bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Natural orifice specimen extraction versus conventional laparoscopically assisted right hemicolectomy
Authors: Park J S , Choi G-S , Kim H J , Park S Y , Jun S H
Published: February 2011

Background

This case–control study compared the clinical outcomes of totally laparoscopic hemicolectomy with natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) and the conventional laparoscopically assisted approach for right-sided colonic cancer.

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent totally laparoscopic mobilization of the right colon with transvaginal resection, anastomosis and specimen extraction between April 2007 and December 2009 were matched by various clinicopathological characteristics with patients who had conventional laparoscopically assisted procedures.

Results

Thirty-four patients in each group were studied. The number of lymph nodes harvested and the resection margin status were similar in the two groups. After NOSE, patients experienced less pain (mean(s.e.m.) pain score on day 1: 4·2(0·3) versus 5·7(0·3), P = 0·001; on day 3: 2·6(0·2) versus 3·5(0·2), P = 0·010) and had a shorter hospital stay (mean(s.d.) 7·9(0·8) versus 8·8(1·5) days; P = 0·003). The NOSE group had less surgical morbidity than the laparoscopically assisted group, but the difference was not significant (4 of 34 versus 9 of 34; P = 0·119). After a median follow-up of 23 (range 5–40) months, there was no transvaginal access-site recurrence or posterior colpotomy-related complications. NOSE was associated with significantly better cosmetic results (mean(s.d.) score 7·5(1·7) versus 6·6(1·8); P = 0·037).

Conclusion

The NOSE approach is feasible with favourable short-term surgical outcomes.
Randomized controlled trial of standard versus high-dose intravenous omeprazole after endoscopic therapy in high-risk patients with acute peptic ulcer bleeding
Authors: Chan W H , Khin L W , Chung Y F A , Goh Y C , Ong H S , Wong W K
Published: February 2011

Background

Rebleeding from peptic ulcers is a major contributor to death. This study compared standard (40-mg intravenous infusion of omeprazole once daily for 3 days) and high-dose (80-mg bolus of omeprazole followed by 8-mg/h infusion for 72 h) in reducing the rebleeding rate (primary endpoint), need for surgery, duration of hospital stay and mortality in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding after successful endoscopic therapy.

Methods

This was a single-institution prospective randomized controlled study based on a postulated therapeutic equivalence of the two treatments. All patients who had successful endoscopic haemostasis of a bleeding peptic ulcer (Forrest classification Ia, Ib, IIa or IIb) were recruited. Informed consent was obtained and patients were randomized to receive standard- or high-dose infusions of intravenous omeprazole.

Results

Two (3 per cent) of 61 patients in the high-dose group and ten (16 per cent) of 61 in the standard-dose group exhibited rebleeding, a difference of − 13 (95 per cent confidence interval − 25 to − 2) per cent. The upper limit of the one-sided confidence interval exceeded a predefined equivalence absolute difference of 16 per cent. Equivalence of standard- and high-dose omeprazole in preventing rebleeding was not demonstrated.

Conclusion

Intravenous standard-dose omeprazole was inferior to high-dose omeprazole in preventing rebleeding after endoscopic haemostasis for peptic ulcer bleeding. Registration number: NCT00519519 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
Interventions to improve teamwork and communications among healthcare staff
Authors: McCulloch P , Rathbone J , Catchpole K
Published: February 2011

Background

Concern over the frequency of unintended harm to patients has focused attention on the importance of teamwork and communication in avoiding errors. This has led to experiments with teamwork training programmes for clinical staff, mostly based on aviation models. These are widely assumed to be effective in improving patient safety, but the extent to which this assumption is justified by evidence remains unclear.

Methods

A systematic literature review on the effects of teamwork training for clinical staff was performed. Information was sought on outcomes including staff attitudes, teamwork skills, technical performance, efficiency and clinical outcomes.

Results

Of 1036 relevant abstracts identified, 14 articles were analysed in detail: four randomized trials and ten non-randomized studies. Overall study quality was poor, with particular problems over blinding, subjective measures and Hawthorne effects. Few studies reported on every outcome category. Most reported improved staff attitudes, and six of eight reported significantly better teamwork after training. Five of eight studies reported improved technical performance, improved efficiency or reduced errors. Three studies reported evidence of clinical benefit, but this was modest or of borderline significance in each case. Studies with a stronger intervention were more likely to report benefits than those providing less training. None of the randomized trials found evidence of technical or clinical benefit.

Conclusion

The evidence for technical or clinical benefit from teamwork training in medicine is weak. There is some evidence of benefit from studies with more intensive training programmes, but better quality research and cost-benefit analysis are needed.
Computational intelligence software for interval type‐2 fuzzy logic
Authors: Castillo Oscar , Melin Patricia , Castro Juan R.
Published: February 2011

A software tool for interval type‐2 fuzzy logic is presented in this article. The software tool includes a graphical user interface for construction, edition, and observation of the fuzzy systems. The Interval Type‐2 Fuzzy Logic System Toolbox (IT2FLS) has a user‐friendly environment for interval type‐2 fuzzy logic inference system development. Tools that cover the different phases of the fuzzy system design process, from the initial description phase, to the final implementation phase, are presented as part of the Toolbox. The Toolbox's best properties are the capacity to develop complex systems and the flexibility that permits the user to extend the availability of functions for working with type‐2 fuzzy operators, linguistic variables, interval type‐2 membership functions, defuzzification methods, and the evaluation of interval type‐2 fuzzy inference systems. The toolbox can be used for educational and research purposes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 21: 737–747, 2013
Toolbox for bio‐inspired optimization of mathematical functions
Authors: Valdez Fevrier , Melin Patricia , Castillo Oscar
Published: February 2011

In this study, a new toolbox that can be used for the education of bio‐inspired methods for optimization of mathematical functions is presented. The main idea of this work is to offer user‐friendly software to students of bio‐inspired optimization methods. The new toolbox can be used to optimize benchmark mathematical functions in evolutionary computation, and can also be used in the research of new bio‐inspired optimization methods. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 22: 11–22, 2014
Quercetin inhibits invasion, migration and signalling molecules involved in cell survival and proliferation of prostate cancer cell line (PC‐3)
Authors: Senthilkumar Kalimuthu , Arunkumar Ramachandran , Elumalai Perumal , Sharmila Govindaraj , Gunadharini Dharmalingam Nandhagopal , Banudevi Sivanantham , Krishnamoorthy Gunasekar , Benson Chellakan Selvanesan , Arunakaran Jagadeesan
Published: February 2011

Urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA) is a serine protease that is involved in cancer progression, especially invasion and metastasis including prostate cancer. uPA activation is mediated by transactivation of uPAR and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF‐R) in prostate cancer progression. Prostate cancer (PC‐3) cells have highly invasive capacity and they express uPA and uPAR gene. PC‐3 cells are treated with quercetin, which inhibits invasion and migration of PC‐3 cells. Quercetin downregulates uPA, uPAR and EGF, EGF‐R mRNA expressions. Quercetin inhibits cell survival factor β‐catenin, NF‐κB and also proliferative signalling molecules such as p‐EGF‐R, N‐Ras, Raf‐1, c.Fos c.Jun and p‐c.Jun protein expressions. But quercetin increased p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase protein expression. Our results suggest that quercetin inhibit migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells. It shows the value for treatment of invasive and metastasis type of prostate cancer. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Chemoselective One‐Step Alkylation and Isolation of Thiophosphorylated Cdk2 Substrates in the Presence of Native Cysteine
Authors: Lee Sarah E. , Elphick Lucy M. , Kramer Holger B. , Jones Alexandra M. E. , Child Emma S. , Anderson Alexandra A. , Bonnac Laurent , Suwaki Natsuko , Kessler Benedikt M. , Gouverneur Véronique , Mann David J.
Published: February 2011

The elucidation of signalling pathways relies heavily upon the identification of protein kinase substrates. Recent investigations have demonstrated the efficacy of chemical genetics using ATP analogues and modified protein kinases for specific substrate labelling. Here we combine N6‐(cyclohexyl)ATPγS with an analogue‐sensitive cdk2 variant to thiophosphorylate its substrates and demonstrate a pH‐dependent, chemoselective, one‐step alkylation to facilitate the detection or isolation of thiophosphorylated peptides.
Synthesis and Reactivity of 4,5‐[1,2‐Dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborano(12)]‐1,3‐diselenacyclopentane: Opening of the Icosahedron to Give a Zwitterionic Intermediate and Conversion into 7,8‐Dicarba‐nido‐undecaborate(1−)
Authors: Wrackmeyer Bernd , Klimkina Elena V. , Milius Wolfgang , Bauer Tobias , Kempe Rhett
Published: February 2011

The reaction of the 1,2‐diselenolato‐1,2‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane(12) dianion [1,2‐(1,2‐C2B10H10)Se2]2− with dichloromethane (CH2Cl2 or CD2Cl2) in the presence of donor solvents gave 4,5‐[1,2‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborano(12)]‐1,3‐diselenacyclopentane, the title compound, which was characterized by X‐ray structural analysis and NMR spectroscopy (1H, 11B, 13C, and 77Se). In the presence of pyridine, opening of the icosahedron took place, and a zwitterionic intermediate was isolated and fully characterized in the solid state by X‐ray diffraction and in solution by multinuclear magnetic resonance techniques. Although such types of intermediates, prior to deboronation of the ortho‐carborane cage, have been proposed several times, this is first example for which the structure has been confirmed unambiguously. This intermediate possesses a nido structure and contains a 7,8‐dicarba‐nido‐undecaborate(1−) anion and a boronium cation, the latter with two pyridine rings linked to the boron atom, which has been extruded from the cage. It was shown that this process is reversible as long as the deboronation is not complete. The formation of the intermediate is accompanied by deboronation, which leads to the 7,8‐dicarba‐nido‐undecaborate(1−) anion. The latter was prepared independently by conventional routes from the title compound, isolated as crystalline material as the tetrabutyl ammonium salt, and characterized by X‐ray structural analysis and multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H, 11B, 13C, and 77Se).
A Click Fluorophore Sensor that Can Distinguish CuII and HgII via Selective Anion‐Induced Demetallation
Authors: Lau Yu Heng , Price Jason R. , Todd Matthew H. , Rutledge Peter J.
Published: February 2011

A cyclam‐based fluorescent sensor featuring a novel triazole pendant arm has been synthesised using click chemistry. The sensor is highly responsive to both CuII and HgII in neutral aqueous solution and displays excellent selectivity in the presence of various competing metal ions in 50‐fold excess. The addition of specific anions such as I− and S2O32− causes a complete revival of fluorescence only in the case of HgII, providing a simple and effective method for distinguishing solutions containing CuII, HgII or a mixture of both ions, even in doped seawater samples. X‐ray crystal structures of both the HgII sensor complex and a model CuII complex show that pendant triazole coordination occurs through the central nitrogen atom (N2), providing to the best of our knowledge the first reported examples of this unusual coordination mode in macrocycles. Fluorescence, mass spectrometry and 1H NMR experiments reveal that the mechanism of anion‐induced fluorescence revival involves either displacement of pendant coordination or complete removal of the HgII from the macrocycle, depending on the anion.
Complexation Equilibria Involving Salts in Non‐Aqueous Solvents: Ion Pairing and Activity Considerations
Authors: Gibson Harry W. , Jones Jason W. , Zakharov Lev N. , Rheingold Arnold L. , Slebodnick Carla
Published: February 2011

Complexation of anions, cations and even ion pairs is now an active area of investigation in supramolecular chemistry; unfortunately it is an area fraught with complications when these processes are examined in low polarity organic media. Using a pseudorotaxane complex as an example, apparent Ka2 values (=[complex]/{[salt]o−[complex]}{[host]o−[complex]}) for pseudorotaxane formation from dibenzylammonium salts (2‐X) and dibenzo‐[24]crown‐8 (1, DB24C8) in CDCl3/CD3CN 3:2 vary with concentration. This is attributable to the fact that the salt is ion paired, but the complex is not. We report an equilibrium model that explicitly includes ion pair dissociation and is based upon activities rather than molar concentrations for study of such processes in non‐aqueous media. Proper analysis requires both a dissociation constant, Kipd, for the salt and a binding constant for interaction of the free cation 2+ with the host, Ka5; Ka5 for pseudorotaxane complexation is independent of the counterion (500 M−1), a result of the complex existing in solution as a free cation, but Kipd values for the salts vary by nearly two orders of magnitude from trifluoroacetate to tosylate to tetrafluoroborate to hexafluorophosphate anions. The activity coefficients depend on the nature of the predominant ions present, whether the pseudorotaxane or the ions from the salt, and also strongly on the molar concentrations; activity coefficients as low as 0.2 are observed, emphasizing the magnitude of their effect. Based on this type of analysis, a method for precise determination of relative binding constants, Ka5, for multiple hosts with a given guest is described. However, while the incorporation of activity coefficients is clearly necessary, it removes the ability to predict from the equilibrium constants the effects of concentration on the extent of binding, which can only be determined experimentally. This has serious implications for study of all such complexation processes in low polarity media.
Ring‐Rearrangement Metathesis of Nitroso Diels–Alder Cycloadducts
Authors: Vincent Guillaume , Kouklovsky Cyrille
Published: February 2011

Strained nitroso Diels–Alder bicyclo[2.2.1] or [2.2.2] adducts functionalized with alkene side chains of diverse length undergo a ring‐rearrangement metathesis process with external alkenes and Grubbs II or Hoveyda–Grubbs II ruthenium catalysts, under microwave irradiation or classical heating, to deliver cis‐fused bicycles of various ring sizes, which contain a NO bond. These scaffolds are of synthetic relevance for the generation of molecular diversity and to the total synthesis of alkaloids. The observation of unexpected reactions, such as epimerization or one‐carbon homologation of the alkene side chain, is also reported.
Chemical Ecology of Tannins: Recent Developments in Tannin Chemistry Reveal New Structures and Structure–Activity Patterns
Authors: Salminen Juha‐Pekka , Karonen Maarit , Sinkkonen Jari
Published: February 2011

Tannins are chemically complex plant polyphenols and only little is known of their true molecule‐specific anti‐herbivore activities. Here we will show that modern tannin chemistry is able to reveal fully new types of tannins in plants together with new types of biological activities for the tannins. Most of these new findings relate to ellagitannins, one of the least studied and underestimated classes of bioactive plant polyphenols.
Genotyping by Alkaline Dehybridization Using Graphically Encoded Particles
Authors: Zhang Huaibin , DeConinck Adam J. , Slimmer Scott C. , Doyle Patrick S. , Lewis Jennifer A. , Nuzzo Ralph G.
Published: February 2011

This work describes a nonenzymatic, isothermal genotyping method based on the kinetic differences exhibited in the dehybridization of perfectly matched (PM) and single‐base mismatched (MM) DNA duplexes in an alkaline solution. Multifunctional encoded hydrogel particles incorporating allele‐specific oligonucleotide (ASO) probes in two distinct regions were fabricated by using microfluidic‐based stop‐flow lithography. Each particle contained two distinct ASO probe sequences differing at a single base position, and thus each particle was capable of simultaneously probing two distinct target alleles. Fluorescently labeled target alleles were annealed to both probe regions of a particle, and the rate of duplex dehybridization was monitored by using fluorescence microscopy. Duplex dehybridization was achieved through an alkaline stimulus using either a pH step function or a temporal pH gradient. When a single target probe sequence was used, the rate of mismatch duplex dehybridization could be discriminated from the rate of perfect match duplex dehybridization. In a more demanding application in which two distinct probe sequences were used, we found that the rate profiles provided a means to discriminate probe dehybridizations from both of the two mismatched duplexes as well as to distinguish at high certainty the dehybridization of the two perfectly matched duplexes. These results demonstrate an ability of alkaline dehybridization to correctly discriminate the rank hierarchy of thermodynamic stability among four sets of perfect match and single‐base mismatch duplexes. We further demonstrate that these rate profiles are strongly temperature dependent and illustrate how the sensitivity can be compensated beneficially by the use of an actuating gradient pH field.
Stereoelectronic Requirements for Optimal Hydrogen‐Bond‐Catalyzed Enolization
Authors: Pápai Imre , Hamza Andrea , Pihko Petri M. , Wierenga Rik K.
Published: February 2011

Protein crystallographic analysis of the active sites of enolizing enzymes and structural analysis of hydrogen‐bonded carbonyl compounds in small molecule crystal structures, complemented by quantum chemical calculations on related model enolization reactions, suggest a new stereoelectronic model that accounts for the observed out‐of‐plane orientation of hydrogen‐bond donors (HBDs) in the oxyanion holes of enolizing enzymes. The computational results reveal that the lone‐pair directionality of HBDs characteristic for hydrogen‐bonded carbonyls is reduced upon enolization, and the enolate displays almost no directional preference for hydrogen bonding. Positioning the HBDs perpendicular to the carbonyl plane induces strain in the catalyst–substrate complex, which is released upon enolization, resulting in more favorable kinetics and thermodynamics than the in‐plane arrangement of HBDs.
One‐Pot Triple Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Ménard‐Moyon Cécilia , Fabbro Chiara , Prato Maurizio , Bianco Alberto
Published: February 2011

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are very promising as carriers for the delivery of bioactive molecules. The multifunctionalization of CNTs is necessary to impart multimodalities for the development of future CNT‐based multipotent therapeutic constructs. In this context, we report the first example of covalent trifunctionalization of different types of CNTs. Our strategy is a simple and efficient methodology based on the simultaneous functionalization of the nanotube surface with three different active groups. The reaction is performed in one step by arylation with diazonium salts generated in situ. The CNTs are functionalized with benzylamine moieties blocked with three different protecting groups that can be selectively removed under specific conditions. The trifunctionalized CNTs were characterized by TEM, thermogravimetric analysis, and Raman and UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy, while the amine loading was determined by using the Kaiser test. The sequential removal of the protecting groups of the amine functions allows the grafting of the molecules of interest on the nanotube surface to be controlled.
A Cationic Dye Triplet as a Unique “Glue” That Can Connect Fully Matched Termini of DNA Duplexes
Authors: Kashida Hiromu , Hayashi Takamitsu , Fujii Taiga , Asanuma Hiroyuki
Published: February 2011

In this study, we propose that three consecutive cationic p‐methylstilbazoles tethered on D‐threoninols (Z residues) at 5′ termini act as a unique “glue” connecting DNA duplexes by their interstrand cluster formation. Interstrand clustering of p‐methylstilbazoles (ZZZ triplets) induces narrowing and hypsochromic shift of bands at 350 nm, which can be assigned to the absorption of p‐methylstilbazole. However, single‐stranded DNA conjugates involving a ZZZ triplet at the 5′ terminus of 8‐mer native nucleotides is found not to induce such large spectral changes, which implies that the intrinsic self‐assembling property of ZZZ triplets is weak. Interestingly, when this conjugate is hybridized with a complementary 8‐mer native oligonucleotide, a remarkable spectral change is observed, indicating the dimerization of a duplex through the interstrand clustering of ZZZ triplets. Dimerization of the duplex is also evidenced by cold‐spray ionization mass spectrometry. This interstrand clustering is observed only when a ZZZ triplet is tethered to a 5′ rather than 3′ terminus. Furthermore, the stability of the interstrand cluster increases by increasing the number of nucleobases of the DNA portion, and when mismatched base pairs are incorporated or when a base next to the Z residue is deleted, the stability substantially drops. When we apply the ZZZ triplet to the formation of a nanowire using two complementary DNA conjugates, each of which has a ZZZ triplet at the 5′ termini as overhang, we demonstrate the successful formation of a nanowire by native PAGE analysis. Since native sticky ends that have three nucleotides do not serve as “glue”, ZZZ triplets with their unique glue‐like properties are prime candidates for constructing DNA‐based nanoarchitectures.
Chloropupukeanolides C–E: Cytotoxic Pupukeanane Chlorides with a Spiroketal Skeleton from Pestalotiopsis fici
Authors: Liu Ling , Bruhn Torsten , Guo Liangdong , Götz Daniel C. G. , Brun Reto , Stich August , Che Yongsheng , Bringmann Gerhard
Published: February 2011

Chloropupukeanolides C–E (8–10), three highly functionalized secondary metabolites featuring a novel spiroketal skeleton derived from the chlorinated tricyclo‐[4.3.1.03, 7]‐decane (pupukeanane) and the 2,6‐dihydroxy‐4‐methylbenzoic acid moieties, were isolated from the scale‐up fermentation extract of the plant endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis fici. The constitutions of compounds 8–10 were elucidated primarily by NMR experiments. Their relative configurations were deduced by analogy to metabolites 4–6, which were previously isolated from the same fungus. The absolute configuration of 8 was assigned by X‐ray crystallography and those of 9 and 10 by quantum‐chemical CD calculations. Biogenetically, chloropupukeanolides C–E (8–10) are presumably derived from the same oxidation‐induced Diels–Alder reaction pathway as compounds 1 and 4–7, via the putative biosynthetic precursors 2 and 3. The opposite configurations of the complete “Southern parts” of 8 and 9 suggests that this Diels–Alder reaction is stereochemically not very selective. Compounds 8–10 showed significant cytotoxicity against a small panel of human tumor cell lines and weak activities against the pathogens of tropical diseases.
Concise Synthesis of Pyrrolidine and Indolizidine Alkaloids by a Highly Convergent Three‐Component Reaction
Authors: Lapointe Guillaume , Schenk Kurt , Renaud Philippe
Published: February 2011

The synthesis of pyrrolidine and indolizidine derivatives through radical carboazidation of alkenes with α‐iodoketones, followed by reductive amination, is described. When properly substituted, further lactamization afforded pyrrolizidinones in good yield. This carboazidation/reductive amination sequence was efficiently applied to the total synthesis of three different simple alkaloids, including (±)‐monomorine I.
Modular Drying Processor for Application of Combined Drying Processes
Authors: Kraus Stefan , Rother Matthias , Steimle Phillip , Gaukel Volker , Schuchmann Heike P. , Merk Dieter
Published: February 2011

Zur Entwicklung energie‐ und zeiteffizienter kombinierter Trocknungsverfahren wurde ein Trocknungsprozessor konstruiert, dessen modulare Bauweise es erlaubt, verschiedene Trocknungsarten (Gefrier‐, Heißluft‐, Infrarot‐, Kontakt‐, Mikrowellen‐, Vakuumtrocknung) seriell und/oder parallel, unterbrechungsfrei miteinander zu verknüpfen. Anhand von Karottenwürfeln konnte gezeigt werden, dass abhängig von der Trocknungsart zielgerichtet Produktstrukturen erzeugt werden können. Im seriellen Kombinationsverfahren Gefrier‐/Mikrowellenvakuumtrocknung war es zudem möglich bei höchster Produktqualität die Trocknungszeit um 40 % zu verkürzen.
Development of High Performance Micro Rectification Equipment for Analytical and Preparative Applications
Authors: Ziogas Athanassios , Kolb Gunther , Kost Hans‐Joachim , Hessel Volker , Hessel Volker
Published: February 2011

Es wird über die Realisierung einer leistungsfähigen Mikrorektifikationsapparatur (MRA) berichtet, die diskontinuierlich oder kontinuierlich betrieben und sowohl für die analytische wie auch für die präparative Trennung von flüssigen Stoffgemischen eingesetzt werden kann. Mit der MRA wurden verschiedene binäre Systeme erfolgreich getrennt und eine theoretische Trennstufenzahl von 12 und einen Trennstufenhöhe von 1,08 cm erzielt. Dies ist im Vergleich zum aktuellen Stand der Mikrotechnik (mind. 1,27 cm) als großer Fortschritt anzusehen.
Relinking Cross‐functional Collaboration, Knowledge Integration Mechanisms, and Product Innovation Performance: a Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Tsai Kuen‐Hung , Hsu Teresa Tiaojung , Fang Wenchang
Published: February 2011

Previous research shows that knowledge integration mechanisms (KIMs) mediate the cross‐functional collaboration‐product innovation performance relationship; however, this mediating effect seems to be rather weak. This study, in contrast, develops a moderated mediation (MOME) model to argue that such a mediating effect is moderated by product innovativeness. A sample comprised of 106 manufacturing firms is utilized in the analyses. A moderated‐mediation approach shows that the mediating effect of KIMs in the linkage between cross‐functional collaboration and product innovation performance varies by different perspectives of product innovativeness. From an industry (macro‐level) perspective, product innovativeness positively moderates the mediating effect of KIMs on product innovation performance; in contrast, such a moderating effect is not significant under a firm (micro‐level) perspective. Copyright © 2011 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aerobic granular treatment of 2,4‐dichlorophenol
Authors: Khan Mohammad Zain , Khan Farah , Sabir Suhail
Published: February 2011

2,4‐Dichlorophenol (2,4‐DCP) fed aerobic granules were cultivated in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). Stable and compact granules were obtained in 60 days of SBR operation. Formed granules were compact and strong with closed packed channels. After granulation, effluent chemical oxygen demand and 2,4‐DCP concentrations were 95 and 2.5 mg L−1 with corresponding removal efficiencies of 96% and 95% were achieved. Degradation profile shows a high initial degradation rate which decreases later. Degradation rate was found to be directly proportional to the substrate concentration. Specific degradation rate of 2,4‐DCP was 6.54 mg 2,4‐DCP gVSS−1 h−1 at 60 mg L−1 and specific cell growth rate was 0.042 ± 0.02 day−1. High optical density (OD600) the system shows effective retention of biomass which is the main advantage of present technique.
Optimisation of adsorption efficiency for reactive red 198 removal from wastewater over TiO2 using response surface methodology
Authors: Anupam Kumar , Dutta Suman , Bhattacharjee Chiranjib , Datta Siddhartha
Published: February 2011

Adsorption over TiO2 is used efficiently for reactive dyes removal from wastewater. This paper investigates adsorption efficiency for Reactive Red 198 (RR198) removal over TiO2 adsorbent using response surface methodology. The main process parameters considered for optimisation were pH, adsorbent dose, and adsorption time. The experimental scheme was designed according to central composite rotatable design and second order regression model was developed. For regression analysis and ANOVA study, software MINITAB 15 was used. The optimum pH, TiO2 dose, and time were found to be 4.3, 4.3 g L−1, and 32.42 min, respectively. Complete removal was observed. Pareto analysis established pH the most influential parameter.
Combination of synthetic peptides derived from bone morphogenetic proteins and biomaterials for medical applications
Authors: Senta H. , Bergeron E. , Drevelle O. , Park H. , Faucheux N.
Published: February 2011

A critical‐size bone defect cannot repair itself. These defects are presently filled by bone grafts or with biomaterials that mimic bone properties. The activity of bone cells is modulated by cytokines like the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). This review described the peptides derived from BMPs or extracellular matrix proteins which can be immobilised on biomaterials to increase their action on bone cells and promote healing. However, the development of such materials requires peptides that can act in synergy. This requires the use of model surfaces to better understand how cells perceive biomaterials.
Oxidation of sulfide ion in synthetic geothermal brines at carbon‐based anodes
Authors: Hastie Jeff , Bejan Dorin , Bunce Nigel J.
Published: February 2011

Geothermal brines associated with natural gas extraction present an environmental problem because of the need to avoid the escape of toxic and odorous hydrogen sulfide. In this work, carbon‐based anodes (including graphite, granulated activated carbon (GAC), and industrial coke) were used in the electrochemical oxidation of sulfide ion in synthetic geothermal brines in both batch and flow cells, with a view to remediating this troublesome contaminant. Experiments were carried out in alkaline solution (to prevent volatilisation of H2S), in the absence or presence of added chloride ion and naphthenic acids (NAs). The product spread was variable due to the large number of competing reactions, including formation of polysulfide, oxidation to sulfate (either directly or via hypochlorination), sacrificial anode oxidation combined with sulfide trapping, and Kolbe oxidation of NAs combined with sulfide trapping. From the technological perspective, the product distribution is immaterial, because sour brines contain such high concentrations of inorganic and naphthenate salts that reinjection of the treated brine will always be required. The most efficient systems, on the basis of charge per mol sulfide remediated, employed packed bed reactors with ground coke or GAC anodes. In these reactors, the disappearance of sulfide ion was promoted, as expected, at low flow rate and high current. However, the packed beds were limited to low applied current, in order to avoid compromising the electrical conductivity of the anode bed by the production of gas (O2).
Neural networks approach for characterisation of viscoelastic polymers
Authors: Erchiqui F. , Ozdemir Z. , Souli M. , Ezzaidi H. , Dituba‐Ngoma G.
Published: February 2011

Recent developments in computer‐aided polymer processing have brought along the need for accurate description of the behaviour of viscoelastic materials under the conjugated effect of applied stress and temperature. In order to serve this purpose, in this study, experimental data provided by bubble inflation tests for flat circular thermoplastic membranes (CTPM) comprised of viscoelastic materials when subjected to combined effects of applied stress and temperature are coupled with numerical simulations to obtain the required parameters for the characterisation of such materials. First, pressure inside the bubble and height at the hemispheric pole are recorded during bubble inflation experiment. Thereafter, Christensen's theory of viscoelasticity is employed to define the constitutive model of flat circular thermoplastic membranes (CTPM) and nonlinear equilibrium equations of the inflation process are solved using finite difference method with deferred corrections. As a last step, a neuronal algorithm (ANN model) is employed to minimise the difference between calculated and measured parameters to determine material constants for Christensen viscoelastic model. Although the developed procedure can be applied to several polymeric materials, in this paper, this technique is successfully implemented for high‐impact polystyrene (HIPS) and acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS), at typical thermoforming temperatures, 150 and 145°C, respectively. Using these coefficients, the material behaviours of HIPS and ABS with Christensen's constitutive law are reproduced. The material model obtained in this study for HIPS and ABS can be implemented into industrial and academic softwares for applications and design purposes.
Transition from horizontal to vertical conveying of complex slurry suspensions in laminar flow
Authors: Graham L. J. W. , Wu J. , Pullum L.
Published: February 2011

This paper presents the results of a preliminary investigation into the vertical pipeline conveying of coarse particles using non‐Newtonian carrier fluids. It was found that the particles were transported as a sliding bed, even in the vertical pipe, with the particles reporting to one side of the pipe or the other, depending on the flow rate and the transition geometry. Shutdown tests showed that particles could settle back down the vertical pipe if there was stratification, even if the carrier had sufficient yield stress for static stability of dispersed particles. This was prevented by using carrier fluids with further increased yield stress.
MHD stagnation point viscoelastic fluid flow and heat transfer on a thermal forming stretching sheet with viscous dissipation
Authors: Hsiao Kai‐Long
Published: February 2011

An incompressible steady two‐dimensional forced convection with magnetic hydrodynamic (MHD) second‐grade non‐Newtonian (Viscoelastic) fluid flow on a stagnation point of a thermal forming stretching sheet has been studied. A parameter M which is used to represent the dominance of the magnetic effect has been presented in governing equations. The similar transformation, the perturbation expansion and an implicit finite‐difference method have been used to analyse the present problem. The numerical solutions of the flow velocity distributions, temperature profiles, the wall unknown values of f″(0) and θ'(0) for calculating the heat transfer of the similar boundary‐layer flow are carried out as functions of the viscoelastic number k, the Prandtl number Pr, the dissipation parameter E and the magnetic parameter M. The effects of these parameters have also discussed. The value of k is an important factor in this study. It will produce greater heat transfer effect with a larger k or Pr and parameters M or E will reduce heat transfer effect. The non‐Newtonian flow heat transfer effect is better than a Newtonian flow heat transfer effect.
Performance properties of acrylic and acrylic polyol–polyurethane based hybrid system via addition of nano‐caco3 and nanoclay
Authors: Kapole Sameer A. , Kulkarni Ravindra D. , Sonawane Shirish H.
Published: February 2011

Thermosetting acrylic (TSA) resin was prepared by solution polymerisation of acrylic acid and methyl methacrylate (MMA). Hybrid polymer consisting of acrylic polyol–polyurethane was prepared by addition of hydroxy ethyl acrylate and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI). Incorporation of Functionalised nanocalcium carbonate and bentonite nanoclay were accomplished by in situ method during the synthesis of both the polymers. Loading of nano‐CaCO3 and nanoclay was varied from 0 to 4 wt.% to investigate variation in mechanical, optical and high performance properties. The superiority of nanoclay in enhancing the mechanical and performance properties like the salt spray and humidity resistance in comparison to that of nano‐CaCO3 was clearly established. It was also observed that, addition of nanomaterials in hybrid resins system shows superior results compared to neat acrylic system and in situ additions of these nanomaterials improve the dispersion and stability in the matrix.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of 2‐Methyl‐5‐nitroaniline Derivatives: A Structure‐Activity Relationship Study
Authors: Lingappa Mallesha , Kikkeri N. Mohana , Devaraju Rakshith , Sreedharamurthy Satish
Published: February 2011

A series of 2‐methyl‐5‐nitroaniline derivatives, 5a–5k and 6a–6f, were synthesized in order to determine their in vitro antimicrobial activity. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by elemental analyses, UV‐visible, FT‐IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectral studies. The structure‐activity relationships of the synthesized compounds were also discussed. Among the synthesized compounds, 5f, 5d, 6b and 6e showed good antimicrobial activity compared to standard drugs.
[BMIM]Cl Catalyzed One‐Pot Synthesis of α‐Aminophosphonate Derivatives Containing a 4‐Phenoxyquinazoline Moiety under Microwave Irradiation
Authors: Bai Song , Song Baoan , Bhadury Pinaki S. , Yang Song , Hu Deyu , Xue Wei
Published: February 2011

[BMIM]Cl catalyzed three component Mannich‐type reaction of 4‐(quinazolin‐4‐yloxy)benzenamine and aldehyde with dialkyl phosphite under microwave irradiation has been described. The salient features of the reaction leading to new α‐aminophosphonates include shorter reaction time and good yields. The method is environmentally friendly and does not require toxic catalysts or solvents. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report for [BMIM]Cl induced one‐pot synthesis of α‐aminophosphonate derivatives.
LiBr as an Efficient Catalyst for One‐pot Synthesis of Hantzsch 1,4‐Dihydropyridines under Mild Conditions
Authors: Yadav D. K. , Patel R. , Srivastava V. P. , Watal G. , Yadav L. D. S.
Published: February 2011

A simple, inexpensive and efficient one‐pot synthesis of 1,4‐dihydropyridines has been accomplished via lithium bromide‐catalyzed Hantzsch three‐component condensation reaction of an aldehyde, α,β‐ketoester and ammonium acetate in acetonitrile at room temperature in good to excellent yields. The present protocol is applicable to wide range of substrates including aliphatic, aromatic and heterocyclic aldehydes affording 1,4‐dihydropyridines.
Silica Supported Perchloric Acid: A Convenient and Environmentally Friendly Catalyst for the One‐pot Multicomponent Synthesis of β‐Acetamido Ketones
Authors: Nasr‐Esfahani Masoud , Montazerozohori Morteza , Gholampour Tahere
Published: February 2011

A modified Dakin‐West one‐pot, four‐component condensation of an aryl aldehyde, aryl ketone, acetyl chloride and acetonitrile in the presence of silica supported perchloric acid as an active, inexpensive, recoverable and recyclable catalyst is reported for the synthesis of β‐acetamido ketones under mechanical stirring and ultrasonic irradiation conditions. This system has advantages of short reaction times, good to excellent yields and the ability to carry out the large scale reactions. The use of ultrasound increases the rate of reactions compared with reactions at reflux conditions.
Fe3O4/ZnS Hollow Nanospheres: A Highly Efficient Magnetic Heterogeneous Catalyst for Synthesis of 5‐Substituted 1H‐Tetrazoles from Nitriles and Sodium Azide
Authors: Qi Gang , Liu Wei , Bei Zhining
Published: February 2011

An efficient route for the synthesis of 5‐substituted 1H‐tetrazole via [2+3] cycloaddition of nitriles and sodium azide is reported using Fe3O4/ZnS hollow nanospheres as a magnetic separable heterogeneous catalyst. The catalyst is very efficient, affording excellent yields and can be reused for several circles. In addition, the Fe3O4 inner shell exhibits magnetism, making the catalyst easily separated by a magnet.
Stability, Infrared Spectra and Electronic Structures of (ZrO2)n(n=3–6) Clusters: DFT Study
Authors: Jin Rui , Zhang Yonghong , Huang Shiping , Wang Peng , Tian Pinghui
Published: February 2011

The stability, infrared spectra and electronic structures of (ZrO2)n (n=3–6) clusters have been investigated by using density‐functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP/6‐31G* level. The lowest‐energy structures have been recognized by considering a number of structural isomers for each cluster size. It is found that the lowest‐energy (ZrO2)5 cluster is the most stable among the (ZrO2)n (n=3–6) clusters. The vibration spectra of ZrO stretching motion from terminal oxygen atom locate between 900 and 1000 cm−1, and the vibrational band of ZrOZrO four member ring is obtained at 600–700 cm−1, which are in good agreement with the experimental results. Mulliken populations and NBO charges of (ZrO2)n clusters indicate that the charge transfers occur between 4d orbital of Zr atoms and 2p orbital of O atoms. HOMO‐LUMO gaps illustrate that chemical stabilities of the lowest‐energy (ZrO2)n (n=3–6) clusters display an even‐odd alternating pattern with increasing cluster size.
A Spectrophotometric Study of Streptomycin Effect on the Clinical Urea Determination
Authors: Mitic Snezana S. , Miletic Gordana Z. , Kostic Danijela A. , Rasic Ivana D.
Published: February 2011

The results of studying inhibitory effect of streptomycin on the modified Berthelot reaction were presented in this paper and a new kinetic method for determining streptomycin in pharmaceutical preparations and human urine was developed on the basis of the obtained results. The rates of catalytic and catalytic‐inhibitory reaction were monitored at 700 nm (t=25±0.1°C) using UV/vis spectrophotometer. By analyzing the spectra and experimental dependences of the catalytic and catalytic‐inhibitory reaction rates on the reactant concentrations, it was noticed that streptomycin attacked nitroprusside and hypochlorite causing the inhibition of the production of 2,2′‐dicarboxylindophenol. According to this effect, an analytical decrease for determination of urea by modified Berthelot reaction appeared in the presence of small amounts of streptomycin. Beer's law was obeyed in the interval of streptomycin sulfate concentration from 18.2 to 182 µg·mL−1. The detection limit calculated by two methods was obtained at 11.75 µg·mL−1 and 8.54 µg·mL−1. The relative standard deviation of 0.55%–8.83% and the recovery of 109.10% were determined. The obtained results were validated using the referent HPLC method.
Photosensitive Azopolymer Brushes via Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization for Protein Sensing
Authors: Zhang Zhihong , Wang Yaoyan , Yan Fufeng , Peng Donglai , Ma Zhi
Published: February 2011

Novel photosensitive azopolymer brushes were synthesized via surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization using initiator self‐assembled on Au surface. The chemical structures of azobenzene derivatives were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The surface morphology of azopolymers via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) for different time was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Additionally, the photoisomerization of azopolymer was measured by ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy (UV‐Vis). The results indicate that such azopolymers can undergo trans‐cis‐trans photoisomerization efficiently by photo‐irradiation with UV light. Furthermore, this photoisomerization property could also induce the reversible adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption on azopolymer brush surfaces. This adsorption kinetics of the reversible process can be measured by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy in situ. It suggests that the protein biochips could be regenerated safely by UV irradiation rather than by being rinsed with chemical reagents.
Kinetic Analysis of the Interaction between Nonsteroidal Anti‐inflammatory Drugs and Cyclooxygenase‐2 Using Wavelength Modulation Surface Plasmon Resonance
Authors: Liu Xia , Li Ying , Lin Zhao
Published: February 2011

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor based on wavelength modulation technology was developed and validated for the kinetic analysis of the interactions between two nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2). After the effect of different concentration COX‐2 on the binding capacity of the SPR biosensor surface was studied, the COX‐2 was immobilized covalently onto the biosensor surface using a standard amine coupling method. The affinity constants for indomethacin, ketoprofen binding to COX‐2 are 7.5×103 L/mol and 9.25×103 L/mol, respectively. The biosensor surface can be regenerated after being rinsed with 0.01 mol/L NaOH, and the biosensor can be used repeatedly. These indicated that the wavelength modulation SPR biosensor has the potential application in the fields of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and drug discovery.
Comprehensive Profiling for Histone H4 of Human Liver Cells Using High Resolution LTQ‐Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Nie Aiying , Lu Haojie , Yang Pengyuan , He Fuchu
Published: February 2011

The post translational modifications of histone variants are playing an important role in the structure of chro‐ matin, the regulation of gene activities and the diagnosis of diseases, and conducting in‐depth researches and discovering new sites depend on new and rational analytical methods to some extent. In this work, the combinatorial method of high resolution LTQ‐Orbitrap mass spectrometry and multiple enzymes was employed to identify the post translational modifications (PTMs) of histone H4 of human liver cells. The novel methylation site, argnine 67 (R 67), was observed besides some sites reported previously such as lysine 31 (K 31), lysine 44 (K 44), argnine 55 (R 55) and lysine 59 (K 59) in the global domain. Meanwhile, various combinations of acetylation of lysine 5 (K 5), lysine 8 (K 8), lysine 12 (K 12), lysine 16 (K 16) and methylation of lysine 20 (K 20) in the NH2‐terminal tails were also identified after the LC‐MS/MS analysis of trypsin, Arg‐C, Glu‐C and chymotrypsin digests.
A Recyclable and Highly Effective ZnO‐beta Zeolite as a Catalyst for One‐pot Three‐Component Synthesis of Tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyrans
Authors: Katkar Santosh Shriram , Lande Machhindra Karbhari , Arbad Balasaheb Ramrao , Gaikwad Suresh Tukaram
Published: February 2011

4H‐Benzo[b]pyrans was synthesized under reflux condition in ethanol via condensation of benzaldehyde, malononitrile and dimedone with ZnO‐beta zeolite as an inexpensive and effective catalyst. The key features of the reported protocols are good to excellent yields, short reaction time and recovery and reusability of catalytic material.
Fractal‐like Kinetic Characteristics of Coalbed Methane Hydrate Dissociation at Normal Pressure
Authors: Xu Feng , Wu Qiang , Zhu Lihua
Published: February 2011

Surface modality of coalbed methane hydrate and fractal‐like kinetic characteristics of the hydrate dissociation at normal pressure have been studied by using fractal geometry theory. The results show that the surface modality of coalbed methane hydrate has fractal characteristic, and the dissociation kinetics of coalbed methane hydrate is fractal‐like. Moreover, a new kinetic model for coalbed methane hydrate dissociation was proposed, and its reliability was validated.