bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wedding
Authors: Warburton David A.
Published: December 2012

Bronze Age Near Eastern royalty celebrated weddings with pomp, and the elite of the classical world likewise with ceremonies and rituals. Yet the Near Eastern conception of marriage between ordinary members of the elite was primarily legal rather than religious in nature, so it lacked an elaborate ceremony as a consequence.
Abzu (apsû)
Authors: Brisch Nicole
Published: December 2012

The Sumerian term ABZU (Akkadian
apsû
) denotes a large underground body of water, the abode of Enki (Akkadian Ea), god of wisdom and incantations.
Halab (Aleppo)
Authors: Sasson Jack
Published: December 2012

Lying by the Quwaik River at the nexus of many trade routes, Halab is the second largest city in modern Syria. The city has been continuously inhabited since the third millennium
BCE
, acquiring many names over time: Halpa among Hittites, Halman in Assyria, eventually also Aleppo in English. Since modern habitation restricts archaeology to the imposing citadel in the town's center, Halab's early history is recovered from documents found at other sites.
Amorites
Authors: Reculeau Hervé
Published: December 2012

The designation “Amorite” (Akkadian
amurru
,Sumerian MAR.TU) denotes the peoples and polities of the “West,” from a Mesopotamian perspective; thus, it refers to the Syrian steppe and its inhabitants, in particular the West Semitic‐speaking population groups who came to dominate Syro‐Mesopotamia in the early second millennium
BCE
.
Aratta
Authors: Brisch Nicole
Published: December 2012

Aratta was a fictional geographical designation for a land far east of Sumer. It appears only in literary texts, mostly in the stories about the legendary kings Enmerkar and Lugalbanda, who ruled the city of Uruk. Most scholars today agree that Aratta is a mythical place that cannot be located on a map; however, similarities have been postulated between literary descriptions of Aratta and southeast Iran or even Afghanistan.
Assyrian kings, Old Assyrian period
Authors: Veenhof Klaas R.
Published: December 2012

After having been ruled by a governor under the Ur III Dynasty, Ashur became independent toward 2000
BCE
when the kingdom of Ur started to disintegrate.
Astyages
Authors: Rollinger Robert
Published: December 2012

Astyages, a Median ruler of the sixth century
BCE
, is attested in both classical and Near Eastern sources. His name, rendered in Greek as Astyages or Astyigas and in Cuneiform sources as Ishtumegu, represents Iranian
☆
ašti‐vaiga‐, “spear swinger”.
Belshazzar
Authors: Joannès Francis
Published: December 2012

Belshazzar (Bēl‐šar‐uṣur) was the son of Nabonidus whose accession to the throne of Babylon he may have engineered.
Bricks and brick making, ancient Near East
Authors: Battini Laura
Published: December 2012

Bricks were the most common material for building in the ancient Near East.
Diyala
Authors: Emberling Geoff
Published: December 2012

The Diyala River, called Durul in cuneiform texts of the third millennium
BCE
and Turna(t) in later texts, runs from sources in the central Zagros Mountains through the small Hamrin Basin, onto the Mesopotamian plain, where it formed a focus of ancient settlement, and joins the Tigris River just south of Baghdad. It was the basis of an important route connecting the Tigris River and the Iranian plateau.
Dur‐Sharrukin (Khorsabad)
Authors: Albenda Pauline
Published: December 2012

The ancient city of Dur‐Sharrukin (Khorsabad) is located in the northeast region of modern‐day Iraq. It was built as a new royal city for the Assyrian king sargon II (721–705
BCE
).
Eanna and other major Babylonian temples
Authors: Linssen M.J.H.
Published: December 2012

In Mesopotamia, as far back as written records allow us to look, each temple was given a name. The name usually began with é, “house” in Sumerian, since the people of Sumer and AKKAD(AGADE) considered each temple to be a specific god's personal abode on earth.
Enmerkar
Authors: Brisch Nicole
Published: December 2012

Enmerkar was a legendary king of the southern Mesopotamian city of Uruk.
Erra
Authors: Foster Benjamin R.
Published: December 2012

The god Erra is first attested in Mesopotamian personal names of the late third millennium
BCE
.
Esarhaddon
Authors: Frahm Eckart
Published: December 2012

Esarhaddon was a king of Assyria who ruled from 681 to 669
BCE
.
Habur
Authors: Emberling Geoff
Published: December 2012

The Habur River is one of the two main tributaries of the Euphrates River. Arising in springs near Ras al‐Ain and supplemented by wadis flowing from the east, the upper Habur runs through an area that receives enough rainfall for dry farming. The lower Habur flows through dry areas in which settlement was largely dependent on the river itself, with nomadic groups living on either side of the river. Major canal construction along the lower Habur is documented around Tell Sheikh Hamad, the site of ancient Dur‐Katlimmu, beginning in the Middle Assyrian period (fourteenth century
BCE
).
Kindadu
Authors: Vallat François
Published: December 2012

Kindadu is the sixth Simškian dynast named in a king list from
SUSA
that records twelve “kings of Awan” followed by twelve “Simškian kings” (Scheil 1931).
Kish
Authors: Leick Gwendolyn
Published: December 2012

Kish was an important city in central Mesopotamia, some 15 km east of Babylon.
Kutha
Authors: Leick Gwendolyn
Published: December 2012

Kutha was a town in Mesopotamia, called Gudua in Sumerian.
Luwian language
Authors: Yakubovich Ilya
Published: December 2012

Luwian belongs to the Anatolian group of the Indo‐European language family. It is the main language of the Anatolian hieroglyphic inscriptions, and it is also attested in the cuneiform archives of Hattuša, usually through passages or isolated words embedded in Hittite texts.
Magan
Authors: Crawford Harriet
Published: December 2012

Magan is a geographic term found in cuneiform documents of the third millennium
BCE
. It is thought to designate the area of modern Oman and part of the United Arab Emirates, but its precise extent has not been determined.
M E (Sumerian term)
Authors: Brisch Nicole
Published: December 2012

The enigmatic Sumerian term M E designates a key concept in Sumerian religion and culture. It has often been translated as “divine ordinance,” “divine power,” or the like and is thought to denote the divine power inherent in any key aspect of human civilization.
Mittanian kings
Authors: Wilhelm Gernot
Published: December 2012

No complete record can yet be compiled of the kings who ruled Mittani, a Hurrian‐dominated kingdom centered in upper Mesopotamia that flourished during the fifteenth and fourteenth centuriesBCE. The earliest Mittanian kings known by name are Kirta and his son Shuttarna I, who are attested only by the legend of a cylinder seal used by one of their successors, Saushtatar.
Moses
Authors: Cline Eric H.
Published: December 2012

The story of Moses, which would have transpired sometime in the latter half of the second millenniumBCE(probably during the thirteenth century), is told in the Hebrew Bible (Exodus–Deuteronomy). Moses was born the son of a Hebrew slave but was raised in the court of the Egyptian Pharaoh. His name, previously thought to be Hebrew, may actually be Egyptian, simply meaning “the child” or “the offspring.” It is usually found combined with a divine element – that is, in a “theophoric” name such as Thut‐mose or Ptah‐mose – but can appear on its own, as it does here.
Naram‐Sin of Ashur; of Eshnunna; of Uruk
Authors: van Koppen Frans
Published: December 2012

At least three Mesopotamian kings of the Old Babylonian period were called Naram‐Sin, a clearly programmatic name borrowed from the famous grandson of Sargon of Akkad, who ruled in the twenty‐third century
BCE
.
Ninurta
Authors: Pappi Cinzia
Published: December 2012

Ninurta (“Lord of the Earth”) is attested in the earliest lexical lists of gods.
Prophecy and oracles, ancient Near East
Authors: Nissinen Martti
Published: December 2012

In modern vernacular usage, the word “prophecy” usually stands for prediction, and “prophet” for a person who foretells future events. In ancient languages, however, the vocabulary of prophecy referred not only to prediction, but first and foremost to the mediation of divine messages. Accordingly, scholars understand the principal function of “prophecy” to be mediation rather than prediction.
Puabi
Authors: Battini Laura
Published: December 2012

In a “royal tomb” at Ur, dating to 2700–2600
BCE
, lay the body of a woman with a gold cup near her hand and a mass of beads of Gold, Silver, Lapis Lazuli, and carnelian which formed a cloak reaching to her waist.
Shakkanakkum
Authors: Lafont Bertrand
Published: December 2012

From the time of the Empire of Akkad (ca. 2300
BCE
;
see
Akkad (Agade)),
shakkanakku
was at first an Akkadian title borne by officials holding a military command like that of a general or military governor.
Shamash (Utu)
Authors: Pappi Cinzia
Published: December 2012

Shamash was the sun god, whose Sumerian name was Utu.
Sin‐kashid of Uruk and his dynasty
Authors: van Koppen Frans
Published: December 2012

The city of Uruk, in the southern part of the Mesopotamian floodplain, had a turbulenthistory during the first centuries ofthe second millennium BCE. Normally the seat of autonomous kingship, Uruk's position close to the political centers of Isin and Larsa (seeLarsa, And Larsa Dynasty) nevertheless meant that it was frequently pulled into the sphere of influence of one of its powerful neighbors, who time and again ousted itsking and incorporated it within their realms. But Uruk regained independence with each shift in the balance of power, particularly if it could secure the support of outside allies.
Tushratta
Authors: Wilhelm Gernot
Published: December 2012

Tushratta, king of Mittani, reigned ca. 1360–1335
BCE
.
Umma
Authors: Foster Benjamin R.
Published: December 2012

The Sumerian city of Umma, modern Tell Djokha, is located about 60 km east of the present course of the Euphrates in southern Iraq.
Ur
Authors: Leick Gwendolyn
Published: December 2012

Ur was an important city in southern Mesopotamia. The large archaeological site, known as Tell Muqayyar, was mainly excavated by a joint expedition of the British Museum and the University Museum of Pennsylvania directed by Leonard Woolley (1922–34
)
.
Urartu
Authors: Zimansky Paul
Published: December 2012

The Kingdom of Urartu coalesced in the late ninth century
BCE
and for two centuries embraced an extensive territory in what is now eastern Turkey, northwestern Iran, and Armenia.
Urkesh
Authors: Buccellati Giorgio , Kelly‐Buccellati Marilyn
Published: December 2012

The city of ancient Urkesh (modern Tell Mozan) is located in the Jezira in northeastern Syria, just south of the Tur‐Abdin section of the Taurus Mountains.
Halbleiterphotokatalyse – mechanistische und präparative Aspekte
Authors: Kisch Horst
Published: December 2012

Basierend auf frühen Arbeiten zur Photoelektrochemie an Halbleitereinkristallelektroden hat das Gebiet der Photokatalyse an Halbleiterpulvern in den letzten drei Dekaden ein erstaunliches Wachstum erlebt. Dies ist in der einzigartigen Fähigkeit anorganischer Halbleiteroberflächen begründet, konzertierte Reduktionen und Oxidationen einer großen Vielzahl von Elektronendonor‐ und Elektronenakzeptorsubstraten zu photokatalysieren. Während die Spaltung von Wasser und der erschöpfende aerobe Abbau von Schadstoffen große Beachtung fanden, befasste sich nur ein kleiner Teil der Forschung mit präparativen Aspekten. Nach Einführung der mechanistischen Grundlagen folgen Standardexperimente zur Herstellung und Charakterisierung von Photokatalysatoren, die mit sichtbarem Licht aktiv sind. Anschließend illustrieren neuartige atomökonomische C‐C‐ und C‐N‐Kupplungsreaktionen die Relevanz der Halbleiterphotokatalyse für die organische Synthese. Beispielhaft zeigen sie, dass in diesem multidisziplinären Gebiet klassische Photochemie mit Elektrochemie, Festkörperchemie und heterogener Katalyse vereint sind.
New damping materials by fabrication of ACM/PVC alloy into hollow fibers
Authors: Li Mingjun , Cheng Yan , Xu Yongwen , Qin Yuancheng
Published: December 2012

New acrylic rubber hollow fiber damping materials were successfully produced by dry–wet spinning technique. The effect of polymer concentration and blending ratio on ACM/PVC hollow fiber were investigated. The results showed that the tensile strength increased with the increase of polymer content and decreased with the decrease of blending ratio. DMA revealed that varying the size of inner diameter, the loss tangent (tan δ) would change. FTIR proved certain interactions among them. In addition, the position of peak of the glass transition temperature not only shifted to a higher temperature with the increase of PVC content, but also its temperature range of tan δ > 0.3 was 40–65°C, inferring that ACM/PVC mixture is a promising damping‐material. The outer skin and inner skin structure of ACM/PVC hollow fiber by SEM were different from that used in water treatment due to the differences between materials. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Exfoliated polymer nanocomposites by in situ coprecipitation of layered double hydroxides in a polymer matrix
Authors: Gaume Julien , Therias Sandrine , Leroux Fabrice , Rivaton Agnès , Gardette Jean‐Luc
Published: December 2012

Polyvinylalcohol (PVA) nanocomposites were prepared by a “one step” method based on the coprecipitation of layered double hydroxide (LDH) platelets in the polymer aqueous solution. The PVA/LDH nanocomposites displayed an exfoliated morphology and the concentration of LDH in the nanocomposite was evaluated by IR analysis. Moreover, it was shown that the PVA/LDH nanocomposites had an improved photostability over PVA, which makes this material a good candidate for coating applications. Further optimization will be considered to tune the polymer/LDH properties. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Cross‐campus collaboration: A scientometric and network case study of publication activity across two campuses of a single institution
Authors: Birnholtz Jeremy , Guha Shion , Yuan Y. Connie , Gay Geri , Heller Caren
Published: December 2012

Team science and collaboration have become crucial to addressing key research questions confronting society. Institutions that are spread across multiple geographic locations face additional challenges. To better understand the nature of cross‐campus collaboration within a single institution and the effects of institutional efforts to spark collaboration, we conducted a case study of collaboration atCornellUniversity using scientometric and network analyses. Results suggest that cross‐campus collaboration is increasingly common, but is accounted for primarily by a relatively small number of departments and individual researchers. Specific researchers involved in many collaborative projects are identified, and their unique characteristics are described. Institutional efforts, such as seed grants and topical retreats, have some effect for researchers who are central in the collaboration network, but were less clearly effective for others.
How the Generalized Anomeric Effect Influences the Conformational Preference
Authors: Wang Changwei , Chen Zhenhua , Wu Wei , Mo Yirong
Published: December 2012

The generalized anomeric effect refers to the conformational preference of agauchestructure over anantistructure for molecules with a R‐X‐C‐Y moiety. Whereas there are conflicting reports regarding the origin of this ubiquitous effect, a general consensus is that both the steric (more specifically electrostatic) and hyperconjugative interactions contribute. Here we employed the block‐localized wavefunction (BLW) method, which is the simplest variant of ab initio valence bond (VB) theory and can define reference electron‐localized states self‐consistently, to evaluate the magnitude of the hyperconjugation effect in a number of acyclic molecules exhibiting the generalized anomeric effect. The BLW‐based energy decomposition analysis revealed that both the steric and hyperconjugation effects contribute to the conformational preferences of methoxymethyl fluoride and methoxymethyl chlorides. But for the other systems under investigation, including methanediol, methanediamine, aminomethanol and dimethoxymethane, the hyperconjugative interactions play a negative role in the conformational preferences and the steric effect is solely responsible for the generalized anomeric effect.
The Merkel cell carcinoma challenge
Authors: Bechert Charles J. , Schnadig Vicki , Nawgiri Ranjana
Published: December 2012

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly aggressive neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin that occurs primarily in elderly or immunocompromised patients. For this report, the authors reviewed the diagnostic challenges associated with MCC encountered on their fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) service and also conducted an in‐depth review of the literature on MCC. A computer search for patients who were diagnosed with MCC by FNA at the authors' institution from 2006 to 2010 was conducted, and 5 patients were selected for cytologic and immunochemical analyses based on their varied and diagnostically challenging clinical presentations. The 5 selected patients had clinical findings commonly associated with MCC, including advanced age (4 of the 5 patients were ages 75‐85 years) and a history of previous malignancies (3 of the 5 patients had a history of previous malignancy), and 1 patient was diagnosed with a concomitant low‐grade lymphoma. The patients and their disease illustrated the protean clinical presentation of MCC and the clinical and cytologic challenges associated with this neoplasm. The current findings indicate the need for cytopathologists to be aware of the deceptive presentation of this neoplasm and its cytologic and immunochemical features to correctly diagnose this insidious neoplasm. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2013;121:179–188. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Subclassification of lymphoproliferative disorders in serous effusions
Authors: Tong Leung Chu , Ko Hyang‐Mi , Saieg Mauro Ajaj , Boerner Scott , Geddie William R. , da Cunha Santos Gilda
Published: December 2012

BACKGROUND

Rare studies have reported the application of multiple ancillary tests to the diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorder in serous effusions. In the current study, the authors evaluated the effectiveness of using an algorithm for the triage of serous effusions and the contribution of ancillary studies to achieve a specific subtype of lymphoproliferative disorder.

METHODS

Serous effusion samples that had a final diagnosis of lymphoproliferative disorder or suspicious for lymphoma were selected from cases that were diagnosed between 2001 and 2010. Data were collected on patient and sample characteristics as well as results from immunophenotype and molecular studies.

RESULTS

In total, 168 serous effusions were identified from 110 patients. The most common site of involvement was the pleural cavity (n = 133) followed by the peritoneal cavity (n = 30) and pericardial cavity (n = 5). The volume of serous effusions ranged from 2 mL to 1000 mL (mean, 238 mL). In 42 patients (38.2%), serous effusions were the primary source of diagnosis. In 129 patients who had a diagnosis of LPD, either generic (n = 82) or specific (n = 47) ancillary tests were performed as a single test in 58 samples (67.4%) or as a combination of multiple studies in 19 samples (23.2%). Immunophenotyping was successful in almost all samples that had a specific subtype with 16 B‐cell and 4 T‐cell lymphomas being diagnosed. More samples with a specific subtype of lymphoma underwent molecular tests compared with those who had a generic diagnosis (19.1% vs 13.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

Successful, specific subtyping of lymphoproliferative disorders was achieved in approximately 33% of cases that were tested for ancillary studies following an approach for the triage and aliquoting of serous effusion samples. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2013;121:261–70. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Can we prevent beta cell apoptosis in type 2 diabetes?
Authors: Eliaschewitz Freddy Goldberg , Tambascia Marcos Antonio
Published: December 2012

Since the publication of the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), the progressive nature of type 2 (DM2) diabetes has been identified as the main cause of failure to maintain a long term glycemic control.[1] The need to adjust treatment as the disease progressed was recognized and algorithms for treatments in line with this concept were developed.[2]

The UKPDS showed that the progressive character of the disease results from a steady reduction, of approximately 5% per year, in the ability of beta cells to secrete insulin, a process estimated to begin 10 to 12 years before diagnosis, which triggers the onset of diabetes when approximately 50% of beta cell function has been lost. [1] Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Tags and Labels on the Performance of Enzyme‐Amplified Electrochemical Genomagnetic Assays
Authors: González‐Álvarez María José , Pérez‐Ruiz Elena , Miranda‐Castro Rebeca , de‐los‐Santos‐Álvarez Noemí , Miranda‐Ordieres Arturo J. , Lobo‐Castañón María Jesús
Published: December 2012

A magnetic microsphere‐based hybridization assay for the electrochemical detection of pathogen‐specific DNA sequences is reported. Enzyme‐linked sandwich hybridization assays with different tags (biotin, fluorescein or digoxigenin) and enzyme conjugates (streptavidin‐alkaline phosphatase, streptavidin‐peroxidase, antifluorescein‐peroxidase or antidigoxigenin‐peroxidase) are comparatively evaluated. Sensitivity and limit of detection depend on both the choice of the enzyme and the tag. The highest sensitivity and lowest limit of detection were obtained when antibody Fab fragments conjugated to peroxidase were used as reporter molecule. The digoxigenin system yields the lowest detection limit, mainly due to producing much lower background signals.
Genetic characterization of Italian tomato varieties and their traceability in tomato food products
Authors: Sardaro Maria Luisa Savo , Marmiroli Marta , Maestri Elena , Marmiroli Nelson
Published: December 2012

Genetic diversity underlies the improvement of crops by plant breeding. Landraces of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) can contain valuable alleles not common in modern germplasms. The aim was to measure genetic diversity present in 47 most common tomato varieties grown in Italy, 35 were varieties used for processing and 12 were landraces considered “salad varieties”. Furthermore, we demonstrated the possibility that the variety traceability can be extended through the entire production chain. Diversity was measured using 11 microsatellite markers and 94 genotypes. Among the markers used, a total of 48 alleles were detected. A dendrogram based on total microsatellite polymorphism grouped 47 varieties into three major clusters at 0.75 similarity coefficient, differentiating the modern varieties from tomatoes landraces. The DNA markers developed confirmed the possibility to support the genotype identification all along the tomato production chain. The number of alleles and genotypes identified in the present work is the largest considering papers on food traceability.
Synthesis and Crystal Structure Study of Diethyl Aryl(benzo[d]thiazol‐2‐ylamino)methyl Phosphonates
Authors: Lashkari Mojtaba , Hazeri Nourallah , Maghsoodlou Malek Taher , Khorassani Sayyed Mostafa Habibi , Torbati Niloufar Akbarzadeh , Hosseinian Asghar , García‐Granda Santiago , Torre‐Fernández Laura
Published: December 2012

A three‐component synthesis of α‐aminophosphonate is described from a reaction between aldehydes, 2‐aminobenzothiazole, and triethyl phosphite in the presence of InCl3 as a catalyst under solvent‐free conditions for the generation of the particular α‐aminophosphonates. These products have two potentially biologically active parts, aminophosphonate and benzothiazole. This method offers advantages such as short reaction times, good yields, solvent‐free conditions, and easy workup with the green aspects by avoiding toxic catalysts and solvents. The crystal structure of 4b has been determined by X‐ray crystallography. This compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with cell parameters a = 21.9285(5) Å, b = 10.3221(2) Å, c = 18.5979(5) Å, β = 108.759(3)°, V = 3985.99(18) Å3, Dcalc = 1.301 mg m−3, and Z = 8. The final R value is 0.0501 for 3741 reflections. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 24:58–65, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/hc.21063
Management characteristics of successful public health programs: “Avahan” HIV prevention program in India
Authors: Mabuchi Shunsuke , Singh Suneeta , Bishnu Rituparna , Bennett Sara
Published: December 2012

Objectives

This paper analyzes Avahan, an HIV prevention program in India, that achieved very rapid scale‐up. The paper aims to (i) define the distinctive features of the management of Avahan, (ii) examine how the distinctive features relate to key constructs in management frameworks and (iii) investigate how the management approaches of Avahan contributed to the program's ability to scale‐up rapidly while maintaining service quality.

Design, setting and participants

The Delphi method was used to identify the distinctive features of Avahan. Through three rounds of questions, 38 participants closely associated with Avahan were asked to identify and develop consensus on its distinctive features. These features were then mapped against the Baldrige Health Care Criteria for Performance Excellence to investigate how they related to important dimensions of management.

Results

A total of 17 distinctive features of Avahan were identified. These distinctive features emphasized the importance of data use and performance monitoring at all levels, especially combined with a flexible management style that facilitated local responsiveness to community, innovation and learning. The distinctive features comprehensively addressed the criteria for management excellence in the Baldridge framework.

Conclusions

In the case of Avahan, the rigorous application of known management techniques to public health programs appears to have been an important factor in the successful scale‐up of the program. Also, the Baldrige criteria seem applicable to health programs in low‐income and middle‐income countries; further applications would help test their robustness and utility in such contexts. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Local effect of IL‐4 delivery on polyethylene particle induced osteolysis in the murine calvarium
Authors: Rao Allison J. , Nich Christophe , Dhulipala Lakshmi S. , Gibon Emmanuel , Valladares Roberto , Zwingenberger Stefan , Smith R. Lane , Goodman Stuart B.
Published: December 2012

Wear particles generated with use of total joint replacements incite a chronic macrophage‐mediated inflammatory reaction, which leads to implant failure. Macrophage activation may be polarized into two states, with an M1 proinflammatory state dominating an alternatively activated M2 anti‐inflammatory state. We hypothesized that IL‐4, an activator of M2 macrophages, could modulate polyethylene (PE) particle‐induced osteolysis in an experimental murine model. Four animal groups included (a) calvarial saline injection with harvest at 14 days (b) single calvarial injection of PE particles subcutaneously (SC) without IL‐4 (c) PE particles placed as in (b), then IL‐4 given SC for 14 consecutive days and (d) PE particles as in (b) then IL‐4 beginning 7 days after particle injection for 7 days. The calvarial bone volume to total tissue volume was measured using microCT and histomorphometry. Calvaria were cultured for 24 h to assess release of RANKL, OPG, TNF‐α, and IL‐1ra and isolation and identification of M1 and M2 specific proteins. MicroCT and histomorphometric analysis showed that bone loss was significantly decreased following IL‐4 administration to PE treated calvaria for both 7 and 14 days. Western blot analysis showed an increased M1/M2 ratio in the PE treated calvaria, which decreased with addition of IL‐4. Cytokine analysis showed that the RANKL/OPG ratio and TNF‐α/IL‐1ra ratio decreased in PE‐treated calvaria following IL‐4 addition for 14 days. IL‐4 delivery mitigated PE particle‐induced osteolysis through macrophage polarization. Modulation of macrophage polarization is a potential treatment strategy for wear particle induced periprosthetic osteolysis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Retracted: αTCP ceramic doped with dicalcium silicate for bone regeneration applications prepared by powder metallurgy method: In vitro and in vivo studies
Authors: Velasquez Pablo , Luklinska Zofia B. , Meseguer‐Olmo Luis , Mate‐Sanchez de Val Jose E. , Delgado‐Ruiz Rafael A. , Calvo‐Guirado Jose L. , Ramirez‐Fernandez Ma. P. , de Aza Piedad N.
Published: December 2012

This study reports on the in vitro and in vivo behavior of α‐tricalcium phosphate (αTCP) and also αTCP doped with either 1.5 or 3.0 wt % of dicalcium silicate (C2S). The ceramics were successfully prepared by powder metallurgy method combined with homogenization and heat treatment procedures. All materials were composed of a single‐phase, αTCP in the case of a pure material, or solid solution of C2S in αTCP for the doped αTCP, which were stable at room temperature. The ceramics were tested for bioactivity in simulated body fluid, cell culture medium containing adult mesenchymal stem cells of human origin, and in animals. Analytical scanning electron microscopy combined with chemical elemental analysis was used and Fourier transform infrared and conventional histology methods. The in vivo behavior of the ceramics matched the in vitro results, independently of the C2S content in αTCP. Carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) layer was formed on the surface and within the inner parts of the specimens in all cases. A fully mineralized new bone growing in direct contact with the implants was found under the in vivo conditions. The bioactivity and biocompatibility of the implants increased with the C2S content in αTCP. The C2S doped ceramics also favoured a phase transformation of αTCP into CHA, important for full implant integration during the natural bone healing processes. αTCP ceramic doped with 3.0 wt % C2S showed the best bioactive in vitro and in vivo properties of all the compositions and hence could be of interest in specific applications for bone restorative purposes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Probing the Interaction of Mutiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Catalase: Mutispectroscopic Approach
Authors: Xu Meihong , Sheng Zhonghua , Lu Wenyu , Dai Tianchun , Hou Cailing
Published: December 2012

In this study, the mechanism of the interaction between multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and catalase was investigated by fluorescence, UV–vis, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy under physiological conditions. The fluorescence quenching mechanism of catalase by MWCNTs was shown to be a static quenching procedure and was a result of the formation of a catalase–MWCNT complex. The secondary structure and conformation of the catalase adsorbed on MWCNTs was determined by CD and UV‐vis spectroscopy, and the results indicate that the catalase in this complex is partially unfolded with its lost in α‐helical content and obtainment in β‐sheet content. Moreover, binding of MWCNTs to catalase inhibited the enzymatic activity, which may trigger some toxic effects and undesirable physiological consequences. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 26:493‐498, 2012;Viewthis article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.21454
Preventive Effects of (–) Epicatechin on Altered Adenosine Triphosphatases and Minerals in Isoproterenol‐Induced Myocardial Infarcted Rats
Authors: Stanely Mainzen Prince P.
Published: December 2012

The present study was aimed to evaluate the preventive effects of (–) epicatechin on alterations in the activities/levels of adenosine triphosphatases and minerals in isoproterenol‐induced myocardial infarcted rats. Male albino Wistar rats were pretreated with (–) epicatechin (20 mg/kg body weight) daily for a period of 21 days. After the pretreatment period, rats were induced myocardial infarction by isoproterenol (100 mg/kg body weight) on 22nd and 23rd day. The activity of sodium/potassium‐dependent adenosine triphosphatase was decreased, and the activities of calcium‐ and magnesium‐dependent adenosine triphosphatases were increased in the heart of isoproterenol‐induced myocardial infarcted rats. In addition, the concentrations of potassium were decreased and the concentrations of sodium and calcium were increased in the heart of isoproterenol‐induced rats. Elevated plasma lipid peroxidation was noted in isoproterenol‐induced rats. Prior treatment with (–) epicatechin significantly prevented the alterations in the activities and concentrations of adenosine triphosphatases, minerals, and plasma lipid peroxidation. The in vitro study confirmed the reducing property of (–) epicatechin. The observed effects in this study are attributed to the membrane‐stabilizing and antioxidant properties of (–) epicatechin. The findings of this study will be beneficial to prevent the occurrence of myocardial infarction. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 26:516‐521, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.21461
Neural stem cells—trends and advances
Authors: English Denis , Sharma Neel K. , Sharma Kaushal , Anand Akshay
Published: December 2012

For many years, accepted dogma held that brain is a static organ with no possibility of regeneration of cells in injured or diseased human brain. However, recent preclinical reports have shown regenerative potential of neural stem cells using various injury models. This has resulted in renewed hope for those suffering from spinal cord injury and neural damage. As the potential of stem cell therapy gained impact, these claims, in particular, led to widespread enthusiasm that acute and chronic injury of the nervous system would soon be a problem of the past. The devastation caused by injury or diseases of the brain and spinal cord led to wide premature acceptance that “neural stem cells (NSCs)” derived from embryonic, fetal or adult sources would soon be effective in reversing neural and spinal trauma. However, neural therapy with stem cells has not been realized to its fullest extent. Although, discrete population of regenerative stem cells seems to be present in specific areas of human brain, the function of these cells is unclear. However, similar cells in animals seem to play important role in postnatal growth as well as recovery of neural tissue from injury, anoxia, or disease. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 764–772, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Long-term clinical outcomes of biliary cast syndrome in liver transplant recipients
Authors: Paik Woo Hyun , Lee Sang Hyub , Ryu Ji Kon , Song Byeong Jun , Kim Jaihwan , Kim Yong-Tae , Yoon Yong Bum
Published: December 2012

Biliary cast syndrome (BCS) is an uncommon complication of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), so the long-term treatment outcomes of BCS are not well characterized. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term treatment outcomes and prognosis of BCS after OLT. The medical records of 1097 patients who underwent OLT from January 2000 to September 2009 were reviewed. Those patients who had BCS were evaluated with respect to the treatment method, overall survival and relapse rates, and relapse-free time. Twenty-three patients (2.1%) were diagnosed with BCS with a mean overall follow-up of 59.9 months. All the patients had benign biliary strictures and repeatedly underwent balloon dilatation by an endoscopic or percutaneous approach. Primary biliary cast removal was tried with the endoscopic method from 11 patients and with the percutaneous methods from 12 patients. Casts were completely removed by repetitive procedures in 22 patients, but BCS relapsed in 12 patients (55%). Persistent biliary strictures were significantly associated with the BCS relapse frequency (0.37 versus 0.05 times per year, P = 0.006). The 5-year overall survival rate for BCS patients after OLT was 87%. The risk factors associated with early relapse were female sex, hepatic artery stenosis, and acute cellular rejection. In a multivariate analysis, acute cellular rejection was the only significant risk factor for early relapse (hazard ratio = 11.1, 95% confidence interval = 1.9-63.2, P = 0.007). In conclusion, patients with BCS frequently relapse, and multiple interventions and the treatment of biliary strictures are needed. Acute cellular rejection after OLT is a significant risk factor for early relapse.
Microstructure Control: An Underestimated Parameter in Recent Polymer Design
Authors: Badi Nezha , Chan‐Seng Delphine , Lutz Jean‐François
Published: December 2012

The present trend article analyzes recent progress in synthetic polymer chemistry. In particular, it emphasizes the importance of microstructural parameters such as stereoregularity and monomer sequences in polymer design allowing the preparation of highly complex ordered structures. This message is illustrated herein by examples from our laboratory and recent literature. Microstructures with different levels of complexity are presented and discussed. For instance, simple strategies such as random copolymerization of functional monomers are still relevant in current polymer chemistry. More complex microstructures such as gradient, periodic, or regulated sequence patterns are also examined.
The inhibition of early stages of HER‐2/neu‐mediated mammary carcinogenesis by dietary n‐3 PUFAs
Authors: Yee Lisa D. , Agarwal Deepak , Rosol Thomas J. , Lehman Amy , Tian Min , Hatton Jennifer , Heestand Jessica , Belury Martha A. , Clinton Steven K.
Published: December 2012

Scope

We previously demonstrated that lifelong feeding of diets enriched in n‐3 fatty acids such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) significantly inhibits HER‐2/neu‐mediated mammary tumorigenesis in mice. Of interest is whether dietary n‐3 fatty acids exert effects at early stages of mammary carcinogenesis.

Methods and results

Seven‐week‐old female MMTV‐HER‐2/neu transgenic mice were randomized to AIN‐based semipurified diets containing either fish or corn oil at 25% energy. Mice were evaluated at 25, 30, and 35 weeks with analysis of mammary glands for atypical ductal hyperplasia (hematoxylin and eosin), cell proliferation (Ki67 immunostaining), and fatty acid synthase and cyclooxygenase‐2 gene expression (qRT‐PCR). Tissue fatty acid profiles were quantitated by GC. Atypia grade decreased significantly in mice fed fish oil (p = 0.002). Mammary epithelial cells in mammary glands from mice fed fish oil also had an eightfold lower percentage of Ki67 expression. COX‐2 expression in mammary fat‐pads significantly decreased in mice fed fish versus corn oil enriched diets.

Conclusion

Dietary fish oil inhibits atypical ductal hyperplasia at early stages of HER‐2/neu‐mediated mammary carcinogenesis relative to corn oil diets. This histologic change is associated with suppression of mammary epithelial cell proliferation and decreased COX‐2 expression in mammary tissue.
Synthesis and photoresponsive behavior of azobenzene‐containing side‐chain liquid crystalline diblock polymers with polypeptide block
Authors: He Xiaohua , Gao Chunyan , Sun Wuqiong , Huang Wei , Lin Shaoliang , Yan Deyue
Published: December 2012

Well‐defined azobenzene‐containing side‐chain liquid crystalline diblock copolymers composed of poly[6‐(4‐methoxy‐azobenzene‐4′‐oxy) hexyl methacrylate] (PMMAZO) and poly(γ‐benzyl‐L‐glutamate) (PBLG) were synthesized by click reaction from alkyne‐ and azide‐functionalized homopolymers. The alkyne‐terminated PMMAZO homopolymers were synthesized by copper‐mediated atom transfer radical polymerization with a bromine‐containing alkyne bifunctional initiator, and the azido‐terminated PBLG homopolymers were synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization of γ‐benzyl‐L‐glutamate‐N‐carboxyanhydride in DMF at room temperature using an amine‐containing azide initiator. The thermotropic phase behavior of PMMAZO‐b‐PBLG diblock copolymers in bulk were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and polarized light microscopy. The PMMAZO‐b‐PBLG diblock copolymers exhibited a smectic phase and a nematic phase when the weight fraction of PMMAZO block was more than 50%. Photoisomerization behavior of PMMAZO‐b‐PBLG diblock copolymers and the corresponding PMMAZO homopolymers in solid film and in solution were investigated using UV–vis. In solution, trans–cis isomerization of diblock copolymers was slower than that of the corresponding PMMAZO homopolymers. These results may provide guidelines for the design of effective photoresponsive anisotropic materials. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
Mechanical stress control in GaN films on sapphire substrate via patterned nanocolumn interlayer formation
Authors: Artemiev Dmitry , Bougrov Vladislav , Odnoblyudov Maxim , Romanov Alexey
Published: December 2012

Reduction of mechanical stress generated in GaN films is an important issue for production high quality templates for manufacturing more efficient light emitting diodes. One of the techniques to reduce such stress is a patterned nanocolumn interlayer formation at the vicinity of GaN/sapphire interface with the following GaN overgrowth. The aim of the present research is to prove the effectiveness of the described method in stress reduction and to find out the optimal configuration for patterned nanocolumn interlayer. Another aspect of the study is to investigate a possibility of self‐separation of the overgrown GaN layer by nanocolumns cracking while cooling. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
ZnO nanoparticle formation in Zn+ ion implanted SiO2/Si structure
Authors: Privezentsev Vladimir , Kulikauskas Vaclav , Bazhenov Anatoly , Steinman Eduard
Published: December 2012

The investigation of ZnO NPs formation in SiO2/Si structure by Zn+ ion implantation with furnace annealing is presented. After implantation the samples were subsequently isochronally subjected to annealing during 1 h in nitrogen at 400 °C, and then in oxygen at 600 and 800 °C. The radiation defects and Zn implant profiles were investigated by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy. Optical absorption spectra from reflection experiment data of the test samples were studied at room temperature in a spectral range 250‐600 nm. Photoluminescence was spent using He‐Cd laser with wavelength 325 nm in a spectral range of 240‐800 nm. After implantation in SiO2 film were created metal Zn NPs. After annealing at 400 °C Zn there occurred increasing of Zn NP size. During annealing in temperature range of 600‐800 °C there occurred transformation from Zn metal NPs to its oxide form ZnO. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A quantum dot nucleated on the edge of a threading dislocation: elastic and electric field effects
Authors: Jurczak Grzegorz , Young Toby D. , Dłużewski Paweł
Published: December 2012

In this work the affect of a threading dislocation localised on the edge of GaN/AlN quantum dot is analysed. A standard piezoelectric continuum model is extended to allow the embodiment of threading dislocations that are modelled as a continuous electro‐elastic line defect originating in the matrix material. Two common types of dislocation are considered: an edge‐type and a screw‐type.

It is demonstrated that the presence of a TD provides local region of tensile strain as a preferential condition for GaN QD growth by reduction of the GaN / AlN lattice mismatch. It is found that dislocation induced potential causes a measurable in‐plane shift of the electron/hole localisation and an asymmetric decrease in the band‐to‐band transition energy. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Capability Development and Decision Incongruence in Strategic Opportunity Pursuit
Authors: Robert Mitchell J. , Shepherd Dean A.
Published: December 2012

In strategic opportunity pursuit, decision incongruence (the gap between the decision‐making rationale that an individual conveys to others and the rationale that informs his/her actual decisions) can lead to difficulties achieving the commitment necessary to grow a venture. To understand why some individuals have greater decision incongruence in strategic opportunity pursuit than others, we conducted a field experiment to test how a configuration of theoretically‐based capability‐building mechanisms—codification, general human capital, and specific human capital—affected 127 CEOs' decision incongruence. The results indicate that codification decreases decision incongruence the most for CEOs with low general but high specific human capital. Copyright © 2012 Strategic Management Society.
Neoadjuvant Radiotherapy for Rectal Cancer: Adherence to Evidence‐Based Guidelines in Clinical Practice
Authors: Fitzgerald Timothy L. , Biswas Tithe , O’Brien Kevin , Zervos Emmanuel E. , Wong Jan H.
Published: December 2012

Background

Implementation of evidence‐based standards is problematic. Level 1 evidence, largely predicated on the German Rectal Cancer Study, supports neoadjuvant treatment for patients with stage II/III rectal cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent this evidence has affected clinical practice.

Methods

Stage II/III rectal cancer patients undergoing surgery from 1998 to 2007 were identified in the SEER tumor registry. Variables were analyzed with SPSS software. Trends were evaluated with regression models. Survivals were compared with the log‐rank test.

Results

A total of 22,136 patients were identified and 15,021 (67.8 %) were treated with adjuvant radiotherapy. A large percentage were >60 years old (64.4 %), white (83.0 %), male (58.8 %), at stage III (55.1 %), and treated with neoadjuvant radiotherapy (35.5 %). A significant increase in the use of neoadjuvant radiotherapy occurred: from 17 % in 1998 to 51 % in 2007 (p < 0.001). Scatter‐plot best‐fit lines for neoadjuvant and adjuvant radiotherapy intersected at approximately year 2002. Significant increases in preoperative radiotherapy were observed for all races and cancer stages (p < 0.001). On unadjusted analysis, race (p = 0.018), sex (p < 0.001), year of diagnosis (p < 0.001), age (p < 0.001), and stage (p < 0.001) were associated with increased likelihood of neoadjuvant radiotherapy. On logistic regression analysis, male sex [odds ratio (OR) 1.14, p < 0.001), year (OR 1.223, p < 0.001), and stage II (OR 1.39, p < 0.001) were predictors of neoadjuvant therapy.

Conclusions

When adjuvant radiotherapy was utilized, there was rapid adoption of a neoadjuvant approach. This trend predated publication of prospective randomized data.