bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Brazilian sugarcane ethanol: developments so far and challenges for the future
Authors: Walter Arnaldo , Galdos Marcelo Valadares , Scarpare Fabio Vale , Leal Manoel Regis Lima Verde , Seabra Joaquim Eugênio Abel , da Cunha Marcelo Pereira , Picoli Michelle Cristina Araujo , de Oliveira Camila Ortolan Fernandes 
Published: August 2013

Sugarcane ethanol has been produced in Brazil since the early 20th century, but production increased in the mid‐1970s aiming at substituting 20% of the gasoline. Despite an increase in the 2000s production has been stable since 2008. This paper presents a review of the main developments achieved and future challenges. The sector has had positive economic and environmental results through technological development, as a result of research and development by private companies and strong public support. Sugarcane yield has steadily increased and positively impacted production costs, primarily due to better agronomic practices and breeding programs. Owing to environmental and economic reasons, there are on‐going programs to phase out burning, with the gradual replacement of manual harvest with burning by unburnt mechanised harvest. Important agronomic impacts are expected, caused by the large amount of straw left on the soil surface, which also represents a significant bioenergy potential. The sugarcane industry in Brazil has taken advantage of the combined production of sugar and ethanol, and, recently, many mills have enlarged their revenues with surplus electricity. The current efforts for diversification aim at ethanol production through hydrolysis of sugarcane residues and the development of chemical routes. From an environmental point of view, impacts related to land use change are expected on greenhouse emissions, water resources, and biodiversity. Ethanol production is likely to expand in Brazil due to the potential size of the domestic market and to the opportunities for exporting, but this will occur in a context of different and new challenges.WIREs Energy Environ2014, 3:70–92. doi: 10.1002/wene.87This article is categorized under:Bioenergy > Economics and PolicyBioenergy > Systems and InfrastructureBioenergy > Climate and Environment
The First Neutral Dinuclear Vanadium Complex Comprising VO and VO2 Cores: Synthesis, Structure, Electrochemical Properties, and Catalytic Activity
Authors: Hosseini‐Monfared Hassan , Bikas Rahman , Mahboubi‐Anarjan Parisa , Weng Ng Seik , Tiekink Edward R. T. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractA neutral dinuclear vanadium complex containing both oxido and dioxidovanadium cores with hydrazone based ligand, [VO(OCH3)(CH3OH)(HL)VO2] (1) {H4L = bis[(E)‐N′‐(5‐bromo‐2‐hydroxybenzylidene)]‐carbohydrazide}, was synthesized and fully characterized by X‐ray crystallography and spectroscopic methods (IR, UV/Vis, NMR). The ligand acts as a trinegative hexadentate N3O3 donor ligand to form a dinuclear complex and during the reaction V4+ is oxidized to V5+. The coordination polyhedra are a VO5N distorted octahedron for the mono‐oxidovanadium core and a VO3N2 trigonal bipyramid for the dioxidovanadium core. The results of catalytic reactions indicate that 1 is a highly active catalyst in the clean epoxidation reaction of cis‐cyclooctene using aqueous hydrogen peroxide in acetonitrile. Cyclic voltammetric experiments of 1 in DMSO reveal two quasi‐reversible peaks due to the VO3+–VO2+ and VO2+–VO2 couples.
A Novel Stable High‐Nitrogen Energetic Compound: Copper(II) 1,2–Diaminopropane Azide
Authors: Wu Bi‐Dong , Bi Yan‐Gang , Li Fu‐Gang , Yang Li , Zhou Zun‐Ning , Zhang Jian‐Guo , Zhang Tong‐Lai 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe multi‐ligand coordination compound copper(II) 1,2‐diaminopropane (pn) azide, [Cu(pn)(N3)2]n (1), was synthesized using pn and azido groups. It was characterized by X‐ray single crystal diffraction, elemental analysis, and FT‐IR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of 1 belongs to the monoclinic system, space group C2/c. The copper(II) cation is six‐coordinated by one pn molecule and four azido ligands with μ‐1 and μ‐1,1,3 coordination modes. Thermogravimetric investigations with a heating rate of 10 K·min–1 under nitrogen showed one main exothermic stage with a peak temperature of 215.7 °C in the DSC curve. The non‐isothermal kinetics parameters were calculated by Kissinger and Ozawa methods, respectively. The heat of combustion was measured by oxygen bomb calorimetry, and the enthalpy of formation, the critical temperature of thermal explosion, the entropy of activation (ΔS≠), the enthalpy of activation (ΔH≠), and the free energy of activation (ΔG≠) were calculated. The measurements showed that 1 has very high impact, friction, and flame sensitivities.
Intraoperative Liver Ultrasound Still Affects Surgical Strategy for Patients with Colorectal Metastases in the Modern Era
Authors: Ferrero Alessandro , Langella Serena , Giuliante Felice , Viganò Luca , Vellone Maria , Zimmitti Giuseppe , Ardito Francesco , Nuzzo Gennaro , Capussotti Lorenzo 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe present study was designed to evaluate the role of intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) in intrahepatic staging and the impact on surgical strategy for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).MethodsThe study included 515 patients who had undergone liver resection for CRLM at two tertiary care referral centers. Data from a prospectively collected database were retrospectively analysed. Early intrahepatic recurrence was assessed at 3 and 6 months after resection and was considered as residual disease undetected by IOUS. Performance of imaging modalities was compared by analysis of studies on individual patients.ResultsA total of 1,370 liver metastases were detected preoperatively with a median of 3 imaging modalities. MRI and PET were performed in 51 and 42 % of the patients, respectively. Median number of days between last imaging and surgery was 18. Contrast‐enhanced IOUS was performed in 136 patients (26.4 %). Intraoperatively, 293 new nodules were found in 132 patients: on histology 280 were CRLM (17.6 %). Surgical strategy was changed in 140 patients (27.2 %). On multivariate analysis synchronous and bilobar metastases ≥3 in number, BMI ≥30, and time between last imaging and surgery longer than 18 days resulted in predictive factors indicating new nodules detected by IOUS. Early intrahepatic recurrences were 3.7 and 7.9 % at 3 and 6 months. Performance of CT, MRI, FDG‐PET, and intraoperative staging was compared: sensitivity was 63.6, 68.8, 53.6, and 92 % and specificity was 91, 92.3, 95.8, and 97.8 %, respectivelyConclusionsThe use of IOUS continues to be mandatory for correct staging of patients with CRLM undergoing liver resection.
Reduced response of Cystathionine Beta‐Synthase (CBS) to S‐Adenosylmethionine (SAM): Identification and functional analysis of CBS gene mutations in Homocystinuria patients
Authors: Mendes Marisa I. S. , Colaço Henrique G. , Smith Desirée E. C. , Ramos Rúben J. J. F. , Pop Ana , van Dooren Silvy J. M. , Tavares de Almeida Isabel , Kluijtmans Leo A. J. , Janssen Mirian C. H. , Rivera Isabel , Salomons Gajja S. , Leandro Paula , Blom Henk J. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractA reduced response of cystathionine beta‐synthase (CBS) to its allosteric activator S‐adenosylmethionine (SAM) has been reported to be a cause of CBS dysfunction in homocystinuria patients. In this work we performed a retrospective analysis of fibroblast data from 62 homocystinuria patients and found that 13 of them presented a disturbed SAM activation. Their genotypic background was identified and the corresponding CBS mutant proteins were produced in E. coli. Nine distinct mutations were detected in 22 independent alleles: the novel mutations p.K269del, p.P427L, p.S500L and p.L540Q; and the previously described mutations p.P49L, p.C165Rfs*2, p.I278T, p.R336H and p.D444N. Expression levels and residual enzyme activities, determined in the soluble fraction of E. coli lysates, strongly correlated with the localization of the affected amino acid residue. C‐terminal mutations lead to activities in the range of the wild‐type CBS and to oligomeric forms migrating faster than tetramers, suggesting an abnormal conformation that might be responsible for the lack of SAM activation. Mutations in the catalytic core were associated with low protein expression levels, decreased enzyme activities and a higher content of high molecular mass forms. Furthermore, the absence of SAM activation found in the patients’ fibroblasts was confirmed for all but one of the characterized recombinant proteins (p.P49L). Our study experimentally supports a deficient regulation of CBS by SAM as a frequently found mechanism in CBS deficiency, which should be considered not only as a valuable diagnostic tool but also as a potential target for the development of new therapeutic approaches in classical homocystinuria.
Aberrant signalling by protein kinase CK2 in imatinib‐resistant chronic myeloid leukaemia cells: Biochemical evidence and therapeutic perspectives
Authors: Borgo Christian , Cesaro Luca , Salizzato Valentina , Ruzzene Maria , Massimino Maria Lina , Pinna Lorenzo A. , Donella-Deana Arianna 
Published: August 2013

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is driven by the fusion protein Bcr‐Abl, a constitutively active tyrosine kinase playing a crucial role in initiation and maintenance of CML phenotype. Despite the great efficacy of the Bcr‐Abl‐specific inhibitor imatinib, resistance to this drug is recognized as a major problem in CML treatment. We found that in LAMA84 cells, characterized by imatinib‐resistance caused by BCR‐ABL1 gene amplification, the pro‐survival protein kinase CK2 is up‐regulated as compared to the sensitive cells. CK2 exhibits a higher protein‐level and a parallel enhancement of catalytic activity. Consistently, CK2‐catalysed phosphorylation of Akt‐Ser129 is increased. CK2 co‐localizes with Bcr‐Abl in the cytoplasmic fraction as judged by subcellular fractionation and fluorescence immunolocalization. CK2 and Bcr‐Abl are members of the same multi‐protein complex(es) in imatinib‐resistant cells as demonstrated by co‐immunoprecipitation and co‐sedimentation in glycerol gradients. Cell treatment with CX‐4945, a CK2 inhibitor currently in clinical trials, counteracts CK2/Bcr‐Abl interaction and causes cell death by apoptosis. Interestingly, combination of CX‐4945 with imatinib displays a synergistic effect in reducing cell viability. Consistently, knockdown of CK2α expression by siRNA restores the sensitivity of resistant LAMA84 cells to low imatinib concentrations. Remarkably, the CK2/Bcr‐Abl interaction and the sensitization towards imatinib obtained by CK2‐inhibition in LAMA84 is observable also in other imatinib‐resistant CML cell lines.These results demonstrate that CK2 contributes to strengthen the imatinib‐resistance phenotype of CML cells conferring survival advantage against imatinib. We suggest that CK2 inhibition might be a promising tool for combined strategies in CML therapy.
Urinary Incontinence in Adults With Cerebral Palsy: Prevalence, Type, and Effects on Participation
Authors: Marciniak Christina , O'Shea Sarah A. , Lee Jungwha , Jesselson Michael , Dudas‐Sheehan Diane , Beltran Erik , Gaebler‐Spira Deborah 
Published: August 2013

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence, type, and impact of urinary problems in adults with cerebral palsy and their relation with the Gross Motor Function Classification System for cerebral palsy.DesignA cross‐sectional prospective survey study.SettingAn outpatient, urban, academic rehabilitation clinic.ParticipantsNinety‐one adults with cerebral palsy (45 women, 46 men).InterventionsSubjects were approached at clinic presentation and were interviewed regarding current function, type and incidence of bladder issues, and concerns with bladder problems.Main Outcome MeasuresThe International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire–Female, or the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire–Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Module, Gross Motor Function Classification System, employment, and type of residence.ResultsThe mean age for both women and men was 36 years (range, 18‐79 years). The subjects were currently assessed with the Gross Motor Function Classification System scales I‐V: I, 4.4%; II, 19.8%; III, 13.2%; IV, 40.7%; and V, 22.0%. 95.6% of females and 84.7% of males were living at home. Twenty‐three percent were currently employed. Twenty percent of the women indicated that they had bladder urgency most to all of the time and 46.7% of the women had leakage that occurred 2‐3 times per week to several times per day. In men, urgency that occurred more often than “occasionally” was reported by 45.7%, and 19.6% reported this occurred “most to all of the time.” Multivariable analyses found that obesity compared with normal weight was significantly related to leaking before reaching a toilet (odds ratio [OR] 4.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3‐14.7), to leaking with cough, exercise, or sneeze (OR 5.6, 95% CI 1.3‐23.1), and to nocturia (OR 5.4, 95% CI 1.2‐25.1). Women were more likely to leak with cough, exercise, or sneeze (OR 5.5, 95% CI 1.5‐20.0). On scales that indicate symptom interference with life, high levels of interference were reported for women with symptoms of leaking and for men with urgency and leaking. No significant differences in living situation or employment were related to incontinence scores for women or men.ConclusionThere are high levels of incontinence in adults with cerebral palsy, and these individuals report interference with quality of life. Despite these issues, most participants were living in the community, and incontinence scores were not related to employment.
Comparison of Autologous Conditioned Plasma Injection, Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, and Conventional Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Chew Kelvin Tai Loon , Leong Darren , Lin Cindy Y. , Lim Kay Kiat , Tan Benedict 
Published: August 2013

ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy of autologous conditioned plasma (ACP) compared with extracorporeal shockwave (ESWT) and conventional treatments for plantar fasciitis.DesignRandomized trial.SettingSports medicine center in a tertiary care hospital.PatientsFifty‐four subjects (age range, 29‐71 years) with unilateral chronic plantar fasciitis with more than 4 months of symptoms.MethodsSubjects randomized to 3 groups: 19 to ACP and conventional treatment (ACP group), 19 to ESWT and conventional treatment (ESWT group), and 16 to conventional treatment alone. Conventional treatment included stretching exercises and orthotics if indicated.Main Outcome MeasurementsOutcomes were pain‐Visual Analog Scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle‐hindfoot scale, and ultrasound plantar fascia thickness assessed at baseline before treatment and at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment.ResultsVAS, AOFAS ankle‐hindfoot scale, and plantar fascia thickness improved in all groups. Significant VAS pain score improvements in the ACP group compared with conventional treatment at month 1 (P = .037) and for the ESWT group compared with conventional treatment at months 1, 3, and 6 (P = .017, P = .022, and P = .042). The AOFAS ankle‐hindfoot scale score improved in the ACP group at months 3 and 6 (P = .004 and P = .013) and, for the ESWT group, at months 1 and 3 (P = .011 and P = .003) compared with conventional treatment. Significant improvements in plantar fascia thickness were seen in the ACP group at months 1 and 3 compared with conventional treatments (P = .015 and P = .014) and at months 3 and 6 compared with the ESWT group (P = .019 and P = .027). No adverse events reported.ConclusionsTreatment of plantar fasciitis with ACP or ESWT plus conventional treatments resulted in improved pain and functional outcomes compared with conventional treatment alone. There was no significant difference between ACP and ESWT in terms of VAS and AOFAS ankle‐hindfoot scale improvements, although the ACP group demonstrated greater reductions in plantar fascia thickness.
Physical Activity in Community‐Dwelling Stroke Survivors and a Healthy Population Is Not Explained by Motor Function Only
Authors: Danielsson Anna , Meirelles Cristiane , Willen Carin , Sunnerhagen Katharina Stibrant 
Published: August 2013

ObjectivesTo explore the relationship between self‐reporting and physical measures and compare self‐reported physical activity (PA) levels in persons who have had a stroke with self‐reported PA levels in a control population.DesignCross‐sectional assessment of a convenience sample of survivors of a stroke living in the community and a population‐based sample from the same community.SettingUniversity hospital.ParticipantsSeventy persons (48 men and 22 women; average age, 60 years) who had a stroke a mean of 6 years earlier and 141 persons (70 men and 71 women; average age, 59 years) who served as control subjects.Main Outcome MeasurementsThe Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) was used, and self‐selected and maximum walking speeds were measured. Motor function after stroke was assessed with the Fugl‐Meyer Assessment.ResultsThe median Fugl‐Meyer score for motor function in the leg was 29. Mean self‐selected and maximum walking speeds after having a stroke were 1.0 m/s and 1.3 m/s, corresponding to 72% and 65% of control values. A regression model with PASE as the dependent variable and age and walking speed as independent variables explained 29% (P < .001) of the variation in the stroke group. For the control group, age and self‐selected walking speed explained 8% of the variation (P < .01). The mean PASE score in the stroke group was 119, compared with 161 in the control group.ConclusionPersons who have experienced a stroke and live in the community are less physically active than the population of the same age who have not had a stroke. However, it appears that factors other than motor impairment have an impact on a person's PA level, because only a low association was found between PA level and motor function, with a large dispersion in PA levels in persons with a history of stroke who were physically well recovered.
A natural carbohydrate fraction Actigen™ fromSaccharomyces cerevisiaecell wall: effects on goblet cells, gut morphology and performance of broiler chickens
Authors: Lea H. , Spring P. , Taylor-Pickard J. , Burton E. 
Published: August 2013

SummaryA study was conducted to evaluate a natural carbohydrate fraction Actigen™ (NCF), derived from mannanoligosaccharide, in feed on growth performance, intestinal morphology and goblet cell number and area of male broilers'. Dietary treatments included: 1) control diet (antibiotic and NCF free), 2) NCF at 200 g/t, 3) NCF at 400 g/t, and 4) NCF 800 g/t. Two hundred and forty birds were placed into 12 replicate pens per treatment (5 birds/pen), sixty birds per treatment. Body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly up to day 42. At this time a 2.5cm section of jejunum and duodenum were excised post mortem for morphological analysis. Birds fed 200 g/t and 800 g/t NCF were significantly (P < 0.01) heavier from day 14 onwards than the control birds. Feed intake was significantly higher in birds fed 200 g/t NCF compared to those fed the control at 21 and 35 days (P < 0.05). Diets containing 200 g/t and 800 g/t of NCF significantly decreased broiler feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control in the first phase (1–14 days) (P < 0.01) and levels of NCF decreased FCR (P < 0.05) in the second phase (15–28 days). NCF had no significant effect on villus height, villus width, crypt depth or villus to crypt ratio in either duodenum or jejunum. NCF did not significantly affect goblet cell area or goblet cell number in the duodenum, however, in the jejunum, 800 g/t NCF significantly (P < 0.05) increased goblet cell area over the control. In conclusion, NCF showed a positive effect on broiler performance in the starter and grower phases, and increased goblet cell area in the jejunum, suggesting higher levels of mucin production. This indicated that the performance benefit of NCF could be age-dependent, with younger birds responding more than the older ones. There were no additional benefits to performance when feeding NCF for a longer period (after 28 d of age), however it is postulated that birds fed NCF would have greater defence to pathogenic challenge through increased storage capacity of mucin.
Smokers who seek help in specialized cessation clinics: How special are they compared to smokers in general population?
Authors: Samokhvalov Andriy V. , Selby Peter , Bondy Susan J , Chaiton Michael , Ialomiteanu Anca , Mann Robert , Rehm Jürgen 
Published: August 2013

Introduction:Patients of specialized nicotine dependence clinics are hypothesized to form a distinct subpopulation of smokers due to the features associated with treatment seeking. Theaimof the study was to describe this subpopulation of smokers and compare it to smokers in general population.Material and methods:A chart review of 796 outpatients attending a specialized nicotine dependence clinic, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada was performed. Client smoking patterns and sociodemographic characteristics were compared to smokers in the general population using two Ontario surveys – the Ontario Tobacco Survey (n = 898) and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Monitor (n = 457).Results:Smokers who seek treatment tend to smoke more and be more heavily addicted. They were older, had longer history of smoking and greater number of unsuccessful quit attempts, both assisted and unassisted. They reported lower education and income, had less social support and were likely to live with other smokers.Conclusions:Smokers who seek treatment in specialized centers differ from the smokers in general population on several important characteristics. These same characteristics are associated with lower chances for successful smoking cessation and sustained abstinence and should be taken into consideration during clinical assessment and treatment planning.
A HYPERSTABILITY RESULT FOR THE CAUCHY EQUATION
Authors: BRZDĘK JANUSZ 
Published: August 2013

AbstractWe prove a hyperstability result for the Cauchy functional equation$f(x+ y)= f(x)+ f(y)$, which complements some earlier stability outcomes of J. M. Rassias. As a consequence, we obtain the slightly surprising corollary that for every function$f$, mapping a normed space${E}_{1} $into a normed space${E}_{2} $, and for all real numbers$r, s$with$r+ s\gt 0$one of the following two conditions must be valid:$$\begin{eqnarray*}\displaystyle \sup _{x, y\in E_{1}}\Vert f(x+ y)- f(x)- f(y)\Vert \hspace{0.167em} \mathop{\Vert x\Vert }\nolimits ^{r} \hspace{0.167em} \mathop{\Vert y\Vert }\nolimits ^{s} = \infty , &&\displaystyle\end{eqnarray*}$$$$\begin{eqnarray*}\displaystyle \sup _{x, y\in E_{1}}\Vert f(x+ y)- f(x)- f(y)\Vert \hspace{0.167em} \mathop{\Vert x\Vert }\nolimits ^{r} \hspace{0.167em} \mathop{\Vert y\Vert }\nolimits ^{s} = 0. &&\displaystyle\end{eqnarray*}$$In particular, we present a new method for proving stability for functional equations, based on a fixed point theorem.