bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increasing the efficiency of paired‐stimulus preference assessments by identifying categories of preference
Authors: Ciccone Francis J. , Graff Richard B. , Ahearn William H.
Published: March 2015

A paired‐stimulus preference assessment was conducted for 6 individuals with developmental disabilities. We selected stimuli that were representatives of 4 categories: chocolate, salty and crunchy, gummy, and fruit and vegetable. For all 6 participants, at least 3 of the 5 most preferred items came from the same category. On subsequent reinforcer assessments, items from the highest ranked preference category, some of which were included in the preference assessments and some of which were not, functioned as reinforcers. These findings suggest that after categories of preferred items are identified, clinicians may be able to identify reinforcers for some individuals without conducting additional assessments.
Representativeness of direct observations selected using a work‐sampling equation
Authors: Sharp Rebecca A. , Mudford Oliver C. , Elliffe Douglas
Published: March 2015

Deciding on appropriate sampling to obtain representative samples of behavior is important but not straightforward, because the relative duration of the target behavior may affect its observation in a given sampling interval. Work‐sampling methods, which offer a way to adjust the frequency of sampling according to a priori or ongoing estimates of the behavior to achieve a preselected level of representativeness, may provide a solution. Full‐week observations of 7 behaviors were conducted for 3 students with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities. Work‐sampling methods were used to select momentary time samples from the full time‐of‐interest, which produced representative samples. However, work sampling required impractically high numbers of time samples to obtain representative samples. More practical momentary time samples produced less representative samples, particularly for low‐duration behaviors. The utility and limits of work‐sampling methods for applied behavior analysis are discussed.
The Influence of High-Impact Exercise on Cortical and Trabecular Bone Mineral Content and 3D Distribution Across the Proximal Femur in Older Men: A Randomized Controlled Unilateral Intervention
Authors: Allison Sarah J , Poole Kenneth E S , Treece Graham M , Gee Andrew H , Tonkin Carol , Rennie Winston J , Folland Jonathan P , Summers Gregory D , Brooke-Wavell Katherine
Published: March 2015

Regular exercisers have lower fracture risk, despite modest effects of exercise on bone mineral content (BMC). Exercise may produce localized cortical and trabecular bone changes that affect bone strength independently of BMC. We previously demonstrated that brief, daily unilateral hopping exercises increased femoral neck BMC in the exercise leg versus the control leg of older men. This study evaluated the effects of these exercises on cortical and trabecular bone and its 3D distribution across the proximal femur, using clinical CT. Fifty healthy men had pelvic CT scans before and after the exercise intervention. We used hip QCT analysis to quantify BMC in traditional regions of interest and estimate biomechanical variables. Cortical bone mapping localized cortical mass surface density and endocortical trabecular density changes across each proximal femur, which involved registration to a canonical proximal femur model. Following statistical parametric mapping, we visualized and quantified statistically significant changes of variables over time in both legs, and significant differences between legs. Thirty-four men aged mean (SD) 70 (4) years exercised for 12-months, attending 92% of prescribed sessions. In traditional regions of interest, cortical and trabecular BMC increased over time in both legs. Cortical BMC at the trochanter increased more in the exercise than control leg, whereas femoral neck buckling ratio declined more in the exercise than control leg. Across the entire proximal femur, cortical mass surface density increased significantly with exercise (2.7%; p < 0.001), with larger changes (> 6%) at anterior and posterior aspects of the femoral neck and anterior shaft. Endocortical trabecular density also increased (6.4%; p < 0.001), with localized changes of > 12% at the anterior femoral neck, trochanter, and inferior femoral head. Odd impact exercise increased cortical mass surface density and endocortical trabecular density, at regions that may be important to structural integrity. These exercise-induced changes were localized rather than being evenly distributed across the proximal femur. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
ABO‐incompatible living donor kidney transplantation without post‐transplant therapeutic plasma exchange
Authors: Yabu Julie M. , Fontaine Magali J.
Published: March 2015

Blood group incompatibility remains a significant barrier to kidney transplantation. Approximately, one‐third of donors are blood group incompatible with their intended recipient. Options for these donor‐recipient pairs include blood group incompatible transplantation or kidney paired donation. However, the optimal protocol for blood group incompatible transplantation is unknown. Protocols differ in techniques to remove ABO antibodies, titer targets, and immunosuppression regimens. In addition, the mechanisms of graft accommodation to blood group antigens remain poorly understood. We describe a blood group incompatible protocol using pretransplant therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), high‐dose intravenous immunoglobulin, and rituximab in addition to prednisone, mycophenolate mofetil, and tacrolimus. In this protocol, we do not exclude patients based on a high initial titer and do not implement post‐transplant TPE. All 16 patients who underwent this protocol received a living donor transplant with 100% patient and graft survival, and no reported episodes of antibody‐mediated rejection to date with a median follow‐up of 2.6 years (range 0.75–4.7 years). We conclude that blood group incompatible transplantation can be achieved without post‐transplant TPE. J. Clin. Apheresis 30:340–346, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells From Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Chen Tong , Wang Fen , Wu Mengyao , Wang Zack Z.
Published: March 2015

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), provide a new cell source for regenerative medicine, disease modeling, drug discovery, and preclinical toxicity screening. Understanding of the onset and the sequential process of hematopoietic cells from differentiated hPSCs will enable the achievement of personalized medicine and provide an in vitro platform for studying of human hematopoietic development and disease. During embryogenesis, hemogenic endothelial cells, a specified subset of endothelial cells in embryonic endothelium, are the primary source of multipotent hematopoietic stem cells. In this review, we discuss current status in the generation of multipotent hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from hPSCs via hemogenic endothelial cells. We also review the achievements in direct reprogramming from non‐hematopoietic cells to hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Further characterization of hematopoietic differentiation in hPSCs will improve our understanding of blood development and expedite the development of hPSC‐derived blood products for therapeutic purpose. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 1179–1189, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
State‐specific multireference perturbation theory with improved virtual orbitals: Taming the ground state of F2, Be2, and N2
Authors: Chattopadhyay Sudip , Chaudhuri Rajat K. , Mahapatra Uttam Sinha
Published: March 2015

Adaptation of improved virtual orbitals (IVOs) in state‐specific multireference perturbation theory using Møller–Plesset multipartitioning of the Hamiltonian (IVO‐SSMRPT) is examined in which the IVO‐complete active space configuration interaction (CASCI) is used as an inexpensive alternative to the more involved CAS‐self‐consistent field (CASSCF) orbitals. Unlike the CASSCF approach, IVO‐CASCI does not bear tedious and costly iterations beyond those in the initial SCF calculation. The IVO‐SSMRPT is intruder‐free, and explicitly size‐extensive. In the present preliminary study, the IVO‐SSMRPT method which relies on a small reference space is applied to study potential energy surfaces (PES) of the ground state of challenging, multiconfigurational F2, Be2, and N2 molecules. These systems provide a serious challenge to any ab initio methodology due to the presence of an intricate interplay of nondynamical and dynamical correlations to the entire PES. The quality of the computed PES has been judged by extracting spectroscopic parameters and vibrational levels. The reported results illustrate that the IVO‐SSMRPT method has a potential to yield accuracies as good as the CASSCF‐SSMRPT one with reduced computational labor. Even with small reference spaces, our estimates demonstrate a good agreement with the available experimental values, and some benchmark computations. The blend of accuracy and low computational cost of IVO‐SSMRPT should deserve future attention for the accurate treatment of electronic states of small to large molecular systems for which the wavefunction is characterized by various configurations. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mapping of somatostatin‐28 (1‐12) in the alpaca (Lama pacos) brainstem
Authors: De Souza Eliana , Sánchez Manuel Lisardo , Aguilar Luís Ángel , Díaz‐Cabiale Zaida , Narváez José Ángel , Coveñas Rafael
Published: March 2015

Using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique, we studied the distribution of cell bodies and fibers containing somatostatin‐28 (1‐12) in the alpaca brainstem. Immunoreactive fibers were widely distributed throughout the whole brainstem: 34 brainstem nuclei/regions showed a high or a moderate density of these fibers. Perikarya containing the peptide were widely distributed throughout the mesencephalon, pons and medulla oblongata. Cell bodies containing somatostatin‐28 (1‐12) were observed in the lateral and medial divisions of the marginal nucleus of the brachium conjunctivum, reticular formation (mesencephalon, pons and medulla oblongata), inferior colliculus, periaqueductal gray, superior colliculus, pericentral division of the dorsal tegmental nucleus, interpeduncular nucleus, nucleus of the trapezoid body, vestibular nucleus, motor dorsal nucleus of the vagus, nucleus of the solitary tract, nucleus praepositus hypoglossi, and in the substantia nigra. This widespread distribution indicates that somatostatin‐28 (1‐12) is involved in multiple physiological actions in the alpaca brainstem.Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:363–374, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A comparative study on the self‐assembly of an amyloid‐like peptide at water–solid interfaces and in bulk solutions
Authors: Du Qiqige , Dai Bin , Hou Jiahua , Hu Jun , Zhang Feng , Zhang Yi
Published: March 2015

In the past years the self‐assembly of amyloid‐like peptides has attracted increasing attentions, because it is highly related to neurodegenerative diseases and has a potential for serving as nanomaterial to fabricate novel and useful nanostructures. In this paper, we focused on the role of interfacial conditions in the self‐assembly of an amyloid‐like peptide, termed Pep11. It was found that, when dissolved in bulk solutions, Pep11 formed into β‐sheet structures and assembled into long filaments in several hours, as revealed by Thioflavin T fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) morphology characterization, respectively. When the peptide solution was added onto a mica/HOPG substrate, peptide filaments with three preferred orientations with an angle of 60° to each other were formed immediately, as imaged in situ by atomic force microscopy (AFM). However, the kinetics in filament formation and the morphologies of the formed beta sheet either on HOPG and mica or in bulk solutions were quite different. These results indicate that the interfacial properties dramatically affect the peptide self‐assembly process. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:375–381, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Test–retest reliability of cerebral blood flow and blood oxygenation level‐dependent responses to hypercapnia and hyperoxia using dual‐echo pseudo‐continuous arterial spin labeling and step changes in the fractional composition of inspired gases
Authors: Tancredi Felipe B. , Lajoie Isabelle , Hoge Richard D.
Published: March 2015

Purpose

To assess the reproducibility of blood oxygenation level‐dependent / cerebral blood flow (BOLD/CBF) responses to hypercapnia/hyperoxia using dual‐echo pseudo‐continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) and step changes in inspired doses.

Materials and Methods

Eight subjects were scanned twice, within 24 hours, using the same respiratory manipulation and imaging protocol. Imaging comprised a 5‐minute anatomical acquisition, allowing segmentation of the gray matter (GM) tissue for further analysis, and an 18‐minute pCASL functional scan. Hypercapnia/hyperoxia were induced by increasing the fraction of inspired CO2 to 5% and inspired O2 to 60%, alternately. Reproducibility of BOLD and CBF pCASL measures was assessed by computing the inter‐session coefficient of variation (CV) of the respective signals in GM.

Results

BOLD and CBF measures in GM were robust and consistent, yielding CV values below 10% for BOLD hypercapnic/hyperoxic responses (which averaged 1.9 ± 0.1% and 1.14 ± 0.02%) and below 20% for the CBF hypercapnic response (which averaged 35 ± 2 mL/min/100g). The CV for resting CBF was 3.5%.

Conclusion

It is possible to attain reproducible measures of the simultaneous BOLD and CBF responses to blood gases, within a reasonable scan time and with whole brain coverage, using a simple respiratory manipulation and dual‐echo pCASL. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:1144–1157.
Avoiding misidentification of bands in planetary Raman spectra
Authors: Harris Liam V. , McHugh Melissa , Hutchinson Ian B. , Ingley Richard , Malherbe Cédric , Parnell John , Olcott Marshall Alison , Edwards Howell G. M.
Published: March 2015

Raman spectroscopy has been identified as a powerful tool for astrobiology and remote robotic planetary exploration. It can be used to identify and characterise rock matrices, mineral inclusions and organic molecules and is demonstrably effective at identifying biomarkers, or indicators of biological activity. The ExoMars rover, jointly operated by the European and Russian Federal Space Agencies, will carry the first Raman spectrometer into space when it launches in 2018 and two further Raman instruments have recently been announced as part of the payload onboard the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Mars 2020 rover. Each of these spectrometers however will, by necessity, have poorer resolution than the most sophisticated laboratory instruments because of mass, volume and power constraints and the space readiness of the requisite technologies. As a result, it is important to understand the minimum instrument specification required to achieve the scientific objectives of a mission, in terms of parameters such as spectral resolution and laser footprint size. This requires knowledge of the target minerals and molecules between which there may be ambiguity when identifying bands in spectra from geological samples. Here, we present spectra from a number of Mars analogue samples that include a range of such molecules, highlighting where such confusion may occur and identifying the most useful bands for differentiation. It is recommended that a Raman spectrometer achieves a resolution of at least 3 cm−1 and covers a spectral range from 100 to 4000 cm−1 in order to differentiate between all of the target molecules presented here. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of garlic powder on acrylamide formation in a low‐moisture model system and bread baking
Authors: Li Jinwang , Zuo Jie , Qiao Xuguang , Zhang Yongju , Xu Zhixiang
Published: March 2015

BACKGROUND

Acrylamide (AA) is of concern worldwide because of its neurotoxicity, genotoxicity and reproductive/developmental toxicity. Consequently, methods for minimizing AA formation during food processing are vital.

RESULTS

In this study, the formation and elimination of AA in an asparagine/glucose low‐moisture model system were investigated by response surface methodology. The effect of garlic powder on the kinetics of AA formation/elimination was also evaluated. The AA content reached a maximum level (674.0 nmol) with 1.2 mmol of glucose and 1.2 mmol of asparagine after heating at 200 °C for 6 min. The AA content was greatly reduced with the addition of garlic powder. Compared to without garlic powder, an AA reduction rate of 43% was obtained with addition of garlic powder at a mass fraction of 0.05 g. Garlic powder inhibited AA formation during the generation‐predominant kinetic stage and had no effect on the degradation‐predominant kinetic stage. The effect of garlic powder on AA formation in bread and bread quality was also investigated. Adding a garlic powder mass fraction of 15 g to 500 g of dough significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the formation of AA (reduction rate of 46%) and had no obvious effect on the sensory qualities of the bread.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a possible method for reducing the AA content in bread and other heat‐treated starch‐rich foods. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Spatial ecology of endangered big‐headed turtles (Platysternon megacephalum): Implications of its vulnerability to illegal trapping
Authors: Sung Yik‐Hei , Hau Billy C. H. , Karraker Nancy E.
Published: March 2015

Most populations of big‐headed turtles (Platysternon megacephalum), a species distributed in 6 countries in Southeast Asia, have been heavily depleted because of severe hunting pressure for the food and pet trade. As with many other Southeast Asian turtles, low densities of individuals and few remaining populations have limited our ability to study, and thus understand, the ecology of this stream‐dwelling species. We conducted a radiotelemetry study on 31 adult big‐headed turtles to investigate their home range, movements, and habitat use. The home ranges of big‐headed turtles were small, with a mean 100% home‐range length of 97 m and 100% minimum convex polygon size of 996 m2. Movements by male and female big‐headed turtles did not differ and both sexes moved longer distances in wet seasons than in dry seasons. Both males and females showed non‐random habitat use, preferring to stay in pools rather than in other in‐stream or terrestrial habitats. Stream width and depth, and substrate type affected microhabitat use. Big‐headed turtles were highly aquatic and movements in terrestrial habitats were rare. Thus, turtle populations are concentrated in streams where they may be easily targeted by illegal trappers. We recommend increasing patrol efforts along streams to remove any traps or fish hooks. Innovative methods, such as installation of infrared‐triggered cameras equipped with remote viewing near or along streams, may be needed to tackle illegal turtle trapping effectively. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
Customer Knowledge Management Performance Index
Authors: Tseng Shu‐Mei , Fang Yu‐Yi
Published: March 2015

Customer knowledge plays a significant role in the operational processes of an enterprise. Hence, if companies want to acquire more customers, they must rely not only on the acquisition, control, and publication of customer knowledge but also—more importantly—must establish an objective, quantifiable customer knowledge management performance index for quantifying the customer knowledge management activities. Although there is a considerable research literature addressing the significance of customer knowledge management in enhancing corporate performance, there has been a relatively limited research literature relating to the performance measures to assist managers in managing their customer knowledge. Therefore, this study aims to design a customer knowledge management performance index while further investigating the relationship between customer knowledge management performance and corporate performance. The results of this study are expected to provide useful suggestions for practitioners to enhance corporate performance. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DNA damage in blood cells exposed to low‐level lasers
Authors: Sergio Luiz Philippe da Silva , Silva Ana Paula Almeida da , Amorim Philipi Freitas , Campos Vera Maria Araújo , Magalhães Luis Alexandre Gonçalves , de Paoli Flavia , de Souza da Fonseca Adenilson
Published: March 2015

Background and Objective

In regenerative medicine, there are increasing applications of low‐level lasers in therapeutic protocols for treatment of diseases in soft and in bone tissues. However, there are doubts about effects on DNA, and an adequate dosimetry could improve the safety of clinical applications of these lasers. This work aimed to evaluate DNA damage in peripheral blood cells of Wistar rats induced by low‐level red and infrared lasers at different fluences, powers, and emission modes according to therapeutic protocols.

Material and Methods

Peripheral blood samples were exposed to lasers and DNA damage was accessed by comet assay. In other experiments, DNA damage was accessed in blood cells by modified comet assay using formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (Fpg) and endonuclease III enzymes.

Results

Data show that exposure to low‐level red and infrared lasers induce DNA damage depending on fluence, power and emission mode, which are targeted by Fpg and endonuclease III.

Conclusion

Oxidative DNA damage should be considered for therapeutic efficacy and patient safety in clinical applications based on low‐level red and infrared lasers. Lasers Surg. Med. 47:361–368, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Boundedness in a two‐species chemotaxis system
Authors: Lin Ke , Mu Chunlai , Wang Liangchen
Published: March 2015

This paper is concerned with the following coupled chemotaxis system

urn:x-wiley:mma:media:mma3429:mma3429-math-0001
with homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions in a bounded domain Ω⊂Rn(n≥2) with smooth boundary, where λ, χ1, χ2, μ1, μ2, a1, a2, b1, and b2 are supposed to be positive and τ = 0,1.

In the case τ = 0, based on some energy estimates for both u and v, it is shown that for any parameters, the system possesses a unique globally bounded solution if n = 2. Moreover, when τ = 1, relying on a comparison principle, for a range of parameters, the existence of a unique global bounded classical solution of problem is established for any n≥2 if Ω is convex. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical study using explicit multistep Galerkin finite element method for the MRLW equation
Authors: Mei Liquan , Gao Yali , Chen Zhangxin
Published: March 2015

In this article, an explicit multistep Galerkin finite element method for the modified regularized long wave equation is studied. The discretization of this equation in space is by linear finite elements, and the time discretization is based on explicit multistep schemes. Stability analysis and error estimates of our numerical scheme are derived. Numerical experiments indicate the validation of the scheme by L2– and L∞– error norms and three invariants of motion.4 © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 31: 1875–1889, 2015
Highly cis‐1,4‐selective polymerization of isoprene achieved using neodymium chloride 8‐hydroxyquinolines
Authors: Wang Zhonghua , Qian Yongqiang , Zhang Wenjuan , Wang Jiye , He Lixia , Lin Qingju , Sun Wen‐Hua
Published: March 2015

Isoprene polymerization was conducted in the cis‐1,4‐selective manner by combining neodymium chloride with 8‐hydroxyquinoline derivatives and activating the system with triisobutylaluminium. The neodymium‐based complex pre‐catalysts with 8‐hydroxyquinoline derivatives were synthesized and characterized as well as the molecular structure of a representative complex using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. All complexes exhibited high activity and stereospecificity (up to 97.3%) towards isoprene polymers with high molecular weight (105 g mol−1). The Al/Nd and isoprene/Nd molar ratios, reaction temperature and influence of 8‐hydroxyquinoline substituents were investigated for correlations with catalytic activities and molecular weights of the polyisoprenes obtained. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Investigation of laser ablation on boron emitters for n‐type rear‐junction PERT type silicon wafer solar cells
Authors: Chen Jia , Deckers Jan , Choulat Patrick , Kuzma‐Filipek Izabela , Aleman Monica , Uruena De Castro Angel , Du Zhe Ren , Duerinckx Filip , Hoex Bram , Szlufcik Jozef , Poortmans Jef , Aberle Armin G.
Published: March 2015

n‐type silicon wafer solar cells are receiving increasing attention for industrial application in recent years, such as the n‐type rear‐junction Passivated Emitter Rear Totally‐diffused (PERT) solar cells. One of the main challenges in fabricating the n‐PERT solar cells is the opening of the rear dielectric for localized contacts. In this work laser ablation is applied to locally ablate the rear dielectric. We investigate the laser damage to the emitter at the laser‐ablated regions using the emitter saturation current density, J0e,laser, extracted by two approaches. J0e,laser is observed to be injection dependent due to high J02 recombination caused by laser damage to the space charge region. By using the optimized laser ablation parameters, n‐PERT solar cells with an efficiency of up to 21.0% are realized. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
pH‐ and β‐cyclodextrin‐responsive micelles based on polyaspartamide derivatives as drug carrier
Authors: Yu Huan , Sun Jian , Zhang Yunti , Zhang Guangyan , Chu Yanfeng , Zhuo Renxi , Jiang Xulin
Published: March 2015

A novel kind of graft polymer poly(aspartic acid)‐ethanediamine‐g‐adamantane/methyloxy polyethylene glycol (Pasp‐EDA‐g‐Ad/mPEG) was designed and synthesized for drug delivery in this study. The chemical structure of the prepared polymer was confirmed by proton NMR. The obtained polymer can self‐assemble into micelles which were stable under a physiological environment and displayed pH‐ and β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD)‐responsive behaviors because of the acid‐labile benzoic imine linkage and hydrophobic adamantine groups in the side chains of the polymer. The doxorubicin (Dox)‐loaded micelles showed a slow release under physiological conditions and a rapid release after exposure to weakly acidic or β‐CD environment. The in vitro cytotoxicity results suggested that the polymer was good at biocompatibility and could remain Dox biologically active. Hence, the Pasp‐EDA‐g‐Ad/mPEG micelles may be applied as promising controlled drug delivery system for hydrophobic antitumor drugs. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 1387–1395
Forming‐free resistive switching characteristics and improved reliability in sub‐stoichiometric NbNx films
Authors: Kim Hee‐Dong , Yun Min Ju , Kim Tae Geun
Published: March 2015

In this study, we demonstrate forming‐free and reliable resistive switching (RS) characteristics by controlling the stoichiometry of niobium nitride (NbNx) films. Compared to a perfect stoichiometric NbNx film, a decrease of 6% nitrogen content and an increase of 5% O2 content are found in the sub‐stoichiometric NbNx sample (s‐NbNx), and a structural change for the s‐NbNx film is observed from X‐ray diffraction results, which results in the possibility of abundant defect generation in the s‐NbNx film at virgin state. In the RS test, the s‐NbNx film normally carries out well without initial forming because of the already‐formed conducting filaments; in particular, in the reliability study, the s‐NbNx film shows more stable dc cycling characteristics for 1000 cycles without any degradation and smaller variations in the operating current and voltage characteristics. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Enhanced HIV‐1 Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitory and Antibacterial Properties in Callus of Catha edulis Forsk.
Authors: Kumari Aloka , Baskaran Ponnusamy , Van Staden Johannes
Published: March 2015

Developing tissue culture systems for medicinal plants is important in that they may offer an alternative to protect wild populations. However, analysis of bioactivity for tissue culture developed plant tissues is required to offer support and allow acceptance in traditional medicine. The use of propagated callus could provide potential material for therapeutic purposes. This study was aimed at evaluating the anti‐HIV and antibacterial properties of a three‐month‐old tissue culture‐derived calli and leaves of cultivated mother plants of Catha edulis Forsk. The calli were derived from leaf explants using different plant growth regulators. The calli obtained from callus cultured on 9.8 μM indole‐3‐butyric acid plus 2.7 μM naphthalene acetic acid exhibited the highest HIV‐1 reverse transcriptase inhibitory effects when compared with other treatments and the mother plants. Different extracts of callus exhibited high antibacterial activity (<1 mg/mL: minimum inhibitory concentration from 0.098 to 0.78 mg/mL) against both gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria. Leaf acetone extracts showed moderate activity (minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.78 mg/mL) against Staphylococcus aureus. The present study indicated that tissue culture‐derived calli could be used as therapeutic agents for traditional medicine. The choice of treatment used in the tissue culture system and the age of the callus for production of biomass may significantly influence its therapeutic potential. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibition of Cancer Cell Proliferation and Antiradical Effects of Decoction, Hydroalcoholic Extract, and Principal Constituents of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br.
Authors: Statti Giancarlo , Marrelli Mariangela , Conforti Filomena , Spagnoletti Antonella , Tacchini Massimo , Fimognari Carmela , Brognara Eleonora , Gambari Roberto , Sacchetti Gianni , Guerrini Alessandra
Published: March 2015

Indian Sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus R. Br.) is widely used in Indian traditional medicine. In the present work, we explored the effects of decoction, traditional Ayurvedic preparation, and hydroalcoholic extract, a phytocomplex more traditionally studied and commercialized as food supplement in western medicine, from the roots as possible source of chemicals with new functional potential linked to their nutritional uses. The antiproliferative and antioxidant properties were assayed. To test antiproliferative affects, different cancer cell lines, growing both as monolayers (CaCo2, MCF‐7, A549, K562, MDA‐MB‐231, Jurkat, HepG2, and LoVo) and in suspension (K562 and Jurkat) were used. The decoction showed strong activity on HepG2 cells, while the hydroalcoholic extracts were active on HepG2, LoVo, MCF‐7, K562, and Jurkat cell lines. Weak inhibition of cancer cell proliferation was observed for the principal constituents of the preparations: 2‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzaldehyde, 2‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzoic acid, and 3‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzaldehyde that were tested alone. The antiradical activity was tested with 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid)diammonium salt tests and inhibition of nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Interesting result has also been obtained for hydroalcoholic extract regarding genoprotective potential (58.79% of inhibition at 37.5 µg/mL). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A general method to describe intersystem crossing dynamics in trajectory surface hopping
Authors: Mai Sebastian , Marquetand Philipp , González Leticia
Published: March 2015

Intersystem crossing is a radiationless process that can take place in a molecule irradiated by UV‐Vis light, thereby playing an important role in many environmental, biological and technological processes. This paper reviews different methods to describe intersystem crossing dynamics, paying attention to semiclassical trajectory theories, which are especially interesting because they can be applied to large systems with many degrees of freedom. In particular, a general trajectory surface hopping methodology recently developed by the authors, which is able to include nonadiabatic and spin‐orbit couplings in excited‐state dynamics simulations, is explained in detail. This method, termed SHARC, can in principle include any arbitrary coupling, what makes it generally applicable to photophysical and photochemical problems, also those including explicit laser fields. A step‐by‐step derivation of the main equations of motion employed in surface hopping based on the fewest‐switches method of Tully, adapted for the inclusion of spin‐orbit interactions, is provided. Special emphasis is put on describing the different possible choices of the electronic bases in which spin‐orbit can be included in surface hopping, highlighting the advantages and inconsistencies of the different approaches. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nanotechnology in the management of cervical cancer
Authors: Chen Jiezhong , Gu Wenyi , Yang Lei , Chen Chen , Shao Renfu , Xu Kewei , Xu Zhi Ping
Published: March 2015

Cervical cancer is a major disease with high mortality. All cervical cancers are caused by infection with human papillomaviruses (HPV). Although preventive vaccines for cervical cancer are successful, treatment of cervical cancer is far less satisfactory because of multidrug resistance and side effects. In this review, we summarize the recent application of nanotechnology to the diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer as well as the development of HPV vaccines. Early detection of cervical cancer enables tumours to be efficiently removed by surgical procedures, leading to increased survival rate. The current method of detecting cervical cancer by Pap smear can only achieve 50% sensitivity, whereas nanotechnology has been used to detect HPVs with greatly improved sensitivity. In cervical cancer treatment, nanotechnology has been used for the delivery of anticancer drugs to increase treatment efficacy and decrease side effects. Nanodelivery of HPV preventive and therapeutic vaccines has also been investigated to increase vaccine efficacy. Overall, these developments suggest that nanoparticle‐based vaccine may become the most effective way to prevent and treat cervical cancer, assisted or combined with some other nanotechnology‐based therapy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mild Heat Treatment Primes Human CD34+ Cord Blood Cells for Migration Toward SDF-1α and Enhances Engraftment in an NSG Mouse Model
Authors: Capitano Maegan L. , Hangoc Giao , Cooper Scott , Broxmeyer Hal E.
Published: March 2015

Simple efforts are needed to enhance cord blood (CB) transplantation. We hypothesized that short-term exposure of CD34+ CB cells to 39.5°C would enhance their response to stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), by increasing lipid raft aggregation and CXCR4 expression, thus leading to enhanced engraftment. Mild hyperthermia (39.5°C) significantly increased the percent of CD34+ CB that migrated toward SDF-1. This was associated with increased expression of CXCR4 on the cells. Mechanistically, mild heating increased the percent of CD34+ cells with aggregated lipid rafts and enhanced colocalization of CXCR4 within lipid raft domains. Using methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD), an agent that blocks lipid raft aggregation, it was determined that this enhancement in chemotaxis was dependent upon lipid raft aggregation. Colocalization of Rac1, a GTPase crucial for cell migration and adhesion, with CXCR4 to the lipid raft was essential for the effects of heat on chemotaxis, as determined with an inhibitor of Rac1 activation, NSC23766. Application-wise, mild heat treatment significantly increased the percent chimerism as well as homing and engraftment of CD34+ CB cells in sublethally irradiated non-obese diabetic severe combined immunodeficiency IL-2 receptor gamma chain d (NSG) mice. Mild heating may be a simple and inexpensive means to enhance engraftment following CB transplantation in patients. Stem Cells Stem Cells  2015;33:1975–1984
Synthesis and X‐ray Crystal Structures of Zinc Dichloride Complexes Supported by a β‐Diimine Ligand
Authors: Scheiper Christoph , Naglav Dominik , Bläser Dieter , Wölper Christoph , Schulz Stephan
Published: March 2015

β‐Diimine zinc dichloride complexes [CH2{C(Me)NAr}2]ZnCl2 [Ar = Mes (1), Dipp (2)] were obtained from the reactions of ZnCl2 with the corresponding β‐iminoamines [ArN(H)C(Me)CHC(Me)NAr]. Complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by multinuclear NMR (1H, 13C) and IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses as well as by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The energy differences between the enamine‐imine tautomers of the β‐iminoamines were quantified by quantum chemical calculations.
Novel Copper(II) Thiodibenzoic Acid Coordination Polymers by in situ Extrusion of Sulfur from 2,2′‐Dithiodibenzoic Acid and the Unique Oxidation of Disulfide to Sulfate
Authors: Moosun Salma B. , Blair Lisa H. , Coles Simon J. , Laulloo Sabina J. , Bhowon Minu G.
Published: March 2015

Slow diffusion reaction of 2,2′‐dithiodibenzoic acid (dtdb) with CuCl2 in the presence of N‐donor ligands results in the formation of different coordination polymers where both S–S and C–S scission and oxidation of S is observed. X‐ray diffraction analysis of [Cu(tdb)(phen)(H2O)]2·2H2O.2DMF] (1), [Cu(tdb)(py)2(H2O)]2 (3), and [Cu(tdb)(bipy)(H2O)]2·0.5H2O (4) (tdb = thiodibenzoic acid, phen = phenanthroline, py = pyridine, bipy = 2,2′‐bipyridine) show that the metal ions are coordinated to the carboxylate oxygen atoms of the in situ generated tdb ligand in a monodenate fashion. In [Cu(phen)(SO4)2(H2O)2]n (2) and [Cu(bipy)(SO4)2(H2O)2]n (5), the sulfur is oxidized to sulfate ions prior to coordination with the metal. Complex 1 has a dimeric structure with π–π interactions between the phen ligands, whereas 3 and 4 form 1D polymeric chains.
Insect species recorded in sugarcane fields of Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, over three seasons in 2012
Authors: Voraphab Itsarapong , Hanboonsong Yupa , Kobori Youichi , Ikeda Hiroaki , Osawa Takeshi
Published: March 2015

The diversity of insect species in cultivated fields provides a number of ecosystem benefits, including natural pest control and pollination. However, current knowledge of the insect fauna in agricultural landscapes is extremely limited when compared with information available for other ecosystems, such as forests and rivers. Here, we present data on insect diversity, including functional feeding group diversity, in sugarcane fields of Khon Kaen Province, Thailand. Sugarcane is a major Thai crop. We collected insects using light trap systems located in 16 sugarcane field plots. Each light trap was deployed in an individual 0.16 ha plot. Trapping was conducted over three seasons, including both dry and rainy periods, in March, June, and October of 2012. On each trapping day, we collected insects in the evening from 18:00 to 19:30. The traps yielded a total of 98,423 individuals including 143 species belonging to 26 families. We classified collections into five functional feeding groups: herbivores, predators, decomposers, parasitoids, and pollinators. The dominant functional species were herbivores, followed in rank order by predators; most individuals in the traps were predatory species. We assembled an insect fauna data set that will be useful in the study of southeast Asian agricultural ecosystems and provided the data in the Darwin Core Archive format.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa injects type III effector ExoS into epithelial cells through the function of type IV pili
Authors: Hayashi Naoki , Nishizawa Hideyuki , Kitao Seiya , Deguchi Sakurako , Nakamura Takano , Fujimoto Akiyo , Shikata Mototsugu , Gotoh Naomasa
Published: March 2015

Translocation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa through epithelial tissues can cause sepsis. Here, we examined whether P. aeruginosa penetrates epithelial cell layers using type IV pili (TFP). Deletion of TFP (pilA) did not affect association with Caco‐2 cells, although it decreased penetration through, and disruption of, Caco‐2 cell monolayers. We found that TFP are necessary for injection of the type III effector ExoS, which impairs defense against P. aeruginosa penetration, into host cells. Deletion of pilA attenuated oral infection in silkworms. We conclude that P. aeruginosa injects ExoS into cells through the function of TFP, enabling penetration of epithelial barriers.
The role of Drosophila TNF Eiger in developmental and damage‐induced neuronal apoptosis
Authors: Shklover Jeny , Levy-Adam Flonia , Kurant Estee
Published: March 2015

Eiger, the sole Drosophila TNF‐alpha homolog, causes ectopic apoptosis through JNK pathway activation. Yet, its role in developmental apoptosis remains unclear. eiger mutant flies are viable and fertile but display compromised elimination of oncogenic cells and extracellular bacteria. Here we show that Eiger, specifically expressed in embryonic neurons and glia, is not involved in developmental neuronal apoptosis or in apoptotic cell clearance. Instead, we provide evidence that Eiger is required for damage‐induced apoptosis in the embryonic CNS through regulation of the pro‐apoptotic gene hid independently of the JNK pathway. Our study thus reveals a new requirement for Eiger in eliminating damaged cells during development.
Finger and Toe Temperature Responses to Cold After Freezing Cold Injury in Elite Alpinists
Authors: Morrison Shawnda A. , Gorjanc Jurij , Eiken Ola , Mekjavic Igor B.
Published: March 2015

Objective

To assess whether previous freezing cold injuries (FCI) would affect digit skin temperatures and rewarming rates during a follow-up cold stress test protocol.

Design

Nonrandomized control trial.

Methods

Twenty elite alpinists participated; alpinists with previous FCI requiring digit amputations (injured, INJ: n = 10 total, n = 8 male) were compared with ability-matched, uninjured alpinists (control, CON: n = 10, all male). Digit skin temperature was measured using infrared thermography as an index of peripheral digit perfusion after a cold stress test, which consisted of 30 minutes of immersion in 8°C water.

Results

The INJ alpinists’ injured toes were warmer (approximately 6%) than their uninjured toes immediately after cold immersion (95% CI, 0.01°C to 1.00°C; P = .05); there were no differences between the rates of rewarming of injured and uninjured toes (INJ, 0.5° ± 0.1°C/min; CON, 0.7° ± 0.3°C/min; P = .16). Although the INJ alpinists had colder injured fingers immediately after the 35°C warm bath compared with their own uninjured fingers (32.2° ± 2.0°C vs 34.5° ± 0.5°C; P = .02), there were no differences observed between the rates of rewarming of injured and uninjured fingers after cold exposure (INJ, 1.1° ± 0.2°C/min; CON, 1.3° ± 0.5°C/min; P = .22).

Conclusions

Even after FCI that requires digit amputation, there is no evidence of different tissue rates of rewarming between the injured and uninjured fingers or toes of elite alpinists.
Quaternary chronostratigraphy and stable isotope paleoecology of Big Bone Lick, Kentucky, USA
Authors: Tankersley Kenneth Barnett , Murari Madhav Krishna , Crowley Brooke E. , Owen Lewis A. , Storrs Glenn W. , Mortensen Litsa
Published: March 2015

Big Bone Lick (BBL) in northern Kentucky, USA has been a critical geologic site in the historical development of North American Quaternary vertebrate paleontology since the 1700s. Sedimentology, geoarcheology, paleontology, accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence dating, and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses were undertaken to develop a chronostratigraphy and history of erosion and deposition for the site to provide a foundation for understanding taphonomy, and species extinction and adaptation to periods of climatic and environmental change. Three geomorphic surfaces are recognized at BBL representing significant periods of floodplain aggradation since the last glacial maximum (26.5–19 ka) dating to the Oldest Dryas (Tazewell, 25–19 ka), the Older Dryas (Cary, 14–12 ka), and late Holocene (5 ka to the present). Unconformities suggest significant periods of degradation during the transitions from cold and dry to warm and moist climates from the Oldest Dryas (Tazewell) to Bølling Oscillation, from the Older Dryas (Cary) to the Allerød, and from the Younger Dryas (Valders) to the Holocene Climatic Optimum. Increased anthropogenic activities since ~ 5 ka may have increased soil upland erosion and floodplain aggradation. Stable isotopes demonstrate that the landscape has been dominated by C 3 vegetation since the last glacial maximum.
Experimental investigation of flow development and gap vortex street in an eccentric annular channel. Part 2. Effects of inlet conditions, diameter ratio, eccentricity and Reynolds number
Authors: Choueiri George H. , Tavoularis Stavros
Published: March 2015

The development and structure of flows in eccentric annular channels and their dependence on inlet conditions, inner-to-outer diameter ratio $d/D$, eccentricity $e=2{\rm\Delta}y/(D-d)$, where ${\rm\Delta}y$ is the distance between the axes of the inner and outer cylinders, and Reynolds number $\mathit{Re}$, based on the hydraulic diameter and the bulk velocity, were studied experimentally, with focus on the phenomena of gap instability and the resulting vortex street. Experimental conditions covered a Reynolds number range between 0 and 19 000, an eccentricity range from 0 to 0.9 and inner-to-outer diameter ratios equal to 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75. Much of the discussion is based on measurements in the middle of the narrow annular gap, where the phenomena of interest could be observed most vividly. In the range $\mathit{Re}<10\,000$, the Strouhal number, the normalized mid-gap axial flow velocity and the normalized axial and cross-flow fluctuations at mid-gap were found to increase with increasing $\mathit{Re}$ and to depend strongly on inlet conditions. At higher Reynolds numbers, however, these parameters reached asymptotic values that were less sensitive to inlet conditions. We constructed a map for the various stages of periodic motions versus eccentricity and Reynolds number and found that for $e<0.5$ or $\mathit{Re}<1100$ the flow was unconditionally stable, as far as gap instability is concerned. For $e\leqslant 0.5$, transition to turbulence occurred at $\mathit{Re}\approx 6000$, whereas, for $0.6\leqslant e\leqslant 0.9$, the critical Reynolds number for the formation of periodic motions was found to increase with eccentricity from 1100 for $e=0.6$ to 3800 for $e=0.9$.