bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethics of Involving Children in Health-Related Research: Applying a Decision-Making Framework to a Clinical Trial
Authors: Kelly Barbara , MacKay-Lyons Marilyn J.
Published: October 2010

Purpose: This paper explores ethical issues related to the involvement of children in health-related research through the application of a conceptual model (the Miller and Kenny framework) to a current clinical trial on casting protocols for equinus gait of children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Summary of key points: The direct involvement of children in health-related research is important for maintaining and improving standards of paediatric clinical care. Ethical considerations around investigations involving this highly vulnerable population are complex, however, requiring the involvement of many levels of decision makers—government, research ethics boards (REBs), health care providers, parents, and children. The Miller and Kenny framework is useful in distinguishing these levels and heightening awareness of the complexities of the issues around engaging children in research. Considerations include the role of parents/caregivers in decision making, individual assessment of the child's decisional capacities, close attention to the child's context and life experience, provision of developmentally appropriate information about the research study, and careful assessment of dissent prior to withdrawing the child from the study.

Recommendations: Physical therapists involved in paediatric clinical practice and/or research must be knowledgeable about ethical principles, policies, and REB requirements. The Miller and Kenny framework is a helpful guide to clarify decision-making roles around children's participation in research.
The Provision of Weekend Physiotherapy Services in Tertiary-Care Hospitals in Canada
Authors: Campbell Lauren , Bunston Rebecca , Colangelo Sarah , Kim Dorothy , Nargi Jessica , Hill Kylie , Brooks Dina
Published: October 2010

Purpose: To describe the provision of weekend physiotherapy (PT) services in tertiary-care hospitals in Canada.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional survey was conducted across tertiary-care hospitals, defined as those with university affiliation and at least one intensive care unit (ICU). Data were collected via telephone-administered questionnaires addressing hospital demographics, weekend staffing, workload, and weekend referral criteria.

Results: A response rate of 84% (n=36) was obtained. Of facilities providing weekend PT services (97%), 35 (100%) provided care on Saturdays, 32 (91%) on Sundays, and 33 (94%) on statutory holidays. Weekend services were staffed using permanent full-time (n=35; 100%) or part-time (n=28; 80%) in-patient staff or outsourced staff (n=1; 3%). The number of physiotherapists available on the weekend was smaller than the number available during the week (p<0.001). Common weekend referral criteria included cardiorespiratory problems (n=35; 100%), postoperative assessment of patients at risk for deterioration (n=32; 91%), and patients scheduled for discharge pending PT assessment (n=30; 86%).

Conclusion: Both the scope and the number of staff available to provide PT services were less on the weekend than during the week. Despite the use of common criteria for weekend referral, variability in this service exists. Knowledge pertaining to current weekend PT services provides opportunities for harmonization of service delivery.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Overwhelming Evidence but Lost in Translation?
Authors: Johnston Kylie , Grimmer-Somers Karen
Published: October 2010

Purpose: This report highlights the current international gap between the availability of high-quality evidence for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) and its low level of implementation. Key barriers are outlined, and potentially effective strategies to improve implementation are presented.

Summary of key points: Although pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is recommended by international guidelines as part of the management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), participation in PR remains low. Physician referral to PR ranges from 3% to 16% of suitable patients. Barriers to participation include limited availability of suitable programmes and interrelated issues of referral and access. Individual patient barriers, including factors relating to comorbidities and exacerbations, perceptions of benefit, and ease of access, contribute less overall to low participation rates. Chronic care programmes that incorporate self-management support have some benefit in patients with COPD. However, the demonstrated cost-effectiveness of PR is substantial, and efforts to improve its implementation are urgently indicated.

Conclusion: To improve implementation, a holistic examination of the key issues influencing a patient's participation in PR is needed. Such an examination should consider the relative influences of environmental (e.g., health-service-related) factors, organizational factors (e.g., referral and intake procedures), and individual factors (e.g., patient barriers) for all participants. On the basis of these findings, policy, funding, service delivery, and other interventions to improve participation in PR can be developed and evaluated.
Enabling GeneHunter as a Grid Service
Authors: Krikov S. , Price R. C. , Matney S. A. , Allen-Brady K. , Facelli J. C.
Published: October 2010

Background: A cursory analysis of the biomedical grid literature shows that most projects emphasize data sharing and the development of new applications for the grid environment. Much less is known about the best practices for the migration of existing analytical tools into the grid environment.

Objectives: To make GeneHunter available as a grid service and to evaluate the effort and best practices needed to enable a legacy application as a grid service when addressing semantic integration and using the caBIG tools.

Methods: We used the tools available in the caBIG environment because these tools are quite general and they may be used to deploy services in similar biomedical grids that are OGSA-compliant.

Results: We achieved semantic integration of GeneHunter within the caBIG by creating a new UML model, LinkageX, for the LINKAGE data format. The LinkageX UML model has been published in the caDSR and it is publically available for usage with Gene-Hunter or any other program using this data format.

Conclusions: While achieving semantic interoperability is still a time-consuming task, the tools available in caBIG can greatly enhance productivity and decrease errors.
Relationship between Malocclusion and Heart Rate Variability Indices in Young Adults
Authors: Takeuchi N. , Furuta M. , Tomofuji T. , Morita M. , Ekuni D.
Published: October 2010

Objectives: Heart rate variability (HRV) has been used to assess sympathetic and parasympathetic modulation of heart rate. Chronic stress relates to reduced HRV. Malocclusion has effects on quality of life, which can lead to chronic stress. Therefore, we hypothesized that malocclusion, as chronic stress, may contribute to reduced HRV. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between malocclusion and HRV indices in healthy young adults.

Methods: Thirty-seven non-smoking healthy subjects, aged 22 to 25 years, were examined. Malocclusion was defined by Angle classification. HRV indices included root mean square of successive differences, low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) and ratio of LF to HF. The effects of malocclusion on quality of life and mental health were assessed using self-reported questionnaires, the condition-specific Oral Impacts on Daily Performances index (CS-OIDP) and the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (HSCL), respectively.

Results: Significantly lower score of HF and higher heart rate (HR) level and CS-OIDP score were observed in subjects with malocclusion (n = 17) compared to those in the control subjects (n = 20) (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between HR and score of “anxiety” in HSCL (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: The data showed an association between malocclusion and lower HRV. Based on our results, orthodontic treatment might contribute not only to improvement of oral esthetic and functional problems but also to improvement of stress and HRV indices.
Aproximación al estudio de la morfología setígera en algunas especies ibéricas de los géneros Glycera Savigny, 1818 y Glycerella Arwidsson, 1899 (Polychaeta, Glyceridae)
Authors: Parapar J. , Moreira J.
Published: October 2010

A partir del estudio al Microscopio Electrónico de Barrido (MEB) de las sedas espinígeras de varias especies del género Glycera Savigny, 1818 (Glycera alba Rathke, 1843; Glycera fallax Quatrefages, 1850; Glycera tesselata Grube, 1863; Glycera aff. tridactyla Schmarda, 1861 y Glycera unicornis Savigny, 1818) y Glycerella Arwidsson, 1899 (Glycerella magellanica (McIntosh, 1885)), recogidas en la península Ibérica, se aborda un estudio comparado preliminar de la morfología setígera a nivel de la zona de articulación entre el mango y el artejo. Como resultado de este estudio se han revelado diferencias en el número, tamaño y forma de los dientes que componen esta zona, lo cual apunta a un potencial valor de la microestructura setígera como carácter taxonómico a nivel subgenérico en la familia Glyceridae Grube, 1850, abriendo la posibilidad de su empleo en futuros estudios de revisión del grupo. Estas diferencias, si bien no serían susceptibles de ser empleadas en la identificación taxonómica rutinaria a nivel específico por no ser fácilmente observables sin el empleo del MEB, sí podrían ser utilizadas como recurso en futuros estudios sistemáticos y filogenéticos de la familia.
Physical Activity and Adherence to Mediterranean Diet Increase Total Antioxidant Capacity: The ATTICA Study
Authors: Kavouras Stavros A. , Panagiotakos Demosthenes B. , Pitsavos Christos , Chrysohoou Christina , Arnaoutis Giannis , Skoumas Yannis , Stefanadis Christodoulos
Published: October 2010

We studied the association of physical activity and adherence to the Mediterranean diet, in total antioxidant capacity (TAC). A random sample of 1514 men and 1528 women was selected from Attica region. Physical activity was assessed with a translated version of the validated “International Physical Activity Questionnaire” (iPAQ), and dietary intake through a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed by the MedDietScore that incorporated the inherent characteristics of this diet. TAC was positively correlated with the degree of physical activity (P<.05). TAC was also positively correlated with MedDietScore (r=0.24,P<.001). Stratified analysis by diet status revealed that the most beneficial results were observed to highly active people as compared to inactive, who also followed the Mediterranean diet (288  ±  70 μmol/L,230  ±  50 μmol/L, resp.), after adjusting for various confounders. Increased physical activity and greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet were associated with increased total antioxidant capacity.
Stability as a natural selection mechanism on interacting networks
Authors: Perotti Juan I. , Billoni Orlando V. , Tamarit Francisco A. , Cannas Sergio A.
Published: October 2010

Biological networks of interacting agents exhibit similar topological properties for a wide range of scales, from cellular to ecological levels, suggesting the existence of a common evolutionary origin. A general evolutionary mechanism based on global stability has been proposed recently  [J I Perotti, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 108701 (2009)]. This mechanism was incorporated into a  model of a growing network of interacting agents in which each new agent's membership in the network is determined by the agent's effect on the network's global stability. In this work, we analyze different quantities that characterize the topology of the emerging networks, such as global connectivity, clustering and average nearest neighbors degree, showing that they reproduce scaling behaviors frequently observed in several biological systems. The influence of the stability selection  mechanism on the dynamics associated to the resulting network, as well as  the interplay  between some topological and functional features are also analyzed.Received: 17 July 2010; Accepted: 27 September 2010; Edited by: D. H. Zanette; Reviewed by: V. M. Eguiluz, Inst. Fisica Interdisciplinar y Sist. Complejos, Palma de Mallorca, Spain; DOI: 10.4279/PIP.020005
Increased Price Markup from Union Coordination – OECD Panel Evidence
Authors: Bjørnstad Roger , Kalstad Kjartan Øren
Published: October 2010

Although coordination of wage bargaining probably affects entry barriers and competition in product markets, research on price determination has typically not considered such factors. We argue that the price markup depends on wage setting institutions and present empirical evidence in form of estimated price equations in a panel of 15 OECD countries. The estimates show that consumer prices may be as much as 21 percent higher in coordinated compared to uncoordinated countries, solely due to the effect of coordination on the markup. Since other studies find that coordination has a dampening effect on wages, this may explain why there is no clear effect of coordination on unemployment.
Spatial, temporal, and vertical variability of polar stratospheric ozone loss in the Arctic winters 2004/2005–2009/2010
Authors: Kuttippurath J. , Godin-Beekmann S. , Lefèvre F. , Goutail F.
Published: October 2010

Abstract. The polar stratospheric ozone loss during the Arctic winters 2004/2005–2009/2010 is investigated by using high resolution simulations from the chemical transport model Mimosa-Chim and observations from Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS), by applying the passive tracer technique. The winter 2004/2005 shows the coldest temperatures, highest area of polar stratospheric clouds and strongest chlorine activation in 2004/2005–2009/2010. The ozone loss diagnosed from both simulations and measurements inside the polar vortex at 475 K ranges from 0.7 ppmv in the warm winter 2005/2006 to 1.5–1.7 ppmv in the cold winter 2004/2005. Halogenated (chlorine and bromine) catalytic cycles contribute to 75–90% of the ozone loss at this level. At 675 K the lowest loss of 0.3–0.5 ppmv is computed in 2008/2009, and the highest loss of 1.3 ppmv is estimated in 2006/2007 by the model and in 2004/2005 by MLS. Most of the ozone loss (60–75%) at this level results from nitrogen catalytic cycles rather than halogen cycles. At both 475 and 675 K levels the simulated ozone and ozone loss evolution inside the vortex is in reasonably good agreement with the MLS observations. The ozone partial column loss in 350–850 K deduced from the model calculations at the MLS sampling locations inside the polar vortex ranges between 43 DU in 2005/2006 and 109 DU in 2004/2005, while those derived from the MLS observations range between 26 DU and 115 DU for the same winters. The partial column ozone depletion derived in that vertical range is larger than that estimated in 350–550 K by 19±7 DU on average, mainly due to NOx chemistry. The column ozone loss estimates from both Mimosa-Chim and MLS in 350–850 K are generally in good agreement with those derived from ground-based ultraviolet-visible spectrometer total ozone observations for the respective winters, except in 2010.
Numerical modelling of microburst with Large-Eddy Simulation
Authors: Anabor V. , Rizza U. , Degrazia G. A. , de Lima Nascimento E.
Published: October 2010

Abstract. An isolated and stationary microburst is simulated using a 3-D time-dependent, high resolution Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) model. The microburst downdraft is initiated by specifying a simplified cooling source at the top of the domain near 2 km. The modelled time scale for this damaging wind (30 m/s) is of order of few min with a spatial scale enclosing a region with 500 m radius around the impact point. These features are comparable with results obtained from full-cloud models. The simulated flow shows the principal features observed by Doppler radar and others observational full-scale downburst events. In particular are observed the expansion of the primary and secondary cores, the presence of the ring vortex at the leading edge of the cool outflow, and finally an accelerating outburst of surface winds. This result evidences the capability of LES to reproduce complexes phenomena like a Microburst and indicates the potential of LES for utilization in atmospheric phenomena situated below the storm scale and above the microscale, which generally involves high velocities in a short time scale.
Continuous isotopic composition measurements of tropospheric CO2 at Jungfraujoch (3580 m a.s.l.), Switzerland: real-time observation of regional pollution events
Authors: Tuzson B. , Henne S. , Brunner D. , Steinbacher M. , Mohn J. , Buchmann B. , Emmenegger L.
Published: October 2010

Abstract. A quantum cascade laser based absorption spectrometer (QCLAS) is applied for the first time to perform in situ, continuous and high precision isotope ratio measurements of CO2 in the free troposphere. Time series of the three main CO2 isotopologue mixing ratios (12C16O2, 12C16O2 and 12C18O16O) have simultaneously been measured at one second time resolution over two years (from August 2008 to present) at the High Altitude Research Station Jungfraujoch (3580 m a.s.l., Switzerland). This work focuses on periods in February 2009 only, when sudden and pronounced enhancements in the tropospheric CO2 were observed. These short-term changes were closely correlated with variations in CO mixing ratios measured at the same site, indicating combustion related emissions as potential source. The analytical precision of 0.046‰ (at 50 s integration time) for both δ13C and δ18O and the high temporal resolution allowed the application of the Keeling plot method for source signature identification. The spatial origin of these CO2 emission sources was then determined by backward Lagrangian particle dispersion simulations.
Characteristics of shallow thermally driven flow in the complex topography of the south-eastern Adriatic
Authors: Prtenjak M. T. , Tomažić I. , Kavčič I. , Đivanović S.
Published: October 2010

Abstract. Characteristics of thermally induced flow, namely the sea breeze, are investigated along the south-eastern Adriatic. The chosen period 24–25 April 2006 favoured sea breeze development and simultaneously allowed a comparison of the large-scale wind influence (north-westerly wind versus south-easterly wind) and the complex terrain on the local circulations. Particular attention is paid to the small-scale formation of the wind field, convergence zones (CZs), channelling flows and small scale eddies, especially in the vicinity of two airports in the central part of south-eastern Adriatic. The results are based on wind measurements (from meteorological surface stations, radiosoundings, satellite data and sodar data) and further supplemented by model data at fine grid spacing. This study shows the formation of numerous irregular daytime and nighttime CZs, which occurred along the coastline in the lee of mountains and over the larger, elongated islands. The results show that the above mentioned airports are surrounded by daytime CZ formations within the lowermost 1000 m and associated updrafts of 1 m s−1, especially if CZs are maintained by the north-westerly large-scale winds. Whereas the daytime CZ was generated due to merged sea breezes, the weaker and shallower nighttime CZs were formed by wind convergence of the seaward breezes, and significantly modified by the large-scale flow of the topography (e.g., accelerated flow in the sea channels and substantial swirled flows around the islands). The passes between the coastal mountain peaks changed the inflow penetration, provoking the increase in wind speed of the channelled flow. The strongest sea breeze channelling was observed above the valley of the Neretva River, where the onshore flow reached 40 km inland with a strength of 8 m s−1, and the highly asymmetric offshore part was confined within the sea channel.
Anthropogenic stressors and eutrophication processes as recorded by stable isotopes compositions in coral skeletons
Authors: Levy O. , Rosenfeld M. , Loya Y. , Yam R. , Mizrachi I. , Shemesh A.
Published: October 2010

Abstract. The northern Gulf of Aqaba, in the northeastern branch of the Red Sea, is a clear example of humans effecting on the health of fringing reefs. Our results demonstrate the effect of an anthropogenic stressor on the carbon and oxygen stable isotopes compositions, namely net pen fish farming with annual fish production of 2.4×106 kg yr−1. We sampled and studied long coral cores from stressed, remote and intermediate localities and short- term transplanted Porites sp. colonies from the west side of the Gulf of Aqaba to a remote and a polluted sites, respectively. The data shows that mariculture and other human related stressors did not influence the oxygen isotopic signature over a period of two decades. However, the carbon fractionation changed along a geographical gradient and depended on proximity to the source of contamination. We suggest that δ13C of coral skeleton is a promising proxy for identifying long term processes of coral growth under high nutrient loads and potential disturbances to the coral reef ecology.
Advanced Biomaterials Accumulation of Citrate‐Coated Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles by Cultured Brain Astrocytes
Authors: Hohnholt Michaela C. , Geppert Mark , Nürnberger Sylvia , von Byern Janek , Grunwald Ingo , Dringen Ralf
Published: October 2010

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe‐NP) are considered for various applications in the brain. However, little is known so far on the uptake and the metabolism of such nanoparticles in brain cells. Since astrocytes are strategically localized between capillaries and neurons, astrocytes are of particular interest concerning uptake and fate of nanoparticles in the brain. Using astrocyte‐rich primary cultures as model system we have investigated the accumulation of citrate‐coated Fe‐NP by astrocytes. Viable cultured astrocytes accumulate iron from citrate‐coated Fe‐NP in a time‐, concentration‐, and temperature‐dependent manner. The cellular iron content determined after 4 h of incubation increases proportional to the concentration of Fe‐NP, if the particles were applied in concentrations of up to 1000 × 10−6 M of total iron. The iron accumulation from 500 or 1000 × 10−6 M iron as Fe‐NP is significantly slowed by lowering the incubation temperature from 37 to 4 °C. Transmission electron microscopy of the cells revealed that most of the cellular Fe‐NP are present in intracellular vesicles. These data demonstrate that astrocytes accumulate efficiently citrate‐coated Fe‐NP, most likely by an endocytotic pathway.
Autonomic Self‐Repairing Glassy Materials
Authors: Coillot Daniel , Méar François O. , Podor Renaud , Montagne Lionel
Published: October 2010

A new process that enables glassy materials to self‐repair from mechanical damage is presented in this paper. Contrary to intrinsic self‐healing, which involves overheating to enable crack healing by glass softening, this process is based on an extrinsic effect produced by vanadium boride (VB) particles dispersed within the glass matrix. Self‐repair is obtained through the oxidation of VB particles, and thus without the need to increase the operating temperature. The VB healing agent is selected for its capacity to oxidize at a lower temperature than the softening point of the glass. Thermogravimetric analyses indeed show that VB oxidation is rapid and occurs below the glass transition temperature. Solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy indicates that VB is oxidized into V2O5 and B2O3, which enable the local formation of glass. The autonomic self‐healing effect is demonstrated by an in situ experiment visualized using an environmental scanning electron microscope. It is shown that a crack could be healed by the VB oxidation products.
Enhanced Performance in Polymer Solar Cells by Surface Energy Control
Authors: Bulliard Xavier , Ihn Soo‐Ghang , Yun Sungyoung , Kim Yungi , Choi Dukhyun , Choi Jae‐Young , Kim Min , Sim Myungsun , Park Jong‐Hwan , Choi Woong , Cho Kilwon
Published: October 2010

Enhanced performance of an inverted‐type polymer solar cell is reported by controlling the surface energy of a zinc oxide (ZnO) buffer layer, on which a photoactive layer composed of a polymer:fullerene‐derivative bulk heterojunction is formed. With the approach based on a mixed self‐assembled monolayer, the surface energy of the ZnO buffer layer can be controlled between 40 mN m−1 and 70 mN m−1 with negligible changes in its work function. For the given range of surface energy the power conversion efficiency increases from 3.27% to 3.70% through enhanced photocurrents. The optimized morphology obtained by surface energy control results in the enhanced photocurrent and transmission electron microscopy analysis verifies the correlation between the surface energy and the phase morphology of the bulk heterojunction. These results demonstrate that surface energy control is an effective method for further improving the performance of polymer solar cells, with potentially important implications for other organic devices containing an interface between a blended organic active layer and a buffer or an electrode layer.
Direct Asymmetric syn‐Aldol Reactions of Linear Aliphatic Ketones with Primary Amino Acid‐Derived Diamines
Authors: Demuynck Anneleen L. W. , Vanderleyden Jozef , Sels Bert F.
Published: October 2010

We have designed a novel class of chiral diamine organocatalysts based on natural primary amino acids that efficiently catalyze syn‐selective aldol reactions of challenging linear ketones, such as 2‐butanone, and aromatic aldehydes. In the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) as Brønsted acid and 2,4‐dinitrophenol (DNP) as co‐catalyst, syn‐aldol products have been obtained with excellent enantioselectivities of up to> 99% ee.
Selective Introduction of Organic Groups to C60 and C70 Using Organoboron Compounds and Rhodium Catalyst: A New Synthetic Approach to Organo(hydro)fullerenes
Authors: Nambo Masakazu , Segawa Yasutomo , Wakamiya Atsushi , Itami Kenichiro
Published: October 2010

A Rh‐catalyzed reaction of C60 and C70 with organoboron compounds is described. This new catalytic method enables introduction of various organic groups onto C60 and C70. [Rh(cod)(MeCN)2]BF4 proved to be the most effective catalyst in terms of productivity and selectivity. The reaction generally proceeds with a high regioselectivity and in a mono‐addition selective manner. It was found that water is an essential additive to promote the reaction. By X‐ray crystal structure analysis, we have confirmed the reaction site of organometallic‐based hydroarylation of C70 for the first time. Various functional fullerenes, such as fullerene‐tagged amino acids and fullerene‐capped π systems, can be synthesized. The X‐ray crystal structure of biphenyl‐attached C60 revealed an interesting opportunity for the well‐organized alignment of bucky balls by taking advantage of CH–π interactions.
Statistical methods for automatic crack detection based on vibrothermography sequence‐of‐images data
Authors: Li Ming , Holland Stephen D. , Meeker William Q.
Published: October 2010

Vibrothermography is a relatively new nondestructive evaluation technique for finding cracks through frictional heat generated from crack surface vibrations under external excitations. The vibrothermography inspection method provides a sequence of infrared images as the output. We use a matched filter technique to increase the signal‐to‐noise ratio of the sequence‐of‐images data. An automatic crack detection criterion based on the features extracted from the matched filter output greatly increases the sensitivity of the vibrothermography inspection method. In this paper, we develop a three‐dimensional matched filter for the sequence‐of‐images data, which presents the statistical analysis for the matched filter output, and evaluate the probability of detection. Our results show the crack detection criterion based on the matched filter output provides an improved detection capability. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐sensitivity spectrofluorimetric determination of tiopronin based on inhibition of hemoglobin
Authors: Chen Ya‐Hong , Tian Feng‐Shou , Zhang Gao‐Feng
Published: October 2010

A highly sensitive and simple spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of tiopronin based on its inhibitory effect on the hemoglobin‐catalyzed reaction of H2O2 and l‐tyrosine was developed. The concentration of tiopronin is linear with decreased fluorescence (ΔF) of the system under the optimal experimental conditions. The calibration graph is linear in the range 1.23 × 10−8 to 3.06 × 10−5 mol L−1 with a detection limit of 6.13 × 10−9 mol L−1. The relative standard deviation was 4.38% for 11 determinations of 6.13 × 10−6 mol L−1. This method can be used for the determination of tiopronin in pharmaceuticals with satisfactory results. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Luminescence studies on Al4B2O9:Eu2+ phosphor crystals
Authors: Zheng Yingli , Chen Donghua
Published: October 2010

A novel blue‐emitting phosphor, Eu2+‐doping Al4B2O9, was prepared via a modified solid‐state reaction. Al4B2O9:Eu2+ nanoparticles with diameters varying in a range from 20 to 50 nm were obtained using urea as an auxiliary reagent at the optimum temperature of 850°C. The crystallization and particle sizes of Al4B2O9:Eu2+ were investigated using powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Photoluminescence (PL) results showed that Al4B2O9:Eu2+ phosphor could be efficiently excited by the ultraviolet region from 240 to 410 nm, exhibiting bright blue emission. Further investigation on concentration‐dependent emission spectra indicated that the Al3.997B2O9:Eu2+0.003 phosphor exhibited the strongest luminescent, and the relative PL intensity decreased with increasing Eu2+ concentration due to concentration quenching. In addition, the concentration quenching for the one‐Eu‐site emission centers was caused by the electric multipole–multipole interaction. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Child abuse, child protection and disabled children: a review of recent research
Authors: Stalker Kirsten , McArthur Katherine
Published: October 2010

This paper reports the results of a scoping study that reviewed research about child abuse, child protection and disabled children published in academic journals between 1996 and 2009. The review was conducted using a five stage method for scoping studies. Several studies have revealed a strong association between disability and child maltreatment, indicating that disabled children are significantly more likely to experience abuse than their non‐disabled peers. Those with particular impairments are at increased risk. There is evidence that the interaction of age, gender and/or socio‐cultural factors with impairment results in different patterns of abuse to those found among non‐disabled children although the reasons for this require further examination. It appears that therapeutic services and criminal justice systems often fail to take account of disabled children's needs and heightened vulnerability. In Britain, little is known about what happens to disabled children who have been abused and how well safeguarding services address their needs. Very few studies have sought disabled children's own accounts of abuse or safeguarding. Considerable development is required, at both policy and practice level, to ensure that disabled children's right to protection is upheld. The paper concludes by identifying a number of aspects of the topic requiring further investigation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Online we are all able bodied: Online psychological sense of community and social support found through membership of disability‐specific websites promotes well‐being for people living with a physical disability
Authors: Obst Patricia , Stafurik Jana
Published: October 2010

People with a physical disability are a population who for a number of reasons may be vulnerable to social isolation. Research into Internet‐based support sites has found that social support and an online sense of community can be developed through computer mediated communication channels. This study aims to gain an understanding of the benefits that membership of disability‐specific online communities may have for people with a physical disability. An online survey was administered to a sample of users of such sites (N = 160). Results indicated that users did receive moral support and personal advice through participating in such online communities. Further, results indicated that online social support and feeling a sense of community online were positively associated with participants' well‐being in the areas of personal relations and personal growth. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Manganese‐Containing Porous Silicates: Synthesis, Structural Properties and Catalytic Applications
Authors: Novak Tušar Nataša , Jank Sigrun , Gläser Roger
Published: October 2010

Porous silicates are often used as catalysts or catalyst supports for many chemical reactions. The immobilization of metals by their incorporation into silicate frameworks is an important strategy for generating catalytically active sites. The catalytic properties of metal‐modified porous silicates depend on the structure type and on the location and nature of the incorporated metal. Recently, manganese‐containing porous silicates have received considerable attention as catalysts for various chemical conversions. Herein, an overview on the synthesis, structure characterization, and catalytic applications of manganese‐containing porous silicates is presented. The particular suitability of these materials to address major challenges in environmentally benign catalysis is outlined.
Homogeneous Catalytic Hydrogenation of Bio‐Oil and Related Model Aldehydes with RuCl2(PPh3)3
Authors: Huang F. , Li W. , Lu Q. , Zhu X.
Published: October 2010

A homogeneous RuCl2(PPh3)3 catalyst was prepared for the hydrogenation of bio‐oil to improve its stability and fuel quality. Experiments were first performed on three model aldehydes of acetaldehyde, furfural and vanillin selected to represent the linear aldehydes, oxygen heterocyclic aldehydes and aromatic aldehydes in bio‐oil. The results demonstrated the high hydrogenation capability of this homogeneous catalyst under mild conditions (55–90 °C, 1.3–3.3 MPa). The highest conversion of the three model aldehydes was over 90 %. Furfural and acetaldehyde were singly converted to furfuryl alcohol and ethanol after hydrogenation, while vanillin was mainly converted to vanillin alcohol, together with a small amount of 2‐methoxy‐4‐methylphenol and 2‐methoxyphenol. Further experiments were conducted on a bio‐oil fraction extracted by ethyl acetate and on the whole bio‐oil at 70 °C and 3.3 MPa. Most of the aldehydes were transformed to the corresponding alcohols, and some ketones and compounds with C–C double bond were converted to more stable compounds.
Short Diastereoselective Synthesis of the C1–C13 (AB Spiroacetal) and C17–C28 Fragments (CD Spiroacetal) of Spongistatin 1 and 2 through Double Chain‐Elongation Reactions
Authors: Flowers Christopher L. , Vogel Pierre
Published: October 2010

A unique and practical synthetic sequence for rapid access to polyketides and to further the spiroacetals derived from them, which utilizes a bidirectional Hosomi–Sakurai allylation approach around key allylsilanes in the synthesis of the AB and CD ring systems of spongistatin 1 and 2, is reported. The synthesis of the AB spiroacetal9requires 13 steps, with a longest linear sequence of seven steps in an overall yield of 27 %. The synthesis of the CD spiroacetal13requires 15 steps, with a longest linear sequence of 11 steps in an overall yield of 30 %. Both syntheses start from but‐3‐enol.
Rate Coefficients for the Reaction of Iodine Oxide with Methyl Peroxy Radicals
Authors: Dillon Terry J. , Tucceri María E. , Crowley John N.
Published: October 2010

Pulsed laser photolysis radical generation is used to study the title reaction IO+CH3O2→products. Sensitive and selective laser‐induced fluorescence detection of IO allows excess CH3O2 conditions to be maintained throughout, ensuring minimal interference from other fast IO reactions. The rate coefficients, k5(296 K)=(3.4±1.4)×10−12 cm3 molecule−1 s−1, are obtained relative to a well‐characterised reference value (k3 for IO+HO2). This result agrees well with a previous determination from this laboratory and demonstrates that the above reaction proceeds an order of magnitude slower than suggested in other recent experimental and theoretical studies. Implications for HOx production/O3 destruction within the marine boundary layer are briefly discussed.
Muscle, the Motor
Authors: Partridge L. D. , Benton L. A.
Published: October 2010

The sections in this article are:

Representation of Muscle Properties

Dimensions Used

Models

Real Motor Systems

Properties of the Contractile Unit

Passive Mechanical Contributions

Response to Neural Signals

Interaction Between Neural and Other Inputs

Functional Variations

Multiple Units of Muscle

The Unit of Muscle Function

Relationships in Multiunit Function

Some Measures of Muscle Function

Motor Functions of Muscles

Final Summary

Epilogue

Appendix

Units for Measure of Motor Function
Motor Prostheses
Authors: Mortimer J. Thomas
Published: October 2010

The sections in this article are:

History

Perspective

Electrochemical Aspects of Stimulation

Metal‐Tissue Interface Without Applied Field

System for Electrical Excitation

Relationship Between Electrode Potential and Charge Density

Regulated Voltage vs. Regulated Current

Monophasic Stimulation

Biphasic Stimulation

Tissue Damage

Electrode Materials

Brain (Surface Electrodes)

Nerve (Cuff Electrode)

Muscle (Coiled Wire Electrode)

Nerve Excitation

Membrane Response to Applied Electrical Field

Excitation of Myelinated Nerve

Threshold Relationship Between Nerve and Muscle

Effects of Electrode Configuration on Threshold and Excitation Site

Neural Fatigue

Electrical Activation of Skeletal Muscle

Brief Review of Muscle Physiology

Electrical Excitation of Normal Muscle

Muscle Alterations Induced by Electrical Activation

Force Modulation

Clinical Applications

Paralyzed Muscle

Scoliosis
Influence of polymerizing agent on structure and spectroscopic properties of nano‐crystalline La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 powders
Authors: Macedo D. A. , Cesário M. R. , Cela B. , Melo D. M. A. , Paskocimas C. A. , Martinelli A. E. , Nascimento R. M.
Published: October 2010

Strontium‐doped lanthanum manganite (La1‐xSrxMnO3 or LSM) is the material most widely used on solid oxide fuel cells cathode. In this work, nano‐scale La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 powders have been synthesized by polymeric precursor‐based methods using different polymerizing agents with the aim of evaluating the influence of this change in the final powder. The powders calcined at 700 °C for 2 h have been characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in order to investigate the quality of both synthesis routes. It is shown that the crystal structure and morphology of the particles are significantly dependent on the preparation conditions. Single phase and La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 nano‐crystalline particles less than 30 nm were obtained using ethylene glycol as polymerizing agent. FTIR results have been indicated that only the powder obtained using gelatin presented small traces of hydroxyl groups on its surface. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Growth conditions, structure and crystal morphology of rare earth potassium double tungstates
Authors: Iwanowski P. , Domukhovski V. , Diduszko R. , Berkowski M.
Published: October 2010

Growth conditions and crystal morphology of erbium KEr(WO4)2 (KEW) and samarium KSm(WO4)2 (KSW) potassium double tungstates have been investigated. Monoclinic single crystals have been grown by TSSG method using K2W2O7 solvent. It was found that the vertical temperature gradient in a range of 0.3 – 0.5 K/mm is optimal for crystal growth. The morphology of grown crystals and their quality strongly depend on the seed orientation. The best results are achieved when the growth takes place on seeds oriented along [010] direction. For KEW, crystal growth is possible by lowering the temperature without pulling. In this case the surfaces of the grown crystals are natural crystallographic planes. KSW crystals grow into the solution down to the depth of 4‐6 mm only. Structure analysis of crystals is obtained by X‐Ray powder diffraction measurements. The diffraction patterns were analyzed by the Rietveld refinement method. XRD measurements shows the symmetry of monoclinic space group C2/c (C62h). (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Synthesis of Monomeric Divalent Tin(II) Compounds with Terminal Chloride, Amide, and Triflate Substituents
Authors: Sen Sakya S. , Kritzler‐Kosch Malte P. , Nagendran Selvarajan , Roesky Herbert W. , Beck Tobias , Pal Aritra , Herbst‐Irmer Regine
Published: October 2010

Monomeric three‐coordinate (amidinato)tin chloride [PhC(NtBu)2SnCl] (1) was prepared by the reaction of N,N′‐di‐tert‐butylcarbodiimide, phenyllithium and SnCl2. Themetathesis reaction of 1 with AgSO3CF3 and (Me3Si)2NLi afforded the formation of PhC(NtBu)2SnOTf (Tf = CF3SO2) (2) and PhC(NtBu)2SnN(SiMe3)2 (3). The reductive dehalogenation of 1 with L‐selectride resulted in the formation of the four‐coordinate homoleptic tin compound Ph2C2(NtBu)4Sn (4). Compounds 1, 2, 3, and 4 were characterized by single‐crystal structural analysis. Furthermore, 1 was treated with Fe2(CO)9 to afford the Lewis acid–base adduct 5.
One‐Pot Conversion of Proline Derivatives into Iodinated Iminosugar‐Based Nucleosides, Useful Precursors of Highly Functionalized Nucleoside Analogues
Authors: Boto Alicia , Hernández Dácil , Hernández Rosendo
Published: October 2010

Readily available proline derivatives can be transformed in one step into β‐iodinated iminosugar‐based nucleosides, under very mild conditions. The method couples a tandem radical decarboxylation–oxidation–β‐iodination to the addition of nitrogen bases. The iodo group is introduced into the previously unfunctionalized 3‐position. The resultant β‐iodo derivatives are useful precursors of highly functionalizednucleoside analogues.
Follow‐up actions from positive results of in vitro genetic toxicity testing
Authors: Dearfield Kerry L. , Thybaud Véronique , Cimino Michael C. , Custer Laura , Czich Andreas , Harvey James S. , Hester Susan , Kim James H. , Kirkland David , Levy Dan D. , Lorge Elisabeth , Moore Martha M. , Ouédraogo‐Arras Gladys , Schuler Maik , Suter Willi , Sweder Kevin , Tarlo Kirk , van Benthem Jan , van Goethem Freddy , Witt Kristine L.
Published: October 2010

Appropriate follow‐up actions and decisions are needed when evaluating and interpreting clear positive results obtained in the in vitro assays used in the initial genotoxicity screening battery (i.e., the battery of tests generally required by regulatory authorities) to assist in overall risk‐based decision making concerning the potential effects of human exposure to the agent under test. Over the past few years, the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI) Project Committee on the Relevance and Follow‐up of Positive Results in In Vitro Genetic Toxicity (IVGT) Testing developed a decision process flow chart to be applied in case of clear positive results in vitro. It provides for a variety of different possibilities and allows flexibility in choosing follow‐up action(s), depending on the results obtained in the initial battery of assays and available information. The intent of the Review Subgroup was not to provide a prescriptive testing strategy, but rather to reinforce the concept of weighing the totality of the evidence. The Review Subgroup of the IVGT committee highlighted the importance of properly analyzing the existing data, and considering potential confounding factors (e.g., possible interactions with the test systems, presence of impurities, irrelevant metabolism), and chemical modes of action when analyzing and interpreting positive results in the in vitro genotoxicity assays and determining appropriate follow‐up testing. The Review Subgroup also examined the characteristics, strengths, and limitations of each of the existing in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity assays to determine their usefulness in any follow‐up testing. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A flow cytometry based in vitro micronucleus assay in TK6 cells—Validation using early stage pharmaceutical development compounds
Authors: Lukamowicz Magdalena , Woodward Katherine , Kirsch‐Volders Micheline , Suter Willi , Elhajouji Azeddine
Published: October 2010

The micronucleus test (MNT) is a well established test for detecting clastogenic and aneugenic compounds. Despite the assay's advantages, the MNT may produce false positive and false negative results in some conditions. This fact may be related to the underestimation of apoptosis or necrosis, the p53 status of the cell system or the cytotoxicity assay, and the top dose selection. The purpose of our studies was to contribute to the validation efforts of the flow cytometry based MNT. To identify the most reliable cytotoxicity assay for the top dose selection five parameters for relative survival were tested: relative cell count, relative population doubling, trypan blue supravital staining, relative ratio of scored nuclei to latex beads, and ethidium monoazide staining. For all compounds the least sensitive method was the relative cell count and the most reliable was the nuclei/beads ratio. The comparative evaluation of micronuclei induction in TK6 cells, analyzed with microscopy and flow cytometry, was performed with reference compounds and internal Novartis early development compounds with positive, weak positive, equivocal, and negative genotoxic effects. Our data document a good correlation between the MNT results obtained by flow cytometry and by microscopy. The results confirm that the method may be applied for routine testing in the pharmaceutical industry for the tested group of compounds, including compounds which require metabolic activation. However, further validation and miniaturization may be required. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss,Inc.