bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moderating Effect of Team Distributedness on Organizational Dimensions for Innovation Project Success
Authors: Bourgault Mario , Drouin Nathalie , Sicotte Hélène , Daoudi Jaouad
Published: December 2011

This article addresses the issue of geographically distributed work teams that carry out new product development projects. These are task-oriented, goal-driven, temporary teams that use ICTs. This exploratory study measures the moderating affect of team distributedness on the relationships between organizational and workforce management best practices and two measures of project success (efficacy and effectiveness). Data were obtained from real teams working in Canadian companies in diverse high-tech industries. The results show a moderating effect of team distributedness, which is interesting in that the distributedness factor is examined from a different perspective, that is, as a moderating rather than an explanatory dimension.
Who is Guarding the Doors
Authors: Gupta Manish , KB Pradeep Kumar , Rao H. R.
Published: December 2011

Internet banking has become the preferred channel for conducting banking activities across globe and amongst all social demographics. Only a few other technological adoptions can compare with the recent trend of use of Internet banking facilities. Given the cost advantages and benefits it has to offer, it is widely touted as a win-win strategy for both banks and customers. However, with the growth in E-banking services and reliance on a public channel–Internet–to conduct business, it has been challenging for banks to ensure integrity and confidentiality of highly sensitive information. This chapter presents an overview of authentication issues and challenges in the online banking area with analysis on some of the better approaches. The chapter compares different authentication methods and discusses ensuing issues. The chapter will be invaluable for managers and professionals in understanding the current authentication landscape.
Privacy Enhancing Technologies for Information Control
Authors: Jaatun Martin Gilje , Tøndel Inger Anne , Bernsmed Karin , Nyre Åsmund Ahlmann
Published: December 2011

Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) help to protect the personal information of users. This chapter will discuss challenges and opportunities of PETs in a business context, and present examples of currently available PETs. We will further study the Platform for Privacy Preferences (P3P), and discuss why it so far has failed to deliver on its promise. Finally, we provide our advice on further research on privacy preferences, and conclude with our conviction that businesses need to take a progressive stance on providing privacy to their customers.
Ensuring Privacy and Confidentiality in Digital Video Surveillance Systems
Authors: Castiglione Aniello , De Santis Alfredo , Palmieri Francesco
Published: December 2011

Starting from these ideas and concepts, this chapter aims at presenting an innovative network-based digital video surveillance solution that meets all the aforementioned security and privacy requirements ensuring that the recorded data will be only accessible to a subset of authorities, trusting each other under precisely defined policies, agreements, and circumstances. This would aid the surveillance activities, when needed, without disrupting the privacy of individuals.
Sociocognitive Inquiry
Authors: Gaines Brian R. , Shaw Mildred L. G.
Published: December 2011

This chapter describes techniques for sociocognitive inquiry based on conceptual grid elicitation and analysis using web-based tools, such as WebGrid, which are designed to elicit conceptual models from those participating in a networked community. These techniques provide an interactive web-based experience with immediate payback from online graphic analysis, that provides an attractive alternative to, or component of, conventional web-based surveys. In particular, they support targeted follow-up studies based on passive data mining of the by-products of web-based community activities, allowing the phenomena modeled through data mining to be investigated in greater depth. The foundations in cognitive sociology and psychology are briefly surveyed, a case study is provided to illustrate how web-based conceptual modeling services can be customized to integrate with a social networking site and support a focused study, and the implications for future research are discussed.
Large Scale Graph Mining with MapReduce
Authors: Tsourakakis Charalampos E.
Published: December 2011

In this chapter, the authors present state of the art work on large scale graph mining using MapReduce. They survey research work on an important graph mining problem, estimating the diameter of a graph and the eccentricities/radii of its vertices. Thanks to the algorithm they present in the following, the authors are able to mine graphs with billions of edges, and thus extract surprising patterns. The source code is publicly available at the URL http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~pegasus/.
Detecting Pharmaceutical Spam in Microblog Messages
Authors: Liszka Kathy J. , Chan Chien-Chung , Shekar Chandra
Published: December 2011

Microblogs are one of a growing group of social network tools. Twitter is, at present, one of the most popular forums for microblogging in online social networks, and the fastest growing. Fifty million messages flow through servers, computers, and cell phones on a wide variety of topics exchanged daily. With this considerable volume, Twitter is a natural and obvious target for spreading spam via the messages, called tweets. The challenge is how to determine if a tweet is a spam or not, and more specifically a special category advertising pharmaceutical products. The authors look at the essential characteristics of spam tweets and what makes microblogging spam unique from email or other types of spam. They review methods and tools currently available to identify general spam tweets. Finally, this work introduces a new methodology of applying text mining and data mining techniques to generate classifiers that can be used for pharmaceutical spam detection in the context of microblogging.
Dynamics and Evolutional Patterns of Social Networks
Authors: Jin Yingzi , Matsuo Yutaka
Published: December 2011

Previous chapters focused on the models of static networks, which consider a relational network at a given point in time. However, real-world social networks are dynamic in nature; for example, friends of friends become friends. Social network research has, in recent years, paid increasing attention to dynamic and longitudinal network analysis in order to understand network evolution, belief formation, friendship formation, and so on. This chapter focuses mainly on the dynamics and evolutional patterns of social networks. The chapter introduces real-world applications and reviews major theories and models of dynamic network mining.
Universal Dynamics on Complex Networks, Really?
Authors: Gay Brigitte
Published: December 2011

The complex network approach developed in statistical physics seems particularly well-suited to analyzing large networks. Progress in the study of complex networks has been made by looking for shared properties and seemingly universal dynamics, thus ignoring the details of networks individual nodes, links, or sub-components. Researchers now need to assess the differences in the processes that take place on complex networks. The author first discusses briefly the theoretical understanding of evolutionary laws governing the emergence of these universal properties (small-world and scale-free networks) and recent evolutions in the field of network analysis. Using data on two empirical networks, a transaction network in the venture capital industry and an interfirm alliance network in a major sector of the biopharmaceutical industry, the author then demonstrates that networks can switch from one ‘universal’ structure to another, but each in its own way. This chapter highlights the need of knowing more about networks, as ‘more is different’.
Social Recommendations
Authors: Brun Armelle , Castagnos Sylvain , Boyer Anne
Published: December 2011

The experiments conducted show that only 6 delegates are sufficient to accurately estimate ratings of the whole set of other users, which dramatically reduces the number of users classically required.
A Nurse’s Experience Being Intubated and Receiving Mechanical Ventilation
Authors: Jenabzadeh Nicole E. , Chlan Linda
Published: December 2011

A nurse with a history of childhood asthma describes her experiences with intubation and mechanical ventilation. It is important for nurses to recognize that mechanical ventilation is very stressful for patients and for the patients’ families. It is essential for nurses to keep the patient as the focus of their care. A key part of that focus is to reorient patients who are receiving mechanical ventilation frequently.
Nurse-Led Implementation of a Safe and Effective Intravenous Insulin Protocol in a Medical Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Khalaila Rabia , Libersky Eugene , Catz Dina , Pomerantsev Elina , Bayya Abed , Linton David M. , Sviri Sigal
Published: December 2011

Background

Recent evidence has linked tight glucose control to worsened clinical outcomes among adults in intensive care units.

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a nurse-led intravenous insulin protocol designed to achieve conservative blood glucose control in patients in a medical intensive care unit.

Methods

A nurse-led intravenous insulin protocol was developed, targeting blood glucose levels at 110 to 149 mg/dL. Hypoglycemia was defined as a blood glucose level less than 70 mg/dL. Patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit who required an insulin infusion were enrolled in the study. Blood glucose levels in those patients were compared with levels in 153 historical control patients admitted to the unit in the 12 months before the protocol was implemented who required an insulin infusion.

Results

Ninety-six patients were enrolled and treated with the protocol. The protocol and control groups had similar characteristics at baseline. More measurements in the protocol group than in the control group (46.3% vs 36.1%, P<.001) were within the target glucose range (110–149 mg/dL). Hyperglycemia (blood glucose ≥200 mg/dL) occurred less often in the protocol group than in the control group (14.8% vs 20.1%, P=.003). Hypoglycemic events (blood glucose <70 mg/dL) also occurred less often in the protocol group (0.07% vs 0.83%, P<.001).

Conclusions

Implementation of a nurse-led, conservative intravenous insulin protocol in the medical intensive care unit is effective and safe and markedly reduces the rate of hypoglycemia.
Evaluation of a Wellness-Based Mindfulness Stress Reduction Intervention: A Controlled Trial
Authors: Williams Kimberly A. , Kolar Maria M. , Reger Bill E. , Pearson John C.
Published: December 2011

Purpose.

To determine if participation in a Wellness-Based Mindfulness Stress Reduction intervention decreases the effect of daily hassles, psychological distress, and medical symptoms.

Design.

A randomized controlled trial of a stress reduction intervention with a 3-month follow-up.

Setting.

A university setting in West Virginia.

Subjects.

A total of 103 adults, with 59 in the intervention group and 44 in the control group. Eight-five percent of subjects completed the intervention. Fifty-nine percent and 61% of the intervention and control subjects completed the study, respectively.

Intervention.

The intervention consisted of an 8-week group stress reduction program in which subjects learned, practiced, and applied “mindfulness meditation” to daily life situations. The control group received educational materials and were encouraged to use community resources for stress management.

Measures.

The Daily Stress Inventory assessed the effect of daily hassles, the Revised Hopkins Symptom Checklist measured psychological distress, the Medical Symptom Checklist measured number of medical symptoms, and a Follow-up Questionnaire measured program adherence.

Results.

Intervention subjects reported significant decreases from baseline in effect of daily hassles (24%), psychological distress, (44%), and medical symptoms (46%) that were maintained at the 3-month follow-up compared to control subjects (repeated measures analysis of variance [ANOVA]; p < .05).

Conclusions.

Self-selected community residents can improve their mental and physical health by participating in a stress reduction intervention offered by a university wellness program.
The State and Development in Africa
Authors: Tangie Nsoh Fonchingong
Published: December 2011

Colonisation obstructed the internal process of state formation and development in Africa and left legacies of authoritarianism, corruption and political instability. Embodied in the post-colonial state and sustained by foreign aid, these colonial legacies constitute the main obstacles to development in postcolonial Africa. The only way to liberate Africa and ensure its progress is athree-stage process involving the repudiation of foreign aid, the restructuring of territorial boundaries in accordance with African realities, and the formation of an African continental government. The African academia should be in the vanguard of African liberation by educating and mobilising the populace.
Designing Viable Republican Constitutions for Modern African States: Why the Institution of Traditional Kingship Must Be Abolished
Authors: Jare Oladosu
Published: December 2011

In this paper I argue for the adoption of an unmitigated republican constitutional system by modern African nation states as a necessary condition for the realisation of their democratic aspirations. I identify the continued retention of the traditional kingship institution, even in a much whittled down form, as a major impediment to the establishment of full-fledged republics in contemporary Africa. I then argue for the total abolition of the kingship system on the following grounds: (i) that it was founded on historical injustice to begin with, (ii) that it has no relevance or utility to modern African states, and (iii) mostimportantly, that its continued existence is antithetical to the requirements of a modern democracy. This last point, I take largely for granted. I provide ashort elucidation of ‘republicanism’ as a constitutional philosophy. Finally, Isuggest some constitutional measures that African nation states may adopt toeradicate the traditional kingship institution and thereby ensure the survivaland flourishing of their republics.
Development and Peace in Africa
Authors: Knowledge Raji Matshedisho
Published: December 2011

Development is not often regarded as a function of peace in both developmenttheory and development discourse. In the context of post-colonial Africa, bothinternal security and external security should be crucial considerations in thepursuit of development alternatives. The reason for considering developmentand security is that part of Africa’s development impasse can be attributed tointernal political terror since the Cold War. While development theory anddiscourse from modernisation theory to global neo-liberalism have dominated‘development’ strategies in Africa and produced an Africa bereft of development,political terror has systematically undermined both development andsecurity. Political terror, as sponsored by foreign forces and signified by collateraldamage, not only produced extensive fear and destabilisation, it hit at thevery core of development – human resources, political establishments and economicorder. The end of the Cold War has not seen an end to political terror inAfrica, but it has features that need to be considered for Africa’s developmentalternatives. Some of the features are the reduction in Africa’s foreign aid, disarmament,and the re-invention of the philosophical foundations of the statein Africa. This calls for a transition from a military state towards a developmentalstate with citizens participating to curb internal conflict and face the externalchallenges of the new post-Cold War global system.
Impacts of nitrogen deposition on vascular plants in Britain: an analysis of two national observation networks
Authors: Henrys P. A. , Stevens C. J. , Smart S. M. , Maskell L. C. , Walker K. J. , Preston C. D. , Crowe A. , Rowe E. C. , Gowing D. J. , Emmett B. A.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. Large areas of Great Britain currently have nitrogen (N) deposition at rates which exceed the thresholds above which there is risk of damage to sensitive components of the ecosystem (critical loads). Previous studies have focussed primarily on the relationship of species richness to nitrogen, whereas here we look at individual species. We used data from two national observation networks over Great Britain to examine the response of individual vascular plant species to N in acid grasslands, calcareous grasslands and heathlands. Presence absence records of individual species, along with mean Ellenberg N scores, within 10 km hectads were modelled against N deposition whilst at the same time controlling for the effects of climate, land use and sulphur deposition using generalised additive models. Ellenberg N showed a significant increase with increasing N deposition in almost all habitats across both surveys indicating increased fertility. Many individual species showed strong relationships with N deposition and clear negative trends in species prevalence to increasing nitrogen were found in all habitats. A number of these species were either habitat dominants or possessed traits known to be influential in controlling ecosystem function. Many community dominants showing significant negative relationships with N deposition highlight a potentially significant loss of function. Some species that showed negative relationships to N showed signs of decline at low levels, far below the current critical load levels. Some species also showed continuous changes as N deposition levels rose above the current critical load values. This work contributes to the growing evidence base suggesting species level impacts at low N deposition values.
Deepwater Horizon oil spill impacts on Alabama beaches
Authors: Hayworth J. S. , Clement T. P. , Valentine J. F.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. From mid June 2010 to early August 2010, the white sandy beaches along Alabama's Gulf coast were inundated with crude oil discharged from the Deepwater Horizon well. The long-term consequences of this environmental catastrophe are still unfolding. Although BP has attempted to clean up some of these beaches, there still exist many unanswered questions regarding the physical, chemical, and ecological state of the oil contaminated beach system. In this paper, we present our understanding of what is known and known to be unknown with regard to the current state of Alabama's beaches in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Motivated by our observations of the evolving distribution of oil in Alabama's beaches and BP's clean-up activities, we offer our thoughts on the lessons learned from this oil spill disaster.
Foreign Bodies in Urinary Bladder: A Clinical Case
Authors: Passaro Giovanna , Cappa Emanuele , D'addessi Alessandro , Sacco Emilio , Bassi Pier Francesco
Published: December 2011

Objectives

A pencil in the urinary bladder is an unusual problem for urologists. We present a case in a 44-year-old female with an eyeliner pencil self-introduced into the urethra.

Materials and Methods

The patient was referred to us with a recent history of “ingestion of foreign body”. The clinical presentation, radiologic data, and treatment were reported.

Results

The patient had a pencil placed sideways in the urinary bladder, with focal perforation of the left wall. A cystoscopy was performed and the pencil was removed at the same time by using grasping forceps and hydraulic overdistention of the urinary bladder.

Conclusions

Bladder is the most common location of foreign bodies of the urogenital tract, almost always due to self-insertion into the urethra for the purpose of masturbation or as a result of non-inhibited or altered behavior due to psychiatric diseases, or to the influence of drugs. Most patients were too ashamed to admit they had inserted or applied any object and usually presented when a complication had occurred such as difficulty in voiding, hematuria, pain or swelling, extravasations or abscess formation. The treatment can be endoscopic, and it depends on the type of the foreign object and the operator's skills.
Secretory Breast Carcinoma: Unique, Triple-Negative Carcinoma With a Favorable Prognosis and Characteristic Molecular Expression
Authors: Vasudev Pooja , Onuma Kazuya
Published: December 2011

Secretory carcinoma is a rare but distinct subtype of breast carcinoma, with characteristic histomorphology and generally favorable prognosis. Although it was originally described as a juvenile breast carcinoma, occurring in young children, most cases have been reported in adults of both sexes. As the name implies, the characteristic histomorphology is the presence of a large amount of intracellular and extracellular, eosinophilic secretion material that stains positive for periodic acid–Schiff. Most tumors stain positive for S100 and negative for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and ERBB2 (formerly HER2/neu) (ie, triple negative). In addition, some secretory carcinomas demonstrate a basal-like immunoprofile. Recent studies have shown the characteristic molecular feature: a balanced translocation t(12;15), resulting in an ETS variant 6–neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor type 3 (ETV6-NTRK3) fusion gene encoding a chimeric tyrosine kinase. Although rare events of axillary lymph node or distant metastases have been documented, the prognosis is generally excellent. The methods of surgical treatment and the role of adjuvant therapy, particularly for young patients, remain controversial.
Validated RP-HPLC Method for the Determination of Zolmitriptan - A Serotonin 5-HT Receptor Agonist
Authors: Annapurna M. Mathrusri , Nanda Bidyut
Published: December 2011

A simple precise, accurate RP-HPLC method has been developed and validated for analysis of Zolmitriptan (ZLM). The separation and quantization were achieved on a 250 mm reversed phase column with a hydrophilic linkage between silica particles and hydrophobic alkyl chains. The mobile phase was constituted (flow rate 0.8 ml min-1) of eluant A (CH3OH) and eluant B (aqueous tetra butyl ammonium hydrogen sulphate) (pH 3.4; 10 mM) using isocratic elution with UV detection at 224 nm. The method showed good linearity for ZMT in the 1–100 μg mL-1 range with regression equation 15576x ± 99401 and correlation coefficient 0.999 respectively. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) and limit of detection (LOD) were found to be 0.8134 and 0.2687 μg mL-1 respectively. Finally the applicability of the method was validated according to ICH guidelines and can be applicable for the analysis of commercial dosage forms.
ChemInform Abstract: The Mixed Lanthanum Dichalcogenide β‐LaS1.86(1)Se0.14(1). Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Raman Spectrum and Optical Band Gap.
Authors: Bartsch Christian , Doert Thomas
Published: December 2011

The title compound is prepared by reaction of the elements in an NaCl flux (La:S:Se = 1:1.9:0.1; glassy carbon crucible in a sealed silica tube, 850 °C, 7 d).
ChemInform Abstract: FeCl3/NaI‐Catalyzed Allylic C—H Oxidation of Arylalkenes with a Catalytic Amount of Disulfide under Air.
Authors: Huang Deshun , Wang Haining , Xue Fazhen , Shi Yian
Published: December 2011

Starting from acyclic olefins, the allylic products are obtained with excellent (E)‐selectivity.
ChemInform Abstract: Eco‐Friendly Synthesis of β‐Nitro Ketones from Conjugated Enones: An Important Improvement of the Miyakoshi Procedure.
Authors: Gabrielli Serena , Palmieri Alessandro , Perosa Alvise , Selva Maurizio , Ballini Roberto
Published: December 2011

The work‐up step is merely a filtration of the crude reaction mixture and a subsequent evaporation of volatile compounds.
ChemInform Abstract: Pd‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Ar—SCF3 Compounds under Mild Conditions.
Authors: Teverovskiy Georgiy , Surry David S. , Buchwald Stephen L.
Published: December 2011

The Pd‐catalyzed reaction of aryl/heteroaryl bromides with nucleophile (II) affords the corresponding aryl/heteroaryl trifluoromethyl sulfides, an important class of compounds in both the pharmaceutical and agrochemical areas.
ChemInform Abstract: From Highly Enantioselective Catalytic Reaction of 1,3‐Diynes with Aldehydes to Facile Asymmetric Synthesis of Polycyclic Compounds.
Authors: Turlington Mark , Du Yuhao , Ostrum Samuel G. , Santosh Vishaka , Wren Kathryne , Lin Tony , Sabat Michal , Pu Lin
Published: December 2011

Highly enantioselective addition of various 1,3‐diynes towards aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes is smoothly achieved in the system Et2Zn—(S)‐BINOL—Ti(O‐iPr)4.
ChemInform Abstract: Indium Catalyzed Tandem Hydroamination/Hydroalkylation of Terminal Alkynes.
Authors: Sarma Rupam , Prajapati Dipak
Published: December 2011

The synthesis of the compounds (III) with a recyclable and reusable catalyst is presented via the title one‐pot reaction.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis of Aurones and Their Inhibitory Effects on Nitric Oxide and PGE2 Productions in LPS‐Induced RAW 264.7 Cells.
Authors: Shin Seo Young , Shin Min Cheol , Shin Ji‐Sun , Lee Kyung‐Tae , Lee Yong Sup
Published: December 2011

Aurones (IIIe) and (IIIf), which possess a C‐6 hydroxyl group in the A‐ring and methoxy substituents in the B‐ring, inhibit the NO and PGE2 production more efficiently than sulfuretin and are less cytotoxic.
ChemInform Abstract: Novel Pyrrolidinone and Pyrazolo[1,5‐a][1,3,5]triazine Derivatives Bearing a Biologically Active Sulfamoyl Moiety as a New Class of Antitumor Agents.
Authors: Aly Hala M.
Published: December 2011

A series of sulfonamides is prepared and tested as antitumor agents.
ChemInform Abstract: 2‐Alkyl‐4‐oxohexahydropyrimido[4,5‐d]‐ and ‐[5,4‐d]azocines.
Authors: Voskressensky L. G. , Ovcharov M. V. , Borisova T. N. , Kulikova L. N. , Listratova A. V. , Borisov R. S. , Varlamov A. V.
Published: December 2011

Reaction of tetrahydropyridopyrimidinones with activated alkynes in MeOH affords pyrimidoazocine and/or products of the pyridine ring opening, i.e.
ChemInform Abstract: Plastoquinones from Sargassum yezoense; Chemical Structures and Effects on the Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator‐Activated Receptor Gamma.
Authors: Kim Min Cheol , Kwon Hak Cheol , Kim Su Nam , Kim Hyung Seop , Um Byung Hun
Published: December 2011

The new plastoquinones, named meroterphenol A (I), B (II), C (III), and D (IV), show potent activation effects on peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma.
ChemInform Abstract: Monolayer‐Protected Gold Nanoparticle Surface‐Bound Catalysts: Preparation and Application
Authors: Jia Lifeng , He Tao , Li Zhipeng , Li Xue‐Mei
Published: December 2011

Review: 42 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Characterizing the Surface Chemistry of Nanoparticles: an Analogy to Solid‐Phase Synthesis Samples
Authors: Liu Yin , Yan Bing
Published: December 2011

Review: 41 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthetic Approaches to the Resveratrol‐Based Family of Oligomeric Natural Products
Authors: Snyder Scott A.
Published: December 2011

Review: 102 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Proline Derivatives
Authors: Zhang Shilei , Wang We
Published: December 2011

Review: 202 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Towards the Synthesis of Proanthocyanidins: Half a Century of Innovation
Authors: Ferreira Daneel , Coleman Christina M.
Published: December 2011

Review: 63 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Formation of C—C Bonds via Iridium‐Catalyzed Hydrogenation and Transfer Hydrogenation
Authors: Bower John F. , Krische Michael J.
Published: December 2011

Review: 310 refs.
Was die Immunantwort auslöst
Authors: Harrer Roswitha
Published: December 2011

Der Nobelpreis für Physiologie und Medizin 2011 würdigt bahnbrechende Arbeiten zur Funktion des Immunsystems. Bruce A. Beutler und Jules A. Hoffmann entdeckten die evolutionsbiologisch sehr alte Rezeptorfamilie, die Pathogen‐spezifische Motive erkennt, und Ralph M. Steinmann widmete sein Lebenswerk der Beschreibung der dendritischen Zellen und ihrer Rolle in der adaptiven Immunität.
Supercritical Fluid Chemical Deposition as an Alternative Process to CVD for the Surface Modification of Materials
Authors: Majimel Mélanie , Marre Samuel , Garrido Elsa , Aymonier Cyril
Published: December 2011

Taking the desirable attributes of CVD and aqueous plating techniques while minimizing the disadvantages of each, supercritical fluid chemical deposition (SFCD) demonstrates itself to be a promising process alternative to enable the fabrication of nanostructured devices. This paper gives information about the SFCD process for metal deposition as an alternative to CVD through various examples of inorganic deposition (films or nanostructures). In particular, the use of SFCD will be demonstrated for the surface modification of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and their decoration with palladium nanoparticles.
Mobile social networks: state‐of‐the‐art and a new vision
Authors: Yang Kun , Cheng Xueqi , Hu Liang , Zhang Jianming
Published: December 2011

Social networks have attracted much attention and are gaining increasing momentum in communities, academia and industries. The mobilization of social networks, thus mobile social networks (MSNs), has equally been widely used, driven by the rapid advancement of both wireless network technologies and mobile devices. In light of the many works on MSNs focusing on its various different aspects, this paper aims to provide an overall view of this young and exciting field by summarizing its key research activities/categories and analyzing their interrelationships. Furthermore, the paper goes one step further by presenting a new vision of MSNs, which brings its other equally important arm, that is, mobile communication networks, into the horizon of MSN research. This new vision advocates the seamless integration of both arms, each located at different layers, that is, social networks at the application layer and mobile wireless networks at the network and communication layers. This integration calls for a cross‐layer information exchange of the two layers for the benefit of the MSN as a whole. The methodologies that shall be adopted by this new vision of MSN and the upcoming research challenges faced by this new field are discussed. It is hoped that this paper can serve as a seed to spark wider and deeper discussions and research activities on this new field of MSNs, where social computing activities and mobile wireless network researches embrace each other to create an era where all stakeholders in the MSN supply chain and in particular end‐users benefit. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multistate Redox‐Active Metalated Triarylamines
Authors: Grelaud Guillaume , Cifuentes Marie P. , Schwich Torsten , Argouarch Gilles , Petrie Simon , Stranger Rob , Paul Frédéric , Humphrey Mark G.
Published: December 2011

trans‐[(η5‐C5H5)Fe(η5‐C5H4‐η1‐C≡C)Ru(C≡C‐4‐C6H4NPh2)(dppe)2] [4; dppe = 1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ethane] and trans,trans,trans‐[{(η5‐C5H5)Fe(η5‐C5H4‐η1‐C≡C)Ru(dppe)2(C≡C‐4‐C6H4)}3N] (7) have been synthesized from trans‐[Ru(C≡C‐4‐C6H4NPh2)Cl(dppe)2] (3) and trans,trans,trans‐[{(dppe)2ClRu(C≡C‐4‐C6H4)}3N] (6), respectively, and the identities of trans‐[Ru(C=CH‐4‐C6H4NPh2)Cl(dppe)2][PF6] (2, precursor to 3), 3, and 4 have been confirmed crystallographically. Chemical oxidation of 4 and 7 afforded the isolable mixed‐valence species 4[PF6] and 7[PF6]3. The CV of 4 reveals sequential loss of three electrons in fully reversible oxidation steps, whereas the CV of 7 shows five reversible redox waves; in contrast, oxidation of the precursor amines HC≡C‐4‐C6H4NPh2 and (HC≡C‐4‐C6H4)3N are irreversible processes. All oxidation processes afford reversible changes in the linear optical properties. Complementary time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) studies suggest that the initial oxidation process for 4 and 7 is iron‐centered and is followed by one (for 4) or three (for 7) ruthenium‐centered oxidations. The final reversible oxidation is assigned by TD‐DFT as delocalized along the metalla‐ethynylarylamine moiety. The intense optical changes consequent on reversible oxidation, together with their charge‐transfer character, suggest that 4 and 7 have potential as nonlinear as well as linear optical multistate switches.
Erosion effects on chemical composition and morphology of dental materials and root dentin
Authors: Soares Luís Eduardo Silva , Lima Luciana Reinaldo , Vieira Laís De Souza , Santo Ana Maria Do EspÍRito , Martin Airton Abrahão
Published: December 2011

Purpose: This work aims to study the erosion on restorative materials and on surrounding dentin. Fifty root dentin samples were obtained from bovine incisors. Methods: Twenty samples were not restored and thirty received cavity preparations. Samples were assigned to five groups: G1, G2: sound dentin (D); G3: composite resin (CR); G4: resin‐modified glass‐ionomer cement (RMGIC); G5: glass‐ionomer cement (GIC). The samples of groups 2–5 were submitted to six cycles (demineralization–remineralization). Samples were analyzed by micro energy‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry (μ‐EDXRF) and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: Mineral loss was greater in G2 samples than in RMGI > CR > GIC > D (control). SEM images showed pronounced dentin demineralization in groups 2 and 4. The acid erosion has a significant effect on mineral loss (Ca and P) of root dentin without restoration. Conclusions: Composite resin had the best chemical resistance to erosion among all the materials. Fluoride contained in GIC seemed to cause some protection, however, with material degradation. Chemical interaction of tooth‐colored dental materials with root dentin could be assessed by μ‐EDXRF. Microsc. Res. Tech. 75:703–710, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Vertical distribution of soluble organic nitrogen, nitrogen mineralization, nitrification, and amidohydrolase activities in a manure‐treated soil
Authors: Khalili Banafshe , Nourbakhsh Farshid
Published: December 2011

Recent studies indicate that soil soluble organic nitrogen (SON) plays an important regulatory role in the soil–plant N cycle. The aims of this study were to identify the vertical distribution of SON and its correlation with N mineralization, nitrification, and amidohydrolase activities, in a soil repeatedly amended with cow manure or chemical fertilizer. For this purpose, soil samples were collected from 0–20, 20–40, 40–60, 60–80, and 80–100 cm depths of a calcareous soil, which has been annually amended for 5 y with cow manure (CM) at two rates of 50 (CM50) and 100 (CM100) Mg CM ha–1 y–1. Treatments with chemical fertilizer (CF) and a control (CT) were also included. Soluble organic N, N mineralization, nitrification rates, as well as L‐glutaminase and L‐asparaginase activities were determined. Both CM50 and CM100 enhanced SON content throughout the soil profile. Nitrogen‐mineralization rate (Nm) was increased at the 0–20 cm depth of the CM100 treatment and remained unaffected at the deeper depths. Nitrification rate (Nn) was significantly higher at the 0–60 cm depth of CM100 compared to CF and CT. L‐glutaminase and L‐asparaginase activities were significantly increased at the 0–40 cm depth in both CM50 and CM100 compared to CF and CT. The amidohydrolase activities could not be detected below 40 cm, regardless of the fertilizer treatments. Our results suggest that SON makes a minor contribution to N mineralization in deep soil layers. It was also concluded that changes in the SON throughout the soil profile were not associated with changes in the N‐transformation rates (Nm and Nn) and amidohydrolase activities. While we conclude that SON is a major N pool in the whole profile of the manure applied soil further investigation is required to characterize SON and to investigate the bioavailability of SON for microbial activity in different soil depths.
Anti‐inflammatory activities of aqueous extract of Mesona procumbens in experimental mice
Authors: Huang Guan‐Jhong , Liao Jung‐Chun , Chiu Chuan‐Sung , Huang Shyh‐Shyun , Lin Tsung‐Hui , Deng Jeng‐Shyan
Published: December 2011

BACKGROUND: Mesona procumbens is consumed as a herbal drink and jelly‐type dessert in Taiwan. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanism of anti‐inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract of M. procumbens (AMP) using the λ‐carrageenin (Carr)‐induced mouse paw oedema model. The fingerprint chromatogram of AMP was obtained by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. To investigate the anti‐inflammatory mechanism of AMP, the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in paw oedema were monitored. Serum nitric oxide (NO), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) were also evaluated.

RESULTS: The fingerprint chromatogram from HPLC indicated that AMP contained protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, vanillic acid and caffeic acid. In the anti‐inflammatory test, AMP decreased paw oedema after Carr administration and increased the CAT, SOD and GPx activities and decreased the MDA level in paw oedema at 5 h after Carr injection. AMP also affected the serum NO, TNF‐α and IL‐1β levels at 5 h after Carr injection. Western blotting revealed that AMP decreased the expression of Carr‐induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2).

CONCLUSION: Mesona procumbens has the potential to provide a therapeutic approach to inflammation‐associated disorders. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Single shot concentric shells trajectories for ultra fast fMRI
Authors: Zahneisen Benjamin , Hugger Thimo , Lee Kuan J. , LeVan Pierre , Reisert Marco , Lee Hsu‐Lei , Assländer Jakob , Zaitsev Maxim , Hennig Jürgen
Published: December 2011

MR‐encephalography is a technique that allows real‐time observation of functional changes in the brain with a time‐resolution of 100 ms. The high sampling rate is enabled by the use of undersampled image acquisition with regularized reconstruction. The article describes a novel imaging method for fast three‐dimensional‐MR‐encephalography whole brain coverage based on undersampled, single‐shot concentric shells trajectories and the use of multiple small receiver coils. The technique allows the observation of changes in blood oxygenation level dependent signal as a measure of brain physiology at very high temporal resolution. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Luminescence coupling effects on multijunction solar cell external quantum efficiency measurement
Authors: Lim Swee Hoe , Li Jing‐Jing , Steenbergen Elizabeth H. , Zhang Yong‐Hang
Published: December 2011

The effects of luminescence coupling on the external quantum efficiency (EQE) measurement of an InGaP/InGaAs/Ge triple junction solar cell were investigated. A small signal model was used to study the interaction of the subcells during EQE measurement. It was found that an optical–electrical feedback mechanism results in EQE measurement artifacts. Measurements of luminescence from the InGaP p–n junction are also performed to quantitatively determine the strength of the luminescence coupling. These results offer a more thorough and comprehensive interpretation of EQE measurement results that are needed for the design and accurate performance evaluation of high‐efficiency multijunction solar cells. The effects demonstrated here can also be used to measure the spontaneous emission efficiency of the subcells, which is useful for nondestructive assessment of multijunction solar cell material quality. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solution‐processible polymer solar cells fabricated on a papery substrate
Authors: Kim Tae‐Soo , Na Seok‐In , Kim Seok‐Soon , Yu Byung‐Kwan , Yeo Jun‐Suk , Kim Dong‐Yu
Published: December 2011

We report on solution‐processible polymer solar cells (PSCs) fabricated on a papery substrate using carton. Highly conductive PEDOT:PSS was used as a bottom anode and planarization layer, and a semi‐transparent top cathode was applied. This research could be an important approach to the development of all‐solution‐processible papery PSCs as well as paper electronics.

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(© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Experimental characterization of temperature‐dependent electron transport in single‐wall multi‐tube carbon nanotube transistors
Authors: Sakalas Paulius , Claus Martin , Schroter Michael , Rumiantsev Andrej
Published: December 2011

Current–voltage, radio‐frequency (RF) and noise characteristics of single‐wall multi‐tube carbon nanotube (CNT) transistors were measured at cryogenic temperatures. Compared to an ambient temperature (Ta) of 300 K, only a slight drain current increase at Ta = 77 K was observed. In addition, a weak dependence of the maximum value of the current gain cut‐off frequency (fT) on Ta was obtained, indicating that fT is rather limited by the device intrinsic quantum and extrinsic capacitances than by an improved mobility due to reduced optical phonon scattering at low Ta. A noise analysis of the devices at Ta = 10 K reveals that the noise factor (NF) improvement at very low temperatures is related to the reduced Nyquist noise of all resistive transistor noise contributors. Since the main noise source in CNTFETs is the shot noise, NF remains comparatively high even at Ta = 10 K.

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Photo of the CNTFET embedded in RF pads (left) and schematic layout of the CNTFET (right).

(© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Reduced Bioavailability of Tamoxifen and its Metabolite 4‐Hydroxytamoxifen After Oral Administration with Biochanin A (an Isoflavone) in Rats
Authors: Singh Sheelendra Pratap , Wahajuddin  , Raju K. S. R. , Ali Mushir M. , Kohli Kanchan , Jain Girish Kumar
Published: December 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of biochanin A (BCA) on the pharmacokinetics of tamoxifen, a substrate of P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) and cytochrome 3A (CYP3A), in female rats. The tamoxifen was administered orally (10 mg/kg) without or with oral BCA (100 mg/kg) in female rats. As BCA is an inhibitor of CYP 3A and P‐gp it was expected to increase the bioavailability of tamoxifen, a known substrate of CYP3A4/Pgp. Surprisingly, compared with the control group (treated with tamoxifen alone), BCA pretreated animals showed significantly (p < 0.05) decreased area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time zero to time infinity (AUC0‐∞) and peak tamoxifen concentrations (Cmax). Consequently, the relative bioavailability (RB%) of tamoxifen co‐administered with BCA was remarkably decreased compared with the control group. The AUC0‐∞ and Cmax of 4‐hydroxytamoxifen in BCA pretreated rats were also significantly (p < 0.05) lower than those from the control group. However, there were no apparent changes in the metabolite ratio (MR; AUC0‐∞ of 4‐hydroxytamoxifen to tamoxifen) by co‐administration of BCA. If the results of this study are further confirmed by clinical trials, tamoxifen dosages should be adjusted to avoid potential drug interaction when tamoxifen is used clinically in combination with BCA and BCA‐containing dietary supplements. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mifepristone-Inducible Caspase-1 Expression in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Eliminates Tumor Formation but Spares Differentiated Cells In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Wang Yi , Yang Dehua , Song Lin , Li Ting , Yang Juan , Zhang Xiaojie , Le Weidong
Published: December 2011

Embryonic stem cell (ESC)-based therapy is a promising treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. But there is always a risk of tumor formation that is due to contamination of undifferentiated ESCs. To reduce the risk and improve ESC-based therapy, we have established a novel strategy by which we can selectively eliminate tumor cells derived from undifferentiated ESCs but spare differentiated cells. In this study, we generated a caspase-1-ESC line transfected with a mifepristone-regulated caspase-1 expression system. Mifepristone induced caspase-1 overexpression both in differentiated and undifferentiated caspase-1-ESCs. All the undifferentiated caspase-1-ESCs were induced to death after mifepristone treatment. Tumors derived from undifferentiated caspase-1-ESCs were eliminated following 3 weeks of mifepristone treatment in vivo. However, differentiated caspase-1-ESCs survived well under the condition of mifepristone-induced caspase-1 overexpression. To examine in vivo the impact of mifepristone-induced caspase-1 activation on grafted cells, we transplanted wild-type ESCs or caspase-1-ESCs into nude mice brains. After 8 weeks of mifepristone treatment, we could not detect any tumor cells in the caspase-1-ESC grafts in the brains of mice. However, we found that donor dopamine neurons survived in the recipient brains. These data demonstrate that mifepristone-induced caspase-1 overexpression in ESCs can eliminate the potential tumor formation meanwhile spares the differentiated cells in the host brains. These results suggest that this novel ESC-based therapy can be used in Parkinson's disease and other related disorders without the risk of tumor formation.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Beyond DNA origami: the unfolding prospects of nucleic acid nanotechnology
Authors: Michelotti Nicole , Johnson‐Buck Alexander , Manzo Anthony J. , Walter Nils G.
Published: December 2011

Nucleic acid nanotechnology exploits the programmable molecular recognition properties of natural and synthetic nucleic acids to assemble structures with nanometer‐scale precision. In 2006, DNA origami transformed the field by providing a versatile platform for self‐assembly of arbitrary shapes from one long DNA strand held in place by hundreds of short, site‐specific (spatially addressable) DNA ‘staples’. This revolutionary approach has led to the creation of a multitude of two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional scaffolds that form the basis for functional nanodevices. Not limited to nucleic acids, these nanodevices can incorporate other structural and functional materials, such as proteins and nanoparticles, making them broadly useful for current and future applications in emerging fields such as nanomedicine, nanoelectronics, and alternative energy. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2012, 4:139–152. doi: 10.1002/wnan.170

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > Biosensing

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Preoperative 18F‐FDG Uptake is Strongly Correlated with Malignancy, Weiss Score, and Molecular Markers of Aggressiveness in Adrenal Cortical Tumors
Authors: Gust Lucile , Taieb David , Beliard Arnault , Barlier Anne , Morange Isabelle , de Micco Catherine , Henry Jean‐François , Sebag Frederic
Published: December 2011

Background

Adrenal incidentaloma are frequent in the general population. It can be difficult to diagnose adrenocortical carcinomas among them, even with the progress of imaging techniques. We studied the results of PET‐FDG in the diagnosis of such tumours.

Methods

We studied patients referred to the Department of Endocrine Surgery at La Timone Hospital, Marseilles, France, between June 2006 and October 2010 for adrenal tumours. All patients underwent a complete work‐up (biological tests and imagery), completed with PET‐FDG. We compared the results of PET‐FDG and molecular analysis with Weiss score and clinical follow‐up. We calculated correlations with the Pearson test.

Results

A total of 51 patients were studied. We found that PET‐FDG had a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 97% for the diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinoma. The correlation between PET‐FDG and Weiss score was 77% (P ≤ 0.0001). Molecular analyses were correlated as well with Weiss score and malignancy (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The nature of atypical adrenal masses can be difficult to define during preoperative investigations. For undetermined tumours smaller than 6 cm, characterization with PET‐FDG can be one more diagnostic argument pointing to malignancy. It could potentially change the therapeutic strategy and surgical management. In our experience, molecular analyses are available after surgery and have less impact on the therapeutic strategy than PET‐FDG. Preoperative PET‐FDG can be an asset in the management of adrenal incidentaloma and adrenocortical carcinoma.