bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comprehensive Economic Analysis of Production and Maintenance Cost of Per Milch Animal Buffaloes of Ghazipur District of Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Kushwaha Pumam , Kumar Sanjay
Published: August 2024

This study analyzes milk marketing in the Bhanwarkola and Ghazipur Sadar Blocks of Ghazipur District, Uttar Pradesh, focusing on the various channels for selling milk. It categorizes cattle owners, studies demographic patterns, and links these variables to milk marketing methods and efficiency. Using a descriptive and analytical design, the study divides cattle owners into small, medium, and large-scale enterprises. It evaluates demographic data such as age, gender, education, and social categories, as well as a thorough review of milk marketing methods and associated expenses. Data were gathered through biennial personal interviews done on a predetermined timetable, with an emphasis on production costs such as feed, fodder, labor, and animal care. The statistics suggest that the overall average production cost for desi buffaloes is Rs. 50,519.65 and Rs. 56,857.32 for murrah buffaloes, giving policymakers and dairy farmers vital insights into increasing profitability and sustainability.
Modified strong tracking unscented Kalman filter for nonlinear state estimation with process model uncertainty
Authors: Hu Gaoge , Gao Shesheng , Zhong Yongmin , Gao Bingbing , Subic Aleksandar
Published: May 2015

This paper presents a modified strong tracking unscented Kalman filter (MSTUKF) to address the performance degradation and divergence of the unscented Kalman filter because of process model uncertainty. The MSTUKF adopts the hypothesis testing method to identify process model uncertainty and further introduces a defined suboptimal fading factor into the prediction covariance to decrease the weight of the prior knowledge on filtering solution. The MSTUKF not only corrects the state estimation in the occurrence of process model uncertainty but also avoids the loss of precision for the state estimation in the absence of process model uncertainty. Further, it does not require the cumbersome evaluation of Jacobian matrix involved in the calculation of the suboptimal fading factor. Experimental results and comparison analysis demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed MSTUKF. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photochemical Deposition of Highly Dispersed Pt Nanoparticles on Porous CeO2 Nanofibers for the Water‐Gas Shift Reaction
Authors: Lu Ping , Qiao Botao , Lu Ning , Hyun Dong Choon , Wang Jinguo , Kim Moon J. , Liu Jingyue , Xia Younan
Published: May 2015

Ceria (CeO2) nanofibers with high porosity are fabricated using an approach involving sol–gel, electrospinning, and calcination. Specifically, cerium(III) acetylacetonate and polyacrylonitrile (PAN) are dissolved in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) and then electrospun into nanofibers. The PAN matrix plays a critical role in stabilizing the porous structure from collapse during calcination in air up to 800 °C. CeO2 porous nanofibers comprising an interconnected network of single crystalline and fully oxidized CeO2 nanoparticles about 40 nm in size are obtained. The hierarchically porous structure of the CeO2 nanofibers enables the facile deposition of Pt nanoparticles via heterogeneous nucleation in a photochemical method. When conducted in the presence of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and 4‐benzyolbenzoic acid, uniform Pt nanoparticles with an average diameter of 1.7 nm are obtained, which are evenly dispersed across the entire surface of each CeO2 nanofiber. The high porosity of CeO2 nanofibers and the uniform distribution of Pt nanoparticles greatly improve the activity and stability of this catalytic system toward the water‐gas shift reaction. It is believed that this method could be extended to produce a variety of catalysts and systems sought for various industrial applications.
Iron‐Catalyzed Directed Alkylation of Alkenes and Arenes with Alkylzinc Halides
Authors: Ilies Laurean , Ichikawa Saki , Asako Sobi , Matsubara Tatsuaki , Nakamura Eiichi
Published: May 2015

Alkenes and arenes possessing a bidentate directing group are alkylated with a primary or secondary alkylzinc halide in the presence of an iron/diphosphine catalyst and a dichloroalkane oxidant. Acrylamides, including unsubstituted and monosubstituted ones, react stereoselectively. Under these reaction conditions, β‐hydrogen elimination and homocoupling of the organometallic reagent are largely suppressed. The reaction may proceed through CH activation catalyzed by an organoiron(III) species.

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Spin Nematicity and Large Low‐Field Positive Magnetoresistance in a Half‐Doped Manganite: An Approach Exploiting Cation Size Disorder
Authors: Wang Zhi‐Hong , Wang Fang‐Wei , Li Xi‐Yang , Xiao Guo‐Rui , He Wei , Sun Ji‐Rong , Shen Bao‐Gen
Published: May 2015

In principle, material disorder such as random dopants disfavors the long range electronic liquid crystal (ELC) order in quantum matters. It is reported that a minor A site cation size disorder (σ2 = 0.001 Å2) in half‐doped manganites (La1‐xYx)0.5(Ca1‐ySry)0.5MnO3 interestingly leads to spin nematicity which is accompanied by a large positive magnetoresistance (up to 40%) at fields (H ≤ 1 kOe at 60 K) much lower than that (Hcr ≈ 35 kOe) critical for melting the weakened antiferromagnetic charge‐orbital ordering (AFM‐COO). The spin nematicity, emerging with a suppressed orthorhombicity, is ascribed to the destabilization of the d3x2‐r2/d3y2‐r2 orbital stripe alternation and the consequent magnetic symmetry breaking. The non‐trivial low field magneto­resistance is found to be determined by the spin polarized hopping along the nematic filaments and across the perpendicular ferromagnetic zigzag Mn–O chains in the AFM‐COO host. While the present low‐field magneto­resistance holds great potential for future spintronic devices, the approach for spin nematic order based on cation size disorder opens up a new avenue for questing ELC and exotic properties in strongly correlated materials.
Halogenverbrückte molekulare Kapseln
Authors: Dumele Oliver , Trapp Nils , Diederich François
Published: May 2015

Molekulare Kapseln, die ausschließlich durch Halogenbrücken (XB) zusammengehalten werden, werden zusammen mit ihren Wirt‐Gast‐Komplexierungseigenschaften in Lösung beschrieben. Erstmals wurde ein wohldefiniertes vierzähniges XB‐gebundenes supramolekulares System durch Dimerisierung eines Resorcin[4]aren‐Cavitanden mit polarisierten Halogenatomen und eines Tetra(4‐pyridyl)resorcin[4]aren‐Cavitanden realisiert. NMR‐Bindungstitrationen für F‐, Cl‐, Br‐ und I‐substituierte Cavitanden als XB‐Donoren liefern Assoziationskonstanten Ka von bis zu 5370 M−1 (ΔG283 K=−4.85 kcal mol−1 für I), und das sogar im XB‐konkurrierenden Lösungsmittelgemisch Benzol/Aceton/Methanol 70:30:1 (283 K), während vergleichbare einzähnige Modellsysteme keine messbare Assoziation zeigen. Die auf Halogenbrücken basierende kapselartige Geometrie wird durch 2D‐HOESY‐NMR‐Messungen bestätigt, und die thermodynamische Analyse zeigt, dass die Kapselbildung enthalpisch getrieben ist. 1,4‐Dioxan oder 1,4‐Dithian werden jeweils mit hohen Affinitäten (bis zu Ka=9.0 108 M−2, ΔG283 K=−11.6 kcal mol−1) in zwei separaten Hohlräumen innerhalb der XB‐gebundenen Kapsel eingeschlossen.
Frank Netter's legacy: Interprofessional anatomy instruction
Authors: Niekrash Christine E. , Copes Lynn E. , Gonzalez Richard A.
Published: May 2015

Several medical schools have recently described new innovations in interprofessional interactions in gross anatomy courses. The Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT has developed and implemented two contrasting interprofessional experiences in first‐year medical student gross anatomy dissection laboratories: long‐term, informal visits by pathologists' assistant students who work with the medical students to identify potential donor pathologies, and a short‐term, formal visit by fourth‐year dental students who teach craniofacial anatomy during the oral cavity dissection laboratory. A survey of attitudes of participants was analyzed and suggest the interprofessional experiences were mutually beneficial for all involved, and indicate that implementing multiple, contrasting interprofessional interactions with different goals within a single course is feasible. Two multiple regression analyses were conducted to analyze the data. The first analysis examined attitudes of medical students towards a pathologists' assistant role in a health care team. The question addressing a pathologists' assistant involvement in the anatomy laboratory was most significant. The second analysis examined attitudes of medical students towards the importance of a good foundation in craniofacial anatomy for clinical practice. This perceived importance is influenced by the presence of dental students in the anatomy laboratory. In both instances, the peer interprofessional interactions in the anatomy laboratory resulted in an overall positive attitude of medical students towards pathologists' assistant and dental students. The consequences of these interactions led to better understanding, appreciation and respect of the different professionals that contribute to a health care team. Anat Sci Educ 8: 348–359. © 2015 American Association of Anatomists.
Over‐Responsiveness and Greater Variability in Roughness Perception in Autism
Authors: Haigh Sarah M. , Minshew Nancy , Heeger David J. , Dinstein Ilan , Behrmann Marlene
Published: May 2015

Although sensory problems, including tactile hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity (DSM‐5) are commonly associated with autism, there is a dearth of systematic and rigorous research in this domain. Here, we report findings from a psychophysical experiment that explored differences in tactile perception between individuals with autism and typically developing control participants, who, using their index finger, rated a series of surfaces on the extent of their roughness. Each surface was rated multiple times and we calculated both the average rating and the variability across trials. Relative to controls, the individuals with autism perceived the surfaces as rougher overall and exhibited greater variability in their ratings across trials. These findings characterize altered tactile perception in autism and suggest that sensory problems in autism may be the product of overly responsive and variable sensory processing. Autism Res 2016, 9: 393–402. © 2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mammalian designer cells: Engineering principles and biomedical applications
Authors: Xie Mingqi , Fussenegger Martin
Published: May 2015

Biotechnology is a widely interdisciplinary field focusing on the use of living cells or organisms to solve established problems in medicine, food production and agriculture. Synthetic biology, the science of engineering complex biological systems that do not exist in nature, continues to provide the biotechnology industry with tools, technologies and intellectual property leading to improved cellular performance. One key aspect of synthetic biology is the engineering of deliberately reprogrammed designer cells whose behavior can be controlled over time and space. This review discusses the most commonly used techniques to engineer mammalian designer cells; while control elements acting on the transcriptional and translational levels of target gene expression determine the kinetic and dynamic profiles, coupling them to a variety of extracellular stimuli permits their remote control with user‐defined trigger signals. Designer mammalian cells with novel or improved biological functions not only directly improve the production efficiency during biopharmaceutical manufacturing but also open the door for cell‐based treatment strategies in molecular and translational medicine. In the future, the rational combination of multiple sets of designer cells could permit the construction and regulation of higher‐order systems with increased complexity, thereby enabling the molecular reprogramming of tissues, organisms or even populations with highest precision.
Essential‐Oil Composition and Chemical Variability of Senecio vulgaris L. from Corsica
Authors: Andreani Stéphane , Paolini Julien , Costa Jean , Muselli Alain
Published: May 2015

The chemical composition of the essential oils isolated from the aerial parts of Senecio vulgaris plants collected in 30 Corsican localities was characterized using GC‐FID and GC/MS analyses. Altogether, 54 components, which accounted for 95.2% of the total oil composition, were identified in the 30 essential‐oil samples. The main compounds were α‐humulene (1; 57.3%), (E)‐β‐caryophyllene (2; 5.6%), terpinolene (3; 5.3%), ar‐curcumene (4; 4.3%), and geranyl linalool (5; 3.4%). The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from separate organs and during the complete vegetative cycle of the plants were also studied, to gain more knowledge about the plant ecology. The production of monoterpene hydrocarbons, especially terpinolene, seems to be implicated in the plant‐flowering process and, indirectly, in the dispersal of this weed species. Comparison of the present results with the literature highlighted the originality of the Corsican S. vulgaris essential oils and indicated that α‐humulene might be used as taxonomical marker for the future classification of the Senecio genus. A study of the chemical variability of the 30 S. vulgaris essential oils using statistical analysis allowed the discrimination of two main clusters according to the soil nature of the sample locations. These results confirmed that there is a relation between the soil nature, the chemical composition of the essential oils, and morphological plant characteristics. Moreover, they are of interest for commercial producers of essential oil in selecting the most appropriate plants.
Chemodiversity in the Fingerprint Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) of 35 Old and 7 Modern Apple Cultivars Determined by Proton‐Transfer‐Reaction Mass Spectrometry (PTR‐MS) in Two Different Seasons
Authors: Ciesa Flavio , Höller Irene , Guerra Walter , Berger Jennifer , Dalla Via Josef , Oberhuber Michael
Published: May 2015

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemical species that play an important role in determining the characteristic aroma and flavor of fruits. Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) cultivars differ in their aroma and composition of VOCs. To determine varietal differences in the aroma profiles, VOCs emitted by 7 modern and 35 old apple cultivars were analyzed using Proton Transfer Reaction Mass Spectrometry (PTR‐MS). PTR‐MS is a rapid, reproducible, and non‐destructive spectrometric technique for VOC analysis of single fruits, developed for direct injection analysis. In the present study, we analyzed the differences in the emission of VOCs from single fruits at harvest and after a storage period of 60±10 days, followed by 3 d of shelf life. Our results show that VOC profile differences among apple cultivars were more pronounced after storage than at harvest. Furthermore, chemodiversity was higher in old cultivars compared to modern cultivars, probably due to their greater genetic variability. Our data highlight the importance of storage and shelf life are crucial for the development of the typical aroma and flavor of several apple cultivars. The validity of the method is demonstrated by comparison of two different harvest years.
Nanocrystalline PbS as Ammonia Gas Sensor: Synthesis and Characterization
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Subhankar , Chatterjee Bappaditya , Nag Pooja , Bandyopadhyay Amitava
Published: May 2015

This article reports on the synthesis of lead sulfide (PbS) by precipitation at a reaction temperature of 90°C. For its plausible use as ammonia (NH3) gas sensor, the sample was characterized. The X‐ray diffraction results showed that the produced PbS was nanocrystalline with a crystallite size of 33.31 nm. The surface morphology of the sample was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The electrical response of the sample in the form of a thick film was studied in the presence of NH3 and vapors of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like methanol, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol within the detection limit of 0–150 ppm at room temperature. The sensing behavior showed that the material synthesized was only influenced by NH3 amongst other gases (VOCs). In addition, the sample exhibited reversible and consistent responses satisfactorily with a relatively short response time (10 s) compared to others. Therefore, it could be used as NH3 gas sensor without the help of any micro‐heater that is traditionally required for existing commercial gas sensors. The gas sensing mechanism is proposed to follow the well‐known Freundlich adsorption isotherm. This isotherm is multi‐molecular, physical, and reversible in nature. Finally, it is suggested that the present findings could be exploited for manufacturing a PbS sensor in a small scale industrial unit.
Do attitudes and beliefs regarding complementary and alternative medicine impact its use among patients with cancer? A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Bauml Joshua M. , Chokshi Sagar , Schapira Marilyn M. , Im Eun‐Ok , Li Susan Q. , Langer Corey J. , Ibrahim Said A. , Mao Jun J.
Published: May 2015

BACKGROUND

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) incorporates treatments used by cancer survivors in an attempt to improve their quality of life. Although population studies have identified factors associated with its use, to the best of the authors knowledge, assessment of why patients use CAM or the barriers against its use have not been examined to date.

METHODS

The authors conducted a cross‐sectional survey study in the thoracic, breast, and gastrointestinal medical oncology clinics at an academic cancer center. Clinical and demographic variables were collected by self‐report and chart abstraction. Attitudes and beliefs were measured using the validated Attitudes and Beliefs about CAM (ABCAM) instrument. This instrument divides attitudes and beliefs into 3 domains: expected benefits, perceived barriers, and subjective norms.

RESULTS

Among 969 participants (response rate, 82.7%) surveyed between June 2010 and September 2011, patient age ≤65 years, female sex, and college education were associated with a significantly greater expected benefit from CAM (P<.0001 for all). Nonwhite patients reported more perceived barriers to CAM use compared with white patients (P<.0001), but had a similar degree of expected benefit (P = .76). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, all domains of the ABCAM instrument were found to be significantly associated with CAM use (P<.01 for all) among patients with cancer. Attitudes and beliefs regarding CAM explained much more variance in CAM use than clinical and demographic variables alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Attitudes and beliefs varied by key clinical and demographic characteristics, and predicted CAM use. By developing CAM programs based upon attitudes and beliefs, barriers among underserved patient populations may be removed and more patient centered care may be provided. Cancer 2015;121:2431–2438. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
A Single‐Use Paper‐Shaped Microbial Fuel Cell for Rapid Aqueous Biosensing
Authors: Zuo Kuichang , Liu Han , Zhang Qiaoying , Liang Peng , Huang Xia , Vecitis Chad D.
Published: May 2015

The traditional chamber‐based microbial fuel cell (MFC) often has the disadvantages of high ohmic resistance, large volume requirements, and delayed start‐up. In this study, paper‐shaped MFCs utilizing a porous carbon anode, a solid Ag2O‐coated carbon cathode, and a micrometer‐thin porous polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) separator are investigated to address the classical MFC issues. The Ag2O‐coated cathode has a low overpotential of 0.06 V at a reducing current of 1 mA compared to a Pt–air cathode. Rapid inoculation by filtration results in an instantaneous power density of 92 mW m−2 with an internal resistance of 162 Ω. Integrated current over the first 30 min of operation has a linear relation with microbial concentration.
A large dynamic‐range, high dB‐linearity VGA using switch arrays and second‐order mismatch‐shaping DEM technique
Authors: Li Di , Yang Yintang , Shi Zuochen , Jing Zhan
Published: May 2015

A new large dynamic‐range variable gain amplifier (VGA) with improved dB linearity is presented. The traditional cascade VGA has the disadvantages of gain mismatch between sub‐stages and difficulty of employing mismatch cancelation or suppression algorithms. In this paper, switch arrays were used to make the sub‐stages or called gain cells in the coarse‐tuning stage (CTS) work independently and therefore prevent the integral operation of the gain errors. Then, a second‐order mismatch‐shaping DEM was applied conveniently to the CTS and shown to be a useful design technique in improving the dB‐linearity performance. The cascade VGA and its second‐order mismatch‐shaping DEM had been integrated in a 2.4‐GHz receiver chip which was fabricated in a 0.18‐µm CMOS technology with a supply voltage of 1.8 V. Measurement results showed that the gain errors were significantly reduced with second‐order mismatch‐shaping DEM with respect to the traditionally thermometric decoding over a temperature range of [−40, 80] °C. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Climate change creates rapid species turnover in montane communities
Authors: Gibson‐Reinemer Daniel K. , Sheldon Kimberly S. , Rahel Frank J.
Published: May 2015

Recent decades have seen substantial changes in patterns of biodiversity worldwide. Simultaneously, climate change is producing a widespread pattern of species’ range shifts to higher latitudes and higher elevations, potentially creating novel assemblages as species shift at different rates. However, the direct link between species’ turnover as a result of climate‐induced range shifts has not yet been empirically evaluated. We measured rates of species turnover associated with species’ range shifts in relatively undisturbed montane areas in Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and the Indo‐Pacific. We show that species turnover is rapidly creating novel assemblages, and this can be explained by variable changes in species’ range limits following warming. Across all the areas we analyzed, mean species’ turnover was 12% per decade, which was nearly balanced between the loss of existing co‐occurrences and the gain of novel co‐occurrences. Turnover appears to be more rapid among ectothermic assemblages, and some evidence suggests tropical assemblages may be responding at more rapid rates than temperate assemblages.
Essential oils in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases highlighting their role in bacterial infections and their anti‐inflammatory action: a review
Authors: Horváth Györgyi , Ács Kamilla
Published: May 2015

The appearance of multidrug resistant bacteria and growing antibiotic resistance is leading to a continuous need for discovering new drugs and alternative treatments against infections. The investigation of the antibacterial effect of essential oils (EOs), which are commonly used nowadays in cosmetics, health care, traditional medicine and food industry, could be one of the promising solutions for this worldwide problem. EOs have a complex mode of action due to their multiple composition. Respiratory tract diseases (RTDs) associated with bacterial infection and inflammation affect a large number of people from every age group worldwide. Because of volatility, EOs can easily reach the upper and lower parts of the respiratory tract via inhalation. Moreover, due to their antimicrobial and anti‐inflammatory potency, they offer an effective treatment in respiratory tract infections (RTIs). The purpose of this review is to describe the most frequently developing infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract and to show methods used for the determination of the antibacterial activity of EOs by gaseous contact. The mode of action of EOs on bacterial cells and their anti‐inflammatory action are also discussed. Results coming from recently performed in vivo animal studies as well as human trials are also reported. Patents deal with the role of EOs and their volatile constituents in the treatment of RTIs are also introduced. On the whole, this review aimed at showing EOs as potential antimicrobials and as anti‐inflammatory agents to alleviate symptoms and signs of RTDs including RTIs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CO2 enrichment from flue gas for the cultivation of algae – a field test
Authors: Wolff Thorsten , Brinkmann Torsten , Kerner Martin , Hindersin Stefan
Published: May 2015

A membrane unit in pilot scale is operated to provide a CO2‐enriched product stream from flue gas of a natural‐gas‐fuelled heating system. The CO2 stream is fed to a cultivation medium of photobioreactors that are integrated in the façade of the building project ‘BIQ – The Algae House’ (International Building Exhibition 2013/Hamburg), where CO2 is required as the carbon source for the growth of algae, which are cultivated in the bioreactors. This work presents a long‐term field test. Furthermore, a possibility for the usage of CO2 separated de‐centrally is given. The operational conditions for the membrane module cause additional mechanical stress on the membrane material since the pilot plant is operated with periodic start‐ups and shut‐downs. The occurrence of acidic water on the membrane generates additional potential damage of the material. The field test is planned to be carried out for several years to prove the reliability of this membrane technology in flue gas treatment. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
A New Dimeric Secoiridoid Glycoside from the Leaves of Olea ferrugineaRoyle
Authors: Hashmi Muhammad A. , Hameed Rabia , Khan Afsar , Farooq Umar , Ahmad Viqar U. , Perveen Shagufta
Published: May 2015

A new dimeric secoiridoid glycoside, trivially named oleferrugine B (1), has been isolated from the AcOEt‐soluble part of the MeOH extract of leaves of Olea ferruginea Royle. The structure of the isolated compound was established on the basis of ESI‐MS fragmentation patterns, and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques, including 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR, HSQC, 1H,1H‐COSY, HMBC, and NOESY experiments, and by comparison with literature data.
The expression of RUNDC3B is associated with promoter methylation in lymphoid malignancies
Authors: Burmeister Dane W. , Smith Emily H. , Cristel Robert T. , McKay Stephanie D. , Shi Huidong , Arthur Gerald L. , Davis Justin Wade , Taylor Kristen H.
Published: May 2015

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that plays an important role in the regulation of gene expression. The function of RUNDC3B has yet to be determined, although its dysregulated expression has been associated with malignant potential of both breast and lung carcinoma. To elucidate the potential of using DNA methylation in RUNDC3B as a biomarker in lymphoid malignancies, the methylation status of six regions spanning the CpG island in the promoter region of RUNDC3B was determined in cancer cell lines. Lymphoid malignancies were found to have more prominent methylation and did not express RUNDC3B compared with myeloid malignancies and solid tumours, supporting the potential use of DNA methylation in this region as a biomarker for lymphoid malignancies. RUNDC3B contains a RUN domain in its N‐terminal region that mediates interaction with Rap2, an important component of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, which regulates cellular proliferation and differentiation. The protein sequence of RUNDC3B also contains characteristic binding sites for MAPK intermediates. Therefore, it is possible that RUNDC3B serves as a mediator between Rap2 and the MAPK signalling cascade. Three genes with MAPK‐inducible expression were downregulated in a methylated leukaemia cell line (HSPA5, Jun and Fos). Jun and Fos combine to form the activating protein 1 transcription factor, and loss of this factor is associated with the dysregulation of genes involved in differentiation and proliferation. We hypothesize that the loss of RUNDC3B secondary to aberrant hypermethylation of the early growth response 3 transcription factor binding site results in dysregulated MAPK signalling and carcinogenesis in lymphoid malignancies. © 2015 The Authors. Hematological Oncology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
No association between the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and the long‐term clinical response in obsessive–compulsive disorder in the Japanese population
Authors: Umehara Hidehiro , Numata Shusuke , Tajima Atsushi , Kinoshita Makoto , Nakaaki Shutaro , Imoto Issei , Sumitani Satsuki , Ohmori Tetsuro
Published: May 2015

Objective

Catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) is an enzyme that participates in the metabolic inactivation of dopamine and norepinephrine, and the Met allele of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism is associated with lower enzymatic activity. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether this functional variant is associated with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and the clinical responses in OCD.

Methods

We first performed a case‐control association study between the COMT Val158Met polymorphism and OCD (171 cases and 944 controls). Then, we examined the association between this polymorphism and the clinical responses in 91 of the OCD patients.

Results

Our study did not find a significant association between the Met allele and OCD risk or between the Met allele and clinical responses (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The present case‐control/pharmacogenetic study did not provide clear evidence that the COMT Val158Met polymorphism is a predictor of OCD or of OCD patients' clinical responses. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oxygen plasma surface modification augments poly(L‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) cytocompatibility toward osteoblasts and minimizes immune activation of macrophages
Authors: Scislowska‐Czarnecka Anna , Szmigiel Dariusz , Genet Michel , Dupont‐Gillain Christine , Pamula Elzbieta , Kolaczkowska Elzbieta
Published: May 2015

Here, we report on modification of one of the model biomedical polymers, poly l‐lactide‐co‐glycolide (PLGA; 85:15), by reactive ion etching (RIE) oxygen plasma treatment. PLGA's major disadvantage is high hydrophobicity which restrains binding of cell‐adhesive proteins and host cells. In the current approach, we aimed to answer two questions: (1) will only short (10 s) and moderate (20–200 mTorr, 45–90 W) RIE oxygen plasma treatment, leading to decrease of water contact angle by only up to 10°, sufficiently improve PLGA adherence to cells, and (2) how will this affect osteoblasts and activation of the immune system? All obtained modified PLGAs had improved hydrophilicity but unaltered roughness (as revealed by water contact angle measurements, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy) resulting in significantly improved adhesion of osteoblasts (MG‐63) and their low activation. Importantly, macrophages (RAW 264.7), one of the key cells initiating inflammation and bone resorption, responded significantly less vigorously to the modified polymers, expressing/releasing lower amounts of nitric oxide, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP‐9), and pro‐inflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐12p70, IFN‐γ, IL‐10). We conclude that already slight RIE oxygen plasma modification of PLGA is sufficient to improve its surface properties, and enhance cytocompatibility. Most importantly, this type of modification prevents excessive immune response. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3965–3977, 2015.
Bioactivity of permselective PVA hydrogels with mixed ECM analogues
Authors: Nafea Eman H. , Poole‐Warren Laura A. , Martens Penny J.
Published: May 2015

The presentation of multiple biological cues, which simulate the natural in vivo cell environment within artificial implants, has recently been identified as crucial for achieving complex cellular functions. The incorporation of two or more biological cues within a largely synthetic network can provide a simplified model of multifunctional ECM presentation to encapsulated cells. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of simultaneously and covalently incorporating two dissimilar biological molecules, heparin and gelatin, within a PVA hydrogel. PVA was functionalized with 7 and 20 methacrylate functional groups per chain (FG/c) to tailor the permselectivity of UV photopolymerized hydrogels. Both heparin and gelatin were covalently incorporated into PVA at an equal ratio resulting in a final PVA:heparin:gelatin composition of 19:0.5:0.5. The combination of both heparin and gelatin within a PVA network has proven to be stable over time without compromising the PVA base characteristics including its permselectivity to different proteins. Most importantly, this combination of ECM analogues supplemented PVA with the dual functionalities of promoting cellular adhesion and sequestering growth factors essential for cellular proliferation. Multi‐functional PVA hydrogels with synthetically controlled network characteristics and permselectivity show potential in various biomedical applications including artificial cell implants. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3727–3735, 2015.
Mesenchymal stem cell response to topographically modified CoCrMo
Authors: Logan Niall , Bozec Laurent , Traynor Alison , Brett Peter
Published: May 2015

Surface roughness on implant materials has been shown to be highly influential on the behavior of osteogenic cells. Four surface topographies were engineered on cobalt chromium molybdenum (CoCrMo) in order to examine this influence on human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). These treatments were smooth polished (SMO), acid etched (AE) using HCl 7.4% and H2SO4 76% followed by HNO3 30%, sand blasted, and acid etched using either 50 μm Al2O3 (SLA50) or 250 μm Al2O3 grit (SLA250). Characterization of the surfaces included energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX), contact angle, and surface roughness analysis. Human MSCs were cultured onto the four CoCrMo substrates and markers of cell attachment, retention, proliferation, cytotoxicity, and osteogenic differentiation were studied. Residual aluminum was observed on both SLA surfaces although this appeared to be more widely spread on SLA50, whilst SLA250 was shown to have the roughest topography with an Ra value greater than 1 μm. All substrates were shown to be largely non‐cytotoxic although both SLA surfaces were shown to reduce cell attachment, whilst SLA50 also delayed cell proliferation. In contrast, SLA250 stimulated a good rate of proliferation resulting in the largest cell population by day 21. In addition, SLA250 stimulated enhanced cell retention, calcium deposition, and hydroxyapatite formation compared to SMO (p < 0.05). The enhanced response stimulated by SLA250 surface modification may prove advantageous for increasing the bioactivity of implants formed of CoCrMo. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3747–3756, 2015.
Inhibitory effect of direct electric field and HA‐ZnO composites on S. aureus biofilm formation
Authors: Boda Sunil Kumar , Bajpai Indu , Basu Bikramjit
Published: May 2015

In addressing the issue of prosthetic infection, we demonstrate herein how direct electric field (DC EF) stimulation can effectively inhibit biofilm formation, when pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, USA 300) are grown on HA‐xZnO (x = 0, 5, 7.5, and 10 wt %) biocomposites in vitro. After bacterial preincubation for 4 h, a low intensity DC EF (1V/cm) was applied for different time periods (t = 6, 12, 18, and 24 h). The bacterial viability and biofilm maturation were evaluated by a combination of biochemical assays, fluorescence/confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry. The results confirm a time‐dependent and composition‐independent decrease in bacterial viability and biofilm formation on HA‐xZnO composites w.r.t EF‐treated HA. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that 12 h EF application resulted in membrane depolarization of ∼35% of S. aureus populations on HA‐xZnO composites. The live/dead assay results revealed ∼60% decline in viable bacterial numbers with a concomitant 3.5‐fold increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) after 18 h of EF. The loss in bacterial viability and biofilm instability is due to the synergistic bactericidal action of ZnO and EF. Taken together, the use of engineered biomaterial substrate with antimicrobial reinforcement coupled with continuous low intensity EF application can be adopted to treat prosthetic implant associated infection. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 1064–1075, 2016.
Experimentally validated Raman Monte Carlo simulation for a cuboid object to obtain Raman spectroscopic signatures for hidden material
Authors: Periyasamy Vijitha , Sil Sanchita , Dhal Gagan , Ariese Freek , Umapathy Siva , Pramanik Manojit
Published: May 2015

In conventional Raman spectroscopic measurements of liquids or surfaces the preferred geometry for detection of the Raman signal is the backscattering (or reflection) mode. For non‐transparent layered materials, sub‐surface Raman signals have been retrieved using spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS), usually with light collection in the same plane as the point of excitation. However, as a result of multiple scattering in a turbid medium, Raman photons will be emitted in all directions. In this study, Monte Carlo simulations for a three‐dimensional layered sample with finite geometry have been performed to confirm the detectability of Raman signals at all angles and at all sides of the object. We considered a non‐transparent cuboid container (high density polyethylene) with explosive material (ammonium nitrate) inside. The simulation results were validated with experimental Raman intensities. Monte Carlo simulation results reveal that the ratio of sub‐surface to surface signals improves at geometries other than backscattering. In addition, we demonstrate through simulations the effects of the absorption and scattering coefficients of the layers, and that of the diameter of the excitation beam. The advantage of collecting light from all possible 4π angles, over other collection modes, is that this technique is not geometry specific and molecular identification of layers underneath non‐transparent surfaces can be obtained with minimal interference from the surface layer. To what extent all sides of the object will contribute to the total signal will depend on the absorption and scattering coefficients and the physical dimensions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The mechanism of hypolimnion warming induced by internal waves
Authors: Nishri Aminadav , Rimmer Alon , Lechinsky Yury
Published: May 2015

The measured temperature of the hypolimnion of Lake Kinneret, Israel, reveals an average rise of ∼0.6 ± 0.3°C between April and December. Three mechanisms are suggested as the cause of this rise: (i) direct radiation; (ii) an entire‐lake vertical diffused heat transfer; and (iii) a mechanism of “indirect warming,” which is investigated here for the first time. The indirect warming mechanism prevails in the sublittoral zones, which are affected by internal seiche activity, including Poincare and Kelvin waves with cycle periods of ∼12 h and ∼24 h, respectively. During part of the seiche's time span, the warm epilimnetic water comes into contact with the underlying bottom sediments and heats them. During the rest of the seich's cycle, part of the sublittoral bed sediments become overlain by cold hypolimnetic water and cause the previously heated sediments to emit most of their heat, slightly warming the hypolimnion. The daily cycle of this indirect warming mechanism is superimposed on the seasonal cycle of the sublittoral bed sediments, which are cold in the winter and warm in the summer, in accordance with the seasonal pattern of the epilimnion's temperature. Empirical evidence that suggests that indirect warming actually takes place in response to well‐documented seiche water motions is presented in this article. For example, according to the proposed analysis of sediment temperature changes, in the month of June a daily heat flux of 7.88 W m−2 (0.68 MJ m−2 d−1) was estimated. It was found that during the first 5 months of stratification this mechanism contributes ∼41% of the thermal energy needed for the 0.6°C temperature increase. This mechanism is expected to occur at any thermally stratified lake that is significantly affected by internal seiche activity.
Skeletal muscle myotubes in severe obesity exhibit altered ubiquitin‐proteasome and autophagic/lysosomal proteolytic flux
Authors: Bollinger Lance M. , Powell Jonathan J. S. , Houmard Joseph A. , Witczak Carol A. , Brault Jeffrey J.
Published: May 2015

Objective

Whole‐body protein metabolism is dysregulated with obesity. The goal of the study was to determine whether activity and expression of major protein degradation pathways are compromised specifically in human skeletal muscle with obesity.

Methods

Primary human skeletal muscle (HSkM) cell cultures were utilized since cellular mechanisms can be studied absent of hormones and contractile activity that could independently influence metabolism. HSkM from 10 lean women (BMI ≤ 26.0 kg/m2) and 8 women with severe obesity (BMI ≥ 39.0) were examined basally and when stimulated to atrophy (serum and amino acid starvation).

Results

HSkM from obese donors had a lower proportion of type I myosin heavy chain and slower flux through the autophagic/lysosomal pathway. During starvation, flux through the ubiquitin‐proteasome system diverged according to obesity status, with a decrease in lean subjects and an increase in HSkM from subjects with obesity. HSkM in obesity also displayed elevated proteasome activity despite no difference in proteasome content. Atrophy‐related gene expression and myotube area were similar in myotubes derived from individuals with and without obesity under basal and starved conditions.

Conclusions

Our data indicate that muscle cells in lean individuals and in those with severe obesity have innate differences in management of protein degradation, which may explain their metabolic differences.
Anticipatory and reactive responses to chocolate restriction in frequent chocolate consumers
Authors: Keeler Chelsey L. , Mattes Richard D. , Tan Sze‐Yen
Published: May 2015

Objective

Many individuals have difficulty adhering to a weight loss diet. One possible explanation could be that dietary restriction paradoxically contributes to overconsumption. The objective of this study was to examine ingestive behavior under a forced chocolate restriction with a focus on the anticipatory restriction period and the post‐restriction period in frequent chocolate consumers.

Methods

Fifty‐six male (N = 18) and female (N = 38) high chocolate consumers with high (N = 25) or low (N = 31) cognitive disinhibition participated. Chocolate snacks were provided for a week each to establish baseline, pre‐restriction, and post‐restriction consumption, Chocolate snacks were replaced with nonchocolate snacks during a 3‐week chocolate restriction period.

Results

Highly disinhibited participants felt more guilty and consumed significantly more energy than low disinhibited participants across snack conditions. Low disinhibited participants consumed significantly less in the post‐restriction period compared to baseline and the pre‐restriction period, while high disinhibited participants consumed the same amount across all conditions. Aggregating the data, high and low disinhibited chocolate consumers ate snacks more frequently in the pre‐ and post‐restriction periods compared to the baseline period.

Conclusions

This study suggests that for some individuals, restriction of a preferred food like chocolate may be contraindicated for energy restriction and weight management.
High‐precision Optical Position Measurement in Indoor Environments
Authors: Vandenhouten Ralf , Wendlandt Ole
Published: May 2015

Indoor localization is still a challenge today. Conventional methods based on satellite navigation, like GPS, can only be used outdoors. On the other hand, radio signal architectures, like WiFi or NFC, require high cost infrastructure to be installed inside the building. In collaboration with Ixellence GmbH, the research group for telematics of the University of Applied Science Wildau is developing a new inexpensive solution based on the camera of a mobile device. This approach only requires the availability of multiple identifiable landmarks that can be installed cost‐efficiently in an indoor environment. Our investigations show that this method is very accurate and can produce repeatable, robust results.
Reactivity ratios and copolymer properties of 2‐(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate with methyl methacrylate and styrene
Authors: Faraguna Fabio , Vidović Elvira , Jukić Ante
Published: May 2015

Free radical copolymerization kinetics of 2‐(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DPA) with styrene (ST) or methyl methacrylate (MMA) was investigated and the corresponding copolymers obtained were characterized. Polymerization was performed using tert‐butylperoxy‐2‐ethylhexanoate (0.01 mol dm−3) as initiator, isothermally (70 °C) to low conversions (<10 wt%) in a wide range of copolymer compositions (10 mol% steps). The reactivity ratios of the monomers were calculated using linear Kelen–Tüdős (KT) and nonlinear Tidwell–Mortimer (TM) methods. The reactivity ratios for MMA/DPA were found to be r1 = 0.99 and r2 = 1.00 (KT), r1 = 0.99 and r2 = 1.03 (TM); for the ST/DPA system r1 = 2.74, r2 = 0.54 (KT) and r1 = 2.48, r2 = 0.49 (TM). It can be concluded that copolymerization of MMA with DPA is ideal while copolymerization of ST with DPA has a small but noticeable tendency for block copolymer building. The probabilities for formations of dyad and triad monomer sequences dependent on monomer compositions were calculated from the obtained reactivity ratios. The molar mass distribution, thermal stability and glass transition temperatures of synthesized copolymers were determined. Hydrophobicity of copolymers depending on the composition was determined using contact angle measurements, decreasing from hydrophobic polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate) to hydrophilic DPA. Copolymerization reactivity ratios are crucial for the control of copolymer structural properties and conversion heterogeneity that greatly influence the applications of copolymers as rheology modifiers of lubricating oils or in drug delivery systems. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Targeted control of the saddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis marginata (von Roser) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), and the benefits of good control of this pest to winter wheat yield
Authors: Censier Florence , Chavalle Sandrine , San Martin y Gomez Gilles , De Proft Michel , Bodson Bernard
Published: May 2015

BACKGROUND

Since 2010 there has been a resurgence of the saddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis marginata (von Roser), in Belgium and several other European countries, with this pest sometimes causing severe damage in cereals. In 2012 and 2013, field trials were conducted in heavily infested fields to assess its impact on winter wheat crops and to determine efficient ways of dealing with severe infestations.

RESULTS

Crop exposure to H. marginata varied with the different protection methods tried. These methods included 1–4 successive applications of lambda‐cyhalothrin. Yield losses were significant, reaching 6% in 2012 and as high as 15% in 2013, and these losses were linearly related to the number of galls on stems.

CONCLUSION

The trials showed that insecticide applications needed to be synchronised with H. marginata flight peaks and to target the egg hatching period. They also revealed that insecticides applied to coincide with the first flight could, in humid conditions, also reach the larvae close to the soil surface, prior to their pupation. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry