bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Triacylglycerol profile in cocoa liquors using MALDI‐TOF and LC‐ESI tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Bono Luca , Seraglia Roberta , Roverso Marco , Di Carro Marina , Magi Emanuele
Published: September 2014

Triacylglycerols are responsible for chocolate's peculiar melting behavior: the type and position of fatty acids on the glycerol molecule strongly affect the melting range of cocoa butter. For this reason, the characterization of triglyceride composition in cocoa products is particularly important.

In this work, triacylglycerols extracted from cocoa liquor samples were analyzed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (TOF) and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) coupled to liquid chromatography.

Extracted samples were initially analyzed by direct injection in MS to obtain information on triglyceride molecular weights; relevant MS parameters were optimized, and the possible formation of the adducts [M + Na]+ and [M + NH4]+ was studied. Tandem mass experiments (both with triple quadrupole and TOF/TOF) were performed to study the fragmentation pathways (in particular, the loss of palmitic, stearic and oleic acid) and identify the triacylglycerols in cocoa liquors.

Some signals of the spectra obtained with both MS techniques could indicate the presence of diacylglycerols in the cocoa extract, but different experimental evidences demonstrated that they were generated by the in‐source fragmentation of triglycerides.

A nonaqueous reversed‐phase chromatographic separation was also developed and used to support the identification of the analytes; nine triacylglycerols were recognized in the cocoa liquor extracts. The three different batches of Ecuador cocoa liquor did not show significant differences in the triacylglycerol profile. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sterol and steroid catabolites from cholesterol produced by the psychrophile Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis
Authors: Gelzo Monica , Lamberti Anna , Spano Giuseppe , Dello Russo Antonio , Corso Gaetano , Masullo Mariorosario
Published: September 2014

Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis, a psychrotrophilic marine bacterium of biotechnological interest, shows anti‐biofilm properties and is particularly relevant for cold storage of vacuum packed seafood. We focused our interest on the activation of cholesterol metabolism in this bacterium as the presence in its genome of a putative 3‐ketosteroid‐Δ1‐dehydrogenase. This study reports GC‐MS and LC‐MS/MS profiles of sterols/steroids and their derivatives found in cell extracts of P. haloplanktis grown in a medium with a low content of cholesterol. Here, for the first time, we suggest that P. haloplanktis produces some intermediates of cholesterol catabolism, putatively identified as 24‐hydroxycholest‐1,4‐dien‐3‐one‐26‐oic acid, chol‐1,4‐dien‐3‐one‐24‐oic acid, 26‐hydroxycholest‐4‐en‐3‐one, and pregn‐4‐en‐3‐one‐20‐carboxylic acid, a finding already reported in other microorganisms. The presence of these compounds, also considered steroid precursors, produced by P. haloplanktis in vacuum packed seafood could be of interest for healthy of consumers, as well as, for biotechnological applications in pharmaceutical industry. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Weekly work–school conflict, sleep quality, and fatigue: Recovery self‐efficacy as a cross‐level moderator
Authors: Park YoungAh , Sprung Justin M.
Published: September 2014

This study employed a weekly diary method among a sample of 74 Midwestern college student workers in order to examine the within‐person relationships between work–school conflict, sleep quality, and fatigue over five weeks. Further, recovery self‐efficacy was proposed as a cross‐level moderator of the relation between sleep quality and fatigue. Results from multilevel analyses demonstrated that weekly work–school conflict was negatively related to weekly sleep quality and positively related to end‐of‐week fatigue, with sleep quality partially mediating the relation between work–school conflict and fatigue. These findings enhance understanding of the process by which work–school conflict contributes to college student workers' strain on a weekly basis. Additionally, student workers with low recovery self‐efficacy demonstrated a negative relation between sleep quality and fatigue; however, this relation did not exist for student workers with high recovery self‐efficacy. This finding suggests recovery self‐efficacy as an important resource that may reduce the association between poor sleep quality (as a result of work–school conflict) and fatigue. The current findings provide important theoretical and practical implications for researchers, organizations, and college institutions as a whole. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sterically Demanding Unsymmetrical Diaryl‐λ3‐iodanes for Electrophilic Pentafluorophenylation and an Approach to α‐Pentafluorophenyl Carbonyl Compounds with an All‐Carbon Stereocenter
Authors: Matsuzaki Kohei , Okuyama Kenta , Tokunaga Etsuko , Shiro Motoo , Shibata Norio
Published: September 2014

A sterically demanding unsymmetrical pentafluorophenyl‐triisopropylphenyl‐λ3‐iodane was developed as an effective reagent for the electrophilic pentafluorophenylation of various β‐keto esters and a β‐keto amide. 17 examples of α‐pentafluorophenylated 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds 3 having a quaternary carbon center are provided. The resulting compounds were nicely transformed into chiral α‐pentafluorophenyl ketones with an all‐carbon stereogenic center in high yields and high enantioselectivities using asymmetric organocatalysis (up to 98 % ee) or asymmetric metal catalysis (up to 82 % ee).
Efficacy of Low Temperature Plasma against SCaBER Cancer Cells
Authors: Mohades Soheila , Barekzi Nazir , Laroussi Mounir
Published: September 2014

The efficacy of the plasma pencil is studied for its cancer therapeutics effects against the SCaBER cell line. First, the SCaBER cells in media were treated with different exposure times of low temperature plasma (LTP). Secondly, LTP activated media was generated by treating the media prior to adding it to the cells. Cell viability was assayed at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h after treatments. The results indicate that both treatments alter cell morphology, cell reattachment, and kill SCaBER cells in an exposure time dependent and delayed manner. Caspase‐3 assays reveal that plasma can activate the cells' apoptotic pathways.
Processing‐induced near‐interfacial thermal donor generation in (100)Si/Si‐oxycarbide insulator structures revealed by electron spin resonance
Authors: Iacovo S. , Stesmans A. , Nguyen S. , Afanas'ev V. V.
Published: September 2014

Low temperature electron spin resonance (ESR) study of Cz‐(100)Si/insulator structures with organosilicate films of low dielectric constant κ grown at 300 °C using plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) reveals, after subjection to UV‐irradiation assisted thermal curing at 430 °C to remove organics, the observation of the NL8 ESR spectrum. This indicates the generation in the c‐Si substrate of singly ionized thermal double donor (TDD) defects with a core contained of oxygen atoms. The generation is found to be highly non uniform, which is concluded to be the result of interfacial stress acting as the major driving component in the enhancement of TDD formation during thermal treatment. This suggests substantial stress being involved with PECVD organosilicate low‐κ glasses. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Fitting Emax models to clinical trial dose–response data when the high dose asymptote is ill defined
Authors: Brain P. , Kirby S. , Larionov R.
Published: September 2014

We consider fitting the so‐called Emax model to continuous response data from clinical trials designed to investigate the dose–response relationship for an experimental compound. When there is insufficient information in the data to estimate all of the parameters because of the high dose asymptote being ill defined, maximum likelihood estimation fails to converge. We explore the use of either bootstrap resampling or the profile likelihood to make inferences about effects and doses required to give a particular effect, using limits on the parameter values to obtain the value of the maximum likelihood when the high dose asymptote is ill defined. The results obtained show these approaches to be comparable with or better than some others that have been used when maximum likelihood estimation fails to converge and that the profile likelihood method outperforms the method of bootstrap resampling used. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Standardized BHH10 Extract, a Combination of Astragalus membranaceus, Cinnamomum cassia, and Phellodendron amurense, Reverses Bone Mass and Metabolism in a Rat Model of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
Authors: Huh Jeong‐Eun , Kim Soo‐Jeong , Kang Jung‐Won , Nam Dong‐Woo , Choi Do‐Young , Park Dong‐Suk , Lee Jae‐Dong
Published: September 2014

Jasin‐hwan‐gagambang (BHH10), a modified prescription of Jasin‐hwan, contains Astragalus membranaceus, Cinnamomum cassia, and Phellodendron amurense, and it has been traditionally used to treat osteoporosis and other inflammatory diseases. In this study, we systematically investigated the protective effects of BHH10 in ovariectomy (OVX)‐induced rats. Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham and OVX subgroups. The rats in the OVX group were treated with vehicle, BHH10, alendronate (ALN), and 17β‐estradiol (E2). BHH10 treatment significantly inhibited OVX‐induced increases in body weight and uterus atrophy. In addition, it significantly increased the bone mineral density (BMD) and prevented a decrease in trabecular bone volume, connectivity density, trabecular number, thickness, and separation at the total femur and femur neck. The OVX rats showed significant decreases in the serum levels of calcium and phosphorous and significant increases in the serum levels of cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, C‐telopeptide type 1 collagen, and bone morphogenetic protein‐2. These changes were significantly reduced to near sham levels by administration of BHH10 to OVX rats. BHH10‐treated rats had a greater bone mass, a better structural architecture of the bone, and higher levels of biochemical markers of the bone than did the ALN‐treated or E2‐treated rats. These results suggest that BHH10 reverses osteoporosis in OVX rats by stimulating bone formation or regulating bone resorption and is not associated with toxicity. © 2014 The Authors. Phytotherapy Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Climate change and International River Boundaries: fixed points in shifting sands
Authors: Grainger Sam , Conway Declan
Published: September 2014

The impacts of climate change will have far reaching consequences for transboundary water resources, particularly through the effects of changing frequency and intensity of extreme events, such as floods and their impacts on river channel systems. Watercourses have been used as boundaries throughout history for a variety of reasons, and as both a natural resource and political structure, they present a number of unique challenges. Despite academic studies looking broadly at the effects of changes in runoff on river ecosystems and their resources, less attention has been paid to the socio‐political interactions and consequences for river functionality, in particular, as a boundary. We review the historical and legal role of International River Boundaries highlighting the paradox that exists between the stability needed for a boundary and the dynamism of fluvial landscapes in a changing climate. We draw attention to the fact that geopolitical concerns exist at other unstable border situations, such as ice‐covered boundaries and lakes. We examine the knowledge gaps that exist in relation to understanding the physical impacts of climate change on terrestrial earth systems. We present an exploratory analysis of physical and political risk in Southern Africa that highlights two cases of potential risk. The paper ends with a discussion of actions to address the physical and social dimensions of this strategic issue. WIREs Clim Change 2014, 5:835–848. doi: 10.1002/wcc.306

This article is categorized under:

Assessing Impacts of Climate Change > Evaluating Future Impacts of Climate Change
Electricity (in)accessibility to the urban poor in developing countries
Authors: Singh Rozita , Wang Xiao , Mendoza Juan Carlos , Ackom Emmanuel Kofi
Published: September 2014

More than half of the world's population now lives in urban areas. The difficulties involved in providing new urban residents with a wide variety of services reveal a new face of poverty, one in which urban communities cannot access or afford basic modern energy services for their development and empowerment. As an enabler of development processes, access to electricity in urban and peri‐urban contexts plays a key role in providing possibilities and solutions to the urban poor. Energy poverty is no longer a rural‐only phenomenon, and a concerted effort is needed to find solutions. Taking this into account, the Global Network on Energy for Sustainable Development (GNESD) initiated the Urban Peri‐Urban Energy Access (UPEA) project in 2006. The objective of this study was to understand the barriers to energy access in the context of the urban poor in seven countries. Barriers from both the supply and demand sides for energy were investigated. Factors such as a lack of institutional coordination, weak alignment between energy policies and urban planning, and insufficient financial and social incentives appear to play key roles in constraining access to electricity for the urban poor. Overcoming these barriers will require innovative solutions in policies, decision‐making, financing, multi‐stakeholder dialogs, social inclusion, international cooperation, and knowledge sharing regarding good practices. WIREs Energy Environ 2015, 4:339–353. doi: 10.1002/wene.148

This article is categorized under:

Energy Policy and Planning > Economics and Policy

Energy Policy and Planning > Systems and Infrastructure

Energy Policy and Planning > Climate and Environment

Energy and Development > Systems and Infrastructure
Intraoperative Frozen Section for the Evaluation of Extrathyroidal Extension in Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Park Young Min , Wang Soo‐Geun , Goh Jin Young , Shin Dong Hoon , Kim In‐Ju , Lee Byung‐Joo
Published: September 2014

Background

We investigated extrathyroidal extension (ETE) through frozen biopsy for intraoperative decision making in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).

Methods

During the period of the study an operation was performed in 268 patients with PTC and ETE was evaluated using intraoperative frozen biopsies of thyroid tissue.

Results

Extrathyroidal extension was confirmed in 54 patients (20 %) on frozen biopsy. Fifty‐three patients among 54 patients showing ETE on frozen biopsy were confirmed on permanent pathologic analysis. Accordingly, frozen biopsy had a sensitivity of 66 %, a specificity of 99 %, a positive predictive value of 98 %, and a negative predictive value of 87 %. Tumor size (OR 4.373; CI 2.257–8.475, p = <0.001) was an independent factor for predicting ETE on frozen biopsy.

Conclusions

Intraoperative frozen biopsy can be an useful tool in identifying the presence of ETE. It can also help the operator decide the extent of surgery and central neck dissection in patients with PTC.
Standard Error of Ability Estimates and the Classification Accuracy and Consistency of Binary Decisions
Authors: Cheng Ying , Liu Cheng , Behrens John
Published: September 2014

While estimation bias is a primary concern in psychological and educational measurement, the standard error is of equal importance in linking key aspects of the assessment structure, especially when the assessment goal concerns the classification of individuals into categories (e.g., master/non-mastery). In this paper, we show analytically how standard error of ability estimates affects expected classification accuracy and consistency when the decision is binary. When standard error decreases, the conditional classification accuracy and consistency increase. Given an examinee population and a cut score, smaller standard error over the entire latent trait continuum guarantees higher overall expected classification accuracy and consistency. We were also able to show the interrelationship between standard error, the expected classification consistency, and reliability. Utilizing the relationship between standard error and expected classification accuracy and consistency, we derive the upper bounds of the overall expected classification accuracy and consistency of a fixed-length computerized adaptive test. The lower bound of the expected classification accuracy and consistency is also derived given a number of stopping rules of variable-length computerized adaptive testing. Implications of these analytical results on operational tests are discussed.
Explaining the Transnational Design of International Organizations
Authors: Tallberg Jonas , Sommerer Thomas , Squatrito Theresa , Jönsson Christer
Published: September 2014

Past decades have witnessed a shift in international cooperation toward growing involvement of transnational actors (TNAs), such as nongovernmental organizations, multinational corporations, and philanthropic foundations. This article offers a comprehensive theoretical and empirical account of TNA access to IOs. The analysis builds on a novel data set, covering formal TNA access to 298 organizational bodies from fifty IOs over the time period 1950 to 2010. We identify the most profound patterns in TNA access across time, issue areas, policy functions, and world regions, and statistically test competing explanations of the variation in TNA access. The central results are three-fold. First, the empirical data confirm the existence of a far-reaching institutional transformation of IOs over the past sixty years, pervading all issue areas, policy functions, and world regions. Second, variation in TNA access within and across IOs is mainly explained by a combination of three factors: functional demand for the resources of TNAs, domestic democratic standards in the membership of IOs, and state concerns with national sovereignty. Third, existing research suffers from a selection bias that has led it to overestimate the general importance of a new participatory norm in global governance for the openness of IOs.
A new species and two new records ofPoecilochaetus(Polychaeta: Poecilochaetidae) from Hawaii
Authors: Magalhães Wagner F. , Bailey-Brock Julie H. , Santos Cinthya S. G.
Published: September 2014

A new species,Poecilochaetus anterospinussp. nov., is described from the east and south shores of Oahu, Hawaii.Poecilochaetus anterospinussp. nov. is unique in the genus by the presence of noto- and neuropodial spines from chaetiger 11 to posterior segments. Neuropodial spines on anterior chaetigers are absent in all otherPoecilochaetusspecies while notopodial spines are limited to segments preceding the pygidium.Poecilochaetuscf.koshikiensis, originally described from Japan, is newly recorded from Hawaii and apparently widely distributed in the western Pacific and South-east Asian Seas.Poecilochaetussp. is distinguished from the other two species by the distribution of the ampullaceous cirri (7–12) and its chaetal characters.
Truth and a Good Life
Authors: Reinhardt Lloyd
Published: September 2014

A discussion of how and whether judgment regarding the happiness, flourishing or well-being of a life is appropriately influenced by false belief or ignorance on matters central to that life. That is, is it so that what we don't know does not, or cannot hurt us? How much does it matter if the false belief was owing to betrayal or deception by others who mattered deeply to the now dead person? Further, is truthfulness about such betrayal something a friend of a dying person may eschew or is it itself a kind of betrayal?
Exposure to peer deviance during childhood and risk for drug abuse: a Swedish national co-relative control study
Authors: Kendler K. S. , Ohlsson H. , Mezuk B. , Sundquist K. , Sundquist J.
Published: September 2014

Background.

Peer deviance (PD) is associated with risk for drug abuse (DA). Is this association causal?

Method.

DA was recorded in official records. PD was defined as the percentage of peers residing in small communities with future DA registrations. We examined offspring in families whose community PD changed when the offspring was 0–15 years of age and then examined families where cousins or siblings differed in their years of exposure to low or high PD communities.

Results.

The duration of exposure to PD was strongly associated with future DA. Co-relative analyses for families whose exposure to PD declined suggested that the PD–DA association was largely non-causal. Within full-sibling pairs in such families, the length of exposure to low PD environments was unrelated to risk for DA. By contrast, co-relative analyses in families where exposure to PD increased over time indicated that the PD–DA association was largely causal. In such families, siblings who differed in the duration of their exposure to high PD differed in their risk for subsequent DA. These results were replicated in families whose PD changed because they moved or because of changes in the community in which they resided.

Conclusions.

Within families whose social environment is improving over time, the association between PD exposure and offspring DA outcomes is not causal but is due to familial confounding. Within families whose social environment is deteriorating, the PD–DA association seems to be largely causal. Our measure of PD may also reflect broader aspects of the community environment beyond peers.
Adaptive hybrid suppression control of space free-flying robots with flexible appendages
Authors: Zarafshan P. , Moosavian S. Ali A. , Papadopoulos E. G.
Published: September 2014

Control of rigid–flexible multi-body systems in space, during cooperative manipulation tasks, is studied in this paper. During such tasks, flexible members such as solar panels may vibrate. These vibrations in turn can lead to oscillatory disturbing forces on other subsystems, and consequently may produce significant errors in the position of operating end-effectors of cooperative arms. Therefore, to design and implement efficient model-based controllers for such complicated nonlinear systems, deriving an accurate dynamics model is required. On the other hand, due to practical limitations and real-time implementation, such models should demand fairly low computational complexity. In this paper, a precise dynamics model is derived by virtually partitioning the system into two rigid and flexible portions. These two portions will be assembled together to generate a proper model for controller design. Then, an adaptive hybrid suppression control (AHSC) algorithm is developed based on an appropriate variation rule of a virtual damping parameter. Finally, as a practical case study a space free-flying robot (SFFR) with flexible appendages is considered to move an object along a desired path through accurate force exertion by several cooperative end-effectors. This system includes a main rigid body equipped with thrusters, two solar panels, and two cooperative manipulators. The system also includes a third and fourth arm that act as a communication antenna and a photo capturing camera, respectively. The maneuver is deliberately planned such that flexible modes of solar panels get stimulated due to arms motion, while obtained results reveal the merits of proposed controller as will be discussed.
Teaching for learning or teaching for documentation? Music teachers’ perspectives on a Swedish curriculum reform
Authors: Zandén Olle , Ferm Thorgersen Cecilia
Published: September 2014

This study analyses 10 Swedish music teachers’ descriptions of how a new music syllabus and a new credit scale have influenced their practice. In the new curriculum, grading is introduced in year 6 and not, as previously, in year 8. We have therefore focused on the effects of this change on school years 5–7. The new syllabus is much more precise and explicit than the earlier one, and it is reported to have strongly affected both teachers’ and pupils’ work in the classroom. Teachers are facing a number of dilemmas when trying to combine the demands of the syllabus with their conceptions of quality in music education.
THE ROLE OF SPATIO-TEMPORAL IMAGING CORRELATION (STIC) IN THE PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS OF CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS
Authors: ESPINOZA JIMMY
Published: September 2014

Spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) is a feature of four-dimensional ultrasonography (4D US) that allows the acquisition of volume datasets akin to blocks of pathological specimens, where all the anatomical information is contained in the block and the information displayed depends on the level at which the block is cut. STIC has the additional advantages that these planes can be assessed in a virtual beating heart, and that rendering techniques can be used to gain additional insight into the structure and function of the fetal heart.
ANGIOGENIC IMBALANCES IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS
Authors: ESPINOZA JIMMY
Published: September 2014

Endothelial cell proliferation and survival require continuous low levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The bioavailability of this angiogenic factor appears to be regulated by anti-angiogenic factors, including the soluble form of VEGF receptor 1 (sFlt-1) in the non-pregnant and pregnant states. During pregnancy a VEGF antagonist (sFlt-1) and other anti-angiogenic factors, including soluble endoglin (s-Eng), are produced by the human placenta and released into the maternal circulation; an excess of these anti-angiogenic factors can lead into angiogenic imbalances and pregnancy complications. This is important because regulation of VEGF action on angiogenic balances appears to be essential for a successful pregnancy.
Lésions cutanées et infiltrats pulmonaires d'évolution défavorable sans cause infectieuse
Authors: Lang Noémie , Vernez Maxime , Vollenweider Peter , Pasche Antoine
Published: September 2014

Das Sweet-Syndrom ist eine von Fieber begleitete Krankheit, die sich durch eine ausgeprägte neutrophile Infiltration der Haut ohne infektiöse Ursache manifestiert. Ein extrakutaner Befall ist nicht selten. Wir berichten über zwei Fälle von Sweet-Syndrom mit einem Lungenbefall und geben eine Übersicht über den pulmonalen Befall beim Sweet-Syndrom in der Literatur.
Einfluss visuo-motorischer Vorerfahrung auf die Beurteilungsqualität und -sicherheit von Kampfrichtern und Kampfrichterinnen beim „Volzing“ im Stabhochsprung
Authors: Pizzera Alexandra , Lobinger Babett
Published: September 2014

Seit 1998 ist es Stabhochspringern und Stabhochspringerinnen nicht länger erlaubt, die Sprunglatte während der Lattenüberquerung mit der Hand zu stabilisieren. Kampfrichter und Kampfrichterinnen sind seitdem gefordert zu beurteilen, ob ein entsprechender Regelverstoß vorliegt. Die aktuelle Studie geht im Rahmen der Embodiment-Forschung der Frage nach, welchen Einfluss visuo-motorische Vorerfahrung auf perzeptuelle Urteile hat. Zu diesem Zweck wurde im Rahmen einer Online-Studie die Beurteilungsqualität und -sicherheit von Athleten und Athletinnen, Zuschauern und Zuschauerinnen sowie Kampfrichtern und Kampfrichterinnen bezüglich des Regelverstoßes erfasst. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Athleten und Athletinnen sowie Kampfrichter und Kampfrichterinnen ähnlich gute und sichere Leistungen erbringen, wohingegen Zuschauer und Zuschauerinnen schlechter abschneiden und sich unsicherer zeigen. Korrelationsanalysen belegen zudem, dass größere motorische Vorerfahrungen mit einer besseren Beurteilungsqualität und -sicherheit einhergeht. Die Ergebnisse werden vor dem Hintergrund der Embodiment-Forschung und resultierender Praxisempfehlungen diskutiert.
In Vivo Imaging of Reactive Oxygen Species in Mouse Brain by using [3H]Hydromethidine as a Potential Radical Trapping Radiotracer
Authors: Abe Kohji , Takai Nozomi , Fukumoto Kazumi , Imamoto Natsumi , Tonomura Misato , Ito Miwa , Kanegawa Naoki , Sakai Katsunori , Morimoto Kenji , Todoroki Kenichiro , Inoue Osamu
Published: September 2014

To assess reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by detecting the fluorescent oxidation product, hydroethidine has been used extensively. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of the hydroethidine derivative as a radiotracer to measure in vivo brain ROS production. [3H]-labeled N-methyl-2,3-diamino-6-phenyl-dihydrophenanthridine ([3H]Hydromethidine) was synthesized, and evaluated using in vitro radical-induced oxidization and in vivo brain ROS production model. In vitro studies have indicated that [3H]Hydromethidine is converted to oxidized products by a superoxide radical (O2• -) and a hydroxyl radical (OH• -) but not hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In vivo whole-body distribution study showed that [3H]Hydromethidine rapidly penetrated the brain and then was washed out in normal mice. Microinjection of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) into the brain was performed to produce ROS such as OH• - via Fenton reaction. A significant accumulation of radioactivity immediately after [3H]Hydromethidine injection was seen in the side of the brain treated with SNP (5 and 20 nmol) compared with that in the contralateral side. These results indicated that [3H]Hydromethidine freely penetrated into the brain where it was rapidly converted to oxidized forms, which were trapped there in response to the production of ROS. Thus, [3H]Hydromethidine should be useful as a radical trapping radiotracer in the brain.
Model‐Based Exposure–Response Analysis of Apixaban to Quantify Bleeding Risk in Special Populations of Subjects Undergoing Orthopedic Surgery
Authors: Leil TA , Frost C , Wang X , Pfister M , LaCreta F
Published: September 2014

Population pharmacokinetic (PK) and exposure–response analyses of apixaban were performed using data from phase I–III studies to predict bleeding risks for patients receiving apixaban 2.5 mg b.i.d. after total knee or hip replacement (TKR, THR) surgery (N = 5,510). Renal function, age, gender, and body weight impacted apixaban exposure. Bleeding risk increased as a function of exposure. Predicted bleeding frequencies for TKR and THR populations at risk for high apixaban exposure (female, age > 75 years, calculated creatinine clearance (cCrCL) < 30 ml/min, body weight < 50 kg) (6.85 and 10.3%, respectively) were comparable to the reference population (male/female, age 65−75 years, cCrCL ≥ 80 ml/min, body weight 65−85 kg) (6.18 and 9.32%, respectively). A 100% increase in apixaban exposure is expected to raise bleeding frequencies to 7.25% (TKR) and 10.9% (THR), whereas a 200% increase would raise them to 8.49 and 12.7%. Coexistence of combined patient risk factors or doubling of exposure is not likely to result in a substantial, clinically relevant increase in bleeding risk with 2.5 mg b.i.d. apixaban.

CPT Pharmacometrics Syst. Pharmacol. (2014) 3, e136; doi:10.1038/psp.2014.34; published online 17 September 2014
mRNA delivery using non-viral PCL nanoparticles
Authors: Palamà Ilaria E. , Cortese Barbara , D'Amone Stefania , Gigli Giuseppe
Published: September 2014

GFP mRNA-protamine complex encapsulated poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) non-viral nanoparticles are proposed for the intracellular delivery of mRNA molecules.
pH and glucose responsive nanofibers for the reversible capture and release of lectins
Authors: Wang Yinan , Kotsuchibashi Yohei , Uto Koichiro , Ebara Mitsuhiro , Aoyagi Takao , Liu Yang , Narain Ravin
Published: September 2014

A dual pH and glucose responsive boronic acid containing nanofiber was constructed for the reversible capture and release of lectins.
Solvent-free oxidation of ethylbenzene over hierarchical flower-like core–shell structured Co-based mixed metal oxides with significantly enhanced catalytic performance
Authors: Xie Renfeng , Fan Guoli , Yang Lan , Li Feng
Published: September 2014

Hierarchical flower-like core–shell structured Co-based mixed metal oxides exhibited excellent catalytic performance in solvent-free oxidation of ethylbenzene.
Enhancement of hydrodesulfurization of 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene catalyzed by CoMo catalysts supported on carbon-covered γ-Al2O3
Authors: Cui Feng , Li Guangci , Li Xuebing , Lu Mohong , Li Mingshi
Published: September 2014

Carbon species deposited on supports can shorten MoS2 slab length and increase the number of easily reducible sulfur species relative to HDS activity.
Nanoarchitectonics of biomolecular assemblies for functional applications
Authors: Avinash M. B. , Govindaraju T.
Published: September 2014

This feature article highlights the intriguing prospects of ‘functional biomolecular engineering’ field for various nanotechnological applications.
Does rotational melting make molecular crystal surfaces more slippery?
Authors: Benassi Andrea , Vanossi Andrea , Pignedoli Carlo A. , Passerone Daniele , Tosatti Erio
Published: September 2014

The surface of a crystal made of roughly spherical molecules exposes, above its bulk rotational phase transition at T = Tr, a carpet of freely rotating molecules, possibly functioning as “nanobearings” in sliding friction.
Piezoelectric fiber mats containing polar rod-shaped pigment particles
Authors: May Kathrin , Eremin Alexey , Stannarius Ralf , Klein Susanne , Neyts Kristiaan , Harden John , Jákli Antal
Published: September 2014

We prepared electrospun polylactic acid (PLA) fiber mats containing anisometric pigment nanoparticles and demonstrate their converse piezoelectric behavior.
Folding and birefringence behavior of poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel film induced by freezing and thawing
Authors: Li Xiaofeng , Zhang Liang , Guo Xinglin , Zhu Caizhen , Yu Zhong-Zhen , Zhao Ning , Xu Jian
Published: September 2014

A band-like folding structure with high aspect ratio, parallel or perpendicular to the flat film, and birefringence behavior was observed for an in situ formed thin PVA hydrogel film, the folding structure being formed via freezing–thawing treatment of PVA aqueous solution coated on glass.
Advanced chemical compositions and nanoarchitectures of bismuth based complex oxides for solar photocatalytic application
Authors: Sun Songmei , Wang Wenzhong
Published: September 2014

Bismuth based complex oxide photocatalysts with high activity and stability could be obtained by engineering chemical compositions, morphologies, and microstructures.
Metabolic variation of HeLa cells migrating on microfabricated cytophilic channels studied by the fluorescence lifetime of NADH
Authors: Deka Gitanjal , Okano Kazunori , Masuhara Hiroshi , Li Yaw-Kuen , Kao Fu-Jen
Published: September 2014

This manuscript reports an in situ surface-modification of a substrate by laser ablation for monitoring the metabolic physiology of migrating cells through guided channels.
A metal–organic framework with a 9-phenylcarbazole moiety as a fluorescent tag for picric acid explosive detection: collaboration of electron transfer, hydrogen bonding and size matching
Authors: Jiang Xiaoli , Liu Yanhong , Wu Pengyan , Wang Lei , Wang Qiyuan , Zhu Guangzhou , Li Xiu-ling , Wang Jian
Published: September 2014

An electron-rich luminescent metal–organic framework, Zn–PDA, displaying high selectivity in detection of picric acid explosive as a fluorescent sensor is reported.
Enhanced light sensing performance of a hybrid device developed using as-grown vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes on TCO substrates
Authors: Baro Mahananda , Hussain Amreen A. , Pal Arup R.
Published: September 2014

We report direct growth of MWCNTs on TCO substrates and its applicability in low light sensitive self-powered hybrid photodetector.
Charge density distribution and electrostatic interactions of ethionamide: an inhibitor of the enoyl acyl carrier protein reductase (inhA) enzyme of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Rajalakshmi G. , Pavan Mysore S. , Kumaradhas P.
Published: September 2014

The experimental and theoretical charge density analysis of ethionamide molecule provides the topological and the electrostatic properties, which allows the understanding of the nature of intra- and intermolecular interactions.
Polarization-sensitive color in iridescent scales of butterfly Ornithoptera
Authors: Zhang Ke , Zhou Shujun , Tang Yiwen , Wang Ge , Zhou Han , Fan Tongxiang , Zhang Di
Published: September 2014

A combined architecture consisting of deep grating and multilayer in butterfly iridescent scales leads to the polarization-sensitive color.
Polyethyleneimine templated synthesis of hierarchical SAPO-34 zeolites with uniform mesopores
Authors: Wang Fei , Sun Long , Chen Chuanling , Chen Zhen , Zhang Zhenwei , Wei Guohui , Jiang Xingmao
Published: September 2014

A novel synthesis process using a cationic polymer (polyethylenimine) as a mesopore directing agent can be generalized to hierarchical SAPO-34 zeolites with uniform mesopores.
Solvent-free reduction of carboxylic acids to alcohols with NaBH4promoted by 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine and PPh3in the presence of K2CO3
Authors: Jaita Subin , Kaewkum Pantitra , Duangkamol Chuthamat , Phakhodee Wong , Pattarawarapan Mookda
Published: September 2014

The first simple, rapid, and eco-friendly method for NaBH4reduction of carboxylic acids to alcohols under solvent-free conditions is reported.
An aggregation-induced emission based “turn-on” fluorescent chemodosimeter for the selective detection of Pb2+ ions
Authors: Khandare Dipratn G. , Joshi Hrishikesh , Banerjee Mainak , Majik Mahesh S. , Chatterjee Amrita
Published: September 2014

An aggregation-induced emission (AIE) based “turn-on” fluorescent chemodosimeter for selective detection of Pb2+ ions has been developed. The probe is a phosphate functionalized tetraphenylethylene derivative and the resulting lead–TPE complex has very low solubility in working solvent and triggers AIE and shows a low detection limit of 10 ppb.
First ligand-free, microwave-assisted, Heck cross-coupling reaction in pure water on a nucleoside – application to the synthesis of antiviral BVDU
Authors: Hervé Gwénaëlle , Len Christophe
Published: September 2014

For the first time, a palladium catalyzed Heck cross-coupling reaction between 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine and various acrylate derivatives was performed using ligand-free conditions and microwave assistance in pure water.
Excellent electrochemical performance of LiFe0.4Mn0.6PO4microspheres produced using a double carbon coating process
Authors: Huang Yong Ping , Tao Tao , Chen Zheng , Han Wei , Wu Ying , Kuang Chunjiang , Zhou Shaoxiong , Chen Ying
Published: September 2014

A high performance LiFe0.4Mn0.6PO4/C microsphere cathode for lithium ion batteries was synthesizedviaa double carbon coating process involving traditional techniques.
In vitro endothelial cell response to ionic dissolution products from boron-doped bioactive glass in the SiO2–CaO–P2O5–Na2O system
Authors: Haro Durand Luis A. , Góngora Adrián , Porto López José M. , Boccaccini Aldo R. , Zago M. Paola , Baldi Alberto , Gorustovich Alejandro
Published: September 2014

As it has been established that boron (B) may perform functions in angiogenesis and osteogenesis, the controlled and localized release of B ions from bioactive glasses (BGs) is expected to provide a promising therapeutic alternative for regenerative medicine of vascularized tissues, such as bone.
Comparison of customized spin-column and salt-precipitation finger-prick blood DNA extraction
Authors: Poh Jun-Jie , Gan Samuel Ken-En
Published: September 2014

gDNA (genomic DNA extraction from blood is a fundamental process in many diagnostic, identification and research applications. Numerous extraction methods have been reported and are available commercially. However, there is insufficient understanding of the impact of chemical buffers on DNA yield from either whole or nucleated blood. Moreover, these commercial kits are often costly, constraining less well-funded laboratories to traditional and more cost-effective salt-precipitation methods. Towards this, we compared a salt-precipitation and a customized cost-effective spin-column-based method, studying the impact of different chemical constituents on the yields. This customized method resulted in a shortening of the extraction process, higher gDNA yields, and more successful PCR amplification of gDNA genes compared with the salt-precipitation method. Optimizing different chemical buffers on whole- and nucleated blood materials further revealed that certain chemicals boosted extractions from whole- but not nucleated blood. These findings may be useful to laboratories that do not have ready access to commercial kits, and improve their nucleic acid extractions from blood economically.
Reconfigurable PIFA with a parasitic strip line for a hepta‐band WWAN/LTE mobile handset
Authors: Lee Sungwoo , Sung Youngje
Published: September 2014

In this study, a reconfigurable planar inverted‐F antenna (PIFA) with a parasitic strip line for a hepta‐band wireless wide area network (WWAN)/long term evolution (LTE) mobile handset is proposed. The PIN diode is located between the end of the parasitic strip line and the protruded ground plane. Depending on the on/off‐state of the PIN diode, the degree of coupling between the conventional PIFA and the parasitic line is controlled and the fundamental resonant frequency of the proposed antenna is adjusted. As a result, the fundamental resonant frequencies cover the (global system for mobile communication) GSM850 (824–894 MHz) and GSM900 (880–960 MHz) bands. By the parasitic strip line extended from the protruded ground plane, impedance matching at the higher‐order modes (f2 and f3) is improved and the fourth resonant frequency f4 is remarkably decreased. The high band of the antenna is formed by combining these three higher‐order modes to cover the GSM1800 (1710–1880 MHz), GSM1900 (1850–1990 MHz), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS) (1920–2170 MHz), LTE2300 (2305–2400 MHz) and LTE2500 (2500–2690 MHz) bands.
Resolving the bulk ion region of millimeter-wave collective Thomson scattering spectra at ASDEX Upgrade
Authors: Stejner M. , Nielsen S. , Jacobsen A. S. , Korsholm S. B. , Leipold F. , Meo F. , Michelsen P. K. , Moseev D. , Rasmussen J. , Salewski M. , Schubert M. , Stober J. , Wagner D. H. ,   ASDEX Upgrade Team
Published: September 2014

Collective Thomson scattering (CTS) measurements provide information about the composition and velocity distribution of confined ion populations in fusion plasmas. The bulk ion part of the CTS spectrum is dominated by scattering off fluctuations driven by the motion of thermalized ion populations. It thus contains information about the ion temperature, rotation velocity, and plasma composition. To resolve the bulk ion region and access this information, we installed a fast acquisition system capable of sampling rates up to 12.5 GS/s in the CTS system at ASDEX Upgrade. CTS spectra with frequency resolution in the range of 1 MHz are then obtained through direct digitization and Fourier analysis of the CTS signal. We here describe the design, calibration, and operation of the fast receiver system and give examples of measured bulk ion CTS spectra showing the effects of changing ion temperature, rotation velocity, and plasma composition.
Efficient hybrid non-equilibrium molecular dynamics - Monte Carlo simulations with symmetric momentum reversal
Authors: Chen Yunjie , Roux Benoît
Published: September 2014

Hybrid schemes combining the strength of molecular dynamics (MD) and Metropolis Monte Carlo (MC) offer a promising avenue to improve the sampling efficiency of computer simulations of complex systems. A number of recently proposed hybrid methods consider new configurations generated by driving the system via a non-equilibrium MD (neMD) trajectory, which are subsequently treated as putative candidates for Metropolis MC acceptance or rejection. To obey microscopic detailed balance, it is necessary to alter the momentum of the system at the beginning and/or the end of the neMD trajectory. This strict rule then guarantees that the random walk in configurational space generated by such hybrid neMD-MC algorithm will yield the proper equilibrium Boltzmann distribution. While a number of different constructs are possible, the most commonly used prescription has been to simply reverse the momenta of all the particles at the end of the neMD trajectory (“one-end momentum reversal”). Surprisingly, it is shown here that the choice of momentum reversal prescription can have a considerable effect on the rate of convergence of the hybrid neMD-MC algorithm, with the simple one-end momentum reversal encountering particularly acute problems. In these neMD-MC simulations, different regions of configurational space end up being essentially isolated from one another due to a very small transition rate between regions. In the worst-case scenario, it is almost as if the configurational space does not constitute a single communicating class that can be sampled efficiently by the algorithm, and extremely long neMD-MC simulations are needed to obtain proper equilibrium probability distributions. To address this issue, a novel momentum reversal prescription, symmetrized with respect to both the beginning and the end of the neMD trajectory (“symmetric two-ends momentum reversal”), is introduced. Illustrative simulations demonstrate that the hybrid neMD-MC algorithm robustly yields a correct equilibrium probability distribution with this prescription.
Imaging the ultrafast Kerr effect, free carrier generation, relaxation and ablation dynamics of Lithium Niobate irradiated with femtosecond laser pulses
Authors: Garcia-Lechuga Mario , Siegel Jan , Hernandez-Rueda Javier , Solis Javier
Published: September 2014

The interaction of high-power single 130 femtosecond (fs) laser pulses with the surface of Lithium Niobate is experimentally investigated in this work. The use of fs-resolution time-resolved microscopy allows us to separately observe the instantaneous optical Kerr effect induced by the pulse and the generation of a free electron plasma. The maximum electron density is reached 550 fs after the peak of the Kerr effect, confirming the presence of a delayed carrier generation mechanism. We have also observed the appearance of transient Newton rings during the ablation process, related to optical interference of the probe beam reflected at the front and back surface of the ablating layer. Finally, we have analyzed the dynamics of the photorefractive effect on a much longer time scale by measuring the evolution of the transmittance of the irradiated area for different fluences below the ablation threshold.
Mutual colliding impact fast ignition
Authors: Winterberg Friedwardt
Published: September 2014

It is proposed to apply the well established colliding beam technology of high energy physics to the fast hot spot ignition of a highly compressed DT (deuterium-tritium) target igniting a larger D (deuterium) burn, by accelerating a small amount of solid deuterium, and likewise a small amount of tritium, making a head-on collision in the center of the target, projecting them through conical ducts situated at the opposite side of the target and converging in its center. In their head-on collision, the relative collision velocity is 5/3 times larger compared to the collision velocity of a stationary target. The two pieces have for this reason to be accelerated to a smaller velocity than would otherwise be needed to reach upon impact the same temperature. Since the velocity distribution of the two head-on colliding projectiles is with its two velocity peaks non-Maxwellian, the maximum cross section velocity product turns out to be substantially larger than the maximum if averaged over a Maxwellian. The D and T projectiles would have to be accelerated with two sabots driven by powerful particle or laser beams, permitting a rather large acceleration length. With the substantially larger cross section-velocity product by virtue of the non-Maxwellian velocity distribution, a further advantage is that the head-on collision produces a large magnetic field by the thermomagnetic Nernst effect, enhancing propagating burn. With this concept, the ignition of the neutron-less hydrogen-boron (HB11) reaction might even be possible in a heterogeneous assembly of the hydrogen and the boron to reduce the bremsstrahlung-losses, resembling the heterogeneous assembly in a graphite-natural uranium reactor, there to reduce the neutron losses.