bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the Existence of Bulk Nanobubbles with Ultrasound
Authors: Leroy Valentin , Norisuye Tomohisa
Published: June 2016

Nanobubbles are expected to dissolve in milliseconds. Experimental evidence of nanobubbles that were stable for days had thus been first received with circumspection. If the large number of experimental confirmations has now made clear that surface nanobubbles could exist, bulk nanobubbles are still subject to debate. When observations are reported, the main problem is to make sure the observed particles are really made of gas. We show that ultrasound is an ideal tool for investigating the existence of bulk nanobubbles: 1) it is sensitive to minute quantities of gas, 2) it allows one to determine the bubble size distribution, 3) it discriminates unambiguously between gaseous and solid/liquid inclusions. To illustrate the efficiency of ultrasonic detection, we performed size measurements of bubbles produced by a commercial nano‐/microbubble generator. No nanobubble was detected with this device. It would be insightful to use ultrasonic detection in experimental situations for which stable nanobubbles were reported.
N‐Heterocyclic Olefins as Robust Organocatalyst for the Chemical Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Value‐Added Chemicals
Authors: Saptal Vitthal B. , Bhanage Bhalchandra M.
Published: June 2016

In this report, the activity of N‐heterocyclic olefins (NHOs) as a newly emerging class of organocatalyst is investigated for the chemical fixation of carbon dioxide through reactions with aziridines to form oxazolidinones and the N‐formylation of amines with polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) or 9‐borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9‐BBN) as the reducing agent under mild conditions. The exocyclic carbon atoms of NHOs are highly nucleophilic owing to the electron‐donating ability of the two nitrogen atoms. This high nucleophilicity of the NHOs activates CO2 molecules to form zwitterionic NHO–carboxylate (NHO–CO2) adducts, which are active in formylation reactions as well as the carboxylation of aziridines to oxazolidinones.
Evaluation of RNA and DNA extraction from liquid‐based cytology specimens
Authors: Fujii Tomomi , Asano Aya , Shimada Keiji , Tatsumi Yoshihiro , Obayashi Chiho , Konishi Noboru
Published: June 2016

Molecular diagnosis using DNA and RNA derived from malignant tumors and molecular biological tools such as the quantitative polymerase‐chain‐reaction (qPCR) is a commonly used technique in clinical pathology. In this report, we compared the qualitative extraction of RNA and DNA from cancer cells fixed using several liquid‐based cytology (LBC) kits. Ten to 1,000 cells from the T24 urinary bladder cancer cell line and SKG‐II cervical cancer cell line were fixed with 55% methanol and three different methanol‐based LBC solutions. The mRNA levels of CD44 in T24 cells and E7 in SKG‐II cells and DNA levels of p53 in T24 cells and E7 in SKG‐II cells were analyzed by qPCR. mRNA and DNA extracted from T24 and/or SKG‐II cells fixed with methanol‐based LBC solutions were efficiently detected, but to differing degrees, by qPCR. mRNA, and DNA from cells fixed with a formaldehyde‐containing fixative liquid were detected at significantly low copy numbers by qPCR. Our results demonstrate that LBC systems are powerful tools for cytopathology and immunocytochemistry applications. However, the appropriate fixative must be selected for cell preservation when a small number of LBC samples is used for molecular testing, particularly in RNA‐based molecular analyses. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:833–840. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Does asymmetric gene flow among matrilines maintain the evolutionary potential of the European eel?
Authors: Baltazar‐Soares Miguel , Eizaguirre Christophe
Published: June 2016

Using evolutionary theory to predict the dynamics of populations is one of the aims of evolutionary conservation. In endangered species, with geographic range extending over continuous areas, the predictive capacity of evolutionary‐based conservation measures greatly depends on the accurate identification of reproductive units. The endangered European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is a highly migratory fish species with declining population due to a steep recruitment collapse in the beginning of the 1980s. Despite punctual observations of genetic structure, the population is viewed as a single panmictic reproductive unit. To understand the possible origin of the detected structure in this species, we used a combination of mitochondrial and nuclear loci to indirectly evaluate the possible existence of cryptic demes. For that, 403 glass eels from three successive cohorts arriving at a single location were screened for phenotypic and genetic diversity, while controlling for possible geographic variation. Over the 3 years of sampling, we consistently identified three major matrilines which we hypothesized to represent demes. Interestingly, not only we found that population genetic models support the existence of those matriline‐driven demes over a completely panmictic mode of reproduction, but also we found evidence for asymmetric gene flow amongst those demes. We uphold the suggestion that the detection of demes related to those matrilines reflect a fragmented spawning ground, a conceptually plausible consequence of the low abundance that the European eel has been experiencing for three decades. Furthermore, we suggest that this cryptic organization may contribute to the maintenance of the adaptive potential of the species.
Determining environmental limits of threatened species: the example of the wallum sedgefrog Litoria olongburensis
Authors: Shuker Jon D. , Simpkins Clay A. , Hero Jean‐Marc
Published: June 2016

In an environment that is changing due to anthropogenic processes, managers responsible for conservation of threatened species need to know environmental limits beyond which those species are at risk of extinction. We demonstrate estimation of environmental limits for a threatened species using a novel combination of response modeling techniques. Our study species was Litoria olongburensis (wallum sedgefrog), which has a biphasic lifecycle (aquatic larvae and terrestrial adult phases) with larvae developing in naturally acidic wetlands of coastal sandy lowlands (“wallum”) of subtropical eastern Australia. Land development in, and around, areas occupied by the frog is the main cause of the species’ decline, while climate change is emerging as a new threat. The species will continue to decline where these processes destroy, fragment or degrade habitat. We surveyed waterbodies throughout the latitudinal range of the species’ distribution, recording wallum sedgefrog density and environmental variables including abiotic waterbody characteristics, key vegetation types, potential competitors and potential predators. For each environmental variable, we tested the fit of increasingly complex response models to the highest possible quantile of wallum sedgefrog density. The best‐fitting model indicated the most likely response, if any, to the variable. This model was then applied to estimate environmental limits. Our analysis indicated wallum sedgefrogs were less likely to occur in waterbodies with pH outside 3.53–4.61 (± 0.11) and maximum water depth outside 23.4–46.0 (± 3.5) cm, and their density decreased with increasing densities of eastern sedgefrogs, wallum froglets and common froglets. The optimal pH levels and water depths indicated by our analysis provide a necessary baseline for predicting and responding to impacts on wallum sedgefrogs caused by changes in land use or climate. The negative relationship with eastern sedgefrogs supports the hypothesis that competition from eastern sedgefrogs is the mechanism that limits occurrence of wallum sedgefrogs in higher pH wetlands. The modeling framework that we developed for our study can be applied to improve management of other species exposed to anthropogenic threats including climate change.
Farnesoid X receptor activation increases reverse cholesterol transport by modulating bile acid composition and cholesterol absorption in mice
Authors: Xu Yang , Li Fei , Zalzala Munaf , Xu Jiesi , Gonzalez Frank J. , Adorini Luciano , Lee Yoon‐Kwang , Yin Liya , Zhang Yanqiao
Published: June 2016

Activation of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) markedly attenuates development of atherosclerosis in animal models. However, the underlying mechanism is not well elucidated. Here, we show that the FXR agonist, obeticholic acid (OCA), increases fecal cholesterol excretion and macrophage reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) dependent on activation of hepatic FXR. OCA does not increase biliary cholesterol secretion, but inhibits intestinal cholesterol absorption. OCA markedly inhibits hepatic cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase (Cyp7a1) and sterol 12α‐hydroxylase (Cyp8b1) partly through inducing small heterodimer partner, leading to reduced bile acid pool size and altered bile acid composition, with the α/β‐muricholic acid proportion in bile increased by 2.6‐fold and taurocholic acid (TCA) level reduced by 71%. Overexpression of Cyp8b1 or concurrent overexpression of Cyp7a1 and Cyp8b1 normalizes TCA level, bile acid composition, and intestinal cholesterol absorption. Conclusion: Activation of FXR inhibits intestinal cholesterol absorption by modulation of bile acid pool size and composition, thus leading to increased RCT. Targeting hepatic FXR and/or bile acids may be useful for boosting RCT and preventing the development of atherosclerosis. (Hepatology 2016;64:1072‐1085)
Endothelial notch signaling is essential to prevent hepatic vascular malformations in mice
Authors: Cuervo Henar , Nielsen Corinne M. , Simonetto Douglas A. , Ferrell Linda , Shah Vijay H. , Wang Rong A.
Published: June 2016

Liver vasculature is crucial for adequate hepatic functions. Global deletion of Notch signaling in mice results in liver vascular pathologies. However, whether Notch in endothelium is essential for hepatic vascular structure and function remains unknown. To uncover the function of endothelial Notch in the liver, we deleted Rbpj, a transcription factor mediating all canonical Notch signaling, or Notch1 from the endothelium of postnatal mice. We investigated the hepatic vascular defects in these mutants. The liver was severely affected within 2 weeks of endothelial deletion of Rbpj from birth. Two‐week old mutant mice had enlarged vessels on the liver surface, abnormal vascular architecture, and dilated sinusoids. Vascular casting and fluorosphere passage experiments indicated the presence of porto‐systemic shunts. These mutant mice presented with severely necrotic liver parenchyma and significantly larger hypoxic areas, likely resulting from vascular shunts. We also found elevated levels of VEGF receptor 3 together with reduced levels of ephrin‐B2, suggesting a possible contribution of these factors to the generation of hepatic vascular abnormalities. Deletion of Rbpj from the adult endothelium also led to dilated sinusoids, vascular shunts, and necrosis, albeit milder than that observed in mice with deletion from birth. Similar to deletion of Rbpj, loss of endothelial Notch1 from birth led to similar hepatic vascular malformations within 2 weeks. Conclusions: Endothelial Notch signaling is essential for the development and maintenance of proper hepatic vascular architecture and function. These findings may elucidate the molecular pathogenesis of hepatic vascular malformation and the safety of therapeutics inhibiting Notch. (Hepatology 2016;64:1302‐1316)
Numerical Study on Phase Change of Water Flowing Across Two Heated Circular Cylinders in Tandem Arrangement
Authors: Dhar B.K. , Mahapatra S.K. , Maharana S.K. , Sarkar A. , Sahoo S.S.
Published: June 2016

This paper focuses on fluid flow and heat transfer analysis over two heated cylinders arranged in tandem. The flow of water over heated cylinders faces a phenomenon of phase change from liquid (water) to vapor phase (steam). The mechanism of this phase change is studied through a numerical simulation supplemented with verification and validation of the code. The problem is simulated when flows from two cylinders in a tandem arrangement become interacting and noninteracting. The Eulerian model is used during simulation to comprehend the multiphase phenomena. The effect of spacing between these two cylinders and the Reynolds number effect are studied in this paper. The volume fractions of both the water and vapor phases and the heat transfer coefficients of both the cylinders have been computed and presented as findings of the problem.
Use of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements in relation to risk of colorectal cancer: Results from the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals follow‐up study
Authors: Kantor Elizabeth D. , Zhang Xuehong , Wu Kana , Signorello Lisa B. , Chan Andrew T. , Fuchs Charles S. , Giovannucci Edward L.
Published: June 2016

Recent epidemiologic evidence has emerged to suggest that use of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements may be associated with reduced risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). We therefore evaluated the association between use of these non‐vitamin, non‐mineral supplements and risk of CRC in two prospective cohorts, the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow‐up Study. Regular use of glucosamine and chondroitin was first assessed in 2002 and participants were followed until 2010, over which time 672 CRC cases occurred. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate relative risks (RRs) within each cohort, and results were pooled using a random effects meta‐analysis. Associations were comparable across cohorts, with a RR of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.63–1.00) observed for any use of glucosamine and a RR of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.59–1.01) observed for any use of chondroitin. Use of glucosamine in the absence of chondroitin was not associated with risk of CRC, whereas use of glucosamine + chondroitin was significantly associated with risk (RR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.58–0.999). The association between use of glucosamine + chondroitin and risk of CRC did not change markedly when accounting for change in exposure status over follow‐up (RR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.58–0.96), nor did the association significantly vary by sex, aspirin use, body mass index, or physical activity. The association was comparable for cancers of the colon and rectum. Results support a protective association between use of glucosamine and chondroitin and risk of CRC. Further study is needed to better understand the chemopreventive potential of these supplements.
Using modeling and rehearsal to teach fire safety to children with autism
Authors: Garcia David , Dukes Charles , Brady Michael P. , Scott Jack , Wilson Cynthia L.
Published: June 2016

We evaluated the efficacy of an instructional procedure to teach young children with autism to evacuate settings and notify an adult during a fire alarm. A multiple baseline design across children showed that an intervention that included modeling, rehearsal, and praise was effective in teaching fire safety skills. Safety skills generalized to novel settings and maintained during a 5‐week follow‐up in both training and generalization settings.
Is skin penetration a determining factor in skin sensitization potential and potency? Refuting the notion of a LogKow threshold for skin sensitization
Authors: Fitzpatrick Jeremy M. , Roberts David W. , Patlewicz Grace
Published: June 2016

It is widely accepted that substances that cannot penetrate through the skin will not be sensitizers. LogKow and molecular weight (MW) have been used to set thresholds for sensitization potential. Highly hydrophilic substances e.g. LogKow ≤ 1 are expected not to penetrate effectively to induce sensitization. To investigate whether LogKow >1 is a true requirement for sensitization, a large dataset of substances that had been evaluated for their skin sensitization potential under Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of CHemicals (REACH), together with available measured LogKow values was compiled using the OECD eChemPortal. The incidence of sensitizers relative to non‐sensitizers above and below a LogKow of 1 was explored. Reaction chemistry principles were used to explain the sensitization observed for the subset of substances with a LogKow ≤0. 1482 substances were identified with skin sensitization data and measured LogKow values. 525 substances had a measured LogKow ≤ 1, 100 of those were sensitizers. There was no significant difference in the incidence of sensitizers above and below a LogKow of 1. Reaction chemistry principles that had been established for lower MW and more hydrophobic substances were found to be still valid in rationalizing the skin sensitizers with a LogKow ≤ 0. The LogKow threshold arises from the widespread misconception that the ability to efficiently penetrate the stratum corneum is a key determinant of sensitization potential and potency. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Training in metabolomics research. I. Designing the experiment, collecting and extracting samples and generating metabolomics data
Authors: Barnes Stephen , Benton H. Paul , Casazza Krista , Cooper Sara J. , Cui Xiangqin , Du Xiuxia , Engler Jeffrey , Kabarowski Janusz H. , Li Shuzhao , Pathmasiri Wimal , Prasain Jeevan K. , Renfrow Matthew B. , Tiwari Hemant K.
Published: June 2016

The study of metabolism has had a long history. Metabolomics, a systems biology discipline representing analysis of known and unknown pathways of metabolism, has grown tremendously over the past 20 years. Because of its comprehensive nature, metabolomics requires careful consideration of the question(s) being asked, the scale needed to answer the question(s), collection and storage of the sample specimens, methods for extraction of the metabolites from biological matrices, the analytical method(s) to be employed and the quality control of the analyses, how collected data are correlated, the statistical methods to determine metabolites undergoing significant change, putative identification of metabolites and the use of stable isotopes to aid in verifying metabolite identity and establishing pathway connections and fluxes. The National Institutes of Health Common Fund Metabolomics Program was established in 2012 to stimulate interest in the approaches and technologies of metabolomics. To deliver one of the program's goals, the University of Alabama at Birmingham has hosted an annual 4‐day short course in metabolomics for faculty, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students from national and international institutions. This paper is the first part of a summary of the training materials presented in the course to be used as a resource for all those embarking on metabolomics research. The complete set of training materials including slide sets and videos can be viewed at http://www.uab.edu/proteomics/metabolomics/workshop/workshop_june_2015.php. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Splenic infarction associated with acute infectious mononucleosis due to Epstein–Barr virus infection
Authors: Heo Dae‐Hyuk , Baek Dae‐Youb , Oh Sang‐Min , Hwang Joo‐Hee , Lee Chang‐Seop , Hwang Jeong‐Hwan
Published: June 2016

The purpose of this study was to report a case of a previously healthy 20‐year‐old woman diagnosed with splenic infarction following infectious mononucleosis (IM) by Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection and to perform the first systematic review of the clinical characteristics of splenic infarction associated with IM. A systematic review was conducted using English, French, and Japanese literatures of splenic infarction associated with IM due to EBV infection published between 1961 and 2015 in PubMed Medline. A total of 19 cases were extracted from the collected articles. Left upper quadrant (LUQ) pain was observed in 15 (79%) patients. Splenectomy was performed in five (26%) cases, among which four patients presented with stable vital signs. Splenic rupture was accompanied in two (10%) patients. The median time from the onset of IM symptoms to the diagnosis of splenic infarction was 5 days (range, 1–25 days). Fourteen (74%) of 19 patients experienced improvement through medical treatment, and there were no deaths. Splenic infarction associated with IM due to EBV infection can show a favorable clinical outcome after medical treatment. Clinicians should consider the possibility of splenic infarction when patients with IM experience LUQ pain. J. Med. Virol. 89:332–336, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Guillain–Barré syndrome following acute co‐super‐infection of hepatitis E virus and cytomegalovirus in a chronic hepatitis B virus carrier
Authors: Lei Jian‐Hua , Tian Yi , Luo Hong‐Yu , Chen Zi , Peng Feng
Published: June 2016

Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurological complication of hepatitis B. GBS presence in acute hepatitis E virus (HEV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is also sporadically reported. Here, a rare case of GBS in a chronic Hepatitis B virus carrier co‐infected with HEV and CMV was reported. Based on the analysis on the progress of the manifestations and virus serological detection results, it could be concluded that GBS might mostly likely result from super‐infection of HEV and CMV. This case report is clinically important in that it provides a good example of differential diagnosis and appropriate treatment on such a rare but life‐threatening case. J. Med. Virol. 89:368–372, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thriving on challenge stressors? Exploring time pressure and learning demands as antecedents of thriving at work
Authors: Prem Roman , Ohly Sandra , Kubicek Bettina , Korunka Christian
Published: June 2016

In the conceptualization of thriving at work, it is emphasized that employees' learning and vitality are two equally important components of thriving and that thriving is facilitated by contextual features and available resources. In this study, we examined the effects of two challenge stressors (time pressure and learning demands) on thriving at work. Based on the literature on challenge and hindrance stressors, we proposed that challenge stressors positively affect learning and negatively affect vitality. To uncover underlying mechanisms, we measured challenge appraisal and hindrance appraisal of work situations in a diary study. A sample of 124 knowledge workers responded to three daily surveys (before the lunch break, during the afternoon, and at the end of the workday) for a period of five workdays. Results indicate that the indirect effects of learning demands and time pressure on learning are mediated by challenge appraisal, whereas indirect effects of learning demands on vitality are mediated by hindrance appraisal. Overall, our study shows that challenge stressors have a positive total effect on learning but no total effect on vitality. These differential relationships call for a finer distinction between the two components of thriving at work in future research. Copyright © 2016 The Authors Journal of Organizational Behavior Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Interaction between warm Atlantic‐sourced waters and the East Greenland Current in northern Denmark Strait (68°N) during the last 10 600 cal a BP
Authors: Perner Kerstin , Jennings Anne E. , Moros Matthias , Andrews John T. , Wacker Lukas
Published: June 2016

Changes in the Holocene interaction of the (i) cold/fresh East Greenland Current (EGC) and (ii) warm/saline Irminger Current (IC) in northern Denmark Strait have been reconstructed from benthic and planktic foraminifera assemblages, ice‐rafted debris, grain‐size analyses and quantitative X‐ray diffraction. During the time from c. 10 600 to 8000 cal a BP, palaeoceanographic reconstructions reveal waning deglacial influence from the receding Greenland Ice Sheet and presence of a strong EGC caused low surface water productivity. From c. 8000 cal a BP, a predominant influence of Atlantic‐sourced IC waters on subsurface water conditions became established in northern Denmark Strait, which accompanied low surface water productivity. Relatively warm surface and subsurface water conditions, i.e. reduced EGC and strong IC influence, are found from c. 6500 to 4500 cal a BP, representing Holocene optimum‐like conditions. A mid‐ to late Holocene EGC strengthening caused increased stratification and formation of a distinct halocline. However, we recognize millennial‐scale periods of reduced stratification by an enhanced influence of Atlantic‐sourced IC Water on surface water conditions: (i) at c. 2500–1400 cal a BP − the time of the Roman Warm Period and (ii) at c. 300 cal a BP − the later part of the Little Ice Age. These periods of oceanic warming probably relate to changes in the Subpolar Gyre dynamics that led to enhanced entrainment of Atlantic‐sourced IC Water into northern Denmark Strait.
Dicationic polymeric ionic‐liquid‐based magnetic material as an adsorbent for the magnetic solid‐phase extraction of organophosphate pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Authors: Jiang Qiong , Liu Qin , Chen Qiliang , Zhao Wenjie , Xiang Guoqiang , He Lijun , Jiang Xiuming , Zhang Shusheng
Published: June 2016

Magnetic particles modified with a dicationic polymeric ionic liquid are described as a new adsorbent in magnetic solid‐phase extraction. They were obtained through the copolymerization of a 1,8‐di(3‐vinylimidazolium)octane‐based ionic liquid with vinyl‐modified SiO2@Fe3O4, and were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The modified magnetic particles are effective in the extraction of organophosphate pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Also, they can provide different extraction performance for the selected analytes including fenitrothion, parathion, fenthion, phoxim, phenanthrene, and fluoranthene, where the extraction efficiency is found to be in agreement with the hydrophobicity of analytes. Various factors influencing the extraction efficiency, such as, the amount of adsorbent, extraction, and desorption time, and type and volume of the desorption solvent, were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, a good linearity ranging from 1–100 μg/L is obtained for all analytes, except for parathion (2–200 μg/L), where the correlation coefficients varied from 0.9960 to 0.9998. The limits of detection are 0.2–0.8 μg/L, and intraday and interday relative standard deviations are 1.7–7.4% (n = 5) and 3.8–8.0% (n = 3), respectively. The magnetic solid‐phase extraction combined with high‐performance liquid chromatography can be applied for the detection of trace targets in real water samples with satisfactory relative recoveries and relative standard deviations.
Nonparametric Statistics Applied to Fire Foci Obtained by Meteorological Satellites and Their Relationship to the MCD12Q1 Product in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Southeast Brazil
Authors: Caúla Rodrigo Hottz , de Oliveira‐Júnior José Francisco , de Gois Givanildo , Delgado Rafael Coll , Pimentel Luiz Cláudio Gomes , Teodoro Paulo Eduardo
Published: June 2016

This study shows the relationship between the fire foci and the MCD12Q1 product (MODIS) for the land use and occupation in the state of Rio de Janeiro (SRJ) and evaluates the growth and decay of trends fire foci through nonparametric tests, applied to the number of fire foci in the 2000–2012 period. The study period was divided into (1) 2001 to 2013 for assessment of the product MCD12Q1 back for the land use and occupation and application of nonparametric tests and (2) 2000 to 2012 for the descriptive statistics (total and percentage‐%) of fire foci geared for regional assessment. To evaluate growth trends and decay of fire foci, the nonparametric tests (Mann–Kendall and Pettitt) were utilized. Based on data obtained by Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), the land use and occupation in the SRJ has been modified from the last two census years (1995 and 2006). The Mann–Kendall test was significant for the year 2001, with trends of 0 · 19 and 0 · 08 (Mann–Kendall). Fire foci for the years 2001 and 2013 grew with an increase of 0 · 05 and 0 · 01 per year, respectively. The Pettitt statistic test applied for the year 2001 showed that almost 70% of the studied municipalities were above the critical threshold, which has not occurred for the year 2013. The North Fluminense Region with 596 fire foci (30 · 35%) was the one with the largest number of fire foci, and the municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes was the largest contributor, with 344 fire foci (57 · 72%). The Pasturage class (MCD12Q1 product) had the biggest number of fire foci, with 354 foci (56 · 64%) in 2001 and 564 foci (42 · 28%) in 2013 and the largest amount in the north of the SRJ. The study indicated that there was a significant increase in average fire foci. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Summability in of a vector measure
Authors: Calabuig J. M. , Rodríguez J. , Sánchez‐Pérez E. A.
Published: June 2016

We show a picture of the relations among different types of summability of series in the space  of integrable functions with respect to a vector measure m of relatively norm compact range. In order to do that, we study the class of the so‐called m‐1‐summing operators. We give several applications regarding the existence of copies of c0 in , as well as on m‐1‐summing operators which are weakly compact, Asplund or weakly precompact.
Targeting Programmed Cell Death Using Small‐Molecule Compounds to Improve Potential Cancer Therapy
Authors: Ke Bowen , Tian Mao , Li Jingjing , Liu Bo , He Gu
Published: June 2016

Evasion of cell death is one of the hallmarks of cancer cells, beginning with long‐established apoptosis and extending to other new forms of cell death. An elaboration of cell death pathways thus will contribute to a better understanding of cancer pathogenesis and therapeutics. With the recent substantial biochemical and genetic explorations of cell death subroutines, their classification has switched from primarily morphological to more molecular definitions. According to their measurable biochemical features and intricate mechanisms, cell death subroutines can be divided into apoptosis, autophagic cell death, mitotic catastrophe, necroptosis, parthanatos, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, pyronecrosis, anoikis, cornification, entosis, and NETosis. Supportive evidence has gradually revealed the prime molecular mechanisms of each subroutine and thus providing series of possible targets in cancer therapy, while the intricate relationships between different cell death subroutines still remain to be clarified. Over the past decades, cancer drug discovery has significantly benefited from the use of small‐molecule compounds to target classical modalities of cell death such as apoptosis, while newly identified cell death subroutines has also emerging their potential for cancer drug discovery in recent years. In this review, we comprehensively focus on summarizing 12 cell death subroutines and discussing their corresponding small‐molecule compounds in potential cancer therapy. Together, these inspiring findings may provide more evidence to fill in the gaps between cell death subroutines and small‐molecule compounds to better develop novel cancer therapeutic strategies.
Approximate controllability of Hilfer fractional differential inclusions with nonlocal conditions
Authors: Yang Min , Wang Qi‐Ru
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we investigate the approximate controllability of Hilfer fractional differential inclusions with nonlocal conditions. The main techniques rely on the fixed point theorem combined with the semigroup theory, fractional calculus, and multivalued analysis. An interesting example is provided to illustrate the obtained results. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability and backward bifurcation on a cholera epidemic model with saturated recovery rate
Authors: Zhou Xueyong , Shi Xiangyun , Cui Jingan
Published: June 2016

In this paper, a cholera epidemic model with saturated recovery rate is studied. Backward bifurcation leading to bistability possibly occurs, and global dynamics are shown by compound matrices and geometric approaches. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the results. Our results suggest that the basic reproduction number itself is not enough to describe whether cholera will prevail or not when the resources for treatment of infectives are limited and suggest that we should pay more attention to the initial state of cholera. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A computational algebraic geometry approach to enumerate Malcev magma algebras over finite fields
Authors: Falcón Óscar J. , Falcón Raúl M. , Núñez Juan
Published: June 2016

The set
of n‐dimensional Malcev magma algebras over a finite field
can be identified with algebraic sets defined by zero‐dimensional radical ideals for which the computation of their reduced Gröbner bases makes feasible their enumeration and distribution into isomorphism and isotopism classes. Based on this computation and the classification of Lie algebras over finite fields given by De Graaf and Strade, we determine the mentioned distribution for Malcev magma algebras of dimension n≤4. We also prove that every three‐dimensional Malcev algebra is isotopic to a Lie magma algebra. For n = 4, this assertion only holds when the characteristic of the base field
is distinct of two. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Particulate β‐glucans synergistically activate TLR4 and Dectin‐1 in human dendritic cells
Authors: Sahasrabudhe Neha M. , Dokter‐Fokkens Jelleke , de Vos Paul
Published: June 2016

Scope

The major receptor for β(1‐3)‐glucans on immune cells is considered to be Dectin‐1 receptor. Particulate β‐glucans induce stronger immune responses than soluble β‐glucans by clustering of Dectin‐1 receptors. Here, it was hypothesized that activation of other pattern recognition receptors such as Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) can also contribute to enhanced activity of immune cells after exposure to particulate β‐glucans.

Methods and results

To test this hypothesis, reporter cell lines were designed expressing TLR4 with either Dectin‐1A or Dectin‐1B, that is, one of the two transcript variants of human Dectin‐1 receptors. Enhanced NF‐κB activation was observed after stimulation with particulate β‐glucans in both Dectin‐1A‐TLR4 and the Dectin‐1B‐TLR4 cell lines. This was different with soluble β‐glucans, which enhanced activation in Dectin‐1A‐TLR4 cell lines but not in Dectin‐1B‐TLR4 cells. The synergistic activation of TLR4 and Dectin‐1 by particulate β‐glucans was confirmed in human dendritic cells. The effects of particulate β‐glucan induced TLR4 binding were regulatory as blocking TLR4 enhanced pro‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐23, IL‐4, IL‐6, and TNF‐α production.

Conclusion

These results suggest that TLR4 and Dectin‐1 are synergistically activated by particulate β‐glucans, wherein TLR4 activates an immune regulatory pathway in human dendritic cells. Our data suggest that β‐glucan is an immune regulatory ligand for TLR4.
Investigation of two‐ and three‐bond carbon–hydrogen coupling constants in cinnamic acid based compounds
Authors: Pierens Gregory K. , Venkatachalam Taracad K. , Reutens David C.
Published: June 2016

Two‐ and three‐bond coupling constants (2JHC and 3JHC) were determined for a series of 12 substituted cinnamic acids using a selective 2D inphase/antiphase (IPAP)‐single quantum multiple bond correlation (HSQMBC) and 1D proton coupled 13C NMR experiments. The coupling constants from two methods were compared and found to give very similar values. The results showed coupling constant values ranging from 1.7 to 9.7 Hz and 1.0 to 9.6 Hz for the IPAP‐HSQMBC and the direct 13C NMR experiments, respectively. The experimental values of the coupling constants were compared with discrete density functional theory (DFT) calculated values and were found to be in good agreement for the 3JHC. However, the DFT method under estimated the 2JHC coupling constants. Knowing the limitations of the measurement and calculation of these multibond coupling constants will add confidence to the assignment of conformation or stereochemical aspects of complex molecules like natural products. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of mating in oviduct biology
Authors: Parada‐Bustamante Alexis , Oróstica María L. , Reuquen Patricia , Zuñiga Lidia M. , Cardenas Hugo , Orihuela Pedro A.
Published: July 2016

The oviduct connects the ovary to the uterus, and is subject to changes that influence gamete transport, fertilization, and early embryo development. The ovarian steroids estradiol and progesterone are largely responsible for regulating oviduct function, although mating signals also affect the female reproductive tract, both indirectly, through sensory stimulation, and directly, through contact with seminal plasma or spermatozoa. The resulting alterations in gene and protein expression help establish a microenvironment that is appropriate for sperm storage and selection, embryo development, and gamete transport. Mating may also induce the switch from a non‐genomic to a genomic pathway of estradiol‐accelerated oviduct egg transport, reflecting a novel example of the functional plasticity in well‐differentiated cells. This review highlights the physiological relevance of various aspects of mating to oviduct biology and reproductive success. Expanding our knowledge of the mating‐associated molecular and cellular events in oviduct cells would undoubtedly facilitate new therapeutic strategies to treat infertility attributable to oviduct pathologies.Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 875–883, 2016 © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mathematical Modeling of the Internal Surface Area of Copolymer Particles Based on Elementary Gel Structures
Authors: Aguiar Leandro G.
Published: June 2016

The present work describes a kinetic approach which is able to predict how the internal surface area of polymer particles evolve during suspension copolymerization in the presence of porogen. For such a purpose, the concept of elementary gel structures has been introduced by modeling their surface area through the numerical fractionation technique. Thus, variables such as diluents composition, divinyl monomer concentration, and dilution degree could be assessed in the simulations. The present mathematical model is validated by using different experimental data from literature and a fair agreement is reached. Furthermore, the developed model is also capable of predicting the most significant copolymerization variables, e.g., conversion rate, concentration of species, and average molecular weights.

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On allocating one active redundancy to coherent systems with dependent and heterogeneous components' lifetimes
Authors: Fang Rui , Li Xiaohu
Published: June 2016

This article studies coherent systems of heterogenous and statistically dependent components' lifetimes. We present a sufficient and necessary condition for a stochastically longer system lifetime resulted by allocating a single active redundancy. For exchangeable components' lifetimes, allocating the redundancy to the component with more minimal path sets is proved to produce a more reliable system, and for systems with stochastic arrangement increasing components' lifetimes and symmetric structure with respect to two components, allocating the redundancy to the weaker one brings forth a larger reliability. Several numerical examples are presented to illustrate the theoretical results as well. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 63: 335–345, 2016
A scalable parallel factorization of finite element matrices with distributed Schur complements
Authors: Maurer Daniel , Wieners Christian
Published: June 2016

We consider the parallel factorization of sparse finite element matrices on distributed memory machines. Our method is based on a nested dissection approach combined with a cyclic re‐distribution of the interface Schur complements. We present a detailed definition of the parallel method, and the well‐posedness and the complexity of the algorithm are analyzed. A lean and transparent functional interface to existing finite element software is defined, and the performance is demonstrated for several representative examples. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Normal and shear forces between surfaces bearing phosphocholinated polystyrene nanoparticles
Authors: Lin Weifeng , Nietzel Sven , Klapper Markus , Müllen Klaus , Klein Jacob
Published: June 2016

Extending earlier studies where phosphocholinated brushes and phosphocholine‐exposing phosphatidylcholine lipid bilayer vesicles (PC‐liposomes) were shown to be very efficient boundary lubricants in aqueous media by virtue of the highly‐hydrated phophocholine groups, we examined interactions between surfaces bearing phosphocholinated polystyrene nanoparticles (pc‐PS‐NPs). We synthesized such particles by incorporation of alkyl chains terminated with phosphocholine groups in the PS‐NP, with the hydrophilic phosphocholines exposed at the NP surface. These were then allowed to adsorb onto mica surfaces, and the normal and shear interactions between them were examined in a surface force balance. On moderate compressions (contact pressures > 9 atm) the pc‐PS‐NPs were squeezed out, leaving a single layer between the surfaces. Shear of the surfaces revealed a large frictional dissipation, with a friction coefficient μ ≈ 0.2, in contrast to our expectations that such phosphocholinated NPs would provide highly lubricating analogues of PC‐liposomes (for which μ ≈ 10−3 – 10−4). This is attributed to a number of factors, including the inherent roughness of the NP multilayers at low compressions and the relatively low areal density of the phosphocholine groups on the PS‐NP surfaces. In particular, at higher compressions, sliding results in energy‐dissipating breaking and reforming of phosphocholine/mica (dipole/charge) bonds at the mica surfaces (and thus high friction), because of bridging of the surfaces by a single layer of pc‐PS‐NPs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plasticizing effect of glyceryl tribenzoate, dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, and glyceryl triacetate on poly(lactic acid)
Authors: Wan Tong , Lin Yanyan , Tu Yapeng
Published: June 2016

The aim of this article is to compare the plasticizing effect of different plasticizers on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) including glyceryl tribenzoate (GTB), dipropylene glycol dibenzoate (DPGDB), and glyceryl triacetate (GTA). The chemical structures of plasticizers are characterized by 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance. PLA is blended with GTA, DPGDB, and GTB at various contents by using a twin screw extruder. Plasticizing effect of three plasticizers are evaluated by comparison of thermal property, storage stability, melt plasticizing coefficient, thermal degradation, and water vapor permeability. This study reveals that PLA/DPGDB exhibits better physical properties than the others do. DPGDB containing ether and ester groups may therefore render good compatibility with PLA. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:1399–1406, 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Cancer diagnosis disclosure preferences of family caregivers of cancer patients in Egypt
Authors: Alsirafy Samy A. , Abdel‐Kareem Shady S. , Ibrahim Noha Y. , Abolkasem Mohamed A. , Farag Dina E.
Published: June 2016

Objective

Family caregivers (FCs) of cancer patients are frequently seen as a barrier to honest communication with patients in Egypt. This study was conducted to investigate the attitude of FCs of cancer patients toward cancer diagnosis disclosure (CDD) and its determinants.

Methods

A structured interview was used to assess the preferences of 288 FCs regarding CDD.

Results

According to the FCs, 85% of patients were aware of their diagnosis. The majority (81%) of FCs preferred CDD to patients. In case they developed cancer, 92% of FCs wanted to know their diagnosis and 88% wanted to inform their families. In a univariate analysis, factors associated with FCs' negative attitude toward CDD to patients were as follows: patient's lower level of education (P = .001), patient's rural residence (P < .001), hematological malignancies (P < .001), FC's belief that the patient is unaware of diagnosis (P < .001), FC's unwillingness to know his/her own cancer diagnosis (P < .001), and FC's unwillingness to inform his/her family about his/her cancer diagnosis (P < .001). Only 2 factors predicted independently the negative attitude of FCs toward CDD, the FC's belief that the patient is unaware of diagnosis (P < .001), and the FC's unwillingness to know his/her own cancer diagnosis (P = .049).

Conclusions

The results suggest that the majority of FCs of Egyptian cancer patients prefer CDD to patients. The finding that the vast majority of FCs of aware patients preferred CDD suggests that the reaction of Egyptian patients to CDD is acceptable by FCs. Family caregivers with a negative attitude toward CDD may be reflecting their own fears.
Demonstration of polycrystalline thin film coatings on glass for spin Seebeck energy harvesting
Authors: Caruana Andrew J. , Cropper Michael D. , Zipfel Jake , Zhou Zhaoxia , West Geoff D. , Morrison Kelly
Published: June 2016

The spin Seebeck effect, a newly discovered phenomena, has been suggested as a potential ‘game changer’ for thermoelectric technology due to the possibility of separating the electric and thermal conductivities. This is due to a completely different device architecture where, instead of an arrangement of p‐ and n‐type pillars between two ceramic blocks, a thermopile could be deposited directly onto a magnetic film of interest. Here we report on the spin Seebeck effect in polycrystalline Fe3O4:Pt bilayers deposited onto amorphous glass substrates with a view for economically viable energy harvesting. Crucially, these films exhibit large coercive fields (197 Oe) and retain 75% of saturation magnetisation, in conjunction with energy conversion comparable to epitaxially grown films. This demonstrates the potential of this technology for widespread application in harvesting waste heat for electricity.
Electronic structure and conformational analysis of P218: An antimalarial drug candidate
Authors: Abbat Sheenu , Bharatam Prasad V.
Published: June 2016

P218 is one of the very important and recent lead compounds for antimalarial research. The 3D structural and electronic details of P218 are not available. In this article, quantum chemical studies to understand the possible 3D structures of P218 are reported and compared with 3D structures from the active site cavities of hDHFR and PfDHFR. The neutral P218, can adopt open chain as well as cyclic arrangements. Under implicit solvent condition a zwitterionic‐cyclic conformer is found to be quite possible. Microsolvation studies using explicit water molecules indicate that one water molecule may bridge the two ends of zwitterionic‐cyclic P218. It was observed that the protonation occurs preferentially at N1 position of the 2,4‐diaminopyrimidine ring, with a proton affinity of 274.49 kcal/mol (implicit solvent phase) and 236.35 kcal/mol (gas phase). A dimer of P218 may be zwitterionic dimer, the dimer formation can release upto ∼28.60 kcal/mol (implicit solvent phase).
Improvement of initial guess via grid‐cutting for efficient grid‐based density functional calculations
Authors: Lim Jaechang , Choi Sunghwan , Kang Sungwoo , Kim Jaewook , Hong Kwangwoo , Kim Woo Youn
Published: June 2016

We introduced an efficient initial guess method, namely the grid‐cutting, which is specialized for grid‐based density functional theory (DFT) calculations. It produces initial density and orbitals through pre‐DFT calculations in an inner simulation box made by cutting out the outer region of a full‐size one. To assess its performance, we carried out DFT calculations for small molecules included in the G2‐1 set and two large molecules with various combinations of mixing and diagonalization conditions, relative size of the inner box, and grid spacing. For all cases, the grid‐cutting method was more efficient than conventional ones such as extended Hückel, superposition of atomic densities, and linear combination of atomic orbitals. For instance, it was about 20% faster in computational time and about 45% smaller in the number of self‐consistent‐field cycles than the superposition of atomic densities because it provided high‐quality initial density and orbitals closer to the corresponding fully converged values. In addition, it showed good performance for non‐Coulombic model systems such as harmonic oscillator.