bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of work‐related exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Italy
Authors: Scarselli Alberto , Di Marzio Davide , Marinaccio Alessandro , Iavicoli Sergio 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are generally present in the workplace environment as complex mixtures and often difficult to identify a priori.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to evaluate the level and coverage of occupational exposure to PAHs in Italy.MethodsData were collected from exposure registries of companies with mandatory reporting to the National Workers' Compensation Authority. Statistical analyses were carried out on the retrieved information and the number of workers potentially exposed was estimated for some industrial sectors.ResultsOverall 12,849 measurements of exposure levels to individual PAHs were selected from the database of registries in the period 1996–2010. Most exposures occurred in the manufacture of chemicals (N = 5,383, 51%), and the occupational group most frequently measured was chemical‐processing‐plant operator (N = 3,930, 31%). Measurements were associated to various PAHs, including benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, and benzo[j]fluoranthene. Overall, 39,230 workers were estimated as potentially at risk of exposure to PAHs in the selected industrial sectors.ConclusionsThis study summarized data recorded in the Italian occupational exposure database and identified specific exposure patterns to PAHs. The systematic recording of occupational exposures is a source of data that allows the recognition, control, and prevention of high‐risk situations for workers' health. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:897–906, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Polystyrene photodegradation with a novel titanium dioxide/poly(ethylene oxide)/methyl linoleate paint photocatalyst system
Authors: Nakatani Hisayuki , Miyazaki Kensuke 
Published: March 2013

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

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether joint hypermobility (JH) in childhood is a risk factor for the subsequent development of musculoskeletal pain.MethodsJH was determined according to the Beighton score at age 13.8 years in children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), using a cutoff of ≥6 for the presence of hypermobility. Musculoskeletal pain was evaluated by questionnaire at age 17.8 years. Logistic regression analysis was performed in 2,901 participants (1,267 boys and 1,634 girls) who had complete data.ResultsA total of 4.6% of participants had JH at age 13.8 years. Moderately troublesome musculoskeletal pain at age 17.8 years was reported most commonly in the lower back (16.1%), shoulder (9.5%), upper back (8.9%), knee (8.8%), neck (8.6%), and ankle/foot (6.8%). JH was associated with an increased risk of at least moderately troublesome musculoskeletal pain at the shoulder (odds ratio [OR] 1.68 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.04, 2.72]), knee (OR 1.83 [95% CI 1.10, 3.02]), and ankle/foot (OR 1.82 [95% CI 1.05, 3.16]) (adjusted for sex, maternal education, and body mass index). An equivalent relationship was not observed at other sites, including the spine, elbows, hands, and hips. In analyses examining interactions with obesity, associations between JH and knee pain showed higher ORs in obese participants (OR 11.01) as compared with nonobese participants (OR 1.57) (P = 0.037 for the interaction of hypermobility and obesity).ConclusionJH represents a risk factor for musculoskeletal pain during adolescence, comprising a specific distribution, namely, the shoulder, knee, and ankle/foot. These relationships were strongest in the presence of obesity, which is consistent with a causal pathway whereby JH leads to pain at sites exposed to the greatest mechanical forces.
A simple model for the fate of the cytokinesis midbody remnant: Implications for remnant degradation by autophagy
Authors: Crowell Elizabeth Faris , Tinevez Jean‐Yves , Echard Arnaud 
Published: March 2013

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

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

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

AbstractBackgroundThere is considerable debate about whether concomitant use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) should be recommended for patients who are prescribed clopidogrel after acute coronary syndrome. Most pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies in vivo were conducted using small sample sizes and were single centered, resulting in conflicting data.HypothesisPPIs may attenuate the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel in vivo and lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular events.MethodsPubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and China Biology Medicine Disc were searched. Randomized controlled trials that compared pharmacodynamic impacts of a PPI on the efficacy of clopidogrel in vivo were included. Two independent reviewers evaluated study quality and extracted data for meta‐analysis.ResultsWe identified 8 eligible studies. Compared to clopidogrel treatment alone, patients who received both a PPI and clopidogrel had less of a decrease in the platelet reactivity index (weighted mean difference [WMD]: 8.18; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.81–9.56; P < 0.00001), less adenosine 5′‐diphosphate–induced platelet aggregation inhibition (WMD: 7.28; 95% CI: 2.44–12.11; P = 0.003), higher P2Y12 reaction units (WMD: 40.58; 95% CI: 19.31–61.86; P = 0.0002), and higher risks of clopidogrel resistance (odds ratio [OR]: 2.49; 95% CI: 1.49–4.14; P = 0.0005). There were no significant differences, however, for the incidences of major adverse cardiovascular events between the 2 groups (OR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.44–2.59; P = 0.88), and treatment with a PPI and clopidogrel significantly reduced the risk of adverse gastrointestinal events (OR: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.04–0.62; P = 0.008).ConclusionsConcomitant use of a PPI with clopidogrel attenuated the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel, but may be clinically unimportant because there were no clinical differences in the risk for major adverse cardiovascular events.Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article.The authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Second‐order statistics of multiuser relay cooperation systems over Nakagami‐m fading channels
Authors: Jia Xiangdong , Zhu Hongbo , Yang Longxiang 
Published: February 2013

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

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

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

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

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

PurposeTo perform myocardial T1 mapping pre‐ and post‐gadolinium (Gd) administration and determine the volume of distribution of Gd (VdGd) in patients with cardiac amyloidosis to assess extracellular space expansion from amyloid protein deposition.Materials and MethodsT1 mapping was performed before contrast and 20 minutes following bolus administration of 0.15 mmol/kg of gadopentetate dimeglumine (Magnevist) in five subjects with cardiac amyloidosis and in eight healthy volunteers using previously validated 3–5 Modified Look‐Locker Inversion (MOLLI) pulse sequence. The partition coefficient (λ) and VdGd were determined and compared between groups.ResultsBefore contrast the T1 of the blood and myocardium are longer in amyloidosis as compared to controls (1665 vs. 1509 msec; P = 0.03 and 1144 vs. 963 msec; P < 0.001, respectively). Postcontrast blood T1 was also significantly longer in amyloidosis (486 vs. 408 msec; P = 0.003) with a trend towards shorter T1 in the myocardium (503 vs. 544 msec; P = 0.15). The VdGd was 83% higher in amyloidosis than in controls (0.51 vs. 0.28; P = 0.005).ConclusionMyocardial VdGd is markedly increased in cardiac amyloidosis, reflecting the increased extracellular space occupied by amyloid proteins. The precontrast T1 of blood and myocardium are increased in amyloidosis extending diagnostic utility in patients who cannot receive Gd. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:1591–1595. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Performance of wood‐rotting fungi‐based enzymes on enzymic saccharification of rice straw
Authors: Tsujiyama Sho‐ichi , Ueno Hitomi 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDFor effective saccharification of rice straw we focused on enzyme preparations from wood‐rotting fungi that have the ability to degrade cell wall polysaccharides and lignin. We tested extracellular enzyme preparations from 14 species of fungi for saccharification activity and examined the factor for saccharification by statistical analysis.RESULTSAn enzyme preparation fromSchizophyllum communehad the highest saccharification activity of rice straw. This preparation contained highly active endo‐β‐xylanase, endo‐β‐glucanase (CMCase), β‐d‐glucosidase and acetylxylan esterase. Correlation analysis of the 14 enzyme preparations demonstrated that acetylxylan esterase was closely related to saccharification activity in rice straw. Multiple regression analysis also showed that acetylxylan esterase had an important role in saccharification. Ligninolytic enzymes, which are characteristic of white‐rot fungi, did not contribute to saccharification activity of rice straw.CONCLUSIONDeacetylation is an essential factor for saccharification of rice straw and enzyme preparations for saccharification need to contain highly active acetylxylan esterase as well as highly active cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes, but not ligninolytic ones. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Acceleration apportionment: A method of improved 2D SENSE acceleration applied to 3D contrast‐enhanced MR angiography
Authors: Weavers Paul T. , Borisch Eric A. , Johnson Casey P. , Riederer Stephen J. 
Published: March 2013

PurposeIn 2D SENSE‐accelerated 3D Cartesian acquisition, the net acceleration factor R is the product of the two individual accelerations, R = RY × RZ. Acceleration Apportionment tailors acceleration parameters (RY, RZ) to improve parallel imaging performance on a patient‐ and coil‐specific basis and is demonstrated in contrast‐enhanced MR angiography.MethodsA performance metric is defined based on coil sensitivity information which identifies the (RY, RZ) pair that optimally trades off image quality with scan time reduction on a patient‐specific basis. Acceleration Apportionment is evaluated using retrospective analysis of contrast‐enhanced MR angiography studies, and prospective studies in which optimally apportioned parameters are compared with standard acceleration parameters.ResultsThe retrospective studies show strong variability in optimal acceleration parameters between anatomic regions and between patients. Prospective application of apportionment to foot contrast‐enhanced MR angiography with an 8‐channel receiver array provides a 20% increase in net acceleration with improved contrast‐to‐noise ratio. Application to 16‐channel contrast‐enhanced MR angiography of the feet and calves suggests 10% acceleration increase to R > 13 and no contrast‐to‐noise ratio loss. The specific implementation allows the optimum (RY, RZ) pair to be determined within one minute.ConclusionOptimum 2D SENSE acceleration parameters can be automatically chosen on a per‐exam basis to allow improved performance without disrupting the clinical workflow. Magn Reson Med 71:672–680, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.