bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Un centre domanial dans la vallée de la Tave : la villa de Mayran (Saint-Victor-la-Coste, Gard)
Authors: Buffat Loïc , Petitot Hervé , Vidal Laurent , Guerre Josselyne , Masbernat-Buffet Aurélie , Pélaquier Élie
Published: July 2011

Since the last decade, archaeology of the villa has a renewal of interest in the French department of Gard. The publication of the excavations and prospections realized on the site of Mayran (St Victor La Coste) reflects the dynamism of this research. One of the most interesting results is the historical reconstruction of the site on a long period of time, i.e. from the Ist century BC up to present time. During the Roman period, the villa was a large complex including, in the Late Empire, a wine-making equipment and an acqueduct with an uncommon morphology. The period of occupation extends from Early Middle Age (VIth-Xth century) up to the High Middle Age (XIth-XIIIth century). The Mayran villa gives us an example of an important characteristic of the villae in the Gard region : their lasting role in the organization of the countryside.
L'horizon transnational d'une famille tunisienne élargie
Authors: Boubakri Hassan , Mazzella Sylvie
Published: July 2011

La question du regroupement familial dépasse de beaucoup la seule problématique de l’intégration dans le débat politico-juridique français, autour du droit ou non au regroupement partiel des familles et de la capacité de la France à enraciner les populations étrangères qui travaillent depuis longtemps sur son sol. Quand elle n’est pas considérée du simple point de vue juridique français, cette question peut être un critère pertinent d’analyse de la famille transnationale élargie. À partir d’une enquête monographique auprès d’une famille tunisienne originaire de la zone rurale de Ghoumrassen (région de Tataouine dans le Sud-est tunisien), et constituée de sept familles nucléaires dont les membres sont répartis entre Marseille, Tunis et Ghoumrassen, les auteurs cherchent à souligner diverses configurations de mobilité. L’analyse veut démontrer que ces configurations plurielles au sein d’un même clan familial sont liées aux différentes recompositions du projet migratoire « des pères de familles pionniers ». S’ils ont vécu cinquante ans plus tôt une même destinée migratoire, l’expérience transnationale de ces pères révèle en fin de compte des bifurcations professionnelles et familiales divergentes, et n’est pas sans effets sur la seconde génération.
Bilan de compétences, construction personnelle pour une dynamique professionnelle
Authors: Ruffin-Beck Catherine , Lemoine Claude
Published: July 2011

La recherche vise à identifier les effets du bilan de compétences en termes de connaissance de soi et de proactivité pour des publics de faibles niveaux de qualification et en demande d’emploi. Elle s’inscrit dans le courant des apprentissages transformateurs à partir des concepts d’auto-attention focalisée (Lemoine, 1994), de la pratique réflexive Schön (1993) et de l’analyse des compétences aidée par un conseiller (Aubret, 1990). Elle est menée en partenariat avec 8 centres de bilans de compétences (CIBC). Les données sont recueillies par questionnaires avant et après la démarche. Les résultats confirment les effets sur la connaissance de soi mais non sur la proactivité, cette dernière se composant de deux dimensions aux effets différenciés. Quelques conséquences structurelles sont discutées.
Religion and modernity in a secular city: A public theology of différance
Authors: Meylahn Johann-Albrecht
Published: July 2011

Seeking the good often authorises and legitimises certain forms of violence: violence that defines the state (Benjamin’s law-founding violence) by the exclusion of others and the violence that coerces or binds (religare) the public into a common understanding of the good at the exclusion of other interpretations of that good (Benjamin’s law-maintaining violence). The secular modern state has never been without religion functioning as religare. The modern state, often seen as a peacemaker, is founded on these two forms of ‘legitimate’ violence against what is other or different, just as the peace, prosperity and good of the state is sought through the elimination of the different and a unification of the state under the banner of a ‘common’ good. This ‘legitimate’ violence will always produce the counter-violence of difference (i.e. excluded others) seeking a legitimate place within the common space of the republic (Benjamin’s divine violence). With the rise of religious fundamentalism, institutionalised religion has been allowed to return to the public debate. Is the call for this return one that further sanctions legitimate violence by eating and sharing the fruit of knowledge of good and evil? Is the call the church is hearing one that seeks to clarify and clearly define the good that will bind us (religare) into a stronger and more prosperous and peaceful city – onward Christian soldiers marching as to war? Or is there another calling, one that requires us to be Disciples of Christ – with the Cross of Jesus going on before – entering the space of violence beyond the knowledge of good and evil as peacemakers? In this article, I sought to understand this ‘peacemaking’ space by bringing into dialogue Žižek’s interpretation of Christianity with Derrida’s interpretation of hospitality.
Arthroscopic Grafting of Chondral Defects and Subchondral Cysts of the Acetabulum
Authors: Field Richard E. , Rajakulendran Karthig , Strambi Francesco
Published: July 2011

We present a novel arthroscopic-assisted technique to graft chondral defects and subchondral cysts of the acetabular socket using a synthetic osteochondral plug. Four patients with groin pain, solitary cysts in the roof of the acetabulum and radiographic evidence of early osteoarthritis were treated. A bone tunnel was prepared from the region of the iliac crest to the acetabular articular surface. A synthetic osteochondral plug was inserted in an ante-grade fashion and positioned flush with the lunate articular cartilage. The minimum follow-up from surgery was 8 months (mean 10 months, range 8 to 11 months). There were no peri-operative complications related to the procedure. All patients reported an improvement in symptoms and function at the latest follow-up. One of the patients underwent a re-look arthroscopy at 5 months for persistent dull groin and buttock pain. Capsular adhesions of the labrum were identified and released. The mean non-arthritic hip score improved from 53.8 (range 43.8 to 70) pre-operatively to 84.6 (range 78.8 to 87.5) at 6 months. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging at 6 months confirmed the stability of the osteochondral plugs and on-going healing. This procedure offers an arthroscopic means to treat patients with solitary acetabular cysts and may prove effective for chondral grafting of denuded acetabular areas in early to moderate degenerative hip disease.
From lab to Clinical Activity: Adrenergic Receptors and Human Uro-Genital Tissues
Authors: Grasso Angelica , Rocco Francesco
Published: July 2011

Background

Nowadays translational medicine is acquiring a more and more important role in connecting laboratory experimental results on human tissues to clinical findings and drug employment. We want to underline the importance of in vitro studies, which have been extensively performed on animal organs, but few studies have been performed on human tissues. Nevertheless, a more accurate result when compared to the in vivo use of drugs can be given only by testing the very same human tissues in a lab. We related clinical treatments of different pathologies with the results obtained in laboratory studying in vitro fragments of human organs extracted during surgery exposed to different mediators and drugs.

Methods

Fragments of urethers, bladder (detrusorial muscle and bladder neck muscle fibers), corpora cavernosa, and vas deferens were extracted during demolitive surgery trying not to traumatize the tissue, in order to keep it alive and not to ruin its contractile fibers. The fragments were then put into polisaline solution and, once in the laboratory, fixed on suitable isolated organ support, fixed at one side of the thermostatic pool and on the other side connected to a digital monitoring system. The contractility was then studied after adding different mediators.

Results

The urethers have shown a stronger response to NE and PGF2a, with a different contractility in their distal part due to a major concentration of alpha-receptors; the bladder neck has also shown a strong contractile response to NE and PGF2a, and is inhibited by alpha-blockers; the bladder detrusor, instead, responds to ACH (acetylcholine) and PGF2a; the vas deferens shows a different type of contractility in the prostatic part compared to the epididimary part when stimulated with noradrenaline and PGF2a; the corpora cavernosa respond to NE and PGF2a.

Conclusions

The results obtained after stimulating the fragments can explain and prove the receptorial activity of inner mediators and of commonly used drugs which have, for years, been used empirically; the simplicity and repetitivity of the method can be considered and used not only to research the physiological functioning of different organs, but also the functioning of new drugs before testing them on patients, being more reliable and accurate than tests on animal tissues. This experimental work has shown that using human tissues in testing specific mediators is the most reliable laboratory method.
Insignificant Prostate Cancer: Charateristics and Predictive Factors
Authors: Fugini Andrea Vismara , Antonelli Alessandro , Giovanessi Luca , Gardini Valentina Casadei , Abuhilal Mohannad , Zambolin Tiziano , Tardanico Regina , Simeone Claudio , Cunico Sergio Cosciani
Published: July 2011

Introduction

The widespread screening for PSA has contributed to the increased incidence of prostate cancer (PCa), mostly identifying disease at earlier stages. Many of these patients will probably not require treatment because of the indolent course of the disease. The European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) has showed that 1410 men needed to be screened and 48 prostatectomies performed to prevent death. The aim of this study was to evaluate predictive factors of insignificant PCa in our experience.

Materials and Methods

We analyzed various preoperative clinical and biopsy findings of 225 consecutive patients who underwent prostatectomy from October 2007 to June 2010. The indication for biopsy was placed in presence of an abnormal rectal examination and/or suspected transrectal ultrasound and/or PSA >4 ng/ml. We consider insignificant a tumor with a volume ≤5% of the entire gland with a Gleason score ≤ 6, with no grades 4 or 5 and organ confined.

Results

The prevalence of potentially insignificant PCa in our experience was 12%. The preoperative findings of patients with insignificant PCa were significantly more favorable than the remaining cases with PCa not insignificant. Multivariate analysis did not reveal any independent predictors.

Conclusions

In our experience, in a population not screened for PCa, we have not identified any factors that can predict with certainty the insignificant nature of a tumor and, therefore, useful to start a patient on an active surveillance program.
Gradient-Type Methods: A Unified Perspective in Computer Science and Numerical Analysis
Authors: Fanelli Stefano
Published: July 2011

This paper presents a general and comprehensive description of Optimization Methods, and Algorithms from a novel viewpoint. It is shown, in particular,
that Direct Methods, Iterative Methods, and Computer Science Algorithms belong to a well-defined general class of both Finite and Infinite Procedures, characterized by suitable descent directions.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas
Authors: Thompson Stephen M. , Robertson Gary , Johnson Eric
Published: July 2011

The article contains sections titled:

1.

Introduction

2.

Properties

3.

Production and Processing

3.1.

Recovery Sources

3.2.

Recontacting ‐ Compression

3.3.

Refrigeration

3.3.1.

Low‐Temperature Separation (LTS)

3.3.2.

Expander Plants

3.3.3.

Combined Processes

3.4.

Lean Oil Absorption

3.5.

Adsorption

3.6.

Production of Biopropane

4.

Purification

5.

Storage and Transportation

6.

Uses

7.

Safety Aspects

8.

Economic Aspects
Combustion
Authors: Lackner Maximilian
Published: July 2011

The article contains sections titled:1.Introduction2.History of combustion3.Combustion fundamentals3.1.Combustion chemistry of gases3.2.Combustion chemistry of liquids3.3.Combustion chemistry of solids3.4.Other fundamental terms in combustion4.Combustion products and pollutants5.Fuels5.1.Characterization of fuels5.1.1.Solid fuel characterization5.1.2.Liquid fuel characterization5.1.3.Gaseous fuel characterization5.2.Solid fuels5.2.1.Wood5.2.2.Coal5.2.3.Peat5.2.4.Coke5.2.5.Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)5.3.Liquid fuels5.3.1.Gasoline (petrol)5.3.2.Diesel5.3.3.Kerosene5.3.4.Fuel oil5.3.5.Synthetic fuels5.3.6.Methanol5.3.7.Ethanol5.3.8.Butanol5.4.Gaseous fuels5.4.1.Natural gas5.4.2.Hydrogen5.4.3.Propane5.4.4.Butane5.4.5.Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)5.4.6.Acetylene5.4.7.Gasification products5.5.Biofuels5.5.1.Biodiesel5.5.2.Biogas5.5.3.Biomass5.6.Transportation fuels6.Energy conversion by combustion7.Combustion processes and combustors7.1.Types of combustors7.2.Components7.2.1.Burners7.2.2.Ignition system7.2.3.Furnace7.2.4.Insulation7.2.5.Ash handling system7.2.6.Flue gas stack7.3.Solid fuel combustion systems7.3.1.Pulverized coal (PC) combustion systems7.3.2.Fluidized bed combustion (FBC)7.3.3.Gasification7.3.4.Waste‐to‐Energy (WtE)7.4.Liquid fuel combustion systems7.5.Gaseous fuel combustion systems7.5.1.Gas engine7.5.2.Gas turbine8.Power generation ‐ Thermal power plants8.1.Pulverized coal (PC) power plant8.2.Cofiring8.3.Cogeneration (Combined heat and power, CHP)8.4.Trigeneration8.5.Combined cycle8.6.Centralized vs. distributed power generation8.7.Boilers (Heaters)9.Corrosion and fouling10.Energy storage11.Energy transportation and distribution12.Special industries using combustion13.Combustion diagnostics and control13.1.Combustion diagnostics13.2.Advanced combustion control14.Safety14.1.Safe combustion14.2.Fire prevention14.3.Explosion and dust explosion prevention15.Sustainable combustion – climate change mitigation16.Combustion synthesis17.Key challenges and new developments in combustion
Thermo‐Mechanical Properties of an Fe–Mn–Si–Cr–Ni–VC Shape Memory Alloy with Low Transformation Temperature
Authors: Leinenbach Christian , Kramer Hendrik , Bernhard Christian , Eifler Dietmar
Published: July 2011

Fe‐based shape memory alloys are supposed to be an interesting and cost‐effective alternative to NiTi‐based alloys. In this work, the thermo‐mechanical behavior of a novel Fe–Mn–Si–Cr–Ni–VC shape memory alloy produced using standard air‐casting facilities is characterized as well as in the hot forged and cold rolled state. Besides a certain pseudoelasticity, the alloy shows good shape recovery properties and remarkably high shape memory stresses after heating to temperatures of only 160 °C, making the alloy interesting for commercial applications that make use of the shape memory effect.
The proximal chromosome 14q microdeletion syndrome: Delineation of the phenotype using high resolution SNP oligonucleotide microarray analysis (SOMA) and review of the literature
Authors: Torgyekes Edina , Shanske Alan L. , Anyane‐Yeboa Kwame , Nahum Odelia , Pirzadeh Sara , Blumfield Einat , Jobanputra Vaidehi , Warburton Dorothy , Levy Brynn
Published: July 2011

We report on two patients with overlapping small interstitial deletions involving regions 14q12 to 14q13.1. Both children had severe developmental delay, failure to thrive, microcephaly, and distinctive facial features, including abnormal spacing of the eyes, epicanthal folds, sloping forehead, low‐set ears, rounded eyebrows with triangular media aspect and outer tapering, depressed and broad nasal bridge, small mouth, a long philtrum, and a prominent Cupid's bow. Brain MRI of both children showed partial agenesis of the corpus callosum. Our first patient had bilateral hypoplastic optic nerves causing blindness, mild hearing impairment, sinus arrhythmia, abnormal temperature regulation, frequent apneic episodes, myoclonic jerks, and opisthotonus. Our second patient had a seizure disorder confirmed by EEG, sleep apnea, chronic interstitial lung disease, and several episodes of pneumonia and gastroenteritis. Cytogenetic analysis showed a normal karyotype in Patient 1 and a unique apparently balanced three‐way translocation in Patient 2 involving chromosomes 4, 14, and 11. High resolution SNP Oligonucleotide Microarray Analysis (SOMA) revealed a deletion in the proximal region of chromosome 14q overlapping with the deletion of our first patient, and no copy number changes in chromosomes 4 and 11. Here, we review and compare published cases with a deletion involving the 14q12‐22.1 chromosomal region in an effort to correlate phenotype and genotype. We also examine the underlying genomic architecture to identify the possible mechanism of the chromosomal abnormality. Our review found a patient with a mirror duplication of our first patient's deletion, confirming the existence of an underlying genomic structural instability in the region. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Masticatory muscle defects in hemifacial microsomia: A new embryological concept
Authors: Heude Églantine , Rivals Isabelle , Couly Gérard , Levi Giovanni
Published: July 2011

First arch syndromes correspond to a wide spectrum of human latero‐facial congenital anomalies affecting cranial neural crest cells (CNCCs) derivatives of the first pharyngeal arch (PA1). The abnormal traits display variable quantitative expression and are often unilateral. Mandibular skeletal defects are invariably accompanied by hypoplasia or agenesis of masticatory muscles, but no explanation has been proposed for this association. Indeed, during embryonic development, CNCCs give only rise to skeletal components of the head while muscles derive from cephalic myogenic mesodermal cells (CMMCs). Recent studies on animal models have shown that communication between CNCCs and CMMCs is essential for the development of masticatory muscles: genetic lesions affecting only CNCCs can prevent muscularization of the jaws. To evaluate the involvement of CNCC/CMMC interactions in human craniofacial development, we performed a quantitative analysis of masticatory muscle and mandibular bone volumes on craniofacial CT‐scans from 8 children, ages 3 months to 16 years, affected by hemifacial microsomia. We found that: (1) in seven patients the masseter muscle is absent in the affected side; (2) the absence of masseter is correlated neither with the age of the patients nor with the volume and shape of the affected ramus; and (3) in all cases the pterygoid and the temporal muscles are either reduced or absent. Our findings suggest that an early developmental event is the origin of the muscular defects in these patients. We propose that the hypoplasia or agenesis of masticatory muscles derives from a defect in the CNCCs/CMMCs communication during early embryonic development. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Deletions and duplications of developmental pathway genes in 5q31 contribute to abnormal phenotypes
Authors: Rosenfeld Jill A. , Drautz Joanne Milisa , Clericuzio Carol L. , Cushing Tom , Raskin Salmo , Martin Judith , Tervo Raymond C. , Pitarque Jose A. , Nowak Dorota M. , Karolak Justyna A. , Lamb Allen N. , Schultz Roger A. , Ballif Blake C. , Bejjani Bassem A. , Gajecka Marzena , Shaffer Lisa G.
Published: July 2011

Although copy number changes of 5q31 have been rarely reported, deletions have been associated with some common characteristics, such as short stature, failure to thrive, developmental delay (DD)/intellectual disability (ID), club feet, dislocated hips, and dysmorphic features. We report on three individuals with deletions and two individuals with duplications at 5q31, ranging from 3.6 Mb to 8.1 Mb and 830 kb to 3.4 Mb in size, respectively. All five copy number changes are apparently de novo and involve several genes that are important in developmental pathways, including PITX1, SMAD5, and WNT8A. The individuals with deletions have characteristic features including DD, short stature, club feet, cleft or high palate, dysmorphic features, and skeletal anomalies. Haploinsufficiency of PITX1, a transcription factor important for limb development, is likely the cause for the club feet, skeletal anomalies, and cleft/high palate, while additional genes, including SMAD5 and WNT8A, may also contribute to additional phenotypic features. Two patients with deletions also presented with corneal anomalies. To identify a causative gene for the corneal anomalies, we sequenced candidate genes in a family with apparent autosomal dominant keratoconus with suggestive linkage to 5q31, but no mutations in candidate genes were found. The duplications are smaller than the deletions, and the patients with duplications have nonspecific features. Although development is likely affected by increased dosage of the genes in the region, the developmental disruption appears less severe than that seen with deletion. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chitosan as an ocular drug delivery vehicle for vancomycin
Authors: Khangtragool Anutra , Ausayakhun Somsanguan , Leesawat Phuriwat , Laokul Chutiporn , Molloy Robert
Published: July 2011

The main objective of this research has been to study the efficiency of chitosan as an ocular drug delivery vehicle for topically applied vancomycin in rabbit eyes. Vancomycin 50 mg/mL was reconstituted in four preparations, namely: in Tears Naturale II™, in 0.9% w/v aqueous sodium chloride, and in 0.1% and 0.3% w/v chitosan solutions in 1% aqueous L(+)‐lactic acid. Twenty‐five microliters of vancomycin (50 mg/mL) were applied into the lower conjunctival eye sac in rabbit eyes. Tear samples were then collected after 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of the topically applied vancomycin. Comparison of the results obtained showed that vancomycin 50 mg/mL eye drops in the 0.3% chitosan solution were similar to Tears Naturale II™ in terms of bioavailability. The main conclusion to be drawn from this study is that the 0.3% w/v chitosan solution appears to be a highly promising, cost effective candidate for biomedical use as a vehicle for vancomycin ocular drug delivery. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Influence of carbon black on decompression failure and hydrogen permeation properties of filled ethylene‐propylene–diene–methylene rubbers exposed to high‐pressure hydrogen gas
Authors: Yamabe Junichiro , Nishimura Shin
Published: July 2011

Eight carbon black (CB)‐filled ethylene–propylene–diene–methylene linkage (EPDM) rubbers were manufactured by varying the content and type of CB. Then, the relationship among crack damage caused by high‐pressure hydrogen decompression, the hydrogen permeation properties, and the mechanical properties of the rubbers was investigated. The hydrogen gas permeability of the rubbers decreased with an increase in the CB content and depended little on primary particle size. In contrast, the hydrogen gas diffusivity and solubility depended on both the CB content and primary particle size, that is, the hydrogen gas diffusivity decreased with an increase in the CB content and a decrease in the primary particle size, and the hydrogen gas solubility increased with an increase in the CB content and a decrease in the primary particle size. As for the mechanical properties, the CB‐filled rubbers were more strongly reinforced by an increase in the CB content and a decrease in the primary particle size. The crack damage by high‐pressure hydrogen decompression became larger as the ratio of the hydrogen gas solubility to estimated internal pressure at crack initiation relating to the mechanical properties became larger. As a smaller CB particle increases the hydrogen gas solubility of EPDM rubbers, while at the same time it reinforces the rubbers, the crack damage in the CB‐filled rubbers was not influenced by the primary particle size. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Characterization of ethylene‐propylene copolymers with high‐temperature gradient adsorption liquid chromatography and CRYSTAF
Authors: Macko Tibor , Brüll Robert , Wang Yongmei , Coto Baudilio , Suarez Inmaculada
Published: July 2011

Blends of linear polyethylene (PE) and isotactic polypropylene (iPP) with different average molar masses and a series of ethylene‐propylene (EP) copolymers with different chemical composition as well as blends of PE, Ipp, and EP copolymers were separated using a carbon‐column packing (Hypercarb®) and gradients of 1‐decanol or 2‐ethyl‐1‐hexanol → 1,2,4‐trichlorobenzene (TCB). The separation is based on full adsorption of linear PE on the carbon sorbent at temperature 160°C. However, iPP is not adsorbed and elutes in size exclusion mode. The random EP copolymers have been adsorbed in the column packing and separated according to their average chemical composition after application of the gradient starting with alcohol and ending with pure TCB. The elution volumes of the copolymers depended linearly on the average concentration of ethylene in the copolymers. The HPLC elution profiles were correlated with the CRYSTAF elution profiles. In contrast to CRYSTAF, fully amorphous polyolefin samples were separated with the high‐temperature adsorption liquid chromatography. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Application of the distribution of citations among publications in scientometric evaluations
Authors: Vinkler Péter
Published: July 2011

The π‐indicator (or πv‐indicator) of a set of journal papers is equal to a hundredth of the total number of citations obtained by the elite set of publications. The number of publications in the elite set P(π) is calculated as the square root of total papers. For greater sets the following equation is used: P(πv) = (10 log P) − 10, where P is the total number of publications. For sets comprising a single or several extreme frequently cited paper, the π‐index may be distorted. Therefore, a new indicator based on the distribution of citations is suggested. Accordingly, the publications are classified into citation categories, of which lower limits are given as 0, and (2n + 1), whereas the upper limits as 2n (n = 0, 2, 3, etc.). The citations distribution score (CDS) index is defined as the sum of weighted numbers of publications in the individual categories. The CDS‐index increases logarithmically with the increasing number of citations. The citation distribution rate indicator is introduced by relating the actual CDS‐index to the possible maximum. Several size‐dependent and size‐independent indicators were calculated. It has been concluded that relevant, already accepted scientometric indicators may validate novel indices through resulting in similar conclusions (“converging validation of indicators”).
Small Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as Carriers for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Zhu Jie , Wang Huixiang , Liao Lei , Zhao Lingzhi , Zhou Liang , Yu Meihua , Wang Yunhua , Liu Baohong , Yu Chengzhong
Published: July 2011

Small mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs; ca. 37 nm in diameter) have a high loading capacity for a hydrophobic photosensitizer, SiPcCl2 (82.6 % in weight), and excellent endocytosis properties. As a result, the amount of SiPcCl2 being delivered to cancer cells is increased by approximately two orders of magnitude compared to pure SiPcCl2 at the same dosage, and the photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficiency is enhanced by over fourfold. Our method can be widely used to increase the dosage of hydrophobic anti‐cancer drugs in cancer cells and therefore increase the cytotoxicity of the drugs.
The secreted kinase ROP18 defends Toxoplasma's border
Authors: Fentress Sarah J. , Sibley L. David
Published: July 2011

Toxoplasma gondii is a highly successful parasite capable of infecting virtually all warm‐blooded animals by actively invading nucleated host cells and forming a modified compartment where it replicates within the cytosol. The parasite‐containing vacuole provides a safe haven, even in professional phagocytes such as macrophages, which normally destroy foreign microbes. In an effort to eliminate the parasite, the host up‐regulates a family of immunity‐related p47 GTPases (IRGs), which are recruited to the parasite‐containing vacuole, resulting in membrane rupture and digestion of the parasite. To avoid this fate, highly virulent strains of Toxoplasma coat the external surface of their vacuole with a secretory serine/threonine kinase, known as ROP18. At this host‐pathogen interface, ROP18 phosphorylates and inactivates IRGs, thereby protecting the parasite from killing. These findings reveal a novel molecular mechanism by which the parasite disarms host innate immunity
Photoluminescence in rare earth‐doped complex hexafluoride phosphors
Authors: Puppalwar S. P. , Dhoble S. J. , Kumar Animesh
Published: July 2011

In this study, using a simple combustion process and a wet chemical process, fluorides showing intense photoluminescence were prepared and developed as low‐cost phosphors. The prepared phosphors were characterized by photoluminescence (PL) techniques. PL emission spectra of the phosphor suggest the presence of Eu3+ as well as Eu2+ ions in LiMgBF6:Eu and Li2NaBF6:Eu lattice sites. This article summarizes the fundamentals and possible applications of optically useful inorganic fluoride with visible photoluminescence of doped Eu3+ and Eu2+ ions. Our results on LiMgBF6:Ce and Li2NaBF6:Ce are also reported. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous determination of metacavir and its metabolites in rat plasma using high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC‐MS/MS)
Authors: Zhang Yue , Huang Xin , Jiang Zhenzhou , Huang Xiao , Hu Yue , Zhu Dan , Zhang Shuang , Wang Jiaying , Zhang Luyong
Published: July 2011

A sensitive and selective liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method for the simultaneous determination of metacavir and its two metabolites in rat plasma was developed and validated. Tinidazole was used as an internal standard and plasma samples were pretreated with one‐step liquid–liquid extraction. In addition, these analytes were separated using an isocratic mobile phase on a reverse‐phase C18 column and analyzed by MS in the selected reaction monitoring mode. The monitored precursor to product‐ion transitions for metacavir, 2′,3′‐dideoxyguanosine, O‐methylguanine and the internal standard were m/z 266.0 → 166.0, m/z 252.0 → 152.0, m/z 166.0 → 149.0 and m/z 248.0 → 202.0, respectively. The standard curves were found to be linear in the range of 1–1000 ng/mL for metacavir, 5–5000 ng/mL for 2′,3′‐dideoxyguanosine and 1–1000 ng/mL for O‐methylguanine in rat plasma. The precision and accuracy for both within‐ and between‐batch determination of all analytes ranged from 2.83 to 9.19% and from 95.86 to 111.27%, respectively. No significant matrix effect was observed. This developed method was successfully applied to an in vivo pharmacokinetic study after a single intravenous dose of 20 mg/kg metacavir in rats. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Arterial anatomy of the gracilis muscle as determined by latex injection and glycerin transparency
Authors: An Xiaochun , Yue Bin , Lee Je‐Hun , Lin Chenghe , Han Seung‐Ho
Published: July 2011

The gracilis muscle is widely used in reconstructive surgery, either as a pedicled flap or as a free microsurgical flap. The aim of this study was to demonstrate in detail the arterial anatomy of the gracilis muscle, particularly its intramuscular artery distribution, by using a method involving red latex injection and glycerin transparency, which makes muscle tissues quite transparent and allows direct visualization of the arterial anatomy. Twenty‐four specimens of gracilis muscle were harvested after injecting 12 cadavers with red latex. The different patterns of blood supply of the gracilis muscle were counted. A complete arterial system formed by anastomoses of intramuscular arterial branches was observed in each specimen. The existence of several arterial branches at the proximal origin of each muscle was observed. The results of this study provide reconstructive surgeons with useful information regarding gracilis muscle flap design. Clin. Anat. 25:231–234, 2012. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structural Basis of Bcl‐xL Recognition by a BH3‐Mimetic α/β‐Peptide Generated by Sequence‐Based Design
Authors: Lee Erinna F. , Smith Brian J. , Horne W. Seth , Mayer Kelsey N. , Evangelista Marco , Colman Peter M. , Gellman Samuel H. , Fairlie W. Douglas
Published: July 2011

The crystal structure of a complex between the prosurvival protein Bcl‐xL and an α/β‐peptide 21‐mer is described. The α/β‐peptide contains six β‐amino acid residues distributed periodically throughout the sequence and adopts an α‐helix‐like conformation that mimics the bioactive shape of the Puma BH3 domain. The α/β‐peptide forms all of the noncovalent contacts that have previously been identified as necessary for recognition of the prosurvival protein by an authentic BH3 domain. Comparison of our α/β‐peptide:Bcl‐xL structure with structures of complexes between native BH3 domains and Bcl‐2 family proteins reveals how subtle adjustments, including variations in helix radius and helix bowing, allow the α/β‐peptide to engage Bcl‐xL with high affinity. Geometric comparisons of the BH3‐mimetic α/β‐peptide with α/β‐peptides in helix‐bundle assemblies provide insight on the conformational plasticity of backbones that contain combinations of α‐ and β‐amino acid residues. The BH3‐mimetic α/β‐peptide displays prosurvival protein‐binding preferences distinct from those of Puma BH3 itself, even though these two oligomers have identical side‐chain sequences. Our results suggest origins for this backbone‐dependent change in selectivity.
Numerical Simulation of Dispersed Gas/Liquid Flows in Bubble Columns at High Phase Fractions using OpenFOAM®. Part II – Numerical Simulations and Results
Authors: Marschall H. , Mornhinweg R. , Kossmann A. , Oberhauser S. , Langbein K. , Hinrichsen O.
Published: July 2011

The design of industrial gas/liquid reactors such as bubble columns requires detailed information with respect to the flow structure and characteristics of two‐ or multiphase systems in the reactor. The contribution is focused on the evaluation of the simulation results obtained by model selection. The results are further compared with those reported in literature. The simulation has been performed with the CFD software OpenFOAM®. The main focus of the numerical simulation was set on capturing the characteristic process and design parameters of bubble columns.
Design of Cross‐Linked Semicrystalline Poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐Based Networks with One‐Way and Two‐Way Shape‐Memory Properties through Diels–Alder Reactions
Authors: Raquez Jean‐Marie , Vanderstappen Sophie , Meyer Franck , Verge Pierre , Alexandre Michael , Thomassin Jean‐Michel , Jérôme Christine , Dubois Philippe
Published: July 2011

Cross‐linked poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL)‐based polyesterurethane (PUR) systems have been synthesized through Diels–Alder reactions by reactive extrusion. The Diels–Alder and retro‐Diels–Alder reactions proved to be useful for enhancing the molecular motion of PCL‐based systems, and therefore their crystallization ability, in the design of cross‐linked semicrystalline polymers with one‐way and two‐way shape‐memory properties. Successive reactions between α,ω‐diol PCL (PCL2), furfuryl alcohol, and methylene diphenyl 4,4′‐diisocyanate straightforwardly afforded the α,ω‐furfuryl PCL‐based PUR systems, and subsequent Diels–Alder reactions withN,N‐phenylenedimaleimide afforded the thermoreversible cycloadducts. The cross‐linking density could be modulated by partially replacing PCL‐diol with PCL‐tetraol. Interestingly, the resulting PUR systems proved to be semicrystalline cross‐linked polymers, the melting temperature of which (close to 45 °C) represented the switching temperature for their shape‐memory properties. Qualitative and quantitative measurements demonstrated that these PUR systems exhibited one‐way and two‐way shape‐memory properties depending on their cross‐linking density.
Patients, family caregivers, and patient navigators
Authors: Palos Guadalupe R. , Hare Martha
Published: July 2011

BACKGROUND:

Navigation services may be strengthened by establishing a partnership between the patient, family/caregiver, and the navigator. Involvement of a patient's familial or social network in the navigation process would allow patient navigators to spend more time and resources with the subset of patients who do not have support from family and friends. The Partnership Approach evolves from combining the strength of a patient's existing social support and network with the delivery of navigation services.

METHODS:

To develop this novel approach, the Family and Caregiver Workgroup was convened at the American Cancer Society's National Leadership Summit. Individuals were asked to serve in this group due to their interest, research, or experience in family and caregiver issues.

RESULTS:

By the end of the Summit, the workgroup had achieved 3 major outcomes: 1) enhancement of current patient navigation services by building a partnership between the patient, family or primary caregivers, and navigators; 2) identification of a set of core functions that a family/caregiver could perform in a partnership; and 3) consensus on a set of metrics to use with caregivers and patients. Five major domains were selected to measure patient and/or caregiver outcomes: quality of life, satisfaction with care, social support, distress, and caregiver burden. Metrics appropriate for each domain were recommended.

CONCLUSIONS:

Integration of these domains and scales in current navigation services is needed to develop future research. Evidence from such research would help determine whether the Partnership Approach contributes to improved patient and caregiver outcomes. Cancer 2011;117(15 suppl):3590–3600. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Concerns related to eating, weight, and shape: Typologies and transitions in men during the college years
Authors: Cain Angela S. , Epler Amee J. , Steinley Douglas , Sher Kenneth J.
Published: July 2011

Objective:

How to best classify concerns related to eating, weight, and shape (CREWS) in men remains an open question. Research on men considering CREWS during different developmental periods could be particularly informative.

Method:

Focusing on one potentially dynamic developmental period, this study charts the course of CREWS in men over the college years. Latent class/latent transition analysis identified typologies of weight‐ and shape‐influenced self judgment, limiting attempts, fasting, overeating, binge eating, self‐induced vomiting, and laxative or diuretic abuse for 1,025 men over the four traditional college years.

Results:

Three classes emerged: (1) no obvious pathological eating‐related concerns (61–65%); (2) a high likelihood of limiting attempts and a moderately high likelihood of overeating (31–34%); (3) pervasive bulimic‐like concerns (4–6%). Class membership was highly stable across assessment occasions.

Discussion:

The results contribute to the growing literature on empirically derived classifications of CREWS and indicate that for many men CREWS are a chronic presence during the college years. © 2011 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2012; 45:768–775)
Modelling ecological flow regime: an example from the Tennessee and Cumberland River basins
Authors: Knight Rodney R. , Gain W. Scott , Wolfe William J.
Published: July 2011

Predictive equations were developed for 19 ecologically relevant streamflow characteristics within five major groups of flow variables (magnitude, ratio, frequency, variability, and date) for use in the Tennessee and Cumberland River basins using stepbackward regression. Basin characteristics explain 50% or more of the variation for 12 of the 19 equations. Independent variables identified through stepbackward regression were statistically significant in 78 of 304 cases (α > 0.0001) and represent four major groups: climate, physical landscape features, regional indicators, and land use. Of these groups, the regional and climate variables were the most influential for determining hydrologic response. Daily temperature range, geologic factor, and rock depth were major factors explaining the variability in 17, 15, and 13 equations, respectively. The equations and independent datasets were used to explore the broad relation between basin properties and streamflow and the implication of streamflow to the study of ecological flow requirements. Key results include a high degree of hydrologic variability among least disturbed Blue Ridge streams, similar hydrologic behaviour for watersheds with widely varying degrees of forest cover, and distinct hydrologic profiles for streams in different geographic regions. Published in 2011. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
The central role of CD30L/CD30 interactions in allergic rhinitis pathogenesis in mice
Authors: Fuchiwaki Takafumi , Sun Xun , Fujimura Kenjiro , Yamada Hisakata , Shibata Kensuke , Muta Hiromi , Podack Eckhard R. , Kawauchi Hideyuki , Yoshikai Yasunobu
Published: July 2011

CD30 ligand (CD30L) plays an important role in the amplification and/or activation of effector CD4+ T cells, irrespective of Th cell subset. To examine the role of CD30L in allergic rhinitis, we evaluated an OVA model of allergic rhinitis in CD30L knock out (KO) mice on a BALB/c background sensitized with OVA. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis such as eosinophil infiltration into the nasal mucosa were drastically diminished in OVA‐sensitized CD30L KO mice following intranasal challenge with OVA. The levels of OVA‐specific IgE in the sera and the Th2 response in nasopharynx‐associated lymphoid tissues and cervical LNs of CD30L KO mice were significantly lower than those of WT mice following intranasal challenge with OVA. Intranasal administration of CD30‐Ig during the effector phase with OVA significantly prevented the development of allergic rhinitis in WT mice. These results suggest that CD30L plays an important role in allergic rhinitis and that the inhibition of CD30L/CD30 signaling might be useful as a novel biological therapy for allergic rhinitis.
Enantioselective Synthesis of the Unnatural Enantiomers of the Fungal Sesquiterpenoids Acorenone and Trichoacorenol
Authors: Brock Nelson L. , Dickschat Jeroen S.
Published: July 2011

The volatiles released by several strains of Trichoderma fungi were collected using a closed‐loop stripping apparatus and analysed by GC–MS. Most of the investigated strains released the two structurally related spirocyclic sesquiterpenoids trichoacorenol, previously identified in Trichoderma koningii (Huang et al., 1995), and acorenone. A new enantioselective synthesis of the enantiomer of the natural spirocyclic sesquiterpene acorenone and the first enantioselective synthesis of the related compound ent‐trichoacorenol have been completed by a chiral‐pool approach starting from (+)‐(R)‐pulegone using ring‐closing metathesis as the key step. The absolute configuration of natural trichoacorenol from Trichoderma harzianum sp. 714 has been assigned by chiral GC–MS analysis and is the same as that in T. koningii.
Electrochemical Impedance Analysis of V2O5 and PEDOT Composite Film Cathodes
Authors: Song H.‐M. , Yoo D.‐Y. , Hong S.‐K. , Kim J.‐S. , Cho W. I. , Mho S.‐I.
Published: July 2011

Composite films of nanobeam V2O5 and poly‐3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) were grown using an electrochemical polymerization method. PEDOT in the composite film connects the isolated V2O5 nanobeams and gives rise to a conductive network, improved Li‐ion accessibility and transport pathways in the electrode. The nanobeam‐V2O5/PEDOT composite film cathodes have high capacities, excellent rate capabilities and cycling stabilities at various C rates: their specific capacities were 262 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C, 239 mAh g−1 at 1 C, 186 mAh g−1 at 10 C, and 141 mAh g−1 at 100 C. After testing the battery for more than 150 battery cycles at a rate of 10 C, the degradation rate was found to be approximately 9 %. The diffusion coefficient of the nanobeam‐V2O5 crystalline electrode was calculated to be approximately 4.6×10−8; and those of α‐, ε‐, and δ‐LixV2O5 crystalline phases, were estimated to be in the range of (2.1–9.8)×10−10. Under the conditions of PEDOT coating and networking in the composite film, the diffusion coefficients of each phase of LixV2O5 that reversibly formed during the discharging and charging processes were able to be estimated.
Preparation of PEG Tethered Ferrocene Modified Polyacrylic Acid/Silica Composite as an Electroactive Polymeric Platform for Biosensors
Authors: Jirimali Harishchandra Digambar , Nagarale Rajaram Krishna , Lee Jong Myung , Saravanakumar Durai , Shin Woonsup
Published: July 2011

A silica composite of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) functionalized by ferrocene via polyethylene glycol (PEG) linker (PAA‐PEG‐Fc/silica) was synthesized and electrochemical properties were characterized. The drop‐coated PAA‐PEG‐Fc/silca composite on screen printed electrode shows a facile reversible redox behavior at E°=0.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl at pH 7 in 0.1 M phosphate buffer. The apparent diffusion coefficient in the film was measured to be 2.2×10−7 cm2/s. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and glucose oxidase (GOx) were successfully immobilized in the composite film and showed a linear response up to 0.5 mM for hydrogen peroxide and 10 mM for glucose.
Electroanalytical Performance of (SiPy+Cl−/CuTsPc)5 LbL Film for Detecting Promethazine Hydrochloride
Authors: de Jesus Cliciane Guadalupe , Sampaio Forte Cristiane Maria , Wohnrath Karen , Andrade Pessôa Christiana , de Sá Soares Janete Elisa , Fujiwara Sérgio Toshio , de Lima‐Neto Pedro , Nunes Correia Adriana
Published: July 2011

A (SiPy+Cl−/CuTsPc)5 layer‐by‐layer film was employed for the electroanalytical determination of promethazine hydrochloride in BR buffer pH 5.0 with peaks at 0.48 and 0.79 V. After optimisation of the square‐wave parameters (f=100 s−1, a=40 mV and ΔEs=2 mV), the peak at 0.79 V was used for quantification and a detection limit of 8.71×10−9 mol L−1 and a quantification limit of 9.31×10−8 were calculated. The applicability of this procedure was tested on commercial formulations of promethazine hydrochloride by observing the stability, specificity, recovery and precision of the procedure in complex samples, without any preliminary treatment.
Proteomic analysis of the interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) response in hepatitis B virus‐positive human hepatocelluar carcinoma cell line HepG2.2.15
Authors: Yao Yuqin , Li Jiong , Lu Zejun , Tong Aiping , Wang Wei , Su Xiaolan , Zhou Yan , Mu Bo , Zhou Shijie , Li Xiaoan , Chen Lijuan , Gou Lantu , Song Hongbing , Yang Jinliang , Wei Yuquan
Published: July 2011

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the leading cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. In recent decades, significant progress toward understanding the molecular virology and pathogenesis of HBV infection has been made. In addition, multiple treatment modalities have been developed for persons with HBV infection. In the present study, we demonstrated that IL‐4 inhibits the expression of hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B e antigen in a HBV stably transfected hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2.2.15). To reveal the anti‐HBV mechanism of IL‐4 by proteomics, 2‐DE and MS technology were utilized to profile global changes in protein expression in HepG2.2.15 cells after IL‐4 treatment. A total of 56 differentially expressed proteins were identified in IL‐4‐treated HepG2.2.15 cells. To find out the interaction of these changed proteins by bioinformatics, signaling network analysis with the STRING tool showed that the identified proteins are primarily involved in transcription and proteolysis. Taken together, these results offer valuable clues for understanding the molecular mechanisms of the IL‐4‐mediated anti‐HBV response.