bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A randomized controlled phase II trial of riluzole in early multiple sclerosis
Authors: Waubant Emmanuelle , Maghzi Amir‐Hadi , Revirajan Nisha , Spain Rebecca , Julian Laura , Mowry Ellen M. , Marcus Jacqueline , Liu Shuang , Jin Chengshi , Green Ari , McCulloch Charles E. , Pelletier Daniel 
Published: April 2014

AbstractObjectivesWe evaluated the effect of riluzole versus placebo added to weekly IM interferon beta‐1a in early multiple sclerosis (MS).MethodsThis is a randomized (1:1), double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of riluzole 50 mg twice daily in subjects with MS onset less than 1 year prior. Trial participation was up to 3 years. The primary endpoint was change in percent brain volume change. Secondary endpoints included changes in normalized gray and normal‐appearing white matter volumes, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL), MS Functional Composite and Symbol Digit Modalities Test scores. Mixed model regression analysis was used to compare the changes over time between groups.ResultsForty‐three subjects were randomized to study drug (22 riluzole, 21 placebo). Baseline characteristics were overall similar between groups except for older age (P = 0.042), higher normalized cerebrospinal fluid volume (P = 0.050), lower normalized gray matter volume (P = 0.14), and thinner RNFL (P = 0.043) in the riluzole group. In the primary analysis, percent brain volume change in the placebo group decreased at a rate of 0.49% per year whereas the riluzole group decreased by 0.86% per year (0.37% more per year; 95% CI −0.78, 0.024; P = 0.065). Although age did not influence the rate of brain volume decline, the difference between groups was attenuated after adjustment for baseline normalized gray matter and lesion volume (0.26% more per year in riluzole group; 95% CI −0.057, 0.014; P = 0.22). Analyses of secondary outcomes showed no differences between groups.InterpretationThis trial provides class 1 evidence that riluzole treatment does not meaningfully reduce brain atrophy progression in early MS.
Yield Optimization of Spray‐Dried Natural Rubber and Properties of Its Silica‐Filled Composite
Authors: Jaiphuephae Tippapong , Poochinda Kunakorn , Poompradub Sirilux 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTNatural rubber powder (NRP) was prepared by spray drying and optimized via statistical experimental design. The yield of NRP obtained significantly depended on the percentage of dry rubber content (DRC) and the amount of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The optimum condition for spray drying was found to be with an inlet air temperature of 130°C, a feed rate of 4 mL min−1, nozzle flow rate of 600 L h−1, 15% DRC, and 12 parts per hundred of rubber (phr) of SDS. Under these conditions, a NRP yield of 44.9%, and a total solid recovery of 98.7% with a moisture content of 0.4% was obtained. The resultant NRP particles were almost spherical with a diameter of less than 10 μm. The mechanical properties of NRP, in terms of the modulus, tensile strength, and hardness were greater than that for conventional block rubber (STR). Moreover, the addition of silica filler (25 phr) yielded better mechanical properties when prepared by spray drying (Si/NRP) than by the conventional silica‐filled block rubber (Si/STR). Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the silica was more remarkably evenly dispersed in the rubbery matrix of the Si/NRP composite compared to the agglomerated clumps found in the Si/STR composite prepared by the conventional mechanical mixing method.
The Production of Safe Food According to Firm Size and Regulatory Exemption: Application to FSMA
Authors: Pouliot Sebastien 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTOne feature of recent food regulations is that they treat small and large farms/firms differently. In this article, the relationship between firm output and food safety depends on firm‐specific efficiency factors and how output and food safety interact in the cost function. The model shows that conditional on the distribution of firm output and food safety, new food safety regulations may increase the number of firms, with or without an exemption for small firms. Food safety regulations affect the composition of firms and may even create entry by less efficient firms. The article discusses implications of the Food Safety Modernization Act which includes exemption for small firms.
Chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps is associated with increased expression of trefoil factor family peptides
Authors: Li Ping , Turner Justin H. 
Published: April 2014

BackgroundTrefoil factor family (TFF) peptides are mucin‐associated secretory products that are produced in the airways and gastrointestinal tract. These peptides appear to play an important role in mucosal healing and epithelial protection and are overexpressed in chronically inflamed gastrointestinal tissues. We hypothesize that TFF peptides may also be differentially expressed in the sinonasal tissue of patients with and without chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).MethodsEthmoid sinus tissue was obtained from patients with CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) (n = 12), CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) (n = 12), and nondiseased controls (n = 7). Messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein were extracted from samples and expression of TFF1, TFF2, and TFF3 were assessed using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction qRT‐PCR and Western blots, respectively. Tissue localization of TFF expression was confirmed using immunohistochemistry.ResultsTFF1 and TFF3 were both highly expressed in sinonasal tissue, while TFF2 was expressed at near‐undetectable levels. CRSsNP tissue had a statistically significant increase in the expression of both TFF1 and TFF3. No difference in TFF expression was found between control and CRSwNP patients.ConclusionTFF1 and TFF3 are overexpressed in CRSsNP. The role of TFF peptides in mucosal protection and repair suggests a possible important physiologic role in maintaining the sinonasal epithelial barrier and modulating innate immunity in the sinonasal tract.
Utilization of industrial waste electric arc furnace dust as iron oxide sorbent for hydrogen sulfide removal
Authors: Zeng Danlin , Liu Shenglan , Wang Guanghui , Qiu Jianghua , Chen Hongxiang 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTLeaching iron from the electric arc furnace dust by using sulfuric acid to prepare iron oxide sorbent for H2S removal was studied in this paper. The influences of sulfuric acid concentration, reaction temperature and the dosage of hydrochloric acid on the iron leaching yield were investigated in the leaching process. The iron oxide sorbent was prepared by the filtrate from the leaching process. The experimental results show that the iron species in the dust were transferred into γ‐Fe2O3 · H2O crystal of higher activity for H2S removal in the sorbent. The desulfurization test revealed that the breakthrough sulfur capacity of the sorbent is similar to that of the commercial active carbon on the same test conditions. © 2014 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immobilization of a thermostable inorganic pyrophosphatase from the archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus onto amino‐functionalized silica beads
Authors: Dong Qing , Yan Xufan , Zheng Minhui , Yang Ziwen 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTThis study focuses on the preparation and application of a recombinant thermophilic inorganic pyrophosphatase from the archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus on amino‐functionalized silica beads. The amino‐functionalized silica beads were prepared by coating with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane by silanization. The thermostable inorganic pyrophosphatase was rapidly and successfully immobilized onto the amino‐functionalized silica beads with glutaraldehyde as a coupling agent (within 12 min, >95.4% protein was immobilized onto the support). The results show that the protein could be immobilized efficiently, with up to 1 mg of protein/g of support with 92.9% activity. Compared with the free enzyme, the immobilized enzyme displayed a high activity toward inorganic pyrophosphate, less sensitivity toward the pH, and increased thermal stability. The immobilized enzyme retained 56.9% of its initial activity after hydrolysis of the inorganic pyrophosphate after 12 consecutive cycles (total = 330 min) at high temperature; this indicated a high protein stability suitable for practical applications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40700.
Incidence of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and high‐count monoclonal B‐cell lymphocytosis using the 2008 guidelines
Authors: Call Timothy G. , Norman Aaron D. , Hanson Curtis A. , Achenbach Sara J. , Kay Neil E. , Zent Clive S. , Ding Wei , Cerhan James R. , Rabe Kari G. , Vachon Celine M. , Hallberg Emily J. , Shanafelt Tait D. , Slager Susan L. 
Published: April 2014

BACKGROUNDThe 1996 National Cancer Institute Working Group (NCI‐WG 96) guidelines classified disease in individuals who had a B‐cell clone with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) immunophenotype as CLL if their absolute lymphocyte count was ≥5 × 109/L. The 2008 International Workshop on CLL guidelines (IWCLL 2008) classified disease as CLL if the absolute B‐cell count was ≥5 × 109/L or as monoclonal B‐cell lymphocytosis (MBL) if the absolute B‐cell count was <5 × 109/L. The objective of the current study of Olmsted County, Minnesota, was to assess the effects of these changes on incidence rates and presentation from 2000 to 2010.METHODSUsing diagnostic indices available through the Rochester Epidemiology Project and the Mayo CLL database, the authors identified all patients with newly diagnosed CLL and high‐count MBL from 2000 to 2010. Age‐specific and sex‐specific incidence rates were determined.RESULTSAccording to NCI‐WG 96 criteria, there were 115 patients with CLL and 8 patients with MBL during the period studied. Using the IWCLL 2008 classification, there were 79 patients with CLL and 40 patients with MBL. Rai stage distribution (low risk, intermediate risk, and high risk) using NCI‐WG 96 criteria was 60.9%, 33.9%, and 5.2%, respectively, compared with 43%, 49.4%, and 7.6%, respectively, using IWCLL 2008 criteria. The age‐adjusted and sex‐adjusted incidence rates (per 100,000) for CLL and MBL were 10.0 and 0.66, respectively, using NCI‐WG 96 criteria versus 6.8 and 3.5, respectively, using IWCLL 2008 criteria. The median time to treatment according to NCI‐WG 96 criteria was 9.2 years versus 6.5 years with IWCLL 2008 criteria.CONCLUSIONSUse of the IWCLL 2008 guidelines reduced the incidence of CLL, altered the distribution of initial Rai stage at diagnosis, and shortened the median time to treatment. Cancer 2014;120:2000–2005. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Filial attachment and its disruption: Insights from the guinea pig
Authors: Hennessy Michael B. 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTGuinea pigs are precocial rodents that show evidence of a selective attachment to the mother who, in turn, exhibits little active maternal care. Effects of separation in guinea pigs are, therefore, more likely to reflect the disruption of attachment than the removal of, or alterations in, patterns of maternal care. Here, effects in guinea pigs of the presence or absence of the mother on psychobiological endpoints and of maternal separation on depressive‐like behavior are reviewed. It is argued that results with guinea pigs often align more closely with those of nonhuman primates than those of laboratory rats and mice, and that the guinea pig offers a valuable translational model for studies of the consequences of attachment and its disruption. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 56: 1747–1754, 2014.
A Two‐Stage Inductive Voltage Divider Using a Special Winding Method
Authors: Tsutsumi Shintaro 
Published: April 2014

SUMMARYInductive voltage dividers (IVDs) are widely used in the field of ac measurements, such as impedance measurements at audio frequencies. The two‐stage guarded IVD was developed by D.N. Homan and T.L. Zapf about 40 years ago. However, it is not easy to construct a two‐stage guarded IVD. Therefore, we have developed a two‐stage IVD using a special winding method without guarding by magnetic and electrical shields. To reduce the admittances of the winding wires, corrugated polypropylene board is used for the new two‐stage IVD. In addition, the ratio winding and excitation winding are wound toroidally around two FINEMET ring cores using PEW flat cable 0.7 mm in diameter. As a result, the in‐phase ratio errors are within 10−8 of the input at frequencies of 1 kHz or below. In this report, the winding methods and measurement results of the new two‐stage IVD are described.
Evaluation of total hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol in extra virgin olive oils
Authors: Purcaro Giorgia , Codony Rafael , Pizzale Lorena , Mariani Carlo , Conte Lanfranco 
Published: April 2014

Olive oil phenolic compounds have been correlated to several health benefits. Nevertheless, the use of such information for commercial purposes was forbidden until 2006, when a European Regulation on health claims in food products was enacted (Reg. 1924/2006). In the case of olive oil, Regulation 432/2012 states that the health effect can be claimed only if the oil contains more than 5 mg of hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives (e.g., oleuropein complex and tyrosol) in 20 g of oil. The present work deals with the optimization of a method for performing hydrolysis after the extraction of polyphenols from olive oil was optimized, followed by derivatization and gas chromatographic analysis. The derivatization step was carefully optimized comparing different reagents and testing their efficiency, both on a standard solution and in a real sample conveniently spiked. Some commercial samples were analyzed and the results compared with the total amount of polyphenols calculated according the recommended method reported by the International Olive Council. A good correlation was obtained between the two methods (higher than 0.900).Practical applications: The proposed method is useful to determine if a marketed oil can claim health benefit according to the European Regulation n. 432/2012. The possibility to use such a claim is very important from a marketing point of view for the olive oil company; however, at present there is not any official method to assess the requirements. This method is rapid and gives efficient and reliable results using a common GC‐FID for the final determination.A GC method to evaluate European health claim requirements related to polyphenol contents in olive oil.
Synthesis of 1‐(1H‐Tetrazol‐5‐yl)‐2H‐isoindole Derivatives through Ugi Four‐Component and Silver‐Catalyzed Reactions
Authors: Wu Ran , Gao Shang , Chen Xu , Yang Guanghui , Pan Lingling , Hu Gaobo , Jia Ping , Zhong Weihui , Yu Chuanming 
Published: April 2014

AbstractA facile and efficient one‐pot, two‐step synthesis of 1,2‐disubstituted 3‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)‐2H‐isoindoles through Ugi four‐component reaction/AgNO3‐catalyzed reaction of 2‐alkynylbenzaldehydes, amines, isonitriles, and Me3SiN3 is described. This transformation proceeds through 5‐exo‐dig cyclization, [1,3]‐H shift, and [1,5]‐H shift to generate the products in moderate to excellent yields.
Tracing variability of run‐off generation in mountainous permafrost of semi‐arid north‐eastern Mongolia
Authors: Lange Jens , Kopp Benjamin Johannes , Bents Matthias , Menzel Lucas 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe headwaters of mountainous, discontinuous permafrost regions in north‐eastern Mongolia are important water resources for the semi‐arid country, but little is known about hydrological processes there. Run‐off generation on south‐facing slopes, which are devoid of permafrost, has so far been neglected and is totally unknown for areas that have been affected by recent forest fires. To fill this knowledge gap, the present study applied artificial tracers on a steppe‐vegetated south‐facing and on two north‐facing slopes, burned and unburned. Combined sprinkling and dye tracer experiments were used to visualize processes of infiltration and water fluxes in the unsaturated zone. On the unburned north‐facing slope, rapid and widespread infiltration through a wet organic layer was observed down to the permafrost. On the burned profile, rapid infiltration occurred through a combusted organic and underlying mineral layer. Stained water seeped out at the bottom of both profiles suggesting a general tendency to subsurface stormflow (SSF). Ongoing SSF could directly be studied 24 h after a high‐intensity rainfall event on a 55‐m hillslope section in the burned forest. Measurements of water temperature proved the role of the permafrost layer as a base horizon for SSF. Repeated tracer injections allowed direct insights into SSF dynamics: A first injection suggested rather slow dispersive subsurface flow paths; whereas 18 h later, a second injection traced a more preferential flow system with 20 times quicker flow velocities. We speculate that these pronounced SSF dynamics are limited to burned slopes where a thermally insulating organic layer is absent. On three south‐facing soil profiles, the applied tracer remained in the uppermost 5 cm of a silt‐rich mineral soil horizon. No signs of preferential infiltration could be found, which suggested reduced biological activity under a harsh, dry and cold climate. Instead, direct observations, distributed tracers and charcoal samples provided evidence for the occurrence of overland flow. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Volumetric modulated arc therapy versus step‐and‐shoot intensity modulated radiation therapy in the treatment of large nerve perineural spread to the skull base: a comparative dosimetric planning study
Authors: Gorayski Peter , Fitzgerald Rhys , Barry Tamara , Burmeister Elizabeth , Foote Matthew 
Published: April 2014

AbstractIntroductionCutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with large nerve perineural (LNPN) infiltration of the base of skull is a radiotherapeutic challenge given the complex target volumes to nearby organs at risk (OAR). A comparative planning study was undertaken to evaluate dosimetric differences between volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) versus intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in the treatment of LNPN.MethodsFive consecutive patients previously treated with IMRT for LNPN were selected. VMAT plans were generated for each case using the same planning target volumes (PTV), dose prescriptions and OAR constraints as IMRT. Comparative parameters used to assess target volume coverage, conformity and homogeneity included V95 of the PTV (volume encompassed by the 95% isodose), conformity index (CI) and homogeneity index (HI). In addition, OAR maximum point doses, V20, V30, non‐target tissue (NTT) point max doses, NTT volume above reference dose, monitor units (MU) were compared.ResultsIMRT and VMAT plans generated were comparable for CI (P = 0.12) and HI (P = 0.89). VMAT plans achieved better V95 (P = < 0.001) and reduced V20 and V30 by 652 cubic centimetres (cc) (28.5%) and 425.7 cc (29.1%), respectively. VMAT increased MU delivered by 18% without a corresponding increase in NTT dose.ConclusionCompared with IMRT plans for LNPN, VMAT achieved comparable HI and CI.
Rapid Hybridization of Chitosan‐Gold‐Antibodies via Metal‐free Click in Water‐based Systems: A Model Approach for Naked‐eye Detectable Antigen Sensors
Authors: Jirawutthiwongchai Jatesuda , Draeger Gerald , Chirachanchai Suwabun 
Published: April 2014

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) expression after hybridization of chitosan–gold nanoparticle‐antibody (CS‐AuNPs‐Ab) based on: i) metal‐free click chemistry, and, ii) in water system as an approach for a rapid antigen sensing, is proposed. The chitosan‐hydroxybenzyl triazole complex enables us to carry out the conjugation of mPEG and trifluoromethylated oxanorbornadiene (OND) in water. CS‐mPEG‐OND further allows metal‐free click to hybridize chitosan (CS) with azido‐modified gold nanoparticles (azido‐AuNPs) in aqueous solution at room temperature. The CS‐mPEG‐OND conjugated with LipL32 antibody (Ab) not only effectively binds with LipL32 antigen (Ag) but also performs the cycloaddition with azido‐AuNPs to display a change in color within 2 min. The phenomenon leads to a simple and efficient naked‐eye antigen detection technique.
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Multiple positive solutions of degenerate nonlocal problems on unbounded domain
Authors: Fan Haining , Liu Xiaochun 
Published: April 2014

AbstractIn this paper, we study the existence of multiple positive solutions for a degenerate nonlocal problem on unbounded domain. Using the Ekeland's variational principle combined with the mountain pass theorem, we show that problem admits at least two positive solutions under several different conditions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proton NMR determination of crystallinity in poly(ethylene terephthalate)
Authors: Roland C. M. , Walton J. H. , Miller J. B. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe results of proton NMR T1xz measurements on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films and fibers processed under various conditions are presented. Consistent with previous results, two domains are found in isotropic, amorphous PET. The NMR results provide an accurate measure of crystallinity in PET films and fibers, without requiring any assumptions about the semi‐crystalline morphology of the polymer. The NMR technique is particularly advantageous for PET fibers where orientation effects interfere with the more traditional density determination of crystallinity.
NMR observations of isolated and stretched polymer chains in their crystalline inclusion compounds formed with small‐molecule host clathrates
Authors: Vasanthan N. , Shin I. D. , Howe C. P. , Tonelli A. E. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractSeveral small‐molecule hosts form clathrates or inclusion compounds (ICs) with polymers. In these polymer‐ICs the guest polymer chains are confined to occupy narrow channels in the crystalline matrix formed by the host. The walls of the IC channels are formed entirely from the molecules of the host, and they serve to create a unique solid‐state environment for the included polymer chains. Each polymer chain included in the narrow, cylindrical IC channels (ca 5.5 Å in diameter) is highly extended and also separated by the host matrix channel walls from neighboring polymer chains. The net result is a solid‐state environment where extended, stretched (as a consequence of being squeezed) polymer chains reside in isolation from their neighbors inside the narrow channels of the crystalline matrix provided by the small‐molecule host. Comparison of the behavior of isolated, stretched polymer chains in their crystalline ICs with observations made on ordered, bulk samples of the same polymer are beginning to provide some measure of the contributions made by the intrinsic nature of a confined polymer chain and the pervasive, cooperative, interchain interactions which can complicate the behavior of bulk polymer samples. Just as dilute polymer solutions at the θ temperature have been effectively used to model disordered, bulk polymer phases (both glasses and melts), polymer‐ICs may be utilized to increase our understanding of the behavior of polymer chains in their ordered, bulk phases as found in crystalline and liquid‐crystalline samples. Solid‐state NMR observations of polymer‐ICs can provide detailed conformational and motional information concerning the included, stretched and isolated polymer chains.