bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using poisons information service data to assess the acute harms associated with novel psychoactive substances
Authors: Wood D. M. , Hill S. L. , Thomas S. H. L. , Dargan P. I.
Published: May 2014

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) can cause significant acute toxicity but usually little is known about their toxicity when they enter the recreational drug scene. Current data sources include online user forums, user questionnaires, case reports/series, and deaths; however, these are limited by their focus on sub‐populations and generally include severe cases and specific geographical areas. Approximately 54% of countries have at least one poisons information service (in 2012 there were 274 worldwide) providing advice to healthcare professionals and/or the public on poisoning. They provide advice on recreational drug and NPS toxicity. In 2012, 2.5% of telephone enquiries to the UK National Poisons Information Service and 2.4% of enquiries to US poisons centres related to recreational drugs. Data are collected at population level and can be used to complement other data sources with clinical details on acute NPS toxicity and geographical/time patterns of toxicity. Like other acute NPS toxicity data, poisons centre data should be interpreted within their limitations, notably the absence of analytical confirmation and reliance on secondary reporting of clinical features. This manuscript demonstrates the breadth and depth of poisons information service data in the literature with a focus on mephedrone and synthetic cannabinoid‐receptor agonists. In our opinion it would be possible to develop a more robust and systematic reporting system using a network of poisons information services both within and across countries that would be complimentary to other datasets on acute NPS toxicity and allow more accurate data triangulation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Insect‐induced tree mortality of boreal forests in eastern Canada under a changing climate
Authors: Zhang Xiongqing , Lei Yuancai , Ma Zhihai , Kneeshaw Dan , Peng Changhui
Published: May 2014

Forest insects are major disturbances that induce tree mortality in eastern coniferous (or fir‐spruce) forests in eastern North America. The spruce budworm (SBW) (Choristoneura fumiferana [Clemens]) is the most devastating insect causing tree mortality. However, the relative importance of insect‐caused mortality versus tree mortality caused by other agents and how this relationship will change with climate change is not known. Based on permanent sample plots across eastern Canada, we combined a logistic model with a negative model to estimate tree mortality. The results showed that tree mortality increased mainly due to forest insects. The mean difference in annual tree mortality between plots disturbed by insects and those without insect disturbance was 0.0680 per year (P < 0.0001, T‐test), and the carbon sink loss was about 2.87t C ha−1 year−1 larger than in natural forests. We also found that annual tree mortality increased significantly with the annual climate moisture index (CMI) and decreased significantly with annual minimum temperature (Tmin), annual mean temperature (Tmean) and the number of degree days below 0°C (DD0), which was inconsistent with previous studies (Adams et al. ; van Mantgem et al. ; Allen et al. ). Furthermore, the results for the trends in the magnitude of forest insect outbreaks were consistent with those of climate factors for annual tree mortality. Our results demonstrate that forest insects are the dominant cause of the tree mortality in eastern Canada but that tree mortality induced by insect outbreaks will decrease in eastern Canada under warming climate.
Synthesis and Structures of Fluorinated (β‐Diketiminato)rhodium Complexes: Si–H Activation of Silanes at a Carbonyl Complex
Authors: Meier Gregor , Steck Viktoria , Braun Beatrice , Eißler Anna , Herrmann Roy , Ahrens Mike , Laubenstein Reik , Braun Thomas
Published: May 2014

The (β‐ketiminato)rhodium complex [Rh{κ2‐(N,O)‐(tBu)(O)CCHC(tBu)N(C6F5)}(cod)] (1) [cod = (1Z,5Z)‐1,5‐cyclooctadiene] and (β‐diketiminato)rhodium complexes [Rh{κ2‐(N,N)‐(Ar)NC(Me)CHC(Me)N(Ar)}(L1)(L2)] [2: Ar = C6F5, (L1)(L2) = cod; 3: Ar = C6F5, L1 = L2 = C2H4; 4: Ar = C6F5, L1 = L2 = CNtBu; 5: Ar = 2,6‐MeC6H3, L1 = L2 = CNtBu; 6a: Ar = C6F5, L1 = L2 = CO; 7a: Ar = C6F5, L1 = CO, L2 = NCMe; 8a: Ar = C6F5, L1 = CO, L2 = PEt3; 9a: Ar = C6F5, L1 = CO, L2 = NH3] were synthesized. Treatment of [Rh{κ2‐(N,N)‐(C6F5)NC(Me)CHC(Me)N(C6F5)}(CO)(NCMe)] (7a) with tertiary silanes HSiR3 gave the (β‐diketiminato)(hydrido)(silyl)rhodium complexes [Rh{κ2‐(N,N)‐(C6F5)NC(Me)CHC(Me)N(C6F5)}(H)(SiR3)(CO)] (10a: R = Me; 11: R = Et; 12: R = iPr; 13: R = Ph; 14: R = OMe; 15: R = OEt). When using an excess amount of HSiMe3 the dihydridobis(silyl) complex [Rh{κ2‐(N,N)‐(C6F5)NC(Me)CHC(Me)N(C6F5)}(H)2(SiMe3)2] (16) was formed in addition to 10a.
Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Synthesis of the Formylcarbazole Alkaloids Murrayaline A–C, 7‐Methoxymukonal, and 7‐Methoxy‐O‐methylmukonal
Authors: Hesse Ronny , Krahl Micha P. , Jäger Anne , Kataeva Olga , Schmidt Arndt W. , Knölker Hans‐Joachim
Published: May 2014

We describe the synthesis of the naturally occurring 2,7‐dioxygenated formylcarbazole alkaloids 7‐methoxymukonal, 7‐methoxy‐O‐methylmukonal, and the murrayalines A–C. The carbazole framework was constructed by a Buchwald–Hartwig amination and a subsequent palladium(II)‐catalyzed oxidative cyclization.
Effects of TENS in living kidney donors submitted to open nephrectomy: A randomized placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Galli T.T. , Chiavegato L.D. , Liebano R.E.
Published: May 2014

Background

Pain is a negative factor in the recovery process of postoperative patients. It causes pulmonary alterations and complications, and it also affects functional capacity. Several studies have investigated the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) during the postoperative period. However, no studies have assessed the effects of TENS on kidney donors. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of TENS on pain, walking function, respiratory muscle strength and vital capacity in kidney donors.

Methods

Seventy‐four patients were randomly allocated into two groups: active TENS or placebo TENS. All patients were assessed for pain intensity, respiratory muscle strength, vital capacity and walking function before and after the TENS application on the first day of the postoperative period.

Results

The use of active TENS significantly reduced pain at rest (p = 0.006), during the measurement of maximal inspiratory pressure (p = 0.006), during maximal expiratory pressure (p = 0.004) and during vital capacity (p = 0.013). Active TENS also produced a significant increase in maximal expiratory pressure when compared with the placebo TENS group (p = 0.001). Maximal inspiratory pressure, vital capacity and walking function were not significantly different between the two treatment groups.

Conclusions

These results suggest that TENS decreases pain intensity at rest and during respiratory manoeuvres and increases maximal expiratory pressure during the postoperative period in kidney donors after open nephrectomy.
Happy but unhealthy: The relationship between social ties and health in an emerging network
Authors: Howell Jennifer L. , Koudenburg Namkje , Loschelder David D. , Weston Dale , Fransen Katrien , De Dominicis Stefano , Gallagher S. , Haslam S. Alexander
Published: May 2014

Social connections are essential to health and well‐being. However, when pursing social acceptance, people may sometimes engage in behavior that is detrimental to their health. Using a multi‐time‐point design, we examined whether the structure of an emerging network of students in an academic summer school program correlated with their physical health and mental well‐being. Participants who were more central in the network typically experienced greater symptoms of illness (e.g., cold/flu symptoms), engaged in riskier health behaviors (e.g., binge drinking), and had higher physiological reactivity to a stressor. At the same time, they were happier, felt more efficacious, and perceived less stress in response to a strenuous math task. These outcomes suggest that social ties in an emerging network are associated with better mental well‐being, but also with poorer physical health and health behaviors. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of glyphosate on egg incubation, larvae hatching, and ovarian rematuration in the estuarine crab Neohelice granulata
Authors: Avigliano Luciana , Alvarez Natalia , Loughlin Camila Mac , Rodríguez Enrique Marcelo
Published: May 2014

Ovigerous females of the estuarine crab (Neohelice granulate) were exposed to both pure glyphosate (2.5 mg/L and 5 mg/L) and a glyphosate formulation (Roundup Ultramax, containing glyphosate at 2.5 mg/L acid equivalent). At the end of the egg incubation period, a significant reduction in the number of hatched larvae was seen as a result of Roundup exposure. Additionally, several larvae abnormalities were seen in both pure glyphosate (2.5 mg/L) and Roundup treatments, such as hydropsy and hypopigmented eyes, and atrophied eyes were observed in the Roundup treatment. To evaluate the effect of the herbicide on ovarian rematuration, females remained exposed for 32 d. Pure glyphosate at 2.5 mg/L stimulated ovarian maturation over control levels, mainly in terms of a higher gonadosomatic index and a higher percentage of vitellogenic oocytes. A plausible hypothesis to be tested in further experiments is that exposure to glyphosate disrupts the hormonal system controlling reproduction. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1879–1884. © 2014 SETAC
In vitro biotransformation rates in fish liver S9: Effect of dosing techniques
Authors: Lee Yung-Shan , Lee Danny H.Y. , Delafoulhouze Maximilien , Otton S. Victoria , Moore Margo M. , Kennedy Chris J. , Gobas Frank A.P.C.
Published: May 2014

In vitro biotransformation assays are currently being explored to improve estimates of bioconcentration factors of potentially bioaccumulative organic chemicals in fish. The present study compares thin-film and solvent-delivery dosing techniques as well as single versus multiple chemical dosing for measuring biotransformation rates of selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) liver S9. The findings show that biotransformation rates of very hydrophobic substances can be accurately measured in thin-film sorbent-dosing assays from concentration–time profiles in the incubation medium but not from those in the sorbent phase because of low chemical film-to-incubation-medium mass-transfer rates at the incubation temperature of 13.5 °C required for trout liver assays. Biotransformation rates determined by thin-film dosing were greater than those determined by solvent-delivery dosing for chrysene (octanol–water partition coefficient [KOW] = 105.60) and benzo[a]pyrene (KOW = 106.04), whereas there were no statistical differences in pyrene (KOW = 105.18) biotransformation rates between the 2 methods. In sorbent delivery–based assays, simultaneous multiple-chemical dosing produced biotransformation rates that were not statistically different from those measured in single-chemical dosing experiments for pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene but not for chrysene. In solvent-delivery experiments, multiple-chemical dosing produced biotransformation rates that were much smaller than those in single-chemical dosing experiments for all test chemicals. While thin-film sorbent-phase and solvent delivery–based dosing methods are both suitable methods for measuring biotransformation rates of substances of intermediate hydrophobicity, thin-film sorbent-phase dosing may be more suitable for superhydrophobic chemicals. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1885–1893. © 2014 SETAC
A low‐complexity iterative MIMO detection and decoding scheme using dimension reduction
Authors: Shin Sang‐Sik , Choi Hongsoo , Jang Jae‐Eun , Choi Ji‐Woong
Published: May 2014

Spatial multiplexing multiple‐input multiple‐output is considered as a core advanced communication technology to increase data rate. Although it guarantees higher capacity, it gives huge burden on the receiver side especially when iterative detection and decoding (IDD) is employed. Therefore, the IDD receiver needs to be efficiently implemented considering the complexity as well as performance in practice. In this paper, we propose an IDD scheme employing dimension reduction soft demodulation (DRSD) principle based on maximum a posteriori criterion necessary for IDD operation. With separation into hard and soft streams in the DRSD, the proposed scheme employs all ordering successive interference cancellation with a simple modified slicing for hard detection to consider the effect of a priori information conveyed from past iteration, enabling complexity reduction. It can provide better trade‐off between complexity and performance. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental study on polystyrene with intumescent flame retardants from different scale experiments
Authors: Wu Zhonggang , Yang Lizhong , Zhan Jing , Chen Yanqiu , Zhou Xiaodong , Hu Yuqi , Stec A.A. , Hull T.R.
Published: May 2014

In this study, the fire performance and toxicity of intumescent flame retardant (IFR) polystyrene composites were investigated experimentally. Ammonium polyphosphate, pentaerythritol, and melamine were selected as IFR. The flammability of the polystyrene (PS) composites was evaluated by microscale combustion calorimetry and cone calorimetry and in the ISO Room. The results suggested that the thermal stability and the peak heat release rate of PS composites decreased with the increasing content of IFR. In the cone calorimeter and ISO 9705 testing, the carbon monoxide yield of PS composites also decreased markedly with the addition of IFR. Scanning electron microscope images show that the char from cone calorimetry testing was more compact and smoother than that from the ISO 9705 testing. The comparison between bench‐ and full‐scale tests demonstrated that the flammability and the toxicity of PS composites are decreased markedly due to the incorporation of the flame retardant, but considerable differences exist. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HepG2 cells mount an effective antiviral interferon-lambda based innate immune response to hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Israelow Benjamin , Narbus Christopher M. , Sourisseau Marion , Evans Matthew J.
Published: May 2014

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) exposure leads to persistent life-long infections characterized by chronic inflammation often developing into cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The mechanism by which HCV remains in the liver while inducing an inflammatory and antiviral response remains unclear. Though the innate immune response to HCV in patients seems to be quite active, HCV has been shown in cell culture to employ a diverse array of innate immune antagonists, which suggests that current model systems to study interactions between HCV and the innate immune system are not representative of what happens in vivo. We recently showed that hepatoma-derived HepG2 cells support the entire HCV life cycle if the liver-specific microRNA, miR-122, is expressed along with the entry factor, CD81 (termed HepG2-HFL cells). We found that there was a striking difference in these cells' ability to sustain HCV infection and spread when compared with Huh-7 and Huh-7.5 cells. Additionally, HepG2-HFL cells exhibited a more robust antiviral response when challenged with other RNA viruses and viral mimetics than Huh-7 and Huh-7.5 cells. HCV infection elicited a potent interferon-lambda (IFN-λ), IFN-stimulated gene, and cytokine response in HepG2-HFL cells, but not in Huh-7 cells, suggesting that HepG2-HFL cells more faithfully recapitulate the innate immune response to HCV infection in vivo. Using this model, we found that blocking the retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptor pathway or the IFN-λ-signaling pathway promoted HCV infection and spread in HepG2-HFL cells. Conclusion: HepG2-HFL cells represent a new system to study the interaction between HCV and the innate immune system, solidifying the importance of IFN-λ in hepatic response to HCV infection and revealing non-redundant roles of RIG-I and melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 in HCV recognition and repression of infection. (Hepatology 2014;60:1170–1179)
Snowpack variability across various spatio‐temporal resolutions
Authors: López‐Moreno J. I. , Revuelto J. , Fassnacht S. R. , Azorín‐Molina C. , Vicente‐Serrano S. M. , Morán‐Tejeda E. , Sexstone G. A.
Published: May 2014

High‐resolution snow depth (SD) maps (1 × 1 m) obtained from terrestrial laser scanner measurements in a small catchment (0.55 km2) in the Pyrenees were used to assess small‐scale variability of the snowpack at the catchment and sub‐grid scales. The coefficients of variation are compared for various plot resolutions (5 × 5, 25 × 25, 49 × 49, and 99 × 99 m) and eight different days in two snow seasons (2011–2012 and 2012–2013). We also studied the relation between snow variability at the small scale and SD, topographic variables, small‐scale variability in topographic variables. The results showed that there was marked variability in SD, and it increased with increasing scales. Days of seasonal maximum snow accumulation showed the least small‐scale variability, but this increased sharply with the onset of melting. The coefficient of variation (CV) in snowpack depth showed statistically significant consistency amongst the various spatial resolutions studied, although it declined progressively with increasing difference between the grid sizes being compared. SD best explained the spatial distribution of sub‐grid variability. Topographic variables including slope, wind sheltering, sub‐grid variability in elevation, and potential incoming solar radiation were also significantly correlated with the CV of the snowpack, with the greatest correlation occurring at the 99 × 99 m resolution. At this resolution, stepwise multiple regression models explained more than 70% of the variance, whereas at the 25 × 25 m resolution they explained slightly more than 50%. The results highlight the importance of considering small‐scale variability of the SD for comprehensively representing the distribution of snowpack from available punctual information, and the potential for using SD and other predictors to design optimized surveys for acquiring distributed SD data. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meanings Turkish people perceive in everyday occupations: Factor structure of Turkish OVal‐pd
Authors: Cicerali Lütfiye K. , Cicerali Ensari , Eklund Mona
Published: May 2014

Occupational value with predefined items scale is an originally 26‐item Swedish tool used to assess values people find in their everyday doings. The present study validated this scale on a Turkish sample and described the values that Turks perceived in their daily doings. The participants included a convenience sample of 446 adults with mean age 26 (SD = 7.3). Initial item analysis followed by principal component analysis (Promax) and internal reliability analyses of the components were conducted. Statistics yielded a 19‐item solution distributed across four factors. The Cronbach's alpha was .86, indicating good reliability. Confirming the earlier applications of the scale in the European and the American samples, factors related to recuperation, goal direction and social interaction emerged. Additionally, there appeared another occupational value subfactor, conservation, which did not show up in the Swedish and the American data analyses.
Transformation between α‐helix and β‐sheet structures of one and two polyglutamine peptides in explicit water molecules by replica‐exchange molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Chiang Hsin‐Lin , Chen Chun‐Jung , Okumura Hisashi , Hu Chin‐Kun
Published: May 2014

Aggregation of polyglutamine peptides with β‐sheet structures is related to some important neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's disease. However, it is not clear how polyglutamine peptides form the β‐sheets and aggregate. To understand this problem, we performed all‐atom replica‐exchange molecular dynamics simulations of one and two polyglutamine peptides with 10 glutamine residues in explicit water molecules. Our results show that two polyglutamine peptides mainly formed helix or coil structures when they are separated, as in the system with one‐polyglutamine peptide. As the interpeptide distance decreases, the intrapeptide β‐sheet structure sometimes appear as an intermediate state, and finally the interpeptide β‐sheets are formed. We also find that the polyglutamine dimer tends to form the antiparallel β‐sheet conformations rather than the parallel β‐sheet, which is consistent with previous experiments and a coarse‐grained molecular dynamics simulation. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preparation of TiO2‐SiO2 composite photocatalysts for environmental applications
Authors: Paušová Šárka , Krýsa Josef , Jirkovský Jaromír , Prevot Vanessa , Mailhot Gilles
Published: May 2014

BACKGROUND

The objective of this work is to prepare various TiO2/SiO2 composites, determine their photocatalytic activity and suggest the most promising materials for further application.

RESULTS

TiO2/SiO2 composites were successfully prepared as a powder, obtained by the heterocoagulation of mixed TiO2 and SiO2 aqueous colloidal suspensions. The heterocoagulation of prepared amorphous TiO2 in the presence of SiO2 led to the crystallization of TiO2 with anatase structure. Photocatalytic activity was tested in the liquid phase by dye degradation and in the gas phase by hexane degradation. In aqueous phase the presence of SiO2 increased the rate of degradation of Methylene Blue in comparison with pure TiO2 in acidic conditions, whereas Acid Orange 7 photodegradation was faster in basic solution in the presence of TiO2/SiO2 1:1 composite. In gaseous phase, composites prepared by heterocoagulation showed improved photoactivity (conversion around 35%).

CONCLUSION

Composites prepared by heterocoagulation with ratio TiO2/SiO2 1:10 can be used as photocatalyst in self‐cleaning paints. SiO2 partly covers the TiO2 surface and acts as a barrier which separates the active surface of TiO2 from contact with the binder or polymeric substrate. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
A One‐pot, Efficient Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Pyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidines and Uncyclized Adducts by Aldehydes, 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Compounds, and 6‐Aminouracils
Authors: Lu Guo‐ping , Cai Chun
Published: May 2014

A one‐pot, efficient protocol for the synthesis of polyfunctionalized pyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidines and uncyclized adducts by 6‐aminouracils in poly(ethylene glycol) 200/H2O or AcOH was described. An interesting family of pyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidines and uncyclized adducts bearing fused pharmacological active units are prepared. The reaction is free of toxic solvents and catalysts, has simple workup procedure, and has high atom economy, making it more environmentally friendly and suitable for large‐scale operations.
The response of grain production to changes in quantity and quality of cropland in Yangtze River Delta, China
Authors: Liu Guilin , Zhang Luocheng , Zhang Qian , Musyimi Zipporah
Published: May 2014

BACKGROUND

Cropland in Yangtze River Delta has declined drastically since economic reforms in 1978 that led to rapid economic development. Such cropland loss due to population growth has led to a decline in grain production. This study aimed at analyzing the impact of land use changes on grain production. To achieve this, the spatiotemporal dynamics of cropland during 1980–2010 were analyzed. Irrigation and soil fertility data were used as additional lines of evidence.

RESULTS

Cropland loss had negative impacts on grain production. About 80 and 66% of grain production decreased during 1980–2005 and 2005–2010 respectively. This decline was attributed to the conversion of cropland to built‐up areas. Abandoned cropland areas were mainly concentrated in regions with high irrigation capability and high soil fertility, while cropland reclamation was mainly in areas with low irrigation and soil fertility, implying that, although cropland was reclaimed, production remained low. The decline in cropland area has reinforced the chronic food insecurity in Yangtze River Delta.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated the response of grain production to the changes in cropland quantity and quality. It also provides scientific evidence for decision makers to protect cropland and enhance grain production. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
LC GRIN lens mode with wide viewing angle for rotatable 2D/3D tablet
Authors: Kashiwagi Masako , Uehara Shinichi , Takagi Ayako , Baba Masahiro
Published: May 2014

To widen the vertical and horizontal angular ranges where the lens performs well, the off‐axis performance of a liquid crystal gradient index (LC GRIN) lens is analyzed by the combined simulation system of an LC director simulator and a ray‐tracing simulator. We found that the angular difference between an LC alignment direction and an electrode array direction of the LC GRIN lens is one of significant parameters, and detailed conditions of structure are established. The measurement result shows that the developed structure reduces the degradation ratio in a luminance profile from 61% to 3.2%. We have applied a user tracking system for the rotatable 3D display, equipped with a detection of a panel orientation and a face position. As a result, we have developed a rotatable 2D/3D tablet whose 3D viewing azimuth angle is over 30° in both landscape and portrait orientations.
Exploring the Relationship between Information Technology Infrastructure Library and Process Management: Theory Development and Empirical Testing
Authors: Iden Jon , Eikebrokk Tom Roar
Published: May 2014

This paper investigates whether information technology (IT) departments that implement the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) processes also employ process management. This is a pertinent issue, as ITIL not only implies a time‐limited program for redesigning vital IT processes according to best practices but a complete transformation to ITIL also implies that processes are managed on a daily basis. Without process management, ITIL will not be a success beyond its initial implementation. A survey of 444 Nordic ITIL experts was conducted to examine if there is a correlation between the implementation of ITIL processes and process management. The results are unambiguous and promising for sustainable success; firms that are implementing ITIL are also implementing process management. The results show that the level of process management increases as the implementation status of the ITIL processes increases. The relationship is strongest for process documentation, process monitoring, and process certification, and weakest for process improvement and process ownership. Overall, however, IT departments are still in an early stage with their ITIL and process management implementations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hit with One Shot: Assessing the Drivers of Target Marketing Effectiveness
Authors: Sanfelice Gaetano
Published: May 2014

This article is about target marketing and the impact of organizational capabilities and industry structure on targeting‐effective decisions. In order to demonstrate such an impact, issues about resource‐based view of the firm and dynamic capabilities theories, together with Porter's five forces framework, have been employed to: pinpoint a comprehensive picture regarding overall segment attractiveness and develop an effective targeting strategy a firm may pursue. As practical examples of targeting strategies, three business cases have been discussed, aiming at reinforcing the theoretical insights developed in the paper. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does Innovation Capability Really Matter for the Profitability of SMEs?
Authors: Saunila Minna , Ukko Juhani , Rantanen Hannu
Published: May 2014

The study examines the relationship between innovation capability and firm profitability. The study has been executed by conducting a web‐based survey in Finnish small‐sized and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). Previous research has studied the effect of innovativeness on performance. This study went thus a one step further by providing a comprehensive description of the effects of the determinants of innovation capability on profitability of SMEs. According to the results, there is only a minor effect of the determinants of innovation capability on firm profitability. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and Characterization of Silicone Liquid Core/Polymer Shell Microcapsules via Internal Phase Separation
Authors: González Lidia , Kostrzewska Malgorzata , Baoguang Ma , Li Li , Hansen Jens Henrik , Hvilsted Søren , Skov Anne Ladegaard
Published: May 2014

Microcapsules with a silicone liquid core surrounded by a polymeric shell were synthesised through the controlled phase separation. The dispersed silicone phase consisted of the shell polymer PMMA, a good solvent for the PMMA (dichloromethane, DCM) and a poor solvent (methylhydrosiloxane dimethylsiloxane) for the PMMA. The morphology of the PMMA microcapsules was investigated by ATR‐FTIR and by optical microscopy. Microcapsules were prepared with different emulsifiers and different concentrations of acetone and PMMA in the oil phase. The thermal stability of the PMMA microcapsule and the content of the silicone oil core were assessed by TGA. 1H‐NMR spectroscopy and an extraction method were also used to determine the content of the silicone liquid core in the microcapsules.
Two‐Dimensional Correlation Spectroscopy Study of Polystyrene
Authors: Noda Isao
Published: May 2014

Two‐dimensional (2D) correlation spectroscopy is a versatile technique suited for the study of polymers. The technique was originally developed for the examination of dynamic infrared linear dichroism spectra of polymer films. When a polymer film is subjected to a small‐amplitude oscillatory strain, electric dipole transition moments associated with molecular vibrations of submolecular moieties undergo time‐dependent reorientation processes, which can be monitored with a polarized IR probe. Dynamics of submolecular level reorientation turned out to be surprisingly complex even for a seemingly uniform amorphous polymer like polystyrene. Possible existence of highly localized molecular rearrangement, which cannot be explained by a simple polymer chain motion, is indicated. Such multiple and multi‐staged reorientation processes can be effectively sorted out by applying the cross correlation analysis among time‐dependent IR signals monitored at different wavenumbers to construct 2D IR correlation spectra.
Pyrolytic and Elemental Analysis of Decomposition Products from a Phenolic Resin
Authors: Bennett Alexandre , Payne David R. , Court Richard W.
Published: May 2014

Research into elucidation of the decomposition mechanism of phenolic resin is being undertaken at the United Kingdom Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. In spite of the widespread use of phenolic resins the underlying decomposition mechanism is not yet fully understood. Central to understanding the mechanism is knowledge of the chemical products formed during the decomposition process and their respective quantities. Pyrolysis‐gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry and pyrolysis‐Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques have been developed to quantify the volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the permanent gases and water generated from the thermal decomposition of a phenolic resin. The VOCs and permanent gases that are produced during pyrolysis of phenolic resin have been identified. Quantitative analysis of the pyrolysis products has been undertaken and the initial results indicate that heating rate affects the composition of the products. Elemental analysis of the residue has been performed.
Synthesis and Characterization of Polyaniline by Using Weak Oxidizing Agent
Authors: Ullah Rizwan , Bowmaker G.A. , Travas‐Sejdic Jadranka , Ali Khurshid , Shah Anwar‐Ul‐Haq Ali
Published: May 2014

Polyaniline was synthesized by using weak oxidizing agent CuCl2 and characterized with FTIR, UV‐vis, and XPS spectroscopic techniques. The composition of products was calculated from elemental analysis. The results show the presence of polyaniline in the emeraldine base (EB) form doped with [CuCl4]−. An increase in the yield and decrease in the final pH was observed when the oxidant to monomer ratio was increased. The increase in the yield was attributed to increase in the oxidation potential of oxidant with increase in its molar concentration.
Using of Novel Halides in the ATRP Polymerization. Estimation of Polymer Molecular Mass
Authors: Soriano‐Moro Guillermo , Percino Judith , Cerón Margarita , Bañuelos Alejandro , Chapela Víctor M. , Castro María Eugenia
Published: May 2014

Two novel ATRP initiator (R‐X): 2‐bromo‐2‐methyl‐N‐(1‐phenyl‐ethyl)propanamide (I) and 2,2,2‐trichloro‐N‐(1‐phenylethyl)acetamide (II) were synthesized and characterized by 1H‐NMR, IR, EI. Also, crystal structures of (I) and (II) are reported. Compounds (I) and (II) were used in the ATRP reaction of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and acrylamide (AAD) at 48°C, using CuBr/Me6TREN and ethanol/toluene (60:40) mixture as catalytic complex and solvent, respectively. End‐group analysis by 1H‐NMR was used to determinate the molecular mass of the polymers synthesized via ATRP. The Mn values for poly(MMA) using (II) were 2333 and 3952 g/mol, which is higher in comparison with the Mn values obatined for (AAD)/(II) and (AAD)/(I) systems indicating that monomers containing ester moiety in their structure, such as acrylates and methacrylates, may be good candidates to polymerize with (II) and CuBr/Me6TREN.
Vibrational Analysis of 3‐Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane Polymer
Authors: Šapić Iva Movre , Bistričić Lahorija , Volovšek Vesna , Dananić Vladimir
Published: May 2014

In this work 3‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane polymer with inorganic SiOSi bonds was prepared by a sol‐gel process. The structure of polymer was characterized by vibrational spectroscopy (Raman and IR). The interpretation of vibrational spectra is supported by the normal coordinate analysis based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations. A conformational and vibrational analysis of lowest energy dimer structure has been carried out by DFT calculations using Becke's three‐parameter exchange functional in combination with the Lee‐Young‐Parr correlation functional (B3‐LYP) and standard 6–311 + G(d,p) basis set.

The comparison of theoretical spectra with the experimental data enabled us to extract the characteristic vibrational bands of polymer structure. The inorganic polymerization gives rise to siloxane network with SiOSi stretchings at 1030 and 1134 cm−1 suggesting the ladder‐type structure of GPTMS polymer.
Rheological Behavior Study of Cationic Surfactant‐Polyelectrolyte Complex (AD37/P4VP‐DPC) in Aqueous Medium
Authors: Tennouga Lahcene , Mansri Ali , Bentrar Rachid , Grassl Bruno
Published: May 2014

Polyelectrolyte 27% hydrolyzed polyacrylamide‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (AD37‐P4VP) complex with cationic surfactant dodecylpyridinium chloride (DPC) interactions in aqueous solution, is investigated by rheological measurements, at 20 °C with a fixed neutralization degree α = 0.1. The results show that the interaction of complex (AD37‐P4VP) is favored in the presence of the DPC where the electrostatic interactions are dominant. This interaction is governed by electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. In the presence of salt, it is more cooperative.

Three rheological behaviors are determined of this system show a shear thinning behavior, shear thickening for the strong shear rate and a newtonian behavior.

Then, we determine the rheological models of the system to different concentration of P4VP in the presence and absence of salt to justify the rheological behavior of the complex.
Upregulation of dopamine D3, not D2, receptors correlates with tardive dyskinesia in a primate model
Authors: Mahmoudi Souha , Lévesque Daniel , Blanchet Pierre J.
Published: May 2014

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a delayed and potentially irreversible motor complication arising in patients chronically exposed to centrally active dopamine D2 receptor antagonists, including antipsychotic drugs and metoclopramide. The classical dopamine D2 receptor supersensitivity hypothesis in TD, which stemmed from rodent studies, lacks strong support in humans. To investigate the neurochemical basis of TD, we chronically exposed adult capuchin monkeys to haloperidol (median, 18.5 months; n = 11) or clozapine (median, 6 months; n = 6). Six unmedicated animals were used as controls. Five haloperidol‐treated animals developed mild TD movements, and no TD was observed in the clozapine group. Using receptor autoradiography, we measured striatal dopamine D1, D2, and D3 receptor levels. We also examined the D3 receptor/preprotachykinin messenger RNA (mRNA) co‐expression, and quantified preproenkephalin mRNA levels, in striatal sections. Unlike clozapine, haloperidol strongly induced dopamine D3 receptor binding sites in the anterior caudate‐putamen, particularly in TD animals, and binding levels positively correlated with TD intensity. Interestingly, the D3 receptor upregulation was observed in striatonigral neurons. In contrast, D2 receptor binding was comparable to controls, and dopamine D1 receptor binding was reduced in the anterior putamen. Enkephalin mRNA widely increased in all animals, but to a greater extent in TD‐free animals. These results suggest for the first time that upregulated striatal D3 receptors correlate with TD in nonhuman primates, adding new insights to the dopamine receptor supersensitivity hypothesis. The D3 receptor could provide a novel target for drug intervention in human TD. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Listening to music during electromyography does not influence the examinee's anxiety and pain levels
Authors: Abraham Alon , Drory Vivian E.
Published: May 2014

Introduction: Listening to music is a low‐cost intervention that has demonstrated ability to reduce pain and anxiety levels in various medical procedures. Methods: Subjects undergoing electrophysiological examinations were randomized into a music‐listening group and a control group. Visual analog scales were used to measure anxiety and pain levels during the procedure. Results: Thirty subjects were randomized to each group. No statistically significant difference was found in anxiety or pain levels during the procedure between groups. However, most subjects in the music‐listening group reported anxiety and pain reduction and would prefer to hear music in a future examination. Conclusions: Although listening to music during electrophysiological examinations did not reduce anxiety or pain significantly, most subjects felt a positive effect and would prefer to hear music; therefore, we suggest that music may be offered optionally in the electromyography laboratory setting. Muscle Nerve 50: 445–447, 2014
Persistence or change in leisure‐time physical activity habits and waist gain during early adulthood: A twin‐study
Authors: Rottensteiner Mirva , Pietiläinen Kirsi H. , Kaprio Jaakko , Kujala Urho M.
Published: May 2014

Objective

To determine the relationship between persistence or change in leisure‐time physical activity habits and waist gain among young adults.

Methods

Population‐based cohort study among 3383 Finnish twin individuals (1578 men) from five birth cohorts (1975‐1979), who answered questionnaires at mean ages of 24.4 y (SD 0.9) and 33.9 y (SD 1.2), with reported self‐measured waist circumference. Persistence or change in leisure‐time physical activity habits was defined based on thirds of activity metabolic equivalent h/day during follow‐up (mean 9.5 y; SD 0.7).

Results

Decreased activity was linked to greater waist gain compared to increased activity (3.6 cm, P < 0.001 for men; 3.1 cm, P < 0.001 for women). Among same‐sex activity discordant twin pairs, twins who decreased activity gained an average 2.8 cm (95%CI 0.4 to 5.1, P = 0.009) more waist than their co‐twins who increased activity (n = 85 pairs); among MZ twin pairs (n = 43), the difference was 4.2 cm (95%CI 1.2 to 7.2, P = 0.008).

Conclusions

Among young adults, an increase in leisure‐time physical activity or staying active during a decade of follow‐up was associated with less waist gain, but any decrease in activity level, regardless baseline activity, led to waist gain that was similar to that associated with being persistently inactive.
Pivotal role of MUC1 glycosylation by cigarette smoke in modulating disruption of airway adherens junctions in vitro
Authors: Zhang Lili , Gallup Marianne , Zlock Lorna , Chen Yu Ting Feeling , Finkbeiner Walter E , McNamara Nancy A
Published: May 2014

Cigarette smoke increases the risk of lung cancer by 20‐fold and accounts for 87% of lung cancer deaths. In the normal airway, heavily O‐glycosylated mucin‐1 (MUC1) and adherens junctions (AJs) establish a structural barrier that protects the airway from infectious, inflammatory and noxious stimuli. Smoke disrupts cell–cell adhesion via its damaging effects on the AJ protein epithelial cadherin (E‐cad). Loss of E‐cad is a major hallmark of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and has been reported in lung cancer, where it is associated with invasion, metastasis and poor prognosis. Using organotypic cultures of primary human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells treated with smoke‐concentrated medium (Smk), we have demonstrated that E‐cad loss is regulated through the aberrant interaction of its AJ binding partner, p120‐catenin (p120ctn), and the C‐terminus of MUC1 (MUC1‐C). Here, we reported that even before MUC1‐C became bound to p120ctn, smoke promoted the generation of a novel 400 kDa glycoform of MUC1's N‐terminus (MUC1‐N) differing from the 230 kDa and 150 kDa glycoforms in untreated control cells. The subsequent smoke‐induced, time‐dependent shedding of glycosylated MUC1‐N exposed MUC1‐C as a putative receptor for interactions with EGFR, Src and p120ctn. Smoke‐induced MUC1‐C glycosylation modulated MUC1‐C tyrosine phosphorylation (TyrP) that was essential for MUC1‐C/p120ctn interaction through dose‐dependent bridging of Src/MUC1‐C/galectin‐3/EGFR signalosomes. Chemical deglycosylation of MUC1 using a mixture of N‐glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin and O‐glycosylation inhibitor benzyl‐α‐GalNAc disrupted the Src/MUC1‐C/galectin‐3/EGFR complexes and thereby abolished smoke‐induced MUC1‐C‐TyrP and MUC1‐C/p120ctn interaction. Similarly, inhibition of smoke‐induced MUC1‐N glycosylation using adenoviral shRNA directed against N‐acetyl‐galactosaminyl transferase‐6 (GALNT6, an enzyme that controls the initiating step of O‐glycosylation) successfully suppressed MUC1‐C/p120ctn interaction, prevented E‐cad degradation and maintained cellular polarity in response to smoke. Thus, GALNT6 shRNA represents a potential therapeutic modality to prevent the initiation of events associated with EMT in the smoker's airway. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Deregulation of RB1 expression by loss of imprinting in human hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Anwar Sumadi Lukman , Krech Till , Hasemeier Britta , Schipper Elisa , Schweitzer Nora , Vogel Arndt , Kreipe Hans , Lehmann Ulrich
Published: May 2014

The tumour suppressor gene RB1 is frequently silenced in many different types of human cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, mutations of the RB1 gene are relatively rare in HCC. A systematic screen for the identification of imprinted genes deregulated in human HCC revealed that RB1 shows imprint abnormalities in a high proportion of primary patient samples. Altogether, 40% of the HCC specimens (16/40) showed hyper‐ or hypomethylation at the CpG island in intron 2 of the RB1 gene. Re‐analysis of publicly available genome‐wide DNA methylation data confirmed these findings in two independent HCC cohorts. Loss of correct DNA methylation patterns at the RB1 locus leads to the aberrant expression of an alternative RB1–E2B transcript, as measured by quantitative real‐time PCR. Demethylation at the intron 2 CpG island by DNMT1 knock‐down or aza‐deoxycytidine (DAC) treatment stimulated expression of the RB1–E2B transcript, accompanied by diminished RB1 main transcript expression. No aberrant DNA methylation was found at the RB1 locus in hepatocellular adenoma (HCA, n = 10), focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH, n = 5) and their corresponding adjacent liver tissue specimens. Deregulated RB1 expression due to hyper‐ or hypomethylation in intron 2 of the RB1 gene is found in tumours without loss of heterozygosity and is associated with a decrease in overall survival (p = 0.032) if caused by hypermethylation of CpG85. This unequivocally demonstrates that loss of imprinting represents an important additional mechanism for RB1 pathway inactivation in human HCC, complementing well‐described molecular defects. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bevacizumab exposure beyond first disease progression in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: analyses of the ARIES observational cohort study
Authors: Grothey Axel , Flick E. Dawn , Cohn Allen L. , Bekaii‐Saab Tanios S. , Bendell Johanna C. , Kozloff Mark , Roach Nancy , Mun Yong , Fish Susan , Hurwitz Herbert I.
Published: May 2014

Purpose

This analysis from Avastin® Registries: Investigation of Effectiveness and Safety (ARIES) examined the association between exposure to bevacizumab after disease progression (PD) and postprogression survival (PPS) in bevacizumab‐exposed metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) through the application of time‐dependent and time‐fixed analytical methods.

Methods

Patients with mCRC who were treated with first‐line bevacizumab and who survived first PD (PD1) were included. A time‐dependent Cox regression model was fitted to assess the effect of cumulative bevacizumab exposure on PPS, while controlling for potential confounders. In addition to support findings from previous studies, a modified intent‐to‐treat (mITT) analysis compared PPS in patients who received bevacizumab beyond disease progression (BBP) with those who did not (No‐BBP).

Results

Of 1550 patients, 1199 survived PD1 and had a median PPS of 13.4 months. Cumulative bevacizumab exposure was associated with improved PPS (p = 0.0040). After adjusting for confounders, the hazard ratios (HRs) for PPS decreased, on average, by 1.2% (range, 1.1–1.3%) with each additional dose of bevacizumab. In the mITT analysis, the median PPS for BBP (n = 438) was 14.4 months vs 10.6 months with for No‐BBP (n = 667). BBP was found to be independently associated with longer PPS in a multivariable Cox regression analysis (HR, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.73–0.97). Protocol‐specified adverse events suspected to be associated with bevacizumab occurred in 13.0% of patients with BBP.

Conclusion

This analysis supports the observation that bevacizumab exposure after PD1 is associated with longer PPS in mCRC. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.