bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flavopiridol can be safely administered using a pharmacologically derived schedule and demonstrates activity in relapsed and refractory non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma
Authors: Jones Jeffrey A. , Rupert Amy S. , Poi Ming , Phelps Mitch A. , Andritsos Leslie , Baiocchi Robert , Benson Don M. , Blum Kristie A. , Christian Beth , Flynn Joseph , Penza Sam , Porcu Pierluigi , Grever Michael R. , Byrd John C.
Published: August 2013

Flavopiridol is a broad cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKI) that induces apoptosis of malignant lymphocytes in vitro and in murine lymphoma models. We conducted a Phase I dose‐escalation study to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for single‐agent flavopiridol administered on a pharmacokinetically derived hybrid dosing schedule to patients with relapsed and refractory non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma. Dose was escalated independently in one of four cohorts: indolent B‐cell (Cohort 1), mantle cell (Cohort 2), intermediate‐grade B‐cell including transformed lymphoma (Cohort 3), and T‐/NK‐cell excluding primary cutaneous disease (Cohort 4). Forty‐six patients were accrued. Grade 3 or 4 leukopenia was observed in the majority of patients (60%), but infection was infrequent. Common nonhematologic toxicities included diarrhea and fatigue. Biochemical tumor lysis was observed in only two patients, and no patients required hemodialysis for its management. Dose escalation was completed in two cohorts (indolent and aggressive B‐cell). Dose‐limiting toxicities were not observed, and the MTD was not reached in either cohort at the highest dose tested (50 mg/m2 bolus + 50 mg/m2 continuous infusion weekly for 4 consecutive weeks of a 6‐week cycle). Clinical benefit was observed in 26% of 43 patients evaluable for response, including 14% with partial responses (two mantle cells, three indolent B‐cells, and one diffuse large B‐cell). The single‐agent activity of this first‐generation CDKI suggests that other agents in this class merit further study in lymphoid malignancies, both alone and in combination. Am. J. Hematol. 89:19–24, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chemie und Biologie der Stimulatoren und Aktivatoren der löslichen Guanylatcyclase
Authors: Follmann Markus , Griebenow Nils , Hahn Michael G. , Hartung Ingo , Mais Franz‐Josef , Mittendorf Joachim , Schäfer Martina , Schirok Hartmut , Stasch Johannes‐Peter , Stoll Friederike , Straub Alexander
Published: August 2013

Die gefäßerweiternden Eigenschaften von Stickstoffmonoxid (NO) werden in der Pharmakotherapie bereits seit mehr als 130 Jahren genutzt, und auch heute noch spielen NO‐Donatoren eine bedeutende Rolle bei der Behandlung von Herzkreislauferkrankungen. Inhaliertes NO oder organische Nitrate und NO‐freisetzende Medikamente sind jedoch mit erheblichen therapeutischen Nachteilen behaftet, beispielsweise einer Toleranzentwicklung bei Langzeitbehandlung und unspezifischen Effekten wie der posttranslationalen Modifikation von Proteinen. Die positiven Wirkungen von NO werden durch die Stimulation der löslichen Guanylatcyclase (sGC) vermittelt, einem Häm‐haltigen Enzym, welches das intrazelluläre Signalmolekül cyclisches Guanosinmonophosphat (cGMP) bildet. Vor kurzem wurden zwei Substanzklassen entdeckt, die die Wirkung der sGC NO‐unabhängig verstärken, die sogenannten sGC‐Stimulatoren und sGC‐Aktivatoren. Der erste Vertreter dieser neuen Medikamentenklassen, der sGC‐Stimulator Riociguat, zeigte überzeugende Wirksamkeit in klinischen Phase‐III‐Studien bei unterschiedlichen Formen des Lungenhochdrucks.
Effect of uracil addition on proteomic profiles and 1,3‐‐glucan production in Agrobacterium sp.
Authors: Jin Li‐Hua , Lee Jung‐Heon
Published: August 2013

Uridine diphosphate (UDP)‐glucose is a precursor of 1,3‐‐glucan and is synthesized from glucose‐1‐phosphate and uridine triphosphate (UTP). Uracil was used as a precursor for UTP, which resulted in an increase in both the UDP‐glucose level and the rate of 1,3‐‐glucan synthesis. 1,3‐‐Glucan production metabolism was reactivated after uracil addition during fermentation. 2D‐PAGE was used to examine the changes in the expression level of the key metabolic enzymes in the production of 1,3‐‐glucan after uracil addition. The results showed that the expression levels of UTP‐glucose‐1‐phosphate uridylytransferase, phosphoglucomutase, and 1,3‐‐glucan synthase catalytic subunit, key metabolic enzymes in the curdlan biosynthesis pathway, were increased after uracil addition by 3.5%, 30%, and 35%, respectively. Uracil phosphoribosyltransferase, which converts uracil to uridine monophosphate (UMP), was also upregulated 79% more than that without uracil addition. However, the expression levels of orotidine 5‐phosphate decarboxylase, glucose‐1‐phosphate adenylyltransferase, and glucose‐6‐phosphate isomerase were decreased after uracil addition. This proteomic information is useful for predicting changes in the pathway of uracil utilization. This work provides proteomic information for the integrative analysis of bioinformatic databases, which can be used to predict and understand the metabolism of glucan synthesis at the cellular level.
Hydrostatic pressure and shear stress affect endothelin‐1 and nitric oxide release by endothelial cells in bioreactors
Authors: Vozzi Federico , Bianchi Francesca , Ahluwalia Arti , Domenici Claudio
Published: August 2013

Abundant experimental evidence demonstrates that endothelial cells are sensitive to flow; however, the effect of fluid pressure or pressure gradients that are used to drive viscous flow is not well understood. There are two principal physical forces exerted on the blood vessel wall by the passage of intra‐luminal blood: pressure and shear. To analyze the effects of pressure and shear independently, these two stresses were applied to cultured cells in two different types of bioreactors: a pressure‐controlled bioreactor and a laminar flow bioreactor, in which controlled levels of pressure or shear stress, respectively, can be generated. Using these bioreactor systems, endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) and nitric oxide (NO) release from human umbilical vein endothelial cells were measured under various shear stress and pressure conditions. Compared to the controls, a decrease of ET‐1 production by the cells cultured in both bioreactors was observed, whereas NO synthesis was up‐regulated in cells under shear stress, but was not modulated by hydrostatic pressure. These results show that the two hemodynamic forces acting on blood vessels affect endothelial cell function in different ways, and that both should be considered when planning in vitro experiments in the presence of flow. Understanding the individual and synergic effects of the two forces could provide important insights into physiological and pathological processes involved in vascular remodeling and adaptation.
Efficient recovery of recombinant proteins from cereal endosperm is affected by interaction with endogenous storage proteins
Authors: Peters Jenny , Sabalza Maite , Ramessar Koreen , Christou Paul , Capell Teresa , Stöger Eva , Arcalís Elsa
Published: August 2013

Cereal seeds are versatile platforms for the production of recombinant proteins because they provide a stable environment for protein accumulation. Endogenous seed storage proteins, however, include several prolamin‐type polypeptides that aggregate and crosslink via intermolecular disulfide bridges, which could potentially interact with multimeric recombinant proteins such as antibodies, which assemble in the same manner. We investigated this possibility by sequentially extracting a human antibody expressed in maize endosperm, followed by precipitation in vitro with zein. We provide evidence that a significant proportion of the antibody pool interacts with zein and therefore cannot be extracted using non‐reducing buffers. Immunolocalization experiments demonstrated that antibodies targeted for secretion were instead retained within zein bodies because of such covalent interactions. Our findings suggest that the production of soluble recombinant antibodies in maize could be enhanced by eliminating or minimizing interactions with endogenous storage proteins.
Wormian bones: A review
Authors: Bellary Sharath S. , Steinberg Ashley , Mirzayan Nadine , Shirak Michelle , Tubbs R. Shane , Cohen‐Gadol Aaron A. , Loukas Marios
Published: August 2013

Wormian bones are abnormal ossicles that develop from extra ossification centers within the cranium. They are most frequently located in the lambdoid suture or the coronal suture, and have been seen in the fontanelles, particularly the posterior fontanelle. It is unclear at this time exactly how or why they are formed, although genetic as well as environmental factors have been proposed. Their initial formation is thought to be caused by a degree of dural strain and increased sutural width. These conditions can result from mechanically induced stress due to intentional deformation like that practiced in ancient cultures, premature sutural closure, or from reduced skull ossification as seen in metabolic bone diseases. The cause of the malformation can have an influence on the number and location of Wormian bones. Clinically, Wormian bones are used as markers in the diagnoses of many autosomal dominant genetic disorders, namely, craniosynostosis and osteogenesis imperfecta. Clin. Anat. 26:922–927, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The impact of patient compliance with adjuvant radiotherapy: a comprehensive cohort study
Authors: Badakhshi Harun , Gruen Arne , Sehouli Jalid , Budach Volker , Boehmer Dirk
Published: August 2013

Postoperative radiotherapy (RT) is the standard of care for early stage breast cancer. It reduces the risk for local recurrence and prolongs survival. We assessed whether, the omission of RT because of patient's preference may influence the prognosis and, thus, the quality of cancer care. Detailed information from a prospectively collected database of a breast cancer center was analyzed. Multiple regression analysis and univariate and multivariate analysis for risk factors for recurrence were performed. The entire cohort of primary breast cancer patients in a given time period was analyzed. Data from 1903 patients undergoing treatment at breast cancer center between 2003 and 2008 were used. All patient underwent breast conserving surgery and RT was performed for all patients of the cohort. Local tumor control and disease‐free survival were calculated. After a median follow‐up of 2.18 years (maximum 6.39 years), 5.5% of patients did not follow guideline‐based recommendations for RT. There was a significant correlation between noncompliance and patient's age, adjuvant hormonal therapy (97.0%), and adjuvant chemotherapy (96.8%). Seventy local recurrences occurred that corresponds to a local recurrence rate of 3.9%. The difference in regard to local recurrence‐free 5‐year survival between the compliant patients and the noncompliant patients is absolute 17.9 (93.3% and 75.4%). Noncompliant patients had suffered a 5.02‐fold increased risk of local recurrence than compliant patients. The omission of RT after breast‐conserving surgery results in a higher local failure rate and significantly worsens clinical outcome. Age may play an important role because of the comorbidities of aged patients or the assumed low RT tolerance in this group. On a clinical level, this data suggests that improvement is needed to correct this situation, and the question remains as to how best to improve RT compliance.
Long‐Lived Radical Cation Salts Obtained by Interaction of Monocyclic Arenes with Niobium and Tantalum Pentahalides at Room Temperature: EPR and DFT Studies
Authors: Marchetti Fabio , Pampaloni Guido , Pinzino Calogero
Published: August 2013

The 1:3 reactions of the alkoxy arenes 1,4‐(MeO)2C6H4 and 1,4‐F2‐2,5‐(MeO)2C6H2 with TaF5 in chloroform at 40–50 °C resulted in formation in about 35 % yield of the long‐lived radical cation salts [1,4‐(MeO)2C6H4][Ta2F11] (2 a) and [1,4‐F2‐2,5‐(MeO)2C6H2][Ta2F11] (2 b), respectively. The non‐alkoxy‐substituted [arene][M2X11] [M=Ta, X=F: arene=C6H5Me (2 c), 1,4‐C6H4Me2 (2 d), C6H5F (2 e), C6H5NO2 (2 f); M=Nb, X=F: arene=C6H5Me (4 a), 1,4‐C6H4Me2 (4 b), C6H5F (4 c), C6H5NO2 (4 d); M=Ta, X=Cl: arene=1,4‐C6H4Me2 (5)] were obtained from the 3:1 reactions of MX5 with the appropriate arene in chloroform at temperatures in the range 40–90 °C. Compounds 2–5 were detected by EPR spectroscopy (in CHCl3) at room temperature, and their gas‐phase structures were optimized by DFT calculations. Formation of the MIV species [MX4(NCMe)2] [M=Ta, X=F (3 a); M=Nb, X=F (3 b); M=Ta, X=Cl (3 c)] was ascertained by EPR spectroscopy on solutions obtained by treatment of the reaction mixtures with acetonitrile. Non‐selective reactions occurred upon combination of 1,4‐F2‐2,5‐(MeO)2C6H2 with AgNbF6 (in CH2Cl2) and 1,4‐(MeO)2C6H4 with SbF5.
Long‐term results of weekly/daily cisplatin‐based chemoradiation for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal
Authors: Eng Cathy , Chang George J. , You Y. Nancy , Das Prajnan , Xing Yan , Delclos Marc , Wolff Robert A. , Rodriguez‐Bigas Miguel A. , Skibber John , Ohinata Aki , Gould Spencer , Phillips Jonathan , Crane Christopher H.
Published: August 2013

BACKGROUND

Weekly or daily cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU)‐based chemoradiation was evaluated for patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the anal canal treated at a single institution over a 20‐year period.

METHODS

A retrospective, single‐institution analysis was conducted of patients receiving concurrent 5‐FU/cisplatin and radiotherapy for locally advanced SCC from 1989 to 2009. Endpoints included clinical complete response rate, local recurrence rate, colostomy‐free survival, disease‐free survival (DFS), overall survival, and treatment‐related toxicity.

RESULTS

A total of 197 patients were evaluable. The majority had American Joint Committee on Cancer stage II (41%) or stage III (46%) disease; most were T2 (44%) or T3 (27%); bulky nodal disease (N2‐N3) was noted in 24% of patients. Patients received weekly (20 mg/m2) or daily (4 mg/m2) cisplatin during radiotherapy. Median radiation dose was 55 Gy. Clinical complete response was observed in 185 patients (94%). After a median follow‐up of 8.6 years, local recurrence rate was 11%. Sixteen patients (8%) developed distant metastases. The 5‐year DFS was 81%, the 5‐year overall survival was 86%, and the 5‐year colostomy‐free survival was 88%. By univariate analysis, N‐stage was a poor prognostic indicator for 5‐year DFS (P = .02, 95% confidence interval = 1.17‐2.01) and distant metastases (P = .046, 95% confidence interval = 1.09‐2.13). Increased T‐stage correlated with the necessity for salvage surgery (P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of weekly/daily cisplatin and 5‐FU–based chemotherapy with concurrent radiotherapy is an effective regimen, and our long‐term results indicate that cisplatin is an alternative to mitomycin C and may be considered for the treatment of locally advanced SCC of the anal canal. Cancer 2013;119:3769–3775. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
The cellient automated cell block system is useful in the differential diagnosis of atypical glandular cells in Papanicolaou tests
Authors: Xing Wei , Hou April Y. , Fischer Andrew , Owens Christopher L. , Jiang Zhong
Published: August 2013

BACKGROUND

Atypical glandular cells (AGC) is a very important diagnosis in gynecological cytology. In the current study, the authors investigated the usefulness of Cellient cell blocks (CB) for characterizing AGC on Papanicolaou (Pap) tests.

METHODS

A total of 148 patients with an AGC diagnosis based on Pap tests by cytotechnologists and referred to cytopathologists were studied. Among these patients, there were 68 patients with CB preparations and 80 patients with Pap tests only (TP‐AGC group). Follow‐up results by Pap tests or biopsies were obtained in 117 of 148 patients. The median follow‐up was 13 months (range, 1 month‐36 months).

RESULTS

Of the 68 patients with CBs, 31 (46%) were reclassified as negative for dysplasia or low‐grade intraepithelial lesion; 30 patients (44%) retained a diagnosis of AGC (CB‐AGC group); and 7 patients (10%) were given specific diagnoses of high‐grade intraepithelial lesion (3 patients), endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ (1 patient), and invasive adenocarcinoma (3 patients). On follow‐up, the CB‐AGC group was found to have a significantly lower rate of negative/low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion diagnoses compared with the TP‐AGC group (55% vs 85%; P = .006). The CB‐AGC group had a significantly higher rate of endocervical or endometrial adenocarcinoma compared with the TP‐AGC group (36% vs 8%; P = .003) at the time of follow‐up. The rates of high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion were not found to be statistically different between these 2 groups (9% vs 7%; P = .66).

CONCLUSIONS

The Cellient CB is a useful technique to further categorize a diagnosis of AGC on Pap tests. Using the Cellient CB system, the pathologist has the ability to improve the diagnostic accuracy of AGC so that unnecessary colposcopic evaluation or biopsies can be avoided. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2014;122:8–14. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Extending CIELAB: Vividness, , depth, , and clarity,
Authors: Berns Roy S.
Published: August 2013

CIE L*, a*, b* is a rectangular coordinate system used extensively for numerical color communication and quality assurance. Often the a*, b* coordinates are rotated to cylindrical polar coordinates of
(radial distance) and hab (angle measured counterclockwise from the a* axis), reasonably relating to chroma and hue. When each coordinate is considered independently, it is observed that colors in our daily experiences do not change in a similar independent fashion. Changes in concentration for mixtures of colorants result in changes in both chroma and lightness. Directly illuminated three‐dimensional colored objects change in both chroma and lightness between direct illumination and either shadow or highlight. Two new coordinates are defined for CIELAB: vividness,
, and depth,
. Each represents a Euclidean distance from a color defined by L* and
to
of 0 and either L* = 0 for vividness or L* = 100 for depth. Image‐based visualizations were made to demonstrate how changes in these variables led to color changes more representative of our daily experiences. For cases where a color and background had the same lightness, it was observed that colors became less distinct with a reduction in chroma. A third dimension was defined, clarity,
, a Euclidean distance from a color defined by L*, a*, and b* to its background color, similarly defined. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 39, 322–330, 2014
Playing with models and optimization to overcome the tragedy of the commons in groundwater
Authors: López‐Corona O. , Padilla P. , Escolero O. , Armas F. , García‐Arrazola R. , Esparza R.
Published: August 2013

Groundwater is the natural resource most extracted in the world. It supplies 50% of the total potable water requirements, 40% of the industry take, and 20% of agriculture groundwater is a strategic resource for every country. That common‐pool resources are highly susceptible to lead to a tragedy of the commons is a well‐known fact. We claim that a combination of groundwater modeling, optimization, and a game theoretical analysis may in fact avoid the tragedy. A groundwater model in MODFLOW from Zamora aquifer in Mexico was used as input of a basic but instructive, optimization problem: extract the greatest possible volume of water, but at the same time minimizing the drawdown and drawdown velocity. The solutions of the optimization problem were used to construct the payoffs of a hypothetical game among the aquifer users, the resource's administrator, and a resource protector entity. We show that the success of the optimal management program depends heavily on the information that the users have about the resource. Therefore, better decision‐making processes are a consequence of sustainability literacy. Particularly, water literacy could lead to the usage of water considering it as a part of an ecosystem and not only as a natural resource. Additionally, a new non‐classical equation for underground flow was derived, that may be specially important to understand and predict the groundwater flow in highly heterogeneous conditions as in karstic aquifers or fractured media. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 19: 9–21, 2013
Development of VLF/LF Bands Interferometer and Its Initial Observations
Authors: Takayanagi Yuji , Akita Manabu , Nakamura Yoshitaka , Yoshida Satoru , Morimoto Takeshi , Ushio Tomoo , Kawasaki Zen‐Ichiro , Yamamoto Kenji
Published: August 2013

We have been developing an EM source location system using the VLF/LF bands based on broadband digital interferometry to monitor lightning activity in a wide area. Since EM waves in VLF/LF radiated by lightning discharges propagate a long distance, the VLF/LF interferometer locates lightning discharges a few hundred kilometers away from the VLF/LF interferometer. We conducted a lightning observation campaign using a prototype of a VLF/LF band digital interferometer and VHF band digital interferometers in Darwin, Australia. The VLF/LF radiation sources were located near those of the VHF source. We succeeded in locating the VLF/LF radiation sources associated with return strokes near the ground. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 185(4): 9–17, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.22300
Estimating Power Outage Costs Based on a Survey of Industrial Customers
Authors: Yoshida Yoshikuni , Matsuhashi Ryuji
Published: August 2013

Thousands of factories in Japan responded to a survey on power outage costs for industrial customers. From across the country, 5139 facilities designated as energy management factories answered questions about their power consumption and the loss of production value due to a hypothetical hour‐long power outage on a summer weekday. Using their responses, we estimated the median unit cost of a power outage across all sectors to be 672 yen/kWh. The service sector of amusement and hobbies and the manufacturing sector that makes electronic information and communication equipment have relatively high unit costs for power outages. The direct cost of damage from a specified power outage across all sectors totaled 77 billion yen. Using input–output analysis, we estimated the indirect damage costs caused by the repercussions of halting production. Indirect damages across all sectors totaled 91 billion yen. The wholesale and retail trade sector had the largest direct damage costs, while the transportation equipment manufacturing sector has the largest indirect damage costs. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 185(4): 25–32, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.22306
Corrosion Behavior of Aluminum Wire for Overhead Transmission Lines: Investigation and Analysis
Authors: Seri Osami , Miogi Daisuke , Satoh Kohki
Published: August 2013

The corrosion behavior of aluminum wire used for overhead transmission lines was studied in four corrosion environments: (1) sodium chloride solution, (2) sodium chloride solution with addition of alumina particles, (3) aluminum chloride solution, (4) aluminum chloride solution with addition of alumina particles. The corrosion tests and polarization measurements revealed that environments 2 and 4 with alumina particles roughened and rapidly corroded the surface of the aluminum wire. It is considered that wet and dry environments of overhead transmission lines change aluminum hydroxide, present as a corrosion product, to alumina (aluminum oxide), which acts as an abrasive and weakens the surface of the aluminum wire. It is also shown that the corrosion of the aluminum wire occurs in an abrasive corrosion environment caused by alumina and corrosion fatigue due to vibration of the overhead wires. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 185(4): 18–24, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.22486
Systemic minor histocompatibility antigen expression in blood endothelial cells prevents T cell‐mediated vascular immunopathology
Authors: Caviezel‐Firner Sonja , Engeler Daniel , Bolinger Beatrice , Onder Lucas , Scandella Elke , Yu Meimei , Kroczek Richard. A. , Ludewig Burkhard
Published: August 2013

Attenuation of T cell‐mediated damage of blood endothelial cells (BECs) in transplanted organs is important to prevent transplant vasculopathy (TV) and chronic rejection. Here, we assessed the importance of minor histocompatibility antigen (mHA) distribution and different coinhibitory molecules for T cell‐BEC interaction. A transgenic mHA was directed specifically to BECs using the Tie2 promoter and cellular interactions were assessed in graft‐versus‐host disease‐like and heterotopic heart transplantation settings. We found that cognate CD4+ T‐cell help was critical for the activation of BEC‐specific CD8+ T cells. However, systemic mHA expression on BECs efficiently attenuated adoptively transferred, BEC‐specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and hence prevented tissue damage, whereas restriction of mHA expression to heart BECs precipitated the development of TV. Importantly, the lack of the coinhibitory molecules programed death‐1 (PD‐1) and B and T lymphocyte attenuator fostered the initial activation of BEC‐specific CD4+ T cells, but did not affect development of TV. In contrast, TV was significantly augmented in the absence of PD‐1 on BEC‐specific CD8+ T cells. Taken together, these results indicate that antigen distribution in the vascular bed determines the impact of coinhibition and, as a consequence, critically impinges on T cell‐mediated vascular immunopathology.
The POSH/JIP‐1 scaffold network regulates TCR‐mediated JNK1 signals and effector function in CD8+T cells
Authors: Cunningham Cody A. , Knudson Karin M. , Peng Binghao J. , Teixeiro Emma , Daniels Mark A.
Published: August 2013

Signals from the T‐cell recognition of antigen program effector functions are necessary to clear infections and tumors. The JNK pathway is critically important in regulating this process. In T lymphocytes, JNK1 and JNK2 have distinct functions depending on their maturation state and cell‐type. However, the mechanisms that regulate their isoform‐specific activity and function are still unclear. Here, we identify plenty of SH3 (POSH) and JNK‐interacting protein 1 (JIP‐1) as a multiprotein scaffold network for TCR‐mediated JNK1 activation in CD8+ T cells. Disruption of the POSH/JIP‐1 complex led to profound defects in the activation of JNK1, as well as deficient activation or induction of the transcription factors c‐Jun, T‐bet, and Eomesodermin. Furthermore, disruption of the POSH/JIP complex in CD8+ T cells resulted in impaired proliferation, decreased cytokine expression, and the inability to control tumors. Collectively, these data identify a mechanism for the specific regulation of TCR‐dependent JNK1 activation and function that is key for CD8+ T‐cell responses.
Ring‐Expansion Reaction of Isatins with Ethyl Diazoacetate Catalyzed by Dirhodium(II)/DBU Metal‐Organic System: En Route to Viridicatin Alkaloids
Authors: Paterna Roberta , André Vânia , Duarte M. Teresa , Veiros Luis F. , Candeias Nuno R. , Gois Pedro M. P.
Published: August 2013

We present here the NHC‐dirhodium(II)/DBU‐catalyzed ring expansion reaction of isatins with ethyl diazoacetate. This new one‐pot protocol yields the ethyl 3‐hydroxy‐2(1H)‐oxoquinoline‐4‐carboxylate core, regioselectively and in good to excellent yields. A DFT mechanistic study indicates metallocarbene formation between the 3‐hydroxyindole‐diazo intermediate and the dirhodium(II) complex to be the rate‐limiting step of the reaction. The synthesized ethyl 3‐hydroxy‐2(1H)‐oxoquinoline‐4‐carboxylate core could be readily converted to viridicatin alkaloids, in yields up to 80 % by a microwave‐assisted Suzuki–Miyaura cross coupling of the 3‐hydroxy‐4‐bromoquinolin‐2(1H)‐one with arylboronic acid.
Asymmetric Tribranched Dyes: An Intramolecular Cosensitization Approach for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Leandri Valentina , Ruffo Riccardo , Trifiletti Vanira , Abbotto Alessandro
Published: August 2013

A new multidonor and multianchoring asymmetric tribranched organic photosensitizer (i.e., TB‐PT) for dye‐sensitized solar cells containing three different (D–π–D, D–π1–A, and D–π2–A; D = electron‐rich moiety, A = electron‐poor moiety, π = conjugated bridge) polar branches, two donor cores, and two acceptor/anchoring groups to TiO2 was investigated and compared with the corresponding symmetric dyes. TB‐PT combines the advantages arising from its π‐extended tribranched architecture and the intramolecular cosensitization approach, which results in enhanced tailored optical and energetic properties and, eventually, photovoltaic performances.
Zero Current Potentiometry for Measuring the Interface Potential at the Electrode/Solution Interface. Theoretical and Experimental Study
Authors: Wu N. Y. , Zang Y. B. , Gao W. , Xu M. T.
Published: August 2013

A novel electrochemical approach has been proposed to measure the interface potential at the electrode/solution interface based on reconstructing the three‐electrode system of a potentiostat. In this work, the method was investigated both theoretically and experimentally. Mathematical expressions, describing currentpotential characteristics, were derived. Zero current potential Ezcp was defined as the potential at which the current is zero based on linear sweep voltammetry, and was determined from the IE curve to measure the interface potential. The experimental results obtained with the couples Fe(CN)63−/Fe(CN)64− and Co(NH3)63+/Co(NH3)62+ as examples agreed well with the theory. The proposed approach exhibits an excellent performance for measuring the interface potential due to the advantages of rapidity, high stability and accuracy.
Development of a Carbon Nanotube Modified Ionic Liquid Electrode for the Voltammetric Determination of Methyldopa Levels in Urine
Authors: Pérez‐Mella B. , Álvarez‐Lueje A.
Published: August 2013

A glassy carbon electrode was modified with carbon nanotubes and the ionic liquid N‐butyl pyridinium trifluoromethyl methanesulfonate for the determination of methyldopa in urine samples. Methyldopa exhibited a well‐defined anodic signal over a broad pH range of 2–10 and the peak current increased approximately 100 fold over that of the unmodified electrode. Accordingly, a novel method for the determination of methyldopa was proposed using differential pulse voltammetry. The peak current was linear over a methyldopa concentration range from 21 to 2111 ng mL−1 with a LOD of 6.9 ng mL−1 and a LOQ of 7.4 ng mL−1. The method was applied to determine the excretion profile of methyldopa in urine without sample pretreatment.
Two‐compartment processing as a tool to boost recombinant protein production
Authors: Jazini Mohammadhadi , Herwig Christoph
Published: August 2013

Pichia pastoris is used extensively as a production platform for many recombinant proteins. The dissolved oxygen (DO) is one of the most important factors influencing protein production. The influence of the DO on productivity has not been studied independent from the feed rate. In this work, various DO levels were investigated independent from the feed rate. The model system was recombinant P. pastoris under the control of methanol‐induced alcohol oxidase promoter, which expressed HRP as the target protein. No significant effect was observed in terms of titer and specific productivity, which is a confirmation of the fact that the DO in a one‐compartment system cannot boost productivity for the model system under study. Hence, a two‐compartment system (a single reactor coupled with a plug flow reactor) was designed and implemented in order to apply oxygen‐related stress in the plug flow reactor and allow the cells to be recovered in the main reactor. Doing so, more than two‐fold increase in the titer and productivity and three‐fold increase in protein‐specific activity were achieved. Hence, partial application of oxygen‐related stress in the two‐compartment system was proposed as a process technology to enhance protein production.
The geomorphometry of endorheic drainage basins: implications for interpreting and modelling their evolution
Authors: Dorsaz Jean‐Marc , Gironás Jorge , Escauriaza Cristian , Rinaldo Andrea
Published: August 2013

Endorheic basins are catchments with no hydrological connection with marine environments. They cover 20% of the Earth's surface, and are mostly located in arid regions. Their drainage networks converge to lakes, salt flats or alluvial plains, whose dynamics are strongly driven by precipitation, evapotranspiration and groundwater discharge, among other factors. Integrated surface drainage and the creation of whole drainage systems typical of open basins are commonly restricted in these regions. Interestingly, the fluvial basin morphology of endorheic basins has not been extensively studied, and a variety of quantitative morphological descriptors used in open basins have not been utilized in the geomorphic analysis of endorheic basins. The objective of this study is to better understand the basin morphology of endorheic river basins by using well‐known geomorphological properties and their variations across scales. For three basins in northern Chile we computed the following descriptors and the corresponding relevant scales: the cumulative distribution of contributing area, the horizontal shape of the basins (i.e. Hack's law, normalized Euclidean length, and sinuosity of the streams), slope–area relationship, Horton's ratios and drainage density. We detected several properties typically found in open basins, but certain features which seem to be unique to closed basins were also identified. In particular, we found that horizontal and vertical geomorphic features seem to be linked, which suggests that an independent treatment of these features may not be appropriate for closed basins. Similar results were found regardless of the basin area, which illustrates the relevant effects of features that are specific to these particular regions. It is expected that our findings will improve both the geomorphic assessment of these basins and hydrological modelling of surface water and groundwater. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nurses in distress? An explorative study into the relation between distress and individual neuropsychiatric symptoms of people with dementia in nursing homes
Authors: Zwijsen S. A. , Kabboord A. , Eefsting J. A. , Hertogh C. M. P. M. , Pot A. M. , Gerritsen D. L. , Smalbrugge M.
Published: August 2013

Objectives

To optimize care and interventions to improve care, and to reduce staff burden, it is important to have knowledge of the relation between individual neuropsychiatric symptoms and distress of care staff. We therefore explored the relation between frequency and severity of individual neuropsychiatric symptoms and distress of care staff.

Design

This is an explorative study with a cross‐sectional design.

Participants and setting

Care staff was interviewed regarding 432 residents of 17 nursing homes for people with dementia.

Measurements

Behavioural problems were assessed using the Nursing Home version of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI‐NH) questionnaire. The distress scale of the NPI‐NH was used to determine the distress of care staff.

Results

Agitation/aggression had the highest mean distress score and was also the most prevalent symptom. Disinhibition and irritability/lability also had high mean distress scores, whereas euphoria/elation, hallucinations and apathy had the lowest mean distress score. The symptom severity of each symptom strongly predicted the distress score, whereas the frequency of the symptoms was a less important factor.

Conclusions

Although some of these findings are in accordance with studies among informal caregivers, there are also notable differences. Apathy caused little distress among care staff. Therefore, care staff might not feel the urgency to explore the causes of this symptom. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of supporting care staff in the management of behavioural problems, especially aggression and apathy. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Staying Calm Amid Global Jitters
Authors: Glotzhober Coach Bob , Kowalski Julie
Published: August 2013

We are living in turbulent times. No matter where you look around the globe, the one thing you can count on is uncertainty. And the whole world seems to have caught a case of the jitters. But you can't make good business decisions if you don't stay calm. Coach Bob Glotzhober is an expert at training corporate executives to stay steady during chaotic times. In this article, Coach Bob and coauthor Julie Kowalski share some strategies that work. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Global Company: Can It Help World Stability?
Authors: Edwards James B.
Published: August 2013

The author of this article tackles a hotly debated question: Do multinational companies have a positive or negative effect on our world? © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
IFRS Adoption Around the World: Has It Worked?
Authors: Outa Erick Rading
Published: August 2013

This article takes a close look at the adoption and implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) across the globe. Have they worked properly? And are they really necessary? Those kinds of questions are increasingly asked in the wake of various recent financial scandals and crises. In spite of major efforts by standard setting bodies to develop and promote quality standards, many challenges remain. And the adoption of IFRS around the world has produced mixed results. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
How to Integrate a Global Supply Chain With Finance
Authors: Lee Reginald Tomas
Published: August 2013

International operations have become a reality for many midsize and large companies. Customers, suppliers, materials, and capital are all available around the globe. So it's natural that companies would go beyond national borders to get access to them. But in doing so, there is always the question of how to do it efficiently and effectively. This can lead to questions that can be complex to answer. For instance, should a company buy from intracountry vendors or from those in other countries? The company has to consider the issues of different currencies, different employment laws, different taxes, and different operating regulations. Each of these—and many other factors—may impact the decision from a financial perspective. Yet for many companies, this is a decision made by the supply chain. The question is, are they the right group to make this decision? © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Best Practices of High‐Performing Employees: Rewards and Performance in a Balanced Scorecard Environment
Authors: Albright Thomas L. , Burgess Christopher M.
Published: August 2013

The balanced scorecard captures strategically relevant performance measures used as part of a per‐formance evaluation system. These systems often include financial and nonfinancial rewards intended to motivate employees to take actions aligned with corporate strategy. Yet recent literature finds that rewards can have the opposite of intended effects. We consider the best practices of high‐performing banking employees in the context of a balanced scorecard system that provides financial and nonfinan‐cial rewards for performance. Further, we consider the strategic, contextual environment in which these institutions compete. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Initiation processes of return strokes in rocket‐triggered lightning
Authors: Wang D. , Takagi N. , Gamerota W. R. , Uman M. A. , Hill J. D. , Jordan D. M.
Published: August 2013

Using a high speed optical imaging system operated at a time resolution of either 10 ns or 100 ns, we have documented the initiation process of 14 return strokes in four rocket‐triggered lightning flashes. Of the 14 strokes, nine occurred following dart leaders and five following dart‐stepped leaders. The return strokes are found to initiate at heights ranging from 7.2 ± 1.4 to 21.0 ± 4.6 m above the lightning termination point. Return strokes with larger peak current tend to initiate higher. All the return strokes show initial bidirectional (upward and downward from their initiation height) propagation. We have been able to estimate the initial upward propagation speeds below 60 m for all of the return strokes. The resultant speeds range from 0.4 × 108 to 2.5 × 108 m/s. For the downward propagation speeds, only six strokes among the 14 strokes allow us to perform a reasonable estimation. Those downward speeds range from 0.6 × 108 to 1.9 × 108 m/s.
A cross‐cultural segmentation of western Balkan consumers: focus on preferences toward traditional fresh cow cheese
Authors: Giraud Georges , Amblard Corinne , Thiel Elise , Zaouche‐Laniau Martine , Stojanović Žaklina , Pohar Jure , Butigan Ružica , Cvetković Miljan , Mugosa Boban , Kendrovski Vladimir , Mora Cristina , Barjolle Dominique
Published: August 2013

BACKGROUND

Western Balkan countries (WBCs) have a long‐standing culinary tradition. The promotion of traditional foods may be a tool for coping with modernisation trends in such transition economies. This paper explores consumer preferences toward food in this region, focusing on a traditional fresh cow cheese locally called ‘Mladi Sir’. This product was quoted in all the preliminary focus groups as a common traditional product present in the six WBCs studied: Bosnia–Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia.

RESULTS

After a literature review investigating the concept of traditional food in WBCs and the implementation of focus groups, a survey including a conjoint analysis on preferences for fresh cow cheese was carried out in 2011 to collect data from 1200 respondents. Four clusters of consumers were identified: one focused more on the local origin; one oriented more toward the scale of production (on‐farm and small dairy); the third favouring low prices and the fourth preferring high prices and industrial products.

CONCLUSION

Policy makers and the supply chain could take these differences in consumer preferences regarding traditional food products into account in order to develop specific strategies. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Street food on the move: A socio‐philosophical approach
Authors: Calloni Marina
Published: August 2013

In the last decade social and hard scientists have increasingly analysed the issue of street food, which is now become a question of common concern in international public discourse. However, considering present literature and investigations, a socio‐philosophical approach to the issue under examination has been until now not properly developed. For this reason, this paper is not aimed at improving an empirical research on street food. Rather, it is interested in developing an innovative methodological approach, which assumes transcultural, intersectional, diachronic and interdisciplinary viewpoints in the analysis of the phenomenon. Taking as a background the very rich theoretical and empirical literature on food (which is difficult to be summarised in a few pages), the paper intends to strengthen a conceptual analysis of street food as a social construction and historical symbol, opening up new theoretical, comparative, sociological and pragmatic perspectives. The normative and critical content of street food refers thusex negativoto the right to the quality of food and to have a decent and peaceful existence in both post‐colonial and post‐industrial societies in an interconnected global age. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Traditional foods and food systems: a revision of concepts emerging from qualitative surveys on‐site in the Black Sea area and Italy
Authors: D'Antuono L Filippo
Published: August 2013

BACKGROUND

The European FP7 BaSeFood project included a traditional food study contextually analysing their function in local food systems to stimulate consumers' awareness and indicate co‐existence options for different scale exploitation. Background concepts were (1) the available traditional foods definitions; (2) the theoretical background of food quality perceptions; and (3) the different levels of food functions.

METHODS

Field investigations were carried out by face‐to‐face in‐depth qualitative interviews with local stakeholders, in the Black Sea region and Italy, on all aspects of traditional food production chains: raw materials, products, processes and perceptions. Critical and intercultural comparisons represented the basis of data analysis.

RESULTS

Eight hundred and thirty‐nine foods were documented. The direct experience perception of traditional food value observed in local contexts is somewhat contrasting with the present European tendency to communicate traditional food nature through registration or proprietary standards. Traditional foods are generally a combination of energetic staples with other available ingredients; their intrinsic variability makes the definition of ‘standard’ recipes little more than an artefact of convenience; cross‐country variations are determined by available ingredients, social conditions and nutritional needs. Commercial production requires some degree of raw material and process standardisation. New technologies and rules may stimulate traditional food evolution, but may also represent a barrier for local stakeholders. A trend to work within supply chains by local stakeholders was detected. Specific health promoting values were rarely perceived as a fundamental character. The stable inclusion of traditional food systems in present food supply chains requires a recovery of consumers' awareness of traditional food quality appreciation. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis of Telechelic Poly(ether sulfone) Oligomers by Chain‐Growth Condensation Polymerization
Authors: Benhalima Abdelkader , Furtos Alexandra , Brisson Josée
Published: August 2013

The synthesis of telechelic poly(ether sulfone)s with methoxy end groups is reported. Molecular weights ranging from 1600 to 2800 g mol−1 and polydispersities of 1.1–1.2 are synthesized by chain‐growth condensation polymerization. The initiator is chosen by using semiempirical calculations and 19F NMR spectroscopy measurements. The polymers are characterized by NMR spectroscopy and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry (MS), and are terminated by a methoxy group at one end and a fluorine at the other, and up to approximately 20% polymer of similar mass but slightly higher polydispersity, methoxy terminated at both ends, is present, along with less than 5% of polymer terminated at both ends by fluorine atoms. These do not need to be separated, and can be converted to methoxy‐ending telechelic blocks, yielding polyvalent, reactive rigid building blocks for copolymer synthesis.

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α1‐Syntrophin–deficient mice exhibit impaired muscle force recovery after osmotic shock
Authors: Yokota Toshifumi , Miyagoe‐Suzuki Yuko , Ikemoto Takaaki , Matsuda Ryoichi , Takeda Shin'ichi
Published: August 2013

Introduction: α1‐syntrophin, a member of the dystrophin complex, recruits membrane molecules, including aquaporin‐4, at the sarcolemma. The physiological functions of α1‐syntrophin are poorly understood. Methods: We examined the physiological characteristics of α1‐syntrophin–deficient muscles under osmotic stress conditions to test the possibility that mutant muscles are less tolerant of osmotic shock. Results: Isolated muscle bundles from mutant mice showed markedly reduced force production after hypo‐osmotic shock. In addition, the mutant muscle bundles showed delayed recovery of specific gravity after being exposed to hypo‐osmotic conditions. Two consecutive exercise tests on the treadmill revealed their performance in the second test was significantly lower than for wild‐type mice. Furthermore, mutant mice had higher serum lactate concentrations after treadmill exercise. Conclusions: Although the lack of α1‐syntrophin from the sarcolemma does not lead to muscle degeneration, our results suggest that it may be partly involved in the pathophysiology of dystrophin‐deficient Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Muscle Nerve 49: 728–735, 2014