bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A multicenter, blinded, randomized, factorial controlled trial of doxycycline and rifampin for treatment of Alzheimer's disease: the DARAD trial
Authors: Molloy D. William , Standish T.I. , Zhou Q. , Guyatt G. ,   The DARAD Study Group
Published: June 2012

Objectives

Preliminary evidence suggested that doxycycline and rifampin might stop or slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We carried out a randomized trial to confirm or refute these findings.

Methods

A multicenter, blinded, randomized, 2 × 2 factorial controlled trial, set at 14 geriatric outpatient clinics in Canada. Four hundred and six patients with mild to moderate AD (standardized mini mental state examination (SMMSE) score 14–26) participated. The intervention was 12 months' treatment with doxycycline 100 mg twice daily + rifampin 300 mg daily or doxycycline 100 mg twice daily + placebo‐rifampin daily or rifampin 300 mg daily + placebo‐doxycycline twice daily or placebo‐doxycycline twice daily + placebo‐rifampin daily.

Coprimary outcomes were the Standardized Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale‐Cognitive Subscale (SADAS‐cog) and the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale‐Sum of the Boxes (CDR‐SB). Secondary outcomes were the SMMSE, Quick mild cognitive impairment screen, Geriatric Depression Scale, Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia, activities of daily living (Lawton Scale), and the Dysfunctional Behavior Rating Instrument frequency and reaction subscales.

Results

There was a significant deterioration in SADAS‐cog over time with both rifampin and doxycycline in comparison with placebo. When the two were used together, there was no statistically significant decline/deterioration in comparison with placebo (n = 305).

For the CDR‐SB, there were no significant effects of either rifampin or doxycycline.

Secondary outcome results followed similar patterns.

Conclusion

Twelve months' treatment with doxycycline or rifampin, alone or in combination, has no beneficial effects on cognition or function in AD. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Blue Fluorescence and Bipolar Transport Materials Based on Anthracene and Their Application in OLEDs
Authors: Ho Meng‐Huan , Balaganesan Banumathy , Chen Chin H. (Fred)
Published: June 2012

The phenomenon of organic electroluminescence (EL) was first discovered from studies on anthracene crystals in the 1960s. Since then, its derivatives have been studied extensively in applications such as organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic thin‐film transistors because of their excellent EL, transport, and good electrochemical properties. A blue fluorescence emitter based on anthracene is also important in constructing hybrid tandem white OLEDs for lighting applications. This article provides a review about the development of blue host OLED materials based on molecules designed and derived from the core structure of anthracene and their application as bipolar charge‐carrier transport materials in OLEDs. The recent development of efficient, stable, blue‐doped p‐i‐n OLEDs with simplified device architecture based on the single common host 2‐methyl‐9,10‐di(2‐napthyl)anthracene, with its stable thin‐film morphology, large band gap energy, high fluorescence quantum yield, and ambipolar charge‐carrier transport properties, is also highlighted.
Significant others’ responses to pain in veterans with chronic pain and clinical levels of post‐traumatic stress disorder symptomatology
Authors: Alschuler K.N. , Otis J.D.
Published: June 2012

Background

Pain and post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are two of the most common health complaints among US veterans. Studies suggest that the co‐morbidity of these disorders exacerbates veterans’ experiences of chronic pain. Although a limited number of papers have reviewed reasons for this exacerbation, no studies have explored the potential contribution of significant others’ responses to veterans’ experience of pain in the context of PTSD symptomatology. The purpose of this study was to explore whether significant others’ responses to chronic pain differed for veterans with and without clinical levels of PTSD symptoms. It was hypothesized that veterans who presented with higher levels of PTSD symptomatology would report higher levels of ‘punishing’ responses to their pain from significant others.

Methods

Participants were 184 veterans who completed self‐report questionnaires as part of their participation in a Psychology Pain Management program at a Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare facility.

Results

Supporting our hypothesis, PTSD symptoms in veterans were associated with higher levels of punishing responses to pain from their significant others. Further, veterans who reported clinically significant levels of PTSD symptoms garnered more punishing responses to pain when compared with veterans with subclinical levels of PTSD symptomatology. Punishing responses to pain were associated with greater pain‐related disability among veterans.

Conclusions

The presence of more punishing responses may impact the cognitive‐behavioural components of the chronic pain experience. For example, it may worsen negative affect, which can thus impact the fear‐avoidance model. Further discussion focuses on the implications of these results, including guidelines for clinical applications.
Determination on the binding of chlortetracycline to bovine serum albumin using spectroscopic methods
Authors: Li Zhizhong , Jiao Genlong , Sun Guodong , Song Li , Sheng Feng
Published: June 2012

In this work, the interaction of chlortetracycline with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and molecular docking. Results indicated that chlortetracycline quenches BSA fluorescence mainly by a static quenching mechanism. The quenching constants (KSV) were obtained as 5.64 × 104, 4.49 × 104/, and 3.44 × 104/ M−1 at 283, 295, and 307 K, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters of enthalpy change Δ H°, entropy change Δ S°, and free energy change Δ G° were −5.12 × 104/ J mol−1, −97.6 J mol−1 K−1, and −2.24 × 104/ J mol−1 (295 K), respectively. The association constant (KA) and the number of binding sites (n) were 9.41 × 103/ M−1 and 0.86, respectively. The analysis results suggested that the interaction was spontaneous, and van der Waals force and hydrogen‐bonding interactions played key roles in the reaction process. In addition, CD spectra proved secondary structure alteration of BSA in the presence of chlortetracycline. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 26:331–336, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10:1002/jbt.21424
Management of Chenopodium polyspermum toxicity with plasma exchange and hemodialysis
Authors: Acık D. Yanardag , Yilmaz M. , Sahin H. Haydaroglu , Sayıner Z. , Koruk I. , Tiryaki O. , Okan V. , Pehlivan M.
Published: June 2012

A 45‐year‐old male patient was admitted to our emergency department complaining of fatigue, headache, mild confusion, nausea, and vomiting. He had had Type 2 diabetes mellitus for 10 years that was managed with insulin injections. Two days before the onset of symptoms, he had consumed the natural herb Chenopodium polyspermum to regulate his blood glucose levels. Upon examination, he was found to be experiencing tenderness in the upper left abdominal area, icteric sclera, and pallor conjunctivas. Laboratory tests revealed that he was anemic and had increased levels of indirect bilirubin, lactic dehydrogenase, and creatinine in blood. Direct and indirect Coombs tests were negative, and fragmented erythrocytes were observed in peripheral blood smears. The best supportive care was provided, and therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) treatments were administered. TPE was performed five times and hemolytic findings improved. The patient then developed chronic renal failure and was transferred to the dialysis program and discharged. In this article, we present a case with hemolytic and renal toxicity induced by the ingestion of Chenopodium polyspermum that was managed with TPE and hemodialysis. J. Clin. Apheresis 27:278–281, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Therapeutic plasma exchange for fulminant hepatic failure secondary to Wilson's disease
Authors: Morgan Shanna M. , Zantek Nicole D.
Published: June 2012

Wilson's disease (WD) is an autosomal‐recessive disorder of impaired copper metabolism resulting in accumulation of copper primarily in the liver but ultimately in many organs and tissues. A small number of patients with WD initially present with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF), hypercupremia, and intravascular hemolysis. The therapeutic goals for these patients include quickly removing the copper and preparing the patient for liver transplantation. Here, we report on a 6‐year‐old male with WD in FHF with anemia, renal insufficiency, and coagulopathy. The patient received a series of therapeutic plasma exchanges (TPE) as adjunctive therapy to remove copper and stabilize his coagulopathy and anemia until a transplant was possible. A total of five single plasma volume (1500 mL) TPE were performed over the course of 11 days with plasma as the replacement fluid. Laboratory results demonstrated temporary improvement after each procedure. Liver transplantation was performed 12 days after beginning TPE and 35 days after admission to the hospital. TPE was a successful adjunctive therapy to bridge this patient with WD to transplantation. J. Clin. Apheresis 27:282–286, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effect of colchicine on pyrin and pyrin interacting proteins
Authors: Taskiran Ekim Z. , Cetinkaya Arda , Balci‐Peynircioglu Banu , Akkaya Yeliz Z. , Yilmaz Engin
Published: June 2012

MEFV which encodes pyrin, cause familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), the most common auto‐inflammatory disease. Pyrin is believed to be a regulator of inflammation, though the nature of this regulatory activity remains to be identified. Prophylactic treatment with colchicine, a microtubule toxin, has had a remarkable effect on disease progression and outcome. It has been thought that, inhibition of microtubule polymerization is the main mechanism of action of colchicine. But, the exact cellular mechanism explaining the efficacy of colchicine in suppressing FMF attacks is still unclear. Given the ability of colchicine treatment to be considered as a differential diagnosis criteria of FMF, we hypothesized that colchicine may have a specific effect on pyrin and pyrin interacting proteins. This study showed that colchicine prevents reticulated fibrils formed by PSTPIP1 filaments and reduces ASC speck rates in transfected cells. We further noted that, colchicine down‐regulates MEFV expression in THP‐1 cells. We also observed that colchicine causes re‐organization of actin cytoskeleton in THP‐1 cells. Pyrin is an actin‐binding protein that specifically localizes with polymerizing actin filaments. Thus, MEFV expression might be affected by re‐organization of actin cytoskeleton. The data presented here reveal an important connection between colchicine and pyrin which might explain the remarkable efficacy of colchicine in preventing FMF attacks. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 3536–3546, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Narcissism and Sadomasochistic Relationships
Authors: Rosegrant John
Published: June 2012

People with narcissistic vulnerabilities often relate to others sadomasochistically—either exerting power, or submitting to others, or both—in order to manage their vulnerabilities and protect themselves from feelings of abandonment. Sadomasochistic experience often involves concrete thinking and limited playfulness or ability to use metaphor. In therapy, these difficulties are often actualized in the patient‐therapist relationship so that usual verbal interpretations may be of limited value, and the therapist needs to work to maintain a mutually respectful relationship even as the patient tries to draw him/her into sadomasochistic interactions. Because these difficulties have roots in early childhood and are repeatedly reinforced by later experience, long‐term treatment that provides ongoing opportunities for new experience and understanding will be most helpful. These ideas are illustrated with two case examples.
Selective production of green light olefins by catalytic conversion of bio‐oil with Mg/HZSM‐5 catalyst
Authors: Hong Chenggui , Gong Feiyan , Fan Minghui , Zhai Qi , Huang Weiwei , Wang Tiejun , Li Quanxin
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND

: Light olefins are the basic feedstocks for the petrochemical industry. So far, the olefins yield from bio‐oil is noticeably lower than that from methanol, ethanol and naphtha, and thereby needs to be improved by optimizing catalysts and cracking conditions. The main purpose of this work is to selectively produce light olefins through the catalytic cracking of bio‐oil using the magnesium modified HZSM‐5 catalyst.

RESULTS

Catalytic conversion of bio‐oil and its model compounds into light olefins was performed using the Mg/HZSM‐5 catalyst. The highest olefins yield from bio‐oil was 0.25 kg olefins (kg−1 bio‐oil) with a carbon yield of 59.3 C‐mol% and nearly complete bio‐oil conversion. The reaction conditions and addition of magnesium into the HZSM‐5 zeolite can be used to control both olefins yield and selectivity. In addition, the yield of light olefins from the pyrolysis of bio‐oil is much lower than the level from bio‐oil catalytic cracking.

CONCLUSION

Moderately increasing the medium acid sites through addition of Mg into the zeolite effectively enhanced olefins selectivity and improved catalyst stability. The production of light olefins from bio‐oil is closely associated with the chemical composition and hydrogen to carbon effective ratios of feedstock. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Cystic lymphangiomatosis with severe intra‐abdominal bleeding in a newborn: Case report
Authors: Baskın Didem , Narcı Adnan , Okur Nazan , Uğraş Meltem , Nadirgil Köken Gülengül , Ali Tuncer Ahmet , Tokyol Çiğdem , Çetinkurşun Salih
Published: June 2012

We report the case of a newborn girl with intestinal cystic lymphangiomatosis who presented with abdominal distension and intra‐abdominal bleeding following a prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of intestinal anomaly. Postnatal abdominal ultrasound revealed disseminated submucosal and intramural cystic dilatations of various sizes in the bowel and intestinal lymphangiomatosis was diagnosed. The presence of severe bleeding diathesis and widespread disease led to conservative treatment. The patient died on postnatal day 7 and postmortem examination confirmed cystic lymphangiomatosis. Detection of intestinal hyperechogenicity and/or dilatation in prenatal ultrasonography and the persistence of these findings during pregnancy are suggestive for pathologies such as meconium ileus, meconium peritonitis, and intestinal atresia. Although rare, intestinal lymphangiomatosis should be kept in mind in patients whose prenatal sonographic findings persist until birth. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2013
Food in an evolutionary context: insights from mother's milk
Authors: Hinde Katie , German J Bruce
Published: June 2012

In the emergence of diverse animal life forms, food is the most insistent and pervasive of environmental pressures. As the life sciences begin to understand organisms in genomic detail, evolutionary perspectives provide compelling insights into the results of these dynamic interactions between food and consumer. Such an evolutionary perspective is particularly needed today in the face of unprecedented capabilities to alter the food supply. What should we change? Answering this question for food production, safety and sustainability will require a much more detailed understanding of the complex interplay between humans and their food. Many organisms that we grow, produce, process and consume as foods naturally evolved adaptations in part to avoid being eaten. Crop breeding and processing have been the tools to convert overtly toxic and antinutritious commodities into foods that are safe to eat. Now the challenge is to enhance the nutritional quality and thereby contribute to improving human health. We posit that the Rosetta stone of food and nourishment is mammalian lactation and ‘mother's milk’. The milk that a mammalian mother produces for her young is a complete and comprehensive diet. Moreover, the capacity of the mammary gland as a remarkable bioreactor to synthesise milk, and the infant to utilise milk, reflects 200 million years of symbiotic co‐evolution between producer and consumer. Here we present emerging transdisciplinary research ‘decoding’ mother's milk from humans and other mammals. We further discuss how insights from mother's milk have important implications for food science and human health. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Mid‐contract management of Conservation Reserve Program grasslands provides benefits for ring‐necked pheasant nest and brood survival
Authors: Matthews Ty W. , Taylor J. Scott , Powell Larkin A.
Published: June 2012

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields may provide good habitat for nesting and brood‐rearing ring‐necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) during early stages of succession. But, the success of hens in early successional CRP, relative to late successional CRP and other grassland habitats, has yet to be evaluated. The reproductive period is especially critical for populations of pheasants, and CRP's benefits to hens and chicks may decrease as fields age because of loss of vegetative diversity, decrease in vegetation density, and accumulation of residual litter. During 2005–2006, we evaluated spatial and temporal variation in nest and brood survival for radio‐marked hen pheasants in areas of northeastern Nebraska where portions of CRP fields had been recently disced and interseeded (DICRP) with legumes. Nests in DICRP tended to have a higher daily survival rate (0.984; 95% CI: 0.957–0.994) than nests in grasslands (including CRP) that were unmanaged (0.951; 95% CI: 0.941–0.972). The probability of 23‐day nest success was 0.696 (95% CI: 0.631–0.762) for DICRP and 0.314 (95% CI: 0.240–0.389) for unmanaged grasslands. Daily brood survival rates varied by habitat type, brood age, and date of hatch. The probability of a brood surviving to day 21 was 0.710 (95% CI: 0.610–0.856). Brood survival rates increased with time spent in DICRP and as the brood aged. Survival decreased as broods spent more time in cropland and peaked seasonally with broods that hatched on 15 June. Brood survival probability, to 21 days, would be reduced to 0.36 (95% CI: 0.100–0.701) if broods in our sample had not used DICRP. We combined nest and brood survival in a productivity model that suggested 2,000 hens, in a landscape with no DICRP, would produce 1,826 chicks, whereas the same hens in a landscape of 100% DICRP would produce 5,398 chicks. Production of first‐year roosters more than doubled when hens nested in DICRP. Without DICRP, population growth rates of pheasant populations usually declined; with DICRP, populations stabilized with at annual survival rates of 0.3 or greater. The positive response of nest and brood survival to discing and interseeding CRP provides further evidence that CRP fields must be managed to optimize wildlife benefits. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Creating schools for the future, not the past for all students
Authors: Senge Peter M.
Published: June 2012

Senge believes that too many school systems are still operating based on obsolete, industrial‐age thinking. Remaining focused on standardized‐test scores is problematic, because “future‐oriented businesses need people who are self‐directed learners, have strong personal values and a larger sense of responsibility, and can collaborate effectively in teams and larger networks to solve complex problems.” He describes school districts that are meeting this challenge through such strategies as systems thinking, education for sustainability, learner‐centered pedagogy, and building schools as learning communities. Bold leadership is needed from teachers, administrators, principals, parents, school boards, business/civic leaders, and the students themselves.
Optimization of Extrusion Parameters for Preparing PCL‐Layered Silicate Nanocomposites Supported by Modeling of Twin‐Screw Extrusion
Authors: Watzeels Nick , Van Durme Kurt , Miltner Hans Edouard , Block Christophe , Van Assche Guy , Van Mele Bruno , Bogdanov Bogdan , Rahier Hubert
Published: June 2012

PCL‐based nanoclay (layered silicate) nanocomposites are prepared using a small scale intermeshing co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder. Improving the level of nanoclay dispersion in PCL nanocomposites is obtained by changing the extrusion parameters. Increasing the screw speed and decreasing the throughput leads to an improved dispersion quality, as observed from the improved mechanical properties of the nanocomposites as well as from their clearly affected rheological and crystallization behavior. Furthermore, a commercially available software that simulates the twin‐screw extrusion process (LUDOVIC) is used to asses the processing parameters applied for making the nanocomposites.

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Supramolecular Nucleating Agents for Poly(butylene terephthalate) Based on 1,3,5‐Benzenetrisamides
Authors: Richter Florian , Schmidt Hans‐Werner
Published: June 2012

1,3,5‐Benzenetrisamide‐based supramolecular nucleating agents for poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) are reported. 1,3,5‐Benzenetrisamides combine excellent thermal stability with chemical resistance, basic requirements for the use in high‐melting thermoplastics. To establish structure–property relationships, the central core and peripheral substituents are varied systematically. Dissolution and crystallization behavior of the additives in the PBT melt and the crystallization temperature of PBT are investigated as a function of the additive concentration. Efficient nucleating agents can increase the crystallization temperature of PBT by 10.6 °C to 199.1 °C. A visualization of supramolecular nano‐objects formed in the polymer melt is provided.

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Electrophoresis of Bottle‐Brush Polyelectrolytes in an Attractive Nanochannel
Authors: Cao Qianqian , Zuo Chuncheng , Li Lujuan , Zhang Yinhe
Published: June 2012

A molecular dynamics study of the electrophoresis of bottle‐brush polyelectrolytes (BPEs) through nanochannels is reported. The BPE molecules consist of a neutral backbone with charged side chains. For strong attractive interactions between the BPE and the wall, the BPE is being trapped on the channel surface. A stretching–shrinking migration of the BPE in a channel of radius 6σ is observed at relatively strong electric fields. The stretching–shrinking transition is periodic for intermediate electric fields but not for stronger electric fields. The BPE also shows a transverse migration toward the wall at weak electric fields, while toward the center with further enhancing the electric field. For a channel with larger radius 12σ, the BPE does not migrate in the stretching–shrinking manner.

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Numerical and experimental investigations of aluminium powder compaction and sintering
Authors: Bouguecha A. , Behrens B.‐A.
Published: June 2012

Die Bildung von Dichtegradienten in Grünkörpern während des Pulverpressvorgangs und der daraus resultierende Sinterverzug stellt nach wie vor ein aktuelles Problem der Sintermetallindustrie dar. Demzufolge ist die Auslegung und Optimierung pulvertechnologischer Fertigungsverfahren zur Vermeidung derartiger Bauteilfehler des Presskörpers von entscheidender Bedeutung. Sie basiert bisher jedoch zu einem großen Teil auf Erfahrungswissen. Die numerische Simulation auf Basis der Finite‐Element‐Methode (FEM) bietet hingegen eine kosten‐ und zeitsparende Möglichkeit. Damit können Pulverpressvorgänge bereits in ihrer Entwicklungs‐ und Auslegungsphase hinsichtlich einer Reduzierung der Dichtegradienten und des daraus resultierenden Sinterverzugs simulationsgestützt optimiert werden.
How Do the Powerful Attain Status? The Roots of Legitimate Power Inequalities
Authors: Willer Robb , Youngreen Reef , Troyer Lisa , Lovaglia Michael J.
Published: June 2012

Power inequalities are coercive, based on relative control over resources, whereas status hierarchies are based on collectively endorsed conceptions of merit. How then do the powerful achieve status? We argue that using power for personal gain can lead to perceptions of the powerful as competent—enhancing status—but also selfish—diminishing status. Consequently, power users will be most likely to attain status when they successfully avoid perceptions of selfishness. Two experiments support this view, finding that power users achieve greater status when moderating their power use, forgoing maximal profits in exchange, or using philanthropic gestures to counteract perceptions of greed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decreased olfactory bulb volume in idiopathic Parkinson's disease detected by 3.0‐Tesla magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Brodoehl Stefan , Klingner Carsten , Volk Gerd F. , Bitter Thomas , Witte Otto W. , Redecker Christoph
Published: June 2012

A number of neuropathological studies have demonstrated that the olfactory system is among the first brain regions affected in Parkinson's disease (PD). These findings correlate with pathophysiological and pathological data that show a loss in olfactory bulb (OB) volume in patients with PD. However, to date, MRI has not been a reliable method for the in vivo detection of this volumetric loss in PD. Using a 3.0‐Tesla MRI constructive interference in the steady‐state sequence, OB volume was evaluated in patients with PD (n = 16) and healthy control subjects (n = 16). A significant loss of OB volume was observed in patients with PD, compared to the healthy control group (91.2 ± 15.72 versus 131.4 ± 24.56 mm3, respectively). Specifically, decreased height of the left OB appears to be a reliable parameter that is adaptable to clinical practice and significantly correlates with OB volume loss in patients with idiopathic PD. Measuring both the volume and height of the OB by MRI may be a valuable method for the clinical investigation of PD. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
On an inverse scattering problem for a class Dirac operator with discontinuous coefficient and nonlinear dependence on the spectral parameter in the boundary condition
Authors: Mamedov Kh.R. , Çöl Aynur
Published: June 2012

On the positive semi‐infinite interval, we obtained a generalization of the Marchenko method for a Dirac equation system with a discontinuous coefficient and a quadratic polynomial on a spectral parameter in the boundary condition. In this connection, we use an new integral representation of the Jost solution of equation systems, which does not have a ‘triangular’ form. The scattering function of the problem is defined, and its properties are examined. The Marchenko‐type main equation is obtained, and it is shown that the potential is uniquely recovered in terms the scattering function. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Existence and uniqueness of solutions for the magnetohydrodynamic flow of a second grade fluid
Authors: Hamdache K. , Jaffal‐Mourtada B.
Published: June 2012

In this work, we consider the flow of a second grade fluid in a conducting domain of and in the presence of a magnetic field. When the initial data are of arbitrary size, we prove that the solution of the magnetohydrodynamics problem exists for a small time and is unique. We also show the global existence of solutions for small initial data. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Asymptotic stability and blow up of solutions for a Petrovsky inverse source problem with dissipative boundary condition
Authors: Tahamtani F. , Shahrouzi M.
Published: June 2012

This paper is concerned with global in time behavior of solutions for a quasilinear Petrovsky inverse source problem with boundary dissipation. We establish a stability result when the integral constraint vanishes as time goes to infinity. We also show that the smooth solutions blow up when the data is chosen appropriately. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complete 1H NMR spectral analysis of ten chemical markers of Ginkgo biloba
Authors: Napolitano José G. , Lankin David C. , Chen Shao‐Nong , Pauli Guido F.
Published: June 2012

The complete and unambiguous 1H NMR assignments of ten marker constituents of Ginkgo biloba are described. The comprehensive 1H NMR profiles (fingerprints) of ginkgolide A, ginkgolide B, ginkgolide C, ginkgolide J, bilobalide, quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, isoquercetin, and rutin in DMSO‐d6 were obtained through the examination of 1D 1H NMR and 2D 1H,1H‐COSY data, in combination with 1H iterative full spin analysis (HiFSA). The computational analysis of discrete spin systems allowed a detailed characterization of all the 1H NMR signals in terms of chemical shifts (δH) and spin‐spin coupling constants (JHH), regardless of signal overlap and higher order coupling effects. The capability of the HiFSA‐generated 1H fingerprints to reproduce experimental 1H NMR spectra at different field strengths was also evaluated. As a result of this analysis, a revised set of 1H NMR parameters for all ten phytoconstituents was assembled. Furthermore, precise 1H NMR assignments of the sugar moieties of isoquercetin and rutin are reported for the first time. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative proton magnetic resonance determination of N,N‐dimethylformamide in one intermediate of the Quimi‐Hib vaccine
Authors: Garrido Arteaga Raine , Cardoso San Jorge Felix , Rodríguez Montero María del C. , Santana Violeta Fernández , Vérez Bencomo Vicente , Castro Herman Vélez
Published: June 2012

Quimi‐Hib is a conjugate vaccine against Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) where the Hib antigen is the only one produced by chemical synthesis. NMR has become the alternative of choice for the identity of intermediates during the chemical synthesis of Hib antigen. We explore a rapid quantitative proton magnetic resonance (qHNMR) assay for the determination of N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) as a residual in one of the critical intermediates. The proposed assay has been shown to be accurate, precise for intermediate precision conditions (relative standard deviation <3% for spectrometer‐to‐spectrometer variations), specific (no detected interferences), and rugged (percentage difference <3% for day‐to‐day and spectrometer‐to‐spectrometer variations). The quantitative NMR assay can replace the common chromatographic methods for monitoring the DMF contents in one crucial step of the synthetic scheme. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Continuous Flow Process for the Radical Induced End Group Removal of RAFT Polymers
Authors: Hornung Christian H. , Postma Almar , Saubern Simon , Chiefari John
Published: June 2012

A continuous flow process for the radical‐induced end‐group removal of polymers made by a RAFT process is described. A series of different monomers, including acrylamides, methacrylate, and styrene are polymerized at 70–100 °C using various different RAFT agents, solvents, and radical initiators. The subsequent end group removal process is carried out in a steel tube flow reactor system at 100 °C in organic solvents or water. After reaction, the polymers exhibit low polydispersities between 1.03 and 1.19, and average molecular weights between 7500 and 22 800 g · mol−1. This continuous flow approach provides a facile alternative scale‐up route to conventional batch operation and can be integrated into a sequential flow process consisting of RAFT polymerization followed by post‐treatment.

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Inner‐volume imaging in vivo using three‐dimensional parallel spatially selective excitation
Authors: Schneider Johannes T. , Kalayciyan Raffi , Haas Martin , Herrmann Sarah R. , Ruhm Wolfgang , Hennig Jürgen , Ullmann Peter
Published: June 2012

This work describes the first experimental realization of three‐dimensional spatially selective excitation using parallel transmission in vivo. For the design of three‐dimensional parallel excitation pulses with short durations and high excitation accuracy, the choice of a suitable transmit k‐space trajectory is crucial. For this reason, the characteristics of a stack‐of‐spirals trajectory and of a concentric‐shells trajectory were examined in an initial simulation study. It showed that, especially when undersampling the trajectories in combination with parallel transmission, experimental parameters such as transmit‐coil geometry and off‐resonance conditions have an essential impact on the suitability of the selected trajectory and undersampling scheme. Both trajectories were applied in MR inner‐volume imaging experiments which demonstrate that acceptably short and robust three‐dimensional selective pulses can be achieved if the trajectory is temporally optimized and its actual path is measured and considered during pulse calculation. Pulse durations as short as 3.2 ms were realized and such pulses were appropriate to accurately excite arbitrarily shaped volumes in a corn cob and in a rat in vivo. Reduced field‐of‐view imaging of these selectively excited targets allowed high spatial resolution and significantly reduced measurement times and furthermore demonstrates the feasibility of three‐dimensional parallel excitation in realistic MRI applications in vivo. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Numerical modeling of fluid‐driven fractures in cohesive poroelastoplastic continuum
Authors: Sarris E. , Papanastasiou P.
Published: June 2012

In this article, we investigate the main parameters that influence the propagation of a fluid‐driven fracture in a poroelastoplastic continuum. These parameters include the cohesive zone, the stress anisotropy, and the pore pressure field. The fracture is driven in a permeable porous domain that corresponds to weak formation by pumping of an incompressible viscous fluid at the fracture inlet under plane strain conditions. Rock deformation is modeled with the Mohr–Coulomb yield criterion with associative flow rule. Fluid flow in the fracture is modeled by the lubrication theory. The movement of the pore fluid in the surrounding medium is assumed to obey the Darcy law and is of the same nature as the fracturing fluid. The cohesive zone approach is used as the fracture propagation criterion. The problem is modeled numerically with the finite element method to obtain the solution for the fracture length, the fracture opening, and the propagation pressure as a function of the time and distance from the pumping inlet. It is demonstrated that the plastic yielding that is associated with the rock dilation in an elastoplastic saturated porous continuum is significantly affected by the cohesive zone characteristics, the stress anisotropy, and the pore pressure field. These influences result in larger fracture profiles and propagation pressures due to the larger plastic zones that are developing during the fracture propagation. Furthermore, it is also found that the diffusion process that is a major mechanism in hydraulic fracture operations influences further the obtained results on the fracture dimensions, plastic yielding, and fluid pressures. These findings may explain partially the discrepancies in net pressures between field measurements and conventional model predictions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Link repair in managed multi‐domain connections with end‐to‐end quality guarantees
Authors: Yampolskiy Mark , Hommel Wolfgang , Liu Feng , König Ralf , Metzker Martin G. , Schiffers Michael
Published: June 2012

The Internet is a platform providing connection channels for various services. Whereas for services like email the best‐effort nature of the Internet can be considered sufficient, other services strongly depend on service‐specific connection quality parameters. This quality dependence has led to dedicated content distribution networks as a workaround solution for services like YouTube. Such workarounds are applicable to a small number of services only. With the global application of the Internet, the impact of quality of service varies from annoyance due to jitter in VoIP communication to endangering human lives in telemedicine applications. Thus network connections with end‐to‐end quality guarantees are indispensable for various existing and evolving services. In this paper we consider point‐to‐point multi‐domain network connections for which the end‐to‐end quality has to be assured. Our contribution includes the classification of fault cases in general and countermeasures against end‐to‐end performance degradation. By correlating events and reasonable countermeasures, this work provides the foundation for quality assurance during the operation phase of end‐to‐end connections. We put our contribution in the context of a vision of global‐goal‐aware self‐adaptation in computer networks and outline further research areas that require a similar classification to the work provided here. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improvement of the LMI change of variables for multi‐objective control design problems
Authors: Simon Emile , Wertz Vincent
Published: June 2012

The aim of this paper is to propose an improvement of a classical change of variables useful to solve multi‐objective control design problems that can be formulated with LMIs. For multi‐objective problems, the only approach guaranteed to converge to global optima is to use an iterative approach where the order of the design parameter grows (until no improvement is obtained to some relative decrease). The issue is that the order of the design parameter and the size of associated LMIs may easily grow to unacceptably large values (computationally and/or for implementation in practice). The change of variables considered here was proposed to mitigate that issue, that is, to reduce the inflation of number of variables of the corresponding optimization problems. Here, we propose a method exploiting this change of variables further in order to obtain a sequence of increasing order design parameters converging faster towards the global optimum. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The variation in incidence of amputation throughout England
Authors: Jeffcoate William , Young Bob , Holman Naomi
Published: June 2012

The incidence of major amputation in diabetes varies up to 10‐fold between primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. Historically, there have been concerns about the reliability of databases which are used to obtain such figures, but the available evidence suggests that the documented variation is likely to be real. While a high prevalence of ethnic minorities may contribute to the low incidence observed in some PCTs, it is also thought the variation may relate largely to the structure of available specialist services.

This paper reviews the factors which need to be considered in exploring possible explanations for the variation which has been observed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons.
Comparing Five Sets of Five–Factor Model Personality Disorder Counts in a Heterogeneous Sample of Psychiatric Patients
Authors: Bastiaansen Leen , Rossi Gina , De Fruyt Filip
Published: June 2012

The research agenda for DSM–5 emphasizes the implementation of dimensional trait models into the classification of personality disorders (PDs). However, because assessment psychologists may still want to recover the traditional DSM–IV categories, researchers developed a count technique that uses sums of selected Five–Factor Model facets to assess the DSM–IV PDs. The presented study examined the convergent and divergent validity of different linear combinations of trait facets to describe specific DSM–IV PDs in a heterogeneous clinical sample (N = 155) with sufficient prevalence of all PDs, using semi–structured interviews to obtain all diagnostic information, and comparing alternative counts from five different sources for each PD. The results show that none of the schizotypal, antisocial, and dependent counts succeeded in combining good convergent with adequate divergent validity. However, the original counts could be optimized for five of the seven remaining PDs by using alternative Five–Factor Model prototypes. The diagnostic and taxonomic implications of these findings are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanocomposites based on copolymers of fluorinated imide and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane macromonomer: microstructure and morphology studies
Authors: Gnanasekaran Dhorali , Madrhavan Karunakaran , Tsibouklis John , Reddy BoreddySR
Published: June 2012

Towards the development of copolymeric nanocomposites, N‐3(trifluoromethyl)phenyl‐7‐oxanorbornene‐5,6‐dicarboximide (TFI) monomer and a macromonomer of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) were synthesized. Ring‐opening metathesis polymerization to copolymerization of specified proportions of the two co‐monomers was carried out. All the monomers and polymers were characterized using Fourier transform IR analysis and 1H and 29Si NMR. Gel permeation chromatography shows that copolymeric nanocomposites have a lower average molar mass than a homopolymer of TFI (HTFI). TGA shows that the thermal stability of the copolymer is inversely proportional to the proportion of POSS units. DSC studies have demonstrated that the glass transition temperature (Tg) of a nanocomposite possessing 25 wt% POSS is at a higher temperature (180 °C) than that of HTFI (175 °C). Transmission electron microscopy and AFM images of copolymers are consistent with the self‐assembled spherical aggregation of POSS units, while X‐ray diffraction studies have confirmed the homogeneous dispersion of the same units within the nanocomposites. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Validation of energy prediction method for a concentrator photovoltaic module in Toyohashi Japan
Authors: Chan Ngai Lam Alvin , Young Thomas B. , Brindley Helen E. , Ekins‐Daukes Nicholas John , Araki Kenji , Kemmoku Yoshishige , Yamaguchi Masafumi
Published: June 2012

III–V concentrator photovoltaic systems attain high efficiency through the use of series connected multi‐junction solar cells. As these solar cells absorb over distinct bands over the solar spectrum, they have a more complex response to real illumination conditions than conventional silicon solar cells. Estimates for annual energy yield made assuming fixed reference spectra can vary by up to 15% depending on the assumptions made. Using a detailed computer simulation, the behaviour of a 20‐cell InGaP/In0.01GaAs/Ge multi‐junction concentrator system was simulated in 5‐min intervals over an entire year, accounting for changes in direct normal irradiance, humidity, temperature and aerosol optical depth. The simulation was compared with concentrator system monitoring data taken over the same period and excellent agreement (within 2%) in the annual energy yield was obtained. Air mass, aerosol optical depth and precipitable water have been identified as atmospheric parameters with the largest impact on system efficiency. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative proteomic analysis suggests that mitochondria are involved in autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease
Authors: Li Qing‐Wei , Lu Xiao‐Yan , You Yong , Sun Huan , Liu Xin‐Yu , Ai Jian‐Zhong , Tan Rui‐Zhi , Chen Tie‐Lin , Chen Mian‐Zhi , Wang Hong‐Lian , Wei Yu‐Quan , Zhou Qin
Published: June 2012

Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD), characterized by ectatic collecting duct, is an infantile form of PKD occurring in 1 in 20 000 births. Despite having been studied for many years, little is known about the underlying mechanisms. In the current study, we employed, for the first time, a MS‐based comparative proteomics approach to investigate the differently expressed proteins between kidney tissue samples of four ARPKD and five control individuals. Thirty two differently expressed proteins were identified and six of the identified protein encoding genes performed on an independent group (three ARPKD subjects, four control subjects) were verified by semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR, and part of them were further validated by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Moreover, similar alteration tendency was detected after downregulation of PKHD1 by small interfering RNA in HEK293T cell. Interestingly, most of the identified proteins are associated with mitochondria. This implies that mitochondria may be implicated in ARPKD. Furthermore, the String software was utilized to investigate the biological association network, which is based on known and predicted protein interactions. In conclusion, our findings depicted a global understanding of ARPKD progression and provided a promising resource of targeting protein, and shed some light further investigation of ARPKD.
Asparaginyl endopeptidase cleaves TDP‐43 in brain
Authors: Herskowitz Jeremy H. , Gozal Yair M. , Duong Duc M. , Dammer Eric B. , Gearing Marla , Ye Keqiang , Lah James J. , Peng Junmin , Levey Allan I. , Seyfried Nicholas T.
Published: June 2012

TAR DNA‐binding protein 43 (TDP‐43) is a nuclear protein involved in RNA splicing and a major protein component in ubiquitin‐positive, tau‐negative inclusions of frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Under disease conditions, TDP‐43 redistributes to the cytoplasm where it can be phosphorylated, ubiquitinated, and proteolytically cleaved. Enzymes responsible for TDP‐43 proteolytic processing in brain remain largely unreported. Using a MS approach, we identified two truncated TDP‐43 peptides, terminating C‐terminal to asparagines 291 (N291) and 306 (N306). The only documented mammalian enzyme capable of cleaving C‐terminal to asparagine is asparaginyl endopeptidase (AEP). TDP‐43‐immunoreactive fragments (∼35 and 32 kDa) predicted to be generated by AEP cleavage at N291 and N306 were observed by Western blot analyses of postmortem frontotemporal lobar degeneration brain tissue and cultured human cells over‐expressing TDP‐43. Studies in vitro determined that AEP can directly cleave TDP‐43 at seven sites, including N291 and N306. Western blots of brain homogenates isolated from AEP‐null mice and wild‐type littermate controls revealed that TDP‐43 proteolytic fragments were substantially reduced in the absence of AEP in vivo. Taken together, we conclude that TDP‐43 is cleaved by AEP in brain. Moreover, these data highlight the utility of combining proteomic strategies in vitro and in vivo to provide insight into TDP‐43 biology that will fuel the design of more detailed models of disease pathogenesis.
Modification of polysaccharides via thiol‐ene chemistry: A versatile route to functional biomaterials
Authors: Mergy Jimmy , Fournier Audrey , Hachet Emilie , Auzély‐Velty Rachel
Published: June 2012

We present herein a mild and rapid method for the modular functionalization of polysaccharides. Several ene‐functional charged and neutral polysaccharides, that is, hyaluronic acid and dextran, were prepared by esterification of the hydroxyl groups with pentenoic anhydride. The modified polysaccharides were then reacted with six model mercaptans under UV light, leading to linear polymers modified with hydrophobic groups, peptides, or oligosaccharides as well as chemical hydrogels. The thiol‐ene coupling reactions were found to proceed with high efficiency in short reaction times and with nearly no degradation of the polysaccharide backbone. Moreover, they were carried out in aqueous media, without the use of any metal catalysts, enhancing the attractive nature of this process. Notably, we investigated whether it is feasible to prepare cell‐responsive hydrogels by sequential bioconjugation and cross‐linking of the polysaccharide backbone with a bioactive peptide and poly(ethylene glycol)‐dithiol, respectively. All together, these results highlight the potential of this coupling strategy for the modular functionalization of polysaccharides under click chemistry‐like conditions. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012