bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combined S1-TC-RRS with consideration of cms and dihaploids in maize
Authors: Vancetovic Jelena , Ignjatovic-Micic Dragana , Bozinovic Sofija , Delic Nenad , Camdzija Zoran
Published: June 2012

Herein, we present the combined S1-HS-RRS method using inbred testers
(S1-TC-RRS) as a long-term maize breeding program, which increases the
frequency of favorable alleles and maintains genetic variability in two
genetically opposite populations. The method improves two different genetic
sources simultaneously, where S1 families, developed by selfing
phenotypically superior plants from both breeding populations are crossed
with opposite inbred testers for specific combining ability selection,
accompanied by selection of S1 families per se. A certain percentage of the
evaluated S1 families is used for the next TC-RRS selection cycle. Maternal
haploids from the selected S1 lines of each cycle of S1-TC-RRS can serve to
produce elite 100% homozygous inbred lines (dihaploids) in a short time,
which decreases the time and expenses of the selection cycle and influence
the efficiency of seed production, as well as, variety protection rights.
This elite lines than can be converted to CMS versions (paternal haploids),
for the seed production, which lowers the costs of it.
Wheat breeding in abiotic stress conditions of solonetz
Authors: Dimitrijevic Miodrag , Petrovic Sofija , Banjac Borislav
Published: June 2012

The complex stress environment at locality Kumane (Banat) primarily is caused
by alkaline soil of solonetz type, but includes the other sources of wheat
variability, water-logging and occasional extreme temperatures, as well. In
order to obtain wheat varieties that could fulfill the requirement of
enhanced tolerance to abiotic stress conditions of alkaline soil a set of
wheat varieties was examined in parallel trials in Kumane (solonetz), and at
Rimski Sancevi on chernzem (black soil). The multiyear results helped to
select usable wheat genetic material among the existing varietal genetic
variability. That variability was used as parents in in situ established
crosses. The results in segregating F2 offspring surpassed the average
parental values for examined traits - plant height, grain number and grain
weight per spike. Hence, selecting desirable genetic variability in novel
variability through years could lead to wheat plant ideotype capable to bring
forth a economically justified yield.
Diversity of the Fusarium verticillioides and F. proliferatum isolates according to their fumonisin B1 production potential and origin
Authors: Tancic Sonja , Stankovic Slavica , Levic Jelena , Krnjaja Vesna , Vukojevic Jelena
Published: June 2012

Species of the genus Fusarium are characterised by the exceptional
intraspecies and interspecies variability in respect to morphological,
physiological and genetic properties. Intraspecies and interspecies diversity
of Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium proliferatum isolates in the
production of fumonisin B1 according to their origin from maize and wheat
grains was studied. Fumonisin B1 production potential of investigated 42
isolates was assessed by HPTLC and ELISA method. All 22 and 20 investigated
F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum isolates, respectively, had the
ability to produce fumonisin B1 toxin. Fumonisin B1 production potential of
F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum varied from 88.60 ppm to 1,300.60 ppm
and from 2.37 ppm to 1,246.00 ppm, respectively. According to Mann-Whitnev U
test, there were no significant differences between the fumonisin B1
production mean values of isolates of F. verticillioides originated from
maize and wheat (628.13 ppm and 696.38 ppm, respectively), as well as,
fumonisin B1 production mean values of F. proliferatum isolates (212.32 ppm
and 158.07 ppm, respectively). Variability coefficient values indicated that
fumonisin B1 production potential variability was more expressed in maize
than wheat originated isolates for both species.
Application of sorting dependent criterias in determination of volume and area bruising of “Golab-Kohanz” apple in Iran
Authors: Dadashpour Ahmad
Published: June 2012

Apple fruits are subjected to different loading damage from harvesting to
supermarket shelf. Bruising has been attracted many researchers as one of the
most important damage criteria. In this research, the effects of some factors
such as counter-face material, drop height and linear velocity of apples
(conveyor speed) were investigated. Influence of these factors on bruising of
?Golab-Kohanz? variety was analyzed by a Completely Randomized Design (CRD)
with factorial test at three levels of drop height (10, 20 and 30 cm),
conveyor speed (0.05, 0.1 and 0.15 ms- 1) and four counter-face materials
(wood, steel, plastic and cardboard). Tests were conducted at three
replications with 108 treatments. Analysis of variance results showed that
the effects of drop height and counter-face material on bruising area at 1%
level was significant while bruising volume only affected by contact surface
material (P<0.01). Mean comparison test indicated that there was no
significant difference among levels of conveyor speed on the area and volume
bruising. Also, there was no significant difference among levels of drop
height on volume bruising while it was significant on the area bruising.
Steel and wooden material had no significant effect on the area and volume
bruising but their differences with plastic and cardboard were significant.
Therefore, drop height and counter-face material must be considered in
designing the apple processing systems.
Liquidity, welfare and distribution
Authors: Martín Gil
Published: June 2012

This work presents a dynamic general equilibrium model where wealth
distribution is endogenous. I provide channels of causality that suggest a
complex relationship between financial markets and the real activity which
breaks down the classical dichotomy. As a consequence, the Friedman rule does
not hold. In terms of the current events taking place in the world economy,
this paper provides a rationale to advert against the perils of an economy
satiated with liquidity. Efficiency and distribution cannot thus be
considered as separate attributes once we account for the interactions
between financial markets and the economic performance.
The role of international organizations in the spread of genetically modified food
Authors: Papic-Brankov Tatjana , Lovre Koviljko
Published: June 2012

Numerous international organizations on the direct or indirect way influence
the diffusion of genetically modified (GM) food. Particularly important role
in this process play a World Bank (WB), World Trade Organization (WTO),
Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), the
Organization for Food and Agriculture United Nations (FAO UN), various
international foundations, universities and other scientific institutions.
The paper concludes that taking in consideration, inequality of diffusion
recognizing GM plant culture, ignoring the interests of poor farmers and
countries, restrictions on technology transfer and general domination of the
private sector, certain international organizations are trying to reconcile
interest of multinational companies and the needs of the poor.
Determination of the antioxidant activity of Ficus carica aqueous extract
Authors: Trifunski Svetlana , Ardelean Dorina
Published: June 2012

The aim of this study was to examine the antioxidant activity of water
extracts from fig leaf. Water extracts were prepared according to traditional
medicine. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was spectrophotometrically
determined. Using the potassium permanganate colorimetric method it was found
that the water extract that was maintained at the refrigerator had lower
antioxidant activity than extract that was maintained at the room
temperature.
Characterization of sand boils with grading entropy
Authors: Nadj Laslo
Published: June 2012

Grain size and grain distribution by size are dominant factors determining
soil behaviour. The shape and position of a grain distribution curve contain
implicit information about the propensity of sand boiling or piping at flood
conditions. The author used 1040-grain distribution curves taken from 12
sand boil locations to study the relationship between sand boils, hydraulic
soil failures and entropy. The results have justified the hypotheses and
indicated some fairly important details for practical consideration.
Calculating grain distribution entropy is not ?magic? with mathematics: it
simply helps put the expected behaviour of soils into a different
perspective and promotes orientation for classifying soils according to a
new parameter related to grain movement.
The Fabrications and Travels of a Knowledge-Policy Instrument
Authors: Carvalho Luís Miguel
Published: June 2012

This article sets forth the main elements of the conceptual framework for the overall approach to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) taken in this special issue. PISA is here examined as a (knowledge for policy) regulatory instrument made by intertwined cognitive and social practices, and involving multidirectional flows of knowledge and policy elements. Additionally — and using materials from a study on the fabrication of PISA — the article gives closer attention to the process of gathering and coordinating the social worlds involved in the making of the instrument, to the plasticity of knowledge for policy and to the fictions — which the instrument carries — regarding education and its governing practices. As a whole, the article relates to the ubiquity of PISA — that is, its conspicuous albeit not similar presence in various geopolitical territories and discursive spaces. Fabricated under the auspices of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, by bringing together individuals and organisations from various social spaces, its materials and texts generated often reach national and local policy and knowledge contexts, where different social groups have interests in them and are using them differently, though attached to PISA's dicta on regulatory processes.
The Hard Work of Interpretation: The National Politics of PISA Reception in Hungary and Romania
Authors: Neumann Eszter , Kiss Adél , Fejes Ildikó , Bajomi Iván , Berényi Eszter , Biró Zoltán A. , Vida Júlia
Published: June 2012

This article discusses the dynamic interaction between global policy and knowledge flows and two post-communist education systems — Hungary and Romania — with special attention to the appropriation of post-bureaucratic regulation tools and the structural changes enhanced by the knowledge transmitted by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) survey. First, through the lens of the socio-history of educational assessments, the varieties of state socialist education systems are detailed in order to contextualise the subsequent discussion about the entry of the two countries into the PISA survey and the national institutional changes generated by PISA. After the thematic comparison of the country case studies, the article concludes that the two cases do not allow the conceptualisation of a single post-socialist model of PISA reception, but, on the contrary, the international comparative framework of PISA offers an opportunity to critically interrogate the complex processes of convergence and divergence in the study of globalisation, and to elaborate a differentiated perspective on post-socialist education systems and governance strategies.
Incidence of incidental carcinoma gall bladder in cases of routine cholecystectomy
Authors: Ghimire P , Yogi N , Shrestha B B
Published: June 2012

BackgroundCarcinoma of gall bladder is the most common malignancy of the billiary tract. Most of the cases are diagnosed as an incidental case among patients undergoing cholecystectomy. ObjectivesTo establish the rate of incidental carcinoma of gall bladder in patients undergoing routine cholecystectomy to study the demographic profile and prognosis of these patients. MethodsA retrospective study was carried out in Fishtail Hospital and Research Center, Pokhara during 1998-2009. The surgical notes, hospital records and histopathology reports of 783 patients undergoing routine cholecystectomy were studied. ResultsOut of 783 cases, gall bladder cancer was detected in 10(1.28%) of cases and was more common in females (M:F ratio 1:2.3) and the mean age of occurrence was 63.8 years. Most of the cases diagnosed were at their early stages and none of them were in T3 and T4 stages. Six of these patients have survived till a mean follow up duration of 23.7 months. ConclusionThe rate of incidental carcinoma of gall bladder is 1.28%.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i2.6278Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(2):3-6
Correlation of Calcium, Phosphorus, Uric Acid and Magnesium Level in Serum and 24 hours Urine of Patients with Urolithiasis
Authors: Gyawali P R , Joshi B R , Gurung C K
Published: June 2012

Background Urinary stones disease is common pathology encountered in urological practice in Nepal. Supersaturated urine and its stagnation are well known facts for the development of urolithiasis. Metabolic disorders like hypercalciuria, hyperuricaemia, hypocitraturia are also responsible for formation of urolithiasis. Objective The aim of this study was to identify the level of calcium, phosphorus, uric acid, and magnesium in the blood and urine of Nepalese patients with urinary stones. Methods This study was conducted over a period of six months (From May to November 2010). It is a descriptive cross sectional study and quantitative method was used for analysis. Primary data were collected and utilized from 79 cases. Results: The prevalence of urolithiasis in male patients was 65.8% and 34.2% in female patients (p<0.05). Serum calcium in stone former and non-stone former was 8.3±1.2 and 7.5±1.5 (p<0.01) respectively. Serum phosphorus and uric acid in both groups were statistically not significant (p value 0.269 and 0.597 respectively) though in 24 hours urine of stone formers value of phosphorus was 447.9±182.4 but in non-stone formers it was 186.5±118.7 (p<0.001). Magnesium level in urine was 48.1±69.7 and 131.4±86.9 (p<0.001) respectively. Conclusion Higher level of calcium in serum was found in patients with urolithiasis in our population. Though phosphate level in blood serum was not different in the both groups but in urine phosphate and magnesium levels were significantly different. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i2.6289  Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(2):54-6
Fulminant Hepatic Failure Due to Dengue
Authors: Sedhain A , Adhikari S , Regmi S , Chaudhari S K , Shah M , Shrestha B
Published: June 2012

Dengue Fever (DF) is only rarely considered as a cause of acute liver failure even globally and only a few case reports of acute hepatic failure and encephalopathy occurring in DF in adults are available. We report a case of Acute Liver Failure due to Dengue during a major outbreak in 2010 in Chitwan. A 20 year old previously healthy female presented to the emergency department of Chitwan Medical College with fever, jaundice and altered sensorium. She was tested positive for Dengue IgM. Her biochemical and clinical parameters were suggestive of acute liver failure with total billirubin of 10.1 mg/dL, direct billirubin of 5.2 mg/dL, ALT 5760 IU, AST 14100 IU, alkaline phosphatase of 1250 IU, PT INR of 1.76 and platelet count of 30,000 /mm3. Other causes for acute hepatic failure like acute viral hepatitis, leptospirosis, malaria, Reye’s syndrome were ruled out. The patient was admitted and managed in the ICU with supportive care and platelet transfusion. With treatment she made a significant clinical and biochemical improvement with AST of 105 IU, ALT of 120 IU and platelet count of 150,000/mm3. She was discharged after 11 days of hospital stay.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i2.6293 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(2):73-5
Structural DNA Nanotechnology: From Design to Applications
Authors: Zadegan Reza M. , Norton Michael L.
Published: June 2012

The exploitation of DNA for the production of nanoscale architectures presents a young yet paradigm breaking approach, which addresses many of the barriers to the self-assembly of small molecules into highly-ordered nanostructures via construct addressability. There are two major methods to construct DNA nanostructures, and in the current review we will discuss the principles and some examples of applications of both the tile-based and DNA origami methods. The tile-based approach is an older method that provides a good tool to construct small and simple structures, usually with multiply repeated domains. In contrast, the origami method, at this time, would appear to be more appropriate for the construction of bigger, more sophisticated and exactly defined structures.
A Nanoparticle Approach towards Morphology Controlled Organic Photovoltaics (OPV)
Authors: Andersen Thomas R. , Yan Quanxiang , Larsen-Olsen Thue T. , Søndergaard Roar , Li Qi , Andreasen Birgitta , Norrman Kion , Jørgensen Mikkel , Yue Wei , Yu Donghong , Krebs Frederik C. , Chen Hongzheng , Bundgaard Eva
Published: June 2012

Silicon nano-particles grafted with two different organic oligomers were prepared; the oligomers used were a phenylene-vinylene (PV) oligomer and a 3,3'''-didodecylquaterthiophene. The graftings were performed by the use of two different functional groups, the PV oligomer was grafted by a hydroxyl-group in the form of a phenol and a lithium derivative was used to graft the 3,3'''-didodecylquaterthiophene. The morphology and size of the grafted particles were analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the extent of the grafting was analyzed by NMR. Organic photovoltaics with normal geometry (ITO/PEDOT:PSS/active layer/Al) were prepared using these materials as a donor and phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester ([60]PCBM) as the acceptor and yielded a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.27%, an open circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.93 V, a short circuit current density (JSC) of 0.89 mA/cm2, and a fill factor (FF) of 32.5% for a lead device with an active area of 0.25 cm2.
On the Use of Sensor Fusion to Reduce the Impact of Rotational and Additive Noise in Human Activity Recognition
Authors: Banos Oresti , Damas Miguel , Pomares Hector , Rojas Ignacio
Published: June 2012

The main objective of fusion mechanisms is to increase the individual reliability of the systems through the use of the collectivity knowledge. Moreover, fusion models are also intended to guarantee a certain level of robustness. This is particularly required for problems such as human activity recognition where runtime changes in the sensor setup seriously disturb the reliability of the initial deployed systems. For commonly used recognition systems based on inertial sensors, these changes are primarily characterized as sensor rotations, displacements or faults related to the batteries or calibration. In this work we show the robustness capabilities of a sensor-weighted fusion model when dealing with such disturbances under different circumstances. Using the proposed method, up to 60% outperformance is obtained when a minority of the sensors are artificially rotated or degraded, independent of the level of disturbance (noise) imposed. These robustness capabilities also apply for any number of sensors affected by a low to moderate noise level. The presented fusion mechanism compensates the poor performance that otherwise would be obtained when just a single sensor is considered.
Depositional environment and provenance analysis of the Lower Cretaceous sedimentary rocks at the Peskowesk A-99 well, Scotian Basin
Authors: Pe-Piper G , Piper D J W , Gould K
M , Shannon J
Published: June 2012

Seven conventional cores are available from the Peskowesk A-99 well: four from the Cree Member of the Logan Canyon Formation, one each from the Upper and Middle members of the Missisauga Formation, and one from the top of the Mic Mac formation. These cores were
described and lithofacies interpreted. Sandstone samples were analysed in polished thin sections to identify detrital petrology, using petrographic microscope and electron microprobe analyses and backscattered electron images. The cores predominantly contain shore-face prodeltaic facies in the Mic
Mac Formation and Middle Member of the Missisauga Formation, whereas in the Upper Member of the Missisauga Formation and the Cree Member of the Logan Canyon Formation, channel and tidal flat facies predominate. In the Logan Canyon Formation, transgressive deposits with low sedimentation rates tend
to be cemented by siderite and in one case include coated grains of glauconite, mantling a core of chlorite pseudomorphing feldspar or biotite, and rimmed by siderite. The detrital petrology of sandstones show only minor variations from the Mic Mac Formation to the Logan Canyon Formation. Lithic
clasts are abundant, with mildly alkaline rhyolite - microgranite - syenite predominating. Clasts of metamorphic rocks, arenites and mylonitized polycrystalline quartz become more abundant in the Cree Member. Detrital feldspars are predominantly perthites. Detrital ilmenite and its alteration
deposits are the dominant heavy mineral, with almandine garnet, chromite, rutile, tourmaline and zircon present in minor amounts. This detrital petrology differs from that in the southwest Scotian basin in many ways: the character of lithic clasts, feldspar composition, abundance of mica, rarity of
tourmaline. Chemical composition of garnet and chromite are also different. These data suggests that the Peskowesk area was persistently fed by a different river compared to the southwest Sable sub-basin. That river drained central Newfoundland, including widespread granitoid rocks of the alkaline
Topsails complex.
Indicator mineral abundance data for bedrock and till samples from the Izok Lake Zn-Cu-Pb-Ag volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit, Nunavut
Authors: McClenaghan M B , Hicken A K , Averill S A , Paulen R C , Layton-Matthews D
Published: June 2012

Till and bedrock samples from and around the Izok Lake Zn-Cu-Pb-Ag VMS deposit in Nunavut were collected to determine the indicator minerals and their trace element signatures that are indicative of this VMS deposit. The purpose of this open file is to report the
raw indicator mineral weight and abundance data for bedrock and till samples collected in 2009 and 2010 for this case study. Till and bedrock samples were processed by the commercial lab Overburden Drilling Management Limited using a combination of tabling, panning and heavy liquids to recover
potential indicator minerals. Sample locations, weights of various fractions produced during sample processing and indicator mineral grains identified are reported in this open file.
The Effectiveness of Maintenance Pharmacotherapies for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Ahn Myung-Ju , Sun Jong-Mu , Ahn Jin Sock , Park Keunchil
Published: June 2012

Although current recommendations for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) include a maximum of six cycles of platinum-based combination therapy as a first-line approach, most patients experience progression within 3–4 months. Therefore, a new treatment strategy, maintenance therapy, has been proposed, and several large randomized prospective controlled trials have shown benefits with maintenance therapy. Maintenance therapy can be classified as either continuation maintenance, which is defined as a prolongation of a part of the first-line chemotherapy or molecularly targeted agent until progression, or switch-maintenance, which is defined as the administration of a different cytotoxic chemotherapy or molecularly targeted agent immediately after induction therapy. In this article, recent results from large randomized phase III trials regarding maintenance therapy are reviewed in order to evaluate the role of maintenance therapy in NSCLC.
Safety, Efficacy, and Patient Acceptability of Aripiprazole in the Maintenance Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Rapagnani Maria Paola
Published: June 2012

Background

Bipolar disorder (manic depression) is a serious, long-term mental illness that affects about 1% of adults at some time during their life. It usually develops in late adolescence or early adulthood and affects men and women from all backgrounds. People with bipolar disorder experience wild mood swings that interfere with daily life and damage relationships. They can also have psychotic symptoms: they may see or hear things that are not there. During depressive episodes, affected individuals may feel helpless, worthless, and suicidal. Treatments for bipolar disorder include drugs to stabilize mood swings (for example, lithium and anticonvulsant medications), antide-pressants to treat depressive episodes and antipsychotic drugs to treat manic episodes. The development of second-generation atypical antipsychotics (SGAs) has increased the hopes of psychiatrists. SGAs, however, cannot be considered a unique pharmacological class since each SGA has many complex pharmacologic actions, only some of which are shared with other SGAs. Even though, many antipsychotics have similar efficacy on average, prescribers may be able to achieve better than average results by considering differences in selecting a specific drug for a specific patient. Clinicians know that each patient is unique and in order to achieve best outcomes for the individual patient, the better therapy is the therapy tailored for the single patient.

Objectives

With this article we provide information on a relatively new antipsychotic aripiprazole released in 2002 by Bristol-Myers Squibb for the treatment of schizophrenia; for acute manic and mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder in 2004; as an adjunct for major depressive disorder on November 2007; and to treat irritability in children with autism on 2009. Compared with other first line atypical antipsychotics aripiprazole has a unique profile due to partial agonism at dopamine D2 and D3 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors, and antagonism at 5-HT2A receptors. This paper describes the development of aripiprazole, its unique properties and its metabolically-friendly profile including its receptor binding affinities, pharmacokinetics, central nervous system activity results of clinical efficacy and relevant clinical trials, in particular safety, efficacy and patient acceptability are also examined. The available literature on aripiprazole of the last six years is reviewed.
Sources of anions in aerosols in northeast Greenland during late winter
Authors: Fenger M. , Sørensen L. L. , Kristensen K. , Jensen B. , Nquyen Q. T. , Nøjgaard J. K. , Massling A. , Skov H. , Glasius M.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. The knowledge of climate effects of atmospheric aerosols is associated with large uncertainty, and a better understanding of their physical and chemical properties is needed, especially in the Arctic environment. The objective of the present study is to improve our understanding of the processes affecting the composition of the aerosols in the high Arctic. Therefore size-segregated aerosols were sampled at a high Arctic site, Station Nord (Northeast Greenland), in March 2009 using a Micro Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor. The aerosol samples were extracted in order to analyze the three water-soluble anions: chloride, nitrate and sulphate. The results are discussed based on possible chemical and physical transformations as well as transport patterns. The total concentrations of the ions at Station Nord were 53–507 ng m−3, 2–298 ng m−3 and 535–1087 ng m−3 for chloride (Cl−), nitrate (NO3-) and sulphate (SO42−), respectively. The aerosols in late winter/early spring, after polar sunrise, are found to be a mixture of long-range transported and regional to local originating aerosols. Fine particles, smaller than 1 μm, containing SO42−, Cl− and NO3−, are hypothesized to originate from long-range transport, where SO42− is by far the dominating anion accounting for 50–85% of the analyzed mass. The analysis suggests that Cl− and NO3− in coarser particles (>1.5 μm) originate from local/regional sources. Under conditions where the air mass is transported over sea-ice at high wind speeds, very coarse particles (>18 μm) are observed and it is hypothesized that frost flowers on the sea ice is a source of very coarse chloride particles in the Arctic.
Treating retinal vein occlusions in France, Germany, and Italy: an analysis of treatment patterns, resource consumption, and costs
Authors: Augustin Albert J. , Sahel Jose-Alain , Cerulli Luciano , Texier-Richard Brigitte , Buchholz Patricia M. , Kobelt Gisela
Published: June 2012

Purpose

To describe treatment patterns among patients with central or branch retinal vein occlusion (CRVO or BRVO) in France, Germany, and Italy, and to estimate retinal vein occlusion (RVO)-related direct medical costs.

Methods

We used a retrospective chart review to determine 18-month RVO-related resource utilization and calculate 12-month health care costs. Country-specific unit costs (€) were assigned to each resource from the perspective of the health care payer. Costs for France and Germany were based on 2005, and for Italy on 2007 values.

Results

Data from a total of 109 BRVO and 119 patients with CRVO were used in the analysis. Laser therapy was the most commonly used intervention in Germany, for both CRVO and patients with BRVO (95%-98% of treatments), while patients in France with either condition had triamcinolone injections most often (63%-67% of treatments). Injections were also administered frequently in Italy and were the most common treatment for CRVO (50%), whereas patients with BRVO used laser therapy most often (41%). Inpatient treatment was most common in Germany (42% of CRVO and 34% of patients with BRVO), and did not occur at all in Italy except for day admissions. Total costs were higher for patients with CRVO in all countries. Most costs in Italy and France were attributable to outpatient treatment. In Germany, hospitalization made up the largest proportion of costs (80%), although more patients used outpatient services.

Conclusions

Approaches to treating BRVO and CRVO vary across European countries. Development of agreed-upon guidelines would support consistency in patient care and reimbursement policy.
PET, SPECT, CT, and MRI in Mouse Cardiac Phenotyping: An Overview
Authors: Constantinesco André , Choquet Philippe , Goetz Christian , Monassier Laurent
Published: June 2012

This overview first summarizes the last decade of continuous developments and improvements in pre‐clinical imaging methods that are now essential tools for in vivo evaluation of cardiac morphology and function in living mice, involving nuclear emission of labeled molecules (micro‐PET and micro‐SPECT) and electromagnetic wave interactions with biological tissues (micro‐CT and micro‐MRI). In the following, and for better understanding, the basic physical principles and specific technical innovations of the aforementioned imaging methods are reviewed. Specificity, sensitivity, and spatial and temporal resolutions, together with the corresponding advantages and weaknesses of each method are then discussed, and cardiac image‐acquisition protocols and illustrative examples are given for each modality. Emerging hybrid cardiac imaging is also presented and illustrated. Then, recent biological insights provided by mouse cardiac imaging are presented. Finally, imaging strategies in mouse cardiac phenotyping involving the aforementioned methods, adding metabolic and molecular information to morphological data, are emphasized and discussed. Curr. Protoc. Mouse Biol. 2:129‐144 © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
3D Hierarchical Co3O4 Twin‐Spheres with an Urchin‐Like Structure: Large‐Scale Synthesis, Multistep‐Splitting Growth, and Electrochemical Pseudocapacitors
Authors: Xiao Yuanhua , Liu Shaojun , Li Feng , Zhang Aiqin , Zhao Jihong , Fang Shaoming , Jia Dianzhen
Published: June 2012

Novel, 3D hierarchical Co3O4 twin‐spheres with an urchin‐like structure are produced successfully on the large scale for the first time by a solvothermal synthesis of cobalt carbonate hydroxide hydrate, Co(CO3)0.5(OH)·0.11H2O, and its subsequent calcination. The morphology of the precursor, which dominates the structure of the final product, evolves from nanorods to sheaf‐like bundles, to flower‐like structures, to dumbbell‐like particles, and eventually to twin‐spheres, accompanying a prolonged reaction time. A multistep‐splitting growth mechanism is proposed to understand the formation of the 3D hierarchical twin‐spheres of the precursor, based on the time effect on the morphologies of the precursor. The 3D hierarchical Co3O4 twin‐spheres are further used as electrode materials to fabricate supercapacitors with high specific capacitances of 781, 754, 700, 670, and 611 F g−1 at current densities of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 A g−1, respectively. The devices also show high charge‐discharge reversibility with an efficiency of 97.8% after cycling 1000 times at a current density of 4 A g−1.
Epoxide Speciation and Functional Group Distribution in Graphene Oxide Paper‐Like Materials
Authors: Hunt Adrian , Dikin Dmitriy A. , Kurmaev Ernst Z. , Boyko Teak D. , Bazylewski Paul , Chang Gap Soo , Moewes Alexander
Published: June 2012

The electronic structure and chemical bonding of three differently prepared samples of graphene oxide paper‐like sheets are studied. Two are created by water filtration of fully oxidized graphene sheets, although one is later intercalated with dodecylamine. The third is created by reducing graphene oxide with hydrazine hydrate. The spectroscopic fingerprints of the aligned epoxide functional groups that unzip the carbon basal plane are found. This unzipping appears to be a result of aging, and the extent to which the basal plane is unzipped can be controlled via the preparation method. In particular, reduction with hydrazine enhances line defect formation, whereas intercalation inhibits the process.The hydroxyl functional group also has a tendency to gather in zones of dense oxidation on the carbon basal plane, a predilection that is not shared by the other prominent functional group species. Finally, the non‐functionalized carbon sites exhibit very similar bonding despite the increase in the sp2/sp3 ratio, confirming that reduction alone is insufficient for producing pristine graphene from graphene oxide. These results are obtained by directly probing the electronic structure of the graphene oxide samples via X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure spectroscopy (XANES) and resonant X‐ray emission spectroscopy (RXES). This work has important significance for the development of graphene oxide as a band gap‐engineered electronic material, as preparation methodology strongly affects not only the initial condition of the sample, but how the electronic structure evolves over time.
Ten Million Fold Reduction of Live Bacteria by Bactericidal Filter Paper
Authors: Vyhnalkova Renata , Mansur‐Azzam Nura , Eisenberg Adi , van de Ven Theo G. M.
Published: June 2012

An extremely efficient bactericidal filter paper is developed that is capable of removing 99.99999% of Escherichia coli bacteria in a simple filtration process. The novel approach utilizes two active bactericidal components: a bactericidal agent, triclosan, which acts synergistically with a cationic polyelectrolyte binder with antibacterial properties. The biocide is incorporated into the block copolymer micelles attached to the cellulose fibers via the cationic polyelectrolyte. As the water containing the bacteria is passed by gravity through the filter paper, the bactericidal agents are transferred to the bacteria through collisions with the micelles or coated fibers. A synergy between the biocide and the polyelectrolyte is responsible for the extremely high efficiency in deactivating the bacteria. The filtered water is free of biocide other than that transported by the dead bacteria. This technology represents a very simple approach to provide potable water under a wide range of primitive conditions.
Distributed model predictive control based on dissipativity
Authors: Tippett Michael James , Bao Jie
Published: June 2012

A noncooperative approach to plant‐wide distributed model predictive control based on dissipativity conditions is developed. The plant‐wide process and distributed control system are represented as two interacting process and controller networks, with interaction effects captured by the dissipativity properties of subsystems and network topologies. The plant‐wide stability and performance conditions are developed based on global dissipativity conditions, which in turn are translated into the dissipative trajectory conditions that each local model predictive control MPC must satisfy. This approach is enabled by the use of dynamic supply rates in quadratic difference forms, which capture detailed dynamic system information. A case study is presented to illustrate the results. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 787–804, 2013
Hierarchical Steepness, Counter‐Aggression, and Macaque Social Style Scale
Authors: Balasubramaniam Krishna N. , Dittmar Katharina , Berman Carol M. , Butovskaya Marina , Cooper Mathew A. , Majolo Bonaventura , Ogawa Hideshi , Schino Gabriele , Thierry Bernard , De Waal Frans B. M.
Published: June 2012

Nonhuman primates show remarkable variation in several aspects of social structure. One way to characterize this variation in the genus Macaca is through the concept of social style, which is based on the observation that several social traits appear to covary with one another in a linear or at least continuous manner. In practice, macaques are more simply characterized as fitting a four‐grade scale in which species range from extremely despotic (grade 1) to extremely tolerant (grade 4). Here, we examine the fit of three core measures of social style—two measures of dominance gradients (hierarchical steepness) and another closely related measure (counter‐aggression)—to this scale, controlling for phylogenetic relationships. Although raw scores for both steepness and counter‐aggression correlated with social scale in predicted directions, the distributions appeared to vary by measure. Counter‐aggression appeared to vary dichotomously with scale, with grade 4 species being distinct from all other grades. Steepness measures appeared more continuous. Species in grades 1 and 4 were distinct from one another on all measures, but those in the intermediate grades varied inconsistently. This confirms previous indications that covariation is more readily observable when comparing species at the extreme ends of the scale than those in intermediate positions. When behavioral measures were mapped onto phylogenetic trees, independent contrasts showed no significant consistent directional changes at nodes below which there were evolutionary changes in scale. Further, contrasts were no greater at these nodes than at neutral nodes. This suggests that correlations with the scale can be attributed largely to species’ phylogenetic relationships. This could be due in turn to a structural linkage of social traits based on adaptation to similar ecological conditions in the distant past, or simply to unlinked phylogenetic closeness. Am. J. Primatol. 74:915‐925, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Protein Tango: The Toolbox to Capture Interacting Partners
Authors: Rutkowska Anna , Schultz Carsten
Published: June 2012

The evaluation of protein function in the context of the whole cell is crucial for understanding of living systems. In this context, the identification and modulation of protein–protein interactions in and outside cells is of ample importance. Several methods have been developed in the past years to detect and/or actively induce protein–protein interactions in living cells. As a result, tools are now available to manipulate intracellular events by reversible or irreversible cross‐linking of proteins in a specific manner. These techniques open many new doors and enable the dissection of complicated protein networks. Herein we describe which cross‐linkers and inducers of dimerization are out there and how to make use of this great toolbox.
Effect of stirring conditions on cellulose dissolution in NaOH/urea aqueous solution at low temperature
Authors: Qin Xingzhen , Lu Ang , Zhang Lina
Published: June 2012

Cellulose can be dissolved in precooled (−12°C) 7 wt % NaOH/12 wt % urea aqueous solution within 2 min as a result of a dynamic self‐assembly process among solvent molecules (NaOH, urea, and water) and cellulose macromolecules. The dispersion condition of cellulose could play an important role on the formation of cellulose inclusion complex, leading to good dissolution (Cai et al., Macromolecules 2008, 41, 9345). Therefore, the stirring conditions on the cellulose dissolution in NaOH/urea were studied in this work. The results from solubility experiments, optical microscope images, and rheology experiments suggested that lager stirring blade area, longer stirring time, and higher stirring rate could improve the saturated solubility value (Cmax) of cellulose. However, when Cmax value reached a maximum, it changed hardly with further increasing stirring time and rates, which could be regarded as complete dissolution of cellulose in NaOH/urea. Moreover, a schematic diagram of the cellulose solubility had been made, as an instruction of cellulose dissolution in NaOH/urea. The DLS experiments displayed a similar rule. On the other hand, the Cmax values could be significantly enhanced by decreasing the stirring environment temperature, and the favorable environment temperature range was from −10 to −5°C. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
New method for hydrogenating NBR latex
Authors: Wang Xunzhang , Zhang Liqun , Han Yang , Shi Xiangke , Wang Weimin , Yue Dongmei
Published: June 2012

A new hydrogenation system consisting of hydrazine hydrate and sodium periodate has been developed for hydrogenation of nitrile‐butadiene rubber (NBR) latex by diimide reduction technique. The optimization of the reaction conditions was obtained. The influences of the concentration of reactants, reaction time, and temperature on hydrogenation degree were investigated. The results indicated that hydrogenation degree of the product (HNBR) can be extended to 95% through this new method. In addition, 1H‐NMR and infrared spectra confirmed that CC double bonds in NBR were successfully hydrogenated without reduction of the CN group. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
All‐wood biocomposites by partial dissolution of wood flour in 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride
Authors: Shibata Mitsuhiro , Yamazoe Kentaro , Kuribayashi Masaya , Okuyama Yuto
Published: June 2012

After cedar‐derived wood flour (WF) and bark flour (BF) were mixed with 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride (BMIC) at 100°C, the obtained compounds with BMIC content 40 wt % were compression‐molded at 210°C to give WF/BMIC and BF/BMIC composites, respectively. The BMIC contained in the composites was twice extracted with ethanol at 60°C to afford WF/BMIC‐E and BF/BMIC‐E biocomposites, which were subsequently annealed at 200°C for 24 h to produce WF/BMIC‐A and BF/BMIC‐A biocomposites. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis revealed that WF has a higher content of cellulose and a lower content of lignin than BF does, and that the BMIC content diminished by the extraction process. The scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that woody particles joined together by the compression molding of WF/BMIC and BF/BMIC compounds, and that the extraction of BMIC roughened the surface and the annealing again smoothed the surface due to the fusion of the residual BMIC and woody particles. The XRD measurements indicated that the annealing enhanced the crystallinity of cellulose component. The tensile properties and 5% weight loss temperature of the biocomposites were considerably improved by the extraction of BMIC and further by the annealing. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Rheology and polymer flooding characteristics of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide for enhanced heavy oil recovery
Authors: Jung Jae Chul , Zhang Ke , Chon Bo Hyun , Choi Hyoung Jin
Published: June 2012

Polymer flooding characteristics of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) solution with the addition of NaOH were examined in homogeneous glass‐bead packs. The heavy oil recovery in unconsolidated sandstone formations by applying the alkali‐polymer flooding was observed. Experimental results showed that HPAM solution was sensitive to temperature, salinity, and alkali, finding that alkali‐polymer solutions are more effective in improving viscosity than conventional polymer solutions. The solution of 0.5 wt % NaOH mixed with 1500 ppm HPAM (12 mol % hydrolysis degree) was found to be the optimal choice, which gives rise to the highest viscosity on the rheological characterization. Flood tests using the alkali‐polymer solution showed an increase in oil recovery by 30% over water‐flooding when the water‐cut reached 95%, indicating that alkali‐polymer could be more effective in improving sweep efficiency than polymer flood. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
RAFT synthesis of cellulose‐g‐polymethylmethacrylate copolymer in an ionic liquid
Authors: Lin Chunxiang , Zhan Huaiyu , Liu Minghua , Habibi Youssef , Fu Shiyu , Lucia Lucian A.
Published: June 2012

We demonstrate for the first time the feasibility in conducting the graft copolymerization of methylmethacrylate (MMA) with cellulose by the means of the reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization in an ionic liquid [1‐N‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride] (BMIMCl). Cellulose was first converted to a macromolecular chain transfer agent to which MMA was grafted by RAFT in BMIMCl. The success of the occurrence of different reactions was validated by elemental analyses, Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies. The results demonstrate that the MMA polymer chains were grafted onto the cellulose while the use of the ionic liquid as a reaction medium enhanced the polymerization rate to a moderate extent. Gel permeation chromatography analysis of poly(MMA) chains cleaved from the cellulose by acidic hydrolysis indicated low polydispersity indices (ca. 1.3) that were consistent with the “living” nature of the RAFT. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Application of a new unimolecular initiator in the synthesis of (α,ω) ketone functionalized polystyrene in nitroxide mediated polymerization
Authors: Megiel Elżbieta
Published: June 2012

The ketone functionalized N‐alkoxyamine, a derivative of 4‐oxo‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐oxyl (4‐oxo‐TEMPO) was synthesized and applied as an initiator in the nitroxide mediated polymerization of styrene in bulk at 120°C. In the presence of the prepared initiator: 1‐phenyl‐1‐(4‐oxo‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinoxy)propanone polymers with well‐defined molecular weight were obtained. By contrast, when an accelerator such as acetic anhydride (10%) was added to the system, lower control of polymerization was observed. Additionally, the functionality of polymers was evaluated on the basis of a quantitative investigation of UV–visible spectra of 2,4‐dinitrophenylhydrazone formed from the polymers and the synthesized initiator. The UV–vis spectra of the hydrazone derivatives obtained from polymers by means of 2,4‐dinitrophenylhydrazone made it possible to confirm that the polymers prepared in the presence of the ketone functionalized N‐alkoxyamine retain the ketone functionality on the polymer chain. The functionality for the obtained polymers exceeded 1 significantly. The obtained (α, ω) telechelic polymers are of great importance in the synthesis of new biohybrid materials such as bioconjugates with proteins or peptides as well as new polymer nanostructures. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013