bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of American ginseng on pharmacokinetics of 5‐fluorouracil in rats
Authors: He Yi‐Sheng , Sun Wei , Wang Chong‐Zhi , Qi Lian‐Wen , Yang Jie , Li Ping , Wen Xiao‐Dong , Yuan Chun‐Su
Published: October 2014

The pharmacokinetics of 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) in combination with or without American ginseng (seven‐consecutive days oral dose) in rats were evaluated using liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry (LC‐MS). Chromatographic separation was performed on a reverse LC column within a total run time of 6.5 min, which allowed for a relatively quick analysis. The limit of quantification for 5‐FU was 15 ng/mL and this method was linear over 15–50,000 ng/mL. This method supported stabilizing determination of the plasma concentration of 5‐FU over a period of 24 h. Precision both interday and intraday (coefficient of variation) was within 14% and accuracy (relative error) ranged from −5 to 14%. In view of the observed pharmacokinetic parameters, including maximum concentration, time to maximum concentration, area under the concentration–time curve (AUC), mean residence time, elimination half‐life and clearance, our results showed no significant differences in all of the pharmacokinetic parameters between the ginseng co‐treated group and 5‐FU alone group. Some increase in AUC was observed in 5‐FU plus ginseng group; however, the difference did not reach statistical significance compared with 5‐FU alone. It appeared that American ginseng administration did not significantly alter the kinetics of 5‐FU. More studies are still needed to confirm our results. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of specific polysaccharide‐immobilized monodisperse poly(glycidyl methacrylate) core–silica shell microspheres for affinity purification of lectins
Authors: Antonyuk Volodymyr , Grama Silvia , Plichta Zdeněk , Magorivska Iryna , Horak Daniel , Stoika Rostyslav
Published: October 2014

Immobilization of polysaccharides (yeast mannan and gum arabic) on the macroporous poly(glycidyl methacrylate) monodisperse microspheres coated with silica (SiO2)‐containing amino groups on the surface was used to prepare affinity sorbents for lectin purification. The efficiency of isolating mannose specific Pisum sativum lectin was demonstrated on sorbent with immobilized yeast mannan and that of galactose specific Glycine hispida lectin on sorbent with immobilized gum arabic. The microspheres with immobilized polysaccharides can be used for selecting an affinity sorbent for purification of other mannose‐ and galactose‐specific lectins. In contrast to yeast mannan, the gum arabic immobilized on the microspheres possesses much narrower specificity and is suitable for purification of only those galactose specific lectins which interact well with l‐rhamnose or l‐arabinose. The synthesized macroporous particles are capable of immobilizing 50 mg of polysaccharide per 1 g of the matrix, which is 10 times higher than the capacity of epoxy‐activated Sepharose 6B. That makes it possible to obtain the same lectin quantity using a column of 10 times smaller volume. Another advantage of novel affinity sorbents comparing corresponding Sepharose gels is the possibility of sorbent drying after use. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Student Voice for School‐Climate Improvement: A Case Study of an Urban Middle School
Authors: Voight Adam
Published: October 2014

This case study used a student voice program in an urban middle school in the southeastern United States to examine the validity of three theoretically derived pathways through which student voice may affect positive school climate. First, using a youth participatory action research process to identify barriers to learning, analyse their root causes, and advocate for solutions to school administration allowed students to influence minor school policies and implement anti‐bullying, classroom‐behaviour‐monitoring, and experiential‐learning initiatives. However, there were challenges to making these policy and practice changes systemic. Second, relationships were formed and strengthened as a byproduct of student participant and staff collaboration in program activities. However, the program may have contributed to an ingroup–outgroup dynamic between participants and other peers. Third, students who participated in the program developed citizenship competencies, and their development may have promoted broader prosocial norms among the student body, though evidence was inconsistent. Study findings suggest that future research examine how variations in the implementation of student voice initiatives can maximize the contribution to a positive school climate in urban schools. Findings also suggest that practitioners should ensure that student teams be representative of a multitude of student identities. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ca2+ and EGF induce the differentiation of human embryo mesenchymal stem cells into epithelial‐like cells
Authors: Wu Minjuan , Zhou Tong , Liu Houqi
Published: October 2014

The mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) occurs in organ development and anti‐tumorigenesis. We have investigated the effects of calcium (Ca2+) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSCs) differentiation into epithelial‐like cells. hMSCs lost their biological characteristics after EGF transfection, and MET was achieved by adding 0.4 mmol Ca2+. Western blotting and immunofluorescence showed expression of EGF, keratin, keratin 19 (K19), β1‐integrin, E‐cadherin and phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (p‐FAK, Ser‐910) increased in hMSCs infected with EGF and exposed to Ca2+, although Smad3 activation was downregulated. hMSCs co‐stimulated with EGF transfection and Ca2+ can therefore differentiate into epithelial‐like cells in vitro.
Multiple lithium‐dependent Brugada syndrome unmasking events in a bipolar patient
Authors: Crawford Rebecca R. , Higdon Ashlee N. , Casey David B. , Good David E. , Mungrue Imran N.
Published: October 2014

Key Clinical Message

This case demonstrates two important points about Brugada syndrome unmasking: electrocardiograph abnormality severity may correspond to lithium levels and unmasking may occur in the therapeutic range of lithium. Also, the correlation of CACNA1C with Brugada and Bipolar suggests allelic disequilibrium, leading to a subpopulation of bipolar patients sensitive to arrhythmia.
A Supramolecular Tetrad Featuring Covalently Linked Ferrocene–Zinc Porphyrin–BODIPY Coordinated to Fullerene: A Charge Stabilizing, Photosynthetic Antenna–Reaction Center Mimic
Authors: Lim Gary N. , Maligaspe Eranda , Zandler Melvin E. , D'Souza Francis
Published: October 2014

A novel photosynthetic‐antenna–reaction‐center model compound, comprised of BF2‐chelated dipyrromethene (BODIPY) as an energy‐harvesting antenna, zinc porphyrin (ZnP) as the primary electron donor, ferrocene (Fc) as a hole‐shifting agent, and phenylimidazole‐functionalized fulleropyrrolidine (C60Im) as an electron acceptor, has been synthesized and characterized. Optical absorption and emission, computational structure optimization, and cyclic voltammetry studies were systematically performed to establish the role of each entity in the multistep photochemical reactions. The energy‐level diagram established from optical and redox data helped identifying different photochemical events. Selective excitation of BODIPY resulted in efficient singlet energy transfer to the ZnP entity. Ultrafast electron transfer from the 1ZnP* (formed either as a result of singlet–singlet energy transfer or direct excitation) or 1C60* of the coordinated fullerene resulting into the formation of the Fc–(C60.−Im:ZnP.+)–BODIPY radical ion pair was witnessed by femtosecond transient absorption studies. Subsequent hole migration to the ferrocene entity resulted in the Fc+–(C60.+Im:ZnP)–BODIPY radical ion pair that persisted for 7–15 μs, depending upon the solvent conditions and contributions from the triplet excited states of ZnP and ImC60, as revealed by the nanosecond transient spectral studies. Better utilization of light energy in generating the long‐lived charge‐separated state with the help of the present “antenna–reaction‐center” model system has been successfully demonstrated.
The human costs of cancer and the response of the national cancer program
Authors: Broder Samuel
Published: October 2014

The three foundations of the National Cancer Program are basic research, clinical trials (in prevention and treatment), and cancer centers. These foundations have supported a great deal of progress against cancer over the past 20 years. Nevertheless, a number of challenges remain, and continued progress will depend on the speed with which research advances can be translated into practical realities. Poverty is a risk factor for cancer incidence and mortality. Thus, a lack of access to the technologies generated by the National Cancer Program can be a force for bringing about differential burdens of cancer in underserved populations.
Forces of change in the health care system: Implications for cancer care in the 1990s
Authors: Ettinger Walter H.
Published: October 2014

Dramatic changes will occur in the health care system during the 1990s which will profoundly affect the delivery of care for cancer. Perhaps the most important factor is the aging of the population. As the proportion of people who achieve old age increases, the absolute prevalence and incidence of cancer will increase despite improved treatment techniques. This phenomenon will increase health care expenditures despite ongoing efforts to control costs. Second, there will be continuing efforts at cost control and increased emphasis on quality assurance and outcomes by third party payers. Providers will be scrutinized and compared with one another. The large payers of the nation's health care bills will demand proof of outcome and cost leading to bidding by providers and payment only to those who have the best outcome for the least money. Third, there will be an increasing emphasis on prevention and screening, in public health policy, an approach that may conflict with personal freedom. Fourth, there will be increasing deliberations and questions about the ethics of the health care system and treatment decisions. There will be continuing debate about the need for a rationing of health care and the right of individual privacy versus the states' right to preserve life. These changes will impact on all health care professionals whose practice includes patients with cancer.
Access to cancer prevention, detection, and treatment
Authors: Steiner Carol B.
Published: October 2014

The American Cancer Society Hearings on Cancer and the Poor made visible to the nation the harsh realities and consequences of lack of access to health care among the poor and uninsured in America. Access to care is more than mere availability; it is also financial accessibility, effectiveness, acceptability, appropriateness, and comprehensiveness of care. The problems and consequences of lack of health care access and its impact on the cancer problem among poor Americans are explored, and ways practitioners and public advocates can improve access are suggested. Local communities have risen to action to make health care more accessible. Successful programs have done their research to document access problems; then they have taken their findings to county governments to request additional funding and to health care institutions to request institutional policy and service changes to make health care more available and accessible.
The role of chemotherapy for node‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Robert M. Cooper
Published: October 2014

Approximately 25% of women with early stage breast cancer and negative axillary nodes will eventually die of metastatic disease. Some studies have shown a recurrence rate of 40% or more at 10 years in this relatively good prognostic group. The incidence of breast cancer continues to increase approximately 1% per year with a great increase in the frequency of early stage disease (particularly in situ carcinoma). The increased use of mammography and physical examination with appropriate follow‐up will increase the frequency of diagnosis of node‐negative patients compared with those with more advanced stages. Women with positive axillary nodes who are premenopausal benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy, whereas those who are postmenopausal have shown a clear reduction in mortality when treated with tamoxifen. It is even more reasonable to speculate that women with node‐negative disease could have an even greater benefit from adjuvant therapy because they have a lower tumor burden at the time of diagnosis.

Compared with earlier clinical adjuvant trials, more recent studies (1981–89) have shown a disease‐free survival advantage for node‐negative breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. Hopefully, the differences noticed in disease‐free survival will show a similar survival advantage with further observations. The results of these clinical trials suggest that adjuvant chemotherapy may be of benefit to patients with node‐negative disease but do not support the contention that all node‐negative patients with breast cancer should receive adjuvant chemotherapy. Some prognostic subgroups (tumor size > 2 cm) have shown an overall 10‐year survival rate of 92% for women who have not received adjuvant therapy. The benefits versus toxicities of adjuvant therapy should be carefully evaluated before the initiation of adjuvant therapy.
Measuring the quality of care for the cancer patient
Authors: Marder Robert J.
Published: October 2014

In recent years, the efforts to better define quality of patient care have focused on attempts to improve on the measurement of quality. These efforts raise three questions: (1) Why attempt to measure quality? (2) What is the best way to measure quality of care of the cancer patient? and (3) What must be done to achieve this? Three main reasons for measuring quality of patient care are to describe the current state, plan strategies for improvement, and implement and monitor improvements. To measure quality, both the definition of quality and the tools available for measurement must be addressed. The difficulty in developing a measurable definition of quality is achieving agreement on the measurable components of quality. The tools to measure quality have evolved to focus on monitoring of key indicators for comparative use. The utility of indicators lies in demonstrating that they have the capacity to identify opportunities for improving care. The Joint Commission is improving measurement tools through the development and testing of oncology indicators for reliability and the capacity to identify opportunities for improving care. The development and teaching of new quality improvement methods to health care professionals also is necessary.
Clinical trials: Access and reimbursement
Authors: Farrar William B.
Published: October 2014

Clinical trials continue to play an extremely important role in clinical oncology, but of the nearly 1 million cancer patients diagnosed in the United States each year, only 2.5% (25,000) participate in such trials. Access to clinical trials has been enhanced by the adoption by the NCI of a promotional campaign that involves seminars, dissemination of information to national and local news media, and assisting in making information about clinical trials available to patients and physicians. Factors that hinder accrual of patients to clinical trials include: (1) physicians' concern about losing contact with patients, (2) physicians who feel that “experimental therapy” is not as good as “standard therapy,” and (3) the time it takes to discuss and implement clinical trials. Reimbursement for clinical trials has also become a major concern. Who should pay for clinical research? Many insurance companies have been reluctant to pay for “experimental therapy” but will pay for “standard therapy.” If this trend continues, the whole concept and organization of clinical trials, i.e., Phase I, II, and III trials, will be greatly hindered. Solutions must be found, and third party payers need to realize that an investment in clinical trials today will decrease the long term costs of state‐of‐the‐art care.
Clinical trials: A family physician's perspective
Authors: Long Douglas G.
Published: October 2014

Primary care specialists diagnose and manage a wide variety of problems. Cancer is one relatively small part of the practice of these clinicians. Patients with newly diagnosed cancer usually are referred to surgical specialists. Primary care physicians often determine future events after surgical care. Oncologists may or may not be consulted depending on tumor type and past experiences of the physician, patient, and patient's family. Many primary care physicians think that chemotherapy regimens given empirically have little if any scientific evidence to support their use. Side effects of cancer treatment regimens often cause suffering and profoundly effect quality of life. There is a lack of communication between oncologists and primary care physicians. Dialogue between oncologists and primary care doctors may help solve communication problems. Clinical trials help determine which treatments are effective. Many clinical trials are conducted at the community hospital level. Most primary care physicians support clinical trials once they know about them. Education activities should be directed at promoting patient referral for participation in clinical trials.
Increasing the cancer screening of the medically underserved in south florida
Authors: Mccoy Clyde B. , Nielsen Beverly B. , Chitwood Dale D. , Zavertnik Joseph J. , Khoury Elizabeth L.
Published: October 2014

Diagnosis and treatment of cancers at advanced stages have contributed to a significantly lower survival rate among individuals of low socioeconomic status compared with those in higher brackets. In an effort to increase the accessibility and acceptability of cancer screening among such individuals in Dade County, Florida, the Cancer Control Division of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami School of Medicine initiated a pilot early detection program in 1987. The program initially provided breast cancer screening for women, aged 40 and older, who attended ten community health care centers located in low‐income neighborhoods. With the selection of Miami by the American Cancer Society as one of three sites for conducting a screening demonstration project for the socioeconomically disadvantaged, this program has recently been expanded to include pelvic screening for women, aged 40 and older, and prostate screening for men, aged 65 and older.
Prevention and changing demographics: The underserved and cancer
Authors: Bal Dileep G.
Published: October 2014

This paper illustrates the complexity of the “cancer control in the underserved” problem, especially as it is affected currently, and will be in the future, by the multiple demographic changes in the United States. It does so by extensively quoting from four rather different articles by authors from a variety of backgrounds in health, management, and economics. Another issue is that although the articles quoted refer mainly to secondary and tertiary prevention, they do apply equally to primary prevention and health promotion. Furthermore, the twin issues of priority and ethnic/cultural differences need to be addressed insofar as they affect health risks, risk reduction efforts, early diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation/disability reduction. Finally, the point is made that social and structural change of this magnitude cannot occur in the health care system and society at large without the allocation of discrete private and public sector resources.
Cessation of treatment in advanced cancer
Authors: Krakoff Irwin H.
Published: October 2014

A major responsibility for all physicians, but particularly for oncologists, is to recognize the time when active antitumor treatment ceases to have a rational basis. The decision to treat or not to treat at any stage of disease requires an analysis of “the legitimate aims of therapy.” We have acquired the ability to cure or prolong survival in an increasing proportion of patients with several types of cancer. For patients who fail to achieve those results and for those with tumors that are rarely amenable to specific therapy, the choice of less surely effective therapy is an option; the patient must participate in the decision, armed with as much information and insight as possible, for conventional and experimental treatment. A distinction must be made between specific antitumor therapy and palliative measures for which cessation is never an option. Happily, cessation of treatment must also be considered when therapy has been so successful that the patient has achieved complete remission. At what point may treatment be discontinued without the danger of relapse? These issues are rarely crisply defined, but primary concern for the patient and careful analysis of the available data can lead to appropriate value judgments.
Activity of Platinum/Carbon and Palladium/Carbon Catalysts Promoted by Ni2P in Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells
Authors: Li Guoqiang , Feng Ligang , Chang Jinfa , Wickman Björn , Grönbeck Henrik , Liu Changpeng , Xing Wei
Published: October 2014

Ethanol is an alternative fuel for direct alcohol fuel cells, in which the electrode materials are commonly based on Pt or Pd. Owing to the excellent promotion effect of Ni2P that was found in methanol oxidation, we extended the catalyst system of Pt or Pd modified by Ni2P in direct ethanol fuel cells. The Ni2P‐promoted catalysts were compared to commercial catalysts as well as to reference catalysts promoted with only Ni or only P. Among the studied catalysts, Pt/C and Pd/C modified by Ni2P (30 wt %) showed both the highest activity and stability. Upon integration into the anode of a homemade direct ethanol fuel cell, the Pt‐Ni2P/C‐30 % catalyst showed a maximum power density of 21 mW cm−2, which is approximately two times higher than that of a commercial Pt/C catalyst. The Pd‐Ni2P/C‐30 % catalyst exhibited a maximum power density of 90 mW cm−2. This is approximately 1.5 times higher than that of a commercial Pd/C catalyst. The discharge stability on both two catalysts was also greatly improved over a 12 h discharge operation.
External Q of loop coupled dielectric resonator
Authors: Kaneki Toshiyuki , Kobayashi Shinji
Published: October 2014

When a dielectric resonator is used for a filter or for frequency stabilization of an oscillator, often it is necessary to know its external Q. This paper studies theoretically the external Q values under the assumption that the dielectric resonator is installed in a cylindrical metal case and a loop is used for coupling between the resonator and the external circuit. In the analysis, instead of using the electromagnetic field in the dielectric resonator, the resonator is replaced with a polarization current from which the vector potential is derived. From the vector potential, the magnetic field distribution is calculated. The power is supplied to the external circuit by the loop coupling of this magnetic field. From the energy stored in the dielectric resonator and the power delivered to the circuit, the external Q is derived. To study the effect of the metal case on the external Q value, cases with various heights have been considered at 3.5 GHz and the effectiveness of the method is confirmed by comparison with experiments.
Synthesis of Atomically Precise Silver Clusters by Using the Miscibility Principle
Authors: Ghosh Atanu , Pradeep Thalappil
Published: October 2014

Invited for the cover of this issue is Thalappil Pradeep at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India. The cover image shows a schematic phase diagram of the three‐component solvent system used for preparing monolayer‐protected silver clusters. The different clusters obtained by keeping the reactants the same but adjusting the solvent system by moving to different regions of the phase diagram are shown in different colors.
Stereoselective Synthesis of Highly Substituted α‐Silylamines from Silylmethyl Azides under Ru Catalysis
Authors: Jeong Wook , Kim Jungjoon , Park Jaiwook , Rhee Young Ho
Published: October 2014

A synthetic strategy towards highly substituted α‐silyl homoallylic amines was discovered. The key event is the unique synthesis of N‐unsubstituted α‐silylimines from azide precursors under mild conditions. Of particular note is the unprecedented access to α‐silylamines possessing multiple stereocenters and functional groups with high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity. The synthetic utility of the method was demonstrated by the use of the silyl moiety as the key element that enables late‐stage modification for the iminium ion mediated oxidative cyclization.
Cost modeling of lithium‐ion battery cells for automotive applications
Authors: Patry Gaëtan , Romagny Alex , Martinet Sébastien , Froelich Daniel
Published: October 2014

The purpose of this study was to highlight the technical and economic issues arising in lithium‐ion cells for automotive applications, and to indicate some potential solutions to lower the cost. This topic has already been the subject of some studies, but, although of primary importance, the role on cost of a cell design parameter, the electrode coating thickness, has rarely been described. This study intends to explore particularly the influence of this parameter. To do so, the cost of cells with four positive electrode materials (NMC, NCA, LFP, and LMO), and the same negative electrode material are compared at several electrode thickness. The cost of these cells is computed using an innovative model and varies between 230 and 400 $ per kWh. With the assumptions used, it appears that the potential savings resulting from doubling the electrode coating thickness from 50 to 100 μm at a given porosity represent roughly 25% of the cell cost. The electrode coating thickness emerges as an essential parameter for an unbiased cells cost comparison. This article gives a view of the current lithium‐ion cells costs, and provides guidelines to lower cells cost.
Acute toxicity of binary and ternary mixtures of Cd, Cu, and Zn to Daphnia magna
Authors: Meyer Joseph S. , Ranville James F. , Pontasch Mandee , Gorsuch Joseph W. , Adams William J.
Published: October 2014

Standard static-exposure acute lethality tests were conducted with Daphnia magna neonates exposed to binary or ternary mixtures of Cd, Cu, and Zn in moderately hard reconstituted water that contained 3 mg dissolved organic carbon/L added as Suwannee River fulvic acid. These experiments were conducted to test for additive toxicity (i.e., the response to the mixture can be predicted by combining the responses obtained in single-metal toxicity tests) or nonadditive toxicity (i.e., the response is less than or greater than additive). Based on total metal concentrations (>90% dissolved) the toxicity of the tested metal mixtures could be categorized into all 3 possible additivity categories: less-than-additive toxicity (e.g., Cd–Zn and Cd–Cu–Zn mixtures and Cd–Cu mixtures when Cu was titrated into Cd-containing waters), additive toxicity (e.g., some Cu–Zn mixtures), or more-than-additive toxicity (some Cu–Zn mixtures and Cd–Cu mixtures when Cd was titrated into Cu-containing waters). Exposing the organisms to a range of sublethal to supralethal concentrations of the titrated metal was especially helpful in identifying nonadditive interactions. Geochemical processes (e.g., metal–metal competition for binding to dissolved organic matter and/or the biotic ligand, and possibly supersaturation of exposure waters with the metals in some high-concentration exposures) can explain much of the observed metal–metal interactions. Therefore, bioavailability models that incorporate those geochemical (and possibly some physiological) processes might be able to predict metal mixture toxicity accurately. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:799–808. © 2014 SETAC
Analysis Process for Different Polymere Electrolyte Fuel Cell Stacks to Derive a Control Strategy Based on Impedance Data
Authors: Keller S. , Popenheim A. , Hempel M. , Gläsker K. , Manoli Y.
Published: October 2014

To further the development of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells control strategies must be developed and optimized. In this study, an analysis process to derive a control strategy based on impedance data is developed and investigated. For this purpose an air cooled stack consisting of 12 cells and developed at Fraunhofer ISE was investigated. Impedance spectra were measured at different operating conditions to identify relevant frequencies at which an online control algorithm should be developed. A comparison of the impedance data between the analyzed stack and commercially available stacks of both air cooled and liquid cooled architectures suggest that the usable frequency ranges are independent of the stack. Hence, the presented analysis process is not limited to a specific stack design and yields a measure for the fuel cell's state of health that does not need information of a complete spectrum, but rather uses impedance data at a few discrete frequencies as control input.
Photopiezoelectric Composites of Azobenzene‐Functionalized Polyimides and Polyvinylidene Fluoride
Authors: Wie Jeong Jae , Wang David H. , Tondiglia Vincent P. , Tabiryan Nelson V. , Vergara‐Toloza Rafael O. , Tan Loon‐Seng , White Timothy J.
Published: October 2014

Light is a readily available and sustainable energy source. Transduction of light into mechanical work or electricity in functional materials, composites, or systems has other potential advantages derived from the ability to remotely, spatially, and temporally control triggering by light. Toward this end, this work examines photoinduced piezoelectric (photopiezoelectric) effects in laminate composites prepared from photoresponsive polymeric materials and the piezoelectric polymer polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). In the geometry studied here, photopiezoelectric conversion is shown to strongly depend on the photomechanical properties inherent to the azobenzene‐functionalized polyimides. Based on prior examinations of photomechanical effects in azobenzene‐functionalized polyimides, this investigation focuses on amorphous materials and systematically varies the concentration of azobenzene in the copolymers. The baseline photomechanical response of the set of polyimides is characterized in cantilever deflection experiments. To improve the photomechanical response of the materials and enhance the electrical conversion, the polyimides are drawn to increase the magnitude of the deflection as well as photogenerated stress. In laminate composites, the photomechanical response of the materials in sequenced light exposure is shown to transduce light energy into electrical energy. The frequency of the photopiezoelectric response of the composite can match the frequency of the sequenced light exposing the films.

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Effects of food processing on polyphenol contents: A systematic analysis using Phenol‐Explorer data
Authors: Rothwell Joseph A. , Medina‐Remón Alexander , Pérez‐Jiménez Jara , Neveu Vanessa , Knaze Viktoria , Slimani Nadia , Scalbert Augustin
Published: October 2014

Scope

The Phenol‐Explorer web database (http://www.phenol‐explorer.eu) was recently updated with new data on polyphenol retention due to food processing. Here, we analyze these data to investigate the effect of different variables on polyphenol content and make recommendations aimed at refining estimation of intake in epidemiological studies.

Methods and results

Data on the effects of processing upon 161 polyphenols compiled for the Phenol‐Explorer database were analyzed to investigate the effects of polyphenol structure, food, and process upon polyphenol loss. These were expressed as retention factors (RFs), fold changes in polyphenol content due to processing. Domestic cooking of common plant foods caused considerable losses (median RF = 0.45–0.70), although variability was high. Food storage caused fewer losses, regardless of food or polyphenol (median RF = 0.88, 0.95, 0.92 for ambient, refrigerated, and frozen storage, respectively). The food under study was often a more important determinant of retention than the process applied.

Conclusion

Phenol‐Explorer data enable polyphenol losses due to processing from many different foods to be rapidly compared. Where experimentally determined polyphenol contents of a processed food are not available, only published RFs matching at least the food and polyphenol of interest should be used when building food composition tables for epidemiological studies.
Integration of mass spectrometry and RNA‐Seq data to confirm human ab initio predicted genes and lncRNAs
Authors: Sun Han , Chen Chen , Shi Meng , Wang Dandan , Liu Mingwei , Li Daixi , Yang Pengyuan , Li Yixue , Xie Lu
Published: October 2014

MS/MS has been used to improve genome annotation in various organisms. The classical approach is to construct comprehensive theoretical peptide database with six frame translation model from the whole ORF of a genome and search against this database with real MS/MS spectra. In this work we took a more focused approach, we constructed a database containing only peptides from the ab initio predicted genes from current human genome annotation, and all theoretical peptides from currently annotated lncRNAs, and searched such a database with MS/MS data from human Hela cell line. The purpose of this design is to find translation evidence for ab initio predicted genes and to rule out possible wrongly defined lncRNAs in a systematic proteogenomics effort. To validate proteogenomics results, we integrated RNA‐Seq data analysis for the same Hela cell line which generated MS/MS data, and performed MRM experiment on self‐cultured Hela cell line samples. Six peptides were found to support ab initio predicted genes with both RNA‐Seq and MRM validations, while none was found to support a translated lncRNA. This workflow could be flexibly applied to other human samples and datasets to help further improve human gene annotation.
A Nanoplasmonic‐Fluorescent Ruler for Detection of Site‐Specific Protein Binding to Composite DNA of Multiple Sites
Authors: Lukman Steven , Sutarlie Laura , Li Ning , Su Xiaodi
Published: October 2014

A gold or silver nanoparticles (AuNPs and AgNPs)‐supported fluorescent intercalator displacement (FID) assay, termed nanoplasmonic‐fluorescent ruler, for site‐specific detection of protein binding to composite DNA of multiple sites is constructed. A 20 nm, 100 nm AuNPs, or 80 nm AgNPs is introduced to one end of double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA). The dsDNA–AuNPs conjugates are saturated with a DNA intercalator, thiazole orange (TO). The distance‐determined fluorescent quenching and enhancement by mNPs give each intercalated TO its own contribution to the overall fluorescent ­intensity, according to their distance to the particles. Protein binding at a specific DNA site displaces the respective TO molecules, causing relative fluorescent intensity drop that is of a function of distance. Proteins Sp1 and ERα and their composite DNA, containing two identical Sp1 sites and one ERα site, are studied. With the smaller particle (i.e., 20 nm AuNPs) and larger particles (i.e., 100 nm AuNPs and 80 nm AgNPs) as quenching and enhancement ­profilers, respectively, it is possible to detect preferential binding of Sp1 to one of its sites, identify protein bound, and determine the cooperative binding of Sp1 and ERα where conventional FID fails unless a comprehensive set of DNA with respective protein sites being mutated is involved.
Hydrologic Variability Influences Local Probability of Pallid Sturgeon Occurrence in a Missouri River Tributary
Authors: Hamel M. J. , Spurgeon J. J. , Pegg M. A. , Hammen J. J. , Rugg M. L.
Published: October 2014

A river's flow regime creates and maintains spatial variability in habitat and dictates the distribution and abundance of riverine fishes. Changes to patterns of natural hydrologic variation and disturbance create novel flow conditions and may influence distribution of native fishes. We examined local and regional‐scale factors that influenced the presence of pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus in the Platte River, a large tributary to the Missouri River in Nebraska, USA. Daily river discharge, diel flow variability, season and location in the study area were the most supported variables in logistic regression models explaining pallid sturgeon distribution. The probability of pallid sturgeon occurrence was greatest during periods of high discharge (>90th percentile flows) in the spring and fall. Pallid sturgeon occurrence was always lower when variability in diel flow patterns was high (i.e. hydropeaking). Our results indicate that pallid sturgeon use of the lower Platte River was strongly tied to the flow regime. Therefore, the lower Platte River may provide an opportunity to preserve and restore sturgeon and possibly other large‐river fishes through appropriate water management strategies. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Highly Solid‐State Emissive Pyridinium‐Substituted Tetraphenylethylene Salts: Emission Color‐Tuning with Counter Anions and Application for Optical Waveguides
Authors: Hu Fang , Zhang Guanxin , Zhan Chi , Zhang Wei , Yan Yongli , Zhao Yongsheng , Fu Hongbing , Zhang Deqing
Published: October 2014

In this paper seven salts of pyridinium‐substituted tetraphenylethylene with different anions are reported. They show typical aggregation‐induced emission. Crystal structures of three of the salts with (CF3SO2)2N−, CF3SO3
−, and SbF6
− as the respective counter anions, are determined. The emission behavior of their amorphous and crystalline solids is investigated. Both amorphous and crystalline solids, except for the one with I−, are highly emissive. Certain amorphous solids are red‐emissive with almost the same quantum yields and fluorescence life‐times. However, some crystalline solids are found to show different emission colors varying from green to yellow. Thus, their emission colors can be tuned by the counter anions. Furthermore, certain crystalline solids are highly emissive compared to the respective amorphous solids. Such solid‐state emission behavior of these pyridinium‐substituted tetraphenylethylene salts is interpreted on the basis of their crystal structures. In addition, optical waveguiding behavior of fabricated microrods is presented.
Computed Tomography‐Based Assessment of Abdominal Adiposity Changes and Their Impact on Metabolic Alterations Following Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Galanakis Christos G. , Daskalakis Markos , Manios Andreas , Xyda Argyro , Karantanas Apostolos H. , Melissas John
Published: October 2014

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of surgically induced weight loss on the abdominal adipose tissue depots and the metabolic profile in morbidly obese (MO) patients.

Methods

The study was performed with a semi‐automated quantification of adipose tissue compartments on single‐slice abdominal CT series before surgery, 6 and 12 months after bariatric surgery. Thirty‐eight MO patients with mean age of 35.7 ± 10.1 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 43.6 ± 6.5 kg/m2 were studied (20 patients underwent gastric banding and 18 patients underwent sleeve gastrectomy). Anthropometric measurements, metabolic and inflammatory parameters were analyzed in each patient.

Results

Markedly decreased levels of total abdominal adipose tissue, abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (AbSAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) at 6 and 12 months were noted in comparison to the preoperative values. The total % reduction of VAT was significant higher in comparison to the total % reduction of AbSAT at 12 months after bariatric surgery (P < 0.01) with the mean ratio of AbSAT/VAT to increase from 4.1 ± 1.7 preoperatively to 6.2 ± 3.1 at 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.001). In addition, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) decreased significantly with weight loss after bariatric surgery and the total abdominal lipid loss was related to the decrease in hsCRP.

Conclusions

Significant changes in abdominal lipid deposition occurred in MO patients 6 and 12 months after bariatric surgery. The changes were significantly, correlated with the magnitude of BMI loss. The fat redistribution may contribute to the improvements in metabolic abnormalities.
Brucellosis in children
Authors: Alshaalan Mohammad A. , Alalola Sulaiman A. , Almuneef Maha A. , Albanyan Esam A. , Balkhy Hanan H. , AlShahrani Dayel A. , Johani Sameera Al
Published: October 2014

In Saudi Arabia, brucellosis is an endemic zoonotic disease. Although it is believed that children are not commonly involved, a number of reports from endemic areas exhibited a high percentage of pediatric patients (20-30% of affected patients). Clinical manifestations of childhood brucellosis are varied and range from minimal symptoms to extreme morbidity and occasional fatality. Asymptomatic infections are also not uncommon. The fact that brucellosis is endemic in the Kingdom became clear in the early 1980s. Several reasons have been consid-ered, but the most prominent of them is the increase in the importation of animals from areas where brucellosis is endemic, especially some African countries. Consumption of raw milk and, to a lesser extent, contact with infected animals or their products are the primary routes of infection. The consumption of fresh, unpasteurized milk from camels is a traditional practice, and people believe that boiling the milk removes nutritional value.
Confined flow of suspensions modelled by a frictional rheology
Authors: Lecampion Brice , Garagash Dmitry I.
Published: October 2014

We investigate in detail the problem of confined pressure-driven laminar flow of neutrally buoyant non-Brownian suspensions using a frictional rheology based on the recent proposal of Boyer et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 107 (18), 2011, 188301). The friction coefficient (shear stress over particle normal stress) and solid volume fraction are taken as functions of the dimensionless viscous number $I$ defined as the ratio between the fluid shear stress and the particle normal stress. We clarify the contributions of the contact and hydrodynamic interactions on the evolution of the friction coefficient between the dilute and dense regimes reducing the phenomenological constitutive description to three physical parameters. We also propose an extension of this constitutive framework from the flowing regime (bounded by the maximum flowing solid volume fraction) to the fully jammed state (the random close packing limit). We obtain an analytical solution of the fully developed flow in channel and pipe for the frictional suspension rheology. The result can be transposed to dry granular flow upon appropriate redefinition of the dimensionless number $I$. The predictions are in excellent agreement with available experimental results for neutrally buoyant suspensions, when using the values of the constitutive parameters obtained independently from stress-controlled rheological measurements. In particular, the frictional rheology correctly predicts the transition from Poiseuille to plug flow and the associated particles migration with the increase of the entrance solid volume fraction. We also numerically solve for the axial development of the flow from the inlet of the channel/pipe toward the fully developed state. The available experimental data are in good agreement with our numerical predictions, when using an accepted phenomenological description of the relative phase slip obtained independently from batch-settlement experiments. The solution of the axial development of the flow notably provides a quantitative estimation of the entrance length effect in a pipe for suspensions when the continuum assumption is valid. Practically, the latter requires that the predicted width of the central (jammed) plug is wider than one particle diameter. A simple analytical expression for development length, inversely proportional to the gap-averaged diffusivity of a frictional suspension, is shown to encapsulate the numerical solution in the entire range of flow conditions from dilute to dense.
Tolerance and the effect of high doses of wheat bran extract, containing arabinoxylan–oligosaccharides, and oligofructose on faecal output: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial
Authors: François Isabelle E. J. A. , Lescroart Olivier , Veraverbeke Wim S. , Windey Karen , Verbeke Kristin , Broekaert Willem F.
Published: October 2014

Wheat bran extract (WBE) is a food-grade soluble fibre preparation that is highly enriched in arabinoxylan–oligosaccharides. In this placebo-controlled cross-over human intervention trial, tolerance to WBE as well as the effects of WBE on faecal parameters, including faecal output and bowel habits, were studied. After a 2-week run-in period, twenty healthy volunteers consumed WBE (15 g/d in the first week, 30 g/d in the second week), oligofructose (15 g/d in the first week, 30 g/d in the second week) and placebo (for 2 weeks) in a random order, with 2-week washout periods between each treatment period. Subjects collected a 72 h stool sample for analysis of faecal output, stool pH and stool moisture concentration. Additionally, the volunteers completed questionnaires scoring occurrence frequency and distress severity of eighteen gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. An overall GI symptom measure was calculated to analyse the overall effect of WBE and oligofructose on GI symptoms. Intake of both 30 g/d WBE and 30 g/d oligofructose lowered stool pH, indicative of increased colonic fermentation, and increased stool moisture concentration as compared with placebo intake. Intake of 30 g/d oligofructose increased the overall GI symptom measure by 1·9-fold as compared with placebo intake. Intake of WBE at doses up to 30 g/d did not affect the overall GI symptom measure. WBE exerts beneficial effects on stool characteristics and is well tolerated at up to 30 g/d. Oligofructose exerts comparable beneficial effects on stool characteristics. However, intake of 30 g/d oligofructose appears to cause GI discomfort to some extent.
REHABILITATING THE HOARD: THE SOCIAL DYNAMICS OF UNBANKING IN AFRICA AND BEYOND
Authors: Peebles Gustav
Published: October 2014

If a thriving capitalist economy relies on the innumerable small deposits of savings that local people place in banks, then ‘unbanking’ represents a threat to just such an economy. And yet, across the globe, billions remain outside the formal banking sector, thereby reducing the ability of formal banks to set these savings in motion. This unbanking has been the subject of many reports and studies by economists, corporations and non-profit organizations, but unbanking never seems to diminish. Indeed, by all accounts, it continues to thrive. In order to offer an alternative explanation for this phenomenon, the author revives an important, age-old distinction between hoarding and saving, while also providing an anthropological survey of alternative modes of saving in Africa. In so doing, the author argues that the critics of unbanking may be ignoring the ways in which banking and unbanking are tied up with subject formation.
Alleviation of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced photoinhibition in diatom Chaetoceros curvisetus by ocean acidification
Authors: Chen Heng , Guan Wanchun , Zeng Guoquan , Li Ping , Chen Shaobo
Published: October 2014

The study aimed to unravel the interaction between ocean acidification and solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in Chaetoceros curvisetus. Chaetoceros curvisetus cells were acclimated to high CO2 (HC, 1000 ppmv) and low CO2 concentration (control, LC, 380 ppmv) for 14 days. Cell density, specific growth rate and chlorophyll were measured. The acclimated cells were then exposed to PAB (photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) + UV-A + UV-B), PA (PAR + UV-A) or P (PAR) for 60 min. Photochemical efficiency (ΦPSII), relative electron transport rate (rETR) and the recovery of ΦPSII were determined. HC induced higher cell density and specific growth rate compared with LC. However, no difference was found in chlorophyll between HC and LC. Moreover, ΦPSII and rETRs were higher under HC than LC in response to solar UVR. P exposure led to faster recovery of ΦPSII, both under HC and LC, than PA and PAB exposure. It appeared that harmful effects of UVR on C. curvisetus could be counteracted by ocean acidification simulated by high CO2 when the effect of climate change is not beyond the tolerance of cells.