bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Intestinal Amoebiasis among Asymptomatic School Children in the Ho Municipality, South-eastern Ghana
Authors: Dumevi Christopher Yaw , Dumevi Victoria , Kotey Fleischer C. N. , Afutu Emmanuel , Aryee Robert , Agede Charles Yao , Dayie Nicholas T.K.D , Ayi Irene , Tetteh-Quarcoo Patience B. , Ayeh-Kumi Patrick F.
Published: August 2024

Background: Intestinal amoebiasis is a common cause of gastroenteritis in children, with the Entamoeba complex consisting of genetically diverse but morphologically identical species. Amoebic infections are generally subclinical and may be acute or chronic, leading to high morbidity or mortality, especially among children.
Objective: This study assessed the prevalence rate and associated factors of intestinal amoebiasis and other enteric parasitosis among asymptomatic school children within the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region in Southeastern Ghana.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study, involving 302 primary school children (aged 4–15 years) in 6 socio-economic settings within the municipality. Single fresh stool specimens were collected from the children and examined microscopically using direct wet mount, iodine preparation and formal ethyl-acetate concentration technique. Structured questionnaire was used to determine demographics and risk factors associated with Entamoeba complex infection among the school children.
Results and Discussion: A total of 106 (35.1%) children had gastrointestinal parasitic infection. Of these, seventy-two (23.8%) had Entamoeba complex infection with the highest infection (30.4%) recorded among 8–9-year-olds. Children from Peri-Urban communities were more infected with Entamoeba complex (32.4%, 33/102) compared to Urban (24.8%, 25/101) and Rural (14.1%, 14/99) respectively. Other parasites detected included; Giardia lamblia 21(7.0%), Hookworm 11(2.3%), Trichuris trichuira 1(0.3%) and Ascaris lumbricoides 1(0.3%). Factors associated with Intestinal amoebiasis were source of food, fingernails biting/thumbs sucking habits and mother’s level of education.
Conclusion: Intestinal parasitic infections is prevalent in the study area and we recommend personal and environmental hygiene practices as well as health education for effective elimination of amoebic and other enteric parasitic infections.
Effect of Different Nitrogen Regimes through Azadirachta indica (neem) Coated Urea and Calcium Sprays on Post-harvest Attributes of Peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]
Authors: Pande Kamal Kumar , Dimri D.C. , Joshi Harish Chandra , Kumar Raj
Published: August 2024

An investigation was conducted for two consecutive years in peach cv. Red June with varying nitrogen regimes through Azadirachta indica (neem) coated urea along with three sprays of calcium chloride. There were ten treatments i.e., 375g N per tree + 0.5% Ca Cl2 (T1), 375g N tree-1 + 1.0% Ca Cl2 (T2), 375g N tree-1 + 1.5% Ca Cl2 (T3), 500g N tree-1 + 0.5% Ca Cl2 (T4), 500g N tree-1 + 1.0% Ca Cl2 (T5), 500g N tree-1 + 1.5% Ca Cl2 (T6), 625g N tree-1 + 0.5% Ca Cl2  (T7), 625g N tree-1 + 1.0% Ca Cl2 (T8), 625g N tree-1 + 1.5% Ca Cl2 (T9), 500g N tree-1 + Water spray as control (T10). The fruits were harvested at uniform maturity, stored at ambient condition and their post-harvest attributes were studied on 3rd, 6th and 8thday. The highest mean PLW was recorded under control (T10). The maximum mean fruit firmness viz., 0.948 kg/mm2 and 0.949 kg/mm2 in first and second year, respectively was measured under T2 and T3. The maximum mean TSS during the course of storage was recorded under T2 followed by T3 and T1. The maximum mean titratable acidity was estimated under T10. The treatments under 375 g N per tree along with calcium chloride sprays (T1, T2 and T3) possessed comparatively higher mean TSS - Acid ratio than other treatments. Treatment T2 and T3 consistently maintained higher organoleptic acceptability score with quality preference as excellent on 3rd day.
Exploring the harm reduction paradigm: the role of Board-Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists
Authors: Douglass Amber R. , Maister Ashley , Moeller Karen E. , Salwan Aaron , Vallabh Anuja , Waters Kristin , Payne Gregory H.
Published: August 2024

Deaths related to opioid overdoses continue to climb, and there remains a need for innovative strategies to address this ongoing crisis. Harm reduction (HR), a nonjudgmental philosophy aimed at reducing consequences associated with drug use and other potentially unsafe behavior, has emerged as a compassionate and effective approach. Harm reduction further emphasizes overdose prevention and fosters a shift in perspective that recognizes substance use disorder as a disease and not a moral failing. The tenets of HR collectively advocate for the well-being of individuals who use substances and support any positive change as defined by the individual. Given the high rate of morbidity and mortality associated with substance misuse and barriers or ambivalence to receiving treatment, awareness of and advocacy for HR practice is essential. This manuscript aims to describe evidence-based HR interventions, provide a foundation for the implementation of services, and further promote the importance of providing humanistic care without judgment. As valued members of the multidisciplinary treatment team, Board-Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists should implement and engage in HR services in the settings where people with substance use disorders receive care.
Standardized reporting on studies of psychiatric pharmacist interventions
Authors: Parmentier Brittany L. , Lister Jonathan F. , Moore Tera D. , Reinstatler Kristina , Santos Ranel Troy , Payne Gregory H.
Published: August 2024

Reporting interventions thoroughly and consistently in the literature allows for study reproducibility or implementation of the intervention into practice. Although there is currently no standard for describing Board-Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist (BCPP) interventions in the published literature, there are multiple checklists or guides that have been developed for reporting clinical interventions, including the template for intervention description and replication and the pharmacist patient care intervention reporting (PaCIR) checklist, that seek to improve the quality of reporting interventions in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to describe a proposed guide for reporting BCPP interventions in the literature by expanding the PaCIR checklist. Authors use a logic model developed by the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists to ensure all elements of the process are addressed in the expanded guide.
A simple inverse method for the interpretation of pumped flowing fluid electrical conductivity logs
Authors: Moir R. S. , Parker A. H. , Bown R. T.
Published: July 2014

Pumped flowing fluid electrical conductivity (FFEC) logs, also known as pumped borehole dilution testing, is an experimentally easy‐to‐perform approach to evaluating vertical variations in the hydraulic conductivity of an aquifer. In contrast to the simplicity of the logging equipment, analysis of the data is complex and laborious. Current methods typically require repeated solution of the advection‐dispersion equation (ADE) for describing the flow in the borehole and comparison with the experimental results. In this paper, we describe a direct solution for determining borehole fluid velocity that bypasses the need for complex numerical computation and repetitive optimization. The method rests on the observation that, while solving the ADE for concentration profile in the borehole (as required for modeling and combined methods) is computationally challenging, the solution for flow distribution along the length of the borehole given concentration data is straightforward. The method can accommodate varying borehole diameters, and uses the fact that multiple profiles are taken in the standard logging approach to reduce the impact of noise. Data from both a simulated borehole and from a field test are successfully analyzed. The method is implemented in a spreadsheet, which is available as supporting information material to this paper.
Seasonal radiocarbon and oxygen isotopes in a Galapagos coral: Calibration with climate indices
Authors: Druffel Ellen R. M. , Griffin Sheila , Glynn Danielle S. , Dunbar Robert B. , Mucciarone David A. , Toggweiler J. Robert
Published: July 2014

We present seasonal ∆14C and δ18O measurements from a Galapagos coral sequence that grew during the early 20th century. Our results show that both ∆14C and δ18O values are correlated with sea surface temperature in the Niño 3.4 region and are indicators of El Niño–Southern Oscillation. There is a significant inverse correlation between ∆14C and δ18O values when ∆14C is lagged by ~2 months, indicating that sea surface temperature changes precede upwelling changes at this eastern equatorial location. We find that cold season low‐∆14C values were higher after the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) changed from a positive to a negative phase. Cold season high‐δ18O values were significantly higher after the PDO shift as well. These findings suggest that there are two sources of low‐∆14C waters that upwell at the Galapagos, Subantarctic Mode Water and shallow overturning water from the subpolar North Pacific.
Local amplification of storm surge by Super Typhoon Haiyan in Leyte Gulf
Authors: Mori Nobuhito , Kato Masaya , Kim Sooyoul , Mase Hajime , Shibutani Yoko , Takemi Tetsuya , Tsuboki Kazuhisa , Yasuda Tomohiro
Published: July 2014

Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines in November 2013, was an extremely intense tropical cyclone that had a catastrophic impact. The minimum central pressure of Typhoon Haiyan was 895 hPa, making it the strongest typhoon to make landfall on a major island in the western North Pacific Ocean. The characteristics of Typhoon Haiyan and its related storm surge are estimated by numerical experiments using numerical weather prediction models and a storm surge model. Based on the analysis of best hindcast results, the storm surge level was 5–6 m and local amplification of water surface elevation due to seiche was found to be significant inside Leyte Gulf. The numerical experiments show the coherent structure of the storm surge profile due to the specific bathymetry of Leyte Gulf and the Philippines Trench as a major contributor to the disaster in Tacloban. The numerical results also indicated the sensitivity of storm surge forecast.
Responses of midlatitude blocks and wave amplitude to changes in the meridional temperature gradient in an idealized dry GCM
Authors: Hassanzadeh Pedram , Kuang Zhiming , Farrell Brian F.
Published: July 2014

The response of atmospheric blocks and the wave amplitude of midlatitude jets to changes in the midlatitude to pole, near‐surface temperature difference (ΔT), is studied using an idealized dry general circulation model (GCM) with Held‐Suarez forcing. Decreasing ΔT results in slower zonal winds, a mean state with reduced meridional gradient of the 500 hPa geopotential height (Z500), a smaller variance of Z500 anomalies, and a robust decrease in blocks and meridional amplitude of waves. Neglecting the decrease of variance associated with reduced ΔT would lead to the incorrect expectation that mean states with smaller Z500 gradients produce more blocks and higher wave amplitudes. Our results suggest further investigation of the hypothesis that reduced ΔT due to Arctic Amplification would increase blocking events and wave amplitude, hence leading to more midlatitude extreme weather events.
Winter/summer mesopause temperature transition at Davis (69°S) in 2011/2012
Authors: Lübken F.‐J. , Höffner J. , Viehl T. P. , Kaifler B. , Morris R. J.
Published: July 2014

We present quasi‐continuous measurements of temperature profiles in the Southern Hemisphere mesopause region during the transition from winter to summer conditions in 2011/2012. In a period of 120 days around solstice, we have performed iron lidar observations at Davis (69°S), Antarctica, for a total of 736 h. The winter/summer transition is identified by a downward shift of the mesopause which occurs on 8 November 2011. Soon after transition, mesopause heights and temperatures are similar to the Northern Hemisphere (NH) colatitude summer (88 km, 130 K). Around solstice, the mesopause is elevated for several days by 4–5 km and is colder than typical NH temperatures by 10 K. In this period individual profiles show temperatures as low as 100 K. The occurrence of polar mesosphere summer echoes is closely connected to low temperatures. Below 88 to 90 km and in the main summer season of 2011/2012 temperatures at Davis are generally warmer compared to the NH by 5–15 K, whereas temperatures are generally colder above 90 km. The winter/summer transition and the first appearance of polar mesosphere summer echoes are strongly correlated to maximum zonal winds in the stratosphere which constrain gravity waves with eastward momentum reaching the mesosphere. At the breakdown of the stratospheric vortex around solstice, the mesopause is higher and, surprisingly, colder than normal.
Mesoscale eddy effects on the subduction of North Pacific mode waters
Authors: Xu Lixiao , Xie Shang‐Ping , McClean Julie L. , Liu Qinyu , Sasaki Hideharu
Published: July 2014

Mesoscale eddy effects on the subduction of North Pacific mode waters are investigated by comparing observations and ocean general circulation models where eddies are either parameterized or resolved. The eddy‐resolving models produce results closer to observations than the noneddy‐resolving model. There are large discrepancies in subduction patterns between eddy‐resolving and noneddy‐resolving models. In the noneddy‐resolving model, subduction on a given isopycnal is limited to the cross point between the mixed layer depth (MLD) front and the outcrop line whereas in eddy‐resolving models and observations, subduction takes place in a broader, zonally elongated band within the deep mixed layer region. Mesoscale eddies significantly enhance the total subduction rate, helping create remarkable peaks in the volume histogram that correspond to North Pacific subtropical mode water (STMW) and central mode water (CMW). Eddy‐enhanced subduction preferentially occurs south of the winter mean outcrop. With an anticyclonic eddy to the west and a cyclonic eddy to the east, the outcrop line meanders south, and the thermocline/MLD shoals eastward. As eddies propagate westward, the MLD shoals, shielding the water of low potential vorticity from the atmosphere. The southward eddy flow then carries the subducted water mass into the thermocline. The eddy subduction processes revealed here have important implications for designing field observations and improving models.
An in situ‐satellite blended analysis of global sea surface salinity
Authors: Xie P. , Boyer T. , Bayler E. , Xue Y. , Byrne D. , Reagan J. , Locarnini R. , Sun F. , Joyce R. , Kumar A.
Published: July 2014

The blended monthly sea surface salinity (SSS) analysis, called the NOAA “Blended Analysis of Surface Salinity” (BASS), is constructed for the 4 year period from 2010 to 2013. Three data sets are employed as inputs to the blended analysis: in situ SSS measurements aggregated and quality controlled by NOAA/NODC, and passive microwave (PMW) retrievals from both the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Aquarius/SAC‐D and the European Space Agency's (ESA) Soil Moisture‐Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellites. The blended analysis comprises two steps. First, the biases in the satellite retrievals are removed through probability distribution function (PDF) matching against temporally spatially colocated in situ measurements. The blended analysis is then achieved through optimal interpolation (OI), where the analysis for the previous time step is used as the first guess while the in situ measurements and bias‐corrected satellite retrievals are employed as the observations to update the first guess. Cross validations illustrate improved quality of the blended analysis, with reduction in bias and random errors over most of the global oceans as compared to the individual inputs. Large uncertainty, however, remains in high‐latitude oceans and coastal regions where the in situ networks are sparse and current‐generation satellite retrievals have limitations. Our blended SSS analysis shows good agreements with the NODC in situ‐based analysis over most of the tropical and subtropical oceans, but large differences are observed for high‐latitude oceans and along coasts. In the tropical oceans, the BASS is shown to have coherent variability with precipitation and evaporation associated with the evolution of the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
Using the Population‐Shift Mechanism to Rationally Introduce “Hill‐type” Cooperativity into a Normally Non‐Cooperative Receptor
Authors: Simon Anna J. , Vallée‐Bélisle Alexis , Ricci Francesco , Watkins Herschel M. , Plaxco Kevin W.
Published: July 2014

Allosteric cooperativity, which nature uses to improve the sensitivity with which biomolecular receptors respond to small changes in ligand concentration, could likewise be of use in improving the responsiveness of artificial biosystems. Thus motivated, we demonstrate here the rational design of cooperative molecular beacons, a widely employed DNA sensor, using a generalizable population‐shift approach in which we engineer receptors that equilibrate between a low‐affinity state and a high‐affinity state exposing two binding sites. Doing so we achieve cooperativity within error of ideal behavior, greatly steepening the beacon’s binding curve relative to that of the parent receptor. The ability to rationally engineer cooperativity should prove useful in applications such as biosensors, synthetic biology and “smart” biomaterials, in which improved responsiveness is of value.
Mirror Neurons, Psychoanalysis, and the Age of Empathy
Authors: Alford C. Fred
Published: July 2014

A number of psychoanalysts have become excited about mirror neurons, as they are called by neuroscientists. Mirror neurons have the remarkable property of responding identically to an action I intend as well as an action you intend. The argument of some psychoanalysts is that mirror neurons open a new pathway to understanding the intentions of other. They make possible a new type of empathy, more direct and less mediated by the typical defenses. One result of such a perspective on psychoanalysis is the virtual death of the countertransference. If one has direct empathic contact with another mind, then countertransferential experience is only a barrier, not a guide. The essay not only looks at the evidence for mirror neurons, which is ambiguous, but also at what need they might be filling in our contemporary culture. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A combined small‐angle X‐ray and neutron scattering study of the structure of purified soluble gastrointestinal mucins
Authors: Georgiades Pantelis , di Cola Emanuela , Heenan Richard K. , Pudney Paul D. A. , Thornton David J. , Waigh Thomas A.
Published: July 2014

The structures of purified soluble porcine gastric (Muc5ac) and duodenal (Muc2) mucin solutions at neutral and acidic pH were examined using small‐angle X‐ray scattering and small‐angle neutron scattering experiments. We provide evidence for the morphology of the network above the semidilute overlap concentration and above the entanglement concentration. Furthermore, we investigated the gelation of both types of mucin solutions in response to a reduction in pH, where we observed the formation of large‐scale heterogeneities within the polymer solutions, typical of microphase‐separated gels. The concentration dependence of the inhomogeneity length scale (Ξ) and the amplitude of the excess scattering intensity [Iex(0)] are consistent with previously studied gelled synthetic polymeric systems. The persistence lengths of the chains were found to be similar for both Muc5ac and Muc2 from Kratky plots of the neutron data (8 ± 2 nm). © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 101: 1154–1164, 2014.
Anatomical status of the human musculus uvulae and its functional implications
Authors: Sumida Kaori , Kashiwaya Gen , Seki Shinichiro , Masui Takafumi , Ando Yoshinori , Yamashita Kikuji , Fujimura Akira , Kitamura Seiichiro
Published: July 2014

In our ongoing series of anatomical studies to determine the three‐dimensional architecture of the human velar muscles, we have previously reported on the palatopharyngeus. The present study deals with the musculus uvulae (MU), in which the positional relationships of its origin to the posterior nasal spine and the palatine aponeurosis, as well as the interrelation between its anatomical status and functions, have yet to be clarified. Macroscopic and microscopic examinations were performed on 25 and 2 cadavers, respectively. In the former, bilateral MUs and their adjacent structures were exposed mainly from the nasal aspect. In the latter, the soft palates embedded in paraffin were cut into frontal and sagittal sections and alternately processed with HE and Azan stains. The left and right MUs adjacent to each other were found to run longitudinally along the midline beneath the nasal aspect of velum. It was overlaid by glandular tissue that increased in amount as it coursed distally. After originating from the oral surface of palatine aponeurosis, it ran backward to cross above the sling formed by the levator veli palatini muscles of both sides and reached the tip of uvula with its muscle fibers intermingled with glandular tissue. Past studies have proposed three functions of MU to enhance the efficiency of velopharyngeal closure: space occupier, stiffness modifier, and velar extensor. All of the above‐described anatomical characteristics of MU could be explained as being adapted for these functions. This implies that MU is actively responsible for maintaining the velopharyngeal closure efficiency. Clin. Anat. 27:1009–1015, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The microanatomy of spinal cord injury: A review
Authors: Mortazavi Martin M. , Verma Ketan , Harmon Olivia A. , Griessenauer Christoph J. , Adeeb Nimer , Theodore Nicholas , Tubbs R. Shane
Published: July 2014

Spinal cord injury is a highly prevalent condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The pathophysiology underlying it is extraordinarily complex and still not completely understood. We performed a comprehensive literature review of the pathophysiologic processes underlying spinal cord injury. The mechanisms underlying primary and secondary spinal cord injury are distinguished based on a number of factors and include the initial mechanical injury force, the vascular supply of the spinal cord which is associated with spinal cord perfusion, spinal cord autoregulation, and post‐traumatic ischemia, and a complex inflammatory cascade involving local and infiltrating immunomodulating cells. This review illustrates the current literature regarding the pathophysiology behind spinal cord injury and outlines potential therapeutic options for reversing these mechanisms. Clin. Anat. 28:27–36, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
‘No‐One Runs Away For No Reason’: Understanding Safeguarding Issues When Children and Young People Go Missing From Home
Authors: Hill Louise , Taylor Julie , Richards Fiona , Reddington Susan
Published: July 2014

An estimated one in nine children will run away from home or substitute care before their 16th birthday in the UK. This paper explores the safeguarding concerns and responses for children and young people who run away or go missing from home. The majority of children and young people run away from home due to family relationship problems. Running away or being physically absent from home may be due to abuse and neglect. One in 11 children reported being hurt or harmed whilst running away. For some young people, ‘running to’ a person or situation can present many risks and can be part of a coercive and exploitative relationship. Despite these multiple indicators of risk, there has been little focus on safeguarding policies and practice for children and young people who run away from home. Drawing on a case example of a third‐sector service using Return Interview Assessments, this paper argues that professionals must ensure that all children and young people who run away or go missing from home are given meaningful opportunities to be listened to, and taken seriously, in order to ensure that a wide range of safeguarding concerns can be addressed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Messages:

When a child runs away from home, something may be wrong in that child's life.

Some children run away or are absent from home due to abuse or neglect.

Some children are ‘running to’ a place or person, which can place them at even more risk of harm.

All children who run away need to have an opportunity to talk about what is happening in their life without feeling judged.

‘there has been little focus on safeguarding policies and practice for children and young people who run away from home’

‘Some children are ‘running to’ a place or person, which can place them at even more risk of harm’
Gleaning Unexpected Fruits from Hard‐Won Synthetases: Probing Principles of Permissivity in Non‐canonical Amino Acid–tRNA Synthetases
Authors: Cooley Richard B. , Karplus P. Andrew , Mehl Ryan A.
Published: July 2014

The site‐specific incorporation of non‐canonical amino acids (ncAAs) into proteins is an important tool for understanding biological function. Traditionally, each new ncAA targeted for incorporation requires a resource‐consuming process of generating new ncAA aminoacyl tRNA synthetase/tRNACUA pairs. However, the discovery that some tRNA synthetases are “permissive”, in that they can incorporate multiple ncAAs, means that it is no longer always necessary to develop a new synthetase for each newly desired ncAA. Developing a better understanding of what factors make ncAA synthetases more permissive would increase the utility of this new approach. Here, we characterized two synthetases selected for the same ncAA that have markedly different “permissivity profiles.” Remarkably, the more permissive synthetase incorporated an ncAA for which we had not been able to generate a synthetase through de novo selection methods. Crystal structures revealed that the two synthetases recognize their parent ncAA through a conserved core of interactions, with the more permissive synthetase displaying a greater degree of flexibility in its interaction geometries. We also observed that intraprotein interactions not directly involved in ncAA binding can play a crucial role in synthetase permissivity and suggest that optimization of such interactions might provide an avenue to engineering synthetases with enhanced permissivity.
A comparative study on correlation between personal background and interior color preference
Authors: Baniani Mahshid , Yamamoto Sari
Published: July 2014

In this research, we identify and investigate some of the factors influencing residential color preference. We have taken social environment as a primary focus and the influence of a person's residential, regional, educational, and personal background have been examined. A questionnaire, two drawings (one of a bedroom and another of the exterior of a few houses) and 24 color pencils were prepared. In total, 319 data were gathered from Japanese students living in Japan, Foreign students living in Japan, and Iranian students living in Iran, with 301 applicable data. One of the questions was the respondent's favorite color. The results showed that more than 96.7% have used their favorite colors in the drawings. Blue hues were used most by people living in coastal areas (P < 0.05). Education had a strong correlation with number of color varieties (P < 0.01). Moreover, students who had parents with art backgrounds had used more colors in the drawings rather than the ones with parents with no art background (P < 0.05). Foreigners and Iranians have used more color varieties compared to Japanese (P < 0.05). Ultimately, it was observed that among the case studies (regional, residential, and educational), education had a strong positive correlation with number of color varieties (P < 0.01). © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 40, 416–424, 2015
Artificial Iono‐ and Photosensitive Membranes Based on an Amphiphilic Aza‐Crown‐Substituted Hemicyanine
Authors: Batat Pinar , Grauby‐Heywang Christine , Selektor Sophiya , Silantyeva Daria , Arslanov Vladimir , McClenaghan Nathan , Jonusauskas Gediminas
Published: July 2014

Artificial iono‐ and photosensitive membranes based on an amphiphilic aza‐crown‐substituted hemicyanine are assembled on liquid and solid supports and their aggregation behaviour, which is influenced by the binding of metal cations and surface density, is studied. The photoinduced charge‐transfer properties of an analogous non‐amphiphilic hemicyanine in solution are also demonstrated. An asymmetric sandwich dimer model is proposed and existence of such dimers in solution is evidenced by transient absorption and fluorescence anisotropy experiments. Changes in absorption and emission spectra, as well as compression isotherms of the amphiphile observed in the presence of cations, are discussed in terms of 2D molecular reorganisation. Surface‐pressure‐controlled reversible excimer formation at the air–water interphase and excimer‐type emission of Langmuir–Blodgett films in the presence of cations are demonstrated and are discussed on the basis of fibre‐optic fluorimetry and fluorescence microscopy results.
Hybrid offset‐time and burst assembly algorithm (H‐OTBA) for delay sensitive applications over optical burst switching networks
Authors: Yayah Abdulsalam A. , Coulibaly Yahaya , Ismail Abdul Samad , Rouskas George
Published: July 2014

Optical burst switching (OBS) is the most favourable switching paradigm for future all‐optical networks. Burst assembly is the first process in OBS and it consists of aggregating clients packets into bursts. Assembled bursts wait for an offset time before being transmitted to their intended destinations. Offset time is used to allow burst control packet reserve required resources prior to burst arrival. Burst assembly process and offset‐time create extra delay in OBS networks. To make OBS suitable for real time applications, this extra latency needs to be controlled. This paper proposes and evaluates a novel offset time and burst assembly scheme to address this issue. Constant bit rate (CBR) traffic that has stringent end‐to‐end delay QoS requirements is used in this study. The proposed scheme is called hybrid offset‐time and burst assembly algorithm (H‐OTBA). The objective of the paper is achieved by controlling maximum burst transfer delay parameters of CBR. The proposed scheme was evaluated via network simulation. Simulation results demonstrate that, H‐OTBA has effectively reduced end‐to‐end delay for CBR traffic compared with current solutions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seeding Growth Approach to Gold Nanoparticles with Diameters Ranging from 10 to 80 Nanometers in Organic Solvent
Authors: Stanglmair Christoph , Scheeler Sebastian P. , Pacholski Claudia
Published: July 2014

To accommodate the high demand for gold nanoparticles, which is generated by the extraordinary optical properties of plasmonic metamaterials, a focus has been placed on their large‐scale synthesis for several years. In this work, a simple method for the preparation of nearly monodisperse gold nanoparticles with diameters of up to 80 nm is presented. For this purpose, gold nanoparticles with an average diameter of 9 nm were synthesized in toluene by using oleylamine both as a reducing and stabilizing agent. These gold nanoparticles act as seeds for a subsequent growth reaction in which the same precursors are slowly added to the reaction vessel. During the reaction, the gold nanoparticles start to agglomerate when they reach a certain size (ca. 20 nm). Despite their agglomeration, they can be grown further without impairing their size distribution or morphology. The gold nanoparticle agglomerates can be separated by stabilization with thiol‐terminated polystyrene.
Stereoselective Total Syntheses of Paecilomycins E and F through a Protecting Group Directed Diastereoselective Intermolecular Nozaki–Hiyama–Kishi (NHK) Reaction
Authors: Mohapatra Debendra K. , Reddy D. Sai , Mallampudi N. Arjunreddy , Yadav Jhillu S.
Published: July 2014

An efficient and concise approach to the total syntheses of paecilomycins E (1) and F (2) is described. A protecting group directed intermolecular diastereoselective Nozaki–Hiyama–Kishi (NHK) reaction, a Julia–Kocienski olefination, a Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, and De Brabander's lactonization protocol are used as the key steps.
Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure (α‐Phenylalkyl)amines with Substituents at the ortho Position through Diastereoselective Radical Alkylation Reaction of Sulfinimines
Authors: Fernández‐Salas José A. , Rodríguez‐Fernández M. Mercedes , Maestro M. Carmen , García‐Ruano José L.
Published: July 2014

The alkyl radical (R1) addition reaction to ortho‐X‐substituted N‐(benzylidene)‐2‐methylpropane‐2‐sulfinamides (X = Br, CN, CO2Me, OH and OMe) is highly diastereoselective, regardless of the electronic properties of the X group and the size of R1. Easy removal of the sulfinyl group provides the title compounds in enantiomerically pure form. This two‐step sequence has been successfully applied to the preparation of primary α‐(tert‐butyl)‐ortho‐hydroxy‐ and ‐ortho‐methoxybenzylamines, as well as the 3‐isopropyl‐substituted isoindolin‐1‐one.
Bipolar Hosts Based on a Rigid 9,10‐Dihydroanthracene Scaffold for Full‐Color Electrophosphorescent Devices
Authors: Chaskar Atul , Hung Wen‐Yi , Chen Shou‐Wei , Chen Hsiao‐Fan , Hung Pei‐Yu , Wong Ken‐Tsung
Published: July 2014

Two bipolar hosts, CzDPO and CzDOxa, comprising a hole‐transporting carbazole and an electron‐transporting diphenyl phosphine oxide or oxadiazole with a saturated linker (9,10‐dihydroanthracene) have been synthesized and characterized. The saturated linker limited the effective extension of π conjugation, leading to high triplet energies (ET=2.97–2.98 eV). The diastereomers with a rigid configuration provided an amorphous thin film with high thermal (Td=415–444 °C) and morphological stability (Tg=188–224 °C). The high triplet energies and bipolar carrier transport characteristics (ambipolariy) of CzDPO and CzDOxa can facilitate exothermic energy transfer to the dopants and balance carrier injection/transport in the emission layers. As a result, they were utilized as universal hosts for various phosphorescent OLEDs (from blue to red), showing average external quantum efficiencies (ηext=8.2–13.1 %) and low efficiency roll‐off. In addition, we also fabricated dual‐emitter white organic light‐emitting diodes with a co‐doped single emissive layer. WOLED hosted by CzDOxa exhibited satisfactory device efficiencies (14.4 %, 25.7 cd A−1, 27 lm W−1) with highly stable chromaticity (CIEx=0.26–0.28 and CIEy=0.38) at brightnesses from 560 to 15200 cd m−2.
Prediction of myelopathic level in cervical spondylotic myelopathy using diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Wang Shu‐Qiang , Li Xiang , Cui Jiao‐Long , Li Han‐Xiong , Luk Keith D.K. , Hu Yong
Published: July 2014

Purpose

To investigate the use of a newly designed machine learning‐based classifier in the automatic identification of myelopathic levels in cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Materials and Methods

In all, 58 normal volunteers and 16 subjects with CSM were recruited for diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) acquisition. The eigenvalues were extracted as the selected features from DTI images. Three classifiers, naive Bayesian, support vector machine, and support tensor machine, and fractional anisotropy (FA) were employed to identify myelopathic levels. The results were compared with clinical level diagnosis results and accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated to evaluate the performance of the developed classifiers.

Results

The accuracy by support tensor machine was the highest (93.62%) among the three classifiers. The support tensor machine also showed excellent capacity to identify true positives (sensitivity: 84.62%) and true negatives (specificity: 97.06%). The accuracy by FA value was the lowest (76%) in all the methods.

Conclusion

The classifiers‐based method using eigenvalues had a better performance in identifying the levels of CSM than the diagnosis using FA values. The support tensor machine was the best among three classifiers. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:1682–1688. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New covalent modifications of phosphatidylethanolamine by alkanals: mass spectrometry based structural characterization and biological effects
Authors: Annibal Andrea , Schubert Kristin , Wagner Ulf , Hoffmann Ralf , Schiller Jürgen , Fedorova Maria
Published: July 2014

The pathophysiology of numerous human disorders, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity and Alzheimer's disease, is accompanied by increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS can oxidatively damage nearly all biomolecules, including lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. In particular, (poly)unsaturated fatty acids within the phospholipid (PL) structure are easily oxidized by ROS to lipid peroxidation products (LPP) carrying reactive carbonyl groups. Carbonylated LPP are characterized by high in vivo toxicity due to their reactivity with nucleophilic substrates (Lys‐, Cys‐and His‐residues in proteins or amino groups of phosphatidylethanolamines [PE]). Adducts of unsaturated LPP with PE amino groups have been reported before, whereas less is known about the reactivity of saturated alkanals – which are significantly increased in vivo under oxidative stress conditions – towards nucleophilic groups of PLs.

Here, we present a study of new alkanal‐dipalmitoyl‐phosphatidylethanolamine (DPPE) adducts by MS‐based approaches, using consecutive fragmentation (MSn) and multiple reaction monitoring techniques. At least eight different DPPE–hexanal adducts were identified, including Schiff base and amide adducts, six of which have not been reported before. The structures of these new compounds were determined by their fragmentation patterns using MSn experiments. The new PE‐hexanal adducts contained dimeric and trimeric hexanal conjugates, including cyclic adducts. A new pyridine ring containing adduct of DPPE and hexanal was purified by HPLC, and its biological effects were investigated. Incubation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and monocytes with modified DPPE did not result in increased production of TNF‐α as one selected inflammation marker. However, incorporation of modified DPPE into 1,2‐dipalmitoleoyl‐sn‐phosphatidylethanolamine multilamellar vesicles resulted in a negative shift of the transition temperature, indicating a possible role of alkanal‐derived modifications in changes of membrane structure. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Mass Spectrometry published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural elucidation of new urinary tamoxifen metabolites by liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Lu Jianghai , He Chunji , He Genye , Wang Xiaobing , Xu Youxuan , Wu Yun , Dong Ying , Ouyang Gangfeng
Published: July 2014

In this study, tamoxifen metabolic profiles were investigated carefully. Tamoxifen was administered to two healthy male volunteers and one female patient suffering from breast cancer. Urinary extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography quadruple time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry using full scan and targeted MS/MS techniques with accurate mass measurement. Chromatographic peaks for potential metabolites were selected by using the theoretical [M + H]+ as precursor ion in full‐scan experiment and m/z 72, 58 or 44 as characteristic product ions for N,N‐dimethyl, N‐desmethyl and N,N‐didesmethyl metabolites in targeted MS/MS experiment, respectively. Tamoxifen and 37 metabolites were detected in extraction study samples. Chemical structures of seven unreported metabolites were elucidated particularly on the basis of fragmentation patterns observed for these metabolites. Several metabolic pathways containing mono‐ and di‐hydroxylation, methoxylation, N‐desmethylation, N,N‐didesmethylation, oxidation and combinations were suggested. All the metabolites were detected in the urine samples up to 1 week. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of triple quadrupole mass spectrometry and Orbitrap high‐resolution mass spectrometry in ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography for the determination of veterinary drugs in sewage: benefits and drawbacks
Authors: Herrero P. , Cortés‐Francisco N. , Borrull F. , Caixach J. , Pocurull E. , Marcé R. M.
Published: July 2014

This paper presents a comparison of triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and Orbitrap high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) combined to ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography for the determination of glucocorticoids and polyether ionophores in sewage, in order to show the major benefits and drawbacks for each mass spectrometry analyser. Overall, HRMS measurements have enhanced performance in terms of confirmatory capabilities than MS/MS measurements. Moreover, similar limits of quantification, limits of detection, linear range and repeatability for glucocorticoids with both the MS/MS and HRMS methods were compared, but in the case of polyether ionophores, slightly better limits of detection and limits of quantification were obtained with the HRMS method because of the high sensitivity obtained when diagnostic ions are used for quantification instead of selected reaction monitoring transitions for these compounds. The two methods have been applied to the analysis of several influent and effluent sewage samples from sewage treatment plants located in the Tarragona region (Catalonia, Spain), showing an excellent correlation between the two methods. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of the solvent on the stability of cycloserine under ESI‐MS conditions
Authors: Fraschetti Caterina , Filippi Antonello , Mannina Luisa , Sobolev Anatoly P. , Speranza Maurizio
Published: July 2014

The effects of methanol (M) and acetonitrile (A) on the stability of cycloserine (1) have been studied. InfraRed Multiphoton PhotoDissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy of the ionic species from electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) of 1/M and 1/A solutions points to extensive dimerization of 1 to cis‐3,6‐bis(aminooxymethyl)‐2,5‐piperidinedione (2), while the same process is not observed in the ESI‐MS of 1/M solutions. 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance experiments confirmed these findings by showing that partial dimerization of 1 actually takes place at room temperature in acetonitrile even before ESI‐MS analysis. Comparison of nuclear magnetic resonance and IRMPD spectroscopic data from the same 1/A solution suggests that dimerization of cycloserine is enhanced in the ESI source. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alleviation of ion suppression effect in sonic spray ionization with induced alternating current voltage
Authors: Li Gongyu , Huang Guangming
Published: July 2014

In this study, alleviation of ion suppression effect in sonic spray ionization mass spectrometry (SSI‐MS) was investigated. Ion suppression effect was firstly compared between electrospray ionization (ESI) and conventional SSI, and more severe ion suppression effect was observed with SSI. Ion suppression effect of SSI was also found difficult to be alleviated by simply optimizing major parameters. Alternatively, we found that with the assistance of an alternating current (AC) voltage with low amplitude, the ion suppression effect was greatly alleviated (comparable with conventional ESI). That AC voltage was applied outside the SSI spray tip, and no direct contact between the electrode and spray solution was necessary. Besides the alleviation of the ion suppression effect, this newly‐developed method, termed as induced electrosonic spray ionization (IESSI), appeared to preserve similar charge state distribution with SSI for protonated cytochrome c, hemoglobin, and bradykinin. IESSI could also obtain significantly improved ion intensities (~1000‐fold over conventional SSI). In addition, tolerance of concentrated salts for IESSI‐MS was investigated through the analysis of cytochrome c in the presence of concentrated sodium chloride (NaCl) or ammonium acetate (NH4OAc). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Strategies for differentiation of isobaric flavonoids using liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Fridén Mikael E. , Sjöberg Per J. R.
Published: July 2014

Flavonoids are a class of secondary plant metabolites existing in great variety in nature. Due to this variety, identification can be difficult, especially as overlapping compounds in both chromatographic separations and mass spectrometric detection are common. Methods for distinguishing isobaric flavonoids using MS2 and MS3 have been developed. Chromatographic separation of various plant extracts was done with RP‐HPLC and detected with positive ESI‐MS operated in information‐dependent acquisition (IDA) mode. Two methods for the determination of flavonoid identity and substitution pattern, both featuring IDA criteria, were used together with the HPLC equipment. A third method where the collision energy was ramped utilized direct infusion. With the developed strategies, it is possible to differentiate between many isobaric flavonoids. Various classes of flavonoids were found in all of the plant extracts, in the red onion extract 45 components were detected and for 29 of them the aglycone was characterized, while the substituents were tentatively identified for 31 of them. For the strawberry extract, those numbers were 66, 30 and 60, and for the cherry extract 99, 56 and 71. The great variety of flavonoids, several of them isobaric, found in each of the extracts highlights the need for reliable methods for flavonoid characterization. Methods capable of differentiating between most of the isobars analyzed have been developed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The utility of common surgical instruments for pediatric adenotonsillectomy
Authors: Thottam Prasad John , Christenson Jennifer R. , Cohen David S. , Metz Christopher M. , Saraiya Sonal S. , Haupert Michael S.
Published: July 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

To evaluate the correlation between surgical instrumentation and intraoperative surgical time, postoperative hemorrhage, and associated healthcare cost for pediatric adenotonsillectomy.

Study Design

Retrospective chart analysis.

Methods

Chart data were collected from pediatric patients who underwent adenotonsillectomy from 2011 to 2013. Monopolar electrocautery, radiofrequency ablation, and PlasmaBlade instruments were compared for intraoperative surgical time and postoperative hemorrhage rate. Univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) and χ analysis was utilized to evaluate differences between instrumentation and variables. Cost analysis examining instrumentation and intraoperative anesthesia was also reviewed.

Results

A total of 1,280 patients who underwent adenotonsillectomy were evaluated. There was no significant overall difference in age, sex, or preoperative diagnosis identified between the three instrumentation groups. When examining the various instruments' effect on procedure time in minutes, univariate ANOVA demonstrated a significant difference overall among the three groups (F = 8.79; P < .001). Post‐hoc pairwise comparisons identified significantly faster surgical times for monopolar cautery than either PlasmaBlade (P = .03) or radiofrequency ablation (P < .001). The difference in the number of patients who experienced a postoperative bleed by instrument was not statistically significant (χ2 = 2.36; P = .31). After instrumentation expenses were added to anesthesia cost, the overall average costs by instrument and surgical time were estimated to be $30.04 for monopolar cautery, $246.95 for PlasmaBlade, and $244.32 for radiofrequency ablation.

Conclusions

The ideal surgical instrumentation should be cost and time efficient with a low complication rate. Monopolar cautery was associated with a statistically significant lower intraoperative surgical time, similar postoperative hemorrhage rates, and lower operative costs when compared to radiofrequency ablation and PlasmaBlade.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 125:475–479, 2015