bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carbonyl‐Oxygen‐Assisted KOMe‐Mediated Formal Hydration of 4‐Alkynones: Complete Regioselectivity in the One‐Pot Synthesis of 1,4‐Diketones under Mild Conditions
Authors: Bai Xue‐Ting , Zhang Qian‐Qian , Zhang Shuai , Chen Dan‐Yun , Fu Ji‐Ya , Zhu Jun‐Yan , Wang Yan‐Bo , Tang Yan‐Ting
Published: February 2018

An effective carbonyl‐oxygen‐assisted transition‐metal‐free approach was developed for the one‐pot synthesis of 1,4‐diketones through the formal hydration of 4‐alkynones with complete regioselectivity under mild conditions. The reaction tolerates a wide range of functional groups, and the corresponding functionalized 1,4‐diketones were obtained in moderate to excellent yields (up to 94 %). Importantly, the complete regioselectivity was attributed to the fact that 2,3‐dihydrofuran intermediates were obtained as single products through the 5‐exo‐dig cyclization of 4‐alkynones; this was supported by control and isotope‐labeling experiments.
Utilization of eggshell waste as an adsorbent for the dry purification of biodiesel
Authors: Gomes Michelle Garcia , Pasquini Daniel
Published: February 2018

This work describes the purification of sunflower oil‐derived biodiesel by dry cold washing using 1, 5, 10, and 20% (w/v) chicken's eggshells (Gallus gallus domesticus), as well as a subsequent comparison with conventional wet washing with hot water, as well as the reuse of eggshells. Both purification methods were efficient in the removal of free glycerin, free fatty acid molecules, and catalyst, as verified by a decrease in their respective content values, with an increase in water content also observed. In comparison to conventional wet washing, samples purified with eggshells presented similar behavior regarding the removal of impurities. In the calcium determinations (Ca+2), all concentrations remained below the required standards. Thus, the dry process could be used to replace the conventional wet method, as it provides the advantage of reducing effluent emission as well as offering an application for eggshells, large amounts of which are generated due to excessive egg consumption and for which an appropriate use has not yet been found. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 1901–1907, 2018
Seismic response analysis of reinforced concrete frames using inelasticity‐separated fiber beam‐column model
Authors: Li Gang , Yu Ding‐Hao , Li Hong‐Nan
Published: February 2018

Evaluating the inelastic seismic response of structures accurately is of great importance in earthquake engineering and generally requires refined simulation, which is a time‐consuming process. Because the material nonlinearity generally occurs in a small part of the whole structure, many researches focus on taking advantage of this characteristic to improve the computational efficiency and the inelasticity‐separated finite element method (IS‐FEM) proposed recently provide a generic finite element formulation for solving this kind of problems efficiently. Although the fiber beam‐column element is widely used for the simulation of reinforced concrete (RC) framed structures, the inelastic deformation is often detected in a large part of the numerical model under earthquake excitation so that it is hard to achieve high efficient computation when applying the IS‐FEM to the inelastic response analysis of RC fiber models directly. In this paper, a new numerical scheme for seismic response analysis of RC framed structures model by fiber beam‐column element is proposed based on the IS‐FEM. To implement the RC fiber model for use in IS‐FEM and improve the computational performance of proposed scheme, a method of identifying the local domains with severe section inelasticity level is proposed and a modified Kent‐Park concrete material model is developed. Because the Woodbury formula is adopted as the solver, the global stiffness matrix can keep unchanged throughout the analysis and the main computational effort is only invested on a small matrix representing local inelastic behavior. The numerical examples demonstrate the validity and efficiency of the proposed scheme.
The handaxe reconsidered
Authors: Wynn Thomas , Gowlett John
Published: February 2018

The Acheulean handaxe is one of the longest‐known and longest‐surviving artifacts of the Palaeolithic and, despite its experimentally tested functionality, is often regarded as puzzling. It is unnecessary to invoke a unique‐for‐mammals genetic mechanism to explain the handaxe phenomenon. Instead, we propose that two nongenetic processes are sufficient. The first is a set of ergonomic design principles linked to the production of sturdy, hand‐held cutting tools in the context of a knapped‐stone technology that lacked hafting. The second is an esthetic preference for regular forms with gradual curves and pleasing proportions. Neither process is a cultural meme but, operating together in a cultural context, they can account for all of the supposedly puzzling time‐space patterns presented by handaxes.
The role of play objects and object play in human cognitive evolution and innovation
Authors: Riede Felix , Johannsen Niels N. , Högberg Anders , Nowell April , Lombard Marlize
Published: February 2018

In this contribution, we address a major puzzle in the evolution of human material culture: If maturing individuals just learn their parental generation's material culture, then what is the origin of key innovations as documented in the archeological record? We approach this question by coupling a life‐history model of the costs and benefits of experimentation with a niche‐construction perspective. Niche‐construction theory suggests that the behavior of organisms and their modification of the world around them have important evolutionary ramifications by altering developmental settings and selection pressures. Part of Homo sapiens' niche is the active provisioning of children with play objects — sometimes functional miniatures of adult tools — and the encouragement of object play, such as playful knapping with stones. Our model suggests that salient material culture innovation may occur or be primed in a late childhood or adolescence sweet spot when cognitive and physical abilities are sufficiently mature but before the full onset of the concerns and costs associated with reproduction. We evaluate the model against a series of archeological cases and make suggestions for future research.
Large eddy simulations of wall‐bounded flows using a simplified immersed boundary method and high‐order compact schemes
Authors: Tyliszczak A. , Ksiezyk M.
Published: February 2018

This paper presents a solution algorithm based on an immersed boundary (IB) method that can be easily implemented in high‐order codes for incompressible flows. The time integration is performed using a predictor‐corrector approach, and the projection method is used for pressure‐velocity coupling. Spatial discretization is based on compact difference schemes and is performed on half‐staggered meshes. A basic algorithm for body‐fitted meshes using the aforementioned solution method was developed by A. Tyliszczak (see article “A high‐order compact difference algorithm for half‐staggered grids for laminar and turbulent incompressible flows” in Journal of Computational Physics) and proved to be very accurate. In this paper, the formulated algorithm is adapted for use with the IB method in the framework of large eddy simulations. The IB method is implemented using its simplified variant without the interpolation (stepwise approach). The computations are performed for a laminar flow around a 2D cylinder, a turbulent flow in a channel with a wavy wall, and around a sphere. Comparisons with literature data confirm that the proposed method can be successfully applied for complex flow problems. The results are verified using the classical approach with body‐fitted meshes and show very good agreement both in laminar and turbulent regimes. The mean (velocity and turbulent kinetic energy profiles and drag coefficients) and time‐dependent (Strouhal number based on the drag coefficient) quantities are analyzed, and they agree well with reference solutions. Two subfilter models are compared, ie, the model of Vreman (see article “An eddy‐viscosity subgrid‐scale model for turbulent shear flow: algebraic theory and applications” in Physics and Fluids) and σ model (Nicoud et al, see article “Using singular values to build a subgrid‐scale model for large eddy simulations” in Physics and Fluids). The tests did not reveal evident advantages of any of these models, and from the point of view of solution accuracy, the quality of the computational meshes turned out to be much more important than the subfilter modeling.
Lake Mead Intake No 3 Tunnel – Design considerations and construction experience
Authors: Anagnostou Georg , Schuerch Roberto , Perazzelli Paolo
Published: February 2018

This paper presents the pre‐construction evaluation of the ground for the Lake Mead Intake No 3 Tunnel and the experience gained from the project, which had the aim of maintaining water supplies for the Las Vegas greater metropolitan area. The construction of this tunnel using a dual‐mode slurry shield represents a major engineering achievement, which pushed back the boundaries of closed shield tunnelling: Overcoming an extended fault zone under high hydrostatic pressure in the metamorphic rocks and mucking‐out difficulties associated with high rates of water inflow in the sedimentary rocks necessitated closed‐mode operation over about 2 km at unprecedentedly high face pressures of up to 14 bar.
Importance of river water recharge to the San Joaquin Valley groundwater system
Authors: Visser Ate , Moran Jean E. , Singleton Michael J. , Esser Bradley K.
Published: February 2018

Groundwater is not a sustainable resource, unless abstraction is balanced by recharge. Identifying the sources of recharge in a groundwater basin is critical for sustainable groundwater management. We studied the importance of river water recharge to groundwater in the south‐eastern San Joaquin Valley (24,000 km2, population 4 million). We combined dissolved noble gas concentrations, stable isotopes, tritium, and carbon‐14 analyses to analyse the sources, mechanisms, and timescales of groundwater recharge. Area‐representative groundwater sampling and numerical model input data enabled a stable isotope mass balance and quantitative estimates of river and local recharge. River recharge, identified by a lighter stable isotope signature, represents 47 ± 4% of modern groundwater in the San Joaquin Valley (recharged after 1950) but only 26 ± 4% of premodern groundwater (recharged before 1950). This implies that the importance of river water recharge in the San Joaquin valley has nearly doubled and is likely the result of a 40% increase in total recharge, caused by river water irrigation return flows and increased stream depletion and river recharge due to groundwater pumping. Compared with the large and long‐duration capacity for water storage in the subsurface, storage of water in rivers is limited in time and volume, as evidenced by cold river recharge temperatures resulting from fast infiltration and recharge. Groundwater banking of seasonal surface water flows and expansion of managed aquifer recharge practices therefore appear to be a natural and promising method for increasing the resilience of the San Joaquin Valley water supply system.
Coffee drinking and colorectal cancer and its subsites: A pooled analysis of 8 cohort studies in Japan
Authors: Kashino Ikuko , Akter Shamima , Mizoue Tetsuya , Sawada Norie , Kotemori Ayaka , Matsuo Keitaro , Oze Isao , Ito Hidemi , Naito Mariko , Nakayama Tomio , Kitamura Yuri , Tamakoshi Akiko , Tsuji Ichiro , Sugawara Yumi , Inoue Manami , Nagata Chisato , Sadakane Atsuko , Tanaka Keitaro , Tsugane Shoichiro , Shimazu Taichi ,   for the Research Group for the Development and Evaluation of Cancer Prevention Strategies in Japan
Published: February 2018

Coffee is a rich source of bioactive compounds that have potential anticarcinogenic effects. However, it remains unclear whether coffee drinking is associated with colorectal cancer. Also, despite different etiological factors involved in gut physiology, few studies have investigated this association by anatomical site of the lesion. To address these issues, this study examined the association between coffee drinking and colorectal cancer in a pooled analysis from 8 cohort studies conducted in Japan. Among 320,322 participants followed up for 4,503,274 person‐years, 6,711 incident colorectal cancer cases were identified. Study‐specific hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models and then pooled using the random effects model. Coffee drinking was not materially associated with colorectal cancer risk in men or women (pooled HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.82–1.03 in men and pooled HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.76–1.07 in women). Analysis by subsite showed a lower risk of colon cancer among female drinkers of ≥3 cups coffee/day (pooled HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.64–0.99). There was no such association in men. Coffee drinking was not associated with risk of rectal cancer in men or women. Results were virtually the same among never smokers except for an increased risk of rectal cancer associated with frequent coffee consumption. Coffee drinking may be associated with lower risk of colon cancer in Japanese women.
Potential lives saved in 73 countries by adopting multi‐cohort vaccination of 9–14‐year‐old girls against human papillomavirus
Authors: Jit Mark , Brisson Marc
Published: February 2018

Up to 2016, low‐ and middle‐income countries mostly introduced routine human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for just a single age‐cohort of girls each year. However, high‐income countries have reported large reductions in HPV prevalence following “catch‐up” vaccination of multiple age‐cohorts in the year of HPV vaccine introduction. We used the mathematical model PRIME to project the incremental impact of vaccinating 10‐ to 14‐year‐old girls compared to routine HPV vaccination only in the same year that routine vaccination is expected to be introduced for 9‐year‐old girls across 73 low‐ and lower‐middle‐income countries. Adding multiple age‐cohort vaccination could increase the number of cervical cancer deaths averted by vaccine introductions in 2015–2030 by 30–40% or an additional 1.23–1.79 million over the lifetime of the vaccinated cohorts. The number of girls needed to vaccinate to prevent one death is 101 in the most pessimistic scenario, which is only slightly greater than that for routine vaccination of 9‐year‐old girls (87). These results hold even when assuming that girls who have sexually debuted do not benefit from vaccination. Results suggest that multiple age‐cohort vaccination of 9‐ to 14‐year‐old girls could accelerate HPV vaccine impact and be cost‐effective.
Domestic investment responses to changes in the real exchange rate: Asymmetries of appreciation versus depreciation
Authors: Bahmani‐Oskooee Mohsen , Halicioglu Ferda , Neumann Rebecca
Published: February 2018

We examine how movements in the real exchange rate impact private domestic investment. Importantly, we consider whether investment responds differently to real depreciations versus real appreciations. Using a sample of 6 emerging markets over 1980 to 2014, we show that considering asymmetric responses provides an important contribution to this literature. Previous mixed results that assume symmetric responses may be better explained by considering such asymmetric effects.
Effects of neutral and enthusiastic praise on the rate of discrimination acquisition
Authors: Weyman Jennifer R. , Sy Jolene R.
Published: February 2018

Previous research has shown that praise is an effective reinforcer; however, few researchers have evaluated whether qualitative differences in praise affect responding. The purpose of the current study was to compare the effects of neutral, enthusiastic, and no praise on the rate of matching‐to‐sample acquisition during discrete‐trial training with adults diagnosed with autism and an intellectual disability. In addition, we evaluated preference for neutral, enthusiastic, and no praise. All three participants acquired responses slightly faster during the enthusiastic praise condition. Preference assessment results showed that one participant preferred enthusiastic praise, whereas the two other participants showed indiscriminate selections.
Laser stimulating ST36 with optical fiber induce blood component changes in mice: a Raman spectroscopy study
Authors: Zhang Heng , Chen Zhenyi , Wu Jiping , Chen Na , Xu Wenjie , Li Taihao , Liu Shupeng
Published: February 2018

ST36 is a commonly‐used acupoint in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treatment of inflammations, pains and gastrointestinal disturbs. For decades, the low power laser acupuncture has been widely applied as an alternative therapy to traditional metal needle acupuncture and achieved relatively fine therapeutic effect for ST36‐related symptoms with reduction of uncomfortableness and infection risks. However its disadvantages of low penetrativity and lack of manipulation skills limit its potential performance. An optical fiber laser acupuncture introduced by the previous study combines traditional needling acupuncture and the laser stimulation together, making a stronger therapeutic effect and showing a potential value in clinical application. To evaluate its acupunctural effect on blood, mice are taken as experimental model and Raman spectroscopic technique is used to analysis the changes of blood components after stimulating on ST36. The results show that both the traditional needling acupuncture and optical fiber acupuncture could lead to some spectral changes of blood in mice. This study explores the optical fiber acupuncture's effect on blood in mice using Raman spectroscopy technique for mechanism of acupuncture therapy.
Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Studies of Novel Pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidines as Potential Telomerase Inhibitors
Authors: Kosbar Tamer R. , Abou‐Zeid Laila , Sofan Mamdouh A.
Published: February 2018

Series of novel pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidines as potential telomerase inhibitors were synthesized. Results of the antitumor assay indicated that compounds 4b, 5a–b, 13b,c, and 14a,b exhibited the most potent activity (IC50 from 39 to 43 μM) against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells (EAC). Also, the newly synthesized compounds were examined for telomerase inhibition by the known a TRAP assay. The results showed that compound 13c has remarkable inhibition activity with IC50 value of 30 μM. On the other hand, computational studies were performed to the titled compounds to get insight in their degree of recognition with the conserved amino acids of the telomerase enzyme active site (code: 3DU6) as promising lead in the cancer cure era.
Synthesis of 6‐Oxo‐1,2,3,4,6,7,12,12b‐octahydroindolo[2,3‐a]quinolizine
Authors: Tompkins David C. , Reilly Laurence W. , Nelson Randall B. , Dolby Lloyd J. , Gribble Gordon W.
Published: February 2018

An efficient synthesis of 6‐oxo‐1,2,3,4,5,7,12,12b‐octahydroindolo[2,3‐α]quinolizine from 2‐acetylpyridine and phenylhydrazine is described. This derivative of the natural alkaloid desbromoarborescidine A is an important entry point to the sarpagine‐vobasine family of plant alkaloids.
Bayesian reconstruction of the evolutionary history and cross‐species transition of variola virus and orthopoxviruses
Authors: Zehender Gianguglielmo , Lai Alessia , Veo Carla , Bergna Annalisa , Ciccozzi Massimo , Galli Massimo
Published: February 2018

Variola virus (VARV), the causative agent of smallpox, is an exclusively human virus belonging to the genus Orthopoxvirus, which includes many other viral species covering a wide range of mammal hosts, such as vaccinia, cowpox, camelpox, taterapox, ectromelia, and monkeypox virus. The tempo and mode of evolution of Orthopoxviruses were reconstructed using a Bayesian phylodynamic framework by analysing 80 hemagglutinin sequences retrieved from public databases. Bayesian phylogeography was used to estimate their putative ancestral hosts. In order to estimate the substitution rate, the tree including all of the available Orthopoxviruses was calibrated using historical references dating the South American variola minor clade (alastrim) to between the XVI and XIX century. The mean substitution rate determined by the analysis was 6.5 × 10‐6 substitutions/site/year. Based on this evolutionary estimate, the time of the most recent common ancestor of the genus Orthopoxvirus was placed at about 10 000 years before the present. Cowpox virus was the species closest to the root of the phylogenetic tree. The root of VARV circulating in the XX century was estimated to be about 700 years ago, corresponding to about 1300 AD. The divergence between West African and South American VARV went back about 500 years ago (falling approximately in the XVI century). A rodent species is the most probable ancestral host from which the ancestors of all the known Orthopoxviruses were transmitted to the other mammal host species, and each of these species represented a dead‐end for each new poxvirus species, without any further inter‐specific spread.
Adenovirus types associated with severe respiratory diseases: A retrospective 4‐year study in Kuwait
Authors: Chehadeh Wassim , Al‐Adwani Anfal , John Sonia Elezebeth , Al‐Dhufairi Shaikhah , Al‐Dousari Hessa , Alkhaledi Maha , Al‐Nakib Widad
Published: February 2018

Human adenovirus (HAdV) infection can result in a severe respiratory disease. The aim of this study was to identify HAdV types detected in patients hospitalized for severe respiratory illness. The study population consisted of 743 patients with severe respiratory disease admitted to four major hospitals in Kuwait between January 2013 and December 2016. Respiratory specimens were retrospectively screened for 20 respiratory viruses by real‐time PCR. The HAdV hexon gene was amplified and directly sequenced, and HAdV types were identified by performing Bayesian phylogenetic analysis. HAdV DNA was detected in 27 (3.6%) patients, with peaks in November and March. Most patients were infants and young children suffering from pneumonia or acute bronchiolitis. The detected HAdV types were C1, C2, C5, B3, and B7. Clusters of HAdV C1, C2, and C5 were observed with high posterior probability. All patients infected with HAdV C5 and 50% of patients infected with HAdV C2 or B7 were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Co‐infection with other viruses was detected in 44.4% of patients. The most common co‐infecting virus was rhinovirus (HRV). HAdV/HRV co‐infection was detected in two children who presumably developed disseminated HAdV infection and died. This is the first report describing the circulation of HAdV types associated with severe outcomes in Kuwait. These findings highlight the need for a national surveillance system to monitor changes in predominant HAdV types and increased numbers of severe respiratory infections.
Animal models of multiple sclerosis: Focus on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Bjelobaba Ivana , Begovic‐Kupresanin Vesna , Pekovic Sanja , Lavrnja Irena
Published: February 2018

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects more than two million people worldwide. Several animal models resemble MS pathology; the most employed are experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and toxin‐ and/or virus‐induced demyelination. In this review we will summarize our knowledge on the utility of different animal models in MS research. Although animal models cannot replicate the complexity and heterogeneity of the MS pathology, they have proved to be useful for the development of several drugs approved for treatment of MS patients. This review focuses on EAE because it represents both clinical and pathological features of MS. During the past decades, EAE has been effective in illuminating various pathological processes that occur during MS, including inflammation, CNS penetration, demyelination, axonopathy, and neuron loss mediated by immune cells.
Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Outpatient‐Acquired Catheter‐Related Bloodstream Infections in Children Receiving Home Parenteral Nutrition
Authors: Wozniak Laura J. , Bechtold Hannah M. , Reyen Laurie E. , Chan Alvin P. , Marcus Elizabeth A. , Vargas Jorge H.
Published: February 2018

Background

Few studies have examined the epidemiology and risk factors for the development of outpatient‐acquired catheter‐related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) in children receiving home parenteral nutrition. This study aimed to (1) characterize the incidence, clinical presentation, and epidemiology of CRBSIs and (2) identify risk factors for CRBSIs in children receiving home parenteral nutrition.

Methods

A longitudinal database approved by our Institutional Review Board was created to prospectively track CRBSIs in the UCLA pediatric population from January to December 2012. Eligible patients included those < 18 years old receiving home parenteral nutrition.

Results

Thirty of 60 patients (50%) were diagnosed with 66 CRBSIs, for an overall CRBSI rate of 3.6 per 1000 catheter days. Of the CRBSIs, 73% were due to single microorganisms and 27% were polymicrobial. There was a significant difference in median (range) time for blood cultures to turn positive depending on type of CRBSIs (p = 0.03), with polymicrobial infections detected at 13.4 (8.7–24.3) hours, gram‐negative infections at 16.5 (9–30.8) hours, and gram‐positive infections at 18.9 (8.4–37.1) hours. The most common presenting symptom was fever (82%), followed by gastrointestinal symptoms (42%) and chills (29%). The only significant multivariate risk factor for CRBSIs was presence of a feeding tube (2.3‐fold increase in CRBSI risk, p = 0.04).

Discussion

Outpatient‐acquired CRBSIs are common in children receiving home parenteral nutrition. CRBSIs typically present with fever, but are also associated with gastrointestinal and/or respiratory symptoms. The presence of feeding tubes may predispose children on home parenteral nutrition to developing CRBSIs.
Enhancement of Raman scattering signal using photonic nanojet of portable and reusable single microstructures
Authors: Arya Akash , Laha Ranjit , Das Gour Mohan , Dantham Venkata Ramanaiah
Published: February 2018

We report the enhancement of Raman scattering signal for the first time using photonic nanojet of a lollipop‐shaped microstructure (LMS) fabricated with the help of a nanosecond CO2 laser. The LMS consists of a dielectric microsphere attached to a long stem/tapered fiber. The enhancement was achieved by focusing the incident laser light on sample surface through the microsphere of LMS. The experimentally observed enhancement was found to be comparable with that obtained from commercial microspheres that are not attached to any stems. The value of enhancement was found to increase with the microsphere diameter. The dielectric stems/tapered fibers alone of the LMS are found not efficient for enhancing the Raman scattering signals. In contrast to the commercial microspheres, the fabricated LMSs are easy to handle, portable, and reusable. Also, unlike commercial microspheres, these LMSs allow the enhancement of Raman scattering without modifying the surface of substrates containing sample. Hence, these LMSs are extremely useful in the case of photonic nanojet‐mediated surface‐enhanced Raman scattering and fluorescence techniques for enhancing the Raman scattering and fluorescence signals of single/few molecules, respectively.
Effect of ultrasound dielectric pretreatment on the oxidation resistance of vacuum‐fried apple chips
Authors: Shen Xu , Zhang Min , Bhandari Bhesh , Guo Zhimei
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

In order to investigate the effect of ultrasound dielectric pretreatment on the oxidation resistance of vacuum‐fried apple chips, apple slices were pretreated at ultrasonic powers of 150, 250 and 400 W for times of 10, 20 and 30 min before vacuum frying. The quality and oxidation resistance of fried apple were evaluated by testing the dielectric properties and comparing the moisture content, oil uptake, color, acid value (AV) and peroxide value (PV) of apple chips.

RESULTS

Ultrasonic treatment significantly changed the dielectric properties of apple slices. Moisture and oil contents of apple chips decreased with increasing ultrasonic power and time. During storage, the color retention of fried apple chips processed by ultrasound was improved. AV and PV values of fried apple chips processed by ultrasound were lower, which improved their antioxidant properties.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study indicated that ultrasound dielectric pretreatment improved not only the quality of vacuum‐fried apple chips but also their antioxidant properties. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Carbon balance as affected by biosolid application in reforestations
Authors: Valdecantos Alejandro , Fuentes David
Published: February 2018

Soils of Mediterranean drylands are characterized by a low fertility and organic matter content because of past land use and disturbances regime. The restoration of these degraded lands faces at the same time problems related to water scarcity and the unpredictability of precipitations with problems with soil physical, chemical, and microbiological properties. Organic amendments may help to improve soil properties and, consequently, enhance planted seedling establishment and performance. In this study, we assessed the C balance of 3 Mediterranean areas planted with Pinus halepensis Mill. seedlings with different treatments of biosolid application. The assessment was conducted at different times after the establishment of treatments and the C dynamics are discussed. We considered 3 biosolid types (air‐dried, fresh sludge, and composted sludge) in application doses ranging from 10 to 320 Mg (d.w.) ha−1. We quantified basal area, pine biomass, biomass of spontaneous vegetation, litter, root density, and soil organic matter. All 3 experimental restoration studies improved restoration success in terms of basal area (ranging from 15% to 300%), especially in composted biosolid at 30 Mg (d.w.) ha−1, whereas litter and, especially, root biomass increased with all biosolid treatments and times since application. Soil organic C was higher in application doses above 30 Mg (dry weight) ha−1 due to the organic matter applied with the sludges. The increment in C sequestration rates associated to these restoration treatments ranged between 0.046 and 0.293 kg C m2 yr−1. These results confirm the suitability of organic amendments as restoration technique in Mediterranean degraded drylands.
Reinforcement of low‐carbon steel against corrosion in acidic condition by some Schiff bases: Experimental and theoretical studies
Authors: Vikneshvaran Sekar , Velmathi Sivan
Published: February 2018

Interface of low‐carbon steel with acid solution in the presence of Schiff bases, 2‐((2‐hydroxybenzylidene)amino)benzoic acid (1), 2‐(((1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl)methylene)amino)phenol (2), and Bis‐((1H‐indol‐3‐yl)methylene)cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine (3) has been studied using different strategies includes; traditional weight loss method, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), adsorption studies, and quantum chemical calculations. Inhibition efficiency (IE) of all the three Schiff bases on corrosion of low‐carbon steel in 1 M hydrochloric acid increases with increasing the concentration of Schiff bases. The inhibition properties of these Schiff bases are discussed by means of blocking the steel surface through adsorption. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)‐energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) studies of the steel surfaces confirmed the presence of adsorbed film. Theoretical calculations using density functional theory (DFT) are also performed to verify the experimental results.
Nano‐sized zeolite particles as inhibitor carrier in plasma electrolytic oxide layers on AZ31
Authors: Schneider Michael , Kremmer Kerstin , Tabatabai Dominik , Fürbeth Wolfram
Published: February 2018

Plasma electrolytic layers on AZ31 provide an efficient corrosion protection. However, the process‐related pores and holes are weak points in view of risk of corrosion. The incorporation of a small amount of nano‐sized inhibitor‐loaded zeolite particles leads to a significant improvement of the corrosion resistance. The study shows that the inhibitor‐loaded particles can be incorporated directly during plasmaelectrolytic oxidation in a one‐step‐process. The risk of pitting corrosion decreases in comparison with inhibitor free anodized layers and the cerium inhibitor was found to deposit directly inside pits.
Viscosity Modeling of Polymer Solutions
Authors: Konstantinov Ivan , Villa Carlos , Cong Rongjuan , Karjala Thomas
Published: February 2018

In this work, we review the theory behind solution viscosity and show how it inspires the mathematical formulation of semi‐empirical models. We then demonstrate parameter estimation and model discrimination using experimental data for established product designs and, finally, validate the model by applying it to developmental products.
In Situ Monitoring of Orientation Parameters and Orientation Distribution Functions of Polyethylenes during Tensile Tests
Authors: Hiejima Yusuke , Kida Takumitsu , Nitta Koh‐Hei
Published: February 2018

In situ polarized Raman spectroscopy is applied for the tensile deformation of high‐ and low‐density polyethylenes (HDPE and LDPE), and the orientation parameters as well as the orientation distribution function (ODF) are determined. While random orientation is maintained in the elastic region, the orientation of the polymer chains begins after the first yield point. The ODF for LDPE shows a peak at the stretching direction throughout the elongation process, and the maximum value of the ODF monotonously increases with the strain. For HDPE, the ODF in the yielding region has a broad peak at an intermediate angle of 30–70° from the stretching direction, while the orientation at the stretching direction is restored in the strain‐hardening region. The tilted orientation is explained with the concept of the lamellar cluster units formed in the yielding region after the collapse of the spherulites. The HDPE with lower molecular weight and that with wider molecular weight distribution show high orientation, which is explained with the smaller size of the lamellar cluster units and the higher network density in the amorphous phase, respectively.
Associations Between Enteral Nutrition and Acute Respiratory Infection Among Patients in New York Metropolitan Region Pediatric Long‐Term Care Facilities
Authors: Burgermaster Marissa , Murray Meghan , Saiman Lisa , Seres David S. , Larson Elaine L.
Published: February 2018

Background

Pediatric long‐term care facilities (pLTCF) serve a complicated and resource‐intensive patient population with high usage of nutrition support. However, the relationship between nutrition support and outcomes among pLTCF residents is not well understood. We described this relationship in three metropolitan New York pLTCF and a subsample of infants from one of these facilities with a feeding disorders unit.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, we used logistic regression to assess relationships between enteral nutrition (EN), and acute respiratory infections (ARI) among residents (n = 720, 50% male, mean age = 5.5 years, mean number comorbidities = 2.1) and infant subsample (<1 year, n = 208, 50% male, mean number comorbidities = 2.0). We tested these associations in multivariable models controlling for numbers of comorbidities and infections.

Results

Many residents received nutrition via percutaneous (59%) or nasogastric (15%) feeding tubes. In univariate analyses, residents receiving EN had more comorbidities. In multivariable analyses, EN was associated with ARI (incidence rate ratio = 1.65, p < .001). Among infants in the specialized unit, greater risk of ARI was associated only with percutaneous (incidence rate ratio = 1.94, p < .01) feeding. EN was associated with lower odds of being discharged home (OR = 0.45, p < .01).

Conclusion

The prevalence of EN, complexity of cases, and necessity of long‐term EN make nutrition support important in pLTCFs. Differences in EN types and adverse outcomes in the infant subsample suggest different care is necessary for this subpopulation. Results provide context for improving quality of care and clinician/caregiver education for this population.
Late Pleistocene hares of the Japanese archipelago: Paleobiogeographic implication at the Last Glacial Maximum
Authors: Sawaura Ryohei , Sawada Junmei , Sato Takao , Suzuki Toshihiko , Sasaki Keiichi
Published: February 2018

The Tsugaru Strait is often referred to as Blakiston's Line in biogeography. Although this strait is thought to have become narrower during the Last Glacial Maximum, it did not close completely to form a land bridge. Sea‐level drawdown associated with cooling nevertheless weakened the influence of the Tsugaru Strait as a barrier to faunal migration. The currently accepted hypothesis is that only some large and highly mobile ungulates were able to migrate to Honshu over this strait to the exclusion of small mammals. However, this remains problematic as very few fossils corroborate this idea, and quantitative identification methods for use with tiny fragments of teeth have not been developed. In this study, we determine which of the species Lepus timidus (now distributed on Hokkaido and to the north) and Lepus brachyurus (now mainly distributed on Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu) can accurately be identified within a sample of Late Pleistocene Lepus sp. fossils recently unearthed from the Shitsukari‐Abe cave to the immediate south of the Tsugaru Strait. This is because we are unable to exclude the possibility that these fossils are referable to L. timidus on the basis of site location alone. Thus, utilising images of mandibular third premolar teeth obtained via microcomputed tomography scanning, we report (a) linear measurements, (b) a survey of the frequency of appearance of nonmetric traits, and (c) principal component analysis using landmark methods. The results show that fossil representatives of the genus Lepus can be differentiated from extant L. timidus and closely resemble L. brachyurus. Considering the past allopatric distribution of the 2 species suggested by other studies as well as fossil records around the Tsugaru Strait, this result corroborates the existing hypothesis that only large and highly mobile ungulates were able to navigate the Tsugaru Strait.
Chart validation of inpatient ICD‐9‐CM administrative diagnosis codes for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) among intravenous immune globulin (IGIV) users in the Sentinel Distributed Database
Authors: Ammann Eric M. , Schweizer Marin L. , Robinson Jennifer G. , Eschol Jayasheel O. , Kafa Rami , Girotra Saket , Winiecki Scott K. , Fuller Candace C. , Carnahan Ryan M. , Leonard Charles E. , Haskins Cole , Garcia Crystal , Chrischilles Elizabeth A.
Published: February 2018

Background

The Sentinel Distributed Database (SDD) is a large database of patient‐level administrative health care records, primarily derived from insurance claims and electronic health records, and is sponsored by the US Food and Drug Administration for medical product safety evaluations. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a common study endpoint for drug safety studies that rely on health records from the SDD and other administrative databases.

Purpose

In this chart validation study, we report on the positive predictive value (PPV) of inpatient International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification AMI administrative diagnosis codes (410.x1 and 410.x0) in the SDD.

Methods

As part of an assessment of thromboembolic adverse event risk following treatment with intravenous immune globulin, charts were obtained for 103 potential post–intravenous immune globulin AMI cases. Charts were abstracted by trained nurses and physician‐adjudicated based on prespecified diagnostic criteria.

Results

Acute myocardial infarction status could be determined for 89 potential cases. The PPVs for the inpatient AMI diagnoses recorded in the SDD were 75% overall (95% CI, 65‐84%), 93% (95% CI, 78‐99%) for principal‐position diagnoses, 88% (95% CI, 72‐97%) for secondary diagnoses, and 38% (95% CI, 20‐59%) for position‐unspecified diagnoses (eg, diagnoses originating from separate physician claims associated with an inpatient stay). Of the confirmed AMI cases, demand ischemia was the suspected etiology more often for those coded in secondary or unspecified positions (72% and 40%, respectively) than for principal‐position AMI diagnoses (21%).

Conclusions

The PPVs for principal and secondary AMI diagnoses were high and similar to estimates from prior chart validation studies. Position‐unspecified diagnosis codes were less likely to represent true AMI cases.
Short poly(ethylene glycol) block initiation of poly(l‐lactide) di‐block copolymers: a strategy for tuning the degradation of resorbable devices
Authors: Azhari Zein , McMahon Sean , Pierucci Luca , Wang Wenxin , Cameron Ruth E
Published: February 2018

The current range of medical applications of resorbable polyesters could be hugely expanded if more effective strategies for tailoring degradation rate were available. Block copolymerisation with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) has been shown to reduce degradation times; however, to date, this has relied on the addition of PEG to short lengths of polyester. This results in copolymers with high fractions of PEG and low molecular weights, reducing the potential range of applications. Furthermore, there has been no systematic study of the relative lengths of the blocks. In this work, we employed short hydroxyl‐functionalised methoxy‐terminated mPEG to initiate the synthesis of poly(l‐lactide) (PLLA), resulting in controlled di‐block copolymers with short mPEG blocks and long PLLA blocks. A controlled series of polymers was made with PLLA lengths (60 < Mn (kg mol−1) < 200) and mPEG lengths (550 < Mn (g mol−1) < 5000) giving very low mPEG content (0.1–1.5 wt%). We found that, despite the low fraction of mPEG, water uptake and the rate of hydrolytic degradation, k, increased. Significantly, k for the polymers was dependent only on the presence of mPEG, and was little affected by mPEG length or PLLA length in the ranges studied. Moreover, mass loss began in all polymers when Mn of the polymer fell below a threshold of about 20 kg mol−1 and depended on both the initial molecular weight of PLLA and the presence (but not the length) of mPEG. Short‐chain mPEG therefore provides a new route for targeted, temporal control of resorbable polyesters for biomedical devices. © 2018 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Colorimetric detection of Hg2+ using a mixture of an anionic azo dye and a cationic polyelectrolyte in aqueous solution
Authors: Inoue Koshiro , Aikawa Shunichi , Fukushima Yasumasa
Published: February 2018

We investigated a colorimetric chemosensor for Hg2+ based on a mixture of xylidyl blue I as an anionic organic dye and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) as a cationic polyelectrolyte in an aqueous solution at pH 7.5. The addition of Hg2+ to the mixture induced a bathochromic shift in the absorption spectra with a distinct color change from red to green which was readily identifiable by the naked eye, whereas the other metal ions gave rise to insignificant color changes. By contrast, upon adding Hg2+ to xylidyl blue I alone, the solution underwent no significant change in color. Moreover, a stoichiometric ratio for the complex between xylidyl blue I and Hg2+ in the presence of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) was determined to be 1:1 by the absorption titration curve and Job's plot. Thus, the mixture can be used as a selective naked‐eye colorimetric chemosensor for Hg2+ over other common metal ions. This study raises the possibility that the combination of an organic dye and an oppositely charged polyelectrolyte is a potential candidate for the easy construction of a new chemosensor system. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Mild incorporation of CO2 into epoxides: Application to nonisocyanate synthesis of poly(hydroxyurethane) containing triazole segment by polyaddition of novel bifunctional five‐membered cyclic carbonate and diamines
Authors: Aoyagi Naoto , Furusho Yoshio , Endo Takeshi
Published: February 2018

The cyclic amidinium iodide effectively catalyzed the ring‐expansion addition of epoxides with carbon dioxide under ordinary pressure and mild conditions to obtain the corresponding five‐membered cyclic carbonates in high yield. The novel triazole‐linked bifunctional five‐membered cyclic carbonate was synthesized successfully by the click reaction of the azide‐ and the alkyne‐substituted five‐membered cyclic carbonates under ambient temperature in high yield. The chemical structure of the novel bis(cyclic carbonate) was characterized by one‐ and two‐dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. The obtained bis(cyclic carbonate) was converted with commercially available diamines to poly(hydroxyurethane) containing triazole segment without catalyst in high yield. Analyses of the resulting poly(hydroxyurethane)s were performed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance, size exclusion chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 986–993
Bio‐based comb‐like copolymers derived from alkyl 10‐undecenoates and maleic anhydride
Authors: Ferraz Fernando Augusto , Muniz Aline Silva , Santos Oliveira Angelo Roberto dos , Ferreira César‐Oliveira Maria Aparecida
Published: February 2018

In this article, 10‐undecenoic acid, based on castor oil, was used a raw material for the synthesis of alternating copolymers. ω‐Unsaturated fatty esters as alkyl 10‐undecenoates were prepared by the esterification reaction of 10‐undecenoic acid with alkyl alcohol. A series of comb‐like copolymers were synthesized by free radical polymerization from maleic anhydride and alkyl 10‐undecenoates copolymers with different length of alkyl side chains in a toluene solution. These copolymers were investigated by 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The copolymers were obtained in a low molecular weight in a range 3370–12,240 g mol−1 and their structural characterization indicated the formation of alternating copolymers. DSC characterization revealed that these comb‐like copolymers showed amorphous to semicrystalline behavior by increasing the length of side chains. The bio‐based comb‐like copolymers allow for the development of new polymeric materials for several applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1039–1045