bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of multiple reaction monitoring for multiplex analysis of colorectal cancer‐associated proteins in human feces
Authors: Ang Ching‐Seng , Rothacker Julie , Patsiouras Heather , Gibbs Peter , Burgess Antony W. , Nice Edouard C.
Published: May 2011

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer‐related deaths worldwide with an annual incidence of almost a million cases and an annual mortality around 500 000. The fecal occult blood test is currently the first line method for CRC screening, but has unacceptably low sensitivity and specificity. Improved screening tests are therefore urgently required for early‐stage CRC screening when therapy is most likely to be effective. We describe a discovery‐based proteomics hypothesis using orthogonal multi‐dimensional fractionation (1‐D SDS‐PAGE, RP‐HPLC, size exclusion chromatography) to mine deep into the fecal proteome for the initial discovery process, which generated a library containing 108 human fecal proteins with the associated peptide and MS/MS data. These data were then used to develop and optimize a multiplex multiple reaction monitoring assay for 40 non‐redundant human proteins present in the feces. To show proof of principal for clinical analysis, multiplex screening of these 40 proteins was carried out on fecal samples from eight CRC patient and seven normal volunteers. We identified 24 proteins consistently found in all samples and nine proteins found only in the CRC patients, showing the potential of this approach for the analysis of potential CRC biomarkers. Absolute quantitation using C‐terminal isotopically labeled synthetic peptides corresponding to hemoglobin and carcinoembryonic antigen 5 was also performed.
Electrophoretic detection of genetic variability among Schistosoma japonicum isolates by sequence‐related amplified polymorphism
Authors: Song Hui‐Qun , Mo Xi‐Hao , Zhao Guang‐Hui , Li Juan , Zou Feng‐Cai , Liu Wei , Wu Xiang‐Yun , Lin Rui‐Qing , Weng Ya‐Biao , Zhu Xing‐Quan
Published: May 2011

In the present study, sequence‐related amplification polymorphism (SRAP) was utilized to study the genetic variability among Schistosoma japonicum isolates from different provinces in China, using Schistosoma mansoni from Puerto Rico for comparison. Five out of ten tested SRAP primer combinations displayed significant polymorphisms among S. japonicum isolates from China, namely ME2/EM1, ME4/EM1, ME4/EM6, ME5/EM4 and ME5/EM5. Analysis of the 61 S. japonicum samples from China with five SRAP primer combinations identified a total of 83 reproducible polymorphic fragments. The number of fragments using each primer combination ranged from 14 to 19, with an average of 16 polymorphic bands per primer pair, and the size of fragment ranged approximately from 100 to 1000 bp. Representative‐specific SRAP fragments were excised from the gels, and confirmed by PCR amplification of genomic DNA using primers designed and based on the sequences of these SRAP fragments. Based on SRAP profiles, unweighted pair‐group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) dendrogram was constructed. UPGMA clustering algorithm categorized S. japonicum isolates from China into nine clades and two lineages (representing the mountainous and lake/marshland regions). These results indicate the usefulness of the SRAP technique for revealing genetic variability among S. japonicum isolates from China, and the SRAP technique should be applicable to other living organisms.
Can carcinogenic potency be predicted from in vivo genotoxicity data? a meta‐analysis of historical data
Authors: Hernández Lya G. , Slob Wout , van Steeg Harry , van Benthem Jan
Published: May 2011

Genotoxicity is generally a parameter used for hazard identification, however, the applicability of using in vivo genotoxicity tests for hazard characterization has never been thoroughly investigated in a quantitative manner. Genotoxicity assays could be useful for the determination of cancer potency parameters given that genotoxicty tests measure mutations and/or chromosomal aberrations which are strongly associated with carcinogenesis. A detailed literature survey was performed in search for dose‐response data in various in vivo genotoxicity and carcinogenicity studies. The benchmark dose (BMD) approach was applied using the dose‐response modeling program PROAST. Dose‐response data were available from 18 compounds in the micronucleus assay (MN), the in vivo transgenic rodent mutation assay (TG) and the comet assay, and their BMD10 values were compared to the BMD10 from carcinogenicity studies in mice. Of the 18 compounds, 15 had acceptable dose‐response data from the MN and the TG, but only 4 from the comet assay. A major limitation in our analysis was the lack of proper dose‐response studies using the recommended protocols. Nevertheless, our findings are promising because even with these suboptimal studies, a positive correlation was observed when the lowest BMD10 from the genotoxicity tests (MN and TG) was compared to the tissue‐matched carcinogenicity BMD10. It is evident that more compounds need to be analyzed with proper dose‐response schemes to further validate our initial findings. Experimental designs of genotoxicity assays need to shift from focusing only on hazard identification where positive and negative results are reported, to a more quantitative, dose‐response assessment. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Probabilistic seismic loss assessment of aging bridges using a component‐level cost estimation approach
Authors: Ghosh Jayadipta , Padgett Jamie E.
Published: May 2011

Deteriorating highway bridges in the United States and worldwide have demonstrated susceptibility to damage in earthquake events, with considerable economic consequences due to repair or replacement. Current seismic loss assessment approaches for these critical elements of the transportation network neglect the effects of aging and degradation on the loss estimate. However, the continued aging and deterioration of bridge infrastructure could not only increase susceptibility to seismic damage, but also have a significant impact on these economic losses. Furthermore, the contribution of individual aging components to system‐level losses, correlations between these components, and uncertainty modeling in the risk assessment and repair modeling are all crucial considerations to enhance the accuracy and confidence in bridge loss estimates. In this paper, a new methodology for seismic loss assessment of aging bridges is introduced based on the non‐homogeneous Poisson process. Statistical moments of seismic losses can be efficiently estimated, such as the expected value and variance. The approach is unique in its account for time‐varying seismic vulnerability, uncertainty in component repair, and the contribution of multiple correlated aging components. A representative case study is presented with two fundamentally distinct highway bridges to demonstrate the effects of corrosion deterioration of different bridge components on the seismic losses. Using the proposed model, a sensitivity study is also conducted to assess the effect of parameter variations on the expected seismic losses. The results reveal that the seismic losses estimated by explicitly considering the effects of deterioration of bridge components is significantly higher than that found by assuming time‐invariant structural reliability. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Algorithm for analysis of flows in ribbed annuli
Authors: Moradi H. V. , Floryan J. M.
Published: May 2011

Spectral methods for analyses of steady flows in annuli bounded by walls with either axi‐symmetric or longitudinal ribs are developed. The physical boundary conditions are enforced using the immersed boundary conditions concept. In the former case, the Stokes stream function is used to eliminate pressure and to reduce system of field equations to a single fourth‐order partial differential equation. The ribs are assumed to be periodic in the axial direction and this permits representation of the solution in terms of the Fourier expansion. In the latter case, the problem is reduced to the Laplace equations for the flow modifications that can be expressed in terms of the Fourier expansions. The modal functions, which are functions of the radial coordinate, are discretized using Chebyshev polynomials. The problem formulations are closed using either the fixed volume flow rate constraint or the fixed pressure gradient constraint. Various tests have been carried out in order to demonstrate the spectral accuracy of the discretizations, as well as the spectral accuracy of the enforcement of the flow boundary conditions at the ribbed walls using the immersed boundary conditions concept. Special linear solver that takes advantage of the matrix structure has been implemented in order to reduce computational time and memory requirements. It is shown that the algorithm has superior performance when one is interested in the analysis of a large number of geometries, as part of the coefficient matrix that corresponds to the field equation is always the same and one needs to change only the part of the matrix that corresponds to the boundary relations when changing geometry of the flow domain. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phosphorofluoridic acid ammonium salts and acids: Synthesis, NMR properties, and application as acid catalysts
Authors: Murai Toshiaki , Tonomura Yusuke , Takenaka Toru
Published: May 2011

Phosphoric acid alkyl diphenyl esters were prepared by reacting diphenyl phosphoryl chloride with alcohols in the presence of amines, and then subjected to fluorinative hydrolysis with Bu4 NF to give phosphorofluoridic acid ammonium salt monoesters in moderate to high yields. The salts were converted to the corresponding acids by treatment with Amberlyst 15. The NMR properties of a series of organophosphorus compounds are presented. The catalytic activities of the acids for the condensation reaction of α‐bromobutanoic acid and 3‐hexyne‐2‐ol were tested. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 22:417–425, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/hc.20700
Introduction of azetidinimine skeleton on C60
Authors: Ueda Nobuaki , Nikawa Hidefumi , Takano Yuta , Ishitsuka Midori O. , Tsuchiya Takahiro , Akasaka Takeshi
Published: May 2011

The azacyclobutane structure is introduced into C60 fullerene using a photochemical reaction with formamidines. Three azetidinofullerenes (2c–2e) were synthesized; their molecular structures were characterized using 1H, 13C, and 2D NMR, matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry, visible spectroscopy, and electrochemistry. Single crystal X‐ray crystallographic analysis of 2e reveals a unique strained four‐membered ring including nitrogen atom attached on the fullerene cage. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 22:426–431, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/hc.20703
Preparation of 1,4‐bis(2‐ethynyl‐3‐thienyl) benzene derivatives linked by oligo(ethyleneglycol) chain
Authors: Toyota Kozo , Katsuta Hiroshi , Iwamoto Takeaki , Morita Noboru
Published: May 2011

1‐(2‐Phenylethynyl‐3‐thienyl)‐4‐[2‐(triisopropylsilyl)ethynyl‐3‐thienyl]benzene derivative, bearing both a polar oligo(ethyleneglycol) chain and hydrophobic alkyl chains, was prepared. The triisopropylsilyl group was then removed by tetrabutylammonium fluoride and the diphenylphosphinyl group was introduced by successive treatment with EtMgBr, chlorodiphenylphosphine, and aerial dioxygen. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 22:531–537, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/hc.20718
Racemic and optically active 1,1′‐binaphthyl‐2,2′‐diyl sulfite: Synthesis, crystal structure, and ring‐opening reactions with selected nucleophiles
Authors: Drabowicz Jozef , Krasowska Dorota , Marciniak Bernard , Rozycka‐Sokolowska Ewa
Published: May 2011

Preparation of the sulfite derived from racemic and (R)−(+)‐enantiomer of BINOL is reported. The crystal structure of the optically active, levorotatory sulfite isomer and its ring opening induced by nucleophilic substitution reactions with selected nucleophiles are presented. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 22:562–570, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/hc.20722
The effects of a modest dose of alcohol on executive functioning and prospective memory
Authors: Montgomery Catharine , Ashmore Katie V. , Jansari Ashok
Published: May 2011

Rationale

Acute alcohol intoxication selectively impairs executive functioning and prospective memory (PM). Much previous researches in this area have used laboratory‐based tasks that may not mimic functions that individuals with dysexecutive syndrome have problems with in their everyday life. The present study aimed to assess the effects of a modest dose of alcohol on executive functioning and PM using a virtual reality task and investigate the role of executive planning in PM performance.

Methods

Forty healthy participants were administered 0.4 g/kg alcohol or matched placebo in a double‐blind design. Executive function and PM were assessed using the Jansari–Agnew–Akesson–Murphy (JAAM) task, requiring participants to play the role of an office worker.

Results

Alcohol intoxication selectively impaired executive function and PM. The participants in the alcohol condition performed worse on the planning, prioritisation, creativity and adaptability executive subscales and also on the time‐based and event‐based PM tasks. However, alcohol did not impair the selection executive function task or the action‐based PM task.

Conclusions

The results provide further support for the effects of alcohol on executive functioning and PM. In addition, the results suggest that such deficits may be present at relatively modest doses of alcohol and in the absence of a subjective feeling of intoxication. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
π–π interaction of quinacridone derivatives
Authors: Huang Zhaowei , Sun Hui , Zhang Houyu , Wang Yue , Li Fei
Published: May 2011

The π–π stacking interactions play an important role in molecular assemblies of quinacridone derivatives (QAs). In our previous work (Sun et al., J Phys Chem A 2008, 112, 11382), we have shown that quinacridone derivatives can be self‐associated as dimers in solution by means of NMR study. Herein, we perform theoretical studies on the molecular interaction in the dimers of QAs to illustrate π–π interactions in terms of their strength, geometrical preference, substituent effect, and physical nature. Density functional theory (DFT‐D) was adopted to calculate potential energy surfaces. The detailed analysis on the intermolecular interaction in diversity of dimeric configurations reveals that the displaced conformations with specific geometries in both parallel and antiparallel stacking manners can be stabilized, which are in agreement with NMR experimental findings. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Toward robust computational electrochemical predicting the environmental fate of organic pollutants
Authors: Sviatenko Liudmila , Isayev Olexandr , Gorb Leonid , Hill Frances , Leszczynski Jerzy
Published: May 2011

A number of density functionals was utilized for the calculation of electron attachment free energy for nitrocompounds, quinones and azacyclic compounds. Different solvation models have been tested on the calculation of difference in free energies of solvation of oxidized and reduced forms of nitrocompounds in aqueous solution, quinones in acetonitrile, and azacyclic compounds in dimethylformamide. Gas‐phase free energies evaluated at the mPWB1K/tzvp level and solvation energies obtained using SMD model to compute solvation energies of neutral oxidized forms and PCM(Pauling) to compute solvation energies of anion‐radical reduced forms provide reasonable accuracy of the prediction of electron attachment free energy, difference in free solvation energies of oxidized and reduced forms, and as consequence yield reduction potentials in good agreement with experimental data (mean absolute deviation is 0.15 V). It was also found that SMD/M05‐2X/tzvp method provides reduction potentials with deviation of 0.12 V from the experimental values but in cases of nitrocompounds and quinones this accuracy is achieved due to the cancelation of errors. To predict reduction ability of naturally occurred iron containing species with respect to organic pollutants we exploited experimental data within the framework of Pourbaix (Eh − pH) diagrams. We conclude that surface‐bound Fe(II) as well as certain forms of aqueous Fe(II)aq are capable of reducing a variety of nitroaromatic compounds, quinones and novel high energy materials under basic conditions (pH > 8). At the same time, zero‐valent iron is expected to be active under neutral and acidic conditions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
QSAR model reproducibility and applicability: A case study of rate constants of hydroxyl radical reaction models applied to polybrominated diphenyl ethers and (benzo‐)triazoles
Authors: Roy Partha Pratim , Kovarich Simona , Gramatica Paola
Published: May 2011

The crucial importance of the three central OECD principles for quantitative structure‐activity relationship (QSAR) model validation is highlighted in a case study of tropospheric degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by OH, applied to two CADASTER chemical classes (PBDEs and (benzo‐)triazoles). The application of any QSAR model to chemicals without experimental data largely depends on model reproducibility by the user. The reproducibility of an unambiguous algorithm (OECD Principle 2) is guaranteed by redeveloping MLR models based on both updated version of DRAGON software for molecular descriptors calculation and some freely available online descriptors. The Genetic Algorithm has confirmed its ability to always select the most informative descriptors independently on the input pool of variables. The ability of the GA‐selected descriptors to model chemicals not used in model development is verified by three different splittings (random by response, K‐ANN and K‐means clustering), thus ensuring the external predictivity of the new models, independently of the training/prediction set composition (OECD Principle 5). The relevance of checking the structural applicability domain becomes very evident on comparing the predictions for CADASTER chemicals, using the new models proposed herein, with those obtained by EPI Suite. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Morphometric analysis of human sciatic nerve perineurial collagen type IV content
Authors: Ugrenović Sladjana , Jovanović Ivan , Vasović Ljiljana
Published: May 2011

Objectives: Aging is the process which unavoidably alters structure and function of the basal membranes in humans. Though, collagen type IV presents the most prominent component of the basal membranes, we estimated its presence in the perineurium of the human sciatic nerve samples during the aging process. Materials and methods: Material was 12 sciatic nerve samples, obtained from cadavers whose age ranged from 36 to 84 years. Cadavers were classified into three age groups: first which age ranged from 35 to 54 years, second which age ranged from 55 to 74 years and third which included cases older than 75 years. Tissue slices were further stained by labeled streptavidin–biotin method with collagen type IV monoclonal antibody and analyzed with light microscope under 100× lens magnification with oil immersion. Digital images of sciatic nerve perineurium were further processed and analyzed with ImageJ software. Results: Our results showed that there is statistically significant increase of perineurial area, perimeter, collagen type IV area, and collagen type IV area per perineurial perimeter unit in the third age group. These parameters also increased in the second age group, but this increase was not significant. Multiple regression analysis showed that beside fascicular size, age more significantly predict perineurial collagen type IV content. Conclusions: Results of morphometric and statistical analysis pointed to the conclusion that there is significant increase of sciatic nerve perineurial thickness during the aging process. This increase might represent the consequence of perineurial collagen type IV deposition with aging. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Investigative Interviewing of Child Sex Offender Suspects: Strategies to Assist the Application of a Narrative Framework
Authors: Read Julianne M. , Powell Martine B.
Published: May 2011

Obtaining a narrative account from a suspect during an investigative interview is recommended in the literature as best practice. However, research shows that interviewers have difficulty adhering to this recommendation. This paper aims to provide police officers who interview sex offender suspects with suggestions that may assist them in the application of a narrative framework. Our approach involved individual in‐depth interviews with experts (N = 16: police trainers, detectives, expert witnesses, defence barristers, and prosecutors) who were leaders in their relative fields, particularly in relation to interviews with sex offender suspects. Specifically, the experts were asked to talk about the process of interviewing and what constitutes a good interview with a sex offender suspect. Several strategies that may assist officers in adhering to a narrative framework were extracted through qualitative analysis of the data. These strategies are described under the following headings: letting the suspects answer the allegations put to them, transferring the locus of control to the suspect, adopting strategies to overcome emotional barriers to reporting, and focusing on the relationship between the suspect and the victim. Directions for future research and training intervention are also discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering of 4‐aminobenzenethiol on silver: confirmation of the origin of b2‐type bands
Authors: Kim Kwan , Lee Hyang Bong , Shin Dongha , Ryoo Hyunwoo , Lee Ji Won , Shin Kuan Soo
Published: May 2011

In order to resolve the dispute on the origin of the b2‐type bands in the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of 4‐aminobenzenethiol (4‐ABT), we have measured its SERS spectra under a variety of conditions, including variable temperature and rotation, electrochemistry, and pH, as well as in the presence of a reducing agent. For comparison, the SERS spectra of 4‐nitrobenzenethiol (4‐NBT) and methyl orange (MO), a prototype azo compound, were also measured. First, we found that 4‐ABT on Ag is not subjected to photoreaction, although 4‐NBT is highly photoreactive on a silver surface. In the electrochemical environment, b2‐type bands of 4‐ABT lost their intensity at very negative potentials, but the intensity recovered immediately upon raising the potential. In addition, b2‐type bands were observed under rotation even after lowering the potential. The disappearance and reappearance of the b2‐type bands could also be observed by bringing the sample of 4‐ABT on Ag into contact consecutively with a borohydride solution and water. This is because the surface potential of Ag is lowered by contact with a borohydride solution. Besides, we found that not only the normal Raman but also the SERS spectral features of 4‐ABT are hardly affected by pH variation, while the spectral features of MO are greatly affected, especially in the region of the NN stretching vibration, suggesting that the possibility of a photoconversion of 4‐ABT to an azo compound is low. Altogether, the b2‐type bands were attributed to 4‐ABT, appearing in conjunction with the chemical enhancement mechanism in SERS. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Korean red ginseng prevents gentamicin‐induced hearing loss in rats
Authors: Choung Yun‐Hoon , Kim Seung Won , Tian Chunjie , Min Ji Young , Lee Hae Kyoung , Park Shi‐Nae , Lee Jong Bin , Park Keehyun
Published: May 2011

Objectives:

To evaluate the preventive effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) on gentamicin (GM)‐induced ototoxicity and to identify the effective components of KRG.

Study Design:

In vivo and in vitro studies.

Methods:

Thirty‐five Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into four groups. The GM group (n = 15) received intraperitoneal injections (IPI) of GM (160 mg/kg) for 5 days. The KRG + GM group (n = 12) was treated with intragastric feeding of KRG (500 mg/kg) for 12 days with 5 days of IPIs of GM. KRG (n = 4) and control (n = 4) groups were treated with KRG and saline, respectively. Auditory brainstem response (16 or 32 kHz) and Rotarod treadmill tests were done before and after treatments. Cochleas were evaluated by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and phalloidin staining. Ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rg1, and Re were evaluated as the water‐soluble terazolium salt assay, annexin V/propidium iodide assay, and Western blots in HEI‐OC1 cells.

Results:

Posttreatment hearing thresholds in GM, KRG + GM, KRG, and control groups were: 27.7 ± 7.2 dB, 23.1 ± 4.1 dB, 16.9 ± 2.6 dB, and 21.3 ± 3.5 dB, respectively, for 16 kHz, 30.5 ± 6.6 dB, 25.2 ± 4.3 dB, 22.5 ± 2.7 dB, and 22.5 ± 3.8 dB, respectively for 32 kHz. The KRG + GM group had significantly better hearing than the GM group (P < .05). On SEM and phalloidin staining, the GM group showed severe loss of stereocilia in the basal outer hair cells and a few losses in the middle turns, whereas the KRG + GM group showed relatively intact hair cells. Balance impairment in treadmill tests was not definite in any group. Rb1 and Rb2 showed more effective protection than other components.

Conclusions:

KRG protects against GM‐induced hearing loss and hair cell death in rats. Laryngoscope, 2011
The relationship between depressive symptoms and initial quality of life and function in head and neck cancer
Authors: Chan Jason Y.K. , Lua Lannah L. , Starmer Heather H. , Sun Daniel Q. , Rosenblatt Elizabeth S. , Gourin Christine G.
Published: May 2011

Objectives:

To determine the incidence of depression in head and neck cancer (HNCA) patients and the effect of depression on baseline head‐ and neck‐specific measures of quality of life and function.

Study Design:

Prospective cohort analysis.

Methods:

A total of 255 patients were prospectively evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory Fast‐Screen (BDI‐FS) survey, University of Washington Quality of Life (UW QOL), Voice Handicap Index (VHI), and MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) questionnaires. Patients with a preexisting diagnosis of depression were excluded.

Results:

Complete data were available for 77 patients with HNCA and 53 controls. Depressive symptoms were identified in 9% of controls and 19% of HNCA patients, and were significantly associated with a HNCA diagnosis (OR = 4.1, P = .044). Among patients with HNCA, depression was significantly more common in black patients (OR = 15.8, P = .017). A significant negative correlation was found between BDI‐FS score and UW global QOL score (r = −0.4, P = .0019). Depression was significantly associated with poorer UW global QOL (β = −22.46, P = .0004), recreation (β = −13.77, P = .037), speech (β = −24.05, P = .004), and MDADI functional (β = −17.31, P = .009), physical (β = −14.99, P = .032), and emotional (β = −11.60, P = .049) domain scores but not with other UW QOL or VHI domains, after controlling for all other variables.

Conclusions:

Patients with HNCA have a high incidence of depressive symptoms at diagnosis, which is significantly higher in black patients, and is associated with poorer QOL and MDADI scores. Pretreatment depression may serve as a marker for patients with increased risk of swallowing impairment and reduced QOL who would benefit from targeted intervention.
IMPACTS OF BOSPORUS BRIDGES oN THE ISTANBUL METROPOLITAN SETTLEMENT AREAS
Authors: Geymen A.
Published: May 2011

Istanbul, one of the largest metropolitan cities in the world, experienced rapid industrialization and urbanization in the second‐half of the 20th century. The City grew at an average annual growth rate of 4.5 per cent between 1950 and 2000. Growth of settlements and the transportation system have damaged the natural environment. Istanbul is located on both sides of the Bosporus Strait that divides Europe from Asia. Recently an alternative to the planned third bridge for the Istanbul metropolitan area has been selected. The transportation infrastructure which has been constructed has drastically changed the land use profile and caused negative impacts on the environment. The proposed third bridge route threatens agricultural areas, forests, waterbodies and water collection areas that form the open‐space systems of Istanbul.

The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of existing Bosporus bridges on the spatial development and the natural resources of the metropolitan area of Istanbul. With the new transportation axis focused on the bridge route, the potential impacts on vital open spaces such as the northern forest regions, the existing agricultural lands and the waterbodies and catchments are evaluated. These changes are explored using a geographical information system and five sets of Landsat satellite images from 1975, 1990, 1995, 2000 and 2005. This should provide a better understanding of the main reasons for the effects and will support city administrators planning similar projects. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Beneficial effects of supplementation with branched-chain amino acids on postoperative bacteremia in living donor liver transplant recipients
Authors: Shirabe Ken , Yoshimatsu Masanori , Motomura Takashi , Takeishi Kazuki , Toshima Takeo , Muto Jun , Matono Rumi , Taketomi Akinobu , Uchiyama Hideaki , Maehara Yoshihiko
Published: May 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of preoperative oral supplementation with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) on postoperative bacteremia after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for chronic liver failure. Two hundred thirty-six patients who underwent adult-to-adult LDLT were evaluated in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into 2 groups: those who received oral supplementation with BCAAs before transplantation (the BCAA group; n = 129) and those who did not (the non-BCAA group; n = 107). Before the LDLT indication was determined, BCAA supplementation was prescribed by a hepatologist to preserve hepatic reserves. The clinical characteristics and the incidence of bacteremia were compared between the 2 groups. As for clinical characteristics, the Child-Pugh scores (P = 0.0003) and the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores (P = 0.0008) were significantly higher in the BCAA group versus the non-BCAA group. The incidence of bacteremia for Child-Pugh class C patients was significantly lower in the BCAA group (6/90 or 6.7%) versus the non-BCAA group (11/50 or 22.0%, P = 0.0132). In a multivariate analysis, non-BCAA supplementation was an independent risk factor for bacteremia. In conclusion, preoperative BCAA supplementation might reduce the incidence of bacteremia after LDLT. Nevertheless, this is a preliminary report, and further studies, such as randomized, prospective studies, are necessary to clarify the beneficial effects of BCAA supplementation on postoperative bacteremia after liver transplantation. Liver Transpl 17:1073–1080, 2011. © 2011 AASLD.
Open Cell Microcellular Foams of Polylactic Acid (PLA)‐based Blends with Semi‐Interpenetrating Polymer Networks
Authors: Kohlhoff Dominik , Ohshima Masahiro
Published: May 2011

Microcellular biodegradable polymer foam with an open porous structure was prepared from amorphous poly‐L,D‐lactic acid (PL,DLA) blended with polystyrene (PS), or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The blends were prepared by polymerizing either styrene or methyl methacrylate (MMA) in a PL,DLA matrix. The styrene and MMA monomers are good cell‐opening agents and constituents for an IPN. Pressure‐quench batch foaming was conducted using carbon dioxide as a foaming agent at 80 °C under 10 MPa. The effects of monomers and a cross‐linking agent on the foamability and OCC were investigated. Manipulation of the monomer and the cross‐linking agent concentrations was able to change the viscoelasticity and partial miscibility of the blend and control the cell size at the micron scale as well as open pore content in the range of 20–90%.

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Morphology Development in Novel Composition of Thermoplastic Vulcanizates Based on PA12/PDMS Reactive Blends
Authors: Mani Skander , Cassagnau Philippe , Bousmina Mosto , Chaumont Philippe
Published: May 2011

The main objective of the present work was to tailor a new thermoplastic vulcanisate (TPV) composed of PA 12 as the thermoplastic phase and PDMS as the rubber phase. The PDMS was crosslinked by dicumyl peroxide (DCP). Interestingly, addition of 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinyloxyl (TEMPO) to the TPV provided the compatibilization of the PA12/PDMS blend in the dynamic process and gave a new material with control structure and morphology. The electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) studies revealed that adding silica nanoparticles and Lotader in PA12 and PDMS phases, respectively, led to a drastic reduction in Rv of the PDMS particles from 16.5 µm (virgin blend) to nearly 0.6 µm for the PA12/PDMS reactive blend. Therefore, a stable co‐continuous morphology was obtained for the new TPV based on 60–40 wt.‐% of PDMS‐PA12 blend.

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Lp boundedness for commutators of parabolic Littlewood‐Paley operators with rough kernels
Authors: Chen Dongxiang , Lu Shanzhen
Published: May 2011

In this paper, Lp bounds for the m‐th order commutators of the parabolic Littlewood‐Paley operator are obtained, provided that the kernel Ω belongs to L(log+L)m + 1/2(Sn − 1) or \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$B_q^{0,m-1/2}(S^{n-1})$\end{document} (certain block spaces) for center q > 1,\documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$1 < p <\infty , m\in \mathbb {N}$\end{document}. © 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
Coating on a Cold Substrate Largely Enhances Power Conversion Efficiency of the Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cell
Authors: Oh Jin Young , Lee Tae Il , Myoung Jae‐Min , Jeong Unyong , Baik Hong Koo
Published: May 2011

Spin‐coating a mixture solution of P3HT and PCBM on a cold substrate largely enhanced the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells. This concept was based on the abrupt decrease in the solubility of P3HT as solution temperature decreased. The selective precipitation of P3HT on the PEDOT:PSS‐coated cold substrate facilitated a desirable rich composition of P3HT at the interface with the PEDOT:PSS layer. The high crystallinity of P3HT suppressed the movement of PCBM during thermal annealing, preventing aggregation of PCBM. The morphological excellence of the pristine film gave a comparable PCE to that made by the conventional fabrication process. After thermal annealing, the device made via coating on a cold substrate showed above 30% increase in PCE from the BHJ solar cells made by the conventional method.

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Measurement of longitudinal and transverse strain in an aluminium foam
Authors: Goglio L. , Manfredini Vassoler J. , Peroni M.
Published: May 2011

This paper presents an experimental study on a closed‐cell aluminium foam (ALPORAS®), carried out with the final goal of obtaining data required to identify the parameters of a constitutive model of such material. The work consists mainly of compression tests on prismatic specimens, from which the load‐displacement curves are obtained. Several tests have been carried out to assess the influence of strain rate, in the low‐value range 10–3–10–1 s–1, and foam density variation, due to the slight difference between samples taken from the inner or the outside of a foam block. The results show that the effect of the strain rate, although small, is noticeable, and becomes more relevant when the material has higher density, in accordance with previous studies. Measuring the strain in the foam requires special procedures because of its heterogeneity; the typical choice is in favour of non‐contact methods. In this work, the Digital Image Correlation has been used to obtain the displacement field on the specimen surface: the track of each marker point in a chosen set has been determined, then the strain field has been assessed with an interpolation based on a strain‐displacement matrix like in the finite element method. The obtained relationship between longitudinal and transverse average strain is non‐linear and influenced by the strain rate, which corresponds to a non‐constant apparent Poisson's ratio.
Plasticity and damage analysis of metal foams under dynamic loading
Authors: da Cunda L. A. B. , Oliveira B. F. , Creus G. J.
Published: May 2011

Metallic foams provide low density, high specific stiffness, high energy absorption and good damping and are thus interesting alternatives for structural applications. The impact energy is dissipated through cell bending, buckling or fracture. On the other hand, results of the strain‐rate and inertia effects during dynamic deformation of cellular metals are apparently conflicting. A deeper understanding is found in studies that show that the relative importance of the strain‐rate and inertia effects depends on the impact velocity and the geometry of the structure, but still no particular formulation is generally accepted. In the present paper, computational dynamical analyses of Representative Volume Elements (RVE) of Metallic Hollow Sphere Structures (MHSS) and RVE′s sets are performed considering various geometries, material properties and loading rates.
Prediction of particle size distribution effects on thermal conductivity of particulate composites
Authors: Holotescu S. , Stoian F. D.
Published: May 2011

A material property that is of crucial importance for many industrial applications is the effective thermal conductivity. This property is a function of the thermal conductivities of components, their geometry, the spatial distribution of the components (including volume fraction and shape), the thermal resistances between phases, the possible contact between the filler particles and their size distribution law. The way the particles size distribution law influences the effective properties is not yet established, due to the fact that this law is not characterized in a unitary way. The numerous equivalent diameters (depending on the measurement technique) and the lack of a methodology of correspondence between them, complicates the solving of the problem regarding the size distribution dependence of the composite materials effective properties. The main goal of this paper was to introduce the predictions regarding the influence of the descriptors of the particle size distributions on the thermal conductivity of a composite material. It was found that the mean diameter is an inconsistent parameter for comparing the effective thermal conductivities of composite materials, and that the coefficient of variation offers an alternative criterion, as well as the Pearson's mode skewness.
Carbon fiber monocoque for a hydrogen prototype for low consumption challenge
Authors: Airale A. , Carello M. , Scattina A.
Published: May 2011

Weight reduction and high mechanics performance are one of the challenges of the automotive industries future. A particular and interesting field is the application of carbon fibres in combination with structural foams. These allow to realize creative shapes for the car body but also strength and tough elements for the chassis, according to the necessity to combine style with design and engineering aspects. Nowadays, the problem of carbon fibre technology is the cost of production and the recyclability, so the major applications are in the racing field. One interesting application is the body of the prototype called IDRA, a low consumption vehicle which participated in the European Shell Eco‐marathon. The chassis is a structural frame made with structural foam, the body is a part of the chassis and it is made of carbon fibre. The result is a well made car body integrated with all the sub‐systems: steering, brakes, wheels, cockpit, electric wiring, controls, fuel cell, electric motor and transmission. The different design and production steps, from the concept phase and structural analysis made by means of finite element techniques to the production and the assembling of the monocoque, are discussed.
Mechanical properties of AISI 316L stainless steels joined with a commercial Ni based amorphous foil
Authors: Verduzco J.A. , Lemus‐Ruiz J. , Téllez‐Arias M.G. , Bedolla A. , Lara G.
Published: May 2011

Ni based braze filler metals containing B and Si elements, prepared either by rapid solidification or powder metallurgy have relatively low melting temperatures, which make them liable to join. This work presents the mechanical resistance of stainless steels 316L joints, bonded with an amorphous Metglas© MBF‐15® foil at 1105°C and 1170°C joined for 5, 10, 15, 20 and 40 minutes, under a nitrogen atmosphere into an electric resistance furnace. Intermixed precipitate particles at the joining zone were formed and an improvement on the bonding samples for conditions of 1105°C for 10 minutes were observed, since the number of unjoined islands were reduced and no interfase crack was detected. The average shear‐tensile mechanical resistance of the joints ranged from about 54 MPa to 70 MPa, and from 47 MPa to 79 MPa, for samples joined at 1105°C and 1170°C, respectively.
Fracture toughness of a structural adhesive under mixed mode loadings
Authors: da Silva L.F.M. , Esteves V.H.C. , Chaves F.J.P.
Published: May 2011

This aim of this research was to determine the fracture toughness of steel/adhesive/steel joints under mixed mode loadings. A structural and ductile epoxy adhesive was selected in this research. The experimental tests, i. e. Asymmetric Tapered Double Cantilever Beam (ATDCB), Single Leg Bending (SLB) and Asymmetric Double Cantilever Beam (ADCB), were realized to assess the fracture toughness in mixed mode. Experimental tests in pure mode I and II were also realized to complete the fracture envelope. In order to obtain the mode I critical energy release rates, GIc, the standard Double Cantilever Beam test was used, whilst the critical strain energy release rate in mode II, GIIc, was evaluated with the End Notched Flexure test. For various mixed mode tests, the critical strain energy release rate values were partitioned into mode I and mode II components. One of the main conclusions of the present work is that the introduction of a small amount of mode II loading (shear) in the joint results in a decrease of the total fracture energy, GT = GI + GII, when compared to the pure mode I fracture energy.
Parkinson's disease, cortical dysfunction, and alpha‐synuclein
Authors: Caviness John N. , Lue Lih‐Fen , Beach Thomas G. , Hentz Joseph G. , Adler Charles H. , Sue Lucia , Sadeghi Ramin , Driver‐Dunckley Erika , Evidente Virgilio G. , Sabbagh Marwan N. , Shill Holly A. , Walker Douglas G.
Published: May 2011

The ability to understand how Parkinson's disease neurodegeneration leads to cortical dysfunction will be critical for developing therapeutic advances in Parkinson's disease dementia. The overall purpose of this project was to study the small‐amplitude cortical myoclonus in Parkinson's disease as an in vivo model of focal cortical dysfunction secondary to Parkinson's disease neurodegeneration. The objectives were to test the hypothesis that cortical myoclonus in Parkinson's disease is linked to abnormal levels of α‐synuclein in the primary motor cortex and to define its relationship to various biochemical, clinical, and pathological measures. The primary motor cortex was evaluated for 11 Parkinson's disease subjects with and 8 without electrophysiologically confirmed cortical myoclonus (the Parkinson's disease + myoclonus group and the Parkinson's disease group, respectively) who had premortem movement and cognitive testing. Similarly assessed 9 controls were used for comparison. Measurements for α‐synuclein, Aβ‐42 peptide, and other biochemical measures were made in the primary motor cortex. A 36% increase in α‐synuclein was found in the motor cortex of Parkinson's disease + myoclonus cases when compared with Parkinson's disease without myoclonus. This occurred without significant differences in insoluble α‐synuclein, phosphorylated to total α‐synuclein ratio, or Aβ‐42 peptide levels. Higher total motor cortex α‐synuclein levels significantly correlated with the presence of cortical myoclonus but did not correlate with multiple clinical or pathological findings. These results suggest an association between elevated α‐synuclein and the dysfunctional physiology arising from the motor cortex in Parkinson's disease + myoclonus cases. Alzheimer's disease pathology was not associated with cortical myoclonus in Parkinson's disease. Cortical myoclonus arising from the motor cortex is a model to study cortical dysfunction in Parkinson's disease. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
SCOPA‐cognition cutoff value for detection of Parkinson's disease dementia
Authors: Verbaan Dagmar , Jeukens‐Visser Martine , Van Laar Teus , van Rooden Stephanie M. , Van Zwet Erik W. , Marinus Johan , van Hilten Jacobus J.
Published: May 2011

The SCOPA‐Cognition is a reliable and valid test to evaluate cognitive functioning in Parkinson's disease and is widely used in clinical and research settings. Recently, the Movement Disorder Society introduced criteria for Parkinson's disease dementia. The objective of the present study was to use these criteria to determine SCOPA‐Cognition cutoffs for maximum accuracy, screening, and diagnosing of Parkinson's disease dementia. A total of 282 patients with Parkinson's disease were assessed with the SCOPA‐Cognition and the Movement Disorder Society's Parkinson's disease dementia criteria. From the 275 patients with a complete assessment of the dementia criteria, 12% (n = 32) fulfilled the criteria. Data from 268 patients with complete assessments of both the dementia criteria and the SCOPA‐Cognition were used to determine cutoffs for maximum accuracy, screening, and diagnosing of Parkinson's disease dementia. The area under the curve was 0.91 (95% confidence interval, 0.85–0.97), showing a strong association between the dementia criteria and the SCOPA‐Cognition. The cutoff for maximum accuracy was 22/23, based on the highest sum of sensitivity (0.80) and specificity (0.87), with positive and negative predictive values of 0.43 and 0.97, respectively. The optimal screening cutoff was 24/25, and the optimal diagnostic cutoff was 17/18. Using the recently published Parkinson's disease dementia criteria as a reference, the current study presents SCOPA‐Cognition cutoffs for maximum accuracy, screening, and diagnosing of Parkinson's disease dementia. The availability of SCOPA‐Cognition cutoffs for Parkinson's disease dementia may contribute to the scale's usefulness and promote its further use in both clinical and research settings. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Preparation and characterization of flame‐retardant polypropylene/α‐titanium phosphate (nano)composites
Authors: Bao Chenlu L. , Song Lei , Guo Yuqiang , Hu Yuan
Published: May 2011

Polymer/α‐titanium phosphate (nano)composites are reported for the first time in this paper. The α‐titanium phosphate was synthesized via the hydrothermal method and organically modified by ethylamine intercalation. Flame retardant polypropylene/α‐titanium phosphate (nano)composites were prepared by melt blending. The titanium phosphates and (nano)composites were characterized and enhanced thermal stability, flame retardancy, and mechanical properties were obtained. Thermogravimetric analysis results showed an increase of 65°C in the maximum decomposition temperature and a 34% reduction in the peak value of derivative weight curve, demonstrating enhanced thermal stability. Improved mechanical properties, including elongation at break (70%), impact strength (29%), Young's modulus (11%), and hardness (35%), were obtained. Materials flame retardancy was also improved according to limiting oxygen index and vertical burning test. Probable mechanism for (nano)composites properties enhancements are discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.