bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth, Chl a content, photosynthesis, and elemental composition in polar and temperate microalgae
Authors: Lacour Thomas , Larivière Jade , Babin Marcel
Published: October 2016

Polar microalgae live under extreme environmental conditions: permanently low temperatures (−1.7°C to +5°C) and extreme variations in irradiance and day length. These conditions may have led to various specific adaptations allowing Arctic phytoplankton to become specialists under these conditions. The goal of this study is to derive, for polar microalgae, empirical relationships between key physiological parameters (growth rate, photosynthesis–irradiance curve parameters, Chl a : C, and N : C ratios) and growth temperature and irradiance in nutrient replete cultures. Ecophysiological characteristics of polar and temperate microalgae were also compared in order to highlight some strategies that are specific to the polar environment. Most of the polar species are psychrophilic. Polar microalgae have low light‐saturated growth rates (μm) and very low light saturation parameters for growth (KE) but similar initial slopes of their growth–irradiance curve (αµ = μm/KE). Low temperatures probably account for low μm and KE in polar species. The C : Chl a ratios (θ) of polar species are similar to those of temperate species although they have much lower growth rates, which implies major differences in energy allocation. Polar microalgae also exhibit very unique photosynthetic properties [low light saturation parameters for photosynthesis (EK), low maximum photosynthetic rates (
), decreasing
and decreasing initial slope of the photosynthesis vs. irradiance curve (α*) with increasing irradiance] and have lower C : N ratios than their temperate cousins, which may be related to a much higher protein content. Some of the implications of these findings in terms of adaptation/acclimation to the environment in which polar species evolve are discussed.
Ecophysiological limits to aerobic metabolism in hypoxia determine epibenthic distributions and energy sequestration in the northeast Pacific ocean
Authors: Chu Jackson W. F. , Gale Katie S. P.
Published: October 2016

Expansion of oxygen deficient waters (hypoxia) in the northeast Pacific Ocean (NEP) will have marked impacts on marine life. The response of the resident communities will be a function of their ecophysiological constraints in low oxygen, although this remains untested in the NEP due to a lack of integrative studies. Here, we combine in situ surveys and lab‐based respirometry experiments were conducted on three indicator species (spot prawnPandalus platyceros, slender soleLyopsetta exilis, squat lobsterMunida quadrispina) of seasonally hypoxic systems in the NEP to test if metabolic constraints determine distributions and energy sequestration in a hypoxic setting. These experiments were integrated with a global review of critical oxygen levels (; lower threshold of aerobic metabolism) for crustaceans to determine if‐based hypoxia thresholds are different among ocean basins. Our results show that species‐specific differences inand standard metabolic rates (1) determine the lowest environmental oxygen ([O2]env) at which in situ populations occur, (2) result in disproportionate shifts in distributions among co‐occurring species during summer hypoxia expansion events, and (3) characterize shifts in megafaunal community respiration rates due to marked spatio‐temporal variability in [O2]env. Our results show that‐based hypoxia thresholds are significantly lower in the East Pacific Ocean relative to other major ocean basins, which suggests that the physiological response of local fauna to deoxygenation can be determined by the natural variability and oxygen exposure in a region. In order to establish realistic predictions on the biological consequences of marine deoxygenation, we suggest integrating metabolism‐based traits to calculate hypoxia thresholds for marine ecosystems.
Microbial respiration in the mesopelagic zone at Station ALOHA
Authors: Martínez‐García Sandra
Published: October 2016

Measurements of the temporal and depth variability of microbial community respiration (MCR) in the mesopelagic zone (200–1,000 m) at Station ALOHA were made approximately monthly from November 2011 to October 2012 using the in vivo INT method. MCR in the summed and in each of the 0.2–0.8 µm and >0.8 µm size‐fractions in the upper mesopelagic zone (200–350 m) (mean [±SE], 107.1 [±16.3], 57.5 [±8.4], and 49.6 [±9.0] µmol O2 m−3 day−1, respectively) were higher than in the lower mesopelagic zone (350–1000 m) (56.1 [±4.5], 30.8 [±2.9], and 25.3 [±3.1] µmol O2 m−3 day−1, respectively). The average > 0.8 μm/0.2–0.8 μm MCR in the mesopelagic zone was 0.97 [±0.16]) and was indistinguishable in the upper and lower portions of the mesopelagic zone. A recurrent local peak in MCR was found at 600–650 m for both non‐winter and winter measurements. Total depth‐integrated MCR (200–1,000 m) was higher during the non‐winter than during winter months (55.7 [±3.4] and 44.8 [±2.4] mmol O2 m−2 day−1). Variability of total MCR rates was controlled by changes in the >0.8 µm size fraction, and was possibly related to higher primary production and export from the euphotic zone during the non‐winter period. These findings suggest seasonal variability in respiration rates in the mesopelagic zone at Station ALOHA and support the current steady‐state model where export flux controls respiration in the mesopelagic zone
Living donor liver transplantation in patients weighing ≥100 kg: Low graft weight and obesity do not impact outcomes
Authors: Agarwal Shaleen , Goyal Neerav , Nayeem Mohammed , Pareek Shishir , Gupta Subash
Published: October 2016

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in obese patients raises concerns with regards to obtaining grafts of “adequate” graft‐to‐recipient weight ratio (GRWR) and the impact of obesity on the outcomes of LDLT. LDLT outcomes in patients weighing ≥100 kg were compared with those weighing <100 kg. Patients weighing ≥100 kg were divided into 3 categories based on the GRWR of the grafts they received. Groups 1, 2, and 3 included patients with GRWR ≥0.8%, between 0.65% and 0.8%, and <0.65%, respectively. The 56 (6.5%) adult liver transplants were performed in patients weighing 100 kg or more. Except for higher mean body mass index (35.8 versus 25.2 kg/m2; P value < 0.01) and grafts of lower GRWR in obese patients (0.74% versus 1.02%; P value < 0.01), all other parameters were similar between the 2 groups. Despite obesity and smaller grafts, the posttransplant outcomes such as day to normal bilirubin and international normalized ratio; infective, respiratory, and biliary complications; and hospital mortality were similar between the 2 groups. On comparing obese patients in the 3 GRWR categories, except for graft weight (985 versus 769 versus 646 g; P value < 0.01), all the pretransplant parameters were comparable. There was no significant difference in terms of graft function, postoperative morbidity, and hospital mortality between patients with grafts of normal GRWR and those with grafts of low and very low GRWR. Grafts of low GRWR give satisfactory results in obese patients undergoing LDLT and obesity does not adversely impact the outcome of LDLT. Liver Transplantation 23:35–42 2017 AASLD.
Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer of Fluorescent Molecules in Joint‐Linker Type Organic‐Inorganic Hybrid Gels
Authors: Naga Naofumi , Hashimoto Saki , Miyanaga Tomoharu , Furukawa Hidemitsu
Published: October 2016

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) sensitized emission of perylene by pyrene in a joint‐linker type gel is observed for the first time. The joint‐linker type organic‐inorganic hybrid gels containing pyrene and perylene synthesized from multi‐functional cyclic siloxane, 1,3,5,7‐tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane (TMCTS), or cubic silsesquioxane, 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15‐octakis(dimethylsilyloxy)pentacyclo‐[9,5,1,1,1,1]octasilsesquioxane (POSS), as joint molecules, and α,ω‐nonconjugated dienes, 1,5‐hexadiene (HD), or 1,9‐decadiene (DD), as linker molecules, are involved in a photo hydrosilylation reaction with a bis(acetylacetonato)platinum catalyst in a toluene solution of pyrene and perylene. FRET from pyrene (donor) to perylene (acceptor) in the gels is studied quantitatively. The FRET efficiencies (E) of gels containing 300 or 30 x 10–6
m of pyrene and perylene are about 0.6–0.8 or 0.5, respectively, independent of the monomer concentration. Sensitized acceptor emission is observed in the gels, especially in the gels containing 300 x 10–6
m of pyrene and perylene molecules. The ratio of the increase of the sensitized acceptor emission to the loss of donor fluorescence, the G factor, is determined to evaluate the efficiency of the sensitized emission of the acceptor in the gels. The G factors of the gels containing 300 or 30 x 10–6
m of pyrene and perylene molecules are 0.4–0.75 or 0.07‐0.1, repectively, and the gels with TMCTS or DD have a slightly higher G factor than gels with POSS or HD.

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Ground states for a nonhomogeneous elliptic system involving Hardy–Sobolev critical exponents
Authors: Guo Zhenyu
Published: October 2016

This paper studies the following nonhomogeneous elliptic system involving Hardy–Sobolev critical exponents
urn:x-wiley:0025584X:media:mana201500348:mana201500348-math-0001where , Ω is a C1 open bounded domain in containing the origin, and . The existence result of positive ground state solution is established.
Existence theory for semilinear evolution inclusions involving measures
Authors: Cichoń Mieczysław , Satco Bianca
Published: October 2016

We provide existence results for semilinear differential inclusions involving measures:

urn:x-wiley:0025584X:media:mana201600162:mana201600162-math-0001where A is the infinitesimal generator of a C0‐semigroup of contractions on a separable Banach space X and is a right‐continuous non‐decreasing function. The existence of mild solutions, as well as the compactness of the solution set are obtained via Kakutani–Ky Fan's fixed point theorem in the space of regulated functions endowed with weak, respectively strong topologies. Some examples of special cases covered by our existence results have been included.
Identification of local cyclic stress‐strain curves at material inhomogeneities on the basis of digital image correlation
Authors: Lang E.
Published: October 2016

Low‐cycle fatigue (LCF) tests on butt‐welded joints revealed that material inhomogeneities become decisive for the fatigue behavior at elastic‐plastic strain amplitudes and the geometrical notch is no longer the failure location – as observed in high‐cycle fatigue (HCF) regime. Digital image correlation techniques enable the measurement of local strains at the surface of the welded region. A new method is proposed that is able to calculate related local stresses and identifies local cyclic material properties in structures of inhomogeneous material and geometry. This method combines strain measurements and Finite Element simulations. It is a fast iteration procedure that is able to perform the identification within less than ten iterative steps at several hundred local points. Transient material behavior is easy to capture and an application at high temperatures is anticipated due to the method is based on materials mechanics.
Stop! border ahead: Automatic detection of subthalamic exit during deep brain stimulation surgery
Authors: Valsky Dan , Marmor‐Levin Odeya , Deffains Marc , Eitan Renana , Blackwell Kim T. , Bergman Hagai , Israel Zvi
Published: October 2016

Background

Microelectrode recordings along preplanned trajectories are often used for accurate definition of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) borders during deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery for Parkinson's disease. Usually, the demarcation of the STN borders is performed manually by a neurophysiologist. The exact detection of the borders is difficult, especially detecting the transition between the STN and the substantia nigra pars reticulata. Consequently, demarcation may be inaccurate, leading to suboptimal location of the DBS lead and inadequate clinical outcomes.

Methods

We present machine‐learning classification procedures that use microelectrode recording power spectra and allow for real‐time, high‐accuracy discrimination between the STN and substantia nigra pars reticulata.

Results

A support vector machine procedure was tested on microelectrode recordings from 58 trajectories that included both STN and substantia nigra pars reticulata that achieved a 97.6% consistency with human expert classification (evaluated by 10‐fold cross‐validation). We used the same data set as a training set to find the optimal parameters for a hidden Markov model using both microelectrode recording features and trajectory history to enable real‐time classification of the ventral STN border (STN exit). Seventy‐three additional trajectories were used to test the reliability of the learned statistical model in identifying the exit from the STN. The hidden Markov model procedure identified the STN exit with an error of 0.04 ± 0.18 mm and detection reliability (error < 1 mm) of 94%.

Conclusions

The results indicate that robust, accurate, and automatic real‐time electrophysiological detection of the ventral STN border is feasible. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Cigarette smoking alters sialylation in the Fallopian tube of women, with implications for the pathogenesis of ectopic pregnancy
Authors: Nio‐Kobayashi Junko , Abidin Hazirah B.Z. , Brown Jeremy K. , Iwanaga Toshihiko , Horne Andrew W. , Duncan W. Colin
Published: October 2016

Sialylation creates a negative charge on the cell surface that can interfere with blastocyst implantation. For example, α2,6‐sialylation on terminal galactose, catalyzed by the sialyltransferase ST6GAL1, inhibits the binding of galectin‐1, a β‐galactoside‐binding lectin. We recently reported the potential involvement of galectin‐1 and ‐3 in the pathogenesis of tubal ectopic pregnancy; however, the precise role of galectins and their ligand glycoconjugates remain unclear. Here, we investigated the expression of the genes encoding α2,3‐ and α2,6‐galactoside sialyltransferases (ST3GAL1−6 and ST6GAL1−2) and the localization of sialic acids in the Fallopian tube of women with or without ectopic implantation. ST6GAL1 expression was higher in the mid‐secretory phase than the proliferative phase of non‐pregnant women (P < 0.0001), whereas ST6GAL1 (P < 0.0001), ST3GAL3 (P = 0.0029), ST3GAL5 (P = 0.0089), and ST3GAL6 (P = 0.0018) were all lower in Fallopian tubes with ectopic implantations. α2,3‐ and α2,6‐sialic acids, however, both remained enriched on the surface of Fallopian tube epithelium. Cigarette smoking, a major risk factor for tubal ectopic pregnancy, was associated with reduced mid‐secretory‐phase expression of ST6GAL1 (P = 0.0298), but elevated expression of ST3GAL5 (P = 0.0006), an enzyme known to be involved in ciliogenesis. Indeed, sialic acid‐containing ciliated inclusion cysts, which are associated with abnormal ciliogenesis, were observed within the epithelium at a higher frequency in women who smoked (P = 0.0177), suggesting that abnormal ciliogenesis is associated with smoking. Thus, cigarette smoking alters sialylation in the Fallopian tube epithelium, and is potentially a source of decreased tubal transport and increased receptivity for blastocyst in the human Fallopian tube. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 1083–1091, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reactor Fouling by Preformed Latexes
Authors: Urrutia Jone , Peña Alberto , Asua José M.
Published: October 2016

Reactor fouling caused by preformed latexes is investigated using 50 wt% solids content latexes of different colloidal stability. In the absence of agitation, a rapid adsorption equilibrium is achieved for pH below the isoelectric point of the stainless steel (pH = 4.3). The equilibrium fouling decreases as solids content decreases and by increasing the pH above the isoelectric point of the stainless steel. The stability of the latex is a major factor determining fouling, which strongly decreases as latex stability increases. Under agitation, fouling increases with time, solids content, and temperature, and it decreases as the colloidal stability of the latex increases. The flow patterns in the reactor determine the distribution of fouling in the baffles. A mechanism for fouling formation is proposed by combining computational fluid dynamics and experimental results.

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Fingiert oder fundiert?
Authors: Böhme Uwe , Tesch Silke
Published: October 2016

Im Zeitalter sofort verfügbarer Informationen ist es wichtig, die Qualität von Veröffentlichungen einschätzen zu können. Das ist nicht immer einfach, und bibliometrische Indikatoren helfen nur bedingt. Grundsätzlich gilt: Überprüfen Sie, woher die Information kommt, und ziehen Sie Standardwerke frei zugänglichen, ungeprüften Quellen vor.
Energiemanagement: Schluss mit Energiefressern
Authors: Landgraf Evelyn
Published: October 2016

Die ISO 50001 unterstützt Betriebe dabei, ein Energiemanagementsystem einzuführen. Damit lassen sich Möglichkeiten finden, Energie zu sparen.
Angewandte‐Chemie‐Symposium in Siliguri
Authors: Weinig Hans‐Georg
Published: October 2016

GDCh kooperiert mit Schwestergesellschaft in Indien.
The Use of Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) in Taphonomy: The Case of Middle Helladic Asine, Greece
Authors: Macheridis S.
Published: October 2016

The goal of this paper is to investigate whether multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), a multivariate statistical technique, is a useful dimensionality‐reduction tool in zooarchaeological and taphonomic studies. For this purpose, the focus is to detect and discuss traces of waste management. Animal bones from waste‐related contexts at the Bronze Age site Asine, Greece, are investigated. The data consist of bone fragments dating to the Middle Helladic from this site. Unidentified fragments were categorised in size classes, where possible. Information on taxa, skeletal parts and the presence or absence of several taphonomic markers is included in the data set. The MCA reveals several correlations of zooarchaeological interest. For example, the association between indeterminate fragments and calcined bone points to issues concerning identification and preservation. Floors are characterised by weathered long‐bone fragments from medium‐sized mammals. Additionally, the results of MCA indicate that the material might have suffered from density‐mediated attrition, based on the abundance of axial fragments, which did not differ between different contexts and taxa. The results show that MCA can be used to detect zooarchaeological and taphonomic patterns. This multivariate technique is useful when investigating large data sets, as is often the case with large zooarchaeological assemblages. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Delay‐dependent output feedback L1 control for positive Markovian jump systems with mode‐dependent time‐varying delays and partly known transition rates
Authors: Qi Wenhai , Gao Xianwen
Published: October 2016

The paper deals with the problem of delay‐dependent output feedback L1 control for positive Markovian jump systems with mode‐dependent time‐varying delays and partly known transition rates. First, by constructing an appropriate co‐positive type Lyapunov function, sufficient conditions for stochastic stability and L1‐gain performance of the open‐loop system are developed. Then, an effective method is proposed to construct the output feedback controller. These sufficient criteria are derived in the form of linear programming. A key point of this paper is to extend the special requirement of completely known transition rates to more general form that covers completely known and completely unknown transition rates as two special cases. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the validity of the main results. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Controlling surface properties and permeability of polyglycerol network films
Authors: Dal Bianco Andrea , Wischke Christian , Zhou Shuo , Lendlein Andreas
Published: October 2016

While branched polyglycerol (PG)‐based molecules are well established as hydrophilic particles, the capacity of utilizing PG in bulk materials and opportunities arising by their further surface functionalization have only recently been considered. Here we investigated how the mold used in PG network synthesis may affect surface composition and how the permeability of substances through PG can be controlled by altering network structure, i.e. introducing 20 mol% oligoethylene glycol (OEG) bifunctional spacer molecules. Overall, PG‐based bulk network materials were shown to be tailorable, hydrophilic, low swelling and relatively stiff polyether‐based materials, with low impact of salt onto material properties. Based on these features, but also on the principal capacity of free hydroxyl groups to be used for functionalization reactions, these materials may be an interesting platform for medical and technical applications, e.g. as diffusion‐rate controlling membrane in aqueous environment. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Response of encapsulated cells to a gelatin matrix with varied bulk and microenvironmental elastic properties
Authors: Blocki Anna , Löwenberg Candy , Jiang Yi , Kratz Karl , Neffe Axel T. , Jung Friedrich , Lendlein Andreas
Published: October 2016

Gelatin‐based hydrogels offer various biochemical cues that support encapsulated cells and are therefore suitable as cell delivery vehicles in regenerative medicine. However, besides the biochemical signals, biomechanical cues are crucial to ensure an optimal support of encapsulated cells. Hence, we aimed to correlate the cellular response of encapsulated cells to macroscopic and microscopic elastic properties of glycidylmethacrylate (GMA)‐functionalized gelatin‐based hydrogels. To ensure that different observations in cellular behavior could be attributed to differences in elastic properties, an identical concentration as well as degree of functionalization of biopolymers was utilized to form covalently crosslinked hydrogels. Elastic properties were merely altered by varying the average gelatin‐chain length. Hydrogels exhibited an increased degree of swelling and a decreased bulk elastic modulus G′ with prolonged autoclaving of the starting solution. This was accompanied by an increase of hydrogel mesh size and thus by a reduction of crosslinking density. Tougher hydrogels retained the largest amount of cells; however, they also interfered with cell viability. Softer gels contained a lower cell density, but supported cell elongation and viability. Observed differences could be partially attributed to differences in bulk properties, as high crosslinking densities interfere with diffusion and cell spreading and thus can impede cell viability. Interestingly, a microscopic elastic modulus in the range of native soft tissue supported cell viability and elongation best while ensuring a good cell entrapment. In conclusion, gelatin‐based hydrogels providing a soft tissue‐like microenvironment represent adequate cell delivery vehicles for tissue engineering approaches. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PINK1 in the limelight: multiple functions of an eclectic protein in human health and disease
Authors: Arena Giuseppe , Valente Enza Maria
Published: October 2016

The gene PINK1 [phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN)‐induced putative kinase 1] encodes a serine/threonine kinase which was initially linked to the pathogenesis of a familial form of Parkinson's disease. Research on PINK1 has recently unravelled that its multiple functions extend well beyond neuroprotection, implicating this eclectic protein in a growing number of human pathologies, including cancer, diabetes, cardiopulmonary dysfunctions, and inflammation. Extensive studies have identified PINK1 as a crucial player in the mitochondrial quality control pathway, required to label damaged mitochondria and promote their elimination through an autophagic process (mitophagy). Mounting evidence now indicates that PINK1 activities are not restricted solely to mitophagy, and that different subcellular and even sub‐mitochondrial pools of PINK1 are involved in distinct signalling cascades to regulate cell metabolism and survival. In this review, we provide a concise overview on the different functions of PINK1 and their potential role in human diseases. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Band 3 nullVIENNA, a novel homozygous SLC4A1 p.Ser477X variant causing severe hemolytic anemia, dyserythropoiesis and complete distal renal tubular acidosis
Authors: Kager Leo , Bruce Lesley J. , Zeitlhofer Petra , Flatt Joanna F. , Maia Tabita M. , Ribeiro M. Leticia , Fahrner Bernhard , Fritsch Gerhard , Boztug Kaan , Haas Oskar A.
Published: October 2016

We describe the second patient with anionic exchanger 1/band 3 null phenotype (band 3 nullVIENNA), which was caused by a novel nonsense mutation c.1430C>A (p.Ser477X) in exon 12 of SLC4A1. We also update on the previous band 3 nullCOIMBRA patient, thereby elucidating the physiological implications of total loss of AE1/band 3. Besides transfusion‐dependent severe hemolytic anemia and complete distal renal tubular acidosis, dyserythropoiesis was identified in the band 3 nullVIENNA patient, suggesting a role for band 3 in erythropoiesis. Moreover, we also, for the first time, report that long‐term survival is possible in band 3 null patients.
Composition dependent properties of graphene (oxide)‐alginate biopolymer nanocomposites
Authors: Vilcinskas Karolis , Jansen Kaspar M.B. , Mulder Fokko M. , Picken Stephen J. , Koper Ger J.M.
Published: October 2016

We report on the thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties of alginate biopolymer nanocomposites prepared by solution casting with various amounts of graphene oxide (GO) or reduced GO (rGO). Our data shows that the thermal stability of alginate nanocomposites can be improved by the introduction of cross‐linking through divalent metal cations, albeit that under these conditions little influence by the amount of rGO remains. On the other hand, the electrical conductivity of divalent metal ion cross‐linked‐rGO improves approximately 10 orders of magnitude with increasing weight fraction of rGO, whereas it declines for sodium alginate‐GO composites. In addition, storage moduli and glass to rubber transition temperatures show strong composition dependence as a consequence of complex interactions of the ions with both polymer and filler. We propose a mechanical model that allows for the accurate prediction of reinforcement by GO sheets in sodium alginate‐GO composites taking into account the orientational order of the sheets. Creep tests reveal the complex nature of multiple stress relaxation mechanisms in the nanocomposites although the stretched exponential Burgers’ model accurately describes short time creep compliance. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E236–E249, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
The influence of particle size and surface treatment of filler on the properties of oyster shell powder filled polypropylene composites
Authors: Shah Atta ur Rehman , Prabhakar M. N. , Wang Huifeng , Song Jung‐Il
Published: October 2016

In this study, properties of oyster shell powder filled polypropylene (OSP/PP) composites were improved by enhancing particle distribution and filler‐matrix interfaces in the composites. The OSP enhances thermal stability and fire retardant properties of polymer composites but it decreases the mechanical strength due to poor interaction with the polymer matrix. OSP is an amorphous powder which agglomerates during distribution. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was used to enhance the interfacial bonding between OSP and PP, while distribution of the OSP particles in composites was improved by varying the particle size of the filler. The effects of particle size and PVA treatment on mechanical properties of composites were studied through experimental tests and finite element analysis. Experimental results and finite element analysis agree to each other, it was observed that small size particles and PVA incorporation resulted in improving properties of OSP/PP composites. Mechanical properties were improved while thermal stability and fire retardancy were further enhanced. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed a physical interaction between the composite constituents in the presence of PVA. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:2420–2430, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Synthesis and characterization of siloxane‐based cyanate ester elastomers from readily available materials: a top‐down approach
Authors: Jennings Abby R , Morey Aimee M , Guenthner Andrew J , Iacono Scott T
Published: October 2016

A number of siloxane‐based cyanate ester (SiCE) elastomers were prepared from commercially available starting reagents employing a hydrosilylation reaction. Each elastomer was designed to utilize 2,4,6‐tris(allyloxy)‐1,3,5‐triazine as a crosslinker and multifunctional vinyl component in the hydrosilylation reaction, ensuring that the triazine rings were completely formed, and thus the elastomers resemble fully cured cyanate ester networks. The hydride‐terminated siloxane components used were varied from small‐molecule siloxanes to pre‐polymers of different molecular weights. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared analysis confirmed the successful hydrosilylation reaction and complete curing of the SiCE elastomers via functional group analysis. Thermal characterization by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry demonstrated that thermal properties of the elastomers could be tailored depending on the type of siloxane component that was utilized. The gel content of the elastomers was also determined. Investigations into the effects of a platinum catalyst on the elastomers determined that the presence of the catalyst affected the thermochemical stability of the SiCE elastomers. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Culture medium associated changes in the core proteome of macrophages and in their responses to copper oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Dalzon Bastien , Diemer Hélène , Collin‐Faure Véronique , Cianférani Sarah , Rabilloud Thierry , Aude‐Garcia Catherine
Published: October 2016

The physiology of cells cultured in vitro depends obviously on the external conditions, including the nutrients present in the culture medium. In order to test the influence of this parameter, J774 macrophages grown either in RPMI or in DMEM were compared by a combination of targeted analyses and a proteomic approach. The two media differ in their glucose, amino acids, and vitamins concentrations, but there were no significant differences in the cell cycle or in the percentage of phagocytic cells in both media, although the phagocytic capacity (i.e. the number of phagocytized particles) was higher in DMEM. Conversely, we found that J774 cells grown in RPMI produced more nitric oxide in response to lipopolysaccharide. The proteomic study highlighted differences affecting the central metabolism and nucleotide metabolism, cytoskeleton, protein degradation, and cell signaling. Furthermore, proteomics showed that J774 cells grown in RPMI or in DMEM and exposed to copper oxide nanoparticles respond rather differently, with only a few proteins similarly modulated between cells grown in both media. Taken together, our results show that the basal state of cells grown in two different media is different, and this may affect the way they respond to an external stimulus or stress.
Controlled ring‐opening polymerization of l‐lactide and ε‐caprolactone catalyzed by aluminum‐based Lewis pairs or Lewis acid alone
Authors: Nakayama Yuushou , Kosaka Shunsuke , Yamaguchi Kentaro , Yamazaki Gentaro , Tanaka Ryo , Shiono Takeshi
Published: October 2016

Ring‐opening polymerization of cyclic esters was studied using catalysts composed of bulky Lewis acids (LA) and Lewis bases (LB). Controlled polymerization of l‐lactide (l‐Lac) was proceeded by Al(C6F5)3·THF in combination with trimesitylphosphine (Mes3P) or triphenylphosphine (Ph3P) using BnOH as an initiator to produce poly(l‐Lac) with narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD; Mw/Mn = 1.1). Both the LA and the LB were indispensable to promote the polymerization. The molecular weights of the resulting poly(l‐Lac)s were controlled by the feed monomer to initiator ratio. ε‐Caprolactone (CL) was rapidly polymerized by Al(C6F5)3·THF with or without Mes3P, although the resulting polymer had rather broad MWD (Mw/Mn = 1.7). The CL polymerization by Al(C6F5)3·THF alone at r.t. gave poly(CL) with relatively narrow MWD (Mw/Mn = 1.2). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 297–303
Background factors associated with problem avoidance behavior in healthy partners of breast cancer patients
Authors: Shiozaki Mariko , Sanjo Makiko , Hirai Kei
Published: October 2016

Objective

We evaluated avoidance behaviors of healthy partners of breast cancer patients and sought to (1) describe men's perception of their own avoidance behavior and (2) identify the background factors associated with such behavior.

Methods

An Internet‐based survey was conducted, and analysis was performed on the responses of 368 male spouses of female breast cancer patients.

Results

Thirty to forty percent of spouses had some type of problem avoidance behavior toward their wives. There was a high correlation (r = 0.70, P < .001) between problem avoidance behavior at the time of diagnosis and subsequent problem behavior (mean follow‐up period after diagnosis: 1.3 + 1.1 years). The characteristics of spouses with avoidant behaviors included having wives with recurrence, having wives treated with anticancer drug therapy or total resection, and having their own experience of cancer. Covariance structure analysis revealed 2 factors related to the background of spouses with problem avoidance behavior: (1) having a sense of difficulty in coping (beta = 0.68, P < .001) and (2) having a poor marital relationship (beta = ‐0.27, P < .001).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that problem avoidance behavior among healthy male partners of breast cancer patients is common and correlates with difficulty coping and a poor marital relationship. It is important to address both the problem avoidance behavior itself and to support couples early, before this behavior surfaces.
Structural equation modeling of the relationship between posttraumatic growth and psychosocial factors in women with breast cancer
Authors: Tomita Makiko , Takahashi Miyako , Tagaya Nobumi , Kakuta Miyako , Kai Ichiro , Muto Takashi
Published: October 2016

Objective

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is a positive psychological change occurring after struggling with a highly challenging experience. The purposes of this study were to investigate how women's demographic and clinical characteristics as well as psychosocial factors are associated with PTG and to reveal the influence of PTG on depressive symptoms.

Methods

Participants were 157 women with breast cancer (BC) who attended a breast oncology clinic at a university hospital in Japan. The questionnaire included demographic and clinical characteristics, social support, coping strategies, depressive symptoms, and PTG. Structural equation modeling was conducted.

Results

Coping was directly related to PTG, and social support and having a religion were partially related to PTG. There was a moderate association between social support and coping. PTG mediated the effect of coping on depressive symptoms. PTG as well as a high level of perceived social support and using positive coping decreased depressive symptoms, whereas using self‐restraining coping increased depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

This study indicated the role of coping strategies and social support in enhancing PTG in Japanese women with BC. Furthermore, perceived social support, a positive approach coping style, and PTG may reduce depressive symptoms. Our results suggest that health care professionals should consider whether patients receive enough support from others, and whether the patients are using the appropriate coping style to adapt to stressors associated with the diagnosis and treatment of BC.
Barriers and facilitators to asthma self‐management in adolescents: A systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies
Authors: Holley Simone , Morris Ruth , Knibb Rebecca , Latter Sue , Liossi Christina , Mitchell Frances , Roberts Graham
Published: October 2016

Background

Many adolescents have poor asthma control and impaired quality of life despite the availability of modern pharmacotherapy. Research suggests that poor adherence to treatment and limited engagement in self‐management could be contributing factors.

Objective

To conduct a systematic review of the barriers and facilitators to self‐management of asthma reported by adolescents using a narrative synthesis approach to integrate the findings.

Design

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched for all types of study design. Full papers were retrieved for study abstracts that included data from participants aged 12–18 years referring to barriers or facilitators of asthma self‐management behaviors.

Results

Sixteen studies (5 quantitative and 11 qualitative) underwent data extraction, quality appraisal, and thematic analysis. Six key themes were generated that encompassed barriers and/or facilitators to self‐management of asthma in adolescents: Knowledge, Lifestyle, Beliefs and Attitudes, Relationships, Intrapersonal Characteristics, and Communication.

Conclusions

There is a pressing need to prepare adolescents for self‐management, using age‐appropriate strategies that draw on the evidence we have synthesized. Current clinical practice should focus on ensuring adolescents have the correct knowledge, beliefs, and positive attitude to self‐manage their illness. This needs to be delivered in a supportive environment that facilitates two‐way communication, fosters adolescents’ self‐efficacy to manage their disease, and considers the wider social influences that impinge on self‐management. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:430–442. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Recurrent spontaneous pneumomediastinum in a child with tracheomalacia
Authors: Dewulf Jonas , Van Daele Sabine , De Baets Frans
Published: October 2016

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in children is a very rare, benign entity. Recurrent episodes are exceptional. Identifying an underlying trigger is crucial, and very often, spontaneous pneumomediastinum occurs in association with an asthma exacerbation. We report the case of a patient in which we hypothesize that an underlying tracheomalacia can be held responsible for the recurrent pneumomediastinum, which is to this date the first case with this assumption. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:E29–E31. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Study of Deactivation of Pd(OH)2/C Catalyst in Reductive Debenzylation of Hexabenzylhexaazaisowurtzitane
Authors: Fotouhi‐Far Farshad , Bashiri Hadis , Hamadanian Masood
Published: October 2016

The conversion of hexabenzylhexaazaisowurtzitane (HBIW) to 2,6,8,12‐tetraacetyl‐4,10‐dibenzyl‐2,4,6,8,10,12‐hexaazaisowurtzitane (TADB) is the major challenge in the production of hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW) which only proceeds over supported palladium catalyst in a reductive debenzylation reaction. The catalyst is quickly deactivated during the debenzylation reaction. In this study, the change in Pd content in the catalyst during the reaction was measured. It was demonstrated that a portion of the palladium particles in the catalyst was leached during the reaction. The H2 chemisorption isotherm on the catalyst at 303 K showed that the volume of chemisorbed H2 on spent catalyst was significantly less than that on fresh catalyst. The N2 physisorption isotherm on the catalyst at 77 K revealed that the surface area of spent catalyst was less than that of fresh catalyst. Moreover, the FESEM‐EDS and TEM images and also wide‐angle XRD patterns demonstrated that the mean sizes of palladium crystallites and particles in spent catalyst were larger than those in the fresh catalyst. These results demonstrated that the leaching of palladium particles and the aggregation of palladium particles in catalyst play active roles in the deactivation of catalyst in the debenzylation of HBIW.
Comparison of force fields for Alzheimer's A: A case study for intrinsically disordered proteins
Authors: Carballo‐Pacheco Martín , Strodel Birgit
Published: October 2016

Intrinsically disordered proteins are essential for biological processes such as cell signalling, but are also associated to devastating diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease or type II diabetes. Because of their lack of a stable three‐dimensional structure, molecular dynamics simulations are often used to obtain atomistic details that cannot be observed experimentally. The applicability of molecular dynamics simulations depends on the accuracy of the force field chosen to represent the underlying free energy surface of the system. Here, we use replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations to test five modern force fields, OPLS, AMBER99SB, AMBER99SB*ILDN, AMBER99SBILDN‐NMR and CHARMM22*, in their ability to model Aβ42, an intrinsically disordered peptide associated with Alzheimer's disease, and compare our results to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experimental data. We observe that all force fields except AMBER99SBILDN‐NMR successfully reproduce local NMR observables, with CHARMM22* being slightly better than the other force fields.
The hidden problem of herb‐drug interactions
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: October 2016

Potentially harmful interactions between herbs and prescription medicines are common, yet healthcare professionals often do not ask about herbal remedies when prescribing and patients do not volunteer that they are taking them. This article discusses the types of herb‐drug interaction that can occur and how they can be recognised and avoided.
Impact of the oxide layer on the electrical properties of silicon nanowires fabricated by metal‐assisted chemical etching
Authors: Pinilla Sergio , Mollá Germán , Pau José Luis , Morant Carmen
Published: October 2016

Silicon nanowires (SiNWs) have been obtained by metal‐assisted chemical etching (MACE) method from a monocrystalline Si substrate (100). The SiNWs were fabricated by etching the entire thickness of the silicon wafer, obtaining an extraordinary density of monocrystalline long SiNWs with lengths up to 300 microns and diameters ranging from 100 to 500 nm. Once fabricated, SiNWs were dispersed in ethanol. The structure, chemical composition, and surface morphology of the resulting SiNWs were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. Through these techniques, it was observed that the crystalline core of the nanowires was surrounded by an amorphous layer, which is thicker in the bigger SiNWs. By the chemical analysis of this amorphous layer it was determined that its composition is mainly silicon oxide. To measure the SiNWs electrical properties, single nanowire devices were fabricated aligning nanowires by AC dielectrophoresis between pre‐patterned electrodes. The I–V characteristics of SiNWs were obtained by this method. It was observed that the surface oxide layer produced during the MACE process strongly influences on the electrical conductivity of the SiNWs, producing larger currents in the thinnest nanowires than in the thickest ones, a counter intuitive result that can contribute to the optimization of the MACE process for industrial applications.
Pentacene memory transistors with a monolayer of ligand‐removed semiconductor colloidal nanodots used as a charge‐trapping layer
Authors: Nakano Fumihoru , Uno Kazuyuki , Tanaka Ichiro
Published: October 2016

We fabricated pentacene memory transistors of which floating gate or charge‐trapping layer consisted of monolayer of PbS colloidal nanodots (NDs), and investigated their writing and retention characteristics. Both of the writing and retention times of the pentacene memory transistors were significantly reduced when the ligand molecules (oleic acid) were removed. We also found that the writing time was further reduced and the retention time was extended by using larger NDs, in which the quantized energy level in the conduction band was lower, that is, closer to the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and farther from the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the pentacene. These results are explained with a model that the memory effect is due to the trapped electrons in the NDs after a positive writing voltage is applied on the control gate, and suggest that more suitable arrangement of the quantized energy level in the NDs and HOMO/LUMO levels in organic molecules would improve the characteristics of the memory transistors.
Violation of detailed balance for charge‐transfer statistics in Coulomb‐blockade systems
Authors: Stegmann Philipp , König Jürgen
Published: October 2016

We discuss the possibility to generate in Coulomb‐blockade systems steady states that violate detailed balance. This includes both voltage biased and non‐biased scenarios. The violation of detailed balance yields that the charge‐transfer statistics for electrons tunneling into an island experiencing strong Coulomb interaction is different from the statistics for tunneling out. This can be experimentally tested by time‐resolved measurement of the island's charge state. We demonstrate this claim for two model systems.
Comparison of batch and in‐line PECVD of a‐Si:H passivation layers for silicon heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Landheer Kees , Kaiser Monja , Poulios Ioannis , Dörenkämper Maarten , Soppe Wim J. , Schropp Ruud E. I. , Rath Jatin K.
Published: October 2016

We present PECVD deposition of i‐a‐Si:H in an in‐line configuration for the fabrication of silicon heterojunction solar cells. For industry, in‐line processing has the potential to increase production throughput and yield. We compared batch and in‐line fabrication of i‐a‐Si:H passivation samples with identical plasma conditions and observed that the a‐Si:H material properties do not significantly differ. In batch‐type production the substrate is in the plasma zone at the moment of ignition, whereas for in‐line deposition the substrate is introduced into the plasma zone when steady plasma conditions have been reached. Our preliminary results show that there are depositions conditions that result both for in‐line and batch‐type deposition in good i‐a‐Si:H passivation layers. Therefore both methods can equally well be considered for the production of silicon heterojunction solar cells. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A robust method for the synthesis of colloidal PbS nanosheets
Authors: Premathilaka Shashini M. , Jiang Zhoufeng , Antu Antara , Leffler Joey , Hu Jianjun , Roy Ajit , Sun Liangfeng
Published: October 2016

In the synthesis of colloidal PbS nanosheets, acetic acid – either injected externally or produced during the reaction – has a significant effect on the growth of the nanosheets. When the acetic acid to lead molar ratio is above 1:8, no nanosheets are observed in the product. By replacing lead acetate with lead oxide to prepare the lead precursor for the reaction, the effect of acetic acid is avoided, resulting in a robust synthesis with nearly 100% success rate. In the new synthesis, the purity of trioctylphosphine (the co‐solvent for sulfur precursor) has no significant effect on the formation of nanosheets. Thickness tunability is achieved in the acetate‐free synthesis by tuning the reaction temperature. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)