bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reporting thyroid FNA before and after implementation of the Bethesda system—one institution's experience
Authors: Brister Kathriel J. , Singh Remmi S. , Wang Helen H.
Published: May 2014

Background

The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology was published in 2008 and was implemented at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in June, 2010. Prior to this date, our diagnostic scheme was similar to the Bethesda System, except for the category of “Atypia/Follicular Lesion of Undetermined Significance” (AUS). This study evaluates the impact of the Bethesda System on the rate and the positive predictive value (PPV) of the diagnostic categories at BIDMC.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of all thyroid fine‐needle aspirations (FNAs) during the time periods January, 2006 to November, 2008 and June, 2010 to July, 2011 and the subsequent thyroidectomy specimens.

Results

Post‐Bethesda System, diagnoses that are equivocal for diverse reasons and which have wide‐ranging PPVs are now all grouped into the AUS category, and the proportion of cases that are in the atypical/AUS category rose from 3.7% in the pre‐Bethesda period to 12% in the post‐Bethesda period.

Conclusion

The AUS category has a PPV approaching 50% in our lab. This creates uncertainty regarding the appropriate management for this category and may cause unnecessary overuse of molecular testing for cases in the AUS category. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:28–31. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis of Substituted Biaryls through Gold‐Catalyzed Petasis–Ferrier Rearrangement of Propargyl Ethers
Authors: Pati Kamalkishore , Alabugin Igor V.
Published: May 2014

Au‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of aryl propargyl ethers provides controlled transition from alkyne to carbonyl chemistry followed up by a Petasis–Ferrier rearrangement/aromatization cascade leading to substituted biaryls with functionalized naphthalene cores.
C‐band backscatter from a complexly‐layered snow cover on first‐year sea ice
Authors: Fuller M. Christopher , Geldsetzer Torsten , Gill Jagvijay P. S. , Yackel John J. , Derksen Chris
Published: May 2014

We present a case study of observed and modelled C‐band microwave backscatter signatures for a complexly‐layered snow cover on smooth, land‐fast, first‐year sea ice. We investigate how complexly‐layered snow affects the backscatter, by comparing signatures with those for a simple snow cover, and through model sensitivity analysis. Backscatter signatures are obtained using a surface‐based scatterometer, on sea ice in Hudson Bay, Canada. Coincident in situ snow and ice geophysical measurements, and on‐ice meteorological observations, describe the snow cover formation and structure. A multilayer snow and ice backscatter model is used to iteratively add and subtract components of the complex snow cover to assess their impacts on the overall backscatter. For incidence angles between 20° and 70°, the backscatter from a complex snow cover on smooth first‐year sea ice is significantly higher than backscatter from a simple snow cover on similar sea ice. Sensitivity analysis suggests that rough ice layers formed within the complex snow cover and those superimposed at the sea ice interface are the physical mechanisms that affect an increase in surface and volume backscattering. This has implications for sea ice mapping, geophysical inversion and snow thickness studies. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Insecticidal Activity of Tetrazole‐Linked Triazole Derivatives
Authors: Maddila Suresh , Pagadala Ramakanth , Jonnalagadda Sreekanth B.
Published: May 2014

A new series of 4‐(4‐substitutedbenzylideneamino)‐5‐((1‐methyl‐1H‐tetrazol‐5‐ylthio)methyl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thiol derivatives (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h, 5i, 5j, 5k) are prepared using 4‐amino‐5‐((1‐methyl‐1H‐tetrazol‐5‐ylthio)methyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thiol (4), as an intermediate compound. The structures of all the newly synthesized products are established supported by their spectral 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FTIR, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (mass), and analytical data. All the compounds are screened for their insecticidal activity against Plodia interpunctella, and six compounds exhibited significant activity.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Novel Polyfused Heterocycles‐Based Quinolone
Authors: Hamama Wafaa S. , Hassanien Alaa E. , El‐Fedawy Manal G. , Zoorob Hanafi H.
Published: May 2014

Syntheses of some new heterocyclic compounds incorporating quinolone moieties were achieved via reaction of 4‐hydroxy‐7‐methoxyquinolin‐2(1H)‐one (1) or 3‐bromo‐4‐hydroxy‐7‐methoxyquinolin‐2(1H)‐one (2) with binucleophilic reagents. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analyses and spectral data (IR, 1H‐NMR and mass spectra). The newly synthesized compounds were screened for their antibacterial activity against Gram‐positive bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis) and Gram‐negative bacteria (Escherichia coli). The results showed clearly that compounds 1 and 3 are the more potent antibacterial agents against E. coli, compounds 4, 5, 6 and 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 exhibited moderate activities against E. coli strain, and compounds 7 and 11 exhibited weak activities compared with Gentamicin as a well known standard drug.
Synthesis of Novel Alkyl‐Sulfanyl 1,3,4‐Oxadiazolyl‐1,3,5,7‐Tetraazatricyclic Ammonium Chloride Type Cationic Surfactants
Authors: Yıldırım Ayhan
Published: May 2014

A series of novel cationic surfactants bearing 1,3,4‐oxadiazole and tetraazatricyclic ring structures were synthesized by alkyl chain elongation of 5‐{10‐[4‐(hydroxymethyl)phenoxy]decyl}‐2,3‐dihydro‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐2‐thione with homologous series of alkyl bromides, followed by chlorination of the corresponding benzyl alcohols with thionyl chloride and quaternization of the obtained intermediates with hexamethylenetetramine.
Microwave‐Assisted Direct Amidation of Ethyl 1‐Phenyl‐5‐hydroxy‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxylate
Authors: Milošević Mladena , Šterbal Ines , Feguš Urban , Baškovč Jernej , Prek Benjamin , Grošelj Uroš , Stanovnik Branko , Svete Jurij
Published: May 2014

Microwave‐assisted treatment of ethyl 5‐hydroxy‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxylate with excess primary aliphatic amines in 1‐propanol at 140°C and with excess pyrrolidine or piperidine in 2‐methoxyethanol at 180°C produced the corresponding carboxamides in good yields.
Synthesis of 2,3,3a,4,5,6‐Hexahydrobenzo[b]thiophene‐3a‐carbaldehydes via a Tandem Reaction of Cyclic β‐Thiocyanatoenals with Electron‐Deficient Alkenes Triggered by Fluoride
Authors: Zhang Min , Gong Yuefa
Published: May 2014

New hexahydrobenzo[b]thiophene derivatives 3 were conveniently synthesized by a fluoride‐promoted tandem reaction between cyclic β‐thiocyanatoenals 1 and terminal electron‐deficient alkenes 2 in low to moderate yield. The reaction was initiated by γ‐deprotonation and followed by the Michael addition and nucleophilic attack on sulfur center.
Did Somebody See It? Applying the Verifiability Approach to Insurance Claim Interviews
Authors: Nahari Galit , Leal Sharon , Vrij Aldert , Warmelink Lara , Vernham Zarah
Published: May 2014

We examined the application of the verifiability approach to insurance claim interviews. The verifiability approach states that truth tellers and liars differ from each other in terms of the number of details they give that can be verified. Eighty‐three true and false insurance claim statements, related to damage, theft, or loss, were coded in terms of ‘witnesses’ (was the incident witnessed by others) and ‘verifiability’ (the number of perceptual and contextual details provided that could be checked by the investigator). We found that the majority of liars, compared with half the truth tellers, described unwitnessed incidents. This difference between the groups allowed for the detection of liars only. Discrimination between liars and truth tellers based on the verifiability of details was not possible. The implications of these findings are discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photochemical method for decoration of silver nanoparticles on filter paper substrate for SERS application
Authors: Rajapandiyan Panneerselvam , Yang Jyisy
Published: May 2014

A facile photoreduction strategy to attach silver nanoparticles on filter paper (AgNPs@FP) to form surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate array was proposed and examined. As prepared, SERS substrate array was applied to detect low concentration of adenine and other nucleobases in aqueous solutions. In addition, the formed SERS substrate array allows mass analysis of aqueous samples with a requirement of only 10 μL in sample volume. To optimize and understand the parameters in preparations, factors such as the concentrations of citrate and silver nitrate, photoreduction time, and concentration of sodium hydroxide were varied and examined. Para‐nitrothiophenol was used as a Raman probe molecule and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the substrates were used to explore the influences of experimental factors in the preparation of SERS array. Results indicated that silver ions could be effectively reduced and deposited in/on filter paper with the presence of citrate. The formed AgNPs@FP exhibits a three‐dimensional structure as the particles formed on and beneath the surface of the cellulosic fibers could be observed. Deposition of analyte on restricted substrate array rendered reproducible results and the spot‐to‐spot SERS intensity varied within 8%. At optimal conditions, the substrate enhancement factor approached 107. We demonstrated that the filter paper‐based SERS substrates can be used as a suitable tool for biological analysis, and a limit of detection better than 160 nM was obtained in detection of adenine molecules in aqueous solutions with a linear range up to 20 μM. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Shock Tube Measurements of Ignition Delay Times for the Butanol Isomers Using the Constrained‐Reaction‐Volume Strategy
Authors: BEC I. L. R. , ZHU Y. , DAVIDSON D. F. , HANSON R. K.
Published: May 2014

Ignition delay times of sec‐, iso‐, and tert‐butanol were measured behind reflected shock waves using both conventional operation and a new constrained‐reaction‐volume (CRV) strategy. This CRV filling method constrains the volume of reactive gases, thereby producing near‐constant‐pressure test conditions for reflected shock measurements. The initial reflected shock conditions cover temperatures ranging from 828 to 1095 K, pressures near 20 atm and an equivalence ratio of 1.0 in air mixtures. Additional data were also collected at 30 atm and at φ = 0.5 for iso‐butanol/O2/N2 mixtures. At 20 atm and φ = 1.0, the ignition delay time increases for the isomers in the following order: n‐butanol, iso‐butanol and sec‐butanol, and tert‐butanol. Modeling of all collected data using the Vasu and Sarathy (Energy Fuel 2013, 27, 7072–7080) mechanism showed overall good agreement with the experimental data.
The mGluR5 negative allosteric modulator dipraglurant reduces dyskinesia in the MPTP macaque model
Authors: Bezard Erwan , Pioli Elsa Y. , Li Qin , Girard Françoise , Mutel Vincent , Keywood Charlotte , Tison Francois , Rascol Olivier , Poli Sonia M.
Published: May 2014

Background

Blocking metabotropic glutamate receptor type 5 (mGluR5) has been proposed as a target for levodopa‐induced dyskinesias (LID) in Parkinson's disease (PD). We assessed the effect on LID of dipraglurant, a potent selective mGluR5 receptor negative allosteric modulator in the gold‐standard LID macaque model.

Methods

Dipraglurant (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg, by mouth) was tested in the 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) macaque model of LID in a four‐way crossover, single‐dose, controlled study (n = 8).

Results

Dipraglurant inhibited dyskinesias in the LID macaque model, with best effect reached at 30 mg/kg dose with no alteration of levodopa efficacy.

Conclusion

Acute challenges of dipraglurant were efficacious on choreic and dystonic LID in the MPTP‐macaque model. Dipraglurant pharmacokinetic variables were similar to those of levodopa, suggesting that both drugs can be co‐administered simultaneously in further studies. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Continuous reactor preparation of thermoplastic modified epoxy‐amine prepolymers
Authors: Cheng Xiaole , Wiggins Jeffrey S.
Published: May 2014

This paper describes a new continuous reactor method to prepare thermoplastic modified epoxy prepolymers for aerospace prepregs with the aim of replacing traditional batch reactors. Compared with batch reactors, the continuous reactor is capable of producing epoxy prepolymers through simultaneous dissolution of polyethersulfone (PES) and 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone in tetraglycidyl‐4,4′‐ diaminodiphenylmethane (TGDDM). In addition, concurrent chain extension reactions advance prepolymer molecular weights to desired viscosities in less than 2 min of mean residence time. Optical micrographs were used to define how process temperature influences PES dissolution in TGDDM in a continuous reactor. Kinetic studies confirmed that the chain extension reaction in a continuous reactor is similar to that in a batch reactor, and the molecular weights and viscosities of prepolymers were readily controlled through reaction kinetics. Atomic force microscopy was used to confirm similar cured network morphologies for formulations prepared from batch and continuous reactors. Additionally tensile strength, tensile modulus and fracture toughness analyses concluded that mechanical properties of cured epoxy matrices produced from the two reactors were equivalent. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Arsenite‐induced changes in hepatic protein abundance in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)
Authors: Kim Soohee , Lee Seung Heon , Lee Seungwoo , Park Jung‐Duck , Ryu Doug‐Young
Published: May 2014

Arsenic is an environmental pollutant, and its liver toxicity has long been recognized. The effect of arsenic on liver protein expression was analyzed using a proteomic approach in monkeys. Monkeys were orally administered sodium arsenite (SA) for 28 days. As shown by 2D‐PAGE in combination with MS, the expression levels of 16 proteins were quantitatively changed in SA‐treated monkey livers compared to control‐treated monkey livers. Specifically, the levels of two proteins, mortalin and tubulin beta chain, were increased, and 14 were decreased, including plastin‐3, cystathionine‐beta‐synthase, selenium‐binding protein 1, annexin A6, alpha‐enolase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase‐M, erlin‐2, and arginase‐1. In view of their functional roles, differential expression of these proteins may contribute to arsenic‐induced liver toxicity, including cell death and carcinogenesis. Among the 16 identified proteins, four were selected for validation by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Additional Western blot analyses indicated arsenic‐induced dysregulation of oxidative stress related, genotoxicity‐related, and glucose metabolism related proteins in livers from SA‐treated animals. Many changes in the abundance of toxicity‐related proteins were also demonstrated in SA‐treated human hepatoma cells. These data on the arsenic‐induced regulation of proteins with critical roles may help elucidate the specific mechanisms underlying arsenic‐induced liver toxicity.
Melt electrospinning in a parallel electric field
Authors: Liu Yong , Li Xiuhong , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: May 2014

Electrospinning is an efficient and direct method of fabricating nanofibers. Fibers are frequently unstable in the electrospinning process, and the uneven distribution of the electric field is an important factor leading to instability. Experimental and finite element simulation studies are conducted on the process of melt electrospinning in a parallel electric field. Two parallel metal disks are used to successfully generate a uniform electric field. Electric field intensity on the edges of the metal disk is always stronger than the field at the center of the disk or at the spinneret bottom. The diameters, distances, and relative areas of these disks significantly affect the distribution of the electric field. Thus, the parallel electric field effectively reduces jet buckling in melt electrospinning. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 946–952
Suppressive immune response of poly‐(sarcosine) chains in peptide‐nanosheets in contrast to polymeric micelles
Authors: Hara Eri , Ueda Motoki , Kim Cheol Joo , Makino Akira , Hara Isao , Ozeki Eiichi , Kimura Shunsaku
Published: May 2014

Nanoparticles are expected to be applicable for the theranostics as a carrier of the diagnostic and therapeutic agents. Lactosome is a polymeric micelle composed of amphiphilic polydepsipeptide, poly(sarcosine)64‐block‐poly(l‐lactic acid)30, which was found to accumulate in solid tumors through the enhanced permeability and retention effect. However, lactosome was captured by liver on the second administration to a mouse. This phenomenon is called as the accelerated blood clearance phenomenon. On the other hand, peptide‐nanosheet composed of amphiphilic polypeptide, poly(sarcosine)60‐block‐(l‐Leu‐Aib)6, where the poly(l‐lactic acid) block in lactosome was replaced with the (l‐Leu‐Aib)6 block, abolished the accelerated blood clearance phenomenon. The ELISA and in vivo near‐infrared fluorescence imaging revealed that peptide‐nanosheets did not activate the immune system despite the same hydrophilic block being used. The high surface density of poly(sarcosine) chains on the peptide‐nanosheet may be one of the causes of the suppressive immune response. Copyright © 2014 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Postoperative Vocal Cord Dysfunction Despite Normal Intraoperative Neuromonitoring: An Unexpected Complication With the Risk of Bilateral Palsy
Authors: Melin Magnus , Schwarz Katharina , Pearson Marc D. , Lammers Bernhard J. , Goretzki Peter E.
Published: May 2014

Background

Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) has become standard practice in thyroid surgery for many surgeons. It reduces the risk of vocal cord palsy in high‐risk patients and has led to two‐stage operations to prevent bilateral palsies. The specificity of detecting nerve injuries is not 100 %, leading to patients with vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) despite regular neuromonitoring (false‐negative IONM). We aimed to evaluate possible risk factors for this phenomenon and its importance regarding bilateral palsies.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients with false‐negative IONM.

Results

A total of 2152 patients (3426 nerves at risk) underwent surgery for benign disease between January 2008 and October 2010. Sensitivity for predicting VCD was 85.4 % and specificity 99.0 %. The positive predictive value was 68.0 % and the negative predictive value 99.6 %. We were not able to identify risk factors for false‐negative IONM. We found four patients with delayed occurrence of VCD after regular IONM (1–8 weeks). We registered two patients with bilateral VCD after false negative IONM on the first side of bilateral resections (2/7) and four patients with bilateral palsy after correct IONM (4/1256). The relative risk for bilateral VCD between patients with false‐negative IONM on the primary resection side and patients with correct IONM was 89.7.

Conclusions

Although seldom, false‐negative IONM is of clinical importance as it bears a high risk of bilateral VCD if it occurs on the first side of a bilateral resection. It can also have a latent occurrence after surgery.
Cooking and Sun Drying Effects on Properties of Allanblackia stanerana Kernels’ Oil
Authors: Noumi Guy Bertrand , Pengou Martin , Ngameni Emmanuel
Published: May 2014

Previous studies have evaluated the nutritive potential of Allanblackia oils. Oil extraction from Allanblackia is done after a pretreatment of the kernels which has an influence on oil quality. In Cameroon, the pretreatment consists of cooking, followed by drying of the almonds in the sun. The oil is either edible or used as a body cream. Because of these important applications, it is necessary to determine treatment conditions that maximize extraction yields and preserve its quality. This study was aimed at finding the mathematical models that simulate the best pre‐treatment conditions. The use of multiple linear regression analysis allowed developing satisfactory models and surface response plots that predict the evolution of the extraction rate as well as the quality of the extracted oil, depending on cooking and sun drying times. The coefficients of correlation obtained were 72.03 % for water content; 53.06 % for extraction yield; 71.06 % for acid; 76.48 and 83.29 % for iodine and refractive values respectively, indicating a suitable model of the experiment according to the studied variables. The response surface curves were superimposed to obtain a single optimal range that satisfies all response factors. The average cooking time of 12.5 min and the mean residence time of 8.5 days drying gave the following optimal values for the different response factors studied: moisture content 21.60 %; oil yield 70.69 %; refractive index 1.4546; iodine value 34.72; and acid value 0.38 mg KOH/g oil. The conditions to obtain a maximum extraction yield and low acidity were those that gave a residual water content of about 10–15 %. The quality indicators measured in this work generally remained within the threshold.
Help wanted: developing clinician leaders
Authors: Stoller James K.
Published: May 2014

Because healthcare faces challenges, such as ensuring quality and access and controlling cost, effective leadership is needed at every level of healthcare organizations. Yet, physicians are trained in clinical and scientific skills but not in leadership competencies. Furthermore, clinicians often feel ill-prepared to assume managerial and leadership roles. To close this gap, training in leadership competencies, such as emotional intelligence, communication, teamwork, and change management, is urgently needed for physicians and clinicians of all disciplines. Leadership training should be multidisciplinary and should begin early in clinicians’ careers.
Between clients and bureaucrats: An ambivalent position of NGOs in the social inclusion agenda in Czech statutory cities
Authors: Čada Karel , Ptáčková Kateřina
Published: May 2014

This paper examines the landscape of policy work conducted by NGOs with respect to the social inclusion agenda. Based on a qualitative case study of integration policy in a Czech city, the paper focuses on the relations between collaborative and critical policy work of NGOs. In this case, while the collaborative position is mainly justified by apolitical expertise, long-term professional experience and compliance with official standards of social work, the latter calls upon community-based knowledge and political participation. We argue that despite indisputable long-term benefits of collaborative policy work it includes risks of paternalism, accountability deficit and exclusiveness. These risks become more significant with increasing shared understanding and mutual interdependence. In this situation there is a room for the episodic external critical capacity to challenge the governance structure and enforce the accountability of collaborative networks.
“We Were a Chosen People”: The East African Revival and Its Return To Post-Genocide Rwanda
Authors: Cantrell Phillip A.
Published: May 2014

This article, drawing upon primary field research, analyzes the origins and history of the East African Revival of the 1930s and its ongoing relevance and role in post-genocide Rwanda. Starting as a Holiness-inspired, Anglican movement, the Revival persisted among the Tutsi Diaspora during their exile to refugee camps in Uganda following the 1959 Hutu-led Revolution and has returned with them following the coming to power of the Rwandan Patriotic Front in 1994. The Revival, as it presently experiences a reawakening in the post-genocide church, provides the Tutsi returnees with a spiritual mechanism to explain their plight as refugees and a means by which to heal from decades of suffering. Additionally, a narrative has emerged in which they believe themselves to be a “Chosen People” who found redemption and healing in the refugee camps by embracing the revival spirit. Many Anglican returnees further believe they have been “chosen” to bring healing and reconciliation, through the revivalist tradition, to post-genocide Rwanda. While the return of the Revival tradition in the post-genocide Anglican Church offers potential benefits for Rwanda's reconciliation and recovery, the church must also abandon its apolitical inclinations and challenge the ruling regime in the name of truth, democratization, and justice.
Nut consumption for vascular health and cognitive function
Authors: Barbour Jayne A. , Howe Peter R. C. , Buckley Jonathan D. , Bryan Janet , Coates Alison M.
Published: May 2014

Nuts are rich in many nutrients that can benefit multiple cardiometabolic functions, including arterial compliance, blood pressure, inflammation, glucoregulation and endothelial vasodilatation. Impaired vasodilatation may contribute to impaired cognitive performance due to poor cerebral perfusion. The present narrative review examines associations between nut consumption, vascular health and cognitive function. It includes a systematic search which identified seventy-one epidemiological or intervention studies in which effects of chronic nut consumption on blood pressure, glucoregulation, endothelial vasodilator function, arterial compliance, inflammatory biomarkers and cognitive performance were evaluated. Weighted mean changes were estimated where data were available; they indicate that nut consumption reduces blood pressure and improves glucoregulation, endothelial vasodilator function and inflammation, whilst a limited number of studies suggest that nut consumption may also improve cognitive performance. Further clinical trials are warranted to explore relationships between nut consumption, endothelial function and cognitive function.
Interactions between Doctors and Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives in a Former Communist Country
Authors: MAKOWSKA MARTA
Published: May 2014

An anonymous survey distributed to doctors in Poland revealed the troublesome relationship between physicians and pharmaceutical sale representatives in terms of the frequency of visits, the trust of physicians in information supplied by sales reps, gifts accepted, and the general influence of marketing strategies on physician decisions. Challenges remain, despite laws enacted to address the problem.
Effects of a simple educational intervention in well-baby clinics on women’s knowledge about and intake of folic acid supplements in the periconceptional period: a controlled trial
Authors: de Smit Denhard J , Weinreich Stephanie S , Cornel Martina C
Published: May 2014

Objective

To test the hypothesis that a concise intervention to promote the preconception use of folic acid (FA) supplements among mothers who visit a well-baby clinic (WBC) for the 6-month check-up of their youngest child is effective. Effectiveness was measured as intention to use or actual use of FA supplements before a next pregnancy among women who expected to be pregnant within 0–12 months.

Design

Controlled intervention study with independent samples of intervention and control mothers. The intervention took place at the 6-month visit. A post-intervention measurement was done in the intervention group and a comparable measurement in the control group at the 11-month check-up visit.

Setting

The intervention, verbal and in writing, was implemented in four Dutch WBC and given by the WBC physician to the mothers who visited the WBC.

Subjects

All mothers visiting the WBC were eligible for inclusion, unless they were unable to complete a questionnaire. The intervention group consisted of 198 (68 %) mothers recruited from 291 6-month intervention visits and the control group of 215 (84 %) mothers recruited from 255 11-month normal visits.

Results

In mothers who expected to be pregnant within 0–12 months, the proportion using or intending to use FA was 65 % in the intervention group (n49)v. 42 % in the control group (n43; difference 23 %, 95 % CI 4, 43 %,P<0·05).

Conclusions

Health education intervention at the 6-month WBC visit is an effective means to promote the use of FA supplements or the intention to do so.
Archbishop Charles Riley, Theological Education and the Foundation of the University of Western Australia, 1903–c.1929
Authors: Strong Rowan
Published: May 2014

This paper critically examines the role of Charles Riley, Bishop of Perth, in the foundation of the University of Western Australia in 1913. Riley advocated a modern university devoted to applied science, which would also include a humanities/arts component that would be able to deliver a liberal education. It goes on to explore what a ‘liberal education’ meant to Riley in connection with a theological education for clergy. It argues that Riley, and his successor Archbishop Le Fanu, desired a theological education for clergy connected with the university as productive of such a liberal education. Such an education would enable clergy to be leaders in society, capable of understanding modern issues in the context of faith, and able, by virtue of their education, to engage sympathetically with people of diverse backgrounds and views.
Role of methylotrophs in the degradation of hydrocarbons during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Authors: Gutierrez Tony , Aitken Michael D
Published: May 2014

The role of methylotrophic bacteria in the fate of the oil and gas released into the Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has been controversial, particularly in relation to whether organisms such as Methylophaga had contributed to the consumption of methane. Whereas methanotrophy remains unqualified in these organisms, recent work by our group using DNA-based stable-isotope probing coupled with cultivation-based methods has uncovered hydrocarbon-degrading Methylophaga. Recent findings have also shown that methylotrophs, including Methylophaga, were in a heightened state of metabolic activity within oil plume waters during the active phase of the spill. Taken collectively, these findings suggest that members of this group may have participated in the degradation of high-molecular-weight hydrocarbons in plume waters. The discovery of hydrocarbon-degrading Methylophaga also highlights the importance of considering these organisms in playing a role to the fate of oil hydrocarbons at oil-impacted sites.
Effect of microwave irradiation time and temperature on the spectroscopic and morphological properties of nanostructured poly(carbazole) synthesized within bentonite clay galleries
Authors: Riaz Ufana , Ashraf S. M. , Madan Ashima
Published: May 2014

Polycarbazole chains form loops which extend into spirals within the clay galleries. These spirals reorganize into spheres, when extracted from clay galleries.
Novel electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry strategy for monitoring mercury(ii) ion based on the competing system of mercury specific DNA and glutathione to mercury(ii) ion
Authors: Zhang Ruixing , Zhuang Xiaoyu , Liu Shu , Song Fengrui , Liu Zhiqiang
Published: May 2014

An electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) strategy was developed for the detection of mercury ion with high sensitivity and selectivity based on a competition system of glutathione and mercury specific DNA to mercury ion.
Neocuproine-functionalized silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles for extraction of copper(ii) from aqueous solution
Authors: Afsar Ashfaq , Harwood Laurence M. , Hudson Michael J. , Hodson Mark E. , Shaw Elizabeth J.
Published: May 2014

Neocuproine has been covalently bound to silica-coated maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) by a phenyl ether linkage. The resulting MNPs are able to remove Cu(ii) from 12 ppm aqueous solution with an extraction efficiency of up to 99% at pH 2.
A facile approach for the preparation of tunable acid nano-catalysts with a hierarchically mesoporous structure
Authors: Choi Youngbo , Yun Yang Sik , Park Hongseok , Park Dae Sung , Yun Danim , Yi Jongheop
Published: May 2014

A semi one-pot strategy to prepare tunable acid nano-catalysts with a hierarchically mesoporous structure is reported. The developed catalysts exhibit a high activity and stability in acid-catalysis.
Synergistic acceleration in the osteogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells by graphene oxide–calcium phosphate nanocomposites
Authors: Tatavarty Rameshwar , Ding Hao , Lu Guijin , Taylor Robert J. , Bi Xiaohong
Published: May 2014

Nanocomposites consisting of oblong ultrathin plate shaped calcium phosphate nanoparticles and graphene oxide microflakes were synthesized and have demonstrated markedly synergistic effect in accelerating stem cell differentiation to osteoblasts.
Water is a key factor to alter the structure and electrochemical properties of carboxylate-bridged dimanganese(ii) complexes
Authors: Sivanesan Dharmalingam , Kannan Sethuraman , Thangadurai Thangaian Daniel , Jung Kwang-Deog , Yoon Sungho
Published: May 2014

The three manganese complexes with the {Mn2(μ-O2CR)}3+, {Mn2(μ-OH2)2(μ-O2CR)}3+, and {Mn2(OH6)2(O2CR)}3+motifs are in dynamic equilibrium, displaying significantly different electrochemical properties ranging from 0.52 V to 1.19 Vvs.Fc/Fc+.
IndividualizedPath: identifying genetic alterations contributing to the dysfunctional pathways in glioblastoma individuals
Authors: Ping Yanyan , Zhang Hongyi , Deng Yulan , Wang Li , Zhao Hongying , Pang Lin , Fan Huihui , Xu Chaohan , Li Feng , Zhang Yong , Gong Yonghui , Xiao Yun , Li Xia
Published: May 2014

Due to the extensive complexity and high genetic heterogeneity of genetic alterations in cancer, comprehensively depicting the molecular mechanisms of cancer remains difficult.
Evaluation of the effect of fluorination on the property of monofluorinated dimyristoylphosphatidylcholines
Authors: Gagnon Marie-Claude , Turgeon Bianka , Savoie Jean-Daniel , Parent Jean-François , Auger Michèle , Paquin Jean-François
Published: May 2014

The synthesis and characterization of three monofluorinated dimyristoylphosphatidylcholines, with the fluorine atom located at the extremities of the acyl chain in position 2 of the glycerol (sn-2), is described.
SET-LRP of semifluorinated acrylates and methacrylates
Authors: Samanta Shampa R. , Cai Ruilong , Percec Virgil
Published: May 2014

For the first time SET-LRP of 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl acrylate, 2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorobutyl acrylate, 1H,1H,5H-octafluoropentyl acrylate and 1H,1H,5H-octafluoropentyl methacrylate in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol as the solvent at 25 °C for acrylates and at 50 °C for methacrylate was accomplished.
A smart artificial glutathione peroxidase with temperature responsive activity constructed by host–guest interaction and self-assembly
Authors: Yin Yanzhen , Jiao Shufei , Lang Chao , Liu Junqiu
Published: May 2014

A smart supramolecular artificial glutathione peroxidase (GPx) with tunable catalytic activity was prepared based on host–guest interaction and a blending process. The change of the self-assembled structure of SGPxmax during the temperature responsive process played a significant role in altering the temperature responsive catalytic behavior.
Application of pyrene-derived benzimidazole-linked polymers to CO2 separation under pressure and vacuum swing adsorption settings
Authors: Sekizkardes Ali Kemal , İslamoğlu Timur , Kahveci Zafer , El-Kaderi Hani M.
Published: May 2014

Pyrene-derived benzimidazole-linked polymers show great promise for CO2 separation under pressure and vacuum swing adsorption conditions.
Controlling luminescence colour through concentration of Dy3+ ions in LiLa1−xDyxP4O12 nanocrystals
Authors: Marciniak L. , Hreniak D. , Strek W.
Published: May 2014

The impact of Dy concentration on CIE coordinates of LiLa1−xDyxP4O12 nanocrystals.
Overlapping binding sites for importin β1 and suppressor of fused (SuFu) on glioma-associated oncogene homologue 1 (Gli1) regulate its nuclear localization
Authors: Szczepny Anette , Wagstaff Kylie M. , Dias Manisha , Gajewska Katarzyna , Wang Chunxiao , Davies Rebecca G. , Kaur Gurpreet , Ly-Huynh Jennifer , Loveland Kate L. , Jans David A.
Published: May 2014

A key factor in oncogenesis is the transport into the nucleus of oncogenic signalling molecules, such as Gli1 (glioma-associated oncogene homologue 1), the central transcriptional activator in the Hedgehog signalling pathway. Little is known, however, how factors such as Gli are transported into the nucleus and how this may be regulated by interaction with other cellular factors, such as the negative regulator suppressor of fused (SuFu). In the present study we show for the first time that nuclear entry of Gli1 is regulated by a unique mechanism through mutually exclusive binding by its nuclear import factor Impβ1 (importin β1) and SuFu. Using quantitative live mammalian cell imaging, we show that nuclear accumulation of GFP–Gli1 fusion proteins, but not of a control protein, is specifically inhibited by co-expression of SuFu. Using a direct binding assay, we show that Impβ1 exhibits a high nanomolar affinity to Gli1, with specific knockdown of Impβ1 expression being able to inhibit Gli1 nuclear accumulation, thus implicating Impβ1 as the nuclear transporter for Gli1 for the first time. SuFu also binds to Gli1 with a high nanomolar affinity, intriguingly being able to compete with Impβ1 for binding to Gli1, through the fact that the sites for SuFu and Impβ1 binding overlap at the Gli1 N-terminus. The results indicate for the first time that the relative intracellular concentrations of SuFu and Impβ1 are likely to determine the localization of Gli1, with implications for its action in cancer, as well as in developmental systems.
Output regulation for switched discrete‐time linear systems via error feedback: an output error‐dependent switching method
Authors: Li Jiao , Zhao Jun
Published: May 2014

This study considers the output regulation problem of switched discrete‐time linear systems via dual design of error feedback and a switching law. The authors consider the case that the states of both the controlled system and the exosystem are unavailable. Also, no solvability of the output regulation problem for each subsystem is required. They only use the available information provided by the measured output tracking error to design the switching law and controllers to solve the output regulation problem of the switched system. In addition, they adopt different coordinate transformations instead of common coordinate transformation and they study the case that the exosystem is a switched system which can make the tracked trajectories more sophisticated.
Talent and Creative Economy in French Local Labour Systems
Authors: Sanchez-Serra Daniel
Published: May 2014

This paper examines the geography of talented people using educational and occupational measures and its relationship with creative industries in French local labour systems. The link between talent and the creative economy has recently generated interest in the economic development literature as well as among policy makers. Previous studies have shown that spatial concentration of talented people in an area may bring about externalities generated by the exchange of new ideas between individuals, and this may foster the clustering of activities. Correlation and regression analyses suggest that creative industrial concentration is associated with talent as well as with tolerance and technology measures. This paper offers the empirical basis for the design of policies related to talent concentration in France. This type of policy may boost the capacity of territories for creativity and innovation, in line with the objectives set out by the European Commission.
Seeing the World Topsy-Turvy: The Primary Role of Kinematics in Biological Motion Inversion Effects
Authors: Fitzgerald Sue-Anne , Brooks Anna , van der Zwan Rick , Blair Duncan
Published: May 2014

Physical inversion of whole or partial human body representations typically has catastrophic consequences on the observer's ability to perform visual processing tasks. Explanations usually focus on the effects of inversion on the visual system's ability to exploit configural or structural relationships, but more recently have also implicated motion or kinematic cue processing. Here, we systematically tested the role of both on perceptions of sex from upright and inverted point-light walkers. Our data suggest that inversion results in systematic degradations of the processing of kinematic cues. Specifically and intriguingly, they reveal sex-based kinematic differences: Kinematics characteristic of females generally are resistant to inversion effects, while those of males drive systematic sex misperceptions. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Effects of feeding various levels of full fat soybean extruded at high temperature on performance, serum components and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens
Authors: Zhaleh Safa , Golian Abolghasem , Mirghelenj Seyed Ali , Akhavan Avisa , Akbarian Abdollah
Published: May 2014

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary levels of extruded full fat soybean (EFFSB) on growth performance, physiological enzymes and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens at market age. A batch of FFSB was wet-extruded at 170°C for 15 s to provide the EFFSB. Ross 308 male broiler chicks (144 one-day old) were divided into 12 groups of 12 birds each and allocated to one of the starter, grower and finisher diets containing 0%, 7.5% and 15% of EFFSB. Feed intake and weight gain of chicks fed the diet containing 15% of EFFSB were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced compared with those fed the control diet during 0–10 days of age, but were not influenced during grower and finisher stages and the whole period (P > 0.05). The triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations in blood serum were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased with an increase in dietary levels of EFFSB at 42 days of age. Length of villi and villus absorptive surface area in duodenum section were linearly decreased (P < 0.05) with an increase in dietary level of EFFSB (P < 0.05), although crypt depth and villus length : crypt depth ratio were not affected (P > 0.05). These morphological criteria were not affected by the dietary level of EFFSB measured in jejunum and ileum sections (P > 0.05). It is concluded that the use of EFFSB in feed may reduce the duodenal surface area and serum triglyceride and LDL cholesterol concentrations, but has no effect on performance of broiler chickens at market age.
Marcadores del discurso derivados de los verbos de percepción
Authors: Tanghe Sanne , Jansegers Marlies
Published: May 2014

Despite the growing interest in discourse markers over the past two decades, few studies are dedicated to the interlinguistic comparison of discourse markers. By means of a corpus-based approach the present study proposes a comparison between the discourse markers derived from verbs of perception in Italian (guarda/guardi,senti/senta) and Spanish (mira/mire, oye/oiga). The results of a comparable corpus study reveals that the discourse markers sharing the original perception modality display a similar formal behaviour (mira/mire ~ guarda/guardi, oye/oiga ~ senti/senta). From the parallel corpus on the other hand it results that the most frequent equivalent ofmira/mireissenti/senta, which can be linked to the original semantics of both verbs. These two main observations confirm the relevance of a parallel corpus as a complementary source to a comparable corpus when comparing phenomena in two (or more) languages. This combined corpus approach brings about not only interlinguistic insights but provides at the same time knowledge about the relation and uses of the discourse markers within the languages.
Factividade e modo verbal
Authors: Vesterinen Rainer
Published: May 2014

The traditional way of explaining the subjunctive mood in Portuguese is utterly related to the distinction made between reality and non-reality. That is, while the indicative mood has been explained in terms of reality, the subjunctive has been the mood of non-reality. Although this explanation covers many occurrences of the subjunctive mood, it is also recognized that it fails to explain the use of the subjunctive mood in factive contexts. This being so, the present study aims at explaining the variation between the indicative and subjunctive mood in factive contexts from a Cognitive Grammar perspective. The hypothesis put forward is that the mood variation can be explained in terms ofdominionandcontrol. Thus, it is claimed that the subjunctive mood in factive contexts can be explained by a reduced degree of active control, this being consistent with an event that is located outside the conceptualizer’s dominion ofeffective control. On the other hand, the indicative mood occurs in contexts ofepistemic controlthat are located inside the conceptualizer’s epistemic dominion. An additional analysis of the subjunctive mood in other grammatical contexts corroborates the initial claim.
Low Dose of the Anesthetic Propofol Does Not Induce Genotoxic or Mutagenic Effects in Nile Tilapia
Authors: Valença‐Silva Graziela , Braz Mariana G. , Barreto Rodrigo E. , Salvadori Daisy M. F. , Volpato Gilson L.
Published: May 2014

We demonstrate the efficacy of propofol (2,6‐diisopropylphenol) as an anesthetic when administered to fish in an immersion bath and show the absence of genetic side effects following short‐term exposure to the drug. All tested fish were anesthetized (as indicated by loss of posture and lack of response to physical stimulation), and both the comet assay (tail intensity) and the micronucleus assay revealed that propofol does not induce primary DNA damage or chromosome damage in the fish Nile TilapiaOreochromis niloticus. Our results should be considered in light of our particular test conditions, including the water temperature (∼25°C), the life stage and size of the fish, and the single exposure to the anesthetic. We suggest that propofol is a promising anesthetic in terms of its lack of genotoxic effects, at least in low dosages in adult Nile Tilapia.
Diel Reproductive Periodicity of Haddock in the Southwestern Gulf of Maine
Authors: Burchard Katie A. , Juanes Francis , Rountree Rodney A.
Published: May 2014

We studied a population of Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus in the Gulf of Maine to determine whether it exhibits diel spawning periodicity. Commercial fishing vessels were chartered for 25 dedicated long‐lining trips to collect sexually mature Haddock in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary at locations identified by commercial fishers as having spawning aggregations. In order to examine diel effects on Haddock reproduction, the changes in CPUE and percentages of male and female Haddock of all reproductive maturity stages, as well as gonadosomatic index (GSI), were observed across a 24‐h diel cycle. The comparison of diel patterns among different maturation stages was used to differentiate diel periodicity due to spawning from feeding behavior. Diel periodicity was observed for the proportion of males and females in the catch, the proportion and CPUE of male and female maturation stages most indicative of imminent spawning, and for female GSI. Although spawning occurred throughout the diel cycle, peak spawning of females occurred during the evening hours (1700–2100 hours) and gradually declined to low values during the day at 0900 hours. In an apparent contradiction male spawning stages were uniformly high except for lows during the night between 2100 and 0100 hours. We hypothesize that this pattern is consistent with lekking behavior where strong competition among spawning‐ready males during courtship would reduce their feeding activity during the peak spawning hours. Strong annual differences in diel periodicity may have resulted from different temporal patterns in the spawning season or density dependence, or both.