bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation and Characterization of PET/LDH or Clay Nanocomposites through the Microcompounding Process
Authors: Tsai Tsung‐Yen , Laio Jun‐Ru , Naveen Bunekar
Published: June 2015

Thermally stable modifier were used to modify clay or lithium aluminum layered double hydroxides (LiAl LDH) nanoparticles for preparation of poly (ethylene terephthalate)/clay or LiAl LDH nanocomposites. The effect of modify agent, studied by microcompouding process. The PET nanocomposites which were made by twin‐screw microcompounder dispersion morphology of inorganic layered materials in nanocomposites could be explained by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WXRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Nanocomposite also formed the better mechanical, UV resistance, and gas barrier properties. Optical properties and crystallization behaviour of these new types of nanocomposites are investigated in this paper.
Nano TiO2Modified Carbon‐ceramic Electrode and Its Application for Electrocatalytic Oxidation of NADH
Authors: Majidi Mir Reza , Bagheri Nafiseh , Hassanzadeh Javad
Published: June 2015

The electrocatalytic oxidation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) was studied on nanoTiO2 modified sol‐gel electrode, using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and differential pulse voltammetry as diagnostic techniques. It is demonstrated that TiO2 nanoparticles on sol‐gel network catalyze the oxidation of NADH in the absence of any electron transfer mediators. Effect of various parameters such as pH, scan rate, TiO2 percentage on the response of modified electrode was studied. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the surface morphology of the spots. A dynamic range between 0.5–50 μM with detection limit of 0.35 μM was obtained with DPV studies. This method was successfully used for determination of NADH in cucumber cotyledons samples. The electrode showed relatively good stability over more than 2 months.
A Theoretical Investigation of Surface‐enhanced Sum‐frequency Generation
Authors: Yeh Y. L. , Lei J. , Chen S. Y. , Chang A. H. H. , Lin C. K. , He R. X. , Lin S. H.
Published: June 2015

Following the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), we shall investigate the possibility of observing surface‐enhanced sum‐frequency generation (SESFG), which refers to the transformation of ordinary vibrational SFG (i.e. singly resonant) into SESFG. Two mechanisms of SESFG will be studied; one is due to the transformation of singly‐resonant vibrational SFG into doubly resonant vibrational SFG (that is, both vibrationally resonant and Raman‐scattering resonant) and the other is due to the enhancement of the polarizability in addition to the original vibrational resonance in vibrational SFG.
Vibrational femtosecond/picosecond coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering with enhanced temperature sensitivity for flame thermometry from 300 to 2400 K
Authors: Miller Joseph D. , Dedic Chloe E. , Meyer Terrence R.
Published: June 2015

Hybrid femtosecond/picosecond coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (fs/ps CARS) of N2 has recently been demonstrated for gas‐phase thermometry in reacting flows, enabling frequency‐domain detection at high repetition rates with excellent chemical specificity and independence from the effects of collisions and nonresonant background. In this work, we overcome the limited sensitivity of vibrational fs/ps CARS thermometry of N2 below 1200 K by spectrally resolving J‐dependent rovibrational coherence revivals that occur 32 ps after initial excitation. The N2 rovibrational coherence is excited using broadband, 100‐fs pump and Stokes pulses and probed as a function of time using a narrowband, 5.8‐ps probe pulse (bandwidth of 2.5 cm−1). The rovibrational features exhibit sufficient temperature sensitivity below 1200 K for accurate thermometry using a simple, time‐dependent phenomenological model. Specifically, three distinct spectral features at a single probe delay of 32.5 ps are analyzed, corresponding to rovibrational revivals with mean rotational quantum numbers of  = 3.5, 14, and 28. Good agreement is found between simulated and measured fs/ps CARS spectra in an adiabatic flat‐flame burner from 298 to 2400 K. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Formation of NO from N2/O2 Mixtures in a Flow Reactor: Toward an Accurate Prediction of Thermal NO
Authors: Abian Maria , Alzueta Maria U. , Glarborg Peter
Published: June 2015

We have conducted flow reactor experiments for NO formation from N2/O2 mixtures at high temperatures and atmospheric pressure, controlling accurately temperature and reaction time. Under these conditions, atomic oxygen equilibrates rapidly with O2. The experimental results were interpreted by a detailed chemical model to determine the rate constant for the reaction N2 + O ⇌ NO + N (R1). We obtain k1 = 1.4 × 1014 exp(−38,300/T) cm3 mol−1 s−1 at 1700–1800 K, with an error limit of ±30%. This value is 25% below the recommendation of Baulch et al. for k1, while it corresponds to a value k1b of the reverse reaction 25% above the Baulch et al. evaluation. Combination of our results with literature values leads to a recommended rate constant for k1b of 9.4 × 1012 T0.14 cm3 mol−1 s−1 over 250–3000 K. This value, which reconciles the differences between the forward and reverse rate constant, is recommended for use in kinetic modeling.
A Novel (SiO2/MgO/MgCl2)·TiClx Ziegler–Natta Catalyst for Ethylene and Ethylene/1‐Hexene Polymerization
Authors: Wang Jingwen , Cheng Ruihua , He Xuelian , Liu Zhen , Tian Zhou , Liu Boping
Published: June 2015

A novel (SiO2/MgO/MgCl2)·TiClx Ziegler–Natta catalyst for ethylene and ethylene/1‐hexene polymerization is successfully developed through impregnation of aqueous solution of water‐soluble Mg‐compounds such as magnesium acetate on silica gel, and forming a supported thin layer of magnesium oxide on the surface of SiO2 after high temperature calcination in dry air or oxygen, followed by further reacting with titanium tetrachloride to synthesize the magnesium dichloride carrier in situ and to support the titanium species simultaneously. The method is relatively simple and the resulting catalysts exhibit high activity, good hydrogen response, and copolymerization ability with high 1‐hexene incorporation. Unlike the traditional industrial Ti/Mg Ziegler–Natta catalysts using the relatively expensive, anhydrous and moisture‐sensitive MgCl2, Mg(OEt)2, MgR2 or RMgCl as Mg‐sources, the most unique feature of this novel catalyst is its capability of utilization of any soluble Mg‐compounds and thus shows great potential for application in commercial gas‐phase polyolefin processes.

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Oral administration of bovine milk derived extracellular vesicles attenuates arthritis in two mouse models
Authors: Arntz Onno J. , Pieters Bartijn C.H. , Oliveira Marina C. , Broeren Mathijs G.A. , Bennink Miranda B. , de Vries Marieke , van Lent Peter L.E.M. , Koenders Marije I. , van den Berg Wim B. , van der Kraan Peter M. , van de Loo Fons A.J.
Published: June 2015

Scope

This study shows the effect of bovine milk derived extracellular vesicles (BMEVs) on spontaneous polyarthritis in IL‐1Ra‐deficient mice and collagen‐induced arthritis.

Methods and results

BMEVs were isolated from semi‐skimmed milk by ultracentrifugation and the particle size was around 100 nm by dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy. BMEVs expressed exosome marker CD63, immunoregulatory microRNA's (miR‐30a, ‐223, ‐92a), and milk‐specific beta‐casein and beta‐lactoglobulin mRNA. In vitro, PKH‐67‐labeled BMEVs were taken up by RAW264.7, splenocytes, and intestinal cells as determined by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. IL‐1Ra−/− mice received BMEVs by daily oral gavage starting at wk 5 till 15 after birth and collagen‐induced arthritis mice via their drinking water starting 1 wk before immunization till day 40. Macroscopically, BMEV treatment delayed the onset of arthritis and histology showed diminished cartilage pathology and bone marrow inflammation in both models. BMEV treatment also reduced the serum levels of MCP‐1 and IL‐6 and their production by splenic cells. BMEV treatment diminished the anticollagen IgG2a levels, which was accompanied by reduced splenic Th1 (Tbet) and Th17 (RORγT) mRNA.

Conclusion

This is the first report that oral delivery of BMEVs ameliorates experimental arthritis and this warrants further research to determine whether this beneficial effect can be seen in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Microglial HO‐1 induction by curcumin provides antioxidant, antineuroinflammatory, and glioprotective effects
Authors: Parada Esther , Buendia Izaskun , Navarro Elisa , Avendaño Carlos , Egea Javier , López Manuela G.
Published: June 2015

Scope

We have studied if curcumin can protect glial cells under an oxidative stress and inflammatory environment, which is known to be deleterious in neurodegeneration.

Methods and results

Primary rat glial cultures exposed to the combination of an oxidative (rotenone/oligomycin A) and a proinflammatory LPS stimuli reduced by 50% glial viability. Under these experimental conditions, curcumin afforded significant glial protection and reduction of reactive oxygen species; these effects were blocked by the HO‐1 inhibitor tin protoporphyrin‐IX (SnPP). These findings correlate with the observation that curcumin induced the antioxidative protein HO‐1. Most interesting was the observation that the glial protective effects related to HO‐1 induction were microglial specific as shown in glial cultures from LysMCreHmox∆/∆ mice where curcumin lost its protective effect. Under LPS conditions, curcumin reduced the microglial proinflammatory markers iNOS and tumor necrosis factor, but increased the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL4. Analysis of the microglial phenotype showed that curcumin favored a ramified morphology toward a microglial alternative activated state against LPS insult also by a HO‐1‐dependent mechanism.

Conclusion

The curry constituent curcumin protects glial cells and promotes a microglial anti‐inflammatory phenotype by a mechanism that implicates HO‐1 induction; these effects may have impact on brain protection under oxidative and inflammatory conditions.
Diagnostic Delay in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Qualitative Study of Symptom Interpretation Before the First Visit to the Doctor
Authors: Mølbæk Karen , Hørslev‐Petersen Kim , Primdahl Jette
Published: June 2015

Background

To prevent joint damage among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), there is a need to minimize delays from the onset of symptoms until the initiation of appropriate therapy. The present study explored the factors that have an impact on the time it takes for Danish patients with RA to approach their general practitioner (GP) with joint pain, and also how GPs respond to patients’ complaints.

Methods

The study was based on qualitative data collected using 11 semi‐structured individual interviews.

Results

When symptoms were obvious to patients, there was a shorter delay between symptom onset and contacting their GP. In cases where symptoms gradually worsened or were difficult to interpret, there was a longer delay. Participants with a high degree of body awareness appeared to be good at detecting when something was not normal, and they responded quickly to their symptoms. For those who regarded the doctor as a resource to which they were entitled and who were not worried about getting a diagnosis there was a shorter delay. Diffuse symptoms seemed to confuse GPs and can contribute to physician delay in the investigation process. Similarly, the presence of other diseases can result in a prolonged period before referral to a rheumatologist.

Conclusions

The nature and severity of symptoms are the deciding factors in their interpretation, by both the GP and the patient. Both the patient's disease recognition and his/her subsequent interaction with the doctor is influenced by the patient's body awareness and general attitude towards going to the doctor. The results showed that the greater the patient's body awareness, the better the disease recognition, the fewer barriers to contacting the GP and the shorter the delay in doing so. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative neuromuscular ultrasound in intensive care unit–acquired weakness: A systematic review
Authors: Bunnell Aaron , Ney John , Gellhorn Alfred , Hough Catherine L.
Published: June 2015

Intensive care unit–acquired weakness (ICU‐AW) causes significant morbidity and impairment in critically ill patients. Recent advances in neuromuscular ultrasound (NMUS) allow evaluation of neuromuscular pathology early in critical illness. Here we review application of ultrasound in ICU‐AW. MEDLINE‐indexed articles were searched for terms relevant to ultrasound and critical illness. Two reviewers evaluated the resulting abstracts (n = 218) and completed full‐text review (n = 13). Twelve studies and 1 case report were included. Ten studies evaluated muscle thickness or cross‐sectional area (CSA): 8 reported a decrease, and 2 reported no change. Two studies reported preservation of muscle thickness in response to neuromuscular electrical stimulation, and 1 found no preservation. One study found decreases in gray‐scale standard deviation, but no change in echogenicity. One study described increases in echogenicity and fasciculations. Ultrasound reliability in ICU‐AW is not fully established. Further investigation is needed to identify ultrasound measures that reliably predict clinical, electrodiagnostic, and pathologic findings of ICU‐AW. Muscle Nerve 52: 701–708, 2015
Expanded superposition method for impedance functions of inclined‐pile groups
Authors: Saitoh M. , Padrón L. A. , Aznárez J. J. , Maeso O. , Goit C. S.
Published: June 2015

This paper presents a superposition method expanded for computing impedance functions (IFs) of inclined‐pile groups. Closed‐form solutions for obtaining horizontal, vertical, and rocking IFs, estimated by using pile‐to‐pile interaction factors, are proposed. IFs of solitary inclined piles, crossed IFs, and explicit incorporation of compatibility conditions for pile‐head movements are also appropriately taken into consideration. All of these factors should be known in advance and will be computed and shown for the most relevant cases. The accuracy of the proposed closed‐form solutions is verified for 2 × 2 and 3 × 3 square inclined‐pile groups embedded in an isotropic viscoelastic homogeneous half‐space soil medium, with hysteretic damping. The pile‐to‐pile interaction factors are computed by means of a three‐dimensional time‐harmonic boundary elements–finite elements coupling formulation. The results indicate that the IFs obtained from the proposed method are in good agreement with those obtained from the coupling formulation. Furthermore, crossed vertical‐rocking IFs of solitary piles need to be appropriately considered for obtaining rocking IFs when the number of piles is small. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative MRI in a non‐surgical model of cervical spinal cord injury
Authors: Oakden Wendy , Kwiecien Jacek M. , O'Reilly Meaghan A. , Dabrowski Wojciech , Whyne Cari , Finkelstein Joel , Hynynen Kullervo , Stanisz Greg J.
Published: June 2015

Quantitative T2 (qT2), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and histology were used to investigate a cervical model of spinal cord injury (SCI) in the rat. While quantitative MRI can significantly increase the specificity in the presence of pathology, it must be validated for each type of injury or disease. In the case of traumatic SCI most models are difficult to image, either due to the location of the injury, or as a result of damage to surrounding tissues resulting from invasive surgical procedures. In this study a non‐surgical cervical model of SCI, produced using a combination of focused ultrasound and microbubbles, was used to produce pathology similar to that seen in models of contusive and compressive injuries. qT2 and DTI were performed at 24 h and 1 and 2 weeks following injury, and compared with H&E and luxol fast blue histology. In the injured spinal cord, in addition to intra/extracellular (I/E) water and myelin water in white matter, qT2 revealed a large component with very short T2 of about 3 ms, which was highly correlated with the presence of hemorrhage in both gray and white matter at 24 h, and with the presence of hemosiderin in gray matter at 2 weeks following injury. The T2 of the I/E water peak was also elevated at 24 h in both gray and white matter, which was correlated with the presence of vacuolation/edema on histology. Cystic cavities were only seen at the 1 or 2 week timepoints, and were correlated with the presence of a water peak with T2 > 250 ms. No significant changes in diffusivity parameters were observed. Pathologies were often co‐occurring, with opposite effects on the average T2 in a given voxel, reducing the visibility of injured tissue on standard T2‐weighted MR images. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metal‐Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) Synthesis of Heteroepitaxial Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3Films: Effects of Processing Conditions on Structural/Morphological and Functional Properties
Authors: Catalano Maria R. , Cucinotta Giuseppe , Schilirò Emanuela , Mannini Matteo , Caneschi Andrea , Lo Nigro Raffaella , Smecca Emanuele , Condorelli Guglielmo G. , Malandrino Graziella
Published: June 2015

Calcium‐doped praseodymium manganite films (Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3, PCMO) were prepared by metal‐organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) on SrTiO3(001) and SrTiO3(110) single‐crystal substrates. Structural characterization through X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses confirmed the formation of epitaxial PCMO phase films. Energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization was used to confirm lateral and vertical composition and the purity of the deposited films. Magnetic measurements, obtained in zero‐field‐cooling (ZFC) and field‐cooling (FC) modes, provided evidence of the presence of a ferromagnetic (FM) transition temperature, which was correlated to the transport properties of the film. The functional properties of the deposited films, combined with the structural and chemical characterization collected data, indicate that the MOCVD approach represents a suitable route for the growth of pure, good quality PCMO for the fabrication of novel spintronic devices.
Improving the impact property and heat‐resistance of PLA/PC blends through coupling molecular chains at the interface
Authors: Lin Ling , Deng Cong , Wang Yu‐zhong
Published: June 2015

The influences of both the molecular structure and the melt viscosity differences between Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and polycarbonate (PC) on the interpenetration of molecular chains at the interface were investigated by comparing the dynamic mechanical properties and morphologies of the as‐prepared PLA/PC solution‐casting blends with those of their corresponding annealed (180°C, 8 h) samples or PLA/PC melt blends. Additionally, two chain extenders containing epoxy groups (ADR and TGDDM) were used to improve the interfacial strength. Subsequently, the interpenetration of PLA and PC molecular chains at the interface was also surveyed. Finally, the effects of the morphology formed by after adding ADR or TGDDM on the impact property, and heat resistance were discussed. The results showed that there was no interpenetration of molecular chains at the interface in PLA/PC melt blends because of the serious hindrance of the molecular structure and the melt viscosity differences. Although the interfacial strength achieved significant increase after adding ADR or TGDDM, the increase of the interfacial strength should be caused by the connection of ADR or TGDDM molecules with PLA and PC molecules at the interface through chemical bonds rather than the entanglements of PLA and PC molecular chains because of no interpenetration of PLA and PC molecular chains at the interface. Thus, the morphology formed after adding ADR or TGDDM is still the type of complete phase separation, which may be the most suitable morphology for achieving high impact and heat resistance PLA/PC blends because these two properties strongly depend on the crystallinity of PLA phase. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation of cross‐linked porous starch and its adsorption for chromium (VI) in tannery wastewater
Authors: Hu Jing , Tian Ting , Xiao Zuobin
Published: June 2015

Various cross‐linked amino starches were used for chromium (VI) adsorption in the environmental protection area. In order to improve chromium (VI) adsorption, the new cross‐linked amino starch with porous structure (CPS) was synthesized by reverse emulsion polymerization, using waxy corn starch after enzyme hydrolysis (ES) as raw material, N,N′‐methylene‐bis‐acrylamide (MBAA) as cross‐linking agent, and ceric ammonium nitrate as initiator. The effects of the volume ratio of oil phase/aqueous phase, the content of emulsifiers, ES, and MBAA on the swelling, solubility property, chromium (VI) adsorption capacity, grafting ratio, and conversion ratio of CPS were investigated. The properties and morphology of CPS have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The maximum adsorption capacity for chromium (VI) ions of CPS reached 28.83 mg/g when the synthesis condition of CPS was controlled as Voil: VH2O 8:1, emulsifier 9%, starch 2%, and MBAA 10%. The new adsorption peaks of CPS at 1641 cm−1 and 1541 cm−1 proved the cross‐linking reaction between ES and MBAA. The thermal decomposition temperature of CPS was improved to 250°C, and the gelatinization temperature and enthalpy value of CPS were decreased compared with ES because of the occurrence of the cross‐linking reaction. The CPS was like a sponge with a large amount of pores, and the size of these pores was 5 µm. CPS also exhibited superior adsorption property to other heavy metal ions such as cadmium (II) and lead (II) (17.37 and 35.56 mg/g). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermal, physico‐mechanical, and morphological properties of HDPE graft‐copolymerized with polystyrene
Authors: Hassan Mohammad Mahbubul , Koyama Kiyohito
Published: June 2015

In this study, polystyrene was graft‐copolymerized onto high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) by in situ polymerization of styrene monomer to change the physico‐mechanical and thermal properties of HDPE. The grafting was carried out in a Brabender‐type static mixer by injecting styrene monomer directly into the molten HDPE in the presence of a free‐radical initiator (lauroyl peroxide or LP). The effect of wt% of styrene and initiator concentrations on thermal, physico‐mechanical, and morphological properties of HDPE was investigated. The neat and modified HDPE was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and also by tensile strength and contact angle measurements. It was found that the increase in wt% of styrene and LP dosage reduced elongation at break, hygroscopic expansion and also the melting, and the crystallization temperatures of HDPE but increased its tensile strength. The tensile strength was increased from 14.6 MPa for the neat HDPE to 20.6 MPA for the 10 wt% of styrene grafted onto HDPE using 0.8% LP. Scanning electron microscopy results show that there was no phase separation, and the grafted polystyrene became integral part of HDPE. The results demonstrate that styrene could be used in melt compounding to improve various properties of HDPE. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relapse and outcome patterns of patients with central nervous system mixed malignant germ cell tumors treated without irradiation: Findings from the Third International Central Nervous System (CNS) Germ Cell Tumor (GCT) Study
Authors: Pruitt Rachel , DaSilva Nasjla S. , Cappellano Andrea , Belessiotis Clara , Diez Blanca , Gardner Sharon , Allen Jeffrey , Weinblatt Mark , Gottardo Nicholas , Dhall Girish , Finlay Jonathan L.
Published: June 2015

Objectives

To evaluate patterns of relapse and outcome in patients newly diagnosed with CNS Mixed Malignant GCT (MMGCT) treated initially with chemotherapy alone.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted using all 25 patients enrolled on the International CNS GCT Study III, with at least 7 years follow‐up for all surviving patients.

Results

Thirteen patients at diagnosis had CNS MMGCT by pathology and tumor markers (n = 11), or tumor markers alone (n = 2). Twelve received chemotherapy alone, one additionally receiving focal irradiation prior to relapse. Six patients (46%) relapsed (mean of 30.5 months; range 6–59 months), two beyond and four within the primary site alone. Three patients relapsed early (6–23 months from diagnosis), two with alpha‐fetoprotein elevations and one without tumor markers assessed; all three expired of progressive disease at 2–10 months following initial relapse. Three patients relapsed late (37–59 months) without AFP elevations, one with pathologically pure germinoma, two with mild beta‐human chorionic gonadotropin elevations; these patients survive disease‐free at 86+, 94+, and 126+ months following additional treatment.

Conclusions

Patients with CNS MMGCT relapsing following chemotherapy alone display two distinct patterns of recurrence and outcome; patients relapsing early possess MMGCT elements and have a dismal prognosis, while patients relapsing late do so with pure germinomatous elements and have an excellent outcome. Current cooperative group studies utilizing more localized fields of irradiation should monitor closely the patterns of relapse and outcome; late recurrences with germinomatous elements might be avoided by initial use of low‐dose larger field irradiation in select patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Radiotherapy‐related arterial intima thickening and plaque formation in childhood cancer survivors detected with very‐high resolution ultrasound during young adulthood
Authors: Vatanen Anu , Sarkola Taisto , Ojala Tiina H. , Turanlahti Maila , Jahnukainen Timo , Saarinen‐Pihkala Ulla M. , Jahnukainen Kirsi
Published: June 2015

Background

The aim of the study was to evaluate arterial morphology and function in a national cohort of long‐term survivors of high‐risk neuroblastoma (NBL) treated with high‐dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with or without total body irradiation (TBI).

Methods and Results

Common carotid, femoral, brachial, and radial artery morphology were assessed with very‐high‐resolution vascular ultrasound (25–55 MHz), and carotid artery stiffness and brachial artery flow‐mediated dilatation measured with conventional vascular ultrasound in 19 adult or pubertal (age 22.7 ± 4.9 years, range 16–30) NBL survivors transplanted during 1984–1999 at the mean age of 2.5 ± 1.0 years. Results were compared with 20 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. The cardiovascular risk assessment included history, body mass index, fasting plasma lipids, glucose, and 24‐h ambulatory blood pressure (BP). The survivors had consistently smaller arterial lumens, increased carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT), plaque formation (N = 3), and stiffness, as well as increased radial artery intima thickness (N = 5) compared with the control group. Survivors displayed higher plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels, and increased heart rate, as well as increased systolic and diastolic BPs. TBI (N = 10) and a low body surface area were independent predictors for decreased arterial lumen size and increased IMT. Three out of five survivors with subclinical intima thickening had arterial plaques. Plaques occurred only among TBI‐treated survivors.

Conclusions

Long‐term childhood cancer survivors treated with TBI during early childhood display significant signs of premature arterial aging during young adulthood. Pediatr Blood Cancer © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative and qualitative investigations of pharmacopoeial plant material polygoni avicularis herba by UHPLC‐CAD and UHPLC‐ESI‐MS methods
Authors: Granica Sebastian
Published: June 2015

Introduction

Polygonum aviculare L. also known as common knotgrass is an annual herbaceous weed occurring all over the world in the temperate regions. Recent studies report that flavonol glucuronides are major constituents of common knotgrass. There is no comprehensive analytical procedure for the standardisation of Polygoni Avicularis Herba available on the European market.

Objective

To develop a method for the proper authentication and standardisation of Polygoni Avicularis Herba and to preliminary evaluate variability in qualitative and quantitative composition among commercial samples and samples from wild harvesting defined as Polygonum aviculare sensu lato.

Methodology

The UHPLC‐ESI(+)‐MS method was used for the qualitative screening of nine independent samples of Polygonum aviculare herb. The UHPLC‐CAD method was developed for the quantitation of the major compounds in an extract using quercetin‐3‐O‐glucuronide as a standard.

Results

Twenty‐five major constituents were detected and characterised. Among them three new natural products were tentatively identified. Twelve compounds were quantitated using a validated UHPLC‐CAD method. In all nine samples flavonol glucuronides were confirmed as major compounds. The total flavonoid content was estimated for all samples and varied from 0.70 to 2.20%.

Conclusion

The developed procedure may be used for the routine standardisation of common knotgrass. The results indicate that the pharmacopoeial approach to the authentication and standardisation of Polygonum aviculare herb should be revised. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New‐Onset Refractory Status Epilepticus in an Adult with an Atypical Presentation of Cat‐Scratch Disease: Successful Treatment with High‐Dose Corticosteroids
Authors: Laswell Emily M. , Chambers Kasandra D. , Whitsel Danielle R. , Poudel Kiran
Published: June 2015

New‐onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) is defined as a sudden onset of refractory status epilepticus in patients who do not have a history of epilepsy. It is a neurologic emergency, and determining the underlying etiology is an important factor for effectively managing and predicting the prognosis of NORSE. We describe the case of a 28‐year‐old woman who was hospitalized with NORSE secondary to an unknown etiology. She did not respond to traditional anticonvulsant therapy, including benzodiazepines, fosphenytoin, propofol, and levetiracetam. The patient was placed on continuous electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring and was treated further with multiple antiepileptics, which were titrated aggressively based on EEG readings and therapeutic drug levels; despite this treatment, EEG monitoring revealed continued seizures. Thus, high‐dose corticosteroids were started for seizure control. Her workup included computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the head, a lumbar puncture, toxicology screening, and extensive testing for multiple infectious and inflammatory etiologies. The patient's history revealed recent exposure to a new cat. Serologic results were positive for Bartonella henselae, and she was diagnosed with cat‐scratch disease (CSD). She did not have the typical presentation of symptoms of lymphadenopathy, however, which is common in CSD. Doxycycline 100 mg and rifampin 300 mg twice daily were added to the patient's anticonvulsant and corticosteroid therapy. She was hospitalized for a total of 26 days and discharged with only minor neurologic impairment (short‐term memory deficits and minor cognitive problems). The patient was discharged receiving antiepileptics, antibiotics, and a corticosteroid taper. To our knowledge, this is the first clinically known case of NORSE secondary to CSD without typical CSD symptoms in the adult population. The patient failed to respond to traditional anticonvulsant therapy alone. With the addition of high‐dose corticosteroids to aggressive anticonvulsant therapy, seizure control was achieved. Further studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of high‐dose corticosteroid and anticonvulsant therapy followed by antibiotics in patients with NORSE secondary to CSD.
Semi‐quantitative temperature accelerated life test (ALT) for the reliability qualification of concentrator solar cells and cell on carriers
Authors: Nuñez Neftali , Vazquez Manuel , Orlando Vincenzo , Espinet‐González Pilar , Algora Carlos
Published: June 2015

An adequate qualification of concentrator photovoltaic solar cells and cell‐on‐carriers is essential to increase their industrial development. The lack of qualification tests for measuring their reliability together with the fact that conventional accelerated life tests are laborious and time consuming are open issues. Accordingly, in this paper, we propose a semi‐quantitative temperature‐accelerated life test to qualify solar cells and cell‐on‐carriers that can assure a minimum life when failure mechanisms are accelerated by temperature under emulated nominal working conditions with an activation energy >0.9 eV. A properly designed semi‐quantitative accelerated life test should be able to determine if the device under test will satisfy its reliability requirements with an acceptable uncertainty level. The applicability, procedure, and design of the proposed test are detailed in the paper. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sperm proteome of Mytilus galloprovincialis: Insights into the evolution of fertilization proteins in marine mussels
Authors: Zhang Yanjie , Mu Huawei , Lau Stanley C. K. , Zhang Zhifeng , Qiu Jian‐Wen
Published: June 2015

Cataloging the sperm proteome of an animal can improve our understanding of its sperm‐egg interaction and speciation, but such data are available for only a few free‐spawning invertebrates. This study aimed to identify the sperm proteome of Mytilus galloprovincialis, a free‐spawning marine mussel. We integrated public transcriptome datasets by de novo assembly, and applied SDS‐PAGE coupled LC‐MS/MS analysis to profile the sperm proteome, resulting in the identification of 550 proteins. Comparing the homologous sperm protein coding genes between M. galloprovincialis and its closely related species M. edulis revealed that fertilization proteins have the highest mean nonsynonymous substitution rate (Ka/Ks = 0.62) among 11 functional groups, consistent with previous reports of positive selection of several fertilization proteins in Mytilus. Moreover, 78 sperm proteins in different functional groups have Ka/Ks values > 0.5, indicating the presence of many candidate sperm proteins for further analysis of rapid interspecific divergence. The MS data are available in ProteomeXchange with the identifier PXD001665.
Impact of cysteine variants on the structure, activity, and stability of recombinant human α‐galactosidaseA
Authors: Qiu Huawei , Honey Denise M. , Kingsbury Jonathan S. , Park Anna , Boudanova Ekaterina , Wei Ronnie R. , Pan Clark Q. , Edmunds Tim
Published: June 2015

Recombinant human α‐galactosidase A (rhαGal) is a homodimeric glycoprotein deficient in Fabry disease, a lysosomal storage disorder. In this study, each cysteine residue in rhαGal was replaced with serine to understand the role each cysteine plays in the enzyme structure, function, and stability. Conditioned media from transfected HEK293 cells were assayed for rhαGal expression and enzymatic activity. Activity was only detected in the wild type control and in mutants substituting the free cysteine residues (C90S, C174S, and the C90S/C174S). Cysteine‐to‐serine substitutions at the other sites lead to the loss of expression and/or activity, consistent with their involvement in the disulfide bonds found in the crystal structure. Purification and further characterization confirmed that the C90S, C174S, and the C90S/C174S mutants are enzymatically active, structurally intact and thermodynamically stable as measured by circular dichroism and thermal denaturation. The purified inactive C142S mutant appeared to have lost part of its alpha‐helix secondary structure and had a lower apparent melting temperature. Saturation mutagenesis study on Cys90 and Cys174 resulted in partial loss of activity for Cys174 mutants but multiple mutants at Cys90 with up to 87% higher enzymatic activity (C90T) compared to wild type, suggesting that the two free cysteines play differential roles and that the activity of the enzyme can be modulated by side chain interactions of the free Cys residues. These results enhanced our understanding of rhαGal structure and function, particularly the critical roles that cysteines play in structure, stability, and enzymatic activity.
XRD, NMR, and EPR study of polycrystalline micro‐ and nano‐diamonds prepared by a shock wave compression method
Authors: Shames Alexander I. , Mogilyansky Dmitry , Panich Alexander M. , Sergeev Nikolay A. , Olszewski Marcin , Boudou Jean‐Paul , Osipov Vladimir Yu.
Published: June 2015

We report on XRD, NMR, and EPR study of commercial micro‐ and nano‐diamonds of the SSX series fabricated by a shock wave compression method. XRD data analysis shows that SSX samples consist of nanometer cubic diamond domains intermixing with stacking faults and twins. We show that as‐received samples reveal a graphitic component, which may be removed by additional purification. Crushing the initial microdiamond powder into submicron and nanometer sizes does not result in noticeable variations of the XRD, NMR, and EPR parameters. This finding is explained by the fact that SSX diamonds are polycrystalline aggregates consisting of numerous nanocrystallites of ∼20–25 nm in size. Therefore, soft crushing of these aggregates diminishes their size, but leaves constituting nanocrystallites and their intrinsically facet surfaces mainly untreated. With that some modification of the outer nanocrystallite surface on crushing is observed.
Development of nuclear microbattery prototype based on Schottky barrier diamond diodes
Authors: Bormashov Vitaly , Troschiev Sergey , Volkov Alexander , Tarelkin Sergey , Korostylev Eugeniy , Golovanov Anton , Kuznetsov Mikhail , Teteruk Dmitry , Kornilov Nikolay , Terentiev Sergey , Buga Sergey , Blank Vladimir
Published: June 2015

We designed, fabricated, and tested for the first time a prototype of nuclear micropower battery with an overall active area about 15 cm2 consisted in 130 single cells based on Schottky barrier diamond diodes. Diodes selection for the battery assembly was performed on the basis of I–V curves measurements at electron beam irradiation in SEM. A typical energy conversion efficiency of each cell was about 4–6%. To characterize a battery prototype performance, we carried out photovoltaic measurements using different radioisotopes. Under irradiation by 63Ni source with activity of 5 mCi cm−2, the output power density of 3 nW cm−2 was obtained. Due to large energy loss of the emitted β particles in source itself, the total battery efficiency was only 0.6%. However, with the long‐lived 63Ni isotope, this already gives the battery specific energy of about 120 W · hr/kg, comparable with the commercial chemical cells. During experiments with high activity 90Sr–90Y source, no degradation was observed after 1,400 h of the radiation exposure. The maximum output power density of 2.4 µW cm−2 was achieved using 238Pu α source. The results display that synthetic diamond is a highly promising material for nuclear microbattery fabrication. A strategy to further cell optimization is also discussed.
Elastic properties of mono‐ and polydisperse two‐dimensional crystals of hard‐core repulsive Yukawa particles
Authors: Narojczyk Jakub W. , Pigłowski Paweł M. , Wojciechowski Krzysztof W. , Tretiakov Konstantin V.
Published: June 2015

Monte Carlo simulations of mono‐ and polydisperse two‐dimensional crystals are reported. The particles in the studied system, interacting through hard‐core repulsive Yukawa potential, form a solid phase of hexagonal lattice. The elastic properties of crystalline Yukawa systems are determined in the NpT ensemble with variable shape of the periodic box. Effects of the Debye screening length (), contact value of the potential (), and the size polydispersity of particles on elastic properties of the system are studied. The simulations show that the polydispersity of particles strongly influences the elastic properties of the studied system, especially on the shear modulus. It is also found that the elastic moduli increase with density and their growth rate depends on the screening length. Shorter screening length leads to faster increase of elastic moduli with density and decrease of the Poisson's ratio. In contrast to its three‐dimensional version, the studied system is non‐auxetic, i.e., shows positive Poisson's ratio.
Structural, electrical and luminescent properties of ZnO:Li films fabricated by screen‐printing method on sapphire substrate
Authors: Khomenkova L. , Kushnirenko V. I. , Osipyonok M. M. , Syngaivsky O. F. , Zashivailo T. V. , Pekar G. S. , Polishchuk Yu. O. , Kladko V. P. , Borkovska L. V.
Published: June 2015

Undoped and Li‐doped ZnO thick films were fabricated by a screen‐printing technique on sapphire substrate. The effect of sintering temperature (TS = 800, 900 and 1000 °C) and Li content ([Li] = 0.003, 0.03 and 0.3 wt%) on the photoluminescence (PL), electrical and structural properties of the films was investigated. The X‐ray diffraction shows that all the films are polycrystalline with a wurtzite structure. It is found that both high sintering temperature and low Li content favour formation of the low‐resistive films with an enhanced UV emission. The high Li content stimulates an appearance of semi‐insulating behaviour of the films and deteriorated PL properties. It is shown that the effect of Li‐doping on light‐emitting properties of the films consists mainly in the modification of the film crystallinity and the engineering of the concentration of intrinsic defects. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Oxygen‐related defects: minority carrier lifetime killers in n‐type Czochralski silicon wafers for solar cell application
Authors: Kolevatov I. , Osinniy V. , Herms M. , Loshachenko A. , Shlyakhov I. , Kveder V. , Vyvenko O.
Published: June 2015

Many authors (Haunschild et al., Phys. Status Solidi RRL 5, 199–201 (2012) [1]) reported about areas in Cz‐Si with an extremely low lifetime of minority carriers after high temperature stages of solar cell manufacture. In such regions the minority carrier lifetime may be fallen 100 times after annealing, what leads to a considerable drop in the solar cell efficiency. In present work the electrical and structural properties of phosphorus doped Bosch Cz‐Si wafers with degrading areas were studied by means of photoluminescence, deep level transient spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Based on these data it is concluded that the dominant recombination channel in the degrading areas is related to strained oxygen precipitates. We found electronic states of traps which may cause their formation. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Turbostratic pyrocarbon structure study by means of exit wave reconstruction from high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Prikhodko A. S. , Borgardt N. I. , Seibt M.
Published: June 2015

This paper reports results of turbostratic pyrolytic carbon structure study using high‐resolution electron microscopy techniques. We obtained a through‐focus series of images and noted that domain‐like contrast features were varied depending on defocus of the objective lens. Since these features are commonly explained in terms of the domain model of pyrocarbon structure we carried out exit wave reconstruction to obtain the phase map. The visual appearance of the map indicates that the ribbon‐like model more appropriately describes the pyrocarbon structure in comparison to the domain model. In the context of the ribbon‐like model we constructed a test carbon structure using the recovered phase map and molecular dynamics modeling. After determination of atomic positions we simulated high‐resolution images of the structure. Our calculations demonstrated that high‐resolution micrographs showing domain‐like image features can be obtained without carbon domains presented in the actual structure. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Iron deposition on multi‐walled carbon nanotubes by fluidized bed MOCVD for aeronautic applications
Authors: Lassègue Pierre , Noé Laure , Monthioux Marc , Caussat Brigitte
Published: June 2015

The fluidized bed MOCVD process has been studied in order to uniformly deposit iron nanoparticles on the outer surface of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) tangled in balls of 388 µm in diameter. Using ferrocene as organometallic precursor at atmospheric pressure, various reactive atmospheres of deposition (under N2, air and H2) and an ozone O3 surface pre‐treatment of MWCNTs were tested. Around 10 g Fe/100 g MWNCTs were deposited during each run. Under N2 at 650 °C on the raw MWCNTs, nanoparticles formed of Fe and Fe3C were deposited which have catalyzed the formation of carbon nanofibers (CNFs). 20 h of ozone (O3) pre‐treatment improved the number and distribution of iron nanoparticles but without increasing the surface coverage of nanotubes. A more intense amorphous carbon deposit also appeared. Under H2 at 550 °C, the amorphous carbon was partly eliminated but fewer iron nanoparticles were present. Under air at 450 °C, a part of the MWCNTs was lost and a Fe2O3 shell covered each remaining MWCNTs ball. New works are in progress to increase more markedly the surface reactivity of MWCNTs and to deposit pure iron. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Problems of hydrogen high‐temperature activation by chemical vapor deposition of diamond films
Authors: Rebrov Alexey , Yudin Ivan
Published: June 2015

The presented study is the original analysis of hydrogen flow in channels with heterogeneous physical‐chemical reactions. It provides the possibility to evaluate, calculate and predict unknown constants of heterogeneous reactions, using experimental data on dissociation at low pressures. It can be the base of conclusive data for computational modelling of CVD, using high velocity gas mixture flows. Till now there was no way to calculate the flow of hydrogen in tungsten channels in regimes of diamond deposition. The presented research allows formulate the problem of studies the heterogeneous reactions not only for diamond deposition. In the result of precise measurements of fragment fluxes behind heat‐resistant capillaries from refractory metals or ceramics at low pressure and direct statistical simulation of gas mixture flows one can determine collisional constants for simple molecules. Such approach is more preferential than expensive and sophisticated molecular beam methods. So possibilities of CVD can be extended. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Auditing overhead, auditing adaptation, and benchmark evaluation in Linux
Authors: Zeng Lei , Xiao Yang , Chen Hui
Published: June 2015

Logging is a critical component of Linux auditing. However, our experiments indicate that the logging overhead can be significant. The paper aims to leverage the performance overhead introduced by Linux audit framework under various usage patterns. The study on the problem leads to an adaptive audit‐logging mechanism. Many security incidents or other important events are often accompanied with precursory events. We identify important precursory events – the vital signs of system activity and the audit events that must be recorded. We then design an adaptive auditing mechanism that increases or reduces the type of events collected and the frequency of events collected based upon the online analysis of the vital‐sign events. The adaptive auditing mechanism reduces the overall system overhead and achieves a similar level of protection on the system and network security. We further adopt LMbench to evaluate the performance of key operations in Linux with compliance to four security standards. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.