bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building a process‐based organization: The design roadmap at Superjet International
Authors: Corallo Angelo , Margherita Alessandro , Scalvenzi Massimo , Storelli Davide
Published: April 2010

The benefits of managing companies through a process‐based approach are well recognized in the business literature and in many corporate contexts. However, there is a limited discussion on how to practically design and develop an organization based on processes. This paper aims to address this relative ‘gap’ in the literature by presenting the case of a recent international joint venture in the regional jet industry. In the following paper, we present a story of organization design based on the identification and description of the core process model of the company, with a specific focus on customer service activities. Based on interviews and direct observation at the field site, this paper shows the main steps undertaken to define the process taxonomy levels and to describe process elements, along with a discussion of the relationships with the business model components of the company. The paper provides practical value as it provides practical insights relating to the start‐up of a new company driven by a process‐based approach. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New product development for a food and beverage company: A showcase of evidence‐based management
Authors: Man Derek C. , Lui Steven S. , Lai John
Published: April 2010

We develop a model of new product development which may inform decision‐making on innovation and knowledge management in this paper. The new model combines extant theoretical framework and actual practice from a leading Food and Beverage chain in Hong Kong to illustrate how evidence‐based management (EBM) can be practiced in new product development. Some salient features of the model include generating new ideas constantly, improving success rate of new ideas, and ensuring collaboration among internal functions. This paper showcases EBM by synthesizing theoretical knowledge and practical wisdom and bringing together academics and practitioners to better understand a new product development model that can be generalized to other companies and industries. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of organizational culture on knowledge management practices and innovation
Authors: Donate Mario J. , Guadamillas Fátima
Published: April 2010

In this paper we analyze the relationships between certain knowledge management (KM) practices, organizational culture, and the technological results of companies. In the last few years, KM literature has highlighted the important role of cultural values on the way KM processes are developed and applied in organizations. From this viewpoint, and focusing on a set of knowledge storage and transfer practices, we try to empirically analyze the existence of a multiplier effect of the knowledge‐centered organizational culture on the relationship between these kinds of knowledge practices and the technological performance of firms. The results of the empirical study show the existence of a significant moderating effect, although the consequences on the innovative performance in terms of product or process technologies are found to be different, depending on the practice (storage or transfer) which is considered. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative supply chain performance: Measuring cross‐cultural effects. The example of the Bratislava regional automotive manufacturing cluster
Authors: Bardy Roland
Published: April 2010

This paper examines how performance in a supply network is biased through cultural difference. Based on a benchmark study for the Bratislava automotive cluster, the review covers the specific situation of a cross border setting where top performers (high‐class original equipment manufacturers, “OEMs,” like VW, Peugeot, Porsche, Kia) in a dual economy environment interact with suppliers from a highly developed country and with local logistics service enterprises. The main findings were derived from a benchmarking questionnaire and were corroborated in subsequent interviews, and they can very well be generalized: specific knowledge required for interactions between buyers and sellers cannot be built and utilized effectively if acceptance, adaptation and integration are obstructed by cultural differences. The biggest threats to fully exploiting the opportunities of cross‐border supply chains, are lack of trust and of ability or willingness to cooperate and insufficient power of decision‐making; lack of application skills ranks second. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electron spin resonance spectroscopy: a promising method for studying lipid oxidation in foods
Authors: Roman Olesea , Maillard Marie‐Noëlle , Plessis Cédric , Riquet Anne‐Marie
Published: April 2010

Oxidative reactions that involve lipids are among the most important causes of deterioration of foods and affect both their shelf life and their organoleptic and nutritional properties. Radicals are intermediate key‐constituents in these reactions. Their detection is therefore essential in order to understand and predict early stages of these destructive oxidations. Several Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) methodologies (direct and indirect) make it possible to identify, quantify and measure the reactivity of radical species formed during oxidative‐reductive reactions. They are also used to evaluate the antiradical activity of antioxidants delaying lipid oxidation. An overview on the use of different ESR methodologies to study lipid oxidation in foods is reported in this paper.
Protection of biodiesel against oxidation
Authors: Ingendoh Axel
Published: April 2010

The importance of using synthetic antioxidants to improve oxidation stability and shelf life of biodiesel is today generally accepted. In our investigations which started early with the development of biodiesel we have looked at the course of stability, ageing of biodiesel, and the use of synthetic antioxidants. We have shown for the first time that oxidative stability of biodiesel is lower than that of the rape seed oil from which it was produced. The natural stability of biodiesel relates mainly to the content of tocopherols which survive the transesterification process. Biodiesel freed from tocopherols has no stability and will be destroyed immediately in air. Synthetic antioxidants like BHT and the newly developed stronger “Bis‐BHT” dramatically improve oxidative stability and prolong shelf life. Biodiesel rich in polyunsaturated fatty acid methyl ester needs strong antioxidants to be sufficiently protected. The class of hindered phenolic antioxidants from which the BHT and “Bis‐BHT” derive are well suited as industrial biodiesel stabilizer because of their ready availability, sufficient effectiveness and proven safety in diesel fuel. Surprisingly, none of the approved international biodiesel and biodiesel blend specifications refer to shelf life as a quality parameter. There is no definition of shelf life available, although it is well understood that biodiesel ages and loses its oxidative stability over time. We propose to consider the time span from production until the biodiesel reaches zero oxidative stability and becomes rancid and detrimental for the engine as the “shelf life” of biodiesel. From the perspective of a customer running their car on biodiesel blends, shelf life should become a more important issue.
Polylactide/Perfluoropolyether Block Copolymers: Potential Candidates for Protective and Surface Modifiers
Authors: Frediani Marco , Rosi Luca , Camaiti Mara , Berti Debora , Mariotti Alfredo , Comucci Alessandro , Vannucci Chiara , Malesci Irene
Published: April 2010

Perfluoropolyethers are a well known and widely used family of polymers, suitable as protectives. Their main drawback is the lack of solubility, which is complete only in chlorofluorocarbons. In this work a series of A‐B‐A block copolymers (FluoPLA), with a relative low molecular weight, were prepared by ROP of L‐ and D,L‐lactide (PLA) in the presence of a hydroxy‐terminated perfluoropolyether as macroinitiator. In fact the use of block copolymers leads to different advantages, i.e. a limited segregation phenomena and higher polymer solubility. The resulting polymers were characterized (by NMR, IR, HPLC‐SEC, DSC, LS) and tested as potential protective and surface modifiers for cultural heritage (ESEM‐EDS, solar‐box technique, colorimeter analysis).

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Synthesis of Spherical Polyelectrolyte Brushes by Thermo‐controlled Emulsion Polymerization
Authors: Wang Xiang , Xu Jun , Li Li , Wu Shuang , Chen Qingchuan , Lu Yan , Ballauff Matthias , Guo Xuhong
Published: April 2010

A novel method of thermo‐controlled emulsion polymerization has been employed to synthesize spherical polyelectrolyte brushes that consist of a solid polystyrene core and a poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) shell covalently attached on the core surface densely by one end. The growth of brushes from the core surface was monitored by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The particle size of PS core latex showed a narrow size distribution when observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The brush size changed significantly upon changing pH value and ionic strength, and displayed similar behavior to brushes prepared by photo‐emulsion polymerization. The grafting density of the PAA brush, which was determined by cutting off the PAA chains using alkali hydrolysis, confirmed the formation of PAA brushes.

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Modelling lifetime QALYs and health care costs from different drinking patterns over time: a Markov model
Authors: Barbosa Carolina , Taylor Benjamin , Godfrey Christine , Rehm Juergen , Parrott Steve , Drummond Colin
Published: April 2010

The negative health consequences of alcohol use and its treatment account for significant health care expenditure worldwide. Long‐term modelling techniques are developed in this paper to establish a link between drinking patterns, health consequences and alcohol treatment effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness. The overall change in health related quality and quantity of life which results from changes in health‐related behaviour is estimated. Specifically, a probabilistic lifetime Markov model is presented where alcohol consumption in grams of alcohol per day and drinking history are used for the categorization of patients into four Markov states. Utility weights are assigned to each drinking state using EQ‐5D scores. Mortality and morbidity estimates are state, gender and age specific, and are alcohol‐related and non‐alcohol‐related. The methodology is tested in a case study. This represents a major development in the techniques traditionally used in alcohol economic models, in which short‐term costs and outcomes are assessed, omitting potential longer term cost savings and improvements in health related quality of life. Assumptions and implications of the approach are discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling of bearing capacity of footings on sand within stochastic micro‐polar hypoplasticity
Authors: Tejchman J. , Górski J.
Published: April 2010

The effect of the initial distribution of void ratio on strength and shear localization in problems of footings on sand at laboratory scale was numerically analyzed. To describe a mechanical behavior of a cohesionless granular material during a monotonic deformation path, a micro‐polar hypoplastic constitutive model was used. The initial void ratios took the form of correlated random spatial fields described by both symmetric and non‐symmetric random distributions using a homogeneous correlation function. The field realizations were obtained with the help of an original conditional rejection method of generation. Only few representative samples of the random fields selected from the generated set were taken into account in the numerical calculations. The stochastic results were compared with deterministic ones performed with a uniform distribution of initial void ratio. In addition, the effect of the range of correlation was investigated. Finally, a size effect was calculated with three different footing widths. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The relationship of community‐based nurse care coordination to costs in the medicare and medicaid programs
Authors: Marek Karen Dorman , Adams Scott J. , Stetzer Frank , Popejoy Lori , Rantz Marilyn
Published: April 2010

The purpose of this evaluation was to study the relationship of nurse care coordination (NCC) to the costs of Medicare and Medicaid in a community‐based care program called Missouri Care Options (MCO). A retrospective cohort design was used comparing 57 MCO clients with NCC to 80 MCO clients without NCC. Total cost was measured using Medicare and Medicaid claims databases. Fixed effects analysis was used to estimate the relationship of the NCC intervention to costs. Controlling for high resource use on admission, monthly Medicare costs were lower ($686) in the 12 months of NCC intervention (p = .04) while Medicaid costs were higher ($203; p = .03) for the NCC group when compared to the costs of MCO group. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 33:235–242, 2010
On the primacy of process: Brussels and Copenhagen
Authors: Spencer Tom
Published: April 2010

The author seeks to demonstrate that process rather than personalities are the key to understanding political situations and their public affairs implications. He reviews the outcome of changes in EU process during the tumultuous twelve months ending in December 2009, concluding that the European Union has moved into a new phase where constitutional issues are of substantially reduced importance. He notes the increased influence of the European Parliament. He comments on the implications for politics in both Europe and America in the light of the power shift made apparent at the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Infections during induction therapy for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The role of sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim (SMX–TMP) prophylaxis.
Authors: Rungoe Christine , Malchau Emma Louise , Larsen Line Nordahl , Schroeder Henrik
Published: April 2010

Background

Bacteremias are frequent during induction therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children. Antibacterial prophylaxis therapy may thus be warranted. The purpose of this study was to analyze the rate of infections during induction therapy in two cohorts of children with ALL where one cohort received prophylactic sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim (SMX–TMP).

Procedure

All infections were registered through a retrospective non‐randomized review of medical records of 171 consecutive children newly diagnosed with ALL below 15 years of age at diagnosis. A total of 85 children treated from 1992 to 2000 did not receive SMX–TMP, whereas 86 children treated from 2000 to 2008 received SMX–TMP 20 mg/kg in one daily oral dose during induction therapy.

Results

A total of 26% of all children had no febrile episodes during induction. Infections were more frequent in children below 5 years of age. Significantly fewer children receiving SMX–TMP developed fever (17% vs. 34%, P = 0.02) and bacteremia (20% vs. 45%, P = 0.0003). Especially children with non‐high risk criteria had fewer infections when receiving prophylaxis. When adjusting for age, type of catheter, and SMX–TMP prophylaxis on the risk of bacteremia by a multiple Cox regression analysis, we found that age and prophylaxis, but not the type of catheter, were associated with a significantly reduced risk of bacteremia.

Conclusion

Children with ALL receiving SMX–TMP prophylaxis during induction therapy experienced fewer febrile episodes, fewer days with fever demanding intravenous antibiotic treatment, and fewer episodes of bacteremia. Both SMX–TMP prophylaxis and age played significant independent roles for the occurrence of bacteremia. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:304–308. © 2010 Wiley–Liss, Inc.
Measurement of tyrosine hydroxylase transcripts in bone marrow using biopsied tissue instead of aspirates for neuroblastoma
Authors: Lee Seung‐Tae , Suh Yeon Lim , Ko Young‐Hyeh , Ki Chang‐Seok , Sung Ki Woong , Kim Hee‐Jin , Kim Jong‐Won , Kim Sun‐Hee , Chueh Heewon , Lee Soo Hyun , Yoo Keon Hee , Koo Hong Hoe
Published: April 2010

Background

Molecular detection of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) transcripts by quantitative RT‐PCR (qRT‐PCR) is a sensitive method to detect neuroblastoma (NB) cells in the bone marrow (BM). However, its clinical utility following chemotherapy has not been thoroughly investigated.

Procedures

TH transcripts in the BM were measured by qRT‐PCR both at diagnosis and during the course of chemotherapy. The results were analyzed with respect to assay timing, tumor volume and histological findings.

Results

TH transcripts were detected in 100% of BM aspirates at diagnosis in cases with concurrent tumor involvement in the BM section; however, the proportion of TH transcript positive BM aspirates in cases with concurrent tumor involvement in the BM section gradually decreased following chemotherapy (55.5% after three cycles, 28.6% after six cycles and 0% after nine or more cycles of chemotherapy). Decreased proportion of TH transcript positive BM aspirates was associated with reduced tumor volume in the BM and differentiation of tumors into mature forms during chemotherapy. When qRT‐PCR was performed with both aspirated and biopsied tissue during chemotherapy, TH transcripts were detected in BM tissue not only in all of the histology‐positive cases but also in some of the histology‐negative cases, while the proportion of TH transcript positive BM aspirates was low, even in histology‐positive cases.

Conclusions

Measurement of TH transcripts in BM aspirates does not appear to be clinically useful during or after chemotherapy. Therefore, molecular monitoring of NB cells during or after chemotherapy using BM tissue is more optimal than testing on BM aspirates. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:273–278. © 2010 Wiley–Liss, Inc.
Meta‐analyses of the effect of false‐positive mammograms on generic and specific psychosocial outcomes
Authors: Salz Talya , Richman Alice R. , Brewer Noel T.
Published: April 2010

Objectives: While a previous meta‐analysis found that false‐positive mammography results affect women's likelihood of returning for screening, effects on well being have yet to be meta‐analyzed. We investigated whether the effects of false‐positive mammograms on women's well‐being are limited to outcomes specific to breast cancer.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE for studies of the psychosocial effects of false‐positive results of routine screening mammography. We pooled effect sizes using random effects meta‐analysis.

Results: Across 17 studies (n=20 781), receiving a false‐positive mammogram the result was associated with differences in all eight breast‐cancer‐specific outcomes that we examined. These included greater anxiety and distress about breast cancer as well as more frequent breast self‐exams and higher perceived effectiveness of screening mammography. False positives were associated with only one of six generic outcomes (i.e. generalized anxiety), and this effect size was small.

Conclusions: False‐positive mammograms influenced women's well‐being, but the effects were limited to breast‐cancer‐specific outcomes. Researchers should include disease‐specific measures in future studies of the consequences of false‐positive mammograms. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coping with cancer: a brief report on stress and coping strategies in medical students dealing with cancer patients
Authors: Jones Francesca M. E. , Fellows Jodie L. , Horne David J. de L.
Published: April 2010

Background: This pilot study explored factors associated with stress in medical students during their initial clinical contact with cancer patients, in particular identifying stress levels and coping strategies used.

Methods: A total of 80 medical students at The University of Birmingham Medical School, UK, completed retrospective self‐report questionnaires measuring socio‐demographics, potential stressors and coping strategies (using the Brief COPE inventory). Statistical analysis followed data collection.

Findings: Of all socio‐demographic categories, female gender correlated with the highest stress score (p<0.05). The most stressful situations reported related to the patient's condition, the biopsychosocial effects of the cancer on the patient and his/her family, and breaking bad news. A combination of problem‐ and emotion‐focussed strategies were used to manage stress; and the extent of their usage was significantly related to individual stress levels (p<0.01) in both instances.

Interpretation: Medical students in an oncology setting experience moderate stress and utilise a combination of problem‐ and emotion‐focussed coping strategies to combat this stress. A greater use of both coping strategies was seen in students experiencing higher levels of stress. This may suggest a relative lack of effective coping skills. In light of this, the implementation of coping strategy training as a part of the medical course and/or support groups may be beneficial. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Binding of synthetic peptide TPLVTLFK to nonopioid beta‐endorphin receptor on rat brain membranes
Authors: Nekrasova Yuliia N. , Sadovnikov Vladimir B. , Zolotarev Yury A. , Navolotskaya Elena V.
Published: April 2010

The synthetic peptide TPLVTLFK corresponding to the sequence 12–19 of β‐endorphin (referred to as octarphin) was found to bind to high‐affinity naloxone‐insensitive binding sites on membranes isolated from the rat brain cortex (Kd = 2.6 ± 0.2 nM). The binding specificity study revealed that these binding sites were insensitive not only to naloxone but also to α‐endorphin, γ‐endorphin, [Met5]enkephalin, and [Leu5]enkephalin, as well. The [3H]octarphin specific binding with brain membranes was inhibited by unlabeled β‐endorphin (Ki = 2.4 ± 0.2 nM) and a selective agonist of nonopioid β‐endorphin receptor decapeptide immunorphin SLTCLVKGFY (Ki = 2.9 ± 0.2 nM). At the same time, unlabeled octarphin completely (by 100%) inhibited the specific binding of [3H]immunorphin with membranes (Ki = 2.8 ± 0.2 nM). Thus, octarphin binds with a high affinity and specificity to nonopioid receptor of β‐endorphin on rat brain cortex membranes. Copyright © 2010 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Formation of basal plane fiber‐textured Ti2AlN films on amorphous substrates
Authors: Beckers M. , Eriksson F. , Lauridsen J. , Baehtz C. , Jensen J. , Hultman L.
Published: April 2010

The synthesis of fiber‐textured Ti2AlN(0001) films on SiO2 was characterized by in‐situ and ex‐situ X‐ray scattering and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. Ti2AlN was formed by solid‐state reaction between sequentially deposited Ti and AlN layers. A deposition at 275 °C yields a Ti(0001) out‐of‐plane orientation which is maintained for the following AlN(0001)/Ti(0001) layers. Annealing to 600 °C yields AlN decomposition and diffusion of Al and N into Ti, with consecutive transformation into Ti3AlN(111) and Ti2AlN(0001) plus AlN residuals. Despite preferred Ti2AlN(0001) out‐of‐plane orientation, the in‐plane distribution is random, as expected from the self‐organized pseudo‐epitaxial growth. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Physical mechanisms of boron diffusion gettering of iron in silicon
Authors: Vähänissi V. , Haarahiltunen A. , Talvitie H. , Yli‐Koski M. , Lindroos J. , Savin H.
Published: April 2010

We have studied the boron diffusion gettering (BDG) of iron in single crystalline silicon. The results show that iron is gettered efficiently by electrically inactive boron, which leads to gettering efficiencies comparable to phosphorus diffusion gettering (PDG). In addition we discuss the different physical mechanisms behind BDG. We also consider the possibilities of using boron diffusion gettering in solar cell fabrication and discuss the role of boron and iron concentration in the optimization of gettering efficiency. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Assimilation of satellite‐derived soil moisture from ASCAT in a limited‐area NWP model
Authors: Mahfouf Jean‐François
Published: April 2010

A simplified Extended Kalman Filter is developed for the assimilation of satellite‐derived surface soil moisture from the Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) instrument (on board the polar‐orbiting satellite METOP) in a limited‐area NWP model where soil water vertical transfers are described by a force–restore method. An analytic formulation of the land surface scheme Jacobians is derived to simplify the coupling between land surface and atmospheric data assimilation systems. Various steps necessary before the assimilation of ASCAT products are defined: projection of satellite data on the model grid, screening based on various criteria, bias correction using a CDF matching technique, and specification of model and observation errors. Three‐dimensional variational data assimilation experiments are then performed during a four‐week period in May 2009 over western Europe. A control assimilation is also run where the soil moisture evolves freely. Forecasts from these analyses show that the assimilation of ASCAT data slightly reduces the daytime low‐level relative humidity positive bias of the control run. Forecast skill scores with respect to other variables are rather neutral. A comparison of the control run with the operational system where soil moisture is corrected from short‐range forecast errors of screen‐level observations show similar improvements but are more pronounced. These differences come from the fact that the number of screen‐level observations from the surface network over Europe is significantly larger than those provided by a polar‐orbiting satellite. These results are consistent with those obtained at ECMWF using soil moisture products derived from other satellite instruments (X‐band radiometer TMI and C‐band scatterometer ERS). Several avenues for improving this preliminary methodology are proposed. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
An inherently mass‐conserving iterative semi‐implicit semi‐Lagrangian discretization of the non‐hydrostatic vertical‐slice equations
Authors: Melvin Thomas , Dubal Mark , Wood Nigel , Staniforth Andrew , Zerroukat Mohamed
Published: April 2010

Recently an inherently mass‐conserving semi‐Lagrangian transport scheme has been successfully coupled to an iterative semi‐implicit scheme in a global shallow‐water‐equation (SWE) model. Here that methodology is extended and applied to an iterative semi‐implicit semi‐Lagrangian (SISL) compressible, non‐hydrostatic vertical‐slice model, in which the constant reference state of the SWE model is now replaced by a vertically varying reference state. An advantage of this approach is that it preserves the same basic structure as the interpolating, non‐mass‐conserving, iterative SISL model. The resulting mass‐conserving model is applied to a standard set of test problems for such models and compared with results from both the literature and the interpolating, iterative SISL version of the model. © Crown Copyright 2010. Reproduced with the permission of HMSO. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A dynamical ocean feedback mechanism for the Madden–Julian Oscillation
Authors: Webber Benjamin G. M. , Matthews Adrian J. , Heywood Karen J.
Published: April 2010

Composite analysis is applied to study the dynamical ocean response to Madden–Julian (MJ) events, measured by anomalies in sea surface height from the merged TOPEX/Poseidon–European Remote Sensing satellite altimetry dataset. In each of the tropical ocean basins, significant equatorial waves are forced, which are shown to modulate the sea surface temperature (SST) by 0.2–0.3°C in the absence of strong surface heat fluxes. In the Indian Ocean there is a clear dynamical response which may play a significant role in generating later MJ events. Surface westerly winds, associated with the active phase of the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO), force an eastward‐propagating oceanic downwelling equatorial Kelvin wave, which, on reaching the eastern boundary at Sumatra, forces reflected downwelling equatorial Rossby waves and coastal Kelvin waves. The coastal Kelvin waves propagate southwards towards northern Australia and northwards into the Bay of Bengal, and will be important for local physical, chemical and biological processes. The equatorial Rossby waves propagate westward across the Indian Ocean, arriving in the western Indian Ocean approximately 80–100 days after the initial Kelvin wave was generated. The arrival of these waves generates positive SST anomalies which leads to convection and may trigger the next‐but‐one MJ event, or amplify the low‐frequency tail of the MJO. This constitutes a coupled feedback mechanism from the ocean dynamics onto the MJO, somewhat similar to the delayed oscillator mechanism for the El Niño Southern Oscillation. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
An analysis of the dynamic σ polarization in the V state of ethene
Authors: Angeli Celestino
Published: April 2010

The importance of the dynamic σ polarization (absent in methods where the σ skeleton is treated at a mean‐field level) for the correct description of the V state of the ethene molecule has been recognized by many authors in the past. In this article, this physical effect is analyzed and it is seen as arising from the sum of two contributions: the polarization of the σ CC bond and of the σ CH bonds. In both cases it is described in a valence bond scheme and the types of excitations needed in a molecular orbital frame to introduce such effects are identified. The effect of the dynamic σ polarization on the spatial extent of the V state (〈x2〉) is described. The analysis here reported has been used in a recent article (Angeli, J Comp Chem 2009, 30, 1319) for the accurate calculation of the V state and of its vertical excitation energy. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 110:2436–2447, 2010
Experimental and theoretical studies of 2‐amino‐3‐methylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoline derivatives: Cooked‐food mutagens
Authors: Marques Alberto D. S. , Lin Chhiu T. , Pereira Luiza G. , Takahata Yuji
Published: April 2010

The UV absorption spectra of two potent mutagens, 2‐amino‐3‐methylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoline (IQ) and NO2‐IQ, dissolved in ethanol, were observed at room temperature. General appearance of the two spectra is somewhat different. The absorption spectra show five bands in the region above 200 nm. The peak positions of the five bands are similar in the two spectra. The observed bands in the two molecules were assigned using transition energies calculated with time‐dependent density functional theory with triple‐zeta polarized basis set with the statistical average of orbital potentials exchange‐and‐correlation functional. The emission spectra of the two molecules dissolved in ethanol were obtained at 77 K. Only fluorescence emission was observed in IQ. No phosphorescence emission of the molecule was observed. Both fluorescence and phosphorescence emissions were observed in NO2‐IQ. These observations were interpreted with the aid of the calculated transition energy spectra. Some lowest vertical ionization energies of the two molecules were also calculated. The first ionization energy of NO2‐IQ is greater than that of IQ by 1.2 eV. Core electron binding energies (CEBEs) of the two molecules were calculated as well. Using CEBE shifts of atoms in the molecules, it was possible to observe the changes of chemical environment when substituent changes. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Search for new antimalarial compounds obtained from natural sources by molecular modeling
Authors: Leite Franco Henrique A. , Taranto Alex G. , dos Santos Junior Manoelito C. , Branco Alexsandro , de Araujo Martha T. , de M. Carneiro José Walkimar
Published: April 2010

Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone with an endoperoxide function that is currently being used against strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Endoperoxides are supposed to act on heme leading to reduction of the peroxide bond and production of radicals that can kill the parasite. As artemisinin, other natural compounds have the peroxide group and may also show antimalarial activity. This fact motivated us to study the interaction of 18 peroxides natural Brazilian flora with the heme group and compared with the values obtained for artemisinin. Initially, a conformational search was performed using the MM3 method for each molecule. The most stable conformers were optimized by the PM3(tm) method. Then, there was a docking between the peroxide and the heme group, again followed by a conformational search. Finally, the complex was optimized to obtain highest occupied molecular orbital, lowest unoccupied molecular orbital, and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) by the PM3(tm) method. All these calculations were performed using the Titan package. Among the natural peroxides, we studied (18), four have molecular orbital, MEP, and interaction energies similar to artemisinin. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Enteroviruses and type 1 diabetes: towards a better understanding of the relationship
Authors: Jaïdane Hela , Sauter Pierre , Sane Famara , Goffard Anne , Gharbi Jawhar , Hober Didier
Published: April 2010

Environmental factors, especially viruses, are involved in the initiation or the acceleration of type 1 diabetes (T1D) pathogenesis. Epidemiological data strongly suggest that enteroviruses, such as coxsackievirus B4 (CV‐B4), can be associated with T1D. It has been demonstrated that enterovirus infections were significantly more prevalent in at risk individuals, such as siblings of diabetic patients, when they developed anti‐β‐cell autoantibodies or T1D, and in recently diagnosed diabetic patients, compared with control subjects. The isolation of CV‐B4 from the pancreas of diabetic patients strengthened the hypothesis of a relationship between the virus and the disease. Studies performed in vitro and in vivo in animal models helped to discover mechanisms of the infection of pancreas and other tissues, potentially able to play a role in the pathogenesis of T1D. Interestingly, it cannot be excluded that enteroviruses behave as half‐devil half‐angel since experimental studies suggest that, in certain conditions, these agents would be able to protect individuals against the disease. All of the plausible mechanisms by which enterovirus may be related to T1D will be reviewed here. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Passive sensor evaluation for unmanned ground vehicle mud detection
Authors: Rankin A. L. , Matthies L. H.
Published: April 2010

Detecting mud hazards is a significant challenge to unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) autonomous off‐road navigation. A military UGV stuck in a body of mud during a mission may need to be sacrificed or rescued, both unattractive options. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is currently developing a daytime mud detection capability under the U.S. Army Research Laboratory Robotics Collaborative Technology Alliances program using UGV‐mounted sensors. To perform robust mud detection under all conditions, we expect that multiple sensors will be necessary. A passive mud detection solution is desirable to meet future combat system requirements. To characterize the advantages and disadvantages of candidate passive sensors, outdoor data collections have been performed on wet and dry soil using visible, multispectral (including near‐infrared), shortwave infrared, midwave infrared, long‐wave infrared, polarization, and stereo sensors. In this paper, we examine the cues for mud detection that each of these sensors provide, along with their deficiencies, and we illustrate localizing detected mud in a world model that can used by a UGV to plan safe paths. We mostly limit our examination to mud detection during the daytime under ideal conditions: isolated wet soil surrounded by dry soil during nominal weather, i.e., no precipitation, calm wind, and near‐average temperatures. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Trying to become a different type of company: dynamic capability at Smith Corona
Authors: Danneels Erwin
Published: April 2010

Smith Corona, formerly one of the world's leading manufacturers of typewriters, was challenged to exercise dynamic capability in the face of the dissipation of its main product category. A study of the last two decades of the life of the company shows how Smith Corona tried to alter its resource base by leveraging existing resources, creating new resources, accessing external resources, and releasing resources. Using the extended case method, this study advances dynamic capability theory by confronting it with an empirical case. The Smith Corona case provides rich insights into the resource alteration processes by which dynamic capability operates, and highlights resource cognition as a missing element in dynamic capability theory. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gold‐Catalyzed Vapor–Liquid–Solid Germanium‐Nanowire Nucleation on Porous Silicon
Authors: Koto Makoto , Marshall Ann F. , Goldthorpe Irene A. , McIntyre Paul C.
Published: April 2010

Nanoporous Si(111) substrates are used to study the effects of Au catalyst coarsening on the nucleation of vapor–liquid–solid‐synthesized epitaxial Ge nanowires (NWs) at temperatures less than 400 °C. Porous Si substrates, with greater effective interparticle separations for Au surface diffusion than nonporous Si, inhibit catalyst coarsening and agglomeration prior to NW nucleation. This greatly reduces the variation in wire diameter and length and increases the yield compared to nucleation on identically prepared nonporous Si substrates.
Formation of Bubbles in a Multisection Flow‐Focusing Junction
Authors: Hashimoto Michinao , Whitesides George M.
Published: April 2010

The formation of bubbles in a flow‐focusing (FF) junction comprising multiple rectangular sections is described. The simplest junctions comprise two sections (throat and orifice). Systematic investigation of the influence on the formation of bubbles of the flow of liquid and the geometry of the junction identifies regimes that generate monodisperse, bidisperse, and tridisperse trains of bubbles. The mechanisms by which these junctions form monodisperse and bidisperse bubbles are inferred from the shapes of the gas thread during breakup: these mechanisms differ primarily by the process in which the gas thread collapses in the throat and/or orifice. The dynamic self‐assembly of bidisperse bubbles leads to unexpected groupings of bubbles during their flow along the outlet channel.
MicroRNA miR-137 Regulates Neuronal Maturation by Targeting Ubiquitin Ligase Mind Bomb-1
Authors: Smrt Richard D. , Szulwach Keith E. , Pfeiffer Rebecca L. , Li Xuekun , Guo Weixiang , Pathania Manavendra , Teng Zhao-Qian , Luo Yuping , Peng Junmin , Bordey Angelique , Jin Peng , Zhao Xinyu
Published: April 2010

The maturation of young neurons is regulated by complex mechanisms and dysregulation of this process is frequently found in neurodevepmental disorders. MicroRNAs have been implicated in several steps of neuronal maturation including dendritic and axonal growth, spine development, and synaptogenesis. We demonstrate that one brain-enriched microRNA, miR-137, has a significant role in regulating neuronal maturation. Overexpression of miR-137 inhibits dendritic morphogenesis, phenotypic maturation, and spine development both in brain and cultured primary neurons. On the other hand, a reduction in miR-137 had opposite effects. We further show that miR-137 targets the Mind bomb one (Mib1) protein through the conserved target site located in the 3′ untranslated region of Mib1 messenger RNA. Mib1 is an ubiquitin ligase known to be important for neurodevelopment. We show that exogenously expressed Mib1 could partially rescue the phenotypes associated with miR-137 overexpression. These results demonstrate a novel miRNA-mediated mechanism involving miR-137 and Mib1 that function to regulate neuronal maturation and dendritic morphogenesis during development.
Climate and development ‐ the challenges in delivering the promises: an editorial essay
Authors: Murdiyarso Daniel
Published: April 2010

This article is categorized under:

Climate and Development > Knowledge and Action in Development
Exposure, instrumentation, and observing practice effects on land temperature measurements
Authors: Trewin Blair
Published: April 2010

To monitor climate change adequately and determine the extent to which anthropogenic influences are contributing to observed climate change, it is critical to have land temperature data of a high standard. In particular, it is important to have temperature data whose changes reflect changes in the climate and not changes in other circumstances under which the temperatures were taken. There are numerous factors that can affect land temperature records. Among the most common are changes in instrumentation, changes in local site condition in situ (through urbanization or for other reasons), site relocations, and changes in observing practices. All have the potential, if uncorrected, to have impacts on temperature records at individual locations similar to or greater than the observed century‐scale global warming trend. A number of techniques exist to identify these influences and correct data to take them into account. These have been applied in various ways in climate change analyses and in major data sets used for the assessment of long‐term climate change. These techniques are not perfect and numerous uncertainties remain, especially with respect to daily and sub‐daily temperature data. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article is categorized under:

Paleoclimates and Current Trends > Modern Climate Change
A note on calibration of Markov processes
Authors: Bloch Daniel
Published: April 2010

Using Malliavin calculus, we derive under the forward probability measure Ito's formula for anticipating processes in the multi‐dimensional case. We use it when the instantaneous volatility, the spot rate and the dividend yield of the stock price are Markov processes to approximate solutions of the Black type to the prices of call options as well as binary options. The stochastic dividend yield makes it possible to consider the pricing of contingent claims not only in the equity market but also in the commodities, fixed income and forex markets. We then derive the Greeks of the model, which will be used for the risk management of the exotic products, and approximate the implied volatility surface induced by the model. Copyright © 2010 Wilmott Magazine Ltd.
Calibrating exotic models to vanilla models
Authors: Ekstrand Christian
Published: April 2010

A method is presented through which certain exotic derivatives models can be adjusted to agree with more specialized models. Copyright © 2010 Wilmott Magazine Ltd.
Branch formation during organ development
Authors: Gjorevski Nikolce , Nelson Celeste M.
Published: April 2010

Invertebrates and vertebrates use branching morphogenesis to build epithelial trees to maximize the surface area of organs within a given volume. Several molecular regulators of branching have recently been discovered, a number of which are conserved across different organs and species. Signals that control branching at the cellular and tissue levels are also starting to emerge, and are rapidly unveiling the physical nature of branch development. Here we discuss the molecular, cellular, and physical processes that govern branch formation, and highlight the major outstanding questions in the field. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Developmental Biology > Developmental Processes in Health and Disease
Optimization of Liver Transplantation as a Treatment of Intrahepatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence After Partial Liver Resection: Experience of a Single European Series
Authors: Sapisochin Gonzalo , Bilbao Itxarone , Balsells Joaquin , Dopazo Cristina , Caralt Mireia , Lázaro Jose Luis , Castells Luis , Allende Helena , Charco Ramón
Published: April 2010

Background

The aim of this study was to ascertain the outcome of liver transplantation (LT) due to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients who had undergone previous liver resection (LR) for HCC.

Methods

A case‐control study (1:2) was designed to compare patients who underwent LT due to HCC recurrence with a previous LR for HCC (study group) with those who underwent LT for primary HCC but without previous LR (control group).

Results

From January 1990 to December 2007, a total of 303 cirrhotic patients with primary HCC were evaluated for surgery. Primary LT was performed in 191 and LR in 100. When HCC recurrence was diagnosed after LR (69/100), 17 of the 69 (25%) patients underwent LT (study group). The median follow‐up was 70 months (12.7–203.0 months). Disease‐free survivals at 1, 3, and 5 years in the study group versus the control group were 86%, 68%, 58% vs. 97%, 93%, 89%, respectively (p < 0.04). The 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year actuarial patient survivals in the study group versus the control group were 59%, 52%, 52% vs. 85%, 76%, 65%, respectively (p = NS). Patients of the study group were divided into two groups according to the time to recurrence after LR: group 1 was <1 year, and group 2 was >1 year. Recurrence after LT was 75% in group 1 vs. 15.4% in group 2 (p < 0.03). The 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year actuarial patient survivals were 25%, 0%, 0% in group 1 and 69%, 69%, 69% in group 2, p < 0.02).

Conclusions

Liver transplantation can be safely performed after a previous LR for HCC. Patients with recurrence during the first year after hepatectomy have a poor prognosis after LT.
Esterification of Stearic Acid with Triethanolamine over Zirconium Sulfate Supported on SBA‐15 Mesoporous Molecular Sieve
Authors: Geng Tao , Li Qiuxiao , Jiang Yajie , Wang Wei
Published: April 2010

Zirconium sulfate supported on SBA‐15 (pore diameter about 6 nm) mesoporous molecular sieve was synthesized. Various techniques, such as nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and temperature‐programmed desorption, were used to characterize the prepared catalysts. It was shown that the catalyst exhibited straight, parallel, and uniform channels, zirconium sulfate had been finely dispersed on the surface of SBA‐15, and most of the zirconium sulfate species were located inside the pore channels. The catalyst contained two kinds of acid sites with different strengths. Zirconium sulfate supported on SBA‐15 was used to catalyze the esterification of stearic acid with triethanolamine and recycling was used. The composition of esteramine was analyzed by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. The analytic results showed that the catalytic activity and selectivity of zirconium sulfate supported on SBA‐15 in the esterification of stearic acid and triethanolamine was better than that of phosphorous acid, zirconium sulfate supported on MCM‐41, and zirconium sulfate supported on SBA‐15.