bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute calcific prevertebral tendinitis: rare cause of neck pain
Authors: Chen Chia‐Hsi , Lu Ying‐Chou , Wong Tak‐Yee
Published: November 2014

Case

We report a case of acute calcific prevertebral tendinitis and discuss the clinical signs, symptoms, and radiologic findings of the disease.

Outcome

This 47‐year‐old man suffered from neck pain, odynophagia, and sore throat for 2 days. Acute calcific prevertebral tendinitis was noted. This disease, brought on by prolonged minor repetitive tendon injury, is an often overlooked cause of acute neck pain. The typical radiologic appearances of the disease include the calcification of the anterior surface of the C1–C2 spine and smooth soft tissue swelling over the retropharyngeal space.

Conclusion

Generally this disease is benign and may be misdiagnosed as deep neck infection. Drainage on this patient would be considered malpractice.
Mechanistic Studies of the Radical S‐Adenosylmethionine Enzyme DesII with TDP‐D‐Fucose
Authors: Ko Yeonjin , Ruszczycky Mark W. , Choi Sei‐Hyun , Liu Hung‐wen
Published: November 2014

DesII is a radical S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM) enzyme that catalyzes the C4‐deamination of TDP‐4‐amino‐4,6‐dideoxyglucose through a C3 radical intermediate. However, if the C4 amino group is replaced with a hydroxy group (to give TDP‐quinovose), the hydroxy group at C3 is oxidized to a ketone with no C4‐dehydration. It is hypothesized that hyperconjugation between the C4 CN/O bond and the partially filled p orbital at C3 of the radical intermediate modulates the degree to which elimination competes with dehydrogenation. To investigate this hypothesis, the reaction of DesII with the C4‐epimer of TDP‐quinovose (TDP‐fucose) was examined. The reaction primarily results in the formation of TDP‐6‐deoxygulose and likely regeneration of TDP‐fucose. The remainder of the substrate radical partitions roughly equally between C3‐dehydrogenation and C4‐dehydration. Thus, changing the stereochemistry at C4 permits a more balanced competition between elimination and dehydrogenation.
pH‐Responsive Non‐Ionic Diblock Copolymers: Ionization of Carboxylic Acid End‐Groups Induces an Order–Order Morphological Transition
Authors: Lovett Joseph R. , Warren Nicholas J. , Ratcliffe Liam P. D. , Kocik Marzena K. , Armes Steven P.
Published: November 2014

A carboxylic acid based reversible additionfragmentation transfer (RAFT) agent is used to prepare gels composed of worm‐like diblock copolymers using two non‐ionic monomers, glycerol monomethacrylate (GMA) and 2‐hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA). Ionization of the carboxylic acid end‐group on the PGMA stabilizer block induces a worm‐to‐sphere transition, which in turn causes immediate degelation. This morphological transition is fully reversible as determined by TEM and rheology studies and occurs because of a subtle change in the packing parameter for the copolymer chains. A control experiment where the methyl ester derivative of the RAFT agent is used to prepare the same diblock copolymer confirms that no pH‐responsive behavior occurs in this case. This end‐group ionization approach is important for the design of new pH‐responsive copolymer nano‐objects as, unlike polyacids or polybases, only a minimal amount of added base (or acid) is required to drive the morphological transition.
Comparison of Anodic TiO2‐Nanotube Membranes used for Frontside‐Illuminated Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Mohammadpour Fatemeh , Moradi Mahmood , Cha Gihoon , So Seulgi , Lee Kiyoung , Altomare Marco , Schmuki Patrik
Published: November 2014

In the present work we compare TiO2‐nanotube lift‐off strategies for the construction of frontside‐illuminated dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Anodic nanotube layers were detached from the metallic back contact by using different techniques and transferred onto a fluorine‐doped tin oxide substrate. We show that if we use an optimized potential step treatment to fabricate membranes, DSSC efficiencies can be significantly increased (η>8 %). The improved efficiency is ascribed to higher specific dye loading and enhanced electron‐transport properties of optimally fabricated TiO2‐nanotube membranes.
Versatile Bisethynyl[60]fulleropyrrolidine Scaffolds for Mimicking Artificial Light‐Harvesting Photoreaction Centers
Authors: Kremer Adrian , Bietlot Emerance , Zanelli Alberto , Malicka Joanna M. , Armaroli Nicola , Bonifazi Davide
Published: November 2014

Fullerene‐based tetrads, triads, and dyads are presented in which [60]fulleropyrrolidine synthons are linked to an oligo(p‐phenyleneethynylene) antenna at the nitrogen atom and to electron‐donor phenothiazine (PTZ) and/or ferrocene (Fc) moieties at the α carbon of the pyrrolidine cycle through an acetylene spacer. Cyclic voltammetry and UV/ Vis absorption spectra evidence negligible ground‐state electronic interactions among the subunits. By contrast, strong excited‐state interactions are detected upon selective light irradiation of the antenna (UV) or of the fullerene scaffold (Vis). When only PTZ is present as electron donor, photoinduced electron transfer to the fullerene unit is unambiguously detected in benzonitrile, but this is not the case when Fc is part of the multicomponent system. These results suggest that Fc is a formidable energy transfer quencher and caution should be used in choosing it as electron donor to promote efficient charge separation in multicomponent arrays.
Chemoselective Bioconjugation of Triazole Phosphonites in Aqueous Media
Authors: Vallée M. Robert J. , Majkut Paul , Krause Dagmar , Gerrits Michael , Hackenberger Christian P. R.
Published: November 2014

Readily accessible and versatile phosphonite building blocks with improved stability against hydrolysis were used for the efficient metal‐free functionalization of peptides and proteins in aqueous buffers at low micromolar concentrations. The application of this protocol to the immobilization of a Rasa1‐SH2 domain revealed high binding affinity to the human T‐cell protein ADAP and supports the applicability of triazole phosphonites for protein modifications without harming their function.
Fluorescence‐Labeled Bis‐benzamidines as Fluorogenic DNA Minor‐Groove Binders: Photophysics and Binding Dynamics
Authors: Bordello Jorge , Sánchez Mateo I. , Vázquez M. Eugenio , Mascareñas José L. , Al‐Soufi Wajih , Novo Mercedes
Published: November 2014

In recent decades there has been great interest in the design of highly sensitive sequence‐specific DNA binders. The eligibility of the binder depends on the magnitude of the fluorescence increase upon binding, related to its photophysics, and on its affinity and specificity, which is, in turn, determined by the dynamics of the binding process. Therefore, progress in the design of DNA binders requires both thorough photophysical studies and precise determination of the association and dissociation rate constants involved. We have studied two bis‐benzamidine (BBA) derivatives labeled by linkers of various lengths with the dye Oregon Green (OG). These fluorogenic binders show a dramatic fluorescence enhancement upon binding to the minor groove of double‐stranded (ds) DNA, as well as significant improvement in their sequence specificity versus the parent BBA, although with decreased affinity constants. Detailed photophysical analysis shows that static and dynamic quenching of the OG fluorescence by BBA through photoinduced electron transfer is suppressed upon insertion of BBA into the minor groove of DNA. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy yields precise dynamic rate constants that prove that the association process of these fluorogenic binders to dsDNA is very similar to that of BBA alone and that their lower affinity is mainly a consequence of their weaker attachment to the minor groove and the resultant faster dissociation process. The conclusions of this study will allow us to go one step further in the design of new DNA binders with tunable fluorescence and binding properties.
Dual Photo‐functionalized Amphiphile for Photo‐reversible Liquid Crystal Alignments
Authors: Kim Dae‐Yoon , Lee Sang‐A , Park Minwook , Jeong Kwang‐Un
Published: November 2014

Without the conventional polymer‐based liquid crystal (LC) alignment process, a newly synthesized dual photo‐functionalized amphiphile (abbreviated as ADMA1) was successfully applied as a robust photo‐reversible LC alignment layer by self‐assembly and photo‐polymerization. The LC alignment layer constructed by directly adding dual photo‐functionalized amphiphiles into LC media significantly cuts the manufacturing cost as well as opens new doors for the fabrication of novel electro‐optical devices.
Dative Au→Al Interactions: Crystallographic Characterization and Computational Analysis
Authors: Devillard Marc , Nicolas Emmanuel , Ehlers Andreas W. , Backs Jana , Mallet‐Ladeira Sonia , Bouhadir Ghenwa , Slootweg J. Chris , Uhl Werner , Bourissou Didier
Published: November 2014

Hitherto unknown Au→Al interactions have been evidenced upon coordination of the geminal phosphorus–aluminum Lewis pair Mes2PC(CHPh)AltBu2 (Mes=2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl). Four different gold(I) complexes featuring alkyl (Me), aryl (Ph, C6F5), and alkynyl (CCPh) co‐ligands have been prepared. X‐ray diffraction analyses show that P→Au→Al bridging coordination induces noticeable bending of the ligand (the PCAl bond angle shrinks by 13°). This new type of transition metal→Lewis acid interaction has been analyzed by DFT calculations.
Effects of Catalyst Pore Structure and Acid Properties on the Dehydration of Glycerol
Authors: Choi Youngbo , Park Hongseok , Yun Yang Sik , Yi Jongheop
Published: November 2014

Hierarchical porous catalysts have recently attracted increasing interest because of the enhanced accessibility to active sites on such materials. In this context, previously reported hierarchically mesoporous ASN and ASPN materials are evaluated by applying them to the dehydration of glycerol, and demonstrate excellent catalytic performance. In addition, a comprehensive understanding of the effects of pore structures and the acid properties on the reaction through comparative studies with microporous HZSM‐5 and mesoporous AlMCM‐41 is provided.
Structural and Morphological Transformations of In–MIL‐68‐Based Hexagonal Lumps to QMOF‐2‐Based Pointed Hexagonal Rods by Means of Destruction and Reconstruction Processes
Authors: Choi Sora , Lee Hee Jung , Kim Taeho , Oh Moonhyun
Published: November 2014

Simple thermal treatment of three‐dimensional Kagomé‐like [In(OH)(BDC)]n (In–MIL‐68) hexagonal lumps in the presence of an extra amount of 1,4‐benzenedicarboxylic acid (H2BDC) induces structural and morphological transformations of the hexagonal lumps into three‐dimensional quartz‐structured [InH(BDC)2]n (QMOF‐2) pointed hexagonal rods. Transformation processes have been monitored by scanning electron microscopy to verify the destruction of the In–MIL‐68‐based hexagonal lumps and the simultaneous reconstruction of QMOF‐2‐based pointed hexagonal rods. We have also discovered the production of In–MIL‐68‐based hexagonal wires as early‐stage kinetic products and the generation of QMOF‐2‐based pointed hexagonal rods as final‐stage thermodynamic products from one‐step solvothermal reaction of In(NO3)3 with an excess amount of H2BDC.
Metal‐Free Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction: Synthesis‐Controlled Density of Catalytic Centers and Impact on ORR
Authors: Cong Kun , Ritter Marcel , Stumpf Steffi , Schröter Bernd , Schubert Ulrich S. , Ignaszak Anna
Published: November 2014

This work demonstrates a rapid and scalable route for the preparation of N‐doped carbon spheres of 80–120 nm via pyrolysis of polypyrrole as the only carbon and nitrogen source. The resulting porous catalyst has a nitrogen doping level of 6–8 at%. Electrochemical studies show that N‐doped C is very active toward oxygen reduction in alkaline electrolyte and the mechanism of ORR process is controlled by the surface concentration of catalytic active sites that promote either a direct four‐electron or two‐electron process. An interesting observation is that we can generate precursors for the N‐doped carbon with desirable particle size, shape and with the preferential structure (linear polypyrrole from the αα coupling during slow polymerization or cross‐linked polypyrrole from αβ coupling during fast polymerization) that promotes the formation of favorable catalytic sites for O2 reduction. The XPS analysis in conjunction with RDE voltammetry highlights the effect of polymer precursor synthesis on the chemical structure and a resulting electrochemical activity of the N‐doped carbon materials.
Human erythrocyte PIG‐A assay: An easily monitored index of gene mutation requiring low volume blood samples
Authors: Dertinger Stephen D. , Avlasevich Svetlana L. , Bemis Jeffrey C. , Chen Yuhchyau , MacGregor James T.
Published: November 2014

This laboratory has previously described a method for scoring the incidence of rodent blood Pig‐a mutant phenotype erythrocytes using immunomagnetic separation in conjunction with flow cytometric analysis (In Vivo MutaFlow®). The current work extends this approach to human blood. The frequencies of CD59‐ and CD55‐negative reticulocytes (RETCD59−/CD55−) and erythrocytes (RBCCD59−/CD55−) serve as phenotypic reporters of PIG‐A gene mutation. Immunomagnetic separation was found to provide an effective means of increasing the number of reticulocytes and erythrocytes evaluated. Technical replicates were utilized to provide a sufficient number of cells for precise scoring while at the same time controlling for procedural accuracy by allowing comparison of replicate values. Cold whole blood samples could be held for at least one week without affecting reticulocyte, RETCD59−/CD55− or RBCCD59−/CD55− frequencies. Specimens from a total of 52 nonsmoking, self‐reported healthy adult subjects were evaluated. The mean frequency of RETCD59−/CD55− and RBCCD59−/CD55− were 6.0 × 10−6 and 2.9 × 10−6, respectively. The difference is consistent with a modest selective pressure against mutant phenotype erythrocytes in the circulation, and suggests advantages of studying both populations of erythrocytes. Whereas intra‐subject variability was low, inter‐subject variability was relatively high, with RETCD59−/CD55− frequencies differing by more than 30‐fold. There was an apparent correlation between age and mutant cell frequencies. Taken together, the results indicate that the frequency of human PIG‐A mutant phenotype cells can be efficiently and reliably estimated using a labeling and analysis protocol that is well established for rodent‐based studies. The applicability of the assay across species, its simplicity and statistical power, and the relatively non‐invasive nature of the assay should benefit myriad research areas involving DNA damage, including studies of environmental factors that modify “spontaneous” mutation frequencies. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 56:366–377, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electric Generation Security and Finance: Online Monitoring Can Have Positive Financial Effects
Authors: Higinbotham William , Davies Neil , Blackmore Paul , Wang Ying
Published: November 2014

Asset condition assessment, combined with a program of condition‐based asset investment planning, is a known approach to maximizing return on investment.
Management Science: Natural Gas and Electricity Industries Should Foster Innovation, Which Can Be Learned
Authors: Crawley David L.
Published: November 2014

Ever since the physician Scribonius Largus slapped an electric torpedo fish on the forehead of a headache sufferer in the early days of the Roman Empire, energy resources have been pursued by mankind to solve problems. Energy has always been the primary power to elevate societies, economies, and, in particular, the living standards of mankind. While the Industrial Revolution certainly marked a major turning point in history, it was the world's first public electricity supply powered by water wheels on the river Wey in Godalming, United Kingdom, in September 1881 that changed every aspect of mankind's daily life.
The Author Replies
Authors: Hall Alicia
Published: November 2014

Reply to a commentary by Joseph J. Fins on “Financial Side Effects: Why Patients Should Be Informed of Costs.”
Innovative Holistic Teaching in a Canadian Neonatal Perinatal Residency Program
Authors: Daboval Thierry , Ferretti Emanuela , Moore Gregory P.
Published: November 2014

Ethically complex and challenging cases confront health care professionals in neonatal‐perinatal medicine more often than in most other subspecialties in medicine. Neonatologists regularly encounter situations where crucial life‐or‐death decisions need to be made in the best interest of an infant and its family. While physicians and their professional societies seem to dictate this best interest standard by weighing the risk of mortality and morbidities, parents may have other perspectives to be considered.

Our review of programs for teaching ethics in Canadian neonatal‐perinatal residency programs has revealed that 90 percent of them incorporated formal and informal medical ethics education, meeting the Royal College of Physician and Surgeons of Canada requirements, but that the teaching strategies, topics covered, and time devoted to teaching ethics are not standardized. Lectures and case presentations—the pedagogic strategy used by most programs—are not ideal for teaching communication skills. We propose, therefore, a holistic approach to teaching and training that imparts (1) a traditional understanding of ethical theory and reasoning, (2) advanced skills in communication and counseling, and (3) a disposition to engage in self‐reflection and to be aware of the emotional and spiritual dimensions of neonatal‐perinatal medicine.
French Lessons
Authors: Gusmano Michael K.
Published: November 2014

During the past year, I have worked with colleagues in the United States and France to compare the countries’ rates of hospital readmission for patients sixty‐five years of age and older. The comparison with France can help shed light on a debate about one feature of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Our study highlights the complexity of hospital readmissions and raises the concern that we may be creating a significant problem if we pressure hospitals financially to discharge patients as quickly as possible and penalize them again for the foreseeable consequence of this action.
Policy‐Making and Systemic Complexity
Authors: Bedau Mark A.
Published: November 2014

Synthetic biology has spawned a debate about how society and the international community should go about policy‐making, especially given the potential for both transformative benefits and existential threats. One of the significant contributions of “The Ethics of Synthetic Biology: Next Steps and Prior Questions,” by Kaebnick, Gusmano, and Murray, is its exploration of the difficulties of devel­oping policy that appropriately addresses the risks and benefits of synthetic biology. In this comment I want to develop this point further and emphasize how the proper methodology for addressing synthetic biology's ethical and public policy issues are affected by the unpredictable and complex causal webs in synthetic biology (which have analogs in other new and emerging technologies).
Will the Needs‐Based Planning of Health Human Resources Currently Undertaken in Several Countries Lead to Excess Supply and Inefficiency?
Authors: Basu Kisalaya , Pak Maxwell
Published: November 2014

Recently, the emphasis on health human resources (HHR) planning has shifted away from a utilization‐based approach toward a needs‐based one in which planning is based on the projected health needs of the population. However, needs‐based models that are currently in use rely on a definition of ‘needs’ that include only the medical circumstances of individuals and not personal preferences or other socio‐economic factors. We examine whether planning based on such a narrow definition will maximize social welfare. We show that, in a publicly funded healthcare system, if the planner seeks to meet the aggregate need without taking utilization into consideration, then oversupply of HHR is likely because ‘needs’ do not necessarily translate into ‘usage.’ Our result suggests that HHR planning should track the healthcare system as access gradually improves because, even if health care is fully accessible, individuals may not fully utilize it to the degree prescribed by their medical circumstances. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robust Dynamic Comfort Modeling for Motorcycle Riding
Authors: Barone Stefano , Lo Iacono Giovanni
Published: November 2014

Comfort modeling is considered a prerequisite in motorcycle design, primarily to address safety concerns and to position the product on the market. However, a comprehensive methodology for comfort modeling during the earliest development phases of a motorcycle model is still missing. Anthropometrical variation is the main noise factor to consider in comfort modeling in relation to the unavoidable variability of body segments. However, comfort is a subjective concept influencing riders’ choice of motorcycle model. This work is a generalization of the robust ergonomic design methodology aimed at designing products whose ergonomic performance is insensitive to anthropometrical variation. This work further develops the methodology, by considering dynamic aspects involved in the driver–motorcycle interaction. Moreover, this article proposes a generalized robustness criterion and presents a full simulation study with purposely developed software. The result is a generalized ergo‐dynamic assessment of a motorcycle model, either physical or digital, replacing common static ergonomic evaluations.
Differentiating the Three Components of Resistance to Change: The Moderating Effect of Organization‐Based Self‐Esteem on the Employee Involvement‐Resistance Relation
Authors: García‐Cabrera Antonia Mercedes , García‐Barba Hernández Fernando
Published: November 2014

This article deepens and expands the study of the three dimensions of resistance to change in employees: resistant thought, resistant feeling, and resistant behavior. It includes an analysis of the moderating effect of the employee's organization‐based self‐esteem on the influence of variables related to the management of the change process (i.e., involvement in the change—communication and participation) on each of these dimensions of resistance. The empirical analysis uses a sample of 143 employees who work in companies that embarked on programs of structural change in the two years prior to the current research being carried out. The results support the moderating effect of organization‐based self‐esteem on the influence of employee participation on resistant thought and resistant feeling, but not on resistant behavior. The results also suggest that resistant thought, resistant feeling, and resistant behavior have different antecedents related to the context of the change (employee involvement in the change and employee perceived benefits).
Surface‐expressed insulin receptors as well as IGF‐I receptors both contribute to the mitogenic effects of human insulin and its analogues
Authors: Lundby Anders , Bolvig Pernille , Hegelund Anne Charlotte , Hansen Bo F. , Worm Jesper , Lützen Anne , Billestrup Nils , Bonnesen Christine , Oleksiewicz Martin B.
Published: November 2014

There is a medical need for new insulin analogues. Yet, molecular alterations to the insulin molecule can theoretically result in analogues with carcinogenic effects. Preclinical carcinogenicity risk assessment for insulin analogues rests to a large extent on mitogenicity assays in cell lines. We therefore optimized mitogenicity assay conditions for a panel of five cell lines. All cell lines expressed insulin receptors (IR), IGF‐I receptors (IGF‐IR) and hybrid receptors, and in all cell lines, insulin as well as the comparator compounds X10 and IGF‐I caused phosphorylation of the IR as well as IGF‐IR. Insulin exhibited mitogenicity EC50 values in the single‐digit nanomolar to picomolar range. We observed correlations across cell types between (i) mitogenic potency of insulin and IGF‐IR/IR ratio, (ii) Akt phosphorylation and mitogenic potency and (iii) Akt phosphorylation and IR phosphorylation. Using siRNA‐mediated knockdown of IR and IGF‐IR, we observed that in HCT 116 cells the IR appeared dominant in driving the mitogenic response to insulin, whereas in MCF7 cells the IGF‐IR appeared dominant in driving the mitogenic response to insulin. Together, our results show that the IR as well as IGF‐IR may contribute to the mitogenic potency of insulin. While insulin was a more potent mitogen than IGF‐I in cells expressing more IR than IGF‐IR, the hyper‐mitogenic insulin analogue X10 was a more potent mitogen than insulin across all cell types, supporting that the hyper‐mitogenic effect of X10 involves the IR as well as the IGF‐IR. These results are relevant for preclinical safety assessment of developmental insulin analogues. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Selective Silylation of Alcohols, Phenols and Oximes Using N‐Chlorosaccharin as an Efficient Catalyst under Mild and Solvent‐Free Conditions
Authors: Aghapour Ghasem , Kazemi Moghaddam Ali , Nadali Samaneh
Published: November 2014

Efficient silylation of OH group in alcohols, phenols and oximes is described using a catalytic amount of N‐chlorosaccharin and hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) under mild and solvent‐free conditions. This silylation reaction can be carried out with excellent and interesting various selectivities.
Template‐free Fabrication of Hierarchical Macro‐/mesoporous N‐doped TiO2/graphene Oxide Composites with Enhanced Visible‐light Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Dai Gaopeng , Wang Xin , Liu Suqin , Iiang Ying , Liu Ke
Published: November 2014

Hierarchical macro‐/mesoporous N‐doped TiO2/graphene oxide (N‐TiO2/GO) composites were prepared without using templates by the simple dropwise addition mixed solution of tetrabutyl titanate and ethanol containg graphene oxide (GO) to the ammonia solution, and then calcined at 350 °C. The as‐prepared samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) surface area, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV‐Vis absorption spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange in an aqueous solution under visible‐light irradiation. The results show that N‐TiO2/GO composites exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity. GO content exhibited an obvious influence on photocatalytic performance, and the optimal GO addition content was 1 wt%. The enhanced photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the synergetic effects of three factors including the improved visible light absorption, the hierarchical macro‐mesoporous structure, and the efficient charge separation by GO.
Removal of benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX) from wastewater using immobilized modified prepared activated sludge (MPAS)
Authors: Ramteke Lokeshkumar P , Gogate Parag R
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND

Improvements in biological oxidation approaches are required due to significant problems associated with this simple and commonly used approach. The work presents use of immobilized modified prepared activated sludge using modified polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)‐alginate beads for removal of BTX and modifications based on the use of Fenton chemistry as pretreatment scheme.

RESULTS

Improved synthesis processes for immobilized sludge beads have been developed based on understanding the effect of PVA and alginate loadings. Stable beads with high levels of sludge activity were shown to give similar levels of COD removal efficiency compared with free sludge. In the case of Fenton pretreatment, 40 min of treatment was found to increase BOD5:COD value to about 0.31. Maximum COD efficiency of 93.1% was obtained using a biological process on a Fenton‐treated sample which is significantly higher than that obtained with the untreated sample. The immobilized sludge was reused over nine batches without substantial loss in BTX degradation ability. Kinetic studies have also been presented.

CONCLUSION

An improved and promising approach for treatment of BTX containing wastewater with proven efficacy of the bioactivity and mechanical stability of the immobilized sludge, has been presented with better results based on Fenton pretreatment. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Human papillomavirus prevalence in paired urine and cervical samples in women invited for cervical cancer screening
Authors: Burroni Elena , Bonanni Paolo , Sani Cristina , Lastrucci Vieri , Carozzi Francesca , The HPV ScreeVacc Working Group: Anna Iossa, Karin Louise An
Published: November 2014

With the introduction of Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in young girls in 2007, it is important to monitor HPV infections and epidemiological changes in this target population. The present study has evaluated the detection of human papillomavirus DNA in paired cervical and urine samples to understand if HPV testing in urine could be used as non‐invasive method to monitor HPV status in young women. The study enrolled 216 twenty five‐year‐old women, resident in Florence and invited for the first time to the cervical cancer Screening Program within a project evaluating the impact of HPV vaccination. HPV genotyping was performed on 216 paired urine and cervical samples. The overall concordance between cervix and urine samples, investigated by HPV genotyping (INNO‐LiPA HPV Genotyping Extra), was: 85.6% (184/215), 84.6% (182/215), 80% (172/215) when the same HPV, at least the same HR HPV and all HR HPV, respectively, were detected. HPV type specific concordance in paired urine and cervical samples was observed in 85.8% (175/204) of women with normal cytology and in seven out of nine women with abnormal cytology. Urine seems to be a suitable and reliable biological material for HPV DNA detection as evidenced by the high concordance with HPV detected in cervical samples. These results suggest that urine could be a good noninvasive tool to monitor HPV infection in vaccinated women. J. Med. Virol. 87:508–515, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ionic‐liquid‐based ultrasound/microwave‐assisted extraction of 2,4‐dihydroxy‐7‐methoxy‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3‐one and 6‐methoxy‐benzoxazolin‐2‐one from maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings
Authors: Li Chunying , Lu Zhicheng , Zhao Chunjian , Yang Lei , Fu Yujie , Shi Kunming , He Xin , Li Zhao , Zu Yuangang
Published: November 2014

We evaluated an ionic‐liquid‐based ultrasound/microwave‐assisted extraction method for the extraction of 2,4‐dihydroxy‐7‐methoxy‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3‐one and 6‐methoxy‐benzoxazolin‐2‐one from etiolated maize seedlings. We performed single‐factor and central composite rotatable design experiments to optimize the most important parameters influencing this technique. The best results were obtained using 1.00 M 1‐octyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bromide as the extraction solvent, a 50°C extraction temperature, a 20:1 liquid/solid ratio (mL/g), a 21 min treatment time, 590 W microwave power, and 50 W fixed ultrasonic power. We performed a comparison between ionic‐liquid‐based ultrasound/microwave‐assisted extraction and conventional homogenized extraction. Extraction yields of 2,4‐dihydroxy‐7‐methoxy‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3‐one and 6‐methoxy‐benzoxazolin‐2‐one by the ionic‐liquid‐based ultrasound/microwave‐assisted extraction method were 1.392 ± 0.051 and 0.205 ± 0.008 mg/g, respectively, which were correspondingly 1.46‐ and 1.32‐fold higher than those obtained by conventional homogenized extraction. All the results show that the ionic‐liquid‐based ultrasound/microwave‐assisted extraction method is therefore an efficient and credible method for the extraction of 2,4‐dihydroxy‐7‐methoxy‐1,4‐benzoxazin‐3‐one and 6‐methoxy‐benzoxazolin‐2‐one from maize seedlings.
Quantitative evaluation main of the components in Paeoniae Radix Alba–Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma herbal pair by high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Wu Xin , Cao Gang , Li Qinglin , Cai Baochang , Hu Siyi
Published: November 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of compatibility on the contents of main compounds in Paeoniae Radix Alba and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma. Ten compounds were separated on an Inertsil ODS‐SP Extend C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) and detected by a diode array detector with the mobile phase consisting of aqueous phosphoric acid (0.1%, v/v; A) and acetonitrile (B) by linear gradient elution. All analytes showed good linearity over a wide concentration range (r2 ≥ 0.9989). The limits of detection and quantification were <8.10 and 10.80 μg/mL, respectively. The intra‐ and interday variations were <4.36%. The average recoveries were observed from 94.90 to 103.38%, with relative standard deviation ranging from 1.23 to 3.15% for the analytes. The established method was reliable enough for global quality evaluation of Paeoniae Radix Alba, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, and their co‐decoctions.
Predictors of Treatment Interest and Treatment Initiation in a VA Outpatient Trauma Services Program Providing Evidence‐Based Care
Authors: Lamp Kristen , Maieritch Kelly P. , Winer E. Samuel , Hessinger Jonathan D. , Klenk Megan
Published: November 2014

The present study explored interest in treatment and treatment initiation patterns among veterans presenting at a VA posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) clinic. U.S. veterans who were referred for treatment of posttraumatic stress symptoms (N = 476) attended a 2‐session psychoeducation and orientation class where they completed measures of demographic variables, PTSD and depression symptom severity, and interest in treatment. Consistent with previous literature and our hypotheses, Vietnam (OR = 1.78) and Persian Gulf veterans (OR = 2.05) were more likely than Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to initiate treatment. Veterans reporting more severe PTSD and depression symptoms were more likely to initiate treatment than not (OR for PTSD = 1.02, OR for depression = 1.02). Interest in treatment emerged as a strong predictor of treatment initiation. Specifically, interest in trauma‐focused treatment showed a significant independent predictive effect on initiation such that veterans who expressed interest in trauma‐focused treatment were significantly more likely to initiate treatment than those who did not express interest (OR = 2.13). Building interest in trauma‐focused treatment may be a vital component for engaging veterans in evidence‐based trauma‐focused therapy.
A pediatric case of T‐cell prolymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Mitton Bryan , Coutre Steven , Willert Jennifer , Schlis Krysta , Porteus Matthew , Kharbanda Sandhya , Agarwal‐Hashmi Rajni
Published: November 2014

T‐cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia (T‐PLL) is a rare entity, and to date has never been reported in children. Here, we describe the first pediatric case of T‐PLL in a 16‐year old male and review his clinical course through treatment. He underwent therapy with alemtuzumab and pentostatin, which was successful in inducing initial remission. He then underwent an allogeneic matched sibling stem cell transplant following a myeloablative conditioning regimen and remains disease‐free 1.5 years after diagnosis. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1061–1062. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Investigation of Crystal Morphology and Shock Sensitivity of Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine Suspension by Rheology
Authors: Hudson Robert J. , Moniruzzaman Mohammed , Gill Philip P.
Published: November 2014

Crystal morphology and shock sensitivity of a series of cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) particles suspended from ethylene glycol were investigated. Flow rheology was employed to measure the rheological properties of the suspensions at constant temperature; it was observed that the stress‐shear rate and viscosity behavior of the suspensions were controlled by the particle morphology. The viscosity of the RDX suspensions changed with the roundness/smoothness of RDX crystals at all applied shear rates. The suspensions containing crystals with smoother morphology showed reduced viscosity. When the viscosity data was compared to the shock sensitivity results from the RS‐RDX Round Robin study, a good correlation was obtained. This study has validated the use of flow rheology to indicate the morphology and shock sensitivity of crystalline particles.
TEX – 4,10‐Dinitro‐2,6,8,12‐tetraoxa‐4,10‐diazatetracyclo[5.5.0.05,9.03,11]‐dodecane – Review of a Promising High Density Insensitive Energetic Material
Authors: Koch Ernst‐Christian
Published: November 2014

The title compound 4,10‐dinitro‐2,6,8,12‐tetraoxa‐4,10‐diazatetracyclo[5.5.0.05,903,11]‐dodecane – often referred to as TEX – is a very promising newcomer in the field of insensitive explosives. It is easily synthesized with good yield from cheap starting materials. TEX offers a respectable high ambient temperature crystal density (1.985 g cm−3) and hence good detonation velocity and pressure but is fairly insensitive towards mechanical and thermal stimuli. It has a large critical diameter and is advantageously used in large charges. 76 references to the public domain are given.
Idealized simulations of the effect of local and remote topographies on tropical cyclone tracks
Authors: Tang Chi Kit , Chan Johnny C. L.
Published: November 2014

This is the second part of a study on the effect of topography on tropical cyclone (TC) tracks. In Part I, idealized simulations using the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) Model were conducted with artificial TCs inserted at a location such that they make landfall on the central part of Taiwan and the Luzon. In this second part, the effects of local and remote topographies are studied by examining the tracks of several TCs approaching Taiwan at different latitudes. Tropical cyclones approaching to the south of Taiwan (remote effect) slow down and are first deflected southwestward and then northward. Moreover, a sharp northward deflection occurs for a TC passing further south of Taiwan, but the deflection is small for a TC passing further north of Taiwan. In the presence of China's terrain, an additional larger but weaker anticyclonic gyre is induced so that the TC is affected, even when it is further away from the land. The flow associated with this gyre reduces the northward deflection caused by the Taiwan terrain but enhances the southwestward shift of the TC. However, no cyclonic gyre is found over inland China if the TC is far away from China's coast, probably because of the irregular elevated topography. For TCs making landfall on South China, a westward shift is found just prior to landfall, which is more significant if the height of China's terrain is doubled. This westward shift can be explained by the horizontal advection, vertical advection and diabatic heating terms in the potential‐vorticity tendency equation.
Bis(10‐methylacridinium)s as a Versatile Platform for Redox‐Active Functionalized Dyes and Novel Structures
Authors: Suzuki Takanori , Takeda Takashi , Ohta Eisuke , Wada Kazuhisa , Katoono Ryo , Kawai Hidetoshi , Fujiwara Kenshu
Published: November 2014

10‐Methylacridinium is a stable aromatic cation exhibiting yellow‐orange color and strong green fluorescence (FL), and can be used as a versatile building block in constructing a wide variety of novel π‐electron systems. The dications with the two chromophores connected by a proper π spacer undergo reversible “dyrex” (dynamic redox) behavior, and C–C bond formation/cleavage is accompanied by their redox reactions. The prototype is biphenyl‐2,2′‐diylbis(10‐methylacridinium), which exhibits electrochromic response with ON/OFF switching of FL during the reversible interconversion with the di(spiroacridan)‐type electron donor. Slight structural alteration under the concept of “MFMS” (maximum function on the minimum skeleton) endowed the dyrex system with metal‐binding or chiroptical properties, which could be modified by the redox reactions. Some of the di(spiroacridan) derivatives generated from bis(10‐methylacridinium)s have extreme structural parameters, such as the greatest C–C bond length ever reported.
Compositional reasoning about active objects with shared futures
Authors: Din Crystal Chang , Owe Olaf
Published: November 2014

Distributed and concurrent object-oriented systems are difficult to analyze due to the complexity of their concurrency, communication, and synchronization mechanisms. The
future mechanism
extends the traditional method call communication model by facilitating sharing of references to futures. By assigning method call result values to futures, third party objects may pick up these values. This may reduce the time spent waiting for replies in a distributed environment. However, futures add a level of complexity to program analysis, as the program semantics becomes more involved. This paper presents a model for asynchronously communicating objects, where return values from method calls are handled by futures. The model facilitates invariant specifications over the locally visible communication history of each object. Compositional reasoning is supported and proved sound, as each object may be specified and verified independently of its environment. A kernel object-oriented language with futures inspired by the ABS modeling language is considered. A compositional proof system for this language is presented, formulated within dynamic logic.
Synergies between observational and modeling studies at the Takayama site: toward a better understanding of processes in terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Ito Akihiko , Saitoh Taku M. , Sasai Takahiro
Published: November 2014

This paper reviews past and ongoing ecological studies at the Takayama forest site, one of Japan's long‐term research sites with intensive studies; the emphasis here is on the synergies between observational and modeling studies. This synergism has been encouraged because global environmental change is a complicated and interdisciplinary issue that requires this type of collaboration. The increasing amount and quality of observational data available from this site helps researchers to better constrain their model simulations because substantial uncertainties remain in the behavior of models in their current form. In addition, modeling studies encourage observational research by integrating observational data within a comprehensive framework. They do this by demanding more long‐term and high‐quality data related to specific ecological processes, and by identifying high‐priority processes and parameters that should be studied. We describe the types of modeling studies that have been conducted and how observational data from the Takayama site have improved the accuracy of these models. Many terrestrial ecosystem models have been applied to data from the site, both to validate the present forms of the models and to refine the structure and parameterization of the models. The development of new or improved terrestrial ecosystem models will be further facilitated by the requirements to simulate atmosphere–ecosystem exchanges and internal biogeochemical processes, as well as simulating their responses to a changing environment. We conclude by discussing the remaining research gaps and opportunities for deepening our understanding of terrestrial ecosystems through future collaborative studies.
Biogeochemical nitrogen properties of forest soils in the Japanese archipelago
Authors: Urakawa Rieko , Ohte Nobuhito , Shibata Hideaki , Tateno Ryunosuke , Hishi Takuo , Fukushima Keitaro , Inagaki Yoshiyuki , Hirai Keizo , Oda Tomoki , Oyanagi Nobuhiro , Nakata Makoto , Toda Hiroto , Kenta Tanaka , Fukuzawa Karibu , Watanabe Tsunehiro , Tokuchi Naoko , Nakaji Tatsuro , Saigusa Nobuko , Yamao Yukio , Nakanishi Asami , Enoki Tsutomu , Ugawa Shin , Hayakawa Atsushi , Kotani Ayumi , Kuroiwa Megumi , Isobe Kazuo
Published: November 2014

This data paper provides some biogeochemical nitrogen (N) properties and related chemical properties of forest soils from 39 sites throughout the Japanese archipelago. The data set was collected and analyzed under the GRENE (Green Network of Excellence) environmental information project and the ReSIN (Regional and comparative Soil Incubation study on Nitrogen dynamics in forest ecosystems) project. The sites cover 44°20′N to 26°50′N and the climate ranges from cool‐temperate zone to subtropical zone. At each site, litter on forest floor and soil samples (three or four layers to 50 cm depth) were collected between August and November in 2010–2013 from five soil profiles. From the litter layer samples, the stocks and concentrations of total carbon (C) and N were measured. From the mineral soil samples, bulk density, pH (H2O), total C and N concentrations, net and gross rates of N mineralization, nitrification and concentrations of water‐soluble substances were measured. The measurements are relevant for other biogeochemical N studies in forest ecosystems and the data set provides basic information on the N pool and fluxes with related chemical properties of forest soils across the Japanese archipelago. The average rates of net and gross N transformation at 20 °C across the sites were 0.26 ± 0.47 mgN kg−1 soil d−1 for net N mineralization, 0.25 ± 0.45 mgN kg−1 soil d−1 for net nitrification, 4.06 ± 0.47 mgN kg−1 soil d−1 for gross N mineralization, and 1.03 ± 1.29 mgN kg−1 soil d−1 for gross nitrification (average ± SD).
The Impact of customizable Market Interfaces on Trading Performance
Authors: Teschner Florian , Kranz Tobias T. , Weinhardt Christof
Published: November 2014

One reason for market failure is the inherent complexity that excludes non-sophisticated users. Market complexity can be reduced by adapting the market rules or by simplifying the user interface. Just recently researchers started to address this topic and identified the need to merge market and interface design. Thus far it remains unclear how to design user-centric market interfaces. In a prediction market for economic variables, traders can customize their trading interface according to their informational needs. Surprisingly, we show that on average an increase in information reduces trading performance. An explanation for this effect might lie in cognitive theory. Displaying more information increases the participants’ cognitive load and hence might reduce trading performance. We are able to distinguish between trading behaviour and performance and thereby provide insight into the interplay between information and decision making. Finally, we also track the influence of individual information elements and identify those that improve or decrease trading performance.