bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ChemInform Abstract: CuAAC: An Efficient Click Chemistry Reaction on Solid Phase
Authors: Castro Vida , Rodriguez Hortensia , Albericio Fernando
Published: February 2016

Review: 172 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Importance of Organic Synthesis in the Development of Liquid Crystals
Authors: Gallardo Hugo , Westphal Eduard
Published: February 2016

Review: 92 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Catalysis The Complexity of Intimacy
Authors: Glaeser Roger
Published: February 2016

Review: 6 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Recent Advances in the Asymmetric Claisen Rearrangement Promoted by Chiral Organometallic Lewis Acids or Organic Bronsted‐Lowry Acids
Authors: Rodrigues Tiago Costa Alves Fontoura , Silva Wender Alves , Machado Angelo Henrique Lira
Published: February 2016

Review: 45 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Techno‐Economic and Life Cycle Assessment on Lignocellulosic Biomass Thermochemical Conversion Technologies: A Review
Authors: Patel Madhumita , Zhang Xiaolei , Kumar Amit
Published: February 2016

Review: 89 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Photoactive Compounds Based on the Thiazolo[5,4‐d]thiazole Core and Their Application in Organic and Hybrid Photovoltaics
Authors: Reginato Gianna , Mordini Alessandro , Zani Lorenzo , Calamante Massimo , Dessi Alessio
Published: February 2016

Review: [80 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Flow Chemistry: Recent Developments in the Synthesis of Pharmaceutical Products
Authors: Porta Riccardo , Benaglia Maurizio , Puglisi Alessandra
Published: February 2016

Review: [73 refs.
Transesterification of palm oil in a microtube reactor
Authors: Kaewchada Amaraporn , Pungchaicharn Siriluck , Jaree Attasak
Published: February 2016

Transesterification of palm oil and methanol with KOH as a catalyst in biodiesel synthesis was studied in a microtube reactor. The first part is the investigation on the influences of catalyst amount (5–13 mg/g, 0.5–1.3 mass%), reaction temperature (52–70 °C), methanol‐to‐oil molar ratio (4.5:1–9:1), and residence time (5–20 s) on fatty acid methyl ester content (%FAME). The optimal %FAME of 97.14 % was achieved with the catalyst amount of 10 mg/g (1 mass%), operating at 60 °C, and using a methanol‐to‐oil molar ratio of 6:1 and a residence time of 5 s. High %FAME was obtained at low residence time due to the small size of droplets in the micro‐channel reactor. The second part deals with the effect of mixer and reactor geometry. A comparison between %FAME obtained from the synthesis in a batch stirred‐tank reactor and in a microtube suggested that the reaction proceeded much faster for the latter. The use of a T‐mixer provided superior reaction performance compared to the J‐mixer throughout the conditions studied.
Transient drag coefficients from a freely rising and falling solid sphere at moderate particle Reynolds numbers
Authors: Krishnan Suresh , Sivasamy Balasubramanian , Ramasamy Karthikeyan
Published: February 2016

We performed numerical experiments on a freely rising and falling sphere in stagnant water for moderate particle Reynolds numbers (130 ≤Rep ≤ 1091) using spheres of various diameters and various sphere‐water density ratios (0.0016 m ≤ Dp ≤ 0.004 m and 0.08 ≤  ≤ 1.92). The methodology to carry out the arbitrary Lagrangian‐Eulerian (ALE) moving mesh simulation technique was developed using ANSYS CFX®CFD software and the results obtained were validated with the experimental results published in the literature. The sphere trajectories, dynamics of sphere movement, and angular velocities play a significant role in transient drag coefficient. We observed that after maintaining a sphere diameter and dimensionless density difference () between water and a sphere at the same level as in the rising and falling sphere, the rising sphere attained terminal velocity faster than the falling sphere. The time required to keep the sphere inside the domain at a fixed distance from the rising and falling sphere decreased with increasing sphere diameter at a given .
In vivo comparison of tantalum, tungsten, and bismuth enteric contrast agents to complement intravenous iodine for double‐contrast dual‐energy CT of the bowel
Authors: Rathnayake Samira , Mongan John , Torres Andrew S. , Colborn Robert , Gao Dong‐Wei , Yeh Benjamin M. , Fu Yanjun
Published: February 2016

To assess the ability of dual‐energy CT (DECT) to separate intravenous contrast of bowel wall from intraluminal contrast, we scanned 16 rabbits on a clinical DECT scanner: n = 3 using only iodinated intravenous contrast, and n = 13 double‐contrast enhanced scans using iodinated intravenous contrast and experimental enteric non‐iodinated contrast agents in the bowel lumen (five bismuth, four tungsten, and four tantalum based). Representative image pairs from conventional CT images and DECT iodine density maps of small bowel (116 pairs from 232 images) were viewed by four abdominal imaging attending radiologists to independently score each comparison pair on a visual analog scale (−100 to +100%) for (1) preference in small bowel wall visualization and (2) preference in completeness of intraluminal enteric contrast subtraction. Median small bowel wall visualization was scored 39 and 42 percentage points (95% CI 30–44% and 36–45%, both p < 0.001) higher for double‐contrast DECT than for conventional CT with enteric tungsten and tantalum contrast, respectively. Median small bowel wall visualization for double‐contrast DECT was scored 29 and 35 percentage points (95% CI 20–35% and 33–39%, both p < 0.001) higher with enteric tungsten and tantalum, respectively, than with bismuth contrast. Median completeness of intraluminal enteric contrast subtraction in double‐contrast DECT iodine density maps was scored 28 and 29 percentage points (95% CI 15–31% and 28–33%, both p < 0.001) higher with enteric tungsten and tantalum, respectively, than with bismuth contrast. Results suggest that in vivo double‐contrast DECT with iodinated intravenous and either tantalum‐ or tungsten‐based enteric contrast provides better visualization of small bowel than conventional CT. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability Comparison of Perovskite Solar Cells Based on Zinc Oxide and Titania on Polymer Substrates
Authors: Dkhissi Yasmina , Meyer Steffen , Chen Dehong , Weerasinghe Hasitha C. , Spiccia Leone , Cheng Yi‐Bing , Caruso Rachel A.
Published: February 2016

Device scale‐up and long‐term stability constitute two major hurdles that the emerging perovskite solar technology will have to overcome before commercialization. Here, a comparative study was performed between ZnO and TiO2 electron‐selective layers, two materials that allow the low‐temperature processing of perovskite solar cells on polymer substrates. Although the use of TiO2 is well established on glass substrates, ZnO was chosen because it can be readily printed at low temperature and offers the potential for the large‐scale roll‐to‐roll manufacturing of flexible photovoltaics at a low cost. However, a rapid degradation of CH3NH3PbI3 was observed if it was deposited on ZnO, therefore, the influence of the perovskite film preparation conditions on its morphology and degradation kinetics was investigated. This study showed that CH3NH3PbI3 could withstand a higher temperature on TiO2 than ZnO and that TiO2‐based perovskite devices were more stable than their ZnO analogues.
Photocurrent in Multilayered Assemblies of Porphyrin–Fullerene Covalent Dyads: Evidence for Channels for Charge Transport
Authors: Konev Alexander S. , Khlebnikov Alexander F. , Levin Oleg V. , Lukyanov Daniil A. , Zorin Ivan M.
Published: February 2016

Specially designed porphyrin–fullerene dyads have been synthesized to verify literature predictions based on quantum chemistry calculations that certain porphyrin–fullerene dyads are able to self‐arrange into specific structures providing channels for charge transport in a bulk mass of organic compound. According to AFM and SEM data, the newly synthesized compounds were indeed prone to some kind of self‐arrangement, although to a lesser degree than was expected. A dispersion corrected DFT study of the molecular non‐covalent interactions performed at the DFT‐D3 (B3LYP, 6‐31G*) level of theory showed that the least energy corresponded to head‐to‐head dimers, with close contacts of porphyrin–porphyrin and fullerene–fullerene fragments, thus providing a unit building block of the channel for charge transport. Experimental proof for the existence of channels for charge transport was obtained by observing a photocurrent in a simple photovoltaic cell.
Metabolic syndrome and pre‐diabetes contribute to racial disparities in breast cancer outcomes: hypothesis and proposed pathways
Authors: Gallagher Emily J. , LeRoith Derek , Franco Rebeca , Antoniou Irini Markella , Nayak Anupma , Livaudais‐Toman Jennifer , Bickell Nina A.
Published: February 2016

Background

Women with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are at greater risk of dying from breast cancer than women without these conditions. Obesity and T2D are associated with insulin resistance and endogenous hyperinsulinemia and are more common in Black women. There is increasing disparity in breast cancer mortality between Black and White women in the USA. We hypothesize that insulin resistance and endogenous hyperinsulinemia in Black women with breast cancer contribute to their greater breast cancer mortality and are associated with increased insulin receptor signalling in tumours.

Methods

We will recruit 350 Black women and 936 White women with newly diagnosed breast cancer. We will determine the presence or absence of the metabolic syndrome/pre‐diabetes and insulin resistance by measuring body mass index, waist circumference, lipids, blood pressure, glucose, insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 1 and insulin. Breast cancer prognosis will be determined by a Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI), with poor prognosis being defined as NPI >4.4. Tumour insulin receptor signalling will be determined by immunohistochemistry. Insulin receptor subtype expression will be measured using Nanostring. Analysis of these factors will determine whether endogenous hyperinsulinemia is associated with a worse prognosis in Black women than White women and increased tumour insulin receptor signalling.

Conclusions

The results of this study will determine if the metabolic syndrome and pre‐diabetes contribute to racial disparities in breast cancer mortality. It may provide the basis for targeting systemic insulin resistance and/or tumour insulin receptor signalling to reduce racial disparities in breast cancer mortality. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Population structure and phylogeography of the Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) across the Scotia Arc
Authors: Levy Hila , Clucas Gemma V. , Rogers Alex D. , Leaché Adam D. , Ciborowski Kate L. , Polito Michael J. , Lynch Heather J. , Dunn Michael J. , Hart Tom
Published: February 2016

Climate change, fisheries' pressure on penguin prey, and direct human disturbance of wildlife have all been implicated in causing large shifts in the abundance and distribution of penguins in the Southern Ocean. Without mark‐recapture studies, understanding how colonies form and, by extension, how ranges shift is challenging. Genetic studies, particularly focused on newly established colonies, provide a snapshot of colonization and can reveal the extent to which shifts in abundance and occupancy result from changes in demographic rates (e.g., reproduction and survival) or migration among suitable patches of habitat. Here, we describe the population structure of a colonial seabird breeding across a large latitudinal range in the Southern Ocean. Using multilocus microsatellite genotype data from 510 Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) individuals from 14 colonies along the Scotia Arc and Antarctic Peninsula, together with mitochondrial DNA data, we find strong genetic differentiation between colonies north and south of the Polar Front, that coincides geographically with the taxonomic boundary separating the subspecies P. p. papua and P. p. ellsworthii. Using a discrete Bayesian phylogeographic approach, we show that southern Gentoos expanded from a possible glacial refuge in the center of their current range, colonizing regions to the north and south through rare, long‐distance dispersal. Our findings show that this dispersal is important for new colony foundation and range expansion in a seabird species that ordinarily exhibits high levels of natal philopatry, though persistent oceanographic features serve as barriers to movement.
Vitally important – does early innate immunity predict recruitment and adult innate immunity?
Authors: Vermeulen Anke , Müller Wendt , Eens Marcel
Published: February 2016

The immune system is one of the most important adaptations that has evolved to protect animals from a wide range of pathogens they encounter from early life onwards. During the early developmental period this is particularly true for the innate immunity, as other components of the immune system are, as yet, poorly developed. But innate immunity may not only be crucial for early life survival, but may also have long‐lasting effects, for example if early life immunity reflects the functioning of the immune system as a whole. For this reason, we investigated the importance of four constitutive innate immune parameters (natural antibodies, complement activity, concentrations of haptoglobin, and concentrations of nitric oxide) for recruitment in free‐living great tits. We compared nestling immunity of recruits with nestling immunity of their nonrecruited siblings. We also investigated within individual consistency of these innate immune parameters for those individuals that recruited, which may be taken as a measure of immune capacity. In accordance with previous studies, we found a clear effect of tarsus length and a trend for body mass on the likelihood to recruit. Nevertheless, we found no evidence that higher levels of constitutive innate immunity as a nestling facilitated local recruitment. Furthermore, individual innate immunity was not consistent across life stages, that is to say, nestling immune parameters did not determine, or respectively, reflect adult innate immune parameters. This plasticity in innate immune components may explain why we did not find long‐lasting survival benefits.
Responses of plant biomass, photosynthesis and lipid peroxidation to warming and precipitation change in two dominant species (Stipa grandis and Leymus chinensis) from North China Grasslands
Authors: Song Xiliang , Wang Yuhui , Lv Xiaomin
Published: February 2016

Influential factors of global change affect plant carbon uptake and biomass simultaneously. Although the effects from warming and precipitation change have been extensive studied separately, the responses of plant biomass, photosynthesis, and lipid peroxidation to the interaction of these factors are still not fully understood. In this study, we examined the physiological responses of two dominant plant species from grasslands of northern China with different functional traits to combinations of five simulated warming patterns and five simulated precipitation patterns in environment‐controlled chambers. Our results showed that the biomass, net CO2 assimilation rate (Pn), maximal efficiency of photosystem II photochemistry (Fv/Fm), and chlorophyll content (Chl) of Stipa grandis and Leymus chinensis were enhanced by moderate warming and plus precipitation, but they declined drastically with high temperature and drought. High temperature and drought also led to significant malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, which had a negative correlation with leaf biomass. The lower level of lipid peroxidation in leaves of S. grandis suggests that this species is better protected from oxidative damage under heat stress, drought stress and their interactive conditions than L. chinensis. Using the subordinate function values method, we found S. grandis to be more sensitive to climate change than L. chinensis and the gross biomass and root biomass of S. grandis and the leaf biomass of L. chinensis were most sensitive to climate change. Furthermore, the Pn of both S. grandis and L. chinensis had a significant linear relationship with Fv/Fm and Chl, indicating that carbon assimilation may be caused by nonstomatal limitations.
18S rRNA V9 metabarcoding for diet characterization: a critical evaluation with two sympatric zooplanktivorous fish species
Authors: Albaina Aitor , Aguirre Mikel , Abad David , Santos María , Estonba Andone
Published: February 2016

The potential of the 18S rRNA V9 metabarcoding approach for diet assessment was explored using MiSeq paired‐end (PE; 2 × 150 bp) technology. To critically evaluate the method′s performance with degraded/digested DNA, the diets of two zooplanktivorous fish species from the Bay of Biscay, European sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and European sprat (Sprattus sprattus), were analysed. The taxonomic resolution and quantitative potential of the 18S V9 metabarcoding was first assessed both in silico and with mock and field plankton samples. Our method was capable of discriminating species within the reference database in a reliable way providing there was at least one variable position in the 18S V9 region. Furthermore, it successfully discriminated diet between both fish species, including habitat and diel differences among sardines, overcoming some of the limitations of traditional visual‐based diet analysis methods. The high sensitivity and semi‐quantitative nature of the 18S V9 metabarcoding approach was supported by both visual microscopy and qPCR‐based results. This molecular approach provides an alternative cost and time effective tool for food‐web analysis.
Cyclative Cascades of Allenamides Derived from Amino Acids: Synthesis of Annulated Indoxyl Derivatives
Authors: Petkovic Milos , Nasufovic Veselin , Djukanovic Dimitrije , Vujosevic Zorana Tokic , Jadranin Milka , Matovic Radomir , Savic Vladimir
Published: February 2016

Allenamides derived from amino acids participate in the cascade transformations catalyzed by Pd0 allowing consecutive formation of two five‐membered rings. The developed methodology provides an access to annulated indoles which can be transformed to functionalized indoxyl derivatives, retaining a structural motif embedded in several natural products.
Ligand‐ and Metal‐Driven Selection of Flexible Adaptive Dynamic Host Receptors
Authors: Zhang Yan , Legrand Yves‐Marie , van der Lee Arie , Barboiu Mihail
Published: February 2016

Chemical synthesis by design can produce a vast number of molecular structures, while dynamic constitutional synthesis by selection, leads to unexpected structures. The use of flexible components and a high number of bonds, usually gives access to polymeric systems or to unpredictable structures. For this reason, we prepared dynamic mixtures in which a reversibly binding trialdehyde and flexible PEG diamine building blocks assemble in the presence of or absence of templating metal ions. The dynamic exchanges in solution are robust enough to induce “ligand selection” with the formation of a cage and the precise quantitative “Ag+‐driven” selection with the formation of an interlocked cage and a twisted cage, amplified from the solution by a kinetically driven crystallization process.
Proteomics of edible mushrooms: A mini‐review
Authors: Al‐Obaidi Jameel R.
Published: February 2016

Mushrooms are considered an important food for their traditionally famous nutritional and medicinal values, although much information about their potential at the molecular level is unfortunately unknown. Edible mushrooms include fungi that are either collected wild or cultivated. Many important species are difficult to cultivate but attempts have been made with varying degrees of success, with the results showing unsatisfactory economical cultivation methods. Recently, proteomic analysis has been developed as a powerful tool to study the protein content of fungi, particularly basidiomycetes. This mini‐review article highlights the contribution of proteomics platforms to the study of edible mushrooms, focusing on the molecular mechanisms involved in developmental stages. This includes extracellular and cytoplasmic effector proteins that have potential or are involved in the synthesis of anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antibiotic, in blood pressure control, in the supply of vitamins and minerals, and in other responses to environmental changes. The contribution of different proteomics techniques including classical and more advanced techniques is also highlighted.
Personal advising guides adult students to literary lives
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: February 2016

Finding a way to stand out in a sea of graduate writing programs, offered both online and in‐person, creates a unique positioning challenge for a small private arts college, particularly on a campus known for visual arts. When Peter Gadol became the department chair of the graduate writing program at the Otis College of Art and Design, a small private art school located near the Los Angeles airport, he embraced the small student body on campus, which is home to approximately 1,200 undergraduate students and less than 100 graduate students, as one of the strengths of the program.
Effects of Pyrolysis Atmosphere and Temperature on Coal Char Characteristics and Gasification Reactivity
Authors: Wang Qinhui , Zhang Rui , Luo Zhongyang , Fang Mengxiang , Cen Kefa
Published: February 2016

Coal chars are usually produced under complex atmospheres in industrial production. However, most of the research about char characteristics and gasification reactivity uses the coal char samples prepared under an inert atmosphere. In this study, the influences of the pyrolysis atmosphere and temperature on coal char characteristics and gasification reactivity were investigated. A Shanxi bituminous coal was pyrolyzed in a bubbling fluidized bed to produce char samples. A mixture of hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and methane (CH4) was used as simulated pyrolysis gas (SPG). The coal was pyrolyzed in the SPG and N2 atmospheres, respectively. SEM, Raman spectroscopy, and FTIR spectroscopy were used to study the influences of the pyrolysis atmosphere and temperature on the coal char characteristics. The char–H2O and char–CO2 gasification reactivities were measured by using a modified thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) system. The experimental results indicate that the SPG atmosphere has no obvious influence on the coal char morphology, but it has significant influences on the carbon structures and surface chemical groups. The SPG char samples have lower gasification reactivity. The disproportionation reaction of CO, the decomposition reaction of CH4, and the loss of oxygen‐containing structures induced by H2 lead to a higher‐ordered degree of char, and the graphite generated from the disproportionation reaction and the decomposition reaction can decrease the specific surface area of the coal char. These two reasons result in the lower gasification reactivity of SPG char.
Conversion of Prairie Cordgrass to Hydrocarbon Biofuel over Co‐Mo/HZSM‐5 Using a Two‐Stage Reactor System
Authors: Cheng Shouyun , Wei Lin , Zhao Xianhui , Kadis Ethan , Julson James
Published: February 2016

A series of Co‐Mo/HZSM‐5 catalysts was prepared using an impregnation method for the thermal conversion of prairie cordgrass (PCG). The catalysts were characterized by BET measurements, XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, and TEM. The Co‐Mo/HZSM‐5 catalysts were tested in the thermal conversion of PCG to produce hydrocarbon biofuel in a two‐stage catalytic pyrolysis system. The products were analyzed and included incondensable gas, bio‐oil, and biochar. Compared to non‐catalytically obtained bio‐oil, the chemical composition, water content, higher heating value, viscosity, and density of the catalytic bio‐oils were improved. The results indicated that 4 %Mo‐2 %Co/HZSM‐5 showed a robust ability in the catalytic cracking of PCG with the highest yield of hydrocarbons at 41.08 %.
Air pollution driving factors analysis: Evidence from economically developed area in China
Authors: Li Wei , Sun Shuang
Published: February 2016

Rapid economic growth is usually accompanied by rising air pollution in China, especially in the economically developed regions. Beijing is the capital of China, which is selected as a study case in this article. The aim of this study is to authenticate if the Environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis exists between air pollution and economic growth in Beijing over the period of 1990–2013, and to understand the driving factors of the air pollution by utilizing the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence and Technology (STIRPAT) model. To avoid the multicollinearity of the driving factors, ridge regression is utilized. CO2, SO2 and dust emissions are served as the air pollution indicators. Results show that, both CO2 and SO2 emissions, contribute to an agreement to the EKC hypothesis, while dust emissions do not. Besides, the turning point of SO2 emissions has already achieved in 1999, whereas that of CO2 emissions will be achieved in 2026. Population, urbanization, and industry structure are introduced into the STIRPAT model. In the STIRPAT model, CO2, SO2 and dust emissions all follow the EKC hypothesis, while only SO2 emissions achieved the turning point in 2006, nevertheless, that of CO2 and dust emissions will be achieved in 2023 and 2070, respectively. Population, urbanization, and industry structure factors all contribute a positive impact on CO2 emissions. However, the three factors all exert negative influence on the SO2 and dust emissions. Finally, policies on addressing air pollution problems in Beijing have been discussed. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 1231–1239, 2016
Reutilization of industrial ultrafine carbon ash (PM2.5) as rubber reinforcement filler
Authors: Zhang Yihe , Meng Xianghai , Hu Pan , Liu Leipeng , Chu Paul K.
Published: February 2016

Carbon ash is the residue generated from the process of recycling steel by high temperature carbonization of polymers on the surface of scrap metals including coatings, paints, and other organic‐impurities. Carbon ash with a small particle size can produce haze and harms to human health. In this work, the effects of carbon ash as rubber reinforcement filler on the properties of styrene‐butadiene rubber are investigated. The tensile strength and stress at 100% and 300% are improved with 40 phr of carbon ash, and the tensile strength of the styrene‐butadiene rubber reaches 12.13 MPa. Storage modulus and glass transition temperature of rubber compounds are found to increase, whereas the peak values of dynamic loss tangent decrease with increasing carbon ash concentrations. Furthermore, the dielectric constant and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness increase to about 9.0 and 8.0 dB, respectively. This reutilization process is expected to have commercial impact and reduce environmental pollution. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 1132–1138, 2016
Disordered Eating, Compulsive Exercise, and Sport Participation in a UK Adolescent Sample
Authors: Goodwin Huw , Haycraft Emma , Meyer Caroline
Published: February 2016

The sport literature has produced equivocal results as to whether sport participation is a protective or risk factor for disordered eating. One mechanism by which it could be a risk factor is the increased drive or compulsion to exercise. This study compared the levels of disordered eating and compulsive exercise between adolescent sport and non‐sport participants. A sample of 417 male and female adolescents, aged 14–16 years old, was recruited from UK secondary schools. Participants completed questionnaire packs that included: the Eating Disorder Inventory; a measure of exercise behaviour; and the Compulsive Exercise Test (CET). Non‐sport participants reported significantly greater body dissatisfaction than sport participants, and this was true for boys and girls. Significant group differences were also reported for many of the CET scales, with sport participants generally reporting greater levels of compulsive exercise than non‐sport participants. Implications of these results are discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
An in vitro method for determining the bioaccessibility of pharmaceuticals in wildlife
Authors: Bean Thomas G. , Arnold Kathryn E. , Lane Julie , Pietravalle Stéphane , Boxall Alistair B.A.
Published: February 2016

Wildlife can be exposed to human pharmaceuticals via prey that have accumulated the compounds from wastewater, surface water, sediment, and soil. One factor affecting internal absorption of pharmaceuticals is bioaccessibility, the proportion of the compound that enters solution in the gastrointestinal tract. Currently, the bioaccessibility of most pharmaceuticals in prey remains unknown for most wildlife species. The authors evaluated the potential of a 2-compartment in vitro gastrointestinal tract model to compare the bioaccessibility of the antidepressant fluoxetine from invertebrate prey for birds and mammals. Samples of gizzard (or stomach) and intestinal-phase digestive juices were obtained from the in vitro models along with the residual solid material. High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis revealed that the bioaccessibility of fluoxetine in the avian in vitro models was statistically significantly lower than that in the mammalian models as a percentage of what was recovered; however, there were no statistically or biologically significant interspecies difference in terms of the amount recovered per gram of “food” inserted at the start of the simulation. This in vitro model provides a useful method of comparing the bioaccessibility of pharmaceuticals in different prey for species with different gastrointestinal conditions. There is merit for ecological risk assessments in further developing this in vitro approach to improve estimates of internal exposure for organics. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2349–2357. © 2016 SETAC
Determination of biodegradation rates for surfactants and a fatty alcohol in aerobic sediment using a simplified test system
Authors: McDonough Kathleen , Itrich Nina , Schwab Erin , Federle Thomas
Published: February 2016

The development of specific regulatory persistence criteria and a growing need to conduct risk assessments in sediment have increased the need to better understand fate in this compartment. A simplified test approach was developed to assess the fate of chemicals in aerobic sediments and used to evaluate the biodegradation of 14C-labeled representative analogs of alcohol sulfate, alcohol ethoxylate, alcohol ethoxy sulfate, linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, and tetradecanol in 2 different sediments. The method provides kinetic data on primary and ultimate biodegradation in sediments as well as information on biodegradation pathways and metabolites. All test materials exhibited extensive biodegradation in both sediments; disappearance of parent exhibited biphasic kinetics, described by a 2-compartment model, and mineralization was coupled to parent disappearance with little accumulation of metabolites. The first-compartment decay rates ranged from 10.8 d−1 to 17.1 d−1 for tetradecanol, 2.54 d−1 to 24.8 d−1 for alcohol sulfate, 0.17 d−1 to 0.75 d−1 for alcohol ethoxylate, 0.41 d−1 to 0.71 d−1 for alcohol ethoxy sulfate, and 0.26 d−1 to 1.25 d−1 for linear alkylbenzene sulfonate. These rates corresponded to half-lives ranging from 0.041 d to 4.08 d. This method's simplicity and focus on only sediment-associated processes offer potential benefits over the current Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 308 aerobic sediment–water test. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2199–2208. © 2016 SETAC
Combination of Forecasts across Estimation Windows: An Application to Air Travel Demand
Authors: Jungmittag Andre
Published: February 2016

This paper applies combining forecasts of air travel demand generated from the same model but over different estimation windows. The combination approach used resorts to Pesaran and Pick (Journal of Business Economics and Statistics 2011; 29: 307–318), but the empirical application is extended in several ways. The forecasts are based on a seasonal Box–Jenkins model (SARIMA), which is adequate to forecast monthly air travel demand with distinct seasonal patterns at the largest German airport: Frankfurt am Main. Furthermore, forecasts with forecast horizons from 1 to 12 months ahead, which are based on different average estimation windows, expanding windows and single rolling windows, are compared with baseline forecasts based on an expanding window of the observations after a structural break. The forecast exercise shows that the average window forecasts mostly outperform the alternative single window forecasts. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Datasets related to in‐land water for limnology and remote sensing applications: distance‐to‐land, distance‐to‐water, water‐body identifier and lake‐centre co‐ordinates
Authors: Carrea Laura , Embury Owen , Merchant Christopher J.
Published: February 2016

Datasets containing information to locate and identify water bodies have been generated from data locating static‐water‐bodies with resolution of about 300 m (1/360∘) recently released by the Land Cover Climate Change Initiative (LC CCI) of the European Space Agency. The LC CCI water‐bodies dataset has been obtained from multi‐temporal metrics based on time series of the backscattered intensity recorded by ASAR on Envisat between 2005 and 2010. The new derived datasets provide coherently: distance to land, distance to water, water‐body identifiers and lake‐centre locations. The water‐body identifier dataset locates the water bodies assigning the identifiers of the Global Lakes and Wetlands Database (GLWD), and lake centres are defined for in‐land waters for which GLWD IDs were determined. The new datasets therefore link recent lake/reservoir/wetlands extent to the GLWD, together with a set of coordinates which locates unambiguously the water bodies in the database. Information on distance‐to‐land for each water cell and the distance‐to‐water for each land cell has many potential applications in remote sensing, where the applicability of geophysical retrieval algorithms may be affected by the presence of water or land within a satellite field of view (image pixel). During the generation and validation of the datasets some limitations of the GLWD database and of the LC CCI water‐bodies mask have been found. Some examples of the inaccuracies/limitations are presented and discussed. Temporal change in water‐body extent is common. Future versions of the LC CCI dataset are planned to represent temporal variation, and this will permit these derived datasets to be updated.
Geochronology of the Laoshan granitic complex in eastern China and its tectonic implications
Authors: Yan Quanshu , Shi Xuefa
Published: February 2016

During one orogenic cycle, orogenic belts around the world usually experience a transition from compression to extension, with the initiation of extension signalling the end of the compressional process or the beginning of the post‐collisional setting. Igneous rocks in many orogenic belts preserve the record of the transition. For example, igneous (I)‐type and sedimentary (S)‐type granites are closely related to an overall compressional setting, and A‐type granites mainly occur in a post‐collisional extensional setting. Fortunately, I‐type and S‐type granites often juxtapose tectonically with A‐type granites in many orogenic belts in the world, for example, eastern China. High‐precision dating works on these rocks will be helpful to constrain the duration of transition from compression to extension. This study presents zircon U–Pb ages of I‐type and A‐type granites from the Laoshan granitic complex in eastern China, determined through the laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry dating method. The new ages for the I‐type and A‐types granites are 123.4 and 116 Ma, respectively, and these are interpreted to represent the respective emplacement ages for these two types of granites. Our new results, combined with the previously reported 145 Ma for the I‐type granites (determined by the Rb–Sr isotopic dating method) and 113–110.8 Ma for A‐type alkali granites (determined by isotope dilution dating method), indicate that the ages for I‐type granites in the Laoshan granitic complex range from 145 to 123.4 Ma, and those for A‐type in the complex range from 116 to 110.8 Ma. In general, granites in the Laoshan granitic complex record the relatively short‐period tectonic transition process from compression to extension in this region, and the tectonic transition occurred in the whole eastern China margin during the Mesozoic era. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychometric properties and feasibility of instruments for the detection of delirium in older hospitalized patients: a systematic review
Authors: van Velthuijsen Eveline L. , Zwakhalen Sandra M.G. , Warnier Ron M.J. , Mulder Wubbo J. , Verhey Frans R.J. , Kempen Gertrudis I.J.M.
Published: February 2016

Objective

Delirium is a serious and common complication among older hospitalized patients and is a predictor of many adverse outcomes. However, up to 72% of delirium incidents are unrecognized or misdiagnosed. The aim of this systematic review is to determine the validity, reliability, and feasibility of instruments for the detection of delirium in older hospitalized patients.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted. The inclusion criteria were a mean or median age of 65+ years, the use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or International Classification of Diseases‐10 as a reference standard, and publication in English. All included studies underwent a quality assessment (QUADAS‐2).

Results

Forty‐three of the 3.790 identified studies were relevant to the review, describing 28 instruments. Quality assessment resulted in 37 studies with a positive quality assessment, describing 23 instruments. Five instruments (Delirium Observation Scale (DOS), Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu‐DESC), Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), CAM‐Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and Delirium Rating Scale‐Revised‐98) were described in three or more methodologically sound studies. The Delirium Observation Screening Scale (DOS) and Nu‐DESC are observational instruments with good psychometric properties, but the Nu‐DESC is shorter and has been validated in more languages. The CAM, CAM‐ICU, and Delirium Rating Scale‐Revised‐98 (DRS‐R‐98) are instruments with both observational and interactive components. The CAM is the most widely studied and demonstrates the best psychometric properties.

Conclusion

Timely detection of delirium might reduce the negative outcomes of delirium in the long term. The Nu‐DESC and CAM appear to be the most adequate instruments for detecting delirium. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An association between belief in life after death and serum oxytocin in older people in rural Japan
Authors: Imamura Yoshiomi , Mizoguchi Yoshito , Nabeta Hiromi , Haraguchi Yoshinori , Matsushima Jun , Kojima Naoki , Kawashima Toshiro , Yamada Shigeto , Monji Akira
Published: February 2016

Objective

Previous research suggests that spirituality/religiosity has benefits for both mental and physical health, measured using biological indices such as cortisol and IL‐6. However, there have been few studies concerning the association of religious beliefs with oxytocin, a neuropeptide hormone secreted by the pituitary. Levels of peripheral oxytocin are thought to reflect the strength of bonding and stress regulation in social relationships. As such, the oxytocin system may underpin the biological mechanisms by which belief in life after death is associated with good mental and physical health. Here, we examine associations between oxytocin and belief in life after death.

Methods

We recruited 317 community‐dwelling people, aged 65 or older, without cognitive or mental deficits, and living in rural Japan. We recorded demographics, belief in life after death, and logical memory using the Wechsler Memory Scale. Levels of serum oxytocin were obtained using an enzyme immunoassay method.

Results

Serum oxytocin levels were higher among women than men and were negatively associated with strength of belief in life after death.

Conclusions

Our findings could be interpreted differently depending on whether the anxiogenic or anxiolytic function of the oxytocin system is considered. Greater endorsement of afterlife beliefs may reduce secure attachment. Alternatively, based on the literature suggesting that basal levels of oxytocin are lower in those with reduced relational distress or anxiety, afterlife beliefs may play a role in these reductions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anaplastic thyroid cancer: Prognostic factors, patterns of care, and overall survival
Authors: Glaser Scott M. , Mandish Steven F. , Gill Beant S. , Balasubramani Goundappa K. , Clump David A. , Beriwal Sushil
Published: February 2016

Background

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) represents a rare, aggressive malignancy. We analyzed factors predictive for overall survival (OS) and treatment modality utilization.

Methods

Using the National Cancer Data Base, we identified 3552 patients with ATC. Factors associated with surgery, high‐dose radiotherapy (RT; ≥59.4 Gy), and chemotherapy utilization were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. From this, an inverse probability‐weighted propensity score was incorporated into multivariable Cox regression analyses for OS.

Results

Numerous factors predictive for high‐dose RT, total thyroidectomy, and chemotherapy utilization are described. Factors associated with improved survival were absence of clinical or pathologic lymph node involvement, absence of metastasis, tumor size ≤6 cm, negative surgical margins, surgery, RT, and chemotherapy. On conditional landmark analysis, improved survival seen with chemotherapy and surgery other than total thyroidectomy was lost, but persisted for total thyroidectomy and high‐dose RT.

Conclusion

Even after correction for selection and immortal time bias, high‐dose RT resulted in improved survival. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E2083–E2090, 2016
Bubbles and Crises: The Role of House Prices and Credit
Authors: Anundsen André K. , Gerdrup Karsten , Hansen Frank , Kragh‐Sørensen Kasper
Published: February 2016

This paper utilizes quarterly panel data for 20 OECD countries over the period 1975:Q1–2014:Q2 to explore the importance of house prices and credit in affecting the likelihood of a financial crisis. Estimating a set of multivariate logit models, we find that booms in credit to both households and non‐financial enterprises are important to account for when evaluating the stability of the financial system. In addition, we find that global housing market developments have predictive power for domestic financial stability. Finally, econometric measures of bubble‐like behavior in housing and credit markets enter with positive and highly significant coefficients. Specifically, we find that the probability of a crisis increases markedly when bubble‐like behavior in house prices coincides with high household leverage. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incidence of Atypical Femur Fractures in Cancer Patients: The MD Anderson Cancer Center Experience
Authors: Edwards Beatrice J , Sun Ming , West Dennis P , Guindani Michele , Lin Yan Heather , Lu Huifang , Hu Mimi , Barcenas Carlos , Bird Justin , Feng Chun , Saraykar Smita , Tripathy Debasish , Hortobagyi Gabriel N , Gagel Robert , Murphy William A
Published: February 2016

Atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) are rare adverse events attributed to bisphosphonate (BP) use. Few cases of AFF in cancer have been described; the aim of this study is to identify the incidence and risk factors for AFF in a large cancer center. This retrospective study was conducted at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. The incidence rate of AFF among BP users was calculated from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2013. The control group (n = 51) included 2 or 3 patients on BPs matched for age (≤1 year) and gender. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between clinical characteristics and AFF. Twenty-three AFF cases were identified radiographically among 10,587 BP users, the total BP exposure was 53,789 months (4482 years), and the incidence of AFF in BP users was 0.05 cases per 100,000 person-years. Meanwhile, among 300,553 patients who did not receive BPs there were 2 cases of AFF as compared with the 23 cases noted above. The odds ratio (OR) of having AFF in BP users was 355.58 times higher (95% CI, 84.1 to 1501.4, p < 0.0001) than the risk in non-BP users. The OR of having AFF in alendronate users was 5.54 times greater (OR 5.54 [95% CI, 1.60 to 19.112, p = 0.007]) than the odds of having AFF among other BP users. Patients who were on zoledronic acid (ZOL) had smaller odds of developing AFF compared with other BP users in this matched case control sample. AFFs are rare, serious adverse events that occur in patients with cancer who receive BP therapy. Patients with cancer who receive BPs for prior osteoporosis therapy or for metastatic cancer are at higher risk of AFF. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Palovarotene Inhibits Heterotopic Ossification and Maintains Limb Mobility and Growth in Mice With the Human ACVR1R206H Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP) Mutation
Authors: Chakkalakal Salin A , Uchibe Kenta , Convente Michael R , Zhang Deyu , Economides Aris N , Kaplan Frederick S , Pacifici Maurizio , Iwamoto Masahiro , Shore Eileen M
Published: February 2016

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), a rare and as yet untreatable genetic disorder of progressive extraskeletal ossification, is the most disabling form of heterotopic ossification (HO) in humans and causes skeletal deformities, movement impairment, and premature death. Most FOP patients carry an activating mutation in a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) type I receptor gene, ACVR1R206H, that promotes ectopic chondrogenesis and osteogenesis and, in turn, HO. We showed previously that the retinoic acid receptor γ (RARγ) agonist palovarotene effectively inhibited HO in injury-induced and genetic mouse models of the disease. Here we report that the drug additionally prevents spontaneous HO, using a novel conditional-on knock-in mouse line carrying the human ACVR1R206H mutation for classic FOP. In addition, palovarotene restored long bone growth, maintained growth plate function, and protected growing mutant neonates when given to lactating mothers. Importantly, palovarotene maintained joint, limb, and body motion, providing clear evidence for its encompassing therapeutic potential as a treatment for FOP. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.