bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Privacy and Location-Based Mobile Services
Authors: Lawrence Adrian , Williams Jane
Published: June 2011

As commercial interest in LBS increases, legal and regulatory bodies are becoming increasingly interested in the extent to which use of LBS may affect individuals’ privacy. This chapter discusses the nature of the privacy-related issues arising from the use of commercial LBS and gives examples of approaches that might be taken to best address these issues from the perspective of users of LBS and commercial providers of LBS. It identifies and analyses some of the key privacy issues that arise from use of LBS and the ways in which these types of issues are being regulated in some jurisdictions. It also suggests some best-practice guidelines for how these issues might be best dealt with in order to ensure that individuals’ privacy is protected. Given the increasing importance of privacy issues to consumers and their likely reluctance to use commercial LBS if significant privacy concerns are not addressed, this chapter concludes that both consumers and commercial LBS providers will benefit from privacy concerns being addressed appropriately. This chapter identifies and analyzes these issues on a theoretical level so that the issues and approaches suggested may be useful to both privacy advocates and regulators and to providers of LBS, and will remain relevant as LBS become more sophisticated.
Towards Mobile Web 2.0-Based Business Methods
Authors: Wac Katarzyna , Bults Richard , van Beijnum Bert-Jan , Chen Hong , Konstantas Dimitri
Published: June 2011

Mobile service providers (MoSPs) emerge, driven by the ubiquitous availability of mobile devices and wireless communication infrastructures. MoSPs’ customers satisfaction and consequently their revenues, largely depend on the quality of service (QoS) provided by wireless network providers (WNPs) available at a particular location-time to support a mobile service delivery. This chapter presents a novel method for the MoSP’s QoS-assurance business process. The method incorporates a location- and time-based QoS-predictions’ service, facilitating the WNP’s selection. The authors explore different business cases for the service deployment. Particularly, they introduce and analyze business viability of QoSIS.net, an enterprise that can provide the QoS-predictions service to MoSPs, Mobile Network Operators (as MoSPs), or directly to their customers (i.e. in B2B/B2C settings). QoSIS.net provides its service based on collaborative-sharing of QoS-information by its users. The authors argue that this service can improve the MoSP’s QoS-assurance process and consequently may increase its revenues, while creating revenues for QoSIS.net.
Sociotechnical Issues of Tele-ICU Technology
Authors: Hoonakker Peter , McGuire Kerry , Carayon Pascale
Published: June 2011

Intensive care units (ICUs) are highly complex organizations where lives are hanging by a thread. Approximately 400,000 to 500,000 people die each year in American ICUs. The highly complex environment and large responsibilities put a burden on ICU staff including physicians and nurses. Research has shown that ICU physicians and nurses report high levels of workload and burnout that are related to lower quality of care provided to ICU patients and patient safety problems. Furthermore, there is a shortage of ICU personnel. In the past decades, the number of critical care beds has increased while the number of hospitals offering critical care services has decreased. Telemedicine may be one solution to deal with the shortage of ICU personnel. The tele-ICU technology represents the application of telemedicine in ICUs: ICU patients are monitored remotely by physicians and nurses trained in critical care. Recent estimates show that a nurse in the tele-ICU environment can monitor as many as 50 ICU patients in different ICUs, using the most recent telemedicine technology that provides access to patient information as well as video and audio links to patient rooms. The physicians and nurses in the tele-ICU collaborate with the physicians and nurses in the ICUs in what can be considered virtual teams. We know little about how the virtual team characteristics affect communication and trust between the participating members of the team. Furthermore, we know little about how the technological environment of the tele-ICU may affect the physicians and nurses’ workload and possibly burnout, and how this may affect quality of care and patient safety. In this chapter we describe the ICU and tele-ICU from a sociotechnical perspective, and examine how organizational factors may affect the jobs of nurses in the tele-ICU, and possible consequences for quality of work life, quality of care and patient safety.
Kit (W-sh) Mice Develop Earlier and More Severe Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Due to Absence of Immune Suppression
Authors: Li Hongmei , Nourbakhsh Bardia , Safavi Farinaz , Li Ke , Xu Hui , Cullimore Melissa , Zhou Fang , Zhang Guangxian , Rostami Abdolmohamad
Published: June 2011

Mast cells (MCs) have been thought to play a pathogenic role in the development of autoimmune diseases, including experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis. However, an immunoregulatory function of these cells has recently been suggested. We investigated the role of MCs in EAE using the W-sh mouse strain, which is MC deficient. W-sh mice developed earlier and more severe clinical and pathological disease with extensive demyelination and inflammation in the CNS. The inflammatory cells were mainly composed of CD4+ T cells, monocyte/macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. Compared with wild-type mice, MC-deficient mice exhibited an increased level of MCP-1/CCR2 and CD44 expression on CD4+ T cells in addition to decreased production of regulatory T cells, IL-4, IL-5, IL-27, and IL-10. We also found that levels of IL-17, IFN-γ, and GM-CSF were significantly increased in peripheral lymphocytes from immunized W-sh mice compared with those in peripheral lymphocytes from wild-type mice. Reconstitution of W-sh mice downregulated susceptibility to EAE, which correlated with MC recruitment and regulatory T cell activation in the CNS. These findings indicate that responsiveness is not required in the pathogenesis of inflammatory demyelination in the CNS and that, in the absence of MCs, increased MCP-1, CCR2, IL-17, IFN-γ, CD44, and other inflammatory molecules may be responsible for increased severity of EAE.
Antibodies to the Envelope Glycoprotein of Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Robustly Activate Cell-Mediated Cytotoxic Responses and Directly Neutralize Viral Infectivity at Multiple Steps of the Entry Process
Authors: Kuo Chien-Wen S. , Mirsaliotis Antonis , Brighty David W.
Published: June 2011

Infection of human cells by human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is mediated by the viral envelope glycoproteins. The gp46 surface glycoprotein binds to cell surface receptors, including heparan sulfate proteoglycans, neuropilin 1, and glucose transporter 1, allowing the transmembrane glycoprotein to initiate fusion of the viral and cellular membranes. The envelope glycoproteins are recognized by neutralizing Abs and CTL following a protective immune response, and therefore, represent attractive components for a HTLV-1 vaccine. To begin to explore the immunological properties of potential envelope-based subunit vaccine candidates, we have used a soluble recombinant surface glycoprotein (gp46, SU) fused to the Fc region of human IgG (sRgp46-Fc) as an immunogen to vaccinate mice. The recombinant SU protein is highly immunogenic and induces high titer Ab responses, facilitating selection of hybridomas that secrete mAbs targeting SU. Many of these mAbs recognize envelope displayed on the surface of HTLV-1–infected cells and virions and several of the mAbs robustly antagonize envelope-mediated membrane fusion and neutralize pseudovirus infectivity. The most potently neutralizing mAbs recognize the N-terminal receptor-binding domain of SU, though there is considerable variation in neutralizing proficiency of the receptor-binding domain-targeted mAbs. By contrast, Abs targeting the C-terminal domain of SU tend to lack robust neutralizing activity. Importantly, we find that both neutralizing and poorly neutralizing Abs strongly stimulate neutrophil-mediated cytotoxic responses to HTLV-1–infected cells. Our data demonstrate that recombinant forms of SU possess immunological features that are of significant utility to subunit vaccine design.
The Parameter Averaging Technique in Finite-Difference Modeling of Elastic Waves in Combined Structures with Solid, Fluid and Porous Subregions
Authors: Guan Wei , Hu Hengshan
Published: June 2011

To finite-difference model elastic wave propagation in a combined structure with solid, fluid and porous subregions, a set of modified Biot’s equations are used, which can be reduced to the governing equations in solids, fluids as well as fluid-saturated porous media. Based on the modified Biot’s equations, the field quantities are finite-difference discretized into unified forms in the whole structure, including those on any interface between the solid, fluid and porous subregions. For the discrete equations on interfaces, however, the harmonic mean of shear modulus and the arithmetic mean of the other parameters on both sides of the interfaces are used. These parameter averaging equations are validated by deriving from the continuity conditions on the interfaces. As an example of using the parameter averaging technique, a 2-D finite-difference scheme with a velocity-stress staggered grid in cylindrical coordinates is implemented to simulate the acoustic logs in porous formations. The finite-difference simulations of the acoustic logging in a homogeneous formation agree well with those obtained by the analytical method. The acoustic logs with mud cakes clinging to the borehole well are simulated for investigating the effect of mud cake on the acoustic logs. The acoustic logs with a varying radius borehole embedded in a horizontally stratified formation are also simulated by using the proposed finite-difference scheme.
A Code that Simulates Fast-Ion Dα and Neutral Particle Measurements
Authors: Heidbrink W. W. , Liu D. , Luo Y. , Ruskov E. , Geiger B.
Published: June 2011

A code that models signals produced by charge-exchange reactions between fast ions and injected neutral beams in tokamak plasmas is described. With the fast-ion distribution function as input, the code predicts the efflux to a neutral particle analyzer (NPA) diagnostic and the photon radiance of Balmer-alpha light to a fast-ion Dα (FIDA) diagnostic. Reactions with both the primary injected neutrals and with the cloud of secondary “halo” neutrals that surround the beam are treated. Accurate calculation of the fraction of neutrals that occupy excited atomic states (the collisional-radiative transition equations) is an important element of the code. Comparison with TRANSP output and other tests verify the solutions. Judicious selection of grid size and other parameters facilitate efficient solutions. The output of the code has been validated by FIDA measurements on DIII-D but further tests are warranted.
Thermal Response Variability of Random Polycrystalline Microstructures
Authors: Wen Bin , Li Zheng , Zabaras Nicholas
Published: June 2011

A data-driven model reduction strategy is presented for the representation of random polycrystal microstructures. Given a set of microstructure snapshots that satisfy certain statistical constraints such as given low-order moments of the grain size distribution, using a non-linear manifold learning approach, we identify the intrinsic low-dimensionality of the microstructure manifold. In addition to grain size, a linear dimensionality reduction technique (Karhunun-Loéve Expansion) is used to reduce the texture representation. The space of viable microstructures is mapped to a low-dimensional region thus facilitating the analysis and design of polycrystal microstructures. This methodology allows us to sample microstructure features in the reduced-order space thus making it a highly efficient, low-dimensional surrogate for representing microstructures (grain size and texture). We demonstrate the model reduction approach by computing the variability of homogenized thermal properties using sparse grid collocation in the reduced-order space that describes the grain size and orientation variability.
Velocity-Based Moving Mesh Methods for Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations
Authors: Baines M. J. , Hubbard M. E. , Jimack P. K.
Published: June 2011

This article describes a number of velocity-based moving mesh numerical methods for multidimensional nonlinear time-dependent partial differential equations (PDEs). It consists of a short historical review followed by a detailed description of a recently developed multidimensional moving mesh finite element method based on conservation. Finite element algorithms are derived for both mass-conserving and non mass-conserving problems, and results shown for a number of multidimensional nonlinear test problems, including the second order porous medium equation and the fourth order thin film equation as well as a two-phase problem. Further applications and extensions are referenced.
Corrosion Behavior of SiCp/6061 Al Metal Matrix Composites
Authors: Sun H. , Koo E. Y. , Wheat H. G.
Published: June 2011

The corrosion behavior of silicon carbide/aluminum (SiCp/Al) metal matrix composites was studied in chloride solution by means of electrochemical techniques, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction. The materials under investigation were powder metallurgy (P/M) processed 6061 Al reinforced with increasing amounts of SiC particles (15 to 40 vol%). Electrochemical tests such as potentiodynamic polarization were done in 0.035, 0.35, and 3.5% NaCl solutions that were open to air, aerated, or deaerated to observe overall corrosion behavior. In addition, pit morphology was observed after anodic polarization to a number of potentials. It was seen that the corrosion potentials did not vary greatly or show definite trends in relation to the amounts of SiCp reinforcement. However, the degree of corrosion increased with increasing SiCp content and the presence or absence of oxygen as well as the concentration of the NaCl solution did affect corrosion potentials. Microscopic analysis techniques were used to study the corroded samples and the extensive pitting and exfoliation of the surfaces. X-ray diffraction was used to identify the compounds on the surface of the corroded samples as well as the flakes due to exfoliation.
Surface and Corrosion Study of Laser-Processed Zirconium Alloys
Authors: Rawers J. , Reitz W. , Bullard S. , Roub E. K.
Published: June 2011

Reactor Grade Zirconium (Zircaloy-2) was laser-glazed and laser-alloyed with nickel (Ni) or chromium (Cr) powders. Laser alloying produced a surface that was macroscopically, chemically homogeneous. However, at the microscopic level the melt zone was a mixture of microcrystalline pure zirconium (Zr) and extremely fine grain, or possibly amorphous, solid solution regions of Zr and alloying elements. Corrosion tests (potentiodynamic and long-term immersion) were conducted in 10% FeCl3 solution. The potentiodynamic tests showed icorr and Ecorr were a strong function of surface conditioning, altered by grit-blasting, laser processing, acid cleaning, and heat treating. Significant improvement was achieved in corrosion resistance by laser-glazing and laser-alloying.
Stress Corrosion Cracking Behavior of 90/10 Cu-Ni Alloy in Sodium Sulfide Solutions
Authors: Islam M. , Riad W. T. , Al-Kharraz S. , Abo-Namous S.
Published: June 2011

The stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of 90/10 Cu-Ni alloy in sulfide solutions is not reported in the literature. The SCC behavior of the alloy was studied in dilute and concentrated Na2S solutions at room temperature. The alloy was found to be susceptible to SCC under slow strain rate conditions in the concentrated (0.1 to 1 M) sulfide solutions, but not in the dilute (0.002 to 0.03 M) solutions.

On the basis of electrochemical data and EPMA analysis of the metal/film interface of the cracked samples, the mechanism of cracking can possibly be attributed to a dealloying (selective dissolution) phenomenon where the copper matrix but not the solute Ni is selectively removed.
Criança obesa, adulto hipertenso?
Authors: Yagui Cíntia Megumi , Rodrigues Cíntia Simões , Freitas Dayana , Godoy Simone De , Marchi-Alves Leila Maria
Published: June 2011

Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar a influência da obesidade infantil no desenvolvimento da hipertensão arterial do adulto. Fizeram parte da amostra 46 usuários da Unidade de Saúde de um município paulista atendidos no período de setembro de 2008 a fevereiro de 2009. A classificação do estado nutricional infantil foi obtida por meio do registro do percentil. A pressão arterial foi mensurada por método indireto, obedecendo às especificações das Diretrizes Brasileiras de Hipertensão. Os valores antropométricos atuais foram obtidos de acordo com as recomendações da Organização Mundial da Saúde. Os dados foram exportados e analisados no programa Statistical Package for Social Science - SPSS, para cálculo de frequências absolutas e porcentagens. Observou-se ocorrência significativa de alterações pressóricas e fatores de risco para a doença hipertensiva, independente de condição nutricional na infância. Estes achados confirmam a importância do controle e avaliação destes indicadores de risco em toda a população. Descritores: Obesidade; Pressão arterial; Hipertensão.
Dust Mites Population in Indoor Houses of Suspected Allergic Patients of South Assam, India
Authors: Sharma Dhruba , Dutta B. K. , Singh A. B.
Published: June 2011

Background. In the present study, quality and quantity of indoor dust mites was evaluated at the residence of 150 atopic allergic patients from four different districts of South Assam. Methods. Suspected patients with case history of allergic disease were selected for indoor survey. Dust samples (500 mg) were collected from the selected patient's house and were analyzed using standard methods. Results. About 60% of the selected patients were found suffering from respiratory disorders and rest 40% from skin allergy. The dominant mites recorded from indoor dust samples were Dermatophagoides followed by Blomia, Acarus, and Cheyletus while Caloglyphus was recorded in least number. The distribution of mites on the basis of housing pattern indicates that RCC type of buildings supports maximum dust mite's population followed by Assam type (semi-RCC) buildings, and the lowest count was observed in wooden houses. Environmental factors like temperature, rainfall, and relative humidity are found to determine the indoor mite's population. Severity of allergic attack in some of the typical cases was found to be proportional to the allergen load of mites in the dust samples. Conclusions. The economic status, housing pattern, and local environmental factors determine the diversity and abundance of dust mites in indoor environment.
Measuring Use of Resourcefulness Skills: Psychometric Testing of a New Scale
Authors: Zauszniewski Jaclene A. , Bekhet Abir K.
Published: June 2011

Highly resourceful individuals have been found better able to meet life's challenges and to experience more positive health outcomes. Although psychometrically sound measures of resourcefulness exist and resourcefulness training trials show that the intervention increases adaptive functioning and enhances quality of life, there is no direct measure of intervention fidelity. This study examined the reliability and validity of an 8-item Resourcefulness Skills Scale (RSS), which measures the frequency with which intervention recipients use specific resourcefulness skills. The RSS was found to have acceptable internal consistency (), criterion-related validity ('s = .50 and .52 with other resourcefulness scales), and construct validity ('s =.38 and .53 with theoretically-related constructs). Factor analysis revealed two factors reflecting personal and social resourcefulness. Because the RSS queries respondents on their use of skills taught during resourcefulness training, it has potential usefulness as a measure for evaluating how well the training is translated into use of the skills in daily life.
A Survey of Home Delivery and Newborn Care Practices among Women in a Suburban Area of Western Nigeria
Authors: Adelaja Lamina Mustafa
Published: June 2011

Context. Information about reasons for delivering at home and newborn care practices in suburban areas of Western Nigeria is lacking, and such information will be useful for policy makers. Objectives. To describe the home delivery and newborn care practices and to assess the reasons for delivering at home. Study Design, Setting, and Subjects. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in the immunization clinics of Sagamu local government, Western part of Nigeria during January and February 2008. Two trained health workers administered a semistructured questionnaire to the mothers who had delivered at home. Main Outcome Measures. Planned or unplanned home delivery, reasons for delivering at home, the details of events that took place at home from the onset of labour pains till delivery and after birth till initiation of breast-feeding, attendance at delivery, cleanliness and hygiene practices during delivery, thermal control, and infant feeding. Results. A total of 300 mothers were interviewed. Planned home deliveries were 200 (66.7%) and 100 (33.3%) were unplanned. Only 13.4% of deliveries had a skilled birth attendant present, and 47 (15.7%) mothers gave birth alone. Only 51 (16.2%) women had used a clean home delivery surface. Majority (98.2%) of the newborns were given a bath soon after birth. Initiation rates of breast-feeding were 65.3% within one hour and 95.7% within 24 hours. Conclusion. High-risk home delivery and newborn care practices are common in semiurban population also. Community-based interventions are required to improve the number of families coming to health facilities and engaging a skilled attendant and hygiene during delivery.
Implication of the toll‐like receptor 4 pathway in the response to interferon‐β in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Bustamante Marta F. , Fissolo Nicolás , Río Jordi , Espejo Carmen , Costa Carme , Mansilla María José , Lizasoain Ignacio , Angeles Moro María , Carmen Edo Mari , Montalban Xavier , Comabella Manuel
Published: June 2011

Objective:

Interferon‐beta (IFNβ) has demonstrated beneficial effects reducing disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, but a relatively large proportion of patients do not respond to treatment. Here we aimed to investigate the roles of the Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the type I IFN pathways in the response to IFNβ in MS patients.

Methods:

The expression levels of several components of the TLR4 and the type I IFN pathways were determined by flow cytometry and real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a cohort of 85 MS patients treated for at least 2 years with IFNβ and classified into responders, intermediate responders, and nonresponders based on their clinical response to treatment. Thirty‐two healthy controls were also included in the study for comparison purposes.

Results:

Compared to responders and controls, PBMCs from nonresponders and intermediate responders were characterized by increased baseline expression levels of endogenous IFNβ and elevated IFN receptor 1 (IFNAR1) expression in monocytes. Furthermore, the capacity of IFNβ to induce its own expression was deficient in cells from nonresponders compared with responders. Baseline expression of the interleukin‐1 receptor‐associated kinase 3 (IRAK3), a negative regulator of TLR4 signaling primarily expressed in monocytes, was found to be significantly decreased in IFNβ responders compared with nonresponders.

Interpretation:

These findings provide evidence of the involvement of the TLR4 and type I IFN signaling pathways in the response to IFNβ. ANN NEUROL 2011;70:634–645
Platinum–Acetylide Polymers with Higher Dimensionality for Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Qiwei , He Zhicai , Wild Andreas , Wu Hongbin , Cao Yong , S. Schubert Ulrich , Chui Chung‐Hin , Wong Wai‐Yeung
Published: June 2011

A new series of platinum(II)‐acetylide polymers P1, P2, P3 containing thiophene‐triarylamine chromophores of different dimensions were synthesized and their electronic band structures, field‐effect charge transport, and application in bulk heterojunction solar cells were evaluated. These materials are soluble in polar organic solvents and show strong absorptions in the solar spectra (with the highest absorption coefficient of 1.59×105 cm−1 from thin films), thus rendering them excellent candidates for bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells. The spin‐coated polymer thin films showed p‐channel field‐effect charge transport with hole mobilities of 1.90×10−5 to 7.86×10−5 cm2 V−1 s−1 for P1, P2, P3 and an improved charge carrier transport was found for P2 with higher molecular dimensionality than P1. The dependence of their photovoltaic properties and dimensionality was also investigated. Even if the polymers possess relatively high bandgaps and narrow absorption bandwidths, the highest power conversion efficiency of 2.24 % can be obtained based on blends of P3 with [6,6]phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) (1:5, w/w) under AM1.5 simulated solar illumination. The present work indicates that multidimensional polymers exhibit a better photovoltaic performance over the linear polymers under the same measurement conditions and can provide an attractive approach to developing highly efficient conjugated metallopolymers for efficient power generation.
Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Oxidative Cascade Cyclization Reactions of Anilides and Anilines: Scope and Mechanistic Investigations
Authors: Yip Kai‐Tai , Yang Dan
Published: June 2011

With Pd(OAc)2/pyridine as the catalyst system and molecular oxygen as a green oxidant, acrylanilides and N‐allylanilines undergo oxidative cascade cyclization to form heterocyclic rings in high yields. This methodology is applicable to acrylanilides of different substitution patterns on olefinic units. Mechanistic studies revealed that cyclization of acrylanilides proceeded through an intramolecular syn‐amidopalladation pathway. The reversible nature of amidopalladation serves as a “scavenging process” to prevent β‐hydride elimination from occurring halfway through the catalytic cycle, thus favoring the formation of cascade cyclization products. In addition, internal coordination between an σ‐alkylpalladium species and a tethered olefinic CC double bond also appears to disfavor β‐hydride elimination.
Minimal cells: Relevance and interplay of physical and biochemical factors
Authors: Stano Pasquale
Published: June 2011

Research on the construction of minimal cell‐like systems is continuously progressing. The aim is to assemble a synthetic or semi‐synthetic cell by encapsulating the minimal set of different macromolecules into a lipid vesicle (liposome). Synthetic cells have their relevance as new biotechnological tool for use in synthetic biology and in research into the origin of life. In recent years, several technical advances have been reported and reviewed, but most deal with the biochemical and molecular biology of protein synthesis inside liposomes, whereas a discussion on the importance and the interplay of some physical factors has not been discussed. In this short review, we comment on physical aspects, such as compartment formation and solute entrapment, and on the nature of lipid membrane. Emphasis is given to their relevance for the technology of construction of synthetic cells, and for new aspects of vesicle population studies.
In vitro Sortagging of an Antibody Fab Fragment: Overcoming Unproductive Reactions of Sortase with Water and Lysine Side Chains
Authors: Möhlmann Sina , Mahlert Christoph , Greven Simone , Scholz Peter , Harrenga Axel
Published: June 2011

Sortase A from Staphylococcus aureus attracts growing interest for its use in biotechnological protein modification. This enzyme binds to a short signal sequence at the C terminus of a target protein, cleaves it by formation of an acyl‐enzyme intermediate, and subsequently attaches an oligoglycine with a peptide bond. In this work, we explored its usability for the modification of the L19 Fab fragment (specific for fibronectin ED‐B), a promising candidate for antibody‐based cancer therapy. The Fab fragment was expressed with a sortase signal sequence attached to its light chain, and was successfully modified with a fluorescent oligoglycine probe in good yield. Our interest focused on performance under conditions of limited oligoglycine concentrations. Two unproductive side reactions of sortase were observed. The first was hydrolysis of the acyl‐enzyme intermediate; in the second, sortase accepted the ε‐amino group of lysine as substrate, thereby resulting in polypeptide crosslinking. In case of the L19 Fab fragment, it led to the covalent connection of the heavy and light chains. Both side reactions were effectively suppressed by sufficient concentrations of the oligoglycine probe.
Left main coronary artery stenting after cardiac arrest in an infant with William's syndrome
Authors: Upadhyay Shailendra , Seiden Howard , Epstein Shilpi
Published: June 2011

A 6‐month‐old female with William's syndrome and biventricular outflow obstruction had a cardiac arrest due to myocardial ischemia soon after induction of anesthesia during cardiac catheterization. The patient was supported with extra corporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) and successful stenting of the left main coronary artery was performed as a rescue measure. This intervention allowed successful weaning from ECMO and subsequent discharge from the hospital. Coronary intervention in infants may be successfully performed in dire situations. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Single‐Droplet Experimentation on Spray Drying: Evaporation of a Sessile Droplet
Authors: Perdana J. , Fox M. B. , Schutyser M. A. I. , Boom R. M.
Published: June 2011

The basis for the development of a platform for high‐throughput experimentation on spray drying is formed. To mimic the drying of single droplets during spray drying, individual droplets are dispensed and dried on a flat surface. A dispensing process is used that is able to dispense viscous liquids and generates small droplets (dp > 150 μm). The dispensed droplet size for varying liquids could be accurately described with a predictive model based on Bernoulli's law. The drying of droplets is monitored with a camera and modeled with mass balance equations. Finally, a Sherwood correlation is derived to describe the mass transfer between the sessile droplet and the drying air.
A Core‐Shell Strategy for Constructing a Single‐Molecule Junction
Authors: Wang Le‐Jia , Zhou Kai‐Ge , Tan Lin , Wang Hong , Shi Zi‐Fa , Wu Guo‐Ping , Xu Zhu‐Guo , Cao Xiao‐Ping , He Hui‐Xin , Zhang Hao‐Li
Published: June 2011

Understanding the effects of intermolecular interactions on the charge‐transport properties of metal/molecule/metal junctions is an important step towards using individual molecules as building blocks for electronic devices. This work reports a systematic electron‐transport investigation on a series of “core‐shell”‐structured oligo(phenylene ethynylene) (Gn‐OPE) molecular wires. By using dendrimers of different generations as insulating “shells”, the intermolecular π–π interactions between the OPE “cores” can be precisely controlled in single‐component monolayers. Three techniques are used to evaluate the electron‐transport properties of the Au/Gn‐OPE/Au molecular junctions, including crossed‐wire junction, scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS), and scanning tunneling microscope (STM) break‐junction techniques. The STM break‐junction measurement reveals that the electron‐transport pathways are strongly affected by the size of the side groups. When the side groups are small, electron transport could occur through three pathways, including through single‐molecule junctions, double‐molecule junctions, and molecular bridges between adjacent molecules formed by aromatic π–π coupling. The dendrimer shells effectively prohibit the π–π coupling effect, but at the same time, very large dendrimer side groups may hinder the formation of AuS bonds. A first‐generation dendrimer acts as an optimal shell that only allows electron transport through the single‐molecule junction pathway, and forbids the other undesired pathways. It is demonstrated that the dendrimer‐based core‐shell strategy allows the single‐molecule conductance to be probed in a homogenous monolayer without the influence of intermolecular π–π interactions.
Packed to the Rafters: Filling up C60 with Rare Gas Atoms
Authors: Tonner Ralf , Frenking Gernot , Lein Matthias , Schwerdtfeger Peter
Published: June 2011

How many rare gas atoms can be placed into a fullerene cage until the pressure becomes large enough to break the C60 framework? The answer given by density functional and ab initio computations is surprising and underlines the high stability of this unique carbon structure.
A new semimagnetic compound: Cd1‐xFexIn2S4 single crystal grown by CVT
Authors: Attolini G. , Frigeri C. , Sagredo V. , Solzi M. , Delgado G.
Published: June 2011

Single crystals of the Cd1‐xFexIn2S4 compounds were grown by the chemical vapour transport method using iodine as transport agent. The crystals were grown by placing the ampoule in a two zone furnace, keeping the source temperature and the deposition temperature at 850 and 800 °C respectively. The resulting crystals with nominal concentrations: x = 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 were characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction, electron probe micro‐analysis and magnetic measurements. Electron probe micro‐analysis showed that the actual concentration of Fe was lower than the nominal one. X‐ray diffractograms were taken at room temperature for each sample, revealing that the compounds form a solid solution in the whole range of compositions and crystallize with cubic symmetry in the space group Fd3m. All samples show a spinel structure with a random arrangement of cations. The magnetic behavior of the samples was investigated by low‐field magnetization measurements in the range 5‐300 K. The observed magnetic behavior does not show any magnetic transition in the studied temperature range. However an irreversibility has been observed between zero‐field‐cooled (ZFC) and field‐cooled (FC) cycles. High temperature susceptibility data follow the Curie‐Weiss law with a negative paramagnetic Curie temperature, indicating the predominance of antiferromagnetic interactions. The optical absorption data for sample with x = 0.75 shows a direct energy gap of 1.28 eV at RT. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Model of the transformation of several basis structures into intermetallic crystal structure types
Authors: Ruhnow M.
Published: June 2011

A model is presented that states that all intermetallic crystal structure types can be hypothetically derived from few basis structures. These hypothetical basis structures consist of different atomic layer stackings and conform to the principles of simplicity and high symmetry. The transition from the basis structure to the real structure takes place by the replacement of formerly occupied atomic sites by interstices followed by a lateral relaxation of the remaining atoms. This leads to, in most cases, a lowering of symmetry and packing density, as well as an alteration of stoichiometry. The requirement of the transition to the known real structure depends on the individual “nature” of the atoms of the different elements in the compound. The connection between basis structures and crystalline non‐equilibrium phases is highlighted. Non‐equilibrium phases, a topic of modern research, can be regarded as “frozen‐in” basis structures. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Preparation and structure of calcium peroxide‐templated porous calcium carbonate crystals
Authors: Zhang Xiaohui , Yan Fengwen , Guo Cunyue , Li Fengbo , Chen Guochang , Huang Zhijun , Yuan Guoqing
Published: June 2011

Crystalline calcium carbonate with randomly dispersed porous structure was prepared through co‐ crystallization with calcium peroxide and the following template elimination by a post heating treatment and washing with water. The artificial CaCO3 possess abundant macro‐mesopores structures and high surface area. This approach may open a new general route for the preparation of crystals with high porosity and structure specialty. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Hydrogenation of p‐Chloronitrobenzene over Nanostructured‐Carbon‐Supported Ruthenium Catalysts
Authors: Oubenali Mustapha , Vanucci Giuditta , Machado Bruno , Kacimi Mohammed , Ziyad Mahfoud , Faria Joaquim , Raspolli‐Galetti Anna , Serp Philippe
Published: June 2011

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) have been used for the first time to support ruthenium nanoparticles for the hydrogenation of p‐chloronitrobenzene (p‐CNB) to produce selectively p‐chloroaniline. The preparation of well‐dispersed ruthenium catalysts from the [Ru3(CO)12] precursor required activation of the purified supports by nitric acid oxidation. The supports, purified and functionalized, and the supported catalysts have been characterized by a range of techniques. The catalytic activity of these materials for the hydrogenation of p‐CNB at 35 bar and 60 °C is shown to reach as high as 18 molp‐CNB gRu−1 h−1, which is one order of magnitude higher than a commercial Ru/Al2O3 catalyst. Selectivities between 92 and 94 % are systematically obtained, the major byproduct being aniline.
Improvement of accuracy in quantification of 3‐monochloropropane‐1,2‐diol esters by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Fettwissenschaft standard methods C‐III 18
Authors: Kaze Naoki , Sato Hirofumi , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Watanabe Yomi
Published: June 2011

By Deutsche Gesellschaft für Fettwissenschaft (DGF) standard methods C‐III 18 for the determination of 3‐monochloropropane‐1,2‐diol (3‐MCPD), the minimum limit of detection was lower in the case of actual oil samples compared to the calibration samples. The problem was found to be lied in the low recovery of 3‐MCPD derivatives from the aqueous phase to the organic phase at the extraction step of the standard procedure. The substitution of the conventional solvent, n‐hexane, with n‐butanol, chloroform, and ethyl acetate increased the recovery to the relative extent of 5.6, 4.7, and 3.9, respectively. The modification contributed to improve the accuracy of the method, especially at lower concentration (<1 ppm) of 3‐MCPD.

Practical applications: This paper provides the modification of DGF standard methods C‐III 18 in order to improve the accuracy to quantify 3‐MCPD at lower concentration. It might be important for estimation and control of our daily intake of 3‐MCPD, and for the product control in the fat and oil processing.
Lowering the boiling point curve of biodiesel by cross‐metathesis
Authors: Montenegro Rowena E. , Meier Michael A. R.
Published: June 2011

One of the challenges of today's biodiesel (FAME) is its unsuitable boiling curve behavior. A more or less continuously increasing curve is beneficial because it provides good fuel ignition and combustion in the cylinder of the engine. Here, we present the results of our investigation on the chemical modification of biodiesel with the use of a well‐known catalytic reaction, olefin metathesis. Self‐ and cross‐metathesis of biodiesel and 1‐hexene were carried out. Ten different ruthenium‐based metathesis catalysts were initially subjected to a screening. After selection of the most active catalyst, a series of reactions were prepared wherein the concentration of the biodiesel was held constant, while the amount of 1‐hexene was varied. The samples were then analyzed by simulated distillation to determine their boiling curve range. Results revealed that as the hexene amount was increased, a more favorable distillation curve was observed since it generated a fairly good distribution of low to high molecular weight compounds, which in turn exhibited an almost steadily increasing distillation curve, more similar to that of a conventional diesel fuel.
syn‐Allylstannation of N‐Acyliminium Intermediates by Tributyl[γ‐(silyloxy)allyl]stannanes: A Key Reaction for the Diastereoselective Synthesis of Polyhydroxypiperidines and Polyhydroxyazepanes
Authors: Chevallier Floris , Lumbroso Alexandre , Beaudet Isabelle , Le Grognec Erwan , Toupet Loïc , Quintard Jean‐Paul
Published: June 2011

The allylstannation of N‐alkenyl N‐acyliminium intermediates by tributyl[γ‐(silyloxy)allyl]stannanes afforded the expected adducts with a high syn‐selectivity (up to 99:1). Ensuing ring‐closing metathesis afforded dehydropiperidines or dehydroazepanes which were engaged in a stereoselective dihydroxylation reaction leading to polyhydroxypiperidines or polyhydroxyazepanes in good yields. This sequence was applied to a diastereoselective synthesis of (±)‐1‐deoxy‐gulonojirimycine.
Characterization of a Silver Modified PVCAc Electrode and Its Application as a Ag(I)‐Selective Potentiometric Sensor
Authors: Sejmanović D. M. , Petković B. B. , Budimir M. V. , Sovilj S. P. , Jovanović V. M.
Published: June 2011

An all solid‐state Ag(I) ion‐selective electrode has been prepared by simply immersing a glassy carbon rod coated with PVCAc, which contained plasticizer and additive but no ionophore, into the AgNO3 solution. The response of the electrode was linear with a Nernstian slope of 60.25 mV/decade within the concentration range from 1×10−1 to 1×10−5 M and with a detection limit of 4.25×10−6 M. The stability as an effect of various cations was defined. The electrode is suitable for use in high acidic solutions (pH<1 to 7) and has successfully been applied for the determination of silver(I) concentrations in different samples.
Ionic Liquid‐Based, Liquid‐Junction‐Free Reference Electrode
Authors: Cicmil Dimitrije , Anastasova Salzitsa , Kavanagh Andrew , Diamond Dermot , Mattinen Ulriika , Bobacka Johan , Lewenstam Andrzej , Radu Aleksandar
Published: June 2011

In this paper, we describe a new type of polymer membrane‐based reference electrode (RE) based on ionic liquids (ILs), in both liquid‐contact (LCRE) and solid‐contact reference electrode (SCRE) forms. The ILs used were bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)amid with 1‐alkyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium as well as phosphonium and ammonium cations. In addition to their charge stabilisation role, it was found that the ILs also functioned as effective plasticizers in the PVC matrix. The LCREs and SCREs were prepared using the same design as their corresponding indicator electrodes. LCREs were prepared by casting in glass rings while SCREs were prepared on platforms made using screen‐printing technology, with poly(3‐octylthiophene‐2,5 diyl) (POT) as the intermediate polymer. After potentiometric characterization of the response mechanism, the practical performance of the REs was studied using potentiometric titrations (Pb2+ and pH), and characterised using cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. All results were compared via parallel experiments in which the novel RE was substituted by a conventional double junction Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The mechanism of response is most likely based on a limited degree of partitioning of IL ions into the sample thereby defining aquo‐membrane interfacial potential. Despite their simple nature and construction, the REs showed excellent signal stability, and performed well in the analytical experiments. The identical mode of fabrication to that of the equivalent indicator (or Ion‐Selective Electrode, ISE) will facilitate mass‐production of both indicator and reference electrode using the same fabrication line, the only difference being the final capping membrane composition.
An Electrochemical Immunobiosensor for Direct Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues in Undiluted Complex Matrices
Authors: Khor Sook Mei , Liu Guozhen , Peterson Joshua R. , Iyengar Sridhar G. , Gooding J. Justin
Published: June 2011

An electrochemical immunobiosensor is developed that allows the detection of small molecules, such as drugs, in undiluted complex samples, with no washing or rinsing steps via a displacement assay. This is achieved using an interface comprised of a mixed layer of oligo(phenylethynylene) molecular wire (MW), to allow electrochemical communication, and oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) to control the interaction of proteins and electroactive interferences with the electrode surface. The mixed layer is formed from in situ‐generated aryl diazonium cations. To the distal end of the MW, a redox probe 1,1′‐di(aminomethyl)ferrocene (FDMA) is attached followed by an epitope (the structural feature the antibody selectively recognizes) to which an antibody would bind. Association or dissociation of the antibody with the sensing interface causes a modulation of the ferrocene electrochemistry. Antibody complexed electrodes are exposed to samples containing spiked enrofloxacin (unbound target analyte), in milk and environmental water and interrogated using square wave voltammetry (SWV). The lowest detected concentration of free enrofloxacin was 10 pg mL−1 in phosphate buffer, 50 mM, pH 7. For free enrofloxacin detection in undiluted complex matrices, by adding disodium EDTA (50 mM), the recovery obtained was 94.1 % in skim milk and 88.5 % in stream water, respectively as compared to clean phosphate buffer. The immunobiosensor response time was 10–15 minutes. The sensor performance in milk was shown to be superior to a standard method based on Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (LC‐MS/MS).
Evidence of a changing size–frequency distribution of landslides in the Kyrgyz Tien Shan, Central Asia
Authors: Schlögel Romy , Torgoev Isakbek , De Marneffe Cédric , Havenith Hans‐Balder
Published: June 2011

There is a strong possibility that environmental change (whether climate or land use) will be manifest as changes in the size–frequency distribution of landslides. Here, evidence is presented for this from western Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia. Remote sensing and spatial analysis have been applied to map mass movements in the central part of the Maily‐Say Valley and to detect recent landslide activations. The evolution of landslide activity over the past 50 years has been analysed on the basis of pre‐existing landslide maps and new analyses of aerial photographs as well as Quickbird images. Five inventories were produced for the years 1962 (based on the existing map of 1962 and aerial photographs of 1962), 1984 (based on the existing map of 1977 and aerial photographs of 1984), 1996 (based on aerial photographs of 1996), 2002 (based on the existing map of 2003 and Quickbird imagery of 2002) and 2007 (based on Quickbird imagery of 2007). The geomorphologic features contained in the catalogues represent the landslide bodies observed from remote imagery of the corresponding year. Mapped landslides are generally considered as the result of a series of slope failure events. Size–frequency analyses applied to the five landslide inventories show that both the number and size of unstable slopes increased from 1962 (162 objects) to 2007 (208 objects) and the power‐law exponent decreased over time. This changing power‐law exponent may indicate that landslide‐related hazards are increasing. This tendency is documented in more detail for two active landslide zones, one in the main valley and one located to the west of it. Landslide detection methods were used to assist the evolution of slope instabilities. Choosing appropriate thresholds, the image subtraction method based on normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) allowed accurate detection of new sliding activation in these two zones. This confirmed the results of the more extensive survey that there is a systematic shift in power law exponents and size–frequency distributions for Central Asian landslides. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.