bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paving the Way to Novel Phosphorus‐Based Architectures: A Noncatalyzed Protocol to Access Six‐Membered Heterocycles
Authors: Romero‐Nieto Carlos , López‐Andarias Alicia , Egler‐Lucas Carolina , Gebert Florian , Neus Jens‐Peter , Pilgram Oliver
Published: November 2015

Phosphorus‐based heterocycles provide access to materials with properties that are inaccessible from all‐carbon architectures. The unique hybridization of phosphorus gives rise to electron‐accepting capacities, a large variety of coordination reactions, and the possibility of controlling the electronic properties through phosphorus postfunctionalization. Herein, we describe a new noncatalyzed synthetic protocol to prepare fused six‐membered phosphorus heterocycles. In particular, we report the synthesis of novel phosphaphenalenes. These fused systems exhibit the benefits of both five‐ and six‐membered phosphorus heterocycles and enable a series of versatile postfunctionalization reactions. This work thus opens up new horizons in the field of conjugated materials.
First Occurrence of a Furano‐glycyrrhetinoate and Its Cytotoxicity
Authors: Heller Lucie , Sommerwerk Sven , Tzschöckell Felix , Wiemann Jana , Schwarz Stefan , Siewert Bianka , Al‐Harrasi Ahmed , Csuk René
Published: November 2015

(18α)‐Glycyrrhetinic acid (4) was prepared from (18β)‐glycyrrhetinic acid (1), and the cytotoxicity of some derivatives was investigated by photometric SRB assays employing several human tumor cell lines. In summary, (18β)‐1 is slightly more cytotoxic than its (18α) epimer 4, but its cytotoxicity is negligible. Higher cytotoxicity was observed for the esters 2 and 5 and for the 3‐O‐acetylated esters 3 and 6. Cytotoxicity was improved dramatically when the hydroxyl group at position C‐3 was replaced by an amino moiety. SeO2 oxidations gave access to a novel furano‐glycyrrhetinoate 15. Interestingly, its seleno analog 16 is approximately five to six times less cytotoxic for the tumor cell lines tested, and tumor/non‐tumor selectivity is lost upon replacement of the oxygen by a selenium substituent.
From finance to ITS: traffic data fusion based on Markowitz' portfolio theory
Authors: Neumann Thorsten , Ebendt Rüdiger , Kuhns Günter
Published: November 2015

Traffic data fusion has much to do with combining available or considered data sources in the best possible way. In this, it is very similar to optimizing a portfolio of financial assets in regard of return and risk. This article draws the analogy between these two mostly different scientific worlds, i.e. finance and engineering. Similarities and differences in context of weighted‐mean data fusion based on numerical traffic flow measurements such as travel times or speeds are discussed. This, in particular, includes guessing the potential benefit of negative weights. Optimal weights are derived following a strict mathematical theory based on assumptions (parameters) about systematic bias and correlations of the considered data sources. Moreover, a specific way of reducing the systematic bias of the fusion results is proposed and compared to common methods. The whole approach is demonstrated based on position data from two independent vehicle fleets in Athens, Greece. In this context, the problem of parameter calibration is solved by applying an advanced tool for such floating car data systems, called “self‐evaluation”. The experiments show that the proposed methods reliably reduce the systematic bias and variance of the fusion results with regard to the original data as well as in comparison to the naïve fusion approach that uses equal weights for all data sources. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure prediction, expression, and antigenicity of c‐terminal of GRP78
Authors: Aghamollaei Hossein , Mousavi Gargari Seyed Latif , Ghanei Mostafa , Rasaee Mohamad Javad , Amani Jafar , Bakherad Hamid , Farnoosh Gholamreza
Published: November 2015

Glucose‐regulated protein 78 (GRP78) is a typical endoplasmic reticulum luminal chaperone having a main role in the activation of the unfolded protein response. Because of hypoxia and nutrient deprivation in the tumor microenvironment, expression of GRP78 in these cells becomes higher than the native cells, which makes it a suitable candidate for cancer targeting. Suppression of survival signals by antibody production against C‐terminal domain of GR78 (CGRP) can induce apoptosis of cancer cells. The aim of this study was in silico analysis, recombinant production, and characterization of CGRP in Escherichia coli. Structural prediction of CGRP by bioinformatics tools was done and the construct containing optimized sequence was transferred to E. coli T7 shuffle. Expression was induced by isopropyl‐β‐d‐thiogalactoside, and recombinant protein was purified by Ni‐NTA agarose resin. The content of secondary structures was obtained by circular dichroism (CD) spectrum. CGRP immunogenicity was evaluated from the immunized mouse sera. SDS‐PAGE analysis showed CGRP expression in E. coli. CD spectrum also confirmed prediction of structures by bioinformatics tools. The enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay using sera from immunized mice revealed CGRP as a good immunogen. The results obtained in this study showed that the structure of truncated CGRP is very similar to its structure in the whole protein context. This protein can be used in cancer researches.
Assessment of nitric oxide (NO) redox reactions contribution to nitrous oxide (N2O) formation during nitrification using a multispecies metabolic network model
Authors: Perez‐Garcia Octavio , Chandran Kartik , Villas‐Boas Silas G. , Singhal Naresh
Published: November 2015

Over the coming decades nitrous oxide (N2O) is expected to become a dominant greenhouse gas and atmospheric ozone depleting substance. In wastewater treatment systems, N2O is majorly produced by nitrifying microbes through biochemical reduction of nitrite (NO2−) and nitric oxide (NO). However it is unknown if the amount of N2O formed is affected by alternative NO redox reactions catalyzed by oxidative nitrite oxidoreductase (NirK), cytochromes (i.e., P460 [CytP460] and 554 [Cyt554]) and flavohemoglobins (Hmp) in ammonia‐ and nitrite‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB and NOB, respectively). In this study, a mathematical model is developed to assess how N2O formation is affected by such alternative nitrogen redox transformations. The developed multispecies metabolic network model captures the nitrogen respiratory pathways inferred from genomes of eight AOB and NOB species. The performance of model variants, obtained as different combinations of active NO redox reactions, was assessed against nine experimental datasets for nitrifying cultures producing N2O at different concentration of electron donor and acceptor. Model predicted metabolic fluxes show that only variants that included NO oxidation to NO2− by CytP460 and Hmp in AOB gave statistically similar estimates to observed production rates of N2O, NO, NO2− and nitrate (NO3−), together with fractions of AOB and NOB species in biomass. Simulations showed that NO oxidation to NO2− decreased N2O formation by 60% without changing culture's NO2− production rate. Model variants including NO reduction to N2O by Cyt554 and cNor in NOB did not improve the accuracy of experimental datasets estimates, suggesting null N2O production by NOB during nitrification. Finally, the analysis shows that in nitrifying cultures transitioning from dissolved oxygen levels above 3.8 ± 0.38 to <1.5 ± 0.8 mg/L, NOB cells can oxidize the NO produced by AOB through reactions catalyzed by oxidative NirK. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 1124–1136. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Phenethyl isothiocyanate potentiates anti‐tumour effect of doxorubicin through Akt‐dependent pathway
Authors: Eisa Nada H. , ElSherbiny Nehal M. , Shebl Abdelhadi M. , Eissa Laila A. , El‐Shishtawy Mamdouh M.
Published: November 2015

The present study aims to investigate the in vivo and in vitro anti‐tumour properties of phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) alone and in combination with doxorubicin (Dox). The anti‐tumour activity was evaluated in vitro by MTT assay using cultured human breast cancer cell line (MCF‐7) and human hepatoma cell line (HepG‐2) cell lines. In vivo, Ehrlich solid tumour model was used. Tumour volume, weight and antioxidant parameters were determined. Immunohistochemistry analysis for active (cleaved) caspase‐3 was also performed. We tested the effect of PEITC treatment on pAkt/Akt ratio, NF‐κB p65 DNA binding activity and caspase‐9 enzyme activity in both MCF‐7 and HepG‐2 cell lines. Effect of PEITC treatment on cell migration was assessed by wound healing assay. PEITC and/or Dox treatment significantly inhibited solid tumour volume and tumour weight when compared with control mice. PEITC treatment significantly reduced oxidative stress caused by Dox treatment as indicated by significant increase in total antioxidant capacity and decrease in malondialdehyde level. Microscopic examination of tumour tissues showed a significant increase in active (cleaved) caspase‐3 expression in PEITC and/or Dox treated groups. PEITC showed a dose‐dependent inhibition of MCF‐7 and HepG‐2 cellular viability. PEITC inhibited Akt and NF‐κB activation and increased caspase‐9 activity in a dose‐dependent manner. PEITC treatment effectively inhibited both MCF‐7 and HepG‐2 cell migration. We can conclude that PEITC acts via multiple molecular targets to elicit anti‐carcinogenic activity. PEITC/Dox combination therapy might be a potential novel strategy, which may benefit patients with breast and liver cancers. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recurrent spinal metastasis of a sporadic medullary carcinoma of the thyroid after radiation therapy: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Munoz‐Bendix Christopher , Santacroce Antonio , Gierga Kristin , Floeth Frank W , Steiger Hans‐Jakob , Penalonzo Marco Antonio , Eicker Sven Oliver
Published: November 2015

Key Clinical Message

Sporadic Medullary Carcinoma of the Thyroid is a relatively uncommon entity and at the time of diagnosis, most already present loco‐regional metastasis. Therapy should be aggressive to reduce recurrence and mortality. Follow‐up period should continue lifelong and should also include calcium/pentagastrin infusion test, as well as 6‐month interval diagnostic imaging.
Supramolecular Assembly of Poly(propyleneimine) Dendrimers Driven By Simple Monovalent Counterions
Authors: Eghtesadi Seyed Ali , Haso Fadi , Kashfipour Marjan Alsadat , Lillard Robert Scott , Liu Tianbo
Published: November 2015

The self‐assembly of semiglobular, positively charged poly(propyleneimine) (PPI) dendrimers with small monovalent counterions (e.g., Cl−) in water/acetone mixtures was investigated. We showed that PPI dendrimers can assemble into hollow, spherical, single‐layered blackberry‐type structures mediated by the presence of monovalent counterions. The effects on the assembly of changing the solvent polarity and adjusting the pH were further investigated to confirm the presence of electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding as the driving forces. Results showed that PPI dendrimers form stable, hollow spheres in 5–20 % v/v acetone/water and that the size of the spheres decreases monotonically as the solvent polarity and/or the charge on the dendrimers (i.e., lower solution pH) increases. This is the first example to show that small monovalent counterions can trigger attraction among PPI dendrimers (or broadly defined polyelectrolytes) that is strong enough to bring them together to form large, stable supramolecular assemblies, which indicates that these organic macroions have similar solution behavior to more‐well‐defined inorganic molecular macroions.
A Novel Pd‐Catalysed Annulation Reaction for the Syntheses of Pyrroloindoles and Pyrroloquinolines
Authors: Dethe Dattatraya H. , Boda Raghavender
Published: November 2015

Pd‐catalysed annulation reactions between indole derivatives and internal alkyne esters leading to various pyrrolo[1,2‐a]indoles and pyrroloquinolines have been developed. The strategy involves an intermolecular addition of the indole nitrogen on to the internal alkyne ester followed by an intramolecular insertion of a vinyl–palladium complex into the carbonyl group. This method offers a facile and practical approach to pyrrolo[1,2‐a]indoles and pyrroloquinolines.
Single‐Electron Transmetalation: Synthesis of 1,1‐Diaryl‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethanes by Photoredox/Nickel Dual Catalytic Cross‐Coupling
Authors: Ryu DaWeon , Primer David N. , Tellis John C. , Molander Gary A.
Published: November 2015

Novel methods for the incorporation of fluorinated subunits into organic frameworks are important in pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and materials science applications. Herein, the first method for the cross‐coupling of benzylic α‐trifluoromethylated alkylboron reagents with (hetero)aryl bromides is achieved through application of a photoredox/nickel dual catalytic system. The harsh conditions and high temperatures required by conventional Suzuki‐coupling protocols are avoided by exploitation of an odd‐electron pathway that permits room temperature transmetalation of these recalcitrant reagents. This method represents the first direct and general route for the synthesis of unsymmetrical 1,1‐diaryl‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethanes, thereby providing efficient access to a previously unexplored chemical space.
Investigation of an integrated approach for bio‐crude recovery and enzymatic hydrolysis of microalgae cellulose for glucose production
Authors: Aguirre Ana‐Maria , Bassi Amarjeet
Published: November 2015

Cellulose from microalgae offers potential value as a source of fermentable sugars. This cellulose can be used after the extraction of other valued products in the biomass such as bio‐crude. In this paper, an integrated approach to bio‐crude and glucose recovery from microalgae was studied. First the bio‐crude recovery efficiency using high‐pressure steaming was calculated for microalgae cultures with different lipid and cellulose contents. Next, enzymatic hydrolysis was applied to obtain fermentable sugars. The best extraction efficiency with high‐pressure steaming was 97.9 ± 8.3 % for the algae containing the lowest cellulose content. The algae treatment with high‐pressure steaming at 210 °C followed by hydrolysis with cellulase led to glucose yields of 0.28 g/gbiomass, indicating that high‐pressure steaming is a suitable method for the production of two sources of bio‐fuels (bio‐crude and glucose) from microalgae.
Gene‐environment interaction of genome‐wide association study‐identified susceptibility loci and meat‐cooking mutagens in the etiology of renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Melkonian Stephanie C. , Daniel Carrie R. , Ye Yuanqing , Tannir Nizar M. , Karam Jose A. , Matin Surena F. , Wood Christopher G. , Wu Xifeng
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND

Meat‐cooking mutagens may be associated with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) risk. In the current study, the authors examined associations between meat‐cooking mutagens, genetic susceptibility variants, and risk of RCC.

METHODS

The authors used 659 newly diagnosed RCC cases and 699 healthy controls to investigate the association between dietary intake of meat‐cooking mutagens and RCC. They examined whether associations varied by risk factors for RCC and genetic susceptibility variants previously identified from genome‐wide association studies. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using tertiles of intake of dietary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons/heterocyclic amines.

RESULTS

Dietary intake of the mutagenic compounds 2‐amino‐3,8‐dimethylimidazo‐(4,5‐f) quinoxaline (MeIQx) and 2‐amino‐1 methyl‐6‐phenylimidazo(4,5‐b)pyridine (PhIP) were found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of RCC (odds ratios across tertiles: 1.00 [referent], 1.28 [95% confidence interval, 0.94‐1.74], and 1.95 [95% confidence interval, 1.43‐2.66] [P for trend <.001], respectively; and 1.00 [referent], 1.41 [95% confidence interval, 1.04‐1.90], and 1.54 [95% confidence interval, 1.14‐2.07] [P for trend =.02], respectively). The authors observed evidence of interactions between PhIP and RCC susceptibility variants in 2 genes: inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor, type 2 (ITPR2) (rs718314; multiplicative P for interaction = .03 and additive P for interaction =.002) and endothelial PAS domain‐containing protein 1 (EPAS1) (rs7579899; additive P for interaction =.06).

CONCLUSIONS

The intake of meat may increase the risk of RCC through mechanisms related to the cooking compounds MeIQx and PhIP. These associations may be modified by genetic susceptibility to RCC. Further research is necessary to understand the biological mechanisms underlying these interactions. Cancer 2016;122:108–115. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
The clinical significance of plasma neopterin in heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: Yamamoto Eiichiro , Hirata Yoshihiro , Tokitsu Takanori , Kusaka Hiroaki , Tabata Noriaki , Tsujita Kenichi , Yamamuro Megumi , Kaikita Koichi , Watanabe Hiroshi , Hokimoto Seiji , Maruyama Toru , Ogawa Hisao
Published: November 2015

Aims

Although inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF), the precise pathophysiological role of inflammation in HF with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFpEF) still remains unclear. Hence, we examined the clinical significance of plasma neopterin, an inflammatory biomarker, in HFpEF patients.

Methods and results

In the present study, we recruited consecutive HFpEF patients hospitalized in Kumamoto University Hospital, and further measured plasma neopterin by high‐performance liquid chromatography and serum derivatives of reactive oxidative metabolites (DROM), a new biomarker of reactive oxygen species. Compared with risk factors (number of patients, age, sex, and equal incidence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia) ‐matched non‐HF patients (n = 68), plasma neopterin levels, but not serum high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein levels, were significantly increased in patients with HFpEF (n = 68) (P < 0.001 and P = 0.15, respectively), accompanied by an elevation in serum DROM levels (P < 0.001). Plasma neopterin levels in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III/IV HFpEF patients were significantly higher than in NYHA class II patients (P < 0.004). Furthermore, plasma ln‐neopterin levels had significant and positive correlation with ln‐DROM values (r = 0.57) and parameters of cardiac diastolic dysfunction [the ratio of early transmitral flow velocity to tissue Doppler early diastolic mitral annular velocity (r = 0.34), left atrial volume index (r = 0.17), and B‐type natriuretic peptide (r = 0.38)]. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that the high‐neopterin group (>51.5 nM: median value of neopterin in HFpEF patients) had a higher probability of cardiovascular events than the low‐neopterin group (log‐rank test, P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Plasma neopterin levels significantly increased in HFpEF and correlated with the severity of HF. Furthermore, high neopterin were significantly correlated with future cardiovascular events, indicating that measurement of plasma neopterin might provide clinical benefits for risk stratification of HFpEF patients. © 2015 The Authors. ESC Heart Failure published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.
Macrophage accumulation in gut mucosa differentiates AIDS from chronic SIV infection in rhesus macaques
Authors: Swan Zachary D. , Wonderlich Elizabeth R. , Barratt‐Boyes Simon M.
Published: November 2015

The relationship between recruitment of mononuclear phagocytes to lymphoid and gut tissues and disease in HIV and SIV infection remains unclear. To address this question, we conducted cross‐sectional analyses of dendritic cell (DC) subsets and CD163+ macrophages in lymph nodes (LNs) and ileum of rhesus macaques with acute and chronic SIV infection and AIDS. In LNs significant differences were only evident when comparing uninfected and AIDS groups, with loss of myeloid DCs and CD103+ DCs from peripheral and mesenteric LNs, respectively, and accumulation of plasmacytoid DCs and macrophages in mesenteric LNs. In contrast, there were fourfold more macrophages in ileum lamina propria in macaques with AIDS compared with chronic infection, and this increased to 40‐fold in Peyer's patches. Gut macrophages exceeded plasmacytoid DCs and CD103+ DCs by ten‐ to 17‐fold in monkeys with AIDS but were at similar low frequencies as DCs in chronic infection. Gut macrophages in macaques with AIDS expressed IFN‐α and TNF‐α consistent with cell activation. CD163+ macrophages also accumulated in gut mucosa in acute infection but lacked expression of IFN‐α and TNF‐α. These data reveal a relationship between inflammatory macrophage accumulation in gut mucosa and disease and suggest a role for macrophages in AIDS pathogenesis.
Synthesis and Structures of Ti‐Pd Hetero­bimetallic Complexes
Authors: Suzuki Noriyuki , Haraga Kenji , Shimamura Tatsuki , Masuyama Yoshiro
Published: November 2015

Heterobimetallic complexes containing titanium and palladium were prepared from O,N,O–N,N multidentate ligands. The ligands each contained an O,N,O‐tridentate part based on a 2,6‐lutidine scaffold and an N,N‐bidentate di(pyridin‐2‐yl) part. The O,N,O‐moiety selectively coordinated to a titanium atom on treatment with titanium(tetraisopropoxide), although one of the di(pyridin‐2‐yl) groups in the N,N‐moiety coordinated to the titanium atom. The N,N‐bidentate di(pyridin‐2‐yl) moiety coordinated to the palladium atom on treatment with bis(benzonitrile)palladium(II) chloride to afford a heterobimetallic complex. The dynamic behavior of the complexes in solution was studied by NMR spectroscopy.
Synthesis and Structure of N‐Hetero‐ortho‐phenylene Hexamers Containing 2,3‐Substituted Pyridine Moieties
Authors: Tokoro Yuichiro , Ohtsuka Nobuhiko , Toh Ayumi , Fukuzawa Shin‐ichi
Published: November 2015

N‐Hetero‐ortho‐phenylene hexamers with two 2,3‐substituted pyridine moieties (i.e., 1a–c) were prepared by palladium‐catalyzed homocoupling with pyridine‐directed C–H cleavage as the key step. The conformations of the resulting hexamers in solution and in the solid state were investigated by computational methods, X‐ray analysis, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Calculations at the SCS‐MP2/def2‐TZVPP//B97‐D3(bj)/def2‐SVP level suggested that helical folding of 1a as the pyridine moieties are stacked is thermally more stable than the equivalent folding in the unsubstituted ortho‐phenylene hexamer. The conformations of single crystals of 1 were consistent with the optimized structures obtained by DFT calculations. Except for rotation of the terminal phenyl groups, only one set of signals corresponding to a helical conformation was observed by analysis of 1 by 1H NMR spectroscopy in CDCl3 solution.
The Revised Structure of Trichodermatide A
Authors: Shigehisa Hiroki , Kikuchi Harue , Suzuki Tsuyoshi , Hiroya Kou
Published: November 2015

A revised structure for trichodermatide A, which is a C10 epimer of the originally reported structure, is proposed. The revision is supported by the X‐ray structure of a synthetic intermediate synthesized according to our previous route for trichodermatide A. The revised stereochemistry was also supported by NOESY experiment. Finally, we synthesized Trauner's compound corresponding to the originally reported structure from our synthetic intermediate of trichodermatide A through a Mitsunobu reaction at C10.
Determining octanol–water partition coefficients for extremely hydrophobic chemicals by combining “slow stirring” and solid-phase microextraction
Authors: Jonker Michiel T.O.
Published: November 2015

Octanol–water partition coefficients (KOW) are widely used in fate and effects modeling of chemicals. Still, high-quality experimental KOW data are scarce, in particular for very hydrophobic chemicals. This hampers reliable assessments of several fate and effect parameters and the development and validation of new models. One reason for the limited availability of experimental values may relate to the challenging nature of KOW measurements. In the present study, KOW values for 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were determined with the gold standard “slow-stirring” method (log KOW 4.6–7.2). These values were then used as reference data for the development of an alternative method for measuring KOW. This approach combined slow stirring and equilibrium sampling of the extremely low aqueous concentrations with polydimethylsiloxane-coated solid-phase microextraction fibers, applying experimentally determined fiber–water partition coefficients. It resulted in KOW values matching the slow-stirring data very well. Therefore, the method was subsequently applied to a series of 17 moderately to extremely hydrophobic petrochemical compounds. The obtained KOW values spanned almost 6 orders of magnitude, with the highest value measuring 1010.6. The present study demonstrates that the hydrophobicity domain within which experimental KOW measurements are possible can be extended with the help of solid-phase microextraction and that experimentally determined KOW values can exceed the proposed upper limit of 109. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1371–1377. © 2015 SETAC
Altered sensorimotor activation patterns in idiopathic dystonia—an activation likelihood estimation meta‐analysis of functional brain imaging studies
Authors: Løkkegaard Annemette , Herz Damian M. , Haagensen Brian N. , Lorentzen Anne K. , Eickhoff Simon B. , Siebner Hartwig R.
Published: November 2015

Dystonia is characterized by sustained or intermittent muscle contractions causing abnormal, often repetitive, movements or postures. Functional neuroimaging studies have yielded abnormal task‐related sensorimotor activation in dystonia, but the results appear to be rather variable across studies. Further, study size was usually small including different types of dystonia. Here we performed an activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta‐analysis of functional neuroimaging studies in patients with primary dystonia to test for convergence of dystonia‐related alterations in task‐related activity across studies. Activation likelihood estimates were based on previously reported regional maxima of task‐related increases or decreases in dystonia patients compared to healthy controls. The meta‐analyses encompassed data from 179 patients with dystonia reported in 18 functional neuroimaging studies using a range of sensorimotor tasks. Patients with dystonia showed bilateral increases in task‐related activation in the parietal operculum and ventral postcentral gyrus as well as right middle temporal gyrus. Decreases in task‐related activation converged in left supplementary motor area and left postcentral gyrus, right superior temporal gyrus and dorsal midbrain. Apart from the midbrain cluster, all between‐group differences in task‐related activity were retrieved in a sub‐analysis including only the 14 studies on patients with focal dystonia. For focal dystonia, an additional cluster of increased sensorimotor activation emerged in the caudal cingulate motor zone. The results show that dystonia is consistently associated with abnormal somatosensory processing in the primary and secondary somatosensory cortex along with abnormal sensorimotor activation of mesial premotor and right lateral temporal cortex. Hum Brain Mapp 37:547–557, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A framework for energy use indicators and their reporting in life cycle assessment
Authors: Arvidsson Rickard , Svanström Magdalena
Published: November 2015

Energy use is a common impact category in life cycle assessment (LCA). Many different energy use indicators are used in LCA studies, accounting for energy use in different ways. Often, however, the choice behind which energy use indicator is applied is poorly described and motivated. To contribute to a more purposeful selection of energy use indicators and to ensure consistent and transparent reporting of energy use in LCA, a general framework for energy use indicator construction and reporting in LCA studies will be presented in this article. The framework differentiates between 1) renewable and nonrenewable energies, 2) primary and secondary energies, and 3) energy intended for energy purposes versus energy intended for material purposes. This framework is described both graphically and mathematically. Furthermore, the framework is illustrated through application to a number of energy use indicators that are frequently used in LCA studies: cumulative energy demand (CED), nonrenewable cumulative energy demand (NRCED), fossil energy use (FEU), primary fossil energy use (PFEU), and secondary energy use (SEU). To illustrate how the application of different energy use indicators may lead to different results, cradle-to-gate energy use of the bionanomaterial cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) is assessed using 5 different indicators and showing a factor of 3 differences between the highest and lowest results. The relevance of different energy use indicators to different actors and contexts will be discussed, and further developments of the framework are then suggested. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:429–436. © 2015 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.

Key Points

This article presents a framework for energy use indicators in LCA, with the aim of contributing to a consistent selection of energy use indicators and transparent reporting of energy use in LCA. Common energy use indicators in LCA are described using the framework. An assessment of cellulose nanofibrils using different energy use indicators shows that results can vary notably depending on the choice of indicator. The relevance of different energy use indicators to societal actors, and further developments of the framework, are discussed.
Observed variability of summer precipitation pattern and extreme events in East China associated with variations of the East Asian summer monsoon
Authors: Wang Lei , Qian Yun , Zhang Yaocun , Zhao Chun , Leung L. Ruby , Huang Anning , Xiao Chuliang
Published: November 2015

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of interannual and interdecadal variations of summer precipitation and precipitation‐related extreme events in East China associated with variations of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) from 1979 to 2012. A high‐quality daily precipitation data set covering 2076 observational stations in China is analysed. Based on the precipitation pattern analysis using empirical orthogonal functions and the regime shift detection method, three sub‐periods of 1979–1992 (period I), 1993–1999 (period II) and 2000–2012 (period III) are identified to be representative of the precipitation variability. Similar significant variability of the extreme precipitation indices is found across four sub‐regions in eastern China. The spatial patterns of summer mean precipitation, the number of days with daily rainfall exceeding 95th percentile precipitation (R95p) and the maximum number of consecutive wet days (CWD) anomalies are consistent, but opposite to that of maximum consecutive dry days (CDD) anomalies to some extent during the three sub‐periods. However, the spatial patterns of hydroclimatic intensity (HY‐INT) are notably different from that of the other three extreme indices, but highly correlated to the dry events. The changes of precipitation anomaly patterns are accompanied by the change of the EASM regime and the abrupt shift of the position of the west Pacific subtropical high around 1992/1993 and 1999/2000, respectively, which influence the moisture transport and contributes to the precipitation anomalies. In addition, the EASM intensity is linked to sea surface temperature anomaly over the tropical Indian and Pacific Ocean through its effects on convective activity over the west Pacific that induces the cyclonic or anticyclonic anomaly over the South China and northwest Pacific.
Analysis of four pentacyclic triterpenoid acids in several bioactive botanicals with gas and liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry detection
Authors: Moldoveanu Serban C. , Scott Wayne A.
Published: November 2015

Several pentacyclic triterpenoid acids including betulinic, oleanolic, and ursolic acids were reported to have health beneficial properties such as antiviral and anti‐inflammatory properties, as well as the capability to inhibit “in vitro” the development of various cancer cell types. For this reason betulinic, oleanolic, and ursolic acids are used as neutraceuticals. For the analysis of the pentacyclic triterpenoid acids in complex plant materials, an improved scheme was developed, involving a qualitative screening using silylation and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry analysis, followed by quantitation using a novel liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry procedure. The use of the two methods provides more reliable information regarding the plant materials with unknown composition. Besides betulinic, oleanolic, and ursolic acids that were analyzed, by this procedure a fourth pentacyclic triterpenoid acid was identified and quantitated that was not previously reported to be present in plants. This acid has been identified as 3β‐3‐hydroxy‐lupa‐18,20(29)‐dien‐28‐oic acid. The newly identified acid has a structure as a derivative of lupane, although lupane with a double bond in the 18‐position was not previously reported as present in plants. The new liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry procedure developed for this study offers a very low limit of quantitation, excellent precision, and robustness. Rosemary was found to contain the largest levels of pentacyclic triterpenoid acids among all the analyzed botanicals.
Exploring Brand Personality–Celebrity Endorser Personality Congruence in Celebrity Endorsements in the Indian Context
Authors: Mishra Aditya S. , Roy Subhadip , Bailey Ainsworth Anthony
Published: November 2015

The objective of the research reported in this paper was to develop and test a model of brand personality–celebrity endorser personality congruence and its impact on consumers’ attitudes and intentions. In particular, the study drew on social adaptation and attribution theories to develop hypotheses related to the impact of this congruence on consumers’ perceptions of endorser credibility and suitability, and the subsequent impact of these perceptions on consumers’ attitudes and intentions. The study was motivated by recent attention being paid to the importance of personality in choosing celebrities for product endorsements and the fact that the brand personality–celebrity endorser personality congruence has not been explored before. The model was tested based on data obtained from a sample of participants in India. Results from path analyses indicated a positive and significant impact of personality‐based congruence on endorser credibility and suitability, which, in turn, positively and significantly impacted ad believability. Ad believability in turn significantly impacted attitude toward the ad, which had a significant impact on brand attitude and purchase intentions. Research and managerial implications are discussed, as are directions for future research.
Powell–Sabin B‐splines and unstructured standard T‐splines for the solution of the Kirchhoff–Love plate theory exploiting Bézier extraction
Authors: May Stefan , Vignollet Julien , Borst René de
Published: November 2015

The equations that govern Kirchhoff–Love plate theory are solved using quadratic Powell–Sabin B‐splines and unstructured standard T‐splines. Bézier extraction is exploited to make the formulation computationally efficient. Because quadratic Powell–Sabin B‐splines result in
‐continuous shape functions, they are of sufficiently high continuity to capture Kirchhoff–Love plate theory when cast in a weak form. Unlike non‐uniform rational B‐splines (NURBS), which are commonly used in isogeometric analysis, Powell–Sabin B‐splines do not necessarily capture the geometry exactly. However, the fact that they are defined on triangles instead of on quadrilaterals increases their flexibility in meshing and can make them competitive with respect to NURBS, as no bending strip method for joined NURBS patches is needed. This paper further illustrates how unstructured T‐splines can be modified such that they are
‐continuous around extraordinary points, and that the blending functions fulfil the partition of unity property. The performance of quadratic NURBS, unstructured T‐splines, Powell–Sabin B‐splines and NURBS‐to‐NURPS (non‐uniform rational Powell–Sabin B‐splines, which are obtained by a transformation from a NURBS patch) is compared in a study of a circular plate. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Residual‐based a posteriori estimators for the potential formulations of electrostatic and time‐harmonic eddy current problems with voltage or current excitation
Authors: Chen Chao , Creusé Emmanuel , Nicaise Serge , Tang Zuqi
Published: November 2015

In this paper, we consider some potential formulations of electrostatic as well as time‐harmonic eddy current problems with voltage or current excitation sources. The well‐posedness of each formulation is first established. Then, the reliability of the corresponding residual‐based a posteriori estimators is derived in the context of the finite element method approximation. Finally, the implementation in an industrial code is performed, and the obtained theoretical results are illustrated on an academic and on an industrial benchmark. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coping with Unemployment: The Impact of Unemployment Duration and Personality on Trajectories of Life Satisfaction
Authors: Hahn Elisabeth , Specht Jule , Gottschling Juliana , Spinath Frank M.
Published: November 2015

Unemployment is a major life event that causes an enormous drop in people's life satisfaction. However, there is substantial variability in people's ability (or inability) to cope with the experience of unemployment. In the present study, we examined the causes of individual differences in trajectories of life satisfaction when people were faced with unemployment by taking into account the persistence of unemployment, pre–event personality and age. Analyses were based on data from the German Socio–Economic Panel. Using latent growth curve modelling, life satisfaction was investigated from 3 years before to 3 years after a person became unemployed in a total sample of 908 individuals. As expected, unemployment caused a substantial drop in life satisfaction that persisted for at least 3 years after the event. On average, individuals did not completely return to their previous satisfaction level. This pattern existed even for participants who re–entered the labour market. Moreover, our results showed that variability in coping with unemployment can be explained in part by personality traits. For people with short periods of unemployment, Conscientiousness reinforced the negative effect of unemployment, whereas Extraversion softened the effect. In sum, our analyses showed that (a) the negative effect of unemployment on life satisfaction differs according to the length of the unemployment period and (b) personality partially moderates responses to unemployment over time. Copyright © 2015 European Association of Personality Psychology
Scalable Production of Silicon Nanocone Solar Cells in Integrated Plasma Photovoltaic Nanofabrication Cluster
Authors: Huang Shiyong , Lim Jian Wei Mark , Chan Chia Sern , Xu Shuyan , Wei Deyuan , Guo Yingnan , Xu Luxiang , Ostrikov Kostya (Ken)
Published: November 2015

An Integrated Plasma Photovoltaic Nanofabrication Cluster was used to produce nanocone silicon PV cells. Inductively coupled plasma discharges removed damage on Si wafers and textured arrays of nanocones, while simultaneously forming a p–n junction. A plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition process passivated surfaces through growth of SiNx:H and a‐Si:H films. Microscopy of surfaces revealed uniform, well defined nanocones. Samples also show reductions in reflectance, while quantum efficiency measurements reveal improved spectral and PV response, with short circuit‐currents of 36 mA/cm2, open circuit voltages of 560 mV, fill factors reaching 80%, and conversion efficiencies of up to 14.8%.
Low temperature annealing effects on the stability of Bi nanowires
Authors: Cassinelli Marco , Romanenko Anton , Reith Heiko , Völklein Friedemann , Sigle Wilfried , Trautmann Christina , Toimil‐Molares Maria Eugenia
Published: November 2015

To investigate the physical properties of Bi nanowires and to explore their possible implementation in thermoelectric devices, it is essential to understand their chemical and thermal stability in air both at room and moderate temperatures. In this work, we study the influence of low temperature annealing processes on the morphology and composition of the wires by scanning and transmission electron microscopy and by Raman spectroscopy, revealing the formation of a metal oxide phase. This oxidation process initiates an increase of the nanowires surface roughness at low annealing temperatures, while clear protuberances are formed at 250 °C. Difficulties to electrically contact single Bi nanowires, as well as the high resistance values measured and reported by other groups, are attributed to this oxidation process, which constitutes a clear challenge for the reliable characterization of Bi nanowires and the investigation of their performance.
EPR study of nanocrystalline CeO2 exhibiting ferromagnetism at room temperature
Authors: Rakhmatullin R. M. , Pavlov V. V. , Semashko V. V.
Published: November 2015

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy complemented with X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray fluorescence, and optical spectroscopy was used to study nanocrystalline CeO2 powder samples that exhibit weak room‐temperature ferromagnetism. EPR lines assigned to the Ce3+ trigonal sites were found for the first time in cerium dioxide that contains a trace impurity of Mn2+. This finding indicates that manganese dopant facilitates the conversion of the oxidation state of Ce4+ to Ce3+ in nanocrystalline CeO2. Our results support the view that Ce3+/Ce4+ pairs along with defects on the surface of nanoparticles are responsible for the ferromagnetism in CeO2. The EPR study reveals that the charge‐transfer mechanism proposed recently is more suitable to explain the origin of room‐temperature ferromagnetism in CeO2 than the F+‐centers exchange interactions.
Spray pyrolysed thin films of copper antimony sulfide as photovoltaic absorber
Authors: Ramos Aquino Jose Agustin , Rodriguez Vela Dorian Leonardo , Shaji Sadasivan , Avellaneda David Avellaneda , Krishnan Bindu
Published: November 2015

Copper antimony sulfide (CuSbS2) thin films have been gained interest recently as an emerging light absorbing material for photovoltaic applications. In this work we report synthesis and characterization of spray pyrolised CuSbS2 thin films. The precursor solution consisted of SbCl3, CuCl2 and NH2CSNH2 dissolved ethanol. The substrate temperature was kept at 200 °C. Samples were prepared at different molar ratios of Cu:Sb:S. These thin films were characterized using X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, UV‐visible spectroscopy, photocurrent and Hall effect measurements. P‐type CuSbS2 thin films of orthorhombic structure were formed and the films showed photocurrent response. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Robot‐assisted resection of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST): a single center case series and literature review
Authors: Vicente Emilio , Quijano Yolanda , Ielpo Benedetto , Duran Hipolito , Diaz Eduardo , Fabra Isabel , Malave Luis , Ferri Valentina , Ferronetti Antonio , Caruso Riccardo
Published: November 2015

Background

Robotic techniques are claimed to be an alternative to laparoscopic and open approaches for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) treatment. Our aim is to present our single center experience and a literature review.

Materials and methods

From June 2012 to August 2014, six patients with preoperative diagnosis of GIST were treated by robotic surgery at Sanchinarro University Hospital.

Results

Two GIST tumors were localized in the second part of the duodenum, one in the first portion, two in the gastricantrum and another in the angular notch. Surgical procedures performed were two subtotal gastrectomies, one gastric wedge resection and three duodenal enucleations. None of the interventions needed conversion to open surgery. Mean operative time was 245 min (150–540). Mean hospital stay was 10.5 days (6–24). All lesions had microscopically negative resection margins. Mean follow‐up was 24 months (8–33) with a disease‐free survival rate of 100%.

Conclusions

A robotic approach for GIST tumors is a safe and feasible procedure with a well‐accepted oncological surgical result. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DVB‐S2X: extending DVB‐S2 flexibility for core markets and new applications
Authors: Morello Alberto , Mignone Vittoria
Published: November 2015

Digital Video Broadcasting–Satellite–Second Generation (DVB‐S2) has been specified about 10 years ago, with a strong focus on Direct‐to‐Home, but interactive broadband applications (forward link), digital satellite news gathering and other professional links such as internet trunking were included. Since then, new requirements have come up, including extended efficiency and flexibility in the core applications of DVB‐S2, with specific focus on ultra‐high‐definition television delivery to the home, using High Efficiency Video Coding, the new video coding technique jointly developed by ITU and MPEG, and new ones for emerging markets. DVB‐S2X provides the necessary technical specifications for covering traditional DVB‐S2 use cases and new ones for operating at very low signal‐to‐noise ratio down to −10 dB, such as mobile services for business jets, fast trains and boats, and low aperture terminals for journalists.

This paper and the others in this special issue describe the details of the standard and its performance in the various application scenarios. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Triassic echinoids (Echinodermata) from the Aksala Formation, north Lake Laberge, Yukon Territory, Canada
Authors: Zonneveld John‐Paul , Furlong Carolyn M. , Sanders Shelby C.
Published: November 2015

Late Triassic (Carnian–Norian) echinoids from the Aksala Formation in the Lake Laberge area of the Whitehorse Trough, Yukon Territory, Canada, are described. These echinoids comprise the first description of Triassic echinoids from Canada and, with the exception of fragmentary material from Utah, are the only Upper Triassic echinoids on the western coast of Pangaea north of Peru.Triassicidaris peruviensisSmith is identified from a coronal fragment that consists of an ambulacral column and five attached interambulacral plates from a Carnian outcrop succession.Parvicidarissp., also from Carnian strata, is identified based on a coronal fragment that consists of two ambulacral and three interambulacral columns. This occurrence extends the range of this typically Norian taxon both north to the Yukon and earlier into the Carnian. Additional specimens, identified asTriassicidarissp., occur within Norian strata of the Aksala taxa, one of which (‘Cidaris’labergensissp. nov.) is new. Both the corona‐based taxa and the spine form taxa show mixed affinities with Tethyan and southern New World populations and reinforce the association between Triassic echinoid faunas and reefal settings.