bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Aminolysis of 2,4-Dinitrophenyl and 5-Nitropyridine N-Hydroxy Oxime Derivatives
Authors: Khattab Sherine N , Hamed Ezzat Awad , Albericio Fernando , El-Faham Ayman
Published: June 2011

The 2,4-dinitrophenoxy derivatives 12–16 and the 5-nitro-2-pyridyloxy derivatives 18–22 were prepared. The products were identified by elemental analysis, IR, and NMR. The reaction of 12–16 and 18–22 with morpholine as nucleophile in CH3CN occurs through nucleophilic aromatic substitutions to give N-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)morpholine (23) and N-(5-nitro-2-pyridyl)morpholine (24) respectively. Spectrophotometric measurements of the kinetics of these reactions in CH3CN at a range of temperatures indicated that they are not morpholine-catalyzed. The Brønsted-type plots for the reactions of 12–16 and 18–22 with morpholine are linear with slopes, β12–16 = −1.58 ± 0.1 and β18–22 = −1.15 ± 0.25 respectively. The relative rate constants compared to the least reactive substrate, as well as the low negative β values, supported that the decomposition of the zwitterionic intermediate is a slow process. The low activation parameters (ΔH# and ΔS#) are in accordance with the proposed transition state (T#). The expulsion of RO− anion in the rate-determining step is assisted by intramolecular hydrogen-bonding with the ammonio-hydrogen present in the intermediate T#.
Reductive Glutathione-Responsive Molecular Release Using Water-Soluble POSS Network Polymers
Authors: Tanaka Kazuo , Ohashi Wataru , Kitamura Narufumi , Chujo Yoshiki
Published: June 2011

We describe in the manuscript reductive glutathione (GSH)-responsive molecular release using polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) network polymers. A series of the POSS network polymers with the different crosslinking ratios containing disulfide linkers were synthesized, and molecular encapsulation by the polymers was executed. We found that the POSS polymers encapsulated the molecules in aqueous solutions. On the contrary, the reduced polymers hardly retained the guest molecules. By using the change of the encapsulation ability of the polymers via reduction, we demonstrated that the dye-loaded network polymers released the encapsulated molecules. Finally, we were able to detect GSH with intercellular concentration by the increase of the intensity of fluorescence emission.
Enantioselective Copper-Catalyzed 1,4-Addition of Dialkylzincs to Enones Followed by Trapping with Allyl Iodide Derivatives
Authors: Kawamura Kenjiro , Fukuzawa Hitomi , Hayashi Masahiko
Published: June 2011

Enantioselective copper-catalyzed 1,4-addition of dialkylzincs to enones proceeded in the presence of 0.1 mol % of Cu(OTf)2 and 0.25 mol % of an N,N,P-ligand containing a quinoline moiety to afford the corresponding conjugated adducts in 99% ee. The intermediate zinc enolates were trapped with substituted allyl iodides to give disubstituted ketones with high diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity.
Liquid Crystallinity and Organogelation Behavior of Lignin-Derived Metabolic Intermediate Bearing Cholesterol Groups
Authors: Michinobu Tsuyoshi , Hiraki Kenta , Fujii Nozomu , Shikinaka Kazuhiro , Katayama Yoshihiro , Masai Eiji , Nakamura Masaya , Otsuka Yuichiro , Ohara Seiji , Shigehara Kiyotaka
Published: June 2011

Two cholesterol groups were for the first time attached to a lignin-derived metabolic intermediate, 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC). This PDC molecule showed a liquid crystalline mesophase and interesting organogelation behavior. The relationship between molecular structure and assembly properties was investigated by modifying the PDC core and a spacer group between the PDC and cholesterol moieties. Although all derivatives displayed similar phase transition behavior with a SmA phase, only a few of them could form organogels. Detailed morphology investigations of the xerogels by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) suggested that both the PDC moiety and a carbamate spacer are essential for the occurrence of organogelation. Hydrogen bonds of the carbamate spacers and van der Waals interactions of the cholesterol moieties lead to a dipolar-induced interaction of the pyrone rings. The physical gels were probably stabilized by these cooperative interactions. The IR and 1H NMR spectroscopies clearly revealed the presence of weak intermolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonds and dipolar-type interactions, for efficient gelator molecules.
Tetrathiafulvalene-based Cruciform Molecules
Authors: Jennum Karsten , Nielsen Mogens Brøndsted
Published: June 2011

Molecules with two orthogonally oriented π-systems (cruciforms) have attracted interest by virtue of the different conjugation pathways that exist between the individual parts of the molecule. In particular, the possibility for changing the conjugation pathways by an external stimulus may provide controllable molecular switches for molecular electronics. Here we highlight our design and synthesis of cruciform molecules incorporating the redox-active unit tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) placed vertically to an oligo(phenyleneethynylene) (OPE) unit. These molecules have potential as redox-controlled wires (transistors) for molecular electronics. The OPE–TTF cruciforms are prepared by a combination of stepwise metal-catalyzed cross-coupling and Wittig reactions.
Synthesis of Iron-containing Mesoporous Silica Aiming to Use as a New Sunscreen Ultraviolet Absorber
Authors: Chaikriangkrai Amata , Takeshita Yuka , Shibata Masashi
Published: June 2011

The relationship between synthesis conditions of iron-containing mesoporous silica (Fe-MCM-41) and UV–visible absorbance was studied. Fe-MCM-41 with high UV absorption and low visible absorption was effectively synthesized by using [Fe(acac)3] as an iron source and employing calcination for the template removal. The obtained Fe-MCM-41 did not exhibit photocatalytic activity as determined by dye decomposition, and its SPF and PA values were at an acceptable level, concluding that there is a possibility as a new sunscreen agent.
Site Specific Deposition of Ag on the Corners of Pt Nanocubes
Authors: Miyabayashi Keiko , Higashimoto Mami , Shen Zhongrong , Miyake Mikio
Published: June 2011

Novel heterostructured nanoparticles were synthesized by the deposition of Ag on Pt nanocubes by overcoming lattice mismatch, where Ag deposition preferentially occurred at corners of Pt nanocubes during the initial stage of deposition, and position and amount of Ag deposition were controlled by tuning of reaction conditions. The mechanism of such site-specific deposition of Ag is discussed in relation to I− (shape forming agent) and succinate (organic protective agent).
Development of a Potassium Ion Sensor for 19F Magnetic Resonance Chemical Shift Imaging Based on Fluorine-labeled Thrombin Aptamer
Authors: Sakamoto Takashi , Hayakawa Hikaru , Fujimoto Kenzo
Published: June 2011

To develop a molecular imaging probe for potassium cation based on the chemical shift change of 19F magnetic resonance (MR), thrombin aptamer, whose structure was changed with the selective binding of potassium cation, was labeled with a fluorine compound. We demonstrated that the probe could detect potassium cation by chemical shift change of the 19F MR signal, and that the chemical shift change was caused by potassium cation selective G-quadruplex formation.
Synthesis and Structure of syn,anti,syn-Pentacyclic Ladder Oligomethylsilsesquioxane
Authors: Seki Hiroyasu , Abe Noritaka , Abe Yoshimoto , Gunji Takahiro
Published: June 2011

Novel pentacyclic ladder oligomethylsilsesquioxane was synthesized using cis,trans,cis-[MeSi(NCO)O]4 as a building block. This compound was isolated in 13% yield by reprecipitation from the reaction mixture. X-ray crystallography revealed that pentacyclic rings assume a syn,anti,syn-configuration, resulting in the tube-like structure.
Continuous Band Gap Control from 0.3 to 1.1 eV of π-Conjugated Polymers in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Aota Hiroyuki , Ishikawa Takeshi , Maki Yutaro , Takaya Dai , Ejiri Hiroaki , Amiuchi Yuta , Yano Hirofumi , Kunimoto Tatsuya , Matsumoto Akira
Published: June 2011

Band gap controllable, water-soluble, and π-conjugated polymers were prepared by the addition–condensation of pyrrole (Py), 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene (THB), and sodium o-formylbenzenesulfonate (BS) with different Py/THB/BS ratios. Band gap values are continuously controlled from 0.3 to 1.1 eV in aqueous solutions by changing molecular weights and monomer unit sequences.
When Acquisition Spoils Retention: Direct Selling vs. Delegation Under CRM
Authors: Dong Yan , Yao Yuliang , Cui Tony Haitao
Published: June 2011

The widespread implementation of customer relationship management technologies in business has allowed companies to increasingly focus on both acquiring and retaining customers. The challenge of designing incentive mechanisms that simultaneously focus on customer acquisition and customer retention comes from the fact that customer acquisition and customer retention are usually separate but intertwined tasks that make providing proper incentives more difficult. The present study develops incentive mechanisms that simultaneously address acquisition and retention of customers with an emphasis on the interactions between them. The main focus of this study is to examine the impact of the negative effect of acquisition on retention, i.e., the spoiling effect, on firm performance under direct selling and delegation of customer acquisition. Our main finding is that the negative effect of acquisition on retention has a significant impact on acquisition and retention efforts and firm profit. In particular, when the customer acquisition and retention are independent, the firm's profit is higher under direct selling than under delegation; however, when acquisition spoils retention, interestingly, the firm's profit may be higher under delegation. Our analysis also finds that the spoiling effect not only reduces the optimal acquisition effort but may also reduce retention effort under both direct selling and delegation. Comparing the optimal efforts under direct selling and delegation, the acquisition effort is always lower under delegation regardless of the spoiling effect, but the retention effort may be higher under delegation with the spoiling effect. Furthermore, when the customer antagonism effect from price promotions is considered, our main results hold regarding the firm's preferences between direct selling and delegation, which demonstrates the robustness of our model.

This paper was accepted by Pradeep Chintagunta, marketing.
Keynes Meets Markowitz: The Trade-Off Between Familiarity and Diversification
Authors: Boyle Phelim , Garlappi Lorenzo , Uppal Raman , Wang Tan
Published: June 2011

We develop a model of portfolio choice to nest the views of Keynes, who advocates concentration in a few familiar assets, and Markowitz, who advocates diversification. We use the concepts of ambiguity and ambiguity aversion to formalize the idea of an investor's “familiarity” toward assets. The model shows that for any given level of expected returns, the optimal portfolio depends on two quantities: relative ambiguity across assets and the standard deviation of the expected return estimate for each asset. If both quantities are low, then the optimal portfolio consists of a mix of familiar and unfamiliar assets; moreover, an increase in correlation between assets causes an investor to increase concentration in familiar assets (flight to familiarity). Alternatively, if both quantities are high, then the optimal portfolio contains only the familiar asset(s), as Keynes would have advocated. In the extreme case in which both quantities are very high, no risky asset is held (nonparticipation).

This paper was accepted by Brad Barber, Teck Ho, and Terrance Odean, special issue editors.
Valuing the Treasury's Capital Assistance Program
Authors: Glasserman Paul , Wang Zhenyu
Published: June 2011

The Capital Assistance Program (CAP) was created by the U.S. government in February 2009 to provide backup capital to large financial institutions unable to raise sufficient capital from private investors. Under the terms of the CAP, a participating bank receives contingent capital by issuing preferred shares to the Treasury combined with embedded options for both parties: The bank gets the option to redeem the shares or convert them to common equity, with conversion mandatory after seven years; the Treasury earns dividends on the preferred shares and gets warrants on the bank's common equity. We develop a contingent claims framework in which to estimate market values of these CAP securities. The interaction between the competing options held by the buyer and issuer of these securities creates a game between the two parties, and our approach captures this strategic element of the joint valuation problem and clarifies the incentives it creates. We apply our method to the 18 publicly held bank holding companies that participated in the Supervisory Capital Assessment Program (the stress test) launched together with the CAP. On average, we estimate that compared to a market transaction, the CAP securities carry a net value of approximately 30% of the capital invested for a bank participating to the maximum extent allowed under the terms of the program. We also find that the net value varies widely across banks. We compare our estimates with abnormal stock price returns for the stress test banks at the time the terms of the CAP were announced; we find correlations between 0.78 and 0.85, depending on the precise choice of period and set of banks included. These results suggest that our valuation aligns with shareholder perception of the value of the program, prompting questions about industry reactions and the overall impact of the program.

This paper was accepted by Wei Xiong, finance.
Exclusive Territories and Manufacturers' Collusion
Authors: Piccolo Salvatore , Reisinger Markus
Published: June 2011

This paper highlights the rationale for exclusive territories in a model of repeated interaction between competing supply chains. We show that with observable contracts exclusive territories have two countervailing effects on manufacturers' incentives to sustain tacit collusion. First, granting local monopolies to retailers softens competition in a one-shot game. Hence, punishment profits are larger, thereby rendering deviation more profitable. Second, exclusive territories stifle deviation profits because retailers of competing brands adjust their prices to the wholesale contract offered by a deviant manufacturer, whereas intrabrand competition prevents such “instantaneous reaction.” We show that the latter effect tends to dominate, thereby making exclusive territories a more suitable organizational mode to cooperate. These insights are robust to endogenous communication between manufacturers. We also consider retailers' service investments. Here, a novel effect emerges that softens the procollusive value of exclusive territories: Retailers of a deviant manufacturer increase investments, which renders deviation more profitable.

This paper was accepted by Preyas Desai, marketing.
Mixed Source
Authors: Casadesus-Masanell Ramon , Llanes Gastón
Published: June 2011

We study competitive interaction between a profit-maximizing firm that sells software and complementary services, and a free open-source competitor. We examine the firm's choice of business model between the proprietary model (where all software modules are proprietary), the open-source model (where all modules are open source), and the mixed-source model (where some—but not all—modules are open). When a module is opened, users can access and improve the code, which increases quality and value creation. Opened modules, however, are available for others to use free of charge. We derive the set of possibly optimal business models when the modules of the firm and the open-source competitor are compatible (and thus can be combined) and incompatible, and show that (i) when the firm's modules are of high (low) quality, the firm is more open under incompatibility (compatibility) than under compatibility (incompatibility); (ii) firms are more likely to open substitute, rather than complementary, modules to existing open-source projects; and (iii) there may be no trade-off between value creation and value capture when comparing business models with different degrees of openness.

This paper was accepted by Bruno Cassiman, business strategy.
Exogenous Learning, Seller-Induced Learning, and Marketing of Durable Goods
Authors: Jing Bing
Published: June 2011

When learning of product characteristics takes some time, a firm introducing a new durable faces the trade-off between releasing early to an uninformed market and deferring release to a better-informed market. In a two-period monopoly, we examine the strategic interaction between exogenous learning (EL) and seller-induced learning (SIL) and the firm's product release and pricing strategies. The familiar, direct effect of strong learning is to facilitate a higher price for informed customers. We point out its indirect effect of inducing a higher period 1 price for uninformed customers (by lowering their expected utility from learning). These two effects underlie three major results. First, a strong learning intensity does not always imply deferred release. Surprisingly, for medium unit costs, the firm releases late (early) when learning intensity is weak (strong). Second, SIL facilitates different product release strategies, depending on the unit cost level. Potential SIL investment facilitates early release for low or medium unit costs, but may facilitate deferred release for high unit costs. Lastly, when customers have heterogeneous prior valuation, the high-end customers may buy early at a lower price and the low-end customers may buy later at a higher price, contrary to the usual skim pricing with informed customers.

This paper was accepted by Preyas Desai, marketing.
Diabetes in Control: A Web Site for Medical Professionals: Dosing Error with New Taxotere Concentration: Mix-up between PPD and Polio Vaccine
Authors: Cohen Michael R. , Smetzer Judy L.
Published: June 2011

These medication errors have occurred in health care facilities at least once. They will happen again—perhaps where you work. Through education and alertness of personnel and procedural safeguards, they can be avoided. You should consider publishing accounts of errors in your newsletters and/or presenting them at your inservice training programs.

Your assistance is required to continue this feature. The reports described here were received through the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) Medication Errors Reporting Program. Any reports published by ISMP will be anonymous. Comments are also invited; the writers' names will be published if desired. ISMP may be contacted at the address shown below.

Errors, close calls, or hazardous conditions may be reported directly to ISMP through the ISMP Web site ( www.ismp.org ), by calling 800-FAIL-SAFE, or via e-mail at ismpinfo@ismp.org . ISMP guarantees the confidentiality and security of the information received and respects reporters' wishes as to the level of detail included in publications.
Allopurinol-Induced Aplastic Anemia: Fluorouracil-Induced Tako-Tsubo-like Syndrome: Another Report of the DRESS Syndrome: Aripiprazole-Associated Bruxism, Akathisia, and Parkinsonism: Possible Association of New-Onset Seizure with the H1N1 Vaccine
Authors: Shuster Joel
Published: June 2011

The purpose of this feature is to heighten awareness of specific adverse drug reactions (ADRs), discuss methods of prevention, and promote reporting of ADRs to the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) MedWatch program (800-FDA-1088). If you have reported an interesting, preventable ADR to MedWatch, please consider sharing the account with our readers.
Recent Insights into Dosing Diuretics for Acute Decompensated Heart Failure
Authors: Howard Patricia A.
Published: June 2011

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is a major problem among the elderly requiring frequent hospitalizations. Although the vast majority of patients with ADHF require loop diuretic therapy to control symptoms, guidelines for their use have been driven primarily by small nonrandomized trials and observational studies. Ongoing debate has centered on the risks of adverse effects including renal dysfunction and the most appropriate method of administration to minimize these risks. Recently, a large prospective randomized trial, the Diuretic Optimization Strategies Evaluation (DOSE), addressed these issues. This article will review the findings of this trial and the implications for clinical practice.
Paclitaxel, Carboplatin, and Bevacizumab
Authors: Furst Jennifer M. , Solimando Dominic A. , Waddell J. Aubrey
Published: June 2011

The complexity of cancer chemotherapy requires pharmacists be familiar with the complicated regimens and highly toxic agents used. This column reviews various issues related to preparation, dispensing, and administration of antineoplastic therapy, and the agents, both commercially available and investigational, used to treat malignant diseases.
Incidence of Intravenous Catheter-Site Complications in Patients Treated with Linezolid or Vancomycin for Skin Infections Caused by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Luke David R. , Hewlett Dial , Welch Verna , Chambers Richard , Huang David B.
Published: June 2011

Objective

The aim of the study was to compare all-cause adverse events (AEs) and those caused by intravenous (IV) catheter-site complications (IVCSCs) using data from a previously published study of the use of linezolid or vancomycin for treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI) suspected or proven to be caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Methods

To examine the incidence of AEs caused by the 2 antibiotic treatments, we conducted a post hoc analysis of data from a prospective, open-label, randomized, multicenter phase 4 study. Patients were randomized to treatment with either oral (PO) or IV linezolid 600 mg every 12 hours or with IV vancomycin 15 mg/kg every 12 hours with dose adjustment as needed. Study treatment was administered for 7 to 14 days. We excluded patients with baseline bacteremia (n = 11) and those who started on PO linezolid (n = 215). We analyzed data only from patients who received at least 1 dose of IV study medication.

Results

Patient demographics and types of cSSSI were comparable among patients receiving linezolid (n = 315) and vancomycin (n = 511). Mean durations of IV therapy for patients receiving linezolid and vancomycin were 4.5 days and 7.6 days (1,418 and 3,884 patient-days, respectively). All-cause AEs were reported in 50% and 51% of patients in the linezolid and vancomycin groups, respectively; all-cause IVCSCs were reported in 2% and 7%, respectively. Treatment-related IVCSCs were reported in 1 patient in the linezolid group and 16 patients in the vancomycin group.

Conclusions

The overall rate of AEs was similar among patients receiving linezolid and vancomycin, but AEs caused by IVCSCs were more frequent among patients receiving vancomycin and rare episodes of bacteremia and sepsis were more common in the linezolid group.
Aripiprazole-Induced Diabetic Ketoacidosis: Remaining Vigilant
Authors: Watkins Jack , Ray Shaunta' M. , Gillion Amanda , Finch Christopher K.
Published: June 2011

Purpose

A case of hyperglycemia and subsequent diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) possibly associated with aripiprazole use in an adult patient with no previous history of diabetes mellitus is reported.

A 55-year-old man presented to the emergency department with altered mental status and complaints of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The patient's past medical history was significant only for depression and hyperlipidemia. His home medications included sertraline 200 mg once daily and aripiprazole 10 mg once daily, which was initiated 6 months prior. The patient had no documented history of diabetes mellitus. Laboratory test results at the time of admission revealed hyponatremia, elevated serum creatinine, a blood glucose of 714 mg/dL, elevated amylase and lipase, and ketonuria. The patient's hemoglobin A1C was 13.5%. DKA was diagnosed. The patient was admitted to the hospital and given a normal saline bolus and infusion. Home medications were not continued. An insulin infusion was also initiated. On the second day of admission, his blood glucose continued to decrease, the insulin infusion was slowly titrated down, and NPH was started. On hospital day 3, the NPH was increased and the insulin infusion was discontinued. The patient was discharged home following 4 days of hospitalization on insulin therapy and aripiprazole was not restarted.

Conclusions

Although the glucose dysregulatory effect of aripiprazole is not widely appreciated, our case report emphasizes the importance of monitoring patients who receive any atypical antipsychotic, particularly aripiprazole, for glucose and metabolic abnormalities.
Spinosad 0.9% Topical Suspension
Authors: Cada Dennis J. , Levien Terri L. , Baker Danial E.
Published: June 2011

Each month, subscribers to The Formulary Monograph Service receive 5 to 6 well-documented monographs on drugs that are newly released or are in late phase 3 trials. The monographs are targeted to Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committees. Subscribers also receive monthly 1-page summary monographs on agents that are useful for agendas and pharmacy/nursing in-services. A comprehensive target drug utilization evaluation/medication use evaluation (DUE/MUE) is also provided each month. With a subscription, the monographs are sent in print and are also available on-line. Monographs can be customized to meet the needs of a facility. Subscribers to The Formulary Monograph Service also receive access to a pharmacy bulletin board, The Formulary Information Exchange (The F.I.X.). All topics pertinent to clinical and hospital pharmacy are discussed on The F.I.X.

Through the cooperation of The Formulary, Hospital Pharmacy publishes selected reviews in this column. For more information about The Formulary Monograph Service or The F.I.X., call The Formulary at 800-322-4349. The June 2011 monograph topics are on ipilimubab, omacetaxine mepesuccinate, insulin degludec, teduglutide, and droxidopa. The DUE/MUE is on gabapentin extended-release.
New Drugs Approved by the FDA: New Dosage Forms and Indications Approved by the FDA: Agents Pending FDA Approval: Supplemental Applications Filed by Manufacturer: Significant Labeling Changes or “Dear Health Professional” Letters Related to Safety
Authors: Baker Danial E.
Published: June 2011

This monthly feature will help readers keep current on new drugs, new indications, dosage forms, and safety-related changes in labeling or use. Efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of this information; however, if there are any questions, please let me know at bakerdan@wsu.edu .
Accountable Care Organizations Must Connect with Patients
Authors: Felkey Bill G. , Fox Brent I.
Published: June 2011

The movement toward accountable care organizations (ACOs) is gaining momentum. New rules were released by the US Department of Health and Human Services just a few months ago to help providers coordinate care. A clear challenge for ACOs is ensuring patient engagement in their own care. In this installment, we discuss a variety of means to address this challenge.
Administrative Staff Support as a Key to Department Success
Authors: Weber Robert J. , Kleinman Lauren
Published: June 2011

The Director's Forum series is edited by Robert J. Weber and Scott M. Mark and is designed to guide pharmacy leaders in establishing patient-centered services in hospitals and health systems. This article focuses on an important group of individuals – administrative office support personnel. These “unsung heroes” serve a valuable role in promoting the pharmacy department, organizing and managing key projects, and supporting the patient-centered approach of the pharmacy. This article will also show that department administrative staff members are not “secretaries” but are trained professionals who employ specific skills to make the pharmacy department successful. In fact, if developed and used effectively, administrative staff are a key to a department's pharmacy practice model. An understanding of how administrative support staff can be used effectively can maximize their benefit for both patients and the pharmacy department.
Recent Publications on Medications and Pharmacy
Authors: Russett Flint
Published: June 2011

Hospital Pharmacy presents this feature to keep pharmacists abreast of new publications in the medical/pharmacy literature. Articles of interest regarding a broad scope of topics are abstracted monthly.
On the Intersections of Fibonacci, Pell, and Lucas Numbers
Authors: Alekseyev Max A.
Published: June 2011

We describe how to compute the intersection of two Lucas sequences of the forms
Proving Balanced T 2 and Q 2 Identities Using Modular Forms
Authors: Apel Geoffrey , Blecksmith Richard , Brillhart John
Published: June 2011

In our paper “Algorithms for Finding and Proving Balanced

The first six sections of this paper establish the connection with modular forms. As it happens, a given balanced

The proof algorithm, which is then applied to this identity, consists basically of the following steps: Move the terms of the identity onto the left side of the equation and expand this side into a power series up to a predetermined degree
Sum-Product Inequalities with Perturbation
Authors: Backman Spencer , Croot Ernie , Hamel Mariah , Hart Derrick
Published: June 2011

Let
Power Totients with Almost Primes
Authors: Banks William D. , Luca Florian
Published: June 2011

A natural number
On the Sum of Reciprocals of Amicable Numbers
Authors: Bayless Jonathan , Klyve Dominic
Published: June 2011

Two numbers
Tromping Games: Tiling with Trominoes
Authors: Blanco Saúl A. , Fraenkel Aviezri S.
Published: June 2011

The game of Domineering is a combinatorial game that has been solved for several boards, including the standard 8 × 8 board. We create new partizan – and some impartial – combinatorial games by using trominoes instead of and along with dominoes. We analyze these Tromping games for some small boards providing a dictionary of values. Further, we prove properties that permit expressing some connected boards as sums of smaller subboards. We also show who can win in Tromping for some boards of the form
There are No Multiply-Perfect Fibonacci Numbers
Authors: Broughan Kevin A. , González Marcos J. , Lewis Ryan H. , Luca Florian , Mejía Huguet V. Janitzio , Togbé Alain
Published: June 2011

We show that no Fibonacci number (larger than 1) divides the sum of its divisors.
Large Zero-Free Subsets of ℤ/pℤ
Authors: Deshouillers Jean-Marc , Prakash Gyan
Published: June 2011

A finite subset
Cytokines and depression: findings, issues, and treatment implications
Authors: Sharpley Christopher F. , Agnew Linda L.
Published: June 2011

Depression has traditionally been classified as a disorder of the brain and CNS, with behavioural manifestations which comprise its symptomatology. That symptomatology includes a range of behaviours that also occur during certain immunological responses to pathogens, and this relationship has engendered a large research literature focussed upon the links between cell messenger cytokines and depression. However, despite many studies of those links, the precise contribution that cytokines make to the development of depression remains unclear. In order to explicate the current state of knowledge of this contribution, a review of literature reviews reported during the last five years, plus a sample of empirical studies reported during the last three years, was conducted. Results indicate that there are many plausible pathways between cytokine responses to pathogens and depression, most notably via ‘sickness behaviour’, which supports a model of depression as withdrawal behaviour instigated by the brain and that is based upon primitive responses to uncontrollable and life-threatening environmental challenges. However, the precise nature of the mechanisms by which various cytokines communicate with brain regions and influence functions that are trophic to depressive symptomatology remains to be explicated.
BDNF-TrkB signalling in fear learning: from genetics to neural networks
Authors: Musumeci Grabiele , Minichiello Liliana
Published: June 2011

Discovering the basic mechanisms in fear encoding and expression is important in many fields, including psychology, sociology, medicine, and neuroscience. Effective treatment for fear-based pathology depends on understanding how fear is learned and regulated. Among the molecular systems required for fear learning and amygdalar synaptic plasticity, brain derived neurtrophic factor (BDNF) and its high affinity receptor Ntrk2/TrkB have been shown to play essential roles. Therefore, we will focus this review on three main aspects; first of all, the impact ofBdnfpolymorphism on fear related characteristics in humans and animal models. Secondly, we will discuss BDNF-TrkB activity regulation by epigenetic, transcriptional and post-translational events, and finally we will discuss TrkB-BDNF signalling in fear learning. BDNF-TrkB and the signalling activated in this particular form of plasticity are becoming crucial players in fear learning and memory thus highlighting these molecules as potential therapeutic targets in fear-related pathologies.
Organization of the Indian hedgehog – parathyroid hormone-related protein system in the postnatal growth plate
Authors: Chau Michael , Forcinito Patricia , Andrade Anenisia C , Hegde Anita , Ahn Sohyun , Lui Julian C , Baron Jeffrey , Nilsson Ola
Published: June 2011

In embryonic growth cartilage, Indian hedgehog (Ihh) and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) participate in a negative feedback loop that regulates chondrocyte differentiation. Postnatally, this region undergoes major structural and functional changes. To explore the organization of the Ihh–PTHrP system in postnatal growth plate, we microdissected growth plates of 7-day-old rats into their constituent zones and assessed expression of genes participating in the Ihh–PTHrP feedback loop.Ihh, Patched 1, Smoothened,Gli1, Gli2, Gli3, andPthr1were expressed in regions analogous to the expression domains in embryonic growth cartilage. However, PTHrP was expressed in resting zone cartilage, a site that differs from the embryonic source, the periarticular cells. We then used mice in whichlacZhas replaced coding sequences ofGli1and thus serves as a marker for active hedgehog signaling. At 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of age,lacZexpression was detected in a pattern analogous to that of embryonic cartilage. The findings support the hypothesis that the embryonic Ihh–PTHrP feedback loop is maintained in the postnatal growth plate except that the source of PTHrP has shifted to a more proximal location in the resting zone.
The skeleton: a multi-functional complex organ. The growth plate chondrocyte and endochondral ossification
Authors: Mackie E J , Tatarczuch L , Mirams M
Published: June 2011

Endochondral ossification is the process that results in both the replacement of the embryonic cartilaginous skeleton during organogenesis and the growth of long bones until adult height is achieved. Chondrocytes play a central role in this process, contributing to longitudinal growth through a combination of proliferation, extracellular matrix (ECM) secretion and hypertrophy. Terminally differentiated hypertrophic chondrocytes then die, allowing the invasion of a mixture of cells that collectively replace the cartilage tissue with bone tissue. The behaviour of growth plate chondrocytes is tightly regulated at all stages of endochondral ossification by a complex network of interactions between circulating hormones (including GH and thyroid hormone), locally produced growth factors (including Indian hedgehog, WNTs, bone morphogenetic proteins and fibroblast growth factors) and the components of the ECM secreted by the chondrocytes (including collagens, proteoglycans, thrombospondins and matrilins). In turn, chondrocytes secrete factors that regulate the behaviour of the invading bone cells, including vascular endothelial growth factor and receptor activator of NFκB ligand. This review discusses how the growth plate chondrocyte contributes to endochondral ossification, with some emphasis on recent advances.
eNOS activation and NO function: Structural motifs responsible for the posttranslational control of endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity
Authors: Rafikov Ruslan , Fonseca Fabio V , Kumar Sanjiv , Pardo Daniel , Darragh Charles , Elms Shawn , Fulton David , Black Stephen M
Published: June 2011

Rather than being a constitutive enzyme as was first suggested, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is dynamically regulated at the transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and posttranslational levels. This review will focus on how changes in eNOS function are conferred by various posttranslational modifications. The latest knowledge regarding eNOS targeting to the plasma membrane will be discussed as the role of protein phosphorylation as a modulator of catalytic activity. Furthermore, new data are presented that provide novel insights into how disruption of the eNOS dimer prevents eNOS uncoupling and the production of superoxide under conditions of elevated oxidative stress and identifies a novel regulatory region we have termed the ‘flexible arm’.
Effects of hypothyroidism on the structure and mechanical properties of bone in the ovine fetus
Authors: Lanham S A , Fowden A L , Roberts C , Cooper C , Oreffo R O C , Forhead A J
Published: June 2011

Thyroid hormones are important for normal bone growth and development in postnatal life. However, little is known about the role of thyroid hormones in the control of bone development in the fetus. Using computed tomography and mechanical testing, the structure and strength of metatarsal bones were measured in sheep fetuses in which thyroid hormone levels were altered by thyroidectomy or adrenalectomy. In intact fetuses, plasma concentrations of total calcium and the degradation products of C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen increased between 100 and 144 days of gestation (term 145±2 days), in association with various indices of bone growth and development. Thyroid hormone deficiency induced by thyroidectomy at 105–110 days of gestation caused growth retardation of the fetus and significant changes in metatarsal bone structure and strength when analyzed at both 130 and 144 days of gestation. In hypothyroid fetuses, trabecular bone was stronger with thicker, more closely spaced trabeculae, despite lower bone mineral density. Plasma osteocalcin was reduced by fetal thyroidectomy. Removal of the fetal adrenal gland at 115–120 days of gestation, and prevention of the prepartum rises in cortisol and triiodothyronine, had no effect on bodyweight, limb lengths, metatarsal bone structure or strength, or circulating markers of bone metabolism in the fetuses studied near term. This study demonstrates that hypothyroidism in utero has significant effects on the structure and strength of bone, with different consequences for cortical and trabecular bone.
Glucose transporters in the uterus: an analysis of tissue distribution and proposed physiological roles
Authors: Frolova Antonina I , Moley Kelle H
Published: June 2011

Facilitative glucose transport molecules (glucose transporters, GLUTs) are responsible for glucose transport across cellular membranes. Of the 14 family members, expression of nine has been reported in the murine uterus and seven in the human uterus. Some studies reveal that adequate glucose uptake and metabolism are essential for the proper differentiation of the uterine endometrium toward a receptive state capable of supporting embryo implantation. However, the mechanistic role of GLUTs in endometrial function remains poorly understood. This review aims to present the current knowledge about GLUT expression in the uterus and distribution among the different cell types within the endometrium. In addition, it analyzes the available data in the context of roles GLUTs may play in normal uterine physiology as well as the pathological conditions of infertility, endometrial cancer, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Sperm acrosin is responsible for the sperm binding to the egg envelope during fertilization in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)
Authors: Sasanami Tomohiro , Yoshizaki Norio , Dohra Hideo , Kubo Hideo
Published: June 2011

An antibody library against quail sperm plasma membrane components was established and a mAb, which strongly inhibits sperm perforations of the perivitelline membrane (PVM) was obtained from the library. The antigen molecule of the mAb showed an apparent molecular weight of 45 kDa, and was distributed both on the surface and in the acrosomal matrix of the sperm head. Periodate oxidation revealed that the epitope of the antigen includes a sugar moiety. Tandem mass spectrometry analysis of the antigen revealed that the mAb recognizes sperm acrosin. When sodium dodecyl sulfate-solubilized PVM immobilized on a polyvinylidene difluoride membrane was incubated with sperm plasma membrane lysates, the sperm acrosin was detected on the PVM immobilized on the membrane, indicating that the sperm acrosin interacts with the components of PVM. Indeed, the mAb effectively inhibited the binding of acrosome-intact sperm to the PVM. These results indicate that the 45 kDa sperm acrosin is involved in the binding of sperm to the PVM in fertilization of Japanese quail.
Efeito da temperatura na germinação de sementes de vigna, feijoeiro e soja
Authors: Castro P.R.C. , Archila A. , Aguiar F.F.A. , Almeida M.de
Published: June 2011

Estudou-se em condições controladas, o efeito das temperaturas de 14, 21 e 28°C na germinação de três cultivares de Vigna unguiculata, Phaseolus vulgaris e Glycine max. As sementes foram acondicionadas em placas de Petri com algodão e papel de filtro , mantidos sob alta umidade. Maior germinação foi observada a 21°C em relação as temperaturas de 14 e 28°C, para os cultivares de vigna, feijoeiro e soja. Melhor germinação foi apresentada pelos cultivares de feijoeiro Carioca e Goiano Precoce, seguidos pelo feijoeiro 'Rosinha' , vigna ' EPACE 1' e soja 'Davis' a 21ºC. Os cultivares de vigna, adaptados a altas temperaturas, apresentaram problemas na germinação a 14ºC. Normalmente a velocidade de emergência do hipocólito revelou-se inferior a velocidade de emergência da radícula.
Efeito da calagem na produção de amendoim cultivado em solos arenosos do estado de São Paulo: II. Calagem aplicada por ocasião do plantio
Authors: Neptune A.M.L. , Sichmann W. , Mello F.A.F. de , Lasca D.H.C.
Published: June 2011

Cinco experimentos de grande area, tipo "Ensaio de confirmação" foram cunduzidos em solos arenosos de cinco municípios do Estado de São Paulo, na zona produtora de amendoim, objetivando estudar o efeito da calagem sobre o rendimento de dois cultivares de amendoim. A calagem aplicada por ocasião do plantio, na dose de 1.230 kg/ha aumentou significativamente a produção de vagens de amendoim cultivar Tatu (tipo vegetativo Valencia) em um experimento, e no conjunto dos cinco experimentos. A cultivar Tatuí (tipo vegetativo Spanish) não reagiu à aplicação da calagem.
Estudos sobre a nutrição mineral do arroz: XXV. Exigências nutricionais da variedade Dourado Precoce
Authors: Malavolta E. , Almeida C.L.F. de , Dario G.J.A. , Maria I.C. de , Brito Neto J. , Baldeon J.R.M. , Farinazzo Filho M. , Castro O.M. de , Lorandi R.
Published: June 2011

Em condições de solução nutritiva foi cultivado o arroz Dourado Precoce com a finalidade de se estudar a marcha de absorção de nutrientes e as exigências minerais. Verificou-se que as exigências minerais obedecem a seguinte ordem decrescente: macronutrientes -K, N, Ca, Mg e S; micronutrientes -Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn e B. A produção de matéria seca atingiu o pico aos 100 dias após a germinação (DAG). A acumulação de macro e micronutrientes na planta foi, entretanto, máxima no fim do ciclo (140 DAG).
Absorção, concentração e exportação de nutrientes por duas linhagens de colza (Brassica napus) em função da idade: I. Macronutrientes
Authors: Casarini M.A.G. da S. , Haag H.P. , Sfredo G.J. , Minami K.
Published: June 2011

Com o objetivo de se estudar a marcha de absorção de macronutrientes pela colza (Brassica napus) , em função da idade da planta instalou-se um experimento em condições de campo. Determinou-se a curva de crescimento da planta em função da idade, o acumulo de nutrientes e a concentração de nutrientes em duas linhagens (1504 e 1530). O experimento foi conduzido no ano agrícola de 1980, no solo argiloso Terra Roxa Estruturada, série Luiz de Queiroz. Após cada amostragem as plantas foram separadas em raíz, caule, folha, flor, vagem e semente e analisadas quimicamente para o nitrogênio, fósforo, potássio, cálcio, magnésio e enxofre. Nas condições em que o experimento foi conduzido pode-se concluir que: a. o ponto de máximo desenvolvimento da planta e produção de matéria seca é atingido aos 142 e 179 dias, após a emergência, para as linhagens 1504 e 1530, respectivamente; b. as concentrações dos macronutrientes diminuem com o aumento da quantidade de matéria seca, mostrando o efeito de diluição; c. o acúmulo dos macronutrientes atinge um máximo no fim do florescimento, entre 120 e 139 dias, para as duas linhagens; d. a ordem na absorção de nutrientes é a seguinte: K > N > Ca > S > P > Mg; e. a ordem de exportação dos nutrientes é: N > P > K = Ca > S > Mg.
Características fisiológicas dos cultivares de soja, UFV-1 e IAC-7, no florescimento, em diferentes épocas de semeadura e sua relação com a produção
Authors: Nogueira S.S.S. , Haag H.P. , Miranda M.A.C.
Published: June 2011

Estudou-se os efeitos antecipadas, normais e retardadas de semeadura, nas características fisiológicas no florescimento, dos cultivares de soja, UFV-I e IAC-7, de ciclos tardios de maturidade e sua relação coma produção final de sementes. As características avaliadas foram: altura da planta, número de nós frutíferos, índice de área foliar e peso da matéria seca de folhas. O trabalho foi conduzido em condições de campo, no município de Campinas, SP, em um Latossolo Roxo eutrófico, durante os anos agrícolas de 1979/80, sendo as datas de semeadura a cada vinte dias no primeiro ano, ã partir de 05/10, e no segundo ano, mensais, à partir de 17/09, sendo consideradas oito e sete épocas respectivamente a cada ano. A antecipação afetou os valores de todas as características avaliadas, sendo menores, comparativamente àqueles obtidos nas épocas normais, no cultivar UFV-I. Os valores obtidos pelo cultivar IAC-7 foram idênticos nas épocas antecipadas e normais. 0 retardamento da época de plantio diminuiu drasticamente os valores de todas as características estudadas, nos dois culti vares. Todas as características avaliadas no florescimento correlacionaram-se com a produção de sementes, nos dois anos de experimento. Na comparação entre cultivares, em cada época, verificou-se que as diferenças observadas entre os mesmos não corresponderam à diferenças na produção de sementes. Concluiu-se que as características fisiológicas no florescimento são adequadas para avaliação do potencial produtivo dos cultivares nas diferen tes épocas, mas não entre cultivares numa mesma época.
Absorção de nutrientes por duas cultivares de girassol (Helianthus annuus L.) , em condições de campo: I. Concentração de macronutrientes
Authors: Sfredo G.J. , Sarruge J.R. , Haag H.P.
Published: June 2011

Para se estudar a absorção de macronutrientes em função da idade da planta, instalou-se um experimento , em condições de campo, no Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Soja / EMBRAPA, em Londrina (PR). O solo usado foi o Latossolo Roxo eutrófico e o delineamento estatístico o inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições. Foram aplicadas seis doses de adubo: 0-0-0; 1-1-1; 2-1-1; 1-2-1; 2-2-1 e 2-0-0 (NPK) , correspondendo a 0 = zero; 1 = 45 e 2 = 90 kg/ha (N, P2O5, K2O). Destas doses foram escolhidas a melhor e a pior em termos de produção de grãos, para o estudo das concentrações de nutrientes. A população de plantas foi de 62.500 plantas/ha com 0,80 m entre linhas. Conclui-se: a. as concentrações mínimas ocorreram próximo ao período de maximo acúmulo de matéria seca (88 dias); b. para fins de diagnose foliar pode -se usar os seguintes valores: N 3,60%; P = 0,39%; K = 3,41%; Ca = 2,43%; Mg = 0,59% e S = 0,20%.