bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efeitos de exercícios com massa corporal como resistência em jovens não treinados
Authors: Lima Fernando Max , Silva Maristella Borges , Rezende Adriana D´Aprile , Fernandes Luciane Fernanda Rodrigues Martinho , Mota Gustavo Ribeiro da , Bertoncello Dernival
Published: March 2013

Introdução: Exercícios resistidos (ER) podem ser realizados utilizando a própria massa corporal como resistência. Objetivo: Analisar possíveis benefícios e ganhos musculares decorrentes da prática de protocolo de ER usando a massa corporal como resistência em jovens não treinados. Métodos: Vinte jovens não treinados foram divididos em grupo controle e experimental. Em ambos os grupos, realizou-se avaliação física antes e após quatro semanas; sendo o grupo experimental submetido ao protocolo de ER específico. Resultados: O grupo experimental apresentou alterações significativas para flexibilidade de ombro (p=0,003) e de quadril (p=0,0009), força e resistência de flexão e extensão de braços (p=0043) e agachamento (p=0,0004). Foram significativas as diferenças intergrupos para flexibilidade de ombro (p=0,0101) e quadril (p=0,0024), na força e resistência de flexão e extensão de braços (p=0,0001) e agachamento (p=0,0012). Conclusão: O protocolo de ER utilizando a massa corporal como resistência por quatro semanas é suficiente para promover melhorias significativas na força, resistência muscular e na flexibilidade.
Eficácia do exercício em grupo em pacientes com osteoartrose: estudo piloto quase-experimental
Authors: Vieira Wouber Hérickson de Brito , Lima Ingrid Ferreira de , Melo Flávio Emanoel Souza de , Pinheiro Iria Lúcia Duarte , Trede Filho Renato Guilherme , Abreu Bento João da Graça Azevedo
Published: March 2013

Introdução: Entre as doenças crônicas que acometem o sistema musculoesquelético, a de maior prevalência é a osteoartrose. O exercício físico em grupo possibilita o apoio mútuo, troca de experiências e otimiza o controle da dor. Objetivos: Investigar o efeito da intervenção fisioterapêutica em grupo sobre a dor e qualidade de vida de pacientes portadores de dor crônica decorrente de osteoartrose. Métodos: Dez voluntários foram submetidos à avaliação da dor e da qualidade de vida pré e pós-intervenção. A intervenção consistiu em sessões de exercício em grupo, duas vezes por semana, durante oito semanas. Resultados: Houve diferença estatisticamente significativa na média dos domínios capacidade funcional, limitação por aspectos físicos, dor, vitalidade, limitação por aspectos sociais e limitação por aspectos emocionais e saúde mental; ao comparar os momentos pré e pós-intervenção. Conclusões: O exercício terapêutico em grupo promoveu redução nos índices de percepção dolorosa e impacto positivo na qualidade de vida.
A Scientometric Analysis of 20 Years of Research on Breast Reconstruction Surgery: A Guide for Research Design and Journal Selection
Authors: Moghimi Mehrdad , Fathi Mehdi , Marashi Ali , Kamani Freshteh , Habibi Gholamreza , Hirbod-Mobarakeh Armin , Ghaemi Marjan , Hosseinian-Sarajehlou Mahdi
Published: March 2013

Background Breast reconstruction refers to the rebuilding of a woman's breast using autologous tissue or prosthetic material to form a natural-looking breast. It is increasingly offered to women undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer. However, there is no systematic analysis available for the expanding area of research on breast reconstruction.

Methods A bibliometric method was used to obtain a view of the scientific production about breast reconstruction by data extracted from the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI). Specific parameters were retrieved from the ISI. Articles about breast reconstruction were analyzed to obtain a view of the topic's structure, history, and document relationships using HistCite software. Trends in the most influential publications and authors were analyzed.

Results The number of articles was constantly increasing. Most highly cited articles described the methods of flap construction in the surgery. Other highly cited articles discussed the psychological or emotional aspects of breast reconstruction, skin sparing mastectomy, and breast reconstruction in the irradiated breast.

Conclusions This was the first breast reconstruction scientometric analysis, representing the characteristics of papers and the trends of scientific production. A constant increase in the number of breast reconstruction papers and also the increasing number of citations shows that there is an increasing interest in this area of medical science. It seems that most of the research in this field is focused on the technical aspects of surgery.
Feasibility of Use of a Barbed Suture (V-Loc 180) for Quilting the Donor Site in Latissimus Dorsi Myocutaneous Flap Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Thekkinkattil Dinesh Kumar , Hussain Tasadooq , Mahapatra Tapan Kumar , McManus Penelope Louise , Kneeshaw Peter John
Published: March 2013

Background Latissimus dorsi (LD) myocutaneous flap is a popular method of breast reconstruction which can be associated with high incidence of seroma formation. Quilting sutures at the harvest site are used to reduce this. Barbed sutures are self anchoring sutures which avoid multiple knotting and can be useful in quilting.

Methods A retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent LD flap breast reconstruction between January 2009 and January 2011 was carried out. Seroma formation at the harvest site, wound related complications, inpatient stay and duration of surgery were analysed and a comparison was made between two groups where quilting was done with barbed (V-Loc) suture and conventional polydioxanone (PDS) II sutures.

Results Fifty-seven patients were included of which 33 had quilting by V-Loc sutures and in 24 patients PDS II suture was used. Median age in the PDS group was 55 years (interquartile range [IQR)], 45 to 61 years) which was comparable to the V-Loc group (53 years [IQR, 48 to 59 years]; P-value 0.948). Sixteen patients (28%) had significant seroma formation and 5 (9%) patients developed superficial wound dehiscence. Incidences of seroma or wound complications were comparable (P-value 0.378 and 1.00, respectively). Secondary outcomes such as total duration of surgery, total inpatient stay, total amount of drain at the donor site were also similar in two groups.

Conclusions Use of barbed sutures for quilting the donor site in LD flap reconstruction is a feasible option and the associated seroma formation and wound complications are comparable with conventional sutures.
Tourniquet-Free Hand Surgery Using the One-per-Mil Tumescent Technique
Authors: Prasetyono Theddeus O. H.
Published: March 2013

Background A pneumatic tourniquet is generally used to achieve a bloodless operation field in hand surgery. However, this has changed with tumescent solution-based wide-awake surgery. This study is a preliminary prospective case series study to elaborate the formula and indications of the tumescent technique in hand surgery without a tourniquet.

Methods Seven patients (age range, 4 months to 37 years) underwent hand or upper extremity surgery for conditions such as nerve palsy, electric burn defect, fingertip injury, contracture, constriction ring syndrome, or acrosyndactyly. A "one-per-mil" tumescent solution (epinephrine 1:1,000,000+20 mg lidocaine/50 mL saline) was used to create a bloodless operating field without a tourniquet. Observation was performed to document the amount of solution injected, the operation field clarity, and the postoperative pain.

Results The "one per mil" epinephrine solution showed an effective hemostatic effect. The tumescent technique resulted in an almost bloodless operation field in the tendon and in the constriction ring syndrome surgeries, minimal bleeding in the flap and contracture release surgeries, and acceptable bleeding in acrosyndactyly surgery. The amount of solution injected ranged from 5.3 to 60 mL. No patient expressed significant postoperative pain. Flap surgeries showed mixed results. One flap was lost, while the others survived.

Conclusions Epinephrine 1:1,000,000 in saline solution is a potential replacement for a tourniquet in hand surgery. Further studies are needed to delineate its safety for flap survival.
Survey of Attitudes on Professionalism in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Authors: Kim Jin Yong , Kang Seok Joo , Kim Jin Woo , Kim Young Hwan , Sun Hook
Published: March 2013

Background The purpose of this study is to analyze the current attitudes toward professionalism, the core values, and the type of professionalism among plastic surgeons in Korea to establish a code of ethics regarding the role of professionalism for plastic and reconstructive surgeons.

Methods From March 9, to July 1, 2012, face-to-face and mail surveys were conducted targeting the 325 participants (256 specialists and 69 residents) who are registered members of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. The proportion of each response given to an item was obtained through statistical processing through frequency analysis. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the differences in the responses between the resident group and the specialist group.

Results The survey results on the perception of professionalism in plastic surgery showed that a high proportion (90.5%) of the respondents viewed the future of plastic surgeons as bright. Through evaluation of the importance of the value items,"professional dominance" (4.58 pts), "autonomy" (4.45 pts), "lifestyle" (4.34 pts), and "commercialism" (4.31 pts) were assessed as critical values. "Altruism" (3.84 pts), "interpersonal competence" (3.79 pts), and "social justice" (3.61 pts) were viewed as lesser values. This difference showed the characteristics of an entrepreneurial outlook.

Conclusions Plastic surgeons should pursue excellence, humanism, accountability, and altruism in order to overcome the crisis of professionalism in plastic surgery. In order to develop the necessary competencies of professionals, vocational education should be arranged by the Korean Society of Plastic Surgeons, and an appropriate code of ethics should be established.
Selection of distinct populations of dentate granule cells in response to inputs as a mechanism for pattern separation in mice
Authors: Deng Wei , Mayford Mark , Gage Fred H
Published: March 2013

The hippocampus is critical for episodic memory and computational studies have predicted specific functions for each hippocampal subregion. Particularly, the dentate gyrus (DG) is hypothesized to perform pattern separation by forming distinct representations of similar inputs. How pattern separation is achieved by the DG remains largely unclear. By examining neuronal activities at a population level, we revealed that, unlike CA1 neuron populations, dentate granule cell (DGC) ensembles activated by learning were not preferentially reactivated by memory recall. Moreover, when mice encountered an environment to which they had not been previously exposed, a novel DGC population—rather than the previously activated DGC ensembles that responded to past events—was selected to represent the new environmental inputs. This selection of a novel responsive DGC population could be triggered by small changes in environmental inputs. Therefore, selecting distinct DGC populations to represent similar but not identical inputs is a mechanism for pattern separation.
Plants regenerated from tissue culture contain stable epigenome changes in rice
Authors: Stroud Hume , Ding Bo , Simon Stacey A , Feng Suhua , Bellizzi Maria , Pellegrini Matteo , Wang Guo-Liang , Meyers Blake C , Jacobsen Steven E
Published: March 2013

Most transgenic crops are produced through tissue culture. The impact of utilizing such methods on the plant epigenome is poorly understood. Here we generated whole-genome, single-nucleotide resolution maps of DNA methylation in several regenerated rice lines. We found that all tested regenerated plants had significant losses of methylation compared to non-regenerated plants. Loss of methylation was largely stable across generations, and certain sites in the genome were particularly susceptible to loss of methylation. Loss of methylation at promoters was associated with deregulated expression of protein-coding genes. Analyses of callus and untransformed plants regenerated from callus indicated that loss of methylation is stochastically induced at the tissue culture step. These changes in methylation may explain a component of somaclonal variation, a phenomenon in which plants derived from tissue culture manifest phenotypic variability.
LIN-12/Notch signaling instructs postsynaptic muscle arm development by regulating UNC-40/DCC and MADD-2 in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Li Pengpeng , Collins Kevin M , Koelle Michael R , Shen Kang
Published: March 2013

The diverse cell types and the precise synaptic connectivity between them are the cardinal features of the nervous system. Little is known about how cell fate diversification is linked to synaptic target choices. Here we investigate how presynaptic neurons select one type of muscles, vm2, as a synaptic target and form synapses on its dendritic spine-like muscle arms. We found that the Notch-Delta pathway was required to distinguish target from non-target muscles. APX-1/Delta acts in surrounding cells including the non-target vm1 to activate LIN-12/Notch in the target vm2. LIN-12 functions cell-autonomously to up-regulate the expression of UNC-40/DCC and MADD-2 in vm2, which in turn function together to promote muscle arm formation and guidance. Ectopic expression of UNC-40/DCC in non-target vm1 muscle is sufficient to induce muscle arm extension from these cells. Therefore, the LIN-12/Notch signaling specifies target selection by selectively up-regulating guidance molecules and forming muscle arms in target cells.
Attachment of Nucleosides and Other Linkers to Solid‐Phase Supports for Oligonucleotide Synthesis
Authors: Guzaev Andrei P. , Pon Richard T.
Published: March 2013

Specific step‐by‐step instructions for conversion of 5′‐O‐(4,4′‐dimethoxytrityl)‐ and base‐protected nucleosides and other mono‐O‐(4,4′‐dimethoxytrityl)‐protected diols to their hemisuccinate esters and their coupling to CPG (controlled‐pore glass) supports bearing aminopropyl or long chain aminoalkyl groups are presented. Additional guidelines are provided for selecting a coupling protocol and performing in‐process control. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 52:3.2.1‐3.2.23. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Does Multitasking Impair Studying? Depends on Timing
Authors: Pashler Harold , Kang Sean H. K. , Ip Renita Y.
Published: March 2013

It is often said that contemporary students frequently study while ‘multitasking’. However, this rather diffuse term encompasses situations that vary as to the whether the learner controls the pace at which educational materials are provided. On the basis of prior cognitive research, we hypothesize that this may well be a critical determinant of interference. Three studies required students to read or listen to several short historical narratives and also to engage in five to eight very short conversations (akin to an instant messaging conversation). In Experiment 1, subjects read the narratives; here, multitasking marginally increased total time spent reading the narratives, especially when it occurred at random times. However, final memory for the narratives was not significantly affected. Similar results were obtained when the narratives were presented in audio format and the learner could pause them while conversing (Experiment 2). By contrast, when audio narratives did not pause, interruptions reduced comprehension performance (Experiment 3). Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Treating to a Target in Established Active Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Receiving a Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor: Results From a Real‐World Cluster‐Randomized Adalimumab Trial
Authors: Pope Janet E. , Haraoui Boulos , Rampakakis Emmanouil , Psaradellis Eliofotisti , Thorne Carter , Sampalis John S. ,   on behalf of the Optimization of Adalimumab Trial Investigators
Published: March 2013

Objective

In early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), treating to a target is more effective than routine care (RC). Our aim was to determine if treating to a target has better outcomes than RC in established active RA.

Methods

We used a real‐world, 18‐month cluster‐randomized trial in established active RA patients treated with adalimumab. Physicians were randomized to RC, treating to a Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) of <2.6 (DAS group), or treating to a 0 of 28 swollen joint count (SJC; 0‐SJC group).

Results

Among the 308 enrolled patients, 109 (35.4%) were randomized to RC, 100 (32.5%) to the DAS group, and 99 (32.1%) to the 0‐SJC group. When adjusting for baseline DAS28, a comparable but significant (P < 0.001) improvement in DAS28 was observed at 12 months for all groups (DAS28 mean score 3.1, 3.4, and 3.2, respectively). There were no significant between‐group differences in the improvement of clinical parameters and patient‐reported outcomes with the exception of the mean change in patient satisfaction over time (P = 0.020), which was highest in the DAS group. Time to achieving good/moderate European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response was significantly shorter in the targeted treatment groups compared to RC (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] for the DAS‐group 2.99 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.71–5.24] and HR for the 0‐SJC group 1.86 [95% CI 1.09–3.13]). The dropout rate was 52.3% in RC, 27% in the DAS group, and 22.2% in the 0‐SJC group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

All groups experienced significant improvements at 18 months of treatment with adalimumab. Treating to target in established RA did not differ from RC in terms of therapeutic end point achievement for patients remaining on treatment. However, time to achieving good/moderate EULAR response was significantly shorter in the targeted treatment groups compared to RC and, importantly, the dropout rate was significantly lower with targeted treatment.
Palladium Nanoparticles Immobilized on Nano‐Silica Triazine Dendritic Polymer (Pdnp‐nSTDP): An Efficient and Reusable Catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura Cross‐Coupling and Heck Reactions
Authors: Isfahani Amir Landarani , Mohammadpoor‐Baltork Iraj , Mirkhani Valiollah , Khosropour Ahmad R. , Moghadam Majid , Tangestaninejad Shahram , Kia Reza
Published: March 2013

A new catalyst based on palladium nanoparticles immobilized on nano‐silica triazine dendritic polymer (Pdnp‐nSTDP) was synthesized and characterized by FT‐IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray, transmission electron microscopy and elemental analysis. The size of the palladium nanoparticles was determined to be 3.1±0.5 nm. This catalytic system showed high activity in the Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling of aryl iodides, bromides and chlorides with arylboronic acids and also in the Heck reaction of these aryl halides with styrenes. These reactions were best performed in a dimethylformamide (DMF)/water mixture (1:3) in the presence of only 0.006 mol% and 0.01 mol% of the catalyst, respectively, under conventional conditions and microwave irradiation to afford the desired coupling products in high yields. The Pdnp‐nSTDP was also used as an efficient catalyst for the preparation of a series of star‐ and banana‐shaped compounds with a benzene, pyridine, pyrimidine or 1,3,5‐triazine unit as the central core. Moreover, the catalyst could be recovered easily and reused several times without any considerable loss of its catalytic activity.
Li4Ti5O12 Nanocrystals Synthesized by Carbon Templating from Solution Precursors Yield High Performance Thin Film Li‐Ion Battery Electrodes
Authors: Hao Xiaoguang , Bartlett Bart M.
Published: March 2013

Nanocrystals of Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) have been prepared by processing an ethanol‐toluene solution of LiOEt and Ti(OiPr)4 using a carbon black template. The mechanism of crystal growth has been tracked by SEM and TEM microscopies. The resulting nanocrystals grown using the carbon template (C‐LTO) show less aggregation than materials prepared from solution without the template (S‐LTO), which is reflected in higher surface area (27 m2/g) and concomitantly smaller particle size (58 nm) for C‐LTO compared to 20 m2/g and 201 nm for S‐LTO. Electrochemically, thin‐film electrodes composed of C‐LTO demonstrate reversible cycling, storing ∼160 mAh/g at both 1 C (175 mA/g) and 10 C current. Important is that resistance to charge transfer between the C‐LTO nanocrystals and added conducting carbon is 3 times smaller than that for S‐LTO. Accordingly, C‐LTO shows excellent rate capability, maintaining an energy‐storage capacity >150 mAh/g even at 100 C current. These characteristics solidify C‐LTO a suitable replacement for carbon as a Li‐ion battery anode.
Effect of C5 petroleum resin content on damping behavior, morphology, and mechanical properties of BIIR/BR vulcanizates
Authors: Liang Jiyu , Chang Suqin , Feng Na
Published: March 2013

In this work, the white‐silica‐filled vulcanizates of brombutyl rubber (BIIR)/cis 1,4 polybutadiene rubbers (BR) with hydrogenated aromatic hydrocarbon (C5) petroleum resins were prepared by compression molding, and the effects of C5 petroleum resin content on the damping behaviors and mechanical properties of BIIR/BR vulcanizates were investigated by foam force rheometer, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), scanning electron microscopy, and mechanical measurements. The results of this study showed that, the C5 resins could retard the vulcanization, and reduce the crosslink density and Mooney viscosity of vulcanizates. The DMA curves exhibited two independent peaks of loss factor (tanδ) corresponding to the glass transition of BR and BIIR vulcanizates, respectively. The addition of C5 resin had a positive impact on the damping of BIIR/BR vulcanizates, with the increment content of C5 resin, the main tanδ peaks shifted significantly to higher temperature and the effective damping temperature range was broadened remarkably, especially in the range of the BIIR glass transition. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength and abrasion performance were influenced by the C5 resin and the changes in mechanical properties were mainly due to the decline of crosslink density and the improvement of filler dispersion. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
White Matter and Visuospatial Processing in Autism: A Constrained Spherical Deconvolution Tractography Study
Authors: McGrath Jane , Johnson Katherine , O'Hanlon Erik , Garavan Hugh , Gallagher Louise , Leemans Alexander
Published: March 2013

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are associated with a marked disturbance of neural functional connectivity, which may arise from disrupted organization of white matter. The aim of this study was to use constrained spherical deconvolution (CSD)‐based tractography to isolate and characterize major intrahemispheric white matter tracts that are important in visuospatial processing. CSD‐based tractography avoids a number of critical confounds that are associated with diffusion tensor tractography, and to our knowledge, this is the first time that this advanced diffusion tractography method has been used in autism research. Twenty‐five participants with ASD and aged 25, intelligence quotient‐matched controls completed a high angular resolution diffusion imaging scan. The inferior fronto‐occipital fasciculus (IFOF) and arcuate fasciculus were isolated using CSD‐based tractography. Quantitative diffusion measures of white matter microstructural organization were compared between groups and associated with visuospatial processing performance. Significant alteration of white matter organization was present in the right IFOF in individuals with ASD. In addition, poorer visuospatial processing was associated in individuals with ASD with disrupted white matter in the right IFOF. Using a novel, advanced tractography method to isolate major intrahemispheric white matter tracts in autism, this research has demonstrated that there are significant alterations in the microstructural organization of white matter in the right IFOF in ASD. This alteration was associated with poorer visuospatial processing performance in the ASD group. This study provides an insight into structural brain abnormalities that may influence atypical visuospatial processing in autism. Autism Res 2013, ●●: ●●–●●. © 2013 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Role of Gaze Direction in Face Memory in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Zaki Safa R. , Johnson Shannon A.
Published: March 2013

We tested the hypothesis that the direction of gaze of target faces may play a role in reported face recognition deficits in those with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In previous studies, typically developing children and adults better remembered faces in which the eyes were gazing directly at them compared with faces in which the eyes were averted. In the current study, high‐functioning children and adolescents with an ASD and age‐ and IQ‐matched typically developing controls were shown a series of pictures of faces in a study phase. These pictures were of individuals whose gaze was either directed straight ahead or whose gaze was averted to one side. We tested the memory for these study faces in a recognition task in which the faces were shown with their eyes closed. The typically developing group better remembered the direct‐gaze faces, whereas the ASD participants did not show this effect. These results imply that there may be an important link between gaze direction and face recognition abilities in ASD. Autism Res 2013, ●●: ●●–●●. © 2013 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The role of biomass in heat, electricity, and transport markets in the EU27 under different scenarios
Authors: van Stralen Joost N.P. , Uslu Ayla , Dalla Longa Francesco , Panoutsou Calliope
Published: March 2013

The National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs), as submitted to the European Commission by the 27 European Union member states (EU27), show ambitious development paths for the deployment of biomass in the heat, electricity, and transport sectors up to 2020. This study analyzes the distribution of different biomass feedstocks over these sectors for various biomass scenarios, examining the fixed development paths described in the NREAPs, while also presenting a possible change in biomass demand for these scenarios. The analysis also reaches beyond the scope of the NREAPs up to 2030. The allocation of biomass for heating (H), electricity (E) and transport (T) applications in the EU27 has been modeled using the RESolve toolkit. RESolve can work both in a static mode and in a dynamic mode. In the static mode the demand for biomass based energy per sector (H, E, and T) is constrained to a fixed amount, whereas in the dynamic mode this constraint is relaxed: the interaction with other renewable (and partially also fossil) energy sources may result in a change in bioenergy demand. From the analysis it can be concluded that in most EU countries the NREAP figures for bioenergy deployment will not be reached under the present regional and national policy/support schemes and market developments. When applying stricter sustainability criteria, the bioenergy developments in the EU27 decrease even further. These effects are strongest for the use of biofuels in transport and biogas for electricity. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Bioenergy scenarios that contribute to a sustainable energy future in the EU27
Authors: Uslu Ayla , van Stralen Joost , Elbersen Berien , Panoutsou Calliope , Fritsche Uwe , Böttcher Hannes
Published: March 2013

Three scenarios are developed to illustrate the likely impacts of sustainability criteria on biomass supply and demand within the Biomass Futures project. This paper presents the rationale behind these scenarios. The reference scenario re‐analyzes the NREAP bioenergy demands based on the EU Renewable Energy Directive sustainability criteria targeted to biofuels for transport. It provides a refined basis for assessing sustainable bioenergy supply curves. As such, it is expected that this scenario provides member states with direct input to update their National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) templates and to benchmark the available information with a coherent, harmonized approach of estimating the biomass role in the different markets (heat, electricity, and transport) for each member state. The sustainability scenario, on the other hand, expands its coverage to electricity and heat production and applies the sustainability criteria to all bioenergy sectors. Additionally, it considers more stringent greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation criteria for all bioenergy carriers (70%). A high biomass scenario focuses on stronger policy ambitions. The objective of this scenario is to analyze the role of biomass in view of the quite large amount of unutilized biomass potential in the EU, even when the sustainability criteria are included in analyzing the potential. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
The fluctuating fortunes of Brazilian ethanol
Authors: Jagger Anna
Published: March 2013

Brazil's sugarcane ethanol sector has been under pressure over the last few years. There are, however, some early signs of recovery. Anna Jagger provides insight into the Brazilian market and considers whether recent investments can stimulate new growth. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Expression of miR‐34c in response to overexpression of Boule and Stra8 in dairy goat male germ line stem cells (mGSCs)
Authors: Li Mingzhao , Yu Meng , Liu Chao , Zhu Haijing , Hua Jinlian
Published: March 2013

Reproduction is required for the survival of all mammalian animals. Spermatogenesis is an essential and complex developmental process that ultimately results in production of haploid spermatozoa. Recent studies demonstrated that Boule and stimulated by retinoic acid 8 (Stra8) played important roles in initiation meiosis in male germ cells. miR‐34c is indispensable in the late steps of spermatogenesis; remarkably, the main function of miR‐34c is to reduce cell proliferation potentiality and promote cellular apoptosis. The objectives of this study were to investigate the expression patterns of Boule, Stra8, P53 and miR‐34c in dairy goat testis and their relationship in male germ line stem cells (mGSCs). The results first revealed the expression patterns of Boule, Stra8, P53 and miR‐34c in 30 dpp, 90 dpp and adult testes of dairy goats. The expression levels of Boule, Stra8, P53 and miR‐34c in adult dairy goat testes were significantly higher than that of 30 dpp. Overexpression of Boule and Stra8 promoted the expression of miR‐34c in dairy goat mGSCs. In our previous study, we showed that miR‐34c was P53 dependent in mGSCs. These results have shown that the up‐regulation of miR‐34c was not due to P53 protein activation but which might be caused by the up‐regulation of Boule and Stra8 promoting the advance of meiosis. In addition, we found retinoic acid would decrease the expression of P53 and miR‐34c, however, did not change the expression of c‐Myc greatly. It suggested that the function of driving differentiation of dairy goat mGSCs by retinoic acid might not be caused by P53. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recruiting the Host's Immune System to Target Helicobacter pylori's Surface Glycans
Authors: Kaewsapsak Pornchai , Esonu Onyinyechi , Dube Danielle H.
Published: March 2013

Due to the increased prevalence of bacterial strains that are resistant to existing antibiotics, there is an urgent need for new antibacterial strategies. Bacterial glycans are an attractive target for new treatments, as they are frequently linked to pathogenesis and contain distinctive structures that are absent in humans. We set out to develop a novel targeting strategy based on surface glycans present on the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori (Hp). In this study, metabolic labeling of bacterial glycans with an azide‐containing sugar allowed selective delivery of immune stimulants to azide‐covered Hp. We established that Hp's surface glycans are labeled by treatment with the metabolic substrate peracetylated N‐azidoacetylglucosamine (Ac4GlcNAz). By contrast, mammalian cells treated with Ac4GlcNAz exhibited no incorporation of the chemical label within extracellular glycans. We further demonstrated that the Staudinger ligation between azides and phosphines proceeds under acidic conditions with only a small loss of efficiency. We then targeted azide‐covered Hp with phosphines conjugated to the immune stimulant 2,4‐dinitrophenyl (DNP), a compound capable of directing a host immune response against these cells. Finally, we report that immune effector cells catalyze selective damage in vitro to DNP‐covered Hp in the presence of anti‐DNP antibodies. The technology reported herein represents a novel strategy to target Hp based on its glycans.
A Highly Efficient Molecular Cloning Platform that Utilises a Small Bacterial Toxin Gene
Authors: Mok Wendy W. K. , Li Yingfu
Published: March 2013

Molecular cloning technologies that have emerged in recent years are more efficient and simpler to use than traditional strategies, but many have the disadvantages of requiring multiple steps and expensive proprietary enzymes. We have engineered cloning vectors containing variants of IbsC, a 19‐residue toxin from Escherichia coli K‐12. These toxic peptides offer selectivity to minimise the background, labour, and cost associated with conventional molecular cloning. As demonstrated with the cloning of reporter genes, this “detox cloning” system consistently produced over 95 % positive clones. Purification steps between digestion and ligation are not necessary, and the total time between digestion and plating of transformants can be as little as three hours. Thus, these IbsC‐based cloning vectors are as reliable and amenable to high‐throughput cloning as commercially available systems, and have the advantage of being more time‐efficient and cost‐effective.
Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethane: Common Principles and Mechanistic Aspects
Authors: Gärtner Christian A. , van Veen André C. , Lercher Johannes A.
Published: March 2013

The increasing demand for light olefins and the changing nature of basic feedstock has stimulated substantial research activity into the development of new process routes. Steam cracking remains the most industrially relevant pathway, but other routes for light‐olefin production have emerged. Fluid catalytic cracking only produces ethene in minor concentrations. Challenged by marked catalyst deactivation, in contrast, catalytic dehydrogenation ethane up opens a more selective route to ethene. The oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane, which couples the endothermic dehydration of ethane with the strongly exothermic oxidation of hydrogen, would potentially be the most attractive alternative route because it avoids the need for excessive internal heat input, but also consumes valuable hydrogen. In this Review, the current state of the ODH of ethane is compared with other routes for light‐olefin production, with a focus on the catalyst and reactor system variants. New catalyst systems and reactor designs have been developed to improve the industrial competitiveness of the ODH reaction of ethane. The current state of our fundamental understanding of the ODH of light alkanes, in particular in terms of catalyst and reactor development, is critically reviewed. The proposed mechanisms and the nature of the active site for the ODH reaction are described and discussed in detail for selected promising catalysts. The reported catalytic performance and the possible limitations of these ODH catalysts will be examined and the performance of the emerging approaches is compared to the currently practiced methods.
A DFT Study on the Mechanism of the Cycloaddition Reaction of CO2 to Epoxides Catalyzed by Zn(Salphen) Complexes
Authors: Castro‐Gómez Fernando , Salassa Giovanni , Kleij Arjan W. , Bo Carles
Published: March 2013

The reaction mechanism for the Zn(salphen)/NBu4X (X=Br, I) mediated cycloaddition of CO2 to a series of epoxides, affording five‐membered cyclic carbonate products has been investigated in detail by using DFT methods. The ring‐opening step of the process was examined and the preference for opening at the methylene (Cβ) or methine carbon (Cα) was established. Furthermore, calculations were performed to clarify the reasons for the lethargic behavior of internal epoxides in the presence of the binary catalyst. Also, the CO2 insertion and the ring‐closing steps have been explored for six differently substituted epoxides and proved to be significantly more challenging compared with the ring‐opening step. The computational findings should allow the design and application of more efficient catalysts for organic carbonate formation.
Synthesis, Bifunctionalization, and Remarkable Adsorption Performance of Benzene‐Bridged Periodic Mesoporous Organosilicas Functionalized with High Loadings of Carboxylic Acids
Authors: Wu Hao‐Yiang , Shieh Fa‐Kuen , Kao Hsien‐Ming , Chen Yi‐Wen , Deka Juti Rani , Liao Shih‐Hsiang , Wu Kevin C.‐W.
Published: March 2013

Highly ordered benzene‐bridged periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs) that were functionalized with exceptionally high loadings of carboxylic acid groups (COOH), up to 80 mol % based on silica, have been synthesized and their use as adsorbents for the adsorption of methylene blue (MB), a basic dye pollutant, and for the loading and release of doxorubicin (DOX), an anticancer drug, is demonstrated. These COOH‐functionalized benzenesilicas were synthesized by the co‐condensation of 1,4‐bis(triethoxysilyl) benzene (BTEB) and carboxyethylsilanetriol sodium salt (CES), an organosilane that contained a carboxylic acid group, in the presence of non‐ionic oligomeric surfactant Brij 76 in acidic medium. The materials thus obtained were characterized by a variety of techniques, including powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen‐adsorption/desorption isotherms, TEM, and 13C and 29Si solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. Owing to the exceptionally high loadings of COOH groups, their high surface areas, and possible ππ‐stacking interactions, these adsorbents have very high adsorption capacities and extremely rapid adsorption rates for MB removal and for the controlled loading/release of DOX, thus manifesting their great potential for environmental and biomedical applications.
A pixel is an artifact: On the necessity of zero‐filling in fourier imaging
Authors: Zhu Xiaolu , Tomanek Boguslaw , Sharp Jonathan
Published: March 2013

MR imaging data is sometimes presented in a “patchwork quilt” format with individual pixels visible as squares of uniform intensity. This phenomenon often arises by default from an image space convolution (performed implicitly by the graphics system) used to convert the sparse point sampling of the spatial domain offered by the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) into a sufficiently dense sampling to allow assignment of an intensity value to each addressable point on the display device. Typical examples are fMRI maps, spectroscopic images and zoomed‐in views. These square patches are image structure not present in the object, i.e., artifacts. This form of image display is studied by both an image analysis method and by Fourier analysis. Image formation by display of the 2D DFT of an acquired k‐space matrix as a 2D pixel array is a poor reconstruction because it does not ensure a faithful representation of the spatial frequency content actually present in the data. By analysis of the visual appearance of 2D pixel arrays we show that there are two principal effects: (a) attenuation of higher spatial frequencies (i.e., low‐pass filtering); (b) introduction of artifactual high frequency image structure. These effects can lead to very poor performance with an artifact/signal ratio of over 200% in the corners of 2D k‐space. Generated k‐space maps demonstrate that both detrimental effects increase radially in k‐space. The simple remedy is to zero‐fill (resulting in image interpolation) until individual pixels become invisible in the displayed image. Alternatively, data modeling may be used. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part 42A: 32–44, 2013.
Determinants of adjuvant oxaliplatin receipt among older stage II and III colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Lund Jennifer L. , Stürmer Til , Sanoff Hanna K. , Brookhart Alan , Sandler Robert S. , Warren Joan L.
Published: March 2013

BACKGROUND

Controversy exists regarding adjuvant oxaliplatin treatment among older patients with stage II and III colorectal cancer (CRC). This study sought to identify patient/tumor, physician, hospital, and geographic factors associated with oxaliplatin use among older patients.

METHODS

Individuals diagnosed at age > 65 with stage II or III CRC from 2004 through 2007 undergoing surgical resection and receiving adjuvant chemotherapy were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program (SEER)‐Medicare database, which includes patient/tumor and hospital characteristics. Physician information was obtained from the American Medical Association. Poisson regression was used to identify independent predictors of oxaliplatin receipt. The discriminatory ability of each category of characteristics to predict oxaliplatin receipt was assessed by comparing the area under the receiver operating curve from logistic regression models.

RESULTS

We identified 4388 individuals who underwent surgical resection at 773 hospitals and received chemotherapy from 1517 physicians. Adjuvant oxaliplatin use was higher among stage III (colon = 56%, rectum = 51%) compared to stage II patients (colon = 37%, rectum = 35%). Overall, patients who were older; diagnosed before 2006; separated, divorced, or widowed; living in a higher poverty census tract or in the East or Midwest; or with higher levels of comorbidity were less likely to receive oxaliplatin. Patient factors and calendar year accounted for most of the variation in oxaliplatin receipt (area under the curve = 75.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Adjuvant oxaliplatin use increased rapidly from 2004 through 2007 despite uncertainties regarding its effectiveness in older patients. Physician and hospital characteristics had little influence on adjuvant oxaliplatin receipt among older patients. Cancer 2013;119:2038–2047. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Hydrodynamic Model for Plasmonics: A Macroscopic Approach to a Microscopic Problem
Authors: Ciracì Cristian , Pendry John B. , Smith David R.
Published: March 2013

In this concept, we present the basic assumptions and techniques underlying the hydrodynamic model of electron response in metals and demonstrate that the model can be easily incorporated into computational models. We discuss the role of the additional boundary conditions that arise due to nonlocal terms in the modified equation of motion and the ultimate impact on nanoplasmonic systems. The hydrodynamic model captures much of the microscopic dynamics relating to the fundamental quantum mechanical nature of the electrons and reveals intrinsic limitations to the confinement and enhancement of light around nanoscale features. The presence of such limits is investigated numerically for different configurations of plasmonic nanostructures.
Dehydration of Xylose to Furfural over MCM‐41‐Supported Niobium‐Oxide Catalysts
Authors: García‐Sancho Cristina , Sádaba Irantzu , Moreno‐Tost Ramón , Mérida‐Robles Josefa , Santamaría‐González José , López‐Granados Manuel , Maireles‐Torres Pedro
Published: March 2013

A series of silica‐based MCM‐41‐supported niobium‐oxide catalysts are prepared, characterized by using XRD, N2 adsorption–desorption, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and pyridine adsorption coupled to FTIR spectroscopy, and tested for the dehydration of D‐xylose to furfural. Under the operating conditions used all materials are active in the dehydration of xylose to furfural (excluding the MCM‐41 silica support). The xylose conversion increases with increasing Nb2O5 content. At a loading of 16 wt % Nb2O5, 74.5 % conversion and a furfural yield of 36.5 % is achieved at 170 °C, after 180 min reaction time. Moreover, xylose conversion and furfural yield increase with the reaction time and temperature, attaining 82.8 and 46.2 %, respectively, at 190 °C and after 100 min reaction time. Notably, the presence of NaCl in the reaction medium further increases the furfural yield (59.9 % at 170 °C after 180 min reaction time). Moreover, catalyst reutilization is demonstrated by performing at least three runs with no loss of catalytic activity and without the requirement for an intermediate regeneration step. No significant niobium leaching is observed, and a relationship between the structure of the catalyst and the activity is proposed.
Reduced Graphite Oxide/Nano Sn: A Superior Composite Anode Material for Rechargeable Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Nithya Chandrasekaran , Gopukumar Sukumaran
Published: March 2013

The electrochemical performance of reduced graphite oxide (RGO) anchored with nano Sn particles, which are synthesized by a reduction method, is presented. The Sn nanoparticles are uniformly distributed on the surface of the RGO matrix and the size of the particles is approximately 5–10 nm. The uniform distribution effectively accommodates the volume expansion experienced by Sn particles during cycling. The observed electrochemical performance (97 % capacity retention) can be ascribed to the flexible RGO matrix with uniform distribution of Sn particles, which reduces the lithium‐ion diffusion path lengths; therefore, the RGO matrix provides more stability to the Sn particles during cycling. Such studies on Sn nanoparticles anchored on RGO matrices have not been reported to date.
An ultrasensitive chemiluminescence immunoassay of chloramphenicol based on gold nanoparticles and magnetic beads
Authors: Tao Xiaoqi , Jiang Haiyang , Yu Xuezhi , Zhu Jinghui , Wang Xia , Wang Zhanhui , Niu Lanlan , Wu Xiaoping , Shen Jianzhong
Published: March 2013

A competitive, direct, chemiluminescent immunoassay based on a magnetic beads (MBs) separation and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) labelling technique to detect chloramphenicol (CAP) has been developed. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP)‐labelled anti‐CAP monoclonal antibody conjugated with AuNPs and antigen‐immobilized MBs were prepared. After optimization parameters of immunocomplex MBs, the IC50 values of chemiluminescence magnetic nanoparticles immunoassay (CL‐MBs‐nano‐immunoassay) were 0.017 µg L−1 for extract method I and 0.17 µg L−1 for extract method II. The immunoassay with two extract methods was applied to detect CAP in milk. Comparison of these two extract methods showed that extract method I was advantageous in better sensitivity, in which the sensitivity was 10 times compared to that of extract method II, while extract method II was superior in simple operation, suitable for high throughout screen. The recoveries were 86.7–98.0% (extract method I) and 80.0–103.0% (extract method II), and the coefficients of variation (CVs) were all <15%. The satisfactory recovery with both extract methods and high correlation with traditional ELISA kit in milk system confirmed that the immunomagnetic assay based on AuNPs exhibited promising potential in rapid field screening for trace CAP analysis. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.