bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Circular Dichroism and TDDFT Investigation of Chiral Fluorinated Aryl Benzyl Sulfoxides
Authors: Berardozzi Roberto , Guido Ciro A. , Capozzi Maria Annunziata M. , Cardellicchio Cosimo , Di Bari Lorenzo , Pescitelli Gennaro
Published: July 2015

A series of ten chiral aryl benzyl sulfoxides with perfluorinated aryl or benzyl rings, obtained by enantioselective oxidation of sulfides, has been investigated by means of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy and time‐dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations. The (per)fluorination of the aromatic rings has a large impact on the conformer population, the molecular orbitals shape, and the character of electronic transitions. In this series, the transition responsible for the “sulfoxide primary” CD band has a large charge transfer (CT) character, as demonstrated by the CT metric index ΓNTO. As a consequence, global DFT hybrids such as B3LYP are largely inaccurate in the prediction of excited states; nevertheless, a correct simulation of CD spectra may be achieved by using range‐separated functionals such as CAM‐B3LYP. The use of the empirical Mislow's rule for assigning the absolute configuration is strongly discouraged for this class of compounds.
Tetrasulfonated 1,2‐Bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ethane as a Building Block for the Synthesis of Disulfonated Alkyldiphenylphosphanes
Authors: Denis Julien , Ferreira Michel , Bricout Hervé , Machut Cécile , Tilloy Sébastien , Monflier Eric
Published: July 2015

A new and convenient route to various water‐soluble alkyldiphenylphosphanes is proposed starting from tetrasulfonated 1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ethane (DPPETS). DPPETS is alkylated and then cleaved to give the disulfonated alkyldiphenylphosphane. This methodology allowed the production of disulfonated n‐octyl, n‐dodecyl, n‐hexadecyl, phenethyl, and but‐3‐enyl diphenylphosphanes with satisfactory yields.
An energy‐aware load‐balanced routing protocol for ad hoc M2M communications
Authors: Zhang Xiaoying , Anpalagan Alagan , Guo Lei , Khwaja Ahmed Shaharyar
Published: July 2015

Machine‐to‐machine (M2M) communications will become ubiquitous in the future Internet of Things, and it is important that current wireless networks are developed to support M2M communications. In this paper, we propose an energy‐aware load‐balanced routing protocol for ad hoc M2M communications. Routing is a challenging issue in ad hoc M2M communication networks due to a large number of machine‐type communication (MTC) devices and a lack of infrastructure. Wireless nodes that are used as MTC devices are powered by batteries only. This makes energy efficiency a major issue as each MTC device in the network acts as a router and consumes energy in the routing process. The energy consumption should be reduced to prolong the lifetime of the batteries. Most existing research on energy‐aware routing only focuses on minimising the total energy consumption from the source to the destination device, regardless of the performance degradation caused by the heavy traffic load in the network. The unbalanced traffic load distribution among devices may cause more packet loss and quick battery depletion due to the frequent usage. Unlike existing research, we classify the devices as energy‐critical and load‐critical devices and protect them from participating in the routing frequently. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed routing protocol significantly increases the packet delivery ratio, reduces delay and prolongs the network lifetime compared to ad hoc on‐demand distance vector and dynamic source routing in the heavy load network. Energy‐aware load‐balanced can also provide better performance compared with delay‐aware MChannel and energy‐aware MChannel protocols when devices have very low energy levels in congested networks. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Ethics of Access: Who Is Offered a Cesarean Delivery, and Why?
Authors: Ralston Steven J. , Farrell Ruth M.
Published: July 2015

Much of the discourse in the bioethics literature on what is often called “cesarean delivery on maternal request” has focused on balancing respect for patient autonomy with attention to the short‐ and long‐term risks of this procedure to maternal and neonatal well‐being. And while there has been some analysis of the social and economic costs inherent in performing cesareans, much of the clinical and ethical analysis has concluded that, given the degree of risk to the mother and neonate from a primary or single repeat cesarean delivery, there is sufficient justification for pregnant women to request and obtain this procedure from obstetricians willing to meet such requests. However, these same analyses often caution that physicians should not offer these elective cesareans to all women, but only to those who initiate the request. This paper analyzes recommendations that do not promote universal access to these procedures and concludes that such a policy is ethically unjustifiable, as it treats women who do not inquire about such procedures differently. Depriving appropriate candidates—for example, healthy women who are good surgical candidates and desire only one or two children—of information about elective cesarean delivery is a form of undue influence on women's decision‐making.
Is there any difference in patterns of use and psychiatric symptom status between injectors and non‐injectors of mephedrone?
Authors: Kapitány‐Fövény Máté , Mervó Barbara , Kertész Máté , Corazza Ornella , Farkas Judit , Kökönyei Gyöngyi , Urbán Róbert , Demetrovics Zsolt
Published: July 2015

Objective

In recent years, increasing intravenous mephedrone use was reported in several countries. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of such a form of mephedrone use, while identifying the differences between injectors and non‐injectors in patterns of mephedrone use and psychiatric symptom status.

Methods

One hundred and forty‐five mephedrone users were surveyed on patterns of mephedrone use using a structured questionnaire as well as the Brief Symptom Inventory.

Results

Majority of users received mephedrone from acquaintances and used it in discos/parties settings regarding both first and current mephedrone use. Intranasal use was the most typical route of administration (84.4%). Injectors (11%) used the drug more frequently and in higher dosages. This group included a greater proportion of opiate users (37.5%) and showed more diffuse psychiatric symptoms. Regarding the predictors of being an injector, heroin use showed the highest odds ratio.

Conclusions

Intravenous mephedrone use is associated with a higher risk of harmful drug use, elevated psychiatric symptom profile and increased possibility of mephedrone being considered as an addictive substance. These findings might be important in efficient treatment planning. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimizing equivalence‐based instruction: Effects of training protocols on equivalence class formation
Authors: Fienup Daniel M. , Wright Nicole A. , Fields Lanny
Published: July 2015

Two experiments evaluated the effects of the simple‐to‐complex and simultaneous training protocols on the formation of academically relevant equivalence classes. The simple‐to‐complex protocol intersperses derived relations probes with training baseline relations. The simultaneous protocol conducts all training trials and test trials in separate portions of the protocol. In Experiments 1 and 2, participants formed 4 3‐ and 4‐member neuroanatomy classes, respectively. When trained with the simple‐to‐complex protocol, 100% of participants immediately formed the 3‐ or 4‐member classes. When trained with the simultaneous protocol, the 3‐ and 4‐member classes were formed immediately by 75% and 42% of participants, respectively. Thus, the immediate emergence of equivalence classes was an interactive function of training protocol and class size. The remaining participants eventually formed classes after a few cycles of retraining. The incorporation of these training and testing parameters could optimize the use of equivalence‐based instruction for teaching college‐level course content.
Evidence‐based care pathway for cellulitis improves process, clinical, and cost outcomes
Authors: Yarbrough Peter M. , Kukhareva Polina V. , Spivak Emily Sydnor , Hopkins Christy , Kawamoto Kensaku
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

Cellulitis is a common infection with wide variation of clinical care.

OBJECTIVE

To implement an evidence‐based care pathway and evaluate changes in process metrics, clinical outcomes, and cost for cellulitis.

DESIGN

A retrospective observational pre‐/postintervention study was performed.

SETTING

University of Utah Health Care, a 500‐bed academic medical center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

PATIENTS

All patients 18 years or older admitted to the emergency department observation unit or hospital with a primary diagnosis of cellulitis.

INTERVENTION

Development of an evidence‐based care pathway for cellulitis embedded into the electronic medical record with education for all emergency and internal medicine physicians.

MEASUREMENTS

Primary outcome of broad‐spectrum antibiotic use. Secondary outcomes of computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging orders, length of stay (LOS), 30‐day readmission, and pharmacy, lab, imaging, and total facility costs.

RESULTS

A total of 677 visits occurred, including 370 visits where order sets were used. Among all patients, there was a 59% decrease in the odds of ordering broad‐spectrum antibiotics (P < 0.001), 23% decrease in pharmacy cost (P = 0.002), and 13% decrease in total facility cost (P = 0.006). Compared to patients for whom order sets were not used, patients for whom order sets were used had a 75%, 13%, and 25% greater decrease in the odds of ordering broad‐spectrum antibiotics (P < 0.001), clinical LOS (P = 0.041), and pharmacy costs (P = 0.074), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The evidence‐based care pathway for cellulitis improved care at an academic medical center by reducing broad‐spectrum antibiotic use, pharmacy costs, and total facility costs without an adverse change in LOS or 30‐day readmissions. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;10:780–786. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine
Longitudinal three‐dimensional‐T2WI‐SPACE study on wallerian degeneration in cat corticospinal tract and underlying pathology changes
Authors: Zhang Min , Qin Wen , Piao Yueshan , Guo Deyu , Zhu Zixin , Tian Xin , Li Kuncheng , Yu Chunshui
Published: July 2015

Purpose

To investigate the feasibility of T2W‐SPACE technique in early detection of WD, the signal evolutions of degenerated corticospinal tract (CST) on T2W‐SPACE, and their underlying pathological changes.

Materials and Methods

The WD model of the CST was established in 23 cats through excision of cortical origins of the tract. Eight cats were scanned with the T2W‐SPACE technique at 8 sequential time points, i.e. 0 (before modeling), 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 20 and 30 days after modeling, and then they were pathologically examined. The remaining 15 cats (3 per group) also underwent pathological examination at 2, 4, 6, 10 and 20 days after modeling, respectively. The ratios of T2 signal intensity (rT2s) between the affected and unaffected sides of CST were analyzed.

Results

During the first 4 days, SPACE could not detect any significant changes of the affected CST, although axonal degeneration was pathologically observed at the second day. From 6 to 10 days, the rT2s decreased monotonously, which is corresponded to histological findings of myelin degeneration and phagocyte proliferation. From 10 to 20 days, rT2s kept relatively stable at a low level and started to recover after that; the pathological changes of this period was characterized by marked phagocytizing activities.

Conclusion

SPACE technique can detect Wallerian degeneration at an early stage, and the signal evolution is consistent with the pathological processes. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:1134–1143.
Global change at the landscape level: relating regional and landscape‐scale drivers of historical climate trends in the Southern Appalachians
Authors: Lesser Mark R. , Fridley Jason D.
Published: July 2015

Organisms in montane environments are sensitive to fine‐scale climatic variation associated with highly dissected topography, yet few studies have examined the sensitivity of different landscape positions to climate change. We downscaled biologically significant temperature variables to below‐canopy 30 m resolution and assessed temporal trends from 1980 to 2011 across elevation and topographic gradients in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP; Tennessee and North Carolina, USA) using a previously developed empirical model derived from a 120‐sensor temperature network. Additionally, we assessed GSMNP climate trends from 1900 using six historical climate records from the region and an additional eight records from 1980, spanning the Park's elevation gradient. Regional temperatures increased through the 1980s and 1990s, but currently remain at or below those recorded in the early to mid‐20th century and are strongly associated with different phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation. In contrast, annual and growing season precipitation steadily rose during the past century. Landscape‐scale analysis showed that rates of change for maximum seasonal temperatures, frost‐free days (FFD), and growing degree days were strongly mediated by topographic position, with high‐elevation ridges having greater rates of maximum temperature increases, whereas high‐elevation near‐stream positions showed the least amount of increase in FFD and growing degree days. Most importantly, we show how modelled differences in rates of climatic change based on landscape position could have significant ecological effects in this biologically significant region, depending on how organisms respond to particular climate factors. Organisms that depend on growing season length may experience the largest climate effects at the lowest elevations, while those that depend on warm days in spring and autumn for particular phenological processes will experience the largest shifts at high‐elevation ridges.
In situ ambient and high‐temperature Raman spectroscopic studies of nyerereite (Na,K)2Ca(CO3)2: can hexagonal zemkorite be stable at earth‐surface conditions?
Authors: Golovin A. V. , Korsakov A. V. , Zaitsev A. N.
Published: July 2015

In this study we present Raman spectroscopy data obtained from a naturally occurring orthorhombic nyerereite (Na,K)2Ca(CO3)2 from the Oldoinyo Lengai volcano (Tanzania) at ambient and high temperature. Nyerereite was heated up to 300 °C, 400 °C and 500 °C, and is believed to have been transformed at high temperatures to hexagonal β‐ and γ‐phases similar to zemkorite, (Na,K)2Ca(CO3)2. There are no major differences in the chemical composition of natural nyerereite and zemkorite. However, Raman spectra reveal significant differences between the nyerereite at ambient temperature and the phases obtained in the course of all our high‐temperature experiments. In situ measurements show that none of the high‐temperature hexagonal phases are quenchable, even at very high cooling rates (up to 50–80 °C/min), and they transform to nyerereite at ambient temperature. Contrary to previous studies even the presence of high K2O (up to 7.5 wt.%) did not stabilize the hexagonal structure during cooling. The cooling rates in our experiments were much higher than those at natural magmatic or hydrothermal systems; therefore hexagonal zemkorite is not likely to survive within natural systems as it transforms to nyerereite at ambient conditions. Thus, we do not expect to find zemkorite in any magmatic, metasomatic or hydrothermal rocks exposed at the Earth's surface. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predicting carbon isotope discrimination in Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) from the environmental parameters—light, flow, and [DIC]
Authors: McPherson Meredith L. , Zimmerman Richard C. , Hill Victoria. J.
Published: July 2015

Isotopic discrimination against 13C during photosynthesis is determined by a combination of environmental conditions and physiological mechanisms that control delivery of CO2 to RUBISCO. This study investigated the effects of light, flow, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentration, and its speciation, on photosynthetic carbon assimilation of Zostera marina L. (eelgrass) using a combination of laboratory experiments and theoretical calculations leading to a mechanistic understanding of environmental conditions that influence leaf carbon uptake and determine leaf stable carbon isotope signatures (δ13C). Photosynthesis was saturated with respect to flow at low velocity (∼ 3 cm s−1), but was strongly influenced by [DIC], and particularly aqueous CO2 (CO2(aq)) under all flow conditions. The non‐linear responses of light‐ and flow‐saturated photosynthesis to [DIC] were used to quantify the maximum physiological capacity for photosynthesis, and to determine the degree of photosynthetic carbon limitation for light‐saturated photosynthesis, which provided a mechanistic pathway for modeling regulation of carbon uptake and 13C discrimination. Model predictions of δ13C spanned the typical range of values reported for a variety of seagrass taxa, and were most sensitive to [DIC] (predominantly [CO2(aq)]) and flow, but less sensitive to DIC source [CO2(aq) vs.
]. These results provide a predictive understanding of the role of key environmental parameters (light, flow, and DIC availability) can have in driving δ13C of seagrasses, which will become increasingly important for predicting the response of these ecosystem engineers to local processes that affect light availability and flow, as well as global impacts of climate warming and ocean acidification in the Anthropocene.
Facile and Quantitative Synthesis of a Poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐Poly(l‐arginine) Block Copolymer and Its Use for the Preparation of Polyion Complex Micelles with Polyanions for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Kudo Shinpei , Nagasaki Yukio
Published: July 2015

Though l‐arginine‐containing polymers show versatile biological functions, a precisely controlled synthesis of poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(l‐arginine) (PEG‐b‐PArg) block copolymers has not been reported. Here, an effective method for the synthesis of PEG‐b‐PArg block copolymers is developed. In order to obtain PEG‐b‐PArg, a two‐step reaction, i.e., synthesis of PEG‐b‐poly(l‐ornithine) is employed, followed by guanidinylation with N,N′‐bis(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)‐1H‐pyrazole‐1‐carboxamidine. This procedure quantitatively converts amino groups to guanidium groups at the side chains of peptide segments under mild conditions. Polyion complex (PIC) micelles are prepared by mixing the positively charged PEG‐b‐PArg with negatively charged homo‐polyelectrolytes such as hyaluronic acid (HA) or chondroitin sulfate C (CS). PIC micelles prepared with CS show a higher stability than those prepared with HA, probably due to strong interactions between guanidium cations in PEG‐b‐PArg and carboxylate/sulfate in CS. Thus, PIC micelles containing PArg are a potentially effective arginine carrier for the development of in vivo therapeutic applications for various diseases related to nitric oxide, which is generated from inducible nitric oxide synthase in macrophages using l‐arginine as a substrate.

image
Bioactivity characterization of Lactobacillus strains isolated from dairy products
Authors: Haghshenas Babak , Nami Yousef , Haghshenas Minoo , Abdullah Norhafizah , Rosli Rozita , Radiah Dayang , Yari Khosroushahi Ahmad
Published: July 2015

This study aimed to find candidate strains of Lactobacillus isolated from sheep dairy products (yogurt and ewe colostrum) with probiotic and anticancer activity. A total of 100 samples were randomly collected from yogurt and colostrum and 125 lactic acid bacteria were isolated. Of these, 17 Lactobacillus strains belonging to five species (L. delbrueckii, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus, L. paracasei, and L. casei) were identified. L. plantarum 17C and 13C, which isolated from colostrums, demonstrated remarkable results such as resistant to low pH and high concentrations of bile salts, susceptible to some antibiotics and good antimicrobial activity that candidate them as potential probiotics. Seven strains (1C, 5C, 12C, 13C, 17C, 7M, and 40M), the most resistant to simulated digestion, were further investigated to evaluate their capability to adhere to human intestinal Caco‐2 cells. L. plantarum 17C was the most adherent strain. The bioactivity assessment of L. plantarum 17C showed anticancer effects via the induction of apoptosis on HT‐29 human cancer cells and negligible side effects on one human epithelial normal cell line (FHs 74). The metabolites produced by this strain can be used as alternative pharmaceutical compounds with promising therapeutic indices because they are not cytotoxic to normal mammalian cells.
Discrete element model for crack propagation in brittle materials
Authors: Le Ba Danh , Koval Georg , Chazallon Cyrille
Published: July 2015

We propose a discrete element model for brittle rupture. The material consists of a bidimensional set of closed‐packed particles in contact. We explore the isotropic elastic behavior of this regular structure to derive a rupture criterion compatible to continuum mechanics. We introduce a classical criterion of mixed mode crack propagation based on the value of the stress intensity factors, obtained by the analysis of two adjacent contacts near a crack tip. Hence, the toughness becomes a direct parameter of the model, without any calibration procedure. We verify the consistency of the formulation as well as its convergence by comparison with theoretical solutions of tensile cracks, a pre‐cracked beam, and an inclined crack under biaxial stress. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative NMRI and NMRS identify augmented disease progression after loss of ambulation in forearms of boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Wary Claire , Azzabou Noura , Giraudeau Céline , Le Louër Julien , Montus Marie , Voit Thomas , Servais Laurent , Carlier Pierre
Published: July 2015

Quantitative NMRI and 31P NMRS indices are reported in the forearms of 24 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) (6–18 years, 14 non‐ambulant) amenable to exon 53 skipping therapy and in 12 age‐matched male controls (CONT). Examinations carried out at 3 T comprised multi‐slice 17‐echo measurements of muscle water T2 and heterogeneity, three‐point Dixon imaging of fat fraction in flexor and extensor muscles (FLEX, EXT), and non‐localised spectroscopy of phosphate metabolites. We studied four imaging indices, eight metabolic ratios combining ATP, phosphocreatine, phosphomonoesters and phosphodiesters, the cytosolic inorganic phosphate (Pia) and an alkaline (Pib) pool present in dystrophic muscle, and average pH. All indices differed between DMD and CONT, except for muscle water T2. Measurements were outside the 95th percentile of age‐matched CONT values in over 65% of cases for percentage fat signal (%F), and in 78–100% of cases for all spectroscopic indices. T2 was elevated in one‐third of FLEX measurements, whereas %pixels > 39 ms and T2 heterogeneity were abnormal in one‐half of the examinations. The FLEX muscles had higher fat infiltration and T2 than EXT muscle groups. All indices, except pH, correlated with patient age, although the correlation was negative for T2. However, in non‐ambulant patients, the correlation with years since loss of ambulation was stronger than the correlation with age, and the slope of evolution per year was steeper after loss of ambulation. All indices except Pi/gATP differed between ambulant and non‐ambulant patients; however, T2 and %pixels > 39 ms were highest in ambulant patients, possibly owing to the greater extent of inflammatory processes earlier in the disease. All other indices were worse in non‐ambulant subjects. Quantitative measurements obtained from patients at different disease stages covered a broad range of abnormalities that evolved with the disease, and metabolic indices were up to 10‐fold above normal from the onset, thus establishing a variety of potential markers for future therapy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Framing charitable appeals: the effect of message framing and perceived susceptibility to the negative consequences of inaction on donation intention
Authors: Cao Xiaoxia
Published: July 2015

An experiment was conducted to explore how potential donors' perceptions of their own susceptibility to the negative consequences of not making a donation may moderate the relative persuasiveness of gain‐framed and loss‐framed fundraising messages (defined by messages that highlight corresponding gains or losses as the result of making or not making donations to a charitable organization). It found that as participants' perceptions of their own susceptibility to the negative consequences of inaction increased, the loss‐framed message became more effective than the gain‐framed message in increasing donation intention. The relative persuasive advantage of the loss‐framed message was statistically significant among participants with higher levels of perceived susceptibility. The findings not only speak to the important role played by perceived susceptibility to the negative consequences of inaction in determining the relative persuasiveness of gain‐framed and loss‐framed fundraising campaigns but also provide the guidelines that practitioners can use when designing campaign messages. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Light‐induced controlled free radical polymerization of methacrylates using iron‐based photocatalyst in visible light
Authors: Bansal Ankushi , Kumar Pawan , Sharma Chandra D. , Ray Siddharth S. , Jain Suman L.
Published: July 2015

A novel visible light mediated catalytic system based on low cost iron complex, that is, Fe(bpy)3(PF)6 photocatalyst that initiates and control the free radical polymerization of methacrylates using ethyl α‐bromoisobutyrate (EBriB) as an initiator and 20 watt LED as light source is developed. The polymerization is initiated with turning the light on and immediately terminated by turning the light off. In addition, the molecular weight of polymer can be varied by changing the ratio of monomer and initiator. The merits of the present methodology lie in the use of low cost less precious, highly abundant iron‐based photocatalyst, avoidance of sacrificial donor and need of lower catalyst amount under visible light. The optimum amount of catalyst and initiator were established and successful polymerization of various methacrylates was achieved under the optimized polymerization conditions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 2739–2746
Nonparametric inference for time‐dependent incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios
Authors: Yee Laura M. , Gary Chan Kwun Chuen
Published: July 2015

As the costs of medical care increase, more studies are evaluating cost in addition to effectiveness of treatments. Cost‐effectiveness analyses in randomized clinical trials have typically been conducted only at the end of follow‐up. However, cost‐effectiveness may change over time. We therefore propose a nonparametric estimator to assess the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio over time. We also derive the asymptotic variance of our estimator and present formulation of Fieller‐based simultaneous confidence bands. Simulation studies demonstrate the performance of our point estimators, variance estimators, and confidence bands. We also illustrate our methods using data from a randomized clinical trial, the second Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial. This trial studied the effects of implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators on patients at high risk for cardiac arrhythmia. Results show that our estimator performs well in large samples, indicating promising future directions in the field of cost‐effectiveness. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Peptide‐like Polymers Exerting Effective Glioma‐Targeted siRNA Delivery and Release for Therapeutic Application
Authors: An Sai , He Dongsheng , Wagner Ernst , Jiang Chen
Published: July 2015

Lipopolymer 49, a solid‐phase synthesized T‐shaped peptide‐like oligoamide containing two central oleic acids, 20 aminoethane, and two terminal cysteine units, is identified as very potent and biocompatible small interfering RNA (siRNA) carrier for gene silencing in glioma cells. This carrier is combined with a novel targeting polymer 727, containing a precise sequence of Angiopep 2 targeting peptide, linked with 28 monomer units of ethylene glycol, 40 aminoethane, and two terminal cysteines in siRNA complex formation. Angiopep‐polyethylene glycol (PEG)/siRNA polyplexes exhibit good nanoparticle features, effective glioma‐targeting siRNA delivery, and intracellular siRNA release, resulting in an outstanding gene downregulation both in glioma cells and upon intravenous delivery in glioma model nude mice without significant biotoxicity. Therefore, this novel siRNA delivery system is expected to be a promising strategy for targeted and safe glioma therapy.
Relationships of the Indian phytosaur Parasuchus hislopi Lydekker, 1885
Authors: Kammerer Christian F. , Butler Richard J. , Bandyopadhyay Saswati , Stocker Michelle R.
Published: July 2015

The neotype skull of the Indian phytosaur Parasuchus hislopi Lydekker, 1885 (ISI R42) is re‐evaluated and compared with the type material of other basal phytosaurs. Parasuchus hislopi is extremely similar to species previously placed in Paleorhinus (P. bransoni and P. angustifrons), sharing with them such characters as a series of nodes on the lateral surface of the jugal, paired ridges on the squamosal and a frontal depression. Parasuchus hislopi represents a valid species: it can be distinguished from P. bransoni by a relatively low narial eminence and P. angustifrons by the absence of paired nasal depressions. Inclusion of Parasuchus hislopi in a phylogenetic analysis of phytosaurs recovers it in a well‐supported clade with P. bransoni and P. angustifrons. Parasuchus is considered the senior synonym of Paleorhinus and Arganarhinus. Parasuchus (here considered to include P. hislopi, P. angustifrons, P. bransoni and P. magnoculus) has a broad circum‐Pangaean distribution, with species occurring in the south‐western United States, Morocco, central Europe and India. Phytosaur higher‐level taxonomy is also revised: Parasuchidae is redefined to include ‘Paleorhinus‐grade’ phytosaurs and the later‐diverging Mystriosuchinae (the group formerly known as Phytosauridae), and Pseudopalatinae is renamed Mystriosuchini for reason of priority.
Physical properties of biodegradable films from heat‐moisture‐treated rice flour and rice starch
Authors: Majzoobi Mahsa , Pesaran Yasaman , Mesbahi Gholamreza , Golmakani Mohammad Taghi , Farahnaky Asgar
Published: July 2015

Native starch and flour are not successful in biodegradable film production. Heat moisture treatment (HMT) is a physical modification to improve functional properties of starch and flour, however, it is not fully understood if this method can enhance their film properties. This research, compares physical properties of biodegradable films produced from native rice flour (RF), rice starch (RS), and their heat‐moisture‐treated counterparts (HMTRF and HMTRS, respectively). Water solubility of the films reduced in the following order: RS film (23.91%) > RF film (19.77%) > HMTRS (19.50%) > HMTRF (16.22%). Water vapor permeability values of RF and RS films were 0.032 and 0.017 g mm m−2 h−1 KPa−1 which were increased to 0.043 and 0.027 g mm m−2 h−1 KPa−1, respectively, after HMT. RF film was darker, more reddish, and yellowish but less transparent than RS film. HMT increased all the color parameters and further reduced the transparency of the films particularly for RF film. RS films had less flexibility, higher elongation at break, and tensile strength than RF films. HMT reduced films firmness, tensile strength, and resistance to stretch of both films. Overall, biodegradable films from HMTRF and HMTRS showed lower transparency, water solubility, rigidity, and extensibility while higher permeability to water vapor compared to their native counterparts.
Cyclometalation of Phenylpyridines by Rhodium(I) via Room‐temperature C–H Bond Activation
Authors: Böttcher Hans‐Christian , Graf Marion , Mayer Peter
Published: July 2015

A convenient synthesis of cyclometalated complexes [{Rh(μ‐Cl)(C N)2}2] [C N = ppy, 2‐phenylpyridinato (2); C N = ptpy, 2‐(p‐tolyl)pyridinato (3); 4‐Clppy = 4‐chloro‐2‐phenylpyridinato (4)] at room temperature is described. The compounds were obtained by the oxidative addition reaction of the corresponding 2‐phenylpyridines to [{Rh(μ‐Cl)(coe)2}2] (1) (coe = cis‐cyclooctene) in dichloromethane solution. The rate of the reaction seems to depend on the electronic influence of the substituents on the phenyl rings of the corresponding 2‐phenylpyridines. The analogous iridium complex of 1 reacted markedly only at higher temperatures in suitable solvents under cyclometalation. The molecular structure of the new compound 4 was additionally confirmed by an X‐ray diffraction study.
Clinical Outcomes of Left Subclavian Artery Coverage on Morbidity and Mortality During Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair for Distal Arch Aneurysms
Authors: Baba Takeshi , Ohki Takao , Kanaoka Yuji , Maeda Koji
Published: July 2015

Background

This single‐center study assessed left subclavian artery (LSA) revascularization management and morbidity and mortality of LSA coverage outcomes during elective thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for distal arch aneurysms.

Methods

Between July 2006 and June 2014, 178 patients underwent TEVAR (zone 2 + 3) for distal arch aneurysms. TEVAR with LSA coverage (zone 2) was performed in 121 patients (68.0 %). Multivariate analysis was performed to determine factors associated with perioperative cerebral infarction (CI) and postoperative endoleak (EL).

Results

Technical success was achieved in 96.7 %. LSA coil embolization was performed in 72.7 %. Subclavian artery crossover bypass was required in 9.1 %. Perioperative complications were CI (6.6 %) and paraplegia (1.7 %). The 30‐day mortality rate was 2.5 % (n = 3). There were significant differences by CI univariate analysis in coverage range (≥300 mm) (P = 0.003) and shaggy aorta (P = 0.044). Primary EL occurred in 14.0 % (n = 17). We found statistically significant difference of primary EL in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = 0.016), preoperative aneurysm diameter (P = 0.041), and proximal stent graft diameter (P = 0.029). Left upper extremity symptoms developed in 5.8 % (n = 7); vertebrobasilar insufficiency occurred in 4.1 % (n = 5). Freedom from secondary intervention rates after 1, 3, and 5 years were 96.1, 78.3, and 63.4 %, respectively.

Conclusions

Our mid‐ to long‐term results of TEVAR with LSA coverage were generally acceptable. Routine revascularization was not necessary in majority of zone 2 TEVAR. CI occurred in approximately 6 % of the cases, secondary interventions were performed more often for ELs.
Young Females Exhibit Decreased Coronal Plane Postural Stability Compared to Young Males
Authors: Brophy Robert H. , Staples Jonathon R. , Motley John , Blalock Ryan , Steger-May Karen , Halstead Mark
Published: July 2015

Background

Female athletes are at significantly higher risk of noncontact ACL injury than males, particularly in pivoting sports such as soccer and basketball. Sex-based differences in proprioception and core stability may contribute to this elevated risk.

Questions/Purpose

This study evaluates a novel method of assessing dynamic stability to test the hypothesis that healthy adolescent controls have sex-based differences in postural stability.

Methods

Seventy-nine male and 72 female subjects completed three rounds of dynamic postural stability testing. During the assessment, subjects attempted to stabilize their torso and upper body in response to random movements of the platform. The total time a subject lasted on the platform and dynamic motion analysis (DMA) score, a summation of motion in five planes throughout testing, was calculated for each subject. The average score for each subject was included in the analysis.

Results

Males lasted longer on the platform (98 ± 14 s) than females (94 ± 13 s) ( p = 0.04). Coronal plane and rotation stability differed significantly between genders (323 ± 126 vs. 365 ± 128, p = 0.04) and (318 ± 82 vs. 403 ± 153, p = 0.0002), respectively. No statistically significant difference was seen in the other planes of motion.

Conclusions

Females have less dynamic postural stability than their male counterparts in the coronal plane based on a novel assessment tool. This finding may contribute to better understanding of sex-based differences in rates of injury such as noncontact ACL tears.
Bariatric Surgery: Three Surgical Techniques, Patient Care, Risks, and Outcomes
Authors: McGraw Carrie A. , Wool Daniel B.
Published: July 2015

The prevalence of obesity in the United States is a serious health concern. Bariatric surgery is a recognized and accepted approach for addressing weight loss and health conditions that occur as a result of morbid or severe obesity. Lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, and regular exercise are required for optimal and lasting surgical weight loss. Perioperative care of bariatric patients requires the use of interventions that differ from those used for nonobese patients, including bariatric‐specific equipment, intraoperative monitoring of blood glucose, and postoperative monitoring for respiratory compromise. This articles outlines the risks and typical outcomes associated with three common bariatric procedures—laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass—to help perioperative nurses and other health care providers successfully advise patients and monitor their care for optimal outcomes.
Enhancing Nursing Care by Understanding the Bariatric Patient's Journey
Authors: Neil Janice A. , Roberson Donna W.
Published: July 2015

Patients who undergo obesity‐related bariatric surgery seek a lasting solution to weight loss and a desire for a healthier lifestyle. Perioperative nurses should be prepared to provide sensitive, high‐quality care to this population. Effective assessment and management of bariatric patients involves understanding the motivating factors for seeking bariatric surgery, such as to address the stigma and health problems associated with obesity. Nurses should be knowledgeable about expected outcomes of bariatric care, including long‐term processes and lifestyle changes that patients must participate in to sustain weight loss. The informed perioperative nurse is essential to the successful treatment of bariatric patients in their journey to healthier living.
The Role of the Nurse and the Preoperative Assessment in Patient Transitions
Authors: Malley Ann , Kenner Carole , Kim Tiffany , Blakeney Barbara
Published: July 2015

Transitions in care in the perioperative environment are numerous and should be considered high‐risk endeavors. The preoperative area is the first transition in care for a surgical patient and should be considered a critical dimension of care transition. The purposes of this study were to identify nursing's contributions to transitions in care in the perioperative environment and to identify the role of the preoperative assessment in this transition. Qualitative descriptive design was used. Focus groups were conducted with 24 nurses in a 975‐bed medical center. The themes that arose in the focus groups were: (1) understanding patient vulnerabilities, (2) multidimensional communication, (3) managing patients’ expectations, and (4) nursing's role in compensating for gaps. We conclude that the nurse's role in the preoperative assessment during the transition of preoperative care is that of advocate who identifies the patient's needs and risk factors that may be affected by the surgical experience. This study suggests that the nursing preoperative assessment can be useful in identifying and defining patients’ risk factors not just for surgery, but for the entire perioperative care trajectory.
Cell reprogramming and neuronal differentiation applied to neurodegenerative diseases: Focus on Parkinson's disease
Authors: Wenker Shirley D. , Casalía Mariana , Candedo Verónica Cavaliere , Casabona Juan Cruz , Pitossi Fernando J.
Published: July 2015

In this review we discuss the advantages and unresolved issues of cell reprogramming and neuronal differentiation. We reviewed evidence using iPSCs‐derived neurons from neurological patients. Focusing on data obtained from Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, we show that iPSC‐derived neurons possess morphological and functional characteristics of this disease and build a case for the use of this technology to study PD and other neuropathologies while disease is in progress. These data show the enormous impact that this new technology starts to have on different purposes such as the study and design of future therapies of neurological disease, especially PD.
β‐Amyloid pathogenesis: Chemical properties versus cellular levels
Authors: Tiwari Manish K. , Kepp Kasper P.
Published: July 2015

Although genetic Aβ variants cause early‐onset Alzheimer's disease, literature reports on Aβ properties are heterogeneous, obscuring molecular mechanisms, as illustrated by recent failures of Aβ‐level targeting trials. Thus, we combined available data on Aβ levels and ratios, aggregation propensities, toxicities, and patient data for Aβ variants and correlated these data to identify heterogeneity, significant relations, and basis for consensus. Despite heterogeneity, age of disease onset correlates to Aβ levels (R2 = 0.38, P = .018), but not to toxicities, Aβ42 levels, Aβ42/Aβ40 ratios, or aggregation propensities. Cytotoxicity correlates inversely with total Aβ42 (R2 = 0.65, P = .016) and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratios (R2 = 0.76, P = .005), i.e., chemical properties that increase Aβ42 also reduce toxicity. The complexity and heterogeneity of data reveal the need to understand these phenotypes better, e.g., by focusing on the chemical properties of the involved Aβ species.
Don't Throw the Baby Out With the Bathwater: Comparing Data Quality of Crowdsourcing, Online Panels, and Student Samples
Authors: Roulin Nicolas
Published: July 2015

In their focal article, Landers and Behrend (2015) propose to reevaluate the legitimacy of using the so-called convenience samples (e.g., crowdsourcing, online panels, and student samples) as compared with traditional organizational samples in industrial–organizational (I-O) psychology research. They suggest that such sampling strategies should not be judged as inappropriate per se but that decisions to accept or reject such samples must be empirically or theoretically justified. I concur with Landers and Behrend's call for a more nuanced view on convenience samples. More precisely, I suggest that we should not “throw the baby out with the bathwater” but rather carefully and empirically examine the advantages and risks associated with using each sampling strategy before classifying it as suitable or not.
Participant Motivation: A Critical Consideration
Authors: McGonagle Alyssa K.
Published: July 2015

Landers and Behrend (2015) make a good argument that more consideration should be given to sampling strategies in light of the specific research question prior to data collection and that nonorganizational samples should not be automatically dismissed by journal editors and reviewers. Yet, the authors only briefly mention one particular issue that is also relevant to the validity of our research findings—participant motivation. Researchers should seek to better understand why individuals choose to participate in a study and what may be motivating the levels of effort they put forth in participating. Two critical questions include Are participants who they say they are (e.g., working adults)? And, are participants paying attention to the study instructions and questions and participating with effort? In this response, I expand on issues related to participant motivation and apply them to the sampling strategies discussed by Landers and Behrend (2015). I also provide suggestions for ways researchers may address these issues.
Stop Apologizing for Your Samples, Start Embracing Them
Authors: Zhu Xiaoyuan (Susan) , Barnes-Farrell Janet L. , Dalal Dev K.
Published: July 2015

Landers and Behrend (2015) call for editors and reviewers to resist using heuristics when evaluating samples in research as well as for researchers to cautiously consider choosing the samples appropriate for their research questions. Whereas we fully agree with the former conclusion, we believe the latter can be extended even further to encourage researchers to embrace the strengths of their samples for understanding their research rather than simply defending their samples. We believe that samples are not inherently better or worse but rather better suited for different research objectives. In this commentary, we identify three continua on which research goals can differ to demonstrate that all samples can inform science. Depending on the position of one's research on these continua, different samples exhibit different strengths; the continua described below can be used to anchor one's sample to demonstrate how it can benefit, rather than limit, research conclusions. As discussed in the focal article, researchers will often apologize for their convenience samples as one of a litany of limitations; we hope that researchers will move sampling issues out of the limitations section and into the main discussion.
Questions About I-O Psychology's Future
Authors: Morelli Neil , Illingworth A. James , Handler Charles
Published: July 2015

We find Neubert, Mainert, Kretzschmar, and Greiff's (2015) article to be worth discussing and embracing because it represents not only a pragmatic offering of two important constructs for 21st century work but also an important opportunity for industrial–organizational (I-O) scholars and practitioners to consider several questions related to the future of I-O psychology. Neubert et al. correctly identified the broad trends that are influencing the economic environment that we live in and made a compelling argument that I-O psychologists should join other researchers and policymakers from ancillary fields to identify and measure the unique competencies and skills that will determine success in the future of work. In our own research on new technologies and their use in talent assessment and selection (e.g., mobile device testing), we have often considered other future-related research questions, and we would like to offer them here as a supplement to this discussion in the hopes that it might spur further forward-thinking conversation, research, and practice. Below we offer five additional themes to organize the questions that we believe are important to consider as I-O psychologists evaluate the merits and uses of 21st century skills such as complex problem solving and collaborative problem solving (CPS and ColPS).
Assessing 21st Century Skills: Competency Modeling to the Rescue
Authors: Sliter Katherine A.
Published: July 2015

Neubert, Mainert, Kretzschmar, and Greiff (2015) rightly argue that today's business world requires employees to frequently engage in nonroutine, creative, and interactive tasks. The authors go further to describe two potentially important skills—complex problem solving and collaborative problem solving—which they believe can address gaps in our current understanding of employee skill assessment. I contend however that the authors might be reinventing the wheel with this framework, given that the already popular practice of competency modeling satisfies the very deficiencies that the authors argue exist. To expand on this argument, I will first provide a brief history and discussion of what competency modeling is, followed by an explanation of several key benefits of this approach in terms of addressing the authors’ concerns. Then, on the basis of my applied experience as an external consultant, I will discuss how I might use competency modeling to address one of the authors’ own example scenarios, which should help identify ways in which competency modeling subsumes Neubert and colleagues’ approach.