bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kidney and haemostasis
Authors: Andrassy K.
Published: November 2014

Renal insufficiency is characterized by thrombocytopathy, caused by the accumulation of water soluble and protein bound waste products of protein metabolism, which are not adequately eliminated by the kidney. The kidneys also excrete drugs and their metabolites, which accumulate if dosages are not adjusted to the renal function and may cause clinically relevant bleeding (i. e. synthetic penicillins, vitamin K antagonists, new oral anticoagulants). Therefore, each patients kidney function (GFR) ought to be evaluated by the KDIGO guidelines. The survival of chronic renal patients is lowered by increasing cardiovascular complications. Particularly frequent is non-valvular atrial fibrillation. The recommended prophylaxis with vitamin K antagonists for renal insufficiency is hampered by increased bleeding as well as by augmented (coronary) vascular and valvular calcification. It is not known yet whether prophylaxis with vitamin K may prevent this complication. Conclusion: Because new oral anticoagulants are equally or even more effective and cause less bleeding, they may be favoured in future and even in end-stage renal failure if more is known about dosing, safety and efficacy. The measurement of serum FGF 23 concentration may be helpful as a marker for their use.
Evaluation of the construction industry’s economic situation and expected development according to managers of SMBs
Authors: Marinič Peter , Záthurecký Viliam
Published: November 2014

This article is one of the outputs from an international research project focusing on an analysis of small and medium-sized construction companies. It will attempt a closer analysis of the expected, though as yet unverified, relationships between selected variables from the current situation of the companies and the anticipated future development emerging from the prior processing of data derived from a questionnaire survey. The relationships between the variables were estimated on the basis of previously processed responses as well as on the basis of theoretically anticipated correlations. Verification of the relationships between the given variables presented in the article was supported by an analysis of the correlations and a comparison of the mean values with a subsequent regression analysis. In accordance with the results of these statistical tests, conclusions were then formed concerning the relationships between the variables.
Kvalita reflexe v profesním myšlení učitelek mateřských škol
Authors: Syslová Zora , Hornáčková Vladimíra
Published: November 2014

Předložená studie přináší do odborného diskurzu o profesionalizaci učitelského povolání pohled na profesní myšlení učitelek mateřských škol s cílem zjistit, jak kvalitní je reflexe učitelek mateřských škol s různou úrovní kvalifikace. V úvodních kapitolách autorky rozvíjí úvahu o vztahu profesionality a kvalifikovanosti, která vyúsťuje do vymezení tří dimenzí profesního myšlení – dimenze poznatkové, reflektivní a subjektivní. V dalším textu se autorky zaměřují již jen na dimenzi reflektivní, která se stala ústředním bodem zkoumání povahy myšlení učitelek mateřských škol s různou úrovní kvalifikace (ISCED 3A a ISCED 5B). Představují modely reflexe (Eby, 2000; Korthagen, 2011; Píšová, 2005), které využily ve svém výzkumu. Zbývající část textu se věnuje metodice výzkumu a zjištěním, která z analýzy dat vyplynula. Výsledky ukazují, že některé pozitivní hodnotící výroky respondentek o jejich práci jsou v kontrastu s výsledky analýzy videonahrávek. Výsledky výzkumného šetření ukázaly, že učitelky, které se cílenou reflexí a realizací technik sebereflexe již zabývaly, využívají vyšších hladin kognitivního myšlení. Podpořily se tak úvahy autorek o profesním myšlení a jeho rozvoji v systematickém zavádění reflexe již v pregraduálním vzdělávání učitelek mateřských škol na pedagogických fakultách.
Profesní činnosti učitelek mateřských škol ve světle současných českých výzkumů
Authors: Burkovičová Radmila , Kropáčková Jana
Published: November 2014

Cílem empirické studie je prezentovat výsledky výzkumů profesních činností učitelek mateřských škol a vymezit charakteristické znaky profese učitelky mateřské školy v českém prostředí. V první části autorky dokládají zvyšující se odborný zájem o profesi učitelství v České republice, sumarizují poznatky dostupných výzkumů profesních činností učitelů a ve druhé části charakterizují kategorii učitelek mateřských škol, která představuje významnou skupinu v českém regionálním školství. Ve stěžejní třetí části je prezentováno výzkumné šetření, jehož hlavním cílem bylo identifikovat, pojmenovat a zaznamenat učitelkou české mateřské školy běžného typu profesní činnosti jí reálně vykonávané, ověřit jejich existenci a zjistit ve třech obdobích školního roku podíl časového vytížení učitelky realizací vybraného druhu činnosti v rámci určené týdenní přímé práce s dětmi. Závěrečná část studie naznačuje několik cest, jak by bylo možné s výsledky výzkumů dále pracovat.
Concise Review: Modeling Central Nervous System Diseases Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Zeng Xianmin , Hunsberger Joshua G. , Simeonov Anton , Malik Nasir , Pei Ying , Rao Mahendra
Published: November 2014

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer an opportunity to delve into the mechanisms underlying development while also affording the potential to take advantage of a number of naturally occurring mutations that contribute to either disease susceptibility or resistance. Just as with any new field, several models of screening are being explored, and innovators are working on the most efficient methods to overcome the inherent limitations of primary cell screens using iPSCs. In the present review, we provide a background regarding why iPSCs represent a paradigm shift for central nervous system (CNS) disease modeling. We describe the efforts in the field to develop more biologically relevant CNS disease models, which should provide screening assays useful for the pharmaceutical industry. We also provide some examples of successful uses for iPSC-based screens and suggest that additional development could revolutionize the field of drug discovery. The development and implementation of these advanced iPSC-based screens will create a more efficient disease-specific process underpinned by the biological mechanism in a patient- and disease-specific manner rather than by trial-and-error. Moreover, with careful and strategic planning, shared resources can be developed that will enable exponential advances in the field. This will undoubtedly lead to more sensitive and accurate screens for early diagnosis and allow the identification of patient-specific therapies, thus, paving the way to personalized medicine.
Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells and Its Application in Alveolar Defect Restoration
Authors: Jiawen Si , Jianjun Zhang , Jiewen Dai , Dedong Yu , Hongbo Yu , Jun Shi , Xudong Wang , Shen Steve G.F. , Lihe Guo
Published: November 2014

The present study investigated the detailed in vitro osteogenic differentiation process and in vivo bone regenerative property of human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs). The in vitro osteogenic differentiation process of hAECs was evaluated by biochemical staining, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence. Next, β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) scaffolds alone or loaded with hAECs were implanted into the alveolar defects of rats. Micro-computed tomography evaluation and histologic studies were conducted. Our results validated the in vitro osteogenic capacity of hAECs by upregulation of Runx2, osterix, alkaline phosphatase, collagen I, and osteopontin, with positive biochemical staining for osteoblasts. An epithelial-mesenchymal transformation process might be involved in the osteogenic differentiation of hAECs by increased expression of transforming growth factor-β1. Our data also demonstrated that in vivo implantation of hAECs loaded on β-TCP scaffolds, not only improved bone regeneration by direct participation, but also reduced the early host immune response to the scaffolds. The presented data indicate that hAECs possess proper osteogenic differentiation potential and a modulatory influence on the early tissue remodeling process, making these cells a potential source of progenitor cells for clinical restoration of the alveolar defect.
Identification of ‘erasers’ for lysine crotonylated histone marks using a chemical proteomics approach
Authors: Bao Xiucong , Wang Yi , Li Xin , Li Xiao-Meng , Liu Zheng , Yang Tangpo , Wong Chi Fat , Zhang Jiangwen , Hao Quan , Li Xiang David
Published: November 2014

Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) play a crucial role in a wide range of biological processes. Lysine crotonylation (Kcr) is a newly discovered histone PTM that is enriched at active gene promoters and potential enhancers in mammalian cell genomes. However, the cellular enzymes that regulate the addition and removal of Kcr are unknown, which has hindered further investigation of its cellular functions. Here we used a chemical proteomics approach to comprehensively profile ‘eraser’ enzymes that recognize a lysine-4 crotonylated histone H3 (H3K4Cr) mark. We found that Sirt1, Sirt2, and Sirt3 can catalyze the hydrolysis of lysine crotonylated histone peptides and proteins. More importantly, Sirt3 functions as a decrotonylase to regulate histone Kcr dynamics and gene transcription in living cells. This discovery not only opens opportunities for examining the physiological significance of histone Kcr, but also helps to unravel the unknown cellular mechanisms controlled by Sirt3, that have previously been considered solely as a deacetylase.
Sensitivity of snowpack storage to precipitation and temperature using spatial and temporal analog models
Authors: Luce Charles H. , Lopez‐Burgos Viviana , Holden Zachary
Published: November 2014

Empirical sensitivity analyses are important for evaluation of the effects of a changing climate on water resources and ecosystems. Although mechanistic models are commonly applied for evaluation of climate effects for snowmelt, empirical relationships provide a first‐order validation of the various postulates required for their implementation. Previous studies of empirical sensitivity for April 1 snow water equivalent (SWE) in the western United States were developed by regressing interannual variations in SWE to winter precipitation and temperature. This offers a temporal analog for climate change, positing that a warmer future looks like warmer years. Spatial analogs are used to hypothesize that a warmer future may look like warmer places, and are frequently applied alternatives for complex processes, or states/metrics that show little interannual variability (e.g., forest cover). We contrast spatial and temporal analogs for sensitivity of April 1 SWE and the mean residence time of snow (SRT) using data from 524 Snowpack Telemetry (SNOTEL) stations across the western U.S. We built relatively strong models using spatial analogs to relate temperature and precipitation climatology to snowpack climatology (April 1 SWE, R2=0.87, and SRT, R2=0.81). Although the poorest temporal analog relationships were in areas showing the highest sensitivity to warming, spatial analog models showed consistent performance throughout the range of temperature and precipitation. Generally, slopes from the spatial relationships showed greater thermal sensitivity than the temporal analogs, and high elevation stations showed greater vulnerability using a spatial analog than shown in previous modeling and sensitivity studies. The spatial analog models provide a simple perspective to evaluate potential futures and may be useful in further evaluation of snowpack with warming.
Crossing the Boundaries of Physical Limnology
Authors: Toffolon Marco , Piccolroaz Sebastiano , Bouffard Damien
Published: November 2014

Scientists who study the physics of inland and coastal water bodies met in Trento, Italy in July for the 17th in a series of workshops that seek to expand cooperation with researchers in related fields. The workshops aim to facilitate the dialogue among physical limnologists, modelers, and colleagues from other disciplines, such as biologists, chemists, and engineers. This year's workshop was attended by 47 participants from 17 different countries.
Vortices in Saturn's upper atmosphere
Authors: Balcerak Ernie
Published: November 2014

Saturn's magnetosphere exhibits phenomena with 10.7‐hour periodicity that scientists do not fully understand. One proposed explanation is that twin vortices in the upper atmosphere at Saturn's north and south poles generate currents that drive the magnetosphere periodicity.
Heating of the plasma sheet by broadband electromagnetic waves
Authors: Chaston C. C. , Bonnell J. W. , Salem C.
Published: November 2014

We demonstrate that broadband low‐frequency electromagnetic field fluctuations embedded within fast flows throughout the Earth's plasma sheet may drive significant ion heating. This heating is nearly entirely in the direction perpendicular to the background magnetic field and is estimated to occur at an average rate of ~1 eV/s with rates in excess of 10 eV/s within one standard deviation of the average value over all observed events. For an Earthward flow the total change in temperature along a flow path may exceed one keV and for “wave‐rich” flows can be comparable to that expected due to conservation of the first adiabatic invariant. The consequent increase in plasma pressure and flux tube entropy may lead to braking of inward motion and the suppression of plasma interchange.
Changes of summer precipitation in China: The dominance of frequency and intensity and linkage with changes in moisture and air temperature
Authors: Lu Er , Zeng Yingting , Luo Yali , Ding Ying , Zhao Wei , Liu Siyuan , Gong Liqing , Jiang Ying , Jiang Zhihong , Chen Haishan
Published: November 2014

Using observed precipitation and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research reanalysis, the changes in the metrics of the summer precipitation in China, the dominance of frequency and intensity of daily extreme precipitation, and the linkage with changes in moisture and air temperature are explored. Results show that over the recent 50 years, the total summer rainfall increased over the southeast and the west and decreased over the northeast. The changes in the frequency, identified with the 95% threshold and Poisson regression, and rainfall extremes show similar spatial patterns. The relative importance of the changes in frequency and intensity in the variability and changes in extreme precipitation are estimated. It is shown that, while the interannual variability of the rainfall amount is dominated by the frequency change in almost all stations, the long‐term change of rainfall amount can be dominated by both frequency and intensity, depending on the station. The change in the rainfall total is linked to changes in atmospheric moisture and temperature. The results show that the variability and change of the rainfall total can be dominated by changes in both moisture and air temperature, and the relative importance depends on the region.
Heterogeneity‐enhanced gas phase formation in shallow aquifers during leakage of CO2‐saturated water from geologic sequestration sites
Authors: Plampin Michelle R. , Lassen Rune N. , Sakaki Toshihiro , Porter Mark L. , Pawar Rajesh J. , Jensen Karsten H. , Illangasekare Tissa H.
Published: November 2014

A primary concern for geologic carbon storage is the potential for leakage of stored carbon dioxide (CO2) into the shallow subsurface where it could degrade the quality of groundwater and surface water. In order to predict and mitigate the potentially negative impacts of CO2 leakage, it is important to understand the physical processes that CO2 will undergo as it moves through naturally heterogeneous porous media formations. Previous studies have shown that heterogeneity can enhance the evolution of gas phase CO2 in some cases, but the conditions under which this occurs have not yet been quantitatively defined, nor tested through laboratory experiments. This study quantitatively investigates the effects of geologic heterogeneity on the process of gas phase CO2 evolution in shallow aquifers through an extensive set of experiments conducted in a column that was packed with layers of various test sands. Soil moisture sensors were utilized to observe the formation of gas phase near the porous media interfaces. Results indicate that the conditions under which heterogeneity controls gas phase evolution can be successfully predicted through analysis of simple parameters, including the dissolved CO2 concentration in the flowing water, the distance between the heterogeneity and the leakage location, and some fundamental properties of the porous media. Results also show that interfaces where a less permeable material overlies a more permeable material affect gas phase evolution more significantly than interfaces with the opposite layering.
Functional approach to exploring climatic and landscape controls of runoff generation: 1. Behavioral constraints on runoff volume
Authors: Li Hong‐Yi , Sivapalan Murugesu , Tian Fuqiang , Harman Ciaran
Published: November 2014

Inspired by the Dunne diagram, the climatic and landscape controls on the partitioning of annual runoff into its various components (Hortonian and Dunne overland flow and subsurface stormflow) are assessed quantitatively, from a purely theoretical perspective. A simple distributed hydrologic model has been built sufficient to simulate the effects of different combinations of climate, soil, and topography on the runoff generation processes. The model is driven by a sequence of simple hypothetical precipitation events, for a large combination of climate and landscape properties, and hydrologic responses at the catchment scale are obtained through aggregation of grid‐scale responses. It is found, first, that the water balance responses, including relative contributions of different runoff generation mechanisms, could be related to a small set of dimensionless similarity parameters. These capture the competition between the wetting, drying, storage, and drainage functions underlying the catchment responses, and in this way, provide a quantitative approximation of the conceptual Dunne diagram. Second, only a subset of all hypothetical catchment/climate combinations is found to be “behavioral,” in terms of falling sufficiently close to the Budyko curve, describing mean annual runoff as a function of climate aridity. Furthermore, these behavioral combinations are mostly consistent with the qualitative picture presented in the Dunne diagram, indicating clearly the commonality between the Budyko curve and the Dunne diagram. These analyses also suggest clear interrelationships amongst the “behavioral” climate, soil, and topography parameter combinations, implying these catchment properties may be constrained to be codependent in order to satisfy the Budyko curve.
Functional approach to exploring climatic and landscape controls on runoff generation: 2 Timing of runoff storm response
Authors: Li Hong‐Yi , Sivapalan Murugesu
Published: November 2014

Hortonian overland flow, Dunne overland flow, and subsurface stormflow are the three most dominant mechanisms contributing to both the volume and timing of streamflow in headwater catchments. In this paper, guided by the Dunne diagram, we explore the impacts of climate, soil, and topography on estimated probability distributions of the travel times of each of these three runoff components. In each case, these are expressed in terms of the Connected Instantaneous Response Functions (CIRF) and account for the dynamics of their individual partial effective contributing areas that retain the connectivity to the outlet (instead of the whole catchment area). A spatially distributed hydrological model is used to derive the CIRFs numerically under multiple combinations of climate, soil, and topographic properties. The mean travel times and dimensionless forms of the CIRFs (i.e., scaled by their respective mean travel times) are used to examine both advective and dispersive aspects of catchment's runoff routing response. It is found that the CIRFs, upon nondimensionalization, collapsed to common characteristic shapes, which could be explained in terms of the relative contributions of hillslope and channel network flows, and the size of runoff contributing areas. The contributing areas, particularly for the Dunne overland flow, are themselves found to be governed by the competition between drainage of and recharge to the water table, and could be explained by a dimensionless drainage index which quantifies this competition. The study also reveals simple indicators based on landscape properties that can explain the magnitude of travel times in different catchments.
Mobile Money
Authors: Donovan Kevin P.
Published: November 2014

This entry gives an overview of the rapidly growing sector of mobile money in the developing world. It reviews the scholarly literature and reports on the use of mobile phones for financial service provision. Special attention is paid to the adoption of mobile money, its impact, and emerging issues.
Online Games, Addiction and Overuse of
Authors: Griffiths Mark D.
Published: November 2014

Online gaming addiction is a topic of increasing research interest. Since the early 2000s, there has been a significant increase in the number of empirical studies examining various aspects of problematic online gaming and online gaming addiction. This entry examines the contemporary research literature by analyzing (1) the prevalence of problematic online gaming use and online gaming addiction; (2) the negative consequences of excessive online gaming; (3) the factors associated with problematic online gaming and online gaming addiction; and (4) the treatment of problematic online gaming and online gaming addiction. The entry concludes by looking at the trends in the field and a consideration of what the future of online gaming addiction might be.
Online Games, Gender and Feminism in
Authors: Jenson Jennifer , de Castell Suzanne
Published: November 2014

Gender and feminism are inextricably linked, as a feminist approach has gender as an analytical focal point. In games, this has meant challenging persisting biological determinist approaches that cast women and girls as less able than their male counterparts when it comes to both making and playing games. It has also meant tracing and documenting the marginal roles women play both as players and designers of games. This entry focuses on five significant areas of inquiry by researchers studying North American and European player populations: player participation, gender representations in games, pink games, gender and the video game industry, and gendered harassment in games.
Social Media Surveillance
Authors: Brown Ian
Published: November 2014

Human beings are routinely aware of their environment, noting the behavior of others nearby. This surveillance occurs in every social system, including on social media websites such as Twitter, Google+,YouTube, and Facebook. The companies providing these services use this data to create profiles that can be used to show users targeted advertisements. This has been enabled by rapid development of computing and communication technologies.

Social media users spend a great deal of time curating online “exhibitions” of different aspects of their identities. This is especially important to young people developing independent identities and peer relationships. The use of social networks is a key part of this process in advanced economies, critical for friendships, social capital, and popularity. Social media surveillance reduces individuals' control over the information they disclose about their attributes in different social contexts, often to powerful actors such as the state or multinational corporations. This limits their ability to regulate their social interactions and identities. It may also have a “chilling effect” on the possibilities for whistle‐blowing and democratic activism. More broadly, new surveillance technologies can lead to “social sorting,” where discrimination and privilege are entrenched through the unplanned consequences of data gathering and analysis.
Hate Speech Law and Policy
Authors: George Cherian
Published: November 2014

Hate speech is a term normally used to cover forms of expression aimed at persecuting people by vilifying their racial, ethnic, or other identities. In the extreme, hate speech has promoted violence and genocide. While the term is always used pejoratively and implies a moral breach, not all hate speech is dangerous enough to merit government regulation. The central law and policy debate over hate speech is where to draw the line between expression that is merely morally objectionable and expression which should be legally impermissible. Hate speech often brings two rights into conflict – equality, including the right to be protected from discrimination, and freedom of expression. Digital communication has compounded the problem. It spreads messages beyond the intended audience and contexts, with unpredictable consequences. Online hate speech also raises jurisdictional conundrums, given the lack of international consensus on laws and norms, including over the liability of global internet intermediaries.
Identifying Barriers to Smoking Cessation in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Aimer Pip , Stamp Lisa , Stebbings Simon , Valentino Natalia , Cameron Vicky , Treharne Gareth J.
Published: November 2014

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate disease‐related issues that make smoking cessation challenging for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There is currently a lack of research on tailoring smoking cessation interventions for RA patients. Qualitative exploration is a necessary first step in planning targeted interventions.

Methods

A qualitative mixed‐methods study was undertaken. Participants attended either a focus group or an individual interview and completed a set of standardized questionnaires. The sample consisted of 36 RA patients: 24 current smokers and 12 ex‐smokers. The transcripts were analyzed thematically using a critical realist approach to inductively identify themes.

Results

Five key barriers to smoking cessation that are faced by RA patients were identified. First, participants were unaware of the relationship between smoking and RA and therefore did not perceive this as a reason to quit. Second, smoking was used as a distraction from pain. Third, participants found it difficult to exercise and therefore were unable to use exercise as an alternative distraction. Fourth, smoking was used as a coping mechanism for the frustrations of living with RA. Fifth, participants felt unsupported and isolated from other RA patients.

Conclusion

Disease‐related issues may hinder smoking cessation for RA patients. Through an understanding of patients' perspectives there is an opportunity to plan an effective targeted intervention that may increase the chance of smoking cessation in RA patients where smoking may adversely influence disease progression and comorbidities.
Kinetic Monte Carlo Study of the Sensitivity of OLED Efficiency and Lifetime to Materials Parameters
Authors: Coehoorn Reinder , van Eersel Harm , Bobbert Peter , Janssen René
Published: November 2014

The performance of organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) is determined by a complex interplay of the optoelectronic processes in the active layer stack. In order to enable simulation‐assisted layer stack development, a three‐dimensional kinetic Monte Carlo OLED simulation method which includes the charge transport and all excitonic processes is developed. In this paper, the results are presented of simulations including degradation processes in idealized but realizable phosphorescent OLEDs. Degradation is treated as a result of the conversion of emitter molecules to non‐emissive sites upon a triplet‐polaron quenching (TPQ) process. Under the assumptions made, TPQ provides the dominant contribution to the roll‐off. There is therefore a strong relationship between the roll‐off and the lifetime. This is quantified using a “uniform density model”, within which the charge carrier and exciton densities are assumed to be uniform across the emissive layer. The simulations give rise to design rules regarding the energy levels, and are used to study the sensitivity of the roll‐off and lifetime to various other materials parameters, including the mobility, the phosphorescent dye concentration, the triplet exciton emissive lifetime and binding energy, and the type of TPQ process.
Molecular Understanding and Design of Zwitterionic Materials
Authors: Shao Qing , Jiang Shaoyi
Published: November 2014

Zwitterionic materials have moieties possessing cationic and anionic groups. This molecular structure leads to unique properties that can be the solutions of various application problems. A typical example is that zwitterionic carboxybetaine (CB) and sulfobetaine (SB) materials resist nonspecific protein adsorption in complex media. Considering the vast number of cationic and anionic groups in the current chemical inventory, there are many possible structural variations of zwitterionic materials. The diversified structures provide the possibility to achieve many desired properties and urge a better understanding of zwitterionic materials to provide design principles. Molecular simulations and modeling are a versatile tool to understand the structure–property relationships of materials at the molecular level. This progress report summarizes recent simulation and modeling studies addressing two fundamental questions regarding zwitterionic materials and their applications as biomaterials. First, what are the differences between zwitterionic and nonionic materials? Second, what are the differences among zwitterionic materials? This report also demonstrates a molecular design of new protein‐resistant zwitterionic moieties beyond conventional CB and SB based on design principles developed from these simulation studies.
Palladium‐Catalysed Direct Desulfitative Arylation of Pyrroles using Benzenesulfonyl Chlorides as Alternative Coupling Partners
Authors: Jin Rongwei , Yuan Kedong , Chatelain Emmanuelle , Soulé Jean‐François , Doucet Henri
Published: November 2014

The reactivity of pyrrole derivatives for palladium‐catalysed desulfitative arylation has been investigated. 1‐Methyl‐, 1‐phenyl‐ and 1‐benzylpyrroles were successfully coupled with a variety of benzenesulfonyl chlorides using a phosphine‐free catalyst. Highly regioselective arylations at carbon C2 of pyrroles were observed in all cases. A wide variety of substituents on the benzenesulfonyl derivative was tolerated.

It should be noted that even bromo‐ and iodo‐benzenesulfonyl chlorides were successfully coupled with pyrrole derivatives without cleavage of the CBr or CI bonds, allowing further transformations. Surprisingly, with indoles, mixtures of C2‐ and C3‐arylation products were obtained.

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Taurine as an additive for improving the fouling resistance of nanofiltration composite membranes
Authors: Jin Jinbo , Liu Dongqing , Zhang Dandan , Yin Yuhang , Zhao Xinyu , Zhang Yufeng
Published: November 2014

A hydrophilic compound, taurine, was investigated as an additive in the interfacial polymerization between piperazine (PIP) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) to prepare thin‐film composite (TFC) membranes. The resulting membranes were characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphology and hydrophilicity of the membranes were investigated through scanning electronic microscopy and water contact angle measurements. The separation performance of the TFC membranes was investigated through water flux and salt rejection tests. The protein‐fouling resistance of the films was evaluated by water recovery rate measurements after the treatment of bovine serum albumin. The membrane containing 0.2 wt % taurine showed the best performance of 92% MgSO4 rejection at a flux of 31 L m−2 h−1 and better antifouling properties than the PIP–TMC membranes. An appropriately low concentration of taurine showed the same MgSO4 rejection as the PIP–TMC membranes but a better fouling resistance performance. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41620.
CD8+ T Cell Profiles in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Their Relationship to Disease Activity
Authors: Carvalheiro Helena , Duarte Cátia , Silva‐Cardoso Sandra , da Silva José A. P. , Souto‐Carneiro M. Margarida
Published: November 2014

Objective

CD8+ T cells are abundant in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, their role in disease pathogenesis is poorly defined. This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between disease activity and CD8+ T cell phenotypes, production of cytokines, and production of cytotoxic molecules in the peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) of patients with RA.

Methods

CD8+ T cell phenotypes were determined in 96 patients with RA (44 with disease in remission, 34 with active disease, 18 with low disease activity) and in 64 sex‐ and age‐matched healthy controls. Ten paired PB and SF samples from patients with active RA were analyzed. The expression of surface markers, cytokines, and proteolytic enzymes in CD8+ T cells was evaluated using flow cytometry.

Results

PB CD8+ T cells from RA patients with active disease exhibited an effector (CD27−CD62L−) phenotype (P = 0.005), with elevated expression of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α [TNFα], interferon‐γ [IFNγ], interleukin‐6 [IL‐6], IL‐17A) when compared to healthy controls. In a state of remission, the same phenotype observed in patients with active disease persisted, including a significant increase in the frequency of CD69 (P < 0.001), but lower cytokine production was observed. SF CD8+ T cells from RA patients expressed more robust effector memory (CD27+CD62L−) and activated (CD69+) profiles compared to the T cell subsets in paired PB samples. Production of cytokines (IL‐6, IL‐17A, and IFNγ) by CD8+ T cells from RA PB was positively correlated within individual donors. Moreover, production of cytokines (TNFα, IFNγ, and IL‐17A) by CD8+ T cells from RA PB positively correlated with the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints.

Conclusion

The activation status and proinflammatory potential of CD8+ T cell subsets observed in the RA patients in this study strongly suggest that a phenotype of local and systemic cytotoxic effector T cells plays a role in this disease.
Brief Report: The Ability of the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Cardiovascular Risk Score to Identify Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients With High Coronary Artery Calcification Scores
Authors: Kawai Vivian K. , Chung Cecilia P. , Solus Joseph F. , Oeser Annette , Raggi Paolo , Stein C. Michael
Published: November 2014

Objective

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease that is underestimated by the Framingham Risk Score (FRS). We undertook this study to test the hypothesis that the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) 10‐year risk score would perform better than the FRS and the Reynolds Risk Score (RRS) in identifying RA patients known to have elevated cardiovascular risk based on high coronary artery calcification (CAC) scores.

Methods

Among 98 RA patients eligible for risk stratification using the ACC/AHA risk score, we identified 34 patients with high CAC (defined as ≥300 Agatston units or ≥75th percentile of expected coronary artery calcium for age, sex, and ethnicity) and compared the ability of the 10‐year FRS, RRS, and ACC/AHA risk scores to correctly assign these patients to an elevated risk category.

Results

All 3 risk scores were higher in patients with high CAC (P < 0.05). The percentage of patients with high CAC correctly assigned to the elevated risk category was similar among the 3 scores (FRS 32%, RRS 32%, ACC/AHA risk score 41%) (P = 0.223). The C statistics for the FRS, RRS, and ACC/AHA risk score predicting the presence of high CAC were 0.65, 0.66, and 0.65, respectively.

Conclusion

The ACC/AHA 10‐year risk score does not offer any advantage compared to the traditional FRS and RRS in the identification of RA patients with elevated risk as determined by high CAC. The ACC/AHA risk score assigned almost 60% of patients with high CAC to a low risk category. Risk scores and standard risk prediction models used in the general population do not adequately identify many RA patients with elevated cardiovascular risk.
Decision‐Making Skills in ASD: Performance on the Iowa Gambling Task
Authors: Mussey Joanna L. , Travers Brittany G. , Klinger Laura Grofer , Klinger Mark R.
Published: November 2014

Decision making plays a key role in daily function, but little is known regarding how individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) make decisions. The present studies examined decision making in persons with ASD using the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), a computerized card game with the goal of earning money by deciding among decks of cards. To be successful, players need to figure out which decks are associated with winning and which are associated with losing money in the long run. Results of Study 1 indicated that participants with ASD made poorer decisions and showed slower learning of which decks earned more money compared with participants with typical development. Additionally, they made more frequent shifts between decks compared with participants with typical development. In Study 2, undergraduate students with typical development completed the IGT to examine whether instructing them to make frequent shifts between decks early in the IGT would negatively impact their decision making. Results of Study 2 suggested that when participants with typical development were required to make frequent shifts, they exhibited a slower rate of learning and poorer decision making, thus emulating participants with ASD in Study 1. The combined results suggest that the way that persons with ASD explore and attend to their environment may be related to poor decision making. Implications for cognitive learning styles are discussed. Autism Res 2015, 8: 105–114. © 2014 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Is There Evidence for Potential Harm of Electronic Cigarette Use in Pregnancy?
Authors: Suter Melissa A. , Mastrobattista Joan , Sachs Maike , Aagaard Kjersti
Published: November 2014

Background

Use of electronic cigarettes (e‐cigarettes) and other nicotine containing products is increasing among women of reproductive age. The short‐ and long‐term effects of these products on both mother and fetus are unknown.

Methods

Because e‐cigarettes are nicotine delivery systems, we sought to conduct a comprehensive review of the effects of nicotine on the fetus.

Results

In utero nicotine exposure in animal models is associated with adverse effects for the offspring lung, cardiovascular system and brain. In the lung, this included reduced surface area, weight, and volume, as well as emphysema‐like lesions. In adulthood, exposed offspring demonstrate elevated blood pressure and increased perivascular adipose tissue. In the brain, exposure alters offspring serotonergic, dopaminergic, and norepinephrine networks, which in turn are associated with behavioral and cognitive impairments. We also review current data on the lack of efficacy of nicotine replacement therapy in pregnant women, and highlight different nicotine containing products such as snuff, snus, and hookah.

Conclusion

We conclude that no amount of nicotine is known to be safe during pregnancy, and studies specifically addressing this risk are crucial and an imminent public health issue. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:186–195, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of chemical sanitization using NaOH on the properties of polysulfone and polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membranes
Authors: Teella Achyuta , Zydney Andrew L. , Zhou Hongyi , Olsen Cathryn , Robinson Craig
Published: November 2014

Membranes used in bioprocessing applications are typically sanitized before use to insure aseptic operation. However, there is almost no information in the literature on the effects of this preuse sanitization step on the properties of the membrane. Experiments were performed with commercially available hollow fiber polysulfone (PSf) and polyethersulfone (PES) membranes with different nominal molecular weight cutoffs. Data were obtained for the membrane hydraulic permeability, dextran retention coefficients, zeta potential (surface charge), and extent of protein adsorption both before and after sanitization with 0.5 N NaOH at 45°C for 30 min. Changes in chemical composition were examined using ATR‐FT‐IR and XPS. Sanitization caused a large increase in the net negative charge for all membranes. There was a small reduction in hydraulic permeability and a significant increase in dextran retention for the polyethersulfone membranes, consistent with a reduction in the effective pore size. Spectroscopic analyses suggest that this change is likely due to the base‐catalyzed hydrolysis of the lactam ring in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) that is typically is used as a wetting/pore‐forming agent in PSf and PES membranes. Preuse sanitization also appeared to have a small effect on protein adsorption, although the extent of adsorption was quite low for both the virgin and sanitized membranes. The observed changes in membrane properties could have a significant impact on the ultrafiltration performance, demonstrating the importance of standardizing the sanitization procedures even in process development and scale‐down validation studies. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 31:90–96, 2015
XSOFT: A generic software teaching and learning model
Authors: Radhakrishnan P. , Kanmani S. , Nandhini M.
Published: November 2014

The attitude of software learning by students relies on transforming the Learning Model consistently into Software Development Model. The effort and time taken for development of different phases of software, has few issues, in particular, the principles and practices to be followed in academia. To address these issues, a generic software teaching and learning model called eXtreme Software Teaching (XSOFT) is proposed by integrating the essence of the Extreme Programming (XP) method with COSMIC FFP (Common Software Measurement Integration Consortium Full Function Point) Standards. The effectiveness of this proposed model was tested on real time projects assigned to students as a realistic study by selecting them with equal skill and knowledge on programming. They were divided into two groups, such as Pair Programmers and Solo Programmers. The performances of these groups are measured with respect to the trade in person‐days using XSOFT. The empirical results show that the assessment of person‐days are less on pair programming than solo programming and effective programming skill is found with pair programmers. In addition, the robustness of this model are confirmed by the results of another real time project as case study. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 23:432–442, 2015; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21613
One‐Pot Synthesis of Cobalt‐Incorporated Nitrogen‐Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide as an Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalyst in Alkaline Medium
Authors: Kottakkat Tintula , Bron Michael
Published: November 2014

Cobalt‐incorporated nitrogen‐doped reduced graphene oxide (Co/NrGO) as a catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction is prepared in a single step by thermal reduction of graphene oxide to reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in the presence of a cobalt salt and 1,10‐phenanthroline as a nitrogen precursor. Cobalt is identified as cobalt oxide (CoO) in the hybrid. Both the cobalt and nitrogen contents in Co/NrGO are higher than those in cobalt‐ or nitrogen‐free samples; this indicates that cobalt and 1,10‐phenathroline mutually enhance incorporation into the material. An almost four‐electron transfer is observed as the average per oxygen molecule, and Co/NrGO demonstrates highly improved activity in comparison with NrGO and rGO. CoO and nitrogen‐doped moieties may be acting as active centers for oxygen reduction individually or synergistically. With a loading of less than 2 wt % cobalt in Co/NrGO, appreciable activity is already observed. Moreover, the high selectivity for oxygen reduction over methanol oxidation for Co/NrGO is demonstrated, making this hybrid a promising catalyst for direct methanol alkaline fuel cells.
Diversity‐Oriented Synthesis of Intensively Blue Emissive 3‐Hydroxyisoquinolines by Sequential Ugi Four‐Component Reaction/Reductive Heck Cyclization
Authors: Moni Lisa , Denißen Melanie , Valentini Gianluca , Müller Thomas J. J. , Riva Renata
Published: November 2014

A convergent approach to highly functionalized 3‐hydroxyisoquinolines is reported. The key steps are an Ugi multicomponent reaction and a subsequent intramolecular reductive Heck reaction; these can also be performed as a one‐pot procedure. The structures display very interesting properties as blue‐fluorescence emitters. Photophysical studies on the absorption and static fluorescence indicate that the substitution pattern on the pyridyl part influences the optical properties only to a minor extent, unless the amide substituent becomes sterically demanding and leads to significant nonradiative deactivation. The donor substitution on the benzo core considerably enhances the fluorescence quantum yields and trimethoxy substitution causes a pronounced redshift of the emission bands. Protonation of the isoquinolyl nitrogen atom causes efficient static quenching of the fluorescence.
Patterns of locoregional treatment for nonmetastatic breast cancer by patient and health system factors
Authors: Anderson Roger T. , Morris Cyllene R. , Kimmick Gretchen , Trentham‐Dietz Amy , Camacho Fabian , Wu Xiao‐Cheng , Sabatino Susan A. , Fleming Steven T. , Lipscomb Joseph
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to examine local definitive therapy for nonmetastatic breast cancer with the Patterns of Care Breast and Prostate Cancer (POCBP) study of the National Program of Cancer Registries (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

METHODS

POCBP medical record data were re‐abstracted in 7 state/regional registry systems (Georgia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and California) to verify data quality and assess treatment patterns in the population. National Comprehensive Cancer Network clinical practice treatment guidelines were aligned with American Joint Committee on Cancer staging at diagnosis to appraise care.

RESULTS

Six thousand five hundred five of 9142 patients with registry‐confirmed breast cancer were coded as having primary disease with stage 0 to IIIA tumors and were included in the study. Approximately 88% received guideline‐concordant locoregional treatment. However, this outcome varied by age group: 92% of women < age 50 versus 80% of women ≥ age 70 years old received guideline care (P < 0.01). Characteristics that best discriminated receipt (no/yes) of guideline‐concordant care in receiver operating curve analyses were the receipt of breast‐conserving surgery (BCS) versus mastectomy (C = 0.70), patient age (C = 0.62), a greater tumor stage (C = 0.60), public insurance (C = 0.58), and the presence of at least mild comorbidity (C = 0.55). Radiation therapy (RT) after BCS was the most omitted treatment component causing nonconcordance in the study population. In multivariate regression, the effects of the treatment facility, ductal carcinoma in situ, race, and comorbidity on nonconcordant care differed by age group.

CONCLUSIONS

Patterns of underuse of standard therapies for breast cancer vary by age group and BCS use, with which there is a risk of omission of RT. Cancer 2015;121:790–799. © 2014 American Cancer Society.