bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Persistent ischemic stroke disparities despite declining incidence in Mexican Americans
Authors: Morgenstern Lewis B. , Smith Melinda A. , Sánchez Brisa N. , Brown Devin L. , Zahuranec Darin B. , Garcia Nelda , Kerber Kevin A. , Skolarus Lesli E. , Meurer William J. , Burke James F. , Adelman Eric E. , Baek Jonggyu , Lisabeth Lynda D.
Published: July 2013

Objective

To determine trends in ischemic stroke incidence among Mexican Americans and non‐Hispanic whites.

Methods

We performed population‐based stroke surveillance from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2010 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Ischemic stroke patients 45 years and older were ascertained from potential sources, and charts were abstracted. Neurologists validated cases based on source documentation blinded to ethnicity and age. Crude and age‐, sex‐, and ethnicity‐adjusted annual incidence was calculated for first ever completed ischemic stroke. Poisson regression models were used to calculate adjusted ischemic stroke rates, rate ratios, and trends.

Results

There were 2,604 ischemic strokes in Mexican Americans and 2,042 in non‐Hispanic whites. The rate ratios (Mexican American:non‐Hispanic white) were 1.94 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.67–2.25), 1.50 (95% CI = 1.35–1.67), and 1.00 (95% CI = 0.90–1.11) among those aged 45 to 59, 60 to 74, and 75 years and older, respectively, and 1.34 (95% CI = 1.23–1.46) when adjusted for age. Ischemic stroke incidence declined during the study period by 35.9% (95% CI = 25.9–44.5). The decline was limited to those aged ≥60 years, and happened in both ethnic groups similarly (p> 0.10), implying that the disparities seen in the 45‐ to 74‐year age group persist unabated.

Interpretation

Ischemic stroke incidence rates have declined dramatically in the past decade in both ethnic groups for those aged ≥60 years. However, the disparity between Mexican American and non‐Hispanic white stroke rates persists in those <75 years of age. Although the decline in stroke is encouraging, additional prevention efforts targeting young Mexican Americans are warranted. Ann Neurol 2013;74:778–785
Iron and neurodegeneration in the multiple sclerosis brain
Authors: Hametner Simon , Wimmer Isabella , Haider Lukas , Pfeifenbring Sabine , Brück Wolfgang , Lassmann Hans
Published: July 2013

Objective

Iron may contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) due to its accumulation in the human brain with age. Our study focused on nonheme iron distribution and the expression of the iron‐related proteins ferritin, hephaestin, and ceruloplasmin in relation to oxidative damage in the brain tissue of 33 MS and 30 control cases.

Methods

We performed (1) whole‐genome microarrays including 4 MS and 3 control cases to analyze the expression of iron‐related genes, (2) nonheme iron histochemistry, (3) immunohistochemistry for proteins of iron metabolism, and (4) quantitative analysis by digital densitometry and cell counting in regions representing different stages of lesion maturation.

Results

We found an age‐related increase of iron in the white matter of controls as well as in patients with short disease duration. In chronic MS, however, there was a significant decrease of iron in the normal‐appearing white matter (NAWM) corresponding with disease duration, when corrected for age. This decrease of iron in oligodendrocytes and myelin was associated with an upregulation of iron‐exporting ferroxidases. In active MS lesions, iron was apparently released from dying oligodendrocytes, resulting in extracellular accumulation of iron and uptake into microglia and macrophages. Iron‐containing microglia showed signs of cell degeneration. At lesion edges and within centers of lesions, iron accumulated in astrocytes and axons.

Interpretation

Iron decreases in the NAWM of MS patients with increasing disease duration. Cellular degeneration in MS lesions leads to waves of iron liberation, which may propagate neurodegeneration together with inflammatory oxidative burst. Ann Neurol 2013;74:848–861
Einführung von Fluor und fluorhaltigen funktionellen Gruppen
Authors: Liang Theresa , Neumann Constanze N. , Ritter Tobias
Published: July 2013

Die wichtigsten konzeptionellen Fortschritt auf dem Gebiet der Fluorierungen der letzten zehn Jahre wurden durch die Organo‐ und Übergangsmetallkatalyse ermöglicht. Die schwierigste Umwandlung ist weiterhin die Bildung der C‐F‐Stammbindung, was in erster Linie eine Folge der hohen Hydratationsenergie von Fluorid, starker Metall‐Fluor‐Bindungen und der hoch polarisierten Bindungen zu Fluor ist. Den meisten Fluorierungen fehlt es immer noch an Allgemeingültigkeit, Vorhersagbarkeit und Kosteneffizienz. Trotz der Einschränkungen sind fluorierte Verbindungen mit modernen Fluorierungsmethoden leichter zugänglich als je zuvor. Vor allem beginnen sich die modernen Methoden auf Forschungsgebiete auszuwirken, die keine großen Materialmengen benötigen, z. B. die Wirkstoffentwicklung und die Positronenemissionstomographie. Diese Entwicklungen werden in diesem Aufsatz zusammengefasst und vor dem Hintergrund konventioneller Fluorierungsmethoden diskutiert.
An exploration of the digital library evaluation literature based on an ontological representation
Authors: Tsakonas Giannis , Mitrelis Angelos , Papachristopoulos Leonidas , Papatheodorou Christos
Published: July 2013

Evaluation is a vital research area in the digital library domain, demonstrating a growing literature in conference and journal articles. We explore the directions and the evolution of evaluation research for the period 2001–2011 by studying the evaluation initiatives presented at 2 main conferences of the digital library domain, namely the Association for Computing Machinery and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (ACM/IEEE) Joint Conference on Digital Libraries (JCDL), and the European Conference on Digital Libraries (ECDL; since 2011 renamed to the International Conference on Theory and Practice of Digital Libraries [TPDL]). The literature is annotated using a domain ontology, named DiLEO, which defines explicitly the main concepts of the digital library evaluation domain and their correlations. The ontology instances constitute a semantic network that enables the uniform and formal representation of the critical evaluation constructs in both conferences, untangles their associations, and supports the study of their evolution. We discuss interesting patterns in the evaluation practices as well as in the research foci of the 2 venues, and outline current research trends and areas for further research.
The effect of ad rank on the performance of keyword advertising campaigns
Authors: Jansen Bernard J. , Liu Zhe , Simon Zach
Published: July 2013

The goal of this research is to evaluate the effect of ad rank on the performance of keyword advertising campaigns. We examined a large‐scale data file comprised of nearly 7,000,000 records spanning 33 consecutive months of a majorUSretailer's search engine marketing campaign. The theoretical foundation is serial position effect to explain searcher behavior when interacting with ranked ad listings. We control for temporal effects and use one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) withTamhane'sT2 tests to examine the effect of ad rank on critical keyword advertising metrics, including clicks, cost‐per‐click, sales revenue, orders, items sold, and advertising return on investment. Our findings show significant ad rank effect on most of those metrics, although less effect on conversion rates. A primacy effect was found on both clicks and sales, indicating a general compelling performance of top‐ranked ads listed on the first results page. Conversion rates, on the other hand, follow a relatively stable distribution except for the top 2 ads, which had significantly higher conversion rates. However, examining conversion potential (the effect of both clicks and conversion rate), we show that ad rank has a significant effect on the performance of keyword advertising campaigns. Conversion potential is a more accurate measure of the impact of an ad's position. In fact, the first ad position generates about 80% of the total profits, after controlling for advertising costs. In addition to providing theoretical grounding, the research results reported in this paper are beneficial to companies using search engine marketing as they strive to design more effective advertising campaigns.
Two‐Step pH‐Modulated Rapid Assembly of Trace‐Element‐Doped Calcium‐Phosphate Nanocrystals into Giant Porous Beads in Gelatin Hydrosol for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Li Zhicheng , Chen Xiaoyi , Yang Yongzhu , Yang Xianyan , Zhang Lei , Yang Guojing , Tang Ruikang , Gou Zhongru
Published: July 2013

Biomolecule–ion interactions that occur during changes in pH value are a crucial but poorly investigated area that underlies the aggregation of inorganic nanocrystals. Meanwhile, the disorderly growth of calcium phosphate (CaP) nanocrystals is an obstacle that limits its practical applications. Herein, we have demonstrated for the first time that a simple two‐step pH‐adjustment process for a gelatin hydrosol reaction medium can modulate the ordered self‐assembly of trace‐element‐doped CaP nanocrystals into porous beads. Two methods are used to adjust the initial pH value of gelatin hydrosol: One is to firstly adjust the pH value to 3.0 and then to 4.0 with acid/base solutions, whilst the other is to directly adjust the pH value to 4.0 with acid. Spherical CaP porous beads are rapidly produced through the two‐step pH‐adjustment process, whereas the one‐step pathway results in disorderly CaP aggregates. We believe that the introduction of additives for pH adjustment is the dominant factor in disturbing the electrokinetic parameters and for driving the self‐assembly of nanocrystals, whereas the nucleation of CaP nanocrystals prior to assembly is caused by the relaxation/condensation of the polypeptide network, owing to the increase in pH value on the introduction of the basic calcium salt. This method is facile and rapid and these highly bioactive porous beads are particularly promising for use in hard‐tissue repair, tissue engineering, and drug delivery.
A Nanoporous PdCo Alloy as a Highly Active Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen‐Reduction Reaction and Formic Acid Electrooxidation
Authors: Xu Caixia , Liu Yunqing , Zhang Huan , Geng Haoran
Published: July 2013

A nanoporous (NP) PdCo alloy with uniform structure size and controllable bimetallic ratio was fabricated simply by one‐step mild dealloying of a PdCoAl precursor alloy. The as‐made alloy consists of a nanoscaled bicontinuous network skeleton with interconnected hollow channels that extend in all three dimensions. With a narrow ligament size distribution around 5 nm, the NP PdCo alloy exhibits much higher electrocatalytic activity towards the oxygen‐reduction reaction (ORR) with enhanced specific and mass activities relative to NP Pd and commercial Pt/C catalysts. A long‐term stability test demonstrated that NP PdCo has comparable catalytic durability with less loss of ORR activity and electrochemical surface area than Pt/C. The NP PdCo alloy also shows dramatically enhanced catalytic activity towards formic acid electrooxidation relative to NP Pd and Pd/C catalysts. The as‐made NP PdCo holds great application potential as a promising cathode as well as an anode electrocatalyst in fuel cells with the advantages of superior catalytic performance and easy preparation.
Recyclable Porous Polymer‐Supported Copper Catalysts for Glaser and Huisgen 1,3‐Diolar Cycloaddition Reactions
Authors: Sun Qi , Lv Zhonfei , Du Yuyang , Wu Qinming , Wang Liang , Zhu Longfeng , Meng Xiangju , Chen Wanzhi , Xiao Feng‐Shou
Published: July 2013

A family of polymer‐attached phenanthrolines was prepared from solvothermal copolymerization of divinylbenzene with N‐(1,10‐phenanthroline‐5‐yl)acrylamide in different ratios. The polymer‐supported copper catalysts were obtained through typical impregnation with copper(II) salts. The polymers and supported copper catalysts have been characterized by N2 adsortion, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TG); they exhibit a high surface area, hierarchical porosity, large pore volume, and high thermal and chemical stabilities. The copper catalyst has proved to be highly active for Glaser homocoupling of alkynes and Huisgen 1,3‐diolar cycloaddition of alkynes with benzyl azide under mild conditions at low catalyst loading. The heterogeneous copper catalyst is more active than commonly used homogeneous and nonporous polystyrene‐supported copper catalysts. In particular, the catalyst is easily recovered and can be recycled at least ten times without any obvious loss in catalytic activity. Metal leaching was prevented due to the strong binding ability of phenanthroline and products were not contaminated with copper, as determined by ICP analysis.
Evidence for Gender‐Specific Endophenotypes in High‐Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder During Empathy
Authors: Schneider Karla , Regenbogen Christina , Pauly Katharina D. , Gossen Anna , Schneider Daniel A. , Mevissen Lea , Michel Tanja M. , Gur Ruben C. , Habel Ute , Schneider Frank
Published: July 2013

Despite remarkable behavioral gender differences in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and growing evidence for a diminished male : female ratio for the putative “male disorder” ASD, aspects of gender are not addressed accordingly in ASD research. Our study aims at filling this gap by exploring empathy abilities in a group of 28 patients with high‐functioning ASD and 28 gender‐, age‐ and education‐matched non‐autistic subjects, for the first time by means of functional neuroimaging (fMRI). In an event‐related fMRI paradigm, emotional (“E”) and neutral (“N”) video clips presented actors telling self‐related short stories. After each clip, participants were asked to indicate their own emotion and its intensity as well as the emotion and intensity perceived for the actor. Behaviorally, we found significantly less empathic responses in the overall ASD group compared with non‐autistic subjects, and inadequate emotion recognition for the neutral clips in the female ASD group compared with healthy women. Neurally, increased activation of the bilateral medial frontal gyrus was found in male patients compared with female patients, a pattern which was not present in the non‐autistic group. Additionally, autistic women exhibited decreased activation of midbrain and limbic regions compared with non‐autistic women, whereas there was no significant difference within the male group. While we did not find a fundamental empathic deficit in autistic patients, our data propose different ways of processing empathy in autistic men and women, suggesting stronger impairments in cognitive aspects of empathy/theory of mind for men, and alterations of social reciprocity for women. Autism Res 2013, 6: 506–521. © 2013 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Repetitive Behavior and Restricted Interests in Young Children with Autism: Comparisons with Controls and Stability Over 2 Years
Authors: Joseph Lisa , Thurm Audrey , Farmer Cristan , Shumway Stacy
Published: July 2013

Restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities [RRBs] are among the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Previous studies have indicated that RRBs differentiate ASD from other developmental disorders and from typical development. This study examined the presentation of RRBs as reported on the Repetitive Behavior Scale‐Revised, a caregiver report, in children with ASD [separated into autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder‐Not Otherwise Specified groups] compared with children with nonspectrum developmental delays or typical development. We examined the role of age, cognitive functioning, sex and social communication impairment as they relate to RRBs. The stability of RRBs in children with autism was also examined over the course of 2 years. Results of the study confirmed that the amount and type of RRBs differs by diagnosis. Age, cognitive functioning, sex and social‐communication impairment were not significant correlates. Among children with autism, RRBs remained stable over time. Autism Res 2013, 6: 584–595. © 2013 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Systematic review of birth prevalence of neural tube defects in India
Authors: Bhide Prajkta , Sagoo Gurdeep S. , Moorthie Sowmiya , Burton Hilary , Kar Anita
Published: July 2013

BACKGROUND

Neural tube defects are one of the most prevalent congenital anomalies. Data on the total birth prevalence, live birth and stillbirth prevalence of neural tube defects in India are lacking. The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review of birth prevalence of neural tube defects in India and compare it with existing estimates.

METHODS

A PubMed search identified 463 articles, of which 19 articles were eligible for inclusion in the review. Meta‐analysis was used to estimate the overall birth prevalence of neural tube defects and to investigate the variation among studies identified by this review.

RESULTS

The 19 articles reported a total of 308,387 births, among which 1310 cases of neural tube defects were reported, giving an overall birth prevalence of 4.1 per 1000 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.1–5.4). The live birth and stillbirth prevalence of neural tube defects was 1.3 per 1000 births (95% CI, 0.9–1.8) and 1.7 per 1000 births (95% CI, 0.7–4.0), respectively. Among the neural tube defects, the reported prevalence of anencephaly was highest at 2.1 per 1000 births (95% CI, 1.6–2.8) followed by spina bifida at 1.9 per 1000 births (95% CI, 1.4–2.7).

CONCLUSION

The systematic review suggests that neural tube defects contribute to a significant number of live births and stillbirths in India, suggesting that preconception folic acid supplementation should be an essential element of reproductive health services. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 97:437–443, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adjusting for reporting delay in cancer incidence when combining different sets of cancer registries
Authors: Huang Lan , Midthune Douglas , Krapcho Martin , Zou Zhaohui , Horner Marie‐Joseph , Feuer Eric J.
Published: July 2013

Cancer registries collect cancer incidence data that can be used to calculate incidence rates in a population and track changes over time. For incidence rates to be accurate, it is critical that diagnosed cases be reported in a timely manner. Registries typically allow a fixed amount of time (e.g. two years) for diagnosed cases to be reported before releasing the initial case counts for a particular diagnosis year. Inevitably, however, additional cases are reported after the initial counts are released; these extra cases are included in subsequent releases that become more complete over time, while incidence rates based on earlier releases will underestimate the true rates. Statistical methods have been developed to estimate the distribution of reporting delay (the amount of time until a diagnosed case is reported) and to correct incidence rates for underestimation due to reporting delay. Since the observed reporting delays must be less than the length of time the registry has been collecting data, most methods estimate a truncated delay distribution. These methods can be applied to a group of registries that began collecting data in the same diagnosis year. In this paper, we extend the methods to two groups of registries that began collecting data in two different diagnosis years (so that the delay distributions are truncated at different times). We apply the proposed method to data from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program, a consortium of U.S. cancer registries that includes nine registries with data collection beginning in 1981 and four registries with data collection beginning in 1992. We use the method to obtain delay‐adjusted incidence rates for melanoma, liver cancer, and Hodgkin lymphoma.
Dose‐dependent bioavailability indicators for curcumin and two of its novel derivatives
Authors: Abd el Aziz Mohamed , El‐Asmer Mohamed , Rezq Ameen , Al‐Malki Abdulrahman , Kumosani Taha , Fouad Hanan , Ahmed Hanan , Taha Fatma , Hassouna Amira , Hafez Hafez
Published: July 2013

Novel water‐soluble curcumin derivatives have been developed to overcome low in vivo bioavailability of curcumin. The aim of this work is to assess the potential utility of certain downstream targets as bioavailability indicators of systemic activity of pure curcumin and two novel water‐soluble curcumin derivatives (NCD) by constructing dose‐dependent response curves and to prove whether this novel curcumin derivatives retained, improved, or abolished biological activity of pure curcumin when applied in vivo. Pure curcumin (CUR), curcumin‐carboxy derivative (NCD‐1), and curcumin protein conjugate (NCD‐2) were administered orally to rats at escalating doses: 37, 74, 148, and 296 μM/kg body weight, respectively. Plasma levels of GST activity, cavernous tissue levels of cGMP, and enzymatic activity of both HO‐1 and GST were assessed one and half and 24 hours after oral administration of curcumin formulae. This study showed that there was a progressive elevation of cavernous tissue levels of cGMP and enzymatic activity of both HO‐1 and GST in a dose‐dependent manner that was maintained for 24 h with CUR, NCD‐1, and NCD‐2. Plasma GST activity was decreased by the lowest doses on the curve. The three dose‐dependent bioavailability indicators as surrogates of curcumin and two of its novel derivatives are valid in the studied range of concentration and extended time. The novel curcumin derivatives still conserve with improvement the biological activity of natural curcumin when applied in vivo. © 2013 BioFactors, 40(1):132–137, 2014
On the mechanism of degradation of oxytocin and its analogues in aqueous solution
Authors: Wiśniewski Kazimierz , Finnman Jens , Flipo Marion , Galyean Robert , Schteingart Claudio D.
Published: July 2013

Oxytocin (OT) is a cyclic nonapeptide containing one internal disulfide bond between its Cys1 and Cys6 residues. Although OT is one of the most commonly used peptidic drugs, the mechanism of its degradation in aqueous solution and the identity of its degradants have not been fully elucidated. To investigate the pathways and products of OT degradation in slightly acidic to neutral solutions, we prepared the peptides: OT, [d‐Cys1]OT, a series of N‐alkylated OT analogues, [[13C3,15N]Cys1]OT, and OT where each sulfur atom was systematically replaced by either methylene, 34S, or Se. The peptides were incubated at 40°C and the degradation products studied by HPLC, LCMS, and 13C‐NMR. Our findings suggest that the degradation begins with β‐elimination of the disulfide linkage to form a putative intermediate linear peptide containing an S‐thiocysteine (a persulfide) in position 6 and a dehydroalanine in position 1. This intermediate persulfide appears to donate a sulfur atom to an intact OT molecule to form OT trisulfide and higher monomeric polysulfides, while the dehydroalanine residue is hydrolyzed with loss of the N‐terminal amino group to yield a linear N‐pyruvoylated octapeptide containing a reduced Cys6. Based on the MS and 13C‐NMR data of the products from degradation of [[13C3,15N]Cys1]OT, we postulate that the ultimate degradation products of OT are dimers composed of two pyruvoylated octapeptides held together by one disulfide bridge between the two Cys6 residues and by one more, non‐reducible, linkage resulting from an aldol‐type condensation between the two N‐terminal pyruvoyl groups. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 100: 408–421, 2013.
Structural characteristics and biological performance of silk fibroin nanofiber containing microalgae spirulina extract
Authors: Cha Bum‐Gyu , Kwak Hyo Won , Park A Reum , Kim Shin Hwan , Park Sook‐Young , Kim Hyun‐Jeong , Kim Ick‐Soo , Lee Ki Hoon , Park Young Hwan
Published: July 2013

Silk fibroin (SF) nanofiber scaffold containing microalgae Spirulina extract were prepared by electrospinning and the performance and functionality of the scaffold were evaluated. The viscosity and conductivity of the dope solution of Spirulina containing SF were examined for electrospinability and we found that the morphological structure of SF nanofiber is affected by the concentration of Spirulina extract added. The platelet adhesion and coagulation time test confirmed that the Spirulina containing SF nanofiber scaffold had excellent ability to prevent blood clotting or antithrombogenicity that is comparable to heparin. Low cytotoxicity and excellent cell adhesion and proliferation were also observed for Sprulina containing SF nanofiber scaffold by methylthiazolyldiphenyl‐tetrazolium bromide assay and confocal fluorescence microscope using fibroblast and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Based on these results, we believe SF nanofiber scaffold containing Spirulina extract has the potential to be used as tissue engineering scaffold that requires high hemocompatibility. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 101: 307–318, 2014.
Sustainability‐Related Supply Chain Risks: Conceptualization and Management
Authors: Hofmann Hannes , Busse Christian , Bode Christoph , Henke Michael
Published: July 2013

There is ample anecdotal evidence suggesting that firms can experience serious losses from social, ecological or ethical problems that exist in their supply chains. So far, however, research on supply chain risk management has largely neglected these sustainability issues. Most importantly, little is known about how sustainability issues manifest themselves as risks and how they create losses for focal firms. Without an in‐depth understanding of this materialization process, conceptualizations of sustainability risks will remain vague and effective management frameworks cannot be developed. We address this important research gap by means of a transdisciplinary approach and provide a concise description of how sustainability issues in supply chains materialize as risks for focal firms. Building on this mechanism and drawing on stakeholder theory, we develop a conceptualization of sustainability risks which lays the basis for future investigations in this respective field. In addition, we devise a viable management concept for sustainability‐related supply chain risks. The proposed concept can help firms to mitigate sustainability issues in global supply chains, thus making them less vulnerable to losses resulting from these risks. Its application will also foster sustainability standards within supply chains. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Corporate Environmental Reporting and News Coverage of Environmental Issues: an Agenda‐Setting Perspective
Authors: Pollach Irene
Published: July 2013

Departing from agenda‐setting theory, this paper explores whether environmental content in newspapers is related to corporate environmental agendas presented in corporate environmental reports and annual reports. Based on a sample of 1668 corporate reports published between 1997 and 2008, this paper compares corporate reporting against environmental news content over the same period with time lags of one and two years as well as without time lags. The results suggest that the media agenda and the corporate environmental agenda mirror each other. The results further suggest that, for some issues, there may be an impact of the news media agenda on corporate environmental agendas, but not vice versa. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Influencing Clean Energy Laws: an Analysis of Business Stakeholder Engagement
Authors: Martin Nigel James , Rice John Lewis
Published: July 2013

On 1 July 2012, Australia commenced operation of its clean energy legislation (CEL) with the introduction of a carbon price of A$23 per tonne. Prior to the commencement of CEL, the government engaged with business stakeholders in a round of structured consultations. This engagement process elicited various responses to the proposed laws from stakeholder firms and non‐governmental organizations (NGOs). Accordingly, in this paper we have used environmental management theories to examine the responses of firms and NGOs and identify critical ‘pressure points’ associated with the new laws. The results from our analysis showed that, during the consultations, stakeholders predominantly used pre‐emptive responses and communications to shape and change the CEL. In addition, the critical legislative pressure point for business stakeholders was the capacity to manage carbon pricing liabilities in order to maintain sound ongoing financial and investment performance. The study also showed that the use of highly defensive and aggressive responses were ineffectual and did not materially impact the introduction of the new laws. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Base excision repair capacity in chronic renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment
Authors: Stoyanova Elitsa , Pastor Susana , Coll Elisabet , Azqueta Amaya , Collins Andrew R. , Marcos Ricard
Published: July 2013

The aim of this study was to determine if the differences observed in the levels of DNA damage in a group of patients suffering from chronic renal failure are due to differences in the repair capability. DNA damage was initially measured with the comet assay in 106 hemodialysis patients. A selected group of 21 patients representing high (ten patients) and low (11 patients) levels of DNA damage were obtained for determination of base excision repair capacity. This was measured in an in vitro assay where protein extracts from lymphocytes were incubated with a substrate of DNA containing 8‐oxoguanine, and the rate of incision was measured with the comet assay. Patients with high levels of genomic damage showed, as an average, significantly lower repair capacity (12·73 ± 1·84) in comparison with patients with low levels of genomic damage (18·13 ± 1·13). Nevertheless, the correlation coefficient between repair ability and levels of genomic damage was found to be only close to the significance value (r:−0·423, p: 0·056). Although DNA damage was clearly related to time on hemodialysis, base excision repair capacity was not. This is one of the few studies providing information on the repair capacity of chronic renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis. As a summary, our results would indicate that DNA damage levels are in part associated to the repair capacity of the patients, and this repair capacity is not associated with the duration of hemodialysis treatment. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural Study of the Partially Disordered Full‐Length δ Subunit of RNA Polymerase from Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Papoušková Veronika , Kadeřávek Pavel , Otrusinová Olga , Rabatinová Alžbeta , Šanderová Hana , Nováček Jiří , Krásný Libor , Sklenář Vladimír , Žídek Lukáš
Published: July 2013

The partially disordered δ subunit of RNA polymerase was studied by various NMR techniques. The structure of the well‐folded N‐terminal domain was determined based on inter‐proton distances in NOESY spectra. The obtained structural model was compared to the previously determined structure of a truncated construct (lacking the C‐terminal domain). Only marginal differences were identified, thus indicating that the first structural model was not significantly compromised by the absence of the C‐terminal domain. Various 15N relaxation experiments were employed to describe the flexibility of both domains. The relaxation data revealed that the C‐terminal domain is more flexible, but its flexibility is not uniform. By using paramagnetic labels, transient contacts of the C‐terminal tail with the N‐terminal domain and with itself were identified. A propensity of the C‐terminal domain to form β‐type structures was obtained by chemical shift analysis. Comparison with the paramagnetic relaxation enhancement indicated a well‐balanced interplay of repulsive and attractive electrostatic interactions governing the conformational behavior of the C‐terminal domain. The results showed that the δ subunit consists of a well‐ordered N‐terminal domain and a flexible C‐terminal domain that exhibits a complex hierarchy of partial ordering.
Five‐year clinical follow‐up of a randomized comparison of a polymer‐free sirolimus‐eluting stent versus a polymer‐based paclitaxel‐eluting stent in patients with diabetes mellitus (LIPSIA Yukon trial)
Authors: Stiermaier Thomas , Heinz Anja , Schloma Denis , Kleinertz Klaus , Dänschel Wilfried , Erbs Sandra , Linke Axel , Boudriot Enno , Lauer Bernward , Schuler Gerhard , Thiele Holger , Desch Steffen
Published: July 2013

Objectives

The long‐term performance of polymer‐free stent systems in patients with diabetes mellitus has not been investigated extensively. This study reports long‐term results of the LIPSIA Yukon trial which compared the polymer‐free sirolimus‐eluting Yukon Choice stent with the polymer‐based paclitaxel‐eluting Taxus Liberté stent in this subpopulation. At 9 months, the Yukon Choice stent failed to show non‐inferiority in terms of the primary end point late lumen loss, while no significant difference in clinical outcome was detected.

Methods and Results

The LIPSIA Yukon trial randomized 240 patients with diabetes mellitus to a polymer‐free sirolimus eluting stent (Yukon Choice, Translumina) versus a polymer‐based paclitaxel‐eluting stent (Taxus Liberté, Boston Scientific). Clinical follow‐up was conducted with a standardized telephone follow‐up and all events were centrally adjudicated. Follow‐up was available for 98.3% of patients after a median of 5.0 years. The incidence of all‐cause death (16.9% versus 14.0%, P = 0.67), respectively definite or presumed cardiovascular death (7.6% versus 8.8%, P = 0.94) were similar in the Yukon Choice and the Taxus Liberté group. There were no significant differences in the rates of myocardial infarction (9.3% versus 7.9%, P = 0.88), definite stent thrombosis (0.8% versus 0.9%, P = 1.0), target lesion revascularization (15.3% versus 15.8%, P = 1.0), target vessel revascularization (18.6% versus 23.7%, P = 0.44), non‐target vessel revascularization (18.6% versus 26.3%, P = 0.21), and stroke (3.4% versus 4.4%, P = 0.96) between patients assigned to the Yukon Choice and the Taxus Liberté stent.

Conclusion

At 5 years of follow‐up, clinical outcome was similar between the polymer‐free sirolimus‐eluting Yukon Choice stent and the polymer‐based paclitaxel‐eluting Taxus Liberté stent. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transaortic valve implantation via occluded saphenous vein grafts—A novel access route for transcatheter aortic valve delivery
Authors: Suri Rakesh M. , Greason Kevin L. , Mathew Verghese
Published: July 2013

Transaortic valve implantation via direct aortic puncture has been shown to be useful alternative to more traditional access routes. In patients with previously placed ascending aorta saphenous vein grafts, access to the aortic valve may be limited. We therefore sought to detail the utility of a new approach for accessing the ascending aorta during transcatheter aortic valve implantation via the hood of previously placed saphenous vein grafts. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Unusual Stepwise Protonation and J‐Aggregation of meso‐Tetrakis(N‐methylpyridinium‐4‐yl)porphine on Binding Poly(sodium vinylsulfonate)
Authors: Castriciano Maria Angela , Samperi Mario , Camiolo Salvatore , Romeo Andrea , Monsù Scolaro Luigi
Published: July 2013

The binding of a tetracationic porphyrin to a highly charged polymer like poly(sodium vinylsulfonate) has been investigated over a wide pH range and under various experimental conditions. We present evidence that, depending on the pH, the high electrostatic field exerted by the polymer stabilizes the diprotonated form of the free base porphyrin at unusual pH values or otherwise causes the formation of H‐type aggregates. In particular, at a low polymer concentration, lowering the pH at first allows the formation of the diacid species then it determines its reorganization in close‐packed J‐type aggregates. The employment of various metallo‐derivatives of the title porphyrin enables a better insight into the nature of all the detected species.
Versatile Reactivity of Scorpionate‐Anchored YttriumDialkyl Complexes towards Unsaturated Substrates
Authors: Yi Weiyin , Zhang Jie , Zhang Fangjun , Zhang Yin , Chen Zhenxia , Zhou Xigeng
Published: July 2013

A series of unusual chemical‐bond transformations were observed in the reactions of high active yttriumdialkyl complexes with unsaturated small molecules. The reaction of scorpionate‐anchored yttriumdibenzyl complex [TpMe2Y(CH2Ph)2(thf)] (1, TpMe2=tri(3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) with phenyl isothiocyanate led to CS bond cleavage to give a cubane‐type yttrium–sulfur cluster, {TpMe2Y(μ3‐S)}4 (2), accompanied by the elimination of PhNC(CH2Ph)2. However, compound 1 reacted with phenyl isocyanate to afford a C(sp3)H activation product, [TpMe2Y(thf){μ‐η1:η3‐OC(CHPh)NPh}{μ‐η3:η2‐OC(CHPh)NPh}YTpMe2] (3). Moreover, compound 1 reacted with phenylacetonitrile at room temperature to produce γ‐deprotonation product [(TpMe2)2Y]+[TpMe2Y(N=CCHPh)3]− (6), in which the newly formed NCCHPh ligands bound to the metal through the terminal nitrogen atoms. When this reaction was carried out in toluene at 120 °C, it gave a tandem γ‐deprotonation/insertion/partial‐TpMe2‐degradation product, [(TpMe2Y)2(μ‐Pz)2{μ‐η1:η3‐NC(CH2Ph)CHPh}] (7, Pz=3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl).
A Robust One‐Compartment Fuel Cell with a Polynuclear Cyanide Complex as a Cathode for Utilizing H2O2 as a Sustainable Fuel at Ambient Conditions
Authors: Yamada Yusuke , Yoneda Masaki , Fukuzumi Shunichi
Published: July 2013

A robust one‐compartment H2O2 fuel cell, which operates without membranes at room temperature, has been constructed by using a series of polynuclear cyanide complexes that contain Fe, Co, Mn, and Cr as cathodes, in sharp contrast to conventional H2 and MeOH fuel cells, which require membranes and high temperatures. A high open‐circuit potential of 0.68 V was achieved by using Fe3[{CoIII(CN)6}2] on a carbon cloth as the cathode and a Ni mesh as the anode of a H2O2 fuel cell by using an aqueous solution of H2O2 (0.30  M, pH 3) with a maximum power density of 0.45 mW cm−2. The open‐circuit potential and maximum power density of the H2O2 fuel cell were further increased to 0.78 V and 1.2 mW cm−2, respectively, by operation under these conditions at pH 1. No catalytic activity of Co3[{CoIII(CN)6}2] and Co3[{FeIII(CN)6}2] towards H2O2 reduction suggests that the N‐bound Fe ions are active species for H2O2 reduction. H2O2 fuel cells that used Fe3[{MnIII(CN)6}2] and Fe3[{CrIII(CN)6}2] as the cathode exhibited lower performance compared with that using Fe3[{CoIII(CN)6}2] as a cathode, because ligand isomerization of Fe3[{MIII(CN)6}2] into (FeM2)[{FeII(CN)6}2] (M=Cr or Mn) occurred to form inactive FeC bonds under ambient conditions, whereas no ligand isomerization of Fe3[{CoIII(CN)6}2] occurred under the same reaction conditions. The importance of stable Fe2+N bonds was further indicated by the high performance of the H2O2 fuel cells with Fe3[{IrIII(CN)6}2] and Fe3[{RhIII(CN)6}2], which also contained stable Fe2+N bonds. The stable Fe2+N bonds in Fe3[{CoIII(CN)6}2], which lead to high activity for the electrocatalytic reduction of H2O2, allow Fe3[{CoIII(CN)6}2] to act as a superior cathode in one‐compartment H2O2 fuel cells.
A General Approach To Fabricate Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Decorated with Pd, Au, and Rh: Magnetically Recoverable and Reusable Catalysts for Suzuki CC Cross‐Coupling Reactions, Hydrogenation, and Sequential Reactions
Authors: Gonzàlez de Rivera Ferran , Angurell Inmaculada , Rossell Marta D. , Erni Rolf , Llorca Jordi , Divins Núria J. , Muller Guillermo , Seco Miquel , Rossell Oriol
Published: July 2013

A facile strategy has been explored for loading noble metals onto the surface of ferrite nanoparticles with the assistance of phosphine‐functionalized linkers. Palladium loading is shown to occur with participation of both the phosphine function and the surface hydroxyl groups. Hybrid nanoparticles containing simultaneously Pd and Au (or Rh) are obtained by successive loading of metals. Similarly, ferrite nanoparticles decorated with Pd, Au, and Rh have also been formed by using the same strategy. The catalytic properties of the new nanoparticles are evidenced in processes such as reduction of 4‐nitrophenol or hydrogenation of styrene. Besides, the sequential process involving a cross‐coupling reaction followed by reduction of 1‐nitrobiphenyl has been successfully achieved by employing Pd/Au decorated nanoferrite particles.
Recent progress in non‐precious metal catalysts for PEM fuel cell applications
Authors: Higgins Drew C. , Chen Zhongwei
Published: July 2013

The development of non‐precious metal catalysts (NPMCs) that are practical for use at the cathode of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) would provide immense economic advantages, perpetuating the looming widespread commercialisation of these devices. NPMC materials with excellent activity towards the oxygen reduction, coupled with PEMFC performance approaching that of state‐of‐the‐art platinum catalysts brings this technology one step closer to practical application. Currently, the stability of these materials is still limited, and developing NPMC with excellent activity, performance and operational stability is the holy grail of PEMFC catalyst research. Fundamental knowledge available, along with recent progress made in this field of research will be the subject of this review paper.
Stability testing and shelf live prediction of a spouted bed dried phytopharmaceutical preparation from Maytenus ilicifolia
Authors: Souza Claudia R. F. , Ramos Danielle N. , Cortes‐Rojas Diego F. , Oliveira Wanderley P.
Published: July 2013

In this work the storage stability of a Maytenus ilicifolia phytopharmaceutical preparation produced by spouted bed drying was investigated. Powder samples of M. ilicifolia extracts were submitted to stress storage conditions at temperatures of 25, 34 and 45°C and relative humidities of 32.4% and 63.5%. The effect of the storage conditions on the physical and chemical properties of the product were evaluated through total polyphenols, tannin and catechin determination, moisture content, macroscopic changes in powder appearance and X‐ray difractograms. The results showed that high storage temperature and high relative humidity lead to increased degradation of the bioactive marker compounds. The shelf life of the spouted bed dried extracts was 276.2 days when the powder is stored at 25°C and 32.4% relative humidity.
Spouting of non‐spherical particles in conical‐cylindrical spouted bed
Authors: Shao Yingjuan , Zhong Wenqi , Chen Xi , Chen Yu , Jin Baosheng
Published: July 2013

Experiments on the spouting of non‐spherical particles in a conical–cylindrical spouted bed, with an inside diameter of 200 mm and a conical base of 60°, were carried out. The minimum spouting status of six kinds of non‐spherical particles, the equi‐volume sphere diameter ranges from 1.9 to 6.2 mm and the sphericity ranges from 0.73 to 0.95, were tested and compared with two spherical particles. It was found that the changes of minimum spouting velocity with initial bed height and spout gas inlet diameter were similar to the spouting of spherical particles in conventional spouted beds, while decrease in particle sphericity would lead to an increase in the minimum spouting velocity. The tested minimum spouting velocities were well represented by the Mathur−Gishler equation of Ums, however a more satisfied prediction could be achieved for non‐spherical particles when replacing dp in Mathur−Gishler equation with a modified term φ−0.5dv.
A General and Highly Selective Method for the Asymmetric Synthesis of Trifluoromethyl‐Substituted α‐ and β‐Aminophosphonates
Authors: Wang Lijing , Shen Qilong , Lu Long
Published: July 2013

A highly selective method for the asymmetric formation of trifluoromethyl‐substituted α‐ and β‐aminophosphonates was described. The reaction proceeded with high yields and good to excellent diastereoselectivity. The product can be easily converted into corresponding trifluoromethyl‐substituted aminophosphoric acids.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Quinolinone Compounds as SARS CoV 3CLpro Inhibitors
Authors: Sun Yuanpei , Zhang Ning , Wang Jian , Guo Yu , Sun Bo , Liu Wei , Zhou Honggang , Yang Cheng
Published: July 2013

SARS CoV 3CLpro is known to be a promising target for development of therapeutic agents against the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). A quinolinone compound 1 was selected via virtual screening, and it was synthetized and tested for enzymatic inhibition in vitro. Compound 1 showed potent inhibitory activity (IC50=0.44 µmol/L) toward SARS CoV 3CLpro. Further work on a series of quinolinone derivatives resulted in the discovery of the most potent compound 23, inhibiting SARS CoV 3CLpro with an IC50 of 36.86 nmol/L. The structure‐activity relationships were also discussed.
Copper‐Mediated Trifluoromethylation of Terminal Alkynes by S‐(Trifluoromethyl)diarylsulfonium Salt
Authors: Wang Xiaoping , Lin Jinhong , Zhang Chengpan , Xiao Jichang , Zheng Xing
Published: July 2013

The copper‐mediated trifluoromethylation of terminal alkynes with S‐(trifluoromethyl)diarylsulfonium salt has been carefully investigated. The reactions proceeded smoothly to afford trifluoromethylated acetylenes in moderate to good yields. This approach is a convenient method to synthesize a variety of functional trifluoromethylated acetylenes.
Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Direct C‐Arylation of Azoles with Aryl Bromides
Authors: Huang Yuan , Chen Wei , Zhao Dan , Chen Chen , Yin Huiqing , Zheng Likang , Jin Ming , Han Shiqing
Published: July 2013

A concise route to access 5H‐imidazo[2,1‐a]isoindole heterofused compounds by copper(I)‐catalyzed intramolecular coupling of non‐activated aryl bromides with azoles is reported. With CuI as catalyst, 1,10‐phenanthroline as ligand, and K3PO4 as base, the reactions of 1‐(2‐bromobenzyl)‐1H‐imidazoles in DMF/o‐xylene (1:1, V:V) at 145°C afford the corresponding substituted 5H‐imidazo[2,1‐a]isoindoles in high yields via intramolecular C‐arylation.
On Water: Free Catalysis Approach for the Synthesis of Nitrones from Hydroxamic Acids and Dimethy/Diethyl Acetylenedicarboxylate
Authors: Li Jian , He Yongqin , Ren Xiaoyu , Shi Xiaokang , Yang Sizhuo , Gao Xiai , Huang Guosheng
Published: July 2013

Benzohydroxamic acid reacts with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate in the presence of 10 mol% NaOAc to generate (E)‐N‐(1,4‐dimethoxy‐1,4‐dioxobutan‐2‐ylidene)‐1‐phenylcarboxamide oxide in good‐to‐excellent yield in water at room temperature for 2 h, which supplies a simple, efficient and environmentally friendly method to synthesize a wide range of nitrones. The benefits of this strategy not only conform to the requirment of green chemisty, but also possess atom economy.
Efficient Synthesis of Spiro[furan‐3,3′‐indoline] Derivatives via Reactions of Pyridinium Salts with Isatinylidene Acetoacetates
Authors: Liu Zhenming , Fang Jun , Yan Chaoguo
Published: July 2013

An efficient synthetic procedure for the functionalized spiro[furan‐3,3′‐indoline] derivatives was successfully developed by domino reactions of N‐phenacylpyridinium bromides or N‐ethoxycarbonylmethylenepyridinium bromide with isatinylidene acetoacetate in the presence of triethylamine in ethanol at room temperature. The mechanism included sequential Michael addition of the in situ generated pyridinium ylide and intramolecular substitution of enolate.
Direct Introduction of Ethoxycarbonyldifluoromethyl‐Group to Heteroarenes with Ethyl Bromodifluoroacetate via Visible‐Light Photocatalysis
Authors: Lin Qingyu , Chu Lingling , Qing Feng‐Ling
Published: July 2013

A mild and versatile approach for the direct introduction of ethoxycarbonyldifluoromethyl‐group to heteroarenes via visible‐light photocatalysis has been developed. The new photoredox protocol has enabled the difluoromethylenation of heteroarenes containing a wide range of common functional groups under mild conditions.