bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microinfarcts, brain atrophy, and cognitive function: The Honolulu Asia Aging Study Autopsy Study
Authors: Launer Lenore J. , Hughes Timothy M. , White Lon R.
Published: June 2011

Objective:

This study was untaken to investigate the association of micro brain infarcts (MBIs) with antemortem global cognitive function (CF), and whether brain weight (BW) and Alzheimer lesions (neurofibrillary tangles [NFTs] or neuritic plaques [NPs]) mediate the association.

Methods:

Subjects were 436 well‐characterized male decedents from the Honolulu Asia Aging Autopsy Study. Brain pathology was ascertained with standardized methods, CF was measured by the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument, and data were analyzed using formal mediation analyses, adjusted for age at death, time between last CF measure and death, education, and head size. Based on antemortem diagnoses, demented and nondemented subjects were examined together and separately.

Results:

In those with no dementia, MBIs were strongly associated with the last antemortem CF score; this was significantly mediated by BW, and not NFTs or NPs. In contrast, among those with an antemortem diagnosis of dementia, NFTs had the strongest associations with BW and with CF, and MBIs were modestly associated with CF.

Interpretation:

This suggests that microinfarct pathology is a significant and independent factor contributing to brain atrophy and cognitive impairment, particularly before dementia is clinically evident. The role of vascular damage as initiator, stimulator, or additive contributor to neurodegeneration may differ depending on when in the trajectory toward dementia the lesions develop. ANN NEUROL 2011
Effect of temperature and thermodynamic quality of solvent over unperturbed chain dimensions of nylon 6
Authors: Baloch Musa Kaleem , Nawaz Mohsan , Bano Arjamand
Published: June 2011

A nylon 6 sample having average molecular mass 4.825 × 105 g mol−1 was fractionated into five different fractions with respect to molecular mass, which ranged from 3691 to 999,000 g mol−1. The light scattering and intrinsic viscosity measurements were made in m‐cresol and its mixture with 1,4‐dioxane. The second virial coefficient, radius of gyration and Mark Houwink's constant and unperturbed chain dimensions were determined by light scattering and viscosity measurement. It has been observed that all these parameters are composition of solvent and temperature dependent. The solvent having composition of 97% m‐cresol and 3% dioxane, was best and it deteriorated with the increase/decrease in percentage of 1,4‐dioxane in m‐cresol. However, its thermodynamic quality was enhanced with the temperature. Such variation in quality of solvent was reflected in all the estimated parameters and showed maxima at this composition of solvent. The unperturbed dimensions obtained by different methods though, differed in values but showed same trend and NA‐MKB method gave close results to the one obtained through [ηo]. A new expression has also been proposed relating ko to solvent quality and temperature and the data obtained by us for nylon‐6 and the one obtained from the literature for dextran obeyed this expression up to large extent irrespective of the solvent composition and temperature. The proposed equations have also been applied to dextran/methoxy ethylene and dextran/ethylene glycol systems and worked well. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.
Characterization of gamma irradiated concentrated aqueous solutions of chitosan/sodium alginate blends and their drug uptake‐release characters
Authors: El‐Din Horia M. Nizam , El‐Naggar Abdel Wahab M.
Published: June 2011

Blends films based on different ratios of concentrated aqueous solutions of chitosan (CS) and sodium alginate (AG) in the presence of 1% of glutaraldehyde, as a cross‐linking agent for chitosan, were prepared by solution casting and then exposed to gamma irradiation. The formed blends were characterized by IR spectroscopic analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The uptake‐release properties of CS/AG blends, taking ketoprofen as an example for drug, were also investigated. DSC thermograms of CS/AG blends revealed good miscibility was sustained between CS and AG. The water uptake and gel content of CS/AG blends was found to decrease by increasing the ratio of AG in the initial solution. The IR spectra indicated the formation of cross‐linking and hydrogen bonding, while the TGA study showed that the CS/AG blends displayed higher thermal stability than pure CS polymer. Based on Fick's law, it was demonstrated that the main parameters affecting the release of ketoprofen drug from the CS/AG blend hydrogels were composition and pH. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
A theoretical investigation on the properties of the new poly(N‐vinylcarbazole)‐3‐methylthiophene (PVK‐3MeT) synthesized graft copolymer
Authors: Chemek Mourad , Ayachi Sahbi , Hlel Abdelkader , Wéry Jany , Lefrant Serge , Alimi Kamel
Published: June 2011

In this article, we present quantum chemical calculations, based on density functional theory (DFT), performed to investigate the geometries and the opto‐electronic properties of a new synthesized graft copolymer based on poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) (PVK) and poly(3‐methylthiophene) (PMeT) named PVK‐3MeT. First, we have theoretically computed and compared the structural, optical, and vibrational parameters of both neutral and doped states. In addition, the excited state was theoretically obtained by the ab initio RCIS/STO‐3G method. To assign the absorption and emission peaks observed experimentally, we computed the energies of the lowest singlet excited state with the time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) method. Electronic parameters such as the HOMO‐LUMO band gap, the ionization potential (IP), and electron affinity (EA) are extracted. Calculations show that the PVK‐3MeT copolymer is nonplanar in its ground neutral state. Meanwhile, upon doping or photoexcitation, an enhancement of the planarity is observed, resulting on a decrease of the inter‐ring torsion angle between 3‐methylthiophene units. Such modifications in the geometric parameters induce a dramatic change on the HOMO and LUMO orbitals in the doped or excited states. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.
Removal of toxic metals using superabsorbent polyelectrolytic hydrogels
Authors: Roy P. K. , Swami V. , Kumar D. , Rajagopal C.
Published: June 2011

Because of the presence of carboxylic acid moieties, poly(acrylic acid) possesses a unique ability to form stable complexes with divalent metal ions. However, its practical use for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions is restricted because of its inherent water solubility. To address this issue, crosslinking of this polymer has been attempted to synthesize hydrogel, which is stable in aqueous medium over a wide range of pH values. The hydrogels, prepared by redox polymerization of acrylic acid in the presence of polyethylene glycol diacrylate as the crosslinker, were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, elemental analysis, thermal analysis, and swelling studies. This chelating hydrogel‐bearing O, O donor groups exhibited high‐metal sorption capacity of 41.1, 58.2, 43.1, and 81.2 mg/g for Cr6+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Pb2+, respectively, under optimum conditions. The effect of parameters including pH, concentration, and interference of common ions on metal uptake was also investigated. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms have been used to validate the metal uptake data. High recovery (>97%) was achievable for all metal ions with 1N HCl as eluting agent, and the regeneration tests revealed that the sorbent could be used repeatedly for at least 10 cycles without any loss in chelating efficiency. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.
Crystallization kinetics of ultra high‐molecular weight polyethylene in liquid paraffin during solid–liquid thermally induced phase separation process
Authors: Zhang Chun‐Fang , Bai Yun‐Xiang , Gu Jin , Sun Yu‐Ping
Published: June 2011

The crystallization behaviors of ultra high‐molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in liquid paraffin under isothermal and nonisothermal conditions were studied by differential scanning calorimetry during the solid–liquid thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) process. For isothermal crystallization, the development of relative crystallinity with the crystallization time is analyzed by the Avrami equation with the exponent n = 2.7. The relatively high content of secondary crystallization at higher crystallization temperature can be obtained due to the high mobility of UHMWPE chains. For nonisothermal crystallization studies, the Avrami theory modified by Jeziorny is used, and the result is found that the Avrami exponent n is variable around 5 and decreases slightly as the cooling rate decreases. In addition, the extent of secondary crystallization increases with increasing cooling rate. The calculated activation energies are 881 kJ/mol for isothermal crystallization obtained from the Arrhenius equation and 462 kJ/mol for nonisothermal crystallization from the Kissinger equation, respectively. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.
Synthesis and characterization of new silyl cross‐linking agent for drug delivery system
Authors: Hosseinzadeh F. , Galehassadi M. , Mahkam M.
Published: June 2011

New crosslinking reagent that has silyl group together with ethyl hydroxyl methacrylate was successfully synthesized. Network polymers with this crosslinked reagent, methacrylic acid, and silyl monomers of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate ester were synthesized and studied their properties. These sily monomers are: 2‐[(triethylsilyl)oxy] ethyl methacrylate, 2‐((tert‐butyldimethylsilyl)oxy)ethyl methacrylate, and 2‐((triphenylsilyl)oxy)ethyl methacrylate. All monomers and polymers were identified by spectroscopic methods. Then mesalasine was entrapped in these network polymers and the in vitro release profiles were established separately in both enzyme‐free simulated gastric and intestinal fluids (SGF, pH 1) and (SIF, pH 7.4), respectively. In vitro release studies showed that these network polymers can be good candidates for colon‐specific drug delivery. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.
Impact of Anions on Electrocatalytic Activity in Palladium Nanoparticles Supported on Ionic Liquid–Carbon Nanotube Hybrids for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Shin Ju Yeon , Kim Youn Soo , Lee Youngmi , Shim Jun Ho , Lee Chongmok , Lee Sang‐gi
Published: June 2011

A series of palladium nanoparticles supported on carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which were functionalized covalently with imidazolium polymer salts with different anions, Pd/polyIL(X)–CNTs (IL=ionic liquid; X=Cl, Br, I, ClO4, BF4, PF6), were prepared to investigate the influence of imidazolim salt anions on electrocatalytic activity in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The anions of the imidazolium moiety significantly impacted on the ORR kinetics in a 0.1 Msolution of HClO4. The electronically active surface area results are in good agreement with the order of the ORR kinetic activity of the supported Pd/polyIL(X)–CNTs (X: Cl>ClO4>BF4>Br≈PF6≫I). In contrast, owing to the facile anion exchange of halide anions with hydroxide anions, anion‐dependent catalytic activity has not been observed in 0.1 MNaOH. Iterative ORR experiments in acid–base solutions demonstrated anion exchange on the electrode. These results indicate that subtly varied structures of the IL moiety profoundly influence the performance of IL–CNT hybrid materials and molecular‐level control of interfacial interactions between the support material, catalysts, and electrolytes is important in the design of supported metal nanoparticle catalysts for fuel cells.
RDAP2: Session by session
Authors: Hourclé Joseph A.
Published: June 2011

Editor's Summary

Building a community of those interested in data management was a key focus of ASIS&T's March 2011 Research Data Access and Preservation (RDAP) Summit, starting with the kickoff session by Gary Marchionini. The keynote address emphasized the role of institutional repositories and digital library services in handling research data, offering data management considerations used by the National Science Foundation including the data's value, storage, lifecycle, sharing and reuse. Through several case studies, speakers explored challenges for data publication repositories and federal agencies; described advantages of cross‐discipline advisory groups; addressed the need for data replication and security; and promoted metadata use, monitoring of data reuse and strong policy and governance. Open discussion revealed management to be the most challenging issue on a personal level while infrastructure was viewed as the major concern for the field. Among the conclusions of a closing panel on the future of digital libraries was recognition of digital libraries' key role in data management and archiving and the need for training for specialists in data management.
Embracing lossy: Sacrificing metadata to gain agility
Authors: Powell James , McMahon Tamara M. , Collins Linn
Published: June 2011

Editor's Summary

Borrowed from data encoding and compression, the concept of lossiness captures our ability to extract meaning despite a reduced set of data. Metadata are lossy representations of complete data and may be the solution to information overload, enabling agile response to urgent information needs. But library professionals and data curators, eager to preserve original data, tend to favor their own customized descriptions of content and may be reluctant to compromise by using the minimalist Dublin Core metadata vocabulary. By favoring unique descriptions and resisting adoption of common bibliographic metadata, they lose access to valuable open access data sources. A better approach is to enable access through shared metadata, embracing lossy and making vast stores of rich information resources available. InfoSynth, a prototype system, helps small digital libraries adapt their custom metadata, represent metadata including Dublin Core elements as RDF/XML triples and return trimmed down and normalized metadata‐based descriptions in triple format. The use of a standard format facilitates sharing with other sources for enhanced information access.
2010, Year of cataloging research in review
Authors: Lundgren Jimmie
Published: June 2011

Editor's Summary

Recognizing the need for serious research on bibliographic control, the American Library Association and the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services declared 2010 as the Year of Cataloging Research. These and other library organizations, spurred on by forward thinking individuals, promoted the current and critical importance of cataloging research through conference presentations, panels and round table discussions throughout the year. The year 2010 also saw a proposal for an agenda for cataloging research, including conducting catalog user surveys, examining the effects of outsourcing and analyzing information retrieval with online catalogs. Catalogers were encouraged to recognize the value of what they learn through internal projects, to publish and share discoveries with others and to get actively involved with library decision making at their institutions. Cataloging research should be geared toward understanding the perspectives of the information producer and consumer, thereby enhancing the application of library cataloging skills to serve information access.
Information overload, reloaded
Authors: Davis Nathaniel
Published: June 2011

Editor's Summary

A costly drain on productivity, information overload can stem from not only vast amounts of information but also a failure to filter information as presented. Information architects (IAs) are in a position to address the challenge, starting by distinguishing between macro information overload and micro information overload. At the macro level, physical storage limits and processing capacities present an obstacle to information access. Information overload at the micro level is a failure to filter information, interfering with a user's cognitive processing by presenting too many images, concepts, messages and other elements to sort through. If systems architects are skilled at recognizing signs of macro information overload, IAs should be able to identify signals of overload at the micro level, drawing on user experience design methods, and should develop ways to spot when information presented on a web page threatens to exceed a typical user's threshold for effective cognitive intake. The solution presents fertile ground for research and potential time and cost savings.
Pyrogallol[4]arenes Show Highly Variable Amphiphilic Behavior at the Air–Water Interface Dependent Upon Side Chain Length and Branching
Authors: Daschbach Megan M. , Kulikov Oleg V. , Long Elizabeth F. , Gokel George W.
Published: June 2011

The behavior of pyrogallol[4]arenes (Pgs) substituted with normal and branched alkyl side chains at the air–water interface was examined on a Langmuir trough. The amphiphilic systems studied form stable monolayers when the straight chains are as short as n‐propyl. Remarkably, n‐propylpyrogallol[4]arene shows a behavior at the air–water interface that is indistinguishable from that of pyrogallolarenes bearing n‐hexyl, n‐nonyl, and n‐dodecyl side chains. There is no report of amphiphilic side‐chain‐length dependence or Langmuir trough behavior for families of branched alkyl chain calixarenes or resorcinarenes. In the Pg family reported here, Pgs with straight chains (except for methyl and ethyl) behave very similarly to each other and very differently from symmetrical branched chain analogues having the same total number of carbon atoms. For example, the shortest possible branched side chain of a Pg, isopropyl‐Pg, forms stable monolayers by a unique molecular subduction mechanism. Isopropyl‐Pg (dimethylmethyl side chain, iPrPg) and 3‐pentyl‐Pg (diethylmethyl side chain, 3‐pentylPg) both show high levels of organization, albeit by quite different mechanisms, at the air–water interface. Both iPrPg and 3‐pentylPg differ in behavior from 4‐heptylPg. Brewster angle microscopy revealed differences in organization of the Pgs that supports the mechanistic suggestions offered herein.
Hope Among Franchise Leaders: Why Hope has Practical Relevance to Franchising – An Exploratory Study
Authors: Welsh Dianne H.B. , Raven Peter V.
Published: June 2011

Using a sample of members of the International Franchising Association, we examined the relationship of future hope to a variety of variables of interest in the franchising context. Though future hope was not significantly related to entrepreneurial leadership, it was positively related to affective organizational commitment. Franchisees and franchisors did not differ in future hope, though the latter group scored higher on entrepreneurial leadership. The position held in the firm was positively associated with having a controlling interest. Contrary to expectations, neither executive level membership nor having a controlling interest was positively related to entrepreneurial leadership or to organizational commitment. Copyright © 2011 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Entrepreneurial Orientation, Human Resources Information Management, and Firm Performance in SMEs
Authors: Rodrigues Ricardo Gouveia , Raposo Mário
Published: June 2011

There is abundant literature demonstrating that entrepreneurial orientation has an impact on performance indicators including economic results and relative market share. Moreover, entrepreneurial orientation interacts with market orientation to improve performance. Human resources information management (HRIM) is a critical component of market orientation. We tested a structural model of relationships among entrepreneurial orientation (EO), HRIM, and firm performance using a sample of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) from the manufacturing sector of Portugal. EO had a positive direct effect on both performance (β = .313) and HRIM (β = .291). HRIM also had a positive effect on firm performance (β = .236), and EO indirectly impacted firm performance (.069) through HRIM. Copyright © 2011 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Deliberative Democracy and Advocacy: Lessons from a Comparative Perspective
Authors: de Brelàz Gabriela , Aquino Alves Mário
Published: June 2011

This study focuses on the meanings of advocacy and lobby as well as how these activities are performed in Brazil and the United States. By considering different contexts and historical developments, we analyze the activities of three civil society organizations to understand how they operate as legitimate groups whose advocacy activities expand the concept of democratic representation. The study concludes that advocacy fosters a deliberative type of democracy, which presumes that citizens have the right to participate in public discussion and deliberation. The study indicates that different stages of advocacy and lobbying processes, the influence of regulatory framework, the difficulties to act in coalition due to ideological differences, and members' private interests shape the main characteristics of civil society organizations' (CSOs) advocacy policies. Copyright © 2011 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cleaning up the City: A Study on the Removal of Street Vendors from Downtown Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Authors: de Pádua Carrieri Alexandre , Murta Ivana Benevides Dutra
Published: June 2011

This article presents a critical analysis of the relocation of street peddlers in Belo Horizonte, Brazil to the Shopping Popular indoor markets of the city. In its attempt to “clean up” downtown through such relocation, city council affected the dissolution of the informal work of the city's peddlers and toreros and increased the precariousness of the political and social conditions these vendors face at work. We conducted a site visit and gathered data using discourse analysis, interviews, and desk research. We argue that city council's public focus on urban revitalization served as a pretext that allowed for the serious social problems underlying the peddler issue to go unaddressed. Copyright © 2011 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling the complex interactions between reformer and reduction furnace in a midrex‐based iron plant
Authors: Alhumaizi Khalid , Ajbar AbdelHamid , Soliman Mustafa
Published: June 2011

This article studies the complex mass and energy interactions between the reformer and the reduction furnace in an iron plant based on Midrex technology. The methodology consists in the development of rigorous first principle models for the reformer and the reduction furnace, in addition to models for auxiliary units such as heat recuperator, scrubber and compressor. In this regard, a one‐dimensional heterogeneous model for the catalyst tubes which takes into account the intraparticle mass transfer resistance was developed for the reformer unit, while the furnace was modelled with bottom‐firing configuration. As for the reduction furnace, the mathematical model was based on the concept of shrinking core model. The furnace was modelled as a moving bed reactor taking into consideration the effects of water gas shift reaction, steam reforming of methane and carburisation reactions. The model was first validated using data from a local iron/steel plant and was then simulated to determine key output variables such as bustle gas temperature, degree of metalisation, carbon content, ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide, reductants to oxidants ratio and required compression energy. The effects of key input parameters on the performance of the plant were studied. These parameters included recycle ratio, scrubber exit temperature, injected oxygen flow rate, flow rate of natural gas after reformer, to transition zone, to reformer and to cooling zone. Useful profiles were compiled to illustrate the results of the sensitivity analysis. These results may serve as guidelines for a further optimisation of the plant.
Drifts and TPD analyses of ethanol on Pt catalysts over Al2O3 and ZrO2—partial oxidation of ethanol
Authors: Schmal Martin , Cesar Deborah V. , Souza Mariana M. V. M. , Guarido Carlos E.
Published: June 2011

Ethanol adsorption on platinum catalysts supported on Al2O3 and ZrO2 was studied by temperature‐programmed desorption (TPD) and DRIFTS analysis. TPD of ethanol showed that the alumina support favoured the dehydration and decomposition ethanol, besides the water–gas shift reaction. DRIFTS analyses showed different intermediate species on the Pt/Al2O3 and Pt/ZrO2 catalysts. On the Pt/Al2O3 catalyst it was observed formation and decomposition of acetate species. On the Pt/ZrO2 were observed ethoxy species. Catalytic tests of the partial oxidation of ethanol showed that the H2 selectivity was higher on the Pt/Al2O3 compared to the Pt/ZrO2 catalyst. Marked difference was observed for the H2/CO ratio, suggesting preferential WGSR for Pt/Al2O3 and the reverse WGSR for the Pt/ZrO2 catalyst. These results allowed proposing different reaction routes.
Development of 72/84‐kV dry air‐insulated dead tank VCB
Authors: Saito Hitoshi , Nagatake Kazuhiro , Komatsu Hideki , Takeshita Yukihiro , Matsui Yoshihiko , Katsumata Kiyohito , Sakaki Masayuki
Published: June 2011

This paper describes a newly developed 72/84‐kV dry air‐insulated dead tank vacuum circuit breaker (VCB). VCB technology, which is essential for SF6 gas‐free equipment, has made advances in the fields of high‐voltage, large current interruption and environment‐conscious design. Light weight, decreased size, and reduced operating energy have been achieved by the new design. From the viewpoint of insulation, the characteristics of dry air, hybrid insulation structure, and insulation strength in vacuum were considered. Various performance verification tests in accordance with standards have been carried out and the reliability of the equipment has been verified. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 177(1): 1–10, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21145
A novel micromixer with three‐dimensionally cross‐linked capillary array structure fabricated by deep X‐ray lithography
Authors: Kondo Saki , Ukita Yoshiaki , Fujiwara Kuniyo , Utsumi Yuichi
Published: June 2011

A novel micromixer was proposed, fabricated and verified. The new concept of the micromixer is to cross‐link many capillaries in a three‐dimensional structure. The characteristic flow behaviors were simulated by using the “FLUENT” computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software. The results of the CFD showed unique mixing behavior in three‐dimensionally cross‐linked capillaries. The mixing performance of the micromixer is strongly influenced by controlling the three‐dimensional crossing conditions. The micromixer was fabricated by deep X‐ray lithography with multistep exposure. The cross‐linked capillary structures were successfully fabricated while controlling the cross‐link conditions. The performance of the micromixer was evaluated by using an enzyme reaction. By comparing the mixtures produced with a cross‐linked fluid filter and with a fluid filter without cross‐linked capillaries, we found that the reaction was accelerated by using the new micromixer. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 177(1): 26–31, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21157
Simulation of branched serial first-order decay of atrazine and metabolites in adapted and nonadapted soils
Authors: Webb Richard M.T , Sandstrom Mark W , Krutz L. Jason , Shaner Dale L
Published: June 2011

In the present study a branched serial first-order decay (BSFOD) model is presented and used to derive transformation rates describing the decay of a common herbicide, atrazine, and its metabolites observed in unsaturated soils adapted to previous atrazine applications and in soils with no history of atrazine applications. Calibration of BSFOD models for soils throughout the country can reduce the uncertainty, relative to that of traditional models, in predicting the fate and transport of pesticides and their metabolites and thus support improved agricultural management schemes for reducing threats to the environment. Results from application of the BSFOD model to better understand the degradation of atrazine supports two previously reported conclusions: atrazine (6-chloro-N-ethyl-N′-(1-methylethyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) and its primary metabolites are less persistent in adapted soils than in nonadapted soils; and hydroxyatrazine was the dominant primary metabolite in most of the soils tested. In addition, a method to simulate BSFOD in a one-dimensional solute-transport unsaturated zone model is also presented. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:1973–1981. © 2011 SETAC
Diclofenac in fish: Blood plasma levels similar to human therapeutic levels affect global hepatic gene expression
Authors: Cuklev Filip , Kristiansson Erik , Fick Jerker , Asker Noomi , Förlin Lars , Larsson D.G. Joakim
Published: June 2011

Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug frequently found in the aquatic environment. Previous studies have reported histological changes in the liver, kidney, and gills of fish at concentrations similar to those measured in treated sewage effluents (approximately 1 µg/L). Analyses or predictions of blood plasma levels in fish allow a direct comparison with human therapeutic plasma levels and may therefore be used to indicate a risk for pharmacological effects in fish. To relate internal exposure to a pharmacological interaction, we investigated global hepatic gene expression together with bioconcentration in blood plasma and liver of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) exposed to waterborne diclofenac. At the highest exposure concentration (81.5 µg/L), the fish plasma concentration reached approximately 88% of the human therapeutic levels (Cmax) after two weeks. Using an oligonucleotide microarray followed by quantitative PCR, we found extensive effects on hepatic gene expression at this concentration, and some genes were found to be regulated down to the lowest exposure concentration tested (1.6 µg/L), corresponding to a plasma concentration approximately 1.5% of the human Cmax. Thus, at concentrations detected in European surface waters, diclofenac can affect the expression of multiple genes in exposed fish. Functional analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed effects on biological processes such as inflammation and the immune response, in agreement with the mode of action of diclofenac in mammals. In contrast to some previously reported results, the bioconcentration factor was found to be stable (4.02 ± 0.75 for blood plasma and 2.54 ± 0.36 for liver) regardless of the water concentration. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:2126–2134. © 2011 SETAC
Instruments for comprehensive needs assessment in individuals with cognitive complaints, mild cognitive impairment or dementia: a systematic review
Authors: Schmid Roger , Eschen Anne , Rüegger‐Frey Brigitte , Martin Mike
Published: June 2011

Objective

In recent years, it has become more common to complement the objective assessment of symptoms with an assessment of individual needs patterns that are created by the individual pattern of symptoms. However, little is known on needs patterns in individuals with subjective cognitive impairment, mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Thus, on the basis of an analysis of the development of needs in the course of cognitive decline, we provide an overview of the existing needs assessment instruments with respect to feasibility, validity and reliability.

Method

We conducted a literature search in PsycINFO and PubMed including all publications up to September 2009. We included needs assessment instruments for use in older individuals with mental or cognitive disorders and dementia.

Results

We identified 17 needs assessment instruments for individuals with mental disorders, cognitive impairment or dementia. The analysis of selected articles demonstrated a wide range of needs indicators within different subgroups. Validity and reliability range between moderate and good.

Conclusions

Even though a wide range of needs assessment instruments is available, most instruments assess the needs of individuals with subjective cognitive impairment, mild cognitive impairment and dementia on a general level rather than on a more concrete level that may serve better to inform interventions for this growing population. In addition, we suggest basing the development of instruments firmly on an adequate theoretical framework and standardised procedural guidelines. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The natural history of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis: An international collaborative study
Authors: Bhala Neeraj , Angulo Paul , van der Poorten David , Lee Eric , Hui Jason M. , Saracco Giorgio , Adams Leon A. , Charatcharoenwitthaya Phunchai , Topping Joanne H. , Bugianesi Elisabetta , Day Christopher P. , George Jacob
Published: June 2011

Information on the long-term prognosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is limited. We sought to describe the long-term morbidity and mortality of patients with NAFLD with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis by prospectively studying 247 such patients from four international centers (in Australia, USA, UK and Italy). Their natural history was then compared with 264 patients with HCV infection who were either naïve or non-responders to treatment. Both cohorts were Child-Pugh class A and had advanced fibrosis (stage 3) or cirrhosis (stage 4) confirmed by liver biopsy at enrollment. In the NAFLD cohort, followed up for a mean of 85.6 months (range, 6-297), there were 48 (19.4%) liver-related complications and 33 (13.4%) deaths or liver transplants. In the HCV cohort, followed up for 74.9 months (mean; range, 6-238), there were 47 (16.7%) liver-related complications and 25 (9.4%) deaths or liver transplants. When adjusting for baseline differences in age and gender, the cumulative incidence of liver-related complications was lower in the NAFLD than the HCV cohort (

P

= 0.03), including incident hepatocellular cancer (6 versus 18;

P

= 0.03), but that of cardiovascular events (

P

= 0.17) and overall mortality (

P

= 0.6) were similar in both groups. In the NAFLD cohort, platelet count, stage 4 fibrosis, lowered platelet count, and lowered serum cholesterol and alanine aminotrasferase (ALT) levels were associated with liver-related complications; an aspartate aminotransferase/ALT ratio >1 and older age were associated with overall mortality, and higher serum bilirubin levels and stage 4 fibrosis were associated with liver-related mortality.

Conclusions:

Patients with NAFLD with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis have lower rates of liver-related complications and hepatocellular cancer than corresponding patients with HCV infection, but similar overall mortality. Some clinical and laboratory features predict liver-related complications and other outcomes in patients with NAFLD. (Hepatology 2011;54:1208–1216)
Contrast‐enhanced sonography of postbiopsy arteriovenous fistulas in kidney grafts
Authors: Grzelak P. , Sapieha M. , Kurnatowska I. , Nowicki M. , Strzelczyk J. , Stefańczyk L.
Published: June 2011

Purpose.

To assess the usefulness of contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CE‐US) in the visualization of a kidney graft following a biopsy that was complicated by an arteriovenous fistula (AVF).

Methods.

Four postrenal transplant patients who had developed AVFs following graft biopsy were examined using standard US and CE‐US. Additionally, follow‐up examinations were conducted using CE‐US, at 4–6 weeks and 10–12 weeks following fistula closure.

Results.

The fistulas were detected using color Doppler US, Power Doppler US, and B‐flow technique. Reduced parenchymal flow was only detected in one case using standard flow visualization techniques. CE‐US allowed for the visualization of regions of disturbed parenchymal perfusion that were not visible in the standard examinations. At follow‐up, B‐mode ultrasound and standard flow examinations appeared normal. However, all contrast‐enhanced images showed clearly demarcated residual regions of reduced parenchymal perfusion, in areas where the fistulas had been previously present.

Conclusions.

A posttraumatic AVF reduces parenchymal perfusion in the affected region. CE‐US examination may help in monitoring fistulas during the active phase and following spontaneous closure. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011
Differential polymorphism in cutaneous glands of archaic Leiopelma species
Authors: Melzer Sabine , Clerens Stefan , Bishop Phillip J.
Published: June 2011

Endemic New Zealand frogs of the genus Leiopelma are from a basal lineage of extant anurans that release defensive secretions onto their skin when disturbed. Here, we characterize the gross anatomy and microscopic structure of the skin of L. archeyi, L. hochstetteri, and L. pakeka using stereoscopic, light and transmission electron microscopy. The terrestrial L. archeyi and L. pakeka possess dimorphic granular glands, categorized as type I and II, based on their frequency and morphological traits, whereas the semi‐aquatic L. hochstetteri lacks type I glands. This is the first report of differential dimorphism in anurans of the same genus. This dimorphism could be interpreted as an adaptation to different physiological or ecological needs of these species. However, species within this ancient genus share similar general gland morphology with other anurans, namely, a secretory unit containing storage granules ensheathed by myoepithelial cells. Type I glands are ellipsoid, large and contain a homogeneous mass of electron‐dense granules (1.8 ± 0.08 μm in diameter). Type II glands are round and contain larger heterogeneous granules (4.06 ± 0.16 μm) of varying densities. Exposure to noradrenaline causes the contraction of myoepithelial cells, resulting in bulk discharge of type I glands through the epidermal duct onto the skin surface. Differential release of secretions from dimorphic glands may be indicative of their functional specialisation in antipredatory or regulative roles. Mass spectrometric techniques were used to de novo sequence peptides present in the skin secretions of Leiopelma species. A total of 30 previously undescribed peptides from Leiopelma species were fully or partially sequenced. These peptides exhibited no similarity to any known compounds. J. Morphol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of the adhesive areas in Sepia tuberculata (Mollusca, Cephalopoda)
Authors: von Byern Janek , Scott Robyn , Griffiths Charles , Micossi Andrea , Grunwald Ingo , Cyran Norbert
Published: June 2011

Adhesion in cephalopods is either mechanical, involving a reduced‐pressure system of the arm and tentacle suckers, or is chemically mediated by special adhesive gland structures (as proposed for Euprymna, Idiosepius, and Nautilus). Four species of Sepia (S. typica, S. papillata, S. pulchra, and S. tuberculata) possess grooved structures on the ventral mantle surface and on the fourth arm pair, which are used to attach mechanically to the substratum. Because these areas are often partly covered with sand or debris, it has been hypothesized that chemical substances were involved in this attachment process. This study provides a histochemical and ultrastructural description of the glandular epithelium in the adhesive area of Sepia tuberculata. Two specific glandular cells (Type 1 and Type 2) are present in the epithelium, which differ clearly in their granule size and cellular structure. The aggregation of both cell types and their simultaneous secretion suggest that the secretions of both cell types work synergistically providing a two‐component adhesive system which supports the primarily mechanical sucker adhesion by making the arm surface sticky. J. Morphol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sexual, habitat‐constrained and parasite‐induced dimorphism in the shell of a freshwater mussel (Anodonta anatina, Unionidae)
Authors: Zieritz Alexandra , Aldridge David C.
Published: June 2011

Intraspecific trends in freshwater mussel (unionoid) shells that are consistently associated with differences in the mussels' sex and/or parasitic infestation can potentially be used to reconstruct sex ratios or parasitic levels of modern and ancient unionoid populations. In contrast to morphological patterns within mammal species, such dimorphic trends within unionoid species are, however, poorly understood. This study investigates, for the first time, to what extent sex, trematode infection and indirect habitat effects determine shell morphology in the freshwater mussel Anodonta anatina. Three of the five study populations displayed significant sexual shell width dimorphism. Here, shells of females were significantly wider than males, probably as a result of altered shell growth to accommodate marsupial gills. In two of these populations, female shells were additionally significantly thinner than those of males, which could be a result of resource depletion by offspring production. Two other A. anatina populations showed no significant dimorphic patterns, and our results indicate that this interpopulational difference in the degree of sexual dimorphism may reflect the overarching effect of habitat on morphology. Thus, populations in the most favourable habitats exhibit faster growth rates, attain larger maximum sizes and produce more offspring, which results in more swollen gills and consequently more inflated shells of gravid females compared to less fecund populations. None of the populations showed any evidence for sexual dimorphism in overall size, growth rate, sagittal shape and density of shells. In addition to sexual dimorphisms, infestation by bucephalid trematode parasites (Rhipidocotyle sp.) significantly altered sagittal and lateral shell shape of A. anatina in one of the populations, with infected specimens growing wider and more elongated. J. Morphol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Slit‐Robo signals regulate pioneer axon pathfinding of the tract of the postoptic commissure in the mammalian forebrain
Authors: Ricaño‐Cornejo Itzel , Altick Amy L. , García‐Peña Claudia M. , Nural Hikmet Feyza , Echevarría Diego , Miquelajáuregui Amaya , Mastick Grant S. , Varela‐Echavarría Alfredo
Published: June 2011

During early vertebrate forebrain development, pioneer axons establish a symmetrical scaffold descending longitudinally through the rostral forebrain, thus forming the tract of the postoptic commissure (TPOC). In mouse embryos, this tract begins to appear at embryonic day 9.5 (E9.5) as a bundle of axons tightly constrained at a specific dorsoventral level. We have characterized the participation of the Slit chemorepellants and their Robo receptors in the control of TPOC axon projection. In E9.5–E11.5 mouse embryos, Robo1 and Robo2 are expressed in the nucleus origin of the TPOC (nTPOC), and Slit expression domains flank the TPOC trajectory. These findings suggested that these proteins are important factors in the dorsoventral positioning of the TPOC axons. Consistently with this role, Slit2 inhibited TPOC axon growth in collagen gel cultures, and interfering with Robo function in cultured embryos induced projection errors in TPOC axons. Moreover, absence of both Slit1 and Slit2 or Robo1 and Robo2 in mutant mouse embryos revealed aberrant TPOC trajectories, resulting in abnormal spreading of the tract and misprojections into both ventral and dorsal tissues. These results reveal that Slit‐Robo signaling regulates the dorsoventral position of this pioneer tract in the developing forebrain. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alterations of overused supraspinatus tendon: A possible role of glycosaminoglycans and HARP/pleiotrophin in early tendon pathology
Authors: Attia Mohamed , Scott Alexander , Duchesnay Arlette , Carpentier Gilles , Soslowsky Louis J. , Huynh Minh Bao , Van Kuppevelt Toin H. , Gossard Camille , Courty José , Tassoni Marie‐Claude , Martelly Isabelle
Published: June 2011

Supraspinatus tendon overuse injuries lead to significant pain and disability in athletes and workers. Despite the prevalence and high social cost of these injuries, the early pathological events are not well known. We analyzed the potential relation between glycosaminoglycan (GAG) composition and phenotypic cellular alteration using a rat model of rotator cuff overuse. Total sulfated GAGs increased after 4 weeks of overuse and remained elevated up to 16 weeks. GAG accumulation was preceded by up‐regulation of decorin, versican, and aggrecan proteoglycans (PGs) mRNAs and proteins and biglycan PG mRNA after 2 weeks. At 2 weeks, collagen 1 transcript decreased whereas mRNAs for collagen 2, collagen 3, collagen 6, and the transcription factor Sox9 were increased. Protein levels of heparin affine regulatory peptide (HARP)/pleiotrophin, a cytokine known to regulate developmental chondrocyte formation, were enhanced especially at 4 weeks, without up‐regulation of HARP/pleiotrophin mRNA. Further results suggest that the increased GAGs present in early lesions may sequester HARP/pleiotrophin, which could contribute to a loss of tenocyte's phenotype. All these modifications are characteristic of a shift towards the chondrocyte phenotype. Identification of these early changes in the extra‐cellular matrix may help to prevent the progression of the pathology to more disabling, degenerative alterations. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:61–71, 2012
Intercalation of Mono‐ and Difunctional Azobenzenes as Photoresponsible Guest Molecules into Poly(muconic acid) Host Crystals
Authors: Shimogaki Tomoyo , Oshita Shinya , Matsumoto Akikazu
Published: June 2011

An intercalation system consisting of layered PMA crystals as the host material and amino‐functionalized azobenzene derivatives as the guests is studied. The intercalation of difunctional guest molecules yields low conversions compared to the intercalation results using the corresponding monofunctional guests. Investigation of thecis–transphotoisomerization of the intercalated azo compounds reveals that the isomerization rate depends on the packing structure and the mobility of the azobenzene moieties in the host crystals. The monofunctional azobenzene moieties with a longer alkyl spacer undergo fast and reversible photoisomerization. XRD and UV results reveal the arrangement of the guest molecules present in the interlayer space of the host PMA crystals.

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Novel Synthesis of Polycarbazole–Gold Nanocomposite
Authors: Gupta Bhavana , Joshi Leela , Prakash Rajiv
Published: June 2011

A polycarbazole–gold nanocomposite is synthesized based on two polymerization techniques, i.e., emulsion and interfacial using aqueous gold chloride and non‐aqueous carbazole monomer solutions. Use of gold chloride as an oxidant for carbazole not only provides a new chemical synthesis for polycarbazole conducting polymer but also allows the formation of conducting nanocomposite in one simple step. Polymerization of carbazole and further growth of the polymer along with gold nanoparticles are governed by the redox reaction between carbazole and Au cations. Two different morphologies of polymers and two different sizes (with narrow size distribution) of gold nanoparticles are obtained depending on the polymerization routes. Structural and thermal properties of the nanocomposites are studied using SEM/TEM, FT‐IR, XRD, and TGA. XRD of nanocomposites depicts the amorphous nature of the polymer and the highly phase selective crystalline nature of gold. Nanocomposites with improved properties show better dispersion in common organic solvents and potential for various technological applications.

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