bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Goodness‐of‐fit testing based on a weighted bootstrap: A fast large‐sample alternative to the parametric bootstrap
Authors: Kojadinovic Ivan , Yan Jun
Published: July 2012

The process comparing the empirical cumulative distribution function of the sample with a parametric estimate of the cumulative distribution function is known as the empirical process with estimated parameters and has been extensively employed in the literature for goodness‐of‐fit testing. The simplest way to carry out such goodness‐of‐fit tests, especially in a multivariate setting, is to use a parametric bootstrap. Although very easy to implement, the parametric bootstrap can become very computationally expensive as the sample size, the number of parameters, or the dimension of the data increase. An alternative resampling technique based on a fast weighted bootstrap is proposed in this paper, and is studied both theoretically and empirically. The outcome of this work is a generic and computationally efficient multiplier goodness‐of‐fit procedure that can be used as a large‐sample alternative to the parametric bootstrap. In order to approximately determine how large the sample size needs to be for the parametric and weighted bootstraps to have roughly equivalent powers, extensive Monte Carlo experiments are carried out in dimension one, two and three, and for models containing up to nine parameters. The computational gains resulting from the use of the proposed multiplier goodness‐of‐fit procedure are illustrated on trivariate financial data. A by‐product of this work is a fast large‐sample goodness‐of‐fit procedure for the bivariate and trivariate t distribution whose degrees of freedom are fixed. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 40: 480–500; 2012 © 2012 Statistical Society of Canada
Statin and Aspirin Therapy for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Udell Jacob A. , Scirica Benjamin M. , Braunwald Eugene , Raz Itamar , Gabriel Steg Ph. , Davidson Jaime , Hirshberg Boaz , Bhatt Deepak L.
Published: July 2012

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are at 2 to 4 times increased risk of cardiovascular events compared with those without diabetes, both among patients with multiple risk factors only and those with established atherothrombosis. In this review, we provide recommendations for the use of statins and aspirin for the prevention of cardiovascular events in high‐risk patients with diabetes mellitus. Clin. Cardiol. 2012 doi: 10.1002/clc.22032

The SAVOR‐TIMI 53 trial is sponsored by AstraZeneca and Bristol‐Myers Squibb. Dr. Udell is a recipient of a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) and Canadian Foundation for Women's Health. Dr. Scirica receives research grants from AstraZeneca, Bristol‐Myers Squibb, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, Bayer Healthcare, and Gilead Sciences and consultancy fees from Gilead Sciences, Lexicon, and Arena Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Braunwald receives research grants from AstraZeneca and Bristol‐Myers Squibb. Dr. Raz has received honoraria/expenses for advisory board participation from AstraZeneca, Bristol‐Myers Squibb, Novo Nordisk, Merck, Sharp & Dohme, and Eli Lilly; has served as a consultant for Andromea, AstraZeneca, Bristol‐Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, HealOr, Insuline, Teva, and TransPharma; and has participated in speakers bureaus for AstraZeneca, Bristol‐Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Johnson & Johnson, and Roche. Dr. Steg receives research grants from Servier. Dr. Davidson participated on advisory panels for AstraZeneca, Bristol‐Myers Squibb, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Generex Biotechnology, Novo Nordisk A/S, Roche Diagnostics, and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company and participated in speaker's bureaus for Eli Lilly and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company. Dr. Hirshberg is an employee of and holds stock in AstraZeneca. Dr. Bhatt discloses the following relationships—Advisory Board: Medscape Cardiology; Board of Directors: Boston VA Research Institute, Society of Chest Pain Centers; Chair: American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines Science Subcommittee; Honoraria: American College of Cardiology (Editor, Clinical Trials, Cardiosource), Duke Clinical Research Institute (clinical trial steering committees), Slack Publications (Chief Medical Editor, Cardiology Today Intervention), WebMD (CME steering committees); Research Grants: Amarin, AstraZeneca, Bristol‐Myers Squibb, Eisai, Ethicon, Medtronic, Sanofi Aventis, The Medicines Company; Unfunded Research: FlowCo, PLx Pharma, Takeda. The design and conduct of the SAVOR‐TIMI 53 study are being done by the academic executive committee in collaboration with the sponsors.
Phase 2 trial of daily, oral polyphenon E in patients with asymptomatic, Rai stage 0 to II chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Shanafelt Tait D. , Call Timothy G. , Zent Clive S. , Leis Jose F. , LaPlant Betsy , Bowen Deborah A. , Roos Michelle , Laumann Kristina , Ghosh Asish K. , Lesnick Connie , Lee Mao‐Jung , Yang Chung S. , Jelinek Diane F. , Erlichman Charles , Kay Neil E.
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND:

The objective of the current study was to follow up the results of phase 1 testing by evaluating the clinical efficacy of the green tea extract Polyphenon E for patients with early stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

METHODS:

Previously untreated patients with asymptomatic, Rai stage 0 to II CLL and an absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) ≥ 10 × 109/L were eligible for this phase 2 trial. Polyphenon E with a standardized dose of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) (2000 mg per dose) was administered twice daily.

RESULTS:

A total of 42 patients received Polyphenon E at a dose of 2000 mg twice daily for up to 6 months. Of these patients, 29 (69%) had Rai stage I to II disease. Patients received a median of 6 cycles of treatment (range, 1 cycle‐6 cycles). The most common grade 3 side effects (according to National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) were transaminitis (1 patient), abdominal pain (1 patient), and fatigue (1 patient). Clinical activity was observed, with 13 patients (31%) experiencing a sustained reduction of ≥ 20% in the ALC and 20 of 29 patients (69%) with palpable adenopathy experiencing at least a 50% reduction in the sum of the products of all lymph node areas. EGCG plasma levels after 1 month of therapy were found to be correlated with reductions in lymphadenopathy (correlation co‐efficient, 0.44; P = .02). Overall, 29 patients (69%) fulfilled the criteria for a biologic response with either a sustained decline ≥ 20% in the ALC and/or a reduction ≥ 30% in the sum of the products of all lymph node areas at some point during the 6 months of active treatment.

CONCLUSIONS:

Daily oral EGCG in the Polyphenon E preparation was well tolerated by patients with CLL in this phase 2 trial. Durable declines in the ALC and/or lymphadenopathy were observed in the majority of patients. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Dimerization Reaction of Regioisomeric Bis(phenylethynyl)benzene Radical Anions during Pulse Radiolysis
Authors: Fujitsuka Mamoru , Samori Shingo , Tojo Sachiko , Haley Michael M. , Majima Tetsuro
Published: July 2012

Dimerization of a series of regioisomeric 1,4‐, 1,3‐, and 1,2‐bis(phenylethynyl)benzene radical anions (bPEBs.−) substituted by various electron‐donor and/or electron‐acceptor groups was studied during the pulse radiolysis in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF). The transient absorption of bPEB.− decayed with the formation of new bands attributed to the dimer radical anion of bPEB.− and bPEB (bPEB2.−). From the dependence of decay and formation rates on the concentration of bPEB, the bimolecular rate constants of kb=(1.2±0.1)×107 to (3.2±0.2)×108 M−1 s−1 were estimated. It is suggested that bPEB.− dimerizes with bPEB through the formation of a CC bond between two sp carbon atoms, to give σ‐type dimer radical anion (σ‐(bPEB)2.−) with a diene‐type structure. The kb values of bPEB.− with bPEB changed with the substitution pattern of the phenylacetylene group on the central benzene ring and the various kinds of donor and/or acceptor group.
Structural and optoelectrical properties of Ga‐doped ZnO semiconductor thin films grown by magnetron sputtering
Authors: Zhou J. , Zhong Z. Y.
Published: July 2012

Transparent conductive gallium‐doped zinc oxide (Ga‐doped ZnO) films were prepared on glass substrate by magnetron sputtering. The influence of substrate temperature on structural, optoelectrical and surface properties of the films were investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), spectrophotometer, four‐point probe and goniometry, respectively. Experimental results show that all the films are found to be oriented along the c‐axis. The grain size and optical transmittance of the films increase with increasing substrate temperature. The average transmittance in the visible wavelength range is above 83% for all the samples. It is observed that the optoelectrical property is correlated with the film structure. The Ga‐doped ZnO film grown at the substrate temperature of 400 °C has the highest figure of merit of 1.25 × 10−2 Ω−1, the lowest resistivity of 1.56 × 10−3 Ω·cm and the highest surface energy of 32.3 mJ/m2.
Morphological alteration of anatase titania nanostructures depend on the amount of Na ion intercalation
Authors: Ren Long , Qi Xiang , Liu Yundan , Zou Xianghua , Huang Zongyu , Li Jun , Yang Liwen , Zhong Jianxin
Published: July 2012

Controllable preparation of different nanoscale‐shaped titania materials was realized by hydrothermal treatment of anatase TiO2 in an alkaline solution. The gradually changing morphologies and microstructures of titanium dioxide were investigated by powder X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. And a top‐down path is illuminated to have an insight to the morphological evolution from nanoparticle to nanosheet by adjusting the concentrations of Na ion in the aqueous solution. The results of photocatalytic experiments indicated that the TiO2 nanobelts exhibited enhanced photocatalytic performance, due to their lower electron‐hole recombination rate confirmed from the photoluminescence spectra. This study suggests that the photocatalysis efficiency of nanocrystals can be significantly improved by the shape‐dependent morphological transformation.
Aril development in Celastraceae
Authors: Zhang Xin , Zhang Zhixiang , Stützel Thomas
Published: July 2012

To learn more about the evolution of secondarily intercalated seed envelopes, a series of developmental studies of arillate seeds in gymnosperms and angiosperms was undertaken. The goal was to test whether the second (outer) integument could be derived from an aril of gymnospermous ancestors. In our developmental studies of three species of Celastraceae, however, it turned out that the structure termed aril in this family does not originate from the funiculus or the hilum but from the exostomatic micropyle. As a consequence, the micropyle is not inside the aril but at the base of the fleshy structure which is thus better referred to as a caruncula. The fleshy part in seeds of Celastraceae differs thus markedly from those seed appendages usually referred to as an aril. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
An inflammatory proposal for hepatocarcinogenesis
Authors: Brody Rachel I. , Theise Neil D. , Groszmann Roberto J. , Iwakiri Yasuko , Taddei Tamar H.
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) is essential for liver development and hepatocyte function. Here, we show that transient inhibition of HNF4α initiates hepatocellular transformation through a microRNA-inflammatory feedback loop circuit consisting of miR-124, IL6R, STAT3, miR-24, and miR-629. Moreover, we show that, once this circuit is activated, it maintains suppression of HNF4α and sustains oncogenesis. Systemic administration of miR-124, which modulates inflammatory signaling, prevents and suppresses hepatocellular carcinogenesis by inducing tumor-specific apoptosis without toxic side effects. As we also show that this HNF4α circuit is perturbed in human hepatocellular carcinomas, our data raise the possibility that manipulation of this microRNA feedback-inflammatory loop has therapeutic potential for treating liver cancer.
Safety of quetiapine fumarate extended release in the treatment of Korean patients with acute schizophrenia
Authors: Lee Jung‐Goo , Lee Jong‐Il , Kim Yang‐Tae , Kim Chul‐Eung , Kim Chang‐Yoon , Yoon Jin‐Sang , Yoo So‐Young , Kim Young‐Hoon
Published: July 2012

Introduction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of quetiapine fumarate extended release (XR) in the treatment of Korean subjects with acute schizophrenia.

Methods

This was an 8‐week, multi‐center, open‐label, non‐comparative study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of quetiapine fumarate XR at a daily dose of 400–800 mg. Changes in total scores on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) from baseline to week 8 were analyzed to evaluate the efficacy of quetiapine XR. Additionally, the Clinical Global Impression scale and the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale were administered.

Results

The mean change in PANSS total scores was −26.8, and the mean PANSS total score at the endpoint was significantly lower than that at baseline. The mean PANSS positive score, negative score, and general score showed statistically significant reductions at the end of the study. Statistically significant changes were also observed in Clinical Global Impression‐Severity and Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale scores. The most common treatment‐related adverse events in the group receiving quetiapine XR were sedation (10.6%) and constipation (9.6%).

Conclusions

In this study of Korean patients with acute schizophrenia, quetiapine XR showed clinical efficacy and relatively good tolerability. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ammonium occurrence in a salinized lowland coastal aquifer (Ferrara, Italy)
Authors: Mastrocicco M. , Giambastiani B.M.S. , Colombani N.
Published: July 2012

To understand the spatial distribution and the possible sources of high ammonium concentration in the unconfined coastal aquifer of the Po River Delta lowland (Italy), a detailed characterization of inorganic nitrogen species was completed. A total of 59 boreholes were drilled to collect core samples and groundwater samples of the aquifer. Among them, four piezometers, located along a representative flow line, were chosen to monitor the inorganic nitrogen concentrations with depth. Ammonium is the prevalent nitrogen inorganic species in groundwater, and its concentration increases with depth and salinity. Very high ammonium concentrations are found in coincidence with peaty sediments in the salinized anoxic aquifer and in the low‐lying aquitard. In particular, the elevated ammonium concentration derives from mineralization of organic matter present in fine sediments deposited in paleo‐marsh environments. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diclofenac inhibits lactate formation and efficiently counteracts local immune suppression in a murine glioma model
Authors: Chirasani Sridhar R. , Leukel Petra , Gottfried Eva , Hochrein Jochen , Stadler Katrin , Neumann Bernhard , Oefner Peter J. , Gronwald Wolfram , Bogdahn Ulrich , Hau Peter , Kreutz Marina , Grauer Oliver M.
Published: July 2012

Lactate formation in highly proliferative tumors such as malignant gliomas is associated with poor survival and contributes to the suppression of local immunity. Here, we report that diclofenac used at nontoxic concentrations significantly decreased lactate production in murine glioma cells and inhibited the expression of lactate dehydrogenase‐A in vitro. Lactate reduction was accompanied by a dose‐dependent inhibition of cell growth and a cell cycle arrest at the G2/M checkpoint. In the presence of diclofenac, murine bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells (DCs) showed enhanced IL‐12, but decreased IL‐10 secretion on Toll‐like receptor stimulation with R848 that correlated with reduced lactate levels in the glioma cell coculture and a blockade of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 phosphorylation. In vivo, diclofenac treatment diminished intratumoral lactate levels and resulted in a significant delay of glioma growth. Ex vivo analyses revealed that tumor‐infiltrating DCs regained their capacity to produce IL‐12 on R848 stimulation. Moreover, diclofenac reduced the number of tumor‐infiltrating regulatory T cells and impaired the upregulation of the Treg activation marker CD25. Nevertheless, a single intratumoral injection of R848 combined with diclofenac failed to induce an additional survival advantage in glioma‐bearing mice. Further analyses illustrated that the presence of diclofenac during T‐cell activation compromised INF‐γ production and T‐cell proliferation, indicating that immunotherapeutic approaches have to be carefully timed when combined with diclofenac. In summary, diclofenac appears as an attractive agent for targeting lactate production and counteracting local immune suppression in malignant gliomas.
Differences in human papillomavirus type distribution in high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive cervical cancer in Europe
Authors: Tjalma Wiebren A. , Fiander Alison , Reich Olaf , Powell Ned , Nowakowski Andrzej M. , Kirschner Benny , Koiss Robert , O'Leary John , Joura Elmar A. , Rosenlund Mats , Colau Brigitte , Schledermann Doris , Kukk Kersti , Damaskou Vasileia , Repanti Maria , Vladareanu Radu , Kolomiets Larisa , Savicheva Alevtina , Shipitsyna Elena , Ordi Jaume , Molijn Anco , Quint Wim , Raillard Alice , Rosillon Dominique , De Souza Sabrina Collas , Jenkins David , Holl Katsiaryna ,   for the HERACLES/SCALE Study Group
Published: July 2012

Knowledge of differences in human papillomavirus (HPV)‐type prevalence between high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (HG‐CIN) and invasive cervical cancer (ICC) is crucial for understanding the natural history of HPV‐infected cervical lesions and the potential impact of HPV vaccination on cervical cancer prevention. More than 6,000 women diagnosed with HG‐CIN or ICC from 17 European countries were enrolled in two parallel cross‐sectional studies (108288/108290). Centralised histopathology review and standardised HPV‐DNA typing were applied to formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded cervical specimens dated 2001–2008. The pooled prevalence of individual HPV types was estimated using meta‐analytic methods. A total of 3,103 women were diagnosed with HG‐CIN and a total of 3,162 with ICC (median ages: 34 and 49 years, respectively), of which 98.5 and 91.8% were HPV‐positive, respectively. The most common HPV types in women with HG‐CIN were HPV16/33/31 (59.9/10.5/9.0%) and in ICC were HPV16/18/45 (63.3/15.2/5.3%). In squamous cell carcinomas, HPV16/18/33 were most frequent (66.2/10.8/5.3%), and in adenocarcinomas, HPV16/18/45 (54.2/40.4/8.3%). The prevalence of HPV16/18/45 was 1.1/3.5/2.5 times higher in ICC than in HG‐CIN. The difference in age at diagnosis between CIN3 and squamous cervical cancer for HPV18 (9 years) was significantly less compared to HPV31/33/‘other’ (23/20/17 years), and for HPV45 (1 year) than HPV16/31/33/‘other’ (15/23/20/17 years). In Europe, HPV16 predominates in both HG‐CIN and ICC, whereas HPV18/45 are associated with a low median age of ICC. HPV18/45 are more frequent in ICC than HG‐CIN and associated with a high median age of HG‐CIN, with a narrow age interval between HG‐CIN and ICC detection. These findings support the need for primary prevention of HPV16/18/45‐related cervical lesions.
PROFILE OF EMPLOYMENT SERVICE COUNSELORS
Authors: Sudweeks Leslie L.
Published: July 2012

As a guide to program planning, the United States Employment Service makes periodic surveys of the numbers and characteristics of counseling staff employed by the various State Employment Services. The information obtained from these studies helps to provide answers to many administrative questions regarding recruitment, staffing, training, and utilization of counselors as well as their physical facilities. The most recent survey indicates that overall substantial progress has been made in staffing to meet increasing responsibilities and in upgrading the professional qualifications of counselors, although there are still some problem areas.
CONGRUENCE OF WORK‐RELATED NEEDS AND ABILITIES: TRANSITIONAL PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS AND NORMALS1
Authors: Purvis Sharon A.
Published: July 2012

Work‐related needs and abilities appear to be significant factors in the vocational adjustment of psychiatric patients. When vocationally oriented patients were compared to a carefully matched normal sample, the patients were found to have significantly less agreement between their work needs and their work abilities. Although no difference was found to exist between the work needs of the patients and the matched normals, the work‐related abilities of the patients were distinctly lower than those of the normal population, implying that the appropriate focus of vocational rehabilitation counseling is the augmentation of patient assets. Persons most likely to have incongruity vocationally between their needs and abilities are male psychiatric patients, aged 24 to 36, who have less than a high school education.
ATTITUDES INFLUENCING EMPLOYMENT OF THE HANDICAPPED
Authors: Whigham Barney R. , Mattson Bruce D.
Published: July 2012

This study investigates the effect of existing attitudes on employment practices of two groups of Texas employers, the first employing visually handicapped persons, and the second employing physically handicapped persons. After personal interviews, all 24 participants were administered the Survey of Interpersonal Values (SIV) and the Action, Cognition, and Emotion Test (ACET).

Among conclusions drawn from the findings were that employers of the visually handicapped indicate their willingness to hire persons with physical disabilities, that employers who show willingness to employ handicapped personnel at the professional level tend to value leadership traits in employees, that employers may not carry through with actual employment of the handicapped even though they communicate interest in and tolerance for these individuals, that employers' positive attitudes appear to relate significantly to positive experiences with handicapped workers, and that the larger the population center the more receptive the attitudes of employers toward the handicapped.
Deep Eutectic Solvent‐based Ionic Liquid Electrolytes for Electrical Double‐layer Capacitors
Authors: Ju Yi‐Jen , Lien Chien‐Hung , Chang Kuo‐Hsin , Hu Chi‐Chang , Wong David Shan‐Hill
Published: July 2012

Through hydrogen‐bonding between choline chloride (CC) and hydrogen bond donors, the binary systems, liquidized at their eutectic point (deep eutectic solvents, DESs), can be considered as organic salts in the liquid state (a kind of ionic liquids). Such cheap and biocompatible ionic liquids were developed for electrolytes of electrical double‐layer capacitors (EDLCs). This work employs glycerol (G), malonic acid (M), and urea (U) to form DESs (GCC, UCC, and MCC). The stable potential window of these DESs is about 2 V while only GCC shows a nearly rectangular CV curve at room temperature at 1 mV/s. The ionic conductivity of GCC is equal to ca. 1.3 and 10.0 mS/cm at 25 and 75 °C, respectively. γ‐Butyrolactone (GBL), working as a good solvent to disperse GCC, significantly reduces the viscosity of GCC, increases the ionic conductivity, and enhances the performances of GCC‐based EDLCs. This GCC‐GBL system shows the promising applicability in EDLCs at 10 mV/s at 25 °C. In this work, viscosity of DESs is found to dominate their performance in EDLCs while the mesoporous structure of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) further reduces the loss of electrolyte‐accessible area at higher scan rates, emphasizing the important influence of material pore structure on the capacitive performances.
Evaluation of the Photochemical Stability of Zinc Sulfide as Protective Layer on Silver Indium Sulfide Photocatalyst Film
Authors: Kuo Yu‐Lin , Wu Ching‐Chen , Peng Yi‐Hsuan , Chang Wen‐Sheng
Published: July 2012

Hydrogen production by water splitting with photoelectrochemical cell is one of novel ways to provide clean and renewable energy. Ag‐In‐S ternary semiconductor thin film prepared by chemical bath deposition (CBD) on the surface of indium tin oxide conductive glass represented a mixture phase of AgInS2/AgIn5S8. Under the visible light irradiation with intensity of 100 mW/cm2, the photocurrent density could be up to 12 mA/cm2. After long term irradiation, however, photocorrosion occurred on Ag‐In‐S film resulted in the photocurrent decay. Thus, zinc sulfide (ZnS) with a wide energy bandgap represented a superior stability and no absorption of visible light were prepared as protective layers on the surface of Ag‐In‐S film deposited by CBD method. After a long time photoelectrochemical measurement under visible light irradiation, the modified Ag‐In‐S photocatalyst with one ZnS protective layer deposited by CBD method showed an obvious enhancement in the durability without a serious decay in photocurrent.
Oxygen Deficient Li4Ti5O12 for High‐rate Lithium Storage
Authors: Wen Lei , Liu Gang , Liu Guang‐Yin , Liu Guo‐qiang , Li Feng , Cheng Hui‐Ming
Published: July 2012

An oxygen deficient Li4Ti5O12 was investigated for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) in this work. Compared with nitrogen doping and pristine Li4Ti5O12, the oxygen deficient Li4Ti5O12 exhibits significant improvement of electrochemical performance, it could deliver a specific capacity of 75 mAh/g even at a high charge/discharge rate of 10C and exhibit excellent cycling performance. The results revealed in this work show that oxygen deficient control can be a promising way to improve high rate performance of the LIBs electrode materials.
X‐ray Absorption Spectroscopy Approaches to Electronic State and Coordination Type of Lithium Phosphorus Oxynitride Thin Films
Authors: Hung Tai‐Feng , Wong Hong‐Chang , Tu Yi‐Chun , Shen Chin‐Chang , Liu Ru‐Shi , Chen Jin‐Ming , Hu Shu‐Fen
Published: July 2012

In this study, lithium phosphorus oxynitride (LiPON) thin films were deposited by radio frequency (r.f.) magnetron sputtering of a lithium phosphate (Li3PO4) target with various powers. The crystal structure, morphology, chemical environment, ionic conductivity, electronic state and coordination type were sequentially characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, respectively. As the results, the optimal ionic conductivity was achieved by the r.f. power of 75 W. Furthermore, the P‐N valence states of hybrid orbitals were increased with increasing the nitrogen amounts.
Facile synthesis of stable isotope‐labeled antibacterial agent RWJ‐416457 and its metabolite
Authors: Lin Ronghui , Weaner Larry E.
Published: July 2012

Synthesis of multiple stable isotope‐labeled antibacterial agent RWJ‐416457, (N‐{3‐[3‐fluoro‐4‐(2‐methyl‐2,6‐dihydro‐4H‐pyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrazol‐5‐yl)‐phenyl]‐2‐oxo‐oxazolidin‐5‐ylmethyl}‐acetamide), and its major metabolite, N‐{3‐[4‐(2,6‐dihydro‐4H‐pyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrazol‐5‐yl)‐3‐fluoro‐phenyl]‐2‐oxo‐oxazolidin‐5‐ylmethyl}‐acetamide, is described. The stable isotope‐labeled [13CD3]RWJ‐416457 was prepared readily by acetylation of the precursor amine, 5‐aminomethyl‐3‐[3‐fluoro‐4‐(2‐methyl‐2,6‐dihydro‐4H‐pyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrazol‐5‐yl)‐phenyl]‐oxazolidin‐2‐one with CD313COCl in pyridine. Synthesis of the stable isotope‐labeled metabolite involved a construction of multiple isotope‐labeled pyrazole ring. N,N‐dimethyl(formyl‐13C,D)amide dimethyl acetal was first prepared by treating N,N‐dimethyl(formyl‐13C,D)amide with dimethyl sulfate, followed by sodium methoxide. Then, N‐{3‐[3‐fluoro‐4‐(3‐oxo‐pyrrolidin‐1‐yl)‐phenyl]‐2‐oxo‐oxazolidin‐5‐ylmethyl}‐acetamide was condensed with N,N‐dimethyl(formyl‐13C,D)amide dimethyl acetal, and the resultant β‐ketoenamine intermediate underwent pyrazole ring formation with hydrazine‐15N2, to give the [13C15N2D]‐labeled metabolite. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carbohydrate binding and gene expression by in vitro and in vivo propagated Campylobacter jejuni after Immunomagnetic Separation
Authors: King Rebecca M. , Day Christopher J. , Hartley‐Tassell Lauren E. , Connerton Ian F. , Tiralongo Joe , McGuckin Michael A. , Korolik Victoria
Published: July 2012

Campylobacter jejuni is an important human food‐borne intestinal pathogen, however relatively little is known about its mechanisms of pathogenesis or pathogen‐host interactions. To monitor changes in gene expression and glycan binding of C. jejuni within a common avian host, an immunomagnetic separation technique (IMS) was utilised to directly isolate infecting C. jejuni 81116 from a chicken host. An average of 105 cells/g was re‐isolated from chicken caecal samples by IMS technique. The in vivo passaged strains were used successfully in evaluation of carbohydrate binding through the use of a glycan array and were further suitable for transcriptome analysis. The glycan microarray analysis demonstrated differences in binding to negatively charged glycans of laboratory grown strains of C. jejuni compared with strains isolated after in vivo passage. The in vivo passaged strains showed marked up‐regulation of chemotaxis receptors and toxin genes. The optimised Campylobacter IMS technique described in this study allowed isolation directly from an animal host. Changes in gene expression and glycan binding at an in vivo level can also be identified by using this method.
Isolation and identification of selenite reducing archaea from Tuz (salt) Lake In Turkey
Authors: Güven Kıymet , Mutlu Mehmet Burçin , Çırpan Ceyhun , Kutlu Hatice Mehtap
Published: July 2012

Abstract1

In this study, Tuz lake brine samples were investigated for isolation and identification of selenite resistant halophilic prokaryotes. Among the 20 strains of extremely halophilic Bacteria and Archaea, a Gram negative rod designated as strain 106, showed high capacity in the resistance to selenite (25 mM) under aerobic conditions. Phenotypic characterizations and phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rDNA sequence comparison indicated that strain 106 was Halorubrum xinjiangense. The ability of strain 106 to deposite selenium‐containing particles were investigated by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Electron micrographs shows intact cells after selenite reduction and large amounts of selenium‐containing particles are present in the culture medium indicating that strain 106 is able to efficiently transport elemental selenium out of the cell.
The effects of freeze‐and‐thaw cycles on phosphorus availability in highland soils in Turkey
Authors: Özgül Müdahir , Günes Adem , Esringü Aslihan , Turan Metin
Published: July 2012

Ongoing global warming may result in colder soil and thawing cycles and will increase the frequency of soil freezing‐and‐thawing‐treated cycles (FTCs) during winter in the cool‐temperate and high‐latitude regions. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of repeated freeze–thaw cycles on the solubility and adsorption of P in lab and field experiments on Pellustert, Argiustoll, Haplustept, Fluvaquent, and Calciorthid soils, the major soil groups in E Turkey. The results demonstrated that, depending on the soil type, the freeze–thaw cycle could increase the adsorption and desorption of P within a certain temperature range. Repeated freezing and thawing decreased equilibrium P concentration (EPC) and increased P adsorption. EPC and P adsorption were strongly correlated with the number of FTCs. The highest P adsorption and the lowest P desorption was found in Pellustert followed by Argiustoll, Calciorthid, Haplustept, Fluvaquent when refrozen at –10°C for 15 d, then thawed at +2.5°C for 18 h, and 9 times FTC. However, in the field study, the adsorption value was lower than the value obtained from the laboratory condition. It appears that increasing the frequency of freeze–thaw processes depending on increase in temperature that leads to decreased plant‐available soil P pools, thus requires more P fertilizer in soil solution to supply adequate P during the plant‐growth period.
Application of ultrasound to disperse soil aggregates of high mechanical stability
Authors: Kaiser Michael , Berhe Asmeret A. , Sommer Michael , Kleber Markus
Published: July 2012

Questions remain about the exact ultrasonic energy level that is required to effectively disperse soil aggregates and to what extent this is accompanied by physical damage to individual soil particles. We found maximum aggregate dispersion at energy levels of 1500 J cm–3 and no evidence for the disintegration of particles < 20 μm even at that energy level. Our findings suggest that sonication at energies much greater than those applied conventionally can disperse aggregates of high mechanical stability.
Mineralized Synthetic Matrices as an Instructive Microenvironment for Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Phadke Ameya , Shih Yu‐Ru V. , Varghese Shyni
Published: July 2012

The effect of substrate‐mediated signals on osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs is studied using a synthetic bone‐like material comprising both organic and inorganic components that supports adhesion, spreading, and proliferation of hMSCs. hMSCs undergo osteogenic differentiation even in the absence of osteogenesis‐inducing supplements. They exhibit higher expressions of Runx2, BSP, and OCN compared to their matrix‐rigidity‐matched, non‐mineralized hydrogel counterparts. The mineralized‐hydrogel‐assisted osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs could be attributed to their exposure to high local concentrations of calcium and phosphate ions in conjunction with chemical and topological cues arising from the hydrogel‐bound calcium phosphate mineral layer.

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Influence of the Reaction Conditions and Molecular Structure on the Kinetic of the Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution of Fluoro Compounds with Poly(vinyl amine) in Water
Authors: Hofmann Katja , Roth Isabelle , Spange Stefan
Published: July 2012

The nucleophilic aromatic substitution (NAS) reaction of various fluoroaromatic/2,6‐O‐dimethyl‐β‐cyclodextrin complexes with poly(vinyl amine) (PVAm) has been studied in water at different pH. Increasing pH lowers the notable negative activation entropy of those types of NAS due to the PVAm chain segments becomes better accessible in basic media. At pH > 7, the zwitterionic intermediate in the course of NAS seems stabilized by intermolecular hydrogen bonds, which has an influence on the increase of activation energy for elimination the fluoride ion. As a consequence, the counter balance between activation entropy and activation energy determines the rate of the NAS with PVAm, which is shown for several functional fluoroaromatic compounds including fluoronitrobenzenes, fluoronitroanilines, and imine bases.
Strongly Photosensitive and Fluorescent F8T2 Electrospun Fibers
Authors: Ferreira Isabel , Baptista Ana Catarina , Leitão Joaquim Pratas , Soares Jorge , Fortunato Elvira , Martins Rodrigo , Borges João Paulo
Published: July 2012

Electrospun fibers of poly[(9,9‐dioctylfluorenyl‐2,7‐diyl)‐co‐bithiophene] (F8T2) with exceptional electro‐optical performance are obtained. The I/T characteristics measured in fibers with 7–15 µm diameter and 1 mm length show a semiconductor behavior; their thermal activation energy is 0.5 eV and the dark conductivity at RT is 5 × 10−9 (Ω cm)−1. Besides exhibiting a photosensitivity of about 60 under white light illumination with a light power intensity of 25 mW · cm−2, the fibers also attain RT photoluminescence in the cyan, yellow, and red wavelength range under ultraviolet, blue, and green light excitation, respectively. Optical microscope images of F8T2 reveal homogeneous electrospun fibers, which are in good agreement with the uniformly radial fluorescence observed.

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Thermoresponsive Nanoparticles Based on Poly(2‐alkyl‐2‐Oxazolines) and Pluronic F127
Authors: Pánek Jirří , Filippov Sergey K. , Hrubý Martin , Rabyk Maria , Bogomolova Anna , Kučka Jan , Štěpánek Petr
Published: July 2012

We synthesized statistical poly(2‐isopropyl‐2‐oxazoline–co–2‐butyl‐2‐oxazolines) (POXs) that are molecularly dissolved below their cloud point temperature in aqueous milieu and are incorporated into micellar nanoparticles of biocompatible Pluronic F127 (F127) after heating their solution above transition temperature, Ttr. A functional comonomer 2‐(but‐3‐enyl)‐2‐oxazoline copolymerized into one of the POXs (polymer E) allows introduction of fenolic moieties and subsequent radionuclide labeling with iodine‐125. Self‐assembly of the polymer E with F127 leads to formation of radioactive nanoparticles with hydrodynamic diameter 20 nm in aqueous solution by heating to 37 °C. The nanoparticles are intended to be used as radioimaging tool in solid tumor diagnostics.
How to Modulate the Chemical Structure of Polyoxazolines by Appropriate Functionalization
Authors: Guillerm Brieuc , Monge Sophie , Lapinte Vincent , Robin Jean‐Jacques
Published: July 2012

Polyoxazolines (POx) are increasingly being studied as polymeric building blocks due to the possibility of affording tunable properties. Additionally, as the biocompatibility and stealth behavior of POx are similar to that of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), it has become challenging to develop polyoxazoline‐based (co)polymers. Even if POx have a lot of advantages, they also show an important drawback, as it has been impossible, to date, to prepare high‐molecular‐weight polyoxazolines with a low polydispersity index. Thus, it appears important that they be judiciously functionalized. This review covers the multiple ways that polyoxazolines can be functionalized. The use of functional initiators, functional terminating agents, and 2‐R‐2‐oxazolines with an R functional side group is detailed. In conclusion, some perspectives on POx functionalizations are also reported, with functions permitting selective “click” reactions.
Light‐Switchable Behavior of a Microarray of Azobenzene Liquid Crystal Polymer Induced by Photodeformation
Authors: Yan Zeng , Ji Xinming , Wu Wei , Wei Jia , Yu Yanlei
Published: July 2012

A microarray with a period of about 1 μm was fabricated from a crosslinked liquid crystal polymer (CLCP) containing azobenzene groups by using the replica molding technique. In accordance with the photoinduced deformation of the CLCP induced by the photoisomerization of the azobenzene groups, on‐off switch behavior on the reflection spectra of the microarray was observed by alternate irradiation with UV–Vis light. The reversible switch behavior indicates that the azobenzene CLCP microarray has potential applications in optical actuators.
Monitoring the Dynamics of Phase Separation in a Polymer Blend by Confocal Imaging and Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy
Authors: Doroshenko Mikheil , Gonzales Maria , Best Andreas , Butt Hans‐Jürgen , Koynov Kaloian , Floudas George
Published: July 2012

The phase separation of the polymer blend polystyrene/poly(methyl phenyl siloxane) (PS/PMPS) is studied in situ by laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) at macroscopic and microscopic length scales, respectively. It is shown for the first time that FCS when combined with LSCM can provide independent information on the local concentration within the phase‐separated domains as well as the interfacial width.
Reproducibility study for free‐breathing measurements of pyruvate metabolism using hyperpolarized 13C in the heart
Authors: Lau Angus Z. , Chen Albert P. , Barry Jennifer , Graham John J. , Dominguez‐Viqueira William , Ghugre Nilesh R. , Wright Graham A. , Cunningham Charles H.
Published: July 2012

Spatially resolved images of hyperpolarized 13C substrates and their downstream products provide insight into real‐time metabolic processes occurring in vivo. Recently, hyperpolarized 13C pyruvate has been used to characterize in vivo cardiac metabolism in the rat and pig, but accurate and reproducible measurements remain challenging due to the limited period available for imaging as well as physiological motion. In this article, time‐resolved cardiac‐ and respiratory‐gated images of [1‐13C] pyruvate, [1‐13C] lactate, and 13C bicarbonate in the heart are acquired without the need for a breathhold. The robustness of these free‐breathing measurements is demonstrated using the time‐resolved data to produce a normalized metric of pyruvate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase activity in the heart. The values obtained are reproducible in a controlled metabolic state. In a 60‐min ischemia/reperfusion model, significant differences in hyperpolarized bicarbonate and lactate, normalized using the left ventricular pyruvate signal, were detected between scans performed at baseline and 45 min after reperfusion. The sequence is anticipated to improve quantitative measurements of cardiac metabolism, leading to feasible validation studies using fewer subjects, and potentially improved diagnosis, serial monitoring, and treatment of cardiac disease in patients. Magn Reson Med 69:1063–1071, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High‐resolution MRI of the carotid arteries using a leaky waveguide transmitter and a high‐density receive array at 7 T
Authors: Koning W. , Bluemink J. J. , Langenhuizen E. A. J. , Raaijmakers A. J. , Andreychenko A. , van den Berg C. A. T. , Luijten P. R. , Zwanenburg J. J. M. , Klomp D. W. J.
Published: July 2012

A setup for 7T MRI of the carotid arteries in the neck was designed and constructed. Separate dedicated arrays were used for transmit and receive. For the transmit array, single‐side adapted dipole antennas were mounted on a dielectric pillow, which was shown to serve as a leaky waveguide, efficiently distributing B1 into the neck. Risk assessment was performed by simulations. Phantom measurements were performed to establish optimal positions of the antennas on the pillow. Using two antennas, a dual transmit setup was created. In vivo B1+ maps with different shim configurations were acquired to assess transmit performance. This effective transmit array was used in combination with a dedicated 30 channel small element receive coil. High‐resolution in vivo turbo spin echo images were acquired to demonstrate the excellent performance of the setup. Magn Reson Med 69:1186–1193, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adaptive retrospective correction of motion artifacts in cranial MRI with multicoil three‐dimensional radial acquisitions
Authors: Anderson Ashley G. , Velikina Julia , Block Walter , Wieben Oliver , Samsonov Alexey
Published: July 2012

Despite reduction in imaging times through improved hardware and rapid acquisition schemes, motion artifacts can compromise image quality in magnetic resonance imaging, especially in three‐dimensional imaging with its prolonged scan durations. Direct extension of most state‐of‐the‐art two‐dimensional rigid body motion compensation techniques to the three‐dimensional case is often challenging or impractical due to a significant increase in sampling requirements. This article introduces a novel motion correction technique that is capable of restoring image quality in motion corrupted two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional radial acquisitions without a priori assumptions about when motion occurs. The navigating properties of radial acquisitions—corroborated by multiple receiver coils—are exploited to detect actual instances of motion. Pseudorandom projection ordering provides flexibility of reconstructing navigator images from the obtained motion‐free variable‐width subsets for subsequent estimation of rigid body motion parameters by coregistration. The proposed approach does not require any additional navigators or external motion estimation schemes. The capabilities and limitations of the method are described and demonstrated through simulations and representative volunteer cranial acquisitions. Magn Reson Med 69:1094–1103, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy in vivo of neurochemicals in a transgenic model of Alzheimer's disease: A longitudinal study of metabolites, relaxation time, and behavioral analysis in TASTPM and wild‐type mice
Authors: Forster Duncan , Davies Karen , Williams Steve
Published: July 2012

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the elderly. Due to ongoing advances in our understanding of the underlying pathology of AD, many potential new targets for therapeutics are becoming available. Transgenic mouse models of AD have helped in furthering our understanding of AD and also provide a vehicle for preclinical testing of new, putative disease‐modifying therapeutics, which may have potential for translation to use in clinical trials. To identify possible translational biomarkers, we have studied the longitudinal cerebral metabolic pattern of the TASTPM transgenic AD mouse, a double transgenic mouse overexpressing human mutant amyloid precursor protein (hAPP695swe) and presenilin‐1 (M146V) by 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy, along with concurrent brain T1/T2 mapping and behavioral testing. We found significant differences in creatine, glutamate, N‐acetylaspartate, choline‐containing compounds, and myo‐inositol between TASTPM and wild‐type mice. In the case of N‐acetylaspartate and myo‐inositol, there were similarities to differences detected in human AD. T1/T2 values were shorter overall in TASTPM mice, indicating possible differences in water content between TASTPM and wild‐type mice. In older TASTPM mice, exploratory behavior became more random, indicating a possible memory deficiency. The decrease in behavioral performance correlated in the transgenic group with higher expression of myo‐inositol. Magn Reson Med 69:944–955, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Specific absorption rate intersubject variability in 7T parallel transmit MRI of the head
Authors: de Greef Martijn , Ipek Ozlem , Raaijmakers Alexander J. E. , Crezee Johannes , van den Berg Cornelis A. T.
Published: July 2012

Patient‐specific radiofrequency shimming in high‐field MRI strengthens the need for online, patient‐specific specific absorption rate (SAR) monitoring. Numerical simulation is currently most effective for this purpose but may require a patient‐specific dielectric model. To investigate whether a generic model may be combined with a safety factor to account for variation within the population, generic SAR behavior is studied for 7T MRI of the head. For six detailed head models, radiofrequency fields were simulated for an eight‐channel parallel transmit array. SAR behavior is studied through comparison of the eigenvalues/eigenvectors of the local Q‐matrices. Furthermore, numerical radiofrequency shimming experiments without and with SAR constraints were performed where SAR during optimization was evaluated on a generic model. In both cases, the ability of different generic models to predict actual SAR levels was evaluated. The largest eigenvalue distribution is comparable between models. Radiofrequency shimming without constraints improves the |B| homogeneity while the SAR increases substantially. Imposing constraints on SAR during optimization, estimating SAR on a generic model, was effective. A safety factor of 1.4 was found to be sufficient. Generic SAR behavior makes a generic head model a practical alternative to patient‐specific models and allows effective |B| shimming with SAR constraints. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.