bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optoelectronic properties of thiazole‐based polythiophenes
Authors: Camurlu Pinar , Guven Nese
Published: March 2015

In this work, two thiazole‐containing monomers N‐(thiazol‐2‐yl)−2‐(thiophen‐3‐yl)acetamide (ThDBTH) and N,N′‐([4,4′‐bithiazole]‐2,2′‐diyl)bis(2‐(thiophen‐3‐yl)acetamide) (Th2DBTH) were synthesized through amidification reaction of 2‐(thiophen‐3‐yl)acetyl chloride with aminothiazole derivatives and characterized by FTIR and 1H and 13C‐NMR. The monomers were subjected to electrochemical polymerization and optoelectronic properties of the resultant conducting polymers were investigated. Additionally, copolymerization of ThDBTH in the presence of thiophene was achieved. PThDBTH, PTh2DBTH, and P(ThDBTH‐Th) exhibited optical band gaps of 2.15, 2.30, and 1.95 eV, respectively. Switching time and optical contrast of the polymers were evaluated via kinetic studies. The P(ThDBTH‐Th) revealed satisfactory switching time and appropriate optical contrast of 1.27 s and 24.97%, respectively. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42206.
Biometallization‐Based Electrochemical Magnetoimmunosensing Strategy for Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Virus Particle Detection
Authors: Zhou Chuan‐Hua , Wu Zhen , Chen Jian‐Jun , Xiong Chaochao , Chen Ze , Pang Dai‐Wen , Zhang Zhi‐Ling
Published: March 2015

A highly sensitive electrochemical immunosensor for avian influenza A (H7N9) virus (H7N9 AIV) detection was proposed by using electrochemical magnetoimmunoassay coupled with biometallization and anodic stripping voltammetry. This strategy could accumulate the enzyme‐generated product on the surface of the magneto electrode by means of silver deposition, which amplified the detection signal about 80 times. The use of magnetic beads (MBs) and the magneto electrode could also amplify the detection signal. Furthermore, a bi‐electrode signal transduction system was introduced into this immunosensor, which is also beneficial to the immunoassay. A concentration as low as 0.011 ng mL−1 of H7N9 AIV could be detected in about 1.5 h with good specificity. This study not only provides a simple and sensitive approach for virus detection but also offers an effective signal enhancement strategy for the development of highly sensitive MB‐based electrochemical immunoassays.
Peripherally Hexasulfanylated Subporphyrins
Authors: Yoshida Kota , Osuka Atsuhiro
Published: March 2015

Peripherally hexachlorinated meso‐triphenyl subporphyrin 4 was prepared by chlorination of meso‐triphenyl subporphyrin 1 with N‐chlorosuccinimide and was effectively transformed to hexasulfanylated subporphyrins 5–8 via nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) reactions with the corresponding thiols under basic conditions. The structures of 5–8 have been all well characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. 1H NMR studies indicated that the meso‐phenyl substituents undergo restricted rotation for 5–8, while the β‐sulfanyl substituents are conformationally flexible in 5, 6, and 8, and are strictly regulated to an anti‐conformation in 7. Judging from the absorption spectra, the oxidation and reduction potentials, and the DFT calculations, the substituent effects decrease in the order of 5>6>7>8. Subporphyrin 8 effectively captures C60 in a 1:1 manner in [D8]toluene solution.
Comparing Motor Skills in Autism Spectrum Individuals With and Without Speech Delay
Authors: Barbeau Elise B. , Meilleur Andrée‐Anne S. , Zeffiro Thomas A. , Mottron Laurent
Published: March 2015

Movement atypicalities in speed, coordination, posture, and gait have been observed across the autism spectrum (AS) and atypicalities in coordination are more commonly observed in AS individuals without delayed speech (DSM‐IV Asperger) than in those with atypical or delayed speech onset. However, few studies have provided quantitative data to support these mostly clinical observations. Here, we compared perceptual and motor performance between 30 typically developing and AS individuals (21 with speech delay and 18 without speech delay) to examine the associations between limb movement control and atypical speech development. Groups were matched for age, intelligence, and sex. The experimental design included: an inspection time task, which measures visual processing speed; the Purdue Pegboard, which measures finger dexterity, bimanual performance, and hand‐eye coordination; the Annett Peg Moving Task, which measures unimanual goal‐directed arm movement; and a simple reaction time task. We used analysis of covariance to investigate group differences in task performance and linear regression models to explore potential associations between intelligence, language skills, simple reaction time, and visually guided movement performance. AS participants without speech delay performed slower than typical participants in the Purdue Pegboard subtests. AS participants without speech delay showed poorer bimanual coordination than those with speech delay. Visual processing speed was slightly faster in both AS groups than in the typical group. Altogether, these results suggest that AS individuals with and without speech delay differ in visually guided and visually triggered behavior and show that early language skills are associated with slower movement in simple and complex motor tasks. Autism Res 2015, 8: 682–693. © 2015 The Authors Autism Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Autism Research
Enantioselective Degradation of (2RS, 3RS)‐Paclobutrazol in Rat Liver Microsomes
Authors: Wu Shuchun , Yu Miao , Zhang Hu. , Han Jianzhong , Qian Mingrong
Published: March 2015

Paclobutrazol, with two stereogenic centers, but gives only (2R, 3R) and (2S, 3S)‐enantiomers because of steric‐hindrance effects, is an important plant growth regulator in agriculture and horticulture. Enantioselective degradation of paclobutrazol was investigated in rat liver microsomes in vitro. The degradation kinetics and the enantiomer fraction were determined using a Lux Cellulose‐1 chiral column on a reverse‐phase liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry system. The t1/2 of (2R, 3R)‐paclobutrazol is 18.60 min, while the t1/2 of (2S, 3S)‐paclobutrazol is 10.93 min. Such consequences clearly indicated that the degradation of paclobutrazol in rat liver microsomes was stereoselective and the degradation rate of (2S, 3S)‐paclobutrazol was much faster than (2R, 3R)‐paclobutrazol. In addition, significant differences between the two enantiomers were also observed in enzyme kinetic parameters. The Vmax of (2S, 3S)‐paclobutrazol was more than 2‐fold of (2R, 3R)‐paclobutrazol and the Clint of (2S, 3S)‐paclobutrazol was higher than that of (2R, 3R)‐paclobutrazol after incubation in rat liver microsomes. These results may have potential implications for better environmental and ecological risk assessment for paclobutrazol. Chirality 27:344–348, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Metformin reduces ovarian cancer risk in Taiwanese women with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tseng Chin‐Hsiao
Published: March 2015

Background

Whether metformin therapy affects ovarian cancer risk in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus has not been investigated.

Methods

Data analysis was performed in 2014. The reimbursement databases of Taiwanese female patients with a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus between 1998 and 2002 (n = 479 475) were retrieved from the National Health Insurance for follow‐up of ovarian cancer until the end of 2009. Metformin was treated as a time‐dependent variable; and of these patients, 286 106 were never‐users, and 193 369 were ever‐users. A time‐dependent approach was used to calculate ovarian cancer incidence and estimate hazard ratios by Cox regression for never‐users (as referent group), ever‐users and subgroups of metformin exposure (tertiles of cumulative duration and cumulative dose).

Results

During follow‐up, 601 metformin ever‐users and 2600 never‐users developed ovarian cancer, representing an incidence of 49.4 and 146.4 per 100 000 person‐years, respectively. The overall fully adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence intervals) for ever‐users versus never‐users was 0.658 (0.593–0.730). The fully adjusted hazard ratios for the first, second and third tertiles of cumulative duration of metformin therapy were 1.169 (1.019–1.341), 0.761 (0.644–0.898) and 0.276 (0.225–0.340), respectively (p trend < 0.01) and 1.220 (1.067–1.395), 0.610 (0.513–0.725) and 0.305 (0.248–0.374), respectively (p trend < 0.01), for a cumulative dose of metformin. In additional analyses, sulfonylureas but not the other antidiabetic drugs were associated with a reduced risk of ovarian cancer.

Conclusions

Metformin use is associated with a decreased risk of ovarian cancer. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Delayed Anticipatory Spoken Language Processing in Adults with Dyslexia—Evidence from Eye‐tracking
Authors: Huettig Falk , Brouwer Susanne
Published: March 2015

It is now well established that anticipation of upcoming input is a key characteristic of spoken language comprehension. It has also frequently been observed that literacy influences spoken language processing. Here, we investigated whether anticipatory spoken language processing is related to individuals' word reading abilities. Dutch adults with dyslexia and a control group participated in two eye‐tracking experiments. Experiment 1 was conducted to assess whether adults with dyslexia show the typical language‐mediated eye gaze patterns. Eye movements of both adults with and without dyslexia closely replicated earlier research: spoken language is used to direct attention to relevant objects in the environment in a closely time‐locked manner. In Experiment 2, participants received instructions (e.g., ‘Kijk naar deCOM afgebeelde pianoCOM’, look at the displayed piano) while viewing four objects. Articles (Dutch ‘het’ or ‘de’) were gender marked such that the article agreed in gender only with the target, and thus, participants could use gender information from the article to predict the target object. The adults with dyslexia anticipated the target objects but much later than the controls. Moreover, participants' word reading scores correlated positively with their anticipatory eye movements. We conclude by discussing the mechanisms by which reading abilities may influence predictive language processing. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Explaining forest productivity using tree functional traits and phylogenetic information: two sides of the same coin over evolutionary scale?
Authors: Paquette Alain , Joly Simon , Messier Christian
Published: March 2015

Given evidences that diverse ecosystems provide more services than depauperate ones, much attention has now turned toward finding meaningful and operational diversity indices. We ask two questions: (1) Does phylogenetic diversity contain additional information not explained by functional traits? And (2) What are the strength and nature of the correlation between phylogeny and functional traits according to the evolutionary scale considered? We used data from permanent forest plots of northeastern Canada for which these links have been demonstrated and important functional traits identified. We show that the nature of the relationship between traits and phylogeny varies dramatically among traits, but also according to the evolutionary distance considered. The demonstration that different characters show phylogenetic autocorrelation at different evolutionary depths suggests that phylogenetic content of traits may be too crude to determine whether phylogenies contain relevant information. However, our study provides support for the use of phylogenies to assess ecosystem functioning when key functional traits are unavailable. We also highlight a potentially important contribution of phylogenetics for conservation and the study of the impact of biodiversity loss on ecosystem functioning and the provision of services, given the accumulating evidence that mechanisms promoting diversity effects shift over time to involve different traits.
Clinical picture and risk prediction of short‐term mortality in cardiogenic shock
Authors: Harjola Veli‐Pekka , Lassus Johan , Sionis Alessandro , Køber Lars , Tarvasmäki Tuukka , Spinar Jindrich , Parissis John , Banaszewski Marek , Silva‐Cardoso Jose , Carubelli Valentina , Di Somma Salvatore , Tolppanen Heli , Zeymer Uwe , Thiele Holger , Nieminen Markku S , Mebazaa Alexandre ,   for the CardShock study investigators and the GREAT network
Published: March 2015

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical picture and outcome of cardiogenic shock and to develop a risk prediction score for short‐term mortality.

Methods and results

The CardShock study was a multicentre, prospective, observational study conducted between 2010 and 2012. Patients with either acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or non‐ACS aetiologies were enrolled within 6 h from detection of cardiogenic shock defined as severe hypotension with clinical signs of hypoperfusion and/or serum lactate >2 mmol/L despite fluid resuscitation (n = 219, mean age 67, 74% men). Data on clinical presentation, management, and biochemical variables were compared between different aetiologies of shock. Systolic blood pressure was on average 78 mmHg (standard deviation 14 mmHg) and mean arterial pressure 57 (11) mmHg. The most common cause (81%) was ACS (68% ST‐elevation myocardial infarction and 8% mechanical complications); 94% underwent coronary angiography, of which 89% PCI. Main non‐ACS aetiologies were severe chronic heart failure and valvular causes. In‐hospital mortality was 37% (n = 80). ACS aetiology, age, previous myocardial infarction, prior coronary artery bypass, confusion, low LVEF, and blood lactate levels were independently associated with increased mortality. The CardShock risk Score including these variables and estimated glomerular filtration rate predicted in‐hospital mortality well (area under the curve 0.85).

Conclusion

Although most commonly due to ACS, other causes account for one‐fifth of cases with shock. ACS is independently associated with in‐hospital mortality. The CardShock risk Score, consisting of seven common variables, easily stratifies risk of short‐term mortality. It might facilitate early decision‐making in intensive care or guide patient selection in clinical trials.

Trial registration

NCT01374867.
Effects of processing and storage conditions on charged metabolomic profiles in blood
Authors: Hirayama Akiyoshi , Sugimoto Masahiro , Suzuki Asako , Hatakeyama Yoko , Enomoto Ayame , Harada Sei , Soga Tomoyoshi , Tomita Masaru , Takebayashi Toru
Published: March 2015

The development of high‐throughput metabolite measurement technologies has enabled the use of metabolomics for epidemiologic studies by profiling metabolite concentrations in large cohorts of human blood samples. Standard protocols are necessary to obtain unbiased profiles through multiple runs over long periods of time and to allow reliable statistical analyses. This study assessed the effects of sampling procedures and storage conditions on the stability of metabolomic profiles in plasma and serum. Charged metabolomic profiles were determined by capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry (CE‐MS) and compared by multivariate analyses. The effects of pre‐analytical procedures, including times for clotting and incubation of serum and plasma, respectively; incubation temperatures; and number of freeze‐thaw cycles, were assessed. Overall, inter‐individual differences in profiles were larger than intra‐individual differences, and profiles in plasma showed better stability than those in serum. These quantified datasets of metabolites, along with their stability and variation, may help in interpreting data from long‐term cohort studies.
Impact of Taylor‐Aris diffusivity on analyte and system zone dispersion in CZE assessed by computer simulation and experimental validation
Authors: Caslavska Jitka , Mosher Richard A. , Thormann Wolfgang
Published: March 2015

Application of pressure‐driven laminar flow has an impact on zone and boundary dispersion in open tubular CE. The GENTRANS dynamic simulator for electrophoresis was extended with Taylor‐Aris diffusivity which accounts for dispersion due to the parabolic flow profile associated with pressure‐driven flow. Effective diffusivity of analyte and system zones as functions of the capillary diameter and the amount of flow in comparison to molecular diffusion alone were studied for configurations with concomitant action of imposed hydrodynamic flow and electroosmosis. For selected examples under realistic experimental conditions, simulation data are compared with those monitored experimentally using modular CE setups featuring both capacitively coupled contactless conductivity and UV absorbance detection along a 50 μm id fused‐silica capillary of 90 cm total length. The data presented indicate that inclusion of flow profile based Taylor‐Aris diffusivity provides realistic simulation data for analyte and system peaks, particularly those monitored in CE with conductivity detection.
Ovarian microcystic stromal tumor: A novel extracolonic tumor in familial adenomatous polyposis
Authors: Lee Sang Hun , Koh Young Wha , Roh Hyun Jin , Cha Hee Jeong , Kwon Yong‐Soon
Published: March 2015

Ovarian microcystic stromal tumor (MCST) is a very rare neoplasm; hence, its nomenclature was recently designated as “Distinctive morphologic and immunohistochemical features” in 2009. Its exact origin, etiological genetic alterations, and background are not yet clearly known. Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant disease that leads to development of colorectal polyps via germ‐line mutations of the APC gene on chromosome 5q21∼22. In this study, we report a 40‐year‐old female patient who had ovarian MCST and FAP. On sequencing the APC gene in ovarian MSCT, we detected a novel somatic mutation of the APC gene in exon 11, with a heterozygous deletion at nucleotide position c.1540delG (p.Ala514 Profs*9). Mutations of β‐catenin (CTNNB1) and FOXL2 were not detected. Although one case demonstrating involvement of Wnt/β‐catenin in ovarian MCST associated with FAP has been presented previously, no detailed information was provided. Thus, this is the ovarian MCST with a somatic mutation of APC in a patient with FAP. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MRI signatures of the frontotemporal lobar degeneration continuum
Authors: Agosta Federica , Galantucci Sebastiano , Magnani Giuseppe , Marcone Alessandra , Martinelli Daniele , Antonietta Volontè Maria , Riva Nilo , Iannaccone Sandro , Ferraro Pilar M. , Caso Francesca , Chiò Adriano , Comi Giancarlo , Falini Andrea , Filippi Massimo
Published: March 2015

Objective. To identify overlapping and unique grey (GM) and white matter (WM) signatures within the frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) continuum, and discriminate likely FTLD‐TAU and FTLD‐TDP patients using structural and diffusion tensor (DT) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods. T1‐weighted and DT MRI were collected from 121 subjects: 35 motor neuron disease (MND), 14 behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia, 12 semantic and 11 nonfluent primary progressive aphasia, 21 progressive supranuclear palsy syndrome patients, and 28 healthy controls. Patterns of GM atrophy were established using voxel‐based morphometry. Tract‐based spatial statistics was used to perform a WM voxelwise analysis of mean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy. Results. In all clinical FTLD phenotypes, the pattern of WM damage was more distributed than that of GM atrophy. All patient groups, with the exception of MND cases with a pure motor syndrome, shared a focal GM atrophy centered around the dorsolateral and medial frontal cortex and a largely overlapping pattern of WM damage involving the genu and body of the corpus callosum and ventral frontotemporal and dorsal frontoparietal WM pathways. Surrounding this common area, phenotype (symptom)‐specific GM and WM regions of damage were found in each group. Conclusions. In the FTLD spectrum, WM disruption is more severe than GM damage. Frontal cortex and WM pathways represent the common target of neurodegeneration in these conditions. The topographic pattern of damage supports a “prion‐like” protein propagation through WM connections as underlying mechanism of the stereotyped progression of FTLD. Hum Brain Mapp 36:2602–2614, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and Molecular Docking Studies of Novel 2‐Phenyl‐4‐Substituted Oxazole Derivatives as Potential Anti‐cancer Agents
Authors: El‐Nezhawy Ahmed O. H. , Eweas Ahmad Farouk , Radwan Mohamed A. A. , El‐Naggar Tarek B. A.
Published: March 2015

A novel series of 2,4‐disubstituted oxazole derivatives were synthesized, screened for their anti‐tumor activity against three cell lines MCF‐7, TK‐10, and UACC‐62. Molecular docking study was carried out against epidermal growth factor receptor. A new series of 2‐phenyl‐4‐substituted oxazole derivatives were synthesized. A series of chiral α‐amino acid derivatives 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 were synthesized by coupling various l‐acylated amino acid azide 3. The synthesized compounds were tested for their in vitro antitumor activity against MCF‐7, TK‐10, and UACC‐62 cell lines. Compound 6 exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity against TK cell lines, while compound 12 showed the highest activity against MCF‐7 cell lines. Compound 14 was the most active against UACC‐62 cell lines. Furthermore, a molecular docking study of the most active compounds was carried out using epidermal growth factor receptor X‐ray 3D structure (protein data bank ID 1 M17). Docking results revealed that compound 6 showed the highest binding energy of ΔG = −78.17 Kcal/mol.
How Do I Examine Rigidity and Spasticity?
Authors: Fearon Conor , Doherty Laura , Lynch Tim
Published: March 2015

Examination of tone (increased resistance to the passive movement of a joint) is a clinically useful and occasionally neglected part of the neurological examination. Rigidity and spasticity are two distinct types of hypertonia that arise from distinct anatomical pathways. The ability to differentiate between these two entities therefore gives important information regarding localization. Whereas spasticity arises as a result of damage to the corticoreticulospinal (pyramidal) tracts, rigidity is caused by dysfunction of extrapyramidal pathways, most commonly the basal ganglia, but also as a result of lesions of the mesencephalon and spinal cord. Spasticity is characterized by abnormally high muscle tone, which often asymmetrically affects antagonistic muscle groups. It is both amplitude and velocity dependent and is therefore best assessed using rapid movements of the relevant joint to effect abrupt stretching of the muscle group involved. When a threshold velocity, angle, or amplitude is reached, a sudden increase in tone can be detected as a characteristic “catch.” Rigidity differs from spasticity in that the increased tone remains constant throughout the range of movement of the joint. It is independent of velocity and should even be detectable with very slow movements. It is present in flexors and extensor muscle groups equally, giving rise to a uniform quality in all directions often described as “lead pipe” rigidity. Given that rigidity frequently arises in diseases of the basal ganglia, a tremor can coexist, giving rise to an interrupted “cogwheeling” effect. We herein describe an approach to the examination of patients with rigidity and spasticity.
Digestive absorption of silicon, supplemented as orthosilicic acid–vanillin complex
Authors: Marcowycz Aline , Housez Béatrice , Maudet Corinne , Cazaubiel Murielle , Rinaldi Guiseppe , Croizet Karine
Published: March 2015

Scope

Silicon (Si) is an abundant element on earth. It is found naturally in water in the form of orthosilicic acid (OSA), however this form is not stable under certain conditions such as in highly concentrated and non‐neutral pH solutions, which lead to its polymerization and reduced bioavailability. This study aimed to assess the bioavailability of Si from OSA stabilized by vanillin (OSA‐VC).

Methods and results

This was a single‐center, double‐blind, cross‐over randomized controlled trial. Fourteen healthy subjects were recruited and consumed either OSA‐VC or a placebo on two separate occasions. Blood and urine samples were collected during 6 h following ingestion and analyzed to determine Si absorption and excretion. Plasma Si area under the curve (0–6 h) was significantly higher after OSA‐VC ingestion compared to placebo ingestion (p = 0.0002). Significantly higher urinary Si excretion was also reported over the 6‐h period after OSA‐VC ingestion compared to placebo (p<0.0001). Approximately 21% of ingested Si was excreted in urine during this period.

Conclusion

Although many studies have investigated the metabolism and bioavailability of Si supplemented in foods or as a food ingredient, this was the first to investigate and demonstrate the digestibility of OSA administered in a complex form with vanillin.
Conservative numerical methods for the Full von Kármán plate equations
Authors: Bilbao Stefan , Thomas Olivier , Touzé Cyril , Ducceschi Michele
Published: March 2015

This article is concerned with the numerical solution of the full dynamical von Kármán plate equations for geometrically nonlinear (large‐amplitude) vibration in the simple case of a rectangular plate under periodic boundary conditions. This system is composed of three equations describing the time evolution of the transverse displacement field, as well as the two longitudinal displacements. Particular emphasis is put on developing a family of numerical schemes which, when losses are absent, are exactly energy conserving. The methodology thus extends previous work on the simple von Kármán system, for which longitudinal inertia effects are neglected, resulting in a set of two equations for the transverse displacement and an Airy stress function. Both the semidiscrete (in time) and fully discrete schemes are developed. From the numerical energy conservation property, it is possible to arrive at sufficient conditions for numerical stability, under strongly nonlinear conditions. Simulation results are presented, illustrating various features of plate vibration at high amplitudes, as well as the numerical energy conservation property, using both simple finite difference as well as Fourier spectral discretizations. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 31: 1948–1970, 2015
Construction of locally conservative fluxes for the SUPG method
Authors: Deng Quanling , Ginting Victor
Published: March 2015

We consider the construction of locally conservative fluxes by means of a simple postprocessing technique obtained from the finite element solutions of advection diffusion equations. It is known that a naive calculation of fluxes from these solutions yields nonconservative fluxes. We consider two finite element methods: the usual continuous Galerkin finite element method for solving nondominating advection diffusion equations and the streamline upwind/Petrov‐Galerkin method for solving advection dominated problems. We then describe the postprocessing technique for constructing conservative fluxes from the numerical solutions of the general variational formulation. The postprocessing technique requires solving an auxiliary Neumann boundary value problem on each element independently and it produces a locally conservative flux on a vertex centered dual mesh relative to the finite element mesh. We provide a convergence analysis for the postprocessing technique. Performance of the technique and the convergence behavior are demonstrated through numerical examples including a set of test problems for advection diffusion equations, advection dominated equations, and drift‐diffusion equations. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 31: 1971–1994, 2015
Nanosheets of MoS2‐oleylamine as hybrid filler for self‐lubricating polymer composites: Thermal, tribological, and mechanical properties
Authors: Sorrentino Andrea , Altavilla Claudia , Merola Massimiliano , Senatore Adolfo , Ciambelli Paolo , Iannace Salvatore
Published: March 2015

Polystyrene (PS)/MoS2@oleylamine composites were prepared by solvent blending method. Thermal, mechanical, and tribological properties of the resulting materials were analyzed as function of the filler concentration. SEM characterization for sample morphology as well as infrared spectroscopy and contact angle measurements were carried out in order to characterize the surface properties and the polymer‐filler interactions. It was found that despite the poor compatibility between the MoS2@oleylamine nanosheets and the PS matrix, the resulting films present an almost homogeneous dispersion. The PS/MoS2@oleylamine composites showed enhanced thermal stability in comparison with neat PS. In addition, the introduction of MoS2@oleylamine strongly affects the mechanical properties of the PS matrix, reducing both the glass transition temperature and the elastic modulus. Finally, it was found that the MoS2@oleylamine was effective in both reducing friction and increasing wear of PS. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1124–1134, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Modification of eucalyptus pulp fiber using silane coupling agents with aliphatic side chains of different length
Authors: Mendes Rafael Farinassi , Mendes Lourival Marin , de Oliveira Juliano Elvis , Savastano Junior Holmer , Glenn Gregory , Tonoli Gustavo Henrique Denzin
Published: March 2015

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of three silane coupling agents with different aliphatic chain lengths on the hydrophobicity of eucalyptus pulp fiber. The three silanes coupling agents used (isobutyltrimethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and n‐octyltriethoxysilane [OTES]) were each tested at three concentrations. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy revealed that the silane coupling agents markedly increased the Si content of the treated fibers. The Si distribution was not completely homogenous but was abundant in the treated samples. The treated fibers had higher contact angles for water and lower moisture adsorption than the control. Of the coupling agents tested, OTES treated fibers had the highest moisture resistance. This was likely due to the greater chain length of the aliphatic side group coupled to OTES. The use of silane coupling agents with alkyl side chains could improve the functional properties of pulp fiber and increase its compatibility with hydrophobic polymers. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1273ȓ1280, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Silafluorene‐based polymers for electrochromic and polymer solar cell applications
Authors: Erlik Ozan , Unlu Naime A. , Hizalan Gonul , Hacioglu Serife O. , Comez Seda , Yildiz Esra D. , Toppare Levent , Cirpan Ali
Published: March 2015

In this study, four novel silafluorene (SiF) and benzotriazole (Btz) bearing conjugated polymers are synthesized. In the context of electrochemical and optical studies, these polymers are promising materials both for electrochromic device (ECD) and polymer solar cell (PSC) applications. All of the polymers are ambipolar (both p‐ and n‐dopable) and multichromic. Electrochemistry experiments indicate that incorporation of selenophene instead of thiophene unit increases the HOMO energy level of the polymers. Power conversion efficiency of the PSCs reached 1.75% for PTBTSiF, 1.55% for PSBSSiF, 2.57% for PBTBTSiF, and 1.82% for PBSBSSiF. The hole mobilities of the polymers are estimated through space charge limited current (SCLC) model. PBTBTSiF has the highest hole mobility as 2.44 × 10−3 cm2 V s−1. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 1541–1547
Playing with Data—Or How to Discourage Questionable Research Practices and Stimulate Researchers to Do Things Right
Authors: Sijtsma Klaas
Published: March 2015

Recent fraud cases in psychological and medical research have emphasized the need to pay attention to Questionable Research Practices (QRPs). Deliberate or not, QRPs usually have a deteriorating effect on the quality and the credibility of research results. QRPs must be revealed but prevention of QRPs is more important than detection. I suggest two policy measures that I expect to be effective in improving the quality of psychological research. First, the research data and the research materials should be made publicly available so as to allow verification. Second, researchers should more readily consider consulting a methodologist or a statistician. These two measures are simple but run against common practice to keep data to oneself and overestimate one’s methodological and statistical skills, thus allowing secrecy and errors to enter research practice.
Thinking About Data, Research Methods, and Statistical Analyses: Commentary on Sijtsma’s (2014) “Playing with Data”
Authors: Waldman Irwin D. , Lilienfeld Scott O.
Published: March 2015

We comment on Sijtsma’s (2014) thought-provoking essay on how to minimize questionable research practices (QRPs) in psychology. We agree with Sijtsma that proactive measures to decrease the risk of QRPs will ultimately be more productive than efforts to target individual researchers and their work. In particular, we concur that encouraging researchers to make their data and research materials public is the best institutional antidote against QRPs, although we are concerned that Sijtsma’s proposal to delegate more responsibility to statistical and methodological consultants could inadvertently reinforce the dichotomy between the substantive and statistical aspects of research. We also discuss sources of false-positive findings and replication failures in psychological research, and outline potential remedies for these problems. We conclude that replicability is the best metric of the minimization of QRPs and their adverse effects on psychological research.
Ring Opening of Epoxidized Soybean Oil with Compounds Containing Two Different Functional Groups
Authors: Karadeniz Kemal , Akı Hatice , Sen Mustafa Yasin , Çalıkoğlu Yakup
Published: March 2015

Epoxidized vegetable oils are desirable chemicals due to their eco‐friendly characteristics and their being a major source of many green products. Ring opening is one of the ways to convert these epoxidized oils to some new intermediates. The use of mono‐functional amines, alcohols, acid anhydrides and thioethers for epoxy ring opening has been reported in the literature. In this study, thioglycolic acid (TGA) bearing thiol and carboxylic acid as two different functional groups and methyl ester of thioglycolic acid (TGAME) were used. Currently, there is no reported literature describing epoxy ring opening using chemicals bearing two different functional groups simultaneously. In this way, two new polyols were synthesized, one with TGA (polyol 1) and one with TGAME (polyol 2). FTIR and 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy confirmed that the ring was opened by the carboxylic acid group of TGA, and the thiol group was not involved in the ring opening whereas the ring was opened by the thiol group in the case of TGAME.
Tracking morphologies at the nanoscale: Self-assembly of an amphiphilic designer peptide into a double helix superstructure
Authors: Kornmueller Karin , Letofsky-Papst Ilse , Gradauer Kerstin , Mikl Christian , Cacho-Nerin Fernando , Leypold Mario , Keller Walter , Leitinger Gerd , Amenitsch Heinz , Prassl Ruth
Published: March 2015

Hierarchical self-assembly is a fundamental principle in nature, which gives rise to astonishing supramolecular architectures that are an inspiration for the development of innovative materials in nanotechnology. Here, we present the unique structure of a cone-shaped amphiphilic designer peptide. While tracking its concentration-dependent morphologies, we observed elongated bilayered single tapes at the beginning of the assembly process, which further developed into novel double-helix-like superstructures at high concentrations. This architecture is characterized by a tight intertwisting of two individual helices, resulting in a periodic pitch size over their total lengths of several hundred nanometers. Solution X-ray scattering data revealed a marked 2-layered internal organization. All these characteristics remained unaltered for the investigated period of almost three months. In their collective morphology, the assemblies are integrated into a network with hydrogel characteristics. Such a peptide-based structure holds promise as a building block for next-generation nanostructured biomaterials.
Declining semen quality and steadying seminal plasma ions in heat‐stressed boar model
Authors: Li Yansen , Wang Aihua , Taya Kazuyoshi , Li ChunMei
Published: March 2015

Purpose

There are increasing concerns about infertility of male exposure to high environmental temperatures. Nevertheless, the relationship between heat and accessory sex gland secretion underlying the high ambient temperature‐induced poor semen quality has not yet been addressed.

Methods

In the present study, five boars were used as an animal model to evaluate semen quality and the secretory function of accessory sex glands. After the boars received 3 days of heat exposure, semen collection was standardized to 18 continual times with a 3‐day interval to determine the semen variables of semen volume, semen concentration, abnormal spermatozoa, seminal plasma composition, and testosterone level in the seminal plasma and serum.

Results

The total sperm count was lowest by the end of week 2. The higher abnormal spermatozoa percentage were observed by the end of week 2 and persisted until week 6 after heat exposure. Additionally, there was no significant change in semen volume, testosterone level, and concentrations of ions and total protein in the seminal plasma before and after heat exposure.

Conclusions

A single 3‐day heat exposure caused poor semen quality, but did not disturb accessory sex gland secretion in boars. Declining semen quality might be mainly due to the damaged germ cells, which were sensitive to elevated temperature in hot summer months.
Brief report: Correlates of inpatient psychiatric admission in children and adolescents with eating disorders
Authors: Hamilton Matthew J. , Watson Hunna J. , Egan Sarah J. , Hoiles Kimberley J. , Harper Emily , McCormack Julie , Shu Chloe , Forbes David A.
Published: March 2015

Objective

To examine the prevalence and importance of psychological, behavioural, and situational correlates of impending psychiatric inpatient admissions in children and adolescents with eating disorders.

Method

The sample consisted of 285 patients (8–17 years, M = 14.4, SD = 1.49) with DSM‐5 eating disorders assessed between 2006 and 2013 from the Helping to Outline Pediatric Eating Disorders (HOPE) Project. The sample was split into two groups, those with (n = 38) and without (n = 247) impending psychiatric admission; Discriminant function analysis was used to examine correlates.

Results

The prevalence of impending psychiatric admission was 13.3%. Suicidal ideation provided the greatest discriminating power, followed by eating pathology, depressive symptoms, anxiety, multiple methods of weight control, binge eating, and family functioning.

Conclusions

Earlier recognition of comorbid symptoms in eating disorders in the community may reduce the number of young people with eating disorders who present needing critical psychiatric care.
International note: The relationship between achievement goals and academic‐related boredom
Authors: Liu Yangyang
Published: March 2015

In a sample of 520 Chinese high school students, the present study aimed to replicate the prior Western findings about the relationship between achievement goals and academic boredom. Our findings indicated that mastery‐approach goals and performance‐avoidance goals predicted academic boredom, but mastery‐avoidance goals and performance‐approach goals did not.
I Can't Read That! Improving Perioperative Literacy for Ambulatory Surgical Patients
Authors: Liebner Laura Traylor
Published: March 2015

Low literacy and low health literacy are surprisingly rampant problems facing health care providers. Patient educators in all settings should consider the need for improved patient education materials that are easy to read and understand for the majority of patients. In the ambulatory surgery setting, patients often have time to prepare for scheduled outpatient surgery, yet education is provided primarily in the postoperative period. This article highlights the need for incorporating education into all phases of the perioperative process, beginning in the preoperative period. Perioperative educators should address all learning styles that provide education in a simple and cost‐effective way to appeal to all patients and help to reduce postoperative complications and increase patient satisfaction in the ambulatory surgery setting.
The Nature and Hazards of Diathermy Plumes: A Review
Authors: Lindsey Catherine , Hutchinson Marie , Mellor Gary
Published: March 2015

Perioperative nurses in the OR may experience more extensive and sustained exposure to surgical plumes than other surgical personnel. Compared with laser plumes, less policy attention has been given to mitigating the risks associated with exposure to diathermy plumes. Diathermy can produce ultrafine particles and volatile chemical and biological substances, of which a number are teratogenic or carcinogenic. Evidence suggests diathermy plumes contain more biohazards than laser plumes, although protective smoke evacuation equipment is less likely to be used with diathermy. Although there is no direct evidence of harm to OR personnel, further research is required to conclusively establish actual risks and appropriate standards for safe exposure. Interventional strategies should address staff attitudes toward diathermy plume exposure and protective measures. This structured review of the literature describes the nature and risks associated with exposure to diathermy plumes and clarifies the implications for protective techniques and nursing practices.
Targeting Nrf2 in healthy and malignant ovarian epithelial cells: Protection versus promotion
Authors: van der Wijst Monique G.P. , Huisman Christian , Mposhi Archibold , Roelfes Gerard , Rots Marianne G.
Published: March 2015

Risk factors indicate the importance of oxidative stress during ovarian carcinogenesis. To tolerate oxidative stress, cells activate the transcription factor Nrf2 (Nfe2l2), the master regulator of antioxidant and cytoprotective genes. Indeed, for most cancers, hyperactivity of Nrf2 is observed, and siRNA studies assigned Nrf2 as therapeutic target. However, the cancer‐protective role of Nrf2 in healthy cells highlights the requirement for an adequate therapeutic window. We engineered artificial transcription factors to assess the role of Nrf2 in healthy (OSE‐C2) and malignant ovarian cells (A2780). Successful NRF2 up‐ and downregulation correlated with decreased, respectively increased, sensitivity toward oxidative stress. Inhibition of NRF2 reduced the colony forming potential to the same extent in wild‐type and BRCA1 knockdown A2780 cells. Only in BRCA1 knockdown A2780 cells, the effect of Nrf2 inhibition could be enhanced when combined with PARP inhibitors. Therefore, we propose that this combination therapy of PARP inhibitors and Nrf2 inhibition can further improve treatment efficacy specifically in BRCA1 mutant cancer cells without acquiring the side‐effects associated with previously studied Nrf2 inhibition combinations with either chemotherapy or radiation. Our findings stress the dual role of Nrf2 in carcinogenesis, while offering approaches to exploit Nrf2 as a potent therapeutic target in ovarian cancer.
“Schooling” performance measurement: The politics of governing teacher conduct in Australia
Authors: Henman Paul , Gable Alison
Published: March 2015

Performance measurement (PM) in the public sector has progressively broadened to cover the operation of professionals traditionally framed as independent and autonomous. How PM reconstitutes the role and conduct of professionals is critical for understanding contemporary dynamics of policy and governance, and service provider–service user relationships. Building on Lipsky's classic Street-level Bureaucracy, this paper examines the ways in which street-level professionals are reconfigured in their roles as evidenced by the operation of Australia's schooling PM, NAPLAN. The paper reports findings from a project examining the effects of PM in social policy. Attention is given to the ambiguous and conflicting goals arising from measuring literacy and numeracy performance and the varied ways performance numbers are used by management for teacher governance at the street-level. These considerations have implications for the effectiveness of PM in delivering service improvements, the experience of service users, and the achievement of policy objectives.
Late glacial fluctuations of the Laurentide Ice Sheet in the White Mountains of Maine and New Hampshire, U.S.A.
Authors: Bromley Gordon R.M. , Hall Brenda L. , Thompson Woodrow B. , Kaplan Michael R. , Garcia Juan Luis , Schaefer Joerg M.
Published: March 2015

Prominent moraines deposited by the Laurentide Ice Sheet in northern New England document readvances, or stillstands, of the ice margin during overall deglaciation. However, until now, the paucity of direct chronologies over much of the region has precluded meaningful assessment of the mechanisms that drove these events, or of the complex relationships between ice-sheet dynamics and climate. As a step towards addressing this problem, we present a cosmogenic 10Be surface-exposure chronology from the Androscoggin moraine complex, located in the White Mountains of western Maine and northern New Hampshire, as well as four recalculated ages from the nearby Littleton–Bethlehem moraine. Seven internally consistent 10Be ages from the Androscoggin terminal moraines indicate that advance culminated ~ 13.2 ± 0.8 ka, in close agreement with the mean age of the neighboring Littleton–Bethlehem complex. Together, these two datasets indicate stabilization or advance of the ice-sheet margin in northern New England, at ~ 14–13 ka, during the Allerød/Greenland Interstadial I.
Transport and buckling dynamics of an elastic fibre in a viscous cellular flow
Authors: Quennouz N. , Shelley M. , du Roure O. , Lindner A.
Published: March 2015

We study, using both experiment and theory, the coupling of transport and shape dynamics for elastomeric fibres moving through an inhomogeneous flow. The cellular flow, created electromagnetically in our experiment, comprises many identical cells of counter-rotating vortices, with a global flow geometry characterized by a backbone of stable and unstable manifolds connecting hyperbolic stagnation points. Our mathematical model is based upon slender-body theory for the Stokes equations, with the fibres modelled as inextensible elastica. Above a certain threshold of the control parameter, the elasto-viscous number, transport of fibres is mediated by their episodic buckling by compressive stagnation point flows, lending an effectively chaotic component to their dynamics. We use simulations of the model to construct phase diagrams of the fibre state (buckled or not) near stagnation points in terms of two variables that arise in characterizing the transport dynamics. We show that this reduced statistical description quantitatively captures our experimental observations. By carefully reproducing the experimental protocols and time scales of observation within our numerical simulations, we also quantitatively explain features of the measured buckling probability curve as a function of the effective flow forcing. Finally, we show within both experiment and simulation the existence of short and long time scales in the evolution of fibre conformation.