bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental investigation of possible warmth perception from a head exposure system for human provocation studies with TETRA handset‐like signals
Authors: Dorn Hans , Schmid Gernot , Eggert Torsten , Sauter Cornelia , Bolz Thomas , Danker‐Hopfe Heidi
Published: August 2014

An experimental investigation of warming and warmth perception caused by handset EMF exposure was performed in order to examine its possible impact on blinding. Healthy male participants (15) were exposed to three different exposure conditions: sham and Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) handsets with maximum 10 g averaged SAR values of 1.5 and 6 W/kg each on three days. The study followed a randomized, double‐blind design. TETRA signals simulated exposure from a handheld device consisting of a 385 MHz carrier modulated with a pulse length of 14.17 ms and a pulse period of 56.67 ms (i.e., duty cycle 25%; 17.65 Hz pulse modulation). A body worn antenna was used and fixed at the left ear. In addition to subjective ratings, skin temperatures at two locations close to the radiating element of the body‐worn antenna were measured. The measurements revealed a temperature rise proportional to the supplied RF power with an average temperature increase measured at the two locations of 0.8 °C following the high exposure level of 6 W/kg. However, subjects were not able to distinguish between exposure conditions based on their subjective perception and thus the double‐blinding was ensured. Bioelectromagnetics. 35:452–458, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Numerical simulation of pressure waves in the cochlea induced by a microwave pulse
Authors: Yitzhak Nir M. , Ruppin Raphael , Hareuveny Ronen
Published: August 2014

The pressure waves developing at the cochlea by the irradiation of the body with a plane wave microwave pulse are obtained by numerical simulation, employing a two‐step finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) algorithm. First, the specific absorption rate (SAR) distribution is obtained by solving the Maxwell equations on a FDTD grid. Second, the temperature rise due to this SAR distribution is used to formulate the thermoelastic equations of motion, which are discretized and solved by the FDTD method. The calculations are performed for anatomically based full body human models, as well as for a head model. The dependence of the pressure amplitude at the cochlea on the frequency, the direction of propagation, and the polarization of the incident electromagnetic radiation, as well as on the pulse width, was investigated. Bioelectromagnetics. 35:491–496, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Current densities and total contact currents for 110 and 220 kV power line tasks
Authors: Korpinen Leena , Kuisti Harri , Elovaara Jarmo
Published: August 2014

The aim of this study was to analyze all values of electric current from measured periods while performing tasks on 110 and 220 kV power lines. Additionally, the objective was to study the average current densities and average total contact currents caused by electric fields in 110 and 220 kV power line tasks. One worker simulated the following tasks: (A) tested insulation voltage at a 110 kV portal tower, (B) checked the wooden towers for rot at a 110 kV portal tower, (C) tested insulation voltage at a 220 kV portal tower, and (D) checked the wooden towers for rot at a 220 kV portal tower. The highest average current density in the neck was 2.0 mA/m2 (calculated internal electric field was 19.0–38.0 mV/m), and the highest average contact current was 234 µA. All measured values at 110 and 220 kV towers were lower than the basic restrictions (0.1 and 0.8 V/m) of the International Commission on Non‐ionizing Radiation Protection. Bioelectromagnetics. 35:531–535, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Staphylococcus aureus chronic and relapsing infections: Evidence of a role for persister cells
Authors: Conlon Brian P.
Published: August 2014

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen capable of causing a variety of diseases including osteomyelitis, endocarditis, infections of indwelling devices and wound infections. These infections are often chronic and highly recalcitrant to antibiotic treatment. Persister cells appear to be central to this recalcitrance. A multitude of factors contribute to S. aureus virulence and high levels of treatment failure. These include its ability to colonize the skin and nares of the host, its ability to evade the host immune system and its development of resistance to a variety of antibiotics. Less understood is the phenomenon of persister cells and their role in S. aureus infections and treatment outcome. Persister cells occur as a sub‐population of phenotypic variants that are tolerant to antibiotic treatment. This review examines the importance of persisters in chronic and relapsing S. aureus infections and proposes methods for their eradication.
Hormone als Schadstoffe?
Authors: Segner Helmut
Published: August 2014

Endokrine Disruptoren sind Umweltsubstanzen, die in das Hormonsystem von Organismen eingreifen, und dadurch zu schädlichen Wirkungen führen. Sie entfalten ihre Wirkung entweder, indem sie den Hormonstoffwechsel stören oder indem sie die Wirkung von Hormonen imitieren. Eine wichtige Gruppe von endokrinen Disruptoren in der aquatischen Umwelt sind Stoffe, die an Östrogenrezeptoren binden und dadurch wie das weibliche Sexualhormon, 17β‐Östradiol wirken. Zu den Umweltöstrogenen gehören sowohl synthetische Chemikalien wie auch natürliche Substanzen. Sowohl Laborversuche wie Felduntersuchungen an Fischen haben gezeigt, dass bereits sehr niedrige Konzentrationen von Umweltöstrogenen in Gewässern in der Lage sind, Störungen des Hormonsystems auszulösen.
Julian Nida‐Rümelin : Kuno Kirschfeld: “Wer denkt – Geist oder Gehirn?”
Authors: Nida‐Rümelin Julian , Kirschfeld Kuno
Published: August 2014

Replik auf Kuno Kirschfeld

In “Wer denkt, der Mensch oder sein Gehirn?” spricht Kuno Kirschfeld der Philosophie ab, Klärendes zur Frage nach der Funktionsweise menschlichen Denkens beitragen zu können. Julian Nida‐Rümelin hält zum einen die von Kirschfeld unterstützte These für falsch, wonach der Philosophie einerseits und den Naturwissenschaften andererseits zwei miteinander unvereinbare Denkkulturen zugrunde lägen. Vor allem aber geht es dem Autor um die Widerlegung des für Kirschfelds Argumentation zentralen naturalistischen Dogmas, wonach alle Entitäten und Ereignisse mit empirischen, naturwissenschaftlichen Methoden beschreib‐ und erklärbar seien. Seine anti‐naturalistische Position exemplifiziert Nida‐Rümelin anhand einer Kritik am Libet‐Experiment und einer Verteidigung des Konzepts der Willensfreiheit.

Stellungnahme zur Replik von Julian Nida‐Rümelin

Das Abwägen verschiedener Möglichkeiten vor einer Entscheidung ist Verarbeitung von Information. Um verarbeitet werden zu können, muss Information zunächst gespeichert vorliegen, was nur in einem materiellen, physikalischen Substrat möglich ist, nicht etwa im “Geist”, dem Bewusstsein. Auch die Verarbeitung selbst erfordert ein solches Substrat, im leeren Raum ist sie nicht möglich. Das gilt für alle Denkprozesse, sie können nur in der neuralen Maschinerie unseres Gehirns ablaufen. Ergebnisse von Denkprozessen können uns sodann bewusst werden, aber eben erst in Folge dieser neuralen Prozesse. Weder der “Geist”, noch das Bewusstsein können denken, um dann auf das Gehirn einzuwirken.
Warum gibt es eine Waldgrenze?
Authors: Körner Christian
Published: August 2014

Die kältebedingte obere oder polare Verbreitungsgrenze von Bäumen folgt global einer erstaunlich gleichförmigen Isotherme, unabhängig davon, ob die Wachstumsperiode drei oder 12 Monate dauert und ob es das Phänomen Winter gibt oder nicht. Diese potenzielle, biologische Lebensformgrenze lässt sich über Klimadaten vorhersagen und hat nichts mit der zufälligen, störungsbedingten lokalen Abwesenheit von Bäumen an dieser Grenze zu tun. Der aufrechte Wuchs zwingt Bäumen die Temperatur der freien Atmosphäre auf, während kleinwüchsige alpine Pflanzen von der Wärme in der bodennahen Luft profitieren. Physiologisch sind diese viel höher steigenden Arten nicht robuster als Bäume.
microRNAs – kleine Moleküle ganz groß
Authors: Balwierz Aleksandra , Bott Alexander , Breunig Christian , Erdem Nese , Giacomelli Chiara , Körner Cindy , Salem Omar , Shukla Kirti , Wiemann Stefan
Published: August 2014

microRNAs (miRNAs) sind kleine, nicht für Proteine codierende RNAs, die wichtige biologische Prozesse regulieren. Neben Funktionen in der natürlichen Entwicklung von Lebewesen sind auch Beteiligungen an Kranksheitsprozessen wie Krebs beschrieben worden. Diese Regulation erfolgt durch die Basenpaarung mit mRNAs von Zielgenen, und führt entweder zu deren Abbau oder einer Blockade der Herstellung der von diesen codierten Proteinen. Da innerhalb der miRNAs nur eine sehr kurze, etwa 6‐7 Nukleotide lange “Seed”‐Sequenz über die Spezifität der Bindung an Ziel‐mRNAs verantwortlich ist, wird vermutet, dass jede miRNA viele mRNAs (und Proteine) regulieren kann. Für Brustkrebs haben wir mehrere solcher Regulationsmechanismen aufgedeckt und zeigen hier anhand experimenteller Daten, dass die miRNA‐vermittelte Regulation von Prozessen komplex verläuft, da verknüpfte Signalwege parallel gesteuert werden und gemeinsam zur Änderung von zellulären Phänotypen beitragen. Diese Komplexität der Regulation der Proteine durch miRNAs eröffnet neue Möglichkeiten, die molekularen Ursachen von Krankheitsbildern zu verstehen.
Die Geschichte vom klugen Pferd Hans
Authors: Gross Hans Joachim
Published: August 2014

Verbale Verständigung mit Tieren und das Verstehen ihrer Sprache ist ein uralter Wunsch aller menschlichen Kulturen. Dieser Traum schien vor 110 Jahren wahr zu werden, als ein Pferd vorgestellt wurde, welches sich mit allen Leuten unterhalten konnte und das fähig war, menschliche Gedanken und Ideen auszudrücken. Die überraschende Auflösung dieses wundersamen Phänomens eröffnete völlig neue und revolutionäre Einsichten in die Möglichkeiten und Mechanismen nicht‐verbaler Verständigung zwischen Mench und Tier. Diese fundamentale Lektion ist später oft nicht beachtet oder völlig vergessen worden, wodurch viele Tierexperimente fragwürdige Ergebnisse brachten.
Chloroplasten abgehört – retrograde Signale diktieren alternatives Spleißen
Authors: Staiger Dorothee
Published: August 2014

Der Chloroplast sendet so genannte retrograde Signale an den Kern, um dort die Expression von Genen zu koordinieren, die für die Chloroplasten bestimmt sind, oder die nur unter Stressbedingungen von der Pflanze hergestellt werden [1]. Anscheinend geht die Nachrichtenübermittlung jedoch über die Ebene der Transkription hinaus – auch das Spleißen, bei dem die nichtcodierenden Introns entfernt werden, wird von retrograden Signalen beeinflusst.
Männerfreie Gesellschaft bei den Rädertieren
Authors: Kronberg Inge
Published: August 2014

Rädertiere sind ungewöhnliche, winzige Mehrzeller: Sie kommen gänzlich ohne Männchen und ohne sexuelle Fortpflanzung aus. Wie ihnen trotzdem im Laufe der Evolution eine Anpassung an extreme Lebensbedingungen gelang, ist weiterhin rätselhaft. Immerhin gibt die DNA‐Analyse erste Hinweise auf die Besonderheiten im Genom solcher asexuellen Arten. DNA‐Doppelstrangbrüche und horizontaler Gentransfer sorgen für Rekombination und Variation.
Der Texas‐Plattegel und die Evo‐Devo‐Forschung
Authors: Kutschera Ulrich
Published: August 2014

Im Jahr 1997 wurde der kalifornische Platt‐Egel Helobdella robusta als Modellorganismus zur Analyse der Ringelwurm (Anneliden)‐Entwicklung ausgewählt und dessen Genom sequenziert. Da diese Egel in Aquarien auf Dauer nicht haltbar waren, wurde eine ähnlich aussehende Art aus Austin (Texas), die leicht kultiviert werden kann, als Ersatzobjekt eingesetzt. Diese als Texas‐Egel (Helobdella austinensis) beschriebene Spezies ist heute der zentrale Labor‐Annelide für entwicklungsbiologisch‐molekularphylogenetische Studien, obwohl sein Genom noch nicht sequenziert wurde.
Herstellung monoklonaler Antikörper
Authors: Hauk Andrea
Published: August 2014

Für groß angelegte oder komplex aufgebaute Experimente werden enorme Mengen Antikörper gleicher Spezifität und Qualität benötigt. Gerne werden monoklonale Antikörper eingesetzt, da diese sich in unbegrenzter Menge herstellen lassen. Wie funktioniert diese Technik und was war an ihr so revolutionär?
Gut getarnt im Geäst: Von Heupferden und Ohrenzikaden
Authors: Petrischak Hannes
Published: August 2014

Bäume und Sträucher bieten vielen Tieren zum Ende des Sommers eine ideale Bühne: Große Heuschrecken nutzen sie als Singwarten, andere Tiere laben sich hier an reifenden Früchten, fressen Blätter oder erbeuten Insekten. Um die Bewohner der Gehölze zu beobachten, muss man sehr genau hinschauen, denn die meisten verstecken sich geschickt und können sich auf eine perfekte Tarnung verlassen.
Pretreatment of Natural Materials Used for Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Commercial Phytopharmaceuticals
Authors: Ivanovic Jasna , Meyer Florian , Stamenic Marko , Jaeger Philip , Zizovic Irena , Eggers Rudolf
Published: August 2014

A proper method was to be developed for the pretreatment of different types of natural materials in order to increase the efficiency of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) regarding yield and active substance content. The effects of different mechanical pretreatments were investigated: flaking, impact plus shearing, and cutting plus grinding. Additionally, the influence of intermediate rapid gas decompression was studied. Significant effects of the applied pretreatments on the yield (increase by up to 1350 %) were shown for SFE of selected oilseeds, artemisia aerial parts, and the lichen Usnea barbata. Flaking was the most effective pretreatment for increasing the yield of SFE of fennel seeds, artemisia aerial parts, and Usnea lichen, while impact plus shearing was optimal for processing amaranth, milk thistle, and oat seeds. The use of defined optimal pretreatments led to notable increases in the contents of usnic acid (50 %) and artemisinin (300 %).
Nonatherosclerotic Obstructive Vascular Diseases of the Mesenteric and Renal Arteries
Authors: Escárcega Ricardo O. , Mathur Moses , Franco Joseph J. , Alkhouli Mohamad , Patel Chirdeep , Singh Kanwar , Bashir Riyaz , Patil Pravin
Published: August 2014

Nonatherosclerotic vascular diseases of the mesenteric and renal arteries are considered to occur less frequently than those caused by occlusive atherosclerotic disease. However, when present, they pose a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Such disorders include fibromuscular dysplasia, median arcuate ligament syndrome, the renal nutcracker syndrome, and some forms of acute and chronic mesenteric ischemia (embolic and thrombotic). This is a heterogeneous group of disorders with substantial differences in the pathogenesis and diagnostic approaches to these diseases. We provide an overview of the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and current management of fibromuscular dysplasia, median arcuate ligament syndrome, and the renal nutcracker syndrome.
BLOR: An efficient bandwidth and latency sensitive overlay routing approach for flash data dissemination
Authors: Li Xiaoyong , Wang Yijie , Fu Yongquan , Li Xiaoling , Sun Weidong
Published: August 2014

The problem of flash data dissemination refers to transmitting time‐critical data to a large group of distributed receivers in a timely manner, which widely exists in many mission‐critical applications and Web services. However, existing approaches for flash data dissemination fail to ensure the timely and efficient transmission, because of the unpredictability of the dissemination process. Overlay routing has been widely used as an efficient routing primitive for providing better end‐to‐end routing quality by detouring inefficient routing paths in the real networks. To improve the predictability of the flash data dissemination process, we propose a bandwidth and latency sensitive overlay routing approach named BLOR, by optimizing the overlay routing and avoiding inefficient paths in flash data dissemination. BLOR tries to select optimal routing paths in terms of network latency, bandwidth capacity, and available bandwidth in nature, which has never been studied before. Additionally, a location‐aware unstructured overlay topology construction algorithm, an unbiased top‐kdominance model, and an efficient semi‐distributed information management strategy are proposed to assist the routing optimization of BLOR. Extensive experiments have been conducted to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposals with real‐world data sets. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Electrical Contact on the Performance of Bi2S3 Single Nanowire Photodetectors
Authors: Li Renxiong , Yang Juehan , Huo Nengjie , Fan Chao , Lu Fangyuan , Yan Tengfei , Wei Zhongming , Li Jingbo
Published: August 2014

Bi2S3 single‐crystalline nanowires are synthesized through a hydrothermal method and then fabricated into single nanowire photodetectors. Due to the different contact barrier between the gold electrode and Bi2S3 nanowires, two kinds of devices with different electrical contacts are obtained and their photoresponsive properties are investigated. The non‐ohmic contact devices show larger photocurrent gains and shorter response times than those of ohmic contact devices. Furthermore, the influence of a focused laser on the barrier height between gold and Bi2S3 is explored in both kinds of devices and shows that laser illumination on the AuBi2S3 interface can greatly affect the barrier height in non‐ohmic contact devices, while keeping it intact in ohmic contact devices. A model based on the surface photovoltage effect is used to explain this phenomenon.
Mesoporous Carbon‐TiO2 Beads with Nanotextured Surfaces as Photoanodes in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Quan Li Na , Jang Yoon Hee , Jang Yu Jin , Kim Jihyeon , Lee Wonmok , Moon Jun Hyuk , Kim Dong Ha
Published: August 2014

Mesoporous TiO2 and carbon‐TiO2 beads with highly roughened surfaces at the nanoscale were prepared by using triblock copolymer P123 simultaneously as template and carbon source in combination with colloid self‐assembly. In addition, their role as modifier of the photoanode in the efficiency enhancement of dye‐sensitized solar cells is discussed. Hierarchically organized TiO2 networks can provide fast electron transport paths, and ordered mesopores can enhance light scattering as well as facilitate infiltration of the electrolyte. It was found that there is an optimum loading level of mesoporous TiO2 and carbon‐TiO2 beads, that is, 1.0 and 0.5 wt %, with respect to the control P25 TiO2 nanoparticles, respectively, for maximizing the photovoltaic performance. An increase in the photovoltaic performance by up to 21.45 % was achieved by incorporation of mesoporous carbon‐TiO2 beads into the conventional photoanode of DSSCs owing to enhanced charge transport and collection effects.
Plasma‐Assisted Atomic Layer Deposition of PtOx from (MeCp)PtMe3 and O2 Plasma
Authors: Erkens Ivo J. M. , Verheijen Marcel A. , Knoops Harm C. M. , Landaluce Tatiana F. , Roozeboom Fred , Kessels Wilhelmus M. M.
Published: August 2014

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) using (MeCp)PtMe3 and O2 gas or O2 plasma is a well‐established technique for the deposition of thin films of Pt, but the potential of ALD to deposit platinum oxide (PtOx) has not yet been systematically explored. This work demonstrates how PtOx can be deposited by plasma‐assisted (PA)‐ALD in a temperature window from room temperature (RT) to 300 °C by controlling the O2 plasma and (MeCp)PtMe3 exposure. With increasing substrate temperature, the thermal stability of PtOx decreases and the reducing activity of the precursor ligands increases. Therefore, longer O2 plasma exposures and/or lower (MeCp)PtMe3 exposures are required to obtain PtOx at higher temperatures. Furthermore, it is established that, during the nucleation stage, PtOx ALD starts by the formation of islands that grow and coalesce during the initial ∼40 cycles. Closed‐layer thin films of PtOx with an O/Pt ratio of 2.5 can be deposited at 100 °C with a minimal thickness of only ∼2 nm. It is also demonstrated that a conformality of ∼90% can be reached for PtOx films in trenches with an aspect ratio of 9 when using optimized O2 plasma and precursor exposure times.
Nonreproductive role of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone in the control of ascidian metamorphosis
Authors: Kamiya Chisato , Ohta Naoyuki , Ogura Yosuke , Yoshida Keita , Horie Takeo , Kusakabe Takehiro G. , Satake Honoo , Sasakura Yasunori
Published: August 2014

Background: Gonadotropin‐releasing hormones (GnRHs) are neuropeptides that play central roles in the reproduction of vertebrates. In the ascidian Ciona intestinalis, GnRHs and their receptors are expressed in the nervous systems at the larval stage, when animals are not yet capable of reproduction, suggesting that the hormones have non‐reproductive roles. Results: We showed that GnRHs in Ciona are involved in the animal′s metamorphosis by regulating tail absorption and adult organ growth. Absorption of the larval tail and growth of the adult organs are two major events in the metamorphosis of ascidians. When larvae were treated with GnRHs, they completed tail absorption more frequently than control larvae. cAMP was suggested to be a second messenger for the induction of tail absorption by GnRHs. tGnRH‐3 and tGnRH‐5 (the “t” indicates “tunicate”) inhibited the growth of adult organs by arresting cell cycle progression in parallel with the promotion of tail absorption. Conclusions: This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of ascidian metamorphosis conducted by non‐reproductive GnRHs. Developmental Dynamics 243:1524–1535, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Experimental evidence that the Ornstein‐Uhlenbeck model best describes the evolution of leaf litter decomposability
Authors: Pan Xu , Cornelissen Johannes H. C. , Zhao Wei‐Wei , Liu Guo‐Fang , Hu Yu‐Kun , Prinzing Andreas , Dong Ming , Cornwell William K.
Published: August 2014

Leaf litter decomposability is an important effect trait for ecosystem functioning. However, it is unknown how this effect trait evolved through plant history as a leaf ‘afterlife’ integrator of the evolution of multiple underlying traits upon which adaptive selection must have acted. Did decomposability evolve in a Brownian fashion without any constraints? Was evolution rapid at first and then slowed? Or was there an underlying mean‐reverting process that makes the evolution of extreme trait values unlikely? Here, we test the hypothesis that the evolution of decomposability has undergone certain mean‐reverting forces due to strong constraints and trade‐offs in the leaf traits that have afterlife effects on litter quality to decomposers. In order to test this, we examined the leaf litter decomposability and seven key leaf traits of 48 tree species in the temperate area of China and fitted them to three evolutionary models: Brownian motion model (BM), Early burst model (EB), and Ornstein‐Uhlenbeck model (OU). The OU model, which does not allow unlimited trait divergence through time, was the best fit model for leaf litter decomposability and all seven leaf traits. These results support the hypothesis that neither decomposability nor the underlying traits has been able to diverge toward progressively extreme values through evolutionary time. These results have reinforced our understanding of the relationships between leaf litter decomposability and leaf traits in an evolutionary perspective and may be a helpful step toward reconstructing deep‐time carbon cycling based on taxonomic composition with more confidence.
[Ge(H)(2‐C6H4PPh2)3] as Ligand Precursor at Ruthenium: Formation and Reactivity of [Ru(Cl){Ge(2‐C6H4PPh2)3}]
Authors: Herrmann Roy , Braun Thomas , Mebs Stefan
Published: August 2014

The germane [Ge(H)(2‐C6H4PPh2)3] (2) was synthesized by reaction of Li[Ge(2‐C6H4PPh2)3] (1) with water. The presence of nBuBr led to the formation of [Ge(nBu)(2‐C6H4PPh2)3] (3). The complex [Ru(Cl){Ge(2‐C6H4PPh2)3}] (4) was obtained by reaction of 2 with [Ru(Cl)2(PPh3)3] and NEt3. The ruthenium‐bound Ge(2‐C6H4PPh2)3 moiety in 4 can be converted into a Ge(Cl)(2‐C6H4PPh2)2 fragment on treatment of 4 with a solution of HCl in diethyl ether to yield [Ru(Cl){Ge(Cl)(2‐C6H4PPh2)2}(PPh3)] (5). The reaction of complex 4 with potassium hydride in an atmosphere of dihydrogen led to [Ru{Ge(2‐C6H4PPh2)3}(H)(H2)] (6). Complex 6 reacted with hydrazine to give [Ru{Ge(2‐C6H4PPh2)3}(H)(N2H4)] (7). With an excess of hydrazine, complex 6 catalyzed the disproportionation of hydrazine to produce ammonia and the ruthenium complex [Ru{Ge(2‐C6H4PPh2)3}(H)(NH3)] (8).
Synergistic Effect of a Bis(proazaphosphatrane) in Mild Palladium‐Catalyzed Direct α‐Arylations of Nitriles with Aryl Chlorides
Authors: Han Kim So , Jang Wonseok , Kim Min , Verkade John G. , Kim Youngjo
Published: August 2014

The effect of a bis(proazaphosphatrane) ligand on the palladium‐catalyzed direct α‐arylation of nitriles with various aryl chlorides under mild conditions is reported. Comparisons of the catalytic properties of this ligand with those of three related mono(proazaphosphatrane)s under the same reaction conditions revealed that bis(proazaphosphatrane) displayed a synergistically enhanced activity. In the presence of the bis(proazaphosphatrane) ligand, ethyl cyanoacetate and primary as well as secondary nitriles were efficiently coupled with a wide variety of aryl chlorides that contained electron‐rich, electron‐poor, and electron‐neutral groups.
Ninety Second Electrosynthesis of Palladium Nanocubes on ITO Surface and Its Application in Electrosensing of Cefotaxime
Authors: Gupta Sandeep , Prakash Rajiv
Published: August 2014

We describe ninety second electrosynthesis of uniform palladium nanocubes on ITO without any surfactants, templates or premodifications of ITO surfaces. The electrodeposition potential and concentration of palladium precursor are varied for the formation of Pd nanocubes. Electrosynthesized palladium nanocubes have been characterized by various techniques. Further electrosynthesized palladium nanocubes are employed in electrosensing of cefotaxime drug without using any redox mediator or enzyme. The developed amperometric electrochemical sensor under the optimum conditions is convenient and applicable for the determination of cefotaxime drug with a sensitivity of 2.724 µA/µM and 0.062 µM limit of detection at S/N (signal‐to‐noise ratio):3.
Experimental Validation of the Theory of Chronoamperometry on Nanoparticles Deposited Gold Electrodes: Topography Characterization Through Hybrid CV and SEM Method
Authors: Dhillon Shweta , Kant Rama
Published: August 2014

We report an equation for single potential step chronoamperometry in presence of ohmic effects at rough working electrodes. The equation shows dependence on mean square width and roughness factor. The methodology developed here allows us to address problems of chronoamperometry on a surface with non‐uniform deposits. Non‐uniform roughness is generated through deposition of gold nanoparticles on gold wire electrodes and characterized using CV‐SEM method. We experimentally validate theoretical relation of current transient for a reversible charge transfer system (ferrocene in RTIL BMIM‐BF4) in presence of moderate ohmic effects. Finally, this theory explains the chornoamperometric behaviour of gold nanoparticles deposited electrodes with non‐uniform roughness.
Application of a computational neural network to optimize the fluorescence signal from a receptor–ligand interaction on a microfluidic chip
Authors: Ortega Maria , Hanrahan Grady , Arceo Marilyn , Gomez Frank A.
Published: August 2014

We describe the use of a computational neural network platform to optimize the fluorescence upon binding 5‐carboxyfluorescein‐d‐Ala‐d‐Ala‐d‐Ala (5‐FAM(DA)3) (1) to the antibiotic teicoplanin covalently attached to a glass slide. A three‐level response surface experimental design was used as the first stage of investigation. Subsequently, three defined experimental parameters were examined by the neural network approach: (i) the concentration of teicoplanin used to derivatize a glass platform on the microfluidic device, (ii) the time required for the immobilization of teicoplanin on the platform, and (iii) the length of time 1 is allowed to equilibrate with teicoplanin in the microfluidic channel. Optimal neural structure provided a best fit model, both for the training set (r2 = 0.961) and test set (r2 = 0.934) data. Model simulated results were experimentally validated with excellent agreement (% difference) between experimental and predicted fluorescence shown, thus demonstrating efficiency of the neural network approach.
Genetic polymorphism of 13 non‐CODIS STR loci in three national populations from China
Authors: Liu Qiu‐Ling , Huang Kai‐Kai , Wu Ye‐Da , Zhao Hu , Li Cheng‐tao , Lu De‐Jian
Published: August 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate a 13 non‐CODIS STR loci database using three national populations from China. A new multiplex PCR system that simultaneously amplified 13 loci in the same PCR reaction was developed. This multiplex system included the 13 STR markers (D3S2402, D3S2452, D3S1766, D3S4554, D3S2388, D3S3051, D3S3053, D4S2364, D4S2404, AC001348A, AC001348B, D17S975, and D17S1294), which were successfully analyzed by using 441 DNA samples from three national populations in China (154 Mongol, 177 Kazakh, and 110 Uigur). Allele frequencies and mutation rates of the 13 non‐CODIS STR loci were investigated. A total of 4–10 alleles at each locus were observed and altogether 84, 88, and 87 alleles for the all selected loci were found in the Mongol, Kazakh, and Uigur, respectively. Eight mutations were detected from the 13 selected loci in 9880 meioses in kinship cases. These results indicate that this multiplex system may provide significant polymorphic information for kinship testing and relationship investigations.
Very slow erosion rates and landscape preservation across the southwestern slope of the Ladakh Range, India
Authors: Dietsch Craig , Dortch Jason M. , Reynhout Scott A. , Owen Lewis A. , Caffee Marc W.
Published: August 2014

Erosion rates are key to quantifying the timescales over which different topographic and geomorphic domains develop in mountain landscapes. Geomorphic and terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide (TCN) methods were used to determine erosion rates of the arid, tectonically quiescent Ladakh Range, northern India. Five different geomorphic domains are identified and erosion rates are determined for three of the domains using TCN 10Be concentrations. Along the range divide between 5600 and 5700 m above sea level (asl), bedrock tors in the periglacial domain are eroding at 5.0 ± 0.5 to 13.1 ± 1.2 meters per million years (m/m.y.)., principally by frost shattering. At lower elevation in the unglaciated domain, erosion rates for tributary catchments vary between 0.8 ± 0.1 and 2.0 ± 0.3 m/m.y. Bedrock along interfluvial ridge crests between 3900 and 5100 m asl that separate these tributary catchments yield erosion rates <0.7 ± 0.1 m/m.y. and the dominant form of bedrock erosion is chemical weathering and grusification. Erosion rates are fastest where glaciers conditioned hillslopes above 5100 m asl by over‐steepening slopes and glacial debris is being evacuated by the fluvial network. For range divide tors, the long‐term duration of the erosion rate is considered to be 40–120 ky. By evaluating measured 10Be concentrations in tors along a model 10Be production curve, an average of ~24 cm is lost instantaneously every ~40 ky. Small (<4 km2) unglaciated tributary catchments and their interfluve bedrock have received very little precipitation since ~300 ka and the long‐term duration of their erosion rates is 300–750 ky and >850 ky, respectively. These results highlight the persistence of very slow erosion in different geomorphic domains across the southwestern slope of the Ladakh Range, which on the scale of the orogen records spatial changes in the locus of deformation and the development of an orogenic rain shadow north of the Greater Himalaya. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simulating spatiotemporal variability of blue and green water resources availability with uncertainty analysis
Authors: Zuo Depeng , Xu Zongxue , Peng Dingzhi , Song Jinxi , Cheng Lei , Wei Shouke , Abbaspour Karim C. , Yang Hong
Published: August 2014

Due to rapid socioeconomic development, continuous population growth and urbanization, the world is facing a severe shortage of fresh water, particularly in arid and semi‐arid regions. A lack of water will put pressure on agricultural production, water pollution, as well as eco‐environmental degradation. Traditional water resources assessment mainly focused on blue water, ignoring green water. Therefore, analysis of spatiotemporal distribution of blue and green water resources in arid and semi‐arid regions is of great significance for water resources planning and management, especially for harmonizing agricultural water use and eco‐environmental water requirements. This study applied the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model and the Sequential Uncertainty Fitting algorithm (SUFI‐2) to calibrate and validate the SWAT model based on river discharges in the Wei River, the largest tributary of the Yellow River in China. Uncertainty analysis was also performed to quantify the blue and green water resources availability at different spatial scales. The results showed that most parts of the Wei River basin (WRB) experienced a decrease in blue water resources during the recent 50 years with a minimum value in the 1990s. The decrease is particularly significant in the most southern part of the WRB (the Guanzhong Plain), one of the most important grain production bases in China. Variations of green water flow and green water storage were relatively small both on spatial and temporal dimensions. This study provides strategic information for optimal utilization of water resources in arid and semi‐arid river basin. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of the Effects of Some Phenolic Compounds on the Activities of Glucose‐6‐Phosphate Dehydrogenase and 6‐Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase from Human Erythrocytes
Authors: Adem Sevki , Comakli Veysel , Kuzu Müslüm , Demirdag Ramazan
Published: August 2014

Polyphenols are the important compounds that have various bioactivities. They constitute vital active agents of not only daily diet but also natural medicines that are used traditionally. It is generally considered that they are safe because they are natural. In some conducted studies, different negative effects of these compounds were mentioned. Twelve phenolic compounds have been assayed to determine the effect of inhibition on glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) enzymes activity. For in vitro studies, the enzymes were purified from human erythrocytes using 2′,5′‐ADP Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. Naringenin, caffeic acid, ellagic acid, ferulic acid, and sinapic acid against two enzymes, hesperidin and polydatin, only on G6PD activity and chrysin solely against 6PGD showed inhibitory effect. Chlorogenic acid, p‐coumaric acid, and syringic acid did not exhibit an effect on the activity of the two enzymes.
Natural Antioxidants Exhibit Chemopreventive Characteristics through the Regulation of CNC b‐Zip Transcription Factors in Estrogen‐Induced Breast Carcinogenesis
Authors: Chatterjee Anwesha , Ronghe Amruta , Singh Bhupendra , Bhat Nimee K. , Chen Jie , Bhat Hari K.
Published: August 2014

The objective of the present study was to characterize the role of resveratrol (Res) and vitamin C (VC) in prevention of estrogen‐induced breast cancer through regulation of cap “n”collar (CNC) b‐zip transcription factors. Human breast epithelial cell line MCF‐10A was treated with 17β‐estradiol (E2) and VC or Res with or without E2. mRNA and protein expression levels of CNC b‐zip transcription factors nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 1 (Nrf1), nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 3 (Nrf3), and Nrf2‐regulated antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) were quantified. The treatment with E2 suppressed, whereas VC and Res prevented E2‐mediated decrease in the expression levels of SOD3, NQO1, Nrf2 mRNA, and protein in MCF‐10A cells. The treatment with E2, Res, or VC significantly increased mRNA and protein expression levels of Nrf1. 17β‐Estradiol treatment significantly increased but VC or Res decreased Nrf3 mRNA and protein expression levels. Our studies demonstrate that estrogen‐induced breast cancer might be prevented through upregulation of antioxidant enzymes via Nrf‐dependent pathways.
Curcumin Attenuates Cr(VI)‐Induced Ascites and Changes in the Activity of Aconitase and F1F0 ATPase and the ATP Content in Rat Liver Mitochondria
Authors: García‐Niño Wylly Ramsés , Zazueta Cecilia , Tapia Edilia , Pedraza‐Chaverri José
Published: August 2014

Occupational and environmental exposure to potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7), a hexavalent chromium compound, can result in liver damage associated with oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the antioxidant curcumin (400 mg/kg b.w.) on the K2Cr2O7‐induced injury, with special emphasis on ascitic fluid accumulation and oxidative phosphorylation mitochondrial enzymes and the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in isolated mitochondria from livers of rats treated with K2Cr2O7 (15 mg/kg b.w.). Thus, curcumin attenuated the ascites generation, prevented the decrease in the activities of aconitase and F1F0 ATPase, and maintained the ATP levels. The activity of complex II was not completely reestablished by curcumin, whereas complexes III and IV activities were unchanged.
Three‐Component Reaction of Pyrimidin‐2‐yl Sulfonates with Sodium Azide and Alkynes: An Efficient Approach to C2–Triazolo Functionalized Pyrimidines
Authors: Quan Zheng‐Jun , Xu Qiong , Zhang Zhang , Da Yu‐Xia , Wang Xi‐Cun
Published: August 2014

Pyrimidin‐2‐yl sulfonate, as an efficient reaction partner, can be easily prepared from cheap commercial materials, reacted with sodium azide and alkynes to give C2‐triazolo functionalized pyrimidines in good yields under mild reaction conditions. This procedure eliminates the need to handle organic halides or organic azides, as they are generated in situ, making this already powerful click process even more user‐friendly and safe.
Bedside interprofessional rounds: Perceptions of benefits and barriers by internal medicine nursing staff, attending physicians, and housestaff physicians
Authors: Gonzalo Jed D. , Kuperman Ethan , Lehman Erik , Haidet Paul
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND

Interprofessional collaboration improves the quality of care, but integration into workflow is challenging. Although a shared conceptualization regarding bedside interprofessional rounds may enhance implementation, little work has investigated providers' perceptions of this activity.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the perceptions of nurses, attending physicians, and housestaff physicians regarding the benefits/barriers to bedside interprofessional rounds.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

Observational, cross‐sectional survey of hospital‐based medicine nurses, attending physicians, and housestaff physicians. Descriptive, nonparametric Wilcoxon rank sum and nonparametric correlation were used.

MAIN MEASURES

Bedside interprofessional rounds were defined as “encounters including 2 physicians plus a nurse or other care provider discussing the case at the patient's bedside.” Eighteen items related to “benefits” and 21 items related to “barriers” associated with bedside interprofessional rounds.

RESULTS

Of 171 surveys sent, 149 were completed (87%). Highest‐ranked benefits were related to communication/coordination, including “improves communication between nurses‐physicians;” lowest‐ranked benefits were related to efficiency, process, and outcomes, including “decreases length‐of‐stay” and “improves timeliness of consultations.” Nurses reported most favorable ratings for all items (P < 0.05). Rank order for 3 provider groups showed high correlation (r = 0.92, P < 0.001). Highest‐ranked barriers were related to time, including “nursing staff have limited time;” lowest‐ranked barriers were related to provider‐ and patient‐related factors, including “patient lack of comfort.” Rank order of barriers among all groups showed moderate correlation (r = 0.62–0.82).

CONCLUSIONS

Although nurses perceived greater benefit for bedside interprofessional rounds than physicians, all providers perceived coordination/teamwork benefits higher than outcomes. To the extent the results are generalizable, these findings lay the foundation for facilitating meaningful patient‐centered interprofessional collaboration. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2014;9:646–651. © 2014 Society of Hospital Medicine
Inequity in Formal Health Care Use: Evidence from Rural Bangladesh
Authors: Hamid Syed Abdul , Ahsan Syed M. , Begum Afroza , Asif Chowdhury Abdullah Al
Published: August 2014

This paper analyses inequity in formal health care use in rural Bangladesh using data from a survey conducted of 4010 households drawn from 120 villages. We find that the use of formal health care is incredibly low (40 per cent); about two‐thirds of which is private health care, and only one‐fourth utilises public sector facilities. Inequity favours the better off, although the level of inequity is modest. Prevailing inequity resides mainly in the utilisation of private health care while non‐communicable diseases contribute significantly. Thus, the main public health concern in rural areas of Bangladesh is the low utilisation of formal health care (especially public health care), not inequity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of radiographers’ mammography screen‐reading accuracy in Australia
Authors: Debono Josephine C. , Poulos Ann E. , Houssami Nehmat , Turner Robin M. , Boyages John
Published: August 2014

Introduction

This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of radiographers’ screen‐reading mammograms. Currently, radiologist workforce shortages may be compromising the BreastScreen Australia screening program goal to detect early breast cancer. The solution to a similar problem in the United Kingdom has successfully encouraged radiographers to take on the role as one of two screen‐readers. Prior to consideration of this strategy in Australia, educational and experiential differences between radiographers in the United Kingdom and Australia emphasise the need for an investigation of Australian radiographers’ screen‐reading accuracy.

Methods

Ten radiographers employed by the Westmead Breast Cancer Institute with a range of radiographic (median = 28 years), mammographic (median = 13 years) and BreastScreen (median = 8 years) experience were recruited to blindly and independently screen‐read an image test set of 500 mammograms, without formal training. The radiographers indicated the presence of an abnormality using BI‐RADS®. Accuracy was determined by comparison with the gold standard of known outcomes of pathology results, interval matching and client 6‐year follow‐up.

Results

Individual sensitivity and specificity levels ranged between 76.0% and 92.0%, and 74.8% and 96.2% respectively. Pooled screen‐reader accuracy across the radiographers estimated sensitivity as 82.2% and specificity as 89.5%. Areas under the reading operating characteristic curve ranged between 0.842 and 0.923.

Conclusions

This sample of radiographers in an Australian setting have adequate accuracy levels when screen‐reading mammograms. It is expected that with formal screen‐reading training, accuracy levels will improve, and with support, radiographers have the potential to be one of the two screen‐readers in the BreastScreen Australia program, contributing to timeliness and improved program outcomes.
Raman spectral analysis of renal tissue: a novel application
Authors: Huang Eric Yi‐Hsiu , Chu Shou‐Chia , Chen He Guei , Chang Wayne Yen‐Hwa , Kuo Ying‐Ju , Pan Chin‐Chen , Chiu Allen W. , Lin Alex TL , Chiang Huihua Kenny
Published: August 2014

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for 85% of all primary renal cancers. The definitive diagnosis of RCC relies exclusively on the subjective pathological interpretation of the surgical specimen. In this study, we aimed to analyze renal tissue using objective Raman spectroscopy (RS). We obtained 15 pairs of RCC (T) and corresponding normal renal parenchymal tissues (N) from our biobank. There are three subtypes of RCC: clear cell RCC (ccRCC), papillary RCC (pRCC), and chromophobe RCC (cRCC). Five pairs of tissue of each subtype were enrolled. Fresh‐frozen sliced tissues were used for the RS detection. The Raman spectra between T and N were compared and analyzed using partial least squares (PLS) regression. Data for a total of 55 T and 58 N analyzable RS samples were obtained. The spectra were normalized by dividing the intensity of the characteristic peak at 1003 cm−1 using phenylalanine's Raman peak. After further analysis with PLS, the sensitivity and specificity for discriminating T from N were 95% and 93%, respectively. The RCC subtypes can be discriminated at an accuracy of 72% for ccRCC, 88% for cRCC, and 86% for pRCC. This study demonstrates the feasibility of analyzing renal tissue using RS. RS, with its advantages of easy and objective tissue assessment, may be applied to aid intraoperative decision making and pathological tissue assessment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman analysis of proteoglycans simultaneously in bone and cartilage
Authors: Gamsjaeger Sonja , Klaushofer Klaus , Paschalis Eleftherios P.
Published: August 2014

Bone and cartilage are connective tissues with distinct organic matrix (collagen and non‐collagenous proteins) composition facilitating their biological function. Proteoglycans (PGs), a member of the non‐collagenous proteins fulfill functions that are determined by both their core protein and their glycosaminoglycan chains. The purpose of the present study was to identify Raman bands that are representative of PG concentration and may be used in both bone and cartilage tissues. To achieve this goal, we analyzed a series of reference PGs and collagens, as well as turkey leg tendon to verify the laser polarization independency of the identified bands. Additionally, the applicability of these bands in both cartilage and bone tissue simultaneously was tested in a healthy femoral head by Raman imaging and hierarchical cluster analysis to describe the distribution of PGs at the micron level from articular cartilage to subchondral bone. The results of the study show that the Raman band ~1375 cm−1 can be used as a PGs marker band in both cartilage and bone. Moreover, articular cartilage has a lower content of organic matrix (mostly type II collagen), while the middle and deep transitional zone haves a higher concentration of PGs. The calcified cartilage is characterized by a lower content of PGs and total organic matrix (estimated from the integrated area of the amide III band). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The use of meta‐analytic statistical significance testing
Authors: Polanin Joshua R. , Pigott Terri D.
Published: August 2014

Meta‐analysis multiplicity, the concept of conducting multiple tests of statistical significance within one review, is an underdeveloped literature. We address this issue by considering how Type I errors can impact meta‐analytic results, suggest how statistical power may be affected through the use of multiplicity corrections, and propose how meta‐analysts should analyze multiple tests of statistical significance. The context for this study is a meta‐review of meta‐analyses published in two leading review journals in education and psychology. Our review of 130 meta‐analyses revealed a strong reliance on statistical significance testing without consideration of Type I errors or the use of multiplicity corrections. In order to provide valid conclusions, meta‐analysts must consider these issues prior to conducting the review. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.