bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Review of Indicators of Healthy Agricultural Soils with Pea Footrot Disease Suppression Potentials
Authors: Etebu Ebimieowei , Osborn A. Mark
Published: July 2012

The quality of a soil is often viewed in relation to its ability to suppress plant disease and enhance agricultural productivity. A soil is considered suppressive when, in spite of favourable conditions for disease incidence and development, a pathogen cannot become established, or establishes but produces no disease, or establishes and produces disease for a short time and then declines. The interplay of biotic and abiotic factors has long been known to assert disease suppressive capabilities or otherwise. However, the multi-functionality of soil makes the identification of a single property as a general indicator of soil health an uphill task. In this paper, therefore, some indicators of soil health important to agriculture are reviewed with emphasis on pea footrot disease suppression potentials. Findings show that footrot disease due to Nectria haematococca (anamorph Fusarium solani f.sp pisi) is a globally, economically important disease of peas, and an initial inoculum density of ? 100 pathogenic forms of N. haematococca cells would produce an appreciable level of pea footrot disease depending on the relative amount of phosphorus, carbon and nitrogen present in soil. It would be desirable to confirm pea footrot disease models obtained from pot experiments with results from field experiments.
Risky eBusiness: An Examination of Risk-taking, Online Disclosiveness, and Cyberstalking Victimization
Authors: Welsh Andrew , Lavoie Jennifer A. A.
Published: July 2012

The expansion of online social networking sites and the relative accessibility to personal information provided by these sites has raised concerns about the risks for a variety of negative experiences, including cyberstalking. The present study investigated whether the theoretical concepts of Routine Activities Theory (RAT) could account for patterns of cyberstalking victimization among social networking site users. The study employed a self-report survey design using a convenience sample of 321 female undergraduate students. RAT was operationalized in the cyber context by measuring the level of online disclosure, frequency of internet use (online exposure) and general proclivity for risk-taking behaviours among participants. Personal experiences of cyberstalking were also assessed. Analyses specifically examined the relationship between RAT variables and cyberstalking outcomes and the extent to which a specific form of guardianship, online disclosiveness, served as a mediator between online activities and the risk for victimization. Online exposure and a proclivity for social risk-taking were associated with cyberstalking victimization. Levels of online disclosure demonstrated a direct positive impact on cyberstalking victimization, however our findings elucidating the role of online disclosure as a guardianship effort mediating the effects of exposure on cyberstalking victimization were mixed.
Online Depression Communities: Does Gender Matter?
Authors: Nimrod Galit
Published: July 2012

While women are at a greater risk for depression, men with depression are at a greater risk for mistimed and inadequate treatment. Online depression communities offer immediate support for both genders, and may reduce the risk for those depressed men who avoid the traditional mental healthcare system. This study aimed to explore gender differences among members of online depression communities. Based on an online survey of 793 members of 16 online depression communities, the study combined both behavioral and psychological measures. The results identified significant gender differences in members’ self-defined condition, participation patterns, interests and reported benefits. Additional differences were found in the associations between the main differentiating variables and the members’ level of depression. The findings indicated that women in online depression communities are more involved and report more benefits from participation than men. However, active participation may be even more beneficial for men than for women, as it may provide positive change not only in their general sense of well-being, but also in their clinical condition. Using strategies for promoting active participation among men may enhance the benefits they gain from the online communities.
Fattorello 2.0
Authors: Seganti Francesca Romana , Ragnetti Giuseppe
Published: July 2012

The main aim of this paper is to illustrate Francesco Fattorello's theory (the "Social Technique of Information" written in the '50s) in order to provide scholars in the Communication field with a model of communication that is an appropriate answer to the needs of today's democratic societies. Despite the fact that Fattorello had been a member of the founding group of the International Association of Media and Communication Research IAMCR/AIERI in Paris, 1957, today his work is not known at an international level, especially in the Anglo-Saxon academia. This is due to the fact that when Fattorello’s theory was developed, it was not taken into consideration because of the dominance of the Frankfurt School theorizations that individualized in mass communication a process that determined people's behaviors. Sixty years ago it was not easy for scholars and those employed in industry to accept Fattorello's idea of an audience who had equal dignity to the promoting subject, because s/he had the same thinking abilities. Instead of accepting the idea that the media industry enterprises imposed values, behaviors and patterns that served to maintain domination, Fattorello focused on audiences as active participants, as the pivot of the process of communication. We will see that the diagrammatic formula in which Fattorello's model is expressed looks very similar to something with which we are very familiar; that is the Web communication paradigm. Fattorello's model, which is significantly different than some of the current mainstream theoretical approaches to media and communication, is compared to dominant mass communication models (from the earliest models to contemporary dominant paradigms) to further enrich the debate. Finally, we believe that Fattorello's model can shed light on other models of mass communication.
Phylogenetic Origins of Brain Organisers
Authors: Robertshaw Ellen , Kiecker Clemens
Published: July 2012

The regionalisation of the nervous system begins early in embryogenesis, concomitant with the establishment of the anteroposterior (AP) and dorsoventral (DV) body axes. The molecular mechanisms that drive axis induction appear to be conserved throughout the animal kingdom and may be phylogenetically older than the emergence of bilateral symmetry. As a result of this process, groups of patterning genes that are equally well conserved are expressed at specific AP and DV coordinates of the embryo. In the emerging nervous system of vertebrate embryos, this initial pattern is refined by local signalling centres,secondary organisers, that regulate patterning, proliferation, and axonal pathfinding in adjacent neuroepithelium. The main secondary organisers for the AP neuraxis are the midbrain-hindbrain boundary, zona limitans intrathalamica, and anterior neural ridge and for the DV neuraxis the notochord, floor plate, and roof plate. A search for homologous secondary organisers in nonvertebrate lineages has led to controversy over their phylogenetic origins. Based on a recent study in hemichordates, it has been suggested that the AP secondary organisers evolved at the base of the deuterostome superphylum, earlier than previously thought. According to this view, the lack of signalling centres in some deuterostome lineages is likely to reflect a secondary loss due to adaptive processes. We propose that the relative evolutionary flexibility of secondary organisers has contributed to a broader morphological complexity of nervous systems in different clades.
Avance en âge, ressources économiques multiples et situations de vulnérabilité
Authors: Firbank Oscar E.
Published: July 2012

Cet article évalue la progression du niveau de vie des personnes âgées au Canada depuis une quinzaine d'années. La représentation sociale des personnes âgées de 65 ans et plus, ainsi que les conclusions tirées d'un certain nombre de travaux de recherche, a assimilé les aînés à un groupe économiquement privilégié. Une analyse de leur niveau de vie, incluant les ressources non monétaires les plus importantes dont ils disposent, tend à confirmer cette image de privilège relatif. Il n'en reste pas moins que des situations de vulnérabilité et des inégalités très prononcées subsistent au sein du groupe, dont la réalité est assez hétérogène. Les nouvelles conditions de passage à la retraite et les parcours de plus en plus accidentés des nouvelles cohortes de travailleurs qui avancent en âge sont des facteurs qui semblent par ailleurs fragiliser leur situation. L'article conclut en identifiant certains des enjeux en matière de politique sociale qui se dégagent de l'analyse.
Emploi et retraite. Du risque « fin de carrière » à la pluriactivité à tout âge
Authors: Gaullier Xavier
Published: July 2012

Les analyses classiques des régimes de retraite en termes de financement sont insuffisantes pour comprendre le décalage qui s'instaure entre le fonctionnement des institutions de protection sociale et les réalités qu'elles sont supposées gérer. Tout se passe comme si on voulait gérer des situations nouvelles avec des règles faites pour des situations anciennes et dépassées. Dans cette perspective, l'analyse du risque vieillesse est spécialement révélatrice. Gestion et réformes des retraites s'appuient sur l'idée ancienne qu'il y a coïncidence entre la fin de la vie professionnelle, l'obtention d'une pension et le début des handicaps liés au vieillissement alors qu'il n'en est plus rien. En amont des retraites se constitue un nouveau risque, celui de fin de carrière, entraînant un remodelage complet des diverses fonctions de la retraite et de la protection sociale. Ces transformations sont liées à l'évolution des carrières professionnelles, des temps sociaux et des âges de la vie dans une société de plus en plus pluriac-tive et longévitale.
Vieillesse et famille : qui soutient l’autre ?
Authors: Pitrou Agnès
Published: July 2012

Les recherches qui traitent des relations entre les personnes âgées et leur famille se sont principalement centrées soit sur les services mutuels qui s'échangent lorsque les grands-parents sont encore actifs, soit sur la prise en charge de ces derniers par les enfants lorsqu'ils perdent leur autonomie. La réflexion menée dans l'article tente d'examiner dans quelle mesure les nouveaux processus du vieillissement et les transformations des structures familiales — en particulier leur instabilité — peuvent modifier ces rapports et le rôle qu'ils jouent, en particulier auprès des jeunes au cours de leur évolution. Le changement probable des conditions de vie et d'insertion des personnes âgées risquent-ils de transformer ces échanges intrafamiliaux ?
Travail, famille, État et marché : les sources de revenu en fin de carrière
Authors: Rein Martin , Turner John
Published: July 2012

Cet essai propose une réflexion à caractère historique et comparatif sur la situation économique des personnes âgées, à travers un examen de la composition des revenus sur lesquels elles peuvent compter au terme de leur carrière de travail: protections sociales, pensions privées, salaires, actifs. On assiste à une évolution de la contribution respective de l'État, de l'employeur et de l'individu aux revenus de retraite de ce dernier. À l'avenir, ces revenus proviendront de sources plus diversifiées, même dans les couches de population moins bien nanties, et assureront ainsi une meilleure protection contre les risques associés à la dépendance à l'égard d'une source unique, soumise aux fluctuations des dépenses publiques
New Actors in Employment Relations in the Periphery: Closing the Representation Gap amongst Micro and Small Enterprises
Authors: Webster Edward , Bishoff Christine
Published: July 2012

This paper aims to contribute to our understanding of how the representation gap in micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in nine countries can be closed through a mapping exercise (both horizontal and vertical). The study draws on peripheral workers in MSEs predominantly from countries on the periphery of the global economy. The assumption underlying the research is that the failure of traditional industrial relations actors, especially trade unions, to respond to the representation gap has created the space and the need for new actors to fill the gap. We identify a number of dimensions in trade union responses to non-standard employment relations and focus on their awareness of the specific nature of non-standard workers’ interests and their willingness to innovate with representation models.

The paper identifies four main responses by trade unions to non-standard employees. The first response is where trade unions are indifferent to workers in MSEs as they are seen as marginal and unorganizable. Secondly, there are trade unions that are very much aware of the need to revise and revitalize their representation strategies, but they respond by attempting to extend existing forms of representation. Thirdly there are those who believe that non-standard employment should be resisted. The fourth, and most interesting response, is where unions create specific kinds of representation and protection for the new forms of employment.

While there were positive outcomes both individually and organizationally from this mapping exercise, as an organizational tool designed to recruit members into the union, mapping is limited. In five of the nine case studies peripheral workers were recruited into a union or worker association. The paper confirms the existence of new actors in employment relations in developing countries. In particular the emergence of NGOs and community based worker associations and co-operatives have been identified as crucial intermediaries in developing new forms of workplace organization.
Decent Work and Poverty Reduction Strategies
Authors: Hughes Steve , Haworth Nigel
Published: July 2012

This article examines how the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Decent Work agenda integration into poverty reduction strategies has provided the wherewithal for closer cooperation with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. It begins by discussing multilateral approaches to poverty reduction and identifying criticisms of structural adjustment programmes and the policy prescriptions of the Washington Consensus as key prompts for closer cooperation with the ILO. The article examines the development of the ILO and identifies the role that successive Director Generals have played in repositioning it as a key player in multilateral approaches to poverty reduction. The complex nature of cooperation between the ILO and the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) is acknowledged and discussed. While the Washington Consensus has not been abandoned, analytical shifts within the IFIs, including greater acknowledgment of the role labour market institutions can make in sustainable growth and development, have prompted closer integration between employment and social policies and international macroeconomic policy strategies.

At the heart of this engagement lies the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda and the demand for greater policy coherence among multilateral organizations in poverty reduction. The integration of Decent Work into IFI Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) is identified as a key platform for these activities. The article describes the ILO strategy for integrating Decent Work into the PRSP process and examines the criticisms this strategy has attracted. In highlighting the importance of worker voice in the national delivery of poverty reduction strategies, the article concludes by promoting the need for representative bodies to have the necessary organization and skills to engage with and implement poverty reduction strategies. For Decent Work and poverty reduction to succeed, this need is of both a national and international concern. Such challenges loom large in future engagement between the ILO and the IFIs.
L’histoire amateur et l’histoire universitaire : paradigmes de l’historiographie du cinéma
Authors: Gauthier Philippe
Published: July 2012

L’auteur de l’article qui suit propose l’esquisse d’un nouveau découpage historiographique qui tient compte davantage du contexte dans lequel les différents discours historiques étudiés ont émergé et des limites imposées par le contexte en question. Ce découpage repose non pas sur le concept de « génération » (histoire traditionnelle/nouvelle histoire), qui tend à enfermer le chercheur dans le carcan d’une approche téléologique, mais plutôt sur le concept de « paradigme », qui permet plutôt de s’affranchir des impératifs de périodisation et de certaines contraintes temporelles. Selon l’hypothèse formulée par l’auteur, l’« histoire amateur du cinéma », dans laquelle les discours historiques sont destinés majoritairement au grand public, aurait été le paradigmedominantdurant la période s’étalant du tournant des années 1900 jusqu’aux années 1970, alors que l’« histoire universitaire du cinéma », dans laquelle les discours historiques sont destinés en très grande majorité aux historiens universitaires du cinéma, représenterait le paradigmedominantdes 30 dernières années dans l’historiographie du cinéma.
Le film pour mémoire : sur H Story (Nobuhiro Suwa, 2000)
Authors: Grange Marie-Françoise
Published: July 2012

H Story (Nobuhiro Suwa, 2000) propose, d’une part, le tournage d’un remake de Hiroshima mon amour (Alain Resnais, 1959) et, d’autre part, met en scène l’impossibilité d’une telle réalisation. Cette tentative d’imitation, d’un film par un autre, incapable d’aboutir, dérive alors de variations en réécriture du film source. Le film japonais creuse une sorte d’espace intermédiaire dans lequel entrent en résonance l’écho des formes, des mots, des cadres, l’écho des écritures de deux films distincts appartenant à des époques différentes. C’est donc par la mise en perspective du film de Resnais, devenu son modèle et son référent, que le film de Suwa questionne sa propre contemporanéité ainsi que l’héritage reçu de l’histoire du cinéma et, ce faisant, questionne la responsabilité qu’il porte face à l’Histoire.
Le Canada en Afghanistan. Entre la guerre et les opérations de paix
Authors: Garon Richard
Published: July 2012

L’intervention du Canada en Afghanistan depuis 2001 a été qualifiée de guerre, d’opération de paix et même de campagne contre-insurrectionnelle. À notre avis, ces actions tombent plutôt dans une zone grise. En effet, elles poussent à leur limite les principes fondateurs des opérations de paix, mais semblent en préserver certaines caractéristiques. Cet article propose une étude des attributs de ces activités à l’aide d’un cadre d’analyse théorique pour essayer de situer la mission afghane dans le spectre des opérations militaires. Il s’agit donc d’éclairer cette zone floue en cherchant à identifier la position ontologique la plus appropriée pour différencier ces types d’activités.
Biomass to biofuel: a review on production technology
Authors: Chakraborty Sudip , Aggarwal Varun , Mukherjee Debolina , Andras Koris
Published: July 2012

The amalgamation of climate change, depletion of natural resource, and scarcity of fossil fuel have triggered a sense of urgency among researchers, development practitioners, and industrialist to find sustainable and viable solutions in the area of biofuels. As a researcher, we have to take up this challenge to secure our energy future with the help of sustainable approach and technological advancement to produce green fuel from the organic sources or biomass. Biomass comes generally from organic natural matter such as trees, wood, manure, sewage, grass cuttings, and timber waste and is a source of huge green energy called biofuel. It includes most of the biological material, living or dead. This energy is used industrially and domestically since many years, but the recent trend is on the production of green fuel with different advance processing systems in a sustainable way. Biomass is becoming a booming industry now because it is cheaper and there are many organic wastes all around and is quite effective for the sustainable use of the bioenergy. In the last few years, the world has seen a remarkable development in the biofuel production technology, and three generations of biofuel already exist in our society. The combination of membrane technology with the existing process line can play a vital role for the production of green fuel in a sustainable manner. In this paper, the science and technology for sustainable biofuel production will be discuss for a cleaner world. © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perspectives of biofuels production from renewable resources with bioelectrochemical systems
Authors: Villano Marianna , Aulenta Federico , Majone Mauro
Published: July 2012

Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) are an emerging technology that uses solid‐state electrodes to stimulate microbial metabolism (either for substrate degradation or for products formation). Because of their versatility and unmatched level of control over the biological reactions, BESs hold a great potential for application in industrial and environmental bioprocesses. Among them, the bioelectrochemical production of renewable and carbon‐neutral energy carriers, such as hydrogen and methane, at the cathode of bioelectrochemical systems is recently attracting considerable attention. While exciting as a concept, the performance of the process seems to be still primarily limited by the low kinetics and efficiencies of the cathodic reactions. In this review, key opportunities for gaseous biofuels production with bioelectrochemical systems are addressed and compared with existing biotechnological approaches such as anaerobic digestion and dark fermentation. The major bottlenecks and challenges that still need to be faced to make this novel technology practical are presented and critically discussed. © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parametric optimization of xylitol production from xylose by fermentation
Authors: Srivani K. , Pydi Setty Y.
Published: July 2012

Environmental parameters play a major role on the optimum production of bio‐chemicals by bio‐chemical pathways of a micro‐organism. The effect of different environmental parameters like initial pH, temperature and initial xylose concentration were found for xylitol production using the micro‐organism candida parapsilosis NCIM‐3323, that belongs to the genus candida and species yeast. Maximum values of xylitol concentration, xylitol yield, xylitol volumetric productivity, xylitol specific productivity were found to be 28.14 g/l, 0.469 g/g xylose, 0.7 g/l‐h, 0.0116 g/g‐h at an initial pH of 3.5, temperature of 30 °C and initial xylose concentration of 60 g/l respectively. Optimum initial pH, temperature and initial xylose concentration for highest xylitol productivity were found to be 3.5, 30 °C, 60 g/l respectively. © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Poly(lactic acid)/low density polyethylene polymer blends: preparation and characterization
Authors: Hamad Kotiba , Kaseem Mosab , Deri Fawaz
Published: July 2012

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was melt blended with low density polyethylene (LDPE) with the aim of replacing commodity polymers in future applications. Because cost of PLA is quite high, it is not economically feasible to use it alone for day to day use as a packaging material without blending. In this work, PLA was blended with LDPE in different ratios by using a laboratory scale single screw extruder. The prepared blends were characterized in terms of rheological and mechanical properties. Rheological properties were studied using a capillary rheometer, and the Bagley's correction was performed. True shear rate (γr), true shear stress (τr), true viscosity (ηr) and non‐Newtonian index (n) were determined. The relationship between true viscosity and temperature was also studied, and the flow activation energy at a constant shear stress (Eτ) was determined. The mechanical properties of the blends were investigated on dog bone‐shaped samples obtained by injection molding, tensile tests were performed using Testometric M350‐10KN, stress at break, strain at break and Young's modulus were determined. Rheological results show incompatibility between the two polymers where the true viscosity of the blend decreased with increasing PLA content below the line of mixing rule, also it was found that the blend exhibits shear‐thinning behavior over the range of the studied shear rates. The mechanical results also showed incompatibility between PLA and LDPE in the blend, where stress at break and Young's modulus of the blend increased with increasing PLA content, whereas strain at break of the blends was similar to that of neat PLA. © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two‐phase partitioning bioreactors: the use of polymers for the in situ removal of ethanol
Authors: Daugulis Andrew J. , Milton Sarah G.
Published: July 2012

The use of polymers for in situ removal of ethanol, an inhibitory fermentation product, was investigated. Results from capacity experiments with six amorphous polymers showed that nylon 6,6 had the greatest capacity for ethanol, 0.123 g ethanol/g polymer. The Flory–Huggins solubility parameter for this polymer most closely matched that of ethanol and provided an initial indication that rational polymer selection based on the Flory–Huggins theory, which describes polymer–solute interactions, can be used to predict potential absorptive polymers for the uptake of target molecules. A hard, crystalline polymeric resin with surface‐adsorptive properties, DOWEX Optipore L493, was found to have a higher ethanol capacity, 0.346 g ethanol/g polymer. Batch fermentations of a glucose medium using Saccharomyces cerevisiae were conducted in both the presence and absence of the polymeric adsorbent, DOWEX Optipore L493. Although the addition of the resin had a positive effect on reducing the aqueous ethanol concentration via in situ ethanol removal, its presence in the medium, perhaps due to abrasive effects on the cells, diminished this positive performance. © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Supportive use of cyclodextrins as decontamination agents for herbicides: the case of fenoxaprop‐p‐ethyl
Authors: Petralito S. , Zanardi I. , Braconi D. , Santucci A. , Memoli A. , Caccamo E. , Travagli V.
Published: July 2012

The inclusion complexes of herbicides in cyclodextrins (CDs) have been considered in an attempt to assess the potentiality of CDs as new formulation additives for both delivery improvement, and reduction of toxicity in terms of environmental impact.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the role of three different types of CDs—namely β‐CD and its two derivatives, randomly methylated β‐CD and hydroxypropyl β‐CD—towards the herbicide fenoxaprop‐p‐ethyl (FE) properties. The toxicity of both pure FE (either alone or as inclusion complex) and a commercial product has been evaluated by an amperometric biosensor based on a Clark electrode as a respirometry study on Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain. Such a technique results more sensitive with respect to FE toxicity methods based on cell growth. The toxic effect of the commercial product was higher than that of the pure chemical entity. Photochemical studies on FE and FE‐CD complexes in the presence of different soil colloidal components showed the catalytic effect of some of CDs on photodegradation. The obtained results suggest that CDs could be useful excipients to promote enhancement of solubility, photodegradation inductive effect, and bioremediation in case of FE‐like hydrophobic herbicides. © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Series of Amino Acid Functionalized Tripodal Hexaamide Anion Receptors: Ion‐Pair‐Assisted Capped‐Cleft Formation by a Pentafluorophenyl‐Functionalized Amide
Authors: Bose Purnandhu , Ravikumar Iyyamperumal , Akhuli Bidyut , Ghosh Pradyut
Published: July 2012

A new series of tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine (tren)‐based L‐alanine amino acid backboned tripodal hexaamide receptors (L1–L5) with various attached moieties based on electron‐withdrawing fluoro groups and lipophilicity have been synthesized and characterized. Detailed binding studies of L1–L5 with different anions, such as halides (F−, Cl−, Br−, and I−) and oxyanions (AcO−, BzO− (Bz=benzoyl), NO3−, H2PO4−, and HSO4−), have been carried out by isothermal titration calorimetric (ITC) experiments in acetonitrile/dimethylsulfoxide (99.5:0.5 v/v) at 298 K. ITC titration experiments have clearly shown that receptors L1–L4 invariably form 1:1 complexes with Cl−, AcO−, BzO−, and HSO4−, whereas L5 forms a 1:1 complex only with AcO−. In the case of Br−, I−, and NO3−, no appreciable heat change is observed owing to weak interactions between these anions and receptors; this is further confirmed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The ITC binding studies of F− and H2PO4− do not fit well for a 1:1 binding model. Furthermore, ITC binding studies also revealed slightly higher selectivity of this series of receptors towards AcO− over Cl−, BzO−, and HSO4−. Solid‐state structural evidence for the recognition of Cl− by this new category of receptor was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis of the complex of tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBACl) and L1. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction clearly showed that the pentafluorophenyl‐functionalized amide receptor (L1) encapsulated Cl− in its cavity by hydrogen bonds from amides, and the cavity of L1 was capped with a TBA cation through hydrogen bonding and ion‐pair interactions to form a capped‐cleft orientation. To understand the role of the cationic counterpart in solution‐state Cl− binding processes with this series of receptors (L1–L4), a detailed Cl− binding study was carried out with three different tetraalkylammonium (Me4N+, Et4N+, and Bu4N+) salts of Cl−. The binding affinities of these receptors with different tetralkylammonium salts of Cl− gave binding constants with the TBA cation in the following order: butyl>ethyl>methyl. This study further supports the role of the TBA countercation in ion‐pair recognition by this series of receptors.
From A Fluorescent Chromophore in Solution to An Efficient Emitter in the Solid State
Authors: Liu Yang , Lv Yun , Zhang Xiying , Chen Shuming , Lam Jacky W. Y. , Lu Ping , Kwok Ryan T. K. , Kwok Hoi Sing , Tao Xutang , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: July 2012

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) normally exhibit efficient fluorescence in dilute solutions, whereas their emission is significantly quenched in the aggregated state due to the formation of π‐aggregates/excimers. The rigid and planar structure of PAHs plays a positive role in terms of fluorescence in solution but a negative one in the aggregated state. To bestow PAHs a luminescent ability in the solid state, we constructed a non‐coplanar PAH‐substituted ethene. By using the planar PAH fluoranthene as a building block, a highly efficient solid‐state emitter with a fluorescence quantum efficiency of unity in the aggregated state was obtained. OLEDs with contain the molecule as an emitter reach a luminance up to 20 520 cd m−2 and an efficiency of 10 cd A−1.
Menin as a hub controlling mixed lineage leukemia
Authors: Thiel Austin T. , Huang Jing , Lei Ming , Hua Xianxin
Published: July 2012

Mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) fusion protein (FP)‐induced acute leukemia is highly aggressive and often refractory to therapy. Recent progress in the field has unraveled novel mechanisms and targets to combat this disease. Menin, a nuclear protein, interacts with wild‐type (WT) MLL, MLL‐FPs, and other partners such as the chromatin‐associated protein LEDGF and the transcription factor C‐Myb to promote leukemogenesis. The newly solved co‐crystal structure illustrating the menin–MLL interaction, coupled with the role of menin in recruiting both WT MLL and MLL‐FPs to target genes, highlights menin as a scaffold protein and a central hub controlling this type of leukemia. The menin/WT MLL/MLL‐FP hub may also cooperate with several signaling pathways, including Wnt, GSK3, and bromodomain‐containing Brd4‐related pathways to sustain MLL‐FP‐induced leukemogenesis, revealing new therapeutic targets to improve the treatment of MLL‐FP leukemias.
Synthesis and interaction of bovine serum albumin with p‐hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives
Authors: Zhang Xue‐Hong , Liu Li‐Na , Lin Yi‐Jie , Lin Cui‐Wu
Published: July 2012

Three novel p‐hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives (HSOP, HSOX, HSCP) were synthesized from p‐hydroxybenzoic acid and sulfonamides (sulfamonomethoxine sodium, sulfamethoxazole and sulfachloropyridazine sodium) and characterized by elemental analysis, HNMR and MS. Interactions between derivatives and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were studied by fluorescence quenching spectra, UV–vis absorption spectra and time‐resolved fluorescence spectra. Based on fluorescence quenching calculation and Förster's non‐radioactive energy transfer theory, the values of the binding constants, basic thermodynamic parameters and binding distances were obtained. Experimental results indicated that the three derivatives had a strong ability to quench fluorescence from BSA and that the binding reactions of the derivatives with BSA were a static quenching process. Thermodynamic parameters showed that binding reactions were spontaneous and exothermic and hydrogen bond and van der Waals force were predominant intermolecular forces between the derivatives and BSA. Synchronous fluorescence spectra suggested that HSOX and HSCP had little effect on the microenvironment and conformation of BSA in the binding reactions but the microenvironments around tyrosine residues were disturbed and polarity around tyrosine residues increased in the presence of HSOP. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Safety and cost-effectiveness of shortening hospital follow-up after breast cancer treatment
Authors: Lu W , Greuter M J W , Schaapveld M , Vermeulen K M , Wiggers T , de Bock G H
Published: July 2012

Background

In the Netherlands, the first 5 years of follow-up after treatment for breast cancer are carried out in hospital with yearly mammography. After this, for patients aged over 60 years who have undergone mastectomy, there is a shift of care to the National Screening Programme (NSP) for mammography every 2 years. After breast-conserving therapy follow-up is perfomed by the general practitioner (GP), with mammography every second year and physical examination annually. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects and costs of four different strategies for follow-up after breast cancer treatment.

Methods

An extended and validated simulation model for breast cancer follow-up was used. The current guidelines for follow-up (baseline strategy) and three less intensive follow-up strategies were evaluated. The main outcome measure was the detection rate of small tumours (2 cm or smaller) and associated costs for each strategy.

Results

Shortening the follow-up time in hospital by shifting care to the NSP or GP after 2 years instead of 5 years of hospital follow-up, lowering the age of referral to the NSP or GP from 60 to 50 years, and termination of annual physical examination by the GP after hospital follow-up did not decrease the detection of small tumours. In addition, a substantial decrease in costs was observed with simplified follow-up.

Conclusion

Decreasing hospital follow-up time, lowering the age of referral to the NSP or GP, and termination of annual physical examinations would lead to a substantial reduction in costs while maintaining the possibility of detecting small breast cancers.
Effects of low cardiopulmonary reserve on pancreatic leak following pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Ausania F , Snowden C P , Prentis J M , Holmes L R , Jaques B C , White S A , French J J , Manas D M , Charnley R M
Published: July 2012

Background

Postoperative complications are increased in patients with reduced cardiopulmonary reserve undergoing major surgery. Pancreatic leak is an important contributor to postoperative complications and death following pancreaticoduodenectomy. The aim of this study was to determine whether reduced cardiopulmonary reserve was a risk factor for pancreatic leak.

Methods

All patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between January 2006 and July 2010 were identified from a prospectively held database. Data analysis was restricted to those who underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing during preoperative assessment. Pancreatic leak was defined as grade A, B or C according to the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula definition. An anaerobic threshold (AT) cut-off value of 10·1 ml per kg per min was used to identify patients with reduced cardiopulmonary reserve. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify other risk factors for pancreatic leak.

Results

Some 67 men and 57 women with a median age of 66 (range 37–82) years were identified. Low AT was significantly associated with pancreatic leak (45 versus 19·2 per cent in patients with greater cardiopulmonary reserve; P = 0·020), postoperative complications (70 versus 38·5 per cent; P = 0·013) and prolonged hospital stay (29·4 versus 17·5 days; P = 0·001). On multivariable analysis, an AT of 10·1 ml per kg per min or less was the only independent factor associated with pancreatic leak.

Conclusion

Low cardiopulmonary reserve was associated with pancreatic leak following pancreaticoduodenectomy. AT seems a useful tool for stratifying the risk of postoperative complications.
Randomized clinical trial of open hepatectomy with or without intermittent Pringle manoeuvre
Authors: Lee K F , Cheung Y S , Wong J , Chong C C , Wong J S , Lai P B
Published: July 2012

Background

The intermittent Pringle manoeuvre (IPM) is commonly applied during liver resection. Few randomized trials have addressed its effectiveness in reducing blood loss and the results have been conflicting. The present study investigated the hypothesis that IPM could reduce blood loss during liver resection by 50 per cent.

Methods

Between May 2008 and April 2011, patients who underwent elective open hepatectomy were randomized into an IPM or no Pringle manoeuvre (NPM) group and stratified according to the presence or absence of cirrhosis. Data on demographics, type of hepatectomy, operative blood loss, duration of operation, mortality, morbidity and postoperative liver function were recorded and analysed. The primary endpoint was operative blood loss.

Results

There were 63 patients in each group. Median (range) operative blood loss was 370 (50–3600) ml in the IPM group versus 335 (40–3160) ml in the NPM group (P = 1·000). There were no differences in blood loss in different phases of the operation, blood loss per area of liver transected or blood transfusion rate, nor in total duration of operation or liver transection time. Postoperative serum alanine aminotransferase levels were higher in the IPM group (P < 0·001). There were more postoperative complications in the IPM group (41 versus 24 per cent; P = 0·036).

Conclusion

The IPM did not reduce blood loss, but was associated with raised levels of postoperative liver parenchymal enzymes and more complications. Registration number: NCT00730743 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
Storage stability studies for tributyltin determination in human urine samples using headspace solid‐phase microextraction and gas chromatography mass spectrometry
Authors: Zachariadis G. A. , Tzollas N. M. , Nikolaou M. , Rosenberg E.
Published: July 2012

A headspace solid‐phase micro‐extraction (HS‐SPME) method was employed in order to study the effect of storage conditions of human urine samples spiked with tributyltin (TBT) using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. To render the analyte more volatile, the derivatization (ethylation) was made in situ by sodium tetraethylborate (NaBEt4), which was added directly to dilute unpreserved urine samples and in buffers of similar acidity. The stability of TBT in human urine matrix was compared with the stability of TBT in buffer solutions of similar pH value. Critical parameters of storage conditions such as temperature and time, which affect the stability of TBT in this kind of matrix, were examined extensively. The tests showed that the stability of TBT remains practically satisfactory for a maximum of 2 days of storage either at +4 or 20°C. Greater variations were observed in the concentration of TBT in human urine samples at +4°C and lower ones at −20°C over a month's storage. The freeze–thaw cycles have negative effect on the stability and should be kept to a minimum. The results from spiked urine samples are also discussed in comparison to those acquired from buffer solutions of equal TBT concentration. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coordinate regulation between expression levels of telomere‐binding proteins and telomere length in breast carcinomas
Authors: Butler Kimberly S. , Hines William C. , Heaphy Christopher M. , Griffith Jeffrey K.
Published: July 2012

Telomere dysregulation occurs in both the in situ and invasive stages of many carcinomas, including breast. Knockout experiments have identified several telomere‐associated proteins required for proper telomere function and maintenance, including telomere repeat‐binding factor 1 and 2 (TRF1 and TRF2), protection of telomeres (POT1), and TRF1‐interacting nuclear factor 2 (TIN2). Using telomere content assays and quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), we examined the relationship between telomere length and the mRNA levels of telomere‐associated proteins in breast tumors. The levels of TRF2, TRF1, TIN2, and POT1 mRNA, but not telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) RNA, are inversely correlated with telomere content in breast tumors. Significant associations were identified between the mRNA levels of TRF1, TIN2, and POT1; however, there were no significant associations with the mRNA levels of TRF2 or TERT. These associations suggest that a complex transcriptional program coordinately regulates the expression of these mRNAs. We examined the promoter regions of the telomere‐associated proteins to identify transcription factors consistent with the observed patterns of presumed coordinate expression. We demonstrated in human breast cancer cell lines that expressions of TRF1, TIN2, and POT1 are upregulated by dexamethasone, suggesting activation of the glucocorticoid receptor, whereas TERT, TRF2, TRF1, TIN2, and POT1 are upregulated by tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), suggesting activation of the nuclear factor kappa B transcription factor. These findings link telomere content in breast tumors to the coordinate expression of several telomere‐associated proteins previously shown to be negative regulators of telomere length in cell lines. The results further suggest a possible link between the expressions of the telomere‐associated proteins and mediators of stress and inflammation.
From Monomers to π Stacks, from Nonconductive to Conductive: Syntheses, Characterization, and Crystal Structures of Benzidine Radical Cations
Authors: Chen Xiaoyu , Ma Binbin , Wang Xingyong , Yao Shengxin , Ni Lichen , Zhou Zhaoyi , Li Yizhi , Huang Wei , Ma Jing , Zuo Jinglin , Wang Xinping
Published: July 2012

Salts that contain radical cations of benzidine (BZ), 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), 2,2′,6,6′‐tetraisopropylbenzidine (TPB), and 4,4′‐terphenyldiamine (DATP) have been isolated with weakly coordinating anions [Al(ORF)4]− (ORF=OC(CF3)3) or SbF6−. They were prepared by reaction of the respective silver(I) salts with stoichiometric amounts of benzidine or its alkyl‐substituted derivatives in CH2Cl2. The salts were characterized by UV absorption and EPR spectroscopy as well as by their single‐crystal X‐ray structures. Variable‐temperature UV/Vis absorption spectra of BZ.+[Al(ORF)4]− and TMB.+[Al(ORF)4]− in acetonitrile indicate an equilibrium between monomeric free radical cations and a radical‐cation dimer. In contrast, the absorption spectrum of TPB.+SbF6− in acetonitrile indicates that the oxidation of TPB only resulted in a monomeric radical cation. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies show that in the solid state BZ and its methylation derivative (TMB) form radical‐cation π dimers upon oxidation, whereas that modified with isopropyl groups (TPB) becomes a monomeric free radical cation. By increasing the chain length, π stacks of π dimers are obtained for the radical cation of DATP. The single‐crystal conductivity measurements show that monomerized or π‐dimerized radicals (BZ.+, TMB.+, and TPB.+) are nonconductive, whereas the π‐stacked radical (DATP.+) is conductive. A conduction mechanism between chains through π stacks is proposed.
High‐Generation Second‐Order Nonlinear Optical (NLO) Dendrimers that Contain Isolation Chromophores: Convenient Synthesis by Using Click Chemistry and their Increased NLO Effects
Authors: Wu Wenbo , Li Conggang , Yu Gui , Liu Yunqi , Ye Cheng , Qin Jingui , Li Zhen
Published: July 2012

Herein, high‐generation dendrimers G4‐NS and G5‐NS, which contained 30 and 62 azo‐benzene chromophore moieties, respectively, were conveniently prepared in high purity and satisfied yields by a combination of divergent and convergent approaches, coupled with the utilization of the powerful Sharpless click reaction. These dendrimers possessed a regular structure of alternating layers of nitro‐based and sulfonyl‐based azo chromophores in which the sulfonyl‐based azo‐chromophore moieties were utilized as co‐isolation groups for the nitro‐based moieties to achieve larger macroscopic second‐order nonlinear optical (NLO) effects. These high‐generation dendrimers (G4‐NS and G5‐NS) displayed very large NLO efficiencies (up to 253.0 pm V−1), which is, to the best of our knowledge, the record highest efficiency for simple azo‐chromophore moieties.
Triaryl‐1,3,5‐triazinane‐2,4,6‐triones (Isocyanurates) Peripherally Functionalized by Donor Groups: Synthesis and Study of Their Linear and Nonlinear Optical Properties
Authors: Argouarch Gilles , Veillard Romain , Roisnel Thierry , Amar Anissa , Meghezzi Hacène , Boucekkine Abdou , Hugues Vincent , Mongin Olivier , Blanchard‐Desce Mireille , Paul Frédéric
Published: July 2012

The linear optical (LO) and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of a series of isocyanurates functionalized by donor arms at the periphery are reported herein. These octupolar derivatives were obtained in a straightforward way from commercial isocyanate derivatives and were fully characterized. Although several of these compounds are known, those that exhibited the largest NLO activities are all new compounds. In terms of second‐order activity, several of these derivatives exhibit remarkable activity/transparency tradeoffs. In terms of third‐order activity, the longer derivatives with the stronger donor groups (X=NH2, NMe2, or NPh2) were shown to possess significant two‐photon absorption cross sections. These strongly luminescent derivatives exhibit two‐photon absorption cross sections up to 410 GM. DFT computations were also conducted to unravel their electronic structures and to rationalize their NLO properties. To our knowledge, the present study is the first concerned with the nonlinear optical properties of these original cyclotrimers.