bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the outflow of dense water from the Weddell and Ross Seas in OCCAM model
Authors: Kerr R. , Heywood K. J. , Mata M. M. , Garcia C. A. E.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. We describe the seasonal and interannual variability of volume transports in the Weddell and Ross Seas using the 1/12° 20-yr simulation of the OCCAM global ocean general circulation model. The average simulated full-depth cumulative volume transports were 28.5 ± 2.9 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) and 13.4 ± 5.2 Sv, across the main export regions of the Weddell and Ross Seas, respectively. The values of mean outflow of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) (defined by neutral density γn ≥ 28.27 kg m−3) from the Weddell and Ross Seas of 10.6 ± 3.1 Sv and 0.5 ± 0.7 Sv, respectively, agree with the range reported in historical observational studies. The export of Weddell Sea dense water in OCCAM is primarily determined by the strength of the Weddell Gyre. Variability in AABW export is predominantly at periods of ~1 yr and 2–4 yr.
Morningness-Eveningness and Health-Related Quality of Life among Adolescents
Authors: Prieto Pedro Delgado , Díaz-Morales Juan Francisco , Barreno Cristina Escribano , Mateo Mª José Collado , Randler Christoph
Published: June 2012

Accumulating evidence suggests that evening-type adolescents are exposed to a number of determinants that might have a negative impact on their health condition. Given that few studies have investigated the association between chronotype and quality of life measures in large samples of adolescents, the aim of this study was to assess the relationship between morningness-eveningness and health-related quality of life among 1600 adolescents (aged 12-16 years). Adolescents completed the Veçú et Santé Perçue de L'adolescent (VSP-A) and the Morningness-Eveningness Scale for Children (MESC). Girls and older adolescents reported worse health indicators and were more evening oriented. Evening-type adolescents obtained lower scores on vitality, physical and psychological well-being, body image, relations with parents, relations with teachers, school work and global health scale.
“Having it All”: Women's Perception of Impact of Female Promotion on Threat of Domestic Violence
Authors: Herrera Mari Carmen , Expósito Francisca , Moya Miguel , Houston Diane
Published: June 2012

This study involved 219 women participants. The main aim of the present study is to examine the perceived consequences of a work-related promotion for the female partner in a heterosexual relationship. The impact of the promotion was manipulated - both partners share paid and domestic work, the male partner taking responsibility for all the domestic work - or female partner continuing to do all the domestic work, as well as the male partner's sexist ideology. Finally, the study examined gender ideology of participants. The results showed that participants felt that violence was more likely when the male partner was presented as sexist and that this was due to a perception of threat on the part of the male partner.
Biologic Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer: A Road with Hurdles
Authors: Specenier Pol , Vermorken Jan B.
Published: June 2012

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in the vast majority of cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). A high EGFR expression is associated with an unfavorable prognosis. Cetuximab is a chimeric human/murine IgG1 antibody which binds with high affinity to the EGFR. It is the only targeted agent which got approval for the treatment of SCCHN from the regulatory agencies of Europe and the United States, both in locoregionally advanced disease, in association with radiation, and in recurrent/metastatic disease. The outcome of trials involving other EGFR-directed monoclonal antibodies, that is, zalutumumab and panitumumab, was consistent with the results with cetuximab. However these trials failed to meet their primary endpoint. The results with EGFR-directed tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been disappointing. Other potential targets for treatment in SCCHN include the entire ErbB family, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (VEGFR), the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R), the insulin receptor (IR), histone deacetylases (HDAC), the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), heat-shock protein 90 (HSP90), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), aurora A or B, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PIK3CA).
Pilot Phase II Trial of Bevacizumab Monotherapy in Nonmetastatic Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Ogita Shin , Tejwani Sheela , Heilbrun Lance , Fontana Joseph , Heath Elisabeth , Freeman Stacy , Smith Daryn , Baranowski Karen , Vaishampayan Ulka
Published: June 2012

Introduction/Background. Nonmetastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is a challenging disease state. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of bevacizumab in nonmetastatic CRPC patients. Patients. Patients with prostate cancer who developed PSA recurrence after local therapy were included if they had absence of bone or visceral metastases and PSA progression despite androgen deprivation therapy. Methods. Bevacizumab 10 mg/kg intravenously was administered every 14 days until PSA progression, development of metastasis, or unacceptable toxicity. Results. 15 patients were enrolled and treated with bevacizumab for a median duration of 3.1 months. Median baseline PSA was 27 ng/mL, and seven patients had Gleason Score ≥8. Five patients had declined in PSA during the treatment. Median PSA doubling time was prolonged from 4.7 months pretreatment to 6.5 months. Median time to PSA progression and new metastasis were 2.8 and 7.9 months, respectively. There were three grade 3 adverse events (one proteinuria and two hypertension) and one pulmonary embolism. There was no treatment-related mortality. Conclusion. Bevacizumab therapy had minimal impact on the disease course of nonmetastatic CRPC, and investigation of novel strategies is needed.
Joint MMSE Transceiver Designs and Performance Benchmark for CoMP Transmission and Reception
Authors: Li Jialing , Lu Enoch , Lu I-Tai
Published: June 2012

Coordinated Multipoint (CoMP) transmission and reception has been suggested as a key enabling technology of future cellular systems. To understand different CoMP configurations and to facilitate the configuration selection (and thus determine channel state information (CSI) feedback and data sharing requirements), performance benchmarks are needed to show what performance gains are possible. A unified approach is also needed to enable the cluster of cooperating cells to systematically take care of the transceiver design. To address these needs, the generalized iterative approach (GIA) is proposed as a unified approach for the minimum mean square error (MMSE) transceiver design of general multiple-transmitter multiple-receiver multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) systems subject to general linear power constraints. Moreover, the optimum decoder covariance optimization approach is proposed for downlink systems. Their optimality and relationships are established and shown numerically. Five CoMP configurations (Joint Processing-Equivalent Uplink, Joint Processing-Equivalent Downlink, Joint Processing-Equivalent Single User, Noncoordinated Multipoint, and Coordinated Beamforming) are studied and compared numerically. Physical insights, performance benchmarks, and some guidelines for CoMP configuration selection are presented.
Soil acid phosphomonoesterase activity and phosphorus forms in ancient and post-agricultural black alder [Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.] woodlands
Authors: Orczewska Anna , Piotrowska Anna , Lemanowicz Joanna
Published: June 2012

Black alder, an N-fixing tree is considered to accelerate the availability of phosphorus in soils due to the increased production of phosphatase enzymes, which are responsible for the P release from the litter. Acid phosphatase activity plays a pivotal role in organic P mineralization in forest soils and in making P available to plants. In order to check whether Alnus glutinosa stimulates acid phosphomonoesterase (PHACID) activity, we compared enzyme activities, total P concentration (PTOT), plant-available P (PAVAIL), organic P (PORG) and inorganic P (PINORG), and organic matter content in 27 ancient and 27 post-agricultural alder woods (the latter ones representing different age classes: 11-20, 21-40 and 41-60 years) of soil samples taken from the litter and the mineral layers. Phosphomonoesterase activity, organic matter, PTOT, PINORG and PORG concentrations were significantly higher in ancient alder woods than in the soils of post-agricultural forests. Significant differences in the acid phosphatase activity, organic matter and PAVAIL concentration were noted between the litter and mineral layers within the same forest type. In recent stands the amount of organic matter and phosphatase activity increased significantly with the age of alder stands, although only in the mineral layer of their soils. Phosphomonoesterase activity, organic matter and PAVAIL content were higher in a litter layer and decreased significantly at a mineral depth of the soil. The acid phosphatase activity was significantly correlated with organic matter content in both ancient and recent stands. There was no significant relationship between PHACID activity and any P forms.
The Polish Vegetation Database: structure, resources and development
Authors: Kącki Zygmunt , Śliwiński Michał
Published: June 2012

The phytosociological database Polish Vegetation Database collects relevés of all vegetation types in Poland. The database was established in 2007 and is located at Department of Biodiversity and Plant Cover Protection, University of Wrocław (http://synbiot.uni.wroc.pl). On March 2012, the database included 40000 relevés collected between 1927 and 2011. Most of relevés was taken from published papers and represents almost all types of habitats of Poland. Large groups of relevés represent meadows and pastures (Molinio-Arrhnehteretrea), broadleaf forests (Querco-Fagetea), arable land communities (Stellarietea), coniferous forests (Vaccinio-Piceetea) and eutrophic reed communities (Phragmitetea). In comparison to other countries in Central Europe, Polish Vegetation Database currently belongs to medium-sized databases, with full functionality and accessibility. The present article describes its development, basic operational information and how it can be used in analysis of vegetation in Poland.
Las Ciencias Sociales y la Responsabilidad Social Corporativa
Authors: García Nieto María Teresa
Published: June 2012

Attributed to business the quality of corporate social responsibility practice is to confer upon them the ability to take the consequences of their actions may have on different social groups. The exercise of these responsibilities will depend, however, the nature of the activities carried out by each organization and the public involved in them. Corporate social responsibility has been studied for many authors, approaching with analysis from different scientific perspectives. In this paper we discover the link between corporate social responsibility to the social sciences, particularly to Economics and Business Studies to Political Science and Sociology, and Public Relations. From these discussions is also offered the author’s personal opinion on CSR and interpreted the recent Madrid Declaration on CSR Communication.
Ready for Our Children? Results From a Survey of Upstate New York Hospitals' Utilization of Pediatric Emergency Preparedness Toolkit Guidance
Authors: Clancy Kathleen A. , Kacica Marilyn A.
Published: June 2012

Objective: This project evaluated New York (NY) hospitals outside of New York City (upstate) for their awareness and utilization of the NY State Department of Health Pediatric and Obstetric Emergency Preparedness Toolkit (toolkit) and presence of pediatric emergency preparedness planning elements.

Methods: A survey assessing toolkit awareness and utilization was distributed to all 145 upstate NY hospitals. Quantitative survey data were analyzed using summary statistics, χ2 analysis, and odds ratios (OR) in aggregate, by hospital size, and by presence of pediatric medicine/surgery, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and/or neonatal ICU (NICU) beds (pediatric beds).

Results: Of the 145 hospitals, 116 (80%) completed the survey; 86% of these had reviewed the toolkit. Most had staff clinicians with pediatric expertise, but fewer had appointed pediatric clinical (physician or nurse) coordinators. Hospitals with at least one pediatric bed were more than 2.5 times more likely to have an emergency management plan (EMP) for pediatric patients (P =. 0223) and nearly 8 times more likely to have appointed a pediatric physician coordinator (P <. 0001) than were hospitals without pediatric beds. Appointment of a pediatric clinical coordinator was significantly associated (P <. 001) with presence of various pediatric emergency plan elements (OR range: 3.06-15.13), while staff pediatric clinical expertise or toolkit review were not.

Conclusions: Appointment of at least one pediatric clinical coordinator and the presence of one or more pediatric beds were significantly associated with having developed key EMP pediatric elements. Further research should examine barriers to pediatric clinical coordinator appointment and explore the awareness that pediatric patients may arrive at nonpediatric hospitals during a disaster with no option for transfer.

(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:138–145)
Toward the Way Forward: The National Children's Disaster Mental Health Concept of Operations
Authors: Schreiber Merritt , Pfefferbaum Betty , Sayegh Lisa
Published: June 2012

Although increasing evidence suggests that children are at particular risk from disasters and evidence-based practices have been developed to triage and treat them effectively, no strategy or concept of operations linking best practices for disaster response is currently in place. To our knowledge, this report describes the first effort to address this critical gap and outlines a triage-driven children's disaster mental health incident response strategy for seamless preparedness, response, and recovery elements that can be used now. The national children's disaster mental health concept of operations (NCDMH CONOPS) details the essential elements needed for an interoperable, coordinated response for the mental health needs of children by local communities, counties, regions, and states to better meet the needs of children affected by disasters and terrorism incidents. This CONOPS for children proposes the use of an evidence-based, rapid triage system to provide a common data metric to incident response and recovery action and to rationally align limited resources to those at greater need in a population-based approach.

(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:174–181)
Community Engagement and Pediatric Disaster Readiness in a Large Urban Disaster Resource Hospital Network: The Case of “The Great California ShakeOut”
Authors: Balasuriya Darshi , Iverson Ellen , Burke Rita V. , Upperman Jeffrey S.
Published: June 2012

We examined the response of 11 Los Angeles County (LAC) hospitals designated as Disaster Resource Centers (DRCs) to a statewide, earthquake preparedness drill, LAC's most comprehensive earthquake disaster drill to date. Semistructured interviews were conducted with the coordinators of 11 of the 14 LAC DRCs within 3 weeks of the drill. Interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis was supported by analytical software (Atlas.ti). Except for one pediatric specialty DRC, most DRCs did little to fully test their institutions' capacity to manage pediatric patients. Few DRCs included children as mock victims. Little or no attention was focused on pediatric triage and other pediatric clinical, psychosocial, and resource issues. Respondents maintained that community readiness is hampered by compartmentalizing the preparedness planning, training, and drilling. Without a mandate to coordinate with other agencies, few DRCs reported coordination with other community entities. Those that did were in smaller submunicipalities within LAC. Community coordination is critical to effective response to disasters, yet disaster preparedness planning and drills are most often uncoordinated and compartmentalized. Drills and training need to be transdisciplinary and coordinated with other community entities likely to play a role in pediatric disaster management.

(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:182–186)
Using a Geographic Information System (GIS) to Assess Pediatric Surge Potential After an Earthquake
Authors: Curtis Jacqueline W. , Curtis Andrew , Upperman Jeffrey S.
Published: June 2012

Geographic information systems (GIS) and geospatial technology (GT) can help hospitals improve plans for postdisaster surge by assessing numbers of potential patients in a catchment area and providing estimates of special needs populations, such as pediatrics. In this study, census-derived variables are computed for blockgroups within a 3-mile radius from Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and from Los Angeles County–University of Southern California (LAC–USC) Medical Center. Landslide and liquefaction zones are overlaid on US Census Bureau blockgroups. Units that intersect with the hazard zones are selected for computation of pediatric surge potential in case of an earthquake. In addition, cartographic visualization and cluster analysis are performed on the entire 3-mile study area to identify hot spots of socially vulnerable populations. The results suggest the need for locally specified vulnerability models for pediatric populations. GIS and GT have untapped potential to contribute local specificity to planning for surge potential after a disaster. Although this case focuses on an earthquake hazard, the methodology is appropriate for an all-hazards approach. With the advent of Google Earth, GIS output can now be easily shared with medical personnel for broader application and improvement in planning.

(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:163–169)
Attachment of Nitroxide Spin Labels to Nucleic Acids for EPR
Authors: Romainczyk Olga , Elduque Xavier , Engels Joachim W.
Published: June 2012

In addition to X‐ray, NMR, and FRET, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) can be applied to elucidate the structure of different macromolecular systems and determine local surroundings of paramagnetic centers in DNA and RNA. This technique permits structural characterization as well as dynamic structural changes of macromolecular systems. To do so, free radicals with good stability must be introduced. Here, the site‐directed spin labeling of DNA and RNA based on the Sonogashira cross‐coupling reaction is described. First, the appropriate building blocks, either 5‐iodo‐substituted pyrimidine deoxy‐ or ribo‐nucleoside phosphoramidites are prepared and incorporated by solid‐phase synthesis. Following this, the protected oligonucleotides are “on column” reacted with the acetylenic nitroxide spin labels and subsequently purified. Applications of this technique for duplexes, hairpins, and riboswitches in vitro and in cell are described. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 49:7.17.1‐7.17.40. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Purification of Synthetic Oligonucleotides via Catching by Polymerization
Authors: Fang Shiyue , Fueangfung Suntara , Yuan Yinan
Published: June 2012

This unit describes the purification of synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODN) using a catching‐by‐polymerization approach. In a crude ODN, the major impurity is the failure sequences generated in the coupling step of each synthetic cycle. They are difficult to remove due to the similarity of their physical properties to the full‐length sequences. Two non‐chromatographic methods are described in the unit to solve the problem. In the first one, during automated synthesis, the failure sequences are tagged with a methacrylamide group, which is polymerizable and can participate in acrylamide radical polymerization reactions; the full‐length sequences are not tagged. After synthesis, the crude mixture is subjected to polymerization. The failure sequences are incorporated into an insoluble polymer; the full‐length sequences are extracted with water. In the second method, the full‐length sequences are tagged with a methacrylamide group via a cleavable linker; the failure sequences are not tagged. After synthesis, the full‐length sequences are incorporated into a polymer; the failure sequences are washed away with water. Pure full‐length sequences are cleaved from the polymer. The two methods are complementary. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 49:10.14.1‐10.14.21. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Gram‐Scale Chemical Synthesis of 2′‐Deoxynucleoside‐5′‐O‐Triphosphates
Authors: Kore Anilkumar R. , Shanmugasundaram Muthian , Senthilvelan Annamalai , Srinivasan Balasubramanian
Published: June 2012

A simple, straightforward, reliable, and efficient method for the chemical synthesis of sodium salt of 2′‐deoxynucleoside‐5′‐O‐triphosphates (dNTPs), starting from the corresponding nucleoside, is described. This improved “one‐pot, three‐step” synthetic strategy involves the monophosphorylation of nucleoside, followed by reaction with tributylammonium pyrophosphate and hydrolysis of the resulting cyclic intermediate to provide the corresponding dNTP in good yields (65% to 70%). It is noteworthy that the protocol holds good for both the purine deoxynucleotides, such as 2′‐deoxyguanosine‐5′‐O‐triphosphate (dGTP) and 2′‐deoxyadenosine‐5′‐O‐triphosphate (dATP), and pyrimidine deoxynucleotides, such as 2′‐deoxycytidine‐5′‐O‐triphosphate (dCTP), thymidine‐5′‐O‐triphosphate (TTP), and 2′‐deoxyuridine‐5′‐O‐triphosphate (dUTP). Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 49:13.10.1‐13.10.12. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Using Galaxy to Perform Large‐Scale Interactive Data Analyses
Authors: Hillman‐Jackson Jennifer , Clements Dave , Blankenberg Daniel , Taylor James , Nekrutenko Anton , Team Galaxy
Published: June 2012

Innovations in biomedical research technologies continue to provide experimental biologists with novel and increasingly large genomic and high‐throughput data resources to be analyzed. As creating and obtaining data has become easier, the key decision faced by many researchers is a practical one: where and how should an analysis be performed? Datasets are large and analysis tool set‐up and use is riddled with complexities outside of the scope of core research activities. The authors believe that Galaxy provides a powerful solution that simplifies data acquisition and analysis in an intuitive Web application, granting all researchers access to key informatics tools previously only available to computational specialists working in Unix‐based environments. We will demonstrate through a series of biomedically relevant protocols how Galaxy specifically brings together (1) data retrieval from public and private sources, for example, UCSC's Eukaryote and Microbial Genome Browsers, (2) custom tools (wrapped Unix functions, format standardization/conversions, interval operations), and 3rd‐party analysis tools. Curr. Protoc. Bioinform. 38:10.5.1‐10.5.47. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Self‐Assembled Nanowires of Organic n‐Type Semiconductor for Nonvolatile Transistor Memory Devices
Authors: Chou Ying‐Hsuan , Lee Wen‐Ya , Chen Wen‐Chang
Published: June 2012

Organic nonvolatile transistor‐type memory (ONVM) devices are developed using self‐assembled nanowires of n‐type semiconductor, N,N′‐bis(2‐phenylethyl)‐perylene‐3,4:9,10‐tetracarboxylic diimide (BPE‐PTCDI). The effects of nanowire dimension and silane surface treatment on the memory characteristics are explored. The diameter of the nanowires is reduced by increasing the non‐solvent methanol composition, which led to the enhanced crystallinity and high field‐effect mobility. The BPE‐PTCDI nanowires with small diameters induce high electrical fields and result in a large memory window (the shifting of the threshold voltage, ΔVth). The ΔVth value of BPE‐PTCDI nanowire based ONVM device on the bare substrate can reach 51 V, which is significantly larger than that of thin film. The memory window is further enhanced to 78 V with the on/off ratio of 2.1 × 104 and the long retention time (104 s), using a hydrophobic surface (such as trichloro(phenyl)silane‐treated surface). The above results demonstrate that the n‐type semiconducting nanowires have potential applications in high performance non‐volatile transistor memory devices.
A Magnetic Particle‐Supported Sulfonic Acid Catalyst: Tuning Catalytic Activity between Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysis
Authors: Koukabi Nadiya , Kolvari Eskandar , Zolfigol Mohammad Ali , Khazaei Ardeshir , Shaghasemi Behzad Shirmardi , Fasahati Behzad
Published: June 2012

Surface functionalization of magnetic particles is an elegant way to bridge the gap between heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis. The introduction of magnetic particles (MPs) in a variety of solid matrices allows the combination of well‐known procedures for catalyst heterogenization with techniques for magnetic separation. We have conveniently loaded sulfonic acid groups on magnetic particles supports in which chlorosulfonic acid is used as sulfonating agent. The main targets are room temperature, solvent‐free conditions, rapid (immediately) and easy immobilization technique, and low cost precursors for the preparation of highly active and stable MPs with high densities of functional groups. The inorganic, magnetic, solid acid catalyst was characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and titration. The catalyst is active for the Hantzsch reaction and the products are isolated in high to excellent yields (90–98%). Supporting this acid catalyst on magnetic particles offers a simple and non‐energy‐intensive method for recovery and reuse of the catalyst by applying an external magnet. Isolated catalysts were reused for new rounds of reactions without significant loss of their catalytic activity.
Oxidative Aminocarbonylation of Terminal Alkynes for the Synthesis of Alk‐2‐ynamides by Using Palladium‐on‐Carbon as Efficient, Heterogeneous, Phosphine‐Free, and Reusable Catalyst
Authors: Gadge Sandip T. , Khedkar Mayur V. , Lanke Satish R. , Bhanage Bhalchandra M.
Published: June 2012

Palladium‐on‐carbon (Pd/C)‐catalyzed oxidative aminocarbonylations of alk‐1‐ynes with secondary amines provide the corresponding alk‐2‐ynamides in a good to excellent yields. This new methodology is applicable for the synthesis of a wide range of biologically active alk‐2‐ynamide derivatives. The developed protocol avoids the use of phosphine ligands, with an additional advantage of palladium catalyst recovery and reuse for up to four consecutive cycles.
Synthesis of Alcohols via a Rhodium‐Catalyzed Hydroformylation– Reduction Sequence using Tertiary Bidentate Amine Ligands
Authors: Cheung Lawrence L. W. , Vasapollo Giuseppe , Alper Howard
Published: June 2012

The synthesis of alcohols from aromatic olefins is described using a rhodium‐catalyzed hydroformylation–reduction sequence with the assistance of a tertiary diamine ligand. The alcohols are produced in excellent branched to linear ratios and in good to excellent isolated yields. In all cases no aldehyde product, from hydroformylation, or alkyl product, from olefin reduction, was detected.
Solution‐Processed TiO2 Nanoparticles as the Window Layer for CuIn(S,Se)2 Devices
Authors: Zhou Huanping , Song Tze‐Bin , Chung Choong‐Heui , Lei Bao , Bob Brion , Zhu Rui , Duan Hsin‐Sheng , Hsu Chia‐Jung , Yang Yang
Published: June 2012

As a wide‐bandgap semiconductor, titanium dioxide (TiO2) with a porous structure has proven useful in dye‐sensitized solar cells, but its application in low‐cost, high‐efficiency inorganic photovoltaic devices based on materials such as Cu(InGa)Se2 or Cu2ZnSnS4 is limited. Here, a thin film made from solution‐processed TiO2 nanocrystals is demonstrated as an alternative to intrinsic zinc oxide (i‐ZnO) as the window layer of CuInSxSe1−x solar cells. The as‐synthesized, well‐dispersed, 6 nm TiO2 nanocrystals are assembled into thin films with controllable thicknesses of 40, 80, and 160 nm. The TiO2 nanocrystal films with thicknesses of 40 and 80 nm exhibit conversion efficiencies (6.2% and 6.33%, respectively) that are comparable to that of a layer of the typical sputtered i‐ZnO (6.42%). The conversion efficiency of the devices with a TiO2 thickness of 160 nm decreases to 2.2%, owing to the large series resistance. A 9‐hour reaction time leads to aggregated nanoparticles with a much‐lower efficiency (2%) than that of the well‐dispersed TiO2 nanoparticles prepared using a 15‐hour reaction time. Under optimized conditions, the champion TiO2 nanocrystal‐film‐based device shows even higher efficiency (9.2%) than a control device employing a typical i‐ZnO film (8.6%).
Global optimization in property‐based interplant water integration
Authors: Rubio‐Castro Eusiel , Ponce‐Ortega José María , Serna‐González Medardo , El‐Halwagi Mahmoud M. , Pham Viet
Published: June 2012

This article presents a new global optimization method for the interplant water integration based on properties to characterize streams with numerous components. The problem is formulated as an mixed‐integer non‐linear programming (MINLP) model based on a superstructure that involves all possible options of interest (i.e., reuse and recycle in the same and to other plants and a set of shared treatment units). This formulation exhibits multiple local minima, and to overcome this problem, this article proposes effective branching rules in addition to two new reformulations for the upper bound (integer feasible solution) and the lower limit (relaxed solution), which are incorporated into a spatial branch and bound procedure to handle the bilinear terms in the model. The objective consists in finding the configuration with the minimum total annual cost. Results show that the global optimal solution (involving significant reductions in the fresh water consumption) is reached in few iterations and short central processing unit (CPU) time. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 813–833, 2013
Myelodysplastic syndromes: 2012 update on diagnosis, risk‐stratification, and management
Authors: Garcia‐Manero Guillermo
Published: June 2012

Disease Overview: The myelodysplastic (MDS) are a very heterogeneous group of myeloid disorders characterized by peripheral blood cytopenias and increased risk of transformation to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). MDS occurs more frequently in older male and in individuals with prior exposure to cytotoxic therapy.

Diagnosis: Diagnosis of MDS is based on morphological evidence of dysplasia upon visual examination of a bone marrow aspirate and biopsy. Information obtained from additional studies such as karyotype, flow cytometry or molecular genetics is complementary but not diagnostic.

Risk‐stratification: Prognosis of patients with MDS can be calculated using a number of scoring systems. In general, all these scoring systems include analysis of peripheral cytopenias, percentage of blasts in the bone marrow and cytogenetic characteristics. The most commonly used system is the International Prognostic Scoring System. IPSS is likely to be replaced by a new revised score (IPSS‐R) and by the incorporation of new molecular markers recently described.

Risk‐adapted therapy: Therapy is selected based on risk, transfusion needs, percent of bone marrow blasts, and, more recently, cytogenetic profile. Goals of therapy are different in lower risk patients than in higher risk. In lower risk, the goal is to decrease transfusion needs and transformation to higher risk disease or AML. In higher risk, the goal is to prolong survival. Current available therapies include growth factor support, lenalidomide, hypomethylating agents, intensive chemotherapy, and allogeneic stem cell transplantation. The use of lenalidomide has significant clinical activity in patients with lower risk disease, anemia and a chromosome 5 alteration. 5‐azacitidine and decitabine have activity in higher risk MDS. 5‐azacitidine has been shown to improve survival in higher risk MDS. A number of new molecular lesions have been described in MDS that may serve as new therapeutic targets or aid in the selection of currently available agents. Additional supportive care measures may include the use of prophylactic antibiotics and iron chelation.

Management of progressive or refractory disease: At the present time there are no approved interventions for patients with progressive or refractory disease particularly after hypomethylating based therapy. Options include cytarabine based therapy, transplantation and participation on a clinical trial. Am. J. Hematol. 87:692–701, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The utility of osteon shape and circularity for differentiating human and non‐human Haversian bone
Authors: Dominguez Victoria M. , Crowder Christian M.
Published: June 2012

Distinguishing human from non‐human bone fragments is usually accomplished by observation of gross morphology. When macroscopic analysis is insufficient, histological approaches can be applied. Microscopic features, like plexiform bone or osteon banding, are characteristic of non‐humans. In the absence of such features, distinguishing Haversian bone as either human or non‐human proves problematic. This study proposes a histomorphometric approach for classifying species from Haversian bone. Two variables, osteon area (On.Ar.) and circularity (On.Cr.), are examined. Measurements were collected from three species (deer, dog, human) represented by various skeletal elements; only ribs were available for humans (ribs: deern= 6, dogn= 6, humann= 26; humeri: deern= 6, dogn= 6; femora: deern= 6, dogn= 6). Qualitative analysis comparing human to non‐human On.Ar. demonstrated that human ribs have larger mean On.Ar. (0.036 mm2) than non‐human ribs (deer = 0.017 mm2, dog = 0.013 mm2). On.Cr. in the ribs showed minor differences between species (deer = 0.877; dog = 0.885; human = 0.898). Results demonstrated no significant difference across long bone quadrants in long bones. Discriminant analyses run on the means for each sample demonstrated overlap in deer and dog samples, clustering the non‐human and human groups apart from each other. Mean On.Cr. proved a poor criterion (ribs only: 76.3%, pooled elements: 66.1%), while mean On.Ar. proved useful in identifying human from non‐human samples (ribs only: 92.1%, pooled elements: 93.5%). When variables were combined, accuracy increased to 100% correct classification for rib data and 98.4% when considering data from all elements. These results indicate that On.Ar. and On.Cr. are valuable histomorphometric tools for distinguishing human from non‐human Haversian bone. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fault detection method for non‐Gaussian processes based on non‐negative matrix factorization
Authors: Li Xiang‐bao , Yang Yu‐pu , Zhang Wei‐dong
Published: June 2012

In this work, a new fault detection method based on non‐negative matrix factorization (NMF) is presented for non‐Gaussian processes. NMF is a new dimension reduction technique that can preserve spatial relationships corresponding and retain the intrinsic structure of original data. The basic idea of our approach is to use NMF to extract the latent variables that drive a process and to combine them with process monitoring techniques. A modified alternating least squares algorithm with an order constraint and a fixed initialization is proposed for solving the NMF problem. In addition, kernel density estimation is adopted to calculate the confidence limits of defined statistical metrics for NMF‐based monitoring method. Afterwards, the proposed method is applied to the Tennessee Eastman process to evaluate the monitoring performance, comparing with principal component analysis and independent component analysis. The experiment results clearly illustrate the feasibility of the proposed method. © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrogel membranes based on gum tragacanth with tunable structures and properties. II. Comprehensive characterization of the swelling behavior
Authors: Kiani A. , Asempour H.
Published: June 2012

Hydrogel membranes based on gum tragacanth (GT), with a wide range of crosslinking densities (0.83–23.87 × 10−6 mol/cm3) and swelling capacities (120–1580 g/g), were prepared with the aid of heat alone and four crosslinking reagents according to a procedure reported in our previous article. In this article, we report on the comprehensive evaluation of the swelling behavior of the prepared hydrogel membranes. These include the swelling kinetics, swelling behavior in terms of the pH and ionic strength of the swelling media, water absorbency under load (AUL), swelling as a function of sample size, deswelling behavior, and successive swelling and deswelling cycles. The swelling kinetics of the hydrogel membranes with higher crosslinking densities and lower swelling equilibria were closer to those of the case II transport mechanism; this is desirable in the field of drug‐delivery systems (DDSs). Furthermore, higher crosslinking densities, and hence stronger structures, of the membranes led to higher AUL values and more stable performances in the successive swelling and deswelling cycles. Moreover, because of the anionic nature of the gum, the prepared GT hydrogels showed pH‐ and ionic‐strength‐dependent swelling behavior. All of these results reveal that GT could be a promising material for the preparation of hydrogel membranes for applications in the fields of DDS, tissue engineering, and the separation of small molecules. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2012
Preparation of porous nanofibers from electrospun polyacrylonitrile/calcium carbonate composite nanofibers using porogen leaching technique
Authors: Mehraban Mona , Zadhoush Ali , Abdolkarim Hosseini Ravandi Seyed , Bagheri Rouhollah , Heidarkhan Tehrani Ashkan
Published: June 2012

Production of nanofibrous polyacrylonitrile/calcium carbonate (PAN/CaCO3) nanocomposite web was carried out through solution electrospinning process. Pore generating nanoparticles were leached from the PAN matrices in hydrochloric acid bath with the purpose of producing an ultimate nanoporous structure. The possible interaction between CaCO3 nanoparticles and PAN functional groups was investigated. Atomic absorption method was used to measure the amount of extracted CaCO3 nanoparticles. Morphological observation showed nanofibers of 270–720 nm in diameter containing nanopores of 50–130 nm. Monitoring the governing parameters statistically, it was found that the amount of extraction (ε) of CaCO3was increased when the web surface area (a) was broadened according to a simple scaling law (ε = 3.18 a0.4). The leaching process was maximized in the presence of 5% v/v of acid in the extraction bath and 5 wt % of CaCO3 in the polymer solution. Collateral effects of the extraction time and temperature showed exponential growth within a favorable extremum at 50°C for 72 h. Concentration of dimethylformamide as the solvent had no significant impact on the extraction level. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2013
Synthesis of urethane acrylate based electromagnetic interference shielding materials
Authors: Yanılmaz Meltem , Erbay Betül Türel , Serhatli Ersin , Sarac Abdulkadir Sezai
Published: June 2012

In this work, a new method, consists of synthesis of urethane acrylate (UA) followed by in situ polymerization of pyrrole using cerium (IV) as an oxidant and UV‐curing of the composites, for preparing polypyrrole–UA (PPy–UA) composite films was described. It appeared that dielectric constants of the composites increased with increasing the PPy content and decreased with increasing the frequency from 10−2 to 107, indicating an interfacial Maxwell–Wagner contribution to the permittivity. An incorporation of a small amount of PPy (15% Py) to UA matrix increased their dielectric constants more than 4 × 104 (41,259) at 10−2 Hz. So, the incorporation of PPy was very effective for enhancing the dielectric properties of UA matrix. Furthermore, the significant enhancement in dielectric properties (loss tangent and dielectric constant) contributes to the improvement in electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency. Composite films were characterized using Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance (FTIR‐ATR) spectrophotometer and 1H‐NMR. It was seen that PPy is blended with the UA matrix at the molecular level through H‐bonding interactions. A linear relationship was also observed between the characteristic groups' absorbances of PPy (from FTIR‐ATR) and dielectric constant values (from dielectric spectrometer). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2013
The effect of different organic modified montmorillonites (OMMTs) on the thermal properties and flammability of PLA/MCAPP/lignin systems
Authors: Zhang Rui , Xiao Xifu , Tai Qilong , Huang Hua , Yang Jian , Hu Yuan
Published: June 2012

The effect of different organic modified montmorillonites (DK1, DK2, and DK4) based on a novel intumescent flame retardant (IFR) poly(lactic acid) (PLA) system is reported. The IFR system was composed of microencapsulated ammonium polyphosphate and lignin. The morphological characterization of PLA/OMMT nanocomposites was conducted by X‐ray diffractometry and transmission electron microscopy. The flame retardant and thermal properties of the composites were evaluated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning test (UL‐94), and cone calorimeter. From the results, it could be seen that the sample containing DK2 possessed the best flame retardance, such as lower peak heat release rate (pHRR) and higher LOI value. The thermal degradation and gas products of the samples were monitored by thermogravimetric analysis and thermogravimetric analysis infrared spectrometry. Scanning electron microscopy was used to explore the surface morphology of the char residues. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2013
Development of a chitosan‐based adhesive. Application to wood bonding
Authors: Patel Anil K. , Michaud Philippe , Petit Emmanuel , de Baynast Hélène , Grédiac Michel , Mathias Jean‐Denis
Published: June 2012

The potential of chitosan (CS) as wood adhesive was investigated in this study. The measurement of the bond strength of different CS‐based formulations was carried out using double‐lap shear tests. The best formulation tested was an adhesive composed of 6% of CS, 1% of glycerol, and 5 mmol/L of trisodium citrate dehydrate. Best bond strength from this formulation was found to be equal to 6.0 MPa in dried conditions and 1.6 MPa in wet conditions (specimens immersed for 3 h at 30°C in water). The failure in the double‐lap joint tests mainly occurred in wood. Finally, the penetration of the rhodamine‐labeled CS at 4% in the pinewood matrix was also studied using microtome and microscopy techniques to show interactions between CS‐based adhesive and wood. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2013
Probe dependency of flory–huggins interaction parameters between solvents: Cases of hydrocarbons and isosteric derivatives
Authors: Huang Jan‐Chan
Published: June 2012

Inverse gas chromatography has been widely used to determine the Flory–Huggins parameter, χ, between two solvents. Many studies showed that interaction parameters were probe dependent. In recent studies, it was proposed that the interaction between two solvents may lead to different contact probability between solutes and solvent mixtures and create an apparent solubility parameter different from volume average rule. An equation was previously derived to relate the probe dependency to the deviation of solubility parameter from the volume average rule. By plotting ϕ2ϕ3RT(χ23/V2) versus the solubility parameter of solutes, a linear trend could be observed with a negative slope for miscible mixtures. When there was an unfavorable interaction between two solvents, an opposite situation would be observed. In this study, mixtures of 19,24‐dioctadecyldotetracontane (C78) and its derivatives were tested. The solubility parameters of mixtures showed negative deviation from the volume average. The plots of ϕ2ϕ3RT(χ23/V2) versus solubility parameter of solutes had positive slopes. For two derivatives the best estimated values of RT(χ23/V2) were negative in certain temperatures. Enthalpy–entropy compensation plot showed that these two derivatives have higher entropy of mixing. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2013
Synthesis of Some Azoles Incorporating a Sulfonamide Moiety as Anticonvulsant Agents
Authors: Farag Awatef A. , Abd‐Alrahman Safaa N. , Ahmed Gihan F. , Ammar Ramy M. , Ammar Yousry A. , Abbas Samir Y.
Published: June 2012

Many derivatives of heterocyclic compounds containing a sulfonamide thiazole moiety were synthesized through the reaction of 2‐(cyano or chloro)‐N‐(4‐(N‐thiazol‐2‐ylsulfamoyl)phenyl)acetamide with isocyanate followed by halogenated compounds, arylidene, 2‐hydroxy benzaldehydes, active methylene compounds, and heterocyclic amines. The anticonvulsant activity for 15 of the synthesized compounds was evaluated and 6 compounds showed protection against picrotoxin‐induced convulsion. 4‐(6‐Amino‐3,5‐dicyano‐4‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐2‐oxopyridin‐1(2H)‐yl)‐N‐(thiazol‐2‐yl)benzenesulfonamide (11b) exhibited significant anticonvulsive effects, abolished the tonic extensor phase and offered 100% protection.
A Pentacyclic Nitrogen‐Bridged Thienyl–Phenylene–Thienyl Arene for Donor–Acceptor Copolymers: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications in Field‐Effect Transistors and Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Tseng Cheng‐An , Wu Jhong‐Sian , Lin Tai‐Yen , Kao Wei‐Shun , Wu Cheng‐En , Hsu So‐Lin , Liao Yun‐Yu , Hsu Chain‐Shu , Huang Huan‐Yi , Hsieh You‐Zung , Cheng Yen‐Ju
Published: June 2012

A pentacyclic benzodipyrrolothiophene (BDPT) unit, in which two outer thiophene rings are covalently fastened with the central phenylene ring by nitrogen bridges, was synthesized. The two pyrrole units embedded in BDPT were constructed by using one‐pot palladium‐catalyzed amination. The coplanar stannylated Sn‐BDPT building block was copolymerized with electron‐deficient thieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione (TPD), benzothiadiazole (BT), and dithienyl‐diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) acceptors by Stille polymerization. The bridging nitrogen atoms make the BDPT motif highly electron‐abundant and structurally coplanar, which allows for tailoring the optical and electronic properties of the resultant polymers. Strong photoinduced charge‐transfer with significant band‐broadening in the solid state and relatively higher oxidation potential are characteristic of the BDPT‐based polymers. Poly(benzodipyrrolothiophene‐alt‐benzothiadiazole) (PBDPTBT) achieved the highest field‐effect hole mobility of up to 0.02 cm2 V−1 s−1. The photovoltaic device using the PBDPTBT/PC71BM blend (1:3, w/w) exhibited a Voc of 0.6 V, a Jsc of 10.34 mA cm−2, and a FF of 50 %, leading to a decent PCE of 3.08 %. Encouragingly, the device incorporating poly(benzodipyrrolothiophene‐alt‐thienopyrrolodione) (PBDPTTPD)/PC71BM (1:3, w/w) composite delivered a highest PCE of 3.72 %. The enhanced performance arises from the lower‐lying HOMO value of PBDPTTPD to yield a higher Voc of 0.72 V.