bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kinetic Considerations on Thermophilic Digestion of Maize Silage at Different Feeding Modes
Authors: Golkowska Katarzyna , Sibisi‐Beierlein Nonjabulo , Greger Manfred
Published: July 2012

Digestion of maize silage in batch, semi‐batch and continuous mode was investigated under similar experimental conditions with the aim to compare the degradation kinetics. The modeling with the 1st order equation shows that despite the ensiling pre‐treatment the disintegration/hydrolysis step determines the total degradation rate of the substrate. The results confirmed an extremely high adaptation capability of anaerobic biocenosis to increased feeding frequency, rather than to higher but less frequent loadings. 2 – 3 times higher degradation rates were observed for tripled feeding frequency. On the other hand, an increase in organic loading within the same feeding mode always resulted in reduction of digestion rate.
Fixed bed and reduced lumped diffusion model parameter estimation of copper biosorption using Aspergillus niger biomass
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Mausumi , Kaur Tejinder , Khanna Richa
Published: July 2012

In this study, fixed bed model and reduced lumped diffusion model were used to explain biosorption behaviour of Cu (II) in a continuous column of Aspergillus niger biomass. The breakthrough time was evaluated for both models as a function of influent flow rate and bed height for a feed solution at 10 mg/L metal ion concentration and compared with experimental results. MATLAB was used to solve the partial differential equations and breakthrough curve was plotted. The breakthrough time obtained experimentally was comparable with data evaluated by these models. It was observed that fixed bed model and reduced lumped diffusion model can predict column dynamics more accurately at high flow rate, that is, at 9.8 mL/min for all (2.1, 3.1, and 4.1 cm) bed heights. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
A generic method for measuring the potential number of structure‐preserving transformations
Authors: Neuman Yair , Cohen Yohai , Bekerman Zvi , Nave Ophir
Published: July 2012

In many fields of psychology, it may be interesting to measure the potential number of structure‐preserving transformations that exist between succeeding structures. The aim of this article is to present a methodology for measuring the potential number of structure‐preserving transformations between succeeding structures and to illustrate the applicability of the methodology through a case study. The article concludes by discussing the lessons and implications of the proposed methodology for microgenetic research. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity, 2012
Control of the phase composition and morphology of a Cu‐Sb eutectic alloy via liquid‐liquid structure transition
Authors: Huang Zhong‐Yue , Zu Fang‐Qiu , Li Xiao‐Yun
Published: July 2012

The current paper focuses on the solidification characteristics of a Cu‐Sb eutectic alloy in its different liquid states. Liquid alloy resistivity‐temperature patterns suggest an irreversible temperature‐induced liquid‐liquid structure transition (TI‐LLST), and a reversible TI‐LLST occurred during the heating‐cooling runs. A set of solidification experiments was conducted based on the results. The irreversible TI‐LLST caused an enhanced solidification undercooling, increased solidification rate, refined regular eutectic morphologies, and absence of a pre‐eutectic Cu2Sb phase. The reversible TI‐LLST resulted in different phase compositions and eutectic structures. The mechanisms behind these transitions are also briefly discussed.
Capsule‐like α‐Fe2O3 nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization, and growth mechanism
Authors: Su Changhua , Wang Hui
Published: July 2012

Uniform capsule‐like α‐Fe2O3 particles were synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method, employing FeCl3 and CH3COONa as the precursors and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as soft template. X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the structure of synthesized products. Some factors influencing the formation of capsule‐like α‐Fe2O3 particles were systematically investigated, including different kinds of surfactants, the concentration of SDS, and reaction times. The investigation on the evolution formation reveals that SDS was critical to control the morphology of final products, and a possible five‐step growth mechanism was presented by tracking the structures of the products at different reaction stages.
Brittleness of protein crystals
Authors: Nanev C. N.
Published: July 2012

A simple technique for studying the brittleness of small crystals is reported. The limits of fracture toughness of tetragonal hen‐egg white lysozyme crystals, oriented with their c‐axis normally to the substrate, were measured. The strong mechanics anisotropy of those crystals was confirmed. The role of the water present in the protein crystal lattice was re‐considered in seek for a more holistic understanding of the process, the idea being that the intra‐crystalline solution sustains the globular protein molecules in their native configuration. Also it is argued that this water may contribute for holding together the huge bio‐molecules in the crystal lattice (that is to act as additional “glue” in the crystal). The hypothesis is that dynamic chains of H‐bonds in the intra‐crystalline water are likely to be prolonged to connect protein‐to‐water‐to‐protein.
Online analytical investigations on solvent‐, temperature‐ and water vapour‐induced phase transformations of citric acid
Authors: Helmdach L. , Feth M. P. , Ulrich J.
Published: July 2012

It was demonstrated exemplarily for the crystallization of citric acid that the usage of an ultrasound device as well as Raman spectroscopy enables the inline measurement and the control of phase transitions. The influence of different solvent compositions (water and ethanol‐water) on the crystallization of citric acid was investigated. By increasing the ethanol content the transformation point was shifted towards higher temperatures. In addition, a strong impact on the nucleation point as well as on the crystal habit was detected in ethanol‐water mixtures. The results lead to the assumption that a citric acid solvate exists, which is, however, highly unstable upon isolation from mother liquor and converts fast into the known anhydrate or monohydrate forms of citric acid. The presence of such a solvate, however, could not be proven during this study. Furthermore, factors such as temperature and humidity which might influence the phase transition of the solid product were analyzed by Hotstage‐Raman Spectroscopy and Water Vapor Sorption Gravimetry‐Dispersive Raman Spectroscopy. Both, tempereature as well as humidity show a strong influence on the behaviour of CAM.
Detection of EPO‐Fc fusion protein in human blood: Screening and confirmation protocols for sports drug testing
Authors: Reichel Christian , Thevis Mario
Published: July 2012

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) has been under investigation for several years as a pharmaceutical drug target. Clinical studies have shown that fusion proteins consisting of human recombinant erythropoietin (rhEPO) and the Fc‐part of IgG can be transported after pulmonary administration via FcRn across the airway epithelium to the blood stream. So far, no clinically approved pharmaceutical formulation of EPO‐Fc is available. Since various forms of recombinant erythropoietins have been frequently misused by athletes as performance‐enhancing agents, EPO‐Fc might play a similar role in sports in the future. In order to investigate the detectability of EPO‐Fc in human blood, different strategies were tested and developed. Only two of them fulfilled the necessary requirements regarding sensitivity and specificity. A rapid protocol useful for screening purposes first enriches EPO‐Fc from human serum via high capacity protein A beads and subsequently detects EPO‐Fc in the eluate with a commercial EPO ELISA kit. The limit of detection (LOD) of the method is about 5 pg (45 amol) EPO‐Fc and is independent of the serum volume used. For screening and/or confirmation purposes a second protocol was evaluated, which consists of a fast EPO immunopurification step followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate or sarcosyl polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE, SAR‐PAGE) and Western double‐blotting with chemiluminescence detection – a method already established in routine EPO anti‐doping control. The latter strategy allows the detection of EPO‐Fc in serum together with all other recombinant erythropoietins and with an identical LOD (5 pg/45 amol) as for the rapid screening protocol. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How much can the orientation of G's eigenvectors tell us about genetic constraints?
Authors: Berner Daniel
Published: July 2012

A key goal in evolutionary quantitative genetics is to understand how evolutionary trajectories are constrained by pleiotropic coupling among multiple traits. Because studying pleiotropic constraints directly at the molecular genetic level remains very difficult, several analytical approaches attempt to draw conclusions about constraints by relating the orientation of the eigenvectors of the traits' (co)variance matrix to vectors of multivariate selection. On the basis of explicit models of genetic architecture, I here argue that the value of such approaches is greatly overestimated. The reason is that eigenvector orientation can be highly unstable and lack a biologically meaningful relationship with the underlying traits' genetic architecture. Genetic constraints are more profitably explored through experimental approaches avoiding the mathematical abstraction inherent in eigenanalysis.
Subsequent Chemical Reactions of Photochromic 4,5‐Dibenzothienylthiazoles
Authors: Nakagawa Hisako , Nakashima Takuya , Kawai Tsuyoshi
Published: July 2012

4,5‐Dibenzothienylthiazole derivatives having leaving groups at the reactive 2‐positions of benzothiophene rings have been synthesized, and their photochromic ring‐closing reaction followed by spontaneous elimination and substitution reactions have been studied. A 4,5‐dibenzothienylthiazole having an ethoxy group and a hydrogen atom at each 2‐position of the benzothienyl ring underwent elimination to generate a condensed aromatic structure upon the addition of acid. 4,5‐Dibenzothienylthiazoles having an ethoxy or methyl groups at the 2‐position of the benzothienyl rings showed photochromism both in hexane and in methanol solutions with photocyclization quantum yields as high as 60 %. Upon the addition of acid to the methanol solutions of closed‐ring isomers of dibenzothienylthiazoles, the substitution of the ethoxy group with a methoxy group occurred. The generation and rearrangement of the carbocation intermediate formed by elimination of the ethoxy group from the closed‐ring isomers were apparent from the chemical structure of methoxy‐substituted products.
Glyph‐maps for visually exploring temporal patterns in climate data and models
Authors: Wickham Hadley , Hofmann Heike , Wickham Charlotte , Cook Dianne
Published: July 2012

The multivariate spatio‐temporal nature of climate data makes it difficult to draw all of the aspects simultaneously. This paper describes the conceptualization and construction of a type of display, a glyph‐map, that can show these multiple aspects. Glyph‐maps are a specialization of multivariate glyph plots. Each spatial location is displayed with one glyph that represents the multiple measurements, often recorded over time, at that location. Glyph‐maps allow the discovery of both local and global structure, with a particular focus on temporal relationships, important for studying climate change. They provide alternatives to colored, facetted maps, or statistical summaries such as principal components. Glyph‐maps have been used sporadically for spatio‐temporal data, and with the ideas and software described in this paper, it will be easier to produce them. The conceptualization described here also will enable developing interactive versions of glyph‐maps, and make it simpler to explore the perceptual effects of different scales. The methods are developed for rectangular gridded data, but with some clever processing, which is explained, it is possible to get good glyph‐maps of irregularly gridded data. Guides and reference marks, for different types of glyphs used in the glyph‐maps, are also discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SUSTAINABILITY EVALUATOR: Tool for evaluating process sustainability
Authors: Shadiya Olamide O. , High Karen A.
Published: July 2012

A novel impact assessment tool, the “SUSTAINABILITY EVALUATOR” has been developed for evaluating processes for sustainability. Traditionally, engineers designed processes to meet economic goals; however, with the awareness of sustainability, engineers are now considering other constraints such as resource usage, environmental impacts, social benefits, and economics. This tool applies selected metrics that address economic, environmental, and health and safety concerns. The SUSTAINABILITY EVALUATOR is a Microsoft Excel–based tool that uses mass and energy flows as inputs to evaluate the sustainability of a process. This impact assessment tool equips the process designer with a framework to design industrial processes for sustainability. The objective is for process designers to use the results generated from the tool to assess and improve the sustainability of a process. The ultimate goal in every industrial process is to maximize profits; thus, a process is not sustainable if it is not economically viable. Thus, this study introduces a methodology that involves addressing economical concerns by completing a profitability analysis, addressing environmental concerns by using a set of selected environmental metrics, and addressing social concerns by completing a health and safety risk analysis. The SUSTAINABILITY EVALUATOR has been demonstrated by the dimethyl ether (DME) process. In this work, two options for producing DME are compared and then the most sustainable option is selected. Lastly, the results obtained from the SUSTAINABILITY EVALUATOR are validated with the Environmental Protection Agency's Waste Reduction Algorithm. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 749–761, 2013
Impact of Fasting on Food Craving, Mood and Consumption in Bulimia Nervosa and Healthy Women Participants
Authors: Moreno‐Domínguez Silvia , Rodríguez‐Ruiz Sonia , Fernández‐Santaella M. Carmen , Ortega‐Roldán Blanca , Cepeda‐Benito Antonio
Published: July 2012

Researchers have found that dietary restraint increases food cravings and may contribute to loss of control over eating. Negative mood states often precede food cravings and binge eating. In the present study, we tested the influence of a prolonged food deprivation period over emotional states and food cravings. Twenty‐one bulimia nervosa participants and 20 healthy women participants were asked to refrain from any eating for 20 hours and reported, at baseline, after 6 hours and at the end of the fasting period, their mood and craving states. Food consumption was also measured. Fasting increased food cravings in both groups but increased negative mood in healthy women only. Bulimia nervosa participants reported improved mood following food deprivation. Whereas Bulimia nervosa and healthy women participants ate moderate and similar amounts of food following the 20‐hour fasting period, food cravings were significantly associated with the number of calories ingested. These findings are congruent with self‐regulation theories that predict that prolonged fasting may reduce negative emotions in women with bulimia nervosa. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
INTERPRETING TEST SCORES to Counselees
Authors: Rothney John W. M.
Published: July 2012

Some recent reports [2, 5] indicate that there is much difference of opinion concerning the advisability of informing students about the scores they have achieved on tests, but the issue seems not to have been put to test. Some data on the problem have recently been accumulated and are presented below.
is your INTERVIEW showing?
Authors: HOOK JEANETTE WINIFRED
Published: July 2012

I never obtained in high school any real help or advice although I did have adjustment problems. A good interviewer or adviser could have helped considerably.

An adviser or counselor should be more congenial to the person being interviewed and not think an interview to be just another phase of his work and think he is obligated to be nice and talk with the interviewee.
XO: An extended ONIOM method for accurate and efficient modeling of large systems
Authors: Guo Wenping , Wu Anan , Zhang Igor Ying , Xu Xin
Published: July 2012

Calculation of large complex systems remains to be a great challenge, where there is always a trade‐off between accuracy and efficiency. Recently, we proposed the extended our own n‐layered integrated molecular orbital (ONIOM) method (XO) (Guo, Wu, Xu, Chem. Phys. Lett. 2010, 498, 203) which surmounts some inherited limitations of the popular ONIOM method by introducing the inclusion‐exclusion principle used in the fragmentation methods. The present work sets up general guidelines for the construction of a good XO scheme. In particular, force‐error test is proposed to quantitatively validate the usefulness of an XO scheme, taking accuracy, efficiency and scalability all into account. Representative studies on zeolites, polypeptides and cyclodextrins have been carried out to demonstrate how to strive for high accuracy without sacrificing efficiency. As a natural extension, XO is applied to calculate the total energy, fully optimized geometry and vibrational spectra of the whole system, where ONIOM becomes inapplicable. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The evolving field of induced pluripotency: Recent progress and future challenges
Authors: Sommer Cesar A. , Mostoslavsky Gustavo
Published: July 2012

The derivation of patient‐specific pluripotent cell lines through the introduction of a few transcription factors into somatic cells has opened new avenues for the study and treatment of human disorders. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and their derivatives offer a unique platform for disease modeling, drug discovery and toxicology, as well as an invaluable source of cells for regenerative therapies. Here, we provide an overview of the various strategies currently available for iPSC generation, highlighting recent advances and discussing some of the challenges faced in harnessing the true potential of iPSCs for biomedical research and therapeutic applications. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 267–275, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells enhance the anabolic effects of platelet‐rich plasma on anterior cruciate ligament fibroblasts
Authors: Yoshida Ryu , Murray Martha M.
Published: July 2012

Use of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) has shown promise in various orthopaedic applications, including treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. However, various components of blood, including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), are removed in the process of making PRP. It is yet unknown whether these PBMCs have a positive or negative effect on fibroblast behavior. To begin to define the effect of PBMCs on ACL fibroblasts, ACL fibroblasts were cultured on three‐dimensional collagen scaffolds for 14 days with and without PBMCs. ACL fibroblasts exposed to PBMCs showed increased type I and type III procollagen gene expression, collagen protein expression, and cell proliferation when the cells were cultured in the presence of platelets and plasma. However, addition of PBMCs to cells cultured without platelets had no effect. The increase in collagen gene and protein expression was accompanied by an increase in IL‐6 expression by the PBMCs with exposure to the platelets. Our results suggest that the interaction between platelets and PBMCs leads to an IL‐6 mediated increase in collagen expression by ACL fibroblasts. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:29–34, 2012
A novel approach to determine leucomalachite green and malachite green in fish fillets with surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and multivariate analyses
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Lai Keqiang , Zhou Jinglie , Wang Xichang , Rasco Barbara A. , Huang Yiqun
Published: July 2012

The use of illegal fish drugs, such as malachite green (MG) in aquaculture has raised growing concerns over the safety of aquatic food products, and sensitive and rapid methods for detection of these drugs in fish muscle are much needed. Simplified extraction methods coupled with surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy were used for analysis of MG and its metabolite leucomalachite green (LMG) in tilapia fillets containing 0–50 ng g−1 LMG or MG. Principal component analysis and partial least squares (PLS) regression were used for spectral data analyses. High sensitivity (MG or LMG could be detected at 1–2 ng g−1 levels) and PLS models with good predictability [root mean square error of validation (RMSEV) = 1.97–2.21 ng g−1, R2 = 0.984–0.988] were possible with suitable sample extraction methods. The simplest extraction method developed provided an RMSEV of 9.32 ng g−1 and R2 of 0.788, and although this was not ideal, detection of MG and LMG at 5 ng g−1 level with this method could reduce sample throughput time and provide for faster detection of LMG and MG. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopy of polyconjugated molecules with electronic and mechanical confinement: the spectrum of Corallium rubrum
Authors: Brambilla Luigi , Tommasini Matteo , Zerbi Giuseppe , Stradi Riccardo
Published: July 2012

The chemical nature of the red pigment of Corallium rubrum (CR) has not yet been clearly identified. We have recorded the Raman spectra of CR, canthaxantin, and parrot feather, and we propose an interpretation with the help of quantum chemistry and of the effective conjugation coordinate theory, which accounts for the main Raman lines (ν1, ν2, ν3) as originating from the polyene backbone. In this study, two additional lines in the 1000 cm−1 range (ν4 and ν5) are considered as well as a series of overtones and combinations in the second order Raman spectrum (2000–3000 cm−1). Density Functional Theory calculations predict that, moving with successive methylation from a simple unsubstituted polyene chain with 9 C═C bonds (as psyttacofulvins) to a 9, 9′, 13, 13′ tetramethylated chain (as carotenoids), the geometric structures of the molecules and their Raman spectra show changes that can be rationalized if the effective conjugation coordinate theory is extended to account for mechanical confinement. This turns out to be a new concept that helps the interpretation of the Raman spectra of partially methylated conjugated oligoenes. Evidence is found that the main component of the pigment of CR does not posess a fully demethylated polyene chain (psyttacofulfine) nor a tetramethylated chain (carotenoid), thus indicating that the polyene chain is partially methylated. Because we consider resonance Raman spectra, the target of this study is the structure of the polyene backbone; no direct spectroscopic information can be obtained in this way on the chemical nature of the groups attached to both chain ends. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of surface plasmon resonance wavelength on SERS activity of naturally grown silver nanoparticle ensemble
Authors: Kwon Yong‐Hyok , Ossig Robert , Hubenthal Frank , Kronfeldt Heinz‐Detlef
Published: July 2012

We present experimental results to quantify and optimize the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity of naturally grown silver nanoparticles. Ag nanoparticle ensembles with mean equivalent radii ranging from 10.6 to 20.3 nm were prepared under ultrahigh vacuum conditions by Volmer–Weber growth on quartz plates. A tuning of the localized surface plasmon polariton resonance wavelength from 453 to 548 nm was performed by varying the morphology of the silver nanoparticles. The dependence of the SERS activity on the plasmon resonance wavelength was investigated with a Raman set‐up containing a microsystem light source with an emission line at 488 nm. Shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy was applied to remove the fluorescence‐based background from the SERS spectra of pyrene in water using two slightly different emission wavelengths (487.61 and 487.91 nm) of the microsystem light source. We demonstrate that the Raman activities for all SERS substrates are available in the nanomolar range in a water sample. However, the Raman activity crucially depends on the plasmon resonance wavelength of the nanoparticle ensembles. Although for an on‐resonance ensemble the limit of detection for pyrene in water is very low and was estimated to be 2 nmol/L, it increases rapidly to several tens of nanomol for slightly off‐resonance ensembles. Hence, the highest SERS activity was obtained with a nanoparticle ensemble exhibiting a plasmon resonance wavelength at 491 nm, which almost coincides with the excitation wavelengths. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Upregulation of miR‐650 is correlated with down‐regulation of ING4 and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zeng Zhao‐lin , Li Fu‐jun , Gao Feng , Sun Dong‐sheng , Yao Lei
Published: July 2012

Background

In the last decade, studies in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) demonstrate dysregulation of miRNAs expression. For instance, miR‐650 has been implicated in gastric and colorectal cancer tumorigenicity; however, the role of miR‐650 remains unknown in HCC.

Methods

In this study, we performed a comprehensive analysis to examine the miR‐650 expression level in 248 HCC and 120 paracarcinomatous liver (PCL) tissues. The correlations between miR‐650 expression level and the clinicopathological characteristics (HCC tumorigenicity) were evaluated. The role of miR‐650 played in HCC was investigated by Q‐PCR, western blot, and MTT.

Results

We found that miR‐650 expression was significantly increased in HCC patients and significantly associated with the patients' age (P = 0.0019), differentiation capability (P = 0.0108), and also tumor stage (P = 0.0069). Moreover, we compared the expression level of both ING4 and miR‐650 in 122 HCC patients by western blot and real‐time PCR. Statistical result showed a significant negative correlation between them (rs = −0.2011, P = 0.0264). Transfection and MTT test suggested that miR‐650 decreased the expression of ING4 and stimulate liver cells proliferation significantly.

Conclusion

These data suggested that miR‐650 is correlated with the pathogenesis of HCC and is involved in the HCC tumorigenesis process by inhibiting the expression of ING4. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:105–110. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diagnostic adequacy of surgeon‐performed ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodules
Authors: Karadeniz Cakmak Guldeniz , Emre Ali U. , Tascilar Oge , Gultekin Fatma A. , Ozdamar Sukru O. , Comert Mustafa
Published: July 2012

Background

Surgeon‐performed ultrasonography (US) of thyroid nodules might serve as a potential therapeutic guide to designate accurate surgical or clinical intervention.

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic adequacy of surgeon‐performed ultrasonography guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of thyroid nodules, the factors responsible for diagnostic adequacy and the impact of surgeon‐performed US on treatment approach.

Methods

Retrospective review of a single surgeon performed 621 US‐guided FNABs without on‐site cytological specimen assessment. Outside US findings were compared to the surgeon‐performed US. Measured variables and outcomes for the study included diagnostic adequacy rates and the effects of detected differences between US reports on treatment variability.

Results

Diagnostic adequacy rate of surgeon‐performed US‐guided FNAB was determined to be 94.52% without on‐site specimen evaluation by cytologist. Non‐diagnostic specimens occurred in 34 of 621 (5.48%) nodules. The differences detected between the outside US and surgeon‐performed US altered invasive treatment algorithm in 30 (5.47%) patients. FNAB was avoided for 15 (2.7%) patients. Total thyroidectomy became the preferred surgical option in 15 (2.7%) patients after the discovery of additional nodules in the contralateral lobe.

Conclusion

Surgeon‐performed US offers clear clinical benefits in terms of diagnostic yield of FNAB with providing valuable additional data that might alter surgical treatment approach. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:206–210. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Flows in networks with delay in the vertices
Authors: Bayazit F. , Dorn B. , Rhandi A.
Published: July 2012

Our goal is to show asynchronous exponential growth (AEG) for a flow in a network with delay in the vertices. For this purpose we show first that its wellposedness can be characterized via an appropriate operator being the generator of a strongly continuous semigroup. We investigate the long term behavior of the system via the spectrum of this generator using techniques from operator matrices, Hille‐Yosida operators and positive semigroups. Finally, we apply our results to deduce that our problem has (AEG).
Equilibrium problem for the eigenvalues of banded block Toeplitz matrices
Authors: Delvaux Steven
Published: July 2012

We consider banded block Toeplitz matrices Tn with n block rows and columns. We show that under certain technical assumptions, the normalized eigenvalue counting measure of Tn for n → ∞ weakly converges to one component of the unique vector of measures that minimizes a certain energy functional. In this way we generalize a recent result of Duits and Kuijlaars for the scalar case. Along the way we also obtain an equilibrium problem associated to an arbitrary algebraic curve, not necessarily related to a block Toeplitz matrix.

For banded block Toeplitz matrices, there are several new phenomena that do not occur in the scalar case: (i) The total masses of the equilibrium measures do not necessarily form a simple arithmetic series but in general are obtained through a combinatorial rule; (ii) The limiting eigenvalue distribution may contain point masses, and there may be attracting point sources in the equilibrium problem; (iii) More seriously, there are examples where the connection between the limiting eigenvalue distribution of Tn and the solution to the equilibrium problem breaks down. We provide sufficient conditions guaranteeing that no such breakdown occurs; in particular we show this if Tn is a Hessenberg matrix.
The Effect of Scarcity on the Purchase Intentions of Prevention and Promotion Motivated Consumers
Authors: Ku Hsuan‐Hsuan , Kuo Chien‐Chih , Kuo Tzu‐Wei
Published: July 2012

This study investigates the influence of consumers’ motivational orientations (“prevention” vs. “promotion”) on their susceptibility to demand‐based versus supply‐based scarcity, measured by purchase intention scores. Prevention‐focused participants were more inclined to adopt a product when it was perceived to be demand‐scarce rather than supply‐scarce, while those who were identified as promotion‐focused responded positively to scarcity attributed to supply shortfall. In addition, products that could be associated with a prevention motive enhanced purchase intentions when presented as demand‐scarce but not if perceived to be supply‐scarce; conversely, products associated with the promotion motive scored better if the scarcity was seen to be supply‐generated rather than demand‐generated. Lastly, messages focused on prevention were more effective than those focused on promotion in the case of perceived demand scarcity, whereas the converse holds true for supply scarcity. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the motivational differences underlying the effectiveness of scarcity appeals. They furthermore suggest the strategic implication that improved intention to purchase occurs when the regulatory focus evoked by a scarcity‐related message is compatible with the appeal it communicates.
How Attachment Affects the Strength of Peer Influence on Adolescent Consumer Behavior
Authors: Huang Yunhui , Wang Lei , Shi Junqi
Published: July 2012

This research examined how attachment affected the peer influence on adolescent consumer behavior. Results showed that attachment toward family and toward peers emerged together. Adolescent attachment anxiety strengthened the peer influence in consumption while attachment avoidance weakened the peer influence. Anxiety was positively related to adolescents’ perception of friends’ greater knowledge, spending when shopping with friends, and motivation to comply with friends’ suggestions on purchases directly and indirectly through consumer susceptibility to informational and normative influence. In contrast, attachment avoidance decreased the tendency to shop often with friends and the motivation to comply in a purchase. This study revealed that the influence of individual attachment orientations on interpersonal relationships can be extended to the field of consumption.
A Personality‐Competence Model of Opinion Leadership
Authors: Gnambs Timo , Batinic Bernad
Published: July 2012

Opinion leaders constitute a central consumer segment for targeted marketing strategies. By separating opinion leadership into a generalized and domain‐specific component, this study examines the psychological profile of N = 417 consumers from Germany and incorporates opinion leadership into a hierarchical framework of human personality. Results emphasize two major sources of domain‐specific opinion leadership (DSOL): personality in the form of a general, domain‐independent influencer trait and competencies in terms of product‐specific knowledge. Moreover, the study highlights a number of traits including the Big Five of personality, typical intellectual engagement, and general self‐efficacy that form a distinct personality profile of DSOL. The effects of these personality traits on DSOL are partially mediated by generalized opinion leadership and objective knowledge.
Decomposition‐Assembly of Tetraphenylethylene Nanoparticles With Uniform Size and Aggregation‐Induced Emission property
Authors: Wang Tianxiang , Cai Yunbo , Wang Zhipeng , Guan Erjia , Yu Dahai , Qin Anjun , Sun Jingzhi , Tang Ben Zhong , Gao Changyou
Published: July 2012

Tetraphenylethylene (TPE)‐substituted poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH‐g‐TPE) is synthesized by a Schiff base reaction between PAH and TPE‐CHO. The PAH‐g‐TPE forms micelles in water at pH 6, which are further transformed into pure TPE‐CHO nanoparticles (NPs) with a diameter of ≈300 nm after incubation in a solution of low pH value. In contrast, only amorphous precipitates are obtained when TPE‐CHO methanol solution is incubated in water. The aggregation‐induced emission feature of the TPE molecule is completely retained in the TPE NPs, which can be internalized into cells and show blue fluorescence. Formation mechanism of the TPE NPs is proposed by taking into account the guidance effect of linear and charged PAH molecules, and the propeller‐stacking manner between the TPE‐CHO molecules.
Application of GQSAR for Scaffold Hopping and Lead Optimization in Multitarget Inhibitors
Authors: Ajmani Subhash , Kulkarni Sudhir A.
Published: July 2012

Many literature reports suggest that drugs against multiple targets may overcome many limitations of single targets and achieve a more effective and safer control of the disease. However, design of multitarget drugs presents a great challenge. The present study demonstrates application of a novel Group based QSAR (GQSAR) method to assist in lead optimization of multikinase (PDGFR‐beta, FGFR‐1 and SRC) and scaffold hopping of multiserotonin target (serotonin receptor 1A and serotonin transporter) inhibitors. For GQSAR analysis, a wide variety of structurally diverse multikinase inhibitors (225 molecules) and multiserotonin target inhibitors (162 molecules) were collected from various literature reports. Each molecule in the data set was divided into four fragments (kinase inhibitors) and three fragments (serotonin target inhibitors) and their corresponding two‐dimensional fragment descriptors were calculated. The multiresponse regression GQSAR models were developed for both the datasets. The developed GQSAR models were found to be useful for scaffold hopping and lead optimization of multitarget inhibitors. In addition, the developed GQSAR models provide important fragment based features that can form the building blocks to guide combinatorial library design in the search for optimally potent multitarget inhibitors.
S‐essential spectra and application to an example of transport operators
Authors: Jeribi Aref , Moalla Nedra , Yengui Sonia
Published: July 2012

In this article, we give some results on the S‐essential spectra of a linear operator defined on a Banach space. Furthermore, we apply the obtained results to determine the S‐essential spectra of an integro‐differential operator with abstract boundary conditions in the Banach space Lp([−a,a] × [−1,1]),p ≥ 1 and a > 0. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of dietary selenium intake on cardiac health: Experimental approaches and human studies
Authors: Tanguy Stéphane , Grauzam Stéphane , de Leiris Joël , Boucher François
Published: July 2012

Selenium, a dietary trace mineral, essential for humans and animals, exerts its effects mainly through its incorporation into selenoproteins. Adequate selenium intake is needed to maximize the activity of selenoproteins, among which glutathione peroxidases have been shown to play a major role in cellular defense against oxidative stress initiated by excess reactive oxygen species. In humans, a low selenium status has been linked to increased risk of various diseases, including heart disease. The main objective of this review is to present current knowledge on the role of selenium in cardiac health. Experimental studies have shown that selenium may exert protective effects on cardiac tissue in animal models involving oxidative stress. Because of the narrow safety margin of this mineral, most interventional studies in humans have reported inconsistent findings. Major determinants of selenium status in humans are not well understood and several nondietary factors might be associated with reduced selenium status. In this review, we discuss recent studies regarding the role of selenoproteins in the cardiovascular system, the effect of dietary intake on selenium status, the impact of selenium status on cardiac health, and the cellular mechanisms that can be involved in the physiological and toxic effects of selenium.
A Systematic Review of Imaging Modalities in the Diagnosis of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
Authors: McMahon Samuel E. , Smith Toby O. , Hing Caroline B.
Published: July 2012

Objectives

To identify the most effective imaging modality in the investigation of greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS).

Methods

A narrative review of the available literature was conducted. A total of 326 studies were identified by a literature search, ten of which were included for review. Seven studies investigated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), one ultrasound scan (USS), one plain radiography and one bone scintigraphy.

Results

On analysis, MRI was found consistently to have the highest correlation with clinical and intraoperative findings. USS and plain radiography provided encouraging results. However, conclusions drawn from this were limited by the paucity of data.

Conclusions

The study provided encouraging results, although conclusions drawn from them were limited by the paucity of data. We believe that MRI should be the current investigation of choice for GTPS. However, further study is required in the form of multicentre, randomized controlled trials to confirm the validity of the conclusions presented here. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantification of glutamate and glutamine using constant‐time point‐resolved spectroscopy at 3 T
Authors: Gu Meng , Zahr Natalie M. , Spielman Daniel M. , Sullivan Edith V. , Pfefferbaum Adolf , Mayer Dirk
Published: July 2012

Separate quantification of glutamate (Glu) and glutamine (Gln) using conventional MRS on clinical scanners is challenging. In previous work, constant‐time point‐resolved spectroscopy (CT‐PRESS) was optimized at 3 T to detect Glu, but did not resolve Gln. To quantify Glu and Gln, a time‐domain basis set was constructed taking into account metabolite T2 relaxation times and dephasing from B0 inhomogeneity. Metabolite concentrations were estimated by fitting the basis one‐dimensional CT‐PRESS diagonal magnitude spectra to the measured spectrum. This method was first validated using seven custom‐built phantoms containing variable metabolite concentrations, and then applied to in vivo data acquired in rats exposed to vaporized ethanol and controls. Separate metabolite quantification revealed increased Gln after 16 weeks and increased Glu after 24 weeks of vaporized ethanol exposure in ethanol‐treated compared with control rats. Without separate quantification, the signal from the combined resonances of Glu and Gln (Glx) showed an increase at both 16 and 24 weeks in ethanol‐exposed rats, precluding the determination of the independent and differential contribution of each metabolite at each time. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On a new edge‐based gradient recovery technique
Authors: Pouliot B. , Fortin M. , Fortin A. , Chamberland É.
Published: July 2012

A posteriori error estimation methods for mesh adaptation often require an accurate computation of the gradient of a Lagrange finite element solution. The precision of the error estimation is directly related to the accuracy of the recovered gradient. We therefore present in this communication a simple method for the evaluation of the gradient of a linear Lagrange finite element solution, and we show that it has significant advantages over existing methods of the same order. The proposed method requires the solution of a global linear system that can be solved by a preconditioned conjugate gradient method. An interesting feature is that it does not require any special treatment for boundary nodes contrarily to classical local patch recovery methods. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Finite‐volume stress analysis in multi‐material linear elastic body
Authors: Tuković Ž. , Ivanković A. , Karač A.
Published: July 2012

Correct calculation of stresses at the interface of bonded or otherwise joined materials plays a significant role in many applications. It is therefore important that traction at the material interface is calculated as accurately as possible. This paper describes procedures that can be employed to achieve this goal by using centre‐based finite‐volume method. Total traction at the interface is calculated by decomposing it into normal and tangential components, both being calculated at each side of the interface, and applying the continuity assumption. The way in which the traction approximation is achieved depends on calculation of tangential gradient of displacement at the interface. To this end, three different methods are proposed and validated against problems with known solutions. It was shown that all methods can be successfully used to simulate problems with multi‐material domains, with the procedure based on finite area method being most accurate. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An embedded formulation with conforming finite elements to capture strong discontinuities
Authors: Dias‐da‐Costa D. , Alfaiate J. , Sluys L.J. , Areias P. , Júlio E.
Published: July 2012

The embedding of discontinuities into finite elements has become a powerful technique for the simulation of fracture in a wide variety of mechanical problems. However, existing formulations still use non‐conforming finite elements. In this manuscript, a new conforming formulation is proposed. The main properties of this formulation are as follows: (i) variational consistency; (ii) no limitations on the choice of the parent finite element; (iii) comprehensive kinematics of the discontinuity, including both rigid body motion and stretching; (iv) fully compatible enhanced kinematic field; (v) additional global DOFs located at the discontinuity; (vi) continuity of both jumps and tractions across element boundaries; and (vii) stress locking free. The performance of the proposed formulation is tested by means of academic and structural examples. The numerical results are compared with available experimental results and other numerical approaches, namely the generalized strong discontinuity approach and the generalized FEM/Extended FEM. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanical and thermal studies on epoxy toluene oligomer‐modified epoxy resin/marble waste composites
Authors: Ahmetli Gulnare , Kocak Nuriye , Dag Mustafa , Kurbanli Refika
Published: July 2012

In this research, marble dust waste was recycled as raw material for the preparation of composite materials. Epoxy toluene oligomer (ETO) was synthesized from toluene and epichlorohydrin, which was used as a comatrix in 50 wt% with commercial epoxy resin (ER). Its chemical structure was characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and chemical analyses. The rigid filler used in epoxy polymer matrix was the marble processing waste obtained from wastewater using different coagulants, such as sepiolite, zeolite, or pumice. The thermal and mechanical properties of the composites were evaluated with thermogravimetric and mechanical analyses. The results showed that the marble wastes with all coagulants can significantly improve the thermal stability of an ER–ETO matrix at temperatures above 350°C. Composites exhibited a higher thermal degradation temperature with a much higher char yield. Surface hardness and tensile strength of the composites were higher than those of pure epoxy polymer matrix, as well. Scanning electron microscopy was used for the characterization of surface and cross‐sections of the composites to verify the results. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Flow behavior of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose/polyacrylic acid interpolymer complexes in aqueous media
Authors: Şakar‐Deliormanli Aylin
Published: July 2012

The intermolecular complexation of non‐ionic polymers with weak acids having chemically complementary structures is an important approach to modify the viscosity of polymer solutions. In this study intermolecular complexation of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) with polyacrylic acid (PAA) in an aqueous medium was studied. The study focuses on the factors affecting the complexation and rheological behavior of the HPMC/PAA system including the stoichiometric ratio of the two polymers, the molecular weight of the PAA, and the pH and ionic strength of the medium. Results showed that interpolymer complexation occurred between HPMC and PAA at low pH. It was attributed to hydrogen bonding between the COOH group of the PAA and the OH group of the HPMC. Under basic conditions (above the critical pH) the viscosity of the interpolymer complex increased accompanied by a transition from a compact interpolymer complexation structure to an extended conformation of interpolymer associates. Introduction of monovalent and multivalent salts (at > pHcritical) decreased the viscosity of the HPMC/PAA interpolymer associates and favored the formation of interpolymer complexes between the two polymers. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry