bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pollination following grafting introduces efficiently Ocimum basilicum L. genes into Nicotiana tabacum L.
Authors: Wei K. Q. , Yang J. X. , Wei Z. Z.
Published: December 2013

Tobacco is an important cash crop in the world. However, the genetic basis is comparatively narrow among the modern Nicotiana tabacum cultivars, limiting its potential for quality improvement. To introduce genes conferring desirable chemical constituents from medicinal plants, a distant hybridization test was conducted between N. tabacum and Ocimum basilicum L. Seedlings of wild type Nicotiana sylvestris and N. tabacum cultivar 78-04 respectively acted as rootstock and scion. During the flowering season, hand pollination between 78-04 as pistillate parent and O. basilicum as pollen parent was carried out under 22-25°C temperature and 70-80% of relative humidity in the greenhouse. Seed sets of 55% were obtained in 78-04, and about 400 seeds per capsule were produced. But both non-grafted and self-grafted 78-04 plants rarely resulted in fruits by hand pollination and those obtained were without seed. Similar results were obtained in different material combination. The interfamilial F1 hybrids acquired showed distinct variation with various morphological characteristics, and their hybrid nature was confirmed by isozyme and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses. This result indicated that pollination following grafting can facilitate gene exchange and recombination at the interfamilial level and efficiently overcome barriers of sexual incompatibility between N. tabacum and O. basilicum. Our research not only extends the genetic basis of tobacco but also will provide valuable germplasm for improvement of varieties.
Short communication. Melatonin improves the reproductive performance of seasonal anoestrus goats exposed to buck effect during early post-partum
Authors: Zarazaga L. A. , Gatica M. C. , Gallego-Calvo L. , Celi I. , Guzman J. L.
Published: December 2013

The aim of the present study was to determine whether any combination of buck effect and melatonin treatment could improve reproductive performance in Payoya female goats during early postpartum. Forty-four pregnant female goats were used. After birth in spring, they were distributed into two major groups: females submitted to the buck effect (BE, N=22) or not such effect (NBE, N=22). In turn, the BE animals were subdivided into: 1) no further treatment (CBE, N=11) and 2) implanted with melatonin (MELBE, N=11). And the NBE animals were subdivided into: 3) no further treatment (CNBE, N=12) and 4) implanted with melatonin (MELNBE, N=10). Melatonin was implanted 10 days after birth. Oestrus activity was tested daily using entire males from day of birth (D0) in the groups NBE and from D55 after birth in the BE groups. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed 10 days after the detection of oestrus and 45 days after mounting to determine pregnancy. Fecundity, fertility and productivity were higher in MELBE animals compared to CNBE animals (fecundity and fertility: 66.7% vs. 0.0%, and productivity: 0.73 vs. 0.00 kids/female for MELBE and CNBE respectively, p<0.05), and CBE animals (fecundity and fertility: 66.7% vs. 14.3%, and productivity: 0.73 vs. 0.09 kids/female for MELBE and CBE respectively; p<0.05). No significant differences were recorded between the subgroups of the NBE animals. The present results show that exogenous melatonin improves the reproductive performances of early post-partum Payoya does exposed to male effect during the seasonal anoestrus.
Strategies to control odours in livestock facilities: a critical review
Authors: Ubeda Y. , Lopez-Jimenez P. A. , Nicolas J. , Calvet S.
Published: December 2013

Odours generated in livestock buildings constitute one of the most relevant air quality issues of intensive livestock production. Reducing nuisance episodes related to odour exposure is therefore essential for a sustainable livestock production. In this study, the state-of-the-art on odour mitigation techniques in livestock housing is critically reviewed. Scientific advances in the last decade are revised and research needs are also identified. The complex nature of livestock odours is firstly reviewed and examined. Then, the most relevant odour control strategies are analyzed in terms of present knowledge and future needs. The strategies considered are: nutritional strategies, manure additives, building design, air filtration, manure covers, manure treatment systems and windbreaks. Finally, future research needs and priorities when establishing mitigation techniques are identified. Despite important recent advances, there are still some challenges for scientists, producers and regulators, particularly related to field evaluation of odours. Therefore, to control livestock odours effectively, using standardized field assessment techniques will be required. Also, investigating measurement and model errors may be useful to better understand the limitations of the current methods, as well as to identify research priorities.
Upper-Extremity Rehabilitation Robot RehabRoby: Methodology, Design, Usability and Validation
Authors: Ozkul Fatih , Barkana Duygun Erol
Published: December 2013

In this study, an exoskeleton type robot-assisted rehabilitation system, called RehabRoby, is developed for rehabilitation purposes. A control architecture, which contains a high-level controller and a low-level controller, is designed so that RehabRoby can complete the given rehabilitation task in a desired and safe manner. A hybrid system modelling technique is used for the high-level controller. An admittance control with an inner robust position control loop is used for the low-level control of the RehabRoby. Real-time experiments are performed to evaluate the control architecture of the robot-assisted rehabilitation system, RehabRoby. Furthermore, the usability of RehabRoby is evaluated.
Line 'em up!
Authors: Suh Jennifer
Published: December 2013

Post Script items are designed as rich “grab and go” resources that any teacher can quickly incorporate into their classroom repertoire with little effort and maximum impact. This article shares ideas for using a clothesline number line to build understanding of number relationships across the elementary grades.
Hypercalcemia Due to Giant Cell Myocarditis: A Case Report
Authors: Patel Ami M. , Jessup Mariell , Tomaszewski John , Doyle Alden
Published: December 2013

Granulomatous diseases are a rare cause of hypercalcemia. The pathogenesis is presumed to be from endogenous production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D by activated macrophages in granulomatous lesions, which harbor the 1 α-hydroxylase enzyme. Herein the first case of hypercalcemia associated with giant cell myocarditis, an unusual type of granulomatous process, is reported. In this case, a patient with giant cell myocarditis had development of progressive heart failure and cardiorenal syndrome that required biventricular support. One year later, hypercalcemia associated with a relatively high 1,25-vitamin D level and a concomitantly suppressed parathyroid hormone level developed in the presence of stage 4 chronic kidney disease. Her other workup of hypercalcemia was unrevealing for vitamin D intoxication and multiple myeloma. Computed tomography of her chest showed no signs of hilar lymphadenopathy. Her calcium levels returned to normal with low-dose steroid therapy and have remained normal following a successful heart transplant. This case illustrates an unusual cause of hypercalcemia thought to be due to extrarenal calcitriol production associated with giant cell myocarditis.
Reducing Liver Transplant Length of Stay: A Lean Six Sigma Approach
Authors: Toledo Alexander H. , Carroll Tracy , Arnold Emily , Tulu Zeynep , Caffey Tom , Kearns Lauren E. , Gerber David A.
Published: December 2013

Context

Organ transplant centers are under increasing scrutiny to maintain outcomes while controlling cost in a challenging population of patients. Throughout health care and transplant specifically, length of stay is used as a benchmark for both quality and resource utilization.

Objective

To decrease our length of stay for liver transplant by using Lean Six Sigma methods.

Design

The Six Sigma DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) method was used to systematically analyze our process from transplant listing to hospital discharge after transplant, identifying many factors affecting length of stay.

Patients or Other Participants

Adult, single-organ, primary liver transplant recipients between July 2008 and June 2012 were included in the study. Recipients with living donors or fulminant liver failure were excluded.

Intervention(s)

Multiple interventions, including a clinical pathway and enhanced communication, were implemented.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Length of stay after liver transplant and readmission after liver transplant.

Results

Median length of stay decreased significantly from 11 days before the intervention to 8 days after the intervention. Readmission rate did not change throughout the study. The improved length of stay was maintained for 24 months after the study.

Conclusion

Using a Lean Six Sigma approach, we were able to significantly decrease the length of stay of liver transplant patients. These results brought our center's outcomes in accordance with our goal and industry benchmark of 8 days. Clear expectations, improved teamwork, and a multidisciplinary clinical pathway were key elements in achieving and maintaining these gains.
Contact between Deceased Donors' Families and Organ Recipients
Authors: Azuri Pazit , Tabak Nili , Kreitler Shulamit
Published: December 2013

The benefits and disadvantages of posttransplant contact between a donor family and the organ recipient are disputed. In this study far more contacters reported benefits rather than disadvantages and noncontacters reported the opposite. The dissatisfaction of noncontacters with no contact was high: no less than 60% wanted some form of contact in the future. The authors conclude that contact has more benefits for the donor family than disadvantages, evidenced by families' desire to maintain contact with the organ recipient. Both donor families and organ recipients need the transplant coordinator's initiative and guidance on this issue.
Assessing Respiratory Therapists' Awareness of the Organ Donor Referral Criteria and Attitudes toward Organ Donation
Authors: Henry Nicholas Richard , Rosson Michael W.
Published: December 2013

Context

Respiratory therapists provide care for every potential organ donor but do not receive formal education regarding organ procurement.

Objective

To assess the number of respiratory therapists who are aware of the organ donor referral criteria and their attitude toward organ donation before and after an organ procurement organization provided an educational course.

Design

A retrospective analysis of surveys following an educational course.

Setting

Hospital respiratory therapy departments within the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance northern region.

Participants

Respiratory therapists who attended the educational course.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Measured outcomes were respiratory therapists' attitude scores before and after the organ procurement organization provided the educational course, the number of organ donor cases experienced during the respiratory therapists' careers, the unit(s) of the hospital in which the respiratory therapists worked, and the respiratory therapists' awareness of the organ donor referral criteria before the organ procurement organization provided the educational course.

Results

Seventy-seven respiratory therapists were surveyed. Sixty-two respiratory therapists identified themselves as working in a critical care setting and 58% stated they were unaware of the donor referral criteria. Seventeen respiratory therapists reported their attitude toward organ donation improved with no perception decline. Using the Wilcoxon signed rank test for statistical analysis, the mean attitude score after the education course was significantly different at an alpha level of 0.05 ( P < .01) than the mean attitude score before the course. After the program, 98.7% of the respiratory therapists stated they would begin evaluating patients regarding the organ donor referral criteria before extubation.
The relationship between functional movement analysis and lowerbody injury rates in adolescent female football players
Authors: Van Rensburg DCJ , Van Rensburg AJ , Zondi PC , Hendricks S , Grant CC , Fletcher L
Published: December 2013

Objective. To determine whether a relationship exists between the functional movement analysis (FMA) score and lower-body injury rates in high-performance adolescent female football players.Method. Observations included a baseline FMA score and medical injury reports. Data were collected from 24 players’ injury and illness records over a 38-week training period. All football injuries requiring medical attention (including stiffness, strains, contusions and sprains) and/or the removal from a session, leading to training restriction, were included in the study. Off-season weeks were excluded. Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient was calculated to assess the strength of the linear relationship between the FMA score and the number of medical visits, and between the number of medical visits and the number of training-restriction days.Results. There was no evidence of a relationship between the FMA score and injury risk in teenage female football players (r=0.016; p=0.940). A strong indication of a cyclical season in the training schedule was noticed over the 38-week study period. A substantive negative correlation (r=-0.911; p=0.032) was seen in the number of medical visits compared with the training-restriction days. Injuries during two peak periods could have resulted from overuse, increased training load, stress and overtraining.Conclusion. It could not be shown that a high FMA score was associated with a lower risk of injury. The ultimate goal is thus to reduce recurrent injury in players with a high FMA count. The regular medical visits observed suggest that player condition is maintained by means of reducing injury and managing training-restriction days. Our findings are in accordance with previous studies in terms of the lower limb being the most frequent region of injury, specifically the knee. This study supports previous suggestions that it is essential to develop a prevention strategy to measure trauma and recovery.
Three‐dimensional lithospheric electrical structure of Southern Granulite Terrain, India and its tectonic implications
Authors: Patro Prasanta K. , Sarma S. V. S. , Naganjaneyulu K.
Published: December 2013

The crustal as well as the upper mantle lithospheric electrical structure of the Southern Granulite Terrain (SGT) is evaluated, using the magnetotelluric (MT) data from two parallel traverses: one is an ~ 500 km long N‐S trending traverse across SGT and another a 200 km long traverse. Data space Occam 3‐D inversion was used to invert the MT data. The electrical characterization of lithospheric structure in SGT shows basically a highly resistive (several thousands of Ohm meters) upper crustal layer overlying a moderately resistive (a few hundred Ohm meters) lower crustal layer which in turn is underlain by the upper mantle lithosphere whose resistivity shows significant changes along the traverse. The highly resistive upper crustal layer is interspersed with four major conductive features with three of them cutting across the crustal column, bringing out a well‐defined crustal block structure in SGT with individual highly resistive blocks showing correspondence to the geologically demarcated Salem, Madurai, and Trivandrum blocks. The 3‐D model also brought out a well‐defined major crustal conductor located in the northern half of the Madurai block. The electrical characteristics of this south dipping conductor and its close spatial correlation with two of the major structural elements, viz., Karur‐Oddanchatram‐Kodaikanal Shear Zone and Karur‐Kamban‐Painavu‐Trichur Shear Zone, suggest that this conductive feature is closely linked to the subduction‐collision tectonic processes in the SGT, and it is inferred that the Archean Dharwar craton/neoproterozoic SGT terrain boundary lies south of the Palghat‐Cauvery shear zone. The results also showed that the Achankovil shear zone is characterized by a well‐defined north dipping conductive feature. The resistive block adjoining this conductor on the southern side, representing the Trivandrum block, is shown to be downthrown along this north dipping crustal conductor relative to the Madurai block, suggesting a northward movement of Trivandrum block colliding against the Madurai block. The lithospheric upper mantle electrical structure of the SGT up to a depth of 100 km may be broadly divided into two distinctly different segments, viz., northern and southern segments. The northern lithospheric segment, over a major part, is characterized by a thick resistive upper mantle, while the southern one is characterized by a dominantly conductive medium suggesting a relatively thinned lithosphere in the southern segment.
Wildlife Crime: Investigation, UK
Authors: Stewart Alan
Published: December 2013

Though the police have always had the responsibility for enforcing wildlife crime legislation, this aspect of their work has extended, advanced, and become much more specialized in the last decade.

There are now dedicated officers, a National Wildlife Crime Unit, dedicated prosecutors, and all with regular—and often joint—training. Partner agencies are on hand to assist and advise and a range of new forensic options, well‐practiced search techniques, and recognized audit trail guidelines all result in cases that are more likely to succeed going before the court.

Though the range of crimes investigated is diverse, crimes that are either high volume, such as hare coursing, and crimes where the species involved is at high conservation risk, are prioritized. Regular use is made of advances in
DNA
, and scientists are frequently asked if a particular new technique is possible.

It is comforting to know that much of the work in policing wildlife crime is followed closely and supported by the governments of the constituent countries. Though it will never rank among the most serious crime, most police forces now consider the investigation of wildlife crime to be a core police function, a major step forward in a decade.
Interpretation: Legal Perspective
Authors: Kaye David H.
Published: December 2013

This article describes the Anglo‐American law of evidence as it applies to forensic‐science testimony interpreting the significance of a “match” to trace evidence.
Disaster Victim Identification: Process in United Kingdom
Authors: Black Sue , Hackman Lucina
Published: December 2013

A mass fatality event may involve a small number of deceased or it may run to a toll of hundreds of thousands. Correct identification of the deceased is vital to fulfill both judicial and humanitarian requirements. Unfortunately, there is little uniformity of process between countries. The integrating role of Interpol is vital, although not yet fully utilized. We summarize the requirements and procedures adopted for reliable disaster victim identification (DVI) and focus on the template devised and operating in the United Kingdom and when theUKresponse team operates overseas.
Hybrid Nanodielectrics for Low‐Voltage Organic Electronics
Authors: Luzio Alessandro , Ferré Francisco García , Fonzo Fabio Di , Caironi Mario
Published: December 2013

Nanoscale hybrid dielectrics composed of an ultra‐thin polymeric low‐κ bottom layer and an ultra‐thin high‐κ oxide top layer, with high dielectric strength and capacitances up to 0.25 μFcm−2, compatible with low‐voltage, low‐power, organic electronic circuits are demonstrated. An efficient and reliable fabrication process, with 100% yield achieved on lab‐scale arrays, is demonstrated by means of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) for the fast growth of the oxide layer. With this strategy, high capacitance top gate (TG), n‐type and p‐type organic field effect transistors (OFETs) with high mobility, low leakage currents, and low subthreshold slopes are realized and employed in complementary‐like inverters, exhibiting ideal switching for supply voltages as low as 2 V. Importantly, the hybrid double‐layer allows for a neat decoupling between the need for a high capacitance, guaranteed by the nanoscale thickness of the double layer, and for an optimized semiconductor–dielectric interface, a crucial point in enabling high mobility OFETs, thanks to the low‐κ polymeric dielectric layer in direct contact with the polymer semiconductor. It is shown that such decoupling can be achieved already with a polymer dielectric as thin as 10 nm when the top oxide is deposited by PLD. This paves the way for a very versatile implementation of the proposed approach for the scaling of the operating voltages of TG OFETs with very low level of dielectric leakage currents to the fabrication of low‐voltage organic electronics with drastically reduced power consumption.
Novel type of red blood cell pyruvate kinase hyperactivity predicts a remote regulatory locus involved in PKLR gene expression
Authors: van Oirschot Brigitte Antoinette , Francois Jerney Johanna Jeanette Maria , van Solinge Wouter Willem , van Wesel Annet Cornelia Wilhelmina , Rijksen Gert , van Amstel Hans Kristian Ploos , van Wijk Richard
Published: December 2013

Red blood cell pyruvate kinase (PK‐R) is a key regulatory enzyme of red cell metabolism. Hereditary deficiency of PK‐R is caused by mutations in the PKLR gene, leading to chronic nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia. In contrast to PK deficiency, inherited PK hyperactivity has also been described. This very rare abnormality of RBC metabolism has been documented in only two families and appears to be without clinical consequences. Thus far, it has been attributed to either a gain of function mutation in PKLR or to persistent expression of the fetal PK isozyme PK‐M2 in mature red blood cells. We here report on a novel type of inherited PK hyperactivity that is characterized by solely increased expression of a kinetically normal PK‐R. In line with the latter, no mutations were detected in PKLR. Mutations in regulatory regions as well as variations in PKLR copy number were also absent. In addition, linkage analysis suggested that PK hyperactivity segregated independently from the PKLR locus. We therefore postulate that the causative mutation resides in a novel yet‐unidentified locus, and upregulates PKLR gene expression. Other mutations of the same locus may be involved in those cases of PK deficiency that fail to reveal mutations in PKLR. Am. J. Hematol. 89:380–384, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Missing defects? A comparison of microscopic and macroscopic approaches to identifying linear enamel hypoplasia
Authors: Hassett Brenna R.
Published: December 2013

Linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH), the presence of linear defects of dental enamel formed during periods of growth disruption, is frequently analyzed in physical anthropology as evidence for childhood health in the past. However, a wide variety of methods for identifying and interpreting these defects in archaeological remains exists, preventing easy cross‐comparison of results from disparate studies. This article compares a standard approach to identifying LEH using the naked eye to the evidence of growth disruption observed microscopically from the enamel surface. This comparison demonstrates that what is interpreted as evidence of growth disruption microscopically is not uniformly identified with the naked eye, and provides a reference for the level of consistency between the number and timing of defects identified using microscopic versus macroscopic approaches. This is done for different tooth types using a large sample of unworn permanent teeth drawn from several post‐medieval London burial assemblages. The resulting schematic diagrams showing where macroscopic methods achieve more or less similar results to microscopic methods are presented here and clearly demonstrate that “naked‐eye” methods of identifying growth disruptions do not identify LEH as often as microscopic methods in areas where perikymata are more densely packed. Am J Phys Anthropol 153:463–472, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cell Tracking with Caged Xenon: Using Cryptophanes as MRI Reporters upon Cellular Internalization
Authors: Klippel Stefan , Döpfert Jörg , Jayapaul Jabadurai , Kunth Martin , Rossella Federica , Schnurr Matthias , Witte Christopher , Freund Christian , Schröder Leif
Published: December 2013

Caged xenon has great potential in overcoming sensitivity limitations for solution‐state NMR detection of dilute molecules. However, no application of such a system as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent has yet been performed with live cells. We demonstrate MRI localization of cells labeled with caged xenon in a packed‐bed bioreactor working under perfusion with hyperpolarized‐xenon‐saturated medium. Xenon hosts enable NMR/MRI experiments with switchable contrast and selectivity for cell‐associated versus unbound cages. We present MR images with 103‐fold sensitivity enhancement for cell‐internalized, dual‐mode (fluorescence/MRI) xenon hosts at low micromolar concentrations. Our results illustrate the capability of functionalized xenon to act as a highly sensitive cell tracer for MRI detection even without signal averaging. The method will bridge the challenging gap for translation to in vivo studies for the optimization of targeted biosensors and their multiplexing applications.
Direct Evidence for Intermolecular Oxidative Addition of σ(SiSi) Bonds to Gold
Authors: Joost Maximilian , Gualco Pauline , Coppel Yannick , Miqueu Karinne , Kefalidis Christos E. , Maron Laurent , Amgoune Abderrahmane , Bourissou Didier
Published: December 2013

Oxidative addition plays a major role in transition‐metal catalysis, but this elementary step remains very elusive in gold chemistry. It is now revealed that in the presence of GaCl3, phosphine gold chlorides promote the oxidative addition of disilanes at low temperature. The ensuing bis(silyl) gold(III) complexes were characterized by quantitative 31P and 29Si NMR spectroscopy. Their structures (distorted Y shape) and the reaction profile of σ(SiSi) bond activation were analyzed by DFT calculations. These results provide evidence for the intermolecular oxidative addition of σ(SiSi) bonds to gold and open promising perspectives for the development of new gold‐catalyzed redox transformations.
Stereoselective Nucleophilic Fluoromethylation of Aryl Ketones: Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Chiral α‐Fluoro Carbanions
Authors: Shen Xiao , Miao Wenjun , Ni Chuanfa , Hu Jinbo
Published: December 2013

Although many methods are available for the synthesis of optically enriched monofluoromethyl secondary alcohols, synthesizing optically enriched monofluoromethyl tertiary alcohols remains a challenge. An efficient and easy‐to‐handle nucleophilic fluoromethylation protocol was developed. The current monofluoromethylation showed much higher facial selectivity than the corresponding difluoromethylation and proceeded via a different type of transition state. Excellent stereoselective control at the fluorinated carbon chiral center was found, an effect believed to be facilitated by the dynamic kinetic resolution of the chiral α‐fluoro carbanions.
The Photoredox‐Catalyzed Meerwein Addition Reaction: Intermolecular Amino‐Arylation of Alkenes
Authors: Prasad Hari Durga , Hering Thea , König Burkhard
Published: December 2013

A variety of amides are efficiently accessible under mild conditions by intermolecular amino‐arylation using a photo Meerwein addition with visible light. The reaction has a broad substrate scope, tolerates a large range of functional groups, and was applied to the synthesis of a 3‐aryl‐3,4‐dihydroisoquinoline.
Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed Cyclization of Allenynes with a Carbonyl Group through Unusual Insertion of a CO Bond into a Rhodacycle Intermediate
Authors: Oonishi Yoshihiro , Yokoe Takayuki , Hosotani Akihito , Sato Yoshihiro
Published: December 2013

Rhodium(I)‐catalyzed cyclization of allenynes with a tethered carbonyl group was investigated. An unusual insertion of a CO bond into the C(sp2)–rhodium bond of a rhodacycle intermediate occurs via a highly strained transition state. Direct reductive elimination from the obtained rhodacyle intermediate proceeds to give a tricyclic product containing an 8‐oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane skeleton, while β‐hydride elimination from the same intermediate gives products that contain fused five‐ and seven‐membered rings in high yields.
Synthesis and physicochemical study of polyester polyols of epoxy resin of 2,4,6‐tris(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine and their polyurethanes
Authors: Ghumara Rizwan Y. , Patel Jignesh P. , Adroja Pooja P. , Parsania Parsotam H.
Published: December 2013

Polyester polyols of ricinoleic acid (ETPRA), oleic acid, linoleic acid (ETPLA), and rosin (ETPR) and epoxy resin of 2,4,6‐tris(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1‐3‐5‐triazine (ETP) and their polyurethanes (PUs) were synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, NMR, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis techniques. The PU films showed the following density order: ETPRPU600 > ETPRAPU600 > ETPLAPU600. ETPLAPU600 showed good tensile strength and volume resistivity values compared to ETPRAPU600 and ETPRPU600. All three PUs showed good electric strength. ETPLAPU600 showed almost double the electric strength of ETPRAPU600 and ETPRPU600. The incorporation of soft‐segment poly(ethylene glycol) 600 into PU chains resulted in the flexibility of the films. The PU films showed a high water absorption tendency in water, acidic, and saline environments, and they degraded in an alkaline environment. The weight gain tendency of the films was due to surface solvolysis and was also probably due to microcrack formation. The polyester polyols and PUs were thermally stable up to about 167–221 and 184–214°C, respectively, and followed multistep degradation reactions with either fractional or integral order (0.43–2.71) degradation kinetics. Thus, the structure of the PUs affected the studied physicochemical properties of the films. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40203.
Bioinspired, Cysteamine‐Catalyzed Co‐Silicification of (1 H, 1 H, 2 H, 2 H‐Perfluorooctyl)triethoxysilane and Tetraethyl Orthosilicate: Formation of Superhydrophobic Surfaces
Authors: Park Ji Hun , Kim Ji Yup , Cho Woo Kyung , Choi Insung S.
Published: December 2013

Bioinspired silicification attracts a great deal of interest because of its physiologically relevant, mild conditions for hydrolysis and condensation of silica precursors, which makes the bioinspired approach superior to the conventional sol–gel process, particularly when dealing with biological entities. However, the morphological control of silica structures with incorporation of functional groups in the bioinspired silicilication has been unexplored. In this work, we co‐silicificated (1 H, 1 H, 2 H, 2 H‐perfluorooctyl)triethoxysilane and tetraethyl orthosilicate to investigate the morphological evolution of fluorinated silica structures in the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide‐mediated, cysteamine‐catalyzed silicification. The generated micrometer‐long worm‐like and spherical silica structures display superhydrophobicity after film formation. Interestingly, the measurement of dynamic water contact angles shows that the morphological difference leads to a different wetting state, either the self‐cleaning or the pinning state of the superhydrophobic surface.
Site‐Selective CH Borylation of Quinolines at the C8 Position Catalyzed by a Silica‐Supported Phosphane–Iridium System
Authors: Konishi Shota , Kawamorita Soichiro , Iwai Tomohiro , Steel Patrick G. , Marder Todd B. , Sawamura Masaya
Published: December 2013

Site‐selective CH borylation of quinoline derivatives at the C8 position has been achieved by using a heterogeneous Ir catalyst system based on a silica‐supported cage‐type monophosphane ligand SMAP. The efficient synthesis of a corticotropin‐releasing factor1 (CRF1) receptor antagonist based on a late‐stage CH borylation strategy demonstrates the utility of the C8 borylation reaction.
Can Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders Infer What Happened to Someone From Their Emotional Response?
Authors: Cassidy Sarah , Ropar Danielle , Mitchell Peter , Chapman Peter
Published: December 2013

Can adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) infer what happened to someone from their emotional response? Millikan has argued that in everyday life, others' emotions are most commonly used to work out the antecedents of behavior, an ability termed retrodictive mindreading. As those with ASD show difficulties interpreting others' emotions, we predicted that these individuals would have difficulty with retrodictive mindreading. Sixteen adults with high‐functioning autism or Asperger's syndrome and 19 typically developing adults viewed 21 video clips of people reacting to one of three gifts (chocolate, monopoly money, or a homemade novelty) and then inferred what gift the recipient received and the emotion expressed by that person. Participants' eye movements were recorded while they viewed the videos. Results showed that participants with ASD were only less accurate when inferring who received a chocolate or homemade gift. This difficulty was not due to lack of understanding what emotions were appropriate in response to each gift, as both groups gave consistent gift and emotion inferences significantly above chance (genuine positive for chocolate and feigned positive for homemade). Those with ASD did not look significantly less to the eyes of faces in the videos, and looking to the eyes did not correlate with accuracy on the task. These results suggest that those with ASD are less accurate when retrodicting events involving recognition of genuine and feigned positive emotions, and challenge claims that lack of attention to the eyes causes emotion recognition difficulties in ASD. Autism Res 2014, 7: 112–123. © 2013 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interaction of proteins with aluminum(III)–chlorophosphonazo III by resonance Rayleigh scattering method
Authors: Cui Zhi‐Ping , Liu Shao‐Pu , Liu Zhong‐Fang , Zheng Hu‐Zhi , Hu Xiao‐Li , Xue Jia‐Xing , Tian Jing
Published: December 2013

In weak acid medium, aluminum(III) can react with chlorophosphonazo III [CPA(III), H8L] to form a 1:1 coordination anion [Al(OH)(H4L)]2‐. At the same time, proteins such as bovine serum albumin (BSA), lysozyme (Lyso) and human serum albumin (HSA) existed as large cations with positive charges, which further combined with [Al(OH)(H4L)]2‐ to form a 1:4 chelate. This resulted in significant enhancement of resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS), second‐order scattering (SOS) and frequency doubling scattering (FDS). In this study, we investigated the interaction between [Al(OH)(H4L)]2‐ and proteins, optimization of the reaction conditions and the spectral characteristics of RRS, SOS and FDS. The maximum RRS wavelengths of different protein systems were located at 357–370 nm. The maximum SOS and FDS wavelengths were located at 546 and 389 nm, respectively. The scattering intensities (ΔI) of the three methods were proportional to the concentration of the proteins, within certain ranges, and the detection limits of the most sensitive RRS method were 2.6–9.3 ng/mL. Moreover, the chelate reaction mechanism or the reasons for the enhancement of RRS were discussed through absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and circular dichroism (CD) spectra. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physiologically relevant organs on chips
Authors: Yum Kyungsuk , Hong Soon Gweon , Healy Kevin E. , Lee Luke P.
Published: December 2013

Recent advances in integrating microengineering and tissue engineering have generated promising microengineered physiological models for experimental medicine and pharmaceutical research. Here we review the recent development of microengineered physiological systems, or also known as “ogans‐on‐chips”, that reconstitute the physiologically critical features of specific human tissues and organs and their interactions. This technology uses microengineering approaches to construct organ‐specific microenvironments, reconstituting tissue structures, tissue–tissue interactions and interfaces, and dynamic mechanical and biochemical stimuli found in specific organs, to direct cells to assemble into functional tissues. We first discuss microengineering approaches to reproduce the key elements of physiologically important, dynamic mechanical microenvironments, biochemical microenvironments, and microarchitectures of specific tissues and organs in microfluidic cell culture systems. This is followed by examples of microengineered individual organ models that incorporate the key elements of physiological microenvironments into single microfluidic cell culture systems to reproduce organ‐level functions. Finally, microengineered multiple organ systems that simulate multiple organ interactions to better represent human physiology, including human responses to drugs, is covered in this review. This emerging organs‐on‐chips technology has the potential to become an alternative to 2D and 3D cell culture and animal models for experimental medicine, human disease modeling, drug development, and toxicology.
Why Eco‐labels can be Effective Marketing Tools: Evidence from a Study on Italian Consumers
Authors: Testa F. , Iraldo F. , Vaccari A , Ferrari E.
Published: December 2013

An emerging topic in environmental management studies is the role of eco‐labels in guiding consumers in their purchasing choices. In order to contribute to the current debate on this topic, this research paper aims to assess, through a quantitative analysis, whether the knowledge, awareness and information that consumers gather on the environmental impact of a product through an eco‐label can stimulate an eco‐friendly behavior. Moreover, we assess whether general attitudes in purchasing behaviors determine a personal attitude toward ecological consumption. The findings from this study, which is based on a large dataset of Italian consumers, highlight a significant role of eco‐labels in increasing the consumer's perceived behavioral control, unlike loyalty in brand and in store, which do not exert a significant influence. Practical implications for green business strategies emerge. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Sustainable Development and Corporate Financial Performance: A Study Based on the FTSE4Good IBEX Index
Authors: Charlo Maria J. , Moya Ismael , Muñoz Ana M.
Published: December 2013

The social and environmental aspects of business investment and financing are becoming increasingly important. Most studies on corporate social responsibility (CSR) focus on analysing the relationship between company performance in the financial and social fields. However, the results obtained have not been conclusive, mainly due to the variables used to measure CSR. In order to simplify its measurement, in this work we used an empirical analytical method to determine possible differences between the financial variables of firms considered to be socially responsible and those not considered to be such. The results obtained show that socially responsible corporations obtain higher profits for the same level of systematic risk and show greater sensitivity to market changes, leverage levels and company size. This pioneering study is the first to make use of the first, and at the present time only, Spanish sustainability index, the FTSE4Good IBEX. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
‘Some People It's Very Difficult to Trust’: Attributions of Agency and Accountability in Practitioners' Talk About Integration
Authors: Kirkwood Steve , McKinlay Andy , McVittie Chris
Published: December 2013

The concept of ‘integration’ plays an important role in policy and practice regarding the settlement of migrants, yet the term is used in a variety of ways. This article examines how practitioners who support the integration of refugees in Scotland construct ‘integration’ at the community level to justify or challenge particular policies and sets of social relations. Analysis shows that integration can be worked up in contexts involving (i) descriptions of ‘us’ and ‘them’ in relation to a single community, (ii) social inclusion of those in multiple communities, or (iii) group level intercultural contact. Each version of integration is bound up with different attributions of agency for advancing integration and attributions of blame for current problems. Instead of relying upon a concept that is so open to multiple uses, local organizations might usefully specify outcomes in terms of social actors and interactions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self‐Assembly of Hierarchical Nanostructures from Dopamine and Polyoxometalate for Oral Drug Delivery
Authors: Li Hong , Jia Yi , Wang Anhe , Cui Wei , Ma Hongchao , Feng Xiyun , Li Junbai
Published: December 2013

The preparation of 3D hierarchical nanostructures by a simple and versatile strategy of self‐assembly of dopamine (DA) and phosphotungstic acid (PTA) is described. The size and morphology of the hierarchical nanostructures could be simply controlled by varying the ratio of the two components, their concentrations, and the pH of the initial Tris‐HCl solution. The self‐assembly of the flowerlike microspheres has been found to involve a two‐stage growth process. Moreover, use of the hierarchical nanostructures as a possible carrier for an anticancer drug in chemotherapy has been explored. The nanostructures showed an intriguing pH‐dependent release behavior, making them promising for applications in biomedical science.
Crown‐Ether‐Like Structures Derived from a Ti8O8(Carboxylate)16 Metallacycle
Authors: Artner Christine , Czakler Matthias , Schubert Ulrich
Published: December 2013

Mixed‐metal clusters have been obtained from the reaction of titanium alkoxides with either strontium or lead acetate and methacrylic acid. The structures of the clusters are derived from the metallacycle Ti8O8(methacrylate)16. The Sr and Pb atoms in Sr2Ti8O8X2(OOCMe)2(methacrylate)16 (X: acetate or OiPr) and Pb2Ti8O8(OBu)2X2(methacrylate)16(BuOH)2 (X: acetate or methacrylate) occupy the central cavity of the Ti8O8 ring. In addition to the crown‐ether‐like coordination of the ring oxygen atoms to the Sr or Pb atoms, bridging carboxylate ligands support the coordination of the latter atoms. In the compound Pb2Ti6O5(OiPr)3X(methacrylate)14 (X: OiPr or methacrylate), the lead atoms are coordinated by a fragment of the Ti8O8(methacrylate)16 metallacycle.
Significant Substituent Effect on the Anomerization of Pyranosides: Mechanism of Anomerization and Synthesis of a 1,2‐cis Glucosamine Oligomer from the 1,2‐trans Anomer
Authors: Manabe Shino , Satoh Hiroko , Hutter Jürg , Lüthi Hans Peter , Laino Teodoro , Ito Yukishige
Published: December 2013

Aminoglycosides containing a 2,3‐trans carbamate group easily undergo anomerization from the 1,2‐trans glycoside to the 1,2‐cis isomer under mild acidic conditions. The N‐substituent of the carbamate has a significant effect on the anomerization reaction; in particular, an N‐acetyl group facilitated rapid and complete α‐anomerization. The differences in reactivity due to the various N‐substituents were supported by the results of DFT calculations; the orientation of the acetyl carbonyl group close to the anomeric position was found to contribute significantly to the directing of the anomerization reaction. By exploiting this reaction, oligoaminoglycosides with multiple 1,2‐cis glycosidic bonds were generated from 1,2‐trans glycosides in a one‐step process.
Well‐Dispersed CoS Nanoparticles on a Functionalized Graphene Nanosheet Surface: A Counter Electrode of Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Miao Xiaohuan , Pan Kai , Wang Guofeng , Liao Yongping , Wang Lei , Zhou Wei , Jiang Baojiang , Pan Qingjiang , Tian Guohui
Published: December 2013

With a facile electrophoretic deposition and chemical bath process, CoS nanoparticles have been uniformly dispersed on the surface of the functionalized graphene nanosheets (FGNS). The composite was employed as a counter electrode of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), which yielded a power conversion efficiency of 5.54 %. It is found that this efficiency is higher than those of DSSCs based on the non‐uniform CoS nanoparticles on FGNS (4.45 %) and built on the naked CoS nanoparticles (4.79 %). The achieved efficiency of our cost‐effective DSSC is also comparable to that of noble metal Pt‐based DSSC (5.90 %). Our studies have revealed that both the exceptional electrical conductivity of the FGNS and the excellent catalytic activity of the CoS nanoparticles improve the conversion efficiency of the uniformly FGNS‐CoS composite counter electrode. The electrochemical impedance spectra, cyclic voltammetry, and Tafel polarization have evidenced the best catalytic activity and the fastest electron transport. Additionally, the dispersion condition of CoS nanoparticles on FGNS plays an important role for catalytic reduction of I3−.
A Single Subexcitation‐Energy Electron Can Induce a Double‐Strand Break in DNA Modified by Platinum Chemotherapeutic Drugs
Authors: Rezaee Mohammad , Alizadeh Elahe , Cloutier Pierre , Hunting Darel J. , Sanche Léon
Published: December 2013

The sensitization of malignant cells to ionizing radiation is the clinical rationale for the use of platinum‐drug‐based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for cancer treatment; however, the specific mechanisms of radiosensitization and their respective contributions still remain unknown. Biological mechanisms such as inhibition of DNA repair may contribute to the efficacy of CCRT; nevertheless, there is a dearth of information on the possible contribution of nanoscopic mechanisms to the generation of lethal DNA lesions, such as double‐strand breaks (DSB). The present study demonstrates that the abundant near zero‐eV (0.5 eV) electrons, created by ionizing radiation during radiotherapy, induce DSB in supercoiled plasmid DNA modified by platinum‐containing anticancer drugs (Pt drugs), but not in unmodified DNA. They do so more efficiently than other types of radiation, including soft X‐rays and 10 eV electrons. The formation of DSB by 0.5 eV electrons is found to be a single‐hit process. These findings reveal insights into the radiosensitization mechanism of Pt drugs that can have implications for the development of optimal clinical protocols for platinum‐based CCRT and the deployment of in situ sources of subexcitation‐energy electrons (e.g., Auger electron‐emitting radionuclides) to efficiently enhance DSB formation in DNA modified by Pt drugs in malignant cells.
A User‐Oriented Method for Preferential Color Scheme Generation
Authors: Hu Guosheng , Zhang Mingmin , Pan Zhigeng , Lin Ling , Rhalibi Abdennour E. L. , Song Jianwen
Published: December 2013

Harmony and preference are two important factors in constructing color combination for the purpose of color design. We presented a method for generating harmonious color scheme in a previous project. As an extension to the project, we propose here a method for generating color schemes that are based on user's preference. We considered color combinations as a set of color relations rather than a summation of specific color components (color elements); and we derived a model of six‐variable color relations, representative value of hue, representative value of saturation, representative value of lightness, span of hue, span of saturation, and span of lightness. With this model, color combinations can be expressed as specific parameters of the six‐variable model. Individual preferences are represented as certain parameters, from which new color schemes can be reconstructed to meet individual requirements. An interactive system for generating preferential color schemes is built with all these principles integrated. As a color design toolkit for user study, the system accesses user's preference features for color combinations, and provides new color schemes that fit the user's need. User study shows that both professionals and novices can generally acquire preferential color schemes of their own. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 40, 147–156, 2015