bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polyoctadecyl methacrylate brushes via surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization
Authors: Yoo Heemin , Kim Bo Yun , Hill Lawrence J. , Griebel Jared J. , Chung Woo Jin , Pyun Jeffrey
Published: May 2013

The synthesis of poly(octadecyl methacrylate) brushes on planar Si substrates using surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI‐ATRP) is reported. SI‐ATRP of octadecyl methacrylate from a silane initiator‐modified Si substrate yielded well‐defined homopolymer brushes of varying molar mass (5000–38 000 g mol−1) and film thickness from around 2 to 20 nm. Correlation of both free polymer molar mass and brush thicknesses confirmed controlled surface‐initiated ATRP from these modified surfaces. By optimization of brush molar mass, film thickness and thin‐film processing, we observed side chain crystallization of tethered poly(octadecyl methacrylate) chains, resulting in the formation of lamellar morphologies with high‐aspect‐ratio nanofibers. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Periostin downregulation is an early marker of inhibited neonatal murine lung alveolar septation
Authors: Ahlfeld Shawn K. , Gao Yong , Wang Jian , Horgusluoglu Emrin , Bolanis Esther , Clapp D. Wade , Conway Simon J.
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND

Extreme preterm birth exposes the saccular lung to multiple teratogens, which ultimately retard alveolar development. Specifically, therapeutic high level oxygen supplementation adversely affects the premature lungs and results in blunted alveolarization. Prolonged hyperoxic lung injury has previously been shown to upregulate the matricellular protein Periostin (Postn) and stimulate ectopic accumulation of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) myofibroblasts. Therapies that promote lung septation are lacking largely due to a lack of reliable early biomarkers of injury. Thus, we determined if Postn expression correlated with the initial appearance of myofibroblasts in the saccular lung and was required for early alveolar development.

METHODS

Lung development in C57BL/6J mice following room‐air (RA, 21%‐O2) or continuous hyperoxia (85%‐O2) from birth (P0) through postnatal day P14 was correlated with Postn and αSMA expression. Alveolarization in Postn knockout mice exposed to room‐air, 60%‐, and 85%‐O2 was also examined.

RESULTS

Postn was widely expressed in distal lung septa through P2 to P4 and peak expression coincided with accumulation of saccular myofibroblasts. Initially, 85%‐O2 prematurely downregulated Postn and αSMA expression and suppressed proliferation before the first evidence of distal lung simplification at P4. By P14, chronic 85%‐O2 resulted in secondary upregulation of Postn and αSMA in blunted septa. Myofibroblast differentiation and alveolar development was unaffected in Postn null mice and acute 85%‐O2 exposure equally inhibited septal formation in Postn null and wild‐type littermates.

CONCLUSION

Postn expression is tightly correlated with the presence of αSMA‐myofibroblasts and is a novel early biomarker of acutely inhibited alveolar septation during a crucial window of lung development. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 97:373–385, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Risk communication and decision tools for children's health protection
Authors: Sutton Patrice , Woodruff Tracey J.
Published: May 2013

Scientific discovery linking the environment to beneficial and adverse health children's health outcomes is rapidly expanding, leading scientists and health professionals to call for timely action to prevent harm and secure benefits. A robust method to synthesize what is known about the environmental drivers of health is a foundational step to making the science actionable by individuals and decision‐makers. To meet this need, a methodology called the Navigation Guide was crafted by a collaboration of 22 clinical and environmental health scientists. The Navigation Guide proceeds from methods of research synthesis used in clinical settings but accounts for differences between environmental and clinical health sciences related to the evidence‐base and decision‐context. The methodology can be used to develop evidence profiles that provide simple, transparent summaries, such as practice guidelines or other evidence‐based recommendations for prevention. Establishing proof‐of‐concept of the method is underway. Development of the Navigation Guide is extremely timely as it coincides with growing recognition of the need for updated methods in risk assessment. The costs in 2008 to the US healthcare system for treatment of childhood illnesses linked to toxic environmental exposures is conservatively estimated to be over $76 billion, and it is anticipated that US healthcare policy decisions will increasingly rely on systematic reviews of the evidence. The Navigation Guide is poised to provide a methodological bridge to link healthcare decision‐making to efforts to reduce toxic environmental exposures. The institutionalization of the Navigation Guide would provide a concrete mechanism for linking science to action to protect children's health. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 99:45–49, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Peritoneal cavity B‐1a cells promote peripheral CD4+ T‐cell activation
Authors: Margry Bram , Wieland Willemien H. , van Kooten Peter J. , van Eden Willem , Broere Femke
Published: May 2013

Innate‐like murine B‐1a cells are well known for their ability to secrete natural IgM. Their non‐Ab mediated functions, including Ag presentation to CD4+ T cells, are less well explored. Using combined adoptive transfer experiments with peptide‐pulsed peritoneal cavity (PerC)‐derived B‐1a cells and CFSE‐labeled T cells, we show that B‐1a cells present Ag to CD4+ T cells from the periphery in vivo. In vitro characterization, using co‐cultures in which B‐1a or splenic B cells presented whole OVA protein to OVA‐specific Tg T cells, shows that B‐1a cells differentially promote intracellular cytokine‐expressing T cells. PerC‐derived B‐1a cells increase the percentage of IL‐10‐producing T cells along with IL‐4‐ and IFN‐γ‐producing CD4+ T cells. These data suggest that B cells in the PerC have the potential to influence peripheral immune responses without the necessity to migrate out of this location. This, to our knowledge previously undescribed, immuno‐logical pathway potentially plays a role in the presentation of gut microbiota‐derived Ags to peripheral T cells.
Evolution and function of chemokine receptors in the immune system of lower vertebrates
Authors: Bajoghli Baubak
Published: May 2013

Chemokine receptors and their counterpart ligands are one of the evolutionary innovations of vertebrates. They play a guiding role in the coordination of cell trafficking in many biological processes. Comparative syntenic and phylogenetic analyses provide insight into the evolution of chemokine receptors and suggest that the repertoire of chemokine receptors varies in each species, regardless of the evolutionary position of the species. Despite the rapid evolution of chemokine receptors, the expression and function of orthologous chemokine receptors in lower and higher vertebrates are very similar. This is also true for the chemokine ligands that have been examined so far, such as CXCL8, CXCL12, and CCL25. As examples, this review will discuss how the evolution of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 is coincident with the emergence of lymphocytes in jawless vertebrates (lamprey); and that, in jawed vertebrates, CXCR4 and CCR9 are involved in thymus colonization. In myeloid cells, the function of CXCR1 in neutrophils and the expression of CXCR3 in macrophages and DCs are evolutionarily conserved between fish and mammals. In this context, medaka and zebrafish are outstanding models for studying the function of chemokines and their receptors.
Microfilaments make mast cells migrate (rather than degranulate)
Authors: Huber Michael
Published: May 2013

Expression of the high‐affinity receptor for IgE (FcεRI) provides mast cells with the ability to react in a proinflammatory manner to antigens (Ags). In particular, the immediate secretion of preformed mediators from secretory lysosomes (degranulation) is typical for FcεRI‐mediated mast cell activation. In addition to the FcεRI, the stem cell factor receptor, KIT, is expressed at high levels on the surface of mast cells. KIT activation controls mast cell differentiation and survival in vivo and potently stimulates the chemotaxis of these cells. Although FcεRI and KIT initiate many of the same early signaling events in mast cells, FcεRI activation results in potent degranulation and a poor chemotactic response while KIT activation triggers very little degranulation and a strong chemotactic response. Novel data published in this issue of the European Journal of Immunology [Smrž et al. Eur. J. Immunol. 2013. 43: 1873‐1882] demonstrate that actin de‐ and repolymerization, involved in both degranulation and chemotaxis, make all the difference: Pharmacological suppression of F‐actin formation converts activated KIT into a strong degranulator. The possible implications for mast cell physiology and pathophysiology are discussed in this Commentary.
Neolithic Lakeshore Settlements in Switzerland: New Insights on Site Formation Processes from Micromorphology
Authors: Ismail‐Meyer Kristin , Rentzel Philippe , Wiemann Philipp
Published: May 2013

Lakeside settlements can be regarded as a special type of archaeological site, as, thanks to their location near the shoreline, or even in the lake, various kinds of organic remains have been preserved under waterlogged conditions. This paper presents the results of six‐studied Neolithic lake dwellings from Switzerland. A series of natural and anthropogenic site formation processes were identified through micromorphological analysis and have been compared with natural processes in peatlands. The main processes can be summarized as follows: in the littoral zone a carbonate lake marl stratum accumulated prior to construction of the settlement. During lake regressions, the shore platform became dry and the settlements were established. Throughout the period of occupation, anthropogenic processes led to the accumulation of organic layers. The depositional regime can be characterized as paludal, dominated by constant humidity, and rapid covering of the remains. Some parts of the anthropogenic accumulations have been affected by erosion and reworking processes as a result of lake flooding, and runoff from the hinterland. Finally, the degradation of organic matter occurred only during dry phases when the groundwater level dropped. Seasonality was of great importance in this kind of milieu throughout the various processes described above. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Parental Influence on Children during Educational Television Viewing in Immigrant Families
Authors: Zhao Yuting , Phillips Beth M.
Published: May 2013

It has been suggested by researchers that educational television programmes may support the language and literacy development for children, especially those in immigrant families. In an immigrant family, many family characteristics appear to be related to educational television programme viewing of children at home, for example, parental acculturation (the process of adapting to the new culture) and parental mediation (supervision and guidance) of television viewing. In the present work, the parental influence on children during educational television viewing was studied quantitatively, based on a sample (n = 171) of immigrant families with children aged 3–6 years collected across the U.S. The results have revealed that significant differences existed between Asian and Hispanic groups in coviewing mediation and in their children's educational television viewing. Furthermore, language in parental acculturation significantly predicted instructive and restrictive parental mediation, and parental occupation significantly predicted language in parental acculturation. This study initiates the attention to the topic of educational television viewing in immigrant families, which warrants further investigations in the future as the Asian and Hispanic immigrant population increases rapidly in the U.S. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TRPA1 and TRPV1 are differentially involved in heat nociception of mice
Authors: Hoffmann T. , Kistner K. , Miermeister F. , Winkelmann R. , Wittmann J. , Fischer M.J.M. , Weidner C. , Reeh P.W.
Published: May 2013

Background

Two transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, TRPV1 and TRPA1, have been physiologically studied with regard to noxious heat transduction. Evidence argues against these channels as sole transducers of noxious heat or cold, respectively. Moreover, in submammalian species the TRPA1 orthologue shows heat sensitivity.

Methods

In vitro, single‐fibre and compound action potential recordings from C‐fibres as well as measurements of stimulated cutaneous CGRP release are combined with behavioural experiments to assess heat responsiveness in wild type mice, TRPA1 and TRPV1 as well as double‐null mutants.

Results

Heat thresholds of cutaneous C‐mechano‐heat sensitive fibres were significantly higher in TRPA1−/− (43 °C) than +/+ (40 °C) mice, and averaged heat responses were clearly weaker, whereas TRPV1−/− showed normal heat thresholds and responses (up to 46 °C). Compound action potential recordings revealed much less activity‐dependent slowing of conduction velocity upon noxious heat stimulation in TRPA1−/− and a delayed deficit in TRPV1−/− in comparison to controls. Heat‐induced calcitonin gene‐related peptide release was reduced in TRPV1−/− but not TRPA1−/− animals. Paw withdrawal latencies to radiant heat were significantly elevated in TRPA1−/−, more so in TRPV1−/− animals. In general, double‐null mutants were similar to TRPV1−/− except for the single‐fibre heat responses which appeared as weak as in TRPA1−/−.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that in addition to TRPV1, TRPA1 plays a role in heat nociception, in particular in definition of the heat threshold, and might therefore serve as a therapeutic target in acute inflammatory pain.
Review: Toxicometabolomics
Authors: Bouhifd Mounir , Hartung Thomas , Hogberg Helena T. , Kleensang Andre , Zhao Liang
Published: May 2013

Metabolomics use in toxicology is rapidly increasing, particularly owing to advances in mass spectroscopy, which is widely used in the life sciences for phenotyping disease states. Toxicology has the advantage of having the disease agent, the toxicant, available for experimental induction of metabolomics changes monitored over time and dose. This review summarizes the different technologies employed and gives examples of their use in various areas of toxicology. A prominent use of metabolomics is the identification of signatures of toxicity – patterns of metabolite changes predictive of a hazard manifestation. Increasingly, such signatures indicative of a certain hazard manifestation are identified, suggesting that certain modes of action result in specific derangements of the metabolism. This might enable the deduction of underlying pathways of toxicity, which, in their entirety, form the Human Toxome, a key concept for implementing the vision of Toxicity Testing for the 21st century. This review summarizes the current state of metabolomics technologies and principles, their uses in toxicology and gives a thorough overview on metabolomics bioinformatics, pathway identification and quality assurance. In addition, this review lays out the prospects for further metabolomics application also in a regulatory context. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analytical estimates of electron quasi‐linear diffusion by fast magnetosonic waves
Authors: Mourenas D. , Artemyev A. V. , Agapitov O. V. , Krasnoselskikh V.
Published: May 2013

Quantifying the loss of relativistic electrons from the Earth's radiation belts requires to estimate the effects of many kinds of observed waves, ranging from ULF to VLF. Analytical estimates of electron quasi‐linear diffusion coefficients for whistler‐mode chorus and hiss waves of arbitrary obliquity have been recently derived, allowing useful analytical approximations for lifetimes. We examine here the influence of much lower frequency and highly oblique, fast magnetosonic waves (also called ELF equatorial noise) by means of both approximate analytical formulations of the corresponding diffusion coefficients and full numerical simulations. Further analytical developments allow us to identify the most critical wave and plasma parameters necessary for a strong impact of fast magnetosonic waves on electron lifetimes and acceleration in the simultaneous presence of chorus, hiss, or lightning‐generated waves, both inside and outside the plasmasphere. In this respect, a relatively small frequency over ion gyrofrequency ratio appears more favorable, and other propitious circumstances are characterized. This study should be useful for a comprehensive appraisal of the potential effect of fast magnetosonic waves throughout the magnetosphere.
Simulating smoke transport from wildland fires with a regional‐scale air quality model: Sensitivity to uncertain wind fields
Authors: Garcia‐Menendez Fernando , Hu Yongtao , Odman Mehmet Talat
Published: May 2013

Uncertainties associated with meteorological inputs which are propagated through atmospheric chemical transport models may constrain their ability to replicate the effects of wildland fires on air quality. Here, we investigate the sensitivity of predicted fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels to uncertain wind fields by simulating the air quality impacts of two fires on an urban area with the Community Multiscale Air Quality modeling system (CMAQ). Brute‐force sensitivity analyses show that modeled concentrations at receptors downwind from the fires are highly sensitive to variations in wind speed and direction. Additionally, uncertainty in wind fields produced with the Weather Research and Forecasting model was assessed by evaluating meteorological predictions against surface and upper air observations. Significant differences between predicted and observed wind fields were identified. Simulated PM2.5 concentrations at urban sites displayed large sensitivities to wind perturbations within the error range of meteorological inputs. The analyses demonstrate that normalized errors in CMAQ predictions attempting to model the regional impacts of fires on PM2.5 levels could be as high as 100% due to inaccuracies in wind data. Meteorological drivers may largely account for the considerable discrepancies between monitoring site observations and predicted concentrations. The results of this study demonstrate that limitations in fire‐related air quality simulations cannot be overcome by solely improving emission rates.
Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MR imaging of colorectal liver metastases: Are we only looking at tumor necrosis?
Authors: Chiaradia Melanie , Baranes Laurence , Van Nhieu Jeanne Tran , Vignaud Alexandre , Laurent Alexis , Decaens Thomas , Charles‐Nelson Anaïs , Brugières Pierre , Katsahian Sandrine , Djabbari Marjane , Deux Jean‐François , Sobhani Iradj , Karoui Mehdi , Rahmouni Alain , Luciani Alain
Published: May 2013

Purpose

To determine if intra‐voxel incoherent motion diffusion‐weighted imaging (IVIM‐DWI) parameters, including free molecular‐based (D) and perfusion‐related (D*, f) diffusion parameters, correlate with the degree of tumor necrosis and viable tumor in colo‐rectal cancer (CRC) metastasis.

Materials and Methods

Fifteen patients referred for resection of liver metastases from CRC were retrospectively included in this Institutional Review Board approved study. An IVIM‐DWI sequence was performed on a 1.5 Tesla MR imaging system, with 10 b factors (0, 10, 20, 30, 50, 80, 100, 200, 400 and 800 s/mm2). Mean D, D*, f and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were determined in metastases with a longest diameter above 10 mm. Correlations between the diffusion parameters and the degree of liver tumor necrosis and viable tissue were determined (Spearman).

Results

Correlation between diffusion parameters and histopathological findings was performed in 35 hepatic metastases with a diameter of more than 10 mm (mean size of 17.9 mm; range, 1–68 mm). Both D (r = 0.36; P = 0.035) and ADC (r = 0.4; P = 0.02) correlated with the degree of tumor necrosis but not with viable tumor.

Conclusion

ADC variation observed in CRC metastases following systemic chemotherapy reflects a specific increase in free‐molecular diffusion (D), in itself correlated to the degree of metastasis necrosis. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:317–325. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Morphine three‐dimensional T1 gadoxetate MR cholangiography of potential living related liver donors
Authors: Agrawal Mukta D. , Mennitt Kevin W. , Zhang Honglei , Samstein Benjamin , Kato Tomoaki , Emond Jean C. , Dutruel Silvina P. , Thimmappa Nanda Deepa , Prince Martin R.
Published: May 2013

Purpose

To assess low‐dose morphine for distension and improved visualization of intrahepatic bile ducts on T1 MR cholangiography (MRC) in preoperative imaging of potential liver donors.

Materials and Methods

Sixty‐nine consecutive potential living related liver donors (mean age, 39 years; age range, 20 to 59 years) referred for pre‐transplant MRI evaluation were evaluated without (n = 30) or with (n = 39) intravenous morphine injection (0.04 mg/kg). Morphine was injected pre‐MRI while establishing intravenous access to allow ∼1 h for biliary distension before T1 MRC. Three radiologists reviewed intrahepatic biliary branch order visualization, common bile duct (CBD) diameter, and overall image quality. In 25 patients undergoing liver donation surgery, T1 MRC findings were correlated with intraoperative findings. This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board.

Results

Biliary visualization was improved post‐morphine administration with biliary duct branch order visualization score of 3.2 and 3.3 at 45 and 60 min, respectively, compared with 2.7 without morphine (P < 0.002); CBD diameter measured 5.3 and 5.5 versus 4.1 mm (P < 0.005), and overall image quality score was 2.4 and 2.6 versus 1.8 (P < 0.0006). Operative notes confirmed T1 MRC findings in 6/11 donors without morphine and 14/14 donors with morphine.

Conclusion

Intravenous low‐dose morphine distends and improves visualization of bile ducts on T1 gadoxetate MRC. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:584–589. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of proteoglycan 4 and hyaluronan composition and lubrication function of ovine synovial fluid following knee surgery
Authors: Barton Kristen I. , Ludwig Taryn E. , Achari Yamini , Shrive Nigel G. , Frank Cyril B. , Schmidt Tannin A.
Published: May 2013

The objective of this study was to determine changes in (1) proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) and hyaluronan (HA) concentration, (2) HA molecular weight (MW) distribution, and (3) cartilage boundary lubricating ability of synovial fluid (SF) from surgical sham (SHAM), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)/medial collateral ligament (MCL) transection, and lateral meniscectomy (MEN) in a post‐knee surgery ovine model. Ovine SF (oSF) was collected at euthanization 20 weeks after surgery, with the contralateral joint serving as the non‐operative control. PRG4 and HA concentration in oSF was measured by sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and HA MW distribution by agarose gel electrophoresis. Cartilage boundary lubricating ability of oSF was measured by a cartilage–cartilage friction test. PRG4 and HA concentration in SHAM, ACL/MCL, and MEN oSF were similar in comparison to the contralateral control (CTRL) oSF. The HA MW distribution in the operated oSF for all ranges were similar to the respective CTRL oSF. The kinetic coefficients of friction in operated and CTRL oSF were similar in all groups, and were significantly lower than saline. These results indicate oSF lubricant composition and function at 20 weeks post‐knee surgery were similar to contralateral CTRL, and suggest earlier time points post surgery warrant further investigation. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1549–1554, 2013
Affirmative Action in South Africa
Authors: Archibong Uduak , Adejumo Oluyinka
Published: May 2013

Affirmative action policies in South Africa and other countries have been designed to address inequity and discrimination, and to manage a wide range of diversity in all spheres of life, particularly after the end of apartheid in 1994. Years after implementing affirmative action in South Africa, perceptions of its impact or even benefit seem to vary from person to person. This article presents the findings from a study utilizing different data sources including document review, interviews, and a consensus workshop on the perceptions of the impact of affirmative action in South Africa. It is part of a larger European Commission–funded comparative study of positive action measures across countries in North America, the European Union, and South Africa. Participants were drawn from different public and private organizational sectors, racial groups, genders, age groups, and people with disabilities. The analyzed data provided insight into how society might be perceiving and reacting to the operation of affirmative action in South Africa.
Respectful Language
Authors: Chapman Laura M.
Published: May 2013

This article outlines key ideas from a small‐scale piece of research undertaken as a study for a dissertation into language use in learning organizations. The inquiry focuses on how language use may be used in reflection when understood as ethical leadership action. Anecdotal evidence suggested that an eye on the bottom line and a compliance approach imposed by legislation during a period of recession had a negative effect on dialogue, with exchanges being less courteous and less generous during daily dealings. The aim of this study was to find out what professionals working in the field of learning and development understand the term respectful language to mean. The study explored theories based on reflection and drawn on experience. It modeled ethical practice by way of presenting the ideas of a diverse community of practice. The findings are presented as an interpretation based on rich narratives, which practitioners may find useful to aid their dialogue in a tough economic climate.
Rapid determination of residual pesticides in tobacco by the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe sample pretreatment method coupled with LC–MS
Authors: Li Meilan , Jin Yan , Li Hai‐Fang , Hashi Yuki , Ma Yuan , Lin Jin‐Ming
Published: May 2013

A quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) sample pretreatment method coupled with LC–MS was developed for the determination of 11 pesticides in tobacco. Sample pretreatment parameters and instrumental parameters of LC–MS were investigated, and the optimal conditions were selected. Under the optimized conditions, the 11 pesticides were detected simultaneously with a good linear relationship (r2 = 0.9993–0.9999) and high precisions (less than 5% of the RSD of peak areas). The LODs were in the range of 0.1–5.0 μg/L. Compared with SPE clean‐up, QuEChERS greatly simplified the sample pretreatment with simple solvent extraction system. After QuEChERS pretreatment, no serious matrix effects were observed. Used for the analysis of real samples, metalaxyl was found in cigarette and tobacco samples at 63.47 and 132.27 ng/g, respectively. The recoveries for 11 pesticides were in the range of 70.03–118.69%, and RSDs were less than 10%. The proposed method is simple, low cost, and has good reproducibility.
High‐performance anion‐exchange chromatography coupled with diode array detection for the determination of dencichine in Panax notoginseng and related species
Authors: Qiao Chun‐Feng , Liu Xiao‐Mei , Cui Xiu‐Ming , Hu De‐Jun , Chen Yi‐Wen , Zhao Jing , Li Shao‐Ping
Published: May 2013

A high‐performance anion‐exchange chromatography coupled with diode array detection method was developed for the determination of dencichine in Panax notoginseng and related species. The analysis was performed on an Eprogen Synchropak WAX column (4.6 × 250 mm, 6 μm) with 50 mM NaH2PO4 aqueous solution isocratic elution. The method was validated in terms of linearity, sensitivity, precision, stability, and accuracy. It was found that the calibration curve for dencichine showed good linearity (R2 = 0.9999) within the test range. The LOD and LOQ were 0.77 and 3.06 ng, respectively. The RSD for intra‐ and interday repeatability was 0.2 and 0.5%, respectively. The test solution of dencichine is stable at least for three days at room temperature and for seven days at 4°C. The mean recovery of dencichine was 102.0%. The established method was successfully applied to determine dencichine in the raw root of P. nogoginseng, P. ginseng, and P. quinquefolium as well as the steamed root of P. notoginseng. Compared with previous reports, this method is sensitive, selective, and accurate, which is helpful to evaluate the quality of P. notoginseng and related species.
New and Highly Efficient Column Chromatographic Extraction and Simple Purification of Camptothecin from Camptotheca acuminata and Nothapodytes pittosporoides
Authors: Zeng Xue‐Hua , Li Yue‐Hong , Wu Shan‐Shan , Hao Rui‐Lin , Li Hui , Ni He , Han Han‐Bing , Li Hai‐Hang
Published: May 2013

Introduction

Camptothecin, a widely used natural anti‐cancer drug, is difficult to extract and purify effectively from plants.

Objective

To develop new and highly efficient extraction and purification methods for analysis and production of camptothecin from leaves and fruits of Camptotheca acuminata and Nothapodytes pittosporoides roots.

Methods

Dried materials were loaded in empty columns with fivefold 60% ethanol for leaves or 70% ethanol for fruits of C. acumnata, and sixfold 70% ethanol for N. pittosporoides roots. The columns were eluted with the same solvents at room temperature. Eluent was collected as extraction solution. Extraction solution from leaves and fruits of C. acuminata was vacuum‐evaporated to remove ethanol, precipitated at pH 8.0 to remove alkaline insolubles and fractionated with chloroform at pH 3.0, which yields a crude product with 70% purity. Extraction solution from N. pittosporoides roots was concentrated to 1/10 volume and precipitated at pH 3.0, which yields a crude product with 60% purity. All crude products were purified by crystallisation. All steps were monitored by HPLC.

Results

Camptothecin was extracted from the three plant materials at a 98% rate with 15‐ or 18‐fold solvent for content analysis, or at a 97% rate with five‐ or sixfold solvent for production. All crude products were purified to 98%. The overall recovery rates of camptothecin from plant materials to purified products reached 92% or higher.

Conclusion

The new procedures are simple and highly efficient, and have multiple advantages for quantitative analysis and large production of camptothecin from plants. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Curing, gelling, thermomechanical, and thermal decomposition behaviors of anhydride‐cured epoxy (DGEBA)/epoxidized soybean oil compositions
Authors: Karger‐Kocsis J. , Grishchuk S. , Sorochynska L. , Rong M.Z.
Published: May 2013

This work was aimed at studying the effects of incorporation of epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) in a standard bisphenol A‐type epoxy resin (EP) cured by anhydride hardener. The EP/ESO ratio was set for 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 0/100 (wt%/wt%). The investigations performed covered the curing, rheology (gelling), thermomechanical (TMA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the EP/ESO compositions. The results showed that the dilution of EP with ESO was accompanied with marked changes in the curing, gelling behavior, and final properties. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed that the crosslinking of EP/ESO ≥ 50/50 occurred in two steps. This has been considered for the cure schedule set. The gel time of EP/ESO, determined at T = 100, 120, 140°C, respectively, increased with increasing ESO content. The activation energy of gelling increased with increasing ESO content. The glass transition temperature decreased with increasing ESO content. The samples were transparent that was traced to the presence of domains smaller in size than the wavelength of the visible light based on atomic force microscopy inspection. According to TMA, the coefficient of thermal expansion in the glassy state increased with increasing ESO content but was independent of the latter in the rubbery stage. TGA indicated that with increasing ESO content the thermal degradation started earlier and the char yield decreased. The Ozawa, Flynn, and Wall (OFW) approach was adapted to TGA tests to calculate the activation energy of thermal degradation. The activation energy depended on the ESO content of the EP/ESO blends and also on their actual decomposition stage. The latter means a limitation for the OFW approach. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:747–755, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Causal inference for bivariate longitudinal quality of life data in presence of death by using global odds ratios
Authors: Lee Keunbaik , Daniels Michael J.
Published: May 2013

In longitudinal clinical trials, if a subject drops out due to death, certain responses, such as those measuring quality of life (QoL), will not be defined after the time of death. Thus, standard missing data analyses, e.g., under ignorable dropout, are problematic because these approaches implicitly ‘impute’ values of the response after death. In this paper we define a new survivor average causal effect for a bivariate response in a longitudinal quality of life study that had a high dropout rate with the dropout often due to death (or tumor progression). We show how principal stratification, with a few sensitivity parameters, can be used to draw causal inferences about the joint distribution of these two ordinal quality of life measures. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A bibliometric analysis of climate engineering research
Authors: Belter Christopher W. , Seidel Dian J.
Published: May 2013

The past five years have seen a dramatic increase in the number of media and scientific publications on the topic of climate engineering, or geoengineering, and some scientists are increasingly calling for more research on climate engineering as a possible supplement to climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. In this context, understanding the current state of climate engineering research can help inform policy discussions and guide future research directions. Bibliometric analysis—the quantitative analysis of publications—is particularly applicable to fields with large bodies of literature that are difficult to summarize by traditional review methods. The multidisciplinary nature of the published literature on climate engineering makes it an ideal candidate for bibliometric analysis. Publications on climate engineering are found to be relatively recent (more than half of all articles during 1988–2011 were published since 2008), include a higher than average percentage of nonresearch articles (30% compared with 8–15% in related scientific disciplines), and be predominately produced by countries located in the Northern Hemisphere and speaking English. The majority of this literature focuses on land‐based methods of carbon sequestration, ocean iron fertilization, and solar radiation management and is produced with little collaboration among research groups. This study provides a summary of existing publications on climate engineering, a perspective on the scientific underpinnings of the global dialogue on climate engineering, and a baseline for quantitatively monitoring the development of climate engineering research in the future. WIREs Clim Change 2013, 4:417–427. doi: 10.1002/wcc.229

This article is categorized under:

Climate, History, Society, Culture > Disciplinary Perspectives

Social Status of Climate Change Knowledge > Knowledge and Practice
Forensic analysis of arsenic poisoning in Japan by synchrotron radiation X‐ray fluorescence
Authors: Kawai Jun
Published: May 2013

Synchrotron radiation X‐ray fluorescence (SR‐XRF) analysis reports of a poisoning case by arsenic, 25 July 1998, Japan, for forensic investigation purposes are reviewed. In these forensic analyses, SPring‐8 and KEK‐PF beamlines were used for minor element (Sn, Sb, Mo, Bi, Ba) analysis in the arsenic pesticide specimens, sampled at the crime scene as well as the neighborhood of the suspect. For this case, two kinds of documents were submitted to court: one was a qualitative analysis and said to be a ‘pattern recognition’ by Prof. Nakai, and the other was, by Profs Taniguchi and Hayakawa, a quantitative analysis after background subtraction, normalized by the sample thickness, where calibration curves were made with reference to the inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP‐AES) analysis for reference samples. The final decision of the court was a death sentence based on the qualitative ‘pattern recognition’. The present review concludes that the quantitative analysis by Profs Taniguchi and Hayakawa was scientifically more important than the ‘pattern recognition’ qualitative analysis, because the Taniguchi‐Hayakawa report used novel but reliable data processing methods. The Sn, Sb, and Mo Kα intensities were normalized with respect to the As (major element) Kα (10.5 keV) intensity as a thick target, whereas the Bi and Ba Kα intensities were normalized by the Rayleigh scattering (for 116 keV incident beam) as a thin target. The Taniguchi‐Hayakawa report was the first quantitative report in high‐energy SR‐XRF analysis. The most important conclusion in the present review is that the ICP‐AES was more reliable over these SR‐XRF analyses, because even the beamline selection was not possible without the knowledge of the impurity elements obtained by the ICP‐AES. Five elements (Se, Sn, Sb, Pb, and Bi) were used in ICP‐AES for identification compared with only three elements (Sn, Sb, and Bi) in SR‐XRF. High blank intensity resulted from using Pb for X‐ray collimator in the beamline. Overlapping of the analytical lines of minor Se and major As prevented the use of Se for identification. Recent analysis of Fe, Zn, Mo, and Ba in Nakai's raw spectra measured in 1998 reveals the arsenic stored in the kitchen of the condemned criminal in the death row was significantly different from that of the paper cup used for poisoning. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Postoperative Complications Influence Prognosis and Recurrence Patterns in Periampullary Cancer
Authors: Cho Jai Young , Han Ho‐Seong , Yoon Yoo‐Seok , Hwang Dae Wook , Jung Kyuwhan , Kim Young Ki
Published: May 2013

Background

The present study was performed to elucidate the influence of postoperative complications on the prognosis and recurrence patterns of periampullary cancer after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

Methods

Clinical data were reviewed from 200 consecutive patients who had periampullary cancer and underwent PD between October 2003 and July 2010, and survival outcomes and recurrence patterns were analyzed. Postoperative complications were classified according to a modification of Clavien’s classification.

Results

Overall, 86 major complications of grade II or higher occurred in 71 patients. The patients were classified into two groups according to the presence of postoperative complications of grade II or higher: group Cx−, absence of complications (n = 129); and group Cx+, presence of complications (n = 71). There were no differences in gender, mean age, tumor node metastasis stage, biliary drainage, type of resection, and radicality between the two groups (P > 0.05). The 3‐year overall and disease‐free survival rates of the group Cx+ patients (31.0 and 22.3 %, respectively) were significantly lower than those of the group Cx− patients (49.0 and 40.0 %; P = 0.003 and 0.002, respectively). The multivariate analysis showed that postoperative complications (P = 0.001; RR = 1.887; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.278–2.785), a T stage of T3 or T4 (P = 0.001; RR = 2.503; 95 % CI 1.441–4.346), positive node metastasis (P = 0.001; RR = 2.093; 95 % CI, 1.378–3.179), R1 or R2 resection (P = 0.023; RR = 1.863; 95 % CI 1.090–3.187), and angiolymphatic invasion (P = 0.013; RR = 1.676; 95 % CI 1.117–2.513) were independent prognostic factors for disease‐free survival. Regarding recurrence patterns, group Cx+ patients exhibited more distant recurrences than did group Cx− patients (P = 0.025).

Conclusions

Postoperative complications affect prognosis and recurrence patterns in patients with periampullary cancer after PD.
Achieving Zero Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections: Connector Design Combined with Practice in the Long-Term Acute Care Setting
Authors: Lynch Debra
Published: May 2013

Reducing central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) to zero is especially challenging in long-term acute care (LTAC) hospitals because patients usually have the line in place at admission. The central venous line may have been in place from days to weeks before admission. The LTAC thus has no control over the site selection, catheter selection, insertion protocol, and care and maintenance the catheter received before admission. Using comprehensive practice-based evidence for clinical practice improvement, our LTAC used different needleless connectors during a 3-year period to achieve zero CLABSIs. The sample data offers a rare opportunity to compare different needleless connectors and in a wide sample of complex patient diagnoses. Needleless connector design in combination with nursing care and management can achieve zero CLABSI,s even in the challenging LTAC environment.
Dislodgement of a Power-Injectable Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter After Power Injection: A Case Report
Authors: Lim Boon Keat , Balasubramaniam Babu Suresh
Published: May 2013

A 63-year-old Malay woman had a 6-French dual-lumen power-injectable peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) inserted and subsequently underwent a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan with intravenous contrast medium administered via the PICC. After the scan, the tip of the PICC was noted to have displaced from its original position and lodged in 1 of the small branches of the right subclavian vein. This phenomenon was then demonstrated in real time under fluoroscopy during the process of repositioning the PICC tip. Although power-injectable PICCs are designed for use with power injectors, tip displacement can and does happen. A computed tomography scout view of the chest may be necessary after each use of power injectors to confirm that the PICC tip remains in a satisfactory position.
Dynamic modelling of sea-surface roughness for large-eddy simulation of wind over ocean wavefield
Authors: Yang Di , Meneveau Charles , Shen Lian
Published: May 2013

Wind blowing over the ocean surface can be treated as a turbulent boundary layer over a multiscale rough surface with moving roughness elements, the waves. Large-eddy simulation (LES) of such flows is challenging because LES resolves wind–wave interactions only down to the grid scale,$\Delta $, while the effects of subgrid-scale (SGS) waves on the wind need to be modelled. Usually, a surface-layer model based on the law of the wall is used; but the surface roughness has been known to depend on the local wind and wave conditions and is difficult to parameterize. In this study, a dynamic model for the SGS sea-surface roughness is developed, with the roughness corresponding to the SGS waves expressed as${\alpha }_{w} \hspace{0.167em} { \sigma }_{\eta }^{\Delta } $. Here,${ \sigma }_{\eta }^{\Delta } $is the effective amplitude of the SGS waves, modelled as a weighted integral of the SGS wave spectrum based on the geometric and kinematic properties of the waves for which five candidate expressions are examined. Moreover,${\alpha }_{w} $is an unknown dimensionless model coefficient determined dynamically based on the first-principles constraint that the total surface drag force or average surface stress must be independent of the LES filter scale$\Delta $. The feasibility and consistency of the dynamic sea-surface roughness models are assessed bya prioritests using data from high-resolution LES with near-surface resolution, appropriately filtered. Also, these data are used fora posterioritests of the dynamic sea-surface roughness models in LES with near-surface modelling. It is found that the dynamic modelling approach can successfully capture the effects of SGS waves on the wind turbulence withoutad hocprescription of the model parameter${\alpha }_{w} $. Also, for${ \sigma }_{\eta }^{\Delta } $, a model based on the kinematics of wind–wave relative motion achieves the best performance among the five candidate models.
Travelling Knowledge and Forensic Medicine: Infanticide, Body and Mind in the Netherlands, 1811–1911
Authors: Ruberg Willemijn
Published: May 2013

This article aims to explain why the notion ofmania puerperalis, or puerperal insanity, was not used in the Netherlands to exonerate women accused of infanticide, in contrast to other countries. It applies the concept of ‘travelling knowledge’ as an approach to the history of forensic medicine, pointing to the fields of medicine and law as contact zones inviting, promoting or barring the transmission of knowledge. Although the notion ofmania puerperaliswas known in the Netherlands from 1822 on, psychiatric expertise was not requested in actual court cases of infanticide for several reasons. First, physicians and legal scholars continued to doubt the existence of this form of mania. Moreover, it was not always directly connected to infanticide. Also, the specific formulation of the law strongly determined what medical evidence was needed in court cases. Not only did the Code Pénal generally emphasise material evidence, the laws on infanticide specifically mentioned fear and therefore an additional reference to the mental condition of the accused was not needed. Most importantly, the article argues that the existing vocabulary on emotion, both vernacular and medical, already allowed for an analysis of psychic components.
Interpreting Russell’s Gray’s Elegy Argument
Authors: RAY NICHOLAS
Published: May 2013

“On Denoting” is central to the analytic tradition, yet one of its key arguments (the Gray’s Elegy Argument) lacks a canonical reading. Some interpret the passage as rejecting denoting concepts as inconsistent, or the theory that posits them as incoherent. Such readings are too strong, and at odds with the passage. We interpret the argument as a set of considerations that leave the old view as a logically viable (though uneconomical and cumbersome) competitor to Russell’s new semantic theory.
Do We Need African Canadian Philosophy?
Authors: JEFFERS CHIKE
Published: May 2013

I ask whether we need African Canadian philosophy and attempt to provide an answer by considering a series of other questions that can be understood as alternative versions of the initial question. I ask (1) whether we need African Canadian philosophers; (2) whether we need philosophy focused on the African Canadian experience; (3) whether we already have African Canadian philosophy; (4) whether anybody of any background can do African Canadian philosophy; and (5) what African Canadian philosophy will do for us. I conclude that we do need African Canadian philosophy.