bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experiences in building and scaling an enterprise application on multicore systems
Authors: Seelam Seetharami , Liu Yanbin , Dube Parijat , Ito Megumi , Binay Deniz , Dawson Michael , Nagaraja Pramod , Johnson Graeme , Fong Liana , Hack Michel , Meng Xiaoqiao , Gao Yuqing , Zhang Li
Published: October 2011

Even though Java is the de facto programming language for enterprise applications, there exist only a limited number of Java‐based benchmarks to understand the performance on emerging multicore systems. To bridge this gap, this paper presents a report generation benchmark that is developed on top of Open Source Apache Geronimo's DayTrader benchmark. Report generation and rendering is at the heart of many enterprise business analytics and business intelligence software products, and it is used by many enterprise applications. We evaluate the performance scalability of this benchmark on a state‐of‐the‐art Power7 multicore system with 8 Power7 cores and 32 hardware threads. The benchmark throughput scales linearly up to eight hardware threads, but beyond that point, the throughput falls sharply. Significant locking in the Java class libraries for non‐shared objects results in this performance drop. Splitting the locks on these shared classes results in near linear scaling from eight to 32 threads and improved the throughput by 80%. We also show that the Linux operating system load balancing could result in a degraded application performance in hardware multithreaded systems and simultaneous‐multithreads‐aware task scheduling results in uniform core‐resource utilization as well as improved application performance. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the Nature of the Stabilization of Benzene⋅⋅⋅Dihalogen and Benzene⋅⋅⋅Dinitrogen Complexes: CCSD(T)/CBS and DFT‐SAPT Calculations
Authors: Munusamy Elango , Sedlak Robert , Hobza Pavel
Published: October 2011

The structure and stabilization energies of benzene (and methylated benzenes)⋅⋅⋅X2(X=F, Cl, Br, N) complexes were investigated by performing CCSD(T)/complete basis set limit and density functional theory/symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory (DFT‐SAPT) calculations. The global minimum of the benzene⋅⋅⋅dihalogen complexes corresponds to the T‐shaped structure, whereas that of benzene⋅⋅⋅dinitrogen corresponds to the sandwich one. The different binding motifs of these complexes arise from the different quadrupole moments of dihalogens and dinitrogen. The different sign of the quadrupole moments of these diatomics is explained based on the electrostatic potential (ESP). Whereas all dihalogens, including difluorine, possess a positive σ hole, such a positive area of the ESP is completely missing in the case of dinitrogen. Moreover, benzene⋅⋅⋅X2(X=Br, Cl) complexes are stronger than benzene⋅⋅⋅X2(X=F, N) complexes. When analyzing DFT‐SAPT electrostatic, dispersion, induction, andδ(Hartree–Fock) energies, we recapitulate that the former complexes are stabilized mainly by dispersion energy, followed by electrostatic energy, whereas the latter complexes are stabilized mostly by the dispersion interaction. The charge‐transfer energy of benzene⋅⋅⋅dibromine complexes, and surprisingly, also of methylated benzenes⋅⋅⋅dibromine complexes is only moderate, and thus, not responsible for their stabilization. Benzene⋅⋅⋅dichlorine and benzene⋅⋅⋅dibromine complexes can thus be characterized merely as complexes with a halogen bond rather than as charge‐transfer complexes.
Impurity induced structural phase transformations in melt grown single crystals of lead iodide
Authors: Chaudhary S. K. , Kaur H.
Published: October 2011

Lead iodide is a wide‐band gap and highly resistive semiconductor considered to be a promising room temperature nuclear detector. The phenomenon of polytypism is posing interesting problems of phase transformations among its polytypic modifications and formation of polytypic admixture during growth due to native impurities. Transformations have also been observed even when the material is stored for few months that causes deterioration in functioning of the PbI2 devices. Lead iodide has been purified and single crystals were grown using zone‐refining system. The observed phase transformations during growth and storage have been explained in the light of distortion of [PbI6]4‐ octahedron due to impurities present in the material and the known crystal structures of PbI2. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
CD80 (B7.1) is expressed on both malignant B cells and nonmalignant stromal cells in non‐Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Dakappagari Naveen , Ho Steffan N. , Gascoyne Randy D. , Ranuio Julie , Weng Andrew P. , Tangri Shabnam
Published: October 2011

Background:

CD80 is a member of the B7 family of immune coregulatory proteins that mediate both immune activation and suppression. CD80 in particular has recently been shown to play an important role in supporting immune suppression through interactions with B7‐H1. CD80 has been identified as a therapeutic target in non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) based on limited immunohistochemical studies of CD80 expression. Clinical studies have shown that the anti‐CD80 antibody galiximab is safe and clinically efficacious in follicular NHL. However, the mechanisms through which targeting CD80 inhibits tumor progression remain poorly understood.

Methods:

To further define the potential of CD80 as a therapeutic target in NHL, CD80 expression was evaluated by multicolor flow cytometric analysis of primary lymphoma cell suspensions generated from 241 diagnostic biopsies of patients with NHL.

Results:

CD80 was expressed on malignant B cells in essentially all cases of follicular lymphoma (97%; n = 115), the majority of cases of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (90%; n = 69), marginal zone lymphoma (91%; n = 22), mantle cell lymphoma (75%; n = 12), and in about half of small lymphocytic lymphoma cases (43%; n = 23). CD80 was also present on tumor‐infiltrating T lymphocytes in nearly all cases. Additionally, CD80 was expressed by non‐B, non‐T cells in 68 and 44% of cases of follicular and diffuse large B‐cell NHL, respectively.

Conclusions:

CD80 is expressed on both malignant cells and the nonmalignant cells in NHL. Therapeutic targeting of CD80 will therefore modulate the complex intercellular interactions that define the tumor microenvironment in NHL. © 2011 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Determination of acetylcholinesterase activity by the Ellman assay: A versatile tool for in vitro research on medical countermeasures against organophosphate poisoning
Authors: Worek Franz , Eyer Peter , Thiermann Horst
Published: October 2011

Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is the main mechanism of action of organophosphorus compounds (OP), and AChE reactivators (oximes) are at present the only causal therapeutic approach. Being the key target of OP toxicity, AChE may serve as a valuable tool for diagnosis of OP exposure as well as for the investigation of the kinetics of interactions between OP and oximes. At present, the rapid, simple, and cheap spectrophotometric Ellman assay is widely used for diagnosis, therapeutic monitoring and in vitro kinetic investigations. Application of the assay for investigation of the interactions between AChE, inhibitors, and oximes requires the consideration of potential matrix effects (e.g. hemoglobin), side reactions (e.g. oximolysis of substrate) and other determinants (e.g. pH, temperature). By taking these factors into account, the Ellman assay allows the precise and reproducible determination of kinetic constants as a basis for the understanding of toxic OP effects and for the development of improved therapies against poisoning by OP. In addition, advanced applications of the Ellman assay, for example, in a dynamic in vitro model for the real‐time activity determination of membrane‐bound AChE, enables the proper investigation of relevant tissue, primarily respiratory muscle, and extends the applicability of this method. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of dihydrotestosterone gel, oral dehydroepiandrosterone, and testosterone gel misuse through the quantification of testosterone metabolites released after alkaline treatment
Authors: Fabregat Andreu , Pozo Oscar J. , Van Renterghem Pieter , Van Eenoo Peter , Marcos Josep , Segura Jordi , Ventura Rosa
Published: October 2011

The natural occurrence of endogenous anabolic steroids together with their availability in different administration forms makes the detection of their misuse a great challenge for doping control laboratories. Nowadays, the detection of endogenous steroids abuse is performed by the analysis of the steroid profile. Recently, androst‐1,4‐dien‐3,17‐dione (1,4‐AD), androst‐4,6‐dien‐3,17‐dione (4,6‐AD), 17β‐hydroxy‐androst‐4,6‐dien‐3‐one (6‐T), and androst‐15‐en‐3,17‐dione (15‐AD) have been described as testosterone (T) metabolites released after basic treatment of the urine. In the present work, the usefulness of these metabolites has been evaluated detecting the use of three different forms of endogenous steroids in a single dose: dihydrotestosterone gel (DHT), oral dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and T gel. After the independent administration of these endogenous steroids, a rise in the value of several of the ratios calculated between the tested metabolites was noticed. For DHT, a small increase was observed for the ratios 1,4‐AD/15‐AD, 6‐T/15‐AD and 4,6‐AD/15‐AD although only for one volunteer. Better results were obtained for oral DHEA and T gel where an increase was observed in all volunteers for several of the tested ratios. The detection time in which the misuse can be detected (DT) has been evaluated using two different approaches: (1) comparison with population based reference limits, and (2) comparison with individual threshold levels. The obtained DTs were compared with the results of previously published markers for the misuse of such substances. When using basic released metabolites, shorter DTs were obtained for DHT, similar DTs for DHEA, and the detectability was substantially improved for T gel. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
pangolin expression influences the development of a morphological novelty: Beetle horns
Authors: Wasik Bethany R. , Moczek Armin P.
Published: October 2011

Morphological diversity arises during development through the actions and interactions of diverse developmental pathways. Among those, the Wnt pathway is known to contribute to diverse developmental processes such as segmentation and the morphogenesis of appendages. Here, we characterize a transcription factor in the Wnt pathway, pangolin (pan), to investigate the role of Wnt signaling in the development of evolutionarily novel body structures: the horns of beetles. Beetle horns are highly diverse in size, shape, and number and develop principally from two major body regions: the head and prothorax. We investigate horns in two species of the genus Onthophagus using comparative in situ hybridization, larval RNA interference, and allometric measurements to analyze whether horn formation is regulated by pan and by extension the Wnt pathway. Our results illustrate that pan expression affects beetle horn growth in a species‐, sex‐, and location‐specific manner in two morphologically distinct, yet closely‐related, Onthophagus species. genesis 50:404–414, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Open‐Framework Beryllium Phosphites with Layered Structures
Authors: Wang Jianli , Luo Daibing , Luo Xiuchao , Chen Yaoqiang , Lin Zhien
Published: October 2011

Three new beryllium phosphite solids, H2dabco·Be3(HPO3)4·H2O (1), H2aep·Be3(HPO3)4·2H2O (2), and (H4teta)0.5·Be2(HPO3)3 (3), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Compound 1 exhibits a layered structure with eight‐ring windows. It has a 44 grid topology by regarding the Be3(HPO3)4 cluster as a 4‐connected node in the network. Compound 2 possesses a similar layered structure as that of compound 1. The presence of one‐dimensional water chains within its interlayer regions is noteworthy. Compound 3 has a different layered structure with large 12‐ring windows. The three compounds represent the first examples of open‐framework beryllium phosphites with layered structures.
Reactance, the self, and its group: When threats to freedom come from the ingroup versus the outgroup
Authors: Graupmann Verena , Jonas Eva , Meier Ester , Hawelka Stefan , Aichhorn Markus
Published: October 2011

We investigated the assumption that independent versus interdependent self‐construals yield different manifestations of psychological reactance in different group contexts. We expected collectivists (interdependent) to value the collective freedom of an ingroup more in face of an outgroup threat than individualists (independent) who should be protective of their individual freedom especially within an ingroup. In Study 1, we showed that collectivists (Taiwanese students) did not show reactance when a threat to their freedom of choice originated in the ingroup, but they did show reactance when it originated in an outgroup. In Study 2, Austrian students showed more reactance the more interdependent their self‐construal was when confronted with an outgroup restriction. However, the more independent Austrian students' self‐construal was, the more reactance they showed when the threat came from the ingroup. Priming an independent (versus interdependent) self‐construal in Study 3, we again observed more reactance when freedom was restricted by the ingroup. The findings underline the importance of understanding psychological reactance as a socially situated phenomenon. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparative‐scale isoelectric trapping by recursive electrophoresis in a compartmentalized system having orthogonal primary and secondary pH gradients. Part 1 – Construction and standard operation
Authors: North Robert Y. , Vigh Gyula
Published: October 2011

The performance of the current preparative‐scale isoelectric trapping systems is limited by the serial arrangement of the separation compartments. A new system has been developed that achieves trapping by recursive electrophoresis in a compartmentalized system (T‐RECS). T‐RECS features (i) parallel‐connected elementary separation heads with independent electrode compartments, feed compartments, and harvest compartments, (ii) orthogonal primary pH gradients and secondary pH gradients, (iii) directionally controlled convective analyte transport along the primary (resolving) pH gradients, and (iv) electrophoretic analyte transport along the secondary (harvesting) pH gradients. The operation of T‐RECS has been quantitatively characterized via separation of small molecule ampholytes.
A multivariate approach for the determination of isoelectric point of human carbonic anhydrase isoforms by capillary isoelectric focusing
Authors: Lecoeur Marie , Goossens Jean‐François , Vaccher Claude , Bonte Jean‐Paul , Foulon Catherine
Published: October 2011

Human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) IX and XII are isoenzymes which are highly overexpressed in many cancer types. Recently, it has been shown that hCA IX contributes to the acidification of the tumor environment leading to chemoresistance with basic antitumoral drugs. The development of selective hCA inhibitors constitutes a new therapeutic axis. In order to elucidate the specific interactions between hCA and inhibitors, physico‐chemical properties of hCA must be evaluated. This work reports the determination of the isoelectric point (pI) of a series of hCA isoforms by capillary isoelectric focusing. First, the method was optimized with synthetic UV‐detectable pI markers using a central composite design. The separation was performed in a fused‐silica capillary chemically derivatized with hydroxypropylcellulose and using a glycerol–water medium as the anticonvective gel. Three main factors (ampholyte content, focusing time and mobilization pressure) were optimized in order to obtain the best resolution, detection threshold and precision on the pI determination. Then, the model was validated through the analysis of standard proteins mixture having known pI values, before investigating the pI of hCA isoforms.
Effects of chronic nanoparticulate silver exposure to adult and juvenile sheepshead minnows (Cyprinodon variegatus)
Authors: Griffitt Robert J. , Brown-Peterson Nancy J. , Savin Daniel A. , Manning C. Steve , Boube Idrissa , Ryan R.A. , Brouwer Marius
Published: October 2011

The use of nanoparticulate silver (AgNP) is increasingly widespread and recently has been shown to have a plausible release route into aquatic environments. To date, relatively little research has examined the effects of AgNP on estuarine fish. The authors present data indicating that chronic exposure to low levels of AgNP induces significant adverse effects in both juvenile and adult sheepshead minnows (Cyprinodon variegarus; SHMs). Chronic exposure to low levels of AgNP produced significant increases in tissue burdens in both juvenile and adult SHMs, resulting in significant thickening of epithelia gill tissue and in dramatically altered gene expression profiles. The results do not appear to be attributable to the release of silver ions through particle dissolution. The alteration in gene expression was greatest in adult gonads, but no evidence of AgNP-related dysfunction was found at the tissue level. In contrast, the authors found a significant effect on gill morphology, but very little evidence of effect on gill transcription profiles. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:160–167. © 2011 SETAC
Production and consumption of reactive oxygen species by fullerenes
Authors: Kong Lingjun , Zepp Richard G.
Published: October 2011

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are one of the most important intermediates in chemical, photochemical, and biological processes. To understand the environmental exposure and toxicity of fullerenes better, the production and consumption of ROS (singlet oxygen, superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals) by Buckminster fullerene (C60) and fullerenol were investigated in aqueous systems. Fullerenol exhibits higher photoproduction efficiency of singlet oxygen and superoxide than aqueous suspensions of C60 aggregates (aqu/nC60), and this higher efficiency results in higher steady-state concentrations of these two ROS. Transmission electron microscopy indicates that the C60 molecules in aqu/nC60 are much more closely packed than the C60 cages in fullerenol. These observations provide additional evidence that the lower ROS production efficiency of aqu/nC60 is attributable primarily to efficient self-quenching of C60 triplet states. Production of singlet oxygen by aqu/nC60 is accelerated by increasing oxygen concentration and in part is sensitized by fluorescent photoproducts that accumulate during irradiation. The fullerenes react slowly with singlet oxygen (second-order rate constant <4 × 105 M−1 s−1), but react rapidly with hydroxyl radicals (second-order rate constants of 5.4 × 109 and 4 × 108 M−1 s−1 for aqu/nC60 and fullerenol, respectively). These results show that environmental conditions, including light exposure and oxygen concentration, have the potential to impact the generation of toxic ROS by fullerenes. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:136–143. © 2011 SETAC
Adsorption and desorption of bivalent metals to hematite nanoparticles
Authors: Grover Valerie A. , Hu Jinxuan , Engates Karen E. , Shipley Heather J.
Published: October 2011

The use of commercially prepared hematite nanoparticles (37.0 nm) was studied as an adsorbent in the removal of Cd(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) from aqueous solutions. Single-metal adsorption was studied as a function of metal and adsorbent concentrations, whereas binary metal competition was found to be dependent on the molar ratio between the competing metals. Competitive effects indicated that Pb had strong homogenous affinity to the nanohematite surface, and decreased adsorption of Cd, Cu, and Zn occurred when Pb was present in a binary system. Metal adsorption strength to nanohematite at pH 6.0 increased with metal electronegativity: Pb > Cu > Zn ∼ Cd. Equilibrium modeling revealed that the Langmuir–Freundlich composite isotherm adequately described the adsorption and competitive effects of metals to nanohematite, whereas desorption was best described by the Langmuir isotherm. The desorption of metals from nanohematite was found to be pH dependent, with pH 4.0 > pH 6.0 > pH 8.0, and results showed that greater than 65% desorption was achieved at pH 4.0 within three 24-h cycles for all metals. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:86–92. © 2011 SETAC
Behaviour of limecrete under fire conditions
Authors: Cachim Paulo Barreto , Morais Miguel M. , Coroado João , Lopes Nuno , Velosa Ana L.
Published: October 2011

Hydraulic lime concrete (limecrete) is a material that has a lower environmental impact than that of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete and, consequently, may be increasingly used in some construction applications. Because of its reduced strength, pozzolanic materials, such as metakaolin, are commonly used to improve its strength and durability. Simultaneously, to the increased interest in more sustainable materials, the fire behaviour of materials has also deserved an increased attention during the last years because of some important disasters that occurred.

In this study, the fire behaviour of limecrete has been investigated. To increase limecrete performance, hydraulic lime has been replaced by metakaolin in different percentages. Fire tests at different temperatures (200, 400, 600 and 830°C) and different durations (30 and 60 min) have been performed and the residual strength and chemical changes using X‐ray powder diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis techniques were investigated. It became apparent that a 20% replacement of hydraulic lime by metakaolin leads to an improved performance at room temperature and fire loading. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Future decision‐making without episodic mental time travel
Authors: Kwan Donna , Craver Carl F. , Green Leonard , Myerson Joel , Boyer Pascal , Rosenbaum R. Shayna
Published: October 2011

Deficits in episodic memory are associated with deficits in the ability to imagine future experiences (i.e., mental time travel). We show that K.C., a person with episodic amnesia and an inability to imagine future experiences, nonetheless systematically discounts the value of future rewards, and his discounting is within the range of controls in terms of both rate and consistency. Because K.C. is neither able to imagine personal uses for the rewards nor provide a rationale for selecting larger future rewards over smaller current rewards, this study demonstrates a dissociation between imagining and making decisions involving the future. Thus, although those capable of mental time travel may use it in making decisions about future rewards, these results demonstrate that it is not required for such decisions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Antioxidant and anti‐apoptotic effects of onion (Allium cepa) extract on doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity in rats
Authors: Alpsoy Seref , Aktas Cevat , Uygur Ramazan , Topcu Birol , Kanter Mehmet , Erboga Mustafa , Karakaya Osman , Gedikbasi Asuman
Published: October 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and anti‐apoptotic effects of onion (Allium cepa) extracts (ACE) on doxorubicin (DOX)‐induced cardiotoxicity. The rats in the ACE‐pretreated group were given a daily dose of 1 ml ACE for 14 days. To induce cardiotoxicity, DOX (30 mg kg−1 body weight) was injected intraperitoneally by a single dose and the rats were sacrificed after 48 h. To date, no such studies have been performed on the cardioprotective and anti‐apoptotic potential of ACE on DOX‐induced cardiotoxicity. Our data indicate a significant reduction in the activity of in situ identification of apoptosis using terminal dUTP nick end‐labeling in cardiomyocytes of the DOX‐treated group with ACE therapy. The DOX‐treated with ACE groups showed a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels, and increased activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione and glutathione peroxidase in comparison with the DOX‐treated group. Creatine kinase, creatine kinase MB, lactate dehydrogenase activities and cardiac troponin I levels were significantly decreased in the DOX + ACE group in comparison with the DOX group. These biochemical and histological disturbances were effectively attenuated on pretreatment with ACE. The present study showed that ACE may be a suitable cardioprotector against toxic effects of DOX. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new approach for the synthesis of some pyrazolo[5,1‐c]triazines and pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines containing naphtofuran moiety
Authors: Abdelhamid Abdou O. , Shokry Shokry A. , Tawfiek Sayed M.
Published: October 2011

Naphtho[2,1‐b]furan‐2‐yl)(8‐phenylpyrazolo[5,1‐c][1,2,4]triazin‐3‐yl)methanone, ([1,2,4]triazolo[3,4‐c][1,2,4]triazin‐6‐yl)(naphtho[2,1‐b]furan‐2‐yl)methanone, benzo[4,5]imidazo[2,1‐c][1,2,4]triazin‐3‐yl‐naphtho[2,1‐b]furan‐2‐yl‐methanone, 5‐(naphtho[2,1‐b]furan‐2‐yl)pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine, 7‐(naphtho[2,1‐b]furan‐2‐yl)‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]pyrimidine, 2‐naphtho[2,1‐b]furan‐2‐yl‐benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2‐a]pyrimidine, pyridine, and pyrazole derivatives are synthesized from sodium salt of 5‐hydroxy‐1‐naphtho[2,1‐b]furan‐2‐ylpropenone and various reagents. The newly synthesized compounds were elucidated by elemental analysis, spectral data, chemical transformation, and alternative synthetic route whenever possible. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2012).
Subcutaneous methylnaltrexone for treatment of acute opioid‐induced constipation: Phase 2 study in rehabilitation after orthopedic surgery
Authors: Anissian Lucas , Schwartz Harry W. , Vincent Kevin , Vincent Heather K. , Carpenito Jennifer , Stambler Nancy , Ramakrishna Tage
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND:

Methylnaltrexone has been shown to be effective for treating opioid‐induced constipation (OIC) in chronic settings, but its effects on acute OIC have not been studied.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess safety and efficacy of subcutaneous methylnaltrexone in patients with acute OIC after orthopedic procedures.

DESIGN:

Double‐blind, randomized, parallel‐group, placebo‐controlled, hypothesis‐generating phase 2 study.

SETTING:

Sixteen US hospitals and rehabilitation facilities.

PATIENTS:

Adult patients with acute OIC after orthopedic surgical procedure, expected to require opioids for at least 7 days postrandomization.

INTERVENTIONS:

Patients received once‐daily subcutaneous methylnaltrexone 12 mg or placebo for up to 4 or 7 days.

MEASUREMENTS:

All endpoints were exploratory and included the percentage of patients achieving laxation within 2 and 4 hours of first dose and time to laxation.

RESULTS:

Thirty‐three patients received at least 1 dose of study drug (methylnaltrexone, n = 18; placebo, n = 15). Within 2 and 4 hours, significantly more patients receiving methylnaltrexone achieved laxation (2 hours: 33.3% vs 0%, P = 0.021; 4 hours: 38.9% vs 6.7%, P = 0.046) compared with placebo. Time to laxation was significantly shorter with methylnaltrexone (median = 15.8 hours) versus placebo (median = 50.9 hours), P = 0.0197. The most common adverse events related to the gastrointestinal tract. Pain scores remained stable and were similar to those of placebo, and signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal did not emerge in patients receiving methylnaltrexone.

CONCLUSIONS:

Methylnaltrexone was generally well tolerated and was active in inducing laxation in this study of patients experiencing acute OIC following orthopedic surgery. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Covalent Assembly of Hierarchical Particles by Efficient Coupling of β‐Diketones and Benzyl Chloride
Authors: Xu Jianxiong , Wang Da , Li Na , Zhang Yaoyao , Zhang Wangqing , Sun Pingchuan
Published: October 2011

A coupling reaction is performed between polymeric nanoparticles and microparticles via the nucleophilic substitution of pendent β‐diketone groups with benzyl chloride. The coupling reaction results in the formation of hierarchical particles, through the nanoparticles being covalently linked onto the microparticles. The coupling reaction is tracked by TEM and SEM, and the formation of covalent C–C bonds through the coupling reaction between the polymeric nanoparticles and microparticles is confirmed by solid‐state 13C CP‐MAS NMR spectroscopy and XPS. The proposed coupling reaction between the nanoparticles and the microparticles is believed to be a promising strategy in particle‐surface modification.
Locomotion speed determines gait variability in cerebellar ataxia and vestibular failure
Authors: Schniepp Roman , Wuehr Maximilian , Neuhaeusser Maximilian , Kamenova Maria , Dimitriadis Konstantin , Klopstock Thomas , Strupp M. , Brandt Thomas , Jahn Klaus
Published: October 2011

Temporal gait variability is a critical parameter in patients with balance problems. Increased magnitude of temporal gait variability corresponds to a higher risk of falls. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of walking speed on temporal stride‐to‐stride variability in patients with cerebellar and vestibular deficits. A GAITRite system was used to analyze the gait of 40 patients with cerebellar ataxia, 22 patients with bilateral vestibular failure, and 51 healthy subjects over the entire range of the individual's speed capacity. The coefficient of variability of stride time was calculated for each walk. Temporal gait variability was increased in cerebellar patients and vestibular patients. The magnitude of this variability depended on walking speed in a disease‐specific manner. In patients with cerebellar ataxia, variability was increased during slow (8.4 ± 5.3%, P < .01) and fast (7.9 ± 6.4%, P < .01) walking speed but was normal during preferred walking speed. This resulted in a speed‐related U‐shaped function of stride‐time variability. Patients with vestibular failure had increased variability during slow walking (9.9 ± 4.3%, P < .01). During walking with medium and fast walking speed, stride time variability was normal. Minimal temporal gait variability appears to be attractive for the locomotor system in cerebellar patients because these patients preferred to walk at a velocity associated with minimal stride‐time variability. In contrast to previous studies, vestibular patients accelerate rather than decelerate gait to achieve dynamic stability. This may be explained by reduced sensory integration during fast locomotion. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Evaluation of multicontrast MRI including fat suppression and inversion recovery spin echo for identification of intra‐plaque hemorrhage and lipid core in human carotid plaque using the mahalanobis distance measure
Authors: te Boekhorst Bernard C. , van 't Klooster Ronald , Bovens Sandra M. , van de Kolk Kees W. , Cramer Maarten J. , van Oosterhout Matthijs F. , Doevendans Pieter. A. , van der Geest Rob J. , Pasterkamp Gerard , van Echteld Cees J.
Published: October 2011

Intra‐plaque hemorrhage (IPH) and lipid core, characteristics of rupture prone carotid plaques, are often visualized in vivo with MRI using T1 weighted gradient and spin echo, respectively. Increasing magnetic field strength may help to identify IPH and lipid core better. As a proof of concept, automatic segmentation of plaque components was performed with the Mahalanobis distance (MD) measure derived from image contrast from multicontrast MR images including inversion recovery spin echo and T1 weighted gradient echo with fat suppression. After MRI of nine formaldehyde‐fixated autopsy specimens, the MDs and Euclidean Distances between plaque component intensities were calculated for each MR weighting. The distances from the carotid bifurcation and the size and shape of calcification spots were used as landmarks for coregistration of MRI and histology. MD between collagen/cell‐rich area and IPH was largest with inversion recovery spin echo (4.2/9.3, respectively), between collagen/cell‐rich area/foam cells and lipid core with T1 weighted gradient echo with fat suppression (26.9/38.2/4.6, respectively). The accuracy of detection of IPH, cell‐rich area, and collagen increased when the MD classifier was used compared with the Euclidean Distance classifier. The enhanced conspicuity of lipid core and IPH in human carotid artery plaque, using ex vivo T1 weighted gradient echo with fat suppression and inversion recovery spin echo MRI and MD classifiers, demands further in vivo evaluation in patients. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thermal conductivity epoxy resin composites filled with boron nitride
Authors: Gu Junwei , Zhang Qiuyu , Dang Jing , Xie Chao
Published: October 2011

Boron nitride (BN) micro particles modified by silane coupling agent, γ‐aminopropyl triethoxy silane (KH550), are employed to prepare BN/epoxy resin (EP) thermal conductivity composites. The thermal conductivity coefficient of the composites with 60% mass fraction of modified BN is 1.052 W/mK, five times higher than that of native EP (0.202 W/mK). The mechanical properties of the composites are optimal with 10 wt% BN. The thermal decomposition temperature, dielectric constant, and dielectric loss increase with the addition of BN. For a given BN loading, the surface modification of BN by KH550 exhibits a positive effect on the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of the BN/EP composites. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studies on thermal and dielectric properties of organo clay and octakis (dimethylsiloxypropylglycidylether) silsesquioxane filled polybenzoxazine hybrid nanocomposites
Authors: Vengatesan M.R. , Devaraju S. , Dinakaran K. , Alagar M.
Published: October 2011

Two types of polybenzoxazine (PBZ) hybrid nanocomposites were prepared from new type of benzoxazine monomer (BZ‐Cy‐OH) and organo‐modified MMT clay (OMMT) and octakis (dimethylsiloxypropylglycidylether) silsesquioxane (OG‐POSS) (up to 7.5 wt%). The new BZ‐Cy‐OH prepared from trans‐4‐aminocyclohexanol hydrochloride and 37% formaldehyde solution with 1,1‐bis (3‐methyl‐4‐hydroxy phenyl) cyclohexane and its structure was conformed by FTIR and NMR (1H and 13C) spectral studies. The thermal properties of the resulting hybrid PBZ nanocomposites were studied by using differential scanning calorimetric and thermogravimetric analysis. Comparative study revealed on the data from the DSC analysis, the newly synthesized BZ‐Cy‐OH started ring opening polymerization at the lower temperature than that of the conventional benzoxazine (Ba‐A). The dispersion of OMMT clay in the PBZ was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The homogeneous morphology of the hybrid nanocomposites was studied by using scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope analysis. By comparing the dielectric properties of organoclay and POSS filled PBZ nanocomposites, it was observed that the POSS filled PBZ showed low dielectic constant and in the case of organoclay filled PBZ possessed high dielectric constant. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Comparison of curing agents for epoxidized vegetable oils applied to composites
Authors: Espinoza‐Perez Judith D. , Nerenz Brent A. , Haagenson Darrin M. , Chen Zhigang , Ulven Chad A. , Wiesenborn Dennis P.
Published: October 2011

Interest in polymers from renewable sources, as alternatives to petroleum‐based polymers, remains strong; however, their performance must be acceptable. To improve performance of epoxidized vegetable oils (EVO) in composite matrix applications, five amine curing agents were evaluated and compared with an anhydride agent used previously. Curing agents were tested in matrices for composites containing a petroleum‐based epoxy resin plus 0% or 30% epoxidized oil from canola (ECO) and soybean (ESO). The two amines with the highest glass transition temperature, determined by differential scanning calorimetry, were selected for characterization by dynamic mechanical analysis; bis (p‐aminocyclohexyl) methane (PACM) showed the highest performance. Amine: epoxy ratios 0.6 to 1.6 were then evaluated; ratios of 0.8 and 1.0 showed superior performance. E‐glass fiber reinforced composites with PACM/EVO showed thermal and mechanical performance slightly lower than the composites with 0% EVO and comparable with those of the anhydride curing agent. Therefore, ECO or ESO blended with petroleum‐based epoxy resins cured with PACM are recommended for its application in E‐glass reinforced composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Does Personality Smell? Accuracy of Personality Assessments Based on Body Odour
Authors: Sorokowska Agnieszka , Sorokowski Piotr , Szmajke Andrzej
Published: October 2011

People are able to assess some personality traits of others based on videotaped behaviour, short interaction or a photograph. In our study, we investigated the relationship between body odour and the Big Five personality dimensions and dominance. Sixty odour samples were assessed by 20 raters each. The main finding of the presented study is that for a few personality traits, the correlation between self–assessed personality of odour donors and judgments based on their body odour was above chance level. The correlations were strongest for extraversion (.36), neuroticism (.34) and dominance (.29). Further analyses showed that self–other agreement in assessments of neuroticism slightly differed between sexes and that the ratings of dominance were particularly accurate for assessments of the opposite sex. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The catalase activity of diiron adenine deaminase
Authors: Kamat Siddhesh S. , Holmes‐Hampton Gregory P. , Bagaria Ashima , Kumaran Desigan , Tichy Shane E. , Gheyi Tarun , Zheng Xiaojing , Bain Kevin , Groshong Chris , Emtage Spencer , Sauder J. Michael , Burley Stephen K. , Swaminathan Subramanyam , Lindahl Paul A. , Raushel Frank M.
Published: October 2011

Adenine deaminase (ADE) from the amidohydrolase superfamily (AHS) of enzymes catalyzes the conversion of adenine to hypoxanthine and ammonia. Enzyme isolated from Escherichia coli was largely inactive toward the deamination of adenine. Molecular weight determinations by mass spectrometry provided evidence that multiple histidine and methionine residues were oxygenated. When iron was sequestered with a metal chelator and the growth medium supplemented with Mn2+ before induction, the post‐translational modifications disappeared. Enzyme expressed and purified under these conditions was substantially more active for adenine deamination. Apo‐enzyme was prepared and reconstituted with two equivalents of FeSO4. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and Mössbauer spectroscopy demonstrated that this protein contained two high‐spin ferrous ions per monomer of ADE. In addition to the adenine deaminase activity, [FeII/FeII]‐ADE catalyzed the conversion of H2O2 to O2 and H2O. The values of kcat and kcat/Km for the catalase activity are 200 s−1 and 2.4 × 104 M−1 s−1, respectively. [FeII/FeII]‐ADE underwent more than 100 turnovers with H2O2 before the enzyme was inactivated due to oxygenation of histidine residues critical for metal binding. The iron in the inactive enzyme was high‐spin ferric with gave = 4.3 EPR signal and no evidence of anti‐ferromagnetic spin‐coupling. A model is proposed for the disproportionation of H2O2 by [FeII/FeII]‐ADE that involves the cycling of the binuclear metal center between the di‐ferric and di‐ferrous oxidation states. Oxygenation of active site residues occurs via release of hydroxyl radicals. These findings represent the first report of redox reaction catalysis by any member of the AHS.
A fluorescent fatty acid probe, DAUDA, selectively displaces two myristates bound in human serum albumin
Authors: Wang Yu , Luo Zhipu , Shi Xiaoli , Wang Huan , Nie Lei , Huang Mingdong
Published: October 2011

11‐(Dansylamino) undecanoic acid (DAUDA) is a dansyl‐type fluorophore and has widely used as a probe to determine the binding site for human serum albumin (HSA). Here, we reported that structure of HSA‐Myristate‐DAUDA ternary complex and identified clearly the presence of two DAUDA molecules at fatty acid (FA) binding site 6 and 7 of HSA, thus showing these two sites are weak FA binding sites. This result also show that DAUDA is an appropriate probe for FA site 6 and 7 on HSA as previous studied, but not a good probe of FA binding site 1 that is likely bilirubin binding site on HSA.
Adolescent Health, Stress and Life Satisfaction: The Paradox of Indulgent Parenting
Authors: Coccia Catherine , Darling Carol A. , Rehm Marsha , Cui Ming , Sathe Shridhar K.
Published: October 2011

A survey of adolescents aged 15 to 16 years was used to examine the relationship between their perceptions of indulgent parenting and adolescent weight status to overall satisfaction with life, as associated with adolescent perceptions of body image, health and stress. In addition, perceptions of parental indulgence were examined in terms of their association with adolescent eating behaviours and health. The results revealed a paradox related to indulgent parenting, with both positive and negative outcomes for adolescents. Structural equation analyses showed that parental indulgence was not only related to lower stress and higher life satisfaction, but also to unhealthy eating behaviours. Path analysis indicated that both positive and negative eating outcomes for adolescents were related to parental indulgence. This research has many implications for both parent and adolescent health education, focusing on parenting styles, stress and healthy lifestyles. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Micro/Nanoscale Spatial Resolution Temperature Probing for the Interfacial Thermal Characterization of Epitaxial Graphene on 4H‐SiC
Authors: Yue Yanan , Zhang Jingchao , Wang Xinwei
Published: October 2011

Limited internal phonon coupling and transfer within graphene in the out‐of‐plane direction significantly affects graphene–substrate interfacial phonon coupling and scattering, and leads to unique interfacial thermal transport phenomena. Through the simultaneous characterization of graphene and SiC Raman peaks, it is possible, for the first time, to distinguish the temperature of a graphene layer and its adjacent 4H‐SiC substrate. The thermal probing resolution reaches the nanometer scale with the graphene (≈1.12 nm) and is on the micrometer scale (≈12 μm) within SiC next to the interface. A very high thermal resistance at the interface of $ 5.30_{- 0.46}^{+ 0.46} \times {\rm 10}^{{\rm - 5}} \ {\rm K m}^{\rm 2} \ {\rm W}^{{\rm - 1}} $ is observed by using a Raman frequency method under surface Joule heating. This value is much higher than those from molecular dynamics predictions of $ 7.01_{- 1.05}^{+ 1.05} \times 10^{- 10} $ and $ 8.47_{- 0.75}^{+ 0.75} \times {\rm 10}^{{\rm - 10}} \ {\rm K m}^{\rm 2} \ {\rm W}^{{\rm - 1}} $ for surface heat fluxes of 3 × 109 and 1 × 1010 W m−2, respectively. This analysis shows that the measured anomalous thermal contact resistance stems from the thermal expansion mismatch between graphene and SiC under Joule heating. This mismatch leads to interface delamination/separation and significantly enhances local phonon scattering. An independent laser‐heating experiment conducted under the same conditions yielded a higher interfacial thermal resistance of $ 1.01_{- 0.59}^{+ 1.23} \times {\rm 10}^{{\rm - 4}} \ {\rm K m}^{\rm 2} \ {\rm W}^{{\rm - 1}} $. Furthermore, the peak width method of Raman thermometry is also employed to evaluate the interfacial thermal resistance. The results are 3.52 × 10−5 and 8.57 × 10−5 K m2 W−1 for Joule‐heating and laser‐heating experiments, respectively, confirming the anomalous thermal resistance between graphene and SiC. The difference in the results from the frequency and peak‐width methods is caused by the thermal stress generated in the heating processes.
Concise Review: Limbal Epithelial Stem Cell Therapy: Controversies and Challenges
Authors: O'Callaghan Anna R. , Daniels Julie T.
Published: October 2011

Limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) are a population of stem cells responsible for maintenance and repair of the corneal surface. Injury and disease can result in a deficiency of these stem cells, the vision affecting condition called limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) in which the cornea becomes opaque, vascularized, and inflamed. Cultured LESC therapy was first described in 1997;29:19231932–19231932.and LESCs cultured from either patients or donors have been used to successfully treat LSCD. In this review, some of the challenges and controversies associated with cultured LESC therapy will be discussed including alternative stem cell sources.
Fibroblast Growth Factor Regulates Human Neuroectoderm Specification Through ERK1/2-PARP-1 Pathway
Authors: Yoo Young Dong , Huang Cindy T. , Zhang Xiaoqing , Lavaute Timothy M. , Zhang Su-Chun
Published: October 2011

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling and PAX6 transcription are required for neuroectoderm specification of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). In this study, we asked how FGF signaling leads to PAX6 transcription and neuroectoderm specification from hESCs. Under a chemically defined medium, FGF inhibition blocked phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2) with a significant reduction of PAX6-expressing neuroepithelia, indicating that FGF regulates neural induction through ERK1/2 activation. Activation of FGF-ERK1/2 pathway was necessary for the activity of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1), a conserved nuclear protein catalyzing polymerization of ADP-ribose units. Pharmacological inhibition and genetic ablation of PARP-1 inhibited neural induction from hESCs, suggesting that FGF-ERK1/2 signal pathway regulates neuroectoderm specification through regulating PARP-1 activity. Furthermore, FGF-ERK1/2-PARP-1 cascade regulated the expression of PAX6, a transcription determinant of human neuroectoderm. Together, we propose that FGF regulates hESC neural specification through the ERK1/2-PARP-1 signaling pathway.
Quantifying effect of combined oral contraceptive pill on functional ovarian reserve as measured by serum anti‐Müllerian hormone and small antral follicle count using three‐dimensional ultrasound
Authors: Deb S. , Campbell B. K. , Pincott‐Allen C. , Clewes J. S. , Cumberpatch G. , Raine‐Fenning N. J.
Published: October 2011

Objectives

Oral contraceptive pills suppress the hypothalomo‐pituitary axis, which can affect the ultrasound and endocrine markers used to examine ovarian reserve. The objective of this study was to quantify the ultrasound and endocrine markers of functional ovarian reserve in women using a combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) for more than a year.

Methods

This was a prospective case–control study involving healthy volunteers: 34 women using for more than a year a COCP with hormone‐free interval (HFI) were compared to 36 normo‐ovulatory, age‐matched controls who had not used hormonal contraception within the last year. Volunteers using a COCP underwent a 3D ultrasound examination and had a blood sample taken within the first 4 days of active pill ingestion and those in the control group had the scan and blood test in the early follicular phase (days 2–5) of menstrual cycle. The main outcome measure was the difference in antral follicle counts stratified according to size and anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH), follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2) levels.

Results

There were no significant differences in the number of small antral follicles measuring 2–6 mm. The COCP group had significantly fewer antral follicles measuring ≥ 6 mm (P < 0.001) and had significantly smaller ovaries (P < 0.001), which also had lower vascular indices than the control group (P < 0.05). While serum FSH, LH and E2 levels were significantly lower in the COCP group (P < 0.05), there was no significant difference in serum AMH levels between the two groups.

Conclusions

Prolonged use of COCP suppressed pituitary gonadotropins and antral follicle development beyond 6 mm, but had no effect on levels of serum AMH and number of small antral follicles. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.