bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross preferences for colors and shapes
Authors: Chen Na , Tanaka Kanji , Matsuyoshi Daisuke , Watanabe Katsumi
Published: April 2015

Preferences for colors and geometric shapes vary considerably across individuals. Studies have demonstrated these variations in preference separately for colors and shapes, but the relationships between preference variations for colors and shapes are not yet known. By measuring individual preferences for basic colors and shapes, we found that color preferences and shape preferences were partly, but systematically, correlated. People who preferred some simple shapes (e.g., cone, pyramid) tended to prefer some light or warm colors (e.g., yellow, orange). In contrast, people who preferred some complex shapes (e.g., scrambled truncated‐pyramid, scrambled pyramid) tended to prefer some dark or cold colors (e.g., blue, blue‐green). That is, people who like “simple” or “complex” visual features might tend to like “light or warm” or “dark or cold” visual features. These results indicate that individual preferences for colors and shapes might not be independent, but could be correlated and intertwined to some extent. We suggest that the semantic information associated with colors and shapes underlies the cross preferences. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 41, 188–195, 2016
Facile synthesis of silver‐nanobeadwire transparent conductive film by organic‐precursor paint reduction
Authors: Sugawara Kenta , Hayashi Yamato , Fukushima Jun , Takizawa Hirotsugu
Published: April 2015

A new facile process has been developed to synthesize silver nanowire transparent conductive films by reducing high‐aspect‐ratio, needle‐shaped silver carboxylates, prepared as the precursor, while retaining their morphology. Nanowire precursors are simply obtained by ultrasound irradiation when silver (I) oxide and carboxylic acids are used as starting materials. The aspect ratio of the precursors is increased when the ultrasound irradiation is followed by microwave irradiation. Silver nanowires can be easily obtained by reducing these precursors with hydrazine gas or irradiating them with Ar plasma for a short time. The morphology of the resulting nanowires is different from that of typical nanowires that have been reported. The nanowires have porous morphology, where small nanoparticles are connected to form nanobeadwire. The nanobeadwire is considered to increase the transparency of the film because of its rough morphology. This new method can synthesize silver nanobeadwires and fabricate the transparent conductive film simultaneously, in one‐step, so that it can significantly simplify manufacturing processes.
Surface energy fluxes and controls of evapotranspiration in three alpine ecosystems of Qinghai Lake watershed, NE Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau
Authors: Zhang Si‐Yi , Li Xiao‐Yan , Zhao Guo‐Qin , Huang Yong‐Mei
Published: April 2015

Qinghai Lake watershed, located in the northeast of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, is a region that is sensitive and vulnerable to global climate change. Both the hydrological cycle and water balance in a watershed are significantly influenced by surface energy fluxes and evapotranspiration (ET); however, there is limited information related to the water and heat fluxes in this area. Using the Bowen ratio energy balance method, we measured surface energy fluxes and ET and then explored their controlling factors in three typical ecosystems of the Qinghai Lake watershed, i.e. Kobresia meadow (KMd.), Potentilla fruticosa shrub (PFSh.) and Achnatherum splendens steppe (ASSt.) between 2012 and 2013 for the first time. It was found that between the different ecosystems, there were large differences in the energy portioning. Annual sensible and latent heats accounted for 56–64% and 35–45% of net radiation, respectively. The Bowen rations were the highest in the ASSt. site and the lowest in the PFSh. site. The Bowen ratios and soil water content had negative correlations. Annual ET was 507.9, 493.2 and 413.7 mm for the PFSh., KMd. and ASSt. sites, respectively. The annual ET in the KMd. and PFSh. sites was 16% and 3% less than the annual precipitation, while the ET was 26% higher than precipitation for the ASSt. site. Fluctuations in the daily ET of alpine ecosystems from the Qinghai Lake watershed were primarily controlled by radiation, especially during the growing season, whereas ET was also controlled by soil water content in the ASSt. ecosystem where precipitation was low. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relationship of physical activity and healthy eating with mortality and incident heart failure among community‐dwelling older adults with normal body mass index
Authors: Abdelmawgoud Ahmed , Brown Cynthia J. , Sui Xuemei , Fonarow Gregg C. , Kokkinos Peter F. , Bittner Vera , Aronow Wilbert S. , Kheirbek Raya E. , Fletcher Ross D. , Blair Steven N. , Ahmed Ali
Published: April 2015

Aims

Normal body mass index (BMI) is associated with lower mortality and may be achieved by physical activity (PA), healthy eating (HE), or both. We examined the association of PA and HE with mortality and incident heart failure (HF) among 2040 community‐dwelling older adults aged ≥ 65 years with baseline BMI 18.5 to 24.99 kg/m2 during 13 years of follow‐up in the Cardiovascular Health Study.

Methods and results

Baseline PA was defined as ≥500 weekly metabolic equivalent task‐minutes and HE as ≥5 daily servings of vegetable and fruit intake. Participants were categorized into four groups: (i) PA−/HE− (n = 384); (ii) PA−/HE+ (n = 162); (iii) PA+/HE− (n = 992); and (iv) PA+/HE+ (n = 502). Participants had a mean age of 74 (±6) years, mean BMI of 22.6 (±1.5) kg/m2, 61% were women, and 4% African American. Compared with PA−/HE−, age‐sex‐race‐adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for all‐cause mortality for PA−/HE+, PA+/HE−, and PA+/HE+ groups were 0.96 (0.76–1.21), 0.61 (0.52–0.71), and 0.62 (0.52–0.75), respectively. These associations remained unchanged after multivariable adjustment and were similar for cardiovascular and non‐cardiovascular mortalities. Respective demographic‐adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for incident HF among 1954 participants without baseline HF were 1.21 (0.81–1.81), 0.71 (0.54–0.94), and 0.71 (0.51–0.98). These latter associations lost significance after multivariable adjustment.

Conclusion

Among community‐dwelling older adults with normal BMI, physical activity, regardless of healthy eating, was associated with lower risk of mortality and incident HF, but healthy eating had no similar protective association in this cohort.
From Homonuclear Metal String Complexes to Heteronuclear Metal String Complexes
Authors: Hua Shao‐An , Cheng Ming‐Chuan , Chen Chun‐hsien , Peng Shie‐Ming
Published: April 2015

The study of metal string complexes with 1D transition‐metal frameworks began in the early 1990s. As these complexes provide great insights into metal–metal multiple bonds and may have potential applications as molecular wires, this field of research has grown in the past 20 years. As such, the electronic structures of the simplest trinuclear complexes, the supporting ligand systems, and the single‐molecular conductance of metal string complexes are discussed. This review introduces the development of this field and summarizes some important results in the newly designed heteronuclear metal string complexes (HMSCs). These molecules may be of great interest in studies of the nature of heterometallic electronic effects and molecular electronic applications.
A Copper Porphyrin for Sensing H2S in Aqueous Solution via a “Coordinative‐Based” Approach
Authors: Mirra Silvia , Milione Stefano , Strianese Maria , Pellecchia Claudio
Published: April 2015

A “turn on” fluorescence‐based probe for sensing H2S in water via a coordinative‐based approach has been successfully devised. The probe can selectively detect H2S in aqueous solutions over other anions, biothiols, and common oxidants such as H2O2. 1H NMR spectroscopy and ESI‐MS experiments provide evidence that the turn‐on response in the presence of H2S is due to binding of the target anion to the copper center.
Total Synthesis of the Putative Structure of Deoxypumiliotoxin 193H by an Ireland–Claisen Rearrangement
Authors: Smits Gints , Zemribo Ronalds
Published: April 2015

A stereoselective total synthesis of one diastereomer of 8‐deoxypumiliotoxin 193H is described. The concise total synthesis features the use of readily available natural amino acids as the starting materials and the Ireland–Claisen rearrangement as the key stereochemistry controlling step.
Connecting Electron‐Deficient and Electron‐Rich Aromatics to Support Intermolecular Interactions in Crystals
Authors: Albrecht Markus , Yi Hai , Pan Fangfang , Valkonen Arto , Rissanen Kari
Published: April 2015

Five compounds bearing electron‐deficient pentafluorophenyl as well as electron‐rich (salicylate or indole) aromatic moieties connected by amide or ester linkages were investigated by X‐ray diffraction. In the crystals, various interactions (π–π, lone pair–π) between the different aromatic units are important structure controlling factors in addition to the stronger inter‐ or intramolecular hydrogen bonds induced by the amide and ester moieties. The hydrogen bonding leads to polymeric and macrocyclic assembly of the molecular building blocks.
Synthesis, Spectral Characterization of Four Symmetrical and Unsymmetrical Organotellurium(II) Compounds: O−H…N, CH…π, and CH…O Secondary Interactions in X‐Ray Crystal Structures of 4‐MeOC6H4TeCH2CH2CH2N═C(CH3)C6H4‐2‐OH (1) and Te[CH2CH2CH2N═C(CH3)C6H4‐2‐OH]2 (2)
Authors: Raghavendra Kumar P. , Siddagangaiah Palakshamurthy B. , Upreti Shailesh
Published: April 2015

The condensation of 3‐(4‐methoxyphenyltelluro)propylamine and bis(3‐aminopropyl) telluride with 2‐hydroxyacetophenone formed two Schiff's bases 2‐[1‐(3‐(4‐methoxyphenyltellanyl)propylimino)ethyl]phenol (1) and Bis 2‐[1‐(3‐iminopropyltellanyl)ethyl]phenol (2), respectively. The reduction of 1 and 2 gave compounds 2‐[1‐(3‐(4‐methoxyphenyltellanyl)propylamino)ethyl]phenol (3) and Bis 2‐[1‐(3‐aminopropyltellanyl)ethyl]phenol (4), respectively. These four new organotellurium compounds (1–4) were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR and FTIR spectroscopies and atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) (Te). The conductance and molecular weights and composition by elemental analysis (C, H, and N) of 1 and 2 were determined. The compound 4 was also characterized by 13C DEPT‐135 NMR spectrum. The compounds 1 and 3 are unsymmetrical, and 2 and 4 are symmetrical type of telluroethers. The single crystals of 1 and 2 were grown, and their molecular structures were determined by single crystal X‐Ray diffraction. The ArC–Te bond length in 1 was found 2.117(7) Å. The RC–Te bond length in 1 is 2.141(5) Å and in 2 is 2.146(5) and 2.150(6) Å. The >C═N bond lengths in 1 and 2 were between 1.278(6) and 1.295(6) Å. There exists intramolecular O−H…N hydrogen bonding [between 1.758(4) and 1.792(4) Å] in 1 and 2. In compound 2, these nonbonded interactions result in the formation of a (34) dimeric ring. CH…O [2.505(4)–2.516(3) Å] in 1 and 2 and CH…π [2.61(5) and 2.89(4) Å] secondary interactions are also present in 2.
Proliferation and osteogenic response of MC3T3‐E1 pre‐osteoblastic cells on porous zirconia ceramics stabilized with magnesia or yttria
Authors: Hadjicharalambous Chrystalleni , Mygdali Evdokia , Prymak Oleg , Buyakov Ales , Kulkov Sergei , Chatzinikolaidou Maria
Published: April 2015

Dense zirconia ceramics are used in bone applications due to their mechanical strength and biocompatibility, but lack osseointegration. A porous interface in contact with bone tissue may lead to better bone bonding but the biological properties of porous zirconia are not widely explored. The present study focuses on the manufacturing of an yttria‐ (YSZ) and a magnesia‐stabilized (MgSZ) porous zirconia, and on their in vitro biological investigation. The sintered ceramics had similar characteristics of porosity, pore size and interconnectivity. Their elastic moduli and compressive strength values were within the range of the values of human cortical bone. MC3T3‐E1 pre‐osteoblasts were used to investigate the proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, collagen deposition and expression profile of four genes involved in bone metabolism of cells on porous ceramics. Scanning electron and fluorescence microscopy were employed to visualize cell morphology and growth. Pre‐osteoblasts adhered well on both ceramics but cell numbers on YSZ were higher. Cells exhibited an increase in ALP activity and collagen deposition after 14 days on both MgSZ and YSZ, with higher levels on YSZ. Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) showed that the expression of bone sialoprotein (Bsp) and collagen type I (col1aI) were significantly higher on YSZ. No significant differences were found in their ability to regulate the early gene expression of Runx2 and Alp. Nevertheless, the biomineralized calcium content was similar on both ceramics after 21 days, indicating that despite chemical differences, both scaffolds direct the pre‐osteoblasts toward a mature state capable of mineralizing the extracellular matrix. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3612–3624, 2015.
Cytotoxicity evaluation of polymer‐derived ceramics for pacemaker electrode applications
Authors: Grossenbacher Jonas , Gullo Maurizio R. , Dalcanale Federico , Blugan Gurdial , Kuebler Jakob , Lecaudé Stéphanie , Tevaearai Stahel Hendrik , Brugger Juergen
Published: April 2015

Ceramics are known to be chemically stable, and the possibility to electrically dope polymer‐derived ceramics makes it a material of interest for implantable electrode applications. We investigated cytotoxic characteristics of four polymer‐derived ceramic candidates with either electrically conductive or insulating properties. Cytotoxicity was assessed by culturing C2C12 myoblast cells under two conditions: by exposing them to material extracts and by putting them directly in contact with material samples. Cell spreading was optically evaluated by comparing microscope observations immediately after the materials insertion and after 24 h culturing. Cell viability (MTT) and mortality (LDH) were quantified after 24‐h incubation in contact with the materials. Comparison was made with biocompatible positive references (alumina, platinum, biocompatible stainless steel 1.4435), negative references (latex, stainless steel 1.4301) and controls (no material present in the culture wells). We found that the cytotoxic properties of tested ceramics are comparable to established reference materials. These ceramics, which are reported to be very stable, can be microstructured and electrically doped to a wide range of conductivity and are thus excellent candidates for implantable electrode applications including pacemakers. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3625–3632, 2015.
The Impact of Principal as Authentic Leader on Teacher Trust in the K‐12 Educational Context
Authors: Fox James , Gong Tao , Attoh Prince
Published: April 2015

K‐12 principals exhibiting authentic leadership and the benefits derived from teacher trust in the principal beg for attention in today's educational milieu. Authentic leadership scholars proposed a major conceptual framework, which linked authentic leadership to follower's attitudes and behaviors. The framework purported that authentic leadership leads to trust, yet is mediated through personal and organizational identification. The current study empirically tested these relationships within the context of principals and teachers in the K‐12 setting. The context is ideal because principals are increasingly called upon to create open, collaborative, and positive learning communities. Nineteen public and private schools in the state of Maryland participated in the study, with 398 teachers (77% response rate) responding. The results support a framework of principals exhibiting authentic leadership where personal identification is a mediator in the causal pathway from authentic leadership to teacher trust. The results do not substantiate the framework regarding organizational identification being a mediator in the same causal pathway. Educational leaders can view the study as prescriptive, thereby building overall trust in the often strained asymmetrical relationship between administrators and teachers.
Leadership in the Context of Corporate Entrepreneurship
Authors: Karol Robin A.
Published: April 2015

Established companies rely on innovation to maintain their competitiveness in the rapidly changing economic environment. These companies must perpetually develop new products and services, and create new businesses and new business models. To do so, entrepreneurial leaders within established companies need to understand and align their projects with the corporate vision and business goals. The entrepreneurial leaders must also lead by influence to obtain necessary resources to fulfill these goals. Creating an environment that encourages innovation and engenders trust is necessary for the success of entrepreneurial leaders. Skills relating to perspective taking and influence as well as the need for agility are also crucial.
Perceived workplace racial discrimination and its correlates: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Triana María del Carmen , Jayasinghe Mevan , Pieper Jenna R.
Published: April 2015

We combine the interactional model of cultural diversity (IMCD) and relative deprivation theory to examine employee outcomes of perceived workplace racial discrimination. Using 79 effect sizes from published and unpublished studies, we meta‐analyze the relationships between perceived racial discrimination and several important employee outcomes that have potential implications for organizational performance. In response to calls to examine the context surrounding discrimination, we test whether the severity of these outcomes depends on changes to employment law that reflect increasing societal concern for equality and on the characteristics of those sampled. Perceived racial discrimination was negatively related to job attitudes, physical health, psychological health, organizational citizenship behavior, and perceived diversity climate and positively related to coping behavior. The effect of perceived racial discrimination on job attitudes was stronger in studies published after the Civil Rights Act of 1991 was passed than before. Results provide some evidence that effect sizes were stronger the more women and minorities were in the samples, indicating that these groups are more likely to perceive discrimination and/or respond more strongly to perceived discrimination. Our findings extend the IMCD and relative deprivation theory to consider how contextual factors including changes to employment law influence employee outcomes of perceived workplace discrimination. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retracted: Knowledge Sourcing and Knowledge Reuse in the Virtual Product Prototyping: An Exploratory Study in a Large Automotive Supplier of R&D
Authors: Filieri Raffaele , Alguezaui Salma
Published: April 2015

The capacity of organizations to share knowledge is seen as a source of competitive advantage in many industries. Knowledge sourcing and knowledge reuse have been indicated as important enablers of organizational efficiency and innovation performance. Although firms may own valuable knowledge, the presence of barriers to knowledge sourcing and reuse may hinder the exploitation of such knowledge. The present study explores the barriers to knowledge sourcing and reuse and their implications within the virtual product prototyping stage of new products development. The study is based on 24 interviews with R&D employees of a large supplier of R&D in the automotive sector. Results demonstrate that the low operational quality of a repository may hinder knowledge sourcing; therefore, people prefer to source knowledge from other colleagues. Additionally, the inefficiencies in knowledge sourcing from a repository, the low quality of the codified knowledge, and its complexity affect the reuse of existing knowledge. This study reveals that knowledge sourcing and knowledge reuse are important knowledge management processes in the product prototyping and that inefficiencies in these two processes may negatively affect the time performance in the new product prototyping process. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Poly(α‐Peptoid)s Revisited: Synthesis, Properties, and Use as Biomaterial
Authors: Secker Christian , Brosnan Sarah M. , Luxenhofer Robert , Schlaad Helmut
Published: April 2015

Polypeptoids have been of great interest in the polymer science community since the early half of the last century; however, they had been basically forgotten materials until the last decades in which they have enjoyed an exciting revival. In this mini‐review, we focus on the recent developments in polypeptoid chemistry, with particular focus on polymers synthesized by the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of amino acid N‐carboxyanhydrides (NCAs). Specifically, we will review traditional monomer synthesis (such as Leuchs, Katchalski, and Kricheldorf) and recent advances in polymerization methods to yield both linear, cyclic, and functional polymers, solution and bulk thermal properties, and preliminary results on the use of polypeptoids as biomaterials (i.e immunogenicity, biodistribution, degradability, and drug delivery).
Nitroxide‐Mediated Polymerization of Methacrylic Esters: Insights and Solutions to a Long‐Standing Problem
Authors: Guégain Elise , Guillaneuf Yohann , Nicolas Julien
Published: April 2015

Nitroxide‐mediated polymerization (NMP) is one of the most powerful reversible deactivation radical polymerization techniques and has incredibly gained in maturity and robustness over the last decades. However, control of methacrylic esters is one of the different aspects of NMP that still requires improvement. This family of monomers always represented an important challenge for NMP, despite the many different nitroxide structures that have been designed over the course of time. This Review aims to present the most successful strategies directed toward the control of the NMP technique of methacrylic esters and especially methyl methacrylate. NMP‐derived materials comprising uncontrolled methacrylate segments will also be discussed.

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The Impact of Donor–Acceptor Phase Separation on the Charge Carrier Dynamics in pBTTT:PCBM Photovoltaic Blends
Authors: Gehrig Dominik W. , Howard Ian A. , Sweetnam Sean , Burke Timothy M. , McGehee Michael D. , Laquai Frédéric
Published: April 2015

The effect of donor–acceptor phase separation, controlled by the donor–acceptor mixing ratio, on the charge generation and recombination dynamics in pBTTT‐C14:PC70BM bulk heterojunction photovoltaic blends is presented. Transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy spanning the dynamic range from pico‐ to microseconds in the visible and near‐infrared spectral regions reveals that in a 1:1 blend exciton dissociation is ultrafast; however, charges cannot entirely escape their mutual Coulomb attraction and thus predominantly recombine geminately on a sub‐ns timescale. In contrast, a polymer:fullerene mixing ratio of 1:4 facilitates the formation of spatially separated, that is free, charges and reduces substantially the fraction of geminate charge recombination, in turn leading to much more efficient photovoltaic devices. This illustrates that spatially extended donor or acceptor domains are required for the separation of charges on an ultrafast timescale (<100 fs), indicating that they are not only important for efficient charge transport and extraction, but also critically influence the initial stages of free charge carrier formation.

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Kieselsaft, Persil und Moses
Authors: Offermanns Heribert
Published: April 2015

Seit dem 19. Jahrhundert hat der Nivelsteiner Sand industrielle Bedeutung. Neben Waschmitteln und Sicherheitsgläsern war der Sandstein auch Grundlage für eine kolossale Statue.
Was macht der Müll im Meer?
Authors: Groß Michael
Published: April 2015

Plastikmüll reichert sich in den Ozeanen an und zerfällt dort unter UV‐Einwirkung in mikroskopisch kleine Partikel. Ob und wie dieses Mikroplastik auf die Biosphäre wirkt, beginnen Wissenschaftler gerade zu erforschen.
The effect of bladder sensation on uroflowmetry parameters in healthy young men
Authors: Kaynar Mehmet , Kucur Mustafa , Kiliç Ozcan , Akand Murat , Gul Murat , Goktas Serdar
Published: April 2015

Aims

To investigate the effect of the bladder sensation grade on uroflowmetry parameters.

Methods

Fifty healthy volunteering young men were enrolled in the present study. In total, three uroflowmetry evaluations were made. Qmax, Qave, VV, and PVR urine was obtained three times in three described bladder sensation grades, nearly at the same time of the day.

Results

The mean age of the participants in the present study is 29.08 ± 3.8 years. The mean Qmax values of the volunteers were 17.4 ± 4.8 ml/s, 24.1 ± 6.0 ml/s, and 29.6 ± 6.5 ml/s in the first, second, and third, voiding desire grades, respectively. The mean Qave values were 9.9 ± 2.1 ml/s, 12.9 ± 2.9 ml/s, and 15.9 ± 4.0 ml/s for each of the voiding desire grades mentioned. A statistically significant difference was obvious for all three bladder sensation grades in terms of Qmax and Qave values (P = 0.000). However, no statistically significant difference was seen regarding the PVR urine volumes. The mean voided volume in the first, second and third uroflowmetry were 140 ± 42 ml, 245 ± 64 ml, and 449 ± 105 ml, respectively. The highest Qmax and Qave values were obtained when the desire to void was urgent.

Conclusions

The findings of the study show that, uroflowmetry evaluations are to be made if the patients have a strong desire to void. Only thus the highest Qmax values can be obtained; yet, the degree of perceived bladder sensation does not have a statistically significant impact on PVR quantity. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:622–624, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effect of chemotherapy on optic pathway gliomas and their sub‐components: A volumetric MR analysis study
Authors: Shofty Ben , Mauda‐Havakuk Michal , Weizman Lior , Constantini Shlomi , Ben‐Bashat Dafna , Dvir Rina , Pratt Li‐Tal , Joskowicz Leo , Kesler Anat , Yalon Michal , Ravid Lior , Ben‐Sira Liat
Published: April 2015

Background

Optic pathway gliomas (OPG) represent 5% of pediatric brain tumors and compose a major therapeutic dilemma to the treating physicians. While chemotherapy is widely used for these tumors, our ability to predict radiological response is still lacking. In this study, we use volumetric imaging to examine in detail the long‐term effect of chemotherapy on the tumor as well as its various sub‐components.

Procedure

The tumors of 15 patients with OPG, treated with chemotherapy, were longitudinally measured using our novel, previously described volumetric method. Patients were treated with up to five lines of chemotherapy. Sufficient follow‐up imaging data, and patient's numbers, allowed for analysis of two treatment lines. Volumetric measurements of the tumors were segmented into solid‐non‐enhancing, solid‐enhancing, and cystic components. Outcome analysis was done per specific treatment line and for the overall follow‐up period.

Results

An average reduction of 9.7% (±23%) in the gross‐total‐solid volume (GTSV) was noted following treatment with vincristine and carboplatin. The cystic component grew under therapy by an average of 12.6% (±39%). When measured over the course of the whole study period, the cystic component grew by an average of 35% (±100%) and the GTSV increased by 12% (±35%).

Conclusion

Initial treatment with vincristine and carboplatin seems to have a minimal initial effect, mostly on the solid components. The cystic component in itself seems to be unaffected by chemotherapy, and contributes to the subsequent growth of the total volume. During the overall treatment period, both solid and cystic components grew regardless of combined treatment methods. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1353–1359. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mechanisms of orientational and photoelastic birefringence generation of methacrylates for the design of zero–zero‐birefringence polymers
Authors: Shafiee Houran , Beppu Shotaro , Iwasaki Shuhei , Tagaya Akihiro , Koike Yasuhiro
Published: April 2015

The intrinsic birefringence Δn0 and photoelastic coefficient C of poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(2,2,2‐trifluroethyl methacrylate), poly(phenyl methacrylate), and poly(2,2,3,3,3‐pentafluorophenyl methacrylate) were determined. We categorized these methacrylate polymers into four birefringence‐types, even though their molecular structures differed only by the substituents on the side chains. Based on the results of Δn0 and C, novel polymers that exhibit neither orientational nor photoelastic birefringence, i.e., zero–zero‐birefringence polymers, were designed and synthesized by quaternary copolymerization system. Furthermore, we confirmed that the mechanisms of orientational birefringence and photoelastic birefringence generation were different in these methacrylate polymers. The conformation of the repeat unit of the polymers was nearly constant during the generation of orientational birefringence. In contrast, the conformation of the repeat unit of the polymers changed during the generation of photoelastic birefringence in the glassy state. These findings demonstrated the reasonability of evaluating orientational and photoelastic birefringence separately, as well as the adequacy of the classification of polymers into four birefringence‐types. Given these results and the fact that zero–zero‐birefringence polymers could be prepared successfully by four‐birefringence type monomers, we demonstrated the reasonability of the method for designing the zero–zero‐birefringence polymers. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1330–1338, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Enhancement of dielectric and energy density properties in the PVDF‐based copolymer/terpolymer blends
Authors: Ullah Amir , ur Rahman Ata , Won Ahn Chang , Rahman Muneeb‐ur , Ullah Aman , Rehman Zia‐ur , Javid Iqbal Muhammad , Kim Ill Won
Published: April 2015

We investigated the high dielectric constant and energy storage density for the blends of P(VDF‐TrFE) copolymer and P(VDF‐TrFE‐CFE) terpolymer. The degradation of coercive field (Ec) and remnant polarization (Pr) of the copolymer under an electric field of 125 MV/m was observed and the copolymer changed into a typical relaxor ferroelectric with doping of terpolymer. The dielectric constant of P(VDF‐TrFE) was found to be ∼11, but was enhanced to ∼55 by blending with P(VDF‐TrFE‐CFE) at 60 wt%. Consequently, a higher energy density of about 4.2 J/cm3 was obtained in these blends in contrast to about 3.6 J/cm3 in the terpolymer at the very low applied electric field of 125 MV/m. These results demonstrate the promise of blend approaches for tailoring and enhancing the dielectric properties of ferroelectric polymers. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1396–1402, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Fundamentals and R&D status of III‐V compound solar cells and materials
Authors: Yamaguchi Masafumi
Published: April 2015

The III‐V compound multi‐junction solar cells have high efficiency potential of more than 50% due to wide photo response, while limiting efficiencies of single‐junction solar cells are 31‐32%. In order to realize high efficiency III‐V compound multi‐junction (MJ) solar cells, understanding and controlling imperfections (defects) are very important. This paper reviews fundamentals for major losses of III‐V compound materials and solar cells, key issues for super high‐efficiency MJ solar cells and recent R&D status of III‐V compound MJ solar cells. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Depolarization effect in rare‐earth doped Y2O3 films in blue and UV spectral range
Authors: Gasimov Naghi , Mammadov Eldar , Joudrier Anne L. , Babayev Sardar , Mamedova Irada , Andriamiadamanana Christian , Mamedov Nazim , Naghavi Negar , Guillemoles Jean F.
Published: April 2015

The 200 to 300 nm thick, Er and Er,Yb doped Y2O3 films deposited onto silicon substrate by spin coating have been studied by spectroscopic ellipsometry over the 192‐1680 nm spectral range at room temperature. All samples have been found to be strongly depolarizing in the blue and UV part of the spectrum. Complimentary examination of the sample surfaces, using confocal photoluminescence microscopy has disclosed the non‐uniform distribution of the rare‐earth dopants. The depolarization effects have then been modeled and found to be best reproduced by taking the thickness non‐uniformity as the main source of depolarization. The optical constants of the studied films have been determined after four‐step modeling with sequential decrease of the mean square error. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Characterization of CuInS2‐Cu2ZnSnS4 crystals grown from the melt
Authors: Oishi Koichiro , Nakamura Kenta , Yamazaki Makoto , Fukai Shota , Shigeno Takuya , Katagiri Hironori
Published: April 2015

Cu2(2.00‐x)((2In)y (ZnSn)(1.00‐y))x S4 crystals were grown from the melt. 23 samples with different x and y values were synthesized by heating constituent elementary Cu, In, S and Zn‐Sn alloy at 1,250 °C for 10 hours in each evacuated fused‐quartz ampule. All samples were characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction analysis. Two peaks are seen at the 112 diffraction positions in 0.3 ≤ y ≤ 0.9. The FWHM of the 112 diffraction peak broadened in 0.2 ≤ y ≤ 0.7. Lattice constants were obtained by Rietveld method using two tetragonal structure models simultaneously in the refinement. Both a and c obtained as CuInS2 phase changed almost linearly in y ≥ 0.7; therefore the existence of CuInS2 phase solid solution containing Zn and Sn was indicated in this region. The miscibility gap was also suggested as the region of 0.2 ≤ y ≤ 0.7 in our results because of the shape and the broadening of the 112 diffraction peaks. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Anticonvulsant and Sedative Effects of Eudesmin isolated from Acorus tatarinowii on mice and rats
Authors: Liu Hao , Song Zhi , Liao Da‐Guang , Zhang Tian‐Yi , Liu Feng , Zhuang Kai , Luo Kui , Yang Liang , He Jing , Lei Jian‐Ping
Published: April 2015

This paper was designed to investigate anticonvulsant and sedative effects of eudesmin isolated from Acorus tatarinowii. The eudesmin (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.). The maximal electroshock test (MES) and pentylenetertrazole (PTZ)‐induced seizures in male mice were used to evaluate anticonvulsant activities of eudesmin, and sedative effects of eudesmin were evaluated by pentobarbital sodium‐induced sleeping time (PST) and locomotor activity in mice. Finally, the mechanisms of eudesmin were investigated by determining contents of glutamic acid (Glu) and gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in epileptic mice, and expressions of glutamate decarboxylase 65 (GAD65), GABAA, Bcl‐2, and caspase‐3 in the brain of chronic epileptic rats. Results of MES and PTZ tests revealed that eudesmin possesses significant anticonvulsant effects, and the PST and locomotor activity tests demonstrated that eudesmin has significant sedative effects. Furthermore, our study revealed that after treatment with eudesmin, GABA contents increased, whereas Glu contents decreased, and ratio of Glu/GABA decreased. Our results also indicated that expressions of GAD65, GABAA, and Bcl‐2 were up‐regulated by treating with eudesmin, whereas the caspase‐3 obviously was down‐regulated. In conclusion, eudesmin has significant anticonvulsant and sedative effects, and the mechanism of eudesmin may be related to up‐regulation of GABAA and GAD65 expressions, and anti‐apoptosis of neuron the in brain. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extracardiac anomalies in prenatally diagnosed heterotaxy syndrome
Authors: Gottschalk I. , Stressig R. , Ritgen J. , Herberg U. , Breuer J. , Vorndamme A. , Strizek B. , Willruth A. , Geipel A. , Gembruch U. , Berg C.
Published: April 2015

Objective

To assess the incidence and impact of extracardiac anomalies on the prognosis of fetuses with heterotaxy syndrome.

Methods

All fetuses diagnosed with heterotaxy syndrome by three experienced examiners over a period of 14 years (1999–2013) were reviewed retrospectively.

Results

In total, 165 fetuses with heterotaxy syndrome were diagnosed in the study period. One hundred and fifty (90.9%) had cardiac defects; extracardiac anomalies that did not involve the spleen were present in 26/165 (15.8%) cases. Of the total study cohort, termination of pregnancy was performed in 49 (29.7%) cases, intrauterine death occurred in 11 (6.7%), postnatal death occurred in 38 (23.0%) and 67 (40.6%) were alive at the latest follow‐up, resulting in a total perinatal and pediatric mortality of 59.4%. Among the 105 liveborn neonates, 15 (14.3%) had extracardiac anomalies with significant impact on the postnatal course: one neonate died following repair of an encephalocele, six had successful treatment for various types of intestinal malrotation and/or atresia and one underwent hiatal hernia repair; the remaining seven had biliary atresia, of which five died and the two survivors are awaiting liver transplantation. The status of the spleen was assessed in 93/105 liveborn children and was found to be abnormal in 84/93 (90.3%). There were three cases of lethal sepsis, all associated with asplenia. Of the 38 postnatal deaths, 29 (76.3%) had a cardiac cause, seven (18.4%) had an extracardiac cause and in two (5.2%) the reason was uncertain.

Conclusions

Although the leading causes of death in fetuses and children with heterotaxy syndrome are cardiac, a small subset of fetuses have extracardiac anomalies with significant impact on outcome. These anomalies often escape prenatal detection, and therefore neonates at risk should be monitored for bowel obstruction, biliary atresia and immune dysfunction in order to allow timely intervention through a multidisciplinary approach. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Graphene‐based nanomaterials as molecular imaging agents
Authors: Garg Bhaskar , Sung Chu‐Hsun , Ling Yong‐Chien
Published: April 2015

Molecular imaging (MI) is a noninvasive, real‐time visualization of biochemical events at the cellular and molecular level within tissues, living cells, and/or intact objects that can be advantageously applied in the areas of diagnostics, therapeutics, drug discovery, and development in understanding the nanoscale reactions including enzymatic conversions and protein–protein interactions. Consequently, over the years, great advancement has been made in the development of a variety of MI agents such as peptides, aptamers, antibodies, and various nanomaterials (NMs) including single‐walled carbon nanotubes. Recently, graphene, a material popularized by Geim & Novoselov, has ignited considerable research efforts to rationally design and execute a wide range of graphene‐based NMs making them an attractive platform for developing highly sensitive MI agents. Owing to their exceptional physicochemical and biological properties combined with desirable surface engineering, graphene‐based NMs offer stable and tunable visible emission, small hydrodynamic size, low toxicity, and high biocompatibility and thus have been explored for in vitro and in vivo imaging applications as a promising alternative of traditional imaging agents. This review begins by describing the intrinsic properties of graphene and the key MI modalities. After which, we provide an overview on the recent advances in the design and development as well as physicochemical properties of the different classes of graphene‐based NMs (graphene‐dye conjugates, graphene‐antibody conjugates, graphene‐nanoparticle composites, and graphene quantum dots) being used as MI agents for potential applications including theranostics. Finally, the major challenges and future directions in the field will be discussed. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2015, 7:737–758. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1342

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice Regarding Genetic Testing and Genetic Counselors in Jordan: A Population‐Based Survey
Authors: Ahram Mamoun , Soubani Majd , Abu Salem Lana , Saker Haneen , Ahmad Muayyad
Published: April 2015

Genetic testing has a potential in the prevention of genetic diseases, particularly in communities with high rates of consanguineous marriage. Therefore, knowledge, practice, and attitudes of the public in Jordan regarding genetic testing were investigated. Individuals (N = 3,196) were questioned about the concepts of genetic testing and genetic counselors, if they underwent any genetic tests, the type of test, the method of consenting to the test, as well as their level of satisfaction with the privacy of the genetic testing service. The likelihood of pursuing predictive genetic testing for cancer was also investigated. Although almost 70 % of respondents knew the term “genetic testing,” only 18 % had undergone genetic testing, primarily the mandatory premarital test. In addition, there was a lack of general knowledge about genetic counselors. Many of those who had genetic testing (45 %) indicated they did not go through a consent process, and a lack of consent was significantly related to dissatisfaction with the privacy of the service. Approximately 55 % of respondents indicated they would potentially pursue predictive genetic testing for cancer. Going for routine health checkups was not significantly correlated with either actual or potential uptake of genetic testing, suggesting health care providers do not play an influential role in patients’ testing decisions. Our results show a gap between the knowledge and uptake of genetic testing and may help to guide the design of effective strategies to initiate successful genetic counseling and testing services.
CORAL: model for no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL)
Authors: Toropov Andrey A. , Toropova Alla P. , Pizzo Fabiola , Lombardo Anna , Gadaleta Domenico , Benfenati Emilio
Published: April 2015

The in vivo repeated dose toxicity (RDT) test is intended to provide information on the possible risk caused by repeated exposure to a substance over a limited period of time. The measure of the RDT is the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) that is the dose at which no effects are observed, i.e., this endpoint indicates the safety level for a substance. The need to replace in vivo tests, as required by some European Regulations (registration, evaluation authorization and restriction of chemicals) is leading to the searching for reliable alternative methods such as quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSAR). Considering the complexity of the RDT endpoint, for which data quality is limited and depends anyway on the study design, the development of QSAR for this endpoint is an attractive task. Starting from a dataset of 140 organic compounds with NOAEL values related to oral short term toxicity in rats, we developed a QSAR model based on optimal descriptors calculated with simplified molecular input-line entry systems and the graph of atomic orbitals by the Monte Carlo method, using CORAL software. Three different splits into the training, calibration, and validation sets are studied. The mechanistic interpretation of these models in terms of molecular fragment with positive or negative contributions to the endpoint is discussed. The probabilistic definition for the domain of applicability is suggested.
Use of extramural ambulatory care curricula in postgraduate medical training
Authors: Talwalkar Jaideep S. , Satcher D’Juanna , Turner Teri L. , Sisson Stephen D. , Fenick Ada M.
Published: April 2015

Introduction Extramural curricula developed for the purpose of sharing with other institutions have been designed to improve education on important topics in ambulatory care. We sought to assess the usage rates of these curricula among paediatric, internal medicine, and combined medicine-paediatrics residency programmes in the United States.

Methods Surveys on aspects of trainee continuity clinic were sent to paediatric and medicine-paediatrics programme directors in 2012. Surveys contained an item asking respondents about their use of extramural ambulatory care curricula. Since no similar recent data were available for internal medicine, and to verify the accuracy of the paediatric survey data, we queried the editors of four widely used curricula for subscription information. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated.

Results Responses from paediatric programmes indicated that 48 of 111 (43 %) were using an extramural curriculum, compared with 39 of 60 (65 %) medicine-paediatrics programmes (p = 0.007). Editor query revealed a collective subscription rate of internal medicine programmes (300 of 402, 75 %), which was greater than the subscription rate of paediatric programmes (90 of 201, 45 %) (p < 0.001).

Discussion Training programmes in paediatrics, internal medicine, and combined medicine-paediatrics utilize extramural curricula to guide education in ambulatory care, but internal medicine and medicine-paediatrics programmes employ these curricula at greater rates than paediatric programmes.
Transferibilidad de competencias profesionales, impactos y estrategias en 2 estudios de caso en la frontera norte de México
Authors: Velázquez Pompeyo René Ileana , Quintero Ramírez Cirila
Published: April 2015

Esta investigación analiza la transferibilidad de competencias profesionales y sus impactos en las actividades de investigación y desarrollo de 2 multinacionales del sector electrónico en Baja California, México. La metodología se sustenta en la revisión de documentos, el estudio de caso, la entrevista en profundidad y la Encuesta de Evaluación de Sistemas Sociotécnicos. Los resultados compilan los elementos y las estrategias del contexto laboral que posibilitan o impiden la transferibilidad y los impactos de este proceso en la empresa. Las conclusiones destacan, en ambos casos, impactos positivos como el liderazgo en el mercado, las innovaciones y la adaptación de tecnología. Sin embargo, se señalan barreras corporativas que limitan su participación y competitividad en el mercado electrónico.