bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
From the British worker question to the impact of HRM: understanding the relationship between employment relations and economic performance
Authors: Procter Stephen , Rowlinson Michael 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTThe long‐running UK debate over the relationship between employment relations and economic performance is examined. Its four phases are identified as: British worker question, British economic miracle, ‘what do unions do?’ and Human Resource Management (HRM) and performance. Change in the terms of debate is observed. Important common threads are identified. Recommendations for future research are made.
The VICI-trial: high frequency oscillation versus conventional mechanical ventilation in newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: an international multicentre randomized controlled trial
Authors: van den Hout Lieke , Tibboel Dick , Vijfhuize Sanne , te Beest Harma , Hop Wim , Reiss Irwin ,   The CDH-EURO Consortium
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a severe congenital anomaly of the diaphragm resulting in pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension. It is associated with a high risk of mortality and pulmonary morbidity. Previous retrospective studies have reported high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFO) to reduce pulmonary morbidity in infants with CDH, while others indicated HFO to be associated with worse outcome. We therefore aimed to develop a randomized controlled trial to compare initial ventilatory treatment with high-frequency oscillation and conventional ventilation in infants with CDH.

Methods/design
This trial is designed as a multicentre trial in which 400 infants (200 in each arm) will be included. Primary outcome measures are BPD, described as oxygen dependency by day 28 according to the definition of Jobe and Bancalari, and/or mortality by day 28. All liveborn infants with CDH born at a gestational age of over 34 weeks and no other severe congenital anomalies are eligible for inclusion. Parental informed consent is asked antenatally and the allocated ventilation mode starts within two hours after birth. Laboratory samples of blood, urine and tracheal aspirate are taken at the first day of life, day 3, day 7, day 14 and day 28 to evaluate laboratory markers for ventilator-induced lung injury and pulmonary hypertension.

Discussion
To date, randomized clinical trials are lacking in the field of CDH. The VICI-trial, as the first randomized clinical trial in the field of CDH, may provide further insight in ventilation strategies in CDH patient. This may hopefully prevent mortality and morbidity.

Trial registration
Netherlands Trial Register (NTR): NTR1310
A Modified Solid State Synthesis of LiFePO4/C as Active Material for Lithium-ion Batteries
Authors: Schünemann Dennis , Langer Thorsten , Binnewies Michael , Pöttgen Rainer 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
Solid state chemistry is already established as a conventional procedure for obtaining well-crystallized particles of LiFePO4 with ordered structure. The disadvantages of this method still are the uncontrollable particle growth and agglomeration, long reaction time and moreover the cost of production. The advantages of using 1-Hexadecanol as an additive to create a reducing atmosphere and additionally as a carbon source for the solid state method the existence of iron in the oxidation state Fe3+ can be prevented. The carbon coating can be controlled by the amount of the additive and the reaction conditions such as reaction time or reaction temperature. This modified synthesis cannot reduce the cost of energy but represents a simple variant to obtain both carbon coated LiFePO4 with a specific conductivity up to 10-2 S cm-1 and pure LiFePO4. The latter does not show any impurities as confirmed by Mös sbauer spectroscopy. The reaction time only takes three hours without any time-consuming preparations.
Women with gout: Efficacy and safety of urate‐lowering with febuxostat and allopurinol
Authors: Chohan Saima , Becker Michael A. , MacDonald Patricia A. , Chefo Solomon , Jackson Robert L. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the characteristics of female versus male gout patients and assess urate‐lowering efficacy and safety of febuxostat or allopurinol treatment in women with gout.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of 4,101 hyperuricemic (serum urate [sUA] level ≥8.0 mg/dl) gout subjects enrolled in 3 phase III comparative trials and randomized to receive placebo, febuxostat (40 mg, 80 mg, 120 mg, or 240 mg daily), or allopurinol (100 mg, 200 mg, or 300 mg daily, based on renal function). Baseline demographics and characteristics were summarized and compared between female and male subjects. Urate‐lowering efficacy, which was defined as the proportion of subjects with sUA levels <6.0 mg/dl at final visit, was assessed for all subjects and, among women, according to baseline renal function.ResultsFemale gout subjects (n = 226) were older with significantly higher rates of obesity and metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities than their male counterparts. The percentage of female subjects with sUA levels <6.0 mg/dl at final visit was 0% in the placebo group, 54.3%, 85.1%, 81.0%, and 100.0% in the febuxostat 40 mg, 80 mg, 120 mg, and 240 mg groups, respectively, and 45.9% in the allopurinol group. Similar patterns of urate‐lowering efficacy rates were observed when stratified by renal function. Among all the female subjects, febuxostat 80 mg was significantly more efficacious than allopurinol (P < 0.001). Rates of adverse events (AEs) were low. The most frequently reported AEs were upper respiratory tract infections, musculoskeletal/connective tissue disorders, and diarrhea.ConclusionThese data suggest that febuxostat 80 mg may be more efficacious than commonly prescribed doses of allopurinol in female gout subjects with high rates of comorbidities.
Low Temperature Plasticity of an Ultrafine‐Grained Al–3Mg Alloy Prepared by Accumulative Roll Bonding
Authors: Shumilin Sergii Eduardovich , Janecek Milos , Isaev Nikolai Vasilievich , Homola Petr , Kral Robert 
Published: November 2011

AbstractMany efforts have been made recently to produce ultrafine grained (UFG) structural metallic materials having submicrometer grain sizes, since UFG materials are expected to perform superior mechanical properties, i.e., a high strength, good elongation and, mainly superplastic formability at lower temperatures and higher strain rates. One of the promising ways to produce bulk UFG materials is the severe plastic deformation (SPD).
Influence of Silicification on the Structural and Biological Properties of Buffer‐Mediated Collagen Hydrogels
Authors: Quignard Sandrine , Copello Guillermo J. , Aimé Carole , Bataille Isabelle , Hélary Christophe , Desimone Martin F. , Coradin Thibaud 
Published: November 2011

AbstractA buffer‐mediated gelation route for collagen hydrogels that allows the formation of homogeneous composite and hybrid materials with various silica sources (i.e., colloidal silica and soluble silicates) at high concentration (up to 25 × 10−3 M) is described. Most significant improvement in rheological properties and proliferation of primary adult human dermal fibroblasts was obtained for the silicate‐based hybrid materials. A similar trend was observed in composite materials incorporating 14 nm SiO2 nanoparticles, although to a much lesser extent, whereas larger colloids (80 and 390 nm) did not significantly impact mechanical stability and cell behavior. Modification of 80 nm particles surface with amine groups weakens the collagen‐mineral interface, resulting in the decrease of material stability and leading to particle aggregation during the course of cell proliferation experiments.
Preferential Affinity of the Components of Liquid Mixtures at a Rigid Non‐Polar Surface: Enthalpic and Entropic Driving Forces
Authors: Choutko Alexandra , van Gunsteren Wilfred F. , Hünenberger Philippe H. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe modulation of the properties of lipid membranes by polyhydroxylated cosolutes such as sugars is a phenomenon of considerable biological, technological and medicinal relevance. A few years ago, we proposed the sugar‐like mechanism—binding driven by the release of water molecules—as an attempt to rationalize the preferential affinity of carbohydrate molecules compared to water molecules for the surface of lipid bilayers, which is presumably related to the bioprotective action of these compounds. The goal herein is to gain a better understanding of the driving force underlying this mechanism, in terms of specific interactions or effects, as well as in terms of the energy–entropy partitioning. This is done in the simplest possible context of an apolar rigid‐wall model representing the membrane, and mixtures of closely related and possibly artificial species in solution, namely monomers or dimers of Lennard‐Jones particles, water with physical or reduced charges, and hydroxymethyl groups. The results indicate that although the sugar‐like mechanism seems phenomenologically reasonable, the main driving force underlying this mechanism is not the entropy gain upon releasing water molecules into the bulk, as originally suggested, but rather the hydrophobic effect. Note that the latter effect is a generic concept and may in principle involve both a solvent release and an interaction component, depending on the solute considered.
Sonocatalytic damage of bovine serum albumin (BSA) under ultrasonic irradiation with TiO2/tooth composite
Authors: Wang Zhiqiu , Li Ying , Wang Jun , Jin Xudong , Zou Mingming , Han Guangxi , Li Kai , Gao Jingqun 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND: In order to effectively degrade bovine serum albumin (BSA) under ultrasonic irradiation, biological mineral material (tooth powder) was adopted to mix with nano‐sized TiO2 powder. A TiO2/tooth composite with high sonocatalytic activity and remarkable selectivity was prepared.RESULTS: TiO2/tooth composite with tooth content of 30% (w/w) heat‐treated at 500 °C for 40 min was used as sonocatalyst and the catalytic degradation of BSA under ultrasonic irradiation was examined. Some influencing factors, such as ultrasonic irradiation time, TiO2/tooth catalyst amount, solution acidity and NaCl concentration, were studied by UV‐vis and fluorescence spectroscopic analysis. Furthermore, the BSA attack site for the TiO2/tooth composite was identifies by synchronous fluorescence spectra.CONCLUSION: The results indicated that, under ultrasonic irradiation, the TiO2/tooth composite can promote the degradation of BSA more effectively than pure nano‐sized TiO2 powder. The attack site is identified as tyrosine (Tyr) residue. These results are of great significance for the use of a sonocatalytic method to treat tumours in clinical applications. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Impact of parainfluenza virus infection in pediatric cancer patients
Authors: Maeng Se Hyun , Yoo Hye Soo , Choi Soo‐Han , Yoo Keon Hee , Kim Yae‐Jean , Sung Ki Woong , Lee Nam Yong , Koo Hong Hoe 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackgroundRespiratory virus (RV) infection can cause significant morbidity and mortality in pediatric cancer patients. Parainfluenza virus (PIV) is a common pathogen in childhood among the respiratory viruses. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of parainfluenza virus infection in pediatric cancer patients.ProcedureA retrospective review of medical records of 1,554 children diagnosed with cancer from January 2000 through July 2008 was analyzed at Samsung Medical Center.ResultsA total of 6.4% (137/1,554) had respiratory virus infection and 54% (74/137) of patients with RV infection had PIV infection. PIV type 3 was the predominant subtype. Among patients with PIV infection, 59 children (79.7%) had upper respiratory tract infection (URI) whereas 15 children (20.3%) had lower respiratory tract infection (LRI) at initial presentation. Among patients with URI, 12 (20.3%) progressed to pneumonia with the median interval of 4 days from URI to LRI. Mortality associated with PIV infection was 18.5% (5/27) in patients with LRI. Among patients with PIV infection, 80% (59/74) had nosocomial infection, which shows the difficulty and importance of infection control at pediatric cancer ward.ConclusionsPIV infection was most commonly diagnosed among pediatric cancer patients with RV infection and PIV infection led to significant pulmonary complications and direct mortality in immunocompromised children. Since there are no effective antiviral agents for PIV infection, precautionary infection control and early diagnosis are the only methods available to prevent the infection spread. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012;59:708–710. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of medium on the nanostructure and properties of poly(4‐aminodiphenylamine)‐silver nanocomposites
Authors: Thanjam I. Starlet , Philips M. Francklin , Komathi Shanmugasundaram , Manisankar Paramasivam , Gopalan Anantha Iyengar , Lee Kwang‐Pill 
Published: November 2011

AbstractPoly(4‐aminodiphenylamine)‐silver nanocomposites were synthesized by an easy one‐step aqueous chemical oxidative polymerization of 4‐aminodiphenylamine (4ADPA) using silver nitrate (AgNO3) as the oxidant. Two different structure directing surfactants, p‐toluene sulfonic acid (p‐TSA) and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide/hydrochloric acid (CTAB/HCl), were independently used for the nanocomposite (NC) preparation. The NCs prepared in p‐TSA and CTAB/HCl medium were designated as P4ADPA/AgNC(p−TSA) and P4ADPA/AgNC(CTAB/HCl), respectively. We investigated the morphological variations in the NCs based on the medium. P4ADPA/AgNC(p−TSA) and P4ADPA/AgNC(CTAB/HCl) were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and UV‐visible spectroscopy. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Linolenate 9R‐Dioxygenase and Allene Oxide Synthase Activities of Lasiodiplodia theobromae
Authors: Jernerén Fredrik , Eng Felipe , Hamberg Mats , Oliw Ernst H. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractJasmonic acid (JA) is synthesized from linolenic acid (18:3n‐3) by sequential action of 13‐lipoxygenase, allene oxide synthase (AOS), and allene oxide cyclase. The fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae can produce large amounts of JA and was recently reported to form the JA precursor 12‐oxophytodienoic acid. The objective of our study was to characterize the fatty acid dioxygenase activities of this fungus. Two strains of L. theobromae with low JA secretion (~0.2 mg/L medium) oxygenated 18:3n‐3 to 5,8‐dihydroxy‐9Z,12Z,15Z‐octadecatrienoic acid as well as 9R‐hydroperoxy‐10E,12Z,15Z‐octadecatrienoic acid, which was metabolized by an AOS activity into 9‐hydroxy‐10‐oxo‐12Z,15Z‐octadecadienoic acid. Analogous conversions were observed with linoleic acid (18:2n‐6). Studies using [11S‐2H]18:2n‐6 revealed that the putative 9R‐dioxygenase catalyzed stereospecific removal of the 11R hydrogen followed by suprafacial attack of dioxygen at C‐9. Mycelia from these strains of L. theobromae contained 18:2n‐6 as the major polyunsaturated acid but lacked 18:3n‐3. A third strain with a high secretion of JA (~200 mg/L) contained 18:3n‐3 as a major fatty acid and produced 5,8‐dihydroxy‐9Z,12Z,15Z‐octadecatrienoic acid from added 18:3n‐3. This strain also lacked the JA biosynthetic enzymes present in higher plants.
Properties of a capillary discharge-produced argon plasma waveguide for shorter wavelength source application
Authors: Sakai Shohei , Higashiguchi Takeshi , Bobrova Nadezhda , Sasorov Pavel , Miyazawa Jun , Yugami Noboru , Sentoku Yasuhiko , Kodama Ryosuke 
Published: November 2011

We report the operation of a discharge-produced argon (Ar) plasma waveguide in an alumina (Al2O3) capillary to guide a 1016-W/cm2 ultrashort laser pulse for shorter wavelength light sources at high repetition rate operation. The electron density in the plasma channel was measured to be 1 × 1018 cm−3. Modeling with a one-dimensional magnetrohydrodynamic code was used to evaluate the degree of ionization of Ar in the preformed plasma channel. The observed spectrum of the laser pulse after propagation in the argon plasma waveguide was not modified and was well reproduced by a particle in cell simulation.
First Report of Ginseng (Panax ginseng) as a Natural Host of Dodder (Cuscuta japonica) in China
Authors: Chen C. Q. , Han S. , Gao J. , Yang L. N. 
Published: November 2011

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) belongs to the Araliaceae family and is a high-value medicinal herb grown mainly in Jilin Province, China. China is the world's oldest and largest producer of ginseng. Annual yield and exports account for more than 78 and 60% for the world, respectively. In July 2009 and August 2010, dodder (Cuscuta sp.), a parasitic seed plant, was observed on 4- and 5-year-old plants that were being cultivated on raised beds under artificial shading in three separate locations approximately 200 kilometers apart in Jilin Province. The infested area was approximately one-third of the field (300 m2 of 10,000 m2), which was previously planted with pine trees and herbaceous plants. Initially, there were no obvious symptoms on ginseng plants, but later, symptoms consisted of poor growth, chlorosis, and wilting, eventually followed by death in large areas throughout the field. One typical representative of 10 samples collected was identified as Cuscuta japonica based on several morphological characteristics, including yellow stems with purplish spots with branches 1.2 to 2.5 mm in diameter. Inflorescences were spicate and measured 3 cm with broadly ovate, scale-like bracts. Flowers were sessile with deeply divided calyxes. The parasite had purplish, ovate sepals with pink or greenish white corollas. The plant had five stamens with yellow, ovate-circular anther. Ovaries were globose and smooth. Capsules contained three to four pale yellow or brown ovate seeds measuring 1.9 to 2.7 mm (3,4). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA of the representative samples was amplified using primers ITS4/ITS5 (2) and sequenced. BLASTn analysis of the 650-bp amplicon (GenBank Accession No. JF431541) showed 99% sequence identity with C. japonica (Accession Nos. DQ924571 and EU330320). Phylogenetic trees constructed by utilizing the neighbor-joining method with software MEGA 4.0 (1) placed the dodder specimens and C. japonica (DQ924571 and EU330320) into one group. The reported hosts of C. japonica include plants belonging to the Leguminosae, Salicaceae, Polygonaceae, and Compositae. Therefore, to our knowledge, this is the first report of C. japonica naturally infecting P. ginseng in the world. Reference: (1) K. Tamura et al. Mol. Biol. Evol. 24:1596, 2007. (2) T. J. White et al. Page 315 in: PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. Academic Press, San Diego, 1990. (3) Z. Y. Wu. Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae 64:147, 1979. (4) L. P. Yin. Plant Quarantine (in Chinese) 9:292, 1995.
BDM1, a phosducin‐like gene of Fusarium graminearum, is involved in virulence during infection of wheat and maize
Authors: HOREVAJ PETER , BLUHM BURTON H. 
Published: November 2011

SUMMARYFusarium graminearum is a common pathogen of wheat and maize throughout the world. Despite recent advances in the elucidation of the genetic basis of virulence, significant gaps in the regulatory network underlying pathogenesis remain to be filled. In particular, little is known at the molecular level about the overlap among mechanisms of pathogenicity on maize and wheat. G‐protein signalling has been implicated in pathogenesis in F. graminearum, although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the involvement of a putative phosducin‐like gene (BDM1) in growth, development and pathogenesis in F. graminearum. Targeted deletion of BDM1 revealed roles in sexual and asexual sporulation, germ tube development, hyphal branching and mycelial morphology. During pathogenesis, BDM1 is required for wild‐type levels of colonization of maize silk tissue and stalks, but is dispensable for the colonization of kernels. The deletion of BDM1 also reduced the virulence of F. graminearum during the infection of wheat seedlings and heads, resulting in a significant reduction in fungal biomass and a delayed spread of visual symptom expression (i.e. bleaching in heads). Furthermore, BDM1 is required for wild‐type levels of deoxynivalenol biosynthesis during the infection of wheat heads and maize silks. In summation, BDM1 is one of the few genes characterized to date in F. graminearum involved in virulence during infection of both maize and wheat. Thus, the functional characterization of BDM1 has established a new regulatory link between pathogenesis in maize and wheat, and provides a genetic resource through which the regulatory networks underlying virulence in F. graminearum can be further elucidated.
Geochronological constraints on post‐collisional shear zones in the Variscides of Sardinia (Italy)
Authors: Carosi Rodolfo , Montomoli Chiara , Tiepolo Massimo , Frassi Chiara 
Published: November 2011

Terra Nova, 24, 42–51, 2012AbstractThe post‐collisional tectonics in the inner zone of the Variscan belt of Corsica–Sardinia recorded a dextral transpression developed with an orogen‐parallel tectonic transport. Recent works documented the presence of nearly parallel dextral and sinistral crustal‐scale shear zones responsible for the exhumation of the metamorphic complexes. To constrain, for the first time, the timing of both shear zones and the timing of the transpressional shearing, zircons and monazites were collected for U‐Th‐Pb ages. Results indicate that the shear zones have been active at c. 320 Ma in a transpressional setting, widespread in the Southern European Variscan belt.
False‐belief understanding in 2.5‐year‐olds: evidence from two novel verbal spontaneous‐response tasks
Authors: Scott Rose M. , He Zijing , Baillargeon Renée , Cummins Denise 
Published: November 2011

AbstractRecent research indicates that toddlers and infants succeed at various non‐verbal spontaneous‐response false‐belief tasks; here we asked whether toddlers would also succeed at verbal spontaneous‐response false‐belief tasks that imposed significant linguistic demands. We tested 2.5‐year‐olds using two novel tasks: a preferential‐looking task in which children listened to a false‐belief story while looking at a picture book (with matching and non‐matching pictures), and a violation‐of‐expectation task in which children watched an adult ‘Subject’ answer (correctly or incorrectly) a standard false‐belief question. Positive results were obtained with both tasks, despite their linguistic demands. These results (1) support the distinction between spontaneous‐ and elicited‐response tasks by showing that toddlers succeed at verbal false‐belief tasks that do not require them to answer direct questions about agents’ false beliefs, (2) reinforce claims of robust continuity in early false‐belief understanding as assessed by spontaneous‐response tasks, and (3) provide researchers with new experimental tasks for exploring early false‐belief understanding in neurotypical and autistic populations.