bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital Rock Approaches to Estimate the Impact of Early Quartz Cementation in Miocene Deepwater Sands Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria
Authors: Adeola Ibukunoluwa S. , Buckman Jim , Couples Gary , Adeola Adewole John
Published: July 2017

Quartz cement forming as syntaxial overgrowths is one of the most abundant cement type in sandstones. The rim and occluding cements develop around the surfaces of frame work grains and fill up pore spaces with no preferred orientation with grain surfaces. Imaging the various forms of quartz cement generation and development in 3D as it increases through time will help in further evaluation and better understanding of a reservoir in deep water sands in Niger Delta Basin.Petrographic analysis was performed on 10 Samples with micron resolutions of 0.675 and 0.337 per pixel. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) using the Cathoduluminiscence (CL) and Back Scattered Electron (BSE) was employed in delineating the detrital quartz from the syntaxial quartz cements. Image J Software and Scandium Software were employed in binarizing the BSE image samples and study the iteration porosity, final porosity and permeability. 3DSlicer software was employed to produce 3D images for better understanding of the impact of early cement in the deep water sands. Two Phase Flow Models was also generated for each samples to outlines the effect of cementation.Quartz cement reduces porosity and peremability significantly at early stages of quartz cementation. Small local quartz overgrowths do join and link together with increasing cement precipitation hence gradually impeding porosity and drastically reducing permeability. Modelled results showed similar trends and this is an indication that when analysing a top reservoir unit, once the cementation is more than 6% the possibility of it being a good reservoir is relatively low.
The Marketization of Higher Education Discourse: A Genre Analysis of University Website Homepages in China
Authors: ZHANG Tongtong
Published: July 2017

The past three decades have witnessed the growing influence of market forces on higher education, resulting in what is defined by Fairclough (1993) as the marketization of academic discourse. The present study attempts to examine the effect of such trend on university website homepages in China, which is an under-researched genre of higher education discourse. By applying the Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and genre analytical approach, this article describes the generic characteristics of the “About Us” section in five university website homepages, analyzing the structural organization, rhetorical moves, communicative purposes as well as the discursive strategies used in the text. Research shows that authoritative discourse forms the key note in this genre, a reflection of the centralized operation of Chinese universities. Meanwhile, the existence of conversational discourse reveals the university’s endeavor to establish a friendly relationship with the prospective students. Furthermore, promotional elements in terms of both contents and linguistic choices have been employed to help construct a positive image of universities to stand out in the stiff competition in today’s higher education market in China.
Aansprakelijkheidsrisico’s bij het gebruiken van een lege projectvennootschap: aandeelhouders- of bestuurdersaansprakelijkheid?
Authors: Lokin E.C.H.J. , Schotel O.J.W.
Published: July 2017

Aansprakelijkheidsrisico’s bij het gebruiken van een lege projectvennootschap: aandeelhouders- of bestuurdersaansprakelijkheid? Beschouwingen bij HR 24 maart 2017, NJ 2017/149 (Hanzevast/G4 II)

De auteurs gaan aan de hand van het Hanzevast/G4 II-arrest in op het verhaalsrisico bij het contracteren door middel van lege projectvennootschappen en de vraag in hoeverre een eventuele aansprakelijkheid in een dergelijk geval geënt dient te worden op bestuurdersaansprakelijkheid, een indirecte doorbraak van aansprakelijkheid, of wellicht op beide.
El concepto de software libre
Authors: González-Barahona Jesús María
Published: July 2017

El software libre es cada vez más habitual en casi cualquier entorno informático. Sin embargo, es también un gran desconocido. En este artículo se exponen las condiciones que tiene que cumplir un programa para ser considerado como software libre, compiladas en varias definiciones. A partir de ellas se repasa brevemente su historia y se exploran algunas de sus características y consecuencias. También se comentan algunos aspectos relacionados con las licencias de software libre que son tan fundamentales para su existencia.
Comparison of SYSTRAN and Google Translate for English→Portuguese
Authors: Gomes de Oliveira Rodrigo , Anastasiou Dimitra
Published: July 2017

Two machine translation (MT) systems, a statistical MT (SMT) system and a hybrid system (rule-based and SMT) were tested in order to compare various MT performances. The source language was English (EN) and the target language Portuguese (PT). The SMT tool gave much fewer errors than the hybrid system. Major problem areas of both systems concerned the transfer of verb systems from source to target language, and of the hybrid system the word-to-word translation, since its resources are mainly dictionaries and not corpora.
Crowdsourcing i traducció/localització: una amenaça o una oportunitat?
Authors: Capdevila Fernández Cristian
Published: July 2017

El crowdsourcing ha canviat el món de la traducció als darrers anys. En alguns projectes ja no hi participen professionals, sinó usuaris i aficionats, i en molts casos sense compensació econòmica. La qualitat, però, no té perquè estar compromesa, ni tampoc la professió del traductor/localitzador en un futur pròxim.
Future (and not-so-future) trends in the teaching of translation technology
Authors: Austermuehl Frank
Published: July 2017

This paper proposes an approach to teaching translation technology that focus less on exposing students to ever more types of CAT tools than on two sets of meta-competences—revising skills and documentary research skills—and on the technologies that allow students to optimize these skills.
L’ús de tecnologies en les pràctiques de traducció en empresa
Authors: Torres-Hostench Olga
Published: July 2017

Les pràctiques es consideren el pas previ a la inserció laboral. Per aquest motiu val la pena elaborar instruments que guiïn els estudiants en el seu procés de reflexió i aprofitament de les pràctiques. Aquest article no és un treball de recerca, sinó un exercici de reflexió per a estudiants, tutors i coordinadors de pràctiques que, d’una banda, intenta donar visibilitat a les tecnologies que es fan servir durant les pràctiques i, d’altra banda, relaciona l’ús de la tecnologia amb les competències professionals proposades pel grup d’experts de l’European Master’s in Translation.
La docencia de las tecnologías everyware de la traducción: un enfoque hacia el crecimiento personal y el aprendizaje a lo largo de la vida
Authors: Enríquez Raído Vanessa
Published: July 2017

Este artículo analiza las tendencias que han contribuido a reorientar el panorama actual de las tecnologías de la traducción, como la ubicuidad, la movilidad, la conectividad y la inmediatez, y propone una serie de razones pedagógicas para promover la docencia de las tecnologías de la traducción desde la perspectiva de la ubicuidad tecnológica (“everyware”), así como la incorporación transversal de las destrezas para la gestión de la información en línea como recurso que favorece el crecimiento personal y el aprendizaje a lo largo de la vida.
Traducción y tecnología: uso y percepción de las tecnologías de la traducción. El punto de vista de los estudiantes.
Authors: Olalla-Soler Christian , Vert Bolaños Olga
Published: July 2017

En este artículo se describe la percepción de las tecnologías de la traducción desde el punto de vista de los estudiantes de Traducción e Interpretación de las universidades españolas a partir de los datos obtenidos mediante una muestra de 85 estudiantes de licenciatura y de grado en Traducción e Interpretación y de 19 egresados.
Automated MT evaluation metrics and their limitations
Authors: Babych Bogdan
Published: July 2017

This paper gives a general overview of the main classes of methods for automatic evaluation of Machine Translation (MT) quality, their limitations and their value for professional translators and MT developers. Automated evaluation of MT characterizes performance of MT systems on specific text or a corpus. Automated scores are expected to correlate with certain parameters of MT quality scored by human evaluators, such as adequacy of fluency of translation. Automated evaluation is now part of MT development cycle, but it also contributes to fundamental research on MT and improving MT technology..
Multidimensional Quality Metrics (MQM): A Framework for Declaring and Describing Translation Quality Metrics
Authors: Lommel Arle , Uszkoreit Hans , Burchardt Aljoscha
Published: July 2017

In recent years translation quality evaluation has emerged as a major, and at times contentious, topic. Despite a focus on systematizing the evaluation of translation quality, the industry landscape is still highly fragmented, in part because different kinds of translation projects require very different evaluations of quality. In addition, human and machine translation (MT) quality evaluation methods have been fundamentally different in kind, preventing comparison of MT with human translation. The lack of clarity has contributed to an environment in which requesters of translation often cannot be certain whether or not a translation meets their needs or the needs of end users and where providers are unclear about what requesters need and want. In response the EU-funded QTLaunchPad project has developer the Multidimensional Quality Metrics (MQM) framework, an open an extensible system for declaring and describing translation quality metrics using a shared vocabulary of “issue types”.
Translation and Quality: Editorial
Authors: Görög Attila
Published: July 2017

The world is producing more and more content and needs increasing volumes to be translated. The only way to offer large amounts of information and goods in multiple languages fast while staying within reasonable budgets is by making a compromise and provide content with different levels of quality using new translation channels and translation technology. This differentiation will, in turn, require new ways of evaluating the quality of translated content.This issue has been co-edited by Attila Görög (TAUS) and Pilar Sánchez-Gijón (Tradumàtica Research Group), and focuses on translation quality, that remains a concept of major importance both in the translation industry and in academia.
Translation Standards: Which One?
Authors: Allen Jeff
Published: July 2017

Quality is a confusing term because it has so many different interpretations, depending on the method which is used for measurement. This chapter takes a very practical approach to explaining how to determine an appropriate quality standard to follow based on an initial assessment of the real context and needs.
El programari lliure en la formació del traductor
Authors: Canovas Marcos , Samson Richard
Published: July 2017

La formació de traductors implica l´ús de procediments i eines que permetin els estudiants familiaritzar-se amb contextos professionals. El software lliure especialitzat inclou eines de qualitat professional i procediments accessibles per a les institucions acadèmiques i els estudiants a distància que treballen a casa seva. Els projectes reals que utilitzen software lliure i traducció col·laborativa (crowdsourcing) constitueixen recursos indispensables en la formació de traductors.
La integración de tecnologías de la traducción: ¿bendición o maldición?
Authors: Torrejón Enrique
Published: July 2017

Este artículo repasa la tendencia de los últimos años hacia una progresiva integración via API de distintas tecnologías de la traducción como los sistemas de gestión de traducción, las herramientas de traducción asistida y los sistemas de traducción automática, y las dificultades que tienen pequeñas y medianas empresas de traducción al tratar de implementarlos, especialmente cuando las ventajas de dicha integración no se materializan o se materializan con un coste no desdeñable.
Estándares y formatos de intercambio en terminología
Authors: Alcina Amparo
Published: July 2017

Los estándares y formatos de intercambio en terminología constituyen cauces que permiten valorar la calidad de las terminologías y facilitar que sean útiles en diferentes entornos. En este artículo presentamos cuáles son las actividades de estandarización y su importancia. Asimismo, describimos los estándares actualmente en vigor que han sido publicados por ISO.
Macromycetes of Central European lichen Scots pine forests of the Cladonio-Pinetum Juraszek 1927 type in the “Bory Tucholskie” National Park (NW Poland)
Authors: Grzesiak Barbara , Kochanowska Magdalena , Kochanowski Janusz
Published: July 2017

Between 2014 and 2016, research was carried out in the “Bory Tucholskie” National Park, with the aim to investigate the diversity of species of macrofungi in Cladonio-Pinetum. The studies recorded 140 taxa of macromycetes, of which the majority was basidiomycete (136). The highest number of taxa of fungi (98) was found in 2016, while the lowest (76) was found in the first year of the study (2014). A total of 90 taxa were found in 2015. Among the identified species of macromycetes, Inonotus obliquus is on the list of protected fungi covered by partial legal protection and 23 reported species are on the “Red list of the macrofungi in Poland”, which is concerned with the protection of the habitat of Cladonio-Pinetum.
Two species of true morels (the genus Morchella, Ascomycota) recorded in the Ojców National Park (south Poland)
Authors: Baran Jakub , Boroń Piotr
Published: July 2017

In this paper, we present results of survey on the occurrence of true morels, conducted in the Ojców National Park (ONP). The first data about true morels from the area of the ONP date back to the nineteenth century. However, despite multiple surveys in the next decades, their presence has not been confirmed. Therefore, true morels were thought to be extinct in the ONP. In 2014 and 2015, two morphotypes of true morel fruiting bodies were discovered in two sites, identified as black morels and yellow morels. In 2016, we collected three fruiting bodies for detailed morphological characterization and molecular identification. According to our results, these morels were identified as Morchella deliciosa and Morchella esculenta. Our finding is the first confirmation of the occurrence of both species (as they are presently recognized) in Poland.
Exploration of System Vulnerability in Naval Ship Concept Design
Authors: Goodfriend David , Brown Alan J.
Published: July 2017

This paper presents a methodology and analysis tool to explore naval ship system vulnerability using a simplified preliminary arrangement and vulnerability (Pa&V) modeling approach in the concept and requirements exploration (C&RE) process at Virginia Tech. This C&RE process uses a multiobjective genetic optimization (MOGO) to explore the design space for nondominated ship design solutions based on design effectiveness, cost, and risk. The previous C&rE process evaluated ship characteristics and only intact system options to determine a design overall measure of effectiveness (OMOE) through the calculation of Measures of Performance (MOPs). Vulnerability is very dependent on system design, architecture, and spatial arrangement, and for simplicity these were not developed or calculated. The new C&RE uses a simplified Pa&V model so that an Overall Measure of Vulnerability (OMOV) can be calculated for each ship design using the new process and tools described in this paper. The OMOV is calculated by combining Vulnerability measure of performance scores across multiple ship mission options. It is then combined with the intact MOPs to calculate a more complete warfighting OMOE which can be used in the C&RE.

1. Introduction

Typically, survivability analysis for naval ships is deferred until preliminary design or later. Many important design decisions regarding systems and system architecture are made in concept exploration and are difficult and costly to reverse. survivability is an important factor in assessing mission effectiveness, which is an important objective attribute in concept exploration and must be considered in these early decisions.

However, several questions are raised when attempting to assess and consider survivability early:Is sufficient model detail and fidelity available during concept exploration to make a reasonable survivability assessment?If sufficient detail is available, does early survivability consideration impact the resulting design decisions?Are simplified, but traditional vulnerability models able to discriminate correctly between alternative designs, answer the right questions, provide important insight, and enable good decisions for moving forward into concept development and preliminary design?Are tools and resources available to consider survivability early or do we need a completely new approach and new tools?
Structure and topology around the cleavage site regulate post-translational cleavage of the HIV-1 gp160 signal peptide
Authors: Snapp Erik Lee , McCaul Nicholas , Quandte Matthias , Cabartova Zuzana , Bontjer Ilja , Källgren Carolina , Nilsson IngMarie , Land Aafke , von Heijne Gunnar , Sanders Rogier W , Braakman Ineke
Published: July 2017

Like all other secretory proteins, the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp160 is targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by its signal peptide during synthesis. Proper gp160 folding in the ER requires core glycosylation, disulfide-bond formation and proline isomerization. Signal-peptide cleavage occurs only late after gp160 chain termination and is dependent on folding of the soluble subunit gp120 to a near-native conformation. We here detail the mechanism by which co-translational signal-peptide cleavage is prevented. Conserved residues from the signal peptide and residues downstream of the canonical cleavage site form an extended alpha-helix in the ER membrane, which covers the cleavage site, thus preventing cleavage. A point mutation in the signal peptide breaks the alpha helix allowing co-translational cleavage. We demonstrate that postponed cleavage of gp160 enhances functional folding of the molecule. The change to early cleavage results in decreased viral fitness compared to wild-type HIV.
Reaction times can reflect habits rather than computations
Authors: Wong Aaron L , Goldsmith Jeff , Forrence Alexander D , Haith Adrian M , Krakauer John W
Published: July 2017

Reaction times (RTs) are assumed to reflect the underlying computations required for making decisions and preparing actions. Recent work, however, has shown that movements can be initiated earlier than typically expressed without affecting performance; hence, the RT may be modulated by factors other than computation time. Consistent with that view, we demonstrated that RTs are influenced by prior experience: when a previously performed task required a specific RT to support task success, this biased the RTs in future tasks. This effect is similar to the use-dependent biases observed for other movement parameters such as speed or direction. Moreover, kinematic analyses revealed that these RT biases could occur without changing the underlying computations used to perform the action. Thus the RT is not solely determined by computational requirements but is an independent parameter that can be habitually set by prior experience.
A decadal tropical Pacific condition unfavorable to central Pacific El Niño
Authors: Zhong Wenxiu , Zheng Xiao‐Tong , Cai Wenju
Published: July 2017

The frequency of central Pacific (CP) El Niño events displays strong decadal variability but the associated dynamics are unclear. The Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) and the tropical Pacific decadal variability (TPDV) are two dominant modes of tropical Pacific decadal variability that can interact with high‐frequency activities. Using a 500 year control integration from the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Earth System Model, we find that the difference in mean state between the low‐frequency and high‐frequency CP El Niño periods is similar to the decadal background condition concurrently contributed by a negative IPO and a positive TPDV. This decadal state features strengthened trade winds west of the International Date Line and anomalous cool sea surface temperatures across the central tropical Pacific. As such, positive zonal advection feedback is difficult to be generated over the central to western tropical Pacific during the CP El Niño developing season, resulting in the low CP El Niño frequency.
Treatment of temporal aliasing effects in the context of next generation satellite gravimetry missions
Authors: Daras Ilias , Pail Roland
Published: July 2017

Temporal aliasing effects have a large impact on the gravity field accuracy of current gravimetry missions and are also expected to dominate the error budget of Next Generation Gravimetry Missions (NGGMs). This paper focuses on aspects concerning their treatment in the context of Low‐Low Satellite‐to‐Satellite Tracking NGGMs. Closed‐loop full‐scale simulations are performed for a two‐pair Bender‐type Satellite Formation Flight (SFF), by taking into account error models of new generation instrument technology. The enhanced spatial sampling and error isotropy enable a further reduction of temporal aliasing errors from the processing perspective. A parameterization technique is adopted where the functional model is augmented by low‐resolution gravity field solutions coestimated at short time intervals, while the remaining higher‐resolution gravity field solution is estimated at a longer time interval. Fine‐tuning the parameterization choices leads to significant reduction of the temporal aliasing effects. The investigations reveal that the parameterization technique in case of a Bender‐type SFF can successfully mitigate aliasing effects caused by undersampling of high‐frequency atmospheric and oceanic signals, since their most significant variations can be captured by daily coestimated solutions. This amounts to a “self‐dealiasing” method that differs significantly from the classical dealiasing approach used nowadays for Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment processing, enabling NGGMs to retrieve the complete spectrum of Earth's nontidal geophysical processes, including, for the first time, high‐frequency atmospheric and oceanic variations.
IMM‐H007, a new therapeutic candidate for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, improves hepatic steatosis in hamsters fed a high‐fat diet
Authors: Shi Huijie , Wang Qingchun , Yang Liu , Xie Shouxia , Zhu Haibo
Published: July 2017

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common chronic liver disease in humans, is characterized by the accumulation of triacylglycerols (TGs) in hepatocytes. We tested whether 2′,3′,5′‐tri‐acetyl‐N6‐(3‐hydroxylaniline) adenosine (IMM‐H007) can eliminate hepatic steatosis in hamsters fed a high‐fat diet (HFD), as a model of NAFLD. Compared with HFD‐only controls, IMM‐H007 treatment significantly lowered serum levels of TG, total cholesterol, and free fatty acids (FFAs) in hamsters fed the HFD, with a prominent decrease in levels of serum transaminases and fasting insulin, without affecting fasting glucose levels. Moreover, 1H‐MRI and histopathological analyses revealed that hepatic lipid accumulation and fibrosis were improved by IMM‐H007 treatment. These changes were accompanied by improvement of insulin resistance and oxidative stress, and attenuation of inflammation. IMM‐H007 reduced expression of proteins involved in uptake of hepatic fatty acids and lipogenesis, and increased very low density lipoprotein secretion and expression of proteins responsible for fatty acid oxidation and autophagy. In studies in vivo, IMM‐H007 inhibited fatty acid import into hepatocytes and liver lipogenesis, and concomitantly stimulated fatty acid oxidation, autophagy, and export of hepatic lipids. These data suggest that IMM‐H007 resolves hepatic steatosis in HFD‐fed hamsters by the regulation of lipid metabolism. Thus, IMM‐H007 has therapeutic potential for NAFLD.
Tensile and High‐Cycle Fatigue Properties of Steel Sheet with Trace Silicon
Authors: Zhang Meng Xiao , Pang Jian Chao , Zhu Li Bei , Pan Long , Nie Liang Liang , Mao Yun Xian , Chen Man , Zhang Zhe Feng
Published: July 2017

The tensile properties, high‐cycle fatigue properties, fracture surface morphologies, corresponding damage mechanisms, and dislocation patterns of two steels with trace silicon, 550TG and SD320, are investigated. It is found that the SD320 has a higher tensile strength than 550TG, but lower plasticity. In general, some deep cracks appear along the direction of rolling in all the tensile specimens and the fatigue limit of SD320 is higher. In particular, the 550TG shows a continuously decreasing S–N characteristic without fatigue limit at the higher cycle region, which can be explained by their differences of dislocation morphologies. Furthermore, the tensile and fatigue damage mechanisms are deeply analyzed and discussed.
Coding Metasurfaces for Diffuse Scattering: Scaling Laws, Bounds, and Suboptimal Design
Authors: Moccia Massimo , Liu Shuo , Wu Rui Yuan , Castaldi Giuseppe , Andreone Antonello , Cui Tie Jun , Galdi Vincenzo
Published: July 2017

Coding metasurfaces, based on the combination of two basic unit cells with out‐of‐phase responses, have been the subject of many recent studies aimed at achieving diffuse scattering, with potential applications to diverse fields ranging from radar‐signature control to computational imaging. Here, via a theoretical study of the relevant scaling‐laws, the physical mechanism underlying the scattering‐signature reduction is elucidated, and some absolute and realistic bounds are analytically derived. Moreover, a simple, deterministic suboptimal design strategy is introduced that yields results comparable with those typically obtained by approaches based on brute‐force numerical optimization, at a negligible fraction of their computational burden, thereby paving the way to the design of structures with arbitrarily large electrical size. Results are corroborated by rigorous full‐wave numerical simulations and microwave experiments, and may be of interest in a variety of application fields, such as the design of low‐scattering targets and illumination apertures for computational imaging, not necessarily restricted to electromagnetic scenarios.
The 22‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test accurately reflects patient‐reported control of chronic rhinosinusitis symptomatology
Authors: Gray Stacey T. , Phillips Katie M. , Hoehle Lloyd P. , Caradonna David S. , Sedaghat Ahmad R.
Published: July 2017

Background

Patient‐reported control of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) symptoms is associated with the quality of life impact of CRS. We sought to determine if 22‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22) score is predictive of patient‐perceived CRS symptom control.

Methods

Prospective cross‐sectional study of 202 patients with CRS. Participants were asked to rate their CRS symptom control as “not at all,” “a little,” “somewhat,” “very,” and “completely.” The severity of patient CRS symptomatology was measured using the SNOT‐22. The relationship between SNOT‐22 score and patient‐reported CRS symptom control was determined using regression, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

SNOT‐22 was negatively associated with patient‐reported CRS symptom control (adjusted β = −0.03; 95% CI, −0.04 to −0.02; p < 0.001), after controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics. There was a significant difference in SNOT‐22 scores of participants reporting each level of symptom control (p < 0.001) with the greatest differences between participants who rated their CRS symptom control as “not at all,” “a little,” and “somewhat,” which we deem poor CRS symptom control, and the group who described their level of CRS symptom control described as “very” and “completely,” which we deem well‐controlled CRS symptoms. These results were true across all SNOT‐22 subdomains scores as well. Using ROC analysis, a SNOT‐22 score of 35 identified patients reporting poor vs well‐controlled CRS symptom control with 71.4% sensitivity and 85.5% specificity.

Conclusion

SNOT‐22 score is associated with how well patients feel their CRS symptomatology is controlled. Moreover, SNOT‐22 score can be used to accurately distinguish patients with poor vs well‐controlled CRS symptoms.
Amine‐Urea‐Mediated Asymmetric Cycloadditions between Nitrile Oxides and o‐Hydroxystyrenes by Dual Activation
Authors: Suga Hiroyuki , Hashimoto Yohei , Toda Yasunori , Fukushima Kazuaki , Esaki Hiroyoshi , Kikuchi Ayaka
Published: July 2017

The first example of asymmetric 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions between nitrile oxides and o‐hydroxystyrenes, mediated by cinchona‐alkaloid‐based amine‐ureas is reported. The method is based on a dual activation involving both LUMO and HOMO activations. In addition to the stoichiometric asymmetric induction, a catalytic amount of amine‐urea enables the cycloadditions to proceed in an enantioselective manner. Computational studies strongly support the HOMO activation of o‐hydroxystyrenes and LUMO activation of nitrile oxides by hydrogen‐bonding interactions with the Brønsted acid/base bifunctional catalyst.
Reaction of dimethylplatinum(II) complexes with PhCH2CH2Br: Comparative reactivity with CH3CH2Br and PhCH2Br and synthesis of Pt(IV) complexes
Authors: Sangari Mozhgan Samandar , Rashidi Mehdi , Nabavizadeh S. Masoud , Askari Banafshe , Niroomand Hosseini Fatemeh
Published: July 2017

Oxidative addition of 2‐phenylethylbromide (PhCH2CH2Br) to dimethylplatinum(II) complexes [PtMe2(NN)] (1a, NN = 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy); 1b, NN = 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen)) afforded the new organoplatinum(IV) complexes [PtMe2(Br)(PhCH2CH2)(bpy)], as a mixture of trans (2a) and cis (3a) isomers, and [PtMe2(Br)(PhCH2CH2)(phen)], as a mixture of trans (2b) and cis (3b) isomers, respectively. The new Pt(IV) complexes were readily characterized using multinuclear (1H and 13C) NMR spectroscopy and elemental microanalysis. The crystal structure of 2a was further determined using X‐ray crystallography indicating an octahedral geometry around the platinum centre. A comparison of reactivity of RCH2Br reagents (R = CH3, Ph or PhCH2) in their oxidative addition reactions with complex 1a, with an emphasis on the effects of the R groups of alkyl halides, was also conducted using density functional theory.
Experimental and theoretical studies on the adjustable thermal properties of epoxy composites with silver‐plated short fiberglass
Authors: Bao Rui , Yan Shilin , Wang Ruogu , Li Yongjing
Published: July 2017

This article investigates the evolution of the thermal conductivity and the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of epoxy composites filled with different silver‐plated short glass fibers (Ag@GFs) treated by electroless plating. After electroless plating, the results of X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy showed that glass fibers were coated with pure silver shells whose thickness was controlled via the repetition of electroless plating cycle, and calculated by weighting method. The optical photographs showed that Ag@GFs are randomly oriented and uniformly dispersed in the composites. HotDisk thermal constant analyzer and dilatometer were used to further characterize the thermal conductivity and the CTE of the composites, respectively. The results revealed that the thermal conductivity of Ag@GF/epoxy composites increased with the increase of Ag@GF content, and was adjusted by changing the thickness of silver shell. But the CTE of the composites drops sharply as the Ag@GF content increases compared with neat epoxy. Based on Agari model with fitted factors of Cp and Cf, the calculated thermal conductivity values of Ag@GF/epoxy composites agreed well with the experimental results, and Cp kept almost unchanged, but Cf varied with the change of the thickness of silver shell, despite increasing filler content. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45555.
Mass transfer kinetics and diffusion coefficient estimation of bioinsecticide terpene ketones in LDPE films obtained by supercritical CO2‐assisted impregnation
Authors: Goñi María Laura , Gañán Nicolás Alberto , Martini Raquel Evangelina , Strumia Miriam Cristina
Published: July 2017

Release kinetics of thymoquinone and R‐(+)‐pulegone impregnated in low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) films into air and the effect of supercritical CO2‐assisted impregnation process on the diffusional properties of these films were investigated. The incorporation of both ketones into LDPE films was performed under different conditions (pressure, depressurization rate, time, and initial ketone mole fraction). Release experiments were performed under controlled laboratory conditions (24 °C, 60% relative humidity), and the total release profile was determined gravimetrically, while the individual release of each ketone was quantified by Fourier transformed infrared. The experimental data were used to fit a mass transfer model based on the second Fick's law for unsteady‐state diffusion, and the diffusion coefficients of both ketones in LDPE were estimated, ranging from 2.35 × 10−13 to 5.53 × 10−13 m2 s−1 (thymoquinone) and from 1.24 × 10−13 to 4.52 × 10−13 m2 s−1 (pulegone). Finally, analysis of variance testing indicated that impregnation pressure and depressurization rate (and their combination) have significant effects on the diffusion coefficient values. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45558.
Effects of heat and moisture on characteristics, tensile properties of RFL‐coated rayon cords, and their adhesion with NR/SBR matrix
Authors: Li Zhuo , Wan Jijun , Zhang Lu , Cui Jianfeng , Zhao Shugao
Published: July 2017

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of heat and moisture on the characteristics and tensile properties of resorcinol‐formaldehyde‐latex (RFL)‐coated rayon cords and their adhesion to the natural rubber (NR)/styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) matrix. The water absorption ratio, shrinking percentage, breaking force, and elongation at break of the cords, which were treated under various temperature‐humidity conditions, were tested, and an attenuated total reflection (ATR)‐Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to investigate the chemical changes of the outer RFL layer. The static adhesion was investigated by an H pull‐out test, and the evolution of the adhesive properties of the RFL‐coated rayon cord/rubber matrix was tracked by an elastomer testing system. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was employed to observe the interfacial fracture caused by both H pull out and fatigue. The results of this investigation show that the moisture absorption significantly affects the characteristics and the mechanical properties of rayon cords. The chemical state of the RFL layer and the static adhesion of the cord/rubber matrix were not obviously affected, but the interfacial fatigue life was extended due to the decrease of the load in the second of three fatigue stages, which was caused by a reduction in the modulus of the rayon cords. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45559.
Impairment of Retinoic Acid Signaling in Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Fibroblasts
Authors: Fazio Grazia , Bettini Laura Rachele , Rigamonti Silvia , Meta Dorela , Biondi Andrea , Cazzaniga Giovanni , Selicorni Angelo , Massa Valentina
Published: July 2017

Background

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a rare genetic disorder affecting the neurodevelopment, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal systems. CdLS is caused by mutations within NIPBL, SMC1A, SMC3, RAD21, and HDAC8 genes. These genes codify for the “cohesin complex” playing a role in chromatid adhesion, DNA repair and gene expression regulation. The aim of this study was to investigate retinoic acid (RA) signaling pathway, a master developmental regulator, in CdLS cells.

Methods

Skin biopsies from CdLS patients and healthy controls were cultured and derived primary fibroblast cells were treated with RA or dimethyl sulfoxide (vehicle). After RA treatment, cells were harvested and RNA was isolated for quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction experiments.

Results

We analyzed several components of RA metabolism in a human cell line of kidney fibroblasts (293T), in addition to fibroblasts collected from both NIPBL‐mutated patients and healthy donors, with or without RA treatment. In all cases, ADH and RALDH1 gene expression was not affected by RA treatment, while CRABP1 was induced. CRABP2 was dramatically upregulated upon RA treatment in healthy donors but not in CdLS patients cells.

Conclusion

We investigated if CdLS alterations are associated to perturbation of RA signaling. Cells derived from CdLS patients do not respond to RA signaling as efficiently as healthy controls. RA pathway alterations suggest a possible underlying mechanism for several cellular and developmental abnormalities associated with cohesin function. Birth Defects Research 109:1268–1276, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Caffeic acid attenuates the inflammatory stress induced by glycated LDL in human endothelial cells by mechanisms involving inhibition of AGE‐receptor, oxidative, and endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Toma Laura , Sanda Gabriela M. , Niculescu Loredan S. , Deleanu Mariana , Stancu Camelia S. , Sima Anca V.
Published: July 2017

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a worldwide epidemic and its atherosclerotic complications determine the high morbidity and mortality of diabetic patients. Caffeic acid (CAF), a phenolic acid present in normal diets, is known for its antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to investigate CAF's anti‐inflammatory properties and its mechanism of action, using cultured human endothelial cells (HEC) incubated with glycated low‐density lipoproteins (gLDL). Levels of the receptor for advanced glycation end‐products (RAGE), inflammatory stress markers (C reactive protein, CRP; vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1, VCAM‐1; monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1, MCP‐1), and oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) markers were evaluated in gLDL‐exposed HEC, in the presence/absence of CAF. RAGE silencing or blocking, specific inhibitors for oxidative stress (apocynin, N‐acetyl‐cysteine), and ERS (salubrinal) were used. The results showed that: (i) gLDL induced CRP synthesis and secretion through mechanisms involving NADPH oxidase‐dependent oxidative stress and ERS in HEC; (ii) gLDL–RAGE interaction, oxidative stress, and ERS stimulated the secretion of VCAM‐1 and MCP‐1 in HEC; and (iii) CAF reduced the secretion of CRP, VCAM‐1, and MCP‐1 in gLDL‐exposed HEC by inhibiting RAGE expression, oxidative stress, and ERS. In conclusion, CAF might be a promising alternative to ameliorate a wide spectrum of disorders due to its complex mechanisms of action resulting in anti‐inflammatory and antioxidative properties. © 2017 BioFactors, 43(5):685–697, 2017
Quantum Mechanical Study on the Mechanistic, Energetic, and Structural Properties of Adsorption of 6‐Thioguanine onto γ‐Fe2O3 Nanoparticles
Authors: Teymoori Monir , Morsali Ali , Bozorgmehr Mohammad Reza , Beyramabadi S. Ali
Published: July 2017

Using density functional theory, noncovalent interactions and four mechanisms of covalent functionalization of 6‐thioguanine anticancer drug onto γ‐Fe2O3 nanoparticles have been investigated. Quantum molecular descriptors of noncovalent configurations were studied. It was specified that binding of 6‐thioguanine onto γ‐Fe2O3 nanoparticles is thermodynamically suitable. Hardness and the gap of energy between LUMO and HOMO of 6‐thioguanine are higher than the noncovalent configurations, showing the reactivity of 6‐thioguanine increases in the presence of γ‐Fe2O3 nanoparticles. 6‐thioguanine can bond to γ‐Fe2O3 nanoparticles through NH2 (k1 mechanism), NH in six‐membered ring (k2 mechanism), NH in five‐membered ring (k3 mechanism), and S (k4 mechanism) groups. The activation energies, the activation enthalpies and the activation Gibbs free energies of these reactions were calculated. Thermodynamic data indicate that k3 mechanism is exothermic and spontaneous and can take place at room temperature. These results could be generalized to other similar drugs.
Hemophagocytosis lymphocytosis presenting as pulmonary‐renal syndrome: a case report and literature review
Authors: Wong Morgan , Rao Arpit , Nemunaitis Jacklyn , Czuchlewski David , Sagheer Shazib , Arana‐Yi Cecilia
Published: July 2017

Key Clinical Message

Hemophagocytosis Lymphocytosis (HLH) is a rare and life‐threatening illness that is more commonly seen in infants; however, its incidence in adults is becoming more common. Recognizing HLH in a complicated clinical scenario is key to early recognition, treatment, as well as improved morbidity and mortality.
Electrochemical Investigation of pH‐Dependent Activity of Polyethylenimine‐Capped Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Karimi Anahita , Kirk Kevin A. , Andreescu Silvana
Published: July 2017

The pH‐dependent electroanalytical behavior and catalytic activity of branched polyethylenimine‐capped silver nanoparticles (PEI‐AgNPs) were studied by using nanoparticle collision electrochemistry, linear sweep voltammetry, and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The electrochemical collision signals respond rapidly to pH‐induced protonation of the PEI chain at the AgNP surface. This method allows for screening and catalytic activity evaluation of PEI‐AgNPs for the decomposition of organic dyes, demonstrated in this work with methylene blue. Higher oxidation of PEI‐AgNPs was observed at neutral and basic pH, when the particles are stabilized by the PEI chain. Cumulatively, these results indicate that NP collision electrochemistry can be used in addition to spectroscopy and microscopy for studying the effect of the capping agent on the electrochemical behavior of AgNPs and evaluating the relationship between the surface properties and catalytic activity. These measurements provide fundamental information about how surface characteristics, environment, and capping ligands affect NP properties and activity.
DNA‐Mediated Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles and Applications in Bioanalysis
Authors: Xue Jing , Chen Feng , Bai Min , Yu Xu , Wei Jing , Huang Ping , Zhao Yongxi
Published: July 2017

DNA‐mediated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) assembly has drawn great attention due to the controllable parameters and properties. In general, DNA sequences working as linkers or templates precisely control the assembly of AuNPs through the Watson–Crick base pairing. Diverse assembly structures show great potential in bioanalysis due to the unique optical characteristics, which can be tuned by the shape, size, composition, particles interactive status and the dielectric constant of the surrounding medium of AuNPs. They exhibit excellent performances for the detection of nucleic acids, proteins, small molecules and other biomarkers. In this review, we present a general overview of the construction of DNA‐mediated AuNP assemblies and the recent advances of these assemblies as high‐performance biosensors. Future directions and major challenges in bioanalysis are also discussed.
Direct and Selective Synthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide over Palladium–Tellurium Catalysts at Ambient Pressure
Authors: Tian Pengfei , Xu Xingyan , Ao Can , Ding Doudou , Li Wei , Si Rui , Tu Weifeng , Xu Jing , Han Yi‐Fan
Published: July 2017

Highly selective hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) synthesis directly from H2 and O2 is a strongly desired reaction for green processes. Herein a highly efficient palladium–tellurium (Pd–Te/TiO2) catalyst with a selectivity of nearly 100 % toward H2O2 under mild conditions (283 K, 0.1 MPa, and a semi‐batch continuous flow reactor) is reported. The size of Pd particles was remarkably reduced from 2.1 nm to 1.4 nm with the addition of Te. The Te‐modified Pd surface could significantly weaken the dissociative activation of O2, leading to the non‐dissociative hydrogenation of O2. Density functional theory calculations illuminated the critical role of Te in the selective hydrogenation of O2, in that the active sites composed of Pd and Te could significantly restrain side reactions. This work has made significant progress on the development of high‐selectivity catalysts for the direct synthesis of H2O2 at ambient pressure.
UPLC–MS/MS method for therapeutic drug monitoring of 10 antibiotics used in intensive care units
Authors: El‐Najjar Nahed , Hösl Julian , Holzmann Thomas , Jantsch Jonathan , Gessner André
Published: July 2017

A large variation in the levels of different ß‐lactams and other antibiotics used in critically ill patients has been documented. The aim of this study is to establish and validate a fast, ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) method for the simultaneous analysis of ten antibiotics (Meropenem, Cefepime, Ceftazidime, Piperacillin, Benzylpenicillin, Ampicillin, Flucloxacillin, Linezolid, and Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim) in human plasma according to European Medicines Agency (EMA) guidelines. Protein precipitation with ice‐cold methanol containing 9 isotopically labeled internal standards was used for sample clean up. Antibiotics were detected, following a 4‐minute gradient separation, in multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) using API 4000 instrument equipped with electrospray source operating in positive ion mode. The lower limit of quantification was 0.1 mg/L for Meropenem, Ceftazidime, Piperacillin, Ampicillin, Flucloxacillin, and Sulfamethoxazole; 0.05 mg/L for Cefepime, Benzylpenicillin, and Trimethoprim; and 0.02 mg/L for Linezolid. The method proved to be precise and accurate and applicable for therapeutic drug monitoring and other pharmacokinetic studies.
A spatial theory for emergent multiple predator–prey interactions in food webs
Authors: Northfield Tobin D. , Barton Brandon T. , Schmitz Oswald J.
Published: July 2017

Predator–prey interaction is inherently spatial because animals move through landscapes to search for and consume food resources and to avoid being consumed by other species. The spatial nature of species interactions necessitates integrating spatial processes into food web theory and evaluating how predators combine to impact their prey. Here, we present a spatial modeling approach that examines emergent multiple predator effects on prey within landscapes. The modeling is inspired by the habitat domain concept derived from empirical synthesis of spatial movement and interactions studies. Because these principles are motivated by synthesis of short‐term experiments, it remains uncertain whether spatial contingency principles hold in dynamical systems. We address this uncertainty by formulating dynamical systems models, guided by core habitat domain principles, to examine long‐term multiple predator–prey spatial dynamics. To describe habitat domains, we use classical niche concepts describing resource utilization distributions, and assume species interactions emerge from the degree of overlap between species. The analytical results generally align with those from empirical synthesis and present a theoretical framework capable of demonstrating multiple predator effects that does not depend on the small spatial or temporal scales typical of mesocosm experiments, and help bridge between empirical experiments and long‐term dynamics in natural systems.