bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spd2 assists Spd1 in modulation of RNR architecture but does not regulate deoxynucleotide pools
Authors: Vejrup-Hansen Rasmus , Fleck Oliver , Landvad Katrine , Fahnøe Ulrik , Broendum Sebastian S. , Schreurs Ann-Sofie , Kragelund Birthe B. , Carr Antony M. , Holmberg Christian , Nielsen Olaf
Published: March 2014

In yeasts, small intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) modulate ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) activity to ensure an optimal supply of dNTPs for DNA synthesis. The S. pombe Spd1 protein can directly inhibit the large RNR subunit (R1), import the small subunit (R2) into the nucleus and induce an architectural change in the R1-R2 holocomplex. Here, we report the characterization of Spd2, a protein with homology to Spd1. We show that Spd2 is a CRL4Cdt2 controlled IDP that functions together with Spd1 in the DNA damage response and in modulation of RNR architecture. However, Spd2 does not regulate dNTP pools and R2 nuclear import. Furthermore, deletion of spd2 only weakly suppresses the Rad3ATR checkpoint dependency of CRL4Cdt2 mutants. However, when we raised intracellular dNTP pools by inactivation of RNR feedback inhibition, deletion of spd2 could suppress the checkpoint dependency of CRL4Cdt2 mutant cells to the same extent as spd1. Collectively, these observations suggest that Spd1 on its own regulates dNTP pools, while it together with Spd2 modulates RNR architecture and sensitizes cells to DNA damage.
On Flow Field of Radially Emitted Underexpanded Jet
Authors: Sakakibara Yoko , Endo Masaki , Iwamoto Junjiro
Published: March 2014

A radial jet issuing from a slit nozzle is studied experimentally and numerically in this paper. It is a simple model of the wall jet for an axisymmetric jet when it impinges on a flat plate perpendicularly. The slit nozzle is a spacing between the open ends of two tubes placed face to face with each other. The air is choked at nozzle exit and a radial underexpanded jet is formed around the tubes. Both frontal and side views of the flow field are visualized simultaneously using the shadowgraph method. As the oblique shocks in the jet are formed surrounding the circular tubes, the ring-shaped shocks are visualized in the frontal view, the cell structure of the jet being in the side view. Oscillation of the flow field with many vortices and a feed-back mechanism of density waves around the jet obtained experimentally and numerically are discussed.
A Study on Pressure Wave Emitted from Transonic Pulsating Jet
Authors: Endo Masaki , Iwamoto Junjiro
Published: March 2014

A pulsating flow through a pipe and the jet discharged from the pipe end were numerically simulated. The mechanism of pressure wave radiation from the transonic pulsating jet was examined. Noise emanates from a jet issuing from an exhaust pipe of automotive engines and reciprocating compressors. The jet is unsteady and has some sources of noise such as the jet itself, shock wave and the interaction between shock and vortex, etc. The present study focuses on the mechanism of noise generation, in particular the noise caused by the shock-vortex interaction. The Random-Choice Method was employed for the calculation of the flow field in the pipe and the TVD scheme was used for the flow field downstream of the pipe end. The flow fields with the pulsation at the different frequencies were examined. The numerical results are compared with Schlieren pictures obtained by the experiment. The behavior of the small vortex formed along the jet boundary and the formation of shock in the vortex are found to be closely related to the pressure wave emitted from the transonic pulsating jet.
Advances in Experimental Aeroacoustics
Authors: Raman Ganesh , Ramachandran Rakesh Chandran , Srinivasan K. , Dougherty Robert
Published: March 2014

A review of modern experimental methods in aeroacoustics is provided along with sample applications. Specific emphasis has been placed on four advanced experimental techniques: (i) beamforming, (ii) acoustic holography, (iii) phase averaging and simultaneous flow/acoustic measurements and (iv) higher order spectral analysis. Through a description and analysis of recent successful application scenarios of the above techniques, their immense potential in experimental aeroacoustics is highlighted.
On the Lattice Structure of a Special Class of Multiple Recursive Random Number Generators
Authors: L'Ecuyer Pierre , Simard Richard
Published: March 2014

We examine some properties of the points produced by certain classes of long-period linear multiple recursive random number generators proposed by L.-Y. Deng and his co-authors in several papers. These generators have their parameters selected in special ways to make the implementation faster. We show that as a result, the points produced by these generators have a poor lattice structure, and a poor initialization of the state can have long-lasting impact, because of the limited diffusion capacity of the recurrence.
A Machine Learning Approach to Improving Dynamic Decision Making
Authors: Meyer Georg , Adomavicius Gediminas , Johnson Paul E. , Elidrisi Mohamed , Rush William A. , Sperl-Hillen JoAnn M. , O'Connor Patrick J.
Published: March 2014

Decision strategies in dynamic environments do not always succeed in producing desired outcomes, particularly in complex, ill-structured domains. Information systems often capture large amounts of data about such environments. We propose a domain-independent, iterative approach that (a) applies data mining classification techniques to the collected data in order to discover the conditions under which dynamic decision-making strategies produce undesired or suboptimal outcomes and (b) uses this information to improve the decision strategy under these conditions. In this paper, we formally develop this approach and illustrate it by providing detailed examples of its application to a chronic disease care problem in a healthcare management organization, specifically the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In particular, the proposed iterative approach is used to improve treatment strategies by predicting and eliminating treatment failures, i.e., insufficient or excessive treatment actions, based on information that is available in electronic medical record systems. We also apply the proposed approach to a manufacturing task, resulting in substantial decision strategy improvements, which further demonstrates the generality and flexibility of the proposed approach.
Biodistribution of locally or systemically transplanted osteoblast-like cells
Authors: Okabe Y. T. , Kondo T. , Mishima K. , Hayase Y. , Kato K. , Mizuno M. , Ishiguro N. , Kitoh H.
Published: March 2014

Objectives

In order to ensure safety of the cell-based therapy for bone regeneration, we examined in vivo biodistribution of locally or systemically transplanted osteoblast-like cells generated from bone marrow (BM) derived mononuclear cells.

Methods

BM cells obtained from a total of 13 Sprague-Dawley (SD) green fluorescent protein transgenic (GFP-Tg) rats were culture-expanded in an osteogenic differentiation medium for three weeks. Osteoblast-like cells were then locally transplanted with collagen scaffolds to the rat model of segmental bone defect. Donor cells were also intravenously infused to the normal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats for systemic biodistribution. The flow cytometric and histological analyses were performed for cellular tracking after transplantation.

Results

Locally transplanted donor cells remained within the vicinity of the transplantation site without migrating to other organs. Systemically administered large amounts of osteoblast-like cells were cleared from various organ tissues within three days of transplantation and did not show any adverse effects in the transplanted rats.

Conclusions

We demonstrated a precise assessment of donor cell biodistribution that further augments prospective utility of regenerative cell therapy. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2014;3:76–81.
Practice Management Training in the PGY1 Residency Year: Best Practices from Two Nationwide Surveys
Authors: Doligalski Christina , Verbosky Michael , Alexander Earnest , Kotis Desi , Powell Michael
Published: March 2014

Purpose

The development of future pharmacy leaders is vital to the advancement of our profession. Postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) residency training requires residents to exercise leadership and practice management skills. Two national surveys were conducted to describe the current state of practice management experiences and elucidate best practice recommendations.

Methods

The surveys, online multiple choice and free response, queried American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)–accredited residency program practice management preceptors (survey 1) and PGY1 residents (survey 2) and were distributed via the ASHP residency program directors’ listserv. Responses were reviewed and analyzed by members of the University HealthSystem Consortium Pharmacy Council Strategic Initiatives and Programming Committee.

Results

Survey 1, completed by 240 institutions, identified that a combination of concentrated and longitudinal practice management experiences were used most frequently (47%), followed by concentrated alone (33%). Universally noted activities included meeting attendance (98%), projects (94%), and committee involvement (92%). Sixty-seven percent of the programs changed the experience in the previous 3 years, with 43% planning changes in the coming year. Survey 2 was completed by 58 PGY1 residents from 42 programs. Most (80%) residents stated they had enough time with their preceptors, and 55% rated their enjoyment of the rotation as 4 or 5 on a 1 to 5 scale (5 = most enjoyed)

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that there is not a best practice for the structure or content of the PGY1 practice management experience. These results highlight key recommendations, including the need for practice management-specific preceptor development, incorporation of longitudinal experiences, and more practice management and leadership activities.
Conjugated Estrogens and Bazedoxifene
Authors: Cada Dennis J. , Baker Danial E.
Published: March 2014

Each month, subscribers to The Formulary Monograph Service receive 5 to 6 well-documented monographs on drugs that are newly released or are in late phase 3 trials. The monographs are targeted to Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committees. Subscribers also receive monthly 1-page summary monographs on agents that are useful for agendas and pharmacy/nursing in-services. A comprehensive target drug utilization evaluation/medication use evaluation (DUE/MUE) is also provided each month. With a subscription, the monographs are sent in print and are also available on-line. Monographs can be customized to meet the needs of a facility. A drug class review is now published monthly with The Formulary Monograph Service. Through the cooperation of The Formulary, Hospital Pharmacy publishes selected reviews in this column. For more information about The Formulary Monograph Service, call The Formulary at 800-322-4349. The March 2014 monograph topics are umeclidinium and vilanterol inhalation powder, sucroferric oxyhydroxide, luliconazole, edoxaban, and secukinumab. The DUE/MUE is on fentanyl transdermal system.
Approvals, Submission, and Important Labeling Changes for US Marketed Pharmaceuticals
Authors: Baker Danial E.
Published: March 2014

This monthly feature will help readers keep current on new drugs, new indications, dosage forms, and safety-related changes in labeling or use. Efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of this information; however, if there are any questions, please let me know at danial.baker@wsu.edu .
Clinical and Formulary Considerations for Biosimilars
Authors: Lucio Steven
Published: March 2014

The introduction of biosimilars represents an important mechanism by which health care organizations can manage the increasing expense of pharmaceuticals. While intended to occupy a position similar to that of generic versions of small-molecule medications, biosimilars will be governed by a unique regulatory mechanism, given the size, complexity, and variability of the originator biologic drugs. Therefore, the processes by which biosimilars will be evaluated for formulary inclusion and clinical use will be different as well. The biosimilar market is still in the early stages of development and requires further maturation. Therefore, pharmacists can seize the intervening time to assume leadership positions in preparing their organizations and clinical colleagues, including physicians, for the continued development of this new product class. Pharmacists must ensure that an appropriate clinical infrastructure is in place to allow for the safe and effective prescribing, administration, and monitoring of biosimilars. They must also be prepared to differentiate between state regulatory actions concerning biosimilars and the conflicting marketing messages that originator and biosimilar manufacturers are likely to issue. This article provides an introduction to the key formulary considerations required for biosimilar evaluation and use.
Activation of Toll-Like Receptor-9 Promotes Cellular Migration via Up-Regulating MMP-2 Expression in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Ruan Min , Zhang Zun , Li Siyi , Yan Min , Liu Shengwen , Yang Wenjun , Wang Lizheng , Zhang Chenping
Published: March 2014

Purpose

Activation of Toll like receptors (TLRs) signaling has been implicated in promoting malignant cell invasion and metastatic potential. Previously we demonstrated that increased TLR-9 expression predicted poor survival in oral cancer patients. The objective of this study is to further investigate the roles and potential molecular mechanisms of TLR-9 signaling in human oral cancer cell invasion.

Methods

Cell migration, invasion and protein expression were detected by wound healing assay, Transwell chambers model and western blot. The secretion and activity levels of metalloproteinases-2/9 were quantified by ELISA and Gelatin zymography. EMSA and ChIP assays were employed to detect the activity of AP-1signal pathway. TLR-9 siRNA transfection was used to regulate the expression and activity of TLR-9 in oral cancer cell line HB cells.

Result

The results of both wound healing assay and in vitro Transwell assay revealed that activation of TLR-9 induced dose- and time- dependent migration and invasion of HB cells. An increased expression, secretion and activity of MMP-2 were observed upon the treatment of CpG-ODN. The TLR-9 signaling-mediated MMP-2 expression appeared to be a consequence of AP-1 activation, because that their DNA binding activity was enhanced by CpG-ODN treatment. All these influences were efficiently repressed by the knockdown of TLR-9 through siRNA or pretreatment of an AP-1 inhibitor.

Conclusion

Activation of TLR-9 signaling could promote human oral cancer HB cells invasion with the induction of MMP-2 presentation by attenuating AP-1 binding activity, suggesting a novel anti-metastatic application for TLR-9 targeted therapy in oral cancer in the future.
Anosognosia and Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Pia Lorenzo , Conway Paul M.
Published: March 2014

Neurological patients can be entirely unaware of their disease; this phenomenon is called anosognosia and it has been shown in different sensory-motor and cognitive domains. Lack of awareness has been investigated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and within different domains of it. In the present article we review the literature on anosognosia for AD that had been indexed on the Medline database until the end of 2004. Historical introduction to the subject is followed by a brief description of the anatomy and clinical characteristics of AD. An analysis of a number of studies that focus on the relationship between anosognosia and AD then follows. This review shows that anosognosia is typical in AD, compared with other types of dementia, and it is a distinctive feature in the most severe cases and particularly in the beginning phases of illness. From an anatomical point of view, anosognosia seems to be strictly connected to frontal lobe areas; in fact, patients with anosognosia and AD show a reduction of cerebral haematic flow in the frontal regions, as well as deficits of executive functions and extrapyramidal signs. Interestingly, co-occurring depression could be interpreted as an adaptive behavior to counter the effects of perceived loss of cognitive abilities. Finally, self-awareness in AD could have some common mechanisms with auto-monitoring in schizophrenia.
The politics of small business organization, partisanship and institutionalization: similarities in the contrasting cases of Japan and the US
Authors: Babb James
Published: March 2014

Partisanship and institutionalization are more important to group formation and dynamics than is often recognized in the literature on interest groups. This study examines the contrasting cases of small business group formation and dynamics in Japan and the United States to demonstrate how opposition to the party or parties in power was crucial to the timing and nature of the largest small business organizations formed in both countries. Parties are also important to subsequent developments in the organization and institutional interactions of the sector. It is these processes which explain the divergent outcome whereby the US small business sector is identified with the political right and the small business in Japan with the political left.
The structure, molecular interactions and bioactivities of proinsulin C-peptide correlate with a tripartite molecule
Authors: Landreh Michael , Johansson Jan , Wahren John , Jörnvall Hans
Published: March 2014

Many biological roles have been assigned to proinsulin C-peptide over the years. Some appear surprisingly disparate and sometimes even contradictory, like chaperone-like actions and depository tendencies. This review summarizes recently reported biomolecular interactions of the peptide and presents how they correlate with structural and functional aspects into a partitioned molecular architecture. At the structural level, the C-peptide sequence and fold can be subdivided into three distinct parts (‘tripartite’). At the functional level, its chaperone-like abilities, self-assembly, and membrane interactions, as well as interactions with relevant proteins can be separately ascribed to these three segments. At the biological level, the assignments are compatible with the suggested roles of C-peptide in granular insulin storage, chaperone-like activities on insulin oligomers, possible depository tendencies, and proposed receptor interactions. Finally, the assignments give interesting parallels to further bioactive peptides, including glucagon and neurotensin. Provided pharmaceutical and clinical trials are successfully completed, the present interpretations should supply mechanistic explanations on C-peptide as a bioactive compound of importance in health and diabetes.
Kinetics of cadmium accumulation and occurrence of dead cells in leaves of the submerged angiosperm Ruppia maritima
Authors: Malea Paraskevi , Kevrekidis Theodoros , Mogias Athanasios , Adamakis Ioannis-Dimosthenis S.
Published: March 2014

Cadmium accumulation and leaf cell death in the brackish water-submerged angiosperm Ruppia maritima L. were investigated under laboratory conditions exposed to increasing metal concentrations (2.22–355.88 μm). The Michaelis-Menten equation satisfactorily described accumulation kinetics in plant compartments (leaves, rhizome-stems, roots). Equilibrium concentration and uptake rate generally tended to increase, whereas bioconcentration factor at equilibrium decreased, as exposure concentration increased. The relationship between tissue concentration and the set of exposure concentrations and times was adequately described by multiple regression equations. Leaf cell death was observed after 3 or 5 days depending on dosage, but dead cell percentage was small after 9 days, suggesting a rather slow progress of cell death. The lowest leaf cadmium concentration associated with the onset of cell death was within the range of cadmium concentrations reported for seagrasses from various locations, implying that cadmium poses a risk to submerged angiosperms in coastal waters. However, toxicity appeared to be related to the rate of metal uptake rather than to total tissue concentration; an earlier onset of cell death at the highest exposure concentration was associated with the highest uptake rate, and dead cell percentage on the ninth day tended to increase with uptake rate. The data presented provide insights into metal accumulation by, and their effects on, submerged angiosperms colonizing coastal waters.
Morphological and molecular characterization of Neoralfsia hancockii comb. nov. (Ralfsiales, Phaeophyceae) from topotype of San José del Cabo, Baja California, Mexico
Authors: León-Álvarez Daniel , Núñez-Resendiz Maria L. , Pónce-Márquez Maria E.
Published: March 2014

To resolve the taxonomic status of Ralfsia hancockii and its relationship to related species, we have carried out a morphological and molecular study (rbcL) on the topotype material of the species. Our analyses, using maximum parsimony and Bayesian posterior probability, located this species in a clade that is distinct and distant from other species of the genus Ralfsia and other genera of the family Ralfsiaceae, but is shared with the family Neoralfsiaceae. Morphological data confirmed that the presence of unangia with (2–) 3–6 stalk cells and mostly unilateral symmetry with partial bilateral development is characteristic of this species and distinguishes it from the morphologically similar Neoralfsia expansa sensu Børgesen. Similarities to N. expansa sensu Tanaka and Chihara, from which the latter species is distinguished by having paraphyses with thinner and larger basal cells, are discussed. We propose Neoralfsia hancockii comb. nov.
A Hölder-logarithmic stability estimate for an inverse problem in two dimensions
Authors: Santacesaria Matteo
Published: March 2014

The problem of the recovery of a real-valued potential in the two-dimensional Schrödinger equation at positive energy from the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map is considered. It is know that this problem is severely ill-posed and the reconstruction of the potential is only logarithmic stable in general. In this paper a new stability estimate is proved, which is explicitly dependent on the regularity of the potentials and on the energy. Its main feature is an efficient increasing stability phenomenon at sufficiently high energies: in some sense, the stability rapidly changes from logarithmic type to Hölder type. The paper develops also several estimates for a non-local Riemann–Hilbert problem which could be of independent interest.
Optimizing the underlying parameters for protein-nanoparticle interaction: advancement in theoretical simulation
Authors: Khan Syamantak , Nandi Chayan K.
Published: March 2014

The interaction of nanosized materials with living organisms is the central concern in the key applications of nanotechnology. In particular, the protein adsorption to nanomaterial surface has been a major focus of study in the past decade. Unfortunately, the underlying principles and molecular mechanisms are still not well understood, and there have been various approaches to address the issue. Bottom-up approaches like computational simulations at the atomistic level have already proved their potential. Several force fields and models have been developed to simulate realistic dynamics to mimic the interaction of solid surfaces and peptides, even in some cases, the whole protein. However, there are a few major limitations and bottlenecks of these studies, which remain mostly ignored and unexplored. Here, we review the studies that have been the major contributors to our present understanding of the nanoparticle (NP)-protein interaction. As the complexity of this phenomenon arises from different stages, the study of protein-NP interactions from multiple directions is necessary. In the perspective of bioapplications, we discuss the major challenges of this field and future scopes of research that can be designed rationally, sometimes coupled with numerous available experimental techniques to understand NP-protein docking in a more realistic manner.
Triticale straw and its thermoplastic biocomposites
Authors: Ngo Tri-Dung , Ton-That Minh-Tan , Hu Wei
Published: March 2014

The potential of triticale straw for the production of green composites based on polypropylene (PP) was evaluated. The composites were prepared by melt compounding of PP and chopped triticale straw (so-called triticale particles) using different formulations and triticale concentrations. The morphology and crystallization of the PP triticale composites were characterized by means of various techniques, including optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The composite mechanical performance was also evaluated. The results obtained demonstrate that, by simply adding triticale particles into PP, they play the role of a conventional filler that increases the modulus while reduces the strength. However, the developed formulation with the combination of coupling agent and reactive additive provides superior strength and modulus for the composites; thus, it can upgrade the triticale particles from filler to reinforcement category.
Comparison Between the Effects of Combining Elastic and Free-Weight Resistance and Free-Weight Resistance on Force and Power Production
Authors: Paditsaeree Kampanart , Intiraporn Chaninchai , Lawsirirat Chaipat
Published: March 2014

Paditsaeree, K, Intiraporn, C, and Lawsirirat, C. Comparison between the effects of combining elastic and free-weight resistance and free-weight resistance on force and power production. J Strength Cond Res 30(10): 2713–2722, 2016—Elastic tubing attached to a barbell has been reported to enhance strength and power to a greater extent as compared with conventional barbells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the additional elastic tubing to a barbell during a clean pull on peak power (PP), peak velocity (PV), and peak force (PF). Six competitive female weightlifters (mean age, 16.7 ± 2.1 years) performed 3 sets of 3 repetitions of the clean pull at 90% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM). Testing was conducted on 3 separate days: day 1 without elastic tubing (no tubing [NT]) and the other 2 days with 2 elastic tubing loading conditions (T10 and T20), in random order. No tubing represents a condition where all resistance was acquired from the barbell (90% of 1RM). T10 and T20 represent conditions of combining elastic tubing at 10 and 20% of the subjects' 90% 1RM with a barbell (90% of 1RM). One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to assess loading conditions on PP, PV, and PF. The results showed that there was a significant increase in all variables—PP, PF, and PV—between T10 and NT and between T20 and NT (p ≤ 0.05). The results revealed that adding a 10% increment to 90% of 1RM seems to be the optimal training condition for increasing power, force, and velocity during the clean pull.
Optimized Protocol for the Use of Thermo-sensitive Liposome in Tumor Therapeutics
Authors: Cha Jae Min , Choi Eun-Jung , Park Sang-Jun , Song Sang-Ok , Park Sun Min , Choi Kyu-Sil , Park Eun-Sung , Kim Hyun Ryoung
Published: March 2014

Liposomal drug delivery products have been already commercialized in tumor therapeutics, which can realize passive tumor targeting via enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect resulting from the leaky tumor vasculature. To control drug release out of the liposomes, thermo-sensitive liposomes (TSLs) have been developed so that an abrupt exposure of highly concentrated drugs to tumor tissues was enabled by locally treated thermal stimuli. As interests upon TSL have increased along with ongoing clinical trials, some types of TSLs with different physical properties in pharmacokinetics and the mechanism of drug release have been formulated. However, there are few protocols established with a desirable heat source to maximize the efficacy of different TSLs as treating tumors. In this study, we examined different protocols for the most effective application of different TSLs to tumor therapy. First, we examined if enhancing the accumulation of TSLs within tumor tissues prior to bursting drugs out of TSLs could lead to increasing anti-tumor efficacy. Second, we compared the efficiency of two different heat sources on the use of TSL, a warm water bath (42°C) and high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). Our study suggests that the specified protocol be setup for TSLs with different physical properties to optimally function in tumor therapies.
Recent Research Progress of Long-wavelength Emitting Long-persistent Luminescence Materials
Authors: Zeng Wei , Wang Yuhua , Li Yanqin , Xu Xuhui
Published: March 2014

Blue and Green long-persistent luminescence materials have been fully developed, and are well featured in production and application. However, long-wavelength emitting materials are very rare relatively. This paper presents some work from our laboratory on the recent progress in long-wavelength emitting long-persistent luminescence materials: Sr3Al2O5Cl2: Eu2+, Tm3+, Sr2SnO4: Sm3+ and Ca2BO3Cl: Eu2+, Dy3+. The initial intensity of Sr3Al2O5Cl2: Eu2+, Tm3+ can reach nearly 5000 mcd/m2 and its afterglow can last about 220 min at recognizable intensity level. Sr2SnO4: Sm3+ has a red emission and its afterglow time of which sintered in vacuum atmosphere increased substantially. With optimum doping concentration and sufficient excitation with UV light, the yellow afterglow of Ca2BO3Cl: Eu2+, Dy3+ can persist over 48 h.
Polyacrylate nanoparticles mediated cytotoxic process in breast cancer 4T1 cell line
Authors: Barros Susan S. , Silva Jaqueline R. , Azevedo Ricardo B. , Lunardi Claure N. , Gomes Anderson J.
Published: March 2014

The main objective of this study was to develop a polymeric drug delivery system for tamoxifen (TMX), intended to be injectable Eudragit® nanoparticles (NP) for breast cancer treatment. TMX-Eudragit-NP were characterized in terms of particle size, surface morphology, drug physical state by using photon correlation spectrometry (PCS), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The entrapment efficiency (%EE) and in vitrodrug release studies were estimated spectrophotometrically by UV-vis technique. The cell toxicity assay was performed in 4T1 cell line using MTT test. TMX-Eudragit-NP showed a maximum entrapment efficient of 23%. The size measurements were compared with the empty nanoparticles and showed values of TMX-Eudragit-NP = 133 ± 30 nm nm, and empty- NP = 273± 50 nm. The zeta potential of particles was +65 and +38 mV for TMX-Eudragit-NP and empty-NP respectively. FTIR studies did not indicate changes in chemical structure or polymer-drug interaction. The cytotoxicity against the 4T1 cells was affected significantly by the released amount of TMX, while empty-NP exhibit no significant cytotoxicity against mouse breast cancer cells (4T1 cell line).
Ceramic Actuators: Principles and Applications
Authors: Uchino Kenji
Published: March 2014

Piezoelectric and electrostrictive actuators, capable of moving something electromechanically, are forming a new field between electronic and structural ceramics. Application fields are classified into three categories: positioners, motors, and vibration suppressors. The manufacturing precision of optical instruments such as lasers and cameras, and the positioning accuracy for fabricating semiconductor chips, which must be adjusted using solidstate actuators, is of the order of 0.1 μm. Regarding conventional electromagnetic motors, tiny motors smaller than 1 cm3 are often required in office or factory automation equipment and are rather difficult to produce with sufficient energy efficiency. Ultrasonic motors whose efficiency is insensitive to size are superior in the minimotor area. Vibration suppression in space structures and military vehicles using piezoelectric actuators is also a promising technology.

New solid-state displacement transducers controlled by temperature (shape memory alloy) or magnetic field (amorphous magnetostrictive alloy) have been proposed, but are generally inferior to the piezoelectric/electrostrictive actuators because of technological trends aimed at reduced driving power and miniaturization.
Mechanical Behavior of Thin Films
Authors: Bravman John C. , Nix William D.
Published: March 2014

The use of materials based on their mechanical behavior has moderated key aspects of the development of civilization. Starting perhaps with stone and wood, used more or less in forms provided directly by nature, progressing to the ferrous metallurgies that gave birth to the entire industrial revolution, and continuing with today's exotic high-strength, light-weight alloys and composites, materials have frequently been selected to fulfill the structural engineering needs of designers, builders, and inventors. Following these trends, studies of the mechanical behavior of solids, once the exclusive purview of blacksmiths and artisans, came to occupy the attention of scientists and engineers worldwide, and were foundational to the modern discipline of materials science and engineering.

In this issue of the MRS Bulletin, we have selected five articles that highlight the intellectual coupling of traditional mechanical behavior investigations with the use of materials in thin film forms. Such a coupling is not entirely new. In an ASM-sponsored seminar held in 1963, for instance, one of the papers presented was entitled simply “Mechanical Properties of Thin Films.” Within the last decade, however, and due largely to developments within the microelectronic and magnetic disk industries, awareness of the need to predict, control, and understand the mechanical behavior of thin film media has grown rapidly. Many of the most important failure mechanisms operative in integrated circuits, for example, such as stress and electromigration voiding, are mechanical in nature.
Measurement of Thin Film Mechanical Properties Using Nanoindentation
Authors: Pharr G.M. , Oliver W.C.
Published: March 2014

One of the simplest ways to measure the mechanical properties of a thin film is to deform it on a very small scale. Because indentation testing with a sharp indenter is one convenient means to accomplish this, nanoindentation, or indentation testing at the nanometer scale, has become one of the most widely used techniques for measuring the mechanical properties of thin films. Other reasons for the popularity of nanoindentation stem from the ease with which a wide variety of mechanical properties can be measured without removing the film from its substrate and the ability to probe a surface at numerous points and spatially map its mechanical properties. The utility of the mapping capability is illustrated in Figure 1, which shows several small indentations made at selected points in a microelectronic device. The hardness and modulus of the device were determined at each point. In addition to microelectronics, nanoindentation has also proved useful in the study of optical coatings, hard coatings, and materials with surfaces modified by ion implantation and laser treatment.
Partially Disordered Inorganic Materials
Authors: Eckert J. , Stucky G.D. , Cheetham A.K.
Published: March 2014

It is widely recognized that the presence of defects in crystals and other solid materials can have a profound effect upon their chemical and physical properties and, consequently, that defects have a major impact on the practical utility of many technological materials. The presence of defects in a crystalline material implies the presence of disorder, and the extent of such disorder can range from very minor, such as the occurrence of Schottky defects in a crystal of sodium chloride, to maximum disorder, as in an amorphous material. The focus of this overview is on systems that are partially disordered, spanning the range between—but not including—sodium chloride and an amorphous material. Even within this range, the aim is not to be comprehensive, since for space reasons we have restricted our coverage to inorganic materials and hybrid inorganic-organic systems. The choice of this topic stems from both its fundamental and practical importance; it is also a very timely topic. For example, there is a great deal of current interest in complex, partially ordered materials such as the surfactant-mediated mesoporous silicas, biominerals, and hybrid organic-inorganic composites. Research on such materials has presented challenges that cannot easily be addressed by characterization tools that have been developed for well-ordered materials. The same situation is found in other areas such as carbons (including nanotubes) and glassy metal oxides.
Crack Characterization
Authors: Buck Otto
Published: March 2014

Although cracks in structural components are, in general, highly undesirable, not all of them are detrimental to the life of the structure. To determine precisely how detrimental the crack actually is, one must characterize several crack parameters, particularly the location, size, shape, and orientation with respect to the applied stress. With these parameters and the magnitude of the applied stress, the driving force on the crack can be calculated by determining the stress intensity factorKor the stress intensity range ΔK. Most inspections today are performed in a scanning mode. If indications of some anomaly appear, the inspection is concentrated on these locations; and, if the response verifies the presence of a flaw, the size, shape, orientation of the flaw and the potential for future growth of the flaws are determined. This process is now termed “quantitative nondestructive evaluation” (QNDE).

This short review is devoted to recent advances in the characterization of cracks in various stages of development. The increase in sophistication in instrumentation and the use of computers for data analysis and interpretation has been dramatic and will certainly continue.

In the laboratory, compliance gauges and electrical potential drop methods are now extensively used for crack length and shape measurements. Acoustic methods are being widely used in industry as nondestructive testing and evaluation tools because they are relatively easy to apply to real structures.
Alternative Response Criteria (Choi, European Association for the Study of the Liver, and Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors [RECIST]) Versus RECIST 1.1 in Patients With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated With Sorafenib
Authors: Ronot Maxime , Bouattour Mohamed , Wassermann Johanna , Bruno Onorina , Dreyer Chantal , Larroque Béatrice , Castera Laurent , Vilgrain Valérie , Belghiti Jacques , Raymond Eric , Faivre Sandrine
Published: March 2014

Introduction.

Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1), may underestimate activity and does not predict survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with sorafenib. This study assessed the value of alternative radiological criteria to evaluate response in HCC patients treated with sorafenib.

Patients and Methods.

A retrospective blinded central analysis was performed of computed tomography (CT) scans from baseline and the first tumor evaluation in consecutive patients treated with sorafenib over a 2-year period in a single institution. Four different evaluation criteria were used: Choi, European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), modified RECIST (mRECIST), and RECIST 1.1.

Results.

Among 82 HCC patients, 64 with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B-C were evaluable with a median follow-up of 22 months. Median duration of sorafenib treatment was 5.7 months, and median overall survival was 12.8 months. At the time of the first CT scan, performed after a median of 2.1 months, Choi, EASL, mRECIST, and RECIST 1.1 identified 51%, 28%, 28%, and 3% objective responses, respectively. Responders by all criteria showed consistent overall survival >20 months. Among patients with stable disease according to RECIST 1.1, those identified as responders by Choi had significantly better overall survival than Choi nonresponders (22.4 vs. 10.6 months; hazard ratio: 0.43, 95% confidence interval: 0.15–0.86, p = .0097).

Conclusion.

Choi, EASL, and mRECIST criteria appear more appropriate than RECIST 1.1 to identify responders with long survival among advanced HCC patients benefiting from sorafenib.
To Treat or Not To Treat: Who Should Decide?
Authors: Laarhoven Hanneke W.M. , Henselmans Inge , Haes J. (Hanneke) C.
Published: March 2014

The emphasis of the last decades on patients’ autonomy and patients’ rights to make decisions regarding their medical treatment may have obfuscated the fact that patients may not be able to make a decision. We advocate that an optimal medical decision is one that integrates information about the patient's clinical state and circumstances, the available research evidence, as well as the patient's values and preferences.
Landscape‐scale modeling of reference period forest conditions and fire behavior on heavily logged lands
Authors: Maxwell R. Stockton , Taylor Alan H. , Skinner Carl N. , Safford Hugh D. , Isaacs Rachel E. , Airey Catherine , Young Amanda B.
Published: March 2014

Forest conditions prior to extensive land clearing are often used as a point‐of‐reference by ecologists and resource managers for characterizing the historical range of variability in forest conditions shaped by intact disturbance regimes. Quantitative data on forest reference conditions can be developed from forest surveys and reconstructions using dendroecology; however, these methods lack the spatial resolution needed for landscape management. In this paper, we combine predictive vegetation mapping methods with reference forest conditions inferred from early forest surveys, dendroecology, and fire simulation models to develop landscape‐scale reference conditions for forest structure, forest fuels, fire frequency, and fire behavior using the Lake Tahoe Basin, California as an example.

The dendroecological reconstruction method used for the Lake Tahoe Basin forests was not sensitive to variation in decomposition rates suggesting that our method provided robust estimates of reference period forest characteristics. The cluster analysis procedure identified five forest structure types (white fir, Jeffrey pine, red fir, lodgepole pine, and subalpine) and 15 subtypes. Each forest type had a characteristic composition, density, and basal area. Our random forests approach to classifying and mapping the spatial distribution of the five dominant reference forest structure types resulted in 51.5% classification accuracy using 14 physiographic and climatic variables. The random forests model to identify subtypes within each forest group had an average percent correct classification of 47.8%. The random forests model for fire intervals explained 67% of the variance in the point fire return interval estimates from fire‐scarred trees. Estimates of reference period fuels modeled from stand structure suggested moderate fuel loads for reference forests. The predicted potential fire type for forest subtypes under extreme weather was surface fire except for red fir and the lodgepole pine subtypes with potential for crown fire. By characterizing the reference forest composition, structure, and disturbance frequency with a range of variability, managers can develop a forested landscape more resilient to changes in disturbance regime and climate. Although our approach was developed for the Lake Tahoe Basin, California, it could be applied to a wide range of forest landscapes to identify forest reference conditions.
Resilience and Treatment Adhesion in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Faria Daniella Antunes Pousa , Revoredo Luciana Silva , Vilar Maria José , Eulália Maria Chaves Maia
Published: March 2014

Background:

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune, rheumatic inflammatory disease
that can cause significant morbidity with evident psychological impacts and obvious harm to quality-of-life that require
the patient to adapt treatment.

Objective:

Assessment of resilience and the self-reported treatment adhesion behaviors of patients with SLE, investigating
which of these factors are associated to resilience.

Method:

Cross-sectional study of 40 women with SLE. A questionnaire with social demographic data, health history and
the Wagnild Young Resilience Scale were used.

Results:

62.5% followed the medical treatment properly but 55% found it difficult. 27.5% of the patients presented low
resilience, 57.5% medium and 15% high resilience. Resilience was associated in the chi-square test (p-value < 0.05) with
the variables work, understanding SLE, trying to find out about SLE, following the treatment correctly, difficulty in
following the treatment and stopping some activity because of the disease. In the correlation analysis, resilience was
associated with age (-0.3960), number of working hours (0.5533), specialized treatment duration (-0.8103) and disease
duration from diagnosis (-0.8014).

Conclusion:

Patients with high resilience tended to follow treatment correctly, tried to understand the disease and adhered
more to the treatment to avoid risks and promote protection factors. Therefore knowledge of resilience in patients with
SLE is necessary. It is important that the state takes necessary actions to facilitate access to treatment, to educational
programs and to medical support. Awareness and counselling sessions must be initiated to develop and promote individual
capacities to learn how to tackle with the disease for which psychological support of family and doctors can play a
significant role.
Synthesis and high in vitro cytotoxicity of some (S,S)-ethylenediamine-N,N’-di-2-propanoate dihydrochloride esters
Authors: Pantelic Nebojsa , Zmejkovski Bojana , Stanojkovic Tatjana , Jeftic Verica , Radic Gordana , Trifunovic Srecko , Kaludjerovic Goran , Sabo Tibor
Published: March 2014

Novel (S,S)-R2eddip ester,
O,O?-diisoamyl-(S,S)-ethylenediamine-N,N?-di-2-propanoate dihydrochloride,
1, was synthesized and characterized by IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy,
mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis.In vitro antitumor action of 1, and
two more R2eddip esters,
O,O?-dialkyl-(S,S)-ethylenediamine-N,N?-di-2-propanoate dihydrochlorides,
obtained before, (alkyl = n-Bu, n-Pe; 2 and 3, respectively), was determined
against cervix adenocarcinoma (HeLa), human melanoma (Fem-x), human chronic
myelogenous leukemia (K562) cells, and a non-cancerous cell line human
embryonic lung fibroblast (MRC-5), using MTT assay. Esters 1-3 showed higher
cytotoxicity and better selectivity in comparison to cisplatin, used as
reference compound. The highest activityis expressed by1,with
IC50(Fem-x)value1.51 ? 0.09 ?M.
QSAR studies for the acute toxicity of nitrobenzenes to the Tetrahymena pyriformis
Authors: Wang Dan-Dan , Feng Lin-Lin , He Guang-Yu , Chen Hai-Qun
Published: March 2014

Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models play a key role in
finding the relationship between molecular structures and the toxicity of
nitrobenzenes to Tetrahymena pyriformis. In this work, genetic algorithm,
along with partial least square (GA-PLS) was employed to select optimal
subset of descriptors that have significant contribution to the toxicity of
nitrobenzenes to Tetrahymena pyriformis. A set of five descriptors, namely
G2, HOMT, G(Cl?Cl), Mor03v and MAXDP, was used for the prediction of the
toxicity of 45 nitrobenzene derivatives and then were used to build the model
by multiple linear regression (MLR) method. It turned out that the built
model, whose stability was confirmed using the leave-one-out validation and
external validation test, showed high statistical significance (R2=0.963,
Q2LOO=0.944). Moreover, Y-scrambling test indicated there was no chance
correlation in this model.