bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heterozygous FGF8 mutations in patients presenting cryptorchidism and multiple VATER/VACTERL features without limb anomalies
Authors: Zeidler Claudia , Woelfle Joachim , Draaken Markus , Mughal Sadaf S. , Große Greta , Hilger Alina C. , Dworschak Gabriel C. , Boemers Thomas M. , Jenetzky Ekkehart , Zwink Nadine , Lacher Martin , Schmidt Dominik , Schmiedeke Eberhard , Grasshoff‐Derr Sabine , Märzheuser Stefanie , Holland‐Cunz Stefan , Schäfer Mattias , Bartels Enrika , Keppler Kathleen , Palta Markus , Leonhardt Johannes , Kujath Christina , Rißmann Anke , Nöthen Markus M. , Reutter Heiko , Ludwig Michael 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundThe acronym VATER/VACTERL association describes the combination of at least three of the following cardinal features: vertebral defects, anorectal malformations, cardiac defects, tracheoesophageal fistula with or without esophageal atresia, renal malformations, and limb defects. Although fibroblast growth factor‐8 (FGF8) mutations have mainly found in patients with Kallmann syndrome, mice with a hypomorphic Fgf8 allele or complete gene invalidation display, aside from gonadotropin‐releasing hormone deficiency, parts or even the entire spectrum of human VATER/VACTERL association.MethodsWe performed FGF8 gene analysis in 49 patients with VATER/VACTERL association and 27 patients presenting with a VATER/VACTERL‐like phenotype (two cardinal features).ResultsWe identified two heterozygous FGF8 mutations in patients displaying either VATER/VACTERL association (p.Gly29_Arg34dup) or a VATER/VACTERL‐like phenotype (p.Pro26Leu) without limb anomalies. Whereas the duplication mutation has not been reported before, p.Pro26Leu was once observed in a Kallmann syndrome patient. Both our patients had additional bilateral cryptorchidism, a key phenotypic feature in males with FGF8 associated Kallmann syndrome. Each mutation was paternally inherited. Besides delayed puberty in both and additional unilateral cryptorchidism in one of the fathers, they were otherwise healthy. Serum hormone levels downstream the gonadotropin‐releasing hormone in both patients and their fathers were within normal range.ConclusionOur results suggest FGF8 mutations to contribute to the formation of the VATER/VACTERL association. Further studies are needed to support this observation. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 100:750–759, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of interactions between human serum albumin and silver nanoparticles of different sizes using spectroscopic methods
Authors: Zhang Wanju , Zhang Qingbo , Wang Fang , Yuan Lian , Xu Ziqiang , Jiang Fenglei , Liu Yi 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThree different sizes (15.9 ± 2.1 nm, 26.4 ± 3.2 nm and 39.8 ± 4.0 nm, respectively) of citrate‐coated silver nanoparticles (SNPs) have been synthesized and characterized. The interactions of the synthesized SNPs with human serum albumin (HSA) at physiological pH have been systematically studied by UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy, three‐dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The results indicate that the SNPs can bind to HSA with high affinity and quench the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA. The binding constants and quenching rate constants were calculated. The apparent association constants (Kapp) values are 2.14 × 104 M–1 for 15.9 nm SNP, 1.65 × 104 M–1 for 26.4 nm SNP and 1.37 × 104 M–1 for 39.8 nm SNP, respectively. The values of binding constant obtained from the fluorescence quenching data match well with that determined from the absorption spectral changes. These results suggest that the smaller SNPs have stronger interactions to HSA than the larger ones at the same concentrations. Synchronous fluorescence, three‐dimensional fluorescence and CD spectroscopy studies show that the synthesized SNPs can induce slight conformational changes in HSA. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Testicular self‐examination and testicular cancer: a cost‐utility analysis
Authors: Aberger Michael , Wilson Bradley , Holzbeierlein Jeffrey M. , Griebling Tomas L. , Nangia Ajay K. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has recommended against testicular self‐examinations (TSE) or clinical examination for testicular cancer screening. However, in this recommendation there was no consideration of the significant fiscal cost of treating advanced disease versus evaluation of benign disease. In this study, a cost‐utility validation for TSE was performed. The cost of treatment for an advanced‐stage testicular tumor (both seminomatous and nonseminomatous) was compared to the cost of six other scenarios involving the clinical assessment of a testicular mass felt during self‐examination (four benign and two early‐stage malignant). Medicare reimbursements were used as an estimate for a national cost standard. The total treatment cost for an advanced‐stage seminoma ($48,877) or nonseminoma ($51,592) equaled the cost of 313–330 benign office visits ($156); 180–190 office visits with scrotal ultrasound ($272); 79–83 office visits with serial scrotal ultrasounds and labs ($621); 6–7 office visits resulting in radical inguinal orchiectomy for benign pathology ($7,686) or 2–3 office visits resulting in treatment and surveillance of an early‐stage testicular cancer ($17,283: seminoma, $26,190: nonseminoma). A large number of clinical evaluations based on the TSE for benign disease can be made compared to the cost of one missed advanced‐stage tumor. An average of 2.4 to 1 cost benefit ratio was demonstrated for early detected testicular cancer versus advanced‐stage disease.
Four‐Component Synthesis of β‐Enaminone and Pyrazole through Phosphine‐Free Palladium‐Catalyzed Cascade Carbonylation
Authors: Shi Lijun , Xue Liqin , Lang Rui , Xia Chungu , Li Fuwei 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe carbonylative domino synthesis of enaminones and pyrazoles has been performed with the NN bidentate palladium catalyst to achieve excellent selectivity. These results have confirmed that the carbonylative Sonogashira coupling of iodobenzenes with terminal alkynes is accompanied by the Michael addition of amines or phenylhydrazine in a one‐pot method, which generates the desired products. This protocol demonstrates wide substrate tolerance, including hitherto unused aromatic amines, to yield the corresponding pure aromatic β‐enaminones, which are subsequently converted into the 3‐acylindole derivatives under mild conditions.
Desorption‐ and Decomposition‐Based Techniques for the Regeneration of Activated Carbon
Authors: Zanella Odivan , Tessaro Isabel Cristina , Féris Liliana Amaral 
Published: August 2014

AbstractActivated carbon (AC) is an adsorbent used in most adsorption processes related to micro removal of pollutants from the water phase, but the application is limited due to high costs and environmental issues related to the disposal after saturation. Different regeneration techniques, reducing costs and minimizing environmental impact, are reported for the reuse of saturated AC. These techniques can be performed via two separate strands: regeneration based only on desorption of adsorbed compounds in AC, or based on the decomposition of pollutants adsorbed on AC. Literature on the regeneration of saturated ACs is reviewed and promising techniques are highlighted. One of the most challenging bottlenecks preventing the commercial application of regeneration technologies is the difficulty of scaling‐up.
Kinetics and Mechanism of the Racemization of Aryl Allenes Catalyzed by Cationic Gold(I) Phosphine Complexes
Authors: Harris Robert J. , Nakafuku Kohki , Widenhoefer Ross A. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe kinetics of the racemization of aromatic 1,3‐disubstituted allenes catalyzed by gold phosphine complexes has been investigated. The rate of gold‐catalyzed allene racemization displayed first‐order dependence on allene, and catalyst concentration and kinetic analysis of gold‐catalyzed allene racemization as a function of allene and phosphine electron‐donor ability established the accumulation of electron density on the phosphine atom and the depletion of electron density on the terminal allenyl carbon atoms in the rate‐limiting transition state for racemization. These and other observations were in accord with a mechanism for allene racemization involving rapid and reversible inter‐ and intramolecular allene exchange followed by turnover‐limiting, unimolecular conversion of a chiral gold η2‐allene complex to an achiral η1‐allylic cation intermediate through a bent and twisted η1‐allene transition state. With respect to proper ligand selection, these studies reveal that both electron‐poor phosphine ligands and polar solvents facilitate racemization.
Preparation and Electric Property of Polysilsesquioxane Thin Films Incorporating Carbazole Groups
Authors: Watase Seiji , Fujisaki Daiki , Watanabe Mitsuru , Mitamura Koji , Nishioka Noboru , Matsukawa Kimihiro 
Published: August 2014

AbstractNew silsesquioxane incorporating a carbazole groups (PCTSQ) has been synthesized by a click thiol–ene reaction and a subsequent sol–gel reaction. To evaluate the electric property of this hybrid, diode devices have been fabricated by using PCTSQ thin film by spin‐coating onto n‐type ZnO film prepared by the electrodeposition method. The thin film hybrid devices showed good electric characteristics and high rectification ratio, as well as worked as a rectifier.
In Situ Electrodeposition of an Asymmetric Sol–Gel Membrane Based on an Octadecyltrimethoxysilane Langmuir Film
Authors: Hitrik Maria , Lev Ovadia , Mandler Daniel 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe unique properties of Langmuir film formation were utilized in assembling a thin skin of an asymmetric membrane. An octadecyltrimethoxysilane (ODTMS) Langmuir monolayer was formed at the air–water interface and served as the substrate for growing a bulky sol–gel polymer in situ. The latter was based on the electrochemical deposition of tetramethoxysilane dissolved in the water subphase by means of horizontal touch electrochemistry. The resultant asymmetric layer that consisted of a thin hydrophobic ODTMS Langmuir film connected to a bulk hydrophilic sol–gel network was studied in situ and ex situ by using various techniques, such as cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and goniometry. We found that a porous hydrophilic film grew on top of a hydrophobic layer as was evident from TEM, contact angle, and EIS analyses. The film thickness and film permeability could be controlled by changing the deposition conditions such as the potential window applied and its duration. Hence, this method offers an alternative approach for assembling asymmetric films for various applications
Chromophoric and Dendritic Phosphoramidites Enable Construction of Functional Dendrimers with Exceptional Brightness and Water Solubility
Authors: Shaller Andrew D. , Wan Wei , Zhao Baoming , Li Alexander D. Q. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe fluorescence brightness of a molecular probe determines whether it can be effectively measured and its water solubility dictates if it can be applied in real‐world biological systems. However, molecules brighter than the most efficient fluorescent dyes or particles brighter than quantum dots are hard to come by, especially when they must also be soluble in water. In this report, chromophoric phosphoramidites are used in a solid‐state synthesis to construct functional dendrimers. When highly twisted chromophores are chosen and the proper spacers and dendrons are introduced, the resultant dendrimers emit exceptionally bright fluorescence. Chromophores, spacers, and dendrons are stitched together by efficient phosphoramidite reagents, which afford high‐yield water‐soluble phosphodiester linkages after deprotection. The resulting water‐soluble dendrimers are exceptionally bright.
Mechanistic Study on the Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Synthesis of 2,3‐Disubstituted Indoles Under Aerobic Conditions: Anion Effects and the Development of a Low‐Catalyst‐Loading Process
Authors: Yao Bo , Wang Qian , Zhu Jieping 
Published: August 2014

AbstractAs a result of detailed mechanistic and kinetic studies, we have proposed that PdX2‐catalyzed oxidative coupling of o‐alkynylanilines 1 with terminal alkynes 2 under aerobic conditions is initiated by aminopalladation of 1 followed by ligand exchange of the resulting σ‐indolylpalladium(II) complex with 2, reductive elimination and N‐demethylation. Side reactions associated with intermediates on the way to 2,3‐disubstituted indoles 3 were identified, and the roles of acetate and iodide in channeling the reaction towards the desired product were established. Based on kinetic and spectroscopic studies, the soluble iodide‐ligated Pd0 species was proposed to be the resting state of the catalyst and its oxidation to active PdII species was the turnover‐limiting step. Catalytic conditions with low loading of Pd(OAc)2 (0.0005 to 0.001 equiv) were subsequently developed.
Simulation of Nitrous Oxide Emission and Mineralized Nitrogen under Different Straw Retention Conditions Using a Denitrification–Decomposition Model
Authors: Chen Can , Chen Deli , Lam Shu Kee 
Published: August 2014

AbstractStraw retention has been adopted worldwide to increase crop production and it has also been shown to reduce nitrous oxide (N2O) emission from agricultural soils. However, it is difficult to accurately predict N2O emission under different straw retention methods without a long‐term experiment. This study used data from the maize planting season in the Griffith region, Australia, to test whether the denitrification–decomposition (DNDC) model can simulate the rate, annual amount, and pattern of N2O emission. The sensitivity to several important factors which may affect N2O emission was analyzed. The research investigated whether the DNDC model can be used to determine the best straw retention method to reduce N2O emission. The results were as follows: (1) The DNDC model could be used to simulate soil and climate conditions of Griffith region. The correlation coefficients of simulated and observed water‐filled pore space and temperature were 0.9532 (n = 126) and 0.9781 (n = 365), respectively; (2) the simulation values of 300N‐burn and 300N‐incorporate for a year were 12.96 and 8.08 kg N ha−1 year−1 and the emission factors were 3.31 and 1.77, respectively; (3) the emission reduction effect and mineralized N accumulation of straw incorporation were better compared to burnt straw, using the DNDC model. The correlation coefficients of simulated and observed daily values of 300N‐burn and 300N‐incorporate were 0.8743 and 0.8023, respectively; (4) the amount and frequency of nitrogen fertilizer application, irrigation frequency, and soil texture could affect N2O emission, whereas soil pH and soil bulk density did not.
Highly Twisted 1,2:8,9‐Dibenzozethrenes: Synthesis, Ground State, and Physical Properties
Authors: Sun Zhe , Zheng Bin , Hu Pan , Huang Kuo‐Wei , Wu Jishan 
Published: August 2014

AbstractTwo soluble and stable 1,2:8,9‐dibenzozethrene derivatives (3 a,b) are synthesized through a palladium‐catalyzed cyclodimerization reaction. X‐ray crystallographic analysis shows that these molecules are highly twisted owing to congestion at the cove region. Broken‐symmetry DFT calculations predict that they have a singlet biradical ground state with a smaller biradical character and a large singlet–triplet energy gap; these predictions are supported by NMR and electronic absorption measurements. They have small energy gaps and exhibit far‐red/near‐infrared absorption/emission and amphoteric redox behaviors.
Motion Monitoring of MEMS Actuator with Electromagnetic Induction
Authors: Watanabe Yoshiyuki , Kobayashi Seiya , Iwamatsu Shinnosuke , Yahagi Toru , Sato Masahiro , Oizumi Norikazu 
Published: August 2014

SUMMARYPreviously, we have reported an electromagnetically driven two‐axis tilting MEMS mirror, a two‐axis tilting grating, and a three‐axis movable MEMS mirror (two‐axis tilting and one‐axis vibration). These devices can be easily actuated by the electromagnetic force induced by a magnetic potential gradient between planar coils and the magnet. However, this open loop system cannot realize precise motion control because of the characteristic deviation of each device, aging deterioration, and thermal behavior. This report describes motion monitoring of MEMS actuators with electromagnetic induction for precise motion control. The theory of motion sensing that we have constructed is shown to agree approximately with experimental results.
MEMS Wafer‐Level Packaging Technology Using LTCC Wafer
Authors: Mohri Mamoru , Esashi Masayoshi , Tanaka Shuji 
Published: August 2014

SUMMARYThis paper describes a versatile and reliable wafer‐level hermetic packaging technology using an anodically bondable low‐temperature co‐fired ceramic (LTCC) wafer, in which multilayer electrical feedthroughs can be embedded. The LTCC wafer allows many kinds of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to be more flexibly designed and more easily packaged. The hermeticity of vacuum‐sealed cavities was confirmed after 3000 cycles of thermal shock (–40 30 min/+125 30 min) by the diaphragm method. To practically apply the LTCC wafer to a variety of MEMS, the electrical connection between the MEMS on a Si wafer and feedthroughs in the LTCC should be established by a simple and reliable method. We have developed a new electrical connection method: the electrical connection is established by porous Au bumps, which are part of the Au vias exposed in wet‐etched cavities on the LTCC wafer. A 100% yield of both electrical connection and hermetic sealing was demonstrated. A thermal shock test up to 3000 cycles confirmed the reliability of this packaging technology.
Fipronil and imidacloprid reduce honeybee mitochondrial activity
Authors: Nicodemo Daniel , Maioli Marcos A. , Medeiros Hyllana C.D. , Guelfi Marieli , Balieira Kamila V.B. , De Jong David , Mingatto Fábio E. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract

Bees have a crucial role in pollination; therefore, it is important to determine the causes of their recent decline. Fipronil and imidacloprid are insecticides used worldwide to eliminate or control insect pests. Because they are broad-spectrum insecticides, they can also affect honeybees. Many researchers have studied the lethal and sublethal effects of these and other insecticides on honeybees, and some of these studies have demonstrated a correlation between the insecticides and colony collapse disorder in bees. The authors investigated the effects of fipronil and imidacloprid on the bioenergetic functioning of mitochondria isolated from the heads and thoraces of Africanized honeybees. Fipronil caused dose-dependent inhibition of adenosine 5′-diphosphate–stimulated (state 3) respiration in mitochondria energized by either pyruvate or succinate, albeit with different potentials, in thoracic mitochondria; inhibition was strongest when respiring with complex I substrate. Fipronil affected adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) production in a dose-dependent manner in both tissues and substrates, though with different sensitivities. Imidacloprid also affected state-3 respiration in both the thorax and head, being more potent in head pyruvate-energized mitochondria; it also inhibited ATP production. Fipronil and imidacloprid had no effect on mitochondrial state-4 respiration. The authors concluded that fipronil and imidacloprid are inhibitors of mitochondrial bioenergetics, resulting in depleted ATP. This action can explain the toxicity of these compounds to honeybees. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014; 33:2070–2075. © 2014 SETAC
A new analytical expression for ultimate specific yield and shallow groundwater drainage
Authors: Cheng Dong‐hui , Wang Yu‐hong , Duan Ji‐bo , Chen Xunhong , Yang Sheng‐ke 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe ultimate specific yield, i.e. the specific yield under steady‐state condition, is generally dependent on the water table depth in the shallow groundwater systems. This paper presents a new expression to describe this relationship. The expression is based on the relationship between soil water content–soil depths below ground surface near the saturation zone, i.e. water content profile, which can be fitted by the van Genuchten model. Because this model is highly nonlinear, a Taylor series expansion was used to solve the integral equation for specific yield in our study. The new expression was verified by a drainage experiment, and the results demonstrated that the new expression is reliable for eolian sand when the range of water table fluctuation is less than 30 cm. The expression is easily applicable because knowledge of the water content profile near the saturation zone is the only requirement. Compared with the expression obtained from the Brooks–Corey model, the new expression can be used for a variety of aquifer and soil media. The improved accuracy of the specific yield provides a better estimate of discharge rates in shallow groundwater systems with water table fluctuations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF COMMUNALITY ESTIMATION TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF FACTORIAL INVARIANCE, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE MMPI
Authors: Saunders D. R. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTOne purpose of communality estimation in factor analysis is to promote factorial invariance, i.e., to improve the chances of recovering demonstrably related factor structures from diverse sets of variables and samples of subjects. Recognition of this purpose may help to resolve ambiguities that have appeared in efforts to define unique communalities for isolated correlation matrices. The estimation of even approximate values for communality may be well worth the effort as a contribution to factorial invariance.A convenient, programable procedure is described that leads simultaneously to useful estimates of communality and of the number of factors. On the basis of actual data for two samples, properties of the communalities obtained by this procedure are compared with those obtained from a conventional principal axis analysis using diagonal entries of unity.The clinical scales of the MMPI, plus Si, are judged to provide reliable measurement on at least eight orthogonal dimensions, each well‐marked by a different scale. Stable differences exist in the item‐reliabilities of the ten scales studied. Neither of these consistencies in the data for the two samples was available from application of the conventional analysis.Tucker's procedure for examining factor congruence is found to be capable of yielding misleading results in the context of poor communality estimates.
A NOTE ON THE STANDARD LENGTH OF A TEST
Authors: Myers Charles T. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTThe “standard length” of a test is shown to be
urn:x-wiley:04246144:ets200104:equation:ets200104-math-0001
where N = the number of typical items that would have a test reliability of .50,ū = the average “error” variance in the test items,c = the average inter‐item covariance which is also considered to be equal to the “true” variance of the items, andv = the average item variance.Various methods of computing the necessary data from the item‐analysis coefficients are shown.
ANALYTIC ROTATION TO A FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIP1
Authors: Cliff Norman 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTIt is suggested that a number of theoretical models for non‐test data can be tested by factor analysis. A traditional method for transforming principal axis factor solutions is suggested as an aid in making such tests and a modification of this method suggested. Means of using all the information in a model for the purpose of determining the transformation of the arbitrary factor solution are presented, and an illustrative example is given.