bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Taiwan's National Health Insurance policy: an importance–satisfaction analysis
Authors: Liu I‐Chun
Published: March 2013

The hypothesis that policy performance affects citizens' satisfaction with public policies could be considered a well‐worn topic. However, this paper shows that the extant literature has not adequately conceptualized nor addressed the relationship, which could exist between citizens' satisfaction and importance of the evaluation's indicators. The findings of most previous studies reflect elite perspectives on Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) policy evaluation, and the importance of the evaluation's indicators may not be recognized by the public. In addition, previous satisfaction studies have not provided information on the level of evaluative indicator importance. This study utilized importance–satisfaction analysis to examine public preferences of the NHI policy and assigned weights for NHI policy evaluation indicators by administering a national phone survey in October 2009. A total of 1103 telephone interviews were conducted with people aged 20 years and older, comprising a sample that was representative of the Taiwanese population according to age, gender, and area of residence. Furthermore, to explore the difference between expected importance and perceived satisfaction, this study calculated a reconceptualized performance gap. To obtain the gap value for an indicator, the mean value for importance was subtracted from the mean value for satisfaction. The findings imply that public recognition and support constitute the premise for the successful operation and reform of the NHI policy. The study concludes that policy adjustment is needed in several areas where importance outweighed satisfaction, including access to medical care services and NHI efficiency. The results suggest public recognition of and satisfaction with the evaluation indicators in use and the need for policy adjustment in areas where importance outweighs satisfaction. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SENSITIVITY TO CHANGING CONTINGENCIES IN AN IMPULSIVITY TASK
Authors: Young Michael E. , Webb Tara L. , Rung Jillian M. , Jacobs Eric A.
Published: March 2013

Using a video‐game‐based escalating interest task, participants repeatedly encountered a reward that gradually increased in value over a 10‐second interval. Responding early in the interval netted less immediate reward than responding later in the interval. Each participant experienced four different reward contingencies for waiting. These contingencies were changed three times as the experiment proceeded. Behavior tracked these changing contingencies, but wait times reflected long‐term carryover from the previously assigned contingencies. Both the tendency to respond slowly and the optimality of behavior were affected by the order of contingencies experienced. Demographic variables only weakly predicted behavior, and delay discounting rate in a hypothetical money choice task predicted choice only when the contingencies in the game were weaker.
Turning Experiments into Objects: The Cognitive Processes Involved in the Design of a Lab‐on‐a‐Chip Device
Authors: Aurigemma Joshua , Chandrasekharan Sanjay , Nersessian Nancy J. , Newstetter Wendy
Published: March 2013

Background

Increasingly, modern engineers are designing miniature devices that integrate complex activities, actions, processes, or operations involving many steps, persons, and equipment; a good example is a microfluidic lab‐on‐a‐chip device. The design of such devices is cognitively demanding and requires the generation of multiple model representations, which are used in an iterative fashion to analyze and improve prototype designs.

Purpose

This study addresses two questions: How are various representations and prototypes used in the iterative design and building of a microfluidic lab‐on‐a‐chip device in a systems biology laboratory? In this design process, what cognitive functions did the representations serve?

Design/Method

This case study employed mixed methods. We utilized the standard ethnographic methods of participant observation, open‐ended interviewing of participants, and artifact collection in an integrated systems biology research lab. Data were analyzed using open and axial coding. We also used cognitive‐historical analysis to collect and analyze data from traditional historical sources (publications, grant proposals, laboratory notebooks, and technological artifacts) to recover how the salient representational, methodological, and reasoning practices were developed and used by the researchers.

Results

The device design involved complex interactions among mental models, computational models, and building and testing prototypes; tagging and visualizations were used to query and validate the prototypes as well as the computational models; all these were integrated to meet stringent experimental and fabrication constraints. Integration takes place across many different kinds of representations. The building of external representations helped not just to off‐load cognitive load but also to add detail and constraints to the mental model.

Conclusions

Representational fluency and flexibility are required to manage the complexity of modern bioengineered devices. To support the development of such fluency and flexibility, engineering students must understand the function and the use of such representations, an instructional goal that has implication for new models of learning.
The Effects of Temperature and Activity on Intraspecific Scaling of Metabolic Rates in a Lungless Salamander
Authors: GIFFORD MATTHEW E. , CLAY TIMOTHY A. , PETERMAN WILLIAM E.
Published: March 2013

The scaling of metabolic rate with body mass holds substantial predictive power as many biological processes depend on energy. A significant body of theory has been developed based on the assumption that metabolic rate scales with body mass as a power function with an exponent of 0.75, and that this scaling relationship is independent of temperature. Here we test this hypothesis at the intraspecific level in a lungless salamander using data on both standard and maximal metabolic rates (SMR and MMR, respectively). We also address a recently proposed alternative explanation that predicts systematic variation in this mass‐scaling exponent, the metabolic level boundaries hypothesis (MLB). Consistent with predictions of the metabolic theory of ecology the mass scaling of SMR and MMR were independent of temperature, however, we find evidence that the mass‐scaling exponent for SMR and MMR differ significantly from 0.75. Further, our data do not provide strong support for MLB. Mass‐scaling exponents for MMR generally exceed those for SMR, although these differences are rarely statistically significant. J. Exp. Zool. 319A:230–236, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Serotonin in Testes of Bat Myotis velifer During Annual Reproductive Cycle: Expression, Localization, and Content Variations
Authors: JIMÉNEZ‐TREJO FRANCISCO , LEÓN‐GALVÁN MIGUEL ÁNGEL , MARTÍNEZ‐MÉNDEZ LUIS ANTONIO , TAPIA‐RODRÍGUEZ MIGUEL , MENDOZA‐RODRÍGUEZ C. ADRIANA , GONZÁLEZ‐SANTOYO ISAAC , LÓPEZ‐WILCHIS RICARDO , VELA‐HINOJOSA CRISTIÁN , BARANDA‐AVILA NOEMI , CERBÓN MARCO
Published: March 2013

The mechanism of reproduction in mammals is very complex and in some cases is quite particular. For example in some bat species, the male presents a reproductive mechanism characterized by an annual testicular cycle that goes from recrudescence to regression (spermatogenesis to inactivity period, respectively). After recrudescence, the spermatozoa arrive at epididymis and wait to be expelled at the time of ejaculation during the mating period, which occurs some months later. Because serotonin (5‐HT) has gained reproductive importance in the last years, the aim of the present study was to analyze the expression of this indolamine and both tryptophan hydroxylase and monoamine oxidase isoform A—enzymes involved in its metabolism—in Myotis velifer testes, a seasonal reproductive bat species that shows temporal asynchrony in its sexual cycle, across the principal periods of their reproductive cycle. By using both Falck–Hillarp histochemistry and immunofluorescence techniques, we found serotonin in vesicles of Leydig cells and probably Sertoli cells too; interestingly, both intracellular localization and concentration was variable across the different stages of the reproductive cycle, being lower during spermatogenesis phase and increasing during the mating phase. These results suggest that 5‐HT is present in bat testes and it could play an important role in testicular function during their reproductive cycle. J. Exp. Zool. 319A:249–258, 2013. © 2013 © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Therapeutic concentrations of anti‐epileptic drugs do not inhibit the activity of the oncolytic adenovirus Delta24‐RGD in malignant glioma
Authors: de Jonge Jonas , Berghauser Pont Lotte M. E. , Idema Sander , Kloezeman Jenneke J. , Noske David , Dirven Clemens M. F. , Lamfers Martine L. M.
Published: March 2013

Background

The oncolytic adenovirus Delta24‐RGD is currently being tested in phase I trials for the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM). Literature suggests that frequently prescribed anticonvulsants for these patients, phenytoin (PHE), valproic acid (VPA) and levetiracetam (LEV), may interfere with cellular mechanisms of cancer or oncolytic virus activity. We therefore investigated the direct effects of these drugs on Delta24‐RGD infection and oncolytic activity.

Methods

The anticonvulsants PHE, VPA, and LEV were combined with Delta24‐RGD treatment in established glioma cell lines as well as on a panel of patient‐derived GBM cultures. Effects on infection efficiency were assessed using luciferase‐encoding adenoviral vectors. Oncolytic activity was determined by WST‐1 assay and viral progeny production was quantified by dilution titration.

Results

IC50 values of the anti‐epileptic drugs on the four glioma cell lines were far above clinically‐relevant concentrations. At therapeutic concentrations, the anti‐epileptics generally did not alter the infection efficiency of RGD‐modified adenovirus, nor affect progeny production or oncolytic activity of Delta24‐RGD. The only exception was found in U373 cells, where VPA slightly antagonised the oncolytic effect of Delta24‐RGD (from 29% to 55% viability, p<0.01) as well as viral progeny production (60% decrease, p<0.01). Oncolysis by Delta24‐RGD was not inhibited by the anti‐epileptics in any of the patient‐derived glioma cultures (n=6). In fact, in one culture a slight enhancement of viral oncolysis by PHE and LEV was found, from 89.7% viability to 76% and 62.4%, respectively (p<0.01)

Conclusions

Therapeutic levels of valproic acid, phenytoin and levetiracetam do not negatively interfere with the infection efficiency or oncolytic activity of Delta24‐RGD in patient‐derived GBM cells. Therefore, there is no indication that the choice of anticonvulsant for seizure control in glioma patients should take treatment with Delta24‐RGD into account. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lithium adduct as precursor ion for sensitive and rapid quantification of 20 (S)‐protopanaxadiol in rat plasma by liquid chromatography/quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry and application to rat pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Bao Yuanwu , Wang Quanying , Tang Pingming
Published: March 2013

A novel, rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography/quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry [LC‐ESI‐(QqLIT)MS/MS] method was developed and validated for the quantification of protopanaxadiol (PPD) in rat plasma. Oleanolic acid (OA) was used as internal standard (IS). A simple protein precipitation based on acetonitrile (ACN) was employed. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Sepax GP‐C18 column (50 × 2.1 mm, 5 μM) with a mobile phase consisting of ACN–water and 1.5 μM formic acid and 25 mM lithium acetate (90 : 10, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.4 ml/min for 3.0 min. Multiple‐reaction‐monitoring mode was performed using lithium adduct ion as precursor ion of m/z 467.5/449.4 and 455.6/407.4 for the drug and IS, respectively. Calibration curve was recovered over a concentration range of 0.5–100 ng/ml with a correlation coefficient >0.99. The limit of detection was 0.2 ng/ml in rat plasma for PPD. The results of the intraday and interday precision and accuracy studies were well within the acceptable limits. The validated method was successfully applied to investigate the pharmacokinetic study of PPD after intravenous and gavage administration to rat. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multi‐body simulation of various falling scenarios for determining resulting loads at the prosthesis interface of transfemoral amputees with osseointegrated fixation
Authors: Welke Bastian , Schwarze Michael , Hurschler Christof , Calliess Tilman , Seehaus Frank
Published: March 2013

Conventionally, transfemoral amputees are treated with a shaft prosthesis fitted over the residual limb. To improve the quality of life of such patients, in particular those with complications relating to conventional attachment (e.g., skin irritation, stump ulcers, and poor motor‐control with short stumps), osseointegrated prosthesis fixation implants have been developed and implanted in a limited population of patients. To assess possible damage to the implant/prosthesis during falling scenarios, the loads in high‐risk situations were estimated using a multi‐body simulation of motion. Five falling scenarios were identified and performed by healthy volunteer wearing safety equipment. Kinematic data and ground reaction forces were captured as input for the inverse‐dynamics‐based simulations, from which the forces and moments at a typical implant‐prosthesis interface location were computed. The estimated peak loads in all five scenarios were of a magnitude that could lead to bone fracture. The largest peak force observed was 3274 ± 519 N, with an associated resultant moment of 176 ± 55 Nm on the prosthesis‐implant interface. A typical femur is prone to fracture under this load, thus illustrating the need for a safety‐release element in osseointegrated prosthesis fixation. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1123–1129, 2013
Study of carrier concentration profiles in Al‐implanted Ge by micro‐Raman spectroscopy under different excitation wavelengths
Authors: Sanson A. , Giarola M. , Napolitani E. , Impellizzeri G. , Privitera V. , Carnera A. , Mariotto G.
Published: March 2013

The distribution profile of Al implanted in crystalline Ge has been investigated by micro‐Raman spectroscopy. Using different excitation laser lines, corresponding to different optical penetration depths, the Al concentration at different depths beneath the sample surface has been studied. We have found a strong correlation between the intensity of the Al–Ge Raman peak at ~370 cm−1, which is due to the local vibrational mode of substitutional Al atoms, and the carrier concentration profile, obtained by the spreading resistance profiling analysis. A similar connection has been also observed for both shape and position of the Ge–Ge Raman peak at ~300 cm−1. According to these experimental findings, we propose here a fast and nondestructive method, based on micro‐Raman spectroscopy under different excitation wavelengths, to estimate the carrier concentration profiles in Al‐implanted Ge. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopic studies of pulsed laser‐induced defect evolution in graphene
Authors: Sahoo Satyaprakash , Palai R. , Barik Sujit K. , Katiyar Ram S.
Published: March 2013

Raman spectra were obtained for graphene after irradiating the samples by pulsed laser (λ = 248 nm). Changes in the spectra were observed as the pulse laser energy density (PLED) was varied from 0.1 to 0.25 J/cm2. Changes in bilayer graphene were accompanied by the appearance of the D peak and the broadening of the G peak. Changes in multilayer graphene are more profound as the Raman spectra changes from a multilayer to bilayer and subsequently to monolayer graphene in response to a slow increase in the PLED. The threshold PLED was found to be dependent on the number of graphene layers. We also irradiate graphene with very high PLED (much above the threshold), and the Raman spectra were found to be significantly changed. The G‐band became broader, and red shifted, while the intensity of the 2D‐band was drastically reduced and an intense defect‐related D peak appeared at about 1350 cm−1. The laser ablation of graphene, both with low‐ and high‐energy intensity, is consistent with the reported theoretical predictions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trauma Exposure and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Adolescents: A National Survey in Switzerland
Authors: Landolt Markus A. , Schnyder Ulrich , Maier Thomas , Schoenbucher Verena , Mohler‐Kuo Meichun
Published: March 2013

There are a limited number of epidemiological studies that have focused on trauma exposure and prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in representative general population samples of adolescents, especially outside of the United States. We therefore aimed to assess the lifetime prevalence of traumatic events (TEs) and current prevalence of PTSD, and to examine demographic risk factors for TEs and PTSD in a representative sample of adolescents. Data were collected by a school survey among a sample of 6,787 9th‐grade students in Switzerland. Roughly 56% of the adolescents (females 56.6%; males 55.7%) reported having experienced at least 1 TE. Non‐Swiss nationality (OR = 1.80), not living with both biological parents (OR = 1.64), and lower parental education (OR = 1.18) were associated with a higher risk of trauma exposure. The current prevalence of PTSD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.; DSM‐IV‐TR; American Psychiatric Association, 2000) criteria was 4.2% (females 6.2%; males 2.4%). Female gender (OR = 2.70), not living with both biological parents (OR = 1.47), lower parental education (OR = 1.51), and exposure to multiple TEs (OR = 9.56) were significant risk factors for PTSD. Results suggest considerably high rates of TEs and PTSD among adolescents. Intervention efforts must be intensified to reduce trauma exposure and treat PTSD.
Leichter, schneller, kostengünstiger mit dem Laser
Authors: Brockmann Rüdiger , Andreev Andrey , Müllerschön Oliver , Fritz Michael
Published: March 2013

Die Lasermaterialbearbeitung ist in der Automobilindustrie etabliert. Sie hilft die Abläufe zu flexibilisieren und zu beschleunigen, Kosten zu sparen, an Effizienz zu gewinnen oder schlicht Anwendungen zu ermöglichen, die mit konventionellen Verfahren nicht realisierbar wären. Dazu gehören die Herstellung warmumgeformter Bauteile für den Leichtbau, das Entschichten mit Kurzpulslasern für die Schweiß‐ und Klebevorbereitung sowie das Remoteschweißen für schnelle und exakte Schweißnähte. TRUMPF bietet für alle diese Anwendungen Lösungen und forscht darüber hinaus an künftigen Leichtbauszenarien, wie beispielsweise der industriellen Bearbeitung von Faserverbundwerkstoffen.
Schneiden, Schweißen und Bohren — „All‐in‐One”︁
Authors: Fassbind Eduard
Published: March 2013

Ultrakurzpulslaser sind in vielerlei Hinsicht ideale Werkzeuge für die Mikrobearbeitung. Das volle Potenzial dieser Laserklasse lässt sich aber nur durch anwendungsgerechte und industrietaugliche Gesamtsysteme erschließen. Ein besonders kompaktes System hat Swisstec Micromachining auf der Lasys in Stuttgart als Weltneuheit vorgestellt.
Programmierbare Strahlqualität
Authors: Kimme Thomas , Ochlich Hans‐Michael
Published: March 2013

Moderne Faserlaser bieten Strahlqualitäten „höchster Güte“. Für die Laserquelle ist damit üblicherweise eine Fokussierbarkeit bis nahe an das theoretisch erreichbare Minimum gemeint. In praktischen Anwendungen mit toleranzbehafteten Bauteilen, Lagefehlern, dem Bedarf moderater Temperaturgradienten im Bauteil oder ähnlichen Randbedingungen ist diese „höchste Güte“ oftmals nicht das Optimum. Ziel der hier vorgestellten Arbeit ist daher eine bedarfsgerechte und in Echtzeit programmierbare, synchrone Beeinflussung der folgenden Größen:

· Strahlqualität am Bauteil,

· Laserleistung der Strahlquelle,

· Lage innerhalb der Bearbeitungsbahn bzw. ToolCenterPoint (TCP)‐Bahngeschwindig­keit.

Zur Umsetzung wurde ein streng synchron betriebenes Steuerungssystem aus NC, Strahlformungssteuerung (realisiert am Beispiel Einachsscanner) und Laser­parameter­vorgabe (realisiert am Beispiel Laserleistungsvorgabe) geschaffen, welches in Frequenzen bis 40 kHz arbeiten kann. Die realisierte Lösung wird in den wichtigsten Eigenschaften vorgestellt ebenso wie Ergebnisse beim Einsatz der Technik in den Verfahren Laserschweißen, Laserhärten und Laser‐Pulver‐Auftragschweißen.
Effects of nutrition labeling on edible oil processing and consumption patterns in the US
Authors: List Gary R.
Published: March 2013

The period from 2003 to present has had a profound effect on the edible oil industry. Health/nutrition issues including trans, saturated and omega‐3 acids in the diet have impacted the soybean market, edible oil consumption patterns and consumer perception of lipid based foods. In order to satisfy the concerns, much technology has been developed to remove trans/saturated fats from the food supply. Processors have turned from hydrogenation to chemical or enzymatic modification, modified oil hardening to formulate low/zero trans products and increased use of tropical oils. Trait modified oilseeds have been developed and commercialized and are no longer niche crops supplying about 18% of domestic food oil needs.
The Influence of Side‐Chain Position on the Optoelectronic Properties of a Red‐Emitting Conjugated Polymer
Authors: Lu Li Ping , Finlayson Chris E. , Kabra Dinesh , Albert‐Seifried Sebastian , Song Myoung Hoon , Havenith Remco W. A. , Tu Guoli , Huck Wilhelm T. S. , Friend Richard H.
Published: March 2013

A study of the organic semiconductor F8TBT is presented, directly comparing a conventional form (F8TBT‐out) with a form with varied alkyl side‐chain position (F8TBT‐in), in terms of optical properties and device performance in light‐emitting‐diodes (LEDs). Computational simulations of the side‐chain position with respect to the TBT unit reveal geometrical differences between F8TBT‐out and F8TBT‐in. π–π conjugation on the backbone of F8TBT‐in is interrupted by a distortion of the benzothiadiazole ring, leading to a blue‐shift of the absorption spectrum and increased photoluminescence quantum efficiency. Both conventional and hybrid LEDs demonstrate that devices with F8TBT‐in show improved performance, as compared to F8TBT‐out, illustrating how tuning the optoelectronic properties of conjugated polymers by varying the placement of side chains has an important role in device optimization.

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Hinge‐Linked Polymer Gels: A Rigid Network Cross‐Linked with a Rotatable Tetrasubstituted Ferrocene
Authors: Hosono Nobuhiko , Yoshihara Naoki , Murakami Yoshihiko , Watanabe Toshiyuki
Published: March 2013

A novel polymeric gel is designed and synthesized, based on rotatable 1,1′,3,3′‐tetrakis(4‐aminophenyl)ferrocene cross‐linking units capable of hinge‐like motion. This hinge‐linked gel results from an end‐to‐end reaction between the ferrocene‐based cross‐linker and a bifunctional poly(amide acid) oligomer. The cross‐linking reaction efficiency is estimated by sol fraction analysis based on the Miller–Macosko model. Mechanical properties and rheological measurements show that the hinge‐linked gel exhibits good mechanical stability and perfect elastic properties, although the gel cross‐linking depends solely on metal–organic coordination at the ferrocenyl center. The hinge‐linked network concept presented herein offers a novel design concept, which may be applicable to a variety of polymeric materials such as resins, metal–organic frameworks, and gels.

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Biomimetic Dopamine‐Diels–Alder Switches
Authors: Preuss Corinna M. , Goldmann Anja S. , Trouillet Vanessa , Walther Andreas , Barner‐Kowollik Christopher
Published: March 2013

Mussel adhesives function as tools for surface modifications of a wide variety of materials due to their remarkable adhesion properties. Herein, a combination of bioinspired mussel adhesives based on a dopamine derivative, polymer chemistry, and well‐established Diels–Alder (DA) chemistry leads to a bioinspired switchable surface system that possesses the capability of attaching and detaching specific polymers on demand. A dopaminemaleimide compound, which has been attached to a gold surface under maritime conditions undergoes DA‐ and retro‐DA‐click‐conjugations with cyclopentadiene‐carrying PEG chains. The surface attachment and the subsequent DA/rDA cycles are evidenced via XPS analysis.

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A porous pH‐stabilized composite material consisting of poly (D,L‐lactide), calcium carbonate and gentamicin for bone substitution
Authors: Backhaus S. , Annen T. , Epple M.
Published: March 2013

Macroporous objects of poly(D,L‐lactide), PDLLA, and calcium carbonate were prepared by hot‐pressing (0% porosity), gas‐foaming (50% porosity), and a combination of gas‐foaming and salt leaching (70% porosity). They were loaded with 15 wt% of gentamicin without loss of the mechanical properties. The release of gentamicin occurred over several weeks, making this material suitable as a mechanically stable porous and degradable bone substitution material with antibacterial properties.
Effect of C60 Fullerene on the expression of ERN1 signaling related genes in human astrocytes
Authors: Minchenko D.O. , Prylutska S.V. , Moenner M. , Minchenko O.H. , Prylutskyy Y.I. , Schütze C. , Ritter U.
Published: March 2013

The effect of C60 fullerene on the expression levels of genes, related to endoplasmic reticulum stress and cell proliferation, in human astrocytes was investigated. The exposure of human astrocytes to C60 fullerene during 24 or 72 h increases the expression levels of transcription factor E2F8, insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐2, and tumor suppressor SMAD mRNAs in human astrocytes. At the same time, the expression levels of HSD17B2, PBEF1, HSPB8 mRNA decrease in cells treated with C60 fullerene, being more intense for HSD17B2. Moreover, C60 fullerene increases the proliferation rate of astrocytes. Thus, C60 fullerene affects the expression of genes which control proliferation.
Transport of supramolecular drugs across the cell membrane by calcium phosphate nanoparticles
Authors: Rotan O. , Sokolova V. , Gilles P. , Hu W. , Dutt S. , Schrader T. , Epple M.
Published: March 2013

Many target sites of synthetic supramolecular drug molecules are located inside cells. Since larger and highly charged molecules are typically not able to cross the cell membrane on their own, an efficient carrier is needed. Calcium phosphate nanoparticles were loaded with different artificial protein and DNA binders, i. e. a polyfunctional anionic polymer, a cationic calixarene dimer and amphiphilic molecular tweezers. The loading of calcium phosphate nanoparticles with these molecules was quantitatively determined by UV spectroscopy. As visualized by fluorescence microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), the functionalized calcium phosphate nanoparticles were easily taken up by HeLa cells together with their cargo. In contrast, the dissolved molecules alone were not able to penetrate the cell membrane.
Hydration properties of nanosilica, modified by adsorbed C60 fullerene
Authors: Turov V.V. , Ugnivenko A.P. , Krupskaya T.V. , Prylutskyy Y.I. , Schütze C. , Ritter U.
Published: March 2013

The adsorption of water, methane and hydrogen on a nanocomposite surface based on nanosilica A‐300 modified by C60 fullerene by absorption was studied by low‐temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy. The thermodynamic characteristics, the size of the interface water clusters, and co‐adsorption effects of combustible gases, i. e. methane and hydrogen, were determined. The distribution of the adsorbed water clusters radii showed several maxima depending on the environment. In hydrogen atmosphere the maximum amount of water was detected in clusters with radii of less than 2 nm. It was found that in contrast to the original silica, the weakly polar organic compounds and water adsorbed on different parts of the SiO2/C60 nanocomposite surface.
Effect of cerium dioxide nanoparticles on the expression of selected growth and transcription factors in human astrocytes
Authors: Minchenko D.O. , Spivak M.Y. , Herasymenko R.M. , Ivanov V.K. , Tretyakov Y.D. , Minchenko O.H.
Published: March 2013

This study was undertaken to examine the effect of cerium dioxide nanoparticles on the expression levels of genes, encoded transcription and growth factors, which are important for control of cell proliferation and survival in human astrocytes. Exposure of astrocytes with cerium dioxide nanoparticles (0.17 and 0.34 mg/ml of medium) during 20 h significantly decreases the expression level of transcription factors TBX3, E2F8 and FOXF1 mRNAs, being stronger for higher doses of nanoparticles. Moreover, the expression levels of IGFBP1 and IGFBP2 as well as LIF mRNA also significantly decreased in astrocytes after treatment with cerium dioxide nanoparticles. It is possible that the observed changes in the expression profile of the studied genes in astrocytes treated with cerium dioxide nanoparticles are associated with its toxic effect mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress sensor‐signaling systems in part through the bifunctional membrane enzyme ERN1. Thus, cerium dioxide nanoparticles have a significant effect on important regulatory mechanisms, which control cell proliferation and survival in human astrocytes.
Calcium phosphate ceramics with sodium‐rich calcium phosphate phases at the surface
Authors: Zyman Z. , Epple M. , Goncharenko A. , Rokhmistrov D.
Published: March 2013

Calcium phosphate was prepared by aqueous wet‐chemical precipitation from sodium phosphate and calcium nitrate under standard conditions. By incomplete removal of the mother liquor, the by‐product sodium nitrate remained in the dried powder. Upon annealing at 1150°C, the sodium‐rich phases β‐rhenanite (NaCaPO4) and Na3Ca6(PO4)5 were formed. If the powder was first compacted and then annealed at 1150°C, the sodium‐rich phases were enriched in the sample surface up to a depth of about 140 μm as shown by X‐ray powder diffraction. As these phases have a higher water solubility than sintered hydroxyapatite, they will enhance the resorption of such a ceramic in contact with hard tissues.
Photoexcited fullerene C60 disturbs prooxidant‐antioxidant balance in leukemic L1210 cells
Authors: Grynyuk I. , Grebinyk S. , Prylutska S. , Mykhailova A. , Franskevich D. , Matyshevska O. , Schütze C. , Ritter U.
Published: March 2013

According to the data of laser‐correlation spectroscopy of the pristine fullerene C60 water colloid solution used in the study the average hydrodynamic radius of nanoparticles was 50 nm and no agglomeration was observed. With the use of the fluorescent probe 2′,7′‐dichlorofluorescein the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in rat thymocytes and in human leukemic cells L1210 pretreated with 10–5 M fullerene C60 and irradiated in a diapason 320–600 nm was estimated. Irradiation per se is shown to be followed by slight increase of ROS production. No further increase of fluorescent signal was detected in thymocytes during 3 h of incubation after combined action of C60 and irradiation. In contrast leukemic cells respond to combined action of C60 and irradiation by pronounced intensification of ROS production. This phenomenon is shown to be connected with prooxidant‐antioxidant imbalance induced by photoexcited fullerene C60 in L1210 cells, enhancement of the first superoxide dismutase against decreasing of the second glutathione peroxidase steps of antioxidant defense. The prooxidant effect of photoexcited fullerene C60 leading to oxidative stress could be used for elaborating the strategies of targeted oxidative injury of leukemic cells.
Hexagonal C and BN superstructures on Ru(0001) and Ge(111)
Authors: Goriachko A. , Melnik P.V. , Nakhodkin M.G. , Zakharov A.A. , Over H.
Published: March 2013

A brief overview of hexagonal superstructures with a periodicity of ˜3 nm formed on Ru(0001) and Ge(111) by graphene or hexagonal boron nitride with a thickness of just a single atomic layer is given. A periodic height corrugation of such layers due to the lattice mismatch with the substrate material is of the order of 0.1 nm. Selected examples of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and low energy electron microscopy/diffraction (LEEM/LEED) investigations of BN/Ru(0001), C/Ru(0001), (BN)xCy/Ru(0001) and C/Ge(111) are presented. These systems can act as nanotemplates for metal nanoparticles growth, as well as strongly heterogeneous substrates for molecular adsorption.
The influence of Hofmeister's effect on the osmotic behavior of erythrocytes and on the state of water in their suspension
Authors: Pakulova O.K. , Gorobchenko O.A. , Nikolov O.T. , Adelyanov A.V. , Pastukhova S.Y. , Bondarenko V.A.
Published: March 2013

The bulk phase of water and its status in the cells play an important role in the management of metabolic processes. One of the little‐known universal phenomenon associated with the state of water is the Hofmeister effect which influences interfacial surfaces, the conformation of macromolecules, enzyme activity, and the growth of microorganisms. We investigated the influence of this effect on the change in the cell's ability to adapt to changing osmotic conditions, since understanding the mechanisms of osmotic behavior of the cells is an important step in the management of their activity (start of endo‐ and exocytosis, apoptosis). It is shown that specific properties of anions in the medium correlate with the osmotic sensitivity of red blood cells (RBC) and with indicators of free and bound water in suspension. The lyotropic series anion solution effect on the cell is a change of the hydration and structure of the membrane, which determines the osmotic behavior of the cell and the water environment properties.
Electrical and shielding properties of epoxy composites containing hybrid carbon fillers
Authors: Vovchenko L. , Matzui L. , Oliynyk V. , Launetz V. , Zhuravkov O.
Published: March 2013

The electrical and shielding properties of the epoxy resin (ED20) filled with graphite nanoplatelets and cut carbon fibres were investigated. The filler content was varied within 3–15 wt%, and the weight ratio of graphite nanoplatelets and carbon fibres was equal to 9:1. The DC conductivity was investigated by the two‐ or four‐probe methods in the temperature range 77–293 K. The shielding properties were measured in the frequency range of 26.5 to 37.5 GHz. The real part of the permittivity ε′r and the loss tangent tan δ for these composites were determined by the short‐circuited line method. The addition of carbon fibres slightly decreased the percolation threshold (Ccr ≈ 5.2 wt%) and caused a lower electrical conductivity with increasing filler content. Moreover, the addition of carbon fibres enhanced the shielding properties of composites mainly due to the increase of the electromagnetic radiation reflection index R.
Contributions of Managerial Levels: Comparing MLB and NFL
Authors: Brian Goff
Published: March 2013

Sports differ according to the number of players, interdependencies among them, complexity of strategy, and other dimensions. For example, baseball has been described as ‘an individual game in which a team score is kept’. These differences suggest differences in the relative importance of managerial inputs: owners, general managers, and managers (or head coaches). Using panels over 1970–2011, I estimate performance production regressions for Major League Baseball and the National Football League that permit the relative importance of these managerial inputs to be assessed within and across sports while taking explicit account of the hierarchical structure of management levels. In addition, with predicted individual effects, I present rankings of best and worst managers, general managers, and owners. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Targeted delivery of curcumin for treating type 2 diabetes
Authors: Maradana Muralidhara Rao , Thomas Ranjeny , O'Sullivan Brendan J.
Published: March 2013

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition in which cells have reduced insulin signalling, leading to hyperglycemia and long‐term complications, including heart, kidney and liver disease. Macrophages activated by dying or stressed cells, induce the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa‐B leading to the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines including TNF and IL‐6. These inflammatory macrophages in liver and adipose tissue promote insulin resistance, and medications which reduce inflammation and enhance insulin signalling improve glucose control. Curcumin is an anti‐oxidant and nuclear factor kappa‐B inhibitor derived from turmeric. A number of studies have shown that dietary curcumin reduces inflammation and delays or prevents obesity‐induced insulin resistance and associated complications, including atherosclerosis and immune mediate liver disease. Unfortunately dietary curcumin is poorly absorbed by the digestive system and undergoes glucuronidation and excretion rather than being released into the serum and systemically distributed. This confounds understanding of how dietary curcumin exerts its beneficial effects in type 2 diabetes and associated diseases. New improved methods of delivering curcumin are being developed including nanoparticles and lipid/liposome formulations that increase absorption and bioavailability of curcumin. Development and refinement of these technologies will enable cell‐directed targeting of curcumin and improved therapeutic outcome.
The Colour of Pain: Can Patients Use Colour to Describe Osteoarthritis Pain?
Authors: Wylde Vikki , Wells Victoria , Dixon Samantha , Gooberman‐Hill Rachael
Published: March 2013

Objective

The aim of the present study was to explore patients’ views on the acceptability and feasibility of using colour to describe osteoarthritis (OA) pain, and whether colour could be used to communicate pain to healthcare professionals.

Methods

Six group interviews were conducted with 17 patients with knee OA. Discussion topics included first impressions about using colour to describe pain, whether participants could associate their pain with colour, how colours related to changes to intensity and different pain qualities, and whether they could envisage using colour to describe pain to healthcare professionals.

Results

The group interviews indicated that, although the idea of using colour was generally acceptable, it did not suit all participants as a way of describing their pain. The majority of participants chose red to describe high‐intensity pain; the reasons given were because red symbolized inflammation, fire, anger and the stop signal in a traffic light system. Colours used to describe the absence of pain were chosen because of their association with positive emotional feelings, such as purity, calmness and happiness. A range of colours was chosen to represent changes in pain intensity. Aching pain was consistently identified as being associated with colours such as grey or black, whereas sharp pain was described using a wider selection of colours. The majority of participants thought that they would be able to use colour to describe their pain to healthcare professionals, although issues around the interpretability and standardization of colour were raised.

Conclusions

For some patients, using colour to describe their pain experience may be a useful tool to improve doctor–patient communication. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression of mitochondrial fission and fusion regulatory proteins in skeletal muscle during chronic use and disuse
Authors: Iqbal Sobia , Ostojic Olga , Singh Kaustabh , Joseph Anna‐Maria , Hood David A.
Published: March 2013

Introduction: The mitochondrial network within cells is mediated by fission and fusion processes. Methods: We investigated the expression of the proteins responsible for these events during conditions of altered oxidative capacity. Results: With chronic contractile activity, the mitochondrial reticulum increased in size, along with concomitant increases in the fusion proteins Opa1 and Mfn2 (by 36% and 53%; P < 0.05). When we induced muscle disuse through denervation for 7 days, fragmented mitochondria were observed, along with significant decreases in the expression of Mfn2 and Opa1 (by 84% and 70%). To assess the effects of aging on mitochondrial morphology, young (5 month) and aged (35 month) Fisher 344 Brown Norway rats were used. Aged animals also possessed smaller mitochondria and displayed increased levels of fission proteins. Conclusions: Chronic muscle use increases the ratio of fusion:fission proteins, leading to reticular mitochondria, whereas muscle disuse and aging result in a decrease in this ratio, culminating in fragmented organelles. Muscle Nerve 48: 963–970, 2013
Toilet training in healthy children: Results of a questionnaire study involving parents who make use of day‐care at least once a week
Authors: Kaerts Nore , Vermandel Alexandra , Van Hal Guido , Wyndaele Jean‐Jacques
Published: March 2013

Aims

To investigate how toilet training (TT) is dealt with and what the associated feelings are in Flemish families using day‐care at least once a week.

Methods

A questionnaire was provided to 256 parents of healthy children between 15 and 35 months old, using day‐care every week. Data were analyzed using SPSS18.0.

Results

Two hundred twenty‐two questionnaires were completed (response rate: 87%), of which 221 were valid. The overall results show that the start of TT and method used are mainly in line with current recommendations, and that the cooperation between parents and day‐care is seen as positive, providing support for the parents in guiding their child in the TT‐process. Most parents (74%) stated that day‐care and parents should play an equal role in the TT‐process. However, 17% of the parents experienced uncertainty, stress, and/or frustration related to TT. This percentage increased to 30% when asked about the right moment to start TT. Moreover, 18% of the parents reported a lack of time to guide their child in the TT‐process. Eighteen percent of the parents agreed that responsibility for TT is increasingly passed on to day‐care, while 46% remained undecided. In addition, 40% of the parents had no idea whether they used the same TT method as the day‐care center.

Conclusions

The results, in general, reflect a positive image of how TT is dealt with. However, several concerns were raised about the shared TT between parents and day‐care, implying that further research on this topic is needed.Neurourol. Urodynam. 33:316–323, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reliability and validity of the body image quality of life inventory: Version for Brazilian burn victims
Authors: Assunção Flávia Fernanda Oliveira , Dantas Rosana Aparecida Spadoti , Ciol Márcia Aparecida , Gonçalves Natália , Farina Jayme Adriano , Rossi Lidia Aparecida
Published: March 2013

The aims of this study were to adapt the Body Image Quality of Life Inventory (BIQLI) into Brazilian Portuguese (BP) and to assess the psychometric properties of the adapted version. Construct validity was assessed by correlating the BIQLI‐BP scores with the Rosenberg's Self‐Esteem Scale, with Burns Specific Health Scale—Revised (BSHS‐R), and with gender, total body surface area burned, and visibility of the scars. Participants were 77 adult burn patients. Cronbach's alpha for the adapted version was .90 and moderate linear correlations were found between body image and self‐esteem and between BIQLI‐BP scores and two domains of the BSHS‐R: affect and body image and interpersonal relationships. The BIQLI‐BP showed acceptable levels of reliability and validity for Brazilian burn patients. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 36:299–310, 2013
Governance and innovation policy failures in Europe
Authors: Schepers Stefan
Published: March 2013

It is axiomatic in business management that organization follows strategy. In public policy, it is not different: governance organization and tools are dependent on the objectives that authorities want to achieve. The present stagnation, if not decline, of the European Union provides an interesting warning not to ignore this. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of melt‐compounded and masterbatch‐diluted polypropylene composites filled with several fillers
Authors: Nevalainen Katja , Auvinen Sanna , Orell Olli , Eteläaho Pirkko , Suihkonen Reija , Vuorinen Jyrki , Järvelä Pentti
Published: March 2013

The effect of various fillers on the mechanical, barrier, and flammability properties of polypropylene (PP) was studied. PP was filled with 4 wt% of nano‐sized calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, organoclay, and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT). For comparison, micron‐sized calcium carbonate was also studied. Two‐step masterbatch dilution approach of the composites suggested no or only minor improvements in Young's modulus and tensile yield strength, whereas their ductility decreased compared to coupling agent‐modified PP matrix. The water vapor transmission results of filled films showed increased permeability compared to their coupling agent‐modified counterpart. Oxygen permeability, however, decreased for the composites. The MWCNT‐filled matrix showed the highest barrier and fire performance, attributed mainly to its higher filler volume content, but also other reasons such as the effect of filler dispersion, composite's thermal stability, and polymer crystallinity were discussed.POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
In situ preparation of Au or Ag nanoparticles in the presence of hyperbranched poly(amidoamine)s with hydrophobic end‐groups as nanoreactors and reductants
Authors: Shi Yunfeng , Xia Ning , Lv Chunna , Xing Zhimin , Guo Fang , Ding Tiantian , Zhang Na , Zhao Huiting , Wang Haige , Zhang Guanfeng , Wang Ying , Liu Lin
Published: March 2013

Hyperbranched poly(amidoamine)s with methyl ester terminals (HPAMAM‐COOCH3) were used as nanoreactors and reductants to prepare gold or silver nanoparticles (Au NPs or Ag NPs). HPAMAM‐COOCH3 could bind AuCl4
− (or Ag+) and then reduce AuCl4
− (or Ag+) into Au NPs (or Ag NPs) through their internal amines, while the external methyl ester groups prevented the aggregation of polymers. The formation of Au NPs or Ag NPs was verified using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy (UV‐Vis), X‐Ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), confirming the formation of Au NPs or Ag NPs with small particle size and low size distribution.POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Experimental and analytical approach for the size effect on the fiber strength of CFRP
Authors: Hwang Tae‐Kyung , Kim Hyoung‐Geun
Published: March 2013

In this article, experimental test and an analytical approach were conducted to verify the fiber tensile strength of filament wound pressure vessel. As a test method, improved hoop ring test method was considered. From a series of fully scaled hoop ring tests, the size effect showed the clearly observed tendency toward fiber strength degradation with increasing stressed volume. As an analytical method, Weibull weakest link model and the sequential multistep failure model (SMFM) were considered and compared with the test data from hoop ring test and unidirectional specimens test. It was found that the Weibull weakest link model and the SMFM significantly overestimate the size effect on fiber strength. Thus, the fiber strength showed much lower values than those of test data. In this study, an improved SMFM was proposed by considering a modification of the length size effect. Because this model enhances the accuracy of predicting the fiber strength, the fiber strengths from the improved SMFM showed good agreement with the test data.POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers