bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thyroxine and Free Thyroxine Levels in Workers Occupationally Exposed to Inorganic Lead
Authors: Bledsoe Michael L. , Pinkerton Lynne E. , Silver Sharon , Deddens James A. , Biagini Raymond E. 
Published: June 2011

BackgroundThe effects of lead exposure on thyroid function are unclear.MethodsSerum thyroxine (T4) was evaluated among 137 lead-exposed workers and 83 non-exposed workers. Free thyroxine (FT4) was evaluated among a subset of these workers. Exposure metrics included blood lead level (BLL), which reflects recent exposure, zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP), a marker of intermediate-duration lead exposure, exposure duration, and estimated cumulative exposure. Multiple linear regression results were adjusted for age, race, and current smoking status.ResultsMean BLLs were 38.9 μg/dL in lead exposed workers and 2.1 μg/dL in non-exposed workers. The adjusted mean T4 and FT4 concentrations among exposed and non-exposed workers were similar. While T4 was not significantly related to any of the exposure metrics, FT4 was inversely related to the logged values of both exposure duration and cumulative exposure, but not to ZPP or BLL.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that FT4 levels may be related to long-term lead exposure.
Manifolds Covered by Lines and Extremal Rays
Authors: Novelli Carla , Occhetta Gianluca 
Published: June 2011

AbstractLet X be a smooth complex projective variety, and let H ∈ Pic(X) be an ample line bundle. Assume that X is covered by rational curves with degree one with respect to H and with anticanonical degree greater than or equal to (dimX – 1)/2. We prove that there is a covering family of such curves whose numerical class spans an extremal ray in the cone of curves NE(X).
Long-Term Close Follow-up of Chorioretinal Lesions in Presumed Ocular Tuberculosis
Authors: Ducommun Mai-Anh , Eperon Simone , Khonkarly Mona B. , Cavassini Matthias , Guex-Crosier Yan 
Published: June 2011

Purpose To evaluate the long-term outcome (up to 7 years) of presumed ocular tuberculosis (TB) when the therapeutic decision was based on WHO guidelines. Methods Twelve out of 654 new uveitic patients (1998-2004) presented with choroiditis and positive tuberculosis skin test (TST) (skin lesion diameter >15 mm). Therapy was administered according to WHO recommendations after ophthalmic and systemic investigation. The area size of ocular lesions at presentation and after therapy, measured on fluorescein and indocyanine green angiographies, was considered the primary outcome. Relapse of choroiditis was considered a secondary outcome. The T-SPOT TB test was performed when it became available. Results Visual acuity significantly improved after therapy (p=0.0357). The mean total surface of fluorescein lesions at entry was 44.8±20.9 (arbitrary units) and decreased to 32.5±16.9 after therapy (p=0.0165). The mean total surface of indocyanine green lesions at entry was 24.5±13.3 and decreased to 10.8±5.4 after therapy (p=0.0631). The T-SPOT TB revealed 2 false TST-positive results. The mean follow-up was 4.5±1.5 years. Two relapses out of 10 confirmed ocular TB was observed after complete lesion healing, 2.5 years and 4.5 years after therapy, respectively. Conclusions A decrease of ocular lesion mean size and a mean improvement of VA were observed after antituberculous therapy. Our long-term follow-up of chorioretinal lesions demonstrated relapse of ocular tuberculosis in 10% of patients with confirmed ocular TB, despite complete initial retinal scarring.
Prehospital Peripheral Venous Catheters: A Prospective Study of Patient Complications
Authors: Göransson Katarina E. , Johansson Eva 
Published: June 2011

Purpose To investigate prehospital peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) in relation to the frequency of thrombophlebitis. Method Data in this prospective study were collected using three types of data source: a study-specific questionnaire, a PVC observation instrument (PVC assess), and electronic patient records. The questionnaire was distributed to ambulance crews who had inserted a PVC before bringing the patient to an emergency department at a level one trauma centre in Sweden during 10 weeks in 2008–2009. Patients admitted to hospital ward were followed-up daily by registered nurses using the PVC assess until the PVC was removed. Patient record data were collected by means of auditing. Results Of the 83 patients available for follow-up, 45 (54%) developed thrombophlebitis. Quick PVC removal was performed in 32 (71%) of these patients while 13 (29%) PVCs were left in situ for 1–8 days. No association was found between the occurrence of thrombophlebitis and potential risk factors. Conclusions Although thrombophlebitis frequently occurred in PVCs inserted in a prehospital setting, early removal of the device with complication was common. Further studies are warranted to identify the optimal in situ time for PVCs inserted by prehospital emergency teams.
Blake's Jerusalem as Perennial Utopia
Authors: Ferrara Mark S. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT
William Blake's poem Jerusalem (1804–20), like all Perennial utopias, achieves a dialectical synthesis of the ideal and the actual through the narrative focalization of a religious experience at the level of character, one that is at once transhistorical and universal. By reading the poem through the lens of the Perennial paradigm, we discover that the temporal aspects of Jerusalem are intimately tied to the religious dimensions of Blake's utopian vision. In addition to giving us a new way to understand the well-documented distinctiveness of Blake's religious message, the Perennial paradigm shows Blake's soteriology in Jerusalem to be utopian rather than salvationist (that is to say, individual-religious as opposed to collective-political). Because of the ultimately subjective nature of apprehension of the Divine Vision, Blake's utopian thought is not “clearly a forward-directed anticipatory and visionary concept,” as Magnus Ankarsjö has recently argued (15). Blake does not rally the reader towards some “ensuing peaceful millennium” (15) but rather to find enlightenment in the eternal moment. In light of Blake's suspicion of ratiocination, combined with his deliberate use of narrative focalization of Albion's religious vision, reading Jerusalem as a Rational utopia grounded in Judeo-Christian of notions of Apocalypse is to miss Blake's core religious message.
Seeking Emptiness:
Authors: Bach Ulrich E. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT
Theodor Herzl once contemptuously remarked that he regards Freiland as a joke. This statement surprises if one compares his novel Altneuland (Oldnewland) to Theodor Hertzka's Freiland. To say the least, both utopias share many themes and narratives structures. While Altneuland (1902) became the world-renowned manifesto of Zionism, Freiland (1890) cherished popularity only at the time of its publication. Both novels are products of Vienna's fin-de-siècle modernism. Herzl's utopia is set in Palestine, Hertzka places Freiland in the empty space of East Africa. His vision of a new civilization in Africa coincided with European colonialism, nationalism and the surge of anti-Semitism in Vienna. In the following, the essay investigates if Hertzka merely criticizes the culture of fin-de-siècle Vienna, or, if he produces a unique alternative?
Utopia Is in the Blood:
Authors: Reid Mandy A. 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT
“Utopia Is in the Blood: The Bodily Utopias of Martin R. Delany and Pauline Hopkins” considers how Delany and Hopkins employ the discourse of racial science in order to construct their own racial utopias. Focusing on Hopkins' Of One Blood and Delany's Principia of Ethnology, Reid argues that the genre of utopian writing enables both authors to refute contemporary scientif ic claims at the same time that they use the discourse of science to establish the utopian past (and, Hopkins argues, the future) of Ethiopia. Both Delany and Hopkins reconf igure nineteenth-century and turn-of-the-century American racial science in their ethnological texts and reveal an epistemological (re)vision of the scientif ic meaning(s) of blackness through a utopian understanding of “black” blood.
Symmetry and Steric Effects on Spin States in Transition Metal Complexes
Authors: Meier Ryan M. , Hanusa Timothy P. 
Published: June 2011

Abstract

Changes in the magnetic characteristics of transition metal complexes, particularly, their metal spin states, are most commonly achieved by varying the electron donor/acceptor properties of coordinated ligands. In some systems, it is possible to increase the steric bulk of ligands so that intramolecular crowding leads to changes in metal‐ligand bond distances; longer bonds produce weaker ligand fields and stabilize high‐spin or spin‐crossover complexes. Steric effects are also often associated, albeit indirectly, with a mechanism for influencing spin states that relies on modifying the symmetry‐based interactions of metal and ligand orbitals. Particular ligand orientations, as in bis(indenyl) compounds [M(R
9
C
7
)
2
], can be changed as the result of interligand steric pressure or crystal packing effects; such differences can alter metal d‐orbital energy levels and hence the stability of spin states. Both steric and symmetry effects add to the repertoire of techniques that can be used to control magnetic properties in transition metal complexes.
Enzymatic Polymerization
Authors: Kobayashi Shiro 
Published: June 2011

AbstractDevelopments in enzymatic polymerization, a method of polymer synthesis, are comprehensively reviewed. The method, which has been developed over the past few decades, utilizes enzymes as catalysts forin vitroreactions. Characteristics of enzymatic catalysis are discussed. Synthesis of natural and unnatural polysaccharides employs hydrolase enzyme catalysts for polycondensation and ring‐opening polyaddition. Some of these polysaccharides are difficult to synthesize by a conventional chemical method. A variety of functionalized polyesters are synthesized in most cases by lipase catalysts via polycondensation as well as ring‐opening polymerization. Some new polymer synthesis approaches have been developed. Enzyme‐catalyzed modification is also mentioned for polyester synthesis. Oxidative polymerizations of aromatic compounds like phenols and anilines produce various functional aromatic polymers. Owing to the characteristic nature of enzymatic polymerization, the opportunity for “green polymer chemistry” is emphasized.
Interfacial Polymerization
Authors: Morgan Paul W. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractIn interfacial polymerization, typically a condensation reaction between a diamine or diol and a diacid, the two fast‐reacting intermediates are dissolved in a pair of immiscible liquids, one of which is preferably water. The water phase contains the diamine or diol and usually an inorganic base to activate any diol and neutralize the by‐product acid. The other phase consists of the diacid chloride and an organic liquid such as dichloromethane, toluene, or hexane. Polymer formation takes place at or near the liquid–liquid interface when the two solutions are brought in contact or stirred together. By this process and its variations, thousands of polymers have been synthesized.
Aspects of the Chemistry of Species with Carbon–Polonium Bonds
Authors: Ponikvar‐Svet Maja , Liebman Joel F. 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
The chemistry of compounds with carbon‐polonium bonds remains, not surprisingly, rather unstudied because of the high level of radioactivity, and hence scarcity, danger and expense, associated with polonium itself. Attempts to enlighten this understanding have rarely investigated the same species experimentally and theoretically; the former are emphasized in this chapter. Approaches to the syntheses of dialkyl polonides, aryl polonium derivatives and other types of compounds with carbon‐polonium bonds are discussed.
Implicit alcohol‐aggression scripts and alcohol‐related aggression on a laboratory task in 11‐ to 14‐year‐old adolescents
Authors: Brown Stephen L. , Lipka Sigrid , Coyne Sarah M. , Qualter Pamela , Barlow Alexandra , Taylor Paul 
Published: June 2011

AbstractSocial scripts are commonly shared representations of behavior in social contexts, which are seen to be partly transmitted through social and cultural media. Research suggests that people hold scripts associated with alcohol‐related aggression, but, unlike general aggression scripts, there is little evidence of social transmission. To demonstrate social transmission of alcohol‐related aggression scripts, learning mechanisms based on personal experience should be minimized. We used a lexical decision task to examine implicit links between alcohol and aggression in alcohol‐naïve adolescents who have limited personal or vicarious experience of alcohol‐related aggression. One hundred and four 11–14 year old adolescents made lexical decisions on aggressive or nonaggressive words preceded by 40‐ms alcohol or nonalcohol word primes. Repeated measures analyses of group data showed that alcohol word primes did not lead to faster responses to aggressive words than to nonaggressive words, nor were responses to aggressive words faster when they were preceded by alcohol word primes than by nonalcohol word primes. However, at an individual level, faster recognition times to the alcohol prime/aggression target word combination predicted aggression on a competitive laboratory task in 14 year olds only. This occurred only when the competitive aggression task was preceded by a visual presentation of alcoholic, but not nonalcoholic beverage, images. We concluded that alcohol‐related aggression scripts are not strongly developed in this age group, but individual differences in script strength are linked to alcohol‐related laboratory aggression. Aggr. Behav. 37:430–439, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
“It looks after me”: How older patients make decisions about analgesics for osteoarthritis
Authors: Milder Tamara Y. , Lipworth Wendy L. , Williams Kenneth M. , Ritchie Jan E. , Day Richard O. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the key motivators behind selection of analgesics (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], acetaminophen, and complementary medications [CMs]) by patients with osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsWe performed a qualitative study in which in‐depth semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 OA patients recruited from 4 general practices in Sydney, Australia. Patients were ages ≥65 years, and were currently taking or had recently taken an NSAID for OA.ResultsThree key themes emerged from the data: reliance, routine, and pill load. Patients were strongly reliant upon NSAIDs because they consistently satisfied their needs. By contrast, they were much less reliant upon acetaminophen because of uncertainty or skepticism about its effectiveness. They were not reliant upon CMs but were willing to take them indefinitely because they were perceived as being without risk. Many patients took an NSAID as well as CMs as part of a “daily routine.” By contrast, patients had difficulty developing a routine around using acetaminophen at the recommended maximum dose because of the implicit frequency of dosing required and an aversion to the associated “pill load.”ConclusionThe results highlight the importance of exploring the perceptions and preferences of patients with regard to analgesics for OA. Clinician advice regarding analgesia for OA should take account of the possible reliance of the patient upon an NSAID, their medicine routines, and their potential concern about the pill load associated, in particular, with acetaminophen.
Effect of oral vitamin C supplementation on serum uric acid: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Juraschek Stephen P. , Miller Edgar R. , Gelber Allan C. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effect of vitamin C supplementation on serum uric acid (SUA) by pooling the findings from published randomized controlled trials (RCTs).MethodsA total of 2,082 publications identified through systematic search were subjected to the following inclusion criteria: 1) RCTs conducted on human subjects, 2) reported end‐trial SUA means and variance, 3) study design with oral vitamin C supplementation and concurrent control groups, and 4) trial duration of at least 1 week. Trials that enrolled children or patients receiving dialysis were excluded. Two investigators independently abstracted trial and participant characteristics. SUA effects were pooled by random‐effects models and weighted by inverse variance.ResultsThirteen RCTs were identified in the Medline, EMBase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases. The total number of participants was 556, the median dosage of vitamin C was 500 mg/day, trial size ranged from 8–184 participants, and the median study duration was 30 days. Pretreatment SUA values ranged from 2.9–7.0 mg/dl (Système International d'Unités [SI units]: 172.5–416.4 μmoles/liter). The combined effect of these trials was a significant reduction in SUA of −0.35 mg/dl (95% confidence interval −0.66, −0.03 [P = 0.032]; SI units: −20.8 μmoles/liter). Trial heterogeneity was significant (I2 = 77%, P < 0.01). Subgroup analyses based on trial characteristics indicated larger reductions in uric acid in trials that were placebo controlled.ConclusionsIn aggregate, vitamin C supplementation significantly lowered SUA. Future trials are needed to determine whether vitamin C supplementation can reduce hyperuricemia or prevent incident and recurrent gout.
Dual‐Gate Thin‐Film Transistors, Integrated Circuits and Sensors
Authors: Spijkman Mark‐Jan , Myny Kris , Smits Edsger C. P. , Heremans Paul , Blom Paul W. M. , de Leeuw Dago M. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe first dual‐gate thin‐film transistor (DGTFT) was reported in 1981 with CdSe as the semiconductor. Other TFT technologies such as a‐Si:H and organic semiconductors have led to additional ways of making DGTFTs. DGTFTs contain a second gate dielectric with a second gate positioned opposite of the first gate. The main advantage is that the threshold voltage can be set as a function of the applied second gate bias. The shift depends on the ratio of the capacitances of the two gate dielectrics. Here we review the fast growing field of DGTFTs. We summarize the reported operational mechanisms, and the application in logic gates and integrated circuits. The second emerging application of DGTFTs is sensitivity enhancement of existing ion‐sensitive field‐effect transistors (ISFET). The reported sensing mechanism is discussed and an outlook is presented.
Metal‐Free Efficient, General and Facile Iododecarboxylation Method with Biodegradable Co‐Products
Authors: Kulbitski Kseniya , Nisnevich Gennady , Gandelman Mark 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe development of a novel, efficient and robust method for the general conversion of aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids to organic iodides without the use of heavy metals or strong oxidizing agents is reported. Commercially available N‐iodoamides were used for both initiation and halogen donation under irradiative conditions. Isolation of the product is extremely simple and the major co‐product is removed as a water‐soluble biodegradable material.
High Performance Organic Photovoltaic Cells Using Polymer‐Hybridized ZnO Nanocrystals as a Cathode Interlayer
Authors: Jo Sae Byeok , Lee Ji Hwang , Sim Myungsun , Kim Min , Park Jong Hwan , Choi Yeong Suk , Kim Yungi , Ihn Soo‐Ghang , Cho Kilwon 
Published: June 2011

AbstractSolution‐processed zinc oxide nanocrystals (ZnO NCs) hybridized with insulating poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) are introduced as a cathode interlayer in bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic cells based on poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT):(6,6)‐phenyl‐C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM) blends. The performance of devices with ZnO‐PEG interlayers exhibit an excellent maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.4% with a fill factor (FF) of 0.69 under optimized conditions. This enhanced device performance is attributed to decreased series resistance from the hole blocking properties of ZnO, as well as the facilitated electron transport due to the reduced area of ZnO domain boundaries upon addition of PEG. The addition of PEG also lowers the electron affinity of ZnO, which leads to a nearly Ohmic contact at the polymer/metal interface. Moreover, the ZnO‐PEG interlayer serves as an optical spacer that enhances light absorption and thereby increases the photocurrent. The addition of PEG permits control over layer thickness and refractive indices. Improved photon energy absorption is supported by optical simulations. Devices with highly stable metals such as Ag and Au also show dramatically enhanced performance comparable to conventional devices with Al cathode. Due to its simplicity and excellent characteristics, this multifunctional interlayer is suitable for high performance printed photovoltaic cells.
Perylene Sensitization of Fullerenes for Improved Performance in Organic Photovoltaics
Authors: Hesse Holger C. , Weickert Jonas , Hundschell Christian , Feng Xinliang , Müllen Klaus , Nickel Bert , Mozer Attila J. , Schmidt‐Mende Lukas 
Published: June 2011

AbstractWe present the addition of an energy relay dye to fullerenes resulting in increased light harvesting and significantly improved power conversion efficiency for organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices. Although exhibiting excellent properties as electron acceptors, visible light absorption of fullerenes is limited. Strongly light absorbing donor materials are needed for efficient light harvesting in the thin active layer of OPV devices. Therefore, photocurrent generation and thus power conversion efficiency of this type of solar cell is confined by the overlap of the relatively narrow absorption band of commonly used donor molecules with the solar spectrum. Herein the concept of fullerene dye sensitization is presented, which allows increased light harvesting on the electron acceptor side of the heterojunction. The concept is exemplarily shown for an UV absorbing small molecule and a near infrared absorbing polymer, namely hexa‐peri‐hexabenzocoronene (HBC) and Poly[2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole‐4,7‐diyl[4,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b:3,4‐b']dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl]] (PCPDTBT), respectively. In both systems remarkably higher power conversion efficiency is achieved via perylene sensitization of the fullerene acceptor. Steady state photoluminescence, transient absorption and transient photocurrent decay studies reveal pathways of the additionally generated excited states at the sensitizer molecule. The findings suggest fluorescence resonance energy transfer from the photo‐excited dye to the fullerene enabling decoupling of light absorption and charge transport. The presented sensitization method is proposed as a viable new concept for performance enhancement in organic photovoltaic devices.