bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An extension of the SIMPLE based discontinuous Galerkin solver to unsteady incompressible flows
Authors: Klein B. , Kummer F. , Keil M. , Oberlack M.
Published: January 2015

In this paper, we present a SIMPLE based algorithm in the context of the discontinuous Galerkin method for unsteady incompressible flows. Time discretization is done fully implicit using backward differentiation formulae (BDF) of varying order from 1 to 4. We show that the original equation for the pressure correction can be modified by using an equivalent operator stemming from the symmetric interior penalty (SIP) method leading to a reduced stencil size.

To assess the accuracy as well as the stability and the performance of the scheme, three different test cases are carried out: the Taylor vortex flow, the Orr‐Sommerfeld stability problem for plane Poiseuille flow and the flow past a square cylinder. (1) Simulating the Taylor vortex flow, we verify the temporal accuracy for the different BDF schemes. Using the mixed‐order formulation, a spatial convergence study yields convergence rates of k + 1 and k in the L2‐norm for velocity and pressure, respectively. For the equal‐order formulation, we obtain approximately the same convergence rates, while the absolute error is smaller. (2) The stability of our method is examined by simulating the Orr–Sommerfeld stability problem. Using the mixed‐order formulation and adjusting the penalty parameter of the symmetric interior penalty method for the discretization of the viscous part, we can demonstrate the long‐term stability of the algorithm. Using pressure stabilization the equal‐order formulation is stable without changing the penalty parameter. (3) Finally, the results for the flow past a square cylinder show excellent agreement with numerical reference solutions as well as experiments. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Information Content of Trading Activity and Quote Changes: Evidence from VIX Options
Authors: Tsai Wei‐Che , Chiu Ying‐Tzu , Wang Yaw‐Huei
Published: January 2015

We investigate the informational role of trading volume and quote changes in VIX options with regard to future movements in the index, based upon a high‐frequency framework. Our results reveal that whilst volume imbalances convey no significant predictive information, quote changes in VIX options can significantly predict changes in the index, with this predictive power being more pronounced for VIX calls around monetary policy announcement periods. Our findings imply that when acting on market‐wide information, traders in VIX options may prefer to submit limit orders, as opposed to market orders, leading to such information being contained in the quote changes. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 35:715–737, 2015
Health Insurance, Health Savings Accounts and Healthcare Utilization
Authors: Peter Richard , Soika Sebastian , Steinorth Petra
Published: January 2015

Assuming symmetric information, we show that a high‐deductible health plan (HDHP) combined with a tax‐favored health savings account (HSA) induces more savings and less treatment compared with a full coverage plan under reasonable risk preferences. Furthermore, a higher tax subsidy increases savings in any case but decreases medical utilization if and only if treatment expenses are above the deductible. A larger deductible increases savings but does not necessarily decrease healthcare utilization.

Whether an HDHP/HSA combination is preferred over a full coverage contract depends on absolute risk aversion. A higher tax advantage increases the attractiveness of an HDHP/HSA combination, whereas the effects of changes in the deductible are ambiguous. The paper shows that a potential regulator needs to carefully set the size of the deductible as only in a certain corridor of the probability of sickness, its effect on aggregate healthcare costs are unambiguously favorable. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of brief prayer on the experience of forgiveness: An American and Indian comparison
Authors: Toussaint Loren , Kamble Shanmukh , Marschall Justin C. , Duggi Deepti B.
Published: January 2015

The present study offers a cross‐cultural examination of the effect of prayer on forgiveness. American (n = 51) and Indian (n = 100) participants either prayed for their romantic partner (prayer condition) or described their romantic partner's physical attributes (control condition). Prayers were self‐guided and lasted 3 minutes. Pre‐test and post‐test measures of retaliation were completed. Results showed that participants in the prayer group showed statistically significant decreases in retaliation motives from pre‐test to post‐test and the magnitude of this change was not different across cultures. Control groups in both cultures showed no change. Because of the religious diversity present in the Indian sample, the robustness of the effect of prayer on forgiveness was tested across Christian, Hindu and Muslim Indians. Religious affiliation did not moderate the effect of prayer on forgiveness in this sample. Results suggest that a brief prayer is capable of producing real change in forgiveness and this change is consistent across American and Indian cultures and across three different religious groups in India. Brief prayer for others that enhances forgiveness may be useful for individuals in close relationships, in certain counselling settings and for people in many different walks of life.
Combined chemical oxidation and biological processes for herbicide degradation
Authors: Benzaquén Tamara B , Isla Miguel A , Alfano Orlando M
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

Fenton and photo‐Fenton processes were explored as photochemical pre‐treatments to improve the biodegradability of wastewater containing atrazine, a commercial pesticide. The effects of H2O2, Fe3+ and irradiation level on the degradation processes were studied and the optimal conditions determined.

RESULTS

Fenton and photo‐Fenton oxidation systems were able to remove 85 and 100% of atrazine, respectively, in a 120 min period. These processes produced a biocompatible solution, removing 100% of the initial biorecalcitrant compound; however, cyanuric acid remained in the effluent after the chemical oxidation treatment due to the stability of the N‐heterocyclic ring of this acid. Nevertheless, it was found that the cyanuric acid remaining from the photo‐oxidative process can be removed by means of an anaerobic treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained in this work indicate that a coupled photo‐Fenton–biological treatment system is a feasible method to achieve the complete mineralization of biorecalcitrant pollutants such as atrazine. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Motor activity in young APPswe + PS1/A246E bigenic mice as a predicting variable for memory decline
Authors: Filali Mohammed , Lalonde Robert
Published: January 2015

Reports of individuality in rodent species have been a subject of debate in pharmacology and other fields. In the current study, APPswe + PS1/A246E bigenic mice with Alzheimer's‐like pathogenesis and wild‐type controls were subdivided at 3 months of age into low, intermediate, and high responders in open‐field activity. The mice were then evaluated longitudinally at 3 and 9 months for object recognition. Irrespective of genotype, mice with a high level of motor activity had better scores in object recognition. However, a significant correlation was established between open‐field activity measured at 3 months of age and recognition memory measured at 9 months of age in the bigenic group only. These results indicate that motor activity in young mice with amyloid neuropathology may serve as a predicting variable for cognitive dysfunction in more mature mice. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluating genetic diversity and constructing core collections of Chinese Lentinula edodes cultivars using ISSR and SRAP markers
Authors: Liu Jun , Wang Zhuo‐Ren , Li Chuang , Bian Yin‐Bing , Xiao Yang
Published: January 2015

Genetic diversity among 89 Chinese Lentinula edodes cultivars was analyzed by inter‐simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and sequence‐related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers. A 123 out of 126 ISSR loci (97.62%) and 108 out of 129 SRAP loci (83.73%) were polymorphic between two or more strains. A dendrogram constructed by cluster analysis based on the ISSR and SRAP markers separated the L. edodes strains into two major groups, of which group B was further divided into five subgroups. Clustering results also showed a positive correlation with the main agronomic traits of the strains, and that strains with similar traits clustered together into the same groups or subgroups in most cases. The average coefficient of pairwise genetic similarity was 0.820 (range: 0.576–0.988). Compared to the wild strains, Chinese L. edodes cultivars indicated a lower level of genetic diversity. Two preliminary core collections of L. edodes, Core1 and Core2, were established based on the ISSR and SRAP data, respectively. Core1 was constructed by the advanced M (maximization) strategy using the PowerCore version 1.0 software and contained 21 strains, whereas Core2 was created by the allele preferred sampling strategy using the cluster method and contained 18 strains. Both core collections were highly representative of the genetic diversity of the original germplasm, as confirmed by the values of Na (observed number of alleles), Ne (effective number of alleles), H (Nei's gene diversity) and I (Shannon's information index), as well as results of principal coordinate analysis. The loci retention ratio of Core1 (99.61%) was higher than that of Core2 (97.65%). Moreover, Core1 contained strains with more types of agronomic traits than those in Core2. This study builds the basis for further effective protection, management and use of L. edodes germplasm resource.
Biogenic amines in Zamorano cheese: factors involved in their accumulation
Authors: Combarros‐Fuertes Patricia , Fernández Domingo , Arenas Ricardo , Diezhandino Isabel , Tornadijo Maria Eugenia , Fresno José María
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

Ripened cheese is among fermented food the most often associated with food poisoning from biogenic amines. The influence of ripening time, heat treatment of milk and the effect of using milk from a different ewe breed on the biogenic amine (BA) content of Zamorano cheese was studied by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Physicochemical, proteolytic and microbiological parameters were also studied.

RESULTS

BA content increased significantly during ripening and their final values were around 400 mg kg−1. Cheeses elaborated with raw milk duplicated the concentration of BA relative to those elaborated with pasteurized milk (72 °C for 20 s). The average levels of putrescine, spermine and tyramine were higher in cheeses made with a greater proportion of milk from Churra breed. Significant differences in microbial counts and nitrogen soluble in 5% phosphotungstic acid were observed between the different batches.

CONCLUSION

Ripening time and heat treatment applied to milk were the factors that exercised the greatest influence upon the concentration of BA in Zamorano cheese. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Supercritical fluid chromatography with photodiode array detection for pesticide analysis in papaya and avocado samples
Authors: Pano‐Farias Norma S. , Ceballos‐Magaña Silvia G. , Gonzalez Jorge , Jurado José M. , Muñiz‐Valencia Roberto
Published: January 2015

To improve the analysis of pesticides in complex food matrices with economic importance, alternative chromatographic techniques, such as supercritical fluid chromatography, can be used. Supercritical fluid chromatography has barely been applied for pesticide analysis in food matrices. In this paper, an analytical method using supercritical fluid chromatography coupled to a photodiode array detection has been established for the first time for the quantification of pesticides in papaya and avocado. The extraction of methyl parathion, atrazine, ametryn, carbofuran, and carbaryl was performed through the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe methodology. The method was validated using papaya and avocado samples. For papaya, the correlation coefficient values were higher than 0.99; limits of detection and quantification ranged from 130–380 and 220–640 μg/kg, respectively; recovery values ranged from 72.8–94.6%; precision was lower than 3%. For avocado, limit of detection values were ˂450 μg/kg; precision was lower than 11%; recoveries ranged from 50.0–94.2%. Method feasibility was tested for lime, banana, mango, and melon samples. Our results demonstrate that the proposed method is applicable to methyl parathion, atrazine, ametryn, and carbaryl, toxics pesticides used worldwide. The methodology presented in this work could be applicable to other fruits.
Effects of ion pairing on the capillary electrophoretic separation and ultraviolet‐absorption detection of quaternary ammonium cations using meso‐octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole as the background electrolyte additive
Authors: Luo Mina , Ma Huaqiao , Chen Fu
Published: January 2015

Five quaternary ammonium cations, including tetramethylammonium, tetraethylammonium, hexadecyltrimethylammonium, benzyltrimethylammonium, and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium, have been separated by capillary electrophoresis. A direct ultraviolet method has been achieved when tetrabutylammonium fluoride was the background electrolyte and meso‐octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole was the background electrolyte additive. The ultraviolet spectra of meso‐octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole and cation mixtures showed that redshifts can be attributed to the size of cations, and the maximum absorption wavelength shifted from 218 to 230 nm when tetrabutylammonium cation was substituted with tetramethylammonium cation or tetraethylammonium cation. Conductivity measurements were performed to evaluate the ion‐pairing effect of tetrabutylammonium fluoride in a mixture of acetonitrile/ethanol (80:20, v/v), and the ion‐pairing formation constant, Kip, was calculated (Kip = 14.8 ± 0.3 L/mol) using the Fuoss extended model. Ion pairing also occurs between cations of the analytes and counterion, a fluoride complex of meso‐octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole. The tetramethylammonium cations associate more strongly with this counterion than the tetraethylammonium cation that contributes to the change of selectivity in capillary electrophoresis separation. The effective mobilities of the cations with trimethyl groups, such as tetramethylammonium cation, benzyltrimethylammonium cation, and hexadecyltrimethylammonium cation, decreased faster than others with the increase of meso‐octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole concentration, highlighting the fact that the ion‐pairing effect played an important role in this method.
Kinetics and Thermodynamics of Formation and Electron‐Transfer Reactions of Surfactant Cobalt(III) Complexes Containing Polypyridyl Ligands with Fe(CN)64−in Microheterogeneous Environment
Authors: Nagaraj Karuppiah , Murugan Krishnan Senthil , Thangamuniyandi Pilavadi , Sakthinathan Subramanian
Published: January 2015

The electron‐transfer reaction of some surfactant cobalt(III) complexes,cis‐[Co(ip)2(C12H25NH2)2]3+1,cis‐[Co(dpq)2(C12H25NH2)2]3+2, andcis‐[Co(dpqc)2(C12H25NH2)2]3+3(ip = imidazo[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthroline, dpq = dipyrido[3,2‐d:2′‐3′‐f]quinoxaline, dpqc = dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,4′‐c](6,7,8,9‐tetrahydro)phenazine, C12H25NH2= dodecylamine) with the Fe(CN)64−ion has been investigated in microheterogeneous media (micelles, β‐cyclodextrin) at different temperatures by the spectrophotometric method under pseudo‐first‐order conditions using an excess of the reductant. Experimentally, the reaction was found to be second order and the electron transfer postulated as an outer sphere. The rate constant for the electron‐transfer reaction in micelles was found to increase with an increase in the initial concentration of the surfactant–cobalt(III) complex. This peculiar behavior of dependence of the second‐order rate constant on the initial concentration of one of the reactants has been attributed to the presence of various concentrations of micelles under different initial concentrations of the surfactant–cobalt(III) complex in the reaction medium. Inclusion of the long aliphatic chain of the surfactant complex ion into β‐cyclodextrin leads to decrease in the rate constant. Kinetic data and activation parameters are interpreted in terms of an outer‐sphere electron‐transfer mechanism. All these results have been interpreted in terms of the hydrophobic effect and the reactants with the opposite charge.
Hydrogen Bonding in Aprotic Solvents, a New Strategy for Gelation of Bioinspired Catecholic Copolymers with N‐Isopropylamide
Authors: Vatankhah‐Varnoosfaderani Mohammad , GhavamiNejad Amin , Hashmi Saud , Stadler Florian J.
Published: January 2015

Copolymers of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and dopamine methacrylate can establish a reversible, self‐healing 3D network in aprotic solvents based on hydrogen bonding. The reactivity and hydrogen bonding formation of catechol groups in copolymer chains are studied by UV–vis and 1H NMR spectroscopy, while reversibility from sol to gel and inverse as well as self‐healing properties are tested rheologically. The produced reversible organogel can self‐encapsulate physically interacting or chemically bonded solutes such as drugs due to thermosensitivity of the used copolymer. This system offers dual‐targeted and controlled drug delivery and release—by slowing down release kinetics by supramolecular bonding of the drug and by reducing diffusion rates due to modulus increase.

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Fabrication of High‐Resolution 4,82‐Type Archimedean Nanolattices Composed of Solution Processable Spin Cross‐Over Fe(II) Metallosupramolecular Polymers
Authors: Venkataramudu Uppari , Chandrasekhar Naisa , Basak Supratim , Prasad Muvva D. , Chandrasekar Rajadurai
Published: January 2015

This paper presents the synthesis of two highly soluble Fe(II) metallosupramolecular polymers with two counter anions from a novel back‐to‐back coupled hybrid ligand. The spin cross‐over (SCO) temperature of polymers with BF4 and ClO4 counter anions is T1/2 = 313 K and T1/2 = 326 K, respectively. By following the top‐down approach, one of the polymers (with ClO4 counter anion) is successfully solution processed using a lithographically controlled wetting technique to create laser readable high‐resolution Archimedean (4,82) nanolattices (consist of diamagnetic octagons and SCO squares). The thickness and top area of each SCO square are ≈75 nm and ≈2 × 2 μm2, respectively.

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An Inside Look at the NLRB's New E‐mail Rule
Authors: DeMaria Alfred T.
Published: January 2015

In its December 11, 2014, ruling in Purple Communications, 361 NLRB No. 126, the National Labor Relations Board has established a presumption that during nonwork time employees may access their employer's e‐mail systems for self‐organizing and other nonbusiness purposes, including discussions of and complaints about terms and conditions of employment. The NLRB's theory is that e‐mail in today's work environment is similar to the old “water cooler” of days gone by where employees gathered to chat, or equivalent to the break room where employees are free to discuss any topic, including union organization. The ruling finds that employees' right to use the employer's e‐mail system for these purposes outweighs the employer's right to control its own property interest in the equipment.
Mass spectrometry‐based plant metabolomics: Metabolite responses to abiotic stress
Authors: Jorge Tiago F. , Rodrigues João A. , Caldana Camila , Schmidt Romy , van Dongen Joost T. , Thomas‐Oates Jane , António Carla
Published: January 2015

Metabolomics is one omics approach that can be used to acquire comprehensive information on the composition of a metabolite pool to provide a functional screen of the cellular state. Studies of the plant metabolome include analysis of a wide range of chemical species with diverse physical properties, from ionic inorganic compounds to biochemically derived hydrophilic carbohydrates, organic and amino acids, and a range of hydrophobic lipid‐related compounds. This complexitiy brings huge challenges to the analytical technologies employed in current plant metabolomics programs, and powerful analytical tools are required for the separation and characterization of this extremely high compound diversity present in biological sample matrices. The use of mass spectrometry (MS)‐based analytical platforms to profile stress‐responsive metabolites that allow some plants to adapt to adverse environmental conditions is fundamental in current plant biotechnology research programs for the understanding and development of stress‐tolerant plants. In this review, we describe recent applications of metabolomics and emphasize its increasing application to study plant responses to environmental (stress‐) factors, including drought, salt, low oxygen caused by waterlogging or flooding of the soil, temperature, light and oxidative stress (or a combination of them). Advances in understanding the global changes occurring in plant metabolism under specific abiotic stress conditions are fundamental to enhance plant fitness and increase stress tolerance. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 35:620–649, 2016
Effect of aluminum on the primary carbides of a hypereutectic high chromium cast iron
Authors: Zhi X. , Han Y. , Lui J.
Published: January 2015

The effect of aluminum on the primary M7C3 carbides of a hypereutectic high chromium cast iron containing 4.0 wt% carbon and 20.0 wt% chromium was studied by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (EDX), water quenching, and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Compared with specimen without aluminum addition, the primary carbides were all refined when different amount of aluminum was added into the melts, but the primary carbides in specimen with 0.3 wt% aluminum were the finest. With the addition of aluminum, aluminum element enriched at the boundary of primary carbides during solidification and was beneficial for the refinement of primary carbides. However, the increase of primary carbide growth time with the increase aluminum content had adverse effect on the refinement of the primary carbides. The comprehensive influence of those two factors leaded to the result that the primary carbides in specimen 1 with 0.3 wt% aluminum were the finest.
Cyclosporine A and tacrolimus inhibit urothelial tumorigenesis
Authors: Kawahara Takashi , Kashiwagi Eiji , Li Yi , Zheng Yichun , Miyamoto Yurina , Netto George J. , Ishiguro Hitoshi , Miyamoto Hiroshi
Published: January 2015

The functional role of nuclear factor of activated T‐cells (NFAT), while it has been extensively investigated in the immune system, remains uncertain in bladder cancer development. We here aim to assess the effects of cyclosporine A (CsA) and tacrolimus (FK506), immunosuppressants known to specifically inactivate the NFAT pathway in immune cells, on neoplastic transformation of urothelial cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the expression levels of NFATc1, a NFAT isoform shown to function as an oncogene in a sarcoma model, were elevated in urothelial neoplasms, compared with non‐neoplastic urothelial tissues, and in low‐grade and high‐grade papillary urothelial carcinomas, compared with papillary urothelial neoplasms of low malignant potential. In an immortalized normal urothelial cell line SVHUC, CsA and FK506 reducedNFATc1expression, NFAT transcriptional activity, and the expression ofc‐myc, a downstream target of NFATc1 signals. Treatment with CsA or FK506 in the SVHUC cells undergoing neoplastic transformation induced by exposure to a chemical carcinogen 3‐methylcholanthrene resulted in strong inhibition in colony formation in vitro as well as tumor formation in NOD‐SCID mice. CsA and FK506 were additionally found to up‐regulate the expression of several molecules that play a protective role in bladder tumorigenesis, including p53, p21, and p27, and down‐regulate that of oncogenic genes, such as cyclin D1, cyclin D3, and cyclin E, in SVHUC cells with the carcinogen challenge. Thus, CsA and FK506 likely inhibit urothelial tumorigenesis. These findings offer a potential chemopreventive approach for urothelial tumors using NFAT inhibitors. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The aberrant expression of MEG3 regulated by UHRF1 predicts the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhuo Han , Tang Junwei , Lin Zhe , Jiang Runqiu , Zhang Xudong , Ji Jie , Wang Ping , Sun Beicheng
Published: January 2015

MEG3 as a tumor suppressor has been reported to be linked with pathogenesis of malignancies including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanism of MEG3 in HCC still remains unclear. In our study, the aberrant decreased level of MEG3 in 72 tumor tissues obtained from HCC patients and cell lines was examined by using real‐time PCR. The inhibition affection in proliferation and inducing affection in apoptosis was further confirmed in vivo and vitro, we also demonstrated that MEG3 regulates HCC cell proliferation and apoptosis partially via the accumulation of p53. Besides, the hypermethylation of MEG3 in promoter region was identified by bisulfite sequencing while MEG3 increased with the inhibition of methylation. Subsequently, UHRF1, a new identified oncogene which is required for DNA methylation and recruits, was investigated. A negative correlation of MEG3 and UHRF1 expression was verified in primary HCC tissues. Down‐regulation of UHRF1 induced MEG3 expression in HCC cell lines, which could be reversed by the up‐regulation of UHRF1. In addition, up‐regulation of MEG3 in HCC cells partially diminished the promotion of proliferation induced by UHRF1. Moreover, Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated that the patients with low expression of MEG3 indicated worse overall and relapse‐free survivals compared with high expression of MEG3. Cox proportional hazards analyses showed that MEG3 expression was an independent prognostic factor for HCC patients. In conclusion, we demonstrated MEG3, acting as a potential biomarker in predicting the prognosis of HCC, was regulated by UHRF1 via recruiting DNMT1 and regulated p53 expression. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Forced extinction of CD24 stem‐like breast cancer marker alone promotes radiation resistance through the control of oxidative stress
Authors: Bensimon Julie , Biard Denis , Paget Vincent , Goislard Maud , Morel‐Altmeyer Sandrine , Konge Julie , Chevillard Sylvie , Lebeau Jérôme
Published: January 2015

Along with CD44, CD24 is a key marker of breast cancer stem cells (CSCs), frequently defined by CD24−/CD44+ labeling. Among all phenotypes classically attributed to breast CD24−/CD44+ cancer cells, radiation resistance has been extensively described and seen as being implicated in radiotherapy failure. Our previous data indicated that CD24− cells constitute a radiation‐resistant subpopulation transitory selected by high doses of ionizing radiation. However, little is known about the biological role of CD24 in breast cancers, and no function has been assigned to CD24 in radiation response. Here, CD24 expression was induced in CD24− cells or knocked‐down in CD24+ cells. We show that forced extinction of CD24 expression is associated with decreased proliferation rate, lower levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased genomic instability. On the opposite when CD24 is artificially expressed in CD24− cells, proliferation rates in vitro and in vivo, ROS levels and genomic instability are enhanced. Moreover, we observe that loss of CD24 expression leads to radiation resistance, by preventing radiation‐induced cell death and promoting generation of progeny in relation to lower G2/M blockade and a smaller proportion of polyploid cells. Finally, control of ROS levels appears to be the key event in the CD24‐mediated radiation response. For the first time, CD24 is proposed as a direct actor in radiation response of breast cancer cells, independently of CD44 expression. These findings could have interesting applications in evaluating the intrinsic radiation response of primary tumors. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Entacapone and Prostate Cancer Risk in Patients With Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Korhonen Pasi , Kuoppamäki Mikko , Prami Tuire , Hoti Fabian , Christopher Solomon , Ellmén Juha , Aho Valtteri , Vahteristo Mikko , Pukkala Eero , Haukka Jari
Published: January 2015

Background

The association between Parkinson's disease (PD) and prostate cancer, both common in elderly men, is disputable. In the STRIDE‐PD study, prostate cancer developed in 9 patients (3.7%) receiving levodopa/carbidopa with entacapone, a catechol‐O‐methyltransferase inhibitor, versus 2 cases (0.9%) without entacapone. The current pharmacoepidemiological study aimed to determine whether entacapone increases prostate cancer incidence or mortality in PD patients and whether cumulative exposure affects these rates.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study using population‐wide health care registers with patient‐level linkage. Prostate cancer incidence and mortality were modeled by Cox's proportional hazards models.

Results and Conclusions

Use of entacapone with l‐dopa/dopa decarboxylase inhibitor caused no increased risk of prostate cancer incidence (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.05; 95% confidence interval: 0.76‐1.44) or mortality (0.93; 0.43‐1.98). The HR for cumulative entacapone use of >360 days versus never‐use was 0.82 (0.56‐1.18) for prostate cancer incidence and 1.27 (0.60‐2.72) for prostate cancer mortality. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Symmetrical weighted essentially non‐oscillatory‐flux limiter schemes for Hamilton–Jacobi equations
Authors: Abedian Rooholah , Adibi Hojatollah , Dehghan Mehdi
Published: January 2015

In this paper, we propose a new scheme that combines weighted essentially non‐oscillatory (WENO) procedures together with monotone upwind schemes to approximate the viscosity solution of the Hamilton–Jacobi equations. In one‐dimensional (1D) case, first, we obtain an optimum polynomial on a four‐point stencil. This optimum polynomial is third‐order accurate in regions of smoothness. Next, we modify a second‐order ENO polynomial by choosing an additional point inside the stencil in order to obtain the highest accuracy when combined with the Harten–Osher reconstruction‐evolution method limiter. Finally, the optimum polynomial is considered as a symmetric and convex combination of three polynomials with ideal weights. Following the methodology of the classic WENO procedure, then, we calculate the non‐oscillatory weights with the ideal weights. Numerical experiments in 1D and 2D are performed to compare the capability of the hybrid scheme to WENO schemes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transitions in a logistic population model incorporating an Allee effect
Authors: Idlango M. A. , Gear J. A. , Shepherd J. J.
Published: January 2015

In some species, the population may decline to zero; that is, the species becomes extinct if the population falls below a given threshold. This phenomenon is well known as an Allee effect. In most Allee models, the model parameters are constants, and the population tends either to a nonzero limiting state (survival) or to zero (extinction). However, when environmental changes occur, these parameters may be slowly varying functions of time. Then, application of multitiming techniques allows us to construct approximations to the evolving population in cases where the population survives to a slowly varying surviving state and those where the population declines to zero. Here, we investigate the solution of a logistic population model exhibiting an Allee effect, when the carrying capacity and the limiting density interchange roles, via a transition point. We combine multiscaling analysis with local asymptotic analysis at the transition point to obtain an overall expression for the evolution of the population. We show that this shows excellent agreement with the results of numerical computations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cocoa flavonoids protect hepatic cells against high‐glucose‐induced oxidative stress: Relevance of MAPKs
Authors: Cordero‐Herrera Isabel , Martín María Angeles , Goya Luis , Ramos Sonia
Published: January 2015

Scope

Oxidative stress plays a main role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cocoa and (‐)‐epicatechin (EC), a main cocoa flavanol, have been suggested to exert beneficial effects in type 2 diabetes mellitus because of their protective effects against oxidative stress and insulin‐like properties. In this study, the protective effect of EC and a cocoa phenolic extract (CPE) against oxidative stress induced by a high‐glucose challenge, which causes insulin resistance, was investigated on hepatic HepG2 cells.

Methods and results

Oxidative status, phosphorylated mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs), nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and p‐(Ser)‐IRS‐1 expression, and glucose uptake were evaluated. EC and CPE regulated antioxidant enzymes and activated extracellular‐regulated kinase and Nrf2. EC and CPE pre‐treatment prevented high‐glucose‐induced antioxidant defences and p‐MAPKs, and maintained Nrf2 stimulation. The presence of selective MAPK inhibitors induced changes in redox status, glucose uptake, p‐(Ser)‐ and total IRS‐1 levels that were observed in CPE‐mediated protection.

Conclusion

EC and CPE recovered redox status of insulin‐resistant HepG2 cells, suggesting that the functionality in EC‐ and CPE‐treated cells was protected against high‐glucose‐induced oxidative insult. CPE beneficial effects on redox balance and insulin resistance were mediated by targeting MAPKs.
Zero TEMR bone imaging in the head
Authors: Wiesinger Florian , Sacolick Laura I. , Menini Anne , Kaushik Sandeep S. , Ahn Sangtae , Veit‐Haibach Patrick , Delso Gaspar , Shanbhag Dattesh D.
Published: January 2015

Purpose

To investigate proton density (PD)‐weighted zero TE (ZT) imaging for morphological depiction and segmentation of cranial bone structures.

Methods

A rotating ultra‐fast imaging sequence (RUFIS) type ZT pulse sequence was developed and optimized for 1) efficient capture of short T2 bone signals and 2) flat PD response for soft‐tissues. An inverse logarithmic image scaling (i.e., −log(image)) was used to highlight bone and differentiate it from surrounding soft‐tissue and air. Furthermore, a histogram‐based bias‐correction method was developed for subsequent threshold‐based air, soft‐tissue, and bone segmentation.

Results

PD‐weighted ZT imaging in combination with an inverse logarithmic scaling was found to provide excellent depiction of cranial bone structures. In combination with bias correction, also excellent segmentation results were achieved. A two‐dimensional histogram analysis demonstrates a strong, approximately linear correlation between inverse log‐scaled ZT and low‐dose CT for Hounsfield units (HU) between −300 HU and 1,500 HU (corresponding to soft‐tissue and bone).

Conclusions

PD‐weighted ZT imaging provides robust and efficient depiction of bone structures in the head, with an excellent contrast between air, soft‐tissue, and bone. Besides structural bone imaging, the presented method is expected to be of relevance for attenuation correction in positron emission tomography (PET)/MR and MR‐based radiation therapy planning. Magn Reson Med 75:107–114, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of pore water pressure dissipation on rate dependency of shear strength in localised failure of soils
Authors: Puzrin Alexander M. , Randolph Mark F.
Published: January 2015

The paper presents analytical solutions for the evolution of excess pore pressures in the vicinity of a shear band in a rate‐dependent, strain‐softening permeable soil, with the aim to explore, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the potential variation of failure shear stress in the shear band. The solutions encompass both dissipation of a pre‐existing pore pressure regime within the main soil domain, and the effects of generation of additional pore pressure within the shear band itself. The simplified analytical solutions were checked by numerical inversion of exact solutions in Laplace transform space, confirming their high accuracy. The solutions show that it is possible for the failure shear stress to rise initially because of short‐term dissipation of the pre‐existing excess pore pressure at a faster rate than generation of new excess pore pressure within the shear band. This apparent strain hardening in a strain‐softening soil can be misleading in that it can temporarily slow down the sliding mass and create a false sense of stabilization of the slope. It can also result in additional temporary shear resistance for sliding foundations or pipelines on the seabed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Strong Army Couples: A Case Study of Rekindling Marriage After Combat Deployment
Authors: Melvin Kristal C. , Wenzel Jennifer , Jennings Bonnie Mowinski
Published: January 2015

Post‐traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), occurring in 15% of combat‐exposed military personnel, are associated with a decrease in couples' relationship quality. The purpose of this analysis was to describe reintegration in Army couples with high couple functioning, despite PTSS in one or both partners. Reintegration refers to readjustment after deployment; returning to previous role(s). In a mixed‐methods case study of Army couples with a history of combat deployment, we used existing quantitative data to define sampling boundaries, select cases, and guide interviews. Couples scoring high on couple functioning, resilience, and couple satisfaction were interviewed (N = 5 couples, 10 participants). “Rekindling marriage” required strategies to overcome challenges during couple reintegration. For participants as individuals, those strategies were allowing negative emotions, giving each other time and space to do the work of rediscovery and accepting a changed reality, and recognizing and addressing individual needs of the other. As couples, strategies were to go with the flow, open your heart, become best friends, maintain trust, and communicate effectively. As families, strategies were to normalize schedules and protect family time. Findings offer a preliminary basis for interventions to promote strong relationships for military couples with PTSS. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Successful use of brentuximab vedotin for refractory anaplastic large cell lymphoma as a bridging therapy to haploidentical stem cell transplantation and maintenance therapy post‐transplantation
Authors: Koh Kyung‐Nam , Im Ho Joon , Suh Jin Kyung , Lee Seong Wook , Choi Eun Seok , Seo Jong Jin
Published: January 2015

Brentuximab vedotin (BV) is a monoclonal antibody‐drug conjugate that targets CD30, and has been reported to be effective for relapsed/refractory anaplastic large cell lymphoma. We here report a patient who experienced multiple relapses after conventional chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). He achieved a complete metabolic response with BV and proceeded to undergo haploidentical HSCT. After HSCT, he received three doses of BV to prevent an early relapse, and remains in remission 16 months post‐transplantation. Our case suggests the potential use of BV both as a bridging therapy to allogeneic HSCT and as a maintenance therapy post‐transplantation. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1063–1065. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Incidental diagnosis of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma in children
Authors: Wright Karen D. , Sabin Noah D. , Cheuk Daniel , McNall‐Knapp RenéY. , Shurtleff Sheila A. , Gajjar Amar , Broniscer Alberto
Published: January 2015

Children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) have a short onset, rapidly progressive neurologic decline before diagnosis. Therefore, incidental diagnosis of such an aggressive cancer is counterintuitive, yet our experience shows DIPG may occur as part of a spectrum of incidentally diagnosed pediatric brain cancers. Although children with incidentally diagnosed DIPG may experience a longer survival, it remains a potentially deadly cancer despite treatment with radiotherapy. Histologic confirmation is warranted when feasible in such patients to confirm diagnosis. Moreover, recent advances in genome‐wide analyses may suggest incidentally diagnosed DIPGs are biologically distinct from the majority of these cancers. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1081–1083. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimization of CdS buffer layer for high‐performance Cu2ZnSnSe4 solar cells and the effects of light soaking: elimination of crossover and red kink
Authors: Neuschitzer Markus , Sanchez Yudania , López‐Marino Simon , Xie Haibing , Fairbrother Andrew , Placidi Marcel , Haass Stefan , Izquierdo‐Roca Victor , Perez‐Rodriguez Alejandro , Saucedo Edgardo
Published: January 2015

A spike‐like conduction band alignment of kesterite absorbers with a CdS buffer layer is one of the key factors for high‐performance solar cells using this buffer/absorber heterojunction combination. However, it can also be the origin of fill factor and current‐reducing distortions in current–voltage curves, such as light/dark curve crossover, or an s‐like curve shape for long wavelength monochromatic illumination (red kink) if light‐dependent defect states are present in the buffer layer. In this work, we show that by changing the cadmium precursor source from sulfate to nitrate salts for the chemical bath deposited cadmium sulfide for Cu2ZnSnSnSe4/CdS heterojunction solar cells red kink can be eliminated, and crossover greatly improved (and eliminated entirely after light soaking). These improvements lead to a decrease in series resistance and an increase in fill factor and increase power conversion efficiency from 7.0% to 8.2%. We attribute this improvement to a reduction of deep level acceptor‐like traps states inside the CdS layer, which are responsible for an increase of the conduction band spike up to a current blocking value for the sulfate precursor case. Furthermore, the effects of light soaking will be discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photovoltaics literature survey (No. 116)
Authors: Hameiri Ziv
Published: January 2015

In order to help keep readers up‐to‐date in the field, each issue of Progress in Photovoltaics will contain a list of recently published journal articles that are most relevant to its aims and scope. This list is drawn from an extremely wide range of journals, including IEEE Journal of Photovoltaics, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Renewable Energy, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Journal of Applied Physics, and Applied Physics Letters. To assist the reader, the list is separated into broad categories, but please note that these classifications are by no means strict. Also note that inclusion in the list is not an endorsement of a paper's quality. If you have any suggestions please email Ziv Hameiri at ziv.hameiri@unsw.edu.au.
Patient and physician reports of the information provided about illness and treatment: what matters for patients' adaptation to cancer during treatment?
Authors: Paschali Antonia A. , Hadjulis Michael , Papadimitriou Angela , Karademas Evangelos C.
Published: January 2015

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine (a) whether illness representations mediate the relation of the amount of information provided by physicians to patients' adaptation to illness; (b) whether patient–physician agreement on the information provided impacts the aforementioned relationship. The study focused on information that, according to the Common Sense Self‐Regulation Model, is essential for adaptation to illness.

Methods: The sample consisted of 93 patients undergoing chemotherapy and their physicians. Indirect (mediation) effects and conditional (moderated) indirect effects were examined using bootstrapping.

Results: The more illness and treatment‐related information was provided by physicians, the more positive illness representations (specifically, illness consequences, emotional representations, and personal control) were reported by patients. In turn, these illness representations were related to better physical functioning and better adjustment to cancer. The degree of the patient–physician agreement on the information provided did not affect this relationship.

Conclusions: What seems to be more crucial for patients' adaptation to cancer during treatment is the amount of information provided by physicians rather than their agreement with patients on the information provided. Also, there is a need to thoroughly examine the pathways through which information provision impacts adaptation to illness.

Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CE‐MS‐based proteomics in biomarker discovery and clinical application
Authors: Pontillo Claudia , Filip Szymon , Borràs Daniel M. , Mullen William , Vlahou Antonia , Mischak Harald
Published: January 2015

CE‐MS is applied in clinical proteomics for both the identification of biomarkers of disease and assessment of biomarkers in clinical diagnosis. The analysis is reproducible, fast, and requires only small sample volumes. However, successful CE‐MS analysis depends on several critical steps that can be consolidated as follows: (i) proper sample preparation and fractionation, (ii) application of suitable capillary coating and appropriate CE‐MS interfaces, to ensure the reproducibility and stability of the analysis, and (iii) an optimized clinical and statistical study design to increase the chances for obtaining clinically relevant results. In this review, we cover all these aspects, and present several examples of the application of CE‐MS in clinical proteomics.
Clinical proteomics: Promises, challenges and limitations of affinity arrays
Authors: Betzen Christian , Alhamdani Mohamed Saiel Saeed , Lueong Smiths , Schröder Christoph , Stang Axel , Hoheisel Jörg D.
Published: January 2015

After the establishment of DNA/RNA sequencing as a means of clinical diagnosis, the analysis of the proteome is next in line. As a matter of fact, proteome‐based diagnostics is bound to be even more informative, since proteins are directly involved in the actual cellular processes that are responsible for disease. However, the structural variation and the biochemical differences between proteins, the much wider range in concentration and their spatial distribution as well as the fact that protein activity frequently relies on interaction increase the methodological complexity enormously, particularly if an accuracy and robustness is required that is sufficient for clinical utility. Here, we discuss the contribution that protein microarray formats could play towards proteome‐based diagnostics.
Nematicidal activity of acetophenones and chalcones against Meloidogyne incognita and structure–activity considerations
Authors: Caboni Pierluigi , Aissani Nadhem , Demurtas Monica , Ntalli Nikoletta , Onnis Valentina
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

With the ultimate goal of identifying new compounds active against root‐knot nematodes, a set of 14 substituted chalcones were synthesised, starting from acetophenones. These chalcones and various acetophenones were tested in vitro against Meloidogyne incognita.

RESULTS

The most potent acetophenones were 4‐nitroacetophenone and 4‐iodoacetophenone, with EC50/24 h values of 12 ± 5 and 15 ± 4 mg L−1 respectively, somewhat weaker than that of the chemical control fosthiazate in our previous experiments (EC50/24 h 0.4 ± 0.3 mg L−1). When we converted the acetophenones to chalcones, the nematicidal activity differed, based on their substitution pattern. The condensation of 4‐nitroacetophenone with 2,4,6‐trihydroxybenzaldehyde to give the corresponding chalcone (E)‐1‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐3‐(2,4,6‐trihydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one led to a slight reduction in activity (EC50/24 h value 25 ± 17 mg L−1). Moreover, (E)‐3‐(2‐hydroxy‐5‐iodophenyl)‐1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one showed better activity (EC50/24 h value 26 ± 15 mg L−1) than 4‐methoxyacetophenone (EC50/24 h value 43 ± 10 mg L−1).

CONCLUSIONS

Acetophenones and chalcones may represent good leads in the discovery of new nematicidal compounds and may have potential use in crop management as active ingredients. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry