bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prostate‐specific antigen response after short‐term hormone therapy plus external‐beam radiotherapy and outcome in patients treated on Radiation Therapy Oncology Group study 9413
Authors: Cury Fabio L. , Hunt Daniel , Roach Mack , Shipley William , Gore Elizabeth , Hsu I‐Chow , Krisch Robert E. , Seider Michael J. , Sandler Howard , Lawton Colleen
Published: March 2013

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) complete response (PSA‐CR), measured at the end of external‐beam radiotherapy and short‐term hormone therapy, on treatment outcomes.

METHODS

The phase 3 Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 9413 trial, as part of its original protocol, used the assessment of PSA‐CR (ie, PSA ≤0.3 ng/mL) at the end of short‐term HT as a secondary endpoint. Short‐term HT consisted of futamide plus a lutenizing hormone‐releasing hormone agonist for 4 months. The Kaplan‐Meier method was used to estimate overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival. Cumulative incidence was used to estimate biochemical failure, distant metastasis, and disease‐specific survival. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to correlate PSA‐CR after short‐term hormone therapy with all endpoints, and the following variables were considered for analysis: PSA at baseline, Gleason score, treatment arm, age, and baseline testosterone status. Phoenix consensus definition was used to define PSA failure.

RESULTS

For 1070 evaluable patients, the median PSA at the end of short‐term hormone therapy was 0.2 ng/mL. In total, 744 patients (70%) had a PSA‐CR. At a median follow‐up of 7.2 years, failure to obtain a PSA‐CR was associated significantly with worse disease‐specific survival (P= .0003; hazard ratio [HR], 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38‐2.97), with worse disease‐free survival (P= .003; HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.09‐1.50), and with a higher incidence of distant metastasis (P= .0002; HR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.37‐2.69) and biochemical failure (P< .0001; HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.29‐1.91). Other factors that were associated with worse disease‐specific survival were Gleason scores from 8 to 10 (P= .0002; HR, 3.06; 95% CI, 1.71‐5.47) and PSA levels >20 ng/mL (P= .04; HR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.02‐2.30).

CONCLUSIONS

The current results indicated that failure to obtain a PSA‐CR (PSA ≤0.3 ng/mL) after short‐term hormone therapy and external‐beam radiotherapy appears to be an independent predictor of unfavorable outcomes and could help identify patients who may benefit from the addition of long‐term androgen ablation. Cancer 2013;119:1999–2004. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Efficient parallel implementation of incompressible pipe flow algorithm based on SIMPLE
Authors: Zhang Ji‐Lin , Yuan Jun‐Feng , Wan Jian , Mao Jie , Zhu Li‐Ting , Zhou Li , Jiang Cong‐Feng , Di Peng , Wang Jue
Published: March 2013

Parallel semi‐implicit method for pressure‐linked equations(SIMPLE) algorithm is used to solve the 3‐D incompressible pipe flow problem. In this paper, we proposed a novel parallel SIMPLE algorithm that uses the alternate tiling technique. Firstly, a parallel SIMPLE algorithm based on domain decomposition method was established, and the implementation of domain partition and data exchange was presented. Then, we presented serial finite difference stencil algorithm based on alternate tiling. Furthermore, an iteration space parallel two‐way finite difference stencil algorithm based on alternate tiling was proposed, introducing the sequence of iterative space tiles as the sequence of execution and using time skewing technique to partition the iteration space, thus to improve the data locality of algorithm. The cache misses and the cost of communication and synchronization are reduced by reordering the tiles of iteration space. Finally, the effectiveness of the two parallel SIMPLE algorithms were compared. The results showed that the parallel SIMPLE algorithm that uses the two‐way finite difference stencil algorithm based on alternate tiling has good data locality, performance, and scalability in the Deepcomp7000 cluster computing environment. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differential physiological responses to environmental change promote woody shrub expansion
Authors: Heskel Mary , Greaves Heather , Kornfeld Ari , Gough Laura , Atkin Owen K. , Turnbull Matthew H. , Shaver Gaius , Griffin Kevin L.
Published: March 2013

Direct and indirect effects of warming are increasingly modifying the carbon‐rich vegetation and soils of the Arctic tundra, with important implications for the terrestrial carbon cycle. Understanding the biological and environmental influences on the processes that regulate foliar carbon cycling in tundra species is essential for predicting the future terrestrial carbon balance in this region. To determine the effect of climate change impacts on gas exchange in tundra, we quantified foliar photosynthesis (Anet), respiration in the dark and light (RD and RL, determined using the Kok method), photorespiration (PR), carbon gain efficiency (CGE, the ratio of photosynthetic CO2 uptake to total CO2 exchange of photosynthesis, PR, and respiration), and leaf traits of three dominant species – Betula nana, a woody shrub; Eriophorum vaginatum, a graminoid; and Rubus chamaemorus, a forb – grown under long‐term warming and fertilization treatments since 1989 at Toolik Lake, Alaska. Under warming, B. nana exhibited the highest rates of Anet and strongest light inhibition of respiration, increasing CGE nearly 50% compared with leaves grown in ambient conditions, which corresponded to a 52% increase in relative abundance. Gas exchange did not shift under fertilization in B. nana despite increases in leaf N and P and near‐complete dominance at the community scale, suggesting a morphological rather than physiological response. Rubus chamaemorus, exhibited minimal shifts in foliar gas exchange, and responded similarly to B. nana under treatment conditions. By contrast, E. vaginatum, did not significantly alter its gas exchange physiology under treatments and exhibited dramatic decreases in relative cover (warming: −19.7%; fertilization: −79.7%; warming with fertilization: −91.1%). Our findings suggest a foliar physiological advantage in the woody shrub B. nana that is further mediated by warming and increased soil nutrient availability, which may facilitate shrub expansion and in turn alter the terrestrial carbon cycle in future tundra environments.
Signal regulatory protein α negatively regulates mast‐cell activation following FcεRI aggregation
Authors: Pan Yu‐fei , Dong Li‐wei , Wang Min , Yang Guang‐zhen , Zhang Jian , Li Shuang‐xi , Zhang Bo , Yang Chun , Li Zhong , Tan Ye‐xiong , Wang Hong‐yang
Published: March 2013

Mast cells elicit allergic reaction through degranulation and release of proinflammatory mediators after aggregation of the IgE receptor FcεRI. Here we provide evidence to show that signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα), an ITIM‐containing receptor, is an endogenous regulator of IgE‐Ag induced mast‐cell activation. SIRPα expression is promptly reduced in mast cells in response to FcεRI aggregation. Impaired expression of SIRPα in mast cells facilitates FcεRI‐evoked degranulation and de novo synthesis of cytokines (IL‐4, IL‐13, IL‐6, and TNF‐α). We further demonstrate that SIRPα knockdown in mast cells accelerates calcium mobilization and affects cytoskeletal rearrangement (F‐actin disassembly and polymeric tubulin formation) after FcεRI aggregation. Mechanistic studies highlight the prolonged activation of NF‐κB and MAPKs as well as PLC‐γ after FcεRI stimulation as a consequence of the inhibition of SIRPα expression in mast cells. Immunoprecipitation analysis shows that SIRPα knockdown markedly increases IgE‐induced SHP2 interaction with PI3K regulatory subunit PI3Kp85 or IKK‐β in mast cells, indicating that SIRPα may accomplish this through its association and sequestration of SHP2. Collectively, our results strongly indicate that SIRPα is a biological important regulator of FcεRI signaling.
Di(4‐pyridyl) Sulfoxide as an Angled Building Block for Zigzag‐Chain Silver(I) Complexes Stabilized by Supramolecular O=S···π Interactions
Authors: Wan Chong‐Qing , Wang Zi‐Wei , Wang Guo , Li Ai‐Min , Jin Qiong‐Hua , Deng Yu‐Heng , Mak Thomas C. W.
Published: March 2013

The angled ligand di‐4‐pyridyl sulfoxide (L1) and five of its silver(I) complexes that bear various counteranions, namely, {[Ag(L1)](BF4)·(CH3CN)}∞ (1), {[Ag(L1)(CF3SO3)]·(CH3CN)}∞ (2), {[Ag(L1)(CF3CO2)]·CH3CN}∞ (3), {[Ag(L1)(NO3)]·H2O}∞ (4), and {[Ag2(L1)2(SO4)]·6H2O}∞ (5), have been synthesized and characterized by X‐ray crystallography, FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and luminescent emission measurements. Complexes 1–5 exhibit a common [Ag(L1)]nn+ zigzag‐chain motif generated by the μ2‐N,N‐bridging L1 ligand. The common dominant intermolecular O=S(sulfinyl)···π(pyridyl) interaction with the S=O group embraced by the pyridyl wings of an adjacent butterfly‐like L1 ligand plays a crucial role in the supramolecular aggregation of 1–5. Replacement of the sulfinyl (S=O) group of L1 by a sulfonyl (O=S=O) group to yield related ligand L2 led to {[Ag(L2)](NO3)}∞ (6) (L2 = di‐4‐pyridyl sulfone), which exhibits a markedly different supramolecular architecture from those of 1–5 because of the absence of the O=S(sulfinyl)···π(pyridyl) contact. Density functional calculations confirm that there is a π orbital interaction between the sulfinyl S atom and the intermolecular pyridyl rings, which significantly contributes to the O=S···π affinity.
Toward improved models for predicting bioconcentration of well-metabolized compounds by rainbow trout using measured rates of in vitro intrinsic clearance
Authors: Nichols John W. , Huggett Duane B. , Arnot Jon A. , Fitzsimmons Patrick N. , Cowan-Ellsberry Christina E.
Published: March 2013

Models were developed to predict the bioconcentration of well-metabolized chemicals by rainbow trout. The models employ intrinsic clearance data from in vitro studies with liver S9 fractions or isolated hepatocytes to estimate a liver clearance rate, which is extrapolated to a whole-body biotransformation rate constant (kMET). Estimated kMET values are then used as inputs to a mass-balance bioconcentration prediction model. An updated algorithm based on measured binding values in trout is used to predict unbound chemical fractions in blood, while other model parameters are designed to be representative of small fish typically used in whole-animal bioconcentration testing efforts. Overall model behavior was shown to be strongly dependent on the relative hydrophobicity of the test compound and assumed rate of in vitro activity. The results of a restricted sensitivity analysis highlight critical research needs and provide guidance on the use of in vitro biotransformation data in a tiered approach to bioaccumulation assessment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:1611–1622. © 2013 SETAC
The spring runoff in nebraska's (USA) Elkhorn River watershed and its impact on two sentinel organisms
Authors: Knight Lindsey A. , Christenson Matthew K. , Trease Andrew J. , Davis Paul H. , Kolok Alan S.
Published: March 2013

The objectives of the present study were to determine 1) if temporal variability influenced the toxicity of Elkhorn River, Nebraska, USA, water, and 2) if the toxic effect was consistent between 2 sentinel organisms, the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) and the northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens). During spring 2012, atrazine indicator strips were used to document the occurrence of agrichemical pulses in the Elkhorn River. Polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) were deployed for 14 d during both a pulse and a postpulse period as indicated by the atrazine strips. Pesticide concentrations detected in the POCIS extracts ranged from 1.6-fold to 281-fold higher during the pulse period compared to the postpulse period. Fish and frog bioassays were conducted for 7 d, and hepatic mRNA expression of vitellogenin (VTG) and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Compared with lab water controls, fish exposed to water collected during an agrichemical pulse experienced significant reductions in VTG and ERα, whereas exposed female frogs did not. Male leopard frogs, in contrast, experienced significant increases in the expression of ERα, whereas pulse-exposed male minnows did not. The significant effects observed following agrichemical pulse exposure demonstrate that episodic agrichemical runoff adversely impacts sentinel organisms, and that the adverse impacts observed depend on the sex and species of the sentinel organism. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:1544–1551. © 2013 SETAC
An extended Peng‐Robinson equation of state for carbon dioxide solid‐vapor equilibrium
Authors: Martynov Sergey , Brown Solomon , Mahgerefteh Haroun
Published: March 2013

The Peng‐Robinson equation of state (PR EoS) for liquid‐vapor equilibrium is extended to model the solid‐vapor (sublimation) and solid‐liquid (melting) phase equilibria for carbon dioxide (CO2). The sublimation behavior is modeled through the re‐formulations of the empirically based analytical expressions for the two temperature dependent parameters, a and b in the PR EoS. The melting phase behavior on the other hand is modeled by the coupling of the original and the extended PR EoS and equalization of solid and liquid phase fugacities. Analytical expressions derived based on the extended PR EoS are used to determine thermodynamic and phase equilibrium derivative properties for solid/vapor CO2. These include internal energy, enthalpy, heat capacity, thermal expansion, and isothermal compressibility coefficients as well as the adiabatic speed of sound. In most cases good agreement with the available experimental data is obtained covering the pressure and temperature ranges 0.1–100 MPa and 100–300 K. A pressure/temperature phase equilibrium diagram for solid‐liquid‐vapor CO2 is constructed to demonstrate the overall performance and the limitations of the two EoS as compared to the experimental data spanning the triple point up to 100 MPa pressure. It is shown that the application of the PR EoS along the CO2 sublimation line gives rise to significant errors. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
The Neuregulin‐Rac‐MKK7 pathway regulates antagonistic c‐jun/Krox20 expression in Schwann cell dedifferentiation
Authors: Shin Yoon Kyung , Jang So Young , Park Joo Youn , Park So Young , Lee Hye Jeong , Suh Duk Joon , Park Hwan Tae
Published: March 2013

Schwann cells respond to nerve injury by dedifferentiating into immature states and producing neurotrophic factors, two actions that facilitate successful regeneration of axons. Previous reports have implicated the Raf‐ERK cascade and the expression of c‐jun in these Schwann cell responses. Here we used cultured primary Schwann cells to demonstrate that active Rac1 GTPase (Rac) functions as a negative regulator of Schwann cell differentiation by upregulating c‐jun and downregulating Krox20 through the MKK7‐JNK pathway, but not through the Raf‐ERK pathway. The activation of MKK7 and induction of c‐jun in sciatic nerves after axotomy was blocked by Rac inhibition. Microarray experiments revealed that the expression of regeneration‐associated genes, such as glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor and p75 neurotrophin receptor, after nerve injury was dependent on Rac but not on ERK. Finally, the inhibition of ErbB2 signaling prevented MKK7 activation, c‐jun induction, and Rac‐dependent gene expression in sciatic nerve explant cultures. Taken together, our results indicate that the neuregulin‐Rac‐MKK7‐JNK/c‐jun pathway regulates Schwann cell dedifferentiation following nerve injury.
Hydrodynamic and geomorphic controls on mouth bar evolution
Authors: Esposito Christopher R. , Georgiou Ioannis Y. , Kolker Alexander S.
Published: March 2013

While river deltas are one of the major repositories for sediments and carbon on Earth, there exists a paucity of field data on the formation of distributary mouth bars—one of their key features. Here we present results from an experiment that tested a model of mouth bar development using hydroacoustic, optical, sedimentary, and geochemical tools on a mouth bar in a crevasse splay near the mouth of the Mississippi River. Our results validate an existing model for mouth bar development, which we extend to explain mouth bar stratigraphy. We propose that changes across a hydrological cycle are important for mouth bar development, resulting in a stratigraphy that has alternating fine and coarse grain sediments. Results also indicate that sand is carried up to 6 km from the main stem of the Mississippi River, despite repeated channel bifurcations, which has important implications for our interpretation of the rock record, understanding of coastal sedimentary systems, and the restoration of large deltas.
Probable maximum precipitation and climate change
Authors: Kunkel Kenneth E. , Karl Thomas R. , Easterling David R. , Redmond Kelly , Young John , Yin Xungang , Hennon Paula
Published: March 2013

Probable maximum precipitation (PMP) is the greatest accumulation of precipitation for a given duration meteorologically possible for an area. Climate change effects on PMP are analyzed, in particular, maximization of moisture and persistent upward motion, using both climate model simulations and conceptual models of relevant meteorological systems. Climate model simulations indicate a substantial future increase in mean and maximum water vapor concentrations. For the RCP8.5 scenario, the changes in maximum values for the continental United States are approximately 20%–30% by 2071–2100. The magnitudes of the maximum water vapor changes follow temperature changes with an approximate Clausius‐Clapeyron relationship. Model‐simulated changes in maximum vertical and horizontal winds are too small to offset water vapor changes. Thus, our conclusion is that the most scientifically sound projection is that PMP values will increase in the future due to higher levels of atmospheric moisture content and consequent higher levels of moisture transport into storms.
The role of moist convection in the West African monsoon system: Insights from continental‐scale convection‐permitting simulations
Authors: Marsham John H. , Dixon Nick S. , Garcia‐Carreras Luis , Lister Grenville M. S. , Parker Douglas J. , Knippertz Peter , Birch Cathryn E.
Published: March 2013

Predicting the West African monsoon (WAM) remains a major challenge for weather and climate models. We compare multiday continental‐scale simulations of the WAM that explicitly resolve moist convection with simulations which parameterize convection. Simulations with the same grid spacing but differing representations of convection isolate the impact of the representation of convection. The more realistic explicit convection gives greater latent and radiative heating farther north, with latent heating later in the day. This weakens the Sahel‐Sahara pressure gradient and the monsoon flow, delaying its diurnal cycle and changing interactions between the monsoon and boundary layer convection. In explicit runs, cold storm outflows provide a significant component of the monsoon flux. In an operational global model, biases resemble those in our parameterized case. Improved parameterizations of convection that better capture storm structures, their diurnal cycle, and rainfall intensities will therefore substantially improve predictions of the WAM and coupled aspects of the Earth system.
Impacts of introducing a convective gravity‐wave parameterization upon the QBO in the Met Office Unified Model
Authors: Kim Y.‐H. , Bushell A. C. , Jackson D. R. , Chun H.‐Y.
Published: March 2013

A convective gravity‐wave parameterization (GWP) is introduced in the Met Office Unified Model (MetUM) in addition to the existing GWPs, and the tropical quasi‐biennial oscillation (QBO) is simulated. We replace a significant amount of momentum flux, which is originally launched by the background GWP, with the convective gravity‐wave (CGW) momentum flux with a broad wave spectrum that is explicitly determined by the convective sources. Compared to the experiment without the CGW parameterization, including the CGW parameterization results in a greater variability in the duration of each phase of the QBO, which is closer to observed. Including the CGWs also strengthens the annual cycle of zonal wind and it allows for stronger modulation of the semi‐annual oscillation.
Employing lidar to detail vegetation canopy architecture for prediction of aeolian transport
Authors: Sankey Joel B. , Law Darin J. , Breshears David D. , Munson Seth M. , Webb Robert H.
Published: March 2013

The diverse and fundamental effects that aeolian processes have on the biosphere and geosphere are commonly generated by horizontal sediment transport at the land surface. However, predicting horizontal sediment transport depends on vegetation architecture, which is difficult to quantify in a rapid but accurate manner. We demonstrate an approach to measure vegetation canopy architecture at high resolution using lidar along a gradient of dryland sites ranging from 2% to 73% woody plant canopy cover. Lidar‐derived canopy height, distance (gaps) between vegetation elements (e.g., trunks, limbs, leaves), and the distribution of gaps scaled by vegetation height were correlated with canopy cover and highlight potentially improved horizontal dust flux estimation than with cover alone. Employing lidar to estimate detailed vegetation canopy architecture offers promise for improved predictions of horizontal sediment transport across heterogeneous plant assemblages.
Six Novel Eudesmane‐Like Sesquiterpenes from Illicium spathulatum
Authors: Dong Xu‐Jun , Luo Shi‐De
Published: March 2013

The four diastereoisomeric gorgonane sesquiterpenes 1–4 and the two diastereoisomeric forfugane sesquiterpenes 6 and 7, which all have the same molecular formula C15H28O3 and belong to the same eudesmane‐like sesquiterpenes, were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Illicium spathulatum. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy.
Steroidal Saponins from the Rhizomes of Smilacina henryi
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Su Yan‐Fang , Chen Lei , Huang Xiong , Yan Shi‐Lun , Chai Xin , Gao Xiu‐Mei
Published: March 2013

Five steroidal saponins, namely henryiosides A–E (1–5), were isolated from the EtOH extract of the rhizomes of Smilacina henryi. Their structures were elucidated by the extensive use of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments, along with HR‐MALDI‐MS analysis and the results of acid hydrolysis. The aglycones of henryiosides A–E possess a C(7)C(8) or C(9)C(11) bond and were not previously found in saponins.
Synthesis of the Aziridinomitosene Skeleton by Application of Guanidinium Ylide‐Mediated Aziridination
Authors: Kojima Hiroyuki , Takahata Chisato , Lemin David , Takahashi Masato , Kumamoto Takuya , Nakanishi Waka , Suzuki Noriyuki , Ishikawa Tsutomu
Published: March 2013

An aziridinomitosene skeleton, a basic core of mitomycin antibiotics, was straightforwardly prepared from N‐(p‐toluenesulfonyl)indole‐2‐carboxaldehyde in 16% overall yield by successive reactions of guanidinium ylide‐mediated aziridination, InCl3‐catalyzed epimerization of trans‐3‐(indol‐2‐yl)aziridine‐2‐carboxylate, leading to the cis‐derivative, and dehydrative cyclization.
New Cytotoxic Metabolites from the Marine‐Derived Fungus Penicillium sp. ZLN29
Authors: Gao Huquan , Zhou Lina , Li Dehai , Gu Qianqun , Zhu Tian‐Jiao
Published: March 2013

One new penicillide derivative, prenpenicillide (1), and one new xanthone derivative, prenxanthone (2), were isolated from the culture extract of the marine‐derived fungus Penicillium sp. ZLN29, together with six known polyketide compounds, 3–8. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and spectrometric analyses. The cytotoxicities of these eight compounds were evaluated on four tumor‐cell lines by SRB (=sulforhodamine B) or MTT (=3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) methods. Compounds 1 and 3 exhibited weak cytotoxicities against HepG2 cell line with IC50 values of 9.9 and 9.7 μM, respectively.
Probabilistic approaches to accounting for data variability in the practical application of bioavailability in predicting aquatic risks from metals
Authors: Ciffroy Philippe , Charlatchka Rayna , Ferreira Daniel , Marang Laura
Published: March 2013

The biotic ligand model (BLM) theoretically enables the derivation of environmental quality standards that are based on true bioavailable fractions of metals. Several physicochemical variables (especially pH, major cations, dissolved organic carbon, and dissolved metal concentrations) must, however, be assigned to run the BLM, but they are highly variable in time and space in natural systems. This article describes probabilistic approaches for integrating such variability during the derivation of risk indexes. To describe each variable using a probability density function (PDF), several methods were combined to 1) treat censored data (i.e., data below the limit of detection), 2) incorporate the uncertainty of the solid-to-liquid partitioning of metals, and 3) detect outliers. From a probabilistic perspective, 2 alternative approaches that are based on log-normal and Γ distributions were tested to estimate the probability of the predicted environmental concentration (PEC) exceeding the predicted non-effect concentration (PNEC), i.e., pPECPNEC>1. The probabilistic approach was tested on 4 real-case studies based on Cu-related data collected from stations on the Loire and Moselle rivers. The approach described in this article is based on BLM tools that are freely available for end-users (i.e., the Bio-Met software) and on accessible statistical data treatments. This approach could be used by stakeholders who are involved in risk assessments of metals for improving site-specific studies. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2013;9:508–516. © 2013 SETAC
Alcoholic fermentation of high‐gravity corn mashes with the addition of supportive enzymes
Authors: Sapińska Ewelina , Balcerek Maria , Pielech‐Przybylska Katarzyna
Published: March 2013

Background

The main problem encountered during processing of cereals in distilleries, in particular by pressureless methods, is the relatively high viscosity of mashes that in turn retards their fermentation. It is caused by the extraction (along with starch) of pentosans, ß‐glucans, cellulose and hemicelluloses from cereal grains.

Results

Experiments carried out within this work centered on the determination of the effect of treatment of corn mashes with xylanase, pullulanase, cellulase enzyme complex and cellobiase on chemical composition, viscosity of these mashes and yield of fermentation. The treatment with xylanase caused the greatest decrease in viscosity of the corn mash, by c. 41% in relation to the reference mash (9.08 ± 0.45 mPa s). In the mash digested with pullulanase the ethanol yield was increased from 70.85 ± 0.71% (reference mash) to 76.09 ± 0.76% of theoretical. The most beneficial impact on the synthesis of ethanol was afforded by the treatment of mashes with cellulase enzyme complex preparation. The yield of ethanol reached 79.59 ± 0.8% of theoretical productivity and the intake of sugars was 92.85 ± 0.93%.

Conclusion

Under the optimal conditions found in these experiments, i.e. in corn mash supported with cellulase enzyme complex (CeluStar XL preparation) 61.69 ± 0.62 L of absolute ethanol could be obtained from 100 kg of starch. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Carotid intima‐media thickness increase in patients with habitual simple snoring and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is associated with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Apaydin Melda , Ayik Sibel O. , Akhan Galip , Peker Sule , Uluc Engin
Published: March 2013

Objectives

Sleep disorders are emerging risk factors for atherosclerosis. Increased carotid intima‐media thickness (CCA‐IMT) is a surrogate marker of cardiovascular risk. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between CCA‐IMT and habitual simple snoring or obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and the other cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods

Sleep disorders were diagnosed and staged by polysomnography. Patients were then classified into either habitual simple snoring (n = 20, group 1) or OSAS (n = 67, group 2), which was subclassified as mild‐moderate (n = 27) or severe (n = 40). CCA‐IMT was measured by B‐mode ultrasonography. The other major risk factors were investigated.

Results

The mean CCA‐IMT was 0.65 ± 0.02 mm (mean ± SD) in group 1 versus 0.75 ± 0.02 mm in group 2 (p = 0.03). Using CCA‐IMT ≥ 0. 9 mm as the threshold value also yielded significant results between the two groups (p = 0.03). The mean CCA‐IMT did not differ between patients with mild‐moderate and severe OSAS, whereas metabolic risk factors and metabolic syndrome (MS) were more prominent in the latter. Age, MS, neck and waist circumference, waist/ hip circumference, and fasting glucose level were higher in patients with CCA‐IMT ≥ 0.9 mm.

Conclusions

CCA‐IMT increase was associated with OSAS, but did not correlate with its severity, which could be due to the higher incidence of MS in this group. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 41:290–296, 2013
Synthesis of [13C6]primaquine
Authors: Herath H. M. T. Bandara , McChesney James D. , Walker Larry A. , Nanayakkara N. P. Dhammika
Published: March 2013

In support of a program to identify toxic metabolites of the antimalarial, primaquine, its [13C6] analog was prepared from [13C6] anisole in seven steps.
Super‐atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Chen Lee Chuin , Rahman Md. Matiur , Hiraoka Kenzo
Published: March 2013

Super‐atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) mass spectrometry was performed using a commercial mass spectrometer by pressurizing the ion source with compressed air up to 7 atm. Similar to typical APCI source, reactant ions in the experiment were generated with corona discharge using a needle electrode. Although a higher needle potential was necessary to initiate the corona discharge, discharge current and detected ion signal were stable at all tested pressures. A Roots booster pump with variable pumping speed was installed between the evacuation port of the mass spectrometer and the original rough pumps to maintain a same pressure in the first pumping stage of the mass spectrometer regardless of ion source pressure. Measurement of gaseous methamphetamine and research department explosive showed an increase in ion intensity with the ion source pressure until an optimum pressure at around 4–5 atm. Beyond 5 atm, the ion intensity decreased with further increase of pressure, likely due to greater ion losses inside the ion transport capillary. For benzene, it was found that besides molecular ion and protonated species, ion due to [M + 2H]+ which was not so common in APCI, was also observed with high ion abundance under super‐atmospheric pressure condition. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of the antitumor immune response to C60 fullerene
Authors: Didenko G. , Prylutska S. , Kichmarenko Y. , Potebnya G. , Prylutskyy Y. , Slobodyanik N. , Ritter U. , Scharff P.
Published: March 2013

In vitro experiments have shown that C60 fullerenes exhibit cytotoxic effects against tumor cells and modulate the cytotoxic activity of immune cells. In vivo therapeutic experiments on the model of Lewis lung carcinoma showed that C60 fullerenes exhibit an antimetastatic effect (reduction of metastases by 27%), which is realized by activating macrophages and stimulating the synthesis of humoral factors, which significantly increase the cytotoxicity of treated animals serum.
Influence of impurity defects on vibrational and electronic structure of graphene
Authors: Sagalianov I.Y. , Prylutskyy Y.I. , Tatarenko V.A. , Radchenko T.M. , Sudakov O.O. , Ritter U. , Scharff P. , Le Normand F.
Published: March 2013

Using the ab initio methods, boron or nitrogen doping effects on the characteristics of electron and vibrational spectrums of graphene are studied. We revealed that a mutual arrangement at the largest distance from each other is energy‐preferred for these dopant atoms. Depending on their kind, one can regulate conductance and raise values of fundamental frequencies of the Raman scattering in graphene.
Temperature‐driven shifts in the epibiotic bacterial community composition of the brown macroalga Fucus vesiculosus
Authors: Stratil Stephanie B , Neulinger Sven C , Knecht Henrik , Friedrichs Anette K , Wahl Martin
Published: March 2013

The thallus surface of the brown macroalga Fucus vesiculosus is covered by a specific biofilm community. This biofilm supposedly plays an important role in the interaction between host and environment. So far, we know little about compositional or functional shifts of this epibiotic bacterial community under changing environmental conditions. In this study, the response of the microbiota to different temperatures with respect to cell density and community composition was analyzed by nonculture‐based methods (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and 454 pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene). Redundancy analysis showed that despite high variability among host individuals temperature accounted for 20% of the variation in the bacterial community composition, whereas cell density did not differ between groups. Across all samples, 4341 bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at a 97% similarity level were identified. Eight percent of OTUs were significantly correlated with low, medium, and high temperatures. Notably, the family Rhodobacteraceae increased in relative abundance from 20% to 50% with increasing temperature. OTU diversity (evenness and richness) was higher at 15°C than at the lower and higher temperatures. Considering their known and presumed ecological functions for the host, change in the epibacterial community may entail shifts in the performance of the host alga.
Action‐effect binding is decreased in motor conversion disorder: Implications for sense of agency
Authors: Kranick Sarah M. , Moore James W. , Yusuf Nadia , Martinez Valeria T. , LaFaver Kathrin , Edwards Mark J. , Mehta Arpan R. , Collins Phoebe , Harrison Neil A. , Haggard Patrick , Hallett Mark , Voon Valerie
Published: March 2013

The abnormal movements seen in motor conversion disorder are affected by distraction and entrainment, similar to voluntary movement. Unlike voluntary movement, however, patients lack a sense of control for the abnormal movements, a failure of “self‐agency.” The action‐effect binding paradigm has been used to quantify the sense of self‐agency, because subjective contraction of time between an action and its effect only occurs if the patient feels that they are the agent responsible for the action. We used this paradigm, coupled with emotional stimuli, to investigate the sense of agency with voluntary movements in patients with motor conversion disorder. Twenty patients with motor conversion disorder and 20 age‐matched and sex‐matched healthy volunteers used a rotating clock to judge the time of their own voluntary key presses (action) and a subsequent auditory tone (effect) after they completed conditioning blocks in which high, medium, and low tones were coupled to images of happy, fearful, and neutral faces. The results replicated those produced previously: it was reported that an effect after a voluntary action occurred earlier, and the preceding action occurred later, compared with trials that used only key presses or tones. Patients had reduced overall binding scores relative to healthy volunteers, suggesting a reduced sense of agency. There was no effect of the emotional stimuli (faces) or other interaction effects. Healthy volunteers with subclinical depressive symptoms had higher overall binding scores. We demonstrate that patients with motor conversion disorder have decreased action‐effect binding for normal voluntary movements compared with healthy volunteers, consistent with the greater experience of lack of control. © 2013 Movement Disorder Society
Better global and cognitive functioning in choreatic versus hypokinetic‐rigid Huntington's disease
Authors: Hart Ellen P. , Marinus Johan , Burgunder Jean‐Marc , Bentivoglio Anna Rita , Craufurd David , Reilmann Ralf , Saft Carsten , Roos Raymund A.C. ,   the REGISTRY Investigators of the European Huntington's Disease Network
Published: March 2013

Background

Understanding the relation between predominantly choreatic and hypokinetic‐rigid motor subtypes and cognitive and general functioning may contribute to knowledge about different motor phenotypes in Huntington's disease.

Methods

In the European Huntington's Disease Network Registry study, 1882 subjects were classified as being predominantly choreatic (n = 528) or hypokinetic‐rigid (n = 432), according to their scores on items of the total motor score a priori labeled as choreatic or hypokinetic‐rigid; the other 922 patients were of a mixed type. The relationship between motor type and cognitive (verbal fluency, symbol digit modalities, Stroop color, word and interference tests) and functional (total functional capacity) capacity was investigated using multiple linear regression.

Results

Motor subtype contributed significantly to the total functional capacity score (partial r2: 7.8%; P < .001) and to the 5 cognitive scores (partial r2 ranged from 2.0% to 8.4%; all P < .001).

Conclusions

Patients with a predominantly choreatic motor phenotype performing better in all areas than patients with a hypokinetic‐rigid motor phenotype. © 2013 Movement Disorder Society
Existence of solutions of periodic‐type boundary value problems for multi‐term fractional differential equations
Authors: Liu Yuji
Published: March 2013

Results on the existence of solutions of a periodic‐type boundary value problem of singular multi‐term fractional differential equations with the nonlinearity depending on are established and being singular at t = 0 and t = 1. The analysis relies on the well‐known fixed‐point theorems. An example is given to illustrate the efficiency of the main theorems. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The relationship between aerobic fitness level and metabolic profiles in healthy adults
Authors: Morris Ciara , Grada Colm O. , Ryan Miriam , Roche Helen M. , De Vito Giuseppe , Gibney Michael J. , Gibney Eileen R. , Brennan Lorraine
Published: March 2013

Scope

Application of metabolomics to nutrition and health research is increasing and while much effort has been invested in understanding factors that influence the metabolomic profile there is relatively little known about the impact of fitness level. This study aimed to examine the relationship between fitness level, substrate oxidation rates, and the metabolic profile.

Methods and results

Two hundred and fourteen healthy adults (18–60 years) were recruited and 65 subjects were selected based on their estimated maximal oxygen consumption levels. Metabolomic analysis was performed. The subjects were split into fitness groups according to their maximal oxygen consumption levels (mL/kg/min) and analysis revealed significant differences in normalized fat and carbohydrate oxidation levels between the groups. Urinary metabolomic analysis revealed significantly different profiles in the groups with 15 amino acids significantly higher in the low fitness groups. Effects of fitness level in the plasma metabolic profiles were also demonstrated.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates a relationship between fitness level and the amino acid profile. Moreover, the metabolite changes show that a reduced excretion of amino acids in adults is associated with increased fitness levels and an increased fat oxidation rate during exercise. Interestingly, higher levels of branched chain amino acids were associated with lower fitness levels and higher insulin resistance.
Dietary wolfberry upregulates carotenoid metabolic genes and enhances mitochondrial biogenesis in the retina of db/db diabetic mice
Authors: Yu Huifeng , Wark Logan , Ji Hua , Willard Lloyd , Jaing Yu , Han Jing , He Hui , Ortiz Edlin , Zhang Yunong , Medeiros Denis M. , Lin Dingbo
Published: March 2013

Scope

Our aim was to investigate whether dietary wolfberry altered carotenoid metabolic gene expression and enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis in the retina of diabetic mice.

Methods and results

Six‐week‐old male db/db and wild‐type mice were fed the control or wolfberry diets for 8 weeks. At study termination, liver and retinal tissues were collected for analysis by transmission electron microscopy, real‐time PCR, immunoprecipitation, Western blot, and HPLC. Wolfberry elevated zeaxanthin and lutein levels in the liver and retinal tissues and stimulated expression of retinal scavenger receptor class B type I, glutathione S‐transferase Pi 1, and β,β‐carotene 9′,10′‐oxygenase 2, and induced activation and nuclear enrichment of retinal AMP‐activated protein kinase α2 (AMPK‐α2). Furthermore, wolfberry attenuated hypoxia and mitochondrial stress as demonstrated by declined expression of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1‐α, vascular endothelial growth factor, and heat shock protein 60. Wolfberry enhanced retinal mitochondrial biogenesis in diabetic retinas as demonstrated by reversed mitochondrial dispersion in the retinal pigment epithelium, increased mitochondrial copy number, elevated citrate synthase activity, and upregulated expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ co‐activator 1α, nuclear respiratory factor 1, and mitochondrial transcription factor A.

Conclusion

Consumption of dietary wolfberry could be beneficial to retinoprotection through reversal of mitochondrial function in diabetic mice.
Accelerated MR diffusion tensor imaging using distributed compressed sensing
Authors: Wu Yin , Zhu Yan‐Jie , Tang Qiu‐Yang , Zou Chao , Liu Wei , Dai Rui‐Bin , Liu Xin , Wu Ed X. , Ying Leslie , Liang Dong
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is known to suffer from long acquisition time in the orders of several minutes or even hours. Therefore, a feasible way to accelerate DTI data acquisition is highly desirable. In this article, the feasibility and efficacy of distributed compressed sensing to fast DTI is investigated by exploiting the joint sparsity prior in diffusion‐weighted images.

Methods

Fully sampled DTI datasets were obtained from both simulated phantom and experimental heart sample, with diffusion gradient applied in six directions. The k‐space data were undersampled retrospectively with acceleration factors from 2 to 6. Diffusion‐weighted images were reconstructed by solving an l2‐l1 norm minimization problem. Reconstruction performance with varied signal‐to‐noise ratio and acceleration factors were evaluated by root‐mean‐square error and maps of reconstructed DTI indices.

Results

Superiority of distributed compressed sensing over basic compressed sensing was confirmed with simulation, and the reconstruction accuracy was influenced by signal‐to‐noise ratio and acceleration factors. Experimental results demonstrate that DTI indices including fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivities, and orientation of primary eigenvector can be obtained with high accuracy at acceleration factors up to 4.

Conclusion

Distributed compressed sensing is shown to be able to accelerate DTI and may be used to reduce DTI acquisition time practically. Magn Reson Med 71:763–772, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Parametric code for generation of finite‐element model of nonwovens accounting for orientation distribution of fibres
Authors: Sabuncuoglu Baris , Acar Memis , Silberschmidt Vadim V.
Published: March 2013

A novel finite‐element modelling code developed to investigate the structural behaviour of nonwoven materials is presented. The technique allows modelling of a nonwoven fabric as a continuous–discontinuous medium with a given pattern of bond points and a large number of constituent fibres with arbitrary orientation distribution. The parametric feature of the code provides automatic modelling of nonwoven materials according to design parameters in a very efficient way. The effect of fibre length is also included for the first time in a finite element model of a nonwoven. The developed code is very flexible and it is possible to be extended to further studies such as damage behaviour.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new analytical method for solving a class of nonlinear optimal control problems
Authors: Matinfar M. , Saeidy M.
Published: March 2013

In this paper, we introduce a new analytic technique for a class of nonlinear optimal control problems and present a theorem of convergence of the method. In this scheme, first, the original optimal control problem is transformed into a nonlinear two‐point boundary value problem via the Pontryagin's maximum principle, and then, we apply a new method for solving two‐point boundary value problem. The proposed modification is made by introducing He's polynomials in the correction functional. The suggested algorithm is quite efficient and is practically well suited for using in these problems. The proposed iterative scheme finds the solution without any discretization, linearization, or restrictive assumptions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Copper chloride‐doped polyaniline/multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites: Superior electrode material for supercapacitor applications
Authors: Dhibar Saptarshi , Sahoo Sumanta , Das C.K.
Published: March 2013

In this study, copper chloride (CuCl2)‐doped polyaniline (PANI)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposite (PANI C2 CNT), CuCl2‐doped PANI (PANI C2) and pure PANI was synthesized by in situ oxidative polymerization method, using ammonium peroxodisulfate as oxidant in HCl medium. These composites were investigated as electrode materials for supercapacitors. The interaction of metal cation (Cu2+) with PANI was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphology of the composites was characterized by field‐emission scanning electron microscopy and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis. Electrochemical characterizations of the materials were carried out by three electrode probe method, where platinum and saturated standard calomel electrode were used as counter and reference electrode, respectively. 1 M KCl solution was used as electrolyte for all the electrochemical characterizations. The transition metal ion doping enhanced the electrochemical properties of the conducting polymer. Among all the composites, CuCl2‐doped PANI/MWCNT showed highest specific capacitance value of 724 F/g at 10 mV s−1 scan rate. The Nyquist plot of the polymeric materials showed low equivalent series resistance of the electrode materials. Thermal stability of the composites was examined by thermogravimetric analysis.POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers