bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ChemInform Abstract: New Simple Primary Amine—Thiourea Organocatalysts and Their Application in Asymmetric Conjugate Addition.
Authors: Yu Lu , Li Pengfei
Published: November 2014

1‐((1R,2R)‐2‐aminocyclohexyl)‐3‐(9H‐fluoren‐9‐yl)thiourea in combination with 4‐methylbenzoic acid as additive catalyzes the reaction of 2‐aryl‐1‐nitroethylenes (I) with acetone (II) to give 4‐aryl‐2‐oxo‐5‐nitropentanes (III) in moderate yields and with good enantioselectivities.
ChemInform Abstract: A Simple and Eco‐Sustainable Method for the Sulfonylation of Amines under Microwave‐Assisted Solvent‐Free Conditions.
Authors: Lakrout Salah , K'tir Hacene , Amira Aicha , Berredjem Malika , Aouf Nour‐Eddine
Published: November 2014

The chemoselective sulfonylation of primary and secondary amines is carried out by microwave irradiation under solvent‐ and catalyst‐free conditions.
ChemInform Abstract: Electroreductive Coupling of Optically Active α,β‐Unsaturated Carbonyl Compounds with Diaryl Ketones: Asymmetric Synthesis of 4,5,5‐Trisubstituted γ‐Butyrolactones.
Authors: Kise Naoki , Hamada Yusuke , Sakurai Toshihiko
Published: November 2014

The electroreduction of (Ia) with acetophenone or cyclohexanone fails.
ChemInform Abstract: Homogenous Pd‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of Unprotected Indoles: Scope and Mechanistic Studies.
Authors: Duan Ying , Li Lu , Chen Mu‐Wang , Yu Chang‐Bin , Fan Hong‐Jun , Zhou Yong‐Gui
Published: November 2014

This hydrogenation method works best for N‐unprotected indole substrates and gives the products in very good yields and with high enantioselectivities.
ChemInform Abstract: An Asymmetric Organocatalytic Quadruple Cascade to Tetraaryl‐Substituted 2‐Azabicyclo[3.3.0]octadienones.
Authors: Joie Celine , Deckers Kristina , Raabe Gerhard , Enders Dieter
Published: November 2014

The new asymmetric cascade reaction of α‐ketoamides with α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes proceeds via a quadruple aza‐Michael/aldol condensation/vinylogous Michael/aldol condensation sequence.
ChemInform Abstract: Aerobic Photooxidative Carbon—Carbon Bond Formation Between Tertiary Amines and Carbon Nucleophiles Using 2‐Chloroanthra‐9,10‐quinone.
Authors: Yamaguchi Tomoaki , Nobuta Tomoya , Tada Norihiro , Miura Tsuyoshi , Nakayama Tatsushi , Uno Bunji , Itoh Akichika
Published: November 2014

The N‐alkyl substituted substrate 2‐methyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline fails to react.
ChemInform Abstract: Regiospecific C—N Photocyclization of 2‐Styrylquinolines.
Authors: Gulakova Elena N. , Berdnikova Daria V. , Aliyeu Tseimur M. , Fedorov Yuri V. , Godovikov Ivan A. , Fedorova Olga A.
Published: November 2014

Irradiation of 2‐styrylquinolines with full light of a Hg lamp results in formation of polycyclic products which are isolated as perchlorate.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and Reactivity of Pyrrolo[3,2‐d][1,3]oxazine‐2,4‐dione. Access to New Pyrrolo[3,2‐e][1,4]diazepine‐2,5‐diones.
Authors: Malcor Jean‐Daniel , Brouillette Yann , Graffion Julien , Spielmann Kim , Masurier Nicolas , Maillard Ludovic T. , Martinez Jean , Lisowski Vincent
Published: November 2014

Ester (I), readily available from isoxazole in 3 steps, is transformed to the desired ring system (III) whose reactivity toward amines, thiols, alcohols, and amino acids is investigated.
ChemInform Abstract: Robust and Straightforward Chemo‐Enzymatic Enantiopure Dipeptide Syntheses and Diketopiperazines Thereof.
Authors: Pereira Pedro C. , Arends Isabel W. C. E. , Sheldon Roger A.
Published: November 2014

Penicillin acylase mediated condensation of phenylglycyl amide with amino acids affords dipeptides such as (III), which can be easily converted into enantiopure diketopiperazines (IV) via cyclization of corresponding esters.
ChemInform Abstract: A New Glyceride from Xylocarpus molluccensis Fruits.
Authors: Lakshmi Vijai , Agarwal Santosh Kumar , Gupta Poonam
Published: November 2014

New glyceride XM‐1 (I) is isolated together with eleven known compounds.
ChemInform Abstract: Oxygenated Xanthones and Biflavanoids from the Twigs of Garcinia xanthochymus.
Authors: Trisuwan Kongkiat , Boonyaketgoson Sirada , Rukachaisirikul Vatcharin , Phongpaichit Souwalak
Published: November 2014

New compounds (I)‐(III) (xanthochymones A‐C) are isolated together with six known compounds.
ChemInform Abstract: Asymmetric Synthesis of Naturally Occurring (‐)‐Seimatopolides A (I) and B (II).
Authors: Rej Rohan Kalyan , Pal Pratik , Nanda Samik
Published: November 2014

These syntheses are based on the revised structures of the title compounds.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and Characterization of Cu2ZnSnSe4 Nanocrystals Prepared by One Pot Route.
Authors: Wang Tingting , Chen Qinmiao , Chen Jin , Zhou Fangfang , Jia Zhen , Dou Xiaoming , Zhuang Songlin
Published: November 2014

Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe) nanocrystals are prepared via a one pot route using CuCl2, Zn(OAc)2, SnCl2, and Se (2:1.25:1:6, resp.) in oleylamine as surfactant and solvent.
ChemInform Abstract: Spectroscopic and Magnetic Investigations of Actinide‐based Nanomagnets
Authors: Magnani Nicola
Published: November 2014

Review: 31 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Sulfur Poisoning of Ni‐based Anodes for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells in H/C‐based Fuels
Authors: Niakolas Dimitrios K.
Published: November 2014

Review: 246 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Nitroalkynes: A Unique Class of Energetic Materials
Authors: Windler G. Kenneth , Pagoria Philip F. , Vollhardt K. C.
Published: November 2014

Review: [154 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Bare Magnetic Nanoparticles: Sustainable Synthesis and Applications in Catalytic Organic Transformations
Authors: Hudson Reuben , Feng Yuting , Varma Rajender S. , Moores Audrey
Published: November 2014

Review: 153 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Targeted Manipulation of Metal‐Organic Frameworks to Direct Sorption Properties
Authors: Schneemann Andreas , Henke Sebastian , Schwedler Inke , Fischer Roland A.
Published: November 2014

Review: 155 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Transition‐Metal‐Free Coupling Reactions
Authors: Sun Chang‐Liang , Shi Zhang‐Jie
Published: November 2014

Review: 686 refs.
Compressional dewatering of flocculated mineral suspensions
Authors: Scales Peter J. , Kumar Ashish , van Deventer Ben B. G. , Stickland Anthony D. , Usher Shane P.
Published: November 2014

The recovery of water for reuse in minerals processing is an important issue in the reduction of water use in mining, as is the dewatering of tailings to reduce the propensity of “wet” tailings dams. It is common in these dewatering operations to use thickeners whereby polymeric flocculants are combined with the dilute feed to the thickener to aid sedimentation and the subsequent consolidation of particulate materials. Thickeners are the work horses of water recovery and tailings dewatering, and although the basics are well understood, there is still no ability to reliably predict the throughput and underflow density from a thickener based on traditional sedimentation tests and flux analysis. The reasons for the discrepancy between full scale operations and predictions based on laboratory tests are numerous, including difficulties in mimicking the flocculation conditions experienced in the field and the shear conditions in the thickener. The latter effects are little understood and hard to quantify and include effects due to flocculated aggregate densification, complimentary shear and compressional effects and aggregate break‐up. A set of test protocols to quantify these effects and their contributions to compressional dewatering in a thickening environment has been developed. The data and analysis show that aggregate densification is a dominant contributor to the difference between observed and predicted behaviour based on laboratory tests. Also of interest is the shear rate, concentration, and time dependence of the aggregate densification process. A basic model of the process has been developed along with network yielding tests conducted using rheometry.
Ascomycete fungal actins differentially support plant spatial cell and organ development
Authors: Kandasamy Muthugapatti K. , McKinney Elizabeth C. , Roy Eileen , Meagher Richard B.
Published: November 2014

Actin interacts with a wide variety of cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins to support spatial development in nearly all eukaryotes. Null mutations in plant vegetative actins produce dramatically altered cell, tissue, and organ morphologies. Animal cytoplasmic actins (e.g., human HsACTB, HsACTG1) and some ancestral protist actins fully suppress these mutant phenotypes suggesting that some animal, plant, and protist actins share functional competence for spatial development. Considering that fungi have a phylogenetic origin closer to animals than plants, we were interested to explore whether the fungal actins may have this same capacity to function in plants and support development. We ectopically expressed actins from four highly divergent ascomycete fungi in two different Arabidopsis double vegetative actin null mutants. We found that expression of actin from the earliest diverging ascomycete subphyla, the archiascomycete Schizosaccharomyces pombe, qualitatively and quantitatively suppressed the root cell polarity and root organ developmental defects of act8/act7 mutants and the root‐hairless cell elongation phenotype of act2/act8 mutants. Interestingly, the actin from the pyrenomycete Neurospora crassa was modestly effective in the suppression of vegetative actin mutant phenotypes. In contrast, actins from the saccharomycetes Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans were unable to support any aspect of plant development, and moreover induced severe dwarfism and sterility. These data imply that basal fungi inherited an actin with full competence for spatial development from their protist ancestor and maintained it via non‐progressive sequence evolution, while the later more derived fungal species lost these activities. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Alkaline Stability of Quaternary Ammonium Cations for Alkaline Fuel Cell Membranes and Ionic Liquids
Authors: Marino M. G. , Kreuer K. D.
Published: November 2014

The alkaline stability of 26 different quaternary ammonium groups (QA) is investigated for temperatures up to 160 °C and NaOH concentrations up to 10 mol L−1 with the aim to provide a basis for the selection of functional groups for hydroxide exchange membranes in alkaline fuel cells and of ionic‐liquid cations stable in basic conditions. Most QAs exhibit unexpectedly high alkaline stability with the exception of aromatic cations. β‐Protons are found to be far less susceptible to nucleophilic attack than previously suggested, whereas the presence of benzyl groups, nearby hetero‐atoms, or other electron‐withdrawing species promote degradation reactions significantly. Cyclic QAs proved to be exceptionally stable, with the piperidine‐based 6‐azonia‐spiro[5.5]undecane featuring the highest half‐life at the chosen conditions. Absolute and relative stabilities presented herein stand in contrast to literature data, the differences being ascribed to solvent effects on degradation.
Effective Potential Theory: A Practical Way to Extend Plasma Transport Theory to Strong Coupling
Authors: Baalrud S.D. , Rasmussen K. Ø. , Daligault J.
Published: November 2014

The effective potential theory is a physically motivated method for extending traditional plasma transport theories to stronger coupling. It is practical in the sense that it is easily incorporated within the framework of the Chapman‐Enskog or Grad methods that are commonly applied in plasma physics and it is computationally efficient to evaluate. The extension is to treat binary scatterers as interacting through the potential of mean force, rather than the bare Coulomb or Debye‐screened Coulomb potential. This allows for aspects of many‐body correlations to be included in the transport coefficients. Recent work has shown that this method accurately extends plasma theory to orders of magnitude stronger coupling when applied to the classical one‐component plasma model. The present work shows that similar accuracy is realized for the Yukawa one‐component plasma model and it provides a comparison with other approaches. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effect of warfarin on survival in patients with concomitant left ventricular systolic dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension: a population cohort study
Authors: Goudie Andrew , Elder Douglas , Deshmukh Harshal , Szwejkowski Benjamin R , Lang Chim C , George Jacob
Published: November 2014

Background

The use of oral anticoagulation in patients with heart failure in sinus rhythm remains controversial as previous large randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have not shown a survival benefit. However, heterogeneity exists among heart failure patients and it is possible that high‐risk subgroups may benefit from anticoagulation (warfarin). We hypothesize that one such subgroup are patients with heart failure and pulmonary hypertension (PH), conditions associated with coagulation abnormalities.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, population‐based, longitudinal cohort study in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and PH [defined as a right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) >35 mmHg] identified from echocardiograms performed between January 1994 to May 2011. This data was linked using a unique patient‐specific identifier to community‐dispensed prescriptions, hospital admissions, and mortality data. For comparison, we included patients with LVSD and no PH.

Results

A total of 2619 subjects with LVSD and a measurable RVSP were identified (mean ± SD age of 73 ± 12 years); 1606 out of 2619 had PH and 1013 out of 2619 had no PH. The overall mean follow‐up period was 2.56 ± 3.0 years. In patients with LVSD and PH, the use of warfarin was associated with an improved survival [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.72 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58–0.90, P = 0.0003], fewer non‐cardiovascular disease‐related deaths (HR = 0.65, 95%CI 0.49–0.87, P = 0.0033 and showed a trend towards reduced cardiovascular disease‐associated mortality (HR = 0.72, 95%CI 0.51–1.02). Warfarin did not improve survival in those with LVSD with no PH.

Conclusions

In patients with both LVSD and PH, the use of warfarin is associated with a 28% reduction in mortality. Further prospective trials are required to confirm our findings.
Subclinical left ventricular dysfunction by echocardiographic speckle‐tracking strain analysis relates to outcome in sarcoidosis
Authors: Joyce Emer , Ninaber Maarten K. , Katsanos Spyridon , Debonnaire Philippe , Kamperidis Vasilis , Bax Jeroen J. , Taube Christian , Delgado Victoria , Ajmone Marsan Nina
Published: November 2014

Aims

Limited data exist on the risk of developing cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) and/or adverse events in sarcoidosis patients. Using LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), an emerging sensitive parameter of LV function, we evaluated the prevalence of subclinical cardiac dysfunction in sarcoidosis and investigated whether LVGLS predicts adverse outcomes in this population.

Methods and results

A total of 130 patients with proven sarcoidosis undergoing echocardiography at our referral centre were identified. Following exclusion of those with evidence of CS (n = 14) or other pre‐existing structural heart disease (n = 16), 100 patients (55 ± 13 years, 48% male, 90% pulmonary involvement) and 100 age‐ and gender‐matched controls were included. LVGLS was measured by speckle‐tracking analysis. The primary endpoint was a composite of all‐cause mortality, heart failure hospitalization, device implantation, new arrhythmias, or future development of CS on advanced cardiac imaging modalities. LVGLS was significantly impaired in sarcoidosis patients compared with controls (–17.3 ± 2.5 vs. –20.0 ± 1.6%, P < 0.001). Overall, 27 patients (27%) reached the endpoint during a median follow‐up of 35 months. On Cox proportional hazards model analysis, abnormal 24‐h Holter, larger LV end‐diastolic diameters, and more impaired LVGLS were significantly associated with the endpoint; however, only LVGLS remained independently associated on multivariate analysis [hazard ratio (HR) 1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–1.7, P = 0.006]. Patients with LVGLS less than –17.3% were significantly more likely to be free of the primary endpoint (log‐rank P = 0.01).

Conclusion

LVGLS is impaired in sarcoidosis patients, suggesting subclinical cardiac dysfunction despite the absence of conventional evidence of cardiac disease, and is independently associated with occurrence of cardiac events and/or development of CS.
Plasma cell numbers decrease in bone marrow of old patients
Authors: Pritz Theresa , Lair Julian , Ban Michael , Keller Michael , Weinberger Birgit , Krismer Martin , Grubeck‐Loebenstein Beatrix
Published: November 2014

The BM is well understood to play a key role in plasma cell homing and survival in mice. In humans, BM plasma cells and their functions are less well characterized. In this study, we used paired bone biopsies from the femur shaft and blood samples from persons of different ages to analyze age‐related changes of plasma and memory B cells. Our results demonstrated that plasma cells were mainly located in the BM, while a higher percentage of memory B cells was in the peripheral blood than in the BM. The frequency of plasma and memory B cells from both sources decreased with age, while immature and naïve B cells were unaffected. An age‐related decline of tetanus‐ and diphtheria‐specific BM plasma cells was observed, whereas influenza A‐ and cytomegalovirus‐specific BM plasma cells were not affected. With the exception of cytomegalovirus, peripheral antibody concentrations correlated with BM plasma cells of the same specificity, but were independent of antigen‐specific peripheral blood memory B cells. Our results demonstrate that the BM houses decreased numbers of plasma cells in old age. The number of cells of certain specificity may reflect the number and time point of previous antigen encounters and intrinsic age‐related changes in the BM.
Unexpected Strong Antiferromagnetic Interaction in [CuCyclam][Ni(1,2‐benzenedithiolate)2]2
Authors: Nishijo Junichi , Iwama Kazuya , Enomoto Masaya
Published: November 2014

Two new molecule‐based magnetic materials were prepared, namely, [CuCyclam(CH3CN)2][Ni(bdt)2]2 and [CuCyclam][Ni(bdt)2]2 (bdt = 1,2‐benzenedithiolate). The former compound is characterized by a two‐dimensional layer structure, in which axially coordinated acetonitrile molecules prevent cation–anion stacking. The weak antiferromagnetic interaction of 2J/kB = –6.2 K between the adjacent [CuCyclam(CH3CN)2]+ (S = 1/2) and [Ni(bdt)2]– (S = 1/2) moieties leads to a ferrimagnetic transition at 2.6 K. In contrast to the structure of [CuCyclam(CH3CN)2][Ni(bdt)2]2, the crystal structure of [CuCyclam][Ni(bdt)2]2 is characterized by alternately stacked [CuCyclam]2+ and [Ni(bdt)2]– units, and another [Ni(bdt)2]– anion bridges the chain to form a two‐dimensional ferrimagnetic layer. The magnetic susceptibility of [CuCyclam][Ni(bdt)2]2 reveals a quite strong intrachain antiferromagnetic interaction of 2J/kB = –66 K between the [CuCyclam]2+ and [Ni(bdt)2]– ions. The weak interchain and interlayer interactions make the crystals antiferromagnetic below 3.2 K.
An Efficient Catalytic Approach for the Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Siloxanes
Authors: Hreczycho Grzegorz
Published: November 2014

The potential for expanding the variety of catalytic methods for siloxane bond formation is explored. Alkoxysilanes react with methylallylsilanes in the presence of scandium(III) trifluoromethanesulfonate to yield disiloxanes and isobutene. The reaction proceeds through one‐pot hydrolysis/O‐silylation of alkoxysilanes with allylsilanes (via silanol intermediates) under mild conditions. Unsaturated siloxane products are used as substrates for further functionalization through the catalytic hydrosilylation reaction.
A cost‐effective acid degumming process produces high‐quality Jatropha oil in tropical monsoon climates
Authors: Chen Shih‐Yuan , Teerananont Nattawee , Sonthisawate Thanita , Sreesiri Piyanan , Puemchalad Chanakan , Mochizuki Takahisa , Abe Yohko , Toba Makoto , Yoshimura Yuji
Published: November 2014

Degumming is an essential step to remove the gum from crude vegetable oil in order to produce high‐quality vegetable oil with minimum impurity for various applications, such as food or feedstock for production of biodiesel fuel (BDF). In the tropical monsoon region, degummed Jatropha oil is low‐quality and the loss on degumming is serious because the removal of the gum is a difficult task. Herein, a facile and economic process for efficient removal of the gum from crude Jatropha oil was developed with consideration for the tropical monsoon climate in Southeast Asian Nations, in which phosphoric acid (PA) was used as a degumming agent. When crude Jatropha oil was agitated with 0.025 wt% of PA and 2 vol% of water at 60°C for 30 min, followed by aging at 30°C for 60–120 min and filtering through the Teflon‐coated filter, the PA‐degummed Jatropha oil with ultra‐low contents of phosphorus (P), alkali metals and alkaline earth metals was entirely good as oil feedstock for production of high‐quality BDF based on the international fuel standards (i.e., EN 14214:2012). Moreover, the degummed Jatropha oil trapped in the unwanted gum was easily recovered by the sieving technique.

Practical applications: For the first time, the degumming of crude Jatropha oil in the tropical monsoon climate is thoroughly studied. To form the gum completely, the amounts of PA and water are kept at 0.025 wt% and 2 vol% of crude Jatropha oil, respectively, and the agitation temperature is kept at 60°C. The gum is removed through the Teflon‐coated filter after aging at 30°C for 60–120 min, which is similar to the monthly mean temperatures ranging between 26 and 31°C in Thailand. The advantages of this process are that it is simple and cost effective, since expensive instruments for separation and purification are not used, such as high‐speed centrifuge or special membrane. Most of the degummed oil trapped in the unwanted gum can be easily recovered through a stainless steel sieve. Accordingly, this process is currently operating on a pilot plant scale in Thailand.

A facile and economic process was developed for efficient removals of phospholipids, alkali metals, and alkaline earth metals from crude and non‐edible Jatropha oil in the tropical monsoon climate, resulting in high‐quality Jatropha oil as an entirely good feedstock for production of high‐quality biodiesel fuel.
Old and in pain: Enduring and situational effects of cultural aging stereotypes on older people's pain experiences
Authors: Bernardes S.F. , Marques S. , Matos M.
Published: November 2014

Background

This study aimed to investigate the interplay between enduring and situational aging stereotype (AS) effects in older adults' self‐reports of clinical and experimentally induced pain. We expected that, as compared with the situational activation of positive AS or a neutral condition, the activation of negative AS would lead to more severe self‐reports of clinical pain (H1, hypothesis 1), higher cold pressor task (CPT) pain threshold (H2) and lower CPT pain tolerance (H3), especially among older adults who more strongly endorsed AS.

Methods

This was a prospective study across two moments in time. At time 1 (T1), 52 older adults (Mage = 74.7; 51.9% women) filled out measures of cultural AS endorsement, clinical pain severity and interference. Three months afterwards (T2), some of these participants collaborated in an experimental study on the effects of AS activation on reported clinical pain (n = 40) and experimentally induced (using CPT) pain threshold and tolerance (n = 35).

Results

Our results supported H2, i.e., as compared with the activation of positive AS or a neutral condition, when negative AS were activated older adults showed higher CPT pain thresholds, but this effect was more salient among those who more strongly endorsed AS at T1.

Conclusions

This study stresses the influence of cultural AS in older adults' pain experiences showing that the situational activation of negative AS greatly increases experimentally induced pain thresholds of elders who more strongly endorse those stereotypes. It also highlights the relevance of interventions at the level of the physical and/or social environments surrounding elders in pain.
Intramuscular pain modulatory substances before and after exercise in women with chronic neck pain
Authors: Karlsson L. , Gerdle B. , Ghafouri B. , Bäckryd E. , Olausson P. , Ghafouri N. , Larsson B.
Published: November 2014

Background

In peripheral tissue, several substances influence pain and pain modulation. Exercise has been found to decrease pain and improve function for chronic pain conditions, but how and why exercise produces beneficial effects remains unclear. This study investigates whether aspects of pain and concentrations of substances with algesic, analgesic and metabolic functions differ between women with chronic neck shoulder pain (CNSP) and healthy women (CON) and whether changes are found after an exercise intervention for CNSP.

Methods

Forty‐one women with CNSP and 24 CON subjects were included. The participants attended two microdialysis sessions with 4–6 months between the experiments. During this period, the CNSP subjects underwent an exercise intervention. Expression levels of substance P, beta‐endorphin, cortisol, glutamate, lactate and pyruvate as well as pain intensity and pressure pain thresholds were analysed.

Results

At baseline, higher concentrations of glutamate and beta‐endorphin and lower concentrations of cortisol in CNSP than CON were found. After exercise, decreased levels of substance P and possibly of glutamate, increased levels of beta‐endorphin and cortisol as well as decreased pain intensity and increased pain pressure thresholds were found for CNSP.

Conclusions

The findings at baseline indicated algesic and analgesic alterations in the painful trapezius muscles. The findings for CNSP after the exercise intervention, with changes in peripheral substances and decreased pain intensity and sensitivity, could reflect a long‐term physiological effect of the exercise.
Increased N7‐methyldeoxyguanosine DNA adducts after occupational exposure to pesticides and influence of genetic polymorphisms of paraoxonase‐1 and glutathione S‐transferase M1 and T1
Authors: Gómez‐Martín Antonio , Altakroni Bashar , Lozano‐Paniagua David , Margison Geoffrey P. , de Vocht Frank , Povey Andrew C. , Hernández Antonio F.
Published: November 2014

There are concerns about genetic risks associated with long‐term exposure to pesticides as these compounds may damage DNA, resulting in mutations that eventually lead to cancer, neurological, and reproductive adverse health effects. This study assessed DNA damage in intensive agricultural workers exposed to pesticides by determining the levels of N7‐methyldeoxyguanosine (N7‐MedG), an adduct known to be a robust biomarker of recent exposure to chemical methylating agents. A cohort of 39 plastic greenhouse workers was assessed for changes in lymphocyte DNA N7‐MedG levels between low level and high level exposures during the course of a spraying season. The contributions of genetic polymorphisms of the pesticide‐metabolizing enzymes paraoxonase‐1 (PON1) and the glutathione S‐transferases, GSTM1 and GSTT1, on N7‐MedG levels and other potential confounders were also assessed. N7‐MedG increased in the period of high pesticide exposure as compared to the low exposure period (0.23 and 0.18 µmol N7‐MedG/mol dG for the unadjusted and adjusted linear mixed models, P = 0.02 and 0.08, respectively). Significant decreased levels of erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase and plasma cholinesterase were observed in the high versus low exposure period in both the unadjusted (2.85 U/g hemoglobin and 213.13 U/L, respectively) and adjusted linear mixed models (2.99 U/g hemoglobin and 230.77 U/L, respectively), indicating pesticide intake. In intensive agriculture workers, higher pesticide exposure increased DNA alkylation levels, further demonstrating the genotoxicity of pesticides in man. In addition, pesticide‐exposed individuals with inherited susceptible metabolic genotypes (particularly, null genotype for GSTM1 and the PON1 192R allele) appear to have an increased risk of genotoxic DNA damage. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 56:437–445, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterizing friction in sliding isolation bearings
Authors: Kumar Manish , Whittaker Andrew S. , Constantinou Michael C.
Published: November 2014

The force–displacement behavior of the Friction Pendulum™ (FP) bearing is a function of the coefficient of sliding friction, axial load on the bearing and effective radius of the sliding surface. The coefficient of friction varies during the course of an earthquake with sliding velocity, axial pressure and temperature at the sliding surface. The velocity and axial pressure on the bearing depend on the response of the superstructure to the earthquake shaking. The temperature at an instant in time during earthquake shaking is a function of the histories of the coefficient of friction, sliding velocity and axial pressure, and the travel path of the slider on the sliding surface. A unified framework accommodating the complex interdependence of the coefficient of friction, sliding velocity, axial pressure and temperature is presented for implementation in nonlinear response‐history analysis. Expressions to define the relationship between the coefficient of friction and sliding velocity, axial pressure, and temperature are proposed, based on available experimental data. Response‐history analyses are performed on FP bearings with a range of geometrical and liner mechanical properties and static axial pressure. Friction is described using five different models that consider the dependence of the coefficient of friction on axial pressure, sliding velocity and temperature. Frictional heating is the most important factor that influences the maximum displacement of the isolation system and floor spectral demands if the static axial pressure is high. Isolation system displacements are not significantly affected by considerations of the influence of axial pressure and velocity on the coefficient of friction. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Better Health With More Friends: The Role of Social Capital in Producing Health
Authors: Ho Cheuk Yin
Published: November 2014

This paper estimates the effect of an individual's number of friends on own health outcomes. The identification strategy exploits the panel structure of the friendship data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to estimate individual fixed effects in the likelihood of friendship formation and then uses the fixed effect estimates as a control function in a model relating health outcomes to number of friends. Empirical results show that having a larger number of friends improves physical and mental health and also lowers the frequency of smoking cigarettes. Specifically, making one more friend increases an individual's general health measure by 6.6% of a standard deviation. This suggests that accumulating social capital through friendship interactions is beneficial to health. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lagged response of nutrient leaching to reduced surpluses at the field and catchment scales
Authors: Ulén Barbro , Johansson Göran , Kyllmar Katarina , Stjernman Forsberg Lovisa , Torstensson Gunnar
Published: November 2014

Lag times in reduced nutrient leaching after improved agricultural practices must be assessed to inform management decisions and evaluate their cost‐effectiveness. This study estimated the leaching of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) at two scales, a 33.8‐ha nested field (data from 1973 to 2011) and an 820‐ha agricultural catchment (data from 1992 to 2010). Field management was evaluated along with long‐term nutrient trends. Estimates including and excluding nutrient concentrations in the stream under dry catchment conditions (mean 2.5 months year−1) revealed that wastewater contributed 10% of the total P (TP) catchment leaching, mostly in dissolved reactive (DRP) form. More recent flow‐proportional sampling at the two scales demonstrated 45% higher particulate P leaching from the field than with discrete water sampling, whereas a past discrete sampling strategy may have overestimated DRP contributions to the stream. The accumulated field P balance was increasingly negative after 1987, whereas crop yields increased. From 1998, the measured accumulated TP leaching from the field was lower than the mean accumulated leaching, considering the estimated downward trend (−10%) over the 38‐year study period (p < 0.05).

The average total N (TN) field leaching of 28 kg ha−1 year−1 (1973–2011) was 10% higher than the catchment leaching (1992–2010). The rates and timing of fields N and P fertilization became better adapted to crop requirements over time, and thereafter, a 14% reduction in TN leaching was estimated. No significant trends were estimated for catchment leaching for either TP or TN over the 18‐year period, demonstrating an extended lag period for reduced nutrient leaching and the need for long‐term monitoring of the effects of pollution mitigation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Highlights

Time lag in P and N leaching responses to reduce nutrient surpluses

Close relationship with N export at nested scale

Scale effects in Q indices and PP transport

Point sources of pollution prolonging the time lag for DRP leaching mitigation
Serum microRNA profiles as prognostic/predictive markers in the multimodality therapy of locally advanced adenocarcinomas of the gastroesophageal junction
Authors: Odenthal Margarete , Hee Julia , Gockel Ines , Sisic Leila , Schmitz Jolly , Stoecklein Nikolas H. , Driemel Christiane , Möhlendick Birte , Schmidt Thomas , Knoefel Wolfram T. , Lang Hauke , Büttner Reinhard , Ott Katja , Vallböhmer Daniel
Published: November 2014

Neoadjuvant multimodality treatment is frequently applied to improve the poor prognosis of locally advanced adenocarcinomas of the gastroesophageal junction. This study aimed to asses if serum microRNA profiles are useable as response indicators in this therapeutic setting. Fifty patients with locally advanced adenocarcinomas of the gastroesophageal junction were included in the study. All patients received neoadjuvant therapy and subsequently underwent surgical resection. Histomorphologic regression was defined as major histopathological response when resected specimens contained less than 10% vital residual tumor cells. Circulating RNA was isolated from pretherapeutic/post‐neoadjuvant blood serum samples. RNA from nine patients was applied to PCR microarray analyses Based on these findings possible predictive miRNA markers were validated by quantitative RT‐PCR analyses. Depending on the histomorphologic regression, a differential serum microRNA profile was identified by microarray analyses. Based on the divergent miRNA pattern, miR‐21, miR‐192, miR‐222, miR‐302c, miR‐381 and miR‐549 were selected for further validation. During neoadjuvant therapy, there was a significant increase of miR 222 and miR‐549. Although on an expanded patient cohort, the six microRNAs could not be validated as markers for therapy response, there was a significant correlation between a high miR‐192 and miR‐222 expression with a high T‐category as well as miR‐302c and miR‐222 expression significantly correlated with overall survival. Comprehensive miRNA profiling showed a differential microRNA expression pattern depending on the histomorphologic regression in the multimodality therapy of locally advanced adenocarcinomas of the gastroesophageal junction. Moreover, using single RT‐PCR analyses a prognostic impact of miR‐222 and miR‐302c was detected.
Micromorphology of immature stages of Sarcophaga (Liopygia) cultellataPandellé, 1896 (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), a forensically important fly
Authors: Ubero‐Pascal Nicolás , Paños Ángela , García María‐Dolores , Presa Juan‐José , Torres Belén , Arnaldos María‐Isabel
Published: November 2014

The Sarcophagidae are one of the most numerous groups of Diptera in the world, consisting of many species of forensic interest, whose immature stages are useful in the estimation of postmortem interval. The immature stages of some species of forensic importance still remain unknown or undescribed, like in the case of Sarcophaga (Liopygia) cultellata Pandellé, 1986, a species restricted to the Iberian Peninsula, south of France and north of Italy, which shares a ecological niche with species of the same subgenus, e.g., Sarcophaga (Liopygia) argyrostoma (Robineau‐Desvoidy, 1830) and Sarcophaga (Liopygia) crassipalpis Macquart, 1839, making it necessary to lay the groundwork for a proper specific differentiation before it can be successfully applied in forensic practice. This study provides the first micromorphological description of all preimaginal stages of S. (L.) cultellata using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the results of which allow the morphology of the main features to be followed during the immature life cycle. We propose a combination of features for distinguishing Liopygia from other sarcophagid subgenera, based on the current level of morphological knowledge of immature stages. S. (L.) cultellata can be differentiated from S. (L.) argyrostoma and S. (L.) crassipalpis in every immature stage by both light microscopy and SEM. The presence of tegumental warts and a fan‐shaped anterior spiracle with a single row of 15–18 respiratory papillae allow distinguishing the third instar larvae of S. (L.) cultellata from other Sarcophaga species described hitherto by SEM. Identification keys based on light microscopy observations are provided, covering all the immature stages of Liopygia subgenus occurring in the Iberian Peninsula. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:148–172, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Closing the Gender and Socio‐economic Gaps in Educational Attainment: a Need to Refocus
Authors: Jones Gavin W. , Ramchand Divya S.
Published: November 2014

This paper summarizes the evidence on trends in gender and socio‐economic gaps in educational attainment in different parts of the world, and in the discourse on these trends. There remains a significant emphasis given to gender gaps in spite of much evidence pointing towards the rapidly narrowing, and in many cases, reversal in gender gaps in educational attainment, versus evidence of widening socioeconomic gaps. The paper moves on to consider factors influencing these trends and some policy implications. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multi‐model and multi‐sensor estimations of evapotranspiration over the Volta Basin, West Africa
Authors: Andam‐Akorful S. A. , Ferreira V. G. , Awange J. L. , Forootan E. , He X. F.
Published: November 2014

The estimation of large‐scale evapotranspiration (ET) is complex, and typically relies on the outputs of land surface models (LSMs) or remote sensing observations. However, over some regions of Africa, inconsistencies exist between different estimations of ET fluxes, which should be investigated. In this study, we evaluate and combine different ET estimates from moderate‐resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS), Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) and terrestrial water budget (TWB) approaches over the Volta Basin, West Africa. ET estimates from water balance equation are obtained as residuals from monthly terrestrial water‐storage (TWS) changes derived from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM)'s rainfall data, and in situ discharge from Akosombo Dam (Ghana). An averaged estimation of ET time series is derived from all the ET estimations under study, while taking into account their uncertainties. The resulting ensemble‐averaged ET was then used to assess each of the individual ET estimates. Overall, out of the seven investigated ET estimates (two from the water balance approach of which one considers water storage using GRACE‐derived TWS and the other ignoring it, four from GLDAS and one from MODIS), only MODIS (28.12 mm month–1), GLDAS–NOAH (32.74 mm month–1) and TWB (32.84 mm month–1) were found to represent the range of variability close to the computed averaged reference ET (30.25 mm month–1). ET estimations inferred from MODIS were also found to represent relatively lower magnitude of uncertainties, that is, 3.99 mm month–1 over the Volta Basin (cf. 7.06 and 18.85 mm month–1 for GLDAS‐NOAH and TWB‐based ET estimations, respectively).
Statistical downscaling of monthly reservoir inflows for Kemer watershed in Turkey: use of machine learning methods, multiple GCMs and emission scenarios
Authors: Okkan Umut , Inan Gul
Published: November 2014

In this study, statistical downscaling of general circulation model (GCM) simulations to monthly inflows of Kemer Dam in Turkey under A1B, A2, and B1 emission scenarios has been performed using machine learning methods, multi‐model ensemble and bias correction approaches. Principal component analysis (PCA) has been used to reduce the dimension of potential predictors of National Centers for Environmental Prediction and National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis data. Then, the reasonable GCMs were selected by investigating the rank correlations between the selected predictors in NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data and those in GCMs for 20C3M scenario between periods 1979 and 1999. Upon the training of feedforward neural network (FFNN), least squares support vector machine (LSSVM) and relevance vector machine (RVM) downscaling models, the general performance of the downscaled predictions using NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data for Kemer watershed showed that the trained RVM model produced adequate results. The effectiveness of RVM model was illustrated by its integration with 20C3M scenario between periods 1979 and 1999 and A1B, A2, and B1 future climate scenarios between periods 2010 and 2039. Afterwards, the flow forecasts were obtained by building a multi‐model ensemble through the selected GCMs followed by a bias correction approach. Finally, the significance of the probable changes in trends was identified through statistical tests based on the corrected forecasts. Results showed that decreasing flows trends in winter, spring and fall seasons have been foreseen over the study area for the period between 2010 and 2039.
Tree‐ring‐based temperature reconstruction for the Wolong Natural Reserve, western Sichuan Plateau of China
Authors: Li Zongshan , Liu Guohua , Wu Xing , Wang Xiaochun
Published: November 2014

High‐resolution tree‐ring records covering past centuries in the western Sichuan Plateau of China are scarce, yet essential for developing a complete understanding of the regional patterns of climate change for the Tibetan plateau. This paper presents a temperature reconstruction for the Wolong Natural Reserve of the western Sichuan Plateau based on a tree‐ring width chronology of a cypress species (Sabina saltuaria) endemic to the Tibetan plateau. The annual (prior October to current September) temperature reconstruction, which spans from 1840 to 2011, was developed using a linear regression model. The reconstruction explains 54.1% of the actual temperature variance during the calibration period from 1956 to 2010. The noteworthy warming periods of the reconstruction occurred between 1864–1882 and 1927–1960, while the most pronounced cold episodes were found between 1886–1926, 1788–1822, and 1961–1996. Spectral analysis revealed the existence of multi‐decadal, decadal, and annual cycles that might correspond to the related cycles of Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, solar activity, and ENSO‐type variability, respectively.
A real time quality control application for animal production by image processing
Authors: Sungur Cemil , Özkan Halil
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND

Standards of hygiene and health are of major importance in food production, and quality control has become obligatory in this field. Thanks to rapidly developing technologies, it is now possible for automatic and safe quality control of food production. For this purpose, image‐processing‐based quality control systems used in industrial applications are being employed to analyze the quality of food products. In this study, quality control of chicken (Gallus domesticus) eggs was achieved using a real time image‐processing technique.

RESULTS

In order to execute the quality control processes, a conveying mechanism was used. Eggs passing on a conveyor belt were continuously photographed in real time by cameras located above the belt. The images obtained were processed by various methods and techniques. Using digital instrumentation, the volume of the eggs was measured, broken/cracked eggs were separated and dirty eggs were determined. In accordance with international standards for classifying the quality of eggs, the class of separated eggs was determined through a fuzzy implication model.

CONCLUSION

According to tests carried out on thousands of eggs, a quality control process with an accuracy of 98% was possible. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of edible chitosan/clove oil films and high‐pressure processing on the microbiological shelf life of trout fillets
Authors: Albertos Irene , Rico Daniel , Diez Ana María , González‐Arnáiz Lucía , García‐Casas María Jesús , Jaime Isabel
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND

The inhibitory effect of chitosan films with clove oil (0–50 g kg−1) was evaluated on a range of ten representative food spoilage and pathogenic bacteria.

RESULTS

The most sensitive bacteria to the films was Shewanella putrefaciens and the most resistant was Aeromonas hydrophila (inhibition was apparent only at 50 g kg−1 clove essential oil (CEO)). Films with 20 g kg−1 CEO inhibited nine of ten of the bacteria tested. Chitosan films with 20 g kg−1 CEO were combined with high‐pressure (HPP) processing as treatments for trout fillets, and changes in physicochemical parameters and microbial load were evaluated at 4 °C over 22 days of storage. The films reduced weight loss and water activity compared to fresh and treated samples (HPP and cooking). Results showed that microbial load (total aerobic mesophilic, lactic acid bacteria and total coliform) of the trout fillets covered with chitosan films was lower than that for HPP‐treated samples, and similar to cooked samples, except for coliform counts.

CONCLUSION

The use of 20 g kg−1 CEO–chitosan films showed a further improvement in the shelf‐life of trout fillets when compared to that obtained with HPP and cooking treatment. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry