bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolated cervical lymph node metastasis of renal pelvic squamous cell carcinoma: A case report
Authors: Nakadai Jumpei , Ide Hiroki , Hirasawa Yosuke , Ito Yujiro , Uchida Yasumitsu , Masuda Takeshi
Published: May 2013

A 78-year-old man was admitted to the Department of Otolaryngology of our hospital with bilateral lymph node swelling of the neck. Pathological examination revealed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). He underwent computed tomography (CT) of the neck and chest, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and laryngoscopy to locate a primary tumour, however, no obvious tumour was detected. Eight months later, a renal tumour without regional lymph node swelling was found when a chest CT scan was performed again. We then performed a right nephroureterectomy and regional lymphadenectomy. Pathological examination revealed SCC of the renal pelvis, pT3, grade 3, without regional lymph node metastasis. This pathological finding for the kidney was virtually the same as that for cervical lymph nodes. Therefore, it was thought that his cervical tumours had metastasized from the renal pelvic SCC. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of renal pelvic carcinoma without regional lymph node metastasis having only cervical lymph node metastasis. This is the first case of isolated cervical lymph node metastasis from renal pelvic SCC.
Improving Agricultural Productivity and Market Efficiency in Latin America and the Caribbean: How ICTs can make a Difference?
Authors: Goyal Aparajita , GonzÃ¡lez-Velosa Carolina
Published: May 2013

Abstract: The rapid dissemination of ICTs in rural areas in LAC has been received with a lot of optimism, as these technologies are thought to be potentially effective tools of agricultural development. However, rigorous analyses of the impacts of ICTs on agriculture are still very scarce and lag behind the rapid penetration of these technologies. This paper is the first attempt to summarize recent findings from some of the few academic studies addressing this topic and complementing this analysis with anecdotal evidence and findings from case studies. Overall, the available evidence indicates that ICTs can play a major role in promoting agricultural productivity and rural development in LAC. By closing information gaps and reducing transaction costs, ICTs can improve the opportunities of farmers in agricultural markets and empower smallholders. ICTs can also foster productivity by facilitating the dissemination of technological knowledge and expand the access to financial and public services among the rural population by making service provision more affordable. Nonetheless, to the extent that the effective provision of ICTs has certain minimum requirements in terms of human and physical capital, many agricultural economies will be unable to reap the full benefits of these technologies.
L’herméneutique théologique de Hans-Georg Gadamer : une dérogation à son herméneutique philosophique ?
Authors: Rodier Dany
Published: May 2013

Cet article propose une analyse détaillée des considérations de Hans-Georg Gadamer sur l’herméneutique théologique proprement dite. Pensée dans et pour la foi chrétienne, la conception de l’herméneutique théologique qu’il met en avant se veut essentiellement une herméneutique du texte biblique. Les réflexions de Gadamer sur ce thème nous conduisent cependant tout droit dans sa théorie de la littérature. La question directrice devient celle de la nature du texte religieux (entendons : du texte biblique, reçu en son unité canonique) en tant que texte éminent, dont la structure singulière est mise en relief au moyen d’une éclairante comparaison avec les textes poétique, philosophie et juridique. L’Écriture, en tant qu’elle répond à la structure textuelle de la promesse, exige du lecteur une forme particulière d’appropriation qui trouve sa réalisation exemplaire dans la prédication. Toutefois, contre une lecture (Ommen, Eberhard, etc.) qui insiste sur la discontinuité de l’herméneutique théologique de Gadamer avec sa propre oeuvre philosophique, je soutiens la thèse de leur foncière cohérence.
Vatican II entre catholicisme et catholicité
Authors: Siegwalt Gérard
Published: May 2013

Face aux trois tentations majeures du catholicisme traditionnel (mais dont il n’a pas le monopole), à savoir le particularisme absolutisé de la compréhension qu’il a de lui-même, le supranaturalisme de sa compréhension de Dieu, l’an-historisme de la théologie mystique, face ainsi à la théologie dualiste de la délimitation par rapport à ce qui n’est pas lui, le concile Vatican II représente, dans sa visée, l’ouverture au réel tel qu’il est, dans un esprit non de discrimination mais de discernement, avec la question : qu’est-ce qui dans le réel est constructeur, qu’est-ce qui est destructeur ? Il est mû par la conscience que Dieu est le Dieu du réel et la foi, foi au coeur du réel. Il marque l’ouverture à une théologie de la récapitulation selon laquelle toutes choses sont récapitulées par Dieu en Christ, et ainsi à une intégration critique du réel, dépassant par là l’exclusivisme du catholicisme traditionnel et accédant à l’exigence d’une théologie critique — exclusive et inclusive à la fois — de la catholicité.
L’identité et le territoire dans la reconstruction communautaire des Malécites de Viger
Authors: Calderhead Coco , Klein Juan-Luis
Published: May 2013

La Première Nation Malécite de Viger est la 11ePremière Nation reconnue au Québec et la seule dont les membres vivent entièrement en diaspora. La communauté fait face à des défis cruciaux tels la communication avec ses membres, le développement d’un sentiment d’appartenance, la concertation locale et le regroupement de ses membres en un même lieu. Depuis sa reconstitution officielle, en 1987, la communauté vit une réaffirmation identitaire qui s’exprime, entre autres, à travers un ensemble de revendications territoriales dans le Bas-Saint-Laurent. Cet article porte sur l’identité et la territorialité des Malécites de Viger, notamment sur les moyens par lesquels les acteurs produisent et perpétuent l’identité, et les mesures mises en place pour faire avancer leur projet socioterritorial dans le Bas-Saint-Laurent, en concertation avec les instances fédérales, provinciales et régionales.
ER-associated mitochondrial division links the distribution of mitochondria and mitochondrial DNA in yeast
Authors: Murley Andrew , Lackner Laura L , Osman Christof , West Matthew , Voeltz Gia K , Walter Peter , Nunnari Jodi
Published: May 2013

Mitochondrial division is important for mitochondrial distribution and function. Recent data have demonstrated that ER–mitochondria contacts mark mitochondrial division sites, but the molecular basis and functions of these contacts are not understood. Here we show that in yeast, the ER–mitochondria tethering complex, ERMES, and the highly conserved Miro GTPase, Gem1, are spatially and functionally linked to ER-associated mitochondrial division. Gem1 acts as a negative regulator of ER–mitochondria contacts, an activity required for the spatial resolution and distribution of newly generated mitochondrial tips following division. Previous data have demonstrated that ERMES localizes with a subset of actively replicating mitochondrial nucleoids. We show that mitochondrial division is spatially linked to nucleoids and that a majority of these nucleoids segregate prior to division, resulting in their distribution into newly generated tips in the mitochondrial network. Thus, we postulate that ER-associated division serves to link the distribution of mitochondria and mitochondrial nucleoids in cells.
Stability-mediated epistasis constrains the evolution of an influenza protein
Authors: Gong Lizhi Ian , Suchard Marc A , Bloom Jesse D
Published: May 2013

John Maynard Smith compared protein evolution to the game where one word is converted into another a single letter at a time, with the constraint that all intermediates are words: WORD→WORE→GORE→GONE→GENE. In this analogy, epistasis constrains evolution, with some mutations tolerated only after the occurrence of others. To test whether epistasis similarly constrains actual protein evolution, we created all intermediates along a 39-mutation evolutionary trajectory of influenza nucleoprotein, and also introduced each mutation individually into the parent. Several mutations were deleterious to the parent despite becoming fixed during evolution without negative impact. These mutations were destabilizing, and were preceded or accompanied by stabilizing mutations that alleviated their adverse effects. The constrained mutations occurred at sites enriched in T-cell epitopes, suggesting they promote viral immune escape. Our results paint a coherent portrait of epistasis during nucleoprotein evolution, with stabilizing mutations permitting otherwise inaccessible destabilizing mutations which are sometimes of adaptive value.
Alpha‐Spending Function
Authors: DeMets David L. , Lan K. K. Gordon
Published: May 2013

Randomized clinical trials are typically monitored periodically for early evidence of convincing benefit or of potential harm for both scientific and ethical reasons by a data monitoring committee. After increments in the number of patients randomized or in the number of observed events, interim statistical analyses may be conducted to evaluate emerging results. This process may be referred to as a group sequential design. However, repeated analysis of accumulating data with conventional statistical testing can lead to substantially increased Type I or false positive error rates. The alpha spending function provides a flexible approach to control the Type I error while allowing the data monitoring committee to review the data as needed without having to specifya prioriwhen and how many such interim analyses will be conducted. Other earlier group sequential methods had these somewhat restrictive requirements. This alpha spending function approach can be applied to several spending functions that approximate some of these earlier methods.
Application of New Designs in PhaseITrials
Authors: Garrett‐Mayer Elizabeth
Published: May 2013

In recent years, novel designs have been introduced for dose‐finding studies in phase I clinical trials. Most of these are based on mathematical models of the relationship between dose and toxicity. Though these may appear more technical than more commonly used algorithmic designs, the novel designs tend be better for many reasons including smaller sample size, more precise and accurate estimate of the desired dose, fewer patients treated at unsafe levels, and more patients treated at efficacious doses. Several of these novel designs are discussed. The continual reassessment method is an adaptive approach that uses the information gathered on early patients in the trial to make decisions about the dose for patients treated later in the trial. Adaptive Bayesian designs behave in a similar way, but the framework in which they are developed differs. A design in which efficacy and toxicity are both used to determine an optimum dose is also discussed.
Global Assessment Variables
Authors: Tilley Barbara , Huang Peng , O'Brien Peter C.
Published: May 2013

Multiple outcomes are often collected for an evaluation of a treatment's effect on disease or quality of life or other underlying condition. When multiple outcomes are being assessed, and no predefined and validated composite outcome (summary measure) exists, two classes of statistical tests have been developed that address two different scientific questions. Tests in one class are designed to test whether a treatment effect is observed for any of the outcomes. Tests in the other class are designed to test whether a treatment confers an overall benefit (or harm) to patients. We provide a brief survey of global statistical tests (GST) of the second class. Each GST is discussed in terms of its motivation, approach to conducting the test, and some basic properties of the test. To facilitate the interpretation of the GST, we use the concept of a global treatment effect (GTE) to quantify the treatment's overall effect on multiple outcomes. We provide examples of the application of GSTs to clinical trials along with recommendations for choosing outcomes to include in the GST.
Good Clinical Practice (
GCP
)
Authors: Barr David B.
Published: May 2013

Good Clinical Practices (GCPs) are international ethical and quality standards for the design, conduct, performance, monitoring, auditing, analysis, recording, reporting, and regulation of clinical investigations. Clinical investigations are experiments in which a medical product such as a drug is administered or dispensed to, or used involving, one or more human subjects. These standards provide assurance that the rights and confidentiality of the trial subjects are protected and that the data and reported results are credible and accurate.
Group Sequential Designs
Authors: Wassmer Gernot
Published: May 2013

In clinical research, a great interest in interim analyses exists for ethical, economical, and organizational or administrative reasons. Interim analyses are performed withinsequential designsthat offer the possibility to stop a trial early with a statistically significant test result. This trial will possibly need less patients than the trial with a fixed sample size in which a test decision can be made only at the end of the trial. A therapy that was shown to be superior can be applied earlier and the inferior therapy can be replaced by the better one. Furthermore, in interim analyses, the quality of the performance of the trial can be assessed and possibly be improved when necessary. Interim analyses are also carried out for the assessment of the safety of the treatments under consideration, and the observation of serious adverse events can lead to an early stopping of the trial.
Imaging Science in Medicine
Authors: Hendee William R.
Published: May 2013

The use of imaging technologies has expanded tremendously in medicine over the past two decades. This expansion reflects the evolution of new imaging tools that reveal human anatomy and physiology in ever‐increasing detail, as well as the development of digital data acquisition and processing techniques that extract information from human tissues in ever‐expanding degrees of subtlety. A further factor that is stimulating growth in imaging is the expansion of knowledge about biological systems at the cellular, molecular, and genetic levels. This factor is transforming medical imaging from a “technology‐push” discipline into one where fundamental biological questions, as well as important clinical issues, are the force driving development of new imaging technologies. This transformation demands enhanced knowledge about the interface between biological properties of tissues and the characteristics of imaging systems. Exploration of the existing state of knowledge about the interface, and what is needed for the immediate future, is the subject of this article.
Multiple Comparisons
Authors: Proschan Michael A.
Published: May 2013

Because clinical trials are very expensive, investigators often want to make several comparisons in the same trial. But, performing several statistical tests at significance level α will increase the probability of at least one false positive declaration. The situation is analogous to throwing many darts at a target; even a completely unskilled dart thrower will eventually hit the bull's eye. Many multiple comparison adjustment methods control the probability of at least one false positive by “raising the bar” for each separate comparison. However, raising the bar increases the chance of missing a true effect and increases the sample size needed to maintain the same power. The tension between controlling the chance of at least one false positive and missing a true effect makes multiplicity adjustment a subject of great controversy in clinical trials. Although clinical trialists have differing opinions about how much adjustment is needed, certain settings exist most would agree that adjustment is needed and others in which most would agree that it is not. This article attempts to shed light on situations in which multiplicity adjustments are needed and the most common methods of adjustment in different clinical trial scenarios, which include multiple arms, multiple endpoints, subgroup analysis, and interim monitoring.
Optimizing Schedule of Administration in PhaseIClinical Trials
Authors: Braun Thomas M. , Thall Peter F.
Published: May 2013

Historically, phase I clinical trials of new agents have been designed to find a safe dose from a small set of possible doses. Typically, toxicity is defined based on one or possibly two cycles of chemotherapy so that it can be scored relatively quickly after the start of therapy. The study treats cohorts of patients according to an outcome‐adaptive statistical design or algorithm for choosing successive doses, and the resulting data are used to determine an acceptable or maximum tolerable dose (MTD). However, in most clinical settings, physicians administer multiple courses of an agent to a patient and monitor long‐term toxicity that may be related to the agent's cumulative effects. Furthermore, some patients may receive one or more modifications or delays of their planned treatment course due to low‐grade (non–dose limiting) toxicity from previous administrations. To address these situations, we have proposed a new paradigm for phase I clinical trials that determines a maximum tolerable schedule (MTS) of administration, rather than a conventional MTD (Braun, Yuan, and Thall, 14). The design is based on the time to toxicity of each patient rather than a binary indicator. The model and method account for the patient's entire sequence of administrations, with the overall hazard of toxicity modeled as the sum of a sequence of dose‐dependent hazards, each associated with one administration. As patients are enrolled, data monitoring and decision making are done continuously throughout the trial using an outcome‐adaptive Bayesian design that optimizes the schedule in terms of the overall risk of toxicity. We illustrate this new methodology with a clinical trial in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.
Biomarkers Aid Paleoenvironment Studies of Asian Aridification
Authors: Peng Tingjiang , Li Jijun , Zhao Zhijun , Song Chunhui , Zhang Jun
Published: May 2013

The broad, arid region of central Asia is one of the most important dust sources on Earth, its eolian dust output being critical to global biogeochemical cycles. For example, dust contains iron, and wind transport flings the dust to the ocean, where it serves as an important nutrient for phytoplankton. In turn, phytoplankton colonies fueled by dust uptake carbon dioxide (CO2), a key greenhouse gas, from the ocean, allowing the ocean to draw more carbon from the atmosphere. As such, dust availability helps determine how much carbon gets sunk into the ocean.
Concerns About STEM Education Restructure
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: May 2013

Several education experts told Eos that they generally favored some improvements in U.S. federal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, but they also expressed concern about the Obama administration's proposed STEM reorganization plan as it affects the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). John Farrington, chair of the U.S. National Research Council (NRC) panel that issued a review of the NOAA education program in 2010, told Eos that he is confident that a considerable amount of thought went into this proposal to consolidate the K–12 STEM efforts, that consolidation could make for greater efficiencies, and that a positive aspect of having the Department of Education (ED) as a lead is that STEM education should not be considered as separate from the education of the student as a whole.
Devastating East African drought made more likely by climate change
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: May 2013

In 2011 a powerful drought gripped East Africa. Vastly reduced 2010 fall rains and 2011 spring rains caused a drought that stacked on an already unstable political climate, caused a famine that led to hundreds of thousands of deaths. Whenever an extreme weather event strikes a population—a drought, a hurricane, or a powerful flood—questions arise as to whether ongoing global climate change is complicit. Most scientists, when confronted with such questions, suggest that no one act of weather can be attributed to the long‐term statistical shifts that make up a change in climate. The nascent field of event attribution, however, is seeking to provide a more satisfying answer to this question. Using climate modeling techniques, researchers estimate how the probability or magnitude of a specific extreme event—in this case, the failure of the East African rains—was affected by climate change.
Lymphocytes: Intraepithelial
Authors: Lambolez Florence , Mayans Sofia , Cheroutre Hilde
Published: May 2013

Intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) are small, round mononuclear white blood cells, which reside in the paracellular space between epithelial cells. They are found in the skin and within the epithelial layer that lines the intestine, the biliary tract, the oral cavity, the upper respiratory tract and lungs and the reproductive tract. IELs constitute a heterogeneous population of T lymphocytes that express an αβ or γδ T cell receptor (TCR) on their cell surface. IELs characteristically display an antigen‐experienced phenotype; they vary in their major histocompatibility complex restriction and TCR antigen specificity. All these characteristics are common features of the IEL pool with some variations depending on the tissue where they reside. The largest population of IELs resides within the epithelium of the small intestine, where they function to preserve the integrity of the mucosal barrier by protecting the epithelium against pathogen‐ or immune‐induced pathology.

Key Concepts:

The lymphocytes located in the epithelium are exposed to self, pathogenic and harmless nonself antigens.

The T‐cell populations that reside within the small intestinal epithelium are the most significant in number and the most diverse of all lymphocyte populations in the body.

The T‐cell populations that reside within the epithelium contain unconventional subpopulations such as the CD8αα TCRαβ
+
IELs.

Self‐specific CD8αα TCRαβ
+
IELs acquire their functional antigen‐experienced differentiation during a specific agonist selection process in the thymus.

IELs function to protect the epithelium against pathogen‐induced as well as immune‐induced pathology.
Mimiviruses and Marseilleviruses, the Largest Known Viruses
Authors: Boughalmi Mondher , Colson Philippe , La Scola Bernard
Published: May 2013

Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus
was discovered in 2003 but was isolated two decades ago during the investigation of a pneumonia outbreak, while trying to isolate
Legionella
‐like bacterial pathogens that infect and survive in amoebae.
Acanthamoeba polyphaga marseillevirus
was isolated five years thereafter. These two viruses are the founding members of two new viral families whose members are the largest known viruses based on the sizes of the capsid and the genome. Beyond being giant, mimiviruses and marseilleviruses exhibit several unexpected and remarkable features. Their genomes encode proteins involved in translation, these viruses harbour messenger ribonucleic acid in addition to their double‐stranded
deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA) genome, and their gene repertoire indicates that they have a common ancestral origin with other large DNA viruses. Finally, mimiviruses and marseilleviruses are likely to be common in our biosphere and have begun to be isolated from humans.

Key Concepts:

Mimiviruses and marseilleviruses are giant viruses that infect phagocytic protists (Acanthamoeba spp. in most cases).

Mimiviruses are the largest known viruses, and their genomes are the largest among viruses and are larger than those of the smallest cellular life.

Mimiviruses and marseilleviruses differ greatly from ‘classical’ viruses in several respects.

Mimiviruses and marseilleviruses are linked by phylogeny based on certain genes and their core genomes to the members of the five families of nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses; these seven families were recently proposed to be assigned to a new viral order, Megavirales.

The mosaic gene repertoires of mimiviruses and marseilleviruses are likely linked to their sympatric lifestyle within phagocytic protistan grazers.

Mimiviruses and marseilleviruses are common in our biosphere.

Mimiviruses may cause pneumonia in humans.
Molecular Genetics of Frontotemporal Dementia
Authors: Ferrari Raffaele , Thumma Avinash , Momeni Parastoo
Published: May 2013

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a nonAlzheimer's form of dementia. Onset age lies in the mid‐to‐late 50s. FTD affects the frontal and/or the temporal lobes and is clinically divided into two main categories: behavioural variant (bvFTD) and language variant. FTD is characterised by heterogeneous pathology defined by pathogenic protein inclusions: microtubule‐associated protein tau (MAPT), ubiquitin/transactive responses (TAR)
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
‐binding protein 43 (TDP)‐43, fused in sarcoma (FUS) and p62.
MAPT
, progranulin (
PGRN
) and, recently,
C9orf72
genes represent the three main genetic markers associated with FTD. In addition, genetic variability in
TDP‐43
, charged multivesicular body protein 2B (
CHMP2B
), valosin‐containing protein (
VCP
),
FUS
and
TMEM106B
genes contribute to ⩽5% of cases. Research tools such as genome‐wide association studies and exome and genome sequencing hold promise to further uncover the genetic underpinnings of this complex disorder.

Key Concepts:

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a nonAlzheimer's form of dementia; it affects behaviour, cognition and language, while memory (in the early phases).

The anatomical areas of the brain that are affected by atrophy are the frontal and the temporal lobes; based on this fact FTD is considered part of the spectrum called frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD).

FTD is a complex disease with insidious onset; no therapeutic measures are available as yet.

Behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD) is the most common syndrome of FTD, which is associated with gradual deterioration of behaviour and cognition.

Different protein inclusions in the brain are used to classify the pathology associated with FTLD.

TDP‐43 and tau pathology represent the most common (∼90%) types of pathological signatures associated with FTLD.

MAPT
,
PGRN
and
C9orf72
are the major (∼95%) genetic markers associated with familial FTD.

TMEM106B regulates granulin protein levels.

Genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) and next‐generation sequencing technologies whole exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) hold promise for dissecting the genetic aetiology of complex diseases; in molecular genetics these technologies help in screening a wide range of genetic variabilities from SNPs to CNVs in large cohorts across different populations.
A specific and sensitive assay for blood levels of glycated CD59: A novel biomarker for diabetes
Authors: Ghosh Pamela , Sahoo Rupam , Vaidya Anand , Cantel Sonia , Kavishwar Amol , Goldfine Allison , Herring Neil , Bry Lynn , Chorev Michael , Halperin Jose A.
Published: May 2013

Increasing evidence links the complement system with complications of human diabetes. The complement regulatory protein CD59, an inhibitor of formation of membrane attack complex (MAC), is inhibited by hyperglycemia‐induced glycation fostering increased deposition of MAC, a major effector of complement‐mediated tissue damage. CD59, an ubiquitous GPI‐anchored membrane protein, is shed from cell membranes by phospholipases generating a soluble form present in blood and urine. We established an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure serum/plasma glycated human CD59 (hCD59) (GCD59) and evaluated its potential as a diabetes biomarker. We used a synthetic peptide strategy to generate (a) a mouse monoclonal antibody to capture hCD59, (b) a rabbit monoclonal antibody to detect GCD59, and (c) a GCD59 surrogate for assay standardization. ELISA conditions were optimized for precision, reproducibility, and clinical sensitivity. The clinical utility of the assay was initially evaluated in 24 subjects with or without diabetes and further validated in a study that included 100 subjects with and 90 subjects without a diagnosis of diabetes. GCD59 (a) was significantly higher in individuals with than in individual without diabetes, (b) was independently associated with HbA1c, and (c) identified individuals with diabetes with high specificity and sensitivity. We report the development and standardization of a novel, sensitive, and specific ELISA for measuring GCD59 in blood. The assay distinguished individuals with diabetes from those without, and showed strong correlation between GCD59 and HbA1c. Because GCD59 likely contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetes complications, measurement of blood levels of GCD59 may be useful in the diagnosis and management of diabetes. Am. J. Hematol. 88:670–676, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
β‐Diketiminatoytterbium aryloxides: synthesis, structural characterization, and catalytic activity for addition of amines to carbodiimides
Authors: Cai Ling‐xia , Yao Ying‐ming , Xue Ming‐qiang , Zhang Yong , Shen Qi
Published: May 2013

The steric effect of an aryloxido group on the synthesis and molecular structures of ytterbium aryloxides supported by β‐diketiminato ligand L (L = [N(2,6‐Me2C6H3)C(Me)]2CH−) is reported. Reactions of β‐diketiminatoytterbium dichloride, LYbCl2(THF)2, with NaOAr1 in THF (Ar1 = [2,6‐tBu2‐4‐MeC6H2], THF = tetrahydrofuran) at 60°C gave the corresponding ytterbium complexes LYb(OAr1)Cl(THF) (1) and LYb(OAr1)2 (1), depending on the molar ratio of dichloride to sodium aryloxide, respectively, while the same reactions with NaOAr2 and NaOAr3 (Ar2 = [2,6‐iPr2C6H3], Ar3 = [2,6‐Me2C6H3]) in 1:1 or 1:2 molar ratio in THF afforded only bisaryloxide complexes LYb(OAr2)2(THF) (1) and LYb(OAr3)2(THF) (4) in good yields, respectively. Complexes 1, 2, 3, 4 were fully characterized, including X‐ray crystal structure analyses. All the complexes are efficient pre‐catalysts for the catalytic addition of amines to carbodiimides giving guanidines. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bio‐based polymer nanocomposites based on layered silicates having a reactive and renewable intercalant
Authors: Albayrak Özlem , Şen Sinan , Çaylı Gökhan , Ortaç Bülend
Published: May 2013

Soybean oil‐based polymer nanocomposites were synthesized from acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) combined with styrene monomer and montmorillonite (MMT) clay by using in situ free radical polymerization reaction. Special attention was paid to the modification of MMT clay, which was carried out by methacryl‐functionalized and quaternized derivative of methyl oleate intercalant. It was synthesized from olive oil triglyceride, as a renewable intercalant. The resultant nanocomposites were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effect of increased nanofiller loading in thermal and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The nanocomposites exhibited improved thermal and dynamic mechanical properties compared with neat acrylated epoxidized soybean oil based polymer matrix. The desired exfoliated nanocomposite structure was achieved when the OrgMMT loading was 1 and 2 wt % whereas partially exfoliated nanocomposite was obtained in 3 wt % loading. It was found that about 400 and 500% increments in storage modulus at glass transition and rubbery regions, respectively were achieved at 2 wt % clay loading compared to neat polymer matrix while the lowest thermal degradation rate was gained by introducing 3 wt % clay loading. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 2031–2041, 2013
Improved chemical resistance of ink‐jet printed micropatterns on glass by using dual‐functional compositions
Authors: Chang Chi‐Jung , Tsai Hsin‐Yu , Hsieh Chih‐Chiao , Chiu Wei‐Yun
Published: May 2013

UV curable and UV/moisture dual‐functional oligomers were synthesized by grafting trimethoxysilane and methacrylate segments on the polyimide oligomer chains. These oligomers and a dual‐functional monomer were used as ink compositions to enhance the chemical resistance of ink‐jet printed LCD color filter micropatterns, without sacrificing jetting performance. The molecular structure and molecular weight of the oligomers were altered to adjust the solubility of oligomer in monomers, together with jetting trajectory, drop size uniformity, and deposition accuracy of the ink‐jet inks. The chemical resistance, optical property, and mechanical property of the printed patterns depend on the oligomer structure, the arrangement of trimethoxysilane groups, and the molecular chain length. Straight lines and uniform dot arrays with excellent chemical resistance can be achieved. Dot patterns made of polymer‐silica hybrid materials and pigments remain unchanged after being immersed in γ‐butyrolactone for 200 min. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 2049–2055, 2013
Stearic acid as coupling agent in fly ash reinforced recycled polypropylene matrix composites: Structural, mechanical, and thermal characterizations
Authors: Sengupta Shubhalakshmi , Maity Pulakesh , Ray Dipa , Mukhopadhyay Aniruddha
Published: May 2013

Two industrial wastes, fly ash (FA) and recycled polypropylene (RPP) were used to prepare a value‐added, sustainable, low cost composite material. Improving the interfacial interaction between the hydrophobic RPP matrix and the hydrophilic FA particles is important to get a good combination of properties. In order to tailor the interface, stearic acid was used as the coupling agent. The FA particles were coated with a saturated fatty acid, stearic acid (SA), in different weight % like 1, 2, 3, and 5. The SA coated fly ash particles were incorporated as filler in RPP matrix composites by melt mixing in 1 : 1 weight ratio. The composites were tested for their flexural properties, impact behavior, dynamic mechanical properties, fracture surface analysis, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) study, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). An increase in flexural modulus and impact strength was observed in the stearic acid coated FA/RPP composites. In 1 wt % SA treated FA/RPP (RFASA1) composites, a significant increase in glass transition temperature was observed along with an increase in crystallinity. A green, renewable, inexpensive chemical like stearic acid was thus found to be an effective coupling agent in fabrication of a composite with 50 wt % filler loading. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1996–2004, 2013
Fabrication of vertically aligned ferroelectric polyvinylidene fluoride mesoscale rod arrays
Authors: Kim Dongjin , Hong Seungbum , Hong Jongin , Choi Yoon‐Young , Kim Jiyoon , Park Moonkyu , Sung Tae‐hyun , No Kwangsoo
Published: May 2013

We have fabricated vertically aligned ferroelectric PVDF mesoscale rod arrays comprising β and γ phases using a 200 nm diameter anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) as the porous template. We could synthesize the ferroelectric phase in mesoscale rod forms by combining the well‐established recipe for crystallizing the β phase using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at low temperature and template‐guided infiltration processing for the rods using AAO. We measured the dimensions of the PVDF rods by scanning electron microscopy and identified the polymorph phases by X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The length of the rods varied from 3.82 μm to 1.09 μm and the diameter from 232 nm to 287 nm when the volume ratio between DMSO and acetone changed from 5 : 5 to 10 : 0. We obtained well‐defined piezoresponse hysteresis loops for all rods with remnant piezoresponse ranging from 2.12 pm/V to 5.04 pm/V and coercive voltage ranging from 2.29 V to 2.71 V using piezoresponse force microscopy. Our results serve as a processing platform for flexible electronic devices that need high capacitance and piezoelectric functionalities such as flexible memory devices or body energy harvesting devices for intelligent systems. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3842–3848, 2013
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 4‐Arylphthalazones Bearing Benzenesulfonamide as Anti‐Inflammatory and Anti‐Cancer Agents
Authors: Yaseen Shafiya , Ovais Syed , Bashir Rafia , Rathore Pooja , Samim Mohammed , Singh Surender , Nair Vinod , Javed Kalim
Published: May 2013

Nine 4‐arylphthalazones bearing benzenesulfonamide (2a–i) were synthesized by the condensation of the appropriate 2‐aroylbenzoic acid (1a–i) and 4‐hydrazinobenzenesulfonamide in ethanol. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and MS spectroscopy. Two compounds, 2b and 2i, showed significant anti‐inflammatory activity comparable to that of the standard drug celecoxib in the carrageenan‐induced rat paw edema model. These compounds (2b and 2i) had selective inhibitory activity towards the COX‐2 enzyme. Compound 2b had a better selectivity ratio (COX‐1/COX‐2) compared to that of celecoxib and can be used as a novel template for the design of selective COX‐2 inhibitors. Compounds 2d and 2i were screened for their antiproliferative activity toward 60 human cancer cell lines by the National Cancer Institute (USA). The compounds 2d and 2i displayed mild activity toward the renal cancer cell line UO‐31.
2D Transfer Function Modeling of Thermoacoustic Vibration Engines with Boundary Heat‐Flux Control
Authors: Hong Boe‐Shong , Chou Chia‐Yu , Lin Tsu‐Yu
Published: May 2013

In this paper we design a controllable type of thermoacoustic engine and model its process of energy transfer. In modeling, the conservation of thermoacoustic storage is formulated to determine engine cycles, capable of quantifying the effects of working gas and temperature on the power ratings, as well as shaping the engine chamber adaptable to mechatronic load in power transmission. Moreover, this conservation law can be applied to identify, through energy‐loss measurement, the parametric modeling upon flow leakage at the load end. Meanwhile, with the 2D transfer‐function modeling, the coupling of Rijke chamber dynamics and load dynamics is represented by feedback interconnection, which transforms the overall design into feedback systems synthesis. Based on such an internal feedback construction, digital signal processing is implemented to do numerical calculations on engine cycles with different working gases, temperatures, and frequencies of excitation, wherein typical situations are presented.
Real‐time path planning in heterogeneous environments
Authors: Jaklin Norman , Cook Atlas , Geraerts Roland
Published: May 2013

Modern virtual environments can contain a variety of characters and traversable regions. Each character may have different preferences for the traversable region types. Pedestrians may prefer to walk on sidewalks, but they may occasionally need to traverse roads and dirt paths. By contrast, wild animals might try to stay in forest areas, but they are able to leave their protective environment when necessary. This paper presents a novel path planning method named Modified Indicative Routes and Navigation (MIRAN) that takes a character's region preferences into account. Given an indicative route as a rough estimation of a character's preferred route, MIRAN efficiently computes a visually convincing path that is smooth, keeps clearance from obstacles, avoids unnecessary detours, and allows local changes to avoid other characters. To the best of our knowledge, MIRAN is the first path planning method that supports the aforementioned features while using an exact representation of the navigable space. Experiments show that with our approach, a wide range of different character behaviors can be simulated. It also overcomes problems that occur in previous path planning methods such as the Indicative Route Method. The resulting paths are well suited for real‐time simulations and gaming applications. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Device closure of a pseudoaneurysm of the right ventricular outflow tract in an infant with right ventricle‐to‐pulmonary artery homograft
Authors: Herbert Carrie , Ikemba Catherine , Nugent Alan
Published: May 2013

Pseudoaneurysm of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) is a rare complication following surgical repair of congenital heart disease involving a homograft or conduit. Traditionally, surgical intervention is indicated due to risk for rupture, thrombosis, compression of adjacent structures, and infection. We describe a case of a RVOT pseudoaneurysm in a 5 kg patient that was palliated with interventional catheterization utilizing an Amplatzer Ductal Occluder with four years follow‐up. Interventional catheterization can successfully manage this complication in small patients for the long‐term and thus avoids additional surgery and delays conduit replacement. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Towards Physical Descriptors of Active and Selective Catalysts for the Oxidation of n‐Butane to Maleic Anhydride
Authors: Eichelbaum Maik , Glaum Robert , Hävecker Michael , Wittich Knut , Heine Christian , Schwarz Heiner , Dobner Cornelia‐Katharina , Welker‐Nieuwoudt Cathrin , Trunschke Annette , Schlögl Robert
Published: May 2013

Based on our newly developed microwave cavity perturbation technique, the microwave conductivity of diverse vanadium(III), (IV), and (V) phosphate catalysts was measured under reaction conditions for the selective oxidation of n‐butane. The conductivity response on the gas phase was identified as a very sensitive measure for the redox kinetics, reversibility, and stability of the samples, which are important prerequisites for highly selective and active catalysts. The sensitivity achieved by our method was comparable to surface‐sensitive methods such as X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, whereas more conventional analytic techniques such as X‐ray diffractometry or Raman spectroscopy only indicated the stability of the bulk crystal phase under the same reaction conditions.
Forecasting human exposure to PM10 at the national level using an artificial neural network approach
Authors: Antanasijević Davor Z. , Ristić Mirjana Đ. , Perić‐Grujić Aleksandra A. , Pocajt Viktor V.
Published: May 2013

A neural network model for predicting country‐level concentrations of the fraction of particulates in the air with sizes less than 10 µm (PM10) has been developed using widely available sustainability and economical/industrial parameters as inputs. The model was trained and validated with the data for 23 European Union (EU) countries plus the EU27 as a group for the period from 2000 to 2008. The inputs for the model were selected using correlation analyses. Country‐level PM10 concentration data that were used as a model output were obtained from the World Bank. The artificial neural network (ANN) model, created with inputs chosen by correlation analyses, has shown very good performance in the forecast of country‐level PM10 concentrations. The mean absolute error for the ANN model prediction, in the case of most of the EU countries, was less than 13%, indicating stable and accurate predictions. The predictions obtained from the principal component regression model, which was trained and tested using the same datasets and input variables, had mean absolute errors from 20% to 150% for most of the countries. The wide availability of input parameters used in this model can overcome the problem of lack and scarcity of data in many countries, which can in turn prevent the determination of human exposure to PM10 at the national level. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel Macrocycles Bearing Dithienylethene Units and Urea Functional Groups: Synthesis, Structure and Photochromic Property
Authors: Xiao Tangxin , Li Shaolu , Zhang Xiaoning , Lin Chen , Wang Leyong
Published: May 2013

Two novel photochromic macrocycles 1 and 2 bearing dithienylethene units and urea building blocks have been synthesized, and their photochromic properties are described. Macrocycle 2 shows good photochromic properties, while the relatively smaller size of macrocycle 8b exhibits photochemically inactive properties due to the unfavourable ring conformational constraint. Moreover, the crystal structures of the urea‐protected precursor macrocyles 3a, 3b, and 8b are presented.
Phase 1 study of cetuximab in combination with 5‐fluorouracil, cisplatin, and radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced anal canal carcinoma
Authors: Olivatto Luis O. , Vieira Fernando M. , Pereira Bruno V. , Victorino Ana P. , Bezerra Marcos , Araujo Carlos M. , Erlich Felipe , Faroni Lilian , Castro Leonaldson , Lusis Edward C. , Marins Alessandra , Ferreira Carlos Gil
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND

This study sought to determine the feasibility and recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of the combination of cetuximab with chemoradiotherapy based on 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) and cisplatin (CP) in locally advanced anal canal carcinoma.

METHODS

Cetuximab was administered on days 1, 8, 15, 29, 36, 43, and 50 (400 mg/m2 initial dose, then 250 mg/m2/week) concurrent with total dose radiation of 55 to 59 Gy, both starting on day 1. Escalating doses of 5‐FU (96‐hour infusion) and CP (2‐hour infusion), both on days 1 and 29, were administered according to the following design: starting dose level (0) 5‐FU/CP = 800/60 mg/m2/day and up to dose level (+2) 5‐FU/CP = 1000/80 mg/m2/day.

RESULTS

Dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT) events (uncontrolled diarrhea or febrile neutropenia) occurred in 3 of 14 assessable patients receiving escalated dose of 5‐FU/CP, with 1 in dose level (0) and 2 in dose level (+2). The RP2D was 5‐FU/CP = 800/80 mg/m2/day. Because of unexpected non‐DLT treatment‐related grade 3 (G3) adverse events (AEs) such as thrombosis/embolism, syncope, and infection occurring in ≥ 20% of patients, a safety expansion cohort with an additional 9 patients was investigated with the RP2D. The most frequent G3/G4 AEs evaluated in 23 patients were radiation dermatitis (12 patients), diarrhea (10 patients), thrombosis/embolism (6 patients), and infection (5 patients). The study was closed due to these severe AEs, although no G5 AEs occurred. Twenty of 21 patients (95%) achieved pathological complete response at primary tumor. With a median follow‐up of 43.4 months, the 3‐year locoregional control rate was 64.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

Cetuximab could not be integrated with chemoradiotherapy‐cisplatin–based therapy due to the high toxicity rate. However, efficacy is encouraging and further investigation of an epidermal growth factor receptor–targeted agent (other than cetuximab) concurrent with chemoradiation should be pursued. Cancer 2013;119:2973—2980. © 2013 American Cancer Society.