bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abemaciclib in the Adjuvant Setting for Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ouarrak Saadia
Published: May 2024

The combination of adjuvant Abemaciclib with endocrine therapy (ET) has emerged as a significant advancement in the management of HR+, HER2-, node-positive, high-risk early breast cancer, as demonstrated by the findings of the MonarchE trial. This innovative treatment approach yielded not only statistically significant but also clinically meaningful improvements in invasive disease-free survival.
Moreover, the benefits of this treatment combination were sustained over time, with a median follow-up of 27 months revealing continued clinically meaningful advantages in both invasive disease-free survival and distant recurrence-free survival. Importantly, these benefits extended beyond the initial 2-year treatment period, highlighting the durable efficacy of Abemaciclib and ET in preventing disease progression and distant metastasis.
Furthermore, the safety profile of the combination therapy was found to be manageable and tolerable. This aspect is crucial for ensuring patient adherence to treatment and minimizing the burden of adverse effects. Overall, these findings underscore the potential of adjuvant Abemaciclib with ET as a valuable therapeutic option for patients with high-risk early breast cancer, offering both efficacy and tolerability in the long-term management of the disease. More studies are required, especially in the elderly, in order to know how to counteract diarrhea and to make Abemaciclib more tolerated.
Unveiling the Ecological Ramifications of Aerial Pesticide Application by Drones on Soil Microbiota in Rice
Authors: Ragiman Sreenath , Talluri Kiran Babu , NRG Varma , Sagar B Vidya
Published: May 2024

The ecological consequences of aerial pesticide application by drones on soil microbiota in rice fields were investigated in this study. The quantitative and qualitative effects of different pesticide treatments, both applied via drones and power sprayer, were examined on soil bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi. The average population of total bacteria and pseudomonas in the rhizosphere soil tended to be slightly higher in the drone-sprayed treatments compared to the power sprayer treatments. It is evident that the drone spraying treatments resulted in higher average populations of actinomycetes and fungi (124.75 CFU × 105 g-1 soil and 21.12 CFU × 104 g-1 soil, respectively) compared to the power sprayer treatments with average populations of 127.75 CFU × 105 g-1 soil for actinomycetes and 22.5 CFU ×104 g-1 soil for fungi. Qualitative assessment of microbial groups revealed that, the abundance of G -ve bacterial groups are higher when compared to G +ve bacterial groups in rhizospheric soil before harvest of the crop. The distribution of fungal genera varied due to pesticide applications. The mean per cent occurrence of Curvularia spp., Penicillium spp., and Trichoderma spp. was slightly higher in the drone-sprayed treatments (9.85%, 8.51%, and 8.33%) compared to the power-sprayed treatments (2.48%, 2.24%, and 2.00%). However, the mean per cent occurrence of Aspergillus species (A. ochraceous, A. niger, and A. flavus) was relatively higher in the power sprayer treatments (9.14%, 12.81%, and 4.09%) when compared to the drone-sprayed treatments (3.75%, 2.31%, and 0.83%). Overall, this study underscores the need for further research to comprehensively understand the implications of different pesticide application methods on soil microbial communities and their potential impact on soil fertility and ecosystem functioning over time.
Developing and Assessing Performance of a Laboratory-Scale Fluidized Bed Dryer
Authors: Uwa Iniubong James , Oboh Innocent Oseribho
Published: May 2024

A laboratory-scale batch fluidized bed dryer with 75 mm bed diameter was designed, fabricated and evaluated to study the hydrodynamics of river sand as well as the drying of cassava mash and bitter kola particulates. The hydrodynamics properties such as minimum fluidization velocity, effect of bed height and pressure drop across the bed, effect of particle size  and density on minimum fluidization velocity and stability of the bed column of river sand were studied. Drying of cassava mash to edible garri was carried out at in fluidized bed dryer  at controlled temperatures. Drying characteristics of the laboratory fluidized bed dryer was compared with the laboratory WiseVen oven (model number: WOF - 105) using bitter kola particulate material sample. The experimental results from laboratory-scale fluidized bed dryer showed that the minimum fluidization velocity increases as material density increases and the value of the minimum fluidization velocity obtained from the fluidized bed gave good agreement with other empirical correlation such as Kozeny-Carman Equation. The fluidized bed dryer showed high rates of moisture removal over the conventional oven with the ratio of 1:29 under the same operating conditions. Drying of cassava mash to edible garri was achieved at lower drying temperatures of 83 oC \(\pm\) 3 oC at 55 minutes when compared to conventional frying temperatures of cassava mash to edible at 180 – 200 oC thereby saving energy cost. Hence, this fluidized bed dryer is recommended for use in demonstrating hydrodynamics and drying of particulate materials in the laboratory.
A Review on Khubbāzī (Malva sylvestris L.): Phytochemical, Pharmacological Properties and Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Habib Abdul , Kalam Mohd Afsahul , Ahmad Riyaz , Aziz Abdul , Avid Mohammad , Ahmad Belal
Published: May 2024

Traditional system of medicine, especially Unani, highly value Khubbāzī (Malva sylvestris L.) for its therapeutic properties. Its leaves, seeds and flowers are utilized medicinally as Barg-i-Khubbāzī, Tukhm-i-Khubbāzī and Gul-i-Khubbāzī since time immemorial. It is used in Unani Medicine for various activities like concoctive, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, hence used to treat several ailments related to respiratory, skin and digestive systems such as cough, cold, coryza, sore throat, chronic bronchitis, intestinal ulcer and urinary issues like strangury, irritation in micturition etc. Pharmacological studies on various parts of the plant have been reported such as hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory etc. which are supported by the bioactive compounds, alkaloid, glycosides, flavone etc. present in the plant. Scientific studies validated several actions documented in Unani literature, but further researches needed to explore the hidden properties of the plant. This review focuses on the plant’s traditional uses, pharmacological properties.
Lyophilised Aloe excelsa Fractions, Photo-protection and Actinic Damage Retardation Claims Substantiation
Authors: Chifamba J , Addae A J , Zengeni S , Pomerai M , Kurebgaseka N
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Ultraviolet radiation is potentially harmful to plants’ physiological structures and their photosynthetic apparatus through induction of photo-oxidative damage and photosynthetic inhibition. Aloe excelsa a resilient (sub) tropical plant has evolved various photo-protective mechanisms to proliferate in these harsh environments. With the current FDA, over-the-Counter Monograph M020 castigating 14 of the 16 approved sunscreens as “unsafe” to the ecology and human health, the hunt for safer sunscreens is on and phytoconstituents from photo-resilient plants may just  be the next generation, safe and efficacious sunscreens.
Aims: This study investigated the photo-protective activity of lyophilized hydro-ethanolic Aloe excelsa extracts through phytoscreening and in-vitro estimations of their SPF, UVAPF, UVA/UVB ratio, critical wavelength, anti-oxidancy as well as anti-inflammatory potential.
Methods: The Aloe excelsa gel matrix was physically extracted from transversely cut fresh rossetes, macerated in 70% ethanol, lyophilized and then subjected to both quantitative and qualitative phytochemical screening techniques. The antioxidant activity was measured using the DPPH scavenging assay, the photoprotection investigation was performed in-vitro using directives from COLIPA 2011/FDA Final Rule 2011 as guidelines and the anti-inflammatory capacity was evaluated using the protein denaturing test.
Results: Qualitative phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of numerous primary and secondary metabolites of pharmacological interest, Quantitative phyto-analysis revealed that  Aloe excelsa has higher levels of total phenols, tannins and flavonoids than Aloe vera. Anti-inflammatory capacity was closely related to the standard Diclofenac and the anti oxidancy was almost equivalent to ascorbic acid. A prepared 50% Aloe excelsa gel had an SPF of 7.6 and a UVAPF of 4 and a critical wavelength of 375. The calculated photostabilities: %SPFeff and %UVAPFeff were both above 97%.
Conclusion: The results confirm that Aloe excelsa is a multifunctional photoprotective material with confirmed anti-oxidancy, anti-inflammatory and UVR protection attributes. The 50% lyophilised Aloe excelsa gel can be technically classified as a low SPF sunscreen. The abundant primary and secondary metabolites correlate directly with the observed and calculated photoprotective parameters obtained in this study.
Harnessing Microbial Antagonists for Biological Control of Plant Pathogens: A Global Perspective
Authors: Elango Santhoshinii , Shahni Yumkhaibam Sonia , Padamini Rajkumari , Hazarika Sanjay , Wongamthing R. , Oraon Sourav , Panigrahi Chandan Kumar , Kumar Anil , Thangaraj R.
Published: May 2024

Reducing agricultural production inputs while maintaining a lucrative yield of high-quality goods is becoming more and more necessary as a result of the global sustainability agenda. Plant diseases pose a significant threat to productivity and product quality, yet many times there are no adequate measures available to control them. Consequently, research on substitute methods of crop protection has been mandated and has garnered significant interest from scholars around. A number of biological control agents (BCAs), including Bacillus, Pantoea, Streptomyces, Trichoderma, Clonostachys, Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, and specific yeasts, have been screened. Of these alternatives, biological controls through beneficial microorganisms have gained significant importance. BCAs, at the very least, support other sustainable disease management strategies like disease resistance and offer chances to control illnesses for whom alternative strategies are unfeasible or unobtainable. It is reasonable to anticipate that BCAs will be used more often to manage agricultural diseases in environmentally friendly ways.
Investigating Solution‐Phase Protein Structure and Dynamics by Hydrogen Exchange Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Morgan Christopher R. , Engen John R.
Published: November 2009

By taking advantage of labeling methods such as hydrogen exchange (HX), many details about protein conformation, dynamics, and interactions can be revealed by mass spectrometry. In this unit, hydrogen exchange theory is discussed as it applies to HX‐MS protocols, the practice of HX‐MS including data analysis and interpretation is explained in detail, and recent advancements in technology which greatly increase the depth of information gained from the technique are highlighted. Curr. Protoc. Protein Sci. 58:17.6.1‐17.9.17. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Introduction to Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) in Biology
Authors: Goldsbury Claire S. , Scheuring Simon , Kreplak Laurent
Published: November 2009

The atomic force microscope (AFM) has the unique capability of imaging biological samples with molecular resolution in buffer solution. In addition to providing topographical images of surfaces with nanometer‐ to angstrom‐scale resolution, forces between single molecules and mechanical properties of biological samples can be investigated from the nanoscale to the microscale. Importantly, the measurements are made in buffer solutions, allowing biological samples to “stay alive” within a physiological‐like environment while temporal changes in structure are measured—e.g., before and after addition of chemical reagents. These qualities distinguish AFM from conventional imaging techniques of comparable resolution, e.g., electron microscopy (EM). This unit provides an introduction to AFM on biological systems and describes specific examples of AFM on proteins, cells, and tissues. The physical principles of the technique and methodological aspects of its practical use and applications are also described. Curr. Protoc. Protein Sci. 58:17.7.1‐17.7.19. © 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Costs and benefits of dropout schedules of test–restudy practice: Implications for student learning
Authors: Pyc Mary A. , Rawson Katherine A.
Published: November 2009

Almost all previous studies examining the benefits of testing for promoting student learning have used fixed schedules of practice. However, students more often report utilizing a dropout schedule of practice, in which items are dropped from practice once they are known. Two experiments investigated the costs and benefits of utilizing a dropout schedule of test–restudy practice. Participants learned Swahili–English paired associates using a dropout schedule or a fixed schedule. In thedropoutschedule, items received test–restudy practice until each item was correctly recalled once. In thefixedschedule, all items received three tests–restudy practice trials regardless of whether they were correctly recalled, as in previous research. Experiment 2 also included a second learning session. In both experiments, a final cued recall test was administered several days later. Results indicated that the benefits of the dropout schedule (fewer practice trials used overall and all items correctly recalled once during practice) need to be considered in light of the costs (lower levels of final test performance). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mug book exposure effects: Retroactive interference or criterion shift?
Authors: McAllister Hunter A. , Blaze John T. , Brandon Crystal A. , Deschamps Joseph D. , Fultyn Christine A. , Parker Christina C. , Salcido Amanda D. , Tarver Christopher D. , Thibodeaux Jennifer L.
Published: November 2009

The purpose of this research was to test whether delay between a mug book task and a lineup task moderates a simple mug shot exposure effect. Following the witnessing of a simulated theft, participants searched either a small, large or no mug book. Participants then viewed a lineup that contained either the perpetrator or an innocent replacement; the lineup occurred either immediately after viewing the mug book or 48 hours later. There were fewer suspect identifications and more lineup rejections in the mug book conditions than the no mug book control; this was explained in terms of the criterion for making choices carrying over from the mug book to the lineup. There was qualified support for delay moderating the mug book exposure effect. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Similarities and differences between the concepts of operability and flexibility: The steady‐state case
Authors: Lima Fernando V. , Jia Zhenya , Ierapetritou Marianthi , Georgakis Christos
Published: November 2009

This article presents a comparative review on the operability and flexibility concepts and their application to process design and control. First, the operability and flexibility methodologies are summarized. Then the application of the operability framework to steady‐state and dynamic systems is illustrated through the examination of several example categories such as linear and nonlinear, square and non‐square systems. The flexibility approach based on the active set strategy is used to study the same examples from the flexibility point of view. The discussed results show that the operability and flexibility approaches examine a process from different perspectives and provide valuable complementary information. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
A novel approach to scheduling multipurpose batch plants using unit‐slots
Authors: Susarla Naresh , Li Jie , Karimi I. A.
Published: November 2009

Several models for scheduling multipurpose batch plants exist in the literature. The models using unit‐specific event points have shown better solution efficiency on various literature examples. This article presents a novel approach to scheduling multipurpose batch plants, which uses unit‐slots instead of process‐slots to manage shared resources such as material storage. We develop two slightly different models that are even more compact and simpler than that of Sundaramoorthy and Karimi, Chem Eng Sci. 2005;60:2679–2702. Although we focus on material as a shared resource, our multi‐grid approach rationalizes, generalizes, and improves the current multi‐grid approaches for scheduling with shared resources. Our models allow nonsimultaneous transfers of materials into and out of a batch. We show by an example that this flexibility can give better schedules than those from existing models in some cases. Furthermore, our approach uses fewer slots (event‐points) on some examples than even those required by the most recent unit‐specific event‐based model. Numerical evaluation using literature examples shows significant gains in solution efficiency from the use of unit‐slots except where the number of unit‐slots required for the optimal solution equals that of process slots. We also highlight the importance of constraint sequencing in GAMS implementation for evaluating mixed‐integer linear programming based scheduling models fairly. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010
Macrogeographical variability in the great call of Hylobates agilis: assessing the applicability of vocal analysis in studies of fine‐scale taxonomy of gibbons
Authors: Heller R. , Sander A.F. , Wang C.W. , Usman F. , Dabelsteen T.
Published: November 2009

Vocal characteristics have been used extensively to distinguish different taxonomic units of gibbons (family Hylobatidae). The agile gibbon (Hylobates agilis) has a disjunct distribution range in the Southeast Asian archipelago (remnants of the former Sunda landmass), and populations on different islands are currently recognized as distinct subspecies or even species. We recorded great calls from female agile gibbons from two populations on Sumatra and two populations on Borneo and examined the vocal variability on four levels: within‐individuals, between‐individuals, between‐populations and between‐islands. The primary objective was to evaluate the effect of geographical isolation on variability in song pattern and to test whether proposed island‐specific song characteristics exist, reflecting evolutionary divergence between Sumatran and Bornean agile gibbons. One hundred great calls were recorded from 20 females and analyzed for 18 spectral and temporal acoustic parameters. Principal component analysis followed by a nested ANOVA on components revealed a complex pattern of song variability not likely to reflect taxonomic or evolutionary relationship. We found no evidence that Sumatran and Bornean agile gibbons have evolved different vocal characteristics, refuting a distinction between them based on vocal characteristics. A high level of plasticity was found in great calls from the same individual, and generally the inferred pattern of variability suggested that ecological or social factors may confound any genetically based island dialects. Am. J. Primatol. 72:142–151, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High‐fiber diet promotes weight loss and affects maternal behavior in vervet monkeys
Authors: Fairbanks Lynn A. , Blau Karin , Jorgensen Matthew J.
Published: November 2009

The dramatic increase in obesity in western societies has shifted the emphasis in nutrition research from the problems of undernutrition to the adverse consequences of being overweight. As with humans, Old World monkeys are at increased risk for type II diabetes and other chronic diseases when they gain excessive weight. To prevent overweight and obesity, promote animal health, and provide a more natural level of fiber in the diet, the standard commercial monkey chow diet at a vervet monkey breeding colony was changed to a higher fiber formulation in 2004. The new diet was also higher in protein and lower in carbohydrate and energy density than the standard diet. Because maternal behavior is known to be sensitive to differences in resource availability, data on weight and mother–infant interactions for 147 mothers with 279 infants born from 2000 through 2006 were assessed for effects of the diet change. The results showed that, even though food was provided ad libitum, the mean body weight of breeding females was 10% lower after the transition to the high‐fiber diet. Behaviorally, mothers on the high‐fiber diet were significantly more rejecting to their infants, and their infants had to play a greater role in maintaining ventral contact in the first few months of their lives. The effects of the diet change on maternal rejection were significantly related to the mother's body weight, with lower‐weight mothers scoring higher in maternal rejection. These results demonstrate that maternal behavior is responsive to changes in maternal condition, and that beneficial changes in the diet may have unintended consequences on behavior. Am. J. Primatol. 72:234–241, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phylogeny and phylogeography of squirrel monkeys (genusSaimiri) based on cytochromebgenetic analysis
Authors: Lavergne Anne , Ruiz‐García Manuel , Catzeflis François , Lacote Sandra , Contamin Hugues , Mercereau‐Puijalon Odile , Lacoste Vincent , de Thoisy Benoît
Published: November 2009

Squirrel monkeys (genusSaimiri) are distributed over a wide area encompassing the Amazon Basin: French Guiana, Suriname, and Guyana, together with Western Panama and Western Costa Rica. The genusSaimiriincludes a complex of species and subspecies displaying considerable morphological variation. Taxonomic and systematic studies have identified, in this genus, one to seven species comprising up to 16 subspecies. The phylogenetic relationships between these taxa are poorly understood. Molecular markers have yielded a consistent framework for the systematics of Central and South AmericanSaimiri, identifying four distinct clades:S. oerstedii,S.sciureus,S.boliviensis, andS.ustus. Here, we reconsider the phylogenetic and biogeographic history ofSaimirion the basis of mitochondrial (mtDNA) sequence data, focusing mostly on individuals originating from the Amazon Basin. We studied 32 monkeys with well‐defined geographic origins and inferred the phylogenetic relationships between them on the basis of full‐length cytochromebgene nucleotide sequences. The high level of gene diversity observed (0.966) is consistent with the high level of behavioral and morphological variation observed across the geographic range of the genus: 20 mtDNA haplotypes were identified with a maximum divergence of 4.81% betweenS. b. boliviensisandS. ustus. In addition to confirming the existence of the four clades previously identified on the basis of molecular characters, we suggest several new lineages, includingS. s. macrodon,S. s. albigena,S. s. cassiquiarensis, andS. s. collinsi.We also propose new patterns of dispersion and diversification for the genusSaimiri, and discuss the contribution of certain rivers and forest refuges to its structuring. Am. J. Primatol. 72:242–253, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Isothiocyanate derivatives of soybean oil triglycerides: Synthesis, characterization, and polymerization with polyols and polyamines
Authors: Çaylı Gökhan , Küsefoğlu Selim
Published: November 2009

In this article, a novel two step synthesis of soy oil based isothiocyanate is described. Allylicaly brominated soybean oil (ABSO) was reacted first with ammonium thiocyanate in tetrahydro furan to form allylic thiocyanates. These compounds were then converted to isothiocyanated soybean oil (ITSO) by a thermal rearrangement. Conversion was found to be 70%. The structure of the ITSO was characterized by IR and 1 H‐NMR techniques. Then ITSO was reacted with ethylene glycol, glycerol, and castor oil to produce polythiourethanes and ethylene diamine and triethylene tetra amine to produce polythioureas. Thermal properties of the products were determined by DSC and TGA techniques. DSC traces showed Tg's for ethylene glycol polythiourethane at −39 and 58°C, for glycerol polythiourethane at −39 and 126°C, for castor oil polythiourethane at −38°C and −17°C, for ethylene diamine polythiourea at −45°C, and for triethylene tetra amine poly thiourea at −39°C. Additionally, DSC analysis of polythioureas showed an endotherm at around 100°C. All of the polymers started to decompose around 200°C. Tensile properties of the polymers were determined. Polythiourethanes showed higher tensile strength and lower elongation when compared with their urea analogs. Stress at break values of the polymers were 1.2 MPa for glycerol polythiourethane, 0.6 MPa for ethylene glycol polythiourethane, 0.5 MPa for ethylene diamine polythiourea, and 0.9 MPa for triethylene tetra amine polythiourea polymers. Unfortunately, polymers synthesized showed poor solvent resistance. All polymers swelled and disintegrated in CH2Cl2 in 5 h. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Crack propagation behavior and toughness of V‐notched polyethylene terephthalate injection moldings
Authors: Ogazi‐Onyemaechi Bernard Chukwuemeka , Leong Yew Wei , Hamada Hiroyuki
Published: November 2009

The role of the skin and core regions in controlling the effects of V‐notches, on the fracture behavior of PET injection‐moldings, was correlated with their tensile and impact properties. Investigations revealed that there were three distinct fracture behaviors: ductile, semiductile, and brittle fracture transitions. The notch sensitivity factor for strength (KS) in the ductile and semiductile transitions indicates that the fracture strength was not sensitive to ≤1.5 mm deep notches, which is considered the skin region. The introduction of core‐deep notches (>1.5 mm) resulted in a rapid increase in KS. On the other hand, the notch sensitivity factor for energy (KT) shows that the fracture energy was not sensitive at ≤0.5 mm deep notches. However, KT increased drastically when notches >0.5 mm deep were introduced. The development of an anisotropic skin‐core structure in injection moldings is well acknowledged. This is revealed in a constant fracture behavior between 0.6 and 1.0 mm deep notches. Notably, there was a drastic change in the fracture pattern from ductile to semiductile at a critical 0.6 mm deep notch. The specimens experienced a mixed fracture behavior at 1.5 mm deep notch, which marks a transitional fracture pattern at the interface between the skin and core regions. Lastly, a constant fracture behavior was observed at notch depths ≥1.5 mm. Results show that crack opening, in the samples that had semiductile fracture, was a postnecking phenomenon. Before shear yielding, two shear lines that intersected at 45° were seen to originate from the crack root when a 1.2 kN load was applied. Conversely, crack opening and failure occurred simultaneously in brittle fractures. It is obvious that V‐notches provided a gradual transition in fracture behavior from the skin to the core regions, which confirms that the fracture behavior of PET injection moldings can be dependent on the skin and core structure. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Thermal pressure coefficient of a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)‐reinforced epoxy resin
Authors: Win K. Z. , Karim Taskin , Li Qingxiu , Simon Sindee L. , McKenna Gregory B.
Published: November 2009

The thermal pressure coefficients of a neat, unfilled, epoxy resin and a 10 wt % POSS (polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane)‐filled epoxy nanocomposite have been measured using a thick‐walled tube method. It is found that just below the glass transition temperature the thermal pressure coefficient is ∼ 20% smaller for the polymer composite containing 10% POSS than for the neat, unfilled resin. The thermal expansion coefficient and thermal pressure coefficient of the uncured POSS itself are also reported. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Effect of ionic liquids and surfactants on zinc oxide nanoparticle activity in crosslinking of acrylonitrile butadiene elastomer
Authors: Przybyszewska Magdalena , Zaborski Marian
Published: November 2009

The goal of this work was to study the influence of several ionic liquids and cationic surfactants on zinc oxide nanoparticle activity in sulfur vulcanization of acrylonitrile butadiene elastomer (NBR). In this article, we discuss the effect of ionic liquids and surfactants on the cure characteristics, crosslink density, and distribution in the elastomer network as well as on mechanical properties of the acrylonitrile butadiene rubber. Ionic liquids (alkylimidazolium salts) and cationic surfactants (alkylammonium bromides) decrease the vulcanization time of rubber compounds. Their application results in the increase of vulcanizate crosslink density as well as of the heterogeneity of elastomer network. The influence of ionic liquids on the acrylonitrile butadiene elastomer properties depends on the anion present in the molecule and on the length of alkyl chains attached to the imidazolium ring. The most active ionic liquids seem to be the ones with the 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium cation or the BF4‐ anion. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Synchrotron radiation circular dichroism of various G‐quadruplex structures
Authors: Holm Anne I. S. , Kohler Bern , Hoffmann Søren Vrønning , Brøndsted Nielsen Steen
Published: November 2009

Here we report synchrotron radiation circular dichroism spectra of various G‐quadruplexes from 179 to 350 nm, and a number of bands in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) are reported for the first time. For a tetramolecular parallel structure, the strongest band in the spectrum is a negative band in the VUV at 182 nm; for a bimolecular antiparallel structure with diagonal loops, a new strong positive band is found at 190 nm; for a bimolecular parallel structure with edgewise loops, a strong positive band at 189 nm is observed; and for a self‐folded chair‐type structure, the strongest band in the spectrum is a positive band at 187 nm. For the tetramolecular parallel structure, the CD signals at all wavelengths are dominated by contributions from quartets of G bases, and the signal strength is approximately proportional to the number of quartets. Our experiments on well‐characterized G‐quadruplex structures lead us to question past attributions of CD signals to helix handedness and G quartet polarity. Although differences can be observed in the VUV region for the various quadruplex types, there do not appear to be clear‐cut spectral features that can be used to identify specific topological features. It is suggested that this is because a dominant positive band in the VUV seen near 190 nm in all quadruplex structures is due to intrastrand guanine–guanine base stacking. However, our spectra can serve as reference spectra for the G‐quadruplex structures investigated and, not least, to benchmark theoretical calculations and empirical models. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 93: 429–433, 2010.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
VCD spectroscopic properties of the β‐hairpin forming miniprotein CLN025 in various solvents
Authors: Hatfield Marcus P. D. , Murphy Richard F. , Lovas Sándor
Published: November 2009

Electronic and vibrational circular dichroism are often used to determine the secondary structure of proteins, because each secondary structure has a unique spectrum. Little is known about the vibrational circular dichroic spectroscopic features of the β‐hairpin. In this study, the VCD spectral features of a decapeptide, YYDPETGTWY (CLN025), which forms a stable β‐hairpin that is stabilized by intramolecular weakly polar interactions and hydrogen bonds were determined. Molecular dynamics simulations and ECD spectropolarimetry were used to confirm that CLN025 adopts a β‐hairpin in water, TFE, MeOH, and DMSO and to examine differences in the secondary structure, hydrogen bonds, and weakly polar interactions. CLN025 was synthesized by microwave‐assisted solid phase peptide synthesis with Nα‐Fmoc protected amino acids. The VCD spectra displayed a (−,+,−) pattern with bands at 1640 to 1656 cm−1, 1667 to 1687 cm−1, and 1679 to 1686 cm−1 formed by the overlap of a lower frequency negative couplet and a higher frequency positive couplet. A maximum IR absorbance was observed at 1647 to 1663 cm−1 with component bands at 1630 cm−1, 1646 cm−1, 1658 cm−1, and 1675 to 1680 cm−1 that are indicative of the β‐sheet, random meander, either random meander or loop and turn, respectively. These results are similar to the results of others, who examined the VCD spectra of β‐hairpins formed by DPro‐Xxx turns and indicated that observed pattern is typical of β‐hairpins. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 93: 442–450, 2010.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Keeping psychotherapy notes separate from the patient record
Authors: DeLettre Julie L. , Sobell Linda Carter
Published: November 2009

Doctoral level psychologists (N = 464) who were members of the American Psychological Association and who identified themselves as clinical practitioners were surveyed about their knowledge and utilization of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule that allows practitioners to keep their psychotherapy notes separate from their patients' records if they involve electronic submissions. Although 79% of those surveyed said they were aware of the HIPAA privacy rule allowing for a separate set of notes, slightly less than half (46%) reported currently using such notes even though half (49%) felt that patients benefit most from the use of a separate set of psychotherapy notes. Surprisingly, 21% said they had never heard of the HIPAA provision allowing for a separate set of notes. Considering that when this provision was introduced it was heralded as a major benefit for mental health practitioners, its low utilization is surprising. Perhaps clinical practitioners would benefit from continuing education about the benefits of such notes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message:

There can be some value to keeping psychotherapy notes apart from the patient's record.

Seventy‐nine per cent of psychologists in the USA who were surveyed were aware that they could keep a separate set of notes.

Less than half (46%) of those who were aware of this provision actually kept a second set of notes.

When asked, half said the benefit of keeping such a set of notes was for their patients.
An investigation into the relationship between attachment, gender and recovery from psychosis in a stable community‐based sample
Authors: Mulligan Alison , Lavender Tony
Published: November 2009

The current study sought to investigate how men and women who experience psychosis represent early bonding experiences, current attachment style and the recovery style adopted. Seventy‐three participants (18 women and 55 men) with a diagnosis of psychosis completed the Parental Bonding Instrument, the Attachment Style Questionnaire and the Recovery Style Questionnaire. Differences were observed between men and women in relation to the nature of insecure attachment styles demonstrated. Significant associations were found between perceptions of parents as uncaring and insecurity in adult attachment style. A greater number of significant associations were found between recollections of early bonding and attachment styles amongst women than men. Men and women did not differ significantly in terms of the recovery style adopted, nor were significant differences found in relation to perceptions of early bonding experiences. Methodological and theoretical issues were considered and directions for future research were suggested. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message:

Individuals with psychosis are more likely to have lower levels of parental care than the general population.

This lower parental care is likely to be associated with insecure adult attachment relationships but not recovery style.
Exploring the personal and professional impact of reflective practice groups: a survey of 18 cohorts from a UK clinical psychology training course
Authors: Knight Katherine , Sperlinger David , Maltby Michael
Published: November 2009

Objectives: Given the importance of reflective practice within clinical psychology and a lack of empirical research, this study aimed to investigate the personal and professional impact of reflective practice groups (RPGs) for former trainees.

Design: This study followed an analytic survey design utilizing a convenience sample of qualified clinical psychologists from a UK training programme.

Methods: A RPG questionnaire (RPGQ) was developed for the purposes of the study. Following initial pilot work, 297 qualified psychologists were invited to complete the RPGQ.

Results: One hundred and twenty‐four psychologists (42%) completed the RPGQ. Factor analysis yielded two underlying constructs labelled ‘value’ and ‘distress’. The RPGQ demonstrated significant internal and test–retest reliability. The majority rated the RPGs as valuable for personal and professional development and learning about group processes. Just under half however reported distress as a result of the groups. Whilst some trainees, who reported distress, were able to view the challenges positively, one‐sixth were not. Potency of facilitation and group size significantly predicted levels of perceived value and distress.

Conclusions: In view of the ethical issues raised by compulsory RPGs, recommendations were made to keep group sizes within an average of 10–13, utilize facilitators with sufficient training in group processes and ensure additional methods of reflective practice development are available. Further suggestions and recommendations for future research in relation to coping and personal learning style were also made. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message:

This study has addressed a significant gap in the clinical psychology literature in relation to the personal and professional impact of reflective practice groups during training.

It was found that whilst, in retrospect, the majority of former trainees found the challenges of reflective practice groups worthwhile, a significant minority did not.

Group size, potency of facilitation and previous RPG experience significantly predicted levels of perceived value and distress.

There is now a need for more research in order to explore the mechanisms involved to maximize potential for value from reflective practice groups.
Business students' perception of corporate social responsibility: the United States, China, and India
Authors: Wong Alan , Long Fu , Elankumaran S.
Published: November 2009

This study used a questionnaire to assess perceptive differences in corporate social responsibility among business students in the United States, China, and India. The study finds that American and Indian respondents attached more importance to the noneconomic aspects of social responsibility than Chinese respondents. Chinese students were more accepting of making facilitating payments to get things moving. Indian respondents placed more emphasis on philanthropy while the US group emphasized legal obligations. In the choice of business goals, there is generally little difference between the three nationality groups. The two main goals selected are taking care of owners' interests and consumers' needs. The study's findings have implications for business school curriculum, public policy, and multinational corporations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Pulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms: A review of clinicopathologic and cytologic features
Authors: Siddiqui Momin T.
Published: November 2009

Neuroendocrine tumors form a distinct group of lung neoplasms sharing characteristic cytohistologic, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and molecular features. The objective of this review article is to discuss the diagnostic classifications and the morphologic cytologic–histologic features for the different categories of neuroendocrine tumors of the lung. An accurate characterization of the neuroendocrine tumors of the lung requires knowledge of specific criteria separating the major categories, which is highly essential for determining prognosis and treatment options for these patients. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010;38:607–617. 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Visual discrimination of male and female faces by infant rhesus macaques
Authors: Paukner Annika , Huntsberry Mary E. , Suomi Stephen J.
Published: November 2009

Recent studies have revealed that human infants process female faces differently from male faces. To test whether a similar preference for female faces exists in other primates, we presented nursery‐reared infant rhesus macaques with photographs of macaque faces and human faces. At <1 month old, infant macaques preferentially oriented towards female macaque faces when faces were presented upright. No preference for female human faces was found. At 9 months old, infants failed to show a visual preference for female macaque faces or female human faces, although they showed significantly more lipsmacking responses at female human faces. Compared to human infants, macaques appear to have stronger predispositions early in life but this preference may nonetheless be amendable to experience. Understanding how innate predispositions and the social rearing environment shape infants' understanding of faces remain important issues to be explored in order to understand facial processing abilities in humans and other primates. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 52: 54–61, 2010
The effects of stress on play and home cage behaviors in adolescent male rats
Authors: Klein Zoe A. , Padow Victoria A. , Romeo Russell D.
Published: November 2009

One prominent feature of adolescence is the high frequency of social behaviors, such as play. Engaging in these behaviors appears necessary for proper socio‐emotional development as social isolation during adolescence typically leads to behavioral dysfunctions in adulthood. The present experiments examined the effects of stress on social and nonsocial behaviors in group housed adolescent male rats. We found that acute restraint stress led to a complete inhibition of play (e.g., nape contacts and pins) and reduced social investigations in pre‐ (28 days), mid‐ (35 days), and late‐adolescent (42 and 49 days) animals. A follow‐up study, however, found that restraint‐induced suppression of play and social investigations was transient such that experimental animals engage in these behaviors at levels similar to those of controls 1 hr after termination of the stressor. We also found that exposure to repeated restraint stress throughout adolescence led to a decrease in social investigations, while leaving play largely unaffected. Interestingly, in all of the experiments, nonsocial behaviors (e.g., eating, drinking, grooming) were unaffected by restraint, suggesting these effects of stress are specific to social behaviors. Together, these data indicate that both acute and repeated stress significantly affect social behaviors during adolescence. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 52: 62–70, 2010
Change in imitation for object manipulation between 10 and 12 months of age
Authors: Fagard Jacqueline , Lockman Jeffrey J.
Published: November 2009

By the end of the first year, infants show dramatic increases in manual skill. In this study we tested one factor likely to contribute to this change: an increase in the capacity for observational learning, which may enable infants to learn new behaviors and practice ones that they already possess. Thus, we evaluated change in imitation between 10 and 12 months of age. Twelve 10‐month‐olds and twelve 12‐month‐old infants were shown different kinds of manual actions on a variety of objects; infants also manipulated objects during a free play control condition. Results indicated that older infants benefited more than younger ones in the Demonstration condition and that at both ages, infants performed the target action more quickly after observing a demonstration. We hypothesize that observational learning can help manual skill development by enabling infants to learn new actions and select and practice ones already in their skill set. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 52: 90–99, 2010
Multiple mechanisms mediate motor neuron migration in the zebrafish hindbrain
Authors: Bingham Stephanie M. , Sittaramane Vinoth , Mapp Oni , Patil Shekhar , Prince Victoria E. , Chandrasekhar Anand
Published: November 2009

The transmembrane protein Van gogh‐like 2 (Vangl2) is a component of the noncanonical Wnt/Planar Cell Polarity (PCP) signaling pathway, and is required for tangential migration of facial branchiomotor neurons (FBMNs) from rhombomere 4 (r4) to r5‐r7 in the vertebrate hindbrain. Since vangl2 is expressed throughout the zebrafish hindbrain, it might also regulate motor neuron migration in other rhombomeres. We tested this hypothesis by examining whether migration of motor neurons out of r2 following ectopic hoxb1b expression was affected in vangl2− (trilobite) mutants. Hoxb1b specifies r4 identity, and when ectopically expressed transforms r2 to an “r4‐like” compartment. Using time‐lapse imaging, we show that GFP‐expressing motor neurons in the r2/r3 region of a hoxb1b‐overexpressing wild‐type embryo migrate along the anterior‐posterior (AP) axis. Furthermore, these cells express prickle1b (pk1b), a Wnt/PCP gene that is specifically expressed in FBMNs and is essential for their migration. Importantly, GFP‐expressing motor neurons in the r2/r3 region of hoxb1b‐overexpressing trilobite mutants and pk1b morphants often migrate, even though FBMNs in r4 of the same embryos fail to migrate longitudinally (tangentially) into r6 and r7. These observations suggest that tangentially migrating motor neurons in the anterior hindbrain (r1‐r3) can use mechanisms that are independent of vangl2 and pk1b functions. Interestingly, analysis of tri; val double mutants also suggests a role for vangl2‐independent factors in neuronal migration, since the valentino mutation partially suppresses the trilobite mutant migration defect. Together, the hoxb1b and val experiments suggest that multiple mechanisms regulate motor neuron migration along the AP axis of the zebrafish hindbrain. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2010