bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Some Reactions of gem‐Dibromocyclopropanes and Metal Carbonyls
Authors: Lin Shaw‐Tao , Lee Chuan‐Chen , Ding Mei‐Fang , Liang David W. , Jeng An‐Ting
Published: April 2012

A series of gem‐dibromocyclopropanes were treated with various metal complexes. Among the metal complexes, Ru(CO)2(PPh3)3, Ru(CO)3(PPh3)2, and Mo(CO)6 were able to remove a bromine atom from 1,1‐dibromo‐2‐phenylcyclopropanes (1) to yield a series of corresponding of 1‐bromo‐2‐phenylcyclopropanes (2). Upon the treatment of 1 with Cr(CO)6 in DMSO, a series of allenes were obtained in good yields. The correlation between the rate of formation of allenes and the substituents on the benzene gives a negative coefficient which suggests the dibromocyclopropanes possesses as an electrophile toward to Cr(CO)6. In the presence of Cr(CO)6, gem‐dibromobicyclo[n,1,0]alkanes (4) in DMF or DMSO solution underwent the cleavage of carbon‐bromine bond followed by ring‐expansion and coupling reaction to form bicycloalkenes 7.
Catalyst Free Indirect Friedländer Synthesis of Substituted Quinolines from Alcohols in PEG‐400
Authors: Wu Fang‐Wen , Hou Rei‐Sheu , Wang Huey‐Min , Kang Iou‐Jiun , Chen Ling‐Ching
Published: April 2012

The synthesis of substituted quinolines can be easily and greenly accomplished by the direct reaction between the corresponding aminoalcohol and ketone using PEG‐400 as reaction medium in the presence of a base, without any transition‐metal catalyst.
Electrochemical Behaviors of Baicalin at an Electrochemically Activated Glassy Carbon Electrode and Its Determination in Human Blood Serum
Authors: Wang Fei , Lv Ming‐Xiu , Lu Kui , Gao Lin , Liu Jian
Published: April 2012

Electrochemical behavior of baicalin (BA) at an electrochemically activated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) had been investigated in Britton‐Robinson (B‐R) buffer solution (pH = 2.87) by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV). The experimental results suggested that the electrode exhibited an electrocatalytic activity toward the redox of BA. The electron transfer coefficient (α) and the standard rate constant (ks) of BA at the electrochemically activated glassy carbon electrode were calculated. The reaction mechanism was proposed and discussed in this work. Under the selected conditions, the reduction peak current was linearly dependent on the concentration of BA in the range of 5.0 × 10−8 to 3.0 × 10−6 mol L−1 (r = 0.9990), with a detection limit of 2.0 × 10−8 mol L−1. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) for five times successful determination of 1.0 × 10−6 mol L−1 baicalin were 2.9%. The proposed method was also successfully applied for the determination of BA in human blood serum.
Two New 4‐Hydroxyisoflavanes from the Root of Codonopsis cordifolioidea and Their Anti‐virus Activities
Authors: Gao Xuemei , Mu Huaixue , Li Xuesen , Yang Guangyu , Li Ganpeng , Hu Qiufen
Published: April 2012

Two new 4‐hydroxyisoflavanes, cordifoliflavanes A and B (1 and 2), were isolated from the roots of Codonopsis cordifolioidea. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques. Compounds 1 and 2 were tested for their anti‐HIV‐1 activities and anti‐tobacco mosaic virus activities. The results showed that compounds 1 and 2 have modest anti‐HIV‐1 activities and anti‐tobacco mosaic virus activities, respectively.
Evaluation of VOC emissions control and opacity removal using a biological sequential treatment system for forest products applications
Authors: Karre Anand , Jones Kim , Boswell Jim , Paca Jan
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND: The emissions at the Stimson Lumber Company plant, Gaston, Oregon, USA, were treated with a pilot scale biological system to remove low concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (principally pinene, formaldehyde and methanol) emitted from the wet process hard board manufacturing section of the plant. The objective was to demonstrate the effectiveness of the system for optimal removal of VOCs and reduction of opacity (blue haze) of emissions from the wet press.

RESULTS: Analysis of the air samples collected from the bio‐treatment system showed a removal efficiency of 90% for total VOCs. The optimization experiments demonstrated that the VOC removal rates improved as the gas flow rate and VOC loading rates increased, and at higher recycle water flow rates, which suggested additional treatment capacity for the biofiltration unit when operated at 40 s empty bed retention time. The opacity of emissions measured using both the US EPA Method‐9 and Wager 6500 opacity meter showed similar trends.

CONCLUSIONS: The biological system demonstrated efficient removal of mixtures of forest products VOC emissions with elimination capacities in the range 8–10 gVOC m−3 h−1. The opacity reduction and VOC removal data were correlated demonstrating that inline opacity measurements may be useful for biosystem performance monitoring and troubleshooting. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Application of the aquatic fungus Phoma sp. (DSM22425) in bioreactors for the treatment of textile dye model effluents
Authors: Junghanns Charles , Neumann Jan Felix , Schlosser Dietmar
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND: Textile dyes are hardly removed from effluents by conventional wastewater treatment but can be degraded by a number of physicochemical processes, which nevertheless have specific limitations. The development of bioremediation processes may provide a viable alternative.

RESULTS: Resting cells of three aquatic fungal strains, Alternaria sp. (Tt‐S1), Coniothyrium sp. (Kl‐S5) and Phoma sp. (DSM22425), were evaluated for their ability to decolorize model effluents of different dye application classes. Phoma sp., which decolorized all four applied model wastewaters (MWW), was immobilized on a polyester‐based fleece material originally designed for use as cooker‐hood filters, and applied in internal loop airlift and bubble column reactors in repeated batch mode under sterile and non‐sterile conditions. Depending on the applied MWW and bioreactor setup, a decolorization of more than 90% was achieved in three consecutive treatment cycles and total operating time of 16 days. In an upscaled reactor (10 L), Phoma sp. decolorized MWW containing acid dyes by 61%. Chemical oxygen demand of the MWW was reduced by 36%.

CONCLUSION: The results presented underline the potential of aquatic fungi for the development of textile dyeing effluent treatment processes. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Acyclic 4‐Choosability of Planar Graphs with No 4‐ and 5‐Cycles
Authors: Borodin Oleg V. , Ivanova Anna O.
Published: April 2012

Every planar graph is known to be acyclically 7‐choosable and is conjectured to be acyclically 5‐choosable (O. V. Borodin, D. G. Fon‐Der‐Flaass, A. V. Kostochka, E. Sopena, J Graph Theory 40 (2002), 83–90). This conjecture if proved would imply both Borodin's (Discrete Math 25 (1979), 211–236) acyclic 5‐color theorem and Thomassen's (J Combin Theory Ser B 62 (1994), 180–181) 5‐choosability theorem. However, as yet it has been verified only for several restricted classes of graphs. Some sufficient conditions are also obtained for a planar graph to be acyclically 4‐ and 3‐choosable. In particular, the acyclic 4‐choosability was proved for the following planar graphs: without 3‐, 4‐, and 5‐cycles (M. Montassier, P. Ochem, and A. Raspaud, J Graph Theory 51 (2006), 281–300), without 4‐, 5‐, and 6‐cycles, or without 4‐, 5‐, and 7‐cycles, or without 4‐, 5‐, and intersecting 3‐cycles (M. Montassier, A. Raspaud, W. Wang, Topics Discrete Math (2006), 473–491), and neither 4‐ and 5‐cycles nor 8‐cycles having a triangular chord (M. Chen and A. Raspaud, Discrete Math. 310(15–16) (2010), 2113–2118). The purpose of this paper is to strengthen these results by proving that each planar graph without 4‐ and 5‐cycles is acyclically 4‐choosable.
Impact of hyponatremia and the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis on mortality in elderly patients with aspiration pneumonia
Authors: Miyashita Jun , Shimada Toshihiko , Hunter Alan J. , Kamiya Toru
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND:

Hyponatremia is associated with pneumonia, and aspiration pneumonia is common in the elderly, however, there has been no study of hyponatremia in this population.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the impact of hyponatremia on mortality in elderly patients with aspiration pneumonia, while focusing on the comparison between those with and without the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD).

DESIGN:

Retrospective review of existing database and medical records.

SETTING:

A community teaching hospital in Japan.

PATIENTS:

Two hundred and twenty‐one elderly patients hospitalized with aspiration pneumonia.

MEASUREMENTS:

Multivariate logistical regression models were used to compare 30‐day and in‐hospital mortality, in patients with hyponatremia of various severities and etiologies, with that in patients with normal serum sodium concentrations.

RESULTS:

Sixty‐five (29%) of 221 patients had hyponatremia. Of these 62 (95%) had hypotonic hyponatremia, which were further assessed as having hypovolemic (39 [63%]), hypervolemic (3 [5%]), and euvolemic (20 [32%]) hyponatremia. Of the 20 euvolemic patients, 14 (70%) had SIAD. Both moderate and severe hypotonic hyponatremia were significantly associated with increased in‐hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] 6.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.46–25.0, and OR 5.65, 95% CI 1.14–28.1, respectively). Hyponatremia due to SIAD was significantly associated with both increased 30‐day mortality (OR 7.40, 95% CI 1.73–31.7) and increased in‐hospital mortality (OR 22.3, 95% CI 4.26–117). In contrast, hypovolemic hyponatremia was not significantly associated with increased mortality.

CONCLUSIONS:

Hyponatremia due to SIAD was strongly associated with increased mortality in elderly patients with aspiration pneumonia, whereas hypovolemic hyponatremia was not associated with increased mortality. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012;. © 2012 Society of Hospital Medicine
Predictors of medication adherence postdischarge: The impact of patient age, insurance status, and prior adherence
Authors: Cohen Marya J. , Shaykevich Shimon , Cawthon Courtney , Kripalani Sunil , Paasche‐Orlow Michael K. , Schnipper Jeffrey L.
Published: April 2012

BACKGROUND:

Optimizing postdischarge medication adherence is a target for avoiding adverse events. Nevertheless, few studies have focused on predictors of postdischarge medication adherence.

METHODS:

The Pharmacist Intervention for Low Literacy in Cardiovascular Disease (PILL‐CVD) study used counseling and follow‐up to improve postdischarge medication safety. In this secondary data analysis, we analyzed predictors of self‐reported medication adherence after discharge. Based on an interview at 30‐days postdischarge, an adherence score was calculated as the mean adherence in the previous week of all regularly scheduled medications. Multivariable linear regression was used to determine the independent predictors of postdischarge adherence.

RESULTS:

The mean age of the 646 included patients was 61.2 years, and they were prescribed an average of 8 daily medications. The mean postdischarge adherence score was 95% (standard deviation [SD] = 10.2%). For every 10‐year increase in age, there was a 1% absolute increase in postdischarge adherence (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.4% to 2.0%). Compared to patients with private insurance, patients with Medicaid were 4.5% less adherent (95% CI −7.6% to −1.4%). For every 1‐point increase in baseline medication adherence score, as measured by the 4‐item Morisky score, there was a 1.6% absolute increase in postdischarge medication adherence (95% CI 0.8% to 2.4%). Surprisingly, health literacy was not an independent predictor of postdischarge adherence.

CONCLUSIONS:

In patients hospitalized for cardiovascular disease, predictors of lower medication adherence postdischarge included younger age, Medicaid insurance, and baseline nonadherence. These factors can help predict patients who may benefit from further interventions. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012;. © 2012 Society of Hospital Medicine
Homogeneity of precipitation series in the Netherlands and their trends in the past century
Authors: Buishand T. A. , De Martino G. , Spreeuw J. N. , Brandsma T.
Published: April 2012

The historical daily precipitation observations for the Netherlands were fully digitized recently. The homogeneity of the precipitation series was tested by pairwise comparisons of the monthly totals using an algorithm of Menne and Williams. Forty percent of the precipitation series was indicated as inhomogeneous if the algorithm was applied to the untransformed monthly totals. The use of a square‐root transformation to reduce the skewness was only successful in an application to the data for the 1951–2009 period. Changes in the annual precipitation amounts, the precipitation amounts in the winter and summer halves of the year, the number of days per year with a precipitation amount greater than 20 or 30 mm, and the 5‐d annual maximum precipitation amount were determined both for the period 1951–2009 using the data from 240 stations and the period 1910–2009 with the data from 102 stations. Significant increases were found for all six indices. The centennial increases in mean annual, winter and summer precipitation are 25, 35, and 16%, respectively. The exceedance frequency of the 30 mm threshold almost doubled during the 1910–2009 period. Much attention is given to the field significance of trends, the statistical significance of regional differences in trends and nonlinearity of trends. In contrast to the increase in mean winter precipitation, which is statistically significant for the majority of the stations, the increase in mean summer precipitation is mainly restricted to coastal regions. The mean summer precipitation and the exceedance frequencies of the 20 and 30 mm thresholds show a relatively strong increase from the beginning of the 1980s. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
The chemokine receptor CXCR4 as a novel independent prognostic marker for node‐positive breast cancer patients
Authors: Parker Catherine C. , Kim Roger H. , Li Benjamin D.L. , Chu Quyen D.
Published: April 2012

Background

Node‐positive breast cancer patients are a high‐risk group. However, not all such patients will succumb to the disease. The molecular basis for this biologic heterogeneity is poorly understood. The chemokine receptor CXCR4 is a marker of metastatic disease. Its prognostic role in node‐positive patients is unknown. We postulate that high CXCR4 overexpression in node‐positive breast cancer specimens predicts a poor outcome.

Methods

185 node‐positive breast cancer patients were evaluated. All had standardized treatment and surveillance protocols. CXCR4 levels were detected with Western blots. Results were quantified against 1 µg of HeLa cells. CXCR4 expression was defined as high (≥7.5‐fold) or low (<7.5‐fold). Primary endpoints were cancer recurrence and death. Statistical analyses were Kaplan–Meier curves, log‐rank test, and Cox proportional hazard model, with a P‐value of ≤0.05 as significant.

Results

The mean follow‐up time was 54 months; 148 patients (80%) had low CXCR4 and 37 patients (20%) had high CXCR4 level. The 5‐year overall survival (OS) for the low and high CXCR4 group was 69% and 57%, respectively (P = 0.02). The 5‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) for the low and high CXCR4 group was 62% and 53%, respectively (P = 0.08). On multivariate analysis, T stage (P = 0.001) and grade (P = 0.04) were independent predictors of DFS, while T stage (P = 0.005), grade (P = 0.024), and CXCR4 level (P = 0.01) were independent predictors of OS.

Conclusion

High CXCR4 level in cancer specimens independently predicts a poor outcome for patients with node‐positive breast cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:393–398. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Investigation and prediction of helicopter‐triggered lightning over the North Sea
Authors: Wilkinson Jonathan M. , Wells Helen , Field Paul R. , Agnew Paul
Published: April 2012

Helicopter‐triggered lightning is a phenomenon which affects operations over the North Sea during the winter. It is thought that the presence of the helicopter triggers the majority of lightning strikes, since there is generally little or no natural lightning activity in the area in question prior to or following the strike, and strike rates are much higher than would be expected if due purely to chance. However, there has been little progress to date in the ability to predict triggered lightning strike occurrence with NWP data. Previous attempts have resulted in forecasts which are insufficiently discriminating (i.e. high false alarm rate) to be of practical use.

In this study, previous work on triggered lightning is reviewed and case studies are examined in order to identify common meteorological conditions for helicopter‐triggered lightning strikes. Using forecast data from the Met Office Unified Model, an algorithm for triggered lightning risk was produced based on outside air temperature and precipitation rate. Evaluation against past helicopter strike cases has demonstrated that the new algorithm successfully forecasts lightning risk on 80% of occasions when triggered lightning occurred. In addition, the algorithm correctly forecast 8/9 natural lightning strikes which were observed in the operating area during winter 2010–2011. The areas of risk highlighted are usually small, which should allow helicopter operators to plan flights around high risk regions. The information in this study can also be used to inform helicopter operators of the likely conditions in which triggered lightning strikes occur. Copyright © 2012 British Crown Copyright, the Met Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Outcomes of flap salvage with medicinal leech therapy
Authors: Nguyen Marilyn Q. , Crosby Melissa A. , Skoracki Roman J. , Hanasono Matthew M.
Published: April 2012

Medicinal leech therapy (MLT) to salvage venous congestion in native skin and local flaps is commonly practiced. However, the role of MLT in compromised regional and free flaps remains unclear. Leeches were used in 39 patients to treat venous congestion in native skin (n = 5), local flaps (n = 6), regional flaps (n = 14), and free flaps (n = 14). There were no total losses in patients with compromised native skin or local flaps. One patient who had received a radial forearm free flap expired before flap outcome could be assessed, and was excluded from analysis. Of the remaining 27 regional and free flaps, 33.3% were salvaged, 33.3% were partially salvaged, and 33.3% were lost. Means of 38.3 ± 34.0, 101.0 ± 11.2, and 157.9 ± 224.4 leeches and 1.7 ± 3.6, 3.2 ± 4.4, and 5.6 ± 5.2 units of blood were required for the salvaged, partially salvaged, and lost groups, respectively. Twenty‐two patients required blood transfusion (57.9%). No patients developed wound infection with Aeromonas hydrophilia. Two patients developed donor site hematomas, and four patients developed recipient site hematomas. MLT is efficacious in congested native skin and local flaps. Some regional and free flaps can be totally orpartially salvaged. However, the morbidity of MLT must be weighed against the risks of flap loss. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.
Reconstruction of hand injuries with multiple metacarpal defects using free fibular osteoseptocutaneous flap
Authors: Simsek Tekin , Engin M. Sinan , Demir Ahmet , Tayfur Volkan , Eroglu Lutfi
Published: April 2012

Hand injuries with multiple metacarpal involvements often include midpalmar muscle, extensor tendon, and skin defects. Reconstruction method is decided according to the type and amount of structures to be restored. Bone reconstruction and resurfacing of the skin is regarded as priority, and restoration of tendon function and joint mobility can be left for further procedures. An ideal flap for such defects should provide bone for multiple metacarpal defects and a large enough skin paddle. Such flaps are few, and one of the most suitable of them all is the free fibular osteoseptocutaneous flap (free FOSCF). In this report, our experience with the use of free FOSCF for reconstruction of the mutilating hand injury in five patients with extensive skin integument and metacarpal involvement has been presented. Total lengths of fibular flaps were averagely 11 cm in length and were divided into averagely 2.4 segments. Average dimensions of the skin paddles were 7.75 × 8.75 cm. Although the nature of the devastating traumas limited the ultimate functional recovery; wound closure, stability, and various degrees of mobility were restored in all patients. In our experience, reconstruction with free FOSCF proved to be an effective tool in mutilating hand injuries with metacarpal involvement. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.
Tibial nerve decompression: Reliable exposure using shorter incisions
Authors: Ducic Ivica , Felder John M.
Published: April 2012

Background: Patients and surgeons recognize the value of procedures that minimize scarring and tissue dissection, but technical standards do not exist with regards to incision lengths needed for tibial nerve decompression. This article introduces reproducible techniques that reliably provide exposure for release of known anatomical compression points of the tibial nerve, while minimizing the length of required skin incisions. Methods: The senior author's approach to decompression of the tibial nerve at the soleus arch and the tarsal tunnel is presented. Typical incision lengths and surgical exposure are demonstrated photographically. The safety of using this technique is examined by review of the medical records of all patients undergoing this procedure from 2003 to 2011, looking for technical complications such as unintentional damage to nerves or adjacent structures. Results: 224 consecutive patients undergoing 252 total procedures underwent release of known anatomical compression points of the tibial nerve at either the tarsal tunnel, inner ankle, or the soleus arch. Typical incision lengths used for these procedures were 5 cm for the proximal calf and 4.5 cm for the tarsal tunnel. Review of medical records revealed no incidences of unintentional injury to nerves or adjacent important structures. Functional and neurological outcomes were not assessed. Conclusions: Tibial nerve decompression by release of known anatomical compression points can be accomplished safely and effectively via minimized skin incisions using the presented techniques. With appropriate knowledge of anatomy, this can be performed without additional risk of injury to the patient, making classically‐described longer incisions unnecessarily morbid. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.
The Gelfand–Tsetlin bases for Hodge–de Rham systems in Euclidean spaces
Authors: Delanghe Richard , Lávička Roman , Souček Vladimír
Published: April 2012

The main aim of this paper is to construct explicitly orthogonal bases for the spaces of k‐homogeneous polynomial solutions of the Hodge–de Rham system in the Euclidean space , which take values in the space of s‐vectors. Actually, we describe even the so‐called Gelfand–Tsetlin bases for such spaces in terms of Gegenbauer polynomials. As an application, we obtain an algorithm on how to compute an orthogonal basis of the space of homogeneous solutions for an arbitrary generalized Moisil–Théodoresco system in . Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Disentangling diffusion information of individual components in a mixture with a 3D COMPACT‐IDOSY NMR experiment
Authors: Shukla Matsyendranath , Dorai Kavita
Published: April 2012

A new 3D diffusion‐ordered heteronuclear NMR experiment COMPACT‐IDOSY (cross‐polarization optimized multisite polarized accelerated time internally encoded diffusion ordered spectroscopy) has been designed and experimentally implemented on a mixture of flavonoids rutin and quercetin. The pulse sequence uses a cross‐polarization mixing period and diffusion encoding gradients internally incorporated into the coherence transfer interval of a long‐range heteronuclear correlation experiment. Substantial reduction in experimental time, good sensitivity and excellent resolution of signal overlap lead to the accurate determination of translational diffusion coefficients of individual components in the mixture. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance of sampling density‐weighted and postfiltered density‐adapted projection reconstruction in sodium magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Konstandin Simon , Nagel Armin M.
Published: April 2012

Sampling density‐weighted apodization projection reconstruction sequences are evaluated for three‐dimensional radial imaging. The readout gradients of the sampling density‐weighted apodization sequence are designed such that the locally averaged sampling density matches a Hamming filter function. This technique is compared with density‐adapted projection reconstruction with nonfiltered and postfiltered image reconstruction. Sampling density‐weighted apodization theoretically allows for a 1.28‐fold higher signal‐to‐noise ratio compared with postfiltered density‐adapted projection reconstruction sequences, if T decay is negligible compared with the readout duration TRO. Simulations of the point‐spread functions are performed for monoexponential and biexponential decay to investigate the effects of T decay on the performance of the different sequences. Postfiltered density‐adapted projection reconstruction performs superior to sampling density‐weighted apodization for large TRO/T ratios [>1.36 (monoexponential decay); >0.35 (biexponential decay with T/T = 10)], if signal‐to‐noise ratio of point‐like objects is considered. In conclusion, it depends on the readout parameters, the T relaxation times, and the dimensions of the subject which of both sequences is most suitable. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rapid time‐resolved magnetic resonance angiography via a multiecho radial trajectory and GraDeS reconstruction
Authors: Lee Gregory R. , Seiberlich Nicole , Sunshine Jeffrey L. , Carroll Timothy J. , Griswold Mark A.
Published: April 2012

Contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance angiography is challenging due to the need for both high spatial and temporal resolution. A multishot trajectory composed of pseudo‐random rotations of a single multiecho radial readout was developed. The trajectory is designed to give incoherent aliasing artifacts and a relatively uniform distribution of projections over all time scales. A field map (computed from the same data set) is used to avoid signal dropout in regions of substantial field inhomogeneity. A compressed sensing reconstruction using the GraDeS algorithm was used. Whole brain angiograms were reconstructed at 1‐mm isotropic resolution and a 1.1‐s frame rate (corresponding to an acceleration factor > 100). The only parameter which must be chosen is the number of iterations of the GraDeS algorithm. A larger number of iterations improves the temporal behavior at cost of decreased image signal‐to‐noise ratio. The resulting images provide a good depiction of the cerebral vasculature and have excellent arterial/venous separation. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of the anticonvulsant medications Pregabalin and Lamotrigine on urodynamic parameters in an animal model of neurogenic detrusor overactivity
Authors: Loutochin Oleg , Afraa Tala Al , Campeau Lysanne , Mahfouz Wally , Elzayat Ehab , Corcos Jacques
Published: April 2012

Aims

To assess the effects of different doses and treatment durations of Pregabalin and Lamotrigine on the urodynamic parameters of an animal model of neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO).

Materials and Methods

Ninety rats were used; six as normal controls and the remaining 84 were divided as follows: Six “paraplegic controls,” 6 “paraplegic‐vehicle controls,” and the remaining 72 divided into two equal groups. Group 1 was divided into six subgroups; Pregabalin was given in doses of 10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, or 30 mg/kg for 1 or 2 weeks. Group 2 was similarly subdivided; Lamotrigine was given in doses of 1.5 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, or 6 mg/kg for 1 or 2 weeks.

Results

All paraplegic controls developed NDO within 3 weeks from spinalization. Their baseline bladder pressure (BBP) 19 ± 4.4 cmH2O, detrusor pressure at maximum capacity (DPMaxC) 47.6 ± 4.3 cmH2O, bladder capacity (BC) 0.45 ± 0.1 ml, and frequency of detrusor overactivity (FDO) 3.7 ± 0.9/min. Both Pregabalin and Lamotrigine produced significant improvement. Urodynamic values in those treated with 20 mg Pregabalin for 1 or 2 weeks were: BBP 11.7 ± 1.3 and 9 ± 0.2 cmH2O, BC 0.6 ± 0.1 and 0.7 ± 0.01 ml, DPMaxC 17.3 ± 4.0 and 23 ± 2.6 cmH2O, FDO 2.1 ± 0.2/min and 1.7 ± 0.1/min. Urodynamic values in those treated with 3 mg/kg Lamotrigine for 1 or 2 weeks were: BBP 9.7 ± 2.2 and 8.6 ± 1.9 cmH2O, DPMaxC 17.2 ± 1.8 and 29 ± 1.2 cmH2O, BC 0.7 ± 0.1 and 0.8 ± 0.1 ml, FDO 1.9 ± 0.2/min and 1.9 ± 0.2/min (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Pregabalin and Lamotrigine may represent novel alternative treatments of NDO. Clinical trials remain to be performed. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:1197–1202, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Water avoidance stress results in an altered voiding phenotype in male mice
Authors: McGonagle Erin , Smith Ariana , Butler Stephan , Sliwoski Joanna , Valentino Rita , Canning Douglas , Zderic Stephen A.
Published: April 2012

Aims

We set out to characterize the voiding phenotypes of male mice to a water avoidance stress (WAS) protocol and compare the molecular changes with those induced by surgically induced partial bladder outlet obstruction (pBOO).

Methods

Six‐week‐old male Swiss Webster mice housed with sibling littermates were individually placed on a platform centered in the middle of a water filled basin for 1 hr daily for 4 weeks. A non stressed cohort of sibling littermates served as controls. Measured end points included voiding frequency, voided volume, bladder mass, and in vivo cystometry. Molecular end points included myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform distribution by PCR, and nuclear translocation of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF1α) and the nuclear factor of activated T‐cells (NFAT) by gel shift assay. These molecular endpoints were compared with samples from male mice undergoing anatomic pBOO.

Results

WAS resulted in increased average voided volumes and bladder mass, and a decrease in voiding frequency (P < 0.05). The slower MHC A isoform was only expressed in the pBOO group that developed severe hypertrophy. Gel shift assays revealed substantial increases in HIF1‐α nuclear translocation in the group subjected to pBOO that developed severe hypertrophy but minimal changes in the pBOO group that developed minimal hypertrophy and the swim stress groups.

Conclusions

The WAS model induces moderate bladder wall hypertrophy in the absence of any surgical manipulation. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:1185–1189, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Network reachability‐based IP prefix hijacking detection
Authors: Hong Seong‐Cheol , Ju Hongtaek , Hong James Won‐Ki
Published: April 2012

IP prefix hijacking is a major threat to the security of the Internet routing system owing to the lack of authoritative prefix ownership information. Despite many efforts to design IP prefix hijack detection schemes, no existing design satisfies all the critical requirements of a truly effective system, i.e. to be real‐time, deployable, and robust. In this paper, we present a novel approach that detects IP prefix hijacking in the current Internet environment. The focus of this work is on maintaining the Border Gateway Protocol routing infrastructure and not relying on mutual cooperation to ensure ease of deployment. In addition, we look at fingerprinting two autonomous systems that have the same IP prefix to distinguish hijacking events from legitimate routing updates. This paper proposes a practical and deployable IP prefix hijacking detection algorithm with live hosts on the Internet. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Finite volume approximation of degenerate two‐phase flow model with unlimited air mobility
Authors: Andreianov Boris , Eymard Robert , Ghilani Mustapha , Marhraoui Nouzha
Published: April 2012

Models of two‐phase flows in porous media, used in petroleum engineering, lead to a coupled system of two equations, one elliptic and the other degenerate parabolic, with two unknowns: the saturation and the pressure. In view of applications in hydrogeology, we construct a robust finite volume scheme allowing for convergent simulations, as the ratio μ of air/liquid mobility goes to infinity. This scheme is shown to satisfy a priori estimates (the saturation is shown to remain in a fixed interval, and a discrete L2(0,T;H1(Ω)) estimate is proved for both the pressure and a function of the saturation), which are sufficient to derive the convergence of a subsequence to a weak solution of the continuous equations, as the size of the discretization tends to zero. We then show that the scheme converges to a two‐phase flow model whose limit, as the mobility of the air phase tends to infinity, is the “quasi‐Richards equation” (Eymard et al., Convergence of two phase flow to Richards model, F. Benkhaldoun, editor, Finite Volumes for Complex Applications IV, ISTE, London, 2005; Eymard et al., Discrete Cont Dynam Syst, 5 (2012) 93–113), which remains available even if the gas phase is not connected with the atmospheric pressure. Numerical examples, which show that the scheme remains robust for high values of μ, are finally given. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2013
A nonconforming rectangular finite element pair for the Darcy–Stokes–Brinkman model
Authors: Qi Ruisheng , Yang Xiaoyuan
Published: April 2012

In this article, we consider the Darcy–Stokes–Brinkman model that can be sorted into three problems: the Darcy problems, the Stokes–Brinkman interface problems and the coupled Darcy–Stokes problems. We study finite element approximation of the model with Dirichlet boundary conditions and make a unified analysis of the three problems based on nonconforming element. Optimal error estimates for the fluid velocity and pressure are derived. Finally, we present some numerical examples verifying the theoretical predictions. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2013
The Prevalence and Health Implications of Concha Bullosa in a Population from Mediaeval England
Authors: Mays S. , Mavrogordato M. , Lambert J. , Sofaer J.
Published: April 2012

Concha bullosa is hypertrophy of the middle nasal concha attributable to its pneumatisation. It is considered to be the most common anatomical variant of the ostiomeatal complex, but it has been little studied in skeletal populations. It is uncertain whether the prevalence of concha bullosa varies in different world populations. Some have suggested that it predisposes to sinusitis, but this is controversial. The aim of the current work is to assess the prevalence of concha bullosa in a pre‐modern population and to investigate whether it is associated with maxillary sinusitis. Results showed that concha bullosa was present in 17 out of 45 individuals, a prevalence of 38%. There was no evidence of an association with sinusitis. This adds to a growing body of evidence that calls into question concha bullosa as a significant risk factor for sinus disease. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcome of newly diagnosed children and adolescents with localized lymphoblastic lymphoma treated on Children's Oncology Group trial A5971: A report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Termuhlen Amanda M. , Smith Lynette M. , Perkins Sherrie L. , Lones Mark , Finlay Jonathan L. , Weinstein Howard , Gross Thomas G. , Abromowitch Minnie
Published: April 2012

Background

Localized lymphoblastic lymphoma (LL) is rare in pediatric patients. We report the 5‐year event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) for children and adolescents with localized LL treated on a uniform regimen based on Children's Cancer Group (CCG) leukemia therapy (COG A5971).

Procedure

From June 2000 to October 2005, the study enrolled 60 patients >12 months old with Murphy stages I or II LL. Central review confirmed 56 eligible patients. Treatment consisted of 24 months of CCG BFM without day 28 intrathecal methotrexate in maintenance therapy or prophylactic cranial radiation.

Results

Most patients had pre‐B immunophenotype (75%). At a median follow‐up of 5.9 years (range 1.4–9.3 years), the 5‐year EFS was 90% [95% confidence interval (CI), 78–96%] and the 5‐year OS was 96% (95% CI, 84–99%). Stage (I vs. II), immunophenotype, elevated LDH > institutional normal, or primary site did not impact outcome. Five relapses occurred—none in the CNS and none in patients with pre‐T lymphoblastic disease. Patients tolerated treatment well with no toxic deaths.

Conclusion

Outcomes of pediatric patients with localized LL treated with 2 years of intensive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)‐type therapy was excellent and is similar to the outcome for standard risk ALL treated less intensively. CNS prophylaxis was adequate with limited intrathecal methotrexate and no radiation. Future studies should identify biologic prognostic factors or biomarkers for pediatric patients with LL, explore less intensive treatment for patients with localized disease, and explore novel immunophenotype directed therapies. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 59: 1229–1233. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (cTTP) with two novel mutations
Authors: Prestidge Timothy D. , Rurali Erica , Wadsworth Louis , Wu John K. , Moore Jane C. , Bresin Elena
Published: April 2012

Congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (cTTP) is a rare disorder of childhood that has clinical and laboratory similarities to other, more common conditions. Prompt recognition is required as delays in therapy are associated with significant morbidity and failure to treat may lead to death. While the principles of treatment have not changed, enormous progress in the genetic and molecular understanding has taken place. Emerging treatment options may offer some hope of improved quality of life in future. We describe a Chinese patient with cTTP which resulted from two previously undescribed mutations in the ADAMTS13 gene. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 59: 1296–1298. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Silver/polystyrene nanocomposites: Optical and thermal properties
Authors: Vodnik Vesna , Božanić Dušan K. , Džunuzović Jasna V. , Vukoje Ivana , Nedeljković Jovan
Published: April 2012

Nanocomposites consisted of different quantities of silver (Ag) nanoparticles incorporated in a polystyrene (PS) matrix have been prepared by solution mixing method. Transmission electron microscopy was applied to determine the size distribution of the Ag nanoparticles, while the morphology of fractured surfaces of pure PS and Ag/PS nanocomposites was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Absorption spectra of nanocomposites were compared with theoretically calculated spectra based on the Maxwell‐Garnett effective medium theory. The influence of Ag content on thermal properties of Ag/PS nanocomposites was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Thermal and thermo‐oxidative stability of the host polymer were improved by introduction of silver nanoparticles. The glass transition temperature of the prepared Ag/PS nanocomposites was lower in comparison with the neat PS and decreased with the increase of the Ag content due to the very weak interfacial interaction between Ag nanoparticles and polymer matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of organoclays on the thermal, mechanical, and oxygen barrier properties of poly(methylmethacrylate‐co‐acrylonitrile)/clay nanocomposites
Authors: Patra Subrata K. , Swain Sarat K.
Published: April 2012

The nanostructured hybrid materials of poly(methylmethacrylate‐co‐acrylonitrile) copolymer were synthesized with incorporation of two organically modified clays, Cloisite® 30B and 93A by in situ intercalative emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization method. The synthesized products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to get evidence of copolymerization and formation of copolymer‐clay nanocomposite. X‐ray diffraction study and transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that the clays were successfully intercalated and exfoliated into the copolymer matrix. Thermal properties of the nanocomposites were studied as a function of clay content of different clay types by thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed significant effect of both the clays in enhancing thermal resistance of the materials. Mechanical properties of the composites were also found to be improved at optimum clay loading. Oxygen barrier property of these materials was measured and it was found that the oxygen permeability was reduced almost by half due to incorporation of clays at 3% loading. Further, it was observed that Cloisite® 93A was more effective for improvement in properties when compared with Cloisite® 30B in the hybrid materials. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Aroma Evaluation of Gamazumi (Viburnum dilatatum) by Aroma Extract Dilution Analysis and Odour Activity Value
Authors: Miyazawa Mitsuo , Hashidume Shunsuke , Takahashi Toshiyuki , Kikuchi Tohru
Published: April 2012

Introduction

Viburnum dilatatum (gamazumi) is widely distributed in Japan and China. Recently, juice from V. dilatatum fruits has been manufactured in Japan. Concerning the aroma of V. dilatatum, phenethyl alcohol, 3Z‐hexenol and l‐linalool have been identified in the essential oil from the flowers of V. dilatatum, however, there are no detailed reports on the aroma of V. dilatatum elucidated using sensory evaluation.

Objective

To clarify odourants contributing to the characteristic aroma, the aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA) method was performed through gas chromatography olfactometry (GC‐O) analysis.

Methodology

The aroma‐active compounds were identified by GC‐O and AEDA, and in order to determine the relative contribution of each compound to the aroma of V. dilatatum, odour activity value (OAV) has been used.

Results

The hydrodistillation of the leaf and branch of V. dilatatum afforded pale yellowish oils, with yields of 0.008 and 0.015% (w/w). The main components of the leaf oil were 3Z‐hexenal (12.7%) and linalool (10.8%). In branch oil, palmitic acid (18.3%) and linoleic acid (8.2%) were identified. With regard to aroma components, 24 and 14 compounds were identified in the leaf and branch oils respectively, by GC‐O analysis.

Conclusion

On the basis of AEDA, OAVs and sensory evaluations, nonanal is estimated as the main aroma compound of leaf and branch oil, as the other aroma compounds, C6 compounds and 2‐pentyl furan make green odour; linalool, eugenol and β‐ionone play important role in the sweet odour of leaf oil. In branch oil, cis‐furanlinalool oxide and eugenol make sweet odour, and β‐eudesmol contributes to woody odour. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitation of α‐Galactosides in Rehmannia glutinosa by Hydrophilic Interaction Chromatography–Evaporative Light Scattering Detector
Authors: Kim Tae Bum , Kim Seung Hyun , Sung Sang Hyun
Published: April 2012

Introduction

The use of raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) to control several diseases and stimulate immune systems has been studied. Rehmannia glutinosa is reported to contain RFOs; however, there are no reports on their content level in R. glutinosa. Furthermore, it is difficult to analyse RFOs using common reverse‐phase chromatographic techniques due to their high polarity.

Objective

To develop a rapid and reliable chromatographic method for the simultaneous quantitation of multiple RFOs in R. glutinosa.

Methodology

Chromatographic separation was performed by using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with an evaporative light scattering detector. For efficient ultrasound‐assisted extraction of oligosaccharides, a central composite design was used.

Results

Response surface analysis estimated the highest‐obtained yields of raffinose, stachyose and verbascose to be 58.31, 408.75 and 26.59 mg, respectively, from 1 g of R. glutinosa, while under optimal conditions, experimental yields per gram were 56.79, 391.42 and 27.69 mg, respectively.

Conclusion

A rapid and reliable chromatographic method to simultaneously quantitate multiple RFOs in R. glutinosa was developed. Three RFOs in R. glutinosa were separated within 10 min using isocratic conditions. Quantitative analysis of RFOs showed that R. glutinosa may be a rich source of α‐galacto‐oligosaccharides, especially stachyose. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interdiffusion of thermoplastics and epoxy resin precursors: investigations using experimental and molecular dynamics methods
Authors: Dumont David , Seveno David , De Coninck Joël , Bailly Christian , Devaux Jacques , Daoust Daniel
Published: April 2012

Toughening of epoxy thermosets with thermoplastics is an important avenue towards improved properties of high‐performance systems. The main focus of the work reported was to study the complex issue of interdiffusion between thermoplastics and epoxy resin precursors, using a combination of experimental and numerical simulation methods, in order to understand the key parameters driving the process. Diameter changes of thermoplastic filaments in contact with epoxide and diamine precursors have been followed and an original approach using carbon nanotubes as tracers of the filament swelling front has been developed. This method shows that the improved mobility of low‐molecular‐weight resin monomers as well as the greater mobility of phenoxy of lower glass transition temperature as compared to poly(ether sulfone) control dissolution by favouring the penetration of precursors into the thermoplastic and lead to both swelling of the outer part of the filaments and reduction of the inner unaffected core. Simulation by molecular dynamics supports the idea that diffusion of polymer macromolecules remains limited compared to the dominant effect of precursor diffusion. Indeed, low diffusion coefficients have been predicted for thermoplastic oligomers compared to resin monomers. For the latter, the calculated values correlate well with the experimental data measured during interdiffusion. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Microwave‐assisted synthesis and bulk polymerization of 3‐aminophthalic anhydride as an AB‐type monomer for the formation of linear and cyclic polyimides
Authors: Theis Julia , Ritter Helmut
Published: April 2012

3‐Aminophthalic anhydride was synthesized in high purity by heterogeneous catalytic transfer hydrogenation of 3‐nitrophthalic acid. The reduction was carried out in a one‐pot reaction under microwave conditions, using 4‐methyl‐1‐cyclohexene as a source of hydrogen, in short reaction times. By microwave‐assisted polymerization of the resulting AB‐type amino anhydride monomer in bulk, linear and cyclic polymers consisting of amic acid and imide units were formed. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry