bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organizing for the Third Mission
Authors: Hellström Tomas , Jacob Merle , Wigren-Kristoferson Caroline
Published: July 2013

The authors investigate how Third Mission activities at universities, such as the outreach and technology transfer functions, are anchored in organizational structures and practices, and discuss the implications of this relationship for the success of the activities. They draw on case studies of two Swedish university colleges to illustrate the diversity of mechanisms used to achieve Third Mission functions. It is concluded that choices about how to organize Third Mission activities may be classified with reference to at least three dimensions: (a) decentralization versus centralization of the outreach function; (b) a strong versus weak research connection in outreach; and (c) demand-side versus supply-side strategies for outreach. These dimensions are analysed from the perspective of their relative strengths and weaknesses for the organization by universities of Third Mission activities.
The Need for Mental Health Care Among Informal Caregivers Assisting People with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Buchanan Robert J. , Huang Chunfeng
Published: July 2013

The objective of this study was to identify characteristics of informal caregivers and people with multiple sclerosis (MS) receiving assistance that are associated with the caregiver's perceived need for mental health care. Survey data were collected in interviews with 530 caregivers and analyzed using a logistic regression model. We found that older caregiver age significantly decreased the odds of caregivers' perceived need for mental health treatment. Better mental health domains of health-related quality of life among caregivers, as measured by the 8-item Short Form Health Status Survey (SF-8), also were associated with decreased odds of the need for mental health care. In contrast, the caregiver's feeling that providing assistance was emotionally draining or the belief that this assistance threatened the caregiver/care recipient relationship significantly increased the odds of caregivers' needing mental health treatment. Health professionals treating informal caregivers should be sensitive to the impact that providing assistance has on the emotions, relationships, and mental health needs of caregivers.
Advances in the Management of Neurogenic Detrusor Overactivity in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Yonnet Gael J. , Fjeldstad Anette S. , Carlson Noel G. , Rose John W.
Published: July 2013

Bladder dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS) can be socially disabling, have negative psychological and economic consequences, and impair patients' quality of life. Knowledge of the functional anatomy and physiology of the urinary tract is essential to understand the symptoms associated with central nervous system lesions and the pharmacotherapies used to treat them. Treatments for neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) have consisted mainly of administration of anticholinergic drugs, which have been shown to provide suboptimal clinical benefits and be poorly tolerated. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of intravesicular botulinum toxin therapy provides a second-line option for MS patients with NDO not responsive to anticholinergic drugs. We performed a review of key literature pertaining to the intravesicular application of botulinum toxin. In the management of NDO, administration of intravesicular botulinum toxin using clean intermittent catheterization decreases the incidence of urinary tract infections, promotes urinary continence, and improves quality of life for 9 months after a single injection; moreover, those benefits are maintained with repeated injections over time.
Self-Management for People with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Fraser Robert , Ehde Dawn , Amtmann Dagmar , Verrall Aimee , Johnson Kurt L. , Johnson Erica , Kraft George H.
Published: July 2013

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) must manage the day-to-day effects of the disease on their lives. Self-management interventions may be helpful in this challenge. An international, multidisciplinary consensus conference was held on November 15, 2010, by the University of Washington's Rehabilitation Research and Training Center for Multiple Sclerosis (MS RRTC), with funding from the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) and the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), to discuss the concept of self-management for people with MS. The specific goals of the consensus conference were as follows: 1) review the current research on self-management and related issues in chronic disability and specifically in MS; 2) review optimal research methodologies, outcome measurement tools, program planning frameworks, and dissemination strategies for self-management research; and 3) establish recommendations on the next steps necessary to develop, adapt, and test self-management interventions for people with MS. The consensus conference and this document are the initial steps toward achieving the stated goals. Participants in the consensus conference concluded that it is necessary to: 1) define an empirically based conceptual model of self-management for people with MS; 2) establish reliable and valid self-management outcome measures; 3) use best practices to validate models of self-management interventions; and 4) plan dissemination and knowledge translation of interventions once their effectiveness is established.
Cycle synthesis and optimization of a VSA process for postcombustion CO2 capture
Authors: Haghpanah Reza , Nilam Ricky , Rajendran Arvind , Farooq Shamsuzzaman , Karimi Iftekhar A.
Published: July 2013

A systematic analysis of several vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) cycles with Zeochem zeolite 13X as the adsorbent to capture CO2 from dry, flue gas containing 15% CO2 in N2 is reported. Full optimization of the analyzed VSA cycles using genetic algorithm has been performed to obtain purity‐recovery and energy‐productivity Pareto fronts. These cycles are assessed for their ability to produce high‐purity CO2 at high recovery. Configurations satisfying 90% purity‐recovery constraints are ranked according to their energy‐productivity Pareto fronts. It is shown that a 4‐step VSA cycle with light product pressurization gives the minimum energy penalty of 131 kWh/tonne CO2 captured at a productivity of 0.57 mol CO2/m3 adsorbent/s. The minimum energy consumption required to achieve 95 and 97% purities, both at 90% recoveries, are 154 and 186 kWh/tonne CO2 captured, respectively. For the proposed cycle, it is shown that significant increase in productivity can be achieved with a marginal increase in energy consumption. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 4735–4748, 2013
Copolymerization of Isoprene and Nonconjugated α,ω‐Dienes by Half‐Sandwich Scandium Catalysts with and without a Coordinative Side Arm
Authors: Guo Fang , Nishiura Masayoshi , Li Yang , Hou Zhaomin
Published: July 2013

A series of half‐sandwich scandium–dialkyl complexes that bear various auxiliary ligands have been examined for the copolymerization of isoprene (IP) with nonconjugated α,ω‐dienes such as 1,5‐hexadiene (HD) and 1,6‐heptadiene (HPD). Significant ligand influence on the catalytic activity and selectivity has been observed. The thf‐coordinated complex [(C5Me4SiMe3)Sc(CH2SiMe3)2(thf)] (2) and the methoxy side arm containing the half‐sandwich complex [(C5Me4C6H4OMe‐o)Sc(CH2SiMe3)2] (3), in combination with an equivalent of [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4], can serve as excellent catalysts for the random cyclocopolymerizations of IP with HD and HPD. The resulting random HD–IP copolymers contain five‐membered‐ring methylene‐1,3‐cyclopentane (MCP), 3,4‐polyisoprene (3,4‐IP), and 1,4‐polyisoprene (1,4‐IP) units with controllable HD incorporation in a range of 17–82 mol %. The random HPD–IP copolymers possess six‐membered‐ring methylene‐1,3‐cyclohexane (MCH), 1,4‐IP, and 3,4‐IP units with HPD incorporation in a range of 11–55 mol %. By use of a catalyst that bears a phosphine oxide group [{C5Me4SiMe2CH2P(O)Ph2}Sc(CH2SiMe3)2] (5), the alternating copolymerizations of IP with HD and HPD have been achieved for the first time in which HD and HPD are completely cyclized to the MCP and MCH units, respectively. More remarkably, in the alternating copolymerization of HPD and IP by 5, the regio‐ and stereospecific cis‐MCH selectivity reached as high as 99 %. The microstructures and compositions of these copolymers showed significant influences on their mechanical properties.
Transfer of Sulfur: From Simple to Diverse
Authors: Liu Hui , Jiang Xuefeng
Published: July 2013

The introduction of sulfur atoms onto target molecules is an important area in organic synthesis, in particular in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, and a wide variety of sulfuration agents have been developed for thionation reactions over the past few decades. In this Focus Review, we collect and summarize the CS bond‐formation reactions that have been used to construct CS bonds in natural products and pharmaceutical compounds.
6‐Methyl 3‐chromonyl 2,4‐thiazolidinedione/2,4‐imidazolidinedione/2‐thioxo‐imidazolidine‐4‐one compounds: novel scavengers of reactive oxygen species
Authors: Berczyński Paweł , Duchnik Ewa , Kruk Irena , Piechowska Teresa , Aboul‐Enein Hassan Y. , Bozdağ‐Dündar Oya , Ceylan‐Unlusoy Meltem
Published: July 2013

The benefits of antioxidants on human health are usually ascribed to their potential ability to remove reactive oxygen species providing protection against oxidative stress. In this paper the free radicals scavenging activities of nine 6‐methyl 3‐chromonyl derivatives (CMs) were evaluated for the first time by the chemiluminescence, electron paramagnetic resonance, spin trapping and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) methods. The total antioxidant capacity was also measured using a ferric‐ferrozine reagent. Compounds having a hydrogen atom at the N3‐position of the β‐ring were effective in quenching CL resulted from the KO2/18‐crown‐6‐ether system (a source of superoxide anion radical, ) in a dose‐dependent manner over the range of 0.05–1 mmol/L [IC50 ranged from 0.353 (0.04) to 0.668 (0.05) mmol/L]. The examined compounds exhibited a significant scavenging effect towards hydroxyl radicals (HO• HO•), produced by the Fenton reaction, and this ranged from 24.0% to 61.0%, at the concentration of 2.5 mmol/L. Furthermore, the compounds examined were also found to inhibit DPPH• and this ranged from 51.9% to 97.4% at the same concentration. In addition, the use of the total antioxidant capacity assay confirmed that CM compounds are able to act as reductants. According to the present study, CM compounds showed effective in vitro free radical scavenging activity and may be considered as potential therapeutics to control diseases of oxidative stress‐related etiology. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bioportides: Bioactive cell‐penetrating peptides that modulate cellular dynamics
Authors: Lukanowska Monika , Howl John , Jones Sarah
Published: July 2013

The study and exploitation of cell‐penetrating peptides (CPPs) now extends into a third exciting decade. Pharmacokinetic modulators, including the more common sequences Tat, penetratin and transportan‐10, markedly enhance the intracellular delivery of small drugs, peptides, oligonucleotides and proteins. We introduced the term bioportide to distinguish cell penetrant peptides with intrinsic bioactivities from more typically inert CPP vectors. Our first examples included rhegnylogically organised bioportides, monomeric peptides presenting pharmacophores for both cellular internalization and bioactivity discontinuously distributed within the primary sequence. However, it is conceptually expedient to employ the same terminology to encompass sychnologic bioportides that comprise an inert CPP vector conjugated to an otherwise impermeable bioactive peptide. In such cases the CPP provides an obvious address function whilst the bioactive cargo, often a protein mimetic sequence, is the message. Additional targeting sequences, usually added as chimeric extensions, can also be accommodated within the design of CPPs and bioportides to enable cell‐ and tissue‐selective targeting. Thus, the identification and exploitation of bioportides provides further scope to employ CPPs as research tools, diagnostics and therapeutics spanning a range of pathologies.
Effect of selected aldehydes found in the corncob hemicellulose hydrolysate on the growth and xylitol fermentation of Candida tropicalis
Authors: Wang Le , Tang Pingwah , Fan Xiaoguang , Yuan Qipeng
Published: July 2013

The effects of four aldehydes (furfural, 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural, vanillin and syringaldehyde), which were found in the corncob hemicellulose hydrolysate, on the growth and xylitol fermentation of Candida tropicalis were investigated. The results showed that vanillin was the most toxic aldehyde for the xylitol fermentation, followed by syringaldehyde, furfural and 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural. Moreover, the binary combination tests revealed that furfural amplified the toxicity of other aldehydes and the toxicities of other binary combinations without furfural were simply additive. Based on the fermentation experiments, it was demonstrated that the inhibition of aldehydes could be alleviated by prolonging the fermentation incubation, increasing the initial cell concentration, enhancing the initial pH value and minimizing the furfural levels in the hydrolysate evaporation process. The strategies that we proposed to suppress the inhibitory effects of the aldehydes successfully avoided the complicated and costly detoxifications. Our findings could be potentially adopted for the industrial xylitol fermentation from hydrolysates. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:1181–1189, 2013
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and Characterization of Two Crystallographic Forms of Ag0.79VS2.
Authors: Ali Mazhar N. , Ji Huiwen , Hirai Daigorou , Fuccillo M. K. , Cava R. J.
Published: July 2013

A mixture of α‐Ag0.79VS2 and β‐Ag0.79VS2 is prepared by solid state reaction of a stoichiometric mixture of Ag, V, and S powder (evacuated quartz tube, 750 °C, 6 d).
ChemInform Abstract: Preparation and Visible‐Light Photocatalytic Properties of BiNbO4 and BiTaO4 by a Citrate Method.
Authors: Zhai Hai‐Fa , Li Ai‐Dong , Kong Ji‐Zhou , Li Xue‐Fei , Zhao Jie , Guo Bing‐Lei , Yin Jiang , Li Zhao‐Sheng , Wu Di
Published: July 2013

BiNbO4 (I) and BiTaO4 (II) powders are obtained via the sol‐gel citrate route, starting with 5% excess of Bi(NO3)3 in aqueous solutions of niobium or tantalum citrate peroxide (pH 7—8, solvent evaporation at 180 °C, 4 h, calcination at 550—1200 °C, 3 h).
ChemInform Abstract: Oxidative Diamination Promoted by Dinuclear Iodine(III) Reagents.
Authors: Roeben Caren , Souto Jose A. , Escudero‐Adan Eduardo C. , Muniz Kilian
Published: July 2013

The synthesis of new dinuclear iodine(III) compounds and their application in the intermolecular diamination of alkenes are described.
ChemInform Abstract: Simplified Synthesis of Aryliodonium Ylides by a One‐Pot Procedure.
Authors: Cardinale Jens , Ermert Johannes
Published: July 2013

Various title compounds bearing ortho‐, meta‐ or para‐substituents in the arene moiety are prepared in acceptable yields.
ChemInform Abstract: Iron‐Catalyzed N‐Alkylation Using π‐Activated Ethers as Electrophiles.
Authors: Fan Xiaohui , Fu Lin‐An , Li Na , Lv Hao , Cui Xiao‐Meng , Qi Yuan
Published: July 2013

An alternative access to N‐containing compounds via iron‐catalyzed substitution of π‐activated ethers is presented.
ChemInform Abstract: Nanocrystalline TiO2—HClO4: A Novel, Efficient and Recyclable Catalyst for the Chemoselective N‐Boc Protection of Amines under Solvent‐Free Conditions.
Authors: Shirini Farhad , Atghia Seyyed Vahid , Jirdehi Mojtaba Ghazi
Published: July 2013

Notable features of the title process are mild acidic conditions, short reaction times, and room temperature.
ChemInform Abstract: Pd2dba3/Bippyphos: A Robust Catalyst System for the Hydroxylation of Aryl Halides with Broad Substrate Scope.
Authors: Lavery Christopher B. , Rotta‐Loria Nicolas L. , McDonald Robert , Stradiotto Mark
Published: July 2013

An efficient catalytic system for the title reaction under mild reaction conditions is presented.
ChemInform Abstract: A General Simple Methodology for Synthesis of Isonitriles Using Benzene‐1,3‐disulfonyl Dichloride.
Authors: Ghorbani‐Vaghei Ramin , Amiri Mostafa , Veisi Hojat
Published: July 2013

A facile protocol for the efficient transformation of formamides into isonitriles using 1,3‐disulfonyl chloride as dehydration reagent is presented.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and Investigation of 1,6‐Bis‐di‐tert‐butylphosphinohexane and Its Application in Suzuki—Miyaura Coupling.
Authors: Mitchell John M. , Brown William S.
Published: July 2013

BPH is found to be an efficient ligand when combined with Pd.
ChemInform Abstract: BF3·OEt2‐Promoted Concise Synthesis of Difluoroboron‐Derivatized Curcumins from Aldehydes and 2,4‐Pentanedione.
Authors: Liu Kai , Chen Jiangmin , Chojnacki Jeremy , Zhang Shijun
Published: July 2013

Optimized conditions are elaborated for the preparation of various symmetrical and unsymmetrical title compounds, which are of interest in drug development.
ChemInform Abstract: Unexpected O‐Alkylation and Ester Migration in Phenolic 2,3‐Diaryl‐2,3‐dihydrobenzo[b]furans.
Authors: Tran Henry , Dickson Benjamin D. , Barker David
Published: July 2013

Attempted O‐alkylation of benzodihydrofuran derivative (I) proceeds through an unexpected hydrolysis of the nitrobenzoate esters accompanied by transfer of a ‐Pnb group to the aromatic 5‐OH and double alkylation of the newly generated 3,5‐dihydroxyphenyl moiety.
ChemInform Abstract: Asymmetric Catalytic Aza‐Morita—Baylis—Hillman Reaction for the Synthesis of 3‐Substituted‐3‐aminooxindoles with Chiral Quaternary Carbon Centers.
Authors: Hu Fang‐Le , Wei Yin , Shi Min , Pindi Suresh , Li Guigen
Published: July 2013

The title reaction is studied using β‐isocupreidine and 2‐(OH)‐2′‐(PPh2)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl as comparable chiral catalysts.
ChemInform Abstract: A Cascade Approach to Fused Indolizinones Through Lewis Acid—Copper(I) Relay Catalysis.
Authors: Huang Huawen , Ji Xiaochen , Wu Wanqing , Jiang Huanfeng
Published: July 2013

A novel synthesis of fused indolizidinones from cyclopropyl ketones and nitriles using a Lewis acid‐Cu(I) binary catalytic system is described.
ChemInform Abstract: Domino o‐Alkylation and Heteroarylation of Iodoarenes: One‐Pot Synthesis of Benzocyclohepta[b]indoles.
Authors: Jafarpour Farnaz , Otaredi‐Kashani Asieh , Behpajooh Saeideh
Published: July 2013

Various derivatives of the medicinally interesting heterocyclic scaffold are prepared which, in part, include substituents for further functionalization.
ChemInform Abstract: Chemoselective and Regiospecific Formylation of 1‐Phenyl‐1H‐pyrazoles Through the Duff Reaction.
Authors: Menegatti Ricardo , et al. et al.
Published: July 2013

1‐Arylpyrazoles of type (I), (IV), or (VI) are formylated using hexamethylenetetramine as formylating agent.
ChemInform Abstract: Fermented Baker′s Yeast: An Efficient Catalyst for the Synthesis of Pyran Derivatives in Water at Room Temperature.
Authors: Saha M. , Pal A. K.
Published: July 2013

Fermented baker′s yeast is shown to catalyze the synthesis of (IV), (VI), and (VII).
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and Antifungal Evaluation of 7‐Arylamino‐5,8‐dioxo‐5,8‐dihydroisoquinoline‐4‐carboxylates.
Authors: Ryu Chung‐Kyu , Song Ae Li , Hong Jung An
Published: July 2013

A variety of the title isoquinolinecarboxylate derivatives are synthesized by nucleophilic substitution reactions.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Some New Pyrimidine Derivatives.
Authors: El‐mahdy Kamelia M. , El‐Kazak Azza M.
Published: July 2013

Mercaptopyrimidine (I) is used as a convenient starting material for the synthesis of different pyrimidine derivatives.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthetic Strategies to 9‐Substituted 8‐Oxoadenines.
Authors: Siah Huey‐San Melanie , Gundersen Lise‐Lotte
Published: July 2013

Three synthetic routes for the preparation of 9‐substituted 8‐oxoadenines are studied and compared.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis of 2‐Thia‐4‐azabicyclo[3.3.1]non‐3‐en‐3‐amine — Bridged Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitor with Enhanced Lipophilicity.
Authors: Zefirova Olga N. , Plotnikova Evgeniya D. , Nurieva Evgeniya V. , Peregud Danil I. , Onufriev Mikhail V. , Gulyaeva Natalia V.
Published: July 2013

A synthesis is given for title compound (XIII) which is found to be a potent inhibitor of inducible NO‐synthase in vitro.
ChemInform Abstract: Mild and Efficient Synthesis of Benzo‐Fused Seven‐ and Eight‐Membered Ring Lactams: A Convenient Approach to Biologically Interesting Chemotypes.
Authors: Kenwright Jayne L. , Galloway Warren R. J. D. , Wortmann Lars , Spring David R.
Published: July 2013

The title compounds (II) are efficiently obtained via Beckmann rearrangement of cyclic oximes.
ChemInform Abstract: Preparation of Sugar‐Derived 1,2‐Diamines via Indium‐Catalyzed Aza‐Henry‐Type Reaction: Application to the Synthesis of 6‐Amino‐1,6‐dideoxynojirimycin.
Authors: Soengas Raquel G. , Silva Artur M. S.
Published: July 2013

Optimized conditions are developed for the synthesis of nitroamines (III) via In‐catalyzed addition of bromonitroalkanes to imines.
ChemInform Abstract: Nanoparticles via Crystallization: A Chemical Reaction Control Study of Copper Oxides
Authors: Chen Kunfeng , Xue Dongfeng
Published: July 2013

Review: 49 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Recent Developments in Ruthenium Nitrido Complexes
Authors: Yi Xiao‐Yi , Liang Yan , Li Chen
Published: July 2013

Review: 117 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Transition Metal‐Catalyzed Functionalization of Pyrazines
Authors: Nikishkin Nicolai I. , Huskens Jurriaan , Verboom Willem
Published: July 2013

Review: 79 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Catalytic Aminohalogenation of Alkenes and Alkynes
Authors: Chemler Sherry R. , Bovino Michael T.
Published: July 2013

Review: 66 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Application of Oxazolidinethiones and Thiazolidinethiones in Aldol Additions
Authors: Crimmins Michael T.
Published: July 2013

Review: 95 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Alkene Metathesis in Water
Authors: Grela Karol , Gulajski Lukasz , Skowerski Krzysztof
Published: July 2013

Review: 101 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Catalytic Nucleophilic Additions of Alkynes in Water
Authors: Yao Xiaoquan , Li Chao‐Jun
Published: July 2013

Review: 98 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: First Order Magneto‐Structural Phase Transition and Associated Multi‐Functional Properties in Magnetic Solids
Authors: Roy Sindhunil Barman
Published: July 2013

Review: 305 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: The Effect of Physical, Chemical, and Biological Pretreatments of Biomass on Its Anaerobic Digestibility and Biogas Production
Authors: Stamatelatou Katerina , Antonopoulou Georgia , Ntaikou Ioanna , Lyberatos Gerasimos
Published: July 2013

Review: 147 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Recent Studies on Chemical Engineering Fundamentals for Fuel Pyrolysis and Gasification in Dual Fluidized Bed
Authors: Zhang Juwei , Wu Rongcheng , Zhang Guangyi , Yao Changbin , Zhang Yuming , Wang Yin , Xu Guangwen
Published: July 2013

Review: 134 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Glyconanotechnology
Authors: Reichardt Niels C. , Martin‐Lomas Manuel , Penades Soledad
Published: July 2013

Review: 98 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Lectin Microarrays: Concept, Principle and Applications
Authors: Hirabayashi Jun , Yamada Masao , Kuno Atsushi , Tateno Hiroaki
Published: July 2013

Review: 142 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Selection of an Optimal Set of Descriptors: Use of the Enhanced Replacement Method
Authors: Mercader Andrew G.
Published: July 2013

Review: 44 refs.
Efficient parallel implementation of three‐point viterbi decoding algorithm on CPU, GPU, and FPGA
Authors: Li Rongchun , Dou Yong , Zou Dan
Published: July 2013

In wireless communication, Viterbi decoding algorithm (VDA) is the one of most popular channel decoding algorithms, which is widely used in WLAN, WiMAX, or 3G communications. However, the throughput of Viterbi decoder is constrained by the convolutional characteristic. Recently, the three‐point VDA (TVDA) was proposed to solve this problem. In TVDA, the whole procedure can be divided into three phases, the forward, trace‐back, and decoding phases. In this paper, we analyze the parallelism of TVDA and propose parallel TVDA on the multi‐core CPU, graphics processing unit (GPU), and field programmable gate array (FPGA). We demonstrate approaches that fully exploit its performance potential on CPU, GPU, and FPGA computing platforms. For CPU platforms, we perform two optimization methods, single instruction multiple data and multithreading to gain over 145 × speedup over the naive CPU version on a quad‐core CPU platform. For GPU platforms, we propose the combination of cached memory optimization, coalesced global memory accesses, codeword packing scheme, and asynchronous data transition, achieving the throughput of 404.65 Mbps and 12 × speedup over initial GPU versions on an NVIDIA GeForce GTX580 card and 7 × speedup over Intel quad‐core CPU i5‐2300, under the same manufacturing year and both with fully optimized schemes. In addition, for FPGA platforms, we customize a radix‐4 pipelined architecture for the TVDA in a 45‐nm FPGA chip from Xilinx (XC6VLX760). Under 209.15‐MHz clock rate, it achieves a throughput of 418.30 Mbps. Finally, we also discuss the performance evaluation and efficiency comparison of different flexible architectures for real‐time Viterbi decoding in terms of the decoding throughput, power consumption, optimization schemes, programming costs, and price costs.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Closer Look at the ‘Global Reporting Initiative’ Sustainability Reporting as a Tool to Implement Environmental and Social Policies: A Worldwide Sector Analysis
Authors: del Mar Alonso‐Almeida María , Llach Josep , Marimon Frederic
Published: July 2013

This study analyses the worldwide diffusion of the Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI) Sustainability Report in all economic sectors from 1999 to 2011. The logistic curve model (s‐shaped curve) is used to assess the current situation on both a global scale and a local scale. Additionally, instability and concentration indices are used to analyse whether the diffusion process developed in a homogeneous manner across economic sectors. Although for different reasons, close attention has been paid to the two leading sectors worldwide: the financial and energy sectors. Findings suggest that the energy sector has adopted GRI reporting in an effort to be more sustainable as it is more visible, polluting, and international. On the other hand, the financial sector could regain market credibility and attract new investors, and GRI reporting could help it to construct a new identity defined by legitimate behaviours and an improved image. The paper concludes with some reflections on the usefulness of these reports and trends. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Effect of Financial Reporting Quality on Sustainability Information Disclosure
Authors: Martínez‐Ferrero Jennifer , Garcia‐Sanchez Isabel M. , Cuadrado‐Ballesteros Beatriz
Published: July 2013

Interest in corporate social responsibility (CSR) information has increased in recent years. This has led companies to set aside the classic economic view and to adopt the ‘triple bottom line’, reporting social, environmental, and financial information, in order to satisfy their stakeholders' needs.

Companies that provide high quality financial information tend to be more conservative in their accounting and less inclined to carry out unethical practices such as earnings management. Accordingly, they are more socially responsible. The aim of this paper is to analyse the relationship between financial reporting quality and the quality of CSR information. To do so, we studied a sample composed of 747 international listed non‐financial companies for the period 2002–2010. The results obtained from a Tobit method for panel data show that conservative companies, with a high level of accruals quality and/or those that carry out earnings management practices to a lesser extent, report high quality financial information and, moreover, high quality CSR information. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Use of LysoTracker dyes: A flow cytometric study of autophagy
Authors: Chikte Shaheen , Panchal Neelam , Warnes Gary
Published: July 2013

The flow cytometric use of LysoTracker dyes was employed to investigate the autophagic process and to compare this with the upregulation of autophagy marker, the microtubule‐associated protein LC3B. Although the mechanism of action of LysoTracker dyes is not fully understood, they have been used in microscopy to image acidic spherical organelles, and their use in flow cytometry has not been thoroughly investigated in the study of autophagy. This investigation uses numerous autophagy‐inducing agents including chloroquine (CQ), rapamycin, low serum (<1%) RPMI, and nutrient starvation to induce autophagy in Jurkat T‐cell leukemia and K562 erythromyeloid cell lines. LC3B showed an increase with CQ treatment although this was different to LysoTracker signals in terms of dose and time. Rapamycin, low serum (<1%) RPMI, and nutrient starvation induction of autophagy also induced an increase in LysoTracker and LC3B signals. CQ also induced apoptosis in cell lines, which was blocked by pan‐caspase inhibitor z‐VAD resulting in a reduction in cells undergoing apoptosis and a subsequent upregulation of autophagic markers LC3B and lysosomal dye signals. Given that LC3B and LysoTracker are measuring different biological events in the autophagic process, they surprisingly both upregulated during autophagic process. This study, however, shows that although LysoTracker dyes do not specifically label lysosomes or autophagosomes within the cell, they allow the simultaneous measurement of an autophagy‐related process and other live‐cell functions, which are not possible with the standard LC3B antibody‐labeling technique. This method has the advantage of other live‐cell LCB‐GFP‐tagged experiments in that be used to analyze patient cells as well as easier to use and significantly less costly. © 2013 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
High content analysis of differentiation and cell death in human adipocytes
Authors: Doan‐Xuan Quang Minh , Sarvari Anitta K. , Fischer‐Posovszky Pamela , Wabitsch Martin , Balajthy Zoltan , Fesus Laszlo , Bacso Zsolt
Published: July 2013

Understanding adipocyte biology and its homeostasis is in the focus of current obesity research. We aimed to introduce a high‐content analysis procedure for directly visualizing and quantifying adipogenesis and adipoapoptosis by laser scanning cytometry (LSC) in a large population of cell. Slide‐based image cytometry and image processing algorithms were used and optimized for high‐throughput analysis of differentiating cells and apoptotic processes in cell culture at high confluence. Both preadipocytes and adipocytes were simultaneously scrutinized for lipid accumulation, texture properties, nuclear condensation, and DNA fragmentation. Adipocyte commitment was found after incubation in adipogenic medium for 3 days identified by lipid droplet formation and increased light absorption, while terminal differentiation of adipocytes occurred throughout day 9–14 with characteristic nuclear shrinkage, eccentric nuclei localization, chromatin condensation, and massive lipid deposition. Preadipocytes were shown to be more prone to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)‐induced apoptosis compared to mature adipocytes. Importantly, spontaneous DNA fragmentation was observed at early stage when adipocyte commitment occurs. This DNA damage was independent from either spontaneous or induced apoptosis and probably was part of the differentiation program. © 2013 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
The menopausal transition—A possible window of vulnerability for eating pathology
Authors: Mangweth‐Matzek Barbara , Hoek Hans W. , Rupp Claudia I. , Kemmler Georg , Pope Harrison G. , Kinzl Johann
Published: July 2013

Objective

No published studies, to our knowledge, have examined the association of menopausal status with eating disorders and body image in women. We assessed these associations in a large sample of middle‐aged women.

Method

We administered an anonymous questionnaire to a randomly selected nonclinical sample of women aged 40–60 in Innsbruck, Austria. The questionnaire covered demographic items, menopausal status, weight history, measures of body image, and current eating disorders as diagnosed by DSM‐IV criteria. Using modified WHO criteria, we classified the respondents' current stage of menopausal transition as premenopausal (N = 192), perimenopausal (N = 110), or naturally postmenopausal (N = 134). In a separate analysis, we also examined the small group of women with surgically induced menopause (N = 12).

Results

The three groups were similar in all demographic features except age, and did not differ significantly on current body mass index (BMI), weight‐control behaviors, or dieting history after age adjustment. However, perimenopausal women reported a significantly greater prevalence of eating disorders as compared to premenopausal women. Perimenopausal women also reported significantly higher self‐ratings of “feeling fat” and higher Body Shape Questionnaire scores than premenopausal women. Women with surgically induced menopause also showed an elevated prevalence of eating and body image pathology.

Discussion

Our data suggest that the menopausal transition is associated with an increased prevalence of eating disorders and negative body image. Menopause, like puberty, may perhaps represent a window of vulnerability to these conditions, likely because of changes in hormonal function, body composition, and conceptions of womanhood. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2013; 46:609–616)
Parent–child concordance in reporting of child eating disorder pathology as assessed by the eating disorder examination
Authors: Mariano Paige , Watson Hunna J. , Leach David J. , McCormack Julie , Forbes David A.
Published: July 2013

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine parent–youth concordance in reporting of eating disorder pathology, as assessed by the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) in a clinical pediatric sample.

Method

The sample comprised 619 parent‐youth dyads of youth (8–18 years) presenting for treatment at a specialist eating disorder clinic. A cross‐sectional correlational design was used to examine the association between parent and youth symptom reports.

Results

On the whole, parent–youth inter‐rater agreement was poor to moderate. Agreement was acceptable for the presence of behavioral symptoms, with the exception of excessive exercise (PAK = 0.48–0.98). There was poor inter‐rater agreement on frequency of behavioral symptoms, with parents providing lower estimates than youth (ICC = 0.07–0.52). Although we predicted that inter‐rater agreement on cognitive symptoms would by higher with adolescents than children, both groups were discordant with parent reports. Younger children identified less severe eating disorder cognitions than parents and the opposite occurred for adolescents. An anorexia nervosa presentation and lower malnutrition were not associated with lower inter‐rater agreement, as might have been expected through ego syntonicity. Youth with bulimia nervosa presentations reported significantly higher severity of cognitive symptoms and more frequent disordered eating behaviors compared with their parents.

Discussion

Results support the utility of parent–youth assessment via the EDE to obtain a wider clinical picture of eating disorder psychopathology in children and adolescents, particularly for younger children. Clinical implications pertinent to administration of the EDE and parent literacy regarding eating disorder symptoms are discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2013; 46:617–625)
Weighted Empirical Likelihood Estimator for Vector Multiplicative Error Model
Authors: Ding Hao , Lam Kai‐pui
Published: July 2013

The vector multiplicative error model (vector MEM) is capable of analyzing and forecasting multidimensional non‐negative valued processes. Usually its parameters are estimated by generalized method of moments (GMM) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods. However, the estimations could be heavily affected by outliers. To overcome this problem, in this paper an alternative approach, the weighted empirical likelihood (WEL) method, is proposed. This method uses moment conditions as constraints and the outliers are detected automatically by performing a k‐means clustering on Oja depth values of innovations. The performance of WEL is evaluated against those of GMM and ML methods through extensive simulations, in which three different kinds of additive outliers are considered. Moreover, the robustness of WEL is demonstrated by comparing the volatility forecasts of the three methods on 10‐minute returns of the S&P 500 index. The results from both the simulations and the S&P 500 volatility forecasts have shown preferences in using the WEL method. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease is associated with a distributed pattern of brain white matter damage
Authors: Agosta Federica , Canu Elisa , Stefanova Elka , Sarro Lidia , Tomić Aleksandra , Špica Vladana , Comi Giancarlo , Kostić Vladimir S. , Filippi Massimo
Published: July 2013

This study assesses the patterns of gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) damage in patients with Parkinson's disease and mild cognitive impairment (PD‐MCI) compared with healthy controls and cognitively unimpaired PD patients (PD‐Cu). Three‐dimensional T1‐weighted and diffusion tensor (DT) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were obtained from 43 PD patients and 33 healthy controls. Cognition was assessed using a neuropsychological battery. Tract‐based spatial statistics was applied to compare DT MRI indices between groups on a voxel‐by‐voxel basis. Voxel‐based morphometry was performed to assess GM atrophy. Thirty PD patients were classified as MCI. Compared with healthy controls, PD‐Cu and PD‐MCI patients did not have GM atrophy. No region of WM damage was found in PD‐Cu patients when compared with healthy controls. Relative to healthy controls and PD‐Cu patients, PD‐MCI patients showed a distributed pattern of WM abnormalities in the anterior and superior corona radiata, genu, and body of the corpus callosum, and anterior inferior fronto‐occipital, uncinate, and superior longitudinal fasciculi, bilaterally. Subtle cognitive decline in PD is associated with abnormalities of frontal and interhemispheric WM connections, and not with GM atrophy. DT MRI might contribute to the identification of structural changes in PD‐MCI patients prior to the development of dementia. Hum Brain Mapp 35:1921–1929, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hydrologic evaluation of spatially disaggregated global ensemble rainfall forecasts
Authors: Gaborit E. , Anctil F. , Fortin V. , Pelletier G.
Published: July 2013

A statistic–stochastic multi‐fractal downscaling technique was evaluated from a hydrologic point of view. Ensemble hydrologic forecasts with a time step of 3 h were performed for original and disaggregated ensemble rainfall forecasts issued by the Canadian Global Ensemble Prediction System in its 2009 operational version. This hydro‐meteorological operational forecasting chain was conducted using the hydrological model SWMM5. The model was implemented on a small 6‐km2 urban catchment located in the Québec City region. The hydrological evaluation was based on the comparison of forecasted flows to the observed ones, calculating several deterministic and probabilistic scores, and drawing rank histograms and reliability diagrams. Disaggregated products led to a better representation of the ensemble members' dispersion. This disaggregation technique represents an interesting way of bridging the gap between the meteorological models' resolution and the high degree of spatial precision sometimes required by hydrological models in their precipitation representation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling of the groundwater hydrological behaviour of the Langueyú creek basin by using N‐way multivariate methods
Authors: Barranquero Rosario Soledad , Pardo Rafael , Varni Marcelo , de Galarreta Alejandro Ruiz , Vega Marisol
Published: July 2013

The groundwater hydrochemical behaviour of the Langueyú creek basin (Argentina) has been evaluated through a systematic survey, followed by application of hydrological and chemometric multivariate techniques. Ten physicochemical parameters were determined in groundwater samples collected from 26 wells during four sampling campaigns (June 2010; October 2010; February 2011 and June 2011), originating a tridimensional experimental dataset X. Univariate statistical and graphical hydrochemical tools (contour maps and Piper diagrams) applied to individual campaigns, allowed to reach some preliminary conclusions. However, a best visualization of the aquifer behaviour was achieved by applying Principal Component Analysis (MA‐PCA) and N‐way PCA procedures, Parallel Factor Analysis and Tucker3. Results were consistent with two‐term models, being Tucker3 [2 2 1] the most adequate, explaining a large amount of the dataset variance (50.7%) with a low complexity. The first Tucker3 [1 1 1] interaction (38.2% of variance) is related with (i) calcium/magnesium versus sodium/potassium ion exchange processes; (ii) an increase of ionic concentration and (iii) a decrease of nitrate pollution, all processes along the direction of the groundwater flow. The second [2 2 1] interaction (12.5% of variance), accounts for the predominant role played by conductivity, bicarbonate and magnesium in the dataset. The seasonal variations are closely related to concentration/dilution phenomena originated by the variations of the phreatic levels, although this point will require additional sampling to establish a definitive hydrochemical model. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fish and shellfish consumption: Traditions, regulations, and a cleaner environment in the US pacific Northwest
Authors: Stiles Jennifer , Sofield Ruth
Published: July 2013

Integr Environ Assess Manag 2013;9:539–540. © 2013 SETAC
Influences of subsampling and modeling assumptions on the US environmental protection agency field-based benchmark for conductivity
Authors: Roark Shaun A , Wolf Craig F , Jong Grant D De , Gensemer Robert W , Canton Steven P
Published: July 2013

Integr Environ Assess Manag 2013;9:533–534. © 2013 SETAC
A formulation for in situ lysis of mucin secreted in pseudomyxoma peritonei
Authors: Pillai Krishna , Akhter Javed , Chua Terence C. , Morris David L.
Published: July 2013

Although numerous clinical attempts have been made to disintegrate mucin secreted by pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), none are clinically recommended. Through examination of the pharmacologic characteristics of two novel agents, we titrated an optimized combination of bromelain and N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC) that demonstrates in vitro and in vivo efficacy in the dissolution of mucinous ascites from PMP. In the in vitro experiments, 1 g of mucin was incubated in varying concentrations of bromelain (0–400 µg/ml) and NAC (0–5%) individually followed by a combination before arriving at a therapeutic combination dose of 300 µg/ml bromelain + 4% NAC. This established an effective dose of bromelain 300 µg/ml + 4% NAC at pH 7.0, when tested in a rat model implanted with 3 g of mucin intraperitoneally (IP). IP administration of the drug in a rat model of PMP was shown to result in mucin disintegration within 72 hr with no toxicity observed.
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester synergistically enhances docetaxel and paclitaxel cytotoxicity in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Tolba Mai F. , Esmat Ahmed , Al‐Abd Ahmed M. , Azab Samar S. , Khalifa Amani E. , Mosli Hisham A. , Abdel‐Rahman Sherif Z. , Abdel‐Naim Ashraf B.
Published: July 2013

Evidence is growing for the beneficial role of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM) in prostate diseases. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a promising component of propolis that possesses SERM activity. This study aimed at investigating the modulatory impact of CAPE on docetaxel (DOC) and paclitaxel (PTX) cytotoxicity in prostate cancer cells and exploring the possible underlying mechanisms for this chemomodulation. CAPE significantly increased DOC and PTX potency in PC‐3, DU‐145 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Combination index calculations showed synergistic interaction of CAPE/DOC and CAPE/PTX cotreatments in all the tested cell lines. Subsequent mechanistic studies in PC‐3 cells indicated that cyclin D1 and c‐myc were significantly reduced in the combined treatment groups with concurrent increase in p27kip. DNA‐ploidy analysis indicated a significant increase in the percentage of cells in pre‐G1 in CAPE/DOC and CAPE/PTX cotreatments. Decreased Bcl‐2/Bax ratio together with increased caspase‐3 activity and protein abundance were observed in the same groups. Estrogen receptor‐β (ER‐β) and its downstream tumor suppressor forkhead box O1 levels were significantly elevated in CAPE and combination groups compared to DOC or PTX‐alone. ER‐α and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor protein abundance were reduced in the same groups. CAPE significantly reduced AKT, ERK and ER‐α (Ser‐167) phosphorylation in PC‐3 cells. CAPE‐induced inhibition of AKT phosphorylation was more prominent (1.7‐folds higher) in cells expressing ER‐α such as PC‐3 compared to LNCaP. In conclusion, CAPE enhances the antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of DOC and PTX in prostate cancer cells. This can be, at least partly, attributed to CAPE augmentation of DOC and PTX proapoptotic effects in addition to CAPE‐induced alterations in ER‐α and ER‐β abundance. © 2013 IUBMB Life, 65(8):716–729, 2013
Phthalates efficiently bind to human peroxisome proliferator activated receptor and retinoid X receptor α, β, γ subtypes: an in silico approach
Authors: Sarath Josh M. K. , Pradeep S. , Vijayalekshmi Amma K. S. , Balachandran S. , Abdul Jaleel U. C. , Doble Mukesh , Spener Friedrich , Benjamin Sailas
Published: July 2013

This exhaustive in silico study looks into the molecular interactions of phthalates and their metabolites with human peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (hPPAR) and retinoid X receptor (hRXR) α, β and γ subtypes – the nuclear receptor proteins function as transcription factors by regulating the expression of downstream genes. Apart from the much discussed plasticizer bisphenol A, we examined the binding affinities of 15 common diphthalates and their monophthalates, natural (linoleic acid, conjugated linoleic acid) and synthetic (bezafibrate, pioglitazone, GW 50156) ligands with hPPARs. In addition to these phthalates, specific natural (retinoic and phytanic acids) and synthetic (bexarotene, rosiglitazone) ligands were examined with hRXRs. The Maestro, Schrödinger Suite 2012 was used for the molecular docking study. In general, natural ligands of hPPAR showed less binding efficiencies than phthalic acid esters and drugs. The diphthalate di‐iso‐decyl phthalate showed the highest G score (–9.99) with hPPAR (γ), while its monophthalate (mono‐iso‐decyl phthalate) showed a comparatively less G score (–9.56). Though the PPAR modulator GW 50156 showed strong affinity with all hPPAR subtypes, its highest G score (–12.43) was with hPPARβ. Hazardous di(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate generally showed a greater preference to hRXRs than hPPARs, but its highest G score (–10.87) was with hRXRα; while its monophthalate (Mono(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate) showed a lesser G score (–8.59). The drug bexarotene showed the highest G score (–13.32) with hRXRβ. Moreover, bisphenol A showed more affinity towards hRXR. Briefly, this study gives an overview on the preference of phthalic acid esters, natural and synthetic ligands on to hPPAR and hRXR subtypes, which would lead to further in vitro mechanistic as well as in vivo preclinical and clinical studies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.