bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Estrogen Coadministration on Epoxiconazole Toxicity in Rats
Authors: Stinchcombe Stefan , Schneider Steffen , Fegert Ivana , Rey Moreno Maria Cecilia , Strauss Volker , Gröters Sibylle , Fabian Eric , Fussell Karma C. , Pigott Geoffrey H. , van Ravenzwaay Bennard
Published: May 2013

Epoxiconazole (EPX; CAS‐No. 133855‐98‐8) is a triazole class–active substance of plant protection products. At a dose level of 50 mg/kg bw/day, it causes a significantly increased incidence of late fetal mortality when administered to pregnant rats throughout gestation (gestation day [GD] 7–18 or 21), as reported previously (Taxvig et al., 2007, 2008) and confirmed in these studies. Late fetal resorptions occurred in the presence of significant maternal toxicity such as clear reduction of corrected body weight gain, signs of anemia, and, critically, a marked reduction of maternal estradiol plasma levels. Furthermore, estradiol supplementation at dose levels of 0.5 or 1.0 μg/animal/day of estradiol cyclopentylpropionate abolished the EPX‐mediated late fetal resorptions. No increased incidences of external malformations were found in rats cotreated with 50 mg/kg bw/day EPX and estradiol cyclopentylpropionate, indicating that the occurrence of malformations was not masked by fetal mortality under the study conditions. Overall, the study data indicate that fetal mortality observed in rat studies with EPX is not the result of direct fetal toxicity but occurs indirectly via depletion of maternal estradiol levels. The clarification of the human relevance of the estrogen‐related mechanism behind EPX‐mediated late fetal resorptions in rats warrants further studies. In particular, this should involve investigation of the placenta (Rey Moreno et al., 2013), since it is the materno‐fetal interface and crucial for fetal maintenance. The human relevance is best addressed in a species which is closer to humans with reference to placentation and hormonal regulation of pregnancy, such as the guinea pig (Schneider et al., 2013). Birth Defects Res (Part B) 98:247–259, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Incidence of micronuclei in human peripheral blood lymphocytes exposed to modulated and unmodulated 2450 MHz radiofrequency fields
Authors: Vijayalaxmi  , Reddy Abhishek B. , McKenzie Raymond J. , McIntosh Robert L. , Prihoda Thomas J. , Wood Andrew W.
Published: May 2013

Peripheral blood samples from four healthy volunteers were collected and aliquots were exposed in vitro for 2 h to either (i) modulated (wideband code division multiple access, WCDMA) or unmodulated continuous wave (CW) 2450 MHz radiofrequency (RF) fields at an average specific absorption rate of 10.9 W/kg or (ii) sham‐exposed. Aliquots of the same samples that were exposed in vitro to an acute dose of 1.5 Gy ionizing gamma‐radiation (GR) were used as positive controls. Half of the aliquots were treated with melatonin (Mel) to investigate if such treatment offers protection to the cells from the genetic damage, if any, induced by RF and GR. The cells in all samples were cultured for 72 h and the lymphocytes were examined to determine the extent of genetic damage assessed from the incidence of micronuclei (MN). The results indicated the following: (i) the incidence of MN was similar in incubator controls, and those exposed to RF/sham and Mel alone; (ii) there were no significant differences between WCDMA and CW RF exposures; (iii) positive control cells exposed to GR alone exhibited significantly increased MN; and (iv) Mel treatment had no effect on cells exposed to RF and sham, while such treatment significantly reduced the frequency of MN in GR‐exposed cells. Bioelectromagnetics. 34:542–548. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Production of anti‐cancer immunotoxins in algae: Ribosome inactivating proteins as fusion partners
Authors: Tran Miller , Henry Ryan E. , Siefker David , Van Christina , Newkirk Greg , Kim Julie , Bui Jack , Mayfield Stephen P.
Published: May 2013

The eukaryotic green algae, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has been shown to be capable of producing a variety of recombinant proteins, but the true potential of this platform remains largely unexplored. To assess the potential of algae for the production of novel recombinant proteins, we generated a series of chimeric proteins containing a single chain antibody (scFv) targeting the B‐cell surface antigen CD22, genetically fused to the eukaryotic ribosome inactivating protein, gelonin, from Gelonium multiflorm. These unique molecules, termed immunotoxins, are encoded as a single gene that produces an antibody—toxin chimeric protein capable of delivering a cytotoxic molecule to targeted B‐cells. We show that the addition of an Fc domain of a human IgG1 to these fusion proteins results in the production of assembled dimeric immunotoxins, containing two cell binding scFvs and two gelonin molecules. Additionally, we demonstrate that these algal expressed proteins are capable of binding and reducing the viability of B‐cell lymphomas, while treatment of T‐cells, that lack the CD22 antigen, had no impact on cell viability. Since other protein expression platforms are incapable of folding and accumulating these complex immunotoxins as soluble and enzymatically active proteins, our studies document a novel and efficient method for immunotoxin production. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013;110: 2826–2835. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Millennial teens design and redesign themselves in online social networks
Authors: Doster Leigh
Published: May 2013

In less than a decade, online social networks (OSN) have revolutionised social communications worldwide. Nowhere is this more evident than amongst today's young consumers, so called millennial teens, who have snapped up these identity‐making digital social spaces claiming them as their own. This article examines the range of strategies and resources employed by UK millennials for self‐presentation in OSNs and the resultant implications on teenage identity construction in the postmodern era. An in‐depth qualitative content analysis of 20 teen OSN profiles was conducted and analysed against extant theories of impression management, self‐identity and self‐presentation.

Our analysis revealed that millennials were deeply immersed in self‐presentation activities. They employed a wide range of ‘intentional’ self‐presentation strategies and drew on colour, design and symbolism to create complex, elaborate and decorative versions of self, which we have termed the ‘aesthetic self’. OSNs satisfy teen needs for intense social interaction with their peers, offer potential for copious identity experimentation and reduce the need to consume physical symbolic items in order to convey meaning, thus acting as an accelerator in the teen identity‐making process.

Our findings extend existing frameworks for teenage self‐identity theory and moreover have significant implications for future marketing practice, particularly sourcing consumer behaviour data, brand management and marketing communications strategies.

Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Non‐selective hydrolysis of tuna fish oil for producing free fatty acids containing docosahexaenoic acid
Authors: Sharma Aditi , Chaurasia Satyendra P. , Dalai Ajay K.
Published: May 2013

The nature of immobilised Candida antarctica lipase‐B (CAL‐B) catalysed hydrolysis of tuna fish oil was studied with parameters such as solvent and water concentration, temperature, speed of agitation and enzyme loading. Immobilised CAL‐B and support material immobead‐150 were characterised with BET surface area, particle size analyser and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) to record their physiochemical properties. The maximum rate of reaction (Vmax) of 500 µmol of free fatty acids (FFAs) per mL reaction mixture per h and Michaelis−Menten constant (KM) of 2115 µmol FFAs/mL were found for Michaelis−Menten type kinetic model. Activation energy (E) of 26.1 KJ/mol was calculated for immobilised CAL‐B. The 55.9% conversion of triglycerides was observed after the third use of the immobilised CAL‐B. The activity retention of immobilised CAL‐B reduced to 33.5% after the fourth repeated use of the enzyme.
Ionic Bent Shape Ternary Facial Amphiphiles
Authors: He Chixian , He Qingye , Zhang Sijing , Tan Xiaoping , Gao Hongfei , Cheng Xiaohong
Published: May 2013

Novel bent shape tenary facial amphiphilic imidazolium ILC which consist of a π‐conjugated bent aromatic cores (2,5‐dithiophenylethynyl phenyl bent core), two terminal poliphilic alkyl chains and lateral n‐alky chain terminated by an imidazolium bromide unit were synthesized by using Kumada and Sonogashira coupling reactions as key steps and both their thermotropic and lyotropic mesophase behaviors were studied by POM, DSC and XRD. Columnar phases were found in these compounds, a hexagonal cylinder model with core shell structure is supposed for the columnar phase formed by compound I/8. Our study may provide a new strategy for designing new LC functional material.
Easy One‐Pot Synthesis of 1‐Monosubstituted Aliphatic 1,2,3‐Triazoles from Aliphatic Halides, Sodium Azide and Propiolic Acid by a Click Cycloaddition/Decarboxylation Process
Authors: Zhang Zhongkui , Kuang Chunxiang
Published: May 2013

1‐Monosubstituted aliphatic 1,2,3‐triazoles were synthesized by a one‐pot reaction from aliphatic halides (Cl and Br), sodium azide and propiolic acid. The yields ranged from moderate to good. The reaction was easily carried out in DMF with Cs2CO3 at 100°C by copper‐catalyzed click cycloaddition/decarboxylation.
Shear Induced Morphological Transformation of Large Compound Micelles Formed by Glutathione End‐capped Poly(4‐vinylpyridine)
Authors: Wang Yifei , Chen Daoyong
Published: May 2013

Here we report novel shear‐sensitive polymeric large compound micelles (LCMs) formed by self‐assembly of glutathione end‐capped poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (GP4VP) in water containing 4 vol% methanol. The amphiphile prefers to form the kinetically stabilized LCMs due to the small length ratio of the hydrophilic part to the hydrophobic part; the encapsulation of the hydrophilic part within LCMs causes only a small enthalpy loss from a thermodynamic view. Sheared by vortex flows generated by vigorous stir, the LCMs evolve to thick wall vesicles, thin wall vesicles, broken vesicles and "pearl‐necklace" structures consecutively. The high flexibility of the LCMs and the internal tension caused by the encapsulation of the hydrophilic part are responsible for the high shear sensitivity of the LCMs.
Mortality Implications of Angina and Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: New Data From Extended Follow‐up of the International Verapamil/Trandolapril Study (INVEST)
Authors: Winchester David E. , Cooper‐DeHoff Rhonda M. , Gong Yan , Handberg Eileen M. , Pepine Carl J. ,   for the INVEST Investigators
Published: May 2013

Background

Angina and hypertension are common in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD); however, the effect on mortality is unclear. We conducted this prespecified analysis of the International Verapamil/Trandolapril Study (INVEST) to assess relationships between angina, blood pressure (BP), and mortality among elderly, hypertensive CAD patients.

Hypothesis

Angina and elevated BP will be associated with higher mortality.

Methods

Extended follow‐up was performed using the National Death Index for INVEST patients in the United States (n = 16 951). Based on angina history at enrollment and during follow‐up visits, patients were divided into groups: persistent angina (n = 7184), new‐onset angina (n = 899), resolved angina (n = 4070), and never angina (n = 4798). Blood pressure was evaluated at baseline, during drug titration, and during follow‐up on‐treatment. On‐treatment systolic BP was classified as tightly controlled (<130 mm Hg), controlled (130–139 mm Hg), or uncontrolled (≥140 mm Hg). A Cox proportional hazards model was created adjusting for age, heart failure, diabetes, renal impairment, myocardial infarction, stroke, and smoking. The angina groups and BP control groups were compared using the never‐angina group as the reference.

Results

Only in the persistent‐angina group was a significant association with mortality observed, with an apparent protective effect (hazard ratio: 0.82, 95% confidence interval: 0.75‐0.89, P < 0.0001). Uncontrolled BP was associated with increased mortality risk (hazard ratio: 1.29, 95% confidence interval: 1.20‐1.40, P < 0.0001), as were several other known cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusions

In hypertensive CAD patients, persistent angina was associated with lower mortality. The observed effect was small compared with other cardiovascular risk factors, such as BP, which were associated with increased mortality.
Prevalence and Management of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in a Pediatric Medicaid Cohort
Authors: Tripathi Avnish , Black George B. , Park Yong‐Moon Mark , Jerrell Jeanette M.
Published: May 2013

Background

Widespread use of echocardiography has made earlier diagnosis of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) possible, but pharmacological or surgical intervention is highly variable. Herein, we investigate the prevalence of PDA and its management in a routine care system.

Methods

A 15‐year retrospective dataset (1996–2010) was analyzed. Selection criteria included age ≤17 years, enrollees in South Carolina State Medicaid, and diagnosed as having PDA on 1 or more service visits to a pediatrician or pediatric cardiologist.

Results

The 15‐year treated prevalence rate of PDA was 0.25/1000 pediatric cases of congenital heart disease (CHD). PDA was more prevalent in non‐African American patients (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.12), but not in females after controlling for all other CHDs diagnosed in the cohort. Associated CHDs were present in 57.6% of the cases, primarily atrial or ventricular septal defects, and fewer patients (5.5%) developed pulmonary hypertension. Of 3627 PDA cases examined, 70.0% received no medications or PDA repair. Therapeutic ibuprofen was used for closure in 24.4% of the cases, and a PDA repair was performed in 7.8%. Younger children (aOR: 0.82), those who received an atrial septal defect closure (aOR: 5.18), and those who were treated with digoxin (aOR: 1.86) or with diuretics or preload/afterload reducing agents (ie, calcium channel blockers or angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors) (aOR: 5.72) were significantly more likely to have a PDA repair procedure.

Conclusions

The majority of diagnosed PDA cases did not require pharmacological or surgical intervention. Those receiving pharmacological or surgical intervention were treated conservatively in relation to the presence of distress symptoms or concomitant CHDs requiring intervention.
Sorption of Triphenyltin Chloride to nFe3O4, Fly Ash, and nFe3O4/Fly Ash Composite Material in Seawater
Authors: Fatoki Olalekan S. , Ayanda Olushola S. , Adekola Folahan A. , Ximba Bhekumusa J.
Published: May 2013

The removal of triphenyltin chloride (TPT) from contaminated artificial seawater by adsorption was investigated. The adsorbents used were nFe3O4/fly ash composite, nFe3O4, and fly ash. This study revealed that the sorption of TPT onto the adsorbents increase with the adsorbent dose, pH, stirring speed, and contact time, and decreased gradually with increase in the solution temperature. The equilibrium and kinetic data were analyzed by the Freundlich isotherm and pseudo second‐order kinetic model, respectively. Experimental results therefore showed that 95.37, 96.44, and 98.40% of TPT were removed by the nFe3O4, fly ash, and nFe3O4/fly ash composite, respectively when the maximum conditions for the adsorption of TPT from artificial seawater were applied to TPT – contaminated shipyard wastewater.
Spoiled FLASH MRI with slice selective excitation: Signal equation with a correction term
Authors: Gras Vincent , Abbas Zaheer , Shah Nadim J.
Published: May 2013

Spoiled fast low‐angle shot (FLASH) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a simple contrast, largely independent of the spin‐spin relaxation time. Three‐dimensional FLASH imaging (3D FLASH) has gained importance due to its simplicity and its ability to produce isotropic, high‐resolution images. Nevertheless, 2D FLASH imaging can be more suited than 3D FLASH imaging in various specific applications requiring long repetition time, such as imaging of the proton density (PD), as it allows interleaved slice acquisition rather than consecutive slice acquisition. In practice, however, a slice‐selective excitation produces a nonuniform excitation profile, which needs to be taken into account to allow reliable quantitative data analysis. In this work, the influence of the nonuniform excitation profile on the detected signal is modeled as a dimensionless multiplicative correction, function of the flip angle, and the ratio of the repetition time to the spin‐lattice relaxation time T1. This model is validated experimentally by measuring the PD and T1 MR parameters in a phantom experiment on a 3T clinical scanner. A good accuracy in the estimation of T1 and in the reconstruction of the PD (weighted by the receiver sensitivity profile) is obtained, for example, a relative error of 3% in T1 within the range [500, 2000] ms and a precision of 1% in PD. It is also shown how the proposed theory can be extended to magnetization‐prepared 2D‐spoiled FLASH as well as other variations of the 2D‐spoiled FLASH sequence. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 42A: 89–100, 2013.
Prognostic implications of signet ring cell histology in esophageal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yendamuri Sai , Huang Miriam , Malhotra Usha , Warren Graham W. , Bogner Paul N. , Nwogu Chukwumere E. , Groman Adrienne , Demmy Todd L.
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND

Signet ring cell esophageal adenocarcinoma histology has been difficult to study in single institution series because of its relative rarity, yet has an anecdotal reputation for poor prognosis. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was examined to assess the prognostic implications of this esophageal adenocarcinoma subtype.

METHODS

All patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma in the SEER database from 2004 to 2009 were included. Univariate and multivariate analyses examining the relationship of signet ring cell histology with overall survival were performed in all patients, as well as those undergoing surgical resection.

RESULTS

A total of 596 of 11,825 (5%) study patients had signet ring cell histology. Patients with signet ring cell histology were similar in age, race, and sex distribution, but had a higher grade (P <  .001) and higher stage (P <  .001) at diagnosis. In both the all‐patient group as well as those undergoing surgical resection, univariate analyses showed a worse survival in patients with signet ring cell esophageal cancer (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13‐1.36 and HR = 1.57; 95% CI = 1.29‐1.93, respectively). In multivariate analyses adjusting for covariates, patients with signet ring cell cancer had a worse prognosis than those without (HR = 1.18; 95% CI = 1.07‐1.30). In surgically resected patients, this remained a trend, but did not reach statistical significance (HR = 1.16; 95% CI = 0.94‐1.42).

CONCLUSIONS

This large study of esophageal adenocarcinoma confirms the clinical impression that signet ring cell variant of adenocarcinoma is associated with an advanced stage at presentation and a worse prognosis independent of stage of presentation. Cancer 2013;119:3156–3161. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Cost‐effectiveness of stereotactic body radiation therapy versus surgical resection for stage I non–small cell lung cancer
Authors: Shah Anand , Hahn Stephen M. , Stetson Robert L. , Friedberg Joseph S. , Pechet Taine T. V. , Sher David J.
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND

The traditional treatment for clearly operable (CO) patients with stage I non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is lobectomy, with wedge resection (WR) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) serving as alternatives in marginally operable (MO) patients. Given an aging population with an increasing prevalence of screening, it is likely that progressively more people will be diagnosed with stage I NSCLC, and thus it is critical to compare the cost‐effectiveness of these treatments.

METHODS

A Markov model was created to compare the cost‐effectiveness of SBRT with WR and lobectomy for MO and CO patients, respectively. Disease, treatment, and toxicity data were extracted from the literature and varied in sensitivity analyses. A payer (Medicare) perspective was used.

RESULTS

In the base case, SBRT (MO cohort), SBRT (CO cohort), WR, and lobectomy were associated with mean cost and quality‐adjusted life expectancies of $42,094/8.03, $40,107/8.21, $51,487/7.93, and $49,093/8.89, respectively. In MO patients, SBRT was the dominant and thus cost‐effective strategy. This result was confirmed in most deterministic sensitivity analyses as well as probabilistic sensitivity analysis, in which SBRT was most likely cost‐effective up to a willingness‐to‐pay of more than $500,000/quality‐adjusted life year. For CO patients, lobectomy was the cost‐effective treatment option in the base case (incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of $13,216/quality‐adjusted life year) and in nearly every sensitivity analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

SBRT was nearly always the most cost‐effective treatment strategy for MO patients with stage I NSCLC. In contrast, for patients with CO disease, lobectomy was the most cost‐effective option. Cancer 2013;119:3123–3132. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Nomogram for predicting survival in patients with unresectable and/or metastatic urothelial cancer who are treated with cisplatin‐based chemotherapy
Authors: Galsky Matthew D. , Moshier Erin , Krege Susan , Lin Chia‐Chi , Hahn Noah , Ecke Thorsten , Sonpavde Guru , Godbold James , Oh William K. , Bamias Aristotle
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND

The current study was conducted to develop a pretreatment prognostic model for patients with unresectable and/or metastatic urothelial cancer who were treated with first‐line, cisplatin‐based chemotherapy.

METHODS

Individual data were pooled from 399 patients who were enrolled on 8 phase 2 and 3 trials evaluating cisplatin‐based, first‐line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma. Variables selected for inclusion in the model were combined in a Cox proportional hazards model to produce a points‐based nomogram with which to predict the median, 1‐year, 2‐year, and 5‐year survival. The nomogram was validated externally using data from a randomized trial of the combination of methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin plus cisplatin versus docetaxel plus cisplatin.

RESULTS

The median survival of the development cohort was 13.8 months (95% confidence interval, 12.1 months‐16.0 months); 68.2% of the patients had died at the time of last follow‐up. On multivariable analysis, the number of visceral metastatic sites, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, and leukocyte count were each found to be associated with overall survival (P < .05), whereas the site of the primary tumor and the presence of lymph node metastases were not. All 5 variables were included in the nomogram. When subjected to internal validation, the nomogram achieved a bootstrap‐corrected concordance index of 0.626. When applied to the external validation cohort, the nomogram achieved a concordance index of 0.634. Calibration plots suggested that the nomogram was well calibrated for all predictions.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on routinely measured pretreatment variables, a nomogram was constructed that predicts survival in patients with unresectable and/or metastatic urothelial cancer who are treated with cisplatin‐based chemotherapy. This model may be useful in patient counseling and clinical trial design. Cancer 2013;119:3012—3019. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
The Knowledge Diffusion Paths of Corporate Social Responsibility – From 1970 to 2011
Authors: Lu Louis Y.Y. , Liu John S.
Published: May 2013

This paper presents a unique approach to translating a complex citation network into simple main paths. We apply this approach to explore the knowledge diffusion paths of corporate social responsibility (CSR) literature over the past 40 years. ISI Web of Science (WOS) is used as the data source for retrieving the CSR papers and their citation data. We then apply main path analysis to identify and visualize the local, global, and key‐route main paths. The local and global main paths identify those papers that play a key role in the knowledge diffusion of CSR. The key‐route main path clearly exhibits the divergence‐convergence pattern of CSR development. Although the divergence‐convergence pattern of a theory's development has been hinted at in previous literature, we propose the key‐route main path to systematically identify and exhibit it. This approach provides a useful method for researchers to figure out the development cycles of a target field. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Minimum symbol error rate multiuser detection using an effective invasive weed optimization for MIMO/SDMA–OFDM system
Authors: Bagadi Kala Praveen , Das Susmita
Published: May 2013

Space division multiple access–orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system has become a potential wireless communication system by offering high spectral efficiency, performance and capacity. This article deals with minimum symbol error rate (MSER)‐based multiuser detection (MUD) technique for the space division multiple access–orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system using an efficient invasive weed optimization (IWO) algorithm. The IWO algorithm is used for finding optimal weights such that the probability of error is directly minimized rather than minimizing the mean square error. Because of this, the MSER MUD is able to detect users even in overload scenario, where the number of users is more than the number of receiving antennas, unlike several classical detection techniques. The IWO is inspired from the nature of invasive colonization of weeds and relatively simple compared with other optimization techniques. The bit error rate performance of the proposed IWO‐aided MSER MUD is found to be better than minimum means square error and differential evolution algorithm‐aided MSER MUDs. Simulation results show that the proposed IWO MSER achieves faster convergence and lower complexity compared with the differential evolution MSER MUD. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Egr2 induced during DC development acts as an intrinsic negative regulator of DC immunogenicity
Authors: Miah Mohammad Alam , Byeon Se Eun , Ahmed Md. Selim , Yoon Cheol‐Hee , Ha Sang‐Jun , Bae Yong‐Soo
Published: May 2013

Early growth response gene 2 (Egr2), which encodes a zinc finger transcription factor, is rapidly and transiently induced in various cell types independently of de novo protein synthesis. Although a role for Egr2 is well established in T‐cell development, Egr2 expression and its biological function in dendritic cells (DCs) have not yet been described. Here, we demonstrate Egr2 expression during DC development, and its role in DC‐mediated immune responses. Egr2 is expressed in the later stage of DC development from BM precursor cells. Even at steady state, Egr2 is highly expressed in mouse splenic DCs. Egr2‐knockdown (Egr2‐KD) DCs showed increased levels of major histocompatability complex (MHC) class I and II and co‐stimulatory molecules, and enhanced antigen uptake and migratory capacities. Furthermore, Egr2‐KD abolished SOCS1 expression and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) activation during DC development, probably resulting in the enhancement of IL‐12 expression and Th1 immunogenicity of a DC vaccine. DC‐mediated cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activation and antitumor immunity were significantly enhanced by Egr2‐KD, and impaired by Egr2 overexpression in antigen‐pulsed DC vaccines. These data suggest that Egr2 acts as an intrinsic negative regulator of DC immunogenicity and can be an attractive molecular target for DC vaccine development.
Isolation and Crystal Structure of the Proposed Low‐Valent Active Species in the H2 Activation Catalytic Cycle
Authors: Inoki Daisuke , Matsumoto Takahiro , Nakai Hidetaka , Ogo Seiji
Published: May 2013

We provide confirmation of our proposed design principles for a H2 activation catalytic cycle by constructing a new catalyst. We have been able to obtain a crystal structure to confirm our proposition that a reduced, dinuclear species stores electrons from hydrogen molecules in a metal–metal bond.
Relationships Between Structure and Spectroscopic Properties of Nd3+ Ethylene­diaminetetramethylenephosphonates and Ethylenediaminetetraacetates
Authors: Janicki Rafał , Mondry Anna
Published: May 2013

The structural and spectroscopic properties of the Nd3+ compounds [C(NH2)3]7[Nd(EDTMP)(CO3)]·10H2O, K17H3[Nd4(EDTMP)4]·36H2O, [C(NH2)3][Nd(EDTA)(H2O)3] and Na[Nd(EDTA)(H2O)3]·5H2O are presented (H4EDTA = ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, H8EDTMP is a phosphonic acid analogue of H4EDTA). The obtained monomeric [Nd(EDTMP)(CO3)]7– and tetrameric [Nd4(EDTMP)4]20– structures, in which bidentate carbonate and tridentate bridged phosphonate coordination patterns appear, are exceptional. The use of different countercations has allowed us to assess their role in crystal formation and their influence on the spectroscopic properties of the investigated crystals. The countercations slightly change the geometry of [Nd(EDTA)(H2O)3]– and some subtle modifications of the geometry of the carboxylic groups is observed. These changes are discussed in the context of hypersensitive transition intensities. The intensities of the f–f transitions in all studied crystals were determined and analyzed basing on the Judd–Ofelt theory. Luminescence of the Nd3+ ions in the NIR region could be observed solely in the phosphonate complexes. The luminescence quantum yields were calculated from the luminescence lifetimes and the Judd–Ofelt parameters. The Φ value for the rigid tetramer [Nd4(EDTMP)4]20– is twice as large (7 %) as that for the monomer [Nd(EDTMP)(CO3)]7– (3.5 %).
Pencil Lead Electrode Modified with Hemoglobin Film as a Novel Biosensor for Nitrite Determination
Authors: Majidi Mir Reza , Saadatirad Afsaneh , Alipour Esmaeel
Published: May 2013

In the present paper, the electrochemical reduction of nitrite at a hemoglobin modified pencil lead electrode (Hb/PLE) is described. The electrochemical properties of nitrite were studied by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Results showed that the hemoglobin film has an excellent electrochemical activity towards the reduction of nitrite. By using voltammetric and chronoamperometric methods, α, nα and n were calculated. Then the ability of the electrode for nitrite determination was investigated using differential pulse voltammetry. The electrocatalytic reduction peak currents were found to be linear with the nitrite concentration in the range from 10 to 220 µM with a detection limit of 5 µM. The relative standard deviation is 2 % for 3 successive determinations of a 100 µM nitrite solution. This modified electrode was successfully used for the detection of low amounts of NO2− in spinach sample and a spiked sample of tap water.
Optimal design of an equipment isolation system with nonlinear hysteretic behaviour
Authors: Reggio Anna , De Angelis Maurizio
Published: May 2013

Vibration isolation is well recognized as an effective mitigation strategy for acceleration‐sensitive equipment subjected to earthquake. In the present paper, an equipment isolation system with nonlinear hysteretic behaviour is proposed and a methodology for the optimal design is developed. An integrable constitutive model, derived from the mathematical Duhem hysteresis operator, is adopted for the isolation system. The optimization procedure is defined through a dual‐criteria approach that involves a transmissibility criterion combined with an energy performance criterion: the former consists in limiting the absolute acceleration of the isolated equipment below an allowable threshold value; the latter, in maximizing the ratio between the energy dissipation due to hysteresis and the input energy to reduce the isolator displacements. The seismic effectiveness of the nonlinear hysteretic isolation system is numerically investigated under natural accelerograms with different frequency content and increasing levels of excitation. Both ground‐mounted and floor‐mounted equipment items are considered in the analyses; in the second case, the dynamic interaction between the equipment and its supporting structure is taken into account in the design of the isolation system, and its effects on the isolation performance and the structural response are discussed. Comparisons in terms of effectiveness and robustness with a linear isolation system with viscoelastic behaviour are eventually provided. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of an in vitro thin-film solid-phase microextraction method to determine the bioavailability of xenoestrogens in soil
Authors: Engler Katherine Neafsey , Lemley Ann T.
Published: May 2013

Biosolids applied to agricultural fields, parks, and other areas represent significant sources of estrogen-like endocrine disrupting compound (EEDC) inputs to soil. It is important to determine the bioavailability of EEDCs in soil to inform risk assessment concerning their environmental presence; Eisenia fetida (earthworms) are typically used in traditional in vivo bioavailability experiments. The development of an in vitro bioavailability method will decrease time, expense, and use of solvents in future analyses. A thin-film solid-phase microextraction (TF-SPME) method for determining the bioavailability of several EEDCs detected in biosolids was developed and optimized. It was found that the TF-SPME method could be used to calculate equilibrium porewater concentrations of diethylhexyl phthalate, bisphenol A, benzophenone, and triclosan at environmentally relevant concentrations in artificial soil within 88 min. The potential and limitations of using TF-SPME–generated porewater concentrations to predict E. fetida tissue concentrations are discussed. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:1962–1968. © 2013 SETAC
Dynamic decentralised algorithms for cognitive radio relay networks with multiple primary and secondary users utilising matching theory
Authors: Bayat Siavash , Louie Raymond H. Y. , Vucetic Branka , Li Yonghui
Published: May 2013

We propose a distributed spectrum access algorithm for cognitive radio relay networks with multiple primary users (PUs) and multiple secondary users (SUs). The key idea behind the proposed algorithm is that the PUs negotiate with the SUs on both the amount of monetary compensation, and the amount of time the SUs are either (i) allowed spectrum access, or (ii) cooperatively relaying the PU's data, such that both the PUs' and the SUs' minimum rate requirements are satisfied. The proposed algorithm is shown to be flexible in prioritising either the PUs or the SUs. We prove that the proposed algorithm will result in the best possible stable matching and is weak Pareto optimal. Numerical analysis also reveals that the distributed algorithm can achieve a performance comparable to an optimal centralised solution, but with significantly less overhead and complexity. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Global sediment thickness data set updated for the Australian‐Antarctic Southern Ocean
Authors: Whittaker Joanne M. , Goncharov Alexey , Williams Simon E. , Müller R. Dietmar , Leitchenkov German
Published: May 2013

We present a new, 5 min sediment thickness grid for the Australian‐Antarctic region (60°E–155°E, 30°S–70°S). New seismic reflection and refraction data have been used to add detail to the conjugate Australian and Antarctic margins and intervening ocean floor where regional sediment thickness patterns were poorly known previously. On the margins, sediment thickness estimates were computed from velocity‐depth functions from sonobuoy/refraction velocity solutions ground‐truthed against seismic reflection data. For the Southeast Indian Ridge abyssal plains, sediment thickness contours from Geli et al. (2007) were used. The new regional minimum sediment thickness grid was combined with the global National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) sediment grid to create an updated global grid. Even using the minimum estimates, sediment accumulations on the extended Australian and Antarctic continental margins are 2 km thicker across large regions and up to 9 km thicker in the Ceduna Basin compared to the global NGDC compilation of sediment thickness data.
Corrosion coupon evaluation under pilot‐scale CO2 capture conditions at an Australian coal‐fired power station
Authors: Cousins Ashleigh , Ilyushechkin Alexander , Pearson Pauline , Cottrell Aaron , Huang Sanger , Feron Paul H.M.
Published: May 2013

Corrosion is a major operational issue in amine treating plants. With the likely application of CO2 capture technologies to coal combustion flue gases, corrosion rates in gas streams containing oxygen are of interest and evaluation of potential construction materials under realistic conditions is essential. A total of 128 corrosion coupons were installed at the Tarong Post Combustion Capture (PCC) pilot plant in 8 locations during operation with 30 wt% monoethanolamine (MEA). Each corrosion test location contained 4 coupons of each type of metal (316L, 316L welded, C1018, C1018 galvanized). Coupons were installed in the pilot plant for 4296 or 5448 h; however plant operation was intermittent with actual operating times of 593 or 745 h. The highest corrosion rates were observed for carbon steel (C1018) and galvanized carbon steel (C1018 GLV) coupons located in both the absorber and stripper solvent storage tanks. C1018 GLV coupons typically showed higher rates of corrosion than C1018 coupons. C1018 coupons located in the absorber wash section also exhibited high corrosion rates, while C1018 GLV coupons in the same location did not. XRD analysis showed that the galvanized coupons in the absorber wash section retained some Zn in the corrosion scale. This could have aided their resistance to corrosion in this location. All other galvanized samples lost their zinc coating, indicating galvanizing might not be appropriate for use in CO2 capture applications. C1018 coupons in the absorber column experienced pitting. This was not seen for the galvanized coupons. In the stripping column, both the C1018 and C1018 GLV coupons showed areas of general corrosion attack. Stainless steel and welded stainless steel coupons showed no appreciable corrosion weight loss under the conditions tested. The corrosion resistance of the 316L stainless steel coupons to all environments considered here suggests it is suitable for use in all areas of amine based PCC plants. The corrosion rates measured on C1018 and C1018 GLV coupons suggest these materials would not be recommended for use in solvent storage tanks or wash sections of PCC plants. Due to intermittent use of the plant, it is unclear from these results whether C1018 or C1018 GLV would be suitable for use in the absorption/desorption columns. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heavy oil production by carbon dioxide injection
Authors: Gao Changhong , Li Xiangliang , Guo Lanlei , Zhao Fangjian
Published: May 2013

With the depletion of light oil, heavy oil is becoming one of the most promising resources for meeting future energy consumption. Heavy oil resources are abundant, but the traditional water flooding method can only achieve less than 20% of heavy oil recovery. Thermal recovery has proven effective in producing heavy oil, but not suitable for many heavy oil formations that are either thin or buried deep underground. Carbon Dioxide injection is a ‘win‐win’ enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technique for many heavy oil fields. Injected CO2 not only increases heavy oil output, but also traps injected CO2 underground. Carbon dioxide effectively recovers heavy oil thanks to several mechanisms, including oil swelling, viscosity reduction, and blow‐down recovery. This review discusses the advances of CO2 flooding at both laboratory scale and field scale. Laboratory tests show that CO2 can significantly improve heavy oil recovery. Several field cases in the USA, Turkey, Trinidad, and China are reviewed. Field experiences show that CO2 flooding is a successful EOR method for heavy oil fields. However, some issues were encountered in field applications, such as early gas breakthrough, corrosion, CO2 availability, and high costs.
Chondrosarcoma of the hyoid bone: Case report and review of current management options
Authors: Zhang Isabella , Zaorsky Nicholas G. , Abraham John A. , Tuluc Madalina , Curry Joseph M. , Bar‐Ad Voichita
Published: May 2013

Background

We describe a 53‐year‐old man who presented with a painless neck mass and underwent a resection that identified the tumor as a low‐grade chondrosarcoma of the hyoid bone. We reviewed the literature for diagnosis and management options of this exceptionally rare diagnosis.

Methods

We conducted a search of the published medical literature before September 2012 in MEDLINE and PubMed using the terms “chondrosarcoma” and “hyoid.” The search led to 19 case reports. We then searched for recent advances in diagnosis and treatment.

Results

Chondrosarcomas of the hyoid bone present as slow‐growing, painless masses of the neck. CT and MRI are useful for imaging, but definitive diagnosis is made by biopsy.

Conclusion

The preferred treatment is complete surgical removal, whereas radiation is used as adjuvant therapy. Positive surgical margin is a significant risk factor for recurrence. Long‐term follow‐up is recommended because of recurrences many years later. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: E65–E72, 2014
Repetitive ipsilateral painful A‐delta fibre stimuli induce bilateral LEP amplitude habituation
Authors: Hüllemann P. , Mahn F. , Shao Y.‐Q. , Watfeh R. , Wasner G. , Binder A. , Baron R.
Published: May 2013

Background

In the scientific approach to central processing of pain, the habituation phenomenon has been frequently described. Recent studies mentioned electrophysiological habituation during the recording of laser‐evoked potentials (LEP). In this study we intended to test whether habituation can be reproducibly induced by repetitive painful laser stimuli and simultaneously measured with LEP. Inspired by findings from previous imaging studies that showed bilateral activation of the operculo‐insular cortices, we hypothesized that repetitive painful laser stimuli applied to one hand lead to bihemispheral LEP amplitude habituation.

Methods

One hundred painful stimuli were applied to the right hand of 13 healthy subjects to induce contralateral N2P2 amplitude habituation. The left hand was stimulated 25 times before and after the right‐hand stimulation to measure ispilateral LEPs; the experiment was sham controlled.

Results

We achieved significant contralateral N2P2 amplitude and pain habituation in all subjects. After central habituation was established, there was also a significant ispilateral N2P2 amplitude decrement (derived from the left hand) compared with baseline; in the sham condition, the N2P2 amplitude was unchanged. The pain sensation showed no habituation in both the painful stimulation condition and the sham condition.

Conclusions

Habituation (in the electrophysiological sense) is a physiological phenomenon that indicates normal central processing of pain in healthy controls. We showed bihemispheral N2P2 amplitude habituation after repetitive painful stimulation of the right hand. Our findings propose a bihemishperal contribution to central pain processing and pain modulation when electrophysiological habituation occurs.
Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: Linkage Mapping and Whole Exome Sequencing Identify a Shared Variant in CX
3
CR
1 in All Affected Members of a Large Multigeneration Family
Authors: Feldman George J , Parvizi Javad , Levenstien Mark , Scott Kathryn , Erickson Jill A , Fortina Paolo , Devoto Marcella , Peters Christopher L
Published: May 2013

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a debilitating condition characterized by incomplete formation of the acetabulum leading to dislocation of the femur, suboptimal joint function, and accelerated wear of the articular cartilage resulting in arthritis. DDH affects 1 in 1000 newborns in the United States; there are well-defined “pockets” of high prevalence in Japan, and in Italy and other Mediterranean countries. Although reasonably accurate for detecting gross forms of hip dysplasia, existing techniques fail to find milder forms of dysplasia. Undetected hip dysplasia is the leading cause of osteoarthritis of the hip in young individuals, causing over 40% of cases in this age group. A sensitive and specific test for DDH has remained a desirable yet elusive goal in orthopedics for a long time. A 72-member, four-generation affected family has been recruited, and DNA from its members retrieved. Genomewide linkage analysis revealed a 2.61-Mb candidate region (38.7–41.31 Mb from the p term of chromosome 3) co-inherited by all affected members with a maximum logarithm (base 10) of odds (LOD) score of 3.31. Whole exome sequencing and analysis of this candidate region in four severely affected family members revealed one shared variant, rs3732378, that causes a threonine (polar) to methionine (non-polar) alteration at position 280 in the transmembrane domain of CX3CR1. This mutation is predicted to have a deleterious effect on its encoded protein, which functions as a receptor for the ligand fractalkine. By Sanger sequencing this variant was found to be present in the DNA of all affected individuals and obligate heterozygotes. CX3CR1 mediates cellular adhesive and migratory functions and is known to be expressed in mesenchymal stem cells destined to become chondrocytes. A genetic risk factor that might be among the etiologic factors for the family in this study has been identified, along with other possible aggravating mutations shared by four severely affected family members. These findings might illuminate the molecular pathways affecting chondrocyte maturation and bone formation. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
The Becke Fuzzy Cells Integration Scheme in the Amsterdam Density Functional Program Suite
Authors: Franchini Mirko , Philipsen Pierre Herman Theodoor , Visscher Lucas
Published: May 2013

In this article, we document a new implementation of the fuzzy cells scheme for numerical integration in polyatomic systems [Becke, J. Chem. Phys. 1998, 88, 2547] and compare its efficiency and accuracy with respect to an integration scheme based on the Voronoi space partitioning. We show that the accuracy of both methods is comparable, but that the fuzzy cells scheme is better suited for geometry optimization. For this method, we also introduce the locally dense grid concept and present a proof‐of‐concept application. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.