bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mentoring as an HRD approach: Effects on employee attitudes and contributions independent of core self‐evaluation
Authors: Thurston Paul W. , D'Abate Caroline P. , Eddy Erik R.
Published: June 2012

Mentoring as a form of strategic human resource management is an interesting addition to the HRD literature because it provides a mechanism of change for individual employees. Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of mentoring to both the employee and the firm; yet, a recent review of mentoring research argues that mentoring has less effect on important job‐related outcomes than some characteristics of the individual being mentored. While individual characteristics such as personality and core self‐evaluation are good predictors of job‐related attitudes and performance, they can't be acted on in an HRD capacity. The firm can, however, improve the quality of its human resources by taking actions that foster an environment for mentoring to flourish. The current research developed a model to examine whether efforts to reduce barriers and encourage mentoring can, in fact, lead to individual and organizational benefits like greater job, career, and coworker satisfaction; more organizational commitment; and higher performance and competency, and if these effects are independent of core self‐evaluations. Data from 121 supervisors and 632 employees in a Fortune 500 insurance firm were subjected to linear structural relations (LISREL) analysis. Results demonstrated that while both mentoring and core self‐evaluation had positive and independent relationships with job and organizational attitudes, only mentoring had a statistically reliable relationship with supervisors' reports of employee contributions. The findings suggest that the individual and organizational benefits of mentoring are important outcomes of a strong strategic HRD system.
Staffing the global organization: “Cultural nomads”
Authors: McPhail Ruth , Fisher Ron , Harvey Michael , Moeller Miriam
Published: June 2012

This article explores the evolution of international staffing in an increasingly globalized and hypercompetitive marketplace. As the issue of staff retention becomes critical in global organizations, it is important to understand the types of managers that may be on or assigned to overseas assignments. The purpose of this article is to present a conceptual model of types of expatriates and explore key decision making points along their potential evolution into global staff. This model emerges from several bodies of literature.
Recent Advances in Hybrid Optoelectronics
Authors: Vaynzof Yana , Kabra Dinesh , Brenner Thomas J. K. , Sirringhaus Henning , Friend Richard H.
Published: June 2012

Polymer/organic optoelectronic devices have drawn the attention of both the academic and industrial research communities due to the potential for a low‐cost, large‐area, solution‐processable technology alternative to conventional inorganic optoelectronics. Issues related to the stability and degradation of the organic/polymer‐based optoelectronics are hampering the progress in the field. The use of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT : PSS) as the anode and reactive metals as the cathode, as well as the degradation of organic semiconductors in ambient atmosphere, are some of the stability issues to be addressed. To resolve these issues, in the past decade, there has been a growing interest in research of hybrid optoelectronic devices which employ metal oxides as air‐stable charge injecting/extracting layers that sandwich the photo‐responsive organic active layer and protect it from the ambient oxygen and moisture and prevent photo‐oxidation by absorbing UV light. Herein, we review the recent advances made in hybrid optoelectronics and discuss the tremendous potential of these devices.
FACTOR ANALYSIS OF A LARGE DSGE MODEL
Authors: Onatski Alexei , Ruge‐Murcia Francisco
Published: June 2012

We study the workings of the factor analysis of high‐dimensional data using artificial series generated from a large, multi‐sector dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model. The objective is to use the DSGE model as a laboratory that allows us to shed some light on the practical benefits and limitations of using factor analysis techniques on economic data. We explain in what sense the artificial data can be thought of having a factor structure, study the theoretical properties of the principal components estimates of the factor space, investigate the substantive reason(s) for the good performance of diffusion index forecasts, and assess the quality of the factor analysis of highly disaggregated data. In all our exercises, we explain the precise relationship between the factors and the basic macroeconomic shocks postulated by the model. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enantioselective effect of bifenthrin on antioxidant enzyme gene expression and stress protein response in PC12 cells
Authors: Lu Xianting
Published: June 2012

Enantioselectivity in toxicology and the health risk of chiral xenobiotics have become frontier topics interfacing chemistry and toxicology. Our previous results showed that cis‐bifenthrin (cis‐BF) induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in vitro in an enantioselective manner. However, the exact molecular mechanisms of synthetic pyrethroid‐induced enantioselective apoptosis and cytotoxicity have so far received limited research attention. In the present study, the expression patterns of different genes encoding heat shock protein and antioxidant enzymes were investigated by real‐time quantitative PCR in rat adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells after exposure to cis‐BF and its enantiomers. The results showed that exposure to 1S‐cis‐BF resulted in increased transcription of HSP90, HSP70, HSP60, Cu–Zn–superoxide dismutase, Mn‐superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione‐s‐transferase at a concentration of 5 µm and above, while exposure to1R‐cis‐BF and rac‐cis‐BF exhibited these effects to lesser degrees. In addition, induction of antioxidant enzyme gene expression produced by 1S‐cis‐BF might occur, at least in part, through activation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) and extracellular regulated kinases, while increase in stress protein response produced by 1S‐cis‐BF might occur through the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. The results not only suggest that enantioselectivity should be considered in evaluating the ecotoxicological effects and health risk of chiral contaminants, but also will improve the understanding of molecular mechanism for chiral chemical‐induced cytotoxicity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Promotion of adiponectin multimerization by emodin: A novel AMPK activator with PPARγ‐agonist activity
Authors: Chen Zhifen , Zhang Lu , Yi Junyang , Yang Zhuanbo , Zhang Zhijie , Li Zhen
Published: June 2012

Adiponectin is an important insulin‐sensitizing adipokine with multiple beneficial effects on obesity‐associated medical complications. It is secreted from adipocytes into circulation as high, medium, and low molecular weight forms (HMW, MMW, and LMW). Each oligomeric form of adiponectin exerts non‐overlapping biological functions, with the HMW oligomer possessing the most potent insulin‐sensitizing activity. In this study, we reported that emodin, a natural product and active ingredient of various Chinese herbs, activates AMPK in both 3T3‐L1 adipocytes and 293T cells. Activation of AMPK by emodin promotes the assembly of HMW adiponectin and increases the ratio of HMW adiponectin to total adiponectin in 3T1‐L1 adipocytes. Emodin might activate AMPK by an indirect mechanism similar to berberine. We also found that emodin activates PPARγ and promotes differentiation and adiponectin expression during differentiation of 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes. Therefore, emodin is a novel AMPK activator with PPARγ‐agonist activity. Our results demonstrate that the effects of emodin on adiponectin expression and multimerization are the ultimate effects resulting from both AMPK activation and PPARγ activation. The dual‐activity makes emodin or the derivatives potential drug candidates for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and other obesity‐related metabolic diseases. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 3547–3558, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Study of the atypical formations in the corrosion bulks of an ancient bronze shield, by optical and electron microscopy
Authors: Mircea Otilia , Sandu Ion , Vasilache Viorica , Sandu Andrei Victor
Published: June 2012

This article presents the atypical formations in the structure of the corrosion crust and in the partially mineralized metallic core, which resulted during the underground stay of a bronze shield, dated between the 1st century B.C. and the 1st century A.D. For our study, we choose a representative fragment from the rim of the shield, which was analyzed by optical microscopy and by electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, to study its morphology, its composition, and the location of chemical compounds on the surface and inside the bulk formed during the underground stay, by processes of chemical and physical alteration, assisted by contamination with structural elements from the site. Those processes, by monolithization and mineralization formed a series of structures consisting of congruent elements and phases with a complex composition. Those formations, defined as surface effects generated by exogenous factors and endogenous factors inside the bulk, are frequently found in ancient bronze objects (such as the exterior flat mole formations and the Liesegang effect in the stratigraphic structure of the bulk). Some of those structures have atypical characteristics as regards their structure, composition, and formation mechanism, which may be used in archeometry. Moreover, that includes the object in the category of special cases, in terms of artifact evolution during underground stay and of the atypical formations resulted from the action of pedological and environmental factors. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Edge Weighting Functions on Dominating Sets
Authors: Southey Justin , Henning Michael A.
Published: June 2012

In this article, we use edge weighting functions on dominating sets to show that if we impose a regularity condition on a graph, then upper bounds on both the upper domination number and the upper total domination number can be greatly improved. More precisely, we prove that for if G is a k‐regular graph on n vertices, then the upper domination number of G is at most , and the upper total domination number of G is at most . Furthermore, we show that these bounds are sharp and characterize the infinite families of graphs that achieve equality in both these bounds.
Limonia fruit as a food supplement to regulate fluoride‐induced hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia
Authors: Vasant Rupal A , Narasimhacharya Amaravadi VRL
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: Limonia fruit pulp is edible and used in a number of food preparations. This fruit is also used as a folk medicine to treat various ailments and reportedly possesses antihyperglycaemic and antihyperlipidaemic activities. The purpose of the present study was to examine the potential of Limonia acidissima L. (LA) fruit pulp in regulating the carbohydrate and lipid profiles in fluoride‐exposed rats.

RESULTS: Exposure to fluoride (100 mg l−1 NaF) resulted in significant increases in plasma and hepatic carbohydrate and lipid profiles. Administration of LA fruit powder (2.5, 5 and 10 g kg−1) in the diet for 4 weeks resulted in significant decreases in plasma glucose and lipid profiles and hepatic glucose‐6‐phosphatase activity and significant increases in hepatic glycogen content and hexokinase activity and plasma high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Phytochemical analysis of the LA fruit pulp revealed the presence of fibres, phytosterols, saponins, polyphenols, flavonoids and ascorbic acid.

CONCLUSION: Consumption of LA fruit pulp is beneficial in controlling hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia in fluoride‐induced toxicity. Since fibres, phytosterols, saponins, polyphenols, flavonoids and total ascorbic acid are known to influence both carbohydrate and lipid metabolisms, the decline in carbohydrate and lipid levels in LA‐administered fluoride‐exposed rats could be attributed to the phytoconstituents of the fruit. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
The use of graphene‐based magnetic nanoparticles as adsorbent for the extraction of triazole fungicides from environmental water
Authors: Wang Weina , Ma Xiaoxing , Wu Qiuhua , Wang Chun , Zang Xiaohuan , Wang Zhi
Published: June 2012

A graphene‐based magnetic nanocomposite (graphene‐ferriferrous oxide; G‐Fe3O4) was synthesized and used as an effective adsorbent for the preconcentration of some triazole fungicides (myclobutanil, tebuconazole, and hexaconazole) in environmental water samples prior to high‐performance liquid chromatography‐ultraviolet detection. The method, which takes the advantages of both nanoparticle adsorption and magnetic phase separation from the sample solution, could avoid the time‐consuming experimental procedures commonly involved in the traditional solid phase extraction such as centrifugation and filtrations. Various experimental parameters affecting the extraction efficiencies such as the amount of the magnetic nanocomposite, extraction time, the pH values of the sample solution, salt concentration, and desorption conditions were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the enrichment factors of the method for the three analytes were 5824, 3600, and 4761, respectively. A good linearity was observed in the range of 0.1–50 ng/mL for tebuconazole and 0.05–50 ng/mL for myclobutanil and hexaconazole, respectively, with the correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9992 to 0.9996. The limits of detection (S/N = 3) of the method were between 0.005 and 0.01 ng/mL. The results indicated that as a magnetic solid‐phase extraction adsorbent, the graphene‐ferriferrous oxide (G‐Fe3O4) has a great potential for the preconcentration of some compounds from liquid samples.
Simultaneous Free‐Radical and Addition Miniemulsion Polymerization: Effect of the Chain Transfer Agent on the Microstructure of Polyurethane‐Acrylic Pressure‐Sensitive Adhesives
Authors: Lopez Aitziber , Reyes Yuri , Degrandi‐Contraires Elise , Canetta Elisabetta , Creton Costantino , Keddie Joseph L. , Asua José M.
Published: June 2012

The effects of the CTA concentration on polymerization kinetics, polymer microstructure, particle morphology, and adhesive performance of waterborne hybrid PSAs prepared by simultaneous free‐radical and addition miniemulsion polymerizations are studied. The development of the microstructure is shown to differ from waterborne acrylic PSAs obtained by free‐radical polymerization because of the contribution of the addition reaction, which in turn causes marked differences in the adhesive performance of the final films. A computer simulation is developed to obtain detailed information about the microstructure of PU/acrylic hybrids and to correlate the microstructure with the final adhesive properties.

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Piezomorphic Materials
Authors: Alderson Andrew , Alderson Kim L. , McDonald Samuel A. , Mottershead Beth , Nazare Shonali , Withers Philip J. , Yao Yong T.
Published: June 2012

The development of stress‐induced morphing materials called piezomorphic materials is reported. The preparation of a piezomorphic material is achieved by introducing spatial dependency into the compliance matrix describing the elastic response of a material capable of undergoing large strain deformation. In other words, it is necessary to produce an elastic‐gradient material. This is achieved through modification of the microstructure of the compliant material to display gradient topology. Examples of polymeric (PU) foam and microporous polymer (ex‐PTFE) piezomorphic materials are presented. These materials open up new morphing applications where dramatic shape changes can be triggered by mechanical stress.

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Tellurite enters Escherichia coli mainly through the PitA phosphate transporter
Authors: Elías Alex O. , Abarca María José , Montes Rebecca A. , Chasteen Thomas G. , Pérez‐Donoso José M. , Vásquez Claudio C.
Published: June 2012

Several transporters suspected to be involved in tellurite uptake in Escherichia coli were analyzed. Results showed that the PitA phosphate transporter was related to tellurite uptake. Escherichia coli ΔpitA was approximately four‐fold more tolerant to tellurite, and cell viability remained almost unchanged during prolonged exposure to the toxicant as compared with wild type or ΔpitB cells. Notably, reduced thiols (toxicant targets) as well as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and fumarase C activities did not change when exposing the ΔpitA strain to tellurite, suggesting that tellurite‐triggered oxidative damage is attenuated in the absence of PitA. After toxicant exposure, remaining extracellular tellurite was higher in E. coli ΔpitA than in control cells. Whereas inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometric studies confirmed that E. coli ΔpitA accumulates ~50% less tellurite than the other strains under study, tellurite strongly inhibited 32Pi uptake suggesting that the PitA transporter is one of the main responsible for tellurite uptake in this bacterium.
Time domain study of the Drude–Born–Fedorov model for a class of heterogeneous chiral materials
Authors: Nicaise Serge
Published: June 2012

We deal with the well‐posedness of the transient Maxwell equations in a particular class of heterogeneous isotropic chiral material modeled by the Drude–Born–Fedorov constitutive relations with different boundary conditions. A new formulation of the underlying evolution problems allows us to establish existence and uniqueness results. The selfadjointness of the curl operator multiplied by a piecewise smooth function in an appropriated Hilbert space is also proved. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Positive solutions for singular systems of multi‐point boundary value problems
Authors: Henderson Johnny , Luca Rodica
Published: June 2012

We study the existence of positive solutions for systems of singular nonlinear second‐order ordinary differential equations subject to multi‐point boundary conditions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Marie Ménard apples with high polyphenol content and a low‐fat diet reduce 1,2‐dimethylhydrazine‐induced colon carcinogenesis in rats: Effects on inflammation and apoptosis
Authors: Pietro Femia Angelo , Luceri Cristina , Bianchini Francesca , Salvadori Maddalena , Salvianti Francesca , Pinzani Pamela , Dolara Piero , Calorini Lido , Caderni Giovanna
Published: June 2012

Inflammation may increase cancer risk, therefore, we studied whether polyphenol‐rich Marie Ménard (MM) apples with reported anti‐inflammatory activity prevent 1,2‐dimethylhydrazine (DMH)‐induced colon carcinogenesis in rats and, likewise whether high‐fat (HF) diet promoting carcinogenesis, may affect inflammation. DMH‐induced rats were fed for 15 weeks with: an HF diet (23% corn oil w/w); an HF diet containing 7.6% w/w lyophilized MM (apple diet (AD)); a low‐fat (LF) diet and an HF diet containing piroxicam (PXC) (0.01% w/w) as control. Mucin depleted foci (MDF), precancerous lesions in the colon, were dramatically reduced in the AD, LF, and PXC groups compared with the HF. Peritoneal macrophage activation, an index of systemic inflammation, was significantly decreased in the AD, LF, and PXC groups. TNF‐α, iNOS, IL‐1β, IL‐6 m‐RNA expression in the colon, as well as CD68 cells and plasmatic PGE2 were lower in the AD, but not in the LF group. Apoptosis in the MDF of both the AD and LF‐fed rats was significantly higher than in HF rats. In conclusion, AD has a strong chemopreventive effect, reducing inflammation, and increasing apoptosis, while the chemopreventive effect of the LF diet seems mediated mainly by increased apoptosis in MDF.
An enriched model of fiber‐reinforced thin flexible structures with inplane buckling capabilities
Authors: Le Tallec P. , Boussetta R. , Lignon E.
Published: June 2012

Fiber‐reinforced layers are very popular in industry but are prone to structural instabilities observed in various experimental and technological environments. Such situations combine global inplane buckling of the reinforcing fibers and local shearing or compression of the filling material. The purpose of the work is to develop an enriched macroscopic model able to treat both aspects through an adequate kinematic and energetic description of the different components and their coupling. It introduces, in addition to the filling material, a surface density of rods able to resist against inplane and outplane bending. A new finite element model is then developed at macroscopic level and validated in different asymptotic or postbuckling regimes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stochastic control of networked control systems with packet dropout and time‐varying delay
Authors: Wang Yan
Published: June 2012

This paper studies the stochastic stabilization problem for discrete‐time networked control systems with time delay and packet dropout. The message losses and time delay from the sensor to the controller and from the controller to the actuator are considered simultaneously. A two‐state Markov chain is used to model the correlated packet dropout process. By introducing free weighting matrices, the sufficient condition on the stochastic stability of such networked control system is obtained. An improved criterion is found by introducing the delay fractioning method and a new Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional. On the basis of the stability condition, the mode‐dependent controller is given in terms of linear matrix inequalities. A simulation example is given to show the proposed results. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Secondary bladder herniation in isolated gastroschisis justifies increased surveillance
Authors: Mousty E. , Chalouhi G. E. , Sabbagh A. El , Khen–Dunlop N. , Kuleva M. , Salomon L. J. , Ville Y.
Published: June 2012

Objectives

To assess the perinatal outcome of fetuses with gastroschisis complicated by secondary bladder herniation.

Population and materials

This was a retrospective study of all cases of isolated gastroschisis associated with bladder herniation managed at our institution. Prenatal ultrasound, obstetrical and perinatal information were collected. Pathology reports were also gathered.

Results

Out of 105 cases of gastroschisis managed at our institution, six (5.7%) were associated with secondary bladder herniation, two of them being diagnosed postnatally. Median gestational age at diagnosis of bladder herniation was 33.6 weeks (range 31–36) in five female and one male fetuses. Bladder herniation was associated with bowel dilatation in four cases (67%) and with pyelic dilatation in one case (17%). Despite increased surveillance, one male fetus died in utero. In four other cases, cesarean section was performed for fetal distress (three cases) or hyperechogenic bowels (one case). The five survivors had primary abdominal closure (n = 2) or staged repair (n = 3) with uneventful follow‐up.

Conclusion

Bladder herniation was present in 6% of apparently isolated gastroschisis. There was one intrauterine fetal death and four other cases were delivered for fetal distress. Increased surveillance seems justified. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The neurological outcomes of surviving twins in severe twin–twin transfusion syndrome treated by fetoscopic laser photocoagulation at a newly established center
Authors: Chang Yao‐Lung , Chao An‐Shine , Chang Shuenn‐Dyh , Lien Reyin , Hsieh Peter C. C. , Wang Chao‐Nin
Published: June 2012

Objective

To evaluate the incidence and predictive factors of poor neurological outcome in survivors of twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) treated with fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP).

Methods

Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurodevelopmental assessment were performed at a corrected age of 1 year in survivors of TTTS treated by FLP. Severe neurological abnormality was defined as either the presence of severe clinical neurodevelopmental disability or severe anomalies, visualized on MRI of the brain.

Result

In a consecutive series of 46 cases treated by FLP, the total survival rate was 66.3%; survival of at least one was 80.4%. Severe neurodevelopment disability was 6.7 % (4/59) and the presence of a severe anomaly on brain imaging was 8.8% (5/57), which combined to a clinical or MRI abnormality rate of 10.5% (6/57). Univariate analysis revealed that early gestational age at delivery was the most significant predictor. However, the multiple logistic regression model did not identify any significant variables.

Conclusion

In this small series, we determined a rate of clinical neurologic impairment rate at the age of 1 year of 6.7%, which compares to what has been published. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Year of Care: the key drivers and theoretical basis for a new approach in diabetes care
Authors: Doherty Yvonne , Eaton Simon , Turnbull Rachel , Oliver Lindsay , Roberts Sue , Ludbrook Sarah , Lewis‐Barned Nick
Published: June 2012

The Year of Care initiative aims to transform the annual review into a collaborative care planning consultation based on a partnership approach. It has been piloted across three centres in England.

This paper describes the key drivers that created the impetus for the development of the approach. The care planning model developed by Year of Care, ‘The House Model’, is presented and the process of the care planning consultation described. The theoretical underpinnings and supporting evidence are presented for each of these as well as the philosophical assumptions and values that underpin the programme. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons.
Integrating technology into adolescent care
Authors: Lamb WH
Published: June 2012

Given the enormous changes in physiology and neurobiology prevalent during adolescence, it is hardly surprising that this is also the time when metabolic control of diabetes is at its worst. Clinical teams are constantly looking for ways to improve diabetes control in youth and exploiting the perceived fascination of adolescents for new technology offers an attractive option. The management of type 1 diabetes has always been heavily influenced by new developments and this personal review, influenced by a long experience of working with adolescents, explores how some of the emerging technologies have been used in an attempt to influence diabetes control in this challenging age group. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons.
Use of drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease in France: a study on a national level based on the National Alzheimer's Data Bank (Banque Nationale Alzheimer)
Authors: Tifratene Karim , Duff Franck Le , Pradier Christian , Quetel Julien , Lafay Pierre , Schück Stéphane , Benzenine Eric , Quantin Catherine , Robert Philippe ,   the participating centres
Published: June 2012

Purpose

To examine the way in which specific drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease are used and whether their use complies with clinical practice guidelines issued by the French National Authority for Health in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Methods

We analysed a cross‐section of the French National Alzheimer's databank (BNA). Participants were individuals who consulted centres contributing to the BNA in 2010 and diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and with at least one Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score recorded during the course of the year.

Results

Of 191 919 consultations recorded in the database, 29.9% involved a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, and 26 809 patients had completed at least one MMSE. In 76.9% of cases, treatment was given with an anti‐Alzheimer's drug. Monotherapy with an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor was prescribed for 48.3% of patients, monotherapy with memantine in 14.2% and dual therapy in 14.4% of cases. Treatment given did not comply with the guidelines in 20.7% of cases. Prescriptions not complying with the guidelines were associated with a lower mean MMSE score (13.6 vs. 18.0; p < 0.00001) and more cases of treatment with antidepressants (29.2% vs. 22.8%; p < 0.00001), anxiolytics (14.7% vs. 12.3%; p < 0.00001) and antipsychotics (8.7% vs. 4.9%; p < 0.00001).

Conclusion

Four of five prescriptions for treatment with anti‐Alzheimer's drugs complied with the specific drug treatment chapter of the 2008 French clinical guidelines. Prescriptions not complying with the guidelines for acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine were usually issued in situations involving advanced‐stage Alzheimer's disease. The BNA can provide precise information on medical practice in Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of octene content on peroxide crosslinking of ethylene–octene copolymers
Authors: Svoboda Petr , Poongavalappil Sameepa , Theravalappil Rajesh , Svobodova Dagmar , Mokrejs Pavel
Published: June 2012

Various ethylene–octene copolymers were crosslinked by dicumyl peroxide. Octene content was 16, 20, 30, 35 and 38 wt% and melt flow index was 1 or 3 g/10 min. The concentration of dicumyl peroxide was 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7 wt%. Crosslinking was analyzed by a rubber process analyzer in the temperature range 150–200 °C. Cross‐linkability was evaluated from the real part modulus s'max versus peroxide level plots as the slope of the line. With decreasing octene content and increasing melt flow index the crosslinkability increased. This was confirmed also by tan δ analysis. The network density was measured by the gel content. A higher gel content was found for melt flow index 3 and low octene content. The melting points Tm and the crystallinities were evaluated by DSC. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Functionalization and patterning of reactive polymer brushes based on surface reversible addition and fragmentation chain transfer polymerization
Authors: Choi Jiyeon , Schattling Philipp , Jochum Florian D. , Pyun Jeffrey , Char Kookheon , Theato Patrick
Published: June 2012

We present the synthesis of reactive polymer brushes prepared by surface reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of pentafluorophenyl acrylate. The reactive ester moieties can be used to functionalize the polymer brush film with virtually any functionality by simple post‐polymerization modification with amines. Dithiobenzoic acid benzyl‐(4‐ethyltrimethoxylsilyl) ester was used as the surface chain transfer agent (S‐CTA) and the anchoring group onto the silicon substrates. Reactive polymer brushes with adjustable molecular weight, high grafting density, and conformal coverage through the grafting‐from approach were obtained. Subsequently, the reactive polymer brushes were converted with amino‐spiropyrans resulting in reversible light‐responsive polymer brush films. The wetting behavior could be altered by irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) or visible light. Furthermore, a patterned surface of polymer brushes was obtained using a lithography technique. UV irradiation of the S‐CTA‐modified substrates leads to a selective degradation of S‐CTA in the exposed areas and gives patterned activated polymer brushes after a subsequent RAFT polymerization step. Conversion of the patterned polymer brushes with 5‐((2‐aminoethyl)amino)naphthalene‐1‐sulfonic acid resulted in patterned fluorescent polymer brush films. The utilization of reactive polymer brushes offers an easy approach in the fabrication of highly functional brushes, even for functionalities whose introduction is limited by other strategies. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Novel synthetic route for covalent coupling of biomolecules on super‐paramagnetic hybrid nanoparticles
Authors: Medina‐Castillo Antonio L. , Morales‐Sanfrutos Julia , Megia‐Fernandez Alicia , Fernandez‐Sanchez Jorge F. , Santoyo‐Gonzalez Francisco , Fernandez‐Gutierrez Alberto
Published: June 2012

The immobilization of biomolecules on magnetic nanoparticles is an issue with high potential in different fields. We describe herein a new strategy to immobilize biomolecules on super‐paramagnetic nanoparticles based on the reactivity of vinyl sulfone groups with naturally occurring functional groups present in biomolecules (amine and thiol). A new monomer containing a polymerizable methacryloyl group and a secondary amine group was synthesized and used to prepare super‐paramagnetic hybrid nanoparticles (SP‐HNPs) by two‐step miniemulsion polymerization. The Michael addition reaction of divinyl sulfone (DVS) to the secondary amine groups localized on the nanoparticles surface allows the introduction of the vinyl sulfone function in the SP‐HNPs (SP‐HNPs‐VS). The morphology of the functionalized SP‐HNPs was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), dynamic light scattering, and magnetic susceptibility. The capacity of SP‐HNPs‐VS for the immobilization of biomolecules was evaluated with three model proteins: avidin, invertase, and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The model proteins were successfully immobilized in mild aqueous conditions compatible with the biological nature of the enzymes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Peptidic molecular brushes with enhanced chirality
Authors: Li Wen , Zhang Xiuqiang , Wang Jue , Qiao Xiao , Liu Kun , Zhang Afang
Published: June 2012

Tethering oligopeptides through one end densely packed onto a linear polymer main chain will greatly reduce freedom of the peptide chains, which affords an easy access to investigate the secondary structure of peptides under constrained condition. Herein, molecular brushes with densely grafted monodispersed Cbz‐protected oligolysine were efficiently synthesized via free radical polymerization of the macromonomer‐bearing lysine octamer, and the secondary structures of the oligopeptide side chains in solutions were investigated. To examine the architecture effects on helical conformation, circular dichroism spectra from the polymer were compared with that from the corresponding macromonomer. To check the chemical structural effects on conformation of the oligopeptide, Cbz groups from the molecular brushes were deprotected, and the secondary structures of the polymers were compared before and after the deprotection. Conformation of the deprotected polymer was further explored by varying solution pH values. Complexation of the positively charged, deprotected polymer with anionic surfactant provides an alternative route to mediate the secondary structures of the short peptides in the constrained environment. It has been found that oligolysine side chains within the molecular brushes can adopt enhanced α‐helical conformation through the crowding structures or can form β‐sheet by hydrophobic interactions between the complexed surfactants. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Circulating fibroblast‐like cells in men with metastatic prostate cancer
Authors: Jones Michelle L. , Siddiqui Javed , Pienta Kenneth J. , Getzenberg Robert H.
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND

Metastatic prostate cancer is an incurable disease. During the development of this disease, prostate cancer cells enter the bloodstream as single cells or clusters of cells. Prostate fibroblasts, a cancer‐promoting cell type in the prostate cancer microenvironment, could in theory incorporate into these migrating cell clusters or follow cancer cells into the bloodstream through holes in the tumor vasculature. Based on this idea, we hypothesized that fibroblast‐like cells, defined here as cytokeratin 8/18/19−/DAPI+/CD45−/vimentin+ cells, are present in the blood of men with metastatic prostate cancer.

METHODS

Veridex's CellSearch® system was used to immunomagnetically capture EpCAM+ cells and clusters of cells heterogeneous for EpCAM expression from the blood of men with metastatic prostate cancer, localized cancer, and no known cancer, and immunostain them for the presence of cytokeratins 8/18/19, a nucleus, CD45, and vimentin. Fibroblast‐like cells were then quantified.

RESULTS

Fibroblast‐like cells were present in 58.3% of men with metastatic prostate cancer but not in any men with localized prostate cancer or no known cancer. The presence of these cells correlated with certain known indicators of poor prognosis: ≥5 circulating tumor cells, defined here as cytokeratin 8/18/19+/DAPI+/CD45− cells, per 7.5 ml of blood, and a relatively high serum prostate‐specific antigen level of ≥20 ng/ml.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of fibroblast‐like cells in the blood may provide prognostic information as well as information about the biology of metastatic prostate cancer. Prostate 73: 176–181, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Anonymous Aliens? Questions of Identification in the Detention and Deportation of Failed Asylum Seekers
Authors: Griffiths Melanie
Published: June 2012

Immigration detention and deportation are central tenets of the British government's immigration strategy. Although in theory immigration detainees face imminent deportation, in practice many obstacles frustrate removal, prolonging the limbo of detention. Drawing on two years' anthropological research with failed asylum seekers in one such Immigration Removal Centre, I argue that the concepts of identity and identification are useful in understanding these situations of impasse. Many detainees struggle to meet official expectations and requirements regarding the nature of identities and how they can be proved. They frequently have no identity documents (or those they have are considered false), come from countries with minimal registration systems, or are generally assumed to be lying. Many also have their identities ‘disproved’ by UK Border Agency caseworkers as part of having their asylum claims refused. The combination results in some individuals lacking a bureaucratically recognised identity or alternatively being saddled with multiple identities. This hinders their removal as a ‘genuine’ identity must be re‐established in order for the embassies to issue travel documents. I examine what happens when people fall between having one identity disputed and another officially confirmed, arguing that when stuck in this way people become vulnerable to criminalisation and exceptional treatment such as indefinite incarceration. My premise is that as identity databases and verification techniques infiltrate British society, from high‐level security debates to daily banality, those people beyond identification techniques become increasingly bureaucratically problematic, making them simultaneously threatening to and vulnerable to state apparatus. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of localization and observation averaging for convective‐scale data assimilation in a simple stochastic model
Authors: Craig George C. , Würsch Michael
Published: June 2012

A simple stochastic model, based on a Poisson birth–death process, is proposed as a test bed for convective‐scale data assimilation methods. The simple model mimics the extreme nonlinearity and non‐Gaussianity associated with rapidly developing and intermittent convective storms. In this framework, we evaluate the Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter (ETKF) and Sequential Importance Resampling (SIR) filter, and assess the impact of two strategies to improve their performance and efficiency: localization and observation averaging. In their basic implementations, both filters perform poorly. The SIR filter rapidly collapses, then very gradually converges to the observations as random perturbations introduced by resampling occasionally improve the analysis. The ETKF rapidly assimilates the correct locations of convective storms, but has large errors due to creation of spurious clouds by nonlinear amplification of small data assimilation increments. Localization, i.e. assimilating only local observations to produce the analysis at a given grid point, dramatically improves the performance of the SIR filter, but does not reduce errors in the ETKF. Observation averaging, i.e. spatially smoothing the observations before assimilation and thus making the distribution more Gaussian, is also effective for the SIR filter, and improves convergence of the ETKF. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Integrated fault detection system design for linear discrete time‐varying systems with bounded power disturbances
Authors: Wan Yiming , Dong Wei , Wu Hao , Ye Hao
Published: June 2012

This paper investigates the problem of an integrated fault detection system design for linear discrete time‐varying systems with bounded power disturbances. In the integrated design of residual generator and evaluator, an approximated energy constraint is first imposed on the bounded power disturbances, and then selected by solving a min–max problem to achieve minimal‐size set of undetectable faults under the condition of zero false alarms. To tackle the problem that the computational burden involved in solving the min–max optimization grows with time, the moving horizon method is proposed. The proposed approach in this paper has two advantages: (i) the approximated energy constraint on bounded power disturbances is explicitly selected as a min–max solution in the integrated design to improve fault detection rate; by contrast, when directly applying any existing fault detection method to the case of bounded power disturbances, a predefined approximated energy constraint is implicitly introduced without considering fault detection performance; (ii) the design objective of the proposed approach can choose to consider faults only in the recent time horizon rather than faults in the complete time horizon; this strategy enhances detection performance of recent faults and benefits early fault detection, but has not been considered by existing fault detection methods. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robust stability and stabilization of uncertain linear positive systems via integral linear constraints: L1‐gain and L∞‐gain characterization
Authors: Briat Corentin
Published: June 2012

Copositive linear Lyapunov functions are used along with dissipativity theory for stability analysis and control of uncertain linear positive systems. Unlike usual results on linear systems, linear supply rates are employed here for robustness and performance analysis using L1‐gain and L∞‐gain. Robust stability analysis is performed using integral linear constraints for which several classes of uncertainties are discussed. The approach is then extended to robust stabilization and performance optimization. The obtained results are expressed in terms of robust linear programming problems that are equivalently turned into finite dimensional ones using Handelman's theorem. Several examples are provided for illustration. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new absorption band and visible absorption properties in V‐doped TiO2 nanopowder
Authors: Jie HyunSeock , Park Hoon , Lee Kon‐Bae , Chang Hye‐Jung , Ahn Jae‐Pyoung , Park Jong‐Ku
Published: June 2012

V‐doped TiO2 nanopowders (Ti1‐xVxO2) were manufactured by aerosol‐assisted chemical vapor synthesis and were annealed for the observation of the oxidation of V and a phase transition. The nanopowder showed the red shift as well as a large visible absorption in UV–vis spectra due to many bridging Ti‐O‐V bonds. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of microphase‐separated diblock copolymer films by TOF‐SIMS
Authors: Lee Jihye , Kang Min Hwa , Lim Weon Cheol , Shin Kwanwoo , Lee Yeonhee
Published: June 2012

It has been shown that some block copolymers undergo a transition from a phase‐mixed to phase‐separated state, namely a lower disorder‐to‐order transition (LDOT) for block copolymers. These LDOT block copolymers can offer new types of sensor materials with high‐temperatures or pressure sensitivities. In this paper, the characterization of the morphology from LDOT diblock copolymers such as polystyrene‐b‐poly(n‐propyl methacrylate) and polystyrene‐b‐poly(2‐ethyl hexyl acrylate), where PS blocks are perdeuterated using time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF‐SIMS), is reported. TOF‐SIMS depth profiling was obtained for the lamellar morphology of deuterated copolymers which was found to orient parallel to the surface of the substrate. This preferential orientation resulted in a periodic variation in the composition of each block that continued throughout the copolymer film. This alternative orientation was also found in films with thicknesses of approximately 610 nm. Their depth profiles showed consistently regular alternative patterns with the same period because the size of the lamellar structure was determined by the total number of monomers in the copolymer chain. In order to investigate the effect of the sample‐stage temperature on the copolymer depth profiling, TOF‐SIMS depth profiles were performed at room temperature and low temperatures of −100 °C. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Presenilin conditional double knockout mice exhibit decreases in drebrin a at hippocampal CA1 synapses
Authors: Lee David , Aoki Chiye
Published: June 2012

Presenilin conditional double knockout (PScDKO) mice have been used as animal models to study the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) phenotypes. Studies to date indicate that these animals exhibit memory dysfunction and decreased synaptic plasticity before the onset of neurodegeneration. Therefore, the current study sought to examine how the loss of presenilin expression leads to these defects. Drebrin A, a neuron‐specific actin‐binding protein, has been shown to play an important role in the activity‐dependent redistribution of the NMDA type of glutamate receptors at the synapse which, in turn, is a critical step for enabling synaptic plasticity. It is hypothesized that defects in the activity dependent redistribution of NMDA receptors in PScDKO mice may be due to loss of drebrin A. In this study, electron microscopic immunocytochemistry (EM‐ICC) was used to quantify and locate drebrin A in the CA1 field of the hippocampus of PScDKO mice. The high resolution of EM‐ICC allowed for differentiation between drebrin A at the synapse and at nonsynaptic sites, the latter of which would reflect the protein's role in regulating the reserve or degradative pool of NMDA receptors. The results here demonstrate that loss of function of presenilin in mice leads to a decrease in immunoreactivity for drebrin A at both synaptic (54% decrease, P < 0.01) and nonsynaptic areas (40% decrease, P < 0.01) and overall (44% decrease, P < 0.01). The reduction of drebrin A in both synaptic and nonsynaptic locations of the spine may implicate impairment in glutamate receptor trafficking to and from the postsynaptic plasma membrane. In addition, because of reduced drebrin A at nonsynaptic sites, the regulation of the reserve and degradative pools of glutamate receptors may also be impaired, leading to further synaptic dysfunction. Therefore, this study provides evidence to the theory that drebrin A has a causal role in compromising activity‐dependent glutamate receptor trafficking in PScDKO mice. Synapse, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Full Report ‐ World of Work Report 2010: From one crisis to the next?
Authors:   International Institute for Labour Studies
Published: June 2012

Economic recovery from the crisis triggered by the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008 remains both weak and uneven across countries. The result is persistently high unemployment in some countries, and growing job precariousness almost everywhere. In the countries where the crisis originated, the financial system remains dysfunctional, thereby affecting enterprise investment and further delaying a job recovery.

This report shows that a sustainable, job‐rich recovery is possible – provided that the factors that led to the crisis are tackled.