bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effective Knowledge Management through Measurement
Authors: Turner Geoff , Minonne Clemente
Published: July 2012

Knowledge is now recognized as the most important factor of wealth creation, meaning there is no clearer way to prosperity than assigning priority to learning and knowledge creation. This is of greater significance to educational institutions because they are the primary drivers in the generation, accumulation, and dissemination of knowledge. As such, the value of an educational institution to society will depend on its capacity to create and share knowledge, which is an unremitting cycle of discovery and dissemination, or the conversion of knowledge from implicit to explicit. The source of an institution’s value to society lies in its ability to continuously improve that process by developing a strategy for acquiring and effectively and efficiently managing its knowledge base as well as understanding how and why its value is changing. In this chapter, the authors consider how an institution knows whether it is managing its knowledge assets in a sustainable way and whether they have increased or diminished over a certain period by looking at several propositions already in existence. It then proposes its own strategic approach, the Knowledge Management Monitor, to assist in this management process.
A New Perspective on Knowledge Management Research
Authors: Metso Sari
Published: July 2012

Knowledge management theories emphasize the role of knowledge work and knowledge workers in knowledge-intensive organizations. However, technologization has changed the knowledge work environment. Many knowledge workers create, process, and share simplified information in digitalized networks. This complicates the profession-based definitions of knowledge workers. This chapter contributes to the emerging concern about the future trends of knowledge management. First, the chapter suggests that knowledge management models ignore a large group of professionals possessing practical knowledge. These vocational professionals are considered a new target group for knowledge management. Vocational professionals’ practical knowledge is worth managing since they operate with organizational core functions. Second, this chapter presents an alternative education-based categorization of workers. The different functions of KM are manifest in the three categories: a diminishing group of workers without professional qualifications, a large group of vocational professionals, and a group of workers with higher education.
Large Imagery on Small Screens
Authors: Rosenbaum René
Published: July 2012

With the focus being on digital imagery, this chapter proposes novel technology that is able to cope with the heterogeneous viewing hardware and user requirements in mobile services. With the aim to present an image at a detail level that is most appropriate for a given device and user, the main approach takes advantage of scalable image compression, transmission, and display. A scalable image is created once and multiply used for different kinds of devices and user requirements. By progressive refinement, the image is successively enhanced in detail until the device capabilities are used up to capacity. A framework that considers the most important resource types in mobile computing: computing power, bandwidth, and screen space, are introduced. Two different applications - on-the-fly adaptation at client side and profile-based adaptation at server side - are proposed leading to solutions for different application environments. Due to its flexibility and low-complexity, the proposed framework is a much more general solution compared to related approaches. This is underpinned by empirical results obtained from experiments and a discussion of the properties of the framework and its applications. Due to the novelty of the approach, some of the many possibilities for future work in this area are also discussed.
Ebola virus outbreaks in Africa: Past and present
Authors: Muyembe-Tamfum J.J. , Mulangu S. , Masumu Justin , Kayembe J.M. , Kemp A. , Paweska Janusz T.
Published: July 2012

Ebola haemorrhagic fever (EHF) is a zoonosis affecting both human and non-human primates (NHP). Outbreaks in Africa occur mainly in the Congo and Nile basins. The first outbreaks of EHF occurred nearly simultaneously in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC, former Zaire) and Sudan with very high case fatality rates of 88% and 53%, respectively. The two outbreaks were caused by two distinct species of Ebola virus named Zaire ebolavirus (ZEBOV) and Sudan ebolavirus (SEBOV). The source of transmission remains unknown. After a long period of silence (1980–1993), EHF outbreaks in Africa caused by the two species erupted with increased frequency and new species were discovered, namely Côte d’Ivoire ebolavirus (CIEBOV) in 1994 in the Ivory Coast and Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BEBOV) in 2007 in Uganda. The re-emergence of EHF outbreaks in Gabon and Republic of the Congo were concomitant with an increase in mortality amongst gorillas and chimpanzees infected with ZEBOV. The human outbreaks were related to multiple, unrelated index cases who had contact with dead gorillas or chimpanzees. However, in areas where NHP were rare or absent, as in Kikwit (DRC) in 1995, Mweka (DRC) in 2007, Gulu (Uganda) in 2000 and Yambio (Sudan) in 2004, the hunting and eating of fruit bats may have resulted in the primary transmission of Ebola virus to humans. Human-to-human transmission is associated with direct contact with body fluids or tissues from an infected subject or contaminated objects. Despite several, often heroic field studies, the epidemiology and ecology of Ebola virus, including identification of its natural reservoir hosts, remains a formidable challenge for public health and scientific communities.
Bartonella spp. in human and animal populations in Gauteng, South Africa, from 2007 to 2009
Authors: Trataris Anastasia N. , Rossouw Jennifer , Arntzen Lorraine , Karstaedt Allan , Frean John
Published: July 2012

Bartonellae are highly adaptive organisms that have the ability to evade the host immune system and cause persistent bacteraemia by occupying the host’s erythrocytes. Bartonella spp. is under-studied and health care professionals often misdiagnose Bartonella-related infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the carriage of Bartonella spp. circulating in human and animal populations in Gauteng using culturing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection. A total of 424 human, 98 cat, 179 dog, and 124 wild rodent blood samples were plated onto specialised media and incubated for 7–21 days at 37 ºC in CO2. Culture isolates morphologically similar to Bartonella control strains were confirmed by PCR and sequenced to determine species. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from all blood samples and tested by nested PCR. Bartonella could only be cultured from the cat and rodent specimens. Cat isolates were > 99% similar to Bartonella henselae URBHLIE 9, previously isolated from an endocarditis patient, and rat isolates were > 98% similar to either RN24BJ (candidus ‘Bartonella thailandensis’) or RN28BJ, previously isolated from rodents in China. The PCR prevalences were 22.5% in HIV-positive patients, 9.5% in clinically healthy volunteers, 23.5% in cats, 9% in dogs and 25% in rodents. Findings of this study have important implications for HIV-positive patients.
One Health - ‘joining the dots’
Authors: Dockrell Hazel M.
Published: July 2012

One Health - ‘joining the dots’
Foot-and-mouth disease control in Zambia: A review of the current situation
Authors: Sinkala Yona , Pfeiffer D. , Kasanga C. , Muma J.B. , Simuunza M. , Mweene A.
Published: July 2012

Zambia has been experiencing low livestock productivity as well as trade restrictions owing to the occurrence of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and contagious bovine pleura pneumonia (CBPP). Foot-and-mouth disease was first recorded in Zambia in 1933 in the Western Province and since then the country has experienced repeated outbreaks. Bearing in mind the pressure that may be existing on the many risk factors for FMD including climate change, there is need to review our knowledge on FMD control. We present the spatial distribution of the FMD outbreaks that have been recorded in Zambia in the last twenty years, and the effect of the vaccinations and movement control that have been applied. We propose further strain characterisation of previous FMD outbreaks, including full sequence of VP1 gene and the 5’UTR site. The data will be geo-coded and populated with risk factor attributes. We also present preliminary findings of the buffalo and cattle probang sampling that was conducted in Lochnivar and Kafue National Park. We further probang sampled 25 buffalo at each interface area in Sioma Ngwezi, Lukusuzi and Lower Zambezi national parks. Villages in close proximity to the buffalo populations as well as those not in close proximity will be multistage cluster sampled for comparison. The data will be geo-coded and populated with risk factor and foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) characterisation attributes. Data collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire will be geo-coded and populated with identified risk factors and stored in a database and will be spatially modelled to determine their effect on FMD occurrence and control measures. New outbreaks of FMD that may occur will be investigated to find out if there are new strains involved, species affected and predisposing risk factors.The authors conclude that impacts of FMD on livelihoods if appropriate control measures are not put in place are far more devastating especially at community level. Presented with the current poverty levels failure to institute result oriented control measures will exacerbate the already life-threatening situation.
Towards One Health Knowledge Networks: A Southern African Centre of Infectious Disease Surveillance case study
Authors: Beda Eric
Published: July 2012

The dynamic nature of new information and/or knowledge is a big challenge for information systems. Early knowledge management systems focused entirely on technologies for storing, searching and retrieving data; these systems have proved a failure. Juirsica and Mylopoulos1 suggested that in order to build effective technologies for knowledge management, we need to further our understanding of how individuals, groups and organisations use knowledge. As the focus on knowledge management for organisations and consortia alike is moving towards a keen appreciation of how deeply knowledge is embedded in people’s experiences, there is a general realisation that knowledge cannot be stored or captured digitally. This puts more emphasis in creating enabling environments for interactions that stimulate knowledge sharing.Our work aims at developing an un-obtrusive intelligent system that glues together effective contemporary and traditional technologies to aid these interactions and manage the information captured. In addition this system will include tools to aid propagating a repository of scientific information relevant to surveillance of infectious diseases to complement knowledge shared and/or acts as a point of reference.This work is ongoing and based on experiences in developing a knowledge network management system for the Southern African Centre of Infectious Disease Surveillance (SACIDS), A One Health consortium of southern African academic and research institutions involved with infectious diseases of humans and animals in partnership with world-renowned centres of research in industrialised countries.
Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic Solution for Treatment of Bacterial Conjunctivitis: Safety, Efficacy and Patient Perspective
Authors: Schultz Clyde
Published: July 2012

Gatifloxacin is a fourth generation fluroquinolone antibiotic that has been prescribed for systemic use. However, the drug which was developed by Kyorin (Japan) was linked to toxic reactions and death and was banned in the United States and Canada for use as an oral dosage form. It continues to be used as a topical application for ophthalmic conditions as the systemic toxicity seen when taking the drug orally has not been observed with ophthalmic use. The available data indicate that ocular use of gatifloxacin is safe, and effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria, including intracellular bacteria and anaerobes.
Comparison of Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Cells by Statistical and Wavelet Analysis of Electrochemical Noise Data
Authors: Shahidi M. , Jafari A.H. , Hosseini S.M.A.
Published: July 2012

The most common cell configuration for electrochemical current noise (ECN) measurements consists of two identical working electrodes (WE) known as symmetrical cell, connected by a zero-resistance ammeter (ZRA). The analysis of ECN data is complicated by its reflection of the behavior of two identical WE, but it would be facilitated greatly if the behavior of one of two WE were measured separately. According to an earlier theoretical model, an asymmetrical cell with a large difference in size between two WE, which are otherwise identical, allows the measurement of ECN on the small electrode while allowing free corrosion to proceed. In this paper, the ECN signals obtained on the symmetrical cells are compared with those carried out on the asymmetrical cells by statistical and wavelet analysis methods. Three advantages of the asymmetrical cells for measurement of ECN data are clearly seen: the time scale preserving of current transients, the increase of amplitude of current transients, and the detection of a higher number of events.
Friend or Foe? Memory and Expectancy Biases for Faces in Social Anxiety
Authors: Bielak Tatiana , Moscovitch David A.
Published: July 2012

Studies examining memory biases for threat in social anxiety (SA) have yielded mixed results. In the present study, memory and expectancy biases were tested using a novel face recognition paradigm designed to offset methodological challenges that have hampered previous research. Following a social threat induction, undergraduates with high (n = 40) and low (n = 40) levels of SA viewed a series of neutral faces randomly paired with positive or negative social feedback. Recognition memory was tested for previously encountered faces, and for the categorization of each encoded face as having been associated with negative (mean) or positive (nice) interpersonal statements. For new faces, participants were asked whether the person seemed mean or nice. Results provided no evidence of a general memory bias to threat in SA, but suggested that high SA individuals lack a positive expectancy bias toward new social partners. Implications are considered for cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal models of SA.
Dysphoric Mood, Thought Suppression and Cognitive Control in Recovered Depressed and Never-Depressed Individuals
Authors: Van der Does A.J. Willem , Manthey Leonie , Hermans Kelly
Published: July 2012

Background

Research has shown that sad mood inductions (SMIs) have effects on cognition in depression-vulnerable samples (e.g., recovered depressed patients), but not in never-depressed individuals. A recent study however, found that an SMI followed by a brief period of suppressing negative thoughts affects subsequent information processing in never-depressed individuals, even while the sad mood had already dissipated. We investigated the relevance of this finding for depression, and also whether this effect would be robust against minor procedural variations.

Method

32 recovered depressed and 32 never-depressed individuals underwent an SMI followed by a writing task during which either instructions to suppress negative thoughts or no instructions were given. Finally, participants completed a scrambled sentences task (SST).

Results

Recovered depressed participants unscrambled significantly more negative sentences on the SST than the control group. Thought suppression did not affect performance in either group. SST performance correlated with various aspects of cognitive reactivity.

Conclusion

A brief period of thought suppression during sadness does not have an effect on cognition in never-depressed nor in recovered depressed individuals.
Repetitive Thought about an Aversive Learning Experience Maintains Conditioned Responding
Authors: Joos Els , Vansteenwegen Debora , Hermans Dirk
Published: July 2012

Clinical anxiety is often believed to be based on fear conditioning, a procedure of pairing an originally neutral stimulus (conditioned stimulus, CS) with an aversive unconditioned stimulus (US), which results in the CS eliciting a conditioned fear response in the absence of the US. Recently, it was shown that repeatedly thinking about an aversive conditioning event maintains subsequent fear responding. A crucial question is how such effects should be interpreted. Does rehearsal of a CS-US-contingency result in a strengthened memory trace of the conditioning experience or in changes in the US-representation (e.g., US-inflation or increased US-coherence)? The current study was set up to investigate the underlying mechanism of this rehearsal effect. After acquisition training with two CS+s paired with the same US, participants rehearsed one of both CS-US-contingencies. The CS+ that was part of the rehearsed contingency elicited more US-expectancy than the CS+ that was not rehearsed. As changes in the US-representation could not explain our data, we suggest that a strengthening of the memory trace of the CS-US-association underlies this effect. Repetitive thought about a conditioning experience seems to result in sustained conditioned responding due to a strengthened CS-US-association. We propose that the repetitive nature of thought processes such as worry might partly explain its unconstructive role in anxiety.
Investigating the Corrective Effect of Forewarning on Memory and Meta-Memory Deficits in Schizophrenia Patients
Authors: Peters Maarten J.V. , Engel Maike , Hauschildt Marit , Moritz Steffen , Jelinek Lena , Otgaar Henry
Published: July 2012

A number of recent studies investigating (meta-)memory have detected that memory accuracy is decreased in schizophrenia and that at the same time patients hold false information with strong conviction. The aim of the present study was to test whether increasing meta-memory awareness (i.e., forewarning) could attenuate this pattern of results. Forty-seven schizophrenia patients and 47 healthy controls were administered two pictures of a visual false memory paradigm, one with forewarning and the second without. After both pictures, a recognition task required participants to make old-new discriminations along with confidence ratings. Results showed that, although the standard memory and meta-memory response patterns were replicated in this study, in which schizophrenia patients show decreased memory accuracy and knowledge corruption, the initial forewarning did not influence the robustness of these meta-memory deficits within schizophrenia patients.
The Effects of Expressive and Experiential Suppression on Memory Accuracy and Memory Distortion in Women with and without PTSD
Authors: Moore Sally A. , Zoellner Lori A.
Published: July 2012

Specific emotion regulation strategies impinge on cognitive resources, impairing memory accuracy; however, their effects on memory distortion have been largely unexamined. Further, little is known about the effects of emotion regulation on memory in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), who exhibit both emotion regulation and memory difficulties. We examined the effects of expressive suppression (i.e., concealing visible signs of emotion), experiential suppression (i.e., suppressing the subjective emotional experience), and control instructions on memory accuracy and distortion in traumaexposed individuals with PTSD, those without PTSD, and psychologically healthy controls. Expressive and, to a lesser degree, experiential suppression led to poorer memory accuracy and both expressive and experiential suppression led to less memory distortion compared to control instructions. Participants with and without PTSD did not significantly differ. Under high cognitive load, irrelevant details may receive more processing, potentially leading to lower accuracy but improved processing of source information, preventing memory distortion.
An Investigation of the Role of Attention in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Recurrently Depressed Patients
Authors: van den Hurk Paul A. M. , van Aalderen Joël R. , Giommi Fabio , Donders Rogier A. R. T. , Barendregt Henk P. , Speckens Anne E. M.
Published: July 2012

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has been shown to be efficacious in reducing relapse rate and depressive symptoms in patients with recurrent depression. To date, little is known about the underlying cognitive mechanisms. We investigated the role of attention with the attention network test in a randomized controlled trial with 34 MBCT patients and 37 waiting-list control patients. In the MBCT group depressive symptoms and ruminative thinking decreased and mindfulness skills increased. However, no differential changes in either specific, basal components of attentional processes (alerting, orienting and executive attention) or more general attentional functioning were observed. These results seem to fit in the pattern, emerging from recent research findings, that suggests that it might be especially the second component of mindfulness as described by Bishop (Bishop et al., 2004) - a shift towards an attitude with more openness and acceptance - that mediates the efficacy of short-term mindfulness interventions.
The effects of cumulative forest disturbance on streamflow in a large watershed in the central interior of British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Zhang M. , Wei X.
Published: July 2012

Abstract. The Baker Creek watershed (1570 km2), situated in the central interior of British Columbia, Canada, has been severely disturbed by both logging and natural disturbance, particularly by a recent large-scale mountain pine beetle (MPB) infestation (up to 2009, 70.2% of the watershed area had been attacked by MPB) and subsequent salvage logging. The concept of equivalent clear-cut area (ECA) was used to indicate the magnitude of forest disturbance, with consideration of hydrological recovery following various types of disturbance (wildfire, logging and MPB infestation), cumulated over space and time in the watershed. The cumulative ECA peaked at 62.2% in 2009. A combined approach of statistical analysis (i.e. time series analysis) and graphic method (modified double mass curve) was employed to evaluate the impacts of forest disturbance on hydrology. Our results showed that severe forest disturbance significantly increased annual mean flow. The average increment in annual mean flow caused by forest disturbance was 48.4 mm yr−1, while the average decrease in annual mean flow caused by climatic variability during the same disturbance period was 35.5 mm yr−1. The opposite changes in directions and magnitudes clearly suggest an offsetting effect between forest disturbance and climatic variability, with the absolute influential strength of forest disturbance (57.7%) overriding that from climate variability (42.3%). Forest disturbance also produced significant positive effects on low flow and dry season (fall and winter) mean flow. Implications of our findings for future forest and water resources management are discussed in the context of long-term watershed sustainability.
Developing Genome and Exome Sequencing for Candidate Gene Identification in Inherited Disorders: An Integrated Technical and Bioinformatics Approach
Authors: Coonrod Emily M. , Durtschi Jacob D. , Margraf Rebecca L. , Voelkerding Karl V.
Published: July 2012

Context.—Advances in sequencing technology with the commercialization of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has substantially increased the feasibility of sequencing human genomes and exomes. Next-generation sequencing has been successfully applied to the discovery of disease-causing genes in rare, inherited disorders. By necessity, the advent of NGS has fostered the concurrent development of bioinformatics approaches to expeditiously analyze the large data sets generated. Next-generation sequencing has been used for important discoveries in the research setting and is now being implemented into the clinical diagnostic arena.

Objective.—To review the current literature on technical and bioinformatics approaches for exome and genome sequencing and highlight examples of successful disease gene discovery in inherited disorders. To discuss the challenges for implementing NGS in the clinical research and diagnostic arenas.

Data Sources.—Literature review and authors' experience.

Conclusions.—Next-generation sequencing approaches are powerful and require an investment in infrastructure and personnel expertise for effective use; however, the potential for improvement of patient care through faster and more accurate molecular diagnoses is high.
Mondialisation et disparité de revenus
Authors: Beaudry Paul
Published: July 2012

À l’aide d’une théorie économique simple et d’observations transnationales, cet article étudie le processus actuel de la mondialisation. L’essentiel de l’article porte sur la compréhension des effets de la mondialisation sur la disparité des revenus entre pays et à l’intérieur des pays.
A novel ZRS mutation in a Balochi tribal family with triphalangeal thumb, pre‐axial polydactyly, post‐axial polydactyly, and syndactyly
Authors: VanderMeer Julia E. , Afzal Muhammad , Alyas Saadia , Haque Sayedul , Ahituv Nadav , Malik Sajid
Published: July 2012

Limb malformations are one of the most common types of human congenital malformations. Mutations in the ZRS enhancer of Sonic Hedgehog are thought to be responsible for pre‐axial polydactyly in multiple independent families. Here, we describe a large Balochi tribal family from Southern Punjab, Pakistan, with a variable set of limb malformations and a novel ZRS mutation. The family has a limb phenotype characterized by triphalangeal thumb, pre‐axial polydactyly, and post‐axial polydactyly. There is also a high degree of phenotypic heterogeneity with less common clinical findings in the affected family members that include osseous syndactyly of forth–fifth fingers, clinodactyly, hypoplasia of mesoaxial fingers, and bifid halluces. The presentation in most of the affected patients was bilateral and symmetrical. A heterozygous C>A mutation at position 287 of the ZRS enhancer (chr7:156,584,283; hg19) was detected in all affected subjects and is absent from four unaffected family members, 42 unrelated samples, and multiple databases of human variation. Combined, these results identify a novel ZRS287 C>A mutation which leads to a variable spectrum of limb phenotypes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Profound microcephaly, primordial dwarfism with developmental brain malformations: A new syndrome
Authors: Abdel‐Salam Ghada M.H. , Abdel‐Hamid Mohamed S. , Saleem Sahar N. , Ahmed Mahmoud K.H. , Issa Mahmoud , Effat Laila K. , Kayed Hisham F. , Zaki Maha S. , Gaber Khaled R.
Published: July 2012

We describe two sibs with a lethal form of profound congenital microcephaly, intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation, subtle skeletal changes, and poorly developed brain. The sibs had striking absent cranial vault with sloping of the forehead, large beaked nose, relatively large ears, and mandibular micro‐retrognathia. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed extremely simplified gyral pattern, large interhemispheric cyst and agenesis of corpus callosum, abnormally shaped hippocampus, and proportionately affected cerebellum and brainstem. In addition, fundus examination showed foveal hypoplasia with optic nerve atrophy. No abnormalities of the internal organs were found. This profound form of microcephaly was identified at 17 weeks gestation by ultrasound and fetal brain MRI helped in characterizing the developmental brain malformations in the second sib. Molecular analysis excluded mutations in potentially related genes such as RNU4ATAC, SLC25A19, and ASPM. These clinical and imaging findings are unlike that of any recognized severe forms of microcephaly which is believed to be a new microcephalic primordial dwarfism (MPD) with developmental brain malformations with most probably autosomal recessive inheritance based on consanguinity and similarly affected male and female sibs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Temperature‐dependent selective crystallization behavior of isotactic polypropylene with a β‐nucleating agent
Authors: Cai Ziwei , Zhang Yao , Li Jingqing , Shang Yingrui , Huo Hong , Feng Jiachun , Funari Sergio S. , Jiang Shichun
Published: July 2012

The crystallization behavior of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) induced with various concentrations of the β‐form nucleating agent aryl amide derivative (TMB‐5) at different temperatures was investigated with synchrotron small‐angle X‐ray scattering and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS) and polarized optical microscopy. The WAXS results indicate that TMB‐5 is a temperature‐dependent selective nucleating agent for iPP crystallization. This means that only β crystals or α crystals form at low or high crystallization temperatures, respectively; both β and α crystals can be found at a suitable crystallization temperature. A mechanism was proposed to understand this phenomenon and the crystallization behavior of iPP with the nucleating agent. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Using water‐soluble nickel acetate as hole collection layer for stable polymer solar cells
Authors: Zhang Wenqing , Tan Zhan'ao , Qian Deping , Xu Qi , Li Liangjie , Li Shusheng , Wang Fuzhi , Zheng Hua , Li Yongfang
Published: July 2012

We report polymer solar cells (PSCs) based on poly(3‐hexylthiophene (P3HT) and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) using water‐soluble nickel acetate (Ni(CH3COO)2, NiAc) instead of acidic poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) : poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT : PSS) as hole collection layer (HCL) between the indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode and photoactive layer. The NiAc layer can effectively decrease Rs and increase Rp and shows effective hole collection property. Under the illumination of AM1.5G, 100 mW/cm2, the short‐circuit current density (Jsc) of the NiAc based device (ITO/NiAc/P3HT : PCBM/Ca/Al) reach 11.36 mA/cm2, which is increased by 11% in comparison with that (10.19 mA/cm2) of PEDOT : PSS based device (ITO/PEDOT : PSS/P3HT : PCBM/Ca/Al). The power conversion efficiency of the NiAc based devices reach 3.76%, which is comparable to that (3.77%) of the device with PEDOT : PSS HCL under the same experimental conditions. Moreover, NiAc based PSCs show superior long‐term stability than PEDOT : PSS based PSCs. Our work gives a new option for HCL selection in designing more stable PSCs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Potential Application of Voltammetry of Microparticles for Dating Porcine Blood‐based Binding Media used in Taiwanese Architectural Polychromies
Authors: Doménech Antonio , Doménech‐Carbó María Teresa , Lee Yu , Osete‐Cortina Laura
Published: July 2012

A method for dating Hemoglobine‐containing archaeological samples using the voltammetry of microparticles is described. This is based on the record of the voltammetric response of such materials attached to paraffin‐impregnated graphite electrodes in contact with aqueous acetate buffer. Signals attributable to the FeIII/FeII iron couple and their catalytic enhancement in the presence of H2O2 can be correlated, via first‐order reaction kinetics, with the time of aging of the samples. The method has been applied to the study and dating of the polychromed architectural decoration of different parts of the architectural complex of the Longshan Temple in Lukang (18th century, Taiwan).
Adsorption and wetting phenomena for colloids in liquid mixtures
Authors: Beysens D. , Petit J.‐M. , Narayanan T. , Kumar A. , Broide M. L.
Published: July 2012

Colloidal particles suspended in a binary liquid mixture display many interesting features. For instance, a preferential adsorption occurs that is more important on the side of the coexistence curve which is poor in the adsorbed component. Adsorption increases with the proximity of the mixture to the coexistence curve. An aggregation phenomenon which is reversible with respect to temperature is observed in the high adsorption regime close to the bulk coexistence. A robust set of observations, involving different colloids and liquid mixtures, is presented. The above findings are assessed in the light of current theoretical understanding of wetting phenomena. In addition, the recent advances in the dynamics of aggregation of colloids, and the inverse process, fragmentation, are discussed.
Stability of colloidal suspensions in a binary liquid mixture in the vicinity of its binodal curve
Authors: Grüll H. , Woermann D.
Published: July 2012

Suspensions of monodisperse polystyrene spheres with a low surface charge density dispersed in 2‐butoxyethanol/water mixtures become unstable in a certain range of compositions and temperatures in the vicinity of the binodal curve for compositions larger than the critical. In this 1‐fluid phase region of the phase diagram water‐rich concentration fluctuations with long range correlations exist. The colloidal particles flocculate reversibly at a well defined temperature below the temperatures of phase separation. Dynamic light scattering experiments show that approaching the temperature of flocculation the hydrodynamic diameter of the polystyrene sphere increases. Evidence is given to support the assumption that the flocculation is caused by a water rich adsorption layer on the surface of the spheres. This leads to a modification of the interparticle potential and triggers flocculation.
Emerging data on the use of anti‐tumor necrosis factor‐alpha medications in pregnancy
Authors: Chambers Christina D. , Johnson Diana L.
Published: July 2012

Anti‐tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α medications are used for the treatment of a number of autoimmune diseases. Evaluation of pregnancy safety for these medications is complicated by the contribution of the underlying maternal disease to adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm delivery and reduced birth weight. Placental transport of these medications is thought to be minimal in the first trimester, thereby providing some reassurance regarding theoretical risks for congenital malformations. Available human exposure data are sparse; however, to date there has been no convincing evidence to support an increased risk for a specific pattern of major congenital malformations with any of the drugs in this group for which some data is currently available. As a result of the improvement of symptoms during pregnancy in some women with autoimmune diseases, it may be possible to discontinue treatment before or shortly after conception. However, in some cases the benefits of treatment and concerns for disease flares in pregnancy have warranted continued treatment during pregnancy. Because of the relatively long half‐life of these medications, and theoretical concerns for immune compromise of the infant following exposure in the latter two trimesters, some clinicians recommend discontinuation of treatment in the third trimester to avoid potentially prolonged infant exposure in the postpartum period. Currently ongoing controlled cohort studies for some of the TNF blocker medications will help to provide more definitive answers for clinicians and patients. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 94:607–611, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ABCDXXX: The obscenity of postmarketing surveillance for teratogenic effects
Authors: Friedman Jan M.
Published: July 2012

Our current system of postmarketing surveillance, which is based on voluntary reporting of suspected teratogenic effects, is a failure. Postmarketing surveillance should, at a minimum, provide reassurance that every approved drug treatment does not produce a teratogenic effect as great as thalidomide embryopathy or fetal alcohol syndrome. This means that postmarketing surveillance should be able to detect a twofold or greater increase in the frequency of major congenital anomalies, a fivefold or greater increase in the frequency of intellectual disability, or a characteristic pattern of minor anomalies and functional abnormalities that occurs with a frequency of at least 10% among the children of women who were treated with the drug during pregnancy. Effective surveillance for teratogenic effects could be accomplished through a complementary set of mechanisms that includes pregnancy exposure registries or cohorts as well as direct examination of a small subset of infants whose mothers received the treatment during various periods of pregnancy. If this routine surveillance reveals a “signal” (i.e., an indication suggesting a possible teratogenic effect), further study would be needed to establish whether the observed effect is real and causal. Once a signal of possible teratogenicity in humans has been recognized, validating or refuting it would become an urgent matter. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 94:670–676, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Experimental approach to follow the spatiotemporal wood degradation in fungal microcosms
Authors: Hahn Felix , Ullrich René , Hofrichter Martin , Liers Christiane
Published: July 2012

To investigate the spatiotemporal growth dynamics in fungal microcosms and to follow the spatial degradation effects of fungal lignocellulose fermentation, a new and flexible experimental setup was developed and tested. White and brown rot fungi were cultivated under solid‐state conditions in beech wood‐filled silicon tubes for 5 weeks. After inoculation of wood material at one end of the tube, the culture vessels were aerated and moistured by flushing air through alkaline and aqueous solutions. After incubation, the silicon tubes were harvested and segmented to follow different growth and degradation parameters. This new approach holds great potential since it allows the use of different growth substrates, variable aeration or moisturization conditions and is therefore a useful tool for diverse degradation studies, e.g. respiration/mineralization studies involving flow meters or carbon dioxide sensors or for molecular biological approaches.
Brain Pharmacokinetics of Non‐Imidazole Biphenyl H3 Receptor Antagonists: a Liquid Chromatography/Electrospray‐Mass Spectrometry and ex vivo Binding Study in Rats
Authors: Vacondio Federica , Silva Claudia , Flammini Lisa , Ballabeni Vigilio , Barocelli Elisabetta , Mor Marco
Published: July 2012

In the present article, we report on the kinetics of brain penetration in rats of the H3R antagonist 1,1′‐[1,1′‐biphenyl‐4,4′‐diylbis(methylene)]bis‐[piperidine] (1), which had shown a favorable in vitro pharmacological profile and in vivo potency in preventing scopolamine‐induced amnesia. Two different approaches were employed: high‐performance liquid chromatography/electrospray‐mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI‐MS) and ex vivo binding against the labeled agonist [3H]‐(R)‐α‐methylhistamine ([3H]RAMHA). Starting from the structure of 1, the rigid piperidine ring was replaced by a flexible dipropylamino group (see 2) or by a morpholino ring (see 3), endowed with lower basicity. The effect of replacement on rat plasma and brain disposition in the 24 h after administration was analyzed. High (μM) and persistent concentrations of 1 were found in rat plasma, while plasma levels were significantly lower (range: 0–200 nM) for the other two derivatives. This could be explained, among other factors, by the higher stability, observed for 1, to liver metabolic cleavage. The applied chemical modulation had an important effect on in vivo brain disposition, as, despite the comparable physico‐chemical properties, 2 did not show the tendency to accumulate within the brain, as stated by its brain vs. plasma concentration ratios, if compared to 1. These structureproperty relationships should be taken into account in the pharmacokinetic optimization of new series of H3 receptor antagonists.
Essential‐Oil Diversity of Three Calamintha Species from Greece
Authors: Karousou Regina , Hanlidou Effie , Lazari Diamando
Published: July 2012

The aim of the present study was to contribute to the knowledge of the essential‐oil composition of the Calamintha officinalis‐nepeta complex in Greece and to clarify the main patterns of its variation. The oils obtained from 22 wild‐growing populations of C. glandulosa, C. nepeta, and C. menthifolia were studied. They could be classified into two different chemotypes, which correspond to the main biosynthetic routes of the C(3)‐oxygenated p‐menthane compounds. Chemotype I includes oils rich in trans‐piperitone oxide, cis‐piperitone oxide, and piperitenone oxide, while Chemotype II comprises oils rich in pulegone and menthone or menthone and isomenthone. Within both chemotypes, quantitative fluctuations of the main components were observed. Comparison with published data showed that the presence of Chemotype II has not been observed before in C. menthifolia, while Chemotype I has been reported in C. nepeta plants from Greece for the first time.
Comparative Chemical and Molecular Variability of Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thomson forma genuina (Ylang‐Ylang) in the Western Indian Ocean Islands: Implication for Valorization
Authors: Benini Céline , Mahy Grégory , Bizoux Jean‐Philippe , Wathelet Jean‐Paul , du Jardin Patrick , Brostaux Yves , Fauconnier Marie‐Laure
Published: July 2012

Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thomson forma genuina (Annonaceae) is a tropical tree, grown for the production of ylang‐ylang essential oil, which is extracted from its fresh and mature flowers. Despite its economic and social importance, very little information is available on its variability and the possible factors causing it. Therefore, the relationship between the genetic structure, revealed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), and the essential oil chemical composition, determined by GC/MS analysis, of ylang‐ylang grown in semi‐managed systems in three Indian Ocean islands (Grande Comore, Mayotte, and Madagascar) was investigated. Our results revealed a low genetic variation within plantations and contrasted situations between islands. Variations of the chemical composition could be observed within plantations and between islands. The genetic differentiation pattern did not match the observed pattern of chemical variability. Hence, the chemical variation could not be attributed to a genetic control. As Grande Comore, Madagascar, and Mayotte present different environmental and agronomic conditions, it can be concluded that the influence of these conditions on the ylang‐ylang essential oil composition is consistent with the patterns observed. Finally, several strategies were proposed to valorize the chemical composition variations.
The Influence of the Substitution Pattern on the Molecular Conformation of Ureido‐1,2,5‐oxadiazoles, Related to STAT3 Inhibitors: Chemical Behavior and Structural Investigation
Authors: Villa Stefania , Masciocchi Daniela , Gelain Arianna , Meneghetti Fiorella
Published: July 2012

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a protein constitutively activated by aberrant upstream tyrosine kinase activities in a broad spectrum of human solid and blood tumors. Therefore, the availability of drugs affecting STAT3 may have important therapeutic potential for the treatment of cancer. Pursuing our efforts in exploring the influence of the substitution pattern of the ureido 1,2,5‐oxadiazole moiety on the molecular conformation, new compounds substituted at positions 3 and 4 on the furazane ring were synthesized. The inhibition properties vs. STAT3 of the novel compounds were evaluated in a dual‐luciferase assay, using HCT‐116 cells, and the results evidenced a moderate activity only for the compounds endowed with a planar arrangement. Crystallographic studies of the new derivatives were performed in order to evidence the peculiar chemical behavior and to evaluate how structural modulations affected the biological properties.
Magnesium(I) Dimers as Reagents for the Reductive Coupling of Isonitriles and Nitriles
Authors: Ma Mengtao , Stasch Andreas , Jones Cameron
Published: July 2012

The reactivity of two β‐diketiminate coordinated magnesium(I) dimers, [LMgMgL], L=[(RNCMe)2CH]−, R=C6H3iPr2‐2,6 (DipNacnac−) or mesityl (MesNacnac−), towards a series of isonitriles and nitriles have been examined. Reactions with the isonitriles, RNC: (R=tBu or C6H3Me2‐2,6 (Xyl)), led to reductive CC couplings and the formation of [{(DipNacnac)Mg}2{μ‐(XylN=C‐)2}] and [{(MesNacnac)Mg}2{μ‐(tBuN=C‐)2}], or a reductive NC cleavage and the generation of the magnesium cyanide complex, [{(DipNacnac)Mg(μ‐CN)}3]. Reactions of the magnesium dimers with benzonitrile, PhCN, afforded the CC‐coupled products, [(DipNacnac)Mg[μ‐{N=C(Ph)‐}2]Mg(NCPh)(DipNacnac)], and [{{(MesNacnac)Mg}2[μ‐{N=C(Ph)‐}2]}2], whereas the reductive CC cleavage of tBuCN gave rise to a mixture of [(DipNacnac)Mg(tBu)(NCtBu)] and [{(DipNacnac)Mg(μ‐CN)}3]. In contrast, a combination of net nitrile isomerization and CC coupling processes was involved in the reduction of Me3SiCN, which yielded [{(DipNacnac)Mg}2{μ‐(Me3SiN=C‐)2}]. All new compounds were crystallographically and spectroscopically characterized. The outcomes of the reported reactions were found to be dependent upon both the steric bulk of the magnesium(I) reagent, and the nature of the isonitrile/nitrile substituent. This combined with a high degree of selectivity for the reactions, indicates that magnesium(I) dimers may find use by organic and organometallic chemists as viable alternatives to currently available reducing agents that are utilized for the reduction of unsaturated organic substrates.
Addressing Challenges in Palladium‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reactions Through Ligand Design
Authors: Lundgren Rylan J. , Stradiotto Mark
Published: July 2012

The development of palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions has revolutionized the synthesis of organic molecules on both bench‐top and industrial scales. While significant research effort has been directed toward evaluating how modifying various reaction parameters can influence the outcome of a given cross‐coupling reaction, the design and implementation of novel ancillary ligand frameworks has played a particularly important role in advancing the state‐of‐the‐art. This Review seeks to highlight notable examples from the recent chemical literature, in which newly developed ancillary ligands have enabled more challenging substrate transformations to be addressed with greater selectivity and/or under increasingly mild conditions. Throughout, the importance and subtlety of ligand effects in palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions are described, in an effort to inspire further development and understanding within the field of ancillary ligand design.
Polyphenol Recovery from Olive Mill Wastewater via Membrane Technology
Authors: Peters Martin , Mudimu Ompe Aimé , Brauner Florian , Braun Gerd
Published: July 2012

Olivenmühlenabwasser (OMW) fällt als Nebenprodukt der Olivenölproduktion jedes Jahr in großen Mengen nach der Olivenernte hauptsächlich in der mediterranen Region an. Problematisch ist die hohe Belastung mit organischen Bestandteilen, wie phytotoxischen Polyphenolen, die beträchtliche Umweltschäden hervorrufen können. Andererseits werden einige Polyphenole aufgrund ihrer antioxidativen Eigenschaften in vielen Industriebranchen, z. B. zur Herstellung von Kunststoffen, Kosmetika und Medikamenten, genutzt. Eine kombinierte Wasseraufbereitung erlaubt neben der Wasserreinigung auch die Rückgewinnung der enthaltenen Polyphenolverbindungen zur industriellen Nutzung. Eine Möglichkeit bietet hier die Membrantechnik. Im Folgenden wird ein Überblick über den Stand der Forschung zur Polyphenolrückgewinnung aus OMW mittels Membrantechnologien gegeben.