bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Airborne Quantum Cascade Laser Spectrometer (QCLS) measurements of the carbon and greenhouse gas suite – CO2, CH4, N2O, and CO – during the CalNex and HIPPO campaigns
Authors: Santoni G. W. , Daube B. C. , Kort E. A. , Jiménez R. , Park S. , Pittman J. V. , Gottlieb E. , Xiang B. , Zahniser M. S. , Nelson D. D. , McManus J. B. , Peischl J. , Ryerson T. B. , Holloway J. S. , Andrews A. E. , Sweeney C. , Hall B. D. , Hintsa E. J. , Moore F. L. , Elkins J. W. , Hurst D. F. , Stephens B. B. , Bent J. D. , Wofsy S. C.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. We present an evaluation of aircraft observations of the carbon and greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, N2O, and CO) using a direct-absorption pulsed quantum cascade laser spectrometer (QCLS) operated during the HIPPO and CalNex airborne experiments. The QCLS made continuous 1 Hz measurements with 1-sigma Allan precisions of 20, 0.5, 0.09, and 0.15 ppb for CO2, CH4, N2O, and CO, respectively, over > 500 flight hours on 79 research flights. The QCLS measurements are compared to two vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) CO instruments (CalNex and HIPPO), a cavity ring-down spectrometer (CRDS) measuring CO2 and CH4 (CalNex), two broadband non-dispersive infrared spectrometers (NDIR) measuring CO2 (HIPPO), two onboard gas chromatographs measuring a variety of chemical species including CH4, N2O, and CO (HIPPO), and various flask-based measurements of all four species. QCLS measurements are tied to NOAA and WMO standards using an in-flight calibration system and mean differences when compared to NOAA CCG flask data over the 59 HIPPO research flights were 100, 1, 1, and 2 ppb for CO2, CH4, N2O, and CO, respectively. The details of the end-to-end calibration procedures and the data quality-assurance and quality-control (QA/QC) are presented. Specifically, we discuss our practices for the traceability of standards given uncertainties in calibration cylinders, isotopic and surface effects for the long-lived greenhouse gas tracers, interpolation techniques for in-flight calibrations, and the effects of instrument linearity on retrieved mole fractions.
An online trajectory module (version 1.0) for the nonhydrostatic numerical weather prediction model COSMO
Authors: Miltenberger A. K. , Pfahl S. , Wernli H.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. A module to calculate online trajectories has been implemented into the nonhydrostatic limited-area weather prediction and climate model COSMO. Whereas offline trajectories are calculated with wind fields from model output, which is typically available every one to six hours, online trajectories use the simulated resolved wind field at every model time step (typically less than a minute) to solve the trajectory equation. As a consequence, online trajectories much better capture the short-term temporal fluctuations of the wind field, which is particularly important for mesoscale flows near topography and convective clouds, and they do not suffer from temporal interpolation errors between model output times. The numerical implementation of online trajectories in the COSMO-model is based upon an established offline trajectory tool and takes full account of the horizontal domain decomposition that is used for parallelization of the COSMO-model. Although a perfect workload balance cannot be achieved for the trajectory module (due to the fact that trajectory positions are not necessarily equally distributed over the model domain), the additional computational costs are found to be fairly small for the high-resolution simulations described in this paper. The computational costs may, however, vary strongly depending on the number of trajectories and trace variables. Various options have been implemented to initialize online trajectories at different locations and times during the model simulation. As a first application of the new COSMO-model module, an Alpine north foehn event in summer 1987 has been simulated with horizontal resolutions of 2.2, 7 and 14 km. It is shown that low-tropospheric trajectories calculated offline with one- to six-hourly wind fields can significantly deviate from trajectories calculated online. Deviations increase with decreasing model grid spacing and are particularly large in regions of deep convection and strong orographic flow distortion. On average, for this particular case study, horizontal and vertical positions between online and offline trajectories differed by 50–190 km and 150–750 m, respectively, after 24 h. This first application illustrates the potential for Lagrangian studies of mesoscale flows in high-resolution convection-resolving simulations using online trajectories.
RNA Expression Profiling from FACS‐Isolated Cells of the Drosophila Intestine
Authors: Dutta Devanjali , Xiang Jinyi , Edgar Bruce A.
Published: November 2013

This unit describes a protocol for the isolation of Drosophila intestinal cell populations for the purpose of cell type–specific transcriptome profiling. A method to select a cell type of interest labeled with green or yellow fluorescent protein (GFP, YFP) by making use of the GAL4‐UAS bipartite system and fluorescent‐activated cell sorting (FACS) is presented. Total RNA is isolated from the sorted cells and linear RNA amplification is used to obtain sufficient amounts of high‐quality RNA for analysis by microarray, RT‐PCR, or RNA sequencing. This method will be useful for quantitative transcriptome comparison across intestinal cell types under normal and various experimental conditions. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 27:2F.2.1‐2F.2.12. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
25th Anniversary Article: Designer Hydrogels for Cell Cultures: A Materials Selection Guide
Authors: Thiele Julian , Ma Yujie , Bruekers Stéphanie M. C. , Ma Shaohua , Huck Wilhelm T. S.
Published: November 2013

Cell culturing, whether for tissue engineering or cell biology studies, always involves placing cells in a non‐natural environment and no material currently exist that can mimic the entire complexity of natural tissues and variety of cell‐matrix interactions that is found in vivo. Here, we review the vast range of hydrogels, composed of natural or synthetic polymers that provide a route to tailored microenvironments.
Direct Organocatalytic Asymmetric Mannich Addition of 3‐Substituted‐2H‐1,4‐Benzoxazines: Access to Tetrasubstituted Carbon Stereocenters
Authors: Wang You‐Qing , Zhang Yongna , Pan Kun , You Junxiong , Zhao Jin
Published: November 2013

3‐Substituted‐2H‐1,4‐benzoxazines undergo a highly enantioselective direct Mannich reaction with acetone in the presence of an L‐proline catalyst at room temperature. The corresponding N‐heterocycles with α‐tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenters were obtained in good yields (48–92%) and excellent enantioselectivity (up to >99% ee). Furthermore, a novel modification involving the diastereoselective reduction of the Mannich adduct was carried out leading to the formation of a 1,3‐amino alcohol with a chiral tetrasubstituted carbon stereocenter in high yield.

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A Rhodium‐Catalyzed Tandem Alkyne Dimerization/ 1,4‐Addition Reaction
Authors: Lerum Ronald V. , Russo Christopher M. , Marquez Jocellie E. , Chisholm John D.
Published: November 2013

A convenient three‐component coupling reaction for the construction of conjugated enynes using rhodium catalysis is reported. Dimerization of a monosubstituted alkyne followed by trapping of the vinyl metal intermediate with an electron‐deficient alkene, such as methyl vinyl ketone, provided moderate to good yields of these enynes. The use of the hindered electron‐rich tris(ortho‐tolyl)phosphine as a ligand for the rhodium catalyst provided the best conversions to these complex products.

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Combined Catalytic System of Scandium Triflate and Boronic Ester for Amide Bond Cleavage
Authors: Kita Yusuke , Nishii Yuji , Onoue Akihiro , Mashima Kazushi
Published: November 2013

We have found that the combination of scandium with boronic ester enables the cleavage of amide bonds. Primary amides were converted to the corresponding esters in the presence of catalytic amounts of scandium triflate and boronic ester under mild and neutral conditions. This unique catalytic system can be applied to the deprotection of acetylaniline derivatives. In addition, control NMR experiments were carried out to examine the effect of the boronic esters.

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Synthesis and Characterization of Lithium Bis(fluoromalonato)borate for Lithium‐Ion Battery Applications
Authors: Liao Chen , Han Kee Sung , Baggetto Loïc , Hillesheim Daniel A. , Custelcean Radu , Lee Eun‐Sung , Guo Bingkun , Bi Zhonghe , Jiang De‐en , Veith Gabriel M. , Hagaman Edward W. , Brown Gilbert M. , Bridges Craig , Paranthaman M. Parans , Manthiram Arumugam , Dai Sheng , Sun Xiao‐Guang
Published: November 2013

A new orthochelated salt, lithium bis(monofluoromalonato)borate (LiBFMB), is synthesized and purified for application in lithium‐ion batteries. The presence of fluorine in the borate anion of LiBFMB increases its oxidation potential and also facilitates ion dissociation, as reflected by the ratio of ionic conductivity (σexp) and ion diffusivity coefficients (σNMR). Half‐cell tests using 5.0 V lithium nickel manganese oxide (LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4) as a cathode and ethylene carbonate (EC)/dimethyl carbonate (DMC)/diethyl carbonate (DEC) as a solvent reveals that the impedance of the LiBFMB cell is much larger than those of LiPF6‐ and lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB)‐based cells, which results in lower capacity and poor cycling performance of the former. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results for the cycled cathode electrode suggest that because of the stability of the LiBFMB salt, the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formed on the cathode surface is significantly different from those of LiPF6 and LiBOB based electrolytes, resulting in more solvent decomposition and a thicker SEI layer. Initial results also indicate that using a high dielectric constant solvent, propylene carbonate, alters the surface chemistry, reduces the interfacial impedance, and enhances the performance of LiBFMB‐based 5.0 V cell.
Design, Synthesis, and X‐Ray Crystal Structure of a Fullerene‐Linked Metal–Organic Framework
Authors: Peng Ping , Li Fang‐Fang , Neti Venkata S. Pavan K. , Metta‐Magana Alejandro J. , Echegoyen Luis
Published: November 2013

Given the unique structural and electronic properties of C60, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) containing C60 linkers are expected to exhibit interesting characteristics. A new hexakisfullerene derivative possessing two pairs of phenyl pyridine groups attached to two methano‐carbon atoms located at the trans‐1 positions was designed and synthesized. The four pyridyl nitrogen atoms define a perfectly planar rectangle. This new C60 derivative was used to assemble the first fullerene‐linked two‐dimensional MOF by coordination with Cd2+.
Horizontal gene acquisitions by eukaryotes as drivers of adaptive evolution
Authors: Schönknecht Gerald , Weber Andreas P. M. , Lercher Martin J.
Published: November 2013

In contrast to vertical gene transfer from parent to offspring, horizontal (or lateral) gene transfer moves genetic information between different species. Bacteria and archaea often adapt through horizontal gene transfer. Recent analyses indicate that eukaryotic genomes, too, have acquired numerous genes via horizontal transfer from prokaryotes and other lineages. Based on this we raise the hypothesis that horizontally acquired genes may have contributed more to adaptive evolution of eukaryotes than previously assumed. Current candidate sets of horizontally acquired eukaryotic genes may just be the tip of an iceberg. We have recently shown that adaptation of the thermoacidophilic red algaGaldieria sulphurariato its hot, acid, toxic‐metal laden, volcanic environment was facilitated by the acquisition of numerous genes from extremophile bacteria and archaea. Other recently published examples of horizontal acquisitions involved in adaptation include ice‐binding proteins in marine algae, enzymes for carotenoid biosynthesis in aphids, and genes involved in fungal metabolism.

Editor's suggested further reading in BioEssaysJumping the fine LINE between species: Horizontal transfer of transposable elements in animals catalyses genome evolution Abstract
Microfluidic perfusion culture of human induced pluripotent stem cells under fully defined culture conditions
Authors: Yoshimitsu Ryosuke , Hattori Koji , Sugiura Shinji , Kondo Yuki , Yamada Rotaro , Tachikawa Saoko , Satoh Taku , Kurisaki Akira , Ohnuma Kiyoshi , Asashima Makoto , Kanamori Toshiyuki
Published: November 2013

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are a promising cell source for drug screening. For this application, self‐renewal or differentiation of the cells is required, and undefined factors in the culture conditions are not desirable. Microfluidic perfusion culture allows the production of small volume cultures with precisely controlled microenvironments, and is applicable to high‐throughput cellular environment screening. Here, we developed a microfluidic perfusion culture system for hiPSCs that uses a microchamber array chip under defined extracellular matrix (ECM) and culture medium conditions. By screening various ECMs we determined that fibronectin and laminin are appropriate for microfluidic devices made out of the most popular material, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). We found that the growth rate of hiPSCs under pressure‐driven perfusion culture conditions was higher than under static culture conditions in the microchamber array. We applied our new system to self‐renewal and differentiation cultures of hiPSCs, and immunocytochemical analysis showed that the state of the hiPSCs was successfully controlled. The effects of three antitumor drugs on hiPSCs were comparable between microchamber array and 96‐well plates. We believe that our system will be a platform technology for future large‐scale screening of fully defined conditions for differentiation cultures on integrated microfluidic devices. Biotechnol. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 937–947. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Co‐regulation of primary mouse hepatocyte viability and function by oxygen and matrix
Authors: Buck Lorenna D. , Inman S. Walker , Rusyn Ivan , Griffith Linda G.
Published: November 2013

Although oxygen and extracellular matrix cues both influence differentiation state and metabolic function of primary rat and human hepatocytes, relatively little is known about how these factors together regulate behaviors of primary mouse hepatocytes in culture. To determine the effects of pericellular oxygen tension on hepatocellular function, we employed two methods of altering oxygen concentration in the local cellular microenvironment of cells cultured in the presence or absence of an extracellular matrix (Matrigel) supplement. By systematically altering medium depth and gas phase oxygen tension, we created multiple oxygen regimes (hypoxic, normoxic, and hyperoxic) and measured the local oxygen concentrations in the pericellular environment using custom‐designed oxygen microprobes. From these measurements of oxygen concentrations, we derived values of oxygen consumption rates under a spectrum of environmental contexts, thus providing the first reported estimates of these values for primary mouse hepatocytes. Oxygen tension and matrix microenvironment were found to synergistically regulate hepatocellular survival and function as assessed using quantitative image analysis for cells stained with vital dyes, and assessment of secretion of albumin. Hepatocellular viability was affected only at strongly hypoxic conditions. Surprisingly, albumin secretion rates were greatest at a moderately supra‐physiological oxygen concentration, and this effect was mitigated at still greater supra‐physiological concentrations. Matrigel enhanced the effects of oxygen on retention of function. This study underscores the importance of carefully controlling cell density, medium depth, and gas phase oxygen, as the effects of these parameters on local pericellular oxygen tension and subsequent hepatocellular function are profound. Biotechnol. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 1018–1027. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Checklists and crisis management in surgical emergencies
Authors: Ram K , Boermeester M A
Published: November 2013

Using checklists to improve clinical outcomes
Simultaneous analysis of polygala acid, senegenin and 3,6′‐disinapoylsucrose in rat plasma by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry: application to a pharmacokinetic study after oral administration
Authors: Lin Longfei , Yan Lei , Zhang Hui , Li Xuechun , Zhang Jin , Dou Haoran , Shen Mingrui , Yin Xingbin , Qu Changhai , Ni Jian
Published: November 2013

A rapid and specific LC‐MS/MS method has been developed for the simultaneous analysis of polygala acid, senegenin and 3,6′‐disinapoylsucrose (DSS) in rat plasma. The method was applied to the pharmacokinetics studies of polygala acid, senegenin and DSS. The analysis was carried out on an Agilent Eclipse plus C18 reversed‐phase column (100 × 4.6 mm, 3.5 µm) by gradient elution with methanol and ammonia (0.01%, v/v). The flow rate was 0.4 mL/min. All analytes including internal standard (IS) were monitored by selected reaction monitoring with an electrospray ionization source. Linear responses were obtained for polygala acid and DSS ranging from 2.5 to 2000 ng/mL, and senegenin ranging from 5 to 2000 ng/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions (relative standard deviation) were <11.34 and 8.99%. The extraction recovery ranged from 70.89 ± 4.60 to 88.49 ± 3.26%, and that for the IS was 77.23 ± 3.68%. Stability studies showed that polygala acid, senegenin and DSS are stable during the preparation and analytical process. The validated method was successfully used to determine the concentration–time profiles of polygala acid, senegenin and DSS. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
α‐Crystallin Modulates its Chaperone Activity by Varying the Exposed Surface
Authors: Palmieri Valentina , Maulucci Giuseppe , Maiorana Alessando , Papi Massimiliano , De Spirito Marco
Published: November 2013

The α‐crystallin family of small heat shock proteins possesses chaperone activity in response to stress and is involved in several neurological, muscular, and ophthalmic pathologies. This family includes the vertebrate lens protein α‐crystallin, associated with cataract disease. In this study, by combining small‐angle X‐ray and light scattering techniques, the structure and shape of α‐crystallin was revealed in its native state and after a transition caused by heat stress. Below critical temperature (Tc), α‐crystallin appears as an ellipsoid with a central cavity; whereas at high temperatures the cavity almost disappears, and the protein rearranges its structure, increasing the solvent‐exposed surface while retaining the ellipsoidal symmetry. Contextually, at Tc, α‐crystallin chaperone binding shows an abrupt increase. By modelling the chaperone activity as the formation of a complex composed of α‐crystallin and an aggregating substrate, it was demonstrated that the increase of α‐crystallin‐exposed surface is directly responsible for its gain in chaperone functionality.
Mechanistic Insights from Substrate Preference in Unsaturated Glucuronyl Hydrolase
Authors: Jongkees Seino A. K. , Yoo Hayoung , Withers Stephen G.
Published: November 2013

Natural and synthetic unsaturated glucuronides were tested as substrates for Clostridium perfringens unsaturated glucuronyl hydrolase to probe its mechanism and to guide inhibitor design. Of the natural substrates, a chondroitin disaccharide substrate with sulfation of the primary alcohol on carbon 6 of its N‐acetylgalactosamine moiety was found to have the highest turnover number of any substrate reported for an unsaturated glucuronyl hydrolase, with kcat=112 s−1. Synthetic aryl glycoside substrates with electron‐withdrawing aglycone substituents were cleaved more slowly than those with electron‐donating substituents. Similarly, an unsaturated glucuronyl fluoride was found to be a particularly poor substrate, with kcat/Km=44 nM−1 s−1—a very unusual result for a glycoside‐cleaving enzyme. These results are consistent with a transition state with positive charge at carbon 5 and the endocyclic oxygen, as anticipated in the hydration mechanism proposed. However, several analogues designed to take advantage of strong enzyme binding to such a transition state showed little to no inhibition. This result suggests that further work is required to understand the true nature of the transition state stabilised by this enzyme.
Cyclopalladation and Reactivity of Amino Esters through CH Bond Activation: Experimental, Kinetic, and Density Functional Theory Mechanistic Studies
Authors: Laga Eduardo , García‐Montero Angel , Sayago Francisco J. , Soler Tatiana , Moncho Salvador , Cativiela Carlos , Martínez Manuel , Urriolabeitia Esteban P.
Published: November 2013

The orthopalladation, through CH bond activation, of a large number of amino esters and amino phosphonates derived from phenylglycine, and having different substituents at the aryl ring and the C‐α atom, as well as on the N‐amine atom, has been studied. The experimental observations indicated an improvement in the yields of the orthopalladated compounds when the N‐amine and/or the C‐α atom are substituted, when compared with the unsubstituted methyl phenylglycinate derivatives. In contrast, substitutions at the aryl ring do not promote significant changes in the orthometalation results. Furthermore, the use of hydrochloride salts of the amino esters has also been shown to have a remarkably favorable effect on the process. All these observations have been fully quantified at different temperatures and pressures by a detailed kinetic study in solution in different solvents and in the presence and absence of added Brønsted acids and chloride anions. The data collected indicate relevant changes in the process depending on these conditions, as expected from the general background known for cyclopalladation reactions. An electronic mechanism of the orthopalladation has been proposed based on DFT calculations at the B3LYP level, and a very good agreement between the trends kinetically measured and the theoretically calculated activation barriers has been obtained. The reactivity of the new orthopalladated amino phosphonate derivatives has been tested and it was found that their halogenation, alkoxylation and carbonylation resulted in formation of the corresponding functionalized ortho‐haloaminophosphonates, ortho‐alkoxyaminophosphonates and oxoisoindolinylphosphonates.
Biotechnology of Metal Removal from Industrial Wastewater: Zinc Case Study
Authors: Zinicovscaia Inga , Duca Gheorghe , Cepoi Liliana , Chiriac Tatiana , Rudi Ludmila , Mitina Tatiana , Frontasyeva Marina V. , Pavlov Sergey , Gundorina Svetlana F.
Published: November 2013

The time‐dependent biosorption capacity of microalga Spirulina platensis for zinc removal from wastewater of the machinery company Moldagrotehnica was studied. The maximal sorption of zinc was achieved after 30 min of reaction. Zinc concentration in wastewater was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry and in dry biomass using neutron activation analysis. In addition to Zn, Spirulina cells accumulate from wastewater considerable amounts of other heavy metals such as As, Fe, Sb, and W.
Patterns of care of radiation therapy in patients with stage IV rectal cancer: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results analysis of patients from 2004 to 2009
Authors: Logan Jennifer K. , Huber Kathryn E. , DiPetrillo Thomas A. , Wazer David E. , Leonard Kara L.
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND

According to the 2013 National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, pelvic radiation therapy (RT) is one of the preferred regimens for patients with metastatic rectal cancer (mRC). The objective of this study was to analyze patterns of care and outcomes data for the receipt of RT among patients with mRC using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.

METHODS

Patients with stage IV rectal or rectosigmoid cancer were identified in the SEER database (2004‐2009). Patients were stratified according to their primary disease site (rectum vs rectosigmoid), tumor (T) classification, and lymph node (N) classification. Treatment regimens (with or without surgical resection, with or without RT) were recorded. The Fisher exact test was used to compare RT rates based on stratified factors. Two and five‐year survival rates were compared among treatment groups.

RESULTS

In total, 6873 patients with stage IV rectal cancer and 3417 patients with rectosigmoid cancer were identified. Overall, 20.5% of patients with rectal cancer underwent surgery alone, whereas 38.7% received RT with or without surgery. Within the rectosigmoid group, 51.4% of patients underwent surgery alone, and 15.1% received RT with or without surgery. The use of RT differed significantly between patients with in situ (Tis) through T2 tumors versus T3/T4 tumors (P < .001) and between those with N0 disease versus N1/N2 disease (P < .001). The 2‐year and 5‐year survival rates differed between treatment groups, with the highest survival rates observed among those who received combined surgery and RT.

CONCLUSIONS

The primary treatments for patients with mRC include RT with or without surgery. RT is used more commonly in patients with primary rectal (vs rectosigmoid) tumors, N0 disease, or Tis‐T2 tumors. Treatment with combination surgery and RT is associated with prolonged survival. Cancer 2014;120:731–737. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Efferent and afferent connections of the olfactory bulb and prepiriform cortex in the pigeon (Columba livia)
Authors: Atoji Yasuro , Wild J. Martin
Published: November 2013

Although olfaction in birds is known to be involved in a variety of behaviors, there is comparatively little detailed information on the olfactory brain. In the pigeon brain, the olfactory bulb (OB) is known to project to the prepiriform cortex (CPP), piriform cortex (CPi), and dorsolateral corticoid area (CDL), which together are called the olfactory pallium, but centrifugal pathways to the OB have not been fully explored. Fiber connections of CPi and CDL have been reported, but those of other olfactory pallial nuclei remain unknown. The present study examines the fiber connections of OB and CPP in pigeons to provide a more detailed picture of their connections using tract‐tracing methods. When anterograde and retrograde tracers were injected in OB, projections to a more extensive olfactory pallium were revealed, including the anterior olfactory nucleus, CPP, densocellular part of the hyperpallium, tenia tecta, hippocampal continuation, CPi, and CDL. OB projected commissural fibers to the contralateral OB but did not receive afferents from the contralateral olfactory pallium. When tracers were injected in CPP, reciprocal ipsilateral connections with OB and nuclei of the olfactory pallium were observed, and CPP projected to the caudolateral nidopallium and the limbic system, including the hippocampal formation, septum, lateral hypothalamic nucleus, and lateral mammillary nucleus. These results show that the connections of OB have a wider distribution throughout the olfactory pallium than previously thought and that CPP provides a centrifugal projection to the OB and acts as a relay station to the limbic system. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:1728–1752, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
WISC‐III Cognitive Profiles in Children with Developmental Dyslexia: Specific Cognitive Disability and Diagnostic Utility
Authors: Moura Octávio , Simões Mário R. , Pereira Marcelino
Published: November 2013

This study analysed the usefulness of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Third Edition in identifying specific cognitive impairments that are linked to developmental dyslexia (DD) and the diagnostic utility of the most common profiles in a sample of 100 Portuguese children (50 dyslexic and 50 normal readers) between the ages of 8 and 12 years. Children with DD exhibited significantly lower scores in the Verbal Comprehension Index (except the Vocabulary subtest), Freedom from Distractibility Index (FDI) and Processing Speed Index subtests, with larger effect sizes than normal readers in Information, Arithmetic and Digit Span. The Verbal–Performance IQs discrepancies, Bannatyne pattern and the presence of FDI; Arithmetic, Coding, Information and Digit Span subtests (ACID) and Symbol Search, Coding, Arithmetic and Digit Span subtests (SCAD) profiles (full or partial) in the lowest subtests revealed a low diagnostic utility. However, the receiver operating characteristic curve and the optimal cut‐off score analyses of the composite ACID; FDI and SCAD profiles scores showed moderate accuracy in correctly discriminating dyslexic readers from normal ones. These results suggested that in the context of a comprehensive assessment, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Third Edition provides some useful information about the presence of specific cognitive disabilities in DD. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Practitioner Points

Children with developmental dyslexia revealed significant deficits in the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Third Edition subtests that rely on verbal abilities, processing speed and working memory.

The composite Arithmetic, Coding, Information and Digit Span subtests (ACID); Freedom from Distractibility Index and Symbol Search, Coding, Arithmetic and Digit Span subtests (SCAD) profile scores showed moderate accuracy in correctly discriminating dyslexics from normal readers.

Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Third Edition may provide some useful information about the presence of specific cognitive disabilities in developmental dyslexia.
Evaluation of polyphenol decay in the oily fraction of olive fruit during storage using a mild sample handling method
Authors: Zullo Biagi Angelo , Di Stefano Maria Giovanna , Cioccia Giuseppe , Ciafardini Gino
Published: November 2013

A mild sample handling method able to minimize polyphenol degradation due to endogenous enzymes during the sample preparation permitted the assessment of polyphenol decay in the oily fraction of the olives during their storage before processing. During 7 days of storage at 15°C, the concentration of polyphenols in the olives was stable in vegetation water, whereas in the oily fraction of the fruits it remained almost constant in the first 3 days and then decreased rapidly. The polyphenol decay of the oily fraction of the stored olives can be attributed to the oxidoreductase enzymes of the fruit as well as those produced by the microbiota grown in the carposphere during storage. The activity of phenoloxidase in the olive pulp decreased drastically in the first 2 days of storage, and then decreased gradually, whereas peroxidase activity showed a gradual reduction throughout the entire storage period. The microbiological analysis showed a rapid increase of bacteria and yeast number during the first 4 days, then the values leveled out during the storage period. Phenoloxidase activity of microbic origin was low during the first 3 days then increased rapidly, whereas peroxidase activity increased during the first 3 days then leveled out to the same values for the duration of the storage time.

Practical applications: The mild sample handling method of extraction studied was able to minimize olive oil polyphenol degradation during the sample preparation due to the endogenous enzymes of the olive fruits. The use of this method allows for the improvement of virgin olive oil quality, through the assessment of polyphenol concentration decay during all the stages of olive oil production, including that of fruit storage before processing.
Electropolymerised Phenolic Films as Internal Barriers for Oxidase Enzyme Biosensors
Authors: Spehar‐Délèze Anna‐Maria , Anastasova Salzitsa , Vadgama Pankaj
Published: November 2013

The properties of electropolymerised phenolic films at amperometric needle electrodes were investigated and their applicability as selective, internal barriers for potential in vivo oxidase enzyme based biosensors evaluated. Polyphenol, poly(phenol red) and dual layer poly(phenol red)/poly(4‐aminophenol) films were formed by electropolymerisation and compared with a solvent deposited sulfonated polyether ether sulfonepolyether sulfone (SPEES‐PES) membrane. Phenol red had two distinct cyclic voltammetry peaks on platinum: an oxidative peak at +0.70 V and a reduction peak at −0.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl, respectively. Also, the film enhanced the oxidation of hydrogen peroxide by a factor of 3–4, making it an attractive barrier for oxidase based biosensors. Lactate sensors made with polyphenolic electropolymers and solvent deposited SPEES/PES were compared for selectivity and lactate response; the latter showed better selectivity against acetaminophen but less selectivity against ascorbic acid. When sensors were sterilised by standard gamma – irradiation for in vivo application, the polyphenolic films degraded and lost selectivity, whilst SPEES/PES survived unchanged. Salivary lactate was monitored during exercise with electropolymerised film sensors and demonstrated mean lactate increases of 0.3–0.6 mM.
Investigation of Copper(II) Interference on the Anodic Stripping Voltammetry of Lead(II) and Cadmium(II) at Bismuth Film Electrode
Authors: Yang Die , Wang Liang , Chen Zuliang , Megharaj Mallavarapu , Naidu Ravi
Published: November 2013

The bismuth‐coated electrode is known to be prone to errors caused by copper(II). This study investigates copper(II) interference at bismuth film electrode for the detection of lead(II) and cadmium(II). It was conducted using glassy carbon electrode, while the bismuth film was plated in situ simultaneously with the target metal ions at − 1200 mV. Copper(II) presented in solution significantly reduced the sensitivity of the electrode, for example there was an approximately 70 % and 90 % decrease in peak signals for lead(II) and cadmium(II), respectively, at a 10‐fold molar excess of copper(II). The decrease in sensitivity was ascribed to the competition between copper and bismuth or the metal ions for surface active sites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis suggested a large decrease in the amount of bismuth nanoparticles formed on the electrode surface in the presence of copper(II) occurred, validating the competition between copper and bismuth ions for surface active sites. Recovery of the stripping signal of lead(II) and cadmium(II) was obtained by adding ferrocyanide ion to the solution. Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied to determine lead(II) and cadmium(II) in water samples and the method was validated by ICP‐MS technique.
Identification multiplex assay of 19 terrestrial mammal species present in New Zealand
Authors: Ramón‐Laca Ana , Linacre Adrian M. T. , Gleeson Dianne M. , Tobe Shanan S.
Published: November 2013

An identification assay has been developed that allows accurate detection of 19 of the most common terrestrial mammals present in New Zealand (cow, red deer, goat, dog, horse, hedgehog, cat, tammar wallaby, mouse, weasel, ferret, stoat, sheep, rabbit, Pacific rat, Norway rat, ship rat, pig, and brushtail possum). This technique utilizes species‐specific primers that, combined in a multiplex PCR, target small fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Each species, except hedgehog, produces two distinctive species‐specific fragments, making the assay self‐confirmatory and enabling the identification of multiple species simultaneously in DNA mixtures. The multiplex assay detects as little as 100 copies of mitochondrial DNA, which makes it a very reliable tool for degraded and trace samples. Reliability, accuracy, reproducibility, and sensitivity tests to validate the technique were performed. The technique featured here enabled a prompt response in a predation specific event, but can also be useful for wildlife management and conservation, pest incursions detection, forensic, and industrial purposes in a very simple and cost‐effective manner.
Single molecule study of DNA collision with elliptical nanoposts conveyed by hydrodynamics
Authors: Viero Yannick , He Qihao , Fouet Marc , Bancaud Aurélien
Published: November 2013

Periodic arrays of micro‐ or nanopillars constitute solid‐state matrices with excellent properties for DNA size separation. Nanofabrication technologies offer many solutions to tailor the geometry of obstacle arrays, yet most studies have been conducted with cylinders arranged in hexagonal lattices. In this report, we investigate the dynamics of single DNA collision with elliptical nanoposts using hydrodynamic actuation. Our data show that the asymmetry of the obstacles has minor effect on unhooking dynamics, and thus confirm recent predictions obtained by Brownian dynamics simulations. In addition, we show that the disengagement dynamics are correctly predicted by models of electrophoresis, and propose that this consistency is associated to the confinement in slit‐like channels. We finally conclude that elliptical posts are expected to marginally improve the performances of separation devices.
Simultaneous determination of free and total glycerol in biodiesel by capillary electrophoresis using multiple short‐end injection
Authors: Spudeit Daniel Alfonso , Piovezan Marcel , Dolzan Maressa D. , Vistuba Jacqueline Pereira , Azevedo Mônia Stremel , Vitali Luciano , Leal Oliveira Marcone Augusto , Oliveira Costa Ana Carolina , Micke Gustavo Amadeu
Published: November 2013

A rapid method for the simultaneous determination of free glycerol (FG) and total glycerol (TG) in biodiesel by CE using a short‐end multiple injection (SE/MI) configuration system is described. The sample preparation for FG involves the extraction of glycerol with water and for TG a saponification reaction is carried out followed by extraction as in the case of FG. The glycerol extracted in both cases is submitted to periodate oxidation and the iodate ions formed are measured on a CE‐SE/MI system. The relevance of this study lies in the fact that no analytical procedure has been previously reported for the determination of TG (or of FG and TG simultaneously) by CE. The optimum conditions for the saponification/extraction process were 1.25% KOH and 25°C, with a time of only 5 min, and biodiesel mass in the range of 50.0–200.0 mg can be used. Multiple injections were performed hydrodynamically with negative pressure as follows: 50 mbar/3s (FG sample); 50 mbar/6s (electrolyte spacer); 50 mbar/3s (TG sample). The linear range obtained was 1.55–46.5 mg/L with R2> 0.99. The LOD and LOQ were 0.16 mg/L and 0.47 mg/L, respectively for TG. The method provides acceptable throughput for application in quality control and monitoring biodiesel synthesis process. In addition, it offers simple sample preparation (saponification process), it can be applied to a variety biodiesel samples (soybean, castor, and waste cooking oils) and it can be used for the determination of two key parameters related to the biodiesel quality with a fast separation (less than 30 s) using an optimized CE‐SE/MI system.
Research of Flywheel System Energy Harvesting Technology for Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicles
Authors: Kuo J.‐K. , Hsieh H.‐K.
Published: November 2013

In this study, two fuel‐cell hybrid systems for the energy performance comparison of fuel‐cell hybrid vehicles (FCHVs) are presented. A Matlab/Simulink modelwas constructed, and the main power source was a fuel cell. A lithium battery and a flywheel battery were the auxiliary power sources. A vehicle driving test, FTP‐75 (Federal Test Procedure), was applied for four different control modes:mixed common output mode, normal driving charge mode, fuel‐cell mode, and braking mode. FTP‐75 simulated the energy requirements and energy output stateof the full‐motor hybrid system.

The results show that the recovered energy of the flywheel battery was higher than that of the lithium battery, and the output power was close to the motor output curve. The flywheel battery can withstand rapid charging and discharging, which substantially reduces time and instantaneous motor current output. It can also effectively reduce the load on the motor. Finally, the flywheel battery enhanced the driving range of the hybrid vehicle to a greater degree than the lithium battery did under the same conditions. The overall energy consumption is reduced by 22.7%; corresponding to a hydrogen saving of 17.8 g.
Expression of Aggrus/podoplanin in bladder cancer and its role in pulmonary metastasis
Authors: Takagi Satoshi , Oh‐hara Tomoko , Sato Shigeo , Gong Bo , Takami Miho , Fujita Naoya
Published: November 2013

Platelet aggregation‐inducing factor Aggrus, also known as podoplanin, is associated with tumor malignancy by promoting hematogenous metastasis. Aggrus overexpression has been reported in some tumor tissues including lung, esophagus, head and neck and brain. We here found the frequent upregulation of aggrus mRNA in urinary bladder cancers using cancer tissue panels from various organs. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed Aggrus protein expression in urinary bladder cancers and suggested a positive correlation between Aggrus expression and metastatic tendency in bladder cancers. Endogenous expression of Aggrus protein on the cell surface was found in the mouse bladder cancer MBT‐2 cell line and human bladder cancer SCaBER cell lines. Knockdown of Aggrus expression in MBT‐2 cells decreased their ability to induce platelet aggregation and form pulmonary metastasis in syngeneic mouse models. Knockdown of Aggrus expression in the human bladder cancer SCaBER cells also attenuated their ability to induce platelet aggregation and form pulmonary metastasis in mice. Moreover, pulmonary metastasis of SCaBER cells was prevented by prior administration of our generated anti‐Aggrus neutralizing monoclonal antibodies by attenuating their retention in lung. These results indicate that Aggrus plays an important role in bladder cancer metastasis. Thus, anti‐Aggrus neutralizing antibodies would be useful for the prevention of hematogenous metastasis of Aggrus‐positive bladder cancer.
The clique potential of Markov random field in a random experiment for estimation of noise levels in 2D brain MRI
Authors: Osadebey Michael , Bouguila Nizar , Arnold Douglas ,   The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: November 2013

Effective performance of many image processing and image analysis algorithms is strongly dependent on accurate estimation of noise level. We exploit the simplicity and similarity of statistics of human anatomy among different subjects to develop new noise level estimation algorithm for magnetic resonance images of brain. Objects of the experiment are noise‐free 3D brain MRI of 422 subjects. There are 21 slices for each subject. For each slice, total clique potential (TCP) of Markov random field, computed from local clique potential, is indexed by 200 different levels of noise. The sample space is the set of TCP‐noise level data of each slice. The random variable is the set of indices of noise level of TCP in each element of sample space that is closest in numerical value to TCP measured from a test MRI slice. Noise level is estimated from the mean and variance of the random variable. We also report the formulation of a generalized mathematical model describing relationship between TCP and Rician noise level in brain MRI images. Our proposal can operate in the absence of signals in the background and significantly reduce modeling errors inherent in strong parametric assumptions adopted by some of the current algorithms. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 23, 304–413, 2013
3D image interpolation based on anisotropic diffusion of feature point correspondence
Authors: Sang Qiang , Zhang Jian‐Zhou
Published: November 2013

An automatic method has been developed to interpolate between neighboring slices in a gray‐scale data set by anisotropic diffusion of feature point correspondence. The feature point extracted is registered to form the feature vector. Thus a three dimensional (3D) weight anisotropic vector diffusion is introduced to spread the feature vector to the correspondence vector, which estimates spatial correspondence between adjacent slices. Bilinear interpolation is made along the direction of correspondence vector. Experiments are performed on medical data sets to evaluate the proposed method, showing that the new algorithm achieves good quality and improvement in efficiency relative to the traditional methods. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 23, 338–345, 2013
Rounding frequency and hospital length of stay for children with respiratory illnesses: A simulation study
Authors: East Joseph , Cator Allison , Burns Emily , Lynn O'Gara Tara , Card Jason , Cohn Amy , Macy Michelle
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND

Patient discharge from the hospital is linked to physician‐led rounds, whereas discharge from the emergency department (ED) is more fluid. The relationship between rounding and length of stay (LOS) has not been quantitatively described.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the arrival and discharge patterns in the ED and inpatient settings for children with respiratory illnesses and to explore how the timing and frequency of rounding could impact LOS.

DESIGN/SETTING

Retrospective administrative data analyses of visits for respiratory illnesses to a tertiary care pediatric ED from May 2007 to April 2010.

METHODS

ED visits for common respiratory conditions were selected based on International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes, excluding complex comorbid conditions, severe illness, and intensive care unit admission. Discharge time was plotted against arrival time for the ED and inpatient unit. LOS was calculated. A Monte Carlo simulation model was developed to explore the influence of additional rounds on inpatient LOS.

RESULTS

Of the 5503 included visits, 1285 (23.4%) resulted in inpatient care. Discharges from the ED typically occurred 2 to 5 hours after arrival, whereas most inpatient discharges occurred between 11 am and 6 pm regardless of admission time. Simulating 1 additional rounding session decreased predicted inpatient LOS by approximately 5 hours.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to ED discharges that occurred around the clock, inpatient discharges for children with respiratory illnesses were concentrated during afternoon hours. Increasing rounding frequency may improve hospital efficiency but could result in unintended consequences such as fewer opportunities for patient education. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:678–683. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine