bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rate Acceleration of the Baylis‐Hillman Reaction within Microreactors
Authors: Yang Jun , Qi Li , Qiao Juan , Chen Yi , Ma Huimin 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBased on microreactors, the representative Baylis‐Hillman reaction of cyclopent‐2‐enone coupled with 4‐nitrobenzaldehyde in the presence of imidazole could be accelerated by manipulating the temperature and electric field. Furthermore, the electric field was used in promoting Baylis‐Hillman reaction for the first time with the rate acceleration approximately 5.2‐fold higher than that carried out in conventional vessels as well as 4.0‐fold under control of temperature. Meanwhile, the products of Baylis‐Hillman reaction at every time point could be collected and then determined by capillary micellar electrokinetic chromatography.
Asymmetric Reduction of 2‐Chloro‐3‐oxo Esters by Transfer Hydrogenation
Authors: Bai Jinjin , Miao Shifeng , Wu Yun , Zhang Yawen 
Published: November 2011

AbstractAsymmetric reduction of 2‐chloro‐3‐oxo esters was achieved by catalytic transfer hydrogenation using [RuCl2(p‐cymene)](S,S)‐TsDPEN as the chiral catalyst and HCOOH‐Et3N as the hydrogen source. Moderate to good yields (up to 85%) and good enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee) were obtained.
A high‐speed, high‐accuracy optical position sensor integrated with an analog and digital signal‐processing circuit
Authors: Ohtani Kozo , Baba Mitsuru 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThis paper describes a high‐speed and high‐accuracy optical position sensor that detects the positions of multiple light spots illuminated by various types of light sources, such as a light‐emitting diode and a laser diode. The applications using these systems usually require the measurement performance to be fast, of high accuracy, and capable of simultaneously detecting multiple points. The applications should also have some intelligence function, such as adaptation of the detection procedure to the environment being measured. We designed a new sensor system using an optical two‐dimensional sensor array, an analog parallel scan circuit, and a neural network implemented on a field‐programmable gate array (FPGA), which satisfied the above requirements. The experimental results with the prototype sensor system were as follows: (1) the relative error was at most 1.4%; (2) the sampling frequency was about 20 kHz; and (3) the sensor system reduced the influence of background light on the position detection by the neural network. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 94(12): 12–21, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10360
Effects of harvest period, nitrogen fertilization and mycorrhizal fungus inoculation on triticale (×TriticosecaleWittmack) forage yield and quality
Authors: Cazzato E. , Laudadio V. , Tufarelli V. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe practice of grazing winter cereals before heading and subsequently harvesting the forage is common in some countries. Triticale (×TriticosecaleWittmack) is particularly interesting due to its nutritional characteristics, and forage yield and quality are strongly influenced by agronomic techniques. The effect of two modes of utilization (cut at heading stage and cut during winter grazing simulation with regrowth cut at heading stage), three nitrogen (N) fertilization levels [0 and 100 kg ha−1split in two phases; and 100 kg ha−1before sowing, using a fertilizer with 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) as a nitrification inhibitor (NI)] and mycorrhizal fungus inoculation (mixed inoculation ofGlomus intraradicesandGlomus moseae) on forage yield and quality, protein fractions andin vitrodigestibility of triticale was determined in southern Italy. Mode of utilization and fertilization affected significantly forage yield and quality, while mycorrhizal fungus inoculation influenced positively some quality parameters. Cutting at heading stage of triticale led to high dry matter (DM) production compared to the winter cut simulating grazing, but no differences in protein yield (PY). N fertilization increased total DM and PYs, but no differences were reported among the application modalities of N fertilizers. Triticale protein fractions and protein and fiber digestibility were improved by N fertilization. Mycorrhizal fungus inoculation positively influenced forage quality at heading stage, which resulted in more digestible fiber and protein. As a result, when triticale was grown under Mediterranean conditions, mode of utilization and N fertilization resulted in greater forage yield and quality, while mycorrhizal fungus inoculation influenced positively forage nutritional quality parameters.
At‐home disaster preparedness of elderly people in Hong Kong
Authors: Loke Alice Yuen , Lai Claudia KY , Fung Olivia Wai Man 
Published: November 2011

Aim:  The present study aims to explore the concerns relating to disasters among the elderly in Hong Kong, as well as the extent and predictive factors of their preparedness for disasters. The elderly are considered a vulnerable population, without the ability to protect themselves during disasters. Their accurate perception and preparedness for disasters can minimize damage to their health or threats to their lives when disasters strike.Methods:  Elderly people who had installed an emergency call service in Hong Kong were contacted by telephone for an interview between the months of June to September 2010.Results:  A total of 1137 questionnaires were analyzed for the present study. Elderly people considered major transport accidents (54.3%), fires (47.9%) and storms/flooding (41.5%) as the disasters most likely to occur in Hong Kong. In preparing for disasters, many of the elderly reported having a survival pack easily accessible (86.9%), knowing how to shut down the water, gas and electricity (79.2%), and knowing how to contact their family members (54%). A total of 255 (22.4%) elderly people were classified as being prepared for disaster. Those who were born in Hong Kong (OR = 1.471), living with other family members (OR = 1.742), had neighbors to provide support (OR = 2.92) and perceived themselves as having the ability to help themselves (OR = 1.34) were more prepared for disasters.Conclusion:  The majority of elderly people are not prepared for disasters. Health professionals working with the elderly should recognize their characteristics and develop strategies to cater to their special needs in preparing for disasters. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; 12: 524–531.
Heart rate variability in free diving athletes
Authors: Christoforidi Vassiliki , Koutlianos Nikolaos , Deligiannis Pantazis , Kouidi Evangelia , Deligiannis Asterios 
Published: November 2011

SummaryThe aim of the study was to evaluate the cardiac autonomic activity in free diving (FD) athletes. Thirteen Greek male free divers (group I, aged 33·4 ± 6·3 years, 6·6 ± 4·5 years of training experience) volunteered to participate while 13 age‐matched sedentary subjects served as control group (group II). All subjects were submitted to ambulatory 24‐h ECG recording for heart rate variability (HRV) analysis on a day of regular activities with no exercise or training. The results showed that group I had significantly lower minimum and mean heart rate by 23·9% (P<0·001) and 20·6% (P<0·001), respectively. All the measured time and frequency domain indices of HRV which reflect cardiac parasympathetic activity were higher in group I than in group II by 37·6% to 146% (P<0·001). Conclusively, the resting cardiac autonomic activity and especially the parasympathetic branch was significantly increased in free divers compared to untrained subjects. This finding should be rather attributed to the accumulated effect of both exercise training and frequent exposure to FD stimulus.
Estimating Bird Damage to Rice in Africa: Evidence from the Senegal River Valley
Authors: de Mey Yann , Demont Matty , Diagne Mandiaye 
Published: November 2011

AbstractGranivorous birds, mainly the Red‐billed Quelea, have subsisted on cereal crops in Africa for centuries and have caused substantial damage. There is, however, limited recent evidence on their impact. We propose an indirect method to estimate bird‐inflicted crop losses by fitting a production function with a damage abatement component and pest intensity slope dummies on a panel database of rice farmers in the Senegal River Valley. This allows us to estimate both bird damage and marginal productivity of bird control at different levels of bird pressure. Annual bird damage is found to average around 13.2% of the potential rice production during the wet seasons of 2003–2007, which translates into an average annual economic loss of 4.7 billion FCFA (€7.1 million). Our results are consistent with farmers’ perceived bird‐inflicted crop losses, averaging 15.2%. More alarmingly, we observe declining marginal productivities of bird control under increasing bird pressure. Farmers indicate that at high bird pressure, the efficacy of traditional bird scaring methods is inadequate, which suggests that predictive (monitoring), preventive (population control) and protective (insurance) measures against massive invasions are more urgent than improving the average efficacy of curative measures (pest control). These findings are especially relevant to farmers and policy‐makers who are currently struggling to implement an ambitious food self‐sufficiency programme in Senegal.
Streptococcus suis Capsular Polysaccharide Inhibits Phagocytosis through Destabilization of Lipid Microdomains and Prevents Lactosylceramide-Dependent Recognition
Authors: Houde Mathieu , Gottschalk Marcelo , Gagnon Fleur , Van Calsteren Marie-Rose , Segura Mariela 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus suis
type 2 is a major swine pathogen and a zoonotic agent, causing meningitis in both swine and humans.
S. suis
infects the host through the respiratory route, reaches the bloodstream, and persists until breaching into the central nervous system. The capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of
S. suis
type 2 is considered a key virulence factor of the bacteria. Though CPS allows
S. suis
to adhere to the membrane of cells of the immune system, it provides protection against phagocytosis. In fact, nonencapsulated mutants are easily internalized and killed by macrophages and dendritic cells. The objective of this work was to study the molecular mechanisms by which the CPS of
S. suis
prevents phagocytosis. By using latex beads covalently linked with purified CPS, it was shown that CPS itself was sufficient to inhibit entry of both latex beads and bystander fluorescent beads into macrophages. Upon contact with macrophages, encapsulated
S. suis
was shown to destabilize lipid microdomains at the cell surface, to block nitric oxide (NO) production during infection, and to prevent lactosylceramide accumulation at the phagocytic cup during infection. In contrast, the nonencapsulated mutant was easily internalized via lipid rafts, in a filipin-sensitive manner, leading to lactosylceramide recruitment and strong NO production. This is the first report to identify a role for CPS in lipid microdomain stability and to recognize an interaction between
S. suis
and lactosylceramide in phagocytes.
LytF, a Novel Competence-Regulated Murein Hydrolase in the Genus Streptococcus
Authors: Berg Kari Helene , Ohnstad Hilde Solheim , Håvarstein Leiv Sigve 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus pneumoniae
and probably most other members of the genus
Streptococcus
are competent for natural genetic transformation. During the competent state,
S. pneumoniae
produces a murein hydrolase, CbpD, that kills and lyses noncompetent pneumococci and closely related species. Previous studies have shown that CbpD is essential for efficient transfer of genomic DNA from noncompetent to competent cells
in vitro
. Consequently, it has been proposed that CbpD together with the cognate immunity protein ComM constitutes a DNA acquisition mechanism that enables competent pneumococci to capture homologous DNA from closely related streptococci sharing the same habitat. Although genes encoding CbpD homologs or CbpD-related proteins are present in many different streptococcal species, the genomes of a number of streptococci do not encode CbpD-type proteins. In the present study we show that the genomes of nearly all species lacking CbpD encode an unrelated competence-regulated murein hydrolase termed LytF. Using
Streptococcus gordonii
as a model system, we obtained evidence indicating that LytF is a functional analogue of CbpD. In sum, our results show that a murein hydrolase gene is part of the competence regulon of most or all streptococcal species, demonstrating that these muralytic enzymes constitute an essential part of the streptococcal natural transformation system.
Interleukin-10 Ablation Promotes Tumor Development, Growth, and Metastasis
Authors: Tanikawa Takashi , Wilke Cailin Moira , Kryczek Ilona , Chen Grace Y. , Kao John , Núñez Gabriel , Zou Weiping 
Published: November 2011

AbstractInterleukin-10 (IL-10) is a broadly acting immune inhibitory cytokine that is generally thought to support tumor growth. Here we challenge this view with evidence that genetic ablation of IL-10 in the mouse significantly heightens sensitivity to chemical carcinogenesis, growth of transplanted tumors, and formation of metastases. Tumor growth in IL-10–deficient (IL-10−/−) mice was associated with an increased level of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells in both the tumor microenvironment and the tumor-draining lymph nodes. IL-10−/− MDSCs express high levels of MHC and IL-1, and they efficiently induced formation of Treg cells. IL-1 signaling blockade reduced tumor growth mediated by IL-10 deficiency, associated with a partial rescue of tumor infiltration and function of effector T cells and a decrease in tumor angiogenesis and tumor infiltration by Treg cells. Taken together, our findings establish that endogenous IL-10 inhibits inflammatory cytokine production and hampers the development of Treg cells and MDSCs, two key components of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, thereby inhibiting tumor development, growth, and metastasis. Cancer Res; 72(2); 420–9. ©2011 AACR.
Welfare, Maternal Work, and On-Time Childhood Vaccination Rates
Authors: Sohn Min-Woong , Yoo Joan , Oh Elissa H. , Amsden Laura B. , Holl Jane L. 
Published: November 2011

OBJECTIVE:
To examine effects of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families welfare cash assistance and maternal work requirements on “on-time” childhood vaccination rates.

METHODS:
A stratified random sample of Illinois children from low-income families affected by welfare reform was monitored from 1997 to 2004. Medical records from pediatricians' offices and Medicaid claims data were used to identify the timeliness of 18 recommended vaccinations. Random-intercept logistic models were used to estimate on-time vaccine administration as a function of welfare receipt and maternal work with adjustment for characteristics of the children and mothers and time-varying covariates pertaining to the administration window for each recommended vaccine dose.

RESULTS:
Of all recommended vaccinations, 55.9% were administered on time. On-time vaccination rates were higher when families were receiving welfare than not (57.4% vs 52.8%). Children in families that either were receiving welfare or had working mothers were 1.7 to 2.1 times more likely to receive vaccinations on time compared with children in families that were not receiving welfare and did not have working mothers. When vaccine doses were stratified according to welfare status, maternal work was associated with decreased on-time vaccination rates (odds ratio: 0.73 [95% confidence interval: 0.59–0.90]) when families received welfare but increased on-time vaccination rates (odds ratio: 1.68 [95% confidence interval: 1.27–2.22]) when they did not receive welfare.

CONCLUSIONS:
These results indicate that maternal work requirements of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families had negative effects on timely administration of childhood vaccinations, although receipt of welfare itself was associated with increased on-time rates.
Efficacy of Porcine Versus Bovine Surfactants for Preterm Newborns With Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Singh Neetu , Hawley Kristy L. , Viswanathan Kristin 
Published: November 2011

OBJECTIVE:To compare the efficacy of a porcine surfactant (poractant alfa) versus bovine surfactants (beractant and calfactant) with respect to clinical outcomes among preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.METHODS:A search of major electronic databases, including Medline (1980–2010) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, for randomized controlled trials that compared poractant alfa versus beractant and/or calfactant among preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome who required intubation and surfactant treatment was performed. The primary outcome was oxygen requirement at a postmenstrual age of 36 weeks.RESULTS:Five randomized controlled trials involving 529 infants compared poractant alfa versus beractant for rescue treatment. No trials studied surfactant prophylaxis, and none compared poractant alfa versus calfactant. The incidences of oxygen dependence at a postmenstrual age of 36 weeks were similar for poractant alfa and beractant. Infants treated with poractant alfa at 100 mg/kg (low dose) or 200 mg/kg (high dose) exhibited statistically significant reductions in deaths (relative risk: 0.51 [95% confidence interval: 0.30–0.89]), the need for redosing (relative risk: 0.71 [95% confidence interval: 0.57–0.88]), oxygen requirements, duration of oxygen treatment, and duration of mechanical ventilation. The test of heterogeneity yielded positive results for the latter 2 outcomes. The difference remained statistically significant for deaths and the need for redosing with high-dose poractant alfa but not for low dose poractant alfa.CONCLUSIONS:There were significant reductions in deaths and the need for redosing with high-dose poractant alfa but not low-dose poractant alfa, compared with beractant.
Age-Dependent Decline of Association Between Obesity and Hyperglycemia in Men and Women
Authors: Wakabayashi Ichiro , Daimon Takashi 
Published: November 2011

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether age influences the association between obesity and hyperglycemia.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
The subjects were 57,576 Japanese male and female workers aged 35–70 years. The associations of adiposity indices, including BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio, with risk for hyperglycemia were compared among different age groups (35–39, 40–49, 50–59, and 60–70 years) using odds ratios (ORs).

RESULTS
There were significant trends for the crude ORs of obese subjects versus nonobese subjects for hyperglycemia to be lower as age increased in men and women. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed these trends of age-dependent decreases in ORs for hyperglycemia were not altered by adjustment for confounders such as smoking, alcohol drinking, and habitual exercise.

CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the association between obesity and hyperglycemia declines with age in men and women.
Mechanism of Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Conia‐ene Reaction of β‐Ketoesters with Alkynes: A DFT Study
Authors: Yin Yanchun , Wang Mian , Wang Jianyi , Zhou Longchang , Duan Wengui 
Published: November 2011

AbstractDensity functional calculations have been performed to comparatively investigate two possible pathways of Au(I)‐catalyzed Conia‐ene reaction of β‐ketoesters with alkynes. Our studies find that, under the assistance of trifluoromethanesulfonate (TfO), the β‐ketoester is the most likely to undergo Model II to isomerize into its enol form, in which TfO plays a proton transfer role through a 6‐membered ring transition state. The coordination of the Au(I) catalyst to the alkynes triple bond can enhance the eletrophilic capability and reaction activity of the alkynes moiety, which triggers the nucleophilic addition of the enol moiety on the alkynes moiety to give a vinyl‐Au intermediate. This cycloisomerizaion step is exothermal by 21.3 kJ/mol with an energy barrier of 56.0 kJ/mol. In the whole catalytic process, the protonation of vinyl‐Au is almost spontaneous, and the formation of enol is a rate‐limiting step. The generation of enol and the activation of Au(I) catalyst on the alkynes are the key reasons why the Conia‐ene reaction can occur in mild condition. These calculations support that Au(I)‐catalyzed Conia‐ene reactions of β‐ketoesters with alkynes go through the pathway 2 proposed by Toste.
Study of the Reaction of 5‐Aryl‐7‐hydrazino‐2‐phenylpyra‐zolo[1,5‐c]pyrimidines with 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Compounds
Authors: Zheng Yan‐Song , Atta Kamal F. M. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractA novel synthetic method for the preparation of 5‐aryl‐7‐(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)‐2‐phenylpyrazolo[1,5‐c]‐pyrimidines and 1‐(5‐aryl‐2‐phenylpyrazolo[1,5‐c]pyrimidin‐7‐yl)‐3‐methyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐ols is provided by condensative cyclization of 5‐aryl‐7‐hydrazino‐2‐phenylpyrazolo[1,5‐c]pyrimidines with 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds. The study of the more reactive position for electrophilic substitusion reactions on such ring system was also achieved.
Mandatory use of technology in teaching: Who cares and so what?
Authors: Yeung Alexander Seeshing , Taylor Peter G. , Hui Chenri , Lam‐Chiang Audrey Cheausim , Low Ee‐Ling 
Published: November 2011

AbstractToday's teachers are expected to use modern digital technology (DT) to optimise pedagogical effects. Singaporean policy makers have introduced directives to explicitly require teachers to apply DT in teaching. Inherent in such directives is an assumption that by requiring teachers to apply DT, they will perceive its value and use it in their teaching. This paper tests this assumption. Students in initial teacher education programs in Singapore responded to a survey on four variables about their use of DT: (1) compliance with requirements, (2) sense of competence, (3) perceived value and (4) frequency of DT application. Compliance was found to be negatively correlated with competence and uncorrelated with frequency, indicating that teachers who were more competent in DT were less likely to be compliant and those who were compliant may not actually apply DT in teaching. In contrast, both competence and value were positively correlated with frequency of application. Compliance differs for students in different programs and is higher for females. The results indicate that mandating use of DT may not be useful. A more productive approach may be to enhance the competence of teachers in DT so that they value its effectiveness and are confident to apply it in classroom activities.Practitioner NotesWhat is already known about this topic
There is a global trend that education authorities require teachers to apply educational technology in classroom practices.
Requiring people to comply with directives from the authority may not always lead to conformity.
Self‐perception of competence has significant positive influence on human behaviour.
What this paper adds
Teachers who are more competent with DT are less likely to be compliant.
Teachers who are compliant may not actually apply DT in teaching.
It is essential for teachers to see the value of DT and build up their competence to use technology effectively.
Implications for practice and/or policy
Teacher educators need to reconsider their training approaches in order to cultivate positive attitudes towards DT and develop preservice teachers' competence in using DT for teaching and learning.
School administration should strive to create a culture that values DT in teaching and learning.
Teachers need to have successful experiences in DT application that in turn change their perceptions and classroom practices.