bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Third Generation ATP Sensor with Enzymatic Analyte Recycling
Authors: Yarman Aysu , Schulz Christopher , Sygmund Cristoph , Ludwig Roland , Gorton Lo , Wollenberger Ulla , Scheller Frieder W.
Published: August 2014

For the first time the direct electron transfer of an enzyme ‐ cellobiose dehydrogenase, CDH ‐ has been coupled with the hexokinase catalyzed competition for glucose in a sensor for ATP. To enhance the signal output for ATP, pyruvate kinase was coimmobilized to recycle ADP by the phosphoenolpyruvate driven reaction. The new sensor overcomes the limit of 1 : 1 stoichiometry of the sequential or competitive conversion of ATP by effective enzymatic recycling of the analyte. The anodic oxidation of the glucose converting CDH proceeds at electrode potentials below 0 mV vs. Ag|AgCl thus potentially interfering substances like ascorbic acid or catecholamines do not influence the measuring signal. The combination of direct electron transfer of CDH with the enzymatic recycling results in an interference‐free and oxygen‐independent measurement of ATP in the lower µmolar concentration range with a lower limit of detection of 63.3 nM (S/N=3).
Genotyping of exons 1 to 20 in Duchenne muscular dystrophy by universal multiplex PCR and short‐end capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Syu Jing‐Rou , Wang Chun‐Chi , Jong Yuh‐Jyh , Wu Shou‐Mei
Published: August 2014

One rapid CE method was established to diagnose Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD is a severe recessive inherited disorder frequently caused by gene deletions. Among them, exons 1–20 account for nearly 30% of occurrences. In this study, the universal multiplex PCR was used to enhance the fluorescently labeling efficiency, which was performed only by one universal fluorescent primer. After PCR, a short‐end injection CE (short‐end CE) speeded up the genotyping of the DMD gene. This method involved no extra purification, and was completed within 9 min. The CE conditions contained a polymer solution of 1.5% hydroxylethylcellulose in 1× TBE buffer at 6 kV for separation. This method was applied to test six DMD patients and one healthy male person. The results showed good agreement with those of multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification. This method can be applied for clinical diagnosis of DMD disease. Accurate diagnosis of the DMD gene is the best way to prevent the disease.
A simple and precise diagnostic method for spinal muscular atrophy using a quantitative SNP analysis system
Authors: Hwang Hee Sung , Shin Gi Won , Jung Gyu Yong , Jung Gyoo Yeol
Published: August 2014

A simple and precise diagnostic method for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) using high‐resolution CE‐based single‐strand conformation polymorphism (CE‐SSCP) was developed in this study. SMA is a common genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in the relative copy numbers of SMN1 and its centromeric copy SMN2, which differ only in two nucleotides, namely at exons 7 and 8. Therefore, the precise discrimination of the differences in sequence as well as their relative quantities is crucial for the diagnosis of SMA. Multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification and sequence‐sensitive DNA separation using hydroxyethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose blended polymer matrix are currently the available methods used in the diagnosis of SMA. However, these methods are limited by their extended hybridization step and low resolution. In this study, the simultaneous discrimination of SMN exons 7 and 8 was successfully demonstrated using high‐resolution CE‐SSCP. Unlike the previously reported alternative method, single base differing amplicons were baseline‐separated because of its extraordinary resolution, thus providing accurate and precise quantification of each paralog.
Contactless conductivity detection for analytical techniques—Developments from 2012 to 2014
Authors: Kubáň Pavel , Hauser Peter C.
Published: August 2014

The review covers the progress of capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection over the 2 years leading up to mid‐2014. During this period many new applications for conventional CE as well as for microchip separation devices have been reported; prominent areas have been clinical, pharmaceutical, forensic, and food analyses. Further progress has been made in the development of field portable instrumentation based on CE with contactless conductivity detection. Several reports concern the combination with sample pretreatment techniques, in particular electrodriven extractions. Accounts of arrays of contactless conductivity detectors have appeared, which have been created for quite different tasks requiring spatially resolved information. The trend of the use of contactless conductivity measurements for applications other than CE has continued.
Algal extracts: Technology and advances
Authors: Michalak Izabela , Chojnacka Katarzyna
Published: August 2014

A number of studies on the development of a variety of extraction techniques to produce algal extracts have been reported. At present, attention is paid to the production of algal extracts without resorting to toxic organic solvents or aggressive extraction conditions that could deteriorate biologically active compounds found in algal cells. In this review, we present a critical overview of novel techniques to extract biologically active compounds from algae without their degradation. We compare the advantages and disadvantages of classic and novel extraction techniques such as supercritical fluid extraction, microwave‐assisted extraction, ultrasound‐assisted extraction, enzyme‐assisted extraction, pressurized liquid extraction. Additionally, we review the different biomass pretreatment methods. Products derived from algae are safe to plants, animals, and human. Therefore, they can be used in modern agriculture (biostimulants, bioregulators, feed additives) and in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.
Enhanced biogas production from coffee pulp through deligninocellulosic photocatalytic pretreatment
Authors: Corro Grisel , Pal Umapada , Cebada Surinam
Published: August 2014

Production of biogas utilizing agricultural wastes is one of the most demanding technologies for generating energy in sustainable manner considering environmental concerns. However, though the agricultural wastes are available in abundance, the technologies used for the production of biogas such as biological and thermochemical processes are not very efficient. In the present article, we describe a process for the production of biogas from coffee pulp utilizing Cu/TiO2 as an efficient photocatalyst in its solar photocatalytic pretreatment, producing biogas of high caloric value at enhanced rate. The pretreatment process enhances the coffee pulp–cattle manure codigestion, producing increased amounts of methane, propane, and other combustible components of biogas. The photocatalytic pretreatment was performed using 10%Cu/TiO2 as photocatalyst, bubbling air as oxidizing agent, and solar radiation as light source. The process enhances the degradation rate of lignocellulosic components of coffee pulp, consequently increasing the biogas production through anaerobic codigestion. The mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of lignocelluloses has been discussed. The results presented in this work indicate the photocatalytic pretreatment is a useful process to increase biogas generation from lignocelluloses‐rich natural wastes.
Understanding Amazonian fluvial rias based on a Late Pleistocene–Holocene analog
Authors: Bertani Thiago C. , Rossetti Dilce F. , Hayakawa Ericson H. , Cohen Marcelo C. L.
Published: August 2014

Fluvial rias are elongated lakes at tributary mouths that can reach dozens of kilometers in length, constituting one of the most remarkable features in the Amazonian landscape. Thus far, definitive data which documents the genesis of fluvial rias have not been published. The main goal of this work was to integrate morphological, sedimentological and chronological information in order to characterize fluvial paleorias in the interfluve of the Purus and Madeira Rivers and discuss the most likely hypothesis for their genesis. These paleorias were first observed through remote sensing imagery as several elongated and interconnecting belts of open vegetation that are in sharp contact with the surrounding dense forest. The belts are branched and form a dendritic pattern similar to many modern drainage networks. The sedimentary record of these belts revealed the prevalence of sharp‐based sandstones and mudstones arranged into fining‐upward successions, which are compatible with deposition within channels. Active channel and abandoned channel deposits were recognized. These are topped by continuous mudstones related to rapid channel abandonment and formation of a low energy basin or ria environment. Radiocarbon dating of these deposits recorded only Late Pleistocene and Holocene ages ranging from 21 547–22 285 cal yr bp to 5928–6124 cal yr bp. This chronology for sediment deposition is not compatible with the hypothesis of Amazonian rias being formed by fluvial erosion during the Last Glaciation Maximum low sea level, with sediment accumulation during the subsequent Holocene transgression. Instead, the studied paleorias record previous tributaries of the Madeira River that became abandoned as the position of this river shifted southeastward and its interfluve tilted northward, inverting the drainage systems. Therefore, a neotectonic origin of some Amazonian paleorias seems most likely. This hypothesis should be considered in further investigations aiming at understanding the origin of numerous modern fluvial rias that typify the Amazonian landscape. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Variation in riparian consumer diet composition and differential bioaccumulation by prey influence the risk of exposure to elements from a recently remediated fly ash spill
Authors: Beck Michelle L. , Hopkins William A. , Jackson Brian P.
Published: August 2014

Emerging aquatic insects play a key role in transporting aquatic nutrients and contaminants to riparian consumers. However, little is known about how within- and between-year variation in the diet or patterns of element bioaccumulation in emerging insect taxa may influence the risk of exposure to wildlife. During 2 breeding seasons, the composition of the diet of tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) was examined at several colonies that were exposed to element contamination from a remediated coal fly ash spill to determine how variation in the diet influenced the risk of exposure to elements. The proportion of the diet that consisted of insects with an aquatic larval stage was positively related to concentrations of As, Fe, Se, and Tl in the samples. The proportion of the diet that consisted of Chironomidae (midges) was positively related to exposure to these elements at most colonies within and between years. Ephemeroptera (mayflies) contained higher concentrations of Se than midges, including 17 samples with concentrations of Se above 5 µg/g dry mass, the threshold of toxicological concern for birds. This was even the case at colonies several kilometers downstream from the spill. The results indicate that greater consideration should be given to the pattern of element bioaccumulation among different prey taxa and their relative importance in the diet to better assess the risk of contaminant exposure. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:2595–2608. © 2014 SETAC
Photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics, and chlorophyll content of soybean seedlings under combined stress of bisphenol A and cadmium
Authors: Hu Huiqing , Wang Lihong , Wang Qingqing , Jiao Liya , Hua Weiqi , Zhou Qing , Huang Xiaohua
Published: August 2014

Bisphenol A (BPA) is ubiquitous in the environment because of its continual application in plastics and the epoxy resin industry. Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic heavy metal element mainly used in smelting, electroplating, and plastic and dye manufacturing. Pollution as a result of BPA and Cd exists simultaneously in many agricultural regions. However, little information is available regarding the combined effects of BPA and Cd on plants. The combined effects of BPA and Cd on the photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, and chlorophyll content of soybean seedlings were investigated using noninvasive technology. Combined treatment with 1.5 mg/L BPA and 0.2 mg/L Cd synergistically improved the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), initial fluorescence (F0), maximal photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), effective quantum yield of photosystem II (ΦPSII), photosynthetic electron transport rate (ETR), and chlorophyll content. Combined treatment with 1.5 mg/L BPA and 3.0 mg/L Cd increased the F0 and decreased the Pn, Fv/Fm, ΦPSII, and ETR, whereas BPA and Cd exhibited an antagonistic effect. Furthermore, combined treatment with 17.2/50.0 mg/L BPA and 3.0/10.0 mg/L Cd synergistically decreased the Pn, Fv/Fm, ΦPSII, ETR, and chlorophyll content, although it increased the F0. Finally, the effects of BPA and Cd on photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, and chlorophyll content ceased when BPA stress was stopped. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:2455–2462. © 2014 SETAC
Investigating the Relationship Between Test Preparation and TOEFL iBT® Performance
Authors: Liu Ou Lydia
Published: August 2014

This study investigates the relationship between test preparation and test performance on the TOEFL iBT® exam. Information on background variables and test preparation strategies was gathered from 14,593 respondents in China through an online survey. A Chinese standardized English test was used as a control for prior English ability. Multiple regression analyses were used to investigate the relationship of coaching school attendance and test preparation strategies with TOEFL iBT total scores. Coaching school attendance had little or no relationship with TOEFL test scores across language domains. Confirmatory factor analyses revealed that general English learning strategies and test‐specific strategies represent two distinct factors of test preparation. Implications of the findings for test developers and test sponsors are discussed.
Lipocalin 2: A New Mechanoresponding Gene Regulating Bone Homeostasis
Authors: Rucci Nadia , Capulli Mattia , Piperni Sara Gemini , Cappariello Alfredo , Lau Patrick , Frings-Meuthen Petra , Heer Martina , Teti Anna
Published: August 2014

Mechanical loading represents a crucial factor in the regulation of skeletal homeostasis. Its reduction causes loss of bone mass, eventually leading to osteoporosis. In a previous global transcriptome analysis performed in mouse calvarial osteoblasts subjected to simulated microgravity, the most upregulated gene compared to unit gravity condition was Lcn2, encoding the adipokine Lipocalin 2 (LCN2), whose function in bone metabolism is poorly known. To investigate the mechanoresponding properties of LCN2, we evaluated LCN2 levels in sera of healthy volunteers subjected to bed rest, and found a significant time-dependent increase of this adipokine compared to time 0. We then evaluated the in vivo LCN2 regulation in mice subjected to experimentally-induced mechanical unloading by (1) tail suspension, (2) muscle paralysis by botulin toxin A (Botox), or (3) genetically-induced muscular dystrophy (MDX mice), and observed that Lcn2 expression was upregulated in the long bones of all of them, whereas physical exercise counteracted this increase. Mechanistically, in primary osteoblasts transfected with LCN2-expression-vector (OBs-Lcn2) we observed that Runx2 and its downstream genes, Osterix and Alp, were transcriptionally downregulated, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was less prominent versus empty-vector transduced osteoblasts (OBs-empty). OBs-Lcn2 also exhibited an increase of the Rankl/Opg ratio and IL-6 mRNA, suggesting that LCN2 could link poor differentiation of osteoblasts to enhanced osteoclast stimulation. In fact, incubation of purified mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells with conditioned media from OBs-Lcn2 cultures, or their coculture with OBs-Lcn2, improved osteoclastogenesis compared to OBs-empty, whereas treatment with recombinant LCN2 had no effect. In conclusion, our data indicate that LCN2 is a novel osteoblast mechanoresponding gene and that its regulation could be central to the pathological response of the bone tissue to low mechanical forces. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Population dose‐response analysis of daily seizure count following vigabatrin therapy in adult and pediatric patients with refractory complex partial seizures
Authors: Nielsen Jace C. , Hutmacher Matthew M. , Wesche David L. , Tolbert Dwain , Patel Mahlaqa , Kowalski Kenneth G.
Published: August 2014

Vigabatrin is an irreversible inhibitor of γ‐aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA‐T) and is used as an adjunctive therapy for adult patients with refractory complex partial seizures (rCPS). The purpose of this investigation was to describe the relationship between vigabatrin dosage and daily seizure rate for adults and children with rCPS and identify relevant covariates that might impact seizure frequency. This population dose–response analysis used seizure‐count data from three pediatric and two adult randomized controlled studies of rCPS patients. A negative binomial distribution model adequately described daily seizure data. Mean seizure rate decreased with time after first dose and was described using an asymptotic model. Vigabatrin drug effects were best characterized by a quadratic model using normalized dosage as the exposure metric. Normalized dosage was an estimated parameter that allowed for individualized changes in vigabatrin exposure based on body weight. Baseline seizure rate increased with decreasing age, but age had no impact on vigabatrin drug effects after dosage was normalized for body weight differences. Posterior predictive checks indicated the final model was capable of simulating data consistent with observed daily seizure counts. Total normalized vigabatrin dosages of 1, 3, and 6 g/day were predicted to reduce seizure rates 23.2%, 45.6%, and 48.5%, respectively.
Long‐term therapeutic and reporter gene expression in lentiviral vector treated cystic fibrosis mice
Authors: Cmielewski Patricia , Donnelley Martin , Parsons David W
Published: August 2014

Background

Persistent reporter gene and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) nasal airway gene expression can be achieved with a single lentiviral (LV) gene vector dosing when coupled with a preparatory lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) airway pre‐treatment. In the present study, we characterised the duration of gene expression in individual cystic fibrosis (CF) knockout mice (cftrtm1unc) over their lifetimes.

Methods

CF mouse nasal airways were treated with LV‐Rx, a mixture of a therapeutic LV‐CFTR gene vector and a LV‐luciferase reporter gene vector, after pre‐treatment with LPC. Control groups received either PBS sham pre‐treatment followed by LV‐Rx, or LPC prior to delivery of a LV vector containing no transgene (LV‐MT). Airway reporter gene expression was monitored by bioluminescence, and functional CFTR expression was assessed via nasal transepithelial potential difference measurements at regular intervals up to 21 months. The presence of the CFTR transgene in the nasal septa, liver and spleen tissues were assessed by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Circulating antibodies to the vector glycoprotein envelope and to the luciferase protein were also measured.

Results

The combined use of LPC and LV gene vectors in the nasal airway produced enhanced and sustained luciferase and CFTR gene expression lasting at least 12 months. Improved survival was also observed in CF knockout mice treated with the LV vector mixture compared to all control CF mouse groups.

Conclusions

The present study showed that our airway pre‐treatment and gene delivery technique resulted in sustained functional CFTR expression and improved survival in CF mice. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Soil P fractions in a volcanic soil chronosequence of Central Mexico and their relationship to foliar P in pine trees
Authors: Galván‐Tejada Nadeshda Cosette , Peña‐Ramírez Víctor , Mora‐Palomino Lucy , Siebe Christina
Published: August 2014

Phosphorus (P) is a major plant nutrient, however, its availability in volcanic ash soils is presumed to be small, due to its specific sorption on short‐range order minerals. We analyzed distinct P fractions in volcanic ash soils of different age (60 to > 100,000 y BP) under pine forests in Central Mexico to investigate their changes along a chronosequence of Regosols, Andosols, and Lixisols, and to evaluate if P availability limits tree growth at any particular stage. Top soil and subsoil samples were first analyzed by the Tiessen and Moir method, which failed to extract exhaustively “organic” and “occluded P”, and “P associated with apatite”. Therefore, we modified the fractionation scheme by including a “recalcitrant organic P” fraction obtained from the difference between P determined in air‐dried subsamples and subsamples burned at 300°C; P adsorbed to short‐range order minerals was assessed in an extraction with NH4‐oxalate, and P in primary minerals by subtracting the sum of all other fractions from total P contents determined by XRF. This we did after discovering that primary P occurred in the form of fluorapatite included in plagioclase, volcanic glass or olivine. We also measured P contents in pine needles and related these with the “mobile soil P” fractions. The results show that “organic P” reaches maximum contents in 10,000‐y old soil, as does P associated with short‐range order minerals, while P occluded into crystalline oxides increases constantly over time. After 100,000 y, 31% of total P still remains in the form of primary P in A horizons. “Mobile P” was constant > 40 mg kg−1 in Regosols and Andosols and related positively with foliar P contents, which were within adequate nutritional ranges. Only in Lixisols small “mobile P” concentrations in soil correspond with inadequate P contents in pine needles.
The role of biochar in retaining nutrients in amended tropical soils
Authors: Alling Vanja , Hale Sarah E. , Martinsen Vegard , Mulder Jan , Smebye Andreas , Breedveld Gijs D. , Cornelissen Gerard
Published: August 2014

This study investigated the effect of biochar amendments on the retention and availability of plant nutrients and Al in seven acidic tropical soils from Zambia and Indonesia. The experiments carried out investigated whether the adsorption capacity of NH$ _4^+ $in the soils increased upon the addition of biochar and which effect biochar had on available concentrations of NO$ _3^- $, K+, Mn2+, Mg2+, PO$ _4^{3‐} $, and Al3+. These nutrients were selected as they represent those important to plant growth and soil quality. No significant increases or decreases in aqueous NH$ _4^+ $‐N concentration with additions of biochar were detected. The Gaines–Thomas model was used in order to calculate selectivity coefficients for NH$ _4^+ $exchange (Kgtvalues). Following the addition of biochar to soil, Kgtvalues decreased showing a reduction in the selective binding of NH$ _4^+ $in the biochar amended soil compared to the control. The concentration of NO$ _3^- $increased following the addition of biochar to the soils. The addition of 5 and 10% biochar to the Indonesian soil did not significantly alter (t‐test confidence level 0.05) the sorption of PO$ _4^{3‐} $to the soil–biochar mixtures as compared to the soil alone. However, the addition of biochar to the soil from Zambia increased the sorption of PO$ _4^{3‐} $compared to the soil alone. The concentrations of K+and Mg2+were significantly increased for almost all soils (t‐test at the 0.05 confidence level) following the addition of biochar. Addition of biochar to all but two soils significantly decreased (t‐test confidence level 0.05) Mn2+concentrations. The concentration of Al3+in the soils decreased exponentially significantly (t‐test confidence level 0.05) following the amendment of biochar in accordance with the increase in pH observed when biochar was added to the soil. These results show that biochar has the ability to release essential plant growth nutrients as well as alleviate Al toxicity in these soils.
Neoadjuvant therapy for high‐risk bulky regional melanoma
Authors: Tarhini Ahmad A. , Pahuja Shalu , Kirkwood John M.
Published: August 2014

Clinically detectable regional lymph node melanoma metastasis (AJCC stage IIIB‐C) carries a risk of relapse and death that approaches 70% at 5 years. Surgical management is the cornerstone of therapy, with postoperative adjuvant therapy utilizing high‐dose interferon alfa‐2b (HDI). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy or immunotherapy in addition to surgery has been demonstrated to improve outcome in the management of patients with a variety of solid tumors. In patients with melanoma, the characteristics of the host immune response differ between patients with earlier stage and those with more advanced stages of disease (and particularly between those with measurable active disease and those without measurable gross disease) providing rationale for neoadjuvant approaches with immunotherapy. Host immune tolerance is now understood to impede the results of therapy for advanced disease, but appears to be less an issue for patients with microscopic high‐risk operable disease, where the host may be more susceptible to immunologic interventions. Phase II studies have shown that neoadjuvant biochemotherapy has limited activity in melanoma patients with local‐regional metastases, where chemotherapy may potentially alter the effects of immunotherapeutic agents. Studies of neoadjuvant HDI therapy for high‐risk melanoma patients with bulky regional stage IIIB‐C lymphadenopathy have shown unexpectedly high clinical and pathologic response rates, without increased morbidity. Through the design of neoadjuvant trials utilizing promising emerging melanoma therapeutics in which it is possible to obtain biopsy samples before and after therapy, a greater understanding of the dynamic interaction between tumors and the immune system is possible. This should lead to the identification of new targets for the treatment of melanoma and aid the development of new immunotherapy that may have greater specificity and less toxicity. This will simplify the evaluation of promising new combinations of agents with HDI to build on the clinical, immunologic, and molecular effect of this therapy for patients with melanoma. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011; 104:386–390. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment of melanoma metastases in a limb by isolated limb perfusion and isolated limb infusion
Authors: Testori Alessandro , Verhoef Cornelis , Kroon Hidde M. , Pennacchioli E. , Faries Mark B. , Eggermont Alexander M.M. , Thompson John F.
Published: August 2014

In‐transit melanoma metastases are often confined to a limb. In this circumstance, treatment by isolated limb perfusion or isolated limb infusion can be a remarkably effective regional treatment option. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011; 104:397–404. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simultaneous determination of nine lignans from Schisandra chinensis extract using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry in rat plasma, urine, and gastrointestinal tract samples: Application to the pharmacokinetic study of Schisandra chinensis
Authors: Kim You‐Jin , Lee Hee Ju , Kim Chul Young , Han Sun‐Young , Chin Young‐Won , Choi Young Hee
Published: August 2014

The fruit of Schisandra chinensis is a well‐known herbal medicine and dietary supplement due to a variety of biological activities including antihepatotoxic and antihyperlipidemic activities. However, the simultaneous validation methodology and pharmacokinetic investigation of nine lignans of S. chinensis extract in biological samples have not been proved yet. Thus, the present study was undertaken to develop the proper sample preparation method and simultaneous analytical method of schisandrol A, gomisin J, schisandrol B, tigloylgomisin H, angeloylgomisin H, schisandrin A, schisandrin B, gomisin N, and schisandrin C in the hexane‐soluble extract of S. chinensis to apply for the pharmacokinetic study in rats. All intra‐ and interprecisions of nine lignans were below 13.7% and accuracies were 85.1–115% and it is enough to evaluate the pharmacokinetic parameters after both intravenous and oral administration of hexane‐soluble extract of S. chinensis to rats.
Static headspace‐multicapillary column with gas chromatography coupled to ion mobility spectrometry as a simple approach for the discrimination of crude and processed traditional Chinese medicines
Authors: Cao Gang , Shou Qiyang , Li Qinglin , Jiang Jianping , Chen Xiaocheng
Published: August 2014

The processing procedure can alter the nature and chemical transformation of traditional Chinese medicine to accommodate different clinical dispensing and preparation requirements. In this study, static headspace‐multicapillary column with gas chromatography coupled to ion mobility spectrometry was developed for the rapid and sensitive discrimination of crude and processed traditional Chinese medicine. Using Radix Paeoniae Alba as a traditional Chinese medicine model, the combined power of this approach was illustrated by classifying the crude and processed Radix Paeoniae Alba samples into two main categories. The contents of the main components in Radix Paeoniae Alba varied significantly. The established method could promote the use of ion mobility spectrometry in intrinsic quality control and differentiation of herbal medicines from other processed products or preparations.
Surface oxide formation on IN625 and plasma sprayed NiCrAlY after high density and low density supercritical water testing
Authors: Selvig A. , Huang X. , Kim D. J. , Guzonas D.
Published: August 2014

In this study, IN625 and a NiCrAlY coated IN625 were tested in high density and low density supercritical water for 500 h. The NiCrAlY coating was applied using plasma spray method. The surfaces were finely polished before testing to assist microstructure observation after testing. The NiCrAlY coated samples were additionally heat treated in air furnace to encourage alumina formation. SEM and XRD analyses were carried out to determine surface microstructure changes, particularly oxide formation. The results showed that when tested under high density supercritical water, the bare IN625 sample suffered from intergranular attacking while low density supercritical water did not have the same effect. Both as‐sprayed NiCrAlY and heat treated NiCrAlY did not show any signs of intergranular attack or pitting after being tested in high density and low density supercritical water.
Existence of fractional differential chains and factorizations based on transformations
Authors: Ibrahim Rabha W. , Jahangiri Jay M.
Published: August 2014

In this work, we deal with the existence of the fractional integrable equations involving two generalized symmetries compatible with nonlinear systems. The method used is based on the Bä cklund transformation or B‐transformation. Furthermore, we shall factorize the fractional heat operator in order to yield the fractional Riccati equation. This is done by utilizing matrix transform Miura type and matrix operators, that is, matrices whose entries are differential operators of fractional order. The fractional differential operator is taken in the sense of Riemann–Liouville calculus. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PRIMO: Precise radiofrequency inference from multiple observations
Authors: Padormo Francesco , Beqiri Arian , Malik Shaihan J. , Hajnal Joseph V.
Published: August 2014

Purpose

This paper presents Precise Radiofrequency Inference from Multiple Observations (PRIMO), a comprehensive reconstruction framework for calibrating MRI systems with parallel transmit and parallel receive radiofrequency capabilities.

Theory and Methods

To date, the vast majority of radiofrequency (RF) calibration methods have considered transmit and receive calibration separately, without acknowledging that transmit field calibration sequences measure sufficient data for receive calibration. PRIMO provides a method of extracting both transmit and receive fields from transmit calibration data without presuming knowledge of either. The method is tested for accuracy through simulation, comparison to a gold standard dataset, and is demonstrated on in‐vivo data acquired at 3T.

Results

PRIMO is shown to produce RF fields faithful to the gold standard with errors of less than 3% in realistic noise conditions. The in‐vivo reconstructions demonstrate the method's ability to produce high quality transmit and receive maps, with an 8 transmit/8 receive channel system being fully calibrated in three dimensions in approximately 2 minutes.

Conclusion

PRIMO provides a unified framework for estimating all transmit and receive fields in a single calibration step. This is becoming increasingly relevant in an era of MRI systems with highly parallel RF architectures. Magn Reson Med 74:372–383, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Schwarz alternating domain decomposition approach for the solution of two‐dimensional Navier–Stokes flow problems by the method of approximate particular solutions
Authors: Bustamante Carlos Andres , Power Henry , Florez Whady Felipe
Published: August 2014

The method of approximate particular solutions (MAPS) is used to solve the two‐dimensional Navier–Stokes equations. This method uses particular solutions of a nonhomogeneous Stokes problem, with the multiquadric radial basis function as a nonhomogeneous term, to approximate the velocity and pressure fields. The continuity equation is not explicitly imposed since the used particular solutions are mass conservative. To improve the computational efficiency of the global MAPS, the domain is split into overlapped subdomains where the Schwarz Alternating Algorithm is employed using velocity or traction values from neighboring subdomains as boundary conditions. When imposing only velocity boundary conditions, an extra step is required to find a reference value for the pressure at each subdomain to guarantee continuity of pressure across subdomains. The Stokes lid‐driven cavity flow problem is solved to assess the performance of the Schwarz algorithm in comparison to a finite‐difference‐type localized MAPS. The Kovasznay flow problem is used to validate the proposed numerical scheme. Despite the use of relative coarse nodal distributions, numerical results show excellent agreement with respect to results reported in literature when solving the lid‐driven cavity (up to Re  =  10,000) and the backward facing step (at Re  =  800) problems. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 31: 777–797, 2015
Dielectric properties of multiwalled carbon nanotube/clay/polyvinylidene fluoride nanocomposites: Effect of clay incorporation
Authors: Khajehpour Maryam , Arjmand Mohammad , Sundararaj Uttandaraman
Published: August 2014

This study investigates the effect of clay addition on the broadband dielectric properties of multi‐walled carbon nanotube/polyvinylidene fluoride (MWCNT/PVDF) composites, that is, frequency range of 101−106 Hz. Different loadings of MWCNT and clay were used for the preparation of three‐phase (MWCNT/Clay/PVDF) nanocomposites via melt‐mixing method. The crystalline structure and morphology of nanocomposites were examined by employing characterization techniques such as X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The dielectric spectroscopy showed that introducing clay into the MWCNT/PVDF nanocomposites at a critical MWCNT concentration improved dielectric properties tremendously. It was interestingly observed that the incorporation of a specific amount of clay, that is, 1.0 wt%, into the (MWCNT/PVDF) nanocomposite at a critical MWCNT loading, that is, 0.5 wt% MWCNT, resulted in a huge increase in the dielectric permittivity (670% at 100 Hz) and a considerable reduction in the dissipation factor (68% at 100 Hz). POLYM. COMPOS., 161–167, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
New heat resistant nanocomposites reinforced silicate nanolayers containing triazine rings based on polyamide: Synthesis, characterization, and flame retardancy study
Authors: Hajibeygi Mohsen , Shabanian Meisam , Khodaei‐Tehrani Majid
Published: August 2014

N1,N1′‐(6‐methoxy‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diyl)dibenzene‐1,4‐diamine (MTDA) containing triazine ring structure was synthesized and characterized. A new, montmorillonite (Mt) modified by MTDA (MTDA‐Mt), was prepared by ion‐exchange of sodium montmorillonite (Na+‐Mt) with protonated form of MTDA. It was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) techniques. The results of XRD indicated that MTDA had intercalated with Na+‐Mt. A new polyamide (PA) containing triazine ring was synthesized by direct polycondensation reaction of 4,4′‐(6‐methoxy‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diyl)bis(azanediyl)dibenzoic acid and 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylether and characterized. PA/MTDA‐Mt nanocomposites containing 4 and 8 mass% of MTDA‐Mt were prepared via blending of MTDA‐Mt with the PA by solution intercalation technique in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone. The nanostructures and properties of the PA/MTDA‐Mt nanocomposites were investigated using different techniques. Transmission electron microscopy and XRD results revealed the good dispersion nano silicate layers in the polymer matrix. Thermal properties and flame retardancy of the resulting PA/MTDA‐Mt nanocomposites were investigated by thermal gravimetry analyses and microscale combustion calorimetry techniques. The results showed that the addition of MTDA‐Mt enhanced the flame retardancy of PA, reflecting the decrease in heat release rate from 111 W/g for PA to 91 and 77 W g−1 for PA/MTDA‐Mt nanocomposites. POLYM. COMPOS., 188–198, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Influence of two carbon plies on adhesion of unidirectional flax‐fibers reinforced epoxy composites
Authors: Karray Mayssa , Triki Asma , Poilâne Christophe , Picart Pascal , Gargouri Mohamed
Published: August 2014

In this work, we undertook a comparative study of the dynamic dielectric analysis of two unidirectional epoxy composites: flax‐fiber‐reinforced epoxy and flax/carbon‐fiber‐reinforced epoxy (FCFRE). In both composites, three relaxation processes were identified. The first one is the water dipoles polarization imputed to the presence of polar water molecules in flax fiber. The second relaxation process associated with conductivity occurs as a result of the carriers charges diffusion noted for high temperature above glass transition and low frequencies. As for the third dielectric relaxation associated with the interfacial polarization effect is attributable to the accumulation of charges at the fibers/matrix interface. The presence of two carbon plies in the reinforcement gives rise to two interfacial polarization effects in the FCFRE composite. The analysis of the Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars and the water dipoles polarizations using the Havriliak–Negami model revealed that the presence of two plies of carbon can locally decrease the adhesion of flax fibers in the matrix. This analysis was supported by the thermal properties using a differential scanning calorimety and the mechanical properties using a short beam shear test. POLYM. COMPOS., 241–253, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
A proteomic glimpse into the initial global epigenetic changes during HIV infection
Authors: Britton Laura‐Mae P. , Sova Pavel , Belisle Sarah , Liu Shichong , Chan Eric Y. , Katze Michael G. , Garcia Benjamin A.
Published: August 2014

HIV‐1 replication requires the insertion of viral DNA into the host genome, which is catalyzed by HIV‐1 integrase. This integration event can lead to vast changes in the chromatin landscape and gene transcription. In this study, we sought to correlate the extensive changes of histone PTM abundances with the equally dynamic shifts in host transcriptional activity. To fully capture the changes that were occurring during the course of HIV‐infection, we performed time‐courses in which we extracted both histones and mRNA from HIV‐infected, UV‐inactivated HIV‐infected and mock‐infected SUP‐T1 cells. We then analyzed the alterations to histone PTM profiles using nano‐LC‐MS/MS, as well as the expression of chromatin‐associated enzymes, such as histone deacetylases, acetyltransferases, demethylases, methyltransferases, and histone chaperone proteins. As expected, we observed major changes in histone PTM abundances, which we linked to massive fluctuations in mRNA expression of associated chromatin enzymes. However, we find few differences between HIV and HIVUV (UV‐inactivated) infection, which suggests that initial histone PTM changes during HIV infection are from the host in response to the infection, and not due to the HIV virus manipulating the transcriptional machinery. We believe that these preliminary experiments can provide a basis for future forays into targeted manipulations of histone PTM‐regulated aspects of HIV progression through its replication cycle.
Is Parkinson's disease the new cancer?
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: August 2014

Parkinson's disease is the focus of considerable research. Mark Greener examines some trends in research that may improve the management of this debilitating disease. The growing appreciation of the complex pathology suggests that our understanding of Parkinson's disease may need to undergo a ‘fundamental conceptual change’ to deliver the treatments needed by patients.
Theoretical insights into the absorption and emission properties of blue luminescent copper(I) complexes based on the pyrazolyl‐pyridine ligands
Authors: Li Qiang , Xu Sheng‐Xian , Wang Jing‐Lan , Xia Hong‐Ying , Zhao Feng , Wang Yi‐Bo
Published: August 2014

The ground geometrical and electronic structures, charge transfer (CT) behaviors, absorption, and emission properties of the three copper(I) complexes [Cu(pypz)(POP)]+ (1), [Cu(pympz)(POP)]+ (2), and [Cu(pytfmpz)(POP)]+ (3) (pypz=1‐(2‐pyridyl)pyrazole, pympz=3‐methyl‐1‐(2‐pyridyl)pyrazole, and pytfmpz=3‐trifluoromethyl‐1‐(2‐pyridyl)pyrazole), have been investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT). The vertical absorption energies of the all copper(I) complexes are well reproduced by TD‐DFT calculations based on the CT amount calculations. The triplet emission properties of the all copper(I) complexes were correctly evaluated at BMK/LANL2DZ/6‐31G* level of theory. In addition, the thermally activated delayed fluorescence properties of 1–3 were discussed in detail based on the spatial separation of the HOMO and LUMO and vertical excited energies. These theoretical insights should be expected to provide some guides for the design and synthesis of efficient luminescent copper(I) complexes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mathematical analysis of energy efficiency optimality in multi‐user OFDM systems
Authors: Chien Su Fong , Ting T. O. , Yang Xin‐She , Takahashi Kenzo
Published: August 2014

The strong need and global interests for green communications necessitate the maximum reduction of energy consumption. Hence, one of the major challenges is to optimize the resource allocation and to improve the energy efficiency in an orthogonal frequency division multiple access system. In this paper, we analyze the energy‐efficient resource allocation problem mathematically. Our analytical results show that the optimal resource allocation can be achieved by primarily assigning the user with either the best channel gain or the least optimal power. Furthermore, our detailed case studies show that such analytical results are consistent with the best result obtained from the exhaustive search method. This means that the proposed approach can provide quick and better resource allocation. It can be expected that real‐time in situ optimal resource allocation can be achieved by extending the current methodology. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two Coordination Polymers Based on 3‐(Carboxymethoxy)­benzene‐1,2‐dioic Acid and N‐donor Ancillary Ligands: Synthesis, Crystal structures, and Magnetic Properties
Authors: Li Bo , Fan Hui‐Tao , Song Wen‐Chao , Feng Chao‐Qiang , Zang Shuang‐Quan , Wang Li‐Ya
Published: August 2014

Two coordination polymers were hydrothermally synthesized by reaction of 3‐(carboxymethoxy)benzene‐1,2‐dioic acid (H3L) with divalent zinc or cobalt salts in the presence of ancillary nitrogen ligand. Complex 1 features a three‐dimensional metal‐organic framework with (3,4,4)‐connected topology. Complex 2 exhibits a 3D six‐connected framework with {412.63} topology based on the [Co4(μ3‐OH)2] tetranuclear clusters as nodes. The magnetic properties of complex 2 were also discussed.
Denotational semantics and its algebraic derivation for an event-driven system-level language
Authors: Zhu H. , He Jifeng , Qin Shengchao , Brooke Phillip J.
Published: August 2014

As a system-level modelling language, SystemC possesses several novel features such as delayed notifications, notification cancelling, notification overriding and delta-cycle. It also has real-time and shared-variable features. Previously we have studied an operational semantics for SystemC Peng et al. (An operational semantics of an event-driven system-level simulator, pp 190–200,
2006
) and bisimulation has been introduced based on some aspects of reasonable abstractions. The denotational method is another approach to studying the semantics of a programming language. It provides the mathematical meaning to programs and can predict the behaviour of programs. Due to the novel features of SystemC, it is challenging to study the denotational semantics for SystemC. In this paper, we apply
Unifying Theories of Programming
(abbreviated as
UTP
) Hoare and He (Unifying theories of programming,
1998
) in exploring the denotational semantics. Two trace variables are introduced, one to record the state behaviours and another to record the event behaviours. The timed model is formalized in a threedimensional structure. A set of algebraic laws is explored, which can be proved via the presented denotational semantics. In this paper, we also consider the linking between denotational semantics and algebraic semantics. The linking is obtained by deriving the denotational semantics from algebraic semantics for SystemC. A complete set of parallel expansion laws is explored, where the location status of an instantaneous action is studied. The location status indicates an instantaneous action is due to which exact parallel component. We introduce the concept of head normal form for each program and every program is expressed in the form of guarded choice with location status. Based on this, the derivation strategy for deriving denotational semantics from algebraic semantics is provided.
Copper Solubility and Redox Equilibria in Magnesia Saturated CaO-CuOx-FeOx Slags
Authors: Somerville Michael , Sun Shouyi , Jahanshahi Sharif
Published: August 2014

New measurements on solubility of copper and redox equilibria in magnesia-saturated calcium ferrite-based slags are presented. These data were obtained from equilibrium experiments at 1573 K (1300 °C) and over a range of oxygen partial pressures of 10−11 to 10−5 atm, through equilibrating the slag with metallic copper in magnesia crucibles under a flowing Ar-CO-CO2 gas mixture. At low oxygen partial pressures, copper was found to dissolve into slag as a univalent species (CuO0.5) with a linear dependence on the oxygen partial pressure (in logarithm), with a slope of 0.23. At higher oxygen partial pressures (>10−7 atm), the data suggest a divalent copper species becomes significant (CuO) and causes the dependence on oxygen partial pressure to increase. The determination of the Fe3+/Fe2+ ratio in the slag was effected by the cuprous (Cu+) content, which acts to increase the apparent ferrous (Fe2+) content during acid digestion. A correction procedure was applied to the Fe3+/Fe2+ ratio based on the calculated Cu+ content of the slag. The procedure assumes that the activity coefficients of CuO0.5 and CuO (

$$ \gamma_{{{\text{CuO}}_{ 0. 5} }} $$

γ

CuO

0.5

and γ
CuO) in these slags are independent of oxygen partial pressure. The calculated activity coefficients of CuO0.5 and CuO were 3.43 and 0.29, respectively. The corrected Fe3+/Fe2+ ratio had a linear dependence of 0.17 on the oxygen partial pressure over the entire oxygen partial pressure range. This agrees with similar data from the literature.