bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repositório institucional em comunicação: o projeto REPOSCOM implementado junto à federação de bibliotecas digitais em Ciências da Comunicação
Authors: Ferreira Sueli Mara Soares Pinto
Published: July 2011

Partindo do conceito, caracterização, entorno e contexto dos repositórios institucionais (RI), este artigo discute os procedimentos, políticas e estratégias definidas para sua implementação em um ambiente de pesquisa. Trata-se do Reposcom – Repositório Institucional da Intercom - Sociedade Brasileira de Estudos Interdisciplinares da Comunicação, que está inserido em um projeto maior intitulado “Federação de Bibliotecas Digitais em Ciências da Comunicação” desenvolvido pela Portcom - Rede de Informação em Ciências da Comunicação dos Países de Língua Portuguesa. Com o objetivo de compartilhar os conhecimentos obtidos descrevem-se as etapas de trabalho, as decisões tomadas e os resultados obtidos com sua implementação e com a customização do software DSpace, selecionado para dar o suporte tecnológico necessário. Conclui apresentando os desdobramentos futuros ainda por vir desse projeto.
Variability of transdermal fentanyl metabolism and excretion in pain patients
Authors: Cole, BA Joanna M. , Best, PharmD, MAS Brookie M. , Pesce, PhD, DABCC Amadeo J.
Published: July 2011

Background: The rising popularity of the fentanyl transdermal patch and the striking number of deaths attributed to its prescribed use have brought attention to the large variability of fentanyl metabolism and the need for predictive models to prevent toxicity.Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of both intrasubject and intersubject variability in fentanyl metabolism and excretion, using urinary excretion data from patients with chronic pain prescribed the fentanyl transdermal patch.Methods: Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analytical technique was used to quantitate fentanyl and norfentanyl concentrations in spot urine specimens, after incubation with glucuronidase. Descriptive statistics and graphical analysis were conducted using Microsoft Excel 2007. Analysis was conducted on 206 subjects with ≥2 visits listing transdermal fentanyl as current medication. Outliers and subjects with no detectable levels of drug were excluded, resulting in subject populations of 200 (all subjects analyzed) and 166 (subjects with drug concentrations above the instrument detection limit for all visits).Results: The geometric mean metabolic ratio (MR) of norfentanyl to fentanyl was 6.2×÷ 2.4. A wide distribution was observed in total fentanyl load (1,000-fold) and MR (200-fold). The intersubject geometric standard deviation in MR was 2.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] for MR: 1-37) and the intrasubject geometric standard deviation was 1.8 (95% CI for MR: 2-20).Conclusion: The level of intrasubject variability over time in the pharmacokinetics of the fentanyl patch is much greater than previously observed and may be due to variability in absorption, interference of metabolism by concomitant medications, and variable metabolism due to genetic polymorphisms. The variation in the MR between subjects and within subjects may explain the unpredictable adverse effects observed with use of transdermal fentanyl.
Correlation between myoclonus and the 3-glucuronide metabolites in patients treated with morphine or hydromorphone: A pilot study
Authors: McCann, MD Shawn , Yaksh, PhD Tony L. , Von Gunten, MD, PhD Charles F.
Published: July 2011

Background: The 3-glucuronide metabolites of morphine and hydromorphone have been implicated as a causative factor for patients exhibiting myoclonus.Objective: The primary goal of this study was to determine plasma levels of morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G) or hydromorphone-3-glucuronide (H3G) in patients demonstrating myoclonus and identify any trends or associations between the two.Setting: Patients were recruited from San Diego Hospice and the Institute for Palliative Medicine’s inpatient unit.Design: A prospective convenience sample comprised of 17 subjects, 12 with myoclonus and 5 without myoclonus. Analysis included demographic, metabolic and clinical variables. Plasma was assayed via high performance liquid chromatography for morphine, M3G, and morphine-6-glucuronide or hydromorphone and hydromorphone-3-glucuronide.Results: No trends or associations were identified between plasma levels of M3G or H3G and myoclonus. Ratio levels of 3-glucuronide metabolite to their corresponding parent opioid were dramatically lower than anticipated.Conclusion: In this small pilot study, it appears that the serum levels of metabolites M3G and H3G do not correlate with myoclonus.
Opioid use in young veterans
Authors: Wu, PharmD, BCPS Phipson C. , Lang, PharmD, BCPS Courtney , Hasson, PharmD Noelle K. , Linder, MD Steven H. , Clark, MD David J.
Published: July 2011

Purpose: Data suggest an increase in prescription opioid abuse in recent years. Young veterans represent a group with major risk factors for prescription opioid abuse. The objectives of this study are: (A) to determine the prevalence of chronic opioid use in young veterans over time; (B) to describe the prescribing patterns and monitoring of chronic opioid therapy in young veterans; and (C) to assess opioid management within Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) with an emphasis on effectiveness and safety.Methods: This is a Veterans Affairs Research and Development (R&D) Committee and IRB-approved retrospective, single-center study of young veterans aged 18-30 years on chronic opioid therapy during the study years January 1, 2003, to October 1, 2008. A subset of the study population who were receiving long-acting opioids for a minimum of 6 months was included in the effectiveness and safety analyses. Data were obtained from the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN 21) data warehouse, outpatient prescription records, and from electronic chart review.Results: The prevalence of chronic opioid use in young veterans has increased from 3 percent in 2003 to 4.5 percent in 2007. Patients on average were exposed to two Zdifferent opioids and had three different opioid prescribers. Nearly 80 percent of the opioid prescriptions during the study were prescribed by primary care providers and less than 1 percent was from pain specialists. Only 31 percent of patients on chronic opioids had undergone urine drug testing and only 5 percent had signed opioid treatment agreements. No difference in median pain score was observed following initiation of long-acting opioid therapy, and 22 percent of patients (4 of 18) met the prespecified definition of being a responder to long-acting opioid therapy. Five patients (28 percent) on long-acting opioids experienced adverse drug reactions.Conclusion: The prevalence of chronic opioid use in young veterans has been on the rise in recent years. Young veterans receiving care at VAPAHCS have often had multiple opioid prescribers and have trialed multiple opioid analgesics. Many improvements in appropriate monitoring and management of these patients can be made, which may include providing more training to current staff, the development of an opioid refill clinic, and greater utilization of the pain management specialists. Further larger study is warranted to identify successful strategies for improving prescribing and monitoring of opioids as well as potential predictors of response to chronic long-acting opioid therapy.
Characteristics of prescription opioid abusers in treatment: Prescription opioid use history, age, use patterns, and functional severity
Authors: Butler, PhD Stephen F. , Black, PhD Ryan A. , Grimes Serrano, PhD Jill M. , Wood, MPH Mollie E. , Budman, PhD Simon H.
Published: July 2011

Research has raised the possibility that the length of time one engages in nonmedical use of prescription opioids may be associated with abuse of other drugs, more risky drug-related behavior, and more severe functional problems. This study drew on data from the Addiction Severity Index-Multimedia Version® Connect system. A total of 55,341 client assessments at substance abuse treatment centers were analyzed to help understand the impact of length of time one has abused opioids on the patterns of abuse and functional problems. From this larger sample, 5,686 individuals who had abused a prescription opioid within the past 30 days were studied. Multiple logistic regression analyses were run to examine the impact of length of time abusing any opioid, after adjusting for several demographic variables, on route of administration (injection or injection/snorting), other drugs abused, and functioning in the areas of medical status, employment, drug and alcohol use, legal status, family and social problems, and psychiatric status. Overall findings supported the hypothesis that length of opioid abuse is associated with higher risk of drug use patterns as well as functional problems.
A retrospective chart review of opioid-induced nausea and somnolence on commencement for cancer pain treatment
Authors: Okamoto, BP Yoshiaki , Tsuneto, MD, PhD Satoru , Tsugane, PhD Mamiko , Takagi, PhD Tatsuya , Uejima, PhD Etsuko
Published: July 2011

Morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl are major opioids available as controlledrelease morphine (CRM), controlled-release oxycodone (CRO), and transdermal fentanyl (TDF), respectively, in Japan. The authors conducted a retrospective chart review to examine (1) nausea and somnolence on commencement of CRM, CRO, and TDF for cancer pain treatment, (2) the antiemetic effectiveness of prochlorperazine to prevent opioid-induced nausea, and (3) the side effect of prochlorperazine on somnolence in patients with cancer pain. Four hundred thirteen patients with cancer were prescribed with CRM (N = 66), CRO (N = 196), and TDF (N = 151). The incidence of nausea on commencement of the TDF group (6.8 percent) was significantly lower than that of both the CRM group (22.6 percent) and the CRO group (35.4 percent; p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of nausea on commencement of all groups combined with prochlorperazine at dosage of 15 mg/d. The incidence of somnolence on commencement of the TDF group (9.0 percent) was significantly lower than that of both the CRM group (31.3 percent) and the CRO group (41.5 percent; p < 0.001). The incidence of somnolence on commencement of the CRO group combined with prochlorperazine was significantly higher than that of the CRO combined without prochlorperazine (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the incidence of nausea and somnolence on commencement of TDF are significantly lower than that of both CRM and CRO for cancer pain treatment. Prochlorperazine at a dosage of 15 mg/d may not be effective in preventing opioid-induced nausea and may cause somnolence in patients with cancer pain.
Current concepts in the management of opioid-induced constipation
Authors: Walters, MD John Brandon , Montagnini, MD, FACP Marcos
Published: July 2011

Patients with chronic pain on daily opioid therapy are frequently burdened with symptoms of constipation. Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) contributes to an overall negative impact on the quality of life and may result in poor pain management outcomes. Laxative agents are crucial in opioid-related pain management. Following a careful assessment, a stepwise approach to OIC may provide comfort and relief to patients. This article reviews the pathophysiology, assessment, and pharmacological treatment of OIC. Novel approaches for OIC such as the peripheral opioid receptor antagonists and selective serotonin antagonists are also discussed.
Positive and negative subjective effects of extended-release oxymorphone versus controlled-release oxycodone in recreational opioid users
Authors: Schoedel, PhD Kerri A. , McMorn, PhD Stephen , Chakraborty, MStat Bijan , Potts, MS Susan L. , Zerbe, RN Kathleen , Sellers, MD, PhD Edward M.
Published: July 2011

Objective: To compare the subjective effects of oxymorphone extended release (OM-ER ) versus oxycodone controlled release (OC-CR ).Design: Randomized, double-blind, crossover study.Setting: Inpatient unit.Subjects: Healthy, nondependent recreational opioid users.Interventions: Single intact oral tablets that were placebo or contained OM-ER (15 and 30 mg) or OC-CR (30 and 60 mg). Doses were representative of mid-range doses for chronic pain and were calculated using an established opioid conversion table.Main outcome measures: Visual Analog Scales, Subjective Drug Value (SDV), and Addiction Research Center Inventory (ARCI) measured positive, negative, and balance effects and pupillometry. Equianalgesic comparisons were between OM-ER 15 mg versus OC-CR 30 mg (low doses) and OM-ER 30 mg versus OC-CR 60 mg (high doses).Results: Thirty-five subjects received all five treatments. Positive subjective effects were lower for OM-ER 15 mg versus OC-CR 30 mg and for OM-ER 30 mg versus OC-CR 60 mg in ARCI Morphine Benzedrine Group (p ≤ 0.01 for both), Good Effects (p < 0.001 for both), Rush (p < 0.001 for both), and High VAS (p < 0.001 for both). Nausea was higher with OC-CR (p ≤ 0.02), and Bad Effects were higher for OC-CR 60 mg versus OM-ER 30 mg (p < 0.001). Balance effects were lower for OM-ER versus OC-CR (Drug Liking, p < 0.001; Overall Drug Liking, p ≤ 0.006; SDV, p ≤ 0.008), except for Take Drug Again (p < 0.001 for OC-CR 30 mg versus OM-ER 15 mg; p = 0.18 for high-dose group). Euphoric mood, nausea, somnolence, vomiting, and dizziness were more common with OC-CR than OM-ER.Limitations: Single-dose design; use of healthy, recreational opioid users.Conclusions: At equianalgesic doses, single oral intact OM-ER produced lower positive, negative, and balance subjective effects than OC-CR , indicating that analgesic potency may not necessarily be reflected in subjective/objective effects.
Current status and evolving role of abuse-deterrent opioids in managing patients with chronic pain
Authors: Webster, MD Lynn , St. Marie, NP Barbara , McCarberg, MD Bill , Passik, PhD Steven D. , Panchal, MD Sunil J. , Voth, MD Eric
Published: July 2011

Opioids are widely used for the treatment of patients with chronic pain; yet, the increase in their abuse, misuse, and diversion is an ongoing focus of regulatory, governmental, and legal scrutiny. As a consequence, clinicians are faced with numerous challenges in an effort to use opioids in appropriate patients with pain while minimizing the potential for opioid abuse, misuse, and diversion. Policies and programs such as state prescription monitoring programs, which have been in existence for decades, are but one attempt to address some of the issues regarding the prescribing of opioids. Another is a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy for opioids under consideration by the US Food and Drug Administration. At the clinical level, a universal precautions and risk management package that includes risk assessment and patient monitoring is a recommended approach. This approach can also include the use of abuse-deterrent and abuse-resistant formulations designed to reduce the nonmedical use of opioids. Several of these opioid formulations have been approved or should soon be on the market for use in the United States; however, their role and other questions regarding their use remain unanswered. The authors offer their clinical perspective on several of these key questions.
Validation of modelled forest biomass in Germany using BETHY/DLR
Authors: Tum M. , Buchhorn M. , Günther K. P. , Haller B. C.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. We present a new approach to the validation of modelled forest Net Primary Productivity (NPP), using empirical data on the mean annual increment, or MAI, in above-ground forest stock. The dynamic biomass model BETHY/DLR is used to estimate the NPP of forest areas in Germany, driven by remote sensing data from VEGETATION, meteorological data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), and additional tree coverage information from the MODIS Vegetation Continuous Field (VCF). The output of BETHY/DLR, Gross Primary Productivity (GPP), is converted to NPP by subtracting the cumulative plant maintenance and growth respiration, and then validated against MAI data derived from German forestry inventories. Validation is conducted for 2000 and 2001 by converting modelled NPP to stem volume at a regional level. Our analysis shows that the presented method fills an important gap in methods for validating modelled NPP against empirically derived data. In addition, we examine theoretical energy potentials calculated from the modelled and validated NPP, assuming sustainable forest management and using species-specific tree heating values. Such estimated forest biomass energy potentials play an important role in the sustainable energy debate.
Study of design parameters for squeeze film air journal bearing – excitation frequency and amplitude
Authors: Wang C. , Au Y. H. J.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. The paper presents a design of squeeze film air journal bearing based on the design rules derived from CFX and FEA simulation study of an air film in between two flat plates, one of which was driven in a sinusoidal manner. The rules are that the oscillation frequency should be at least 15 kHz and that the oscillation amplitude be as large as possible to ensure a greater film thickness and to allow the bearing to reach its stable equilibrium quickly. The proposed journal bearing is made from AL2024-T3, of 20.02 mm outer diameter, 600 mm length and 2 mm thickness. Three 20-mm long fins are on the outer surface of the bearing tube and are spaced 120° apart; three longitudinal flats are milled equi-spaced between the fins and two piezoelectric actuators are mounted lengthwise on each flat. Such a design produces a modal shape on the bearing tube which resembles a triangle. When excited in this mode at the frequency of 16.37 kHz, and a voltage of 75 V AC with 75 V DC offset acting on the piezoelectric actuators, the air gap underneath of the bearing tube behaves as a squeeze air film with a response amplitude of 3.22 μm. The three design rules were validated by experiments.
New Way to Substitute Tetracyanocyclopropanes: One-Pot Cascade Assembling of Carbonyls and Malononitrile by the Only Bromine Direct Action
Authors: Vereshchagin Anatolii N. , Elinson Michail N. , Stepanov Nikita O. , Nikishin Gennady I.
Published: July 2011

The new type of the chemical cascade reaction was found: formation of cyclopropanes from carbonyl compounds and CH acid by the only bromine direct action. The action of aqueous bromine on the carbonyl compounds and malononitrile in EtOH-H2O solutions in the presence of NaOAc results in the formation of 3-substituted 1,1,2,2-tetracyanocyclopropanes in 48–93% yields. The latter are well-known precursors for the different bicyclic heterosystems, among them those containing cyclopropane ring and those possessing different types of pharmacological activity.
Burden of musculoskeletal disease and its determination by urbanicity, socioeconomic status, age, and sex: Results from 14,507 subjects
Authors: Vavken Patrick , Dorotka Ronald
Published: July 2011

Objective

The availability of reliable estimates of the burden of musculoskeletal disease is of considerable importance for policymakers.

Methods

This study uses data from the 14,507 participants of the European Health Interview Survey conducted in Austria in 2006/2007 to calculate estimates of the prevalence of osteoarthritis, spinal conditions, and osteoporosis in a population representative of other European Union or Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development member states. Urbanicity, socioeconomic status, and age and sex were included as determinants of musculoskeletal disease.

Results

The prevalence of arthritis was 18.8% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 18.2–19.4%), of spinal conditions was 38.4% (95% CI 37.6–39.2%), and of osteoporosis was 6.6% (95% CI 6.3–7.0%). The census data showed strong evidence for an association between urbanicity and arthritis (P = 0.012) and osteoporosis (P < 0.001), but not spinal conditions (P = 0.721). Arthritis and spinal conditions were associated with socioeconomic status (P < 0.001 for all). Osteoporosis showed the same associations with age, income, and education. For arthritis, a combined model showed a substantial attenuation of the effect of urbanicity on arthritis prevalence after adjustment for socioeconomic status.

Conclusion

These data suggest that the burden of musculoskeletal disease is determined by both urbanicity and socioeconomic status; however, the effect of urbanicity seems to be attributable to differences in socioeconomic status and demographics across geographic regions.
Shape‐ and Size‐Controlled Synthesis of Uniform Anatase TiO2 Nanocuboids Enclosed by Active {100} and {001} Facets
Authors: Zhao Xiaowei , Jin Wenzui , Cai Jinguang , Ye Jianfeng , Li Zhenhu , Ma Yurong , Xie Jinglin , Qi Limin
Published: July 2011

Uniform anatase TiO2 nanocuboids enclosed by active {100} and {001} facets over a wide size range (60–830 nm in length) with controllable aspect ratios were solvothermally synthesized through hydrolysis of titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) using acetic acid (HAc) as the solvent and the ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF4]) as the capping agent. The size and aspect ratio of the anatase TiO2 nanocuboids can be readily adjusted by changing the composition parameters including the contents of [bmim][BF4], water, and HAc in the quaternary solution system. It was revealed that [bmim][BF4] played an important role in stabilizing both the {100} and {001} facets of the anatase TiO2 nanocuboids. On the one hand, [bmim][BF4] acted as a fluoride source to release F− ions for stabilizing the {001} facets; on the other hand, the [bmim]+ ions acted as effective capping ions to preferentially stabilize the {100} facets. The obtained near‐monodisperse anatase TiO2 nanocuboids exhibited an interesting self‐assembly behavior during deposition. These single‐crystalline anatase nanocuboids showed extremely high crystalline phase stability, retaining the pure phase of anatase as well as the morphology even after being calcined at 900 °C. Moreover, the anatase nanocuboids exhibited considerably enhanced photocatalytic activity owing the wholly exposed active {100} and {001} facets.
Improving Microstructured TiO2 Photoanodes for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells by Simple Surface Treatment
Authors: Ahmed Saquib , Du Pasquier Aurelien , Asefa Tewodros , Birnie Dunbar P.
Published: July 2011

TiCl4 surface treatment studies of porous electrode structure of TiO2 aggregates synthesized using an acidic precursor and CTAB as a templating agent are carried out in order to understand and improve upon recombination kinetics in the photonanode film matrix, together with enhancing the intrinsic light scattering. The key beneficial features of the photoanode included high surface roughness, necessary for superior dye adsorption, nanocrystallite aggregates leading to diffuse light scattering within the film matrix, and a hierarchical macro‐ and mesopore structure allowing good access of electrolyte to the dye, thereby assisting in dye regeneration (enhanced charge transfer). Pre‐treatment of the TiO2 electrodes reduced recombination at the fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO)/electrolyte interface. The post‐treatment study showed enhanced surface roughness through the deposition of a thin overlayer of amorphous TiO2 on the film structure. This led to a notable improvement in both dye adsorption and inherent light scattering effects by the TiO2 aggregates, resulting in enhanced energy harvesting. The thin TiO2 overlayer also acted as a barrier in a core‐shell configuration within the porous TiO2 matrix, and thereby reduced recombination. This allowed the hierarchical macro‐ and mesoporosity of the film matrix to be utilized more effectively for enhanced charge transfer during dye regeneration. Post‐treatment of the aggregated TiO2 matrix resulted in a 36% enhancement in power conversion efficiency from 4.41% of untreated cells to 6.01%.
Modern Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and its Role in Studying Virus Structure, Dynamics, and Assembly
Authors: Uetrecht Charlotte , Heck Albert J. R.
Published: July 2011

Over a century since its development, the analytical technique of mass spectrometry is blooming more than ever, and applied in nearly all aspects of the natural and life sciences. In the last two decades mass spectrometry has also become amenable to the analysis of proteins and even intact protein complexes, and thus begun to make a significant impact in the field of structural biology. In this Review, we describe the emerging role of mass spectrometry, with its different technical facets, in structural biology, focusing especially on structural virology. We describe how mass spectrometry has evolved into a tool that can provide unique structural and functional information about viral‐protein and protein‐complex structure, conformation, assembly, and topology, extending to the direct analysis of intact virus capsids of several million Dalton in mass. Mass spectrometry is now used to address important questions in virology ranging from how viruses assemble to how they interact with their host.
Hyperbranched intumescent flame‐retardant agent: Application to natural rubber composites
Authors: Jincheng Wang , Yan Guo
Published: July 2011

The first part of this investigation focused on the synthesis and characterization of a hyperbranched intumescent flame‐retardant (HIFR) agent. Two steps were used in the synthetic process. The structure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The second part focused on the application of HIFR agent into natural rubber (NR) composites. The cure characteristics, tensile properties, wear resistance, and flame‐retardant property of HIFR/NR composites were evaluated. It was demonstrated that the addition of this HIFR agent into NR led to an improvement in its physicomechanical and flame‐retardant properties. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.
In situ dynamic vulcanization process in preparation of electrically conductive PP/EPDM thermoplastic vulcanizate/expanded graphite nanocomposites: Effects of state of cure
Authors: Ranjbar Behnaz , Mirzazadeh Hosein , Katbab Ali Asghar , Hrymak Andrew N.
Published: July 2011

In situ melt dynamic vulcanization process has been employed to prepare electrically conductive polypropylene (PP)/ethylene–propylene–diene rubber (EPDM) (40/60 wt %) thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) incorporated by expanded graphite (EG) as a conductive filler. Maleic anhydride grafted PP (PP‐g‐MAH) was used as compatibilizer and a sulfur curing system was designed and incorporated to vulcanize the EPDM phase during mixing process. Developed microstructures were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), melt rheomechanical spectroscopy (RMS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and were correlated with electrical conductivity behavior. For comparison, another class of TPV/EG nanocomposites was fabricated using a commercially available PP/EPDM‐based TPV via both direct and masterbatch melt mixing process. Conductivity of the nanocomposites prepared by in situ showed no significant change during dynamic vulcanization till the mixing torque reached to the stationary level where micro‐morphology of the cured rubber droplets was fully developed, and conductivity abrupt was observed. In situ cured nanocomposites showed higher insulator to conductor transition threshold (3.15 vol % EG) than those based on commercially available TPV. All electrically conductive in situ prepared TPV nanocomposites exhibited reinforced melt elasticity with pseudosolid‐like behavior within low frequency region in dynamic melt rheometry indicating formation of physical networks by both EG nanolayers and crosslinked EPDM droplets. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Preparation and antibacterial activity of polyvinyl alcohol/regenerated silk fibroin composite fibers containing Ag nanoparticles
Authors: Li Wenli , Wang Jianjun , Chi Hengxuan , Wei Guangzhao , Zhang Jian , Dai Lixing
Published: July 2011

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/regenerated silk fibroin (SF)/AgNO3 composite nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning. A large number of nanoparticles containing silver were generated in situ and well‐dispersed nanoparticles were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) intuitionally. Ultraviolet (UV)‐visible spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicated that nanoparticles containing Ag were present both in blend solution and in composite nanofibers after heat treatment and after subsequent UV irradiation. By annealing the nanofibers, Ag+ therein was reduced so as to produce nanoparticles containing silver. By combining heat treatment with UV irradiation, Ag+ was transformed into Ag clusters and further oxidized into Ag3O4 and Ag2O2. Especially size of the nanoparticles increased with heat treatment and subsequent UV irradiation. This indicated that the nanoparticles containing silver could be regulated by heat treatment and UV irradiation. The antimicrobial activity of heat‐treated composite nanofibers was evaluated by Halo test method and the resultant nanofibers showed very strong antimicrobial activity. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Contrast on tensile and flexural properties of glass powder reinforced epoxy composites: Pilot study
Authors: Ku H. , Wong P.
Published: July 2011

Epoxy resin was filled with glass powder to optimize the tensile and flexural strength of the composite for structural applications by a research center in the University of Southern Queensland (USQ). To reduce costs, the center wishes to fill as much glass microspheres as possible subject to maintaining sufficient strength of the composites in structural applications. This project varies the percentage by weight of the glass powder in the composites. After casting the composites to the molds, they were cured at ambient conditions for 24 h. They were then postcured in a conventional oven and subjected to tensile and flexural tests. The contribution of the study was that if tensile and flexural properties were the most important factors to be considered in the applications of the composites, the maximum amount of glass powder can be added to the resin will be five (5) percent. It was also found that the fractured surfaces examined under scanning electron microscope were correlated with the tensile and flexural strength It is also hoped that the discussion and results in this work would not only contribute toward the development of glass powder reinforced epoxy composites with better material properties, but also useful for the investigations of tensile and flexural properties in other composites. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Understanding the Role of Everyday Practices of Privilege in the Perpetuation of Inequalities
Authors: Stephens Christine , Gillies Annemarie
Published: July 2011

To explain the interrelated effects of material and psychosocial inequalities, we suggest a move beyond research focused on deprived communities to include their broader social situation. Bourdieu's theory of practice explains how social and material disadvantages are interconnected, and struggles for power are enacted in everyday practice. In this paper, we draw on data from a qualitative study of two neighbourhoods to provide examples of everyday practice as people work to perpetuate or overcome inequalities in one field: education of their children. These examples show that those with more resources are actively working to retain and improve their children's social advantage, which rests on the disadvantage of others. In conclusion, we suggest that many current interventions to improve material and social conditions within disadvantaged communities ignore the damaging effects of social inequalities between social groups. Work towards understanding the nature of power struggles in daily life and the everyday actions of the privileged will help us understand and address the damaging effects of inequalities. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Percutaneous treatment of aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation in the same patient
Authors: Barbanti Marco , Ussia Gian Paolo , Tamburino Corrado
Published: July 2011

Transcatheter valve therapy is becoming an established treatment for aortic stenosis (AS) and it is very promising for mitral regurgitation (MR). There are no formal reports of percutaneous treatment of both AS and MR in the same patient. Here, we report on the first human cases of successful totally percutaneous management of combined severe AS and MR as a planned staged approach and using MitraClip® implantation as a procedure necessitated by an unpredictable complication of self‐expanding CoreValve device, respectively. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ionic Liquids as Tools for the Acid‐Catalyzed Hydrolysis/Dehydration of Saccharides to Furanic Aldehydes
Authors: Lima Sérgio , Antunes Margarida M. , Pillinger Martyn , Valente Anabela A.
Published: July 2011

One of the measures associated with the socio‐political and environmental protection policies towards sustainability is the use of biomass as a renewable source of energy, fuels, and chemical products. The chemical valorization of carbohydrate biomass, in particular, the acid‐catalyzed conversion of saccharides into the furanic aldehydes, furfural and 5‐hydroxymethyl‐2‐furfuraldehyde, has been a matter of intensive research. These products possess wide application profiles in different sectors of the chemical industry and are thus considered as important platform chemicals. High expectations have been put on the use of ionic liquids (ILs) as tools for these reaction systems, partly due to the singular solubilizing properties of ILs for polysaccharides (important for process intensification), leading to favorable effects when coupled with different types of acid catalysts or when the actual IL is functionalized with acid groups, allowing it to play a dual solvent‐acid role. An assessment of the present state‐of‐the art on this topic is made in this review, showing that promising results have been reported using mild reaction conditions.
(S)‐ and (R)‐Fluoxetine as Native Markers in Mass Spectrometry (MS) Binding Assays Addressing the Serotonin Transporter
Authors: Hess Marielle , Höfner Georg , Wanner Klaus T.
Published: July 2011

A recently established and validated LC–ESI‐MS/MS method for quantification of fluoxetine was used to implement MS binding assays for the human serotonin transporter (hSERT)—the primary target in the treatment of depression and emotional disorders. As a label‐free screening technique, MS binding assays offer the opportunity to perform kinetic, saturation and competition assays using both (S)‐ and (R)‐fluoxetine as native markers. In kinetic experiments, an association rate constant (k+1) of 0.92±0.17×106 M−1 s−1and a dissociation rate constant (k−1) of 0.0032±0.0002 s−1for (S)‐fluoxetine binding to hSERT were determined. Saturation experiments providedKdvalues of 4.4±0.4 nMand 5.2±0.9 nMfor (S)‐ and (R)‐fluoxetine, respectively; statistical analysis revealed that the two enantiomers are equipotent. In competitive experiments with (S)‐fluoxetine as a marker,Kivalues were obtained for various known inhibitors with a broad range of affinities for hSERT that correlate well with literature data obtained from radioligand binding experiments with [3H]imipramine. Additional competitive experiments using (R)‐fluoxetine as a marker led toKivalues for SERT inhibitors that deviate only marginally from those determined using the (S)‐enantiomer. No changes in the rank order of affinities occurred, indicating that there is no difference in the binding characteristics of the two enantiomers.
An improved element design for 64‐channel planar imaging
Authors: Chang Chieh‐Wei , Moody Katherine Lynn , Mcdougall Mary Preston
Published: July 2011

Investigation of highly accelerated MRI has developed into a lively corner in the hardware and methodology arena in recent years. At the extreme of (one‐dimensional) acceleration, our group introduced Single Echo Acquisition (SEA) imaging, in which the need to phase encode a 64 × Nreadout image is eliminated and replaced with the well‐localized spatial information obtained from an array of 64 very narrow, long, and parallel coils. The narrow coil width (2 mm) that facilitates this is accompanied by a concomitant constraint on the useful imaging depth. This note describes a 64‐element planar array, constructed within the same 8 × 13 cm total footprint as the original SEA array, still enabling full acceleration in one dimension, but with an element design modified to increase the imaging depth. This was accomplished by lowering the outer conducting legs of the planar pair with respect to the center conductor and adding a geometric decoupling configuration away from the imaging field of view. The element has been called a dual‐plane pair in that the current carrying rungs in the imaging FOV function exactly as the planar pair, but are simply placed in two separate planes (sides of PCB in this case). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part B (Magn Reson Engineering) 39B: 159–165, 2011
Algorithms for the partitioned solution of weakly coupled fluid models for cardiovascular flows
Authors: Malossi A. Cristiano I. , Blanco Pablo J. , Deparis Simone , Quarteroni Alfio
Published: July 2011

The main goal of this work is to devise robust iterative strategies to partition the solution of the Navier–Stokes equations in a three‐dimensional (3D) domain, into non‐overlapping 3D subdomains, which communicate through the exchange of averaged/integrated quantities across the interfaces. The novel aspect of the present approach is that at coupling boundaries, the conservation of flow rates and of the associated dual variables is implicitly imposed, entailing a weak physical coupling. For the solution of the non‐linear interface problem two strategies are compared: relaxed fixed‐point and Newton iterations. The algorithm is tested in several configurations for problems ranging from academic ones to some related to the computational haemodynamics field, which involve more than two components at each coupling interface. In some cases, it is shown that relaxed fixed‐point methods are not convergent, whereas the Newton method leads in all tested cases to convergent schemes. One of the appealing aspects of the strategy proposed here is the flexibility in the setting of boundary conditions at the interfaces, where no hierarchy is established a priori (unlike Gauss–Seidel methods). The usefulness of this methodology is also discussed in the context of dimensionally heterogeneous coupling and preconditioning for domain decomposition methods. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic morphometrics reveals contributions of dendritic growth cones and filopodia to dendritogenesis in the intact and awake embryonic brain
Authors: Hossain Sharmin , Sesath Hewapathirane D. , Haas Kurt
Published: July 2011

Using in vivo rapid and long‐interval two‐photon time‐lapse imaging of brain neuronal growth within the intact and unanesthetized Xenopus laevis tadpole, we characterize dynamic dendritic growth behaviors of filopodia, branches, and dendritic growth cones (DGCs), and analyze their contribution to persistent arbor morphology. The maturational progression of dynamic dendritogenesis was captured by short‐term, 5 min interval, imaging for 1 h every day for 5 days, and the contribution of short‐term growth to persistent structure was captured by imaging at 5 min intervals for 5 h, and at 2 h intervals for 10 h during the height of arbor growth. We find that filopodia and branch stability increases with neuronal maturation, and while the majority of dendritic filopodia rapidly retract, 3% to 7% of interstitial filopodia transition into persistent branches with lifetimes greater than 90 min. Here, we provide the first characterization of DGC dynamics, including morphology and behavior, in the intact and awake developing vertebrate brain. We find that DGCs occur on all growing branches indicating an essential role in branch elongation, and that DGC morphology correlates with dendritic branch growth behavior and varies with maturation. These results demonstrate that dendritogenesis involves a remarkable amount of continuous remodeling, with distinct roles for filopodia and DGCs across neuronal maturation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 72: 615–627, 2012
Component Processes Subserving Rapid Automatized Naming in Dyslexic and Non‐dyslexic Readers
Authors: Araújo Susana , Inácio Filomena , Francisco Ana , Faísca Luís , Petersson Karl Magnus , Reis Alexandra
Published: July 2011

The current study investigated which time components of rapid automatized naming (RAN) predict group differences between dyslexic and non‐dyslexic readers (matched for age and reading level), and how these components relate to different reading measures. Subjects performed two RAN tasks (letters and objects), and data were analyzed through a response time analysis. Our results demonstrated that impaired RAN performance in dyslexic readers mainly stem from enhanced inter‐item pause times and not from difficulties at the level of post‐access motor production (expressed as articulation rates). Moreover, inter‐item pause times account for a significant proportion of variance in reading ability in addition to the effect of phonological awareness in the dyslexic group. This suggests that non‐phonological factors may lie at the root of the association between RAN inter‐item pauses and reading ability. In normal readers, RAN performance was associated with reading ability only at early ages (i.e. in the reading‐matched controls), and again it was the RAN inter‐item pause times that explain the association. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Cost‐Effectiveness of an Intensive Treatment Protocol for Severe Dyslexia in Children
Authors: Hakkaart‐van Roijen Leona , Goettsch Wim G. , Ekkebus Michel , Gerretsen Patty , Stolk Elly A.
Published: July 2011

Studies of interventions for dyslexia have focused entirely on outcomes related to literacy. In this study, we considered a broader picture assessing improved quality of life compared with costs. A model served as a tool to compare costs and effects of treatment according to a new protocol and care as usual. Quality of life was measured and valued by proxies using a general quality‐of‐life instrument (EQ‐5D). We considered medical cost and non‐medical cost (e.g. remedial teaching). The model computed cost per successful treatment and cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) in time. About 75% of the total costs was related to diagnostic tests to distinguish between children with severe dyslexia and children who have reading difficulties for other reasons. The costs per successful treatment of severe dyslexia were €36 366. Successful treatment showed a quality‐of‐life gain of about 11%. At primary school, the average cost per QALY for severe dyslexia amounted to €58 647. In the long term, the cost per QALY decreased to €26 386 at secondary school and €17 663 thereafter. The results of this study provide evidence that treatment of severe dyslexia is cost‐effective when the investigated protocol is followed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Epistasis: The key to understanding immunological disease?
Authors: Mitchison N. Avrion , Rose Anna M.
Published: July 2011

Epistasis is fast becoming central to the understanding of the complex relationship between genotype and phenotype observed in autoimmune disease. A study in this issue of the European Journal of Immunology uses in‐depth analysis of genome‐wide mapping by polymorphic microsatellite markers to shed light on the genomic control of autoimmunity and self‐tolerance.
Pestalotheols E–H: Antimicrobial Metabolites from an Endophytic Fungus Isolated from the Tree Arbutus unedo
Authors: Qin Song , Krohn Karsten , Hussain Hidayat , Schulz Barbara , Draeger Siegfried
Published: July 2011

Four new compounds, pestalotheols E–H (1–4), along with one known metabolite, anofinic acid (5), were isolated from a fungal endophyte, an unidentified Ascomycete. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis, and the relative stereochemistries of pestalotheols E–H (1–4) were confirmed by NOESY experiments. Compounds 1–5 showed good antifungal, antibacterial, and antialgal activities against Microbotryum violaceum, Escherichia coli, Bacillus megaterium, and Chlorella fusca; compounds 3–5 showed strong antibacterial activity.
The N‐Alkylation of Substituted 4‐Tetrazolo[1,5‐a]pyridines: Easy Access to a New Series of Electrophiles
Authors: Berionni Guillaume , Branca Mathieu , Pégot Bruce , Marrot Jérome , Kizilian Elyane , Goumont Régis
Published: July 2011

The alkylation of 4‐substituted tetrazolo‐pyridines bearing electron‐withdrawing groups 7a–f to give the expected tetrazolo‐pyridinium salts 7a–f,Me or 7a–f,Et as a mixture of two N3/N2 isomers in good to quantitative yields in toluene, has been investigated. The nature of the alkyl group did not significantly affect the chemical shifts of the salts or the N3/N2 ratio, which was approximately 9:1, except for 7d,Me for which a 1:1 ratio was obtained. The alkylated tetrazolo‐pyridines were shown to react with cyclopentadiene and, in some cases, with 2,3‐dimethylbutadiene and isoprene, whereas the neutral tetrazolo‐pyridines remained unreactive towards dienes, indicating experimentally an increase in the electrophilicity of the heterocycles upon alkylation. TheDiels–Alder adducts were fully characterized through an extensive NMR and crystallographic study. It was found that the tetrazolo‐pyridinium salts either do not react or react very slowly with cyclohexadiene, showing the limitations of the scope of this activation. The theoretical scale of electrophilicity introduced by Domingo et al. on the basis of the global electrophilicity index, ω, defined by Parr, is also a very useful tool to discuss the relative reactivities of the various salts. The ω and ΔN indexes are shown to highlight the electrophilic activation of tetrazolo‐pyridines, 7a,Me and 7b,Me, which have indexes close to those of 4,6‐dinitrotetrazolo‐pyridine, which is one of the most electrophilic neutral heterocycles known to date. Using the known N and s parameters, which characterize the nucleophilicity of nucleophiles, the rate constants were found to fit the three‐parameter equation log k2 = s(N + E) introduced by Mayr to describe the feasibility of nucleophilic–electrophilic combinations. Based on this, the electrophilicity parameter E of 7a–b,Me was determined. With E values around –7, this corresponds to a positioning of the reactivity of the carbocyclic ring of the tetrazolo‐pyridinium salts in a domain of high electrophilicity previously defined for nitrobenzofuroxans.
Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding in a Triangular Dithiazolyl‐Azaindole for Efficient Photoreactivity in Polar and Nonpolar Solvents
Authors: Fukumoto Sayo , Nakashima Takuya , Kawai Tsuyoshi
Published: July 2011

A triangular dithiazolyl‐azaindole derivative has been synthesized as a highly sensitive photochromic molecule. 2,4‐Dimethyl‐5‐phenylthiazol derivative 1a, and a reference compound, 5‐methyl‐2‐phenylthiophene derivative 2a, both showed photochromism with quantum yields of 90 and 45 %, respectively, in hexane, and 90 and 35 %, respectively, in methanol. In the single‐crystal state, 1a revealed photochromic coloration. Its conformation was assigned to a photoreactive state with C2‐symmetry around the hexatriene reaction center. Temperature‐dependent NMR studies and quantum chemical calculations indicated the contribution of intramolecular hydrogen‐bonding between the central azaindole unit and the side thiazole units, which stabilizes the photoreactive C2‐symmetric conformation and elevates the photoreactivity in both non‐polar and polar solvents.