bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uma estratégia para implantação de sistemas integrados de gestão em instituições públicas
Authors: Silva Filho Reinaldo Cabral , Miranda Sunny Kelma Oliveira , Silva Júnior Luiz Cláudio Ferreira da , Oliveira Thiago Araújo Silva
Published: October 2015

O êxito na implantação de sistemas integrados de gestão em instituições públicas federais requer uma sistemática capaz de mitigar riscos que vão desde a limitação de pessoal técnico para apoiar a iniciativa à resistência das pessoas às mudanças. Este trabalho apresenta uma estratégia para tratar os principais obstáculos à institucionalização de um sistema integrado de gestão em instituições públicas e relata os aperfeiçoamentos realizados em função das lições aprendidas durante sua aplicação. A estratégia é composta por um processo, que orienta a aplicação da estratégia; por um conjunto de políticas que sustentam e garantem a execução do processo; e por uma ferramenta de gerenciamento de tarefas, que apoia o planejamento, a monitoração e controle das tarefas planejadas para implantação. A estratégia está sendo aplicada em uma instituição federal de ensino superior e tem se mostrado efetiva na implantação de cada módulo.
La prise en charge de la promotion de l’égalité entre femmes et hommes par les coopératives du Sud, un nouveau mécanisme de gestion locale de l’égalité
Authors: Fecteau Katia , Escot Xiomara
Published: October 2015

Il est de plus en plus reconnu que l’appartenance aux coopératives peut favoriser l’autonomisation des femmes sur le plan social, politique et économique. Les coopératives ont aussi le potentiel de prendre en charge la réduction des inégalités entre femmes et hommes et de devenir, consciemment et proactivement, des agentes de transformation des rapports entre femmes et hommes en leur sein et dans leurs communautés. Cet article analyse la stratégie d’égalité entre femmes et hommes du projet COOPFORH, qui a débuté en 2009 et qui vise à ce que les 27 coopératives forestières et agroforestières appuyées, à forte dominance masculine, prennent en charge la promotion de l’égalité entre femmes et hommes. L’augmentation significative du sociétariat féminin et de la proportion des femmes parmi les administrateurs élus qui a été obtenue à ce jour montre que cette stratégie semble permettre jusqu’à présent une appropriation de la motivation et des processus dans l’optique d’une réelle prise en charge des problématiques d’égalité entre femmes et hommes.
Le rôle des réseaux sociaux dans le processus d’intégration socioprofessionnelle des
femmes immigrantes qualifiées au Québec
Authors: Gauthier Carol-Anne
Published: October 2015

Au Québec comme au Canada, plusieurs études soulignent que l’intégration
socioprofessionnelle se fait plus difficilement pour les cohortes d’immigrants plus récents
et ce, malgré leur capital humain élevé. Parmi les raisons citées dans la littérature,
notons la non-reconnaissance des acquis et des compétences, le manque de réseaux sociaux, la
discrimination et les préjugés. Cela est particulièrement vrai pour les femmes immigrantes
qui, même à long terme, ne rattrapent ni leurs homologues masculins ni les femmes natives du
pays d’accueil en ce qui a trait à l’intégration socioprofessionnelle. Cet article présente
des pistes de réflexion, basées sur des écrits théoriques et des études empiriques, quant au
rôle des réseaux sociaux dans le processus d’intégration socioprofessionnelle des femmes
immigrantes qualifiées, notamment en ce qui a trait à la reconnaissance des acquis et des
compétences.
The clock is ticking: the rate and timeliness of antiretroviral therapy initiation from the time of treatment eligibility in Kenya
Authors: Odeny Thomas A , DeCenso Brendan , Dansereau Emily , Gasasira Anne , Kisia Caroline , Njuguna Pamela , Haakenstad Annie , Gakidou Emmanuela , Duber Herbert C
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Understanding the determinants of timely antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation is useful for HIV programmes intent on developing models of care that reduce delays in treatment initiation while maintaining a high quality of care. We analysed patient‐ and facility‐level determinants of time to ART initiation among patients who initiated ART in Kenya.

Methods

We collected facility‐level information and conducted a retrospective chart review of adults initiating ART between 2007 and 2012 at 51 health facilities in Kenya. We evaluated the association between patient‐ and facility‐level covariates at the time of ART eligibility and time to ART initiation. We also explored the determinants associated with timeliness of ART initiation.

Results

The analysis included 11,942 patients. The median age at the time eligibility was first determined was 37 years (interquartile range [IQR] 31–45). Overall, 75% of patients initiated ART within two months of eligibility. The median CD4 cell count at the time eligibility was first determined rose from 132 (IQR 51–217) in 2007 to 195 (IQR 91–286) in 2011 to 2012 (p<0.001). The cumulative probability of ART initiation among treatment‐eligible patients increased over time: 87.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 85.1–89.0%) in 2007; 96.8% (96.0–97.5%) in 2008; 97.1% (96.3–97.7%) in 2009; 98.5% (98.0 −98.9%) in 2010; and 99.7% (95% CI 99.4 −99.8%) in 2011 to 2012 (p<0.0001). In multivariate analyses, attending a health facility with high ART patient volumes within two months of eligibility was considered the key facility‐level determinant of ART initiation (adjusted odds ratio 0.57, 95% CI 0.45–0.72, p<0.001). Patient‐level determinants included being eligible for ART in the years subsequent to 2007, advanced World Health Organization clinical stage and low CD4 cell count at the time eligibility was first determined.

Conclusions

Overall, the time between treatment eligibility and ART initiation decreased substantially in Kenya between 2007 and 2012, with uniform gains across different types of health facilities. Our findings highlight the slow increase in CD4 cell counts at the time of ART eligibility over time, indicating that a large number of patients are still beginning ART with advanced HIV disease. Our findings also support the decentralisation of ART services at all health facilities that have the capacity to initiate treatment. Continued evaluation of programme‐ and country‐level data is needed to monitor timeliness of ART initiation as countries continue to expand treatment access.
NSAIDs and the gastrointestinal tract: An update on recent progress
Authors: Silverman Gary J
Published: October 2015

This article outlines the mechanisms involved in specific cyclooxygenase-l (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition as they relate to the safety of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use. New advancements in COX-2 technology appear to improve the safety profile of NSAID therapy. Gastroenterologic issues such as ulcer disease and liver disease as related to .these novel new medications are reviewed.
Inflammatory bowel disease: Strategies for assessment, treatment, and prevention of relapse
Authors: Efrusy Mark E
Published: October 2015

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic, lifelong disorder characterized by alternating periods of flare-ups and clinical remission. The majority of patients experience relapses several rimes a year. Prevention and treatment of these relapses are a major challenge to the practicing physician. Therefore, this article provides strategies that the primary care physician can use in the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and prevention of relapses.
Treatment options for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Dinsmore Steven T
Published: October 2015

An understanding of the basic pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease is essential to effective treatment of the disease. Despite multiple hypotheses related to the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease, no unifying theory is currently available. Inflammation, oxidation stress, estrogen hormone status, pathways for production of Beta-amyloid 42, apolipoprotein E state, cholinergic neuron depletion, and head injury are all possible contributors and therefore provide points of intervention or potential intervention in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease. Thus, this article reviews current therapeutic modalities, including estrogen replacement therapy, Ginkgo biloba, and the two cholinesterase inhibitors approved in the United States, tacrine and donepezil.
A new funding model and improved infrastructure for the Finnish Open Access journals
Authors: Ilva Jyrki , Lilja Johanna
Published: October 2015

A new project launched by the Federation of Finnish Learned Societies and the National Library of Finland will be looking for ways to make Open Access publishing more viable for the Finnish scholarly journals. Most of the journals are published by small learned societies with modest resources. The project will investigate potential new funding models for the OA journals and develop improved technological infrastructure for them.
Hygienepraksis og hygieneoppfatninger i kommunale helseinstitusjoner
Authors: Bratland Randi C.
Published: October 2015

Den kommunale pleiesektoren har i dag særlig utfordringer i forbindelse med utbredelsen av resistente bakterier som er et stort problem på verdensbasis- men som ennå er under kontroll i Norge. Frykten er at Meticillinresistente gule stafylokokker skal bli uhåndterlig, også i vårt land. Dette er en utfordring for både pasienter og personalet: Frykten for utbredelse av resistente bakterier gjør at det er grunn til å belyse kommunehelsetjenesten. I undersøkelsen hadde vi denne problemstillingen: Hvilken hygienepraksis og hygieneoppfatning har personalet? Og hvilke tiltak må ev. iverksettes for å forbedre praksis?

Det ble sendt ut et spørreskjema til pleie-og omsorsgstjenesten i fem kommuner, svarprosenten var på 65,3% og utvalget var på 106. De viktigste funnene var at det eksisterte smittefrykt i tjenestene, de ansatte brukte i varierende grad smykker i arbeidet, og de ansatte får i liten grad tilbakemelding på arbeidet sitt, og det det er flere som ikke skriver avvik ved brudd på rutiner enn de som gjør dette. Personalet oppgir at de ønsker mer opplæring, og hjelpepleiere og omsorgsarbeidere vil lære mer om MRSA mens sykepleiere gjerne vil lære mer om hvordan de lærer bort dette.

Rapporten anbefaler at tiltak for å forbedre praksis kan være: At retningslinjer og infeksjonskontrollprogram er forståelige for dem som skal bruke dem. At lederen kjenner til oppfatninger og praksis i avdelingen, og kan diskutere disse slik at vedtatte tiltak blir etterfulgt. At det etableres ordninger med tilbakemelding i arbeidet, og at det oppnevnes hygienekontakt og hygienegrupper i avdelingen, det må iverksettes HMS-tiltak ved smittsomme sykdommer. Alle må med i opplæringsprogram, især de med korte utdanninger, Små kommuner må samarbeide med andre instanser eller andre kommuner for å lage infeksjonskontrollprogram. Kommuneleger må delta.
Development of Gluten-Free Composite Flour Blends
Authors: Quiñones Renissa S. , Macachor Corazon P. , Quiñones Hubert G.
Published: October 2015

People with celiac disease depend on gluten-free foods to maintain quality of life. This study aimed to determine the physico-chemical and organoleptic properties of gluten-free composite flour blends for celiac disease patients utilizing different percentage composition of rice flour, potato starch, cassava starch, millet flour and corn flour. The experimental design was laid out in the study with six treatments in three replications using Completely Randomized Design (CRD) under controlled condition. The experimental samples were subjected to different laboratory analyses. Sensory evaluation of the control and gluten-free treatments had revealed that there were no significant mean differences among treatments in all of the sensory characteristics. However, gluten-free flour blend (T2) had higher level of acceptance as compared to other gluten-free flour blend treatments. The composite gluten-free flour blends had zero percent crude gluten. Utilizing available novel/functional ingredients can produce gluten-free composite flour with a comparable sensory characteristics and nutritional quality except protein content with the commercially wheat flours. Hence, it is recommended for the use of gluten-free composite flour blends for food and pharmaceutical uses.
Parallel‐dominant and perpendicular‐dominant components of the fast bulk flow: Comparing with the PSBL beams
Authors: Zhang L. Q. , Dai L. , Baumjohann W. , Rème H. , Dunlop M. W. , Wei X. H.
Published: October 2015

Utilizing multipoint observations by the Cluster satellites, we investigated the ion distributions of the fast bulk flows (FBFs) in the plasma sheet. Simultaneous observation by C1 and C3 revealed that parallel‐dominant and perpendicular‐dominant components of the flows coexist and correspond to Bx‐dominant and Bz‐dominant magnetic field regions within the FBFs, respectively. In both cases, the ions distributions are characterized by a single‐beam/crescent shape. In particular, no reflected ions are found within the FBFs. Statistical analysis showed that within the FBFs, the strength of the Bx component is typically less than 5 nT for Bz‐dominant regions and above 10 nT for Bx‐dominant regions. To distinguish between the parallel‐dominant component of the FBFs and the field‐aligned beams in the plasma sheet boundary layer (PSBL), we further statistically analyzed the tailward parallel flows (TPF) with positive Bz in the plasma sheet. The results indicated that the FBFs tend to have higher velocity, weaker B, and higher magnetic tilt angle (θMTA) than the TPFs/PSBL beams. Statistically, in the region of B > 30 nT (θMTA > 10°), only PSBL beams can be observed, while in the region of B < 10 nT (θMTA > 30°), the FBFs are dominant. In the intermediate region (10° < θMTA < 30°) of the plasma sheet, the FBFs and the PSBL beams cooccur. These Cluster observations suggest that the X line can produce both perpendicular flow in central plasma sheet and parallel flow in the PSBL. In addition, the parallel‐dominant component of the FBFs could be an important origin for the PSBL beams.
Diurnal characteristics of lightning flashes detected over the São Paulo lightning mapping array
Authors: Chronis T. , Lang T. , Koshak W. , Blakeslee R. , Christian H. , McCaul E. , Bailey J.
Published: October 2015

This study examines diurnal variations of lightning flash characteristics observed by the Lightning Mapping Array in São Paulo, Brazil. The diurnal flash counts exhibit the typical afternoon convective maximum. The mean source altitude demonstrates a discrete increase that is temporally coincident with the local sunrise. The mean horizontal and vertical flash extents each attain a maximum (minimum) around local sunrise (afternoon, i.e., 13:00–17:00 local solar time). In addition, joint histograms of flash horizontal and vertical extents show that the majority of the flashes occurring during the afternoon convection are shorter and more comparable in size, and the differences between the horizontal and vertical extents are reduced. Conversely, flashes preceding and following the peak in afternoon convection are less symmetric, with larger horizontal than vertical extents. We discuss whether these observations could be partially explained by the diurnal variations in the convectively induced mixing regimes that control thundercloud charge regions and associated charge separation distances. The documented diurnal flash characteristics closely match recently published findings on the diurnal variation of the peak currents of cloud‐to‐ground flashes. Possible physical mechanisms for these observations are discussed.
Increased Cutting Efficiency due to Multi‐Wavelength Remote‐Laser‐Ablation of Fiber‐Reinforced Polymers
Authors: Fürst Andreas , Hipp Dominik , Klotzbach Annett , Hauptmann Jan , Wetzig Andreas , Beyer Eckhard
Published: October 2015

Tailored processes are required to increase the acceptance of fiber‐reinforced polymers (FRP) in industry. For this purpose, the application of hybrid yarn facilitates short flow paths of the matrix systems and thus comparatively low consolidation pressures. This should be accompanied by appropriate fast processes. The remote‐laser‐ablation expands the area of processing strategies, so that the laser has the potential to be a tool for the future. Laser cutting of FRP is an ambitious process because of the inhomogeneity of the reinforcement material and the polymer matrix material. The present paper shows an experimental set up for combining beam radiation with wavelengths of 1.09 and 10.6 µm.
Investigation of the Viability, Adhesion, and Migration of Human Fibroblasts in a Hyaluronic Acid/Gelatin Microgel‐Reinforced Composite Hydrogel for Vocal Fold Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Heris Hossein K. , Daoud Jamal , Sheibani Sara , Vali Hojatollah , Tabrizian Maryam , Mongeau Luc
Published: October 2015

The potential use of a novel scaffold biomaterial consisting of cross‐linked hyaluronic acid (HA)–gelatin (Ge) composite microgels is investigated for use in treating vocal fold injury and scarring. Cell adhesion integrins and kinematics of cell motion are investigated in 2D and 3D culture conditions, respectively. Human vocal fold fibroblast (hVFF) cells are seeded on HA–Ge microgels attached to a HA hydrogel thin film. The results show that hVFF cells establish effective adhesion to HA–Ge microgels through the ubiquitous expression of β1 integrin in the cell membrane. The microgels are then encapsulated in a 3D HA hydrogel for the study of cell migration. The cells within the HA–Ge microgel‐reinforced composite hydrogel (MRCH) scaffold have an average motility speed of 0.24 ± 0.08 μm min−1. The recorded microscopic images reveal features that are presumably associated with lobopodial and lamellipodial cell migration modes within the MRCH scaffold. Average cell speed during lobopodial migration is greater than that during lamellipodial migration. The cells move faster in the MRCH than in the HA–Ge gel without microgels. These findings support the hypothesis that HA–Ge MRCH promotes cell adhesion and migration; thereby they constitute a promising biomaterial for vocal fold repair.
Nanoparticle‐Mediated Target Delivery of TRAIL as Gene Therapy for Glioblastoma
Authors: Wang Kui , Kievit Forrest M. , Jeon Mike , Silber John R. , Ellenbogen Richard G. , Zhang Miqin
Published: October 2015

Human tumor necrosis factor α‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) is an attractive cancer therapeutic because of its ability to induce apoptosis in tumor cells while having a negligible effect on normal cells. However, the short serum half‐life of TRAIL and lack of efficient in vivo administration approaches have largely hindered its clinical use. Using nanoparticles (NPs) as carriers in gene therapy is considered as an alternative approach to increase TRAIL delivery to tumors as transfected cells would be induced to secrete TRAIL into the tumor microenvironment. To enable effective delivery of plasmid DNA encoding TRAIL into glioblastoma (GBM), we developed a targeted iron oxide NP coated with chitosan–polyethylene glycol–polyethyleneimine copolymer and chlorotoxin (CTX) and evaluated its effect in delivering TRAIL in vitro and in vivo. NP–TRAIL successfully delivers TRAIL into human T98G GBM cells and induces secretion of 40 pg mL−1 of TRAIL in vitro. Transfected cells show threefold increased apoptosis as compared to the control DNA bound NPs. Systemic administration of NP–TRAIL–CTX to mice bearing T98G‐derived flank xenografts results in near‐zero tumor growth and induces apoptosis in tumor tissue. Our results suggest that NP–TRAIL–CTX can potentially serve as a targeted anticancer therapeutic for more efficient TRAIL delivery to GBM.
Preparation of Polycyclic Pendant Chalcone Moiety Based Antimicrobial Polyacrylamides
Authors: Boopathy Mani , Subramanian Kathavarayan
Published: October 2015

Biologically active chalcone‐based acrylamide monomers were synthesized via the Claisen–Schmidt condensation and polymerized by a free radical polymerization technique using azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator. The newly synthesized polymers were characterized by FT‐IR, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR analytic techniques. Thermal stability of the polymers was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis. The antimicrobial activity of polyacrylamides (PMNPA, PAPA, and PFPA) was evaluated from the minimum inhibitory concentration values by the resazurin reduction assay method. It is found that the polymers PMNPA and PAPA exhibit good antibacterial and antifungal activities, whereas polymer PFPA shows only antifungal activity and does not show any sign of antibacterial activity.
Solid‐Phase Epitaxial Growth of A‐Site‐Ordered Perovskite Sr4−xErxCo4O12−δ: A Room Temperature Ferrimagnetic p‐Type Semiconductor
Authors: Katase Takayoshi , Takahashi Hidefumi , Tohei Tetsuya , Suzuki Yuki , Yamanouchi Michihiko , Ikuhara Yuichi , Terasaki Ichiro , Ohta Hiromichi
Published: October 2015

The oxygen‐deficient Sr4−xErxCo4O12−δ (SECO), one of the ordered perovskite oxides, is a room‐temperature (RT) ferrimagnetic semiconductor that arises from the A‐site‐ordered structure. Development of such a material can lead to the realization of spintronic heterojunction devices; however, to this point there have been difficulties in achieving the A‐site‐ordered structure in SECO thin films. Here, single‐crystalline film growth of SECO with perfectly aligned A‐site‐ordered structure on (LaAlO3)0.3(Sr2TaAlO6)0.7 substrates by solid‐phase epitaxy (SPE) method is demonstrated. The brownmillerite‐type, A‐site‐disordered structure of the as‐grown epitaxial film clearly changes into well‐aligned A‐site‐ordered structure after heat treatment at 1050 °C in air; the aligned ordered structure in the film is clearly visualized at atomic level. This ordering induces ferrimagnetism with Curie temperature (Tc) ≈310 K and it is found that the SECO film with p‐type semiconductivity exhibits anomalous Hall effect at the temperature up to 300 K, which is suitable for the test bench to demonstrate advanced spintronic heterojunction devices, operating at RT. The present SPE method is expected to serve as a powerful technique for the fabrication of thin films and exploration of potential characteristics of A‐site‐ordered perovskite oxides.
An Optoelectronic Switch Based on Intrinsic Dual Schottky Diodes in Ambipolar MoSe2 Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Pradhan Nihar R. , Lu Zhengguang , Rhodes Daniel , Smirnov Dmitry , Manousakis Efstratios , Balicas Luis
Published: October 2015

The observation of a previously unreported optoelectronic effect, namely, a light‐induced diode‐like response in multilayered MoSe2 field‐effect transistors is reported. It has a sense of current rectification that is controllable through a gate voltage. It is argued, using numerical simulations, that this behavior results from the difference in the size of the Schottky barriers between the drain and source metal contacts. Each barrier can be modeled as a Schottky diode but with opposite senses of current rectification between them, with the diode response resulting from the light induced promotion of photogenerated carriers across the smaller barrier. The back gate voltage controls the sense of current rectification by modulating the relative amplitude between them. This effect, which gives rise to a novel type of optoelectronic switch, also yields a photovoltaic response. Hence, it can provide an alternative to p–n junctions when harvesting photovoltaic currents from transition metal dichalcogenides. It is argued that the photovoltaic efficiency associated to this effect can be increased by just increasing the relative asymmetry between both Schottky barriers. It is also suggested that this new electro‐optical effect has potential for technological applications.
Effective Electronic Mechanisms for Optimizing the Thermoelectric Properties of GeTe‐Rich Alloys
Authors: Hazan Eden , Madar Naor , Parag Maya , Casian Vladimir , Ben‐Yehuda Ohad , Gelbstein Yaniv
Published: October 2015

Most of the recent methods for thermoelectric (TE) enhancement are focused on reduction of the lattice thermal conductivity values, with an only limited success on efficiency enhancement due to an improved electronic doping action. This is attributed partly to the correlation between the involved electronic properties, contradicting each other in terms of the TE efficiency, and partly to the difficulty of effectively doping such alloys in the optimal 1019 cm−3 carrier concentration range. Even a positive application of an optimal electronic doping level usually results in a narrow maximal figure of merit (ZT) values range, which is followed by an onset of an intrinsic conduction, degrading these values at higher temperatures. Here, a novel BiTe‐ and Cu‐co‐doping of GeTe is reported. Incorporation of Cu electron donors into GeTe–BiTe vacancies results in an effective compensation of the inherent high holes' concentration of GeTe toward the optimal range with pronounced carriers scattering mechanism of ionized impurities, in addition to the known acoustic phonons mechanism, while enhancing of Seebeck coefficient. Adverse high temperature intrinsic conduction effects are suppressed by the rhombohedral‐to‐cubic phase transition of GeTe, extending the maximal ZTs range of ≈1.55 ± 0.1 over a large temperature range.
Increased symptom reporting persists in 1990–1991 Gulf War veterans 20 years post deployment
Authors: Gwini Stella M. , Forbes Andrew B , Kelsall Helen L. , Ikin Jillian F. , Sim Malcolm R.
Published: October 2015

Background

Following the 1990–1991 Gulf War, Gulf War veterans (veterans) reported health symptoms more commonly than non‐deployed groups. This article examines symptom persistence, incidence and prevalence 20 years on.

Methods

In 2000–2003 and 2011–2012, a 63‐item symptom checklist was administered to 697 veterans and 659 comparison group. Symptomatology was compared using log‐binomial regression.

Results

Both veterans and comparison group reported significantly increased prevalence (3–52%) over time in more than half the symptoms, with a similar overall rate of increase. Half the symptoms had higher incidence (risk‐ratios ranged 1.43–1.50) and a quarter were more persistent (risk‐ratios ranged 1.12–1.20) in veterans than the comparison group.

Conclusions

Symptomatology increased in both groups over time, but persisted to a similar extent and had higher incidence among veterans than the comparison group. The gap in symptom prevalence between the two groups remained unchanged. These findings suggest enduring health consequences of Gulf War service. Am. J. Ind. Med. 58:1246–1254, 2015. © 2015 Commonwealth of Australia. American Journal of Industrial Medicine © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New palladium catalyst immobilized on epoxy resin: synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity
Authors: Sienkiewicz Natalia , Strzelec Krzysztof , Pospiech Piotr , Cypryk Marek , Szmechtyk Tomasz
Published: October 2015

A new thiol‐functionalized epoxy resin as a support for palladium(II) complexes has been synthesized in good yields. A palladium catalyst was ‘heterogenized’ by anchoring [PdCl2(PhCN)2] complexes to these thiol‐functionalized polymers via ligand exchange reaction. These new palladium catalysts were tested in Mizoroki–Heck coupling and hydrogenation reactions. The activity of the complexes in terms of yield is comparable to that of homogeneous PdCl2(PhCN)2. The stability and a good recycling efficiency of these catalysts make them useful for prolonged use. The constant and good selectivity of the supported catalysts during recycling experiments indicate that they could be useful for practical application in many organic reactions. To characterize the heterogeneous complexes before and after use, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray microscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy and time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry were applied. Density functional theory calculations were also used to better understand the structures of the obtained palladium complexes. Polythiourethanes contain three atoms, oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur, capable of coordinating to transition metals. We examined the possibility of intra‐ and intermolecular binding for both cis and trans palladium complexes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Selective Stereochemical Catalysis Controlled by Specific Atomic Arrangement of Ordered Alloys
Authors: Furukawa Shinya , Ochi Kazuyoshi , Luo Hui , Miyazaki Masayoshi , Komatsu Takayuki
Published: October 2015

Unprecedented surface stereochemistry governed by specific atomic arrangement of intermetallic compounds (ordered alloys) is shown. Hydrogen‐mediated cis–trans alkene isomerization is selectively catalyzed without overhydrogenation to alkanes by Rh‐based intermetallic compounds displaying an orthorhombic Pnma structure such as RhSb. Multiple characterization techniques combined with DFT calculations revealed that (2 1 1), (0 2 0), and (0 1 3) planes comprising one‐dimensionally aligned Rh rows separated by Sb atoms (1D‐planes) dominated RhSb surfaces. Systematic DFT calculations indicated that geometric constraints of these 1D‐planes and steric hindrance from one alkyl group of cis‐alkene limited hydrogen access to the alkenyl carbon to one direction, enabling one‐atom hydrogenation for isomerization, but inhibiting two‐atom hydrogenation for overhydrogenation.
Characterization of Diastereo‐ and Enantioselectivity in Degradation of Synthetic Pyrethroids in Soils
Authors: Li Shaotong , Li Zhaoyang , Li Qiaoling , Zhao Jiahe , Li Sen
Published: October 2015

Permethrin (PM), cypermethrin (CP), and cyfluthrin (CF) are three important synthetic pyrethroids, which contain two, four, and four enantiomeric pairs (diastereomers) and thus have four, eight, and eight stereoisomers, respectively. In this study, the stereo‐ and enantioselective degradation of PM, CP, and CF in a Shijiazhuang alkaline yellow soil and a Wuhan acidic red soil were studied in detail by a combination of achiral and chiral high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that PM, CP, and CF degraded faster in Shijiazhuang soil than in Wuhan soil, and the dissipation rate followed an order of PM > CF > CP in both soils. The three pyrethroids exhibited similar diastereomer selectivity, while CP and CF showed higher enantioselectivity than PM. Moreover, the trans‐diastereomers degraded faster, and showed higher enantioselectivity than the corresponding cis‐diastereomers. For PM, the enantiomer 1S‐trans‐PM degraded most rapidly in both soils. As for CP and CF, the highest enantioselectivity was observed for diastereomer trans‐3, and the insecticidally active enantiomer 1R‐trans‐αS degraded fastest among the 8 CP or CF stereoisomers in both soils. In addition, the Wuhan acidic soil displayed higher diastereomer and enantiomer selectivity than the Shijiazhuang alkaline soil for the three pyrethroids. Further incubation of CF in an alkaline‐treated Wuhan soil showed that the dissipation rate greatly increased and the diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity significantly decreased after the alkaline treatment process. Chirality 28:72–77, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Employment and income losses among cancer survivors: Estimates from a national longitudinal survey of American families
Authors: Zajacova Anna , Dowd Jennifer B. , Schoeni Robert F. , Wallace Robert B.
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

Cancer presents a substantial hardship for patients and their families in multiple domains beyond health and survival. Relatively little is known about the economic impact of cancer. The authors present estimates of the aggregate effects of a cancer diagnosis on employment and income in a prospective, nationally representative sample of US adults.

METHODS

The authors used data from the 1990 through 2009 waves of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, a nationally representative, prospective, population‐based observational study with high‐quality individual and family‐level economic information. Age‐adjusted, sex‐stratified, individual fixed‐effects regression models were used to derive estimates of the impact of cancer on employment, hours worked, individual income, and total family income.

RESULTS

Significant effects of cancer on all 4 outcomes were observed. The probability of a cancer patient being employed dropped by almost 10 percentage points, and hours worked declined by up to 200 hours in the first year after diagnosis. Annual labor‐market earnings dropped almost 40% within 2 years after diagnosis and remained low, whereas total family income declined by 20%, although it recovered within 4 years after the diagnosis. These economic impacts on survivors were driven by effects among men; the effects among women largely were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

A cancer diagnosis has substantial effects on the economic well‐being of affected adults and their families. With the increasing number of cancer survivors in the US population, there is a growing need for examining the long‐term implications for economic well‐being and ways to mitigate the economic hardship associated with cancer. Cancer 2015;121:4425–32. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Protease receptor antagonism to target blood platelet therapies
Authors: Holinstat M , Bray PF
Published: October 2015

Platelet activation and thrombus formation play a central role in ischemic vascular disease. Thrombin, an especially potent physiologic agonist mediating in vivo activation of platelets, acts via a unique family of G‐protein‐coupled receptors called protease‐activated receptors (PARs) with a broad tissue expression. This review focuses on current antiplatelet therapies as well as innovative approaches to targeting PARs in patients with atherothrombotic vascular disease.
Emerging monoclonal antibodies as targeted innovative therapeutic approaches to asthma
Authors: Mitchell PD , El‐Gammal AI , O'Byrne PM
Published: October 2015

Asthma is characterized by discordant responses among cells of the adaptive and innate immune systems. This interplay involves a complex pattern of cytokine‐driven processes resulting in cell migration and recruitment, inflammation, and proliferative states. The significant majority of asthmatic patients respond well to conventional inhaled treatments. However, about 5% of asthmatics have severe refractory asthma and account for 50% of the health expenditure on asthma. Human(ized) monoclonal antibodies (hMabs) targeting inflammatory pathways are promising therapeutic agents in asthma management. The anti‐IgE hMab omalizumab was the first biologic treatment approved for the treatment of allergic asthma. Potential future strategies and targets include interleukin (IL)‐5, IL‐4, and IL‐13, anti‐TSLP, IL‐25, and IL‐33. hMabs targeting IL‐5 have shown great promise in severe refractory asthma with a persisting eosinophilia, and clinical trials with hMabs against IL‐13 and IL4Rα have also shown clinical benefit. Studies of hMabs against other cytokines in severe asthma are under way.
Growth differentiation factor 15 in heart failure with preserved vs. reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Chan Michelle M.Y. , Santhanakrishnan Rajalakshmi , Chong Jenny P.C. , Chen Zhaojin , Tai Bee Choo , Liew Oi Wah , Ng Tze Pin , Ling Lieng H. , Sim David , Leong Kui Toh G. , Yeo Poh Shuan Daniel , Ong Hean‐Yee , Jaufeerally Fazlur , Wong Raymond Ching‐Chiew , Chai Ping , Low Adrian F. , Richards Arthur M. , Lam Carolyn S.P.
Published: October 2015

Aim

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a cytokine highly expressed in states of inflammatory stress. We aimed to study the clinical correlates and prognostic significance of plasma GDF15 in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) vs. reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF), compared with N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP), an indicator of haemodynamic wall stress.

Methods

Plasma GDF15 and NT‐proBNP were prospectively measured in 916 consecutive patients with HFrEF (EF <50%; n = 730) and HFpEF (EF ≥50%; n = 186), and measured again at 6 months in 488 patients. Patients were followed up for a composite outcome of death or first HF rehospitalization.

Results

Median GDF15baseline values were similarly elevated in HFpEF [2862 (1812 represent the 25th percentile and 4176 represent the 75th percentile) ng/L] and HFrEF [2517 (1555, 4030) ng/L] (P = 0.184), whereas NT‐proBNP was significantly lower in HFpEF than HFrEF (1119 ng/L vs. 2335 ng/L, P < 0.001). Independent correlates of GDF15baseline were age, systolic blood pressure, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, sodium, haemoglobin, creatinine, diuretic therapy, high sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) and NT‐proBNP (all P < 0.05). During a median follow‐up of 23 months, there were 379 events (307 HFrEF, 72 HFpEF). GDF15 remained a significant independent predictor for composite outcome even after adjusting for important clinical predictors including hsTnT and NT‐proBNP (adjusted hazard ratio 1.76 per 1 Ln U, 95% confidence interval 1.39–2.21; P < 0.001), regardless of HF group (Pinteraction = 0.275). GDF15baseline provided incremental prognostic value when added to clinical predictors, hsTnT and NT‐proBNP (area under receiver operating characteristic curve increased from 0.720 to 0.740, P < 0.019), with a net reclassification improvement of 0.183 (P = 0.004). Patients with ≥20% GDF156months increase had higher risk for composite outcome (adjusted hazard ratio 1.68, 95% confidence interval 1.15–2.45; P = 0.007) compared with those with GDF156months within ± 20% of baseline.

Conclusions

The similarly elevated levels and independent prognostic utility of GDF15 in HFrEF and HFpEF suggest that beyond haemodynamic stress (NT‐proBNP), inflammatory injury (GDF15) may play an important role in both HF syndromes.
Mixed‐Valent {Mn14} Single‐Molecule Magnet Based on Pyridine‐2‐amidoxime
Authors: Jiang Xiang , An Guang‐Yu , Liu Cai‐Ming , Kou Hui‐Zhong
Published: October 2015

A new mixed‐valent {Mn14} cluster based on pyridine‐2‐amidoxime (H2pyaox), [MnIV2MnIII10MnII2(μ3‐O)8(Hpyaox)14(pyaox)2(N3)2](ClO4)4(OH)2·2MeOH·23H2O (1), has been synthesized and characterized. Magnetic susceptibility studies show that complex 1 displays an S = 6 spin ground state and slow magnetic relaxation.
Design your own ranking system
Authors: Dennis Marguerite J.
Published: October 2015

Maybe it's time for colleges and universities to abandon the outside and arbitrary methods of ranking organizations and create their own method for measuring their students' collegiate experience.
ACE study provides key takeaways on race‐based admissions
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: October 2015

In July 2015, the American Council on Education's Center for Policy Research and Strategy released a report regarding race‐conscious admissions practices nationwide. It was created in partnership with the Civil Rights Project at the University of California, Los Angeles and the Center for College and Career Readiness in Pearson's Research and Innovation Network, and with support from the National Association for College Admission Counseling, the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the College Board, and EducationCounsel.
Download 7 cheap or free apps to transform your office
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: October 2015

CHICAGO — In a packed session at the annual conference of the Society of College and University Planning, Beth Ziesenis, consultant, author and technology expert, demonstrated a handful of free or cheap apps designed to increase personal efficiency and work‐life balance. Here are seven apps to download now for increased productivity and safety.
Antimicrobial activity of essential oil ofArtemisia judaicaL. from Algeria against multi‐drug resistant bacteria from clinical origin
Authors: Benmansour N. , Benmansour A. , El Hanbali F. , González‐Mas M. C. , Blázquez M. A. , El Hakmaoui A. , Akssira M.
Published: October 2015

Artemisia judaicaL. essential oil was studied for antibacterial activity against various clinical isolates of bacteria resistant to a number of antibiotics. The antibacterial activity was evaluated against 20 multidrug resistant (MDR) of clinical origin compared to standard ATCC strains. The strains that showed resistance against the maximum number of antibiotics tested were selected for an antibacterial assay by three methods: Disc diffusion method, microatmosphere and dilution method. The obtained results demonstrated that theA. judaicaessential oil possessed an excellent inhibitory effect against all of the tested strains. The most potent results were obtained against MRSA (Methicillin ResistantStaphylococcus aureus),Staphylococcus aureusandBacillus subtilis(their MIC was 8.75 µg/ml). MIC (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration) and MBC (Minimal Bactericidal Concentration) values for essential oil against all tested strains were equal. According to GC‐MS analysis forty‐one constituents were identified, which represented 84.66 % of the total essential oil, being piperitone (73.4 %) the main compound. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toward better understanding of postharvest deterioration: biochemical changes in stored cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) roots:
Authors: Uarrota Virgílio Gavicho , Nunes Eduardo da Costa , Peruch Luiz Augusto Martins , Neubert Enilto de Oliveira , Coelho Bianca , Moresco Rodolfo , Domínguez Moralba Garcia , Sánchez Teresa , Meléndez Jorge Luis Luna , Dufour Dominique , Ceballos Hernan , Becerra Lopez‐Lavalle Luis Augusto , Hershey Clair , Rocha Miguel , Maraschin Marcelo
Published: October 2015

Food losses can occur during production, postharvest, and processing stages in the supply chain. With the onset of worldwide food shortages, interest in reducing postharvest losses in cassava has been increasing. In this research, the main goal was to evaluate biochemical changes and identify the metabolites involved in the deterioration of cassava roots. We found that high levels of ascorbic acid (AsA), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), dry matter, and proteins are correlated with overall lower rates of deterioration. On the other hand, soluble sugars such as glucose and fructose, as well as organic acids, mainly, succinic acid, seem to be upregulated during storage and may play a role in the deterioration of cassava roots. Cultivar Branco (BRA) was most resilient to postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD), while Oriental (ORI) was the most susceptible. Our findings suggest that PPO, AsA, and proteins may play a distinct role in PPD delay.
The medial prefrontal cortex—lateral entorhinal cortex circuit is essential for episodic‐like memory and associative object‐recognition
Authors: Chao Owen Y. , Huston Joseph P. , Li Jay‐Shake , Wang An‐Li , de Souza Silva Maria A.
Published: October 2015

The prefrontal cortex directly projects to the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC), an important substrate for engaging item‐associated information and relaying the information to the hippocampus. Here we ask to what extent the communication between the prefrontal cortex and LEC is critically involved in the processing of episodic‐like memory. We applied a disconnection procedure to test whether the interaction between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and LEC is essential for the expression of recognition memory. It was found that male rats that received unilateral NMDA lesions of the mPFC and LEC in the same hemisphere, exhibited intact episodic‐like (what‐where‐when) and object‐recognition memories. When these lesions were placed in the opposite hemispheres (disconnection), episodic‐like and associative memories for object identity, location and context were impaired. However, the disconnection did not impair the components of episodic memory, namely memory for novel object (what), object place (where) and temporal order (when), per se. Thus, the present findings suggest that the mPFC and LEC are a critical part of a neural circuit that underlies episodic‐like and associative object‐recognition memory. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Wide‐area estimates of evapotranspiration by red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and associated vegetation in the Murray–Darling River Basin, Australia
Authors: Nagler Pamela L. , Doody Tanya M. , Glenn Edward P. , Jarchow Christopher J. , Barreto‐Muñoz Armando , Didan Kamel
Published: October 2015

Floodplain red gum forests (Eucalyptus camaldulensis plus associated grasses, reeds and sedges) are sites of high biodiversity in otherwise arid regions of southeastern Australia. They depend on periodic floods from rivers, but dams and diversions have reduced flood frequencies and volumes, leading to deterioration of trees and associated biota. There is a need to determine their water requirements so environmental flows can be administered to maintain or restore the forests. Their water requirements include the frequency and extent of overbank flooding, which recharges the floodplain soils with water, as well as the actual amount of water consumed in evapotranspiration (ET). We estimated the flooding requirements and ET for a 38 134 ha area of red gum forest fed by the Murrumbidgee River in Yanga National Park, New South Wales. ET was estimated by three methods: sap flux sensors placed in individual trees; a remote sensing method based on the Enhanced Vegetation Index from MODIS satellite imagery and a water balance method based on differences between river flows into and out of the forest. The methods gave comparable estimates yet covered different spatial and temporal scales. We estimated flood frequency and volume requirements by comparing Normalized Difference Vegetation Index values from Landsat images with flood history from 1995 to 2014, which included both wet periods and dry periods. ET during wet years is about 50% of potential ET but is much less in dry years because of the trees' ability to control stomatal conductance. Based on our analyses plus other studies, red gum trees at this location require environmental flows of 2000 GL yr−1 every other year, with peak flows of 20 000 ML d−1, to produce flooding sufficient to keep them in good condition. However, only about 120–200 GL yr−1 of river water is consumed in ET, with the remainder flowing out of the forest where it enters the Murray River system. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rab11‐FIP2 promotes the metastasis of gastric cancer cells
Authors: Dong Wenjie , Qin Guohui , Shen Ruizhe
Published: October 2015

Rab11‐FIP2 can interact with MYO5B and plays an important role in regulating plasma membrane recycling. Our previous study has shown that MYO5B is epigenetically silenced and associated with c‐Met signaling in human gastric cancer. However, little is known of the function of Rab11‐FIP2 in gastric cancer. In this study, we investigated Rab11‐FIP2 expression by immunohistochemistry in 86 patients with gastric cancer. We found that the expression level of Rab11‐FIP2 was significantly increased in gastric cancer tissues and high expression of Rab11‐FIP2 was closely correlated with nodal metastasis in gastric cancer patients. Rab11‐FIP2 overexpression promoted epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a manner associated with gastric cancer metastasis in vitro and in vivo. We also found that hypoxia could enhance the expression of Rab11‐FIP2 through HIF‐1α. Inactivation of Rab11‐FIP2 dramatically decreased hypoxia‐induced migration of gastric cancer cells. Suppression of the internalization of EGFR, at least in part, plays an important role in EMT induced by overexpression of Rab11‐FIP2 in gastric cancer cells. Finally, we demonstrated that Rab11‐FIP2 could regulate actin cytoskeleton dynamics. In conclusion, our findings reveal a novel mechanism underlying the role of Rab11‐FIP2 in gastric cancer dissemination, suggesting that Rab11‐FIP2 may be a promising candidate target for gastric cancer treatment.