bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tissue specific oxidative stress profile in relation to glycaemic regulation in mice
Authors: Modak Manisha A. , Parab P. B. , Ghaskadbi Saroj S.
Published: August 2013

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia resulting from uncontrolled glucose regulation. Reactive oxygen species are recognized as one link between hyperglycaemia and diabetic complications. Studies have shown that diabetes mellitus is associated with decreases in antioxidant potential and increased formation of free radicals leading to oxidative stress. The present study was undertaken because an unequivocal demonstration that control of hyperglycaemia can reduce oxidative stress is still lacking.

Methods

In the present study, we investigated oxidative stress profile of normal, streptozotocin‐induced diabetic, insulin‐treated and untreated diabetic animals. On the one hand, oxidative damage caused to lipids, proteins and DNA was measured. On other hand, antioxidant defense was measured in terms of specific activities of antioxidant enzymes (AOEs) and antioxidant molecules.

Results

It was observed that the damage to lipids, proteins and DNA caused by free radicals increased in diabetic animals compared with that in controls. In diabetic animals not treated with insulin, damage to all biological molecules increased further significantly (p ≤ 0.005). Changes in AOEs from different tissues were complex depicting a varied AOE level in different tissues. Insulin treatment significantly improved the oxidative stress profile in all tissues studies.

Conclusions

The control of hyperglycaemia improves oxidative stress profile, that is, the ability of cells to cope up with oxidative stress. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Installation of a Chiral Side Chain to a 2‐Alkylidene‐1‐cycloalkan‐1‐ol Unit by Using Allylic Substitution
Authors: Feng Chao , Kobayashi Yuichi
Published: August 2013

The allylic substitution of optically active exocyclic allylic esters of cyclopentane and cyclohexane with ArMgBr‐based copper reagents (Ar = aryl) was examined. ArMgBr/Cu(acac)2 in a 2:1 ratio was an adequate reagent to produce the anti‐SN2′ products efficiently in terms of regioselectivity (95–99 %), chirality transfer (91–99 %), and yield (71–91 %). The Ar groups that were successfully installed include Ph and p‐tolyl, those with electron‐donating (i.e., p‐MeOC6H4) and electron‐withdrawing groups (i.e., p‐FC6H4), and those with sterically demanding groups (i.e., o‐tolyl, o‐MeOC6H4). In an examination of an alkyl reagent, BuMgBr/CuBr·Me2S in a 2:1 ratio in the presence of ZnI2 afforded the product with high regioselectivity (99 %) and in good yield (91 %).
Detection ofListeria Monocytogenesby Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Radhakrishnan Rajeswaran , Jahne Michael , Rogers Shane , Suni Ian I.
Published: August 2013

Listeria monocytogenesis detected by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy using a mouse monoclonal antibody immobilized onto an Au electrode. This yields sensitivities of 0.825 kΩ cm2/(CFU/mL) and 1.129 kΩ cm2/(CFU/mL) and detection limits of 5 CFU/mL and 4 CFU/mL for ideal solutions and filtered tomato extract, respectively. Control experiments with an Au electrode onto which a mouse monoclonal antibody to GAPDH is immobilized demonstrate that non‐specific adsorption is insignificant for the system and methodology studied here. Control experiments withSalmonella entericademonstrate no cross‐reactivity to this food pathogen. Potential technological hurdles to development of a multiplexed impedance biosensor for food pathogens are also discussed.
Sensitive Voltammetric Determination of Baicalein at Thermally Reduced Graphene Oxide Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode
Authors: Zhang Dongdong , Zhang Yanmin , He Langchong
Published: August 2013

This work presents a sensitive voltammetric method for determination of the flavonoid baicalein by using a thermally reduced graphene oxide (TRGO) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in 100 mM KCl‐10 mM sodium phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.40). The surface morphology and structure of TRGO investigated by atomic force microscopy, FT‐IR spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy reveal that the TRGO prepared maintained as single or bilayer sheets and with significant edge‐plane‐like defect sites. The TRGO/GCE modified electrode shows more favorable electron transfer kinetics for potassium ferricyanide and potassium ferrocyanide probe molecules, which are important electroactive compounds, compared with bare GCE and GO/GCE electrodes. The electrochemical behaviors of baicalein at the TRGO/GCE were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, suggesting that the TRGO/GCE exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity to baicalein. Under physiological conditions, the modified electrode showed linear voltammetric response from 10 nM to 10 µM for baicalein, with a detection limit of 6.0 nM. This work demonstrates that the graphene‐modified electrode is a promising tool for electrochemical determination of flavonoid drugs.
A Novel Approach to Monitoring of the Diffusion Junction Potential in Speciation Studies by Polarography Under very Acidic Conditions. Part I: The Reversible Cd(II)‐Picolinic Acid System
Authors: Billing Caren , Cukrowski Ignacy , Jordan Blake
Published: August 2013

A new polarographic procedure has been developed for the study of metal‐ligand equilibria at pH<2 by applying an in situ monitoring of the diffusion junction potential by introducing a noncomplexing witness metal ion, Tl(I). As a case study, this procedure was applied to the Cd(II)‐picolinic acid (pyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid) system; DCTAST polarography was employed at 25 °C and ionic strength of 0.25–0.5 M (H,Na)NO3. Log β values of 4.26±0.03, 7.86±0.11 and 10.47±0.12 were obtained for the ML, ML2 and ML3 complexes, respectively, and compare well to literature values. The first log β (6.27±0.07) value for the MLH species was successfully determined, for which a crystal structure has been reported recently.
A Novel Electrochemical Method for the Analysis of Hydrogen Peroxide with the Use of a Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified by a Prussian Blue/Copper‐Gold Bimetallic Nanoparticles Hybrid Film
Authors: Ni Yongnian , Song Haiyan , Kokot Serge
Published: August 2013

A novel Prussian blue/copper‐gold bimetallic nanoparticles hybrid film modified electrode was prepared by electrochemical deposition on a glassy carbon electrode (PB/Cu‐AuNPs/GCE). Morphology and electrochemistry of this electrode were studied by UV‐vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The sensor showed significantly better electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of hydrogen peroxide in comparison with the single PB/GCE and PB/AuNPs/GCE. This was attributed to the synergistic effect of PB and Cu‐Au bimetallic nanoparticles. Also, the sensor demonstrated an overall high level of performance for the analysis of H2O2 in the concentration range from 0.002 to 0.84 mM.
Determination of Methane‐Hydrate Phase Equilibrium in the Presence of Electrolytes or Organic Inhibitors by using a Semi‐Theoretical Framework
Authors: Ghiasi Mohammad M. , Mohammadi Amir H.
Published: August 2013

A thermodynamic‐based procedure was developed that is capable of predicting the incipient hydrate dissociation temperature in the presence of a single electrolyte or organic inhibitor aqueous solution. In the proposed framework, the two‐suffix Margules activity model is used to take into account the concentration of inhibitor and the Clausius–Clapeyron approach is employed to calculate the hydrate dissociation enthalpy. The presented model uses the Peng–Robinson (PR) equation of state (EoS) to compute the compressibility factor of the gas phase. The introduced model is then specified for predicting the methane‐hydrate dissociation temperature (MHDT) in the presence aqueous solutions of NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, MgCl2, methanol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1‐propanol, and 2‐propanol. Finally, the optimal values of the Margules coefficient are obtained due to the type of additive. The proposed model for MHDT estimation provides consistently satisfactory results. Absolute deviations between the model predictions and corresponding experimental data for all studied systems are less than 1 K across the investigated pressure and temperature ranges.
Mapping gamma radiation and its uncertainty from weathering products in a Tasmanian landscape with a proximal sensor and random forest kriging
Authors: Viscarra Rossel Raphael A. , Webster Richard , Kidd Darren
Published: August 2013

The radionuclides of potassium (40 K), uranium (238U) and thorium (232Th) emit from the land surface gamma radiation that is characteristic of the underlying rocks and the distribution of their weathering products in the landscape. We measured the radiation along widely separated transects using a mobile proximal sensor over a 10 000‐ha region of Tasmania. We supplemented the transect data with information from soil and geological maps and dense data from LandSat and SPOT imagery, a digital elevation model and terrain attributes on a grid at 30‐m intervals so as to map the radionuclides. We used a sequence of steps, starting with a spatial bootstrap and random forests to predict emissions across the study area and at sampling points excluded from the bootstrap samples. The predictions at the sampling points were compared with the observed values to obtain residuals, which were then used to krige them at all points on the 30 m grid. We combined the random forest and kriging predictions on the 30‐m grid to obtain our random forest kriging predictions. Repeating the procedure 100 times provided confidence limits on our results and predictions. The resulting maps of the radionuclides accord well with what we know of the soil, lithology and topography of the region from other sources. Alluvial deposits with large amounts of potassium extend from the foot slopes of the Great Western Tiers and along the flood plains of the Meander River, providing evidence of previous widespread weathering and deposition of the material. The fertile Red Ferrosols (roughly equivalent to Ferralic Nitisols in the World reference base (WRB) classification) on the extensive Tertiary basalt plateau emit little gamma radiation as a result of deep weathering and of potassium movement and accumulation down its talus slopes. The maps show the complexity of the region in terms of soil, lithology and terrain, and they show the merits of gamma radiometry for mapping and understanding the distribution of materials in such regions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Global change and mercury cycling: Challenges for implementing a global mercury treaty
Authors: Selin Noelle E.
Published: August 2013

The Minamata Convention aims to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury. In the present study, the provisions of the Minamata Convention are examined to assess their influence on global biogeochemical cycling of Hg. Although the convention's scope covers all major categories of atmospheric emissions, the degree to which it will affect future emissions trajectories remains unclear. A box model analysis shows that future global biogeochemical cycling under projected technological provisions would result mainly in avoided increases and that estimated differences in atmospheric concentrations resulting from policies would be on the order of 1% to 2% per year. Present experience suggests that scientific knowledge is not currently sufficient to attribute causes to changes of this magnitude. Enhancements to capacity to measure the effectiveness of the Minamata Convention are suggested, including both measurement and modeling. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1202–1210. © 2013 SETAC
Constraints on surface NOx emissions by assimilating satellite observations of multiple species
Authors: Miyazaki Kazuyuki , Eskes Henk
Published: August 2013

Surface NOx emissions are estimated by a combined assimilation of satellite observations of NO2, CO, O3, and HNO3 with a global chemical transport model. The assimilation of measurements for species other than NO2 provides additional constraints on the NOx emissions by adjusting the concentrations of the species affecting the NOx chemistry and leads to changes in the regional monthly‐mean emissions of −58 to +32% and the annual total emissions of −16 to +3%. These large changes highlight that uncertainties in the model chemistry impact the quality of the emission estimates. In the inversion from NO2 observations only, NOx analysis increments occur closer to the surface. Because of the shorter residence time, larger emissions increments are required compared to the multiple species assimilation. Validation against independent observations and comparisons with the recent Regional Emission inventory in Asia version 2.1 emissions shows that the multiple species assimilation improves the chemical consistency including the relation between concentrations and the estimated emissions.
Accelerated ice mass depletion revealed by low‐degree gravity field from satellite laser ranging: Greenland, 1991–2011
Authors: Matsuo Koji , Chao Benjamin F. , Otsubo Toshimichi , Heki Kosuke
Published: August 2013

We detect the acceleration of ice mass depletion in Greenland for the period 1991–2011 from the low‐degree gravity field up to degree and order 4 derived from the Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) data. Between 2003 and 2011, during the era when the GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) satellite data are available, our SLR results of gravity changes agree well with GRACE showing significant negative patterns in Greenland. Prior to that, the SLR linear trend maps show a near balance in Greenland ice mass during 1991–2002 (after the glacial isostatic adjustment is accounted for using model values). We further confirm the consistency of our SLR results with the vertical crustal uplift of the region observed by the Global Positining System (GPS) which manifests ice mass loading/unloading. Thus, the SLR data series constitute a continuous benchmark for the time history of the Greenland ice mass changes for over two decades.
Hepatic Histological Findings in Suspected Drug-Induced Liver Injury: Systematic Evaluation and Clinical Associations
Authors: Kleiner David E. , Chalasani Naga P. , Lee William M. , Fontana Robert J. , Bonkovsky Herbert L. , Watkins Paul B. , Hayashi Paul H. , Davern Timothy J. , Navarro Victor , Reddy Rajender , Talwalkar Jayant A. , Stolz Andrew , Gu Jiezhun , Barnhart Huiman , Hoofnagle Jay H.
Published: August 2013

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is considered to be a diagnosis of exclusion. Liver biopsy may contribute to diagnostic accuracy, but the histological features of DILI and their relationship to biochemical parameters and outcomes are not well defined. We have classified the pathological pattern of liver injury and systematically evaluated histological changes in liver biopsies obtained from 249 patients with suspected DILI enrolled in the prospective, observational study conducted by the Drug Induced Liver Injury Network. Histological features were analyzed for their frequency within different clinical phenotypes of liver injury and to identify associations between clinical and laboratory findings and histological features. The most common histological patterns were acute (21%) and chronic hepatitis (14%), acute (9%) and chronic cholestasis (10%), and cholestatic hepatitis (29%). Liver histology from 128 patients presenting with hepatocellular injury had more severe inflammation, necrosis, and apoptosis and more frequently demonstrated lobular disarray, rosette formation, and hemorrhage than those with cholestasis. Conversely, histology of the 73 patients with cholestatic injury more often demonstrated bile plugs and duct paucity. Severe or fatal hepatic injury in 46 patients was associated with higher degrees of necrosis, fibrosis stage, microvesicular steatosis, and ductular reaction among other findings, whereas eosinophils and granulomas were found more often in those with milder injury.

Conclusion

: We describe an approach for evaluating liver histology in DILI and demonstrate numerous associations between pathological findings and clinical presentations that may serve as a foundation for future studies correlating DILI pathology with its causality and outcome. (Hepatology 2014;59:661–670)
Sustainable conjunctive use of groundwater for additional irrigation
Authors: Alam N. , Olsthoorn Theo N.
Published: August 2013

The key to ‘sustainable conjunctive use of groundwater for additional irrigation’ is the salt balance of groundwater below an irrigated field. This paper aims to develop a mathematical tool to study the accumulation of salt in the groundwater below an irrigated field as caused by irrigation recirculation. This study derives a salt balance of groundwater to ensure that the additional irrigation from groundwater remains possible in the future. The water and salt budgets by themselves do neither provide information concerning farmers' options nor on the limits of the individual terms in the budget equations. It is presumed that farmers will intuitively aim for (1) an optimal value of the actual evapotranspiration, and (2) a return flow as a feasible low fraction of the available water. We, therefore, derive the irrigation from groundwater Q as a consequence of the predefined farmers' aims to achieve a high actual evapotranspiration in combination with a given optimally used irrigation system. Our model concludes that the required amount of drainage is only dependent on the ratio of the salinity in the surface irrigation water and the acceptable salinity of the groundwater. The final salinity in the saturated zone only depends on salt‐carrying inflows and outflows. From the aforesaid model, it is further concluded that sustainable conjunctive use of groundwater for additional irrigation requires long‐term salt management, which should be founded on the essential controlling factors as derived in this paper. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The anticancer effect of PQ1 in the MMTV‐PyVT mouse model
Authors: Shishido Stephanie N. , Delahaye Adélaïde , Beck Amanda , Nguyen Thu Annelise
Published: August 2013

Animal models are commonly used to analyze the mechanism of carcinogenesis as well as the development and screening of potent drugs. Here the transgenic strain FVB/N‐Tg(MMTV‐PyVT)634Mul/J (also known as PyVT) was used as a model system for measuring tumor burden, drug sensitivity, and metastasis of mammary carcinomas. Loss of gap junctional intercellular communication and the down regulation of connexin expression are characteristic of neoplastic cells. The substituted quinoline, 6‐methoxy‐8‐[(3‐aminopropyl)amino]‐4‐methyl‐5‐(3‐trifluoromethyl‐phenyloxy)quinolone (PQ1), has been shown to restore GJIC and increase connexin expression in breast cancer cell lines while not affecting normal mammary cells, suggesting that it may provide effective anticancer treatment with less detrimental effects. The PyVT spontaneous mammary tumor mouse model was used to determine the biological and histological effects of PQ1 on tumorigenesis and metastasis at three stages of development: Pretumor, early tumor and late tumor formation. Treatment with PQ1 at all three stages of development significantly reduced tumor growth. PQ1 treatment further increased Cx43 expression during pre‐ and early‐tumor formation, while it prevented an increase in Cx46 expression during late stage tumor formation. This study shows that Cx43 expression and neoplastic cellular growth are inversely related, but that PQ1 can alter tumor growth through targeting gap junction proteins to prove clinical efficacy in the treatment of spontaneous mammary tumors.
The role of the antileukoprotease SLPI in smoking‐induced human papillomavirus‐independent head and neck squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Quabius Elgar Susanne , Möller Paul , Haag Jochen , Pfannenschmidt Saskia , Hedderich Jürgen , Görögh Tibor , Röcken Christoph , Hoffmann Markus
Published: August 2013

Recently, we showed that increased SLPI levels prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and metastasis in smoking‐induced, non‐HPV‐driven head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Here, we focus on the role of SLPI in non‐HPV‐driven HNSCC, investigating tumor tissue and non‐neoplastic mucosa from the same patients and from non‐HNSCC patients. Gene and protein expression of SLPI and gene expression of annexin 2 (a SLPI receptor), nicotine receptor (α7AChR) and arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR) were analyzed in HNSCC patients (20 smokers; 16 nonsmokers). SLPI‐results were correlated with the patients' HPV status. Non‐neoplastic mucosa of HNSCC patients and normal mucosa from non‐HNSCC individuals (18 smokers; 20 nonsmokers) was analyzed for the same parameters. Tissue of the inferior turbinate (n = 10) was incubated with nicotine for analysis of the same genes. SLPI gene expression in tumor tissue was 109.26 ± 23.08 times higher in smokers versus nonsmokers. Non‐neoplastic mucosa of smokers showed also higher SLPI gene expression (10.49 ± 1.89‐fold non‐HNSCC; 18.02 ± 3.93‐fold HNSCC patients). Annexin 2 gene expression was also increased in smokers. SLPI data were corroborated by immunohistochemistry. A nicotine dependent correlation between SLPI and annexin 2 gene expression (r2 = 0.15, p < 0.001) was shown ex vivo. Nicotine and smoking increased α7AChR and AhR gene expression. Five patients, showing no/low SLPI expression, were HPV16‐positive. A significant correlation between smoking and SLPI expression in tumors and to our knowledge for the first time in mucosa of HNSCC and non‐HNSCC patients was established. Together with the finding that all patients with HPV infection showed no/low SLPI expression, these data support our intriguing hypothesis that smoking induced upregulated SLPI prevents HPV infections.
Sonography of trapezial ridge fractures
Authors: Botchu Rajesh , Bianchi Stefano
Published: August 2013

Trapezial ridge fractures are very rare. These can be a diagnostic challenge and one needs to have a high index of suspicion. We report two cases of trapezial ridge fractures that were diagnosed sonographically and confirmed by cross‐sectional imaging (CT or MRI). © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 42:241–244, 2014
Modeling of temporal patterns and sources of atmospherically transported and deposited pesticides in ecosystems of concern: A case study of toxaphene in the Great Lakes
Authors: Li Rong , Jin Jiming
Published: August 2013

Pesticides have adverse effects on human health and the environment and can be transported through the atmosphere from application sites and deposited to sensitive ecosystems. This study applies a comprehensive multimedia regional pesticide fate and chemical transport modeling system that we developed to investigate the atmospheric transport and deposition of toxaphene to the Great Lakes. Simulated results predict a significant amount of toxaphene (~350 kg) being transported through the atmosphere and deposited into the Great Lakes in the simulation year. Results also show that U.S. residues and global background are major sources to toxaphene deposition into the Great Lakes and atmospheric concentrations in the region. While the U.S. residues are the dominant source in warm months, the background dominates during winter months. In addition, different sources have different influences on the individual Great Lakes due to their proximity and relative geographical positions to the sources; U.S. residues are the dominant source to Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron, and Michigan, but they are a much less important source to Lake Superior. These results shed light on the mystery that observed toxaphene concentrations in Great Lakes' lake trout and smelt declined between 1982 and 1992 in four of the Great Lakes except Lake Superior. While monthly total depositions to Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron, and Michigan have clear seasonal variability with much greater values in April, May, and June, monthly total depositions to Lake Superior are more uniformly distributed over the year with comparatively greater levels in cold months.
Monochromatic Kr‐Decompositions of Graphs
Authors: Liu Henry , Sousa Teresa
Published: August 2013

Given graphs G and H, and a coloring of the edges of G with k colors, a monochromatic H‐decomposition of G is a partition of the edge set of G such that each part is either a single edge or forms a monochromatic graph isomorphic to H. Let be the smallest number ϕ such that any graph G of order n and any coloring of its edges with k colors, admits a monochromatic H‐decomposition with at most ϕ parts. Here, we study the function for and .
A One‐Pot Synthesis of 3‐Amino‐1H‐isoindol‐1‐one thiazol‐2‐ylhydrazones
Authors: Biitseva Angelina , Groth Ulrich , Hordiyenko Olga
Published: August 2013

A reaction of phthalonitrile with thiosemicarbazide and α‐haloketones proceeded in one‐pot, giving rise to 3‐amino‐1H‐isoindol‐1‐one thiazol‐2‐ylhydrazones in high yields.
Cascade Assembling of Isatins and Barbituric Acids: Facile and Efficient Way to 2′′H‐Dispiro[indole‐3,5′‐furo[2,3‐d]pyrimidine‐6′,5′′‐pyrimidine]‐2,2′,2′′,4′,4′′,6′′‐(1H,1′H,1′′H,3′H,3′′H)‐hexone Scaffold
Authors: Elinson Michail N. , Merkulova Valentina M. , Ilovaisky Alexey I. , Nikishin Gennady I.
Published: August 2013

“One‐pot” transformation of isatins and barbituric acids by the direct action of the only bromine in ethanol results in the formation of substituted 2′′H‐dispiro[indole‐3,5′‐furo[2,3‐d]pyrimidine‐6′,5′′‐pyrimidine]‐2,2′,2′′,4′,4′′,6′′‐(1H,1′H,1′′H,3′H,3′′H)‐hexones in 70–87% yields via complex cascade process. Dispirobarbiturates containing spiro indole and furo[2,3‐d]pyrimidine framework are a class of compounds with prominent pharmacological and physiological activity. Thus, seven previously inaccessible 2′′H‐dispiro[indole‐3,5′‐furo[2,3‐d]pyrimidine‐6′,5′′‐pyrimidine]‐2,2′,2′′,4′,4′′,6′′‐(1H,1′H,1′′H,3′H,3′′H)‐hexones have been synthesized that represent the new class of dispirobarbiturates.
Efficient New Synthesis of N‐Arylbenzo[b]furo[3,2‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐amines and Their Benzo[b]thieno[3,2‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐amine Analogues via a Microwave‐Assisted Dimroth Rearrangement
Authors: Loidreau Yvonnick , Dubouilh‐Benard Carole , Marchand Pascal , Nourrisson Marie‐Renée , Duflos Muriel , Buquet Catherine , Corbière Cécile , Besson Thierry
Published: August 2013

A useful and rapid access to libraries of N‐arylbenzo[b]furo[3,2‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐amines (1) and their novel benzo[b]thieno[3,2‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐amine analogues (2) was investigated for the first time. Title compounds were obtained via microwave‐accelerated condensation and Dimroth rearrangement of suitable anilines with N′‐(2‐cyanaryl)‐N,N‐dimethylformimidamides obtained by reaction of benzo[b]furane and benzo[b]thiophene precursors with N,N‐dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal. This work also demonstrates that well‐controlled parameters offer comfortable use of microwave technology and are both safe and beneficial to the environment. Some products obtained in this article exhibit interesting in vitro antiproliferative effects.
Medicare beneficiaries most likely to be readmitted
Authors: Berkowitz Scott A. , Anderson Gerard F.
Published: August 2013

Recent legislation requires reducing Medicare payments to hospitals with higher than expected 30‐day readmission rates, but there is no consensus strategy to identify patients who should optimally be targeted with care coordination services to mitigate this risk. To determine which hospital and patient factors predict variation in all discharge hospital readmission rates, a 5% sample of all Medicare fee‐for‐service beneficiaries with continuous Part A and B coverage was examined for the first 9 months of 2008 in combination with other administrative data available to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. We included age, sex, race, dual‐eligibility status, number of comorbid conditions, geographic region, hospital case mix, and reason for entitlement in the multiple regression model to assess how they influenced the 30‐day readmission rate. Beneficiaries with 10 or more chronic conditions were more than 6 times more likely to be readmitted than beneficiaries with 1 to 4 chronic conditions. These beneficiaries represent only 8.9% of all Medicare beneficiaries (31.0% of all hospitalizations), but they were responsible for 50.2% of all readmissions. The 31.8% of beneficiaries with 5 to 9 chronic conditions (55.5% of all hospitalizations) had the second highest odds ratio (2.5) and were responsible for 45% of all readmissions. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:639–641. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine
Measuring Expatriate Return on Investment With an Evaluation Framework
Authors: McNulty Yvonne , Cieri Helen De
Published: August 2013

Measuring the outcomes of any human resource management activity is critical in terms of the acquisition, allocation, development, and compensation of employees. Although international assignments and expatriation are important components of most large companies' activities, few of those firms have developed sound metrics to evaluate the success of these initiatives. In particular, there is a lack of established procedures for measuring expatriate return on investment (ROI). The experiences of a large international software development company in measuring expatriate ROI are used to illustrate the dangers of over‐reliance on common HR measurement techniques. Then, a two‐phase approach to constructing an evaluation framework for expatriate ROI is presented. Rather than focusing on that which is easily measurable, it is designed to direct attention toward the desired outcomes and make the mobility manager directly accountable for business results. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A new radiocarbon chronology of Baumkirchen, stratotype for the onset of the Upper Würmian in the Alps
Authors: SPÖTL CHRISTOPH , REIMER PAULA J. , STARNBERGER REINHARD , REIMER RON W.
Published: August 2013

The start of the Upper Würmian in the Alps was marked by massive fluvioglacial aggradation prior to the arrival of the Central Alpine glaciers. In 1984, the Subcommission on European Quaternary Stratigraphy defined the clay pit of Baumkirchen (in the foreland of the Inn Valley, Austria) as the stratotype for the Middle to Upper Würmian boundary in the Alps. Key for the selection of this site was its radiocarbon chronology, which still ranks among the most important datasets of this time interval in the Alps. In this study we re‐sampled all available original plant specimens and established an accelerator mass spectrometry chronology which supersedes the published 40‐year‐old chronology. The new data show a much smaller scatter and yielded slightly older conventional radiocarbon dates clustering at ca. 31 14C ka BP. When calibrated using INTCAL13 the new data suggest that the sampled interval of 653–681 m in the clay pit was deposited 34–36 cal ka BP. Using two new radiocarbon dates of bone fragments found in the fluvioglacial gravel above the banded clays allows us to constrain the timing of the marked change from lacustrine to fluvioglacial sedimentation to ca. 32–33 cal ka BP, which suggests a possible link to the Heinrich 3 event in the North Atlantic. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fermionization and fractional statistics in the strongly interacting one-dimensional Bose gas
Authors: Batchelor M T , Guan X-W
Published: August 2013

We discuss recent results on the relation between the strongly interacting one-dimensional Bose gas and a gas of ideal particles obeying nonmutual generalized exclusion statistics (GES). The thermodynamic properties considered include the statistical profiles, the specific heat and local pair correlations. In the strong coupling limit γ → ∞, the Tonks-Girardeau gas, the equivalence is with Fermi statistics. The deviation from Fermi statistics during boson fermionization for finite but large interaction strength γ is described by the relation α ≈ 1 - 2/γ, where α is a measure of the GES. This gives a quantitative description of the fermionization process. In this sense the recent experimental measurement of local pair correlations in a 1D Bose gas of87Rb atoms also provides a measure of the deviation of the GES parameter α away from the pure Fermi statistics value α=1. Other thermodynamic properties, such as the distribution profiles and the specific heat, are also sensitive to the statistics. They also thus provide a way of exploring fractional statistics in the strongly interacting 1D Bose gas.
Artificial neural network approach to predict the lubricated friction coefficient
Authors: Echávarri Otero J. , de la Guerra Ochoa E. , Chacón Tanarro E. , Lafont Morgado P. , Díaz Lantada A. , Munoz‐Guijosa J. M. , Muñoz Sanz J. L.
Published: August 2013

This paper analyses the applicability of artificial neural networks for predicting the lubricated friction coefficient. We will consider their use as faster and simpler alternatives to simulations based on theoretical behaviour equations. The development of several different artificial neural networks is presented. They have been trained through tribological tests on a mini‐traction‐machine, which furnishes the friction coefficient in point contacts. Once the training has been completed the networks are applied as tools for predicting the results in different operating conditions. Their advantages and disadvantages are analysed compared with conventional simulation tools. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gastric bypass after liver transplantation
Authors: Al-Nowaylati Abdl-Rawf , Al-Haddad Benjamin J. S. , Dorman Rob B. , Alsaied Osama A. , Lake John R. , Chinnakotla Srinath , Slusarek Bridget M. , Sampson Barbara K. , Ikramuddin Sayeed , Buchwald Henry , Leslie Daniel B.
Published: August 2013

Few data are available for assessing the outcomes of bariatric surgery for patients who have undergone orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The University of Minnesota bariatric surgery database and transplant registry were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients who had undergone OLT and then open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery between 2001 and 2009. Comorbidity-appropriate laboratory values, body mass indices (BMIs), histopathology reports, and immunosuppressive regimens were collected. Seven patients were identified with a mean age of 55.4 ± 8.64 years and a mean follow-up of 59.14 ± 41.49 months from the time of RYGB. The mean time between OLT and RYGB was 26.57 ± 8.12 months. The liver disease etiologies were hepatitis C (n = 4), jejunoileal bypass surgery (n = 1), hemangioendothelioma (n = 1), and alcoholic cirrhosis (n = 1). There were 2 deaths for patients with hepatitis C 6 and 9 months after bariatric surgery due to multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome and metastatic esophageal squamous carcinoma, respectively. One patient with hepatitis C required a reversal of the RYGB because of malnutrition and an inability to tolerate oral intake. Four of the 7 patients had type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), 4 had hypertension, and 6 patients had dyslipidemia. All patients were on immunosuppressive medications, but only 4 were on corticosteroids. Glycemic control was improved in all surviving patients with T2DM. The mean BMI was 34.27 ± 5.51 kg/m2 before OLT and 44.34 ± 6.08 kg/m2 before RYGB; it declined to 26.47 ± 5.53 kg/m2 after RYGB. In conclusion, in this case series of patients undergoing RYGB after OLT, we observed therapeutic weight loss, improved glycemic control, and improved high-density lipoprotein levels in the presence of continued dyslipidemia. RYGB may have contributed to the death of 1 patient due to multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome. Liver Transpl 19:1324–1329, 2013. © 2013 AASLD.
Vitamin D2 from UVB light exposed mushrooms modulates immune response to LPS in rats
Authors: Babu Uma S. , Balan Kannan V. , Garthoff Larry H. , Calvo Mona S.
Published: August 2013

Scope

Poor vitamin D (vitD) status is linked to increased risk of infectious diseases, thus there is need for vitD‐rich foods. UVB‐exposed mushrooms synthesize vitD2 but knowledge of bioavailability and function in immune response is lacking.

Methods and results

One hundred rats were fed one of five diets—control, 20 IU vitD3/day; no vitD3/day; 5% unexposed mushroom, 2.4 IU vitD2/day; 2.5% UVB mushroom, 300 IU vitD2/day; and 5% UVB mushroom, 600 IU vitD2/day—for 10 wk and challenged with either saline or the endotoxin LPS. Blood and tissues were collected at 3 h postchallenge. Plasma 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels from UVB‐exposed mushroom fed rats were significantly elevated and associated with higher natural killer cell activity and reduced plasma inflammatory response to LPS compared to control diet fed rats. Microarray evaluation of rat spleens for changes in inflammatory gene expression showed significant upregulation of proinflammatory genes after LPS compared to saline controls in all groups. However, compared to control rats, upregulation of the proinflammatory genes was markedly reduced in the groups fed vitD2‐enriched mushrooms.

Conclusion

Rats fed UVB‐exposed mushrooms had significantly higher plasma total 25OHD levels that were associated with increased innate immune response and anti‐inflammatory effects.
Ultrasound imaging of the median nerve as a prognostic factor for carpal tunnel decompression
Authors: Bland Jeremy D.P. , Rudolfer Stephan M.
Published: August 2013

Introduction: The diagnostic value of ultrasound imaging in carpal tunnel syndrome is established, but reports on its prognostic value have been contradictory. Methods: This investigation was an observational study of subjective surgical results, evaluated by symptom severity and functional status scales, and an ordinal scale for overall outcome, for 145 carpal tunnel decompressions in relation to preoperative measurement of median nerve cross‐sectional area. Results: The surgical success rate was 86%. In univariate analyses no significant correlation existed between outcome and preoperative cross‐sectional area, nor with preoperative nerve conduction studies or patient variables, except for body mass index and gender. A multivariate model including electrophysiological, imaging, and patient variables was moderately predictive of success with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.82. Conclusions: Cross‐sectional area alone is unlikely to be a sufficiently reliable predictor of outcome for use in counseling individual patients, but imaging results may be useful in multivariate prognostic models. Muscle Nerve 49: 741–744, 2014
Study on the properties of nano‐TiO2/polybutylene succinate composites prepared by vane extruder
Authors: Huang Jintao , Lu Xiang , Zhang Ning , Yang Li , Yan Ming , Liu Huanyu , Zhang Guizhen , Qu Jinping
Published: August 2013

Different proportions of nanoscale TiO2 (nano‐TiO2)‐filled polybutylene succinate (PBS) composites were prepared by vane extruder. The crystalline, thermal, dynamic viscoelastic, mechanical, and UV‐resistance properties of the composites were studied, and X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis were conducted. Results show that the crystalline structure of the PBS composites did not change with TiO2 addition. TiO2 almost has no effect on the crystallization and melting behavior of PBS. Nevertheless, the introduction of TiO2 has improved the thermal stability, tensile modulus, flexural modulus, and flexural strength of the PBS composites. The UV resistance of the composites has also been significantly enhanced with TiO2 addition. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:53–59, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
The Future of Amorphous Silicon Photovoltaic Technology
Authors: Crandall R. , Luft W.
Published: August 2013

Amorphous silicon modules are commercially available. They are the first truly commercial thin‐film photovoltaic (PV) devices. Well‐defined production processes over very large areas (> 1 m2) have been implemented. There are few environmental issues during manufacturing, deployment in the field or with the eventual disposal of the modules. Manufacturing safety issues are well characterized and controllable. The highest measured initial efficiency to date is 13.7% for a small triple‐stacked cell and the highest stabilized module efficiency is 10%, There is a consensus among researchers that in order to achieve a 15% stabilized efficiency, a triple‐junction amorphous silicon structure is required. Fundamental improvements in alloys are needed for higher efficiencies. This is being pursued through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory/US Department of Energy (NREL/DOE) Thin‐Film Partnership Program. Cost reductions through improved manufacturing processes are being pursued under the NREL/DOE‐sponsored research in manufacturing technology (PVMaT). Much of the work in designing a‐Si devices is a result of trying to compensate for the Staebler‐Wronski effect. Some new deposition techniques hold promise because they have produced materials with lower stabilized defect densities. However, none has yet produced a high‐efficiency device and shown it to be more stable than those from standard glow discharge‐deposited material.
Solar Cells Based on CuInSe2 and Related Compounds: Material and Device Properties and Processing
Authors: Nadenau V. , Braunger D. , Hariskos D. , Kaiser M. , Köble Ch. , Oberacker A. , Ruckh M. , Rühle U. , Schäffler R. , Schmid D. , Walter T. , Zweigart S. , Schock H. W.
Published: August 2013

This paper summarizes recent material and device results obtained at the Institute of Physical Electronics at Stuttgart University (IPE). Properties of the material system Cu(In, Ga)(S, Se)2 were analysed and wherever possible a correlation between the material properties and the device characteristics is made. Different high‐vacuum techniques of absorber preparation are presented and compared. The formation of different alloys of the family Cu(In, Ga)(S, Se)2 is possible for the co‐evaporation and at least one of the sequential evaporation techniques. The model for Cu‐rich growth of CuInSe2 known from the co‐evaporation process can also be used for the Cu‐rich growth in the sequential evaporation processes. The surface composition of slightly (In, Ga)‐rich bulk compositions is always determined to be the defect chalcopyrite Cu(In, Ga)3Se5. Solar cells prepared with different processes and therefore different morphologies yielded similar device performance. An exponential decay of the density of states from the valence and conduction bands was obtained. Improved cell performance is achieved using absorber layers with higher carrier concentrations. The carrier concentration can be increased by using Na‐containing substrates or by utilizing a new Cd‐free buffer layer. Device efficiencies in the range of 15% were achieved using the Cd‐free buffer layer.
The Future of CdTe Photovoltaics
Authors: Meyers Peter V. , Birkmire Rober T. W.
Published: August 2013

The prospects for widespread commercial success of CdTe‐based photovoltaics are discussed and the key technical issues to be resolved are identified. Device efficiencies achieved using thin CdS on small‐area cells must he adapted to manufacturing, potential consumers must he convinced of module stability and environmental concerns must he dealt with effectively. All these issues are being actively addressed and there do not appear to be any insurmountable obstacles to the commercialization of CdTe photovoltaic technology.
Kinetics of the reaction of phenyl picrates with phenoxide ions in water. Concerted or stepwise?
Authors: Crampton Michael R. , Robotham Ian A.
Published: August 2013

A kinetic study is reported of the exchange reactions of substituted phenoxide ions with some ring‐substituted 2,4,6‐trinitrophenyl ethers in water. The βrønsted diagrams formed by plotting log k, where k is the second‐order rate constant for reaction, versus pKa show a distinct change in slope when ΔpKa = 0 (ΔpKa being the difference in pKa values of the leaving group and nucleophile). This is consistent with a two‐step process involving a discrete σ‐adduct intermediate rather than a concerted process. From the measured β values for forward and reverse processes, the overall effective charge map has been constructed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theoretical studies on the reductive elimination reaction mechanism from neutral palladium(IV) sulfinate complexes
Authors: Xie Hujun , Lin Furong , Lei Qunfang , Fang Wenjun
Published: August 2013

Detailed reaction mechanisms of reductive elimination from neutral palladium(IV) sulfinate complex have been investigated with the aid of density functional theory calculations. The calculation results reveal that the neutral palladium(IV) sulfinate complexes have four possible reductive elimination pathways via the C–S, C–C, C–Cl, and desulfitative C–C bond formation to give different products, and the formation of the C–S bond‐containing product is kinetically more favorable over the formation of other products. Present calculations provide new insights into the organopalladium(IV) chemistry and C–S bond activation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theoretical research on chromatic aberration of gradient refractive index polymeric rod lenses
Authors: Lv Hao , Ding Yaoming , Liu Aimei , Tong Jufang , Yi Xunong , Li Qianguang , Wang Xinming
Published: August 2013

We present an approach to an analysis of the chromatic aberrations of gradient refractive index polymeric rod lens. Two kinds of materials system are used in this study: diallyl phthalate‐methyl methacrylate and diethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate)‐poly (1,1,5‐trihydroperfluoropentyl methacrylate). The results of a numerical simulation reveal that the chromatic aberration of the focal length, the longitudinal, and lateral chromatic aberrations depend on the ratios between the change in periodic length caused by wavelength and the periodic length. By reducing the ratios, the chromatic aberration of focal length, the longitudinal and lateral chromatic aberrations at any lens length are decreased effectively. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013, 51, 1529–1532
Shock Sensitivity of Pressed RDX‐Based Plastic Bonded Explosives under Short‐Duration and High‐Pressure Impact Tests
Authors: Li Tao , Hua Cheng , Li Qiang
Published: August 2013

The shock sensitivities of plastic bonded explosives were studied with a thin flyer impact test by using two types of pressed RDX. The thin flyer, driven by an electrically exploding plasma, exerts a short‐duration, high‐pressure pulse to the samples to trigger a shock‐to‐detonation process. It was found that the duration and magnitude of the incident shock strongly influence the dominant mode of hot‐spot formation, promoting a fast pore collapsing mechanism while suppressing other slower shear or friction mechanisms, as proposed by Chakravarty et al. [1]. The pressed PBX based on reduced sensitivity RDX had higher shock threshold pressure, compared to the pressed PBX based on commercial RDX. The difference was observed even with a certain portion of external extragranular defects. It is postulated that the internal crystal defects are more efficient than the external porosity in terms of the rapid reaction of hot spots.
Experimental Diagnosis on Frictional Initiation of a Match Head Composition at Different Contact Materials
Authors: Sivapirakasam Suthandathan Paramashivan , Nalla Mohamed Mohamed Ismail Nalla , Surianarayanan Mahadevan
Published: August 2013

The mechanism of initiation is essential to enumerate the sensitivity and evaluate the risks associated with energetic mixtures. To understand the mechanism of initiation under frictional loading, the initiation events such as initiating time and critical load have to be evaluated. This study aims to assess experimentally the initiation mechanism under frictional load by measuring the event of initiation and the critical load using a modified version of the BAM friction tester augmented with a press force sensor, an accelerometer and a photodiode arrangement. Differences in the range of diagnostics were identified for various material interactions. The data generated have the implications for assessing the safety of energetic mixtures.