bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Book Reviews
Authors: PROCITA LEONARD
Published: March 2013

Book reviewed in this article:

The Treatment of Parkinsonism with L‐Dopa. John Marks

Review of Medical Microbiology, 11th Edition. E. Jawetz, J. L. Melnick, and E. A. Adelberg

Advances in Biochemical Psychopharmacology, Volume 7: Gas Chromatography‐Mass Spectrometry in Neurobiology. E. Costa, and B. Holmstedt

Advances in Neurology, Volume 5: Parkinson's Disease (Second Canadian‐American Conference). Fletcher McDowell and Andre Barbeau

Neurochemistry of Cholinergic Receptors. E. de Robertis and J. Schacht

Drugs and the Developing Brain (Advances in Behavioral Biology, Vol. 8). A. Vernadakis and N. Weiner
Book Reviews
Authors: PROCITA LEONARD
Published: March 2013

Book reviewed in this article:

Narcotic Antagonists (Advances in Biochemical Psychopharmacology, Volume 8). M. C. Braude, L. S. Harris, E. L. May, J. P. Smith, and J. E. Villarreal

Neuropsychopharmacology of Monoamines and Their Regulatory Enzymes, (Advances in Biochemical Psychopharma‐cology, Volume 12). Earl Usdin

Calcium Metabolism, Bone and Metabolic Bone Diseases. F. Kuhlencordt and H.‐P. Kruse

Review of Physiological Chemistry, Fifteenth Edition. H. A. Harper

Chemistry and Function of Colicins. Lowell P. Hager

Neurosecretion—The Final Neuroendocrine Pathway. F. Knowles and L. Vollrath

Beta‐Adrenergic Blocking Agents in the Management of Hypertension and Angina Pectoris. Bruno Magnani

Handbook of Drugs and Chemical Stimulation of the Brain: Behavioral, Pharma‐cological and Physiological Aspects. R. D. Myers

Handbook of Veterinary Drugs. A Compendium For Research and Clinical Use. I. S. Rossoff
Book Reviews
Authors: PROCITA LEONARD
Published: March 2013

Book reviewed in this article:

The Human Heart and Circulation. Visvan Navaratnam.

Basic and Therapeutic Aspects of Perinatal Pharmacology. P. L. Morselli, S. Garattini, and F. Sereni

The Clinical Uses of Levodopa. Gerald Stern

Mechanisms of Action of Benzodiazepines (Advances in Biochemical Psychopharmacology, Vol. 14). E. Costa and P. Greengard

Pharmacy and the Law. Carl T. DeMarco.

Progress in Chemical Toxicology, Volume 5. A. Stolman

Fundamentals of Clinical Pharmacokinetics. John G. Wagner. Hamilton

Advances in Cyclic Nucleotide Research, Volume 5. G. I. Drummond, P. Greengard, and G. A. Robison
Clinical Experience With Esmolol, A Short‐Acting Beta‐Adrenergic Blocker In Cardiac Arrhythmias and Myocardial Ischemia
Authors: Sung Ruey J. , Blanski Lori , Kirshenbaum James , MacCosbe Paul , Turlapaty Prasad , Laddu Atul R.
Published: March 2013

The efficacy and safety of esmolol an ultra‐short‐acting beta‐adrenergic blocking agent (elimination half‐life, 9 min), was investigated in 358 patients with supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (SVTs) in three multicenter studies (placebo‐controlled, propranolol‐controlled, and open‐label baseline‐controlled) and in 19 patients with myocardial ischemia (acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina) in a single‐center, open‐label study. Esmolol was infused intravenously in doses ranging from 25 μg/kg/min to 300 μg/kg/min. In SVT studies, efficacy was judged by one or more of the following: a reduction of at least 15% to 20% from the average baseline heart rate, heart rate less than 100 beats/min, or conversion to normal sinus rhythm (NSR). Results revealed that esmolol was superior to placebo and equal to propranolol in controlling heart rate in SVT patients. Conversion to NSR was comparable in patients treated with esmolol (14%) and in those treated with propranolol (16%). The majority of patients achieved therapeutic response at esmolol doses of 200 μg/kg/min or less. Among esmolol‐treated patients, recovery from beta blockade (i.e., heart rate approaching baseline levels) was achieved within ten minutes after discontinuation of infusion, indicating a brief duration of action of esmolol. In contrast, beta blockade persisted 4.5 hours after discontinuation of propranolol. In patients with myocardial ischemia, esmolol effectively reduced heart rate and blood pressure, thereby decreasing rate‐pressure product. The most frequent adverse effect in patients treated with esmolol was hypotension. No clinically significant laboratory abnormalities were reported in esmolol‐treated patients. Esmolol was well tolerated in patients infused for durations of up to 24 hours and in patients with conditions for which treatment with beta blockers is inappropriate. These results suggest that esmolol effectively and rapidly controls the heart rate in patients with SVT and in patients with acute myocardial ischemia. Furthermore, because of its short half‐life, esmolol offers excellent benefits as compared with the currently available beta‐adrenergic blockers in the treatment of critically ill patients. Esmolol was well tolerated by patients for whom beta blockers in general would be unsuitable.
The sulfur chain in biogas production from sulfate‐rich liquid substrates: a review on dynamic modeling with vinasse as model substrate
Authors: Barrera Ernesto L. , Spanjers Henri , Dewulf Jo , Romero Osvaldo , Rosa Elena
Published: March 2013

Vinasse is a sulfate‐rich liquid substrate, from which high levels of hydrogen sulfide in biogas can be obtained due to the sulfate reduction process under anaerobic conditions. Hydrogen sulfide is corrosive and toxic and must be removed for any utilization of the biogas. Mathematical models have been developed to study separately sulfate reduction in anaerobic digestion and sulfide removal from biogas streams. However, the levels of hydrogen sulfide produced in the anaerobic digestion stage have an effect on the sulfide removal processes in the next stage. As a method to study both processes and their interaction, a new approach is introduced and reviewed in the present article: the sulfur chain in biogas production. The necessity of studying the sulfate reduction processes in vinasse as a typical sulfate‐rich substrate to predict hydrogen sulfide concentrations in the gas phase, as well as the best model approach to that aim are established here. In addition, the approaches to model sulfide removal based on direct conversion processes, the models' capability to predict the removal of hydrogen sulfide from the biogas (at levels between 20 000 and 30 000 ppmv) as well as the concentration profile of the reactants in this removal processes are discussed. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
The Effect of Stress on Gill Basolateral Membrane Binding Kinetics of 5‐HT2 Receptor Ligands: Potential Implications for Urea Excretion Mechanisms
Authors: FRERE ALEXANDER W. , MCDONALD M. DANIELLE
Published: March 2013

The goal of this study was to determine the relationship between cortisol and the toadfish serotonin 2A (5‐HT2A) receptor, which is believed to be responsible for the activation of the toadfish urea transporter, tUT. We hypothesize that elevations in cortisol would play a role in the regulation of the 5‐HT2A receptor at the level of mRNA expression, ligand binding, and/or function. To test this idea, cortisol levels were manipulated by either crowding or through treatment with the cortisol synthesis blocker, metyrapone. Crowded fish had significantly higher circulating cortisol levels compared to uncrowded fish and cortisol levels in metyrapone‐treated fish were significantly lower than saline‐treated controls. No significant difference was measured in gill 5‐HT2A mRNA expression levels between uncrowded and crowded, control‐ or metyrapone‐treated fish. Furthermore, no significant difference was measured in [3H]‐5‐HT binding kinetics or in the competitive binding of the 5‐HT2 agonist, α‐methyl 5‐HT, to isolated gill basolateral membranes of uncrowded or crowded toadfish. However, the binding maximum (Bmax) of the 5‐HT2A receptor antagonist, [3H]‐ketanserin, was significantly different between all four groups of fish (metyrapone > control > crowded > uncrowded). Furthermore, metyrapone‐treated fish excreted approximately twofold more urea compared to controls when injected with α‐methyl 5‐HT, a 5‐HT2 receptor agonist shown to stimulate urea excretion. Our results suggest that cortisol may have differential effects on 5‐HT receptor binding, which could have potential implications on the control of pulsatile urea excretion in toadfish. J. Exp. Zool. 319A:237–248, 2013. © 2013 © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Disjoint 3‐Cycles in Tournaments: A Proof of The Bermond–Thomassen Conjecture for Tournaments
Authors: Bang‐Jensen Jørgen , Bessy Stéphane , Thomassé Stéphan
Published: March 2013

We prove that every tournament with minimum out‐degree at least contains k disjoint 3‐cycles. This provides additional support for the conjecture by Bermond and Thomassen that every digraph D of minimum out‐degree contains k vertex disjoint cycles. We also prove that for every , when k is large enough, every tournament with minimum out‐degree at least contains k disjoint cycles. The linear factor 1.5 is best possible as shown by the regular tournaments.
Correlations between first documented cardiac rhythms and preceding telemetry in patients with code blue events
Authors: Bhalala Utpal S. , Bonafide Christopher P. , Coletti Christian M. , Rathmanner Penny E. , Nadkarni Vinay M. , Berg Robert A. , Witzke Anita K. , Kasprzak Melody S. , Zubrow Marc T.
Published: March 2013

BACKGROUND

Among in‐hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) patients, the first cardiac rhythm documented on resuscitation records (FDR) is often used as a surrogate for arrest etiology. Although the FDR generally represents the electrical activity at the time of cardiopulmonary resuscitation initiation, it may not be the ideal rhythm to infer the arrest etiology. We hypothesized that a rhythm present earlier—at the time of the code blue call—would frequently differ from the FDR, because the FDR might represent the later stage of a progressive cardiopulmonary process.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate agreement between FDR and telemetry rhythm at the time of code blue call.

DESIGN

Cross‐sectional study.

SETTING

A 750‐bed adult tertiary care hospital and a 240‐bed adult inner city community hospital.

PATIENTS

Adult general ward patients monitored on the hospital's telemetry system during the 2 minutes prior to a code blue call for IHCA.

INTERVENTION

None.

MEASUREMENTS

Agreement between FDR and telemetry rhythm.

RESULTS

Among 69 IHCAs, agreement between FDR and telemetry was 65% (kappa = 0.37). Among 17 events with FDRs of ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VTA), telemetry showed VTA in 12 (71%) and other organized rhythms in 5 (29%). Among 12 events with first documented rhythms of asystole, telemetry showed asystole in 3 (25%), VTA in 1 (8%), and other organized rhythms in 8 (67%).

CONCLUSIONS

The FDR had only fair agreement with the telemetry rhythm at the time of code blue call. The telemetry rhythm may be a useful adjunct to the FDR when investigating arrest etiology. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:225–228. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Pollen‐based palaeoclimate reconstructions over long glacial–interglacial timescales: methodological tests based on the Holocene and MIS 5d–c deposits at Sokli, northern Finland
Authors: SALONEN J. SAKARI , HELMENS KARIN F. , SEPPä HEIKKI , BIRKS H. JOHN B.
Published: March 2013

Palaeoclimatic reconstructions over long glacial–interglacial timescales present major methodological challenges, as calibration methods based on modern climate and vegetation patterns may yield biased reconstructions from non‐analogue palaeoclimates, such as severely continental glacial periods. In this work, we present pollen‐based summer temperature reconstructions based on Holocene and early Weichselian (Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 5d–c) deposits at Sokli, northern Finland. We attempt to improve the robustness of reconstructions of continental palaeoclimates by using two calibration sets, with one located in the region surrounding the fossil site and another in a more continental region in northwestern Russia. We assess the reliability of the reconstructions by estimating the compositional fit between fossil and calibration samples and by comparison with independent, plant macrofossil‐based reconstructions. We find the fossil samples to fit the extra‐regional, high‐continentality calibration set better during the early Holocene and MIS 5d–c. Especially in MIS 5d–c, however, even the high‐continentality calibration set fits the fossil samples poorly compared to the fit achieved in the mid and late Holocene. Thus our results highlight the problem of finding applicable calibration data for pre‐Holocene periods. We finally discuss the relative strengths and vulnerabilities of different calibration methods in reconstruction of non‐analogue palaeoclimates. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transarterial embolization for acute head and neck bleeding: Eight‐year experience with emphasis on rebleeding risk in cancer patients
Authors: Bachar Gideon , Esmat Najjar , Stern Sagit , Litvin Sergey , Knizhnik Michael , Perlow Eliyahu , Atar Eli , Shpitzer Thomas , Belenky Alexander
Published: March 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

To present our 8‐year experience with transarterial embolization for head and neck bleeding, with an emphasis on the need for repeated procedures in patients treated for head and neck cancer.

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

Tertiary university‐affiliated medical center. The cohort included 49 patients who underwent transarterial embolization for acute head and neck bleeding in 2004 to 2012. Outcome measures included procedural success, recurrence, complications, and outcome.

Results

Mean patient age was 60.3 years. Indications for transarterial embolization were bleeding from a tumor (42%), nasal bleeding (36%), bleeding related to neck trauma (8%), tracheal stomal bleeding (8%), and other (4%). Twelve of 21 patients with tumors had been treated by chemoradiation. At least one repeated procedure was required in 11 patients, of whom nine had a history of chemoradiation and surgery for cancer; four of them required a stent for exclusion of pseudoaneurysm, and in six the recurrence presented late after the initial procedure (1 month to 5 years). Major complications included cerebrovascular accident in one patient and death due to major bleeding in two cases. Twenty‐one patients died during follow‐up, including nine patients with cancer. Eleven deaths occurred up to 4 years after embolization.

Conclusions

Transarterial embolization is an important tool for the control of head and neck bleeding. Special attention should be given to patients after chemoradiation for cancer. Every effort should be made to control the bleeding because some patients may gain a reasonable lifespan and improved quality of life.

Level of Evidence

4.
Paracrine potential of fibroblasts exposed to cigarette smoke extract with vascular growth factor induction
Authors: Berchtold Craig M. , Coughlin Adam , Kasper Zachary , Thibeault Susan L.
Published: March 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

Nicotine, a major constituent of cigarette smoke, can activate the cholinergic anti‐inflammatory pathway by binding to α7‐nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) expressed on the surface of certain cells. Here, we ask whether cigarette smoke extract induced different paracrine factors compared to the in vivo regulator of inflammation, tumor necrosis factor‐α, in human vocal fold fibroblasts (hVFFs) shown to express low levels of α7nAChR.

Study Design

In vitro.

Methods

α7nAChR was detected by nested polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. γH2AX, a marker for DNA double‐stand breaks, was measured by immunofluorescence. Cigarette smoke extract was prepared in accordance with investigators studying effects of cigarette smoke. hVFFs treated for 3 hours had media replaced for an additional 24 hours. Cytokine, chemokine, and growth factor levels in media were assessed by multiplex analysis.

Results

α7nAChR expression levels decreased with the passage number of fibroblasts. Tumor necrosis factor‐α induced a significantly different profile of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factor compared to cigarette smoke extract exposure. Cigarette smoke extract at a concentration not associated with induction of γH2AX nuclear foci significantly increased vascular endothelial growth factor.

Conclusions

Cigarette smoke extract elicited a response important for regulation of angiogenesis and vascular permeability during inflammation, without evidence of DNA double‐stand breaks associated with carcinogenesis. hVFFs are capable of participating in paracrine regulation of pathological blood vessel formation associated with cigarette smoking–related diseases (ie, Reinke edema). These cells express α7nAChR, an essential component of the cholinergic anti‐inflammatory pathway regulated by the vagus nerve in certain tissues and a target of therapeutic agents. Laryngoscope, 123:2228–2236, 2013
Photoinduced Charge Separation of Self‐Organized Semiconducting Superstructures Composed of a Functional Polymer–TiO2 Hybrid
Authors: zur Borg Lisa , Domanski Anna L. , Berger Rüdiger , Zentel Rudolf
Published: March 2013

The incorporation of TiO2 nanoparticles into long (several micrometers) fibers of a gel‐forming poly(para‐phenylene vinylene) (PPV) derivative is described. For that purpose, a PPV‐block‐dopamine polymer is synthesized, which is used to coat TiO2 nanoparticles leading to well‐dispersed nanoparticles and fluorescence quenching of the polymer. Independently, the homopolymer gels in various organic solvents are observed to form long fibers. By mixing the PPV homopolymer with the TiO2‐PPV hybrid, we are able to incorporate the nanoparticles into the fibrous network, as shown in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. Photoinduced charge separation is measured by Kelvin probe force microscopy. Upon illuminating the polymer fibers, positive charges are observed, even at distances of around 300 nm. From these results, charge transport along the polymer fibers is inferred.

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The Use of an Emulsion Templated Microcellular Poly(dicyclopentadiene‐co‐norbornene) Membrane as a Separator in Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Kovačič Sebastijan , Kren Harald , Krajnc Peter , Koller Stefan , Slugovc Christian
Published: March 2013

The preparation of open‐cell macroporous membranes made by the ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of a mixture of norbornene and dicyclopentadiene, and their basic applicability as separators in lithium‐ion batteries, is discussed. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements of negative electrodes (graphite) and positive electrodes (LiCoO2) are performed and the results prove the absence of parasitic decomposition reactions within the membrane at high oxidative or reductive potentials. Furthermore, LiCoO2/Li half cell cycling studies of 100 charging/discharging cycles reveal that the newly disclosed separator and conventional commercial polyolefin based separators have similar performance. These results demonstrate that a potential weakness in the newly disclosed separator, namely residual double bonds present in the polymer network, does not limit the use of this material as a separator in lithium‐ion batteries.

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Magnetic properties of N‐doped multi‐walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Grechnev G.E. , Desnenko V.A. , Fedorchenko A.V. , Panfilov A.S. , Kolesnichenko Y.A. , Khrapatiy S.V. , Prylutskyy Y.I. , Matzui L.Y. , Ritter U. , Scharff P.
Published: March 2013

The magnetic properties of nitrogen‐doped multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (N‐MWCNTs) were studied in the temperature and magnetic field range of (4.2–290) K and (0.05–30) kOe, respectively. Also magnetic properties of the reference MWCNTs without nitrogen doping were investigated on the same footing for comparison. The presence of iron‐based particles inside N‐MWCNTs was detected. The low temperature SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device) magnetization measurements were supplemented with thermogravimetric analysis. The magnetic characterization provided the saturation magnetic moment MS and residual magnetization MR of N‐MWCNTs to be, respectively, 4.5 emu/g and 0.9 emu/g, whereas for the reference MWCNTs the corresponding parameters are found to be about twice higher. The coercive field value amounts to 800 Oe for both systems at low temperatures, then decreasing to about 450 Oe at 200 K.
Effect of multi‐walled iron‐filled carbon nanotubes on ATPase activity and superprecipitation of natural actomyosin
Authors: Andreichenko K. , Shelyuk O. , Prylutska S. , Nuryshchenko N. , Bogutska K. , Prylutskyy Y. , Ritter U. , Scharff P.
Published: March 2013

The dependence of actomyosin superprecipitation and Ca2+, Mg2+‐ and K+‐ATPase activity inhibition on the concentration of multi‐walled iron‐filled carbon nanotubes (Fe‐MWCNTs) was investigated. For the superprecipitation of actomyosin, a biphasic effect of Fe‐MWCNTs was found. Namely, at low concentrations (10–9 mg/ml) the superprecipitation was activated, while at high concentrations (10–7 and 10–5 mg/ml) its activity was inhibited.
Surface capturing of virion‐antibody complexes: Kinetic study
Authors: Boltovets P. M. , Boyko V. R. , Snopok B. A.
Published: March 2013

The presence of various components in complex biological samples which interact with inhomogeneous sensor surface, results in stretched exponential behaviour of the sensor response. This general concept was demonstrated by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) measurements of virus‐antibody complexes from crude plant homogenates on a gold surface, covered with protein A. The development of the viral infection in the plant Nicotiana tabacum was studied by SPR and ELISA (enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay) as an indicative approach; a good agreement between both methods was shown. The correlation between virus concentration and the parameters of stretched exponential law was demonstrated. These results indicate that the parameters have hidden intrinsic properties of the underlying interfacial reactions and give a good basis for a more specific microscopic model.
Molecular mechanisms of Mn induced neurotoxicity: RONS generation, genotoxicity, and DNA‐damage response
Authors: Bornhorst Julia , Meyer Sören , Weber Till , Böker Carolina , Marschall Talke , Mangerich Aswin , Beneke Sascha , Bürkle Alexander , Schwerdtle Tanja
Published: March 2013

Scope

In industrial countries dietary manganese (Mn) intake is well above the estimated average requirement. Moreover, exposure to high Mn levels is known to cause adverse neurological effects in humans, which are yet mechanistically not well understood.

Methods and results

This study aimed to identify early modes of action of Mn induced toxicity in mammalian brain cells. In primary porcine brain capillary endothelial cells induction of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species was identified as the most sensitive endpoint (≥0.5 μM MnCl2). In cultured human astrocytes MnCl2 was rapidly bioavailable, induced a slight increase of cellular reactive oxygen and nitrogen species levels and a slight decrease of ATP levels (1–100 μM MnCl2), while no genotoxic effects were observed. However, MnCl2 (≥1 μM) efficiently disturbed DNA‐damage‐induced poly(ADP‐ribosyl)ation in human astrocytes, which indicates sensitization of cells to genotoxic treatment. Additionally, we determined Mn levels in infant formula, which are generally massively supplemented with Mn and thus might pose an important source for Mn overexposure.

Conclusion

The observed inhibition of DNA‐damage‐induced poly(ADP‐ribosyl)ation in human astrocytes by exposure‐relevant Mn concentrations indicate that in terms of Mn the existing guidelines for infant formula but also drinking water should be critically reconsidered.
Analysis of Slurry‐Phase Co‐Polymerization of Ethylene and 1‐Butene by Ziegler–Natta Catalysts Part 1: Experimental Activity Profiles
Authors: McCoy John T. , Soares Joao B. P. , Rawatlal Randhir
Published: March 2013

A rigorous method is developed to extract kinetic parameters describing catalyst activity from experimental polymerization rate profiles for Ziegler–Natta catalysts. The kinetic scheme used correlates the oxidation state with catalyst activity, eliminating the need for multiple site types to describe rate profiles. The method is applied to data from kinetic experiments performed in a lab‐scale semi‐batch reactor. Four parameters are required to describe the activity of the catalyst: the polymerization rate constant and three site transformation rate constants. The model is able to reproduce changes in the rate profiles in response to reactant concentrations. The fits of the model to the data are comparable to those in similar studies.
T‐ and L‐Type Voltage‐Gated Calcium Channels: Their Role in Diabetic Bladder Dysfunction
Authors: Jiang Xiaogang , Luttrell Ian , Chitaley Kanchan , Yang Claire C.
Published: March 2013

Aims

We investigated the mechanisms of diabetic bladder dysfunction (BD) through analysis of the roles of L‐ and T‐type voltage‐gated calcium channels (VGCCs), with the ultimate goal of identifying potential drug targets for diabetic BD.

Methods

Bladder function of db/db (type 2 diabetes) and wild type (Wt) mice was evaluated by behavioral tests and in vivo cystometry. Contractile responses of bladder strips to carbachol were measured with or without pre‐treatment with nifedipine (a L‐type VGCC blocker) or mibefradil (a T‐type VGCC blocker). Furthermore, the effects of mibefradil and nifedipine on the proliferation of human bladder smooth muscle cells (BSMCs) were studied.

Results

db/db mice had significantly increased voiding frequency, bladder weight, bladder compliance and capacity, and heightened contractile response to carbachol, compared to Wt mice. Nifedipine, but not mibefradil, dramatically suppressed bladder tissue contraction in Wt mice. Whereas nifedipine nearly completely inhibited bladder contraction in db/db mice, mibefradil “normalized” the heightened bladder contractility of db/db mice to the level of Wt mice. In culture, mibefradil, but not nifedipine, inhibited the proliferation of human BSMCs.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that while L‐type VGCCs play a major role in the contraction of both diabetic and non‐diabetic bladders, T‐type VGCCs are involved in the contraction of diabetic bladders and mediate BSMC proliferation. This study provides support for further investigations on the effect of blockade of T‐type VGCC or combined blockade of both types of VGCCs in the treatment of diabetic BD. Neurourol. Urodynam. 33:147–152, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Necessary and sufficient conditions of optimality for an optimal control problem with non‐local boundary conditions and quadratic functional
Authors: Criado‐Aldeanueva F. , Criado F. , Odisehlidze N. , Sanchez J. M.
Published: March 2013

In this paper, the optimal control problem with a quadratic functional for Helmholtz equation with non‐local boundary conditions is considered. Necessary and sufficient conditions of optimality are obtained on the basis of which the existence and uniqueness of a solution to the optimal problem are proved. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of surface modification of carbon nanotube on microstructures and properties of polyamide 66/multiwalled carbon nanotube composites
Authors: Qiu Li , Yang Yongzhen , Xu Lihua , Liu Xuguang
Published: March 2013

The melt‐mixing polyamide 66 (PA66) composite samples that incorporated pure, acid‐ and amine‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared in order to enhance mechanical and frictional properties of PA66 composites. The homogeneous dispersion of amine‐functionalized MWCNTs (D‐MWCNTs) in PA66 matrix was observed from the significantly uniform morphology of tensile fractured surface of the composites. Differential scanning calorimetry measurement indicates that D‐MWCNTs acted as effective nucleation agent for PA66 matrix and the crystallinity of PA66 was increased. The fracture stress and tensile modulus of the composites were significantly improved with the incorporation of D‐MWCNTs, owing to the good dispersion of D‐MWCNTs. Compared with PA66, the PA66 composites with 1.0 wt% D‐MWCNTs were improved considerably in both wear and friction properties owing to the change of the tribological mechanisms. The good dispersion of D‐MWCNTs in PA66 and good interface compatibility between D‐MWCNTs and PA66 favored the formation of a thin layer on the contact surfaces during wear and friction test, which played an important role in reducing wear and friction of the composite and in suppressing the transverse cracks. These results prove the importance of D‐MWCNTs in a positive change of the mechanical and frictional properties of PA66 composites and suggest the applicability prospect of PA66/D‐MWCNTs composites in engineering components.POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Excelling at selling: The charming personality style predicts occupational activities, sales performance, and persuasive competence
Authors: Kazén Miguel , Kuhl Julius , Boermans Sylvie , Koole Sander L.
Published: March 2013

The present research investigates how individual differences in charming personality are related to occupational activities, sales performance, and persuasive competence. Study 1 showed that sales representatives had higher scores on the charming personality style than executive managers. Study 2 showed that the charming personality style predicted actual sales performance among branch managers of a large German insurance company over a period of 2 years; the explicit power motivation served as a mediator in this relation. Finally, Study 3, carried out in a laboratory setting, confirmed the hypothesis that a charming personality is associated with persuasive competence, which suggests that this style is more relevant for sales representatives than for executive managers. The authors conclude that the charming personality style represents an important psychological resource for organizations.
Epoxy functionalized polymethacrylates based on various multifunctional d‐glucopyranoside acetals
Authors: Neugebauer Dorota , Mielańczyk Anna , Waśkiewicz Sylwia , Biela Tadeusz
Published: March 2013

The synthesis of acetal‐derived d‐glucopyranosides with a various number of hydroxyl groups (the first step, acetalization) and their modified forms with bromoester groups (the second step, esterification) are presented here. The latter, due to the type of functional groups, can be used to initiate the controlled atom transfer radical polymerization. The copolymerizations of equimolar feed of methacrylate monomers, namely, methyl methacrylate and glycidyl methacrylate, were initiated by prepared new glycoinitiators, based on methyl α‐d‐glucopyranoside (MeαdGlu) or 2‐(hydroxymethyl)phenyl‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (salicin), in the presence of the catalyst system CuCl/dNbpy in anisole at 30 °C. The conditions were sufficient for successful synthesis of well‐defined copolymers with sugar cores sheltered by two‐, three‐, four‐, or six‐polymethacrylate segments with various polymerization degrees (DParm = 15 – 70) and low dispersity indices (Ð = 1.15–1.30). Because of the presence of oxirane groups, the star‐copolymers can be functionalized in further steps by biologically active compounds or modified to amphipilics. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2483–2494
A detailed study on understanding glycopolymer library and Con A interactions
Authors: Gou Yanzi , Geng Jin , Richards Sarah‐Jane , Burns James , Remzi Becer C. , Haddleton D. M.
Published: March 2013

Synthetic glycopolymers are important natural oligosaccharides mimics for many biological applications. To develop glycopolymeric drugs and therapeutic agents, factors that control the receptor‐ligand interaction need to be investigated. A library of well‐defined glycopolymers has been prepared by the combination of copper mediated living radical polymerization and CuAAC click reaction via post‐functionalization of alkyne‐containing precursor polymers with different sugar azides. Employing Concanavalin A as the model receptor, we explored the influence of the nature and densities of different sugars residues (mannose, galactose, and glucose) on the stoichiometry of the cluster, the rate of the cluster formation, the inhibitory potency of the glycopolymers, and the stability of the turbidity through quantitative precipitation assays, turbidimetry assays, inhibitory potency assays, and reversal aggregation assays. The diversities of binding properties contributed by different clustering parameters will make it possible to define the structures of the multivalent ligands and densities of binding epitopes tailor‐made for specific functions in the lectin‐ligand interaction. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2588–2597
Rapid Micro‐Scale Patterning of Alkanethiolate Self‐Assembled Monolayers on Au Surface by Atmospheric Micro‐Plasma Stamp
Authors: Weng Chih‐Chiang , Hsueh Jen‐Chih , Liao Jiunn‐Der , Chen Chia‐Hao , Yoshimura Masahiro
Published: March 2013

A dielectric barrier discharge‐based micro‐plasma stamp is used to transfer a micro‐scale pattern onto ultra‐thin octadecanethiolate (ODT) self‐assembled monolayers chemically adsorbed on Au (111). The results show that the specified pattern was transferred onto ODT/Au with a distortion rate of less than 1% and no significant changes in the imprint dimensions. The adsorbates formed during plasma treatment or exposure to air affected the transfer of patterns. The wet‐etching rate for the washed and patterned ODT/Au surface increased 1.6‐fold compared to that for the unwashed one. The boundary of the underlaying Au pattern with plasma exposure increased ≈3% due to lateral diffusion of the Au etching solution.

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Liposomal Templating, Association with Mammalian Cells, and Cytotoxicity of Poly(vinyl alcohol) Physical Hydrogel Nanoparticles
Authors: Andreasen Sidsel Ø. , Chong Siow‐Feng , Kryger Mille B. L. , Jensen Bettina E. B. , Postma Almar , Alves Marie‐Helene , Städler Brigitte , Goldie Kenneth N. , Zelikin Alexander N.
Published: March 2013

The assembly, cellular internalization, and cytotoxicity of nanoparticles based on physical hydrogels of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) are reported. PVA nanoparticles are assembled using a liposomal templating technique followed by removal of the lipids using isopropanol, a process that requires the presence of a custom‐made block copolymer, poly(vinyl alcohol‐b‐vinyl pyrrolidone), to avoid aggregation of the nanoparticles. Polymer hydrogelation is induced via incubation in aqueous isopropyl alcohol solution, which results in PVA hydrogel nanoparticles (PVA HNP) with excellent colloidal stability and stability towards disintegration over at least 24 h. Pristine PVA HNP are found to be remarkably stealth‐like and exhibit negligible cellular internalization. This feature is likely inherent with the low fouling nature of PVA and makes PVA HNP attractive for targeted drug delivery with a low level of association with non‐targeted cells and tissues. Blending PVA with varied amounts of collagen results in colloidal hydrogel particles with a well pronounced tendency towards association with mammalian cells, specifically hepatocytes and endothelial cells. The association of PVA HNP elicits minimal changes in cellular proliferation, making these novel hydrogel particles convenient tools for drug delivery applications and creation of implantable artificial organelles and sensors.
Propagation of a vapor cloud detonation from a congested area into an uncongested area: Demonstration test and impact on blast load prediction
Authors: Thomas J. Kelly , Goodrich Martin L. , Duran Robert J.
Published: March 2013

A test was conducted which demonstrates that a detonation wave, once formed due to a deflagration to detonation transition (DDT) within a congested region, will propagate as a detonation from the congested region into an uncongested region. This is the expected behavior based on the general behavior of detonation waves as well as other tests reported in literature. The impact of a detonation wave propagating beyond the congested volume in which it is initiated on the resulting blast load was evaluated parametrically. As would be expected, the impact on the blast load is large for flammable clouds which extend well beyond the congested volume. The test rig was 16.5 m (54 ft) long with the first 9.1 m (30 ft) of the rig length comprised of a congested section 3.7 m (12 ft) in width and 1.8 m (6 ft) high. The congestion was made up of a regular array of vertical circular tubes [6 cm (2.375 in.) diameter, pitch‐to‐diameter ratio of 4.1, area and volume blockage ratios of 23% and 4.2%, respectively]. The last 7.3 m (24 ft) of the test rig length was completely uncongested. The test rig was configured without any confinement (i.e., no wall or roof sections). A near‐stoichiometric ethylene‐air mixture completely filled both the congested and uncongested portions of the test rig. Prior testing with a similar rig configuration had shown that this flammable mixture would undergo a DDT within the congested portion of the rig. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2013
α‐N‐Protected dipeptide acids: a simple and efficient synthesis via the easily accessible mixed anhydride method using free amino acids in DMSO and tetrabutylammonium hydroxide
Authors: Verardo G. , Gorassini A.
Published: March 2013

The importance of dipeptides both in medicinal and pharmacological fields is well documented and many efforts have been made to find simple and efficient methods for their synthesis. For this reason, we have investigated the synthesis of α‐N‐protected dipeptide acids by reacting the easily accessible mixed anhydride of α‐N‐protected amino acids with free amino acids under different reaction conditions. The combination of TBA‐OH and DMSO has been found to be the best to overcome the low solubility of amino acids in organic solvents. Under these experimental conditions, the homogeneous phase condensation reaction occurs rapidly and without detectable epimerization. The present method is also applicable to side‐chain unprotected Tyr, Trp, Glu, and Asp but not Lys. This latter residue is able to engage two molecules of mixed anhydride giving the corresponding isotripeptide. Moreover, the applicability of this protocol for the synthesis of tri‐ and tetrapeptides has been tested. This approach reduces the need for protecting groups, is cost effective, scalable, and yields dipeptide acids that can be used as building blocks in the synthesis of larger peptides. Copyright © 2013 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microdefects as indicator of steel wire quality
Authors: Vassel Sergei , Pavlova Irina
Published: March 2013

The aim of our work was to create non‐destructive methods of testing steel wire straightness while the wire is being produced. We made a conclusion about the reasons of bending moment appearance. The asymmetry in the density of microcracks on the left and right of the axis of symmetry of the wire leads to the asymmetry of stress in the met al. Also, asymmetry of stress could be the consequence of different mechanical properties of different section of steel wire. This difference in mechanical properties could be the consequence of different concentration of micro defects. Another possible reason of this effect could be the difference in chemical composition of neighbouring wire arrears. So, it was necessary to construct simple devise, which could indicate all that factors. It was suggested to measure the concentration of microcracks by indirect method. The concentration of microcracks affects the number of physical properties of the met al. First of all they are electrical conductivity and magnetic properties. We decide that the simplest solution is to control the asymmetry of stress in the wire by the asymmetry of the magnetic properties of the wire. The devise for such control was developed. This devise contains the magnetizing node, measuring node with magnetic sensors and signal processing unit. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Improved retention of nonvolatile bipolar BiFeO3 resistive memories validated by memristance measurements
Authors: Shuai Yao , Du Nan , Ou Xin , Luo Wenbo , Zhou Shengqiang , Schmidt Oliver G. , Schmidt Heidemarie
Published: March 2013

The transport properties of metal‐insulator‐metal (MIM) capacitor‐like structures have been demonstrated to be sensitive to the metal‐insulator interface. BiFeO3 thin films have been grown on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates with pulsed laser deposition and RF sputtered Au has been used for the top electrode. As quantified by validated memristance measurements, Ar+ irradiation before deposition of the Au top electrode improved the retention of the BiFeO3 –based MIM structures. In principle it is possible to realize multilevel resistive switching with a very large number of intermediate low resistance states in BiFeO3‐based MIM structures which is mainly limited by the writing bias. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Performance assessment of methods for estimation of fractal dimension from scanning electron microscope images
Authors: Risović Dubravko , Pavlović Živko
Published: March 2013

Processing of gray scale images in order to determine the corresponding fractal dimension is very important due to widespread use of imaging technologies and application of fractal analysis in many areas of science, technology, and medicine. To this end, many methods for estimation of fractal dimension from gray scale images have been developed and routinely used. Unfortunately different methods (dimension estimators) often yield significantly different results in a manner that makes interpretation difficult. Here, we report results of comparative assessment of performance of several most frequently used algorithms/methods for estimation of fractal dimension. To that purpose, we have used scanning electron microscope images of aluminum oxide surfaces with different fractal dimensions. The performance of algorithms/methods was evaluated using the statistical Z‐score approach. The differences between performances of six various methods are discussed and further compared with results obtained by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy on the same samples. The analysis of results shows that the performance of investigated algorithms varies considerably and that systematically erroneous fractal dimensions could be estimated using certain methods. The differential cube counting, triangulation, and box counting algorithms showed satisfactory performance in the whole investigated range of fractal dimensions. Difference statistic is proved to be less reliable generating 4% of unsatisfactory results. The performances of the Power spectrum, Partitioning and EIS were unsatisfactory in 29%, 38%, and 75% of estimations, respectively. The results of this study should be useful and provide guidelines to researchers using/attempting fractal analysis of images obtained by scanning microscopy or atomic force microscopy. SCANNING 35:402–411, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
A Kinetic Study on Carbothermic Reduction of Hematite with Graphite Employing Thermogravimetry and Quadruple Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Jung Sung‐Mo , Yi Sang Ho
Published: March 2013

The reduction of hematite–graphite pellet was investigated from a kinetic viewpoint in the temperature range of 1173–1473 K (900–1200°C). The experimental procedure included thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for measuring the weight change of the pellet and quadruple mass spectrometry (QMS) for monitoring the compositional change of the product gases. By applying a uniform internal reduction model to the current system, the activation energies for the reduction of Fe3O4 to wustite and for that of wustite to Fe were evaluated to be 91.0 and 25.9 kJ mol−1, respectively. Due to the product gas analyses by QMS, it was observed that the reduction rate of hematite–graphite pellet was accelerated up to the equilibrium concentration of CO determined by the carbon gasification curve. Changeover of reduction mechanism with increasing reduction degree was explained in terms of a schematic diagram based on the results obtained in the current study.
Transplantation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes Tissue Regeneration in a Glaucoma Model Through Laser-Induced Paracrine Factor Secretion and Progenitor Cell Recruitment
Authors: Manuguerra-GagnÉ Renaud , Boulos Patrick R. , Ammar Ahmed , Leblond François A. , Krosl Gorazd , Pichette Vincent , Lesk Mark R. , Roy Denis-Claude
Published: March 2013

Among bone marrow cells, hematopoietic and mesenchymal components can contribute to repair damaged organs. Such cells are usually used in acute diseases but few options are available for the treatment of chronic disorders. In this study, we have used a laser-induced model of open angle glaucoma (OAG) to evaluate the potential of bone marrow cell populations and the mechanisms involved in tissue repair. In addition, we investigated laser-induced tissue remodeling as a method of targeting effector cells into damaged tissues. We demonstrate that among bone marrow cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) induce trabecular meshwork regeneration. MSC injection into the ocular anterior chamber leads to far more efficient decrease in intraocular pressure (IOP) (p < .001) and healing than hematopoietic cells. This robust effect was attributable to paracrine factors from stressed MSC, as injection of conditioned medium from MSC exposed to low but not to normal oxygen levels resulted in an immediate decrease in IOP. Moreover, MSC and their secreted factors induced reactivation of a progenitor cell pool found in the ciliary body and increased cellular proliferation. Proliferating cells were observed within the chamber angle for at least 1 month. Laser-induced remodeling was able to target MSC to damaged areas with ensuing specific increases in ocular progenitor cells. Thus, our results identify MSC and their secretum as crucial mediators of tissue repair in OAG through reactivation of local neural progenitors. In addition, laser treatment could represent an appealing strategy to promote MSC-mediated progenitor cell recruitment and tissue repair in chronic diseases.
Epigenetic Reprogramming of the Germ Cell Nuclear Factor Gene Is Required for Proper Differentiation of Induced Pluripotent Cells
Authors: Wang Hongran , Wang Xiaohong , Xu Xueping , Zwaka Thomas P. , Cooney Austin J.
Published: March 2013

Somatic cells have been reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells that recapitulate the pluripotent nature of embryonic stem (ES) cells. Reduced pluripotency and variable differentiation capacities have hampered progress with this technology for applications in regeneration medicine. We have previously shown that germ cell nuclear factor (Gcnf) is required for the repression of pluripotency genes during ES cell differentiation and embryonic development. Here we report that iPS cell lines, in which the Gcnf gene was properly reprogrammed, allowing expression of Gcnf, repress pluripotency genes during subsequent differentiation. In contrast, iPS clones in which the Gcnf gene was not reprogrammed maintained pluripotency gene expression during differentiation and did not differentiate properly either in vivo or in vitro. These mal-reprogrammed cells recapitulated the phenotype of Gcnf knockout (Gcnf−/−) ES cells. Reintroduction of Gcnf into either the Gcnf negative iPS cells or the Gcnf−/− ES cells rescued repression of Oct4 during differentiation. Our findings establish a key role for Gcnf as a regulator of iPS cell pluripotency gene expression. It also demonstrates that reactivation of the Gcnf gene may serve as a marker to distinguish completely reprogrammed iPS cells from incompletely pluripotent cells, which would make therapeutic use of iPS cells safer and more practical as it would reduce the oncogenic potential of iPS cells. STEM Cells  2013;31:2659–2666