bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IPM‐CPR for peaches: incorporating behaviorally‐based methods to manage Halyomorpha halys and key pests in peach
Authors: Blaauw Brett R , Polk Dean , Nielsen Anne L
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUND

The invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), has emerged as a key pest in mid‐Atlantic peach production. Current management of H. halys has disrupted IPM programs by relying exclusively on frequent, repeated, season‐long insecticide applications. We developed a behaviorally‐based tactic termed IPM‐CPR (Crop Perimeter Restructuring) that utilizes border sprays for H. halys, groundcover management for Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) (Hemiptera: Miridae) and mating disruption for Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).

RESULTS

IPM‐CPR reduced insecticide usage by 25–61%. Generally there was less, and at times significantly less, catfacing injury (attributable to H. halys) in peaches in the IPM‐CPR blocks relative to the standard, and minimal differences in injury due to G. molesta or L. lineolaris. These results suggest that perimeter applications of insecticides exploit the border‐arrestment behavior of H. halys by controlling them at the orchard edge, reducing damage throughout the block.

CONCLUSION

IPM‐CPR significantly reduces the area managed by growers for control of H. halys, while simultaneously managing key pests at levels equal to current grower standard practices. This approach brings IPM tactics back into the orchard system after disruption by the invasive H. halys and potentially supports beneficial insects. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
An overview of systems for CT‐ and MRI‐guided percutaneous needle placement in the thorax and abdomen
Authors: Arnolli Maarten M. , Hanumara Nevan C. , Franken Michel , Brouwer Dannis M. , Broeders Ivo A. M. J.
Published: December 2014

Background

Minimally invasive biopsies, drainages and therapies in the soft tissue organs of the thorax and abdomen are typically performed through a needle, which is inserted percutaneously to reach the target area. The conventional workflow for needle placement employs an iterative freehand technique. This article provides an overview of needle‐placement systems developed to improve this method.

Methods

An overview of systems for needle placement was assembled, including those found in scientific publications and patents, as well as those that are commercially available. The systems are categorized by function and tabulated.

Results

Over 40 systems were identified, ranging from simple passive aids to fully actuated robots.

Conclusions

The overview shows a wide variety of developed systems with growing complexity. However, given that only a few systems have reached commercial availability, it is clear that the technical community is struggling to develop solutions that are adopted clinically. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of putative lipase and wax ester synthase/acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase gene knockouts on triacylglycerol accumulation in Gordonia sp. KTR9
Authors: Indest Karl J , Eberly Jed O , Ringelberg David B , Hancock Dawn E
Published: December 2014

Previously, we demonstrated triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation and the in vivo ability to catalyze esters from exogenous short chain alcohol sources in Gordonia sp. strain KTR9. In this study, we investigated the effects that putative lipase (KTR9_0186) and wax ester synthase/acyl-CoA:diacylglycerol acyltransferase (WS/DGAT; KTR9_3844) gene knockouts had on TAG accumulation. Gene disruption of KTR9_0186 resulted in a twofold increase in TAG content in nitrogen starved cells. Lipase mutants subjected to carbon starvation, following nitrogen starvation, retained 75 % more TAGs and retained pigmentation. Transcriptome expression data confirmed the deletion of KTR9_0186 and identified the up-regulation of key genes involved in fatty acid degradation, a likely compensatory mechanism for reduced TAG mobilization. In vitro assays with purified KTR9_3844 demonstrated WS/DGAT activity with short chain alcohols and C16 and C18 fatty acid Co-As. Collectively, these results indicate that Gordonia sp. KTR9 has a suitable tractable genetic background for TAG production as well as the enzymatic capacity to catalyze fatty acid esters from short chain alcohols.
Epidemiologic Dynamics Contributing to Pediatric Wrist Fractures in the United States
Authors: Shah Neil S. , Buzas David , Zinberg Ephraim M.
Published: December 2014

Background

The purpose of this study was to explore and evaluate national trends and factors contributing to pediatric wrist fractures.

Methods

Over a 16-year period from January 1998 to December 2013, we identified and reviewed patients aged 0–17 years old with the primary diagnosis of wrist fracture, as evaluated in US EDs and chronicled by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. We conducted descriptive epidemiologic, bivariate, and chi-square analyses. Patients were categorized into age-defined subgroups and further stratified by sex, race, location, and consumer product/activity associated with injury.

Results

There were 53,265 children evaluated in NEISS EDs (national estimate, 1,908,904) with wrist fractures from 1998 to 2013. Mean age was 10.9 years, with 64 % males and 36 % females. The most common locations of injury were place of recreation/sports, home, and school. The top five consumer-product-related injuries were associated with bicycles, football, playground activities, basketball, and soccer. The highest subgroup associations were with beds (0–12 months), stairs (13–36 months), playgrounds (3–5 and 6–10 years), and football (11–17 years). The greatest increase in fractures occurred between ages 0–12 and 13–36 months, with the second-largest increase between ages 3–5 and 6–10.

Conclusions

It is essential to develop injury prevention and safety strategies as well as identify individual risk factors for fracture, including activity, sex, and key age transitions. Surveillance is imperative to advance our understanding of these fractures, and in the future may facilitate development of research prediction tools to anticipate or prevent injury.
Use of Cottonseed Meal for Producing Eicosapentaenoic Acid by Pythium irregulare
Authors: Liu Feixiang , Cao Ganggang , Guan Zhengbing , Liao Xiangru , Cai Yujie
Published: December 2014

Cottonseed meal (CSM), a common agricultural by‐product, was used as a nutrient source for the production of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) by Pythium irregulare. CSM can support good cell growth performance, as can yeast extract (YE). In terms of the maximum EPA content and EPA yield, CSM is superior to YE. Low concentrations of CSM are beneficial to lipid synthesis, and high concentrations favor the EPA content. Utilizing response surface methodology (RSM) analysis, the optimum contents of glucose and CSM in the fermentation medium were determined to be 40.2 and 16.1 g/l, respectively. After 6 days of fermentation at 25 °C and optimal conditions, the EPA yield and productivity were 245.3 and 40.9 mg/l day, respectively. Particle size of CSM was found to affect the EPA production, and a finely ground CSM (100 mesh) was determined to be best for EPA production. The variation in the fatty acid content of total fatty acid (TFA) indicates that EPA was synthesized through the n‐6 route in P. irregulare and Δ12 desaturase was the key enzyme for EPA biosynthesis. Sodium carbonate was determined to be notably good at removing free gossypol attached to biomass. After fungal biomass from each flask had been harvested from Na2CO3‐supplemented medium, 1 % (w/v) Na2CO3 solution was used to wash the mycelia three times; free gossypol (FG) was not detected (detection limit 0.0018 %). This work provides a new approach using cottonseed meal to produce EPA through fungal fermentation.
Klinik und Genetik der Ichthyosen
Authors: Fischer Judith , Traupe Heiko
Published: December 2014

Ichthyosen gehören zu einer klinisch und genetisch heterogenen Gruppe von Erkrankungen, die durch generalisierte Schuppung und/oder Hyperkeratosen der Haut charakterisiert sind. Seit der überwiegend klinisch orientierten Konsensus-Klassifikation von Sorèze werden diese Verhornungsstörungen als „Mendelian disorders of cornification“ (MEDOC) zusammengefasst und in syndromale sowie nichtsyndromale Ichthyosen unterteilt. Abgesehen von seltenen erworbenen Fällen liegen den Ichthyosen Gendefekte zugrunde, deren Genprodukte an der Differenzierung und der Barrierefunktion der Epidermis beteiligt sind. Zurzeit sind Mutationen in etwa 40 verschiedenen Genen bekannt, die zu den unterschiedlichen Formen der Ichthyosen führen können. Damit kann in etwa 80–90 % der Fälle die Diagnose molekulargenetisch gesichert werden. Die genetischen Ursachen der übrigen 10–20 % sind noch ungeklärt. Ein Großteil der bislang noch unklaren Krankheitsursachen wird sicherlich in den nächsten Jahren dank neuer Technologien wie der Exom-Sequenzierung entschlüsselt werden.
Building a National Model of Public Mental Health Preparedness and Community Resilience: Validation of a Dual-Intervention, Systems-Based Approach
Authors: McCabe O. Lee , Semon Natalie L. , Thompson Carol B. , Lating Jeffrey M. , Everly George S. , Perry Charlene J. , Moore Suzanne Straub , Mosley Adrian M. , Links Jonathan M.
Published: December 2014

Objective

Working within a series of partnerships among an academic health center, local health departments (LHDs), and faith-based organizations (FBOs), we validated companion interventions to address community mental health planning and response challenges in public health emergency preparedness.

Methods

We implemented the project within the framework of an enhanced logic model and employed a multi-cohort, pre-test/post-test design to assess the outcomes of 1-day workshops in psychological first aid (PFA) and guided preparedness planning (GPP). The workshops were delivered to urban and rural communities in eastern and midwestern regions of the United States. Intervention effectiveness was based on changes in relevant knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) and on several behavioral indexes.

Results

Significant improvements were observed in self-reported and objectively measured KSAs across all cohorts. Additionally, GPP teams proved capable of producing quality drafts of basic community disaster plans in 1 day, and PFA trainees confirmed upon follow-up that their training proved useful in real-world trauma contexts. We documented examples of policy and practice changes at the levels of local and state health departments.

Conclusions

Given appropriate guidance, LHDs and FBOs can implement an effective and potentially scalable model for promoting disaster mental health preparedness and community resilience, with implications for positive translational impact.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;8:511-526)
Frog in the Pond: Gökçeada (Imbros), an Aegean Stepping-stone in the Chalcolithic use ofSpondylusShell
Authors: Baysal Emma , Erdoğu Burçin
Published: December 2014

The use of marine shells in the manufacture of bracelets and beads is a well-attested phenomenon of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods of Western Anatolia, the Aegean, and the Balkans. The site of Gökçeada-Uğurlu, located on an island in the Aegean between mainland Europe and Anatolia, shows evidence for the manufacture and use of bracelets and beads from Spondylus and Glycymeris shell. This use of personal ornamentation ties the site into one of the widest material culture production and trade networks of the prehistoric period. This article explores the possible role of, and influences on, an island site within the wider context of long-distance exchange. The life history of shell products is investigated, showing that a bracelet may have gone through processes of transformation in order to remain in use. The article also questions whether there was a relationship between the use of marine shell and white marble from which similar products were manufactured in contemporary contexts. In its conclusions the article addresses the value of materials and of the personal ornaments they were used to make.
A Theory of Minority and Majority Governments
Authors: Kalandrakis Tasos
Published: December 2014

I develop a theory of the emergence of minority and majority governments in multiparty parliamentary systems. I study a general bargaining environment with a policy space of arbitrary finite dimension, any number of political parties, and a general class of preferences over the government agreement space. I find that only majority governments form in the absence of significant political disagreement. However, I show that, except for knife-edge situations, minority government are formed with positive probability when parties represented in parliament are sufficiently ideologically polarized.
Inverse mirror plasma experimental device (IMPED) – a magnetized linear plasma device for wave studies
Authors: Bose Sayak , Chattopadhyay P. K. , Ghosh J. , Sengupta S. , Saxena Y. C. , Pal R.
Published: December 2014

In a quasineutral plasma, electrons undergo collective oscillations, known as plasma oscillations, when perturbed locally. The oscillations propagate due to finite temperature effects. However, the wave can lose the phase coherence between constituting oscillators in an inhomogeneous plasma (phase mixing) because of the dependence of plasma oscillation frequency on plasma density. The longitudinal electric field associated with the wave may be used to accelerate electrons to high energies by exciting large amplitude wave. However when the maximum amplitude of the wave is reached that plasma can sustain, the wave breaks. The phenomena of wave breaking and phase mixing have applications in plasma heating and particle acceleration. For detailed experimental investigation of these phenomena a new device, inverse mirror plasma experimental device (IMPED), has been designed and fabricated. The detailed considerations taken before designing the device, so that different aspects of these phenomena can be studied in a controlled manner, are described. Specifications of different components of the IMPED machine and their flexibility aspects in upgrading, if necessary, are discussed. Initial results meeting the prerequisite condition of the plasma for such study, such as a quiescent, collisionless and uniform plasma, are presented. The machine produces δnnoise/n⩽ 1%,Luniform~ 120 cm at argon filling pressure of ~10−4mbar and axial magnetic field ofB= 1090 G.
Pollination ecology and circadian patterns of inflorescence opening of the Madagascan climberDalechampiaaff.bernieri(Euphorbiaceae)
Authors: Plebani Marco , Imanizabayo Olive , Hansen Dennis M. , Armbruster W. Scott
Published: December 2014

Floral morphology often directly influences interactions with pollinators, but less is known about the role of extrafloral structures. We studied the relationship between bract motility, floral structural specialization and pollination inDalechampiaaff.bernieri, an endemic Madagascan species with floral structures indicating specialized buzz-pollination. We measured circadian bract angles in 47 inflorescences from 11 plants ofD.aff.bernieri; in addition, we recorded any flower-visiting insects observed. The inflorescences had motile bracts with mean angles varying from ~50° at 00h00 to ~90° at 10h45. They were visited by buzz-pollinatingNomia viridilimbatabees (Halictidae), but also by non-buzz-pollinatingLiotrigonabees (Apidae). The temporal pattern of bract motility observed inD.aff.bernierimay represent an extra-floral specialization to reduce visitation by non-pollinating visitors while maximizing visitation by diurnal buzz-pollinating bees.
Principes locaux-globaux pour certaines fibrations en torseurs sous un tore
Authors: SMEETS ARNE
Published: December 2014

Letkbe a number field andTak-torus. Consider a family of torsors underT, i.e. a morphismf:X→ ℙ1kfrom a projective, smoothk-varietyXto ℙ1k, the generic fibreXη→ η of which is a smooth compactification of a principal homogeneous space underT⊗kη. We study the Brauer–Manin obstruction to the Hasse principle and to weak approximation forX, assuming Schinzel's hypothesis. We generalise Wei's recent results [21]. Our results are unconditional ifk=Qand all non-split fibres offare defined overQ. We also establish an unconditional analogue of our main result for zero-cycles of degree 1.
A cluster ofRickettsia rickettsiiinfection at an animal shelter in an urban area of Brazil
Authors: ROZENTAL T. , FERREIRA M. S. , GOMES R. , COSTA C. M. , BARBOSA P. R. A. , BEZERRA I. O. , GARCIA M. H. O. , OLIVEIRA E CRUZ D. M. , GALLIEZ R. , OLIVEIRA S. , BRASIL P. , REZENDE T. , DE LEMOS E. R. S.
Published: December 2014

Rickettsia rickettsiiinfection is being increasingly recognized as an important cause of fatal acute illness in Brazil, where this tick-borne disease is designated Brazilian spotted fever (BSF). In this study we report five fatal cases of BSF in employees of an animal shelter in an urban area in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro in southeast Brazil after a natural disaster on 11 January 2011. Four of the cases occurred from 27 January to 11 April 2011, while the fifth fatal case was identified in April 2012. Three cases were confirmed by molecular analysis and two by epidemiological linkage. An investigation of BSF was performed in the animal shelter, and blood samples were collected from 115 employees and 117 randomly selected dogs. The presence of high levels (1024–4096) of antibodies against spotted fever group rickettsiae was found in three (2·6%) employees and 114 (97·5%) dogs. These findings emphasize the need to consider BSF as a possible cause of undifferentiated febrile illness, especially dengue and leptospirosis, in patients occupationally exposed to dogs heavily infested by ticks, mainly working at kennels and animal shelters that have inadequate space for the animals housed and frequently providing an environment conducive to exposure to pathogens such asR. rickettsii.
Psychosocial mediators of physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption in the Faith, Activity, and Nutrition programme
Authors: Baruth Meghan , Wilcox Sara
Published: December 2014

Objective

Performing and publishing mediator analyses, whether significant or null, provides insight into where research efforts should focus and will assist in developing effective and powerful behaviour change interventions. The present study examined whether self-efficacy, social support and church support mediated changes in leisure-time physical activity (PA) and fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption in a faith-based intervention.

Design

A 15-month PA and F&V intervention, guided by the structural ecological model, targeted the social, cultural and policy influences within the church. Outcomes and mediators were measured at baseline and follow-up. Data were collected from 2007 to 2011. MacKinnon’s product of coefficients tested for mediation.

Setting

Sixty-eight African Methodist Episcopal churches in South Carolina, USA.

Subjects

Five hundred and eighty-two (PA) and 588 (F&V) church members.

Results

Despite the significant increases in PA and F&V consumption, none of the hypothesized mediators were significant mediators of change in PA or F&V consumption. When examining each path of the mediation model, the intervention did not change any of the hypothesized mediators. However, changes in some mediators were associated with changes in outcomes.

Conclusions

Although there was no significant mediation, the association between changes in mediators and changes in PA and/or F&V consumption suggest that these variables likely play some role in changing these behaviours. Future studies should consider mediation analyses a priori, putting careful thought into the types of measures used and the timing of those measures, while also being cognizant of participant and staff burden. Finding a balance will be fundamental in successfully understanding how interventions exert their effects.
Osseointegration of Ti–6Al–4V Alloy Implants with a Titanium Nitride Coating Produced by a PIRAC Nitriding Technique: A Long-Term Time Course Study in the Rat
Authors: Sovak Guy , Gotman Irena , Weiss Anna
Published: December 2014

This study examined bone tissue responses to Ti–6Al–4V alloy implants with a hard TiN coating applied by an original powder immersion reaction-assisted coating (PIRAC) nitriding method. Progression of implant fixation in the distal epiphysis and within the medullary cavity of the rat femur was evaluated between 3 days and 6 months postimplantation by scanning electron microscopy, oxytetracycline incorporation, and histochemistry. After 6 months, successful osseointegration was achieved in both epiphyseal and diaphyseal sites. Throughout, implant portions located within the epiphysis remained in close contact with bone trabeculae that gradually engulfed the implant forming a bone collar continuous with the trabecular network of the epiphysis. In the diaphysis, woven bone was first formed within the marrow cavity around the implant and later was replaced by a shell of compact bone around the implant. In general, higher osseointegration rates were measured for TiN-coated versus the uncoated implants, both in the epiphysis and in the diaphysis. In conclusion, our findings indicate an excellent long-term biocompatibility of TiN coatings applied by the PIRAC nitriding technique and superior osteoinductive ability in comparison with uncoated Ti–6Al–4V alloy. Such coatings can, therefore, be considered for improving the corrosion and wear resistance of titanium-based orthopedic implants.
Genetic diversity and establishment of a core collection of oil palm (Elaeis guineensisJacq.) based on molecular data
Authors: Arias Diana , González Maria , Romero Hernán
Published: December 2014

Understanding of genetic diversity and its distribution is essential for promoting the use of genetic resources. The development of core collections using molecular tools has been proposed as a strategy for increasing the economical use and conservation of genetic resources. In this study, we investigated the genetic variation among different geographical origins and potential entries that constituted a core collection of oil palm, using 29 microsatellite markers and by evaluating 788 oil palm accessions. Our results revealed important genetic diversity (HT= 0.759) between oil palm accessions from Angola and Cameroon, which exhibited a low coefficient of genetic differentiation between populations (GST= 0.022). However, the inclusion of oil palm accessions from Indonesia in the analysis resulted in a high coefficient of genetic differentiation between populations (GST= 0.251). We found that the combination of stratified sampling based on a sorting method and a heuristic algorithm was the most effective method for the development of an oil palm core collection set. Using this method, two core collections were identified. The first core collection, comprising 289 entries, contained 271 retained alleles in a sample representing 37% of the entire collection. The second one is a mini core collection, comprising 91 entries, that contained 271 retained alleles with a totalHevalue of 0.72 in a sample representing 11% of the entire collection. The information reported in this study will be of great interest to oil palm researchers because new strategies for breeding programmes can be developed based on these advances.
Cantor fractal-based printed slot antenna for dual-band wireless applications
Authors: Ali Jawad , Abdulkareem Seevan , Hammoodi Ali , Salim Ali , Yassen Mahmood , Hussan Mohammed , Al-Rizzo Hussain
Published: December 2014

Fractal geometries are attractive for antenna designers seeking antennas with compact size and multiband resonant behavior. This paper presents the design of a new microstrip-fed printed slot antenna for use in dual-band wireless applications. The slot structure of the proposed antenna is in the form of Cantor square fractal geometry of the second iteration. The slot structure has been etched on the ground plane of a substrate with relative permittivity of 4.4 and 1.6 mm in thickness. A parametric study is conducted to explore the effects of some geometrical parameters on the antenna performance. Results show that the antenna possesses a dual-band behavior with a wide range of resonant frequency ratio. In addition to the ease of fabrication and simple design procedure, the antenna offers desirable radiation characteristics. A prototype of the proposed antenna has been simulated, fabricated, and measured. The measured 10 dB return loss bandwidths for the lower and the upper resonant bands are 42% (2.35–3.61 GHz) and 20% (5.15–6.25 GHz), respectively. This makes the proposed antenna suitable to cover a number of operating bands of wireless systems (2.4 GHz-Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz ISM, 2.4/5.8 GHz-WLAN, 3.5 GHz-WiMAX, and 5.8 GHz-ITS).
Synthetic fossilization of soft biological tissues and their shape-preserving transformation into silica or electron-conductive replicas
Authors: Townson Jason L. , Lin Yu-Shen , Chou Stanley S. , Awad Yasmine H. , Coker Eric N. , Brinker C. Jeffrey , Kaehr Bryan
Published: December 2014

Structural preservation of complex biological systems from the subcellular to whole organism level in robust forms, enabling dissection and imaging while preserving 3D context, represents an enduring grand challenge in biology. Here we report a simple immersion method for structurally preserving intact organisms via conformal stabilization within silica. This self-limiting process, which we refer to as silica bioreplication, occurs by condensation of water-soluble silicic acid proximally to biomolecular interfaces throughout the organism. Conformal nanoscopic silicification of all biomolecular features imparts structural rigidity enabling the preservation of shape and nano-to-macroscale dimensional features upon drying to form a biocomposite and further high temperature oxidative calcination to form silica replicas or reductive pyrolysis to form electrically conductive carbon replicas of complete organisms. The simplicity and generalizability of this approach should facilitate efforts in biological preservation and analysis and could enable the development of new classes of biomimetic composite materials.
Mitotic catenation is monitored and resolved by a PKCε-regulated pathway
Authors: Brownlow Nicola , Pike Tanya , Zicha Daniel , Collinson Lucy , Parker Peter J.
Published: December 2014

Exit from mitosis is controlled by silencing of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). It is important that preceding exit, all sister chromatid pairs are correctly bioriented, and that residual catenation is resolved, permitting complete sister chromatid separation in the ensuing anaphase. Here we determine that the metaphase response to catenation in mammalian cells operates through PKCε. The PKCε-controlled pathway regulates exit from the SAC only when mitotic cells are challenged by retained catenation and this delayed exit is characterized by BubR1-high and Mad2-low kinetochores. In addition, we show that this pathway is necessary to facilitate resolution of retained catenanes in mitosis. When delayed by catenation in mitosis, inhibition of PKCε results in premature entry into anaphase with PICH-positive strands and chromosome bridging. These findings demonstrate the importance of PKCε-mediated regulation in protection from loss of chromosome integrity in cells failing to resolve catenation in G2.
Long-range ordered vorticity patterns in living tissue induced by cell division
Authors: Rossen Ninna S. , Tarp Jens M. , Mathiesen Joachim , Jensen Mogens H. , Oddershede Lene B.
Published: December 2014

In healthy blood vessels with a laminar blood flow, the endothelial cell division rate is low, only sufficient to replace apoptotic cells. The division rate significantly increases during embryonic development and under halted or turbulent flow. Cells in barrier tissue are connected and their motility is highly correlated. Here we investigate the long-range dynamics induced by cell division in an endothelial monolayer under non-flow conditions, mimicking the conditions during vessel formation or around blood clots. Cell divisions induce long-range, well-ordered vortex patterns extending several cell diameters away from the division site, in spite of the system’s low Reynolds number. Our experimental results are reproduced by a hydrodynamic continuum model simulating division as a local pressure increase corresponding to a local tension decrease. Such long-range physical communication may be crucial for embryonic development and for healing tissue, for instance around blood clots.
The Wyckoff positional order and polyhedral intergrowth in the M3B2- and M5B3-type boride precipitated in the Ni-based superalloys
Authors: Hu X. B. , Zhu Y. L. , Sheng N. C. , Ma X. L.
Published: December 2014

Ni-based single superalloys play a crucial role in the hottest parts of jet engines. However, due to the complex geometry and macro-segregation during the solidification process, the cast defect such as stray grains is inevitable. Therefore, the transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding which can join several small single crystalline castings together is gradually believed to be an effective method for improving the yields of production of the complex components. The melting point depressant element B is always added into the interlayer filler material. Consequently, borides including the M3B2 and M5B3 phase usually precipitate during the TLP bonding process. So a comprehensive knowledge of the fine structural characteristics of the borides is very critical for an accurate evaluation of the TLP bonding process. In this work, by means of the aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy, we show, at an atomic scale, the Wyckoff positional order phenomenon of the metal atoms in the unit cell of M3B2- and M5B3-type boride. Meanwhile, the defect along the (001) plane of the above two types of boride are determined to be the polyhedral intergrowth with complex configurations.
Modelling the Human Respiratory System: Approaches forin VitroSafety Testing and Drug Discovery
Authors: Prytherch Zoë , Bérubé Kelly
Published: December 2014

Respiratory research can be broken down into two main areas: (i) exposure to airborne substances (basic toxicology assessment); and (ii) respiratory diseases (understanding disease mechanisms and development of new therapeutics, including toxicological assessment). Both have suffered from inadequate and inaccurate models used to predict human toxicological end points. A growing need therefore exists for accurate in vitro models of the respiratory system, which accurately reflect the human lung situation in vivo. Advances in cell culture techniques and accessibility of human cells/tissues have resulted in the development of increasingly in vivo-like respiratory models. This chapter will focus on the development, advantages and disadvantages of these models and what the future holds for in vitro lung toxicology.
Utility of Human Stem Cells for Drug Discovery
Authors: Chintawar Satyan , Graf Martin , Cader Zameel
Published: December 2014

The pharmaceutical industry continues to struggle to deliver novel and innovative medicines to the market. One of the major challenges in deriving new therapeutics is to more accurately predict the safety and efficacy of the candidate molecule. The current paradigm of drug discovery has several limitations but perhaps the most conspicuous deficiency is the lack of human-based experimental models. The advent of human embryonic stem cells followed by the discovery of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells offers unprecedented opportunities for integrating human cellular assays in drug discovery and development. Human iPS cell lines of many diseases have been obtained and iPSC-derived disease affected cells have been utilised for proof-of-concept drug screens to assess efficacy or potential toxicology. The incorporation of iPSC technology thus provides an invaluable opportunity to reduce drug attrition during the process of drug development.
In Silico Solutions for Predicting Efficacy and Toxicity
Authors: Myatt Glenn J. , Cross Kevin P.
Published: December 2014

This chapter describes a variety of in silico methods that provide support for research decisions on efficacy and toxicity. It reviews the use of two-dimensional chemical structures and their associated biological data, including biological activity data generated from human cell lines, in computational methods and explains how the data is typically represented for import into these tools. Searching databases of historical information helps to answer precise research questions and common approaches to querying these databases based on both chemical structures as well as the associated data are outlined. In silico methods used to analyse the relationships between the biological and chemical data require the generation of molecular descriptors, which are then used in advanced data mining methods, such as clustering or decision trees. Encoding the relationships between the chemical structures and activity or toxicity as mathematical models enables the application of this historical experience to support both current and future research directions. Two case studies are used to illustrate how these approaches can be used to support regulatory decisions on impurities and how these approaches can be used to predict human-based adverse events.
Human Microdosing/Phase 0 Studies to Accelerate Drug Development
Authors: Garner R. Colin
Published: December 2014

Human microdosing Phase 0 studies are used to obtain key information in early drug development concerning a drug's pharmacokinetic and limited pharmacodynamic parameters. Developed as a method in the 2000s, microdosing has become part of the critical path of drug development. Microdosing studies can assist in drug candidate selection prior to going into expensive Phase I studies. This chapter provides a historical perspective of microdose studies, details the steps involved in conducting a successful microdose study and highlights the value of the ultrasensitive bioanalytical technology accelerator mass spectrometry in microdose study conduct. The scientific, regulatory, ethical and commercial aspects of microdosing are reviewed, together with where the method has most utility. On the basis that the best model for humans is human, the chapter explains why microdose studies should be undertaken at the expense of early in vitro and preclinical studies as being more relevant and predictive of a drug's ADME at therapeutic doses and thus provide a new paradigm for early drug development.
Mn(OAc)3-mediated phosphonation–lactonization of alkenoic acids: synthesis of phosphono-γ-butyrolactones
Authors: Gao Yuzhen , Li Xueqin , Xu Jian , Wu Yile , Chen Weizhu , Tang Guo , Zhao Yufen
Published: December 2014

A new, general method for the synthesis of phosphono-γ-butyrolactones has been achieved through Mn(OAc)3-mediated radical oxidative phosphonation and lactonization of alkenoic acids withH-phosphonates andH-phosphine oxide.
Synthesis of poly(dihydroxystyrene-block-styrene) (PDHSt-b-PSt) by the RAFT process and preparation of organic-solvent-dispersive Ag NPs by automatic reduction of metal ions in the presence of PDHSt-b-PSt
Authors: Saito Yuta , Yabu Hiroshi
Published: December 2014

We proposed a block copolymer PDHSt-b-PSt, that contains catechol groups in side chains of PDHSt moieties. The block copolymer was used as a reductant to synthesize organic-solvent-dispersive Ag NPs.
Insight into luminescence enhancement of coordinated water-containing lanthanide metal–organic frameworks by guest molecules
Authors: Wang Yanlong , Xue Zhenzhen , Sun Zhihao , Tan Chunhong , Wen Yuehong , Hu Shengmin , Zhu Qilong , Sheng Tianlu , Wu Xintao
Published: December 2014

The luminescence of novel metal–organic frameworks can be enhanced and reversibly modified by different guest molecules.
“De Colorando Auro” medieval colour surface treatment of silver gilded statuettes decorating the Holy Lady Shrine of Huy (13th century, Belgium)
Authors: Crabbé Amandine C. , Ceglia Andrea , Cerezo Jose , Wouters Helena J. M. , Mocuta Cristian , Terryn Herman , Vandendael Isabelle
Published: December 2014

Medieval chemical coloration revealed by XANES measurements on the silver gilded statuettes from the Holy Lady Shrine, 13th century. It is from the Holy Lady collegiate church in Huy, Belgium.
Abnormal levels of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2B1 (hnRNPA2B1) in tumour tissue and blood samples from patients diagnosed with lung cancer
Authors: Dowling Paul , Pollard Damian , Larkin AnneMarie , Henry Michael , Meleady Paula , Gately Kathy , O'Byrne Kenneth , Barr Martin P. , Lynch Vincent , Ballot Jo , Crown John , Moriarty Michael , O'Brien Emmet , Morgan Ross , Clynes Martin
Published: December 2014

Role of hnRNPA2B1 in lung cancer.
Quantitative proteomic analysis reveals heat stress-induced injury in rat small intestine via activation of the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways
Authors: He Shasha , Hou Xiaolin , Xu Xiaolong , Wan Changrong , Yin Peng , Liu Xiaoxi , Chen Yuping , Shu Banchao , Liu Fenghua , Xu Jianqin
Published: December 2014

We employed comparative proteomics to reveal a heat stress-induced injury mechanism in rat small intestine.
Relating Caco-2 permeability to molecular properties using block relevance analysis
Authors: Potter T. , Ermondi G. , Newbury G. , Caron G.
Published: December 2014

New insights into physicochemical drivers for Caco-2 permeability have been gained using a modelling technique known as block relevance analysis.
The functionalization of nanodiamonds (diamondoids) as a key parameter of their easily controlled self-assembly in micro- and nanocrystals from the vapor phase
Authors: Gunawan Maria A. , Poinsot Didier , Domenichini Bruno , Dirand Céline , Chevalier Sébastien , Fokin Andrey A. , Schreiner Peter R. , Hierso Jean-Cyrille
Published: December 2014

Mild vapor deposition of functionalized nanodiamonds produces self-assemblies with controlled shapes and structures from the nano- to the micrometer scale.
Epidermal growth factor receptor-targeted lipid nanoparticles retain self-assembled nanostructures and provide high specificity
Authors: Zhai Jiali , Scoble Judith A. , Li Nan , Lovrecz George , Waddington Lynne J. , Tran Nhiem , Muir Benjamin W. , Coia Gregory , Kirby Nigel , Drummond Calum J. , Mulet Xavier
Published: December 2014

Lyotropic liquid crystalline lipid nanoparticles demonstrate high bioconjugation efficiency with therapeutic antibody fragments for targeted drug delivery.
A single-cell correlative nanoelectromechanosensing approach to detect cancerous transformation: monitoring the function of F-actin microfilaments in the modulation of the ion channel activity
Authors: Abdolahad Mohammad , Saeidi Ali , Janmaleki Mohsen , Mashinchian Omid , Taghinejad Mohammad , Taghinejad Hossein , Azimi Soheil , Mahmoudi Morteza , Mohajerzadeh Shams
Published: December 2014

A SiNT combined with a micropipette resulted in a cancer diagnostic technique based on electromechanical correlation.
Synthesis and photophysical properties of new catenated electron donor–acceptor materials with magnesium and free base porphyrins as donors and C60as the acceptor
Authors: Kirner Sabrina V. , Guldi Dirk M. , Megiatto, Jr. Jackson D. , Schuster David I.
Published: December 2014

Nanoscale electron donor–acceptor systems with [2]catenane architectures, with magnesium porphyrin (MgP) or free base porphyrin (H2P) as electron donor and C60as electron acceptor, have been investigated.
Edge reconstruction-mediated graphene fracture
Authors: Zhang Ziang , Kutana Alex , Yakobson Boris I.
Published: December 2014

During graphene fracture under uniaxial load, fully reconstructed zigzag edges can form through sequential atomic rearrangements at the crack tip.
α-Tocopherol derived lipid dimers as efficient gene transfection agents. Mechanistic insights into lipoplex internalization and therapeutic induction of apoptotic activity
Authors: Kumar Krishan , Maiti Bappa , Kondaiah Paturu , Bhattacharya Santanu
Published: December 2014

Dimeric cationic tocopheryl lipids for efficacious therapeutic pDNA delivery in cancer cell lines.
Uncovering new structural insights for antimalarial activity from cost-effective aculeatin-like derivatives
Authors: Winkler Matthias , Maynadier Marjorie , Wein Sharon , Lespinasse Marie-Ange , Boumis Giovanna , Miele Adriana E. , Vial Henri , Wong Yung-Sing
Published: December 2014

An expedient synthesis of aculeatin-like analogues results in finding PfTrxR as putative cellular target and a promising new antimalarial chemotype.
Graphene-based photocatalysts for oxygen evolution from water
Authors: Pan H. , Zhu S. , Lou X. , Mao L. , Lin J. , Tian F. , Zhang D.
Published: December 2014

Recent achievements of GR-based photocatalysts for oxygen evolution from water are summarized with perspectives on major challenges and opportunities.
Catalytic pretreatment of biochar residues derived from lignocellulosic feedstock for equilibrium studies of manganese, Mn(ii) cations from aqueous solution
Authors: Chowdhury Zaira Zaman , Hasan Md. Rakibul , Abd Hamid Sharifah Bee , Marlina Samsudin Emy , Zain Sharifuddin Mohd. , Khalid Khalisanni
Published: December 2014

In this research, activated biochar has been produced by a base catalytic approach for removal of Mn(ii) cations from waste water.
The growth behavior of graphene on iron-trichloride-solution-soaked copper substrates in a low pressure chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Li Quanfu , Liu Weihua , Qu Tuo , Zhang Juan , Li Xin , Wang Qikun , Wang Xiaoli
Published: December 2014

A copper substrate soaking-treatment with FeCl3 solution is introduced to significantly reduce the initial graphene nucleation density (up to 6-fold from 0.29 to 0.05 μm−2), and the overall graphene coverage increase-rate is successfully increased.
Robust and antireflective superhydrophobic surfaces prepared by CVD of cured polydimethylsiloxane with candle soot as a template
Authors: Liu Xiaojiang , Xu Yang , Chen Zao , Ben Keyang , Guan Zisheng
Published: December 2014

Taking candle soot as a template, cured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is firstly used for CVD at a high temperature in air to create robust and antireflective superhydrophobic surfaces.
Continuous flow photooxygenation of monoterpenes
Authors: Park Chan Yi , Kim Young Joon , Lim Hyo Jin , Park Jeong Hyeon , Kim Mi Jin , Seo Seung Woo , Park Chan Pil
Published: December 2014

Two complementary technologies for the photooxygenation of monoterpenes were developed.
Electrostatically-induced trajectory switching system on a multi-inlet-multi-outlet superhydrophobic droplet guiding track
Authors: Lee Soonil , Lee Seulah , Kim Dayeong , Seo Jungmok , Mahata Chandreswar , Hwang Hyunseok , Algadi Hassan , Al-Sayari Saleh , Chae Youngcheol , Lee Taeyoon
Published: December 2014

A multi-inlet-multi-outlet (MIMO) superhydrophobic droplet guiding track was demonstrated for water droplet manipulation using an electrostatic force-induced trajectory switching system.
ZnO homojunction UV photodetector based on solution-grown Sb-doped p-type ZnO nanorods and pure n-type ZnO nanorods
Authors: Dai Wen , Pan Xinhua , Chen Shanshan , Chen Cong , Chen Wei , Zhang Honghai , Ye Zhizhen
Published: December 2014

The p-type Sb-doped ZnO NRs act as one of promising candidates for electronic and optoelectronic devices in the future.
Nanomolar detection of Hcy, GSH and Cys in aqueous solution, test paper and living cells
Authors: Liu Xingjiang , Zhang Wenying , Li Chunxiao , Zhou Wan , Li Zhanxian , Yu Mingming , Wei Liuhe
Published: December 2014

Based on selective cleavage of naphthalimide-based fluorescent probes by biological thiols, a “turn-on” fluorescent probe toward thiols has been developed.
Effects of interfacial tension on formation of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-polystyrene micelles from emulsions
Authors: Su Mei , Wang Lulu , Zhang Guangyu , Huang Yan , Su Zhaohui
Published: December 2014

In this report, we show that the structure of an amphiphilic block copolymer assembled through the emulsion and solvent evaporation method can be regulated by tuning the interfacial tension with a third solvent.
Development of a new palladium catalyst supported on phenolic resin
Authors: Nishiwaki Nagatoshi , Hamada Sayaka , Watanabe Tomoe , Hirao Shotaro , Sawayama Jun , Asahara Haruyasu , Saigo Kazuhiko , Kamata Toru , Funabashi Masahiko
Published: December 2014

Palladium catalyst supported on phenolic resin: stable to oxygen and water, repeatedly usable, easily prepared and recovered from the reaction mixture and deformed on demand.
Tunable luminescence properties of the novel Tm3+- and Dy3+-codoped LiLa(MoO4)x(WO4)2−x phosphors for white light-emitting diodes
Authors: Li Linlin , Liu Yali , Li Ruiqing , Leng Zhihua , Gan Shucai
Published: December 2014

Tm3+ can transfer energy to Dy3+ efficiently, and with increase in MoO42− content, the chromaticity coordinates changed from the edge to the center of the white area.
What is the trigger mechanism for the reversal of electron flow in oxygen-tolerant [NiFe] hydrogenases?
Authors: Dance Ian
Published: December 2014

A new mechanistic model is developed for the sequence of events by which oxygen-tolerant [NiFe] hydrogenase enzymes respond to O2.
Shape-controlled orientation and assembly of colloids with sharp edges in nematic liquid crystals
Authors: Beller Daniel A. , Gharbi Mohamed A. , Liu Iris B.
Published: December 2014

Cylindrical and cubical colloidal particles pin nematic disclinations in unusual configurations, resulting in new shape-tunable and multistable colloidal behaviors.
A polymer in a crowded and confined space: effects of crowder size and poly-dispersity
Authors: Kim Juin , Jeon Chanil , Jeong Hawoong , Jung Youngkyun , Ha Bae-Yeun
Published: December 2014

Compaction of a chain molecule by molecular crowding in a confined space: mono-disperse (upper) and poly-disperse cases (lower). The two cases can map onto each other.
Fabrication of YxBi1−xVO4 solid solutions for efficient C2H4 photodegradation
Authors: Long Peiqing , Zhang Yaohong , Chen Xuxing , Yi Zhiguo
Published: December 2014

Remarkable C2H4 photo-oxidation was obtained upon solid solutions of yttrium doped bismuth vanadate by up-shifting the conduction band minimum.
Preparation and properties of a novel form-stable phase change material based on a gelator
Authors: Wu Dang , Wen Wen , Chen Sheng , Zhang Hailiang
Published: December 2014

Gelator/paraffin composites as a novel form-stable phase change material supported by a gelator network with high heat storage density and excellent thermal stability have been prepared.
Three-dimensional carbon nanotube/ethylvinylacetate/polyaniline as a high performance electrode for supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Zishou , Zhang Yangfan , Yang Kang , Yi Kongyang , Zhou Zihui , Huang Aiping , Mai Kancheng , Lu Xihong
Published: December 2014

In this work, an ultra-high stability polyaniline that retained 100% of its initial capacitance after 45 000 cycles was developed by designing and fabricating a ternary composite carbon nanotube/ethylvinylacetate/polyaniline (PANI/CNT/EVA) with a 3D co-continuous phase structure.
Tunable stellate mesoporous silica nanoparticles for intracellular drug delivery
Authors: Xiong Lin , Du Xin , Shi Bingyang , Bi Jingxiu , Kleitz Freddy , Qiao Shi Zhang
Published: December 2014

Tunable stellate mesoporous silica nanoparticles are functionalized with low molecular poly(ethylene imine) for efficient label-free intracellular drug delivery.
Enzymatic electrochemical glucose biosensors by mesoporous 1D hydroxyapatite-on-2D reduced graphene oxide
Authors: Bharath G. , Madhu Rajesh , Chen Shen-Ming , Veeramani Vediyappan , Balamurugan A. , Mangalaraj D. , Viswanathan C. , Ponpandian N.
Published: December 2014

A hydrothermally synthesized mesoporous 1D HAp-on-2D RGO sheets exhibiting direct electrochemistry of glucose biosensing.