bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A case‐control study of airways obstruction among construction workers
Authors: Dement John , Welch Laura , Ringen Knut , Quinn Patricia , Chen Anna , Haas Scott
Published: June 2015

Background

While smoking is the major cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), occupational exposures to vapors, gases, dusts, and fumes (VGDF) increase COPD risk. This case‐control study estimated the risk of COPD attributable to occupational exposures among construction workers.

Methods

The study population included 834 cases and 1243 controls participating in a national medical screening program for older construction workers between 1997 and 2013. Qualitative exposure indices were developed based on lifetime work and exposure histories.

Results

Approximately 18% (95%CI = 2–24%) of COPD risk can be attributed to construction‐related exposures, which are additive to the risk contributed by smoking. A measure of all VGDF exposures combined was a strong predictor of COPD risk.

Conclusions

Construction workers are at increased risk of COPD as a result of broad and complex effects of many exposures acting independently or interactively. Control methods should be implemented to prevent worker exposures, and smoking cessation should be promoted. Am. J. Ind. Med. 58:1083–1097, 2015. © 2015 The Authors. American Journal of Industrial Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis of 2‐Aryl‐1,3‐Cyclopentanediones through Catalytic Borylation as a Key Step
Authors: Palau‐Lluch Gerard , Fernández Elena
Published: June 2015

We describe a practical straightforward synthesis of 2‐aryl‐1,3‐cyclopentanediones from α‐iodoenones, via in situ palladium‐catalyzed cross‐coupling with hindered arylboronic acids followed by copper‐mediated β‐borylation and finishing with an oxidative work‐up. The sequential reactions are performed without intermediate isolation and the whole synthetic strategy might become of practical use for the major challenges that companies currently face in R&D in agrochemicals.
Evaluation of patients with hepatic portal venous gas who can be treated with conservative therapy
Authors: Higashi Takaaki , Hayashi Hiromitsu , Takeyama Hideaki , Arima Kota , Taki Katsunobu , Takamori Hiroshi , Baba Hideo
Published: June 2015

Aim

Hepatic portal venous gas is an indication for emergency surgery and reportedly has a high mortality rate. However, these days, cases of hepatic portal venous gas associated with milder disease are increasing. In this report, we compared two groups to investigate whether there were any objective indicators for selecting conservative therapy.

Methods

From July 2007 to August 2011, 19 patients with hepatic portal venous gas were evaluated at our hospital. The condition was diagnosed by computed tomography imaging. Vital signs, laboratory test results, and physical examination findings were compared.

Results

The A group included 12 patients who could be treated with conservative therapy. The B group included 7 patients who could not be treated with conservative therapy. The combined mortality rate was 31.5% (6/19 patients). There was a significant difference in the pulse rate and shock index. In the A group, none of the patients had signs of peritoneal irritation. However, in the B group, physical examination revealed signs of peritoneal irritation in all patients.

Conclusion

Conservative therapy may be possible in patients with hepatic portal venous gas, depending on the cause. Evaluation of vital signs and serial changes on physical examination are important.
Synthesis of Amathaspiramides by Aminocyanation of Enoates
Authors: O'Connor Matthew , Sun Chunrui , Lee Daesung
Published: June 2015

Concise routes for the total and formal syntheses of the amathaspiramides were developed through a formal [3+2] cycloaddition between lithium(trimethylsilyl)diazomethane and α,β‐unsaturated esters. The effectiveness of this new cycloaddition for the construction of Δ2‐pyrazolines containing a α‐tert‐alkylamino carbon center and subsequent facile protonolytic NN bond cleavage allows the synthesis of a key intermediate of the amathaspiramides and other α,α‐disubstituted amino acid derivatives.
The Synthesis of Nanostructured Ni5P4 Films and their Use as a Non‐Noble Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Full Water Splitting
Authors: Ledendecker Marc , Krick Calderón Sandra , Papp Christian , Steinrück Hans‐Peter , Antonietti Markus , Shalom Menny
Published: June 2015

The investigation of nickel phosphide (Ni5P4) as a catalyst for the hydrogen (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in strong acidic and alkaline environment is described. The catalyst can be grown in a 3D hierarchical structure directly on a nickel substrate, thus making it an ideal candidate for practical water splitting devices. The activity of the catalyst towards the HER, together with its high stability especially in acidic solution, makes it one of the best non‐noble materials described to date. Furthermore, Ni5P4 was investigated in the OER and showed activity superior to pristine nickel or platinum. The practical relevance of Ni5P4 as a bifunctional catalyst for the overall water splitting reaction was demonstrated, with 10 mA cm−2 achieved below 1.7 V.
Enantioselective α‐Alkylation of Aldehydes by Photoredox Organocatalysis: Rapid Access to Pharmacophore Fragments from β‐Cyanoaldehydes
Authors: Welin Eric R. , Warkentin Alexander A. , Conrad Jay C. , MacMillan David W. C.
Published: June 2015

The combination of photoredox catalysis and enamine catalysis has enabled the development of an enantioselective α‐cyanoalkylation of aldehydes. This synergistic catalysis protocol allows for the coupling of two highly versatile yet orthogonal functionalities, allowing rapid diversification of the oxonitrile products to a wide array of medicinally relevant derivatives and heterocycles. This methodology has also been applied to the total synthesis of the lignan natural product (−)‐bursehernin.
Analysis of an activated sludge model in which dead biomass is recycled into slowly biodegradable particulate substrate
Authors: Alharbi Asma O. M. , Nelson Mark Ian , Worthy Annette L. , Sidhu Harvinder S.
Published: June 2015

A significant drawback of the activated sludge process is the production of excess ‘sludge’; the disposal of which can account for 50–60% of the running costs of a wastewater treatment plant. We investigate a model for the activated sludge process in which the influent contains a mixture of soluble and slowly biodegradable particulate substrate. Within the bioreactor, the particulate substrate is hydrolyzed to form soluble substrate. In turn, these are used for growth by the biomass. Biomass decay produces slowly biodegradable substrate and non‐biodegradable particulates. Steady‐state analysis is used to investigate how the amount of sludge formed depends upon the residence time and the use of a settling unit. We show that when the steady‐state sludge content is plotted as a function of the residence time that there are three generic response diagrams. The value of the effective recycle parameter determines which type of response diagram is observed. If this parameter is greater than a critical value, then the sludge content is guaranteed to be greater than a target value. The dependence of this critical value upon the chemical oxygen demand in the feed and how the chemical oxygen demand is partitioned between its constitutive components is investigated. Copyright © 2015 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanical and thermal properties of SEBS‐g‐MA compatibilized halloysite nanotubes reinforced polyethylene terephthalate/polycarbonate/nanocomposites
Authors: Jamaludin Nurul Ain , Inuwa Ibrahim Mohammad , Hassan Azman , Othman Norhayani , Jawaid Mohammed
Published: June 2015

In this study, the effect of maleic anhydride grafted styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene (SEBS‐g‐MA) content on mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of polyethylene terephthalate/polycarbonate/halloysite nanotubes (PET/PC/HNTs) nanocomposites has been investigated. Nanocomposites of PET/PC (70 : 30) with 2 phr of HNTs were compounded using the counter rotating twin screw extruder. A series of formulations were prepared by adding 5–20 phr SEBS‐g‐MA to the composites. Incorporation of 5 phr SEBS‐g‐MA into the nanocomposites resulted in the highest tensile and flexural strength. Maximum improvement in the impact strength which is 245% was achieved at 10 phr SEBS‐g‐MA content. The elongation at break increased proportionately with the SEBS‐g‐MA content. However, the tensile and flexural moduli decreased with increasing SEBS‐g‐MA content. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a transition from a brittle fracture to ductile fracture morphology with increasing amount of SEBS‐g‐MA. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the addition of SEBS‐g‐MA into the nanocomposites promoted a better dispersion of HNTs in the matrix. A single glass transition temperature was observed from the differential scanning calorimetry test for compatibilized nanocomposites. Thermogravimetric analysis of PET/PC/HNTs nanocomposites showed high thermal stability at 15 phr SEBS‐g‐MA content. However, on further addition of SEBS‐g‐MA up to 20 phr, thermal stability of the nanocomposites decreased due to the excess amount of SEBS‐g‐MA. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42608.
Oil–water separation capability of superhydrophobic fabrics fabricated via combining polydopamine adhesion with lotus‐leaf‐like structure
Authors: Wang Jintao , Chen Yuhong
Published: June 2015

By the combination of dual bionic on the superhydrophobicity of lotus leaf and the bioadhesion of mussel adhesive protein, the nanoparticles were strongly immobilized onto the surface of cotton fabric to form superhydrophobic and superoleophilic coating. The as‐prepared fabric can be used as effective material for separating various oil/water mixtures. The separation efficiency can reach 99.0%, 97.6%, 98.1%, 96.0%, 94.2%, and 94.5% for toluene/water, n‐hexane/water, chloroform/water, paraffin oil/water, linseed oil/water, and crude oil/water mixtures with volume ratio of 1 : 4, respectively. In addition, the obtained fabric still kept stable superhydrophobicity and high separation efficiency for oil/water mixtures after using repeatedly for 90 cycles or ultrasonic treatment. They also exhibited excellent chemical durability in harsh conditions of strong acidic and alkaline solutions. Owning to high separation efficiency, stable recyclability, low cost, scalable fabrication, and excellent durability, the as‐prepared fabric can be considered as promising material for the separation of oil/water mixtures. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42614.
Thermoresponsive hollow magnetic microspheres with hyperthermia and controlled release properties
Authors: Chen Lin , Zhang Huan , Li Longfei , Yang Yongzhen , Liu Xuguang , Xu Bingshe
Published: June 2015

Thermoresponsive hollow magnetic microspheres consisting of a hollow magnetic core, a carbon shell, and a smart polymer layer are presented in this article. A carbon nanomaterial was used as a steric stabilizer for Fe3O4 nanoparticles and a supporter for polymer. The thermoresponsive monomer, N‐isopropyl acrylamide, was grafted on the carbon‐encapsulate hollows by surface radical polymerization. The experimental results indicate that the composites had a phase‐transition temperature around 43°C and a saturation magnetization of 56.9 emu/g; this showed apparent thermosensitivity and magnetism. The performances in hyperthermia evaluated by an inductive magnetic field showed that the hybrid microspheres had a specific absorption rate of 240 W/g. The model drug, 5‐fluorouracil, was loaded in and released from the microspheres with different release rates at 35 and 50°C. This demonstrated that the as‐synthesized microspheres had a thermotriggered release ability and would be a good drug carrier in the biomedical field. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42617.
Metabolism of (‐)‐cis‐ and (‐)‐trans‐rose oxide by cytochrome P450 enzymes in human liver microsomes
Authors: Nakahashi Hiroshi , Yamamura Yuuki , Usami Atsushi , Rangsunvigit Pramoch , Malakul Pomthong , Miyazawa Mitsuo
Published: June 2015

The in vitro metabolism of (‐)‐cis‐ and (‐)‐trans‐rose oxide was investigated using human liver microsomes and recombinant cytochrome P450 (P450 or CYP) enzymes for the first time. Both isomers of rose oxide were incubated with human liver microsomes, and the formation of the respective 9‐oxidized metabolite were determined using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Of 11 different recombinant human P450 enzymes used, CYP2B6 and CYP2C19 were the primary enzymes catalysing the metabolism of (‐)‐cis‐ and (‐)‐trans‐rose oxide. CYP1A2 also efficiently oxidized (‐)‐cis‐rose oxide at the 9‐position but not (‐)‐trans‐rose oxide. α‐Naphthoflavone (a selective CYP1A2 inhibitor), thioTEPA (a CYP2B6 inhibitor) and anti‐CYP2B6 antibody inhibited (‐)‐cis‐rose oxide 9‐hydroxylation catalysed by human liver microsomes. On the other hand, the metabolism of (‐)‐trans‐rose oxide was suppressed by thioTEPA and anti‐CYP2B6 at a significant level in human liver microsomes. However, omeprazole (a CYP2C19 inhibitor) had no significant effects on the metabolism of both isomers of rose oxide. Using microsomal preparations from nine different human liver samples, (‐)‐9‐hydroxy‐cis‐ and (‐)‐9‐hydroxy‐trans‐rose oxide formations correlated with (S)‐mephenytoin N‐demethylase activity (CYP2B6 marker activity). These results suggest that CYP2B6 plays important roles in the metabolism of (‐)‐cis‐ and (‐)‐trans‐rose oxide in human liver microsomes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fluvastatin delays propagation of viral infection in isolated rat FDB myofibers but does not affect exocytic membrane trafficking
Authors: Nevalainen Mika , Metsikkö Kalervo
Published: June 2015

We have utilized the enveloped viral model to study the effect of fluvastatin on membrane trafficking in isolated rat myofibers. Our immunofluorescence studies constantly showed that infections in myofibers, which were treated with fluvastatin prior and during the infection with either vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) or influenza A virus, propagated more slowly than in control myofibers without drug treatment. Experiments with a virus expressing Dad1 tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP‐Dad1) showed that fluvastatin did not affect its distribution within the ER/SR network and immunofluorescence staining for GM130 did not show any marked effect on the structure of the Golgi components. Furthermore, fluvastatin did not inhibit trafficking of the chimeric transport marker VSV temperature sensitive G protein (tsG‐GFP) from the ER to the Golgi. We next subjected VSV infected myofibers for pulse‐chase labeling experiments and found that fluvastatin did not slow down the ER‐to‐Golgi trafficking or Golgi to plasma membrane trafficking of the viral glycoprotein. These studies show that fluvastatin inhibited the propagation of viral infection in skeletal myofibers but no adverse effect on the exocytic trafficking could be demonstrated. These results suggest that other effects of statins rather than inhibition of ER‐to‐Golgi trafficking might be behind the myotoxic effects of the statins.
Fulminant hepatic failure after intravenous injection of sublingual buprenorphine in a patient with hepatitis C
Authors: French Janine , Mujumdar Avik , Angus Peter , Gow Paul
Published: June 2015

Key Clinical Message

A 20‐year‐old indigenous Australian male was admitted to the intensive care unit with fulminant hepatic failure secondary to intravenous use of buprenorphine, which had been prescribed sublingually for opioid dependence. Intravenous buprenorphine‐induced hepatitis is well recognized, however, life‐threatening fulminant hepatic failure has not previously been reported.
Retracted: Bi5O7I Nanobelts: Synthesis, Modification, and Photocatalytic Antifouling Activity
Authors: Liu Chaohong , Zhang Dun
Published: June 2015

Bi5O7I nanobelts were prepared by a facile hydrothermal method to study the crystal phase transformation and morphology evolution. Based on these results, a crystal growth mechanism of Bi5O7I nanobelts was proposed. To enhance the photocatalytic antifouling activity, ethanol or TiCl3 was used to modify the Bi5O7I nanobelts. The resulting BiOI/Bi2O2CO3/Bi5O7I and TiO2/BiOCl/Bi5O7I micro‐nanostructures show excellent degradation activity of malachite green and bactericidal effects against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which may be attributed to the higher charge carrier separation efficiency of these heterojunction structures. The results indicate that the formation of semiconductor composites is a very effective strategy to design high‐performance photocatalyst systems.
Synthesis of Bismuth‐Nanoparticle‐Enriched Nanoporous Carbon on Graphene for Efficient Electrochemical Analysis of Heavy‐Metal Ions
Authors: Cui Lin , Wu Jie , Ju Huangxian
Published: June 2015

A BiNPs@NPCGS nanocomposite was designed for highly efficient detection of multiple heavy‐metal ions by in situ synthesis of bismuth‐nanoparticle (BiNP)‐enriched nanoporous carbon (NPS) on graphene sheet (GS). The NPCGS was prepared by pyrolysis of zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) nanocrystals deposited on graphene oxide and displayed a high surface area of 1251 m2 g−1 and a pore size of 3.4 nm. BiNPs were deposited on NPCGS in situ by chemical reduction of Bi3+ with NaBH4. Due to the restrictive effect of the pore/surface structure of NPCGS, the BiNPs were uniform and well dispersed on the NPCGS. The BiNPs@NPCGS showed good conductivity and high effective area, and the presence of BiNPs allowed it to act as an efficient material for anodic‐stripping voltammetric detection of heavy‐metal ions. Under optimized conditions, the BiNPs@NPCGS‐based sensor could simultaneously determine Pb2+ and Cd2+ with detection limits of 3.2 and 4.1 nM, respectively. Moreover, the proposed sensor could also differentiate Tl+ from Pb2+ and Cd2+. Owing to its advantages of simple preparation, environmental friendliness, high surface area, and fast electron‐transfer ability, BiNPs@NPCGS showed promise for practical application in sensing heavy‐metal ions.
Ultrafast Photoinduced Electron Transfer and Charge Stabilization in Donor–Acceptor Dyads Capable of Harvesting Near‐Infrared Light
Authors: Bandi Venugopal , Gobeze Habtom B. , D'Souza Francis
Published: June 2015

To harvest energy from the near‐infrared (near‐IR) and infrared (IR) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, which constitutes nearly 70 % of the solar radiation, there is a great demand for near‐IR and IR light‐absorbing sensitizers that are capable of undergoing ultrafast photoinduced electron transfer when connected to a suitable electron acceptor. Towards achieving this goal, in the present study, we report multistep syntheses of dyads derived from structurally modified BF2‐chelated azadipyrromethene (ADP; to extend absorption and emission into the near‐IR region) and fullerene as electron‐donor and electron‐acceptor entities, respectively. The newly synthesized dyads were fully characterized based on optical absorbance, fluorescence, geometry optimization, and electrochemical studies. The established energy level diagram revealed the possibility of electron transfer either from the singlet excited near‐IR sensitizer or singlet excited fullerene. Femtosecond and nanosecond transient absorption studies were performed to gather evidence of excited state electron transfer and to evaluate the kinetics of charge separation and charge recombination processes. These studies revealed the occurrence of ultrafast photoinduced electron transfer leading to charge stabilization in the dyads, and populating the triplet states of ADP, benzanulated‐ADP and benzanulated thiophene‐ADP in the respective dyads, and triplet state of C60 in the case of BF2‐chelated dipyrromethene derived dyad during charge recombination. The present findings reveal that these sensitizers are suitable for harvesting light energy from the near‐IR region of the solar spectrum and for building fast‐responding optoelectronic devices operating under near‐IR radiation input.
Carbocatalysis: The State of “Metal‐Free” Catalysis
Authors: Chua Chun Kiang , Pumera Martin
Published: June 2015

The rise in global demand for crucial chemical compounds has driven immense research in the fundamental science of catalysis. Graphene and its derivatives (chemically modified graphene, CMGs) have recently emerged as a new class of heterogeneous catalyst that promises economically viable and greener routes to these compounds. Although CMGs possess unique catalytic properties, the actual active sites are often points of discussion. Current minimal understanding on the possible effects of metallic impurities on the electrocatalytic performances of these CMGs calls forth the need to raise awareness on possible metallic impurities misrepresenting the actual chemical catalytic performances of the CMGs. This Minireview highlights the latest advances in the application of CMGs as catalysts, with an emphasis on the possible effects of metallic impurities on CMG catalysis.
Facile Assembly of Chiral Metallosquares by Using Enantiopure Tribenzotriquinacene Corner Motifs
Authors: Xu Wen‐Rong , Xia Guang‐Jie , Chow Hak‐Fun , Cao Xiao‐Ping , Kuck Dietmar
Published: June 2015

A pair of enantiomerically pure metallosquares based on linear platinum‐diacetylene edges and tribenzotriquinacene corner units was synthesized. Their structures were characterized by 1H‐, 13C‐ and 31P NMR spectroscopy as well as MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry and circular dichroism. Based on DFT calculation, the optimized geometry possesses a distorted square conformation in which the four edges are not sitting on the same plane. The molecular square further self‐assembled in the solid state to afford microspheres with diameter of approximately 300 nm, as determined by scanning electron microscopy.
Recent Progress in Sustainable Polymers Obtained from Cyclic Terpenes: Synthesis, Properties, and Application Potential
Authors: Winnacker Malte , Rieger Bernhard
Published: June 2015

The functionalization and polymerization of biobased monocyclic terpenes and their derivatives for the synthesis of sustainable polymers is described, especially in view of the synthetic routes and properties of the obtained macromolecular architectures. Comparison of these procedures and the obtained materials with “classical” oil‐based approaches, and also with alternative biobased routes, gives interesting insights into the potential of these small terpene building‐block structures for modern polymer science and technology.
Swept area theory: an approach in nonlinear and switched network analysis
Authors: Barcellona Simone , Superti‐Furga Gabrio
Published: June 2015

In this work, according to the concept of ‘area’ on the v–i plane, a new approach called swept area theory, under both nonlinear continuous and discontinuous conditions, is developed. Novel conservative functions, such as area velocity and closed area over time (CAT), involved in this theory, are proposed. An analysis is carried out, by means of these functions, over nonlinear R, L, and C elements and over the ideal switch. In addition, jump discontinuities are discussed in detail. The CAT is related to the harmonic reactive powers and under sinusoidal steady state becomes proportional to the classical reactive power. A balance rule concerning harmonic reactive powers over nonlinear resistor under continuous conditions is obtained and discussed as a novel interesting result. This aspect impacts on a possible expanded definition of reactive power under distorted conditions. Thanks to the switching power, a novel quantitative relation between hard‐switching commutations and CAT is obtained, with both theoretical and applicative relevance. More explanation is presented through a demonstration that shows how an ideal switch and power converters can become sources of reactive power. Issues of principle regarding the ideal switch model with respect to the real one are another important result of this work. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aerosol‐Assisted Chemical‐Vapour Deposition of Zinc Oxide from Single‐Source β‐Iminoesterate Precursors
Authors: Manzi Joe A. , Knapp Caroline E. , Parkin Ivan P. , Carmalt Claire J.
Published: June 2015

Single‐source zinc β‐iminoesterate precursors have been used for the first time in the aerosol‐assisted chemical‐vapour deposition (AACVD) of ZnO thin films. Depositions at 450 °C on silica‐coated glass substrates produced strongly adherent films with excellent coverage of the substrate. The zinc β‐iminoesterates [Zn(L1)2] (1) and [Zn(L2)2] (2) were synthesised by the reaction between ZnEt2 and 2 equiv. of a synthesised β‐iminoester ligand CH3C[NHCH(CH3)2]CHC(O)OCH2CH3 (L1) and CH3C(NHCH3)CHC(O)OCH2CH3 (L2). The synthesised complexes were isolated and characterised by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and thermal gravitational analysis (TGA). The structures of the compounds were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The ZnO films deposited from 1 and 2 were analyzed by glancing‐angle X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and their optical properties determined by UV/Vis/NIR transmission spectroscopy. These results reveal that the organic ligand attached to the N moiety of the zinc complex has a significant effect on the level of carbon incorporated into the deposited thin film. Upon annealing, highly transparent hexagonal wurtzite ZnO thin films were produced.
Recent evidence on omega 6 fatty acids and cardiovascular risk
Authors: Poli Andrea , Visioli Francesco
Published: June 2015

As evidence accumulates, our knowledge of the role of individual fatty acids in cardiovascular disease improves. This re‐evaluation is being applied to poly‐ (PUFAs) and mono‐ (MUFAs) unsaturated fatty acids. Among the former, omega 6 (or n‐6) fatty acids from vegetables and seed oils have always been labeled as cardioprotective. However, this notion was challenged in the 80s, when in vitro data on the high oxidizability of omega 6 fatty acids, their potential pro‐inflammatory effects purportedly due to the formation of prostaglandins, and their hypothesized competition for the same enzymes that elongate and desaturate omega 3 fatty acids cast doubts on their healthful roles and even led to the suggestion to limit their dietary intake. As outlined in this review and based on the most recent studies, this is most probably not the case: indeed, adequate intakes of omega 6 fatty acids appear to be extremely helpful in CHD risk reduction and a hypothetical reduction of omega 6 intake by the population at large would actually increase CHD risk.

Main biological effects of omega 6 fatty acids.
Paper‐Based Electronic Tongue
Authors: Witkowska Nery Emilia , Guimarães Jéssica A. , Kubota Lauro T.
Published: June 2015

We present a low cost paper‐based electronic tongue capable of discriminating forged water samples. System comprises of 4 paper‐based potentiometric sensors (sensitive to Cl−, Na+/K+, Ca2+/Mg2+, ${{\rm NO}{{- \hfill \atop 3\hfill}}}$) and a traditional Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Different electrode materials and methods of insulation were tested with best results obtained for pencil graphite and lamination. The presented electronic tongue was able to distinguish tap and lake water from mineral water samples (PCA – Principal Component Analysis and KNN  K‐nearest neighbour). In total 14 different water samples were used in this study. Sensors presented good signal repeatability, selectivity and reasonable sensitivity.
Adsorption of Cadmium on Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles in Freshwater Conditions – A Chemodynamic Study
Authors: Vale Gonçalo , Franco Cristiana , Brunnert Anna M. , Correia dos Santos Margarida M.
Published: June 2015

The adsorption of Cd onto two titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO2) with distinct crystalline phases and sizes was investigated in conditions that can be found in freshwater systems (I=0.01 M, pH 6.0–8.5). Cd dynamic speciation was assessed by two distinct electroanalytical techniques: absence of gradients and nernstian equilibrium stripping (AGNES) and scanned stripping chronopotentiometry (SSCP). With both NPs, 1 : 1 CdTiO2 homogeneous and labile surface complexes are formed. To our knowledge this is the first study about the dynamic nature of the nTiO2 surface complexes formed in the presence of Cd.
Electrode Modification Using Alkynyl Substituted Fe(II) Phthalocyanine via Electrografting and Click Chemistry for Electrocatalysis
Authors: Nxele Siphesihle Robin , Mashazi Philani , Nyokong Tebello
Published: June 2015

In this work, tetrakis(5‐hexyn‐oxy)Fe(II) phthalocyanine was synthesised in order to perform a click reaction between the terminal alkyne groups and an azide group on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface. An azide group was formed on the electrode surface following electrografting using 4‐azidobenzene diazonium tetrafluoroborate by electrochemical reduction. The Cu(I) catalyzed alkyne‐azide Huisgen cycloaddition reaction was then employed in order to react the terminal alkyne groups on the phthalocyanine with the azide groups on the GCE surface. The modified electrode was employed to catalyse the oxidation of hydrazine. The electrode showed good electrocatalytic ability towards the detection of hydrazine with a sensitivity of 15.38 µA mM−1 and a limit of detection of 1.09 µM.
Amperometric Folic Acid Quantification Using a Supramolecular Tetraruthenated Nickel Porphyrin µ‐Peroxo‐Bridged Matrix Modified Electrode Associated to Batch Injection Analysis
Authors: Ferreira Luís M. C. , Martins Paulo R. , Araki Koiti , Toma Henrique H. , Angnes Lúcio
Published: June 2015

A supramolecular Nickel (II) porphyrin complex containing four pyridyl‐bis(2,2′‐bipyridyl)chloro ruthenium meso substituents was submitted to successive voltammetric cycles in high alkaline media to produce a supramolecular matrix with Nickel centers linked by µ‐peroxo bridges, producing a highly stable thin film able to act as redox mediator for electrocatalytic oxidation of folic acid. The characterization of electrode surface material was performed by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. The modified electrode was inserted into a batch injection electrochemical cell used for the rapid and precise quantification of folic acid in pharmaceutical products. The favorable hydrodynamic conditions provided by amperometry‐BIA association allowed a very high throughput with good linear range (1 to 200 µmol L−1) and low detection limit (7.37×10−7 mol L−1). The electrochemical method was applied to the quantification of folic acid in different tablet samples. The results were comparable with values indicated by the manufacturer and those found using high HPLC according to the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia; commercial samples were submitted to a procedure in order to remove lactose of tablets, since carbohydrates act as interfering species. This procedure together with the electrochemical method showed to be simple, rapid, efficient and an appropriate alternative for quantifying this compound in real samples.
Determination of Allura Red and Tartrazine in Food Samples by Sequential Injection Analysis Combined with Voltammetric Detection at Antimony Film Electrode
Authors: Rodríguez J. A. , Juárez M. G. , Galán‐Vidal C. A. , Miranda J. M. , Barrado E.
Published: June 2015

An antimony film electrode prepared on‐line and installed as part of a sequential injection system, was used as an electrochemical detector to determine azo dyes in food samples. The influence of several flow variables were evaluated using a central composite design. In optimal conditions, the linear range of the calibration curve varied from 1–5 µM, with a limit of detection limit of 0.3 µM. The relative standard deviation of analytical repeatability was <5.0 %.The method was validated by comparing the results obtained with those provided by HPLC; no significant difference were seen.
Digital landscapes of deglaciation: identifying Late Quaternary glacial lake outburst floods using LiDAR
Authors: Thorndycraft Varyl R. , Cripps Jonathan E. , Eades Gwilym L.
Published: June 2015

High resolution DEMs obtained from LiDAR topographic data have led to improved landform inventories (e.g. landslides and fault scarps) and understanding of geomorphic event frequency. Here we use airborne LiDAR mapping to investigate meltwater pathways associated with the Tweed Valley palaeo ice‐stream (UK). In particular we focus on a gorge downstream of Palaeolake Milfield, previously mapped as a sub‐glacial meltwater channel, where the identification of abandoned headcut channels, run‐up bars, rock‐cut terrace surfaces and eddy flow features attest to formation by a sub‐aerial glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) caused by breaching of a sediment dam, likely an esker ridge. Mapping of these landforms combined with analysis of the gorge rim elevations and cross‐section variability revealed a two phase event with another breach site downstream following flow blockage by higher elevation drumlin topography. We estimate the magnitude of peak flow to be 1–3 × 103 m3/s, duration of the event to range from 16–155 days, and a specific sediment yield of 107–109 m3/km2/yr. We identified other outburst pathways in the lower Tweed basin that help delineate an ice margin position of the retreating Tweed Valley ice stream. The results suggest that low magnitude outburst floods are under‐represented in Quaternary geomorphological maps. We therefore recommend regional LiDAR mapping of meltwater pathways to identify other GLOFs in order to better quantify the pattern of freshwater and sediment fluxes from melting ice sheets to oceans. Despite the relatively low magnitude of the Till outburst event, it had a significant impact on the landscape development of the lower Tweed Valley through the creation of a new tributary pathway and triggering of rapid knickpoint retreat encouraging new regional models of post‐glacial fluvial landscape response. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interleukin‐10 is a critical regulator of white matter lesion containment following viral induced demyelination
Authors: Puntambekar Shweta S. , Hinton David R. , Yin Xinghua , Savarin Carine , Bergmann Cornelia C. , Trapp Bruce D. , Stohlman Stephen A.
Published: June 2015

Neurotropic coronavirus induces an acute encephalomyelitis accompanied by focal areas of demyelination distributed randomly along the spinal column. The initial areas of demyelination increase only slightly after the control of infection. These circumscribed focal lesions are characterized by axonal sparing, myelin ingestion by macrophage/microglia, and glial scars associated with hypertrophic astrocytes, which proliferate at the lesion border. Accelerated virus control in mice lacking the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 was associated with limited initial demyelination, but low viral mRNA persistence similar to WT mice and declining antiviral cellular immunity. Nevertheless, lesions exhibited sustained expansion providing a model of dysregulated white matter injury temporally remote from the acute CNS insult. Expanding lesions in the absence of IL‐10 are characterized by sustained microglial activation and partial loss of macrophage/microglia exhibiting an acquired deactivation phenotype. Furthermore, IL‐10 deficiency impaired astrocyte organization into mesh like structures at the lesion borders, but did not prevent astrocyte hypertrophy. The formation of discrete foci of demyelination in IL‐10 sufficient mice correlated with IL‐10 receptor expression exclusively on astrocytes in areas of demyelination suggesting a critical role for IL‐10 signaling to astrocytes in limiting expansion of initial areas of white matter damage. GLIA 2015;63:2106–2120
О,О‐Dialkyl‐S‐(1,1‐dimethyl‐2‐oxoethyl)dithiophosphates: Synthesis and Reactions with n‐Nucleophiles
Authors: Gazizov Mukattis B. , Khairullin Rafail A. , Aksenov Nikita G. , Sinyashin Oleg G.
Published: June 2015

Hydrolysis of the new types of iminium salts was used to synthesize О,О‐dialkyl‐S‐(1,1‐dimethyl‐2‐oxoethyl)dithiophosphates or 2‐dialkoxythiophosphorylthio‐substituted aldehydes with carbon isochain. Reactions of aldehydes with N‐, N,N‐, and O,N‐nucleophiles gave new phosphorylated imines containing an acetal group at different positions, perhydro‐1,3‐diazol and oxazol with the diisopropoxythiophosphorylthio group in a side chain, and hydrazone of this aldehyde and diphenylphosphinylacetic acid hydrazide.
Childhood Obesity and Cognitive Achievement
Authors: Black Nicole , Johnston David W. , Peeters Anna
Published: June 2015

Obese children tend to perform worse academically than normal‐weight children. If poor cognitive achievement is truly a consequence of childhood obesity, this relationship has significant policy implications. Therefore, an important question is to what extent can this correlation be explained by other factors that jointly determine obesity and cognitive achievement in childhood? To answer this question, we exploit a rich longitudinal dataset of Australian children, which is linked to national assessments in math and literacy. Using a range of estimators, we find that obesity and body mass index are negatively related to cognitive achievement for boys but not girls. This effect cannot be explained by sociodemographic factors, past cognitive achievement or unobserved time‐invariant characteristics and is robust to different measures of adiposity. Given the enormous importance of early human capital development for future well‐being and prosperity, this negative effect for boys is concerning and warrants further investigation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Feeding ecology of the invasive Amur sleeper (Perccottus glenii Dybowski, 1877) in Central Europe
Authors: Kati Sára , Mozsár Attila , Árva Diána , Cozma Nastasia J. , Czeglédi István , Antal László , Nagy Sándor A. , Erős Tibor
Published: June 2015

In the last two decades, the invasion of the Amur sleeper (Perccottus glenii Dybowski, 1877) originating from the Far East can be observed in Eastern and Central Europe. Since the Amur sleeper is a non‐game fish species, few detailed studies exist on its feeding ecology both in its native and invaded habitats. We examined the seasonal feeding ecology of Amur sleeper in a lentic and in a lotic habitat. Chironomid larvae, zygpoteran larvae, crustaceans, and ephemeropteran larvae dominated the diet. No clear differences between the two habitats were found. The diet composition was mainly regulated by the body size that had stronger effect than the habitat and the season. Although fish consumption was uncommon, we anticipate this finding to the structure of the examined populations, in which large bodied individuals were rare. Our study shows that the Amur sleeper may influence several levels (compartments) of the aquatic food web, although the species proved to be an especially important predator of the invertebrate assemblage.
Agents Which Inhibit NF‐κB Signaling Block Spontaneous Contractile Activity and Negatively Influence Survival of Developing Myotubes
Authors: Carlson C. George , Stein Lauren , Dole Elizabeth , Potter Ross M. , Bayless David
Published: June 2015

Inhibiting the NF‐κB signaling pathway provides morphological and functional benefits for the mdx mouse, a model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy characterized by chronic elevations in the nuclear expression of p65, the transactivating component of the NF‐κB complex. The purpose of this study was to examine p65 expression in nondystrophic and mdx myotubes using confocal immunofluorescence, and determine whether inhibitors of the NF‐κB pathway alter myotube development. Primary cultures of nondystrophic and mdx myotubes had identical levels of nuclear and cytosolic p65 expression and exhibited equivalent responses to TNF‐α, thus excluding the hypothesis that the lack of dystrophin is sufficient to induce increases in NF‐κB signaling. The NF‐κB inhibitors pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) and sulfasalazine decreased spontaneous contractile activity and reduced myotube viability in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Similarly, a vivo‐morpholino designed to block translation of murine p65 (m‐p65tb‐vivomorph1) rapidly abolished spontaneous contractile activity, reduced p65 expression measured by confocal immunofluorescence, and induced cell death in primary cultures of nondystrophic and mdx myotubes. Similar effects on p65 immunofluorescence and cell viability were observed following m‐p65tb‐vivomorph1 exposure to spontaneously inactive C2C12 myotubes, while exposure to a control scrambled vivo morpholino had no effect. These results indicate a direct role of the NF‐κB pathway in myotube development and identify a potential therapeutic limitation to the use of NF‐κB inhibitors in treating Duchenne and related muscular dystrophies. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 788–797, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
TRPV3 Channel Negatively Regulates Cell Cycle Progression and Safeguards the Pluripotency of Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Lo Iek Chi , Chan Hing Chung , Qi Zenghua , Ng Kwun Lam , So Chun , Tsang Suk Ying
Published: June 2015

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have tremendous potential for research and future therapeutic purposes. However, the calcium handling mechanism in ESCs is not fully elucidated. Aims of this study are (1) to investigate if transient receptor potential vanilloid‐3 (TRPV3) channels are present in mouse ESCs (mESCs) and their subcellular localization; (2) to investigate the role of TRPV3 in maintaining the characteristics of mESCs. Western blot and immunocytochemistry showed that TRPV3 was present at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of mESCs. Calcium imaging showed that, in the absence of extracellular calcium, TRPV3 activators camphor and 6‐tert‐butyl‐m‐cresol increased the cytosolic calcium. However, depleting the ER store in advance of activator addition abolished the calcium increase, suggesting that TRPV3 released calcium from the ER. To dissect the functional role of TRPV3, TRPV3 was activated and mESC proliferation was measured by trypan blue exclusion and MTT assays. The results showed that TRPV3 activation led to a decrease in mESC proliferation. Cell cycle analysis revealed that TRPV3 activation increased the percentage of cells in G2/M phase; consistently, Western blot also revealed a concomitant increase in the expression of inactive form of cyclin‐dependent kinase 1, suggesting that TRPV3 activation arrested mESCs at G2/M phase. TRPV3 activation did not alter the expression of pluripotency markers Oct‐4, Klf4 and c‐Myc, suggesting that the pluripotency was preserved. Our study is the first study to show the presence of TRPV3 at ER. Our study also reveals the novel role of TRPV3 in controlling the cell cycle and preserving the pluripotency of ESCs. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 403–413, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Loss of atomic nitrogen from even‐electron ions? A study on benzodiazepines
Authors: Treu Axel , Rittner Miriam , Kemken Dorit , Schiebel Hans‐Martin , Spiteller Peter , Dülcks Thomas
Published: June 2015

The fragment spectra of protonated nitro‐substituted benzodiazepines show an unusual fragment [M + H ‐ 14]+, which is shown by accurate mass measurement to be due to the loss of a nitrogen atom. Our investigations show that this apparent loss of atomic nitrogen is rather an attachment of molecular oxygen to the [M + H ‐ NO2]+• ion, which is the main fragment ion in these spectra. The oxygen attachment is exothermic, and rate constants have been derived. MSn spectra show that it is not easily reversible upon fragmentation of the adduct ion and that it is also observed with some secondary and tertiary fragments, which allows to limit the attachment site to the aromatic ring annulated to the diazepine moiety. Fragments of the oxygen adduct ion indicate that the O2 molecule dissociates in the adduct formation process, and the two oxygen atoms are bound to different sites of the ion. Comparison with radical cations generated by fragmentation of non‐nitro‐substituted benzodiazepines, none of which showed an oxygen attachment, and the fragmentation mechanisms involved in their formation indicates that the [M + H ‐ NO2]+• ion is a distonic ion with the charge and radical site neighbored on the aromatic ring. From these results, we derive a proposal for the formation and structure of the [M + H ‐ NO2 + O2]+• ion, which explains the experimental observations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physiologically relevant factors influence tau phosphorylation by leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2
Authors: Hamm Matthew , Bailey Rachel , Shaw Gerry , Yen Shu‐Hui , Lewis Jada , Giasson Benoit I.
Published: June 2015

Hyperphosphorylation and aggregation of tau are observed in multiple neurodegenerative diseases termed tauopathies. Tau has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) and parkinsonisms. Some PD patients with mutations in the leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene exhibit tau pathology. Mutations in LRRK2 are a major risk factor for PD, but LRRK2 protein function remains unclear. The most common mutation, G2019S, is located in the kinase domain of LRRK2 and enhances kinase activity in vitro. This suggests that the kinase activity of LRRK2 may underlie its cellular toxicity. Recently, in vitro studies have suggested a direct interaction between tubulin‐bound tau and LRRK2 that results in tau phosphorylation at one identified site. Here we present data suggesting that microtubules (MTs) enhance LRRK2‐mediated tau phosphorylation at three different epitopes. We also explore the effect of divalent cations as catalytic cofactors for G2019S LRRK2‐mediated tau phosphorylation and show that manganese does not support kinase activity but inhibits the efficient ability of magnesium to catalyze LRRK2‐mediated phosphorylation of tau. These results suggest that cofactors such as MTs and cations in the cellular milieu have an important impact on LRRK2‐tau interactions and resultant tau phosphorylation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Experience of Insight Follows Incubation in the Compound Remote Associates Task
Authors: Morrison Robert G. , McCarthy Sean W. , Molony John M.
Published: June 2015

The phenomenon of insight is frequently characterized by the experience of a sudden and certain solution. Anecdotal accounts suggest that insight frequently occurs after the problem solver has taken some time away from the problem (i.e., incubation). However, the mechanism by which incubation may facilitate insight problem‐solving remains unclear. Here, we used compound remote associates problems to explore the likely mechanisms by which incubation may facilitate problem‐solving. First, we manipulated problem fixation to explore whether forgetting can explain incubation effects. Second, leveraging previous work linking the experience of insight to unconscious semantic integration, we asked participants to report their experience of insight after each problem solution, including problems solved after a period of distracted incubation. We hypothesized that incubation was not principally important for forgetting but rather frequently causes a shift to a more unconscious semantic integration strategy. Consistent with this we found that initial problem fixation did not predict the improvement in problem‐solving after incubation and that participants were more likely to report insight on problems solved after incubation. Our findings suggest that incubation may facilitate insight problem‐solving leading to a mind‐set shift to a more unconscious problem‐solving strategy involving semantic integration.