bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survey of long‐term follow‐up programs in the United States for survivors of childhood brain tumors
Authors: Bowers Daniel C. , Adhikari Soumya , El‐Khashab Yasmin M. , Gargan Lynn , Oeffinger Kevin C.
Published: August 2009

Introduction

Despite recognition that childhood brain tumor survivors often suffer multiple late effects following therapy, little is known regarding the long‐term follow‐up (LTFU) programs for these patients.

Methods

A 16‐question survey was mailed to member institutions of the Children's Oncology Group in the United States. Institutions were asked about the size of their brain tumor program, activities of the LTFU programs and perceived barriers to follow‐up.

Results

One hundred forty‐five (74%) of 197 institutions returned surveys. Care for patients <21 years old at diagnosis who are >2 years following completion of therapy was provided at a designated neuro‐oncology LTFU clinic (31.2%), a general LTFU program for childhood cancer survivors (30.4%), or a general pediatric oncology program (29.7%). Institutions with a neuro‐oncology LTFU clinic were more likely to use neuro‐psychological testing following radiation therapy (P = 0.001), have longer duration of continued surveillance imaging (P = 0.02), use growth hormone replacement for medulloblastoma survivors (P < 0.001) and continue the use of growth hormone into adulthood (P = 0.05) than those with a general pediatric oncology program. Perceived barriers to care of brain tumor survivors included limited access and lack of insurance (32.1%), lack of funding or dedicated time for providers (22.9%), patients' uncertainty about need to follow‐up (20.6%), and patients' desire to not be followed in a pediatric cancer program (12.2%).

Conclusions

Considerable variation exists across institutions in the United States in the delivery of follow‐up care for survivors of childhood brain tumors. We encourage additional investigation to better define and implement optimal follow‐up care for childhood brain tumor survivors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009; 53:1295–1301. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Defects detection using a smart ultrasound pulse‐echo technique
Authors: Lee Wan Jae , Chang Wenji Victor , Yang Wei , Kim Byungsoo
Published: August 2009

The objective of this article is to demonstrate the practical usefulness of a simple but smart ultrasound pulse‐echo technique as a quality assurance tool to composite processors. The ultrasound pulse‐echo technique was applied to four composite slabs; two sheets for each type of fiberglass reinforced plastics, phenolic and polyester, manufactured under different processing conditions: one was made by the normal procedures and the other with deliberate flaws. The experiment was conducted under the double blind test protocol. After systematically analyzing the data and taking care of beam divergence effect, we are able to determine true properties of materials which allows to easily and accurately distinguish defects from controls and simultaneously define different types of defects involved. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of fiber orientation angle on thermal degradation and ablative properties of short‐fiber reinforced EPDM/NBR rubber composites
Authors: Gao Guoxin , Zhang Zhicheng , Zheng Yuansuo , Jin Zhihao
Published: August 2009

A series of short aramid fibers reinforced ethylene‐ propylene‐diene terpolymer (EPDM)/acrylonitrile‐butadiene rubber (NBR) composites with designed fiber orientation angle (β) between the short fibers orientation and the ablative surface have been prepared in this work. The influence of β on the thermal degradation and ablation resistance properties of the composites under the oxyacetylene flame is carefully discussed. With the increasing of β, the porosity of the char layer is reduced, whereas its hardness is improved. As a result, the pyrolysis rate (Rp) and the carbonization rate (Rc) are accelerated since the thermal conductivity of the char layer is enlarged after the composites were carbonized. The acceleration of the thermal degradation results in an increasing mass loss during the pyrolysis reaction. However, the erosion rate (RL), mainly caused by the mechanical ablation of the high speed heat flux, is reduced gradually as β increases due to the improved hardness of the char layer. Dominated by the two kinds of ablation methods oppositely as β increases, the mass loss rates (Rm) decreases firstly and then increases gradually. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1223–1231, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
An investigation of particle deposition mechanisms during impregnation of dual‐scale fabrics with micro particle image velocimetry
Authors: Nordlund Markus , Lundström T. Staffan
Published: August 2009

Injection moulding processing of composite materials most often includes infiltration of a thermoset resin into a multi‐scale porous fabric. Controlling the fluid flow within the multi‐scale fabric is essential for the quality of the final composite material, since the transport of fluid between regions with different scales is of importance for phenomena such as void formation and filtration of particle doped resins. Hence, the transient flow behaviour in dual scale porous media is investigated in detail with Micro Particle Image Velocimetry. These experiments show that the fluid transport between the two scales can be controlled by the injection velocity. Validation of the measured velocity fields furthermore shows excellent agreement with theory and that transport between the two scales can be substantial at the flow front but negligible up‐stream it. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1232–1240, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Toughening effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on TiO2/epoxy resin nanocomposites
Authors: Carballeira Pablo , Haupert Frank
Published: August 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of adding different volume concentrations of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles to an Araldite LY 564 epoxy resin. In order to characterize the nanoparticles toughening effects, compact tension specimens were used to determine the plane strain fracture toughness (KIC). Additionally, elastic modulus, tensile strength, and maximum sustained strain were measured in mechanical tensile tests. Composites were analyzed by means of electronic microscopy, both TEM and SEM, to check the dispersion quality of the nanoparticles in thepolymer matrix and to study the observed toughening mechanisms of the fillers. Addition of TiO2 nanoparticles could simultaneously improve the stiffness and the toughness of the epoxy resin. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1241–1246, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Prenatal diagnosis and postnatal outcome of fetal spinal defects without Arnold–Chiari II malformation
Authors: Hüsler Margaret R. , Danzer Enrico , Johnson Mark P. , Bebbington Michael , Sutton Leslie , Adzick N. Scott , Wilson R. Douglas
Published: August 2009

Objective

To determine the prenatal evolution/natural history and postnatal outcome of fetuses diagnosed with a neural tube defect (NTD) lacking the Arnold–Chiari‐II malformation (ACM II).

Material and Methods

This retrospective study reviewed 16 fetuses evaluated with ultrasound (US) and MRI at a single referral center from 1/2000 to 8/2007. Follow‐up studies and available postnatal outcomes were reviewed.

Results

Postpartum diagnosis was terminal myelocystoceles 7/16 (44%); myelomeningoceles (MMCs) 3/16 (19%); lipomyelomeningoceles 2/16(13%); and thoracic myelocystocele 1/16 (6%). Three patients (19%) were lost to follow‐up or termination of pregnancy. Two prenatally diagnosed ‘closed’ NTD were postnatally found to be MMCs. Three of the myelocystoceles had additional omphalocele, bladder extrophy, imperforate anus and spinal defect (OEIS complex). For the total cohort, impaired lower extremity function was seen in 38%, impaired bladder function in 64%, and ventriculoperitoneal shunting in 8%. Four fetuses with a myelocystocele developed hindbrain herniation in the third trimester of pregnancy. The preterm delivery rate was 38%. Five of eight (63%) neonates with postnatally diagnosed myelocystoceles had mothers with a body mass index over 30.

Conclusion

Prenatal differentiation between closed and open NTD is not always possible. Postnatal outcome of isolated myelocystocele and MMC seems to be more favorable than for an NTD with ACM II (shunt requirement). Incontinence is the major childhood morbidity. Maternal obesity may be a risk factor for closed NTDs. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gender differences in the use of anxiolytics and antidepressants: a population based study
Authors: Van der Heyden J.H.A. , Gisle L. , Hesse E. , Demarest S. , Drieskens S. , Tafforeau J.
Published: August 2009

Purpose

In the majority of studies on determinants of use of anxiolytics and antidepressants a substantially higher consumption is observed among women than among men. We investigated gender differences in the association between the use of anxiolytics and antidepressants and mental health and explored if there are indications of gender differences in inappropriate use of these medicines.

Methods

Data were from the 2004 Belgian Health Interview Survey, a nationally representative sample of the Belgian population. The analysis was restricted to the population of 15 years and older (n = 11,220). The probability of use of anxiolytics and antidepressants was assessed through logistic regression models by gender and through models including the interaction between gender and mental health.

Results

The association between the use of antidepressants and mental health did not vary substantially between men and women. Among men the use of anxiolytics showed a strong association with sleeping problems, but not with depressive disorders. Among women the use of anxiolytics was significantly associated with the three mental health conditions that were investigated: depressive disorder, anxiety, and sleeping problems.

Conclusions

The link between mental health and use of anxiolytics differs by gender. Some indications exist for gender differences in inappropriate use of anxiolytics, whereas this does not hold true for the use of antidepressants. Further efforts are needed to increase the awareness of prescribers, policy makers, and the general public on the appropriate use of anxiolytics, especially among women and in the older population. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alterations of the podocyte proteome in response to high glucose concentrations
Authors: Schordan Sandra , Schordan Eric , Endlich Nicole , Lindenmeyer Maja T. , Meyer‐Schwesinger Catherine , Meyer Tobias N. , Giebel Jürgen , Cohen Clemens D. , Endlich Karlhans , Maurer Martin H.
Published: August 2009

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus and the leading cause of end‐stage renal disease. A reduction in podocyte number has been documented in the kidneys of these patients. To identify the molecular changes in podocytes that are primarily caused by high glucose (HG) concentrations and not by secondary alterations (e.g. glomerular hypertension), we investigated the protein expression profiles in a podocyte cell line under long‐term HG exposure (30 versus 10 mM for 2 wk). Proteins were separated by 2‐DE, and we identified 39 different proteins in 48 spots that were differentially regulated by more than twofold in response to HG concentrations using MALDI‐TOF MS and MASCOT software. These proteins belong to several protein classes, including cytoskeletal proteins and specific annexins (annexins III and VI). Downregulation of annexins III and VI by HG concentrations was confirmed by qRT‐PCR, Western blot, and immunostaining, and was also observed in glomeruli of kidney biopsies from patients with diabetic nephropathy. Our data demonstrate that HG concentrations per se are sufficient to strongly modify the protein expression profile of podocytes, the analysis of which contributes to the identification of novel targets involved in diabetic nephropathy.
Short‐term effects of salt exposure on the maize chloroplast protein pattern
Authors: Zörb Christian , Herbst Ramona , Forreiter Christoph , Schubert Sven
Published: August 2009

It is of fundamental importance to understand the physiological differences leading to salt resistance and to get access to the molecular mechanisms underlying this physiological response. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of short‐term salt exposure on the proteome of maize chloroplasts in the initial phase of salt stress (up to 4 h). It could be shown that sodium ions accumulate quickly and excessively in chloroplasts in the initial phase of moderate salt stress. A change in the chloroplast protein pattern was observed without a change in water potential of the leaves. 2‐DE revealed that 12 salt‐responsive chloroplast proteins increased while eight chloroplast proteins decreased. Some of the maize chloroplast proteins such as CF1e and a Ca2+‐sensing receptor show a rather transient response for the first 4 h of salt exposure. The enhanced abundance of the ferredoxin NADPH reductase, the 23 kDa polypeptide of the photosystem II, and the FtsH‐like protein might reflect mechanism to attenuate the detrimental effects of Na+ on the photosynthetic machinery. The observed transient increase and subsequent decrease of selected proteins may exhibit a counterbalancing effect of target proteins in this context. Intriguingly, several subunits of the CF1–CF0 complex are unequally affected, whereas others do not respond at all.
Proteomic investigation of the impact of oxygen on the protein profiles of hyaluronic acid‐producing Streptococcus zooepidemicus
Authors: Wu Ting‐Feng , Huang Wei‐Chih , Chen Yi‐Chun , Tsay Yeou‐Guang , Chang Chun‐Sheng
Published: August 2009

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a linear and negatively charged polysaccharide regularly used in medicine and cosmetics. Recently Streptococcus zooepidemicus has been exploited in the fermentation industry to produce HA. Many studies showed that higher amounts of HA were produced under aerobic condition compared to anaerobic conditions. To explore the effect of oxygen on the HA synthesis in S. zooepidemicus, 2‐DE was used to compare the proteomes of aerobically and anaerobically fermented bacteria to identify proteins, which might be associated with the influence of oxygen on the HA synthesis. Totally nine pairs of 2‐DE gels collected from three batches were compared and nine overexpressed proteins were observed in aerobically fermented bacteria. These proteins were identified by LC/tandem MS as dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase, UDP‐acetyl‐glucosamine pyrophosphoylase, dihydrolipoamide‐S‐acetyltransferase and acetoin dehydrogenase α and β chains, respectively. These upregulated proteins were involved in acetoin dissimilation, the central carbon metabolism and the HA anabolic pathway, implicating that oxygen might augment the expression of genes that are involved in central energy metabolism, acetoin reutilization and HA biosynthesis to enhance the amount of acetyl‐CoA as such that more acetyl‐CoA can be diverged from the central carbon metabolism to replenish acetyl‐CoA for the HA synthesis.
A close look at human IgG sialylation and subclass distribution after lectin fractionation
Authors: Stadlmann Johannes , Weber Alfred , Pabst Martin , Anderle Heinz , Kunert Renate , J. Ehrlich Hartmut , Peter Schwarz Hans , Altmann Friedrich
Published: August 2009

Polyspecific human IgG preparations are indicated for the treatment of primary immunodeficiency disorders associated with defects in humoral immunity. In addition, intraveneous IgG (IVIG) is used to treat patients with autoimmune and systemic inflammatory diseases. Lectin chromatography on Sambucus nigra agglutinin stood at the cradle of the hypothesis that the anti‐inflammatory properties depend on sialylation of the N‐glycans in the Fc region of IgG. A detailed analysis of fractions obtained by lectin chromatography revealed that binding of IVIG is essentially mediated by Fab glycosylation. Moreover, experiments with a monoclonal antibody from a human cell line and IVIG Fc fragments indicated that at least two sialic acids in the Fc region of an antibody are required for lectin binding. Such glycoforms contain either two monosialylated glycans or a disialylated glycan and constitute 1% or less of the total human IgG. Arguably this small proportion holds the entire anti‐inflammatory potency. A new mass spectrometric quantification method of IgG subclass ratio revealed that the IVIG Fc preparation essentially consists of IgG1. This observation may be relevant when studying the effect of human Fc in murine models of inflammation because mouse IgG subclasses differ substantially in their interaction with receptors.
Comparison of two genetically related Entamoeba histolytica cell lines derived from the same isolate with different pathogenic properties
Authors: Biller Laura , Schmidt Hendrik , Krause Eberhard , Gelhaus Christoph , Matthiesen Jenny , Handal Ghassan , Lotter Hannelore , Janssen Ottmar , Tannich Egbert , Bruchhaus Iris
Published: August 2009

Entamoeba histolytica is known for its extraordinary capacity to destroy human tissues, leading to invasive diseases such as ulcerative colitis or extra‐intestinal abscesses. In order to identify the virulence factors of this parasite phenotypes and proteomes of two recently identified genetically related cell lines (A and B), derived from the laboratory E. histolytica isolate HM‐1:IMSS, were compared. Both cell lines are indistinguishable on the basis of highly polymorphic tandem repeat DNA sequences. However, cell line A is incapable to induce liver abscesses in experimentally infected rodents, whereas cell line B provokes considerable abscesses. Phenotypic analyses revealed increased hemolytic activity, lower growth rate, smaller cell size, reduced cysteine peptidase activity and lower resistance to nitric oxide stress for cell line A. In contrast, no differences between the two cell lines were found for cytopathic activity, erythrophagocytosis, digestion of erythrocytes or resistance to complement, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radical anions. Proteomic comparison by 2‐D DIGE followed by MS, identified a total of 21 proteins with higher abundance in cell line A and ten proteins with higher abundance in cell line B. Remarkably, three differentially up‐regulated antioxidants were exclusively found in the pathogenic cell line B. Notably, only for two differentially regulated proteins, namely a Fe‐hydrogenase and a C2 domain protein, a similar type was found at the level of transcription. Summarized, a defined set of different proteins could be identified between cell lines A and B. These molecules may have an important role in amoeba pathogenicity.
A survey of the Arabidopsis thaliana mitochondrial phosphoproteome
Authors: Ito Jun , Taylor Nicolas L. , Castleden Ian , Weckwerth Wolfram , Millar A. Harvey , Heazlewood Joshua L.
Published: August 2009

Plant mitochondria play central roles in cellular energy production, metabolism and stress responses. Recent phosphoproteomic studies in mammalian and yeast mitochondria have presented evidence indicating that protein phosphorylation is a likely regulatory mechanism across a broad range of important mitochondrial processes. This study investigated protein phosphorylation in purified mitochondria from cell suspensions of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana using affinity enrichment and proteomic tools. Eighteen putative phosphoproteins consisting of mitochondrial metabolic enzymes, HSPs, a protease and several proteins of unknown function were detected on 2‐DE separations of Arabidopsis mitochondrial proteins and affinity‐enriched phosphoproteins using the Pro‐Q Diamond phospho‐specific in‐gel dye. Comparisons with mitochondrial phosphoproteomes of yeast and mouse indicate that these three species share few validated phosphoproteins. Phosphorylation sites for seven of the eighteen mitochondrial proteins were characterized by titanium dioxide enrichment and MS/MS. In the process, 71 phosphopeptides from Arabidopsis proteins which are not present in mitochondria but found as contaminants in various types of mitochondrial preparations were also identified, indicating the low level of phosphorylation of mitochondrial components compared with other cellular components in Arabidopsis. Information gained from this study provides a better understanding of protein phosphorylation at both the subcellular and the cellular level in Arabidopsis.
Regulation of stathmin phosphorylation in mouse liver progenitor‐29 cells during proteasome inhibition
Authors: Santamaría Enrique , Mora Maria I. , Muñoz Javier , Sánchez‐Quiles Virginia , Fernández‐Irigoyen Joaquín , Prieto Jesús , Corrales Fernando J.
Published: August 2009

Proteasome inhibitors are potential therapeutic agents in the treatment of hepatocarcinoma and other liver diseases. The analysis of alternative protein phosphorylation states might contribute to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of proteasome inhibitor‐induced apoptosis. We have investigated the response of mouse liver progenitor‐29 (MLP‐29) cells to MG132 using a combination of phosphoprotein affinity chromatography, DIGE, and nano LC‐MS/MS. Thirteen unique deregulated phosphoproteins involved in chaperone activity, stress response, mRNA processing and cell cycle control were unambiguously identified. Alterations in NDRG1 and stathmin suggest new mechanisms associated to proteasome inhibitor‐induced apoptosis in MLP‐29 cells. Particularly, a transient modification of the phosphorylation state of Ser16, Ser25 and Ser38, which are involved in the regulation of stathmin activity, was detected in three distinct isoforms upon proteasome inhibition. The parallel deregulation of calcium/calmodulin‐activated protein kinase II, extracellular regulated kinase‐1/2 and cyclin‐dependent kinase‐2, might explain the modified phosphorylation pattern of stathmin. Interestingly, stathmin phosphorylation profile was also modified in response to epoxomicin treatment, a more specific proteasome inhibitor. In summary, we report here data supporting that regulation of NDRG1 and stathmin by phosphorylation at specific Ser/Thr residues may participate in the cellular response induced by proteasome inhibitors.
Assessing the use of thermal treatment to preserve the intact proteomes of post‐mortem heart and brain tissue
Authors: Robinson Aisling A. , Westbrook Jules A. , English Jane A. , Borén Mats , Dunn Michael J.
Published: August 2009

Protein degradation that occurs in tissue during post‐mortem interval or sample preparation is problematic in quantitative analyses as confounding variables may arise. Ideally, such artefacts should be prevented by preserving the native proteome during sample preparation. We assessed the efficacy of thermal treatment (TT) to preserve the intact proteome of mouse heart and brain tissue in comparison to standard snap‐freezing with liquid nitrogen (LN). Tissue samples were collected, either snap frozen (LN), subjected to TT, or snap frozen followed by thermal treatment, and subsequently analysed by 2‐DE. In heart tissue, following quantitative image analysis, we observed 77 proteins that were significantly altered across the three treatment groups (ANOVA, p<0.05). Principal component and clustering analyses revealed LN and TT to be equally beneficial. These findings were confirmed by MS identification of the significantly altered proteins. In brain tissue, 189 proteins were significantly differentially expressed across the three treatment groups (ANOVA, p<0.05). Brain tissue appeared to be more responsive to TT than heart and distinct clusters of differentially expressed proteins were observed across treatments. Overall, TT of brain tissue appears to have beneficial effects on protein stabilisation during sample preparation with preservation of high‐molecular‐weight proteins and reduction in protein fragmentation.
Propensity vectors of low‐ASA residue pairs in the distinction of protein interactions
Authors: Liu Qian , Li Jinyan
Published: August 2009

We introduce low‐ASA residue pairs as classification features for distinguishing the different types of protein interactions. A low‐ASA residue pair is defined as two contact residues each from one chain that have a small solvent accessible surface area (ASA). This notion of residue pairs is novel as it first combines residue pairs with the O‐ring theory, an influential proposition stating that the binding hot spots at the interface are often surrounded by a ring of energetically less important residues. As binding hot spots lie in the core of the stability for protein interactions, we believe that low‐ASA residue pairs can sharpen the distinction of protein interactions. The main part of our feature vector is 210‐dimensional, consisting of all possible low‐ASA residue pairs; the value of every feature is determined by a propensity measure. Our classification method is called OringPV, which uses propensity vectors of protein interactions for support vector machine. OringPV is tested on three benchmark datasets for a variety of classification tasks such as the distinction between crystal packing and biological interactions, the distinction between two different types of biological interactions, etc. The evaluation frameworks include within‐dataset, cross‐dataset comparison, and leave‐one‐out cross‐validation. The results show that low‐ASA residue pairs and the propensity vector description of protein interactions are truly strong in the distinction. In particular, many cross‐dataset generalization capability tests have achieved excellent recalls and overall accuracies, much outperforming existing benchmark methods. Proteins 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Guidance on developing safety performance indicators
Authors: Jennings Kim , Schulberg Francine
Published: August 2009

This article summarizes a process for developing safety performance indicators. This is a topic of great importance for the measurement of the effectiveness of our PSM systems. The PSM is the OSHA regulation that covers companies in the United States that was issued in the year 1992. Since that time companies in the process industries have made great strides in implementing PSM systems. An important question is “How much progress have we made in actually reducing the number and severity of process events?” Other countries were also concerned about the effectiveness of their programs to address chemical accidents. In response to these concerns, the OECD published the documents described in this article.

One of these documents sets out a safety performance indicator process that allows a company to:

assess whether it is implementing appropriate chemical safety programs and policies,

evaluate whether these programs and policies are achieving their desired objectives, and

help determine the extent to which such programs and policies are making a difference.

This will allow a company to identify whether there is appropriate emphasis on different aspects of safety management and provide insights needed for setting priorities for future investment of resources. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 2009
Improved integration of LOPA with HAZOP analyses
Authors: Baum Dick , Faulk Nancy , Pérez P.E. John
Published: August 2009

Integrating Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA) with Hazard and Operability Analysis (HAZOP) has many advantages over performing these studies separately. The merits include: fewer actions from the combined effort compared to performing only a HAZOP; team continuity resulting from the combined effort as opposed to two separate teams having possibly differing points of view; and, ultimately, a time and cost savings realized by the combination. This integration defines the risk associated with a given scenario, enabling better decisions that impact business assurance.

By using the Center for Chemical Process Safety guidelines to define the independent protection layers upfront, the gray areas can often be reduced or eliminated; thereby enabling a more thorough LOPA. Examples include taking credit if a unit has two independent operators (outside and inside) responding to critical alarms, or taking credit for centralized control rooms that may allow immediate operator interaction and response.

This article shows how the guidelines have been used successfully in joint HAZOP/LOPA studies, and describes an initial preparation protocol that can ensure high‐quality results. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2009
LOPA as practiced at a global manufacturing API facility
Authors: Evenson G. , Befus S. , Dolfi M. , Muir A. , Pinho D.
Published: August 2009

The standard risk assessment practices used in industry since the OSHA 1910.119 regulation was issued, are to conduct Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) for hazardous and exothermic (or otherwise high risk) processes. During PHAs, the potential consequences of an undesired event are evaluated along with the safeguards that exist to mitigate the consequences or reduce the frequency of the event. If the PHA team determines that the risk is still not tolerable, additional safeguards are recommended to reach a tolerable level of risk. Typically, a Quantitative Risk Assessment can be completed to evaluate the effectiveness of these existing or newly proposed safeguards. Unfortunately, this is a complex and time‐consuming task. The relatively new methodology of Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA) allows a PHA team to evaluate the effectiveness of safeguards in reducing risk in an efficient yet semiquantitative fashion using some basic assumptions and standard lookup tables. The LOPA methodology can be utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of Safety Instrumented Functions (SIF) (e.g., automated critical interlocks and alarms) to achieve a tolerable risk. The LOPA methodology provides consistency in an approach to risk assessments and communications. It can support an effective mechanical integrity or risk‐based maintenance system for critical components of an SIF. This article describes LOPA and includes several scenarios that will provide an overview of how the LOPA methodology is used in a multibatch pharmaceutical facility. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2009
Wave propagation through elastic granular and granular auxetic materials
Authors: Koenders M. A. ‘Curt’
Published: August 2009

The wave propagation through a material with a granular micro‐structure is investigated. The simplest such medium is the granular medium of equal spheres. The theory demonstrates that for long wavelengths the micro‐structured material exhibits modes of wave motion that are also found for a traditional medium (that is, a medium that satisfies simple continuum stress equilibrium laws and no consideration for particle spin and moment of inertia of the particles is accounted for). However, an extra shear wave and rotational oscillatory particle motion are also found. The limit of a traditional material is obtained by letting tangential contact stiffnesses vanish. Towards higher wave numbers the micro‐structure reveals itself in the shear wave speeds by displaying strongly anomalous behaviour compared to a traditional isotropic, elastic medium. An expansion in terms of structural sums (these are sums over the contact interaction weighed with a string of branch vectors) is explored. The lowest order non‐trivial terms (second order structural sums) yield basic behaviour, but a higher order expansion (including fourth order sums) shows a more pronounced anomaly for wave numbers approaching the inverse particle diameter. Yet higher order terms capture more information than can possibly be present in a granular medium and it is senseless to examine these. The theory is relevant to granular materials and granular auxetics. In the latter case the tangential contact stiffness needs to exceed the normal stiffness, which is not possible for ordinary solid contacts, but can be achieved with special arrangements.
Effect of periodicity of the two‐dimensional vacancy planes on the thermal conductivity of bulk Ga2Te3
Authors: Kim Chang‐eun , Kurosaki Ken , Ishimaru Manabu , Jung Do‐young , Muta Hiroaki , Yamanaka Shinsuke
Published: August 2009

Ga2Te3 contains structural vacancies due to the valence mismatch between the cation and anion, and these vacancies make regularly arranged two‐dimensional (2D) planes with approximately 3.5‐nanometer intervals. Most likely due to the effective phonon scattering by the vacancy planes, Ga2Te3 exhibits an unexpectedly low thermal conductivity (κ). In the present study, the effect of the periodicity of the 2D vacancy planes on the κ of Ga2Te3 was investigated. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Quercetin improves cognitive deficits in rats with chronic cerebral ischemia and inhibits voltage‐dependent sodium channels in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons
Authors: Yao Y. , Han D. D. , Zhang T. , Yang Z.
Published: August 2009

Quercetin is a flavonoid compound found in a number of medicinal plants that are often prescribed in Chinese clinics for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The present study investigated the effects of quercetin on chronic cerebral ischemia in rats produced through bilateral occlusion of the carotid arteries. Treatment of quercetin (5 mg/kg i.p. for 14 days) was found to improve the performance of learning and memory of ischemic rats in the Morris water maze. Additionally, in electrophysiological experiments, quercetin attenuated the inhibition of long‐term potentiation (LTP) in ischemic rats. Also, in acutely isolated rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, quercetin (0.3, 3 and 30 µm) decreased the amplitude of voltage‐dependent sodium currents in a dose‐ and voltage‐dependent manner. Taken together, these data lend further support for the neuroprotective effects of quercetin and suggest that a therapeutic effect on cerebral ischemia and vascular dementia of quercetin could be due to its inhibition of sodium channels. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On integrating Kano's model dynamics into QFD for multiple product design
Authors: Raharjo Hendry , Brombacher Aarnout C. , Goh T. N. , Bergman Bo
Published: August 2009

The design for Six Sigma (DFSS) framework places a strong emphasis on the need to conform to the customer needs or voices early in the design phase. The key problem, in the context of a rapidly changing environment due to influx of new technology and innovation, is that things may become obsolete much faster than ever. What now delights the customer will become an expected need in the near future. Such dynamics is, unfortunately, very often overlooked and has not been adequately addressed in the literature. To fill in this niche, this paper proposes a methodology to advance the use of the quality function deployment (QFD), as one of the widely accepted tools in products or services design process, with respect to Kano's model dynamics. Specifically, based on the information from Kano questionnaire, it provides a quantitative approach to observe and follow the change over time. Not only can it show how fast a certain Kano's category changes over time, but it can also forecast the future needs, which is useful to tackle the customer preference's change during product creation process. Afterwards, the forecasted customer needs can be used within an optimization framework for multiple product design. An illustrative example is provided to give some practical insights. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonhydrodynamic collective processes in molten salts: Theory and ab initio simulations
Authors: Bryk Taras , Mryglod Ihor
Published: August 2009

We review recent progress in theory and ab initio simulations of collective dynamics in molten salts. Main focus is made on the dispersion of nonhydrodynamic optic‐like excitations. A concept of “bare” propagating modes is used for the analysis of polarization effects on the dispersion of longitudinal optic modes. Ab initio molecular dynamics in combination with the generalized modes approach is used for consistent calculations of collective excitations spectra in molten NaI, LiF, and RbF. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Theoretical infrared line shapes of H‐bonds within the strong anharmonic coupling theory and Fermi resonances effects
Authors: Issaoui Noureddine , Rekik Najeh , Oujia Brahim , Wójcik Marek J.
Published: August 2009

In this article, we extend a previous work toward presenting a theoretical study of the effects of Fermi resonances and the fundamental anharmonic coupling parameter α between the high‐frequency mode and the H‐bond bridge. The model incorporates (i) both intrinsic anharmonicities of the fast mode (double well potential) and the H‐bond Bridge (Morse potential), (ii) strong anharmonic coupling theory, (iii) Fermi resonances by the aid of an anharmonic coupling between the fast mode and one or several harmonic bending modes, (iv) quadratic modulation of both the angular frequency and the equilibrium position of the X$\vec H$…Y stretching mode on the intermonomer $\vec X$H…$\vec Y$ motions, and (v) the quantum direct (fast and bending modes) and indirect dampings (slow mode). The IR spectral density is obtained by Fourier transform of the autocorrelation function of the transition dipole moment operator of the XH bond. The numerical calculation shows that Fermi resonances generate very complicated profiles with multisubstructure and also provide a direct evidence of Fermi resonances which were predicted to be a major feature of H‐bonds. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Performance analysis of reset control systems
Authors: Aangenent W. H. T. M. , Witvoet G. , Heemels W. P. M. H. , van de Molengraft M. J. G. , Steinbuch M.
Published: August 2009

In this paper we present a general linear matrix inequality‐based analysis method to determine the performance of a SISO reset control system in both the ℒ︁2gain and ℋ︁2sense. In particular, we derive convex optimization problems in terms of LMIs to compute an upperbound on the ℒ︁2gain performance and the ℋ︁2norm, using dissipativity theory with piecewise quadratic Lyapunov functions. The results are applicable to for all LTI plants and linear‐based reset controllers, thereby generalizing the available results in the literature. Furthermore, we provide simple though convincing examples to illustrate the accuracy of our proposed ℒ︁2gain and ℋ︁2norm calculations and show that, for an input constrained ℋ︁2problem, reset control can outperform a linear controller designed by a common nonlinear optimization method. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Producers and the fair trade distribution systems: what are the benefits and problems?
Authors: Bezençon Valéry
Published: August 2009

Fair Trade presents several benefits to the participating producers and cooperatives, such as higher prices or advance payment. However, the shift from an alternative system of distribution to a mainstreaming strategy focusing on sales and using the conventional distribution structures could have altered certain producer benefits. This case study first aims to investigate an alternative partnership between a Swiss foundation and a Cameroonian cooperative producing and processing fruits, in order to analyse the benefits and problems of such a system from a producer perspective. Then, based on the content analysis of published case studies on cooperatives whose products are sold through mainstream distribution, the second objective is to discuss and compare the types of benefit and problem of Fair Trade according to the system in which producers operate. The article concludes with the complementarities between the two systems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Determination of the relative sputtering yield of carbon to tantalum by means of Auger electron spectroscopy depth profiling
Authors: Kotis L. , Menyhard M. , Sulyok A. , Sáfrán G. , Zalar A. , Kovač J. , Panjan P.
Published: August 2009

The relative sputtering yield of carbon with respect to tantalum was determined for 1 keV Ar+ ion bombardment in the angular range of 70°–82° (measured from surface normal) by means of Auger electron spectroscopy depth profiling of C/Ta and Ta/C bilayers. The ion bombardment‐induced interface broadening was strongly different for the C/Ta and Ta/C, whereas the C/Ta interface was found to be rather sharp, the Ta/C interface was unusually broad. Still the relative sputtering yields (YC/YTa) derived from the Auger electron spectroscopy depth profiles of the two specimens agreed well. The relative sputtering yields obtained were different from those determined earlier on thick layers, calculated by simulation of SRIM2006 and by the fitting equation of Eckstein. The difference increases with increase of angle of incidence. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In Vivo Physiological Transdifferentiation of Adult Adipose Cells
Authors: De Matteis Rita , Zingaretti Marcia Cristina , Murano Incoronata , Vitali Alessandra , Frontini Andrea , Giannulis Ioanis , Barbatelli Giorgio , Marcucci Francesco , Bordicchia Marica , Sarzani Riccardo , Raviola Elio , Cinti Saverio
Published: August 2009

Grafts of adipose tissue from adult Rosa26 mice from different sites of the body, irrespective of the sex of the donor, share with the mammary fat the property of giving rise to milk-secreting epithelial cells when exposed to the microenvironment of the mammary gland in pregnant and lactating females. To rule out the possibility that the labeled mammary glandular tissue was derived from stem cells associated with the stroma vascular part of the grafts, we injected into the mammary gland a pure suspension of adipocytes obtained by treating a fragment of adipose tissue with collagenase. X-gal–positive cells were inserted into the alveoli of the native gland, and electron microscopy showed that the labeled cells had transformed into milk-secreting glandular cells. At the site of the adipocyte injection, the labeled alveoli contained a mixture of X-gal–positive and X-gal–negative cells, and a single epithelial cell was occasionally stained in an otherwise unlabeled alveolus. This suggests that growing ducts individually recruit adjacent adipocytes that transdifferentiate into secretory epithelial cells as they became part of the glandular alveoli. After dissociation, the isolated adipocytes retained the morphology and protein markers typical of differentiated fat cells but expressed high levels of stem cell genes and the reprogramming transcription factor Klf4. Thus, the well-documented osteogenic, chondrogenic, myogenic, and angiogenic transformation of preadipocytes associated with the stroma vascular component of the adipose tissue may reflect an intrinsic capability of adipocytes to reprogram their gene expression and transform into different cytotypes.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Negotiating with the Chinese: EANTs and all
Authors: Rivers Cheryl
Published: August 2009

The Chinese negotiation style remains enigmatic for many foreign negotiators. This article is written for foreign negotiators going to China and explores how Chinese negotiators think about ethically ambiguous negotiation tactics (EANTs), focusing on how the relationship with the other party influences the appropriateness of such tactics. Two studies are presented: an interpretation of interview data followed by a survey that shows Chinese negotiators rate EANTs as significantly less appropriate when they have a relationship with the other party. Advice for negotiators going to China is provided. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The garage team—entrepreneurship lessons from DHL international
Authors: Chung Po
Published: August 2009

When you start a venture, you start with yourself: your own personal operating system, or POS. Then, you identify and define your compelling product or service, something you should already know a lot about. You also need to use your sales skills to convince key stakeholders to support you, and to design your venture by putting together a pattern that works. The next step is to put together a team to help you implement the pattern you have designed, the men and women who will make up your garage team. The garage team is made up of the core people in a start‐up, people who help graduate the entrepreneur to the role of leader, because a leader with no followers is a leader of none. This article explores the essential attributes of such a team and how they contribute to the success of entrepreneurial ventures. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microarray studies on the genes responsive to the addition of spermidine or spermine to a Saccharomyces cerevisiae spermidine synthase mutant
Authors: Chattopadhyay Manas K. , Chen Weiping , Poy George , Cam Margaret , Stiles David , Tabor Herbert
Published: August 2009

The naturally occurring polyamines putrescine, spermidine or spermine are ubiquitous in all cells. Although polyamines have prominent regulatory roles in cell division and growth, precise molecular and cellular functions are not well‐established in vivo. In this work we have performed microarray experiments with a spermidine synthase, spermine oxidase mutant (Δspe3 Δfms1) strain to investigate the responsiveness of yeast genes to supplementation with spermidine or spermine. Expression analysis identified genes responsive to the addition of either excess spermidine (10−5 M) or spermine (10−5 M) compared to a control culture containing 10−8 M spermidine. 247 genes were upregulated > two‐fold and 11 genes were upregulated >10‐fold after spermidine addition. Functional categorization of the genes showed induction of transport‐related genes and genes involved in methionine, arginine, lysine, NAD and biotin biosynthesis. 268 genes were downregulated more than two‐fold, and six genes were downregulated > eight‐fold after spermidine addition. A majority of the downregulated genes are involved in nucleic acid metabolism and various stress responses. In contrast, only a few genes (18) were significantly responsive to spermine. Thus, results from global gene expression profiling demonstrate a more major role for spermidine in modulating gene expression in yeast than spermine. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Factors affecting wounding aggression in a colony of captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
Authors: Williams Robert C. , Nash Leanne T. , Scarry Clara JoAnn , Videan Elaine N. , Fritz Jo
Published: August 2009

Previous research has suggested that chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) display higher levels of aggression in captivity than in the wild. One of the challenges of captive management, therefore, is to balance the chimpanzees' need for social interaction with managements' desire to minimize wounding and aggression. Various captive studies have examined the effects of individual and social variables on the frequency of wounding aggression, but none have examined these variables simultaneously. We collected retrospective wounding data for severe wounds from 83 captive chimpanzees (36 males, 47 females) from January 1993 to December 2003. The context of the wounding event, including individual age and sex, group age and sex composition, group duration, and portion of the week (weekday vs. weekend) were collected. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine which variables had a significant effect on the probability of a severe wounding event. The sex and age composition of the group, group duration, and portion of the week had a statistically significant association with wounding. All‐male groups (Odds Ratio (OR)=6.738) had the highest risk of wounding aggression, with uni‐male groups (OR=3.311) having the next largest. Compared to individuals in all sub‐adult groups, individuals in either all‐adult (OR=4.516) or mixed‐age (OR=3.587) groups had a higher risk of wounding. There was an inverse association between group duration and wounding (OR=0.821). Finally, there was an increased risk of wounding during the work week (OR=1.653). These results suggest that captive management should pay close attention to group composition, as well as levels of human activity, when devising strategies to reduce captive chimpanzee aggression. Zoo Biol 29:351–364, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.