bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetic clustering of fungal communities in human‐disturbed streams
Authors: Mykrä H. , Tolkkinen M. , Markkola A. M. , Pirttilä A.‐M. , Muotka T.
Published: April 2016

Phylogenetic community structure is increasingly used to examine community assembly, but the influence of anthropogenic disturbance on phylogenetic community structure remains little explored. We examined how land‐use disturbance (forestry and agriculture) and naturally harsh environmental conditions (geologically driven acidity) affect the phylogenetic diversity of stream fungi. Using DNA from decomposing alder leaves, we calculated phylogenetic distances among fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Closely related OTUs co‐occurred more often than expected by chance, but partitioning the relationship between phylogeny and niche differences showed evidence for niche conservatism only at short phylogenetic distances. Communities in human‐disturbed streams were phylogenetically clustered, whereas they were over‐dispersed in circumneutral near‐pristine streams. OTU richness did not decrease with disturbance; instead, some fungal taxa were replaced by closely related, more tolerant taxa. Fungal communities in naturally acidic reference streams also showed a tendency toward phylogenetic clustering, although much less so than in disturbed streams. Our results indicate different coexistence mechanisms in different environmental settings and a strong role for anthropogenic disturbance as a selective filter shaping the phylogenetic structure of instream fungal communities. The effects of human disturbances on the phylogenetic community structure of fungi occurred independently of taxonomic structure, suggesting utility of phylogenetic approaches to bioassessment.
Cumulative effects of an herbivorous ecosystem engineer in a heterogeneous landscape
Authors: Parsons Mitchell A. , Barkley Tela C. , Rachlow Janet L. , Johnson‐Maynard Jodi L. , Johnson Timothy R. , Milling Charlotte R. , Hammel John E. , Leslie Ian
Published: April 2016

Foraging by herbivores alters individual plants and vegetation communities directly, and engineering behaviors such as bioturbation (digging and turning soil) and biodeposition (deposition of feces and urine) can affect soils and physical properties that indirectly influence vegetation and other organisms. Patchy environments often concentrate the activities of animals, potentially increasing the magnitude of their impacts on the vegetative community over time. To evaluate the potential for herbivorous engineers to enhance existing heterogeneity, we quantified the direct and indirect effects of a burrowing herbivore, the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis), on soil and vegetation in the sagebrush steppe ecosystem of the western United States, and we evaluated whether the effects were related to duration of occupancy by rabbits. Mounded microtopography (i.e., mima mounds) creates distinct resource islands with relatively tall and dense sagebrush shrubs where pygmy rabbits concentrate burrowing and foraging activities. We quantified soil and vegetation characteristics on mima mounds occupied by rabbits for 1–12 yr and on unoccupied mounds. We expected that browsing would negatively influence slow growing sagebrush shrubs, but that digging and biodeposition would enhance soil nutrients and water infiltration. In addition, we hypothesized that the net effect on sagebrush reproduction would be positive because indirect effects on soil would enhance seed production by mature sagebrush and seedling growth, and because bioturbation would increase seed retention and germination. Pygmy rabbit occupancy had significant cumulative effects on both soil and vegetation properties on occupied mima mounds. Over time, browsing reduced sagebrush canopy cover and percent of individual shrubs that were alive. Soil properties were less influenced by the duration of occupancy of mima mounds than by the localized spatial influence of burrowing; elevated nitrogen levels were associated with burrow entrances. Two measures of sagebrush reproduction (seedling recruitment and inflorescence biomass) increased with duration of burrow occupancy, suggesting that over longer time frames pygmy rabbits enhanced reproduction and recruitment of sagebrush shrubs. Our data demonstrate multiple pathways by which an herbivorous engineer can influence habitat heterogeneity, and they suggest that although pygmy rabbits are inconspicuous on the landscape, the species might play an important role in maintaining and augmenting heterogeneity in the sagebrush steppe.
Synthesis, Characterization, Magnetic Properties, and Topological Aspects of Isoskeletal Heterometallic Hexanuclear CoII4LnIII2 Coordination Clusters Possessing 2,3,4M6–1 Topology
Authors: Griffiths Kieran , Novitchi Ghenadie , Kostakis George E.
Published: April 2016

The reaction of (E)‐2‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzylideneamino)phenol (H2L1) with Co(NO3)2 6H2O and LnCl3 x(H2O) afforded a family of hexanuclear heterometallic coordination clusters (CCs) formulated as [CoII4LnIII2(µ3‐OH)2(L1)4Cl2(NO3)2(MeOH)4] 3(Et2O) where Ln is Y (1), Gd (2), Dy (3), and Tb (4). All the compounds are stable in solution as confirmed by ESI‐MS studies. The compounds can be described as twisted boat‐like and possess a 2,3,4M6–1 topology. The reaction of (E)‐2‐(5‐bromo‐2‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzylideneamino)phenol (H2L2) with Co(NO3)2 6H2O and DyCl3 x(H2O) afforded [CoII4DyIII2(µ3‐OH)2(L2)4Cl2(NO3)2(MeOH)4] (5), which is isoskeletal to compounds 1–4. Magnetic studies performed over the temperature range 1.8–300 K show that compound 3 undergoes slow magnetic relaxation.
Fe3O4@MIL‐101 – A Selective and Regenerable Adsorbent for the Removal of As Species from Water
Authors: Folens Karel , Leus Karen , Nicomel Nina Ricci , Meledina Maria , Turner Stuart , Van Tendeloo Gustaaf , Laing Gijs Du , Van Der Voort Pascal
Published: April 2016

The chromium‐based metal–organic framework MIL‐101(Cr) served as a host for the in situ synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. This hybrid nanomaterial was tested as an adsorbent for arsenite and arsenate species in groundwater and surface water and showed excellent affinity towards AsIII and AsV species. The adsorption capacities of 121.5 and 80.0 mg g–1 for arsenite and arsenate species, respectively, are unprecedented. The presence of Ca2+, Mg2+, and phosphate ions and natural organic matter does not affect the removal efficiency or the selectivity. The structural integrity of the hybrid nanomaterial was maintained during the adsorption process and even after desorption through phosphate elution. Additionally, no significant leaching of Cr or Fe species was observed.
Acyliridium(III) Complexes with PCN Terdentate Ligands Including Imino‐ or Iminium‐Acyl Moieties or Formation of Hydrido from Hydroxyl
Authors: Zumeta Itziar , Mendicute‐Fierro Claudio , Rodríguez‐Diéguez Antonio , Seco José M. , Garralda María A.
Published: April 2016

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of María A. Garralda at Universidad del País Vasco, San Sebastián, Spain. The cover image shows an anionic dihydridoiridium species formed in methanol from a dihydridoirida‐β‐diketone and hydrogen release from the dihydrido species upon addition of 2‐aminoalkylpyridines to the solution. Hydrogen is transferred from hydroxyl in the solvent to iridium to afford the final hydridoaminodiacyl species.
Evaluation of dual permeability of gas flow in municipal solid waste: Extraction well operation
Authors: Liu Lei , Ma Jun , Xue Qiang , Zeng Gang , Zhao Ying
Published: April 2016

The dual permeability model (DPM) is used to describe the gas flow in landfills under the preferential flow effect. A steady‐state radial DPM was developed in this study to predict gas distribution at extraction well operations. Two typical cases of a short‐term pumping field test from a single extraction well were also studied. The sensitivity of kf/km and mass transfer coefficient in the DPM was simulated. The mechanism of higher deviation between the simulation result and the test could be explained by the gas flux and influence radius, as determined by the single permeability model based on gas pressure distribution in the radial direction. The reliability of the DPM in the prediction of gas flux and influence radius in extraction wells was initially verified. The study provides evidence of the improvement of the design and operation parameters of extraction wells in landfills using the proposed method. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 1381–1386, 2016
A model of triple friction pendulum bearing for general geometric and frictional parameters
Authors: Sarlis Apostolos A. , Constantinou Michael C.
Published: April 2016

Current models describing the behavior for the triple friction pendulum (TFP) bearing are based on the assumption that the resultant force of the contact pressure acts at the center of each sliding surface. Accordingly, these models only rely on equilibrium in the horizontal direction to arrive at the equations describing its behavior. This is sufficient for most practical applications where certain constraints on the friction coefficient values apply as a direct consequence of equilibrium.

This paper presents a revised model of behavior of the TFP bearing in which no assumptions are made on the location of the resultant forces at each sliding surface and no constraints on the values of the coefficient of friction are required, provided that all sliding surfaces are in full contact. To accomplish this, the number of degrees of freedom describing the behavior of the bearing is increased to include the location of the resultant force at each sliding surface and equations of moment equilibrium are introduced to relate these degrees of freedom to forces. Moreover, the inertia effects of each of the moving parts of the bearing are accounted for in the derivation of the equations describing its behavior.

The model explicitly calculates the motion of each of the components of friction pendulum bearings so that any dependence of the coefficient of friction on the sliding velocity and temperature can be explicitly accounted for and calculations of heat flux and temperature increase at each sliding surface can be made. This paper presents (a) the development of the revised TFP bearing model, (b) the analytic solution for the force–displacement relations of two configurations of the TFP bearing, (c) a model that incorporates inertia effects of the TFP bearing components and other effects that are useful in advanced response history analysis, and (d) examples of implementation of the features of the presented model. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of the fragrance terpene epoxides and selective monocyclization promoted by camphor and oxone®
Authors: Gaikwad Ravindra D. , Kabiraj Shilpi S. , Bhat Sujata V.
Published: April 2016

A high level of regio‐selectivity in the epoxidation of monoterpenes with camphor and oxone® at pH 7 has been observed. This methodology when applied to acyclic terpenes such as citronellyl acetate, geranyl acetate yielded mainly chiral 6(S),7‐epoxides. Similarly, farnesyl acetate yielded 10(S),11‐epoxide. Alternatively, unsaturated monocyclic terpene alcohol such as (‐)‐α‐terpineol, 6‐methyl‐hept‐5‐en‐2‐ol, when treated with camphor and oxone® at pH ~4‐5 led to one‐pot oxidative‐cyclization to yield (‐)‐trans‐2‐(S)‐hydroxy‐1,8‐cineole and (+)‐2,2,6‐trimethyl‐tetrahydropyran‐3‐ol respectively. In addition, the epoxides, trans‐2‐hydroxyl‐cineole and its acetate synthesized herein have good perfumery value with woody and sweet aromas. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Compromised axon initial segment integrity in EAE is preceded by microglial reactivity and contact
Authors: Clark Kareem C. , Josephson Anna , Benusa Savannah D. , Hartley Rebecca K. , Baer Matthew , Thummala Suneel , Joslyn Martha , Sword Brooke A. , Elford Howard , Oh Unsong , Dilsizoglu‐Senol Aysegul , Lubetzki Catherine , Davenne Marc , DeVries George H. , Dupree Jeffrey L.
Published: April 2016

Axonal pathology is a key contributor to long‐term disability in multiple sclerosis (MS), an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS), but the mechanisms that underlie axonal pathology in MS remain elusive. Evidence suggests that axonal pathology is a direct consequence of demyelination, as we and others have shown that the node of Ranvier disassembles following loss of myelin. In contrast to the node of Ranvier, we now show that the axon initial segment (AIS), the axonal domain responsible for action potential initiation, remains intact following cuprizone‐induced cortical demyelination. Instead, we find that the AIS is disrupted in the neocortex of mice that develop experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) independent of local demyelination. EAE‐induced mice demonstrate profound compromise of AIS integrity with a progressive disruption that corresponds to EAE clinical disease severity and duration, in addition to cortical microglial reactivity. Furthermore, treatment with the drug didox results in attenuation of AIS pathology concomitantly with microglial reversion to a less reactive state. Together, our findings suggest that inflammation, but not demyelination, disrupts AIS integrity and that therapeutic intervention may protect and reverse this pathology. GLIA 2016;64:1190–1209
Is cervical screening preventing adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma of the cervix?
Authors: Castanon Alejandra , Landy Rebecca , Sasieni Peter D.
Published: April 2016

While the incidence of squamous carcinoma of the cervix has declined in countries with organised screening, adenocarcinoma has become more common. Cervical screening by cytology often fails to prevent adenocarcinoma. Using prospectively recorded cervical screening data in England and Wales, we conducted a population‐based case–control study to examine whether cervical screening leads to early diagnosis and down‐staging of adenocarcinoma. Conditional logistic regression modelling was carried out to provide odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) on 12,418 women with cervical cancer diagnosed between ages 30 and 69 and 24,453 age‐matched controls. Of women with adenocarcinoma of the cervix, 44.3% were up to date with screening and 14.6% were non‐attenders. The overall OR comparing women up to date with screening with non‐attenders was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.39–0.55) for adenocarcinoma. The odds were significantly decreased (OR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.15–0.33) in up to date women with Stage 2 or worse adenocarcinoma, but not for women with Stage1A adenocarcinoma 0.71 (95% CI: 0.46–1.09). The odds of Stage 1A adenocarcinoma was double among lapsed attenders (OR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.52–3.62) compared to non‐attenders. Relative to women with no negative cytology within 7 years of diagnosis, women with Stage1A adenocarcinoma were very unlikely to be detected within 3 years of a negative cytology test (OR: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.05–0.13); however, the odds doubled 3–5 years after a negative test (OR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.67–3.18). ORs associated with up to date screening were smaller for squamous and adenosquamous cervical carcinoma. Although cytology screening is inefficient at preventing adenocarcinomas, invasive adenocarcinomas are detected earlier than they would be in the absence of screening, substantially preventing Stage 2 and worse adenocarcinomas.
Record linkage to correct under‐ascertainment of cancers in HIV cohorts: The Sinikithemba HIV clinic linkage project
Authors: Sengayi Mazvita , Spoerri Adrian , Egger Matthias , Kielkowski Danuta , Crankshaw Tamaryn , Cloete Christie , Giddy Janet , Bohlius Julia
Published: April 2016

The surveillance of HIV‐related cancers in South Africa is hampered by the lack of systematic collection of cancer diagnoses in HIV cohorts and the absence of HIV status in cancer registries. To improve cancer ascertainment and estimate cancer incidence, we linked records of adults (aged ≥ 16 years) on antiretroviral treatment (ART) enrolled at Sinikithemba HIV clinic, McCord Hospital in KwaZulu‐Natal (KZN) with the cancer records of public laboratories in KZN province using probabilistic record linkage (PRL) methods. We calculated incidence rates for all cancers, Kaposi sarcoma (KS), cervix, non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma and non‐AIDS defining cancers (NADCs) before and after inclusion of linkage‐identified cancers with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of 8,721 records of HIV‐positive patients were linked with 35,536 cancer records. Between 2004 and 2010, we identified 448 cancers, 82% (n = 367) were recorded in the cancer registry only, 10% (n = 43) in the HIV cohort only and 8% (n = 38) both in the HIV cohort and the cancer registry. The overall cancer incidence rate in patients starting ART increased from 134 (95% CI 91–212) to 877 (95% CI 744–1,041) per 100,000 person‐years after inclusion of linkage‐identified cancers. Incidence rates were highest for KS (432, 95% CI 341–555), followed by cervix (259, 95% CI 179–390) and NADCs (294, 95% CI 223–395) per 100,000 person‐years. Ascertainment of cancer in HIV cohorts is incomplete, PRL is both feasible and essential for cancer ascertainment.
Polymer degradation and drug delivery in PLGA‐based drug–polymer applications: A review of experiments and theories
Authors: Xu Yihan , Kim Chang‐Soo , Saylor David M. , Koo Donghun
Published: April 2016

Poly (lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) copolymers have been broadly used in controlled drug release applications. Because these polymers are biodegradable, they provide an attractive option for drug delivery vehicles. There are a variety of material, processing, and physiological factors that impact the degradation rates of PLGA polymers and concurrent drug release kinetics. This work is intended to provide a comprehensive and collective review of the physicochemical and physiological factors that dictate the degradation behavior of PLGA polymers and drug release from contemporary PLGA‐based drug–polymer products. In conjunction with the existing experimental results, analytical and numerical theories developed to predict drug release from PLGA‐based polymers are summarized and correlated with the experimental observations. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 1692–1716, 2017.
Resin composite repair for implant‐supported crowns
Authors: Bonfante Estevam A. , Suzuki Marcelo , Hirata Ronaldo , Bonfante Gerson , Fardin Vinicius P. , Coelho Paulo G.
Published: April 2016

This study evaluated the reliability of implant‐supported crowns repaired with resin composites. Fifty‐four titanium abutments were divided in three groups (n = 18 each) to support resin nanoceramic molar crowns, as follows: (LU) (Lava Ultimate, 3M ESPE); LU repaired with either a direct or an indirect resin composite. Samples were subjected to mouth‐motion accelerated‐life testing in water (n = 18). Cumulative damage with a use stress of 300 N was used to plot Weibull curves for group comparison. Reliability was calculated for a mission of 100,000 cycles at 400 N load. Beta values were 0.83 for LU, 0.31 and 0.27 for LU repaired with Filtek and Ceramage, respectively. Weibull modulus for LU was 9.5 and η = 1047 N, m = 6.85, and η = 1002 N for LU repaired with Ceramage, and m = 4.65 and η = 766 N for LU repaired with Filtek (p < 0.10 between LU and LU repaired with Filtek). Reliability at 400 N was 100% for both LU and LU repaired with Ceramage which were significantly higher than LU Filtek repair (32%). LU restored crowns failed cohesively. Fractures were confined within the restored material, and detailed fractography is presented. The performance of resin nanoceramic material repaired with an indirect composite was maintained after accelerated‐life testing compared to unrepaired controls. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 1481–1489, 2017.
Control of agitation rate and aeration for enhanced polygalacturonase production in submerged fermentation by Aspergillus sojae using agro‐industrial wastes
Authors: Fratebianchi Dante , Crespo Juan Manuel , Tari Canan , Cavalitto Sebastian
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUND

The koji mold Aspergillus sojae, an industrially important microorganism, can produce high levels of pectinases utilizing agro‐industrial wastes. This study introduces apricot and peach pomace, two agro‐industrial wastes barely considered as raw material for the generation of value‐added products, and focuses on its utilization together with orange peel for polygalacturonase production in submerged cultures using A. sojae.

RESULTS

A Doehlert response surface methodology design conducted in shake flasks and applied individually with these three by‐products led to 60–80 U mL−1 polygalacturonase activity. In bioreactor studies performed with a mixture of apricot pomace and orange peel, by fixing stirrer speed to 600 rpm and cascading airflow to the dissolved oxygen tension up to 1.7 vvm, oxygen limitation problems were overcome and polygalacturonase activity values of 380 U mL−1 were achieved.

CONCLUSION

A simple and efficient strategy to minimize oxygen limitation with the lowest possible shear stress is provided for stirred‐tank bioreactors working with highly viscous broths, so as to ultimately enhance microbial enzyme production. The polygalacturonase activity yields obtained in our study are among the highest reported in the literature. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Feasibility and enhancement of copper and ammonia removal from wastewater using struvite formation: a comparative research
Authors: Peng Cong , Chai Li‐Yuan , Tang Chong‐Jian , Min Xiao‐Bo , Ali Mohammad , Song Yu‐Xia , Qi Wei‐Ming
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUND

Copper–ammonia‐containing wastewater is widely generated in various industrial sectors, such as semiconductor production, printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing, surface finishing, and electroplating processes. Three chemical precipitation methods, i.e. hydroxide precipitation, sulfide precipitation and struvite formation for treatment of chelated copper–ammonia wastewater have been comparatively evaluated.

RESULTS

The conventional hydroxide precipitation method possessed the highest copper and ammonia removal at 60.5% and 9.7%, respectively. Although sulfide precipitation decomposed the copper–ammonia complex with the high copper removal of 98.5%, the ammonia removal was just 14.0%. The struvite formation method was demonstrated to be effective for enhanced simultaneous copper and ammonia removal with efficiencies of 99.9% and 98.8%, respectively. UV–vis analysis indicated that the struvite formation method also decomposed the copper–ammonia complex ion. Using XPS and XRD spectra, struvite and cupric hydroxide were shown to be formed after the addition of magnesium and phosphate (with molar ratio n(Mg:P):n(NH3‐N) ranging from 1.0–1.2:1). The larger particle size of the precipitates in the struvite forming process and the enhanced settling property indicated the binding interaction between Cu(OH)2 and struvite which enhanced the sedimentation and finally contributed to the simultaneous and highly efficient removal of copper and ammonia from the recalcitrant chelated wastewater.

CONCLUSION

The struvite formation method performs far better than hydroxide precipitation and sulfide precipitation methods. Binding interaction between cupric hydroxide and struvite enhanced the performance. This study provides some guidance on application of the struvite formation method for the simultaneous removal of heavy metal and ammonia from polluted water. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Validation of Electrochemiluminiscence Immunoassay for Ovarian Steroid Determination in Rhinella arenarum
Authors: Arias Torres Ana Josefina , Páez José Bernardino , Zelarayán Liliana Isabel
Published: April 2016

In this work, we describe the validation of an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) that allowed us for the first time to determine the levels of progesterone (P4) and testosterone (T) secreted by Rhinella arenarum follicles during the preovulatory (POP) and reproductive (RP) periods. We also verified the relation between P4 and T levels and oocyte maturation.

Moreover, we demonstrated that the extraction protocol developed for the determinations of P4 and T by ECLIA proved to be efficient and reproducible since the efficacy of the extraction was above 95% in all assays conducted. The results indicate that in the validation process the variation coefficient (CV) between assays is compatible with the analytical procedures based on automated immunoassays (CV < 8%) and that the adaptation proposed for the samples allows the determination of T and P4 with the Cobas e‐411 analyzer.

Our results indicate that in basal conditions the levels of T released by R. arenarum follicles were higher than those of P4 during POP and RP. In these conditions, steroid secretion failed to induce germinal vesicle break down (GVBD) in the follicles. Under gonadotropin stimulation, steroidogenesis showed a remarkable increase in both periods, especially during POP. This increase was correlated with a high maturation percentage in the follicles incubated in vitro (GVBD = 72 ± 16%) during POP. During RP, human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) induced 81.75 ± 9.1% GVBD.

This study is the first report of the seasonal steroidogenic activity in the ovary of R. arenarum in situ using an ECLIA‐modified protocol developed in our laboratory.
Trabecular bone of precocials at birth; Are they prepared to run for the wolf(f)?
Authors: Gorissen Ben M.C. , Wolschrijn Claudia F. , van Vilsteren Anouk A.M. , van Rietbergen Bert , van Weeren P. René
Published: April 2016

Bone is a dynamic tissue adapting to loading according to “Wolff's law of bone adaptation.” During very early life, however, such a mechanism may not be adequate enough to adapt to the dramatic change in environmental challenges in precocial species. Their neonates are required to stand and walk within hours after birth, in contrast to altricial animals that have much more time to adapt from the intrauterine environment to the outside world. In this study, trabecular bone parameters of the talus and sagittal ridge of the tibia from stillborn but full‐term precocials (calves and foals) were analyzed by micro‐CT imaging in order to identify possible anticipatory mechanisms to loading. Calculated average bone volume fraction in the Shetland pony (49–74%) was significantly higher compared to Warmblood foals (28–51%). Bovine trabecular bone was characterized by a low average bone volume fraction (22–28%), however, more directional anisotropy was found. It is concluded that anticipatory strategies in skeletal development exist in precocial species, which differ per species and are most likely related to anatomical differences in joint geometry and related loading patterns. The underlying regulatory mechanisms are still unknown, but they may be based on a genetic blueprint for the development of bone. More knowledge, both about a possible blueprint and its regulation, will be helpful in understanding developmental bone and joint diseases. J. Morphol. 277:948–956, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of global climate models for downscaling applications centred over the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Xu Jianwei , Gao Yanhong , Chen Deliang , Xiao Linhong , Ou Tinghai
Published: April 2016

Quality of a downscaling depends primarily on the quality of the driving global climate model (GCM). In this study, historical atmospheric conditions simulated by 14 GCMs in CMIP5 are evaluated for downscaling applications centred over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) with ERA‐Interim reanalysis as reference. Another reanalysis NCEP‐DOE is also used to estimate the uncertainty associated with the reanalyses. Performances of six frequently used GCM variables, involving atmospheric circulation, air temperature and humidity, are evaluated in terms of biases, spatial correlation coefficient, mean absolute error as well as distinct seasonal features. To detect distributional biases, the two‐sample Kolmogorov–Smirnov test (KS test) is applied to both the original time series and their anomalies on the monthly scale. A spatial ranking scheme is finally applied to objectively quantify overall relative merits of the GCMs over this region. We found that differences between two reanalysis datasets are negligible over this region. Regarding the GCMs' performances, the biases of the simulated variables show remarkable differences among models. Sea level pressure and 500 hPa geopotential height are well simulated by all the GCMs, whereas specific humidity at 600 hPa has a significant dry bias and temperature at 500 hPa has a sizable cold bias. The spatial pattern of the upper‐tropospheric circulation is relatively poorly simulated. The KS test suggests that the climatic mean and higher order moments play about an equal role in causing the errors. According to the ranking scores, CCSM4, CNRM‐CM5, MPI‐ESM‐LR, NorESM1‐M, MIROC4h, MPI_ESM_MR and CSIRO‐MK are relatively superior to other GCMs for this region.
Micro‐Raman spectroscopy investigation of the carbonation reaction in a lime paste produced with a traditional technology
Authors: Ševčík Radek , Mácová Petra , Sotiriadis Konstantinos , Pérez‐Estébanez Marta , Viani Alberto , Šašek Petr
Published: April 2016

Micro‐Raman spectroscopy has been used to follow the carbonation reaction up to 16 weeks in lime paste produced with a traditional technology and cured under controlled conditions. The transformation of calcium hydroxide into calcium carbonate was visualised using Raman Imaging. Calcite was the only crystalline CaCO3 polymorph detected under the conditions of the experiment. Three sharp zones of pure portlandite (Ca(OH)2), partially carbonated portlandite and calcite (CaCO3), could be distinguished. Amorphous calcium carbonate was determined within the carbonation front. The carbonation rate was found to be higher between first and second week of ageing. After this time, the rate was continuously decreasing until full carbonation was achieved. Results have been compared with those obtained from quantitative phase analysis with X‐rays powder diffraction. The proposed approach allows for a highly accurate description of the carbonation process in traditional lime‐based systems. In general, it can be applied to assess the effectiveness of treatments with inorganic agents promoting carbonation, and aimed at the conservation of cultural heritage objects. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Composition and spectroscopic properties of historic Cr logwood inks
Authors: Centeno Silvia A. , Bronzato Maddalena , Ropret Polonca , Zoleo Alfonso , Venzo Alfonso , Bogialli Sara , Badocco Denis
Published: April 2016

A basic recipe for making a Cr logwood ink dating to 1847 was adapted in order to obtain hues varying from orange to dark brown. The inks synthesized were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, liquid chromatography–diode array detection–quadrupole time‐of‐flight–mass spectrometry, and liquid chromatography–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry to gain insight into the spectroscopic properties of the compounds responsible for the inks colors and to obtain Raman spectra that can be used for their non‐invasive identification in works of art and in historic documents. It was observed that hematein and logwood oxidation products are present in the inks and that their relative proportions determine the inks hues. It was also found that relatively small variations in the basic recipe, such as in the temperature that the logwood and K2CrO4 mixture were heated at, gave inks with different hues. The Raman spectra acquired in the laboratory samples were used to characterize the ink used by Vincent van Gogh in Street in Saintes‐Maries‐de‐la‐Mer. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changes in volatile composition and sensory attributes of wines during alcohol content reduction
Authors: Longo Rocco , Blackman John W , Torley Peter J , Rogiers Suzy Y , Schmidtke Leigh M
Published: April 2016

A desirable sensory profile is a major consumer driver for wine acceptability and should be considered during the production of reduced‐alcohol wines. Although various viticultural practices and microbiological approaches show promising results, separation technologies such as membrane filtration, in particular reverse osmosis and evaporative perstraction, in addition to vacuum distillation, represent the most common commercial methods used to produce reduced‐alcohol wine. However, ethanol removal from wine can result in a significant loss of volatile compounds such as esters (ethyl octanoate, ethyl acetate, isoamyl acetate) that contribute positively to the overall perceived aroma. These losses can potentially reduce the acceptability of the wine to consumers and decrease their willingness to purchase wines that have had their alcohol level reduced. The change in aroma as a result of the ethanol removal processes is influenced by a number of factors: the type of alcohol reduction process; the chemical‐physical properties (volatility, hydrophobicity, steric hindrance) of the aroma compounds; the retention properties of the wine non‐volatile matrix; and the ethanol level. This review identifies and summarises possible deleterious influences of the dealcoholisation process and describes best practice strategies to maintain the original wine composition. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Intention‐to‐treat analysis of percutaneous endovascular treatment of hepatic artery stenosis after orthotopic liver transplantation
Authors: Rajakannu Muthukumarassamy , Awad Sameh , Ciacio Oriana , Pittau Gabriella , Adam René , Cunha Antonio Sa , Castaing Denis , Samuel Didier , Lewin Maïté , Cherqui Daniel , Vibert Eric
Published: April 2016

Hepatic artery stenosis (HAS) is a rare complication of orthotopic liver transplantation (LT). HAS could evolve into complete thrombosis and lead to graft loss, incurring significant morbidity and mortality. Even though endovascular management by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty ± stenting (PTA) is the primary treatment of HAS, its longterm impact on hepatic artery (HA) patency and graft survival remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate longterm outcomes of PTA and to define the risk factors of treatment failure. From 2006 to 2012, 30 patients with critical HAS (>50% stenosis of HA) and treated by PTA were identified from 870 adult patients undergoing LT. Seventeen patients were diagnosed by post‐LT screening, and 13 patients were symptomatic due to HAS. PTA was completed successfully in 27 (90%) patients with angioplasty plus stenting in 23 and angioplasty alone in 4. The immediate technical success rate was 90%. A major complication that was observed was arterial dissection (1 patient) which eventually necessitated retransplantation. Restenosis was observed in 10 (33%) patients. One‐year, 3‐year, and 5‐year HA patency rates were 68%, 62.8%, and 62.8%, respectively. Overall patient survival was 93.3% at 3 years and 85.3% at 5 years. The 3‐year and 5‐year liver graft survival rates were 84.7% and 64.5%, respectively. No significant difference was observed in patient and graft survivals between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients after PTA. Similarly, no difference was observed between angioplasty alone and angioplasty plus stenting. In conclusion, endovascular therapy ensures a good 5‐year graft survival (64.5%) and patient survival (85.3%) in patients with critical HAS by maintaining HA patency with a low risk of serious morbidity (3.3%). Liver Transplantation 22 923–933 2016 AASLD
Improved sensory recovery with a novel dual neurorrhaphy technique for breast reconstruction with free muscle sparing TRAM flap technique
Authors: Puonti Helena K. , Jääskeläinen Satu K. , Hallikainen Helena K. , Partanen Taina A.
Published: April 2016

Background

We describe a new dual neurorrhaphy method for a free abdominal‐based flap and compare sensory recovery with this novel technique to that with conventional neurorrhaphy technique for breast reconstruction.

Methods

70 breast cancer patients underwent muscle sparing innervated transversal rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (neuro ms‐TRAM) breast reconstruction with either a novel dual neurorrhaphy technique (N = 41) or single (N = 29) neurorrhaphy only. Dual neurorrhaphy was performed on both sides and single neurorrhaphy on one side of the flap, using the end‐to‐end or end‐to‐side technique. Two years postoperatively, quantitative sensory testing (QST) was performed for tactile, and thermal sensory modalities, and other tests included sharp‐blunt, vibration, and two‐point discrimination. Sensory modalities were scored either zero (abnormal) or one point (normal) at each test site against normal reference values (five sites for most tests). The total sensory scores (TSC) were calculated on the basis of the sums of the individual test scores, and all data are presented as the median (interquartile range, IQR).

Results

The median of TSC in the breast reconstruction with the dual neurorrhaphy was higher (15.3, IQR 11.8–19.4), than that with the single neurorrhaphy (11.5, IQR 9.1–17.4) (P = 0.037). Regarding the different sensory modalities, the dual technique especially enhanced the tactile (P = 0.005) and cool detection (P = 0.021) recovery compared to the single neurorrhaphy.

Conclusions

Dual neurorrhaphy improved the sensory recovery of the reconstructed breast, and may therefore be recommended for clinical practice. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:21–28, 2017.
How to measure absolute P3HT crystallinity via 13C CPMAS NMR
Authors: Nieuwendaal Ryan C.
Published: April 2016

We outline the details of acquiring quantitative 13C cross‐polarization magic angle spinning (CPMAS) nuclear magnetic resonance on the most ubiquitous polymer for organic electronic applications, poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT), despite other groups' claims that CPMAS of P3HT is strictly nonquantitative. We lay out the optimal experimental conditions for measuring crystallinity in P3HT, which is a parameter that has proven to be critical in the electrical performance of P3HT‐containing organic photovoltaics but remains difficult to measure by scattering/diffraction and optical methods despite considerable efforts. Herein, we overview the spectral acquisition conditions of the two P3HT films with different crystallinities (0.47 and 0.55) and point out that because of the chemical similarity of P3HT to other alkyl side chain, highly conjugated main chain polymers, our protocol could straightforwardly be extended to other organic electronic materials. Variable temperature 1H NMR results are shown as well, which (i) yield insight into the molecular dynamics of P3HT, (ii) add context for spectral editing techniques as applied to quantifying crystallinity, and (iii) show why T1ρH, the 1H spin–lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame, is a more optimal relaxation filter for distinguishing between crystalline and noncrystalline phases of highly conjugated alkyl side‐chain polymers than other relaxation times such as the 1H spin–spin relaxation time, T2H, and the spin–lattice relaxation time in the toggling frame, T1xzH. A 7 ms T1ρH spin lock filter, prior to CPMAS, allows for spectroscopic separation of crystalline and noncrystalline 13C nuclear magnetic resonance signals. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
3D Cartesian MRI with compressed sensing and variable view sharing using complementary poisson‐disc sampling
Authors: Levine Evan , Daniel Bruce , Vasanawala Shreyas , Hargreaves Brian , Saranathan Manojkumar
Published: April 2016

Purpose

To enable robust, high spatio‐temporal‐resolution three‐dimensional Cartesian MRI using a scheme incorporating a novel variable density random k‐space sampling trajectory allowing flexible and retrospective selection of the temporal footprint with compressed sensing (CS).

Methods

A complementary Poisson‐disc k‐space sampling trajectory was designed to allow view sharing and varying combinations of reduced view sharing with CS from the same prospective acquisition. These schemes were used for two‐point Dixon‐based dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI (DCE‐MRI) of the breast and abdomen. Results were validated in vivo with a novel approach using variable‐flip‐angle data, which was retrospectively accelerated using the same methods but offered a ground truth.

Results

In breast DCE‐MRI, the temporal footprint could be reduced 2.3‐fold retrospectively without introducing noticeable artifacts, improving depiction of rapidly enhancing lesions. Further, experiments with variable‐flip‐angle data showed that reducing view sharing improved accuracy in reconstruction and T1 mapping. In abdominal MRI, 2.3‐fold and 3.6‐fold reductions in temporal footprint allowed reduced motion artifacts.

Conclusion

The complementary‐Poisson‐disc k‐space sampling trajectory allowed a retrospective spatiotemporal resolution tradeoff using CS and view sharing, imparting robustness to motion and contrast enhancement. The technique was also validated using a novel approach of fully acquired variable‐flip‐angle acquisition. Magn Reson Med 77:1774–1785, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Microstructure and mechanical properties of thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposites based on PA6/NBR/HNT
Authors: Paran S.M.R. , Naderi G. , Ghoreishy M.H.R.
Published: April 2016

Microstructure and mechanical properties of nanocomposites were studied for polyamide‐6 (PA6)/nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) reinforced with pristine and organosilane modified halloysite nanotubes (HNT). Organosilane modification of the nanotubes was done to enhance the interfacial interactions and therefore to achieve TPE nanocomposites with more fine morphology of the NBR phase and better controlled mechanical properties. The effects of rubber content, HNT loading and modification of HNT on the morphology and mechanical properties were investigated. The nanocomposites and HNTs modified with [3‐(2,3‐Epoxypropoxy)‐propyl]‐trimethoxysilane were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nitrogen adsorption (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and differential scanning colorimeter (DSC). The morphology study of prepared nanocomposites show that the size of NBR droplets in TPE nanocomposites reduces by introducing of pristine and organosilane modified halloysite nanotubes into the PA6 phase. The mechanical properties investigations revealed that the Young's modulus increases up to 45% and 75% by introducing of pristine and modified HNTs into the PA6 phase respectively. The results show that significant improvement was achieved in the physical and mechanical properties of PA6/NBR thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposites containing of silane modified HNTs. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:E451–E461, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Scale up the collection area of luminescent solar concentrators towards metre‐length flexible waveguiding photovoltaics
Authors: Correia Sandra F. H. , Lima Patrícia P. , Pecoraro Edison , Ribeiro Sidney J. L. , André Paulo S. , Ferreira Rute A. S. , Carlos Luís D.
Published: April 2016

Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) are cost‐effective components easily integrated in photovoltaics (PV) that can enhance solar cells' performance and promote the integration of PV architectural elements into buildings, with unprecedented possibilities for energy harvesting in façade design, urban furnishings and wearable fabrics. The devices' performance is dominated by the concentration factor (F), which is higher in cylindrical LSCs compared with planar ones (with equivalent collection area and volume). The feasibility of fabricating long‐length LSCs has been essentially limited up to ten of centimetres with F < 1. We use a drawing optical fibre facility to easily scale up large‐area LSCs (length up to 2.5 m) based on bulk and hollow‐core plastic optical fibres (POFs). The active layers used to coat the bulk fibres or fill the hollow‐core ones are Rhodamine 6G‐ or Eu3+‐doped organic–inorganic hybrids. For bulk‐coated LSCs, light propagation occurs essentially at the POFs, whereas for hollow‐core device light is also guided within the hybrid. The lower POFs' attenuation (~0.1 m−1) enables light propagation in the total fibre length (2.5 m) for bulk‐coated LSCs with maximum optical conversion efficiency (ηopt) and F of 0.6% and 6.5, respectively. For hollow‐core LSCs, light propagation is confined to shorter distances (6–9 × 10−2 m) because of the hybrids' attenuation (1–15 m−1). The hollow‐core optimised device displays ηopt = 72.4% and F = 12.3. The F values are larger than the best ones reported in the literature for large‐area LSCs (F = 4.4), illustrating the potential of this approach for the development of lightweight flexible high‐performance waveguiding PV. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of one‐parameter and linearly scaled one‐parameter double‐hybrid density functionals for noncovalent interactions
Authors: Yu Feng , Fu Ling‐Xiao
Published: April 2016

We have compared the performances of the one‐parameter and linearly scaled one‐parameter double‐hybrid density functionals (1DH‐DFs and LS1DH‐DFs) for noncovalent interactions. The only one parameter related to the Hartree–Fock (HF) exchange for each of the tested 1DH‐DFs and LS1DH‐DFs has been fitted with the well‐designed S66 database. The obtained DHDFs are dubbed as 1DH‐PBE‐NC, LS1DH‐PBE‐NC, 1DH‐TPSS‐NC, LS1DH‐TPSS‐NC, 1DH‐PWB95‐NC, and LS1DH‐PWB95‐NC, where “NC” denotes noncovalent interactions. With a specific combination of exchange and correlation functionals, the dependent parameters related to the nonlocal second‐order perturbative energies are nearly identical for the 1DH and LS1DH models. According to our benchmark computations against the S66, S22B, NCCE31, ADIM6, and L7 databases, we suggest that the 1DH‐PWB95‐NC and LS1DH‐PWB95‐NC functionals are much more suitable for evaluating noncovalent interaction energies. Unlike the versatile DHDFs with dispersion corrections for general purpose, our optimized 1DH‐DFs and LS1DH‐DFs only aim at noncovalent interactions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Detecting ramp events in wind energy generation using affinity evaluation on weather data
Authors: Fan Ya Ju , Kamath Chandrika
Published: April 2016

Ramp events, which are significant changes in wind generation over a short interval, make it difficult to schedule wind energy on the power grid. Predicting the occurrences of these events can help control room operators ensure that the load and generation on the power grid are in balance at all times. In this paper, we focus on predicting up‐ramp events, which are large increases in generation in a short time interval. We propose a novel detection algorithm that uses historical data to detect incoming pre‐ramp events, which are defined as the part of the time series that occurs before ramp events. Using wind energy generation data from Bonneville Power Administration in the mid‐Columbia Basin region, and weather data from the nearby meteorological towers, we define the concept of affinity of weather data to the preramp events. This is used to identify important weather variables and predict the pre‐ramp events. A comparison of our approach with traditional feature selection and classification methods indicates that our method identifies a similar set of features as important and gives better detection accuracy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining: The ASA Data Science Journal, 2016