bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metal–Organic Gel Material Based on UiO‐66‐NH2 Nanoparticles for Improved Adsorption and Conversion of Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Liu Liping , Zhang Jianyong , Fang Haobin , Chen Liuping , Su Cheng‐Yong
Published: June 2016

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) including the UiO‐66 series show potential application in the adsorption and conversion of CO2. Herein, we report the first tetravalent metal‐based metal–organic gels constructed from ZrIV and 2‐aminoterephthalic acid (H2BDC‐NH2). The ZrBDC‐NH2 gel materials are based on UiO‐66‐NH2 nanoparticles and were easily prepared under mild conditions (80 °C for 4.5 h). The ZrBDC‐NH2‐1:1‐0.2 gel material has a high surface area (up to 1040 m2 g−1) and showed outstanding performance in CO2 adsorption (by using the dried material) and conversion (by using the wet gel) arising from the combined advantages of the gel and the UiO‐66‐NH2 MOF. The ZrBDC‐NH2‐1:1‐0.2 dried material showed 38 % higher capture capacity for CO2 at 298 K than microcrystalline UiO‐66‐NH2. It showed high ideal adsorbed solution theory selectivity (71.6 at 298 K) for a CO2/N2 gas mixture (molar ratio 15:85). Furthermore, the ZrBDC‐NH2‐1:1‐0.2 gel showed activity as a heterogeneous catalyst in the chemical fixation of CO2 and an excellent catalytic performance was achieved for the cycloaddition of atmospheric pressure of CO2 to epoxides at 373 K. In addition, the gel catalyst could be reused over multiple cycles with no considerable loss of catalytic activity.
Luminescence analysis of SrGa2Si2O8: RE3+ (RE = Dy, Tm) phosphors
Authors: R.Kadukar Monali , Dhoble S. J. , Sahu A. K. , Nayar V. , Sailaja S. , Reddy B. Sudhakar
Published: June 2016

This article reports on the luminescence properties of rare earth (Dy3+ and Tm3+)ions doped SrGa2Si2O8 phosphor were studied. SrGa2Si2O8phosphors weresynthesizedby employing solid state reaction method.From the measured X‐ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the samplemonoclinic phase structure has been observed. Thermoluminescenceand Mechanoluminescence properties of the γ‐ray irradiated samples have been studied. Photoluminescence spectra of Dy3+ activated SrGa2Si2O8phosphor has been measured with an excitation wavelength at 348 nm,and it shows two emission bands at 483 and 574 nm due to 4F9/2 → 6H15/2 and 4F9/2 → 6H13/2 transitions respectively. Whereas the photoluminescence spectra of Tm3+ activated SrGa2Si2O8 phosphor has been measured with an excitation wavelength at 359 nm and it exhibits two emission bands at 454 and 472 nm due to 1D2 → 3F4 and1G4 → 3H6 transitions respectively. In thermoluminescence study, γ‐irradiatedthermoluminescence glow curve of SrGa2Si2O8:Dy3+ phosphor shows two well defined peaks at 293 °C (peak1)and 170 °C (peak2) whereas thermoluminescence glow curve of SrGa2Si2O8:Tm3+ phosphor shows peaks at 292 °C (peak1) and 184 °C (peak2) indicating that two sets of traps are being activated within the particular temperature range and the trapping parameters associated with the prominent glow peaks of SrGa2Si2O8:Dy3+ and SrGa2Si2O8:Tm3+ are calculated using Chen's peak shape and initial rise method.From the Mechanoluminescence study, only one glow peak has been observed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thiol Redox and pKa Properties of Mycothiol, the Predominant Low‐Molecular‐Weight Thiol Cofactor in the Actinomycetes
Authors: Sharma Sunil V. , Van Laer Koen , Messens Joris , Hamilton Chris J.
Published: June 2016

The thiol pKa and standard redox potential of mycothiol, the major low‐molecular‐weight thiol cofactor in the actinomycetes, are reported. The measured standard redox potential reveals substantial discrepancies in one or more of the other previously measured intracellular parameters that are relevant to mycothiol redox biochemistry.
Parity: How to fight for insurance for your child's mental health services
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: June 2016

If your child needs mental health services, you have probably struggled with how to pay for them, especially if you have health insurance. Many mental health care providers don't accept health insurance, however. Put another way, insurance doesn't pay them. Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), however, insurance companies are required to treat mental and substance use disorders (SUDs) the same way they treat medical/surgical disorders. In other words, if they pay for diabetes treatment, they have to pay for mental health treatment.
Support for the predictive validity of the multifactor offender readiness model (MORM): forensic patients' readiness and engagement with therapeutic groups
Authors: Alemohammad Mehdi , Wood Jane L. , Tapp James , Moore Estelle , Skelly Alan
Published: June 2016

Background

Treatment non‐engagement in forensic health settings has ethical and economic implications. The multifactor offender readiness model (MORM) provides a framework for assessing treatment readiness across person, programme and contexts.

Aims

To answer the following question: Are the internal factors of the MORM associated with likelihood of engagement in groups by patients in forensic mental health services?

Method

In a retrospective design, associations were investigated between internal factors of the MORM, measured as part of assessment for group participation, and the outcomes of treatment refusal, treatment dropout and treatment completion.

Results

One hundred and eighteen male patients in a high security hospital consecutively referred for group treatment agreed to participate. Internal factors of the MORM associated with treatment refusals included: psychopathic cognition, negative self‐evaluation/affect and effective goal‐seeking strategies. Those associated with dropouts included emotional dysregulation, low competencies to engage and low levels of general distress. MORM factors associated with completion included: low motivation, ineffective goal‐seeking strategies, absence of psychopathic cognition, high levels of general distress and competency to engage.

Conclusions

Internal factors of the MORM could be useful contributors to decisions about treatment readiness for hospitalised male offender‐patients. Up to one in three programmes offered were refused, so clinical use of the MORM to aid referral decisions could optimise the most constructive use of resources for every individual. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative clinical and psychosocial benefits of tooth bleaching: different light activation of a 38% peroxide gel in a preliminary case–control study
Authors: Calderini Angelo , Sciara Simona , Semeria Chiara , Pantaleo Giuseppe , Polizzi Elisabetta
Published: June 2016

Key Clinical Message

Tooth bleaching is a widespread dental treatment with important psychosocial antecedents and outcomes involved. In the activation of in‐office bleaching agents, a selective light radiation, that is, a diode laser seems to be a positive choice to decrease the time of bleaching without surface modification and with no residual tooth sensitivity for maximum effect and minimal clinical and psychological side effects.
Spectroscopic, Electrochemical and Computational Characterisation of Ru Species Involved in Catalytic Water Oxidation: Evidence for a [RuV(O)(Py2Metacn)] Intermediate
Authors: Casadevall Carla , Codolà Zoel , Costas Miquel , Lloret‐Fillol Julio
Published: June 2016

A new family of ruthenium complexes based on the N‐pentadentate ligand Py2Metacn (N‐methyl‐N′,N′′‐bis(2‐picolyl)‐1,4,7‐triazacyclononane) has been synthesised and its catalytic activity has been studied in the water‐oxidation (WO) reaction. We have used chemical oxidants (ceric ammonium nitrate and NaIO4) to generate the WO intermediates [RuII(OH2)(Py2Metacn)]2+, [RuIII(OH2)(Py2Metacn)]3+, [RuIII(OH)(Py2Metacn)]2+ and [RuIV(O)(Py2Metacn)]2+, which have been characterised spectroscopically. Their relative redox and pH stability in water has been studied by using UV/Vis and NMR spectroscopies, HRMS and spectroelectrochemistry. [RuIV(O)(Py2Metacn)]2+ has a long half‐life (>48 h) in water. The catalytic cycle of WO has been elucidated by using kinetic, spectroscopic, 18O‐labelling and theoretical studies, and the conclusion is that the rate‐determining step is a single‐site water nucleophilic attack on a metal‐oxo species. Moreover, [RuIV(O)(Py2Metacn)]2+ is proposed to be the resting state under catalytic conditions. By monitoring CeIV consumption, we found that the O2 evolution rate is redox‐controlled and independent of the initial concentration of CeIV. Based on these facts, we propose herein that [RuIV(O)(Py2Metacn)]2+ is oxidised to [RuV(O)(Py2Metacn)]2+ prior to attack by a water molecule to give [RuIII(OOH)(Py2Metacn)]2+. Finally, it is shown that the difference in WO reactivity between the homologous iron and ruthenium [M(OH2)(Py2Metacn)]2+ (M=Ru, Fe) complexes is due to the difference in the redox stability of the key MV(O) intermediate. These results contribute to a better understanding of the WO mechanism and the differences between iron and ruthenium complexes in WO reactions.
Inherently Chiral Spider‐Like Oligothiophenes
Authors: Sannicolò Francesco , Mussini Patrizia R. , Benincori Tiziana , Martinazzo Rocco , Arnaboldi Serena , Appoloni Giulio , Panigati Monica , Quartapelle Procopio Elsa , Marino Valentina , Cirilli Roberto , Casolo Simone , Kutner Wlodzimer , Noworyta Krysztof , Pietrzyk‐Le Agnieszka , Iskierko Zofia , Bartold Katarzina
Published: June 2016

Invited for the cover of this issue are the groups of F. Sannicolò, P. R. Mussini and R. Martinazzo (University of Milan, Italy), T. Benincori (University of Insubria, Italy), and W. Kutner (Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland). The image depicts the spider (S)‐T83 in a highly selective chiral web, in which enantiomorphic insects (l‐ and d‐DOPA, R‐ and S‐FcA) are differently entrapped. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201504899.
One‐Step Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticle‐Decorated Hydroxyapatite Nanowires for the Construction of Highly Flexible Free‐Standing Paper with High Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Xiong Zhi‐Chao , Zhu Ying‐Jie , Chen Fei‐Fei , Sun Tuan‐Wei , Shen Yue‐Qin
Published: June 2016

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Ying‐Jie Zhu at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The image depicts a highly flexible and free‐standing paper with high antibacterial activity made from silver nanoparticle‐decorated ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201601438.
Scherzonen
Authors: Sturm Robert
Published: June 2016

Innerhalb von Scherzonen, entlang derer die Verschiebung unterschiedlich großer Einheiten der Erdkruste erfolgt, kommt es durch chemische Reaktionen zu einem Umbau der Gesteinsmineralogie. Diese metamorphe Umwandlung erfährt vom Rand zum Zentrum der Scherzone eine fortwährende Intensitätssteigerung und wird von Druck, Temperatur und dem eventuellen Vorhandensein einer fluiden Phase kontrolliert. Wie anhand eines konkreten Beispiels demonstriert wird, sind für die chemische Massenbilanzierung in einer Scherzone neben der chemischen Analyse von Edukt und Produkt vor allem Veränderungen der Dichte und des Volumens zu dokumentieren. Diese entscheiden darüber, ob ein iso‐ oder anisochemischer Umwandlungsprozess vorliegt.
Decomposition of cyclohexyl hydroperoxide over bimetallic mesoporous materials containing cobalt and chromium
Authors: Li Lixia , Wu Zhaowei , Guo Lulu , Yuan Xia
Published: June 2016

Bimetallic mesoporous Co‐Cr‐TUD‐1 and its counterparts Co‐TUD‐1 and Cr‐TUD‐1 were synthesized by a direct hydrothermal treatment (DHT) method with triethanolamine as a template. The products were characterized by many techniques. Results show that Co and Cr are incorporated into the framework of TUD‐1. The catalytic behaviours of the samples were tested in decomposition of cyclohexyl hydroperoxide (CHHP). Co‐Cr‐TUD‐1 (Si/(Co + Cr) = 25) shows the highest catalytic efficiency with a CHHP conversion of 96.9 % and total selectivity of cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol of 95.9 %, which outperforms Co‐TUD‐1 and Cr‐TUD‐1 and indicates a synergistic effect between Co and Cr in Co‐Cr‐TUD‐1. The catalysts are mainly heterogeneous as shown in various experiments, while the catalytic performances of recovered catalysts declined modestly, indicating non‐negligible amounts of Co and Cr are leached after some cycles.
Differences in Leaf Functional Traits Between Rhus typhina and Native Species
Authors: Wang Congyan , Liu Jun , Xiao Hongguang , Zhou Jiawei
Published: June 2016

The differences in leaf functional traits between invasive and native species are considered to be closely linked to the mechanisms underlying successful plant invasion because co‐occurring invasive and native species experience similar or even identical environmental selective pressures. This study aims to determine the differences in leaf functional traits and resource‐use strategy between the invader Rhus typhina and the native species Sapindus mukorossi. Leaf chlorophyll and nitrogen concentrations, specific leaf area (SLA), and leaf moisture of R. typhina were significantly higher than those of S. mukorossi, but leaf length, leaf width, and single‐leaf wet and dry weights of R. typhina were significantly lower than those of S. mukorossi. Plasticity indices of leaf shape index and SLA of R. typhina were obviously higher than those of S. mukorossi, while plasticity indices of single‐leaf wet and dry weights, and leaf moisture of R. typhina were obviously lower than those of S. mukorossi. The higher leaf chlorophyll and nitrogen concentrations, SLA, and leaf moisture as well as the high range of phenotypic plasticity of leaf shape index and SLA for R. typhina may confer it a competitive advantage and thus play an important role in its successful invasion.
Simulated transcatheter aortic valve deformation: A parametric study on the impact of leaflet geometry on valve peak stress
Authors: Li Kewei , Sun Wei
Published: June 2016

In this study, we developed a computational framework to investigate the impact of leaflet geometry of a transcatheter aortic valve (TAV) on the leaflet stress distribution, aiming at optimizing TAV leaflet design to reduce its peak stress. Utilizing a generic TAV model developed previously [Li and Sun, Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 2010. 38(8): 2690–2701], we first parameterized the 2D leaflet geometry by mathematical equations, then by perturbing the parameters of the equations, we could automatically generate a new leaflet design, remesh the 2D leaflet model and build a 3D leaflet model from the 2D design via a Python script. Approximately 500 different leaflet designs were investigated by simulating TAV closure under the nominal circular deployment and physiological loading conditions. From the simulation results, we identified a new leaflet design that could reduce the previously reported valve peak stress by about 5%. The parametric analysis also revealed that increasing the free edge width had the highest overall impact on decreasing the peak stress. A similar computational analysis was further performed for a TAV deployed in an abnormal, asymmetric elliptical configuration. We found that a minimal free edge height of 0.46 mm should be adopted to prevent central backflow leakage. This increase of the free edge height resulted in an increase of the leaflet peak stress. Furthermore, the parametric study revealed a complex response surface for the impact of the leaflet geometric parameters on the peak stress, underscoring the importance of performing a numerical optimization to obtain the optimal TAV leaflet design. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stable Deep Doping of Vapor‐Phase Polymerized Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)/Ionic Liquid Supercapacitors
Authors: Karlsson Christoffer , Nicholas James , Evans Drew , Forsyth Maria , Strømme Maria , Sjödin Martin , Howlett Patrick C. , Pozo‐Gonzalo Cristina
Published: June 2016

Liquid‐solution polymerization and vapor‐phase polymerization (VPP) have been used to manufacture a series of chloride‐ and tosylate‐doped poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) carbon paper electrodes. The electrochemistry, specific capacitance, and specific charge were determined for single electrodes in 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium dicyanamide (emim dca) ionic liquid electrolyte. VPP‐PEDOT exhibits outstanding properties with a specific capacitance higher than 300 F g−1, the highest value reported for a PEDOT‐based conducting polymer, and doping levels as high as 0.7 charges per monomer were achieved. Furthermore, symmetric PEDOT supercapacitor cells with the emim dca electrolyte exhibited a high specific capacitance (76.4 F g−1) and high specific energy (19.8 Wh kg−1). A Ragone plot shows that the VPP‐PEDOT cells combine the high specific power of conventional (“pure”) capacitors with the high specific energy of batteries, a highly sought‐after target for energy storage.
Point process models for localization and interdependence of punctate cellular structures
Authors: Li Ying , Majarian Timothy D. , Naik Armaghan W. , Johnson Gregory R. , Murphy Robert F.
Published: June 2016

Accurate representations of cellular organization for multiple eukaryotic cell types are required for creating predictive models of dynamic cellular function. To this end, we have previously developed the CellOrganizer platform, an open source system for generative modeling of cellular components from microscopy images. CellOrganizer models capture the inherent heterogeneity in the spatial distribution, size, and quantity of different components among a cell population. Furthermore, CellOrganizer can generate quantitatively realistic synthetic images that reflect the underlying cell population. A current focus of the project is to model the complex, interdependent nature of organelle localization. We built upon previous work on developing multiple non‐parametric models of organelles or structures that show punctate patterns. The previous models described the relationships between the subcellular localization of puncta and the positions of cell and nuclear membranes and microtubules. We extend these models to consider the relationship to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and to consider the relationship between the positions of different puncta of the same type. Our results do not suggest that the punctate patterns we examined are dependent on ER position or inter‐ and intra‐class proximity. With these results, we built classifiers to update previous assignments of proteins to one of 11 patterns in three distinct cell lines. Our generative models demonstrate the ability to construct statistically accurate representations of puncta localization from simple cellular markers in distinct cell types, capturing the complex phenomena of cellular structure interaction with little human input. This protocol represents a novel approach to vesicular protein annotation, a field that is often neglected in high‐throughput microscopy. These results suggest that spatial point process models provide useful insight with respect to the spatial dependence between cellular structures. © 2016 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Muscle‐derived matrix metalloproteinase regulates stem cell proliferation in planarians
Authors: Dingwall Caitlin B. , King Ryan S.
Published: June 2016

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a large family of regulatory enzymes that function in extracellular matrix degradation and facilitate a diverse range of cellular processes. Despite the significant focus on the activities of MMPs in human disease, there is a lack of substantial knowledge regarding their normal physiological roles and their role in regulating aspects of stem cell biology. The freshwater planarian Schmidtea mediterranea (S. mediterranea) is an excellent system in which to study robust and nearly unlimited regeneration, guided by a population of mitotically active stem cells, termed neoblasts. Results: We characterized MMPs in the context of planarian stem cells, specifically exploring the role of S. mediterranea MT‐MMPB. Using in situ hybridization and available functional genomic tools, we observed that mt‐mmpB is expressed in the dorsoventral muscle cells, and its loss results in a reduction in animal size accompanied by a decrease in mitotic cells, suggesting that it plays a unique role in regulating stem cell proliferation. Conclusions: The novel findings of this study bring to light the unique and critical roles that muscles play in regulating neoblast function, and more broadly, highlight the importance of MMPs in stem cell biology. Developmental Dynamics 245:963–970, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the generalization of attitude accessibility after repeated attitude expression
Authors: Descheemaeker Mathilde , Spruyt Adriaan , Fazio Russell H. , Hermans Dirk
Published: June 2016

The more accessible an attitude is, the stronger is its influence on information processing and behavior. Accessibility can be increased through attitude rehearsal, but it remains unknown whether attitude rehearsal also affects the accessibility of related attitudes. To investigate this hypothesis, participants in an experimental condition repeatedly expressed their attitudes towards exemplars of several semantic categories during an evaluative categorization task. Participants in a control condition performed a non‐evaluative task with the same exemplars and evaluated unrelated attitude objects. After a 30‐minute interval, participants in the experimental condition were faster than controls to evaluate not only the original exemplars but also novel exemplars of the same categories. This finding suggests that the effect of attitude rehearsal on accessibility generalizes to attitudes towards untrained but semantically related attitude objects. © 2016 The Authors. European Journal of Social Psychology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Time series clustering using the total variation distance with applications in oceanography
Authors: Alvarez‐Esteban Pedro C. , Euán Carolina , Ortega Joaquín
Published: June 2016

A clustering procedure for time series based on the use of the total variation distance between normalized spectral densities is proposed in this work. The approach is thus based on classifying time series in the frequency domain by consideration of the similarity between their oscillatory characteristics. As an application of this procedure, an algorithm for determining stationary periods for time series of random sea waves is developed, a problem in which changes between stationary sea states is usually slow. The proposed clustering algorithm is compared to several other methods which are also based on features extracted from the original series, and the results show that its performance is comparable to the best methods available, and in some tests, it performs better. This clustering method may be of independent interest. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of incident angles of P waves on the dynamic responses of long lined tunnels
Authors: Huang Jing‐Qi , Du Xiu‐Li , Jin Liu , Zhao Mi
Published: June 2016

The impact of the incident angle of earthquake motion on the seismic response of the long lined tunnels is studied. Based on the time‐domain finite element method with the viscous‐spring artificial boundary condition, the earthquake motion of oblique incidence is transformed into the equivalent nodal forces acting on the truncated boundary of finite element model. In the present work, the formulas of equivalent nodal forces for the plane P wave with arbitrary incident angle are deduced and implemented into the commercial software abaqus . The effectiveness of the formulas and its implementation are demonstrated by two numerical examples with the reference solutions. The proposed method is applied to investigate the seismic responses of the long lined tunnels under the obliquely incident P waves. The numerical results indicate that the seismic responses of the long lined tunnels are highly affected by the incident angles of P waves. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Throughput and energy efficiency‐based packet size optimisation of ARQ protocols in bacterial quorum communications
Authors: Bai Chenyao , Leeson Mark , Higgins Matthew D. , Lu Yi
Published: June 2016

The discovery that bacteria use signalling molecules, which are released into the environment, to communicate with each other changed our general perception of organisms inhabiting the world. Nowadays, the term quorum sensing is used to describe the phenomenon whereby a coordinated population response is controlled by exchanging specific diffusible chemical signals called autoinducers, enabling a cluster of bacteria to regulate their gene expression and behaviour collectively and synchronously. Bacteria assess their own population and coordinate their actions through the synthesis, accumulation and subsequent sensing of autoinducers. In this work, a bacterial quorum communication system is introduced, which contains two clusters of bacteria, specifically Vibrio fischeri, a gram‐negative marine bacterium, as the transmitter node and receiver node, and the diffusive channel. The transmitted information is encoded into the concentration of autoinducers, with binary representation, and then, it is divided into frames for transmission. Automatic Repeat reQuest protocols are applied to achieve better reliability. In addition, this paper addresses the question of optimal frame size for data communication in this channel capacity and energy constrained bacterial quorum communication system. The optimal fixed frame length is determined for a set of channel parameters by maximising the throughput and energy efficiency matrix. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Germline mutations in DNA repair genes may predict neoadjuvant therapy response in triple negative breast patients
Authors: Spugnesi Laura , Gabriele Michele , Scarpitta Rosa , Tancredi Mariella , Maresca Luisa , Gambino Gaetana , Collavoli Anita , Aretini Paolo , Bertolini Ilaria , Salvadori Barbara , Landucci Elisabetta , Fontana Andrea , Rossetti Elena , Roncella Manuela , Naccarato Giuseppe Antonio , Caligo Maria Adelaide
Published: June 2016

Triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs) represent about 15–20% of all breast cancer cases and are characterized by a complex molecular heterogeneity. Some TNBCs exhibit clinical and pathological properties similar to BRCA‐mutated tumors, without actually bearing a mutation in BRCA genes. This “BRCAness” phenotype may be explained by germline mutations in other genes involved in DNA repair. Although respond to chemotherapy with alkylating agents, they have a high risk of recurrence and progression. Some studies have shown the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy in TNBC patients with DNA repair defects, but proper biomarkers of DNA repair deficiency are still needed. Here, we investigated if mutations in DNA repair genes may be correlated with anthracyclines/taxanes neoadjuvant therapy response. DNA from 19 TNBC patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy were subjected to next generation sequencing of a panel of 24 genes in DNA repair and breast cancer predisposition. In this study, 5 of 19 patients (26%) carried a pathogenic mutation in BRCA1, PALB2, RAD51C and two patients carried a probable pathogenic missense variant. Moreover, VUS (Variants of Unknown Significance) in other genes, predicted to be deleterious by in silico tools, were detected in five patients. Germline mutations in DNA repair genes were found to be associated with the group of TNBC patients who responded to therapy. We conclude that a subgroup of TNBC patients have defects in DNA repair genes, other than BRCA1, and such patients respond favourably to neoadjuvant anthracyclines/taxanes therapy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cell discharge correlates of posterior hypothalamic theta rhythm recorded in anesthetized rats and brain slices
Authors: Bocian Renata , Kłos‐Wojtczak Paulina , Caban Bartosz , Kowalczyk Tomasz , Kaźmierska Paulina , Konopacki Jan
Published: June 2016

Kowalczyk et al. (Hippocampus 2014; 24:7‐20) were probably the first to conduct a systemic study of posterior hypothalamic area (PHa) theta rhythm in anesthetized rats. They demonstrated that local PHa theta field potentials were tail‐pinch resistant and could be generated in urethane‐anesthetized rats independently of ongoing hippocampal formation theta rhythm. These in vivo data were also confirmed in PHa slice preparations perfused with cholinergic agonist, carbachol. In the current experiments we extend our earlier observations concerning PHa theta rhythm. Specifically, PHa field potentials were analyzed in relation to the ongoing local cell firing repertoire. Single‐unit discharge patterns of cells localized in the posterior hypothalamic and supramammillary nuclei were characterized according to the criteria that was developed previously to classify theta‐related cells in the hippocampal formation. The present study demonstrated that in addition to the earlier described theta‐related cells (theta‐on, theta‐off and gating cells) the PHa also contains cells discharging in a very regular manner, which were labelled “timing cells”. This type of neuron has not been previously documented. We suggest that “timing cells” form a part of the ascending brainstem synchronizing pathway, provideing a regular rhythmic signal which facilitates the transduction of tonic discharges of cells localized in the brain stem into theta‐frequency rhythmic discharges. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of afforestation on groundwater recharge and water budgets in the western region of Uruguay
Authors: Silveira Luis , Gamazo Pablo , Alonso Jimena , Martínez Leticia
Published: June 2016

Uruguay has stimulated the development of its forest sector since the promulgation of Forest Law N° 15 939 in December of 1987. Nevertheless, the substitution of natural grasslands with forest plantations for industrial use has raised concerns regarding hydrological processes of groundwater recharge and water consumption involving evapotranspiration. The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of this substitution approach on water resources. Input data were collected from two small experimental watersheds of roughly 100–200 hectares located in western Uruguay. The watersheds are characterized by Eucalyptus Globulus ssp. Maidenni and natural grasslands for cattle use. Total rainfall, stream discharge, rainfall redistribution, soil water content and groundwater level data were collected. Groundwater recharge was estimated from water table fluctuations and from groundwater contributions to base flows. Seasonal and annual water budgets were computed from October of 2006 to September of 2014 to evaluate changes in the hydrological processes. The data show a decrease in annual specific discharge of roughly 17% for mean hydrological years and no conclusive effects on annual groundwater recharge in the forested watershed relative to the reference pasture watershed. Reduced annual specific discharge is equivalent to the mean annual interception. The computed actual annual evapotranspiration is consistent with international catchment measurements. Reduction rates vary seasonally and according to accumulated rainfall and its temporary distribution. The degree of specific discharge decline is particularly high for drier autumns and winters (32 to 28%) when the corresponding rainfall varies from 275 to 400 mm. These results are of relevance for water resources management efforts, as water uses downstream can be affected. These findings, based on a study period dominated by anomalous wet springs and summers and by dry autumns and winters, oppose earlier results based on 34 years of rainfall and discharge data drawn from Uruguayan large basins. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Atomic force microscopy combined with optical microscopy for cells investigation
Authors: Cascione Mariafrancesca , de Matteis Valeria , Rinaldi Rosaria , Leporatti Stefano
Published: June 2016

This review reports on the combined use of the atomic force microscopy (AFM) and several type of optical/fluorescence/laser scanning microscopy for investigating cells. It is shown that the hybrid systems of AFM with optical‐derived microscopies enable to study in detail cell surface properties (such as topography), their mechanical properties (e.g., Young's modulus) mechanotransduction phenomena and allow to gain insight into biological‐related pathways and mechanisms in the complex nanoworld of cells. Microsc. Res. Tech. 80:109–123, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Epidemiology and genetic diversity of group A rotavirus in acute diarrhea patients in pre‐vaccination era in southwest China
Authors: Zhang Shunxian , Yin Jianwen , Yang Jinhui , Tian Liguang , Li Dandi , Zhang Qing , Chen Jiaxu , Xu Wen , Zhou Xiaonong
Published: June 2016

Group A rotavirus (RVA) is one of the leading cause of acute diarrhea worldwide, the RVA‐related disease burden and the genotypes of RVA is important reference to introduce RVA variance to national immunisation programmes, 1,121 diarrhea cases and 319 healthy controls were recruited from four sentinel hospital outpatient from July 2014 to June 2015. The prevalence of RVA was 244 (21.8%) in gastroenteritis cases and in 12 (3.8%) in healthy controls across all age group (OR = 7.12, 95%CI = 3.93–12.89); the detection rate of RVA in diarrhea patients under 5 years was more higher than in diarrhea cases over 5 years (26.1%, 222/850; 8.1%, 22/271, respectively, P = 0.000). Of 244 RVA strains isolated from acute diarrhea cases, G9 (66.4%) was predominant G genotype, followed by G3 (18.7%), G1 (8.9%), and G1G3 (3.8%); P[8] was the overwhelming prevalence P genotype, followed by P[4] (4.7%); G9P[8] (54.9%) was most common G and P Combination, followed by G3P[8] (17.6%) and G1[8] (8.6%). The conclusion of the study was important to provide reference for introducing the RVA vaccine to prevent and control RVA‐associated disease burden. J. Med. Virol. 89:71–78, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The impacts of key adverse weather events on the field‐grown vegetable yield variability in the Czech Republic from 1961 to 2014
Authors: Potopová Vera , Zahradníček Pavel , Štěpánek Petr , Türkott Luboš , Farda Aleš , Soukup Josef
Published: June 2016

The response of field‐grown vegetables to adverse weather conditions is strongly coupled to the timing of adverse events, the sensitivity of the growth stage of the impacted crop and the management actions that are taken. To estimate the long‐term yield response to changes in temperature and precipitation as well as the short‐term response to key adverse weather events (e.g. heavy precipitation, drought and heat stress) on the yields of vegetable crops, we used several statistical approaches with six daily impact‐indicators, the four monthly drought indices and the climate trends. Our study integrated a newly available historical yield dataset at the district level (the finest spatial resolution) for all highly marketable vegetables (celeriac, late carrots, root parsley, early kohlrabi, summer savoy cabbage, late cauliflower, late cabbage, onions, green peas, tomatoes, salad and pickling cucumbers) and a high‐resolution historical climate dataset (seven daily meteorological variables at a 10 × 10 km resolution) over a 54‐year period in the Czech Republic (CZ). Different indices were used to reflect different dimensions of water and heat stress, which have different impacts on vegetable growth and yield. We find positive long‐term impacts of recent warming on fruiting vegetables (from 4.9 to 12.2% °C−1) but decreases in the yield stability of traditionally grown root vegetables in the warmest areas of the country. Short‐term extreme temperature variabilities (days with heat stress) were found to be the dominant type of adverse event for tomato and cucumber production due to its effect on increased soil water demand, which increased transpiration rates, whereas changes in both the diurnal temperature ranges and minimum temperature (Tmin) were associated with minimal risk of frost damage. Brassicas vegetables are widely irrigated in the CZ, but irrigation does not fully mitigate drought effects; hence, short‐term extreme precipitation variability largely controls crop production in the growing districts. The high frequencies of dry days and days with heavy precipitation within the critical growth stages of brassicas reflect a competition between more dry days and greater precipitation intensity on wet days. The yield variability of bulbs is largely explained by both short‐term extreme precipitation and temperature variability (drought‐heat stress), which reflects the predominantly rain‐fed system of onion cultivation. Both drought and heat stress and changes in Tmin were important in explaining yield losses of root vegetables. Legumes had the lowest risk of multiple stresses during their short growth cycle, but droughts remain the dominant type of adverse event. Years with yield gains were substantially more common than years with yield losses for brassicas, bulbs and legumes vegetables in all of the cultivated regions.
Sodium alginate/carboxymethyl cellulose films containing pyrogallic acid: physical and antibacterial properties
Authors: Han Yingying , Wang Lijuan
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND

Antibacterial films were prepared using sodium alginate (SA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a matrix, glycerin as a plasticizer and CaCl2 as a cross‐linking agent, and by incorporating the natural antibacterial agent pyrogallic acid (PA). The present study describes the microstructure and the physical, barrier, mechanical, optical and antibacterial properties of blended films prepared by incorporating different concentrations of PA into the SA/CMC matrix.

RESULTS

The microstructure of the films was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, which revealed that PA interacts with the SA/CMC matrix through hydrogen bonding. Moreover, the incorporation of PA increased the moisture content, water vapor permeability and oxygen permeability of SA/CMC films. Films containing 40 g kg−1 of PA had the highest elongation at break result (39.60%). Compared with pure SA/CMC films, the incorporation of PA improved the barrier properties against ultraviolet light; however, it decreased the color parameter L* value and increased the a* and b* values of the films. Furthermore, films with PA, especially at higher concentrations, were more effective against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

CONCLUSION

Antibacterial SA/CMC films incorporating PA appear to have good potential to enhance the safety of foods and food products. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
A New Conceptual Approach for Voice Feminization: 12 Years of Experience
Authors: Kim Hyung‐Tae
Published: June 2016

Objectives/Hypothesis

Voice feminization has been developed with various surgical techniques to increase voice pitch. The purpose of this study was to evaluate 12 years of experience using a new endoscopical surgical technique, vocal fold shortening and retrodisplacement of the anterior commissure (VFSRAC) and retraining the voice pattern performed in female patients with androphonia or male‐to‐female transsexuals.

Study Design

Retrospective study.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed on 362 patients who underwent VFSRAC (34 with androphonia, eight with androgenital syndrome, four with aplastic anemia treated with androgens, three with pseudohermaphroditism, and 313 male‐to‐female [MTF] transsexuals) and phonatory pattern rehabilitation between 2003 and 2014. Subjective and perceptual assessments, aerodynamic and acoustic assessments, and a videostroboscopic assessment were evaluated pre‐ and postoperatively in the female androphonia group and the MTF transsexual group.

Results

Mean preoperative fundamental frequency (F0) was 144.1 Hz, and mean postoperative F0 was 207.4 Hz, 6 months postoperatively. The mean increase of F0 in the female androphonia group was 53.0 Hz but was 73.6 Hz in the MTF transsexual group after the postoperative phonatory pattern retraining program. Voice femininity increased on the postoperative subjective assessment. Acoustic and aerodynamic assessments were within the normal range. Regularity of the vocal fold mucosal wave were maintained in the normal range. These findings suggest that patients could achieve a natural phonation pattern after surgery.

Conclusions

Our new approach for voice feminization, VFSRAC, and retraining of the phonatory pattern was effective for patients who wanted a natural feminine voice.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 127:1102–1108, 2017
Early Postnatal NT‐3 Gene Delivery Enhances Hearing Acquisition in the Developmental Period
Authors: Jin Yongde , Lyu Ah‐Ra , Park Sung‐Jae , Xu Jun , Cui Jie , Sohn Kyung‐Cheol , Hur Gang Min , Jin Yulian , Park Yong‐Ho
Published: June 2016

Objectives/Hypothesis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of early postnatal neurotrophin‐3 (NT3) support on hearing acquisition.

Study Design

A prospective experimental animal study.

Methods

Adenoviral (Ad) vectors expressing green fluorescence protein (GFP) alone or in combination with NT3 were injected into the scala tympani through the round window of 5‐postnatal‐day‐old (P5) rats. Changes in NT3 mRNA level, hearing thresholds, and morphological studies were done after the viral vector injection.

Results

NT3 mRNA was significantly increased in the Ad‐GFP‐NT3 group compared to the normal‐developmental group and Ad‐GFP alone group. GFP was widely expressed in the cochlea such as in the hair cells, supporting cell area, and spiral ganglion neurons. Auditory brainstem response thresholds were significantly lower in the Ad‐GFP‐NT3 group compared to the normal‐developmental group and Ad‐GFP alone group at P15.

Conclusions

These results show that early postnatal NT3 overexpression may accelerate the acquisition of hearing in rats.

Level of Evidence

NALaryngoscope, 126:E379–E385, 2016
Grazing or Not Grazing: Implications for Ecosystem Services Provided by Biocrusts in Mediterranean Cork Oak Woodlands
Authors: Concostrina‐Zubiri Laura , Molla Ibrahim , Velizarova Emiliya , Branquinho Cristina
Published: June 2016

Livestock grazing is one of the most common practices in managed woodlands affecting the abundance and diversity of plant and soil communities. While grazing effects have been studied thoroughly in vascular plants, little is known about grazing consequences for soil lichens and mosses (“biocrusts”) in managed woodlands. However, these complex communities have critical contributions to soil functioning in drylands. We evaluated grazing effects on biocrust abundance and functional composition in Mediterranean cork‐oak woodlands under long‐term grazing and after 7 and 17 years of grazing exclusion. We found four main groups in the region regarding the functional trait ‘growth form’: fruticose and foliose lichens, and short and tall mosses. Each group presented different water absorption and retention capacity, and showed group‐specific effects on soil water and temperature. Fruticose lichens were the most sensitive group to grazing, decreasing dramatically in cover with grazing (~7 times). Also, this group presented higher water retention capacity (~19 h), together with a consistent reducing effect on soil temperature along the grazing gradient (up to 0·9 °C). The shift in biocrust abundance and functional composition under grazing pressure has direct consequences in microclimate regulation, and is likely to influence other ecosystem processes such as CO2 fixation, soil surface protection and habitat provision. In particular, microclimate regulation may affect cork‐oak regeneration processes, which is one of the main concerns in managed woodlands. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of Galfenol constituent in the improvement of the magnetoelectric coupling effect for composite materials
Authors: Espinosa‐Almeyda Yoanh , Camacho‐Montes Héctor , Nava‐Gómez Gerardo Gabriel , Mederos Madrazo Boris Jesús , Guinovart‐Díaz Raúl , López‐Realpozo Juan Carlos
Published: June 2016

Galfenol offers potential opportunities to build composite materials with higher magnetoelectric (ME) coupling coefficients. This work is mainly focused on exploring the ME coupling in composites made with Galfenol. A revision of effective properties estimation is based on the prediction obtained through an implementation of the asymptotic homogenization method for magneto‐electro‐elastic composites considering two types of composites: laminated and fiber reinforced. As constituents, Barium Titanate is considered as the piezoelectric phase and Galfenol as the magnetostrictive one. For the sake of comparison, Terfenol‐D and Cobalt Ferrite are also considered. The herein obtained ME coefficients are higher than most ones reported in the literature when comparison is possible. In the literature, two types of ME coefficients can be found: one is the voltage ME, reported in V/cmOe, and the other one is the coupling ME reported in Ns/VC. Herein, we focused on the connection between these coefficients in order to facilitate the application of the coupling ME calculated by asymptotic homogenization method on the experimental measured voltage ME coefficient. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Peptide de novo sequencing of mixture tandem mass spectra
Authors: Gorshkov Vladimir , Hotta Stéphanie Yuki Kolbeck , Verano‐Braga Thiago , Kjeldsen Frank
Published: June 2016

The impact of mixture spectra deconvolution on the performance of four popular de novo sequencing programs was tested using artificially constructed mixture spectra as well as experimental proteomics data. Mixture fragmentation spectra are recognized as a limitation in proteomics because they decrease the identification performance using database search engines. De novo sequencing approaches are expected to be even more sensitive to the reduction in mass spectrum quality resulting from peptide precursor co‐isolation and thus prone to false identifications. The deconvolution approach matched complementary b‐, y‐ions to each precursor peptide mass, which allowed the creation of virtual spectra containing sequence specific fragment ions of each co‐isolated peptide. Deconvolution processing resulted in equally efficient identification rates but increased the absolute number of correctly sequenced peptides. The improvement was in the range of 20–35% additional peptide identifications for a HeLa lysate sample. Some correct sequences were identified only using unprocessed spectra; however, the number of these was lower than those where improvement was obtained by mass spectral deconvolution. Tight candidate peptide score distribution and high sensitivity to small changes in the mass spectrum introduced by the employed deconvolution method could explain some of the missing peptide identifications.
Facile synthesis of Au@PNIPAM‐b‐PPy nanocomposites with thermosensitive and photothermal effects
Authors: Zhong Aiqing , He Zidong , Zhang Hui , Xiong Linfeng , Xu Yang , Wang Tianqi , Zhou Minghong , Huang Kun
Published: June 2016

In this article, we reported a facile method to in‐situ synthesize Au@PNIPAM‐b‐PPy nanocomposites with thermosensitive and photothermal effects using amphiphilic poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐block‐poly(pyrrolylmethylstyrene) (PNIPAM‐b‐PPMS) diblock copolymers as ligands. The hydrophobic PPMS block can in‐situ reduceto zero‐valent gold and simultaneously be oxidatively copolymerized with the free pyrrole monomers to form a crosslinked and conjugated polypyrrole (PPy) layer. The hydrophilic PNIPAM block as a stabilizer can produce highly thermosensitive effect. Moreover, the resultant Au@PNIPAM‐b‐PPy nanomaterials show a strong absorption in the near infrared (NIR) region, which endowed the system excellent photothermal effect. On the basis of the PPy photothermal and PNIPAM thermosensitive effects, the above Au@PNIPAM‐b‐PPy nanomaterials show a reversible, soluble‐precipitate transition upon the NIR irradiation off‐on. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem.2016,54, 3079–3085