bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphological influence of carbon modifiers on the electromagnetic shielding of their linear low density polyethylene composites
Authors: Villacorta Byron S. , Ogale Amod A.
Published: June 2014

The influence of morphology of carbon modifiers on the electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of their polyethylene‐matrix composites is reported. Four heat‐treated (HT) carbon modifiers were investigated: PR‐19‐HT carbon nanofibers, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT‐HT), helical multiwalled carbon nanotubes (HCNT‐HT), and mesophase pitch‐based P‐55 carbon fibers as a control. These were melt‐mixed with linear low density polyethylene at 10 vol %, which was above the percolation threshold. The electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EM SE) of the composites exhibits significant dependence on the modifier morphology. Thus, MWHTs, with the highest aspect ratio, lead to the highest composite electrical and thermal conductivities (34 Sm−1 and 1 Wm−1 K−1) and EM SE (∼24 dB). In contrast, HCNT, due to their coiled shape and low aspect ratio, lead to segregated microstructure and low EM SE (<1 dB). However, these composites display the highest ductility (∼250%) and flexibility, probably due to matrix‐modifier mechanical bonding provided by the helical morphology. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41055.
The social circles behind scientific references: Relationships between citing and cited authors in chemistry publications
Authors: Milard Béatrice
Published: June 2014

This paper provides a better understanding of the implications of researchers' social networks in bibliographic references. Using a set of chemistry papers and conducting interviews with their authors (n = 32), I characterize the type of relation the author has with the authors of the references contained in his/her paper (n = 3,623). I show that citation relationships do not always involve underlying personal exchanges and that unknown references are an essential component, revealing segmentations in scientific groups. The relationships implied by references are of various strengths and origins. Several inclusive social circles are then identified: co‐authors, close acquaintances, colleagues, invisible colleges, peers, contactables, and strangers. I conclude that publication is a device that contributes to a relatively stable distribution among the various social circles that structure scientific sociability.
User participation in an academic social networking service: A survey of open group users on Mendeley
Authors: Jeng Wei , He Daqing , Jiang Jiepu
Published: June 2014

Although there are a number of social networking services that specifically target scholars, little has been published about the actual practices and the usage of these so‐called academic social networking services (ASNSs). To fill this gap, we explore the populations of academics who engage in social activities using an ASNS; as an indicator of further engagement, we also determine their various motivations for joining a group in ASNSs. Using groups and their members in Mendeley as the platform for our case study, we obtained 146 participant responses from our online survey about users' common activities, usage habits, and motivations for joining groups. Our results show that (a) participants did not engage with social‐based features as frequently and actively as they engaged with research‐based features, and (b) users who joined more groups seemed to have a stronger motivation to increase their professional visibility and to contribute the research articles that they had read to the group reading list. Our results generate interesting insights into Mendeley's user populations, their activities, and their motivations relative to the social features of Mendeley. We also argue that further design of ASNSs is needed to take greater account of disciplinary differences in scholarly communication and to establish incentive mechanisms for encouraging user participation.
Simultaneous determination of seven ginsenosides in rat plasma by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry: application to pharmacokinetics of Shenfu injection
Authors: Li Zhengguang , Zhang Rui , Wang Xiuping , Hu Xiaofei , Chen Yuguo , Liu Qingfei
Published: June 2014

A high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (HPLC‐TOF MS) method was successfully developed and validated for the identification and determination of seven ginsenosides, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, Ro and Rd, in a Chinese herbal preparation, Shenfu injection, and rat plasma. Based on the method, the pharmacokinetic profiles of the seven ginsenosides were investigated following intravenous administration of single dose of Shenfu injection to six rats. The established method had high linearity, selectivity, sensitivity, accuracy and precision. The pharmacokinetic results showed that Rb1, Rc and Rb2 had similar pharmacokinetic profiles and relatively long half‐life values (19.29 ± 6.36, 29.54 ± 22.91 and 35.60 ± 30.66 h). The half‐lives of Rf and Rd were 4.21 ± 3.68 and 8.49 ± 5.20 h, respectively, indicating that they could be metabolized more rapidly than Rb1, Rc and Rb2. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Facetons: face primitives for building 3D architectural models in virtual environments
Authors: Sasaki Naoki , Chen Hsiang‐Ting , Sakamoto Daisuke , Igarashi Takeo
Published: June 2014

We present facetons, geometric modeling primitives designed for building architectural models especially effective for a virtual environment where six degrees of freedom input devices are available. A faceton is an oriented point floating in the air and defines a plane of infinite extent passing through the point. The polygonal mesh model is constructed by taking the intersection of the planes associated with the facetons. With the simple interaction of faceton, users can easily create 3D architecture models. The faceton primitive and its interaction reduce the overhead associated with standard polygonal mesh modeling, where users have to manually specify vertexes and edges which could be far away. The faceton representation is inspired by the research on boundary representations (B‐rep) and constructive solid geometry, but it is driven by a novel adaptive bounding algorithm and is specifically designed for 3D modeling activities in an immersive virtual environment. We describe the modeling method and our current implementation. The implementation is still experimental but shows potential as a viable alternative to traditional modeling methods. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of Pd3Co1@Pt/C Core‐Shell Catalysts for Methanol‐Tolerant Cathodes of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
Authors: Aricò Antonino S. , Stassi Alessandro , D'Urso Claudia , Sebastián David , Baglio Vincenzo
Published: June 2014

A composite Pd‐based electrocatalyst consisting of a surface layer of Pt (5 wt. %) supported on a core Pd3Co1 alloy (95 wt. %) and dispersed as nanoparticles on a carbon black support (50 wt. % metal content) was prepared by using a sulphite‐complex route. The structure, composition, morphology, and surface properties of the catalyst were investigated by XRD, XRF, TEM, XPS and low‐energy ion scattering spectroscopy (LE‐ISS). The catalyst showed an enrichment of Pt on the surface and a smaller content of Co in the outermost layers. These characteristics allow a decrease the Pt content in direct methanol fuel cell cathode electrodes (from 1 to 0.06 mg cm−2) without significant decay in performance, due also to a better tolerance to methanol permeated through the polymer electrolyte membrane.
Influence of Catalyst Structure and Reaction Conditions on anti‐ versus syn‐Aminopalladation Pathways in Pd‐Catalyzed Alkene Carboamination Reactions of N‐Allylsulfamides
Authors: Fornwald Ryan M. , Fritz Jonathan A. , Wolfe John P.
Published: June 2014

The Pd‐catalyzed coupling of N‐allylsulfamides with aryl and alkenyl triflates to afford cyclic sulfamide products is described. In contrast to other known Pd‐catalyzed alkene carboamination reactions, these transformations may be selectively induced to occur by way of either anti‐ or syn‐aminopalladation mechanistic pathways by modifying the catalyst structure and reaction conditions.
Influence of the Side‐Chain Length on the Cellular Uptake and the Cytotoxicity of Rhenium Triscarbonyl Derivatives: A Bimodal Infrared and Luminescence Quantitative Study
Authors: Clède Sylvain , Lambert François , Saint‐Fort Rénette , Plamont Marie‐Aude , Bertrand Hélène , Vessières Anne , Policar Clotilde
Published: June 2014

Rhenium triscarbonyl complexes fac‐[Re(CO)3(N^N)] with appropriate ancillary N^N ligands are relevant for fluorescent bio‐imaging. Recently, we have shown that [Re(CO)3] cores can also be efficiently mapped inside cells using their IR signature and that they can thus be used in a bimodal approach. To describe them we have coined the term SCoMPIs for single‐core multimodal probes for imaging. In the context of the use of these SCoMPIs in bio‐imaging, the questions of their cellular uptake and cytotoxicity are critical. We report here a series of compounds derived from the [Re(CO)3Cl(pyta)] core (pyta=4‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,3‐triazole). The pyta ligand is of interest because it can be easily functionalized. Aliphatic side chains (C4, C8, and C12) were appended to this core. A correlative study involving IR and luminescence was performed to monitor and quantify their cellular internalization. We studied the relationship between lipophilicity (log P(o/w)), cytotoxicity (IC50), and cellular uptake, and we showed that both uptake and cytotoxicity increase with the length of the side chain, with a higher uptake for the C12 derivative. This study stresses the distinction that has to be made between apparent toxicity, determined as an incubation concentration IC50, and intrinsic toxicity. Indeed, the intrinsic toxicity of a compound can remain hidden if it is not cell permeable. Therefore it must be kept in mind that IC50 values are composite values, reflecting both cellular uptake and intrinsic toxicity.
Concise Multigram‐Scale Synthesis of Push–Pull Tricyanofuran‐Based Hemicyanines with Giant Second‐Order Nonlinearity: An Alternative for Electro‐optic Materials
Authors: Bentoumi Wissam , Mulatier Jean‐Christophe , Bouit Pierre‐Antoine , Maury Olivier , Barsella Alberto , Vola Jean‐Pierre , Chastaing Evelyne , Divay Laurent , Soyer Françoise , Le Barny Pierre , Bretonnière Yann , Andraud Chantal
Published: June 2014

Highly stable and highly soluble push–pull heptamethine hemicyanines based on the tricyanofuran electron‐accepting group can be prepared on a 15 g scale. The compounds display giant second‐order nonlinear figure of merit, μβ of up to 31 000×10−48 esu, and lead to a poled material with a second‐order nonlinear response, r33 of 90 pm V−1 at 1.06 μm
Water‐Mediated Proton Conduction in a Robust Triazolyl Phosphonate Metal–Organic Framework with Hydrophilic Nanochannels
Authors: Begum Salma , Wang Zhaoyang , Donnadio Anna , Costantino Ferdinando , Casciola Mario , Valiullin Rustem , Chmelik Christian , Bertmer Marko , Kärger Jörg , Haase Jürgen , Krautscheid Harald
Published: June 2014

The development of water‐mediated proton‐conducting materials operating above 100 °C remains challenging because the extended structures of existing materials usually deteriorate at high temperatures. A new triazolyl phosphonate metal–organic framework (MOF) [La3L4(H2O)6]Cl⋅x H2O (1, L2−=4‐(4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl)phenyl phosphonate) with highly hydrophilic 1D channels was synthesized hydrothermally. Compound 1 is an example of a phosphonate MOF with large regular pores with 1.9 nm in diameter. It forms a water‐stable, porous structure that can be reversibly hydrated and dehydrated. The proton‐conducting properties of 1 were investigated by impedance spectroscopy. Magic‐angle spinning (MAS) and pulse field gradient (PFG) NMR spectroscopies confirm the dynamic nature of the incorporated water molecules. The diffusivities, determined by PFG NMR and IR microscopy, were found to be close to that of liquid water. This porous framework accomplishes the challenges of water stability and proton conduction even at 110 °C. The conductivity in 1 is proposed to occur by the vehicle mechanism.
Interaction between activated carbon and microorganisms in PACT process
Authors: Wu Wei , Zhang Long , Chen Yong , Liu Weijing , Tu Yong , Zhou Jun
Published: June 2014

A laboratory‐scale powdered activated carbon treatment (PACT) process was conducted to treat the synthetic dye wastewater containing reactive brilliant blue KN‐R (RBB). The pore structures of the PAC and molecular structure of the RBB were analysed. The influences of the biomass concentration and the PAC dosage on RBB removal were investigated in an activated sludge system. In addition, kinetic studies based on four fundamental models were investigated. Furthermore, theories about the microscopic dynamic interaction process of PACT were studied. A schematic process of the interaction between activated carbon and microorganisms in a PACT process was proposed. It was concluded that the enhanced treatment of dye wastewater by the PAC in activated sludge process was due to the immobilized microorganisms on the PAC and the bio‐regeneration process.
A 1,2,3,4‐Tetrahydrofullerene Derivative Generated from a [60]Fulleroindoline: Regioselective Electrosynthesis and Computational Study
Authors: Xiao Yang , Wang Guanwu
Published: June 2014

A 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro[60]fullerene with a five‐membered heterocycle fused to a [5,6] junction was obtained with high regioselectivity by electrochemical functionalization of a [60]fulleroindoline. The structure was determined by spectroscopic data. A plausible reaction mechanism supported by computational calculations is proposed.
Oncolytic polio virotherapy of cancer
Authors: Brown Michael C. , Dobrikova Elena Y. , Dobrikov Mikhail I. , Walton Ross W. , Gemberling Sarah L. , Nair Smita K. , Desjardins Annick , Sampson John H. , Friedman Henry S. , Friedman Allan H. , Tyler Douglas S. , Bigner Darell D. , Gromeier Matthias
Published: June 2014

Recently, the century‐old idea of targeting cancer with viruses (oncolytic viruses) has come of age, and promise has been documented in early stage and several late‐stage clinical trials in a variety of cancers. Although originally prized for their direct tumor cytotoxicity (oncolytic virotherapy), recently, the proinflammatory and immunogenic effects of viral tumor infection (oncolytic immunotherapy) have come into focus. Indeed, a capacity for eliciting broad, sustained antineoplastic effects stemming from combined direct viral cytotoxicity, innate antiviral activation, stromal proinflammatory stimulation, and recruitment of adaptive immune effector responses is the greatest asset of oncolytic viruses. However, it also is the source for enormous mechanistic complexity that must be considered for successful clinical translation. Because of fundamentally different relationships with their hosts (malignant or not), diverse replication strategies, and distinct modes of tumor cytotoxicity/killing, oncolytic viruses should not be referred to collectively. These agents must be evaluated based on their individual merits. In this review, the authors highlight key mechanistic principles of cancer treatment with the polio:rhinovirus chimera PVSRIPO and their implications for oncolytic immunotherapy in the clinic. Cancer 2014;120:3277–3286. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Nucleic acid‐based assays for the detection of high‐risk human papillomavirus: A technical review
Authors: Gibson Jane S.
Published: June 2014

Nucleic acid‐based high‐risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing is essential to contemporary cervical cancer screening. The numbers of commercially available assays approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for HPV nucleic acid detection have increased, each offering various approaches to analysis. An understanding of the methodologies associated with HPV testing is important to the practice of laboratory medicine. An overview of instruments, chemistries, laboratory workflows, and test limitations associated with current US Food and Drug Administration‐approved assays is provided. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2014;122:639–645. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Control of sub‐harmonic oscillation in peak current mode buck converter with dynamic resonant perturbation
Authors: Lu Weiguo , Jing Fei , Zhou Luowei , Iu Herbert H. C. , Fernando Tyrone
Published: June 2014

In this paper, a dynamic resonant perturbation (DRP) method is proposed to control sub‐harmonic oscillation in a peak current mode controlled buck converter. Different from the traditional non‐feedback resonant parametric perturbation method, the proposed DRP method extracts an approximate sinusoidal control signal from the output voltage. The self‐stabilizing condition for the designed control signal is presented, and its analog circuit implementation is given as well. Furthermore, the system stability boundary is obtained by investigating the system eigenvalues, and the control parameter is effectively determined. The presented simulation and experiment results show that the proposed DRP method eliminates sub‐harmonic oscillation without sacrificing the peak value of the inductor current and features with a self‐stabilizing characteristic for external condition changes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cochrane in context: Maternal dietary antigen avoidance during pregnancy or lactation, or both, for preventing or treating atopic disease in the child
Authors: Kramer Michael S. , Kakuma Ritsuko
Published: June 2014

Cochrane Review: Maternal dietary antigen avoidance during pregnancy or lactation, or both, for preventing or treating atopic disease in the child Kramer MS, Kakuma R. Maternal dietary antigen avoidance during pregnancy or lactation, or both, for preventing or treating atopic disease in the child. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012, Issue 9. Art. No.: CD000133. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000133.pub3.

This companion piece to the review, “Maternal dietary antigen avoidance during pregnancy or lactation, or both, for preventing or treating atopic disease in the child,” contains the following pieces:

The abstract of the review

A commentary from one or more of the review authors, explaining why the review team felt the review was an important one to produce

A review of clinical practice guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Canadian Paediatric Society and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), United Kingdom
Whole genome gene copy number profiling of gastric cancer identifies PAK1 and KRAS gene amplification as therapy targets
Authors: Qian Ziliang , Zhu Guanshan , Tang Lili , Wang Mei , Zhang Lianhai , Fu Jiangang , Huang Chunlei , Fan Shuqiong , Sun Yun , Lv Jing , Dong Hua , Gao Beirong , Su Xinying , Yu Dehua , Zang Jie , Zhang Xiaolin , Ji Jiafu , Ji Qunsheng
Published: June 2014

Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer worldwide, with an approximately 20% 5‐year survival rate. To identify molecular subtypes associated with the clinical prognosis, in addition to genetic aberrations for potential targeted therapeutics, we conducted a comprehensive whole‐genome analysis of 131 Chinese gastric cancer tissue specimens using whole‐genome array comparative genomic hybridization. The analyses revealed gene focal amplifications, including CTSB, PRKCI, PAK1, STARD13, KRAS, and ABCC4, in addition to ERBB2, FGFR2, and MET. The growth of PAK1‐amplified gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo was inhibited when the corresponding mRNA was knocked down. Furthermore, both KRAS amplification and KRAS mutation were identified in the gastric cancer specimens. KRAS amplification was associated with worse clinical outcomes, and the KRAS gene mutation predicted sensitivity to the MEK1/2 inhibitor AZD6244 in gastric cancer cell lines. In summary, amplified PAK1, as well as KRAS amplification/mutation, may represent unique opportunities for developing targeted therapeutics for the treatment of gastric cancer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficient Solvent‐Free Synthesis of Benzothiazine‐Fused Pyrrolo[3,4‐c]coumarins: Cycloaddition Reactions between Coumarin‐Based Dihydrobenzothiazoles and Isocyanides
Authors: Khoobi Mehdi , Ramazani Ali , Mahdavi Mohammad , Foroumadi Alireza , Emami Saeed , Joo Sang Woo , Ślepokura Katarzyna , Lis Tadeusz , Shafiee Abbas
Published: June 2014

A new and unusual synthesis of benzothiazine‐fused pyrrolo[3,4‐c]coumarins, involving the ring‐opening of coumarin‐based dihydrobenzothiazoles and subsequent [4+1] cycloaddition reaction with isocyanides, was described. Thus, simple heating of various 3‐(2,3‐dihydro‐2‐methylbenzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)coumarins with isocyanides produced the title compounds in good yields under solvent‐free conditions.
Chemoselective Route for Synthesis of N‐Aryl‐3‐oxochromeno[2,3‐c]pyrazole‐2(3H)‐carbothioamide Derivatives
Authors: Alizadeh Abdolali , Ghanbaripour Rashid
Published: June 2014

A chemoselective route for the synthesis of chromeno[2,3‐c]pyrazole‐2(3H)‐carbothioamide derivatives by a five‐component reaction of salicylaldehyde, malononitrile, NH2NH2⋅H2O, aryl isothiocyanate, and H2O in EtOH/AcOH mixture is reported. This new protocol has the advantages of high yields, short reaction times, ease of operation, and simple purification. All structures were confirmed by IR, 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR, and MS analyses. A plausible mechanism for this type of reaction is proposed (Scheme 2).
Entropy Generation of Natural Convection Heat Transfer in a Square Cavity Using Al2O3–Water Nanofluid
Authors: Alipanah M. , Ranjbar A.A. , Farnad E. , Alipanah F.
Published: June 2014

Entropy generation of an Al2O3–water nanofluid due to heat transfer and fluid friction irreversibility has been investigated in a square cavity subject to different side‐wall temperatures using a nanofluid for natural convection flow. This study has been carried out for the pertinent parameters in the following ranges: Rayleigh number between 104 and 107 and volume fraction between 0 and 0.05. Based on the obtained dimensionless velocity and temperature values, the distributions of local entropy generation, average entropy generation, and average Bejan number are determined. The results are compared for a pure fluid and a nanofluid. It is totally found that the heat transfer, and entropy generation of the nanofluid is more than the pure fluid and minimum entropy generation and Nusselt number occur in the pure fluid at any Rayleigh number. Results depict that the addition of nanoparticles to the pure fluid has more effect on the entropy generation as the Rayleigh number goes up.
Neurofibromin Deficiency-Associated Transcriptional Dysregulation Suggests a Novel Therapy for Tibial Pseudoarthrosis in NF1
Authors: Paria Nandina , Cho Tae-Joon , Choi In Ho , Kamiya Nobuhiro , Kayembe Kay , Mao Rong , Margraf Rebecca L , Obermosser Gerlinde , Oxendine Ila , Sant David W , Song Mi Hyun , Stevenson David A , Viskochil David H , Wise Carol A , Kim Harry KW , Rios Jonathan J
Published: June 2014

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disease caused by mutations in NF1. Among the earliest manifestations is tibial pseudoarthrosis and persistent nonunion after fracture. To further understand the pathogenesis of pseudoarthrosis and the underlying bone remodeling defect, pseudoarthrosis tissue and cells cultured from surgically resected pseudoarthrosis tissue from NF1 individuals were analyzed using whole-exome and whole-transcriptome sequencing as well as genomewide microarray analysis. Genomewide analysis identified multiple genetic mechanisms resulting in somatic biallelic NF1 inactivation; no other genes with recurring somatic mutations were identified. Gene expression profiling identified dysregulated pathways associated with neurofibromin deficiency, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. Unlike aggressive NF1-associated malignancies, tibial pseudoarthrosis tissue does not harbor a high frequency of somatic mutations in oncogenes or other tumor-suppressor genes, such as p53. However, gene expression profiling indicates that pseudoarthrosis tissue has a tumor-promoting transcriptional pattern, despite lacking tumorigenic somatic mutations. Significant overexpression of specific cancer-associated genes in pseudoarthrosis highlights a potential for receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors to target neurofibromin-deficient pseudoarthrosis and promote proper bone remodeling and fracture healing. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Synthesis and Antioxidant Activity of 3‐(Pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)‐1,3‐thiazinan(thiazolidin)‐4‐ones
Authors: Bosenbecker Juliano , Bareño Valéria D.O. , Difabio Roberta , Vasconcellos Flávia A. , Dutra Filipe S.P. , Oliveira Pathise S. , Barschak Alethéa G. , Stefanello Francieli M. , Cunico Wilson
Published: June 2014

The antioxidant properties of two series of thiazolidinones and thiazinanones were reported. The novel six‐membered thiazinanones were synthesized from the efficient multicomponent reaction of 2‐picolylamine (2‐aminomethylpyridine), arenaldehydes, and the 3‐mercaptopropionic acid in moderate to excellent yields. These novel compounds were fully identified and characterized by NMR and GC‐MS techniques. In vitro antioxidant activities of all compounds were evaluated by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′‐azinobis‐3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS) tests. The antioxidant assays of thiobarbituric acid reactive species and total thiol content levels in the cerebral cortex and liver of rats were also performed. Thiazinanone 5a showed the best radical scavenging activity in DPPH and ABTS tests, as well as reduced lipid peroxidation and increased total thiol group in biological systems. Altogether, the results may be considered a good starting point for the discovery of a new radical scavenger.
Concentration–effect modeling based on change from baseline to assess the prolonging effect of drugs on QTc together with an estimate of the circadian time course
Authors: Ferber Georg , Wang Duolao , Täubel Jörg
Published: June 2014

As ICH E14 was adopted by the US FDA and the EU CPMC in 2005, thorough QT studies have routinely been analyzed by looking at the time‐matched difference between (baseline corrected) QTcF or QTcI under the supra‐therapeutic dose and placebo. A study is considered negative, if the two‐sided 90% confidence interval for this difference is below 10 ms for all investigated time points. ICH E14 suggests including a positive control, such as moxifloxacin, for assay sensitivity. Concentration–response analysis has been considered a more powerful alternative, but its application to parallel group studies was hampered as a double difference of QTcF per subject cannot be calculated. Recently, a new model based on change from baseline with fixed time and concentration effects has been proposed. It allows for a placebo‐corrected prediction of the drug effect with an unbiased standard error, and the estimate of a time effect can be used for assay sensitivity. We demonstrate this approach, utilizing 2 studies reported elsewhere with a crossover design. We compare the results from a conventional concentration–response analysis based on the difference to placebo with results from the novel analysis based on the change from average baseline that includes a fixed time effect.
Morphometric analysis of variation in the sternum with sex and age
Authors: Weaver Ashley A. , Schoell Samantha L. , Nguyen Callistus M. , Lynch Sarah K. , Stitzel Joel D.
Published: June 2014

Age and sex‐related variations in sternum morphology may affect the thoracic injury tolerance. Male and female sternum size and shape variation was characterized for ages 0–100 from landmarks collected from 330 computed tomography scans. Homologous landmarks were analyzed using Procrustes superimposition to produce age and sex‐specific functions of 3D‐sternum morphology representing the combined size and shape variation and the isolated shape variation. Significant changes in the combined size and shape variation and isolated shape variation of the sternum were found to occur with age in both sexes. Sternal size increased from birth through age 30 and retained a similar size for ages 30–100. The manubrium expanded laterally from birth through age 30, becoming wider in relation to the sternal body. In infancy, the manubrium was 1.1–1.2 times the width of the sternal body and this width ratio increased to 1.6–1.8 for adults. The manubrium transformed from a circular shape in infancy to an oval shape in early childhood. The distal sternal body became wider in relation to the proximal sternal body from birth through age 30 and retained this characteristic throughout adulthood. The most dramatic changes in sternum morphology occur in childhood and young adulthood when the sternum is undergoing ossification. The lesser degree of ossification in the pediatric sternum may be partly responsible for the prevalence of thoracic organ injuries as opposed to thoracic skeletal injuries in pediatrics. Sternum fractures make up a larger portion of thoracic injury patterns in adults with fully ossified sternums. The lack of substantial size or shape changes in the sternum from age 30–100 suggests that the increased incidence of sternal fracture seen in the elderly may be due to cortical thickness or bone mineral density changes in the sternum as opposed to morphological changes. J. Morphol. 275:1284–1299, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pericyte protection by edaravone after tissue plasminogen activator treatment in rat cerebral ischemia
Authors: Deguchi Kentaro , Liu Ning , Liu Wentao , Omote Yoshio , Kono Syoichiro , Yunoki Taijun , Deguchi Shoko , Yamashita Toru , Ikeda Yoshio , Abe Koji
Published: June 2014

Pericytes play a pivotal role in contraction, mediating inflammation and regulation of blood flow in the brain. In this study, changes of pericytes in the neurovascular unit (NVU) were examined in relation to the effects of exogenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and a free radical scavenger, edaravone. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses showed that the overlap between platelet‐derived growth factor receptor β‐positive pericytes and N‐acetylglucosamine oligomers (NAGO)‐positive endothelial cells increased significantly at 4 days after 90 min of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). The number of pericytes and the overlap with NAGO decreased with tPA but recovered with edaravone 4 days after tMCAO with proliferation. Thus, tPA treatment damaged pericytes, resulting in the detachment from astrocytes and a decrease in glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor secretion. However, treatment with edaravone greatly improved tPA‐induced damage to pericytes. The present study demonstrates that exogenous tPA strongly damages pericytes and destroys the integrity of the NVU, but edaravone treatment can greatly ameliorate such damage after acute cerebral ischemia in rats. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Neuroscience Research Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Feasibility of rapid discharge after transoral robotic surgery of the oropharynx
Authors: Richmon Jeremy D. , Feng Allen L. , Yang Wuyang , Starmer Heather , Quon Harry , Gourin Christine G.
Published: June 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

To investigate the use of an algorithm for rapid discharge after transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and its effect on postoperative complications.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of TORS cases from September 2009 to February 2013 was conducted. The effect of patient and tumor characteristics on postoperative length of stay (LOS) and complications were analyzed.

Results

A total of 91 patients were included; 79 underwent TORS for malignancy and 12 for a benign process. The mean LOS was 1.51 days (range, 1–5 days) with a median of 1 day. The mean time to initiation of oral diet was 1.26 days (range, 1–7 days) with a median of 1 day. Eleven (12%) patients experienced one or more complications during their postoperative course. Multivariate analysis demonstrated a significant association between patient and procedure variables and postoperative complications. TORS base of tongue reduction for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was associated with a significantly greater mean incremental time to initiation of oral diet (1.0 days, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.4 to 1.7, P < .001). A significantly greater mean incremental LOS was observed for patients with advanced comorbidity and a delay in initiation of oral diet beyond 24 hours.

Conclusions

Rapid initiation of oral diet and rapid discharge home is feasible and not associated with postoperative complications. Similarly, the performance of a concurrent neck dissection does not contribute to LOS or the development of postoperative complications. Patients undergoing TORS for OSA are at greater risk of delay in initiation of oral diet and increased LOS.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 124:2518–2525, 2014
Optimizing atoh1‐induced vestibular hair cell regeneration
Authors: Staecker Hinrich , Schlecker Christina , Kraft Shannon , Praetorius Mark , Hsu Chi , Brough Douglas E.
Published: June 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

Determine the optimal design characteristics of an adenoviral (Ad) vector to deliver atoh1 and induce regeneration of vestibular hair cells.

Study Design

Evaluation of a mouse model of intralabyrinthine gene delivery. Tissue culture of mouse and human macular organs.

Methods

Macular organs from adult C57Bl/6 mice were treated with binding modified and alternate adenovectors expressing green fluorescent protein (gfp) or luciferase (L). Expression of marker genes was determined over time to determine vector transfection efficiency. The inner ear of adult mice was then injected with modified vectors. Expression of gfp and distribution of vector DNA was followed. Hearing and balance function was evaluated in normal animals to ensure safety of the novel vector designs. An optimized vector was identified and tested for its ability to induce hair cell regeneration in a mouse vestibulopathy model. Finally, this vector was tested for its ability to induce hair cell regeneration in human tissue.

Results

Ad5 serotype‐based vectors were identified as having a variety of different binding capacities for inner ear tissue. This makes it difficult to limit the dose of vector due to entry into nontargeted cells. Screening of rare adenovector serotypes demonstrated that Ad‐based vectors were ideally suited for delivery to supporting cells; therefore, they were useful for hair cell regeneration studies. Utilization of an Ad28‐based vector to deliver atoh1 to a mouse model of vestibular loss resulted in significant functional recovery of balance. This vector was also capable of transfecting human macular organs and inducing regeneration of human vestibular hair cells in vitro.

Conclusions

Improvement in vector design can lead to more specific cell‐based delivery and reduction of nonspecific delivery of the trans gene, leading to the development of optimized molecular therapeutics to induce hair cell regeneration.

Level of Evidence

N/A. Laryngoscope 124:S1–S12, 2014
Variables affecting postoperative tissue perfusion monitoring in free flap breast reconstruction
Authors: Ozturk Cemile Nurdan , Ozturk Can , Ledinh Wayne , Bozkurt Mehmet , Schwarz Graham , O'Rourke Colin , Djohan Risal
Published: June 2014

Postoperative flap monitoring is a key component for successful free tissue transfer. Tissue oxygen saturation measurement (TOx) with near‐infrared spectrophotometry (NIRS) is a method used for this purpose. The aim of this study was to identify external variables that can affect TOx. Patients who had breast reconstruction with free flaps were monitored prospectively and intra‐operative details were recorded. Flap TOx was recorded with NIRS pre‐extubation, postextubation, and then every four hours for 36 hours. At each of these time points, blood oxygen saturation (SO2), amount of supplemental oxygen, and blood pressure were recorded. Thirty flaps were monitored. Initially, a significant trend over time was detected such that for every increase of 24 hours, TOx decreased on average by 2.1% (P = 0.025). However, when accounting for SO2 levels, this decrease was no longer significant (P = 0.19). An increase by 1% in SO2 produced an increase in TOx reading of 0.36 (P = 0.007). The amount of supplemental O2, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure did not have a significant impact on TOx (P > 0.05). The TOx values were highest in the free TRAM flaps and were lower in decreasing order in the muscle‐sparing TRAM, DIEP, and SIEA flaps (P > 0.05). The TOx values did not significantly correlate with vessel size, perforator number, or perforator row. Postoperative flap TOx was found to correlate with SO2 and was not significantly dependent on blood pressure, supplemental O2, or surgical variables. Careful interpretation of oximetry values is essential in decision making during postoperative flap monitoring. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 35:123–128, 2015.
Comparison of objective muscle strength in c5‐c6 and c5‐c7 brachial plexus injury patients after double nerve transfer
Authors: Tsai Yi‐Jung , Su Fong‐Chin , Hsiao Chih‐Kun , Tu Yuan‐Kun
Published: June 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quantitative muscle strength to distinguish the outcomes of different injury levels in upper arm type brachial plexus injury (BPI) patients with double nerve transfer. Methods: Nine patients with C5‐C6 lesions (age = 32.2 ± 13.9 year old) and nine patients with C5‐C7 lesions (age = 32.4 ± 7.9 year old) received neurotization of the spinal accessory nerve to the suprascapular nerve combined with the Oberlin procedure (fascicles of ulnar nerve transfer to the musculocutaneous nerve) were recruited. The average time interval between operation and evaluation were 27.3 ± 21.0 and 26.9 ± 20.6 months for C5‐C6 and C5‐C7, respectively. British Medical Research Council (BMRC) scores and the objective strength measured by a handheld dynamometer were evaluated in multiple muscles to compare outcomes between C5‐C6 and C5‐C7 injuries. Results: There were no significant differences in BMRC scores between the groups. C5‐C6 BPI patients had greater quantitative strength in shoulder flexor (P = 0.02), shoulder extensor (P < 0.01), elbow flexor (P = 0.04), elbow extensor (P = 0.04), wrist extensor (P = 0.04), and hand grip (P = 0.04) than C5‐C7 BPI patients. Conclusions: Upper arm type BPI patients have a good motor recovery after double nerve transfer. The different outcomes between C5‐C6 and C5‐C7 BPI patients appeared in muscles responding to hand grip, wrist extension, and sagittal movements in shoulder and elbow joints. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 35:107–114, 2015.
Embryonic stem cells improve skeletal muscle recovery after extreme atrophy in mice
Authors: Artioli Guilherme Giannini , De Oliveira Silvestre João Guilherme , Guilherme João Paulo Limongi França , Baptista Igor Luchini , Ramos Gracielle Vieira , Da Silva Willian José , Miyabara Elen Haruka , Moriscot Anselmo Sigari
Published: June 2014

Introduction

We injected embryonic stem cells into mouse tibialis anterior muscles subjected to botulinum toxin injections as a model for reversible neurogenic atrophy.

Methods

Muscles were exposed to botulinum toxin for 4 weeks and allowed to recover for up to 6 weeks. At the onset of recovery, a single muscle injection of embryonic stem cells was administered. The myofiber cross‐sectional area, single twitch force, peak tetanic force, time‐to‐peak force, and half‐relaxation time were determined.

Results

Although the stem cell injection did not affect the myofiber cross‐sectional area gain in recovering muscles, most functional parameters improved significantly compared with those of recovering muscles that did not receive the stem cell injection.

Conclusions

Muscle function recovery was accelerated by embryonic stem cell delivery in this durable neurogenic atrophy model. We conclude that stem cells should be considered a potential therapeutic tool for recovery after extreme skeletal muscle atrophy. Muscle Nerve 51: 346–352, 2015
The Chilean big business lobby: a long‐standing and major influence on public policy
Authors: Fisse Hernán Rodríguez , Thomas Clive S.
Published: June 2014

Elements of the business lobby, particular sectors of big business and its peak associations, have been a continual influence, sometimes a dominant force, in Chilean politics since the second half of the 19th century. This prominence and sustained influence is particularly noteworthy since the 1930s, given the various forms of democracy experienced in Chile, the harsh military dictatorship of the 1970s and 1980s, and because the return to democracy in 1990 has meant increasing competition among interest groups. This article offers an explanation of the political significance of the big business community by reference to both common factors that shape the influence of business across political systems and especially the developments in Chile's political economy. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Magnetic composites based on natural rubber prepared by using peroxide and sulfur curing system
Authors: Kruželák Ján , Sýkora Richard , Dosoudil Rastislav , Hudec Ivan
Published: June 2014

In this work, rubber magnetic composites were prepared by incorporation of strontium ferrite into elastomeric matrix based on natural rubber. Cross‐linking of the rubber matrix was performed by using sulfur and peroxide curing system. The study was aimed at the investigation of the type of curing system and magnetic filler content on curing process and cross‐link density of prepared materials. Then, the influence of both factors on physical–mechanical and magnetic properties was observed. The obtained results demonstrate that sulfur‐cured composites show better physical–mechanical properties, especially at lower content of strontium ferrite. With increasing amount of ferrite, the differences between the characteristics of both types of composites became less visible, while peroxide‐cured sample with maximum ferrite content showed superior tensile strength in comparison with tensile strength of maximally filled sample cured with sulfur system. The obtained results demonstrate better compatibility between the rubber and the filler when peroxide system was introduced for cross‐linking of the rubber matrix. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incidence of delirium in children with cancer
Authors: Combs Daniel , Rice Sydney A. , Kopp Lisa M.
Published: June 2014

There are limited data on the incidence of delirium in children with cancer. We performed a retrospective chart review of all pediatric oncology admissions over a 1 year period to determine the incidence of delirium in this population. We identified seven patients with delirium (10% incidence). Delirium is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and is likely under‐recognized in this population. Improved diagnosis and treatment of delirium may improve outcomes in children with cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:2094–2095. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Frequency of V1016I and F1534C mutations in the voltage‐gated sodium channel gene in Aedes aegypti in Venezuela
Authors: Alvarez Leslie C , Ponce Gustavo , Saavedra‐Rodriguez Karla , Lopez Beatriz , Flores Adriana E
Published: June 2014

BACKGROUND

The V1016I and F1534C mutations in the voltage‐gated sodium channel gene have been associated with resistance to pyrethroids and DDT in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. A study was carried out to determine the frequency of I1016 and C1534 by real‐time PCR in five natural populations of Ae. aegypti in Venezuela during 2008, 2010 and 2012, as well as in a strain selected with 0.14 µg of deltamethrin for 15 generations.

RESULTS

In natural populations, frequencies of I1016 varied between 0.01 and 0.37, and frequencies of C1534 between 0.35 and 1.0. In the Pampanito strain, the frequency of I1016 increased from 0.02 in F1 up to 0.5 in F15 and from 0.35 up to fixation for C1534 after selection with deltamethrin.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that C1534 frequencies are higher than I1016 frequencies in natural populations of Ae. aegypti in Venezuela, and that deltamethrin selected the C1534 more rapidly than I1016. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
What Motivates Residential Mobility? Re‐examining Self‐Reported Reasons for Desiring and Making Residential Moves
Authors: Coulter Rory , Scott Jacqueline
Published: June 2014

Understanding why people move home is an important objective for population research. While studies are increasingly examining residential mobility motivations using the reasons reported in social surveys, data constraints and the conceptual legacy of behavioural theories mean that little is known about how people's reasons for desiring and making residential moves vary over the life course. In this paper, we address these issues using longitudinal data from the British Household Panel Survey. The results show that the reasons people report for desiring to move vary considerably over the life course. People are more likely to relocate if they desire to move for ‘targeted’ reasons like employment opportunities than if they desire to move for more ‘diffuse’ reasons relating to area characteristics. Life course events and moving desires intersect to strongly condition moving behaviour. These insights demonstrate how a deep engagement with life course theories can help researchers to overcome the difficulties encountered when using behavioural models to understand moving decisions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptation in some linear inverse problems
Authors: Johnstone Iain M. , Paul Debashis
Published: June 2014

We consider the linear inverse problem of estimating an unknown signal f from noisy measurements on Kf where the linear operator K admits a wavelet–vaguelette decomposition. We formulate the problem in the Gaussian sequence model and propose estimation based on complexity penalized regression on a level‐by‐level basis. We adopt squared error loss and show that the estimator achieves exact rate‐adaptive optimality as f varies over a wide range of the Besov function classes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Punching shear tests on symmetrically reduced slab quarters
Authors: Winkler Karsten , Mark Peter , Heek Peter , Rohländer Sandra , Sommer Simone
Published: June 2014

Experiments on large‐scale reinforced concrete members such as beams or slabs with large effective depths are challenging and – not least due to the extensive material and financial input – rarely performed. However, results from such experiments are desperately needed, as critical size effects affect shear and punching shear failure types. At the Institute of Concrete Structures at Ruhr‐Universität Bochum (RUB), an innovative test setup was devised following the principle of “upsizing by downsizing”. It transfers symmetry reductions – a standard feature in numerical simulations – to experiments. Thus, test loads and dead loads decrease markedly in proportion to the degree of symmetry, giving rise to larger specimens within given testing facilities. The setup enables tests on symmetrically sectioned concrete members – halved beams or quarters of slabs – concurrently implying the load‐deformation behaviours of corresponding, i.e. full‐size members, by simply factoring the loads with twice the axial symmetry degree.

This paper presents the single steps in the development to test quartered slabs, including the modular support constructions with sliding planes and anchoring of the bending reinforcement as well as the concrete specimen itself, with interconnections to the symmetry planes, measuring techniques and its specific assembly. Results from a first prototype testing prove the general applicability for failure modes, crack patterns and kinematics. However, ultimate punching loads are still slightly overestimated.