Hopt Ulrich Theodor , Keck Tobias
Published: June 2012

Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive disease with poor survival. The only effective therapy offering long-term survival is complete surgical resection. In the setting of nonmetastatic disease, locally advanced tumors constitute a technical challenge to the surgeon and may result in margin-positive resection margins. Few studies have evaluated the implications of the latter in depth. The aim of this study was to compare the margin-positive situation to palliative bypass procedures and margin-negative resections in terms of perioperative and long-term outcome. By retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained data from 360 patients operated for pancreatic cancer at our institution, we provide evidence that margin-positive resection still yields a significant survival benefit over palliative bypass procedures. At the same time, perioperative severe morbidity and mortality are not significantly increased. Our observations suggest that pancreatic cancer should be resected whenever technically feasible, including, cases of locally advanced disease.
Evolution of Durable High-Strength Flowable Mortar Reinforced with Hybrid Fibers
Authors: Dawood Eethar Thanon , Ramli Mahyuddin
Published: June 2012

The production and use of durable materials in construction are considered as one of the most challenging things for the professional engineers. Therefore, this research was conducted to investigate the mechanical properties and the durability by using of different percentages of steel fiber with high-strength flowable mortar (HSFM) and also the use of the hybridization of steel fibers, palm fibers, and synthetic fiber (Barchip). Different experimental tests (compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and static modulus of elasticity among others) were determined after 90 days of normal water curing and 180 days of seawater exposure. The results indicate that hybrid fibers of 1.5% steel fibers + 0.25% palm fibers + 0.25% Barchip fibers provide significant improvement in the different mechanical properties of HSFM. Besides, the hybridization of fibers was found to be effective in the terms of durability (exposure to seawater). Therefore, the minimum reduction in static modulus of elasticity, compressive, splitting and flexural strength was obtained for the HSFM mixes of hybrid fibers using steel fibers with palm fibers and also for the use of steel, palm, and Barchip fibers.
Effects of Carburizing Process Variables on Mechanical and Chemical Properties of Carburized Mild Steel
Authors: A. Oyetunji  , S.O. Adeosun
Published: June 2012

This work evaluates the suitability of using palm kernel shell, animal bone (mammalian bones from cattle) and sea shell (oyster shell) materials as carburizers for case hardening of 0.078%C mild steel. The mild steel sample used in this study sourced from universal steel company, Ikeja Lagos Nigeria was cut into suitable sizes using hacksaw machine for tensile and hardness tests. The carburizing media used were milled into fine powder while Barium trioxo (iv) carbonate (VI) (BaCO3) was used as an energizer in the carburizing process. Three rectangular stainless steel plate boxes were fabricated to accommodate each of the steel samples and carburized. A calculated amount of each carburizer was weighed into each of the stainless steel boxes and 20 wt % of BaC03 was mixed with each of them. Mild steel samples were covered completely in each of the boxes with the mixture of the carburizer and energizer placed in the furnace chamber. The carburizing temperatures varied between 700 - 1100oC while the holding time varied between 1-5 hrs. The boxes and its contents were allowed to cool down to room temperature in the furnace after carburization. All samples were heated to 850oC after been soaked for 30 minutes at this temperature and oil quenched. This was to increase the hardness of the case. Fifteen (15) of these samples were further tempered at 350oC for 2hrs to relieve the stress built up during quenching. Hardness test, tensile strength tests and chemical analysis were carried out on the samples. It was observed that the hardness values of the untempered samples are superior to the tempered ones at carburizing temperatures of 7000C, 8000C and 9000C. On the other hand, the tensile strengths of the tempered samples are higher relative to the untempered samples at carburizing temperatures of 7000C, 10000C and 11000C. The results of the carbon analysis show that palm kernel shell and animal bone are potentially suitable to be used as a carburizing media than the sea shell at high temperatures (above 10000C) with holding time above 1 hr.
A Different View of Anger: The Cognitive‐Neoassociation Conception of the Relation of Anger to Aggression
Authors: Berkowitz Leonard
Published: June 2012

The common, everyday understanding of anger is problematic in a number of respects—in its inattention to the prototypic nature of this emotional state; in its failure to recognize the important role often played by the critical event's aversiveness; and in its neglect of the frequently close connection between anger arousal and aggression‐related motor impulses. This article discusses all of these matters from the point of view of my cognitive‐neoassociation perspective [Berkowitz, 1990, 1993, 2010; Berkowitz and Harmon‐Jones, 2004]. The role of automatic, nonconscious reactions is considered, and it is also emphasized that angry feelings are linked to approach motivation—movement toward the perceived source of the anger. The article also briefly summarizes relevant research dealing with the self‐regulation of anger reactions. This broad review hopefully will prompt further inquiries into the arousal, nature, and operation of anger. Aggr. Behav. 38:322‐333, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intuitive knowing and embodied consciousness
Authors: Lipson Lawrence Randee
Published: June 2012

This article explores the role of intuition as a preconscious embodied state and its implication for adult education.
Outdoor experiential education: Learning through the body
Authors: Howden Eric
Published: June 2012

This article explores experiential education as the use of direct experience for enhancing social, emotional, and intellectual growth.
Embodied knowledge and decolonization: Walking with theater's powerful and risky pedagogy
Authors: Butterwick Shauna , Selman Jan
Published: June 2012

This article explores how somatic theater processes tap into embodied knowing, which enables and animates participants to see themselves as creators of their own stories, knowledge, and actions for justice.
Second round robin for plasma hepcidin methods: First steps toward harmonization
Authors: Kroot Joyce J.C. , van Herwaarden Antonius E. , Tjalsma Harold , Jansen Rob T.P. , Hendriks Jan C.M. , Swinkels Dorine W.
Published: June 2012

Measurements of the iron regulatory hormone hepcidin by various methodologies and laboratories are not harmonized. As a result different numeric results are obtained for the same clinical sample. We investigated whether better agreement between plasma hepcidin methods can be achieved by harmonization. Native plasma pools (n = 11) of a variety of hepcidin concentrations and blank plasma spiked with three different quantities of synthetic hepcidin‐25 purchased from two different commercial sources (n = 6), were distributed in duplicate among 21 methods worldwide. We assessed commutability by comparing results from synthetic hepcidin with those from native samples in various method couples by Bland‐Altman plots. Methods differed substantially in absolute values and reproducibility. For the majority of methods we found that samples with synthetic hepcidin‐25 were noncommutable with the native samples. In an attempt to harmonize by using native hepcidin results, we selected two methods that showed good mutual agreement of native results and calculated consensus values as the medians for the 11 duplicate native samples obtained by these two methods. Finally, we constructed algorithms enabling the laboratories to calculate the hepcidin consensus (HEPCON) value using their own native hepcidin results. We found that the use of these algorithms substantially reduced the between‐method CV. Until commutable materials are defined, hepcidin harmonization can be achieved by exploiting specific algorithms, allowing each lab to report their native hepcidin concentrations in HEPCON values. This study represents the first step toward harmonization of plasma hepcidin methods and facilitates aggregation of hepcidin data from different research investigations. Am. J. Hematol., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Jüngste Fortschritte in der Azaborin‐Chemie
Authors: Campbell Patrick G. , Marwitz Adam J. V. , Liu Shih‐Yuan
Published: June 2012

Die Chemie der Organoborverbindungen wurde im Wesentlichen durch ihre Verwendung als leistungsfähige Reagentien in der organischen Synthese beherrscht. Neuerdings hat sich die Einbindung von Bor als Bestandteil einer funktionellen Zielstruktur als ein geeigneter Weg erwiesen, um Diversität in organischen Verbindungen hervorzurufen. Eine üblicherweise angewendete Strategie ist der Austausch einer CC‐ gegen eine isoelektronische BN‐Einheit. Besonders die BN/CC‐Isosterie von Arenen erfuhr im vergangenen Jahrzehnt eine Renaissance. Die Stammverbindung der 1,2‐Dihydro‐1,2‐azaborin‐Familie wurde jetzt isoliert. Für mögliche Anwendungen in der Biomedizin und den Materialwissenschaften wurden neue mono‐ und polycyclische BN‐Heterocyclen synthetisiert. Dieser Aufsatz ist eine Würdigung der 50 Jahre zurückliegenden ersten Synthese eines monocyclischen 1,2‐Dihydro‐1,2‐azaborins durch Dewar und diskutiert die neuesten Fortschritte in der Synthese und Charakterisierung von Kohlenstoff‐Bor‐Stickstoff‐Heterocyclen.
Completely Green Synthesis of Colloid Adams’ Catalyst α‐PtO2 Nanocrystals and Derivative Pt Nanocrystals with High Activity and Stability for Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Gao Min‐Rui , Lin Zhao‐Yang , Jiang Jun , Cui Chun‐Hua , Zheng Ya‐Rong , Yu Shu‐Hong
Published: June 2012

We report a first solution strategy for controlled synthesis of Adams’ catalyst (i.e., α‐PtO2) by a facile and totally green approach using H2PtCl6 and water as reactants. The prepared α‐PtO2 nanocrystals (NCs) are ultrasmall in size and have very “clean” surfaces, which can be reduced to Pt NCs easily in ethanol under ambient conditions. Such Adams’ catalysts have been applied as electrocatalysts beyond the field of heterogeneous catalysis. Noticeably, the water‐only synthesized α‐PtO2 NCs and their derivative Pt NCs all exhibit much higher oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activities and stabilities than that of the state‐of‐art Pt/C electrocatalysts. This study provides an example on the organics‐free synthesis of α‐PtO2 and Pt NCs as promising cathode catalysts for fuel cell applications and, particularly, this simple, straightforward method may open a new way for the synthesis of other “clean” functional nanomaterials.
State‐of‐the‐art FISHing: Automated analysis of cytogenetic aberrations in interphase nuclei
Authors: Pajor Gábor , Kajtár Béla , Pajor László , Alpár Donát
Published: June 2012

Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (i‐FISH) is a powerful tool for visualizing various molecular targets in non‐dividing cells. Manual scoring of i‐FISH signals is a labor intensive, time‐consuming, and error‐prone process liable to subjective interpretation. Automated evaluation of signal patterns provides the opportunity to overcome these difficulties. The first report on automated i‐FISH analysis has been published 20 years ago and since then several applications have been introduced in the fields of oncology, and prenatal and fertility screening. In this article, we provide an insight into the automated i‐FISH analysis including its course, brief history, clinical applications, and advantages and challenges. The lack of guidelines for describing new automated i‐FISH methods hampers the precise comparison of performance of various applications published, thus, we make a proposal for a panel of parameters essential to introduce and standardize new applications and reproduce previously described technologies. © 2012 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
CCS in Europe: a perspective from the European Commission
Authors: Holzner Marlene
Published: June 2012

Muriel Cozier interviews Marlene Holzner, Spokesman for Energy European Commission in Brussels, and explores how the European Commission is involved in funding and facilitating future carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects.
Spatiotemporal distribution of cortical processing of first and second languages in bilinguals. II. Effects of phonologic and semantic priming
Authors: Pratt Hillel , Abbasi Dalal Abu‐Amneh , Bleich Naomi , Mittelman Nomi , Starr Arnold
Published: June 2012

This study determined the effects of phonology and semantics on the distribution of cortical activity to the second of a pair of words in first and second language (mixed pairs). The effects of relative proficiency in the two languages and linguistic setting (monolinguistic or mixed) are reported in a companion paper. Ten early bilinguals and 14 late bilinguals listened to mixed pairs of words in Arabic (L1) and Hebrew (L2) and indicated whether both words in the pair had the same or different meanings. The spatio‐temporal distribution of current densities of event‐related potentials were estimated for each language and according to semantic and phonologic relationship (same or different) compared with the first word in the pair. During early processing (<300 ms), brain activity in temporal and temporoparietal auditory areas was enhanced by phonologic incongruence between words in the pair and in Wernicke's area by both phonologic and semantic priming. In contrast, brain activities during late processing (>300 ms) were enhanced by semantic incongruence between the two words, particularly in temporal areas and in left hemisphere Broca's and Wernicke's areas. The latter differences were greater when words were in L2. Surprisingly, no significant effects of relative proficiency on processing the second word in the pair were found. These results indicate that the distribution of brain activity to the second of two words presented bilingually is affected differently during early and late processing by both semantic and phonologic priming by‐ and incongruence with the immediately preceding word. Hum Brain Mapp 34:2882–2898, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Childhood maltreatment is associated with an automatic negative emotion processing bias in the amygdala
Authors: Dannlowski Udo , Kugel Harald , Huber Franziska , Stuhrmann Anja , Redlich Ronny , Grotegerd Dominik , Dohm Katharina , Sehlmeyer Christina , Konrad Carsten , Baune Bernhard T. , Arolt Volker , Heindel Walter , Zwitserlood Pienie , Suslow Thomas
Published: June 2012

Major depression has been repeatedly associated with amygdala hyper‐responsiveness to negative (but not positive) facial expressions at early, automatic stages of emotion processing using subliminally presented stimuli. However, it is not clear whether this “limbic bias” is a correlate of depression or represents a vulnerability marker preceding the onset of the disease. Because childhood maltreatment is a potent risk factor for the development of major depression in later life, we explored whether childhood maltreatment is associated with amygdalar emotion processing bias in maltreated but healthy subjects. Amygdala responsiveness to subliminally presented sad and happy faces was measured by means of fMRI at 3 T in N = 150 healthy subjects carefully screened for psychiatric disorders. Childhood maltreatment was assessed by the 25‐item childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ). A strong association of CTQ‐scores with amygdala responsiveness to sad, but not happy facial expressions emerged. This result was further qualified by an interaction of emotional valence and CTQ‐scores and was not confounded by trait anxiety, current depression level, age, gender, intelligence, education level, and more recent stressful life‐events. Childhood maltreatment is apparently associated with detectable changes in amygdala function during early stages of emotion processing which resemble findings described in major depression. Limbic hyper‐responsiveness to negative facial cues could be a consequence of the experience of maltreatment during childhood increasing the risk of depression in later life. Limitation: the present association of limbic bias and maltreatment was demonstrated in the absence of psychopathological abnormalities, thereby limiting strong conclusions. Hum Brain Mapp 34:2899–2909, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Keeping the body in mind: Insula functional organization and functional connectivity integrate interoceptive, exteroceptive, and emotional awareness
Authors: Simmons W. Kyle , Avery Jason A. , Barcalow Joel C. , Bodurka Jerzy , Drevets Wayne C. , Bellgowan Patrick
Published: June 2012

Relatively discrete experimental literatures have grown to support the insula's role in the domains of interoception, focal exteroceptive attention and cognitive control, and the experience of anxiety, even as theoretical accounts have asserted that the insula is a critical zone for integrating across these domains. Here we provide the first experimental demonstration that there exists a functional topography across the insula, with distinct regions in the same participants responding in a highly selective fashion for interoceptive, exteroceptive, and affective processing. Although each insular region is associated with areas of differential resting state functional connectivity relative to the other regions, overall their functional connectivity profiles are quite similar, thereby providing a map of how interoceptive, exteroceptive, and emotional awareness are integrated within the insular cortex. Hum Brain Mapp 34:2944–2958, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Protective effects of N‐acetyl cysteine on membrane‐bound adenosine triphosphatases and minerals in isoproterenol‐induced myocardial‐infarcted rats: An in vivo and in vitro study
Authors: Nagoor Meeran M. F. , Stanely Mainzen Prince P.
Published: June 2012

The present study was aimed to evaluate the protective effects of N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC) on changes in the activities/levels of adenosine triphosphatases and minerals in isoproterenol‐induced myocardial‐infarcted rats. Male albino Wistar rats were pretreated with NAC (10 mg/kg body weight) daily for a period of 14 days. After pretreatment period, rats were induced myocardial infarction (MI) by isoproterenol (100 mg/kg body weight). The activity of sodium/potassium‐dependent adenosine triphosphatase was decreased, and the activities of calcium‐ and magnesium‐dependent adenosine triphosphatases were increased in the heart of isoproterenol‐induced myocardial‐infarcted rats. Furthermore, the levels of potassium were lowered and the levels of sodium and calcium were increased in the heart of isoproterenol‐induced rats. Increased plasma lipid peroxidation was observed in isoproterenol‐induced rats. Pretreatment with NAC showed protective effects on adenosine triphosphatases, minerals, and lipid peroxidation. The in vitro study confirmed the reducing property of NAC. The observed effects are due to the membrane‐stabilizing and antioxidant effects of NAC. The results of this study will be useful for the prevention of MI. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 26:276–281, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.21419
Plasmonic‐enhanced visible‐light‐driven photocatalytic activity of Ag–AgBr synthesized in reactable ionic liquid
Authors: Xu Hui , Song Yanhua , Liu Ling , Li Huaming , Xu Yuanguo , Xia Jiexiang , Wu Xiangyang , Zhao Shuowei
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: Plasmonic photocatalysts have attracted considerable attention because of their applications in the degradation of organic pollutants. In order to enhance the stability of AgX photocatalyst, Ag/AgCl, Ag/AgBr/WO3, and Ag@AgCl/RGO were developed. Results implied that silver halides could maintain stability if the metal Ag was well dispersed on the silver halide particles and could display high catalytic activity.

RESULTS: PVP acted as a structure‐directing agent, and a reducing reagent in the reaction. Results show that Ag–AgBr delivered a much higher photocatalytic activity than AgBr and Ag–AgCl. The high photocatalytic activity of the Ag–AgBr composites can be attributed to the presence of metal Ag and the smaller particle size of the samples. The photocatalytic reaction followed first‐order kinetics. The rate constant k for the degradation of MO by Ag–AgBr was 2 and 18 times higher than that of AgBr and Ag–AgCl, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: The MO degradation efficiency of Ag–AgBr was 94% after 10 min. After 5 cycles of repeatability tests, the degradation efficiency of MO still remained at 90%. The high photocatalytic activity of the Ag–AgBr composites can be attributed to the presence of metal Ag and the smaller particle size of the samples. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Spherical Pseudo‐Inverse Opal Silica with Pomegranate‐Like Polymer Microparticles as Templates
Authors: Choi Kyu Yong , Luciani Carla V. , Emdadi Laleh , Lee Sang Yool , Baick In Hak , Lim Jong Sung
Published: June 2012

Spherical silica particles with pseudo‐inverse opal structure are synthesized by using pomegranate‐like polymer microparticles as templates. A micro‐dispersion polymerization occurring in the suspended monomer droplets in the presence of a silica precursor leads to the formation of nearly monodisperse polymer sub‐particles of about 1 µm size, randomly‐packed within a 30–100 µm polymer particle. The polymerization is followed by an acid‐catalyzed reaction that induces formation of silica in the interstices between the sub‐particles within a polymer particle. Spherical PIOS particles are eventually produced by selectively removing the polymer template by pyrolysis. The PIOS particles show large specific surface areas with unique pore geometry and pore size distribution.

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Buckling analysis of carbon nanotubes – a molecular statics investigation into the influence of non‐bonded interactions
Authors: Hollerer Stefan
Published: June 2012

This paper analyses the buckling behaviour of single‐walled and double‐walled carbon nanotubes. The total potential of the atomic structure consists of the bonded energy and the non‐bonded energy, both resulting from interatomic potentials, as well as the energy of external contributions. In particular, the influence of the in‐layer and inter‐layer non‐bonded interactions is investigated. These non‐bonded interactions are important to avoid the nanotubes from self‐intersection or penetration and govern the morphology of the buckled tubes.

The simulation model is based on a molecular statics approach embedded in the finite element framework. The search for equilibrium configurations of the structure leads to a non‐linear system of equations, which is linearised and solved iteratively. Therefore, the model relies on the fully non‐linear description of the interatomic potential and the atomic kinematics.

Stability points of the loaded carbon nanotubes are detected by an accompanying eigenvalue analysis in combination with a bisection algorithm. By means of branch switching, the continuation of the non‐linear load‐deformation path in the postbuckling regime is enabled.

With this framework, the buckling characteristics of carbon nanotubes in consequence of different loading conditions is studied. Results of numerical simulations are given for carbon nanotubes under torsion, axial compression and bending. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cohesive zone representation and junction partitioning for crystal plasticity analyses
Authors: Zhang P. , Karimpour M. , Balint D. , Lin J.
Published: June 2012

A novel scheme is presented for incorporating finite thickness cohesive interfaces in virtual grain structures for crystal plasticity finite element (CPFE) analyses of intergranular crack initiation and propagation. A Voronoi tessellation model is used to define the virtual grain structure, with automatically generated nonzero thickness cohesive zones (CZs) representing the grain boundaries and multiple junctions. An efficient grain boundary offsetting algorithm is presented, and issues related to automatically partitioning multiple junctions are discussed. Two feasible junction partitioning schemes are presented, the second of which has the advantage of partitioning junctions using uniform quadrilateral elements and naturally defining their normal and tangential directions. For the second scheme, a rule‐based method is presented that carries out the preliminary meshing of CZ junctions, including data representation, edge event processing, and cut and trim operations. A virtual grain structure modelling system, VGRAIN, is introduced to implement the proposed CZ junction partitioning method and directly generate meshed virtual grain structures with CZ grain boundaries for CPFE studies. To demonstrate the proposed junction partitioning and CZ representation schemes, two finite strain CPFE simulations are presented for plane strain uniaxial tension and three‐point bending, demonstrating large‐scale crack initiation and propagation under shear and opening modes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A posteriori error estimator competition for conforming obstacle problems
Authors: Carstensen C. , Merdon C.
Published: June 2012

This article on the a posteriori error analysis of the obstacle problem with affine obstacles and Courant finite elements compares five classes of error estimates for accurate guaranteed error control. To treat interesting computational benchmarks, the first part extends the Braess methodology from 2005 of the resulting a posteriori error control to mixed inhomogeneous boundary conditions. The resulting guaranteed global upper bound involves some auxiliary partial differential equation and leads to four contributions with explicit constants. Their efficiency is examined affirmatively for five benchmark examples. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2013
Use of allyl‐functional benzoxazine monomers as replacement for styrene in vinyl ester resins
Authors: Jin Lin , Agag Tarek , Ishida Hatsuo
Published: June 2012

New vinyl ester systems are prepared using allyl‐functional benzoxazine monomers, 3‐allyl‐6‐methyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[e][1,3]oxazine (pC‐ala) or bis(3‐allyl‐3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[e][1,3]oxazin‐6‐yl)methane (BF‐ala), as reactive diluents for vinyl ester resins derived from an epoxy resin, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, instead of using styrene. Different initiators are used to investigate the copolymerization of allyl function from pC‐ala with vinyl function from vinyl ester resin prepolymer. The temperature dependence of viscosity is studied to demonstrate the retention of processability of the new vinyl ester resins. Dynamic mechanical and thermogravimetric analyses are used to investigate the dynamic mechanical properties and thermal stability of the new resins. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Controllable ring‐opening copolymerization of L‐lactide and (3S)‐benzyloxymethyl‐(6S)‐methyl‐morpholine‐2,5‐dione initiated by a biogenic compound creatinine acetate
Authors: Pang Zibo , Li Hong , He Peiru , Wang Yuqin , Ren Hongxia , Wang Hao , Zhu X.X.
Published: June 2012

Ring‐opening copolymerization (ROCP) of L‐lactide (L‐LA) and (3S)‐benzyloxymethyl‐(6S)‐methyl‐morpholine‐2,5‐dione [(3S, 6S)‐BMMD] initiated by creatinine acetate, a biogenic organic compound, was performed in the bulk at 130 °C. The copolymerization was well controlled as evidenced by that both the measured values of number‐average molecular weight (Mn,NMR(OH) and Mn,NMR(COOH)) and serine molar fraction (FBz.ser) of synthesized copolymers were close to the corresponding theoretical values; and that the higher isotacticity of synthesized copolymers (85–86%) and lower racemization degree of the ROCP. After removing O‐benzyls of the copolymers with Et3SiH/Et3N/CH2Cl2 under catalysis of PdCl2, functional biodegradable copolymers of L‐lactic acid (L‐Lac) and L‐Ser with designed molar fraction of serine (Fser 1.35%, 3.57%, 5.41%), narrow molecular weight distribution (polydispersity index 1.10–1.36), and improved hydrophilicity (θstat 82.3–89.6°) were finally obtained. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
What is the relationship between trait anxiety and depressive symptoms, fatigue, and low sleep quality following breast cancer surgery?
Authors: Lockefeer J. P. M. , De Vries J.
Published: June 2012

Background

Depressive symptoms, fatigue, and low sleep quality are common symptoms during and after breast cancer (BC) treatment. In the present study, the relationship between trait anxiety and these symptoms in a long follow‐up period was examined.

Methods

This was a prospective study. Participants, composed of 163 women with BC and 224 women with benign breast problems (BBPs), completed questionnaires on depressive symptoms, fatigue, and sleep quality before diagnosis and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after diagnosis (BBP group) or surgical treatment (BC group). In addition, patients completed a questionnaire on trait anxiety before diagnosis.

Results and Conclusions

Trait anxiety was the most significant predictor for depressive symptoms (p < 0.001) and lower sleep quality (p = 0.040) at 2‐year follow‐up. For fatigue, fatigue at baseline and trait anxiety together was the most important predictor (p < 0.001). Linear mixed model analyses showed that there was an interaction effect of time with trait anxiety and with diagnosis for depressive symptoms (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001) and fatigue (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001). There was no interaction effect of time with trait anxiety or diagnosis for sleep quality (p = 0.055 and p = 0.225). Together with diagnosis, trait anxiety was an important determinant of depressive symptoms, fatigue, and low sleep quality following diagnosis of BBP or BC and seemed to be a common factor in these persisting symptoms. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Isolation of Anti‐Inflammatory Fractions and Compounds from the Root of Astragalus membranaceus
Authors: Lai Patrick Kwok‐Kin , Chan Judy Yuet‐Wa , Cheng Ling , Lau Ching‐Po , Han Simon Quan‐Bin , Leung Ping‐Chung , Fung Kwok‐Pui , Lau Clara Bik‐San
Published: June 2012

Foot ulceration, if not treated properly, will eventually result in amputation. Inflammation may impede the wound healing process if not properly controlled. The root of Astragalus membranaceus (AR) is one of the Chinese herbs commonly found in Chinese herbal formulae used for treating foot ulcer. In this study, we aimed to identify the active fractions and/or compounds from AR aqueous extract, which are responsible for the anti‐inflammatory effect using in vitro bioassay‐guided fractionation. The anti‐inflammatory effect was monitored by the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) released from lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells after treated with AR aqueous extract or its fractions and isolated components. Two major active fractions (P2‐3‐2‐2‐2 and P2‐3‐2‐2‐3) were found to significantly inhibit NO production at 0.156 mg/mL (p < 0.01). In addition, three chemical components (formononetin, calycosin and astragaloside IV) were successfully isolated from P2‐3‐2‐2‐3. Only formononetin could significantly inhibit NO production (p < 0.01), whereas the other two components had no significant effects at concentrations ranging from 0.039 to 0.156 mg/mL. In conclusion, two major anti‐inflammatory active fractions that may enhance wound healing were identified, and formononetin was one of the active ingredients in the active fractions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved microphysical parametrization of drizzle and fog for operational forecasting using the Met Office Unified Model
Authors: Wilkinson Jonathan M. , Porson Aurore N. F. , Bornemann F. Jorge , Weeks Mark , Field Paul R. , Lock Adrian P.
Published: June 2012

In order to improve the forecasting of fog, visibility and drizzle within the Met Office Unified Model, three parametrizations are included in high‐resolution, limited‐area versions of the model. These are (i) improved rainfall speeds; (ii) linking aerosol to the autoconversion scheme; and (iii) a taper curve for cloud droplets near the surface. The results show a better representation of low‐visibility conditions in winter. There is a general reduction in drizzle and a better representation of drizzle depending on whether the air mass is clean or polluted. Summertime occurrences of fog are also reduced and are now under‐forecast, which will require a further investigation to correct. The package described in the paper has been made operational in the 4 and 1.5 km operational forecast versions of the Unified Model during the spring and summer of 2011, showing an improvement in model performance and a reduction in model error. This demonstrates the ability to improve operational NWP forecasts by coupling cloud and aerosol processes. Copyright © 2012 British Crown copyright, the Met Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
E-cadherin and, in Its Absence, N-cadherin Promotes Nanog Expression in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells via STAT3 Phosphorylation
Authors: Hawkins Kate , Mohamet Lisa , Ritson Sarah , Merry Catherine L. R. , Ward Christopher M.
Published: June 2012

We have recently shown that loss of E-cadherin in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) results in significant alterations to both the transcriptome and hierarchy of pluripotency-associated signaling pathways. Here, we show that E-cadherin promotes kruppel-like factor 4 (Klf4) and Nanog transcript and protein expression in mESCs via STAT3 phosphorylation and that β-catenin, and its binding region in E-cadherin, is required for this function. To further investigate the role of E-cadherin in leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF)-dependent pluripotency, E-cadherin null (Ecad−/−) mESCs were cultured in LIF/bone morphogenetic protein supplemented medium. Under these conditions, Ecad−/− mESCs exhibited partial restoration of cell–cell contact and STAT3 phosphorylation and upregulated Klf4, Nanog, and N-cadherin transcripts and protein. Abrogation of N-cadherin using an inhibitory peptide caused loss of phospho STAT3, Klf4, and Nanog in these cells, demonstrating that N-cadherin supports LIF-dependent pluripotency in this context. We therefore identify a novel molecular mechanism linking E- and N-cadherin to the core circuitry of pluripotency in mESCs. This mechanism may explain the recently documented role of E-cadherin in efficient induced pluripotent stem cell reprogramming.
Principal component analysis‐assisted energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy for non‐invasive quality assurance characterization of complex matrix materials
Authors: Angeyo K. H. , Gari S. , Mangala J. M. , Mustapha A. O.
Published: June 2012

The analytical challenges in direct quality assurance analysis of complex matrices (extreme matrix effects, spectral overlap, poor signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) for trace analytes, ‘dark matrix’, imprecise geometry, need for sample integrity) by energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry necessitate development of novel techniques for material characterization. We demonstrate the utility of principal component analysis (PCA) in isotope‐excited EDXRF spectrometry of a complex matrix (in this case lubricating oil) in the context of a newly developed EDXRF and scattering (EDXRFS) technique. Lubricating oil quality may be interpreted in terms of its viscosity, anti‐wear, anti‐oxidation, and anti‐rust properties, which are detectable via B, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Na additives (quality markers). Our method involves simultaneous non‐invasive acquisition of both fluorescence and scatter spectra from samples held in a propylene dish, and their modeling in a reduced multidimensional space for an interpretable overview that is analytically more useful than, and complementary to, fluorescence peak‐based quantitation of the additives; by this method, only Fe and Zn are directly detectable, but with SNR of the fluorescence peak 15–20 times poorer compared with analysis after sample digestion. Although Fe and Zn cannot distinguish the various lubricating oil brands, it can differentiate authentic from adulterated. The method was however found to be analytically useful when combined with PCA: various brands of lubricating oil were discriminated in addition to the detection of adulteration. PCA processing of the spectra showed that the most important quality assurance spectral signature information responsible for the success is contained in the scatter region (low‐Z elements). Evaluation of the performance of the method with respect to SNR (i.e. analysis time and therefore speed) showed that there was no significant difference in method performance of analysis live time in the range 100–1000 s, showing proof of concept for rapid characterization of complex matrix materials by PCA‐assisted EDXRFS. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.