bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Catholicism, the Tea Party Movement, and American Civilization: Questions, Propositions, and Proposals
Authors: Varacalli Joseph A. ,   Society of Catholic Social Scientists
Published: August 2014

Based on a paper presented, and the feedback received, at the 19th Annual Conference of the Society of Catholic Social Scientists held at Franciscan University, in Steubenville, Ohio, October 29th, 2011, this short article proposes to initiate what could be an important research project intended to study the relationship between Catholicism and, respectively, the Tea Party movement and American civilization. Given the generally accepted understanding that American civilization is in the midst of a deep crisis, such a study hopes to provide, among other important analyses, both a Catholic critique of the present crisis and a Catholic critique of the Tea Party movement and the latter’s proposed solutions to the contemporary dysfunctional transformation of the American democratic republic.
Thoughts On Immigration
Authors: Krason Stephen M. ,   Society of Catholic Social Scientists
Published: August 2014

This article is one of SCSS President Stephen M. Krason’s “Neither Left nor Right, but Catholic” online columns. It briefly addresses, in light of Catholic social teaching, the immigration question that has been a major public issue in the U.S.
Reasons Why Government Should Be Turned To Only When Necessary
Authors: Krason Stephen M. ,   Society of Catholic Social Scientists
Published: August 2014

This article is one of SCSS President Stephen M. Krason’s “Neither Left nor Right, but Catholic” online columns. It makes the argument, in accord with such principles of Catholic social teaching as subsidiarity, that government should undertake tasks in a political society only when truly necessary. It points to many problems that experience has shown in the U.S. tend to develop when functions are turned over to government, especially in domestic areas. He made a presentation based on this column as part of a panel on “What the Role of Government in Contemporary America Should Be, in Light of Historical Experience and Catholic Social Teaching” at the 2011 SCSS National Meeting-Conference.
The Sixties Redivivus: The “Occupy Wall Street” Protests
Authors: Krason Stephen M. ,   Society of Catholic Social Scientists
Published: August 2014

This article is one of SCSS President Stephen M. Krason’s “Neither Left nor Right but Catholic” online columns. It looks at the “Occupy Wall Street” protests, and aims primarily at drawing a comparison between them and the protests of the 1960s. It also assesses them in light of Catholic social teaching.
Research Note: Ecological Study of Selected Predictors and Abortion Rates by State, 2005
Authors: Hart John ,   Society of Catholic Social Scientists
Published: August 2014

This ecological study compares 2005 abortion rates by state to a number of variables thought to be related to abortion. Higher abortion rates were observed in states having: 1) larger vote for Democratic Party candidate for president, 2) higher percent Catholic population, 3) higher black population, 4) lower income, and 5) higher number of abortion providers.
Situating Tocqueville Between Modern Political Philosophy and Pre-Modern Catholic Political Philosophy About What Constitutes Society
Authors: Glenn Gary D. ,   Society of Catholic Social Scientists
Published: August 2014

Sixteenth-century neo-scholastic Catholic thought defended a Christian-Aristotelian view of society as constituted by intergenerational moral obligations derived, not from consent, but from the benefits later generations are given by earlier generations’ progress in the arts and sciences (language, civilization, society, the regime itself). In contrast, self-consciously modern political philosophy substitutes “social contract” in which individuals’ natural rights are primary as well as natural, and moral obligations are not derived from any natural relation by which human beings benefit one another but only from consent. So understood, society is constituted by the agreement and will of the present generation rather than by moral obligation derived from benefits freely given by the preceding generations. This paper considers whether Tocqueville’s account of the origin and development of American democratic society is closer to the medieval Catholic understanding or to the modern account and inquires how strong his affinity for either might be.
Taking Religion Seriously: Reflections on Tocqueville, Catholicism, and Democratic Modernity
Authors: Grasso Kenneth L. ,   Society of Catholic Social Scientists
Published: August 2014

The contributions to this symposium raise several issues that extend beyond an examination of Tocqueville’s Democracy in America. For example, is the conventional distinction between ancient and modern in political philosophy too simplistic? Is religion necessary to preserve democracy, and if so, what kind of religion must it be? Theological and sociological sources both suggest that the fate of democracy in the modern world is inextricably, not merely accidentally, connected with the fate of Christianity.
Tocqueville, Religion, and Modernity
Authors: Holloway Carson ,   Society of Catholic Social Scientists
Published: August 2014

The contributions to this symposium shed light on Tocqueville’s ambiguities. His approach to political philosophy combines both ancient and modern elements, both aristocratic and democratic tendencies.
Why Enough Is Not Enough: Toward a General Theory of Crime in the High Suites by Integration of Sociological and Catholic Social Perspectives
Authors: D’Anca Alfred R. , Nagi Omar ,   Society of Catholic Social Scientists
Published: August 2014

At the onset of the twenty-first century, egregious criminality by elite status offenders in the corporate milieu has emerged, with significant social and victim impact. Due to the lack of pertinent empirical data, the study of white-collar crime has been relatively more focused on the type of offense rather than the offender. This paper develops a theoretical model, founded on sociological and criminological literature and critically complemented by the principles of Catholic social thought, to understand elite white-collar criminality. We establish that the incentive structure is very different at the elite level than in lower social-economic levels of society. Specifically, we address the significance of socio-cultural influences on the corporate economic environment, assessed with interpretative insight supplied by Catholic social principles, to provide a distinctive view of elite white-collar offenders, with further research and policy implications.
The Verbiage of Vision: Mission and Identity in Theologically Conservative Catholic Colleges and Universities
Authors: Abelman Robert ,   Society of Catholic Social Scientists
Published: August 2014

Since Ex Corde Ecclesiae, Catholic colleges and universities have made a conscientious effort to better embed a declaration of religious identity and its defining values and guiding principles into their institutional mission and vision statements. So too has a new wave of Catholic colleges and universities whose leadership has accused Catholic higher education of compromising faith to conform to an increasingly secular world. A content analysis of the mission and vision statements from a nationwide sample of these institutions was performed and key linguistic components found to constitute a well conceived, viable and easily diffused institutional vision were isolated. Findings reveal significant stylistic differences across religious institution types in terms of vision, clarity, complexity, pragmatics, optimism, and their use of language to unify the campus community. How mission and vision statements can better serve as guiding, governing and promotional documents is discussed.
Living Vicariously: Some Implications of the New Evangelization for Catholic Schools
Authors: Rymarz Richard ,   Society of Catholic Social Scientists
Published: August 2014

This paper argues that the New Evangelization of Pope John Paul II is an appropriate response to a culture where vicarious expression is becoming a dominant mode of religious affiliation. Vicarious religious affiliation described variously as a type of practical atheism, providing a metaphorical safety net or keeping intact a tenuous religious memory has clear implications for Catholic schools. Schools no longer can rely on the committed and ongoing support of parents and others and must clearly reemphasize their distinctiveness in a marketplace that is replete with religious options. One way of doing this is to cultivate a strong religious identity
Advective and atmospheric forced changes in heat and fresh water content in the Norwegian Sea, 1951–2010
Authors: Mork Kjell Arne , Skagseth Øystein , Ivshin Victor , Ozhigin Vladimir , Hughes Sarah L. , Valdimarsson Héðinn
Published: August 2014

Climate variability in the Norwegian Sea was investigated in terms of ocean heat and fresh water contents of Atlantic water above a reference surface, using hydrographic data during spring 1951–2010. The main processes acting on this variability were examined and then quantified. The area‐averaged water mass cooled and freshened, but a deepening of the reference surface resulted in a positive trend in the heat content of 0.3 W m−2. Air‐sea heat fluxes explained about half of the interannual variability in heat content. The effect of the advection of Atlantic and Arctic waters on the variability varied with time, apparently due to large‐scale changes in the ocean circulation. The data are consistent with the explanation that changing wind patterns caused buffering and then release of Arctic water in the Iceland Sea during the late 1960s to early 1970s, and this caused large hydrographic changes in the Norwegian Sea.
Quantifying light absorption by organic carbon in Western North American snow by serial chemical extractions
Authors: Dang Cheng , Hegg Dean A.
Published: August 2014

Light‐absorbing particulates (LAPs) in snow, namely black carbon (BC), organic carbon (OC), and iron oxides, can reduce snow albedo and influence regional and global climate. Partitioning light absorption by LAPs to BC and non‐BC (i.e., OC and iron oxides) is important yet difficult due to both technical limitations and the complicated nature of LAPs. In this work, we applied serial chemical extractions on LAP samples acquired from snow samples in western North America to study the light absorption by different types of OC. We also estimated the light absorption due to iron oxides. Based on these chemical analyses, we then compared our estimation of the non‐BC light absorption with that from an optical method. The results suggest that humic‐like substances (sodium hydroxide (NaOH)‐soluble), polar OCs (methanol‐soluble), and iron oxides are responsible for 9%, 4%, and 14% (sample means) of the total light absorption, respectively, in our samples, though it should also be noted that there is great variance in these means. The total light absorption due to non‐BC LAPs estimated by chemical methods is lower than that estimated by optical method by about 10% in all sampling regions. Reasons for this difference are explored.
Potential groundwater age tracer found: Halon‐1301 (CF3Br), as previously identified as CFC‐13 (CF3Cl)
Authors: Beyer Monique , van der Raaij Rob , Morgenstern Uwe , Jackson Bethanna
Published: August 2014

Groundwater dating using anthropogenic and natural tracer substances is a powerful tool for understanding groundwater dynamics for improved management of groundwater resources. Due to limitations in individual dating methods, often multiple tracers are used to reduce ambiguities. It is commonly accepted that there is a need for further complementary age tracers, in addition to current ones (e.g., tritium, SF6, and CFCs). We propose a potential new groundwater age tracer, Halon‐1301 (CF3Br), which can easily be determined using gas chromatography with an attached electron capture detector (GC/ECD) developed by Busenberg and Plummer (2008). Its peak was noted by Busenberg and Plummer (2008), but they believed it to be CFC‐13 (CF3Cl) at that time. We performed rigorous tests on gases containing or excluding Halon‐1301 and CFC‐13 and modern water samples and concluded that the two compounds have extremely similar retention times. Additionally, we found that the ECD response of CFC‐13 is far too low to be detected in groundwater or air using standard volumes and sampling techniques. However, the peak areas and concentrations Busenberg and Plummer (2008) reported are in line with what would be expected for Halon‐1301. Thus, we are confident that the peak formerly identified as CFC‐13 is actually Halon‐1301. Busenberg agrees with our findings. We further suggest that Halon‐1301 has potential as a (complementary) age tracer, due to its established atmospheric history, and could hypothetically be used to date groundwater recharged in the 1970s or onward. We discuss known relevant properties, such as solubility and stability of Halon‐1301 in the context of how these effect its potential application as a groundwater age tracer. Some open questions remain concerning how conservative Halon‐1301 is—is it subject to degradation, retardation, and/or local contamination in groundwater. We are confident that Halon‐1301 possesses important tracer relevant properties, but further work is required to fully assess its applicability and reliability as a groundwater age tracer in different groundwater environments.
Cognitive Abilities of Elite Nationally Ranked SCRABBLE and Crossword Experts
Authors: Toma Michael , Halpern Diane F. , Berger Dale E.
Published: August 2014

Theoretical models of working memory suggest that the simultaneous processing and storage of information is carried out either as separate or binded mechanisms. We explored working memory capacity and strategy in two elite groups of experts to test the separate versus binded hypotheses. Visuospatial and verbal abilities were measured in elite nationally ranked SCRABBLE and crossword experts and compared with college students matched on quantitative and verbal SAT scores, both exceeding 700 on average. SCRABBLE and crossword experts significantly outperformed college students on all cognitive measures. The crossword experts scored significantly higher on a test of analogies than SCRABBLE experts, but performance for cognitive ability tasks did not significantly differ between expert groups. The techniques and strategies used during competitive play, however, did differ significantly. Findings suggest that visuospatial and verbal working memory capacities of SCRABBLE and crossword experts are binded and occur at extraordinarily high levels. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Boundary conditions for collisional granular flows of frictional and rotational particles at flat walls
Authors: Zhao Yunhua , Zhong Yingjie , He Yurong , Schlaberg H. Inaki
Published: August 2014

Collisions between frictional particles and flat walls are determined using Coulomb friction and both tangential and normal restitution, and pseudothermal states of particles are described by both the translational and rotational granular temperatures. Then, new models for the stresses and the fluxes of fluctuation energy for the collisional granular flows at the walls are derived. These new models are tested and compared with the literature data and models. The ratio of rotational to translational granular temperatures is shown to be crucial on accurately predicting the shear stress and energy flux and is dependent on the normalized slip velocity as well as the collisional parameters. Using a theoretical but constant value for this ratio, predictions by the new models could still agree better with the literature data than those by the previous models. Finally, boundary conditions are developed to be used within the framework of kinetic theory of granular flow. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J 60: 4065–4075, 2014
Clinical and pathologic characteristics of intranasal abuse of combined opioid‐acetaminophen medications
Authors: Vosler Peter S. , Ferguson Berrylin J. , Contreras Jorge I. , Wang Eric W. , Schaitkin Barry M. , Lee Stella
Published: August 2014

Background

The nonmedical abuse of prescription opioids via intranasal administration is a growing problem. The objective of this study is to investigate of the typical presentation of intranasal opioid‐acetaminophen abuse and outline optimal therapy.

Methods

This study was a retrospective chart review. Patients with intranasal pathology from inhalation of combined opioid‐acetaminophen medications (COAMs) from 3 academic otolaryngology practices in western Pennsylvania from January 2012 to October 2012 were included in the review.

Results

Seven adults ranging in age from 23 to 46 years were identified with nasal complaints from the intranasal inhalation of COAMs. All patients presented with nasal pain and were found to have fibrinous necrotic nasal mucosa involving the posterior nasal cavity and nasopharynx. Of the 7 patients, 6 (85.7%) presented with a septal perforation. Pathology and culture revealed fungus in 85.7% of the patients; however, no invasive fungal disease was noted in any of the specimens. Patients did not improve with either systemic or topical antifungal therapy. Polarizable material characteristic of talc used as a tablet binder was present in the histopathology of 4 of 7 (57.1%) patients. Patients who abstained from intranasal drug use along with serial debridement demonstrated the greatest improvement.

Conclusion

Intranasal COAM abuse causes nasal pain, tissue necrosis with potential septal and palatal perforation, and noninvasive fungal colonization. Antifungal therapy was of no benefit in the current series of patients. Current therapy should focus on recognition of the etiology of patients’ pathology and encourage abstinence from intranasal use of these drugs along with serial debridements.
Enzymatischer Abbau von (Ligno)Cellulose
Authors: Bornscheuer Uwe , Buchholz Klaus , Seibel Jürgen
Published: August 2014

Glycoside abbauende Enzyme spielen eine dominante Rolle bei der biochemischen Umwandlung cellulosischer Biomasse zu preiswerten Biokraftstoffen und wertschöpfenden Chemikalien. Neue Einsichten in Proteinfunktionen und Substratstrukturen, Kinetiken zur Erkennung und Abbauereignisse münden in einem substanziell verbesserten Verständnis des Celluloseabbaus.
Preparation of polyHIPE/clay composites by using a reactive intercalant
Authors: Çira Funda , Berber Elif , Şen Sinan , Mert E. Hilal
Published: August 2014

Porous polymer composites have been synthesized by polymerizing the continuous phase of styrene/divinylbenzene high internal phase emulsions in the presence of organophilic montmorillonite clay having a novel oil‐based intercalant which is a reactive methacryl derivative of quaternized methyl oleate. The morphological features, thermal stability and mechanical properties, namely compression modulus and crush strength of the resulting composites have been investigated as a function of degree of nanoclay loading. All the composites reinforced with the clay were found to have improved thermal and mechanical properties as well as desired porous and interconnected structural morphology, as compared with the bare polyHIPE matrix. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41333.
DNA methylation aberrations rather than polymorphisms of FZD3 gene increase the risk of spina bifida in a high‐risk region for neural tube defects
Authors: Shangguan Shaofang , Wang Li , Chang Shaoyan , Lu Xiaoling , Wang Zhen , Wu Lihua , Wang Jianhua , Wang Xiuwei , Guan Zhen , Bao Yihua , Zhao Huizhi , Zou Jizhen , Niu Bo , Zhang Ting
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND

Animal models of neural tube defects (NTDs) have indicated roles for the Fzd3 gene and the planar cell polarity signaling pathway in convergent extension. We investigated the involvement of FZD3 in genetic and epigenetic mechanisms associated with human NTDs, especially spina bifida. We explored the effects of variants spanning the FZD3 gene in NTDs and examined the role of aberrant methylation of the FZD3 promoter on gene expression in brain tissue in spina bifida.

METHODS

Six FZD3 single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped using a MassARRAY system in tissue from 165 NTD fetuses and 152 controls. DNA methylation aberrations in the FZD3 promoter region were detected using a MassARRAY EpiTYPER (17 CpG units from −500 to −2400 bp from the transcription start site) in brain tissue from 77 spina bifida and 74 control fetuses.

RESULTS

None of the six single nucleotide polymorphisms evaluated were significantly associated with spina bifida, but the mean methylation level was significantly higher in spina bifida samples (13.70%) compared with control samples (10.91%) (p = 0.001). In terms of specific sites, DNA methylation levels were significantly higher in the spina bifida samples at 14 of the 17 CpG units, which mostly included in R2 region. FZD3 mRNA expression was negatively correlated with methylation of the FZD3 promoter region, especially the R2 region (R = 0.970; p = 0.001) in HeLa cells.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggest that DNA methylation plays an important role in FZD3 gene expression regulation and may be associated with an increased risk of spina bifida. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:37–44, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Advances in the development of novel antioxidant therapies as an approach for fetal alcohol syndrome prevention
Authors: Joya Xavier , Garcia‐Algar Oscar , Salat‐Batlle Judith , Pujades Cristina , Vall Oriol
Published: August 2014

Ethanol is the most common human teratogen, and its consumption during pregnancy can produce a wide range of abnormalities in infants known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The major characteristics of FASD can be divided into: (i) growth retardation, (ii) craniofacial abnormalities, and (iii) central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction. FASD is the most common cause of nongenetic mental retardation in Western countries. Although the underlying molecular mechanisms of ethanol neurotoxicity are not completely determined, the induction of oxidative stress is believed to be one central process linked to the development of the disease. Currently, there is no known effective strategy for prevention (other than alcohol avoidance) or treatment. In the present review we will provide the state of art in the evidence for the use of antioxidants as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment using whole‐embryo and culture cells models of FASD. We conclude that the imbalance of the intracellular redox state contributes to the pathogenesis observed in FASD models, and we suggest that antioxidant therapy can be considered a new efficient strategy to mitigate the effects of prenatal ethanol exposure. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:163–177, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Maternal periconceptional alcohol consumption and congenital limb deficiencies
Authors: Caspers Conway Kristin M. , Romitti Paul A. , Holmes Lewis , Olney Richard S. , Richardson Sandra D. ,   the National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Published: August 2014

Background: Women of childbearing age report high rates of alcohol consumption, which may result in alcohol exposure during early pregnancy. Epidemiological research on congenital limb deficiencies (LDs) and periconceptional exposure to alcohol is inconclusive. Methods: Data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) were examined for associations between LDs and patterns of maternal periconceptional (1 month before conception through the first trimester) alcohol consumption among LD case (n = 906) and unaffected control (n = 8352) pregnancies with expected delivery dates from 10/1997 through 12/2007. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated from unconditional logistic regression analysis for all LDs combined, specific LD subtypes (preaxial/terminal transverse), and LD anatomic groups (upper/lower limbs); interactions with folic acid (FA) supplementation were tested. Results: When compared with nondrinkers, inverse associations were found between all LDs combined, preaxial, and upper LDs and any reported periconceptional alcohol consumption (aORs ranged from 0.56–0.83), drinking without binging (aORs: 0.53–0.75), and binge drinking (≥4 drinks/occasion) (aORs: 0.64–0.94); however, none of the binge drinking aORs were statistically significant. Stratification by alcohol type showed inverse associations between all LDs combined, preaxial, transverse, and upper and lower LDs for drinking without binging of wine only (aORs: 0.39–0.67) and between all LDs combined and upper LDs for drinking without binging of combinations of alcohol (aORs: 0.63–0.87). FA did not modify observed associations. Conclusion: Maternal periconceptional alcohol consumption did not emerge as a teratogen for selected LDs in the NBDPS. Future studies should evaluate additional rare LDs among more highly exposed populations. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 100:863–876, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Application of proper orthogonal decomposition methods in reactive pore diffusion simulations
Authors: Ullmann Martin , Prüfert Uwe , Seidel Jens , Ernst Oliver G. , Hasse Christian
Published: August 2014

Reactive pore diffusion is an important process in automotive exhaust‐gas aftertreatment modelling the overall conversion of pollutants. It features highly nonlinear source terms from chemical reactions coupled with transport processes. This work examines the application of model reduction by proper orthogonal decomposition. It is shown that this technique can be successfully applied to the system using separate bases for each species. Using a basis obtained for baseline conditions, predictions can be made for species profiles within a pore system for different conditions, potentially leading to significantly reduced computational requirements.
Enhanced Carbon Dioxide Fixation and Bio‐oil Production of a Microalgal Consortium
Authors: Boonma Sunisa , Chaiklangmuang Suparin , Chaiwongsar Suraphon , Pekkoh Jeeraporn , Pumas Chayakorn , Ungsethaphand Thepparath , Tongsiri Sudaporn , Peerapornpisal Yuwadee
Published: August 2014

In this study, a microalgal consortium was cultivated with different CO2 supplements: ambient air (0.03% CO2), 10 and 30% (v/v) CO2. It was found that the growth rate of the cultures supplemented with 30% CO2 was the highest among the others. The biomass and lipid productivity for the microalgal consortium with 30% CO2 were 21.1 and 4.8 mg L−1 day−1 (27.6% of dry weight, dw). The ability of CO2 fixation under 30% CO2 supplementation was found to be 0.0271 g CO2 L−1 day−1, which is higher than in the ambient air supplementation. Then, the microalgal consortium was cultivated with exhaust gas (19% CO2) from a power generator supplied by biogas from chicken manure. It was found that the growth of the microalgae supplemented with exhaust gas was higher than in the ambient air. The biomass and lipid productivity for the microalgal consortium with exhaust gas were 25.82 and 5.2 mg L−1 day−1 (16.96% of dw) and the most dominant algal species observed were Acutodesmus (Scenedesmus) sp., A. dimorphus (Turpin) Tsarenko and Scenedesmus obliquus (Turpin) Kützing, respectively. Moreover, it could be revealed that the ability of CO2 fixation under supplementations with exhaust gas increased 1.3‐fold compared with ambient air. Therefore, the microalgal consortium has high potential for both CO2 reduction and bio‐oil production, simultaneously.
Facile Synthesis of Thiol‐functionalized Mesoporous Silica – Their Role for Heavy Metal Removal Efficiency
Authors: Lin Ling‐Chu , Thirumavalavan Munusamy , Lee Jiunn‐Fwu
Published: August 2014

A simple approach based on the covalent grafting of 3‐mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane groups onto the framework of two types of mesoporous silica C16 (surface area: 1568.72 m2/g; pore size: 3.07 nm) using hexadecyltrimethyl ammoniumbromide and C9 (surface area: 779.83 m2/g; pore size: 4.51 nm) using nonyltrimethyl ammoniumbromide as templates has been reported. Various techniques were employed to confirm the thiol functionalization. A considerable decline in the surface area, pore volume, and interestingly an enhancement in the pore size were observed for functionalized materials. The functionalized derivatives were able to bind quantitatively several folds Ag+ and Hg2+ ions compared to that of unmodified mesoporous silica and a comparative study with earlier reports indicated that the mesoporous silica discussed in this present work showed superior adsorption behavior. Mercapto‐functionalized mesoporous silica have not only exhibited an enhanced adsorption rate towards Ag+ and Hg2+ but also demonstrated that the maximum adsorption capacity of Ag+ (C16 = 0.73 mg/g; C16‐SAn = 192.31 mg/g; C16‐SH = 250.00 mg/g; C9 = 0.66 mg/g; C9‐SAn = 181.82; C9‐SH = 185.85 mg/g) and Hg2+ (C16 = 0.40 mg/g; C16‐SAn = 114.94 mg/g; C16‐SH = 126.58 mg/g; C9 = 0.31 mg/g; C9‐SAn = 108.70; C9‐SH = 112.36 mg/g) is hundred times higher than that of unmodified mesoporous silica. Thus, it is evident that these thiol‐functionalized mesoporous silica can be promising adsorbents for the treatment of Hg2+ and Ag+ contaminants in aqueous solution.
Levels of Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins/Dibenzofurans in Jordanian Clay
Authors: Alawi Mahmoud A. , Najjar Ahmad A. , Khoury Hani N.
Published: August 2014

This research has taken care of the determination and documentation of dioxins/furans in the Jordanian kaolin, where several samples were collected from different sites in Jordan varying in their geographical nature and geological ages. The research has proved that all samples are dioxin‐free. The clay samples in this research have been analyzed using the certified Environmental Protection Agency method EPA‐1613.
Phase field investigation on sidebranching dynamics in transient growth
Authors: Zheng Wenjian , Dong Zhibo , Wei Yanhong , Wang Yong
Published: August 2014

A computationally efficient quantitative phase field formulation is used to investigate the sidebranching dynamics under different transient conditions in directional solidification for realistic parameters of a dilute alloy. The sidebranch growths where the pulling speed or temperature gradient increases with constant increasing rates are simulated and discussed by using the noise amplification theory. The results show that in transient growth, the tip shape can rapidly adjust with the instantaneous conditions, and the tip velocity changes continuously due to the change of tip undercooling. Therefore, under our given transient conditions, the sidebranch spacing or sidebranching frequency depends strongly on the transient conditions and transient history, which is different with that in steady‐state conditions where the sidebranching frequency is found to be independent of the temperature gradient and primary spacing, but varies as a power law of pulling speed.
Restrictive food intake as a choice—A paradigm for study
Authors: Steinglass Joanna , Foerde Karin , Kostro Katrina , Shohamy Daphna , Walsh B. Timothy
Published: August 2014

Objective

Inadequate intake and preference for low‐calorie foods are salient behavioral features of Anorexia Nervosa (AN). The neurocognitive mechanisms underlying pathological food choice have not been characterized. This study aimed to develop a new paradigm for experimentally modeling maladaptive food choice in AN.

Method

Individuals with AN (n = 22) and healthy controls (HC, n = 20) participated in a computer‐based Food Choice Task, adapted for individuals with eating disorders. Participants first rated 43 food images (including high‐fat and low‐fat items) for Healthiness and Tastiness; an item rated neutral on both blocks was then selected as the Reference item. On each of 42 subsequent trials participants were asked to choose between the food item presented and the Reference item.

Results

The AN group was less likely to choose high‐fat foods relative to HC, as evidenced both in multilevel logistic regression (z = 2.59, p = .009) and ANOVA (F(1,39) = 7.80, p = .008) analyses. Health ratings influenced choice significantly more in AN relative to HC (z = 2.7, p = .006), and were more related to Taste among AN (χ = 4.10, p = .04). Additionally, taste ratings declined with duration of illness (r = −.50, p = .02).

Discussion

The Food Choice Task captures the preference for low‐fat foods among individuals with AN. The findings suggest that the experience of tastiness changes over time and may contribute to perpetuation of illness. By providing an experimental quantitative measure of food restriction, this task opens the door to new experimental investigations into the cognitive, affective, and neural factors contributing to maladaptive food choices characteristic of AN. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:59–66)
Physico‐chemical and rheological characterization of olive‐pomace oils
Authors: Sánchez‐Gutiérrez Carla Andrea , Casas Marta , Lucero M. Jesús , Ruiz‐Méndez M. Victoria
Published: August 2014

In this paper the characteristics and rheological behavior of crude olive‐pomace oil extracted by mechanical and chemical means throughout one harvest period have been studied. Oils were turbid at 25°C and behaved as non‐Newtonian fluids. While the mechanically extracted samples fitted to the rheological model of Herschel–Bulkley, the chemical extracted samples fitted better to the model of Ostwald‐De Waele or Power Law.

The mechanical properties of the olive‐pomace oils have been studied from rotational rheological point of view in order to obtain information about the flow behavior and the viscosity, necessary in different fields of application for the design, development, optimization, and quality control of new formulations with this type of oil.
Linear Oligocarbazole‐Based Organogelators: Synthesis and Fluorescent Probing of Explosives
Authors: Hong Guanghui , Qian Chong , Xue Pengchong , Liu Xingliang , Wang Qingqing , Liu Mingyang , Gong Peng , Lu Ran
Published: August 2014

The simplest carbazole‐based organogelator C1 (9‐hexadecyl‐9H‐carbazole) has been synthesized and can self‐assemble into nanofibers in the gel phase directed by balanced π–π interactions. To extend the conjugation of the π gelator, we prepared linear carbazole‐based trimer C3 and pentamer C5, which also exhibited gelation behavior in some organic solvents upon ultrasound stimulation. It is found that the xerogel of C3 emits strong blue light under UV irradiation. Notably, the emission of C3 in nanofiber‐based films can be quenched upon exposure to vapors of TNT and DNT. The steady‐state Stern–Volmer plots of C3 in toluene revealed that the fluorescent quenching induced by aromatic nitro compounds is due to photoinduced electron transfer. Therefore the emitting nanofibers fabricated from linear carbazole by organogelation can be used as fluorescent sensors to detect explosives.
Computationally‐Efficient Simulation of Transport Phenomena in Fuel Cell Stacks via Electrical and Thermal Decoupling of the Cells
Authors: Sharma A. K. , Birgersson E.
Published: August 2014

To overcome the prohibitive computational cost associated with detailed mechanistic models for fuel cell stacks, we derive an efficient computational strategy based on thermal and electrical decoupling of cells. The conditions that allow for decoupling are discussed and verified with a non‐isothermal model considering two‐dimensional conservation of mass, momentum, species, energy, charge, and electrochemistry for a 10‐cell proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack. The derived strategy allows for simulation of large stacks comprising hundreds of cells at a low computational cost and complexity; e.g., for a PEMFC stack comprising 500 cells, the decoupled algorithm takes less than 30 min to solve and requires only 1 GB of random access memory.
Serum hepatitis B virus RNA levels as an early predictor of hepatitis B envelope antigen seroconversion during treatment with polymerase inhibitors
Authors: van Bömmel Florian , Bartens Anne , Mysickova Alena , Hofmann Jörg , Krüger Detlev H. , Berg Thomas , Edelmann Anke
Published: August 2014

Hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion represents an endpoint of treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. We have studied whether levels of serum HBV RNA during polymerase inhibitor treatment might be helpful for predicting HBeAg seroconversion. HBV RNA levels were determined in serial serum samples from 62 patients with chronic HBV infection (50 HBeAg positive). Patients received antiviral treatment for a mean duration of 30 ± 15 (range, 4‐64) months. A new rapid amplification of complimentary DNA‐ends‐based real‐time polymerase chain reaction was established for quantitative analysis of polyadenylated full‐length (fl) and truncated (tr) HBV RNA. HBV RNA, HBV DNA, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels as well as presence of HBeAg and hepatitis B envelope antibody were measured at baseline, month 3, month 6, and subsequent time points. Fifteen patients who achieved HBeAg seroconversion after a mean duration of 19 ± 14 (range, 3‐56) months of antiviral treatment showed a significantly stronger decline in mean HBV flRNA and trRNA levels from baseline to month 3 of 1.0 ± 1.4 (range, −1.6‐3.4) and 2.1 ± 1.4 (range, 0‐3.9) and to month 6 of 1.8 ± 1.4 (range, 0‐4.6) and 3.1 ± 1.7 (range, 0‐5.1) log10 copies/mL, respectively, in comparison to 35 HBeAg‐positive patients without HBeAg seroconversion (P < 0.001 for months 3 and 6). A similar decline in HBV RNA levels was observed in HBeAg‐negative patients. The decline of HBV RNA levels at months 3 and 6 of treatment was to be the strongest predictor of HBeAg seroconversion, when compared to levels of HBV DNA, HBsAg, alanine aminotransferase, and HBV genotype, age, and sex. Conclusion: Serum HBV RNA levels may serve as a novel tool for prediction of serological response during polymerase inhibitor treatment in HBeAg‐positive patients. (Hepatology 2015;61:66–76)
Osteopontin deficiency does not prevent but promotes alcoholic neutrophilic hepatitis in mice
Authors: Lazaro Raul , Wu Raymond , Lee Sunyoung , Zhu Nian‐Ling , Chen Chia‐Lin , French Samuel W. , Xu Jun , Machida Keigo , Tsukamoto Hidekazu
Published: August 2014

Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is a distinct spectrum of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) with intense neutrophilic (polymorphonuclear; PMN) inflammation and high mortality. Although a recent study implicates osteopontin (SPP1) in AH, SPP1 is also shown to have protective effects on experimental ALD. To address this unsettled question, we examined the effects of SPP1 deficiency in male mice given 40% calories derived from ad libitum consumption of the Western diet high in cholesterol and saturated fat and the rest from intragastric feeding of alcohol diet without or with weekly alcohol binge. Weekly binge in this new hybrid feeding model shifts chronic ASH with macrophage inflammation and perisinusoidal and pericellular fibrosis to AH in 57% (15 of 26) of mice, accompanied by inductions of chemokines (Spp1, Cxcl1, and interleukin [Il]‐17a), progenitor genes (Cd133, Cd24, Nanog, and epithelial cell adhesion molecule), PMN infiltration, and clinical features of AH, such as hypoalbuminemia, bilirubinemia, and splenomegaly. SPP1 deficiency does not reduce AH incidence and inductions of progenitor and fibrogenic genes, but rather enhances the Il‐17a induction and PMN infiltration in some mice. Furthermore, in the absence of SPP1, chronic ASH mice without weekly binge begin to develop AH. Conclusion: These results suggest that SPP1 has a protective, rather than causal, role for experimental AH reproduced in our model. (Hepatology 2015;61:129–140)
2‐(v,k,1) Designs Admitting a Primitive Rank 3 Automorphism Group of Affine Type: The Extraspecial and the Exceptional Classes
Authors: Montinaro Alessandro
Published: August 2014

2‐(v,k,1) designs admitting a primitive rank 3 automorphism group , where G0 belongs to the Extraspecial Class, or to the Exceptional Class of Liebeck's Theorem in [23], are classified.
Functional expression and synergistic cooperation of xylan‐degrading enzymes from Hypocrea orientalis and Aspergillus niger
Authors: Li Hailong , Wu Jinlian , Jiang Fengjiao , Xue Yong , Liu Jian , Gan Lihui , Ali Nasir , Long Minnan
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND

Xylan plays an important role in the enzymatic digestion of biomass, but xylan‐degrading enzymes are expensive to produce. Current research is focused on improving the activity and efficacy of hydrolytic enzymes by molecular engineering and on understanding the synergistic cooperation of these enzymes.

RESULTS

In this study, xylan‐degrading enzymes, including endo‐β‐1,4‐xylanases (HoXyn11A and AnXyn10C), β‐xylosidases (AnXln3D) and α‐L‐arabinofuranosidases (AnAxh62A) from Hypocrea orientalis and Aspergillus niger, were expressed at high levels in Pichia pastoris. Substrate specificity and end product analysis verified the mode of actions of the recombinant enzymes, which were specific for xylan degradation. Synergistic cooperation among these recombinant enzymes was clearly demonstrated. AnXyn10C was more efficient than HoXyn11A for producing both xylose and xylo‐oligosaccharides from beechwood xylan and wheat arabinoxylan. AnAxh62A displayed better cooperative effects with HoXyn11A than AnXyn10C in the hydrolysis of wheat arabinoxylan and increased the yield of xylobiose and xylotriose 8.6‐fold and 7.3‐fold, respectively. Although AnXln3D was the key enzyme for producing xylose, the yield of xylose depended strongly on the main‐chain and side‐group cleaving enzymes.

CONCLUSION

This study will facilitate the development of highly efficient enzyme cocktails for the bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass into monosaccharides and xylo‐oligosaccharides. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
A Comparison of mucosal surface area and villous histology in small intestines of the Brazilian free‐tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) and the mouse (Mus musculus)
Authors: Zhang Zhi‐Qiang , Brun Antonio , Price Edwin R. , Cruz‐Neto Ariovaldo P. , Karasov William H. , Caviedes‐Vidal Enrique
Published: August 2014

Studies on birds have led to the hypothesis that increased intestinal absorption between enterocytes (paracellular) evolved as a compensation for smaller intestinal size in fliers, which was perhaps selected to minimize the mass of digesta carried. This hypothesis predicts that bats will also exhibit relatively reduced intestinal size and high paracellular absorption, compared with nonflying mammals. Published studies on three bat species indicate relatively high paracellular absorption. One mechanism for increasing paracellular absorption per cm2 small intestine (SI) is increased number of tight junctions (TJs) across which paracellular absorption occurs. To our knowledge, we provide the first comparative analysis of enterocyte size and number in flying and nonflying mammals. Intestines of insectivorous bats Tadarida brasiliensis were compared with Mus musculus using hematoxylin and eosin staining method. Bats had shorter and narrower SIs than mice, and after correction for body size difference by normalizing to mass3/4, the bats had 40% less nominal surface area than the mouse, as predicted. Villous enhancement of surface area was 90% greater in the bat than in the mouse, mainly because of longer villi and a greater density of villi in bat intestines. Bat and mouse were similar in enterocyte diameter. Bats exceeded mice by 54.4% in villous area per cm length SI and by 95% in number of enterocytes per cm2 of the nominal surface area of the SI. Therefore, an increased density of TJs per cm2 SI may be a mechanistic explanation that helps to understand the high paracellular absorption observed in bats compared to nonflying mammals. J. Morphol. 276:102–108, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thermo‐Moldable Nanocomposite Hydrogels
Authors: Yang Yiqing , Wang Tao , Sun Weixiang , Wang Chaoyang , Liu Xinxing , Tong Zhen
Published: August 2014

The present paper reports an interesting and versatile thermo‐moldable property of poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide)‐clay nanocomposite hydrogels (NC gel). The NC gel can be thermo‐pressed and molded to a desired shape at 80 °C, and the shape can be fixed by cooling to 20 °C. Mechanical test and small‐angle X‐ray scattering demonstrate that the molded NC gel still exhibits high strength with an elastic network structure. Viscoelastic measurements show that with increasing the temperature, the equilibrium shear modulus Ge decreases, and the creep and permanent deformation increases obviously, suggesting a decrease in the cross‐linking density. Ge recovers when the gel is cooled down to room temperature, reflecting the recovery of the cross‐linking density. This thermo‐moldable property is attributed to reversible cross‐linking in such NC gels by changing the temperature. This work provides a facile method to deform or pattern the tough NC gels after synthesis.
Epoxy/Poly(ethylene‐co‐methacrylic acid) Blends as Thermally Activated Healing Agents in an Epoxy/Amine Network
Authors: Dell'Olio Carmelo , Yuan Qiang , Varley Russell J.
Published: August 2014

Thermally activated healing of a cured epoxy/amine network using di‐glycidyl ether of bis‐phenol A (DGEBA) and triethylene‐tetramine (TETA) was explored using a modified thermoplastic poly(ethylene‐co‐methacrylic acid) (EMAA) healing agent. Epoxy resins of differing molecular weight were blended and pre‐reacted with EMAA to heal via covalent and non‐covalent bonding. Healing depended strongly on compatibility and reactivity between the epoxy additive and EMAA. Reduced compatibility and preferential miscibility produced the greatest healing, while increased compatibility and epoxide chemical reaction reduced healing. More healing was achieved when the availability of reactive epoxide groups from the healing agent and amino groups from the amine rich DGEBA/TETA polymer networks both increased.
Reactive Compatibilization of Ternary Polymer Blends with Core–Shell Type Morphology
Authors: Rastin Hadi , Saeb Mohammad Reza , Jafari Seyed Hassan , Khonakdar Hossein Ali , Kritzschmar Brend , Wagenknecht Udo
Published: August 2014

Reactive compatibilization of HDPE based ternary blends with intrinsic tendency to form core‐shell microstructure was discussed in view of microstructure‐property correlations. A series of binary and ternary blends containing HDPE, PA‐6, EVOH, and maleated HDPE were prepared by melt processing and. The rheological, thermal, and mechanical characteristics of the resulting blends were then assessed in terms of transitions in the phase morphologies. The state of stress transfer and the degree of interfacial adhesion were also quantified by tracking changes in the particle size, particle size distribution, and crystallization behavior of the systems having different amounts of compatibilizer.
Hyperbranched Polyester‐Stabilized Nanotitania‐Coated Vectran Fibers with Improved UV‐Blocking Performance
Authors: Liu Yuxi , Liu Yuyan , Zhang Chunhua , Tan Huifeng , Yan Xingru , Wei Huige , Guo Zhanhu
Published: August 2014

An OH terminated hyperbranched polyester is used to stabilize TiO2 nanomaterials (10 nm) in situ synthesized via a sol–gel method with butyltitanate as precursor. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses and thermogravimetric (TGA) analyses illustrate the interactions of the hyperbranched polyester with the TiO2 nanoparticles. The stabilized TiO2 nanocomposites are used in the finishing process of Vectran and a continuous uniform TiO2 coating on the Vectran fiber surface is achieved. The TiO2‐treated Vectran filaments exhibit an increased tensile strength compared to the untreated Vectran systems upon exposure to Xenon lamp UV radiation. The coating leads to improved UV‐blocking performance.