bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IL-7 Licenses Activation of Human Liver Intrasinusoidal Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells
Authors: Tang Xin-Zi , Jo Juandy , Tan Anthony T. , Sandalova Elena , Chia Adeline , Tan Kai Chah , Lee Kang Hoe , Gehring Adam J. , De Libero Gennaro , Bertoletti Antonio
Published: February 2013

Human mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are a T cell population characterized by the expression of a semi-invariant TCR capable of recognizing bacterial products in the context of MR1. MAIT cells are enriched in the human liver, which is constantly exposed to bacterial products from the intestine. Whether this specific parenchymal localization influences their function remains unknown. We analyzed MAIT cells resident in the vascular bed of livers and showed that they represented the majority of T cells expressing NK markers and the dominant IL-17A+ T cell subset in the human liver sinusoids. In comparison with MAIT cells purified from peripheral blood, intrasinusoidal MAIT cells expressed markers of T cell activation; however, TCR-mediated cytokine production was equally suppressed in both circulating and intrasinusoidal MAIT cells. MAIT cells also expressed high levels of IL-7R, and we showed that IL-7, a cytokine produced by hepatocytes during inflammation, regulated TCR-mediated activation of MAIT cells, licensing them to dramatically increase Th1 cytokines and IL-17A production. Our quantitative and functional data indicate that MAIT cells are a specialized cell population highly adapted to exert their immune functions in the vascular network of the liver.
A Priori and a Posteriori Error Estimates for H(div)-Elliptic Problem with Interior Penalty Method
Authors: Zeng Yuping , Chen Jinru
Published: February 2013

In this paper, we propose and analyze the interior penalty discontinuous Galerkin method for H(div)-elliptic problem. An optimal a priori error estimate in the energy norm is proved. In addition, a residual-based a posteriori error estimator is obtained. The estimator is proved to be both reliable and efficient in the energy norm. Some numerical testes are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of our method.
Stand Up!
Authors: Double Oliver
Published: February 2013

Stand-Up! is the first book to both analyse the background of stand-up comedy and take us inside the world of being a solo comedian

Oliver Double writes a lively history of the traditions of British stand-up comedy – from its roots in music hall and variety to today’s club and alternative comedy scene – and also engages in a serious exploration of what it is like to be a comedian onstage in front of a sometimes adoring and sometimes hostile audience. He looks critically at the work of such stand-up stars as Frankie Howerd, Les Dawson, Billy Connolly, Victoria Wood, Ben Elton and Eddie Izzard. And he looks at himself as a performer.
A New Gyro-Based Method for Quantifying Eyelid Motion
Authors: Marcelli Emanuela , Cavallari Paolo , Frigerio Alice , Colletti Giacomo , Biglioli Federico , Fanti Roberta , Plicchi Gianni , Cercenelli Laura
Published: February 2013

Purpose

We present an innovative method to quantify the eyeblink by using a miniature gyroscopic sensor (gyro), which is applied on the upper eyelid. Electrical Stimulation (ES) of the facial nerve is a promising technology to treat dysfunctional eyelid closure following facial paralysis. We used the new gyro-based method to evaluate the biomechanics of both the spontaneous and the ES-induced eyeblink, and to identify the best ES protocol.

Methods

During blinking, eyelids rotate about the axis passing through the eye canthi, thus we propose to use a gyro for measuring the angular velocity of the upper eyelid (ωe). The angular displacement of the eyelid (θe) was calculated by integrating the ωe signal. Two indices were derived from θe: 1) the eyelid angular displacement during eye closure (C), calculated as the peak value of θe; 2) the eyelid closure duration (D), calculated as the time interval between zero signal and the peak value of θe. In a healthy volunteer we used this method to quantify both the spontaneous eyeblink and the blinks elicited by different ES patterns.

Results

For the spontaneous eyeblink, indices C = 14.0 ± 1.8° and D = 94.0 ± 10.8 ms were computed. By comparing C and D indices for spontaneous and ES cases, trains of 10 pulses with a frequency ranging from 200 Hz to 400 Hz proved to induce the most effective and natural-like eyeblinks.

Conclusions

The new gyro-based method proved to be a valuable tool to provide dynamic and realtime quantification of eyelid motions. It could be particularly useful for evaluating the effective and natural-like eyeblink restoration provided by ES.
Alternative n-3 PUFAs Sources in Central European Diet before Westernization – Case Report from Poland
Authors: Hozyasz Kamil K.
Published: February 2013

Knowledge of the former food system of a population provides essential information for a better understanding of the nature of nutritional problems. This paper reports on efforts to determine possible n-3 PUFAs sources in the non-westernized diet of a peasant family who lived in an economically underdeveloped region of Poland (the White Forest) in the early 1970s. The observations presented herein led to the recognition of the potential use of wild green plants, animal-based products from extensive agriculture (eggs, diary, rabbit meat) and aquatic food (in a direct way e.g. from the anadromous fish Vimba vimba and indirectly via poultry and pig feed e.g. freshwater mussels) for inland populations with a lack of oily marine fish intake. Directions for future research on foodways as well as applications in fields concerning dietary change and nutritional education have also been suggested.
Image Texture Analysis and Gas Sensor Array Studies Applied to Vanilla Encapsulation by Octenyl Succinic Anhydride Starches
Authors: Rodríguez Silvio D. , Wilderjans Tom F. , Sosa Natalia , Bernik Delia L.
Published: February 2013

Native starch derivatization with octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) is a chemical modification designed to enhance flavor microencapsulation performance. Hi Cap 100 and Capsul are two OSA starches derived from waxy maize base, which are especially suited for encapsulation processes. This work performs for the first time the encapsulation of vanilla extract with Capsul and Hi Cap 100 using both spray and freeze drying procedures. The encapsulation efficiency was studied correlating the starch texture with the aroma retention. Texture analysis was accomplished by means of grey level co-occurrence matrix feature extraction (GLCM), yielding image parameters that clearly differ in function of the type of starch and the drying method used for the encapsulation of the flavor. In parallel, the data recorded with a gas sensor array (e-nose) and analyzed by unsupervised multivariate methods allowed to follow up the evolution of the aroma through the whole process. The joint analysis of the GLCM and sensor array recorded data indicates that Capsul shows a higher capacity for vanilla encapsulation than Hi Cap 100. In addition, the obtained converging information from GLCM and e-nose data clearly indicates that particle texture and aroma encapsulation are connected.
Almorexant Promotes Sleep and Exacerbates Cataplexy in a Murine Model of Narcolepsy
Authors: Black Sarah Wurts , Morairty Stephen R. , Fisher Simon P. , Chen Tsui-Ming , Warrier Deepti R. , Kilduff Thomas S.
Published: February 2013

Study Objectives:

Humans with narcolepsy and orexin/ataxin-3 transgenic (TG) mice exhibit extensive, but incomplete, degeneration of hypo-cretin (Hcrt) neurons. Partial Hcrt cell loss also occurs in Parkinson disease and other neurologic conditions. Whether Hcrt antagonists such as almorexant (ALM) can exert an effect on the Hcrt that remains after Hcrt neurodegeneration has not yet been determined. The current study was designed to evaluate the hypnotic and cataplexy-inducing efficacy of a Hcrt antagonist in an animal model with low Hcrt tone and compare the ALM efficacy profile in the disease model to that produced in wild-type (WT) control animals.

Design:

Counterbalanced crossover study.

Setting:

Home cage.

Patients or Participants:

Nine TG mice and 10 WT mice.

Interventions:

ALM (30, 100, 300 mg/kg), vehicle and positive control injections, dark/active phase onset.

Measurements and Results:

During the 12-h dark period after dosing, ALM exacerbated cataplexy in TG mice and increased nonrapid eye movement sleep with heightened sleep/wake fragmentation in both genotypes. ALM showed greater hypnotic potency in WT mice than in TG mice. The 100 mg/kg dose conferred maximal promotion of cataplexy in TG mice and maximal promotion of REM sleep in WT mice. In TG mice, ALM (30 mg/ kg) paradoxically induced a transient increase in active wakefulness. Core body temperature (Tb) decreased after acute Hcrt receptor blockade, but the reduction in Tb that normally accompanies the wake-to-sleep transition was blunted in TG mice.

Conclusions:

These complex dose- and genotype-dependent interactions underscore the importance of effector mechanisms downstream from Hcrt receptors that regulate arousal state. Cataplexy promotion by ALM warrants cautious use of Hcrt antagonists in patient populations with Hcrt neurodegeneration, but may also facilitate the discovery of anticataplectic medications.
Extrasynaptic GABAA Receptors in Rat Pontine Reticular Formation Increase Wakefulness
Authors: Vanini Giancarlo , Baghdoyan Helen A.
Published: February 2013

Study Objectives:

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) causes phasic inhibition via synaptic GABAA receptors and tonic inhibition via extrasynaptic GABAA receptors. GABA levels in the extracellular space regulate arousal state and cognition by volume transmission via extrasynaptic GABAA receptors. GABAergic transmission in the pontine reticular formation promotes wakefulness. No previous studies have determined whether an agonist at extrasynaptic GABAA receptors administered into the pontine reticular formation alters sleep and wakefulness. Therefore, this study used gaboxadol (THIP; agonist at extrasynaptic GABAA receptors that contain a δ subunit) to test the hypothesis that extrasynaptic GABAA receptors within the pontine reticular formation modulate sleep and wakefulness.

Design:

Within/between subjects.

Setting:

University of Michigan.

Patients or Participants:

Adult male Crl:CD*(SD) (Sprague-Dawley) rats (n = 10).

Interventions:

Microinjection of gaboxadol, the nonsubtype selective GABAA receptor agonist muscimol (positive control), and saline (negative control) into the rostral pontine reticular formation.

Measurements and Results:

Gaboxadol significantly increased wakefulness and decreased both nonrapid eye movement sleep and rapid eye movement sleep in a concentration-dependent manner. Relative to saline, gaboxadol did not alter electroencephalogram power. Microinjection of muscimol into the pontine reticular formation of the same rats that received gaboxadol increased wakefulness and decreased sleep.

Conclusion:

Tonic inhibition via extrasynaptic GABAA receptors that contain a δ subunit may be one mechanism by which the extracellular pool of endogenous GABA in the rostral pontine reticular formation promotes wakefulness.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Telephone-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Insomnia
Authors: Arnedt J. Todd , Cuddihy Leisha , Swanson Leslie M. , Pickett Scott , Aikens James , Chervin Ronald D.
Published: February 2013

Study Objectives:

To compare the efficacy of telephone-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia to an information pamphlet control on sleep and daytime functioning at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 12-wk follow-up.

Design:

Randomized controlled parallel trial.

Setting:

N/A.

Participants:

Thirty individuals with chronic insomnia (27 women, age 39.1 ± 14.4 years, insomnia duration 8.7 ± 10.7 years).

Interventions:

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) delivered in up to eight weekly telephone sessions (CBTI-Phone, n = 15) versus an information pamphlet control (IPC, n = 15).

Measurements and Results:

Sleep/wake diary, sleep-related questionnaires (Insomnia Severity Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, 16-item Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep), and daytime symptom assessments (fatigue, depression, anxiety, and quality of life) were completed at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 12-wk follow-up. Linear mixed models indicated that sleep/wake diary sleep efficiency and total sleep time improved significantly at posttreatment in both groups and remained stable at 12-wk follow-up. More CBTI-Phone than IPC patients showed posttreatment improvements in unhelpful sleep-related cognitions (P < 0.001) and were classified as “in remission” from insomnia at follow-up (P < 0.05). Posttreatment effect sizes on most daytime symptoms were large (Cohen d = 0.8–2.5) for CBTI-Phone patients and small to moderate (Cohen d = -0.1–0.6) for IPC patients. All CBTI-Phone patients completed posttreatment and 12-wk follow-up assessments, but three IPC patients discontinued the study.

Conclusions:

The findings provide preliminary support for telephone-delivered CBTI in the treatment of chronic insomnia. Future larger-scale studies with more diverse samples are warranted. Some individuals with insomnia may also benefit from pamphlet-delivered CBTI with brief telephone support.
One-Year Course and Effects of Insomnia in Rural Chinese Adolescents
Authors: Luo Chunliu , Zhang Jihui , Pan Jiyang
Published: February 2013

Study Objectives:

We aimed to explore the incidence and persistence of insomnia, the associated risk factors, and the potential bidirectional association of insomnia with depression, anxiety, and sleepiness in rural Chinese adolescents.

Design:

School-based prospective study.

Setting:

Five high schools in rural China.

Participants:

There were 2,787 adolescents studied.

Interventions:

N/A.

Measures and Results:

Insomnia was defined as having a score of equal to or higher than nine in the Insomnia Severity Index as validated in Chinese adolescents. Depression, anxiety, and sleepiness were determined by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), respectively. The incidence and persistence rates of insomnia were 16.0% and 41.0%, respectively. Multivariate analyses in logistic regression models revealed that new incidence of insomnia was significantly associated with age, living in a rural area, habitual daytime napping, high life events, anxiety, and depression at baseline (range adjusted odds ratio = 1.12-1.61), whereas the persistence of insomnia was positively associated with age, female sex, high life events, and depression at baseline (range adjusted odds ratio = 1.26-1.55) but negatively associated with living in a rural area (odds ratio = 0.59). Insomnia at baseline could predict new onsets of both depression (odds ratio = 1.45) and anxiety (odds ratio = 1.98) but not sleepiness at follow-up after adjustment for age, sex, and baseline symptoms. The results in cross-lagged analyses further supported these observations in the bidirectional associations of insomnia with depression, anxiety, and sleepiness.

Conclusions:

Insomnia has considerable incidence and persistence rates in Chinese adolescents. We have identified several risk factors for the incidence and persistence of insomnia. There are bidirectional associations of insomnia with depression and anxiety but not sleepiness.
Refractrometic Studies of Binary Mixtures of Flavoured Compounds and Some Hydrocarbons
Authors: Yadav Neetu , Arfin Tanvir , Yadav S. S.
Published: February 2013

Refractive indices have been measured for the binary liquid mixtures of n-butylethanoate and 3- methylethanoate with cyclohexane, benzene, 1,4-dimethylbenzene and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene over the entire composition range at 308.15K . From the experimental data, the values of deviation in refractive index (Δn), molar refraction (R) and deviation in molar refraction (ΔR) have been determined. The values of Δn and ΔR have been fitted to the Redlich Kister polynomial equation to determine the standard deviation.
Dynamic Behavior and Management Strategy of Hybrid Wind/Fuel Cell System
Authors: Meharrar A. , M. Hatti M. , Tioursi M. , Benmessaoud T.
Published: February 2013

hybrid generation system is considered as a solution for the uncontrolled energy production from such dispersed sources as wind generation. In this paper, modeling and control of wind/FC system is proposed. Dynamics models for the main system components, namely, wind energy conversion system (WECS), fuel cell, electrolyses, power electronic interfacing circuits, hydrogen storage tank and ultra-capacitor are developed. Also, a variable speed wind generation maximum power point tracking (MPPT) based on Adaptative Neuro-Fuzzy Inference system (ANFIS) is presented. Based on the dynamic component model, a simulation model for the proposed hybrid energy system has been developed using Matlab/Simulink and the power flows management strategy are proposed. The result shows that this system can tolerate the rapid changes in wind speed and/or power demand. This results shows also that, the overall power management strategy is effective and the power flows among the different energy sources and the load demand is balanced successfully.
Grey Relational Analysis for the Production of Dimethyl Ether Syngas in a Biomass Pyrolysis Reactor
Authors: Lei Tingzhou , Wang Zhiwei , Sun Yanhua , Shi Xinguang , He Xiaofeng , Zhu Jinling
Published: February 2013

In this study, dimethyl ether (DME) syngas using a biomass pyrolysis reactor was produced. Gas production parameters, including pyrolysis temperature (PT), pumping frequency (PF) of the root blower, and the feeding rate (FR) of the pyrolysis chain motor, were optimised. The H2 and CO content of the biomass gas, as well as the H2:CO ratio, were examined. The relationship between gas production parameters and the biomass gas content was analysed using grey relational analysis (GRA). The result shown that PT had the greatest effect on H2 and CO content and the H2:CO ratio of the biomass gas. FR was the second most influential parameter, followed by PF. CO content was influenced most by the three parameters. The optimal DME syngas H2:CO ratio was approximately 2, and this ratio was improved using GRA, which increased the H2 and CO content as well as the H2:CO ratio during DME synthesis from biomass gas.
Logistic Cost Analysis of Rice Straw to Optimize Power Plant in Malaysia
Authors: Shafie S.M. , Mahlia T.M.I. , Masjuki H.H. , Chong W.T.
Published: February 2013

This paper presents a logistic cost analysis of rice-straw based power generation. Mathematical logistic models were developed to determine collection, storage and transportation costs of rice-straw based power generation. The optimization technique was used to identify the location of power plant and optimum number of storage facilities. The results indicated that transportation costs were the highest of the logistic costs, contributing 54% to 63% of the total logistic costs and that transportation of rice straw to collection centres contributed 89.9% of the total transportation costs due to effect of truck capacity. Reduction in the number of storage facilities would improve transportation cost.
La dynamique des séquences de rechute chez des joueurs excessifs et des joueurs délinquants
Authors: Ouellet Frédéric
Published: February 2013

Dans les faits, des individus qui embrassent les trajectoires déviantes arrivent peu à maintenir une cadence linéaire ou constante dans leur déviance. Les changements et les transitions sont fréquents au sein des trajectoires déviantes qui, en réalité, fluctuent au fil du temps. Peu d’études se sont toutefois attardées, d’une manière dynamique, à ce qui explique ces changements. En se servant des renseignements autorévélés, collectés à l’aide de la méthode des calendriers de récits de vie, et dans un examen des changements inter et intra-individuels, cette étude compare les épisodes de rechute au sein de deux trajectoires déviantes, celles de 50 joueurs excessifs et de 107 délinquants. La démonstration met en évidence le caractère général du cadre analytique de la carrière criminelle. En particulier, nos résultats soulignent l’intérêt de considérer à la fois les facteurs liés aux caractéristiques individuelles et ceux associés aux circonstances de vie. On découvre également dans cette étude que l’effet des circonstances de vie est souvent conditionnel à certaines caractéristiques des individus.
Relation entre les jeux virtuels de hasard et d’argent et certaines conduites déviantes chez des jeunes du Québec
Authors: Brunelle Natacha , Leclerc Danielle , Cousineau Marie-Marthe , Dufour Magali , Gendron Annie
Published: February 2013

Plusieurs auteurs ont montré que les personnes qui s’adonnent à des jeux de hasard et d’argent (JHA) sont plus impliquées dans la délinquance que les non-joueurs et qu’il y a une association entre la gravité des habitudes de JHA et la gravité de la délinquance. Toutefois, les connaissances actuelles sont limitées en ce qui concerne ce lien chez les adolescents et plus particulièrement chez les jeunes filles. De plus, ces études sont très peu révélatrices quant aux types de délits commis par les jeunes joueurs et les jeunes joueuses en fonction de leur profil de joueur. Dans le cadre d’une étude sur la pratique des JHA sur Internet, 1870 élèves de troisième, quatrième et cinquième secondaire ont été recrutés dans des écoles de trois régions du Québec. Les instruments de mesure DSM-IV-MR-J (Fisher, 2000) et MASPAQ (Le Blanc, 2010) ont été utilisés pour mesurer les habitudes de JHA des jeunes et leurs conduites déviantes. Cet article a pour objectifs : 1- de dresser le portrait des habitudes de JHA des filles et des garçons de l’échantillon ; 2- d’examiner les liens entre la gravité du jeu, le jeu Internet et les conduites déviantes, séparément selon le genre des jeunes de l’échantillon. Les principaux résultats montrent que la gravité des habitudes de JHA est reliée à la fois à des conduites déviantes clandestines et manifestes tant chez les joueurs que chez les joueuses. Le jeu sur Internet chez les joueurs et chez les joueuses est associé à un score de gravité plus élevé de certaines conduites déviantes clandestines et manifestes.
L’effet de la Loi C-68 sur les homicides au Québec : une analyse des bornes extrêmes
Authors: Linteau Isabelle , Blais Étienne
Published: February 2013

Depuis la fin des années 1970, trois lois canadiennes en matière de contrôle des armes à feu ont été promulguées, soit les Lois C-51 (1977), C-17 (1991) et C-68 (1995). Faute de preuves scientifiques crédibles, la capacité de ces lois à prévenir les homicides par arme à feu demeure incertaine. Tout en surmontant les biais potentiels des évaluations antérieures, l’objectif de cet article est d’évaluer l’effet de la Loi C-68 sur les homicides au Québec entre 1974 et 2006. D’après les résultats de notre analyse des bornes extrêmes, la Loi C-68 est associée à une baisse graduelle des homicides par arme à feu, et ce, sans produire de déplacement tactique. Cette baisse graduelle s’observe toutefois exclusivement auprès des homicides par armes à feu sans restriction (carabines et fusils de chasse). D’autres études sont nécessaires afin de documenter l’effet spécifique du permis d’acquisition et de possession d’armes à feu, de même que l’effet spécifique du Registre canadien des armes à feu, sur les homicides.
La judiciarisation des rébellions par les forces de l’ordre à Bruxelles de 1945 à 1975
Authors: Skordou Melpomeni
Published: February 2013

Nous étudions la judiciarisation du phénomène rébellionnaire, en tant qu’ensemble d’événements isolés de violence contre des forces de l’ordre, à Bruxelles de 1945 à 1975. Nous avançons la thèse selon laquelle la judiciarisation du phénomène est dominée par l’action policière. Afin de l’appuyer, nous allons montrer que tant dans l’interaction des agents avec les citoyens que dans leur interaction avec les magistrats du parquet, les forces de l’ordre dominent la construction pénale des faits. Par ailleurs, nous soutenons que la mainmise policière dans la judiciarisation des rébellions relève de la dépendance professionnelle des magistrats du parquet des agents de l’ordre, hypothèse déjà soutenue par Grosman (1971). Nous illustrons, enfin, ce propos par un exemple issu de nos sources.
Experimental and Computation Studies on Candida antarctica Lipase B‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Alcoholysis of 4‐Bromomethyl‐β‐lactone Leading to Enantiopure 4‐Bromo‐3‐hydroxybutanoate
Authors: Lim Jung Yun , Jeon Nan Young , Park A‐Reum , Min Bora , Kim Bum Tae , Park Seongsoon , Lee Hyuk
Published: March 2013

Both enantiomers of optically pure 4‐bromo‐3‐hydroxybutanoate, which is an important chiral building block in the syntheses of various biologically active compounds including statins, were synthesized from rac‐4‐bromomethyl‐β‐lactone through kinetic resolution. Candida antarctica lipase B (CAL‐B) enantioselectively catalyzes the ring opening of the β‐lactone with ethanol to yield ethyl (R)‐4‐bromo‐3‐hydroxybutanoate with high enantioselectivity (E>200). The unreacted (S)‐4‐bromomethyl‐β‐lactone was converted to ethyl (S)‐4‐bromo‐3‐hydroxybutanoate (>99% ee), which can be further transformed to ethyl (R)‐4‐cyano‐3‐hydroxybutanoate, through an acid‐catalyzed ring opening in ethanol. Molecular modeling revealed that the stereocenter of the fast‐reacting enantiomer, (R)‐bromomethyl‐β‐lactone, is ∼2 Å from the reacting carbonyl carbon. In addition, the slow‐reacting enantiomer, (S)‐4‐bromomethyl‐β‐lactone, encounters steric hindrance between the bromo substituent and the side chain of the Leu278 residue, while the fast‐reacting enantiomer does not have any steric clash.
Assessment of work‐related exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Italy
Authors: Scarselli Alberto , Di Marzio Davide , Marinaccio Alessandro , Iavicoli Sergio
Published: March 2013

Background

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are generally present in the workplace environment as complex mixtures and often difficult to identify a priori.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to evaluate the level and coverage of occupational exposure to PAHs in Italy.

Methods

Data were collected from exposure registries of companies with mandatory reporting to the National Workers' Compensation Authority. Statistical analyses were carried out on the retrieved information and the number of workers potentially exposed was estimated for some industrial sectors.

Results

Overall 12,849 measurements of exposure levels to individual PAHs were selected from the database of registries in the period 1996–2010. Most exposures occurred in the manufacture of chemicals (N = 5,383, 51%), and the occupational group most frequently measured was chemical‐processing‐plant operator (N = 3,930, 31%). Measurements were associated to various PAHs, including benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, and benzo[j]fluoranthene. Overall, 39,230 workers were estimated as potentially at risk of exposure to PAHs in the selected industrial sectors.

Conclusions

This study summarized data recorded in the Italian occupational exposure database and identified specific exposure patterns to PAHs. The systematic recording of occupational exposures is a source of data that allows the recognition, control, and prevention of high‐risk situations for workers' health. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:897–906, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Polystyrene photodegradation with a novel titanium dioxide/poly(ethylene oxide)/methyl linoleate paint photocatalyst system
Authors: Nakatani Hisayuki , Miyazaki Kensuke
Published: March 2013

The photodegradation of a polystyrene (PS) film was performed by a titanium dioxide (TiO2)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/methyl linoleate (ML) paint photocatalyst system. The PS surface was catalytically photodegraded by the TiO2/PEO component, and a conjugated carbon–carbon double bond was partially produced. A crosslinking reaction occurred between the PS carbon–carbon double bond and radical spices; as a result, the photodegradation diffusion into the inner region was blocked. The additional ML component certainly blocked the crosslinking reaction and accelerated the photodegradation rate. The fraction of less than 10,000 molecular weight of the 4‐h‐photodegaraded film with the TiO2/PEO/ML paint was 15.1%, and its photodegradation yield increased four times compared with that with the TiO2/PEO one. The weight loss values of the photodegraded PS part were 9.9, 10.7, and 11.7% at 4, 8, and 12 h, respectively, and gradually increased with increasing irradiation time. Some part of the film was violently photodegraded by the paint, and its photocatalytic effect lasted. The ML was graft‐polymerized into the film, and a phase separation was caused. The photodegradation behavior between the 0.05‐ and 0.1‐mm films was remarkably different; this showed that the diffusion of the ML radical was affected by the film thickness. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Joint Hypermobility Is a Risk Factor for Musculoskeletal Pain During Adolescence: Findings of a Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Tobias Jonathan H. , Deere Kevin , Palmer Shea , Clark Emma M. , Clinch Jacqui
Published: March 2013

Objective

To determine whether joint hypermobility (JH) in childhood is a risk factor for the subsequent development of musculoskeletal pain.

Methods

JH was determined according to the Beighton score at age 13.8 years in children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), using a cutoff of ≥6 for the presence of hypermobility. Musculoskeletal pain was evaluated by questionnaire at age 17.8 years. Logistic regression analysis was performed in 2,901 participants (1,267 boys and 1,634 girls) who had complete data.

Results

A total of 4.6% of participants had JH at age 13.8 years. Moderately troublesome musculoskeletal pain at age 17.8 years was reported most commonly in the lower back (16.1%), shoulder (9.5%), upper back (8.9%), knee (8.8%), neck (8.6%), and ankle/foot (6.8%). JH was associated with an increased risk of at least moderately troublesome musculoskeletal pain at the shoulder (odds ratio [OR] 1.68 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.04, 2.72]), knee (OR 1.83 [95% CI 1.10, 3.02]), and ankle/foot (OR 1.82 [95% CI 1.05, 3.16]) (adjusted for sex, maternal education, and body mass index). An equivalent relationship was not observed at other sites, including the spine, elbows, hands, and hips. In analyses examining interactions with obesity, associations between JH and knee pain showed higher ORs in obese participants (OR 11.01) as compared with nonobese participants (OR 1.57) (P = 0.037 for the interaction of hypermobility and obesity).

Conclusion

JH represents a risk factor for musculoskeletal pain during adolescence, comprising a specific distribution, namely, the shoulder, knee, and ankle/foot. These relationships were strongest in the presence of obesity, which is consistent with a causal pathway whereby JH leads to pain at sites exposed to the greatest mechanical forces.
A simple model for the fate of the cytokinesis midbody remnant: Implications for remnant degradation by autophagy
Authors: Crowell Elizabeth Faris , Tinevez Jean‐Yves , Echard Arnaud
Published: March 2013

When a cell divides, it produces two daughter cells initially connected by a cytokinesis bridge, which is eventually cut through abscission. One of the two daughter cells inherits a bridge “remnant”, which has been proposed to be degraded by autophagy. The fate and function of remnants is attracting increasing attention, as their accumulation appears to influence proliferation versus differentiation of the daughter cells. Here, we present a simple model for bridge and remnant turnover in a dynamic cell population. We demonstrate that remnant proportions depend on the ratio of remnant and bridge lifetimes to the cell population doubling time. Our results yield new alternative interpretations for published experimental data, leading us to believe that autophagy‐independent pathways for remnant degradation may exist. In addition, using the model, we determined experimentally inaccessible parameters such as remnant lifetime. Our model proves to be a useful tool for studying bridge and remnant populations.
Acoustic detection of cell adhesion to a coated quartz crystal microbalance – implications for studying the biocompatibility of polymers
Authors: Da‐Silva Ana‐Carina , Soares Sandra S. , Ferreira Guilherme N. M.
Published: March 2013

Biocompatibility of polymers is an important parameter for the successful application of polymers in tissue engineering. In this work, quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) devices were used to follow the adhesion of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts to QCM surfaces modified with fibronectin (FN) and poly‐D‐lysine (PDL). The variations in sensor resonant frequency (Δf) and motional resistance (ΔR), monitored as the sensor signal, revealed that cell adhesion was favored in the PDL‐coated QCMs. Fluorescence microscopy images of seeded cells showed more highly spread cells on the PDL substrate, which is consistent with the results of the QCM signals. The sensor signal was shown to be sensitive to extracellular matrix (ECM)‐binding motifs. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and soluble Gly‐Arg‐Gly‐Asp‐Ser (GRGDS) peptides were used to interfere with cell‐ECM binding motifs onto FN‐coated QCMs. The acquired acoustic signals successfully showed that in the presence of 30 mM EDTA or 1 mM GRGDS, cell adhesion is almost completely abolished due to the inhibition/blocking of integrin function by these compounds. The results presented here demonstrate the potential of the QCM sensor to study cell adhesion, to monitor the biocompatibility of polymers and materials, and to assess the effect of adhesion modulators. QCM sensors have great potential in tissue engineering applications, as QCM sensors are able to analyze the biocompatibility of surfaces and it has the added advantage of being able to evaluate, in situ and in real time, the effect of specific drugs/treatments on cells.
Systematic Investigation of Silver–Carbon Bonding in Coordination Frameworks with Aryl Ligands That Contain Ethynyl and Ethenyl Substituents
Authors: Hau Sam C. K. , Mak Thomas C. W.
Published: March 2013

Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction of a series of ten crystalline silver(I)–trifluoroacetate complexes that contained designed ligands, each of which was composed of an aromatic system that was functionalized with terminal and internal ethynyl groups and a vinyl substituent, provided detailed information on the influence of ligand disposition and orientation, coordination preferences, and the co‐existence of different types of silver(I)–carbon bonding interactions (silver–ethynide, silver–ethynyl, silver–ethenyl, and silver–aromatic) on the construction of coordination networks that were consolidated by argentophilic and weak inter/intramolecular interactions. The complex AgL10⋅6 AgCF3CO2⋅H2O⋅ MeOH (HL10=1‐{[4‐(prop‐2‐ynyloxy)‐3‐vinylphenyl]ethynyl}naphthalene) is the first reported example that exhibits all four kinds of silver(I)–carbon bonding interactions in the solid state.
Pharmacodynamic Impacts of Proton Pump Inhibitors on the Efficacy of Clopidogrel In Vivo—A Systematic Review
Authors: Chen Jie , Chen Shi‐yao , Lian Jing‐jing , Zeng Xiao‐qing , Luo Tian‐cheng
Published: March 2013

Background

There is considerable debate about whether concomitant use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) should be recommended for patients who are prescribed clopidogrel after acute coronary syndrome. Most pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies in vivo were conducted using small sample sizes and were single centered, resulting in conflicting data.

Hypothesis

PPIs may attenuate the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel in vivo and lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular events.

Methods

PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and China Biology Medicine Disc were searched. Randomized controlled trials that compared pharmacodynamic impacts of a PPI on the efficacy of clopidogrel in vivo were included. Two independent reviewers evaluated study quality and extracted data for meta‐analysis.

Results

We identified 8 eligible studies. Compared to clopidogrel treatment alone, patients who received both a PPI and clopidogrel had less of a decrease in the platelet reactivity index (weighted mean difference [WMD]: 8.18; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.81–9.56; P < 0.00001), less adenosine 5′‐diphosphate–induced platelet aggregation inhibition (WMD: 7.28; 95% CI: 2.44–12.11; P = 0.003), higher P2Y12 reaction units (WMD: 40.58; 95% CI: 19.31–61.86; P = 0.0002), and higher risks of clopidogrel resistance (odds ratio [OR]: 2.49; 95% CI: 1.49–4.14; P = 0.0005). There were no significant differences, however, for the incidences of major adverse cardiovascular events between the 2 groups (OR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.44–2.59; P = 0.88), and treatment with a PPI and clopidogrel significantly reduced the risk of adverse gastrointestinal events (OR: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.04–0.62; P = 0.008).

Conclusions

Concomitant use of a PPI with clopidogrel attenuated the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel, but may be clinically unimportant because there were no clinical differences in the risk for major adverse cardiovascular events.

Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article.

The authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Second‐order statistics of multiuser relay cooperation systems over Nakagami‐m fading channels
Authors: Jia Xiangdong , Zhu Hongbo , Yang Longxiang
Published: February 2013

To attain overall recognition of the effect of Nakagami‐m channel parameters on the second‐order statistics and to present a guide to the design and configuration of systems, we investigate the average level crossing rate (LCR) and average fading duration (AFD) of multiuser single relay cooperation wireless communications, in which the multiple mobile users communicate with base station under the help of single relay. On the basis of the statistical channel state information (CSI) between mobile users and relay, a single user is selected to communicate with base station. For the multiuser relay cooperation communications, we first present the integral expressions to the LCR and AFD of equivalent end‐to‐end envelope by using strict mathematical proof. Then with appropriate approximation, we obtain the closed‐form solutions to the upper and lower bounds of average LCR and AFD as well as the ones of Laplace approximation. Finally, on the basis of the derivations, we validate the approximations to LCR and AFD, and investigate the effect of the system parameters on LCR and AFD. The comparison results show that the derivations match well the simulations, and the exact values can be bounded by the obtained upper and lower bounds. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
P4 Activation at Ni0: Selective Formation of an NHC‐Stabilized, Dinuclear Nickel Complex [Ni2(iPr2Im)4(μ,η2:2‐P2)]
Authors: Zarzycki Bartosz , Zell Thomas , Schmidt David , Radius Udo
Published: March 2013

The reaction of [Ni2(iPr2Im)4(cod)] (1) with white phosphorus led to dinuclear [{Ni(iPr2Im)2}2(μ,η2:2‐P2)] (2) in excellent yield. This reaction represents the first example of a conversion of white phosphorus into a complex of the type [{L2Ni}2(μ,η2:2‐P2)] and the first example of the formation of a complex of the type [{L2M}2(μ,η2:2‐P2)] for a group‐10 metal stabilized by two simple, nonchelating, two‐electron donor ligands by the reaction of a suitable precursor with P4. The X‐ray structure of 2 revealed a bent Ni2P2 core with an Ni–P–P–Ni dihedral angle in the solid state of 102.95°. According to DFT calculations on the symmetrized model systems planar‐D2h‐ and bent‐C2v‐[{Ni(iPr2Im)2}2(μ,η2:2‐P2)], this deviation of the Ni2P2 core from planarity is caused by a second‐order Jahn–Teller distortion. Calculations on the related platinum compound [{Pt(iPr2Im)2}2(μ,η2:2‐P2)] confirmed this type of bent structure for the higher congener with an even higher barrier to planarization than that calculated for the nickel complex. Energy decomposition analysis and fragment molecular orbital analysis further illustrate the bonding mechanisms in these complexes.
Local Hartree–Fock orbitals using a three‐level optimization strategy for the energy
Authors: Høyvik Ida‐Marie , Jansik Branislav , Kristensen Kasper , Jørgensen Poul
Published: March 2013

Using the three‐level energy optimization procedure combined with a refined version of the least‐change strategy for the orbitals—where an explicit localization is performed at the valence basis level—it is shown how to more efficiently determine a set of local Hartree–Fock orbitals. Further, a core–valence separation of the least‐change occupied orbital space is introduced. Numerical results comparing valence basis localized orbitals and canonical molecular orbitals as starting guesses for the full basis localization are presented. The results show that the localization of the occupied orbitals may be performed at a small computational cost if valence basis localized orbitals are used as a starting guess. For the unoccupied space, about half the number of iterations are required if valence localized orbitals are used as a starting guess compared to a canonical set of unoccupied Hartree–Fock orbitals. Different local minima may be obtained when different starting guesses are used. However, the different minima all correspond to orbitals with approximately the same locality. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparative assessment of computational methods for the determination of solvation free energies in alcohol‐based molecules
Authors: Martins Silvia A. , Sousa Sergio F.
Published: March 2013

The determination of differences in solvation free energies between related drug molecules remains an important challenge in computational drug optimization, when fast and accurate calculation of differences in binding free energy are required. In this study, we have evaluated the performance of five commonly used polarized continuum model (PCM) methodologies in the determination of solvation free energies for 53 typical alcohol and alkane small molecules. In addition, the performance of these PCM methods, of a thermodynamic integration (TI) protocol and of the Poisson–Boltzmann (PB) and generalized Born (GB) methods, were tested in the determination of solvation free energies changes for 28 common alkane‐alcohol transformations, by the substitution of an hydrogen atom for a hydroxyl substituent. The results show that the solvation model D (SMD) performs better among the PCM‐based approaches in estimating solvation free energies for alcohol molecules, and solvation free energy changes for alkane‐alcohol transformations, with an average error below 1 kcal/mol for both quantities. However, for the determination of solvation free energy changes on alkane‐alcohol transformation, PB and TI yielded better results. TI was particularly accurate in the treatment of hydroxyl groups additions to aromatic rings (0.53 kcal/mol), a common transformation when optimizing drug‐binding in computer‐aided drug design. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Histology of melanic flank and opercular color pattern elements in the firemouth cichlid, Thorichthys meeki
Authors: Beeching Simon C. , Glass Brock A. , Rehorek Susan J.
Published: March 2013

Dark melanic color pattern elements, such as bars, stripes, and spots, are common in the skin of fishes, and result from the differential distribution and activity of melanin‐containing chromatophores (melanophores). We determined the histological basis of two melanic color pattern elements in the integument of the Firemouth Cichlid, Thorichthys meeki. Vertical bars on the flanks were formed by three layers of dermal melanophores, whereas opercular spots were formed by four layers (two lateral and two medial) in the integument surrounding the opercular bones. Pretreatment of opercular tissue with potassium and sodium salts effectively concentrated or dispersed intracellular melanosomes. Regional differences in epidermal structure, scale distribution, and connective tissues were also identified. J. Morphol. 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Markedly increased volume of distribution of gadolinium in cardiac amyloidosis demonstrated by T1 mapping
Authors: Brooks Jeremy , Kramer Christopher M. , Salerno Michael
Published: March 2013

Purpose

To perform myocardial T1 mapping pre‐ and post‐gadolinium (Gd) administration and determine the volume of distribution of Gd (VdGd) in patients with cardiac amyloidosis to assess extracellular space expansion from amyloid protein deposition.

Materials and Methods

T1 mapping was performed before contrast and 20 minutes following bolus administration of 0.15 mmol/kg of gadopentetate dimeglumine (Magnevist) in five subjects with cardiac amyloidosis and in eight healthy volunteers using previously validated 3–5 Modified Look‐Locker Inversion (MOLLI) pulse sequence. The partition coefficient (λ) and VdGd were determined and compared between groups.

Results

Before contrast the T1 of the blood and myocardium are longer in amyloidosis as compared to controls (1665 vs. 1509 msec; P = 0.03 and 1144 vs. 963 msec; P < 0.001, respectively). Postcontrast blood T1 was also significantly longer in amyloidosis (486 vs. 408 msec; P = 0.003) with a trend towards shorter T1 in the myocardium (503 vs. 544 msec; P = 0.15). The VdGd was 83% higher in amyloidosis than in controls (0.51 vs. 0.28; P = 0.005).

Conclusion

Myocardial VdGd is markedly increased in cardiac amyloidosis, reflecting the increased extracellular space occupied by amyloid proteins. The precontrast T1 of blood and myocardium are increased in amyloidosis extending diagnostic utility in patients who cannot receive Gd. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:1591–1595. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Performance of wood‐rotting fungi‐based enzymes on enzymic saccharification of rice straw
Authors: Tsujiyama Sho‐ichi , Ueno Hitomi
Published: March 2013

BACKGROUND

For effective saccharification of rice straw we focused on enzyme preparations from wood‐rotting fungi that have the ability to degrade cell wall polysaccharides and lignin. We tested extracellular enzyme preparations from 14 species of fungi for saccharification activity and examined the factor for saccharification by statistical analysis.

RESULTS

An enzyme preparation fromSchizophyllum communehad the highest saccharification activity of rice straw. This preparation contained highly active endo‐β‐xylanase, endo‐β‐glucanase (CMCase), β‐d‐glucosidase and acetylxylan esterase. Correlation analysis of the 14 enzyme preparations demonstrated that acetylxylan esterase was closely related to saccharification activity in rice straw. Multiple regression analysis also showed that acetylxylan esterase had an important role in saccharification. Ligninolytic enzymes, which are characteristic of white‐rot fungi, did not contribute to saccharification activity of rice straw.

CONCLUSION

Deacetylation is an essential factor for saccharification of rice straw and enzyme preparations for saccharification need to contain highly active acetylxylan esterase as well as highly active cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes, but not ligninolytic ones. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry