bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Annealing‐induced high impact toughness of polypropylene/CaCO3 nanocomposites
Authors: Lin Yong , Chen Haibin , Chan Chi‐Ming , Wu Jingshen
Published: October 2011

Our previous study (Macromolecule 2008, 41, 9204–9213) reported that annealing significantly increased the impact toughness of polypropylene (PP)/calcium carbonate (CaCO3) nanocomposites. We further investigated the underlying mechanism and report the results in this article. The impact strength of a high‐molecular‐weight PP filled with 20 wt % CaCO3 nanoparticles increased to 890 J/m upon 155°C‐annealing, about 20 times that of neat unannealed PP. This exceptionally high impact toughness is partially attributed to the high‐molecular‐weight PP, which provided strong ligaments. Moreover, this high‐molecular‐weight PP has a low concentration of cross‐hatched structure upon annealing, indicating that the cross‐hatched structure, which was suspected to be responsible for the annealing‐induced high impact toughness in the previous study, is in fact irrelevant to the annealing‐promoted impact toughness. A large number of cavities were observed in the impact‐fractured annealed nanocomposites because the difference in the stiffness between the crystalline and amorphous regions was enlarged upon annealing. These cavities, formed in the early stage of deformation, may have contributed to the annealing‐induced high impact toughness because these numerous cavities, in addition to the debonding of the CaCO3 nanoparticles, further released the plastic constraint of the PP matrix. Massive plastic deformation, therefore, became operative, leading to large energy dissipation. In addition, we found that the tensile toughness of the annealed nanocomposites was considerably reduced due to a significant reduction in the strain‐at‐break because the numerous cavities caused an earlier development of macro‐cracks, leading to smaller strain‐at‐breaks. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Autoantibodies to estrogen receptor α interfere with T lymphocyte homeostasis and are associated with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Colasanti Tania , Maselli Angela , Conti Fabrizio , Sanchez Massimo , Alessandri Cristiano , Barbati Cristiana , Vacirca Davide , Tinari Antonella , Chiarotti Flavia , Giovannetti Antonello , Franconi Flavia , Valesini Guido , Malorni Walter , Pierdominici Marina , Ortona Elena
Published: October 2011

Objective

Estrogens influence many physiologic processes and are also implicated in the development or progression of numerous diseases, including autoimmune disorders. Aberrations of lymphocyte homeostasis that lead to the production of multiple pathogenic autoantibodies, including autoantibodies specific to estrogen receptor (ER), have been detected in the peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study was undertaken to assess the presence of both anti‐ERα and anti‐ERβ antibodies in sera from patients with SLE, to analyze the effect of these antibodies on peripheral blood T lymphocyte homeostasis, and to evaluate their role as determinants of disease pathogenesis and progression.

Methods

Anti‐ER antibody serum immunoreactivity was analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in samples from 86 patients with SLE and 95 healthy donors. Phenotypic and functional analyses were performed by flow cytometry and Western blotting.

Results

Anti‐ERα antibodies were present in 45% of the patients with SLE, whereas anti‐ERβ antibodies were undetectable. In healthy donors, anti‐ERα antibodies induced cell activation and consequent apoptotic cell death in resting lymphocytes as well as proliferation of anti‐CD3–stimulated T lymphocytes. A significant association between anti‐ERα antibody values and clinical parameters, i.e., the SLE Disease Activity Index and arthritis, was found.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that anti‐ERα autoantibodies interfere with T lymphocyte homeostasis and are significantly associated with lupus disease activity.
Intellectual diversity and the faculty composition of iSchools
Authors: Wiggins Andrea , Sawyer Steven
Published: October 2011

We provide evidence and discuss findings regarding the intellectual distribution and faculty composition of academic units involved in the iSchool community. To better understand the intellectual heritage and major influences shaping the development of the individual and collective identities in iSchools, we develop a classification of the intellectual domains of iSchool faculty education. We use this to develop a descriptive analysis of the community's intellectual composition. The discussion focuses on characterizing intellectual diversity in the iSchools. We conclude with a discussion of the potential implications of these trends relative to the future development of the iSchool community.
Metal‐Ion‐Promoted Electron Transfer between Tetrathiafulvalene and Quinone Units Within a Calix[4]arene Framework and Tuning through Coordination of the Neighboring Crown Ether with a Sodium Cation
Authors: Sun Fei , Hu Fang , Zhang Guanxin , Zhang Deqing
Published: October 2011

A new calix[4]arene 1 with tetrathiafulvalene (TTF), quinone, and crown ether units in the lower rim was designed and synthesized with the aim to investigate the possibility to tune the metal‐ion promoted electron transfer by coordination of the crown ether unit with additional metal ions. Both absorption and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopic studies clearly indicate that electron transfer occurs efficiently from TTF to the quinone units in the presence of Sc3+/Pb2+/Zn2+. Moreover, the intramolecular electron transfer within 1 induced by Zn2+ can be switched off by addition of Na+ and further turned on by addition of either Sc3+ or Pb2+.
Pregnancy complications and obstetric suboptimality in association with autism spectrum disorders in children of the nurses' health study II
Authors: Lyall Kristen , Pauls David L. , Spiegelman Donna , Ascherio Alberto , Santangelo Susan L.
Published: October 2011

The authors examined pregnancy and obstetric complications in association with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in children of participants from the Nurses' Health Study II, a prospective national cohort with information collected through biennial mailed questionnaires since 1989. Logistic regression was used to obtain crude and adjusted odds ratios for ASD, and by diagnostic subgroup. Seven hundred and ninety‐three cases were reported among 66,445 pregnancies. Pregnancy complications and obstetric suboptimality factors were assessed by maternal report of occurrence in first birth and, in secondary analyses, in any birth. Complications and a suboptimality score were significantly associated with having a child with ASD (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.26, 1.77, P<0.0001 for pregnancy complications in first birth and 2.76, 95% CI 2.04, 3.74, P<0.0001 comparing individuals with four or more obstetric suboptimality factors in first birth to those with none; results similar when assessed in any birth). In particular, gestational diabetes was associated with a significantly increased risk of ASD in results of primary and sensitivity analyses (OR in primary analysis = 1.76, 95% CI 1.34, 2.32, P<0.0001); suboptimal parity and suboptimal age‐at‐first‐birth were also individual factors associated with ASD. Associations were similar by diagnostic subgroup, suggesting autism, Asperger syndrome, and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders are all associated with pregnancy complications. Consistent with previous research, the general class of pregnancy complications was associated with ASD as a whole. Additional work will be required to more fully assess the role of gestational diabetes. Autism Res 2012,5:21–30. © 2011 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Emit® 2000 Cyclosporine Specific Assay, Extended Range: Development of an application protocol for the V‐Twin® Analyzer
Authors: Morjana Nihmat , Yau Harriet , Rea Diane , Ruttle Doris , Jones Heather , Siefring Jr. Gerald , Christenson Robert
Published: October 2011

We evaluated a new protocol for measurement of cyclosporine A (CsA) 2 H after dose (C2) on the V‐Twin® analyzer. Imprecision, recovery, and linearity were determined using CsA‐spiked blood pools. Accuracy was evaluated using specimens from renal, cardiac, and liver transplant patients, and results were compared with those from liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) and the Abbott TDx®/TDxFLx® assay. Cross‐reactivity and interferences were assessed in the presence of 800 ng/mL CsA. Imprecision coefficients of variation were 3.3%–4.8% (within run) and 5.9%–8.7% (total). Recovery was within 10% of the expected values. Linearity was 350–2,000 ng/mL. Calibration was stable for ≥ 2 weeks. Method comparison showed regression statistics: V‐Twin® = 1.01 × LC tandem MS + 36.1, r = 0.971; V‐Twin® = 1.13 × Abbott − 92.4, r = 0.969. Metabolite cross‐reactivity and interference (endogenous substances and drugs) were within ±10%. The C2 protocol on the V‐Twin® analyzer provides acceptable assay performance and accurate determination of whole blood CsA drawn at 2 H after dose.
Role of mammography in the triple assessment of single-quadrant breast symptoms (Br J Surg 2011; 98: 951–955)
Authors: Lal A , Evoy D , Geraghty J , McDermott E
Published: October 2011

The Editors welcome topical correspondence from readers relating to articles published in the Journal. Responses should be sent electronically via the BJS website (www.bjs.co.uk). All letters will be reviewed and, if approved, appear on the website. A selection of these will be edited and published in the Journal. Letters must be no more than 250 words in length.
Flocculation and transcriptional adaptation to fermentation conditions in a recombinant wine yeast strain defective for KNR4/SMI1
Authors: Penacho Vanessa , Blondin Bruno , Valero Eva , Gonzalez Ramon
Published: October 2011

KNR4 defective recombinant wine yeast strains were previously shown to oversecrete mannoproteins during alcoholic fermentation and, depending on the genetic background, to contribute to protein stability of white wines. We have tried to get a deeper insight into the consequences of KNR4 deletion in a wine yeast strain, from both a biological and an enological standpoint, and to understand the mechanisms leading to improved mannoprotein release. In fermentation experiments, followed by aging on lees, and compared to the parent strain, the recombinant strain shows increased release of mannoproteins during the fermentation but little increase during aging. Mannoprotein release by the recombinant strain takes place mainly during the fermentation step. In contrast, autolysis of the recombinant strain keeps going after aging for 78 days. In addition, the recombinant strain is moderately flocculent, which would be interesting for the production of sparkling wines. This might be related to changes in the expression of Flo1p‐regulated genes. The new biological processes affected by KNR4 deletion in wine yeasts, as revealed by this transcriptomic study are flocculation, adaptation to anaerobiosis, oxidative stress response, and ethanol tolerance, as well as FKS1 overexpression; but no overexpression was detected for genes coding for major structural mannoproteins of the cell wall. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2012
Shear‐induced changes in membrane fluidity during culture of a fragile dinoflagellate microalga
Authors: Gallardo‐Rodríguez J.J. , García‐Camacho F. , Sánchez‐Mirón A. , López‐Rosales L. , Chisti Y. , Molina‐Grima E.
Published: October 2011

The commonly used shear protective agent Pluronic F68 (PF68) was toxic to the marine dinoflagellate microalga Protoceratium reticulatum, but had a shear‐protective effect on it at concentrations of ≤0.5 g L−1. Supplementation of P. reticulatum cultures with PF68 actually increased the fluidity of the cell membrane; therefore, the shear protective effect of PF68 could not be ascribed to reduced membrane fluidity, an explanation that has been commonly used in relation to its shear protective effect on animal cells. Data are reported on the membrane fluidity of P. reticulatum and its response to the presence of PF68 under sublethal and lethal turbulence regimens. The membrane fluidity was found to depend strongly on the level of lipoperoxides in the cells produced under lethal agitation. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2012
The Taming of CN7−: The Azidotetrazolate 2‐Oxide Anion
Authors: Klapötke Thomas M. , Piercey Davin G. , Stierstorfer Jörg
Published: October 2011

The highly sensitive 5‐azidotetrazolate anion was oxidized to its correspondingN‐oxide by aqueous oxidation in a buffered oxone solution to the azidotetrazolate 2‐oxide anion. After acidic extraction and neutralization with ammonia, the ammonium salt was isolated. Several energetic salts of this novel anion were prepared from the ammonium salt, and in all cases were found to be of lower sensitivity than the corresponding 5‐azidotetrazolate salt while still being highly sensitive towards mechanical stimuli. Explosive performances (detonation velocity, detonation pressure) of applicable salts were also found to be higher than the non‐N‐oxide variants. Preparation of the free acid 2‐hydroxy‐5‐azidotetrazole was achieved by protonation of the anion and identified by NMR spectroscopy, whereas the majority of the azidotetrazolate 2‐oxide salts have unequivocal crystallographic proof.
Paste engineering: Multi‐Phase materials and multi‐phase flows
Authors: Wilson D. I. , Rough S. L.
Published: October 2011

The multi‐phase nature of granular pastes, coupled with their non‐Newtonian rheology and inherent inhomogeneity, makes characterisation and prediction of flow behaviour challenging. We focus on ‘stiff’ pastes which can maintain their shape after extrusion. We describe how the approach presented by Benbow and Bridgwater can be used to predict the deformation and flow behaviour of such materials. Illustrations are drawn from industrial pastes and applications studied in our group. Its basis in viscoplasticity and pure plasticity is discussed. Problems associated with ‘stiff’ pastes are highlighted. Finally, a roadmap is presented summarising how we think the progress of paste understanding needs to be developed. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
An object‐oriented bulk synchronous parallel library for multicore programming
Authors: Yzelman A.N. , Bisseling Rob H.
Published: October 2011

We show that the bulk synchronous parallel (BSP) model, originally designed for distributed‐memory systems, is also applicable for shared‐memory multicore systems and, furthermore, that BSP libraries are useful in scientific computing on these systems. A proof‐of‐concept MulticoreBSP library has been implemented in Java, and is used to show that BSP algorithms can attain proper speedups on multicore architectures. This library is based on the BSPlib implementation, adapted to an object‐oriented setting. In comparison, the number of function primitives is reduced, while the overall design simplicity is improved. We detail applying the BSP model and library on the sparse matrix–vector (SpMV) multiplication problem, and show by performing numerical experiments that the resulting BSP SpMV algorithm attains speedups, in one case reaching a speedup of 3.5 for 4 threads. Whereas not described in detail in this paper, algorithms for the fast Fourier transform and the dense LU decomposition are also investigated; in one case, attaining superlinear speedups of 5 for 4 threads. The predictability of BSP algorithms in the case of the SpMV is also investigated. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Disclosure of Environmental Capital Expenditures: Evidence from the Electric Utility Sector in the USA
Authors: Silva‐Gao Lucia
Published: October 2011

This research provides evidence that companies may disclose environmental capital expenditures to inform investors of a proactive environmental strategy. For a sample of electric utilities in the USA, the results show that companies with lower rates of emissions of three greenhouse gases are more likely to report amounts of environmental capital expenditure. These companies also have higher overall capital spending intensity and better financial performance. Therefore, the results support voluntary disclosure theory arguments, rather than legitimacy theory arguments. Firms with superior performance may disclose environmental capital spending to send a strong signal to investors of commitment to improvement of environmental performance and to differentiate themselves from competitors. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
The effect of siblings on early development: A potential contributor to personality differences in mammals
Authors: Hudson Robyn , Bautista Amando , Reyes‐Meza Verónica , Montor Jorge Morales , Rödel Heiko G.
Published: October 2011

Although most mammals grow up in the company of same or different age sibs (or half sibs), surprisingly little attention has been given to how relations among them might influence the development of individual differences in morphology, physiology, and behavior. Here we review evidence from our work on domestic and wild European rabbits, and more recently on laboratory rats, mice, and domestic cats, supporting the proposition that in mammals early sibling relations contribute to the development of individual differences in these three domains and thereby to long‐term behavioral differences of the kind we might consider part of an animal's behavioral style or personality. First we report a consistent and marked negative relation between litter size and individuals' body mass at birth and weaning, as well as marked within‐litter differences in prenatal body mass and placental efficiency. We then report individual differences in preweaning behaviors associated with these morphological variables such as position occupied in the litter huddle and development of motor ability, as well as physiological differences in thermoregulation, immune parameters, and endocrine indicators of stress. Finally, we report first evidence from wild rabbits that early relations among littermates may have long‐term consequences for individual differences in behavioral style. We conclude that in mammals, individual differences in early growth, physiology and behavior potentially important for the development of animal personality, are shaped to an appreciable extent by early sibling relations and that this little‐researched field deserves closer attention. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 53:564–574, 2011.
Optimizing temperament through litter size in short‐lived, iteroparous mammals in seasonal environments
Authors: Eccard Jana A. , Rödel Heiko G.
Published: October 2011

A number of short‐lived, iteroparous animal species have small broods in the early breeding season and larger broods in later breeding season. Brood size affects not only offspring size, but as recent results suggest, may also affect offspring's temperament, hormonal status, and aggression as adults. Most populations of short‐lived, iteroparous mammals fluctuate predictably over the season, with low densities in winter, increasing densities in summer and a population peak in late summer followed by a population breakdown. If animals live only through parts of the season, possibly such differences in density and hence also in social environments among seasons require different personality types to increase individual fitness. We present data on behavior of European rabbits from a field enclosure study. These data clearly show that aggressiveness is higher in young from smaller litters than in young from larger litters, and smaller litters are usually born during the early breeding season. Moreover, our data suggest that behavioral types of the young rabbits are stable over time, at least during their subadult life. We suggest, that changes in mean litter size over the course of the breeding season may not only be a product of mothers' age or food availability, but may also have an adaptive function by preparing offspring characteristics for adulthood in a social environment undergoing predictable density changes within the season. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 53:585–591, 2011.
“Personality” in laboratory mice used for biomedical research: A way of understanding variability?
Authors: Lewejohann Lars , Zipser Benjamin , Sachser Norbert
Published: October 2011

The mouse, including countless lines of transgenic and knockout mice, has become the most prominent model organism in biomedical research. Behavioral characterization is often conducted in batteries of short tests on locomotion, anxiety, learning and memory, etc. In such tests, any individual differences within groups are usually considered to be disturbing variance. In order to reduce variance in experimental animal research enormous efforts of standardization have been made. While a substantial reduction of variability has been reached compared to the earlier years of experimental animal studies a considerable amount of inter‐individual differences still seems to escape standardization. This effect is demonstrated and evaluated by re‐analyzing data from two experiments conducted in our laboratory with inbred mice. Interestingly, behavioral patterns of individual animals seem to be correlated across context and time. In evolutionary biology, “animal personalities” have been discussed recently to comprise such stable patterns. We argue here, that nonrandom behavioral correlations across contexts and time might underlie the variability commonly found in biomedical mouse studies. Dev Psychobiol © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 53:624–630, 2011.
The emergence of personality in animals: The need for a developmental approach
Authors: Trillmich Fritz , Hudson Robyn
Published: October 2011

Interest has been growing among behavioral biologists in individual differences in animal behavior of the kind that can be considered to reflect differences in personality. Once considered the exclusive domain of human psychology, biologists have found evidence for personality across a wide range of species, while behavioral ecologist and theoretical biologists recognize the likely evolutionary origins and contribution to fitness of such. However, until recently most work has concentrated on ultimate questions of fitness and thus on adult animals, with little attention given to proximate, developmental origins. This is now changing, as approaches to studying animal personality broaden and methodologies are developed enabling this to be studied across periods of near continuous and often rapid ontogenetic change. Debate continues, however, about the right methodologies to characterize the phenomenon and attempt to do so in a comparable manner across taxa that differ as widely in the expression of “personality” as insects and mammals. This makes it necessary to discuss this field in an interdisciplinary context among psychologists and biologists, and was the rational for a meeting on “The Emergence of Personality in Animals” held in May 2010 at the Center for Interdisciplinary Research (Zentrum für Interdisziplinäre Forschung; ZiF), Bielefeld, Germany. The diversity of topics, viewpoints and organisms covered and the excitement created by the ensuing discussions is reflected in the resulting collection of papers forming this special issue. Dev Psychobiol © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 53:505–509, 2011.
Electroconvulsive seizure promotes spine maturation in newborn dentate granule cells in adult rat
Authors: Zhao Chunmei , Warner‐Schmidt Jennifer , S. Duman Ronald , Gage Fred H.
Published: October 2011

Neurogenesis continues in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus throughout life in mammals. This process is influenced by daily activities such as exercise, learning, and stress and may contribute to certain forms of hippocampus‐dependent learning and memory. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is also subject to regulation by antidepressant treatment, including chronic treatment with antidepressant drugs or electroconvulsive seizure (ECS) therapy. Here we investigated how the connectivity of newborn and mature granule cells is influenced by ECS administration in rats. Specifically, we examined the dendritic spine morphology of newborn and mature granule cells in rats and found that ECS administration promoted the maturation of dendritic spines in newborn cells and increased spine density in mature cells. These changes could potentially lead to alteration in dentate circuitry and may partially contribute to the functional effects of ECS. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 72: 937–942, 2012
The origin of intestinal stem cells in Drosophila
Authors: Micchelli Craig A.
Published: October 2011

Renewing tissues in the adult organism such as the gastrointestinal (GI) epithelium depend on stem cells for epithelial maintenance and repair. Yet, little is known about the developmental origins of adult stem cells and their niches. Studies of Drosophila adult midgut precursors (AMPs), a population of endodermal progenitors, demonstrate that adult intestinal stem cells (ISCs) arise from the AMP lineage and provide insight into the stepwise process by which the adult midgut epithelium is established during development. Here, I review the current literature on AMPs, where local, inductive and long‐range humoral signals have been found to control progenitor cell behavior. Future studies will be necessary to determine the precise mechanism by which adult intestinal stem cells are established in the endodermal lineage. Developmental Dynamics 241:85–91, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Complex pattern of genetic structuring in the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) of the River Foyle system in northwest Ireland: disentangling the evolutionary signal from population stochasticity
Authors: Ensing Dennis , Prodöhl Paulo A. , McGinnity Philip , Boylan Patrick , O’Maoiléidigh Niall , Crozier Walter W.
Published: October 2011

Little is known about the microevolutionary processes shaping within river population genetic structure of aquatic organisms characterized by high levels of homing and spawning site fidelity. Using a microsatellite panel, we observed complex and highly significant levels of intrariver population genetic substructure and Isolation‐by‐Distance, in the Atlantic salmon stock of a large river system. Two evolutionary models have been considered explaining mechanisms promoting genetic substructuring in Atlantic salmon, the member‐vagrant and metapopulation models. We show that both models can be simultaneously used to explain patterns and levels of population structuring within the Foyle system. We show that anthropogenic factors have had a large influence on contemporary population structure observed. In an analytical development, we found that the frequently used estimator of genetic differentiation, F
ST, routinely underestimated genetic differentiation by a factor three to four compared to the equivalent statistic Jost's D
est (Jost 2008). These statistics also showed a near‐perfect correlation. Despite ongoing discussions regarding the usefulness of “adjusted”F
ST statistics, we argue that these could be useful to identify and quantify qualitative differences between populations, which are important from management and conservation perspectives as an indicator of existence of biologically significant variation among tributary populations or a warning of critical environmental damage.
Responsive demand to mitigate slow recovery voltage sags
Authors: Garcia‐Valle Rodrigo , da Silva Luiz Carlos Pereira , Xu Zhao , Østergaard Jacob
Published: October 2011

It is expected that in the future, customers will play a much more active role in modern power distribution systems. Instead of being passive agents, customers will be encouraged to participate in many other functions, such as frequency and voltage control, by providing a rapid, active, and reactive power reserve for peak load management through price responsive methods and also as energy providers through embedded generation technologies. This article introduces a new technology, called demand as voltage‐controlled reserve, which can help mitigation of momentary voltage sags. The technology can be provided by thermostatically controlled loads as well as other types of load. This technology has proven to be effective in distribution systems with a large composition of induction motors, when voltage sags present slow recovery characteristics because of the deceleration of the motors during faults. This article presents detailed models, discussion, and simulation tests to demonstrate the technical viability and effectiveness of the demand as voltage‐controlled reserve technology for mitigating voltage sags. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Strain localization, granulite formation and geodynamic setting of ‘hot orogens’: a case study from the Eastern Ghats Province, India
Authors: Gupta Saibal
Published: October 2011

The Eastern Ghats Province underwent major orogenic events in the Neoproterozoic–Cambrian period: 980–930, 900–650 and 550–500 Ma. At each time interval, deformation occurred synchronous with high‐grade metamorphism. The first event was characterized by distributed strain throughout the entire province, while strain and thermal anomalies during the later orogenies were confined to the province boundaries. In the first case, pre‐orogenic rifting caused ultrahigh‐temperature metamorphism at the base of the crust, and was closely followed by crustal shortening related to the collision of the granulite belt with the Indian craton. The thermal anomaly persisting from the rifting event, followed by the thermal relaxation associated with crustal shortening led to prolific melt production and transfer of heat producing elements (HPE) into the middle and upper parts of the thick post‐collisional crust. Heating and associated melting caused rheological weakening of the crustal section, and explains why strain was distributed across the entire thermally perturbed zone. Erosion removed a substantial portion of the HPE‐rich upper crust, and deposited the detritus in cratonic sedimentary basins to the west. Subsequently, the rheologically stronger Eastern Ghats Province crust could effectively transmit stresses and concentrate them along pre‐existing zones of weakness near the province boundaries. Progressive thrusting in these domains led to consistent loading of the footwall, even as it underwent thermal relaxation. Since both strain and heating were associated with the footwall of pre‐existing discontinuities, the ‘hot orogen’ so formed was also spatially restricted. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aerobic oxidative radical coupling catalyzed by TEMPO for the preparation of 2,2′‐dibenzothiazole disulfide
Authors: Dong Ben , Lu Shuai , Jiang Jun , Zhang Wenjing , Zhu Weimin , Tang Mingsheng , Yang Guanyu
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND: 2,2′‐disbenzothiazole disulfide is widely used as a vulcanization accelerator in rubber production and as an intermediate in the drug industry. Its current industrial process, the oxidation of 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole by sodium nitrite in acidic solution, produces large quantities of liquid waste water. A novel and green synthetic method was developed, which used dioxygen as the oxidant and 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidyl‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) as the catalyst without any metallic compounds.

RESULTS: The conditions, including temperature, solvents, amount of catalyst, dioxygen pressure and time, were optimized. Thus 94% yield of 2,2′‐disbenzothiazole disulfide was obtained at 60 °C in acetonitrile under 0.2 MPa oxygen pressure for 3 h. Theoretical calculations and UV spectra showed that hydrogen‐transfer reaction between 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole and TEMPO was the key step, and 2,2′‐disbenzothiazole disulfide was generated by the coupling of the formed thiyl radical of 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole.

CONCLUSION: 2,2′‐disbenzothiazole disulfide was prepared efficiently by aerobic oxidative coupling of 2‐mercaptobenzothiazole with TEMPO as the catalyst. This ‘environmentally friendly’ approach with easy handling, mild reaction conditions and simple separation represents a viable means of producing 2,2′‐disbenzothiazole disulfide. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Fermentative production of fumaric acid from Eucalyptus globulus wood hydrolyzates
Authors: Rodríguez‐López Julio , Sánchez Antonio José , Gómez Diana María , Romaní Aloia , Parajó Juan Carlos
Published: October 2011

Fumaric acid (FA) was produced from Eucalyptus globulus wood by successive steps of hydrothermal processing (to solubilize hemicelluloses and to increase the susceptibility of solids to enzymatic hydrolysis), enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation with Rhizopus arrhizus DSM 5772. For comparative purposes, additional fermentations were carried out using synthetic media. Single stage fermentation of synthetic media led to a medium containing 11.8 g FA L−1 (YP/S = 0.60 g g−1). Operating in fed batch mode, the fourth stage increased the FA concentration from 19.7 up to 43.6 g L−1 (YP/S = 0.71 g g−1). Hydrolyzate fermentation in a single stage resulted in lower fumaric acid concentration (9.65 g L−1) and yield (0.35 g g−1). Additional fermentations were carried out in media made with hydrolyzates subjected to membrane processing, adsorption or ion exchange. The highest yield (YP/S = 0.44 g g−1) was reached in media made up of ion‐exchange treated hydrolyzates and a commercial glucose solution in proportion 85/15 w/w. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Use of a virtual classroom in training fourth‐year medical students on care transitions
Authors: Eskildsen Manuel A. , Chakkalakal Rosette , Flacker Jonathan M.
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND:

Transferring complex patients between settings can be fraught with poor communication and adverse outcomes, yet few medical students nationwide are trained in specific skills to improve care transitions.

OBJECTIVE:

To give medical students the fund of knowledge and skills to develop and implement a safe discharge plan.

DESIGN:

A new care transitions curriculum imparted to all fourth‐year medical students from August 2009 to April 2010 during their internal medicine sub‐internship.

SETTING:

Emory University School of Medicine.

INTERVENTION:

Activities included: 1) discussion of an online case highlighting care transitions issues; 2) preparation of a discharge summary based on online templates; and 3) a postdischarge phone call to one of their patients.

MEASUREMENTS:

We evaluated the curriculum using questionnaires measuring changes in pretest to posttest confidence in performing discharge tasks, attitudes toward the care transitions process, and performance on a knowledge quiz. We also assessed course satisfaction and the quality of students' discharge summaries and postdischarge call reports performed during the module.

RESULTS:

Students' confidence in their ability to perform discharge tasks improved from 16.5 to 20.8 on a 25‐point scale (P < 0.001). Knowledge quiz scores improved from 68 to 82 out of 100 (P < 0.001); 90.1% (109/121) of discharge summaries and 90.1% (109/121) of postdischarge call reports met all quality criteria.

CONCLUSIONS:

This curriculum showed that students could acquire the needed skills to prepare quality discharge summaries and communicate well with patients at discharge, as well as improve their overall knowledge surrounding care transitions. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine
Cost‐related medication underuse: Prevalence among hospitalized managed care patients
Authors: Choudhry Niteesh K. , Saya Uzaib Y. , Shrank William H. , Greenberg Jeffrey O. , Melia Caroline , Bilodeau Amy , Kadehjian Emily K. , Dolan Mary Lou , Dudley Jessica C. , Kachalia Allen
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND:

The affordability of prescription medications continues to be a major public health issue in the United States. Estimates of cost‐related medication underuse come largely from surveys of ambulatory patients. Hospitalized patients may be vulnerable to cost‐related underuse and its consequences, but have been subject to little investigation.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine impact of medication costs in a cohort of hospitalized managed care beneficiaries.

METHODS:

We surveyed consecutive patients admitted to medical services at an academic medical center. Questions about cost‐related underuse were based on validated measures; predictors were assessed with multivariable models. Participants were asked about strategies to improve medication affordability, and were contacted after discharge to determine if they had filled newly prescribed medications.

RESULTS:

One‐hundred thirty (41%) of 316 potentially eligible patients participated; 93 (75%) of these completed postdischarge surveys. Thirty patients (23%) reported cost‐related underuse in the year prior to admission. In adjusted analyses, patients of black race were 3.39 times (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 to 11.02) more likely to report cost‐related underuse than non‐Hispanic white patients. Virtually all respondents (n = 123; 95%) endorsed at least 1 strategy to make medications more affordable. Few (16%) patients, prescribed medications at discharge, knew how much they would pay at the pharmacy. Almost none had spoken to their inpatient (4%) or outpatient (2%) providers about the cost of newly prescribed drugs.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cost‐related underuse is common among hospitalized patients. Individuals of black race appear to be particularly at risk. Strategies should be developed to address this issue around the time of hospital discharge. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine
Pediatric hospitalist systems versus traditional models of care: Effect on quality and cost outcomes
Authors: Mussman Grant M. , Conway Patrick H.
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND:

Pediatric hospitalist systems are increasing in popularity, but data regarding the effects of hospitalist systems on the quality of care has been sparse, in part because rigorous metrics for analysis have not yet been established. We conducted a literature review of studies comparing the performance of pediatric hospitalists and traditional attendings.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the effect of pediatric hospitalists on quality and outcome metrics such as length of stay, cost, patient satisfaction, mortality, readmission rates, and use of evidence‐based medicine during care.

RESULTS:

A Medline literature search identified 11 studies that met criteria for inclusion. Five previously reviewed studies reported lengths of stay between 6% and 14% shorter for hospitalists. Five of the new studies evaluated lengths of stay, with 1 showing significantly lower length of stay and cost for a faculty model, 1 showing lower length of stay for hospitalists for all conditions, 1 for certain conditions only, and 2 showing no statistical difference. Six studies reported on readmission rate, with 4 showing no difference, 1 showing decreased readmissions for hospitalists, and 1 showing decreased readmissions for a traditional faculty service. Hospitalists self‐report higher use of evidence‐based guidelines. Few differences in patient satisfaction were reported. Mortality on the pediatrics wards is rare, and no studies were adequately powered to evaluate mortality rate.

CONCLUSION:

Hospitalists can improve the quality and efficiency of inpatient care in the pediatric population, but the effect is not universal, and mechanisms underlying demonstrated improvements are poorly understood. We propose 4 components to improve quality and value in hospital medicine systems: investment in comparative effectiveness research involving delivery system interventions, development and implementation of pediatric quality measures, better understanding of improvement mechanisms for hospital medicine systems, and increased focus on quality and value delivered by hospital medicine groups and individuals. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine
Head‐to‐head comparison of eight late gadolinium‐enhanced cardiac MR (LGE CMR) sequences at 1.5 tesla: From bench to bedside
Authors: Viallon Magalie , Jacquier Alexis , Rotaru Carmen , Delattre Bénédicte M.A. , Mewton Nathan , Vincent Fabrice , Croisille Pierre
Published: October 2011

Purpose:

To compare—theoretically and experimentally—clinically available two‐dimensional/three‐dimensional (2D/3D), breathhold and non‐breathhold, inversion‐recovery (IR) gradient‐echo (GRE) sequences used to differentiate between nonviable injured and normal myocardium with late gadolinium‐enhanced techniques (IR‐GRE2D sequence is used as a reference), and to evaluate their respective clinical benefit.

Materials and Methods:

Six breathhold (2D‐IR‐GRE, 3D‐IR‐GRE, balanced steady‐state free precession 2D‐IR‐bSSFP and 3D‐IR‐bSSFP, phase‐sensitive 2D‐PSIR‐GRE, and 2D‐PSIR‐bSSFP) and two non‐breathhold late gadolinium‐enhanced techniques (single‐shot 2D‐ssbSSFP and 2D‐PSIR‐ssbSSFP) were consecutively performed in 32 coronary artery disease patients with chronic myocardial infarction. Qualitative assessment and manual planimetry were performed by two independent observers. Quantitative assessment was based on percentage signal intensity elevation between injured and normal myocardium and contrast‐to‐noise ratio. Theoretical simulations were compared with experimental measurements performed on phantoms with various concentrations of gadolinium.

Results:

The 3D‐IR‐GRE image quality appeared better than the other 2D and 3D sequences, showing better delineation of complex nontransmural lesions, with significantly higher percentage signal intensity and contrast‐to‐noise ratio. PSIR techniques appeared more limited in differentiating sub‐endocardial lesions and intracavity blood pool, but in all other cases were comparable to the other techniques. Single‐shot PSIR‐ssbSSFP appeared to be a valuable alternative technique when breathhold cannot be achieved.

Conclusion:

We recommend 3D‐IR‐GRE as the method of choice for late gadolinium‐enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in clinical practice. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimizing MR signal contrast of the temporomandibular joint disk
Authors: Carl Michael , Sanal Hatice T. , Diaz Eric , Du Jiang , Girard Olivier , Statum Sheronda , Znamirowski Richard , Chung Christine B.
Published: October 2011

Purpose:

To use a tissue specific algorithm to numerically optimize UTE sequence parameters to maximize contrast within temporomandibular joint (TMJ) donor tissue.

Materials and Methods:

A TMJ specimen tissue block was sectioned in a true sagittal plane and imaged at 3 Tesla (T) using UTE pulse sequences with dual echo subtraction. The MR tissue properties (PD, T2, T2*, and T1) were measured and subsequently used to calculate the optimum sequences parameters (repetition time [TR], echo time [TE], and θ).

Results:

It was found that the main contrast available in the TMJ could be obtained from T2 (or T2*) contrast. With the first echo time fixed at 8 μs and using TR = 200 ms, the optimum parameters were found to be: θ ≈ 60°, and TE2 ≈ 15 ms, when the second echo is acquired using a gradient echo and θ ≈ 120°, and TE2 ≈ 15 ms, when the second echo is acquired using a spin echo.

Conclusion:

Our results show that MR signal contrast can be optimized between tissues in a systematic manner. The MR contrast within the TMJ was successfully optimized with facile delineation between disc and soft tissues. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Altered glutamate receptor function in the cerebellum of the Ppt1−/− mouse, a murine model of infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis
Authors: Finn Rozzy , Kovács Attila D. , Pearce David A.
Published: October 2011

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a family of devastating pediatric neurodegenerative disorders and currently represent the most common form of pediatric‐onset neurodegeneration. Infantile NCL (INCL), the most aggressive of these disorders, is caused by mutations in the CLN1 gene that encodes the enzyme palmitoyl protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1). Previous studies have suggested that glutamatergic neurotransmission may be disrupted in INCL, so the present study investigates glutamate receptor function in the Ppt1−/− mouse model of INCL by comparing the sensitivity of cultured wild‐type (WT) and Ppt1−/− cerebellar granule cells to glutamate receptor‐mediated toxicity. Ppt1−/− neurons were significantly less sensitive to AMPA receptor‐mediated toxicity but markedly more vulnerable to NMDA receptor‐mediated cell death. Because glutamate receptor function is regulated primarily by the surface expression level of the receptor, the surface level of AMPA and NMDA receptor subunits in the cerebella of WT and Ppt1−/− mice was also examined. Western blotting of surface cross‐linked cerebellar samples showed a significantly lower surface level of the GluR4 AMPA receptor subunit in Ppt1−/− mice, providing a plausible explanation for the decreased vulnerability of Ppt1−/− cerebellar neurons to AMPA receptor‐mediated cell death. The surface expression of the NR1, NR2A, and NR2B NMDA receptor subunits was similar in the cerebella of WT and Ppt1−/− mice, indicating that there is another mechanism behind the increased sensitivity of Ppt1−/− cerebellar granule cells to NMDA toxicity. Our results indicate an AMPA receptor hypofunction and NMDA receptor hyperfunction phenotype in Ppt1−/− neurons and provide new therapeutic targets for INCL. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Apple extract induces increased epithelial resistance and claudin 4 expression in Caco‐2 cells
Authors: Vreeburg Robert AM , van Wezel Esther E , Ocaña‐Calahorro Francisco , Mes Jurriaan J
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND: The small intestinal epithelium functions both to absorb nutrients, and to provide a barrier between the outside, luminal, world and the human body. One of the passageways across the intestinal epithelium is paracellular diffusion, which is controlled by the properties of tight junction complexes. We used a differentiated Caco‐2 monolayer as a model for small intestinal epithelium to study the effect of crude apple extracts on paracellular permeability.

RESULTS: Exposure of crude apple homogenate to the differentiated Caco‐2 cells increased the paracellular resistance, determined as trans‐epithelial electrical resistance (TEER). This increase was linearly related to the concentration of apple present. The TEER‐enhancing effect of apple extract was due to factors mainly present in the cortex, and the induction was not inhibited by protein kinase inhibitors. Apple‐induced resistance was accompanied by increased expression of several tight junction related genes, including claudin 4 (CLDN4).

CONCLUSION: Crude apple extract induces a higher paracellular resistance in differentiated Caco‐2 cells. Future research will determine whether these results can be extrapolated to human small intestinal epithelia. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry