bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A model to simulate special concentrically braced frames beyond brace fracture
Authors: Hsiao Po‐Chien , Lehman Dawn E. , Roeder Charles W.
Published: May 2012

Special concentrically braced frames (SCBFs) are commonly used as the lateral‐load resisting system in buildings. SCBFs primarily sustain large deformation demands through inelastic action in the brace, including compression buckling and tension yielding; secondary yielding may occur in the gusset plate and framing elements. The preferred failure mode is brace fracture. Yielding, buckling, and fracture behavior results in highly nonlinear behavior and accurate analytical modeling of these frames is required. Prior research has shown that continuum models are capable of this level of simulation. However, those models are not suitable for structural engineering practice. To enable the use of accurate yet practical nonlinear models, a research study was undertaken to investigate modeling parameters for line‐element models, which is a more practical modeling approach. This portion of the study focused on methods to predict brace fracture. A fracture modeling approach simulated the nonlinear, cyclic response of SCBFs by correlating onset of fracture to the maximum strain range in the brace. The model accounts for important brace design parameters including slenderness, compactness, and yield strength. Fracture data from over 40 tests was used to calibrate the model and included single‐brace component, single story frame, and full‐scale multistory frame specimens. The proposed fracture model is more accurate and simpler than other, previously proposed models. As a result, the proposed model is an ideal candidate for practical performance simulation of SCBFs. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐frequency sediment transport responses on a vegetated foredune
Authors: Davidson‐Arnott R. G. D. , Bauer B. O. , Walker I. J. , Hesp P. A. , Ollerhead J. , Chapman C.
Published: May 2012

Wind flow and sand transport intensity were measured on the seaward slope of a vegetated foredune during a 16 h storm using an array of sonic anemometers and Wenglor laser particle counters. The foredune had a compound seaward slope with a wave‐cut scarp about 0.5 m high separating the upper vegetated portion from the lower dune ramp, which was bare of vegetation. Wind direction veered from obliquely offshore at the start of the event to obliquely onshore during the storm peak and finally to directly onshore during the final 2 h as wind speed dropped to below threshold. Sand transport was initially inhibited by a brief period of rain at the start of the event but as the surface dried and wind speed increased sand transport was initiated over the entire seaward slope. Transport intensity was quite variable both temporally and spatially on the upper slope as a result of fluctuating wind speed and direction, but overall magnitudes were similar over the whole length. Ten‐minute average transport intensity correlates strongly with mean wind speed measured at the dune crest, and there is also strong correlation between instantaneous wind speed and transport intensity measured at the same locations when the data are smoothed with a 10 s running mean. Transport on the beach for onshore winds is decoupled from that on the seaward slope above the small scarp when the wind angle is highly oblique, but for wind angles <45° from shore perpendicular some sand is transported onto the lower slope. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distribution of the uplink multipaths’ arrival delay and azimuth‐elevation arrival angle because of ‘bad urban’ scatterers distributed cylindrically above the mobile
Authors: Olenko Andriy Yakovych , Wong Kainam Thomas , Qasmi Sajjad Ahmed
Published: May 2012

For radiowave landmobile cellular wireless communication in ‘bad urban’ environments dominated by high rises, this paper analytically derives closed‐form expressions for the trivariate and bivariate joint distributions of the time‐of‐arrival and two‐dimensional azimuth‐elevation direction‐of‐arrival of the uplink multipaths. These expressions are explicitly in terms of the parameters of a ‘geometrical’ model of the three‐dimensional spatial relationships among the mobile station, the scatterers and the base station. This present ‘geometric model’ idealises the scatterers as uniformly located within the volume of a three‐dimensional vertical above‐ground cylinder whose flat bottom circular base centres at the mobile. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genome‐Wide Association Mapping With Longitudinal Data
Authors: Furlotte Nicholas A. , Eskin Eleazar , Eyheramendy Susana
Published: May 2012

Many genome‐wide association studies have been performed on population cohorts that contain phenotype measurements at multiple time points. However, standard association methodologies only consider one time point. In this paper, we propose a mixed‐model‐based approach for performing association mapping which utilizes multiple phenotype measurements for each individual. We introduce an analytical approach to calculate statistical power and show that this model leads to increased power when compared to traditional approaches. Moreover, we show that by using this model we are able to differentiate the genetic, environmental, and residual error contributions to the phenotype. Using predictions of these components, we show how the proportion of the phenotype due to environment and genetics can be predicted and show that the ranking of individuals based on these predictions is very accurate. The software implementing this method may be found at http://genetics.cs.ucla.edu/longGWAS/. Genet. Epidemiol. 36:463‐471, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Resection of hepatocellular cancer ≤2 cm: Results from two Western centers
Authors: Roayaie Sasan , Obeidat Khaled , Sposito Carlo , Mariani Luigi , Bhoori Sherrie , Pellegrinelli Alessandro , Labow Daniel , Llovet Josep M. , Schwartz Myron , Mazzaferro Vincenzo
Published: May 2012

Asian series have shown a 5-year survival rate of ≈70% after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ≤2 cm. Western outcomes with resection have not been as good. In addition, ablation of HCC ≤2 cm has been shown to achieve competitive results, leaving the role of resection in these patients unclear. Records of patients undergoing resection at two Western centers between January 1990 and December 2009 were reviewed. Patients with a single HCC ≤2 cm on pathologic analysis were included. Thirty clinical variables including demographics, liver function, tumor characteristics, nature of the surgery, and the surrounding liver were examined. An exploratory statistical analysis was conducted to determine variables associated with recurrence and survival. The study included 132 patients with a median follow-up of 37.5 months. There was one (<1%) 90-day mortality. There were 32 deaths with a median survival of 74.5 months and a 5-year survival rate of 70% (63% in patients with cirrhosis). The median time to recurrence was 31.6 months and the 5-year recurrence rate was 68%. Presence of satellites (hazard ratio [HR], 2.46;

P

= 0.031) and platelet count <150,000/μL (HR, 2.37;

P

= 0.026) were independently associated with survival. Presence of satellites (HR, 2.79;

P

= 0.003), cirrhosis (HR, 2.3;

P

= 0.010), and nonanatomic resection (HR, 1.79;

P

= 0.031) were independently associated with recurrence. Patients with a single HCC ≤2 cm and platelet count ≥150,000/μL achieved a median survival of 138 months and a 5-year survival rate of 81%, respectively.

Conclusion:

Resection of HCC ≤2 cm is safe and achieves excellent results in Western centers. Recurrence continues to be a significant problem. Presence of satellites, platelet count, anatomic resection, and cirrhosis are associated with outcomes after resection, even among such early tumors. Resection should continue to be considered a primary treatment modality in patients with small HCC and well-preserved liver function.
Characterizing organizations as service systems
Authors: Lyons Kelly , Tracy Stephen
Published: May 2012

Over the past 50 years, the service sector has grown in most advanced industrialized economies to be the dominant economic activity. Researchers are working to understand service activities and define scientific concepts and methods of service under an emerging research area called service science. Service is defined as the application of competence and knowledge to create value. Value is realized through interactions and cocreation among service systems. Service systems vary in scope (from individuals to businesses, organizations, governments, and nations) and adapt dynamically and connect to other service systems through value propositions. The service system has been proposed as an abstraction for service science, and yet it is not clear how to characterize a given organization as a service system. In this article, we present a review of literature on service system concepts and define a service system framework developed from the literature that can be used to characterize an organization as a service system. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The role of proton and sodium ions in energy transduction by respiratory complex I
Authors: Batista Ana P. , Marreiros Bruno C. , Pereira Manuela M.
Published: May 2012

Respiratory complex I plays a central role in energy transduction. It catalyzes the oxidation of NADH and the reduction of quinone, coupled to cation translocation across the membrane, thereby establishing an electrochemical potential. For more than half a century, data on complex I has been gathered, including recently determined crystal structures, yet complex I is the least understood complex of the respiratory chain. The mechanisms of quinone reduction, charge translocation and their coupling are still unknown. The H+ is accepted to be the coupling ion of the system; however, Na+ has also been suggested to perform such a role. In this article, we address the relation of those two ions with complex I and refer ion pump and Na+/H+ antiporter as possible transport mechanisms of the system. We put forward a hypothesis to explain some apparently contradictory data on the nature of the coupling ion, and we revisit the role of H+ and Na+ cycles in the overall bioenergetics of the cell. © 2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 2012
Branched‐chain amino acid deficiency stabilizes insulin‐induced vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Miuma Satoshi , Ichikawa Tatsuki , Arima Kazuhiko , Takeshita Shigeyuki , Muraoka Toru , Matsuzaki Toshihisa , Ootani Masashi , Shibata Hidetaka , Akiyama Motohisa , Ozawa Eisuke , Miyaaki Hisamitsu , Taura Naota , Takeshima Fuminao , Nakao Kazuhiko
Published: May 2012

Abnormal sugar metabolism is closely related to chronic liver diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We previously reported that fasting hyperinsulinemia is a poor prognostic factor for HCC patients. A recent large‐scale study has shown that long‐term administration of branched chain amino acids (BCAA) reduces the risk of HCC development in obese cirrhotic patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, although the mechanism by which it does so is unclear. In this study, we analyzed the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in HepG2 cells under high‐insulin culture conditions, and examined the effect of BCAA on VEGF expression. VEGF secretion was significantly increased by 200 nM of insulin under BCAA deficient conditions, but it was repressed by the addition of BCAA. BCAA activated the mTOR pathway and increase HIF‐1α expression under high‐insulin culture conditions, however quantitative PCR analysis showed that insulin‐induced expression of VEGF mRNAs (VEGF121 and VEGF165) decreased 2 h after the addition of BCAA. The half‐lives of both VEGF121 and 165 mRNAs were shortened in the presence of BCAA compared to the absence of BCAA. Therefore it is thought that BCAA regulate VEGF expression mainly at the post‐transcriptional level. We also examined which of the Valine, Leucine, and Isoleucine components of BCAA were essential for VEGF mRNA degradation. All three BCAA components were required for acceleration of insulin‐induced VEGF mRNA degradation. These results suggest that administration of BCAA may downregulate VEGF expression in patients who have hyperinsulinemia and are in the process of developing HCC. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 3113–3121, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Increasing PAH (bio)accessibility in historically PAH‐contaminated soils: waste versus food‐grade oils
Authors: Scherr Kerstin E. , Hasinger Marion , Loibner Andreas P.
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND: Vegetable oils are used as environmentally friendly and cost‐efficient amendments for the treatment of contaminated soils, primarily as solvents for the mobilization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). In the present study, the efficacies of food‐grade and of waste oils, i.e. thermally ‘abused’ cooking oils, in increasing physical and potential microbial accessibility of soil‐sorbed PAH were evaluated.

RESULTS: Abused oils were found to be slightly less efficient for PAH mobilization than their unheated counterparts. After 168 h of extraction, residual concentrations amounted to between 5% and 20% of initial PAH (16 EPA‐compounds). The non‐bioaccessible PAH fraction was reduced by up to 84% using canola or sunflower oil in a bioaccessibility‐limited soil. For all oils, removal efficacy increased with PAH hydrophobicity, including the carcinogenic Benzo(a)pyrene. Simple octanol‐, soil organic carbon–and triolein–water partitioning coefficients did not serve to explain these observations. Increased oil viscosity induced by heating appears to be the priming factor in decreasing extraction efficacy rather than a profound change in the oil constituents' molecular properties, as expressed by Hildebrand solubility parameters.

CONCLUSION: The present results show that waste vegetable oils can be used efficiently for the extractive or biological treatment of PAH‐contaminated soils, offering a cost‐efficient and sensible alternative for the use of foodstuff. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Leaching of mercury during phytoextraction assisted by EDTA, KI and citric acid
Authors: Smolińska Beata , Król Katarzyna
Published: May 2012

Assisted phytoextraction is the application of chelators into soil to enhance plant tolerance to heavy metals. During this process, water‐soluble complexes of chelators and toxic elements are formed. This contributes to increased leaching of pollutants from soil into groundwater.

The aim of the study was to determine the extent of leaching of mercury from soil during chemically assisted phytoextraction. The process was enhanced by use of EDTA, KI and citric acid in different concentrations.

The leaching of mercury from contaminated soil was in the range 39.4–44.1% depending on the time and the concentration of mercury. Application of each of the chelators used during the experiment increased the leaching of mercury from soil. The highest Hg leaching was observed for the process in which EDTA was used as a soil amendment. Leaching of mercury from contaminated soil was dependent on both mercury and chelator concentration. The higher the chelator concentration in soil, the greater the mercury leaching.

The results of the study showed that the lowest Hg leaching was observed in the process in which citric acid was applied to the soil. Therefore, use of this compound as a chelator during assisted phytoextraction of Hg contaminated soil should be recommended. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Locally instilled tumor necrosis factor‐α antisense oligonucleotide inhibits allergic inflammation via the induction of Tregs
Authors: Luo Yi , Pang Zhonghua , Zhu Qian , Cai Xing , Yin Yuan , Wang Min , Zhu Jie , Chen Jiangning , Zeng Ke , Zhang Chenyu , Zhang Junfeng
Published: May 2012

Background

Anti‐tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α therapeutics has the potential to alleviate allergic inflammation. However, in previous studies, the systemic administration of anti‐TNF‐α agents was frequently accompanied by many adverse effects, such as infection, immunogenicity and malignancy. Efforts are made in the present study to evaluate whether or not local administration of TNF‐α antisense oligonucleotide would inhibit allergic airway inflammation and influence systemic immune responses in an ovalbumin‐induced asthmatic murine model.

Methods

The treatment effects of TNF‐α antisense oligonucleotide on mice, as well as the alternative proportion of regulatory T cells and TH2 cells, were examined and compared with untreated mice.

Results

Local administration of TNF‐α antisense oligonucleotide resulted in significantly inhibited TNF‐α expression, remarkably decreased inflammatory cell infiltration and dramatically reduced mucus hypersecretion. These treatment effects were associated with induced CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells, reduced TH2 cells and generally decreased TH2‐type cytokines expression in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Systemic immunosuppression was not triggered by local antisense oligonucleotide administration because the proportion of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in the blood, thymus or spleen was not affected. Attenuated 4‐1BBL expression was likely involved in the alternative proportion of T cells.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that local administration of TNF‐α antisense oligonucleotide contributes to anti‐inflammatory action via the enhancement of regulatory T cells‐mediated immune tolerance, which is not accompanied by systemic immunosuppression associated with systemically‐induced regulatory T cells. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gadoxetic acid–enhanced T1‐weighted MR cholangiography in primary sclerosing cholangitis
Authors: Frydrychowicz Alex , Jedynak Andrzej R. , Kelcz Frederick , Nagle Scott K. , Reeder Scott B.
Published: May 2012

Purpose:

To investigate the value of gadoxetic acid‐enhanced three‐dimensional T1‐weighted MR cholangiography (T1w‐MRC) in comparison to three‐dimensional T2‐weighted MR cholangiopancreaticography (T2w‐MRCP) in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

Materials and Methods:

Thirty‐four MR exams in 29 patients (46.0 ± 16.1 years; 19 men, 10 women) scanned within a 14‐month period were retrospectively included. Two abdominal radiologists independently evaluated image quality regarding image contrast, image quality degradation due to artifacts, and visualization quality of ducts. The order of biliary tree branches that were visualized and reader preference toward each method were recorded. Helpfulness of T1w‐MRC was scored in consensus. Confirmatory endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) performed within 3 months of the MR examination was available in 8 patients.

Results:

Image quality of T1w‐MRC and T2w‐MRCP was graded good to excellent in all cases. There were advantages for both T1w‐MRC (functional information, less degradation due to artifacts) and T2w‐MRCP (higher order of visualized branches, better branch depiction). Both readers showed preference for T2w‐MRCP; however, both readers found gadoxetic acid–enhanced T1w‐MRC helpful in the majority of cases.

Conclusion:

Gadoxetic acid‐enhanced T1w‐MRC is complementary to, but should not replace, T2w‐MRCP. T1w‐MRC is a useful adjunct to T2w‐MRCP for morphologic evaluation and provides additional diagnostic information. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;36:632–640. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fat‐referenced MR thermometry in the breast and prostate using IDEAL
Authors: Hofstetter Lorne W. , Yeo Desmond T.B. , Dixon W. Thomas , Kempf James G. , Davis Cynthia E. , Foo Thomas K.
Published: May 2012

Purpose:

To demonstrate a three‐echo fat‐referenced MR thermometry technique that estimates and corrects for time‐varying phase disturbances in heterogeneous tissues.

Materials and Methods:

Fat protons do not exhibit a temperature‐dependent frequency shift. Fat‐referenced thermometry methods exploit this insensitivity and use the signal from fat to measure and correct for magnetic field disturbances. In this study, we present a fat‐referenced method that uses interpolation of the fat signal to correct for phase disturbances in fat free regions. Phantom and ex vivo tissue cool‐down experiments were performed to evaluate the accuracy of this method in the absence of motion. Non‐heated in vivo imaging of the breast and prostate was performed to demonstrate measurement robustness in the presence of systemic and motion‐induced field disturbances. Measurement accuracy of the method was compared to conventional proton resonance frequency shift MR thermometry.

Results:

In the ex vivo porcine tissue experiment, maximum measurement error of the fat‐referenced method was reduced 42% from 3.3 to 1.9°C when compared to conventional MR thermometry. In the breasts, measurement errors were reduced by up to 70% from 6.4 to 1.9°C.

Conclusion:

Ex vivo and in vivo results show that the proposed method reduces measurement errors in the heterogeneous tissue experiments when compared to conventional MR thermometry. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;36:722–732. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simulation of patella alta and the implications for in vitro patellar tracking in the ovine stifle joint
Authors: Bertollo Nicky , Pelletier Matthew H. , Walsh William R.
Published: May 2012

Patella alta is associated with adverse cartilage adaptations, patellofemoral pain, and instability. It is defined by a relatively long patellar tendon and patella positioned in a more proximal location within the patellar groove of the femur. This study used the ovine stifle joint model to investigate the effect of patellar tendon lengthening on the 3D passive kinematics of the patellofemoral and tibiofemoral joints. Eight patellar tendons were lengthened in 2 mm increments up to a maximum of 12 mm (20%) using a device placed in series with the transected patellar tendon. Three‐dimensional kinematics were measured in the intact joint and at each increment of patellar tendon length (LT) during passively induced tibiofemoral flexion. Patellar flexion angle was linearly correlated with tibial flexion angle in the intact joint, and this correlation persisted after tendon lengthening (R = 0.897–0.965, p < 0.01). Patellofemoral kinematics expressed as a function of tibial flexion angle were significantly altered by LT increases >9%. In contrast, when patellofemoral kinematics were expressed as a function of patellar flexion angle they were not significantly altered by increases in LT. Tibiofemoral kinematics were not affected by the LT increases. These results demonstrate that for a given tibial flexion angle, patellar tendon lengthening alters the patellar flexion angle. However, for a given patellar flexion angle, the orientation of the patella in the remaining five degrees of freedom is unchanged, implying a repeatable path of patellar motion. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:1789–1797, 2012
Protein isolation from blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) using an acid and alkaline solubilisation technique—process characteristics and functionality of the isolates
Authors: Vareltzis Patroklos K , Undeland Ingrid
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND:The pH shift method was developed to isolate proteins from low‐value raw materials by solubilisation at high or low pH followed by precipitation. In this paper the application of the pH shift method on isolated mussel (Mytilus edulis) meat and whole mussels is reported.

RESULTS:Highest protein solubilisation was achieved at pH values of 2.6 and 12. The optimum precipitation pH values were established as around 5.8 following acid solubilisation and 5.2 following alkaline solubilisation. Protein recoveries were 430 and 580 g kg−1with the acid and alkaline processes respectively. Using whole crushed mussels, the corresponding recoveries were 310 and 480 g kg−1. Process modifications to further improve protein recovery resulted in only a marginal increase. Lipid oxidation was not induced during pH shift processing, but heavy proteolysis occurred during the acid process version. Proteolysis could not be prevented by porcine plasma protein. Alkali‐produced proteins performed better in all functionality tests compared with acid‐produced proteins. The acid process removed slightly more lipids, recovered relatively more cysteine, methionine and lysine and resulted in whiter isolates.

CONCLUSION:The pH shift method can be successfully used to extract functional proteins from mussels and add value to blue mussels unsuitable for human consumption (with or without shells). Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of heat treatment on tribological behaviour of welding deposits for hardfacing
Authors: Gualco Agustín , Svoboda Hernán G. , Surian Estela S. , de Vedia Luis A.
Published: May 2012

This paper analyses the effects of post‐welding heat treatment on the tribological response of weld metals for hardfacing. Applied load in wear tests was also studied. The deposit was a martensitic steel obtained with a gas metal arc welding metal‐cored wire under gas shielding of Ar–2% CO2 and 2 kJ mm−1 of heat input. Cross sections were obtained from the welded coupon and subjected at 550°C for 2 h. These samples, together with the as‐welded (AW) specimens, constituted the system under study. Cross sections were also extracted for both conditions for determination of chemical composition, microstructure characterisation, microhardness measurements in addition to friction and metal–metal wear tests in pure sliding at 500, 1250 and 2000 N of applied load. A microstructure composed of martensite and retained austenite was observed for both conditions. The AW sample presented 16% of retained austenite, whereas the heat‐treated one presented 8%. Heat‐treated coupons showed secondary hardening associated with precipitation phenomena. In the specimens tested at 500 and 1250 N, the wear mechanism was oxidative and the AW specimens presented higher wear resistance and higher friction coefficient. On the contrary, the wear regimen of the samples tested at 2000 N was severe, with the heat‐treated ones more wear resistant with a higher friction coefficient. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimizing Noncovalent Interactions Between Lignin and Synthetic Polymers to Develop Effective Compatibilizers
Authors: Henry Nathan , Harper David , Dadmun Mark
Published: May 2012

Experiments are designed and completed to identify an effective polymeric compatibilizer for lignin–polystyrene blends. Copolymers of styrene and vinylphenol are chosen as the structure of the compatibilizer as the VPh unit can readily form intermolecular hydrogen bonds with the lignin molecule. Electron microscopy, thermal analysis, and neutron reflectivity results demonstrate that among these compatibilizers, a copolymer of styrene and VPh with ≈20%–30% VPh most readily forms intermolecular interactions with the lignin molecule and results in the most well‐dispersed blends with lignin. This behavior is explained by invoking the competition of intra‐ and intermolecular hydrogen bonding and functional group accessibility in forming intermolecular interactions.
Phosphorus Polyester — an Alternative to Low‐Molecular‐Weight Flame Retardants in Poly(Butylene Terephthalate)?
Authors: Brehme Sven , Köppl Thomas , Schartel Bernhard , Fischer Oliver , Altstädt Volker , Pospiech Doris , Döring Manfred
Published: May 2012

Pyrolysis, fire behaviour and mechanical properties of a blend of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) with a phosphorus polyester (PET‐P‐DOPO) are investigated and compared with PBT/aluminium diethylphosphinate (AlPi‐Et) composites. The PBT/PET‐P‐DOPO is immiscible and exhibits gas‐phase and condensed‐phase activity, whereas AlPi‐Et in PBT results mainly in flame inhibition. Only higher loadings of AlPi‐Et yield significant condensed‐phase activity. Using the same phosphorus content, PBT/PET‐P‐DOPO and PBT/AlPi‐Et exhibit similar reductions in fire load (22%) and flame spread (17% assessed by fire growth rate, FIGRA), compared with PBT. In contrast to AlPi‐Et, the addition of PET‐P‐DOPO does not decrease the tensile strength of PBT. Thus, PET‐P‐DOPO is an interesting alternative to low‐molecular‐weight flame retardants.
Chemical Routes Toward Multicompartment Colloids
Authors: Crespy Daniel , Staff Roland Hinrich , Becker Tanja , Landfester Katharina
Published: May 2012

The search for mimicking natural living and non‐living systems with synthetic products leads to the fabrication of advanced colloidal morphologies with hierarchical micro‐ and nanostructures. Different chemical routes toward the synthesis of colloids with complex morphologies are presented and a tentative analogy between these routes and the four basic arithmetic operations is proposed.
Excitation Induced Emission Color Change Based on Eu(III)‐Zn(II)‐containing Polymer Complex
Authors: Li Junfeng , Song Fengyan , Wang Lu , Jiao Jieming , Cheng Yixiang , Zhu Chengjian
Published: May 2012

A novel polymer P‐1 is prepared by the reaction of the monomer 5,5′‐divinyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine and Salen‐Zn(II) via Heck cross coupling. Interestingly, P‐1 can further incorporate with Eu(TTA)3·2H2O to generate copolymer P‐2 with two different metal centers. P‐2 exhibits exceptional dual emissive properties which can be tuned by excitation wavelength. For example, an orange fluorescence can be obtained when P‐2 is excited at 430 nm, whereas a red emission with a huge Stoke shift of 57 nm is observed when it is excited at 345 nm. The high wavelength emission can be attributed to Eu(III) (5D0→7F2), which is lit by an effective photoinduced energy transfer process between P‐1 and the Eu(TTA)3 complex. The properties of P‐2 have led to a better understanding of the energy transfer process between P‐1 and Eu(TTA)3 moieties.
Application of Epigenome‐Modifying Small Molecules in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Lu Junyan , Kong Xiangqian , Luo Cheng , Kathy Li Keqin
Published: May 2012

Recent breakthroughs in generating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using four defined factors have revealed the potential utility of stem cells in biological research and clinical applications. However, the low efficiency and slow kinetics of reprogramming related to producing these cells and underlying safety issues, such as viral integration and genetic and epigenetic abnormalities of iPSCs, hamper the further application of iPSCs in laboratory and clinical settings. Previous studies have suggested that reprogramming efficiency can be enhanced and that reprogramming kinetics can be accelerated by manipulating epigenetic status. Herein, we review recent studies on the application of epigenome‐modifying small molecules in enhancing reprogramming and functionally replacing some reprogramming factors. We mainly focus on studies that have used small molecules to interfere with epigenome‐modifying enzymes, such as DNA methyltransferase, histone acetyltransferase, and histone methyltransferase. The potential use of these small molecules in inducing iPSCs and new ways to identify small molecules of higher potency and fewer side effects are also discussed.
Do Sleepy Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Have A Sleep Disorder?
Authors: Gjevre John A. , Taylor‐Gjevre Regina M. , Nair Bindu V. , Lim Hyun J.
Published: May 2012

Objective

Subjective reports of sleep dysfunction are common in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our objective was to determine whether excess sleepiness in RA is associated with polysomnographic (PSG) abnormalities.

Methods

Twelve RA participants with abnormal sleep scores were identified in clinic and age/gender matched to RA participants with normal Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores. A total of 25 participants were recruited. All participants underwent overnight PSG studies with measurement of apnoea–hypopnoea indexes (AHI). Questionnaire instruments, including the ESS, Berlin questionnaire for sleep apnoea risk, visual analogue scale for fatigue, modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression (CES‐D) score, along with RA assessments, were reapplied on the PSG study night.

Results

Seven men and 18 women participated. Ten participants had abnormal ESS scores and 15 had normal ESS scores on the PSG night. PSG data revealed that 68% of patients had abnormal AHI (≥ 5). Abnormal ESS (> 10) had an 80% positive predictive value (PPV) for abnormal AHI; the negative predictive value (NPV) of normal ESS was 40%. By contrast, high‐risk categorization for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) by the Berlin questionnaire had a PPV of 77.8%, and for low‐risk status, an NPV of 37.5%.

Conclusions

In the present study population, there was a high prevalence of abnormal AHI consistent with OSA. An abnormal ESS had high positive predictive value for an abnormal AHI. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Early corticosteroid treatment in 4 duchenne muscular dystrophy patients: 14‐year follow‐up
Authors: Merlini Luciano , Gennari Monia , Malaspina Elisabetta , Cecconi Ilaria , Armaroli Annarita , Gnudi Saverio , Talim Beril , Ferlini Alessandra , Cicognani Alessandro , Franzoni Emilio
Published: May 2012

Introduction:

Corticosteroid treatment is the standard of care in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), but the optimal age to initiate treatment and dosage pattern remain a matter of discussion.

Methods:

We performed a long‐term study of alternate‐day corticosteroids in five 2‐ to 4‐year‐old DMD patients. The primary outcome measure was prolongation of the ability to walk.

Results:

One patient lost ambulation at age 10. Four patients, aged 16 to 18 were fully ambulant, and 3 of them could still climb stairs. Respiratory function was moderately reduced in 2. Left ventricular ejection fraction was > 45%. Short stature and delayed puberty were the most relevant side effects. Although the negative impact of corticosteroid treatment on growth rate remained their major concern, parents and patients stated that they preferred corticosteroid therapy.

Conclusions:

Long‐term corticosteroid treatment is effective in prolonging function but not in recovering lost function, and its early use seems appropriate. Muscle Nerve 45: 796–802, 2012
Schön weiß war gestern
Authors: Osterath Brigitte
Published: May 2012

Moderne digitale Druckverfahren verursachen den Papierherstellern Kopfschmerzen: Die wasserlöslichen Farben lassen sich beim Recycling nicht entfernen — dunkleres und minderwertigeres Papier ist die Folge.
Calciumcarbid — eine Ära der chemischen Großindustrie
Authors: Möhlhenrich Siegfried
Published: May 2012

Vor 21 Jahren ging im Schkopauer Bunawerk mit dem Abschalten des letzten Carbidofens eine Ära zu Ende. Untrennbar verbunden mit der Carbidchemie in Schkopau ist der Name Franz Ebster.
Composite in Handarbeit
Authors: Neubauer Uta , Guggolz Ernst
Published: May 2012

Faserverstärkte Kunststoffe wiegen wenig und sind trotzdem extrem stabil. In und um Magdeburg vernetzt sich die Leichtbaubranche und sieht sich im Aufwind.
Messung mit Abstand: Stand‐off‐Ramanspektroskopie
Authors: Chrysostom Engelene t. H. , Zachhuber Bernhard , Ramer Georg , Lendl Bernhard
Published: May 2012

Gepulste Laser, Teleskope und Spektrographen mit zeitlich abgestimmter Detektion machen Ramanspektren von Proben aus größeren Entfernungen möglich. So gelingt es mittlerweile, Spuren von chemischen Substanzen auf Oberflächen, Inhalte von Gebinden sowie Gase aus der Ferne zu identifizieren. Neue Techniken unterdrücken Störsignale durch Fluoreszenz und Umgebungslicht und verstärken die Messsignale.
Bladder capacity on preoperative urodynamics may impact outcomes on transobturator male slings
Authors: Warner Jonathan N. , Grimsby Gwen M. , Tyson Mark D. , Wolter Christopher E.
Published: May 2012

Aims

Stress incontinence is frequently seen after prostate surgery. We sought to evaluate preoperative urodynamic (UDS) parameters on functional outcomes after transobturator male sling placement.

Methods

49 male patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after radical prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate underwent transobturator sling (TOS) placement from December 2008 through June 2011 (AdVance® and Virtue®). A retrospective review was performed of those patients who underwent preoperative UDS and had a minimum of 6 weeks of follow up. In total 38 patients were identified. There were 28 patients considered a success and 10 patients considered a failure. We then evaluated the preoperative UDS parameters between these two groups to identify potential adverse parameters.

Results

Overall success rate was 74% (28/38) with an average follow up of 3 months. Comparing the success and failure groups there was no difference between the pre‐operative parameters. On pre‐operative UDS, only bladder capacity was found to be significantly lower in those who failed TOS. Univariate comparisons of sling outcomes stratified by bladder capacity tertiles was performed. These values were chosen as they represented the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles, respectively. All patients (10/10) with bladder capacities in the top tertile experienced success with the sling, compared to only 62% and 50% of patients in the 50th and 25th tertiles, respectively; these differences were significant (Fisher's exact P‐value = 0.044).

Conclusion

TOS is an effective therapy for men with SUI. Bladder capacity based on pre‐operative UDS may impact the success of the procedure. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:1124–1127, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ex vivo pharmacology of surgical samples of the uterosacral ligament. Part I: Effects of carbachol and oxytocin on smooth muscle
Authors: Drews Ulrich , Renz Matthias , Busch Christian , Reisenauer Christl
Published: May 2012

Aims

In a previous study we observed impaired smooth muscle in the uterosacral ligament (USL) of patients with pelvic organ prolapse. The aims of the study were to describe the method of the novel microperfusion system and to determine normal function and pharmacology of smooth muscle in the USL.

Methods

Samples from the USL were obtained during hysterectomy for benign reasons. Small stretches of connective tissue were mounted in a perfusion chamber under the stereomicroscope. Isotonic contractions of smooth muscle were monitored by digital time‐lapse video and quantified by image processing.

Results

Constant perfusion with carbachol elicited tonic and pulse stimulation with carbachol and oxytocin rhythmic contractions of smooth muscle in the ground reticulum. Under constant perfusion with relaxin the tonic contraction after carbachol was abolished.

Conclusions

With the novel microperfusion system, isotonic contractions of smooth muscle in the USL can be recorded and quantified in the tissue microenvironment on the microscopic level. The USL smooth muscle is cholinergic, stimulated by oxytocin and modulated by relaxin. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:1294–1299, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neurotrophin therapy improves recovery of the neuromuscular continence mechanism following simulated birth injury in rats
Authors: Gill Bradley C. , Balog Brian M. , Dissaranan Charuspong , Jiang Hai‐Hong , Steward James B. , Lin Dan Li , Damaser Margot S.
Published: May 2012

Aims

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) affects women both acutely and chronically after vaginal delivery. Current SUI treatments assume the neuromuscular continence mechanism, comprised of the pudendal nerve (PN) and external urethral sphincter (EUS), is either intact or irreparable. This study investigated the ability of neurotrophin therapy to facilitate recovery of the neuromuscular continence mechanism.

Methods

Virgin, Sprague Dawley rats received simulated childbirth injury or sham injury and treatment with continuous infusion of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or saline placebo to the site of PN injury. Continence was assessed by leak point pressure (LPP) and EUS electromyography (EMG) 14 and 21 days after injury. Structural recovery was assessed histologically. Molecular assessment of the muscular and neuroregenerative response was determined via measurement of EUS BDNF and PN βII‐tubulin expression respectively, 4, 8, and 12 days after injury.

Results

Following injury, LPP was significantly reduced with saline compared to either BDNF treatment or sham injury. Similarly, compared to sham injury, resting EUS EMG amplitude and firing rate, as well as amplitude during LPP were significantly reduced with saline but not BDNF treatment. Histology confirmed improved EUS recovery with BDNF treatment. EUS BDNF and PN βII‐tubulin expression demonstrated that BDNF treatment improved the neurogenerative response and may facilitate sphincteric recovery.

Conclusions

Continuous targeted neurotrophin therapy accelerates continence recovery after simulated childbirth injury likely through stimulating neuroregeneration and facilitating EUS recovery and re‐innervation. Neurotrophins or other therapies targeting neuromuscular regeneration may be useful for treating SUI related to failure of the neuromuscular continence mechanism. Neurourol. Urodynam. 32: 82–87, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Involving clients and their relatives and friends in psychiatric care: Case managers' experiences of training in resource group assertive community treatment
Authors: Nordén Tommy , Eriksson Anders , Kjellgren Anette , Norlander Torsten
Published: May 2012

The purpose of this project was to do a qualitative study of an integrated and flexible ACT model, the Resource Group Assertive Community Treatment (RACT), as seen from the perspective of case managers in training. The resource group normally consists of the client, the case manager and other available personnel in the medical and support areas, as well as family members. Nineteen theses were randomly chosen from a set of 80 theses written by a group of Swedish trainee case managers. The exams were conducted as case studies and concerned 19 clients with psychotic problems, 11 men and 8 women. “The Empirical Phenomenological Psychological Method” was used in the analysis, which generated five overarching themes: (a) the RACT program; (b) the resource group; (c) the empowerment of the client; (d) progress in treatment; and (e) the case manager. These together constituted a “therapeutic circle,” in which methods and tools used within the RACT made it possible for the resource group to empower the clients who, as a result, experienced progress with treatment, during which the case manager was the unifying and connecting link.
Chromatographic retention time prediction for posttranslationally modified peptides
Authors: Moruz Luminita , Staes An , Foster Joseph M. , Hatzou Maria , Timmerman Evy , Martens Lennart , Käll Lukas
Published: May 2012

Retention time prediction of peptides in liquid chromatography has proven to be a valuable tool for mass spectrometry‐based proteomics, especially in designing more efficient procedures for state‐of‐the‐art targeted workflows. Additionally, accurate retention time predictions can also be used to increase confidence in identifications in shotgun experiments. Despite these obvious benefits, the use of such methods has so far not been extended to (posttranslationally) modified peptides due to the absence of efficient predictors for such peptides. We here therefore describe a new retention time predictor for modified peptides, built on the foundations of our existing Elude algorithm. We evaluated our software by applying it on five types of commonly encountered modifications. Our results show that Elude now yields equally good prediction performances for modified and unmodified peptides, with correlation coefficients between predicted and observed retention times ranging from 0.93 to 0.98 for all the investigated datasets. Furthermore, we show that our predictor handles peptides carrying multiple modifications as well. This latest version of Elude is fully portable to new chromatographic conditions and can readily be applied to other types of posttranslational modifications. Elude is available under the permissive Apache2 open source License at http://per-colator.com or can be run via a web‐interface at http://elude.sbc.su.se.
Why complexity and entropy matter: Information, posttranslational modifications, and assay fidelity
Authors: Sherman Jamie , Molloy Mark P. , Burlingame Alma L.
Published: May 2012

Computationally aided protein identification of mass spectrometry (MS) data has been a challenge for the proteomic community since the field's inception. As the community attempts to address challenges such as computational site assignment of posttranslational modifications (PTMs), selective reaction monitoring data analysis, and the transition of proteomic assays to the clinic a robust framework with defined metrics is essential. The frameworks used for protein identification are currently score based, not hypothesis driven nor deterministic, resulting in a gradation from poor to good but without the ability to recognize when a given tandem MS spectrum has insufficient information in the context of the proteome to be identified. Means of computing deterministic and pseudodeterministic assays have been proposed by both us and others [Sherman, J., McKay, M.J., Ashman, K., Molloy, M.P., Unique ion signature mass spectrometry, a deterministic method to assign peptide identity. Mol. Cell. Proteomics 2009, 8, 2051–2062; Kiyonami, R., Schoen, A., Prakash, A., Peterman, S., et al., Increased selectivity, analytical precision, and through‐put in targeted proteomics. Mol. Cell. Proteomics 2011, 10, M110.002931]. We believe it is crucial to incorporate the complexity of the proteome into the design of the experiment/data analysis upstream and that by doing so proteomic data analysis will become more robust. The seminal paper by Claude Shannon published in 1948 provides the robust mathematical framework now called Information Theory, to achieve this goal. Information Theory defines appropriate metrics for information and complexity as well as means to account for interference, all of which is directly applicable to peptide identification. We attempt to encourage the adoption of Information Theory as a means to ensure that appropriate metrics are used to measure the uncertainty in a peptide identification with or without PTM site assignment.
Using iRT, a normalized retention time for more targeted measurement of peptides
Authors: Escher Claudia , Reiter Lukas , MacLean Brendan , Ossola Reto , Herzog Franz , Chilton John , MacCoss Michael J. , Rinner Oliver
Published: May 2012

Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) has recently become the method of choice for targeted quantitative measurement of proteins using mass spectrometry. The method, however, is limited in the number of peptides that can be measured in one run. This number can be markedly increased by scheduling the acquisition if the accurate retention time (RT) of each peptide is known. Here we present iRT, an empirically derived dimensionless peptide‐specific value that allows for highly accurate RT prediction. The iRT of a peptide is a fixed number relative to a standard set of reference iRT‐peptides that can be transferred across laboratories and chromatographic systems. We show that iRT facilitates the setup of multiplexed experiments with acquisition windows more than four times smaller compared to in silico RT predictions resulting in improved quantification accuracy. iRTs can be determined by any laboratory and shared transparently. The iRT concept has been implemented in Skyline, the most widely used software for MRM experiments.