bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of liquiritin on human intestinal bacteria growth: metabolism and modulation
Authors: Zhang Wei , Jiang Shu , Qian Dawei , Shang Er‐xin , Duan Jin‐ao
Published: February 2014

Licorice is one of the oldest and most frequently used prescribed traditional Chimese medicines. However, the route and metabolites of liquiritin by human intestinal microflora are not well understood and its metabolites may accumulate to exert physiological effects. Therefore, our objective was to screen the ability of the bacteria to metabolize liquiritin and assess the effect of this compound on the intestinal bacteria. Finally, six strains, comprising Bacteroides sp. 22 and sp.57, Veillonella sp. 31 and sp.48, Bacillus sp. 46 and Clostridium sp. 51, were isolated and their abilities to convert liquiritin studied. A total of five metabolites were identified using ultra performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry in human incubated solution. The results indicated that hydrolysis, hydrogenation, methylation, deoxygenation and acetylation were the major routes of metabolism of liquiritin. On the other hand, effect of liquiritin on different strains of intestinal bacteria growth was detected using an Emax precision microplate reader. Growth of certain pathogenic bacteria, such as Enterobacter, Enterococcus, Clostridium and Bacteroides, was significantly repressed by liquiritin, while growth of commensal probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium was less severely affected. Our observation provided further evidence for the importance of intestinal bacteria in the metabolism, and the potential activity of liquiritin in human health and disease. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Improved Technique for the Rapid Chemical Characterisation of Bacterial Terpene Cyclases
Authors: Dickschat Jeroen S. , Pahirulzaman Khomaizon A. K. , Rabe Patrick , Klapschinski Tim A.
Published: February 2014

A derivative of the pET28c(+) expression vector was constructed. It contains a yeast replication system (2μ origin of replication) and a yeast selectable marker (URA3), and can be used for gene cloning in yeast by efficient homologous recombination, and for heterologous expression in E. coli. The vector was used for the expression and chemical characterisation of three bacterial terpene cyclases.
Viability of Au/CeO2–ZnO/Al2O3 Catalysts for Pure Hydrogen Production by the Water–Gas Shift Reaction
Authors: Reina Tomás Ramírez , Ivanova Svetlana , Delgado Juan José , Ivanov Ivan , Idakiev Vasko , Tabakova Tatyana , Centeno Miguel Angel , Odriozola José Antonio
Published: February 2014

The production of H2 pure enough for use in fuel cells requires the development of very efficient catalysts for the water–gas shift reaction. Herein, a series of gold catalysts supported on ZnO‐promoted CeO2–Al2O3 are presented as interesting systems for the purification of H2 streams through the water–gas shift reaction. The addition of ZnO remarkably promotes the activity of an Au/CeO2/Al2O3 catalyst. This increase in activity is mainly associated with the enhanced oxygen storage capacity exhibited for the Zn‐containing solids. High activity and good stability and resistance towards start‐up–shut‐down situations was found, which makes these catalysts a promising alternative for CO clean‐up applications.
Iron–Nitrogen Coordination in Modified Graphene Catalyzes a Four‐Electron‐Transfer Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Kamiya Kazuhide , Koshikawa Hiroyuki , Kiuchi Hisao , Harada Yoshihisa , Oshima Masaharu , Hashimoto Kazuhito , Nakanishi Shuji
Published: February 2014

It is shown that iron–nitrogen (Fe/N) coordination in an Fe/N‐modified graphene (Fe/N‐graphene) electrocatalyst catalyzes a four‐electron transfer oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The Fe/N‐graphene is synthesized by heat‐treating graphene oxides in the presence of an Fe/N complex at 900 °C for just 45 s. When the heat‐treatment period is increased, the Fe/N coordination bonds are broken and the number of electrons involved in the ORR decreases. Extended X‐ray absorption fine structure analysis and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) show that both a complete sp2 graphitic structure and a high density of Fe/N coordination structures exist in the Fe/N‐graphene material, which is in contrast to the carbon‐based catalyst prepared by using the conventional pyrolysis method. XAS analysis also reveals that back‐donation from Fe atoms coordinated with N to an O antibonding π* orbital occurrs, promoting the four‐electron transfer ORR.
Oxonium Ions Substituting Cesium Ions in the Structure of the New High‐Pressure Borate HP‐Cs1−x(H3O)xB3O5 (x=0.5–0.7)
Authors: Sohr Gerhard , Neumair Stephanie C. , Heymann Gunter , Wurst Klaus , Schmedt auf der Günne Jörn , Huppertz Hubert
Published: February 2014

The new high‐pressure borate HP‐Cs1−x(H3O)xB3O5 (x=0.5–0.7) was synthesized under high‐pressure/high‐temperature conditions of 6 GPa/900 °C in a Walker‐type multianvil apparatus. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (Z=8) with the parameters a=1000.6(2), b=887.8(2), c=926.3(2) pm, β=103.1(1)°, V=0.8016(3) nm3, R1=0.0452, and wR2=0.0721 (all data). The boron–oxygen network is analogous to those of the compounds HP‐MB3O5, (M=K, Rb) and exhibits all three structural motifs of borates—BO3 groups, corner‐sharing BO4 tetrahedra, and edge‐sharing BO4 tetrahedra—at the same time. Channels inside the boron–oxygen framework contain the cesium and oxonium ions, which are disordered on a specific site. Estimating the amount of hydrogen by solid‐state NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction led to the composition HP‐Cs1−x(H3O)xB3O5 (x=0.5–0.7), which implies a nonzero phase width.
Molecular Recognition of Nucleotides in Water by Scorpiand‐Type Receptors Based on Nucleobase Discrimination
Authors: Inclán Mario , Albelda M. Teresa , Carbonell Esther , Blasco Salvador , Bauzá Antonio , Frontera Antonio , García‐España Enrique
Published: February 2014

The detection of nucleotides is of crucial importance because they are the basic building blocks of nucleic acids. Scorpiand‐based polyamine receptors functionalized with pyridine or anthracene units are able to form stable complexes with nucleotides in water, based on coulombic, π–π stacking, and hydrogen‐bonding interactions. This behavior has been rationalized by means of an exploration with NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Binding constants were determined by potentiometry. Fluorescence spectroscopy studies have revealed the potential of these receptors as sensors to effectively and selectively distinguish guanosine‐5′‐triphosphate (GTP) from adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate (ATP).
Co3O4@CeO2 Core@Shell Cubes: Designed Synthesis and Optimization of Catalytic Properties
Authors: Zhen Jiangman , Wang Xiao , Liu Dapeng , Song Shuyan , Wang Zhuo , Wang Yinghui , Li Junqi , Wang Fan , Zhang Hongjie
Published: February 2014

Mastery of nanomaterial structure enables the control of its properties to enhance its performance for a given application. Herein, we demonstrate a fast and facile self‐assembly method for the synthesis of a series of Co3O4@CeO2 core@shell cubes, which are characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses. The results indicate that the thickness of the CeO2 shell can be tuned through simple variation of the feeding molar ratio of Ce/Co. These Co3O4@CeO2 core@shell cubes are used for catalytic CO oxidation and show good catalytic properties. Moreover, the relationship between the catalytic performance and the CeO2 shell thickness is studied in depth to optimize the catalytic properties.
Easily Accessible and Highly Tunable Bisphosphine Ligands for Asymmetric Hydroformylation of Terminal and Internal Alkenes
Authors: Xu Kun , Zheng Xin , Wang Zhiyong , Zhang Xumu
Published: February 2014

An efficient methodology for synthesizing a small library of easily tunable and sterically bulky ligands for asymmetric hydroformylation (AHF) has been reported. Five groups of alkene substrates have been tested with excellent conversions, moderate‐to‐excellent regio‐ and enantioselectivities. Among the best result of the reported literature, application of ligand 1 c in the highly selective AHF of the challenging substrate 2,5‐dihydrofuran yielded almost one isomer in up to 99 % conversion along with enantiomeric excesses (ee) of up to 92 %. Highly enantioselective AHF of dihydropyrrole substrates is achieved using the same ligand, with up to 95 % ee and up to >1:50 β‐isomer/α‐isomer ratio.
Chemical Storage of Renewable Electrical Energy via Hydrogenation of Process Gases of the Steel Industry
Authors: Schöß Maximilian A. , Redenius Alexander , Turek Thomas , Güttel Robert
Published: February 2014

Aufgrund des steigenden Anteils erneuerbarer Energien in Deutschland wird eine Anpassung des stochastisch anfallenden, regenerativen elektrischen Stroms an den Bedarf notwendig. Eine Möglichkeit ist die Speicherung der Energie in Methan, wofür neben Wasserstoff auch eine Kohlenstoffquelle notwendig ist. In diesem Beitrag wird die Eignung von Prozessgasen der Stahlindustrie als Kohlenstoffquelle betrachtet, da diese in großen Mengen anfallen. Als Bewertungskriterium wird neben dem erreichbaren Wirkungsgrad auch die Qualität des erhaltenen Produktgases herangezogen. Es zeigt sich, dass Prozessgase der Stahlindustrie für die Zwischenspeicherung von Stromüberschüssen interessante Rohstoffe sind.
Spatially Resolved Simulation of the External Mass Transport in Complex Catalyst Supports
Authors: Heidig Tobias , Zeiser Thomas , Schwieger Wilhelm , Freund Hannsjörg
Published: February 2014

Der Entwurf maßgeschneiderter neuartiger Katalysatorträger erlaubt eine verbesserte Reaktorleistung durch gezielt einstellbare Strömungs‐ und Stofftransportcharakteristika. Die numerische Geometrieerzeugung, Strömungssimulation und das Particle‐Tracking zur Stofftransportuntersuchung liefern das hierfür erforderliche Verständnis für Struktur‐Transport‐Zusammenhänge. Particle‐Tracking als Simulation der Bewegung einer Vielzahl von Tracerpartikeln ist aufwendig. Der Beitrag stellt Simulationsmethoden und ihre Optimierung vor und geht auf numerisch‐algorithmische Herausforderungen ein.
mRNA and miRNA analyses in cytologically positive endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration: Implications for molecular staging in lung cancer patients
Authors: Plönes Till , Elze Mirjam , Kayser Gian , Pfeifer Dietmar , Burger Meike , Zissel Gernot
Published: February 2014

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is highly aggressive and tends to metastasize early. Therefore, accurate mediastinal staging is important for therapeutic decision making. Endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA) has emerged as a minimally invasive procedure for mediastinal lymph node sampling and cancer staging. Classical EBUS‐TBNA cytology has been combined with molecular staging techniques to improve sensitivity and specificity. This study aimed to assess mRNA integrity in samples acquired by EBUS‐TBNA in the clinics. As proof‐of‐principle experiments, we also investigated whether stable miRNA could be detected in these samples.

METHODS

Integrity of mRNA isolated from tumor‐positive EBUS‐TBNA samples was assessed by calculating the RNA integrity number (RIN). In addition, 4 microRNAs were investigated (miRNA 21, miRNA 155, miRNA 200c, and miRNA 34a) because their relation to lung cancer has been documented recently. A group of patients with benign mediastinal lymphadenopathy served as a control.

RESULTS

mRNA isolated from EBUS‐TBNA samples was nearly completely degraded if handled under clinical conditions (RIN <5). Intact miRNA was detected in all samples, with no nonspecific amplification in negative control samples. miRNA 21 and miRNA 200c levels were significantly higher in tumor‐positive than in control samples (miRNA 21: median, 325,678 [range, 34,822‐583,502] vs. 801,430 (range, 17,013‐5,362,145]; P < .05; miRNA 200c: median, 9,198 [range, 610‐211,121] vs. 42,870 [range, 0‐926,252]; P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Under clinical conditions, mRNA detection is likely unsuitable for improving sensitivity of EBUS‐TBNA‐facilitated cancer staging. In contrast, detection of miRNA combined with EBUS‐TBNA cytology may improve staging sensitivity. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2014;122:292–298. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Cu2O/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composites for the Photocatalytic Conversion of CO2
Authors: An Xiaoqiang , Li Kimfung , Tang Junwang
Published: February 2014

A facile one‐step microwave‐assisted chemical method has been successfully used for the synthesis of Cu2O/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) composites. Photocatalytic CO2 reduction was then investigated on the junction under ambient conditions. The RGO coating dramatically increases Cu2O activity for CO2 photoreduction to result in a nearly six times higher activity than the optimized Cu2O and 50 times higher activity than the Cu2O/RuOx junction in the 20th hour. Furthermore, an apparent initial quantum yield of approximately 0.34 % at 400 nm has been achieved by the Cu2O/RGO junction for CO2 photoreduction. The photocurrent of the junction is nearly double that of the blank Cu2O photocathode. The improved activity together with the enhanced stability of Cu2O is attributed to the efficient charge separation and transfer to RGO as well as the protection function of RGO, which was proved by XRD, SEM, TEM, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, photo‐electrochemical, photoluminescence, and impedance characterizations. This study further presents useful information for other photocatalyst modification for efficient CO2 reduction without the need for a noble‐metal co‐catalyst.
Novel safflower oil with high γ‐tocopherol content has a high oxidative stability
Authors: Fernández‐Cuesta Álvaro , Velasco Leonardo , Ruiz‐Méndez María Victoria
Published: February 2014

Safflower oil, either with high linoleic acid or high oleic acid content, has a tocopherol profile dominated by α‐tocopherol. Novel safflower germplasm that accumulates predominantly γ‐tocopherol in seeds instead of α‐tocopherol has been developed. The objective of this research was to evaluate the chemical properties and stability of safflower oil with high oleic acid and γ‐tocopherol contents, produced by either mechanical pressing or solvent extraction from seeds of safflower line IASC‐2. Safflower oil with high oleic acid and α‐tocopherol contents from seeds of safflower line CR‐6 was used as a control. Seeds of IASC‐2 had low oil content (22.2% compared to 39.3%), which is the result of its wild origin. Oil samples showed only slight differences in the fatty acid profile and total tocopherol content. The predominant tocopherol form, either α‐ or γ, accounted in all cases for more than 95% of total tocopherols. Solvent extracted oils had more sterols than pressed oils, with oils from IASC‐2 having higher sterol content than oils from CR‐6. Major differences were observed for oil stability, measured with Rancimat. High γ‐tocopherol pressed oil from IASC‐2 had an induction period of 66.4 h, compared to 38.0 h for high α‐tocopherol oil from CR‐6, whereas solvent extracted oil from IASC‐2 had an induction time of 121.0 h, compared to 32.0 h for oil from CR‐6.

Practical applications: Safflower oil, either with high oleic or high linoleic acid contents, has been traditionally valued as a healthy edible oil. The results of the present research indicated that the nearly complete replacement of α‐tocopherol by γ‐tocopherol has a great impact on enhancing oil oxidative stability. Oils with high oxidative stability are demanded for high temperature applications such as deep frying or biolubrication. Also, extended oxidative stability is required for biofuels. According to the results of this research, the novel safflower oil with high oleic acid and high γ‐tocopherol content is more advantageous for such applications than safflower oils with high α‐tocopherol content.

Chemical properties and stability of safflower oil with high oleic acid and γ‐tocopherol contents.
Cold‐pressed Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. ex Spach) seed oil as a rich source of α‐tocopherol, carotenoids and phenolics: A comparison of the composition and antioxidant activity with nine other plant oils
Authors: Górnaś Paweł , Siger Aleksander , Juhņeviča Karina , Lācis Gunārs , Šnē Elga , Segliņa Dalija
Published: February 2014

New cold‐pressed oil recovered from seeds of Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica (Thunb.) Lindl. ex Spach, family: Rosaceae), obtained as a by‐product of fruit processing, was characterized and compared with nine well‐known oils. The Japanese quince seed oil had the highest amounts of tocopherols, β‐carotene, and total phenolic compounds (726.20; 10.77 and 64.03 mg/kg, respectively) and the lowest amount of chlorophyll (0.12 mg/kg) and peroxide value (0.59 mEq O2/kg) compared to sesame, poppy, peanut, flaxseed, pumpkin, sunflower, almond, hazelnut, and walnut oils. A correlation was found between the total contents of tocochromanols, β‐carotene, phenolic compounds, and the radical‐scavenging capacity of the oils (0.94, 0.68, 0.63, respectively), and also between the amount of chlorophyll and the CIE a* coordinate (0.80) and the amount of β‐carotene and the CIE b* coordinate (0.47). In Japanese quince seed oil, 13 fatty acids were identified with three predominating: palmitic acid (10.07%), oleic acid (34.55%), and linoleic acid (52.35%). The highest consumer acceptance was noted for hazelnut and walnut oils, while it was lowest for the poppy and flaxseed oils. Amygdalin was not detected in the Japanese quince seed oil.

Practical applications: This study demonstrated that Japanese quince seed oil is a richer source of nutritional bio‐components than other commercial cold‐pressed oils. The positive results of sensory evaluation and the absence of amygdalin in the oil indicates its potential future use in food. Moreover, it is recovered from by‐products of fruit industry; therefore, its utilization in obtaining of new, healthy products ensures environmental sustainability and a more effective use of harvested plant material.
Ketone supplementation decreases tumor cell viability and prolongs survival of mice with metastatic cancer
Authors: Poff A.M. , Ari C. , Arnold P. , Seyfried T.N. , D'Agostino D.P.
Published: February 2014

Cancer cells express an abnormal metabolism characterized by increased glucose consumption owing to genetic mutations and mitochondrial dysfunction. Previous studies indicate that unlike healthy tissues, cancer cells are unable to effectively use ketone bodies for energy. Furthermore, ketones inhibit the proliferation and viability of cultured tumor cells. As the Warburg effect is especially prominent in metastatic cells, we hypothesized that dietary ketone supplementation would inhibit metastatic cancer progression in vivo. Proliferation and viability were measured in the highly metastatic VM‐M3 cells cultured in the presence and absence of β‐hydroxybutyrate (βHB). Adult male inbred VM mice were implanted subcutaneously with firefly luciferase‐tagged syngeneic VM‐M3 cells. Mice were fed a standard diet supplemented with either 1,3‐butanediol (BD) or a ketone ester (KE), which are metabolized to the ketone bodies βHB and acetoacetate. Tumor growth was monitored by in vivo bioluminescent imaging. Survival time, tumor growth rate, blood glucose, blood βHB and body weight were measured throughout the survival study. Ketone supplementation decreased proliferation and viability of the VM‐M3 cells grown in vitro, even in the presence of high glucose. Dietary ketone supplementation with BD and KE prolonged survival in VM‐M3 mice with systemic metastatic cancer by 51 and 69%, respectively (p < 0.05). Ketone administration elicited anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo independent of glucose levels or calorie restriction. The use of supplemental ketone precursors as a cancer treatment should be further investigated in animal models to determine potential for future clinical use.
Is Measuring OH. Radical Scavenging a Reasonable Measurement of Antioxidant Properties?
Authors: Meyerstein Dan
Published: February 2014

The measurement of the hydroxyl radical scavenging properties of a compound is not indicative on its antioxidant properties in vivo. To get such information one has to elucidate the mechanism of its reaction with typical secondary radicals, mainly typical RO2. radicals and to some degree with R. radicals. Elucidation of the mechanisms of reaction is essential before a conclusion regarding the antioxidant properties can be derived. One should remember that in vivo even vitamins C and E might act as pro‐oxidants.
(No) Patent, No Cash? A Risk Perception Perspective on the Investment Attitude of Managers Toward Patents
Authors: Knockaert Mirjam , Huyghe Annelore , Clarysse Bart
Published: February 2014

Not all venture capital investors value patents during the selection process in the same way; the majority, but not all, value patents positively.
Management Use of Strategic Tools for Innovating During Turbulent Times
Authors: Tassabehji Rana , Isherwood Andrew
Published: February 2014

While managers use a variety of tools, they overwhelmingly continue to use those that are well established and focus on the management of internal and external resources, whereas tools aimed to foster more innovative, dynamic, and ‘blue ocean’ strategies are not widely applied in practice.
Do Contextual Factors Matter? A Missing Link Between Competitive Strategies–Dynamic Capabilities Alignment and e‐Business Value
Authors: Rashidirad Mona , Soltani Ebrahim , Salimian Hamid
Published: February 2014

Technological, organizational, and environmental contextual factors alter the ability of e‐businesses to derive value from competitive strategies–dynamic capabilities alignment.
Nesting cormorants and temporal changes in Island habitat
Authors: Hebert Craig E. , Pasher Jon , Weseloh D.V. Chip , Dobbie Tammy , Dobbyn Sandy , Moore David , Minelga Valerie , Duffe Jason
Published: February 2014

Double‐crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) populations have increased greatly across North America. The interior North America subpopulation is the largest with many birds nesting on the Laurentian Great Lakes. Lake Erie supports a large number of breeding pairs that nests primarily on islands in the western basin of the lake. These islands also harbor many rare plant species constituting some of the last vestiges of Carolinian plant communities in Canada. Nesting cormorants can adversely affect the plant communities on the islands on which they nest. Annual ground censuses were conducted from 1979 to 2011 to assess temporal changes in the density of nesting cormorants on 3 islands in western Lake Erie. We used aerial photographs taken over a maximum 16‐year span to assess changes in forest cover on these island ecosystems. We observed declines in forest cover on all 3 islands ranging from 47% to 85%. Trends among islands differed reflecting differences in cormorant colonization histories and the degree to which cormorants were managed, thereby influencing nest densities. Islands without cormorant management had cormorant nest densities ranging from approximately 300–500 nests/ha and forests declined continuously through time. On the island where cormorants were culled, nest densities were lower (approx. 200 nests/ha) and forest decline stabilized. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Manufacturing of Large‐Scale Functional Objects Using Biodegradable Chitosan Bioplastic
Authors: Fernandez Javier G. , Ingber Donald E.
Published: February 2014

Despite the urgent need for sustainable materials for mass‐produced commercial products, and the incredible diversity of naturally biodegradable materials with desired structural properties, the use of regenerated biomaterials in modern engineering remains extremely limited. Chitin is a prime example: although it is responsible for some of the most remarkable mechanical properties exhibited by natural materials, including nacre, insect cuticle, and crustacean shells, and it is the most abundant organic compound on earth after cellulose, it has not been utilized in manufacturing strategies for commercial applications. Here we describe how analysis of differences in the molecular arrangement and mechanical properties of chitosan polymer that result from different processing methods led to development of a scalable manufacturing strategy for production of large three‐dimensional (3D) objects of chitosan. This chitosan fabrication method offers a new pathway for large‐scale production of fully compostable engineered components with complex forms, and establishes chitosan as a viable bioplastic that could potentially be used in place of existing non‐degradable plastics for commercial manufacturing.
Effect of aging on magnetic resonance measures differentiating progressive supranuclear palsy from Parkinson's disease
Authors: Morelli Maurizio , Arabia Gennarina , Messina Demetrio , Vescio Basilio , Salsone Maria , Chiriaco Carmelina , Perrotta Paolo , Rocca Federico , Cascini Giuseppe Lucio , Barbagallo Gaetano , Nigro Salvatore , Quattrone Aldo
Published: February 2014

Imaging measurements, such as the ratio of the midsagittal areas of the midbrain and pons (midbrain/pons) and the Magnetic Resonance Parkinsonism Index (MRPI), have been proposed to differentiate progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) from Parkinson's disease (PD). However, abnormal midbrain/pons values suggestive of PSP have also been reported in elderly individuals and in patients with PD. We investigated the effect of aging on single or combined imaging measurements of the brainstem. We calculated the midbrain/pons and the MRPI (the ratio of the midsagittal areas of the pons and the midbrain multiplied by the ratio of the middle cerebellar peduncle and superior cerebellar peduncle widths) in 152 patients affected by PD, 25 patients with PSP, and a group of 81 age‐matched and sex‐matched healthy controls using a 3‐Tesla magnetic resonance imaging scanner. In healthy controls, aging was negatively correlated with midsagittal area of the midbrain and midbrain/pons values. In patients with PD, in addition to the effect of aging, the disease status further influenced the midbrain/pons values (R2 = 0.23; P < 0.001). In both groups, MRPI values were not influenced either by aging or by disease status. No effect of aging on either midbrain/pons or MRPI values was shown in the patients with PSP. Our findings indicated that the MRPI was not significantly influenced by aging or disease‐related changes occurring in PD; whereas, in contrast, the midbrain/pons was influenced. Therefore, the MRPI appears to be a more reliable imaging measurement compared with midbrain/pons values for differentiating PSP from PD and controls in an elderly population. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Nerve size in chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy varies with disease activity and therapy response over time: A retrospective ultrasound study
Authors: Zaidman Craig M. , Pestronk Alan
Published: February 2014

Introduction: Nerves are often enlarged in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). In this investigation we studied changes with treatment over time. Methods: We retrospectively compared serial ultrasound measurements of median and ulnar nerve size with clinical and electrodiagnostic evaluations in 23 CIDP subjects. We defined remission as stable clinical improvement on low or decreasing amounts of medication. Results: Nerves were normal at last follow‐up more often in subjects who achieved remission than in those who did not (10 of 13 vs. 0 of 10, P = 0.0001). Nerves were normal or smaller (>30% reduction) more often in subjects whose grip strength improved or remained strong compared those whose grip strength weakened (12 of 16 vs. 0 of 3, P = 0.04), and in subjects whose demyelinating electrodiagnostic features resolved compared with those whose demyelination persisted (7 of 7 vs. 6 of 12, P = 0.04). Over time, nerve size decreased more in subjects with baseline nerve enlargement who achieved remission than in those who did not (−41% vs. 7%, P = 0.04). Conclusion: In CIDP, enlarged nerves normalized or decreased with remission. Muscle Nerve 50: 733–738, 2014
Cancer incidence, morbidity, and survival in Canadian first nation children: A Manitoba population‐based study from the cancer in young people in Canada (CYP‐C) registry
Authors: Stammers David M. , Israels Sara J. , Lambert Pascal J. , Cuvelier Geoff D.E.
Published: February 2014

Background

Health disparities between Canadian First Nation (FN) people and the rest of the national population exist. No studies have specifically documented cancer‐related health outcomes in Canadian FN children. The purpose of this study was to describe the incidence of pediatric malignancies in Manitoba FN children, and to compare morbidity patterns and survival between FN and non‐FN children with cancer in the Canadian province of Manitoba.

Procedure

A retrospective, population‐based review of all children (0–14.99 years) diagnosed with malignancy (2001–2008) in Manitoba, Canada was undertaken using the Cancer in Young People in Canada registry. FN children were compared to the non‐FN population for markers of morbidity and survival.

Results

The average annual age‐standardized incidence rate for all childhood cancers in FN children was 132 per 1,000,000 per year. 240 children were included in the morbidity and survival analyses (38 FN; 202 non‐FN). No differences were found between FN and non‐FN children in time from first presentation of symptoms to consultation with an oncology specialist or diagnosis, or number of hospital admissions / total days of admission for treatment complications. Overall survival was inferior for FN children in univariable analysis (P = 0.048) but not when risk group was included in a multivariable analysis (P = 0.15). No difference in event free survival or cumulative incidence of relapse was identified.

Conclusion

The estimated incidence of childhood cancers in the Manitoba FN population is similar to provincial incidence rates. No differences in morbidity patterns or survival were found between Manitoba FN and non‐FN children with cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:2164–2169. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The influence of structural order of anthracite fillers on the curing behavior, morphology, and dynamic mechanical thermal properties of epoxy composites
Authors: Pusz Sławomira , Szeluga Urszula , Nagel Bogumiła , Czajkowska Sylwia , Galina Henryk , Strzezik Joanna
Published: February 2014

This article concerns the study of polymer composites with anthracite fillers of various structural order. Raw Svierdlovski anthracite of turbostratic structure and the anthracite thermally treated at 2,000°C of graphite‐like structure were used as fillers of low‐molecular‐weight diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A cross‐linked with aliphatic amine. Two anthracites of extremely different structures were compared to natural graphite that is composed of well‐ordered graphene sheets. Systematic studies of the influence of the structure of anthracite filler on the curing behavior, morphology, dynamic mechanical thermal properties, and thermal stability of epoxy composite were performed. It was found that the structure of anthracite filler affects the cross‐linking reactions of the epoxy matrix as well as the morphology of the composites and their viscoelastic properties. Raw anthracite added to epoxy matrix had a visible effect on the activation energy and differential scanning calorimeter parameters of the curing process, in contrast to the epoxy matrix modified with anthracite heated at 2,000°C. On the contrary, the effect of anthracite on dynamic mechanical behavior of composites is more evident when the anthracite prepared at 2,000°C was used as a filler. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:336–347, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of graphene nanoplatelets presence on the morphology, structure, and thermal properties of polypropylene in fiber melt‐spinning process
Authors: Kalantari Bahareh , Mohaddes Mojtahedi Mohammad Reza , Sharif Farhad , Semnani Rahbar Ruhollah
Published: February 2014

Melt spinning of graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs)‐polypropylene (PP) nanocomposite fibers are reported for the first time. PP/GnPs fibers were spun with a pilot‐plant spinning machine with varying concentration of GnPs by mixing PP/GnPs masterbatch with PP. The effect of inclusion of GnPs on the morphology and crystalline structure of PP fibers was investigated. The thermal stability of the fibers was also evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis. The light microscopy images showed that the GnPs are uniformly distributed over the PP matrix. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results revealed that presence of GnPs affects both the melting and crystallization behaviors. The melting peaks of PP/GnPs nanocomposite fibers were broader than that of neat PP fibers, indicating a broader crystal size distribution in PP/GnPs nanocomposite fibers as compared to the neat PP fibers. Besides, an obvious increment in the crystallization peak temperature was observed in GnPs‐PP nanocomposite fibers. The wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction spectra (WAXD) results showed that the crystal type of nanocomposite fibers did not change and was still the α‐monoclinic crystal form. Moreover, the morphology of spherulites demonstrated that GnPs increased the nucleation sites in the nanocomposite fibers which in turn restricted the crystal growth of PP chains. This finding supported the DSC and WAXD results. Activation energies were calculated by Horowitz and Metzger's method as 77.87 and 105.41 kJ/mol for neat PP and PP/0.2 wt% GnPs fibers, respectively, suggesting an increase in the thermal stability of GnPs‐PP nanocomposite fibers. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:367–375, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Saturated low‐temperature conductivity in ultrafast semiconductor nanocomposites
Authors: Zhang W. , Martin M. , Brown E. R.
Published: February 2014

This Letter presents studies on low‐field electrical conduction in the range of 4–300 K for an ultrafast material, i.e., InGaAs:ErAs grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The unique properties include nano‐scale ErAs crystallites in the host semiconductor InGaAs, a deep Fermi level and picosecond ultrafast photocarrier recombination. As the temperature drops, the conduction mechanisms are in the sequence of: thermal activation, nearest‐neighbor hopping, and variable‐range hopping. In the low‐temperature limit, finite‐con‐ductivity metallic behavior, not insulating, was observed. This unusual conduction behavior, related to the nanometer‐scale ErAs crystallite islands, is explained with the Abrahams scaling theory.

magnified image

Current vs. temperature for (A) InGaAs:ErAs – the ultrafast nanocomposite; and (C) an undoped InGaAs.

(© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
S‐MIM field trials results
Authors: Hermenier Romain , Del Bianco Alessandro , Marchitti Maria‐Antonietta , Heyn Thomas , Recchia Annamaria , Collard Florian , Andrenacci Marco , Mendola Gaeteno , Vaccaro Attilio
Published: February 2014

An intelligent transport system open platform integrating the S‐band Mobile Interactive Multimedia messaging return channel protocol over satellite (based on Enhanced Spread Spectrum Aloha) has been developed and tested under real environment conditions within the framework of SafeTRIP, an FP7 EU‐funded project. This paper presents the first field trials results using the S‐band Mobile Interactive Multimedia technology. The introduced forward and return link outcomes have been derived from mobile field trials carried out in the surroundings of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Germany. Finally the validation of the system performances has been realized thanks to the use of a traffic emulator that can simulate a large population of Enhanced Spread Spectrum Aloha terminals. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reliable space‐to‐Earth communication as a secondary service in the 460–470 MHz band
Authors: Gunther Jacob , Fish Chad , Swenson Charles , Moon Todd
Published: February 2014

By regulatory fiat, secondary communication services cannot cause harmful interference to primary communication services, and they cannot claim protection from harmful interference from the primary service. This paper is about establishing reliable high data rate space‐to‐Earth communication in the asymmetric setting of a secondary service in the 460–470 MHz frequency band. In this band, the primary services consist of signals that are narrowband relative to the bandwidth of the signal of interest. A frequency domain approach is adopted to detect and cancel narrowband interference. After this processing, the signal of interest can be demodulated by standard techniques. This approach is shown to be effective on real data collected for the Dynamic Ionosphere CubeSat Experiment mission. The telemetry concept for Dynamic Ionosphere CubeSat Experiment was developed with a view toward demonstrating a high‐speed data downlink capability that may be adopted as a standard for future CubeSat missions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcomes and Benefits of a Managerial Global Mind‐set: An Exploratory Study with Senior Executives in North America and India
Authors: Ananthram Subramaniam , Nankervis Alan R.
Published: February 2014

Globalization and its associated challenges are compelling managers in multinational corporations to develop appropriate skill sets. An emerging body of research in international management has suggested that meeting this challenge requires the cultivation and development of a managerial global mind‐set. There has been limited empirical work on the outcomes and benefits of a managerial global mind‐set and consequently this article attempts to fill that gap. Based on semistructured interviews with a total of 56 senior executives of multinational corporations in North America (United States and Canada) and India, this study identifies five outcomes of a global mind‐set with benefits for managers and their organizations. The findings have theoretical implications, which are discussed along with their practical applications for multinational corporations, their senior executives, and human resource professionals, with respect to identifying management development programs that assist in the cultivation and nurturing of a global mind‐set. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
China and the Climate Change Debate
Authors: Brubaker Richard
Published: February 2014

In the lead‐up to the 2009 climate change discussions in Copenhagen, the role of China began to take center stage. It had just become the world's largest emitter of carbon emissions, and it was taking the lead to represent developing nations at the talks. It was a coming‐out party for China that elevated its role to a position of significant responsibility, at a time when China really was not capable of meeting the obligations they themselves set out. While China's internal focus may be seen externally as stymieing a global effort, it may be exactly what the world needs. A practical approach to fixing “local” problems that in turn recalibrates the very systems that are constantly stalled at the global levels from the bottom up. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dose‐dependent effects of metals on gene expression in the sydney rock oyster, Saccostrea glomerata
Authors: Taylor Daisy A. , Nair Sham V. , Thompson Emma L. , Raftos David A.
Published: February 2014

In the current study, we tested the effects of common environmental contaminants (the metals zinc and lead) on gene expression in Sydney rock oysters (Saccrostrea glomerata). Oysters were exposed to a range of metal concentrations under controlled laboratory conditions. The expression of 14 putative stress response genes was then measured using quantitative, real‐time (q) PCR. The expression of all 14 genes was significantly affected (p < 0.05 vs. nonexposed controls) by at least one of the metals, and by at least one dose of metal. For 5 of the 14 target genes (actin, calmodulin, superoxide dismutase, topoisomerase I, and tubulin) the alteration of expression relative to controls was highest at intermediate (rather than high) doses of metals. Such responses may reflect adaptive (acclimation) reactions in gene expression at low to intermediate doses of contaminants, followed by a decline in expression resulting from exposure at higher doses. The data are discussed in terms of the intracellular pathways affected by metal contamination, and the relevance of such gene expression data to environmental biomonitoring. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 989–998, 2015.
Vertex nomination
Authors: Coppersmith Glen
Published: February 2014

Vertex nomination is a subclass of recommender systems operating on attributed graphs. Attributed graphs are an attractive way to represent data from a diverse set of natural and manmade phenomena. Frequently, these data have latent attributes or class memberships that are of interest and uncovering them is of some intrinsic value. So‐called recommender systems address the ‘more like this’ problem: given a subset of the data labeled as ‘interesting’, find unlabeled examples that are ‘similarly interesting’, often with the assumption that they are from the same latent class or possess similar latent attributes. Unsurprisingly, recommender systems operating on attributed graphs have generated an interesting body of research, detailing both theoretical and practical advances for a range of applications. This advanced review examines the relevant literature, particularly focused on the importance and inclusion of edge‐ and vertex attributes, used in conjunction with the graph structure. We include example applications from human language technology, biology, and neuroscience for concreteness, although the algorithms discussed are widely applicable. WIREs Comput Stat 2014, 6:144–153. doi: 10.1002/wics.1294

This article is categorized under:

Algorithms and Computational Methods > Quadratic and Nonlinear Programming
Charge and color breaking constraints in MSSM after the Higgs discovery at LHC
Authors: Chowdhury Debtosh , Godbole Rohini M. , Mohan Kirtimaan A. , Vempati Sudhir K.
Published: February 2014

Abstract

We revisit the constraints on the parameter space of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM), from charge and color breaking minima in the light of information on the Higgs from the LHC so far. We study the behavior of the scalar potential keeping two light sfermion fields along with the Higgs in the pMSSM framework and analyze the stability of the vacuum. We find that for lightest stops ≲ 1 TeV and small μ ≲ 500 GeV, the absolute stability of the potential can be attained only for $ \left| {{X_t}} \right|\lesssim \sqrt{{6{m_{{\widetilde{t}1}}}{m_{{\widetilde{t}2}}}}} $. The bounds become stronger for larger values of the μ parameter. Note that this is approximately the value of Xt which maximizes the Higgs mass. Our bounds on the low scale MSSM parameters are more stringent than those reported earlier in literature. We reanalyze the stau sector as well, keeping both staus. We study the connections between the observed Higgs rates and vacuum (meta)stability. We show how a precision study of the ratio of signal strengths, (μ
γγ
/μ
ZZ
) can shed further light.
An Assessment of Time Involved in Pre‐test Case Review and Counseling for a Whole Genome Sequencing Clinical Research Program
Authors: Williams Janet L. , Faucett W. Andrew , Smith‐Packard Bethanny , Wagner Monisa , Williams Marc S.
Published: February 2014

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is being used for evaluation of individuals with undiagnosed disease of suspected genetic origin. Implementing WGS into clinical practice will place an increased burden upon care teams with regard to pre‐test patient education and counseling about results. To quantitate the time needed for appropriate pre‐test evaluation of participants in WGS testing, we documented the time spent by our clinical research group on various activities related to program preparation, participant screening, and consent prior to WGS. Participants were children or young adults with autism, intellectual or developmental disability, and/or congenital anomalies, who have remained undiagnosed despite previous evaluation, and their biologic parents. Results showed that significant time was spent in securing allocation of clinical research space to counsel participants and families, and in acquisition and review of participant's medical records. Pre‐enrollment chart review identified two individuals with existing diagnoses resulting in savings of $30,000 for the genome sequencing alone, as well as saving hours of personnel time for genome interpretation and communication of WGS results. New WGS programs should plan for costs associated with additional pre‐test administrative planning and patient evaluation time that will be required to provide high quality care.
Identification and characterization of trans‐3‐hydroxy‐l‐proline dehydratase and Δ1‐pyrroline‐2‐carboxylate reductase involved in trans‐3‐hydroxy‐l‐proline metabolism of bacteria
Authors: Watanabe Seiya , Tanimoto Yoshiaki , Yamauchi Seiji , Tozawa Yuzuru , Sawayama Shigeki , Watanabe Yasuo
Published: February 2014

trans‐4‐Hydroxy‐l‐proline (T4LHyp) and trans‐3‐hydroxy‐l‐proline (T3LHyp) occur mainly in collagen. A few bacteria can convert T4LHyp to α‐ketoglutarate, and we previously revealed a hypothetical pathway consisting of four enzymes at the molecular level (J Biol Chem (2007) 282, 6685–6695; J Biol Chem (2012) 287, 32674–32688). Here, we first found that Azospirillum brasilense has the ability to grow not only on T4LHyp but also T3LHyp as a sole carbon source. In A. brasilense cells, T3LHyp dehydratase and NAD(P)H‐dependent Δ1‐pyrroline‐2‐carboxylate (Pyr2C) reductase activities were induced by T3LHyp (and d‐proline and d‐lysine) but not T4LHyp, and no effect of T3LHyp was observed on the expression of T4LHyp metabolizing enzymes: a hypothetical pathway of T3LHyp → Pyr2C →
l‐proline was proposed. Bacterial T3LHyp dehydratase, encoded to LhpH gene, was homologous with the mammalian enzyme. On the other hand, Pyr2C reductase encoded to LhpI gene was a novel member of ornithine cyclodeaminase/μ‐crystallin superfamily, differing from known bacterial protein. Furthermore, the LhpI enzymes of A. brasilense and another bacterium showed several different properties, including substrate and coenzyme specificities. T3LHyp was converted to proline by the purified LhpH and LhpI proteins. Furthermore, disruption of LhpI gene from A. brasilense led to loss of growth on T3LHyp, d‐proline and d‐lysine, indicating that this gene has dual metabolic functions as a reductase for Pyr2C and Δ1‐piperidine‐2‐carboxylate in these pathways, and that the T3LHyp pathway is not linked to T4LHyp and l‐proline metabolism.
Resonant motions in the presence of degeneracies for quasi-periodically perturbed systems
Authors: CORSI LIVIA , GENTILE GUIDO
Published: February 2014

We consider one-dimensional systems in the presence of a quasi-periodic perturbation, in the analytical setting, and study the problem of existence of quasi-periodic solutions which are resonant with the frequency vector of the perturbation. We assume that the unperturbed system is locally integrable and anisochronous, and that the frequency vector of the perturbation satisfies the Bryuno condition. Existence of resonant solutions is related to the zeros of a suitable function, called the Melnikov function—by analogy with the periodic case. We show that, if the Melnikov function has a zero of odd order and under some further condition on the sign of the perturbation parameter, then there exists at least one resonant solution which continues an unperturbed solution. If the Melnikov function is identically zero then one can push perturbation theory up to the order where a counterpart of Melnikov function appears and does not vanish identically: if such a function has a zero of odd order and a suitable positiveness condition is met, again the same persistence result is obtained. If the system is Hamiltonian, then the procedure can be indefinitely iterated and no positiveness condition must be required: as a byproduct, the result follows that at least one resonant quasi-periodic solution always exists with no assumption on the perturbation. Such a solution can be interpreted as a (parabolic) lower-dimensional torus.