bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Synergistic Effects of Resynchronization Therapy and a β‐Blocker Up‐titration Strategy Based on a Predefined Patient‐Management Program: The RESTORE Study
Authors: Palmisano Pietro , Ammendola Ernesto , D'Onofrio Antonio , Accogli Michele , Calò Leonardo , Ruocco Antonio , Rapacciuolo Antonio , Del Giorno Giuseppe , Bianchi Valter , Malacrida Maurizio , Valsecchi Sergio , Gronda Edoardo 
Published: January 2015

AbstractPrior studies have suggested that a substantial number of eligible heart failure (HF) patients fail to receive β‐blocker therapy, or receive it at a suboptimal dose. The aim of this study is to assess the benefit of a predefined management program designed for β‐blocker up‐titration, evaluating the synergistic effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and β‐blockers in a HF population. The Resynchronization Therapy and β‐Blocker Titration (RESTORE) study is a prospective, case‐control, multicenter cohort study designed to test the hypothesis that a β‐blocker up‐titration strategy based on a predefined management program maximizes the beneficial effect of CRT, increasing the number of patients reaching the target dose of β‐blockers and improving their clinical outcome. All study patients receive an implantable defibrillator for CRT delivery in accordance with current guidelines. Enrollments started in December 2011 and are scheduled to end in December 2014. Approximately 250 consecutive patients will be prospectively enrolled in 6 Italian centers and followed up for 24 months after implantation. The primary endpoint is to demonstrate that CRT may allow titration of β‐blockers until the optimal dose, or at least to the effective dose, in patients with HF. This study might provide important information about the benefit of a predefined management program for β‐blocker up‐titration in patients receiving CRT. Moreover, assessment of health‐care utilization and the consumption of resources will allow estimating the potential utility of remote monitoring by means of an automated telemedicine system in facilitating the titration of β‐blockers in comparison with a standard in‐hospital approach.
Side‐Chain‐Bulk Effects on the Molecular Packing and Photovoltaic Performance of Benzotrithiophene–Benzooxadiazole Conjugated Copolymers
Authors: Lan Shang‐Che , Chang Chiao‐Kai , Wang Yi‐Chien , Wei Kung‐Hwa 
Published: January 2015

AbstractTwo alternating donor–acceptor conjugated polymers, PBTTBO‐C13C11 and PBTTBO‐C13C8, comprising 5‐alkylbenzo[1,2‐b:3,4‐b′:5,6‐d′′]trithiophene (BTT) as the donor and 4,7‐bis(4‐dodecylthien‐2‐yl)benzo[1,2,5]oxadiazole (BO) as the acceptor, with different alkyl side‐chain architectures on their BTT units are synthesized, and their bulk heterojunction photovoltaic properties when blended with the fullerene PC71BM are characterized. Even a slight change in the length of the alkyl chain of the BTT units influences the steric bulk to such a degree that it substantially affects the molecular packing of the polymers and the performance of their photovoltaic devices. The bulkier side chains of the polymer PBTTBO‐C13C11 not only prevent its crystallization, but also suppress its light‐absorption coefficient relative to that of PBTTBO‐C13C8, as evidenced by X‐ray diffraction and UV/Vis absorption studies, presumably because of weakened intermolecular interactions. Moreover, the polymer bearing bulkier side chains, PBTTBO‐C13C11, is less miscible with PC71BM than PBTTBO‐C13C8, and this characteristic determines the morphology of their annealed blended films, as shown by TEM studies. The best efficiency is obtained with a device containing an annealed PBTTBO‐C13C8/PC71BM (1/2 w/w) active layer that was maintained at 120 °C for 10 min, which shows a power conversion efficiency of 6.2 %, an open‐circuit voltage of 0.75 V, a short‐circuit current density of 12.6 mA cm−2, and a fill factor of 66 %.
Luminescent Carbon Dots for Logic Operations in Two Phases
Authors: Sk Md Palashuddin , Sailapu Sunil Kumar , Chattopadhyay Arun 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBasic and higher integrated logic operations have been achieved by using luminescent carbon dots through interactions with metal ions and organic molecules in liquid dispersions as well as in the solid phase. The biphasic simple and complex logic systems could be potentially used for various analytical applications as well as for the detection of important elements in diverse environments.
Graphene Oxide Modified with Mesogenic Groups and Its Effect in Broad‐Band Reflectors
Authors: Wang Xiaomei , Cao Hangchao , Zhang Li , Zhang Ruirui , Wang Dong , Yang Zhou , He Wangli , Cao Hui , Yang Huai 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe NH2‐terminated mesogenic group 4‐(6‐amine‐hexyloxy)‐4*‐cyan‐biphenyl is chemically grafted onto the carboxylic groups of graphene oxide (GO) through an amidation reaction. The resultant mesogenic‐group‐modified GO sheets (GO‐LC) are redispersed easily in common organic solvents, facilitating the structure characterization and device fabrication by solution processing. Broad‐band reflectors are obtained by doping different contents of GO‐LC nanosheets into chiral nematic liquid crystalline (N*‐LCs) media with a photopolymerization process. The experimental results show that both the bandwidth of the reflection spectrum and the location of the reflection band of the GO‐LC‐doped composite films are better than those of the N*‐LCs sample without GO‐LC doping. The effects of polymerization temperature and amount of GO‐LC dopant on the broad‐band reflection of the N*‐LC composite films are investigated.
Fe3W3C/WC/Graphitic Carbon Ternary Nanojunction Hybrids for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Liao Yongping , Xie Ying , Pan Kai , Wang Guofeng , Pan Qingjiang , Zhou Wei , Wang Lei , Jiang Baojiang , Fu Honggang 
Published: January 2015

AbstractFe3W3C/WC/graphitic carbon (GC) ternary nanojunction hybrids are synthesized through a solid‐state pyrolysis process for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). First‐principles calculations have been first employed to investigate the adsorption energy between I3− and Fe3W3C and WC nanoclusters. Scanning Kelvin probe images indicate that the work function changes greatly due to the formation of ternary nanojunctions, which favor fast photoelectron transfer. A photoelectrical conversion efficiency of 7.1 % is achieved based on Fe3W3C/WC/GC hybrid counter electrodes, which is much higher than those of pure GC (5.02 %) and WC/GC hybrids (6.11 %). It has been further revealed that Fe3W3C/WC/GC hybrid counter electrodes exhibit the best catalytic performances according to relevant electrochemical measurements, which can be attributed to fast photoelectron transfer due to the ternary junctions and the addition of Fe3W3C with more catalytic metallic atoms.
Across the Board: Gabriele Centi
Authors: Centi Gabriele 
Published: January 2015

AbstractIn this series of articles, the board members of ChemSusChem discuss recent research articles that they consider of exceptional quality and importance for sustainability. In this entry, Prof. Gabriele Centi comments on recent results on non‐oxidative conversion of methane to ethylene and aromatics. The discussion takes into account technical, economical, and sustainability perspectives, and briefly comments on the role of shale gas in future chemical production scenarios.
Half‐duplex visible light communication using an LED as both a transmitter and a receiver
Authors: Kim Sung‐Man , Lee Hyun‐Jun 
Published: January 2015

SUMMARYIn typical visible light communication (VLC) systems, light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) are used as optical transmitters and photodiodes are used as optical receivers. Currently, many communication devices such as smart phones have a built‐in LED lamp whereas they usually do not have a built‐in photodiode. If we find a way to receive VLC signals without the need to add an additional photodiode on the communication devices, it will contribute to the spread of VLC. Therefore, we propose and demonstrate a VLC scheme without the need for a photodiode. As the first step, we investigate the characteristics of an LED as a VLC receiver and find out that an LED can also be used as a VLC receiver in certain conditions. Then, we demonstrate a half‐duplex VLC system using an LED as both an optical transmitter and an optical receiver, without the need for a photodiode. This technique could be used in various applications such as the VLC between smart phones with a built‐in LED lamp and the VLC between LED traffic lights. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fullerene-associated phenanthrene contributes to bioaccumulation but is not toxic to fish
Authors: Hu Xialin , Li Jing , Shen Mohai , Yin Daqiang 
Published: January 2015

Abstract

The present study investigated the effects of aqueous fullerene suspensions (nC60) on the bioavailability and toxicity of phenanthrene (Phe) to junior carp (Cyprinus carpio). Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were calculated based on total as well as free concentrations of Phe. Equal BAF values were obtained with and without nC60 based on the total concentrations, whereas greater BAFs were found in the presence of nC60 when free Phe concentrations were applied. The results demonstrated that nC60 could act as a contaminant carrier to facilitate Phe bioaccumulation. The concentration–response relationship of induced hepatic 7-ethoxysorufin-O-deethylase activity was established in regard to the total and free concentrations of aqueous Phe solutions as well as the body residues. The concentration-response curves were reliant on the nC60 concentration when the total concentration of Phe was employed as a variable but were independent of nC60 presence when free concentration or body residue was employed as a variable, implying that the latter 2 parameters were more accurate in evaluating biological effects. Particles of C60 were mostly distributed in fish liver and intestines, which indicated the primary routine of uptake was through ingestion. Approximately 22% to 100% of the Phe–nC60 complex contributed to the bioaccumulation, whereas the complex did not contribute to the toxicity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1023–1030. © 2015 SETAC
Monitoring exposure of brown bullheads and benthic macroinvertebrates to sediment contaminants in the Ashtabula river before, during, and after remediation
Authors: Meier John R. , Lazorchak James M. , Mills Marc , Wernsing Paul , Baumann Paul C. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract

In 2007, approximately 420 500 cubic meters of contaminated sediment were removed from the Ashtabula River by dredging. The primary objective of the present study was to monitor contaminant exposure in fish and macroinvertebrates before, during, and after dredging. This was done by measuring tissue concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) in brown bullhead catfish (Ameriurus nebulosa) and in benthic macroinvertebrates, assessing changes in DNA damage in fish liver and blood, and scoring external and histopathological lesions and anomalies in the fish. In surficial sediment PCBs and PAHs were also quantified in conjunction with the biological sampling. The results show a significant reduction in contaminant levels in both fish and macroinvertebrates following dredging, indicating the effectiveness of the remediation in reducing exposure of biota to the primary contaminants of concern. Similarly, DNA damage levels in fish collected from the Ashtabula River significantly declined following dredging; however, a similar reduction in DNA damage over time was seen in fish collected from a reference site (Conneaut Creek), making interpretation difficult. Macroinvertebrate PCB concentrations were reflective of the sediment concentrations in the areas where Hester-Dendy samplers were deployed for macroinvertebrate collection. The present study demonstrates that these methods can be used to evaluate and assess the effectiveness of remediation techniques at contaminated sediment sites. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1267–1276. © 2015 SETAC
A practical approach to determine dose metrics for nanomaterials
Authors: Delmaar Christiaan J.E. , Peijnenburg Willie J.G.M. , Oomen Agnes G. , Chen Jingwen , de Jong Wim H. , Sips Adriënne J.A.M. , Wang Zhuang , Park Margriet V.D.Z. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract

Traditionally, administered mass is used to describe doses of conventional chemical substances in toxicity studies. For deriving toxic doses of nanomaterials, mass and chemical composition alone may not adequately describe the dose, because particles with the same chemical composition can have completely different toxic mass doses depending on properties such as particle size. Other dose metrics such as particle number, volume, or surface area have been suggested, but consensus is lacking. The discussion regarding the most adequate dose metric for nanomaterials clearly needs a systematic, unbiased approach to determine the most appropriate dose metric for nanomaterials. In the present study, the authors propose such an approach and apply it to results from in vitro and in vivo experiments with silver and silica nanomaterials. The proposed approach is shown to provide a convenient tool to systematically investigate and interpret dose metrics of nanomaterials. Recommendations for study designs aimed at investigating dose metrics are provided. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1015–1022. © 2015 SETAC
Fungi from metal-polluted streams may have high ability to cope with the oxidative stress induced by copper oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Pradhan Arunava , Seena Sahadevan , Schlosser Dietmar , Gerth Katharina , Helm Stefan , Dobritzsch Melanie , Krauss Gerd-Joachim , Dobritzsch Dirk , Pascoal Cláudia , Cássio Fernanda 
Published: January 2015

Abstract

Increased commercialization of products based on metal oxide nanoparticles increases the likelihood that these nanoparticles will be released into aquatic environments, thus making relevant the assessment of their potential impacts on aquatic biota. Aquatic fungi are distributed worldwide and play a key role in organic matter turnover in freshwater ecosystems. The present study investigated the impacts of copper oxide spherical nanoparticles (CuO-NPs; &lt;50 nm powder, 5 levels ≤200 mg/L) on cellular targets and antioxidant defenses in 5 fungal isolates collected from metal-polluted or nonpolluted streams. The CuO-NPs induced oxidative stress in aquatic fungi, as evidenced by intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and led to plasma membrane damage and DNA strand breaks in a concentration-dependent manner. Effects were more pronounced with a longer exposure time (3 d vs 10 d). Under CuO-NP exposure, mycelia of fungi collected from metal-polluted streams showed less oxidative stress and higher activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase compared with fungi from nonpolluted streams. The latter fungi responded to CuO-NPs with a stronger stimulation of glutathione peroxidase activity. These findings may indicate that fungi isolated from metal-polluted streams had a greater ability to maintain the pool of reduced glutathione than those from nonpolluted streams. Overall, results suggest that populations adapted to metals may develop mechanisms to cope with the oxidative stress induced by metal nanoparticles. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:923–930. © 2015 SETAC
Modeling the influence of physicochemical properties on gold nanoparticle uptake and elimination by Daphnia magna
Authors: Wray Austin T. , Klaine Stephen J. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract

Monitoring the distribution and subsequent effects of nanoparticle contaminants in aquatic ecosystems will be pivotal to developing regulations that minimize their environmental footprint. The present study focused on the link between nanoparticle characteristics and Daphnia magna body burden using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with different size, shape, and surface charge configurations as model particles. Uptake followed first-order kinetics across the entire concentration range for all particles except the cationic rods, which demonstrated 2 distinct uptake patterns. Elimination followed the 2-compartment model for all particle configurations. Multiple regression analysis identified size and surface charge as controlling influences over AuNP uptake and elimination, whereas shape was regarded as inconsequential to both processes. Examination of the lumen-microvilli interface produced no evidence to indicate assimilation of the AuNPs used in the present study. Instead, these nanoparticles were restricted to the gut lumen and the carapace, where ingestion efficiency and adsorption were the primary determinants of total body burden. Models developed from the present data predict that D. magna will amass a higher body burden of larger cationic AuNPs at high concentration exposures and larger anionic AuNPs at low concentration exposures. A survey of the nanoparticle literature revealed that these trends were consistent with observations for certain nanomaterial exposures but could not be applied indiscriminately to all nanoparticle types and species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:860–872. © 2015 SETAC
Personality's association with IADLs in community dwelling older adults
Authors: Puente Antonio Nicolas , Lindbergh Cutter A. , Miller L. Stephen 
Published: January 2015

ObjectivesExtant research has established several predictors of functional ability (FA) in older adults (OAs); however, one factor that has been relatively ignored is personality. Preliminary evidence suggests that openness and agreeableness are associated with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). However, how personality is related to IADLs remains unclear. We aimed to determine how personality factors predict performance of IADLs, which we hypothesized, was because of executive functioning (EF).MethodsTo best understand the relationship between personality and IADLs, we recruited and ran 65 independent community dwelling OAs. Bivariate correlations and hierarchical regressions were completed to determine the associations between openness and agreeableness with IADLs. Lastly, mediation analyses were completed to examine our hypothesis that EF would mediate this relationshipResultsCorrelation and regression findings support the relationship between openness and IADLs but not agreeableness and IADLs. As hypothesized, the relationship between openness and IADLs was mediated by EF.ConclusionsWe replicated the relationship between openness and IADLs and extend the literature by showing the mechanism of action for this relationship is EF. While our mediation results support this perspective, future research should determine if interventions that increase OAs' EF, in turn, increase or attenuate decline in IADLs over time. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interpretation of aged sorption studies for pesticides and their use in European Union regulatory leaching assessments
Authors: Beulke Sabine , van Beinum Wendy , Suddaby Laura 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
First-tier regulatory exposure assessments for pesticides assume that pesticide sorption is instantaneous and fully reversible. In European Union (EU) regulatory guidance, an increase in sorption over time (“aged sorption”) can be considered at the higher tier to refine predicted environmental concentrations in groundwater. Research commissioned by the UK Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD), funded by the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), formed the basis of a draft regulatory guidance document proposing 1) a protocol on how to measure aged sorption of parent compounds in laboratory studies, 2) procedures to fit kinetic models to the experimental data, 3) criteria to test the reliability of the parameters, and 4) procedures for use of the parameters in the groundwater exposure assessment. The draft guidance was revised after feedback from stakeholders and testing of the guidance was performed against real data sets by an independent consultancy. The Chemicals Regulation Directorate submitted the revised document to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for scrutiny. This article gives an overview of the draft guidance and explains the reasoning behind the recommendations made. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;11:276–286. © 2015 SETAC
Key Points
This work bridges the gap between scientific research and regulatory assessments for pesticides. For the first time, a methodology was developed to implement aged sorption of pesticides in soil into EU regulatory leaching assessments in a rigorous and reproducible manner. Experimental methods to assess aged sorption in the laboratory were compared. Incubation of pesticide-treated soil and determination of aqueous extractable and total residues of the pesticide at several time points was recommended. Data quality requirements were developed (e.g. eliminate day 0 and 1 samples, ?2 replicates). Based on a review, it is recommended to describe the experimental data with a two-site one-rate aged sorption model. Fitting techniques, acceptance criteria (goodness of fit, evidence of aged sorption, parameter uncertainty) and the use of the results in leaching assessments are described. The initiative was welcomed by industry, academia and regulators. Engagement with these stakehoders led to the current version of the draft guidance document. Although commissioned by a UK authority, the draft procedures are now under scrutiny at EU level with the aim to develop EU wide guidance.
Thiol Redox Chemistry: Role of Protein Cysteine Oxidation and Altered Redox Homeostasis in Allergic Inflammation and Asthma
Authors: Hoffman Sidra , Nolin James , McMillan David , Wouters Emiel , Janssen‐Heininger Yvonne , Reynaert Niki 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTAsthma is a pulmonary disorder, with an estimated 300 million people affected worldwide. While it is thought that endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) such as hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide, are important mediators of natural physiological processes, inflammatory cells recruited to the asthmatic airways have an exceptional capacity for producing a variety of highly reactive ROS and RNS believed to contribute to tissue damage and chronic airways inflammation. Antioxidant defense systems form a tightly regulated network that maintains the redox environment of the intra‐ as well as extracellular environment. Evidence for an oxidant‐antioxidant imbalance in asthmatic airways is demonstrated in a number of studies, revealing decreased total antioxidant capacity as well as lower levels of individual antioxidants. Thiols in the form of GSH and sulfhydryl groups of proteins are among the most susceptible oxidant‐sensitive targets, and hence, studies investigating protein thiol redox modifications in biology and disease have emerged. This perspective offers an overview of the combined efforts aimed at the elucidation of mechanisms whereby cysteine oxidations contribute to chronic inflammation and asthma, as well as insights into potential cysteine thiol‐based therapeutic strategies. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 884–892, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.