bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved hydroxyurea effect with the use of text messaging in children with sickle cell anemia
Authors: Estepp Jeremie H. , Winter Bryan , Johnson Margery , Smeltzer Matthew P. , Howard Scott C. , Hankins Jane S.
Published: August 2014

Background

In children with sickle cell anemia (SCA), hydroxyurea reduces morbidity, but adherence is frequently suboptimal. Because most families of children with SCA have access to cellular telephone services, we assessed the impact of text messaged reminders as a tool to improve adherence to hydroxyurea.

Procedure

All patients <19 years of age with HbSS or HbSβ0thalassemia who were treated with hydroxyurea at a maximal tolerated dosage (MTD) at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Comprehensive Pediatric Sickle Cell Program and who received automated text message reminders (SIMON®) were retrospectively identified. Laboratory parameters, hospitalizations, and medication possession ratios (MPR) prior to and after initiation of SIMON® were compared to assess the impact of SIMON®.

Results

Of the 97.3% of families with access to a cell phone, 91% elected to receive text message reminders. Among 55 children receiving hydroxyurea at MTD, laboratory parameters reflected waning medication compliance during the 12 months prior to SIMON®. Following initiation of SIMON®, children had higher mean corpuscular volumes, hemoglobin levels and fetal hemoglobin percentages and lower absolute reticulocyte counts and bilirubin levels, suggesting improved medication adherence. Hospitalizations were uncommon before and after SIMON®, and medication possession ratios (MPRs) were high before and after SIMON®, neither was significantly changed.

Conclusions

SIMON® was feasible and improved hematologic parameters in children with SCA receiving hydroxyurea at a MTD. Future work will include extension of this technology to children with other chronic medical conditions who require daily use of medication. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:2031–2036. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nonlinear load–strain modeling of polypropylene geogrids during constant rate‐of‐strain loading
Authors: Ezzein Fawzy M. , Bathurst Richard J. , Kongkitkul Warat
Published: August 2014

This article describes a rate‐dependent hyperbolic model that was developed to predict the tensile load–strain behavior of a polypropylene geogrid reinforcement material under monotonic and stepped constant rate‐of‐strain testing. A more general three‐component model previously reported in the literature was also used in the current study but with some modifications to compute model parameters. Details of the trial and error procedure to select three‐component model parameters, not previously reported in the literature, are explained. Both models gave similar good agreement between measured and predicted constant rate‐of‐strain tests. The accuracy of the three‐component model to simulate stepped constant rate‐of‐strain tests was judged to be better, but for practical purposes, the simpler hyperbolic model was judged to be satisfactory. An advantage of the hyperbolic model is that the model parameters are easy to determine, only monotonic constant rate‐of‐strain tests are required, and numerical implementation is simple. However, the hyperbolic model is restricted to monotonic or stepped constant rate‐of‐strain load paths. An advantage of the more complicated three‐component model is that it has been demonstrated in previous studies to be more general and thus can be used for other load paths and other polymeric reinforcement material types that do not have characteristic hyperbolic load–strain behavior. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1617–1627, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Mass spectrometry based quantitative proteomics and integrative network analysis accentuates modulating roles of annexin‐1 in mammary tumorigenesis
Authors: Swa Hannah L. F. , Shaik Asfa Alli , Lim Lina H. K. , Gunaratne Jayantha
Published: August 2014

Annexin‐1 (ANXA1) is known to be involved in important cellular processes and implicated in cancer. Our previous study showed its roles in cell migration and DNA‐damage response processes in breast cancer initiation. In order to understand its roles in tumorigenesis, we extended our studies to analyze tumors derived from polyomavirus middle T‐antigen ANXA1 heterozygous (ANXA1+/−) and ANXA1 null (ANXA1−/−) mice. We performed quantitative comparison of ANXA1+/− and ANXA1−/− tumors employing reductive dimethyl labeling quantitative proteomics. We observed 253 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) with high statistical significance among over 5000 quantified proteins. Combinatorial use of pathway and network‐based computational analyses of the DEPs revealed that ANXA1 primarily modulates processes related to cytoskeletal remodeling and immune responses in these mammary tumors. Of particular note, ANXA1−/− tumor showed reduced expression of a known epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker vimentin, as well as myosin light‐chain kinase, which has been reported to induce Rho‐kinase mediated assembly of stress fibers known to be implicated in EMT. Integrative network analysis of established interactome of ANXA1 alongside with DEPs further highlights the involvement of ANXA1 in EMT. Functional role of ANXA1 in tumorigenesis was established in invasion assay where knocking down ANXA1 in murine mammary tumor cell line 168FARN showed lower invasive capability. Altogether, this study emphasizes that ANXA1 plays modulating roles contributing to invasion–metastasis in mammary tumorigenesis, distinctive to its roles in cancer initiation.
High strain‐rate response of spiropyran mechanophores in PMMA
Authors: Hemmer James R. , Smith Patrick D. , van Horn Matt , Alnemrat Sufian , Mason Brian P. , de Alaniz Javier Read , Osswald Sebastian , Hooper Joseph P.
Published: August 2014

We report the high strain‐rate response of a spiropyran (SP) mechanophore in poly(methylmethacrylate). Previous work on this system has demonstrated a reversible bond scission in the SP under local tensile force, converting it to a fluorescent merocyanine form. A Hopkinson bar was used to apply fast compressive loads at rates from 102 to 104 s−1, resulting in significant activation of the SP near fracture surfaces. However, comparison with a similar thermochromic SP reveals that much of the observed activation likely arises from thermal effects during high‐rate fracture. These results show the importance of a thermally active control system in distinguishing mechanochromic response during high‐rate loading. Microscale fluorescence mapping of the fracture surfaces using a confocal Raman microspectrometer suggests that some distinct mechanical activation may be occurring in craze‐like regions during fibril rupture. The thermal response of the SP is useful in its own right for characterizing plastic heating regions during dynamic fracture. Published 2014. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 1347–1356
Reactive Species from Cold Atmospheric Plasma: Implications for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Graves David B.
Published: August 2014

Cold atmospheric plasmas (CAP) formed in air generate reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). RONS are biologically and therapeutically active agents and experimental evidence suggests that air plasmas shrink tumors by increasing oxidative and nitrosative stress on neoplastic tissue. Most mainline anti‐cancer therapies – including ionizing radiation and chemotherapies – also operate primarily via this pro‐oxidant, oxidative, and nitrosative stress mechanism. The main disadvantage of these conventional therapies is the development of treatment‐resistant cells. A key question for plasma cancer therapies is therefore whether or not cold plasma will lead to similar oxidative stress resistance. However, there are hints that combining nitrosative stress with oxidative stress via air plasma might avoid this problem. Plasma‐based cancer treatment may be a powerful and practical anti‐cancer agent, acting either alone or in combination with other therapies.
Biofilm Responses to Flow Regulation by Dams in Mediterranean Rivers
Authors: Ponsatí L. , Acuña V. , Aristi I. , Arroita M. , García‐Berthou E. , von Schiller D. , Elosegi A. , Sabater S.
Published: August 2014

Dams regulate downstream hydrology and modify water quality, which in turn can impinge on the biota, especially in rivers naturally subject to large hydrological variability, such as those under Mediterranean climate. The effect of dams on biofilms was analysed in three tributaries (Cinca, Siurana and Montsant) of the Ebro River (NE Spain). We hypothesized that flow regulation would lead to lower spatial variability of biofilms on the streambed and to a decrease in their metabolic rate per unit biomass, especially during low flow periods. Biofilm characteristics were studied in five transects evenly spaced along river reaches upstream (control) and downstream (impact) of dams in each river, along with riverbed granulometry, hydraulics and water chemistry. Chlorophyll‐a, respiratory activity, photosynthetic capacity and efficiency, and extracellular enzymatic activities (β‐d‐glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase and leucine‐amino‐peptidase) of epilithic biofilms were measured in different seasons. Spatial variability of chemical and biological variables was reduced downstream of the dams. Chlorophyll‐a concentration, photosynthetic efficiency and respiration capacity were higher in impact than in control reaches, but generally, low inorganic phosphorus concentrations resulted in comparable phosphatase activities downstream and upstream of dams. On the other hand, β‐d‐glucosidase and leucine‐amino‐peptidase activities were higher at impact reaches. Biofilms were thicker and metabolically more active at the impact reaches, with higher ability to transform dissolved organic matter. Overall, results from this study provide evidence that dams can largely affect the structure and activity of river biofilms, with foreseeable important consequences for river ecosystem functioning. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Corporate divestitures and family control
Authors: Feldman Emilie R. , Amit Raphael(Raffi) , Villalonga Belén
Published: August 2014

This paper investigates the relationship between divestitures and firm value in family firms. Using hand‐collected data on a sample of over 30,000 firm‐year observations, we find that family firms are less likely than non‐family firms to undertake divestitures, especially when these companies are managed by family rather than non‐family‐CEOs. However, we then establish that the divestitures undertaken by family firms, predominantly those run by family‐CEOs, are associated with higher post‐divestiture performance than their non‐family counterparts. These findings indicate that family firms may fail to fully exploit available economic opportunities, potentially because they pursue multiple objectives beyond the maximization of shareholder value. These results also elucidate how the characteristics of corporate owners and managers can influence the value that firms derive from their corporate strategies. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Layered Double Hydroxide‐based Nanomaterials as Highly Efficient Catalysts and Adsorbents
Authors: Li Changming , Wei Min , Evans David G. , Duan Xue
Published: August 2014

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are a class of anion clays consisting of brucite‐like host layers and interlayer anions, which have attracted increasing interest in the fields of catalysis/adsorption. By virtue of the versatility in composition, morphology, and architecture of LDH materials, as well as their unique structural properties (intercalation, topological transformation, and self‐assembly with other functional materials), LDHs display great potential in the design and fabrication of nanomaterials applied in photocatalysis, heterogeneous catalysis, and adsorption/separation processes. Taking advantage of the structural merits and various control synthesis strategies of LDHs, the active center structure (e.g., crystal facets, defects, geometric and electronic states, etc.) and macro–nano morphology can be facilely manipulated for specific catalytic/adsorbent processes with largely enhanced performances. In this review, the latest advancements in the design and preparation of LDH‐based functional nanomaterials for sustainable development in catalysis and adsorption are summarized.
A method for improving the reliability of sound broadcast systems used in ecological research and management
Authors: Valente Jonathon J. , Legrande Christa L. , Johnson Vincent M. , Fischer Richard A.
Published: August 2014

Automated sound broadcast systems have been used to address a variety of ecological questions, and show great potential as a management tool. Such systems need to be reliable because treatments are often applied in the absence of a human observer and system failure can cause methodological ambiguity. During the breeding seasons of 2012 and 2013, we used a sound broadcast system previously described by Farrell and Campomizzi (2011) in an experiment evaluating the use of post‐breeding song in forest‐bird habitat selection in southern Indiana, USA. This system incorporates a portable compact disc (CD) player where the play button is permanently depressed using manual compression so that when a timer connects an electrical current to the unit, the CD player automatically starts. Despite exhaustive efforts to find a reliable way to manually compress the play button on numerous CD player models, play button failure was the most significant source of broadcast system failure (88%) in 2012. We attempted to resolve this problem in 2013 by removing the need for manual compression and soldering the play button contact poles on each CD players' integrated circuit boards. Though we did experience broadcast system failures during <5% of treatment periods in 2013, none of those were attributable to play button failure. By removing all possibility of failure from manual play button compression we improved our system reliability. Thus, soldering the CD player play button on such broadcast systems represents a methodological improvement that can be used by researchers and managers interested in sound broadcast. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
What is the Better Choice for T1b Gallbladder Cancer: Simple Versus Extended Cholecystectomy
Authors: Yoon Jong Hee , Lee Young Joo , Kim Song Cheol , Lee Jae Hoon , Song Ki Byung , Hwang Ji Woong , Lee Jeong Woo , Lee Dong Joo , Park Kwang Min
Published: August 2014

Background

There is debate over whether T1b gallbladder cancer (GBC) should be treated by simple cholecystectomy (SC) or by extended cholecystectomy (EC). The aim of this study is to compare and analyze the results of these two procedures.

Patients and methods

The archived medical records of 805 patients with GBC who had undergone surgical resection in Asan Medical Center, or were referred from other hospitals after undergoing surgery, between 1997 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, 85 patients were diagnosed with pathologic stage T1b (muscular layer) GBC. By using propensity scoring, the EC group and the SC group were matched in the proportion of 1:2; so, 54 patients were enrolled in this study.

Results

Among the 54 pathologic stage T1b cancer patients, SC was performed in 36 (66.7 %) and EC in 18 (33.4 %). The mean operation time and hospital stay after surgery of the SC group was significantly shorter than in the EC group (83.2 vs. 356.4 min, 7.8 vs. 15.2 days; both p = 0.000). Disease recurrence was noted in four cases (11.1 %), all in the SC group; 50 % of recurred patients experienced recurrence at the lymph node. There was no significant intergroup difference in the 5‐year survival rate (5‐YSR) (88.8 % for SC vs. 93.3 % for EC, p = 0.521).

Conclusions

In this study, for stage T1b GBC, both EC and SC offered similar cure rates. However, recurrence is associated with SC and inadequate lymph node dissection (LND). Therefore, EC including regional LND may be justified and preferred because of the possibility of lymph node metastasis and the accurate assessment of stage (LN status), except that the patients have a high risk of operation.
Liver‐to‐Spleen Ratio as an Index of Chronic Liver Diseases and Safety of Hepatectomy: A Pilot Study
Authors: Huang Yangqing , Huang Bin , Kan Tong , Yang Boshuai , Yuan Min , Wang Jiefei
Published: August 2014

Background

Hepatic failure is a main cause of death after hepatectomy. Accurate preoperative evaluation of functional liver reserve is the key to ensure safe resection. Studies have found that the spleen would gradually enlarge as chronic liver disease worsened. This study was designed to determine whether preoperative liver‐to‐spleen ratio (LSR) would be an indicator to evaluate severity of liver disease and predict safety of hepatectomy.

Methods

The volumes of liver and spleen were evaluated on computed tomography scan in 67 patients who received partial hepatectomy. Preoperative LSR was calculated. Statistical analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between LSR and the degree of chronic liver disease. Ability of LSR to predict the safety of hepatectomy also was evaluated.

Results

LSR had a negative correlation with the degree of chronic liver diseases (r = −0.606, P < 0.0001). LSR = 3.22 was the cutoff point for predicting posthepatectomy complications and inadequacy. AUC, sensitivity, and specificity for predicting posthepatectomy complications and inadequacy respectively were 0.830 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.715–0.950, P < 0.0001), 69.6, 93.2 %, and 0.863 (95 % CI 0.777–0.949, P < 0.0001), 68.8, 84.3 %. Multivariate analysis showed that LSR = 3.22 was the factor that affected both posthepatectomy complications and liver inadequacy.

Conclusions

Preoperative LSR score correlated well with the degree of chronic liver diseases, and it probably help us to improve the safety of hepatectomy.
Oil Content and Composition of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Genotypes as Affected by Irrigation Regimes
Authors: Kadkhodaie Azam , Razmjoo Jamshid , Zahedi Morteza , Pessarakli Mohammad
Published: August 2014

The fatty acid composition of sesame seed oil determines its commercial value, and drought stress and genotype may affect both the quality and quantity of oil that is extractable by sesame seed processors. Therefore, this experiment was conducted in a field located in Isfahan, Iran, to determine the effect of three irrigation regimes [55 % (I1, as control), 75 % (I2) and 85 % (I3) of depletion of soil available water] on the oil content and composition of ten sesame genotypes (Isfahan4, Shahreza, Borazjan, Ahvaz, Kal, Shiraz, Markazi, Ardestan, Ultan and Isfahan1). Seed oil content and palmitic, linoleic, linolenic, stearic and oleic acid contents were determined during 2010–2012. Shahreza under I1, Shahreza and Ardestan under I2 and Isfanahan4 under I3 irrigation regimes produced the highest oil content, while Kal under I1 and I2 and Isfahan4 under I3 irrigation regimes produced the highest oil yield. Ultan had the lowest palmitic acid content under all three irrigation regimes, while Isfahan4 had the highest reduction in palmitic acid content under I2 and I3. Borazjan produced the lowest stearic and highest linoleic acid contents under the I1, I2 and I3 irrigation regimes. Kal, Kal and Ardestan, and Ardestan and Isfahan1 produced the highest oleic acid under I1, I2 and I3, respectively. Shahreza under I1 and I2 and Isfahan4 under I3 had the highest linolenic acid content. The results showed that the sesame oil content and composition were genotype‐drought level specific, and based on oil yield production and percent reduction in saturated and increase in unsaturated fatty acid contents, Isfahan4 was the most drought‐tolerant genotype.
Current status and technical challenges of CO2 storage in coal seams and enhanced coalbed methane recovery: an overview
Authors: Li Xiaochun , Fang Zhi-ming
Published: August 2014

In the past two decades, research on CO2 storage in coal seams and simultaneously enhanced coalbed methane recovery (ECBM) has attracted a lot of attention due to its win–win effect between greenhouse gas (CO2) emission reduction and coalbed methane recovery enhancement. This paper presents an overview on the current status of research on CO2-ECBM in the past two decades, which involves CO2 storage capacity evaluations, laboratory investigations, modelings and pilot tests. The current status shows that we have made great progress in the ECBM technology study, especially in the understanding of the ECBM mechanisms. However, there still have many technical challenges, such as the definition of unmineable coal seams for CO2 storage capacity evaluation and storage site characterization, methods for CO2 injectivity enhancement, etc. The low injectivity of coal seams and injectivity loss with CO2 injection are the major technique challenges of ECBM. We also search several ways to promote the advancement of ECBM technology in the present stage, such as integrating ECBM with hydraulic fracturing, using a gas mixture instead of pure CO2 for injection into coal seams and the application of ECBM to underground coal mines.
Being-in-the-World in the Global Age: Marginal Spaces as Alternative Places in the Belgian–Moroccan Transnational Cityscape of Les Barons
Authors: Orlando Valérie K.
Published: August 2014

Europe’s immigrant populations are often represented on screen by both European and immigrant filmmakers as marginalized in the violent neighborhoods of peripheral urban areas in Paris, Lyon, London, and elsewhere. The film Les Barons (Nabil Ben Yadir, 2009) seeks to counter such stereotypes. The protagonists of Les Barons are multilingual, multicultural young men with proud ties to their families and the ability, at the same time, to straddle cultural registers and global perspectives as they live their cosmopolitan Dasein, or “Being-in-the-world.”
Spectral eddy viscosity of stratified turbulence
Authors: Remmler Sebastian , Hickel Stefan
Published: August 2014

The spectral eddy viscosity (SEV) concept is a handy tool for the derivation of large-eddy simulation (LES) turbulence models and for the evaluation of their performance in predicting the spectral energy transfer. We compute this quantity by filtering and truncating fully resolved turbulence data from direct numerical simulations (DNS) of neutrally and stably stratified homogeneous turbulence. The results qualitatively confirm the plateau–cusp shape, which is often assumed to be universal, but show a strong dependence on the test filter size. Increasing stable stratification not only breaks the isotropy of the SEV but also modifies its basic shape, which poses a great challenge for implicit and explicit LES methods. We find indications that for stably stratified turbulence it is necessary to use different subgrid-scale (SGS) models for the horizontal and vertical velocity components. Our data disprove models that assume a constant positive effective turbulent Prandtl number.
What Makes for Good Sex? The Associations Among Attachment Style, Inhibited Communication and Sexual Satisfaction
Authors: Khoury Clautilde B. , Findlay Bruce M.
Published: August 2014

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that those with insecure attachments (characterised by anxiety, avoidance or both; Hazan & Shaver, 1994), would engage in less effective communication on sexual matters, which would in turn predict lower sexual satisfaction. A sample of 125 participants aged between 18 and 65 completed an online questionnaire asking about their sexual and intimate relationships, and their attachment patterns. As expected, avoidant individuals reported poorer sexual communication, which contributed to their sexual dissatisfaction. Contrary to expectations, anxiety did not have this effect. Interestingly, those anxious individuals in a relationship of 9 months or longer engaged in poorer sexual communication, which negatively impacted their sexual satisfaction. It was suggested that the ‘honeymoon period’ may be responsible for this finding. Alternatively, and as suggested by Davis et al. (2006), other variables, such as sexual anxiety and using sex as a barometer of relationship status, may account for this effect and warrant further exploration.
Smoking Cessation after Myocardial Revascularization Procedures
Authors: Schroder e Souza Thiago Gonçalves , Souza Jonathan Batista , Nunes Evandro Bertanha , Arruda Verzola Roberto Mário , Barrionuevo Cláudia Vanessa , Alves da Costa Leandro Menezes , de Sousa Márcio Gonçalves
Published: August 2014

Introduction: Smoking is associated with the development of coronary artery disease and influences negatively the prognosis of patients undergoing myocardial revascularization procedures. However, the rate of smoking cessation after these procedures is not well established in the literature. We aimed to evaluate the rate of smoking cessation in patients undergoing revascularization procedures, immediately and after 12 months of follow-up.

Methods: We examined smoking patients from a unique cardiology center who underwent myocardial revascularization procedures between January 2010 and December 2011. These patients were allocated to two groups according to the revascularization procedure performed: Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) and Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCI). Data related to cessation or maintenance of smoking were obtained at subsequent clinical appointments or telephone calls.

Results: Among 173 patients selected, 118 (68.2%) underwent PCI and 55 (31.8%) underwent CABG. After revascularization procedures, the total rate of smoking cessation was 79.3%. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the two groups (83.6% – CI 95%: 71.2–92.2% for CABG, and 79.3% – CI 95%: 70.8–86.3% for PCI). The maintenance of smoking cessation after one year was 53.2%, similar between groups (52.7% for CABG and 53.4% for PCI). Nevertheless, the average time of smoking cessation was significantly higher in the CABG group (6.9 months versus 4.5 months for PCI).

Conclusions: Coronary interventions add important value to smoking cessation, and the smoking cessation rates were similar, independent of the procedure executed.
‘Aid for gays’: the moral and the material in ‘African homophobia’ in post-2009 Malawi
Authors: Biruk Crystal
Published: August 2014

In recent years, ‘African homophobia’ has become a spectacle on the global stage, making Africa into a pre-modern site of anti-gay sentiment in need of Western intervention. This article suggests that ‘homophobia’ in post-2009 Malawi is an idiom through which multiple actors negotiate anxieties around governance and moral and economic dependency. I illustrate the material conditions that brought about social imaginaries of inclusion and exclusion – partially expressed through homophobic discourse – in Malawi. The article analyses the cascade of events that led to a moment of political and economic crisis in mid-2011, with special focus on how a 2009 sodomy case made homophobia available as a new genre of social commentary. Employing discourse analysis of newspaper articles, political speeches, the proceedings of a sodomy case, and discussions about men who have sex with men (MSM) as an HIV risk group, I show how African homophobia takes form via interested deployments of ‘cultural’ rhetoric toward competing ends. This article lends a comparative case study to a growing literature on the political and social functions of homophobia in sub-Saharan Africa.
How is the jaguar Panthera onca perceived by local communities along the Paraguai River in the Brazilian Pantanal?
Authors: Porfirio Grasiela , Sarmento Pedro , Leal Stephanie , Fonseca Carlos
Published: August 2014

Rapid habitat conversion, hunting as a retaliatory response to livestock depredation and, potentially, lack of knowledge regarding the species’ ecological role are the main factors influencing conservation of the Near Threatened jaguar Panthera onca in the Pantanal wetland of Brazil. Investigation of people's perceptions and attitudes towards a species is an important element of conservation initiatives but most information concerning human perceptions of jaguars in the Pantanal comes from conflict with ranchers, who typically perceive this species negatively as a result of economic losses. No information is available concerning perceptions of the jaguar by other inhabitants, particularly along riversides where the main activity is professional and recreational fishing. We used semi-structured questionnaires to interview 50 riverside inhabitants on how they perceive the jaguar and to investigate the influence of education and age on such perceptions compared to local people from rural properties in the Pantanal and other Brazilian biomes. ‘Dangerous’ was the predominant perception. We found that the negative perceptions of jaguars related to people's safety and not to economic losses from livestock depredation. We highlight environmental education programmes, ecotourism and better strategies to reduce livestock losses as useful tools for minimizing the perception that jaguars are dangerous in all situations.
Sampled data output regulation of n-link robotic manipulator using a realizable reconstruction filter
Authors: Liaquat Muwahida , Malik Mohammad Bilal
Published: August 2014

This paper proposes a solution to the sampled-data regulation problem for feedback linearizable n-link robotic manipulators. The prime focus is on the development and stability analysis of the proposed control scheme in the presence of model uncertainties and external disturbances. A major constraint is the availability of sampled measurements of output signal. This leads to designing an impulsive observer for feedback linearization. The discrete-time control input is mapped into its continuous-time counterpart using a realizable reconstruction filter (RRF). The underlying control scheme relies on the sampled-data regulator theory based on the discrete-time equivalence of the plant and RRF modeled as impulsive system. This method leads to controller/observer design in discrete time. The working of the entire scheme is dependent on the stability of impulsive observer; hence a Lyapunov-based stability analysis is also included to ensure the stability of a closed-loop system. The working of the proposed scheme along with a comparison with conventional solution is presented, when applied to the control of a 3-degree-of-freedom PUMA 560 robot.
Crystal structure of dutasteride (Avodart), C27H20F6N2O2
Authors: Kaduk James A. , Crowder Cyrus E. , Zhong Kai , Fawcett Timothy G. , Suchomel Matthew R.
Published: August 2014

Commercial dutasteride crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P212121 (#19), with a = 7.587 44(3), b = 9.960 80(5), c = 33.500 42(12) Å, V = 2531.862(17) Å3, and Z = 4. The structure was solved and refined using synchrotron powder diffraction data, Rietveld, and density functional techniques. The most prominent feature of the structure is a zigzag chain of strong N–H···O = C hydrogen bonds along the a-axis. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD for inclusion in future releases of the Powder Diffraction File™.
The Constitution of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia: A Model for Europe?
Authors: Engelhardt Hanns
Published: August 2014

It is a peculiarity of the European continent that there are four independent Anglican jurisdictions side by side: the Church of England with its Diocese in Europe, The Episcopal Church, based in the United States of America, with its Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, and the Lusitanian and Spanish Reformed Episcopal Churches which are extra-provincial dioceses in the Anglican Communion. Alongside these, there are the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht, with dioceses in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. All of them are in full communion with each other, but they lack a comprehensive jurisdictional structure; consequently, there are cities where two or three bishops exercise jurisdiction canonically totally separately.
Counteracting the inhibitory effect of proteins towards lung surfactant substitutes: a fluorocarbon gas helps displace albumin at the air/water interface
Authors: Nguyen Phuc Nghia , Veschgini Mariam , Tanaka Motomu , Waton Gilles , Vandamme Thierry , Krafft Marie Pierre
Published: August 2014

Perfluorohexane accelerates the displacement of albumin by dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine at an interface submitted to sustained sinusoidal oscillations.
Determination of hydroxyl radicals photochemically generated in surface waters under sunlight by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection
Authors: Tai Chao , Xiao Chunyan , Zhao Tongqian , Wu Li , Han Dan
Published: August 2014

A sensitive method for the determination of photochemically generated hydroxyl radicals in surface waters under sunlight was developed with a detection limit of 42 nmol L−1.
Fluorescent carbon nanowires made by pyrolysis of DNA nanofibers and plasmon-assisted emission enhancement of their fluorescence
Authors: Nakao Hidenobu , Tokonami Shiho , Yamamoto Yojiro , Shiigi Hiroshi , Takeda Yoshihiko
Published: August 2014

Ag-doped carbon nanowires (Ag-doped CNWs) are produced using pyrolysis of DNA nanofibers with well-attached silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), indicating emission enhancement assisted by localized plasmon resonances.
Cyclic ethers to esters and monoesters to bis-esters with unconventional coupling partners under metal free conditions via sp3C–H functionalisation
Authors: Majji Ganesh , Guin Srimanta , Rout Saroj K. , Behera Ahalya , Patel Bhisma K.
Published: August 2014

Oxidative esterification of sp3C–H bonds in simple solvents has been achieved using latent ArCOO−sources under metal free conditions.
Oxidative coupling of alkenes with amides using peroxides: selective amide C(sp3)–H versus C(sp2)–H functionalization
Authors: Yang Xu-Heng , Wei Wen-Ting , Li Hai-Bing , Song Ren-Jie , Li Jin-Heng
Published: August 2014

A new oxidative coupling of alkenes with amides to achieve mono- and difunctionalization of alkenes is described.
Construction of supramolecular organogels and hydrogels from crown ether based unsymmetric bolaamphiphiles
Authors: Gao Lingyan , Xu Donghua , Zheng Bo
Published: August 2014

Bolaamphiphilic low-molecular-weight gelators based on crown ethers, which could form organogels and hydrogels, were prepared.
New cocrystals of ezetimibe with l-proline and imidazole
Authors: Shimpi Manishkumar R. , Childs Scott L. , Boström Dan , Velaga Sitaram P.
Published: August 2014

Two new cocrystals of ezetimibe were identified and scale-up. Ezetimibe–proline cocrystal showed improved apparent solubility and physical stability.
Two-dimensional self-assembly of single-, poly- and co-crystals at the liquid/solid interface
Authors: Liu Pei , Miao Xinrui , Li Zhuomin , Zha Bao , Deng Wenli
Published: August 2014

The observation of two polymorphs indicates that C2 cannot form single crystals because of an increase in molecular flexibility.
BaC: a thermodynamically stable layered superconductor
Authors: Wang Dian-Hui , Zhou Huai-Ying , Hu Chao-Hao , Oganov Artem R. , Zhong Yan , Rao Guang-Hui
Published: August 2014

The newly found BaC compound is a thermodynamically stable superconductor with a Tc of 4.32 K at 5 GPa.
Tuning the properties of visible-light-responsive tantalum (oxy)nitride photocatalysts by non-stoichiometric compositions: a first-principles viewpoint
Authors: Harb Moussab , Sautet Philippe , Nurlaela Ela , Raybaud Pascal , Cavallo Luigi , Domen Kazunari , Basset Jean-Marie , Takanabe Kazuhiro
Published: August 2014

Finding an ideal photocatalyst for achieving efficient overall water splitting still remains a great challenge.
A general overview of the organocatalytic intramolecular aza-Michael reaction
Authors: Sánchez-Roselló María , Aceña José Luis , Simón-Fuentes Antonio , del Pozo Carlos
Published: August 2014

The organocatalytic intramolecular aza-Michael reaction: a useful strategy to generate enantiomerically enriched nitrogen-containing heterocycles.
Catalytic bio–chemo and bio–bio tandem oxidation reactions for amide and carboxylic acid synthesis
Authors: Bechi Beatrice , Herter Susanne , McKenna Shane , Riley Christopher , Leimkühler Silke , Turner Nicholas J. , Carnell Andrew J.
Published: August 2014

Oxygen-dependent enzymes and chemocatalysts were combined to provide one-pot tandem cascade syntheses of amides and carboxylic acids.
Synthesis, DNA binding, docking and photocleavage studies of quinolinyl chalcones
Authors: Bindu P. J. , Mahadevan K. M. , Naik T. R. Ravikumar , Harish B. G.
Published: August 2014

A series of simple quinoline–chalcone conjugates have been synthesized and evaluated for their nucleolytic activity. The compounds 3c and 3d exhibited promising DNA binding and DNA photocleavage studies.
Composition-tunable nonlinear optical properties of ternary CdSexS1−x (x = 0–1) alloy quantum dots
Authors: Yu Dabin , Du Kai , Zhang Jinhua , Wang Feng , Chen Leilei , Zhao Minghui , Bian Jingtian , Feng Yueyue , Jiao Yang
Published: August 2014

The lattice spacing and UV/vis absorption spectra of CdSexS1−x quantum dots exhibit composition-tunable features upon changing x values.
A hexanuclear manganese(ii) complex: synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity toward organic sulfide oxidation
Authors: Najafpour Mohammad Mahdi , Amini Mojtaba , Hołyńska Małgorzata , Zare Maryam , Amini Emad
Published: August 2014

A hexanuclear [MnII6] wheel-like assembly with naphthalene-1,8-dicarboxylate and 1,10-phenanthroline was reported. The compound acts as a catalyst toward organic sulfide oxidation.
Thermal stability and structures of gaseous GeB2O4 and GeMo2O7
Authors: Lopatin Sergey I. , Panin Andrej I. , Shugurov Sergey M. , Emelyanova Ksenia A.
Published: August 2014

The stability of gaseous GeMo2O7 and GeB2O4 were confirmed by Knudsen effusion mass spectrometry. To get structure parameters of these gaseous salts quantum chemical investigation of molecules was undertaken.
An ink-jet printed, surface enhanced Raman scattering paper for food screening
Authors: Liao Wei-Ju , Roy Pradip Kumar , Chattopadhyay Surojit
Published: August 2014

A surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy active strip, with gold nanoparticles, is developed on paper by ink-jet printing for toxic screening.
Preparation and electrochemical capacitance of graphene/titanium nitride nanotube array
Authors: Tian Fang , Xie Yibing , Du Hongxiu , Zhou Yingzhi , Xia Chi , Wang Wei
Published: August 2014

The graphene composite electrode material was synthesized on the substrate of titanium nitride nanotube array (TiN NTA) through a simple adsorption–reduction process, forming chemical reduction graphene/TiN NTA (G/TiN NTA) and thermal reduction graphene/TiN NTA (TRG/TiN NTA).
Formation mechanism and optical properties of CdMoO4 and CdMoO4:Ln3+ (Ln = Pr, Sm, Eu, Dy, Ho and Er) microspheres synthesized via a facile sonochemical route
Authors: Zhang Junjun , Zhang Nannan , Zou Lianchun , Gan Shucai
Published: August 2014

3D well-defined CdMoO4 and CdMoO4:Ln3+ (Ln = Pr, Sm, Eu, Dy, Ho and Er) microspheres have been successfully synthesized using a facile sonochemical route.
Synthesis of Au-MWCNT–Graphene hybrid composite for the rapid detection of H2O2 and glucose
Authors: Nayak Pranati , Santhosh P. N. , Ramaprabhu S.
Published: August 2014

We report the fabrication of a novel amperometric biosensor based on narrow sized Au nanoparticles (∼4 nm) decorated multiwalled carbon nanotube-solar exfoliated graphene (MWCNTs–sG) hybrid composite as an enzyme immobilizer and sensing matrix for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and glucose.
Potential of brackish water and brine for energy generation by salinity gradient power-reverse electrodialysis (SGP-RE)
Authors: Tufa Ramato Ashu , Curcio Efrem , van Baak Willem , Veerman Joost , Grasman Simon , Fontananova Enrica , Di Profio Gianluca
Published: August 2014

Salinity Gradient Power-Reverse Electrodialysis (SGP-RE), tested on brackish water/solar pond brine, resulted in maximum power density of 1.13 W m−2 cell pair, 63% less than that of pure NaCl solutions with comparable salinity.
The in situ formation of platinum nanoparticles and their catalytic role in electroactive phase formation in poly(vinylidene fluoride): a simple preparation of multifunctional poly(vinylidene fluoride) films doped with platinum nanoparticles
Authors: Ghosh Sujoy Kumar , Alam Md. Mehebub , Mandal Dipankar
Published: August 2014

PVDF films doped with Pt-NPs demonstrates the human finger ultra touch sensitivity, high ferroelectric remnant polarization and intense photoluminescence in the UV-region.
Comparative investigation of microporous and nanosheet LiVOPO4 as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zheng Jun-chao , Han Ya-dong , Zhang Bao , Shen Chao , Ming Lei , Zhang Jia-feng
Published: August 2014

Nanosheets LiVOPO4 synthesized by freeze drying exhibit much better electrochemical performance than microporous LiVOPO4 synthesized by spray drying.
Osmotic buckling of spherical capsules
Authors: Knoche Sebastian , Kierfeld Jan
Published: August 2014

Buckling by osmotic pressure prevents the full collapse (snap-through) of a spherical shell and gives rise to finite dimples.
Sustained release of bupivacaine for post-surgical pain relief using core–shell microspheres
Authors: Pek Y. Shona , Pitukmanorom Pemakorn , Ying Jackie Y.
Published: August 2014

Core–shell PLGA/PLLA polymer microspheres sustained 2 weeks in vivo bupivacaine release, providing extended postoperative analgesia without infection or joint damage.
Predicting aggregation-prone sequences in proteins
Authors: De Baets Greet , Schymkowitz Joost , Rousseau Frederic
Published: August 2014

Owing to its association with a diverse range of human diseases, the determinants of protein aggregation are studied intensively. It is generally accepted that the effective aggregation tendency of a protein depends on many factors such as folding efficiency towards the native state, thermodynamic stability of that conformation, intrinsic aggregation propensity of the polypeptide sequence and its ability to be recognized by the protein quality control system. The intrinsic aggregation propensity of a polypeptide sequence is related to the presence of short APRs (aggregation-prone regions) that self-associate to form intermolecular β-structured assemblies. These are typically short sequence segments (5–15 amino acids) that display high hydrophobicity, low net charge and a high tendency to form β-structures. As the presence of such APRs is a prerequisite for aggregation, a plethora of methods have been developed to identify APRs in amino acid sequences. In the present chapter, the methodological basis of these approaches is discussed, as well as some practical applications.
The physiology and pathology of microtubule-associated protein tau
Authors: Wang Jian-Zhi , Gao Xinya , Wang Zhi-Hao
Published: August 2014

Tau belongs to the family of microtubule-associated proteins predominantly expressed in neurons where they play an important role in promoting microtubule assembly and stabilizing microtubules. In addition, tau proteins interact with other cytoskeletal elements to allow spacing between microtubules. Recent studies have shown that tau is also actively involved in regulating cell viability and activity. Translated from a single gene located on chromosome 17q21, six isoforms of tau are produced by alternative splicing in adult human brain. Due to multiple post-translational modifications, heterogeneous tau species with a wide range of apparent molecular masses have been observed by denaturing polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Since tau gene mutations and abnormal post-translational modifications have been detected in over 20 neurodegenerative disorders, namely the tauopathies, tau has gained widespread attention as a target protein in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. In the present chapter, research progress regarding physiology and pathology of tau is reviewed, particularly in terms of the role of post-translational modification.
The net clinical benefit of personalized antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Siller-Matula Jolanta M. , Gruber Carina , Francesconi Marcel , Dechant Cornelia , Jilma Bernd , Delle-Karth Georg , Grohs Katharina , Podczeck-Schweighofer Andrea , Christ Günter
Published: August 2014

This was a prospective study comparing two groups: personalized and non-personalized treatment with P2Y12 receptor blockers during a 12-month follow-up. We aimed to investigate whether personalized antiplatelet treatment in patients with high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) improves clinical outcome. Platelet reactivity was assessed by adenosine diphosphate induced aggregation using a multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA) in 798 patients with coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients with HTPR received up to four repeated loading doses of clopidogrel or prasugrel in the personalized treatment group (n=403), whereas no change in the treatment strategy was undertaken in patients with HTPR in the non-personalized treatment group (n=395). There were fewer major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in the personalized treatment group than in the non-personalized treatment group (7.4% compared with 15.3% respectively; P<0.001). The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the relative risk to develop MACE was 51% lower in the personalized treatment group as compared with the non-personalized treatment group [hazard ratio (HR)=0.49; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.31–0.77; P<0.001]. Similarly, there was a clear net benefit of the personalized antiplatelet treatment over the non-personalized treatment (ischemic and bleedings events: 8.2% versus 18.7% respectively; HR=0.46; 95%CI: 0.29–0.70; P<0.001). Further analysis indicated that patients with aggregation values within the therapeutic window (21–49 units) experienced the lowest event rates (stent thrombosis and major bleeding: 2.5%) as compared with poor responders (≥50 units: 5.4%) or ultra-responders (0–20 units: 5.2%). In conclusion, personalized antiplatelet treatment might improve patients’ outcome without increasing bleeding complications compared with the non-personalized treatment during a 12-month follow-up.
Compact ACS‐fed UWB monopole antenna with extra Bluetooth band
Authors: Liu Yuan‐Fu , Wang Peng , Qin Hao
Published: August 2014

A compact asymmetric coplanar strip (ACS)‐fed ultra‐wideband (UWB) monopole antenna with extra Bluetooth band for various wireless applications is presented. The proposed antenna is composed of a modified ACS‐fed structure and a staircase‐shaped patch for covering the UWB band (3.1–10.6 GHz), which occupies a very compact size of 32.5 × 10 mm2. By etching a snake‐shaped slot in the staircase‐shaped patch, an additional band can be realised covering the Bluetooth band (2.4–2.484 GHz). Furthermore, the proposed antenna has been fabricated and measured, and good results obtained. The proposed antenna shows nearly omnidirectional radiation characteristics, relatively consistent group delays and stable gains in the operating bands. The simple feeding structure, compact size and uniplanar design make it easy to be integrated within portable devices for wireless communication.