bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Information behaviors at the edge of reason: The role of uncertainty, science, and culture on environmental policy
Authors: Blake Catherine , Guo Jinlong 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTWe all expect government agencies to use high quality evidence when creating public policy; however, in a democratic society, cultural values also play a role. For example Europe and America have different policies with respect to genetically modified foods and nuclear energy. Our goal is to explore information behaviors that surround the process of transforming scientific evidence into public policy in order to uncover where (and how) cultural values might be embedded. We analyzed more than a thousand citations from three scientific reviews that were conducted by scientists based in the EU and US on di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a plastic softener that is controversial because of potential impacts for industry and public health. Our analysis suggests that culture may influence public policy by establishing the initial scope of a review, by determining which evidence should be included, and by framing how evidence is presented.
Assessing Confidence in Predictions Using Veracity and Utility – A Case Study on the Prediction of Mammalian Metabolism by Meteor Nexus
Authors: Judson Philip N. , Long Anthony , Murray Ernest , Patel Mukesh 
Published: April 2015

AbstractA previous paper1 described new metrics, veracity and utility, for assessing the performance of toxicity prediction systems that report confidence in their predictions. Assessing the performance of systems that predict mammalian metabolism is complicated by the absence of comprehensive sets of negative observations and predictions. This paper presents an approach to assessing the performance of such systems using veracity and utility.
Different number of intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA injections for patients with refractory detrusor overactivity do not affect treatment outcome: A prospective randomized comparative study
Authors: Liao Chun‐Hou , Chen Sheng‐Fu , Kuo Hann‐Chorng 
Published: April 2015

AimsTo examine the therapeutic effects and safety of different numbers of intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA (BoNT‐A) injection for patients with detrusor overactivity (DO) refractory to antimuscarinics.MethodsPatients with DO, at least one daily episode of urgency or urgency incontinence refractory to previous antimuscarinics were randomly assigned to receive 10, 20, or 40 intravesical BoNT‐A injections 100 U in 10 mL in the bladder body. Treatment results were assessed with global response assessment GRA, OAB symptom score OAB‐SS, urgency severity scale USS, patient perception of bladder condition PPBC, voiding diary, and urodynamic parameters. The primary endpoint was the comparison of the rates of successful treatment, which was defined as GRA ≥ 1 after treatment, between the groups. The secondary endpoints were the comparisons of the changes in the voiding diary, urodynamic parameters, individual AEs between the groups.ResultsSixty‐seven patients were randomized into three groups. Patients with GRA ≥ 1 at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment were comparable between the groups. The average OAB‐SS and USS and PPBC scores decreased whereas the average postvoid residual urine volume increased in all three groups. Changes in urodynamic and voiding diary parameters were also comparable between the groups. There were no significant differences in the rates of AEs and urinary tract infection after treatment.ConclusionsDifferent numbers of intravesical BoNT‐A injections produced similar therapeutic and adverse effects. We therefore believe that 1 ml BoNT‐A injections (10 U) at 10 sites are adequate to achieve an optimal therapeutic effect in OAB patients. Neurourol. Urodynam. 35:717–723, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Kinetics of reversible addition–fragmentation transfer (RAFT) miniemulsion polymerization of styrene using dibenzyl trithiocarbonate asRAFTreagent and costabilizer
Authors: Kusuma Ricky Indra , Lin Chun‐Ta , Chern Chorng‐Shyan 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe roles of dibenzyl trithiocarbonate (DBTTC) as both costabilizer and reversible addition–fragmentation transfer (RAFT) reagent inRAFTminiemulsion polymerizations of styrene were investigated. The effectiveness ofDBTTCcostabilizer in retarding Ostwald ripening involved in the storage stability of miniemulsion is comparable to that of conventional low‐molecular‐weight costabilizers such as cetyl alcohol, but inferior to that of hexadecane. The major variables chosen for studying kinetics ofRAFTminiemulsion polymerizations include the type of initiators and levels ofDBTTCand surfactant. At a constant level ofDBTTC, the rate of polymerization for benzoyl peroxide (BPO)‐initiated polymerization is slower than that for sodium persulfate (SPS)‐initiated polymerization. Furthermore, the polymerization rate decreases with increasing level ofDBTTCfor polymerizations initiated byBPO(orSPS). It is the monomer droplet nucleation that governsBPO‐initiated polymerizations. In contrast, forSPS‐initiated polymerizations, the probability for homogeneous nucleation to take place is greatly increased, especially for polymerizations with lower levels ofDBTTCand higher levels of surfactant. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Monolithically interconnected lamellar Cu(In,Ga)Se2 micro solar cells under full white light concentration
Authors: Reinhold Bernhard , Schmid Martina , Greiner Dieter , Schüle Manuel , Kieven David , Ennaoui Ahmed , Lux‐Steiner Martha Ch. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThin film solar cells already benefit from significant material and energy savings. By using photon management, the conversion efficiency and the power density can be enhanced further, including a reduction of material costs. In this work, micrometer‐sized Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin film solar cells were investigated under concentrated white light illumination (1–50×). The cell design is based on industrially standardized, lamellar shaped solar cells with monolithic interconnects (P‐scribe). In order to characterize the shunt and serial resistance profiles and their impact on the device performance the cell width was reduced stepwise from 1900 to 200 µm and the P1‐scribe thickness was varied between 45 and 320 µm. The results are compared to macroscopic solar cells in standard geometry and dot‐shaped microcells with ring contacts. Under concentrated white light, the maximal conversion efficiency could be increased by more than 3.8% absolute for the lamellar microcells and more than 4.8% absolute in case of dot‐shaped microcells compared to their initial values at 1 sun illumination. The power density could be raised by a factor of 51 and 70, respectively. But apparently, the optimum concentration level and the improvement in performance strongly depend on the chosen cell geometry, the used contact method and the electrical material properties. It turns out, that the widely used industrial thin film solar cell design pattern cannot simply be adapted to prepare micro‐concentrator CIGS solar modules, without significant optimization. Based on the experimental and simulated results, modifications for the cell design are proposed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oligomeric aliphatic–aromatic ether containing phthalonitrile resins
Authors: Laskoski Matthew , Neal Arianna , Schear Mollie B. , Keller Teddy M. , Ricks‐Laskoski Holly L. , Saab Andrew P. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTA versatile synthetic method has been developed for oligomeric aliphatic–aromatic ether containing phthalonitrile (PN) resins and applied to the preparation of three unique resin systems. The oligomeric PN monomers were prepared from the reaction of an excess amount of bisphenol A with a dihalo‐aliphatic containing compound in the presence of K2CO3 in dimethylsulfoxide, followed by end‐capping with 4‐nitrophthalonitrile in a two‐step, one‐pot reaction. These PN resin systems exhibited excellent viscosities for molding various shaped articles after thermal curing to yield crosslinked polymers. These polymers offered more mechanical flexibility, when compared with an all aromatic backbone, while still maintaining good thermal stability, dielectric properties, and low water absorption. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 2186–2191
Synthesis and characterization of chiral poly(alkyl isocyanates) by coordination polymerization using a chiral half‐titanocene complex
Authors: Choinopoulos Ioannis , Koinis Spyros , Pitsikalis Marinos 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTA new chiral half‐titanocene complex, [CpTiCl2(O‐(S)−2‐Bu)], is synthesized and characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. This complex is employed for the coordination polymerization of n‐butyl and n‐hexyl‐ isocyanate leading to chiral polymers, as revealed by their CD spectra. Only the left‐handed helix is produced, due to the chiral (S)−2‐butoxy group, which is bound to the polymer chain end. The polymerization of 3‐(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate produces less soluble polymers. On the other hand, phenyl isocyanate reacts slowly with the complex leading quantitatively and selectively to triphenyl isocyanurate. 2‐Ethylhexyl isocyanate is slowly and selectively cyclotrimerized in the presence of the half‐titanocene complex. However, a statistical copolymer of 2‐ethylhexyl isocyanate and hexyl isocyanate is produced. The reaction of benzyl isocyanate with the complex leads to a mixture of low molecular weight polymer and cyclotrimer. The polymers are characterized using SEC, NMR, and CD spectroscopy and their thermal properties are investigated by TGA/DSC analysis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 2141–2151
Five years of experience with biochemical cystic fibrosis newborn screening based on IRT/PAP in Germany
Authors: Sommerburg Olaf , Hammermann Jutta , Lindner Martin , Stahl Mirjam , Muckenthaler Martina , Kohlmueller Dirk , Happich Margit , Kulozik Andreas E. , Stopsack Marina , Gahr Manfred , Hoffmann Georg F. , Mall Marcus A. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryBackgroundEvidence from recent studies suggests that IRT/PAP protocols may be successfully used as a purely biochemical newborn screening (NBS) for cystic fibrosis (CF) that does not require genetic screening. However, the experience with the performance of different IRT/PAP protocols remains limited. In this study, we evaluated the performance of IRT/PAP‐based CF‐NBS used in two German regions between 2008 and 2013 in a large cohort.MethodsIn both regions slightly different IRT/PAP protocols were used to screen newborns for CF. In contrast to the original IRT/PAP protocol published by Sarles et al., both German protocols contained an IRT‐dependent safety net strategy (CF‐NBS positive, if IRT≥99.9th percentile). Positive rating of the screening result led to confirmatory diagnostics using sweat chloride testing and clinical assessment.FindingsA total of 328,181 newborns were tested with IRT/PAP in Germany within 5 years. 639 of these newborns (0.19%) were tested positive, and 60 infants were diagnosed with CF leading to a sensitivity of 0.968 and a PPV (positive predictive value) of 0.097. Compared to IRT/DNA protocols, the PPV of IRT/PAP is lower, but PAP used as second tier test has the advantage of a lower detection rate of healthy carriers and CF patients with equivocal results.ConclusionsOur results obtained in a large cohort of ∼330,000 newborns support the use of a purely biochemical IRT/PAP protocol as an acceptable alternative when genetic CF‐NBS has to be avoided. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015; 50:655–664. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
System design and animal experiment study of a novel minimally invasive surgical robot
Authors: Wang Wei , Li Jianmin , Wang Shuxin , Su He , Jiang Xueming 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundRobot‐assisted minimally invasive surgery has shown tremendous advances over the traditional technique. However, currently commercialized systems are large and complicated, which vastly raises the system cost and operation room requirements.MethodsA MIS robot named ‘MicroHand’ was developed over the past few years. The basic principle and the key technologies are analyzed in this paper. Comparison between the proposed robot and the da Vinci system is also presented. Finally, animal experiments were carried out to test the performance of MicroHand.ResultsFifteen animal experiments were carried out from July 2013 to December 2013. All animal experiments were finished successfully.ConclusionsThe proposed design method is an effective way to resolve the drawbacks of previous generations of the da Vinci surgical system. The animal experiment results confirmed the feasibility of the design. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of dopamine D4 receptor density on novelty seeking, activity, social interaction, and alcohol binge drinking in adult mice
Authors: Thanos Panayotis K. , Roushdy Kareema , Sarwar Zehan , Rice Onarae , Ashby Charles R. , Grandy David K. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTThe dopamine D4 receptor has been postulated to play a role in the pathophysiology of alcoholism. This study examined how varying levels of D4 expression and their associated behaviors in male and female mice correlate with future alcohol intake. We hypothesized that: (1) mice with low (Drd4+/−) or deficient (Drd4−/−) in D4 receptors would show enhanced ethanol consumption compared with control mice (Drd4+/+), and (2) a specific phenotype in these mice is associated with future vulnerability for alcohol consumption. Individually housed mice were allowed free access to ethanol (20% vv) in the dark (DID). The behaviors measured in male and female mice were: novel object recognition, open‐field locomotor activity, and social interaction. Correlation analyses showed that in male Drd4−/− mice (relative to Drd4+/+ controls), anxiolytic behavior was significantly correlated with increased alcohol consumption. Also, in male Drd4−/− mice, there was a significant positive correlation between increased exploratory behavior and increased alcohol consumption. These findings were not observed in females. In conclusion, our data suggest that the dopamine D4 receptor gene has an important role in increased exploratory and anxiolytic behavior only in males and these behaviors were positively correlated with increased alcohol consumption. This interaction between sex hormones and dopamine D4 receptor genotype/function predicting future alcohol abuse and correlation with anxiolytic and exploratory behavior in male mice could have important implications for better understanding of vulnerabilities associated with addiction. Synapse 69:356–364, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modulation of alternative splicing by anticancer drugs
Authors: Rehman Sayeed Ur , Husain Mohammed Amir , Sarwar Tarique , Ishqi Hassan Mubarak , Tabish Mohammad 
Published: April 2015

Pre‐mRNA alternative splicing is a highly regulated process that generates multiple mRNAs coding different protein isoforms. These protein isoforms may have similar, different, or even opposing functions. Expression of genes involved in cell growth and apoptosis are often altered in cancer cells. Studying the alternative splicing patterns of these important genes can have a significant role in the treatment of cancer. Resistance to chemotherapy is often caused due to overexpression of anti‐apoptotic isoforms or suppression of pro‐apoptotic isoforms. Anticancer drugs are capable of modulating the expression of different transcript isoforms of genes. Some anticancer drugs induce pro‐apoptotic transcript isoforms leading to apoptosis or at least sensitizing cells to chemotherapy. However, in other cases, they shift the splicing toward isoforms having anti‐apoptotic functions thus conferring resistance to chemotherapy. This mini‐review summarizes the current knowledge about alternative splicing of some important genes involved in cancers. Furthermore, splicing patterns as well as generation of functionally distinct protein isoforms have also been mentioned. Role of various anticancer drugs in modulating alternative splicing of these genes has been reported along with a brief insight into their mechanism of action. Modulation of alternative splicing toward production of pro‐apoptotic isoforms of various genes by anticancer drugs offers great therapeutic potential in the treatment of cancer. WIREs RNA 2015, 6:369–379. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1283This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing
RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
Cobaltocenium Carboxylate Transition Metal Complexes: Synthesis, Structure, Reactivity, and Cytotoxicity
Authors: Vanicek Stefan , Kopacka Holger , Wurst Klaus , Vergeiner Stefan , Oehninger Luciano , Ott Ingo , Bildstein Benno 
Published: April 2015

AbstractCobaltocenium carboxylate is an unusual betaine that functions as a formally neutral carboxylate ligand with late transition metal centers comprising Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Ag+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, and Rh+. Structurally, a rich coordination chemistry is observed – from simple monomeric homoleptic complexes to heteroleptic dimeric, trimeric, and polymeric compounds, as shown by X‐ray diffraction of 11 compounds. Chemically, thermal decarboxylation was investigated aiming at the formation of cobaltocenium‐carbene transition metal complexes, in analogy to such chemistry of imidazolium carboxylate betaines. Cytotoxicity studies of cobaltocenium carboxylate transition metal complexes were performed to evaluate the medicinal bioorganometallic potential of these compounds. While cobaltocenium carboxylate was inactive, its complexes with Ag+, Cd2+, and Hg2+ triggered significant cytotoxic effects.
Reactions of Polyarsenides with Acetylene: Synthesis and Characterization of [Cs([18]crown‐6)]2As7C14H11·6NH3 and As2C6H6
Authors: Grassl Tobias , Friedrich Ute , Kaas Marina , Korber Nikolaus 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe reaction of Cs3As7 with diphenylacetylene in the presence of 18crown‐6 in liquid ammonia results in the formation of the new compound [Cs(18crown‐6)]2As7C14H11·6NH3, which crystallizes in black monoclinic crystals. It contains the first monosubstituated heptaarsenide anion with a hydrocarbon‐only substituent and theoretical calculations show a significant influence of the organic substituent on the electronic structure within the cage. The (Z)‐1, 2‐diphenylethenyl‐heptaarsenide di‐anion can be seen as the first step towards the formation of 1, 2,3‐triarsolides. Further experiments regarding the reaction of Rb3As11 and Cs3As11 with acetylene gas in liquid ammonia reveal the formation of the diarsabarrelene As2C6H6, which crystallizes as colorless orthorhombic crystals. Calculations based on the structural data obtained by X‐ray crystallography show the electronically inert character of the arsenic lone pair.
Emotions in context: examining pervasive affective sensing systems, applications, and analyses
Authors: Kanjo Eiman , Al-Husain Luluah , Chamberlain Alan 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

Pervasive sensing has opened up new opportunities for measuring our feelings and understanding our behavior by monitoring our affective states while mobile. This review paper surveys pervasive affect sensing by examining and considering three major elements of affective pervasive systems, namely “sensing,” “analysis,” and “application.” Sensing investigates the different sensing modalities that are used in existing real-time affective applications, analysis explores different approaches to emotion recognition and visualization based on different types of collected data, and application investigates different leading areas of affective applications. For each of the three aspects, the paper includes an extensive survey of the literature and finally outlines some of challenges and future research opportunities of affective sensing in the context of pervasive computing.
“Not Tied Up Neatly with a Bow”: Professionals’ Challenging Cases in Informed Consent for Genomic Sequencing
Authors: Tomlinson Ashley N. , Skinner Debra , Perry Denise L. , Scollon Sarah R. , Roche Myra I. , Bernhardt Barbara A. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAs the use of genomic technology has expanded in research and clinical settings, issues surrounding informed consent for genome and exome sequencing have surfaced. Despite the importance of informed consent, little is known about the specific challenges that professionals encounter when consenting patients or research participants for genomic sequencing. We interviewed 29 genetic counselors and research coordinators with considerable experience obtaining informed consent for genomic sequencing to understand their experiences and perspectives. As part of this interview, 24 interviewees discussed an informed consent case they found particularly memorable or challenging. We analyzed these case examples to determine the primary issue or challenge represented by each case. Challenges fell into two domains: participant understanding, and facilitating decisions about testing or research participation. Challenges related to participant understanding included varying levels of general and genomic literacy, difficulty managing participant expectations, and contextual factors that impeded participant understanding. Challenges related to facilitating decision‐making included complicated family dynamics such as disagreement or coercion, situations in which it was unclear whether sequencing research would be a good use of participant time or resources, and situations in which the professional experienced disagreement or discomfort with participant decisions. The issues highlighted in these case examples are instructive in preparing genetics professionals to obtain informed consent for genomic sequencing.
Plasma BDNF levels associate with Pittsburgh Compound B binding in the brain
Authors: Hwang Kristy S. , Lazaris Andreas S. , Eastman Jennifer A. , Teng Edmond , Thompson Paul M. , Gylys Karen H. , Cole Gregory M. , Apostolova Liana G. ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundBrain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. BDNF function is adversely affected by amyloid beta in AD. BDNF levels in brain and peripheral tissues are lower in patients with AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) than in controls. Here we examined the association between plasma levels of BDNF and amyloid deposition in the brain measured with Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB).MethodOur data set consisted of 18 AD, 56 MCI, and 3 normal control Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative‐1 (ADNI1) subjects with available [11C] PiB and peripheral blood protein data. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐coregistered positron emission tomography data were smoothed with a 15 mm kernel and mapped onto three‐dimensional (3D) hemispheric models using the warping deformations computed in cortical pattern matching of the associated MRI scans. We applied linear regression to examine in 3D the associations between BDNF and PiB standard uptake value ratio, while adjusting for age and sex. We used permutation statistics thresholded at P < .01 for multiple comparisons correction.ResultsPlasma BDNF levels showed significant negative associations with left greater than right amyloid burden in the lateral temporal, inferior parietal, inferior frontal, anterior and posterior cingulate, and orbitofrontal regions (left Pcorrected = .03).ConclusionsAs hypothesized, lower plasma levels of BDNF were significantly associated with widespread brain amyloidosis.