bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of organizational culture and management on innovativeness in the business of organizations
Authors: Dragišić Slavica
Published: April 2024

Innovations have influenced organizations to change and adapt ways of working, functioning, and the entire concept of business thinking, which turns in the direction of finding innovative solutions and performing tasks. Innovation in the organization's business requires adaptation of the organizational culture and way of managing the organization. One of the key factors in encouraging a company's innovativeness is the organizational culture, which can have a significant impact on the adoption of innovation as a company value. Management, as an integral part of the organizational culture in each company, defines the way of managing innovations and processes, which, if properly defined and managed, can have a significant impact on the organization's business. This paper tries to find an answer to the question of whether and to what extent the organizational culture and management of the organization influence its business. The research aims to examine the relationship between the organizational culture and management of the organization on the one hand, and its innovation in business on the other. For this purpose, the collected literature was analyzed, and based on that, the relationship between organizational culture, management, and innovation was defined, as well as their influence on implementing innovative solutions and ways of doing business in organizations. The research results can be further used as guidelines for more extensive research.
THE LEVEL OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN LARGE ORGANIZATIONS IN RELATION TO: SECTOR, ACTIVITY, TYPE OF OWNERSHIP AND LEVEL OF BUSINESS
Authors: Aleksić Marko , Berber Nemanja , Gašić Dimitrije
Published: April 2024

The role and importance of socially responsible business in the last few years has been recognized in various economic activities. In addition to its importance in various economic activities, corporate social responsibility plays an important role for sustainable development. The aim of the work is based on the examination of the achieved level of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in large organizations in R. Serbia in relation to in relation to the sector, economic activity, type of ownership, level of business on the market. The research was conducted in the period from 2019 to 2021 on the territory of the Republic of Serbia, in which 165 large organizations participated. Statistical techniques of the Mann Whitney non-parametric test were used in the paper using a statistical program (SPSS version 25.0). By reviewing the professional and scientific literature on corporate social responsibility, also through the analysis of the obtained results, the authors proved that the hypothesis was partially confirmed between the average dimensions of CSR and by sector, economic activity, type of ownership, level of business in the market. Statistically significant differences exist in the level of corporate social responsibility in organizations in Serbia in relation to economic activity, between company headquarters, between types of companies, while there are no statistically significant differences in the level of CSR in organizations in Serbia in relation to the sector, the level of business on the market.
INDEBTEDNESS INDICATORS IN THE SERBIAN TEXTILE INDUSTRY
Authors: Đaković Miloš , Milenković Nada , Andrašić Jelena
Published: April 2024

The company's financing structure is one of the main factors of its successful functioning, as well as finding an adequate balance between its own financing and debt financing. Debt financing is a common way for companies to raise funds for their operations, investments, and other business activities. It involves borrowing money from lenders or investors and agreeing to repay the borrowed amount along with interest over a specified period. Companies can obtain loan financing from various sources such as banks, credit unions, private investors, and bonds. There are many internal determinants that can have a positive or negative impact on the trend of the company's indebtedness. In this study, the authors observed a period of 15 years and 10 companies of the Serbian textile industry, defining a model of internal determinants of companies' indebtedness. The authors used POLS and a fixed effects model to generate an adequate model of determinants. The results indicated a greater adequacy of the POLS model and at the same time showed a negative impact on indicators of financial stability, current liquidity, and profit on assets.
ECONOMIC CHALLENGES IN A GLOBALLY TRANSITIONAL ERA: CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES
Authors: Kontakos Panagiotis
Published: April 2024

This article derives its foundation from my conference keynote address. Specifically, the perspectives I have chosen align with images and realities drawn from the contemporary global economy, which I have synthesized into a comprehensive collection of the most significant contemporary economic challenges we encounter worldwide. The purpose of each of these movements is to serve as a vivid point of reference for those of us who are conscientiously striving to enhance academic clarity and reasoning. This endeavor becomes particularly vital in a world characterized by an excess of information, often riddled with contradictions, misinformation, and inaccuracies. Such circumstances frequently lead to substantial gaps in knowledge and, even more significantly, deficits in wisdom.
Nowe dane na temat wystąpień szkarłupni w wapieniu muszlowym (środkowy trias) Górnego Śląska
Authors: Paszcza Karolina
Published: April 2024

In the Sadowa Góra quarry in Jaworzno, southern Poland, the Muschelkalk deposits are exposed (Lower and Upper Gogolin Beds). The occurrence of echinoderms seems to be particularly interesting. The isolated ossicles of asteroids were found already in the 1st Wellenkalk of the Lower Gogolin Beds (Aegean), which is one of the oldest post-Paleozoic occurrence in the world. Until recently, it was believed that the first echinoids appeared in the Germanic Basin during the Bithynian (above the Conglomeratic Horizon of the Upper Gogolin Beds). Currently, they have been found, similarly to the remains of asteroids, already in the 1st Wellenkalk. Attention was also drawn to the fact that the stratigraphically important crinoid species Holocrinus dubius may have appeared in Upper Silesia earlier than previously thought.
Disease modeling and pharmacological rescue of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa associated with RHO copy number variation
Authors: Kandoi Sangeetha , Martinez Cassandra , Chen Kevin Xu , Mehine Miika , Reddy L Vinod K , Mansfield Brian C , Duncan Jacque L , Lamba Deepak A
Published: April 2024

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a heterogenous group of inherited retinal disorder, causes slow progressive vision loss with no effective treatments available. Mutations in the rhodopsin gene (RHO) account for ~25% cases of autosomal dominant RP (adRP). In this study, we describe the disease characteristics of the first-ever reported mono-allelic copy number variation (CNV) in RHO as a novel cause of adRP. We (a) show advanced retinal degeneration in a male patient (68 years of age) harboring four transcriptionally active intact copies of rhodopsin, (b) recapitulated the clinical phenotypes using retinal organoids, and (c) assessed the utilization of a small molecule, Photoregulin3 (PR3), as a clinically viable strategy to target and modify disease progression in RP patients associated with RHO-CNV. Patient retinal organoids showed photoreceptors dysgenesis, with rod photoreceptors displaying stunted outer segments with occasional elongated cilia-like projections (microscopy); increased RHO mRNA expression (quantitative real-time PCR [qRT-PCR] and bulk RNA sequencing); and elevated levels and mislocalization of rhodopsin protein (RHO) within the cell body of rod photoreceptors (western blotting and immunohistochemistry) over the extended (300 days) culture time period when compared against control organoids. Lastly, we utilized PR3 to target NR2E3, an upstream regulator of RHO, to alter RHO expression and observed a partial rescue of RHO protein localization from the cell body to the inner/outer segments of rod photoreceptors in patient organoids. These results provide a proof-of-principle for personalized medicine and suggest that RHO expression requires precise control. Taken together, this study supports the clinical data indicating that RHO-CNV associated adRPdevelops as a result of protein overexpression, thereby overloading the photoreceptor post-translational modification machinery.
Physicochemical properties-based hybrid machine learning technique for the prediction of SARS-CoV-2 T-cell epitopes as vaccine targets
Authors: Bukhari Syed Nisar Hussain , Elshiekh E. , Abbas Mohamed
Published: April 2024

Majority of the existing SARS-CoV-2 vaccines work by presenting the whole pathogen in the attenuated form to immune system to invoke an immune response. On the other hand, the concept of a peptide based vaccine (PBV) is based on the identification and chemical synthesis of only immunodominant peptides known as T-cell epitopes (TCEs) to induce a specific immune response against a particular pathogen. However PBVs have received less attention despite holding huge untapped potential for boosting vaccine safety and immunogenicity. To identify these TCEs for designing PBV, wet-lab experiments are difficult, expensive, and time-consuming. Machine learning (ML) techniques can accurately predict TCEs, saving time and cost for speedy vaccine development. This work proposes novel hybrid ML techniques based on the physicochemical properties of peptides to predict SARS-CoV-2 TCEs. The proposed hybrid ML technique was evaluated using various ML model evaluation metrics and demonstrated promising results. The hybrid technique of decision tree classifier with chi-squared feature weighting technique and forward search optimal feature searching algorithm has been identified as the best model with an accuracy of 98.19%. Furthermore, K-fold cross-validation (KFCV) was performed to ensure that the model is reliable and the results indicate that the hybrid random forest model performs consistently well in terms of accuracy with respect to other hybrid approaches. The predicted TCEs are highly likely to serve as promising vaccine targets, subject to evaluations both in-vivo and in-vitro. This development could potentially save countless lives globally, prevent future epidemic-scale outbreaks, and reduce the risk of mutation escape.
Genome‑wide analysis of the MYB gene family in pumpkin
Authors: Xu Minyan , Fu Jingjing , Ni Ying , Zhang Chenchen
Published: April 2024

The MYB gene family exerts significant influence over various biological processes and stress responses in plants. Despite this, a comprehensive analysis of this gene family in pumpkin remains absent. In this study, the MYB genes of Cucurbita moschata were identified and clustered into 33 groups (C1-33), with members of each group being highly conserved in terms of their motif composition. Furthermore, the distribution of 175 CmoMYB genes across all 20 chromosomes was found to be non-uniform. Examination of the promoter regions of these genes revealed the presence of cis-acting elements associated with phytohormone responses and abiotic/biotic stress. Utilizing quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), the expression patterns of 13 selected CmoMYB genes were validated, particularly in response to exogenous phytohormone exposure and various abiotic stressors, including ABA, SA, MeJA, and drought treatments. Expression analysis in different tissues showed that CmoMYB genes are expressed at different levels in different tissues, suggesting that they are functionally divergent in regulating growth and abiotic stresses. These results provide a basis for future studies to characterize the function of the MYB gene family under abiotic stresses in pumpkins.
White Blood Cell Parameters in Patients Diagnosed with COVID-19
Authors: Parashar Neha , Gupta Rashmi Jain , Sajwan Aditi , Kumar Sunil , Garg Sandeep , Kumar Suresh
Published: April 2024

Aim: The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been a major health concern in recent times, causing a large number of deaths globally. It primarily effects the respiratory and immune system. The present study aimed at analysing the effect of this virus on the white blood cell (WBC) parameters.
Study Design: Retrospective record-based study.
Place and duration of study: The study was conducted at Lok Nayak Hospital, Delhi. It was one of the largest COVID designated hospitals in India during the COVID pandemic. A total of 200 patients admitted to Lok Nayak Hospital during the COVID wave in April-May 2021 and the COVID wave in January-February 2022 were randomly included in the study.
Methodology: The cases were grouped into intensive care unit (ICU) patients and non-ICU patients to compare the association of severity of disease with the WBC parameters.
Results: Patients infected with COVID-19 requiring hospital admission showed leucocytosis in the present study. It was noted that the patients requiring critical care had a significantly higher total leucocyte count (TLC), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and neutrophil monocyte ratio (NMR). Though no statistically significant association was noted between absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and the severity of infection, the ALC was markedly reduced in ICU patients as compared to non-ICU patients (p-value= 0.057).
Conclusion: WBC parameters TLC, ANC, NLR and NMR show significant correlation with severity of COVID-19 infection. These basic haematological parameters can be used to assess severity of COVID-19 infection and treatment response in resource limited conditions.
Evaluation of Biocontrol-based Formulations against Late Leaf Spot and Rust in Groundnut
Authors: Manikandan Karuppiah , Gopalakrishnan Raman , Manikandan Kaliyamoorthy
Published: April 2024

This study investigated the efficacy of various biocontrol-based formulations against late leaf spot (LLS) (Phaeoisariopsis personata) and rust (Puccinia arachidis) in groundnut. Pot culture and field experiments were conducted during the Kharif season (June-September) of 2022. Disease incidence of both late leaf spot and rust was significantly lower in groundnut plants treated with a combination of biocontrol-based formulations compared to control. The most effective eco-friendly treatment included a combination of Trichoderma asperellum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, fortified lignite fly ash and Annamalai mixture. This combination significantly reduced lesion frequency and Percent Disease Index (PDI) for both diseases at 50, 70 and 90 DAS, compared to other treatments. The combination of biocontrol-based formulations also significantly increased the pod yield. Furthermore, the same treatment increased the induction of defense enzymes peroxidase (2.22 fold), polyphenol oxidase (1.28 fold) and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (6.25 fold). While Carbendazim effectively reduced disease incidence, it was surpassed by the biocontrol-based module in terms of both disease control and yield. These findings suggest that biocontrol-based formulations can be a sustainable approach for managing LLS and rust diseases in groundnut cultivation.
Impact of Agriculture Growth on Poverty Reduction: A Case of Karnataka, India
Authors: C Chandrarekha , S.S Guledagudda , Biradar Nagaratna , G.N Kulkarni
Published: April 2024

Karnataka is one of the progressive states in the country even though it experiences the challenges of poverty and it has wide variation, depending on rural-urban disparities, region, caste, and religion. Agriculture as primary sector contribute notably to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and being main occupation for majority population acts as largest source of livelihood for the rural poor by creating enormous employment opportunities thus by increasing the income levels, agriculture play a key role in reducing poverty. The present study was conducted to analyse the impact of agriculture growth on poverty reduction in Karnataka state by using secondary data. The relationship between poverty, agriculture GDP per worker and non-agriculture GDP per worker was analysed using pooled panel regression analysis. The results of the study shows that contribution of agriculture sector was far more in decreasing poverty than the non-agricultural sector, as every one per cent increase in agriculture GDP per worker reduced poverty by 1.36 per cent as against 0.80 per cent in non-agriculture GDP per worker. As majority of people depends on agriculture for their livelihood, it is evident that the agriculture sector has a greater impact on alleviating poverty among rural population. However, it suggested that the balanced growth across all three sectors of the economy will help to reduce the poverty rates by increasing income level of the population.
formação da Coleção Africana do Museu de Arqueologia e Antropologia da Universidade da Pensilvânia, final do século XIX
Authors: Santos Vanicleia Silva
Published: April 2024

Este ensaio trata das primeiras aquisições da coleção Africana do Penn Museum, University of Pennsylvania, um exemplo contundente da formação de museus de Antropologia nos Estados Unidos e suas conexões com o imperialismo europeu na África, no final do século XIX. A documentação consultada sobre a formação do acervo do Penn Museum está localizada no Penn Museum Archives. Examino criticamente os arquivos, o vocabulário e a organização da narrativa fundacional com a finalidade de desnaturalizar categorias coloniais de saberes produzidos no passado e que permanecem como escolhas do presente. Argumento que os critérios imperiais envolvidos no colecionamento e análise da cultura material africana consolidaram uma narrativa distorcida sobre insígnias de poder, transformadas em objetos museais. Consequentemente, o público foi deseducado sobre a produção artística e o contexto social dos objetos. Por fim, ofereço ainda a análise da produção artística de um bracelete de marfim do antigo Benin do século XVIII, que pertence ao acervo da referida coleção.
família de santo no candomblé do Recife
Authors: Pinto Filho Olavo de Souza
Published: April 2024

Este artigo tem como tema central a composição da família de santo no candomblé do Recife, Pernambuco. A família de santo configura-se como uma extensa rede de casas, pessoas, divindades e antepassados relacionados a partir de duas linhas criadas a partir do ritual, a do sangue e a do santo. A distinção (e não oposição) estabelecida pelos integrantes do candomblé revela o aspecto fundamental da relação de composição entre esses dois termos, criando uma disposição, replicada em diferentes escalas, que conforma relações espirituais nas quais o sangue e o santo são concebidos como coextensivos.
Asymmetric Hydroxylative Phenol Dearomatization through In Situ Generation of Iodanes from Chiral Iodoarenes and m‐CPBA
Authors: Quideau Stéphane , Lyvinec Gildas , Marguerit Mélanie , Bathany Katell , Ozanne‐Beaudenon Aurélie , Buffeteau Thierry , Cavagnat Dominique , Chénedé Alain
Published: May 2009

′I′ is all the hype: A twofold excess of iodoarene in the title reaction leads to ortho‐quinols in good yields, whereas organocatalytic versions of this reaction enable subsequent epoxidation in a regio‐ and diastereoselective fashion. Chiral iodobiarenes led to enantioselectivities up to 50 % ee. m‐CPBA=meta‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid.

magnified image
Controlled Oligomerization of Lewis Acid/Base‐Stabilized Phosphanylalanes
Authors: Bodensteiner Michael , Vogel Ulf , Timoshkin Alexey Y. , Scheer Manfred
Published: May 2009

PAls should stick together: The cyclo‐trimer 2 is obtained by H2 elimination of Lewis acid/base‐stabilized parent compound of the phosphanylalanes 1. The elimination is controlled by fine tuning the temperature and solvent conditions. A subsequent H2 elimination produces the ladder compound 3. Compounds 2 and 3 are the first of a new class of Group 13/15 compounds which show no additionally donor–acceptor bonds within the framework.

magnified image
A new retrograde wiring technique for chronic total occlusion
Authors: Kim Moo Hyun , Yu Long Hao , Mitsudo Kazuaki
Published: May 2009

To improve the success rate of percutaneous coronary intervention for coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO), different strategies of retrograde approach were introduced in recent years. The aim of this report is to describe a new retrograde wiring technique for CTO, the “Bridge or Rendezvous method.” This new technique saves time, reduces cost, as well as reduces procedure‐related complications. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Blood vessels form a migratory scaffold in the rostral migratory stream
Authors: Whitman Mary C. , Fan Wen , Rela Lorena , Rodriguez‐Gil Diego J. , Greer Charles A.
Published: May 2009

In adult mice, new neurons born in the subventricular zone (SVZ), lining the lateral ventricles, migrate tangentially into the olfactory bulb along a well‐delineated path, the rostral migratory stream (RMS). Neuroblasts in the RMS migrate tangentially in chains, without a recognized migratory scaffold. Here we quantitatively examine the distribution of, and relationships between, cells within the RMS, throughout its rostral‐caudal extent. We show that there is a higher density of blood vessels in the RMS than in other brain regions, including areas with equal cell density, and that the orientation of blood vessels parallels the RMS throughout the caudal to rostral path. Of particular interest, migratory neuroblast chains are longitudinally aligned along blood vessels within the RMS, with over 80% of vessel length in rostral areas of the RMS apposed by neuroblasts. Electron micrographs show direct contact between endothelial cells and neuroblasts, although intervening astrocytic processes are often present. Within the RMS, astrocytes arborize extensively, extending long processes that are parallel to blood vessels and the direction of neuroblast migration. Thus, the astrocytic processes establish a longitudinal alignment within the RMS, rather than a more typical stellate shape. This complementary alignment suggests that blood vessels and astrocytes may cooperatively establish a scaffold for migrating neuroblasts, as well as provide and regulate migratory cues. J. Comp. Neurol. 513:94–104, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Peptidergic clock neurons in Drosophila: Ion transport peptide and short neuropeptide F in subsets of dorsal and ventral lateral neurons
Authors: Johard Helena A.D. , Yoishii Taishi , Dircksen Heinrich , Cusumano Paola , Rouyer Francois , Helfrich‐Förster Charlotte , Nässel Dick R.
Published: May 2009

About 150 clock neurons are clustered in different groups in the brain of Drosophila. Among these clock neurons, some pigment‐dispersing factor (PDF)‐positive and PDF‐negative lateral neurons (LNs) are principal oscillators responsible for bouts of activity in the morning and evening, respectively. The full complement of neurotransmitters in these morning and evening oscillators is not known. By using a screen for candidate neuromediators in clock neurons, we discovered ion transport peptide (ITP) and short neuropeptide F (sNPF) as novel neuropeptides in subpopulations of dorsal (LNds) and ventral (s‐LNvs) LNs. Among the six LNds, ITP was found in one that coexpresses long neuropeptide F (NPF) and cryptochrome. We detected sNPF in two LNds that also express cryptochrome; these cells are distinct from three LNds expressing NPF. Thus, we have identified neuropeptides in five of the six LNds. The three LNds expressing cryptochrome, with either ITP or sNPF, are the only ones with additional projections to the accessory medulla. Among the five s‐LNvs in the adult brain, ITP was detected in the fifth neuron that is devoid of PDF and sNPF in the four neurons that also express PDF. By using a choline acetyltransferase (Cha) Gal4, we detected Cha expression in the two sNPF producing LNds and in the fifth s‐LNv. In the larval brain, two of the four PDF‐producing s‐LNvs coexpress sNPF. Our findings emphasize that the LNds are heterogeneous both anatomically and with respect to content of neuropeptides, cryptochrome, and other markers and suggest diverse functions of these neurons. J. Comp. Neurol. 516:59–73, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Olfactory and amygdalar structures of the chicken ventral pallium based on the combinatorial expression patterns of LIM and other developmental regulatory genes
Authors: Abellán Antonio , Legaz Isabel , Vernier Baptiste , Rétaux Sylvie , Medina Loreta
Published: May 2009

We compared the combinatorial expression patterns of several LIM domain‐containing regulatory genes in the ventrolateral pallium of mouse and chicken, in order to identify the homologues of the ventral pallial amygdala and other olfactory structures in birds. Lmo3, Lmo4, Lhx2, and Lhx9 showed comparable expression patterns in the telencephalon of mouse and chicken, which allowed distinction of the ventrolateral pallium and, particularly, the ventral pallial amygdala and entorhinal cortex. Lmo3 was expressed in most of the ventrolateral pallium in both species, including, in chicken, the piriform cortex and dorsal ventricular ridge (mesopallium, nidopallium, and arcopallium) and, in mouse, the piriform cortex, most of the claustral complex, and the pallial amygdala. Lhx9 was differentially expressed in the ventral pallium, where it was restricted to its rostral (olfactory bulb) and caudal (amygdalar and entorhinal) poles. In the caudal pole, expression of Lhx9 overlapped that of its paralog Lhx2. According to these expression patterns, the chicken ventral pallial amygdala appears to include the caudal dorsolateral pallium, the caudal nidopallium, and the whole arcopallium, and each one relates to a distinct ventricular sector. Finally, the combinatorial expression patterns of Lmo3, Lhx9, and Lmo4 distinguished four distinct subdivisions in the superficial, olfactorecipient area of the chicken ventral pallium, which appear comparable to the piriform, entorhinal, amygdalopiriform, and amygdalar cortices of mammals. The results are discussed in the context of the two existing, opposite views on the homology of the dorsal ventricular ridge of sauropsids and in terms of the evolution of pallial derivatives. J. Comp. Neurol. 516:166–186, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Blocking Dishevelled signaling in the noncanonical Wnt pathway in sea urchins disrupts endoderm formation and spiculogenesis, but not secondary mesoderm formation
Authors: Byrum Christine A. , Xu Ronghui , Bince Joanna M. , McClay David R. , Wikramanayake Athula H.
Published: May 2009

Dishevelled (Dsh) is a phosphoprotein key to beta‐catenin dependent (canonical) and beta‐catenin independent (noncanonical) Wnt signaling. Whereas canonical Wnt signaling has been intensively studied in sea urchin development, little is known about other Wnt pathways. To examine roles of these beta‐catenin independent pathways in embryogenesis, we used Dsh‐DEP, a deletion construct blocking planar cell polarity (PCP) and Wnt/Ca2+ signaling. Embryos overexpressing Dsh‐DEP failed to gastrulate or undergo skeletogenesis, but produced pigment cells. Although early mesodermal gene expression was largely unperturbed, embryos exhibited reduced expression of genes regulating endoderm specification and differentiation. Overexpressing activated beta‐catenin failed to rescue Dsh‐DEP embryos, indicating that Dsh‐DEP blocks endoderm formation downstream of initial canonical Wnt signaling. Because Dsh‐DEP‐like constructs block PCP signaling in other metazoans, and disrupting RhoA or Fz 5/8 in echinoids blocks subsets of the Dsh‐DEP phenotypes, our data suggest that noncanonical Wnt signaling is crucial for sea urchin endoderm formation and skeletogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 238:1649–1665, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chiral Brønsted‐Acid‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Arylation of Ethyl Trifluoroacetoacetate and Ethyl Trifluoropyruvate
Authors: Nie Jing , Zhang Guang‐Wu , Wang Lian , Zheng Dong‐Hua , Zheng Yan , Ma Jun‐An
Published: May 2009

Chiral phosphoric acid was found to be an effective organocatalysts for the direct enantioselective arylation of ethyl 4,4,4‐trifluoroacetoacetate (ETFAA). A series of chiral trifluoromethyl‐substituted tertiary alcohols were obtained in moderate to high yields with up to 78 % ee. Several desired products were obtained with excellent optical purities after a single recrystallization. This method was also extended to ethyl trifluoropyruvate, which is complementary to systems catalyzed by Lewis acids and cinchona alkaloids.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
The role of catechols and free radicals in benzene toxicity: An oxidative DNA damage pathway
Authors: Barreto George , Madureira Diego , Capani Francisco , Aon‐Bertolino Laura , Saraceno Ezequiel , Alvarez‐Giraldez Lisandro Diego
Published: May 2009

Benzene is a widespread volatile compound and an environmental contaminant. Since it causes important toxic effects in workers exposed to low levels, long‐term exposure to this compound has been extensively studied. Leukemia, blood disorders, bone marrow depression, and some types of cancer are directly related to benzene‐initiated toxicity. Bioactivation of benzene can lead to the formation of hazardous metabolites such as phenol, hydroquinone, and catechol. Catechol forms semiquinones and reactive quinones that are presumed to play an important role in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS formation can directly induce single and double strand breaks in the DNA, oxidized nucleotides, and hyper‐recombination, and consequently produces deleterious genetic changes. In this review, we have addressed the cytotoxic effects of benzene and its main metabolite, catechol, focusing on the oxidative pathway and further DNA damage. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of a suitable DNA damage biomarker for human biomonitoring of exposed workers
Authors: Cavallo Delia , Ursini Cinzia Lucia , Rondinone Bruna , Iavicoli Sergio
Published: May 2009

The objective of this study was to identify a sensitive and noninvasive biomarker of early genotoxic effects, for health risk assessment of workers exposed to mixtures of low doses of xenobiotics. We studied 30 workers exposed to antineoplastic drugs, 57 workers exposed to different mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (41 airport workers and 16 paving workers) and 76 controls. Comet and micronucleus (MN) tests were performed on lymphocytes and exfoliated buccal cells. The MN assay on lymphocytes did not show significant differences between exposed and controls, while the MN assay on exfoliated buccal cells showed higher values in workers exposed to antineoplastics as compared with controls (0.85 vs. 0.48, P = 0.042). The comet assay on lymphocytes showed a higher comet percentage value (18.11 vs. 11.24 in controls, P = 0.001) and mean tail moment (TM) value (21.84 vs. 16.72 in controls, P = 0.003) in individuals exposed to PAHs as compared with controls; no significant differences were found in exposed to antineoplastics. The comet assay on exfoliated buccal cells did not show significant differences between exposed and control groups for comet percentages, whereas the TM value was higher in workers exposed to PAHs (55.1 vs. 32.31 for controls, P < 0.001). These results show that exfoliated buccal cells, obtained by a noninvasive procedure, represent robust target cells to assess the occupational exposure to inhalable mixture of chemicals at low doses. The comet assay seems to be suitable to promptly evaluate the genotoxic effects of PAHs mixtures that also contain volatile substances. The MN test is suitable to evaluate the effects of antineoplastics. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Linking landslides, hillslope erosion, and landscape evolution
Authors: Korup Oliver
Published: May 2009

This Virtual Issue highlights 10 recent innovative, unconventional, or otherwise significant contributions to Earth Surface Processes and Landforms that help advance the state‐of‐the‐art in research on linkages between landslides, hillslope erosion, and landscape evolution. The selected studies address this feedback within a temporal spectrum that ranges from the event to the millennial scale, thus underscoring the importance of detailed field observations, high‐resolution digital topographic data, and geochronological methods for increasing our capability of quantifying landslide processes and hillslope erosion. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of carbonation on aroma release from liquid systems using an artificial throat and a proton transfer reaction–mass spectrometric technique (PTR–MS)
Authors: Pozo‐Bayón Maria Ángeles , Santos Mónica , Martín‐Álvarez Pedro J. , Reineccius Gary
Published: May 2009

To determine whether carbonation affects aroma release from liquid systems, carbonated and non‐carbonated flavoured model systems were prepared and volatile release was determined under static (equilibrium) and dynamic conditions. A model flavour system was added as a single compound or as a mixture of the six aroma compounds used in this study. Volatile release under dynamic conditions involved using a home‐made device simulating an artificial throat, coupled to a proton transfer mass spectrometer (PTR–MS). The results showed that carbonation increased the release of most of the aroma compounds in both static and in dynamic testing conditions. The extent of this effect depended, however, on the physicochemical characteristics of the aroma compounds (the most volatile and most hydrophobic compounds were affected more). Release was also increased if the aroma compounds were added as a mixture rather than as individual compounds. CO2 appears to be a key factor responsible for the enhanced release of flavourings from carbonated liquid systems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression and role of adrenomedullin in renal tumors and value of its mRNA levels as prognostic factor in clear‐cell renal carcinoma
Authors: Deville Jean‐Laurent , Bartoli Catherine , Berenguer Caroline , Fernandez‐Sauze Samantha , Kaafarani Itidal , Delfino Christine , Fina Frederic , Salas Sébastien , Muracciole Xavier , Mancini Julien , Lechevallier Eric , Martin Pierre‐Marie , Figarella‐Branger Dominique , Ouafik L'Houcine , Daniel Laurent
Published: May 2009

Antiangiogenic therapies are used for advanced clear‐cell renal carcinomas (cRCC), but without curative possibilities, underlining the need for new therapeutic targets. Adrenomedullin (AM), a multifunctional peptide, is highly expressed in several tumors and plays an important role in angiogenesis and tumor growth through its receptors: calcitonin receptor‐like receptor/receptor activity‐modifying protein 2 and 3 (CLR/RAMP2 and CLR/RAMP3). In this study, real‐time quantitative reverse‐transcription‐PCR showed AM mRNA levels were higher in cRCC and in chromophobe renal carcinomas (chRCC) than in normal renal tissue. Interestingly, AM mRNA expression in cRCC correlated strongly with VEGF‐A mRNA expression. Immunohistochemically, AM, CLR and RAMP2 were localized in the carcinomatous epithelial compartment of cRCC. Interestingly, RAMP3 immunostaining was found only in the inflammatory cells that infiltrated tumors, suggesting a cross talk between tumor cells and the microenvironment. We also observed that cRCC cells BIZ and 786‐O expressed and secreted AM into the culture medium. In vitro, exogenous AM treatment stimulated cell proliferation, migration and invasion, indicating the cell can respond to AM. The action of AM was specific and was mediated by the CLR/RAMP2 and CLR/RAMP3 receptors. Clinical data showed the prognostic value of AM. High AM mRNA levels were associated with an increased risk of relapse after curative nephrectomy for cRCC. These findings highlight the implication of the AM pathway in the metastatic process and the prognostic relevance of AM in cRCC and point to a potential new therapeutic target. © 2009 UICC
Changing nuclear landscape and unique PML structures during early epigenetic transitions of human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Butler John T. , Hall Lisa L. , Smith Kelly P. , Lawrence Jeanne B.
Published: May 2009

The complex nuclear structure of somatic cells is important to epigenomic regulation, yet little is known about nuclear organization of human embryonic stem cells (hESC). Here we surveyed several nuclear structures in pluripotent and transitioning hESC. Observations of centromeres, telomeres, SC35 speckles, Cajal Bodies, lamin A/C and emerin, nuclear shape and size demonstrate a very different “nuclear landscape” in hESC. This landscape is remodeled during a brief transitional window, concomitant with or just prior to differentiation onset. Notably, hESC initially contain abundant signal for spliceosome assembly factor, SC35, but lack discrete SC35 domains; these form as cells begin to specialize, likely reflecting cell‐type specific genomic organization. Concomitantly, nuclear size increases and shape changes as lamin A/C and emerin incorporate into the lamina. During this brief window, hESC exhibit dramatically different PML‐defined structures, which in somatic cells are linked to gene regulation and cancer. Unlike the numerous, spherical somatic PML bodies, hES cells often display ∼1–3 large PML structures of two morphological types: long linear “rods” or elaborate “rosettes”, which lack substantial SUMO‐1, Daxx, and Sp100. These occur primarily between Day 0–2 of differentiation and become rare thereafter. PML rods may be “taut” between other structures, such as centromeres, but clearly show some relationship with the lamina, where PML often abuts or fills a “gap” in early lamin A/C staining. Findings demonstrate that pluripotent hES cells have a markedly different overall nuclear architecture, remodeling of which is linked to early epigenomic programming and involves formation of unique PML‐defined structures. J. Cell. Biochem. 107: 609–621, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regular path decompositions of odd regular graphs
Authors: Favaron Odile , Genest François , Kouider Mekkia
Published: May 2009

Kotzig asked in 1979 what are necessary and sufficient conditions for a d‐regular simple graph to admit a decomposition into paths of length d for odd d>3. For cubic graphs, the existence of a 1‐factor is both necessary and sufficient. Even more, each 1‐factor is extendable to a decomposition of the graph into paths of length 3 where the middle edges of the paths coincide with the 1‐factor. We conjecture that existence of a 1‐factor is indeed a sufficient condition for Kotzig's problem. For general odd regular graphs, most 1‐factors appear to be extendable and we show that for the family of simple 5‐regular graphs with no cycles of length 4, all 1‐factors are extendable. However, for d>3 we found infinite families of d‐regular simple graphs with non‐extendable 1‐factors. Few authors have studied the decompositions of general regular graphs. We present examples and open problems; in particular, we conjecture that in planar 5‐regular graphs all 1‐factors are extendable. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 63: 114–128, 2010
Pollen/climate calibration based on a near‐annual peat sequence from the Swiss Alps
Authors: Kamenik Christian , Van der Knaap Willem O. , Van Leeuwen Jacqueline F. N. , Goslar Tomasz
Published: May 2009

The objective of this study was to develop a high‐resolution pollen‐based climate inference model (using ‘calibration in time’) for the mire Mauntschas (SE Swiss Alps, 1818 m above sea level). We focused on 11 types of pollen and spores (referred to as pollen for simplicity) for which we produced 150 year (a) time series of accumulation rates and percentages. Dating of these series was based on 29 14C dates from pure Sphagnum, spheroidal carbonaceous particles, larch bud moth events, and an age–depth model that took into account probabilities of calibrated 14C ages, the degree of curvature of the age–depth line and changes in concentrations of all major pollen types. Time resolution was 1–5 a. We first smoothed the series using a 3 a triangular filter, thus removing time‐resolution dependent changes in variability, and minimising effects of potential dating uncertainties. Using redundancy analysis, we then studied the simultaneous response of the selected pollen to 288 different combinations of monthly temperature or precipitation data measured at Sils Maria (1798 m above sea level), located 9 km from Mauntschas. From AD 1954 to 2002, mean May–August air temperature from the same year explained most (18.1%) of the variation in pollen accumulation rates. The amount of explained variation dropped to 9.9% after detrending all data with a 50 a high‐pass filter, which possibly removed non‐climatic trends. Temperature explained more variation among PAR than among pollen percentages; however, during the verification period (AD 1864–1953) the former were potentially affected by dating uncertainties and could not be used. For developing a pollen‐based temperature inference model, we tested ordinary least squares regression, time series regression, ridge regression, principal components regression, and partial least squares regression. During the well‐dated calibration period (AD 1954–2002), ordinary least squares regression based on percentages of six pollen types turned out to be the most parsimonious model, having a cross‐validated root mean square error of prediction of 0.23°C for mean April–November temperature. A comparison of reconstructed with measured temperature from Sils Maria during the verification period showed that the model best reflected long‐term (at least decadal‐scale) temperature changes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heterogeneous electrochemical characteristics of biofilm/metal interface and local electrochemical techniques used for this purpose
Authors: Wang W. , Zhang X. , Wang J.
Published: May 2009

Biofilms on metal surface in an aqueous environment is a complex electrochemical system. The heterogeneous electrochemical characteristics of biofilm/metal interface and local electrochemical techniques used for this purpose are discussed in this work. The techniques presented in this work include microelectrode, scanning vibrating electrode, the wire beam electrode method, and scanning electrochemical microscopy. Two potentially useful techniques, localized electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy, are also discussed. The advantages and limitations of these techniques are summarized. A new approach: numerical simulation of micro‐electrochemical heterogeneity of biofilm covered metals is introduced.
Corrosion and electrochemical behaviors of pure aluminum in novel KOH‐ionic liquid‐water solutions
Authors: Wang J. M. , Wang J. B. , Shao H. B. , Zeng X. X. , Zhang J. Q. , Cao C. N.
Published: May 2009

The corrosion and electrochemical behaviors of pure aluminum in KOH‐ionic liquid‐water solutions with variable volume ratios of water and the ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF4) were for the first time investigated by means of hydrogen collection, polarization curve, galvanostatic discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results of hydrogen collection experiments showed that aluminum has a low corrosion rate in KOH‐BMIMBF4‐H2O solutions, and the corrosion rate decreases with increase in BMIMBF4 content in the electrolytes. The results of electrochemical experiments revealed that aluminum is electrochemically active over a very wide potential window in the KOH‐BMIMBF4‐H2O solutions, and its electrochemically kinetic mechanism is similar to that in the corresponding aqueous solution; the increase in KOH and water contents in the electrolytes may improve the anodic dissolution performance of aluminum. It was found that aluminum presents excellent galvanostatic discharge performance in the 2.0 M KOH BMIMBF4‐H2O mixed solution with 60% water.
Acardiac fetus complicating a triplet pregnancy: management and outcome
Authors: Sepulveda Waldo , Wong Amy E. , Bustos Juan C. , Flores Ximena , Alcalde Juan L.
Published: May 2009

Objective

To report our experience with the management of triplet pregnancies complicated by an acardiac fetus.

Methods

During the 5‐year period from 2003 to 2008, five cases were identified. The prenatal sonographic findings, antepartum course, antenatal intervention if performed, and perinatal outcome of each case were reviewed.

Results

Four pregnancies were spontaneously conceived and one was achieved by in vitro fertilization. Three pregnancies were dichorionic and two were monochorionic, and two acardiac fetuses were part of a monoamniotic set. All cases underwent an early sonographic examination, but the diagnosis was only made in the first trimester in only two cases, as the acardiac fetus was overlooked or inaccurately identified as a dead fetus in the remaining three cases. Early fetal demise before 12 weeks occurred in a case of monochorionic‐triamniotic triplets. Percutaneous laser coagulation of the main intra‐abdominal vessel was attempted at 17 weeks in two cases, with subsequent delivery after 34 weeks and perinatal survival of three of the four structurally normal fetuses. In the other two pregnancies which were managed expectantly, both were complicated by severe preterm delivery with perinatal survival of three of the four structurally normal fetuses. Overall, there were no survivors in one case, one twin survived in two cases, and two twins survived in the remaining two cases. None of the survivor had neurological sequelae.

Conclusions

The presence of an acardiac fetus in a triplet pregnancy carries a high risk for poor pregnancy outcome, including fetal death and severe preterm labor. Prenatal intervention may be indicated in some cases, but does not prevent fetal death of the pump twin. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantification of the distribution of carbon black in natural rubber/polybutadiene blends by differential scanning calorimetry
Authors: Portal Julien , Carrot Christian , Majeste Jean‐Charles , Cocard Stéphane , Pelissier Vincent , Anselme‐Bertrand Isabelle
Published: May 2009

The distribution of carbon black (CB) in uncured blends of natural rubber (NR) and polybutadiene (PB) can be quantified using DSC. The crystallization temperature of PB containing CB, measured during cooling from the melt, increases with the CB loading. This phenomenon was used to calculate the CB content in PB and conversely in NR in NR/PB/CB mixtures. Two different blends containing N550 CB were studied. A deeper analysis was performed over the entire composition range of NR/PB blends filled with N234 CB. Two different trends were highlighted depending on composition. Below 50 wt% of NR in the elastomer phase, the crystallization temperature of PB is higher than that of pure PB indicating that a part of the CB is dispersed in PB. Above 50 wt% of NR, the crystallization temperature of PB is lower than that of pure PB, indicating that the whole CB is in the NR phase and that fractionated crystallization of PB simultaneously occurs. Both phenomena are consistent as the dispersed phase morphology is favored by a large increase of the matrix viscosity by the filler. For both CBs, the results indicate that CB has larger affinity for NR than for PB. This tendency was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
New tetrafunctional monomer 1,3‐di(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methacryloyloxypropoxy)benzene in the synthesis of porous microspheres
Authors: Grochowicz Marta , Gawdzik Barbara , Bartnicki Andrzej
Published: May 2009

Synthesis and properties of the new aromatic tetrafunctional methacrylate monomer 1,3‐di(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methacryloyloxypropoxy)benzene are presented. This monomer was applied for the synthesis of porous microspheres. It was copolymerized with trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate in the presence of pore‐forming diluents, decan‐1‐ol and chlorobenzene. Influence of diluents composition on their porous structures was studied. Thermal resistance and tendency to swell in different organic diluents for a chosen sample were also determined. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3190–3201, 2009