bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Following the “community” thread from sociology to information behavior and informatics: Uncovering theoretical continuities and research opportunities
Authors: Veinot Tiffany C. , Williams Kate
Published: October 2011

The authors review five paradigms from the discipline of community sociology (functionalism, evolution, conflict, interactionism, and exchange) to assess their potential utility for understanding everyday life information behavior and technology use. Their analysis considers the ways in which each paradigm defines the concepts of community, information, and technology. It also explores the insights offered by each paradigm regarding relationships between community and both information and technology. Accordingly, the authors highlight the ways in which existing information behavior and informatics scholarship draws from similar conceptual roots. Key insights drawn from this research, as well as remaining gaps and research questions, are examined. Additionally, they consider the limitations of each approach. The authors conclude by arguing for the value of a vigorous research program regarding information behavior and technology use in communities, particularly that which takes the community as the central unit of analysis. They consider key questions that could drive such a research program, as well as potentially fruitful conceptual and methodological approaches for this endeavor.
Uses of explicit and implicit tags in social bookmarking
Authors: Arolas Enrique Estellés , Ladrón‐de‐Guevar Fernando González
Published: October 2011

Although Web 2.0 contains many tools with different functionalities, they all share a common social nature. One tool in particular, social bookmarking systems (SBSs), allows users to store and share links to different types of resources, i.e., websites, videos, images. To identify and classify these resources so that they can be retrieved and shared, fragments of text are used. These fragments of text, usually words, are called tags. A tag that is found on the inside of a resource text is referred to as an obvious or explicit tag. There are also nonobvious or implicit tags, which don't appear in the resource text. The purpose of this article is to describe the present situation of the SBSs tool and then to also determine the principal features of and how to use explicit tags. It will be taken into special consideration which HTML tags with explicit tags are used more frequently.
Experiences using PSP and XP to support teaching in undergraduate programming courses
Authors: Martínez Luis G. , Licea Guillermo , Juárez J. Reyes , Aguilar Leocundo
Published: October 2011

Computer programming has a technological part and a creative part; it involves specific technical aspects of programming languages and creative aspects to find the best solutions for different problem domains. The programming learning process encompasses a group of different teacher–student techniques that are put into practice. These techniques have the object of learning a programming language to solve real problems; in this learning process we must include good software development practices of analysis and design so the novice programmer disciplines himself into developing quality software. To improve the learning programming process we use techniques and methods of software development adapting them to the context of courses in programs of the curricula. There are different methods to help us develop quality software; this article is a case study of using PSP (Personal Software Process) method and XP (eXtreme Programming) techniques on curricula's first programming course for engineering students, as support of the learning process of a programming language, and acquiring good software development habits. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 22:563–569, 2014; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.10.1002/cae.20581
5,10‐A2B2‐Type meso‐Substituted Porphyrins—A Unique Class of Porphyrins with a Realigned Dipole Moment
Authors: Senge Mathias O. , Ryppa Claudia , Fazekas Marijana , Zawadzka Monika , Dahms Katja
Published: October 2011

Current applications in porphyrin chemistry require the use of unsymmetrically substituted porphyrins. Many current industrial interests in optics and biomedicine require systems with either push–pull (electron‐donating and ‐withdrawing groups) or amphiphilic systems (hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups). In this context we present the class of 5,10‐A2B2‐type porphyrins for which two different substituents are positioned in diagonally opposite meso positions. Thus, the intramolecular dipole moment in these tetrapyrroles is positioned along a β–β vector passing through two pyrrole rings. This is opposite to the situation of the frequently used 5,15‐A2BC porphyrins for which the dipole moment is oriented along a meso–meso axis. We have elaborated syntheses of the 5,10‐A2B2 porphyrins by using transition‐metal‐catalyzed transformations of 5,10‐A2 porphyrins or direct substitutions reactions thereof; this gives the target molecules in 22–77 % overall yields. The compounds exhibit interesting structural, spectroscopic, and optical features and can serve as building blocks for new porphyrin arrays and applications.
A General Approach for the Growth of Metal Oxide Nanorod Arrays on Graphene Sheets and Their Applications
Authors: Zou Rujia , Zhang Zhenyu , Yu Li , Tian Qiwei , Chen Zhigang , Hu Junqing
Published: October 2011

In the fabrication of flexible devices, highly ordered nanoscale texturing, such as semiconductor metal oxide nanorod arrays on flexible substrates, is critical for optimal performance. Use of transparent conducting films, metallic films, and polymer substrates is limited by mechanical brittleness, chemical and thermal instability, or low electrical conductivity, low melting point, and so on. A simple and general nanocrystal‐seed‐directed hydrothermal route has now been developed for large‐scale growth of nanorod arrays of various semiconductor metal oxides (MO), including TiO2, ZnO, MnO2, CuO, and ZrO2 on both sides of flexible graphene (G) sheets to form sandwichlike MO/G/MO heterostructures. The TiO2/G/TiO2 heterostructures have much higher photocatalytic activity than TiO2 nanorods, with a photocatalytic degradation rate of methylene blue that is four times faster than that of the TiO2 nanorods, and are thus promising candidates for photocatalytic decontamination.
Can eyes smell? cross‐modal correspondences between color hue‐tone and fragrance family
Authors: Kim Yu‐Jin
Published: October 2011

Color can facilitate the identification of odor quality and influence the perception of odor intensity. To deliver coherent sensory messages of perfumes effectively, this research investigated whether people experience cross‐modal interactions between color hue–tone and fragrance family and how consistent these cross‐modal interactions are. Two experimental tasks were conducted with eight commercial perfumes in four typical fragrance families (floral, oriental, fresh, and woody): direct fragrance–color matching and degree of similarity judgement between color and fragrance. These tasks revealed that fragrances were nonrandomly, consistently matched with colors. The correspondences between the fragrance families and colors were influenced by the hue (warm–cool color images) and tone (especially, lightness property) dimensions. In addition, gender differences in the color–fragrance correspondences were partially revealed for the four fragrance families. On the other hand, there were no significant differences between the degrees of familiarity with the fragrance families and the color–fragrance correspondences. These findings confirm the robust existence of cross‐modal correspondences between vision and olfaction in perfumery. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2013
Irreversible Inhibition of Monoamine Oxidase B by the Antiparkinsonian Medicines Rasagiline and Selegiline: A Computational Study (Eur. J. Org. Chem. 32/2011)
Authors: Borštnar Rok , Repič Matej , Kržan Mojca , Mavri Janez , Vianello Robert
Published: October 2011

The cover picture shows the importance of understanding the mechanism of monoamine oxidase B inhibition for the development of novel and improved antiparkinsonian drugs. Computational analysis of seven inhibition mechanisms elucidated the most plausible one. It involves the nucleophilic attack of the deprotonated inhibitor onto the enzyme's cofactor FAD, following enzymatic proton detachment from the inhibitor's terminal acetylene carbon. This reaction forms a therapeutical basis for relieving the symptoms of Parkinson disease. Mechanism‐based inhibitors of enzymes, being highly specific, often prove to be promising drug candidates. Details are discussed in the article by R. Vianello et al. on p. 6419 ff.
Integrated continuous flow polymerase chain reaction and micro‐capillary electrophoresis system with bioaffinity preconcentration
Authors: Njoroge Samuel K. , Witek Magorzata A. , Battle Katrina N. , Immethun Vicki E. , Hupert Mateusz L. , Soper Steven A.
Published: October 2011

An integrated and modular DNA analysis system is reported that consists of two modules: (i) A continuous flow polymerase chain reaction (CFPCR) module fabricated in a high Tg (150°C) polycarbonate substrate in which selected gene fragments were amplified using biotin and fluorescently labeled primers accomplished by continuously shuttling small packets of PCR reagents and template through isothermal zones as opposed to heating and cooling large thermal masses typically performed in batch‐type thermal reactors. (ii) μCE (micro‐capillary electrophoresis) module fabricated in poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA), which utilized a bioaffinity selection and purification bed (2.9 μL) to preconcentrate and purify the PCR products generated from the CFPCR module prior to electrophoretic sorting. Biotin‐labeled CFPCR products were hydrostatically pumped through the streptavidin‐modified bed, where they were extracted onto the surface of micropillars. The affinity bed was also fabricated in PMMA and was populated with an array of microposts (50 μm width; 100 μm height) yielding a total surface area of ∼117 mm2. This solid‐phase extraction (SPE) process demonstrated high selectivity for biotinylated amplicons and utilized the strong streptavidin/biotin interaction (Kd = 10−15 M) to generate high recoveries. The SPE selected CFPCR products were thermally denatured and single‐stranded DNA released for injection into a 7‐cm‐long μCE channel for size‐based separations and fluorescence detection. The utility of the system was demonstrated using Alu DNA typing for gender and ethnicity determinations as a model. Compared with the traditional cross‐T injection procedure typically used for μCE, the affinity pre‐concentration and injection procedure generated signal enhancements of 17‐ to 40‐fold, critical for CFPCR thermal cyclers due to Taylor dispersion associated with their operation.
Fabrication optimization of a miniaturized array device for cell‐free protein synthesis
Authors: Khnouf Ruba , Chapman Benjamin D. , Hugh Fan Z.
Published: October 2011

Cell‐free protein synthesis (CFPS) is an attractive alternative to cell‐based protein expression systems because of its advantages including speed, simplicity, and adaptability to various formats. However, two major obstacles exist that have been preventing it from being widely used. One is high cost and the other is low protein synthesis yield. We report here a miniaturized CFPS device that addresses these challenges. The cost saving was achieved by miniaturization, which reduced the reagent consumption by two orders of magnitude. The protein synthesis yield was enhanced by prolonging CFPS reactions through continuous supply of reactants (e.g. nutrients and energy components). The reactants were contained in a feeding solution, which was replenished through a nanoporous membrane and microchannel. The design of the miniaturized device was optimized by running continuous‐exchange CFPS in devices with a variation in the type of membrane, the size of the exchange interface, and the volume ratio of the reaction solution to the feeding solution. The effects of these design variations on the protein synthesis yield have been studied. Furthermore, the design was expanded into a 96‐unit device that can produce a large number of proteins simultaneously, enabling high‐throughput proteomics applications.
Telaprevir: new specific protease inhibitor for chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Dusheiko Geoffrey
Published: October 2011

Current treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 infection with pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) is effective in less than 50% of patients. Retreatment with the same regimen is poorly effective. The advent of direct‐acting antiviral agents that target replication of HCV promises to improve therapy for the disease. Telaprevir is a new protease inhibitor that specifically targets the NS3/4A serine protease, rapidly reducing HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) levels. Several phase 2 and phase 3 studies have assessed the efficacy and safety of telaprevir. The author discusses the results of these studies, which suggest that the addition of this specific protease inhibitor to PEG‐IFN‐alpha2 and RBV can signifi cantly improve the results of treatment in patients affected with chronic HCV infection with genotype 1, compared with the standard treatment. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
GGF2 (Nrg1‐β3) treatment enhances NG2+ cell response and improves functional recovery after spinal cord injury
Authors: Whittaker Matthew T. , Zai Laila J. , Lee Hyun Joon , Pajoohesh‐Ganji Ahdeah , Wu Junfang , Sharp April , Wyse Ransom , Wrathall Jean R.
Published: October 2011

The adult spinal cord contains a pool of endogenous glial precursor cells, which spontaneously respond to spinal cord injury (SCI) with increased proliferation. These include oligodendrocyte precursor cells that express the NG2 proteoglycan and can differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes. Thus, a potential approach for SCI treatment is to enhance the proliferation and differentiation of these cells to yield more functional mature glia and improve remyelination of surviving axons. We previously reported that soluble glial growth factor 2 (GGF2)‐ and basic fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2)‐stimulated growth of NG2+ cells purified from injured spinal cord in primary culture. This study examines the effects of systemic administration of GGF2 and/or FGF2 after standardized contusive SCI in vivo in both rat and mouse models. In Sprague‐Dawley rats, 1 week of GGF2 administration, beginning 24 h after injury, enhanced NG2+ cell proliferation, oligodendrogenesis, chronic white matter at the injury epicenter, and recovery of hind limb function. In 2′,3′‐cyclic‐nucleotide 3′‐phosphodiesterase‐enhanced green fluorescent protein mice, GGF2 treatment resulted in increased oligodendrogenesis and improved functional recovery, as well as elevated expression of the stem cell transcription factor Sox2 by oligodendrocyte lineage cells. Although oligodendrocyte number was increased chronically after SCI in GGF2‐treated mice, no evidence of increased white matter was detected. However, GGF2 treatment significantly increased levels of P0 protein‐containing peripheral myelin, produced by Schwann cells that infiltrate the injured spinal cord. Our results suggest that GGF2 may have therapeutic potential for SCI by enhancing endogenous recovery processes in a clinically relevant time frame. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improving the sensitivity of immunoassays with PEG‐COOH‐like film prepared by plasma‐based technique
Authors: O'Mahony Christy Charlton , Gubala Vladimir , Gandhiraman Ram Prasad , Daniels Stephen , Yuk Jong Seol , MacCraith Brian D. , Williams David E.
Published: October 2011

Herein we report on a preparation and performance of stable, hydrophilic and biocompatible polymeric material suitable for functionalization of disposable substrates used in biosensors. This new material features COOH surface groups cross‐linked with ethylene glycol molecules and was prepared in situ on disposable, plastic substrate by high‐throughput and environmentally friendly technique called plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). The film is grafted to the plasma activated plastic by sequential deposition of tetraethylorthosilicate, forming a bonding layer, and mixed vapors of acrylic acid and diethyleneglycol dimethylether (AA/PEG) that provide the desired functional groups forming a sensing, contact layer. A superior performance of the AA/PEG coating as suitable material for substrates in biomedical devices was demonstrated in a model fluorescence linked immunosorbent assay. The results were compared with other commonly used surface materials prepared by wet chemistry methods. The unique characteristic of the AA/PEG film is that the immunoassay can be executed without the need for a blocking step, typically using albumins, without negative consequences on the bioassay results. In fact, the superior quality of the materials modified with AA/PEG film was highlighted by improving the sensitivity of an immunoassay by two orders of magnitude when compared with substrates prepared by standard surface chemistry methods. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.
Sustained release of neurotrophin‐3 and chondroitinase ABC from electrospun collagen nanofiber scaffold for spinal cord injury repair
Authors: Liu Ting , Xu Jinye , Chan Barbara P. , Chew Sing Yian
Published: October 2011

Nerve regeneration after spinal cord injuries (SCI) remains suboptimal despite recent advances in the field. One major hurdle is the rapid clearance of drugs from the injury site, which greatly limits therapeutic outcomes. Nanofiber scaffolds represent a potential class of materials for enhancing nerve regeneration because of its biomimicking architecture. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of incorporating neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) and chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) onto electrospun collagen nanofibers for SCI treatment. By using microbial transglutaminase (mTG) mediated crosslinking, proteins were loaded onto electrospun collagen nanofibers at an efficiency of ∼45–48%. By combining NT‐3 with heparin during the protein incorporation process, a sustained release of NT‐3 was obtained (∼96% by day 28). As indicated by dorsal root ganglion outgrowth assay, NT‐3 incorporated collagen scaffolds supported neuronal culture and neurite outgrowth for a longer time period than bolus delivery of NT‐3. The presence of heparin also protected ChABC from degradation. Specifically, as evaluated by dimethylmethylene blue assay, bioactive ChABC was detected from collagen scaffolds for at least 32 days in vitro in the presence of heparin (∼32% of bioactivity retained). In contrast, ChABC bioactivity was only ∼1.9% by day 22 in the absence of heparin. Taken together, these results clearly demonstrated the feasibility of incorporating NT‐3 and ChABC via mTG immobilization to produce protein‐incorporated collagen nanofibers. Such biofunctional nanofiber constructs may find useful applications in SCI treatment by providing topographical signals and multiple biochemical cues that can promote nerve regeneration while antagonizing axonal growth inhibition for CNS regeneration. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.
Biocompatibility and biodegradation of polycaprolactone‐sebacic acid blended gels
Authors: Salgado Christiane L. , Sanchez Elisabete M. S. , Zavaglia Cecília A. C. , Granja Pedro L.
Published: October 2011

Tissue engineering aims at creating biological body parts as an alternative for transplanting tissues and organs. A current new approach for such materials consists in injectable biodegradable polymers. Their major advantages are the ability to fill‐in defects, easy incorporation of therapeutic agents or cells, and the possibility of minimal invasive surgical procedures. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a promising biodegradable and elastic biomaterial, with the drawback of low‐degradation kineticsin vivo. In this work a biodegradable injectable gel of PCL blended with sebacic acid (SA) was prepared, to improve the degradation rate of the biomaterial. SA is known for its high degradation rate, although in high concentrations it could originate a pH decrease and thus disturb the biocompatibility of PCL. Degradation tests on phosphate buffered saline were carried out using 5% of SA on the blend and the biomaterial stability was evaluated after degradation using differential scanning calorimetry, dynamical mechanical analysis, and scanning electronic microscopy. After degradation the elastic properties of the blend decreased and the material became more crystalline and stiffer, although at a lower extent when compared with pure PCL. The blend also degraded faster with a loss of the crystalline phase on the beginning (30 days), although its thermal and mechanical properties remained comparable with those of the pure material, thus showing that it achieved the intended objectives. After cell assays the PCL‐SA gel was shown to be cytocompatible and capable of maintaining high cell viability (over 90%). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.
Obsessive‐compulsive disorder with predominantly scrupulous symptoms: clinical and religious characteristics
Authors: Siev Jedidiah , Baer Lee , Minichiello William E.
Published: October 2011

Objectives: Scrupulosity is a relatively common but understudied subtype of obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) characterized by religious or moral fears. It is difficult to treat and frequently disabling. We examined scrupulosity as it relates to (a) treatment‐seeking behavior and perceived treatment gains, (b) the perceived effect of symptoms on religious experience, and (c) conceptions of God. Method: Seventy‐two individuals with scrupulous OCD (mean age = 36; 70% women) and 75 individuals with nonscrupulous OCD (mean age = 38; 81% women) completed an internet‐based survey. Results: The groups did not differ on demographic variables or overall OCD severity. Compared with the nonscrupulous group, the scrupulous group was (a) more religious, (b) more likely to seek pastoral counseling, (c) less likely to seek medication treatment, and (d) more likely to report that symptoms interfered with their religious experience. Indeed, most scrupulous individuals endorsed that their symptoms interfered with their religious experience. Scrupulous individuals with a more negative concept of God experienced more severe symptoms, whereas a positive description of God was unrelated to severity of scrupulosity in this group. Nearly one in five scrupulous participants reported no religious affiliation. Conclusions: Scrupulous individuals have unique treatment‐seeking preferences. Moreover, most scrupulous individuals perceive their symptoms as interfering with their religious experience. Focusing on the religious costs and benefits of scrupulous rituals might have clinical utility. Finally, scrupulous individuals with a more negative concept of God experienced more severe symptoms. Future research is necessary to evaluate whether addressing such concepts can improve treatment outcome. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 67:1–9, 2011.
CURB‐65 and SMRT‐CO in the prediction of early transfers to the intensive care unit among patients with community‐acquired pneumonia initially admitted to a general ward
Authors: Huaman Moises A. , Diaz‐Kuan Alicia , Hegab Sara , Brar Indira , Kaatz Scott
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND:

No study has assessed the ability of pneumonia severity scores to identify the risk for early intensive care unit (ICU) transfer in patients with community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) admitted to general wards (GW). We aimed to compare the ability of CURB‐65 (confusion, urea level, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and age ≥65 years) and SMRT‐CO (systolic blood pressure, multilobar chest radiography involvement, respiratory rate, tachycardia, confusion, and oxygenation) scores to predict early ICU transfers in these patients.

DESIGN:

Retrospective, case‐control study. Cases were defined as patients admitted to GW with CAP that required ICU transfer within 48 hours. Controls were defined as patients admitted to GW with CAP that did not require ICU transfer. CURB‐65 and SMRT‐CO scores were calculated on presentation to emergency department (ED), and upon admission to GW. Composite scores were calculated combining data from ED and GW. Sensitivities, specificities, likelihood ratios, and areas‐under‐the‐curve (AUC) were calculated for each score.

RESULTS:

From 2003 to 2009, 115 cases and 345 controls were identified. Both groups had similar baseline characteristics. Composite scores combining data from ED and GW had better sensitivity and AUC than scores calculated only with ED or GW data (P < 0.001). A composite SMRT‐CO score ≥2 had 76.5% (95% CI, 67.7 to 83.9) sensitivity, 67.5% (95% CI, 62.3 to 72.4) specificity, and 0.81 (95% CI, 0.77 to 0.85) AUC. A composite CURB‐65 score ≥3 had 36.5% (95% CI, 27.7 to 46.0) sensitivity, 86.3% (95% CI, 82.3 to 89.8) specificity, and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.60 to 0.72) AUC to predict early ICU transfers. Composite SMRT‐CO had higher sensitivity and AUC (P < 0.001) than composite CURB‐65.

CONCLUSIONS:

Composite SMRT‐CO had a better combination of sensitivity and specificity than CURB‐65 for predicting early ICU transfers. Prospective studies to confirm our findings are needed. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011;. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Improving the discharge process by embedding a discharge facilitator in a resident team
Authors: Finn Kathleen M. , Heffner Rebecca , Chang Yuchiao , Bazari Hasan , Hunt Daniel , Pickell Karen , Berube Rhodes , Raju Shveta , Farrell Elizabeth , Iyasere Christiana , Thompson Ryan , O'Malley Terrence , O'Donnell Walter , Karson Andrew
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND:

Hospital discharges are vulnerable periods for patient safety, especially in teaching hospitals where discharges are done by residents with competing demands. We sought to assess whether embedding a nurse practitioner on a medical team to help physicians with the discharge process would improve communication, patient follow‐up, and hospital reutilization.

METHODS:

A 5‐month randomized controlled trial was conducted on the medical service at an academic tertiary‐care hospital. A nurse practitioner was randomly assigned to 1 resident team to complete discharge paperwork, arrange follow‐up appointments and prescriptions, communicate discharge plans with nursing and primary care physicians, and answer questions from discharged patients.

RESULTS:

Intervention patients had more discharge summaries completed within 24 hours (67% vs 47%, P < 0.001). Similarly, they had more follow‐up appointments scheduled by the time of discharge (62% vs 36%, P < 0.0001) and attended those appointments more often within 2 weeks (36% vs 23%, P < 0.0002). Intervention patients knew whom to call with questions (95% vs 85%, P = 0.003) and were more satisfied with the discharge process (97% vs 76%, P < 0.0001). Attending rounds on the intervention team finished on time (45% vs 31%, P = 0.058), and residents signed out on average 46 minutes earlier each day. There was no significant difference between the groups in 30‐day emergency department visits or readmissions.

CONCLUSIONS:

Helping resident physicians with the discharge process improves many aspects of discharge communication and patient follow‐up, and saves residents' time, but had no effect on hospital reutilization for a general medicine population. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011;. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Behaviors of successful interdisciplinary hospital quality improvement teams
Authors: Santana Calie , Curry Leslie A. , Nembhard Ingrid M. , Berg David N. , Bradley Elizabeth H.
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND:

Although interdisciplinary hospital quality improvement (QI) teams are both prevalent and associated with success of (QI) efforts, little is known about the behaviors of successful interdisciplinary QI teams.

OBJECTIVE:

We examined the specific behaviors of interdisciplinary QI teams in hospitals that successfully redesigned care for patients with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and reduced door‐to‐balloon times.

DESIGN:

Qualitative study.

PARTICIPANTS:

Researchers interviewed 122 administrators, providers, and staff in 11 hospitals with substantial improvements in door‐to‐balloon times.

MEASUREMENTS:

Using data from the in‐depth qualitative interviews, the authors identified themes that described the behaviors of interdisciplinary QI teams in successful hospitals.

RESULTS:

Teams focused on 5 behaviors: (1) motivating involved hospital staff toward a shared goal, (2) creating opportunities for learning and problem‐solving, (3) addressing the impact of changes to care processes on staff, (4) protecting the integrity of the new care processes, and (5) representing each involved clinical discipline effectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

The behaviors observed may enhance a QI team's ability to motivate the various disciplines involved, understand the care process they must change, be responsive to front‐line concerns while maintaining control over the improvement process, and share information across all levels of the hospital hierarchy. Teams in successful hospitals did not avoid interdisciplinary conflict, but rather allowed each discipline to contribute to the team from its own perspective. Successful QI teams addressed the concerns of each involved discipline, modified protocols guided by clinical outcomes, and became conduits of information on changes to care processes to both executive managers and front‐line staff. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011;. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine
Hospital quality and patient safety competencies: Development, description, and recommendations for use
Authors: O'Leary Kevin J. , Afsar‐manesh Nasim , Budnitz Tina , Dunn Andrew S. , Myers Jennifer S.
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND:

Hospitalists are poised to have a tremendous impact on improving the quality of care for hospitalized patients. However, many hospitalists are inadequately prepared to engage in efforts to improve quality, because medical schools and residency programs have not traditionally emphasized healthcare quality and patient safety in their curricula.

METHODS:

Through a multistep process, the Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) Quality Improvement Education (QIE) subcommittee developed the Hospital Quality and Patient Safety (HQPS) Competencies to provide a framework for developing and assessing curricula and other professional development experiences. This article describes the development, provides definitions, and makes recommendations on the use of the HQPS Competencies.

RESULTS:

The 8 areas of competence include: Quality Measurement and Stakeholder Interests, Data Acquisition and Interpretation, Organizational Knowledge and Leadership Skills, Patient Safety Principles, Teamwork and Communication, Quality and Safety Improvement Methods, Health Information Systems, and Patient Centeredness. Reflecting differing levels of hospitalist involvement in healthcare quality, 3 levels of expertise within each area of competence have been established: basic, intermediate, and advanced. Standards for each competency area use carefully selected action verbs to reflect educational goals for hospitalists at each level.

CONCLUSIONS:

Formal incorporation of the HQPS Competencies into professional development programs, and innovative educational initiatives and curricula, will help provide current hospitalists and the next generations of hospitalists with the needed skills to be successful. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011;. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine
Interdisciplinary teamwork in hospitals: A review and practical recommendations for improvement
Authors: O'Leary Kevin J. , Sehgal Niraj L. , Terrell Grace , Williams Mark V. ,   for the High Performance Teams and the Hospital of the Future Project Team
Published: October 2011

Recognizing the importance of teamwork in hospitals, senior leadership from the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE), the American Hospital Association (AHA), the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), and the Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) established the High Performance Teams and the Hospital of the Future project. This collaborative learning effort aims to redesign care delivery to provide optimal value to hospitalized patients. With input from members of this initiative, we prepared this report which reviews the literature related to teamwork in hospitals. Teamwork is critically important to provide safe and effective hospital care. Hospitals with high teamwork ratings experience higher patient satisfaction, higher nurse retention, and lower hospital costs. Elements of effective teamwork have been defined and provide a framework for assessment and improvement efforts in hospitals. Measurement of teamwork is essential to understand baseline performance, and to demonstrate the utility of resources invested to enhance it and the subsequent impact on patient care. Interventions designed to improve teamwork in hospitals include localization of physicians, daily goals of care forms and checklists, teamwork training, and interdisciplinary rounds. Though additional research is needed to evaluate the impact on patient outcomes, these interventions consistently result in improved teamwork knowledge, ratings of teamwork climate, and better understanding of patients' plans of care. The optimal approach is implementation of a combination of interventions, with adaptations to fit unique clinical settings and local culture. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011;. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine
Patient satisfaction with hospital care provided by hospitalists and primary care physicians
Authors: Seiler Adrianne , Visintainer Paul , Brzostek Richard , Ehresman Michael , Benjamin Evan , Whitcomb Winthrop , Rothberg Michael B.
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND:

Compared to hospital care provided by primary care physicians (PCPs), the hospitalist model provides equal‐to‐superior efficiency and outcomes; however, little is known about how the model affects patient satisfaction.

METHODS:

Random patient satisfaction telephone interviews were conducted on discharged adult medicine inpatients at 3 Massachusetts hospitals between 2003 and 2009. Questionnaires included variables assessing patient satisfaction with various physician care domains. Patient age, gender, admission year, education level, language, illness severity, emergency room admission status, institution, and attending physician type were extracted from billing records. We used adjusted multivariable models to compare patient satisfaction with hospitalists and PCPs for domains of: physician care quality, physician behavior, pain management, communication.

RESULTS:

Inpatients completed discharge surveys for 8295 encounters (3597 hospitalist, 4698 PCP). Multivariate‐adjusted satisfaction scores for physician care quality were slightly higher for PCPs than hospitalists (4.24 vs 4.20, P = 0.04); there was no statistical difference at any individual hospital, and no difference among different hospitalist groups. Patient ratings of hospitalists and PCPs for behavior, pain control, and communication were equivalent (all P values >0.23). In multivariable models, hospitalists and PCPs had similar adjusted proportions in the highest satisfaction category (79.2% vs 80.5%, respectively, P = 0.17) and lowest category (5.1% vs 4.5%, respectively, P = 0.19). Quality ratings of both groups improved equivalently (P slope interaction = 0.47) but significantly over time (PCP 4.21 (2003) to 4.36 (2009), hospitalist 4.11 to 4.33, P Δ <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients appear similarly satisfied with inpatient care provided by several hospitalist models and by primary care physicians. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012;. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Current practices for describing the performance of molecularly imprinted polymers can be misleading and may be hampering the development of the field
Authors: Castell Oliver K. , Barrow David A. , Kamarudin Ahmad R. , Allender Chris J.
Published: October 2011

A contributing factor to the labored advance of molecularly imprinting as a viable commercial solution to molecular recognition needs is the absence of a standard and robust method for assessing and reporting on molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) performance. The diversity and at times inappropriateness of MIP performance indicators means that the usefulness of the literature back‐catalogue, for predicting, elucidating or understanding patterns in MIP efficacy, remains largely inaccessible. We hereby put forward the case that the simple binding isotherm is the most versatile and useful method of assessing and reporting MIP function, allowing direct comparison between polymers prepared and evaluated in different studies. In this study we describe how to correctly plot and interpret a bound / free isotherm and show how such plots can be readily used to predict outcomes, retro‐analyze data and optimize experimental design. We propose that by adopting the use of correctly constructed isotherms as the primary form of data representation researchers will enable inter‐laboratory comparisons, promote good experimental design and encourage a greater collective understanding of molecular imprinting. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Early in vivo changes in calcium ions, oxidative stress markers, and ion channel immunoreactivity following partial injury to the optic nerve
Authors: Wells Jonathan , Kilburn Matthew R. , Shaw Jeremy A. , Bartlett Carole A. , Harvey Alan R. , Dunlop Sarah A. , Fitzgerald Melinda
Published: October 2011

CNS injury is often localized but can be followed by more widespread secondary degenerative events that usually result in greater functional loss. Using a partial transection model in rat optic nerve (ON). we recently demonstrated in vivo increases in the oxidative stress‐associated enzyme MnSOD 5 min after injury. However, mechanisms by which early oxidative stress spreads remain unclear. In the present study, we assessed ion distributions, additional oxidative stress indicators, and ion channel immunoreactivity in ON in the first 24 hr after partial transection. Using nanoscale secondary ion mass spectroscopy (NanoSIMS), we demonstrate changes in the distribution pattern of Ca ions following partial ON transection. Regions of elevated Ca ions in normal ON in vivo rapidly decrease following partial ON transection, but there is an increasingly punctate distribution at 5 min and 24 hr after injury. We also show rapid decreases in catalase activity and later increases in immunoreactivity of the advanced glycation end product carboxymethyl lysine in astrocytes. Increased oxidative stress in astrocytes is accompanied by significantly increased immunoreactivity of the AMPA receptor subunit GluR1 and aquaporin 4 (AQP4). Taken together, the results indicate that Ca ion changes and oxidative stress are early events following partial ON injury that are associated with changes in GluR1 AMPA receptor subunits and altered ionic balance resulting from increased AQP4. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 and 1 α,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 on differentiation and apoptosis of human osteosarcoma cell lines
Authors: Thompson Lindsey , Wang Shanshan , Tawfik Ossama , Templeton Kimberly , Tancabelic Jakica , Pinson David , Anderson H. Clarke , Keighley John , Garimella Rama
Published: October 2011

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a malignant bone tumor predominantly affecting children and adolescents. OS has a 60% survival rate with current treatments; hence, there is a need to identify novel adjuncts to chemotherapeutic regimens. In this pilot study, we investigated the dose‐response to 1α,25‐dihdroxyvitamin D3 (1,α 25(OH)2D3) and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) by human OS cell lines, SaOS‐2, and 143B. We hypothesized that 1,α 25(OH)2D3 and 25(OH)D3 would stimulate differentiation and induce apoptosis in OS cells in a dose‐dependent manner. Human OS cell lines, SaOS‐2, and 143B, were treated with 1,α 25(OH)2D3 or 25(OH)D3 or an ethanol control, respectively, at concentrations ranging from 1 to 1,000 nM. Ki67 (a marker of cellular proliferation) immunocytochemistry revealed no significant changes in the expression of Ki‐67 or MIB‐1 in 1α,25(OH)2D3 or 25(OH)D3 treated SaOS‐2 or 143B cells. Both control and 1α,25(OH)2D3 treated SaOS‐2 and 143B cells expressed vitamin D receptor (VDR). Markers of osteoblastic differentiation in 143B cells and SaOS‐2 cells were induced by both 25(OH)D3 and 1α,25(OH)2D, and evident by increases in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteocalcin (OCN) mRNA expression, and mineralization of extra‐cellular matrix (ECM) by alizarin red staining. An increasing trend in apoptosis in response to 25(OH)D3, in both SaOS‐2 and 143B cells was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)‐mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. With 1α,25(OH)2D3 treatment, apoptosis was evident at higher concentrations only. These preliminary findings suggest that OS cells express VDR and respond to 25(OH)D3 and 1α,25(OH)2D3 by undergoing differentiation and apoptosis. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:831–844, 2012
An efficient combination of supercritical fluid extraction and high‐speed counter‐current chromatography to extract and purify (E)‐ and (Z)‐diastereomers of α‐asarone and β‐asarone from Acorus tatarinowii Schott
Authors: Wang Daijie , Geng Yanling , Fang Lei , Shu Xikai , Liu Jianhua , Wang Xiao , Huang Luqi
Published: October 2011

In this study, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was used to extract essential oil from Acorus tatarinowii Schott under the pressure of 25 MPa and temperature of 35°C. Two (E)‐ and (Z)‐diastereomers of α‐asarone and β‐asarone were separated and purified by high‐speed counter‐current chromatography (HSCCC) with a two‐phase solvent system composed of n‐hexane–ethyl acetate–methanol–water (1:0.2:1:0.3, v/v). The separation yielded a total of 39 mg of α‐asarone and 463 mg of β‐asarone from 1.0 g of essential oil in one‐step separation with the purity of 98.9 and 99.1%, respectively, as determined by HPLC. The chemical structures of these compounds were identified by EI‐MS, 1H‐, and 13C‐NMR.
P‐Stereogenic Optically Active Polymer and the Complexation Behavior
Authors: Morisaki Yasuhiro , Suzuki Kentaro , Imoto Hiroaki , Chujo Yoshiki
Published: October 2011

The synthetic details of the P‐stereogenic optically active polymer and the complexation behavior with palladium and platinum complexes are reported. The polymer consists of P‐stereogenic bisphosphine units and the conjugated phenylene‐ethynylene units alternately. The P‐stereogenic bisphosphine moieties can coordinate to transition metals such as palladium and platinum, leading to a change in the conformation.
Double‐exponential embeddings of logarithmic spaces
Authors: Gurka Petr , Lang Jan
Published: October 2011

Using extrapolation methods we derive embeddings of logarithmic spaces of Besov, Sobolev or Triebel‐Lizorkin type into double‐exponential Orlicz spaces.
Polymers for Anion Recognition and Sensing
Authors: Rostami Ali , Taylor Mark S.
Published: October 2011

In biological systems, the selective and high‐affinity recognition of anionic species is accomplished by macromolecular hosts (anion‐binding proteins) that have been “optimized” through evolution. Surprisingly, it is only recently that chemists have systematically attempted to develop anion‐responsive synthetic macromolecules for potential applications in medicine, national security, or environmental monitoring. Recent results indicating that unique features of polymeric systems such as signal amplification, multivalency, and cooperative behavior may be exploited productively in the context of anion recognition and sensing are documented. The wide variety of interactions—including Lewis acid/base, ion‐pairing, and hydrogen bonding—that have been employed for this purpose is reflected in the structural diversity of anion‐responsive macromolecules identified to date.
Narrow band gap D–A copolymer of indacenodithiophene and diketopyrrolopyrrole with deep HOMO level: Synthesis and application in field‐effect transistors and polymer solar cells
Authors: Wang Xiaochen , Luo Hao , Sun Yeping , Zhang Maojie , Li Xiaoyu , Yu Gui , Liu Yunqi , Li Yongfang , Wang Haiqiao
Published: October 2011

A novel fused ladder alternating D–A copolymer, PIDT–DPP, with alkyl substituted indacenodithiophene (IDT) as donor unit and diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) as acceptor unit, was designed and synthesized by Pd‐catalyzed Stille‐coupling method. The copolymer showed good solubility and film‐forming ability combining with good thermal stability. PIDT–DPP exhibited a broad absorption band from 350 to 900 nm with an absorption peak centered at 735 nm. The optical band gap determined from the onset of absorption of the polymer film was 1.37 eV. The highest occupied molecular orbital level of the polymer is as deep as −5.32 eV. The solution‐processed organic field‐effect transistor (OFETs) was fabricated with bottom gate/top contact geometry. The highest FET hole mobility of PIDT–DPP reached 0.065 cm2 V−1 s−1 with an on/off ratio of 4.6 × 105. This mobility is one of the highest values for narrow band gap conjugated polymers. The power conversion efficiency of the polymer solar cell based on the polymer as donor was 1.76% with a high open circuit voltage of 0.88 V. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the photovoltaic properties of alkyl substituted IDT‐based polymers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Concepts for a pattern‐oriented analysis ensemble based on observational uncertainties
Authors: Gorgas T. , Dorninger M.
Published: October 2011

The idea is proposed of an analysis ensemble of deterministic, model‐independent analyses. The ensemble is based on random perturbations of irregularly distributed observations. The purpose of implementing an analysis ensemble is to define uncertainties in analysis fields due to their observational background and errors. As one possible application, the uncertainty information could, in future, be used to define confidence intervals for verification measures depending on the reference data. The analysis system VERA and a high‐resolution Central European observation network are used as a testbed for the development of the methodology. Several approaches for defining weights for the perturbation fields are investigated and compared. Basic weights are determined by a sophisticated data quality control scheme producing error estimates for observations. These estimates can be combined with additional information attempting to include more explicitly the spatial structure of the observed fields in the ensemble. The information is provided by either a principal component analysis of a time series of analysis fields or a 2D‐discrete wavelet transform. Strengths and weaknesses of the different adjustments for ensemble analysis perturbations are discussed. It is shown that perturbations provided by the wavelet‐based approach lead to useful results for several meteorological parameters tested. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society